OHIO STATEWIDE FILES - HISTORY: Chapter 38 (Abbott, John S. C., 1875)
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			Chapter XXXVIII
		Lives of the Governors of Ohio.

   In the course of this narrative, the action of several of the Governors
of Ohio had been interwoven with the story. The lives of Governors St. Clair, 
Meigs, and General Harrison were inseparably blended with the heroic adventures
which attended the organization of the state. But there were other governors,
men of no less mark, but whose privilege it was to administer the government
in more peaceful times, the memory of whom history should not permit to die.
   We are indebted to the courtesy of the Western Reserve Historical Society,
of Cleveland, for opening to us the historical treasures it has accumulated.
Among those treasures there is a manuscript collection of a large number of
the Governors of Ohio, by the late A. T. Goodman, Esq. Mr. Goodman was the
corresponding secretary of that important society. With great labor, and at
not a little expense, he collected all the attainable facts in reference to
many of the past governors of the state. For this valuable record, the
community owe him a debt of gratitude. To his labors we are indebted for 
many of the incidents in the following brief narrative. We have also availed
ourselves of such other sources of information as we have been able to obtain,
scattered through the many books of reference which we have had occasion to
examine.
 
		      Hon. Arthur St. Clair
   Many of the details of the eventful life of this distinguished man are
interwoven in the preceding pages. He was appointed by the National Government
Governor of the Northwestern Territory from the year 1788 to 1802. He was born 
in Edinburgh, Scotland, in the year 1735; received a University education
there; studied medicine and became a surgeon in the British Army. Crossing
the Atlantic, he served as lieutenant under General Wolf in his campaign 
against Quebec in 1759.
   When peace was established between France and England, St. Clair was 
entrusted with the command of Fort Ligonier in Pennsylvania. Weary of
garrison life, he entered into agricultural pursuits, and held several civil
offices under the colonial government.
   In the rising troubles with Great Britain, he cordially espoused the colonial
cause. In 1776 he was created colonel in the Continental Army, and with
wonderful energy, in six days he raised a regiment ready for the field to
serve in Canada. In the Autumn of that year, promoted to the rank of brigadier
general, he took part in the battles of Trenton and Princeton. The next year,
as major general, he was entrusted with the command of Fort Ticonderoga.
   Here he lost reputation; for with a garrison of two thousand men he was
compelled to evacuate the fort, as Burgoyne took possession of Sugar Hill, 
which he had neglected to fortify. Afterwards he did good service in protecting
Congress, and was with the army at Yorktown when Cornwallis surrendered.
   In 1786, he was sent to the Continental Congress, and the next year was 
chosen President of that body. The following year he was appointed Governor
of the Northwestern Territory. As governor, and with the military rank of
major general he entered upon his disastrous campaign against the Miami Indians, 
which we have already described. This defeat, which was attributed to want
of caution, greatly exasperated the country. He was removed from office by
President Jefferson in 1802. The following reason has been assigned as the
occasion of his removal"
   General St. Clair was a strong Federalist. One evening, at Chilicothe, in
conversation with Jeremiah Morrow, Judge Dunlevy, and Judge Foster, who
were members of a constitutional convention then assembled at Chilicothe, 
he expressed himself as having no confidence in Republican institutions, and
that we must adopt a stronger form of government or anarchy would be the 
consequence. A copy of these remarks, attested by the three gentlemen, was
forwarded to President Jefferson; St. Clair was immediately removed.
   Notwithstanding the deplorable lack of judgement displayed in his terrible
defeat, St. Clair was a man of ability, of find scholarship, and a true
gentleman. His patriotism and integrity were unquestioned. He had neglected
his private concerns, and, upon removal from office, was ruined in fortune.
His last years were enveloped in gloom, and he died in the extreme poverty.

NOTE. - Charles W. Byrd, of Hamilton County, was Secretary of the Territory
at the time of the removal of General St. Clair in the latter part of 1802, 
and by virtue of his office became Acting Governor. He performed the duties 
of the office until the organization of the State of Ohio, and the inauguration
of Gov. Edward Tiffin, March 3, 1803. There are no records in existance from
which a sketch of his life can be obtained, neither has there been a picture
of him preserved from which an engraving can be made.

		   Hon. William Henry Harrison

   William Henry Harrison was born in Virginian at Berkeley, on the James
River, the 9th of February, 1773. His father was a gentleman of wealth and 
distinction, an intimate friend of George Washington, and a member of the
Constitutional Congress. He was a man of large stature, full of fun, and 
exceedingly popular with all classes. Twice he was chosen Governor of Virginia.
   His son, William, enjoyed all the advantages which wealth and intellectual
companionship could give. He graduated at Hampden Sidney College with honor, 
and studied medicine in Philadelphia under the celebrated Dr. Rush. The Indians
were committing fearful ravages on our frontiers. St. Clair was stationed with
a small military force in the solitudes of the far away waters of Ohio, where
Cincinnati now stands. Young Harrison, then but nineteen years of age, joined
the army, nothwithstanding the remonstrances of his friends. He received a
commission as ensign from President Washington, just before St. Clair's awful
defeat which we have already described.
   The youthful soldier crossed the Alleghenies on foot to Pittsburgh. There
he embarked in a flat-bottomed boat and floated down the Ohio to Fort Washington.
The heroic character he displayed caused him at once to be entrusted with 
duties of much responsibility. We hardly know how to account for the fact that
even he had adopted the principles of a thorough temperance man. He was rapidly
promoted. As lieutenant, he accompanied General Wayne on his triumphant march.
In Wayne's great battle, Lieutenant Harrison so signalized himself that his
commanding officer wrote:
   "Lieutenant Harrison was in the foremost front of the hottest battle. His
person was exposed from the commencement to the close of the action. Where
ever duty called he hastened, regardless of danger, and, by his efforts and
example, contributed as much to secure the fortunes of the day as any other
officer subordinate to the commander in chief."
   Promoted to the rank of Captain, Harrison was entrusted with the command
of Fort Washington. Here he married a daughter of John Cleaves Symmes, a 
wealthy frontiersman. In 1797, he being then twenty-four years of age, was 
appointed Secretary of the Northwestern Territory and "ex-officio" Lieutenant
Governor. Gen. St. Clair was then Governor of the Territory. In the Spring
of 1800, this almost boundless territory was divided by Congress into two
portions; the eastern portion, comprehending the present State of Ohio, was
called the territory northwest of Ohio. The western portion, including the
States of Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin, received the name of the Indiana
Territory. William Henry Harrison was appointed by President John Adams
Governor of the Indiana Territory. Soon after this, Upper Louisiana was added
to his domain. In point of territory, his realms were now almost as extensive
as those of any other ruler upon the globe. There were then in the Indiana
Territory but three white settlements.
   Land was purchased of the Indians. Emigrants poured in. A territorial
legislature was organized. The governor, a man of intelligence, kind-hearted, 
and of dignified bearing, occupied the gubernatorial chair for twelve years
with dignity which commanded universal respect. There perhaps never was a man
of more scrupulous sense of honor in all his business transactions.
   Many of the hunting grounds of the Indians were sold by individual chiefs,
who had no legitimate title to the lands, and who were drugged with whisky
to induce them to enter into disastrous treaties. Tecumseh, one of the most
intelligent and noble of the Indian chiefs, endeavored to unite the tribes in
an agreement that no more of their hunting grounds should be sold without the
consent of all the tribes.
   It was then supposed that Tecumseh was endeavoring to ally the tribes, with
the intention of exterminating the whites. Governor Harrison's anxieties were 
aroused. Anxious to ascertain the facts, he invited Tecumseh, and his brother,
the prophet, to an interview at Vincennes. The proud chief came, with a retinue
of four hundred warriors, in their most gorgeous barbaric array. The chief
solemnly declared that he had no idea of making war, but that he was determined
to prevent, if possible, any further disposal of their hunting grounds.
   This led to mutual recriminations. A bloody conflict was narrowly escaped, 
in which each party would have accused the other of treachery. The militia
of Vincennes were under arms, and could easily have overpowered the Indian
warriors. But the governor had promised the chief protection coming and going.
Not long after this, the governor visited Tecumseh, at his village on
Tippecanoe River. The chief reiterated his declaration that he had no intention
of making war; but that if he could prevent it, no more of the Indian lands
should be given up, without the consent of all the tribes.
   The months rolled on. Rumors of an Indian outbreak filled the air. Governor
Harrison placed himself at the head of a thousand troops; marched to the
valley of the Tippecanoe. A fierce battle ensued. Each party accused the other 
of being the assailant. Tecumseh was absent in the South. His brother, 
Olliwacheca, called the Prophet, led the Indians. The Indians, having lost
nearly two hundred of their warriors, fled. Governor Harrison burned their
town, trampled down their crops, and destroyed everything which coul aid them
in any future hostilities.
   The second war with England came. The Indians, maddened by what they declared
was a totally unjustifiable attack upon them, eagerly enlisted under the British
standard. We have had occasion, in the foregoing narrative, minutely to recount
all these scenes. Hull surrendered Detroit. Harrison was appointed Commander-
in-chief of the Northwestern army. Through midnight marches, bloody conflicts;
through storms of sleet and snow, encountering hunger and cold, sickness and
toil, he marched to victory.
   Urged by Governor Harrison, the government constructed a fleet on Lake Erie.
Perry encountered the English ships and reported to the government, "We have
met the enemy and they are ours." Harrison recaptured Detroit; pursued the
retreating British into Canada, and won the victory of the Thames. Peace
ensued.
   General Harrison's acquaintance with the Indian character rendered him 
eminently useful in treating with them. Though his energetic course, in 
arresting the fraudulent plans of unprincipled men, had raised up many enemies
against him, the masses of people appreciated his virtues. In 1816, he
represented the District of Ohio in the National House of Representatives. In
Congress he occupied a conspicuous position. His past achievements, his
patriotic views and his powers of eloquence gave him much distinction. He 
condemned General Jackson's invasion of Florida. The general never forgave him.
   In 1819, General Harrison was elected to the Senate of Ohio. In 1824, as
one of the Presidential electors, he gave the vote of the state for Henry
Clay. The same year he was chosen to the Senate of the United States. In 1828, 
John Quincy Adams appointed him Minister Plenipotentiary to the Republic of
Columbia. Andrew Jackson, upon his accession to the Presidency, peremptorily
recalled him. He repaired to his farm at North Bend. At one time he owned a
distillery. He abandoned the business and condemned it as sinful. At the age
of eighteen he inherited slaves. His own reflections led him to denouce the
institution, and he became a strong abolitionist. Dueling was fashionable with
southern gentlemen. He declared the practice to be a sin against God.
   In 1836 he was brought forward as a candidate for the Presidency of the 
United States. He lost the election. The Hon. Martin Van Buren was chosen. 
Four years later he was renominated. His triumph was signal. He received two
hundred and thirty-four electoral votes. Mr. Van Buren received sixty. His
passage to the capital, through our cities and villages, presented a constant
triumph. He was inaugurated on the 4th of March, 1840. On the 4th of April
he died, of a violent pleurisy fever, after a sickness of but a few days. His
death was universally regretted. Not a stain has sullied his character. 
Through all time the name of William Henry Harrison will be pronounced with
love and reverence.
(NOTE - There appears to be some doubt as to wheter or not General Harrison
was ever appointed Governor of the Northwestern Territory. In a paper prepared
by A. H. Dunlevy, Esq., of Lebanon, Ohio, from the papers of his father, Judge
Francis Dunlevy, and read before the Ohio Historical Society, of Cincinnati, 
by Robert Clarke, Esq., June 24, 1869, giving the reasons for the removal of
Gen. St. Clair by President Jefferson, it is asserted that Gen. Harrison was
immediately appointed to the office of Governor upon the removal of Gen. St.
Clair. Judge Dunlevy above referred to was one of three persons who were
instrumental in securing the removal of Gen. St. Clair (see life of St. Clair)
and his papers would naturally be considered good authority. If Harrison was 
appointed, it is quite evident that he never entered upon the duties of the
office. It may have been that the time from his appointment until the organization
of the state was so brief that it did not admit of his acceptance of the office.
The records of the State of Ohio show that he never filled the position, save
as "ex-officio" Lieutenant Governor when Secretary of the territory before
its division.)

			Hon. Edward Tiffin

   Somewhere about the year 1798, Edward Tiffin, a young man but twenty years
of age, emigrated from Philadelphia to the boundless wilderness west of the
Alleghenies, then known as the Northwestern Territory, and inhabited mainly
by savages. He as born in England, in comfortable if not in affluent 
circumstances. Having there obtained a good English education, he came to the
new world to seek his fortune. He entered a medical school at Philadelphia,
and, graduating with honor, before he had attained his twenty-first year, 
turned his adventurous steps toward the setting sun.
   Upon the banks of the Scioto there was a small hamlet of log houses 
beautifully situated, which was called Chilicothe. Edward Tiffin would have
been an accession of value to any settlement in the West. Here he selected
his residence. He was a man of well cultivated mind, gentlemanly manners, a
friendly spirit, and his conduct was guided, not only by high morality, but
by true Christian spirit. He immediately identified himself with his new home
and its enterprising people. He rapidly acquired reputation, not only for his
skill as a physician, but also for his virtues as a man. Immediately he was
introduced into political life in the legislature, and was chosed President
of the Constitutional Convention in 1802.
   His fame and popularity rapidly extended, and he was almost unanimously
elected the first governor of the newly formed state. This important office 
he held for five consecutive years, with wise statesmanship, seeking in every
way to develop the resources of the state. In the year 1809 he was chosen to
the Senate of the United States. In this enlarged sphere of power he did veery
much to promote the interests of Ohio. Public lands were surveyed, new measures
of transporting the mails organized, and the navigation of the Ohio River
much improved.
   His devotion to the public interests was so entire that he neglected his
own private affairs. But for this he would unquestionably have accumulated a
large property. Retiring from the Senate, he was in the year 1812 appointed
by President Madison Commissioner of the General Land Office. In 1814 he was
appointed, by the same President, Surveyor General of the Northwest. These
duties he discharged with such ability that he retained the office through
the four administrations of Madison, Monroe, Adams and Jackson. He died at
Chilicothe, still holding several important offices, on the 9th of August, 
1829.
   The community mourned the loss of a great and a good man. Though not largely
rich he had ample means, and refined taste embellished his beautiful home. 
His earnest piety was an important element in promoting the best interests of
the town; and numerous guests, the most distinguished in the land, were lured
to his hospitable board. A costly monument marks the spot where his body now
rests.

			Hon. Thomas Kirker

   In the year 1807, there was, as we have mentioned, a hotly contested election
for Governor of Ohio. Return Jonathan Meigs and Nathanial Massie were rival
candidates. Return Jonathan Meigs received the majority of votes. The General
Assembly, however, declared him ineligible, pronouncing him to be a non-resident.
Mr. Massie was also declared not elected, he not having received the necessary
number of votes.
   Hon. Thomas Kirker was then Acting Governor, by virtue of his office of
Speaker of the State Senate, when Edward Tiffin resigned that office to take
his seat in the United States Senate. He continued in office until another
election in 1808, when Samuel Huntington received the suffrages of the people.
   But little information can now be obtained respecting Governor Kirker.
Nothing of interest occurred during his brief administration, and we know not
where he was born or where he died.

			Hon. Samuel Huntington

   In the year 1765, Samuel Huntington was born at Norwich, Connecticut. This
town, now one of the most beautiful in this or any other land, was then a 
small, struggling village, hewn out of the wilderness on the banks of the 
Thames. He was of Puritan stock. His were noble Christian parents. Could the
whole story of his eventful life be told, it would occupy a volume, and would
constitute one of the most interesting and exciting of narratives, full of 
the elements of what is usually called a sensational story.
   Samuel was born of an illustrious family. He graduated at Yale College in
1785, an accomplished scholar, and an unusually courteous gentleman. Studying
law, he commenced practice in his native town. In 1793 he married an accomplished
lady of his own name. Even then the mighty West was drawing its emigrants, 
and large companies were being formed to speculate in the public lands.
   Samuel Huntington became interested in the "Western Reserve" lands. At the
age of thirty-five, he started on an exploring tour to these regions. He set
out on horseback for the long, circutous and weary journey, across mountains
and ravines, and through prairies and forests. He first visited Southern Ohio,
and reached Youngstown the latter part of July 1800. Thence he visited Marietta,
where he was cordially received by Governor St. Clair and other distinguished
men who were prominent in the organization of that colony. The young lawyer
was so much pleased with the country and the hospitality of the people that
he decided to emigrate with his family, and took immediate measures to be 
admitted to the bar of Ohio.
   In the Fall he returned to Norwich, via Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. The
following Spring he took his wife and children in what was then called an 
"Ohio wagon," canvas-covered, for their loong and rough journey of many 
hundred miles. With their heavily laden wagon, drawn by two horses, they could
seldom make more than thirty miles a day. The incidents he encountered upon
this long journey, often through solitudes of indescribably gloom, must have
been very eventful.
   Mr. Huntington established his permanent residence at Cleveland, in the 
midst of its stumps and girdled forests. Many of the settlers had vacated the
cabins which they had at first reared, and had erected new huts on the high
land, back of the town, hoping to escape the sickness which had sorely afflicted
them on the lower grounds. It must have been for some time a sad life for a 
lady so accomplished and so unaccustomed to privation as was Mrs. Huntington.
It was necessary for her husband often to be absent, leaving her alone with
her children in their solitary hut.
   Often Mrs. Huntington was compelled to bar the door of the block-house,
which was called their wooden castle, to shut out drunken and riotous Indians, 
who were striving to break in. Rapidly Mr. Huntington rose to distinction.
General St. Clair appointed his lieutenant colonel in a regiment of Trumbull
County militia. He was then elevated to the position of Presiding Judge in
the Court of Quarter Sessions. In 1802 he became a member of the Constitutional
Convention, and by that body was appointed State Senator for Trumbull County.
For some time he was Speaker of the Senate, and was elected by the Legislature
to a seat on the Supreme Court of Ohio.
   Upon the organization of the Territory of Michigan, he was offered the 
position of Judge of the District Court of the Territory, but he declined the
office. Other important offices were pressed upon him, which he declined. The
prospects in Cleveland, in its early settlement were not encouraging, as very
serious sickness prevailed there. Mr. Huntington, then Judge of the Supreme
Court, removed to Newburg, where he took great interest in erecting a grist
mill, which was a very important affair for that young community.
   Not long after this, in the year 1809, he purchased a finely located farm, 
on the eastern shore of Grand River, between Painesville and Lake Erie. Here
he erected a mansion, commodious, and, for those days, quite imposing in its
architecture. The house still remains, attesting the good tasted of the original
proprietor. It stands in a position which commands a lovely view of the Grand
River Valley, rich in fine scenery; of the distant summit of the mountains of
Geauga County in the south; and, far away in the north, of the expanded waters
of that inland ocean, Lake Erie. Many shade trees which his own hands planted
still ornament the grounds.
   It is worthy of note, that while Judge Huntington was on the beach, a 
severe conflict arose between the legislature and judicial departments of the
state. The Legislature passed a law conferring certain rights upon justices 
of the peace, which the judges of the Supreme Court declared to be 
unconstitutional. The lower house filed articles of impeachment against the
judges. But in the meantime the people of Ohio chose Judge Huntington governor
of the state. He therefore resigned his judicial seat, and was not brought to
trial. Not quite a two-thirds majority could be obtained against the other
two judges, and they consequently escaped conviction.
   After occupying the gubernatorial chair for one term, during which nothing
of moment occurred, he retired to his pleasant home on Grand River. His
prominence was such that he could not well keep out of public life. In 1812
he was a member of the Ohio House of Representatives, when the second war
with Great Britain came upon us. England, in possession of the Canadas, 
endeavored to arm all the savage tribes, over which she could obtain control, 
to desolate our frontiers. Hull surrendered Detroit. Beneath the banners of
England the howling savage marched with dripping tomahawk and scalping-knife.
Cottages blazed in midnight conflagration. Women and children were butchered
or carried into captivity worse then death. Universal consternation reigned
throughout the whole extent of our northwestern border land.
   Governor Huntington, with General Cass, visited Washington to represent 
to the National authorities the dreadful state of affairs in Northern Ohio.
The Governor was appointed District Paymaster, with the rank of colonel, and
returned to the camp of General Harrison, with a supply of funds, in the shape
of government drafts, and with the promise of additional aid. He remained 
for many months with the army, co-operating in all the ways in his power to
its efficiency, until peace was declared, when he returned again to the 
blessed employments of a tranquil home and a peaceful life. In the year 1817
he died, after a lingering sickness, leaving the reputation of unusually 
accomplished scholarship, of great executive ability, and of integrity of the
highest order.
 
			Hon. Return Jonathan Meigs

   Return Jonathan Meigs, who inherited the name of an illustrious father, 
was born in Middletown, Connecticut, in 1765. When twenty years of age he
graduated at Yale College, with the highest honors of his class. Returning
to his native town, on the banks of the Connecticut River, he studied law
and entered upon its practice. When twenty-three years of age he married 
Miss Sophia Wright, and, with his young bride, set out for the boundless
wilderness of the Northwestern Territory.
   He has selected the infant settlement of Marrietta for his residence, and
had purchased a large tract of land there. In the course of this history we
have already had occasion to refer to many of the heroic enterprises in which
he was called to act a part. When Mr. Meigs arrived at Marrietta, in the
Autumn of the year 1788, the whole region was an almost unbroken wilderness.
Still in the little cluster of log huts, which were gathered for protection
around the Campus Martius, there were many families who, in intellectual
culture, in social virtues and in refinement of manners would have been
ornaments to any community.
   Mr. Meigs commenced with great energy cultivating his spacious lands.
Occasionally his professional services were required in settling the little
difficulties which arose among the inhabitants scattered widely around. A
man of true worth will soon become known and revered wherever he may be. Mr.
Meigs rapidly gained the confidence of the community. Governor St. Clair 
became his warm friend.
   England, after the war of the Revolution, continued, for a long time, very
unfriendly to the United States. Her proud government could not forget the
humiliation of defeat. In anticipation of another war, her officials in Canada,
as we have mentioned, were assiduous in their endeavors to win the co-operation
of the savages, and to feed the flame of their hostility against the United
States. This could easily be done, for even the most unintelligent Indian
could not fail to perceive the rapid encroachments of civilization upon their
ancient hunting grounds.
   In the year 1790, Governor St. Clair sent Mr. Meigs with dispatches to the
British commandant, at Detroit, remonstrating against the unfriendly measures
in arresting Indian depredations and incursions. Mr. Meigs, however, performed
his mission to the entire acceptance of the government. A full record of his
adventures with the Indians, his perils and his hair-breadth escapes would
occupy more space than could here by allotted to it. Many of the events are
recorded in previous pages.
   In the Winter of 1802 he was elected, by the Legislature, a judge of the
Supreme Court. The associate judges were Samuel Huntington and George Tod, 
whose son David was subsequently governor of the state. In the year 1804
the United States Government having purchased of France the vast Territory
then called Louisiana, President Jefferson appointed Mr. Meigs to the command
of the upper portion of that district, with the title of brevet colonel in 
the United States Army. Here, with the additional dignity of a judge of the
Supreme Court of Louisiana, he remained but little more than a year, when, 
in consequence of a failure of health, he returned to Ohio.
   Soon after this President Jefferson, in appreciation of his high abilities, 
appointed him United States Judge for the District of Michigan. He had but
just entered upon the duties of this office when he was nominated for the 
gubernatorial chair of Ohio. He was elected by a majority of votes over the 
rival candidated, General Nathaniel Massie. But the State Senate declared his
election void, as it was said he forfeited his citizenship by his residence
in Louisiana and Michigan. Very gracefully Judge Meigs bowed acceptance to
the decision of the Senate. He was immediately elected Judge of the Supreme
Court, and soon after was sent to the United States Senate to fill out the
unexpired term of the Hon. John Smith, who had resigned that post to avoid
impeachment for alleged complication with the Aaron Burr conspiracy. At the
same session of the Legislature Judge Meigs was chosen to a full term in the
United States Senate from the 4th of March, 1809.
   The next year he was chosen Governor of Ohio, after a very hotly contested
election, by a majority of over two thousand. His reputation was greatly
increased by the remarkable ability displayed in his inaugural address. Soon
the cruel war with Great Britain and the savages broke out. Governor Meigs
consecrated all his sleepless energies to the defense of the frontiers, and
thus saved many lives and much property. His tireless devotion to this work
and the military ability he displayed gave him national renown.
   President Madison called Governor Meigs into his Cabinet to fill the very
important office of Postmaster General. Here he proved to be the right man 
in the right place. For nine years he discharged these arduous duties with 
admirable skill, winning the highest commendation both of the government and
of the nation. Declining health rendered it necessary for him to retire. His 
declining years he spent, revered and beloved by all, in his quiet home at
Marrietta. He died on the 29th of March, 1825. In the graveyard at Marietta
his body now reposes, awaiting the judgment trump at whose summons the dead
shall rise. In all the relations of social life his conduct was worthy of
imitation. And all who knew him testified to the remarkable fidelity with 
which he discharged all the duties as a patriot and a Christian.

			Hon. Othniel Looker

   Othniel Looker was born of humble parents in the State of New York on the
4th of October, 1757. With scarcely and advantages for education in early
life, he enlisted as a private in the War of the Revolution, and immediately
after peace, probably receiving land for his services, emigrated across the
Alleghenies to the Northwestern Territory.
   He built his own cabin, with his own ax opened his clearing in the gigantic
forests, and commenced his life labors as a hard-working farmer. Being a man
of integrity, of sound judgment, and of constantly increasing intelligence, 
he gradually gained the respect and confidence of the community.
   He was first sent to the Legislature. Availing himself of all the advantages
of that practical school of political knowledge, he so rose in public esteem
as to be sent to the Senate. The worthy character of the man is shown in the
fact that he eventually became Speaker of the Senate.
   While in that position, Mr. Meigs, who was then Governor, resigned his 
chair, to accept the office of Postmaster General under President Madison.
Thus Mr. Looker, by virtue of his office, was promoted to the dignity of the
Chief Executive. He served but eight months, when he was succeeded by
Thomas Worthington.
   There are no documents now remaining to give us the details of his uneventful
life. The fact of his rising from so humble an origin to such a position, 
indicates that he was a worthy man, of good abilities, and of commendable
industry. Having well performed his part in life, he passed peacefully away
to the spirit land.

			Hon. Thomas Worthington

   Thomas Worthington was born in what is now Jefferson County, Virginia, on
the 10th of February, 1769. His parents, estimated by the standard of that 
time and region, were wealthy, and they gave their son an excellent education.
But little is known of his early life. At the age of twenty-one he entered 
upon a large inheritance, consisting mainly of slaves and plantations.
   A few years after this, when the United States had fought and won their
battle of independence, beneath the banner of equal rights for all men, Thomas
Worthington very nobly manumitted his slaves, sold his real estate, and
removed to the free soil north of the Ohio. After visiting Marietta, Cincinnati,
and several other infant settlements north of the Ohio River, he decided to 
take up his residence at Chilicothe, in the fertile valley of the Scioto.
Here he purchased a large tract of land and erected the first frame house in
that section.
   This was in the Summer and Autumn of 1797. The next April he removed with
his family to his new home. Several of his former slaves accompanied him as
hired laborers. To each negro he assigned a portion of land, and all hands
went vigorously to work to cut down the forest, to break up the soil, and
to cause the deserty to bud and blossom as the rose. This Summer he built, 
on a little stream called the Paint, the first saw-mill which was erected in
the Valley of the Scioto. This was an inestimable blessing to that rapidly
growing community.
   His wealth, his public spirit, his moral and social virtues rendered him
very popular, and several offices of trust were urged upon him. He became
Assistant Surveyor of the Public Lands, a member of the Convention to frame
a Constitution for Ohio, and was elected to represent the new state in the
United States Senate. The duties of all these offices he discharged with 
great fidelity and an active part in the debates upon all important questions.
   He gave his earnest support to the administration of President Jefferson.
Though at first he was opposed to the war with England, hoping by diplomacy
to induce that government to cease from its unendurable insults upon our 
flag, insults which, to-day, would rouse the whole nation to arms from the
St. Lawrence to the Gulf. But when he found that England would pay no heed
to our remonstrances, he gave his hearty cooperation to the war measures of 
the government. At the close of his senatorial career, Mr. Worthington 
returned to private life. He then erected for himself, about the year 1808, 
quite an elegant residence a few miles out from Chilicothe. The mansion
occupied a fine site on the banks of the Scioto River, to which place he gave
the name of Adena. It is said that the beautiful property still remains in
the hands of one of the sons of this illustrious sire.
   In the year 1810 he was again elected to the United States Senate, where 
he fully sustained his former reputation as a intrepid, conscientious and
able statesman. In the 1814 he was elected Governor by a majority of over
seven thousand votes. He discharged the duties of this office with such
acceptance he was reelected by a still increased majority. It will be
remembered that Governor Worthington had nobly manumitted his slaves, and
had made generous provision for many of them on the free soil of Ohio. During
his last term as Governor, quite a serious difficulty arose between the States
of Kentucky and Ohio; the former demanding the enforcement of the fugitive
slave law, which law the consciences of the freemen of Ohio repudiated with
indignation.
   The situation of the Governor was very embarrassing. While he detested 
slavery, he still felt bound, by his oath, faithfully to administer the laws
of the National Government. For many years this unhappy question became an
element of discord throughout all the northern states. It led eventually to
the most desolating civil war, and to woes over which angels might weep.
   Governor Worthington, upon his retirement from the office of the chief 
magistracy, returned to the tranquility and the privacy of his beautiful home
in the beautiful Valley of the Scioto. He still took a deep interest in all
public improvements. His useful life was terminated in 1827, at the age of
but fifty-five years. His social virtues won the affection of all who knew
him, while his wise and energetic devotion to the public interests, secured
for him the homage of the state and an enviable national reputation.