BIO: Ira F. MANSFIELD, Beaver County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja & Joe Patterson Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/beaver.html http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/beaver/bios/bbios.htm Index for this bio book. _________________________________________________________________ BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. This Volume Contains Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Buffalo, N.Y., Chicago, Ill.: Biographical Publishing Company, 1899, pp. 45-47. _________________________________________________________________ HON. IRA F. MANSFIELD, an extensive owner of coal mining interests about Cannelton, Pa., whose active furtherance of many well-known enterprises places him among the foremost of the prominent and progressive business men of Beaver county, resides in a handsome home in Beaver, at the corner of Elk and First streets. He is a son of Kirtland and Lois (Morse) Mansfield, and was born in Poland, Ohio, June 27, 1842. He is descended from Revolutionary stock, being a great-grandson of Captain Jack Mansfield, who served through that war as a captain, and after its close lived in retirement, - having served sixty years in the Second, Fourth and Sixth Connecticut regiments. His son, Ira Mansfield, was the grandfather of the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch. Kirtland Mansfield, the father of Ira F., was born in Wallingford, Conn., and early in life went to Poland, Ohio, where for many years he was engaged in mercantile pursuits. Later he removed to Philadelphia, Pa., where he lived the remainder of his life. He was joined in the bonds of wedlock with Lois Morse, a daughter of Elkanah Morse, an early settler of Poland, Ohio, where he built the first oil, woolen and grist mills. In 1849, he moved to California, where he died. After the demise of her husband, Mrs. Mansfield returned to Poland, Ohio, with her son, where he was reared under the influence of a kind mother's love. Ira F. Mansfield received a good mental training in the common schools of his native place, and in Poland College, where he was a schoolmate of President William McKinley. At the early age of fifteen years he went to Pittsburg and learned the trade of a molder, but returned to Poland, and in August, 1862, enlisted in Company H, 105th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., being the first to sign the roll. He was promoted to be orderly sergeant, then 1st lieutenant, and for conspicuous bravery at the battles of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge he was breveted captain and was as-signed as a quartermaster of the Fourteenth Army Corps. He was with Sherman in his memorable March to the Sea and up through the Carolinas, and participated in the grand review at Washington, in May of 1865. He is a man of very methodical ways and of a very observing nature, and during his service kept a diary, and a record of his many inter- 46 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES esting and exciting experiences. This he has written out, and, being an artist of superior talent, he has finely illustrated it with pen pictures, and also with many fine photographs, taken in recent years,-all of which make a beautiful and valuable volume. In October, 1865, he leased of Mrs. Edwin Morse, the Cannel coal mines of Cannelton, Beaver county, Pa., and in 187o bought them outright. He has since owned and operated them, and now owns 357 acres, through which veins run which are from ten to fifteen feet thick. The daily output varies from one hundred to two hundred and fifty tons, and the facilities for shipping are of the best,-the mines being located on a branch of the Pennsylvania railroad. Mr. Mansfield also built a general store there and operated it for a number of years, but it is now managed by C. W. Inman and known as the Cash Store. He also erected a fine opera house and furnished it in elegant style. The post office, which was established in the town in 1872, is located on the first floor of his building, and for many years he served in the capacity of postmaster. He bought and rebuilt the Morse homestead, and possesses a very fine farm, one hundred and eighty acres of which is devoted to fruit raising; he has 5,000 peach trees and a large number of pear, cherry and quince trees. He is also interested in the Gulf Company, the Bituminous Company, and the Captain A. Hicks Company,-coal operators. He is a man of wonderful energy and general business ability and his many ventures have resulted in great financial success. In 1887, he moved to Beaver, purchasing the Hum and Singleton property at the corner of Elk and First streets, and there he has erected a very handsome modern brick home, which overlooks the beautiful valley and the Ohio River. Mr. Mansfield has traveled extensively throughout the United States and is well versed in the current events of the day. He has a fine collection of mounted specimens in botany, especially ferns and orchids-from Beaver county,-and all are illustrated on separate pages, in natural colors,-this being the work of his mother. In politics, Mr. Mansfield is a stanch Republican, and was elected a member of the state legislature from Beaver county in 1880, 1893, 1895, and 1897,-serving his constituents faithfully and well. He was a school director of Cannelton and Beaver, and takes an earnest interest in all matters of an educational nature. He is vice-president of Beaver College, and Beaver Musical Institute, and is president of the board of trustees, of Greers College of Darlington. He is vice-president of the First National Bank of Rochester, is a stockholder and director of three building and loan associations, and of several bridge and street railway companies; he is a director of the P., L. & W. R. R., of the Pennsylvania Railroad, and of the Valley Electric Plant. The subject of this memoir was united in marriage with Lucy E. Mygatt, a daughter of Dr. E. Mygatt, who was born in Danbury, Conn., and was a practicing physician and surgeon of Poland, Ohio, when Mr. Mansfield was married, in 1872. Three children have BEAVER COUNTY 47 blessed this union, as follows: Kirtland Mygatt, Mary Lois, and Henry Beauchamp. Socially, he is a member, and commander of, Post No. 473, G. A. R.; past master of the following lodges of the Masonic order, being a thirty-second degree Mason; F. & A. M., R. A. M., and K. T.; is past grand of the Odd Fellows Lodge; and past commander of the Knights of Pythias; he served as aide-de-camp on Gen. H. H. Cummings' staff. In a religious connection, he is a member and elder of the Presbyterian church. and has served as superintendent of the Sunday School. A portrait of Mr. Mansfield is presented, in connection with this sketch.