Henry Beecher
Henry Beecher, (deceased) was born in Shalersville Township, this county, September 18, 1817; son of the well-known pioneers, Sylvester and Betsey Beecher, and the eldest of their twelve children. Our subject remained on his father's farm until 1842, when he engaged in mercantile business. He was in partnership with A. V. Horr until 1816, in which year he established himself in Garrettsville, this county, where he remained nineteen years, having as a partner, during the last ten years of that period, his brother Samuel S. At the death of his father in December, 1855, our subject succeeded him as Director of the Portage County branch of the State Bank of Ohio, holding the position until the bank was closed. He was prominent in the management of the First National Bank of Ravenna from the time of its organization, and was mainly influential in the erection of the Etna Block in Ravenna. He was actively identified with many other public and private enterprises which have contributed to the building up of the interests of Ravenna City and Portage County generally. Mr. Beecher was married, September 21, 1857, to Miss Laura, daughter of N. D. Clark, Esq., of Ravenna. She died March 12, 1858, and our subject was afterward united in marriage, July 23, 1861, with Miss Rachel, daughter of Maj. John and Jane (Wilson) Shannon, of Youngstown, Ohio, where she was born October 10, 1835. She completed her education with a three years' course under the instruction of the late President James A. Garfield at Hiram College. Mrs. Beecher was successfully engaged in teaching in the Union School of Ravenna two years previous to her marriage. Mr. Beecher departed this life April 16, 1870. His loss was deeply mourned by a large circle of friends won by his generosity and uniform kindness.
From History of Portage County, Ohio, Warner, Beers & Co., Chicago, 1885