JOHN BROUGH came to Lancaster in 1834. He was a lawyer, but preferred to edit a newspaper, the "Ohio Eagle," which he did with great ability.
Brough resided in Lancaster about six years. His caustic editorials made him both friends and enemies. He also developed a fine talent for public speaking. His first fine speech to attract attention was made in Somerset, Ohio. In the heat of one of his great campaigns his first wife died. He had been posted for several days to speak at the court house. He buried his wife, shook hands with the pall bearers, and remarked: "I have discharged my duty to the dead, I will now discharge it to the living." He walked to the court house and made an able political speech. One must read his paper of that period and understand the extraordinary personal campaign, of both parties in 1836 and 1840 otherwise the story of that speech would seem incredible.
Brough was not seen in Lancaster after 1840 for more than twenty years. He then was a candidate and a Governor delivered masterly and brilliant speeches.
