Walter H. Standish

Walter H. Standish, deceased, for many years a
resident of Lima, closely identified with its business, public and
social life, died April 15, 1904, a man sincerely mourned by the whole
community.  Mr. Standish was born in this city, January 4,1841, and was a
son of Henry and Amanda (Beemus) Standish.
        The parents of Mr. Standish were natives of New York and came to
Allen County, Ohio, about the year 1821. Henry Standish secured a large
body of land in Amanda Township where he lived a number of years but
subsequently removed to Lima, where the remainder of his life was taken
up in caring for his various investments. He was the father of eight
children, seven of whom grew up to maturity. Of these, Walter H.,
Wallace, Mrs. Angeline Hadsell and Mrs. Malvina Malby are deceased,
while Marion and Mrs. Jerome Shockey, of Lima, Ohio, and Mrs. Lemuel
Carlisle, of Avoca, Iowa, are living.
          The late Walter H. Standish spent almost his whole life in
Lima. Here he was educated and from here , in 1861, he enlisted in the
20th Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf., and served faithfully through his full
term, and was honorably discharged. He returned home but ere long was
again in his country's service, this time enlisting in the navy and
serving in the Mississippi squadron, under Admiral Porter. During the
whole period of his service his duties were faithfully performed and he
set an example of obedience as well as bravery. After his second return
to Lima, he began to look about for a business location, finally
deciding to visit Knoxville, Tennessee, where he spent two years in dry
goods business. In 1865 he came home and followed the same line of
business for a year and then engaged for five years in business at
Toledo. In 1877 he returned to Lima and settled here permanently,
engaging in an extensive mercantile business until 1885, when he
established a cooperage manufacturing industry, operating factories in
various parts of the State.
         Mr. Sandish was married on February 12, 1872, to Florence
Selfridge, Sr. They have two children, Harold S. and Miles W. Mrs.
Standish still survives and resides at No. 512 West Market street.
           In all that goes to make a  good citizen, Mr. Standish was
notable. He was honest and upright in business, was loyal and patriotic
both during and following the war, was a sincere friend and a devoted
husband and father. Not very active in politics, he still took enough
interest to endeavor to bring about good legislation. He was for several
terms president of the City Council and chairman of the Board of
Equalization. The fraternal organizations to which he gave support were
the Independent order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and the Masonic
order; in the last mentioned order he held the office of junior warden
of Shawnee Commandery, No. 14, K.T., of Lima.