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OHIO GENEALOGY EXPRESS
A Part of Genealogy
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Welcome to
Richland County,
Ohio
History & Genealogy
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BIOGRAPHIES
Source
Centennial Biographical History
of Richland Co., Ohio
Illustrated
By A. J. Baughman, Editor
Published Chicago - The Lewis Publishing Co.
1901
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JAMES M. BALLIETT
was born Aug. 19, 1849, on the old homestead farm in Monroe
township, Richland county. His father, David
Balliett, was a native of Pennsylvania, born near
Schuylkill, but removed to the Buckeye state, where he
reared his family. Under the parental roof James M.
Balliett spent his childhood days, and his education was
acquired in the district schools near his home and in
private schools in Lucas. With the exception of one
year he always resided on the old home farm, where he was
born. Soon after attaining his majority he assumed its
management and in the care of the property displayed
excellent business ability.
On the 26th day of August, 1886, Mr. Balliett
was united in marriage to Miss Kate Scully, a native
of New York city, whose parents died during her early
girlhood. To our subject and his wife were born six
children: Cora E., who was born Feb. 5, 1871, and is
the wife of Charles Ecker, of Canton, Ohio; Effie
G., who was born Aug. 26, 1872, and is the wife of W.
O. Collins, of Lucas; Homer E., who was born Dec.
16, 1876, and married Miss Emma Barr, of Lucas;
Charlie, who was born Oct. 30, 1879, and died Oct. 4,
1885; Edna E., who was born Jan. 4, 1882, and died on
the 11th of September of that year; and Howard H.,
who was born Oct. 3, 884, and is still with his mother.
Mr. Balliett served as trustee of his township
and gave his political support to the Democracy. He
was a member of the Lutheran church, and in his conduct with
his fellow men exemplified his Christian faith. He was
the owner of one hundred and seventy-five acres of land and
carried on general farming and stock-raising, following
progressive business methods. He was very systematic,
and his determined purpose enabled him to overcome all
obstacles in his path and work his way upward to a position
of affluence. He was broad-minded, liberal in his
judgment and public-spirited, supporting all measures
calculated to prove of public benefit. He died May 12,
1886, and in his death the community lost one of its valued
citizens, a man whom to know was to esteem and honor.
His widow still resides on the old home farm, and she, too,
is a consistent member of the Lutheran church. Her
circle of friends is extensive and she enjoys the
hospitality of many of the best homes in this locality.
Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Richland Co.,
Ohio - Publ: Mansfield by A. A., Graham & Co. - 1901 - Page
382 |
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SAMUEL BARR.
For almost seventy years Samuel Barr has been
numbered among the enterprising and energetic citizens of
Richland county, Ohio, and is now residing on the old
homestead on section 5, Monroe township, where much of his
life has been passed. He was born on the 25th of May,
1823, in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, and is one of a
family of seven children, but he and two sisters are the
only representatives now living. Nancy is the
widow of David Baker and a resident of
Kosciusko county, Indiana, while Mary is the widow of
Henry Statler and a resident of this county.
David Barr, the father of our subject, was born
in Pennsylvania in 1798, of German parentage, and there grew
to manhood. He wedded Mary Kaylor who was born
in Hagerstown, Maryland, in 1796, and in May 1830, they
started west in company with her father, Frederick Kaylor,
who had been engaged in business as a saddler and
harnessmaker in Hagerstown, but in this state worked but
little at his trade. His last days were spent in Stark
county, where the family first located, and there Mr.
Barr planted a crop and spent about five months, and
then came to Richland county, after planting his crop, and
purchased a quarter-section of land in Monroe township.
He returned to Stark county to cultivate and harvest his
crop, and in the fall returned to Richland county with his
family, and in the midst of an almost unbroken forest they
made their home in true pioneer style in the primitive log
cabin. Soon afterward he erected a two-story log house
on his farm. Upon his farm here the father died Nov.
4, 1872, and the mother passed away in 1868. In his
political views he was a Democrat.
During his boyhood Samuel Barr pursued his
studies in the local schools and assisted in the arduous
task of clearing and improving the home farm. He
remained under the parental roof until he was married, in
1846, to Miss Barbara A. Beasore, a native of
Maryland and a daughter of Daniel Beasore who came to
Ohio during the '20s and settled in Monroe Township, this
county. By that union were born six children, the
surviving members being Mary J., the wife of
William Durbin, who is now operating our subject's farm;
Salina A., the wife of Charles Swigart, a
farmer of Clay county, Kansas; and Susan E., the wife
of Hon. W. S. Kerr, of this county. The wife
and mother died in January, 1868, and the following December
Mr. Barr was united in marriage with Miss Susan M.
McBride, a native of Richland county and a daughter of
Alexander McBride, now deceased. One child
blessed this marriage, - Hattie, the wife of
Sheridan McFarland, a grocer of Mansfield.
After his first marriage Mr. Barr located upon a
small farm of forty acres belonging to his father and
adjoining the old homestead. Five years later he
purchased eighty acres of land in Mifflin township, where he
resided for nineteen years, and then bought the old
homestead in Monroe township, where he has lived
uninterruptedly since 1869. Upright and honorable in
all his dealings, he has met with well deserved success in
life and is now quite well-to-do.
In early life Mr. Barr united with the
Reformed church, but now holds membership in the Lutheran
church, there being no church of the other denomination in
his community, and he has served as trustee, deacon or elder
for several years. In his political affiliations he is
a Democrat, and he has been honored with various township
offices, such as trustee and treasurer, the duties of which
he has always capably and satisfactorily discharged, winning
the commendation of all concerned.
Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Richland Co.,
Ohio - Publ: Mansfield by A. A., Graham & Co. - 1901 - Page
374-375 |
Gov. Mordecai Bartley |
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Judge Thomas W. Bartley
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A. J. Baughman |
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Elizabeth Baughman |
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HENRY BEAM.
In control of one of the most extensive floral enterprises
of Richland County is Henry Beam, who has succeeded
in establishing a large and lucrative trade. Tireless
energy and capable management have been salient features in
his success, and he now occupies a leading position in
business circles.
A native of Germany, Mr. Beam was born in Hessen
on the 13th of July, 1841, his parents being Henry and
Emma Beam. These children are living:
John B., who is now living in Mansfield; Henry; Mrs.
Christina Berno, of Mansfield; and Barbara now
Mrs. Hutzelman, also of Mansfield. In 1850 the
parents came with their family to the new world, believing
that they might better their financial conditions in
America. A settlement was made in Mansfield, and
Henry Beam, then a lad of ten years, entered the public
schools, where he pursued his studies for three years.
His father was a gardener, and naturally during his youth he
worked among the plants and became familiar with the best
methods of cultivating them. When the war broke out he
enlisted in the Thirty-second Ohio Infantry and served for
two years and seven months, rendering valuable aid to his
adopted country in her hour of need. Upon his return
he again worked in his father's greenhouses, and about 1880
he began business on his own account by renting the
greenhouse belonging to Senator Sherman.
After conducting it for five years he purchased his present
property. He was the first to carry on the floral
business on an extensive scale in Richland county, and his
trade has steadily grown in volume and importance, until it
has now assumed extensive proportions. He began
operation with only three greenhouses, but has enlarged his
facilities from time to time until at the present time he
ahs eight. His knowledge of floral culture is very
comprehensive and his opinions are regarded as authority on
everything connected with that line of work.
On the 28th of February, 1876, Mr. Beam was
united in marriage to Miss Hattie Daubenspeck, whose
parents, William and Helen (Schuster) Daubenspect,
removed from Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, to Illinois
about 1855. After three years they became residents of
Mansfield. At that time Mrs. Beam was only
seven years of age. She is one of a family of seven
children, of whom six are now living: Henry,
the eldest, married Annie Echelberge, by whom he has
three children, and resides in Ashland county; William,
who is living six miles from Mansfield, married Laura
Tucker, and they have three children; Mary was a
resident of Hayesville, Ohio; Fannie is the wife of
William Sickler, of Akron, Ohio; and Susie
resides with Mrs. Beam, who is the third eldest of
the family.
Mr. and Mrs. Beam have a wide acquaintance in
Richland county and their friends are many. His has
been a busy and useful career. He deserves mention
among the prominent representatives of commercial interests
in Richland county and his life record should find a place
in the annals of this section of the state among men whose
force of character, sterling integrity, control of
circumstances and success in establishing paying industries
have contributed in a large degree to the solidity and
progress of the entire county.
Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Richland Co.,
Ohio - Publ: Mansfield by A. A., Graham & Co. - 1901 - Page
215 |
S. W. Beer |
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DAVID BELL, an
octogenarian who is now living retired in Springfield
township, Richland county, on section 24, was for long years
connected with the farming interests of that community.
His life forms a connecting link between the primitive past
and the progressive present. He was born in Washington
county, Maryland, Apr. 14, 1815, a son of Jacob Bell,
who was born in the same locality Mar. 26, 1773. The
grandfather was one of the early settlers of Maryland.
He bore the name of Anthony Bell and came to this
country from Amsterdam, Holland. A well-to-do farmer,
he was the owner of two hundred acres of land in Maryland,
where he reared his family and made his home throughout his
residence in the new world. Jacob Bell was
united in marriage to Barbara Emerick, who was born
in Maryland Dec. 10, 1780. They were married in 1805
and spent the most of their lives on the old homestead in
the state of their nativity, but in 1841 came to Ohio.
The year previous their son, David Bell, had
sought a home in the Buckeye state, upon which he has
resided for sixty years. He was married, Sept. 16,
1841, to Miss Catherine Balliete, of Northampton
county, Pennsylvania. She was born Dec. 16, 1823, a
daughter of Stephen Balliete. The children born
of this marriage were four sons and four daughters, but two
of the sons died in infancy, while Marietta died at
the age of about three years. Those now living are:
Fanny, the wife of Alexander Scott, by whom
she has two children; Samuel, a farmer of Wyandotte
county, Ohio, and has six children: Mrs. Catherine
Ritchey, of Mansfield, who is a widow and has seven
children; John Franklin, a farmer of Madison
township, who has seven children; and Emma Ella, the
wife of John B. Downs, by whom she has five children.
The mother of the foregoing died Dec. 31, 1891, and her
death was widely mourned by her family and friends. In
ante-bellmn days David Bell was a supporter of
the Democracy. He has never been an office-seeker,
preferring to devote his energies to his business affairs.
The stately ever green trees in his front yard were planted
by him and stand as monuments to his enterprise. At
his farm work he achieved success and acquired a comfortable
competence, which now enables him to live retired. He
has passed the eighty-fifth milestone of life's journey, and
to him is accredited the veneration and respect which should
ever be given to one of advanced years, whose career has
been upright and whose life has been characterized by
fidelity and duty. Living throughout the greater part
of the nineteenth century, he has been a witness of the
wonderful progress and improvement of this land. and his
mind travels back over the annals of the past in review of
the events which form the nation's history.
Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Richland Co.,
Ohio - Publ: Mansfield by A. A., Graham & Co. - 1901 - Page
135 |
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THOMAS
M. BELL, was born in Washington township, Richland
county, Ohio, Sept/ 6, 1870. His father, Robert Bell,
was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, May 1, 1820,
and came to Richland county, Ohio, in October, 1821, with
his parents, to a farm in section 7, in Washington township,
where he resided (except one year in Mansfield) until his
death, Mar. 13, 1898. T. M. Bell's mother's
maiden name was Elennor Jane Cook, and she was a
daughter of William and Eliza Cook.
The subject of this sketch lived with his parents
during the years of his minority, working on the farm in the
summers and in the winters attending school at the Sandy
Hill schoolhouse, and later the public schools at Lexington.
He early took an interest in literary work. and for several
years was the president of the society at Sandy Hill.
In 1892 he left the farm in Washington township to live
with his sister, Mrs. Mary B. Finney, whose husband
died in August of that year, on the Cook farm two and
one-half miles west of Mansfield, where he continued to
reside until 1898, when, being a member of Company M, Eighth
Ohio National Guards, he felt it his duty, when the call
came for troops for the Cuban war, to go with his company
and in May, of that year, was mustered into the service of
the United States and served with his regiment in Cuba.
He returned home in September, and was married Nov. 2, 1898,
to Georgia May Mosier, a daughter of William
Mosier, now living in California. She is the
granddaughter of Henry Dickson, of Troy
township, with whom she formerly lived, her mother having
died when she was less than a year old. Mr. and
Mrs. Bell have one child, Lilian Elennor
Bell, born May 21, 1900. Mr. Bell is now
deputy sheriff of Richland county, and is a capable and
efficient officer.
When Mr. Bell's grandfather settled on
the Mansfield-Lexington road the county was in its pioneer
period.—twenty-five years before the first rail road entered
Richland county. The Bells lived on a stage
route. The law of demand and supply governs the world.
Hungry passengers and teamsters passed that way who wanted
food for themselves and feed for their horses, and the
Bells were soon induced to open a public house.
Accordingly the sign of “Bell's Tavern” was put out.
and stables and feed sheds erected and accommodations
provided for “man and beast,” as it was idiomatically
expressed. This Lexington-Bellville road was a feeder
of the State road, which was the great route for both
passengers and freight between the north and the south, and
teams loaded with grain and other farm products were driven
from the Ohio river and intermediate points to Huron and
Sandusky, and there exchanged for merchandise, which was
taken upon the return trip. This tavern soon became an
important way station on the route. Deputy Sheriff
Bell has the sign of this tavern, which he keeps as
an heirloom. Bell's Tavern was opened to
supply a want and served its day, fulfilled its purpose and
as a hotel is now no more. It belonged not to the
earliest pioneer epoch. but to a later era—to a period that
spans the past with the present—to which we can look back at
what might be termed the drama of events, without taking the
time to unveil the farce of particulars, and be thankful
that we live in an age of inventions, improvement and
advancement far superior to the stage-coach days of other
years.
Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Richland
Co., Ohio - Publ: Mansfield by A. A., Graham & Co. - 1901 -
Page 549 |
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FRANK L. BOALS.
Among the agriculturists of Richland county who have
attained a well-merited success in their chosen calling is
Frank L. Boals, one of the leading agriculturists of
Mifflin township, whose home is on section 16, He was
born upon his present farm Jan. 4, 1860, and is a worthy
representative of one of the honored pioneer families of the
county.
On the paternal side he traces his ancestry back to
James Boals, a native of Ireland, who was the suitor for
the had of a young lady who had emigrated with her parents
to America. Against the wishes of his parents he came
to the new world and was rewarded by her consenting to
become his bride. After their marriage they settled in
Jefferson county, Ohio, where they continued to make their
home throughout the remainder of their lives.
Among their children was David Boals, the
grandfather of our subject. He was born in Jefferson
county, in 1801, and on attaining man's estate was married
there to Susan Glover Her father was one of the
pioneers of Jefferson county, having come to this state at
an early day from Vermont. His parents were natives of
England. After his marriage David Boals engaged
in farming in his native county until 1828, and then removed
to Richland county, locating on the southwest quarter of
section 9, Mifflin township, which land had been entered by
his father some time previously. In the midst of the
forest he built a log cabin, and experienced all the
hardships and privations incident to pioneer life. In
politics he was a Democrat, and for a number of years he
efficiently served as township trustee. Religiously he
was an earnest member of the Presbyterian church. This
worthy pioneer died upon his farm in Mifflin township, in
1860, and his wife passed away in 1858.
James W. Boals, the father of our subject, was
born in Jefferson county, June 20, 1825, and was only three
years old when brought by his parents to this county.
He married Miss Elizabeth Parkinson, by whom he had
four children, three still living, namely: Frank L.
of this review; Mary L., the wife of C. L. Reed,
a farmer of Madison Township, this county; and Wade P.,
a farmer of Mifflin township. After his marriage
Mr. Boals purchased the farm on which Gideon E.
Hoover now resides, and there he followed agricultural
pursuits until 1859, when he disposed of the place and
purchased the farm of one hundred and sixty acres which is
now the property of our subject. Here he spent the
remaining years of his life. He met with excellent
success in his farming operations, owning at the time of his
death two farms, - one containing one hundred and ninety-two
acres and the other one hundred and seventy-two acres.
Politically Mr. Boals was an ardent Democrat,
but never cared for official honors. Although he never
allied himself with any religious denomination, he was a
liberal supporter of all church and charitable work; was a
kind husband and indulgent father, and was highly esteemed
by all who knew him. He died Aug. 5, 1895. His
wife, who was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, about 1837,
died about 1869. Her parents were Jacob and Mary
(Keller) Parkinson natives of Pennsylvania and Maryland,
respectively, who came to this state after their marriage,
and spent the remainder of their lives in Jefferson county.
Mr. Parkinson was a machinist by trade and had a shop
on his farm, where he manufactured threshing machines,
finding a market for his products throughout different
sections of Pennsylvania and Ohio. He was very
successful and became quite well-to-do. He served as a
captain in the Mexican war, and the sword used by him in the
service is still in possession of the family.
Frank L. Boals was reared on the home farm, and
his early education was obtained in the local schools, but
later he attended Frazier Business College at
Mansfield. He was married on the 24th of December,
1889, the lady of his choice being Miss Josie Brindle,
a native of Ashland county, Ohio, and a daughter of John
and Elizabeth (Burns) Brindle. In early life her
father removed from Franklin county, Pennsylvania, to
Ashland county, this state, and for many years was one of
the prominent and influential farmers of Ashland county,
where his death occurred. Mr. and Mrs. Boals
have five children, namely: Edwin, Herman, Bryan,
Shirley and Mabel.
After his marriage Mr. Boals and his brother
Wade took charge of the home farm, and carried on the
same for the father up to the latter's death, when the home
farm was transferred to our subject, while the upper farm
became the property of his brother. Here he has since
resided, engaged in general farming and stock-raising.
Being a natural mechanic he also runs blacksmithing.
Industrious, enterprising and progressive, he has become one
of the substantial men of his community, as well as one of
its most highly respected citizens. He uses his right
of franchise in support of the Demographic party, and for
the past six years has most capably and acceptably served as
the treasurer of Mifflin township.
Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Richland Co., Ohio
- Publ: Mansfield by A. A., Graham & Co. - 1901
- Page 325 |
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JAMES
F. BOALS, formerly the sheriff of Richland county, is
descended from two of the pioneer settlers of the county.
His grandfather, James Boals, an Irishman by birth,
came to this country in early life, and was one of the
primitive settlers of Weller township, this county, where he
entered a tract of government land and developed the same
into a farm. On this farm, in 1830, his son John
was born. John Boals grew up here and for a
number of years made this place his home, taking an active
part in local affairs and being recognized as one of the
leading spirits of the community. He married Miss
Eliza Ashton, also a native of Weller townships.
Her parents were Francis and Elizabeth Ashton, the
former an Englishman, who, on coming to this country, at
once located in Weller township. He entered the land
now known as the A. L. Martin farm.
Subsequently he moved to Hardin county and thence to Allen
county, Ohio, and during his active, useful life he
accumulated a fortune, most of it, however, in Allen county.
At his death his estate was valued at two hundred thousand
dollars. John Boals and his wife reared six
sons and four daughters. One of the latter, Esther,
is the wife of William G. Hughes, and resides in
Weller township, she and the subject of this sketch being
the only members of the family now living in Richland
county. The parents and other children are residents
of Hardin county.
James F. Boals was born July 30, 1854, in the
same house, in Weller township, in which his father was
ushered into life. Reared on the farm, and early
giving his assistance to its various kinds of work, he
developed a rugged constitution and a fine physique.
He remained at home until he was twenty-two years of age,
when, in 1877, he married and started out in life on his own
account. His first business venture was with a sawmill
and threshing machine, which he operated for some years in
Weller and Franklin townships, and with which he was
successful, running the Aultman Taylor machinery.
Selling out in 1884, he went to work for the Aultman-Taylor
Machinery Company, with which he was connected from that
time until 1896, as a traveling representative. His
travels covered all parts of the United States and numerous
foreign lands, including England, Holland, Germany, Turkey,
Roumania, Egypt, South America and Mexico. On one
occasion he was shipwrecked. That was in 1887, in the
North sea. He had sailed from Amsterdam at noon on
Sunday, for South America, and at 2 A. M. the next morning
the vessel collided with another vessel, both sinking
shortly afterward. Passengers and crew, numbering in
all six hundred and two people were save in life boats and
were picked up at 4 P. M. on Monday by a vessel bound for
Hamburg. A keen observer with a just appreciation of
the variety and novelty of travel abroad, Mr. Boals
has a fund of information that is seemingly inexhaustible,
and he has a pleasing way of reciting the incidents which
occurred on his various trips. A description of his
travels would make a volume of much interest and no small
proportions.
In November, 1896, Mr. Boals was elected sheriff
of Richland county, and in performing the duties of this
office gave such general satisfaction that in 1898 he was
elected for a second term, without any opposition whatever.
His term of office expiring Jan. 1, 1900, he became
connected with the Twentieth Century Manufacturing Company,
of Mansfield, with which he is at present identified.
He is a member of the board of directors of the Mansfield,
Savannah & Welling Electric Railway Company.
Mr. Boals was married Mar. 29, 1877, to Miss
Eunice Cline, a daughter of Louis Cline one of
the pioneers of Weller township. They have no
children.
Of a genial social nature, Mr. Boals has
identified himself with fraternal organizations. For
fifteen years he has been an Odd Fellow, having advanced
through the various I. O. O. F. degrees, and both he and his
wife are members of the Rebekah-degree Lodge. From his
boyhood he has been a lover of fine horses, and has seldom,
if ever, been without one or more; at this writing he has
seven. He is a member of the Mansfield Driving
Association, which has two race meetings each year, and he
is now serving his third term as the president of the
association. Also at this writing he is serving as a
member of the Mansfield city council, to which office he was
elected in April, 1900.
Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Richland Co., Ohio
- Publ: Mansfield by A. A., Graham & Co. - 1901
- Page 432 |
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MRS.
SARAH J. BOALS was born in Richland county, and while
she was still an infant her father, in 1850, went to
California to seek his fortune, but soon after reaching that
country died, leaving his wife a widow with four children, -
all daughters, - of whom Mrs. Boals was the youngest.
When she was about five years of age she was taken by
Robert Brown, a farmer of Washington township, and lived
with him until she was eighteen years of age. Apr. 19,
1873, she was married to Mr. Marion Boals, and
immediately after their marriage they located in Mansfield.
Mr. Boals was in the service of the Pittsburg, Fort
Wayne & Chicago Railway Company, and on Thanksgiving
morning, 1884, while in the line of his duty as conductor,
in the yards of that company at Mansfield, was mortally
injured, dying and Mrs. Boals were the parents of the
following children: William Richard, born Feb.
7, 1874; Marion Herbert born Oct. 7, 1876, a
machinist in the employ of the Union Foundry & Machine
Company; George Henry, born Aug. 7, 1879; and a
daughter, born Aug. 1, 1883, and died when five days old.
The boys are all at home, William R. being an
employee of the New York, Pittsburg & Ohio Railroad Company,
and located in Mansfield; and George Henry, a painter
in the employ of the Aultman Taylor Company.
Mrs. Henry Newland, a sister of Mrs. Boals,
lives on a farm in Madison township; Mrs. Martha Culver,
another sister, lives in Nevada, Missouri, and Mrs. Mary
McJunkins, still another sister, lives at Crestline,
Ohio. The mother of these four sisters, who for some
years lived with Mrs. McJunkins at Crestline, died
during the summer of 1896, at the age of seventy-one years.
Robert Brown died about twenty-five years ago, and
Colonel R. C. Brown, his son, with whom Mrs. Boals
lived in her girlhood, died in 1897.
Mrs. Boals is a stanch member of Dr. Niles'
English Lutheran church, of Mansfield, and has been
living in her present home, No. 65 Buckingham street, some
nine years. Her son, William R., is a member of
the Maccabees of Mansfield.
Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Richland Co., Ohio
- Publ: Mansfield by A. A., Graham & Co. - 1901
- Page 366 |
Judge Jacob Brinkerhoff |
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R. Brinkerhoff |
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Huntington Brown |
HUNTINGTON
BROWN. Although not a native-born resident of
Richland county, his more than thirty years' abode within
her borders pre-empts to him all the rights of her original
citizens, and he is as jealous of her prosperity and all her
rights as though he were a native son.
He was born in Trumbull county in 1849, the son of
James Monroe and Mary (Hicks) Brown, and the
grandson of Hon. Ephraim Brown, the original
proprietor of Bloomfield township in that county and the
coadjutor of those early anti-slavery men of the Western
Reserve of the type of Giddings his like, a member of
the house of representatives of the general assembly of Ohio
in 1824. Mr. Huntington Brown's parents moved
to the town of Massillon in Stark county when he was a
child, where his education was begun in the common schools,
and completed at Nazareth Hall, a Moravian academy in
Pennsylvania. His father died in 1867 and a year or so
afterward he came to Mansfield and engaged in mercantile
affairs with the late Hon. H. D. Harter, and
Mr. Frank S. Lahm, a son of General Samuel Lahm,
of Canton.
Arriving at his majority, he celebrated the event by a
tour of Europe and the continent. Upon his return he
entered the employ of the Aultman-Taylor Company, a widely
known and very extensive manufacturing establishment, where
by the most assiduous devotion to his duties and to the
business of the company he elevated himself to the
superintendency of 1879, which he occupied for ten years -
resigning to assume the management of the Hicks-Brown
Company, operating one of the largest flouring mills in the
west, where his acute business qualifications fitted him for
its vast concerns. After some years devoted to their
interests he retired permanently from active business, his
accumulations generously permitting him to withdraw from
further pursuits, although he still retains considerable
interest in several important enterprises, being a director
of the Mansfield Savings Bank and the president of the
Western Strawboard Company, which company has factories at
St. Mary's, Ohio, and Gas City, Indiana.
In all his business life he commanded not only the
respect and confidence of the commercial public but also the
love and esteem of those under his employ. The
business career of no young man of the county has been more
commendable. Marked by unapproachable integrity,
unassailable probity, prompted by a sense of responsibility
and conscious rectitude, his record in the business world is
of approved excellence, from which he retires with honor and
the highest credit.
An ardent Freemason, his love for the craft incited him
to obtain its highest knowledge and reach its highest
honors; so he attained to the grade of sovereign grand
inspector general, or thirty-third degree, in 1886; is a
life member of Ohio Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish
right, and a past grand commander of Ohio Grand Commandery
of Knights Templar, of 1892. The Masonic bodies
located in Mansfield had never a permanent abiding place,
but from time to time became renters and were the tenants of
property-owners, having their habitat in the lofts and upper
stories of such structures as they were fortunate to secure
and at such rates of rental as landlords were pleased to
charge and surrounded by such comforts as chanced to
accompany the inconveniences.
Mr. Brown conceived the idea of a permanent
home, to be owned by the craft. A temple company was
formed, of which he was chosen the president, and in due
time the Masonic Temple was erected and dedicated to Masonic
uses, a most complete and comfortable structure, where all
Masons may find a welcome and which is a lasting monument to
his zeal for the brotherhood. He still remains the
president of the Temple Company and is its directing spirit.
When an act was passed by the general assembly to erect
the Soldiers and Sailors' Memorial Library Building, the
court, recognizing his business fitness, appointed him a
member of the first board of trustees, which position he has
continually occupied, with great credit and eminent
satisfaction.
His private charter is unimpeachable. He is a man
of heroic physique, a distingue figure in any assemblage,
and of gracious bearing. He is easy of approach and
his open-handed generosity and genial companionship have
made him a social and popular favorite with all classes.
His friendships and affectionate attachments are unmovable,
and with tender and modest benevolence he has endeared
himself to the lowly and the unfortunate by his covert
charities. He hates hypocrisy, despises the spurious
pretender and is quick to discern the cheat. Firm of
purpose, he is unrelenting in the espousal of a cause he is
convinced is just. Innate good judgment has clothed
him with a self-reliance which makes him a leader. He
has never been ambitious of political preferment and the
charms of office have never tempted him; but in 1899 the
people of his adopted city called him to the control of its
municipal affairs, and although a stanch Republican he was
elected by a large majority in a Democratic stronghold.
His fearless courage and consciousness of right have made
him a model mayor. Bringing to the performance of his
official duties a high appreciation of the importance of his
trust, he has executed the laws of state and city with a
determination and excellency which have marked him a strong
man and gained for him the admiration of all good citizens.
In his court he administers the law with the utmost justice,
tempered always with that mercy which befits a humane
magistrate. He is now in the middle of his official
term, and his careful and intelligent management of the city
government has added manifold to its revenues from police
control, and his untiring zeal in solving the sewage problem
entitles him to the highest commendation. No city in
Ohio possesses a citizen at the head of its government
uniting more of the elements which go to make up a man
possessing the qualities of a gentleman everywhere than does
Mansfield in the person of Huntington Brown, and his
life's record is filled with honor and the gratitude of the
people.
Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Richland Co.,
Ohio - Publ: Mansfield by A. A., Graham & Co. - 1901 - Page
144 |
Lewis Brucker |
|
J. H. Burkholder |
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A. Burneson |
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