Plymouth Township (part 6 of 6)

In tracing back the ancestral history of the family it is found that the grandfather of James Ephraim Brown was a native of England and on coming to America located in Westmoreland, New Hampshire. He was connected with the Huntington family, which included Samuel Huntington, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, while General Hezekiah Huntington was the first to take a regiment to Philadelphia and was the first man in the United States to engage in the manufacture of firearms. In the family of James Monroe and Mary E. Brown there were six children, three of whom are living, including Huntington Brown, the present mayor of Mansfield, and Mrs. M. D. Harter. whose husband was the congressman from the fourteenth district of Ohio. He was twice elected from a district which formerly gave a republican majority of two thousand and he ran about four thousand votes ahead of his ticket.

James E. Brown was educated in a private school of Bloomfield and in the high school at Massillon, Ohio, from which he was graduated in 1864. He then pursued a course in Eastman's Business College at Poughkeepsie, New York, and on its completion went to New York city, where he was engaged in the wool business for about three years. The succeeding three vears were spent in a similar manner in Boston, Massachusetts, and in 1871 he returned to Massillon, where he purchased a hardware business, which he conducted until 1878. In October of that year he came to Mansfield and entered the employ of the Aultman-Taylor Company as assistant to M. D. Harter, who was then manager. In 1881 Mr. Brown was elected secretary of the Aultman- Taylor Company, which position he filled until 1891, when the Aultman-Taylor Company sold to the Aultman-Taylor Machinery Company, since which time Mr. Brown has been its president. This company is capitalized for one million dollars and is engaged in building traction engines, threshing machinery and sawmills, doing a business that amounts to a million and a half dollars yearly and employs between five and six hundred people. It is the largest single industry in the city and through its pay roll two hundred and fifty thousand dollars are annually distributed here. Mr. Brown is also vice president and director of the Mansfield Savings Bank and he has land and coal interests in West Virginia that are of considerable importance, comprising the Gallgo Land & Coal Company and the Ohio Timber Company.

On the 24th of April, 1872, Mr. Brown was married at Massillon, Ohio, to Miss Isabella Hurxthal, a daughter of Louis Hurxthal, a banker of Massillon. Of this marriage one son was born, James Monroe Brown, who is now assistant manager of the Casey Hedges Company of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Mrs. Isabella Brown died July 7, 1891. On the 3d of January, 1901, Mr. Brown was married at Mansfield to Miss Katherine Holway, a daughter of William Holway, a retired merchant of this city. Their children are: Ephraim Holway, born May 18, 1902; and Mary Katherine, born December 13, 1903.

In his political views Mr. Brown is a republican and has always taken a general interest in local political affairs. He is a member of Mansfield Lodge, No. 28, A. F. & A. M.; Mansfield Chapter, R. A. M., and also the council and commandery and Dayton consistory of the Scottish Rite. He was worshipful master of Mansfield lodge for one year, high priest of Mansfield chapter for ten years and captain general of Mansfield commandery for twenty-five vears, while for one year he was its eminent commander. He also belongs to the Mystic Club and to the Our Club, the latter of which he has been president for twenty-five vears, and is a member and director of the West Brook Country Club. He likewise belongs to Grace Episcopal church, in which he has been senior warden and lay reader for a quarter of a century. He is a patron of music, much interested in literature and possesses one of Mansfield's most complete libraries of standard works. Both Mr. and Mm. Brown are quite active and prominent in social circles. Mrs. Brown is an accomplished musician, who has sung a great deal in public, having been leading soprano of the Congregational church for a number of years prior to her marriage, and she is still much interested in church and charitable work. Such in brief is the life history of one who has gained recognition as a most prominent citizen here. Not so abnormally developed in any direction as to be called a genius, he has, however, been one of the most active men of Mansfield, identified for many years with its business interests and public concerns. He has given tangible proof of his devotion to the plans and measures which are promulgated for the public weal, and his life record proves that there is no discordant element between success and honesty.

U. P. Backensto, who is extensively engaged in farming in Weller township, where, in addition to the cultivation of his own farm of eighty acres, he has under lease three hundred acres additional, is a native of this county, having been born in Weller township, July 13, 1853, the son of Jacob and Hannah (Fox) Backensto. Both parents were natives of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, whence they came to Ohio in 1828 and bought land in Weller township, where they resided continuously throughout the remainder of their lives. The mother died in 1886, and the father in 1896. Eight children were born to this union, namely: Irene, the deceased wife of A. M. Seeten; Mary, the wife of J. W. Fickes, of Weller township; Anthony J., a resident of Rome, this county; U. P., of this review; J. E., a resident of this county; Ida, the wife of I. L. Pitenger, of Indiana; Lelia, the wife of Isaac Oswalt, a resident of Mansfield; and Lillie, the wife of J. E. Beveridge, of Greenwich, Huron county, Ohio.

U. P. Backensto is indebted to the district school of his home neighborhood for his education. This he attended regularly throughout the school year while in the primary grades, but as he reached the advanced grades his studies were more or less interrupted by his duties at home. He aided his father in the work of the place up to the time he attained his majority, after which he worked the place on shares for seven years. From his experience in raising stock and making sales of same he conceived the idea that it would be more profitable to retail them over the block, and with this intention he engaged in the butcher business for two years, but he found the routine detail work uncongenial and too confining for one of his ambition, hence he gave it up and bought a farm, on which he remained for twelve years, and is this year, as stated above, farming some three hundred and eighty odd acres of land, the mere fact of which attests his ambition and enterprise.

On January 9, 1879, Mr. Backensto was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Edmonds, who was laid to rest at Olivesburg, Ohio, in 1907, after a companionship of something over twenty-eight years. Mrs. Backensto was a native of Ashland county and was one of five children. Her mother is still living at Olivesburg, but the father is deceased. Mrs. Backensto died on May 30, 1907, and in addition to her bereaved husband she left five children to mourn her loss, namely: Luella, the wife of C. M. Tucker, of Richland county; Leo, who resides at home; Omar, a resident of this county; Blanche, the wife of C. M. Moore, of this county, and Nellie, the wife of Frank Bruce, of Ashland, Ohio.

Politically Mr. Backensto is a stanch republican, and he is at present township assessor, an office which he has now held for two terms. Religiously he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and throughout his life his dealings have been characterized by a tried integrity and worth that have gained for him the esteem and confidence of the community.

John Cahall

John Cahall is doing effective and commendable work as a member of the public service commission of Mansfield, and in his citizenship is at all times actuated by a loyalty to the public welfare that is never called into question. He has, moreover, been well known in connection with the industrial interests of the city, being for more than two decades connected with the firm of Aultman-Tavlor.

A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Cahall was born in Berks county on the 24th of June, 1846, and is a son of John and Lydia (Thompson) Cahall, natives of Ireland and Scotland, respectively. Coming to America in early life, however, they were married in Reading, Pennsylvania. John Cahall, Jr., was a vouth of ten vears when he left his native city and took up his abode upon a farm near Wilmington, Delaware, where he remained for about seven years. Thinking to find other pursuits more congenial than an agricultural life, he then returned to Reading and entered upon an apprenticeship at the boilermaker's trade in the railroad shops of that city. When his term of indenture had ended and he had become an expert workman he removed to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and for about seven years occupied the responsible position of foreman of the Robert Tippett boiler works. During the succeeding four vears he was engaged in business in Lewistown, Pennsylvania, and the vear 1877 witnessed his arrival in Mansfield.

Mr. Cahall took up his abode here in the month of May and entered the employ of Flannigan & Sullivan, with whom he continued for two years. In January, 1879, he entered the service of Aultman-Taylor, with which firm he was connected for about thirty years. Well known as an expert mechanic and fine workman, his position was one of responsibility and he was for a long period one of the most trusted representatives of the house. He and his son William: are inventors and patentees of the Cahall boilers, now in general use in this country, while many have been shipped abroad.

In 1867 was celebrated the marriage of John Cahall and Miss Sarah Ritner, of Reading, Pennsylvania, a niece of Governor Ritner of that state. Unto them were born a daughter and two sons: Mary A., now the wife of George O. McFarland, of Butte, Montana; and John T. and William H., both residents of Racine, Wisconsin. In 1873, having lost his first wife, Mr.

Cahall in 1881 wedded Helen Eliza Holeywell, of Mansfield, Ohio, and they now have three sons: Fred H., Raymond De Vose and Leslie. The family attend the Episcopal church, and Mr. Cahall, as one of its prominent and leading members, has served as a vestryman and takes a most active and helpful part in its work. In Masonry he has attained the Knight Templar degree, belonging now to Mansfield Commandery, No. 21. Community affairs are of deep interest to him and citizenship is to him no mere idle word. He recognizes the duty of each individual to do the best he can for the community in which he lives and to uphold his principles at the polls. He is a stalwart advocate of the republican party in national affairs, but otherwise believes in voting for the man and not the party. Mr. Cahall has served as a member of the city council for two terms and through appointment of Mayor Brown became one of the four members constituting the sanitary and garbage commission, having in charge the sanitary interests of the city. He is still doing effective and beneficial work as a member of the public service commission, and his course is one which receives the endorsement of all those interested in the welfare of the city.

John Clark Skiles

John Clark Skiles, who passed from this hfe in 1906, was for many years a prominent citizen here and one whose efforts in behalf of public progress were far-reaching and beneficial. He was born on a farm three miles south of Shelby, Ohio, on the 22d of February, 1855. The place was then known as the Dr. Bricker farm and was one of the old settled places of the community. As boy and youth he worked in the fields, living with his parents in this locality up to the time of his marriage. He soon became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and in all of his farm work he made good use of his opportunities. On the 30th of November, 1882, he was united in marriage to Miss Lovina Bargahiser and unto them were born two sons, Clifford and Howard. At the time of his marriage Mr. Skiles went to live upon his father-in-law's farm, which he cultivated for sixteen yeurs. It comprises two hundred and sixty-five acres of arable land, onehalf of which belongs to his widow. He continued his farming operations with success until 1897, when he was called from private life to public office, having in that year been elected on the democratic ticket to the position of county commissioner of Richland county. The duties of this office were faithfully performed and for six years he also served as trustee of Sharon township. He was most capable and loyal and his service won him high commendation. At his reelection in November, 1900, he received a majority of twelve hundred and eighty-five, the largest vote given to any candidate on the ticket.

In his fraternal relations Mr. Skiles was a Knight of Pythias and was also connected with the Pathfinders and the Tribe of Ben Hur. He had hosts of friends of all political and religious beliefs and was widely known as an industrious, honest and successful citizen, who was greatly esteemed by all of the old settlers in his part of Richland county. He died January 3, 1906, after an illness covering a number of months. Death came to him as a welcome release, but it was the hope of his many friends that he might be spared further suffering and be restored to health. His death, therefore, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for men had learned to correctly value his worth and found in him a citizen who was loyal to the public welfare, was faithful in friendship and most devoted to the interests of his family. He was a representative of one of the old and prominent families here, and the name of Skiles figures prominently on the pages of Richland county's history, while at all times it has been synonymous with those things which are considered of most value in the world, especially in character development.

James W. Vinson

Among the prominent and wealthy citizens of Richland county is numbered James W. Vinson, who is a native son of the Buckeye state, his birth having occurred in Bloomfield township, Knox county, which is now Morrow county, June 21, 1833. The paternal grandfather, James Vinson, was a native of England and served in the war of 1812, being drafted for service at Baltimore, Maryland. He followed farming as a life work and removed from Maryland to Dayton, Ohio, near which city he owned and operated a farm, on which he passed away. His family numbered eight children, of whom John became the father of our subject. He was a native of Maryland and after coming with his parents to the Buckeye state learned the stone cutter's trade in Dayton. He was married to Miss Marian Needles, who was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, after which he entered a tract of land in Bloomfield township, Morrow county. and there followed farming throughout the remainder of his life. He reared a family of thirteen children.

Jarnes W. Vinson, whose name introduces this review, was reared to farm life and acquired his education in the district schools. He was early trained to the duties of the farm and remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority. He then started out upon an independent business venture, coming to Richland county. He spent three years in Plymouth, during which time he learned the stone-cutter's trade. He then removed to Shelby and in connection with David Harsheiser engaged in the marble business, the firm being conducted under the name of Harsheiser & Vinson. At the end of the first year Mr. Vinson sold his interest to his partner and invested his money in his present farm, comprising eighty-eight acres, situated on section 28, Jackson township, where he has made his home since 1864. He has resided in this county, however, since 1859, with the exception of one year. He engaged in the marble business in connection with general agricultural pursuits, being thus engaged for eight years, during which time he had in his employ seven and eight men. He then disposed of the marble business and gave his entire time and attention to agricultural pursuits for many years, but although he still makes his home on his farm, he is now practically living retired, leaving the actual work of the farm to others. On his place stood an old log church when Mr. Vinson took possession of the place, being known as the Sheriff church, but in later years it has been torn down and a new church erected, which is known as Mt. Bethel church. In addition to his home farm he also has an interest in one hundred acres of land situated in Marion county. For eight years he was also engaged in buying and selling horses, and in this connection met with very gratifying success. He has always based his business principles and actions upon strict adherence to the rules which govern economy, industry and unswerving integrity, and the position to which he has now attained is well deserved.

Mr. Vinson has been four times married. He first wedded Miss Catherine Lantz, by whom he had one daughter, Mrs. Anna C. Hartman, a widow making her home in Shelby. He next married Mrs. Katharine Ott Laser, a widow with two children, and by that union there is one son, Curtis, now of Chicago. For his third wife Mr. Vinson wedded Mrs. Margaret Hastings Stewart, and his last union was with Mrs. Rebecca Vinson Snyder, a cousin, and a daughter of Buffet Vinson.

A democrat in principle and practice, Mr. Vinson believes in a faith born of conviction in the equality and brotherhood of man. He is a member of the Lutheran church. The success which Mr. Vinson today enjoys is due to his own efforts, for he has made good use of his opportunities. He is a man of broad and comprehensive views and looks upon the world as he finds it, and is therefore conservative rather than radical. The people of Richland county look upon him as an exemplary man who is always the same honorable and honored gentleman, whose worth well merits the high regard which is uniformly given him.

Isaac Bevier

Isaac Bevier follows the occupation of farming on section 30, Plymouth township, and was formerly connected with industrial interests. being engaged in the operation of a sawmill. Richland county numbers him among her native sons, for his birth occurred in Plymouth township, February 18, 1862, his father being Isaac Bevier, a pioneer resident of the county, who came from Cayuga county, New York. There were two children in the family, the daughter being Rachel Rebecca. now the wife of L. W. Champion, of this township. The mother, Mrs. Sarah Bevier, was born in Sharon township, this county, February 13, 1825, and died February 3, 1908. She always lived in this locality and was a daughter of Jedediah and Rebecca Morehead, who were natives of West Virginia and came to this county in 1818. leading the life of the typical pioneer who faces the dangers and privations of the frontier in order to secure a home, thus planting the seeds of civilization which in due time result in the progress and prosperity of modern civilization. Mrs.

Bevier was married three times. Her first marriage was to John Stentz, by whom she had one son, Henry, who was born in 1852 and died in 1868. In 1860 she became the wife of Mr. Bevier and following his death she was married, on the 13th of January, 1866, to Joseph Downing, who died April 17, 1875, at the age of seventy-three years. He was a native of England and was born in 17985.

- Isaac Bevier has always resided upon or near the old home farm, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He was for eighteen years engaged in the operation of a sawmill in Plymouth township in connection with his half-brother, J. J. Downing, and the firm style was Downing & Bevier. They conducted an extensive business along both wholesale and retail lines and used nine teams. They would purchase timber land, then cut the trees and manufacture the lumber, which was largely exported to Liverpool, England. and also shipped to various points in the United States. The business proved a profitable venture and was successfully carried on until September, 1906, when the mill was destroyed by fire, and then, owing to the scarcity of timber in this region, they did not again start in business. Mr. Bevier has since been giving his attention to farming and has eighty acres of the old homestead. The farm presents a neat and well kept appearance and his energy and enterprise are manifest in the success which attends him in the production of crops.

In his political views Mr. Bevier has always been a stanch republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. In the spring of 1900 he was elected trustee of Plymouth township and by reelection was continued in the office until the 2d of January, 1908, when he declined to serve longer. He had proved himself a most capable official, making an excellent record in the prompt and faithful discharge of his duties.

On the 11th of April, 1889, Mr. Bevier was married to Miss Elizabeth Shilling, a native of Crawford county, Ohio, and a daughter of David and Marion Shilling. Unto them have been born two children, Isaac Harrison and Nellic. Mr. Bevier is justly classed among the enterprising men whose business ability has placed them in the front ranks among the leading citizens of Plymouth township. He has always lived in this county and the fact that many of his warmest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood indicates that his life has been at all times honorable and upright.