Austin S. Beecher
Austin S. Beecher, hardware merchant, Mantua, was born February 1, 1830, in the township of Shalersville. this county, son of Sylvester and Betsey (Bushnell) Beecher, natives of Connecticut, who came to Ohio at an early day. They were parents of twelve children, seven now living: Rosella |Mrs. Haw); Samuel S.; Austin S.; Harriet A. (Mrs. Patton), in Kent; Laura A. (Mrs. Dr. Leonard), in Ravenna; Electa (Mrs. George R. Miller), in Freedom Township, and J. W. Our subject's father made several trips between this State and the East before settling permanently. The first journey he made on foot, bearing articles of merchandise to sell while en route; then in a wagon laden with commodities. He located in Shalersville, where he became a prominent merchant and a large land-holder. The subject of this sketch was married February 9, 1857, to Olive A., daughter of Jesse Brewster, and to this union was born one son—Frank, educated at Oberlin and Hiram Colleges, from which he graduated in 1872 and 1873 respectively, and at the law school, Cleveland, Ohio, where he graduated in 1874. He is now an attorney at law in the latter city. Our subject is one of the leading citizens of Mantua, and has lately opened a complete line of hardware, etc., in the new building erected by Charles Thomson. He has held the offices of Justice of the Peace and Overseer of the Poor for several years, and is a member of Mantua Lodge No. 533, A. F. & A. M.
From History of Portage County, Ohio, Warner, Beers & Co., Chicago, 1885