USA > Ohio > The Biographical encyclopedia of Ohio of the nineteenth century. Pt. 1 > Part 67
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ROUGHI, JOIIN, third " War Governor " of Ohio, was born in Marietta, Ohio, September 17th, ISTI. Ilis father emigrated to this country from England in 1806. A fellow-passenger in the ship was the noted Blennerhasset, with whom he afterwards remained on the most friendly rela- tion, until his unfortunate connection with the Purr con spiracy. The mother of John was a native of Pennsylvania, and it was from her he inherited the force of character that afterwards distinguished him. He was the oldest of three sons, but second in a family of live children. He received a good common school education. In 1822 his father died, leaving the family to depend upon their own exertions for support, and John went into the employ of Royal Prentiss, a printer of Marietta, and set type for a few months. An opportunity offering, he entered the Ohio University, at Athens, and while there worked at his trade in the early morning and at night. He made rapid progress in his studies. Fond of out-door exercise, he was fleet of foot and the best ball-player in the village. About the time he came of age he went to Parkersburg, where he edited the Cassette of that place. Returning to Marietta, he published and edited the Washington County Republican for a short
which he edited for five years, spending his winters at the State capital, where he was Clerk of the upper House of the Legislature. It was here that he began to exhibit the financial ability that distinguished him in after life. Ile was a member of the lower House in 1838-39, being elected to represent the counties of Fairfield and Hocking, and was an outspoken and vigorous legislator, especially upon financial questions. Ile was afterwards elected State Auditor, in recognition of his services, although he was bitterly opposed by some of the leading men of his party. Ile held the office for six years, and at the beginning of his term thoroughly reorganized the office in its business details, and introduced many excellent reforms of an en- during character. He made an enviable reputation by his official acts, and his annual reports are among the most valuable historical papers of the State. Especially had he a keen scent in detecting corruption, and in hunting after dodging tax-payers. In this way he discovered and pre- sented claims against 300,000 acres of canal lands, the owners of which had successfully eluded the tax-collector for years. He earnestly set about to reform the loose way . in which the public money was handled, and to introduce a Gnancial system that would hold the State officers to strict accountability in receipts and expenditures. Opposition met him at every point, but it became weaker and weaker, until his efforts met with success. As one result of this reform, 1,020,000 acres of land were added to the taxable list. The State was finally freed from pecuniary embarrass- ment and her credit restored, and for this Ohio owes much to the sterling integrity and financial ability of honest John Brough. Ilis views were profound with regard to taxation and retrenchment, and his theories were clearly and for- cibly expounded. Ile devoted much time to the subject of the inequality in taxation, and prescribed a remedy, which was the appraisement of all property at its cash value, arguing that, though it would undoubtedly swell the aggregate, it would materially reduce the rate. His views on all questions were broad and statesmanlike, and, al- though a Democrat, he was never bound by party ties. While Auditor of the State he bought the Phoenix news- paper, at Cincinnati, changed its name to the Enquirer, and made his brother Charles editor. At the close of his official term he began the practice of law in Cincinnati, de- voting a portion of his time to the editing of his paper. There is some evidence that he was ambitious to represent his State in the United States Senate, a position for which he was eminently fitted as an eloquent speaker and experi- enced legislator. The pro-slavery features of the Demo- cratic party gradually estranged him, politically, from its leaders, and he resolved to drop politics, and sold a half interest in the Enquirer to II. 11. Robinson. President Polk offered him the Secretaryship of the Treasury, but it was afterwards withdrawn without explanation. It is probable that political enemies within his party, who were
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displeased with bis course as State Auditor, caused the | with bitterness, though the success of the Union candidate withdrawal. llc afterwards refused several diplomatic
missions, and embarked in railroad business. Ile became President of the Madison & Indianapolis Railroad, making the former place his residence. He was remarkably suc- cessful in his management of that road until 1853, when one of his best friends, Stillman Witt, invited him to go to Cleveland. Ile accepted the invitation, and was tendered and accepted the position of President of the Bellefontaine line. That road became, under his management, prosper- ous, and took its position as one of the leading lines of the country. In 1861 he removed to Cleveland, and managed the road from that city. Ile was an active and successful railroad promoter for many years, and may be said to have laid the foundation of the present system which centres at Indianapolis. Ile was greatly devoted to the railroad de- velopment of the country, and after fifteen years' retirement from politics it was with reluctance that he returned to them. Nothing but pure love of country moved him. During the first two years of the war he aided the Union cause all that he could in transporting troops promptly over his road, and in every other way in his power. In 1863 the Democrats nominated C. L. Vallandigham for Gover- nor, and this it was startled Mr. Brough into political life again. Stillman Witt, his true friend, who was the largest owner of the Bellefontaine Railroad, urged him to go forth in defence of the United States. So he went to his old home, Marietta, and delivered a powerful speech, declaring slavery destroyed by act of the rebellion, and eloquently urged all men of whatever party to come forward and sup- port the government of the United States. Soon after he had made this speech the Republican State Convention met in Columbus, and John Brough was unanimously nominated for Governor of Ohio. After some hesitation he accepted the nomination. The concluding sentence of his letter of acceptance read as follows : " I have but one object in accepting the position your constituents have offered me, and that is to aid you and them in sustaining the government in the great work of suppressing this most wicked rebellion and restoring our country to its former unity and glory." Ilis opponent was the nominee of the anti-war and Southern sympathizing element of the Democ- racy. Ile had been tried and found guilty of inflamma- tory and treasonable acts and utterances, and sent within the rebel lines. Ile had warm adherents, was a man of magnetic power as a stump speaker, and was looked upon by the anti-war Democrats throughout the country as a martyr to principle. At the time of his nomination he was within the rebel lines, but before the day of election came he had made his way by circuitous route to Canada, where | for a hundred days' term of enlistment, from five of the he took notes of the political situation and consulted with his sympathizers. The campaign was between a war Democrat, thoroughly in sympathy with the administration, and an anti war and pro-slavery Democrat, thoroughly in sympathy with the Southern Confederacy. It was waged at the rapidity of this movement, and the Secretary warmly
was never doubted. The adherents of Vallandigham openly boasted that they would escort him to the State capital with an army of a hundred thousand in the event of his election. But the news of Federal victories came to still further strengthen the Union cause, and so inspired were the Union-loving people that men abroad, on business or pleasure bent, came home to vote. The result of the election astounded the country and raised it to the highest pitch of enthusiasm. It was by far the strongest pledge of devotion the government had yet received from any State, and encouraged the army to renewed efforts for the sal- . vation of the Union. The majority on the home vote was 61,920, increased by the soldiers' vote to 101,099. Ilis friend, Stillman Witt, generously volunteered to perform the duties of president of the railroad, and insisted that Governor Brough should receive the salary of that office while performing the more important duties of Governor of the State. From the time of his inauguration he did all in his power for the Union cause, being an intimate per- sonal friend of Mr. Stanton, Secretary of War, and one of President Lincoln's most trusted advisers. Ile entered ' upon his duties, January 11th, 1864, and his inaugural ad- dress was the very essence of patriotism and good sense. One of the first acts of his administration was to recom- mend that the tax for the relief of soldiers' families be largely increased, and when a suitable law was passed he gave earnest attention to its enforcement. Ile carefully followed up the work so well begun by his predecessors, watching over the interests of the Ohio soldiers in the field. Through his zeal in their behalf he came into conflict with the Sanitary Commission. The Governor was opposed to the bounty system of obtaining recruits, and believed, when all other means failed, in resorting to an impartial draft. lle was very vigilant in breaking up the treasonable organi- zation known as the "Sons of Liberty," or " Order of American Knights," founded for the purpose of armed re- sistance to the authorities, especially in the enforcement of the draft. The draft went forward promptly and peace- ably, and no armed resistance was offered. Ilis zeal in raising troops never flagged, and in the spring of 1864, at his suggestion, a meeting of the Governors of the States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin was held in Washington to consider his proposition to raise a sufficient number of men, for a brief term of service, to protect the border from raids during Grant's and Sherman's final cam- paigns against the now tottering confederacy. A propo- sition was agreed upon and submitted to the President, who approved and accepted it. It called for 85,000 men Western States, Ohio's quota being 30,000, ar 10,000 in excess of any other. The call was made, April 25th, and before ten days had elapsed Ohio had 38,000 men in camp and ready for muster. The War Department was amazed
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congratulated the Governor. In one sense this great move- ment was a failure, but it reflected more credit upon the man who conceived it than he has ever received. The war did not end with the term of service of these men, but their patriotism drew forth a warm eulogy in writing from Presi- dent Lincoln. Thus did this patriotic Governor keep the military activity of Ohio far in advance of her sister States. When the war at last closed, he gave great assistance to the government in the mustering out of the Ohio veterans. Ile was also active in providing a home for disabled soldiers. llis zeal in promoting military operations, and the strict ac- countability which he imposed upon subordinates, somewhat impaired his popularity and led to an unfortunate quarrel with officers of the army. He was not an impetuous man, but he was firm in his convictions and never swerved from what he considered to be his duty. He declined to become a candidate for Governor for a second term, on the ground of ill health. Ilis health had really begun to fail. The assassination of Lincoln fretted and wore upon him. In June he was so unfortunate as to sprain his ankle. Not being able to take proper exercise his hand became in- flamed from the impoverished condition of his blood. Gangrene set in, and for weeks he endured the most un- ceasing physical torture. The best medical aid was sent to him from Washington, where he was held in high esteem, and where it was understood he was to be transferred as Secretary of War at the close of his term of Governor, if not before. But he was thoroughly broken down, and no pro- fessional skill could aid him. Passing into a state of in- sensibility he was never after conscious, and died at his residence in Cleveland, August 29th, 1865, having a little less than' one-fourth his term of service yet to fill. Thus passed away one of Ohio's most patriotic citizens. He had faults, but they are lightly looked upon now, and only his brilliant record as a leading " War Governor" and sound statesman are preserved in the memory of the people. In 1332 he was married to Achsah P. Pruden, of Athens, Ohio, who died in IS38, at the age of twenty. He again married, in 15.13, at Lewistown, Pennsylvania, Caroline A. Nelion, of Columbus, Ohio. Though not a member of any church, he was a Christian.
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OOTE, HORACE, Lawyer and Jurist, was born in Hartford county, Connecticut, March 21st, 1799. Ilis father was Roger Foote, a well-known far- mer of that county, and was of English descent, their ancestors being among the first settlers of New England; their descendants were numerous, and eminent in many ways. Horace was educated at Vale College, where he graduated in 1820. He rose to dis- tinction in a class which included such men as Theodore D. Woolsey, afterwards president of the college, and Leonard Bacon, D. D., the eminent divine. He took the
Berkley prize for Latin and Greek. After graduating he entered the office of Seth P. Staples, in New Haven, to study law, remaining there two years. He then went to Middlesex county, Connecticut, where he was admitted to the bar in 1822 and commenced the practice of law, and remained there till 1836, when he removed to Cleveland, Ohio. A charter for the city of Cleveland had just been obtained, and when he arrived a fierce quarrel was raging between the new city of Cleveland and Ohio City, lying on opposite sides of the Cuyahoga river, each struggling to crush out the other. His first important lawsuit was con- nected with this quarrel. A bridge across the river had been built by private enterprise and donated for public use. Each city claimed jurisdiction over the structure. Armed men on either side turned out to take possession, a piece of artillery being posted on the Cleveland side. A fight ensued, in which several persons were wounded and the bridge was partially destroyed; the sheriff of the county in- terfered at this point, took possession of the bridge and lodged some of the rioters in jail. This removed the bridge question from the battle-field to the courts, and in the legal controversy that followed Mr. Foote represented the interests of Cleveland against the claims of Ohio City. The able manner in which he conducted the case secured for him a good practice, and so general was the apprecia- tion of his abilities as an expounder of law that in 1853 he was urgently solicited to accept the position of Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. Although the acceptance in- volved a pecuniary sacrifice, the salary at that time being very small, he was induced to consent, and was elected to that office, and re- elected at the end of every term until IS74, when he retired from the bench. One incident in hiis long term of office excited discussion at the time and evoked opposition to his re-election. In 1867 an act took effect making a considerable addition to the salaries of the judges, but applying only to those elected after the passage of the act. Considering it an injustice to the old judges that the new judges should come into office at nearly double the salary, whilst the old should receive only the former meagre stipend, he resigned. There was considerable op- position to his re-election, in consequence of this step, but the majority of the people saw the reasonableness of his position, and he was re-elected. No judge in the State has had a higher reputation for profound knowledge of the law, promptness and accuracy in his rulings, and the justice of his decisions. Ilis integrity has ever been beyond the shadow of a doubt. No personal, social or political bias or prejudice ever swayed his decisions in the slightest degree. Ile showed unyielding firmness in maintaining the course of justice and upholding the dignity of the courts. He was a terror to evil-doers, and a rigid disciplinarian in matters of practice. His decisions were examples of wisdom, learning and sound law, and were so seldom reversed by the higher courts that they were not often carried up to the Supreme Court. On several occasions he was urged to
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accept a nomination to the Supreme Court, but always de- | taste and judgment, which were displayed in the plans for cidedly refused. In politics, he was originally a Whig, and then a Republican. He was very decided in his views, but took no active pat in political movements. Ilis opinions on the questions of the war of the rebellion were very pontive. He held that the controversy Should be settled by the sword in such a way that it would never re- quire a second fight. In this, as in all other matters, he thoroughly and dispassionately studied the questions at issue, made up his mind as to the right of the case, and was unyielding in his adherence to what he believed to be right. He was married in 1834 to Mary E. Hlurd, of Middlesex county, Connectient, by whom he had three sons and three daughters.
ERKINS, JOSEPH, Capitalist, was born in War- ren, Trumbull county, Ohio, July 5th, 1819, and is the son of Simon Perkins. He was educated at Marietta College, where he graduated at the age of twenty years. On leaving college he entered his father's office, and after the death of his father aided in the settlement of the estate until IS52, when he removed to Cleveland, and at once identified himself with the business projects and enterprises of the city. When the Bink of Commerce was organized he was elected President, and retained that office until the bank was reorganized as the Second National Bank, when he was again chosen President, and held the office until he re- signed, in 1572. Hle was actively interested in the affairs of the Cleveland & Mahoning Railroad, which owes its existence mainly to his brother Jacob. Ile became director of the road, and on the death of Governor Tod was chosen President, a position which he retained until the road was transferred by saale to the Atlantic & Great Western Rail- way Company. Ile was also for many years closely iden- tified with the management of the Society for Savings, of Cleveland, and as chairman of the building committee of that institution, and abo of the building committee of the National Bank building, was the first to propose and secure the erection of the first fire-proof buildings in Cleveland. lle served as trustee of the Western Reserve College, at Hudson, for twenty years, taking a prominent part in the m magement of its affurs. A> a member of the Board of State Charities he contributed greatly to its efficiency by the thoroughness with which the work of investigating the con- dition of the prisons and charitable institutions of the State was performed. He devised and urged the adoption of new and improved methods of construction, which were gradually introduced. The Woman's Retreat was largely indebted to his energy and liberality for its existence and success. Among the enterprises of a public character with which he was identified the Lake View Cemetery was not the least important. This cemetery, probably the finest in the State, bears testimony, in its beauty and variety, to his
laying out the grounds. He was for nearly forty years con- nected with the Presbyterian Church, in which he remained an active and influential worker, and he took a deep in- terest in the Sabbath-school work and was for many years a superintendent. In all religious, benevolent and moral enterprises, he took a strong and generally very active interest. Ile had very positive convictions on the subject of temperance, and manifested his sympathies during the crusade of 1874 by acting as chairman of the committee under whose counsel the crusade against the liquor traffic was undertaken and conducted. During the late war of . the rebellion he contributed liberally to the support of the Union. He was married, October 19th, 1844, to Martha E. Steele, of Marietta, Ohio. Four of the six children by this union are now living ( March, 1875).
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OYNTON, HON. WASHINGTON WALLACE, Teacher, Lawyer and Jurist, was born, Jannary 27th, 1833, in Russia township, Lorain county, Ohio, and is of both Scotch and English descent; one of his grandfathers was a noted sea captain, and during his lifetime crossed the ocean sixty times; this was prior to the era of steam navigation. Washington received his education in the common schools, and, realizing the advantages of learning, employed all his leisure moments in study, and at the age of sixteen became a teacher in the district winter school, which he continued to instruct until he attained the age of twenty two, when he was appointed one of the School Examiners for Lorain county by the Probate Court. Ile subsequently opened a select school in South Amherst, Ohio, which he taught snc- cessfully for two successive years. Meanwhile he had been reading law, and in 1856 was admitted to the bar by the District Court of Lorain county. He entered upon the practice of his profession in 1858. In the spring following he was appointed Proseenting Attorney, to fill a vacancy in that office, and in the autumn of the same year was elected to the same position, which he held for two terms and then resigned. In the fall of 1865 he was elected to the lower House of the State Legislature, and served during two winters. Ile was the member who introduced an amend- ment to strike ont the word " white " from the State Con- stitution. This was voted upon in the autumn of 1867, and defeated by 40,000 majority. Ile continned in the practice of the law until 18to, when he was appointed, in February of that year, by Governor Hayes, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, to fill a vacancy, and in 1871 was elected to the same position, which he still retains, The Republi- can party was organized during the same year in which he attained his majority ; he voted that ticket from the very first, was at once recognized as one of the leaders of that party, and at various times has made appeals in its behalf.
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ITe is one of the Directors of the Citizens' Savings Bank | of Elyria, and also a charter- member of the Citizens' Mutual Relief Association of Wellington. He is highly esteemed by all who know him as an upright citizen, possessed of bright intellectual faculties, and an impartial Judge. His address is pleasing, and in personal appearance command- ing. Ile was married in 1859 to B. F. Terrell, of Ridge- ville, Ohio.
GRIFFITH, WILSON W., President of the Mer- chants' National Bank, Toledo, ex-member of the Legislature, Centennial Commissioner on the part of the State of Ohio, was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, February 14th, 1823. Ilis grand- parents on his father's side were Virginia slave- holders, but manumitted their slaves at an early day-about the year 1So3. On the maternal side (Jennings) his grand- parents were of the Friends or Quaker faith. His parents moved to Tuscarawas county, Ohio, about the year 1806; at that time there were but three or four families in the county. Ile was raised on a farm until fifteen years of age. l'rom fifteen to twenty three his time was for the most part spent in teaching, clerking and securing an education. He| commenced his studies at Oberlin with reference to a col- legiate and professional career, but ill health prevented him from carrying out his intentions. From 1845 to 1849 he was merchandising at the Falls of Sugar creek, in his native county. In the latter year he removed to Elkhart county, In- diana, and continued the same business until 1854, when he located at Toledo, where he has since resided. Then it was a village of a few thousand inhabitants, now it is the third city in Ohio in point of population, business and wealth. After removing thither, Mr. Griffith spent eight years in the forwarding, commission and elevator business, and four years in the wholesale boot and shoe trade, during this time amassing a goodly share of this world's goods. At the ex- piration of this period he retired from active business life, and visited Europe, AAsia and Africa. Returning, he spent one year on the Pacific coast. His first appearance in public station was when he was elected a member of the 59th General Assembly. During his official career there was no member of the House more popular, nor one who had more influence in the council than he. While there he served as Chairman of the Interest Committee, and his ablest speech was made in favor of his bill to more effectually regulate our usury system. This speech was printed in the leading pipers, cliciting congratulatory letters from leading fiancial and business men all over the State, who approved of the provisions of the bill. Ile is also the author of the noted " Griffith railroad bill," allowing cities, villages and counties to build1, equip and run railroads. During this session he dress up and engineered through a series of resolutions es. posing the bad faith in which the State of Indiama had acted toward Ohio in maintaining and keeping up the Wabash &
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