USA > Ohio > The Biographical encyclopedia of Ohio of the nineteenth century. Pt. 2 > Part 26
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at Buffalo, New York, in 1860, at which time he was chosen Professor of Chemistry in the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware. This position he accepted and removed to Dela- ware. For nearly twelve years Dr. Iloyt's connection with this institution remained uninterrupted. In 1865 he was transferred to the department of Biblical Theology in the University. In 1872 he was again sent as delegate to the General Conference. At this time he was made Editor-in- Chief of the Western Christian Advocate, and consequently removed to Cincinnati. This position he still occupies. The Advocate, of which Dr. Hoyt is editor, is one of the most popular and ably conducted papers under the auspices and patronage of the Methodist Church. Few denomina- tional papers in the country have a larger circulation. After Dr. Hayt's retirement from Wesleyan University he received the degree of D. D. from Baldwin University. Although Dr. Iloyt is fifty two years of age, he seems to be in the very prime of life. He is a man of great and true powers of mind, full of the milk of human kindness, incapable of a mean sentiment, and still full of enthusiasm in his life of well-doing.
RESEL, HON. OTTO, Lawyer, of Columbus, Ohio, has a peculiar history, marked with a variety of striking events. In the ordinary inter- courses of life a man of his marked ability, with positive convictions, and great moral and physical courage, will necessarily encounter sharp conflicts with those of opposite views. Though a man of great firm- ness, he is courteous and gentlemanly, recognizing in all the full right of personal independence in the maintenance of their opinions. But aside from the ordinary conflicts of opinion, Mr. Dresel has encountered some trying ordeals in the advocacy of his principles, as will appear in the follow- ing sketch. He was born in the year 1824, in Detmold, the capital of Lippe, only two miles from the battle-field, where, about the time of the Saviour's birth, Arminins delivered Germany from the Roman yoke by a most signal defeat of the invading foe. This fact may have been to him an inspiration in the cause of civil liberty. After closing a thorough collegiate course, in which he made great prof. ciency in scholarly attainments, he studied law, and in due time entered upon the practice of the profession with the . most flattering prospects. About this time the revolutionary movement of 1848 was inaugurated, in which Mr. Dresel very naturally became an active participant, and in the fur- therance of the cause of Republicanism took the editorial management of a political journal in which certain features of the government were violently assailed, and the tocsin of war was sounded. As Mr. Dresel was prominent in the movement, efforts were made for his arrest and punishment. Had his enemies succeeded, it would have subjected him to a long and humiliating imprisonment, from which he barely escaped by a precipitate flight and the use of various dis-
guises. He finally took refuge in the first vessel he reached, not knowing its destination. His pursuers were close on his track and searched the vessel with all diligence, but by the kindness of the captain he was effectually concealed. Fortunately the ship was bound for the United States, and thus by what would seem to be a mere accident, he reached a country that recognized the great principles for the main- tenance of which he had become a fugitive from his native land. In November, 1849, Mr. Dresel reached Baltimore, a stranger, poor, and friendless, but he had talent and edu- cation and energy, and was equal to the emergency. Ile weat West. Prior to his naturalization he was, by special act of the Ohio Legislature, allowed an examination before the Supreme Court of this State and admitted to the prac- tice of the law. In 1853 he moved to the city of Columbus, where in due time he attained a prominent position at the bar, and secured a remunerative practice. In 1855 he was married to Louise M. Silbernagel, a daughter of an influen- tial citizen of Columbus, by whom he has had five children, the eldest of them being at this date a promising student in the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Obio. In the troublous times of 1861 Mr. Dresel was elected a member of the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, from Franklin county. The late war of the rebellion had culminated in an open conflict. Very rigid measures were adopted to fill up the ranks and supply material aid to the government, some of these being regarded by many as usurpations of power, endangering the liberties of the people. These are among the things of the past, and are only alluded to as bearing on an important portion of Mr. Dresel's history, for, following out his convictions, he introduced into the Legislature a series of resolutions denouncing some of these measures as usurpations of power. After a most animated and bitter discussion a resolution to expel him from the body was de- feated, and a mere vote of censure was passed. At the ensuing election Mr. Dresel was renominated by acclima- tion, and elected by an overwhelming majority, indicative of his full vindication in the hearts of the people he repre. sented. Being a zealous advocate of the principles of the Democratic party. Mr. Dresel took an active part in many Presidential and State campaigns, and was one of the most popular and successful German "stump" orators in the West. On the 14th of December, 1864, he resigned his seat in the Legislature, that he might be enabled to more fully devote himself to the practice of the law. Although he has been fully occupied in professional and private duties, few have manifested greater public spirit or accom- plished more in the advancement of the educational and other important enterprises of the city. For many years he served as a member of the Board of Education, and as chairman of the Committee on Rules and Regulations drafted the first manual of the Board, and of the Public Schools, which is still in force and forms the basis for the action of the former, and the government of the latter. Ile has also been an active member of the Board of Trustees
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of the Public Library and Reading Room of the city | began the reading of medicine under the supervision of C. of Columbus, and has served as the Secretary from the time of its first organization to the present. Ile has exercised a thoughtful oversight of the institution generally, and espec- iilly of the German department, making selections of the books, classifying and registering them with his own hand, and providing the reading room with the choicest papers and magazines. In these as well as all other positions he has shown himself capable and faithful. Besides being a fine general scholar and a man of very unusual literary culture, Mr. Dresel is a great achmirer of the fine arts, and possesses a natural and highly cultivated taste for music, and is an amateur performer on several instruments. For some years he occupied the position of Musical Director of the Manner- chor, the leading German glee club of Columbus. Under his leadership the society gave in 1867 and 1868, during two successive winter seasons at Naughton Hall, a series of what may be called fashionable concerts, attended by crowded and appreciative andiences, consisting of the elite of the city. Since August, 1875, Mr. Dresel has taken charge of the Ohio State Agency for the Protection Life Insurance Company of Chicago. Mr. Dresel is so well- preserved that he would not be taken for a semi-centenarian. Ile is active in his movements, stands or walks ereet, is at least six feet high, and though slender is well-proportioned. Ilis expressive countenance and blue eyes, when in repose, indicate a gentle nature and a kind heart, but when aroused, his contracted brows and flashing eyes reveal that hidden energy and enthusiasm which have characterized and sus- tained his eventful and checkered career throughout.
B. Chandler, a prominent physician of his new location. At the expiration of two years cousmed in diligent research, he moved to Randolph, Vermont, where he continued the study of medicine until the fall of 18.11, and after attending medical lectures at Dartmouth College, and at Woodstock, Vermont, graduated at the Vermont University, in Burling- ton. In the course of the same year he removed to Ohio, and practised about eighteen months in Wheelersburg, Scioto county. In July, 1843, he settled at Pine Grove Furnace, Lawrence county, where he remained until 1847, when, on account of impaired health, he returned to Scioto county, and there continued employed in professional labors until January, 1852, when he moved to Ironton, Lawrence county, where, while sustaining unabatedly the practice of medicine, he opened also a commodious store for the sale and dispensing of drugs. At the present time he is recog- nized as one of the leading physicians of Ironton, and in addition is known as the reliable and successful head of a large drug business. In February, 1873, the Miami Uni- versity of Ohio conferred upon him the honorary degree of ad eundem, and in 1868 the Ohio Wesleyan University conferred upon him the bonorary degree of A. M. For seven years he has been a member of the City Council of Ironton ; for twenty-five years has been a member of the Board of Education of the Ironton schools ; and since 1859 has served efficiently on the County Board of School Exam- iners. Also for many years he has been a valued and prom- inent member of the Lawrence County Medical Society, and of the Ohio Valley Medical Association. During the progress of the rebellion, he officiated as County Surgeon of Lawrence county. For many years also he has been a prominent member of the Muisonie and Odd Fellow frater- nities; for six years has served as Master of Lawrence Lodge, F. and A. M., and is the present King of the Chap- ter; and Noble Grand of Ironton Lodge, I. O. O. F. His initial vote was cast in favor of General Harrison, Relig- iously he is a Congregationalist, and is a deacon of his church. His integrity of character, entirely unassailable, is admirably paralleled by his tireless and well-directed energy and industry. Ile was married in November, 1848, to Sophia McConnell, a native of Scioto county, Ohio, and has four children-three daughters and one son.
OXLEY, NATHANIEL K., M. D., was born in Tunbridge, Orange county, Vermont, February 8th, 1818, and was the ninth child in a family of ten children, whose parents were Thomas Moxley and Asenath ( Flint ) Moxley. Ilis father, a native of Stonington, Connecticut, followed through life the profession of medicine, and died in 1846 at Tunbridge, Vermont, where he had been for many years engaged in professional labors. His mother, also a native of Stoning- ton, Connecticut, died in Tunbridge, Vermont, in 1869, at the advanced age of ninety-two years. On the paternal side he is of English extraction, and related to various active participants in the revolutionary conflict, notably four uncles. On his mother's side he is of Danish origin, and also finds ¿ARY, DANIEL B., Lawyer, Zanesville, Ohio, was born in Brandon, Vermont, April 12th, 1823, his parents being natives of New Hampshire, to which they returned when he was ten years old, settling at Keene, where he attended school until eighteen years of age. lle then commenced to learn the trade of cabinet-maker under Abel Wilder, with whom he served not quite three years, and then as a jour- there several ancestors who took an active part in the stir. ring events preceding and following the year 1776. Until his fifteenth year was attained, his days were passed alter- nately in attending school during the winter months, and in laboring on a farm through the summer seasons. In 1834 he commeneed an academical course of study at Royalton, Vermont, and remained there as a student for about four years, He then returned to Tunbridge, Vermont, and I neyman worked at his trade for about five years. In 1847
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HON JAMES M ASHLEY,
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he went to Worcester, Massachusetts, and worked at car- building in the factory of Bradley & Rice, where he re- mained until 1850, when he went to Columbus, Ohio, and continued his trade in the car-shops of Ridgway & Kimble until May 13th, 1851, when he went to Zanesville, Ohio, where he has since resided. At first he found employment in the car-shops of Douglas Smith & Co., and there stayed four years. In the latter part of 1855 he commenced the study of law with James Harper, and under Colonel Wil- liam HI. Ball he finished reading, March 30th, 1857, at which date he was admitted to the bar as a practising law- yer. He has been engaged in active pursuit of his profes -. sion ever since, with the exception of the period of his ser- vice in the army. Ile joined and was mustered into service October 220, 1862, as Captain of Company 1, 122d Ohio Volunteers, and held the position for seventeen months, when he was honorably discharged on account of sickness which rendered him unfit for duty. In 1843 he was married to Sophronia C. Thatcher, who died February 2d, 1851. On October 16th, 1851, he was married to Mary Little, who was killed by the falling of the market-house, January 24th, 1863. He was married a third time, on November 16th, 1865, to Roxanna M. Helmick. Ile has hell the position of Prosecuting Attorney for the county. At present he is engaged in a large and lucrative practice, and is highly esteemed for his many good qualities.
IGELOW, AS.\, Physician, was born, May 2d, 1820, in Peru, Bennington county, Vermont. His parents, Reuben Bigelow and Abigail Brooks, were Americans of Welsh ancestry. Ilis father settled in Pern about the year 1798, purchasing two farms for fifty cents. One of these farms he afterwards sold, and on the other raised twelve children. Reuben Bigelow was a man of force and prominence, and served several years in the Legislature of Vermont. In 1822 a family meeting was held, at which eleven children were present. Fifty years later the family had a second reunion, but three had passed away. Seven of the children were girls and five boys, of whom Asa is the youngest. Their ages average sixty four years and their weight one hundred and eighty-four pounds. Eight of the children are still living. Asa laid the foundation of his education at the academies in Chester and Brattleborough, Vermont. Leaving school, he read medicine with Dr. L. G. Whiting, at Londonderry, Vermont, graduating at Wood- stock, in that State, March 10th, 1840. For three years and a half after leaving college he practised medicine in Wind- ham, and then joined his old preceptor in Londonderry. In the spring of 18445 he went to Attica, Fountain county, Indiana, where he pursued his profession with gratifying success for twenty-six years, His skilful surgical operations gave him wide fame. In January, 1862, he was commis-
sioned Surgeon of the 3d Illinois Cavalry ; was at the battle of Pea Ridge, and left the army in October of the same year to settle in Toledo, Ohio, where he has since resided. His large practice in medicine and surgery has come as the result of a mind fitted for the work, added to a zealous love for his profession. His medical brethren have not been slow to recognize and acknowledge his ability and skill. Dr. Bigelow is an active and useful member of the Medical As- sociation of Toledo. February 14th, 1848, he married Mary E. Lamont, at Attica, Indiana, who died December 2d, 1850, leaving an infant boy, who soon followed his mother. Oc- tober 4th, 1853, Dr. Bigelow married Martha A. Scott, of Fountain county, Indiana; of this union four children were born, three of whom, one girl and two boys, are now living.
SHLEY, JAMES M., Editor and Lawyer, ex- member of Congress and ex-Governor of Mon- tana, was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, November 14th, 1824. Ilis parents were natives of America, of English and Scotch extraction. His early education was acquired at home, under the guidance of his father and mother. In 1841 he entered the printing office of the Sciola Valley Republican, edited by William P. Camden, and subsequently was employed in various printing offices until he became in 1848 editor and proprietor of the Democrat, in Portsmouth, Ohio. During his experience as an editor he studied law with Charles Oscar Tracy, under whom he prosecuted his studies until he was admitted to the bar in 1849, shortly after which he relinquished his connection with the Democrat. The en- suing two years were passed in Portsmouth in the office of his former preceptor in the practice of his profession. In the fall of 1851 he moved to Toledo, Ohio, and there, with the exception of temporary absences on official business, he has permanently resided. In 1858 he was elected as a radi- cal anti-slavery man to the Thirty-sixth Congress from the then Fifth District of Ohio. To this honorable position he was consecutively re-elected in 1860, 1862, 1864 and 1866. While in Congress, during Buchanan's administration, he delivered two speeches which dealt ably with the momentous questions of the hour. In the second speech, after the elec- tion of Mr. Lincoln, he anticipated the great events of the approaching war, and drew attention to the vital issues pre- sented. It stands recorded as a masterly, an eloquent oration in the interest of unity and peace, and was recognized as a statesmanlike view of a political situation. In 1863 and 1864 he had charge in the Ilouse of Representatives of the Constitutional amendment for the abolishment of slavery in the United States, which was, as history tells, carried in the House of Representatives by the aid of Democratic votes and became part of the Constitution. While that amend- ment was under consideration he delivered a speech in its favor, which added in no small degree to his reputation for
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ability and broad, liberal views. March 12th, 1863, he re- ported from his committee the first reconstruction bill intro. duced in either House of t'ongress, and subsequently de. livered several speeches in favor of the plan of reconstruction which he provided for in his first bill. In 1866 he introduced the original resolution for the impeachment of Andrew John- son, President of the United States, which was referred to the Judiciary Committee. The evidence presented to the committee was reported upon, and finally a resolution was pissed by the House impeaching the President. In 1869 he was appointed by General Ulysses S. Grant Governor of Montana, but in 1871 was removed by him for alleged unfriendly criticism of his administration. At the present time he is engaged in the practice of law in Toledo, Ohio. In 1872 he voted for Horace Greeley, and has acted since with the Democrats and liberal Republicans. He was mar- ried, in November, 1851, to Emma J. Smith, of Kentucky.
ORRIS, REV. ROBERT DESHIA, D. D., Clergy- man, was born in Washington, Mason county, Kentucky, August 22d, 1814. He is the eldest son of Colonel Joseph Morris, who removed from New Jersey to Kentucky in 1794. The Morris family-Mour-rwyce: literally, " warlike, power- ful "-trace their descent from a chieftain primogenitor in Wales in 933. In later times, they had important com mands, and fought in the battles of the Parliament against Charles I. ; but after the death of Cromwell they were ob- liged to flee from Monmouthshire to escape the vengeance of Charles HI., and took refuge in the Island of Barbadoes. From this island his fourth grandfather, Lewis Morris, soon after sailed for New Jersey, and settled in that part now termed Monmouth county, where he was one of the Judges of the first Monmouth court. Another branch of the family, about the same time, settled at and gave the name to Morrisania, New York, and have become famous in the history of the country. His paternal grandfather was in the revolutionary war, and having been taken prisoner, was confined with many other patriots in the " Old Sugar HIonse," in Liberty street, New York, where they endured untold sufferings, pounded glass being sometimes mingled with their miserable food. Ilis maternal ancestors, the Deshas, fled from La Rochelle on the Revocation of the Idict of Nantes by Louis XIV. in 1685, and came to New Rachelle, New York. They subsequently settled on the Delaware, above the Water Gap, where they lived many years. In 1784 the Deshas and the Overfields emigrated to Kentucky. They were with the Kentons, Simon and John, in their stations, and shared in their struggles with frontier life and the merciless Indian. Ilis mother being descended from the Huguenot stock, held tenaciously to the Reformed or Calvinistic faith. Her only son early im- bibed these tenets, to which he has steadfastly adhered.
Having been prepared at Bracken Academy, Augusta, Ken- tucky, he entered Augusta College in the same place, and after a four years' course graduated August 7th, 1834. Ile then went to the Theological Seminary, Princeton, New Jersey, where he completed another four-years' course, Sep- tember 24th, IS38. During vacations he attended lectures at the theological department of Vale College, and travelled extensively over the country. Ile was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Philadelphia, in that city, April 18th, 1838. Ilis first sermon was preached in the Presbyterian Church at Newtown, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, April 220, 1838, and his second discourse was delivered on the afternoon of the same day in the old Ben Salem Presbyterian Church, near the Philadelphia line. Having been called to Newtown, in August following he was ordained and installed pastor of that church by the Second Presbytery of Philadel- phia, October 23d, 1838, and sustained that relation for eighteen years. He removed thence to Oxford, Ohio, where he has been for over sixteen years President of Oxford Fe- male College. He received the honorary degree of D. D. from Centre College, Kentucky, June, 1870. He was mar- ried, May 3d, 1842, to Elizabeth, the youngest daughter of Matthew I .. Bevan, an eminent merchant and Christian gentleman of Philadelphia. The old Newtown Church was built before the Revolution, and had many historic associa- tions. Washington's head quarters were near by, and when the Ilessians were captured over at Trenton, almost in sight, many of them were lodged within the solid stone walls of the old church. A British officer, annoyed at the eurious crowds, took a piece of charcoal and wrote on the wall op- posite the pulpit :
In times of war, and not before, God and the soldier men adore ; When the war is o'er, and all things righted, The Lord's forgot and the soldier slighted.
These memories aided not a little to increase the zeal of the young pastor; and the old church wa, renovated and enlarged, and continues to flourish. Besides diligent atten- tion to his pastoral duties, he was abundant in labors and in preaching and planting churches in other places, Several important churches in Bucks county owe their formation te his persistent efforts. Ile was uniformly prompt and active in his attendance upon the judicatories of his denomination, and was several times elected by his Presbytery to represent them in the highest court of the Presbyterian Church, IIe was a member of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church at Louisville, Kentucky, in 1844; at Cincinnati in 1850; at New Orleans in 1858, and at Philadelphia in 1870. In general improvement, in temperance and educational movements, he was very active, having been President of the Pennsylvania State Temperance Convention at Harris- burg in 1846. He served as Director in the common schools, and established a superior Parochial School and Classical Academy, now in successful operation at Newtown. He
Aobut. D. Movies.
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was for years an energetic and laborious Trustee for Lafayette | College, helping to raise her endowment and sending her many promising young men. In Ohio his educational efforts have continned with unabated interest. The Oxford Female College, over which he presides, has the well deserved honor of being one of the best educational establishments in the country.
6 RAFF, JACOB, late Merchant, was born, Septem- ber Ist, 1802, in Arch street, Philadelphia, Penn- sylvania, and was educated in the schools of that city. Ile learned the auction business in the house of Pearcell & Gerlon, and when he had at- tained his majority his father started him in the general produce business, in which he continued prosper- ously until the great financial crises of 1833 and 1834, and having also engaged largely in coal-land speculations-the excitement in such investments then running high-he sus- pended payment. Not caring to accept a subordinate posi- tion at that time, he remained out of business until 1836, and in the autumn of that year went to Cincinnati and effected an engagement with the Newport Manufacturing Company as Supervisor and confidential clerk, and occupied those positions until their failure in 1839. Ile then embarked in the auction business on Main street, under the firm-name of llutchinson & Graff, and on the death of his partner, which occurred shortly after they commenced, he formed a copartnership with J. J. Wright, and carried on the auction, commission and real-estate business, opening a house on Third street, where they continued until the death of his partner. Hle next associated himself with Thomas Johnson, their place of business being on Main street, he being chief salesman. This firm continued to exist until 1858, when he engaged on his own account on East Fourth street, the firm- name being Jacob Graff & Co., and there he continued until his death. During his long business career in Cincinnati he was regarded by his competitors as an upright and honor- able business man, and one in whose word implicit confi- dence could be placed. The high appreciation in which he was held by the representative citizens of Cincinnati may be understood by the perusal of the subjoined testimonial from the Chamber of Commerce, which was reported by a com- mittce and spread upon the minutes of that association. It is as follows :
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