Ira Root

Ira Root

1806-1868
 

History of Kentucky and Kentuckians, E. Polk Johnson, three volumes,
Lewis Publishing Co., New York & Chicago, 1912. Common version, Vol. III,
pp. 1223-24.   (Campbell County)



For many years Ira Root was one of the prominent citizens of Newport, Kentucky, where he held some of the most important elective offices, and in his death the city lost one who had devoted his best efforts to the up building of public interests and had achieved an enviable distinction in the different departments of life.  He became entwined with many ties of warm affection and an abundant progeny of generous and kindly deeds dispersed among his fellow-men and growing to a fruitful maturity, a lasting honor to their author and a grateful boon to humanity.

     Ira Root was born in Piermont, New Hampshire, May 4, 1806, the son of Ephraim and Vashi (Birge) Root, the former a native of Piermont, New Hampshire, and the latter from Hebron, Connecticut.  When he was eighteen years of age he went to Cincinnati, where his uncle, the Rev. David Root, a prominent Presbyterian clergyman, lived, completed his education at Miami University, and afterward was for a time Greek and Latin professor at Augusta College. 

He then came to Newport and began the study of law with Richard Southgate, a prominent lawyer and pioneer.  After being admitted to the bar he practiced law with F. M. Webster for many years under the firm name of Root & Webster, this being the leading firm in those days, and in which he continued until his death in Newport on the 12th of February, 1868.  He was buried in the Newport Cemetery which later became Evergreen Cemetery

In his early days he was a staunch Democrat, very active in politics and held a number of positions of public trust, but the contest between the states changed his views and, believing in abolition, he became an ardent Union man during the war and upon the organization of the Republican party from that time forth pinned his faith to that party.

     Mr. Root was distinguished as a lawyer and orator.  He had a clear conception of the force and import of language and discerned all the fine shades of meaning.  He was exact in statement and construction, apt in the citation of authorities supporting his theory of a case. Possessing the qualities desired in a public official, he was not permitted to pursue his public life without interruption.  He was a number of times elected to the state legislature and as a member distinguished himself in laying the foundation for the state public school system. 

Mr. Root took a great interest in education and in every way used his influence to promote every measure that would further educate the masses and bring all educational advantages within the reach of all classes.  He was president of the school board of Newport for many years and was at the head of everything educational.  He was a member of the Constitutional convention in 1849. His religious training was with the Methodist Episcopal church, and he was one of the organizers of Grace Methodist Episcopal church in Newport and was a prominent and devoted worker and member until death, participating in the activities of the church and in the organized charities of the city.

He made a point of the amenities of life and never forgot the little proprieties that indicate the well-bred gentleman.  His manner was often forcible but always courteous.  He lived in the community long enough to become identified with its welfare and prove the value of his citizenship by advocating and supporting every measure for the improvement of conditions and the good of society.

     Mr. Root was married on December 25, 1834, to Sarah Ann Perry, a native of Newport, where she passed her entire life, dying at the age of ninety years and six months, with all her faculties intact to the last. Her father, Colonel David Perry, was a native of Virginia and when a young man came to Kentucky, locating at Newport among the pioneers, and he died in Newport a few years later, aged thirty-eight years. 

Children of Ira Root and Sarah Ann Perry

1. Oliver Wyatt Root b-3 Oct 1835 in Newport; died 3 Aug 1904
2. Albert Tell Root-born 1840 in Newport
3. James A Root b-1843 in Newport; d-25 Dec 1845
3. James C Root-born 1846 in Newport; died 19 Dec 1871
4. Susan Root-born 1851 in Newport; m Frank S Barker d-8 Oct 1949 buried Evergreen

Of the above children all are deceased except the latter, Mrs. Barker.  The sons were all lawyers of promise and ability, particularly the eldest one, Oliver W, who was one of the most convincing pleaders in the west. 

Oliver Root graduated from Miami University in 1858 and taught elocution and languages in that institution for two years, being considered one of the finest elocutionists and orators in the west.  He was twice a candidate for congress on the Republican ticket and delegate to five national Republican conventions.

 Oliver W. Root seconded the nomination of General Grant in 1868.  After the death of his father he continued the latter's business, associated with his brother, Albert T. Root, which continued successfully for eighteen years.  Few of his competitors at the bar possessed the same degree of mental strength and culture and few were so indefatigable in their work.  He was a leader in thought as well as in action.  His carefully matured opinions were expressed in language clear and concise, his argument enforced with all the power of a skilled logician, and his diction pure, beautiful and elegant. He served also as county attorney several times. 

Oliver W. Root never married, and he died on the 3rd day of August, 1904.  He accumulated a large fortune and in his will left many bequests to charitable institutions, churches and needy people.  He was buried in the family plot in Evergreen Cemetery.

For more information about Ira Root and his family, see Jim Reis' article about

Ira and Sarah Root and their Family of Independent Spirits

*******************************************************

Cincinnati Daily Enquirer, 16 October 1860, page 2

NEWPORT NEWS

It had been announced that a Douglas meeting would take place at Alexandria on the 15th (yesterday) when numerous speakers were to be in attendance. Upon the arrival of the speakers, and after the organization of the meeting, Major Ira Root, of Newport made a few remarks. He thought that since this organization of the Federal Government there has never been so important an era as the present, and as he knew there were some of the best orators in Ohio and Kentucky present, he only asked that they would listen to him for a few minutes.

He thought that everything depended upon the election in November next. He said such was the political complexion of affairs that were Henry Clay now living he would be in favor of Douglas, the same as the Hon J J Crittenden is now.  As for John C Breckinridge, continued the speaker, he got but one vote at Charleston, and having but one vote why should he be considered the choice of the people?

When Breckinridge was elected in 1856, he was well as James Buchanan, endorsed the Cincinnati Platform, advocated by Douglas and repudiated by Breckinridge now.  Has Douglas withdrawn from it? said the speaker. "No!" The Breckinridge party, under the circumstances, can not nor should it prevail and another at another. He was not wiling to see this giant fabric-The United States, crushed to atoms just to please a little junta like that which Breckinridge had gathered around him

He hope that Breckinridge unlike Satan of old, would not have the influence to draw into hell one third of the Democratic part; on the contrary, where principle is concerned we should so act as to preserver the Union.

**************************************************

Cincinnati Daily Enquirer, 3 March 1861, page 2

NEWPORT NEWS

THE ELECTION TOMORROW-There is to be an election for municipal officers tomorrow in our city and there have been several tickets nominated among which are the Workingmen's and the Republican's but the regular ticket that will be voted for is the People's ticket, which is as follows: President of Council-R B McCracken; President of School Board-Ira Root; City Treasurer-O M DeCourcey; City Clerk-Chas Southgate; City Civil Engineer-James Lindsay; Wharfmaster-Captain James Brogan.

****************************************************

Cincinnati Daily Enquirer, 26 April 1861, page 3

NEWPORT NEWS

RAISING A UNION FLAY-The employees of Swift's rolling mills had a grand time yesterday on raising their flay.  Speeches were made by Major Ira Root and others, which were received with much enthusiasm by the crowd and loudly applauded.  A national salute of thirty four guns was fired.

**************************************************

Cincinnati Daily Enquirer, 9 July 1862, page 3

NEWPORT NEWS

THE COURT CONVENTION-This body met at Alexandria on Monday, pursuant to previous notice, and proceeded to organize by appointing Major Ira Root President, and Charles Buchanan Secretary.  Major Root upon taking the chair, announced the offices for which nominations were to be made, after which he delivered a stirring Union address to those present.

***************************************************

Cincinnati Daily Enquirer, 8 July 1863, page 3

NEWPORT NEWS

COUNTY CONVENTION-At a County Convention held in Alexandria Ky. Monday, July 3, 1863, for the purpose of nomination candidates for the Legislature, on motion, Colonel Ira Root was chosen Chairman and Thomas Jones was elected Secretary.

**********************************************

Cincinnati Daily Enquirer, 19 April 1865, page 2

NEWPORT NEWS

THE MEETING THIS AFTERNOON-The following distinguished gentlemen will address the meeting which will be held in the Court house Square, this afternoon at 2 o'clock to pay respect to the memory of our late President: Hon Henry Stanbery, Judge Wm Dickson, Hon Geo P Webster, Colonel John P Jackson, Hon Ira Root, O W Root and MV Daly, Esq. T Buchanan Reade will recite a patriotic poem on the occasion.  The ladies are respectfully invited to attend.



Return to Families R Index