USA > Ohio > The biographical cyclopaedia and portrait gallery with an historical sketch of the state of Ohio. Volume III > Part 23
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war ; which served through over four years of active service on battle-fields along a line of fifteen hundred miles, stretching from the Arkansas to the Atlantic coast ; which shared in more than seventy battles and engagements, and captured by its own valor eighteen pieces of artillery, and more than three thousand prisoners of war; which watered its horses in the Ohio, Mississippi, Missouri, Kansas, Osage, and the Marais du Cygnes, which the crime of slavery and pen of Whittier have made historic ; in the Arkansas, Kentucky, Cumberland, Tennessee, Potomac, Shenandoah, Rappahan- nock, Rapidan, York, Chickahominy, James, Nottaway, Roanoke, and the world-famous Appomattox. Right royally was the young major welcomed by that father and mother who had watched and prayed for his safe return during his four years of continuous service. He had gone to the war a mere boy, he came out with that stability and manhood en- gendered by a victorious struggle for the preservation of the Union and the suppression of a great wrong. In the spring of 1866, the war having taken so much of his time from his studies, he concluded to try merchandising, and accordingly arranged to go into the general ' mercantile business, at Chagrin Falls, Ohio, with E. W. Force. The firm of Eggle- ston & Force remained in existence until 1868, when Force retired, and Eggleston continued the business until 1870, when, still yearning for a broader field of work, he picked up the thread of his earlier ambition, which had been broken by the war, and determined to complete his legal education. Having, on the 22d of April, 1869, married Miss Alida S. McFarland, an estimable and accomplished young lady, of Chagrin Falls, he removed, in the following January, to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he took up his residence pending the completion of his law studies in the Law College of Michigan University. Major Eggleston was selected by Judge Thomas M. Cooley, Dean of the College Faculty, as his secretary. At this time Judge Cooley was preparing his celebrated edi- tion of "Blackstone's Commentaries," and was aided ma- terially by Major Eggleston, who assisted him in verifying authorities, and prepared for him an elaborate analytical index of the contents-an important feature of the work. While thus attending law college, on October 25th, 1870, his only child was born, a daughter, Maud Alida, who is still living. His work at the law college, notwithstanding his responsibilities and the many difficulties he liad to encounter, was eminently satisfactory. He stood among the foremost scholars of his class, and during the years 1870 and 1871 he held the presidency of the Webster Literary Society, one of the highest honors conferred upon a student of the University, He graduated from the law college in the class of 1871, with honors, and was immediately admitted to practice by the Supreme Court of Michigan. At this time Maynard & Ball, of Marquette, the largest law firm in Northern Michigan, wrote to Judge Cooley, asking him to recommend to them a young man of the graduating class, to assist them in their practice. Judge Cooley wrote a most flattering letter to the firm, rec- ommending Major Eggleston, who soon called upon them. The energy and capability of the new lawyer were highly appreciated, and, every thing being satisfactory, he removed his family temporarily to Marquette, pending the selection of a more permanent location, where he remained with said firm during the summer and fall of 1871, meantime having arranged to locate in Leavenworth, Kansas, where he settled in October, 1871. The same winter he filled the office of deputy clerk in the lower branch of the Kansas Legislature.
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In the spring he entered upon a large law business, and was engaged in a number of very important cases. He was the counsel for plaintiff in the case of Hattie M. Rafferty vs. Owen Duffy et al., reported in 15th Kansas State Reports, involving the title to a large business property in the heart of the city of Leavenworth, situated on the old Delaware Indian reservation, which he carried successfully through the District and Supreme Courts of Kansas, although the oppos- ing counsel were the ablest the State could afford. The brief which he prepared for the defendant in error before the Su- preme Court showed the young lawyer able to forcibly and logically grapple with the important questions discussed, in- volving the construction of the Constitution of the United States and the limitations upon and the scope of the treaty- making and legislative power granted therein. He also dis- tinguished himself in the trial of several murder cases. On the 29th of December, 1873, he met with a great bereavement in the death of his wife, who had remained so faithfully at his side during his struggles and triumphs. The bereaved father intrusted the care of his child to his sister, Mrs. W. W. Blair, at Warrensville, Ohio, where his wife had died while on a visit from Kansas, and returned to Kansas and began to settle up his affairs preliminary to a return to Ohio, which he accomplished in November, 1874. Upon his return to Cleveland he went into partnership with H. C. White, Esq., and immediately began to enjoy a lucrative practice. On July 3d, 1875, he married Mrs. Julie L. Hayes, formerly Miss Gager, of Warren, Ohio, a woman of rare abilities and much worth. He was associated with Mr. White until 1879, after which he continued his practice alone. His thorough knowl- edge of the law, and varied experiences in business and military life soon enabled him to win a position in the front rank of the young men of his profession. In 1880 he became a candidate for the position of United States Marshal for the Northern District of Ohio. The indorsement which he received from the Western Reserve, and particularly Cuyahoga County, coming as it did from men of all political parties, has proba- bly never been excelled by any candidate for an appointive office. It comprised over eighteen hundred names, including the entire judiciary and most of the members of the Cuya- hoga bar, nearly all the city and county officials, and a large number, not only from Cuyahoga County but from all parts of the district, of bankers, manufacturers, professors in col- leges, members of the Legislature, editors, ex-soldiers and officers of the army. He has always been an active and staunch Republican, and was a member of the Cuyahoga County delegation to the Republican Convention at Chicago in 1880, and had the great satisfaction of participating in the nomination of his early friend and teacher, General Garfield, to the office of President of the United States. In Septem- ber, 1882, Major Eggleston was appointed first deputy treas- urer of Cuyahoga County, a position which he was efficiently filling in March, 1883, when he was appointed United States District Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio by Pres- ident Arthur, for which appointment he was warmly indorsed by all the leading members of the Cleveland bar, including the entire judiciary. He has since most ably filled the po- sition, discharging faithfully all the duties of the responsible office. Major Eggleston has always sustained that reputa- tion for energy, ability, and faithfulness which first attracted the attention of Garfield, and which has crowned him with merited success and honor. He occupies an influential and commanding position, socially and politically, and enjoys the
confidence and esteem of a large circle of friends, not more on account of his ability and faithfulness than his honest, manly characteristics.
CLARK, BENJAMIN F., lawyer and judge, London, was born October 23d, 1829, in Deer Creek Township, in the neighborhood familiarly known as "Limerick," noted in local history for its being the place where the first term of court was held in Madison County. His father was Franklin Clark, a native of Massachusetts, who was highly esteemed and respected by all who knew him. In the township where he resided he was elected to the office of justice of the peace, in which position he faithfully served for many years, giving entire satisfaction to the public. He was twice married. By his first wife he had three children, none of whom are now living. His second marriage was to Mrs. Narcissis Babcock Newcomb, widow of William Newcomb. By this union he had one child, the subject of our sketch. His father died in October, 1843, aged sixty-five years, and his mother in March, 1874, aged eighty-two years. His educational advan- tages were such as were ordinarily obtained in the common schools of his day. When he reached the age of fourteen years he left school, and determined to learn a trade. With this end in view he went to Urbana, the county-seat of Champaign County, and devoted himself to learning the art of carriage-trimming and harness-making. After thoroughly familiarizing himself with these two branches of business he remained in Urbana for some time, and removed to Colum- bus, spending some twelve years in both places. He then located permanently in London. Here he had not been long before his superior qualifications were recognized, and he at once commanded the esteem, respect, and confidence of the people, and was appointed to the position of Postmaster of London by President Pierce, in which capacity he faithfully served for six years. After his term of office expired he was elected to the office of Probate Judge of Madison County, and served for three successive terms. This gave him a fine opportunity to acquire a knowledge of law; and availing himself of every intermission from the regular duties of his office, he devoted himself assiduously to the study of law, so that he was enabled to pass a creditable examination, and was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court of Ohio, February 22d, 1864. He immediately opened an office in London, where he began the practice of his professton, in which he continued for six years, having met with a reason- able degree of success. He was then elected by the Dem- ocratic party to the office of Mayor, which compelled him to relinquish his practice. He was elected for a second term, and acted as the city's executive with the reputation of hav- ing been one of the most efficient in her history. He re- signed the office of Mayor, and on July Ist, 1870, accepted the position of teller of the Madison National Bank of London, and acceptably served in that capacity until October, 1880, · when he accepted the appointment of cashier of the same bank. Judge Clark is a member of the Ancient Order of Masons, being connected with Chandler Lodge, No. 138, and Adoniram Chapter. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being connected with Madison Lodge, No. 70, and the London Encampment, No. 126. He has al- ways been one of London's most public-spirited citizens. Of whatever has been of public good, and for the honor of his city, he has always been a zealous supporter; and what- ever enterprises promised for the spiritual growth and prog-
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ress of the people of London have always found in Judge Clark a most liberal contributor, both of time and money. He is always willing and ready to bear his part in any thing and every thing calculated to promote the public welfare. In politics he is a Democrat, and has always voted with that party, but is never concerned in any party strife. He is a man of excellent judgment, and moves with great caution in every thing that he undertakes, and will never incur any unnecessary risks. He is industrious and energetic to a marked degree, and untiring in his efforts to have every thing in perfect, systematic order. He is a man of force of character, and is positive and decided in his religious views. He has a great respect for sacred things, believes strongly in special providences, and has a great reverence for the Sab- bath, and yet is very liberal in his general religious opinions. While he is devoted to the Presbyterian Church, in which he and his family are communicants, and in which he has served as a ruling elder for many years, he possesses the broadest sympathies, and, without regard to ecclesiastical names, fellowships all who fear God and hate iniquity. He for many years has been a member of the Columbus Pres- bytery : and when that body met, just after the rebellion had ceased, he was appointed a delegate to the General Assem- bly which met at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and which was the first union of the Northern and Southern branches of the Presbyterian Church after the close of the war. While he has been devoted to the Church, and contributed liberally of his means to its support, he has been none the less de- voted to that more important field of labor, the Sunday- school, which he has always regarded as the nursery of the Church. In this field he has labored for more than a quar- ter of a century as superintendent of the Presbyterian Sab- bath-school, in which capacity he has proved himself, under God, to be an efficient and useful man. In all enterprises that aim after truth and righteousness he may always be counted on. In regard to the question of temperance he has taken a very decided stand, and is regarded as a strong ad- vocate and adherent of the cause. At the last election he cast his vote for the adoption of the Second Amendment. He frequently presides at public meetings held in behalf of the cause, and gives liberally of his means to the support of the work. He is never ashamed of his religion, and dares to carry his convictions of divine things into the realities of every-day life. As a business man, his stand- ing is of the very highest order. As cashier of the Madison National Bank his business relations in the community are quite important, and in that position he is regarded with great favor. Upright, and scrupulously honorable in his dealings with the business world, he has the entire confidence of all who know him. In manners, Judge Clark is a genial and affable Christian gentleman, kind and sympathetic to those in sorrow and affliction, while with those who seek his society for social entertainment he is intelligent, interesting, and instructive. Socially he stands high among his ac- quaintances, and is regarded as an important factor in the circle of his friends. He is greatly devoted to his family, and in his social relations is as confiding and affectionate as a child. Through diligence and frugality he has advanced, step by step, to the accumulation of a competency, and in all that he is and has he is held in high esteem, and regarded as a reliable, enterprising, philanthropic citizen. He is the kindliest of men, generous-hearted, and thoughtful for the interests and welfare of others, a devoted husband, a loving
father, and the most steadfast of friends. He was married in August, 1850, to Miss Rachel Jones, a daughter of a very highly esteemed and respected family of Madison County. Two children have been the issue of this union, Job J. and Quinn. The former is living and acting in the capacity of an insurance agent in London, where he has his office, and has built up a successful, constantly increasing and lucrative' business. The latter, who was a bright, intelligent, and promising young man, died in 1879. He was at the time of his death secretary of the Sabbath-school, and was con- stant in the performance of his duties, and greatly esteemed by all who knew him. The untimely death of this beloved son affected his parents keenly, and since that sad event they have never seemed to entirely recover from the stroke.
HILLIARD, RICHARD, merchant, was born in Chath- ham, New York, July 4th, 1797, and died December 21st, 1856, at Cleveland, Ohio. His father, David Hilliard, dying when he was fourteen years of age, he soon after left Albany and removed to Skaneateles, where he resided with an older brother. Here he divided his time between clerking in a store and teaching school until he was eighteen, when he re- moved to Black Rock and became clerk in the general mer- chandise store of John Daly. Here he so won upon the favor of his employer that in course of time he was admitted to a partnership without capital. In 1824 the partners con- cluded that Cleveland offered a better prospect for future business than Black Rock, and the firm removed to that city, Mr. Daly resigning the active management of the business to his junior partner, who, in 1827, purchased Mr. Daly's interest and for some time carried on operations alone. By his unwearied industry and strict integrity he succeeded in building up so large a business in dry goods and groceries that it became advisable to have a partner in New York for the purchase of goods. For this purpose he associated him- self with Mr. William Hayes, in that city. For a number of years the firm of Hilliard & Hayes carried on a wholesale business in dry goods and groceries that made it one of the foremost houses in that line in the West. Its field of opera- tions was extensive and steadily increasing, and the reputa- tion of the house was of the highest. The New York house was changed to Hopkins, Hayes & Co., he still being the principal proprietor. The transactions of this firm were very large. At the same time he was associated with Mr. Cort- land Palmer, of New York, in extensive purchases of real estate. In 1856, when on his journey home from New York, he took cold ; a short but fatal illness followed, and he died in the fall of that year. No merchant ever stood higher in public estimation for ability and integrity. He was honor itself in all mercantile transactions and had a shrinking dread of any act that could be made to bear the slightest semblance of doubtful character. He never permitted his paper to be dishonored or placed in doubt, and his word was held as good as a written contract. His financial abilities were great and held in high estimation by his brother merchants. His su- perior in this respect could scarcely be found in the State. In all transactions he was economical but by no means penu- rious. On the contrary he was wisely liberal, giving gener- ously, but being careful that his generosity was not unworthily placed. In public matters he took an active interest, as an enterprizing citizen and not as a mere politician. He early interested himself in the scheme for supplying the city with water from Lake Erie, was one of the first commissioners
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of water - works, and became president of the water-works board. The work of negotiating the bonds of the city issued for water-works purposes was entrusted to him, and although the task was then very difficult, he succeeded in placing them with great advantage, without their becoming the prey of New York brokers, who had hoped to profit largely by the transaction. Under his presiding direction the water-works were completed in the most thorough manner and to the con- tinuous satisfaction of the citizens, the contractors, and the workmen. He also took an active interest in the construc- tion of the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Indianapolis Railroad, the first railroad line reaching Cleveland, and was one of the most energetic and successful in procuring stock subscriptions. In politics, he was a conservative democrat, but avoided taking a prominent part in partisan politics. He was one of the officers of the village of Cleveland previous to its organization as a city, and in the first year of that organization, in 1836, he was elected alderman, filling the same position in 1839. He was frequently tendered the democratic nomination to Congress, but invariably declined. His social and family relations were characterized by the same high principles of honor that ruled his business career. He was courteous and considerate to all; a warm and trust- worthy friend ; generous and charitable in thought and action ; liberal in his views touching religion and politics, and utterly devoid of narrowness or selfishness.
SCRIBNER, CHARLES H., lawyer, was born near Norwalk, Connecticut, on the 20th October, 1826; living, December, 1883, at Toledo, Ohio; and was the son of Asa Scribner, a shoemaker by trade. In 1838, the parents moved to Homer, Licking county, Ohio. His educational advan- tages were limited to the district schools of his youth. At the age of eighteen he was apprenticed to the saddlery and har- ness trade, and at the same time commenced the study of law. So assiduous and determined had he been in his legal studies, that in 1848 he was admitted to the bar, at Mt. Ver- non, and commenced the practice of his profession one year later. In 1850 he formed a partnership with the Hon. Henry B. Curtis, which continued until June, 1869, when he moved to Toledo, and at once entered into partnership with the Hon. Frank H. Hurd. Politically, he was ever a firm adherent of the Democratic party. In the year 1867 he was elected a member of the State senate for the senatorial district com- posed of the counties of Holmes, Wayne, Knox and Morrow. During this term of legislative office he was chairman of the judiciary committee of the senate, and chairman of the special committee directed to prepare the present municipal code of the State. He introduced and secured the passage of the bill which forms the present criminal code of Ohio. He was the author of a valuable work entitled, "Treatise on the Law of Dower," published in two volumes, in 1864 and 1867, and which became a standard book on the subject of which it treats. In 1873 he was a member of the convention called to revise the constitution of Ohio, and while serving in this capacity was nominated by the Democratic State convention for the supreme judgeship, but being the candidate of the minority party he was defeated. Though self-educated he gained high rank among the lawyers of Ohio, and was a man of superior culture and general knowledge. He commanded a large practice, in which his high tone, courtly demeanor, and scrupulous regard for the honor and etiquette of his pro- fession, secured for him the highest respect and esteem.
Generous and kind, he gave material aid in the furtherance of benevolent and charitable enterprises of Toledo. He was married October 20th, 1847, to Miss Mary E. Morehouse, of Newark, New Jersey. Of eight children born to them, those living are: Harvey, a member of his father's firm; Gertrude, married to Charles E. Cone, Esq., of Toledo, and Belle, married to Joseph M. Spencer, Esq., assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Toledo.
BISSELL, EDWARD, merchant, eldest son of Epaph- ras Bissell and Jerusha Wolcott Bissell, was born at East Windsor, Connecticut, January 20th, 1797, and died Novem- ber 9th, 1860, at Toledo, Ohio. He left home at the early age of sixteen to enter a store in New York city, and at twenty was established for himself as a merchant in Gene- seo, New York. Here he commenced that active business life which made him, eventually, one of the most prominent business men of the West. In 1828 he removed to Lock- port, New York, where he built one of the most extensive mills, at that time, in Western New York, engaged in the business of milling, and soon became possessed of a large property and a beautiful home. In the spring of 1833 he made a Western tour, and among other places visited, came to what is now Toledo, then known as Port Lawrence and Vistula, containing at that time less than one hundred inhab- itants, and so impressed was he with the commercial import- ance and value of this point, that he made a large purchase of real estate, and soon began to make liberal expenditures in various improvements. The first improvement of Toledo had been made in 1832, by Major B. F. Stickney, who for many years had been an Indian agent, and had purchased a large tract of land, part of which, in contract with Samuel Allen and Otis Hathaway, of Lockport, he platted, calling it Vistula. In 1833, Edward Bissell entered into a similar con- tract with Stickney, which was fulfilled to the letter. A gen- tleman conversant with the history of those times says: " Whatever Toledo may become in the future, she will always owe her first start in life to Mr. Bissell, a gentleman of fine- education and refinement, of great foresight and sagacity, an energetic worker, who knew no such word as fail." In refer- ence to the above contract, Major Stickney, in his report, says: "Bissell set about the work of improvement in earn- est. He built wharves and houses, advanced money for making roads, and in many respects did more than his con- tract required. Vistula advanced rapidly, and soon acquired considerable reputation." In 1836, associated with a few others, he began to make the Erie and Kalamazoo Railroad to Adrian, thirty-three miles, at a cost of $300,000. The road was so far completed in July, 1837, as to commence the run- ning of cars with horses, and at a time when not a barrel of pork or flour came over the road for the first year; but the road was in daily use to carry provisions to Adrian to feed the population of southern Michigan. It was this road that in after years proved to be the lever that finally settled public opinion in favor of Toledo as the only commercial point of any great value at the south end of Lake Erie. The final re- sult of making this road, at a time when all knew that as an investment it would not pay, was to concentrate at this point several important railroads, costing millions of dollars, and the seven hundred miles of canal, the business of which con- nected with Lake Erie was done.at this point. These were the logical results of the opening of the road to Adrian, for which the State was more indebted to Mr. Bissell than to any
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