Solomon A. Beery

As printed in 1902

SOLOMON A. BEERY.

The general public has ever taken great pleasure in tracing the history of a man who started upon lite's career handicapped in many ways, but who, notwithstanding innumerable obstacles, pushed forward man- fully and finally reached the goal of success set before him. The career of the widelyknown ' and public-spirited citizen whose name appears above affords an impressive ! example of what energy, directed and controlled by correct moral principles, can accomplish in overcoming an unfavorable environment and lifting its possessor from a comparatively humble origin to a position - of usefulness and affluence. Mr. Beery is too well known in Upper Sandusky and throughout yandot county to need an elaborate formal introduction to the people j of either city or county. Eminently a self-made man, having carved his own way in 1 the world, educating himself and honestly earning every dollar in his possession, he ranks with the most enterprising and successful of his compeers and has won a name 1 and reputation which place him among the representative citizens of his native state.

Solomon A. Beerv was born August 7. 1829, in Fairfield county, Ohio, and spent 1 the years of his youth and early manhood amid the routine of labor on his father's farm. His first educational training was received in the common schools of his neighborhood, but by far the greater part of his mental growth and development is the direct result of long and active experience in the business affairs of the world. He remained with his father, assisting in the work of the farm and contributing to the support of the; family until his marriage, after which he I purchased land of his own and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and the breeding of fine live stock. For the latter he early manifested a decided preference and in the course of a few years his interest in

, tilling the soil began to decline, the stock business gradually absorbing the greater part of his time and attention. As a breeder of high grade cattle and blooded horses he soon acquired much more than local repute and as a dealer he was not long in realizing the results of his sound judgment and superior business tact in liberal financial returns.

Mr. Beery continued raising thoroughbred and running horses in his native county until 1882. when he disposed of his interests in that part of the state and changed his residence to the county of Wyandot. On coming here he purchased a beautiful home within the corporate limits of Upper Sandusky to which was soon after added an adjoining tract of two hundred acres, the whole, under his careful management, being converted into one of the finest and most highly improved stock farms in Ohio. Prior to leaving the county of Fairfield Mr. Beery met with financial success such as few attain. Since becoming a resident of Upper Sandusky Mr. Beery still conducts his farm, and also deals somewhat in stock, but not so extensively as he did before leaving his native county. For two years, while living in Fairfield county, he was under contract to supply the state penitentiary with cattle, aside from which he devoted his attention almost exclusively to the stock business, continuing as formerly to make a specialty of the best grade of thoroughbred horses. His efficiency as a judge of horse flesh and his skill as a breeder have brought his name prominently to the notice of the leading stock men throughout the United States, the result being a great and constantly increasing demand for the animals raised upon his farm.

Though denied the advantages of finished scholastic training in his younger days, Mr. Beery is a man of strong mentality, his active, capable intellect proving equal to every understanding, while quickness to foresee and wisdom to plan and execute have enabled him to win success where many would have retired defeated and abashed. The sterling virtues of his character and the undeviating integrity of his business career have made his name respected, wherever known, while his pleasing personality, combined with an eminently sociable I disposition, have rendered him a popular favorite with the people of his city and county.

Mr. Beery was united in marriage Febi ruary 8. 1855, to Miss Eliza Hammack. of Fairfield county, Ohio, a lady of culture and refinement whose memory is cherished by all who were so fortunate as to form her acquaintance. She presided with quiet but queenly dignity over a home of comfort and elegance and proved a valuable counselor to her husband in his various business transactions and contributed not a little io the remarkable success which has crowned his efforts. A sweet moral nature, united with strong religious convictions, made her ini deed a valued member of society, while among the poor and unfortunate her name will always be revered by reason of many acts of charity unselfishly performed. Mrs. Beery was a devout member of the Metho- 1 dist church, and her whole life was a grand epitome of duty bravely and uncomplainingly done. She ever tried to realize her highest ideal of noble, consecrated womanhood and her death, on the 22(1 of October. 1800.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

' of her residence and elsewhere. Though Mr. Beery's marriage was without issue, he has reared and educated two children and given to each a substantial start in life. They are James Shook and Louisa Hammack, the former now a resident of Chillicothe, Ohio, and the latter now Mrs. James J. Turner, residing in this county. He still looks after their interests with fatherly care and in every way possible contributes to their happiness and success. He is a man of large wealth, but believes in using his means for the advancement of all commendable enterprises. A liberal patron of movements having for their object the material and moral good of the community, he is a model citizen and in many respects a benefactor of his kind. He has added luster to Upper Sandusky, while the city is proud to number him among its most intelligent, enterprising and successful men of affaHs. Mr. Beery is a Republican in politics.

As printed in Biographical memoirs of Wyandot County, Ohio : to which is appended a comprehensive compendium of national biography ... embellished with portraits of many national characters and well known residents (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.