PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
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HENRY BECHTLE, deceased. This name is known and honored throughout Clark County as that of one of the foremost of the pioneers of this section of Ohio, who had a hand in laying the solid foundation upon which has been erected the superstructure of its present wealth and prosperity, and though his earthly career closed more than half a century ago his memory is still held in reverence in Springfield, of which he was an early settler, and for which he did much. His mantle has fallen upon worthy successors, and it gives us pleasure to represent the family in this biographical volume.
A native of Maryland, Mr. Bechtle was born four and one-half miles from Hagerstown, May 27, 1782. He was of German antecedents, and the first of his progenitors to come to this country was Jacob Bechtle, a native of the city of Manheim, Germany. He came to America in Colonial times, while yet a single man, and settled on the banks of the Schulkill River in Pennsylvania, casting in his lot with the early settlers of that vicinity, and there he was married and reared a family of three sons and one daughter. The next in line of descent was his son Samuel, who married and reared a family of four sons-Jacob, Samuel, Martin and Christian. Martin, the grandfather of our subject, was born near Philadelphia, August 28, 1742, and December 7, 1764, married Veronica Schnaublin. Her father was a native of Switzerland, and her mother, whose maiden name was Everly, was a German by birth. Martin Bechtle and his wife reared a family of nine children. He was a farmer, and spent his last years near Hagerstown, Md., where he died from the effects of the bite of some venomous insect May 15, 1801, at the age of fifty-nine years and nine months. His wife did not long survive him, but died October 5, 1802, in her sixty-first year, and both now lie sleeping their last sleep on the old homestead in Maryland.
The father of our subject was reared and educated in his native State, and in 1802 started on horseback with Gen. Bronson for a westward tour, traveling through the intervening wild country to Arkansas. He had studied civil engineering, and in that State was engaged in assisting in laying out the counties. After stopping there a few months he returned to Maryland, but was not contented to stay there, however, after having experienced the excitement of life on the Western frontier, and seen so much of the country, with which he was very favorably impressed, and in 1804 he took up his abode in Cincinnati. He established himself in business as a dealer in flour and country produce, building or buying barges, and loading them with produce and then floating them down to New Orleans. After disposing of his freight in that city he would sell his barges, and buying a horse, would make his way home on horseback, that being the most expeditious mode of travel in those days. In 1816 Mr. Bechtle took an important step in his life, which contributed much to his after happiness, as in that year he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Perry, a most estimable woman, who was born near Lexington, Ky., and was a daughter of Capt. Perry, a near relative of Commodore Perry. She inherited a good share of the patriotic spirit of her gallant relative, the brave Commodore, and when the War of 1812 broke out did all she could to animate those who went forth to do battle with the foreign invaders. She and another young lady, Miss Margaret Wallace, a sister of David and Robert Wallace, of Cincinnati, made a flag, worked their names in the corner of it, and presented it to a company of soldiers, and it undoubtedly inspired them to deeds of valor. The flag is now preserved, as a sacred relic by the Pioneer Association of Cincinnati.
At the time of his marriage Mr. Bechtle engaged in the wholesale and retail dry-goods business at Cincinnati. In 1818 he bought about one thousand acres of land in Springfield Township, a part of which is now included in the city, but he still continued his business in Cincinnati till 1826, when he removed to Springfield, and from that time devoted himself to the improvement of his land, and the operation of his mill which was located thereon and he there made his home till death closed his busy life February 9, 1839. Clark County was thus deprived of one of its most valued citizens, a man whose energy of character, keen foresight, and rare judgment in business affairs gave him great influence, and made him an important element in the upbuilding of this section of the country. He accumulated a handsome fortune, and besides the large and valuable estates he owned here he was interested in landed property in Illinois, he having entered from the Government the land upon which Mound City, Pulaski County, is now built, and a portion of which is still in the possession of his heirs. Mr. Bechtle was an influence in local politics, was a stanch adherent of the Democratic party, and was an ardent admirer of Gen. Jackson. He was a gentleman of much culture, of great geniality, was very hospitable, and had a large circle of friends, and entertained most of the noted men of his day at his home, Henry Clay and Gen. Harrison being among his friends and frequent guests. His devoted wife survived him many years, her death occurring at a venerable age in 1869. Eight children were born of their marriage, six of whom were reared to maturity, as follows: Sarah; Mary, who married Guy H. Kincaid, and lives in Ripley, Brown County; Eliza, who married James 0. Edwards, and is now deceased; Perry; Henry, the youngest, who is deceased. Sarah, the oldest of the family, inherited fine personal qualities, a pleasant disposition, generous habits, and kindly manners, and is in every way worthy of the respect accorded to a lady of her position and social standing. She owns a part of the old homestead, and here she and her brother have built up a beautiful and sightly home.
Perry Bechtle was born in Springfield Township, March 10, 1827, and received an excellent education in the city schools. He inherited in a full degree his father's financial talent and shrewd business capacity, and under his excellent management the property that descended to him from his father's large estate is in no wise deteriorated in value. In 1857 he sold the present site of Mound City to a stock company for $100,000, with characteristic foresight retaining $40,000 worth of stock in the company, and he still owns quite a number of lots there, which have greatly increased in value with the growth of the city. Mr. Bechtle takes an active interest in politics, and uses his influence in favor of the Republican party, as he deems its policy the safest in the guidance of National affairs. As before stated he occupies a part of the old homestead with his sister, and here he erected a handsome brick residence, in 1857, which is beautifully located on a high point of ground in the southwestern part of his estate, and commands a lovely view of the city and surrounding country. He has one son, Harry Perry Bechtle, who is a resident of this city.
26 Dec 1999