The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 41

Author: Durant, Pliny A. [from old catalog]; Beers, W. H., & co., Chicago, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1254

USA > Ohio > Union County > The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record; > Part 41

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

" Dem good ole days am past an' gone,"

but the memory of them clings tenaciously to the gray-headed and mature men of the present, whose earlier years teemed with experiences which could scarcely be recorded in the pages of history. These men appreciated fully the sublime, and enjoyed heartily the ridiculous, and it is scarcely an untruth to say that, with all the weight of years and dignity upon them, they can yet indulge in a series of chuckles at the recollection of bygone pleasures.

John D. Vandeman, who was admitted before the Union District Court, August 8, 1853, never resided in Union County. He was graduated from the Ohio Wesleyan University about 1850; is a resident of Delaware, Ohio, and a member of the law firm of Carper & Vandeman. He has practiced in the courts at Marysville at different occasions.

H. J. King, a native of Schuylkill County, Penn., came to Ohio when a child. in 1824, with his parents, the family locating in Pike Township. Madi- son County. Mr. King began reading law with Samuel Kerr, at London, in 1842, and became a citizen of Union County in 1853. He practiced many years before the lower courts (nisi prius) before his admission to the bar, which did not occur until 1869, before the Supreme Court at Columbus. He was for three years a member of the firm of Randall, Cameron & King, and afterward was a partner with Andrew Stevenson until 1878, since when he has practiced mostly alone.

Aaron Irwin Gould settled in Marysville probably early in 1854, and prac- ticed about a year in company with Jackson C. Doughty. He removed finally to Iowa, and is believed to have engaged in the newspaper business. He had a most ungovernable temper, and was consequently the butt of many good- natured jokes. It is not recollected that in his frenzy he ever swallowed any of his victims, yet he often threatened punishment even more dire. Because of his physical appearance, some one in the town had dubbed him Shanghai, and when Gould heard of it, his rage was terrific. He was in a fever to dis- cover the man who had thus insulted his dignity, and avowed his ability to whip him, whoever he might be. Messrs. Coats and Porter, to whom he ap-

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

plied for information, could only surmise the name of the offender, and Gould was about to depart dissatisfied, when Mr. Porter told Mr. Coats to call him back and he would tell him who had thus transcended the bounds of decorum. Gould came in again hastily, and Mr. Porter, with all the gravity of which he was possessed, remarked that " Dave Welch was the man." "Oh, hell!" said Gould, "I can't lick him; but I'll cut his d -- d heart ont!" and away he hastened with foul intent. Mr. Coats undertook to get ahead of him and warn Welch, but was too late. It is probable that no man was ever more soundly scored by tongue of lawyer than was poor Welch, who didn't know what it all meant. He was one of the most powerful citizens of the town, physically, and Gould dared not lay hands on him, and Welch, in relating the experience afterward, said he had not the first idea what Gould was making such a fuss about. Had he been a smaller man, it is possible the information given by Mr. Porter might have caused greater trouble; but it is also probable that had he been smaller the latter would not have made the statement to Gould. It afforded the two legal gentlemen a fine opportunity for a langh, and they, no doubt, heartily enjoyed it.

C. S. Hamilton, of whom an extended notice will be found in Chapter XIV, of this volume, was admitted to the bar at Cincinnati, in the spring of 1854.

George Lincoln, from the State of Connecticut, settled in Marysville in the spring of 1854, engaging in the practice of law, and in the fall of the same year formed a partnership with C. S. Hamilton. He finally removed from the place, and is now a resident of London, Madison County, and Judge of the Common Pleas Court of that district.

Col. Mæcenas C Lawrence, eldest son of William C. Lawrence, was born at Marysville, Ohio, early in 1832. He read law with Judge P. B. Cole, and was admitted at Marysville by the district court, August 20, 1856. Inheriting the wonderful memory of his father, he became remark- ably well posted in the law, and was, besides, possessed of clear perception and sound judgment-the requisites for a successful lawyer. The oldest members of the bar more than once consulted him upon knotty points of the law, and his opinion was always respected, because it was based upon absolute knowledge. He made an excellent military record as an officer in the Thirteenth and One Hundred and Twenty-first Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, in which latter he rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In 1865 and 1867, he was chosen from Union County to the Ohio House of Representatives, and in 1873 to the Senate. He died at his home in Marys- ville on the 5th of December, 1881, aged nearly fifty years. The funeral exercises, which were beautiful, solemn and impressive, were conducted by Ransom Reed Post, G. A. R., of Marysville, whose members turned out in force to pay the last tribute of respect to a departed comrade.

The members of the bar, also, attended his funeral in a body.

Col. Aaron B. Robinson, a member of the law firm of Robinsons & Piper, studied law with his brother, Hon. James W. Robinson, at Marysville, and afterward attended a course of lectures at the Cincinnati Law School. He was admitted to the bar at that city in the spring of 1859, having been a classmate of Gen. E. F. Noyes, who has since won honor and fame in the course of a long public career, civil and military. Col. Robinson gained his title in the service of his country during the rebellion, as a member of the One Hundred and Twenty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he was suc- cessively Captain, Major, Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel, having been com- missioned Captain, September 12, 1862, to date from the 16th of August, and Colonel May 18, 1865. 4 He was the junior member of the old law firm

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

of Robinson & Robinson, before Mr. Piper became a member and the name was changed. He does not engage actively in practice, but attends to the mercantile branch of his business, having charge of the well-known " Factory Store " at Marysville. In 1879, Col. Robinson was elected to the lower house of the Ohio Legislature, and again in 1881, being the present member from Union County.

William M. Randall arrived in Marysville in August, 1863, and took charge 'of the Democratic paper at that time published in the place (see chap- ter on the Press). A man named Cummings practiced with him for a time, but did not remain long. Randall had subsequently a partner named Clark, and formed also other law partnerships during his residence here. He (Ran- dall) finally removed from the town, and is now engaged in the practice of his profession at Defiance, Ohio.

Hon. Hylas Sabine, although not regularly a practitioner in this county, still deserves mention in this connection, as he was a graduate from the law depart- ment of Harvard University in 1863, and can properly be classed among the attorneys who have been residents of the county, of which he has been a life- long citizen. As a journalist, real estate dealer and enterprising citizen, he bears an honorable reputation, and is at present, by appointment of Gov. Fos- ter, occupying the position of State Commissioner of Railroads and Tele- graphs.

Andrew Stevenson located in Marysville in 1672 or 1873. He was asso- ciated with W. M. Randall for a short time, also with H. J. King and A. H. Kollefrath, and was engaged in practice until about 1880, when he returned to his former residence-Mansfield, Ohio.

N. A. Gilbert became a citizen of Marysville about 1865-66. He had read law in Mahoning County, and had been admitted to practice before com- ing to Union County. He was a partner with W. M. Randall for a short time, afterward, in 1868-69, with J. B. Coats, and subsequently with D. W. Ayers. He was a good lawyer, industrious and energetic. He removed to Cleveland, Ohio, about 1871, and has there gained an enviable reputation and enjoys an „extensive practice.

Ulysses D. Cole, eldest son of Judge P. B. Cole, read law with his father and attended law school at Cleveland, Ohio, and at Harvard University. Early in 1866, he was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court at Columbus. He was in the Union service about two years during the rebellion, with the rank of Captain. He practiced about one year in company with his father, and, January 1, 1867, removed to Huntington, Ind. About 1876, he was elected Joint Representative for the counties of Huntington and Wabash, in the Indiana House of Representatives, and was also, for a time, Deputy United States Assessor while a resident of Huntington. He is now a resident of Rush- ville, Rush Co., Ind.

Col. A. James Sterling was born October 12, 1836, in Harrison County, Ohio, and was brought by his father with the family to Union County in the following year. He was educated at the old Marysville Academy and the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware. In 1861, soon after the breaking out of the war, he raised a company, of which he was commissioned Captain, being assigned to the Thirty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was severely wound- ed in the right arm and shoulder at Chickamauga, and was soon after dis- charged for disability. In 1864, he was elected to the lower house of the Legislature, but resigned his seat in that body as soon as he recovered from his wounds, and re-entered the army. He was commissioned Lieutenant Col- onel of the One Hundred and Seventy-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and saw active service during the remainder of the war. He received numerous com-

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

pliments from his superior officers for his marked courage and gallantry in the field. Soon after his return from the army (probably about 1866), he was ad- mitted to the bar, and formed a partnership with John L. Porter, which con- tinued until the latter was elected to the bench in 1876. In 1870 and 1872, Col. Sterling was chosen to a seat in the Legislature. During his residence in Marysville, he became the possessor of a fine fortune, but through unfortunate circumstances lost the most of it. He removed to Leadville, Col., about 1878.

Leonidas Piper was born November 22, 1836, in Union Township, Union Co., Ohio. Commencing about May 20, 1865, he read law at Marysville with Col. M. C. Lawrence, and was admitted to practice before the District Court at Delaware, Ohio, June 26, 1867. After his admission, he remained with his preceptor about eighteen months, and on the 15th of March, 1869, he united with the firm of Robinson & Robinson, thus forming the present well-known firm of Robinsons & Piper, the oldest in the county; and perhaps theirs has been the longest continued law partnership ever known in the place. He had been for about two years Superintendent of the Marysville schools, and success fully engaged in teaching elsewhere. In 1869 and 1871, Mr Piper was elected to the office of Prosecuting Attorney for his county. He was Secretary of the Union County Agricultural Society from 1867 to 1874, and has been for several years a member of the County Board of School Examiners. He is the present Clerk of the Marysville School Board, a position he has held eight years; has been a member of said board since 1871. The firm to which Mr. Piper belongs has had from one to three students during most of its existence, up to the fall of 1881, and among them were several who have since become prominent members of the profession, now residing at Marysville and else- where. The firm has an honorable record, and its days of usefulness are not yet numbered.

J. L. Cameron is a native of Jackson Township, Union Co., Ohio, and subsequent to the close of the war he began reading law in the office of J. W. Robinson. He was admitted by the District Court at Marysville, in August, 1867, and soon after began practice at the same place. In July, 1868, he was admitted to the bar of the United States Court, at Cleveland, Ohio, and in that year or 1869, formed a partnership with W. M. Randall, which continued until 1871. For a short time he practiced alone, and subsequently for a time in company with Joseph M. Kennedy. January 1, 1878, he admitted Thomas B. Benton as a partner; this firm was dissolved in the fall of 1881, since when Mr. Cameron has practiced alone. He served three years in an Ohio Cavalry regiment during the rebellion.

D. W. Ayers, a native of Pulaski, Lawrence Co., Penn., and a resident of Union County, Ohio, since 1868, read law with James W. Robinson at Marysville, and was admitted before the Supreme Court at Columbus, in November, 1870. He has been City Solicitor of Marysville, and in 1875 was elected Prosecuting Attorney, serving two years. In 1871, he formed a partnership with R. L. Woodburn, which continued two years. He had been previously, for a short period, a partner with N. A. Gilbert. In 1876, he entered into partnership with Col. A. J. Sterling, which was dissolved in 1878, since when he has prac- ticed alone. Mr. Ayers has enjoyed a large and active practice, and has been especially busy and very successful with criminal cases. He is a hard worker, a vigorous and earnest speaker, and besides, considerable of a politician, always taking great interest in the campaigns. He has a good reputation as a stump speaker, and is known throughout Union County, enjoying also a wide ac- quaintance in the surrounding region. He enlisted, during the war, from Pennsylvania, although quite young, and was with Sheridan during his term of service; was present with the army at the surrender of Lee.

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

R. L. Woodburn is a native, "to the manor born; " his birthplace being in Jerome Township, Union Co., Ohio. August 10, 1869, he commenced the study of law in the office of Robinsons & Piper, at Marysville, and was admitted by the District Court at the same place, August 11, 1871. He at once formed a partnership with D. W. Ayers, and began practice at Marysville, where he is still located. This partnership continued two years, since when he has enjoyed a fine practice individually. In 1877 and 1879, he was chosen Prosecuting Attorney for the County of Union, serving four years in that capac- ity. From 1873* until 1878, he was Secretary of the County Agricultural Society. Since 1872, he has served as Clerk of the County Board of School Examiners.

Joseph M. Kennedy, a native of Madison County, Ohio, first read law in 1858, with Harrison & McCloud, of London. Upon application, he was ad- mitted by the Union District Court, at Marysville, August 11, 1871. He had opened an office at this place in the previous May. and for one and a half years was a partner with H. J. King, subsequently three years with J. L. Cam- eron. After practicing alone for a time, he formed a second partnership with Mr. King, which continued as long as the first one. Since its dissolution, he has been alone in practice. In 1858, Mr. Kennedy was elected Justice of the Peace in Monroe Township, Madison County, serving three years, In 1864, having removed to Pike Township, he was elected to a similar position, also holding one term. In the spring of 1871, he removed to Marysville, of which town he was elected Mayor in the spring of 1872, serving two years, and hold- ing that office during the exciting events of the temperance crusade.

A. T. Carpenter is a native of Delaware County, Ohio. In 1870, he located at Marysville, and during that and the following years read law in the office of Porter & Sterling. He was admitted in December, 1871, by the Supreme Court at Columbus, and immediately opened an office at Marysville, which has since been his place of residence. For two or three years he was a partner with W. D. Pudney, and subsequently with John M. Brodrick, the latter firm being dissolved upon Mr. Brodrick's election to liis present position as Prosecuting Attorney. Mr. Carpenter is now engaged in practice alone, and enjoys a good business. In 1872-73, he was First Assistant Journal Clerk in the Ohio House of Representatives.

James B. Cole, son of Judge P. B. Cole, was graduated in 1866 from the United States Military Academy at West Point, and served five years on the Texas frontier, in Company C, of the Fourth United States Cavalry, holding the rank of First Lieutenant when discharged at the expiration of his term of service in 1871. His last duty took him to the City of Mexico, on special detail from the Secretary of War. He read law with his father, and in Feb- ruary, 1872, was admitted at Columbus by the Supreme Court, since when he has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession at Marysville.

Walstine D. Pudney was admitted at Marysville by the Union District Court, August 27, 1872, and practiced here for a time in company with A, T. Carpenter. He is now a resident of Cleveland, Ohio. He is a native of Che- nango County, N. Y.

A. H. Kollefrath came to Marysville about 1872, where he has since been engaged in practice. He is of German parentage, and had lived previously in Springfield.

William B. Hamilton, youngest son of Hon. C. S. Hamilton, read with Col. M. C. Lawrence, was admitted to the bar, and practiced for a time at Marysville. He is now a resident of London, Madison Co., Ohio.

* See sketeh of L. Piper, ante.

Mr. Woodburn w's elected to the position in 1873, and entered upon its duties January 1, 1874.

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

F. T. Arthur, a native of Delaware County, Ohio, and a resident of Union County since about 1867, read law while Clerk of the Courts of said last named county (between 1869 and 1875), and was admitted by the Supreme Court at Columbus, in January, 1874. He has never practiced, and is now engaged in mercantile business in Marysville.

Charles W. Fairbanks, a native of Union County, Ohio, was admitted in 1874 by the Supreme Court at Columbus, and immediately after was appointed Attorney in Chief of the Indianapolis, Bloomington & Western Railway, with headquarters at Indianapolis, Ind. This position he still holds, and since his appointment thereto has gained both distinction and wealth.

George O. Hamilton, born in Union County, Ohio, and son of Dr. I. N. Hamilton, was admitted to the bar at Columbus in 1874, and practiced for some time at Marysville with Col. M. C. Lawrence. In the fall of 1880, he formed a partnership at Columbus with W. O. Henderson, but soon after re- linquished, practice on account of ill health. He died at Marysville, Sep- tember 1, 1882.

T. B. Fulton, of the firm of Powell, Fulton & Hoskins, is a native of Homer, Licking Co., Ohio. He read law with Gen. George W. Morgan. at Mount Vernon, Knox County, and was admitted at Lima, Allen County, by the District Court, April 5, 1875. At once entering into partnership with his pre- ceptor, at Mount Vernon, he practiced there about six months, when he removed to Newark, Licking County, and formed a partnership with Joel M. Dennis. About six months later he went to Illinois (spring of 1876), and on his return a few months afterward (August of same year) he opened an office at Newark and practiced alone until March or April, 1879, when he was ap- pointed Deputy Clerk of the Licking County Courts, performing all the duties of the office. In July, 1880, he removed to Marysville, and formed a partnership with Thomas E. Powell, of Delaware, who has not changed his residence from the latter place. This partnership still exists, Emery L. Hos- kins having been admitted as a member of the firm July 1, 1882.

J. M. Brodrick, the present Prosecuting Attorney for Union County, is a native of Allen Township, in this county, and began studying law with Porter & Sterling, at Marysville, January 17, 1874. September 6, 1875, he was ad- mitted by the District Court at this place. Being somewhat broken in health from hard study and overwork, he did not begin practice at once, but taught school for a short time and recruited on the home farm. November 14, 1876, he began practice in the office he now occupies, over the Farmers' Bank at Marysville. From February 15, 1879, until November 15, 1SS1, he was a partner with A. T. Carpenter, the relation being dissolved at the latter date to enable Mr. Brodrick to attend to the duties of his present office, to which he had been elected in the previous month of October. Mr. Brodrick was Clerk of the Corporation of Marysville for four years. He read at the same time and in the same office with

Thomas B. Benton, now of Marysville, and the two were admitted togeth- er. After their admission they began practice together, forming a partner- ship which continued until January 1, 1878. Mr. Benton is a native of Dela- ware County, Ohio, and the partnership between him and Mr. Brodrick began November 14, 1876. Upon its dissolution, the former on the same day became a partner with J. L. Cameron, so continuing until May 6, 1882, since when he (Benton) has practiced alone. He is a second cousin of the renowned Thomas H. Benton.

Charles B. Newsom, the only colored man ever admitted to the bar in Union County. studied with P. R. Kerr, at Richwood, and was admitted before the District Court, at Marysville, September 6, 1875. His trade was that of a barber, and he is remembered as a thorough master of that business. From

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

Marysville he went to North Lewisburg, Champaign County, and there prac- ticed his dual professions, with marked success at least in one. He finally went to Tennessee as agent of a mutual aid association, and is believed to be now practicing in that State.

J. H. Kinkade was born at Marysville in 1853. He began reading law in the office of Robinsons & Piper in 1873, and was admitted to practice by the Union District Court September 7, 1875. After remaining a short time in the office where he had studied, he finally began practice by himself in his native town. and in the spring of 1882 was elected Mayor thereof, being at the same time commissioned Justice of the Peace, which positions he now holds.

Edward E. Cole, one of the three sons of Judge P. B. Cole who are prac- ticing in their native place-Marysville-read law with his father, and was admitted to the bar by the District Court for Union County March 14, 1876, since when he has been an active practitioner in this place. From 1879 to 1882 he held the position of Justice of the Peace.

A. H. Beightler, a native of Paris Township, Union Co., Ohio, read law with R. L. Woodburn, beginning in 1874, and was admitted before the Dis- trict Court at Urbana, Champaign County, April 20, 1877. He engaged to some extent in practice for a few months and in the beginning of 1878 opened an office at Marysville, where he is still located. In the spring of 1881, he was elected Clerk of Paris Township, and served in that capacity one year. In 1879, he succeded R. L. Woodburn as Secretary of the Union County Agricultural Society; a position which he still holds, being last chosen at the election of the society held in the fall of 1882.

William O. Henderson, son of J. A. Henderson, of Marysville, was ad- mitted to the bar at Lima, Allen Co., Ohio, in July, 1877, and since the autumn of that year has been engaged in practice at Columbus.

Henry D. McDowell, from Holmes County, Ohio, practiced at Marysville a couple of years, coming about 1879.

James S. McCampbell, a native of Madison County, Ohio, read law in Marysville, beginning with Col. M. C. Lawrence, April 1, 1878, and finishing with Robinsons & Piper. He was admitted at Columbus, December 7, 1880, by the Supreme Court, and opened an office at Marysville April 1, 1881, hav- ing remained a few months after his admission with the men he had last studied under. He is still engaged in practice at this place.

W. T. Hoopes, attorney and real estate agent at Marysville, is a late ac- cession to the Union County bar, having been in the place about a year. He is a native of Morgan County, Ohio.

Edward W. Porter, son of Judge John L. Porter, and a member of the firm of Porter & Porter, was born at Marysville, read law under the tuition of his father, beginning in 1879, and was admitted by the Supreme Court, at Columbus, December 10, 1881. He began practice at his home (Marysville), and in his first case, assisted by D. W. Ayers, he appeared before his father, then near the close of his term on the bench. In February, 1882, the firm of Porter & Porter was formed.

Emery L. Hoskins, one of the firm of Powell, Fulton & Hoskins, of which he became a member July 1, 1882, was born in Leesburg Township, Union Co., Ohio. After reading law with Col. M. C. Lawrence, and Powell & Fulton, he was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court, at Columbus, June 7, 1882, being the latest accession to the bar at Marysville.

At Richwood, the first settled lawyer was Louis Blake, who located at that place about 1870. P. Ray Kerr, still a resident, came next; and Seth S. Gardner and S. W. Van Winkle are also resident lawyers of that village, the latter having been admitted to practice in the present year, 1882.

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The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 41

Author: Durant, Pliny A. [from old catalog]; Beers, W. H., & co., Chicago, pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 1254

Author: Durant, Pliny A. [from old catalog]; Beers, W. H., & co., Chicago, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1254