Sylvester Beecher
Sylvester Beecher (deceased) was born at Milford, Conn., January 23, 1786, son of Jonathan and Polly Beecher. He removed to Ohio when twenty-one years of age, having, prior to leaving his native State, contracted with a party named Canfield, to superintend the building of the first mill ever erected at Newton Falls, Trumbull County. He made the journey to Ohio on foot, and being robbed, en route, of $4, which comprised his wordly possessions, he arrived at his destination penniless and a stranger. He completed his contract, however, after which he was employed as a laborer in the brick yard of Wilcox & DeWolf, of Vernon, Trumbull County, and while with them he made the acquaintance of Miss Betsey Bushnell, who subsequently became his wife. Upon the dissolution of his connection with this firm he visited an uncle, then residing at Shalersville, Mr. Hine, father of the late Abel Hine of that township. While with his uncle he was induced to purchase the old homestead, which was then in Middletown, now Shalersville Township, from a Mr. Shaler, after whom the village of Shalersville or Shalersville Center was named. After Mr. Beecher purchased his first 100 acres he entered Mr. Shaler' s service, and made his first payment on his land by clearing the village lands and adjoining roads of timber. About this time he enlisted in the war of 1812, but returned after a four months' service, having been slightly wounded in the head during a skirmish with the Indians, and began to improve his purchase. He then visited his native State, working there in a woolen and button factory until he had earned more than enough to complete the payment on his land. Investing in a stock of goods he came back to Ohio with a team and wagon, defraying his expenses by selling a part of his stock, and renting a room in Vernon Township, Trumbull County, he disposed of the residue. Soon after he made a third trip to Connecticut, returning with another stock of goods, which were placed on sale where now stands the village of Palmyra. On July 16, 1816, he married Miss Betsey Bushnell and by her had twelve children, seven of whom survive: Kosella (Mrs. Horr, a widow), Samuel, Austin, Harriet (Mrs. W. W. Patton, of Kent), Lura (Mrs. Dr. C. S. Leonard, in Ravenna), Electa (Mrs. George R. Miller) and John H. The last mentioned was born in Shalersville Township, June 21, 1841, was educated at Hiram College, where Garfield received his training, and married March 29, 1880, Miss Georgia, daughter of A. N. Farr, Esq., one of the leading citizens of Mantua Township, this county. He (John H. ) is now General Agent for the Ohio Farmers Insurance Company; he is prominently connected with the I. O. O. F. and Lodge 533, F. & A. M., of Mantua Station. The subject of this sketch (Sylvester Beecher) died in 1855, leaving an estate estimated at $95,000, most of which is in Mantua Township. His widow departed this life June 10, 1884.
From History of Portage County, Ohio, Warner, Beers & Co., Chicago, 1885