CHURCH HISTORY - 175 was a great and good man. While he was exceedingly wild and dissipated in his early manhood, his after years evidenced a wonderful change. The old Jim Finley had passed away, and a new man had taken his place. His life was full of earnest labor for the cause he loved and his presence in the county was a benefit' and blessing to all. Early in the autumn of 1805 the first regular Methodist meeting ever held in Highland county was at Fitzpatrick's. Peter Cartwright and James Quinn were the regular circuit preachers, and William Burk was presiding elder. Of Peter Cartwright so much has been said and written that we would but repeat the utterances of others did we attempt a description of the man in person and character. But the good people of Highland county, and especially the Methodists, would not excuse us did we not say something of this wonderful man. Numerous stories have been told of his eccentricities, which the old man while living denied. At one time, complaining to a brother preacher about the matter, he was consoled, with the reply, "that he deserved to have lies told on him for not writing out his life history himself, so that in coming years the church might treasure his memory and keep alive the history of his labor and toil." His ability as a preacher was such as to make him very useful to the church in her early struggles against the various obstacles that impeded her progress. The older forms of Christian faith greatly opposed this new child of providence in the religious world, and sought by discussion and debate, violent and merciless, to drive her from the field. Cartwright was a strong man in debate, and was as fearless as a Spartan gladiator, ready for theological blows, or any other kind if the occasion demanded it. His early identification with Highland county Methodism was just suited to the condition and character of the times. His clothing was buckskin while on Highland circuit. In 1807 Rev. James Quinn was sent back to Highland circuit for his second year. He was of the first of the itinerant preachers in the county, loved and venerated by all its people for his great worth, and earnest, loving, and watchful over the scattered flock of humble, devoted Christians. James Quinn spent the greater part of the prime of his life in southern Ohio, and when he felt the winter of his life closing round him, his fond recollections of the love and devotion of Highland friends led him to make the county his home, among the peaceful hills and valleys of his early charge. In 1820 he purchased a farm of one hundred acres in Union township, to which he removed his family. The house was the old fashioned hewed log, with, stone chimney, to which he gave the name of "Rural Cottage". At this quiet. home he died on the 1st day of December, 1847, aged seventy-two years. His parents were from Ireland, and were among the first settlers that crossed the mountains and settled at Maysville, at that time called Limestone. In his pioneer home he learned the charac- 176 - THE COUNTY OF HIGHLAND. teristics of the noble pioneer race, and among them he learned the great truth of Christ and found the secret of a pure and happy life. He was admitted into the traveling connection of the Methodist Episcopal church by the Baltimore conference in May, 1799. He was then under twenty years of age, and was placed upon the Greenfield circuit, Fayette and Washington counties, Pennsylvania. After some years of work in the Baltimore conference, at his own request he was transferred to the Western conference, which met at the church near Cynthiana, Ky., in October, and the second year he was sent with Peter Cartwright to the Scioto circuit, which embraced Highland county. He was returned the second year to the same work but with another helper. One who knew Quinn intimately says of him: "I distinctly recollect the advent among us of the Rev. James Quinn, so long and so favorably known to the people of Highland. His youthful and manly form, his fine expression and amiable face, calm and dignified, yet flushed with zeal in his Master's cause, a self-sacrificing and devoted itinerant preacher. He at first preached at old father Fitzpatrick's, and then came across the woods some six miles to visit our family. His manner and exterior gave assurance of a gentleman, and his first words of salutation were a passport to the confidence, regard and esteem of all. His visit was a pleasant and agreeable surprise to the younger members of the family, who felt at once the mesmeric influence of his mild persuasive language and unobtrusive worth. Such was the James Quinn, who lived to impress indelibly his excellence and his virtues upon the hearts of all who lived under his ministry. He made an appointment to preach at our cabin, on his next round on his circuit, which was given out at the raisings and huskings throughout the settlements. It was quite a novelty and a stirring event in the neighborhood and at the specified time he had a large and attentive audience. The costume of the young men and women was quite different from the prevailing fashions of the present day, and particularly in their manner and custom, when economy and frugality were virtues of necessity, and where none indulged the expense and luxuries of foreign merchandise. While Mr. Quinn remained, my brother, who had purchased a violin and was taking lessons from uncle Tom, who had all the fondness of his race for music, would often play while the evening hymns were sung." John Shields, an Irishman, and a Methodist preacher, as well as a brick mason, came to Hillsboro and erected a home on Beech street. He seemed determined that Beech street should go ahead of all the rest of the town, and for a time he succeeded, for there were six houses on it west of High street. Shields donated part of the square for a Methodist church. This was the •corner on the alley opposite the jail. On that ground was erected the first Methodist church in Hillsboro and of any denomination in the town. The church was a CHURCH HISTORY - 177 neat small frame and was erected in 1810. The first preaching in Hillsboro was by John Shields early in the spring of 1808 and continued every Sabbath of the spring and summer of that year. The preaching was in the house of the preacher, who had, on coming to Highland, purchased a whole square north of the public square, between High and West streets, and south of Beech street. From their small frame building on Beech street, the Methodists of Hillsboro moved at an early date to their present site on Walnut street, where they now have a large and handsome church, with a pipe organ that cost about $10,000. The first preacher in Highland county licensed to solemnize matrimony was the Rev. Isaac Pavey, Methodist.. This authority was granted October, 1808, as the records show. From the record we find that Abbot Godhard, a young Methodist preacher from Fox Creek, Kentucky, and the regular circuit preacher for Highland, who held by far most of his meetings at the neat and hospitable home of Fitzpatrick, was given authority to solemnize matrimony in Highland county. We have made some effort to find out more of this man's history, but without avail, but his general reputation and character was worthy his high calling and profession. In an old newspaper called the Home Circle, published at Nashville, Tenn., and edited by the Rev. L. D. Huston, is found a brief notice of the death of Rev. Abbot Goddard, which contains some facts of interest of this first preacher in Hillsboro: "Rev. Abbot Goddard was born in Virginia, 1785, and his parents removed to Kentucky when he was but an infant. He was converted to the Methodist faith at the age of eighteen and licensed to preach at the age of twenty-one. Goddard was one of the most remarkable men in the western pulpit forty years ago. He was a man of marked eccentricity, but always in solemn earnest, possessing a certain rugged, .resistless, awful power, which we have seen in no other man. He died in the state of Illinois, in great peace, October 12, 1857." Among the famous Methodist preachers of the past were the following: Rev. John Meek, John Collins, James Quinn, G. R. Jones, James B. Finley, Isaac Quinn, William I. Elsworth, Moses Smith, James Morley, A. M. Lorain, George W. Walker, William, Simmons, William. H. Lander, Isaac I. Beale, Isaac Ebbert, Joseph M. Gotch, W. M. D. Ryan, Michael Marlay, William B. Christie, Allen T. Thompson, Joseph M. Trimble, George C. Crum, Samuel D. Carothurs, and Stephen Merrill. Of all these Bishop Merrill is the only survivor. Many of these men were personally known to the writer, men of cultured minds and pure christian manhood, and some of them remarkable for their talents. Moses Smith was a writer of great strength and beauty. His published sermons are gems in thought and expression, while his volume on mental science will take rank H-12 178 - THE COUNTY OF HIGHLAND. with the productions of Hamilton, Cousin, Kant and others upon questions metaphysical. William B. Christie was another remarkable man, for his preaching ability and his pure and simple faith. He died at a comparatively early age, being overtaxed with labor which his constitution, never strong, finally sunk under. An old man told the writer of this sketch that at one time, while listening to William B. Christie preach, he distinctly saw a cloven tongue of fire above the preacher's head. While this might have been the result of an overwrought state of mind and feeling on the part of this man, he certainly thought he saw this wonder. Rev. George W. Walker was a religious prodigy of such proportions that we can scarcely find any classification for him. He grew to young manhood without an education, not even being able to read or know. the letters of the alphabet. Religiously inclined, and feeling in his heart the inspiration to preach, he determined to obtain an education. His first half day at school took him through his letters and the "a—b, abs" of the first part of the old time spelling book, and the second half of his first day he could read the simple words without aid from the teacher. His advancement was very rapid, to the wonder and astonishment of the whole school. Starting in the study of grammar after a few weeks at school, he requested the privilege of going out under the shade of a tree to study, as the noise of the school room disturbed him. In just one-half day he had committed the grammar to memory and recited to the teacher until the latter became frightened and declared he would hear no more. Before the term of school was ended the teacher informed him that he had taught him all he knew, and advised him to seek elsewhere for higher attainments. His book, entitled "The Philosophy of the Plan of Salvation," created a profound sensation. It appeared without the name of the author and the surmises were countless in regard to the unknown writer of such wonderful clearness and power. The book had a wonderful sale before the name of George B. Walker was associated with it as author. Greenfield, Lynchburg, New Lexington, .Leesburgh, New Vienna, Rainsboro, Petersburg, Boston, New Market, Belfast, Berrysville, Mowrystown, Princetown, Marshall, Sinking Springs, Carmel, Centerville, East Monroe, Sugar Tree Ridge, Samantha, Russell Station, Fairfax, Danville, Buford, and quite a number of country places remote from town and village have church houses and settled pastors of the Methodist denomination. The Greenfield Methodist church had its origin in the meetings of Charles White, Thom*s Stewart and others. A society was organized in 1822, and a brick church was built, that gave way to a stone edifice in 1833. A larger church was destroyed by the storm of 1860 before completion, but after that a new and commodious building was CHURCH HISTORY - 179 finished. The German Methodist Episcopal church of Greenfield was organized in 1854, and a brick church was built in 1873. The pioneer Methodist in Hamer township was David Sullivan. A church was built at Danville in 1842, and a' new one in 1859. Harwood chapel, in Salem township, was founded in 1859. The Methodists at Buford built a log church in 1840, and a brick building in 1860. Another organization, Protestant Methodists, built a brick church in 1843, which afterward went into the hands of a struggling Presbyterian organization, and after they disbanded became the Buford schoolhouse. The Sugartree Ridge Methodist church was organized at the home of Rachel Wilkin soon after the year 1811, and the first church was built before 1840. The Marshall church traces its origin to the preaching by Rev. David Young at the home of Bigger Head in 1802. Peter Moore, Lemuel Scott and Mr. Beitman afterward entertained the preachers, until a building was erected at Marshall in 1840. :This has been replaced by a more modern church edifice. The beginning of the Newmarket church has been noticed. The first church was built in 1833-34, and a new one in 1850. The Samantha church was organized in 1835 and a log church built. Auburn church, at Fallsville, had its beginning in 1830. Dunn's chapel, a Methodist church in Union township, had its beginning in 1825, and the first church was built in 1834. The Russell Station church was organized in 1830, and reorganized in 1855,, when a church was built. Brush Creek was visited by the pioneer Methodist preachers, and the Sinking Creek society was organized early in the century, and first church at Sinking Spring was built of logs about 1820. This was followed by the organization of Pisgah church and Cannel church. The Belfast church was organized at the home of Samuel Clark about 1815. The Pleasant Hill Methodist church, in Fairfield township, was founded through the efforts of the pioneer preacher, Isaac Pavey, and a log church was built on his land in 1832. In 1852 the place of meeting was changed to Leesburg, where a handsome building was erected in 1852. The New Lexington Methodist church was founded by the Woodmansees, and the first church built in 1837. It was destroyed by the great storm of 1860. The East Monroe church was organized in 1841, and the Zion Hill, or Centerfield, church in 1840. In the year 1806 the Rev. James Hoge, who held an interest in a large tract of land near and including the mouth of Hardin's creek, visited Highland to look after his land, and as a matter sure to fol low made the acquaintance of the Rogers settlement, which was composed principally of Presbyterians, who about the time of the arrival of Hoge had been looking about for a minister to serve them as pastor. While Hoge remained he preached for these people. Having no house in which to hold services, they erected a stand in a beautiful grove, near a very fine spring on Rattlesnake creek, on Hoge's own 180 - THE COUNTY OF HIGHLAND. land. At this spot was preached the first gospel sermon in the present township of Madison. From this beginning a church was organized which took the name of Rocky Spring, in memory, says one, of Rocky Spring in Pennsylvania, from which John Wilson came who named it. This was the first Presbyterian church in Highland county and embraced at first all the Greenfield and Fall Creek settlements. The first pastor of this church was Rev. Nichols Pittinger, who came from Pennsylvania on a visit to the county with a view to a permanent settlement, in 1809, and in 1810 moved into the county and took charge of the work. His labors were very successful and at one time in the history of this Rocky Spring church it had some three hundred communicants. An aged elder of that church said of him : "This eminent servant of God was a workman who was neither ashamed or afraid to preach the truth and the whole truth, not fearing the consequences, and but few were ever more blessed in their labors." The first elders elected and ordained in this church were James Watts, Samuel Strain, George Adair, Samuel McConnel and William Garrett. Rev. Pittenger continued as pastor for some fifteen years, then left them for a few years, but returned and remained until death claimed his worn-out body in 1833, and he was laid to rest in the Rocky Spring grave yard, among the friends of his much loved church, many of whom sleep softly by his side in that consecrated "God's acre." Colonel Keys tells of a Presbyterian church which was organized on Clear Creek in 1806, whose pastor for one year was the Rev. Robert Dobbins. Finally the organization became the nucleus of the Presbyterian church. of Hillsboro. The first place of preaching was the cabin schoolhouse on the farm of Samuel Evans. The elders elected and ordained were David Jolly and William Keys. The membership was composed of five persons, three of whom were women. Women seemed to be in the majority in church work then as they are now, but greatly restricted in the character and quality of their work, being then, as Josiah Allen's wife puts it, "Not permitted to sit on the meeting house." This congregation while located in the country was called "Nazareth." The first meeting house built by them was of hewn logs and was located upon the lands of Richard Evans, near the after site of the old mill owned by Mr. Worley. The increase and interest of the congregation soon made it necessary to remove the locality to Hillsboro. It was feared by the pious people of Clear Creek that if the county seat remained long without a church it would fill up with "dens of revelry and dissipation." The "Presbytery to which this church Nazareth belonged included members residing in Kentucky, and all belonged to Washington Presbytery, chiefly, if not all, in Kentucky." Colonel Keys tells the story of one Rev. Joshua L. Wilson who set out to find Nazareth church where, he desired to unite himself with the Pres- CHURCH HISTORY - 181 bytery which happened to meet at that church. The Rev. Joshua L. Wilson had recently moved to Cincinnati and feeling anxious to meet the presbytery, set out to find the church with the Bible name. He came on the road then recently cut through Williamsburg, inquiring at every clearing for Nazareth church, but none of the settlers had ever heard of such a place, outside of the Holy Land, and as the preacher traveled on and on without hearing or finding anyone who knew anything about such a church, he concluded at last that he would be compelled to go to Canaan to find it. But persisting in his journey he found it at last at. a little round-log schoolhouse in the forest wild. Everything was primitive and as the places of worship were too small to accommodate the congregations, the deep dark woods, "God's first temples" were used as spots of worship. The roof above them was the deep blue sky, and the carpet beneath their feet, the fallen leaves of autumn or the grass and flowers of the sum- mer time, while the feathered songsters joined their piping notes to the solemn chant of those early worshippers. Following close on these events come the Associate Reform Presbyterians, who organized a congregation on Fall Creek on the land of William Morrow. The Rev. Samuel Crothers preached for them at times, the preaching place being the home of Mr. Morrow. This congregation some time afterward built a meeting house, which with many improvements and rebuilding is still a place of worship, to the worthy descendants of those pioneer Presbyterians on Fall Creek. But these early days have gone. The Presbyterians of today, while retaining in a great. degree the doctrine and traditions of the church are an intellectual and progressive people, keeping abreast of all the modern improvements in church service and work. For long years Dr. Samuel Steel was their settled pastor, a man of fine culture and pure hearted in every undertaking of his life. His kindly smile and loving words cheered all classes and was wonderfully successful in building up his church and keeping in training the large body of Christian workers that formed the great body of his church. Following Dr. Steel in the pastorate of the Presbyterian church of Hillsboro was Dr. McSurely, who for more than a quarter of a century was the polished and cultured pastor. Dr.. McSurely was a scholar, in the highest sense of that term, and under his intelligent direction the church prospered as never before in its history. It was under his pastorate that the magnificent structure was erected which now serves as their place of worship, at a cost of some thirty thousand dollars. This building is as fine a piece of artistic workmanship as can be found in any place. The Presbyterians have church buildings in Hillsboro, Greenfield, Fall Creek, Marshall, Belfast, New Market, and at Bethel. The First Presbyterian church of Greenfield was organized January 24, 1820, by Rev. Samuel Crothers, with about sixty communicants, and 182 - THE COUNTY OF HIGHLAND. Elijah Kirkpatrick, Wilson Stewart and Hugh Ghormley, elders. Dr. Crothers was one of the most notable men connected with the religious history of the county. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1783, son of a soldier of the Revolution, of Scotch—Irish descent, and from 1787 was reared in Kentucky, and educated there and in a Presbyterian theological seminary at New York. After being licensed to preach in 1809 he traveled as a minister of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian church in Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee, and in 1811, settled as a preacher at Chillicothe, also caring for the Buckskin congregation of Ross and Highland counties. In 1813 he made his home at Greenfield and gave all his attention to the Hop Run church until 1818, when he returned to Kentucky. Afterward he joined the Presbyterian church, and he. came back to Greenfield to organize the church there in 1820, and there he continued, as pastor until he died, in 1856. He was one of the most eloquent preachers of his time was also a frequent contributor to the press, on the subjects of temperance reform and slavery,' and published books, the most important of which were "The Gospel of Jubilee," and "The Life of Abraham." The Life and Writings of Rev. Samuel Crothers, D. D., by Rev. Andrew Ritchie, was published in 1857. Rev. Samuel Crothers was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Wiseman, and he by Rev. S. D. Crothers, son of the elder pastor, and the three supplied the church for more than seventy-five years. The Hop Run church, above mentioned, included the Presbyterian society, the first religious organization in Greenfield, and the meeting house, built in 1809, was on Hop run, a mile southeast of town, in Ross county. After 1835 the meeting house was at Greenfield. In 1857 a modern brick church was built by a branch of this society, which became known as the Second Presbyterian church, but since the disbanding of the latter, the United Presbyterian church, the direct descendant of the Hop Run church, has owned this building. The Free Presbyterian church with 21 members, was organized in 1848 by the famous anti-slavery agitator, Rev. John Rankin, and a building was erected in 1849, which descended after slavery was abolished and the followers of Ramkin returned to the fold of the old church, to a colored congregation. Rankin it Greenfield is one of the items of Ohio history of which much of great interest might be written. About 1820 the Bethel Presbyterian church was organized in Paint., and a church was built at which such families as the Karnes, Cowgills, Redkeys and Forakers worshipped. A little before the year 1840 a Presbyterian church was organized among the French settlers of White Oak, at the house of Frederick Grandgirard, whose son, Rev. E. Grandgirard, was pastor after 1846. A good church building was erected at Mowrystown. The Presbyterian church in CHURCH HISTORY - 183 Concord township was organized about 1830, with the Lyle family as the main membership. In Marshall the first preaching was at the homes of Thomas Dick and others. In 1836 a small church was erected, and in 1851 an organization was effected with Rev. E. Grandgirard as pastor. The Templins, Newells, Amens, Robinsons, Grabills, Delaplanes and other early families were in this society. At Newmarket the church worshipped Many years in the schoolhouse, and the first building of a church was in 1840. At Sinking Spring a society was organized about 1842 and a church built but abandoned in 1859. At Belfast the church was organized by the Storers and their neighbors about 1835. St. Mary's Protestant Episcopal church was organized in 1853, with Isaac Sams, J. Milton Boyd, B. H. Johnson, Nelson Barrere, J. W. Price, William H. Woodrow, William H. Bayard, C. IL Smith, J. W. Lawrence and John Dawson as the first vestry. The beautiful stone church, ivy-covered and massive, was erected in 1856. While the church was building services were held in the court house. The first rector was Rev. Noah Hunt Schenck, who remained until 1858, and afterward attained national prominence. At the time of his death he was rector of St. Anne's church in Brooklyn. The church building in Hillsboro was consecrated by Bishop Mcllvaine. It is a splendid work of architecture, grand and imposing. Among the attractions of the interior is a magnificent pipe organ, whose rich deep notes fill the audience room with perfect melody. There are two memorial windows of beautiful design, given by Mrs. William H. Trimble, one in honor of her daughter Catharine, and the other to the memory of the founders of the church, whose names appear upon the glass. The Baptist church has been prominent in the county from very early days. Rev. Mr. Leamons, a pioneer Baptist preacher, preached at the home of Job Haigh, in Jackson, as early as 1804, and from this effort grew the Baptist church, which built on Rock lick about 1833. About 1837 there was a division on the slavery question the East Fork church was formed, which built on the Belfast pike in 1853. As early as 1812 a Baptist church was founded in Union township, with the Hart, Richardson and Marsh families prominent in its support. The first Baptist church at Greenfield was organized at the home of the Vanmeters in about 1815: The church at Greenfield was organized permanently in 1829, and the first building erected in 1833, supplanted by a stone building in 1840. Shiloh Baptist church, near Greenfield, was organized in 1866. At New Market a Baptist church was organized in 1824, but it afterward gave way to the one originally known as the Little Rocky Fork church, organized at the home of Oliver Harris in 1838. Its leading spirits were the Vance, McConnaughey, Harris, Arnett, and 184 - THE COUNTY OF HIGHLAND. Ross families. They put up a brick church that was blown down by a tornado in 1839, and in 1877 a handsome edifice was erected in be town. Over fifty years ago the Baptists of Hillsboro, few in number and poor financially, worshipped in the court house. In 1843 they were organized into a regular Baptist church of twenty members. Great struggles confronted this little band of Christian men and women, but the work was warmly encouraged and supported by such men as General McDowel, Colonel Miller and Governor Trimble ; Judge J. H. Thompson kindly donated the brick, and a house of worship was built. In 1853 the church record showed a flattering advance : Baptisms, 43 ; letters, 47 ; restoration, 1, and $2,800 added to church improvement. Such has been the record up to the present time of the First. Baptist church. The present pastor, Rev. J. P. Currin, is a graduate of Bucknell university, and of the Theological Seminary of Rochester, N. Y. While the church is an ornament to the town and the pride of the congregation, it in no -Tense obscures the earnest simplicity and generous Christian character that during all the years has been the spirit manifested by this worthy branch of the great Christian vine. The Berryville Baptist church was organized about 1856 by the Wests, Shaws, Taneyhills and Shannons, and a church was erected about 1860. New Sugartree Ridge, a New Light church, was organized as early as 1840, and a building erected. This took the name of Miller's chapel. A French Baptist church was organized in White Oak township in. 1861, and a church erected. The founding of the Society of Friends in the county has been noted in the account of the early settlement. The pioneer Quakers of Fairfield began to hold meetings as soon as two or three could gather. Mrs. Bathsheba Lupton is credited with founding the Fairfield meeting. It is told that she rode about among the settlers, when the young men were in the habit of visiting the Indian camps on Sunday, exhorting them to godliness and discreet living. Fairfield meeting house, a frame structure at first, was built about 1805, and Fairfield monthly meeting was established in 1807 by authority of the Redstone quarterly meeting, in Pennsylvania. Jacob Jackson, a settler near Lexington, was the first preacher, and was succeeded by Mildred Ratcliffe, a famous Quakeress, who went to Pennsylvania in 1816. The Fairfield meeting at an early day had a thousand members, but it was afterward divided, and meeting houses built on Hardin's creek, on Lee's creek, at Oak Grove, and at Lexington. The Clear Creek meeting of Friends was organized about 1808, and by consolidation with the Vienna meeting in Clinton county the Clear Creek monthly meeting was founded. A meeting house was built in 1830. Meanwhile, in the old meeting house near the site of Samantha there had been much dissension over the questions that gave CHURCH HISTORY - 185 rise to the Hicksite branch, which was organized in 1829. They also built a meeting house in 1830. In these organizations the Timberlake, Bailey, Kenworthy, Williams, Sanders, Pike, Lewis, Baker, Saunders, Chalfant, and Woodrow families were prominent. At the site of an old cemetery on the Spargur Mill road, a log meeting house was built in 1807-08. The Overman, Cowgill, Tomlinson, Barrett and Sumner families were its main support. The Hicksite branch came into control, and the Orthodox members built another house near by, from which in 1876 they removed to a larger edifice on the Anderson road. The Catholic church at Hillsboro has a neat and serviceable building, with seating capacity for about four hundred. As it now stands, it represents seventy years of Catholicity in Hillsboro. James Hughes was probably the first Catholic who came to the vicinity of Hillsboro, in 1801. The Hughes descendants are numerous and well known all over the county. John Fallow is the oldest living Catholic, and has been a positive quantity in the history of the church since he came here in 1849. The first masses known to have been said here were by two French priests, Father Cheymol and Father Gacon, who visited here from Ursuline convent in Brown county. In 1859 there were only ten Catholic families here and they were attended by Father Butler, who came once a month from Fayetteville. During this time and up to the time the church was built mass was said in the house of Mr. Fallon. The next priest who visited here was Father Daily, who came in 1850 and continued his visits until 1854. He began the erection of a church in the fall of 1851, and a year later the corner stone was laid and the church was dedicated by Archbishop Purcell the following spring. In 1854, Father Daily was succeeded by Father John B. O'Donaghue, the first resident priest, who during his stay built the neat pastoral residence adjoining the church. In 1858 he was succeeded by Father Marion, a French priest from New Orleans, and he by Father Perry. In 1861 Father Michael O'Donague came and remained for twenty years. In 1880 he was succeeded by Father Michael Hayes who remained for five years. He was succeeded by Father William B. Miggell, and in 1887 Father Lawrence Sullivan became the pastor. He was followed in 1892 by Father M. P. O'Brien, and Father Thomas Walsh ministered from August 29, 1893, until ill health caused his resignation in September, 1900. Rev. George J. Mayerhoefer took charge as resident pastor, April 26, 1901. St. Mary's Catholic church on South High street has been entirely remodeled. The plans for the improvement put in execution by the efficient and earnest pastor have resulted in an almost new building. The history of the Catholic church in Greenfield covers a period of forty-four years. Before the year 1854 the town had never been visited by a Catholic priest. In the early fall of this year Miss 186 - THE COUNTY OF HIGHLAND. Bridget McCormick, now the wife of Lawrence Cribbins, went to Cincinnati to confession and Archbishop Purcell learned from her that there were several Catholics in that locality and consequently Rev. John B. O'Donaghue was sent from Fayetteville to visit Greenfield. His coming was so unexpected that only two persons assisted in the first mass, Owen McClain and his sister, Bridget. Father Donaghue arranged to come once in each month, and on the Sundays of his visits the home of Mr. McClain was crowded with from thirty-five to fifty Catholics. After Father Donaghue was stationed at Hillsboro he visited Greenfield regularly, and undertook the building of a church.. The ground, was purchased and the corner stone laid in 1856, and St. Benignus was dedicated by Archbishop Purcell in the spring of 1858. Patrick Toohey was probably the first Catholic with his family who came to New Vienna in the winter of 1854. The first mass celebrated was at the home of Mr. Toohey in the spring of 1855, by visiting priests from Fayetteville. After Hillsboro had a resident pastor, New Vienna was attended by the priests from that place, their names having been mentioned in the sketch of St. Mary's. In 1874 the old school house property was bought of the school directors for five hundred dollars, and for the next two years mass was celebrated in this school house. In the summer of 1876 Rev. John B. O'Donaghue was then resident pastor at Hillsboro and began the construction of St. Michael's church upon the schoolhouse property, and the same year the corner stone was laid and the church dedicated by Archbishop Purcell. The Church of Christ, which originated with the preaching of Alexander Campbell, in the Ohio valley, after 1810, has prosperous organizations at Mount Olivet, Lynchburg, Fairview, Pricetown, Buford, Sugartree Ridge, Smarts and Rocky Fork. alem chapel, at Fairview, had its origin about 1820, in a Dunker organization. Mount Olivet church was organized in 1833, and the first church built in. 1845. Near Belfast a church was organized about fifty years ago and a house built about 1854. An organization of the Church of Christ was made and a church built near Danville in 1835, with the Faris, Pulliam, Barker and Custer families and others as members. Later the church was disbanded. At Lynchburg the church was organized in 1838. Milligan Clark and Abraham Gibler were prominent in its councils. In 1841 the first church was erected. The church at Pricetown was organized in 1856, with John M. Smith as one of the leading members, and it has ever since had a prominent place in religious annals. At Buford the church was organized about 1835, and another at Sicily in 1837. The Buford society built in 1850, and began a pros- CHURCH HISTORY - 187 perous career. The society at Sugartree Ridge was organized in 1868, and ten years later the first church building was completed. The Christian Union, a divergence from the Methodist church originally, obtained a foothold in the county about the time of the civil war and later and now has organizations and meeting houses at Marshall, Allensburg, Hoagland's, New Market, Berrysville, Pleasant View, and Rainsboro (Rev. J. W. Klise, moderator). The Marshall society was formed in 1864; the families of Cunningham, Dunlap, Cravens, Carlisle, Ferneau, Hughes, Milburn, Burnett, Lucas, being represented in the membership. Their first church building was in 1866. The New Market society was organized in 1869, and a church built at that time. The organization in Washington township was made about 1869-70. About 1805 the German Baptists, commonly called Dunkers, organized the Brush Creek church, south of Sinking Spring. They built the Straight Creek Valley church, nearer the town, in 1840. This was followed by other societies in the same part of the county. Among the early preachers were the Revs. Gorman, Countrynian, Schofield and Ockerman. In Fairfield the Dunkers worshipped after their own fashion in a very early day and in 1849 a church was built on the Samantha turnpike, at which Thomas Major was the first preacher. The Dunkers at Hollowtown built their first church about 1857. There are nosy Dunker churches at Hickson's Meeting House, Cowgill's, and Brush Creek. The Lutherans and German Reformed families of Hamer township joined in building a church in 1817, the Shaffers, Wilkins, Roushes, Leamons and Caileys being prominent. A schism from this organization in about 1855 gave rise to the Mount Zion church, and the remainder of the congregation founded the Lutheran church in Danville. The Shaffer family and Adam Orebaugh were the main founders of the Lutheran church at Lynchburg, founded in 1839. The Zion church (Reformed) was organized very early in Newmarket • township at the home of Philip Wilkin, and the church on the Danville road was first built in 1843. One of the first churches in the county was the Lutheran society in Brush Creek. They had a log meeting house. But the organization has long been abandoned. A Universalist church was built at Leesburg in 1840, with James and Samuel McClure among the founders, but part of the congregation was subsequently merged in the Church. of the Redeemer, a society of UnUniversalists aCenterfield, who built a church in 1870-71. There the Huffs, Litlers, Crispins and Banks were leading spirits. Near Pricetown a Universalist church was organized in 1830, and meetings were held for some time at the house of William Davidson. In 1860 the existing organization was formed at Pricetown, and a church soon afterward built. 188 - THE COUNTY OF HIGHLAND. An United Brethren church was organized at the home of Rev.. William Ambrose, New Market, about 1818, and the first church built in 1834-35. At Mowrystown a church was organized about 1842. This denomination, so famous in the history of Ohio, now has churches at Hillsboro, Rainsboro, New Market and Sonner chapel. There are African churches of various denominations at Hillsboro and Greenfield, four in number. All these branches of Christian work have regular preaching, and the great majority have resident pastors and all the 'adjuncts of church work and service. CHAPTER XII. THE BENCH AND BAR. THE courts of Highland county, like the famous Areopagus of Greece, are noted for the justice which gives every man an equal chance before the law, and at time famous for their respectability, purity and love of justice. The members of the bench and bar have been men who rendered. themselves worthy of the honor by their honest and diligent execution of their office, and whose character, conduct and qualifications had been subjected to a careful and particular examination. It was the boast of Demosthenes that the courts of Greece never passed a sentence in which both parties did not concur. While it is somewhat doubtful if this fact would apply to the courts of America, we are certain that if in any spot outside of Greece it would be found. true that spot would be Highland county. Taking the law in its character as a profession, we might quote the words of the great Hooker: "There can be no less acknowledged than that her seat is in the bosom of God, her voice the harmony of the world ; all things in heaven and earth do her homage, the very least in seeking her care, and the greatest as not exempt from her power. Both angels and men and creatures of what, condition soever, though each in a different sort and name, yet all with uniform consent, admiring her as the mother of their peace and joy." We can scarcely understand how there could be an immoral lawyer. What should be expected of the man whose professional vocation leads him to define and vindicate the rights of his fellowmen ; of him who best understands those great rules of action, commanding what is right, and forbidding what is wrong, who, in his vast range of thought, overlooks his own obligation to the law he defines ? The time was when the profession of the law was not so exalted and honored a profession as it is now. Of the earlier class it may be truthfully said that they were highly educated ; were polished gentlemen ; were very learned and of remarkable ability. But they were not all men of the highest and purest morality, and often were very greedy of the gains of their profession. This, of course, was not universally true, but true in 190 - THE COUNTY OF HIGHLAND the main. As to the prominent members of the bench and bar of the last twenty years, and the present day, we may shy with truth that as a body, in integrity, in purity of life, in general moral character and in consistent legal profession and conduct, they are far superior to their predecessors. They are not inferior in ability, they are scarcely unequal in learning, finish of manners, or in that brilliancy which attracts the general admiration. The improvement of the character of the bar in this county has probably been greatly promoted by the law schools formed in various parts of the country. All these schools have exerted an elevating moral influence, and some of them almost Christian. Rives, Kent and Greenleaf are teachers of pure morality. Men coming under the influence of these pure fountains of legal principles and those considerations of truth, justice, public policy, and refined equity, of which the essence of the law is composed, must be elevated and refined by them and favorably influenced in their character. In no sense has scientific education produced better results than in the influence it has exerted on the bar of the United, States; which for its high position in moral and intellectual attainments has no superior. Regarding the courts of common pleas the constitution of 1802 contained the following provision: "The several courts of common pleas shall consist of a president and associate judges. The State shall be divided, by law, into three circuits ; there shall be appointed in each circuit a president of the courts, who, during his continuation in office shall reside therein. There shall be appointed in each county not more than three nor less than two associate judges, who, during their continuation in office, shall reside therein. The president and associate judges in their respective counties, any three of whom shall be a quorum, shall compose the court of common pleas; which court shall have common law and chancery jurisdiction in all such cases as shall be directed by law ; provided, that nothing herein contained shall be construed to prevent the legislature from increasing the number of circuits and presidents after the term of five years." The judges for Highland county under the provision of the first constitution were elected by the general assembly, and under the acts of that body Highland county was first assigned to the Middle judicial circuit: The first common pleas judge to preside in Highland county was Robert F. Slaughter, in 1805, and the associate judges were Joshua. Davidson, Jonathan Berryman and Richard Evans. Abram J. Williams was prosecuting attorney David Hays, clerk ; and Anthony Franklin, sheriff. This first session was held at New Market. It is related, in illustration: of the makeshifts that were necessary in the administration of justice, that a man convicted of larceny while court was held at New Market, was imprisoned in a newly dug well, with rails over the mouth of it, in lieu of a jail. Whipping was a punishment for crime not infrequently THE BENCH AND BAR - 191 administered, and the court records show cases of sentence to be whipped with so many stripes on the naked back, an unpleasant duty that fell to the sheriffs in those days. Judge Slaughter was a bright and able young man, who came from Virginia, and was admitted to the bar at Chillicothe in 1799. He was a. fairly successful lawyer, an effective orator, and seems, as judge, to have been a terror to evil doers. He was impeached before the State senate January 8, 1807, for failure to attend court, or tardiness of arrival, fifteen cases of such dereliction being alleged. His answer is very interesting, as it reveals some of the hardships of a judge in that period. To explain a failure to attend court in Scioto county, he said he had been compelled to go to Kentucky on business after the Adams county session, and on returning to the Ohio river, could not cross. Going two miles to find a ferry, he was compelled to hunt the ferryman in the fields, and so was delayed one day, and when he reached his destination he found the associate judges, having nothing to try, had adjourned. On another occasion, going from Lancaster to Highland county, his horse foundered on the Pickaway plains, and his funds and salary did not warrant him in buying another. He borrowed one, however, to ride to. Adams county, and then, having to return the horse, he could not get to the Scioto court. He could not attend the spring court in Gallia one spring because the rivers and creeks were flooded and, being afflicted with pleurisy, he dared not swim the streams. On another occasion, being in Highland, his horse broke out of pasture and could not be found, and he bought a. horse conditionally of Joseph Kerr, to ride to the next court, but the animal could not carry him "if it had been a case of life or death," and he traded it for another that took him the rest of the circuit. All of these mitigating circumstances were solemnly presented, but Henry Brush, Jessup M. Couch, William Creighton, Lewis Cass, Joseph Foos and James Kilbourne testified against the judge and the senate found him guilty and removed him from office. The cause of his alleged neglect of duty is said to have been an inveterate habit of gambling, which had grown into a passion with him as with many others in that day. It was said that he would sit up night after night, during a term of court, to gratify this passion, and was known to adjourn court for that purpose. After his removal he settled in Lancaster and resumed the practice with much success at a bar where great lawyers were common. He afterward represented Fairfield county in the state legislature. Judge Slaughter was succeeded by Judge Levin Belt, of Chillicothe, who had previously held the same office, 1804-05. Levin Belt was a native of England who had sought the land of promise, coming from the city of Washington to Chillicothe, and was one of the first lawyers to be admitted to practice before the court at Chillicothe in Territorial days. Afterward he 'acted as prosecutor for the 192 - THE COUNTY OF HIGHLAND. State, at a time when prosecutors were appointed by the court and allowed for the services of a term at least fifteen dollars, and, when their duties were particularly arduous, as much as fifty. Judge Belt was a very tall, broad-shouldered, muscular man, with ruddy complexion, gray eyes and brown hair, and while not a. great lawyer, was a respectable one, a good citizen, and an honest and able judge until succeeded by John Thompson. After this, Judge Belt became the first mayor of Chillicothe. Judge John Thompson, who was elected in December, 1809, was impeached in the legislature in the winter of 1811-12, and tried before the senate in January, on the charges of "high crimes and misdemeanors in this, to-wit: oppression in office, violent language and conduct, and expressing contempt for the government of the United States and the people." In detail some of the charges were as follows: In a larceny case he allowed the attorneys but ten minutes each for argument to the jury, and when they objected said they must get along with that or he would cut them to five minutes. He refused to allow an attorney to testify for his client in a case of usurpation of office. On one occasion he ordered the court constables to knock down certain bystanders with their staves. He declared in an assault and battery case that the attorneys had no right to argue the facts to the jury except with the permission of the court, and when he was overruled by the associate judges, he told the jury it could go. Then again, he refused a jury the remarkable request that it might come back after the case had been closed and re-examine witnesses. Another time, he allowed an attorney but twenty-five minutes for argument, and when the time was up told him to sit down and the jury would do justice to the case. At Circleville, it was alleged, he told the grand jury our government was the most corrupt and perfidious in the world, and the people were their own worst enemies. On such charges Judge Thompson was tried for nine days before the senate, with witnesses from all over the vast circuit. But he was ably defended by Lewis Cass, John McLean and Samuel Herrick, and acquitted by a vote of eighteen to five, and in 1817 the legislature re-elected him. Doubtless the animus of the impeachment was politics. Perhaps the judge was not an ardent supporter of "Madison's war" of 1812. Judge Thompson was upon the district bench from 1810 to the end of 1824, and consequently made more of an impress upon judicial affairs in this region than any other judge in the early days. After Thompson the presiding judges who sat in Highland county were Joshua Collett, beginning in 1824 ; George J. Smith, beginning in 1829; John Winston Price, beginning in 1834; Owen T. Fishback, beginning in 1841; George Collings, beginning in 1848; and the last under the old constitution was Shepherd T'. Norris, of Clermont, in 1851. Judge Price was a native of Hanover county, THE BENCH AND BAR - 193 Va., born in 1804, graduated at William and Mary college, studied law under Justice John Marshall, came to Ohio in 1827, married a daughter of John A. McDowell, of Columbus, and settled at Hillsboro in 1831, where he became a partner of Gen. Richard Collins, an eminent attorney. He was a high-minded judge and lawyer, and was a conspicuous. citizen of the county until his death, March 4, 1865. Judge Collings was born near West Union, Adams county, February 29, 1800, and after he had gained admission to the bar and practiced in that county some years, removed to Hillsboro in 1834. He represented Highland in the legislature of 1837-38, and continued a citizen until his removal to return to Adams county about 1841. About the close of his term on the bench he was a member of the constitutional convention. The first associate judges, Evans, Davidson and Berryman, served for several years from 1805. In 1810 the places were filled by Nathaniel Pope, John Boyd and Samuel Bell, and the first change after that was George W. Barrere in place of Bell in 1816. Boyd, Barrere and Moses H. Gregg were the associate judges in 1818-21; Boyd, Barrere and Joseph Swearingen in 1821-29, and Boyd, Moses Patterson and John Matthews in 1830. Judge Barrere's long service then came to an end. Patterson and Matthews continued upon the bench until 1837, Hugh Smart and R. D. Lilly serving with them in succession. Lilly, William C. Scott and John Matthews sat upon the bench in 1837-43, and Lilly, Philip W. Spargur and John Eckman in 1844-49. Spargur, Eckman and John Duvall served in 1850, Duvall, Thomas Barry and N. N. Delaplaine in 1851, and then, by the virtue of the new constitution the office of associate judge ceased to be. The constitution adopted in 1851 provided for a supreme court such as the people are now familiar with, its duties confined to hearing appeals from lower courts. The State was divided into nine common pleas districts, and associate judges were abolished. Each district was subdivided into three parts, in each of which the people should elect a judge of the court of common pleas. Thus there were three common pleas judges to each of the nine districts. One or more of the judges held a common pleas court in each county, and the three judges of the district together constituted a district court, that succeeded to the functions of the old supreme court in their respective counties, and the new common pleas court succeeded to the old common pleas court, except in probate jurisdiction, for which probate judges were provided, to be elected one in each county. Under this new system Highland county was a part of the Second subdivision of the Fifth circuit, and it has continued in that classification. But the subdivision, at first composed of Highland, Ross and Fayette, now includes Fayette, Highland, Madison, Pickaway and Ross. H-13 194 - THE COUNTY OF HIGHLAND. The first three judges of the Fifth district, beginning in February, 1852, were James L. Bates, of Franklin county ; Shepherd F. Norris, of Clermont, and John L. Green, of Ross. Judge Green was succeeded in 1857 by James Sloane, of Highland. Judge Sloane was a man of remarkable ability and will always be remembered as one of the great lawyers of the county. He was a native of Richmond, Va., born February 22, 1822, of Scotch—Irish parents who came to the United States not long before his birth. When he was five years old the family moved to Cincinnati, and a year later they settled upon a farm in Brown county. The father was an educated man, and taught school in addition to farming, so that the boy was fairly well educated in his youth. An accident that befell him while clearing' away the forest caused him to abandon farming and teach school and study law, and in 1844 he was graduated at the Cincinnati law school. Then he began the practice at Hillsboro in 1845, and four years later married Kate White of Ross county. He was elected common pleas judge, as a Democrat, defeating John L. Green, but he served hardly more than a year, preferring to remain in the active practice, in which he had a, field that embraced neighboring counties as well as Highland. When the Union was in danger in 1861, Judge Sloane raised a company of men at Hillsboro, of which he was made captain, and this became Company K of the Twelfth Ohio regiment.. He took part in the famous early campaign up the Kanawha valley in Virginia, and the fact that he was badly wounded at the noted little battle of Scary Creek made his name widely known. After the battle of Carnifix Ferry he found that his early injury and the later wound made service in the field impracticable, and he resigned his commission. After the war he continued his practice, for a few years maintaining an office at Cincinnati as well as at Hillsboro, until his sudden death September 17, 1873. He was a man of brilliant gifts, but in his social relations made no effort to gain friends, turning rather to the world a bearing of apparent disregard if not contempt, but there was a group of close friends that shared his confidence, and his ready response to the call of his country showed the depth of his emotions. His knowledge of law, his quick legal perceptions of the essence of every case, and his effective pleading to a jury either in civil or criminal cases, made him unrivaled. A ready and fluent talker, master of all the passions of the human soul, his power to sway a jury was almost resistless. To be cross-examined by Judge Sloane was an experience that no man cared to go over the second time, and woe betide the unfortunate victim who attempted to evade the truth, or conceal s from the cold piercing eyes of this keen questioner the secrets hidden in his heart. It is no uncommon circumstance in controversy, for the parties to engage in all the zeal of disputation, without precisely knowing themselves the particulars about which THE BENCH AND BAR - 195 they differ. We then have fruitless parade of argument, and those opposite pretenses to demonstration, With which most debates on almost every subject have been infested. This was not the case with Judge Sloane. He was always sure of his own meaning and had the ability to communicate the sense of that meaning to the minds of others in plain terms, delighting more in the intellectual effort than in the conquest over his adversary. Judge Sloane was succeeded in 1858 by Alfred S. Dickey, an eminent jurist who sat upon the district bench until 1872. Judge Dickey was born in Tennessee in 1812, of a sturdy Scotch—Irish anti-slavery family, and when four years old was brought by his parents to South Salem, Ross county. When he was of legal age he entered upon the practice of law, and being appointed prosecuting attorney of Ross county in 1838 he soon established a handsome practice. In 1847 he removed to Greenfield, but after his appointment as common pleas judge by Governor Chase in 1858 he resided in a beautiful home at Lyndon, Ross county. He died not long after his retirement, August 22, 1873. Judge Dickey 'was pronounced by Judge Chase an eminent judge and worthy of the great esteem in which he was held. Personally he was kind, tolerant, genial, and with rare powers of social entertainment. Judge Dickey was succeeded by Judge Samuel F. Steel of Hillsboro, who sat upon the bench from February, 1872, until the year 1881. From October, 1881, to February, 1882, Judge James H. Thompson filled the position. He was succeeded by Henry M. Huggins, of Hillsboro, who served until February, 1892, and the next. upon the bench was Cyrus Newby, whose service extended from February, 1892, to February, 1902. Other judges of the district. have presided in the common pleas. court, of Highland county, among them Judge Robert. M. Briggs, a native of Virginia who was reared from boyhood and educated at Greenfield, but. resided at Washington Court House after he began. the practice of law. He was common pleas judge in 1858-63. The circuit court was established in Ohio in 1884, and since then Highland county has been a part of the Fourth circuit, but as yet' the bench of that court has not been filled regularly by a citizen of this county. The probate court was established under the constitution of 1851 and has since then been filled by some of the best citizens of the county. First was Jonas R. Emrie, elected in 1851 for the statutory term of three years. His successors have been A. G. Matthews, 1854-57 ; R. D. Lilley, 1857-60 ; Albert G. Matthews again,. 1860-63; William M. Meek, who was three times elected and served,. 1863-72; J. C. Norton, twice elected, serving 1872-78 ; George B. Gardner, 1878-81 ; R. M. Ditty, 1881-87; Le Roy Kelley, 1887-93 Frank Wilson, 1893-96; Oliver H. Hughes, 1896 to the present. 196 - THE COUNTY OF HIGHLAND. Gen. Richard Collins, notable among the pioneer lawyers of the county, was a native of New Jersey and son of a Methodist minister. Born February 22, 1796, he was reared in Clermont county, Ohio, and had the privilege of reading law under Judge John McLean. After admission to the bar at Cincinnati in 1816, he removed to Highland county and made his home at Hillsboro. He continued in the practice of his profession in Highland county for fourteen years, and was one of the most brilliant men of the region. In 1818 he was appointed prosecuting attorney, and in 1820-25 represented the county in the general assembly. In 1826 he was the Whig candidate for congress, but was defeated by a division in his party, and ever afterward he declined renomination. He was married in 1823 to Mary Armstrong, daughter of a famous merchant at Maysville, Ky., and in 1830 he moved to that place and formed a mercantile partnership with his father-in-law, and in association with George Collings established a wholesale house. But he now and then visited Hillsboro, and .occasionally appeared in the courts of Ohio in cases of importance. He was elected to the Kentucky legislature three times and declined nominations for Congress as well as the office of United States senator for Kentucky. He was the warm friend and supporter of Henry Clay and the noted editor Col. Samuel Pike. In 1853 he emancipated his slaves and removed to Clermont county, where he died May 12, 1855. His title of general was founded on his rank as major-general of militia in Ohio, conferred in 1828. Gen. Joseph J. McDowell was another eminent lawyer of the Highland bar for forty years from 1836. His career is mentioned with more detail among the congressmen of Highland county. Col. William Oliver Collins, his partner for some time, was for many years one of the most prominent men of the county. Colonel Collins was born in Connecticut August 23, 1809, in direct descent from an English settler of Boston in 1630. His father was an officer of the war of 1812 and his grandfather in the war of the Revolution. In 1833 he was graduated at Amherst college, and in the same year removed to Massillon and began the study, completing his preparation in the Cincinnati law school, founded by Edward King, of Chillicothe, during the lifetime of that well-remembered gentleman. He settled at Hillsboro and began the practice in 1835, and was soon afterward made prosecuting attorney. He was a leader at the bar for many years, and in other fields demonstrated his remarkable ability. He was secretary and Allen Trimble president of the first turnpike touching Highland county, the Milford & Chillicothe, president of the Hillsboro & Cincinnati railroad at its organization in 1849, and director of the Bel Pre & Cincinnati for three years ; was prominent in the support of the Hillsboro academy, and president of the Hillsboro agricultural society in 1859-60, THE BENCH AND BAR - 197 when the fair grounds were purchased and improved. At the time of the crisis of 1860-61 he was a member of the state senate, and when the organization of troops began was honored by the government at Washington with authority to raise a regiment of cavalry. He first recruited the First battalion of cavalry, and when this was merged in the Eleventh regiment he was made colonel, a command he held with honor and credit throughout the war, serving mainly in the far west. After the war Colonel Collins withdrew from the practice of his profession. Col. Moses H. Kirby was another well-known lawyer and distinguished citizen prior to 1832, and notable among the probate judges of the county was William M. Meek, born in Adams county in 1818, son of Rev. John Meek, a famous pioneer Methodist itinerant. Judge Meek began his practice at Hillsboro in 1844, but soon moved to Adams county, and did not make his permanent residence at Hillsboro until 1855. Another probate .judge was Albert G. Matthews, born near Hillsboro in 1819, and a practitioner for many years from 1845. Henry Luther Dickey is another who is mentioned among the congressmen of the county, an honor conferred upon him in 1878. James H. Rothrock, who lived at Greenfield in 1853-59, and was prosecuting attorney one term, removed to Hillsboro in 1859 and thence in the following year to Iowa, where he was honored with a seat upon the supreme bench of the state in 1876— 1885. William Harvey Irwin, born in Madison township in 1832, was a student of law under Judge Rothrock, was graduated at the Cincinnati law school in 1856, and afterward was eminent in his profession, serving six years as prosecuting attorney. Henry Luther Dickey, of Greenfield, a son of Judge Alfred S. Dickey, began his professional career as a partner of Judge Rothrock at Greenfield in 1859. He was born in Ross county October 29, 1832, and did not make his home at. Greenfield until 1847. He was educated at the Greenfield academy, and after a time spent as engineer of construction on the Marietta & Cincinnati railroad, began the study of law with his father, completing his professional preparation at the Cincinnati law school. When his father became judge he succeeded to his practice, but also gave much time to politics, in which he had a conspicuous career, referred to in another place. He has honorably served his county, not only in the state and national legislatures, but as engineer of turnpikes in the important era of construction, 1872-73, and has contributed in the most generous and public spirited manner to the building up of his town, where he is yet an honored citizen. He is regarded as a high-minded, honest public man, a good lawyer and a good citizen. Ruel Beeson, a prominent citizen for many years, and a member of the State senate, was a native of Liberty township, born April 12,1811. He was admitted to the bar in 1843, and continued in 198 - THE COUNTY OF HIGHLAND. the practice and in the care of his farm near Leesburg, until near the time of his death, May 15, 1877. James H. Thompson, whose brief service in the common pleas bench has been mentioned, was an aged man when appointed, but of fine personal appearance and had for many years practiced law in Highland and adjoining counties. He was born near Harrodsburg, Ky., in 1812, the son of John B. Thompson, an eminent lawyer in that state, and before he was twenty-one he was admitted to the bar and became sheriff of Jessamine county. He practiced at Versailles, Ky., after the cholera epidemic, that made ravages among the attorneys there, and remained in Kentucky until his marriage in 1837 to Eliza. J., daughter of Gov. Allen Trimble. He made his home at Hillsboro in 1844, and there passed the remainder of his life, doing a large business in the various courts of the state. For eleven years from 1867 he was register in bankruptcy for his district. He is to be remembered as the compiler of the Centennial (1876) sketch of Highland county history, and other valuable contributions to history and the literature of his profession. In the days of his prime he was regarded as one of the finest trial lawyers in southern Ohio. His long residence in the county made him familiar with the land problems of the section, and his advice and services were in great demand when real estate was the subject of litigation. Judge Thompson outlived all his pioneer friends of the Highland bar, but seemed in his declining years to take new hold of life with renewed hope and vigor. His warm espousal of the Murphy temperance movement and his strong appeals to others to avoid the deadly foe of their moral and intellectual manhood will not soon be forgotten, and his honest practical illustrations of the power of his own strong will to hold and keep him in the path of sobriety and total abstinence is worthy of all praise and honor. His widow, daughter of Governor Allen Trimble, survives, loved and revered by all, and as long as the cause of temperance endures, her name will be found in letters of light upon the pages of history. Nelson Barrere, an eminent lawyer and public man, was born at New Market, April 1, 1808, received a common school training in. youth and entered college at Augusta, Ky., where he graduated with the highest honors of his class. He studied law under Judge J. Winston Price, was admitted to the bar in Columbus superior court and began his practice in Hillsboro. Such was his strength and skill, and literary and legal attainments, that he soon became its most brilliant leader and ornament. His legal methods were original and personal, and his mind so evenly balanced and trained that nothing escaped its grasp. Shorthand writing was in his day almost unknown, yet he had invented a system of unique symbols which represented thoughts and ideas, and sometimes facts. He never "took notes" as they called it then, in any case in which he THE BENCH AND BAR - 199 was engaged, but would allow a witness to tell his story in his own way and with pencil and paper would seem to be drawing "pictures" while others talked, yet every dot and dash, crook or curve, that grew under his noiseless pencil was understood by him, and to it he would refer in his plea to the court or jury. Familiar with the classics, his scope of words was large and varied, and his perfect understanding of the Greek and Latin languages gave him wards for every shade of meaning he wished to convey. In politics in his young manhood he was a Whig and he had the honor of being the last candidate for governor of Ohio upon that ticket in 1853, when he was defeated by William Medill, a Democrat. He was a member of Congress at the time of his nomination and strongly objected to his name being used before the convention, foreseeing, doubtless, as he did, the disruption of the Whig party in the near future. He died in Hillsboro, August 20, 1883, in the seventy-sixth year of his age. Mr. Barrere never married, but made his home with his brother Benjamin up td the time of his death. It was reported of him that in early life he was impressed with the conviction that he must become a minister of the gospel and many believed that he had mistaken his calling when he turned from divinity to the law, but we think not. The writer knew and loved Nelson Barrere as a personal friend, and while much younger in years, was on intimate and familiar terms with him. We have gone over in conversation with him his life's history and we never heard even a hint of disappointment over the choice of his professional career, and in conversation with Judge Gardner, his nephew and friend, he can recall no expression of his uncle's that seemed to imply a mistake in regard to his calling. No, Mr. Barrere made no mistake, his mind was cast in a different mould. No creed in Christendom could have bound in dogmatic fetters that free and independent spirit, who loved truth for its sake alone, and was sincere and honest to the very core. Yet we do not mean to say in all this that Nelson Barrere was destitute of religious convictions and a firm and abiding confidence in the immortality of the soul. Barrere and Durbin Ward were special and strong friends, and would visit each other when time would allow. We heard a gentleman say just a little while ago that the most precious hours of edification ,and comfort he had ever spent was listening to conversations he was permitted to hear between these intellectual giants, upon questions of Christian faith and Bible teaching. Both were strong believers in the Man of Nazareth. Judge George B. Gardner, nephew of Nelson Barrere, was admitted to the bar in 1846 at Columbus. He had before taking up the practice of law resided in Fayette county and published the Fayette. New Era. He held the office of mayor of Washington Court House, and after coming to Hillsboro was elected mayor of