USA > Ohio > The biographical annals of Ohio, 1906-1907-1908. A handbook of the government and institutions of the state of Ohio. > Part 43
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ELISHA A. TINKER.
FLISHA A. TINKER was born in Athens County, Ohio, the son of R. W. and Mary F. Tinker. He graduated from the Ohio University in 1893 and was admitted to the bar in 1896. In January, 1897, he located in Chilli- cothe, Ohio, in the practice of his profession, where he has remained since. He was elected to the Legislature in 1905 on the Republican ticket.
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CALVIN V. TROTT.
CALVIN V. TROTT, Republican, Representative from Knox County, Ohio, was born and reared in Coshocton County, Ohio. He received his early education in the common schools and began teaching at the age of six- teen. After teaching and superintending various schools in Coshocton and Knox Counties, he entered Hiram College in the autumn of 1891. Completing the seven-year classical course in four he graduated in 1895 with the degree of A. B. He was one of the class orators.
Again taking up the work of teaching, he accepted the superintendency of the public schools at Martinsburg, Ohio, in which position he continued for six years. While teaching there he successfully passed the state teach- ers' examination, securing a life High School certificate.
In his home county he has been honored with the presidency of the Teach- ers' County Institute and an appointment upon the Board of County School Examiners.
Having read law in connection with his other work, he was admitted to the Ohio bar, in June, 1901, and immediately began the practice of his pro- fession at Mt. Vernon, Ohio.
Married in 1895 to Alice L. Dixon. They have one son, Dean Wakefield.
Mr. Trott is a firm believer in the principles and policies of the Republican party, and has for many years been prominent in the councils of his party in his home county.
He was elected to the 77th General Assembly in November, 1905, the year of the "famous victory," surviving his party ticket by 700 votes.
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FRANK W. VAN DUSEN.
F RANK W. VAN DUSEN, born Norwalk, Ohio, February 15, 1862; educated Norwalk, O., public schools; graduated Norwalk, O., High School, 1879; graduated Western Reserve University (Adelbert College), 1884; degrees, B. S., M. A. Admitted to practice of law in Ohio, 1886. Married 1888. Member City Council, Norwalk, Ohio, 1885-1887. City attorney Norwalk, 1887-1891. Mayor of Norwalk, O., 1891-1895. Representative General Assembly Ohio, Huron County, 1906-1909. Republican. Active and prominent in professional, social and political work. In the present General Assembly, is a member of the com- mittee on Cities, the committee on Insurance, and is chairman of the com- mittee for the Institution for Feeble Minded Youth.
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THOMAS H. WATSON.
T HOMAS H. WATSON, Republican, Representative from Carroll County, was born April 24, 1851, in Minerva, Ohio, Stark County. He received a common school education at Minerva, and lived there until he was twenty-three years of age, when he married Miss Hursh. Having learned the stone mason trade he commenced contracting in the year 1876, and purchased a farm south of Minerva in 1883, moved on said farm and lived there until 1902. In the same year he purchased the Roller Taylor and Grunder Hardware store in Minerva, which firm is now known as Grunder & Watson.
He is a member of Triple Lodge, No. 491, I. O. O. F., at Carrollton; also a member of the Masonic Lodge of the same city; and director of the Minerva bank for ten years. He has held several county offices.
He was a member of the 76th General Assembly. In the 77th General Assembly he is chairman of the Claims Committee, a member of Railroads and Telegraph Committee, and also on the Fees and Salary Committee.
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JAMES A. WELKER.
AMES A. WELKER, Republican, Representative from Stark County, was J born in 1869. Admitted to the bar in 1894, is a graduate of O. N. U. Was on the following standing committees of the House: Fees and "Salaries, Library, Taxation and Villages (chairman).
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EDWIN S. WERTZ.
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FDWIN S. WERTZ, Democratic member Wayne County. Born Dalton, Ohio, August 7, 1875. Son of W. H. H. and Carrie Virginia Wertz. Educated in Dalton public schools, prepared for college at Wooster University preparatory department. Studied at Ohio State University four years, com- pleting in that time work scheduled for seven years. Graduated from College of Arts, Philosophy and Science with Ph. B. degree and from law college with LL. B. degree. During college life admitted to the bar in June, 1900. Was em- ployed on the Press-Post as university reporter. After graduation in 1900 was employed by the Columbus Citizen as court house reporter until August, 1902, when he formed a partnership with his father in the wholesale hardwood lumber business with his office at Dalton. While working as a reporter, was a member of Newswriters' Union No. 2, of Columbus, Ohio, and was one of the representatives from that body to the' Columbus Trades and Labor Assembly. In 1901 was president of Young Men's Democratic Club, of Columbus. In 1898 left college and enlisted as a private in Light Battery H, First Ohio Vol. Artillery, serving seven months.
Member of I. O. O. F .. K. O. T. M., and is a Knight Templar. Nominated for Representative in the 76th General Assembly by primary election with six candidates. Ran nearly 300 votes ahead of the ticket at the general election in November, 1903. Was Democratic nominee for Speaker pro tem. of the House. Was re-elected to the 77th General Assembly and served on commit- tees on Public Ways and Fees and Salaries.
Mr. Wertz's record shows the following legislation secured by him and ' which bears his name: The act creating a railroad commission with power to make and regulate freight rates, and with power to regulate and fix all railroad practices and rules; the bill follows the principle of the Wisconsin law passed by Senator La Follette and will give to Ohio the same relief from railroads that President Roosevelt seeks to secure from the interstate regulation bill.
The bill abolishing contract convict labor and putting convicts in the pell- itentiary and the reformatory at work manufacturing supplies for the state and in the manufacturing of road machinery and material for building roads and requiring all jail prisoners to be put to work making crushed stone for roads.
The bill codifying the township road laws, abolishing the supervisor sys- tem and requiring all road taxes to be paid in money.
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GEORGE WHITE.
B ORN August 21, 1872, at Elmira, New York State. Educated in the public schools of Titusville, Pennsylvania. Graduated from Princeton University, class of 1895. Married September 25, 1900, at Titusville. Resides at Marietta, Ohio. Business, producer of crude petroleum and natural gas. Elected to the 77th General Assembly on Democratie ticket.
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WILLIAM CURTIS WHITNEY.
W ILLIAM CURTIS WHITNEY, Republican, one of the Representatives from Franklin County, was born at Kirtland, Lake County, Ohio, De- cember 12, 1873. His father was a minister of the United Brethren church, and his early education was received in the public schools in various places in northeastern Ohio. He left the Akron High School for Otterbein University, Westerville, Ohio, in 1889, and was graduated from this school with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy. He married a classmate, Edith H. Turner, of Lewisburg, Preble County, Ohio.
After a course in the Chicago Homeopathic Medical College, he was grad- uated in 1898 with the degree "Doctor of Medicine cum laude." While a student he spent his vacations working on the farm, in the shops and in a grocery.
After practicing medicine for two years at Richville, Stark County, Ohio, he was called in 1899 to the professorship of Biology and Geology in Otter- bein University, which position he now holds, and is also college librarian. He continues in the practice of medicine and manages a dairy farm near the town. He is an ardent student of farm problems, and intensely interested in the ad- vancement of agriculture.
Dr. Whitney is a member of the committee on Common Schools (chairman), Finance, Girls' Industrial Home and Medical Jurisprudence.
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BENJAMIN WILSON.
BENJAMIN WILSON was born on a farm in Belmont County, Ohio, October 11, 1849. He is a Quaker, as have been his ancestors for two hundred years; he owns and operates a dairy farm; has taught school; held some minor public offices and was elected to the 77th General Assembly as a Re- publican; he is a member of the standing committees on Fees and Salaries, Villages, Mines and Mining and Claims.
He can recall nothing in his life of sufficient interest or value to the reader of these Annals to warrant a more extended biography.
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CYRUS B. WINTERS.
C YRUS B. WINTERS, Democrat, born in Townsend Township, Sandusky County, Ohio; educated in the country schools and at Western Reserve Normal College, Milan, Ohio. First 22 years of life a farmer; became deputy clerk of courts and deputy sheriff of Sandusky County, and while acting in that capacity studied law and was admitted to the bar. Married Helen E. Clason, of Bellefontaine, Ohio; has a family of seven children as follows: Eva V., Bessie H., C. B. Jr., Mabel I., Clason B., Kathryn E. and Richard K. Winters. Elected prosecuting attorney of Erie County, Ohio, which office he held for six years. Has served as member of the Board of Educa- tion and Board of Health of Sandusky, Ohio. Elected Representative of Erie County, November 8, 1905; member of the following committees in the House of Representatives: Military Affairs and Hospital for the Epileptics.
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R. L. WOODBURN.
R. L. WOODBURN, Republican, Representative from Union County, born No- vember 26, 1843. Enlisted June 20, 1863, in Company B, 86th Regiment, O. V. I. Discharged by expiration of time February 10, 1864. Graduated at the Ohio Wesleyan University June 25, 1869. Admitted to the practice of the law, November, 1871.
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F. W. WOODS.
F . W. WOODS was born in Chatham township, Medina County, Ohio, August 5, 1871. The following year his parents moved to Litchfield township, where they lived on a farm. He attended the country school and finally the High School at Litchfield until he obtained a teachers' certificate. He later taught school, and in 1892 was appointed a railway postal clerk on the Pennsylvania railroad between Pittsburg and Chicago, and was finally trans- ferred to the Wabash railroad between Toledo and St. Louis. While a rail- way postal clerk his spare time was spent under the instructions of Hon. W. S. Kerr at Mansfield, Ohio, in digesting his first lessons in the law. He finally resigned his position in the railway mail service, and entered Boston Uni- versity Law School at Boston, Mass., where he received the degree of LL. B. in June of 1897, and the same month was admitted to the bar in Ohio. In 1898 he was nominated by the Republicans of Medina County as their can- didate for Prosecuting Attorney, and was elected and re-elected in 1901. He filled this office for six years, and in 1905 was nominated and elected as Medina County's member of the House of Representatives in the 77th General Assembly.
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MICHAEL WYNNE.
M ICHAEL WYNNE was born June 6, 1861, Hamilton County, State of Ohio. Attended St. Xavier parochial school eight years, and apprenticed to metal trade, 1876, which he has followed both as journeyman and in business, until elected to the 77th General Assembly of Ohio at November election, 1905,
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DAVID E. YOST.
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D AVID E. YOST, Democrat, Representative from Monroe County, Ohio, in the 77th General Assembly, who is serving on his second term, having been a member of the 76th General Assembly, was born on a farm near Antioch, Perry township, Monroe County, Ohio, February 15, 1868. His ancestors came from Ireland and Germany before the Revolutionary War, and settled in the state of New Jersey, emigrating from thence into the Northwest Ter- ritory, while it was yet an unbroken wilderness.
Mr. Yost received his education in the common schools of his native county, attending High School at Sistersville, W. Va., and New Matamoras, Ohio; the National Normal University, Lebanon, Ohio, and Franklin College, New Athens, Ohio. He taught in the common schools of his native county from 1886 to 1894, during which time he resided at Centerview, Ohio. Was admitted to the bar December 6, 1894, at Columbus, Ohio, and removed to Woodsfield, the county seat of his native county, March 20, 1896, and engaged in the practice of law. Was married to Miss Margery M. McElroy, May 2, 1897, and to this union was born one daughter, Eurylee Josephine Yost, on April 29, 1904. He is member of the Church of Christ, an Odd Fellow and a Mason. Mr. Yost has held a number of positions of trust and confidence in his native county. He has been a lifelong Democrat, and was elected to the 76th General Assembly of Ohio as a Democrat by a majority of 649 votes over Samuel F. Rose, Republican.
He was re-elected to the 77th General Assembly of Ohio by a majority of 971 votes over Dr. F. W. Murray, Republican.
He is a member of the Standing Committee on Finance, Universities and Colleges and Rules.
In the 76th General Assembly his speech nominating Hon. John H. Clarke for U. S. Senator fully established his reputation as a brilliant orator and the wit of the House.
In the organization of the 77th General Assembly, Mr. Yost received the solid support of the Democratic and independent members of the House for Speaker and was chosen minority leader.
In matters of legislation Mr. Yost has shown himself to be a humanitarian and economist. He is also noted for his honesty and unswerving devotion to the reforms promised in the last Democratic state platform. As an author and poet he gives promise of ranking among the great thinkers of his time.
"Each struggled wildly to obtain A place within the fold,
Where mammon's rites and greed of gain Were wonders to behold."
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TERRY ENG. C.
COLUMBUS, 0.
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GROUP OF ASSISTANT CLERKS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
1. Ira I. Morrison,
2. A. R. Francis,
3. E. W. Hughes,
4. Chas. R. Doll,
5. J. H. Laughlin,
6. Julia A. Hanna.
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1 J. D. THOMAS, First Assistant Sergeant-atArms.
2 H. H. REDKEY, Second Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms.
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PAGES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
1. Harry Doust,
2. Ralph W. Lanning,
3. Lester Lehmann,
4. Harold Galbraith,
5. N. G. Henthorn,
6. Gail Harding,
7. Sankey McChesney,
8. Ellsworth Slaughter,
9. Charles Smith,
10. J. D. Bradley,
11. George K. Cherrington,
12. Benjamin Adler.
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PRESS CORRESPONDENTS
77Th GENL ASSEMBLY OF OHIO
DEAN
Trois Sta-
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Work & ....
PART THREE
THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT OF THE TERRITORIAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS OF OHIO.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS-PART THREE.
Page.
The Governor
542
Lieutenant Governor
552
Secretary to the Governor
553 555
Auditor of State
Treasurer of State
Attorney General
Board of Public Works.
Commissioner of Common Schools
Dairy and Food Commissioner
Adjutant General
State Insurance Department.
Inspector of Building and Loan Associations
Supervisor of Public Printing
Commissioner of Railroads and Telegraphs.
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Inspector of Mines.
State Highway Commissioner.
Inspector of Workshops and Factories.
Inspector of Oils.
State Examiner of Steam Engineers.
State Fire Marshal.
Board of Library Commissioners.
State Board of Pardons
State Board of Health.
Ohio Fish and Game Commission.
Board of State Charities ..
State Commissioner of Soldiers' Claims.
Board of Medical Registration and Examination.
641 643 649
State Board of Dental Examiners
Board of Pharmacy.
650
Board of Live Stock Commissioners.
652 655
Board of Veterinary Examiners.
Board of Arbitration
656
State Geologists
660
State Board of Embalming Examiners 661
Archæological and Historical Society
662
540
559 565 568 572 577 584 586 591 594 596 600 602 604 611 613 617 618 622 625 631 633 636 637
Secretary of State.
GOVERNOR ANDREW L. HARRIS.
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GOVERNOR ANDREW L. HARRIS
A MONG the distinguished men who have held the office of chief executive of Ohio, Governor Harris holds a place peculiarly his own. Few have been closer to the people, and none have rendered more worthy service in the varied fields of honorable endeavor that constitute the distinctive oppor- tunity of the typical Ohioan. Descended from parents and grandparents who were pioneers of the state, and never residing far from his ancestral home, he is by birth and the molding influence of environment emphatically a Buck- eye, and his successful career is an inspiration to the youth who would rise from his humble estate to places of trust and power. A plain, unassuming man, dignified, but genial, and modest in the extreme, he craves not display or fulsome eulogy. He needs neither. Achievement in the line of duty is his fittest meed of praise. The simple story of his life is a tribute most eloquent.
Andrew Lintner Harris was born in Butler county, Ohio, November 17, 1835, and was reared on a farm in Dixon township, Preble County. His grand- father, Joseph Harris, was a native of Ireland, and in 1797 crossed the At- lantic to America, taking up his abode in Cincinnati. Soon after the close of the War of 1812 he moved to Butler County, Ohio. His son, Benjamin Har- ris, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Cincinnati, March 3, 1803, and was married on the 3d of April, 1829, to Miss Nancy Lintner, of But- ler County. To them were born seven children, of whom Governor Harris is the only survivor. His father passed away in 1872, and his mother's death occurred in 1881.
Governor Harris spent his early boyhood days on the home farm, and atttended the district school through the winter season. Availing himself of the opportunity to acquire a college education, he entered Miami University in 1857, and was graduated from that institution in 1860. He returned to the farm and soon afterward commenced the study of law.
At the outbreak of the Civil War he suspended the study of law, and en- listed as a private in Company C, 20th O. V. I., April 17, 1861, and was grad- ually advanced until he became captain of the company. At the close of this enlistment, he recruited Company C for the 75th O. V. I., and was commis- sioned captain in 1861, major in 1863, colonel in the same year and brevet brigadier-general in 1865. Within the period of his service, he participated in many important engagements, among which were the battles of Monterey, Shaw's Ridge, McDowell, Franklin, Cedar Mountain, Bull Run (second bat- tle), Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. In the last named battle he led a brigade. His command was the first to enter the town. He was severely wounded at McDowell and Gettysburg.
At the close of the war, Governor Harris returned to his farm in Preble County, but his wounds disabled him and he completed the study of law. In 1865 he was admitted to the bar. He continued diligently in the practice of the legal profession until 1875. In the autumn of 1865 he was elected to rep- resent Preble and Montgomery counties in the state senate. He was chosen probate judge of his county in 1875, and re-elected in 1878. Later he served in the House of Representatives in the 67th and 68th General Assemblies.
In 1891, a strong candidate was sought to make the race for lieutenant gov- ernor with William McKinley. In the previous gubernatorial election the Re- publican party had suffered defeat, and it was the desire to present a ticket that should appeal strongly to the voters of Ohio. The ticket was triumphantly elected in November of that year and re-elected by increased majorities in 1893. In 1894 Governor Harris was a candidate for Congress, and reduced the normal Democratic majority of his district from 4,000 to 202.
Governor Harris has given much attention to the study of labor condi- tions and agricultural interests. This fact was recognized by President Mc- Kinley who, in September, 1898, appointed hin one of the members of the National Industrial Commission, with headquarters in Washington, D. C. He was honored with the position of chairman of the sub-commission on agricul- ture and agricultural labor. The results of his work are found on the pages of the nineteen volumes that constitute the report of the commission. This voluminous report is a standard reference work on the industrial conditions in the United States.
In 1905, Governor Harris was nominated for a third time for lieutenant governor, and although in the election following the head of the Republican ticket was defeated by a plurality of 42,647, Governor Harris had 29,179 more
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votes than his Democratic opponent. He discharged the duties of his office with the skill of a master parliamentarian. His experience through previous general assemblies had made him thoroughly familiar with the rules of leg- islative procedure, and as president of the Senate he has had few equals in his native state. On the death of Governor Pattison, June 18, 1906, Governor Harris took up the duties of chief executive of Ohio.
Mingled with the deep regret at the demise of Governor Pattison were expressions of confidence in the ability and the integrity of his successor. To the discharge of his new duties, made somewhat delicate and difficult by the sad circumstances under which they were assumed, Governor Harris brought his good judgment and ripe experience. The success of his administration has raised him in the esteem of the people of the state, and has called forth expressions of approval from the press, regardless of party.
Governor Harris was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Conger, Oc- tober 17, 1865. They have one son, Walter C., who was graduated from Miami University and Ohio State University, and is now an artist and photographer on the New York World.
Governor Harris retains his interest in military affairs through his con- nection with the Grand Army of the Republic and the Loyal Legion. No man more thoroughly enjoys association with his comrades.
In politics he has always been a Republican. He cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln.
Farmer boy, college student, soldier, lawyer, legislator, parliamentarian, statesman-Ohio is fortunate in her popular and patriotic governor, Andrew L. Harris.
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF OHIO.
The Governor.
THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR.
The Constitution of Ohio provides that "The supreme executive power of the state shall be vested in the Governor."
He is elected by the people for a term of two years. He must be an elector and not hold any other office under the authority of the State or the United States. In case of death, removal or other disability, the Lieutenant-Governor shall execute the office of Governor. The Governor must see that the laws are faithfully executed and may request of the executive officials reports of their respective departments.
At every session of the General Assembly he must report the con- dition of the state by message, recommending therein such legislation as may to him seem proper. He may convene the General Assembly upon extraordinary occasions. He may adjourn it in case of disagreement upon this subject between the two branches thereof.
The Governor is Commander-in-Chief of the army and navy and custodian of the Great Seal of the State.
He may grant reprieves, commutations and pardons.
Must approve or disapprove all bills of the General Assembly.
Such, briefly, are the constitutional provisions relating to the Chief Executive.
In addition to the powers conferred and duties imposed upon the Governor by the Constitution, are those which the General Assembly has seen fit to provide by statute, and it is through these that the greater por- tion of the actual duties of this office arise, as well as most of the ap- pointive power of the Governor. As Commander-in-Chief of the army and navy, it seems appropriate that he should appoint the Adjutant-Gen- eral, and the twelve other members of his military staff.
There are certain state offices not created by the Constitution whose chief incumbents are nominated by the Governor, and by and with the ad- vice and consent of the Senate appointed. Such are the Commissioner of Insurance, Railroad Commission, Labor Statistics, Inspector of Work- - shops and Factories, Chief Mine Inspector, State Fire Marshal, Chief Examiner of Stationary Engineers, State Pension Claim Agent, and Chief Engineer of Public Works.
Numerous commissions, such as the Canal Commission, Shiloh Bat- tlefield Commission, and Fish and Game Commission, containing from two to seven members each, with terms varying from one to five years, have been created by law. Here vacancies are constantly occurring, which are filled by the Governor, and frequently he is called upon, when the General Assembly provides for some new commission, to appoint an entire board.
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF 'OHIO.
The Governor.
The Governor is ex-officio the President of the State Board of Chari- ties, composed of six members, who are appointed for a term of three years. This Board exercises a general supervision of the public institu- tions, and is of valuable aid to the Governor in overseeing the numerous large state properties. There are thirteen benevolent, two penal and two · corrective institutions in this state. Each of these is managed by a board of trustees composed of six members appointed by the Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, for a term of five years.
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