US Congressman. Known for his great oratory, he parlayed his successful law practice and his honorable military service into a long and distinguished political career. Born in Belmont County, Ohio, he studied law in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, before moving to St. Clairsville, Ohio, where, in 1854, he began practicing law. He was elected and served as Belmont County's prosecuting attorney from 1857 to 1861 before resigning, at the start of the Civil War, to enlist as a private in the Seventeenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Three months later he helped organize a company for the Fifteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry being assigned the rank of second lieutenant before being promoted to first lieutenant than captain because of his bravery upon the battlefield. He saw action at Shiloh, Chickamauga, Lone River and Kennesaw Mountain. Shortly before the end of the war he returned to Eastern Ohio a local war hero and resumed his law practice. In 1872 he sought and won the Republican nomination for Congress, surprisingly defeating the popular and nationally respected John A. Bingham. He won that election and two more terms serving Ohio's Sixteenth District from 1873 to 1879. He briefly retired from politics in 1879 but was returned to Congress by his fellow citizens three more times serving from 1892 until his death in 1899.
US Congressman. Known for his great oratory, he parlayed his successful law practice and his honorable military service into a long and distinguished political career. Born in Belmont County, Ohio, he studied law in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, before moving to St. Clairsville, Ohio, where, in 1854, he began practicing law. He was elected and served as Belmont County's prosecuting attorney from 1857 to 1861 before resigning, at the start of the Civil War, to enlist as a private in the Seventeenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Three months later he helped organize a company for the Fifteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry being assigned the rank of second lieutenant before being promoted to first lieutenant than captain because of his bravery upon the battlefield. He saw action at Shiloh, Chickamauga, Lone River and Kennesaw Mountain. Shortly before the end of the war he returned to Eastern Ohio a local war hero and resumed his law practice. In 1872 he sought and won the Republican nomination for Congress, surprisingly defeating the popular and nationally respected John A. Bingham. He won that election and two more terms serving Ohio's Sixteenth District from 1873 to 1879. He briefly retired from politics in 1879 but was returned to Congress by his fellow citizens three more times serving from 1892 until his death in 1899.
Bio by: Bigwoo
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