Obit - Jonas B. Sprague (Newspaper Editor)
"Deceased, for a number of years was a well known and esteemed citizen of Richmond, Ohio, and he was equally valued in other places, where his business capacity and his personal qualities made him a representative man. He was born in Morgan County, Ohio, September 16, 1825, and died at Richmond, July 27, 1909, his burial being in the Union Cemetery at this place. His parents were Jotham and Almira (Bemis) Sprague, the latter of whom lived to the unusual age of ninety six years.
Jonas B. Sprague completed his education at Oberlin College and afterward taught school in both Putnam and Allen Counties, Ohio. After marriage he located at Columbus Grove, in Putnam County, where he was postmaster from 1860 until 1877 and also conducted the largest drug store outside of a city, in that part of the state. He was a leading man in the county and was much interested in politics. In 1880 he bought a drug store at Batesville, Ind., but resided there less than one year, in 1881 moving to West Liberty, Ohio, from which place he came to Richmond, in 1882. He was led to making investments here which included the founding of a newspaper, called the Radiator, because of the excellent business prospects that then seemed to belong to the place. Richmond College at that time was in a very flourishing condition and there was every reason to believe that the railroad then in course of construction, would reach Richmond. By 1887 this hope of business men was dissipated and he stopped the publishing of his paper and returned to Columbus Grove. There he continued in business as a notary public and as a collection agent until March 12, 1897, when he disposed of his interests there, following the death of his wife, and came back to Richmond. Here he served for a long time as a Justice of the Peace and was also assistant postmaster. He was a lifelong Republican and he was also a Mason of high degree. In many ways he was a man far beyond his fellows, being possessed of an exceptionally fine mind and a sense of justice and understanding of his fellow men that could not fail to bring him the attention and respect of all with whom his life brought association. He was proud of his children and afforded them every advantage in his power and they reflected credit on their parents. All were graduates of Columbus Grove College."
Title: 20th Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Volume 2
Author: Joseph Beatty Doyle
Publisher: Unigraphic, 1910
Jonas B. Sprague completed his education at Oberlin College and afterward taught school in both Putnam and Allen Counties, Ohio. After marriage he located at Columbus Grove, in Putnam County, where he was postmaster from 1860 until 1877 and also conducted the largest drug store outside of a city, in that part of the state. He was a leading man in the county and was much interested in politics. In 1880 he bought a drug store at Batesville, Ind., but resided there less than one year, in 1881 moving to West Liberty, Ohio, from which place he came to Richmond, in 1882. He was led to making investments here which included the founding of a newspaper, called the Radiator, because of the excellent business prospects that then seemed to belong to the place. Richmond College at that time was in a very flourishing condition and there was every reason to believe that the railroad then in course of construction, would reach Richmond. By 1887 this hope of business men was dissipated and he stopped the publishing of his paper and returned to Columbus Grove. There he continued in business as a notary public and as a collection agent until March 12, 1897, when he disposed of his interests there, following the death of his wife, and came back to Richmond. Here he served for a long time as a Justice of the Peace and was also assistant postmaster. He was a lifelong Republican and he was also a Mason of high degree. In many ways he was a man far beyond his fellows, being possessed of an exceptionally fine mind and a sense of justice and understanding of his fellow men that could not fail to bring him the attention and respect of all with whom his life brought association. He was proud of his children and afforded them every advantage in his power and they reflected credit on their parents. All were graduates of Columbus Grove College."
Title: 20th Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Volume 2
Author: Joseph Beatty Doyle
Publisher: Unigraphic, 1910