Edward Deering Mansfield, Salem Twp from Beers History of Warren County, Ohio
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The History of Warren County, Ohio

Edward Deering Mansfield

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Transcription contributed by Martie Callihan 13 April 2005

Sources:

The History of Warren County Ohio
Part IV Township Histories
Salem Township by J. J. Mounts, M. D.
(Chicago, IL: W. H. Beers Co, 1882; reprint, Mt. Vernon, IN: Windmill Publications, 1992)

Related Links:
"Mansfield Was True Jack-Of-All-Trades" article by Dallas Bogan

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This distinguished editor, author and statistician long resided on the north side of the river near Morrow. His beautiful and picturesque home was called Yamoyden, a name derived from the title of a romantic poem by Robert C. Sands and

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James W. Eastburn, published in 1820, and now little read. It was at this place that Mr. Mansfield wrote his contributions to the Cincinnati Gazette over the initials, “E. D. M.," and to the New York Times over the signature, "Veteran Observer."

Edward Deering Mansfield was born at New Haven, Ct., in 1801. His father, Jared Mansfield, was a teacher and scientific man. In 1802-03, and again from 1814-28 he taught at West Point, and for nine years intermediately, beginning with 1803, was Surveyor-General of the United States in Ohio. He was appointed by Jefferson to supersede Gen. Rufus Putnam, of Marietta, on the ground that the latter did not understand the establishing of meridian lines. The removal of Gen. Putnam, who was a Federalist, was at first regarded by the people of Marietta, who largely shared the same views, as a partisan act, but they soon grew to like the Mansfields. Edward accompanied his parents on their long and toilsome journey over the mountains, and among his earliest recollections was probably the great Ohio River flood of 1805. He also remembered the Blennerhassets. In October, 1805, the family removed to Cincinnati, of which he writes in his memories: "One of the dirtiest little villages you ever saw. The chief houses at that time were on Front Street, from Broadway to Sycamore; they were two-story frame houses painted white." The Mansfields did not remain in the city, but occupied the house built by Col. Ludlow at Ludlow Station, and until lately, at least, still standing in the midst of Cumminsville. "It was then a large two-story dwelling with wings—the best looking, and, I think, the largest house then at Cincinnati." In 1809 Edward accompanied his father to the East, and at New York saw a steamboat for the first time. On their return the family removed to the Bates place, two miles nearer Cincinnati than their former residence. In 1811 Edward received two quarters' schooling in a log house, all that he had until 1813. At the close of one of these quarters, he came off victor in a spelling match, after which the master escorted the whole school to a neighboring tavern and treated the children to cherry bounce. In 1812 the Mansfields returned East, where the father served in a military capacity for two years, and then took up his residence at West Point. Edward was sent to the Episcopal Academy at Cheshire, Ct., and in 1815 was appointed a cadet at West Point. In 1819, when not quite eighteen, he graduated fourth in his class, and was commissioned in the engineer corps. He declined the appointment through his mother's influence, and entered Princeton College, from which he graduated in 1822. He studied law at the famous school kept by Judges Reeve and Gould, at Litchfield, Ct., and in 1825 came to Cincinnati to practice his profession. He soon rose to prominence, and he enjoyed the friendship of the best people in the city. His relationship to the Drakes was of much help to him. He continued in active practice until 1836, and during that and the following year filled the chair of Professor of Constitutional Law and History in the Cincinnati College. In August, 1838, he contributed to Judge Hall's Western Monthly Magazine an article favoring the building of a railroad to Knoxville, Tenn., and thence to Mobile. His intelligence and enterprise bore fruit over forty years later in the Cincinnati Southern Railroad, the virtual, though not detailed, realization of his idea. He had few superiors as a newspaper contributor, but we should do him a great injustice were we to limit his reputation to this field. He was trained in military and legal science, was thoroughly versed in politics, possessed much historical and antiquarian knowledge, and was for sixteen years (1836-52) editor of the Cincinnati Chronicle and Atlas, and later of the Railroad Record. Among his best known works are: "Cincinnati in 1826," in which he was associated with the late Dr. Drake; "Political Grammar," 1885; "Treatise on Constitutional Law," 1885; "Legal Rights of Women," 1845; "Life of General Scott," 1846; "American Education," 1850; "Memoirs of Daniel Drake," 1855, and " Personal Memories, 1803-43," 1879. He also delivered many addresses, one on "The Utility of Mathematics," and several on educational topics.

Mr. Mansfield was tall, erect, and muscular, though spare. He was capable

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of great endurance, for his constitution was very elastic. He was of a sanguine and mercurial temperament, but was always firm in his adhesion to duty. Politically he was first a Whig, and afterward a Republican. He worked for principles, not for pay, and never asked for or received a national office. He served the State of Ohio for several years as Commissioner of Statistics, and in this capacity rendered excellent service. Religiously he was a Presbyterian, and was a ruling elder in his church. In the days of their separation he acted with the New School body as against the Old, but his sympathies embraced all that was commendable in every denomination. He died at his home near Morrow, October 27, 1880.

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