USA > Ohio > The biographical annals of Ohio, 1904-1905. A handbook of the government and institutions of the state of Ohio Vol. 2, Pt. 2 > Part 5
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Corresponding Clerk Messenger
Guards
Z. R. Jackson. J. M. Hughes. A. J. Runyon.
4
COMPTROLLERS OF THE TREASURY.
.
T HE office of Comptroller of the Treasury was established in 1859, as an intermediate check between the Auditor of State and the State Treasury. Warrants issued by the Auditor were not pay- able at the Treasury until countersigned by the Comptroller or his proper representative, whose books were practically duplicates of the books kept in the office of the Auditor and Treasurer. The office was abolished in 1877, General Wilson being then in charge. The following list gives the names and terms of service of the several incumbents :
W. B. Thrall, 1859-1862; Joseph H. Riley, 1862-1865; Moses R. Brailey, 1865-1871 ; William T. Wilson, 1871-1877.
Office abolished in 1877.
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85-B. A.
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL.
WADE H. ELLIS.
Wade H. Ellis was born in Covington, Kentucky, both his paternal and maternal ancestors coming from Virginia; his father's grandfather, William Ellis, from Fauquier County and his mother's father, Christopher Blackburn, from Caroline County. Christopher Blackburn's maternal grandfather was Captain James McPike, who served under Col. Howard and Gen. Little and later under the command of Gen. Lafayette in the revolutionary war.
Mr. Ellis attended the public schools of Covington, Hughes high school and Chickering Institute in Cincinnati, and later graduated from Washington and Lee University at Lexington, Va. Here he studied law, receiving the debater's medal, the law scholarship and the honors of his class. He began the practice of law in Cincinnati, but in 1894 discontinued for a time his professional work to become the managing editor of the Cincinnati Tribune, an independent Republican newspaper. In 1896 the Tribune being consolidated with the Commercial Tribune, Mr. Ellis was made managing editor of the new paper, and continued in that capacity throughout the memorable campaign of 1896, and until July, 1897, when he resigned to return to the practice of law, having been appointed First Assistant Corporation Counsel of the city of Cincinnati. In this latter capacity he served nearly six years, with two administrations, re- signing January 1, 1903, to resume private practice.
When Governor Nash called the extraordinary session of the 75th General Assembly in the summer of 1902, to pass a uniform municipal code, made nec- essary by the sweeping decisions of the Supreme Court of Ohio against special legislation, he invited Mr. Ellis to draft the law, which was presented to the legislature and subsequently passed October 22, 1902. Later, Mr. Ellis pub- lished the "Annotated Edition of the Ohio Municipal Code." On June 17, 1903, he was unanimously nominated by the Republican state convention for Attorney General, and elected in November of that year by the overwhelming majority which the whole ticket received.
In 1894 Mr. Ellis was married to Miss Dessie Corwin Chase, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Francis M. Chase, of Cincinnati.
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547
THE BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF OHIO.
The Attorney-General.
THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.
T HE 76th General Assembly passed an act making many and im- portant changes in the organization, powers and duties of the Attorney General's Department, greatly increasing its usefulness and influence. The Attorney General, by this act, is now made the chief law officer of the state and no state officer or the head of any department is authorized to employ any other counsel. The Attorney General is em- powered to appoint a First Assistant, who may act in his place during his absence, a Second Assistant, a Chief Clerk, (in addition to the stenog- rapher, and messenger in the office) and such special counsel in State cases as he may deem necessary for the conduct of the legal business of the State.
The work of the Attorney General's office has greatly increased since the first Attorney General, Henry Stanbery, was chosen in 1846, until it is now one of the busiest and most important departments of the State. Be- sides representing the State in all cases before the Supreme Court, where the docket shows a rapidly increasing number of such cases, as well as before the Circuit and Common Pleas Courts throughout the State, the Attorney General is the legal adviser of all the State officers, depart- ments and institutions. In addition to this he is a member of numerous state boards established at various times by the General Assembly which re- quire continuous attention. Among these boards are the following: I, State Board of Appraisers and Assessors for Express, Telegraph and Telephone Companies ; 2, State Board of Appraisers for Sleeping Car Companies ; 3, State Board of Appraisers for Freight Line Companies ; 4, State Board of Appraisers and Assessors for Electric Light, Gas, etc .; 5, State Board of Appraisers and Assessors for Appointing Boards of Review ; 6, Board of Equalization for Railroads; 7, Annual State Board of Equalization for Banks ; 8, State Board of Tax Remission ; 9, Sinking Fund; 10, Emergency Board; 11, Printing Commission ; 12, Paper Com- mission ; 13, Fee Commission ; 14, Board of University Lands ; 15, Board to Appoint Agents to Prosecute Claims vs. U. S. Government ; 16. Board of Appeals under the Willis Law.
548
THE BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF OHIO.
The Attorney-General.
ROSTER OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT-1904.
Office.
Name.
Term of Service.
Attorney General
Wade H. Ellis
January, 1904, to January, 1906
1st Asst. Atty. General
Geo. H. Jones.
January, 1904, to January, 1906
2d Asst. Atty. General
Wm. H. Miller
Special Counsel
Smith W. Bennett
Special Counsel
Roscoe J. Mauck
January, 1904, to January, 1906 January, 1904, to January, 1906 January, 1904, to January, 1906 January, 1904, to January, 1906
Chief Clerk
Ralph E. Westfall
Stenographer
Cai K. Barev
1
Stenographer
Minnie G. Culton
Messenger
William Sheehan
January, 1904, to January, 1906 January, 1904, to January, 1906
ATTORNEY GENERALS FROM 1846 TO 1904.
Name.
Years of Service.
Terms
Henry Stanbery
Five
1846-1851
Joseph McCormick
One (part)
1851-1852
George E. Pugh
Two
1852-1854
George W. McCook
Two
1854-1856
Francis D. Kimball
One
(part)
1856-1857
C. P. Wolcott
Four
1857-1861
James Murray
Two
1861-1863
Lyman R. Critchfield .
Two
1863-1865
Wm. P. Richardson
One
(part)
1865
Chauncey N. Olds.
One
1865-1866
Wm. H. West
Four
1866-1870
Francis B. Pond.
Four
1870-1874
John Little
Four
1874-1878
Isaiah Pillars
Two
1878-1880
George K. Nash
Three
1880-1883
D. A. Hollingsworth
One
1883-1884
James Lawrence
Two
1884-1886
Jacob A. Kohler
Two
1886-1888
David Kemper Watson.
Four
1888-1892
John K. Richards.
Four
1892-1896
Frank S. Monnett
Four
1896-1900
J. M. Sheets ..
Four
1900-1904
Wade H. Ellis.
1904
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THE STATE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.
T HE State of Ohio, in 1827, opened for public use a system of canals which connected the waters of Lake Erie on the north, with those of the Ohio River on the South, by two inland waterways which traversed the State in its eastern and western divisions. The eastern sys- tem was generally known as the "Ohio" canal, and extended from the Cuyahoga River at Cleveland to the Ohio River at Portsmouth, tapping in its route directly or by branches, the valleys of the Cuyahoga, Tuscara- was, Muskingum, Licking, Hocking, and Scioto Rivers, and forming waterways between the cities of central and eastern Ohio. This canal system necessitated the building of 308 miles of public works, over a route which varied in height above the lake level from 395 feet at Akron locks, only 35 miles from Cleveland, to 317 feet at Licking Summit, and falling 96 feet below the level of the lake as the canal enters Portsmouth, 308 miles to the south.
The western system known as the "Miami and Erie" canal, is 245 miles long, extending from Toledo to Cincinnati, and piercing the western tier of counties.
The act to provide for navigable canals was passed by the Twenty- third General Assembly, February 4, 1825. Work was begun in the same year, and was continued until the reservoirs were completed in 1842. The following figures are of interest.
LAND GRANTS MADE BY CONGRESS TO AID IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF CANALS IN THE STATE OF OHIO.
Ist. Date of Grant, March 2, 1827. Object-To aid in opening canal to unite at navigable points the Wabash River with Lake Erie (so far as the same is in the State of Ohio.) Extent-A quantity of land equal to one-half of five sections in width on each side of canal. Grantee-State of Indiana, thence to State of Ohio, by joint resolution of State of Indiana approved February 1, 1834. Number of acres-292,- 223.51.
2d. Date of grant, May 24, 1828. Object-To aid in extending Miami Canal from Dayton to Maumee River. Extent-Quantity equal to one-half of five sections in width on each side of said canal. Grantee-State of Ohio. Acres-438,301.32.
3d. Date of Grant, May 24, 1828. Object-To aid in the con- · struction of Canals in the State of Ohio. Extent-Five hundred thous-
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550
THE BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF OHIO.
The State Board of Public Works.
and acres, to be selected from land subject to private entry. Grantee- State of Ohio. Acres-499,997.12. Total number of acres-1,230,521.95.
MIAMI AND ERIE CANAL.
The distance from the Ohio' River to the Loramie Summit is 100 miles, and the lift 512 feet. There were formerly 53 locks south of the Summit, but in 1863 ten were cut off at Cincinnati. From the north end of Loramie Summit to level of Lake Erie the distance is 123 miles, the number of locks 52, and fall 395 feet. Cost of construction, $5,920,200.41.
The distance from Lewistown Reservoir to State Dam across great Miami River at Port Jefferson is 233/4 miles. Between this point and Lockington, the Sidney Feeder, 131/4 miles in length, was constructed at a cost of $392,258.32.
The St. Mary's Feeder and Loramie Feeder are 212 miles, 3,361 feet in length respectively.
The total cost of construction of the Miami and Erie Canal system · was $8,062,680.80.
OHIO AND ERIE CANAL.
The north end of Portage Summit is 35 miles from lake level in Cuyahoga River and has 42 locks.
The Summit level is 9 miles long, 395 feet above Lake Erie, 491 feet above Ohio River at Portsmouth, and 968 feet above the Atlantic Ocean.
Distance from south end of Summit to Dresden side-cut 102 miles, number of locks, 29; fall, 238 feet; from Dresden Junction to mouth of Muskingum River at Marietta, 91 miles, fall, 154 feet; from Dresden Junction to Licking Summit 31 miles; locks 19, rise 160 feet; from south end of Licking Summit to. Ohio River at Portsmouth 116 miles, locks, 53, fall, 413 feet. Cost of construction, $4,695,203.69.
The Walhonding Canal extends from Rochester to Roscoe, distance 25 miles, locks 12. Cost, $607,268.99.
The Columbus Feeder extends from Columbus to Ohio Canal at Lockbourne, distance II miles, locks 2, fall 14 feet. Cost, $61,483.00.
RESERVOIRS.
St. Marys-Number of acres (original), 17,603, cost, $528,222.07. Lewistown-Number of acres (original), 7,200, cost, $600,000.00. Licking-Number of acres (original), 4,200, cost, $200,000.00.
Portage, Summit County-Number of acres (original), 2,000, cost, $80,000.00.
Loramie-Number of acres (original), 1,900, cost, $22,000.00.
551
THE BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF OHIO.
The State Board of Public Works.
SIZE OF CANALS.
The Ohio, Hocking, Walhonding, and Miami and Erie Canal from Cincinnati to Dayton, were constructed 40 feet in width on top water line, bottom 26 feet, depth 4 feet; Miami and Erie Canal from Dayton to Junction 50 feet top, 26 feet bottom, depth 5 feet; Junction to Toledo 60 feet top water line, 46 feet bottom, depth 6 feet.
The size of locks is 90. feet in length of chambers, with 15 feet clear width between walls, as originally built.
COST OF CONSTRUCTION.
. The entire cost of construction of the canals, including reservoirs and feeders, was $14,340,572.59, besides material aid from private in- dividuals and corporations in donations of land, right of way, and moneys. Th eState has received by sale of the lands granted by the general government for canal purposes, $2,257,487.32. The expenditures for the maintenance of the Ohio canals in repairs and cost of collections up to July I, 1904, has amounted to $12,066,686.13. The receipts from actual earnings for the same time have amounted to $18,003,352.34, leav- ing a net credit to the canal of receipts over expenditures for maintenance account of $5,936,666.21.
The Public Works at present comprises 581 82-100 miles of navigable canals, about 30,000 acres of reservoir area, besides their feeders, and the navigable rivers of the state.
ABANDONMENT.
In 1894 the General Assembly ordered the abandonment of that part of the eastern system which was known as the Hocking Canal, 56 miles, and in 1896, 19 miles of the "Walhonding" Canal.
LEASE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS.
On the second day of June, 1861, the Public Works of Ohio were leased by the act of the Legislature, passed May 9, 1861, for twenty thousand and seventy-five dollars ($20,075.00) per annum. Said lease continued in force until December 1, 1877, a twhich time the lessees aban- doned the Public Works and by appointment of the Superior Court of Montgomery County they were placed in the hands of a receiver until May 15, 1878, at which time the State Board again took possession of the Public Works of Ohio.
Amount received from lessees, 161/2 years, at $20,075. $331.237 50 Amount received from December 1, 1877, to May 15, 1878 69,765 59
Total amount received and included in above table. $401,003 09
552
THE BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF OHIO.
The State Board of Public Works.
The expenditures by the Board of Public Works for superintendence and repairs ceased with the transfer of the canals to the lessees. All expenditures during that time were for the settlement of prior claims, awards of damages, expenses of the office of the Board, expenses in- curred in the appraisement of personal property sold to the lessees, and the payment of outstanding indebtedness provided for by the act "making appropriations for the maintenance of the Public Works," passed May 13, 1861.
Under the law authorizing the lease of the Public Works of the State, C. S. Hamilton was appointed by the Governor, Paul Weatherby by the Board of Public Works, and John J. Isham by the lessees, to ap- praise the personal property of the State, which the lessees were required by said act to purchase. The value of the property appraised by them and transferred to the lessees amountd to fourteen thousand one hundred and seventy-three and 64-100 dollars ($14,173.64.)
MEMBERS AND OFFICERS OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS-1904.
Office.
Name.
Residence.
Term Ex- pired.
President
W. G. Johnston.
Akron
1905
Wm. . Kirtley, Jr.
Defiance
1906
i
Geo. H. Watkins.
Portsmouth
1907
Secretary
W. H. Mcclintock.
Defiance
1905
Chief Engineer
Chas. E. Perkins.
Akron
1906
Asst. Engineer
Samuel Bachtell
Columbus
1906
A
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553
· THE BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF OHIO.
The State Board of Public Works.
FORMER MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.
Name.
Term of Service.
Alexander McConnell
1836-1838
John Harris
1836-1838
R. Dickinson
1836-1845
T. G. Bates
1836-1842
Wm. Wall
1836-1842
Leander Ransom
1836-1845
Wm. Rayen
1839-1840
Wm. Spencer
1842-1845
O. Follett
1645-1649
J. Blickensderfer, Jr
1845-1852
Samuel Farrer
1845-1852
E. S. Hamlin
1849-1852
A. P. Miller
1852-1855
Geo. W. Monypenny
1852-1853
James B. Steedman
1852-1856
Wayne Griswald
1853-1857
J. Blickensderfer, Jr
1854-1858
A. G. Conover
1856-1860.
John Waddle
1857-1860
R. L. Backus
1858-1861
John L. Martin
1859-1862
John B. Gregory
1860-1863
Levi Sargent
1861-1864
John F. Torrence
1862-1865
James Gamble
1863-1864
James Moore
1864-1870
John M. Barrere
1865-1877
Richard R. Porter
1870-1876
Stephen R. Hosmer
1872-1875
Martin Schilder
1875-1881
Peter Thatcher
1876-1879
J. C. Evans
1879-1885
James Fullington
1880-1883 1881-1884
Leo Weltz
1883-1886
John P. Martin
1885-1891
C. A. Flickinger
1886-1892
Wm. M. Hahn
1891-1897
Frank J. McColloch
1892-1898
Charles E. Groce
1893-1899
E. L. Lybarger
1897-1903
Charles A. Goddard
1898-1903 1899
W. G. Johnston
1903
Wm. Kirtley
1903-1903
L. D. Hamlin (to fill vacancy)
1903-1904
Geo. H. Watkins short term)
Geo. H. Watkins
1904
Stephen R. Hosmer
1883-1884
Henry Weible
1884-1887
Will S. Jones
1887-1893
Frank A. Huffman
1877-1880
George Paul
1864-1871
Philip D. Herring
.
THE COMMISSIONER OF COMMON SCHOOLS.
EDMUND A. JONES. 1
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Hon. Edmund A. Jones, State Commissioner of Common Schools, is a typical New Englander. He was born at Rockville, Mass., February 11, 1842. His an- cestors were natives of the same state, his great-grandfather having been born at Medway, Mass., about the middle of the eighteenth century. His father and grandfather were both teachers in their native state of Massachusetts, the former reaching the age of eighty-four years at the time of his death in 1899.
Mr. Jones received his early education in the common schools, and, after further preparation for college at Mt. Hollis Academy, in 1860 entered Amherst College. After completing his sophomore year in that institution, he offered his services in defense of his country, and was assigned to Company B, Forty- second Massachusetts Regiment of infantry. His regiment was sent at once to join Gen. Banks' command at New Orleans. In the first battle in which he was engaged, at Bayou La Fourche, in June, 1863, he was seriously wounded. In the following month, after his colonel had recommended him for promotion because of meritorious service, he was honorably discharged. In the fall of the same year, 1863, he re-entered Amherst College, from which institution he received the degree of A. B. in 1865, and the degree of Master of Arts in 1868. Both before and after his military service, he was president of his class in college, having this honor at the time of his graduation.
Mr. Jones' career as a teacher began in Illinois in 1865, where he taught in an academy, to the principalship of which he had been promoted before leaving for Ohio in 1869.
In October, 1869, he accepted the superintendency of the city schools at Massillon, which position he occupied for four years. He then assumed control of the schools at Marietta for a period of two years. His work at Massillon had been so satisfactory to the people of that city that they induced him to return. Faithfully and efficiently for the last twenty-nine years has he served that city, whose people were only willing to release him to accept the honors of the office to which he has been elected by the people of the state. For when the city of Clevland, in 1889, offered him increased salary to come to that city, Massillon promptly met the offer and retained him in the position he had filled so long and so acceptably to the patrons of her schools.
Mr. Jones enters upon the duties of the office with the confidence and respect of the entire teaching force of the state. His experience as an institute in- structor throughout the state, and his excellent service as a member of the state board of school examiners, has given him a large acquaintance, and has won him hosts of friends, all of whom unite in wishing him the highest measure of success in his administration of the educational affairs of the state.
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556
THE BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF OHIO.
The Commissioner of Common Schools.
CLERICAL FORCE, OFFICE OF SCHOOL COMMISSIONER.
The clerical force of the office is limited to three clerks and a sten- ographer. The correspondence is heavy as the commissioner's opinion is daily sought on all subjects pertaining to school laws and school man- agement.
CLERKS.
J. H. Snyder, Chief Clerk, Martin's Ferry.
King G. Thompson, Statistical Clerk, Columbus.
Miss B. M. Danford, Caldwell, Correspondence Clerk.
Miss Mary E. Douds, Canton, Stenographer.
STENOGRAPHER.
O. G. Brooks, Messenger, Ironton.
THE COMMISSIONERS OF COMMON SCHOOLS.
Name.
Years of Service.
Samuel Lewis
1837-1840
Hiram H. Barney
1854-1857
Anson Smythe
1857-1863
*C. W. H. Cathcart
1863
Emerson E. White
1863-1866
*John A. Norris
1866-1869
*Wm. D. Henkle
1869-1871
Thos. W. Harvey
1871-1875
Charles C. Smart
1875-1878
John J. Burns
1878-1881
D. F. DeWolf
1881-1SS4
Leroy D. Brown
1884-1887
tEli T. Tappan
1887-1889
tJohn Hancock
1889-1891
*Charles C. Miller
1891-1892
Oscar T. Corson
1892-1898
Lewis D. Bonebrake
1898-1904
Edmund A. Jones
Incumbent
*Resigned. tDied in office.
557
THE BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF OHIO.
The Commissioner of Common Schools.
THE DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL COMMISSIONER.
The office of state commissioner of common schools is a statutory and not a constitutional office, the act of March 12, 1836, being the virtual formation of the present school system of the state. Laws previously enacted had not been so broad or liberal in their treatment of education as this act which created the office of superintendent of common schools and provided that the officer should be elected by joint resolution of the General Assembly. The term was fixed at one year and the salary at $500.00. On April 1, 1837, Samuel Lewis of Hamilton County was duly elected. TT. filed his first report at the convening of the General As- sembly, and on January 16, 1838, that body ordered 10,500 volumes of it printed. On March 7, 1838, an act reorganizing the school laws of the state was passed and under section eight thereof the term of the state Superintendent was fixed at five years unless the incumbent was removed by joint resolution. The salary was placed at $1,200.00. Two days later , Mr. Lewis was elected for the term of five years. On March 23, 1840, the office of state Superintendent was abolished and the duties which he had performed devolved upon the Secretary of State, who was authorized to employ a clerk to do the work at a salary of $400.00. This law con- tinued in force until March 14, 1853, when the office of state commis- sioner of common schools was again created.
This law provided that the officer should be chosen at the general election, and the term was fixed at three years, the salary being placed at $1,500.00. The duties of the commissioner were plainly prescribed and provision made that while he was absent on official visits to the various counties of the state the State Librarian was to act in his stead and be his secretary.
This law was a complete reorganization of the Ohio school system, and in addition to providing for the present classification of township districts and cities and villages, contained provisions for separate schools for colored children, county boards of examiners for teachers and for school libraries. Subsequent legislation has followed in the main the classification made in this act.
On March 27, 1884, a law was passed providing that the term of the commissioner would begin on the second Monday of July follow- ing his election instead of the second Monday of January. This change was made in order that the commissioner's term might terminate, ap- proximately, with the school year.
MY
558
.
THE BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF OHIO.
The Commissioner of Common Schools.
OHIO'S EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM.
The educational system of Ohio has, from its inception, been strict- ly democratic in its nature, the management and support of the schools being left almost entirely in the hands of the residents of the various school districts.
The state is divided into districts, classified as city school districts. village school districts, special school districts and township school dis- tricts. The schools are governed by boards of education, selected by the electors of the various districts. In 1894 the electoral franchise for the election of school officers was conferred upon women and this law still continues in force. The number of members in boards of education in city school districts is now fixed at not less than two nor more than seven elected at large, and in cities in which the population reaches 50,000 or more, not less than two nor more than thirty elected from sub- districts, and in village, special and township school districts the boards consist of five members elected at large. Prior to 1892 the sub-district schools were in reality governed by a board of sub-directors consisting of three members, one of whom was elected as member of the township board, but in that year the board of sub-directors was abolished and the entire authority conferred upon the township board. This did not give entire satisfaction, consequently, in 1898, the board of sub-directors was re-established, but with the power of recommendation only, final action by the township board being necessary. In 1904, by the passage of the Harrison school code, the present system was brought into operation.
The school funds are derived from the income from school lands set apart by the National and State governments for educational pur- poses and by state and local taxes, the state contributing about one- eight of the total amount.
The state commissioner of common schools has supervision of the school funds to the extent of appointing examiners in cases where mis- application or fraud in the management of the same make it necessary.
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