OHIO GENEALOGY EXPRESS

 

Welcome to
Richland County,
 Ohio

BIOGRAPHIES

Source#1: History of Richland Co., Ohio - A. A., Graham & Co., Publishers. 1807 - 1880
Source#2: History of Richland Co., Ohio - from 1808 to 1908 by A. J. Baughman - Chicago: The J. S. Clarke Publishing Co. 1908 - Vol. II - starts at page 595.
Source#3: North Central Ohio Biographies embracing Ashland, Wayne, Medina, Lorain, Huron & Knox Counties by William A. Duff - 3 vols. 1931

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HON. JAMES WILLIAM GALBRAITH, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, is recognized as one of the able jurists and representative citizens of Richland County.  He was born at Mansfield, Jan. 23, 1874, the son of James Oliver and Margaret (Hunt) Gailbraith.      James Oliver Galbraith was born in Cumberland County, Pa., May 25, 1830, and his wife was a native of Chambersburg, Franklin Co., Pa., born Nov. 18, 1837.  He came to Ohio in 1856 and settled at Shenandoah.  Tow years later he located at Mansfield and until 1876 successfully engaged in the carriage and wagon manufacturing business.  For many years he was also identified with the Aultman-Taylor Manufacturing Company and later engaged in the contracting business.  For many yeas he was also identified with the Aultman-Taylor Manufacturing Company and later engaged in the contracting business.  Mr. and Mrs. Galbraith were married in 1871.  He died Apr. 25, 1912, and his wife died in October, 1919.  Both are buried in Mansfield Cemetery.  James William, the subject of this sketch, was their only child.      James William Galbriath has always lived in Mansfield.  He received his education in the public schools and at the age of 16 years was employed as a clerk in the dry goods store of Joseph Black.  He began reading law in July, 1891, in the offices of Donnell & Marriott.  He also served as recording clerk and deputy in the offices of the clerk of courts under John C. Burns, and Probate Judge, Lewis Brucker.  On June 7, 1895, he was admitted to the bar and at that time formed a partnership under the firm name of Maguire & Galbraith.  He practiced alone from March, 1905, and in November, 1908, was elected prosecuting attorney of Richland County and reelected to that office in 1910.  From Dec. 31, 1912, until Feb. 8, 1919, Mr. Galbraith engaged in private practice, being elected Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in November, 1918, and taking office Feb. 8, 1919.  He was reelected in November, 1924.      On June 27, 1900, Judge Galbraith married Miss Isabella E. Wright, of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, the daughter of Lewis A. and Hannah Catherine (Patton) Wright, natives of Knox County, both deceased.  Judge and Mrs. Galbraith have a son, William Harold.      Politically Judge Galbraith has always been identified with the Democratic party.  He served as a member of the Democratic Executive Committee from 1914 until 1919, and as chairman during 1916-17-18.  He holds membership in the First Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he has served as trustee, and teacher of the Doctor Leonard Bible Class for 10.  He belongs to Mansfield Lodge, No. 35, Free and Accepted Masons, Past Worshipful Master, 1900; Mansfield Chapter, R. A. M.; Mansfield Council; Mansfield Commandery, K. T.; and Knights of Pythias, Past Chancellor of Madison Lodge, No. 26, in 1903.  He is also identified with the Richland County Bar Association and Ohio State Bar Association. Source: History of North Central Ohio - page 581

CYRUS GATTON, residing on his farm on section 12, Jefferson township, was formerly an extensive landowner of this county and was also engaged in the stock business to a considerable extent.  He was born in a log house in Jefferson township, Aug. 28, 1838, his parents being Isaac and Hettie M. Gatton, who came to Richland county in 1812.  He obtained a common-school education, pursuing his studies in a log schoolhouse, and he remained with his father until he attained his majority.      Mr. Gatton began farming upon a part of his father's home place.  At the age of sixteen years he commenced breeding Merino sheep, starting with only three, and has since devoted considerable attention to that industry.  During his boyhood wool was worth sixty cents per pound and during the Civil War sold for one dollar per pound.  He entered his sheep at the first fair held in Mansfield and carried off the first prize.  His fine Merino sheep have been shipped all over the country, and he has also bought and shipped cattle and hogs as well as sheep, starting in that business in 1865 and continuing it for nearly twenty years.  He handled about fifty carloads annually, Bellville and Butler being his shipping points.      Since then Mr. Gatton has engaged in farming and at one time was the owner of seven hundred acres of valuable land, all in Richland county, but is now farming only one hundred and sixty acres on section 12, Jefferson township, having distributed the remainder among his children.  He has placed many improvements upon his farm and is well known as one of the county's most successful and prominent agriculturists.  Adjoining his place there is an Indian graveyard, called the Mound, in which seven Indians and seven white people are buried.      On the 3d of January, 1867, Mr. Gatton was united in marriage to Miss Mary J. Hines, a native of this county, while her parents were born in Maryland.  Unto our subject and his wife were born ten children, namely: Isaac, a resident of Bellville; Nettie, the wife of William Swagert, of Monroe township; Annie, at home; Wilbur, of this county; Marilla, the wife of Webster Tucker, of Monroe Township; George Clinton, of Cleveland, Ohio; Floyd, at home; Daisy the wife of Alvin Reeder; and Ella May and Albert, who were accidentally shot at school.  On the 28th of December, 1902, Mr. Gatton was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, her demise being deeply regretted by many friends as well as her immediate family.       Mr. Gatton gives his political support to the republican party and has served in the position of supervisor.  Throughout his entire life, already covering more than the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten, he has been a resident of this county and that his career has ever been honorable and upright is indicated by the fact he has the respect and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact through business or social relations. Source#2 - page 1105

PATTERSON T. GATTON, successfully engaged in the livery business in Mansfield, was born in Washington township, Richland county, Nov. 24, 1865.  His father, Aaron Gatton, was likewise born in Washington township, Richland county, his natal day being Aug. 27, 1845, while his parents were Thomas and Sarah (Gatton) Gatton.  The former was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, and was but five years of age when his father, James Gatton, who had come from Maryland, was called to his final rest.  Thomas Gatton was bound out to a man named Beavers, who misused him, and for this reason his brother brought him to Richland county about eighty years ago.  In the fall of 1861 he enlisted for service in the Civil war as a member of Company C, Sixty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and died from blood poisoning resulting from a wound which he received at the battle of Stone River, Tennessee.  His wife, however, still survives, having now attained the age of eighty-eight years.  Their family numbered four children: David who is a practicing physician located in Mahaska county, Iowa; Rachel, who resides with her mother; Aaron; and John.      Aaron Gatton was educated in the common schools of Washington township and remained at home until the time of his marriage to Miss Mary J. Shively, of Richland county.  This union has been blessed with five children, namely: Patterson T., of this review; James A., born August 27, 1870, who is a dealer in horses and is also engaged in the livery business in Mansfield; Harry, a horse dealer of Bellville, Ohio; Nancy A., at home, and Sadie, the wife of Charles Grice, a street car conductor of Mansfield.  Aaron Gatton gives his allegiance to the democracy where national questions and issues are involved, but at local elections casts an independent ballot.      Patterson T. Gatton acquired a common-school education, and began dealing in horses when but fifteen years of age, having continued in this line of activity to the present time.  He has met with a gratifying and well merited measure of success in his undertakings and is widely recognized as one of the most prominent and best known dealers in the county, making extensive shipments.      In 1887 Mr. Gatton was united in marriage to Miss Etta Muttis, of Richland county, by whom he has two children: Carl who is engaged in the livery business in Mansfield in connection with his uncle; and Beatrice, at home.      Mr. Patton casts his vote for the men and measures of the republican party and gives stalwart support to every movement calculated to advance the general welfare or promote the upbuilding of his native county.  He has gained many friends throughout the community and is well known as an enterprising and public-spirited citizen, an honorable and upright business man and a devoted husband and father. Source#2 - page 1140

GEORGE W. GEDDES.      There are few men whose lives are crowned with the honor and respect which was universally accorded Judge George W. Geddes, but through long connection with the history of Richland county, and the state his was an an unblemished character.  He was one of the world's workers, assisting materially in laying the foundation for the stability, progress and substantial growth of his home locality and the commonwealth.      George W. Geddes was born July 16, 1824, in Knox Co., Ohio, but in his childhood days was brought to Richland county by his father, James Geddes, and was here reared to the age of fifteen pursuing his education in the public Schools.  On putting aside his text-books he returned to Mount Vernon, where he accepted a clerkship in the employ of James Huntsberry, a prominent merchant of that city, and that he was most faithful and capable is indicated by the fact that he remained there for about six years, or until nearly twenty-one years of age.  He did not care to make merchandising his life work, however, for it was his desire to become a member of the bar and to this end he devoted all of the hours which are usually termed leisure to familiarizing himself with the text books of that profession.  He had thereby gained considerable knowledge of the law when he entered the office of Hon. Columbus Delano as a student.  Under his direction he made rapid progress in his studies, so that at the end of a year he was admitted to the bar and well qualified, entering upon active practice.      In November, 1845, Mr. Geddes came to Mansfield to begin his professional career and had his first trial brought before a justice of the peace, with James Stewart, then one of the leading lawyers of Mansfield.  Mr. Stewart was so favorably impressed with his young opponent's skillful management of the case that he urged Mr. Geddes to locate in Mansfield.  This he did and for two years had his office with Mr. Stewart, after which he became his law partner in 1847.  The relation was maintained until 1850 and was then terminated by the fact that Mr. ST\tewart was elected judge of the court of common pleas.  Mr. Geddes then entered into partnership with Jacob Brinkerhoff, with whom he was associated until Mr. Brinkerhoff was elected to the Supreme bench of Ohio, in 1855.  The following year Mr. Geddes received the democratic nomination for common pleas judge, with his former law partner and benefactor, Judge Stewart, as his opponent.  The election showed that Judge Geddes was the choice of the people, and in 1861, at a district convention of the democratic and republican parties, he was re-nominated and re-elected without opposition.  In 1866 he became a candidate for the third term, but at this election was defeated by seventeen votes, although he ran five hundred votes ahead of his ticket - a fact which indicated his personal popularity and the confidence reposed in him by his fellow citizens.  Not long after this the legislature created an enactment providing for an additional judge in this judicial sub district and Judge Geddes was again nominated and elected in 1868.  Upon the expiration of his third term he retired permanently from the bench and resumed the practice of law.  His course on the bench had been in harmony with his record as a man and also distinguished by the utmost fidelity to duty and by a comprehensive understanding of the legal principles involved.  In 1872 he was placed in nomination by the democracy of Ohio for supreme court judge, but the entire state ticket was defeated that year.      When Judge Geddes again took up the practice of law he formed a partnership with Mosts R. Dickey and John W. Jenner, under the firm style of Geddes, Dickey & Jenner.  Mr. Dickey was later elected to the common pleas bench while Mr. Jenner became a judge on the circuit bench of this judicial district.  On the expiration of Judge Dickey's official term the partnership relations between him and Judge Geddes were resumed.  The firm was a very strong one and enjoyed a most extensive clientage.  Few lawyers have made a more lasting impression upon the bar of the state, both for legal ability of a high order and for the individuality of a personal character which impresses itself upon a community.  Of a family conspicuous for strong intellects and indomitable courage and energy, Judge Geddes entered upon his career as a lawyer, and such was hsi force of character and natural qualifications that he overcame all obstacles and wrote his name upon the keystone of the legal arch of his district.      Judge Geddes was, moreover, a man of marked influence in political circles in Ohio.  In June, 1878, a democratic convention of the fifteenth congressional district, comprising the counties of Coshocton, Holmes, Knox, Richland and Tuscarawas, met at New Philadelphia and after a session of three days failed to nominate a candidate.  An adjournment was taken and the convention reassembled at Mt. Vernon, July 31, and after a deadlock continuing through that day and the day following, reconvened Friday, August 2, and resumed balloting with the one thousand one hundred and eleventh ballot.  Colonel R. Burns was the Richland county candidate.   After the twelve hundredth and fiftieth ballot had been taken Judge Geddes was brought out as a compromise candidate and he received the nomination on the twelve hundredth and fifty-fifth ballot and was elected by a large majority over G. A. Jones.  In 1880 he was nominated in the fourteenth congressional district and was elected over Colonel S. E. Fink.  In 1882 he was again nominated in the fourteenth district and overcame a large republican majority, defeating Rollin A. Horr, while in 1884 he was nominated in the sixteenth district and defeated the Honorable H. C. Hedges.  While a member of congress he took an active part in all the work that was in the council chambers of the nation, gave careful consideration to each question which came  up for settlement and opposed or supported every measure, as he saw fit, with the whole strength of his nature.      In 1848 Mr. Geddes was married to Miss Nancy Lemon, of Ashland county, and to them were born three sons:  S. L., now deceased; James I., living in Joplin, Missouri; and George M., deceased.  After the death of his first wife, which occurred December, 1880, Mr. Geddes married Mrs. Amelia B. Gass, the widow of Colonel Isaac Gass, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume.  The death of Judge Geddes occurred November 9, 1892, and thus passed away one of the most honored, respected and valued citizens of Richland county.  He gained distinction as a lawyer and jurist and also as a statesman, striving to build up for the benefit of the people and to insure the country's national progress, believing that nations, like men, cannot stand still; they must go forward or backward; they cannot go backward without decay, therefore it is imperative that they go forward.  Judge Geddes was conspicuous as a public officer who was always at his post of duty and always at work, and no public official has been more faithful to the trust reposed in him by the people.  His manly characteristics are of the solid and practical, rather than of the ostentatious and brilliant, order.  He was especially strong in intellect and capable of reaching safe, reasonable and prudent conclusions.  His life was varied in service, constant in honor, fearless in conduct and stainless in reputation. (Source: History of Richland Co., Ohio - from 1808 to 1908 by A. J. Baughman - Chicago: The J. S. Clarke Publishing Co. 1908)

ROBERT GRIBBEN.  A well developed and highly improved farm of one hundred and sixty-seven acres, situated on section 12, Plymouth township, is the property of Robert Gribben, which is known as the old Gribben homestead.  He was born in Plymouth, Richland county, September 24, 1833, a son of Isaac and Mary (Ralston) Gribben, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, the former born in Chester county, in1796, while the latter was born in Washington county in 1802.  Mrs. Gribben was a daughter of Robert Ralston, who served in the war of 1812 and came to Richland county in 1815.  He and his wife lived to be over eighty-six years of age.  They were the parents of ten children, five sons and five daughters, and with the exception of three, all lived to be over eighty-four, while the three were over seventy-three years of age at the time of their deaths.      Isaac Gribben, the father of our subject, came to Richland county from the Keystone state in 1823, and became a resident of Plymouth township in 1829, settling in 1834 on the farm which is now the home of our subject.  It was at that time all wild and unimproved, but he at once set to work to clear the land, and in due course of time placed it under a high state of cultivation.  His entire life was devoted to farm work.  Both the parents are now deceased, the father having passed away on this farm in 1880, while the mother survived for about eight years, her death occurring in 1888.  Their family numbered four children, two sons and two daughters, namely: John who died at the age of two years; Almira Jane, who died in 1875; Mary, who died when young; and Robert, of this review.      Robert Gribben, the second youngest and only surviving member of his father's family, was but one year of age at the time of the parents' removal to his present farm.  He was early trained to the duties of farm labor, assisting his father in the development and improvement of the home place, and in the cultivation of crops throughout the period of his boyhood and youth.  During the winter seasons, when not busy on the home farm, he pursued his studies in the district schools near his father's home.  He is now the owner of this valuable property of one hundred and sixty-seven acres, located on section 12, Plymouth township, which is improved with good buildings.  Everything about the place has a neat and thrifty appearance.  Mr. Gribben is engaged in general farming and his labors are attended with excellent success.      In 1890 he was united in marriage to Miss Martha E. Shutt, who was born in Holmes county, Ohio, a daughter of John and Susan (Bell) Shutt.  The father was born in Maryland, while the mother claimed Pennsylvania as the place of her birth.  They were married in the former state, after which they made their way to Holmes county, Ohio, the year 1833 witnessing their arrival there.  There the father engaged in farming until his death, which occurred in 1865.  The family removed to Richland county in the fall of 1865.  Mr. and Mrs. Shutt had five sons and six daughters, of whom nine reached years of maturity.      Mr. Gribben's study of the political questions and issues of the day has led him to give stalwart support to the democratic party.  He has never been active as an office seeker, however, preferring to give his time and attention to his private business affairs.  He finds his greatest social enjoyment at his own fireside, where his wife and intimate friends know him to be a delightful companion.  He has now passed the seventy-fifth milestone of life's journey, his entire life having been passed in Richland county, so that few men have more intimate knowledge of its history or of events which have left their impress upon its annals. (Source #2) - For Photos, CLICK HERE

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