Findley Twp. -
CHARLES W. O'NEAL
was born in Middletown, Frederick County, Maryland, Jan. 19th,
1811. In 1833, he came to Zanesville, Ohio, wherein 1834
he married Miss Amy J. Baldwin. In July of the
following year he came to Findley, and studied law with Edson
Goit and A. F. Merriam. He was admitted to the
bar in 1838, and from that time to within a few years of his
death he practiced his profession. Mr. O'Neal was a
practical surveyor, and as such located many of the roads in the
county. He also taught school a number of terms, and there
are men and women residing here now who were his pupils.
Mr. O'Neal, by his industry and intelligence
impressed upon the early settlers his worth as a citizen, and he
was many times entrusted with responsible positions. He
was Auditor of the county one term, and in 1844 was elected to
the State Senate. In his profession he took high rank.
As an advocate, although neither fluent or eloquent, he was
terse, forcible and convincing. As a counselor, he was
thorough and always safe. He was cautious, diligent and
methodical in his practice, and in his business transactions.
In his profession he was dignified, truthful, and a despiser of
petty fogging tricks, courteous and gentlemanly in all his
relations to the court and bar, considerate towards witnesses,
and persuasive before a jury.
At the age of sixteen he united with the Methodist
Church, and remained an acceptable member until his decease.
His attachment to the church of his choice was very strong and
he watched her interests with a jealous care. He died at
Findley, Ohio, Dec. 20, 1879. |
