Wayne County Biographies



Part of the Indiana Biographies Project



John C. Whitridge

Rising above the heads of the mass are many men of sterling worth and value, who by sheer perseverance and determination, accompanied by unflagging effort, have risen from the ranks of the commonplace to eminence, and to occupy positions of respect and trust; but the brilliant qualities of mind and brain which mark the great lawyer are to a certain extent God-given. It was to his close application and indomitable energy that John C. Whitridge owed his success in life, as well as to his keen and brilliant mind. Endowed by nature with strong mentality, he made it his aim to thoroughly master all the principles and intricate problems that are involved in jurisprudence, and in the realm of civil law attained distinctive precedence at the bar of Wayne county. But he was honored not alone for his achievements in professional life; his sterling characteristics and his genuine worth as a citizen, friend, husband and father also won for him the highest esteem, and in this section of Indiana he was both widely and favorably known.

A native of Ohio, he was born in New Paris, Preble county, on the 1st of November, 1837, and was a son of Dr. John and Rachel (Evans) Whitridge. The father was a native of Vermont, and the mother was born near Lebanon, Ohio, but soon after their marriage they located in New Paris, where their remaining days were passed. The father was a graduate of a medical college, and for some years successfully practiced his profession in Preble county.

When only nine years of age the subject of this sketch suffered an almost unparalleled bereavement—his father, mother, one brother and two uncles all dying within a week, and three children were thus orphaned. For a short time John C. Whitridge remained in Lebanon, and then with his brother and sister went to live in the home of his guardian, James Sampson. Shortly afterward Mr. Sampson was elected to the office of sheriff of Preble county and removed to Eaton, Ohio, where our subject spent much of his youth. He attended the public schools there, and when about eighteen years of age entered Farmers' College, at College Hill, where he remained for nearly two years. At the same time Benjamin Harrison, afterward president of the United States, was a student in that institution. Subsequently Mr. Whitridge matriculated in Brown University, at Providence, Rhode Island, where he continued for a year.

In January, 1858, he came to Richmond, Indiana, where he pursued the study of law in the office and under the direction of General William Benton, and was admitted to the bar in the Wayne circuit court, in December of the same year. He then began practice, forming a partnership with Gideon McNutt, but the connection continued for only a short time, Mr. Whitridge being elected prosecuting attorney in 1860, for a term of two years. In 1862 he was re-elected, and discharged the duties of the position in a most prompt and able manner. He then resumed the private practice of law, making a specialty of civil jurisprudence. To an understanding of uncommon acuteness and vigor he added a thorough and conscientious preparatory training, while in his practice he exemplified all the higher elements of the truly great lawyer. He was constantly inspired by an innate, inflexible love of justice and a delicate sense of personal honor, which controlled him in all his personal relations. His fidelity to the interests of his clients was proverbial, yet he never forgot that he owed a still higher allegiance to the majesty of the law.

In his political views Mr. Whitridge was a Republican, and was deeply interested in the questions of the day, yet never sought or desired the honors or emoluments of public office. However, he did all in his power to promote the growth and success of his party, and occasionally addressed audiences on the campaign issues. Of the Methodist Episcopal church he was a prominent and consistent member for twenty-five years, and was a teacher in the Sunday-school for twenty years. One who knew him well said: "He honestly believed the truth of the Bible and embraced with his whole soul the doctrine of the atonement. He was punctual in his attendance at church and Sunday-school, and did all that could be expected of him to promote the interests of religion." He held various church offices and was a member of the official board.

His domestic relations were exceptionally pleasant, and his interest centered in his home. He was married October 22, 1861, to Miss Mary Skinner, a daughter of John C. and Hannah (Foster) Skinner, of Lebanon, Ohio. They became the parents of five children: iMary, now deceased; Lucy, wife of John Howard, of Richmond; Esther F., at home; John Clifford, who is connected with the Railroad Gazette; and Bertha, who completes the family.

Mr. Whitridge died March 10, 1888, and not only to the family but to many friends throughout the community did the loss come with telling force. The bar of Wayne county held a meeting in which to take action on the sad event, and the report of its committee spoke in the highest terms of Mr. Whitridge, while various members of the profession endorsed the report and added their tributes of praise to the member whom they mourned. At this meeting the following words were spoken: "In the profession he was thorough in his knowledge of law, and while he always modestly shunned notoriety, he was an able practitioner, careful of the interests of his clients, which he justly strove to protect. He had a large and lucrative practice and enjoyed the confidence of the business community. The bar has lost an honorable, conscientious and able member. In all the relations of life he has been a conscientious and exemplary man, unostentatious and even modest and retiring in the discharge of his duties, but never shirking any responsibility. He is justly entitled to be ever remembered as a real Christian gentleman." He commanded the regard of all by his upright life, and to his family he left the priceless heritage of an untarnished name.

Source:
Biographical and Genealogical History of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin Counties, Indiana, Volume 1, The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1899