James Beckett

As printed in 1894

JAMES BECKETT, deceased, was for many years one of the most prominent agriculturists of Butler County, and at his death the community was deprived of one of its most worthy members. He spent his entire life in farm pursuits, and during his active years accumulated a handsome property, including two hundred and forty acres of as fine land as can be found in this vicinity.

Our subject was born in Pennsylvania in 1804, and was an infant of twelve months when brought by his parents, James and Sarah (Taylor) Beckett, to this county. They made a location on property situated two miles east of the farm now occupied by the widow of our subject, and there passed the remainder of their days.

The original of this sketch was trained to farm pursuits, which occupation he made his life work. His education was limited to the branches taught in the common schools, but throughout his life he kept himself well informed on all questions of public import. His farm, which at his decease numbered two hundred and forty acres, was kept above par by a wise rotation of crops and the use of the best fertilizing agents. A first-class set of buildings had been erected on it, and other improvements made, which stamped it as the home of one who believed in progress and enterprise.

In public affairs Mr. Beckett always felt a deep interest, and supported the old Whig party until the formation of the Republican, after which he was a stanch supporter of its candidates and measures. He was for many years a faithful and consistent member of the Presbyterian Church, contributed liberally of his means to its support, and did all he could to promote religious influences in the community. He was held in the highest esteem as an honest, upright citizen.

In the month of November, 1877, Mr. Beckett’s great heart was stilled forever, and his body found rest in death. He was mourned by many far beyond his sorrowing circle, as his friends in this county were legion. Our subject had been three times married. His first union was with Miss Mary Thompson, who left at her decease four children. Only one member of that household is now living, Sarah. Mr. Beckett was afterwards married to Miss Elizabeth Hill, and to them were granted a family of eight children, all of whom are living at this writing (1894) and have families of their own. Mrs. Elizabeth Beckett died in October, 1852, and the following year our subject married Miss Mary A. Weaver, who was born in this county in 1820. The three children resulting from this union are Joseph S., a resident of Hamilton, this state; Taylor, who farms a portion of the old homestead; and Mary Elizabeth, the wife of Jesse Petree, a farmer of Milford Township, this county.

Mrs. Mary A. Beckett is the daughter of John and Mary (Smallwood) Weaver, who removed to this state from Philadelphia, Pa. She enjoyed good educational advantages when young, and for the greater part of twelve years was engaged in teaching school. She is a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church, with which her husband’s name is indissolubly connected.

Taylor Beckett, the youngest son of our subject, was born on the farm where he is at present residing, February 19, 1856. He received careful training in farm work, and was thus eminently fitted to undertake the management of the home farm on the decease of his honored father. He was married, on the 4th of September, 1878, to Miss Ida H., daughter of Moses and Cynthia Ann (Wilson) Pearson. The children born of this marriage are Glenn R. and Cynthia Merle. Taylor Beckett is a stanch supporter of the Republican party. Both himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are highly esteemed by those who know them for their consistent and useful lives.

ON. JOSEPH J. McMAKEN. Probably none of Hamilton’s citizens are more widely known among the people of Ohio than the subject of this biographical review, who is the present representative of the district in the State Senate. In a volume, therefore, which is dedicated to the able and influential men of Butler County, conspicuous mention necessarily belongs to one who has been so intimately identified with the political life of the community, and to whose sagacity as a Legislator his constituents are largely indebted.

In the city where he now resides Joseph J. Mc- Maken was born January 10, 1848. He is a member of family long and honorably connected with the history of this city, and particulars in regard to his ancestry and parentage may be ascertained by referring to the biographical sketch of Mark C. McMaken, presented elsewhere in this volume. He was reared and educated in Hamilton, receiving exceptional literary advantages and graduating from the university in 1870. Having resolved to enter the legal profession, he began the study of law under the preceptorship of ex-Governor Campbell, and in 1872 was admitted to the Bar.

Opening an office in Hamilton, Mr. McMaken has conducted a successful practice up to the present time, although he has frequently been obliged to withdraw temporarily from his profession in order to serve in a public capacity. From youth he has been a stanch advocate of the principles of the Democratic party, the members of which, realizing his fitness for offices of trust, have elected him at various times to positions of honor. In 1889 he was elected to the General Assembly and served for two years in the Lower House. Such was the fidelity with which he discharged his duties that at the expiration of his term he was elected State Senator, in which responsible position he is now serving his second term.

The name of Senator McMaken is inseparably associated with some of the most important measures passed by the Senate since his connection with that body. To him belongs the distinction of having introduced and secured the passage of the bill known as the Fellow Servant Act, limiting the hours of railroad employes to twelve hours’ continuous service, and compelling the railroad companies to pay the costs of maintaining the office of railway and telegraph commissioners in the state of Ohio. He has also been identified with a number of important local bills, among which is the Australian system of controlling primary elections in Butler County.

On the 1 1 th of January, 1871, Mr. McMaken was united in marriage with Miss Belle S. McElwee, a daughter of John McElwee, of Miamisburg, Ohio. The family residence is a pleasant above, and in addition thereto Mr. McMaken owns other valuable city property. In religious belief he is connected with the United Presbyterian Church, to which his wife also belongs. Socially, he affiliates with Wetzel-Compton Post, G. A. R. He is a loyal citizen, devoted to the welfare of the

Government and a friend to every movement for the promotion of its progress. During the late war he enlisted in the navy, in August, 1863, and served until, owing to disability incurred in the service, he was honorably discharged. During the entire period of his connection with the Democratic party, he has stood by it, in cloud as well as in sunshine, with unshaken fidelity. His public life has been characterized by such honesty, conservatism and ability that he has carried with him his entire party and has won the commendation of political opponents. Cool and sagacious in his political judgments, wise and prudent in council, he merits as lawyer and legislator the distinction he has attained.

As printed in Memorial record of Butler County, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of representative citizens of the county together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States (1894). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.