Centennial History of the City of Newark and Licking County Ohio, Part 7

Author: E. M. P. Brister
Publication date: 1909
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 913

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On the 20th of December, 1855, Mr. Richards was married to Miss Rachel Jones, who was born in South Wales in May, 1834, and came to the United States in 1842 with her parents, William T. and Mary (Rees) Jones, who were also natives of South Wales and died in Licking county, the mother passing away two years after her arrival, leaving four children. The father subsequently married again. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Richards have been born ten children: Howell, now living in Granville township; Mary, the wife of Thomas W. Jones, of Seattle, Washington ; William, a resident of Emporia, Kansas, where he practices veterinary surgery; George, who operates a farm adjoining his father's place; Charles ;

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HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.

Lewellyn and Lemuel, twins, both of Kansas; Alice, the wife of John M. Brooks, of Granville township; Frank, living in the village of Granville; and Edward, at home. All are married with the exception of the last named.

Mr. Richards has usually supported the democracy and has always felt a keen and abiding interest in the vital questions of the day affecting the general welfare. His religious faith has been indicated in his membership in the Presbyterian church of Granville. For sixty-five years he has lived in the county. At the time of his arrival Newark was only a small village and log houses were very common, while ponds were numerous where business blocks now stand but the land has been drained and the district has been built up into a beautiful and thriving city, while the work of improvement and development has been carried on throughout the county. Mr. Richards has been greatly interested in all that has been accomplished and has borne his full share in the work of general im- provement.

J. N. WRIGHT, M. D.

Dr. J. N. Wright, who for a number of years has been an active and successful practitioner of medicine, but who is now devoting his attention to the duties of the office of county auditor, to which he was elected in the fall of 1904, was born in Monroe township, Licking county, August 6, 1858. His parents were James N. and Effie (Willison) Wright, both of whom were natives of Licking county, Ohio. The Wright family can trace its genealogy back through eleven generations. The first representative of the name in America came from England in 1630 and settled in Northampton, Massachusetts. The grandfather, Major Simeon S. Wright, came from Vermont in 1816 and located at Wright's Corners, midway between Alexandria and Johnstown. He was one of the pioneers of the county, for few settlements had been made within its borders at that time. There were still many evidences of Indian occupancy and but little to indicate that the white race had planted the seeds of civilization here. Major Wright, however, took an active and helpful part in promoting the agricultural development of the county, which is always the first step in promoting its business progress and subsequent upbuilding. He won his title by service under General Ethan Allen in the war of 1812. The maternal grandfather of Dr. Wright was Jeremiah Willison, who removed from Virginia to this county when it was still a frontier district and established his home in Monroe township. James N. Wright was a farmer by occupation and followed that pursuit throughout his entire life, thus providing a comfortable living for his family. He died in 1897, while his wife survived until 1902.

The boyhood and youth of Dr. Wright were spent upon the home farm in the usual manner of farm lads of that period. He worked in the fields during the summer months and in the winter season attended the district schools. At the age of eighteen years he left the farm, however, to continue his education in the literary school at Wooster, Ohio, and then, determining to make the practice of medicine his life work, he entered the medical department of the Michigan State

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HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.

University, at Ann Arbor, from which he was graduated in 1882. He began practice in Union county, Ohio, where he remained for fifteen years and built up a good business. He removed to Johnstown, his old home, in October, 1897, and continued in the active practice of his profession there until 1905, when he removed to Newark, having been elected county auditor in the fall of 1904. He is still the incumbent in the office and has the distinction of being the first republican ever elected to this position. He gave up his practice entirely when he took charge . of the auditor's office and is devoting his undivided attention to his official duties, having carefully systematized the work of the office, while his promptness and fidelity in the discharge of his duties are winning for him uniform commendation.

On the 18th of October, 1882, Dr. Wright was married to Miss Florence L. Hill, of Licking county, Ohio, and with the exception of their eldest child, James Willard, who died in his twentieth year, all of their children are yet living. These are: Helen Edna, Miles Ludlow, Donald MacLean, Gladys Ruth, Paul Jean and Hill Dean. Dr. and Mrs. Wright are consistent and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church and in Newark and other parts of the county they have an extensive circle of warm friends. Dr. Wright belongs to the County Medical Society, while in fraternal relations he is connected with the Maccabees, the Woodmen, the Elks and the Knights of Pythias. He has also attained a high rank in Masonry, being a Knight Templar and a noble of Alladin Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is in hearty sympathy with the work of the craft and exemplifies its beneficent teachings in his life. Those who know Dr. Wright-and his friends are many-entertain for him the warmest regard by reason of his many substantial qualities and genuine worth. His cordial manner, genial disposition and deference for the opinions of others have made him popular, and he stands today a thorough exemplification of the typical American professional man and gentleman.

JAMES B. CUSH.

James B. Cush, for many years a prominent lumber merchant, and now oper- ating a large farm in Jersey township, was born March 12, 1840, in St. Albans township, a son of Daniel and Catherine (Carr) Cush, the latter a native of the state of New York and the former a native of Ireland, from which place he came to New York in the year 1832, and thence to Ohio six years later. In those days there were no railroads by which to forward transit from the east, and they made the journey by wagon, bringing with them all their possessions, and settled in St. Albans township, where they remained for two years and then settled here, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The elder Mr. Cush followed agricultural pursuits and was known throughout the county for his industry, upright- ness and exemplary life, and when he passed away in September of the year 1894 he left many friends to lament his parting. Mr. Cush outlived his wife by twelve years.

Amid the common experiences and labors of the farm James B. Cush was reared and attended the district schools, where he acquired his education. He remained on the home place assisting his father until he was united in marriage

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HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.

in February, 1869, when he removed to Jay county, Indiana, and there established himself in the lumber business, which he followed for ten years, at the expiration of which time he came to Hartford township, this county, and manufactured drain tile from 1884 to 1896, when he withdrew from the commercial world and settled on the farm in Jersey township, on which he has since resided. The tract of land covers one hundred and thirty acres of highly improved property, equipped with a modern dwelling house, barns, double fencing, outbuildings, and all conveniences necessary to agriculture. Mr. Cush has made a study of soils and their adaptation to crops, and his investigations have greatly aided him in the cultivation of his farm, which from year to year is always forthcoming with an abundant yield of the first quality.

On February 4, 1869, Mr. Cush wedded Annie Wickliffe, daughter of Richard and Ellen (Dooley) Wickliffe, who came from Ireland when she was but one year old. To this union have been born: Mary, who became the wife of Frank Doersam, of Columbus, Ohio; Catherine, who wedded James Lafferty, of Jersey township; Ellen and Isabel, both of whom are deceased; Austin; Louis and Leo, twins; Nora; Raymond; and Gertrude.

Mr. Cush is a stanch democrat, and takes an active interest in his party during campaigns. He has never been ambitious as an office seeker. He has efficiently served the township as road supervisor, and for a number of years was a member of the school board. His religious convictions are on the side of Catholicism and he and his sons are members of the Catholic church. Mr. Cush is one of the most aggressive men of the community and takes great pride in his farm, the well kept appearance of which bears testimony to his thrift and enterprise. As a business man he has the confidence of all who know him, while in social life he has made a host of friends and his home is known for its congenial and hospitable atmosphere. He is a man of high integrity, whose sense of honor is one of the salient points in his character, and his straightforward walk and moral force have made him worthy of the high esteem which he enjoys in his township.

THOMAS P. JONES.

That Thomas P. Jones, who has spent his entire life in Licking county, commands the respect and good will of his fellow townsmen is indicated by the fact that he has served as justice of the peace for the past forty years, having first been elected to the office in 1869, and through reelection has served contin- uously to the present time. He is also classed among the substantial agriculturists of Union township, his farm comprising one hundred and twenty-seven acres, whereon he is engaged in general farming and stock raising. Mr. Jones is a native son of Licking county, his birth having occurred in Newton township, October 15, 1835. The parents of our subject were Evan and Elizabeth (Powell) Jones, the former born in Merionethshire, North Wales. He emigrated to the United States in 1825, at which time he located in Pennsylvania, where he spent two or three years. At the end of that time he made his way to Licking county, and settled in Newton township, where he spent a few years, engaged at his trade

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MR. AND MRS. T. P. JONES

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HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.

of brick making. Later he located in Newark township and subsequently came to Union township in 1848, where the remainder of his life was spent as an agri- culturist. He died on the farm which is now in possession of our subject, in 1866, when he had reached the age of seventy-two years. He was a devoted member of the Baptist church and in his political faith was a democrat. The mother, who, as above stated, bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Powell, was born in Welsh Hills, Licking county, in 1808, a daughter of Rev. Thomas Powell, a clergyman of the Baptist church. Mrs. Jones was the youngest of six children and the only one born in this county. By her marriage she became the mother of eight children, of whom two died in infancy. The others are: Thomas P., whose name introduces this record; Jane, who departed this life in May, 1907; Ann, who became the wife of Harry Buckland and died in 1904; Sarah P., who formerly engaged in teaching, but for the past thirty years has engaged in clerking in King Company's store in Newark; Hannah, the widow of Robert Wilson, and who since 1866 has resided in Kansas; and Elizabeth, who makes her home in Newark. The mother of this family died in 1852, at the comparatively early age of forty-four years.

Thomas P. Jones, the immediate subject of this review, was but an infant when the parents left Newton township and took up their abode in Newark township. He was there reared to the age of thirteen years, when, in 1848, another removal was made, the family home then being established in Union township, where he has since made his home. His early education was supple- mented by one year's study in Denison University, where he qualified for teaching, in which work he engaged during the winter seasons for several years. However, he chose as his life work the occupation to which he had been reared and is now the owner of a well improved farm comprising one hundred and twenty-seven acres, situated in Union township. He carries on general farming and stock- raising, making a specialty of the raising of sheep. He has met with good success in all his undertakings and today is classed among the substantial agriculturists of this section of Lieking county.

It was on the 24th of October, 1878, that Mr. Jones established a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Minerva J. Spangler, who was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, September 11, 1850, a daughter of Solomon R. and Mary Ann Spangler, who were likewise natives of Fairfield county and of German descent. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jones have been born eight children, as follows: Harry I .. who died at the age of nineteen years: S. Guy, who is a teacher in Pillsbury Academy at Owatonna, Minnesota, and who married Letitia Felix; Mary C., the wife of Harold C. McCall, of Panama, by whom she has two children, Theo and Margaret ; T. Edgar, who married Lulu B. Hanby ; and Laura M., T. Gale, George H. and C. Paul, all still under the parental roof. A democrat in principle and practice, Mr. Jones was elected on the democratic ticket in 1869 to the office of justice of the peace and has served continuously since that time, in later years the republicans having placed no candidate in the field. This fact indicates the confidence and trust which is reposed in him by his fellow townsmen regardless of political views. Mr. Jones is also a devoted member of the Licking Baptist church, having become identified with the church in 1859, Mrs. Jones also being a member of the same denomination. He is a Mason, belonging to Hebron Lodge

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HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.

No. 116, A. F. & A. M., of which he is a past master, and he is also a member of Warren Chapter, No. 6, at Newark, and the Eastern Star Chapter, No. 123, of Hebron. During the Civil war he served as captain of the Home Guards. He possesses all the elements of what may be termed a "square" man-one in whom the public have the utmost confidence. IIe is a man of broad and comprehensive views, who looks upon the world as he finds it. The people of Licking county regard him as exemplary in every respect and are proud to call him their own.

SAMUEL L. BLUE.

Samuel L. Blue needs no introduction to the readers of this volume. Those at all acquainted with the enterprising little city of Homer know Colonel Blue, as he is familiarly called, for he is engaged in general merchandising there and is one of the progressive and valued citizens of the community. He was born in Hamp- shire county, Virginia, March 15, 1838, and has therefore passed the seventy-first milestone on life's journey. His parents, Richard and Lucinda (Larimore) Blue, were both members of old Virginia families and at one time the Blue family were large slaveholders of the south. In the fall of 1850 Richard Blue, with his wife and seven children, left the Old Dominion and came to Licking county, Ohio, settling upon a farm in Bennington township, where for several years he carried on general agricultural pursuits. He then sold the property and removed to Homer, where his last days were passed, his death occurring in 1898. He was then in his ninety-first year and had retained his mental faculties unimpaired to the last. His political allegiance was always given to the democracy and he was very inter- ested in matters of progressive citizenship. His wife reached the age of seventy- seven years, passing away in 1891.

In his parents' home Samuel L. Blue spent the days of his boyhood and youth and his education was obtained in the common schools of that day. During the first three winter terms he pursued his studies in a log school house in Virginia, and in that primitive temple of learning gained his first insight into the knowledge which served as a foundation of all subsequent mental acquirement. His training at farm labor, however, was not meagre, for as soon as he was old enough to handle a plow he was put to work in the fields and remained on the home farm until after he reached the age of twenty-six years. He then came to Homer, believing that he would prefer a commercial to an agricultural life, and here engaged in merchan- dising, opening business on the 1st of January, 1865, in the room where he has carried on business continually for forty-four years. Throughout this entire period his business methods have been unassailable and his own integrity as well as enterprise has been one of the strong features in winning his success.

It was before he left the farm that Mr. Blue was married in 1862 to Miss Sarah E. Smith of this county. They became parents of three daughters: Nettie. the wife of J. W. Sigler, of Mt. Vernon, Ohio; Eleanor, residing at Columbus, Ohio, who is recording clerk in the state senate; and Mable, the wife of Charles Hayes, of Homer, Ohio. In polities Mr. Blue has been a lifelong democrat and has been called to fill various public positions. He served as postmaster of Homer

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HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.

under President Andrew Johnson, for two or three terms was township clerk, while for ten consecutive terms he served as township treasurer. He was also president of the school board for fifteen or sixteen years and the cause of education found in him a stalwart champion, ever interested in the welfare of the public schools. Still higher official honors came to him in 1887, when he was elected to represent his district in the state legislature, and that his labors there received uniform indorsement is indicated in the fact that he was reelected in 1889 and thus served for four years, during which time he was connected with much con- structive legislation and left the impress of his individuality upon the laws enacted during that period. He gave careful consideration to all questions which came up for settlement, and it was soon recognized that he was fearless in support of his honest convictions. In 1900 he was elected land appraiser of his township, which is the last public position that he has filled. Fraternally he is connected with Licking Lodge No. 2919, A. F. & A. M., and during the existence of the Odd Fellows Lodge in Homer he held membership therein and filled all of its chairs. No citizen of this part of the county is more widely known, enjoys to a fuller extent the good will and confidence of the people and more justly merits this confidence. While he has now passed beyond the psalmist's allotted span of life of three score years and ten, he is yet an active factor in life's work and is one of the most popular and honored residents of Homer.

J. R. DAVIES.

The life record of J. R. Davies stands in contradistinction to the old adage, that a prophet is never without honor save in his own country, for in the county of his nativity J. R. Davies has gained recognition as an able lawyer and is now numbered among the successful and capable representatives of the bar. His birth occurred in Granville on the 15th of February, 1845, his parents being David A. and Anne (Reese) Davies, both of whom were natives of Newtown, Wales. 'They came to America in 1840 and about 1841 settled in Granville. The father was a weaver by trade and followed that business for a number of years, owning and operating a hand loom. He wove carpets and flannels and found a good market for his products. For many years he was a deacon in the Baptist church of Granville and was both widely and favorably known in business and church circles. His life was at all times honorable and upright, winning for him the unqualified respect of those with whom he came in contact. He died in Granville in 1886, while his wife passed away a few years later. They had for more than four decades been residents of the county and had always given their influence on the side of justice, truth and right.

J. R. Davies was educated in Denison University and graduated in 1869 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He then determined to become a member of the legal fraternity and entered the law department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where he won the degree of Bachelor of Laws, in 1861. The same year he was admitted to the bar, at Newark, and immediately afterward began practice in this city, where he has since continued, securing an extensive clientage

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HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.

whereby he has been connected with much of the important litigation tried in the courts of this district. Earnest application, comprehensive study and the ability to correctly apply principles of jurisprudence in the points in litigation have gained him success, winning many verdicts favorable to his clients. His arguments are strong and forceful and at all times he displays that respect to the court which is its due, loyally caring for the interests of his clients, yet never forgetting that he owes a still higher allegiance to the majesty of the law. He engages in general practice and is the attorney of the Newark Trust Company, of which he is also a director.

In 1882 Mr. Davies was married to Miss Mary E. Anderson. His children are: Elizabeth Rose, now the wife of H. W. Amos of the Cambridge Jeffersonian ; Clara Anne, instructor in Shepardson College; and William Ashmore, deceased.

In politics Mr. Davies is independent, nor has he ever sought office save on one occasion, when he was candidate for mayor. His inactivity as a political worker, however, does not preclude his helpful interest in many other matters of general moment. The cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion and he is now serving as secretary of the board of trustees of Denison University and also of Shepardson College, while of the Ohio Baptist convention he is also a trustee. He has always been a close student of those questions and interests which are to the statesman and the man of affairs of grave import. As a lawyer he has made that steady progress which shows that he remains a student of his profession, keeping at all times thoroughly familiar with the fundamental prin- ciples of law as well as with the specific principles or precedents which bear upon his case. His friends find him a social and genial gentleman and his unfailing courtesy and friendly spirit have gained for him high regard throughout the community.

ELLIS B. JONES.

Ellis B. Jones, who owns and operates one hundred and sixty acres of valuable and well improved land in Madison township, is well known not only as an agriculturist but as a breeder and raiser of Shetland ponies, in which he is quite extensively engaged. He was born in Newark township, Licking county, March 3, 1853, a son of Richard and Elizabeth (Evans) Jones, both of whom were natives of Wales, whence at the age of eight years they accompanied their respective parents to this country. Both the Jones and Evans families established their homes in Licking county, the former settling in Newark township, while the latter located in Granville township. Richard Jones followed the blacksmith's trade in Newark for fifty-eight years and there died at the advanced age of eighty-two years, while his wife preceded him to the home beyond, her death occurring at the comparatively carly age of forty-eight years.

Ellis B. Jones, the subject of this review, was reared in Newark and attended the grammar schools of this city. After putting aside his text-books he learned the blacksmith's trade under the direction of his father and was engaged in business in Newark for thirty-eight years, during which time he was very suc-

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RICHARD JONES

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ELLIS B. JONES

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HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.

cessful. However, carefully saving his earnings in the meantime, he invested his money in one hundred and sixty acres of land, situated in Madison township, some years ago, and in 1897 removed to his farm and in connection with black- smithing carried on general agricultural pursuits. About five years ago he abandoned blacksmithing and since that time has devoted his time entirely to the work of the fields and to breeding and raising Shetland ponies, in which he is meeting with excellent success. His farm is improved with good buildings and everything about the place is kept in a good state of repair, indicating the progressive methods of the owner.

Mr. Jones was married May 19, 1881, the lady of his choice being Miss Irene G. Flory, a resident of Newark. Their union has been blessed with six children, of whom five survive: Florence, the wife of Charles Fleming, a resident of Hanover township; Wilfred; Ruth; Richard; and Frederick. They lost a little daughter, Alice, at the age of four years.

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Centennial History of the City of Newark and Licking County Ohio, Part 7

Author: E. M. P. Brister Publication date: 1909 Publisher: Number of Pages: 913

Author: E. M. P. Brister
Publication date: 1909
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 913