USA > Ohio > Wyandot County > Past and present of Wyandot County, Ohio; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 14
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of a Shakespeare and the wisdom of a Franklin, must die as he was born-in obscurity.
"But in this country, thanks be to God, to the noble patriots who established this benign government and the hosts of its living maimed defenders, the fact that a man may have been born in a humble cottage and followed the trade of a tanner, like Grant, split rails, like Lincoln, drove a canal boat, like Garfield; or taught school like Millard Fillmore, does not debar him from becoming the honored executive of the nation. Truly, there are no distinctions but such as man's merits may impose. Here the temple of fame opens its portals alike to all. Still it is my experience that whatever may be a man's surroundings or whatever the country where he resides, the novelty of all around him will wear off and in turn he becomes a victim of despondency and discontentment. The peasant of Italy is ignorant, without ambition, and requires much less to satisfy him. Here our people are ambitious. This is right. A man without ambition is as worthless and as powerless as an engine without steam, but the more we have the greater our desire for what we have not. We take up a poor boy, educate him, make a governor of him, send him to congress and then, instead of feeling grateful he will growl and even abandon his benefactors because they do not keep him there for life or elect him to the presidency. The Italian peasant feels thank- ful and happy when he has health, sufficient to eat, and work; but we keep up the perpetual cry of 'hard times' because we haven't thousands of bushels of wheat to sell and piles of greenbacks in the bank; and when we have plenty of wheat we are not happy because the price is too low. Now, my kind reader, when you are despondent, when business is dull, don't fret because you are not in California, digging up nuggets of gold, but remember how transcendentally better is your lot when compared with the condition of the peasants of Italy and the millions of poor and oppressed of other lands. He who fails to find a reasonable degree of happiness in America is truly to be pitied for I know not where he can go to better his condition. It has often seemed to me that the American people do not appreciate their institutions and privileges as they should. I will not say that I prize and enjoy them better than they, but I do say, most emphatically, that I appre- ciate them far better than if I had not gone through what I have."
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'After taking leave of his friends and the scenes dear to his heart, young Pietro, then thirteen years of age, in company with his father, trudged his weary way to the historic port of Genoa, from which city they were to set sail for America- the land of promise-March 6, 1849. He says in his writings: "In sixty days from the time we sailed, we reached New York city. There were about one hundred passengers on that little ship. We were packed below like criminals and our situa- tion, especially during the prevalence of sea-sickness, can be better imagined than described. When I arrived in New York I could not understand a solitary word of the English language, had no trade and could not read or write my own name in any language. What to do was the question. Father was advised to start me out with an organ and accordingly he rented one. I shouldered it and went to that part of the city then called 'Five Points.' I rested the organ on a cane and proceeded to turn the crank. I gathered a few pennies but soon found the organ too heavy and that I could not carry it. It was different from those we occasionally see on our streets. It had a top to it in which were figures that danced to the tunes played. It was an impractical venture, so father had to return it to the owner. I have mentioned this to some kind friends and it got to the ears of some democratic editors, and when they became displeased with me they called me the 'organ grinder.' I am guilty, and the worst of it is, I did not make a success of it. I gave them the best tunes that the internal machinery of the box and diligent turning of the crank would afford, took such pennies-and they were few- as passers-by saw fit to give me. If I had been three or four years older I think I would have made it go. I would have added a monkey to the business after a while. I had the will but not the strength so I made a failure of it. And I tell you I was discouraged and homesick."
From New York young Pietro went to Philadelphia, having been told by newly-made acquaintances that there were oppor- tunities there, and secured work on a farm in Milford, Dela- ware, receiving three dollars per month and board. In about two years, on account of sickness, his father was compelled to return to Italy, expecting Pietro to follow, but the latter had begun to master the difficulties of the English language and decided to remain in America. For the next four years he drifted from farm to farm in the vicinity of Philadelphia. In
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1852, while working on the farm of Mr. Starn near Camden, New Jersey, he was urged by his friends and fellow laborers to go to school and learn to read and write. To quote Mr. Cuneo:
"Mr. Starn told me that if I wanted to go to school he would board me for what work I could do about the farm night and morning, or if I wanted to work steadily he would give me three dollars per month. I accepted the latter offer and promised to try to learn at home in the evenings. The teacher was boarding in the family of Mr. Starn and offered to teach me; so I purchased a spelling book and tried a few evenings, but soon became utterly discouraged and gave the book to a little daughter of Samuel Ross."
One laborer on the farm, a negro, had a theory all his own with respect to education. Observing that young Pietro had given up his studies and not content that he should lose the opportunities of youth, on his own initiative he made arrange- ments with a farmer residing in another part of the county for Pietro to work night and morning and attend the district school during its sessions. This plan the kindly disposed negro announced to Pietro and insisted on his acquiescence. After considerable thought on the subject Pietro decided to give the plan a trial and at the age of seventeen he again made an attempt at the mastery of the rudiments of an education and took his first lesson in learning the alphabet with little scholars six and seven years of age. He wrote: "I tried hard to learn and the teacher and pupils took particular pains to assist me. The teacher, William Snowden-I think was his name-and the pupils were very kind to me. He became interested in my welfare and soon after I began the term he invited me to stand by his side one noon while he was eating dinner and spell words in the book, which he helped me to pronounce. The next day I did not go up. The third day he invited me again. I went up and he asked me why I did not come up the day before. I told him that I did not know that he wanted me to do so. He then explained that he was willing to hear me every noon. I was only too glad to accept. So, after that, every noon for the balance of the winter I stood by his side and spelled a lesson while he was eating his dinner. It was no trouble to him but a great favor to me. He was one of God's noblest men. On taking leave of school I asked my teacher to sell me a copy of 'Swann's Instructive Reader' of
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which he had several second-hand copies. 'Why,' said he, 'What do you want with it? You can't read it.' 'Well,' said I, 'I will keep it till I can.' He said I could have a copy for twelve and a half cents. I took him up and honored my promise, as I kept the book, read it and have it yet. I was determined to make a useful man of myself, if possible, and decided to work hard during the spring, summer and fall of each year and attend school during the winter months till I arrived at the age of twenty-one. I had heard good reports of Pennsylvania and in the fall came to Coatsville, Chester county, of that state.
"During the next two winters I began to study arithmetic and geography. After a while I came to a map of the 'United States' and the question in my mind was, What does that mean? I knew I was in America but I could not understand what the words 'United' and 'States' meant, and I am free to confess I never thoroughly understood their meaning till after I studied Young's Science of Government, De Tocque- ville's American Institutions, the History of the American Colonies and the War of American Independence. One great obstacle in the way of my progress was the fact that I did not comprehend the meaning of so many words. In studying arithmetic I labored under peculiar difficulties, as I could not understand the rules. Well, I purchased a small pocket dic- tionary but here I met with new and unexpected difficulties, for when I resorted to it I was as much at a loss to understand the definitions as the words themselves. When I read a book or paper I found so many strange words that I could hardly get any sense of the subject. I finally resorted to this practice; when I found strange words I wrote them on a strip of paper and, after I was through reading, would examine the diction- ary and write the definition opposite the word. I carried the paper in my pocket. When at my work, I would reflect over what I had read and if I could not remember the words or their meanings I would pull the slip from my pocket and read it. To learn to pronounce the words was another great task and one which I never expected to master."
In September, 1856, Mr. Cuneo came to Canton, Ohio, where he worked in the shops of Aultman & Company, carrying lumber and doing other manual labor at seventy-seven cents a day. He worked for this firm for the next nine years, except during certain intervals when he worked on a farm for his
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board while attending school. It was while employed by this firm that Mr. Cuneo relates the following experience: "Dur- ing the several years I worked in the machine shops I carried books in my pocket and when I arrived at the shops a few minutes before the time to commence work I would seize the books and study them. Sometimes when deeply absorbed over those books some of the shop fellows would throw iron turnings on me, which would come down like vigorous hail, but when I looked to learn who threw them, no one was to be seen-that is, the guilty fellow was not visible. It was very annoying and unkind to me, but great fun for the boys. When working on the farm I kept a book in the barn and while the horses ate I read. Thus I gathered a little here and a little there which has been a great help to me." He gradually mas- tered, with great difficulty, one after another of the different branches taught in the public schools until he received notice of his promotion to the high school. From time to time he purchased standard books until he had the nucleus of a library, and in the fall of 1858 taught in a school where he had formerly been a pupil. Through reading the Life and Essays of Benjamin Franklin he was stimulated with a desire to become a newspaper editor and entered the office of the Stark County Republican as a printer's "devil" at the age of twenty- two. About five months later his parents arrived in Canton and as he could render them and his sisters no assistance while an apprentice in a printing office he was obliged to return to work in the shops of Aultman & Company. In the fall of 1865, still ambitious to become an editor, he purchased with his savings a half interest in the Medina Gazette. In September, 1866, he sold out his interest and purchased the Wyandot Pioneer, of Upper Sandusky. He changed its name to the Wyandot County Republican in 1869. Handicapped by inex- perience and crude mechanical equipment and the fact that the paper had been a questionable success from its origin, the young editor had a great struggle at first. He wrote years later when he celebrated the paper's fortieth anniversary: "I purchased the Pioneer of the late General W. T. Wilson, September 17, 1866, and issued the first paper September 20, 1866. The equipment of the plant then consisted of an old hand press (which was broken and poorly held together by bolts), a job press (which had not even an attachment to pull the paper off the type after the impression had been made),
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a fair supply of type for the paper and a very poor supply of . display type. With such an equipment, a previous experience of five months as an apprentice, seven months as an editor and half-proprietor I began my humble career in journalism in this intensely democratic community. I knew that the income of the office would not justify paying cash for my help, especially in the face of threats from local democratic leaders that they would soon starve me out, so I boarded my help."
Mr. Cuneo was not starved out, however, but continued to publish with marked success the Wyandot County Republi- can, increasing its circulation, gradually bettering the pub- lication and adding to the mechanical equipment. It was con- tinued solely as a weekly publication until March, 1902, when a daily was started in conjunction with the weekly. In 1903 the Wyandot Union, a long established publication, was pur- chased and merged with the Republican when the publication became known as the Wyandot Union-Republican. Mr. Cuneo continued editor and proprietor of this publication to the time of his death, when it passed to his four sons.
Mr. Cuneo took an active interest in politics, both local, state and national, attended many conventions and made the acquaintance of many men of note, numbering among his per- sonal and intimate acquaintances many famous and eminent men in national life. Mr. Cuneo was a warm personal friend of General U. S. Grant, and was appointed postmaster by him, serving from May 10, 1869, until July, 1877. During his residence in Canton Mr. Cuneo made the acquaintance of William McKinley, when the latter was but a youth and while there he married Miss Almyra Miller, a relative of the late president. The friendship between Mr. Cuneo and Mr. McKinley continued throughout the life of the latter. In July, 1901, President Mckinley honored Mr. Cuneo with an appointment as consul to the city of Turin, in the province of Piedmont, Italy. Mr. Cuneo left for his post of duty in August of the same year and served the government in that capacity until December 25, 1905, when he resigned because of fast failing health. His appointment and service in his native land was a fitting and logical culmination of an illus- trious and remarkable career. Returned by the government of the land of his adoption in an influential capacity to a city within eighty miles of his birthplace, which he had left fifty- two years before so poor that while awaiting embarkation he
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passed the night on the cobblestones of the streets, too poor to buy a bed, is a record indeed and one that should prove an inspiration to the young man who thinks there are no longer opportunities. Mr. Cuneo served his country with honor and credit. He made many friends during his stay in Turin, also traveled to a considerable extent in the land of his birth. In consequence of his years of newspaper experience he was a close observer and student and wrote for publication in his newspaper many articles describing general conditions and events of interest in Italy for the edification and delectation of his readers. While in Turin he made a journey to the place of his birth. All was practically as he had left it years before, with few exceptions. The beautiful, olive-clad hills, the pic- turesque peasantry, even the old house itself was looking as fresh and as little changed, even to the interior furnishings and arrangements, as though the farewell had been said but yesterday. Mr. Cuneo found many of kin who claimed to be "parenti di prima sangue," and found a few who could remember the departure of himself and his father years before. After his return home Mr. Cuneo remained active in newspaper work, conducting a department entitled "Ye Old Editor" until the time of his death, December 20, 1906, which occurred as the result of a stroke of apoplexy.
Mr. Cuneo was married December 24, 1861, to Miss Almyra V. Miller, of Canton, who passed away in Upper Sandusky, December 27, 1883. Ten children were born to this union of whom five are still living. They are: Laura, the wife of A. F. Miner of Austin, Illinois; Sherman A., of this city; Edward Noyes, of Alameda, California; Eva, the wife of N. L. Harmon, of Homer, Louisiana; and Roscoe Conklin, also of this city. On July 28, 1887, Mr. Cuneo was again married, wedding Mrs. Minnie Martin of Magnetic Springs, Union county, who, with a son, Ray, born to this union, survive. Also surviving at this writing are: Mrs. John Foppiano, a sister, living in Indian- apolis, Indiana; and John Cuneo, a brother, of Robey, Indiana.
Mr. Cuneo was always active in the interests of the city which was the scene of his efforts and activities for so many years. All movements which had as their object the better- ment of conditions and the making of life more worth the living received his cordial support. Always in his writings he endeavored to instruct, educate, elevate and inspire. Especially were his efforts in this direction in the interests of
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youth-to encourage them to improve their opportunities and to strive for the accomplishment of the greatest possible good. Especially interesting were a series of lectures which he wrote, published and delivered in many places on many occa- sions, entitled "Recollections of Peasant Life in Italy." Hav- ing lived the life and known it from actual, intimate expe- rience, he was able to describe the lot of the unfortunate and oppressed with rare and marvelous accuracy and to draw therefrom a great lesson. As illustrative of the contrast of American life and American opportunities we quote the con- clusion of these lectures: "True, indeed, that 'Westward the star of empire takes its way,' and equally true that the heart of the honest, ambitious American lad looks upward and onward, in the direction of an honorable career, which is within the reach of every boy gifted with common sense, integrity, grit and laudable ambition."
Mr. Cuneo brings to an end his autobiography as follows: "In conclusion and in all candor allow me to assure you, dear reader, that I see nothing in the story of my humble expe- rience to boast about. Indeed, I have never thought of and have no intentions of applying for a patent for anything recorded above. I claim no merits for myself, have done nothing that no ordinary boy may not so do. Every boy born in this country has at once the advantage of learning our lan- guage from his mother's lips and entering the school door at the age of six years. I had a harder struggle to learn, what little I know of the English language than most of our boys have in acquiring a practical common-school education. In fact, with me, progress in the way of acquiring knowledge and property has always seemed slow, hard work, uphill. But there is a pleasure in diligent study, persistent industry and practical management. I wish I could impress upon the minds of my young readers that we are most happy when we are busy, engaged in accomplishing something useful. The writing of this long article has been a pleasing task to me. But may I not hope that the perusal of this simple narration of facts will cheer the heart of some lads who are depressed and whose future seems gloomy, as mine did? Oh, no, I shall not boast, for the long weary years, the heartaches and gloomy future of my boyhood and young manhood are far more vividly impressed on my mind and heart than any joy I ever experienced. No, I claim no merits for myself but attrib-
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ute what little success may have attended my efforts to the free, common schools of our glorious country and have thus briefly related my experience, since arriving in America, for the purpose of demonstrating to our young men that they are surrounded by golden opportunities which, if properly im- proved, will enable them in due time to reap a pleasurable harvest. I close with words and sentiments that I penned a little over eighteen years ago and which are as warm in my heart now as they were then: 'The gratitude I bear toward those who urged me to go to school and gave me an opportu- nity to do so; to the teachers and this benign government, which opened the school room doors to me, shall only fade away when my heart beats no more. God grant that this, my adopted country, this beloved land, this paradise for men on earth, this asylum for the oppressed of all countries, this Union of States and of hearts, may be as lasting and inde- structible as time.' "
ROBERT MCBETH, JR.
Robert McBeth, Jr., a prosperous and progressive agri- culturist of Wyandot county, was born May 13, 1871, and is a son of Robert and Elizabeth McBeth, the former born Janu- ary 1, 1831. In the acquirement of an education he attended country school in Salem township and since laying aside his books has been engaged in farming, his progressive methods and practical business judgment bringing him rapid success. His land is highly improved, being not only provided with an excellent residence but also with barns, outbuildings, machin- ery and all conveniences which are used in farming by modern methods. He engages in general agricultural pursuits and is likewise extensively interested in stock-raising, breeding and fattening Hereford cattle, Delano sheep and Poland China hogs, his stock commanding a ready sale upon the local market.
Mr. McBeth married, in Upper Sandusky, June 15, 1904, Miss Grace E. Warner, a daughter of Jacob and Jennie H. Warner, and both are widely known throughout this commun- ity as people of sterling and upright characters. Fraternally Mr. McBeth is identified with the Knights of Pythias, while
ROBERT MCBETH, JR.
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his religious views are in accord with the doctrines of the Presbyterian church. He is well known throughout the county and his straightforwardness and enterprising spirit have gained him the respect of the entire community.
HARRY EDWIN DWIRE, M. D.
While the science of medicine is one of the oldest profes- sions, enjoying great prestige from time immemorial, it is assuredly one of the noblest of occupations in its endeavor to help suffering humanity and allay illness and disease. Un- doubtedly it has become the most important in its relations to our existence. One who in his professional duties exempli- fies its noble character and who gives his best endeavors in an effort to help his fellowmen is Dr. Harry Edwin Dwire, of Nevada, Wyandot county, in which city he has now been located for over ten years. As the years have passed he has securely established himself in the confidence of the people and his practice has grown in volume, in conformity with his ability. From a medical as well as a financial point of view he is to be considered one of the foremost men in his com- munity and the high reputation which he enjoys with his fellow practitioners as well as the general public is highly merited.
Born on May 13, 1870, in Reed township, Seneca county, Ohio, he is a son of John S. and Lucy A. (Beard) Dwire, the former born in the same township and county on December 5, 1839, where he followed agricultural pursuits and also was active as a school teacher, and the latter also born in that locality, where she passed away in 1898. Her husband shortly followed her, his death occurring February 5, 1899. In their family were the following children: Lumetta B., who married William G. Setterfield, a farmer of Richland county, Ohio, by whom she has eight children; Edith D., who died in 1893; Harry Edwin; Emory J., who married Grace Champion, by whom he has two children, Corliss and Reginald, and who is teaching school at Valley City, Ohio; and Daisy Pearl, who died at the age of eighteen months.
In the acquirement of his fundamental education, Dr. Dwire attended the common school near his home, subse-
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quently graduating from the Marion (Ohio) Normal School in 1890. He then took a course at the Ohio Wesleyan Univer- sity, which was followed by attendance at the Eclectic Medical College at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he received his more spe- cifically professional training. He graduated from the Georgia College of Eclectic Medicine and Surgery in 1895 with the degree of M. D. Even this thorough education did not suffice him, however, and he subsequently engaged in post-graduate work in Chicago. Dr. Dwire began in the active practice of the profession at Tiro, Ohio, there remaining for two years. At the end of that time he located at Galion, where he success- fully practiced for a similar period, then removing to Oceola, where he continued for three and a half years with unabating success. At the end of that time, in 1902, he left Crawford county in order to establish himself in Nevada, Wyandot county. Capable, earnest and conscientious in the perform- ance of his duties, he had soon established a reputation which brought him an extensive and representative patronage that has ever been on the increase. He keeps continually in con- tact with the progress made in the profession and gives especial attention to X-ray observation, in which line he has become an expert. As a member of the Ohio Medical Society, the Northwestern Medical Society and the American Medical Association, as well as the Ohio Clinical Society, he keeps in touch with the eminent men of his profession and in exchang- ing with them his views upon important medical problems and questions ever promotes his efficiency and wide knowledge. Careful in diagnosis, he is firm after reaching a decision and as he seldom fails to recognize the cause of disease in any form and knows how to trace it to its source, has succeeded in bringing many back to health and allaying pain and suffer- ing in those who consult him. However, a most important factor in his success is his strong love for humanity and fellow feeling, which he brings to his work and which inspires in his patients that confidence which instills in them the desire to get well-a mental attitude which is today recognized by every physician as a necessity to a complete cure.
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