REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

MARION COUNTY, OHIO

1907 HISTORY

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JACOB SCOTT NEFF, proprietor of a fine farm of 240 acres, is one of the leading agriculturists of Big Island township. He was born on his father's farm in Salt Rock township,

Marion County, Ohio, January 31, 1860, and is the youngest child of Jacob and Isabelle (Delzell) Neff, who were the parents of nine children. Jacob R. Neff, the father of our subject, was born in 1818, and died August 28, 1893, at the age of 75 years, in Salt Rock township, where he had been for many years a prominent farmer. Mrs. Neff was born in County Down, Ireland, April 8, 1815; she is still hale and hearty and resides near Morral with her daughter, Mrs. J. B. Campbell.

Jacob Scott Neff was reared on his father's farm in Salt Rock township, where he continued to live until 1900, when he located on his present farm of 240 acres in Big Island township, where he is engaged in farming, which has always been the principal occupation of his life. Mr. Neff was married March 10, 1886, in Salt Rock township, to Ellen Martin, a daughter of the late Abraham Martin, who was for many years a well-known resident of this township. Mr. and Mrs. Neff have had eight children, as follows: Frank M.; Fred J.; Orley S.; Hugh E.; Clifford; Don; Claribel, who died at the age of 22 months, and John C., who died at the age of four months. While a resident of Salt Rock township, Mr. Neff served as township treasurer and at present is treasurer of Big Island township. The religious connection of the family is with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Socially, Mr. Neff is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the junior Order of United American Mechanics.

C. J. NICHOLS, D. D. S., at Marion, a leading member of the dental profession and a prominent citizen, has served as mayor of this city and has been identified with its interests ever since 1882. He was born in Erie County, New York, in 1850.

Dr. Nichols was reared in his native county but completed his education at Griffith Institute, Springville, New York. He engaged in farming for a short time before he began the study of dentistry with Park & Waite, of Springville, with whom he remained for three years. In 1874 he settled at LaRue, Marion County, Ohio, two years later he removed to Richwood, and after a practice of six years at that point came to Marion where he has remained ever since. He enjoys the honorable distinction of not only being the most successful dentist of this section but is the oldest in both years and term of service.

In 1871 Dr. Nichols was married to Addie A. Campbell, and they have two children, viz: Birdie, who is the wife of E. L. Hemmersly, a business man residing at Columbus; and Harry J., who is a prominent attorney at Marion.

Politically, Dr. Nichols is a Republican and has been an active member of his party for a number of years. During his administration of the office of mayor, the city's affairs were regulated along economical, safe and conservative lines.

Fraternally, Dr. Nichols is a member of the Independent Order of Foresters, the junior Order of United American Mechanics and the Knights of Pythias, at Richwood. He is an attendant of the Free Baptist Church.

HARRY J. NICHOLS, attomey-at-law, at Marion, of which city he has been a resident for the past 25 years, was horn September 20, 1875, at LaRue, Marion County, Ohio, and is a son of Dr. C. J. Nichols, now one of the leading dentists of Marion.

When six years of age, the parents of Mr. Nichols came to Marion and in this city he was reared and educated. In 1897 he was graduated from the Cincinnati Law School and immediately entered upon the practice of his profession at Marion. He has always taken a more or less active interest in politics and public affairs and has been prominently identified with the Republican party. In 1905 he was that party's candidate for probate judge and made a fine canvass. For four years he was a member of the County Board of Supervisors of Elections. In addition to a satisfactory law practice, Mr. Nichols is largely interested in real estate in this city and is numbered with its substantial men.

In October, 1901, Mr. Nichols was married to Princess N. Everett, who is a daughter of the late M. F. Everett. Mr. and Mrs. Nichols are members of the Free Baptist Church. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias.

HON. C. H. NORRIS, judge of the Circuit Court, and also vice-president of The Norris & Christian Lime & Stone Company, of Marion, where he is a prominent and representative citizen was born in Waldo township, Marion County, Ohio, September 29, 1849, and is a Daniel and Rosanna ( French) Norris.

He was four years of age when his parents removed from Marion to Morrow County, Ohio, where they resided some 13 years. During this period, which included his school days, Mr. Norris attained the age of 17 years, when he graduated from the Cardington High School. In 1866 the family returned to Marion, and in the following year the future judge entered upon the study of the law, at the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor. Following his graduation in June, 1869, he was admitted to the bar, at Dayton, Ohio. In the succeeding July, Mr. Norris was made prosecuting attorney of Marion County, and this very responsible office he filled for eight consecutive years.

In the meantime, almost necessarily, he had become deeply interested in politics and early became accounted one of the influential Democratic leaders in this section. In 1880 he was selected by his party as its congressional candidate, making a spirited contest. In 1885 her was elected judge of the Court of Common Pleas, in which position he served through two terms, and in 1896 he was elected judge of the Circuit Court. His record on the bench has shown sound judgment and the a well-balanced, judicial mind.

For a number of years, Judge Norris has also been interested in business projects at Marion, and is vice-president of The Norris & Christian Lime & Stone Company.

Judge Norris was united in marriage with Jessie Harshberger. Their handsome residence is situated on the corner of State and Church streets, Marion.

Judge Norris is prominently identified with the Masonic fraternity and is also connected with various professional and social bodies.