USA > Ohio > Clark County > Portrait and biographical album of Greene and Clark counties, Ohio, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county; together with portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States > Part 112
USA > Ohio > Greene County > Portrait and biographical album of Greene and Clark counties, Ohio, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county; together with portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States > Part 112
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The gentleman with whose name we introduce this biographical sketch was born at Transylvania, March 1, 1833, and was reared with but a common school education, laboring during his early life at anything he could find to do. At the age of eight- een years he began work at the trade of a black- smith on the site now occupied by his hardware store, and followed the trade thirty-two years. In 1883 he converted his shop into a store and em- barked in his present business enterprise, although he continued to carry on a shop until 1887. Re- liable workmanship and honest dealing in all his business relations have given him a creditable stand- ing as a mechanic and business man, and led to his being employed by a large number of patrons and securing the trade of a large circle.
During the late war Mayor Truman served as
Orderly Sergeant in Company G, One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Ohio Infantry. He has held the position of Justice of the Peace during three terms; was Township Trustee one term and has also been Township Treasurer. He has sat in the Mayor's chair during several official terms and it is evident that the residents within the village think their in- terests are safe in his hands. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in politics is a Democrat. His religious belief is that ex- pressed by the creed of the Methodist Protestant Church.
The first wife of Mayor Truman was Charlotte Simison, a native of this township, and a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Knight) Simison. The wedding ceremony took place September 19, 1857. The union resulted in the birth of two children: Ida J., who died at the age of twenty-one years, and Horace, who died when six years old. A sec- ond matrimonial alliance was contracted by Mr. Truman September 20, 1867, his present companion being Elvira, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Rob- ins) Fisk. Like her husband, Mrs. Truman is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church. She had borne three children, the only son and second child, Joseph L., being the only survivor. Minnie, the first-born, died at the age of seven years and Cora at the age of three.
AMES S. BABB. General farming and stock- raising is the business of this gentleman, whose pleasant home is in Greene County, four miles south of Xenia. It comprises one hundred and forty-seven acres in Spring Valley Township, and includes a part of the original home of our subject's father in this county. Mr. Babb was born near Winchester, Frederick County, Va., September 3, 1821, and was not yet two years old when his parents located in Ohio. He received a common-school education, and remained under the parental roof until his marriage, when he estab- lished a home in Xenia Township. There he re- mained fifteen years, at the expiration of that period returning to the old homestead, where he
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has sinee remained. When old enough to exercise the right of suffrage he identified himself with the Whig element, and when the old party gave place to the Republican organization he naturally fell into its ranks. His first Presidential ballot was east for Henry Clay, and he has not missed a Presi- dential election since. He is looked upon with respect, as a man of excellent judgment, energy in personal affairs, kindly feeling toward his fellow- men, and one moral in principle and praetiee.
The marriage of Mr. Babb and Miss Phoebe Lucas was celebrated August 21, 1851, and has been blessed by the birth of eight children : Louisa married Thomas Bell, and died, leaving two sons- Edgar and Arthur; her twin sister, Laura, died at the age of sixteen years; Anna died when ten years old; Charles L. is next on the family roll; and following him is Horace M .; the next is Lou- ella L., the wife of Melville Davis; Stella J. and Flora M. complete the family circle. Mrs. Babb was born in Marion County, Ind., November 21, 1831, and is a daughter of Thomas and Lydia (Mauck) Lueas, who were born in North Carolina. They came to Greene County, Ohio, with their parents, and after their marriage removed to In- (liana, and thence to Fayette County, Ohio. Botlı died at Jamestown, this county. Thomas Lucas served as Justiee in Fayette County. His parents, Caleb and Mary (Price) Lucas, were among the carly settlers near New Burlington, where they died.
The father of our subject was Peter Babb, who was born in Virginia, February 13, 1796, and who, in April, 1819, married Jane Searff. She was also a Virginian, born April 8, 1795. They came to Ohio in the fall of 1822, journeying by wagons, and locating where the Orphans' Home now stands, about a mile from Xenia. A year later Mr. Babb bought one hundred aeres where our subject now lives, paying $11 per aere, and adding to it until his estate at death amounted to three hundred aeres of fine land. He passed away October 25, 1865, his widow surviving until February, 14, 1889. Mr. Babb was an active Whig until the disorganization of that party, when he became a Democrat. Of the seven children comprising his family three are now living-Susan, James S. and
Mary. The maternal grandparents of our subjeet were James and Mary (Hollingshead) Searff, na- tives of Maryland, who made their home in Vir- ginia. There the former died many years ago, liis widow coming to Ohio and dying at the home of her daughter about 1853.
The Babb family is of English origin, and of Quaker stoek. Peter Babb came from England to America in Colonial days, and served in the War for American independence. He made his home in Frederick County, Va., where he owned land and slaves. Following him in the direct line was Abner Babb, who spent his entire life in the Old Dominion, he and his wife, formerly a Miss Robinson, dying of what was known as the cold plague. They had seven sons and two daughters, all of whom lived to rear families, and one of whom was the father of our subject. Three of them set- tled in Greene County, Ohio, two in Indiana and one in Iowa.
h ON. WILLIAM WHITE. It is maintained by the misanthrope, that at the best human life is bnt vanity and vexation of spirit; but to him who takes the proper view of life and its responsibilities and that which may be achieved by men and which will live after them, there is nothing nobler than to have faithfully per- formed its duties and earned the plaudit of "well done." In reviewing the character of Judge White, who rose from a modest position in life to one of high honor, we have before us a reeord which is well worthy of preservation, and one of which his deseendants may be justly proud. After thirty-three years of unabated and conscientious devotion to arduous publie serviees eulminat- ing in his being chosen as Chief Justice of the Su- preme Court of Ohio, he departed this life March 12, 1883. He was born January 28, 1822, and was thus at the time of his decease sixty-one years of age.
Pursuant to a call of the President, the State Bar association and other members of the bar of Ohio, met at 2 o'clock P. M., March 14, 1883, in
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the Supreme Court room, and was called to order by Hon. R. A. Harrison, its President.
On motion of Judge W. W. Boynton, Judge R. P. Ranney was made Chairman of the meeting, and on motion of L. J. Critchfield, E. L. Taylor was chosen Secretary.
Hon. R. A. Harrison moved the appointment of a committee to draft a memorial and resolutions concerning the character and public services of the late William White, Chief Justice of the Su- preme Court of Ohio.
The motion being carried the Chair appointed the following committee: R. A. Harrison, Will- iam H. West, W. W. Boynton, Allen G. Thur- man, W. J. Gilmore, Henry C. Noble, Durbin Ward, M. A. Daugherty and John W. Herron.
The committee retired, and after consultation, instructed Mr. Harrison to report the following me- morial and resolutions:
"William White, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of Ohio, having departed this life on the 12th. instant, after thirty-three years of unabated and conscientious devotion to arduous publie services. the members of the Bar of the State deem it to be their bounden duty to express, in a publie and solemn manner, their profound sorrow at his death; and to testify their high esteem for his long, faithful and eminent services, as well as for the unsullied purity and uprightness of his personal character, and his excellent endearing qualities of heart; and to record their affection for for his memory, and their appreciation of the ines- timable value of his long, useful and inspiring ca- reer, and his unremitting toil, to the detriment of his pecuniary interests, in the service of the State he loved so well.
The loss of such a man from the judicial forum is irreparable to the public as well as to the bar. In his hands, as a magistrate, life, liberty and prop- erty were safe. To commemorate as we now do, the character, and , virtues, and usefulness of such a man is not a mere outward, unmeaning rite; for nothing is truer than that the character and virtues, the just sentiments and useful actions of distinguished men, preserved in the annals and cherished in the recollections of a grateful people, constitute their richest treasure,
The deceased was born in England on the 28th of January, 1822. His parents dying when he was very young, he came to this country in 1831, with an unele. They settled in Springfield, Ohio. At twelve years of age he was apprenticed to a cabinet- maker for nine years, but after serving out six years of his apprenticeship, he purchased the remainder of his time from his master, giving his notes for the purchase money, and worked at his trade until his indebtedness was liquidated. He was desirous of obtaining an education. To enable him to obtain the necessary means he devoted all his energies to to his trade, working at his business during vaca- tion and such other spare time as he could find. His principal education was received at the old Springfield High School.
On completing his course of study, he was en- couraged by William A. Rodgers, an-eminent law- yer of Springfield, to commence the study of law under him. He adopted his advice. Ile earned the necessary expenses by teaching school at certain intervals.
In 1846, he was admitted to the bar, and taken into partnership by his preceptor, and so continued until the latter was elected Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in 1851. In 1847, he was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Clark County, and was thrice re-elected. In 1856, he was elected, by a very large majority, Judge of the Court of Com- mon Pleas. The vote of Clark County was cast almost unanimously for him. In 1861, he was re- elected. On the resignation of Hocking H. Hunter, in February, 1864, he was appointed by Gov. Brought, Judge of the Supreme Court, and in Octo- ber was elected for the unexpired term. He was re-elected in 1868, in 1873 and in 1878.
Judge White was married in October, 1847, to Miss Rachel Stout, whose parents were among the early settlers of Springfield. She, with three of their children survive. The eldest, his son Charles, is a member of the Springfield bar. His daughter Emma married Robert C. Rodgers, who is a mem- ber of the same bar. His younger daughter is un- married. He educated all his children liberally. He was a most affectionate and devoted husband, and a most considerate, kind and indulgent father. His home was one of the happiest of homes,
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Judge White's simple and modest manners, his kindness of nature, his warm social impulses, his unvarying courtesy, his almost unexampled regard for the feelings and rights of others, his charity for human frailities, and his never failing patience toward all men, endeared him to every one who knew him. These characteristics, as well as the man ner in which he discharged the duties of his great office, made him a favorite with the bar, as well as with all ranks and conditions of men. Both the bar and the public manifested their admiration, esteem, confidence and gratitude toward him by re- nominating, without opposition, and re-eleeting him as often as his term of office expired.
Hle was a wise and honest eitizen. His neigh- bors, without exception, regarding him as a loving friend. He took pleasure in aiding them with his wise counsels, and his charities were bestowed with a free band. Those who have known him from boyhood affirm that he never had a personal enemy. His personal character was of the highest order. Exemplary reetitude and wise sobriety adorned his whole life. He was the very soul of honor in all the relations of life. He was unpre- tentious in all his performances, and was another illustration of the trueism that unpretending eharac- ters are rarely deficient.
Ile was a man of great industry, a virtue which it is an offense against morality to eall humble, in one who is the keeper both of his own talent and not seldom that of others also. It was, however, indus- try of the highest order-constant action of the intelleet praetically applied. To say that he was patient, and diligent, and thorough in the investi- gation of causes, and unswerving in his adherenee to his convictions, is simply to state what is at- tested by his opinions reported in twenty volumes of reports of the judicial decisions of the Supreme Court. These decisions and opinions will eonsti- tute, for all time, an enduring monument of his sound, diseriminating judgment, and his fidelity and eminenee as a jurist. During his nineteen years of service on the Supreme Benel, elanges in many matters and things eonneeted with the im- portant business of men in our advaneing and great State took place. While he never departed from established and settled legal principles, he
wisely adapted them to varying eircumstances and conditions. For, while his mind was of a pl.ilo- sophie cast, lie was, as a magistrate eminently prae- tical. He aided in solving many constitutional questions of the highest moment. His reported decisions touch almost every branehi of the law. They have always been, and will ever be, regarded with the highest respeet, because they bear inter- nal evidence that they are the results and produets of exhaustive legal research by a strong, logieal, penetrating mind, and of a man of the sternest in- tegrity and strictest impartiality. But even this reeord falls far short of fully exhibiting the many long years of mental toil, and the anxious, conscien- tious manner in which he discharged the duties and exercised the power of his high trust.
Judge White has left, for all time, an enduring and elevating impression upon the jurisprudence and judicial history of the State, and he has added much to the distinetion of her supreme judicial eourt.
He had a superior mind for the law. He was mentally, morally, and physically adapted to judi- cial service, and especially to the pceuliar serviee required of a member of a court for the correction of errors. He was extremely fond of investigating and applying general principles. His mind natur- ally pondered upon any cause or question he was called upon to investigate. He could not decide until he had viewed it on all sides, and in all its aspects and bearings. His methods illustrated the truth of a striking observation of a distinguished philosophier : "There is much in this process of pondering and its results which it is impossible to analyze. It is by a kind of inspiration that we rise from the wise and sedulous contemplation of facts to the principles on which they depend. The mind is, as it were, a photographie plate, which is gradually eleansed by the effort to think rightly, and whiel, when so eleansed, and not before, re- eeives impressions from the light of truth."
Judge White was not a brilliant, quiek-minded man; but he has a strong, solid, logieal, honest mind. He had great powers of eoneentration and diserimination, and unwearied application. He was no respeeter of persons in the liearing of eauses or in judgment.
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A sound point, or a good reason in support of a contention. stated by the feeblest member of the bar, had the same effect upon his mind as if urged by the strongest lawyer. He might be misled by a fallacious proposition or specious argument at first, but before he ceased pondering upon it he would discover its fallacy.
Judge White has left to the profession of the bar from which he was promoted to the highest honor which a lawyer can receive from the State, a lesson and an example worthy of following; and, although he has left but a small estate to his widow and chil- dren, he has left them the rich heritage of an un- sullied name and the record of a life devoted to the service of his fellow-men.
Although Judge White was nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate to be Judge of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of Ohio, his illness prevented him from resigning his position on the Supreme Bench of the State and then qualifying as Dis- trict Judge of the Federal Court. Since he has passed from all carthly courts to his final reward, it seems fitting that he should not have vacated until then, the judicial forum of his beloved State, wherein he labored and established his fame, and that his last judicial act should be one authenticat- ing the enduring records which will perpetuate it for all time.
Resolved, That as an expression of the venera- tion, admiration and the love of the Bar of the State of Ohio for the memory of William White, the Supreme Court of the State be requested to place upon their records the foregoing minute and these resolutions, and that a copy of the same be sent to the family of the deceased Chief Justice, and furnished to the press for publication.
Resolved, That we tender to his family and rela- tives our sincere condolence in their terrible and unspeakable afflietion.
Resolved, That we attend his funeral in a body.
Ordered, That the Attorney General present the proceedings of this meeting to the Supreme Court.
On the'motion to adopt the memorial and resolu- tions, remarks were made touching the life, char- acter and public services of Judge William White,
by R. A. Harrison, William J. Gilmore, Allen G. Thurman, Durbin Ward, William H. West, A. Russel, James E. Wright, W. II. Safford, D. K. Watson and M. M. Granger. A telegram from George Hoadly was also read by Mr. Harrison.
The memorial and resolutions were then unani- mously adopted.
Judge Safford moved that the Secretary of the meeting be instructed to certify a copy of the me- morial and resolutions to the Secretary of the State Bar Association with a request that the same be spread upon the minutes of that association, which motion was carried.
The mecting thereupon adjourned.
R. P. RANNEY, President. E. L. TAYLOR, Secretary."
Upon the presentation by the Attorney-General of the foregoing proceedings to the Supreme Court on March 20, 1883, Chief Justice Johnson said:
"These proceedings meet with our cordial op- proval, and they will be entered on record as a permanent tribute to the memory of our late Chief Justice. During the many years that Judge White was a member of this court, his relations with his associates were so intimate, and he was so kind, genial and 'generous to them, that he was re- spected and loved by all as a brother. To each he was ever a warm friend and an able judicious counselor. No words of mine can express our sense of personal loss, or our feelings of sorrow caused by his death. He was a man of pure life, who was inspired by that noble ambition which marks an elevated nature. In addition to a thorough knowledge of the law he possessed an overruling sense of justice and right, and that wisdom and discretion in the discharge of his official duties which made him so pre-eminent as a judge. These qualities, with his thorough methods in the exami- nation of all questions submitted for decision made him our acknowledged leader, and inspired in the public mind a higher degree of confidence in the judgment of the court. By his fidelity to public duty and by his earnest purpose to administer the law, without respect to persons, he commanded the respect and won the confidence of litigants, the bar and the people of the State. His opinions are marked by that accuracy of thought and clearness
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of expression, by that thorough knowledge of the law, and by that sound judgment which were tran- seripts of his mind, and which entitle these opin- ions to the highest rank in jurisprudence. But above all this he possessed qualities of a far nobler character. In the kindness and gentleness of his nature, in his simple mode of life, in his love for his family, in his attachment to his friends, in his devotion to every duty, he exemplified the highest characteristics of human greatness. He was more tlian a great lawyer or an eminent jurist-he was a good man."
The funeral obsequies of Judge William White occurred at Springfield on March 15, 1883, and were attended by the Governor of the State with his Staff, the Judges of the Supreme Court of Ohio and the State Bar Association, together with all the Judges of the Courts of Common Pleas within the vicinity and many of the local Bar Associations throughout the State; and both branches of the General Assembly, which adjourned for that pur- poses.
The services aceompanying the removal and burial of the body were simple and impressive. The body lay at his late residence on North Limestone Street, Springfield, from which it was removed to the Second Presbyterian Church, where Dr. William II. Webb, the pastor, delivered the funeral dis- course in the presence of a great and imposing as- sembly. After the discourse the burial took place in beautiful Fern Cliff Cemetery, near Springfield. During these services all business in the city was suspended by a proclamation of the Mayor.
AMES ELAM, one of the substantial far- mers of Greene County, was born on a farm adjoining his present residence, July 7, 1848. The old home is five miles sonth of Xenia, on the Burlington and Xenia Pike, and was also the birthplace of Ambrose Elam, the father of our subject, who opened his eyes there February 7, 1817. Although he had received more
than an ordinary education,a part of his studies hav- ing been pursued at Wilmington, Ambrose Elam made farming his life work, and was a leading and influential agriculturist. Starting with one hundred and twenty acres of land, he accumulated until his landed estate amounted to about three hundred and twenty acres. He served as Town- ship Trustee for several years, and also made a race for Representative. He died July 14, 1878. His family consisted of eight children, the third of whom, John B. Elam, was graduated from Ox- ford, and from the Law Department of the Michigan State University, immediately afterward locating in Indianapolis for the practice of his profession. There he was elected States Attorney, and became a partner of Messrs. Harrison & Miller, who are now President and Attorney General respectively.
The grandfather of our subject was Josiah Elam, who was born in Culpeper County, Va., in 1753, and who served in the War for American Inde- pendence. He was also with General St. Clair in the Indian campaign in 1791, and while on a trip to Ohio with that general selected a location for a future home. In 1802 he took up one thou- sand acres of land on Cæsar's Creek, six miles south of Xenia, where he planted an orchard, which was one of the landmarks of the vicinity. Hle removed to the place in the spring of 1803, remaining there until his death, in 1821. He had six sons and four daughters, a son, John, serving in the War of 1812. His wife belonged to the Baptist Church.
The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and after obtaining a common-school education attended the Normal School at Lebanon. In 1870 he began farming for himself, and six years later purchased ninety acres of land, where he now re- sides. He was married, May 25th of that year, to Miss Ella Davis, who was born in Xenia, and who is a daughter of Newton and Catherine M. (Lloyd) Davis, also natives of this county, and is an intelligent and estimable woman. Their family comprises four children -- Harvey W., Sarah L., Davis Babb, and Florence M. Both Mr. and Mrs. Elam are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Elam was form- erly a member of the Independent Order of Odd .
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Fellows. In politics he is a Republican. He is more than ordinarily well informed, carries on his worldly affairs successfully, and is respected by all who know him.
R EV. FATHER ISAAC J. HOCTER. Among the popular young gentlemen of Xenia, is the pastor of St. Bridgid's Catholic Church, whose pleasing demeanor, cultured mind and fine traits of character have made him successful not only in his own special field of labor, but have given him an influence far beyond its limits. The church over which he has charge numbers more than two hundred families, and has connected with it a parochial school, with five teachers and a sis- ters' home. Since Father Hocter took charge, in the fall of 1887, lie has bought two lots on which to erect a parochial residence and a sisters' liouse, and expects this year to fresco the church, put in stained glass windows, and otherwise improve it. St. Bridgid's was dedicated in 1852, the first sub- scription toward its erection having been received in 1849.
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