150 - THE OHIO BLUE BOOK. Hon. Chester N. Russell. CHESTER N. RUSSELL was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa, March 19, 1856. His father served his country four years in the late war. While his father was absent his mother died, leaving him when eight years old to care partly for himself. He has fought the battle of life unaided and is a self-made man. In 1875 he was appointed Deputy Sheriff of Portage county, and in 1880 was a candidate for Sheriff on the Democratic ticket. In a county of 1500 Republican majority he was beaten by only 165. He removed to Summit county in 1892 where he has been engaged in the study of law and real estate business with Mr. Orlando Wilcox. In 1897, he received the nomination for Representative on the Democratic ticket, and with about the same Republican majority to overcome was successful in his election, receiving a majority of 335. This is the home of Major Chas. Dick, Senator Hanna's private secretary, who exerted all his great power against him. Mr. Russell is one of the staunchest of Democrats, a pioneer of bi-metallism and one of the strongest supporters of William J. Bryan in Summit county. The Seventy-third General Assembly has in him one of the first two Democrats who ever represented Summit county since its organization. 152 - THE OHIO BLUE BOOK Hon. Charles E. Bowman. CUYAHOGA county has a large delegation in the Seventy-third General Assembly, and among them none is more popular or serviceable than C. E. Bowman. Mr. Bowman was born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1857, but he spent his younger years in New Lisbon, in the common schools of which he received his preparation for active life. He became a printer and has followed his trade uninterruptedly to the present time. For twenty-four years he has been a member in good standing of the Cleveland Typographical Union, No. and has taken a very active part in labor and fraternal affairs. He has been singularly successful in all his undertakings, and the campaign of 1897 was no exception to the rule. He was one of the Republican candidates from Cuyahoga county, and the prominence of M. A. Hanna's candidacy for the U. S. Senate, made the campaign in Cleveland extremely warm. But Mr. Bowman was elected by a good majority and lacked but four votes of leading the Republican Legislative ticket. Since coining to Columbus, Mr. Bowman has allied himself to the conservative members and is especially active in promoting legislation for the benefit of the laboring man. Besides being a member of the Typographical Union he belongs to the I. O. O. F., K P's, Independent Foresters and ladies' lodges of these: K. of M., and the National Union. 154 - THE OHIO BLUE BOOK. Hon. Charles I. Goard. WAS born February 11, 1862, near Hayesville, Ohio. He lived on the farm until he was nineteen, attending district school in winter. In 1881 he studied at Vermillion Institute and in 1888 entered the Cincinnati Law School remaining there one year and finishing his legal course with McCray Winbigler of Ashland. Admitted to the bar in 1890, he practiced law at Ashland until June, 1895, when he moved to. Loudonville where he now is. He was nominated in May, 1897, by the Democrats of Ashland county for the Legislature, and was elected over E. G. Welch by a majority of 596. Mr. Goard is a typical Jacksonian Democrat and fearlessly believes in the doctrine "to the victor belong the spoils." He has served his party in every state and national campaign from his majority in the Hoadley contest to the present time. He is a bi-metallist, and believes in the restoration of silver to its status before its demonitization in 1873, with free and unlimited coinage at the ratio of 16 to 1. In the last national canvas he waged unrelenting war against the single standard, and the opposition felt the force of his fearless and masterful onset. 156 - THE OHIO BLUE BOOK. Hon. J. C. MacBroom. ONE of the foreign born members of the Seventy-third Assembly, who is so near American born that he considers himself and everyone considers him a native born citizen, is J. C. Mac-Broom, one of the two representatives from Toledo, Lucas county. Mr. MacBroom was born in Glasgow, Scotland, November 17, 1864, and six months later he emigrated to the land of the free. His youth was spent in and around Pittsburg, Pa., and his education was received at Carnegie. His occupation is a finisher on metals. In politics he is a Democrat, and his genial bearing and recognized ability secured for him the nomination on that ticket for the General Assembly in 1897, and his election followed. Mr. MacBroom at once took a prominent part in legislation, and his work has been very valuable in creating and shaping bills for action by the Legislature. On August 13, 1883, he was married to Miss Annie B. Crawford. Mr. MacBroom is a member of F. & A. M., and is Past Chancellor in the Knights of Pythias. He led his ticket when elected, and is prominently mentioned from his district for Congress. 158 - THE OHIO BLUE BOOK. Hon. Henry H. Redkey. HON. H. H. REDKEY was born March 31, 1839, near Marshall, Highland county, Ohio, was educated in the public schools of the county, and has been engaged in farming, and in breeding and dealing in fine stock. He enlisted August 10, 1862, in Company I, Eighty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was taken prisoner Sunday, September 20, 1863, at the battle of Chickamauga and confined at Richmond and Danville, Va., and at Andersonville for a period of nineteen months. He was discharged at Camp Chase June 8, 1865, and the same year was elected County Commissioner, and served in that capacity for twelve years. He was elected to the Seventy-second General Assembly as a Republican over J. Bronson Worley by a plurality of 906 votes, and in 1897 was elected to the Seventy-third General Assembly over G. W. Hulitt, Democrat, and M. B. Park, Prohibitionist. Mr. Redkey is Chairman of the Committee on Public Ways, and is one of the ablest and most efficient members of the House. He was married November 1, 1870, to Miss Emma Steen, and they have two sons and three daughters. He is a Methodist, belongs to the G. A. R., and has always taken a great interest in their welfare, as well as in local politics. 160 - THE OHIO BLUE BOOK. Hon. Charles L. Swain. CINCINNATI sends to the Seventy-third General Assembly one of her most talented sons in the person of Charles L. Swain. Mr. Swain was born in Fincastle, Brown county, Ohio, April 19, 1866. His father was a miller, which trade young Swain followed for several years. When he was thirteen he removed to Adams county, which was his home until he came to Cincinnati. He taught school eight years, four years of which he was School Examiner of Adams county. In summer vacations he studied law, entered the Cincinnati Law School in the fall of 1892, graduating in May, 1893, with the degree of L.L. B. After graduation he opened an office in Cincinnati, where by his ability and close attention, he soon built up a large and lucrative practice. Mr. Swain has always been a Democrat, and as such was elected to the Seventy-third General Assembly. At once he took his place at the head of his party in the House, and by his adroit generalship and vigorous oratory became the acknowledged leader of the Democratic forces. In committee work Mr. Swain is very prominent, but it is as a leader in debate, where his keen insight, profound resource and unerring rapidity of action show to peculiar advantage, that he is best known. A great deal of the legislation of the Seventy-third Assembly has the stamp of his influence. Mr. Swain was married August 23, 1894, to Miss Anna M. Burket. 162 - THE OHIO BLUE BOOK. Hon. R. E. Morrow. HON. R. E. MORROW is a native of the county which he represents in the Seventy-third General Assembly, having been born in Pre-ble county, in 1847. He spent his youth on the farm, and received his early education in the country. Later on he attended the National Normal School, at Lebanon, Ohio, graduating from both the scientific and classic courses. Leaving the Normal school, he was a teacher for six years, holding the position of principal or superintendent in graded schools. At the end of that time he returned to farm work, in which he has since been engaged. Mr. Morrow is a staunch and aggressive Republican, and his services and his counsel have always been at the command of his party. He has been Justice of the Peace and President of the Township Board of Education. In 1897 he received the nomination at the hands of the Re- publican County Convention, of Preble county, for Representative in the Seventy-third General Assembly of Ohio, and was elected in November. He is one of the reliable members on the Republican side, his work being especially noticeable in the matter of public ways and turnpikes. Mr. Morrow was married August 25, 1880, to Miss Mattie J. Adams. 164 - THE OHIO BLUE BOOK. Hon. William M. Johnson. THE Republican Representative of Trumbull county was born October 29, 1844, in Northamptonshire, England, and came to America when six years of age, settling in Hartford township. Mr. Johnson worked on a farm and attended district school until he was nineteen, when he enlisted in Company D, Sixth Ohio Cavalry. He took part in the battles of the Wilderness and around Petersburg and Richmond, losing his right arm in a charge on the Weldon Railroad, October 1, 1864. Mr. Johnson was left for dead, but was finally picked up and sent to City Point Hospital. After his sick furlough expired, during which he had visited home, he was appointed Master of the Fourteenth Ward Hospital, Washington, D. C. By the frugality, energy and good judgment which has earned him success through life, Mr. Johnson had saved enough to give him a course in Hiram Institute and fit him for teaching. But farming has been his calling for the past thirty years, and he now owns a fine farm and a beautiful home in West Mecca. He is a self-made man and should be proud of the making. In January, 1866, he married Miss Florence Thompson, and to them was born a son and daughter. His wife died in 1894. Mr. Johnson's second and present wife was Mrs. Maggie Crafts, of Cortland. 166 - THE OHIO BLUE BOOK. Hon. Abram Waddell. HON. ABRAM WADDELL is serving his second term in the General Assembly of Ohio, having been elected to both the Seventy-second and Seventy-third as a Republican from Lawrence county. He was born in Gallia county February 28, 1833, and educated in the common schools. He learned blacksmithing when he was 18, but three years later he went West. He spent three years on the Kansas and Nebraska frontier, taking part in the border warfare as a Free-state man. Returning to Ohio, he worked at his trade until 1860. In 1861 he returned to Lawrence county, the previous year being spent in West Virginia. He has resided in Lawrence county ever since. He served as a township trustee four years, and was the Republican candidate for the legislature in 1895, securing the election and being re-elected in 1897. Mr. Waddell is a striking figure on the Republican side, and can always be found working for true Republican doctrines, economy in administration of state business, and justice and prosperity for all. 168 - THE OHIO BLUE BOOK. Hon. Charles W. Kempel. THE man who has achieved the unique distinction of being one of the first two Democrats ever elected to the Legislature from Summit county is Charles W. Kempel. Mr. Kempel was born in Akron, Ohio, May 22, 1863, and has spent his life as a resident of that place. He was educated in the common shools of Akron and engaged in the sign writing and advertising business. He is now a member of Local Union 239, Brotherhood of Painters and Decorators of America. In the campaign of the fall of 1897, Mr. Kempel was the Democratic candidate, associated with Hon. C. N. Russell, for the Seventy-third General Assembly. Mr. Kempel was assisted largely by the labor unions of the county and secured the election. In the Legislature, he is a safe and conservative member, a strong opponent of all legislation in favor of trusts and combines, and the steadfast friend of labor. He is ranked among the strong members of the Democratic side. On May 26, 1887, Mr. Kempel was united in marriage to Miss Nellie M. Bushnell, and their family consists of one boy and one girl. He is a member of the Catholic church. 170 - THE OHIO BLUE BOOK. Hon. A. K. Smalley. HON. A. K. SMALLEY, Representative from Wyandot county, is a native of the county he represents, having been born in upper Sandusky Ohio. He spent his early life on a farm in that neighborhood and received his education in the district schools of the county. He learned the trade of a telegraph operator and also became an attorney-at-law. Although a sturdy Democrat, Mr. Smalley never held office until his present one of representative in the Seventy-third General Assembly. He was married on June 17, 1886, to Miss Ella M. Jones, but has no children. He is an active member of the Knights of Pythias and the Maccabees, having passed all the chairs. In 1897 he was the nominee of the Democratic County Convention for representative, and his election by a handsome majority followed in November. In the General Assembly he is an earnest and conservative member, and his counsel and advice are much, sought after. 172 - THE OHIO BLUE BOOK. Hon. Isaac F. Chapman. ISAAC F. CHAPMAN was born in Rome township, Lawrence county, Ohio, in 1847. When a few months old he removed with his parents to Guyan township, Gallia county, in which county he received his education and has resided ever since. In August, 1864, at the age of seventeen, he enlisted in Co. B., 173d O. V. I. and served as a private until the close of the war, a period of eleven months. Returning home, he followed the professions of teaching and farming until 1881, when he was elected as a Republican to the office of county Recorder, re-elected in 1884, serving two terms or six years. At the close of his second term he was elected county Treasurer, in which office he served two years, retiring in 1892. He then became connected with the Gallipolis Journal, the leading Republican paper in the county, as business manager and editor. He was elected as a member of the General Assembly over Hon. J. M. Kerr, Democrat, by 1437 plurality. He is one of the prominent workers on the Republican side, is Chairman of the Committee on Universities and Colleges, member of several other important committees, and an invaluable man in creating and shaping legislation. 174 - THE OHIO BLUE BOOK. Hon. Reuben Rankin. THE representative from Fayette county, Hon. Reuben Rankin, was born at Milledgeville, Ohio, April 29, 1848. His early life was spent in that vicinity, and his education, after leaving the common schools, was finished at Antioch College. He early engaged in teaching, but at length dropped that profession, and has since been occupied as a farmer. Mr. Rankin is a thorough Republican and stands high in the councils of his party in his section. Almost continually for ten years he has been a member of the Republican Central and Executive Committees of Fayette county. And he was honored with the office of Justice of the Peace by his neighbors in Jefferson township for fifteen consecutive years. In the campaign of 1897 he was the Republican candidate of Fayette county for the Seventy-third General Assembly, and was elected over J. A. Bush, democrat, by 649 majority. In the organization of the house he was assigned to the Committees on Turnpikes and County Affairs, of the former of which he is chairman. Mr. Rankin is a man of sterling character, conservative and broad minded. His work in the legislature is eminently satisfactory both to his colleagues and his constituents. He was married August 20, 1874, to Miss May Creamer. He is a member of Jeffersonville Lodge, No. 454, I. 0. 0. F., and of the Methodist Protestant Church. 176 - THE OHIO BLUE BOOK. Hon. J. O. Clark. AMONG the substantial, reliable men of the Seventy-third General Assembly is J. O. Clark, of Meigs county. He was born near Winchester, Frederick county, Virginia, but in 1858 came to Ohio to begin life for himself. He studied at the Ohio University in Athens, and received his professional training at the Miami Medical College of Cincinnati, in the meantime supporting himself by teaching school. He has practiced medicine for thirty years in the place where he now resides, and for twenty-one years was a member of the Board of Education. In addition to practicing medicine, he has been widely interested in raising cattle, sheep and other stock. Dr. Clark does not believe in lawing. In all his life he has never sued or been sued. This fact speaks volumes for his standing as a man of justice and honor. Besides he has never been sick a day in his life. Among other good qualities he is a sterling Republican, and as such was elected to represent Meigs county in the Seventy-third General Assembly. His committee assignments are Blind Asylum, Claims, and Public Buildings and Public Lands, being chairman of the latter. He is an earnest worker, an able legislator, and has the deepest respect and esteem of all his colleagues. He is married and resides at Downington. 178 - THE OHIO BLUE BOOK. Hon. Benjamin F. Swingle. BENJAMIN F. SWINGLE was born in Muskingum county Ohio, on the farm where he now resides. He fitted himself for a teacher and taught his first term at the age of seventeen. He continued his profession for about fifteen years. He took a course in medicine, but did not enter active practice. Later he purchased the farm on which he now resides, and engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was State Lecturer of the Ohio State Grange two years, visiting most of the counties of Ohio. Mr. Swingle was nominated for Congress in 1890, but declined owing to lecture work in which he was then engaged. He was elected to the Seventy-second General Assembly as a Republican, and reelected to the Seventy-third ; is chairman of the Committee on Boys' Industrial Farm, a member of Committee on Fees and Salaries, and Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Home. Mr. Swingle has traveled extensively, and has studied criminology for several years. He is the author of the law now on our statutes providing penalties for harboring, detaining or employing children between the ages of four and sixteen years about houses of a disreputable character. His wife is a daughter of the late Adam Baughman, of Muskingum county, Ohio. Her only brother was killed in the charge on " Fort Wagner " in 1863, during the Civil War. 180 - THE OHIO BLUE BOOK. Hon. Charles F. Droste. AMONG the most serviceable members of the lower house of the Seventy-third General Assembly are the ten members from Hamilton county, and among these, Charles F. Droste takes high rank. Mr. Droste is a native of Cincinnati, having been born there November 5, 1851, and has spent his whole life in that city. After a common school education in the Cincinnati public schools, he engaged in the milling and grain business, which he carried on with success from 1872 to 1892. But he at length determined to take up the profession of law, and in 1894 he graduated from the Cincinnati Law School and was admitted to the bar. Since that time he has been in active practice in Cincinnati. Mr. Droste is a Republican, but never held office until the reform agitation in Cincinnati induced him to be a candidate on the fusion ticket for Representative in the Seventy-third General Assembly. The fight was a bitter one, but the reform ticket was elected. In the legislature Mr. Droste was made a member of the Committees on Public Printing, Privileges, and Institution for Feeble-Minded Youth, where his exceptional talents as a business man and an attorney find scope for active use. 182 - THE OHIO BLUE BOOK. Hon. John H. Heyde. OCTOBER 15, 1854, John H. Heyde was born in Ashland county. At six years of age he removed to Holmes county where he has since resided. His education was received principally in the common schools. From 1874 onward for twenty years, Mr. Heyde engaged in teaching, and at intervals between schools, in farming. He has held a number of minor positions of trust, Clerk of the township for three terms, Justice of the Peace two terms, and a member of the Board of Education for twelve years. In politics he is a steadfast and conservative Democrat, and as such was elected to the 72nd General Assembly in 1895. He was again a candidate two years later, and was again elected. In the Assembly Mr. Heyde is one of the foremost workers and a leader on the Democratic side. He is a close and able reasoner, and a hard committee worker. Mr. Heyde was married in 1877 to Miss Rachael A. Parsons, of Nashville, Ohio, and his family consists of five sons and one daughter. 184 - THE OHIO BLUE BOOK. Hon. John C. Otis. THE profession of medicine is well represented in the 73d General Assembly, and among the number is a bright young Cincinnati physician, John C. Otis. Dr. Otis was born in Cincinnati, January 27, 1856, and had his training in the schools and colleges of that city. He graduated at the Cincinnati College of Pharmacy in 1877 carrying off the honors of his class, being valedictorian. He engaged in the drug business in 1882, studying medicine meanwhile, and in 1891 graduated at the Ohio Medical College. He has been for thirteen years the proprietor of one of the largest drug stores in Cincinnati. Dr. Otis is a Republican and was elected to the legislature on the fusion ticket on the issue of local reform for Cincinnati. He is chairman of the Committee on Municipal Affairs and a member of Insurance and Medical Colleges and Societies. He is a man of genial manners, firm convictions, and good common sense, qualities of the greatest value in a legislative body. His views receive great weight among his colleagues. Dr. Otis is married and has a family of two young daughters. He is a member of the State Pharmaceutical Association and of the Cincinnati College of Pharmacy. He belongs to the Elks, the Royal Arcanum, and the National Union. 186 - THE OHIO BLUE BOOK. Hon. B. S. Bartlow. BERT SURENE BARTLOW, Democratic representative from Butler county, was born July 10, 1869, in Franklin county, Indiana. He is a direct descendant of Gen. Stark, the hero of the battle of Bennington. His parents, James Thompson and Almira Luse Bartlow, are living at Hamilton, Ohio, Mr. Bartlow's present address. He was educated at public schools in Butler county, Ohio, and at Miami University, in which institution he became a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. After graduation in 1893, he entered politics as a Democrat and was Clerk of the Deputy State Supervisor of Elections of Butler county from 1894 to 1898. There were nine candidates at the primary elections in 1897 for representative, and after a hot fight, Mr. Bartlow was nominated by 634 plurality. His campaign was a wonder, and he was elected over his competitor, Dr. Chas. Steddom, by 3151 majority, the largest ever given in that county to a Democrat candidate for the Assembly. In the legislature, Mr. Bartlow has increased his popularity not only by his genial and hearty companionship, but by the ability he has shown in legislation. 188 - THE OHIO BLUE BOOK. Hon. Louis K. Powell. MARION and Morrow counties send to the Seventy-third General Assembly Hon. L. K. Powell, of the latter county. Mr. Powell was born in Morrow county February 6, 1852, and received his education in the common schools and at Otterbein University, Westerville, Ohio. At first he engaged in farming and teaching, but later studied law, was admitted to the bar, and since that time has practiced law exclusively. Mr. Powell was a Republican, but differed with his party on the silver question, and as a silver Republican was elected to the Seventy-third General Assembly by Democratic votes after a hard fought campaign. Mr. Powell has been Mayor of his home town, Mt. Gilead, two terms ; Probate Judge of Morrow county two terms ; member of the Republican State Central Committee two years and the County Central Committee three years ; School Examiner in Morrow county for five years ; Secretary of the County Agricultural Society two years, and has held various other minor offices. He was married April 18, 1882, to Miss Carrie Dalrymple, and their family consists of three children. In the legislature, Mr. Powell is one of the strong men, and his influence in shaping legislation is very widely felt. 190 - THE OHIO BLUE BOOK. Hon. John K. Haiden. KNOX county is represented in the Seventy-third General Assembly by Hon. J. K. Haiden. Mr. Haiden was born in that county March 21, 1838, and has always resided there. He attended the public schools of Knox county and also a select school. He was born and brought up on the farm, which he now owns and manages, and his success in all his undertakings has been due to his careful management and keen business perception. He has been largely interested in stock raising, has engaged in trading, in merchandise, and in various other pursuits. In politics he is a firm Democrat, and has been brought to that party belief by an earnest study of conditions and national affairs. He was the Democratic nominee in 1897 to the Seventy-third General Assembly, and was elected at the polls by a handsome majority. Previous to this he had held minor offices of trust—Township Trustee, Decennial Land Appraiser, and member Board of Education. In the legislature he is one of the reliable members, and is always to be found on the side of the common people and opposed to trusts and monopolies. Mr. Haiden was married October 26, 1876, to Miss Halsey and has two sons, one living. He belongs to Mt. Zion Lodge No. 9, F. & A. M., and has been for many years an Elder in the Presbyterian Church. 192 - THE OHIO BLUE BOOK. Hon. Charles J. Howard. CHARLES J. HOWARD, Representative from Belmont county, was born at Barnesville, Ohio, March 26, 1862. After graduating at the High School in his native town, he spent three years at the Ohio State University. He chose the law for his profession and entered the Cincinnati Law School, from which he graduated in 1883. Within a year he entered upon the practice of law in his native town, where he has since resided. He has served as City Solicitor and member of the Barnesville School Board, but always refused to be a candidate for other office until tendered the nomination as Representative on the Republican ticket in 1895. He was elected, and in 1897 was reelected to the present General Assembly. Mr. Howard is a fine speaker and an earnest worker. He is chairman of the Committee on Geology, Mines and Mining, and a member of the Judiciary Committee, and the Committee on Taxation. 194 - THE OHIO BLUE BOOK. Hon. William M. Leeper. W. H. LEEPER was born in Athens county, Ohio, March 9, 1850 moved to Morgan county two years later and resided there until he was twenty-two, and was educated in the common schools and the Zanesville Business College. He taught school three years, was Clerk of Courts of Morgan county two terms, and was admitted to the bar in 1881. The same year he engaged in mercantile business at Waterford, Washington county, where he continued to take an active part in politics. In 1887 he was elected Probate Judge, and after the expiration of his second term entered into a law partnership in Marietta, under the firm name of Ellenwood, Smith & Leeper. Judge Leeper has also been interested in banking business in Marietta, in the school work, and in farming. Judge Leeper has always been an active Republican, contributing both financially and by effective work as a campaign speaker. He was elected to the Seventy-third General Assembly in 1897, and is one of the most influential and powerful leaders on the Republican side. He is chairman of the Committee on Common Schools and member of other important committees. His executive and legislative ability are unquestioned, and his advice is highly appreciated on all pending measures. Judge Leeper is a Mason, and belongs also to the K. P.'s and I. O. O. F. 196 - THE OHIO BLUE BOOK. Hon. Roldon O. Hinsdale. THE Representative from Medina county was born in Medina March 27, 1840. From the country schools he attended for three years Hiram College, the last year of which was under James A. Garfield's instruction. His life work has been that of a progressive agriculturalist, although he has taught school a great deal. He has been a member of the School Board of Wadsworth most of the time since he became of age, and has held most of the township offices, Justice of the Peace, etc. He was elected to the Seventy-second General Assembly as a Republican over W. E. Soney, Democrat, and re-elected to the Seventy-third over W. A. Ault, Democrat. Mr. Hinsdale is chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, and member of the Committees on Public Works and Deaf and Dumb Asylum. He is, besides being an earnest worker, a careful and logical speaker, and the honesty of his intentions, combined to his exceptional ability, makes him a powerful advocate of any bill which meets his approbation. 198 - THE OHIO BLUE BOOK. Hon. William H. Booth. WILLIAM H. BOOTH, Representative from Monroe county, was born December 22, 1844, in Belmont county, Ohio; moved with his parents in 1851 to Perry township, Monroe county, where they have since resided. His father, John Booth, came from England when eight years old. His mother, a native of Ohio, was a relative of Gen. Nathaniel Green, of Revolutionary fame. Mr. Booth was brought up on a farm, attending the public schools in winter and working in summer, in this way obtaining a fair education, after which he attended several terms of normal school, and taught several successful terms. In 1869 he engaged in the mercantile business in Graysville. He was married to Mary H., eldest daughter of Hon. James Watson, April 22, 1874. Served as Postmaster in Graysville from '84 to '88 ; has been commissioned a Notary Public for twenty years. Has always been a staunch Democrat, and one of the first in the county to champion the cause of bi-metallism ; was elected to the Seventy-third General Assembly over John W. Hawkins, Republican, by a plurality of 2,024. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge, and has been master of Graysville and Monroe Lodges. He is a member of the important Committee on Finance, where his work has been of the highest class. He is also on the Committee on Turnpikes. He is an earnest worker, a close observer, and a man of fine judgment. His native good sense and business ability make him of great worth in shaping legislation, while his character for probity is above reproach.