PDF (20 MB) - Virtual Library of the Public Library of Cincinnati

HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 441
fully investigate the questions submitted to him for decision, into which
investigation he probably goes deeper and more thoroughly than is necessary
in most cases. In at least one of his decisions, which has been published,
he established a guide for the probate judges of the state, which
should stand as a monument long after he has ceased to hold office and
has passed from earth'.
Wendell Burnett Starbird Avas born at Ithaca, NeAV York, June 11,
1857. He came to Ohio in 1862 Avith his parents, who settled on a farm
in Huron County, until 1866 Avhen the family removed to Milan Township
and engaged in raising small fruit on a little farm about a mile
east of the village. As the boy greAV older he Avorked on the farm summers
and went to school Avinters, including a few terms at the old Milan
Normal School. In the Avinter of 1877 he began teaching school and
studying huv. He Avas admitted to the bar October 2, 1882, and opened
an office in Milan. In connection with his laAV practice, and beginning
in the fall of 1844, he Avas local editor of the Milan Advertiser for about
five years. In 1891 he removed to Sandusky and entered into partnership
Avith Judge Grayson Mills, since deceased. After the dissolution
of this partnership he Avas for a brief time a member of the firm of Wickham,
Guerin & Starbird, and Avith that exception has practiced law alone.
Mr. Starbird is a Avell-informed laAvyer and has devoted a large part of
his time to the defense of criminal cases.
George C. Steinemann Avas born in Auglaize County, but has been a
resident of Erie County for more than ten years. Originally in the
office of King & Ramsey, he later formed a partnership with Roy H.
Williams, the present Common Pleas judge, and a little later became city
solicitor of Sandusky, which office he held for tAvo years Avith credit to
himself. As successor of the firm of Williams & Steinemann he has
retained the business of the firm.
EdAvard S. Stephens is another Erie County boy AVIIO has attained
professional success by his OAVH unaided efforts. He is the product of old
Scotch-Irish stock and has received from it the high ideals of professional
honesty that have ahvays been credited to that nationality. He made a
creditable record as referee in bankruptcy of Erie County preceding
Claude DeWitt; then served tAvo terms as prosecuting attorney also with
credit. He has never allowed his notion of duty to be influenced by
t political pull of any kind.
H. R. Williams has practiced law in Vermillion for about twenty
years. During that time he has served several terms as mayor of that
thriving little village. He has brought up and educated a family on
his professional earnings, Avhich is a financial feat hard to perform in
A small tovA-n, and strong proof of the confidence that the community
has in him.
Roy H. Williams, the present Common Pleas judge, is still a young
man AVIIO Avas born at Milan and received a part of his education at that
place and later received his legal education at Ann Arbor. While the
author has no desire to take back one single word of the position taken
by him in the campaign which resulted in Mr. Williams' election, he