Ohio History Journal

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Reviews, Notes and Comments 215

Reviews, Notes and Comments                  215

 

 

OTHNIEL LOOKER

For many years the biographies that have appeared

from time to time of Governor Othniel Looker have

been far from      satisfactory.     The text of the sketch

which has appeared in many publications is reproduced

in the note below.* As will be seen, it is incorrect in

almost every particular.        The editor recently learned

that Governor Looker died in the village of Palestine,

Illinois. A very obliging correspondent was found in

the person of Mrs. Manford E. Cox of Robinson, Illi-

nois.   Through her assistance data has been gathered

for a satisfactory biographical sketch.         An interesting

and helpful letter has also been received from Mrs.

Angeline Alexander, a great-granddaughter of Gov-

ernor Looker who lives in Palestine, Illinois. Among

the papers and letters furnished is a copy of the Pales-

tine Weekly Register of February 13, 1919, containing

a sketch compiled by A. D. Gogin. This sketch in the

main has been found correct. A mistake was made in

regard to the service of Governor Looker in the New

York Assembly. This has been corrected by informt-

tion furnished through the Legislative Reference Sec-

tion of the New York State Library. Following are

 

*"Othniel Looker was born in the State of New York, of humble

parentage, in 1757. He enlisted as a private in the Revolutionary Army;

serving through the war. In 1784, having received a grant of land in the

wilderness of the Northwest, he crossed the Alleghenies, and locating his

grant, built his cabin, and commenced ris life labor as a hard working

farmer. He devoted himself strictly to the business of a farmer, and

on the organization of the state was elected a member of the Legislature.

Here he availed himself of the advantages such a school afforded, and

so rose in public esteem as to be sent to the Senate. He became Speaker

of that body, and when Governor Meigs resigned the Governorship in

1814, he became the fourth Governor of Ohio. He served but eight

months, returning to his farm, respected by all as a man of clear mind,

much intelligence and peaceful disposition. Strange to say, no records

are available to make a more satisfactory sketch. He died unmarried."