Charles A. Palmer
Charles A. Palmer, attorney-at-law, has been an active practitioner of Washington C. H. since the date of his admission to the Bar, April 15, 1860. During the more than thirty years that have come and gone, he has established an enviable reputation as an able lawyer and honorable man, while his profound and varied knowledge of jurisprudence entitles him to be ranked among the eminent men of Ohio.
In what is now Jasper Township, Fayette County, Mr. Palmer was born, January 28, 1839, the son of William and Margaret (Whiteside) Palmer, natives of Virginia, who settled in this county as early as 1805 or 1807. William Palmer was prominently connected with the early history of Southern Ohio, and during the War of 1812 raised a company, of which he was Captain, and which was called out and served thirteen days, but was not mustered into service. In 1840-41, he was the representative of Fayette County in the State Legislature, to which he was elected on the Democratic ticket by a majority of twelve votes, his opponent being Gen. B. Harrison, in a strong Whig county.
In addition to his service in the Legislature, William Palmer accomplished much for the advancement of Fayette County by introducing thorough-bred Short-horn cattle, and fine horses. He was a pioneer in raising fine stock, the value of which he proved so conclusively as to create a sentiment in their favor. His farming operations were so successful that he became the owner of one thousand acres, most of which he cleared and cultivated. He was especially interested in the Agricultural Society of the county, and officiated for a time as its President. Having served his fellowmen both in public and private capacities for a long period, he passed to his rest at the age of four-score, and his mortal remains were buried January 1, 1867.
The family of which our subject is a member consists of the following children: Emily W. Turrell, Evaline M. Hankins, Granville C, Mary J. Houston, Margaret M. Smith, William H., Rebecca A. Cox and Charles A. The mother of the family died in 1865. She was a member of the Universalist Church, which was likewise the faith of her husband. After gleaning a common-school education in Jasper Township, our subject was a student successively at Antioch and Marietta Colleges, and Miami University at Oxford, where his literary education was completed.
Having resolved to commence the study of law, Mr. Palmer entered the office of Judge Robert M. Briggs, of Washington C. H., and after remaining there for a time, continued his studies in the Cincinati Law School, graduating in 1860. He was admitted to practice in all courts of the State of Ohio, and shortly afterward in the Federal Courts. Upon commencing the practice of his profession, he was alone until Judge Briggs left the Bench, when a partnership was formed, which existed until the death of the latter in 1871, since which year Mr. Palmer has practiced alone. His practice is extensive and lucrative, and he is the acknowledged peer of the best attorneys of the city. His political belief brings him into affiliation with the Democrats, which is not the popular faith in this section of Ohio. His party has twice nominated him for Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, but, being in the minority, failed to elect him.
The lady who, October 15, 1861, became the wife of Mr. Palmer, bore the maiden name of Jean M. Briggs, and is a sister of Judge Briggs, of whom mention has already been made. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Palmer, as follows: Robert B., private stenographer to Gov. Campbell during his term of oflice, now Assistant Secretary to the Committee on Military Affairs in Congress, and also the owner and proprietor of the Ohio States Register; Margaret P., wife of H. B. Maynard, of Atlanta, Ga.; Paul, who is engaged in farming in Clinton County; Helen, who is a student in the college at Painesville; Luther S., William M., Alice and Harrison B., who are at home. The members of the family are attendants at the Episcopal Church, of which they are devoted members. In his social affiliations, Mr. Palmer is a member of Fayette Lodge No. 107, Fayette Chapter, F. & A. M. He owns a splendid farm in the western part of Fayette County, where he has a fine line of trotters.
Judge Robert Moore Briggs, brother-in-law of Mr. Palmer, was so closely identified with him during the latter part of his life, that brief mention of his career will be of interest to the reader. He was born in Richmond, Va., about 1835, the son of Dr. Robert and Helen (Buckner) Briggs, and was named Robert Moore, after his father and the celebrated English poet, from whom he was descended. His father, a very prominent physician of Richmond, died when he was young, and afterward he and his sister accompanied their mother to Ohio, to look after their landed interests.
Although he read medicine for a short time, Mr. Briggs showed such an aptitude for the law that he turned his attention to legal studies, and was graduated from the Cincinnati Law School. He commenced to practice at Chillicothe, but some time in the 50 's came to Fayette County, where he afterward resided. His aversion to slavery was so great that he and his mother and sister set free the slaves they had inherited from his father. Soon after locating in Washington C. H., he was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Fayette County, and later served two terms in the Legislature, where he was an active and prominent member. He was next elected to the Common Pleas Bench to supply an extra Judgeship that had been provided for by the Legislature. In that position he was noted for his executive ability and dispatch of business, and attained eminence throughout the State. After filling the position for five years, he resumed his practice and continued thus occupied until his death in October, 1871. After the close of the Civil War, he followed the course of Chase, Greely and other eminent Republicans, and joined the ranks of Democracy. His wife was Catherine, daughter of Charles Robinson, and a niece of Bishop Merrill, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and of the late Rev. Dr. Stuart Robinson, of Louisville, Ky.
From PORTRAIT & BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF FAYETTE, PICKAWAY AND MADISON COUNTIES, OHIO - Chapman Bros. [Chicago, 1892]