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]

IRA ROOT--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 upbuilding 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
Ephriam 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.  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.  Mr. and Mrs. Root
were the parents of four children: Oliver W., Albert T., James C. and
Susan R., the latter the widow of Frank S. Barker.  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.  He was born in
Newport on October 3, 1835, 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.  Mr. 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.  Mr. 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.

Root Birge Webster Perry Barker Southgate
=
Cincinnati-Hamilton-OH VA NH CT

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