USA > Ohio > Representative citizens of Ohio : memorial-genealogical > Part 26
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His progressive tendency was distinctly shown in his methods as a breeder and raiser of live stock, in which he gained a wide reputation because of the excellency of his stock. As a breeder and dealer of Shorthorn cattle he was particularly successful and exhibited his animals at many of the fairs and live stock shows, in which he invariably won his full share of first prizes. He bred the largest cow that was ever raised in Allen County, and in many
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respects, as a pioneer in the breeding of good stock, he showed the way where others have since followed with success and profit. Thus, in this, as in other lines of his work, Mr. Heffner performed a distinct service to his community, for to him was largely due the credit for the high standard now maintained by stock breeders in this locality. As a general farmer, Mr. Heffner evinced the same sound judgment and intelligent discrimination which marked his efforts as a stock raiser. His handling of the soil, rotation of crops and their cultivation were all according to the most advanced methods and his efforts were rewarded with pro- nounced success. About nine years ago, feeling that he had justly earned the right to take life easier, Mr. Heffner relinquished the active management of the farm and retired to a comfortable home in Lafayette, where he now resides.
Politically, Harrison Heffner has always given his support to the Democratic party, following in the footsteps of his ances- tors. He has taken a deep interest in public affairs and has been honored by election to several local offices, in all of which he per- formed his duty to the entire satisfaction of his fellow citizens. Religiously, he is a member of the Reformed Church, while his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to both of which societies they give a liberal support.
Harrison Heffner was united in marriage first to Mahala Ice, who was born, reared and educated at Westminster, Ohio. She died at her home in Jackson Township, Allen County, in 1900, when a little past sixty years of age. Her father, Samuel Ice, was a native of Pennsylvania, became a successful farmer in Allen County, Ohio, where his death occurred, in advanced age. His first wife was Elizabeth Shellabarger, and died when her daugh- ter, Mrs. Heffner, was only two years old.
Harrison and Mahala Heffner became the parents of the following children: Anna became the wife of Elijah Frederick, a farmer near Lafayette, and they have three sons and three daughters; Charles, who also is a successful famer, married Ida Albert, and has reared six children: Brice, who is a farmer in Jackson Township, Allen County, married Mary Fetter, and is the father of three sons; Jennie A., who died recently, was the wife of Jacob Bogart, and left surviving her two daughters; Wil- lard, a farmer, married Iva Heath, and is the father of three child- ren; Harry, who is engaged in the operation of the old home farm, married Nora Fisher and is the father of three children.
Mr. Heffner's second marital union was consummated near Lima, Allen County, Ohio, with Mrs. Eliza J. King, nee King,
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the two King families having been of no relation. Mrs. Heffner's first husband, the late Matthew W. King, was a man of splendid parts and enjoyed the respect of all who knew him. To Mr. and Mrs. King were born two daughters; namely, Gertrude C. is the wife of Pearson Ritter, a successful farmer in Harden County, Ohio, and they have four daughters, all of whom have been care- fully reared and well educated; Loretha Z. is the wife of Clifford W. Marshall, of Allen County, and they have a daughter, Helen I.
In this brief sketch enough has been outlined concerning the career of the subject of this sketch, to show him to be a man of more than ordinary acumen and sagacity. To these qualities have been added those of indefatigable labor and determined per- sistance in the pursuit of definite lines of effort, so that the success which came to him was but the logical outcome of well defined purposes. The sterling traits which have characterized him have commanded uniform confidence and esteem, and he is to-day honored by all who know him.
Frederick Moreau Backus
T is often considered by those in the habit of superficial thinking that the history of so-called great men only is worthy of preservation and that little merit exists among the masses to call forth the praises of the his- torian and the appreciation of mankind. A greater mistake was never made. No man is great in all things, and it is not the history of the lucky stroke of fortune which benefits humanity most, but the record of a steady, earnest life, consistent with itself and true to its duties and responsibilities, that gives to others an example of right living. Though Frederick M. Backus has long been numbered among those who are serenely sleeping in "God's acre where we all shall rest," his life record was such that it is eminently deserving specific portrayal, not only in the nature of a memoir, but also as an example and stimulus to the young man now hesitating at the parting of the ways. Though cut down in early manhood, his life was well spent, for he was ever domi- nated by the highest principles of integrity and honor. Pure, constant, and noble was the spiritual flame that burned in and illumined the mortal tenement in which his soul dwelt, and to the superficial observer can come but small appreciation of his in- trinsic spirituality, his faith being fortified by the deepest study, and the Christian verities were to him the matters of most con- cern. In all that constituted true manhood and good citizenship he was a worthy example and none stood higher than he in the esteem and confidence of the circles in which he moved. His career was characterized by duty well performed, by faithfulness to every trust reposed in him, by industry, thrift, and wisely di- rected efforts, and his reputation was never clouded by the com- mission of an unworthy act.
Frederick M. Backus was born in Benton, New York, on Sep- tember 23, 1838, and his death occurred at his home in Cleveland, Ohio, on June 6, 1874. He was the son of Rev. William W. and Frances Elizabeth (Ward) Backus, the latter being of Irish descent and a member of the well-known Ward family of New Jersey. Rev. William W. Backus, who was a native of Massa- chusetts, was of English extraction. He was well educated and was a minister in the Congregational Church, though late in life he retired from the active ministry, and died at the home of a
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son in Oklahoma, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. His wife had died many years before, in Hartford, Connecticut. They were the parents of a large family of children, and, though they never accumulated much in a material way, they reared their children to lives of usefulness and respectability.
Frederick M. Backus spent his boyhood days in the East and received a good, practical education in the public schools, though this training was liberally supplemented by much private study, he having ever been a close and studious reader of the best literature and acquiring a broad and accurate fund of informa- tion on a wide variety of subjects. Being the eldest of the large family, he left home at a tender age, determined to make his own way in the world, and came to Cleveland, Ohio, where, for several years, he made his home with an uncle, the late Judge Franklin T. Backus. At the age of fifteen years he entered the employ of a bank, where he remained some time, but eventually engaged in the oil business, in which he was very successful, being at the time of his death at the head of the firm of F. M. Backus & Company. As a business man he was eminently successful, owing to his sterling qualities of character and his safe and sound business methods, enjoying an enviable reputation in business and commercial circles, and his death, at the age of thirty-five years, was considered a distinct loss to the community.
On May 21, 1860, Mr. Backus was married to Henrietta E. Waite, to which union were born two children, Frederick M. and Bertha E. Mrs. Backus is now residing in her comfortable and attractive home at No. 2044 Euclid Avenue, and, owing to ler gracious qualities of head and heart, she enjoys a large circle of warm and loyal personal friends.
That Mr. Backus was held in the highest regard by those with whom he was thrown in constant association is evidenced by the following resolutions, which were passed by his business associates and employees of the firm of F. M. Backus & Company.
"Whereas, it has pleased our heavenly Father, in his divine wisdom, to remove from us our beloved associate and employer, the late Frederick M. Backus, and
"Whereas, We, his late associates and employees, desire publicly to express our love for him as a friend, and admiration of his extraordinary ability as a business man, and the upright Christian course pursued by him in all his dealings with us; now, therefore, be it
"Resolved, That this meeting is held for the purpose of paying this, our humble tribute to the memory of one who, by his
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purity of character, gentleness of spirit and wise counseling, has so endeared himself to us that we feel we have not only lost from our business a man whose place can never be filled, but by his death we have also lost a very dear friend; and be it further
"Resolved, That those of us who have been with him longest, and knew him most intimately through all the years of his busi- ness life, can truthfully say of him that all his dealings with us, and with all his fellow men, were ever characterized by that noble Christian spirit that distinguished him, everywhere and under all circumstances. We feel how inadequate are these words, or anything we can say in praise of our departed friend, to express the sense of desolation and loss that exists in our hearts; and be it further
"Resolved, That these resolutions be published in the city papers, and a copy of them be presented to the afflicted wife and family of the deceased, to whom we can only say, you have our heartfelt sympathy in the great affliction that has befallen you, and, with you, we can only bow our heads in humble submission to the will of Him who doeth all things well."
For a number of years, Mr. Backus had been closely identified with the Young Men's Christian Association, of Cleveland, to the upbuilding of which he gave liberally of his time and means and of which he served efficiently as president in its earlier days. At the time of his death the executive board of the association adopted resolutions, from which the following lines are quoted:
"In view of the late afflictive dispensation of our heavenly Father in removing from earth our dear brother, F. M. Backus, we desire publicly to express our regard for him as a citizen and a friend, as well as a warm-hearted Christian and fellow laborer.
"Identified as he has been for years with our association, having been for a time its president, we have learned to appre- ciate his unwavering zeal, his broad Christian charity, and, above all, the intense desire, amounting with him to a passion, to have the spirit of Christ manifest in all our deliberations and our activities.
"During the latter part of his life his failing health has withdrawn him from our circle of active members; still, in his feeble condition, even while in distant lands, his thought and his prayers have constantly gone forth in the endeavor to further the cause which we have at heart."
Of the Old Stone (Presbyterian) Church, Mr. Backus was long a zealous and active member, giving faithful and appreciated service as superintendent of the Sunday school and giving his
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earnest and unwavering support to every interest of the church he loved so well. No better estimate of his life and character could be uttered than the eulogy spoken at the funeral of Mr. Backus by Rev. H. C. Haydn, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, and from which the following words are quoted:
"No ordinary occasion calls us together this afternoon. Not but that funeral occasions are common enough, but all are not equally significant. Our lives are not pitched to the same key- they do not run in the same grooves. To one He has given two, to another five, to another ten; and the one thing required is faith- fulness. To one He gives length of days, to another a life work to crowd into a few brief years.
"This dear man whom God has called away only reached the vigor of early manhood; yet, though so young, he had worked his way to the front rank of business men in our city; he had stood among the foremost of our Christian workers as president of the Young Men's Christian Association, and superintendent of our Sunday school, and this, though for several years battling with enfeebled health.
"Mr. Backus was the son of a clergyman. He grew up under the fostering wing of this church and early became a member of it. He belonged to a class of whom we do well to take note, whose religious nurture begins with dawning consciousness. He was religious from his birth; at an early age his devotion to Christ was a ruling passion with him, as it was a controlling principle through life.
"His mind was clear and strong; it worked quickly and in- tensely. Seeing things clearly, he had admirable tact in impart- ing knowledge. He was one of our best teachers; he was greatly in earnest; he did nothing by halves. This, true in secular mat- ters, was also true in his religious life. Had he been less so he might have lived longer. His life burned too fast to last long.
"He was a man of most determined spirit. We have many of us looked on with wonder to see him setting aside infirmity and battling with disease, at the same time caring for his business affairs, or welcoming a friend, or pushing out on some journey in quest of health. To his resolute will, largely, we owe the re- sults of his life-a will that made light of difficulties and often carried him quite beyond his strength. We owe the beauty and bloom of his character to his devotion to Christ and his deeply spiritual mind; for he was a spiritually minded man. Not often, of late, has he mingled with us in our devotional meetings; but
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we shall never forget his prayers and his yearning after a higher life.
"He was greatly dissatisfied with himself and the results of his life, and coveted the opportunity to make more of himself. There are men who found him a powerful competitor in business who may not have apprehended what those who knew him best understood fully-that business was second in his thought; Christ and intellectual and spiritual things were more. Over and over again I have heard him say, "It is not money I care for." But the thought of falling out of his times and the useful activities of his age, which his heart revelled in, to be simply a looker-on, the soul eager for the race, the poor body a cumbrous hindrance, abso- lutely forbidding-this was the great trial of his life, greater even than his sufferings, and they must have been very great, even as they were long protracted.
"It is quite time it were accepted, if it is not, that men may be enthusiastic, resolute, aggressive in business, and yet in no wise sordid in spirit -- in no wise the slaves of mammon; that men may be thorough and intense in legitimate business pursuits, and equally thorough and intense in spiritual things-that personal devotion to the Lord Jesus does not demand seclusion from the world, but mastery over it through faith.
"Mr. Backus was a constant student and learner. His trip abroad for health opened a new world to him. It was an educa- tion. I have often wondered at the minuteness and accuracy of his observation and the integrity of his memory. He was also a reader of good books, and his mind had something to feed upon-some of the grand and good things of God's kingdom of nature and grace. I have no faith that business men can be spiritually minded who give their minds nothing to feed upon- some of the grand and good things of God's kingdom of nature and grace. I have no faith that business men can be spiritually minded who give their minds nothing to feed upon but their daily newspaper and what they handle in the marts of trade. There must be higher converse than this. The affections must reach out beyond these terrestrial affairs. The mind must discern the great facts and landmarks of immortality and be inspired by things above and beyond itself. I am only saying what we could not have failed to discover in the prayers and converse of our brother-that the word of God and the gospel of his grace had been his meditation till they had come to pervade his soul.
"Some of us have looked on with something akin to amaze- ment, as we have seen him put away from him the possibility
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that his disease might prove fatal. How much he secretly en- tertained it, we may not know; but to those who met him on oc- casions, there was only the bouyant hope, the resolute will, the planning as if nothing was to be thought of but length of days and the work to be crowded into life.
"Here, again, we might mistake, thinking, 'This seems strange that a good man should so cling to life, and to the last be planning, not to contract but to expand his operations.' How is this, we ask ourselves. It was not fear of death. Of death he declared he was not afraid. He was heir to great expectations beyond the flood. It was not that he was at war with God's pur- poses. He never seemed to think but that it was the purpose of God that he should recover, and life was his opportunity and the world the sphere to do a certain work for God and his times. I never heard him murmur at the ways of God with him. Much must also be attributed to a temperament sanguine and a will that could not brook defeat.
"And so he hoped against hope, and seemed not to realize that he was drifting away to a rest he needed, but that earth could not give him. I am far from thinking that for him there was any better way. If it had been a clinging to the world in default of any better hope, this was sad enough; but in so far as it was a resolute endeavor to make the most of life for the glory of God, this is preparation enough for dying in the case of a believer. And what in many might be sheer love of the world putting etern- ity out of mind, becomes a heroic endeavor to make the most of this life before entering upon another.
"In Brother F. M. Backus this church sustains a great loss. One of our choicest spirits, one of our best workers, one who loved this church and prayed for its prosperity, one who was a helper to the pastor and a friend of all good causes, when he so apprehended them, we shall no more see among us. We have become accustomed to getting on without his active cooperation, else this sense of loss to-day would be very burdensome. .
The foregoing beautiful and tender testimonial to the life and character of Mr. Backus would sound fulsome if used in reference to most persons, but to those who were familiar with his life and works the picture was not in the least overdrawn. That his enthusiasm in spiritual matters was not a matter of impulse is evident in the following words, penned by him at the age of sixteen years, when he consecrated himself to the service of his Lord. This consecrating act took place at Cleveland, September 30, 1855, in the following words: "This day do I with the utmost
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solemnity surrender myself to Thee, and I consecrate to thee all that I am and all that I have. The faculties of my mind, the members of my body, my worldly possessions, my time and my influence over others, to be all used, entirely for thy glory, and resolutely employed in obedience to thy commands as long as thou continuest me in life, with an ardent desire and humble reso- lution to continue thine through all the endless ages of eternity, ever holding myself in an attentive posture, to observe the first intimations of thy will, and ready to spring forward with zeal and joy to the immediate execution of it."
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Mmes Rose
Hon. Wlilliam Grep Rose
NE of the best known men of a past generation in Cleveland, Ohio, one whose record is well deserving of a conspicuous place in his community's history, was the late William Grey Rose. Perhaps his dominant and most notable characteristic was his fidelity to truth and honor. He invariably sought the things that were "honest and of good repute." In the training of his children no precepts were so constantly or so urgently insisted on as those which concern sound and worthy character. ] He taught that honor and truth- fulness were of such commanding worth that self-interest should never under any circumstances set them aside. A falsehood or a dishonorable deed with him was not only a disgrace, it was a sin. These principles were a standard by which he constantly estimated men, and to which he religiously held himself. What- ever else he might do or fail to do, he meant to be, in all his ac- tions, right before his Creator and man. His life was an inspira- tion to all who knew him and his memory remains to his friends and family as a blessed benediction of a noble and upright char- acter. He never lost sight of his obligations to the community in general and he did much for the upbuilding of Cleveland, where for many years he held a high place in business, civic and social circles, his long life being worthy of imitation in many respects by the youth hesitating at the parting of the ways.
William Grey Rose was born in Mercer County, Pennsyl- vania, on September 29, 1829, and his death occurred at his home in Cleveland, Ohio, on September 15, 1899. He was the youngest child of eleven children born to James and Martha .(McKinley) Rose. On the paternal side he was of English descent from the Earl of Suffolk, and on the maternal side Scotch-Irish blood pre- dominated. His grandfather, David McKinley, who was num- bered among the heroes of the Revolutionary War, was the great- grandfather of President William McKinley, and through the peculiar relationships existing between the two families the Presi- dent and the subject of this sketch were double cousins. The two families were very intimate and Mrs. McKinley, mother of the President, always responded to Mrs. Rose's invitations to receptions given at her home in Cleveland.
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Con. William Grey Rose
The subject's father was a veteran of the War of 1812, and was a man of sterling character. While living in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, he became a maker of utensils, in his brother's furnace in Lawrence County, therefore his wife was an adept in running the farm. She had a loom in the house for weaving and braided whip lashes for sale, providing well for her large family. When her son William was fifteen years old she gave him the use of the farm for a year in order to further his education. He wore out a span of horses and raised good crops, but was not able to market his produce, for there was no demand for it at home or in the countyseat, the citizens of which owned "out-lots" and raised their own vegetables and fodder. William therefore sought other ways of making money. He bought a deguerrian wagon and some of his work can be seen to-day, especially one of himself on which he had put jewelry in gold color. He also gave a series of talks on capital punishment, and his pocket Bible was marked from end to end, for reference. His greatest ob- jection to capital punishment was that the Israelites slaughtered whole tribes and that a person who offended in one line offended in all. He was glad to argue these questions in order to obtain light upon them.
In 1849, Mr. Rose attended the Austinburg Grand River In- stitute, where Edwin Cowles, editor of the Cleveland Leader, also studied, but after one term there he went to Beaver Academy, where he remained three years. Near the close of that period he was made teacher of Latin and mathematics. The principal, Sam- uel Jones, preached very pointedly on Christian doctrine and said to him, "I mean you" Mr. Rose replied, "I have taken care of the horses of preachers who stayed at my father's house, to my great disgust, and when I can support myself I will preach." Professor Jones urged him to go to Washington College, at Beth- lehem, but in 1853, he began the study of law with Honorable William Stuart, of Mercer, then a member of Congress from that district. Shortly afterwards, Mr. Rose bought the Mercer Inde- pendent Democrat, which he converted into a free-soil paper, and his efforts through the columns of that paper were so effective and potent that he turned the district into the Republican column, and so it has remained to the present time. Interested in every vital question of the day, few, if any, were better informed upon cur- rent issues or discussed with more clearness, fairness and force the questions which were then agitating the public mind. In 1858, he was elected to the House of Representatives at Harris- burg, to which the Philadelphia capitalists sent their usual lobby-
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