George Lincoln
Though the subject of this sketch has been removed by death, an estimable widow, an honored son and a host of admiring friends will feel a solemn though gratifying pride in reading of the salient features of the life of one who was a distinguished citizen, a great lawyer and a fearless upright judge. The history of Madison county cannot be written without the name of Judge Geo. Lincoln.
He was born in Westford, Windham county, Connecticut in 1825, received his education in the district school, and in Monson, Mass., Academy. Three years were spent in teaching in Rhode Island, when he came west, taught in Indiana and Ohio, all the while studying law. He was admitted to the Bar in 1854, the oath being administered by Allen G. Thurman. He began practice in Marysville with Cornelius Hamilton as partner. But in 1860 removed to London. Within two years he had forged to the very front rank, enjoying a wide practice, and great popularity. He became prosecuting attorney, and in 1879 was elected Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in the third subdivision of the 5th Judicial district, comprising the counties of Franklin, Madison and Pickaway, being the first lawyer in Madison county ever so honored. He served until 1890, and made a record for fairness and fearlessness that stamped his character for all time as a thorough lawyer and an upright judge. Physically strong, mentally keen, and quick to detect falsehood, he was generally successful as an advocate and sure to be certain in his judicial opinions. Alert in cross examination, sure to detect the lie, his ability was unquestioned, and by his unswerving, conscientious rectitude he added dignity to the profession, and honor to the bench.
Judge Lincoln was a tireless worker for the new court house, and was the first judge to sit therein. Though active in the affairs of state, and giving much of his time to politics and public duty, he was thoroughly domestic, cherishing home and the sanctity of the fireside. He was a personal friend of Abraham Lincoln, and was on visiting terms with the great emancipator. Reaching the age of 80, full of honors, and enjoying universal homage and respect of those among whom he had spent half a century of most active usefulness, he bowed before the Grim Reaper.
His first wife was Harriet McMullen, of London, mother of John A. Lincoln, Esq. She died in 1867.
Later he married Miss Theodora Annette Phelps, who survives him. He died May 22, 1905. His remains repose in Oak Hill cemetery.
Citizens and lawyers alike find inspiration in the story of his life.
From Madison Democrat 50th Anniversary - Published by the Madison Democrat, 1908
The General Assembly of 1878-79, passed an act creating an extra Judgeship in the Third Subdivision of the Fifth Judicial District, by virtue of which George Lincoln, of London, was elected in October, 1879, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. He was born in Westford, Windham Co., Conn., June 24, 1825. His paternal grandfather, George Lincoln, was of Puritan stock, his ancestry being among the first settlers of Massachusetts. He married Delia Ingalls, and George, the father of our subject, was born of this union in 1799. He was reared in New England, was a tanner by trade, and married Laura, daughter of Joseph and Delia (Record) Ashley, of Connecticut. Five children were the fruits of this union, four of whom are living. The father died in 1872, but his widow resides in Connecticut, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. Judge Lincoln grew to manhood in his native State, working in his father's tanyard, and attending school three or four months per year until he attained the age of twenty-one, when he left home and began working on a farm. He followed this vocation for several months, teaching school the following winter, and the next summer attended Monson Academy, at Monson, Mass., and again engaged in teaching school the subsequent winter. In the spring of 1848, he commenced to read law in the office of the Hon. Jared D. Richmond, at Ashford, Conn., and the following spring went to Toland, Toland Co., Conn., and for two years pursued his law studies under Hon. Z. A. Storrs, of that place. He taught school during the winter of 1850-51, and in the spring of the latter year came to Rockport, Ind., where he engaged in teaching. Failing health induced him to go to Genesee, Wis., where he continued teaching during the winter of 1851—52, but not regaining his health he returned to Connecticut in June of the latter year, weighing less than 100 pounds and anticipating death from consumption.
After a few months visit, his health being somewhat improved, he again came West, stopping at the home of his uncle, Charles Lincoln, in Champaign County, Ohio. Throughout the winters of 1852-53 and 1853-54, he taught school at Woodstock, reviewing his law studies with John H. Young, of Urbana. In March, 1854, he was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court, the oath being administered by the Hon. Allen G. Thurman. Judge Lincoln immediately went to Marvsville, Union Co., Ohio, and began the practice of his profession, and in the fall of 1854 entered into a partnership with Hon. C. S. Hamilton, of Marysville, which existed until his removal to London, in October, 1860. In 1863-64, he was Prosecuting Attorney of Madison County, and soon won the reputation of being one of the leading lawyers at the bar. In October, 1879, he was elected Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, taking his seat in February, 1880. Judge Lincoln was married, June 15, 1859, to Harriet M. McMullen, a native of Madison County, who bore him one son, John A. Mrs. Lincoln died May 29, 1867, and September 7, 1871, he was married to Annette T. Phelps, of this county.
Politically, Judge Lincoln is a stanch Democrat, and although not a politician, always takes a warm interest in the success of his party. He is the only member of the Madison County bar, since the organization of the county to the present time, who has been honored by an elevation to the bench, where by his impartial and unswerving rectitude in his rulings, he has sustained the purity of the judiciary and the dignity of his profession.
From HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY - W. H. Beers [Chicago, 1883]