toward the lake, and from the west toward Cleveland. It possessed a number of large commercial establishments that extended their trade into all the country round about. While at home, as related above, the young man was given an advantageous chance to enter one of the largest of these mercantile houses; and as it had always been a desire of his father that he should gain a thorough knowledge of practical business, no matter what profession he might follow, he accepted, and went into the store at the age of seventeen. He remained there for several years, learning all there was to be known in that line, and gaining a fund of practical business knowledge that has been of the greatest benefit to him in the practice of his profession, and in the larger operations of later years. Hav ing decided at an early day to be a lawyer, and never having wavered in that decision, Mr. Herrick came to Cleveland in 1850, and entered the law office of Andrews, Foote & Hoyt. No finer and more thorough training school for a law student could have been found in the land than was here. The members of that firm, Sherlock J. Andrews, John A. Foote and James M. Hoyt stood in the front rank of the Cleveland bar, and had an immense practice. Judge Andrews, especially, was then in the full prime of his legal powers, and had few peers in the west or in the country at large. The young student had before him not only the example of brilliant superiors and the education that could be found in the daily watching of an immense practice, but was shown as well that a man could be a successful and famous lawyer and at the same time a high-minded Christian gentleman. Mr. Herrick remained here for the regular two years course of study, and was admitted to practice in March of 1852. He opened an office on his own. responsibility, and made so good advancement, that in a year and a half he possessed a comfortable business. About 1856 General Merrill Barlow, who had come to Cleveland from Massachusetts a couple of years before, and Mr. Herrick formed a partnership under the firm name of Herrick & Barlow. This continued until after the election of Hon. John Brough to the governship of Ohio in 1863, when the office of adjutant-general of the state was tendered General Barlow, and accepted. When he went to Columbus to assume the duties of a position that was no mere sinecure or place of ornament in those troubled days of war, the law parnership of Herrick & Barlow was dissolved, the senior partner continuing alone. He remained so until the close of the war, when his brother, Colonel J. F. Herrick, who had been in the army, and who had previously been a student in his office, returned home. The firm of G. E. & J. F. Herrick was then formed, and has remained substantially in that shape from that day to this. Mr. Herrick's practice has always been large, and has been of a general character. Some twenty years ago he was placed in charge of large property interests, which he managed so succssfully that he has never been without considerable business of that character. His knowledge and skill as a lawyer, his wide acquaintance with business and ability in that direction, combined with his high personal integrity, have eminently fitted him for the care of the property of those who could not well look after their own interests. In addition to that, he has had a large practice in the courts. In the trial of cases he is wonderfully clear and lucid, having every point covered, and with a thorough knowledge of the law bearing thereon. As a lawyer and counselor on matters connected with land titles, he has no superior at the Cleveland bar, and in matters affecting the rights and responsibilities of corporations, he is equally at home. One thing that marks Mr. Herrick's character as a lawyer and a man of business, is his remarkable good judgment. All who have had dealings with him or have entrusted their interests to his hands, have soon come to see that he is wonderfully endowed in this respect, and that his advice in all matters is sound, safe, and always followed by good results. has since held. It is a very large and successful organization, and has been of material benefit in the extension of the commerce of Cleveland. These connections with business enterprises have been simply incidental to Mr. Herrick, his chief time and attention being given to the law. Mr. Herrick has had opportunities in abundance to go into public and political life, but has steadily declined them all. He has been urged again and again to allow his name to be used in connection with various city offices, but has had neither time nor desire to accept the overtures. He has been mentioned often in connection with the nomination to congress, but no suggestion of that kind has ever originated with him. He has ever been active in benevolent and reformatory work, and mention of one prominent institution for which he has done much good must not be forgotten here. He has for many years been connected with the Cleveland Bethel Union, and has always been a faithful and hardworking friend thereto. He was chairman of the committee appointed to raise a fund to pay off the debt on the Mr. Herrick has been connected. Bethel building, and in that capacity through his capital and general super- did the greater part of the work that vision rather than by personal partici- resulted in raising sixty-five thousand pation, with a number of corporations dollars and relieving the noble old instiwhich have had an influence in develop- tution from danger. Mr. Herrick is ing and advancing the material interests now the president of the Bethel Union, of Cleveland. Prominent among these and gives it a large portion of attention is the Cleveland Linseed Oil works. and watchful care. Among the other Three years ago, after the death of institutions for the good of the public Truman Dunham, the company was with which he has been connected, the reorganized, and Mr. Herrick was Humane society may be mentioned. elected its president, which position he He has been one of the trustees of the |