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     Prosecuting Attorneys were appointed by Court, until 1833, when the law was changed, making the office elective by

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the people, the term being two years.  Subsequently - during the first term of John F. Neilan - it was made three years.  Jesse Corwin was Prosecuting Attorney for ten years, by appointment, from 1825 to 1833.  Beginning at this date, the Prosecuting Attorneys of Butler county and their term of office are as follows:

     JESSE CORWIN was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, June 30, 1797.  He was a brother of Thomas Corwin - whose memory is linked so indelibly with the political history of our country - and like him, he too possessed many marked traits of character, though he chose through life to tread different paths.  He came to Butler county in 1822, and was identified with our history for forty-five years.  During his early life he gave his attention to the study of law, and his legal ability was recognized at home and abroad.  He represented Butler county in the Legislature for two terms, 1831-32, and discharged the duties of Prosecuting Attorney for a period of nine years  In these positions of trust and honor he proved himself worthy of the distinction conferred upon him.  His character was that of a man governed by correct views and sound judgment, determined, yet kind, possessed of generous impulses and frank disposition.  He was an upright, honest man in the truest sense.  In 1866, he was the Whig candidate for Congress in this, the
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     *[In 1893, Edward E. Hull, a brilliant and talented young attorney of the Butler county bar, was elected to succeed C. J. Smith, as prosecutor of the the Butler county bar, was elected to succeed C. J. Smith, as prosecutor of the county, his term beginning on the first Monday in January, 1894.  Mr. Hull's health began to fail and in November, 1893; he left for southern California, hoping to be restored to health, when he expected to return in time to qualify and assume the duties of the office, but fate was against him.  He gradually grew worse and was not able to return.  Thus a vacancy occurred, and Judge Giffen appointed W. K. Rhonemus, for one year.]

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then Second District, but was defeated, as his party was greatly in the minority.  His popularity was so well known by the gains he made that he was strongly urged to make the race again, but declined.  In 1855, he was the Whig nominee for Common Pleas Judge.  He died at Hamilton, Oct. 23, 1867.

     ELIJAH VANCE

     JOHN WOODS.   [See Hamilton's Ex-Congressmen.]

     THOMAS MILLIKIN.  {See Hamilton Attorneys]

     OLIVER S. WITHERBY was born in Cincinnati, Feb. 19, 1815.  His parents removed to Oxford in 1830, when he entered Miami university, graduating in 1836.  He immediately began the study of law with John Woods, of Hamilton;  was admitted to practice in 1840.  In 1843 he was elected Prosecuting Attorney, and was re-elected in 1845 serving two terms.  He was Lieutenant in the volunteer service in the Mexican war.  On his return home he was editor of the Hamilton Telegraph, being in partnership with Col. M. C. Ryan.

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He was Quartermaster and Commissary of the  boundary commission, that fixed the line between the Untied States and Mexico.  He remained in California, and was elected a member of the first Legislature of that state.  In 1850 he was elected Judge of the first Judicial District of the state.  Subsequently he was collector of Customs for the port of San Diego, for four years.  He was President of the Consolidated Bank of San Diego, California.

     COLONEL M. C. RYAN

     ISAAC ROBERTSON [See Hamilton Attorneys]

     Z. W. SELBY

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     FERD VANDERVEER [See Hamilton in Civil war.]

     S. Z. GARD

     JOHN W. WILSON was born in Wayne township, Butler county, Ohio, July 4, 1829, received a liberal education; studied law and was admitted to the bar.  He taught school when he was only seventeen years of age.  He was granted a diploma in law from the Corporation of Cincinnati college in 1846, which was signed by William S. Groesbeck and Charles L. Telford, as professors of law; was elected a member of the American Legal Association of New York in 1851.  In 1853 he purchased a farm on the Heights; opened a stone quarry and furnished all the lime for the Junction railroad viaduct and the Rossville school house.  At the breaking out of the war he served three months in Captian W. C. Rossman's company, the Third O. V. I.  Upon his return home he raised a company and joined the Twenty-eight Kentucky State troops, of which he was elected captain.  Subsequently he was promoted to colonel.  His company was organized in hard luck and encountered opposition as the following letter shows:

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To the Democracy of Butler County, Ohio:

     There is now no doubt of the fact that the abolition Republicans party are doing all they can to defeat Capt. J. W. Wilson's efforts to raise his company and for no other reason than that he is a Democrat.  This war is now upon great trouble, thereby carrying the seat of war from our own homes.  Until the government responds to the Democratic party this war will continue, and it matters little how we are taxed for its conduct - whether by governmental levies or by voluntary contributions, therefore, let us do what we can to help Capt. Wilson raise the company, especially as he is opposed by the abolitionists.

     He was elected Justice of the Peace of St. Clair township,

     H. L. MOREY.  [See "Old Third" District Congressmen.]

     JAMES L. VALLANDIGHAM

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Delaware, studied theology and began preaching. He died in 1887. He was a man of excellent legal ability and was thoroughly conversant with every feature of the profession.

     JAMES E. CAMPBELLL [See Hamilton's Ex-Governors]

JUDGE JOHN F. NEILAN

     JOHN F. NEILAN was born in the county of Roscommon, Ireland, Nov. 18, 1845.  His parents emigrated to the United States in 1848, settling in New Haven, Conn.  In 1857, they removed to Fayette county, Ohio, where they remained until locating in this county in 1866.  Mr. Neilan was born of poor parents and received his education after he was twelve years of age, but was and is yet an ardent student, reading on all subjects, until today he is one of the best informed men in the community, possessing a fine library of two thousand volumes ofthe best selection.  Mr. Neilan's early life, until he reached his majority, was that of a hard working farmer, and-like Tom Corwin, the wagon boy-he determined to secure an education and he abandoned farm work.  He has always been a man of great will power and determination.  He at once set about to qualify himself for the profession of teaching.  In 1868 he began teaching and followed the calling for seven years.  He studied law in the office of Stephen Crane; was admitted to the bar in 1874. In the same year he was editor of the Hamilton Examiner, established for the purpose of purifying Butler county politics.  As a writer he wielded a pen that cut as keen as a Damascus blade.  Mr. Neilan was elected City Solicitor in 1877, and was re-elected in 1879 for his second term.  In 1879 he was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Butler county and in 1881 was re-elected.  He made an excellent Prosecutor; indicted and tried more men for capital punishment and convicted more men charged with penitentiary offenses than any of his predecessors.  He was a hustler and was fearless in the discharge of his duties.  No grand jury during his term of office ever remained in session longer than one week.  He examined from fifty to seventy-five witnesses per day.  He was always a friend of higher education.  His friend, Governor Hoadley, appointed him on the board o

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trustees of Miami university for nine years, on which body he served as a member of the executive committee.  Mr. Neilan is the founder of the Catholic Knights of Ohio which is a beneficiary organization, with social and fraternal features attached.  He was one of the prime movers in securing to Hamilton the Mercy hospital.  He is a Democrat, but a man of liberal political and Christian views-allowing others to exercise their rights to the fullest extent.  He is unyielding in determination when once a conclusion is formed; is true to the interests of his clients; cannot be intimidated or bribed; and will fight his cases with a bull-dog tenacity.  As an attorney he is abreast of any lawyer at the bar; and is a wise and safe councellor.  He is a social and genial gentleman and justifies the success he has attained by dilligent hard study, energy and honorable methods.
     At the general election, held Nov. 3, 1896, Mr. Neilan was elected Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for a term of five years.  He is well equipped for this exalted position, being an able lawyer and polished scholar. the courage of his convictions.  We predict for him a brilliant future.

     W. C. SHEPHERD

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     W. K. RHONEMUS

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C. J. SMITH

     CULBERTSON J. SMITH was born on Cherry Hill, Wayne township, Butler county, Ohio, Feb. 25, 1850.  He is the son of John C. Smith and Elizabeth Jones, being one of five children.  His mother was a member of the Society of Friends, and his father was a liberal contributor to religious enterprises although not a church member, and was a man of good education having been a student at Miami University.  He was prominent in his community having been an intimate friend of

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the famous Clement L. Vallandigham, of George E. Pugh and Alexander Long.  The paternal grandfather of Prosecutor Smith was sheriff of Butler county for twenty-five years.  He came to Cincinnati, in 1787 with Captain Ruffin, General Findley and Jacob Burnet, and for many years was a territorial agent at Cincinnati for the Northwest Territory, after which he settled in Hamilton, dying at a very advanced age.  He was of Scotch-Irish ancestry and the place of his birth was Harrisburg, Pa.  Our subject's maternal grandfather William Jones was born in Johnson county, North Carolina, and coming to this county purchased and operated a large distillery.  He was of Scotch-Irish descent, and he was one of the founders of the Friends meeting house at West Elkton.  When he died he was possessed of about 4,000 acres of land.  Upon the home farm the subject passed his boyhood days until he was sixteen years of age, when he began to teach and was so engaged until he was twenty.  The two ensuing years were passed at Miami University, after which he assisted in the cultivation of the home farm for two years.  Entering the office of Judge Alex. F. Hume in Hamilton he began the study of law and on Apr. 25, 1877, before a committee of examiners appointed by the district court of this circuit he was admitted to the bar.  He at once began the active practice of his profession in this city where he has since remained.  He entered public life in 1882, as a candidate for Prosecuting Attorney.  He was twice defeated in the primary nominating convention.  In 1887 he defeated his former opponent for the nomination by 1,100 votes, being elected prosecutor by a plurality of 2,266, and served until Jan. 1 , 1894.  In May of the same year, he was renominated by a majority of six hundred and eighty-three and was again elected prosecutor, in which office he made a splendid record, conducting its affairs with ability and honor.
     In connection with State Senator Joseph McMaken,  Mr. Smith was instrumental in securing the Australian primary election law for Butler county, and the first test of this system in Ohio, was made in Butler county, in August, 1894, when Mr. Smith again received the prosecutor's nomination by a

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majority of three hundred and eighteen, and was elected Nov. 6, 1894, for a third term.
     On June 29, 1874, Mr. Smith was married to Mrs. Christianna Kindred.  In religious belief Mrs. Smith is a Universalist.  Mr. Smith supports religious enterprises liberally, but is not himself a member of any denomination.
     Mr. Smith is popular, an excellent mixer and possesses the confidence and esteem of the public. He is highly regarded in legal circles for his ability, and merits the success attained.  No lawyer of the Butler county bar is better known to the people of this county than the subject of this sketch.  His natural ability and the fact that he holds the important and responsible position of Prosecuting Attorney have brought him unavoidable prominence.