Past Ohio Attorneys General 1865–1880

Appointed by Governor Brough as attorney general to fill the seat left vacant by William P. Richardson, Chauncey Olds held this office for only a year. Before becoming attorney general, he served as a state senator from 1848 until 1850. He distinguished himself as a public figure during the "Hamilton County Question," a great political controversy of the time. During the Civil War, Olds served as commissioner for exemption from the draft and also dedicated much of his time to the enlistment of volunteers for the war.

William H. West was a man of strong convictions, and as a lawyer he was accurate and logical. As a member of the Whig and later the Republican party, his public service in Ohio included terms as a State Representative, and Supreme Court Judge. West was strongly opposed to slavery during the Civil War, and afterwards was an advocate of the reconstruction of the United States. West assisted in the election of President Abraham Lincoln in 1860, this was regarded as one of his greatest accomplishments.

Francis Bates Pond was very active in public service. In addition to his two terms as Ohio Attorney General, he served extensively in the military and in the Ohio House of Representatives. He earned his fame, however, for the passage of the "Pond Bill" during his two terms as state senator. This bill created a tax on intoxicating liquors in order to restrict buying and selling of the products. This was the beginning of a set of laws that required certain businesses to bear part of the public burden that they created.

During his service as attorney general, John Little was sent by President Hayes to the Florida Returning Board to help prevent an unfair decision. He also served as Ohio Adjutent General and, during this time, stopped a strike in southeast Ohio and helped to avert bloodshed. His reputation earned him an appointment by President Harrison to the United States and Venezuela Claims Commission and was later appointed to the Ohio State Board of Arbitration by President McKinley.

Isaiah Pillars was known throughout the state for his progressive ideas. He was the author of a report in favor of the abolition of capital punishment and also opposed the levying of a tax law for the purpose of railroad construction. Although he began his career in public service as a Republican, he abandoned that party and was elected to the Office of Attorney General as a Democrat. As a young man, he served Ohio as colonel of the 81st, 99th, and 118th Regiments of the Ohio Volunteer Infantry.