James Alpheus Estill
James Alpheus Estill (deceased) was born in Mifflin County, Penn., December 19, 1825, and in 1837, with his parents, came to Columbiana County, Ohio. His paternal ancestors were from Alsace, France, and his maternal ancestors from the Highlands of Scotland. His early advantages for obtaining an education were limited, but by close application and studious habits, he acquired a practical business career in the mercantile trade, which he continued for some time, when he took up the study of law, in 1854, was admitted to the bar, and in April, 1855, he began the practice of law in Alliance, Stark Co., Ohio, and soon after purchased the Alliance Times, which he continued to publish till November, 1856. In 1856 he became an associate editor of the Stark County Democrat, and in 1857 purchased the Crawford County Forum, which he owned until 1859, when he bought the Holmes County Farmer, and continued its proprietor until a short time prior to his death, and in the meantime was also the editor of the Wayne County Democrat. In 1863 Mr. Estill was elected Probate Judge of Holmes County, and was reelected in 1866. In 1864 he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention at Chicago, and was also a delegate in 1876, to the convention at St. Louis, that nominated Samuel J. Tilden. In 1877 he was elected a member of the Sixty-third General Assembly, and was re-elected in 1879. Mr. Estill was a successful business man; was always active in politics, taking an interest in the success of his party, and working untiringly to further its interests. He was positive in his convictions, but was always willing to be convinced of error, and was ready to accept the right when so convinced. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity. Mr. Estill was married in 1849, to Eliza, daughter of Peter and Mary (Ellis) Beebout, and one of the two children born to them is living, Lillie A., now Mrs. McDonald, of Akron, Ohio.
From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Wayne and Holmes, Ohio, J. H. Beers & Co., Chicago, 1889