The biographical encyclopœdia of Ohio of the nineteenth century:

BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPAEDIA.
During this period he acquired those habits of industry and
the promptitude and energy, which were his chief characteristics inll after life. In I835 he settled in Georgetown,
Brown county, and began the study of law under the guidance of George W. King, a prominent and an able legal
practitioner. While thus pursuing his studies, he supported
himself by writing in the Clerk's office. At the April term,
I837, of the Supreme Court for Brown county, he was admitted to practise law in the various courts of the State.
Immediately after his admission he engaged in the practice
of his profession in partnership with Martin Marshall, of
Augusta, Kentucky, who was at that time attending the various courts of this county. On him then devolved the
labor of preparing cases, and transacting the entire office
business, a task which he performed with admirable exactitude and ability. To the investigation of his cases he
brought a thorough knowledge of legal principles, a clear
and discriminating judgment, and indomitable energy.
This partnership continued five or six years, until M. Marshall, owing to age and infirmity, was compelled to relinquish his attendance at court. From this time until I855
he continued in active practice, part of the time alone and
part of the time in partnership. He was then controlling an extensive business in the different counties of his
judicial district. Subsequently, his private Dusiness having
become so extensive as to require a great deal of attention,
he retired almost entirely from practice, appearing only in
important cases, and for his former clients. As the result
of his assiduous devotion to his profession and business he
amassed a handsome fortune. Also as a business man he
had few equals, and in every public improvement he was
ever foremost, while his means and his influence were never
withheld from any undertaking calculated to advance public
morality, or to promote the general welfare. No enterprise
in which he once heartily engaged ever failed to ultimately
achieve success, while to him more than to any other man
are the people of Brown county indebted for the public improvements which have been there carried to completion.
"1 In him the needy and unfortunate ever found a friend,
and the poor man a benefactor. HIIis ear was ever open to
hear the tale of want and woe, and his purse to relieve suffering and distress." Strong in will, resolute in purpose, he
was true in friendship, loyal even as an enemy. Beginning
life without means, and without the influence of powerful i
friends, he won for himself not only a valuable estate, but a
high position among the professional and business men of
the community which honored and loved him. Until the
disintegration of the Whig party, he was intimately identi fied with its organization, and labored zealously to insure
its success. He was the President of the Whig State Con vention, held in Ohio in I855, and when the Know-Nothing
organization came into being and absorbed so large a portion
of the Whig party, he refused to countenance the movement,
and constantly expressel his opposition to the new princi les advocated. In the great issue presented to the country
lAY, DEMING, W. HI., Soldier, Contractor, and
Lawyer, was born, February I2th, I832, ill Pick c(~,~. ]away county, Ohio, and is the eldest son of the
late Demvold G. and Ruth Day. His father,
o who was a contractor, died when his eldest son
was twelve years old, and the latter was thus early
thrown on his own resources. He attended the public
school in Chillicothe, and subsequently became a s t ude nt in
the Western Liberal Industrial Institute at Marietta, and received a diploma therefrom. He shortly afterwards became
a bookkeeper, and also attended the Commercial College in
Cincinnati, where he graduated with honor to himself and
the institution. HIe commenced the study of law with John
and Ichabod Corwin. In I854 he removed to Wood
county, Ohio, and being admitted to the bar, commenced
the practice of his profession in Bowling Green, being the
first lawyer in that place to open an office. He succeeded
in building up an extensive and lucrative practice, and prosecnited nearly all the criminal cases, including those of the
State vs. Walter; State vs. Fi-aiklin,-for felonious assault,
the defendant being convicted, and sentenced to ten years'
imprisonment; and more recently in the Nol)Ie murder case
in I876. During the war of the rebellion he entered the
service, and was elected Captainl of Con pany K, I I Ith
Ohio Volunteers, and was identified -with General Rosecrans'
command. He participated in the pursuit of Morgan, during the latter's raid into the border States, inl I863, and on
July igth of that year was at the battle of Baughton Island,
where I200 of the guerillas were captured, and 83 officers.
These were taken to Camp Morgan, near Cincinnati, on
23d August following. When the 23d Army Corps was reorganized, he was appointed Chief of Ordnance, on the
staff of General Hartzuf, and participated in the Knoxville
campaign. He was next placed in charge of all the supply
627
by the Nebraska bill, he took from the first a decided stand
ii-i favor of its principles. He refused to participate in the
fusioi-i which resulted in the formation of the Republican
party. In the Buchanan and Breckinriclge campaign, his
party being lisorgaiiized, be attached himself to what he
believed to be the party of the Constitution and the Union,
and labored earnestly and efficiently to secure the success of
Democratic measures. During the canvass he traversed the
several counties of his Congressional district, and also various
counties in the adjoining State of Kentucky, in all of tbci-i-i
advocating his views with ardent fervor. 11 No man in
southern Ohio did more for the triumph. of Democratic
principles and the success of Democratic candidates than be.
The effect of his labors was seen in the result of the election.
This Congressional district was redeemed, and the Democratic candidate returned by a triumphant majority." I-le
died, of erysipelas, in Georgetown, Brown county, Ohio,
June 29th, i857, in his forty-fourth year.
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