NOBLE COUNTY OHIO - BIO: Hon. L.W. Finley (1887)

***********************************************************************
OHGENWEB NOTICE:  All distribution rights to this electronic data are
reserved by the submitter.  Reproduction or re-presentation of copyrighted
material will require the permission of the copyright owner.  The submitter
has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently
for free access.  

http://www.usgwarchives.net/oh/
***********************************************************************
File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by
Submitter:  Tina Hursh
Email: ribbit@clubnet.isl.net
Date: 14 July 2002
***********************************************************************

From the The Ohio Biographies Project
http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~usbios/Ohio/mnpg.html
a part of The U.S. Biographies Project
http://members.tripod.com/~debmurray/usbios/usbiog.html

Transcribed by Deb Murray.

---------------


Hon. L.W. Finley, one of the prominent agriculturists and representative 
men of the county, was born near the village of Mt. Ephraim, Noble County,
Ohio, March 11, 1844. Like most other farmer boys of that day, his
opportunities for education were quite limited. He succeeded, however, in
obtaining a good English education, and at the age of eighteen commenced
life as a teacher. Soon after he enlisted as a private soldier in the
Eighty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered into the United
States service with the regiment, which for the greater portion of the time
was stationed at Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio. The last year of the war he
was detailed as clerk at the headquarters of the northern department,
commanded by Generals Hooker and Heintzlemein. He remained in the service
until the close of the war, when he resumed his former vocation. In 1867 he
began merchandising in Sarahsville, which he followed successfully for six
yeasr, when, in consequence of failing health, he sold out his stock and
engaged in farming in Center Township, where he remained until the purchase
of the farm on which he now resides, in Marion Township, to which he
removed in 1880. Mr. Finley has been quite prominently identified with
State and county politics. In 1876 he received the nomination for auditor
of the county on the Democratic ticket, but the county being largely
Republican, he as defeated by J.F. Knouff.

In 1883 he was again complimented by a nomination for representative, and
was elected by a handsome majority over one of the strongest men in the
Republican ranks. In the legislature Mr. Finley made an enviable record,
and in 1885 was renominated, but the question of the election of a United
States senator being prominent in the canvass, and the Republicans having
the majority of about three hundred, he was defeated by Hon. T.C. Williams
by a small majority. While a member of the legislature he framed several
important measures; notably among the number were two affecting railway
corporations, one an amendment of the law governing liens, the other a law
compelling railroads to use "spark arrestors" to prevent fires along their
lines. But perhaps the most valuable bill introduced by Mr. Finley was one
providing for the clothing of the indigent poor in the various elecmosynary
and penal institutions of the State, which passed both houses with but
little opposition. While comparatively a young man, but few gentlemen in
the county have a larger personal following, or wield a stronger influence
in matters of public import. He is possessed of marked social qualities,
which with an unexceptional record as a businessman and politician, gives
him a conspicuous place among the best citizens of the county.

In November of 1866 Mr. Finley was married to Miss Jane, daughter of Hon.
William J. Young, whose biography will be found in the chapter devoted to
Center Township. The union has been bless with six children, three boys and
three girls, all of whom are living but one.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by 
L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
Marion