Samuel Brewster
In choosing the men who are to act as his advisers and members of the municipal cabinet, the chief executive of any live and progressive community is wise who brings about him only strong, reliable and practical men, possessed of industry, faithfulness, honesty and experience. Mayor Hannan, of Ironton, made no mistake when, in 1914, he appointed Sam Brewster to the position of service director of the city, a place for which he was eminently fitted owing to his long and varied business experience, his organizing ability and his executive power. He has been in office only for a comparatively short period, yet has already vindicated the faith placed in him and is rendering his fellow-citizens excellent services.
Mr. Brewster was born in Lawrence county, Ohio, March 31, 1869, and is a son of James and Rebecca (Millard) Brewster. His father, a West Virginian, was born in 1819, married in his native state, and came to Lawrence County, Ohio, about 1865, here continuing to be engaged in agricultural pursuits up to the time of his death, in 1877. His widow, also born in West Virginia, in 1842, never remarried, but remained single until her death in 1908. They were the parents of seven children, as follows: Margaret, James J., Samuel, William, John W., Charles H. and Rebecca, of whom William died in infancy. Sam Brewster was reared on his father's farm in Lawrence until he was eight years of age and then came to Ironton and entered the public schools, which he attended until reaching the age of fifteen years. At that time he commenced to learn the trade of carpenter, which he followed for fifteen years as a journeyman, and in 1902 became a member of the Ironton police force, with which he was connected until 1906. At that time he took up contracting and building on his own account, and continued to be so engaged very successfully until 1913, building up a large and representative business in Ironton and the surrounding vicinity. In 1913 Mr. Brewster was made safety director, under Mayor T. J. Kennedy and continued to hold that office for five months, being then appointed service director under Mayor A. J. Hannan, January 6, 1914. His enterprise, tempered with conservatism, and his absolute integrity in civic affairs, have gained him an excellent record in public life, and as a business man he has also achieved an enviable reputation. He was one of the organizers of the Home Building and Loan Association, of Ironton, and is still a stockholder and director thereof. About twenty years ago Mr. Brewster assisted in the organization of the Ironton local of the Carpenters' Union, and he still continues as a member thereof. Fraternally, he is connected with the Junior Order United American Mechanics and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is particularly fond of all out-door sports and is an enthusiastic baseball fan. Politically, Mr. Brewster is affiliated with the republican party.
On December 17, 1902. Mr. Brewster was married to Miss Jennie Grindshaw, of Ironton. daughter of John E. Grindshaw. They have no children.
From "A Standing History of the Hanging Rock Iron Region of Ohio" by Eugene B. Willard, Daniel W. Williams, George O. Newman and Charles B. Taylor. Published by Lewis Publishing Company, 1916