Thomas J. Phez was born on 25 August 1852 in Hanover County, Virginia. His parents are Henry & Elizabeth Phez. Thomas was first married to Barbara (Cloud), who died in 1900. In March of 1903, he married Della (Grimes) from Delaware. Della died about 24 years prior to Thomas dying. He had a daughter Amy J. (Phez) Adams and Thomas Phez.
Thomas was born while his parents were slaves in Virginia. Thomas has a brother who was opposed to the life of slavery. His brother tried to escape slavery and was shortly found to have run away. The slave owner then sent out the dogs to track him. The story went that the dogs found him and killed him before the search party arrived at the scene.
Thomas J. Phez was only twelve years old when the civil war began and he was brought north to freedom. Thomas arrived in Marion, Ohio, shortly after being sent to freedom. When Thomas was raising his children, he told of his life in slavery. He shared with his daughter, Amy about the foods they had to eat. He said the main foods included corn, bread, molasses and salt pork. They also received small portions of flour at Christmas for wheat bread.
When Phez arrived in Marion, Ohio, he had found work for three years as a chore-boy at a stone tavern owned by a Mr. Ferris. This tavern was located at the site of the Hotel Marion, prior to it being built. He then went to the Fish Farm in Pleasant Township. Phez worked there at the Fish Farm for many years.
Thomas Phez was a member and trustee of the Bethel M. E. Church on North State Street. He was also an employee of the city of Marion. He worked until he was about 70 years old. He lived the last years of his life with his daughter’s family, at 473 North Greenwood Street. Thomas J. Phez died on 16 July 1931, and was buried in Fish Cemetery, Marion County, Ohio.
Richard Napper was born in December of 1814, in Virginia. Richard was a slave and answered the call of his country. Richard was married to Mary Jane (Black) in 1856. Richard and Mary arrived in Marion, Ohio, in 1866.
Richard Napper enlisted in the Union Army on 22 June 1863. Pvt. Napper served with the Fifth Regiment United States Colored Infantry, Company H. He served until his discharge in January 1865.
Richard Napper lived on North State Street in Marion. This home suffered fire damage to the roof on 20 May 1913. Richard died on 18 September 1913, at the age of 98 years old. Richard Napper was buried in the Fish Cemetery, south of Marion. There was no marker located when the author visited in 2024.
Fish Cemetery was founded by Samuel Fish. Fish owned some of the largest tracts of land in Marion County. He developed and farmed as much as 700 acres in Pleasant Township. Samuel Fish employed many Black farm workers in the area. Many of these Black farmers lived in cabins on his farm. One of the first known burials in this cemetery is dated in 1828. Originally a cemetery for the burials of the Fish family, there were also other pioneer families and negroes buried in the cemetery.
Richard Napper may have worked for the Fish Farm, as he is reported to be buried in the Fish Cemetery. Another former slave Thomas J. Phez, was buried in the Fish Cemetery, in 1931.
Richard Napper is remembered for his service on the walls of the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Chapel, located at the Marion Cemetery. His name is in Column 3.
John R. Willes was born on 22 January 1944, in Richmond City, Virginia. His parents are John D. & Donna R. (Brown) Willes of Newark. John graduated in 1962 from Harding High School. He was employed with the Isaly Dairy Company.
John R. Willes joined the United States Air Force and was serving in Germany as an Airman Second Class (A2C). He was assigned to the 887th Tactical Missile Squadron, 38th Tactical Missile Wing, 587th Tactical Missile Group.
Unfortunately, he was killed in an automobile accident, when the car he was riding in lost control on ice. A2C Willes died on 28 February 1965. A2C John R. Willes’ remains were returned to Marion County and he was buried in the Prospect Cemetery. Military rites were held by the Verne I. Mounts Post 368, American Legion of Prospect.
It seems that Veteran’s Day celebrations in many places are being cancelled. But today The Daughters of the American Revolution – Captain William Hendricks Chapter D. A. R., continued their tradition of honoring all those who served. They did so by laying a wreath at the base of the World War One Memorial “The Spirit of the American Doughboy.”
It seems today’s ceremony did not occur with the usual speakers, Elgin High School Marching Band, Veterans Honor Guard or patriotic songs. But for the few who did show up to honor our veterans, we were able to hear Taps played by Jason & Lauren Frank. The father/daughter duo played taps in echo. Jason & Lauren Frank are Marion residents who came to Honor Veterans of their community. The Franks are members of Taps Across America. This organization provides links to musicians to play Taps for Veterans events, funeral, etc.
The Captain William Hendricks Chapter D. A. R. stated that they were here to honor all who have served their country and they placed their wreath. When done they all spoke to some of the veterans who attended and gave out a small token of their appreciation and thanked them for their service. Although the ceremony was smaller than in times past, those that attended reflected on the service and sacrifice veterans have given. It is hoped that the Veterans Day Ceremony of old will return to the park in the future.
During August of 2023, Marion’s Harding High School Class of 1968, came together to celebrate their 55th class reunion. They enjoyed getting reacquainted and recollecting old high school memories. But on August 26, 2023, representatives came together at the Marion Cemetery to remember two of their classmates who died during the Vietnam War; Jeffery S. Forry and Rick A. Wilcox. They have met on many past occasions to see that their classmates are not forgotten and to honor their sacrifices given.
While waiting for all the representatives to arrive, those already at the cemetery were talking of Jeffery Forry. Those that ran track with him recalled how small and quick he was. Those that played football recalled how fast he was and able to tackle players who were much bigger than Jeff. Some said they only knew of Jeffery, but did not know him personally. Most of Jeffery’s classmates are retired and have raised families of their own, even with grandchildren who are starting their own families. They recognize that Jeffery never had the chance at this kind of full life. That is one of the sacrifices that they came to honor him for. They also wished to keep his memory alive.
The group made their way past the Soldiers and Sailors Chapel and Memorial, then to Jeffery’s grave site. As they arrived they gathered around and began to place flowers on his headstone and place flowers near his military marker. Once the tidying-up was done, classmate and Vietnam veteran, Harold “Harry” Titus gave a brief speech. Harry wore his Class-A army jacket as he spoke. Harry talked of the types of heroes that come from life. He recalled running track with Jeff and playing football. He talked of how some of the boys from the Class of 1968, talked of ways to avoid the draft, some had intentions of fleeing to Canada, some enlisted in the National Guard or went to college. But Jeff, he said, idolized his older brother. Jeff’s brother was a Marine. And Jeff enlisted to become a Marine, like his brother. Jeff was proud to go and serve his country as a United States Marine. He said Jeff completed boot camp, infantry training and all the requirements to make him a Marine. Jeff was then sent to Vietnam. When he arrived in country he was put on a Marine helicopter for transport to his unit. When Jeff arrived at his unit and the helo was landing, the helo was struck by enemy rocket fire and went down. Jeffery and others were killed in the crash. Jeffery never made it to his unit, but was no less a hero. He did all that was asked of him and sacrificed all those things in life that his classmates would enjoy over the next 55 years. These representatives of his class make sure that the sacrifice is not forgotten and that Jeffery S. Forry is remembered. Some marked their visit with coins on the military marker before departing. All reflecting on what they are grateful for.
The group then walked back to their vehicles and proceeded together to the south section of the cemetery to the grave site of Rick Wilcox. The grave site and markers were cleaned up. Here also, the group gathered around the grave and placed flowers on both the headstone and around the military marker. Coins were also placed on the military marker. Again, Harry Titus grave a short speech. Harry talked of growing up in the same part of town as Rick. He remembered “shooting the Loop” together. Harry said that not many may remember Rick, as Rick kept to himself. Rick spent a lot of his time in the “machine shop.”
Harry said that at the time he and Rick were drafted, there were 53 kids from Marion, who had to answer the draft during that particular draft call. He said that he and Rick rode back to Marion for Christmas in a 1969 Ford Galaxy that Titus’ dad had just bought. He and Wilcox spent most of their training together. They were last together at Fort Lewis, prior to their departure for Vietnam, with the Americal Division. Once in country they were split up. Harry said they did not see each other until they were both wounded. They were both to part of the same mission that day. It was not until they were both on the evacuation helicopter that he saw Wilcox was one of the injured. Wilcox was not conscious at the time and would succumb to his injuries. Titus also, shared memories of seeing photos of Wilcox in Vietnam; talking with Vietnamese farmers and holding a Vietnamese baby. He said it was obvious Rick had a compassion for the people of Vietnam.
The representatives of Harding High School Class of 1968, left the cemetery with plans to celebrate with others of their class. They carried with them the memories of both Jeffery S. Forry and Rick A. Wilcox. They will see that these two heroes will be honored with their acts of service and sacrifices being remembered.
I thank the Class of 1968 for allowing me to be part of their ceremony and sharing their memories and this time in this remembrance.
Click on the veterans’ names above to read more about their service and sacrifice.
Honoring Marion Ohio Veterans 