Oliver Wyatt Root
Bourbon News, Friday, 12 January 1900, page 2
Hon. O W Root, a prominent attorny of Newport, has been sued for $5000 damages by Id Mae Randall, a domestic who alleges that he unlawfully kissed her three times against her will and made improper proposals to her. Mr. Root declares that it is a blackmailing scheme.
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Kentucky Post, Monday, 29 June 1903, page 5
The case of Martha Waters against the estate of the late John Cline, which was set for a hearing in Judge Hodge's court Saturday was on motion of Attorney Root, for the plaintiff, laid over for the fall term of court. This will tie up the estate until the close of the year.
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Cincinnati Enquirer, Friday, 27 May 1904, page 9
Colonel Oliver Root was removed to his home in Newport yesterday from the
Jewish Hospital in Cincinnati, where he underwent an operation for the reduction
of a pancreatic cyst. The operation was unsuccessful, very little, if an, relief
being afforded.
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Kentucky Post, Thursday, 4 August 1904, page 5
After a struggle of many months Hon. Oliver Wyatt Root, one of Newport's most respected citizens died Wednesday afternoon at his home, 312 York st. He was twice a candidate for Congress and was a number of times incumbent of other offices in Campbell County and the city of Newport. His death was directly due to a pancreatic cyst. Two operations were performed but the wound refused to heal and the patient did not get much relief.
He was born in Newport Oct 3, 1835. He attended the public schools and graduated from Miami University at Oxford in 1858 and the Cincinnati Law School in 1860. He taught English literature at Brooks Academy and the Chickering Institute in Cincinnati and also taught elocution in the Newport public schools. His father, Hon Ira Root, was a prominent lawyer. Upon the latter's death the son took up his father's practice in 1868, associating with his brother, Albert T Root, which partnership continued for 18 years.
His public service began in 1867 at which time he was elected City Attorney several times selected as delegate to Republican national conventions on numerous occasions and was named as Republican Presidential Elector quite often. His services as a political orator were always in demand. In 1868 he was a delegate to the Republican National convention that nominated Grant for Presidency and his speech seconding Grant's nomination gained him national prominence. He was a jury lawyer of great ability and was the leader for the defense in several noted criminal cases.
As an orator and platform lecturer Col. Root was possessed of power. In addition to his oratorical powers he enjoyed the reputation of being one of the most widely read men in the West and his lectures on Shakespeare and other literary celebrities were always interesting. He never married. His mother, formerly Miss Sarah Perry, is still alive in her eighty-seventh year. The son had prospered in his practice of the law and amassed a considerable fortune. The funeral will take place Saturday in Newport.
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Cincinnati Enquirer, Thursday, 4 August 1904, page
9
Hon Oliver Wyatt Root, one of Newport's most highly respected and
substantial citizens, twice a candidate for Congress and the incumbent of many
other public offices, died yesterday at his home, 312 York street, after a long
illness. His death was directly due to the presence of a pancreatic cyst.
Mr. Root was born in Newport October 3, 1835. He attended the public schools and graduated from Miami University at Oxford in 1858 and the Cincinnati Law School in 1860. He taught English literature at Brook's Academy and the Chickering Institute in Cincinnati and also taught elocution in the Newport public schools. His father, Hon. Ira Root, was a prominent attorney. Upon the latter's death the son took up his father's practice in 1868, associating with his brother, Albert T Root, which partnership continued for 18 years.
His public service began in 1867 at which time he was elected County Attorney. He was elected County Attorney several times, was elected as delegate to Republican Conventions on numerous occasions, and was named as Republican Presidential Elector quite often. His services as a political orator were always in demand.
In 1868 he was a delegate to the Republican National Convention that nominated Grant for the Presidency and his speech seconding Grant's nomination gained him national prominence. He was a jury lawyer of great ability and was a leader for the defense in several noted criminal cases. As an orator and platform lecturer Mr. Root was possessed of unsurpassed power. His argument in the celebrated Simmons will case in the early seventies was a gem of forensic effort. In that case he was opposed to some of the most prominent attorneys in the United States, among them Mr. Humphrey Marshall.
In addition to his oratorical powers Colonel Root enjoyed the reputation of being on the most widely read men in the West and his lectures on Shakespeare and other literary celebrities were always interesting. He never married. His mother, formerly Miss Sarah Perry, is still alive in her eighty seventh year. The son had prospered in his practice of the law and amassed a considerable fortune. the family has not as yet completed the funeral arrangements.
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Kentucky Post, Friday, 5 August 1904, page 5
The funeral of Hon. O W Root will take place Sunday afternoon at 2:30 pm from the family residence, 312 York st. Newport. Rev Nelson, pastor of St Paul P E Church will officiate, assisted by Rev Harris and Rev Whitehead. The choir, assisted by Mrs. Mamie Hissem De Moss will render several selections. The pallbearers will be Judge W J Hissem, John C Schroll and Charles A Remme, all of Newport; Joseph A Scarlett of Cincinnati and Horace White, of New York City, formerly editor of the New York Evening Post. He is a relative of the deceased and will arrive here Friday. The remains will be temporarily placed in the vault.
Vice President T P Carothers, in the absence of President John T Hodge of the Campbell County Bar Association, issued a call for a meeting of the association Saturday morning at 10 am at which time suitable action will be taken. The members of the Bar Association will attend the funeral in a body.
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Kentucky Post, Monday, 8 August 1904, page 5
The remains of Hon O W Root were laid to rest at Evergreen Cemetery Sunday afternoon. The funeral took place Sunday at 2:30 pm from the residence, 312 York st. Rev Robert Nelson, rector of St Paul Church and Rev R L Harris, formerly rector of the church, officiated at the ceremonies. Rev J P Whitehead also assisted in the services. The choir of St Paul Church rendered some beautiful and appropriate selections and the floral offerings were numerous.
Deceased was one of the brilliant orators of Kentucky, and had rendered service to both State and Nation. The pallbearers were; Judge W J Hissem, John C Schroll and Charles A Remme, all of Newport; Joseph A Scarlett, of Cincinnati and Horace White of New York City. The honorary pallbearers from the Campbell County Bar Association were; H C Dumont, George Ahlering, M R Lockhart, J C Wright, Lucius Desha, George Washington, L J Crawford and T F Botkin. The members of the association attended the services at the cemetery, having chartered a special car.
A peculiar coincidence in connection with the death of Mr. Root was that his watch stopped at exactly the time of his death; 2:47.