J. R. Clymer
J. R. CLYMER, attorney at law. Bucyrus; was born in Franklin Co., Ohio, Jan. 23, 1834, of English, Irish and German parentage. The paternal ancestors of Mr. Clymer were among the early settlers of Pennsylvania. He is lineally descended from the Hon. George Clymer, of that State, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and inventor of the "Colombian" printing press, which was the first constructed of iron. His father is a clergyman, held in high esteem, and his mother an accomplished woman. In the year 1837. the family moved to Westfield, Morrow Co.. Ohio, where our subject received the rudimentary elements of his education in a log schoolhouse. In 1849, he entered the Otterbein University where he laid the foundation of his after usefulness. He removed to Galion, Ohio, in 1851, and became the chosen teacher of the high school and acting Superintendent of the Union schools of that place for several years. He was appointed Deputy Clerk of Court, under A. P. Widman, June 18, 1859. Mr. Widman died Nov. 30, 1860, and our subject was appointed to fill the unexpired term. In 1861, he was elected Clerk of the Courts of Crawford Co., for a fall term of three years, and reelected in 1864. After an official career of six years, during which time he won the approval of political friends and opponents alike, he retired from public office and purchased the Crawford County Forum, becoming editor and proprietor April 15, 1868; he held that position until April, 1877. By his talents and industry, he made the Forum a welcome visitor in every household and has done much to elevate the moral and literary tone of journalism in this county. As an editor Mr. Clymer was distinguished for his clear comprehension of questions and events. He is both logical and forcible in expressing his ideas, and their influence is often recognized in party platforms. The productions of his pen, in both prose and poetry evince great terseness and practicability. His journalistic paragraphs are frequently copied into leading newspapers of the country. He is also spoken of as an able literary critic, and the selections which appeared in the Forum under his direction indicate the excellence of his judgment and taste. In appreciation of these qualities, in 1874, he was appointed to edit all the Democratic papers (over a hundred in number) published by the Aikens Newspaper Companies of Cincinnati and Milwaukee. Mr. Clymer has occupied several positions of importance, an unsought by him. In this connection may he mentioned that he was a delegate from the Ninth Congressional District of Ohio, at the Conservative National Convention, which met at Philadelphia in 1866, and was also a Centennial Commissioner for the Fourteenth District, appointed ly Gov. William Allen of Ohio. During his occupancy of the Clerk's office, Mr. Clymer began the study of law under the direction of Judge Plants, and on retiring from the editorial chair of the Forum, he entered the field of legal research, and was admitted to the bar at Tiffin, April 9, 1878, and entered upon the practice of his profession in Bucyrus. As an advocate and counselor he has had signal success, rising at once into prominence by his versatile talents and impressive oratory. He is an earnest and faithful Christian gentlemen, being a communicant of the fresh; Presbyterian Church and a zealous worker in the Sabbath school. He was married to Miss Mary M. Shaw of Westfield Township, Morrow Co., Ohio, in August 1856. Of this marriage three children were born, but one of whom is living, Rusella C. Clymer a successful teacher in the Bucyrus Union Schools. His wife; Mary M., departed this life May 4, 1866. He was re-married, to Miss Kate E. Franz. in September, 1867. She is the oldest daughter of the late Col. John Franz of Bucyrus. The fruit of this happy union is three children: Franklin M., Blanche S. and Thomas W.
From History of Crawford County and Ohio, Baskin & Battey, Historical Publishers, Chicago, 1881