J. H. Secrest
J. H. Secrest, attorney-at-law at Lima, and junior partner of the law firm of Klinger & Secrest, was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, in 1871, and is a son of Noah E. and Eliza J. (Spriggs) Secrest.
Noah E. Secrest is a prominent agriculturist of Guernsey County. He married Eliza J. Spriggs, who was a daughter of Morris Spriggs, and a brother of Joseph W. Spriggs, a prominent attorney of Portland, Oregon, and of John P, Spriggs, who was the Democratic candidate for judge of the Supreme Court of Ohio from Woodsfield, in 1902, and was formerly judge of the Supreme Court of Ohio from Woodsfield, in 1902, and was formerly judge of the Court of Common Pleas. Another brother is Judge David S. Spriggs, of Caldwell, Ohio, one of the ablest attorneys in the State, long a judge on the common please bench and a popular candidate for Congress.
In will thus be seen that Mr. Secrest came naturally into the profession of the law, undoubtedly inheriting a tendency in this direction. He remained at home on his father's farm, attending the local schools, until he was 17 years of age, and then entered the Ohio Normal University at Ada, where he was graduated in the classical course, receiving the degree of M. A. in 1894. His law reading was commenced at the university and was continued in the office of Spriggs & Spriggs, at Paulding, Ohio, and later, with Risser & Smith, at Ottawa. He was admitted to the bar in 1903. The following year he located at Lima and entered into his present partnership. The firms are located in the Metropolitan Building, Ohio, and later, with Risser & Smith, at Ottawa. He was admitted to the bar in 1903. The following year he located at Lima and entered into his present partnership. The firms are located in the Metropolitan Building. In addition to a large practice Mr. Secrest devotes some time to other important business interests.
After completing a very liberal education, Mr. Secrest served for three years as county school examiner of Paulding County. He was superintendent of schools at Antwerp, Ohio for six years and for three years at Ottawa. In 1903 he was put forward by the Democratic party as the candidate for school commissioner of Ohio.
Fraternally, Mr. Secrest is a Mason, belonging to Blue Lodge, Chapter and Council at Ottawa. He is recognized as a young man of great ability and has already made a name in his chosen profession.