The Augusta Cemetery Family Trees

May 30, 1929 -- The Free Press Standard, Carroll Co., OH

Judge John H. Fimple

Judge John H. Fimple, 70, of Canton, one of the best known jurists in eastern Ohio and one of the leading members of the Stark-co bar, died at his home on Saturday morning, May 25, at 6 o'clock following a brief illness. He was born March 31, 1859, In Augusta-tp on the farm of his parents, David and Hannah Dumbleton Fimple. In his early days he attended the district school of the neighborhood. After completing his primary studies he attended the high school at Minerva and Malvern, later entering Ohio Northern university at Ada, graduation in 1880. Two years later he received the degree of A. B. from Mount Union college, at Alliance, taking the honors of the class as a public debater in the literary society to which he belonged. In the spring of 1884 he entered the law office of Judge Robert Raley in Carrollton.

In the fall of 1884 Mr. Fimple took an active part in the campaign for Blaine and Logan, and the following year was elected representative form Carroll-co to the State Assembly for the term of two years. During his first year in the Legislature, on May 4, 1886, Mr. Fimple was admitted to the bar. He then accepted a partnership in the practice of law with his former preceptor, Mr. Raley.

After Mr. Raley's appointment to the bench, Mr. Fimple practiced alone for a while; but finding that, owing to his duties in the Legislature, his practice necessitated a partner, the firm of Fimple and Holder was formed. Later Union C. DeFord was taken into the partnership, the firm then being known as Fimple, Holder and DeFord.
On December 3, 1888, Mr. Fimple was united in marriage to Miss Ida J. Patterson, of Pattersonville, daughter of John D. Patterson. Mrs. Fimple died in August 1894.

In 1889 Mr. Fimple was appointed law clerk in the department of the interior in the Harrison administration. He was appointed United States land commissioner in 1903, which position he resigned in 1906. In 1910 he was nominated and elected common pleas judge of the Carroll, Stark and Columbiana district, and soon became known as one of the ablest judges in the state. On May 7, 1915 he resigned his position on the bench to accept a partnership in the firm of Lynch and Day, in Canton, now know as Lynch, Day, Fimple, Pontius and Lynch.

Judge Fimple was a Mason, Knight Templar, Shriner and a member of Knights of Pythias. He was also a member of the Canton club, congress lake club, Lakeside Shrine club, Stark-co, Ohio State and American Bar associations. His church affiliation was the Presbyterian.

He is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Jack Fishel, of Canton, and Mrs. John C. Morgan of Syracuse, N.Y; a brother Byron E. of Pueblo, Colorado; and a grandson, John Fimple Morgan.

Judge Fimple was an able lawyer. He had a fine power of perception, analysis, thought and reason, together with the practical faculty of applying them to the case in hand, and the fight of clear, forcible and exact expression. He had an honest mind as well as an honest heart, which put the weight of his character behind whatever he did or said. Those who knew his unselfish readiness to be helpful to others can best understand that by his untiring and unremitting toil in caring for the welfare of his family, friends and client he was day by day sacrificing himself, never stopping to take an inventory of his own waning vitality.

In the death of Judge Fimple the Stark-co Bar has lost one of its most distinguished members, one whose reputation was statewide and reflected honor upon the Bar; a lawyer who was loyal to his clients, a judge who was true to his trust, a man who was faithful to his family, and a devoted friend.

Funeral services were held at the home in Canton on Monday afternoon at 1 o'clock. At three o'clock services [microfilm scratches] Presbyterian church by Rev. [microfilm scratches], of Wellsville, assisted by Rev. B. J. Yorke. Special music was rendered by Mrs. Charles E. Mills, of Akron, Mr. and Mrs. Doyle Ferrell and Joseph Kerr. Acting pallbearers were Charles E. Mills, of Akron, Dr. R. T. Shipley, of Canton, and John H. Westfall, Roy E. Hendeerson, Ross A. McLaughlin and J. Howard Richards, of Carrollton. The honorary pallbearers were Judge U. C. DeFord of Youngstown and James B. Fiedler, I. H Blythe, V. G. Stoody, Judge James C. Oglevee, Judge R. E. McDonald, Judge J. C. Ferrall, H. J. Richards, Harry R. Kemerer, Jay Myers, John McFadden and George Tinlin, of Carrollton.