The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1852-06-11

mere lawyer he had no equal in th'
Maumee Valley. This connection wal
continued until the death of Cook, il
1889. The business Of the firm was ex'
lensive. The reputation which Mr.. Way
speedily acquired as a Brilliant and eff
cient advocate secured to him a large
criminal business, while the reputation
of Cook as lawyer secured fine Chan.
cery ard real estate prac,ice. Mr.. Ways
efforts at the bar al :l,is time were numer.
Gus, and won the odmiration Of all his
contemporaries. He was by common
consen. deemed the best advocate in the
Valley-no mean praise for a young man
Of tweniy-four, who had for his competi.
tors many men Of long tried and dis,in-
guished ability.
After the death of Cook, Way entered
into partnership with Daniel McBain, Esq,
young man of merit, with whom he con-
tinued in business until he left Toledo in
1916.
In 1888, Mr.. Way was among the prom.
inent persons named by the Wings TO
represent the Northwestern district in
the Ohio Legislature. AT the Conven.
lion local considerations alone, prevented
him from obtaining the nomination; his
greatest admirers voting against him be.
cause ofhis supposed prepossessions in
favor Of Toledo. No ways discouraged
by this disappointment, he enlisted for
The campaign, and both as writer and
speaker, performed excellent service for
the fortunate nominee. In the following
year, his name mas again brought promi-
nen,ly before the nominating Convention,
and he was again sacrificed TO the local
prejudice Of his friends.
In 1910. Mr.. Ways services in behalf
Of Gen. Harrison, were Jaborious and
efficient. At almost every whig gather
ing in Northwestern Ohio, his voice was
heard, infusing into the crowds of eager
listeners, a portion Of the enthusiasm
which he fell. His pen was also busy. He
was the author Of some Of the best songs
Of the campaign-sonas, which were
SET TO music during the year, and pub
lished by the New. York composers.
These efflsions we're thrown off by him,
as species of relaxation, while in attend
ance upon Court, or in moments of llilari.
| ~ at political gatherings, without study
or consideration. They furnish remarka.
BILE evidence Of his ready and brilliant
genius At THE Convention Of thar year
lie reclved the unanimous nomination oi
the wings, as a candidate for the Legisla.
ture. Duling the fall campaign, he me:
in debate several Of the leading champ.
ons of Democracy, with whom ne con.
tested inch by inch Tor the supremacy Of
whig principles. lie was elected to the
Legislature, and entered that body during
the stormy session Of l34O.4l. Soon
afterwards lie was attacked with serious
illness, which incapacitaied him for al
tendance upon the remainder Of the ses-
scion. He had, however, been long
enough member to satisfy, as well those
whom he met in the House Of Represen.
ialives, as those who sent him there, that
his claims to influence and merit we're
second to those Of no other member on
that flor. In one or two speeches on
subjects of local character he command
ed a, once the admiration and respect
Of his fellow members.
After Ills return 10 Toledo he resumed
the practice Of law, which he followed
successfully until the summer Of 1916.
During this period he was elected in sue
cessive years Mayor of the city Of Toledo,
and Alderman.
Partly with view TO change the char
acter of his practice, and greatly to graft
fy his taste for retireme,, Mr.. Way dis.
solved his business connection in Toledo
in the summer of 1916, and removed TO
the beautiful village Of Defiance, sixty
miles above Toledo. There he entered
into partnership with VIM. Sheffield, ESQ.,,
lawyer of considerable repute, and be-
came at once introduced into large and
succe ssful practice, which was scattered
through four or five of the backwoods
counties Of Northwestern Ohio. His fae
powers as an advocate soon placed him
at the head Of his profession. At the
session of the Legislature Of lS47-S a
new judicial circuit was created in this
portion Of Ohio, comprising the counties
Of Defiance, Putnam, Van Vert, Paulding,
Henry, Williams and Fulton. Mr.. Way
was appointed President Judge, and en-,
tered Immediately upon the discharge Of
his official duties. These, always labor.
ious, and of,en very complicated, en-
tracing questions Of real estate, and
criminal law, were discharged with ability,
and greatly TO the satisfaction of the
members Of the profession who pracliced
on the new circuit. Judge Way held
this Office until il was vacated by The
operation of the new Constitution OF
Ohio, which was adopted in The spring Of
1851. BY this instrument the Office Of
Judge, which until then had been within
the gif, Of the Legislature, was made
elective by the people. II became ne
cessary under this new administration Of
affairs to nominate five candidates for the
Supreme bench, to be supported at the
fall election Of 1851. Mr.. Way received