OH-FOOTSTEPS-L Archives

From: Tina Hursh <>
Subject: Bio: Dr. Edward Tiffin - Ross county
Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2001 17:54:26 -0600

"Historical Collections of Ohio, Vol. 2" by Henry Howe, 1908

pg 499 & 500
Edward Tiffin, the first governor of Ohio, was born in Carlisle,
England, June 19, 1766. He received a good English education and began the
study of medicine, which he continued on his emigration-at 18 years of
age-to Berkeley county, Va. in 1789 he graduated from the University of
Pennsylvania. In the same year he married Mary, sister of Thomas
Worthington, of Charleston, W.Va.(afterward governor of Ohio). in 1790 Dr.
Tiffin united with the Methodist church, was ordained deacon by Bishop
Asbury, and all throughout his subsequent career continued to preach with
much fervor and power.
In 1796 he manumitted his slaves, and accompanied by his
brother-in-law and robert Lucas (all three subsequently became governors of
Ohio), removed to Chillicothe. Dr. Tiffin was of genial temperament, of
high professional and general culture, and above all, of high moral purpose
and character. It is small wonder that such a man became immensely popular.
Gen. Washington, in a letter to Gov. St. Clair, speakes of "Dr. Tiffin's
fairness of character in private and public life, together with knowledge of
law, resulting from close application for a considerable time." In 1799 he
was chosen to the Territorial Legislature and unanimously elected Speaker,
which position he held until Ohio became a State.
In 1802 he was chosen president of the first Constitutional
Convention, and his superior ability and acquirements so impressed his
fellow-delegates that at its conclution the convention made him its
candidate for fovernor, to which office he was elected in January, 1803,
without opposition. Two years later he was re-elected, again without
oppostition, and the office was tendered him a third time, but declined.
The new State of Ohio was fortunate in having as its first chief
executive a man of such extraordinary and versatile talents and
acquirements. The formative condition of affairs gave opportunity for the
display of Gov. Tiffin's genius, and his able administration was of
inestimable value in developing and advancing the interests of the young
Commonwealth. The most notable incident of his administrations was the
suppression of the Burr-Blenner-assett expedition. In his message of
january 22, 1807, President Jefferson highly compliments Gov. Tifin for his
prompt and efficient action in this affair.
At the close of his second term Gov. Tiffin was elected to the
United States Senate, and performed valuable services for Oio byy securing
appropriations for the improvement of the Ohhio river, the mail service, and
the survey of public lands.
In 1809 the death of his much-beloved wife was a serious blow to
Senator Tiffin; he resigned his seat in the Senate, and determined to retire
from public life; but in the following year he was elected to the State
legislature, and was made Speaker of the House, serving for several terms.
He married a second wife, Miss Mary Porter, of Delaware. Like his
first wife, she was a worman of much beauty of person and character.
Upon Madison's election to the Presidency he appointed Senator
Tiffin to organize the land office. When Washington was burned by the
British, in 1814, Dr. Tiffin was so prompt and expeditious in removing the
records of his office to a place of safety, that his was the only department
whose books and papers were unharmed. Wishing to return to Ohio, he, with
the consent of the President and Senate, exchanged offices with Josiah
Meigs, Surveyor-General of the West. he held this latter office until
within a few months of his death, when he was removed by President jackson.
Dr. Tiffin died August 9, 1829; his widow survived him until 1837; three of
thier daughters were living in 1889. Their only son, who had studied his
father's profession, was killed in a railroad accident, while returning home
from Paris, where he had been attending medical lectures.

This thread:

• Bio: Dr. Edward Tiffin - Ross county by Tina Hursh <>