NOBLE COUNTY OHIO - BIO:  OKEY, William C.
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>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

WILLIAM C. OKEY, familiarly known as Judge Okey, is entitled to a place in
the first rank of the present lawyers of Noble County, not only by reason
of seniority, but also because his achievements have won for him that
position. Mr. Okey was born in Woodsfield, Monroe County, Ohio, August 24,
1828. His father, James Okey, was among the prominent citizens of that
county, holding the office of magistrate for twenty-one years, and
representing the county in the State legislature for two terms. The subject
of this notice spent his boyhood on a farm. After receiving a common school
and academic education, he engaged in teaching school during the winter
months, devoting his spare time to the study of the law. In 1849, he
entered the law office of Nathan Hollister, and two years later he was
admitted to the bar. In 1852 he opened an office in Sarahsville, then the
county seat of the newly-formed County of Noble, as a member of the firm of
Hollister, Okey & Hollister, where he soon rose to prominence in his
profession. In 1855 he was appointed clerk of courts and in the following
year was elcted to that office. He followed the county seat to Caldwell,
thus becoming one of the first settlers of the village in which he has
since resided. At the expiration of his term as clerk he resumed the
practice of law, continuing until 1862 when he entered the service of his
country in Company E, Ninety-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Resigning in
1863 by reason of disability, he again took up his practice which he has
followed assiduously ever since. In 1866 he formed a co-partnership with
Jabez Belford, one of the most prominent attorneys of Noble County, which
lasted until the decease of Mr. Belford in 1882. Mr. Okey has never been a
politician in the ordinary acceptation of the word, yet he has taken a deep
interest in all matters affecting the general welfare of the country. He is
a firm supporter of the Democratic party. In 1870 he was nominated for
judge of the court of common pleas in opposition to Hon. F.W. Wood, of
McConnelsville. The district was largely Republican, yet Mr. Okey was
defeated by only a small majority, running ahead of his ticket in most of
the district, and carrying his own county by 350 majoirty. He is the oldest
lawyer in Noble County and for many years has had an extensive practice. He
is diligent and industrious and conscientiously faithful to the interests
of his clients. As a lawyer he bears an unspotted reputation. He is a man
of decided views; a careful, cautious counselor, and a good judge of the
law. A gentleman who has known him intimately for twenty-eight years, says
of him: “He is a gentleman, a good lawyer and an honest, straightforward
and reputable citizen.” In him the younger attorneys of the county have a
faithful friend, always willing to aid the deserving in securing a start in
their profession. Mr. Okey married for his first wife Miss Julia Ring. His
present wife was Miss Ruth Caldwell, daughter of the venerable Joseph
Caldwell, elsewhere mentioned.

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


Transcribed by Deb Murray <debmurray@worldnet.att.net>