USA > Ohio > The Biographical encyclopedia of Ohio of the nineteenth century. Pt. 2 > Part 8
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ILLSON, IIIRAM V., Lawyer and Jurist, was born in April, 1808, in Madison county, New York, died November 11th, 1866, in Cleveland, Ohio. Ile graduated at Hamilton College in IS32, and then commenced reading law in the office of Ilon. Jared Willson, of Canandaigua, New York. He continued the reading of law in the office of Francis S. Key, and supported himself for a time by teaching in a classical school, in the Shenandoah Valley. Ile was an earnest student, and not only became acquainted with the principles of law, but with facts and precedents which proved of great service to him later in life. In 1833 he removed to Painesville, Ohio, but soon, with his class- mate and intimate friend, llenry B. Payne, removed to Cleveland, and the two formed a law partnership. These two young men were without money, but received encour- agement from some of the older lawyers, and were soon known as able attorneys. In a few years Mr. Payne retired from the partnership, and it became Willson, Wade & Ilitchcock, and then Willson, Wade & Wade. In IS52 he received the Democratic nomination for Congress, and at the same time his partner, Edward Wade, was nominated by the Free-Soil party, and William Case was nominated
by the Whigs. Ilis partner, Edward Wade, was success- fil, but he received a heavy vote. In the winter of 1854 the members of the Cleveland bar selected him to go to Washington, and try to have the State divided into two districts for judicial purposes. The bill was successful, and the United States Court for the Northern District of Ohio was formed. President Pierce, in March, 1855, appointed him Judge of the newly formed district, which gave general satisfaction to the bar. When he became a judge he ceased to be a politician. The bench he considered far removed from the arena of political strife, and from that time no purely political or personal motives swayed his mind or affected his decisions. The new court was crowded with business from the start. The civil and criminal cases com- ing before it were numerous and important, and a large share of noteworthy cases were suits in admiralty, arising on the lakes. Many of his decisions are retained in the law-book as important authority, furnishing valuable pre- cedents, and being models of deep research and clear state- ment. One decision in admiralty affirmed that maritime liens of men for wages and material for supplies are a pro- prietary interest in the vessel itself, and cannot be divested by the acts of the owners or by any casualty until the claims are paid, and that such liens inhere to the ship and all of her parts wherever found and whoever may be the owner. In other cases he decided and supported the decisions by voluminous precedents, that the admiralty and maritime jurisdiction passed by the District Courts of the United States, on the Western lakes and rivers, under the Constitu- tion and Act of 1789, was independent of the Act of 1845, and was unaffected thereby; and also, that the District Courts of the United States having under the Constitution and Acts of Congress exclusive original cognizance of all civil causes of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction, the courts of common law are prechided from proceeding in rem. to enforce such maritime claims. Very many other most important decisions might be referred to if necessary, to give his correctness in deciding the most intricate ques- tions of admiralty. The John Brown raid, and the break- ing out of the war of the rebellion, found him ready to define the law in regard to conspiracy and treason, drawing with great skill the line of difference between a meeting for the expression of opinions hostile to the government, and a gathering for the purpose of violently opposing or overturn- ing the government. Ile always insisted upon the criminal- ity of an attempt to overthrow the government. In 1865 his health gave away, and in the early winter of that year he visited New Orleans and the West Indies. The weather being unusually inclement, he returned without having been benefited. When the term of court arrived, he insisted on being taken down to the city to open the court, and to see that everything started correctly. The effort was too much for him, and he gradually sank under his disease, consump- tion, until the 11th day of November, 1866, when he died. Ile had some months before been received into the First
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Presbyterian Church, of which he had long been an attend. ant and active supporter, and passed away in peace, with the full hope of a time Christian. The bar of the district received the news of his death with great sonow, among; whom he had no encunes. The resolutions referred to him as " a learned, upright, and fearless judge, ever doing right and equity among the suitors of his court, fearing only the errors and mistakes to which a fallible human judgment is ever liable. Urbanity and courtesy to the older members . of the bar, protecting and loving kindness to its younger members, and deep and abiding interest in the reputation of all, were among his distinguishing characteristics." The feeling expressed by the members of the bar was felt by a great many other persons who knew him, and respected him as a friend, a neighbor, a citizen, or a judge. Ile was married in 1835 to the widow of Mr. Ten Eyck, of Detroit, Michigan.
OOD, OLIVER, Proprietor of the Ironton Hotel 6 and Brevet Brigadier General United States Vol- unteers, was born, June 25th, 1825, at Corinth, Saratoga county, New York, and is the fourth of seventeen children, whose parents were Obadiah and Mary (Seeley) Wood. Ilis father was a native of Ilerkimer county, New York, of a Connecticut family, and of remote English descent. He was during his lifetime an agriculturist and a manufacturer and dealer in lumber; he was also remarkable as a public-spirited citizen, and was for a number of years Justice of the Peace and Township Supervisor. On account of his youth he was prevented from being a participant in the war of 1812, although he had en- listed for service. He died in June, 1871. Ilis wife, Mary Seeley, was of Spanish descent, and a native of Saratoga county, New York. She died at Corinth, New York. Oliver was carefully trained in industrious habits of life, and was engaged on both a farm and in the lumber business until he was twenty two years old, attending school during the winter seasons until he was sixteen years of age. He com- menced business on his own account at twenty-two years of age in Chautauqua county, in a sawmill and on a farm, continuing in these for two years. In 1849 he was elected Constable and Collector of Ellicott township, and performed these duties for three years, at the expiration of which he remained unemployed for one year. In the spring of 1853 he removed to Ohio, and on the Ist of April located at Portsmouth, Scioto county, where he resided until February, 1874, being principally engaged there in the lumber busi- ness until the civil war broke out. On April 16th, 1861, he enlisted as a member of Company D, 220 Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was stationed at Camp Jack- son, Columbus. In May he was elected First Lieutenant of his company while thus encamped. He served with the regiment during their three months' service in West Vir- ginia, and was mustered out in August, ISGr. During the
following month he raised a company (Company B of the 13th Missouri Volunteers), and was elected its Captain. The regiment was organized at Benton Barracks, Missouri, where, with his company in camp, he remained until Jaun ary, 1802. He was now ordered with the regiment to the field, and was soon afterwards in Kentucky. In June, IS62, the appellation of this regiment was changed to the 22d Ohio Volunteers, as seven of its companies were Ohio troops, one was from Illinois and two from Missouri. Ile was with this regiment until it was mustered out of the service, November ISth, 1864. Ile was an active participant in the battles of Fort Donelson, Pittsburgh Landing, the siege of Corinth, the battle of Corinth, Vicksburg, and Little Rock, beside numerous smaller engagements. Ile was promoted to the rank of Major, on May 9th, 1862. On September 16th of the same year he was advanced to the rank of Col- onel ; and on the 5th of March, 1865, was brevetted Briga- dier-General for gallant and meritorious services during the war. On December 9th, 1864, he was appointed Colonel of the 4th United States Veteran Volunteers, by Secretary Stanton, and attached to the Ist Army Corps under General Hancock, and was ordered to Virginia, where he served as Colonel of this body until March Ist, 1866, doing service in Virginia, Maryland, Ohio, and in Louisville, Kentucky. 1le then returned to Portsmouth, Ohio, where he resumed the lumber business until 1870. In 1867 he was appointed Postmaster of Portsmouth, and continued in that position seven years, retiring from the same in 1874. In that year he became proprietor of the Ironton Hotel, which has since occupied his entire attention. Ilis political creed is that of the Republican party ; and in religious faith he is a mem- ber of the Episcopal Church. Socially he is pleasant and agreeable; his character for integrity is unquestionable ; and he has ever been noted for untiring industry, energy, and temperate habits. He was married, March 16th, 1845, to Mary Rhodes, a native of Edenburg, Saratoga county, New York, who died in October, 1852, leaving two chil- dren. Ile was united to his second wife, Emily II. Mytin- ger, of Lancaster, Ohio, on June 26th, 1855.
EAL, HENRY S., was born, August 25th, 1828, at Gallipolis, Ohio, and is the fourth of seven chil- dren, whose parents were Henry II. and Lydia (Safford) Neal. Ilis father was a native of Parkersburg, West Virginia, where he was born in 1800. Ile is of Irish extraction, being a de- scendant of that ancient and honorable family of " O'Neills" who fill so large a page in the history of Ireland. Ilis an- cestors immigrated to this country prior to the revolution- ary war, and in that momentous struggle embraced the patriot cause, while other members of the family fought in behalf of the British. This so enraged the ancestor that he changed his name to " Neal." Henry's mother was a
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but is not sectarian in his feelings, and regards with special interest all sincere efforts from every quarter to enlarge the Master's kingdom. He is of social habits, and enjoys the confidence and respect of all good men.
native of Poultney, Vermont, a daughter of Jonas Safford, whose ancestors came from Ipswich, England, in colonial times. They were generally distinguished for intellectual, moral and religious culture. Dr. Safford became a resident of Gallipolis in 1811, and during Ins lifetime was the leading physician of that section. His daughter Lydia was born April 5th, 1801; married Heury II. Neal December 19th, 1822; and died April 9th, 1834. She was a noble Christian EDRETTI, FRANCISCO, Fresco Artist of Cin- cinnati, was born in Lombardy, Italy, June 22d, 1829. Ile early exhibited a taste for painting, and his parents judiciously took steps to develop 0 his artistic talents. Ile was accordingly placed under the instruction of Professor Pietro Mariani, of Milan, and afterwards .continued his education at the academy at Brera. In 1848 he left his native country on account of the revolution then in progress, and after a year's residence in Switzerland, emigrated to America and settled in New York in 1851, where his skill as an artist and originality as an ornamental designer soon secured him a high standing, and a continued demand for his services from all portions of the country. In 1853 he removed to Buffalo, remaining but two years, after which he located at Cincinnati, where he has since resided. The latter city has been the scene of a remarkable professional success, which has extended over eighteen States of the Union. In these, evidences of his ability as a fresco artist everywhere abound, and many of the most noted and beautiful structures in the country bear upon their walls the added graces of his facile pencil. Ile is devoted to his art and has done more to elevate it in public estimation than perhaps any other painter in the country, and in fixing a higher standard for artistic excellence in his special branch has necessitated his com- peers to follow in the pathway indicated, as the price of success. lle is an honorary member of the Cincinnati Chapter of Architects, and is widely known and admired for his genius, and universally respected as a useful private citizen. woman, first in every good word and work, and did much towards preparing the subject of this sketch for a life of use- fulness and worth. Ile was early taught moral and indus- trious habits, and through his own energy and determina- tion, seconded by the aid of his liberal-minded father, acquired a liberal education, graduating at Marietta College in 1847. Shortly after, he commenced the study of law under the supervision of the lon. Simeon Nash, then and since one of the most distinguished lawyers and jurists of southern Ohio. Ile pursued his studies with great energy and assiduity for the period of three years, when he was admitted to the bar in 1851, and shortly afterwards removed to Ironton,, Ohio, where he has since resided, engaged in the practice of his profession. Ile soon attained a leading position at the bar, and is noted for his irreproachable in- tegrity, sound judgment, and legal acquirements. In 1861 he married Mary J. Campbell, eldest daughter of Hon. John Campbell, of Ironton, an extensive ironmaster, and one of the most remarkable business men of that section. In the same year he was elected to the Senate of Ohio, serving in that capacity for a period of four years, with credit to him- self and to the satisfaction of his constituents. In IS69, on account of impaired health, he sought an appointment in Europe from President Grant, and was sent as Consul to Lisbon, Portugal. Shortly after arriving out, the legation became vacant by the resignation of the Minister Resident, and Mr. Neal was appointed Charge d'Affaires ad interim. The duties of this office he discharged so acceptably as to receive the special thanks of the Secretary of State. These offices he resigned for the reason that his health was not improved, and he could neither benefit himself nor serve his country usefully, and returned to Ironton, where he resumed USS, ROSS C., M. D., was born in Brown county, Ohio, April 9th, 1834. Ile was the youngest child in a family of seven children whose parents were Matthew Russ and Sarah ( Welsh) Russ. Ilis father, a native of Westmoreland county, Virginia, was engaged through life in agricultural pursuits. He moved from his native State to Kentucky, and thence at a later date removed to Ohio, settling in Brown county, near Georgetown, where he resided until his death in 1866. He was an officer in the war of 1812, and the son of a colonist who took part as a patriot in the revo- Intionary struggle. Ile was a man of sound judgment and unquestionable integrity, and a true Christian gentleman. The mother of Ross, a native of Mason county, Kentucky, was a daughter of Thomas Welsh, one of the carly pioneers the practice of his profession. On three different occasions he was appointed to investigate Indian frauds. His reports on the files of the Interior Department testify to the thor- oughness of his work. In 1873 he was elected without opposition to the Ohio Constitutional Convention, and upon the floor of the Convention, and also as a member of the Judicial Committee, he took a prominent part in the labors of that body. Politically he is a Republican of Whig ante- cedents, and an earnest friend of the "American system " so ably advocated by Henry Clay and other distinguished statesmen, of " protection to American industry," believing that the prosperity of the industrial interests of this country largely depend upon the continued embodiment of that policy in our political economy. Ile has strong religious convictions, being a member of the Presbyterian Church, [ of that county. Her forefathers also had been identified
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with the patriot cause, and taken part in the engagements of the troublons times preceding the year 1783. His boy- hood days were passed alternately in attending school and in working on a farm. He attended the Williamsburg High School in Clermont county, Ohio, and in his seven- teenth year began teaching school in Brown county, Ohio, studying medicine in his leisure hours. At the age of nineteen he entered the office of his brother, Dr. Matthew C. Russ, at Royalton, Boone county, Indiana. Subsequently he became a student in Rush Medical College of Chicago, Illinois, and graduated with honor from that institution in 1856. In this year he returned to Royalton, Indiana, and there began the practice of medicine. At the termination of five years spent in successful labors, he removed to Ohio in 1863, and settled in Danville, Highland county, where he practised medicine until 1869. lle then located his office in Hillsborough, the county-seat, and there has since resided, engaged in the control of an extensive medical practice. During the war of the rebellion he was commis- sioned Surgeon of the ro3d Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, but owing to a precarious state of health, was not able to remain with his regiment throughout its entire term of service. Public office of a partisan or political nature he has never either sought or accepted. lle is a valued member of the Highland County Medical Society, and has contributed scientific articles to the leading medical jour- nal, which have thrown great light on the histology, path- ology, and treatment of various intricate diseases, and which have been generally highly appreciated by the leading members of the medical profession. Politically his ideas on the proper form of government, and the right policy of his country, incline him to support the Republican party. Ilis religious opinions attach him to the Methodist Church. lle was married in 1862 to Myra M. Wright, a native of Lexington, Kentucky.
OUDON, DE WITT CLINTON, Soldier, Law- yer, and Jurist, was born, May 29th, 1827, at Georgetown, Brown county, Ohio, and is the eldest son of James and Elizabeth (Chapman) Loudon. When he was five years of age his father removed to a farm, where his son labored during the farming season, and attended the district school in the winter months. In September, 1845, he entered the Ohio University at Athens, where he remained until May, 1846, when he volunteered as a private in Captain McLean's company, 2d Ohio Regiment, commanded by Colonel George W. Morgan. On his arrival at Camp Belknap, Texas, he was transferred to the Ist Regiment Ohio Volun- teers, in which he served until the expiration of his enlist- ment. In the latter regiment he was promoted to Company Sergeant, and subsequently to Quartermaster Sergeant. After his discharge from the service he returned to the university, whence he graduated in 1850, receiving the
I degree of A. B. After graduation he remained some time as tutor, and thence removed to Georgetown-where he has ever since resided-where he entered the law office of D. G. Devon, and continued the study of law, to which he had already given considerable attention. He was admitted to the bar in Athens county, Ohio, in November, 1851, and immediately thereafter commenced the practice of his pro. fession in his native town. He was elected Probate Judge in 1857, but after a few months' service resigned the office and returned to the bar. He was commissioned Lieutenant- Colonel of the 70th Regiment Ohio Volunteers on October 2d, 1861, and promoted to the rank of Colonel in the spring of 1864, and in the following month of August was dis- charged for disability. As soon as his health was sufficiently restored, he resumed his practice, which he has steadily pur- sued since that time. In Jannary, 1869, he was admitted to the bar of the United States Supreme Court. In political creed he was a radical Democrat until the outbreak of the rebellion, at which time he joined the Union party, and gave an active support to the war. In 1872 he united with the Liberal movement, and supported Greeley for the Presi- dency. In 1873 he was a candidate for Supreme Judge under the nomination of the People's party. Ile was mar- ried in April, 1852, to Hannah W. Bolles, a native of Southbridge, Massachusetts.
6 "WYNNE, ELI W., Merchant, was born near Cumberland, Maryland, on December 18th, 1794. Ilis father, Evan Gwynne, died early, but his mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Gwynne, who died in this - city in 1847 at the advanced age of eighty-eight 19 years, was widely known in the Methodist Epis- copal Church, of which she was a member. Eli Gwynne was one of ten brothers who all died before him. Ilis only sister, Mrs. Edmiston, of this city, survived him. Ile came to Ohio when a boy, abont 1810 or 1811, and entered into business with his older brother in Franklinton, in Franklin county, but soon after removed to Madison county on what was and is known as the Gwynne farm, and commenced a store at Urbana, Champaign county. The business of the Gwynne Brothers was mercantile and agricultural, and gradually grew to large extent. During the war of 1812 David Gwynne entered the army and rose to the rank of Major. At the close of the war he was appointed Paymaster, and in assisting him Eli Gwynne, then quite a young man, traversed a large part of northwestern Ohio on horseback, suffering greatly at times from exposure and privation inci- dent to pioneer life. After the war he continued his con- nection with the business of his brother until the death of Thomas Gwynne, and the removal of his brother to Cincin- nati. This left him in full control of their extensive busi- ness, which he carried on for a number of years. At one time he had stores in Urbana, Springfield, and Columbus,
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and the farm in Madison county to superintend and direct. When it is remembered that in those days no railroads existed, and purchases of goods were all made in the East, and communication with the different towns was difficult, an idea can be formed of the energy requisite to prosecute successfully such extended affairs. Mr. Gwynne retired from mercantile pursuits, about 1855, to his beautiful home near Lafayette, where he gave his attention to farming and cattle grazing. Ilis growing fortune brought him into in- timate relations with the financial affairs of the city, and in everything connected with the business and prosperity of city, State and nation he took a deep interest and active part. Ile was a man of close observation and accurate judgment, and when he had once matured his plans he was a bold and fum operator. Ile was exact, just and methodical in business matters, asking only what was right, but submitting to no wrong. Ile died in Columbus, De- cember 7th, 1866.
R OSECRANS, GENERAL WILLIAM STARKE, was born in Kingston township, Delaware county, , Ohio, September 6th, 1819. The name " Rose- crans " is Dutch, signifying " a wreath of roses." Ilis ancestors came from Amsterdam. His father, Crandall Rosecrans, emigrated to Ohio from the Wyoming valley, Pennsylvania, in ISOS. Ilis mother, Jemima (Hopkins) Rosecrans, was a kinswoman of Timothy Hopkins, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independ- ence, and a daughter of a soklier in the Revolution. Their son was a studious lad, with a mind prone to dwell upon religious subjects, and with a disposition to engage others in conversation upon topics of this class. Ile also loved science and the study of mathematics, and eventually con- ceived a desire to enter the Academy at West Point. Un- known to his family, he endeavored to secure an appoint- ment through Hon. Joel R. Poinsett, Secretary of War under President Van Buren. Failing to receive a prompt answer to his request he broached the subject to his father, who at once sanctioned his ambition. A petition being prepared and largely signed, he was about to send it to Washington, when he received notice that the appointment was his. At the academy he was a close student, rather retired in his manner, and something of a religious enthu- siast. Ile was graduated in the class of 1842, and among his fellow-graduates were many whose names were brought into prominence during the late conflict, among others Long- street, Pope, Doubleday, and Earl Van Dorn. Entering the preferred corps of the army, the Engineers, he was made a Brevet Second Lieutenant, and sent to Fortress Monroe. In the following year he returned to the aend- emy, first as Assistant Professor of Engineering, then as Assistant Professor of Natural and Experimental Philosophy, then in charge of the department of Practical Engineering, and finally as Post-Quartermaster. Soon after his return to
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