[2] George Hoadly graduated from Western Reserve College and attended Harvard Law School, where his fellow students included Rutherford B. Hayes and John Howell.

Originally a Democrat, he joined the Republicans during the American Civil War because he was opposed to slavery and supported the Union.

During his term in office, the Cincinnati Riots of 1884 broke out over a case in which a jury gave a verdict of manslaughter rather than murder.

Believing the case was an obvious murder, and upset with longstanding allegations of corruption in local government, members of the public concluded that the verdict was rigged.

A riot ensued as Cincinnati residents attempted to locate and lynch the killer, and 45 to 50 people died during three days of unrest and violence before militia troops reestablished calm.