ment and a fidelity of purpose that command-ed respect of all. A man of indefatigable enterprise and fertility of resource, he has carved his name deeply on the record of the political, commercial and professional history of the state, which owes much of its advancement to his efforts. Mr. Breslin was the youngest man who ever presided as speaker over the house of representatives of Ohio. Again and again his efforts aided in promoting public policy and in establishing the career of his grand old commonwealth. He was the friend and associate of many of the distinguished men of Ohio who gained national fame, and his life record forms an important chapter in the annals of his state.

Mr. Breslin was a native of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, his birth having there occurred about 1824. His father, Hugh Breslin, was a contractor and engaged in the construction of public works in the city of Washington, D. C. Both the parents of our subject died when he was only about three years of age and he was adopted by a family of the name of McKissen. While yet a small boy that family removed to Ohio, locating near Dayton, and there Mr. Breslin remained until he was about twelve years of age, when, feeling that he should provide for his own support he tied up a few of his effects in a big handkerchief and with his bundle started for Columbus, Ohio. There was a similarity in the history of this period of his life to that of Benjamin Franklin. Like the great statesman of the colonial period he too exercised a widely felt influence in public affairs. On reaching Columbus he presented himself to Colonel Samuel Medary, who was editor of the States

man, a pronounced Democratic paper of the capital city, Colonel Medary having been at one time governor of Minnesota. The Colonel was very much pleased with the appearance of the boy and gave him a position as an apprentice in the printing office. Mr. Breslin closely applied himself to the task of mastering the business in every department and detail, and while his days were devoted to work his evenings were largely given to study. For six years he remained in the office. When he was eighteen years of age Colonel Medary received a letter from some of the leading citizens of Tiffin, Ohio, asking him if he knew of a man suitable to become the editor of a Democratic newspaper in that city, and Colonel Medary recommended John Breslin for the position. Accordingly he took the stage from Columbus for that place and on the 6th of May, 1842, published the first number of the Seneca Advertiser, a paper which advocated the Jacksonian Democratic principles and is still in existence, having celebrated its sixtieth anniversary May 6, 1902. In its columns we find a quotation from the editorial Mr. Breslin wrote. and which appeared in its first issue. He said, "We will endeavor to maintain a courteous but decided opinion in regard to principles we intend to promulgate," and much more along the same line, showing that even in his youth that idea of right was strongly intrenched. Mr. Breslin remained its editor from 1842 until 1854 and was not long in becoming a recognized factor in public affairs in that part of the Well fitted for leadership in public thought and action, he studied closely the questions and issues of the day, not only

state.

along political lines, but concerning every department of life affecting the weal and welfare of the state and nation. In 1848 he was elected to represent Seneca county in the Ohio legislature and served so capably that he was re-elected. That he was one of the most popular and able members of the house is shown by the fact that he was chosen its speaker. It was an honor which has seldom been conferred in the entire history of the nation, for he was only twenty-five years of age when chosen for that important position. He showed a comprehensive knowledge of parliamentary law, and was strictly impartial and fair in his rulings, never allowing personal bias or opinions in any way to influence his actions or judgment as the ruling member of the assembly. In 1854 he was elected state treasurer of Ohio for one term and his fidelity to duty in his new position won for his additional laurels.

It was while holding the position of state treasurer that Hon. John G. Breslin was united in marriage to Anna C. Borland, a daughter of Charles and Cynthia (Hart) Borland. Her father was born in Harrisonburg, Rockingham county; Virginia, May 16, 1808, and in 1816 accompanied his parents to Franklin county, Ohio, where he attended school. He learned the printer's trade under the direction of Colonel Olmstead, of Columbus, and followed that business continuously in the capital city until 1839, when he became the editor of the Richland Whig, at Mansfield, Ohio. While thus engaged in journalistic work he began the reading of law and later was admitted to the bar, whereupon he became an active practitioner. He won distinction owing to

his strong mentality, his inductive mind, his logical reasoning and forceful argument. He possessed rare gifts of oratory and was widely known as a most forceful, entertaining and effective speaker. He won many celebrated cases and his devotion to his clients' interests was proverbial. He was a man of marked literary tastes and scholarly attainments and his broad knowledge added to his oratorical ability enabled him to hold an audience spell-bound for hours and he probably never addressed any public gathering when many expressions of regret were not heard because he had concluded his remarks. During the campaign he was a most convincing, eloquent and entertaining speaker, and his strong reasoning, his wit and his logic carried conviction to the minds of many of his hearers. For some years he practiced law at the Lancaster bar, but spent his last years in retirement, his death occurring on the 13th of January, 1892, in the home of his daughter, Mrs. Breslin, who was then living on High street. In his family were five children who are still living, the second daughter, Sarah, making her home with her sister, Mrs. Breslin. The others are Mrs. Nevin, of Dayton, Ohio; C. W., who is a civil engineer residing in Columbus; and W. S., a merchant of Cincinnati. He held the position of Indian agent under President Taylor, filling the position with marked distinction.

Mrs. Breslin pursued her education in the private schools of Lancaster and at St. Mary's Convent, at Somerset, Ohio, and while visiting in Columbus she formed the acquaintance of Mr. Breslin, who sought her hand in marriage. In 1871 they re

!

moved to Huntington, West Virginia, where Mr. Breslin accepted the position of general ticket agent for the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Company, serving in that capacity until his death, and after locating there he was always known by the title of General Breslin. He was prominently connected with several other railroad corporations and important enterprises, and was equally successful in business life as in political circles. For a year and a half he resided in Lancaster, and after his death his widow again took up her abode in the state of her nativity. Mr. Breslin was called to his final rest February 22, 1889, and his remains were interred in Tiffin, Ohio. A train on the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway was trimmed in crepe and a special car carried his remains to Tiffin, where the funeral services were in charge of the Masonic fraternity, with which he had been connected. He was a friend of the poor and needy; a man of broad, humanitarian principles and of keen outlook into life, its possibilities, its duties and its obligations. That he was a man of high character, superior worth and

man.

marked capability is shown by the fact that he was an intimate friend of Chief Justice Chase, Chief Justice Waite, Ex-President Hayes, Hon. Thomas Corwin, Hon. Thomas Ewing, Senator Sherman and other celebrated men of Ohio, who have won national fame. In his private life he was distinguished by all that marks the true gentleHis was a noble character; one that subordinated personal ambition to public good and sought rather the benefit of others than the aggrandizement of self. Endowed by nature with high intellectual qualities, to which were added the discipline and embellishments of culture, his was a most attractive personality. In his life-time the people of his state, recognizing his merit, rejoiced in his advancement and in the honors to which he attained and since his death they have cherished his memory.

Mrs. Breslin is now making her home. in Lancaster, and occupies a beautiful residence at No. 126 East Chestnut street. She is most highly esteemed by a large circle of friends, many of whom have known her from her childhood days.

Dr. Howard A. Brown has for twentyseven years engaged in the practice of medicine in Carroll and throughout this period has enjoyed the confidence and good will of the public and has received a liberal patron

age in the line of his chosen vocation. He was born March 15, 1854, in Sugar Grove, Fairfield county, a son of Dr. Robert H. and Lucinda (Armstrong) Brown. The father was also a native of this state, having