Page XI -
To his ability we are
to-day largely indebted for the systematic practice, which came out
of the void produced by the abrogation of the most scientific system
of pleading known to the world. He was the author of several
literary works of ability. His work on pleading and practice
has grown by revision into two octavo volumes, and is to be found in
all the States of the Union having a Code practice. His Ohio
Digest is also an excellent work.
Judge Nash died at his residence, in Gallipolis,
Sunday noon, January 18th, 1879, in the seventy-fifth year of his
age, and his memory was honored by resolutions of respect from the
legal fraternity and other bodies.
HON. SAMUEL FINLEY VINTON,
was born at South Hadley, Sept. 25, 1792. In 1814 he graduated
at Williams' College, and commenced studying law with Hon.
Stephen T. Hosmer, of Connecticut. He was admitted to the
bar in 1816, and soon proceeded to the young and growing State of
Ohio, establishing himself in the practice of law at Gallipolis,
where, at the end of a year, he was enjoying an extensive business.
He soon became well and favorably known as a man of unusual ability
and integrity, and without solicitation or effort of his own, became
nominated by the Whig party for Congress, in the autumn of 1822, and
elected by a flattering majority. He remained member of
Congress until, in 1837, when he voluntarily withdrew from public
life. During his long period of fourteen years' service,
several important measures were originated and carried through by
him, and he was looked upon as a leader of his party in the House.
After a retirement of six years, he was again, in 1843,
chosen a member of Congress, where he remained until 1851, when he
again voluntarily withdrew from active public life. Mr.
Vinton was Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, where he
rendered his country most excellent service. He proved himself
a patriot in the broadest sense caring far more that the many
measures which he originated and perfected should be of value to the
country than that his own name should be known or mentioned in their
connection.
In September, 1846, the venerable ex-President, John
Quincy Adams, said of Hon. S. F. Vinton, that he "knew
him well; he was a man of decided ability; very few, if any, in
Congress, were his superiors; when he spoke, it was to good effect;
he was a man - not only of talents, but of integrity.
The Hon. Alexander H. Stephens, in a speech in
the House of Representatives, Mar. 3, 1880, thus speaks of him:
"Samuel F. Vinton, of Ohio, whose acquaintance with the rules,
great prudence and sound judgment, rendered him, perhaps, the most
prominent leader on the Whig side."
After retirement from public life, Mr. Vinton
resided continually (with the exception of one year, when he was
chosen the first President of the Cleveland & Toledo Railroad), in
Washington, where he died May 11, 1862, after a few days' illness.
In June, 1824, Mr. Vinton married Romaine
Madeleine Bureau, who died the last of May, 1831. They had
two children: John, who died when very young, and
Madeleine Sarah, who still survives, the widow of the late
Admiral Dahlgren. Mr. Vinton's last request was
that his remains might rest beside those of his beloved wife, in
Gallipolis cemetery, where they now lie, and on the lot is a granite
monument, placed there by his fond daughter, Mrs. Dahgren,
bearing the inscription, "Bureau-Vinton."
JUDGE
SAMUEL B. RATHBURN was born in Granby, Hartford County,
Connecticut, in 1803, his father and family coming to Rutland
township, now a part of Meigs county, while he was yet a boy.
A half century ago he came to Gallipolis and engaged as clerk with
Beebe Le Clercq, and later with Messrs. Damarin, Bureau &
Regnier, all of whom he served faithfully in that capacity.
Still later in life he formed a business connection with H. H.
Nel, of this city, which was sustained for some time. He
afterwards engaged in business for himself in what is known as the
Devacht building, on Front street. After retiring from
mercantile pursuits, he was called upon to serve his fellow citizens
in many important and responsible capacities. He was county
assessor for many years and appraiser of real estate before it was
the custom to elect township assessors. He was the first to
fill the probate judge's office, under the law creating that court.
He has also creditably filled the office of mayor, justice of the
peace, etc. He died Oct. 3, 1877, in the 75th year of his age.
FRANKLIN
CAREL, son of Rene Carel, was born in Paris, France,
in 1795, and arrived with his father's family in 1803, at
Gallipolis. At an early age he engaged in mercantile pursuits,
and afterward in manufacturing. He was engaged for a time with
his father in the manufacture of salt, which gained a wide
reputation for its excellent quality, and with others erected and
put in operation the first steam saw mill in Gallia county and the
first foundry. He was successful in business and retired from
active pursuits many years ago. Mr. Carel has, during
his life, held many important public positions. He was justice
of the peace for twenty-one years, a long time city recorder,
township clerk, etc., and also associate judge for Gallia county,
being upon the bench when the new constitution took effect,
abolishing the office. He has been trustee of the Gallia
Academy for nearly fifty years past, and was treasurer of the board
over thirty years. Although 87 years of age, Mr. Carel
is still living, comparatively robust and healthy.
ALEXANDER
VANCE was born in Shenandoah county, Virginia, Jan. 21, 1812,
coming to Ohio in 1815 with his father's family. He came to
Gallipolis in 1832, where he has ever since continued to reside.
He served as mayor in 1845, 1847 and 1849, for several years as
county auditor, and for a time county surveyor. For the past
nine years he has been a magistrate, in which position he still
continues. His only two sons entered the army in 1861.
He also volunteered his services, organizing Company I, 4th Virginia
Volunteer Infantry of which he was appointed captain. During
the spring and summer of 1862 he held the important position of
provost marshal of the Kanawha River Division, with headquarters at
Charleston, West Virginia. In 1834 he married a daughter of
Colonel Luther Shepard, the subject of a former sketch, who is
also still living.
WILLIAM NASH
has long been identified with the newspaper interests of the city,
and is the present proprietor of the Gallipolis Journal, and
his name will be seen frequently mentioned in the history of that
paper, herein published. He is the brother of Hon. Simeon
Nash (the subject of a former sketch), has always been an
earnest and consistent republican and was elected to the State
Senate of the Sixtieth General Assembly in 1872. A more
complete sketch of his life will be found among the personal
histories of Gallipolis township.
ROMAN MENAGER
is the oldest native born citizen now living in the city, being 82
years of age, and honored and respected.
HENRY MILLER,
a well-known citizen of Gallipolis, came here about 1814 from
Shenandoah county, West Virginia. He was long identified with
its early history, and many of his descendants are now living in the
city and vicinity.
HON. JOHN L.
VANCE was born in Gallipolis, Ohio, July 19, 1839; was
educated in the common schools and at the Gallia Academy. At
an early age he learned the art of printing; studied law and
graduated at the Law School of the Cincinnati college in April,
1861, where he was admitted to her bar. During the month of
June, 1861, he entered the Union army as captain of Company B, 4th
Regiment Virginia Volunteer Infantry, and served in West Virginia,
being in command of the troops at Charleston during part of the
summer of 1861. He participated, with the regiment, in
engagements of the Vicksburg campaign, Mission Ridge, and the march
to Knoxville, Tennessee, to General Burnside's relief; and
returning, as promoted to the command of his regiment, in 1864, at
which time they took part in General Sheridan's campaign in
the Shenandoah Valley. He was appointed a delegate to the
National Democratic Convention at Baltimore. In January, 1867,
he established The Gallipolis Bulletin, and has since been
managing editor and proprietor. During the year 1870, and part
of 1871, he was also engaged in the practice of law. In the
fall of 1864 he was elected a member of the Forty-fourth Congress
from the Eleventh district, composed of the counties of Gallia,
Hocking, Jackson, Lawrence, Scioto and Vinton. He has always
been an earnest and consistent advocate of democratic principles,
has served his party faithfully, and by his social qualities and
genial disposition, gained popularity among all classes.
HON.
WILLIAM ALLEN, who afterward became governor of Ohio and a
member of Congress, was admitted to the bar at Gallipolis and
practiced law before the courts of Gallia county, at an early day,
when he had the reputation of being a wild and reckless youth.
The hotel building still stands on Front street, where he stopped
when in the city. Many interesting stories are told by old
citizens of the adventures of the young man when at court here, and
one will be recorded, which goes to illustrate the determination and
pluck that afterwards made him a great man.
A remarkably vicious and uncontrolable horse was
owned in the town, and while Allen was standing on the front
porch of his hotel, the animal was being , with difficulty, led
along the street. He ordered a halt, and, seizing the horse by
the bits, against the earnest protest of the bystanders, leaped upon
the back of the infuriated animal, who sprang like an arrow from the
bow up the river road, Allen belaboring him at every jump.
For a number of miles the horse and rider flew up the road, when,
turning about, he came back at the same pace, watched by the anxious
crowd, who hastened to the right and left as he came dashing up, and
leaped the horse up the steps into the door of the hotel to the bar,
where he halted the subdued and painting steed, and quietly reaching
over the counter, ordered a glass of - buttermilk(?)
LOUIS
PHILLIPPE, King of France, (then Duke of Orleans, and in
exile), when on his way down the Ohio river to New Orleans, arrived
at Gallipolis in an open boat,
See
Page XII -
< BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS
OF HISTORY OF GALLIA COUNTY, OHIO > |