Richmond County Virginia USGenWeb Archives Biographies.....Oakley, Newton Z. 1858 - 
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Joy Fisher http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00001.html#0000031 February 17, 2008, 3:48 pm

Author: Leonard Wilson  (1916)

NEWTON Z. OAKLEY

WHEN a man is possessed of lofty and inspiring ideals, is an earnest worker in
the cause of education, a firm believer in unceasing service to his fellowman,
and devoted to the principles of true religion, it generally follows that he is
to be found among the progressive and substantial citizens of a Commonwealth.

    Newton Z. Oakley, of Simonson, Richmond County, Virginia, is a man of this
class. Born in New York City, May 16, 1858, a son of George T. Oakley, he
secured his education in public and private schools and was able to avail
himself of all those advantages which secured for him a liberal education.

    In 1876 he accompanied his parents to Richmond County, Virginia, where they
had taken up a tract of land and established a new home, and it was here that
young Oakley began business life in which he has achieved an unusual degree of
success. While the cultivation of his farm of some 600 acres yields him both
pleasure and profit, it is in the business of oyster planting and packing in
this section of the "Old Dominion" that he has built up a most lucrative trade.
As an evidence of the confidence reposed in him by his fellow-citizens it is
noteworthy that he is a member of the Board of Directors of the Northern Neck
State Bank.

    Politically Mr. Oakley is a Democrat, but remains free from partisan
politics in all matters which will accomplish the greatest good to the general
public.

    The maiden name of Mr. Oakley's mother was Emily A. Zeluff, a descendant of
the Zeluffs and Posts, who are recorded among the early settlers in New York.
Mrs. Oakley's father was known as "honest John Zeluff" and this characterization
eloquently conveys the esteem in which he was held. In the veins of Mr. Oakley
are blended the traits of this sturdy stock. On the paternal side his ancestors
were likewise prominent in Richmond County, New York, now the Borough of
Richmond, a part of Greater New York.

    In 1884 Newton Z. Oakley was married to Maria C, daughter of William and
Margaret (Jones) Allison. They have one son, John Z. Oakley, and an adopted
daughter. Both children were educated at Farnham Academy, the son completing his
education in Baltimore. In religious views Mr. Oakley is affiliated with the
Baptist denomination. He is a man of deep religious feeling which expresses
itself in a noble generosity. A high appreciation of his character is given
expression in a letter from a former pastor of his church which testifies that:

    "Mr. Oakley is a genuine true Christian, loyal member of the church, and
recognized by everybody to be the most influential member in his community. He
always understands the situation and never refuses to speak or do his duty. His
church always knows it can count on him under any circumstances to do everything
in his power conducive to the best interests of all."

    Members of the Oakley family are frequently mentioned in early Colonial
documents of Long Island and elsewhere, and the name appears on our
Revolutionary Roll. Both in County Salop, England, and in County Merioneth,
Wales, the Oakleys have a long and honorable record. The family Coat of Arms is
thus described:

    "Argent on a fesse between three crescents gules, as many fieurs-de-liB, or."


Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

MAKERS OF AMERICA
BIOGRAPHIES OF LEADING MEN OF THOUGHT AND ACTION

THE MEN WHO CONSTITUTE THE BONE AND SINEW OF AMERICAN PROSPERITY AND LIFE

VOLUME II

By
LEONARD WILSON,
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ASSISTED BY PROMINENT HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL WRITERS
Illustrated with many full page engravings
B. F. JOHNSON, INC.
CITY OF WASHINGTON, U. S. A.
1916

Copyright, 1916
by
B. F. Johnson, Inc.


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