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Welcome to
Gallia County, Ohio
History & Genealogy

Source:
History of

GALLIA COUNTY
Containing
A Condensed History of the County;
Biographical Sketches; General Statistics;
Miscellaneous Matters, &c.
H. H. HARDESTY & CO., PUBLISHERS, CHICAGO AND TOLEDO.
1882

Gallipolis Township

I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII XIII XIV XV XVI XVII XVIII XIX XX XXI XXII XXIII XXIV XXV XXVI XXVII XXVIII XXIX XXX

For Chapters XVIII, XIX, XX, XXI, XXII, XXIII, XXIV, XXV, XXVI & XXVII - SEE TOWNSHIPS BELOW HERE

TOWNSHIPS:
includes biographies

BIOGRAPHIES

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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 DahlgrenMr. 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 -

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