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138 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY CHAPTER VIII LEGAL AND JUDICIAL THE JUDICIARY UNDER THE 1802 CONSTITUTION-FIRST COURT 1N STARK COUNTY-FIRST CASE CLOUDED BY DOUBT-FIRST CRIMINAL NOT SO BAD-CALVIN PEASE, PRESIDENT JUDGE-WARREN, CHIEF JUDICIAL CENTER-FIRST RESIDENT LAWYER-TREATMENT OF A HAUNTED HOUSE-WILLIAM RAYNOLDS-THE FIRST GRAND JURY-JUDGE JOHN HARRIS-JUDICIAL CHANGES-JUDGE GEORGE TOD-WILLIAM HENRY- JUDGE TAPPAN AND ASSOCIATES-JUDGE HALLOCK AND ASSOCIATES- JUDGE GEORGE W. BELDEN-PROMINENT EARLY LAWYERS-LOOMIS & METCALF-HIRAM GRISWOLD-DAVID A. STARKWEATIIER-GENERAL DWIGHT JARV1S-JAMES D. BROWN AND GENERAL SAMUEL LAHM - JUDGE AND COL. SERAPHIM MEYER-H. B. HURLBUT AND D. K. CARTTER -LOUIS SCHAEFER AND ROBERT H. FOLGER-JAMES W. UNDERHILL AND BENJAMIN F. LEITER-LAST JUDGE UNDER OLD CONSTITUTION- HOME AND CIRCUIT LAWYERS-CELEBRATED SLANDER SUIT-CHANGES MADE BY 1851 CONSTITUTION-GEORGE W. RAFF, FIRST PROBATE JUDGE-COMMON PLEAS JUDGES, 1851-82-JUDGE JACOB A. AMBLER- JUDGE JOSEPH FREASE-THE BAR THIRTY YEARS AGO-OTHER COMMON PLEAS JUDGES-OTHER PROBATE JUDGES-JUDGE HENRY A. WISE -JUDGE ROBERT S. SHIELDS-STARK COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION-THE LAW LIBRARY-THE LATE WILLIAM A. LYNCH. The reader has caught glimpses of the early judiciary and legal lights of Stark County, and now it is proposed to shut out all side matters, concentrate on the bench and bar and present the picture as a whole. THE JUDICIARY UNDER THE 1802 CONSTITUTION The foundation of the judicial system of Stark County was laid in the constitution of the state, promulgated in 1802, Section 1 of its third article reading as follows : "The judicial power of this State, both as to matters of equity and law, shall be vested in a Supreme Court, in Courts of Common Pleas for each county, in justices of the peace and in such other courts as the Legislature may from time to time establish." HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY - 139 Section 3 of the same article provided that each Court of Common Pleas should consist of a president and not more than three or less than two associate judges, the latter of whom during their continuation in office being required to be residents of the county for which they were appointed. The presidents of these courts were often lawyers of much distinction, while the associates, who were not required to have a regular legal education, were usually men of practical sense and local influence. FIRST COURT IN STARK COUNTY The terms of the court were fixed annually by the General Assembly of the state, and in pursuance of the schedule arranged by that body the first Court of Common Pleas for Stark County, which was then in the Fourth Judicial Circuit, was convened at the house of Philip Dewalt, Canton, on the 18th of April, 1809. Hon. Calvin Pease, one of the ablest men of Trumbull County, presided, and Thomas Latimer, James Campbell and George Bair were his associates. Of the associate judges Mr. Bair was the ablest and best educated, finally establishing quite a reputation as a man of public affairs. The first ease on the docket was that of James Pearce and others, plaintiffs, against Isaac VanMeter, defendant. The action was for the collection of a debt of $42; damages, $40. Potter (supposed to be Horace Potter, of Columbiana County) appeared for plaintiffs and Obadiah Jennings, of Jefferson County, for the defendant. The case was postponed, the only business of record transacted at this first term of court, lasting a portion of the 18th of April, 1809, being as follows : "At a court of Common Pleas, begun and held for the county of Stark (after reciting the time and place) "Ordered, that John Harris be appointed clerk pro tempore to this court until a permanent clerk be appointed ; "Ordered, that Samuel S. King be appointed prosecuting attorney until a permanent appointment be made. "James Leeper vs. Hamilton J. Hamilton. Bill in chancery. This day came the plaintiff by his attorney, and the court on hearing the petition read, "Ordered, that the pendency of this petition be published in the Western Herald, printed in Steubenville, and that a subpoena he directed to John Cox, of Brooke county, Virginia, returnable to the next term, to be by him served on the defendant. "Ordered, that the court do now adjourn sine die. "CALVIN PEASE, President." 140 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY FIRST CASE CLOUDED BY DOUBT Although it is getting a little ahead of the story, the reader naturally would ask, What became of this first case ever docketed in a Stark County court ? There were several terms of court before April, 1810, when James Pearce et al. recovered of Isaac Van Meter a judgment of $42 debt, $21.72 damages and $9.77 1/2 costs, $6 of which went to the plaintiffs' attorney. At the close of the entry on the appearance docket are the words Ca. sa. (Capias ad Satisfaciendum), but whether a capias was ever returned with the body of the defendant the record does not show, although imprisonment for debt was according to the law in those days and was by no means unknown in Stark County. FIRST CRIMINAL NOT SO BAD The first criminal punished in the county was a man who had stolen corn, and the testimony showed that his family was in dire straits for food. In the light of the chief extenuating circumstance, the court announced a sentence of ten days' imprisonment in the cellar of the Dewalt Tavern, which was then used as a jail. It is said that the court hesitated between the usual punishment of "forty lashes save one," which was imposed on really vicious criminals. Debtors could only be imprisoned—that is, that was their severest punishment. CALVIN PEASE, PRESIDENT JUDGE Judge Calvin Pease, who was the pioneer judge to preside in Stark County, was a resident of Warren, Trumbull County, and widely known, as well as much beloved, throughout the entire circuit. His eccentricities, even, were of the genial, lovable kind, and but added to his influential and charming character. Judge Pease came West in 1800, when twenty-four years of age, and settled at Warren. There is no record that he received a college education, as did most of his associates on the bench, but Gideon Granger, who was postmaster general under Jefferson, married his sister, and he was a student in Granger's office in the East. Although he was not admitted to the bar until October, 1800, before Ohio became a state, he was appointed first clerk of the Court of Quarter Sessions held at Warren, Trumbull County, in August. WARREN, CHIEF JUDICIAL CENTER On July 10, 1800, the Western Reserve of Northern Ohio was created into Trumbull County, named after the governor of Connecticut. At that time Samuel H. Parsons, James M. Varnum and John Cleves HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY - 141 Symmes were the territorial judges, who, with Governor St. Clair and Secretary Winthrop Sargent, selected Warren as its seat of justice. The selection of Warren was made chiefly for the reason that more men of influence lived there than at Youngstown, both new settlements. Judge John Young, it is true, was a strong character, but so were John Leavitt, Ebenezer King, Calvin Pease and others who had landed interests at and near Warren, men of good influence and marked individuality. Moreover, they came from Suffield, Connecticut, the home of Gideon Granger, then postmaster general of the United States, who, as stated, was also the brother-in-law of Judge Pease and of Seth Pease, surveyor general of the nation, whose party run the first lines through the lands of the Western Reserve. Practical politics, which depends largely on personal connections, or as we rudely speak of it in these days, of "pull," made Warren the seat of justice of old Trumbull County, and, as noted, the new county by that name, under the first state constitution, sent out Calvin Pease to preside over the Stark County Court of Common Pleas. He was first elected president-judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the Third Circuit, which included Trumbull, Washington, Belmont, Jefferson and Columbus (then embracing Stark) counties. He was not quite twenty-seven when he was thus elected, and when he opened the first session at Canton he was thirty-three. Judge Pease was elected to the State Senate in 1812, and in 1816 entered upon his duties as a judge of the State Supreme Court. But, although high honors befitting his ability were conferred upon him, his high animal spirits and natural wit often arose above either legal or judicial formality. In spite of his broad vein of humor, he was always dignified on the bench. The famous Judge Lyman Trumbull once said of Calvin Pease: "One of the finest specimens of manhood I ever saw was Calvin Pease, then chief judge of the Supreme Court, dressed in a way that would make a dude faint-the most perfect dress I ever saw on a man, and the nicest ruffles on his shirt bosom, looking the very beau ideal of a gentleman of the olden times. By his side sat Peter Hitchcock. Now what a team was that! Woe unto that man who had a bad cause and tried to palm it off onto them. What great men they were ! Hitchcock was on the bench much longer than Pease, though Pease achieved a wonderful reputation and a deserved one, so much so that Thomas Ewing once said to me that of all the judges he had ever appeared before, in his opinion Calvin Pease was the greatest. "When General Simon Perkins was wanting a name for his new town, which was set upon a hill, he appealed to Mr. Olcott for one that should be significant, but upon which Judge Pease could not pun. 142 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY ‘Call it Akron, since it is on a summit,' said Mr. Olcott, and the suggestion was accepted. Later General Perkins laughingly boasted to Judge Pease that his town had a name that could not be punned upon. `Akron, Akron,' repeated Judge Pease musingly. ' Oh, Acheron !' Now, Acheron, in heathen mythology, is the name of a river in hell." It is needless to say that both the lawyers and the associate judges of Stark County always welcomed one of Judge Pease's sittings, as it was full of sustained interest, and when court adjourned its president was the center of lively times, as long as he remained in Canton. FIRST RESIDENT LAWYER The first resident lawyer of the county was Roswell W. Mason, who settled at the county seat in 1810. He purchased ten acres of land of Mr. Wells immediately west of town and built a two-story frame house on what is now West Tuscarawas Street. But legal business, even at the county seat, was not encouraging and, after struggling along at Canton for several years Mr. Mason moved to Warren, then, in many respects, the most active legal center of Northeastern Ohio. TREATMENT OF A HAUNTED HOUSE Local historians, who delight to follow every subject to its conclusion, have woven a story around the house occupied at Canton by the first resident lawyer of the county. It is to the effect- that the "frame" remained unoccupied for some time after Mr. Mason's departure, soon presented a very forlorn appearance, and its creaking doors and windows stamped it as haunted. A family by the name of Burchfield lived in it a short time, but were soon frightened away by uncanny noises, mostly at night, and quite often, just at midnight, when ghosts most do walk. Some years later Rev. James Morrow took possession of the old house and by a little paint and repairing got rid of all the fearful spirits. It is reported that Jerry Lind, engaged during that trying period in trapping muskrats along the banks of the West Creek, found the ghosts more provoking than fearful, his most common experience being that they would snatch off his hat every time he passed the house before daybreak, either going to or coming from his traps. He never saw anything or anybody, but he always averred that he could never keep his hat on his head when passing the haunted house ; and there you were ! How could you account for it ? But it was asserted by the believers that the Reverend Mr. Morrow, in some way, exorcised the evil spirits which so long gave them a fearful pleasure. HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY - 143 WILLIAM RAYNOLDS William Raynolds was the first clerk of the court in fact, although until he reached his majority, John Harris was nominally clerk, with Raynolds as deputy. As stated by a local authority, "Mr. Raynolds came here as a young man and grew up with the town. He was a man of considerable information and of strict integrity, and exerted great influence in the earlier and somewhat later days in Canton. He had the credit of having been in many things a kind of Sir Oracle among the people of this vicinity." THE FIRST GRAND JURY The second term of the Common Pleas Court was convened on the 15th of August, 1809, by Judge Pease, with his associates, Messrs. Latimer and Bair. At that term the first grand jury was impaneled, and William Nailor was chosen foreman, but no presentments were made. An action for debt was entered by John Sloane against George Thompson, with John Shorb as surety. Under the law, Thompson agreed to pay the debt and costs, in case judgment was ordered against him, or "render his body in execution." On the 19th of December, 1809, Mr. Raynolds was appointed clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, and held the office for the full term of seven years. He was then clerk pro tem. for over a year, or until April, 1818, after which he served as clerk until November, 1824. JUDGE JOHN HARRIS Mr. Harris, the first clerk, was elected an associate judge in 1812. After the expiration of his term he studied law, was admitted to practice in 1819, and was prominent as a member of the bar for nearly forty years. He was twice elected to the House of Representatives of the State Legislature. On retiring from practice he moved to Omaha, Nebraska, where he died in October, 1863, at the age of eighty years. His remains were brought to Canton for interment. William Raynolds, Jr., his deputy and his successor as clerk of the court, died in 1829, at the age of forty, greatly respected and beloved. JUDICIAL CHANGES In 1810 Stark County was placed in a judicial circuit with Belmont, Jefferson, Tuscarawas and Columbiana counties, and on the 17th of 144 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY April of that year court was held at Canton by Hon. Benjamin Ruggles, assisted by Thomas Latimer and George Bair. In 1812 John Harris was elected associate judge to succeed Mr. Latimer and James Clark displaced Mr. Bair. In 1815 John Hoover and Samuel Coulter were associate judges. JUDGE GEORGE TOD Judge Ruggles continued on the circuit until October, 1815, when Hon. George Tod was elected. Judge Tod held court but one year in Stark County. He had come to Trumbull County ten years before as a young man—a native of Connecticut, a graduate of Yale, a lawyer by training and instinct and one of the ablest judges who ever occupied the bench. He had already served in the State Senate, was afterward an officer in the War of 1812, as well as fourteen years judge of the Court of Common Pleas and prosecuting attorney, having also held the last named office when he located at Warren in 1800. He died in 1841, when his son David Tod, the second of Ohio's war governors, was just commencing his fine career as a public man. WILLIAM HENRY While Judge Tod presided, Hon. William Henry was one of his associates. Judge Henry came into what is now Stark County in 1807, immediately after the New Purchase, west of the Tuscarawas River. was acquired. He assisted in the surveys of the Tenth, Eleventh and Twelfth ranges, was afterward appointed associate judge, still later served faithfully in the House of Representatives of the State Legislature, then entered mercantile pursuits, retired and made his final home in Wooster. JUDGE TAPPAN AND ASSOCIATES The Legislature of 1816-17 changed the number of the judicial circuit embracing Stark County to the Fifth, which also included Columbiana, Jefferson, Harrison and Tuscarawas. The Legislature elected Hon. Benjamin Tappan, of Portage County, as presiding judge. Ire was a contemporary of George Tod, a founder of Ravenna, and after his judicial term of service as president judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit, he was United States judge for Ohio and United States senator in 1839- 45. Among the profession, he is best known as the author of Tappan's Reports. HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY - 145 During the president judgeship of Tappan, from 1816 to 1823, James Clark, of Sugar Creek, and Thomas Hurford and George Stidger, of Canton, were his associates. Judge Clark was a farmer and the others agriculturists and merchants—all of them pioneers of good character. JUDGE HALLOCK AND ASSOCIATES In 1823 Hon. Jeremiah H. Hallock, of Steubenville, Jefferson County, was elected president judge of the Fifth Circuit and re-elected in 1830, serving the two full terms of seven years each, during which period the following were associates : William Christmas, a Canton merchant, who had studied law and been admitted to practice ; James Clark, of Sugar Creek, already referred to; John Kryder, of Plain Township ; Jacob Hostetter, of Minerva, Paris Township ; John Everhard, Massillon, Perry Township ; Herman Stidger and Eli Sowers, of Canton. Judge Stidger remained on the bench but a short time, when he resigned and was elected clerk of the court, which office he held for the constitutional seven years. The other gentlemen held their offices for the full term, except Judge Miller, who died in 1843. JUDGE GEORGE W. BELDEN Hon. George W. Belden succeeded Judge Hallock. After engaging in business and newspaper work and medicine, he commenced the study of law, was admitted to the bar, went into partnership with John Harris, and served two terms as prosecuting attorney before he ascended the Common Pleas bench. It is said that he owed his election largely to the influence of D. A. Starkweather, then a prominent member of the Stark County bar. Judge Belden was admitted to the Ohio bar about 1833, and after serving as prosecuting attorney for Stark County, Ohio, was elected by the Legislature as Common Pleas judge for the Fifth Judicial Circuit, and served from 1837 to 1843. This was under the first constitution of Ohio. He was elected under the constitution of 1851 a District and Common Pleas judge of the Ninth Judicial District of Ohio, and served from 1852 to 1855, when he resigned and resumed the practice of law. Two years later, in 1857, without being a candidate, he was appointed United States district attorney for the Northern District of Ohio by President Buchanan, and served four years. In the line of duties as United States district attorney he successfully prosecuted the "Oberlin Rescuers" under the Federal Fugitive Slave law. The vol. I-10 146 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY noted cases of Ex-parte Langston and Ex-parte Bushnell were carried to the Supreme Court of Ohio on habeas corpus by the defendant prisoners, where the Federal laws were held to be constitutional, although the five judges were republicans. (9, Ohio State Reports, page 77.) Judge Belden died about 1869 and is buried in West Lawn Cemetery, Canton. PROMINENT EARLY LAWYERS The early journals of the court previous to 1815 show the names of not a few famous lawyers outside of Stark County, but three names only represent the resident lawyers, viz., Roswell M. Mason, Sampson S. King and' Jeremiah H. Hallock. Mr. Mason has been noticed. Mr. Hallock, who was the second resident lawyer of Canton, if not of the county, settled there in 1812, but soon afterward moved to Steubenville. Some years later he became president judge of the circuit and served for two terms. He died in 1847. From 1816 to 1829 the bar of Stark County did not increase rapidly in numbers. John Harris, Loomis & Metcalf, James W. Lathrop, Almon Sortwell, David A. Starkweather, Sanders Van Rensselaer and Hiram Griswold about complete the list. LOOMIS AND METCALF Messrs. Loomis and Metcalf graduated together from Union College, Schenectady, New York, and after their admission to the bar formed the partnership which continued at Canton for many years. Afterwards they separated individually, but continued in partnership, although Mr. Metcalf resided in Pittsburgh and Mr. Loomis in New Lisbon, Columbiana County. They afterward came together as a firm ln Pittsburgh, and their steadfast relations were only severed by the death of Mr. Metcalf. Mr. Loomis moved to Cleveland and became one of the leading lawyers of the state. Mr. Van Rensselaer, a member of the aristocratic old New York family, was a gentleman of fine attainments, but did not practice after 1829. Mr. Lathrop, prominent both as an educator and a lawyer, died in January, 1828, while serving in the lower house of the State Legislature. HIRAM GRISWOLD Hiram Griswold was admitted to practice at Bucyrus, Crawford County, and on coming to Canton not long after took a prominent place at the county bar. During his residence there he was reporter for the HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY - 147 State Supreme Court for six years and in 1851 came within a few votes of being elected United States senator, as an opponent of the great Benjamin F. Wade. In the following year he moved to Cleveland, where he was at once elected to the State Senate, but, after a few years, went to Leavenworth, Kansas. DAVID A. STARKWEATHER David A. Starkweather was admitted to the bar as early as 1825, opened an office in Mansfield, Richland County, and in 1827 located at Canton. From that year for nearly forty years he practiced successfully at the Stark County bar. Although a firm democrat and a somewhat active politician, he made no enemies even among those he opposed. He died at Cleveland, at the home of his son-in-law, Hon. A. T. Brinsmade, having been a paralytic for the last year of his life. One of the city papers gives the main points of his career in these words : "Mr. Starkweather formerly lived in Stark County, and was a gentleman long and well known throughout the state, having been quite prominent in the profession of the law and of politics. For three successive terms he was a member of the State Legislature, and also spent two terms in the State Senate, with honor to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He also represented the Stark County district in Congress for two terms, and while there greatly distinguished himself. One of the most notable of his services while there was his speech upon the Oregon question, which brought out the warmest personal commendations from John Quincy Adams. He was selected by President Pierce in 1854 as minister plenipotentiary to Chile, and served there with the same distinguished honor noticed in other positions. He retired from the practice of the law some time since and has of late been residing with his daughter. The only children left by the deceased are Mrs. Brinsmade and Hamilton Starkweather, of Oregon. He leaves one brother in New York and the late Judge Starkweather was a cousin. In politics the deceased was a democrat, having been president of two state democratic conventions, and in 1852 acting as president of the national convention of his party." More special attention is paid to Mr. Starkweather's public services elsewhere in this work. GEN. DWIGHT JARVIS In 1831 Gen. Dwight Jarvis, who had, in 1822, finished his professional studies at Canton and located at Athens, in the county by that name, returned to Canton and formed a partnership with Mr. Stark- 148 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY weather, which almost immediately took the lead ; Mr. Jarvis was the painstaking member who prepared the cases, and Mr. Starkweather the ready and eloquent trial lawyer. The firm continued for eleven years, or until the spring of 1848, when it was strengthened by the addition of Alexander Bierce, of Massillon. Mr. Bierce was a fine, thorough lawyer, but in 1848 withdrew from Starkweather, Jarvis & Bierce and formed the professional connection with Anson Pease, of Massillon, which continued until his death twenty-four years later. It was considered advantageous that one member of the firm should he located at the county seat. Mr. Bierce therefore removed to Canton in 1848, where he resided until the time of his death in 1892. Mr. Jarvis also moved to Massillon at that time, and died in that city in 1863, aged sixty-six. While a resident of Massillon he was elected major general in the Ohio militia, having been active in military matters for many years. He thus earned his title of "General" legitimately, as he did all other honors. JAMES D. BROWN AND GEN. SAMUEL LAHM Among the old members of the bar who also took their high places in the profession previous to 1840 were James D. Brown and Gen. Samuel Lahm. Mr. Brown was from New York and General Lahm from Mary land, and they were fine types of the North and the South of those days. Both served for several terms as prosecuting attorney, and General Lahm, at various periods represented his county in the State House. of Representatives, his district in the Ohio Senate and an even broader constituency in the national House of Representatives. He was a man of untiring energy of mind and body, and, after retiring from his professional practice and his public duties, engaged in farming in princely style, owning and cultivating several hundred acres of land between Canton and Massillon. He died in May, 1876, at his residence in Canton. Mr. Brown was an industrious, earnest lawyer, and continued to practice at the Stark County bar until during the Civil war period, when he moved to Omaha, Nebraska, where he died in 1880. He was a son-in-law of John Harris, with whom he was in partnership for many years at Canton. Both are buried where they practiced so long and well. JUDGE AND COL. SERAPHIM MEYER In 1838 Seraphim Meyer, whose parents had brought him from Alsace-Lorraine as a youth ten years before, was admitted to practice HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY - 149 and at once opened an office at Canton. He was a linguist and a scholar, as well as a lawyer and a close student, and soon took a firm position at the bar. At various times he was a member of Dunbar & Meyer, Brown & Meyer and Meyer & Manderson. During the War of the Rebellion both himself and two sons distinguished themselves. When the One Hundred and Seventh Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry was raised, Judge Meyer, then prosecuting attorney of Stark County, resigned, and accepted the command of the regiment. At Chancellors- vine, Gettysburg and at other great engagements his command was ably and gallantly handled. After a severe illness Colonel Meyer was compelled to resign, and in February, 1864, returned to his home in Canton so broken in health that he was long unfitted to resume his professional work. Finally he resumed practice with Gen. C. F. Manderson, and at the dissolution of that partnership engaged with his son, C. T. Meyer, which connection continued until he was elected judge of the Court of Common Pleas and ascended the bench in January, 1877. H. B. HURLBUT AND D. K. CARTTER H. B. Hurlbut opened a law office at Massillon in 1839. Subsequently he formed a partnership with J. W. Underhill, of that place, and in 1845, when D. K. Cartter came from Akron and located at Massillon became associated with the congressman-to-be. When Mr. Cartter was elected to Congress the partnership was dissolved, and Mr. Hurlbut associated himself with Arvine C. Wales. During the early part of the Civil war Mr. Cartter was appointed by President Lincoln as chief justice of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia ; and this, although he had been elected and re-elected to Congress as a democrat. But he joined the republican party at its formation, while living in Cleveland was appointed a delegate to the national convention which met in Chicago, where he was an earnest advocate of Lincoln's nomination. LOUIS SCHAEFER AND ROBERT H. FOLGER Louis Schaefer, of Canton, and Robert H. Folger, of Massillon, were admitted to practice together before the Supreme Court sitting at New Lisbon, in 1842. Mr. Schaefer was born in France, came to Canton as a youth, studied law with Griswold & Grant (Elijah P., the Socialist lawyer), and practiced for many years. Mr. Folger, a Pennsylvanian, was brought to Kendal, or Massillon, when an infant. He studied his profession with Samuel Pease and Gen. Dwight Jarvis, and at the time of his death in May, 1899, was the oldest practicing lawyer in Ohio. 150 - STARK COUNTY HISTORY OF Mr. Folger was a native of Chester County, Pennsylvania, the son of Capt. Mayhew Folger. He was born January 11, 1812. His father was a sailor who had circumnavigated the globe three times. When he gave up his seafaring life in 1810, he first went to Pennsylvania, then to Massillon. He died in 1813. The son, Robert Folger, decided to become a lawyer, in 1831. Later he changed his mind and engaged in mercantile pursuits, but in 1839 he began the practice of law under Samuel Pease and Gen. Dwight Jarvis, of Massillon. He was admitted to practice in what was then New Lisbon in 1842. Shortly afterwards he opened an office in Massillon. Mr. Folger espoused the anti-slavery ideas of William Lloyd Garrison. Upon the organization of the old liberty party in 1844, he took an active part in politics, laboring with energy for Birney and in 1848 for Van Buren. He became a republican with the formation of the republican party and was always thereafter identified with that party. Mr. Folger was a justice of the peace fifteen years and United States Commissioner fifty years. He was associated with Judge Underhill in the practice of law in Massillon for a number of years, and afterwards with E. G. Willison and John O. Garret. Prior to his death he practiced alone. He was married in Massillon in 1834 to Miss Amelia Heydon. Mr. Folger was a great student. He was an authority upon all matters pertaining to the history of Stark County. His wonderful memory could bring before him events that had long since faded from the recollection of others. The late Louis Schaefer who died November 12, 1889, at his old home in Canton when nearly seventy-four years of age, was of French birth and German ancestry. He was fifteen years of age when the family emigrated to America, an intelligent youth who had been well educated both in school and under the guidance of his father. Soon after coming to the United States the family homestead was located in Osnaburg Township, near the present Village of Mapleton, where the father engaged in farming and merchandising. When in his seventeenth year the son took a position as clerk in Martin Wikidal's store at Canton. John Danner was his fellow clerk. Mr. Schaefer carried his clerical duties and his law studies along together for several years, being a student in the office of Griswold & Grant and being admitted to practice in 1842. In the meantime Mr. Schaefer had so advanced in the good graces of the democracy of his section that he was tendered the secretaryship of the American legation in France. As he was a master of English, French and German, his qualifications were evident, but his inclinations were otherwise. He was a member of the commission sent to Washing- HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY - 151 ton to demand the release of Vallandigham, the fiery Ohio congressman who had been arrested by Burnside for his utterances against the administration and enlistment, and in 1866 was the democratic candidate for Congress as a representative of the Seventeenth District. But his usefulness and true worth were destined for a more restricted field, and Canton has reason to be thankful that his destiny was thus directed. For many years he was identified with the county board, the city council and the board of education. He was the father of the municipal water works ; was active in securing the passage of the bill authorizing county commissioners to build courthouses, the Stark County building being the first erected under that law, and was also instrumental in the establishment of several important industries at Canton, among which were the Dueber Watch Works. Although an excellent lawyer, Mr. Schaefer's mind was primarily commercial and the practice of his earlier years was largely along business lines. No one ever lived in Canton who had stauncher friends than Louis Schaefer, and that statement tells the story of his earnest, useful life. Mr. Schaefer was twice married, among the children by his first wife being Louis M., who followed his father's profession after his admission to the bar in 1877, and Mary E., who married William R. Day. JAMES W. UNDERHILL AND BENJAMIN F. LEITER James W. Underhill was also admitted to the bar in 1842, located for practice at Massillon, served in the State Legislature and was then elected probate judge, which office he held from 1860 to 1871, inclusive. He afterward formed a partnership with John Lahm and during the later years of his life became much interested in railroad enterprises. Benjamin F. Leiter was also a lawyer who not only became prominent at the Stark County bar in the '40s, but afterward made quite a hit in public life. He was a native of Maryland, taught school, studied law with Gen. Samuel Lahm, was speaker of both houses of the Ohio State Legislature, was elected to Congress as a know-nothing, but was a good Union man. He resided at Canton. Among the young men who came to the bar in the early '40s and opened offices in Massillon were F. M. Keith, from Lorain County, who located there in 1840 and formed a partnership with S. Pease ; George Miller, a son of Judge Jacob Miller ; Leavitt L. Bowen and David M. Bradshaw. Mr. Miller's early death in 1850, after he had served in the Legislature, was a loss to the profession. Anson Pease was admitted to practice in 1844, served as a member of the constitutional convention of 1874, and practiced long and creditably. 152 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY LAST JUDGE UNDER OLD CONSTITUTION Judge Belden was succeeded as president judge of the circuit by John Pearce, of Carrollton, who took his seat April 15, 1844, and held the position until 1851. He was re-elected and held the judgeship until 1852, when the judges elected under the present constitution of Ohio took their seats and the judicial system of the state underwent a complete change. HOME AND CIRCUIT LAWYERS To summarize : The bar of Stark County in those days was proverbial for its strength. Harris was its Nestor. There were also Hiram Griswold, Loomis & Lahm, Starkweather & Jarvis, E. P. Grant and Samuel Pease, as well as others already referred to. In addition such lawyers from the neighboring circuits often appeared in its courts, as Edward Avery and Levi Cox, from Wooster, C. D. Coffin, of Columbiana ; the brothers Collier, Wright, Goodenow and Tappan, from Steubenville ; Chauncey Dewey, and W. B. Beebe, from Harrison County ; Johnson, afterward judge of the Superior Court of Hamilton County, and John Pearce, afterward president judge of the Common Pleas, from Carrollton, and Joseph C. Hance, at the head of the Tuscarawas County bar. CELEBRATED SLANDER SUIT One of the most celebrated early cases tried in Stark County was the suit for slander brought by Moses Gleason against Nathaniel Skinner, both being well known in Perry Township near Massillon. The defendant's counsel were James W. Lathrop and J. H. Hallock, afterward president judge, and the plaintiff was represented by Messrs. Wright and Goodenow. The case was so spicy that at least two of the contending attorneys delivered their maiden speeches as members of the bar in the various earnest efforts to sift the blame and to properly lay before the court the culpability of the words alleged to have been uttered by Nathaniel Skinner, viz., "Moses Gleason is a thief ; he stole my hay on the wild meadows." Mr. Lathrop for the plaintiff, and Samuel Stokely, who had been added to the counsel for defendant, both made their maiden speeches. In the days when this case was tried the wild meadows in the northeastern part of Perry Township were Government lands, and the new corners, who had not been able to clear their own land and raise food for their cattle, often relied upon them for fodder. Mr Skinner had cut and put up several tons of hay, some of which was HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY - 153 taken, and he charged Gleason with the larceny. The legends which have filtered down indicate that the trial of the case was masterly on both sides, and from the citizens of those days—settlers of Perry and Jackson townships—the knowledge has also reached the present, that among the witnesses brought into the case were Thomas A. Drayton, Aaron Chapman, Nathaniel Ray, Edward Nelson, Matthew Macy and Alexander Johnson. Unfortunately for the completeness of the record, there is nothing to indicate whether Mr. Gleason recovered any damages for Mr. Skinner's "malicious, false and slanderous words." CHANGES MADE BY 1851 CONSTITUTION Under the present constitution, which was adopted at the Cincinnati convention, March 10, 1851, instead of a Common Pleas Court with four judges—one learned in the law and three country gentlemen—the new body was reduced to one judge, who must be learned in the law, and instead of the State Supreme Court meeting annually in each county, two out of the four judges being competent to hold the court, the constitution of 1851 provided for a District Court composed of three judges of the Common Pleas courts within the defined judicial district, and one supreme judge, any three of whom should constitute a quorum. Such territorial divisions are called appellate districts. In each district there is a Court of Appeals. The judges of the State Supreme Court, consisting of a chief justice and six judges, as well as the judges of the Courts of Common Pleas are still elected for terms of six years. The most important change in the judiciary made by the new constitution was the creation of Probate Courts, which became the successors in the several counties of the Courts of Common Pleas, in so far as the latter had jurisdiction over matters constitutionally pertaining to probate business. The probate judges are elected for terms of four years. For judicial purposes the state was divided into nine districts, each composed of three subdivisions. The first subdivision of the Ninth District was composed of Stark, Carroll and Columbiana, and it has so remained. GEORGE W. RAFF, FIRST PROBATE JUDGE George W. Raff, the first judge of the Probate Court in Stark County, was a native of Tuscarawas Township, this county, where he was born in 1825. His father, a Pennsylvanian, died when the son was a mere boy, so that George was early thrown upon his own resources. After living for a few years in the Village of Bethlehem, the youth 154 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY obtained a clerkship in the office of his uncle, Daniel Raff, then county recorder. In 1844 the latter was elected county clerk and the nephew held various positions under him for six years. In the meantime he had commenced the study of law in the office of Hiram Griswold, who was then considered at the head of the Stark County bar, and in July, 1850, was admitted to practice. Soon afterward he formed a partnership with James D. Brown, but in the following year the democrats elected him to the probate judgeship, which had just been created under the new constitution. In 1855, at the expiration of his term, Judge Raff formed a partnership with John Lahm, and the firm prospered for many years. During that period he issued a number of standard works on professional subjects, such as "A Guide to Executors and Administrators in the State of Ohio," and "The War Claimant's Guide." In 1870 Judge Raff associated himself in practice with George E. Baldwin, under the firm name of Raff & Baldwin, but, after about a year, withdrew from general practice on account of ill health. He then entered the employ of Cornelius Aultman, the manufacturer, with whom he continued until Mr. Aultman's death in 1884. Judge Raff acted as one of the administrators of the extensive Aultman estate, and in 1888, in company with his son Edward, organized the Central Savings Bank of Canton. He was president of that institution at the time of his death April 14, 1888. COMMON PLEAS JUDGES, 1851-1882 At the first election under the constitution of 1851, Judge Belden was unanimously elected to the Common Pleas bench, holding office until 1855, when he resigned and John Clark, of New Lisbon, Columbiana County, was appointed by the governor to fill the vacancy until his successor could be chosen at the regular election. On his resignation Judge Belden returned to the bar and continued a good practice until his death in 1869. Lyman W. Potter, of New Lisbon, succeeded Judge Clark at the coming election, but resigned in 1858, and Jacob A. Ambler, of Salem, Columbiana County, was appointed to fill out the unexpired term, and by later elections held the judgeship until 1864. He was followed by Joseph Frease, of Canton, who served for two terms, and was succeeded, in turn by S. Meyer. At various times, the counties in the district including Stark have passed special acts providing for additional judges, John W. Church and Peter A. Laubie, having thus served during the incumbencies of Judges Ambler and Meyer. HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY - 155 JUDGE JACOB A. AMBLER The late Hon. Jacob A. Ambler, although a resident of Salem, Columbia County, was well known in Canton, both as a practitioner and as judge of the Court of Common Pleas from 1858 to 1864. He resigned his seat in the State Legislature to ascend the bench ; represented the Seventeenth Ohio District in the Forty-first Congress, 1869-70; was a member of the United States Tariff Commission in 1882, and died at his home in Salem in 1906, where he had commenced practice with his brother, the late Henry Ambler, more than half a century before. JUDGE JOSEPH FREASE Judges Belden and Frease were among the best known lawyers and judges who were ever connected with the bench and bar of Stark County. From 1856 to 1867 the firm of Belden & Frease was widely known, and when William McKinley came to Canton in the latter year he commenced his career as a lawyer by succeeding Mr. Frease, who had been elected judge of the Common Pleas Court, as the partner of ex-Judge Belden. The firm of Belden & McKinley continued until the death of the senior partner in 1869. Mr. McKinley's law practice until he went to Congress in 1877 was almost entirely in the courts presided over by Judge Frease ; the last term of Judge Frease on the Common Pleas bench, in fact, ended about the time that President McKinley commenced his long term of service as a public man of national fame. And this intimate connection, both professional and personal, between the McKinleys and the Freases is carried down, in the latter family, to the living generations ; for Col. Harry Frease, son of Judge Frease, was the chief organizer of the demonstrations at Canton which paid such imposing tribute to the memory of the dear President and faithful friend. Joseph Frease was admitted to the bar of Ohio in 1851. From 1856 to 1858 he served as prosecuting attorney of Stark County, and from 1867 to 1877 as Common Pleas judge for the Ninth Judicial District of Ohio. In 1856, as stated, he formed a partnership with his father-in- law, Judge Belden, which continued until he ascended the Common Pleas bench. Judge Frease resumed private practice at the conclusion of his judicial term in 1877 and was thus actively engaged at the time of his death September 3, 1909. He is buried in West Lawn Cemetery. THE BAR THIRTY YEARS AGO A survey of the bar of Stark County in the late '70s and the early '80s, when Judge Meyer was at the head of the Common Pleas Court, 156 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY discloses the following : Canton—Hon. S. Meyer, judge, Messrs. Frease & Case (this firm is composed of Hon. Joseph Frease and F. E. Case), A. D. Braden, J. J. Parker, J. P. Fawcett, A. C. Hiner, George E. Baldwin, and Robert S. Shields, of the firm of Baldwin & Shields, Louis Schaefer, and Louis M. Schaefer, firm of Schaefer & Son, Peter Chance, Anthony Housel, Charles R. Miller, John M. Myers, Will Wynn, William A. Lynch, William R. Day, and Austin Lynch, composing the firm of Lynch, Day & Lynch, Turenne C. Meyer, and William J. Piero, firm of Meyer & Piero, John Lahm, J. W. Underhill, F. W. Bond, Charles C. Upham, E. E. Russell, Julius Whiting, Jr., L. M. Jones, II. R. Spencer, Henry A. Wise, Hon. William McKinley, member of Congress, Abner McKinley, Allen A. Carnes, T. T. McCarty, J. S. Hudson, B. F. Faust, Henry W. Harter, prosecuting attorney, Stark County, William W. Clark and James J. Clark, firm of W. W. & J. J. Clark, A. W. Hildenbrand, probate judge, G. W. Raff, Col. P. S. Sowers, and John C. Mong. Massillon—Anson Pease and F. L. Baldwin, firm of Pease & Baldwin; R. H. Folger and John O. Garrett, firm of Folger & Garrett ; L. C. Cole, mayor of the city, and Robert W. McCaughey, firm of Cole & McCaughey; Isaac Ulman, Eugene G. Willison, Robert A. Pinn, Otto E. Young, William McMillan and Andrew C. Robertson. Canal Fulton—William G. Myers and James Sterling. Hartville—S. S. Geib. OTHER COMMON PLEAS JUDGES Among the best known judges of the Common Pleas Court who have served Stark County since Judge Meyer's time are Anson Pease, Massillon; Peter A. Laubie, Columbiana County ; William A. Nichols, Columbiana County ; Isaac H. Taylor, Carroll County ; T. T. McCarty, Canton ; Ralph S. Ambler, Canton ; Henry W. Harter, Robert H. Day, Massillon ; John Pimple, Carroll County ; Harvey F. Ake, Canton ; Harvey J. Eckley, Carrollton. OTHER PROBATE JUDGES Of the Probate judges mention should be made of George W. Raff, two terms; Isaac Hazlett, one term ; William Burke, one term ; J. W. Underhill, four terms; A. W. Heldenbrand, three terms ; Seraphim Meyer, two terms; J. P. Fawcett, two terms ; H. A. Wise, two terms ; M. E. Amigst, two terms; C. C. Bow, two terms ; Chas. Kirchbaum, serving at present time. HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY - 157 JUDGE HENRY A. WISE Judge Henry A. Wise is one of the men to whom Canton is much indebted for its solid standing as a notable center of law and jurisprudence and an exponent of substantial and conservative finances. He was born on the old family homestead near Middlebranch, Plain Township, Stark County, more than seventy years ago, and his father was also born thereon in 1819. Evidently the family must, by 1915, feel at home in that part of Ohio. Judge Wise's father spent his entire life in Stark County, operating his farm, his store, his flouring mill and his tannery, and died in 1858. Both the grandparents also passed their last years on the family homestead in Plain Township. After passing through the district schools of his home neighborhood and the Canton High School, Judge Wise studied at the University of Michigan and the Dennison University (at Granville, Ohio), graduating from the latter in 1870. After leaving college he read law in the office of Alexander Bierce, then of Canton, two years later was admitted to the bar and forthwith associated himself with Anson Pease, afterward judge of the Court of Common Pleas, with whom he remained for ten years. In July, 1882, he was appointed to serve out the unexpired term of Timothy Sullivan as county treasurer, and in September of the following year accepted the cashiership of the City National Bank, which he retained until the autumn of 1890. He then resigned, resumed practice, became vice president of the Farmers Bank, and in November, 1894, was elected Probate judge. He occupied that bench until February, 1900, and in the following year became secretary and treasurer of the Canton & Malvern Fire Brick Paving Company, remaining thus until the business was sold. For twenty-nine years Judge Wise was treasurer of the Stark County Agricultural Society ; has been identified with the Canton Cemetery Association for many years; is vice president of the Dime Savings Bank of Canton; is president and treasurer of the Columbia Fire Brick Company, and has farming interests and real estate investments in various parts of the county. He served during the later period of the Civil war and is one of the most prominent Masons in the state. APPELLATE COURT JUDGES Stark County is in the Fifth District of the Appellate Court, or Courts of Appeals, which also embraces Ashland, Coshocton, Delaware. Fairfield, Holmes, Knox, Licking, Morgan, Morrow, Muskingum, Perry, Richland, Tuscara was and Wayne. Robert S. Shields, of Canton, is 158 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY one of the three members of the court for the Fifth District, his term expiring in February, 1917. JUDGE ROBERT S. SHIELDS Judge Shields' record speaks for itself. A son of William and Anna (Hance) Shields, both natives of New Jersey, he was born at Washington, New Jersey, September 28, 1845. After preparing for college at Allentown, Pennsylvania, he entered Union College at Schenectady, New York, and was graduated Bachelor of Arts from that institution in 1867. He began the study of law in the office of Hon. E. W. Stoughton of New York City, who was subsequently United States minister to Russia during the administration of President Harrison. Later he was a student with his maternal uncle, Judge Joseph C. Hance of New Philadelphia, Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and was admitted to the bar in 1870 on examination before Judge Mcllvaine at Cadiz, Harrison County. Since August, 1887, Judge Shields has resided in Canton. He came to the city well recommended, possessing ability as well as ambition, and from the first thoroughly identified himself with the life of the community. In 1871 he was elected mayor of Canton, and served in that office two consecutive terms. He was soon rewarded with a good clientage as a lawyer, and in 1876 was elected prosecuting attorney of Stark County, an office he also held for two terms of two years each. This service increased his reputation as a resourceful trial lawyer. In 1885 Judge Shields was appointed by President Cleveland as United States District Attorney for Northern Ohio, and that office he also held four years. During the succeeding twenty years he was engaged in successful private practice and in 1910 was elected to the bench of the Fifth Judicial Circuit, which subsequently became the Court of Appeals of the Fifth Appellate District. On the bench his record has fulfilled the expectations based upon his long and noteworthy career as a lawyer. His present term expires February 1, 1917. In December, 1871, Judge Shields married Miss Clara A. Wikidal, daughter of the late Martin Wikidal of Canton. They have one daughter, Clara. STARK COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION Although the present members of the bar have an association, its functions are closely confined to the gathering of its members in case of death, or for any other stated purpose. It has a membership of about 100, with George H. Clark as its president, and Herbert Hunker, secretary. HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY - 159 THE LAW LIBRARY The Law Library, in several upper rooms of the courthouse, is an institution in which the profession takes much pride. It is more than a quarter of a century old and has nearly 8,000 volumes, which are really used. The library is controlled by a corporation formed in June, 1889, its articles having been prepared by George E. Baldwin, David Fording, John C. Given, John C. Mang and Robert W. McCaughey. There were sixty-one original stockholders, of whom thirty-seven have dropped out, mostly by death. The first meeting of the board of trustees was held October 6, 1890, and was called to order by Col. James J. Clark, who was elected president; T. T. McCarty, vice president. Other members of the board: David Fording, F. L. Baldwin, W. R. Day (afterward associate justice of the United States Supreme Court), A. A. Thayer, and R. S. Shirlas. Ralph R. Ambler was chosen secretary and treasurer. In December, 1890, Clarence S. Greer was elected librarian, and in January, 1891, was succeeded by William A. Nutt. The following have served the Law Library since its organization : Presidents—James J. Clark, 1890-93; A. A. Thayer, 1893-94; William R. Day, 1894 ; J. J. Clark, 1894-96 ; George E. Baldwin, 1896-97 ; William R. Day, 1897-98 ; George E. Baldwin, 1898-99; James J. Clark, 1899-1901; R. S. Shields, 1901-02 ; Isaac H. Taylor, 1902-04 ; James J. Clark, 1904-10 ; Isaac H. Taylor, 1910-12 ; Ralph S. Ambler, 1912-15. Vice Presidents—T. T. McCarty, 1890-91; David Fording, 1891-93; George E. Baldwin, 1894-96 ; William R. Day, 1896-97 ; R. S. Ambler, 1897-98; F. L. Baldwin, 1898-1904; C. C. Bow, 1904-05; Isaac H. Taylor, 1905-08 ; Robert S. Shields, 1908-10; Thomas F. Turner, 1910-12 ; A. M. McCarty, 1912-15. Secretaries and Treasurers—Ralph S. Ambler, 1890-93 ; Atlee Pomerene, 1893-94 ; A. M. McCarty, 1894-96 ; Ed L. Smith, 1896-97 ; Lorin C. Wise, 1897-99; W. H. Smith, 1899-1901; H. F. Ake, 1901-05 ; Charles Krichbaum, 1905-08; John T. Blake, 1908-12 ; Russel J. Burt, 1912-15 ; Edwin R. Casper, 1915. Librarians—Clarence S. Greer, 1890-93 ; W. S. Mobley, 1893-94 ; C. E. Pippitt, 1894-98; Carl Pippitt, 1898-99 ; John F. Spitler, 1900-03 ; Miss Lulu Rackle, 1903-05 ; Miss Sarah Crevoisie, 1905-15. THE LATE WILLIAM A. LYNCH As an example of the broad, brilliant and learned lawyer, who refused to be diverted from the labors and honors of his profession by 160 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY either political or judicial honors, no member of the Stark County bar has furnished so striking an example as the late William A. Lynch. His legal genius was never diverted except into such large fields as those of corporation developments connected with railroads, coal mining and other leading industries, and only then, when he saw the opportunity to apply himself as a member of his profession in the organization and management of broad interests within the well-ordered domain of the law. He had no dealings with anything of a petty nature, either in his capacity as a lawyer or as a citizen, and although repeatedly urged to accept both judicial and political honors he steadfastly pursued the course which he had evidently marked out with care and determination. Mr. Lynch was a native of Canton, Ohio, born August 4, 1844. His parents were natives of Ireland, who met in Stark County and were there married. The father was county surveyor, county recorder, a developer of coal mining both in Stark County and Western Pennsylvania, and one of the projectors of the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago and the Mahoning Valley railroads. His death occurred just previous to the financial panic of 1857, which was especially disastrous to railroad properties and threw the Lynch estate into heavy debt. Several years thereafter the son, when he had reached his majority shouldered his father's honorable debts and eventually paid them. In his sixteenth year he had entered the office of Louis Schaefer to study law, and was taken into partnership by his preceptor on September 1, 1865, having reached his majority about a month before. While studying law and in the early period of his practice, Mr. Lynch found an elder friend and admirer in John McSweeney, who took delight in aiding him in various ways from the store of his wide experience. The advice and assistance of the elder attorney was so effectively utilized that Lynch soon became McSweeney's strongest opponent in the courts of Northern Ohio. The partnership with Mr. Schaefer was dissolved at the end of four years, and Mr. Lynch remained alone until 1872, when he was joined in practice by William R. Day. In April, 1878, an addition to the firm was made in the person of Austin Lynch, a brother of the senior partner, making its style, Lynch, Day & Lynch. In 1885 William A. Lynch retired from the firm and thereafter, until his death, practiced alone. He was twice elected prosecuting attorney of Stark County. The first time his opponent was the late Charles F. Manderson, long afterward United States senator from Nebraska. Major McKinley then ran against him successfully, but failed to be elected a second term, Which honor again fell to Mr. Lynch. The offices of prosecuting attorney and city solicitor were the only ones HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY - 161 to which Mr. Lynch aspired, or to which he was elected, and his elections to the former office were accomplished as a democrat. In 1885, upon retiring from the firm of Lynch, Day & Lynch, William A. adopted corporation law as his specialty, and actively participated in the management and development of several enterprises of great magnitude. He was one of the projectors of the Pittsburgh, Akron & Western Railroad, and became the head of the Canton & Massillon Electric Railway, one of the first lines of the kind in the country to carry baggage, mail and express matter. In December, 1901, this system was sold to a syndicate and Mr. Lynch retired from the management. In 1895 he had reorganized the Aultman Company, became its president and greatly advanced its interests. He was a number of times appointed receiver for large institutions, while, in matters of litigation and reorganization of railroad, coal, iron and manufacturing properties, his counsel and active co-operation were frequently enlisted. Despite his refusal to be drawn into active politics, Mr. Lynch became quite prominent in the presidential campaigns of 1896 and 1900. He was an ardent supporter of the hard-money wing of the democracy, being a delegate to the Indianapolis National Sound Money Convention in 1896 and one of the electors-at-large on the Palmer-Buckner ticket for the State of Ohio. But he realized the hopelessness of victory for his party, and therefore openly declared for his warm friend and fellow townsman, Mr. McKinley. It was during this memorable campaign of 1896 that Mr. Lynch delivered at Canton what was pronounced by many public men to have been the greatest speech on the financial question made in the country, with the possible exception of the oration of Carl Schurz, at Chicago. Again, in the presidential campaign of 1900, Mr. Lynch opposed the election of Mr. Bryan and, with John Cowen, president of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, spoke at Baltimore to a large meeting under the auspices of the Maryland Sound Money Democratic League. Those were his most memorable appearances as a figure in national politics and, had he elected to enter that field, he would undoubtedly have achieved a great reputation. Vol. I —11 |