USA > Ohio > The Biographical encyclopedia of Ohio of the nineteenth century. Pt. 1 > Part 69
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prevented this arrangement. The same offer was then ac- | and Mississippi during a portion of 1861-62, being absent copted by the New Hampshire delegation, and Franklin about one year. He is the earliest settler of Henry county. with one or two exceptions, now living. His political creed has always been that of the Democratic party. He was married, August 12th, 1545, to Mary A. Coukling. Pierce was nominated. In 18544 he accepted the office of Conal at Valparaiso, South America, then said to be one of the richest in the gift of the government, In resigning the chair of chief executive, he addressed an affectionate let- ter of farewell to the people of Ohio, and thousands regretted his departure. Not finding the office as remunerative as he ARCLAY, HON. JOSEPII, Member of the lower House of Representatives of Ohio, was born in Poland township, Mahoning county, Ohio, Febru- ary nth, 1816. He was educated primarily in his native place, and after the attainment of his nineteenth year he pursued his studies in Youngs- town, in the same State. He was there employed subse- quently in the construction of the Pennsylvania and Ohio Canal, and also in mercantile pursuits. During the absence of the late Governor Tod in Brazil, he acted as the principal accountant of that officer, and was also, at a later period, County Surveyor for two years. From 1871 to 1873 he was the Treasurer of his county, and within two years after the expiration of his term, in 1575, was elected by the Demo- crats of his district to the lower Ilouse of Representatives. lle was married in 1838 to Miss Crandall, of New York State. expected, he resigned, and soon returned to his native land. For a short time he resumed the practice of law, and then devoted the remainder of his life to the cultivation of his beautiful farm, called " Evergreen Place," about eight miles west of Cleveland. It was a charming home, which he had spent many years in adorning, and which was ren- dered doubly attractive by his generous and true hospitality. Ile was a strong Union man, and supported with all his powers the efforts of the government in the war of the re- bellion. Although he was more than seventy years of age, he had accepted an invitation to preside at a Union meet- ing to be held in Cleveland, October 5th, 1864. The Thursday previous he visited the city, and returning home that night, he was the next morning violently attacked with bilious colic. For thirty six hours he suffered great pain, but retained entire consciousness. At three o'clock, Satur- day afternoon, October 1st, 1864, he died, surrounded by his family. His remains were buried in Woodland Ceme- tery, Cleveland. He left a widow and one daughter. His grandson, Noble HI. Merwin, is the only male representative of the Wood family now living. Ilis residence is in Cleve- land.
ALY, HION. JAMES G., Lawyer and Judge of Probate, was born, December 6th, 1816, near Millersburg, Holmes county, Ohio, and was reared to manhood on a farm, attending the district school during the winter season, until he was twenty years of age. In August, 1837, he went to Napoleon, in Henry county, and shortly afterwards com. meneed the study of how, and was admitted to the bar in IS.po. Ile subsequently commenced the practice of his profession in Napoleon, and was a member of the State Legislature in 1842 and 1843, being the first Assembly under the new Constitution ; this was previous to the build- ing of the Erie and Wabash Canal. Ile filled the office of Prosecuting Attorney from 1840 to 1845, and was County Auditor from the latter year until 1849. Ile continued a resident of Napoleon and a practitioner of law until 1869, when he was elected Judge of Probate, which position he still continues to hold. During the war of the rebellion he recruited a company for the 68th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was tendered the captaincy of the same, but on account of ill health declined the appointment. He was thereupon commissioned Quartermaster of the regiment by the Governor, and served in that capacity in Tennessee
IIITNEY, LUTHIER, Architect and Builder, was born, April 8th, 1517, in Fairfield county, New York, and is the son of Luther Whitney, a soklier of the war of 1812, who died when his son was in his fifth year. In 1832 he and his mother re- moved to Ohio, where she is still living and active, though in her ninety- ninth year, having been born December 27th, 1777. Ile received a common school education in the State of New York and in Cleveland, and subsequently served an apprenticeship with a carpenter and joiner in the same city, working thereafter as a journeyman until 1836. lle next obtained a situation as an artisan on the public works of the State of Ohio, and in 1840 removed to Chilli- cothe, where he commenced business on his own account as contractor and builder, continuing the same until 1851. lle next removed to Cleveland with a view of pursuing the same business in that city. In that year he was employed by the Michigan Southern & Northern Indiana Railroad Company, whose line was then in course of construction, as Architect and Superintendent of buildings then being erected by the said company between Iludson and Chicago. After this work was well under way, heavy operations commenced at Toledo, as a new railroad depot and other buildings were contemplated there, and it became necessary for him to re- move his family to that city, which he did in 1855. After the completion of the various structures that were erceted, he resumed his business of builder and contractor, in which he continues at the present date, having erected many of the principal business blocks in Toledo, beside several large
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elevators in Cincinnati and elsewhere. He has attained his | College medieal department, where he graduated in 1850. present eminence as a builder purely by his own industry, energy and skill, having labored incessantly at his vocation since he was sixteen years of age. In 1867 he was elected a Councilman from the Second Ward of Toledo, and twice thereafter was re-elected, serving the city in that capacity for six years ; of which body he was chosen Vice- President for two years, and President for one year. Ile was married in 1836 to Louisa A. Wood, who died in 1855." In 1858 he was united in marriage to Elizabeth J. Cain.
HEFFIELD, WILLIAM, Lawyer and Banker, was born, November 19th, 1817, in Geauga county, Ohio, of American parentage of English descent. Ile was educated at Oberlin, and im- mediately after leaving the seminary commenced studying law with his father, and was admitted to the bar in Huron county in 1838. He began the practice of his profession at Huron, in Erie county, where he re- mained until the spring of 1841, when he removed to Napo- leon, Henry county, being engaged in the courts of that and the northwestern counties of the State. In 1849 he was appointed Receiver of Public Moneys at the United States Land Office, Defiance, Ohio, and removed to that place, but only held his post for a year, owing to a change in the political atmosphere. Ile remained at Defiance until 1862, and was only nominally but not actively engaged in the practice of law until 1856, not pursuing any active business from 1853 until 1862. He went to Napoleon in the latter year, and commenced the banking business there in 1865, being associated with J. D. Norton, under the firm-name of Sheffield & Norton, in which he is still engaged. Ile is a Director of the Mumsfield & Cold Water Railroad Company. In politics he was a Whig, and since that party ceased, has been an active and zealous Republican. In 1864 he was one of the electors-representing the Tenth Congressional District of Ohio-which cast the vote of that State for Abraham Lincoln ; and he was selected by the electoral college as messenger, to carry the formal result to Washing. ton City. He was married in 1840 to Ililda Harrington, of Erie county, Ohio.
OLDHAM, JAMES, M. D., Physician and Surgeon, was born, March 4th, 1830, at Suettisham, county of Norfolk, England, and is a son of the Rev. John Coldham, a clergyman of the Established Church, still living in the village of Suettishan, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years, and in good health. James remained at home and attended school until he was seventeen years of age, and then left England for Canada. He located at Simcoe, Ontario, where he commenced reading medicine with Dr. Coverton, in 1847. lle subsequently went to Boston, and entered Harvard
lle then returned to Simcoe, where he commenced the practice of his profession. The following year, immedi- ately after his marriage, he removed to Houston, Texas, but, not being pleased with the change, remained in that town but six months, when he returned to the North. It was in the autumn of 1851 when he took up his abode in Toledo, Ohio, where he has ever since resided, actively en- gaged in the practice of medicine, which is very large and lucrative -- perhaps the largest in the city. He is also Sur- geon of the Marine Hospital. In personal appearance he is rather above the average size, of medium height, and en- joys robust health. In manners he is a thorough English gentleman, perhaps a little blunt in speech, but has a kind and generous heart. Ile revisited England, and especially his native place, in 1865. Ile purchased and occupied his present elegant residence in 1872. He was married, May 28th, 1851, at Simcoe, to Annie Williams, and has five children living.
RAINER, JOHN II. S., Lawyer, was born, Janu- ary 22d, 1826, at Lancaster city, Pennsylvania, and is of Irish parentage, both his father and mother having emigrated in 1818; the former was a manufacturer and subsequently engaged in farming. Ile attende.l school in Lancaster until he was ten years old. He then accompanied his parents to their new home in Jefferson county, Ohio, where he went to school during the winter months in Springfield township, and labored on his father's farm during the balance of the year. Ile thus continued until he was seventeen years of age, when he entered the academy at New Hagerstown, Ohio, remaining there until the spring of 1845. Hle next became engaged in teaching school, first in Harrison county and then at Cadiz, so continuing until 1848. Meanwhile be had commenced reading law with Ilon. T. L. Jewett, and on April 7th, 1848, was admitted to the bar at Steubenville. Ile commenced the practice of his profession at Mount Gileon, Ohio, having formed a partnership with Judge Stewart, of Mansfeld, which, however, terminated in six months, as his health had become impaired. Ile then re- moved to Carrollton, where he formed a legal partnership with Judge Beldon, of Canton, which continued from No- vember, 1848, until June 20th, 1850. Ile next opened an office at Wellsville, in Columbiana county, where he prac- tised alone until April Ist, 1853, and then returned to Steu- benville, where he found a partner in IIon. George W. Mason. This firm continued only nine months, when Mason retired, and he continued on his sole account until Ire associated himself in May, 1862, with Robert Martin, under the firm-name of Trainer & Martin. In September, 1862, Martin joined the army, and he remained without any partner until the following April, when he became associated with J. F. Daton. The latter was subsequently elected
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Prosecuting Attorney, and the firm was dissolved. In April, | war for the suppression of the rebellion. Ile was appointed 1865, his former associate, Martin, returned from the field, when the partnership was renewed and continued until February, 1867, when Martin, having been elected Judge of Probate, necessitated his withdrawal. Ile then connected himself with Milton Taggart for one year, and then, after a short interval, he formed a partnership, November Ist, 1868, with John McCleave, under the firm-name of Trainer & McCleave, which terminated November ist, 1873. Since the latter date he has been associated with John M. Cook, under the style of Trainer & Cook, which still continues. Ile was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Jefferson county on the Democratic ticket in the autumn of 1853, and filled that position until the expiration of his term, January Ist, 1856. In April, 1857, he was elected Mayor of Steubenville, and served in that capacity for two years. Hle was a candidate for County Judge in October, IS58, but his opponent was elected by 373 majority, although on the balance of the ticket the average majority was 1400. In April, 1859, he was elected City Solicitor, and held the position for two years. Ile dechned a renomination for this office as well as for Mayor. In 1871 he was tendered the nomination for Common Pleas Judge, but declined the same. In 1873 he was nominated as Delegate to the Constitutional Conven- tion of the State, but was defeated by 172 votes, although the county had at the previous election given 1700 Repub- lican majority. His name was brought before the State Convention in 1875 for Attorney-General, but he declined being considered a candidate, although the nomination could easily have been obtained. During all the years of the practice of his profession he has been very successful, and has a large and lucrative patronage. Ile embarked on his career with but very limited means, yet by his indomi- table perseverance and industry he has amassed a compe- tence, and ranks as one of the best attorneys in the State. Hle was married, October 10th, 1849, to Ilettie A., daugh- ter of Judge Morrison, of Carrollton, Ohio, and has had six children, of whom five are now living.
ODD, EZRA SQUIERS, Journalist and Editor of the Toledo Democrat, was born in Adams county, Ohio, on the 23d of July, 1844, of American parentage. His early education was obtained in the free schools of his native State. Subsequently he attended Grosse Isle Academy, Michigan, and Logan College, and eventually matriculated at the Middle Temple Inns, London, England. The profession he had selected was that of journalism, and he established himself in Toledo as the publisher and editor of the Toledo Demo- erat. He subsequently became the publisher of the Colum- bus Ohio Statesman, as well as of the Democrat, one of the ablest representatives of the Democratie press in Ohio. In 1865 he, like almost everybody else, took his share in the
Major of the 184th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served with that organization until it was mustered out of the service. Politically he is a Democrat, and he has worked faithfully and well in the interest of his party. His influence, personally and through the medium of the printing press, has been ably and effectively used in support of his political faith. Ilis labors have been fully appreciated by his party, and in 1872 he was nominated on the Democratic ticket for election to the State Senate from the Thirty-third District. Ile received the support of the full party strength of the district, but that was not sufficient to carry the day in a district that was largely Republican, and he was defeated. In 1874 he was nominated on the Democratic ticket to represent Lucas county in the Ohio Legislature. Again he was a candidate in a strong Republican community, and again he was defeated. Ile was a delegate to the Baltimore National Convention. In 1875 he was appointed by Gov. ernor Allen to the position of State Gas Commissioner, which position he still holds. Ile has also been, since 1872, a member of the Toledo Board of Education. Ile was married in 1868 to Julia E. Brigham, who died May 17th, 1875.
ADE, GENERAL MELANCTIION S., formerly Merchant of Cincinnati, Ohio, was born in this city, December 2d, 1802. Ile was the son of David E. Wade, who was an active participant in the colonial struggle for independence, and who on one occasion was imprisoned in the old Sugar Hlouse prison at New York. D. E. Wade emigrated from New Jersey in 1790, and settled in Cincinnati, whose present site was at this early day occupied partly by a fort only, the country thereabout being then in possession of the Indians commanded by Simon Girty. Hle travelled with his family in wagons from New Jersey to Redstone Fort, New Browns- town, on the Monongahela river, and thence to Cincinnati, or Fort Washington. On arriving at this point, no house or hut existing in which to find shelter, he tore apart his boat, and with the lumber thus obtained hastily constructed a temporary home, which served as a dwelling place until he had constructed a more substantial one built of logs cut and hewn on the ground. On the same spot where he con- structed his first home in the wilderness, and where he died, July 22d, 1842, he constantly lived until in the place of the original forests covering a virgin soil he saw a great city rise around him ; and his log house, once the first and only one for miles about, was figuratively lost in the midst of the many homes of later con.ers. This ground is now the northeast corner of Pearl and Butler streets. M. S. Wade received such an education as was obtainable at the schools of Cincinnati in those early days, and at the age of fifteen years was placed by his father in the dry goods store of John B. Ennis, in order to learn the mercantile business. After
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remaining in this situation for three or four years, he | Ohio, and during the ensuing two years performed the duties accepted a position in the dry-goods store of John D. Jones, of his trust with marked fidelity and ability. At the expira- tion of this time he began to apply his attention, in the same place, to the theory and practice of law. He puntied his legal studies under the supervision of Judge Morris, of Miami county, Ohio, and was admitted to the bar in 1864. Since that time he has resided in Napoleon, Ohio, and is now the leading lawyer of the place, and the possessor of a very extensive clientage. In April, 1874, he was elected to the honorable office now filled by him, of Mayor of Napo- leon. Originally well endowed by nature with sterling capacities, he has been a close reader and observer through- out his life, and valuing highly the beneficent influence of thorough culture on self and humanity, has constantly sought knowledge in all seasons and under all guises. Ile was married, June 11th, 1863, to Anna E. Dodd, of Napo- leon, Ohio where he served for several years as salesman, and for a portion of this time travelled for the house as collector. Ile salaquently purchased an interest in the business of this establishment, which he retained until about 1830, when he embarked in the same business in connection with his brother, Stephen I. Wade, on the southwest corner of Fourth and Main streets, where, in addition to carrying on a very extensive and profitable business, he conducted the affairs of a large tannery. At this time their house and that of John Shillito's were the leading dry- goods establishments in the city. In 1845, after accumulating a handsome for- tune, he retired from business and removed to Avondale, one of the loveliest suburbs of Cincinnati, where he lived until his decease. On arriving at manhood he identified himself 'with the volunteer militia companies of the city, and by regular gradation rose from the rank of Second Ser- geant to that of Brigadier-General, and was under commis- sion from 1825 to 1849. Ile always manifested a warm interest in the citizen soldiery, and upon the outbreak of the late civil war tendered his services to the government, and on the recommendation of General O. II. Mitchell, was commissioned a Brigadier-General of Volunteers by Presi- dent Lincoln, and assigned to duty as Commandant of Camp Dennison, then the rendezvous of the major portion of the Ohio troops. In this position his arduons and im- portant duttes were faithfully and satisfactorily performed, and in his disposition of the men only too eager, if possible, to finish their preparatory drilling and proceed to the seat of war, he evinced the possession of sterling administra- tive and executive talents. For three months he was con- stantly busied in drilling and equipping the troops, and for- warding them to the field, and at the expiration of this time, owing to the effects of the miasma of the camp, and the attendant exposure of camp life, particularly prejudicial at his advanced age, his constitution gave way, and he was compelled to tender his resignation, which was accepted. Hle was married in August, 1823, to Eliza G. Armstrong, daughter of Colonel Armstrong, of revolutionary fame, by whom he had seven children, four sons and three daughters ; of these three are now living, one son and two daughters. Ile died in Avondale, Cincinnati, Ohio, August 11th, 1868.
HELDON, BENJAMIN ERASTUS, Lawyer and Mayor of Napoleon, Ohio, was born in Huron county, Ohio, January 28th, 1834. Ilis parents, natives of America, were of English origin. His preliminary literary education was acquired at Oberlin College, where he was an attendant until the end of the junior year; he graduated subsequently, in 1861, at Lagrange College, Tennessee. After graduating, he accepted a superintendency of public schools at Napoleon,
ABBITT, HENRY S., M. D., Chief Clerk and Deputy Anditor of State, was born at Worcester, Massachusetts, December Ist, 1826; educated in the public schools of that town; studied medicine at Northampton, teaching school to meet his ex- penses ; graduated at the Berkshire Medical Col- lege in 1848; at the age of twenty-one was elected Secretary of the " Berkshire Medical Association," and a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society the same year; discharged the duties of City Physician of Lowell in 1849, under Pro- fessor Abner II. Brown; and in the autumn of that year commenced business in the new manufacturing town now called Holyoke; was elected Treasurer of the town in 1850, and appointed Postmaster by President Fillmore. He went to New York city in 1853, where he was appointed an Assistant Secretary of the Crystal Palace Association, and had charge of the agricultural department of the World's Fair while it existed. He was one of the contributors to " Putnam's Illustrated Record of the Exhibition of the In- dustry of all Nations," and during the same year wrote up the " History of Reaping Machines from the Earliest Date," which was published in a series of articles in the Scientific American. He removed to Newark, Ohio, in 1854, to fill an engagement for five years with the Newark Machine Works; remained with that company till the breaking out of the slaveholders' rebellion ; was Secretary of the Newark ITorticultural Society, etc. The president of the machine works (General George B. Wright ) being appointed Quarter- master-General of Ohio, Dr. Babbitt was invited to assist in his office, from which he was sent on an expedition to Gen- eral J. D. Cox, at Gauley Bridge, Virginia, and was com- missioned by Governor Dennison, August 6th, 1861, as Lientenant and Quartermaster to equip the 31st Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. While serving with his regiment he was appointed Post Commissary at Camp Dick Robinson, Kentucky, in November, 1861, and assigned by General
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George Il. Thomas to his staff as Division Commissary, in | though staid and conservative from habit, he has ever been January, 1862. He was relieved of that duty in April, ready to test any innovation that gave fair promise of economy in time or substance; hence he has been a member of such organizations, public or secret, from his youth up, as prom- ised amelioration for the evils of society. while lying sick near Pittsburgh Landing, Tennessee, and was appointed senior Aide-de-camp by General Thomas on the evacuation of Corinth, Mississippi, in May, remaining in that capacity and serving as Assistant Adjutant-General under that most loved commander and faithful friend until appointed to a position in the office of the Secretary of the Treasury, November, 1862. While in this office he wrote up for the Committee on the Conduct of the War the " History of the Intercourse with the Rebellious State," from its commencement, under the motto of Mr. Chase that " trade should follow the flag." Ile left Washington in August, 1863, on receipt of a telegram from Governor Tod to return to Ohio, and was appointed Paymaster for the troops called out to repel the " Morgan raid " and adjust the compensation for services and supplies for the same; was appointed one of the Morgan raid Commissioners by Governor Brough in April, 1864, and made the report for the same in December of that year; was commissioned by Governor Brough to settle certain war claims of the State of Ohio against the United States, a duty satisfactorily per- formed. He was appointed principal bookkeeper in the Auditor of State's office in January, 1865, and promoted to the Chief Clerkship in January, 1872, to which post he was reappointed for four years, January 10th, 1876; was appointed Assistant Secretary of the Ohio State Board of Agriculture in 1865, to serve during the absence of the see- retary that season, in Europe; was reappointed in 1866; was elected Recording Secretary in 1867, and has for ten successive years been re-elected Recording and Financial Secretary of that society ; he has officiated at every State fair since 1853, except three during the war. In 1870 he was chosen Treasurer of the Ohio Agricultural and Mechan- ical College, and has been six times re-elected to that responsible post. In August, 1874, he was chosen a mem- ber of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, at Hartford, Connecticut. For several years he has been one of the Trustees of the First Congregational Church of Columbus, and Secretary of the same. Dr. Babbit was married, September 17th, 1850, at Worcester, Massachusetts, to a former pupil, Harriet Maria, eldest daughter of Sidney Smith, of Sterling, Massachusetts. Five ; but declined the same. Hle has likewise been tendered children (three daughters and two sons) have been born to them ; the eldest son, George Ilenry Thomas, graduated at the United States Naval Academy, in June, 1875, in his nineteenth year. In early life Dr. Babbitt was, in politics, a Free-Soil Democrat; in religion, too liberal in his views to subscribe to any " creed ; " later, and always a Republi- can, and in religion, convinced that liberality so called was only in practice another term for license, he joined the First Congregational Church, of Columbus, Ohio, under the carnest, convincing ministrations of Rev. E. P. Goodwin, now of Chicago, Illinois. An carnest advocate of " temper- ance in all things," yet impulsive and radical by nature, ! and other public buildings, to almost all parts of the country,
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