USA > Ohio > Portage County > Portage heritage; a history of Portage County, Ohio; its towns and townships and the men and women who have developed them; its life, institutions and biographies, facts and lore > Part 61
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Mr. Bechtle was a member of the famous Kent ball clubs and played almost any position on the team, and for several years managed the team. He liked boxing also, and on many occasions while waiting for the newspapers to ar- rive would put on the gloves and box with the newsboys who worked for him.
He has held various public offices, serving seven terms as village and township clerk, from April, 1898, to January 1, 1906, and from January 1, 1912, to August 15, 1917; also he served four years on the Kent City board of education. He served one term as auditor of Portage County, 1917-1919. He then served as clerk of Franklin Township from January 1, 1928 to December 31, 1951.
He was married to Maude Grinnell of Kent. They had four children, George L., Florence, Leola M. (Bechtle) Craig, now living in California and Glenn F. of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.
Paul E. Beck
Paul E. Beck was born in Canton, Ohio in 1914, son of Ellis C. and Minnie L. Beck. He attended school in Canton, graduating from Canton Mckinley High School in 1931. From 1931-1935 Mr. Beck attended Mt. Union College from which he graduated in Business Administration in June, 1935. Mr. Beck first launched his banking career in 1935 working for a Canton bank from 1935-36. In 1936 desiring additional higher education, he enrolled in Western Reserve University School of Law, Cleveland, Ohio. A scholastic scholarship was granted at the end of the first year and during his junior year he was Editor of the Law Review.
While attending Law School he supplemented his in- come by working for the City of East Cleveland as a special investigator for the police department.
Graduating from Law School in 1939 and becoming a member of the Ohio Bar the same year, Mr. Beck was ap- pointed administrative assistant to the City Manager, City of East Cleveland. In 1940 he married Dorothy E. Bryant, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George A. Bryant, Cleveland.
In 1943 Mr. Beck was appointed Director of Finance of the City of East Cleveland and held that position until his appointment as Comptroller of Kent State University in 1946. He served as Comptroller for eleven years and on Jan- uary 1, 1957, was appointed President of the Kent National Bank, the position he now holds.
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The Becks have two sons, Robert Paul and Thomas George. They reside at Twin Lakes. Mr. Beck is a past president of the Kent Rotary Club, formerly served on the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Board of Directors of the First Federal Savings and Loan Company, Kent. The Becks attend the Methodist Church.
George R. Beckwith
George Robert Beckwith was born Jan. 25, 1894, being the son of Samuel and Fannie (Reudy). Beckwith. His birth- place was the Beckwith farm in Franklin Township, which is now covered by the waters of Lake Rockwell, of the Akron City water reservoir.
He graduated from Kent Central High School in 1911, after which he was employed in the construction division of the old N.O.T. & L. Co. in building the Gorge power station at Akron. He also served in double tracking the company's lines to Cleveland. Later, he was employed in the engineering and tool department of the Firestone Rim plant at Akron. He then entered the purchasing department of the Miller Rubber Co. at Akron and in 1926 started work with the C. L. Gougler Machine Co., Kent, first in sales, then as manager.
He left this company to take an interest in the Colonial Machine Co. of Kent, in 1949, in which company he has been president to date.
He is a member of the Kent Methodist Church and is Past Master of Rockton Lodge, F.&A.M. Also belongs to Eastern Star.
On May 19, 1917, he was married to Winifred May Merrell. The couple has one son, Robert W. Beckwith, who is employed by the General Electric Co., at Electronic Park, Syracuse, N. Y. Grandchildren are Barbara Luise and Thomas Robert Beckwith.
Mr. Beckwith is a Republican in politics and outside his work is specially interested in photography and golf.
Mr. and Mrs. James M. Beckwith
James Marvin Beckwith was born Feb. 11, 1877, in Franklin township in a building on the site of the present Rockwell Res- ervoir. He was the son of Frank and Mary (Criss) Rockwell. His father was born nearby in 1851, and his mother in Wellsville, O., in 1857.
He received his early education in the Brady Lake district school and at the old Central school in Kent, where he graduated in 1896. After that he was employed in the Erie R.R. shops with a starting wage of 12-1/2 cents an hour. He was paid once a month from the Erie pay car, the coming of which was a big event in Kent.
Mr. and Mrs. James M. Beckwith
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On October 4, 1900, he was married to Miss Hattie May Keener. To them were born four sons and three daughters. These are Florence E. McCaskey, Helen Marie Greene, Edwin K., Glenwood J., Wilma Mayetta Bucjolt, Richard E., Robert Earl and June Marie. They have 32 grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Two of the sons saw service in World War II. Richard was in the navy four years and Robert spent two years in the army. In college debating competition, Robert was acclaimed champion in a tournament of 50 uni- versities in North Carolina.
In 1901 Mr. Beckwith was employed in building the Spelman ice houses at Brady Lake and also worked several winters in filling them. He was then again employed by the Erie R.R., working as freight agent for four years at $45.00 per month. Since then he has fol- lowed farming over a span of 40 years. For several years he raised large quantities of celery and other vegetables and sold them in Akron wholesale markets. Later he raised large quantities of gladiolas. He is now engaged in general farming, specializing in poultry which he markets locally.
Joseph W. Begala
Joseph William Begala was born at Struthers, Ohio, March 4, 1907. His elementary education was obtained in the local schools, after which he attended Ohio University, grad- uating in 1929 with an A.B. degree. He received his B.S. in Ed. degree in 1933 at Kent State University and M.A. degree from Ohio State University in 1935.
In 1929 he came to Kent State College as line coach, football and was head football coach and athletic director in 1933-34 He has been wrestling coach at Kent State since 1930 and in this has been unusually successful. He also coached tennis (1930-35); golf (1934-35); track (1936-54); cross country (1949-53); and athletic trainer (1929-49). In the past 28 years he has coached six different varsity sports, the best record being compiled by his wrestling teams with 195 wins, 34 losses and two ties.
Mr. Begala served as director of the Masonic Boys Camp (Akron Area) 1937-1942. In World War II he was Lieutenant Commander, U. S. Navy, 1942-1946. He is the author of several magazine articles and co-author of the book, "Hand- to-Hand Combat", a U. S. Naval Institute publication.
He belongs to the following organizations; National A.A.U. Wrestling Committee; American Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association legislative committee; National Ath- letic Trainers Association; Greater Cleveland Coaches and Officials Association; Phi Epsilon Kappa; Delta Upsilon; Omricon Delta Kappa and Masonic bodies. He is a registered official, Ohio High School Athletic Association, and is an honorary life member of the Ohio High School Wrestling 'Coaches Association. He is listed in "Who's Who In The Mid-West."
Mr. Begala is married to the former Harriet Kilb. They have two sons-Jergen and John.
Leo A. Bietz
Leo Andreas Bietz was born in Massillon, November 14, 1890, the son of Charles L. and Lilly Spitler Bietz. He was educated in the Ravenna public schools, and was graduated from the Ravenna High School in 1910. He would have liked to study journalism had it not been necessary to help support his family.
He came to Kent in 1910 and established the Imperial Dry Cleaning Company. Using
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only hand equipment at first, the business grew to be one of the best equipped in Portage County. It continued until January 1, 1955.
In World War I, Mr. Bietz served in France with the 79th. Division Field Hospital Unit.
Returning home, he became active in Veterans' Affairs. In 1924 he was Commander of Portage Post 496, American Legion, and in 1929-30, was Dept. Vice-Commander of the 9th. District of Ohio. He was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and helped organize the Portage County Voiture of the Forty and Eight.
He was a Charter Member of the Elks Club and a mem- ber of the Kent Rotary Club.
On April 28, 1925, he was married to Susie Margaret Reeves of Front Royal, Va.
In 1933 he was appointed Postmaster by Franklin D. Roosevelt, but did not take office until 1935. This office he held until his unexpected death on April 11, 1955.
Mr. and Mrs. Ira S. Bissler
Ira Samuel Bissler was born in Kent, May 17, 1895, son of Samuel C. and Clara (Keh- ner) Bissler. He attended Kent grade and high schools. In 1912 his father and he organized the firm of S. C. Bissler & Son, Inc., to operate as funeral directors and furniture sales with a location on East Main St., Kent, where the Grant Store now stands. The business retained this location until 1924 when the firm built the present Bissler Block at the end of the West Main St. bridge-a modern and complete funeral parlor and furniture store.
Mr. Bissler got his embalmer's license in 1917 and funeral direc- tor's license in 1933, the first year in which licenses were granted.
In 1942 the firm built a modern funeral home at West Main and Chestnut streets.
On June 28, 1916, Mr. Bissler married Mary Agnes Armstrong, daughter of Richard and Margaret (Dyer) Armstrong. Three children were born-Jerry F .; Richard S .; and Thomas I., the latter ordained as a Roman Catholic priest Feb. 28, 1953.
Mr. Bissler was a member of the Kent Rotary Club and served Mr. and Mrs. Ira S. Bissler as city councilman two terms. He was vice president and a member of the board of directors of the Kent National Bank; member of Elks and Eagles; Twin Lakes Country Club and the American Legion. He served in the army in World War I.
The Bissler firm is a member of the National Selected Mortician group.
Mr. Bissler was an active member of St. Patrick's Church and Knights of Columbus, being also a fourth degree member of the Akron chapter. He died Sept. 19, 1956.
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Jerry F. Bissler
Jerry Francis Bissler was born November 28, 1919 in Kent. He was the son of Ira S. and Mary A. (Armstrong) Bissler.
His education was received at St. Patrick's parochial school and Roosevelt High School, graduating from the latter in June, 1937. During this time he was employed in vacation and spare time at the Bissler Store. He then at- tended Kent State University two years, followed by two years at St. Joseph's College at Collegeville, Ind., from which he was graduated in 1941.
In World War II Mr. Bissler entered the army in Sep- tember, 1942, and saw service in the infantry in France, Germany and Austria. He was discharged from service March 11, 1946.
On May 4, 1946, he married Betty Anne Schneider of Ashland, Ohio. Following this he attended the Pittsburgh In- stitute of Mortuary Science from which he graduated in
September, 1947.
Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bissler-Sara Sue, Mary Ann, Elizabeth Marie and Fred Ira.
He is now associated with S. C. Bissler & Sons, Inc., Kent, being secretary of the or- ganization. In 1955 he received further training by attending the School of Management of Funeral Service at Evanston, Ill.
He belongs to the Rotary, American Legion, K. of C. and St. Patrick's church.
Richard S. Bissler
Richard Samuel Bissler was born in Kent, December 14, 1922. He was the son of Ira A. and Mary A. (Armstrong) Bissler. He was educated in the local schools and after finish- ing his sophomore year in the high school he attended St. Joseph Academy at Collegeville, Indiana, graduating in 1941. He then attended St. Joseph College for one year when he was called into army service. This was in January, 1943. He served in the Medical Corps in the European Theater of Ac- tion. He was in Bastogne, Arden Forest and the Berlin sector at the close of the war. His discharge came February 16, 1946.
At home again he joined the firm of S. C. Bissler & Sons, working until September, 1947, when he attended the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, from which he grad- uated in September, 1948. He received both Funeral Director and Embalming licenses. Since then he has been active in the Bissler business.
On August 29, 1947, Mr. Bissler married Miss Ruth M. Cowan of Red Brush Road, Ravenna township. To them four children have been born-Margaret Clara, Aug. 30, 1949; James Ira, Nov. 9, 1951; Richard Thomas, Nov. 23, 1953 and Patricia Ruth, Sept. 18, 1957.
He is a member of the K. of C., charter member of the Lions Club, Junior Chamber of Commerce and the American Legion.
Mrs. Bissler is a member of the Alpha Phi Sorority and is active in church circles. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bissler are members of St. Patrick's church.
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Robert K. Bissler
Robert K. Bissler, son of the late Samuel C. and Clara Bissler, was born July 9, 1912, in Kent, Ohio. He attended the first eight grades at St. Patrick's School and later attended Roosevelt High School from which he graduated in the Class of 1930. He then continued with his education at Miami Uni- versity, Oxford, Ohio, graduating with a degree of B.S. in Business Administration in the Class of 1934.
He then attended the Cleveland College of Mortuary Science in Cleveland and passed the state board examination for licenses as funeral director and embalmer in 1935 and 1936. He became associated with his father, the late Samuel C. Bissler, and his brother, the late Ira S. Bissler in the oper- ation of Bisslers, then known as S. C. Bissler & Sons. In 1948 the firm was incorporated and the letters Inc. was added to the name.
On Nov. 11, 1943 Mr. Bissler married Miss Eve Marie Tietz, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Tietz of Mans- field, Ohio. Miss Tietz was a member of the staff of nurses at St. Thomas Hospital, Akron.
Four daughters comprise the family. They are Sharon Marie, now 12; Gertrude M., now nine; and Roberta K., now six-all pupils at St. Patrick's parochial school in Kent- and Juliann, who was five Jan. 1, 1957.
Mr. Bissler has been very active in civic affairs. At present he is a director of the Kent Chamber of Commerce; recently elected director of the Kent National Bank; member of Kent Kiwanis Club; member Knights of Columbus and Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, as well as the Beta Theta Pi fraternity at Miami University. At present he is president of the S. C. Bissler & Sons, Inc. firm.
Samuel C. Bissler
Samuel C. Bissler was born in Stark County, Ohio, November 20, 1871, the son of Martin and Louisa (Wise) Bissler. The family moved to Suffield township in 1873 where Martin died two years later. The mother continued the farm with the help of the children and at the age of twenty, Samuel having attended the district schools, moved to Kent, Ohio. Here he started working as a teamster and also did some farming.
In October, 1892, he became an employee of the late I. L. Herriff in the furniture and funeral business. At that time Mr. Herriff was attracted to Mr. Bissler, having seen his fine horses and the manner in which he handled them. He was identified with the Herriff firm for twenty-one years, assuming a share of the responsibility in management, more in- creasingly over the years. Finally he traded his town property for 162 acres south of Kent in Brimfield township and set to farming again for a period of eighteen months.
Through persuasion of Mr. Herriff he returned in his employ with the idea of a partner- ship in view of Mr. Herriff's failing health. Within a few months Mr. Herriff died and the purchase was not possible at that time. Because of this Mr. Bissler seized the opportunity of purchasing the Burt Eckert livery business and entered into the funeral profession, re- linquishing the livery the following spring. With the construction of the Akron Water Works, north of Kent, he realized the opportunity of expansion and opened a furniture store in conjunction with the funeral firm.
On November 8, 1893, he married Miss Clara Keener, also from Suffield, the daughter of Godfried Keener. To this union four children were born, Ira S. Bissler, later associated with his father; Thelma Marie of Kent (Mrs. Rex Sampsell); Louise Christine (Mrs. J. R. Sebastian) of Park Ridge, Ill .; and Robert K., later associated with the firm.
Mrs. Clara Bissler expired in the spring of 1924.
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At that time the firm was expanding to new and larger quarters across the river and out of the regular business district of the city. This move was thought by many and spoken outwardly by others as the folly of the time. It was inconceivable that people would cross the bridge from the main business section to patronize this new enterprise. But to S. C. it gave an opportunity to park freely and even in 1924 this problem was seen by him. The lot that the building was built on had been designated by the late Marvin Kent as a hotel site. The new building not only offered beautiful furniture display space, but also included one of the finest and most modern funeral homes of any city twice the size of Kent in the state.
In 1943 the funeral home was moved from this location to a still more modern, and in keeping with the times, resi- dential atmosphere on West Main St. and S. Chestunt St. This was necessary with the increased volume in the funeral home. The residential area again gave more parking facility and residential enviroment. This new funeral home immed- iately became the talk of the state and surrounding states for it incorporated several new ideas, as yet not thought of. Be- cause of these ideas and the publicity received, inquiries were received from all parts of the country. Today many of these innovations are in use as a result of these inquiries. Even to- day many visitors passing through the city stop to admire the gracious design and beautiful landscaping and the care which the entire structure portrays.
Mr. Bissler's abilities and attributes were recognized by the late Governor Martin L. Davey and in 1938 the governor appointed him to the State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors for a term of four years. This appointment was continued by Governor Bricker and Mr. Bissler's constant interest in this phase of his business won him numerous friends and his advice and abundance of experience aided greatly the stability and soundness of this Board.
Following the death of Clara Bissler, S. C. married Miss Blanche E. Snyder, July 7, 1925, the daughter of J. F. and Martha A. (Leyder) Snyder. At the time she was supervisor of the operating rooms at Crile Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. To this union one daughter was born, Martha Elizabeth (Mrs. Russell Gillis) of College Park, Md. Despite failing health, starting in 1950, Mr. Bissler continued active in the business as chairman of the board and president and succumbed on January 1, 1953 at his residence, 100 S. Chestnut St. across the corner from his greatest interest, the funeral home.
Ray C. Bliss
Ray C. Bliss was born Nov. 14, 1911 in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of Paul S. and Elizabeth Bliss.
He was graduated from Lincoln High School in Cleve- land and attended Dayton University in Dayton, and Cleve- land College in Cleveland.
Since May 1, 1954, Mr. Bliss has been loan manager of The City Bank of Kent. He previously was associated with the National City Bank of Cleveland as collection manager.
He is married to the former Dorothy Houts of Cleveland. They have two sons, Kenneth Ray, 17, and Paul James, 10.
The Bliss familv resides at 734 Cuyahoga St., Kent.
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Harold M. Bluestone
Harold M. Bluestone was born July 21, 1895, in Can- aseraga, N. Y. He was the son of Adolph and Alice (Pennock) Bluestone, and graduated from Hornell, N. Y. high school in 1916.
He came to Kent in 1916 and was employed by the Erie Railroad Co. and in 1918 became associated with the Getz Bros., Inc., hardware, of which he is now president. On June 10, 1918, he enlisted in the U. S. Navy at New York and was sent to Gulfport, Miss. for training. Later he went to the San Diego, Calif., Naval Station, receiving his discharge in January, 1919.
On Dec. 17, 1917, he was married to Mary Getz, daugh- ter of William and Julia Getz.
Mr. Bluestone has been active in politics and has served as Republican County Chairman for several years. In 1940 he was chosen Presidential Elector and attended Electoral Col- lege. At present he is a member of the Portage County Board of Elections. He is a past commander of American Legion Post 496 and belongs to the Masonic Lodge. He has been active in sports both as participant and promoter.
Mr. Bluestone is president of the Home Savings & Loan Co., succeeding B. G. Kneifel in 1940. He is a life member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity.
Mr. and Mrs. Bluestone have one son, William Robert; and two grandchildren, Donna Marie and Robert William.
Charles Daniel Boettler
Charles Daniel Boettler was born on a farm one mile north of Kent, Ohio, on July 15, 1902. He was the son of Peter T. and Madge (Tuttle) Boettler and a brother of Frances (Boettler) Ellsworth. Peter Boettler was owner and operator of a fine farm north of Kent and active as a dairy- man.
Charles received his education in the district school at Earlville, after which he attended Kent high school, from which he graduated. After that he attended Kent State Normal School for a time.
In 1921 Mr. Boettler began to operate the farm which had been in possession of his family since 1871. He specialized in dairying and dealt in livestock as well. He still lives on this location.
He has been interested in public affairs and became a member of the Franklin Township Board of Education, serving for a number of years. In 1923 he joined Rockton Lodge, F.&.A.M. of Kent. When the Franklin township zoning board was formed he served as a member.
In 1944 he married Elinor Grier. He has a daughter by a previous marriage, who is now Mrs. Barbara Wunderlich.
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Peter T. Boettler
Peter T. Boettler was born September 28, 1867 in Greensburg, Ohio, the son of Daniel Boettler and Rebecca (Pontius) Boettler. He was the second of four sons, the others being Thomas, Daniel and Lorin. The father was a son of Frederick Boettler who came from Waldmohr, Rhenish Bavaria, Germany in 1832 and settled in Greens- burg. The mother was a descendent of Simon Essig who settled in Stark County.
In 1871 the family moved to Franklin township, the father having purchased from Joseph Beeman Stratton a 250 acre farm on Twin Lakes Road. The house had been built by Mr. Stratton in 1851. Mr. Boettler lived on this farm for 65 years.
He was an outstanding farmer and dairyman, maintain- ing a fine herd and a beautiful farm home.
He served as a member of the Franklin Township Board of Education from about 1917 to 1936, serving at the time when the district schools centralized. He was a member of the Portage County Farm Bureau and the Kent Grange.
Mr. Boettler was married June 8, 1897 to Madge Phoebe Tuttle, daughter of Isaac D. Tuttle and his first wife, Phoebe Olmstead of Palmyra. To them were born three children, Peter Andrew, who died at the age of three, Charles D. Boettler and Frances M., wife of Coe Ellsworth. His grandchildren are Barbara (Boettler) Wunderlich and James Ellsworth.
Mr. Boettler died suddenly of a heart attack on December 2, 1936.
Mr. and Mrs. Hugh W. Boosinger
Hugh Wilson Bossinger was born in Brimfield township August 19, 1891, son of Hoyt Finley and Gertrude (Myers) Boosinger. His great-great grandfather was John Boosinger, one of the first settlers of Portage County, who came in 1812 and located in Brimfield. He was educated in the local schools and early in life began to work for his father who oper- ated saw mills and threshing machines throughout a wide farming territory.
In 1911 he was employed as motorman and conductor on trolley lines out of Akron, to Kent, Ravenna, Warren, Alliance and Salem. At that time interurban lines covered most of the state. In 1917 he was chief dispatcher of the Stark Electric line in Alliance.
On June 21, 1916, he was married to Mary Mills of Dexter City, Ohio, daughter of Jacob and Rosa (Stephens) Mills. Mrs. Boosinger today is a real estate broker, and notary public, and together with her husband, maintains an office in their home on South Water St. extension, Kent.
One daughter was born to their marriage-Evelyn Lee, now Mrs. Ray Hartman. There are three grandchildren --- Ray, Jr., with the U. S. Air Force; Deanna Lee and Mary Margaret.
Mr. Boosinger worked for the Prudential Insurance Co. in 1925-26 and for three years after that operated a grocery at Stow and Pearl Sts. in Kent. In 1930 the family moved to Aurora where Mr. Boosinger was in business until 1949 when
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