USA > Ohio > Ohio legislative history, 1913-1917 > Part 51
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The Shinn family dates its beginning in America back to a time prior to the coming of William Penn. John Shinn was the first of the name to leave England. He was a Quaker, or "Friend," and was driven out of his native land because of his religious belief. Like many another, he came to the New World as a seeker after religious freedom and found it in Burlington county, New Jersey, where he established a home and reared a family, worshipping God ac- cording to the dictates of his own conscience, without interference from anyone. All of the name in America are said to be direct descendants of that brave pioneer.
Burlington county, New Jersey, has continued to be the home of members of the family up to the present day, and there Aaron Shinn, father of the member from Williams, was born, in 1803. He migrated to Ohio in early manhood and finally located in Williams county, where he met and married Miss Henrietta C. Speaker, a native of Columbiana county. He was a blacksmith by trade and established the first shop of that kind in Northwest township, Williams county. He died, Jan. 16, 1867.
William H. Shinn was born in Northwest township, Williams county, Ohio, March 19, 1867, a little more than two months after the death of his father. His early education was received in the district school, which he attended more or less regularly, hiring out for work on neighboring farms in the summer months and doing chores for his board and attending school in the winter. In January, 1883, when not
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quite sixteen years old, he went to Montpelier and became an apprentice at the printer's trade in the office of the Montpelier Enterprise. After working at the trade two years he passed the examination and secured a certificate to teach school. He then divided the time for the next five years between teaching school and working at his trade. He taught in Ohio, Kentucky and Michigan. When twenty years of age he became the editor of the Montpelier Democrat and occupied that position about eighteen months. In 1890 he went to Newaygo, Mich., and published the Democrat at that place until November, 1893. During his residence in Michigan he filled several local offices, among them being school in- spector, deputy county clerk, village clerk, justice of the peace and township clerk. In June, 1894, he removed to LaGrange, Ind., and pur- chased the LaGrange Democrat which he published until February, 1896. In the spring of 1897 he entered the employ of a publishing house and remained thus associated, for the greater part of the time as a writer, until 1912. While residing in Indiana, in 1900, he was nominated as the Democratic candidate for State Senator, but was defeated at the election.
In August, 1912, Mr. Shinn returned to his boyhood home in Wil- liams county and purchased the Montpelier Enterprise, which he con- ducted until September, 1916. In November, 1913, he was elected mayor of Montpelier, was re-elected in 1915, and resigned that office to take a seat in the legislature, Jan. 1, 1917. At the primary election of 1914 he was chosen as the Democratic candidate for Representative from Williams county, but was beaten at the November election. In 1916 he was again nominated, this time without opposition, and was elected by a vote of 3,437 against 3,335 given to his opponent, Hon. Frank M. Money, who had been the successful candidate two years before.
Upon the organization of the 82d General Assembly Mr. Shinn was made chairman of the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments and the I. & R., and was given membership on the following commit- tees : Cities, Fees and Salaries, Liquor Traffic and Temperance, privileges and Elections, and Taxation and Revenues. Among his acts as a legislator he introduced the Anti-Spotters' railroad bill and the Injunction and Abatement (anti-vice) bill, both of which were enacted into law, and he was the author and secured the adoption of the reso- lution submitting to the people an amendment to the constitution where- by the double taxation of real estate may be prevented.
On Dec. 25, 1891, Mr. Shinn was married to Miss Zoe Thomas, at Montpelier, and they have a son, William Thomas, now a student in the Montpelier High School.
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HON. HERMAN SHY.
(Pike County)
The territory within the limits of Pike county was first visited by white traders and trappers in 1796, and it was then a part of Washington County. The first settlement was made on the Pee Pee Prairie, where the town of Piketon was afterward laid out. The county was organized by Legislative Act in February, 1815, and was given its name in honor of Gen. Zebulon Pike, the discoverer of Pike's Peak, in Colorado. On March 24th, of the same year, Piketon was chosen the county seat by a commission appointed for that purpose. Gen. Robert Lucas, who served the State of Ohio as Governor for two terms, resided in Pike County, and his home was a beautiful brick mansion in the country, about 2 miles southeast of Waverly. He was President of the Conven- tion that nominated Andrew Jackson for President in 1832, at Baltimore.
Hon. Herman Shy, the representative of Pike County in the Eighty- second General Assembly, was born at Shyville, Pike County, Ohio, July Ist, 1866. His father, Henry Shy, was born in Germany, and came to America in 1849. The son, Herman, received his education in the common schools at Shyville, worked on the farm until the age of 16, then engaged in the general merchandise business at Shyville for nine years. In 1892, Mr. Shy engaged in general merchandise and lum- ber business for himself at the town of Dove, in Pike County, where he has since remained, at the same time, being engaged in the business of farming and stock raising.
In the month of September, 1890, Mr. Shy was joined in marriage with Miss Mary M. Slavens, of Stockdale, Pike County, Ohio, and to this union there was born seven children, the eldest, Frank R., was a graduate of the Ohio Northern University, at Ada, Ohio. He died, Feb. 7th, 1915, at the age of 22. The remaining children are: Herman H., Hattie C., Anna D., Albert G., Kathryn, and Malcolm.
Mr. Shy served for many years on the local school board, and eight years as township clerk. He has also been Postmaster at Dove for 25 years, and agent of D. T. & I. R. R. for the same period of time.
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In the year 1916, Mr. Shy was nominated and elected, as a Demo- crat, to serve in the Eighty-second General Assembly of Ohio, and at the regular session of that body in 1917, he was actively interested in all matters of legislation. Representative Shy served as a member of the following House committees, namely : Agriculture, Fish Culture and Game, Mines and Mining, State and Economic Betterment, and Taxation and Revenues.
HON. LOUIS R. SIEBERT.
(Franklin County)
Three times chosen to represent Franklin County in the Ohio House of Representatives, Hon. Louis R. Siebert continues to merit the esteem in which he is held by the electors of Franklin County, and he has ever been an important factor in the local councils of the Democratic party.
Hon. Louis R. Siebert was born at Hock- enheim, Baden, Germany, June 3rd, 1860. His father, M. Siebert, was a native of the same place. Louis attended parochial school for seven years, and this was the sum of his education. In the year 1880, he came, with his parents, to America, and they located at Columbus, where Louis learned the trade of a cigar-maker and he has been for many years a leading cigar manufacturer of the capital city.
In the year 1884, Mr. Siebert was joined in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Tracht, of Upper Sandusky, Ohio, and they have two chil- dren, a son and daughter.
Before becoming a member of the Ohio Legislature, Mr. Siebert had been continuously chosen by his fellow-citizens tax assessor from 1890 to 1900. In the year 1912, Mr. Siebert was elected, as a Democrat, to the 80th General Assembly of Ohio, and in 1914, he was re-elected to serve in the 8Ist General Assembly, and he was again chosen in 1916, to serve in the 82nd General Assembly.
At the regular session of the Assembly in 1917, Representative Siebert served as a member of the following committees, namely : Cities, Labor, Liquor Traffic and Temperance, Military Affairs, and Public Parks and Works.
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HON. CULBERTSON JONES SMITH.
(Butler County)
Having served with distinction for four consecutive terms in the Ohio House of Rep- resentatives, the subject of this sketch is fairly entitled to be termed "Dean" of the House, and there is not much doubt that, had he not been chosen in 1917 Mayor of Hamil- ton, his home city, he would have continued to represent his constituency in the State Legislature.
Hon. Culbertson Jones Smith was born in Wayne Township, Butler County, Ohio, Feb. 25th, 1850. His father, John Culbertson Smith, was born in St. Clair Township, Butler County, Ohio. The son, Culbertson, received his education in the country schools and at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. At the age of sixteen, he began teaching school to secure funds to pay his way through college. After leaving college, Mr. Smith read law for six months and was admitted to the Bar, April 25th, 1876.
On June 29th, 1874, Mr. Smith was joined in marriage with Chris- tianna M. Kindred (nee Riker). They have a son and 2 grandsons.
In the year 1888, Mr. Smith was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Butler County, and he was twice re-elected, filling the position with great credit to himself and satisfaction to the people of his community, for a period of nine years. In the year 1910, Mr. Smith was nominated and elected, as a Democrat, to the 79th General Assembly of Ohio, and in the election of 1912, he was not opposed by the Republican party in Butler County, being returned to the 80th General Assembly by prac- tically the entire vote of the county. In 1914 and 1916 the result was practically the same, and Representative Smith was returned in both years, to the 8Ist and 82nd General Assemblies, respectively. Through- out his long service in the Ohio Legislature, Mr. Smith has been recog- nized as a leader of his party, and by his ability and force of character, has exercised a commanding influence upon most of the important legis- lation during said period.
At the general election held in November, 1917, Mr. Smith was chosen to the high office of Mayor of the city of Hamilton, the election being given to him by the combined votes of the Democrats and Repub-
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licans of the city, thus defeating the candidate of the Socialist party which had been in control of the office.
At the regular session of the Eighty-second General Assembly in 1917, Representative Smith served as Chairman of the committee on Military Affairs, and as a member of the following committees, namely : Agriculture, Appropriations and Finance, Privileges and Elections.
HON. JOHN C. SMITH.
(Cuyahoga County)
A former newsboy who, during the early years of his life, sold his wares on the streets of Cleveland, is one of the thirteen members of the Cuyahoga delegation in the Eighty- second General Assembly.
Hon. John Charles Smith was born at Cleveland, Ohio, Aug. 22nd, 1875. His father, William F. Smith, was born in County Farmanagh-Rosleigh, Ireland. The mother was born in Troy, New York, and she was the daughter of the once famous alderman, Michael Burns, in New York. Both parents were members of large families, the mother having ten brothers and four sisters, and the father, four brothers and six sisters. The son, John C., attended the parochial schools until he was 15 years of age, when he entered the employ of the Baldwin-Hatch Company, as cash-boy. At the age of 17, he desired to learn a trade, and learned to be a butcher, which business he followed for several years, leaving it in 1900, to serve as a conductor with the Cleveland Electric Railway Company. Since 1902, Mr. Smith has been in the employ of the East Ohio Gas Company, at Cleveland, working in various capacities, and he now holds the position of General Inspector with that company.
In the year 1899, Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Miss Sophia Vistejn, of Baltimore, and they have been blessed with seven children, namely: John Emmett, Emogene, William F., Mary, Evelyn, Agnes, and Jane.
In the year 1916, Mr. Smith was nominated and elected, as one of the thirteen Democrats chosen to represent Cuyahoga County in the
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Eighty-second General Assembly of Ohio, and as a member of that body, he was interested in all progressive legislation. Representative Smith was author of H. B. No. 83 - providing for the inspection of cold storage goods, and regulation and supervision of cold storage ware- houses ; also H. B. No. 110- relative to establishing a building code ; and H. B. No. 144- requiring persons, corporations, and associations owning or operating street or interurban electric cars, to provide for the well-being of their employes. These bills became Laws.
Mr. Smith served as a member of the following committees, namely : Dairy and Food Products, Manufactures and Commerce, Public Parks and Works.
HON. JOSHUA M. SPENCER. (Meigs County)
In the month of June, 1819, Meigs County was authorized by act of the Legislature, the territory being taken from Athens, Washing- ton, and Gallia Counties. The territory had been partially settled for many years, the pioneers locating here as early as 1787. The new county was given its name in honor of Jonathan Meigs, who had only recently been Governor of Ohio, and was a popular execu- tive. The first courts were held in a country church building in Salisbury Township, which happened to be there because it was one of the requirements of the Ohio Company, original owners of this part of the State under their purchase and lo- cation at Marietta, that there should be such a meeting place provided in every township. The first county seat was at Chester, but the seat of government was, many years since, transferred to Pomeroy, and Chester is almost obliterated since it lost the courthouse.
Hon. Joshua M. Spencer, Republican representative of Meigs County in the Eighty-second General Assembly, was born in Mason County, W. Va., Sept. 26th, 1862. He received a common school edu- cation, and is a farmer by occupation, his home being at Racine, Meigs County. Prior to his election as a Representative, Mr. Spencer served three terms as county commissioner, and he has been for many years, a member of the Racine School Board. Mr. Spencer is married, and
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a member of the Masonic, Knights of Pythias, and Modern Woodmen Fraternities.
In the year 1914, Mr. Spencer was nominated and elected, as a Republican, to the 8Ist General Assembly of Ohio, and in 1916, he was re-elected to serve in the 82nd General Assembly.
Representative Spencer served as a member of the following House committes, namely : Universities, Colleges and Normal Schools, Public Highways, and Manufactures and Commerce.
HON. W. R. SPRAGUE.
(Scioto County)
The first Legislature of Ohio convened on March 3rd, 1802, and on the 28th day of that month an act creating the county of Scioto was passed, to take effect the first day of May, following. A month later, the Legisla- ture appointed for associate judges - John Collins, Joseph Lucas, and Thomas William Swinney. These judges met on May 10th, 1803, to organize the county. The first meet- ing of the common pleas court of Scioto County was held at the town of Alexandria, Aug. 9th, 1803. The first courthouse erected in Scioto County was built in the year 1816, at a cost of $3,265.00. The walls were of brick, set in a foundation of stone, and the structure was 40 feet square, surmounted by a cupola 12 feet high, with a figure of the angel Gabriel cut in wood, on the spire. Sunday or day schools were forbidden to be held in it, but religious societies were permitted to use the building provided they "left it as clean as they found it".
Hon. W. R. Sprague, Republican Representative of Scioto County in the 8Ist and 82nd General Assemblies of Ohio, was born in Licking County, Ohio, Oct. 17th, 1875. His father, A. E. Sprague, was born in Franklin County, Ohio. Representative Sprague attended the country schools, the high school at Reynoldsburg, Ohio, and Ohio State Univer- sity. He studied Law, was admitted to practice in 1901, and has been actively engaged in his profession ever since.
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In the year 1905, Mr. Sprague was joined in marriage with Miss Louisa Dever, of Portsmouth, and they have two children, a son, Austin, and a daughter, Elizabeth. The ancestors of Mr. Sprague left Eng- land for America about the middle of the 17th century, and a great grandfather served as a soldier throughout the Revolutionary War.
At the regular session of the 82nd General Assembly in 1917, Mr. Sprague was author of H. B. No. 66- relative to an institution for crippled and deformed children, which became a Law.
Representative Sprague served as a member of the important House committee on Appropriations and Finance; also, the committee on Con- servation of Natural Resources.
He was not especially interested in any particular legislation ex- cept to carry out the pledges of the Republican party.
HON. JAMES B. STEWART.
(Guernsey County)
Guernsey County was formed by Act of the Legislature on Jan. 31st, 1810, its terri- tory being taken from the adjoining counties of Muskingum and Belmont. The county was given its name from the Isle of Guernsey, a British possession lying off the coast of France, because a colony of people from that island were among the earliest settlers. It is claimed that the youngest daughter of Gen. Stark, of Revolutionary War fame, died in this county, at the age of 99 years. Cam- bridge has been its county seat since the formation of the county.
Hon. James B. Stewart, who represents Guernsey County in the Eighty-second General Assembly of Ohio, was born in that county June 8, 1867, and has always lived within its limits. His father, John Stewart, was born Sept. 4, 1840. The parents of James B. Stewart were of Scotch-Irish descent, tracing the lineage back to "Mary, Queen of Scots". Mr. Stewart was educated in the public schools, and he grad- uated from Cambridge High School, with the class of 1882. He fol- lowed the occupation of farming, and taught in the public schools of the county for over twenty years. In 1911, he moved from the farm
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to the city of Cambridge, and since that time, has been engaged in the mercantile business.
Mr. Stewart has been twice married, first to Miss Cora B. Johnson, who died April 13th, 1913, leaving five children. The second marriage was to Mrs. Fannie, E. Cooper, of Cumberland, Ohio.
In the year 1916, Mr. Stewart was nominated and elected, as a Democrat, to a seat in the Eighty-second General Assembly of Ohio, and it was only through the confidence which he enjoys with the peo- ple of the county, that he was able to be chosen, where the Republicans usually elect their candidates by substantial majorities.
At the regular session of the Eighty-second General Assembly in 1917, Representative Stewart was actively interested in all the important legislation. He served as Chairman of the committee on Manufactures and Commerce, and he was a member of the following committees, namely : Appropriations and Finance, Privileges and Elections, Public Highways, and Public Waterways.
HON. WILLIAM WORTH STOKES.
(Montgomery County)
A man highly honored by his party and one in every way worthy of the preferment that he has received at the hands of the Democratic party, and the people, is the subject of this sketch. While in every sense loyal to his political beliefs, Mr. Stokes, in his position as Speaker Pro Tem. of the Ohio House of Representa- tives, and, consequently, the floor leader of his party, by his affability and natural kindness of disposition, won the sincere friendship and re- spect of his political opponents.
Hon. William Worth Stokes was born in Warren County, Ohio, Dec. 8th, 1849. His father, Benjamin A. Stokes, was a native of New Jersey. Representative Stokes was educated in the common schools of Warren County, and afterwards, in connec- tion with other activities of his early life, he read Law and was ad-
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mitted to practice, Jan. 6th, 1876, and immediately became active in his profession.
Of recent years, Mr. Stokes has not been in active practice as an attorney, but has devoted himself more particularly to public affairs. In the year 1911, he was elected a member of the Fourth Ohio Constitu- tional Convention, and during the deliberations of that great body, he acquitted himself with credit, and to the satisfaction of his constituents in Montgomery County, as well as to the people of Ohio. He rep- resented Montgomery County in the Eighty-first General Assembly dur- ing 1915-1916, and at that time, was especially charged with the duty of preserving the Conservancy Law that is of such vital importance to the people of the Great Miami Valley.
In November, 1916, he was again elected to the General Assembly, and was chosen Democratic floor leader, and to his advice, ability and industry, much credit has been given for the wise, just and humane laws passed by the Eighty-second General Assembly, as well as the defeat of many undeserving measures. Mr. Stokes has been warmly con- gratulated by members of all parties, by business men and laboring men, seeking the uplift of mankind and the making of Ohio a better place in which to live and do business, for his services. He is trusted by the business world, and he recognized that, to secure industrial peace, labor and capital each have rights that must be treated fairly and justly.
On May Ist, 1879, Mr. Stokes was united in marriage with Miss A. Alice White, of Columbus, Ohio, and their domestic life has been ideal and happy.
The first ancestor of Mr. Stokes in America came to this country in 1676. This ancestor was selected as one of three trustees, to settle the conflicting claim of landed estates of residence of West New Jersey and the English Crown.
Mr. Stokes is a member of the Episcopal Church, and a 32nd De- gree Mason. He has ever been a thorough believer in the Democratic party and its ideals, and does everything in his power to secure and promote a true Democratic administration of public affairs.
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HON. ADDISON LYMAN STUMP.
(Pickaway County)
On January Ist, 1810, the Ohio Legislature in session at the old capital at Chillicothe, passed an act establishing the county of Pick- away. The act became effective on March Ist, 1810, and provided for an election of county officials to be held on the first Monday in April, of that year. The first court was held on April 6th, 1810, at the small trading village of Jefferson, which was located about two miles south of Circleville. By the same act that created the county, a commission was named for the selection of a permanent county seat, and this commission chose the site of the old Indian fortification where Circleville now stands.
Circleville derives its name from the fact that it was originally most likely a "Mound builders' fortification, with the town laid out within a circular enclosure, formed by a high embankment. It so stood when the first white settlement was made."
Pickaway County has ever been strongly Democratic and its present Representative in the Eighty-second General Assembly, is of that faith.
Hon. Addison Lyman Stump, a native of Pickaway County, was born Dec. 21st, 1861. He received his education first in the public schools, and he then attended National Normal University, at Lebanon, Ohio. He graduated in medicine from the Starling Medical College, at Columbus. Dr. Stump served for nine years as County School Ex- aminer. He is married, and actively engaged in the practice of his pro- fession at Derby, Pickaway County, Ohio.
In the year 1916, Dr. Stump was nominated and elected, as a Demo- crat, to a seat in the Ohio House of Representatives, and at the regular session of the Eighty-second General Assembly in 1917, he was author of H. B. No. 216, authorizing the Governor to convey certain State lands to the Board of Education of Scioto Township rural district. The bill became a Law. Also, H. B. No. 398- to authorize the State Nor- mal Schools to manage and maintain model rural schools, which bill also became a Law.
Representative Stump served as a member of the following com- mittees, namely : Codes, Courts and Procedure, Common Schools,
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Liquor Traffic and Temperance, Public Buildings and Lands, and he was Chairman of the House committee on Universities, Colleges and Normal Schools.
HON. FRANCIS M. THOMPSON.
(Franklin County)
One of the ablest young lawyers in either House of the Eighty-second General Assem- bly of Ohio, is the subject of this sketch. He received the highest grade in full course in Law in the class of 1906, Ohio State Univ- ersity, and the highest honors in the State Bar examination, in December, 1905.
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