USA > Ohio > The biographical cyclopaedia and portrait gallery with an historical sketch of the state of Ohio. Volume III > Part 20
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Western Biogl. Pub Co
D. H. Durflinger
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BIOGRAPHICAL CYCLOPÆDIA AND PORTRAIT GALLERY.
of his fellow-men. His career, always upward, has been marked by honesty, integrity, uprightness, perseverance, and industry. These traits bring their own reward, and Mr. Burnett, although comparatively young in life, is enjoying the fruit of his life of constant toil.
DURFLINGER, SYLVESTER WESLEY, lawyer, of London, is one of a family of two children, and was born near Jefferson, Madison County, Ohio, April 20th, 1836. His father was Philip Durflinger, a native of this State, who set- tled at a very early day in Madison County, where he de- voted himself to the cultivation of the soil; and after spend- ing a useful and profitable life in farm pursuits, passed away about the year 1839, much respected and beloved by all who knew him. His mother was Mary Lilly, who descended from a very old Virginia family that was of English and French extraction. Her ancestors emigrated to Ohio at a very early date, and settled in Ross County, where they were widely known and highly respected, having amassed consid- erable wealth. They were highly interested in all benevolent and charitable enterprises, as is evidenced not only by the fact that Lilly Chapel Village was called after their name, but that the very ground upon which Lilly Chapel was erected was a generous donation by Mr. James Lilly, former com- missioner of Madison County. Mrs. Durflinger, the mother of the subject of our sketch, was united for the second time in marriage to Samuel T. Pearce, a very highly esteemed and much respected citizen of London. She is still living, and has arrived at the advanced age of seventy-three years. Both are devoted and sincere Christians, and have been identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church as communi- cant members for many years. Mr. Sylvester W. Durflinger is the older of two children. The early portion of his life was spent in the old homestead. His preliminary education and early advantages were such as were ordinarily afforded in the district schools of the county, and it was in this way that he acquired an academical training, which prepared his mind for the further pursuit of a thorough collegiate course. Having always had a desire to study law, and deeming it absolutely necessary to undergo a collegiate course in order to make a successful practitioner, he matriculated in the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio, when he was but eighteen years of age, from which institution he was gradu- ated in 1860. Soon thereafter he came to London, and upon the invitation of the Hon. R. A. Harrison, entered his office, and pursued the study of law under his direction. After re- maining with him for seven months, he removed to Bloom- ington, Illinois, but subsequently enlisted as a private, in Company A, 33d Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in which position he served for four years, his services having proved valuable and meritorious in the cause of his country until he was honorably discharged from the same, in July, 1865. Soon after receiving his discharge he concluded to return to his native State, and locate permanently in London, where the Republican party, in 1866, nominated and elected him to the office of Recorder, in which position he faithfully discharged his duties, and gave entire satisfaction, for the space of three years, as is well attested by the subsequent honors conferred upon him by that party. During this time he availed himself of every spare moment to acquire a further knowledge of the law, and constantly attended, as a student, the sessions of the court, with great personal advantage, so that he was enabled to pass a creditable examination, and was ad-
mitted to the bar in 1869. Having received his license to prac- tice law, he formed a partnership the same year with George W. Wilson, Esq., of London, and under the firm name of Wilson & Durflinger soon entered upon an active practice in the county courts, which steadily increased, until now the firm enjoys the reputation of having a very successful and remunerative practice throughout Madison County. It is but just to say that the partnership between these two gentlemen has been a very friendly one, the most perfect accord and good feeling existing all the time. In 1871 Mr. Durflinger was elected to the office of Prosecuting Attorney for Madison County, in which position he served for four years. Having always taken an active part in the educational matters of London, the people considered him a suitable and well qualified person to become a member of the Board of Educa- tion, and accordingly elected him to that position, consider- ing that they would thereby facilitate the cause of education in their midst. He is also a member of Chandler Lodge, No. 138, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. In politics he is a decided Republican, and has always been zealous in promoting the interests and principles of his party. In the election of 1883 the people of Clarke, Champaign, and Madison Counties, comprising the Eleventh Senatorial Dis- trict, nominated and elected him to the position of State Senator, by the handsome majority of 2,466 votes. In per- sonal appearance Mr. Durflinger is a man of medium height, with rather a heavy build, having a sandy complexion, dark hair and whiskers, sprinkled with gray, and possessing large perceptive faculties. His whole appearance is indicative of indefatigable energy and determination of character in the prosecution of any work he undertakes. He is a person of excellent moral standing in the community, being much re- spected and esteemed, and considered in every way reliable in his intercourse with his fellow-man. Being possessed of strong religious convictions, he endeavors to carry them out in his every-day life, believing that truth only becomes real to him who lives and acts it out in life ; thus he is scrupu- lously honorable in all his business transactions. He and his household have been identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in London, for some years, and he now serves in the official capacity of a trustee of this Church. He has ever been a liberal contributor to all commendable enterprises that have had for their object the well-being of the com- munity. In his social relations he is a man of pleasant address, although he is somewhat retired and reticent, on account of which he is regarded by some as unsocial, but such an opinion is never justified by a more intimate acquaint- ance; for he is naturally genial and warm-hearted in the circle of his friends, and in every way is held in very high esteem. His business relations are quite extensive, and he enjoys the confidence of the entire business community. He is a man possessed of sound judgment, and never engages in any thing without first having given to it careful fore- thought, on account of which his obligations are considered good. He was married to Miss Eliza J. Silver, a native of Madison County, Ohio, October 17th, 1867. She departed this life May 23d, 1878. The fruit of this union was two children-Mary K., born August 25th, 1868, and Annie L., born December 24th, 1869, both of whom are still living. The following article, which appeared in the Western Christian Advocate at the time of Mrs. Durflinger's decease, is highly commendatory of the life and death of this Christian woman: "Eliza J., wife of S. W. Durflinger, died at London, Ohio,
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May 23d, 1878, aged thirty-nine years. She was reared in the Baptist faith, but after her marriage and removal to Lon- don, united with the Methodist Church, of which she was ever afterward an earnest and faithful member. She loved the society of Christians, and was ever kind to the poor and needy. She loved to read the Bible, and was ready for every good word and work. She was a great sufferer, being an invalid for more than three years, yet she was always cheer- ful and free from despondency. Anxious to live and hopeful of recovery, she left no means untried that promised any re- lief from an incurable disease. During all her affliction she uttered no word of complaint ; no murmur was on her lips; she always had a kind word and a gentle smile for all. Yet few knew her as she was. Naturally of a quiet and retiring nature, and shrinking from public recognition, it was only in the more sacred walks of life and in the more endearing re- lations of daughter, sister, wife, mother, and friend that her true worth shone forth in its brightest luster. To those stand- ing in these dear relations she was so kind, so gentle, so loving and true, that time will not efface, or even dim, her memory. To know her was to love her, and her loss is ir- reparable. But the deepest sympathy and the gentlest care could not keep back the cruel destroyer; and, cut down in the prime of life, she has gone from her suffering.
'We watched her breathing through the night, Her breathing soft and low, As in her breast the wave of life Kept heaving to and fro. But when the sun, in all its state, Illumed the eastern skies, She passed through glory's morning gate, And walked in Paradise.'
But amid the gloom and sadness that almost overwhelm us there are many pleasing reflections. Her virtues live on. We still move among the objects that she loved, and a bright though melancholy halo encircles them all ; they are still dear to our hearts. Her sweet, cheery words seem to brighten the prospects of the future, inspiring us to walk in her steps, to imitate her example, to cherish her virtues, and carry out her wishes. Affection will entwine her brow with a chaplet of undying worth ; memory will embalm and preserve all that was best and noblest in her life, in its deepest recesses, and tears will water the flowers that grow on her grave."
The two children born to Mr. and Mrs. Durflinger are now considerably advanced in life, and have displayed quite a talent for music, which their kind and indulging father has not failed to gratify. Having made considerable progress in this science, they are frequently called upon to officiate at the organ or sing in the choir of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of London. Mr. Durflinger was married a second time to Miss Mary A. Flannagan, a native of Brooklyn, New York, in the fall of 1879, and two children have been the issue of this union-Florence, born December 26th, 1880, and Lillian, born February 28th, 1883-both of whom are living.
GRANDIN, PHILIP, merchant, Cincinnati, was born in Clinton, Huntingdon county, New Jersey, February 11th, 1794, and died at his residence, East Walnut Hills, Cincinnati, Ohio, January 29th, 1858. Educated at Princeton, New Jer- sey, he became a merchant in the town of Asbury, in his native State. In 1817, he removed to Ohio, and engaged in banking and mercantile business in Cincinnati, in partner- ship with John H. Piatt, his brother-in-law. This arrange- ment continued for several years. He subsequently became prominently engaged in developing steamboat interests on the Ohio river, between Cincinnati and New Orleans, and built the first steamboat, known as the "General Pike," of which the late Jacob Strader was captain. Having passed several years connected with the boating business, he purchased of Josiah Lawrence about one hundred and forty acres of land on East Walnut Hills, Cincinnati, and in 1838 withdrew from all busi- ness, removed to his farm, and there passed the remainder of
his life. He enjoyed the reputation of being one of the best business men of the community. His investments were cautiously made and in the main proved judicious. He possessed much energy and decision of character, combined with amiability of disposition. Attached to no particular church, he was yet a man of the highest principle, with moral convictions very decided. Formerly a whig in politics, he became a republican, and continued so until his decease. September 17th, 1817, he married Hannah C., daughter of Captain Jacob Piatt, and sister of the late Judge Benjamin Piatt, of Cincinnati, Ohio. This lady still survives at a very advanced age, and in the possession of remarkable vigor of mind. Of ten children, five died young. Her son, William S., lives at Glendale, near Cincinnati; John P., lately deceased, resided in Warren county, Ohio; Mary is the relict of the late Dr. T. J. Orr, of Cincinnati ; Hannah is now Mrs. Samuel R. Bates, at present residing in France ; Lucy A. is the wife of W. A. Goodman, president of the National Lafayette and Bank of Commerce of Cincinnati ; and Susan A. is Mrs. Dr. J. L. Woodward, of Perinsville, Clermont county, Ohio.
LOCKE, JOHN F., a prominent lawyer, of London, Ohio, was born upon his father's farm, in Madison County, in this State, August 12th, 1848. His father, John B. Locke, was born in Brooke County, West Virginia, January 17th, 1814, where he resided upon a farm until 1846, at which time he removed to Ohio, and purchased a farm in Madison County, where he now resides, and pursues the quiet life of a farmer. His early educational advantages were such as were ordinarily afforded in the common schools of his day, and thus he obtained a fair common school education. His mother, Louisa Morris, was born in Adams County, in 1826. Early in life she attended the Episcopal Seminary, located at Granville, Ohio, which at that time was under the jurisdiction of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the Diocese of Ohio, and received a thorough academical course of education. She is still living. The subject of our sketch, John F. Locke, spent the early portion of his life working upon his father's farm, and acquiring such an education as was afforded in the public schools of Madison County, until the year 1865, when he was seventeen years of age, at which time he pur- posed taking a thorough collegiate course of training, in order that he might better qualify himself for the pursuit of the study of law. With a view to this end he matriculated, in 1865, in the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, and was graduated in 1870. Mr. Locke, in order that he might pursue the study of the profession of his choice, entered the law office of the Hon. R. A. Harrison, in London, Ohio, where he devoted himself with eagerness to the study of law for two years, and was admitted to the bar in 1872. In the year 1873 he opened an office in London, where he has been engaged in the practice of his profession ever since. It is but just to say that his thoroughness, legal education, industrious habits, quick perceptions, and ready eloquence have brought him into notice at the bar, and secured for him a successful practice. The lawyers with whom he is constantly brought into competition are many of them men of distinguished ability, possessed of high intellectual culture, yet he always holds his own with the best of them-secures and maintains a leading place. Being an industrious student of law, and an invet- erate worker, he stands not least among the foremost at the bar, and enjoys the well-earned reputation of an eloquent
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yours Truly Ichup Jeffries
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and forcible advocate. In 1873 he was elected solicitor of the village of London, and in 1875 was elected Mayor of the village. In 1876 he was elected Prosecuting Attorney for Madison County, and re-elected to the same office by a large majority in 1878. In 1879 he was elected Representative to the General Assembly of Ohio, from Madison County, and was re-elected in 1881. In 1883 he was nominated for the third time for the same office, but was defeated by a small majority. In all the various positions that have been held by him he has always acquitted himself creditably, and especialy in the Legislature, where he exhibited practical business talent and keen appreciation of the true condition of such subjects as were presented. Though he was one of the youngest members of the Legislature his addresses were always regarded as of an analytical, argumentative, and con- vincing character-characterized by boldness, much ability, and a vigorous defense of the rights of man that commanded the respect of political opponents and the approval of his own party. His addresses never failed to carry weight with them, and were always listened to with marked attention. While our subject is not connected with any particular denomina- tion of Christians, being liberal and public spirited he favors all commendable social enterprises that have for their object the uplifting and bettering of humanity. Being an extensive reader, he is at home on most questions of living interest ; and having conversational powers of a high order, his words always command attention, while his retentive memory for illustration and his powers of entertainment are rare and well used. He is a decided Republican in his political views, holding fast to the faith delivered by Washington, Marshall, and Daniel Webster, and takes a lively interest in the polit- ical matters of the State. In physical appearance he is of medium height ; vigorous health, with form erect, step elastic; dark hair and eyes; with a motive and mental temperament that speak determination in every act that he performs. Naturally he disregards the ordinary conventionalities of society ; hence he appears to be taciturn and indifferent in his social relations, but to those who are more intimately acquainted with him there is a vein of sympathy and fidelity that is as true as steel. He exercises his individual freedom in society with a boldness that characterizes him in all his relations in life. On account of his aggressive spirit he is not
sought after and loved by the majority. He does not seek, or apparently care for, popular esteem. He moves along in a preoccupied way that holds him aloof, but is cognizant of every thing about him. Sarcasm, by words and acts, is a peculiarity of his constitutional make up, which has a tend- ency to make some of his acquaintances feel that he is deal- ing with them dishonestly in his business and social relations, but the very reverse is true, for he is held in very high esteem and respected by all who thoroughly know him. He is regarded by his fellow-citizens as an honest, upright man, bold in his advocacy of what he believes to be right, and strong in his denunciation of what he knows to be wrong.
JEFFRIES, JOHN PARSONS, of Wooster, lawyer and author, was born in Huntington county, Pennsylvania, July 19th, 1815. His parents, Mark and Rebecca Parsons Jeffries, were both of old English stock, Quaker on the maternal side, whose genealogy can be traced for over two centuries, their ancestors for several generations residing in Chester county, Pennsylvania. His early opportunities for education were only limited, as the system of instruction was not so liberal
as at the present day. He received his tuition at a select school, as well as from private tutors. By the exercise of indomitable energy, and an iron will, in the course of time he became a ripe scholar and a profound lawyer. In 1836, Mr. Jeffries left his native State, and settled at Wooster, Ohio, in May of the same year, where he continued to reside. He married, in 1837, Miss Jane McMonigal, second daughter of Andrew McMonigal, one of the early pioneers of Wayne county, the union resulting in five sons and two daughters: Lemuel, Sarah Matilda (who married Samuel J. Price, and died in Harrisonburg, Rockingham county, Virginia, in 1865), Linnæus Quinby, Joseph Oello, Delano, Viola Rebecca, and Julian Parsons. In 1842, he was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court of the State of Ohio, at Columbus. His abil- ities, industry, and fidelity to his clients, soon introduced him into active practice, and it was not long before he was in the front rank of his profession. Almost from his entering the profession, Mr. Jeffries enjoyed a large and lucrative practice, not only in Wayne county, but throughout the State. His in- tegrity and purity of character, his power of research, investi- gation, and combination, his varied and accurate general knowledge, his untiring energy and perseverance, have given him a wide and distinguished reputation, both as a man and a lawyer. During his long and successful practice he has had associated with him as partners in his profession, the following prominent lawyers: Judge C. C. Parsons, sen., Judge William Given, Judge William Sample, and Judge Martin Welker, all of them eminent jurists. These were his only partners until 1877, when he associated with him in practice his son, L. Q. Jeffries. For many years he took quite an active part in politics. He served four years as prosecuting attorney of Wayne county, and, as an evidence of his ability as a pleader, it has been stated that in no case that he tried was one of his legal documents held to be defective. In 1858, the democ- racy of the fourteenth Congressional district, which was then composed of the counties of Wayne, Ashland, Medina, and Lorain, unanimously nominated him in convention as their candidate for Congress. He was not elected, however, Gen- eral Cyrus Spenk, his opponent, defeating him; but notwith- standing it was a strong republican district, Mr. Jeffries' large vote gave evidence of his personal popularity. In 1860, he was a delegate to the National democratic conventions at Charleston and Baltimore, from the fourteenth district above named, and instructed to vote for Stephen A. Douglas, which he did, taking a prominent part in both conventions and in the spirited campaign that followed. He received in 1860, a majority of the popular vote of the Wooster district for com- mon pleas judge, but not desiring the position, he withdrew his name upon the eve of nomination, which secured the nomination to William Sample, of Coshocton county. In 1862, he was elected by the people of Wayne county a mem- ber of the State legislature by the home vote, the soldiers' vote giving his antagonist a small majority, but not desiring the position he did not contest the seat. He was elected Pro- bate Judge in 1879, and held that office three years. His work. entitled "Natural History of the Human Races," which was published in New York, in 1869, has given him great distinction among the scientists abroad, as well as in our own country. In 1844, he commenced collecting facts concerning the abo- riginal inhabitants of this continent, and continued his research until 1869, when he had his work printed in New York. His first aim was to write a history of the American Indians, and in order to do so visited many of the tribes and exam-
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ined the antiquities of the country supposed to be of Indian origin, but their history unfolded to him a much wider and more comprehensive field than he at first conceived, where- upon he extended his inquiry to the whole human family, and has given to the world the above-named accurately written and most valuable work. Upon the production of this compendium of the origin of the races, wherein the bold- ness and tenability of his propositions are so maturely and scientifically elaborated, Mr. Jeffries may securely rest his reputation as a philosophical and candid expounder of eth- nological truth. His dissertation upon the origin of the Amer- ican Indians supplies a vacuum in ethnological history hith- erto neglected by the most erudite writers upon this interesting science. His classification and localization of the different tribes is comprehensive, lucid, and conclusive. To the American student of ethnological history it is especially at- tractive, as it solves many of the mysteries relating to these nomadic tribes, who have been grievously destitute of proper annals, and without an exponent of their manners, habits and character. The contemporary press have been profuse in their praise of this work, the New York World saying of it: "This contribution to ethnology is a carefully prepared sum- mary of all knowledge possessed on the subject." The Scien- tific American says, "The book contains a great deal of rare and valuable information concerning the history of our race, and in respect of which the mass of mankind know very little." The Cincinnati Enquirer says: "The work be- fore us takes the ground that each type or race is a distinct creation of Almighty power, formed for their respective zones, and unfitted for perfect development out of them ; that the whites embody the active intellectual force of the world, which has imparted to Christian civilization its prominence and its triumphs." The New York Express says: "We recommend the book for the candid and lucid manner in which the author treats the subject. . The book is pro- fusely illustrated by correct specimens of the types of the different races, while the mechanical execution is unexcep- tionable." Zell's Encyclopedia says of Mr. Jeffries: "As a writer he is best known by his 'Natural History of the Human Races,' published in 1869, a book of great research, much reading, and careful analysis, and which is regarded as a standard work on ethnology." To Mr. Jeffries acquisi- tions in the domain of scientific exploration, we may add those equally distinguished of the lawyer. He is now (1883) in the front rank of the legal profession at Wooster, and commands a lucrative practice. His arguments at the bar are replete with legal knowledge and logical acumen, and he is felicitous in his analysis and application of evidence to law. He is plain and unaffected, affable, and courteous, with manners polite and accessible.
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