Mr. Houston was born at Freedom in Noble County, Ohio, March 10, 1872, son of Samuel W. and Emma A. (Guiler) Houston, his father a native of New York State and his mother of Ohio. Samuel W. Houston went to Ohio when a young man, and was in the lumber business for many years, moving to West Virginia in 1874 and locating in Jackson County and about 1890 moving to Charleston. He was a Republican and was a Union soldier in the Civil war, serving as lieutenant in the Thirty-fifth Ohio Infantry. He was wounded at the battle of Wool Pasture Mountain, and his brother, John A., was captured and was confined at Libby prison.
Harold W. Houston was the third in a family of five children, four of whom are now living.
He grew up in Jackson County, attended public schools there, and completed his law education and was given a license to practice law in 1900. Mr. Houston was in practice at Parkersburg until 1912, when he removed to Charleston. His work as a lawyer has brought him connection with many famous cases, and he has probably been counsel in as many criminal trials as any other lawyer in the state. It was Mr. Houston who had charge of the noted treason cases against William Blizzard and others, arising in Mingo County during the labor war there. Mr. Houston showed such skill and resourcefulness in handling these cases that the only man who, against the advice of Mr. Houston, made a concession.
Mr. Houston married in October, 1899, Miss Sophia Graff, of Parkersburg, who died in 1907. There were two daughters, Helen and Christine, both of whom attended school at Parkersburg, while Helen continued her education in Wilson College at Chambersburg,
Pennsylvania, and Miss Christine in the Pratt Institute at Brooklyn. Helen is now the wife of Cecil M. King, an optometrist at Charleston. Mr. Houston in October, 1918, married Wilda (Polen) McCool, who was born and educated at Beaver, Pennsylvania. She died October 24, 1925. Mr. Houston attends the Presbyterian Church.
From "WEST VIRGINIA In History, Life, Literature and Industry The Lewis Publishing Company, 1928 - Volume IV, page 78-79
Submitted by: Gina M. Reasoner
WILLIAM HARVEY SMITH. His extensive general practice and his many civic and business interests during the past twenty years have made William Harvey Smith one of the best known attorneys and men of affairs in Noble County. He was born in that county, and for many years before taking up the profession of law was engaged in teaching.
He was born on a farm October 14, 1867, son of Henry and Mary J. (Spence) Smith, his parents also natives of Noble County. His father at the age of sixteen enlisted as a Union soldier in the One Hundred and Eighty-fifth Ohio Infantry, and saw service during the last year of the war. Afterwards he took up farming, but since 1909 has been a guard in the Ohio State Penitentiary at Columbus.
With a boyhood spent on a farm in Noble County, William Harvey Smith made the best of his advantages in public schools, and, obtaining a teacher's certificate, he started work in one of the rural school districts, and for
many years was well known in the educational circles of Washington and Noble counties. In the meantime he was advancing his own education and in 1902 graduated with the Bachelor of Science degree from the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio. While teaching he also took up the study of law, reading under Hon. Martin D. Follett, of Marietta.
Mr. Smith was admitted to the bar in 1900, but continued teaching until 1904, when he located at Caldwell and for ten years was associated in practice with Judge C. O. Dye. For the past ten years he had conducted his practice alone, and has come to rank with the leaders of the local bar. He was elected county attorney in 1905 and again in 1910, winning the election on the democratic ticket in a county largely republican. He has served as chairman of the County Central and Executive committees of the democratic party.
He is a director of and attorney for the Caldwell Building and Loan
Association. Since youth Mr. Smith has been a devoted nature lover, and this interest in outdoors has brought him two hobbies, chicken raising and the love of fine horses. He has a flock of chickens that represent some of the finest breeding in this part of Ohio. He is superintendent of the racing department in the Noble County Fair Association. During the World war he participated in all the drives. Mr. Smith is past chancellor, and is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
On October 27, 1891, he married Miss Effie C. Archer, a native of Noble County. Her father, Bell Archer , was born in Stock Township of Noble County in 1845, and for fifty-one years was a teacher in the schools of the county. Her mother was Clara Thompson Archer, who died February, 1924. The three children of Mr. and Mrs. Smith are: Marjorie, wife of Dr. L. B. Walters, a dentist at Caldwell, and she is the mother of a daughter, Mary Elane, Harold A. and Helen.
HISTORY OF OHIO - The American Historical Society, Inc., 1925 Volume IV, page 67
Submitted by: Gina M. Reasoner
HON. ISAAC PARRISH, son of Edward Parrish, who settled in Sharon Township in 1819, was not only the first lawyer who resided within the territory now forming Noble County, but he was also the first and only resident of the county who ever held a seat in Congress. He was a man of more than ordinary ability, and was a shrewd politician. He was considered a good speaker, and during his public life delivered many public addresses in this and neighboring counties. He was enterprising and ambitious, somewhat visionary, and often impractical, but always thoroughly in earnest in whatever he undertook. He was an early merchant in the village of Sharon and afterwards was engaged in milling business at the same place. He projected a railroad which ultimately merged into the old “Calico” railroad scheme, by which he and others were heavy losers. He did not devote himself closely to law practice for any long period, but bore a good reputation in his profession throughout southeastern Ohio.
Isaac Parrish was born in Belmont County in March, 1804. He was mainly self-educated. He read law in St. Clairville and was probably admitted to the bar there. He practiced in Guernsey, Belmont and Morgan Counties; was elected prosecuting attorney at Cambridge and rose to prominence. In 1838 he was elected to Congress from the Eleventh district, Guernsey County. He was a candidate for re-election but was defeated by Hon. Benjamin S. Cowen, of Belmont. He then removed to Morgan County and in 1844 was elected to Congress over Dr. Perley B. Johnson, the Whig nominee, after a close and exciting contest. He was active in organizing Noble County, hoping Sharon might secure the county seat. After his second term in Congress, he devoted himself mainly to milling business in Morgan and Noble Counties. In 1854 he removed to Des Moines, Iowa, where he practiced law for a time. He then went to Harrison County, Iowa, where he died in 1860. He was a Democrat,
an earnest partisan and very popular with his party. He was genial and agreeable and readily made friends among all classes. He was married in Belmont County to Rachel Haines, and had a family of four sons and two daughters that grew to maturity.
History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
The Legal Profession
JABEZ BELFORD, an early and prominent lawyer of Noble County, was born in Malaga, Monroe County, O., in 1820. He was brought up to hard work and had but limited opportunities for obtaining an education. His youth was spent in Hoskinsville and vicinity. He learned the blacksmith’s trade when young, but not being satisfied with it he sought to improve his mind by reading and study, and finally began the study of law in the office of Virtulon Rich, of McConnelsville, and was admitted to the bar in 1851. He first began practice in Sharon, but removed to Sarahsville a few years after the organization of the county. He served as the first prosecuting attorney of Noble County, and in that position achieved such success that he at once rose to prominence as a lawyer. He was afterwards elected to the same position. For several years he was the law partner of Hon. Isaac Parrish, and afterward he sustained the same relation to William C. Okey, Esq. He was a
skilled and eloquent advocate, a successful lawyer and a good citizen. He removed from Sarahsville to Caldwell, where he served as the first postmaster of the village. During the war he was elected as draft commissioner of the county. He was a Democrat and a partisan, but he never permitted politics to estrange friendship. He died in Caldwell, October 22, 1882
One of the local papers in an obituary, said: “ * * * Without the advantage of a classical education in youth, he has long been recognized by those who knew him best, as a gentleman not only learned in the law, but possessed of a vast fund of accurate knowledge of science, history, and general literature. He was especially fond of biological research and natural history. Seen in the court-room he appeared cold, practical and severe, but his heart was full of generous warmth and noble impulses.” At a meeting of the Noble county bar, highly eulogistic resolutions were passed, at which time Hon. W.H. Frazier
said: “He was one who always did what he believed to be right, without prejudice or favor.” W.C. Okey, who perhaps knew him more intimately than anyone else, said: “I saw him more and knew him better than others. As a lawyer he was greatly above the average. Often when in consultation respecting the merits of a case, “Is this right as between men, let this test settle the question,” as soon as thus satisfied, he became invincible in his convictions. During his last years his life seemed to be growing more symmetrical with his extensive reading and reflection.” In 1843 he was married to Miss Clarrissa, daughter of Lebbens Fordyce. She was to him a valuable aid in his early struggles with poverty; while he was engaged in his law studies she supported the family through her own efforts. Ten children were born to them, six of whom are living. Cyrus, the eldest son, is a farmer; Irwin is an attorney, residing in Toledo, O.; Richelieu follows the trade
of his father; Ethan A. is a physician in Nevada; Dora married Reuben McGlashen; Lebbens, the youngest, is a dentist.
History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
The Legal Profession
SAMUEL McGARRY afterwards probate judge, was a member of one of the early families in the county. He studied law in McConnelsville and practiced there for a time. he located at Sarahsville, and after the establishment of the county, was connected with the editorial management of several of the early newspapers. He never had any great amount of law practice. He was the first treasurer of Noble County, and from 1857 to 1864 held the office of probate judge. He removed to the West and died there.
History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
The Legal Profession
DANIEL PETTAY, who had been a Methodist preacher, was elected justice of the peace, and after some years in that office, was admitted to the bar. He had but little legal business. He was a man of good sense and fair ability.
History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
The Legal Profession
WILLIAM MARCUS KAIN was one of the early lawyers and editors of the county. He read law under Jabez Belford, and practiced in Sharon from about 1848 until 1854. Soon after this date we find him at Sarahsville, editing a Democratic paper. He was self-educated and of good ability. He is now a Presbyterian minister, residing somewhere in Pennsylvania.
History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
The Legal Profession
EDWARD A. BRATTON was perhaps the leader among the resident lawyers of Sarahsville in 1851 and 1852. He came from Cambridge, where he had previously practiced several years. He removed to McArthur, Vinton County in 1853.
History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
The Legal Profession
SAMUEL W.P. COCHRAN, from Zanesville, where he had previously been in the tobacco business, after being admitted to the bar, came to Sarahsville in 1851. He held the office of prosecuting attorney about two years, resigning in 1853, when E.A. Bratton was appointed in his stead. John McIntosh, from the northern part of the State, was his law partner. Neither remained long.
History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
The Legal Profession
WILLIAM PRIESTLY read law in Sarahsville in the office of E.A. Bratton and began practice in that town. He removed to Caldwell after the latter became the county seat, and remained until 1862, when he entered the Ninety-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry as a first lieutenant. He served through the war and in 1864 was offered a captaincy, but declined the commission. He did not return to Caldwell to practice law after the war. Mr. Priestly was a sound, well-posted man - a good office lawyer, but not a fluent speaker.
History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
The Legal Profession
HENRY FRAZIER, a brother of Hon. W.H. Frazier, was born in Trumbull County, O., Sept. 9, 1824. He received a collegiate education; read law with Evans & Scott, Cambridge, O., was admitted to the bar in the fall of 1851, and began practice at Sarahsville. He died in August of the following year. He was a young man possessed of a high order of talent, and had he lived would doubtless have made his mark in his profession. The local paper spoke of him the highest terms, and the bar passed eulogistic resolutions after his death.
History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
The Legal Profession
HON. WILLIAM H. FRAZIER is so well and favorably known to all the citizens of Noble County, that an extended sketch of his life and public services is unnecessary in this chapter. Suffice it to say that no abler lawyer or more honored citizen has ever lived in the county; that his talents entitle his name to a prominent place among the distinguished representatives of the legal profession in Ohio; and that his eminent merits as a jurist have received popular recognition in his election to the honorable position he now so ably fills.
History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
The Legal Profession
WILLIAM HUGH FRAZIER, the fourth son and seventh child of George and Bethiah (Randall) Frazier, was born in Hubbard, Trumbull County, Ohio, March 11, 1826. His father was a native of Kent County, Maryland; came to Ohio with his parents in 1802; married a native of Washington County, Pa., and reared eight children. Hannah (Ripley), Henry, William H., Sarah R. (Watt), George, Israel, Andrew, Asa, of whom four are still living: Sarah, George, William H. and Andrew. The father died in Guernsey county in 1852. He was a man of great natural ability and force of character. While in Trumbull County he served as a magistrate, and was regarded by his neighbors as a man of sound sense and good judgement.
The subject of this notice was reared on a farm and attended school in hs native town until twelve years of age, when he accompanied his parents to Guernsey County. Here he continued attending the common schools in winter and working on the farm in summer, until he became of age. He then entered Madison
College at Antrim, Guernsey County, spending his vacations at home in farm-work and study; but finding his health impaired, and believing that he would not be able to continue his labors as a farmer, he decided to begin the study of the law. At the time an older brother, Henry, was pursuing a course of study for that profession, and William placed himself under his tutelage, continuing until twenty-six year of age, when he was admitted to the bar at Coshocton, May 17, 1852. Immediately after his admission he began the practice of his profession with his brother Henry at Sarahsville, then the county seat of Noble County. In the following August his brother died. William H. continued in practice at Sarahsville until 1858, when he removed to Caldwell, the new county seat. In March, 1865, he formed a partnership with James S. Foreman, which continued one year, after which he practiced alone. In 1855 he was elected prosecuting attorney for the county, and by successive
re-elections was continued in the office for ten years. He was twice chosen to this office without opposition. In October, 1871, he was appointed by Governor Hayes to fill the unexpired term of Hon. Moses M. Granger as judge of the court of common pleas, and at the annual election held the same month he was elected to the same office for the term of five years. Subsequently he was twice re-elected as judge of the court of common pleas in the eighth judicial district, no other candidate being put in nomination against him. September 8, 1884, after having been nominated for circuit judge, he tendered his resignation as common pleas judge, having served in that office thirteen years lacking one month. At the annual election in October, 1884, he was elected one of the judges of the circuit court for seventh circuit, and in the allotment of terms he was allotted the term of four years.
Possessed of keen, analytical mind, discriminating, careful and thoughtful; honest of
purpose and sound in judgement; of extensive general information and thorough knowledge of the law, aided by a ready and retentive memory, in his long and unbroken service upon the bench, Judge Frazier has been distinguished for his love of justice, his fidelity to the law, and the equity and candor of his decisions. His unassuming manners and agreeable social qualities render him deservedly popular with men of every party and every condition in life. He is a Republican, both in the political and in the literal signification of the word, and has risen to his present position solely through his own merits, his perseverance, energy and industry. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years.
As a citizen of Noble County, Judge Frazier has been prominent in every movement calculated to advance the interests of his town and county. With others he founded the first bank in the county, became its first president and still retains that position; he was also one of
the incorporators and first directors of the Cleveland and Marietta Railway, and gave largely of his time and money to promote the building of the road.
Judge Frazier was married November 30, 1854, to Minerva E. Staats, of Noble County, who is still living. They have three sons and four daughters, Jennie (Lloyd), Anna (Neuhart), William A., George E., Mary E., Louis B. and Minnie M. The married daughters reside in Los Angeles, Cal.
History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
The Legal Profession
WILLIAM C. OKEY, familiarly known as Judge Okey, is entitled to a place in the first rank of the present lawyers of Noble County, not only by reason of seniority, but also because his achievements have won for him that position. Mr. Okey was born in Woodsfield, Monroe County, Ohio, August 24, 1828. His father, James Okey, was among the prominent citizens of that county, holding the office of magistrate for twenty-one years, and representing the county in the State legislature for two terms. The subject of this notice spent his boyhood on a farm. After receiving a common school and academic education, he engaged in teaching school during the winter months, devoting his spare time to the study of the law. In 1849, he entered the law office of Nathan Hollister, and two years later he was admitted to the bar. In 1852 he opened an office in Sarahsville, then the county seat of the newly-formed County of Noble, as a member of the firm of Hollister, Okey & Hollister, where he soon rose to prominence in his
profession. In 1855 he was appointed clerk of courts and in the following year was elcted to that office. He followed the county seat to Caldwell, thus becoming one of the first settlers of the village in which he has since resided. At the expiration of his term as clerk he resumed the practice of law, continuing until 1862 when he entered the service of his country in Company E, Ninety-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Resigning in 1863 by reason of disability, he again took up his practice which he has followed assiduously ever since. In 1866 he formed a co-partnership with Jabez Belford, one of the most prominent attorneys of Noble County, which lasted until the decease of Mr. Belford in 1882.
Mr. Okey has never been a politician in the ordinary acceptation of the word, yet he has taken a deep interest in all matters affecting the general welfare of the country. He is a firm supporter of the Democratic party. In 1870 he was nominated for judge of the court of common
pleas in opposition to Hon. F.W. Wood, of McConnelsville. The district was largely Republican, yet Mr. Okey was defeated by only a small majority, running ahead of his ticket in most of the district, and carrying his own county by 350 majoirty.
He is the oldest lawyer in Noble County and for many years has had an extensive practice. He is diligent and industrious and conscientiously faithful to the interests of his clients. As a lawyer he bears an unspotted reputation. He is a man of decided views; a careful, cautious counselor, and a good judge of the law. A gentleman who has known him intimately for twenty-eight years, says of him: “He is a gentleman, a good lawyer and an honest, straightforward and reputable citizen.” In him the younger attorneys of the county have a faithful friend, always willing to aid the deserving in securing a start in their profession.
Mr. Okey married for his first wife Miss Julia Ring. His present wife was
Miss Ruth Caldwell, daughter of the venerable Joseph Caldwell, elsewhere mentioned.
History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
The Legal Profession
ERWIN G. DUDLEY, son of Judge Gilman Dudley, was born in Olive Township in 1832. He read law in Sarahsville and was admitted to the bar about 1853. He practiced in Sarahsville and Caldwell until the summer of 1862, when he entered the service as a captain in the Ninety-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He had a good legal mind and was a successful lawyer. For several years he was the resident partner in Noble County of Hon. John E. Hanna, of McConnelsville. After the war he went to Omaha, where he was elected State senator and afterwards police judge. He next went to the Black Hills and engaged in mining. He is now in Dakota, the proprietor of a sulphur springs resort.
History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
The Legal Profession
JAMES K. CASEY came to Sarahsville from Cumberland about 1853 and practiced in that place for about three years. He removed to Cambridge and thence to Mt. Vernon, Ohio. He died in the West recently. He was a good lawyer and a gifted speaker.
History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
The Legal Profession
RICHARD H. TANEYHILL located at Olive in 1851, and practiced law and edited a newspaper there for a time. He afterward practiced his profession in Batesville for a number of years. He removed to Barnesville, where he at present resides. He is now largely engaged in the culture of strawberries. Mr. Taneyhill was an able and forcible editorial writer and possessed legal ability of a high order. His brother, Mordecai H. Taneyhill, also a lawyer, was located at Sarahsville a few years prior to the removal of the county seat to Caldwell.
History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
The Legal Profession
JAMES H. ROTHROCK, as is shown by a card in a local paper, had a law office in Olive in 1853. He came from West Union and was a young man of ability. He remained a short time in the county waiting for the controversy over the county seat to be settled. Then tiring of this he removed to Iowa. He has since been one of the judges of the supreme court of that state.
History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
The Legal Profession