HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY - 175 largest libraries in town, Mr. Perkins, Judge Taylor and C. A. Harrington being the others. L. C. Jones came to the bar later than most of his contemporaries, but was successful after he began practice. He was born in Hartford township in 1822, on Christmas day, and his parents were of Puritan blood, having come from Connecticut. Middle-aged people remember his mother, who lived to extreme age. She belonged to a family of longevity. Of her brothers and sisters, one died when over. ninety, and one at one hundred and two, the others between these two ages. Mr. Jones attended the Western Reserve College at Hudson. Part of the time he supported himself when he was getting his education, and learned the trade of painting chairs. Determining to be a doctor, he attended medical lectures at Columbia College in Washington, D. C., and returned to Hartford, where he practiced medicine for nearly two years. Although he had liked the study of medicine, he did not like the practice. He therefore engaged in mercantile business, but this, too, for various reasons, was as unsatisfactory to him as was medicine. Judge John Crowell urged him to study law, and this he did, being admitted in 1854. He practiced in his home town until 1862, when he formed a partnership with Ezra B. Taylor, which partnership continued for fourteen years. This was one of the most successful firms in the valley, and the records show Taylor & Jones to be the attorneys of most of the important cases of that time. He was a state senator for two terms, was registrar in bankruptcy for many years, was the first city solicitor of Warren, and accumulated a goodly property. Judge William T. Spear has served almost continuously for a quarter of a century as judge of the supreme court of the state of Ohio. He was born in Warren, his father being Edward Spear Sr. and his mother Ann (Adgate) Spear. We have seen in the general history the position which Edward Spear occupied in the community, and the mother was a strong character, a cousin of John Hart Adgate, one of the first settlers in Warren. Mr. Edward Spear was a worker in wood, having been associated with Mr. White in a building north of the Presbyterian church. Here they had machinery which was run by horse power, and some of the old citizens of Warren remember how William used to conscientiously drive the horse that turned the capstan. This picture of his childhood was almost repeated by his son Lawrence, who used to drive the Jersey cow of the 176 - HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY Misses Stevens, walking leisurely down the tree-covered Mahoning avenue with his hands on the cow's hip. These two generally walked along and turned in at the very spot where, more than a generation before, the judge had driven his father's horse. Judge Spear obtained his education in the common school of Warren and in Junius Dana's Latin School. His sister, Mrs. Hoyt, was one of the most beloved women of her day. She and William were alike in looks and character. Her two daughters, Annie and Abbie, still reside in Warren. Judge Spear learned the printer's business, beginning work in the office of the Trumbull County Whig. This later became the Whig and Transcript. James Dumar was editor and publisher. Mr.. Spear followed the printing business, working in Pittsburg and two years in New York City. He finally concluded that the law opened a wider field, and began studying with Jacob D. Cox, afterwards general and governor. He graduated from the Harvard Law School in 1859, and was admitted to the bar the same year. Be was first associated with J. D. Cox and Robert Ratliff ; later with John C. Hutchins and C. A. Harrington. He spent three years in Louisiana practicing his• profession in connection with the management. of a cotton plantation. In 1864 he married Frances E. York, of Lima, New York. Mrs. Spear is a woman of fine education, taught in the Warren high school, and was a great addition to the society in which Judge Spear moved. She has been truly a helpmeet and a companion. They have four sons. Judge Spear was elected to the common pleas bench in 1878, re-elected in 1883; elected supreme judge in 1885, and has served continuously since. Judge and Mrs. Spear reside in Columbus. The father and grandfather of Ezra B. Taylor, both bearing the name of Elisha, settled in Nelson in 1814. They had intended locating near the mouth of the Cuyahoga, but when they came to view their land the sand seemed so uninviting and the wind so fierce that they worked bank onto the Nelson hills, and chose a lovely spot midway between the center of Nelson and the center of Hiram. Elisha married Amanda Couch, of Connecticut, who died leaving one son, Samuel. He then married the younger sister, Thyrza. Mrs. Taylor was a woman of strong character, fine physique and a wonderful helpmeet for a pioneer. She had four boys and one girl. Ezra Booth, named for his uncle, the Methodist preacher, his family intending he should be a preacher, was born July 9, 1823. He worked on the farm, HISTORY OF TRLTMBLTLL COUNTY - 177 attended the schools in winter, sometimes in summer, and his mother made many sacrifices in order that he might have the education he desired. He read by the log fire and walked many miles to borrow a book which he would hear was in the neighborhood. At an early age he taught school at the center of Nelson in the Academy. He studied law with Robt. F. Paine, of Garrettsville, afterwards judge. He passed the examination in 1845, and was admitted to the bar at Chardon. He was then twenty-two years old. He -practiced one year in Garrettsville, and moved to the county seat, Ravenna, in 1847. Married Harriet M. Frazer, daughter of Col. William A. Frazer, in 1849. She died in 1876. They had two children, Harriet and Hal K. Mr. Taylor entered into partnership with Gen. Lucius V. Bierce after he had practiced a year alone, and as General Bierce was a strong man with a good practice, this was a great advantage to Mr. Taylor, and he improved it. He later had for his partners John L. Ranney and Judge Luther Day, the father of Judge William Day of the Supreme Court of the United States. In 1849 he was elected prosecuting attorney of Portage county. He came to Warren in 1861 and formed a partnership with L. C. Jones, which continued until 1876. He was one of the " squirrel hunters," and was a private in the 171st Ohio National Guard. When he returned home he was elected colonel of the regiment. He was appointed judge in 1877 to fill the unexpired term of Judge Frank Servis. In 1880 he was elected to Congress to succeed James A. Garfield, who had been elected to the senate. General Garfield never took his seat in the senate, because he was nominated and elected to the presidency that same year. Judge Taylor, therefore, filled General Garfield's unexpired term, going to Washington in December, 1880. Major McKinley had been a member of the judiciary committee of the house, and took Garfield's place on the ways and means committee when Garfield left that body. Judge Taylor was appointed a member of the judiciary committee in McKinley's place, and he served on this committee as chairman when the Republican party was in power, always at other times as a member. He was a member of other committees of the house—commerce, claims, etc. He was a member of the conference committee, and was equally responsible with Senator Sherman for the passage of the law known as the Sherman Anti-Trust Bill. He was the author of the bankruptcy bill; assisted Speaker Reed in making Vol. I-12 178 - HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY the rules which have been so severely criticized during this present year. He gave, as chairman of this committee, the only majority report on the question of woman suffrage which has ever been given by any committee in the national house of representatives. Speaker Reed once made a minority report which Judge Taylor signed. The congressional speech which attracted the most attention was that on the Chinese question. After thirteen years' service he retired, for personal reasons. He entered into a partnership in 1884 with his son-in-law, George W. Upton, which existed until 1905, when a stroke of apoplexy caused the former to retire from active practice. In early life Mr. Taylor belonged to debating societies, and was much interested in public affairs, such as libraries, agricultural societies, etc. Once, when dining with General Hazen in Washington, the latter showed him a premium card which he received when living on his farm near Garrettsville for raising broom corn. This was signed by Ezra B. Taylor as secretary. Both at that time were young men. These two Men had many stories to tell that evening of their boyhood life on the farm (they lived within a few miles of each other), to the amusement of the other guests. Judge Taylor once told the writer that when he took up his duties as common pleas judge he was greatly troubled lest, in some doubtful or evenly balanced case, his personal opinion of, or feeling towards one of the parties or attorneys might unconsciously tend to bias his judgment. But he was both glad and surprised to find that from the time he entered upon the trial of a cause it became to him a mere impersonal abstraction, in which he was hardly conscious that he knew the parties or thei r council ; this fact quieted his fears. This is a rare trait, but on intimate acquaintance, and years of practice with him at the bar, and before him on the bench, the writer was confirmed in the belief that this was true. As a lawyer and judge, he for many years before his retirement stood with the foremost of those in northeastern Ohio. Of fine physique, pleasant appearance and address, keen perception and quick of thought, with a retentive memory and good command of language, he was not an orator by any standard of the schools, save that of nature, but was always an interesting and persuasive advocate, commanding attention whenever he spoke; and much because he never spoke unless he had something to say, and his earnestness of look, tone and manner left with his HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY - 179 hearers little doubt of his conviction that his cause was a good one. As a judge he stood among the best. His knowledge of the law and how to apply it, with his logical, reasoning mind and sound judgment and a conscientious desire to be right, fitted him for this. But perhaps his most sterling quality on the bench was his keen sense of justice, fairness and right, without which few causes ever safely passed through his hands. Judge Taylor is by nature optimistic. Although cut off from his business associates by his illness, he declares that these last four years of his life have been his happiest ones. "Everybody is so good to me," he says. His vigor of mind continues, and his life-long philosophy is his strength. His only daughter, Mrs. Upton, has been his life-long companion and comrade. The relation existing between these two persons is as beautiful as it is rare. The late Judge Elias E. Roberts, whose sudden death occurred November 24, 1908, in Sharon, Pennsylvania, was the only circuit judge that Trumbull County ever had. He had recently been elected to this office under the new law, and his loss will be deeply felt by this court. For the past five years he had been judge of the court of common pleas for the Warren district. and was one of the youngest men ever honored with that distinction. He was a native of Wellsville, Columbiana county, and his higher literary studies were pursued at Mount Union College, Alliance, Ohio, from which he graduated in the philosophical course in 1888. Re taught school for a number of years, being superintendent of the Newton Falls schools for four years, and during his labors as a teacher he prepared himself for the law. Judge Roberts was admitted to the bar in 1891, and in October of the following year entered the office of T. H. Gillmer of Warren, where he remained for four years, or until his election as prosecuting attorney in 1896. His energetic yet conservative administration of this office stamped him as a lawyer of such breadth and sound judgment that he received the appointment of the common pleas judgeship as successor to Judge T. I. Gill-me•, and at the fall election of 1903 he was elected for the regular term. The following is a concise and truthful estimate : "Judge Roberts was a conservative but fearless man when it came to deciding cases, and had the ability to keep the courts going so that docket cases did not congest. As an orator he had few 180 - HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY peers." He was a member of the Masonic order and several other fraternal organizations. He was just as popular in other courts of the subdivision as he was at home, and a case never came before him of whose merits he did not have some knowledge. Judge T. I. Gillmer has lived his entire life in Trumbull County. He was born in 1844. His father died early, and he had the management of the estate and the care of his mother. He attended common and academic schools, and graduated from the Iron City Commercial College in Pittsburg in 1858. After reading law with Hon. John F. Beaver he was admitted in 1870. He practiced in Newton Falls until the death of Mr. Beaver. He moved to Warren in 1874, was elected prosecuting attorney in 1875, became a partner of Hon L. C. Jones in 1880, was elected common pleas judge in 1886, discharging the duties of this office with great conscientiousness and ability. He retired from the judgeship in 1903 and formed a partnership with his son, R. I. Gillmer, which exists at this writing. In 1870 he married Helen Earl, and their married life was exceedingly happy. Mrs. Gillmer, who died in 1908, was a devoted mother and a faithful wife. She and her husband were interested in educational and public affairs. She was a member and a worker in the Disciple church ; he was an officer and is now acting president of the Library Association. Their oldest child, Elizabeth, is the wife of J. W. Packard. R. I. Gillmer and his daughter Katharine reside with the judge. Mr. Gillmer owns a farm in Newton township that was purchased by his grandfather from the Connecticut Land Company in 1807. Thomas H. Gillmer was born in Newton township in 1849. He had a common school education, and attended the Normal School at Lebanon. He began his professional life as a teacher, and studied law later with Ratliff & Gillmer. He was admitted in 1878, and began to practice in Newton Falls. Later he moved to Warren and had an office with his cousin, T. I. Gillmer. He was elected prosecuting attorney, and for ten years or more has been a member of the school board, most of the time as president. He has been exceedingly prosperous in business, being connected with many of the prominent manufactories of the city. He has been active in the organization of the Republican party in the county. He was a candidate for Congress after Stephen A. Northway's death, but was defeated by Charles Dick. He was connected with the First HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY - 181 National Bank as an officer, and upon the merging of the Warren Savings Bank with the First National, under the title of the Union National Bank, he became its president. George W. Upton was born in Sacramento, California, in 1857. His father was at that time prosecuting attorney, and had been a member of the Michigan legislature, in which state he had stopped on his way west from his New York home. He was a member of the California legislature, and when George was eight years old the family moved to Oregon. Here the father became circuit judge, and later chief justice of the supreme court. George W. was educated in the Portland schools, both public and private. He was a teacher for a little time, and was of the party which surveyed the disputed islands lying between the United States and British Columbia. He was appointed cadet to West Point in 1876, where he spent four years. His father having been appointed comptroller of the treasury in 1877, the family moved to Washington. Here he attended Columbian Law School,graduated,and came to Warren in 1884. He entered into partnership with Judge Ezra B. Taylor, whose daughter, Harriet, he married, and this partnership continued until he went to South America, where he was engaged in business five years. He was appointed prosecuting attorney by Judge T. I. Gillmer in 1895, and served during the construction of the present court house. Because of his mechanical turn of mind he now devotes himself to the practice of patent law. Charles Fillius was born at Hudson, Summit county, Ohio, in 1852. Aside from a common education, he graduated at Hiram College. He read law by himself in the beginning, and finally in the office of -Marvin and Grant, attorneys-at-law in Akron, and was admitted to the bar in 1878. Mr. Fillius began practice at Cuyahoga. Falls in 1879, and continued till he came to Warren in 1882. He then married the daughter of Judge George Tuttle, and the two men formed a partnership which lasted twenty years, when Judge Tuttle retired. Mr. Fillius has been identified with the general interests of the town, serving as one of the trustees of the Children's Home. He is director of the Western Reserve Bank, and is one of the main supports of the Christian church. He has been unfortunate in being a Democrat in a community where the Republican party is dominant, otherwise he would have filled several high positions of trust and honor. Mr. and 182 - HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY Mrs. Fillius have one son, George, who, like his father and grandfather, is a lawyer, just admitted. Lulie E. Mackey was born in Vienna in 1870. She is a self-made woman, although like most self-made men she owes a great deal to her mother, who sympathized with her in her ambitions and who made some of her work possible. Her father was Ira B. and her mother Mina Mackey. She attended school in Vienna. Niles, and began teaching when she was sixteen. She took care of herself by hard work at the time she was studying stenography. Although she never mentions this fact, it is gen- erally known that she obtained the education in this line which made her success possible by working early in the morning and very late at night. This sacrifice she had to make because her father died in 1889. Her mother, who is still living, lives with her at their country home between Niles and Girard. Here Miss Mackey owns a large farm. In 1894 Miss Mackey was appointed court stenographer by T. I. Gillmer, upon the recommendation of two associate judges and the leading attorneys of Trumbull and Mahoning counties. She was the first woman to hold so responsible a place in this judicial district, and made good to such an extent that she is still serving, at the end of fifteen years. The salary and fees of this office are very good. and Miss Mackey has made good investments, so that she is not only successful in her calling but in the way in which the world speaks of success. Her court association led her to study law under Judge T. I. Gillmer, and in the offices of T. H. Gillmer. Hon. E. E. Roberts and Prof. Kinkead of the Ohio University of Columbus. She was admitted to the bar in 1898, being sworn in by Judge William T. Spear. She is the only woman attorney in Trumbull County. Charles M. Wilkins, who has just begun his first term as common pleas judge, was born in Warren in 1865. His early education was obtained at the public schools, and later he attended Lehigh University. His law preceptor was John j. Sullivan, and he was admitted in 1891. He was city solicitor in 1900-1902; prosecuting attorney 1903-'06. He resigned as solicitor to accept the office of prosecuting attorney. He resigned from the office of prosecuting attorney to accept the appointment of judge. He had been elected judge in 1908, and would have taken his place January 1, 1909. Judge E. E. Roberts, whose term would have expired January 1, 1909, died before the expiration of that term. and Judge Wilkins was appointed to this vacancy. HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY - 183 Judge E. O. Dilley was born in 1861; educated in the Cortland schools and Hiram College; studied law with E. B. Leonard; was admitted to the bar in 1895. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Maccabees, was elected probate judge in 1908 and assumed the duties of his office on February 9, 1909. William B. Kilpatrick, now mayor of Warren, was born in Ohio in 1877. He studied law with George P. Hunter, and was admitted to practice in 1901. He attended no school except the Warren high school, but has been a student of economic questions. He is the only Democrat since the war time who has been elected to the office of mayor. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Odd Fellows. He was a candidate for judge of common pleas court in 1908, and ran far ahead of his ticket in his own town. Judge Frank S. Chryst was born in Lordstown, educated in the common schools and graduated from Allegheny College in 1880. He studied law with Jones & Gillmer, and was admitted in 1882. Was in partnership with Frank W. Harrington from 1888 to 1.891; was later a partner of Judge D. R. Gilbert. He was elected probate judge in 1902, serving two terms, from 1903 to 1909. At this writing Judge Chryst has just moved into a new home on Monroe street, occupying a lot upon which stood one of the oldest houses in Warren. Here Mr. Porter, the grandfather of Joseph and Mary Porter, now residing in this city. lived, and it afterwards became the property of Miss Laura Harsh. whose father, John, and mother, Nancy, were among the very early settlers in Warren. Frank R. Cowdrey is a son of Julius N. Cowdrey, the two being in partnership at Niles, Ohio. Mr. Cowdrey was born in 1878. studied law with his father, Julius N. Cowdrey, and was admitted in 1900. He was educated in the Niles schools and the Ohio Normal University at Ada. Joseph Smith was born in 1870, educated in the Niles schools, and studied law with Hon. C. H. Strock. He was admitted to practice in Columbus in 1895. He is city solicitor of Niles, past W. M. of Mahoning Lodge 394, F. & A. M., and past C. C. of Niles Lodge No. 138, K. of P. He was associated in business with Wm. H. Smiley for a little time before his death. R. K. Hulse was born in Bazetta, received his early education in the Bazetta schools and the Seminary at Farmington until 1843. He then went to work for Mr. Belden in his carriage 184 - HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY shop in Warren. Here he had access to a library kept by D. M. Ide, and, at the suggestion of Judge Birchard read Blackstone. He studied law with Judge Yeomans. Was a member of the 125th Regiment of Ohio Volunteers, served as corporal sergeant, 1st sergeant, second lieutenant, first lieutenant and captain. After the war he completed his studies, was admitted to the bar in 1877, and retired in 1902. He is a member of the Masonic order, and of the Methodist church. He has been a teacher or a scholar in that church for fifty-seven years. He married Miss Hannah Payton in 1847. Mr. G. P. Gillmer was born in Newton township in 1872. He studied law with T. H. Gillmer, and was admitted to practice in 1902. He received his education in the public schools of Newton Falls, at the Northern Indiana Normal University, at Valparaiso, Ind., receiving the degree of B. S. He also attended Waynesburg College, Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, and received the degree of A. B. He resides in Niles, and is a trustee of the First Methodist church of that place. He is a Knight Templar, a Shriner, member of the I. 0. 0. F. and the K. of P. Hon. Warren Thomas was born in 1876, educated in the Cortland schools, studied law in the office of Tuttle & Fillius and was admitted to practice in 1899. He served two years in the Ohio house of representatives, was chairman of the judiciary committee of that body, and is now assistant attorney-general of the state. He resides in Warren. He. has actively engaged in politics in the last few years. Jay Buchwalter was born in Dalton, Wayne county, Ohio, in 1874. He studied law with Tuttle & Fillius and was admitted to the bar in 1901. He received his education in the common schools and at Mount Union College. He is interested in politics, and has an active practice. He is affiliated with the Methodist church and interested in educational matters. Rollin I. Gillmer, who is associated with his father, Judge T. I. Gillmer, was born in Newton Falls in 1873. He attended the Warren schools, Hudson Academy, and University of Michigan. He was admitted to practice in 1897. He is now serving his second term as United States commissioner. He belongs to the Masons, the Elks, and is a member of the Episcopal church. He is the youngest of the four Gillmers now at the Trumbull County bar. D. M. Hine, who has been mayor of Newton Falls and is attorney for that village at present, was born in Paris, Portage HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY - 185 county. He obtained his education in the common schools and at Mount Union. He taught for several years. He attended the Cincinnati Law School, graduating with honors in 1892. He was admitted to the bar that same month, May. He is a member of the Odd Fellows. A. E. Wonders graduated from the Warren high school in 1896, and has spent all of his life in Warren. He studied in the office of Homer E. Stewart and at the Ohio State Law School. He was admitted to practice in 1900. He is a member of the Mahoning Lodge No. 29, I. 0. 0. 10., and Trumbull Encampment No. 47, I. 0. 0. F. Mr. Wonders, like his father before him, is an ardent Methodist. He married Miss Mabel Izant, whose family likewise are devoted Methodists. Alcher L. Phelps, one of the youngest members of Trumbull County bar, was born in 1873. His early education was obtained in the Bristolville schools, and he later studied at the State University in Columbus. His law studies were pursued under the instruction of John J. Sullivan, George P. Hunter, while he also attended the law school at Columbus. He was admitted to the bar in Columbus in 1897. He has served as city solicitor of the town of Warren, is a member of the Methodist church, as well as the Knights of Pythias, I. 0. O. F., Elks, and Warren Commandery, Knights Templar. George T. Hecklinger, the grandson of the late M. B. Tayler, on his mother's side, and Daniel Hecklinger on the father's side, was born in Warren in 1873. He was educated in the public schools and Mercerburg College. Studied law at the Western University of Pennsylvania. Was admitted in 1898. He is a member of the board of health, the Royal Arcanum, Odd Fellows and Masons. He is a Methodist, as were his parents before him. William E. Tuttle is the third son of Judge George M. Tattle. He was born and lived all his life in Warren, Ohio. He graduated from the Warren high school, was admitted to the bar at Columbus in the early '90s. His business is largely an office business, as he deals in real estate, municipal bonds, etc. He has an office in Youngstown, as well as in Warren. George W. Snyder was born in Hartford in 1839. He was educated in the common schools; he read law with L. C. Jones at Hartford, and was admitted to the bar in 1867. He located at Orangeville, and has held several positions in that village,—those of justice of the peace, mayor and postmaster. William B. Moran was born in Leitrim county, Ireland, in 186 - HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY 1846. With his parents he located in Trumbull County in 1852. He is self-educated, and in early life taught school. He began the study of law in 1870, being with Hutchins, Tuttle & Stull in 1872. He was admitted to practice in 1874 and located in Vernon. Within the last few years he moved to Warren, that his family might have the advantage of the schools, and here he continues to practice. M. J. Sloan was born in Greene in 1844. He early enlisted in the army, serving two years. He attended school in Greene, Orwell. and Oberlin College. He earned the money to defray his expenses while in Oberlin. He studied. law and taught school, and was admitted to the bar in 1874. Most of his law reading was done with John C. Hale, of Elyria. He first located in Niles, then moved to Warren. He has been prominent in G. A. R. circles, was elected mayor in 1906. At present he is a member of the board of pardons for the state of Ohio. Washington Hyde was born in West Farmington in 1847, and belongs to one of the families who settled that town. He made great sacrifices to get his education at the Seminary in Farmington. During part of his course he rang the bell of the Seminary. He graduated in 1867, attended Michigan University in 1870, graduated from the law department of that college in 1872. He was admitted to the bar the same year, and began practicing in Warren. He was elected prosecutor in 1879, and re-elected in 1881. He is connected as a stockholder with several business enterprises of this city. John LaFayette Herzog was born in Warren in 1857. He obtained his education in the Warren high school and studied law with Sutliff & Stewart. He was admitted to practice in 1878, and has spent his entire life in Warren. His practice has been largely of settling estates, and not much in the line of litigation. He has a fine knowledge of law, but is exceedingly modest and retiring. LaFayette Hunter was born in Howland in 1846. He attended school at Newton Falls, normal school at Hopedale. In 1872 he went to commercial college in Cleveland. Took his law course at Albany, graduating in 1874, and was admitted to the bar the same year. He located at Warren, Ohio, where he has since practiced. He is commissioner of bankruptcy. Robert T. Izant was born at Great Elm, Somersetshire, England, in 1855. He came to Warren with his parents in 1872, and soon thereafter became clerk in the office of John M. Stull. HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY - 187 he was admitted to the bar in 1878, and practiced for a number of years. When the Trumbull Building & Loan Association was formed he became treasurer of it, and has devoted all his time to that institution since, being largely responsible for its success. He married Sadee King of Kinsman, and with her is a worker in the Methodist church. A. A. Drown was born in Nelson in 1850. He attended local schools and Hiram College. Read law with Taylor & Jones, was admitted to the bar in 1875, and has since continued to practice his profession, most of the time in Warren. David R. Gilbert was born in Vernon in 1846, moved with his parents to Gustavus in 1856. He attended district school and Oberlin College. He began the study of law in 1871 with Taylor & Jones. He was admitted at Canfield in 1873. He began practice in 1875; was associated with Judge Taylor in 1880; he served two terms as probate judge, and continues the practice of law in the city. Emerson B. Leonard received his education in the common schools, Penn Line, Pennsylvania, high school at Jefferson, and Kingsville Academy. Studied law with W. P. Holland (his brother-in-law), Jefferson, Ohio. Was admitted at Cleveland in 1871. Was prosecuting attorney of Ashtabula county for two terms. He is now in active practice at Warren, F. D. Templeton being his partner. M. B. Leslie, of Hubbard, was born in that town in 1851. He studied law with Judge George Arrell, and was admitted in 1878. He went to school in Poland, and was justice of the peace three years. Mr. W. G. Baldwin is city solicitor. He studied law with John M. Stull, and has made a specialty of securing abstracts of titles. Wade R. Deemer was born in Fowler, 1865. He earned the money for education by working as a machinist. He completed his course of study in 1886 at New Lyme College. He studied law with C. H. Strock of Niles, and was admitted to the bar in 1891. In 1892, May, he began practicing law at Girard, and in October of the same year married Myrtle. C. Baldwin, of Austinburg. Clare Caldwell was born. in Warren in 1881. He graduated at the Warren high school, took a course at Western Reserve College in Cleveland, graduating there, also from the Western Reserve Law School in 1905. Spent some time in Cleveland, 188 -HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY and in 1907 began practicing law in Niles, where he now resides. He is the youngest man at the bar in Trumbull County at this writing, and Judge E. B. Taylor is the oldest. From the time the author was a little girl she has listened to the tales which lawyers loved to tell of another. Some of them might not be of general interest, and space would not allow the recording of many here, anyway. However, she ventures to give one of two. An attorney of rather doubtful reputation was defending a client for arson. The counsel for the defense was attempting to prove an alibi. The man, colored, was known not to be able to write. When he was called upon in answer to question he said that he could not have burned the building because he was in Sharon that night. "How do you remember that it was that night ?" asked the prosecuting attorney. "Because I remember writing to my mother that very day." "Writing to your mother?" ejaculated the prosecutor, as he handed the accused a pencil and paper, saying, "write 'Sharon, Pa., August 19th, 1881.' " The colored boy's eyes glistened. This was exactly what his lawyer had said would happen. Clutching the pencil tightly and wetting it often, he produced the following: "Charon Pa. Aug 91. 1881." Handing it back triumphantly to the prosecutor, he was surprised when it was read to hear a general laugh. The prosecutor suggested, "Mr. Blank is a good writing teacher, isn't he?" "Fine," replied the boy. Whereupon the counsel for prisoner objected, the usual discussion took place, but the boy was convicted. The Germans who settled the lower part of Trumbull and upper part of Mahoning formed a community by themselves. They learned the English language slowly and imperfectly. In one case a large proportion of the jury was of these. One young, dapper fellow, because of his better knowledge of "English as she is spoke," was made foreman of the jury. This was in the days when verdicts were returned orally. After long deliberation this jury was linable to agree, and returned to the court room to so report. But the clerk, supposing they had agreed, proceeded with the usual formula, and asked, "Gentlemen of the jury, have you agreed upon a verdict?" The dapper little foreman popped up and said : "Yaas." The clerk: "How do you find—for the plaintiff or for the defendant?" Foreman : HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY - 189 "Vos is dot?" The clerk : "Why, how do you find by your verdict? Do you find for the plaintiff or for the defendant?" Foreman: "0, we ton't find noddings for any o' dem fellers; te chury has cot shplit." On another occasion two brothers of that community, Jake and John, went together to the county seat to pay their taxes and transact business. In the afternoon Jake wandered into the courtroom, just as they were impanelling a jury. The regular panel being exhausted, Jake was called and sworn in as one of the talesmen. At the adjournment of the court the judge was very impressive in warning the jury that they must not talk among themselves about the merits of the case, nor listen to others so talking, nor permit any person to speak to them of matters involved in the case. Jake took all this very literally. As he approached the hotel where they stopped John was on the steps waiting for him, and called out, "Well, Chake, is you ready to go home ?" Jake stopped and held up both hands warningly, and said : "Ton 't shpeak mit me. Ton't shpeak mit me. I ish te chury." At one time one of the priests at St. Mary's "looked upon wine when it was red in the cup" too often, until he could not get on without it. His parishioners first noticed that he was sometimes a little worse for drink, and then the townspeople knew it. An attorney in town, who had no nose for news, was particularly gifted at minding his own business, had had occasion to hear the complaints from a client of the dissipation of this otherwise good priest. Because it came in a business way he remembered it. Very soon thereafter, when he was attending court in a nearby town, a Catholic gentleman, devout of mature, asked him if it were true that Father drank to excess. The lawyer replied, "Personally I do not know, for I am not acquainted with him ; but some of my friends at home tell me he does." It seems that proper church officials had decided to investigate the case of this priest, and the man was asking for a real purpose. The proceedings were begun, and, one morning, some weeks after, when the Warren lawyer was sitting in his back office, the priest, in a good deal of temper, came hurriedly in. "I understand," said the father, "that you have reported to headquarters that I am a drunkard." The lawyer, a resolute but gentle man, pursued his desk work for a few moments, and then, looking up, said, "I never saw you before. I never said you were a drunkard. I did, however, tell a man that Warren 190 - HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY people said you drank too much." Whereupon the priest laid his hand on the side of his large, red nose and said, "I want you to know, sir, that God made that nose." "Possibly," said the attorney, coolly, "but He never colored it." When Judge Ezra B. Taylor, as a very young man, had been practicing law a few years in Ravenna, his wife awakened one night by hearing burglars in the house. He therefore grabbed a pistol and went in the direction of the noise. The burglar, hearing him coming, jumped out the window, ran through the yard, and cleared the side fence. Mr. Taylor discharged the revolver, but found no dead man in the vicinity when he examined. A little time thereafter he was called to the jail to defend a man for burglary. When they had talked the case over Mr. Taylor felt so sure that the man was guilty that he persuaded him to thus plead, in order to receive a light sentence. Mr. Taylor then talked seriously to the prisoner. He explained how easy it was for a man to lead a decent life and to be respected by his fellow citizens, and how wicked it was, as well as dangerous, to pursue the life of a criminal. Continuing, he said : "It is a horrible thing to be the cause of so much suffering to women and to children. Now, the other night my wife awakened me telling me, there was a burglar in the house, and that fright made her sick. Of course, I went after the man and shot at him. but that's all the good it did. I probably did not come within rods of him." The prisoner smiled and said, picking up a hat with a hole in it, "You came near enough," pointing to the hole. That this man had been Mr. Taylor's burglar made him all the more interested in his future. Before he left him the prisoner had promised to plead guilty, to serve his time, and to lead a decent life. After his sentence, when he had been home with his family but a few weeks, the driver of a stage-coach, or a carriage, having a trunk of valuable things on the back, reported that on reaching his destination they were missing. After much search, the trunk with part of the goods being missing, was found in the barn of a respected farmer who stated he saw the prisoner take off the trunk. The time server was therefore arrested, put in jail, and he sent for Mr. Taylor. He protested that he was not guilty, and soon Mr. Taylor believed him. He swore he had kept his promise and would keep his promise. The case came to trial. Because of his past reputation, everything pointed to his conviction. The farmer was to go on the witness stand immediately after the noon hour. As the time grew HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY - 191 nearer and nearer he grew very pale and nervous, and when the court was convened in the afternoon he took the witness stand and confessed that he, himself, and not the prisoner, was the guilty party. The happy ending of this story is that the accused man went back to his own township, established a good reputation among his neighbors, was elected justice of the peace, which office he held for many years, and when he died was held in high esteem by all who knew him. An elderly man who used to practice at the Trumbull bar says: " I remember the first time Judge Thurman came into our county to hold a session of the supreme court. Under the old constitution, judges of the supreme court went on the circuit also, and once a year one of them, with two common pleas judges, held a session of the supreme court in each county. The lawyers had gotten into a sort of slovenly, undignified course, not befitting the dignity of a court. Judge Thurman was six feet in height, of splendid physique, and one of the best dressed and best groomed men that I ever met. When he came into the courtroom that morning faultlessly attired, and with a dignity which matched his attire, with immaculate shirt front, collar and cuffs, and took his seat between the other two judges, every lawyer was at attention; and when he took out his silver snuffbox and placed it open on the desk before him, and laid his white cambric handkerchief beside it, adjusted his cuffs, opened the docket, and, with a glance around the room which took in every lawyer present, said, 'If the gentlemen of the bar will give attention, we will proceed with the call of the docket,' every lawyer did pay attention; and thereafter there was no lounging with feet on the trial table, unseemly levity or want of decorum; and no lawyer thought of addressing the court without rising to his feet. The court was revolutionized in half a minute, and the lawyers on their better behavior. And this continued. In fact, a court is such as a judge makes it." Here is given a list of the men who have served Trumbull County as Common-Pleas Judges. 1808—Calvin Pease. 1810—Benj. Ruggles. 1815—George Tod. 1830—Reuben Wood. 1833—Mathew Birchard. 1837—Van R. Humphrey. 1844 Eben Newton. 1847—Benjamin F. Wade. 1851—George Bliss. 192 - HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY The above were elected by the legislators. The constitution of 1851 abolished associate judgeships, and judges were elected by men of the subdivision of the district. Trumbull, with Ma-honing and Portage, made the second subdivision of the ninth judicial district. The Common Pleas Judges elected are : 1852-'57—Luther Day. 1857-'62—Benjamin F. Hoffman. 1862-'67—Charles E. Glidden. 1867-'72—George M. Tuttle. 1868-'78—Philo B. Conant. 1871-'72—Charles E. Glidden. 1877—Francis C. Servis. 1877-'80—Ezra B. Taylor. 1878-'86—Wm. T. Spear. 1880-'87—George F. Arrell. 1886 —T. I. Gillmer. 1886 —Albert A. Theyes (vice Spear.) 1887-'97—Jos. R. Johnston. 1888 to date—Geo. F. Robinson. 1893—Geo. F. Robinson. 1897-'99—Jas. B. Kennedy. 1899 to date—Disney Rogers. 1903-'08—E. E. Roberts. 1908 to date—Chas. M. Wilkins. There has never been but one person suffer the death penalty in Trumbull County. That was Ira West Gardner of Gustavus. He married Anna Buell, a widow, who had a beautiful daughter of sixteen, Frances Maria. Gardner in 1832 tried to seduce this girl, and was repulsed. Fearing him, she went to the home of a nearby neighbor, staying there for some little time. At last Gardner sent word to her that if she would return home she would be safe. Needing some clothing, she took advantage of this offer, and Gardner, meeting her at the gap of the fence. plunged a butcher knife into her heart. He was tried and convicted. Roswell Stone was the prosecuting attorney and Comfort Mygatt sheriff. He was escorted to the place of hanging by a great procession and band, Selden Haines being in command of the soldiers. People who had children away at school brought them home to witness the execution. We now wonder how these parents reasoned, but one of the young men who was thus brought many miles remembers that his father said he might never have another chance to see another hanging, and he was right. The children of the sixties were not like those of the thirties, for the former always shivered as they passed the corner of South and Chestnut streets on the way to cemetery, and dare not look towards the tree from which HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY - 193 Gardner is supposed to have swung. Whether the tree was still standing at that time is not certain. Possibly children are like men and horses, less afraid where many people are congregated. Sheriff Mygatt said that he did not believe he was going to be able to discharge his duty in the case of Gardner, but that he did work himself up to the point. He took the prisoner in his own carriage, led by Warren's first band, which played a dirge. The military organization formed a hollow square around the scaffold. Elder Mack, a Methodist minister, walked with Mr. Mygatt and the prisoner to the scaffold. A hymn was sung, in which the prisoner joined, and he was then swung to a great overhanging limb where he breathed his last. Vol. I-13 CHAPTER XVII. INDIANS AS WARRIORS.-STATE MILITIA.-SOLDIERS OF 1812.—SOL- DIERS OF 1861.—WARREN BENEVOLENT SOCIETY. One of the hardest enemies any country has ever had was the Indian. He was treacherous, making contracts which he never thought to keep, and as the white man continued to despoil his hunting ground, he added hatred to his treachery. He did not come into the open, but crept upon the camp quietly at night and massacred the sleepers. He shot from behind trees and bushes, on traveler and farmer. Because of his life in the open air he was strong, and he always carried his arms with him in his ordinary occupation. He knew how to get food from the forests with little trouble, and how to protect himself against cold and rain. The early settler of old Trumbull County soon learned to follow the red man's ways. He carried his gun to mill and to meeting, and, no matter how much the Indian might pretend friendship, he understood his nature, and dealt accordingly.. Before Ohio was a state, militia organizations were established, but the time between the coming of the first pioneer and the organization of Ohio as a state was so short that there was no general militia organization in old Trumbull County. The Ohio constitution divided the state into four military districts, and specific laws were passed in regard to them. Elijah J. Wadsworth of Canfield was elected major general of the fourth division, and Trumbull County was included in that. General Wadsworth issued his first division orders in April, 1804. In this order he divided the fourth division of militia into five regiments. The First Brigade, including Trumbull County, was divided into two regiments. Benjamin Tappan and Jonathan Sloan were appointed aides-de-camp to General Wadsworth. At the military election of 1804 the list of officers which the 1st and 2nd Regiments elected included some names familiar to the people of Trumbull County. Among these are Captain Nathaniel - 194 - HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY - 195 King, Lorenzo Carter, Seth Harrington, Zopher Case, Homer Hine, Eli Baldwin, John Struthers, George Tod, Samuel Tylee, William Bushnell, James Heaton, John Ewalt and John Campbell. The New England people who, early in the nineteenth century, had gone to Canada to take advantage of the homestead law, as they saw a war with England approaching, came into the northern portion of Ohio, and their numbers increased each year until 1812. For that reason the fourth division was divided into four brigades. The commanders were Gens. Miller, Beall, Miller and Paine. The Third brigade, which the readers of this history will be most interested in, was commanded by General Simon Perkins. He was an efficient, brave officer. This Third Brigade, under General Perkins, consisted of three regiments, of which Wm. Ray en, J. S. Edwards and Richard Hayes were lieutenant colonels. When Congress increased the United States army in 1812 George Tod was appointed major of the Seventeenth United States Regiment. Governor Tod seemed to be a very versatile man. He was a scholar, a law maker, a judge, and a soldier, always holding high rank. General Perkins issued an order in April, 1812, to his lieutenant colonels, telling them to secure, by enlistment, twenty-three men to serve in the United States army as a detachment from the militia of the state. "If they cannot be secured by enlistment, thirteen are to be secured by draft." In reading the history of the war of 1812 it is strange to see how the delays and the jealousies and the intrigues and the politics entered in exactly as they entered in at the time of the war of 1861, and as they will always enter in till men learn that the greatest thing in the world is love for one's fellow man. The first men in Trumbull County who saw the necessity of armed forces- drilled, and after the militia was formed they had regular appointed "training." These days of training were often made sort of holidays, and the whole community gathered in some spot to see their men, sometimes in uniform colored by home dyes and made by women of the family, go through the manoeuvre of arms. Some years later the sons of wealthy men of Ohio had select companies with real uniforms, brass buttons, and like things, which stirred the envy of homespun soldiers. The first company in the war of 1812, organized under the government through Gen. Simon Perkins, had for captain John W. Seely; ensign, James Kerr. 196 - HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY Historians tell us that President Madison, although a statesman, was not a war president, and his secretary of war was no better. We are inclined to believe this the truth in regard to the latter, since he trusted a war message to the mails of that time, instead of sending it by messenger. The consequence was that the British on the southern shore of Canada knew the declaration of war three days before General Hull had been notified. History also tells us that Hull did not advance on Malden, as he was supposed to do, and as it is believed he ought to have done, at the time when his men were ambitious and anxious to fight. Historians are not at all reticent in regard to him, but say that he was not a traitor nor a coward, but "an imbecile caused by drunkenness." Anyway, he surrendered at a time when he need not have surrendered, gave to the British the stores, the whole of Michigan, and left the western frontier of northern Ohio the prey to the blood-thirsty Indians and their allies. He himself was captured, but exchanged for thirty British prisoners. He was court-martialed and sentenced to be shot for cowardice, but was pardoned by President Madison. The terror which spread over old Trumbull County, at the news of this defeat, can be imagined. However, it did not take long for the hard-headed General Wadsworth to act. He waited for no orders, but issued a. command for men to rendezvous at Cleveland. Colonel Whittlesey says, "The orders were received in the Third and Fourth Brigades like the call of the Scottish chiefs to the highlands." As soon as the Trump of Fame had confirmed the surrender of Hull, the men of Trumbull County who were physically able shouldered their guns ready to fight. They did not wait for any distinct orders. Exaggerated stories came from the mouth of the Cuyahoga by messenger. Women and children who had been in Cleveland and that vicinity, frightened to death, came hurrying into Trumbull County for safety, and bore witness to the truth. It happened to be Sunday when the messengers bearing the sad news reached Warren. Meetings which were in session dispersed, guns were cleaned, knives were sharpened, and like preparations were made. Colonel Hayes' regiment mustered at Kinsman's store. This included men from the east side of Trumbull County, and before August 26th the other regiments, under Colonel Rayen and Colonel Edwards, were on their way. In fact, so many men rushed to the defence of their country that General Wadsworth sent part of them back, HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY - 197 to their disgust. He said they were needed to protect the home property and home people. General Perkins was given command of the army at the front, and reached Camp Huron on September 6th. It is possible that the newly organized troops were in their places ready to defend before anything was known of conditions at the war department in Washington. These troops were in the neighborhood of the malarious country, and suffered terribly from sickness. If the enemy had attacked them at that time they would have been easily overcome. On the 28th of September volunteers were called for to go against the Indians, who were making themselves obnoxious in the neighborhood, and on the next day an engagement took place in which six men were killed, ten were wounded. Among the latter was Joseph McMahon, of Salt Springs fame. He escaped death at that time, but was killed on the way home. A good many soldiers from Trumbull County were in the ranks when Harrison won his splendid victory in the fall of 1813. The men who lent their aid in establishing the civil government of old Trumbull County were the men who defended the frontier and helped to carry to successful termination-the war. Among these was Elijah Wadsworth, who suffered greatly from personal debt, which he contracted for the government in raising the troops. This is a shameful statement for anyone to have to record. General Perkins, Judge Tod, Calvin Pease, whose history we have read, gave their splendid talents to the government service. Rev. Joseph Badger was postmaster, chaplain and nurse. he manufactured one of the old time hand-grinding mills and, from the meal he made, prepared mush which filled the stomachs of the half-sick soldiers. He was very popular among his men for like actions. Although the war of 1.812 maimed and killed many, destroyed families and wrought great hardships, it brought the people of Trumbull County to the idea that there must be general military organizations and that each man must be willing to do his duty as a soldier. From that time on the militia was more popular, trainings were had often, and ammunition was always on hand. It would be useless to attempt to give the causes of the war of 1861, or anything more than a mention of the part which Trumbull County people took in it. The first men to go from Trumbull County, reported at Cleveland in the spring of 1861 in answer to Lincoln's call for troops. These men were largely 198 - HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY merchants and professional men from the towns. There were few farmers. The company from Trumbull County was known as "Company H." Its captain was Joel F. Asper, the first lieutenant was George L. Wood. (His daughter, Grace Wood Schmidt, now resides in Warren.) After the promotion of Wood to captain, Asper having been promoted to lieutenant-colonel, Holbert C. Case became first lieutenant, and James P. Brisbane second lieutenant. Among the non-commissioned officers who were mustered out at the time the company was were First Sergeant Joseph Pollock, Sergeant John L. Davis, Sergeant John A. Chaffee, Sergeant John Pollock Corporals Henry H. Pierce, David L. Herst, Samuel L. Vance; Privates Steven Burrows, Reuben W. Bower, Seth J. Coon, William. Hunter, William A. Leavens, Jacob H. Mohler, Eurastus C. Palmer, George W. Parker, Samuel S. Pelton, Hiram Shaffer, William H. Tracey, Alfred Webster, Benjamin Wilson, Adison White, Henry A. Weir. Of the non-commissioned officers who were wounded, Sergeant Ellis Fox, Corporals Charles Glendening, J oseph Kincaid, David Wintersteen, and Wagoner James Moser were reported. Eleven of this company were killed in battle, ten died, six are not reported, forty-five were discharged before the expiration of service, and two were transferred. Company H belonged to the 7th Ohio Regiment, Volunteer Infantry. They gathered at Camp Taylor, marched into Cleveland in citizens' clothes, went to Cincinnati, where Camp Dennison, a horrid place, awaited them. It was so early in the war that proper preparations had not been made, and they suffered greatly from cold. Joel B. Tyler, of Ravenna, Ohio, was elected colonel, William Creighton, lieutenant colonel, and John S. Casement, major. General Casement was a popular, brave young officer, and is still living. He has been a prosperous man, is now as then optimistic and generous. This regiment went to West Virginia, camping at Clarksburg. They were ordered to march to Weston to procure $65,000 in gold which had been left in the bank there. They then proceeded to Glenville, to reinforce the 17th Ohio. They were then ordered to establish communications with General Cox. A little later they had a conflict with General Floyd's forces, in which 120 men, killed, wounded and prisoners, were left upon the field. Part of the regiment went to Gauley, and while there received a stand of arms from people of the Western Reserve. General Dyer assumed command in October, 1861, and the regiment started in pursuit of General Floyd. It HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY - 199 soon was at the very front. During that winter the soldiers suffered greatly from cold, and General Lander, having died, was succeeded by General Shields. The first real battle 'which the 7th participated in was that of Winchester. In this battle, fourteen were killed, 51 wounded, and several taken prisoners. After this battle the 7th was ordered to Fredericksburg. This was 132 miles off, and was a nine-day march. In the battle of Shenandoah the 5th and 7th Regiments fought under the cover of standing wheat, 3,000 men against 14,000. When they finally had to retreat the 7th Regiment was in the rear guard, and it never broke line, but even sometimes halted to fire on the enemy. They went to join McClellan, and came under the command of General Banks. The 7th was present at the Battle of Antietam, but was held back as a reserve force, and did not have to fight much. In 1862 the ranks of this regiment, which originally had a thousand men, were reduced to less than three hundred. Two hundred men were added to their number, and they went into winter quarters, where they stayed until April, 1863, about two years from the time they had reported at Cleveland. The 7th Regiment was in the hottest part of the dreadful fight of Chancellorsville. They held their position, fighting until ordered to retreat, and finally, when the federal forces withdrew, the 7th and two other regiments brought up the rear. When one meets, in business, men who engaged in all the battles of the 7th, one cannot help but wonder how they ever survived such a terrible ordeal. At Chancellorsville this regiment lost 14 killed and 70 wounded. On June 1st, after hard marching, they were at Gettysburg. In this fight, one of the most terrible of the Civil war, they were hurried from point to point, but because of the constant change of position they lost only one man and 17 wounded. From Gettysburg they went to New York to quell the riots, and in August went into camp on Governor's Island. In September they were ordered to the western department, and were under General Hooker. They went into winter quarters in Alabama. Here they expected to have a little warmth and rest, but soon had to leave these good quarters for Lookout Mountain. If they could not have the comfort of camp, they at least had the joy of seeing the Union flag planted on this mountain. However, this was little satisfaction, because very soon they were engaged in the fight of Missionary Ridge, where Colonel Creighton, Lieutenant-Colonel Crane fell, and where the slaughter was terrible. The 7th lost 19 killed and 61 wounded. They returned to Bridge-