HON. WILLIAM
REED, attorney at law, of Millersburgh, Ohio, is one of the
most widely known attorneys of Holmes County, and comparatively few
men placed under the same circumstances have attained to similar
prominence and reputation. Although not gifted with flowing
eloquence, few men in the profession excel Judge Reed in
ability, clearness of expression, profoundness of thought and
judgment, and in his acquaintance with Blackstone. He was born
in Columbiana County, Ohio, in 1823. His father, William
Reed, was a native of Adams county, Penn., and a son of
William Reed, who was of Scotch descent, and was a farmer in
Adams County, but who, when his son William was twelve years
old, moved to Washington County, same State. He was a soldier
in the War of 1812. The father of Judge Reed was reared
in Adams and Washington Counties, and was given good educational
advantages, attending Jefferson College one year, and then entering
Washington College, from which he graduated in 1815. Choosing,
soon after, the ministry of his life work, he began the study of
theology, and in due time was ordained to the ministry of the
Presbyterian Church. He had two charges for many years, but
about 1850 he resigned one, continuing in the other until a few
years prior to his death. He died in October, 1867, aged
eighty-two years, having served in the ministry nearly fifty years.
He married Maria Cooke of Washington, Penn., daughter of
David Cooke, a prominent merchant of the town of Washington, and
a trustee of Washington College. To this union seven children
were born, six of whom are living. D. C., a minister of
the Presbyterian church, now of New Castle, Penn.; William,
the subject of our sketch; Margretta; Samuel, a farmer
residing on the old homestead; Maria now Mrs. Wolgamot,
and Dorcas. The third son, James H., died while
a student at the Theological Seminary at Allegheny City, Penn.
Judge William Reed spent his early
life in Columbiana County, Ohio, receiving his rudimentary education
in the public schools. HE later entered Washington College,
from which he graduated in the class of 1845. He at once
entered upon the practice of his profession, his able instructor
being C. L. Vallandigham whose reputation is so widely known.
He was admitted to the bar in 1847, and at once began the practice
of his profession in the town of Millersburgh, where he has since
lived, and, with the exception of ten years, when he was Judge of
the Third Sub-division of the Sixth Judicial District of Ohio, he
has been in active practice. He was elected to this position
by the Democratic party, of which he is a stanch supporter, and
served with marked ability, his decisions always being the result of
thoughtful consideration and bearing the imprint of profound
judgment. From 1855 till 1859 he was prosecuting attorney of
Holmes County, in which capacity he served to the entire
satisfaction of the citizens of that county. Judge Reed
has attained a prominence second to none in Holmes County, and is
respected by all who know him for his purity of thought and
honorable dealings, no one, not excepting those who differ with him
in political judgment having aught but praise for his integrity and
uprightness.
Judge Reed was married in 1854 to Maria D.,
a daughter of S. S. Henry, of Millersburgh, Ohio, and they
have two children: William C., and Jennie M.,
now Mrs. Doak of Indiana. The Judge and his wife are
members of the Presbyterian Church; he is a member of the Masonic
fraternity.
~ Page 595
– Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of Wayne
and
Holmes,
Ohio, Illustrated –
Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1889 |
JOHN W.
REYNOLDS, only child of Levi and Mary (Knox) Reynolds,
both natives of Pennsylvania, was born in April, 1867, on the farm
he now owns, the old Knox homestead, originally containing eighty
acres, entered by his grandfather Knox. The latter
owned, at the time of his death, 800 acres of land, which he divided
equally among his ten children, besides about $8,000 in cash.
The mother of John W. Reynolds died in 1886.
Mr. Reynolds received his educational training
in the schools of the neighborhood, and he has since been employed
in the cultivation of the farm. He was married, Jan. 30, 1887,
to Miss Rosetta Sponogle, a daughter of Joseph and Lucinda
(Rogers) Sponogle, and to them has been born one daughter,
Maude, a bright child of eighteen months. Mr. Reynolds
is one of the wide-awake and enterprising young farmers of
Holmes County.
~ Page 746 – Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of Wayne
and
Holmes,
Ohio, Illustrated –
Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1889 |
HAMILTON
E. ROBINSON. The progenitor of this branch of the
Robinson family in America was Anthony, a physician, who
came from Ireland and settled in Washington County, Penn., where he
died in 1812. He had a family of four children, three being
sons - John, Anthony and George. Of these,
Anthony located in Wayne County, Ohio, in 1821, and bought 160
acres of land, one mile northeast of Fredericksburgh, where he lived
over thirty years, dying there Oct. 29, 1851, at the age of
seventy-seven years. He first married Mary Rogers, who
bore him six children: George, Samuel, Mary, Margaret, Ann
and Hester. After the death of his first wife,
Anthony Robinson married Jane Wilson, and by her had two
children: Anthony and Eleanor Jane.
His second son, Samuel, was born
in Washington County, Penn., Oct. 4, 1798. He studied
surveying at Wooster, Ohio, under the instruction of Rev. Edward
Thomson, who was afterward president of the Ohio Wesleyan
University, at Delaware, and still later a bishop of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. At the organization of Holmes County,
Samuel Robinson located at Millersburgh, and from that time
until his death was identified with the county's growth and
development. Feb. 19, 1825, the second day of the first Common
Pleas Court held in the county, he was appointed county surveyor for
a term of five years, his commission bearing date Mar. 14, 1825,
same being signed by Jeremiah Morrow, Governor of Ohio.
At the March term of court, 1830, he was appointed his own
successor, his second commission bearing date May 3, 1830, signed by
A. Trimble, Governor. This was afterward made an
elective office, to which eh was several times elected, and he
continued in the business as a private surveyor until within a few
weeks of his death. In 1827 he was appointed quartermaster of
the Fourth Brigade, Fourteenth Division, State Militia of Ohio, his
commission signed by A. Trimble, and bearing date Aug. 18,
1827. On the incorporation of the village of Millersburgh, in
1835, he was elected its first mayor. When he first located in
Millersburgh he had but fifty cents in money, there being but little
money in circulation at that time. In 1826 he taught a
subscription school in the town, agreeing in the contract to teach
spelling, reading, writing and arithmetic at the rate of $1.50 per
scholar for each quarter, two-thirds to be furnished in produce and
one-third in cash, the scholars to furnish firewood, etc.
Although he commenced poor, by a life of industry and economy he
accumulated a fair portion of this world's goods. Feb. 28,
1828, Mr. Robinson married Lucinda, daughter of
Stephen Harris, residing near Massillon, Ohio, He died
Sept. 21, 1873, aged seventy-five years, his wife surviving him
until Oct. 27, 1886. To them were born three children:
Hamilton H., John W. and Sybil M. Of these, John
W. died when four months old; Sybil M. is the wife of
Charles D. Beegle, of Millersburgh.
Hamilton H. Robinson was born in Millersburgh,
Holmes Co., Ohio, Dec. 12, 1828, and his life has been spent in the
town of his birth. He was given a common-school education.
For over six years he filled the position of assistant revenue
assessor, an office created by reason of the War of the Rebellion.
In 1873 he was elected county surveyor, in which capacity he served
three years. In 1882 he was elected county commissioner,
serving six years and one month, his duties in that office being
quite arduous, as during that time the new courthouse and the
children's Home were built, and he was superintendent of
construction. May 26, 18556, Mr. Robinson married
Mary E. Teisher, who was born in Washington County, Md., Feb.
10, 1834, and they have three children: Lucy A., Stephen H.
and Ella T. Lucy A. married P. G. Palmer and has
two children - Pearl and Guy; Ella T. married
S. B. Bailey, Esq.
~ Page 626
– Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of Wayne
and
Holmes,
Ohio, Illustrated –
Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1889 |
URIAH
ROBISON, farmer and stock raiser, is one of the prominent
citizens of Prairie Township. He owns a fine farm of 2_1
acres, which is well improved and well adapted to general farming
and stock raising. He is enterprising and progressive, and on
his farm can be found all modern improvements for the cultivation of
the soil and diminishing the time and labor required. He is
public spirited, and takes an active interest in advancing all
projects of material benefit to the county, believing that public
improvements advance the value of private interests.
Mr. Robison was born in Holmes County, Ohio, in
1826, a son of Hugh and Rebecca (Matson) Robison, natives of
Pennsylvania, of Irish ancestry. They came to Holmes County in
1823, and made in their home the rest of their lives. The
mother died in 1840, and the father in 1886, aged eighty-six years.
Mr. Robison was reared on his father's farm, and as soon as
old enough was obliged to assist in its cultivation, thus receiving
only limited educational advantages. Realizing the loss this
has been to him he has always taken an interest in schools, and has
given his children and best advantages in his power. He was
married in 1853 to Harriet Burgan, who was born in
Wayne County, Ohio, in 1827, and they have had five children, three
of whom are living: John, Rebecca and Emma.
One daughter, Esther, and an infant, unnamed, are deceased.
In politics Mr. Robison gives his suffrage to the Prohibition
party. He and his wife and their daughter Rebecca are
consistent members of the Presbyterian Church.
~ Page 748 – Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of Wayne
and
Holmes,
Ohio, Illustrated –
Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1889 |
DR.
WILLIAM M. ROSS. This, in his lifetime, one of the most
prominent citizens of Millersburgh, Holmes Co., died at his
home on Mad Anthony Street, Apr. 4, 1885. The Doctor had been
an invalid for four or five years, and yet, during all this time, up
to within the last year, he worked faithfully in his profession.
As a physician he was well read, remarkably successful as a
practitioner, and was skillful in his surgical operations. As
a soldier he was brave and patriotic. His last battle was his
greatest conquest, having gained a triumphal victory over death.
He went down to his grave in peace, praising God for His goodness
even during his intense suffering. The funeral services were
held at the Methodist Episcopal Church, attended by a vast concourse
of citizens of Millersburgh and the surrounding country, filling the
large church, the gallery, the aisles and even the stairways and
lower entrance being crowded with the multitudes who desired to
attest their respect for the memory of the dead. Pomerene
Post, No. 250, Grand Army of the Republic, were out in a body and
added to the impressive services of the church and at the grave the
appropriate and solemn ceremonies of their own ritual. The
services began with an anthem by the church choir, followed by
prayer, Rev. J. G. Schaeffer of the Presbyterian Church,
leading, and a reading of a selection from the fifteenth chapter of
First Corinthians, by Rev. A. M. Harvout, of the Christian
Church. The choir then sang the Twenty-third Psalm, "The Lord
is My Shepherd," etc., as had been requested by the deceased not
long before his death. The pastor of the church, Rev. Dr.
Hartupee, then read the Thirty-ninth and Ninetieth Psalms, and
addressed the congregation as follows:
Dr. William Morrison Ross was born at the old
family homestead near Millersburgh, on Apr. 8 1837; died at his late
home in Millersburgh, Apr. 4, 1885, and was therefore forty-eight
years old, lacking four days. His father, Reynolds Ross,
died in April, 1845, when William was but eight years old,
leaving behind him a large family of four sons and six daughters.
Three of the sons and five of the daughters survive, with their
venerable and aged mother, upon whom the infirmities of nearly four
score years have settled down, forbidding her presence here to
witness the said ceremonials of this hour. Upon her devolved
the management of the estate and the training and education of the
family, the oldest of whom were just merging into manhood and
womanhood. She met the trying responsibilities of her position
as only a strong, noble, self-reliant and God-fearing woman can.
Often have I heard the Doctor dwell with a fondness of a
justifiable, filial pride upon memories of her unselfish devotion
to the welfare of her children, her solicitude for their eternal as
well as temporal well being. Dear saintly mother, she has
her reward in the lives and characters and records of her children,
and of her grand-children, of whom I might speak in terms of fitting
eulogy, were they not present to listen to my words.
William remained at home assisting in the labors of the farm
till reaching manhood. He improved the advantages then
afforded for securing an education, and became well versed in the
studies embraced in the ordinary academic course.
He promptly responded to the first call of the
President for troops in the war for the defense of the Union, April
18, 1861, and was the first, or among the first in the county, to
enroll his name in the ranks of our citizen soldiery. At the
end of the three years' service, and re-entered the field as first
lieutenant of Company G, Sixteenth Regiment of Ohio Volunteer
Infantry, organized at Wooster, Ohio, in September, 1861, of which
John F. DeCourcy was colonel. Lieut. Ross was
promoted to the captaincy of Company D, of the same regiment, Jan.
15, 1863. His comrades in arms have often borne testimony to
the moral, no less than martial, heroism of their commander, and
that he possessed not only that manly courage which confronts the
foe without fear on the battle field, but also that higher moral
courage which dared to be true to conscientious convictions amidst
the temptations of life in the camp and in the field. Capt.
Ross then took part in the campaign against Cumberland Gap by
the forces under command of Gen. George W. Morgan, and with
his company engaged in several skirmishes with the enemy on
reconnoitering expeditions, and at the final occupation of the Gap
by the Union forces, June 18, 1862; was present at the battle of
Tazewell and at the famous evacuation of the Gap after Gen
Morgan's army had been flanked by the Confederate forces under
Gen. Kirby Smith. This division of the Army of the
Cumberland then went to West Virginia to reinforce the army of
Gen. Cox in the valley of the Kenawha.
Capt. Ross was next transferred to the
Trans-Mississippi department, and engaged in operations against
Vicksburg, where, in the battle of Chickasaw Bayou, on the 29th of
December, 1862, he received a painful wound in the face, while
leading his company with dauntless courage against the countless
batteries and rifle pits which covered the bluffs beyond the bayou.
Soldiers who could face such an arduous and desperate undertaking
must forever stand high on the roll of the world's heroes. The
wound proved indeed a serious one, and he always believed that to it
was due that chronic, poisoning of the blood, which, after an
interval of twenty-two years, has resulted in death, while before
that fatal day Capt. Ross had been almost the paragon oif
health and strength, and deemed himself adequate to say task that
physical hardihood and endurance could accomplish. Afterward
his vigor was, in a measure, gone, and the steady advance of the
fatal virus in the blood during all these years at length prostrated
that manly form and filled the last years of his life with suffering
no heart can conceive and no tongue can tell. Disabled by his
wound, he returned to his home to recover, as he rapidly did,
insomuch that he was enabled to return to the front in the following
March, and take part in the memorable campaign in the rear of
Vicksburg, under Gen. Grant. Meanwhile, in recognition
of his valor displayed in the battle of Chickasaw, he had been
promoted to the command of Company D, of the Sixteenth Ohio, his
commission bearing date of Jan. 15, 1863. while engaged in the
siege of Vicksburg, on the 22nd of Man following, he received
another wound below the knee, by which, however, he was not disabled
or removed to the hospital. This occurred during the forty-six
days of almost continuous fighting, in which he took part in the
battles of Thompson's Hill, Champion Hill, Black River Bridge, and
in the numerous assaults on the formidable works by which the city
was fortified. From Vicksburg his command was sent to the
Department of the Gulf, and was in the campaign from New Orleans to
the Teche; and, returning to New Orleans, he embarked with his
command for Texas. Afterward he returned by the way of New
Orleans to assist in the Red River campaign under Gen. Banks,
and was detailed with his regiment for the construction of the
famous Red River Dam, by which the fleet of gunboats and barges was
enabled to get below the rapids. His command took part in the
skirmishes about Alexandria, till removed from there to Morganza
bend of the Mississippi.
When the period of his second term of enlistment
closed, the entire term of service was three and one-half years.
He was honorably discharged at Columbus, Ohio, in the fall of 1864.
Capt. Ross was, on the 27th of May, 1865, appointed
lieutenant-colonel of the Fifty-ninth Battalion of National Guards,
and received his commission for five years from Gov. Brough,
June 6, 1865. At the close of his military life he retired
with honor unsullied with one act of cowardice, or even
indiscretion, with a record, not one line of which, dying, he could
wish to erase. Very appropriately, you soldiers of the Grand
Army, follow in a body the mortal remains of our beloved and honored
comrade and commander to the silent encampment on the beautiful hill
which overlooks our homes, where so many of your number already lie,
waiting the summons of our Great Commander from on high, which to
all of you, I trust, may "bring sweet salvation in its sound."
Dr. Ross, before enlisting in his country's
service, having chosen medicine as his profession, had been a
student in the office of Dr. Martin, of Fredericksburgh, and
afterward continued his studies under the direction of our townsman,
Dr. Bigham; also with the late Dr. Pomerene, with
whom, after his graduation from the medical college, he practiced
his profession for a year, and then entered upon an independent and
successful practice, which he continued until disabled by the malady
which in the end proved fatal. On the 13th of December, 1864,
he was united in happy marriage to Virginia, daughter of our
venerable fellow-citizen, Robert Justice, Esq., sketch of
whose life appears at page 604. Several children blessed the
happy union, some of whom have gone on before to wait, and after a
while to welcome the rest of the family on the peaceful, healthful
shores where there shall be no pains and no partings, and no tears,
for the Lord God himself shall then wipe them away form His
children's eyes, for there shall be no death.
~ Page 599 -
Source: Biographical Record of Wayne & Holmes Co., Ohio - Publ.
Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1889 |
JAMES
ROWLAND was born in Holmes County, Ohio, Aug. 31, 1839.
His paternal grandparents, William and Elizabeth (McKay)
Rowland, who were natives of Maryland, had two sons, the elder,
William, being the father of our subject. William
Rowland was born in either Maryland or Eastern Pennsylvania, and
when a young man came to Holmes County, Ohio. He married
Maria Seabrooks, and to them were born six children, four of
whom, John K., Elizabeth, Mary and James are living.
Archibald died in infancy, and Nancy Jane died in
April, 1886, in her fiftieth year. On coming to Holmes County
he located in Salt Creek Township, where he died in 1844; Maria
his wife, died in 1879, in her seventy-first year.
James Rowland was thus bereft of a father when
but little past four years of age. As soon as old enough he
began to work for farmers by the day, obtaining a fair education by
making the most of his leisure time, and when but eighteen years old
he began teaching school. He taught during the winter months
for many years, and worked on a farm in summers. He taught
eighteen terms and two summer terms. Mar. 22, 1862, he
enlisted in the War of the Rebellion, was assigned to Company K,
Sixty-first Ohio Infantry, and served until the close of the
struggle. He participated in several severe battles, among
others Second Bull Run. Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and
Missionary Ridge. At the close of the war he returned to his
home in Salt Creek Township, and worked on a farm for a year and a
half. He then rented until 1873, when he bought the first
share in the home farm. He now owns seventy acres of said
farm, which is located in Salt Creek Township, and which he has
improved. He also owns a house and two lots in Millersburgh.
Although from his boyhood he has had to rely on his own resources
for his support, he has by his ambition and ability been successful,
and has by his integrity gained the confidence of his fellow
citizens. He has served Salt Creek Township as assessor four
years, and Holmes County as school examiner nearly six years, and in
1881 he was elected county auditor, being re-elected in 1884, and
then appointed to fill a vacancy in the same office for ten months.
He retired from public office Sept. 10,1888, and is now living a
quiet life in Millersburgh, attending to the duties of his farm.
He was married in 1866 to Lovina, daughter of Jacob and
Elizabeth (Painter) Hinkle, and to them have been born six
children, five of whom are living: Harriet, Nevada, Lucina,
Amanda and Lovina. Their eldest, William,
was killed when nineteen years of age by falling from a joist in the
barn; the joist turning with him when he stepped upon it.
Mr. Rowland in his political views is a Democrat; he is a member
of the Grand Army of the Republic. He and his wife and the
four eldest daughters are members of the Disciples Church; his son
William was also a member of the same church.
~ Page 756 – Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of
Wayne and
Holmes, Ohio,
Illustrated – Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1889 |
|
