My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Brown County, Ohio published by W. H. Beers & Co. in 1883.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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DAVID TARBELL, Georgetown, attorney at law and ex-Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Brown County, was born at Ripley, Ohio, December 3, 1836. His father, William T. Tarbell, was a native of Massachusetts, and, after gaining a good academic education, sought a seafaring life. He was of a lively and adventurous disposition, and subsequently became commander of a vessel in the East India service. His vessel was an armed merchantman, and during this time he visited many countries in Southern Europe and Asia. On one occasion, he narrowly escaped a sea battle with a pirate vessel, then prowling on the Southern Asiatic coast. He left the sea and came West, becoming a trader with the Indians. He then secured a position as pilot on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. He subsequently located at Ripley, in this county, where he was a leading Freemason and Whig for some years. He was once a man of considerable wealth. He died in 1852. He was married, in Adams County, Ohio, to Martha Stevenson, a native of that county, and of Irish parentage. Her grandparents were John and Margaret (Grimes) Stevenson. Both became residents of America, but the former never took the oath of allegiance to this country. Mrs. Tarbell’s father was a surgeon in the British Army, but, being an Irishman, took part in the Rebellion of ‘98, and was forced to flee the country. With a companion, he took a ship at Londonderry for America. He came to Adams County, Ohio, and soon after his wife and children were brought over by two brothers — John and Charles. Mrs. Tarbell died at Ripley in June, 1864. She was the mother of five children — our subject the only survivor. The oldest, Sylvander, was a young man of promise, and died in Kansas. Katherine L. died at Ripley. Julia married Rev. John Banker, of the M. E. Church; she died at Greenville, Tenn., and is buried at Knoxville, in the same State. Another daughter died when an infant. David Tarbell was reared at Ripley, attending the public schools of that village, and subsequently the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware. He read law with Maj. Chambers Baird, of Ripley; was admitted to practice in the courts of Ohio October 4, 1858, and on February 2, 1869, to the Federal Courts. On April 1, 1858, he was commissioned by Gov. Salmon P. Chase as Justice of the Peace of Union Township, holding that position one year. He then resigned, and was appointed by the Judge of Common Pleas as Assistant Prosecuting Attorney. This was in 1861. In 1864, he was the Democratic nominee for Probate Judge of Brown County, receiving the highest majority of any candidate on the ticket, in a year when the Democratic ticket came very near being defeated. This election was to fill an unexpired term, and, in 1866, he was re-elected, serving a full term of three years. In 1868, he was selected to represent this district in the Democratic National Convention, which met in Tammany Hall, New York City. Previous to this, Judge Tarbell had the honor of presenting the name of George H. Pendleton to the State Democratic Convention at Columbus as a candidate for the Presidency, and they were so instructed to vote at the National Convention. Judge Tarbell next became a member of the law firm of Devore, Tarbell & Thompson, continuing this relationship till May, 1871. The Ohio Legislature had then passed a special act, authorizing a special Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Brown County. Judge Tarbell was a candidate for said position, and defeated is opponent by a vote of 1,700 majority. He served a full term of five years, and was again re-elected (by as large a majority as first received) in 1876. At the expiration of his second term, in February, 1882, he was banqueted by the combined bars of Adams and Brown Counties. Judge Tarbell has always been an active Democrat, and taken great interest in county, State and national affairs. He is a member of Cincinnati Commandery, No. 3, Knights Templar; of Masonic Lodge and Chapter and Council, and Confidence Lodge, 307, I. O. O. F., of Georgetown; Lafayette Encampment, I. O. O. F., of Ripley. He was married, June 1, 1861, to Nancy, daughter of James H. Salee, of Lewis Township, Brown Co., Ohio. Of the five children sent to bless this union, four are living — David S. (a printer by trade), James W., Julia (a musical prodigy of nine summers) and Charlie. Robert is deceased. Judge Tarbell and wife are consistent members of the M. B. Church.

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This family biography is one of 992 biographies included in The History of Brown County, Ohio published in 1883 by W. H. Beers & Co.  For the complete description, click here: Brown County, Ohio History and Genealogy

View additional Brown County, Ohio family biographies here: Brown County, Ohio Biographies

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