Warrington Karthaus Lavake Warwick (1862-1897)

Portrait from the Theta Beta Phi, 1898.

   Through a year of Coronavirus uncertainty, pronounced political disagreement, and a genuine feeling of apprehension, 2020 comes to a close today at midnight. In a small amount of positivity in an otherwise uncertain year comes the unveiling of our 2020 Strangest Name of The Year. Since 2013 the final article of the year is devoted to an especially odd named figure, and Massillon, Ohio's own Warrington Karthaus Lavake Warwick is this year's honoree. Despite his death at the age of just 34, Warwick carved a notable career for himself in Ohio, being the executive of three coal companies, among other business interests. Warwick earns placement here on the site due to his being a delegate to the 1892 Democratic National Convention from Ohio, and for his service on the state Democratic Executive Committee.

  Warrington Karthaus Lavake was born in Massillon, Ohio on December 23, 1862, the son of Lewis Lavake (1813-1864) and the former Maria E. Karthaus (1830-1918). Widowed in November 1864, Maria Karthaus LaVake remarried in 1865 to John George Warwick (1830-1892), a leading figure in Stark County. A man with vast business holdings in the Buckeye State, Warwick was elected to one term as Lieutenant Governor of Ohio, serving from 1884-86. In 1890 he defeated then-incumbent Congressman (and future President) William McKinley for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Warwick served until his death in August 1892, dying in Washington, D.C.

  After his mother's marriage to John G. Warwick, Warrington Karthaus LaVake took his stepfather's last name and was legally adopted by the future Congressman. He would attend the Massillon public schools and at age 13 enrolled at the Nazareth Hall School in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. He graduated two years later and beginning in 1878 studied at the Harcourt School in Gambier, Ohio. Upon graduation in 1880 he enrolled at the Kenyon College in Gambier, where he was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He remained connected to his old fraternity throughout his life, and in his final years was a trustee for the General Fraternity of Beta Theta Phi.

  Warwick left Kenyon College in his sophomore year to join his stepfather's office, and until John Warwick's death in 1892 he remained his "confidential assistant and the real manager of all his extensive business interests." Warwick married in Pittsburg in 1885 to Jessie Moore Gillespie, to who he was wed until his death. The couple had one son, John Gillespie Warwick (1886-1937).

  Beginning in the 1880s Warrington Warwick entered Democratic politics in Stark County, being named chairman of a Young Democrats meeting at Bammerlin's Hall in Massillon. He was later selected as president of that organization, named the "Paige Guards." In 1889 his name was prominently mentioned for the Ohio state senate from the Stark-Carroll County district. In the year following he was elected as a delegate to the Ohio Democratic State Convention and took an active role in his stepfather's campaign for Congress against six-term incumbent William McKinley. That November John G. Warwick stymied the future president's bid for reelection, besting him 20,059 votes to 19,757. Warrington Warwick's "tact and general popularity were of the greatest assistance" during this period and were acknowledged in his Beta Theta Phi memorial, which notes they "contributed largely to the successful result of his father's campaign." Sources also denote W.K.L. Warwick as a member of the Ohio State Democratic Executive Committee, but no mention is given as to his dates of service.

  Following his service as a delegate to the Stark County Democratic Convention of 1892, W.K.L. Warwick was elected as part of the Ohio delegation to that year's Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Representing the state's 18th district, Warwick and fellow delegate John C. Welty may have been Democrats but were ultimately opposed to the nomination of Grover Cleveland, with the Stark County Democrat noting:

"In this district there was a most decided fight between the Cleveland and Anti-Cleveland Democrats in the selection of delegates and the most pronounced ant-Cleveland victory, both Warwick and Welty being opposed to any man from New York."

 Warwick's sentiments toward a New York presidential nominee later changed, with his coming out as "an ardent admirer" of New York Governor David Bennett Hill. After Cleveland's nomination, Warwick was interviewed by the Massillonian, where he noted:

"Stark County Democrats never sulk...and we are solid for the ticket as nominated. Stark County will be at the front this fall with an increased Democratic majority. Of course Ohio is a Republican state, but we will worry them considerably before the election is over. The nomination of Stevenson for second place is highly satisfactory to the New York delegation, and to Hill men in this state as well. He is our kind of a Democrat, and will greatly strengthen the ticket throughout the country. I think this is a Democratic year, and confidently expect the election of Cleveland and Stevenson."

  Just weeks following his time at the Democratic National Convention Warwick suffered the death of his stepfather John, who died in Washington, D.C. In the days following John G. Warwick's passing, W.K.L Warwick was bolstered to fill his vacant seat in Congress, with the Stark County Democrat noting "it would be a gracious and fitting testimonial to the memory of Gov. Warwick to elect his very worthy son, W.K.L Warwick, to fill out the unexpired term."

From the Stark County Democrat, September 1, 1892.

  Ultimately, it was at the instigation of Warwick's friends that his name was bolstered as a candidate, and in November special election it was Lewis P. Ohlinger (a former Wooster postmaster) who won the vacant seat. Upon the death of his stepfather, W.K.L. Warwick succeeded him as president in the former's business interests. Until his own death in 1897 he was the president and treasurer of the Warwick Coal Co., was president of the Upper Pigeon Run Coal Co., was president of the Massillon Savings and Banking Co., and was a founding organizer of the Massillon Social Club. Warwick would be a partner in the firm of Warwick and Justus, a Massillon flour milling concern, and in the 1890s served as vice president and member of the Board of Directors for the Stark County Democrat newspaper. 

From the Northwestern Miller, Vol. 43.

  Warwick remained active in his business interests until his death. In the months prior to his death, his health began to fail, and by March 1897 had relocated to Hot Springs, Arkansas in the hopes of improving his condition. He died there on March 15, aged 34, his cause of death being attributed to "bowel trouble." The death of Warwick was heavily felt in Massillon and at his alma mater Kenyon College. Remarked as a man who possessed "many charming qualities of character", The Northwestern Miller further memorialized Warwick as:

"A man who could make a lifelong friend of a casual acquaintence, and, while in business circles, he was respected for his ability and honesty, he was loved by all and by people in every path of life for his many manly qualities and his own true worth."

 Following funeral arrangements, Warwick was interred in his family's mausoleum at the Massillon City Cemetery and was survived by his wife and son John.

From the Coshocton Democratic Standard, March 19, 1897. 

Idus Lafayette Fielder (1853-1892)

From the 1881 Arkansas legislative composite portrait.

  During a life that spanned just 39 years, Idus Lafayette Fielder left his mark in public service in two states, Arkansas and the New Mexico Territory. A native of Georgia, Fielder earned his law degree from the University of Georgia and after relocating to Arkansas established himself in practice with his brother. Fielder would be elected to two terms in the Arkansas House of Representatives and after removing to the New Mexico Territory continued in practice in Silver City. In the year of his death Fielder was elected as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention held in Chicago, and died a few months following his service.

  Born in Georgia on February 21, 1853, Idus Lafayette Fielder was the son of Herbert and Mary Talulah Fielder. The son of an attorney, Fielder resided in Cuthbert, Georgia during his youth and would attend the University of Virginia. During his time there he garnered a reputation as a "peculiar, wild chap from one of the South or Southwestern States." In a writeup concerning Fielder's stay in Virginia, a contemporary, Richard T.W. Duke, reflected on Fielder's excelling in Dr. William McGuffey's classes, "having never missed a recitation or class & so stood high in the doctor's favour."

  While studious, Fielder is remarked by Duke as having been "lively" at times, and on one occasion, while residing at a local boarding house, missed out on breakfast eggs. Requesting eggs for breakfast, Fielder proceeded to pull a revolver on his astonished hosts, which he then placed on the table. While his demands were met, this incident nearly got Fielder expelled from the University of Virginia, and after a faculty meeting, William McGuffey intervened in his favor, acknowledging Fielder to be "the best man in my class. He has never been absent or missed a recitation. He will graduate very highly. I cannot permit him to be expelled."

  Duke reports that Fielder apologized for his actions and did graduate with high marks. Following his graduation, he enrolled at the University of Georgia, where he graduated in 1873 with his Bachelor of Laws degree. After graduating Fielder married in June 1875 to Julia Dubose Tombs (1857-1938). The couple later separated, but not before having one daughter, Margaret (1876-1946). He began the practice of law in Cuthbert, partnering with his father in the firm of Fielder and Fielder, which continued until Idus Fielder's removal to Arkansas in 1877. Settling in the town of Ozark, he established a law firm with L.L. Wittich, and was "especially successful in criminal practice." Fielder's 1892 obituary further notes that he practiced with his brother Clarry "C.C." Fielder, their dates of operation being unknown at this time. 

  Idus Fielder made his first foray into Arkansas politics in 1880 when he announced his candidacy for the Arkansas House of Representatives. Hoping to become Franklin County's representative, Fielder won the election that September and took his seat at the start of the January 1881 session. This term saw him named to the committee on the Judiciary and in September 1881 remarried to Maude Clegg (1853-1933). The couple had one son, Herbert Austin (born 1883). Reelected in 1882, Fielder was named to the committee on Public Buildings for the 1883 term and would introduce an important piece of legislation in the form of an early anti-pornography bill, which was passed by the legislature in February 1883. Following the bill's passage, the Russellville Democrat lauded Fielder on his efforts, noting:

"The bill introduced by Mr. Fielder and passed by the present legislature, prohibiting the sale or circulation of obscene literature is a magnanimous step in a magnanimous cause...Mr. Fielder ought to be tendered the unanimous thanks of all the fathers and mothers, and the lovers of peace and morality in the state."

From the Russellville Democrat, March 1, 1883.

  In 1883 Fielder developed bronchial problems and out of concern for his health resigned his seat and removed to Deming in the New Mexico Territory. Within a year of his resettlement he had become active in Democratic circles, and in August 1884 was elected as a delegate from Grant County to the Democratic territorial convention. Fielder was later joined by his father Herbert in the practice of law in Deming, but their partnership proved to be short-lived. Around 1885 he removed his practice to Silver City in the territory, with his father remaining in Deming. 

   After his removal to Silver City Fielder continued to be politically active, and in March 1888 chaired a meeting of Sierra County delegates that advocated New Mexico statehood. At the 1892 Democratic Territorial Convention Fielder was elected as a delegate to that year's Democratic National Convention in Chicago, where Grover Cleveland was nominated for the presidency. As a delegate Fielder "wrote the silver plank that was submitted to the convention", and pressed hard for a "free silver plank in the National platform." 

  Two months following his return to New Mexico Fielder narrowly escaped death when a friend, James Patterson, was accosted and killed by a Mexican citizen. In an August 9, 1892 write-up concerning the incident, it is revealed that Fielder and Patterson, being interested in purchasing mining property in the Gold Hill region, were accosted by a Mexican native, who believed Patterson owed him money. After attempting to diffuse the situation by buying the man whiskey at a local saloon, the pair were followed by the man, who became more belligerent. He continued to pursue the pair until they reached home, and after forcibly removing him from the property, Fielder made note of the possibility that the man may attempt to steal his horses. After arming himself with a pistol, Fielder gave the weapon to Patterson, and following a check of their horses, returned home. There the pair were met by the Mexican man climbing through one of the windows, and after a warning, Patterson was fired upon by the man. Receiving a fatal wound to the abdomen, Patterson returned fire and killed the intruder with a shot through the heart. Witnessing his friend's shooting, Fielder sent for a medical help, but Patterson succumbed to his injuries the following day.

  Idus Fielder would continue his law practice in Silver City until shortly before his death, and after attending a court session experienced numb hands and a paralyzing feeling in his side. He died at his home on December 5, 1892, aged 39, his body being discovered by a servant the following morning. While this manner of death was published in the Southwest Sentinel, an alternate chain of invents was published in the Santa Fe Daily New Mexican, involving intoxication, spousal abuse, and possible suicide. While the reader is left to his or her own conclusions as to the manner of Fielder's death, it should be noted that the Southwest Sentinel published an update on December 15 (shown below), reporting the Fielder family was "very much aggrieved" over the reports of marital trouble and suicide. This same paper reports that Fielder was "devotedly nursed in his last hours by his wife" and that the cause of death was heart failure attributed to "uremea" (uremia). A burial location for Fielder remains unknown at this time.

From the Southwest Sentinel, December 15, 1892.