Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1868-11-18
Death Of Hon. David Tod.

last SooN up SACO4 49, 0 49,
munity, State and Nation.
MI. TOP commenced business life il
Warren, and for a long time was {
beloved and honofed citizen of thi;
place. He has not been a resident o.
Warren for a number of years past
but his long Identification with thi:
town andits people, made them claim
him as their own. The resolutions Of
the meeting of citizens of Warren
held Saturday evening last, which w
publish elsewhere briefly, but fitting
ly and appropriately expressive sens
of the people asso his character, and
their feeling of loss at his decease.
DAVID TOP was born in Yeungs'
town in 1906. He was a son of Judge
GEORGE TOP, of the Supreme Court
of Ohio. His mother was a sister Of
Governor IHgerson, of Connecticut
He studied law with Russell STONE
ESQ.,, of this place, and was admitted
to the bar in August, 1927. For g
time he was in partnership with
Judge BIRcHARD, and afterwards
with Judge HOFFMAN and Honorable
JOHN HUTCHINs, and while at the
bar he took a leading position, espec-
tally as a jury lawyer, his frank
manner, known integrity, and thor
ough knowledge of human nature Civ
ing him unusual weight with ajury.
At this time, and until 1861, he was
an active and prominent member OF
the Democratic party. He represented
the Trumbun District in the STATE
Senate for two years preceding 1874
and in the canvass of that year ran a:
Democratic candidate for Governor.
being defeated by Mordacai BARLEY.
the wing candidate, by a small major
ity. He ran again, in 1916, against
VIM. Bebb, the Wing candidate, who
was chosen by small majority.
Upon the accession of Jas. K. Polk
to the Presidency, Mr.. TOD was ap-
pointed Minister to Brazil, where his
eminent qualities as a diplOmatist en-
abled him to do his country signal
service in the settlement of many
complicated questions. He filled this
important mission for four years, and
upon his return to Warren was vel
coined by a public demonstration OF
the citizens, without regard to party,
the address of welcome being delivered
nv the late lamented JACOB PERKINS,
ESQ. with whom soon after Mr.. ToI
became prominently associated in the
protection and building of the Cleve-
land and Mahoning Railroad. This
great enterprise, and the consequent
DEVELOPMENT of the mineral resources
of the Mahoning Valley, especially in
fine neighborhood of Briar Hill and
youngstown, occupied his time, at
tention, capital and energies to suon
an extent that he was not again prom
inently in public life until 1861. When
the nation was in peril DAVID TOD
knew no divided aIlegiance. He
was for his country first, last, and all
the time. The ringing tones OF hls
voice awakened patriotic echoes
throughout all Northern Ohio, ano
thousands sprang to arms. To him
more than to any other II man was
the Government indebted for the
nromptness with which Ohio respond
ed to, nay, anticipated the calls of the
President for troops.
With one united voice the great
Union Republican party of Ohio, in
the fall of 1861, called upon DAVID
TOP to take the helm of State. He
was elected by an overwhelming ma
iority. and.we say much when we say.
that Ohio never had a better Governor
Throughout the entire struggle he was
n of the staunchest supporters ofthe
Government, and while his hours sci
apart for public duty were constantly
occupied, he found leisure for large
and welI-considered private charities,
especially to the soldier, the widow
and the fatherless.
AS Citizen, Lawyer, Legislator
ambassador, Governor, Business Man,
Ex-Gov. TOD exhibited great and
varied ability, and dl'0dys strict an
,eoritv. His most uncommon com.
mon sense enabled him to succeed
where others, with more learning,
failed. He was loved and hOnOred fol
his honesty, frankness and pre-em
inent executive ability, but the traits
of character which endeared him more
than all these rare qualities to the so
eiaI. business and political circles inl
which he moved, were his kind,
cordial and genial disposition, and ms
roval munificence. He never met al
friend or an acquaintance without Al
word of cheer and a friendly greeting
His benignant countenance seemed
like perpetual sunshine to those
around him. 1t was constantly lit upl
with a genial flow of spirits, which,
perennially welled from his great
heart.
To his ~far-seeing judgment and
methodical enterprise is the Mahon-I
ing valley largely indebted for its
prosperity, and the development OF
its hidden treasure. There is not ami
owner of a coal bank, a furnace or al
rolling mill in the Shenango and Ma
honing valleys, who has not BEEN
profited by his experience and judy
ment.
n.vtD TOP was an unselfish man.
How many young men can bear tesn-l
monv to his kindness and generosity 4
How many poor people have been en-
Outraged by his kind words and aided
Inv the kinder charities of his hand? Y
How many men who have been con-
uected with him in business are I'M
debted TO his disinterested advice and
nerou aid for their success? The
dav after his death, the writer of these
- met. on the railroad track just
helow Briar Hill, a poor Irish woman
with a heavy burden upon her shout
ders. who said. "HOw many times
Gov, TOP has passed over this road.
lam sorry he is dead, he was 50 good"
rhis simple expression Is a more elo-I