Joseph Light

OSEPH LIGHT, superintendent of the Dayton Gas Light & Coke company, was born in London, England, June 16, 1833. His parents, George and Ann (Rutherford) Light, were natives of England, and were the parents of twelve children, only two of whom are now living, viz: Mary Ann, widow of Edward Roberts, and who is living in Dayton, and Joseph, the subject of this sketch.

George Light, the father of Joseph, was a brick mason by trade, an Episcopalian in religion, and died in London when ‘seventy-six years of age, in 1852. His wife, who was a Congregationalist in religion, died in 1866, aged sixty-five years.

The paternal grandfather was also a native of England, and lived in that country all his life, dying at the age of 101 years. The maternal grandfather, John Rutherford, was a native of Scotland, and died in the land of his birth.

Joseph Light was reared and educated in London, and when twelve years of age began to learn the manufacture of gas machinery and the art of ship building, in that city. These occupations he followed with energy and interest until he was eighteen years of age, and then came to the United States. In Cincinnati he was engaged in the manufacture of gas for three years, and, in 1855, removed to Dayton, where he took charge of the Dayton Gas Light & Coke company’s works as superintendent, which position he has held ever since, a period of forty-two years. Mr. Light is interested in the firm of G. J. Roberts & Co., manufacturers of steam pumps and general machinery. He is also president of the Piqua Gas Works company, and is superintendent of the Urbana Gas works.

Mr. Light was married in November, 1854, to Miss Catherine Lee, daughter of Richard Lee, of Cincinnati, the maiden name of whose wife was McGee. To this marriage there have been born six children, three sons and three daughters, as follows: Catherine, George,

Jennie, Joseph E., Ella F., and Edward H. George married Miss Lida Ferguson. He is assistant superintendent of the Gas Light & Coke company. Jennie married Charles De- Armon, of Piqua, Ohio, and has three children, Joseph Eugene, Catherine, and Charles Rutherford. Mrs. Catherine Light died in 1874. She was an excellent woman, and a member of the Presbyterian church. At her death she was mourned by many friends as well as by her relatives, as one whose place it would be difficult to fill.

Mr. Light was married the second time,

April 7, 1880, to Miss Elizabeth Westwood, daughter of John C. and Susannah Westwood, by whom he has had no children. Mr. and Mrs. Light are members of the Park Presbyterian church, which was organized in 1851. Mr. Light is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has had conferred upon him the thirty-second degree. He is an Odd Fellow, and was a charter member of Miami lodge, No. 32, Knights of Pythias, and is also a Knight of Honor. Politically, Mr. Light is an earnest republican.

Mr. Light’s connection of over forty years with the gaslight and coke company has made his name familiar throughout the community, and he is not only regarded in business circles as a man of strong native ability and judgment, but enjoys the sincere confidence and esteem of all Dayton’s citizens. In the several departments of the gas company’s plant over 100 men are employed, so that Mr. Light’s position is one of great importance and responsibility.

In 1872, after being absent from his native country some twenty years, he made a three-months’ visit to his old home, this being the only time he has been away from Dayton for any considerable period. Mr. Light is a consistent member of his church, and an industrious and worthy citizen of the state in which he has lived for forty-five years.

As printed in Centennial portrait and biographical record of the city of Dayton and of Montgomery County, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, together with the biographi (1897). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.