Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1934-07-12

years, former edltOr OF tne morgan
County Democrat, and later state
superintendent of buildings and
loan, was fatally injured Sunday
evening in an automobile accident
near Etna, on the National road,
when front tire blew out, causing
the car to upset. His skull was
fractured, and he was taken to
White Cross hospital, Columbus,
where he died With Mr.. Tannehill
at the time of the accident were his
three daughters. They escaped
with bruises and decorations. Mr..
Tannehill and daughters were re-
turning home from this county,
where they had visited the de-
ceased's sister Mrs. M. L. Ralph,
near Neelyville, and his brother w.
E. Tannehill of Reinersville. They
had also made brief call in Nc
Connelsville, and visited relatives
at Duncan Falls and South Zanes-
Vile. Mr. Tannehill had been in
failing health, particularly in the
last two years.
We learn that the accident which
caused Mr.. Tannehill's death occur
red near 7 o'clock in the evening,
his death following in about an
hour, during which time he retained
consciousness, up until within few
minutes before he died.
The deceased was a son of the
late William and Sarah Elizabeth
Maxwell Tannehill, and was born
and reared on the farm in Manches-
ter township, now owned by Harry
Lowe. He attended country school,
and then went to Muskingum col
lege, at New Concord, following
which he taught school for num-
Der of years. In the summer OF
1892 he became joint editor of the
Morgan County De- Aorat, with his
brother James B. Tannehill, who
had been connected with the paper
for about six years The firm
name was Tannehill Bros This
partnership continued until Aug.
IA, 1909, when they sold out to
Messrs Raymond Durbin and James
e. Torbert. The Tannehills prosper
ed in the newspaper business, and
it was while in the business here
that the present building that
houses the Democrat was built. AS
a newspaper writer, j. w. Tame
hill had few equals. He had an
outstanding sense of humor which
he often used to telling effect in his
writings, and he was widely read
and ever abreast of the times, es-
pecialiy as related to politics in
Morgan county. While residing
here Mr.. Tannehill was keeHly in
terested in the Morgan County
Scientific and Historical society,
contributing a number of valuable
papers to that organization. He
was also much interested in the
Muskingum Valley Chautauqua,
and was a faithful attendant at the
Baptist church and Sunday school.
In the year 1912 he was elected
by the voters of Morgan county as
delegate to the fourth constitutional
state convention, position he held
with distinction. 1t was here he
formed an acquaintance with Vic
Donahey, also a member of the con-
convention, and when Mr..
Donahey was later elected state
he chose him as his chief
statistician, Mr. Tannehill serving
in that capacity eight years. In
this position he made the most of
the opportunity to study and search
the records of the state, and while
statistician he prepared booklet
which he termed "Ohio Interroga-
ton Points," the purpose of which
was to increase interest among
in the government of Ohio.
These booklets have been used in
colleges and high schools, as high
in the subjects treated.
When he retired from the auditors
office, Mr.. Tannehill did con-
siderable political writing, and for
a time was chief of the publicity de-
partment of the Democratic head
quarters.
When Mr. Donahey was elected
governor, Mr. Tannehill was named
by the governor as superintendent
Of building and loans, one of the
best positions at the disposal of the
governor In the discharge of this
office, he showed the same degree of
marked efficiency that had char
lcterized all the other positions
With which he had been affiliated.