USA > Ohio > The biographical cyclopaedia and portrait gallery with an historical sketch of the state of Ohio. Volume III > Part 11
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after this he married, and, after a brief but studious career in his profession, he accepted, in November, 1831, a position as teacher in the Woodward High School, an independent in- stitution, well endowed with lands but with moderate rev- enues, which was just getting under way. In a diary which Dr. Ray then kept there was the following entry: "From the commencement of the Woodward High School I had felt anxious to obtain a situation in it, but on the 24th October (1831) I had received no appointment, and the operations were commenced; and I had resolved to open a private school, but to my great joy and satisfaction, on the 12th No- vember, I received an appointment in the High School as second professor in the academic department; " and on the 14th, he says, "I commenced teaching in the High School." The principles governing him in his new undertakings are indicated by these words in his diary, under the date of April 22d, 1832: "System is everything-let a man always rise at a certain hour (I would say five o'clock this season of the year) and attend to his business in a certain order; have a time for every action and a place for every thing, and in this way he will accomplish enough to astonish himself." By this law he lived, and had occasion, certainly, to be aston- ished. He evidently entered upon his work with joy, seeing clearly the channel in which his talents and labors could have their best fruits, and applying them with religious zeal. When this school (about the year 1836) was organized as a college, Dr. Ray was appointed professor of mathematics. In the year 1851 the college privileges of the institution were dropped, and it became a high school again, but as a part of the common school system of the city. Dr. Ray was then made its principal, and so continued till his death. Soon after entering upon the work pertaining to his appointment in Woodward High School he seemed to recognize that he had been assigned to his proper work. He settled down to teach in very earnest. Having learned by his already con- siderable experience what the duties of a teacher are, and impelled by a rare conscientiousness, he went, sympatheti- cally, with his pupils into the fields of science, gathering and dispensing knowledge with rare genius. He was equally de- voted as a patient analytical student, and a painstaking, in- defatigable instructor. He necessarily enlarged his sphere, and as a first step in progress, conceived the idea of improv- ing text-books, or, rather, of starting a series on a new method, in mathematics. He began at the bottom and first presented Ray's simple arithmetic, on the inductive system. His beginning was a success. He hit a popular need, and proceeding in the line of what would seem to be a discovery, he produced, in succession, the books which were needed in the fundamental course of mathematics until he reached a second series in algebra. The methods of his books indicate the great comprehensiveness of his mind, his powers of anal- ysis, and his capacity to apply them, and their extended, lasting popularity, abundantly prove the correctness of his methods. His habits of application were thorough. No one ever appropriated his hours more methodically, filled engage- ments with greater punctuality, or followed his convictions with keener conscientiousness. Accuracy was a leading characteristic of his mental as well as his moral nature. In studiousness he was nearly an ascetic, yet in social intercourse he was singularly genial, humorously mirthful, single-minded, simply pure. His labors were well rewarded; not better, however, pecuniarily in a relative sense, than in the steadily
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increasing appreciation and estimation of his fellow-citizens. Trusts were often tendered him that were an earnest of the faith and regard in which he was held universally. In so far only as he could see his way to be useful in them did he ac- cept them, for he was indifferent to the merely meretricious advantages of success, and consequently did nothing for effect. In stature Dr. Ray was full six feet. His head was of a decidedly strong type. His body spare. His move- ments quick, energetic, earnest. His physical constitution was good, but was not rugged enough to bear the excessive strain of his mental application ; hence, although he came of a long-lived ancestry, he early found it necessary to guard it. In this he had the affectionate help of a considerate wife, who made his home as nearly as possible the resting-place as well as the model work-shop of a steady toiler. She helped his growth intellectually whilst aiding the economy of his physical strength. With all the care, though, which his powers had, he came to their limit quite too soon, and at forty-eight years of age, firm in the Christian faith, he ceased from life's labor. His work, however, exceeded his years, and will long follow. The marriage of Joseph Ray and Catharine G. Burt took place in Cincinnati on the 15th August, 1831. There were born to them three children, of whom Daniel Gano Ray -the eldest born-only is living. The latter two died within a year of their births. Mrs. Ray sur- vived the loss of her truly noble companion but a short time; she followed him June 29th, 1855.
BARNES, MILTON, attorney-at-law and ex-secretary of state, Columbus, Ohio, was born near the town of Barnes- ville, Belmont county, Ohio, April 26th, 1830. He is a son of Abel and Elizabeth (Wilson) Barnes, the former a native of Maryland, and the latter of Pennsylvania. His maternal ancestry, who were of Welsh extraction, were natives of Vir- ginia. The family on the Barnes side was most likely En- glish. The great-uncle of Milton Barnes, James Barnes, was one of the earliest settlers of Belmont county, and laid out Barnesville, which bears his name. Abel Barnes came to Belmont county, Ohio, about 1812, and until he was of age remained in the family of his uncle James. He was a farmer, and, making the best of his opportunities, was able, in the course of time, to own some land, which he and his children cultivated. It was on this farm that the early life of Milton Barnes was passed. The homestead being small, and not the most productive, required hard toil from all to support the family. Here he remained, with little intermission, tilling the soil, alternated with a few weeks' attendance at the rude pioneer schools during the winter season. Not content with the meager opportunities of the locality, Milton Barnes zeal- ously snatched all the spare time possible for the perusal of books and newspapers, of which, of course, the supply was very limited. When eighteen years of age he had acquired sufficient information to teach a school in a rural district, and thus employed he passed the Winter of 1848-9. On the earn- ings of this time he determined to attend an institution of learning affording instruction in the higher branches of lit- erature and science, and at the age of nineteen he entered Alleghany College, at Meadville, Pennsylvania, where he re- mained for two terms, applying himself with the utmost zeal to the study of the college curriculum. At the end of the time he found his health greatly impaired, as the result of too close application to study and want of sufficient exercise in the open air, to which he had formerly been much accus-
tomed. After his return home, therefore, he resumed his labors on the farm, where he remained till he was twenty-one years old. He devoted some time to teaching, and in the Summer of 1851 he attended a private academy at Salem, Ohio, where he studied surveying and trigonometry. He then decided to make the profession of law a lifetime calling, and, with a view to that end, he entered the law office of Delano, Sapp & Smith, Mount Vernon, Ohio, where he began a course of reading. January, 1859, he was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court of the State, and soon after_removed to Cambridge, Ohio, beginning practice. In 1861 he raised a company of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, of which he was made captain, going into the service of the Union with the 62d Regiment. This was made a part of General Shield's com- mand, and remained with him in his campaign up to Fred- ericksburg, where it was transferred to General Mcclellan's forces. In 1862, as a result of impaired health, Captain Barnes resigned the captaincy, and returned home. After a few weeks' recuperation, he was commissioned lieutenant- colonel of the 97th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and again went to the front. The 97th joined General Buell's army, at Louis- ville, Kentucky, and remained with him during his mem- orable campaign through the State, participating in all its battles, during the greater part of which time Lieutenant- colonel Barnes was in command of the regiment. He dis- tinguished himself as a brave and gallant officer, meriting the respect of his soldiery as well as the officers in the field. When the Union forces moved to Chattanooga, Colonel Barnes, taking advantage of the carelessness of the Confederates, stealthily moved in upon them, and before they were aware of his presence, had hoisted the American flag in their midst. This was a signal for great rejoicing among the Union forces, as it was the first time that the stars and stripes had been unfolded in that place since the beginning of the war. June, 1865, he was mustered out of the service, after having been breveted and commissioned to a colonelcy, on account of "gallant and meritorious service during the war." Colonel Barnes was twice severely wounded during his term of serv- ice-once at Kenesaw Mountain, and once at Franklin, Ten- nessee. After the war was over he returned to Cambridge, and resumed the practice of his profession. In 1867 Colonel Barnes was elected prosecuting attorney for Guernsey county, and re-elected in 1869, holding the office four years. After this he again began his private practice, which continued until 1876. In that year the Republican State Convention, which was held in Columbus, nominated him for the office of secretary of state; and, as a result of this nomination, he was elected in October of that year. In 1878 he was re- nominated and re-elected to the same office. Since the ex- piration of his term as secretary of state he has renewed his attention to the law and other pursuits, opening an office in Columbus. There are few instances of self-made men affording a more striking example than the case of Colonel Barnes. June, 1860, he was married to Miss Rhoda Allison, daughter of James Allison, of Washington, Pennsylvania.
ARMSTRONG, WILLIAM W., journalist, editor-in- chief of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, and president of the Plain Dealer Publishing Company, was born at New Lisbon, Ohio, March 18th, 1833. He was the youngest son of General John Armstrong, one of the prominent and influential citizens of Columbiana County. In 1847, as an apprentice, he entered the office of the Seneca Advertiser, at Tiffin, then published
Very July Million Danus
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by John G. Breslin, where he continued for five years, win- ning for himself a host of friends by his intelligence, ability, and courtesy; during the latter part of this period he was a contributor to the editorial columns. Mr. Breslin becoming Treasurer of State, tendered young Armstrong, though only nineteen years of age, the office of registrar of the bank de- partment in the State Treasurer's office; he accepted, and filled the position to the entire satisfaction of both the banks and the treasurer for about two years. But the life of a clerk was distasteful to him, and in 1854 he returned to Tiffin, purchased the Advertiser, and at the age of twenty-one en- tered upon his editorial career. The young editor being an ardent Democrat, the Advertiser was conducted as a Dem- cratic organ of the strictest sect; being withal a good business manager and a vigorous writer, his paper soon became a power in northwestern Ohio. In 1857 he was appointed, by Presi- dent Buchanan, postmaster of Tiffin, which office he held until 1861, when he was retired by a Republican successor. Mr. Armstrong's position in politics, his writings, actions, and genial nature had made him a strong man in his party, which was manifested in 1862, when, being but twenty-nine years of age, he was elected Secretary of State. He was probably the youngest man ever elected to a State office in Ohio. To that office he did full justice; he made it one of importance ; under his administration its reports became the most interesting of any of the State departments. He col- lected election statistics, facts, etc., which made the report much sought after. He served as Secretary of State from 1863 to 1865, during the period of our great civil war, and although an ardent Democrat, was in favor of the maintenance of the Union. His name will be found on the commissions of many thousands of officers of the Union army from Ohio, who served during the war. After two years' term of office, the Republican party again came into power in Ohio, and he was at liberty to return to his favorite pursuit of journalism. In 1865 he purchased the material of the lately suspended Cleveland Plain Dealer, and selling the Tiffin Advertiser to the Messrs. Myers, he transferred his effects to Cleveland. To revive a dead newspaper is a severe task. Mr. Arm- strong not only did that, but in a few years made the Plain Dealer one of the leading newspapers of the West. A clear, vigorous, ready writer, he took a bold, aggressive course, so that both political friends and enemies thoroughly understood what he meant. He showed himself on all occasions a Dem- ocrat of the Jackson and Benton school, unswerving in favor of State rights, home rule, and hard money, and those time- honored principles he was prepared to maintain against all opposition, either by voice or pen. In 1868 he was elected delegate at large from Ohio to the Democratic National Con- vention, at New York, which nominated Horatio Seymour for President. In 1872 he came within a few votes of secur- ing the nomination of his party for Congress, in the Seneca- Erie District. In 1873 he removed his family permanently to Cleveland. In 1876 he was chosen by the Democrats of the Cuyahoga District, the second in population and wealth in the State, to represent them in the St. Louis Democratic National Convention ; again, in 1880, the same compliment was paid him; and he was chosen a delegate to the conven- tion which nominated Hancock and English for President and Vice-president. His co-delegates to that convention elected him as the member of the Democratic National Ex- ecutive Committee from Ohio. In the Democratic State Convention of Ohio, held at Columbus, in 1881, Mr. Arm-
strong, without solicitation on his part, received the unani- mous vote of Cuyahoga County, and votes from other coun- ties, for Governor, but peremptorily declined being a candidate, and withdrew his name. Mr. Armstrong was one of the mem- bers of the Executive and Finance Committee which had charge of the preparations made for the funeral of the mur- dered President, at Cleveland, which was a national event, and was a member of the Escort Committee appointed to accompany the remains of President Garfield from Pittsburg to Cleveland. In every capacity of life in which he has been tried, he has been found equal to the occasion. What he is in his office, he is out of it-a man of decided convictions and strong will, always a potent force in the councils of his party and the community, a man of pleasing address, good personal appearance, genial in manners, an educated gentle- man. In his social relations he numbers hosts of friends of all political -shades. Mr. Armstrong was married November Ioth, 1857, to Sarah V., the youngest daughter of Josiah Hedges, Esq. They have had three children-two boys, neither of whom is now living, and one daughter, Isabella H.
MCCONNELL, SAMUEL, of Portsmouth, Ohio, was born in Porter Township (near Wheelersburg), in Scioto County, Ohio, February 18, 1813, to which place his parents had moved to escape the chills and fever, at that time so prevalent at Portsmouth. His parents, John McConnell and Mary McConnell (whose maiden name was Mary McClintock), emigrated from the State of Pennsylvania to Portsmouth, Ohio, in the first decade of this century. Mr. McConnell erected several of the first buildings in Portsmouth, among which were two large hewed-log, two story houses, in one of which was held the first Court of Common Pleas in Scioto County. Of a family of five children, three are now living ; John McConnell, of Xenia, Illinois; Susanna, wife of Thomas Moxley, of Idaho ; and the subject of this sketch, Samuel McConnell, who was the youngest of the five children, and but four years of age when their father died, leaving the widow to labor and struggle for the support of herself and family of young children. When quite young, he (Samuel McConnell) became a clerk in the store of J. V. Robinson, one of the most prominent citizens and successful merchants of the time in Portsmouth, and was thus employed for about two years. Mr. McConnell afterward formed a partnership in the mercantile business with his brother, John McConnell, then residing in Wheelersburg, and so continued for a period of about eight years. This was followed by an engagement of two years in the old Bank of Ironton, Ohio. He then became interested in the erection of Washington Furnace, in Lawrence County, Ohio, in connection with John Camp- bell, John Peters, and several others, and was actively en- gaged as storekeeper, and in other ways, while the furnace was being built. Upon its completion he removed to Ports- mouth, where, for many years, he was its financial manager and traveling agent-and also for Monroe Furnace, after it was constructed. He was a partner in the firm owning these furnace properties, both of which were successful en- terprises, and for which result Mr. McConnell is justly entitled to a full share of the credit. In 1861, having sold his interests in these furnaces, he became a part owner in Harrison Fur- nace, and afterward Fulton Furnace-the latter at Jackson, Ohio. He was financial agent and superintendent of both of these furnaces. In 1867 he was engaged in the fire-brick business, at Sciotoville, with McConnell, Porter & Co., and
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had the general management of the business. In 1871 he became one of the organizers of the Scioto Fire-brick Com- pany, an incorporated company, at Sciotoville, Ohio, and re- mained connected with that company until 1872, when he was one of the principal persons engaged in the erection of the Scioto Star Fire-brick Works, at East Portsmouth, Ohio, and which he successfully managed until he sold out, last year, and retired from the business. The Church associations of Mr. McConnell and family are Presbyterian. In politics he is an ardent Republican. December 4, 1846, he married Cascinda Tipton, of Wheelersburg, Ohio. The issue of this union has been ten children, nine of whom are living. John McConnell, the eldest son, is now in the real estate business, at Fargo, Dakota Territory. Thomas McConnell has been assistant manager of the Scioto Star Fire-brick Works, and, until very recently, has been in the employment of the Birmingham Iron Works, in Alabama. Samuel McConnell, Jr., is in the office of the Adams Express Company, at Portsmouth. The eldest daughter, Mary E., is the wife of James E. York, Esq., iron and steel manufacturer, now of St. Louis, Missouri. The other daughters are Flora, Jessie, Nellie, Henrietta, and Kate. Mr. McConnell, for over thirty-five years past, has been closely identified with the business of the Hanging Rock iron region, and the enterprises with which he has been connected and labored faithfully for have contributed their full share to the growth and prosperity of Southeastern Ohio. He bears an excellent reputation for honesty and fair dealing, doubtless justly earned. He is one of a small num- ber now living of native residents, born prior to 1814, in Scioto County. He is not engaged in active business, but enjoys a large circle of acquaintances and friends, and has, in the fullest degree, their respect, esteem, and confidence, for his many excellent qualities of head and heart.
GIBBS, FRANKLIN CHARLES, surveyor and civil engineer, was born in Honesdale, Wayne county, Pennsyl- vania, September 15th, 1836. His parents, Drial H. Gibbs and Ellen Ransberry, were both natives of Pennsylvania. In 1844 they came West, and, after passing something over a year in Kentucky, located in Portsmouth, Ohio, in 1846. Franklin C. Gibbs is one of two surviving sons of a family of five children, his brother, Henry S. Gibbs, being a busi- ness man of Gallipolis, Ohio. He received his education in the public schools of Portsmouth, and started out in the world for himself as a clerk in the wholesale dry goods es- tablishment of James Purcell, one of Portsmouth's early business characters; with him he remained for nearly three years, and then joined an engineering corps on the Scioto and Hocking Valley Railroad, beginning as rodman and passing up to the position of division engineer, being con- nected with the road until 1857. For some two years sub- sequent he was engaged as book-keeper for the Union Mills, Scioto county. In 1859 he was appointed county surveyor by Judge W. W. Johnson, of the Common Pleas bench, and in 1860 was elected to the same position. Upon the break- ing out of the civil war, in the spring of 1861, he resigned and entered the army as a private in Company G, First Ohio Infantry, April 16th, 1861. This was the first company in the State of Ohio to offer its services to the governor in the war of the rebellion. Captain Geo. B. Bailey commanded the com- pany. They were engaged in the affair at Vienna, Va., June 17th, 1861, where six of the company were killed and three
wounded; they also took active part in the first Bull Run bat- tle, July 21st, 1861, and in the memorable retreat maintained their organization. At the expiration of the three months' service he re-enlisted in Battery L, First Ohio Light Artillery, under Captain L. N. Robinson ; was elected first lieutenant upon the organization of the battery, and upon the retirement of Captain Robinson on account of sickness, in the latter part of 1862, was made captain by Governor Tod. This battery was in service three years and eight months, and during that time traveled 3,500 miles, and had charge during its cam- paigns of four different batteries. Among the engagements in which it participated may be named those of the battles of Winchester or Kernstown, Port Republic, Chantilly, An- tietam, and Fredericksburg, in 1862 ; Chancellorsville, Gettys- burg, and Mine Run, 1863; Fort Stevens (Washington, D. C.), Winchester or Opaquan, Fisher's Hill, and Cedar Creek in 1864. In the latter engagement he with eight of his men was severely wounded by the last artillery shot fired by the rebels, his battery firing the first and last artillery shot on the Union side in the engagement, and occupying six different positions in the retreat and advance during the varied for- tunes of that decisive battle. Having made a highly credita- ble military record of four years, Captain Gibbs was mustered out of service on July 4th, 1865. Returning to Portsmouth, he was for some two years engaged in the wholesale grocery business. In 1867, in company with Captain C. A. Barton, he engaged in surveying and engineering, and was employed on the free turnpikes of Scioto county. In the spring of 1869 he was elected city engineer of Portsmouth, and served two years. In 1871, 1872 and 1873 he held the same position. He also prepared a very valuable map of Scioto county. In the fall of 1873 Captain Gibbs was elected county auditor, and served four years. He was appointed to his present position as postmaster at Portsmouth in the spring of 1878. On March 5th, 1874, he married Nellie E. Williams, of Ports- mouth, but originally from Cleveland, O. The issue of this union has been a son and a daughter. In all the positions which Captain Gibbs has filled he has acquitted himself with credit. He was a patriotic and brave soldier, a conscientious and faithful auditor, and has made an efficient, accommodating and popular postmaster. He possesses the manners of a polished gentleman. He holds his religious connection with the Second Presbyterian Church of Portsmouth.
SHERRARD, ROBERT, JR., lawyer and banker, of high repute, Steubenville, was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, June 9th, 1824. He came of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and acquired from his progenitors those distinctive Scotch- Irish qualities, energy and perseverance. His father, Robert A. Sherrard, though occupying a modest position in life, was a man of marked mental qualities, to that degree that he was highly reputed in his own community. Both he and his wife, Mary Kithcart, were natives of Fayette County, Penn- sylvania, from whence they removed to Jefferson County, Ohio, in 1805. Our subject acquired such education as the limited facilities of the neighborhood afforded,. when his time was not otherwise employed on the farm or in his father's mill. His attendance at school was more or less remittent, until his nineteenth year, when, his father having moved upon a farm adjacent to the City of Steubenville, he was enabled to attend the private academy of John W. Scott. In 1845 he entered the law-office of Messrs. Masson & Moody, as a student, and read under their direction for three years.
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