The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1900-08-21
HON. ]. E. CHASE
DIED AT ASHLAND.
Former Stark County Man Who
Was Frequently HonOred.
WAS AN INFLUENTIAL CITIZEN.
Formerly Represented This County In the
Legislature and VIII be Remem-
bered by Older Resi-

uentBs
There died at Ashland, Ohio, recently,
a man who had Stark county origin,
and who was recognized as one of the
leading Democrats of his day. The
Ashland Press has the following with
regard to his death:
Hon. James Ezra Chase died Thurs
day, August 9, 1900, at his home two and
ene-half miles south of Polk, aged rs
years, 8 months and 81 days.
Mr.. Chase having been an influential
resident of Jackson township for many
years, and having always been identi-
hed with matters pertaining to the pub
lie welfare of the community and OF
the county, his passing Is entitled to
more than ordinary mention.
Mr.. Chase was of New England par
entage and was born at Brookfeld,
Stark county, Ohio, October 10, 1924
While still quite young his parents re-
turned to Vermont, their former home,
but when he was of the age OF nine
years they again made Ohio their home,
locating in Stark county. Here his
boyhood and early manhood days were
spent.
In February, 1861, he moved to the
farm south of Polk, which he continued
to occupy until his death.
In 1859 he married Jane Doty, from
which union were born eight children,
seven of whom are still living, viz:
Mrs. Mary Morr, Effingham county, ILL.,.
Mrs. Ella Wise, of Polk, Mrs. Samantha
Myers, of Ashland, James B., living on
the home farm, Orlin D., of Cleveland,
Sherwood NJ, of Columbus, and Nelson
H., of Ashland. Frank died in infancy.
In September, 1886, he had the misfor-
tune to lose by death, after long and
most distressing illness, his wife, and
from this event seems to those who
ehave had ample opportunity to note, to
date the breaking down Of his physical
condition, and with other added wor-
ries and trials of later years, evidently
to have shortened his days. In 1889 he
married Mrs. Matilda Hutchinson, who
died two years later.
In many respects Mr.. Chase was a re-
markable man. He spent his youth on
the farm in Ohio at hard work and Sc
cured only a limited education in tile
common schools. Yet he acquired
wonderful knowledge of history and
public events and a remarkable ac-
quaintance with almost all subjects,
owing to his very retentive memory, at
tentive mind and extensive reading.
He really belonged to that strong mind
ed hardy race of intellectual men who
builded this nation better than they
xnew-a class that is rapidly becoming
extinct. These men were hard, deep
thinkers, sensible, conservative. careful
cCa serious actors, and with minds
stored with knowledge beyond any that
we find today in the same or even the
higher walks of life. Mr.. Chase could
talk by the hour of the early history
and the great men and events of our
country, and from personal knowledge
tell many things that history did not re-
ate. To his knowledge he added the
highest integrity and strictest honor.
His father was Seth Chase, distant
relative of Bishop Philander Chase and
Salmon p. Chase. James f. Chase rose
to prominence politically in Stark coun-
Nv in the fifties very largely through
debates on the great political issues rel
alive to the slavery question. Some OF
these debates were widely published at
the time.
When only 32 years of age he was
elected a Democratic member OF the
Ohio legislature in Stark county In
1857. and two years later he was re-
elected. He served during the excit-
ing times previous to the breaking out
of the rebellion, and was particularly
prominent in the Legislature at the time
ohio decided to stand by the Union. In
fact. he was one of the committee that
accompanied Governor Dennison to the
train when he started to notify Presi-
dent Lincoln of Ohios decision.
Coming to Ashland county in 1861 he
naturally entered at once into the arena
of public life, and in 1869 was elected
a member of the Legislature from this
county, being reelected two years later.
He was not merely an ordinary member
of the legislature, but was leader, and
came within one vote of defeating Nell
son II. Voorhes as speaker. In jan
uary, 1872, he was the Democratic cau-
Gus nominee for speaker. 1t has been
said that he was one of the best parlia-
mentarians of his day in Ohio.
He was very loyal to the Democratic
party, being primarily and fundamen-
tally a Democrat in principle. He was
often consulted in party counsels and
In 1873 and also in 1874 was chosen
treasurer Of Jackson township. He was
chosen delegate to the state convention
almost regularly for 20 years.