Bellefontaine in Logan County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
William H. West
1824 - 1911
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., December 29, 2008
1. William H. West Marker
Judge William H. West of Bellefontaine led a distinguished career in law, public service, and politics. In 1854 West helped found the Republican party in Ohio and six years later he participated in Abraham Lincoln's nomination for the presidency. West served consecutive terms in both houses of Ohio's General Assembly from 1857 to 1865 and was elected the state's attorney general at the end of the Civil War. He became an Ohio Supreme Court justice in 1871 and in 1877 was his party's nominee for governor. After losing his sight, Judge West retired from the court but continued to practice law. At the Republican party's convention in 1884, the “Blind Man Eloquent” nominated James G. Blaine as the G.O.P.'s presidential candidate. Defining Republicans as a party for “union, freedom, humanity, and progress,” the judge's nomination speech sparked a celebration that historian David McCullough described as “one of the most memorable events in the whole history of national political conventions.”
Erected 1998 by Descendants of William H. West and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 4-46.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Charity & Public Work
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Location. 40° 21.631′ N, 83° 45.54′ W. Marker is in Bellefontaine, Ohio, in Logan County. Marker is at the intersection of Columbus Avenue and Opera Street, on the right when traveling east on Columbus Avenue. Marker is on the NE grounds of the county courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bellefontaine OH 43311, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients (a few steps from this marker); First Portland Cement Concrete Street (within shouting distance of this marker); War Savings Quota (within shouting distance of this marker); The Honorable William Lawrence (within shouting distance of this marker); Oldest Concrete Street in America (within shouting distance of this marker); Grid Indentation Pattern (within shouting distance of this marker); Bartholomew's Concrete (within shouting distance of this marker); The Bottom Course (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bellefontaine.
Also see . . . Judge William H. West.
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2. William H. West
Additional commentary.
1.
This marker has been moved during re-construction of the Court House. It is now on the southeast lawn, at the corner of Opera and Court Streets.
— Submitted March 14, 2019, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., December 29, 2008
3. William H. West Marker
At far left. First Portland Cement Concrete Street marker to right, with county courthouse in rear.
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, March 14, 2019
4. William H. West Marker
full view of re-located marker, now at the SE corner of the Court House
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, March 14, 2019
5. William H. West Marker
marker as seen from a distance. Re-located to the corner of Opera and Court Streets
Credits. This page was last revised on July 8, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 31, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,147 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 31, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 2. submitted on July 8, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3. submitted on August 31, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 4, 5. submitted on March 14, 2019, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
