John Sloane’s legacy of public service
As work begins on the restoration of the home of one of Wooster’s most prominent citizens, John Sloane’s legacy of public service lives on.
Born in York, Pa. in 1779, Sloane moved to Ohio as a youth, settling first in Jefferson County and later in Columbiana County where he completed his preparatory studies.
In his 1878 book, A History of Wayne County, preeminent 19th century historian Ben Douglass noted that by the time Ohio was admitted into the union in 1803, Sloane had already distinguished himself with the reputation of being a gentleman of great talent and intellect.
In 1804, Sloane was first elected to the lower house of the Ohio General Assembly and was reelected in the fall of the following year.
According to Douglass’ account, while still serving in the Ohio House of Representatives in 1807, President Thomas Jefferson appointed Sloane Receiver of Public Monies in the newly opened Canton land office.
During the War of 1812, he served as a Colonel of the militia. As Douglass noted, Sloane was such a strong supporter of the war effort that he even advanced his own funds to feed and clothe needy soldiers under his command.
Throughout the war Sloane also continued his duties as Receiver of Public Monies in the Canton land office.
Sloane remained in Canton until April of 1816, when he and another prominent name in Wooster history – War of 1812 General Reasin Beall – were directed to move the land office to Wooster.
From that time forward, Sloane called Wooster his home.
Sloane remained in the Receiver’s Office until March of 1819 when he took up his duties as a newly elected member of the United States Congress.
Sloane went on to serve five terms in the U.S. House of Representatives where, according to Douglass, he was a popular and influential member of Congress, advocating for both the interests of his district and the country.
Throughout his time in Congress Sloane also held the influential position of chairman of the Committee on Elections.
During the 1828 congressional race, Sloane lost his bid for reelection to the House of Representatives by the narrowest of margins and left office in 1829 when his fifth term expired.
After leaving Congress, Sloane was appointed Wayne County Common Pleas Court Clerk of Courts in March of 1831, a position he continued to hold for seven years.
A few short years later, in 1841, the popular Sloane was appointed Secretary of State by the Ohio legislature. He continued to serve in that capacity for three years.
Sloane once again returned to the national political stage in November of 1850, when then President Millard Fillmore appointed him as the seventh Treasurer of the United States. He continued his service to the country as treasurer under President Franklin Pierce’s administration, leaving office in April of 1853.
When Sloane retired from public service he returned to Wooster and constructed a stately brick home at 439 North Market St., across the street from the present day Wooster City Hall.
Sloane died at his Wooster home after a short illness, May 15, 1856, at the age of 77. He is buried at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Born in York, Pa. in 1779, Sloane moved to Ohio as a youth, settling first in Jefferson County and later in Columbiana County where he completed his preparatory studies.
In his 1878 book, A History of Wayne County, preeminent 19th century historian Ben Douglass noted that by the time Ohio was admitted into the union in 1803, Sloane had already distinguished himself with the reputation of being a gentleman of great talent and intellect.
In 1804, Sloane was first elected to the lower house of the Ohio General Assembly and was reelected in the fall of the following year.
According to Douglass’ account, while still serving in the Ohio House of Representatives in 1807, President Thomas Jefferson appointed Sloane Receiver of Public Monies in the newly opened Canton land office.
During the War of 1812, he served as a Colonel of the militia. As Douglass noted, Sloane was such a strong supporter of the war effort that he even advanced his own funds to feed and clothe needy soldiers under his command.
Throughout the war Sloane also continued his duties as Receiver of Public Monies in the Canton land office.
Sloane remained in Canton until April of 1816, when he and another prominent name in Wooster history – War of 1812 General Reasin Beall – were directed to move the land office to Wooster.
From that time forward, Sloane called Wooster his home.
Sloane remained in the Receiver’s Office until March of 1819 when he took up his duties as a newly elected member of the United States Congress.
Sloane went on to serve five terms in the U.S. House of Representatives where, according to Douglass, he was a popular and influential member of Congress, advocating for both the interests of his district and the country.
Throughout his time in Congress Sloane also held the influential position of chairman of the Committee on Elections.
During the 1828 congressional race, Sloane lost his bid for reelection to the House of Representatives by the narrowest of margins and left office in 1829 when his fifth term expired.
After leaving Congress, Sloane was appointed Wayne County Common Pleas Court Clerk of Courts in March of 1831, a position he continued to hold for seven years.
A few short years later, in 1841, the popular Sloane was appointed Secretary of State by the Ohio legislature. He continued to serve in that capacity for three years.
Sloane once again returned to the national political stage in November of 1850, when then President Millard Fillmore appointed him as the seventh Treasurer of the United States. He continued his service to the country as treasurer under President Franklin Pierce’s administration, leaving office in April of 1853.
When Sloane retired from public service he returned to Wooster and constructed a stately brick home at 439 North Market St., across the street from the present day Wooster City Hall.
Sloane died at his Wooster home after a short illness, May 15, 1856, at the age of 77. He is buried at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Published: August 16, 2011
