Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-12-19

Special to the Register.
MORGANTOWN W. Va, December is.
Judge John a. Ollie one of the oldest
members Of the West Virginia bar, as he
was one Of the most prominent and
wealthy citizens of Monongalia county.
dropped dead at his residence here this
evening of heart disease. The judge had
been in his usual health. and during the
evening was sitting in room talking to
his niece. o. daughter OF Judge Hagans.
She left him and went to another part OF
the house and the judge arose TO enter
another room. when he sank TO the floor
and expired almost Immediately.
Judge Ollie was native of Washing
ton county. Pa. whore be was born July
49, 1921 His boyhood tuition was on the
farm and IN the ordinary country school
of that period: his academic education was
at Greene Academy. and his classic educa-
ton was at Washington College. which
he entered I'm 1899. and where he took high
rank as am essayist In 1913 he removed
to Kingwood Preston county, where he
studied law with Congressman William
c. Brown. ard founded a high school.
which later developed into Preston Acad-
envy. In 1874 he was. admitted to the bar,
and the following year formed a law part
nership with his legal instructor. In 1913
he married the eldest daughter Of Elisha
NJ. Hagans I'm that year the partnership
of Brown & Ollie was dissolved and Mr..
Ollie formed a partnership with Marcellus
t. Hagans. who removed 10 Cincinnati in
1850. where he distinguished himself at the
bar and as judge OF the Superior Court.
His first wife dying in 1858. Mr.. Ollie mar
ried the eldest daughter of Thomas Brown,
of Kingwood. by whom he had two chill
dren. Clarence T.. d member of the Mo-
nongalia county bar. and May, now the
wife of Prof. Emory, formerly of the State
University. His wife and children sur
vive him.
judge Ollie was prominent in politics
from his first residence I'm West Virginia.
In 1850 he was q Douglas Democrat, IA
voring the preservation Of the Union and
the formation OF the new State and was
one of the Preston county delegates to
the Wheeling Convention of November,
1861. In this body he was a member of the
Committee on County Organization. He
was also member OF the Judiciary Com
mittee Later he warmly urged the adop-
tiOu OF the CONSTITUTION lhdS loi uulet'd'
both within the limits Of the proposed
State and at Washington. In 1861 he was
chosen circuit judge for the circuit COM
posed of Monongalia, Preston Tucker and
Taylor counties and was reelected, serv-
ing until January /. 1913. In 1864 he re-
moved to AIoreantown TO secure better
educational advantages for his children,
and has since resided here. He was dis
tinguished for his deep interest In church
and educational matters. and was rul-
ing elder i'm tho Presbyterian church OF
this place He was fond of agricultural
pursuits. and maintained two large coun-
try estates. one i'm Monongalia and the
other I'm Preston county. His estate is es-
timated nj S3o0U0 His home i'm this
place was the most beautiful In the town.
and there the Judge resided surrounded
by every comfort.
His death will be deeply deplored. not
only I'm Monongalia county but over tho
entire northern portion OF the State. Tho
bar OF the county viii meet tomorrow
morning 10 adopt suitable resolutions Of
REGRET at his death.