WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 275 Man, “Sonneberg." Hundreds of years ago the rulers of Switzerland had a prejudice against the faith of the Mennonites and hence bitterly opposed and persecuted them, and they were compelled to flee to the mountains, where they were not allowed to live in towns or to own land, and were forced to farm wild mountain lands and pay high rent for the same. In 1817 Benedict Schraag started for America and located in Green township, near Orrville, Ohio. He wrote to his friends telling them what opportunities there were in America for the Mennonite people. They persuaded Isaac Sommer, David Kirchhofer, Peter and Ulrich Lehman to come to America. They started from Berne in April, 1819, boarded the ship "La Havre," from France, and after a forty-seven-days voyage landed in New York, from which place they went on foot to Ohio, via Lancaster, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and on through Canton, Ohio, to within four miles of Wooster, Wayne county, near the southwest corner of land now owned by the Ohio Experimental Station, where they lived in a school house for over a month. After traveling around for some time they bought a piece of timber land from the government; James Monroe then being President of the United States. The purchase was made in the center of what is now known as the Sonneberg settlement. They at once began to fell the giant forest trees and clear up land on which to raise grain and vegetables upon which to subsist. There was no money and all the settlers about them spoke a strange language ; they had to exchange produce for other articles, as there was no market for what they raised. One of their number rode to Canton, twenty miles away, with a sack of wheat, the grist for four families. They were ever glad, however, that they came to free America. In 1821 seven families more came across the ocean to join them. Among this number were John Lehman, Abraham Zuerich, Jacob Bixler and others. In 1824 came Christian Beer, Peter and John Welty, John and Abraham Tschantz, David Baumdarder, Ulrich Sommer and Peter Schneck. Others came in 1825 and located in Greene township, near the Old People's Home. The first minister in the Sonneberg congregation was John Lehman, who arrived from Switzerland in 1821. The first to be ordained of this con-, gregation was Ulrich Sommers and Peter Schneck. This was in 1827 and two years later Peter Schneck was ordained a bishop. The first baptismal service was held in 1828. The first marriage performed was on December 31,. 1822, that of Ulrich Lehman and Barbara Gerber. The first death to occur in the settlement was that of Elizabeth, wife of Ulrich Gerber, in September, 1823. 276 - WAYNE COUNTY. OHIO Church services were held in private dwellings until 1834, when the first church was built; it was rebuilt in 1861, and again in 1907, when the building was dedicated on September 29th. Its cost was six thousand dollars. Since 1828 more than seven hundred persons have been received into the church by baptism ; over three hundred couples united in marriage and more than four hundred deaths have occurred. In this congregation there are now one hundred and fifteen families, or over four hundred single memberships. AMISH MENNONITE CHURCH. This branch of the Amish Mennonite church was organized in 1816 in Green township, Wayne county, with six or eight families, or about twenty members. They conducted their services in private houses until 1862, when they erected their first house of worship, one mile east of Smithville, a frame structure, at the cost of three thousand dollars. This house served well its purpose until 1905, when a new building was erected at the same place at a cost of about seven thousand dollars. In 1880 the congregation erected a church edifice in Milton township at a cost of about two thousand dollars, and since conducts regular services at both places. Its present membership is about six hundred. The first ministers were Daniel Zook (Zug for German) and Christian Brandt, who organized the church. The bishops, since its organization, have been Christian Shantz, Jacob Yoder, John K. Yoder ; the last named served forty-five years, and since 1896 its bishop has been Benjamin Gerig. The assistant ministers are Jacob S. Gerig, C. Z. Yoder and D. Z. Yoder. The church is active in home and foreign missionary work ; several of Its members have been to far-away India where the church helps to support a number of mission stations. Some are at work in the home missions that are scattered from east to west in some of the larger cities.. The church also helps to support other church institutions, such as the publishing house, old people's home, orphans' home, schools, etc., and is interested in the evangelistic work throughout the world. Much might be added concerning the good work being accomplished by this devout people who are among the most thrifty and law-abiding citizens within Wayne county, but in a work of the character of this the above will suffice. MENNONITE CHURCH OF SUGARCREEK TOWNSHIP. This branch of the Mennonite church is a strain of the original Mennonite church of America and is under the Mennonitish conference of Ohio that meets annually in different parts of this state. They endeavor to teach WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. - 277 the whole gospel of Jesus Christ and make it practical in their daily lives. As a people, they are industrious and are, for the most part, farmers. They are hospitable, kind and generous, and opposed to war, secret societies, swearing of oaths and conforming to the world. This branch of the Mennonite church has a membership of about two hundred and fifty. It had its beginning in 1834 when it was organized in this county. J0hn Bohrer and Jacob Buchwalter came from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and settled southeast of Orrville and organized what is known as the Martin church. This band was soon followed by others of like faith, including the Martins, Lengers, Brennemans and others, after which the church grew rapidly. A few years later a second church was built across the line in Stark county to accommodate the people. A. few years after that a third church was built, called Salem church; this was south of Smithville, and in 1909 a fourth church was organized at Orrville. These several buildings were erected at an average cost of about three thousand dollars. These four churches are under one charge, with Bishop Michael Horst, of Orrville, as their old retired bishop. I. J. Buchwalter, of Dalton, grandson of the above named Jacob Buchwalter, as their active bishop, has general oversight of the church's work and he is assisted in his duties by the following ministers : A. H. Brenneman, Marshallville ; David Hostetler, Weilersville; David Martin, Dalton, and Aaron Eberley, of Dalton. The deacons are John Hackman, Orrville ; S. K. Plank, Orrville ; William Shoup, Orrville ; Abe Burkholder, Orrville. This church helps in the noble support of the Mennonites' Old People's Home, near Rittman, as well as assists in the organization of other church societies in adjoining counties. Sunday schools and young people's meetings are kept up with much interest at its different places of holding meetings; they also do a good foreign missionary work. SALEM MENNONITE CHURCH. The Salem Mennonite church was organized in 1887 with sixteen members, and is located in Sugarcreek township, southwest of Dalton. A neat and comfortable church was built in 1887 at a cost of eighteen hundred dollars, and improvements to the amount of one thousand dollars were put on the building in 1895. In connection with the church there is a well-organized Sunday school of two hundred and twelve members, of which J. H. Tschantz has been superintendent for the last fifteen consecutive years. There is also 278 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. a Christian Endeavor Society of sixty members and a Ladies' Aid Society of thirty-five members. The present pastor is A. A. Sommer, with the following officers : John Badertscher and A. J. Welty, deacons or elders; Sam Geiger, J. H. Tschantz and Philemon Sprunger, trustees. The church now has a membership of one hundred and sixty-three. The church, as a whole, is organized into a missionary society and the first Sunday of each month is set aside as a missionary Sunday, when a special program is carried out and an offering taken for missionary purposes. CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. The only organization of the Congregational people within this county is the church at Fredericksburg, whose pastor is Rev. W. T. Williams. OTHER EARLY CHURCHES. Among the churches and religious societies in Wayne county, not classified and written of in their regular denominational order the following should not be forgotten : Oak Chapel, Methodist—The old log edifice was erected in 1827, and was dedicated by Rev. Russell Bigelow. A new church was provided in 1861, dedicated by Rev. Adam Poe. In 1877 it was repaired, a cupola added and a bell introduced. The society was flourishing in the eighties, and it may be added that this building stood near the site of the old-time camp meeting grounds of 1818 held in Plain township. Geyer's chapel was completed in 1876, the project of building having been agitated since 1862. Bishop Markwood dedicated it January 27, 1863. The first class was organized there in 1863, with a membership of seven. From that small beginning grew up .a prosperous church. The first church built in Clinton township was that erected by the Disciples about a mile and a half northeast of Shreve, on the James Moore farm., The Methodist Episcopal church near Newkirk's Spring was the first of that denomination in this township and it was built in 1843. David H., son of Henry and Jane Newkirk, was the first person buried in the graveyard by this church. The churches in Greene township were spoken of by Douglas in his 1878 history of Wayne county as follows : WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 279 "There are nine different churches represented in this township; Methodists, organized in 1814 ; the Amish, in 1816 ; the German Baptists, in 1826 ; the Presbyterians, in 1830, the Winebrenarians, in 1839; the Brethren of Christ, in 1843 ; Evangelical Lutherans, in 1844; the United Brethren, in 1845, and the River Brethren." If there are other churches whose history is omitted in this work, it is because the officers have failed to respond to the call of our historian for necessary data from which to form such historical sketch. CHAPTER XIV. FRATERNAL SOCIETIES. In a symbol there is concealment and yet revelation; Thought will not work except in silence; Virtue will not grow unless its roots are hidden. FREEMASONRY. Almost with the planting of the first colony of pioneers in Wayne county Masonry took root, and has, with the passing of the decades, flourished well. Ebenezer Lodge No. 33, Free and Accepted Masons, was organized, as seen by the date of the charter, January 4, 1816, that instrument, however, being dated December 13, 1819. The charter members were as follows : Thomas G. Jones, Thomas McMillen, William K. Stewart, Abner Eddy, William Larwill, Thomas Thorp, Constant Lake, Plumb Sutliff, Joseph H. Larwill. The number of members in this lodge in 1909 was one hundred and seventy-two, and the officers for that year were as follows : Lester E. Wolfe, worshipful master ; John W. Ames, senior warden ; H. Wayne Hart, junior warden ; John Stevens, Jr., treasurer ; James B. Minier, secretary ; James C. Poole, senior deacon ; Harry C. Sweeny, junior deacon; William F. Pate, senior steward ; Oscar D. Kaufman, junior steward ; James B. Minier, chaplain; George S. Limb, tyler. Wooster Chapter No. 27, Royal Arch Masons, dates its charter from October 23, 1843. The charter members were : William Larwill, Horace Howard, William Warren, Jacob Van Houten, Kimbal Porter, Philo Welton, Nathaniel High, John P. Coulter, John A. Holland. In 1878 the chapter had a membership of seventy-eight. Its present membership is one hundred and eighty, including non-residents. Present officers : Fred J. Leopold, high priest; Carl M. Limb, king ; James C. Poole, scribe ; George J. Schwartz, captain of the host; John M. Russell, principal WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 281 sojourner; John W. Ames, royal arch captain; Samuel H. Boyd, treasurer ; James B. Minier, secretary ; William F. Pate, grand master of third veil ; Harry C. Sweeny, grand master of second veil ; J. Frick Tyler, grand master of first veil ; George S. Limb, guard. The home of Masonry in Wooster is now in leased rooms within the Frick Memorial building on West Liberty street. Wooster Council No. 13, Royal and Select Masters, was chartered October 1, 1846. The charter members were : Kimbal Porter, S. Buckius, George D. Hine, Horace Howard, George H. Stewart. N. Haskell, A. Bartol, J. W. Crawford, L. L. Klein, Peter Van West. The council, in 1878, had a membership of thirty-five. Its present membership is two hundred and fourteen. Present (1909) officers : John M. Russell, thrice illustrious master ; W. F. Pate, deputy master ; Samuel H. Boyd, principal conductor of the work ; John Stevens, Jr., treasurer ; L. R. Kramer, recorder ; C. M. Limb, captain of guard ; Lester E. Wolfe, conductor of candidate; J. C. Poole, steward ; George S. Limb, sentinel. Wooster Commandery No. 48, Knights Templar, was chartered August 14, 1889. Its present officers are: E. Sir Knight Carl M. Limb, eminent commander; Sir Kt. Lester S. Lewis, generalissimo ; P. E. Sir Kt. John M. Russell, captain general ; Sir Kt. David D. Miller, senior warden ; Sir Kt. Marcus R. Limb, junior warden ; P. E. Sir Kt. James B. Minier, prelate; P. E. Sir Kt. Samuel H. Boyd, treasurer ; P. E. Sir Kt. Fred J. Leopold, recorder ; Sir Kt. Thomas Drew, standard bearer ; Sir Knight James C. Poole, sword bearer ; Sir Kt. Harry C. Sweeny, warder. The membership, July I, 1908, was one hundred and eighty-six. Past eminent commanders of this commandery have been as follows : P. E. Sir Kt. Thomas E. Peckinpaugh, 1889 ; P. E. Sir Kt. William W. Firestone, 1891; P. E. Sir Kt. Samuel H. Boyd, 1893 ; P. E. Sir Kt. James B. Minier, 1895; P. E. Sir Kt. Harry K. Brady, 1896; P. E. Sir Kt. George J. Schwartz, 1897; P. E. Sir Kt. Ross W. Funck, 1898; P. E. Sir Kt. John Stevens, Jr.. 1899; P. E. Sir Kt. Walter D. Foss, Tw0; P. E. Sir Kt. Forbes Alcock, 1901; P. E. Sir Knight Ell P. Willaman, 1901 ; P. E. Sir Kt. Charles M. Gray. 1902; P. E. Sir Kt. Harry E. Kurtz, 1903 ; P. E. Sir Kt. David Nice, 1904 ; P. E. Sir Kt. Ezra Neikirk, 1905 ; P. E. Sir Kt. John M. Russell, 1906 ; P. E. Sir Kt. Frederick J. Leopold, 1907. Chapter No. 270, Order of the Eastern Star, on January 1, 1909, enjoyed a membership of fifty-two. 282 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. Other Masonic lodges in Wayne county are : Cedar Lodge No. 430, at Orrville ; Garfield Lodge No. 528, at Shreve ; West Salem Lodge No. 398; Oriental Chapter No. 128, West Salem. WEST SALEM LODGE. West Salem Masonic Lodge No. 398 was organized under a dispensation granted petitioners November 21, 1866. Its charter members were : H. P. Sage, Edwin Fritzinger, C. C. Clay, M. H. Dodd, David Ambrose, J. B. Houk, D. F. Young, Enoch Moore, S. W. Signs, Jacob McGlenn, John Buffett, J. H. Morrison, Iaac Harbaugh, Israel Moyer, James Lowe. ODDFELLOWSHIP. Wooster Lodge No. 42, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was organized, as seen by its charter, June 21, 1845. The charter members were : R. J. Eberman, William S. Johnson, George Brauneck, J. S. Ward, R. A. Kinney. Its membership, in 1878, had reached one hundred and fifty-two, and January I, 1909, was three hundred and seventy-three. Its officers at present are : George Lautzenheiser, noble grand ; Julius Gerlach, vice grand; H. H. Miller, financial secretary ; W. E. Barnard, recording secretary ; J. R. Warner, treasurer. The trustees are A. Plank, J. T. Keister and J. A. Shamp. Kilbuck Encampment No. 17, Patriarchs Militant, was chartered September 5, 1846, with members as follows : William S. Johnson, R. J. Eberman, John Bristle, P. P. Eckfield, William W. Hanna, Jacob C. Chapman, John M. Naylor, Solomon R. Bonewitz, Samuel Mentzer, Samuel Christine, J. W. Schuckers, Isaac N. Jones. In June, 1878, this body had a membership of eighty, and the present membership is one hundred and forty-nine. The officers are, at this date, Harry Smith, chief patriarch; Julius Gerloch, senior warden ; R. T. Bechtel, financial scribe ; E. 0. Powers, recording scribe ; J. A. Schamp, high priest ; Harry Baumgardner, treasurer. This is the only encampment in Wayne county. There are Odd Fellows lodges at the following points in this county : Orrville, with a membership of one hundred fifty-five ; Doylestown, with a membership of one hundred and six ; West Salem, with a membership of seventy-seven ; Creston, with a membership of thirty-seven ; Fredericksburg, with a membership of thirty-nine ; Dalton, with a membership of forty-six; Applecreek, with thirty-four members. WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 283 West Salem Lodge No. 442 was instituted June J0, 1870, with charter members as follows : John S. Addleman, M. H. Huffman, W. H. Fishack, J. S. Carmack, W. C. Baker, John Keeler, Neal Patterson. Orrville Lodge No. 490 was instituted July 26, 1871, with the following charter members : H. P. Hugus, A. W. Bombarger, A. E. Clark, Isaac H. Krieble, Harrison Bowman, John Dunn, J. C. St. John. At Doylestown the lodge was instituted August 17, 1854, and now has a live membership of one hundred and twelve. They own a fine block in which their lodge room is situated and a part is leased to the Knights of Pythias. The charter members were as follows : William H. Redinger, Samuel Rouston, Washington M. Heffelman, Uriah Franks, William Spangler. The order at Wooster purchased its own building on South Market street October I, 1901, at a cost of nine thousand dollars. KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS. Rising Star Lodge No. 22, Knights of Pythias, at Wooster, was instituted April 1, 1870. The date of its charter is February 1, 1871, and the charter members were as follows : John H. Carr, Albert Braunick, Henry J. Kauffman, Samuel Rouston, John M. Ebey, Michael S. Goodman, Arnold Richenbach, Augustus E. Gasche, Charles S. Frost, John S. Caskey, John K. McBride, Leander Firestone. In January, 1878, this lodge had a membership of forty-two knights. Its present membership is two hundred and four. Morning Star Lodge No. 41, Knights of Pythias (German), was instituted December 29, 1871, its charter bearing date of February 15, 1872. The charter membership was as follows : William Nold, John J. Bringger, Jacob Stark, Frederick Schuch, Gotlieb Gasche, Jacob Diehl, Hermann Wutke, Jacob Gross, Eberhardt Bideker, Emil Podlich, Leonard Saal, George Faber, William Gasche, Jacob Schopf, Emil Faber, William Kanzler, Peter Kanzler, Franz Gerlach, Heinrich Kinkier, Martin F. Limb. In 1878 the lodge had a working membership of seventy-two knights. On June 18, 1907, this lodge was united with the Rising Star Lodge. The present (1909) officers of the combined lodge are as follows : G. E. Brown, chancellor commander, Lloyd Sanborn, vice-chancellor ; Benton G. Hay, prelate ; William A. Stevens, master of work ; V. P. Moses, keeper of records and seal ; R. B. Snyder, master of finance ; John Stevens, Jr., master of exchecquer ; Harvey Joliff, master-at-arms ; Frank Ault, inner guard ; Karl 284 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. Ernest, outer guard. This order meets over Keister Bros.' grocery store on East Market street in a leased hall. Other Knights of Pythias lodges in Wayne county are : Sterling Lodge, at Sterling, with a membership of one hundred and thirty-one; George Glessner, keeper of records and seal ; Grace Lodge No. 184 has a membership at Doylestown of eighty members, with 0. B. Heffleman as keeper of records and seal ; Central Lodge No. 212, at Orrville, with a membership of one hundred, with W. T. Frazer as keeper of records and seal ; Applecreek Lodge No. 324, at Applecreek, with a membership of forty-eight, with H. H. Wilhelm as keeper of records and seal ; Smithville Lodge No. 483, with twenty-three members, at Smithville, with W. G. Stevens as keeper of records and seal ; Challenge Lodge No. 630, at Shreve, with a membership of forty-four, with W. K. Miller as keeper of records and seal. The Uniform Rank of Wooster, known as Funk Company No. 53, was instituted October 18, 1900. It has a present membership of thirty-six. Its 1909 officials are : J. J. Keister, captain ; Samuel Manson, first lieutenant ; G. Brown, second lieutenant ; Ed McCormick, recorder ; H. A. Haller, treasurer; E. J. Kaufman, guard ; Charles Schopf, sentinel. IMPROVED ORDER OF RED MEN. Unas Tribe No. 57 at Wooster of this fraternal organization was instituted May 20, 1871, with the following charter members : Albert Brauneck, Thomas S. Johnson, Jesse E. Goodyear, John S. Caskey, George Brauneck, G. W. Doty, James E. Wescott, J. T. Maxwell, T. Tickner, W. H. Baumgardner, Samuel Rouston, D. E. Warner, Speers McClarran, Henry J. Kauffman, Lewis P. Ohliger, Charles S. Frost, Perry Miller, David W. Matz, Henry McClarran, John K. McBride, Abraham Saybolt, Jr., David McDonald, Allen Clark, D. W. Immel, Edward P. Bates, Henry J. Huber, Jacob R. Bowman, T. E. Peckingpaugh, C. C. Parsons, Jr. ROYAL ARCANUM. Wayne Council No. 13 of this secret beneficiary and life insurance order (similar to the Knights of Honor) at Wooster was instituted September 5, 1877. Its charter members were : Daniel Funck, Joseph C. Plumer, Lewis P. Ohliger, John Van Nostran, Jehiel Clark. J. S. Bissell, George Plumer, Edward S. Dowell, David W. Matz, T. J. McElhenie, T. E. Peckenpaugh. A. WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 285 Saybolt, Jr., William H. Harry, Dr. James D. Robison, H. H. Bissell, Martin Funck, J. D. McAfee, M. A. Miller, Silas W. Ogden, William F. Woods. KNIGHTS OF HONOR. Orr Lodge, Knights of Honor, was instituted July 9, 1875. The officers were : Rev. J. C. Kauffman, director ; William M. Orr, past director ; S. N. Coe, vice-director; S. D. D. Tanner, assistant director; J. S. Evans, guide ; A. J. Heller, reporter ; J. G. Hartman, financial reporter ; John Coffee, treasurer; Rev. J. M. Jenkins, chaplain ; George Ream, guardian ; Solon Boydston, sentinel. This lodge has for its object mutual life insurance and social functions. Its establishment at the town of Orrville gathered together a goodly number of the people—men and women—who, besides having an excellent mutual life assurance benefit, by the payment of small dues, also had a good time socially. At Shreve the Knights of Honor instituted a lodge June 19, 1875, with the following as its charter members : E. Fritzinger, John Zehner, C. C. Stouffer, M. D., J. S. Cole, M. D., Uriah Clouse, Z. B. Allee, W. R. McClellan, R. L. Lashels, L. H. Plank, George Musser, A. J. Gearhart, A. Plank, Jr., H. E. Lind, F. M. Atterholt, Robert McKibbens, N. H. Neal, J. R. Saltman, Ben Meyers, J. A. Case, J. N. McHose, and has forty-one members in all. GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC. In Wayne county there have been, since 1881, formed several posts of the Grand Army of the Republic, including those at Wooster, Shreve, Dalton, Doylestown, Fredericksburg, West Salem, Orrville, Creston, Smithville, New Pittsburg and Burbank. Those that have a sufficient number of the old comrades of '61 and '65 at this date (1909) to hold meetings and transact business are as follows : Wooster, Shreve, Dalton, West Salem, Orrville, Creston, New Pittsburg. Given Post, No. 133, was formed as a part of the Ohio Department, Grand Army of the Republic, on September 12, 1881. The post now numbers about seventy-six, but from one date to another it has contained on its rolls as many as three hundred and fifty soldiers. The present elective officers of this post are as follows : Commander, William Hummer; senior vice-commander, R. J. Smith ; junior vice-commander, W. H. Myers; chaplain, S. J. 286 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. Blake; quartermaster, Enos Pierson ; officer of the day, A. R. Boffmyer; surgeon, Harvey Porter; officer of the guard, Otto Bardon. The list of commanders since the post's organization is as follows : 1881, J. P. VanNest ; 1882, J. N. Clark ; 1883, D. C. Curry ; 1884, Jehiel Clark ; 1884, Peter Sparr ; 1885, C. W. McClure ; 1886, H. McClarran ; 1887, Robert J. Smith; 1888, Aquila Wiley ; 1889, Geo. W. Reid; 1890, A. Bransteter ; 1891, J. E. Applebaugh ; 1892, P. B. Stroup ; 1893, A. M. Trunk; 1894, Samuel Metzler ; 1895, S. J. Blake; 1896, Enos Pierson; 1897, J. R. McKinney ; 1898, I. N. Keiffer ; 1898, R. Elson 1899, C. V. Hard; 1900, J. T. Yarman ; 1901, J. B. Taylor ; 1902, Jesse McClellen ; 1903, C. H. Resler ; 1904, W. 0. Beebe 1905, Thomas Everly ; 1906, T. A. Elder ; 1907, S. Rickenbaugh 1908, G. D. Dunham ; 1909, Wm. Hammer. The Woman's Relief Corps was organized soon after the post, probably in 1884, and has always been a helpful auxiliary to the post. A few years later was formed the Ladies of the Grand Army, another society which is made up of 'women who are either wives, sisters or daughters of Grand Army men. This society is styled the Ladies' Circle of the Grand Army of the Republic. There are the Daughters of Veterans, also the Spanish-American War Camp, all of which semi-military societies are well organized at this date. CHAPTER XV. BENCH AND BAR. [This chapter has been largely taken, by permission, from Ben Douglas' " Wayne County Lawyers," published in 1900.] The bench and bar of Wayne county have a proud record of achievement and their history is of more than ordinary interest. The roll contains the names of distinguished statesmen, generals, jurists, authors and lawyers, who have won both state and national fame. The Wayne county bar for ability and integrity has always stood high in the estimation of the bar of the state. This bar has the reputation of sticking closely to forms o f practice, and making hard fights on close points of law, which is often a surprise to lawyers from other counties, who have been accustomed to loose practice. The stress of the profession of law is very great. On the bench or in the ranks the law is an absorbing pursuit, and is characterized by situations that engage the whole man. The relations of lawyers to each other is professionally that of opponents. They stand against each other; they contend ; and yet it is creditable to the influence of the study and pursuit of the law that these contentions do not reach the heart or become a part of the life. There is, perhaps, no one of the learned professions more characterized by liberality and kindliness of thought among its members than that of the law. The attorneys and judges of this community have always taken a conspicuous part in moulding public opinion. Their business brings them constantly in the "limelight." Their forum is the whole community, while other professions are confined to a small proportion of the entire people. Therefore the members of the legal profession wield, perhaps, a greater influence over the life and destiny of the community as a whole than any other class of men. The memories of the lawyers of the earlier decades of the history of Wayne county are perhaps less striking, familiar and interesting than those of the later years. The daily glow of natural sunlight is regarded as a matter of course, and less memorable than the shadow which settles down in the 288 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. days of eclipse. For a similar reason the years of generations gone are less vivid in our recollection than the more recent and later ones. JUDGES OF COMMON PLEAS. Judges of the courts of common pleas who have presided in judicial districts of which Wayne county constituted a part, from 1812, were as follows : Benjamin Ruggles, WilliaM Wilson, George Tod, Alexander Harper, Ezra Dean, Jacob Parker, Levi Cox, Martin Welker, William Sample, Joseph H. Downing, William Given, 'William Reed, Charles C. Parsons, Carolus F. Voorhis, Wellington Stilwell, John D. Nicholas, Edward S. Dowell, John T. Maxwell, Frank Taggart, Celsus Pomerene, Samuel B. Eason. Common pleas judges holding court in Wooster until the period of Hon. Ezra Dean : Ruggles, Wilson, Tod and Harper. Benjamin Ruggles was born in Connecticut. After his admission to the bar he removed to Ohio, and later became prominent in the United States Senate, serving from this state from 1815 to 1833. He held court in Wooster as early as 1812. William Wilson was a native of New Hampshire, emigrating to Ohio about the time of the admission of the state into the Union. He appears among the president judges of the court of common pleas in 1803, 1810, 1820, holding court in Wooster in 1816. He served two terms in Congress. George Tod was the father of David Tod. Judge Tod was from Trumbull county, Ohio, represented the district of which that county formed a part in the Ohio Senate in the early history of the state, was a member of the supreme court of Ohio during the first decade of his history, and as president of the court of common pleas held court in Wooster in 1816. Alexander Harper was a native of Ireland, immigrated to the United States, settled in Ohio, served in the earlier sessions of the General Assembly, was a member of Congress, was elected to the judgship, and held court in Wooster as early as 1822. CIRCUIT JUDGES, FIFTH DISTRICT. Circuit judges from the fifth district, Ohio, elected in November, 1884, under an act of the General Assembly of April 14, 1884, establishing said court, three judges being elected, the respective periods each was to serve to be determined by lot, resulting as follows : WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 289 John W. Albaugh, for two years, re-elected, for six years ; Charles Follett, for four years, re-elected, for six years ; John A. Jenner, for six years, re-elected for six years. Albaugh dropping out in 1892, J. C. Pomerene was elected for six years, in 1892, but dying in December, 1897, M. L. Smyser was appointed. by Governor Bushnell to succeed him, serving from January 15, 1898, until November, of that year. John M. Swartz, in November, 1898, was elected to fill the residue of the term, serving from November 17, 1898, to February 9, 1899. In 1898, R. M. Voorhis was elected for the full term. In 1894, John J. Adams was elected for six years. In September, 1895, John A. Jenner resigned, and George E. Baldwin was appointed by the Governor, and served until in November of that year. In 1895 Charles H. Kibler was elected to fill the unexpired time, occasioned by the resignation of Jenner. In 1896 Silas M. Douglass was elected for six years. EARLY PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS. The following lawyers were prosecuting attorneys of Wayne county from 1812 to 1819, or to the period of Judge Edward Avery : Roswell M. Mason, 1812 ; Nathaniel Mather, 1814 ; J. W. Halleck, 1815 ; Alexander Harper, 1816; William B. Raymond, 1817; H. Curtis, 1818. LAWYERS OF 1812. But little is known, or of record, relative to a majority of the lawyers who were in attendance at the first session of the court of common pleas held in Wooster, August 6, 1812, Hon. Benjamin Ruggles presiding, with Christian Smith, David Kimpton and John Cisna as associate judges. We give the names of the lawyers who were present : Roswell M. Mason, C. R. Sherman, J. W. Lathrop, Nathaniel Mather, John M. Goodenow, John C. Wright, William B. Raymond, Elderling Potter. Jacob Parker was a great lawyer and a great judge. He served on the common pleas bench under the old constitution; when his circuit included the counties of Knox, Richland, Holmes, Medina and Wayne. He was born in New England and was the brother-in-law of Judge Charles R. Sherman, who was a justice of the supreme court of Ohio, and three of whose sons are famous in the annals of Ohio, the Judge, the General and the Senator. He was president judge of the eleventh circuit, and sat in Wooster in 1841 and 1842. (19) 290 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. Among the prominent men who were principally lawyers, whose births occurred, and whose earlier, and even later years, were spent in Wayne county, or within a radius of twenty-five miles of Wooster, this territory then being in Wayne county, we may mention the name of Hon. William B. Allison, of Dubuque, Iowa, who was born in Wayne county, in 1829, before the formation of Ashland county in 1846. He studied law in Wooster, and removed to Iowa in 1857, has served four terms in Congress, was elected to the United States Senate, taking his seat March 4th, 1873, and retained his place in that honorable body over a quarter of a century. William L. Strong, ex-mayor of New York city, went to Wooster in May, 1845, and was employed by the firm of Lake & Jones, the largest retailing dry goods house in Wooster, and remained in their employ until the first of January, 1847. He removed to the city of New York in 1857, and at the end of forty years had risen to the rank of one of the merchant princes of that city. Thomas W. Bartley also figured in the courts of Wooster. He became Governor of Ohio. Charles R. Sherman is on record as among the first lawyers, with J. W. Lathrop, William C. Raymond, John C. Wright, John M. Goodenow, Roswell M. Mason, Nathaniel Maher and Elderling Potter, in attendance at the court, in Wooster, at the October term, 1813. He was the father of Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman, Judge Charles T. Sherman, and Hon. John Sherman of Washington, D. C., who in the earlier time appeared in trial of causes at the Wooster bar. Rufus P. Ranney was recognized by the lawyers of Wayne county, where professional duties occasionally called him, as a man of superior legal talent. Rufus P. Spalding and David K. Carter quite frequently were interested in legal contentions in the Wayne county court, both having been in Congress and both lawyers and jurists of wider than state reputations. Col. Enoch Totten was a son of our late respected pioneer fellow-citizen, Michael Totten, and was born in Wayne county. He won a national reputation as a lawyer. Samuel H. Kauffmann, formerly of near Millbrook, Wayne county, reared. in that neighborhood, and yet remembered by some of our citizens, possesses the distinction of being one of the owners and editors of the Washington (D. C.) Star, a great metropolitan daily. John Sloane in his day was a distinguished citizen of Ohio, and an honor to Wayne county, to which he removed soon after the admission of the state WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 291 into the Union. He was a member of the Ohio Legislature as early as 1804. In 1807 President Jefferson appointed him receiver of public moneys of the new land office at Canton, Ohio. He served ten years in Congress, from 1819 to 1829. In 1841 the Legislature of Ohio appointed him secretary of state for three years. He held the office of treasurer of the United States, by appointment of President Fillmore, dying in 1856. Major-General David Sloane Stanley is a growth of Chester township, Wayne county, Ohio, of over seventy years ago. He was reared and educated by the late Doctor Leander Firestone, of Wooster. He graduated from West Point in 1852. In 1861 he was appointed captain in the Fourth United States Cavalry. He was made brigadier-general of volunteers, in 1861, and soon rose to the rank of major-general. Hon. Patrick A. Collins, a native of county Cork, Ireland, ex-mayor of Boston, and twice elected to Congress, lived for a time in Wayne county, acting in the capacity of coal miner. Thomas Corwin lent his fascinations to the old court house in Wooster, and in the early days was a noted orator. Wooster and Wayne county have had the following representatives in Congress : Reasin Beall, John Sloane, Benjamin Jones, Ezra Dean, George Bliss, Martin Welker, A. S. McClure, M. L. Smyser, and Lewis P. Ohliger. The last-named four gentlemen all resided in Wooster, and with the exception of Hon. Martin Welker, all vigorously and successfully engaged in their respective pursuits, two of them swordsmen of the law. John K. Cowen, of Baltimore, Maryland, formerly lived in Wayne county. He has been congressman and president of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad company. Rush Taggart, of New York, is a brother of Judge Frank Taggart of Wooster, and was born in Smithville, Wayne county, Ohio. He completed his collegiate course at the University of Wooster, a member of a class of six, who were the first graduates of the institution. After this he taught for a year in the Wooster high school, when he entered the law department at Ann Arbor, from which he also graduated. He commenced the practice of law in Wooster. Gen. Samuel R. Curtis was a Wooster lawyer, with a record of statesman, patriot and soldier, and shed lustre on the American army in two of his country's wars. John Bruce points to Plain township, Wayne county, as his old home. He is of the Scotch clan of Bruces, of Bannockburn. His parents immigrated 292 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. to the United States and. settled in Wayne county in 1840. He was a soldier in the Civil war from Iowa, rose to the rank of general, and became a prominent lawyer in Keokuk, Iowa. Hon. Martin Welker was lieutenant-governor of Ohio, with Chase as governor, a patriotic and prudent legislator in Congress, judge of common pleas and United States courts, a doctor of laws and for years lecturer on international and constitutional law in Wooster University. PRESENT-DAY WAYNE COUNTY LAWYERS. Lyman R. Critchfield was born in Knox county, Ohio, May 22, 1831, and is a son of the late Reuben T. Critchfield, of Millersburg, Holmes county, Ohio.. He was graduated from the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohia, in June, 1852. Soon thereafter he commenced the study of law, in Columbus, Ohio, with Hon. George E. Pugh, then attorney-general of the state, and after this, a United States senator from Ohio. He was admitted to practice in March, 1853, and the following year he spent in the Queen City, in the office, of the clerk' of the superior court. He opened an office in Millersburg, Holmes county, Ohio, where he rapidly grew into practice and became a conspicuous member of the bar. He has served as prosecuting attorney of Holmes county, and was a member of the senate in the General Assembly of Ohio. He was attorney-general of Ohio, in 1863-4, and discharged his duties in a, manner satisfactory to his constituents and the state. As one of the leaders and foremost thinkers and orators of the Democratic party, he has fought congressional battles. On two occasions nominated for the supreme judgeship of Ohio on the Democratic ticket, in each instance he made a vigorous and animated canvass, and with a splendid running record shared in the disasters of his party in the state. Hon. Addison S. McClure was born in Wooster, Wayne county, Ohio, October 10, 1839. He received a common school education in Wooster. In the fall of 1853 he entered Jefferson College, Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, where he remained five years, taking the honor for oration in the annual literary contest. In 1859 he left college and went to the South as a teacher, and found employment near Natchez, Mississippi, where, for a time, he remained, when he returned to Wooster, in April, 186o. He immediately entered the law office of Messrs. Cox & Welker, where he completed his elementary studies, and was admitted to the bar of Ohio, in March, 1861. April 16, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer In- WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 293 fantry, to serve for three months, re-enlisting in the same company and regiment for three years at Camp Dennison, Ohio, June 4, 1861. In October, of the same year, he was transferred to the Sixteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, then being organized at Camp Tiffin, Wooster, Ohio, recruiting Company H of this regiment, having been commissioned captain of the same. After the close of the war he resumed the practice of law in Wooster. He was elected recorder of the then village of Wooster, in April, 1867, and was appointed postmaster of this city in May, 1867, serving for twelve years. He became one of the proprietors of the Wooster Republican in August, 1870, assuming the editorial management and direction of that paper, which continued until 1881. He was a member of the Republican national convention, held in Chicago in 1868, which nominated General Grant for the presidency, and of a similar convention, held in Cincinnati, in 1876, which nominated Rutherford B. Hayes. He was elected to Congress in 1880, was unanimously renominated in 1882, and was defeated. In 1894 he was again elected to the federal House of Representatives. He ran eighteen hundred ahead of the state ticket, carrying Wayne county by the unprecedented majority of nine hundred and ten. He was renominated in 1896, and was defeated He was married September 26, 1866, to Mary L. Brigham, of Vienna, Michigan. Their only child, Walter C. McClure, was born in August, 1880. Judge Martin Welker was born in Knox county, Ohio, April 25, 1819 his early life was of obscure and modest origin. At the age of fourteen he held a clerkship in a store in the neighborhood. Four years later, at Millersburg, Holmes county, Ohio, he commenced his researches of the law, and at twenty-one was admitted to practice. He was appointed clerk of the common pleas court in Holmes county, serving five years. The Whigs nominated him for Congress in 1848, but he was defeated. He was elected common pleas judge of the sixth district of Ohio, and served five years, under the new constitution of 1851. He was nominated for lieutenant-governor in 1859, upon the ticket with Salmon P. Chase, and was elected, but refused a second nomination. During the Civil war he was a gallant defender of the Union cause ; he was appointed major on the staff of Gen. J. D. Cox, and served with the three months' enlisted recruits, subsequently acting as aide-de-camp to the Governor, and as judge-advocate-general of the state, until the expiration of the term of Governor William Denison. He superintended the Ohio drafts in 1862 in the capacity of assistant adjutant-general of Ohio. While in the military service he was nominated by the Republicans for Congress, but was defeated. He was nominated again in 1864, 294 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. this time being successful, re-elected in 1866 and 1868. President Grant in 1873 appointed him district judge of the United States for the northern district of Ohio. Judge Martin L. Smyser was born in Chester township, Wayne county, April 3, 1851, on a farm, where he was reared. He remained on the paternal homestead with his father, Emanuel Smyser, a native of York county, Pennsylvania, who removed to Wayne county in 1832, when he registered as a student at Wittenburg College, Springfield, Ohio, from which institution he graduated in 1870. He soon thereafter commenced the study of law in Wooster in the office of Hon. L. R. Critchfield. He passed his legal examination at Columbus, Ohio, in April, 1872, opening an office at once in Wooster. He was nominated during the fall of that year for prosecuting attorney of Wayne county, by the Republicans, having then but passed his twenty-first year. In 1873 he entered into professional relations with Hon. A. S. McClure, which partnership continued for much more than a quarter of a century. To the Republican national convention at Chicago in 1884 he was chosen as an alternate delegate, and in 1888 he was sent as a regular delegate, and during this year he was elected to Congress. He was appointed to the bench of the circuit court, January 15, 1898, by Governor Asa S. Bushnell, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Judge Julius C. Pomerene. Eugene W. Newkirk was born in Clinton township, Wayne county, Ohio, is a son of Isaac Newkirk, who died in December, 1870, and a grandson of Henry Newkirk, a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, he being a son of Isaac Newkirk, who was a soldier under General Crawford, in the disastrous military campaign against the Indians of Sandusky, Ohio, in 1782. Isaac Newkirk, the father of Wade N., was a successful farmer. The son graduated, from the University of Wooster in 1882, and from the Law College in Cincinnati in 1885, and then opened an office in Wooster. Samuel B. Eason was born at the old Eason homestead in Springville, Plain township, Wayne county, Ohio, April 2, 1844, and is a son of the Hon. Benjamin Eason, of Wooster, the oldest member -in active practice at the Wooster bar. The son enlisted in the Federal army May 27, 1862, and served three months. Then he studied at Mt. Union, Ohio, Vermilion Institute, Hayesville, Ohio, and the law department of the University of Michigan, graduating in 1869. He has practiced about thirty-five years in Wooster. was appointed to a judgeship, and he is something of an astronomer. Thomas B. Keeler was born in the village of Congress, Congress town- WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 295 ship, Wayne county, October 14, 1849, at which place he lived until April, 1876, when he removed to West Salem. He first engaged in the tanning business and then at the carpenter's trade with his father, John Keeler, who was married to Hannah Matthews, of Wooster, a sister of Mrs. Sarah Kuffel, a daughter of the famous Adam Poe, the Indian fighter. He received a good education and taught school until he removed to \Vest Salem. During the time he was teaching, he commenced the study of law at Wooster. He was admitted to the bar in Wooster in 1874, but did not enter upon practice until 1876. He was married in 1874 to Ida Wiltmer, and has two children, John V., his son, and a daughter, Ida. He has been engaged in the practice of his profession at West Salem. Lyman R. Critchfield, Jr., was born in Millersburg, Holmes county, Ohio, and is a son of Hon. Lyman R. Critchfield. His primary education was received in the schools of his native town, which was supplemented by a college course at the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio. After the termination of his studies at this institution he returned to Millersburg, entered the office of his father, and there completed the elementary work of preparation for the professional practice. He passed the state examination at Columbus, Ohio, for admission to the bar June 4, 1891. In politics he is a Democrat, and on that ticket in April, 1899, he was elected to the office of city solicitor of the city of Wooster. He was married September 28, 1898, to Rose, daughter of Allen Brown, of Salt Creek township. When the war between the United States and Spain was declared he enlisted as a private in Company D, Eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Asbury Durbin Metz was born in Wooster, Wayne county, Ohio, July 24, 1852. He was a son of Jacob Metz, in the earliest history of Wooster and when it was a village, and for years afterwards a boot and shoe merchant. The son was graduated from the University of Wooster in 1874. He studied law and has practiced in Wooster. Price Russell was born on a farm in Medina county, Ohio. In 1865, when he was ten years old, with his parents he came to Creston, Wayne county. where he continued to live. He passed through the common schools, and the Ohio University, then studied law for one year with Hon. Lyman R. Critchfield. at Millersburg. Ohio: then graduated from the Cincinnati Law College in 1890. He engaged in newspaper work for some time, owning the Medina Standard; then began practicing law in Creston, Wayne county. Lorenzo D. Cornell of Shreve, Clinton township, Wayne county, was 296 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. born in Chester township, November 26, 1854. He was educated at the business college of Valparaiso, Indiana. He was editor and manager of a weekly journal published at Shreve. He read law in the office of McClure & Smyser of Wooster and was admitted to the bar about 1899. He has an office in Shreve and is engaged in the law and insurance. Charles M. Yocum was born in Plain township, Wayne county, February 17, 1842, the son of Joseph G. Yocum, a farmer in that vicinity for over a half century. The son graduated from the Vermilion Institute in 1866. He had a short military service in Company D, One Hundred and Sixty-sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in 1864. He was admitted to the bar in 1868. On December 25, 1872, he married Isabella A. Ross, of Wooster. For many years he has practiced law in Wooster. D. Wenger was born March 22, 1864, in Sugar Creek township, Wayne county, Ohio. His parents were Pennsylvania Dutch. They removed to Ohio about fifty-five years ago, and settled on the farm where Mr. Wenger was born. His early days were occupied on the farm, where he remained until he was eighteen years old, when he entered mercantile life, in which he is at present engaged. He began the study of law in the spring of 1893 and was admitted to the bar in March, 1896. He studied under the Sprague correspondence system. Harry R. Smith, son of Richard H. Smith, received a common school education and studied law, opening an office in Wooster. He is attorney for the Camp system of railroads, having assumed general management of the -Ashland & Wooster Railway ,April 15, 1899. James B. Meech was born in Chippewa township, Wayne county, and he has been engaged in the practice of law for over thirty years in this county. He is a Republican. William C. Yost was born July 5, 1854, in Congress township, Wayne county, Ohio, and spent his earlier years on his father's farm. At the age of sixteen he entered the Smithville high school, which he attended for two years, when he commenced the study of law, and graduated at Ann Arbor University, Michigan, in the class of 1884. Soon thereafter he came to Wooster, opened an office and began the practice of his profession, in which he is at present engaged. He was elected mayor of the city of Wooster, in 1889, and re-elected to the same position in 1891; he was elected city solicitor of the city of Wooster in 1893 and re-elected in 1895. He was largely instrumental in organizing the Wooster Shale Brick works, also in locating the preserving works in Wooster, of which he is one of the board of managers. WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 297 John S. Adair was born May 26, 1859, the son of Anderson and Henrietta (McClure) Adair. He was reared on a farm in Wooster township. He studied six years at the University of Wooster, began studying law in 1881, moved to Kansas in 1886 and began practicing law, returning to Wayne county in 1888; elected city. solicitor of Wooster the following year. George W. Miller was born in Wayne township, Wayne county, November 22, 1857. His parents came from Pennsylvania. In 1870 he began learning the carriage-making trade, and served a three-years apprenticeship and worked in many different cities at this trade for ten years. In 1880 he entered school, graduated from a normal and began teaching; in 1890 he entered the Cincinnati Law School, graduating in 1891, then lived in Chippewa township until 1895, farming, serving two terms as justice of the peace. He still farms and practices law. M. L. Spooner is a native of the Queen City, Ohio, where he was born October 22, 1852, and is a son of Hon. Thomas Spooner, who, as a member from Ohio of the Republican national convention in 1860 assisted in the nomination of Abraham Lincoln for the presidency, and who, in the fifties, was president of the national organization of the American party. At the age of sixteen he entered Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute of Troy, New York. In 1869 he was engaged upon the survey and construction of the Kansas Pacific railway, and in the winter of 1869-70 he became a member of Troop E, Seventh United States Cavalry, then stationed at Ft. 'Wallace, Kansas, in which he served for a year, guarding the line of the road against the attacks of hostile Indian. He then located at Humboldt, Kansas, where he learned the trade of printer in the office of the Humboldt Union. In 1872-73 he was engaged in the government survey of what is now Oklahoma. In 1875 he returned to Cincinnati, where he resumed the craft of printer, having been foreman in a number of the large printing establishments of Wooster, whither he came in 1881, taking charge of the Wayne County Herald. From 1884 he engaged principally in examining and abstracting titles. He became a member of the Ohio bar in 1897. Edgar E. Stone is a resident of Milton township, spent his earlier years on his father's farm, was a student at the University of Wooster for a term, also at Ann Arbor, Michigan, and was admitted to the bar about 1888. He is not, we believe, actively engaged in practice, and lives on his farm near Sterling, Wayne county. Warren Ramsey, a son of Warren Ramsey, is a native of Wayne county, and remained with his father on the farm until he was sixteen years of age, 298 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. when he attended the Smithville Academy, Wayne county. He graduated from the University of Wooster in 1887, was admitted to the bar and opened an office in Orrville, where he continued in the practice. Edward Maag was born in Mt. Eaton, Paint township, Wayne county, about forty years ago. He is a man of good education, and was a teacher for a number of years. He studied law and was admitted to the bar. Thomas W. Peckinpaugh was born in Pennsylvania, November 17, 1817. On his father's side he is of German extraction, on the mother's English. In 1821 his parents emigrated to Green township, when the subject of this sketch was but four years of age. His father was a farmer, and with him his son remained until he was twenty-one. He studied law in Wooster and was admitted to the bar in 1848. On October 18th of that year he married Jane E. Cotton, then began practice in Chippewa township. He filled several local offices and two terms in the Legislature. Eugene Carlin, son of George Carlin, a prominent physician of West Salem, Wayne county, is a graduate of the high school of that village and the law school at Ada, Ohio, and has been practicing many years. D. T. Downing was born in Wooster township, July 17, 1849. After attendance upon the public schools in Wooster, he took a classical course at Denison University, Granville, Ohio. He was admitted to the bar in 1877. He opened a law office in Wooster, but after a few years retired from practice. George A. Starn was born in Wayne county, February 20, 1874, and was reared on a farm, upon which he remained and worked until he was eighteen years of age. He was a student at the University of Wooster and is a graduate of the law department of Ada Institute, Ada, Ohio, and was admitted to the bar in 1899. He is located in practice in Orrville. John C. Morr was born in Holmes county, Ohio, July 18, 1850. His father was a farmer, and the son worked on the farm until he was seventeen years of age, then began plastering and stone cutting, continuing until the spring of 1880. May 5, 1880, Mr. Morr was admitted to the bar by the supreme court and has since been practicing his profession in Wooster. Benton G. Hay was born in Ashland county, Ohio, February 18, 1874. He was reared and worked upon the farm until he was eighteen years of age, when he began a course of study, taking the law course at the Ada Normal Institute. He was admitted to the bar. at Columbus, Ohio, in March, 1898, and during the fall of that year opened an office in Wooster. Joseph Gallagher, of Smithville, was born January 12, 1860, in Wayne township, Wayne county. He is a son of Victor Gallagher of that commu- WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 299 nity, his mother, Elizabeth Lehman, being a daughter of David Lehman, deceased. He was admitted to the bar in 1898, at Columbus, Ohio. He hoisted his legal gonfalon in Smithville. John R. McKinney was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, November 12, 1843, his parents removing to Wayne county, Ohio, in 1847. His father was a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania ; his mother of Scotch birth, her parents immigrating to the United States when she was young. The family settled near Dalton, in Sugar Creek township, where they remained until 1867, when he transferred his domicil to Wooster. His son worked on the farm until his seventeenth year, when he went to the Ontario Academy, Richland county, Ohio, where he studied for two years. August 22, 1862, he joined the One Hundred and Twentieth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. After his return from the army he attended Vermilion Institute, Hayesville, Ohio, for one year ; then taught school, then he came to Wooster. In June, 1875, he was admitted to the bar here. He was three times elected justice of the peace on the Republican ticket. He is now located in Wooster. Ed S. Weitz is one of the latest recruits to the Wayne county bar, and since establishing himself in Wooster he has won a very creditable standing in his profession. Alfred J. Thomas was born in Paris, Stark county, Ohio, and is the son of a mechanic. At an early age he went to Salem, Ohio, and entered a machine shop. From there he removed to Wooster, in 1859, and became an employe with the old firm of McDonald, Laughlin & Co., with which he remained for a number of years. He read law with the late Hon. William M. Orr, of Orrville, was admitted to the bar, opened an office in 'Wooster, and continued in the practice here. Reno H. Critchfield was born in Ripley township, Holmes county, Ohio, September 22, 1865. He was reared on a farm and his earlier years were spent in labor upon it. In 1886 he made a tour of the Pacific coast, for sixteen months remained there, when he returned to Ohio. He then registered as a student at the Ohio Normal University, a learner in summer, a teacher in winter, and this he continued for twelve years. The last three years of his school life were exclusively spent in studying law, and on the completion of this course of research in the law college he entered an office in Millersburg, Holmes county, Ohio, where he remained until March, 1899, when he was admitted to the bar. He then located at Shreve, Wayne county. Hervey H. Hubbell was born in Scotch. Ridge, Wood county, Ohio,