Legal Eagle & His Girl

courtesy of Timeless - Find A Grave

Henrietta Thorn Haight was the daughter of Myron T Haight & Mary Esther Johnson. Born in Poughkeepsie, NY, she married a boy from Kentucky named Reuben R Freeman, the son of Woodville Freeman & Sabina Koontz. They had 7 children - Thomas, Robert, Adah, Phoebe, Bina, Carlyle & Forrest.

courtesy of Timeless - Find A Grave

Chillicothe Gazette, Thur, 20 Jun 1929

Reuben R Freeman, one of the prominent members of the Ross County Bar, died at his home on Carlisle Place, Sunday, June 2, 1929, at 3:30 am, after five months illness of bright's disease. He was born July 10,  1843, at Florence, Ky, and was the son of Woodville and Sabina Koontz Freeman, both of whom were originally from Rockingham County, Virginia. He attended the grade schools, and after finishing them, went for a short time to Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio. He was unable, however, to finish there, and later attended Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio. where he graduated in 1869. Mr Freeman had the experience common to many of the lawyers in his day and age, of teaching school to assist him in obtaining an education, and during that period of his life, he taught in Madison County and Ross County, Ohio. He began the study of law under Richard A Harrison, at the time Mr Harrison was located at London, Ohio, before he went to Columbus where he became such a distinguished member of the Franklin County Bar. Later, Mr Freeman studied law under Judge William H Safford, this city, and was admitted to practice in 1873. He practiced for a short time in London, but soon left there and came to Chillicothe, which place remained his home until his death. Mr Freeman for a time practiced by himself, but about 1882 he formed a partnership with William E Gilmore, with offices in the Allston building, which was located where the Central National Bank now stands. This partnership continued for about two years. He then formed a partnership with Archibald Mayo. His last partnership was with Mr Silas F Garrett. Mr Freeman retired in 1912 from the practice of law because of illness and from that time on devoted himself to this business affairs outside of his law practice. Mr Freeman was prosecuting attorney of this city, serving from 1882 to 1885, or was elected in 1882 and began his term in 1883. He was also City Solicitor from 1877 to 1881. He served as a member of the Board of Education of Chillicothe, and was Postmaster during the second Cleveland administration. During the time of his practice of law he took an active part in politics, and was a very influential member of the Democratic party. On the 7th day of October, 1873, he was married to Henrietta H Haight. This this union were born six children, Robert G of Toledo, Carlyle B of Cleveland, Forest W of Anderson, Indiana, Adah M and Bina H at home, and Mrs Hewitt Gehres of Mt Vernon, all of whom together with six grandchildren survive him.  The Funeral services were held at the residence of Tuesday morning, June 4, 1929, at 10:30 am. Mr Freeman's mind was unusually keen and active. He was a close student and omnivorous reader, whose mind retained all he read. When he argued a case, or gave a talk, his hearers were sure there would be presented to them in an unusually careful and logical manner all of the points of interest in the particular subject he was discussing. He was one who was listened to with close attention and great pleasure. Mr Freeman's style was more adapted to the Court than the jury, for his careful argument so logically drawn, appealed more to a legally trained mind than to that of the ordinary layman. During his year of practice, he handled cases covering a wide range of subjects, in a careful and able manner. The younger members of the Ross County Bar have missed an unusual treat, because of Mr Freeman's retirement, in not having the pleasure.