Rev. James Gillespy Carson, D. D., was born near Marysville, Blount County, Tenn., February 11, 1833. His parents were Rev. David Carson, originally from Franklin County, Penn., and Jane W. Gillespy, of Blount County, Tenn. His father having been elected Professor of Church History and Hermeneutics in the Associate Presbyterian Theological Seminary then located at Canonsburg, Washington County, Penn., removed to that place in 1834, where the subject of this sketch was brought up and educated in the common schools, Jefferson College and the Associate Presbyterian Theological Seminary. He graduated at Jefferson College August 7, 1849, in a class of fifty-four members, after which he taught for three years, first in a common school for nine months in Allegheny County, Pa., then in a select classical school in New Brighton, Pa., during the summer of 1850, and afterwards in a classical Academy at Hookstown, Beaver County, Pa., from November, 1850, until April, 1852. He entered the Seminary at Canonsburg (now the United Presbyterian Seminary of Xenia, Ohio) where he was graduated March, 1855. He was licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Chartiers of the Associate Presbyterian (now the United Presbyterian) Church of North America, June 22, 1855, and was settled as pastor of the congregation of South Buffalo (now Claysville), Washington County, Pa., October, 1856, when he removed to the United Pres byterian congregation of Canonsburg (now Greenside Avenue), Pa., where he remained until November, 1869, when he accepted a call from the Second United Presbyterian congregation of Xenia, Ohio, in which he was installed December 1, 1869, and of which congregation he remained as pastor until September 1, 1902. In 1873 he was elected Professor of Homiletics and Pastoral Theology in the United Presbyterian Theological Seminary at Xenia, which office he continued to fill in connection with his pastoral charge until 1888, when finding the double burden too heavy to bear he resigned and gave his whole time to his pastorate. In 1875 he received the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity from the United Presbyterian College of Monmouth, Ill. He was married to Mary Houston Clarkson, daughter of Rev. Thomas B. Clarkson, of Mercersburg, Franklin County, Pa., October 1, 1856, who died March 21, 1894. He was selected State Senator from the Fifth-Sixth District, November, 1903. Composed of the Counties of Seneca, Crawford and Wyandot. Hon. Elza Carter, Democrat, of the Thirty-first Senatorial District, is a native of Wyandot County, Ohio, was educated in the sub-district schools, the Upper Sandusky public schools and Baldwin University. He began his official career as township clerk, and held the office for four years. Mr. Carter removed from Tymochtee township to Upper Sandusky in 1881, and was admitted to the bar the same year; soon thereafter he acquired a large practice, which he has since retained, and is now a member of the law firm of "Carter & Goodrich." In addition to his work in his chosen profession, he is interested in agriculture and stock raising. Mr. Carter was a member of the Wyandot County board of school examiners for six years; at present he is president of the Upper Sandusky school board, and for six years has been a member thereof. He was elected prosecuting attorney of Wyandot County in 1892, and again in 1895. He has always been a Democrat, and without opposition was elected to the Senate in November, 1903. In his profession, as well as in politics, he is well and favorably known throughout his district. He believes the Legis lature should be untrammeled in the exercise of its functions. Alfred C. Cassatt, a member of the Senate from Hamilton County, was born at Eaton, Ohio, on January 16, 1872. He is the son of a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, Rev. J. W. Cassatt. He was educated in the common schools and at the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware. In 1892, he commenced the study of law with Hon. Thomas McDougall, of Cincinnati, Ohio. After his admission to the bar, he was associated with Mr. McDougall up to the time of the death of the latter in July, 1899. After Mr. McDougall's death, Mr. Cassatt retained his offices and organized the firm of Ernst, Cassatt & McDougall, the other members of the firm being R. P. Ernst and Mr. Taylor McDougall. Mr. Cassatt resides in Cincinnati, at the Queen City Club. William W. Chapman, the son of John K. and Mary E. Chapman, was born near Dayton, September 28, 1874. After his High School education he prepared himself for the study of law. Was admitted to the bar in 1897 and entered upon the active practice of his profession in Dayton, under the firm name of Chapman & Snyder. Served as member of the State Decennial Board of Equalization from 1900 to 1901. Was also member of the House of Representatives of the 75th General Assembly. Married July 3, 1900, to Miss Ellinor Clara Musselman, daughter of the late U. S. Consul to Breslau, Germany. Senator Chapman died July 8, 1904, at his home in Dayton, Ohio. |