Billingsley, Thomas A

Posted By: Wally Garchow
Date: 22 October 2004

transcribed from Frazer Wilson's History of Darke County, 1914, v. 2, pp 168-170

THOMAS A. BILLINGSLEY.

To properly interpret the law in all its complexities and unerringly apply its provisions to establish human rights and de-feat injustice, demands such a comprehensive knowledge not only of books but of life itself, that he who reaches a high plane in this profession must command more than negative consideration in the minds of his fellow men. It is told in both history and romance that a kind of law is upheld among savages, but when explained it resolves itself into the old axiom that "might makes right," and in modern, civilized life it be-comes the task of the exponent of the law to overcome this only too prevalent idea. Hence, on a solid educational foundation must be built up a thorough knowledge of what law means to the present day man and how it can be applied to circumvent evil, protect the helpless and bring happiness and safety to the deserving. Holding as he does such high principles as embodied in the above, it is no wonder that Thomas A. Billingsley, attorney-at-law, of Greenville, Ohio, has risen so high in his profession, for contrary to the opinion which prevails among some, right thinking and high living do advance a man, while chicanery of any kind will in the end pull him down to the level of unwholesome thoughts and deeds. Mr. Billingsley was born in Miami county, Ohio, in the vicinity of Covington, April 4, 1880, a son of John and Emma (Harwood) Billingsley, and grandson of Thomas and Mary (Lucky) Billingsley, and John and Frances Harwood.

The paternal grandfather of Thomas A. Billingsley, Thomas Billingsley, and his wife were born in Ohio, and were farming people who died on the homestead in Miami county, he at the age of sixty-three years, and she when eighty-six years old. Their only child was John E. John Harwood and his wife were natives of Nottinghamshire, England, but came to the United States, first settling in New York State, and later came to southern Ohio and lived at various places, he being an old circuit rider of the Methodist Church. His wife died in middle life, having borne him seven children: John, Thomas, Kate, Hattie, Mary, Emma and Robert.

John E. Billingsley was born in Miami county, Ohio, while his wife was born in New York State. He spent his life upon the farm still his home, which was taken from the government by his grandfather. This property contains eighty acres, all finely improved, and upon it his children were reared. His wife passed away in 1909, aged fifty-eight years, firm in the faith of the Methodist Church, of which she was a conscientious member. Their children were as follows: Thomas A., whose name heads this review ; Roy, who resides in Miami county, Ohio ; and Albert, who also resides in Miami county.

Thomas A. Billingsley spent his boyhood as any normal farmer's son, assisting his parents with the farm work and attending the district schools, but within his breast glowed a spark of ambition, which he fanned into a flame by taking private instruction and then entering the Ohio Wesleyan University spent two years in that institution. In pursuance of his plans, he then began to study law, and completed his legal course in the Ohio State University, being admitted to the bar in June, 1902, following which he practiced his profession at Versailles, Ohio, until 1910, when he located at Greenville and now has offices in the Allen building on West Fourth street, while his residence is at No. 408 North Broadway.

On September 21, 1905, Mr. Billingsley was married to Miss Ottie Mae Hartle, a daughter of Andrew J. and Kate (Ingle) Hartle. They have two children, Richard T. and J. Rene. Mr. and Mrs. Billingsley are earnest members of the Presbyterian Church. In his fraternal relations he is an Elk. Politically, he is a Democrat, and while residing at Versailles was city solicitor and a member and secretary of the municipal board o that place.

Mrs. Billingsley was born near Covington, Miami county, Ohio, and her parents, both natives of the same county, are now living at Covington. Her father was a farmer and is a veteran of the Civil war, having served in both the infantry and cavalry.

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