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Apple grower Jay Beckwith dead at 100

    Jay Waldo Beckwith, who worked daily at Beckwith Orchards Cider Mill & Gift Shop on Lake Rockwell Rd. North of Kent until he was 96, died Saturday. He was 100. Mr. Beckwith, who was known to many as "the apple man," took great pride in remaining active in the orchard business, which is located on land which has been in his family since 1878. Four generations have been involved in the business.

    Despite his advanced age, he could usually be found atop the tall ladders used to pick apples in the orchards and particularly enjoyed sharing the secrets of growing apples with school children who were frequent visitors to the farm, which is now operated by his son, Charles, and his family. He would entertain picking crews by reciting sonnets and poems he had learned in school.

    Mr. Beckwith celebrated his 100th birthday two weeks ago at Stow-Glen Retirement Village, where he and his wife, Grace, to whom he was married for 70 years, moved after his health began to fail.

    During his 100-year lifetime, he witnessed the development of the automobile and airplane. He recalled seeing pilot Cal Rogers transcontinental flight for the Vin-Fiz Co. Over the family farm in 1911. He once said that he believed the greatest contribution of the modern world was the development of electrical power.

   Born March 14, 1896 on the family farm, he was the 11th of 13 children born to Frank and Mary Criss Beckwith. His middle name honored the poet Ralph Waldo Emerson, a family favorite. A 1913 graduate of Kent Central High School, he was believed to be the oldest alumnus of the Kent public schools. He recalled supporting the establishment of the Kent State Normal School (now Kent State University) with a donation equal to a week's wages at that time. Mr. Beckwith served in the U.S. Army's Ordnance Branch in France. He was one of the first members of the American Legion Post in Ravenna, and later moved his membership to the Kent post. He also was a member of Rockton Masonic Lodge No. 316 in Kent for more than 70 years.

    Following WW1, Mr. Beckwith worked at the Mason Tire & Rubber Co. In Kent, which was located on the present site of Gougler Industries. He later retired from Twin Coach Co. In Kent after 27 years of service, when the bus manufacturer closed. He then was a member of the Kent State University grounds crew until he retired at age 67 to spend more time in the family business.

    Survivors include his wife, Grace, whom he married Aug. 29, 1925; son, Charles; seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Arrangements will be announced by Bissler & Sons Funeral Home of Kent.

Record-Courier, Ravenna-Kent, Ohio Monday, April 1, 1996