< CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO 1912 BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX >
< CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO LIST OF BIOGRAPHICAL INDEXES >
 

	CHARLES C. IAMS.     Charles C. lams was born Oct. 23, 1860, at Tomah, Monroe county, Wisconsin, and he is the son of the late Rev. Francis M. and Mary M. lams.  On Nov. 11, 1875, the family located in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, where the subject has since made his home. .In December, 1875, he was apprenticed to learn the printers’ trade in the office of Park’s Floral Magazine, and about fifteen months later he became the “devil” in the office of the Mt. Vernon Republican, a weekly paper then published by Wilkinson and Knabenshue.  He learned the business thoroughly and passed through all the stages of “devil,” pressman, job printer and foreman, and in 1887 became city editor of the Republican under the editorship of the late Col. Charles F. Baldwin, whom he succeeded as editor in the fall of 1894.  In January, 1900, the Republican Publishing Company, publishers of the Mt. Vernon Daily Republican-News and the Knox County Semi-Weekly Republican-News reorganized as follows: Ben Ames, president; Charles C. lams, vice-president, editor and manager, and L. A. Culbertson, secretary and treasurer; and this organization still continues.  The news columns of the papers published by this company teem with the best and brightest chronicles of the world’s happenings, and from a mechanical standpoint the Republican-News ranks with the best in the state, and it is rapidly growing in importance as an advertising medium.      Politically, Mr. lams is a Republican and has ever been loyal in supporting and defending his party principles and he is prominent and influential in the councils of the party, both in county and state campaigns.  He has never been an office seeker, but has aided in placing the best men in local offices.  He is widely regarded as an able and worthy exponent of good government and right living.  Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Masonic order, having passed the chairs in the subordinate lodges of these orders as well as in the chapter, council and commandery; he is a Knight Templar, a member of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.      Mr. Iams was married on Nov. 25, 1880, to Katherine M. Hill, daughter of the late J. M. and Elizabeth Hill, and this union has resulted in the birth of one daughter, Edythe.      The Mt. Vernon Republican was establishedin 1840, and it was continued as a weekly paper until 1885, when it became a semi-weekly, attaining a large circulation.  Col. C. F. and W. F. Baldwin, proprietors. Col. Charles F. Baldwin being editor in chief.  A few years later the paper was purchased by the Republican Publishing Company, and in September, 1897, the publication of a daily edition was begun.  The following year the word News was added to the original name, the publication becoming the Mt. Vernon Daily and Semi-Weekly Republican News.  These papers have a wide circulation and are recognized among readers and advertisers as being up-to-date.  The company also has a well equipped job office and this department does a large business.  The office is modernly equipped in every respect, including a duplex newspaper press, rapid job presses, an abundance of modern type adn other materials; the equipment also includes two linotvpe machines.  The company owns its own building, a substantial two story brick with basement, and admirably arranged for modern newspaper work. Source: Past and Present of Knox County, Ohio - Vol. II - Publ. by B. F. Bowen & Company, Indianapolis, Indiana - 1912 - Page 449
	JAMES ISRAEL.     Self-assertion is believed by many people to be absolutely necessary to success in life, and there are good reasons for the entertainment of such belief.  The modest man very rarely gets what is due him.   The selfish, aggressive man elbows his way to the front, takes all that is in sight and it sometimes seems that modesty is a sin with self-denial the penalty.  There are, however, exceptions to all rules and it is a matter greatly to be regretted that the exceptions to the conditions referred to are not more numerous.  One notable exception is the honorable gentleman whose life history we here present, who possesses just a sufficient amount of modesty to be a gentle man at all times and yet sufficient persistency to win in the business world and at the same time not appear over bold, and as a result of these well and happily blended qualities Mr. Israel has won a host of friends throughout Knox county, being well known as a man of influence, integrity and business ability, and as a patriotic citizen who has ever had the welfare of his county and state at heart.      James Israel, of Mt. Vernon, was born in this city on Oct. 1, 1843, and he is the son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Harper) Israel.  The father was born on Oct. 8, 1810, at Bedford, Westchester county, New York, and when a young man he learned the trade of brick mason.  In 1830, being influenced by better prospects, he proceeded to the West, a companion ac companying him from New York to the land of promise.  They first went to Detroit, Michigan, where they remained only a short time, then crossed Lake Erie to Sandusky and there put all their earthly belongings into a one horse wagon and started for Mt. Vernon, which they reached in due time.  Here Mr. Israel found employment at his trade as brick mason and soon found favor with the people.  On Jan. 28, 1831, Samuel Israel and Elizabeth Harper were married.  The latter was a member of a prominent family of Muskingum county, living near Zanesville, and she was born May 9, 1808.  Establishing his permanent home here, Mr. Israel continued to work as a brick mason.  He always had an insatiable ambition to obtain a high education, but he had few advantages in his youth.  He wanted to be a lawyer.  Mrs. Israel had been better provided with text-book training and she became her husband’s tutor.  About this time he was employed at his trade in erecting some of the Kenyon College buildings at Gambier, Ohio, five miles east of Mt. Vernon.  While thus engaged he walked to and fro between these towns every day, working all day and eating a cold lunch at noon.  After supper he would pore over his books until ten or eleven o’clock, repeating his ordeal day after day.  As he made progress in general education his desire to become a lawyer increased and Blackstone was added to his studies.  He made progress rapidly and in time became a student in the office of Hon. Columbus Delano, becoming his partner after being admitted to the bar, and this partnership continued successfully for several years.  In due course of time Mr. Israel became a prominent and successful member of the Knox county bar and was engaged in many of the most important cases in the courts of his district.  His entire time and energies were given to his profession, with the exception of about six years, when he became interested with Gen. Goshorn A. Jones and Colonel Hard in the extension and construction of what is now the Cleveland, Akron & Cincinnati Railroad, known as the Akron division of the Pennsylvania Lines, from Millersburg, the county seat of Holmes county, to Columbus.  After this was completed and in successful operation, Mr. Israel resumed the active practice of law, which he continued with his usual marked success until his death, Aug. 15, 1889, his wife having preceded him to the grave on Sept. 11, 1882.  They were the parents of seven children, only three of whom are now living, namely: Francis is deceased; Adeline is deceased; Amanda, deceased; Sarah, deceased; Lavinia, of Mt. Vernon; James, of this review, and Samuel H., president of the Knox County Savings Bank.      Samuel Israel, father of these children, was a Democrat of the old school, but during the Civil war he was a staunch supporter of the government.  He was never an office seeker or an office holder, but he was frequently active as a stump speaker during campaigns, upholding the principles of his party in an able manner.  He was a man who always applied himself with full force to the task in hand.  He was a man of broad and liberal views and thorough information upon all subjects of public import.   He was a conspicuous example of what a young man may aspire to and acquire in a country like ours, without money, without influence and without the advantages of even a preliminary education; he acquired all of these after reaching his majority and attained a place in the public estimation that might satiate the ambitions of any man.      James Israel, the immediate subject of this review, obtained his education in the Mt. Vernon public schools and in his youth assisted with the work on his father's farm near the city.  In the spring of 1864 he enlisted for service in the Union army, as a private in Company K, One Hundred and Forty-Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for the one-hundred-day service.  He contracted typhoid fever and after recovering from a protracted illness he went to Chicago in the fall of 1864 and was employed in the wholesale hardware house of Seiberger & Breakey, remaining in their employ for five years, during which time he learned the ins and outs of this line of business and gave the firm entire satisfaction.  Returning to Mt. Vernon in the fall of 1869, he engaged in the manufacture of linseed oil and a general grain business, in which he met with success.  He closed out his oil and grain business in 1897 and at the re-organization of the Mt. Vernon Bridge Company he became secretary and treasurer, also general manager of the same and he continued in this capacity until January, 1910, when he became president of the company and was succeeded by his son George, as secretary and treasurer.  During Mr. Israel's able and judicious management he has seen the company grow from a concern of very modest proportions to one of the largest and most important factories of its kind in the state and the Middle West.  He is a man of splendid business acumen, tact and foresight, with fine executive ability and keen discernment, succeeding at whatever he turns his attention to, being methodical and systematic in everything.  He is also vice-president of the Knox County Savings Bank, of which his brother, Samuel H., is president, and they have a very potent influence in the financial circles of this locality.      Mr. Israel is a Republican in politics, and for many years was active and influential in party councils and party affairs.  During the administration of President Harrison, Mr. Israel was postmaster at Mt. Vernon and during his term of office the free mail delivery system was established for Mt. Vernon.  He also served as a member of the city board of education for ten years.  He is a member of the Joe Hooker Post, Grand Army of the Republic.      Mr. Israel was married on June 17, 1872, to Ada B. Jones, a lady of culture and refinement, daughter of Gen. Goshorn A. and Sarah (Raymond) Jones, a prominent Mt. Vernon family, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work.  This union has been blessed by the birth of three children, namely: George is married and he is secretary and treasurer of the Mt. Vernon Bridge Company, as before stated; John W. is now deceased; Sarah married Edward Dunnick, of Mt. Vernon.  The family home is located at No. 105 East Gambier street* and is the favorite gathering place of the best people in this vicinity, the family having long been important factors in local social circles Source: Past and Present of Knox County, Ohio - Vol. II - Publ. by B. F. Bowen & Company, Indianapolis, Indiana - 1912 - Page 444 *SHARON WICK'S NOTE:  The House is still standing and can be found on Google Maps.  There are many tree branches that make it hard to see.
	SAMUEL ISRAEL Source: Past and Present of Knox County, Ohio - Vol. II - Publ. by B. F. Bowen & Company, Indianapolis, Indiana - 1912 - Page 446
	SAMUEL H. ISRAEL Source: Past and Present of Knox County, Ohio - Vol. II - Publ. by B. F. Bowen & Company, Indianapolis, Indiana - 1912 - Page 674
	CHARLES B. JACKSON Source: Past and Present of Knox County, Ohio - Vol. II - Publ. by B. F. Bowen & Company, Indianapolis, Indiana - 1912 - Page 505
	EDWARD JACKSON Source: Past and Present of Knox County, Ohio - Vol. II - Publ. by B. F. Bowen & Company, Indianapolis, Indiana - 1912 - Page 790
	WILL H. JACKSON Source: Past and Present of Knox County, Ohio - Vol. II - Publ. by B. F. Bowen & Company, Indianapolis, Indiana - 1912 - Page 495
	HENRY M. JACOBS Source: Past and Present of Knox County, Ohio - Vol. II - Publ. by B. F. Bowen & Company, Indianapolis, Indiana - 1912 - Page 591
	ISAAC S. JOHNSON Source: Past and Present of Knox County, Ohio - Vol. II - Publ. by B. F. Bowen & Company, Indianapolis, Indiana - 1912 - Page 880
	JAMES JOHNSON Source: Past and Present of Knox County, Ohio - Vol. II - Publ. by B. F. Bowen & Company, Indianapolis, Indiana - 1912 - Page 553
	VAN BUREN JACKSON   Source: Past and Present of Knox County, Ohio - Vol. II - Publ. by B. F. Bowen & Company, Indianapolis, Indiana - 1912 - Page 496
	WALTER B. JOHNSON Source: Past and Present of Knox County, Ohio - Vol. II - Publ. by B. F. Bowen & Company, Indianapolis, Indiana - 1912 - Page 552
	GOSHORN A. JONES.     Human life is like the waves of the sea - they flash a few brief moments in the sunlight, marvels of power and beauty, and then are dashed upon the relentless shores of death and disappear forever.  As the mighty deep has rolled for ages past and chanted its sublime requiem and will continue to roll during the coming ages until time shall be no more, so will the waves of human life follow each other in countless succession until they mingled at last with the billows of eternity’s boundless sea.  The passing of any human life, however humble and unknown, is sure to give rise to a pang of anguish to some heart, but when the fell destroyer knocks audibly at the door of the useful and great and removes from earthly scenes the man of honor and influence and the benefactor of his kind, it not only means bereavement to kindred and friends, but a public calamity as well.  In the largest and best sense of the term, the late Gen. Goshorn A. Jones, of Mt. Vernon, was distinctively one of the notable men of his day and generation, and as such is entitled to a conspicuous place in the annals of his city, county and state, for as a citizen lie was public-spirited and enterprising to an unwonted degree, as a friend and neighbor he combined the qualities of head and heart that won confidence and commanded respect and as a business man he stood second to none in Knox county.      General Jones was born in Burnt Cabins, Fulton county, Pennsylvania, Apr. 12, 1812, and after a long, useful and strenuous life, he passed to his rest on Apr. 18, 1904, at the advanced age of ninety-two years, his long life being due, no doubt, in very large measure to his exemplary habits and right thinking.  He was the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Goshorn) Jones, both natives of Franklin county, Pennsylvania.  In 1813 the parents emigrated to Washington county, Pennsylvania, and located at Claysville and West Alexandria.  In this locality the son, Goshorn A., spent his youth and obtained his education in the public schools there.  In 1834 he came to Mt. Vernon, Knox county, Ohio, and began active business as a merchant, dealing also in produce and wool, continuing this business with gratifying results until 1850, in which year he gave up business for the purpose of accepting an appointment as United States marshal by President Zachary Taylor for the district of Ohio, the duties of which important position he discharged in a manner that reflected much credit upon himself and to the entire satisfaction of all concerned.  At the expiration of his term of office he, in connection with John H. Winterbotham, engaged in the manufacture of agricultural implements, employing the convict labor of Fort Madison, Iowa.  He continued in this business for about eleven years with much success, then spent several years in prospecting, visiting several of the most important mining regions of the United States.      General Jones was the originator of the Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Columbus railroad, now the Akron & Cincinnati railroad, and better known as the Akron division of the Pennsylvania lines, and in 1869 was made superintendent of the road, in which position he continued until William N. Monsaratt became president of the road.  He managed its affairs in a manner that stamped him as an up-to-date business man, a natural born organizer and promoter and won the hearty commendation of the stockholders.      General Jones was married in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, to Sarah Raymond, daughter of Rev. Nathan Raymond, a popular minister in the Methodist Episcopal church who resided in Mt. Vernon for a number of years, having come here from New York.  The death of Mrs. Jones occurred a number of years prior to that of her husband.  Five children were born to them, as follows: Mrs. Mary J. Baker, Fanny, Mrs. Rachael Tilton, Ada, who married James Israel, whose sketch appears in another part of this work; Fred W. (deceased).      General Jones was a Whig and later a Republican in politics.  He was a general in the Ohio state militia prior to the Mexican war.  He was a man of strong mental caliber and courageous in defense of his opinion when once convinced that he was right.  He was one of the strong and important factors in this community.  He is buried in Mt. Vernon cemetery, and his influence and many good deeds will cause his memory to be cherished through coming generations. Source: Past and Present of Knox County, Ohio - Vol. II - Publ. by B. F. Bowen & Company, Indianapolis, Indiana - 1912 - Page 439