Samuel W. Courtright

As printed in 1906

SAMUEL W. COURTRIGHT, for five years judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the Fifth Judicial District of Ohio, and one of the leading members of the* Pickaway County Bar, at Circleville, was born in Walnut township, Pickaway County, Ohio, December 9, 1842, and is a son of Hon. Jesse D. and Sallie (Stout) Courtright.

Judge Courtright comes of Holland and Scotch ancestry and of a family which has been established in Ohio since 1801. Johannes Von Courtright, the great-great-grandfather, belonged to one of the old Knickerbocker families which came from Amsterdam and settled on Staten Island in the year 1623. Capt. Jesse Von Courtright, the great-grandfather, gained his title in the Revolutionary War. After its close he settled in Pennsylvania, at which time he became plain Captain Courtright. There his son, John Courtright, was born and later married Elizabeth Drake, a native of Scotland and a member of a family noted in that country’s history. In 1801 John Courtright and family crossed the mountains to Fairfield County, Ohio, and purchased a tract of farming land near Royalton, which he later increased until he owned 2,100 acres. He made many improvements here, one being the erection at great expense of the first brick house in the county. He served in the War of 1812, and both he and his wife lived to advanced years.

Hon. Jesse D. Courtright, father of Judge Courtright, was born in Bloom township, Fairfield County, Ohio, May 5, 1811, and was reared amid pioneer surroundings. In August, 1831, he married Sallie Stout, who was born in Washington township, Pickaway County. Ohio, and was a daughter of George Stout, an early settler and extensive farmer of this county. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Courtright settled on a farm of 160 acres in Walnut township, which Mr. Courtright, in the course of time, increased to 2,000 acres. He became one of the leading men of his time and locality, serving in all local offices in the gift of the Democratic party, for more than 30 years as a justice of the peace, and for one term was a member of the State Legislature; declining a reelection. In 1870 he removed from his farm to Circleville. where he died three years later. February 22, 1873. His death was followed by that of his most estimable wife, in July, 1881. They had nine children. For years they were consistent members and liberal supporters of the Presbyterian Church.

Judge Courtright, like many of his associates on the teach and bar, was reared a farmer boy. From the district school he went to South Salem Academy, and in 1861 he began the study of the law with the late David M. Jones, at Circleville. In 1863 he was graduated at the Cincinnati College of Law at the head of his class, was shortly afterward admitted to the bar, and entered upon the practice of his chosen profession at Circleville. Very soon his ability was recognized and by the following spring he was urged for the office of city solicitor to which he was easily elected and to which he was subsequently reelected in 1866. In October of the following year he was elected prosecuting attorney by the then largest majority ever given a candidate in the county, and was reelected in 1869. In April, 1875, he was elected a judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the Fifth Judicial District of Ohio and at that time was the youngest occupant of the teach in the State. His record during his five-year administration has ever since teen a valuable asset, displaying as it did the soundness of his judgment, his full understanding of the law and the ready comprehension of the great questions that a lawyer, almost more than any other professional man, must settle for good or evil, for right or wrong, in the different complexities of life. For many years his standing has been very high and his name is closely connected with the successful termination of many of the most important cases, which have come before the courts in this section of the State. In 1887 he was selected by the Supreme Court of Ohio, as a member of the commission to examine candidates for admission to the bar, and by annual reappointment served until 1892.

On December 14, 1865, Judge Courtright was married to Jennie R. Martin, daughter of Hon. Z. R. Martin, formerly mayor of Circleville and. one of its most prominent citizens. Judge and Mrs. Courtright have three talented daughters: Florence B., the wife of E. F. Dunn, of Columbus; Jennie B., now Mrs. Clark K. Hunsicker, of Woodlyn; and Marguerite B., a senior in the High School. The family residence, which is one noted for its hospitality as well as its attractiveness, is situated on the corner of Union and South Court streets. In addition to this property, Judge Courtright owns considerable improved farming land, both in Pickaway and Fairfield counties.

Politically Judge Courtright is a Democrat and is a very prominent factor in his party. In the State military he has filled high official positions, serving from January, 1884, until January, 1886, as colonel on the staff of Governor Hoadly and again, on the staff of Governor Campbell, from January, 1890, until January, 1892. His fine bearing and many presence made him a conspicuous and admired figure at all military manoeuvres during both these administrations. Personally he possesses the pleasant suavity and the cordial manner which mark the gentleman and at the same time the concentration and the dignity which become his profession. Judge Courtright has always taken a lively interest in the public schools and for years was president of the Board of Education. He lias also served the people as a member of the City Council.

Judge Courtright is very prominent in fraternal life and has filled some of the highest positions in the State in the Masonic, Odd Fellows and Knights of Honor organizations. He served as grand master of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Master Masons of Ohio for three years, declining further service; was grand dictator of Ohio, and representative for three years to the Supreme Lodge, Knights of Honor; served for a quarter of a century as most excellent high priest of Circleville Chapville Chapter, No. 20, R. A. M.; is the possessor of elegant and valuable jewels, the gifts of grand bodies and of his brethren. Judge Courtright is and always has been a temperate man, for he has never drank a glass of any kind of intoxicants, never wagered a penny, or the value of one, never uttered an oath. He is a Presbyterian. His portrait accompanies this sketch, being presented on a preceding page.

As printed in History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens (1906). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.