Julius J. Wright

As printed in 1906

HULIUS J. WRIGHT, deceased, once a prominent resident of Pickaway County, was born in Loudoun County, Virginia, January 5, 1830, and died in his old home place in the county of his birth, on September 20, 1903. He was a son of Joseph and Mary ( Sullivan) Wright.

The father of Mr. Wright was born in Ireland and died when his son Julius was 13 years of age. His mother was born in Loudoun County, Virginia, and her life closed when her son was a child of five years. The orphan boy was reared in the-home of his grandfather, with whom he remained until he started out in life for himself.

Upon coming to Ohio, Julius J. Wright settled for a time in Ross County. From there he went to Osage County, Kansas, where he took up a government land claim on which he lived for some years. Upon his return to Ohio, he located in Pickaway County, where he lived for many years. On April 5, 1866, he was married to Mary A. Emerson, who was born in Pickaway township, Pickaway County, Ohio, April 5, 1838. She is a daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Kennedy) Emerson, the former

Googl( of whom was born in Virginia and the latter, in Kentucky.

Thomas Emerson was a son of Thomas and Mary (Downey) Emerson, who came to Pickaway County and were very early settlers in Pickaway township. The father of Mrs. Wright became one of the very old residents here, his life extending to 91 years. Of his children, three survive, viz.: James, of Pickaway township; Mrs. Mary A*. Wright; and George T., also of Pickaway township.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Wright were eight in number, the survivors being: Sarah A., Thomas E., Robert F., Adella M., Laura L. and Walter E. Mrs. Wright resides on a fine farm of 100 acres of well-cultivated land. She is a valued member of Ebenezer Church of the Evangelical Association. Her whole life has been passed in Pickaway County and she is a worthy representative of one of its oldest and most honored families.

MES WARD has been a prominent resident of Pickaway County since 1857. For many years he was actively engaged in farming in Walnut township, where he still owns a large estate; for the past two years, however, he has been a resident and leading business man of Ashville, being president of the Citizens* Bank and extensively interested in the grain business. He was born October 16, 1844, in Fairfield County, Ohio, and is a son of Peter and Mary Ann (Greek) Ward.

Peter Ward and his wife were both natives of Fairfield County. In the spring of 1849 he moved to Allen County, where He resided for four years, being killed in 1853 by a team. William Ward, the great-grandfather of our subject, was a native of England who came to this country and first settled in Virginia. In 1802 he moved to Pickaway County, which at that time was included in Ross County. William Ward, grandfather of James Ward, was born in Virginia and upon coming to Ohio settled in Pickaway County; later lie married and moved into Fairfield County.

James Ward, the subject of this sketch, was compelled to leave home at an early age because of the death of his father. He went to the home of his brother-in-law, Sidney J. Ward, at 12 years of age and bound himself to his brother-in-law until his 21st year, under the condition that he was to be given a horse, bridle, saddle and a suit of clothes, which he received in 1865. He received his early education in the common schools and 'afterward took a special course in the normal school at Lebanon, Ohio, preparing himself for teaching. After leaving school, he engaged in farming and also taught school for 16 winters. Since then he has devoted his time and energies to agricultural pursuits. He finally, in 1878, bought the farm where he had lived as a boy and as a tenant, paying $114 per acre, and having 10 years to pay for the same. He continued to be a resident of the farm until

In August, 1863, Mr. Ward enlisted in the Ohio National Guard for five years and was made corporal in Company F, 92nd Regiment. On May 2, 1864, he was called into the United States service for 100 days, as a member of Company C, 155th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and served until August 27th, when he was discharged at Camp Dennison. He was discharged from the Ohio National Guard, May 1, 1866, by act of the State Legislature.

Mr. Ward was married in 1876 to Harriet Cromley, a daughter of Stephen Cromley. They had two children, both of whom died during infancy. Mrs. Ward died December 6, 1882. In 1893 he was married to Hannah L. McCan, a daughter of James McCan, who is a resident of Pickaway County. Mr. Ward is prominent in Masonry, being a member of the 'Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council and Commandery at Circleville. He is also a member of Lodge No. 747, I. O. O. F., at Ashville; Nebraska Grange, No. 64, of Walnut township; and W. H. Morral Post, No. 167, G. A. R., of Ashville.

Mr. Ward started in life a very poor boy and is now a man of large means, and takes a very active interest in all movements that tend toward the advancement of the town and

Googk community in which he resides. He is president of the Citizens’ Bank of Ashville and has been engaged in the grain business for a number of years. He enjoys the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens and takes more pride in being a farmer than in being the president of a bank. Portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Ward accompany this sketch.

As printed in History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens (1906). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.