The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1857-05-07
NO. LII.

legal practitioner at Sufield, Come cticut, and
commenced the study of the law. Here he
continued three years, and was then admitted
to the bar at Hartford. His father having pur-
chased two-thrds Of the town of franklin, on
the Western Reserve in the State Of Ohio. his
son proposed to emigrate to that then distant
place. commence a settlement in the wilderness,
and attend to the sale of the property. Accord
ngly early in the year 1899 he started from
Northampton with an OK team, agricultural i'm
pements and hired men himself riding on horse
back. In this way he reached Buffalo, where
they embarked in large Aat-bottomed boat for
Cleveland, where there was at the time only one
or two log cabins. On the passage during a
violent blow, Mr. Tappan stood for hours in the
water, breast high, holding on to the boat,
which, with the property on board was with
difficulty preserved. He made his way to Frank
lin, where he built log house and laid out the
| town plot, to which he gave the name of Ra-
VIENNA. He felled the first tree with his own
hands, and the large stump remained for many
years in font of the Court House, and pointed
out the place where the settlement of that now
| Aourlshing village commenced. In 1900 he
married Miss Wright, OF Pennington, Connecti-
cut
Mr.. Tappan was successful in the practice Of
law. His first was the defence of man
for capital offence, who was acquitted, and
the young advocate obtained much reputation
for the skillfu manner in which he managed
i the case. In 1903 he was elected to the State
sente. His professional practice rapidly in
creased.
Soon after the war of 1919 commenced, he
performed efficient military service as aid de-
camp to Major General Walsworth, until ILL
health occssioned by frequent exposures, COM
PEELED him to retire from The service.
In 1878 he was elected President Judge Of the
Fifth Ohio Circuit, in which he served the con-
stituIional term of seven years. He published
volume of reports--the first law reports ever
published in Ohio. In 1921 he was appointed a
canal commss oner and, as chairman OF ths
Board, devoted himself assiduousy TO the COM
petion of that great Undertaking, the Ohio
canal. $500.
During Gen. Jncksons administrntioD--viz,
in l833-Judge Tdppan was appointed Judge of
the United States for the district of Ohio, and
presided in the court for about six MONTHS
When his nomination came before the Senate
for confirmation it was rejected. No one dis
puted that his legal knowledge and experience
qualified him for the honorable post but it was
supposed that the nomination was rejected from
party considerations. The same Senate re- lected
Gen. Jackson's nomination of Mr.. Van Buren,
as ambassador to the Court of st. JAMES.
In 1887 he was elected senator in C 'n5rcss,
and served six years in that body being the oldest
member, while his colleague, Hon. VIM. Alien.
was the youngest Senator Tappan acted usual
ly as chairman when the democratic members
met in caucus.
Since the termination of his senatorial career.
Judge Tdppan busted himself in scientific pus-
suits AT one time of his lie, be paid much
attention to geology, and his collection Of speci-
mems was quite valuable. During his later years
his attention was much engros>ed with con-
chologv, and his collection was very extensive.
!, In politics he from early life of the Jeffer-
tt soniln school, and WHEN lie thought the demo.
: cratic party abandoned the principles of their
founder, hs preferred to ching princi pies rathe
: than to policy men. His first presidential
= vote was given for Jefferson and his last for
: fremont.
Il Through life, Judge Tdppan's habits were tenn
q perate and simple Hr had great love for sonsrl
l. knowledge of various kinda. He was a Learned,
ii lawyer, successful alvocat c AMI upright judge
decided politician, inf 'xibly honest in all bu'
. siness matters, and much beloved by his family
!. and relatives The legislation and jurisprudence
h Of Ohio have lost an early and efficient friend ,
i the country steadtpst patriot; the enslaved al
intrepid defender; scirnce Enthusiastic devoet
+ and the artist practical and useful supporter.
Judge Tappan was twice married, and died ,
K widnwrr. He has left two sons, one surgeon
|. and the other lawyer Besides giving to bott
1. an expensive education he has left to them com
"A pe,en property.