Person Page - 441

     Merton Lee Offensend was born on 12 March 1896 at Dicksonburg, Crawford Co., PA.^1,2 He was the son of Solomon Davenport Offensend and Dora Ellen Thomas.¹ Merton Lee Offensend married Martha Ruth Jacques on 26 March 1932.² Merton Lee Offensend died in May 1983 at Crofton, Anne Arundel Co., MD, at age 87.¹


Lee received his education in the public schools and Alleghany College of Meadville, Pennsylvania. He has been with the Talon, Inc of Meadville for twenty five years, having attained the position of head foreman. In 1956 he was assigned by his company to develop a new plant in Durant, Mississippi, with himself as manager. He has also been production specialist in the plant at Morton, Mississippi. Now in 1960, april 1st, he is being sent by his company to Hong Kong to establish a Talon zipper plant there. He will complete hs tour around the world when he returns. He is a member of the Foreman's Club of Talon, Incorporated, and of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity. His favorite sports are golfing, baseball, and basketball. ³

     Martha Ruth Jacques was born on 10 July 1896 at East Liberty, OH.^1,2 She married Merton Lee Offensend, son of Solomon Davenport Offensend and Dora Ellen Thomas, on 26 March 1932.¹ Martha Ruth Jacques died in October 1977 at Jamestown, Chautauqua Co., NY, at age 81.²

     Dora Amy Offensend was born on 15 January 1945.¹ She was the daughter of Amos John Offensend and Helen Hazel Elizabeth Hafer.¹ Dora Amy Offensend died on 12 February 1945.¹

     Chase Frank Offensend was born on 1 July 1888 at Dicksonburg, Crawford Co., PA.¹ He was the son of Leonard McCune Offensend and Sarah Clancy.¹ Chase Frank Offensend married Mabel Sophie Zarle, daughter of Henry Zarle and Dorothea F. Deneke, on 9 October 1912 at Akron, Summit Co., OH.¹ Chase Frank Offensend married Lillian May Blackburn, daughter of George W. Blackburn and Nellie L. Miller, on 24 November 1928 at Akron, Summit Co., OH.¹ Chase Frank Offensend died on 31 October 1958 at Akron, Summit Co., OH, at age 70.¹


Chase was a mechanical engineer. In 1914 he started his career in the rubber business with the Miller Tire Company of Akron, Ohio, as draftsman, and became manager of the Miller's Design Department. It was said of him, "He is the man who is primarily responsible for the mechanical precision necessary to achieve Miller "balance" in tires and puts into the tires the graceful lines essential to tire beauty."

When the Miller Company merged with the B. F. Goodrich Company, he went along and became head of drafting and the tire design division. He was engaged here twenty two years until he retired in 1953.

He and May were active in the Grace Presbyterian Church in Akron and Chase was a member of the Golden Age Club. May is active in community affairs and assists in registering voters and other activities of her political party. She is a member of the Cuyahoga Falls Woman's Club. ²

Chase and Mabel were enumerated in the 1920 Akron, Summit Co., OH, federal census, Precinct J, Ward 4, ED 169, page 2B; Wildwood Street. He was a mechanical engineer, age 31, she was 30. Children in the household were Ruth H. 5, and Betty J. 2.

     Mabel Sophie Zarle was born on 3 October 1889 at Akron, Summit Co., OH.¹ She was the daughter of Henry Zarle and Dorothea F. Deneke.¹ Mabel Sophie Zarle married Chase Frank Offensend, son of Leonard McCune Offensend and Sarah Clancy, on 9 October 1912 at Akron, Summit Co., OH.¹ Mabel Sophie Zarle died on 1 July 1926 at Akron, Summit Co., OH, at age 36.¹

     Lillian May Blackburn was born on 24 June 1891 at Cuyahoga Falls, Summit Co., OH.¹ She was the daughter of George W. Blackburn and Nellie L. Miller.¹ Lillian May Blackburn married Chase Frank Offensend, son of Leonard McCune Offensend and Sarah Clancy, on 24 November 1928 at Akron, Summit Co., OH.¹

     Maclamar Offensend was born on 17 May 1898 at Dicksonburg, Crawford Co., PA.¹ He was the son of Leonard McCune Offensend and Sarah Clancy.¹ Maclamar Offensend died on 15 December 1913 at age 15.¹

     Carman James Offensend was born on 24 June 1903 at Dicksonburg, Crawford Co., PA.^1,2 He was the son of Leonard McCune Offensend and Sarah Clancy.¹ Carman James Offensend married Elizabeth Ella Borchers, daughter of Perry Borchers and Florence Linnie Gardner, on 29 August 1931 at Akron, Summit Co., OH.¹ Carman James Offensend died on 26 March 1989 at age 85.²


Carman has been employed with the Talon Company, Inc. for twenty-three years. Betty, as she is called, has been employed in the office of the Westinghouse Electric Corporation in Meadville, Pennsylvania. She served as Librarian in the elementary school of Harmonsburg for eight and one half years. She is no Secretary at Conneaut Lake Park, Inc...

They are all affiliated with the Methodist Church, where Betty has taught Sunday School classes for twenty years. Carman and Betty have both been on the Official Board for a number of years and she is secretary of this organization.

Carman has served as president of the Civic Club, while Betty has been Republican Committee Woman for eight years, and they both have served as Township Auditors. ³

     Elizabeth Ella Borchers was born on 15 April 1910 at Amanda, OH.^1,2 She was the daughter of Perry Borchers and Florence Linnie Gardner.¹ Elizabeth Ella Borchers married Carman James Offensend, son of Leonard McCune Offensend and Sarah Clancy, on 29 August 1931 at Akron, Summit Co., OH.¹ Elizabeth Ella Borchers died on 5 November 1998 at PA at age 88.²

     John Homer Day was born on 16 September 1917 at Barberton, OH.¹ He was the son of John H. Day and Elma Blin.¹ John Homer Day died on 25 March 1945 at Nogaya, Japan, at age 27.¹ He was buried at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery, Maxwell, NE.²

     Jeffrey Blain Case was born on 1 March 1953 at Akron, Summit Co., OH.¹ He died on 2 March 1953.¹ He was the son of Robert Case and Betty Jane Offensend.¹

     Laurel Lee Case was born on 1 March 1953 at Akron, Summit Co., OH.¹ She was the daughter of Robert Case and Betty Jane Offensend.¹ Laurel Lee Case died on 17 March 1953.¹

     Katherine Elizabeth Brice was born on 7 April 1889 at Dicksonburg, Crawford Co., PA.¹ She was the daughter of Charles William Brice and Harriet May Offensend.¹ Katherine Elizabeth Brice married Thomas Robinson Bell, son of William John Bell and Jane Ann Arthur, on 6 April 1913 at Akron, Summit Co., OH.¹

Thomas was employed by the B. F. Goodrich Company, and was custodian for Evans Savings and Loan Company. He liked gardening and outdoor life. Katherine has been enthusiastic over education and has been instrumental in her children's having this accomplishment. They were both members of the Methodist Church. ²

     Thomas Robinson Bell was born on 30 July 1884 at Massillon, OH.¹ He was the son of William John Bell and Jane Ann Arthur.¹ Thomas Robinson Bell married Katherine Elizabeth Brice, daughter of Charles William Brice and Harriet May Offensend, on 6 April 1913 at Akron, Summit Co., OH.¹ Thomas Robinson Bell died on 22 April 1959 at age 74.¹