Monypeny Avenue

Monypeny Avenue is named for William Monypeny (1829-1899).

The Centennial History of Columbus provides this biographical sketch, "There are found many men whose industry has won them success — men who by their perseverance and diligence executed well defined plans which others have made — but the men who take the initiative are comparatively few. The vast majority do not see opportunity for the coordination of forces 
and the development of new and extensive and profitable enterprises and therefore must follow along paths which others have marked out. In William Monypeny, however, the initiative spirit was strong. He realized the possibility for the combination of forces, and wrought along the line of mammoth undertakings until his name became a synonym for business activity and 
prosperity in Columbus. He instituted many business concerns which have been elements in the city's growth, and in all of his relations to trade and commerce he stood as a man of unimpeachable business integrity, as well as enterprise. 

Mr. Monypeny was born in county Armagh, Ireland, October 10, 1829, a son of Charles and Sarah Monypeny. He came to America in 1848 when a young man of nineteen years, and at once entered the employ of John Kugler, one of the pioneer millers of Ohio, then conducting business at Milford, near Cincinnati. There Mr. Monypeny learned the miller's trade and afterward removed to Lockbourne, where he conducted a grain and distilling business. Thinking to find still broader opportunities for advancement in Columbus he came to this city in 1863, and for years was extensively connected with the grain trade, owning a warehouse on the west bank of the Scioto river just north of Broad street, on the site now occupied by the electric light plant. He was a man of indefatigable energy and of keen insight into business affairs, and he had the ability to bring into unified connections many different business elements. He became connected with various leading business concerns of the city, in all of which his sound judgment and keen discrimination constituted factors in successful management. He became the vice president of the First National Bank, was later its president and largest stocksholder, and afterward became president of the Reorganized National Bank of Columbus. He likewise occupied the presidency of the Columbus Machine Company for many years, and was president of the Columbus Electric Light & Power Company. In the later years of his life he retired from active business, giving his supervision merely to his invested interests. At the time of his death he was the president of the Monypeny-Hammond Company, wholesale grocers, having been one of the original partners of the firm of Monypeny, Hammond & Company, which was organized in 1888. This business was incorporated in 1895, and from that time until his death Mr. Monypeny continued as its president. He was likewise a director of the Central Ohio Savings Bank. He formulated his plans carefully and carried them forward to successful completion. Not only did he contribute to the city's prosperity in commercial lines but also added much to its adornment in the erection of many of the finest business blocks here. In all that he did he manifested a progressiveness that was tempered by safe conservatism, and his sound judgment was indicated in the excellent results which attended his labors. 

On the 5th of February, 1854, Mr. Monypeny was married to Miss Maria Brunson, a daughter of William Brunson, a native of England, who became a resident of Ohio in the early days when there were no records here and when the work of development and upbuilding seemed scarcely begun. He settled in Clermont county, where he engaged in the milling business. His wife bore the maiden name of Maria Lake. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Monypeny were born five children, of whom three are living. Charles, the eldest, born at Lockbourne in 1855, was educated in the high schools of Columbus and was engaged in the grain business until his death in 1881. He had been married in 1877 to Miss Ann Aiken. William Monypeny, the second son, wedded Miss McGrew, of Washington, D. C, and resides at home, managing his father's estate. Mrs. Sallie Beckwith resides in New Hampshire. George B., who married Miss Margaret Babcock, of Columbus, is now deceased. Perrin B., of the Monypeny-Hammond Company, wholesale grocers, married Miss Margaret Hickok of Columbus. 

The death of Mr. Monypeny occurred October 12, 1900, and the city lost one of its representative and honored citizens. He was modest and retiring in disposition, but those who knew him best were impressed with his intense sincerity, his steadiness of purpose, his kindly spirit and warm heart. He did much for charity but in so doing followed the admonition, "Let not your left hand know what your right hand doeth." His benevolent work was always free from any spirit of ostentation or display, and yet no man responded more freely or generously to the call of the poor and needy. He was especially interested in a home for the aged on East Broad street. He donated the ground for that institution and superintended the building of the home. Both he and his wife gave to it their helpful support, largely making it what it is today. Both Mr. and Mrs. Monypeny held membership in the Trinity Episcopal church and took an active interest in its work. His life w^as characterized by the true spirit of Christianity, recognizing the brotherhood of mankind and the obligations that the individual owes to those with whom he comes in contact. He read extensively and his fine library contained the works of the noted authors of ancient and modern times. He spent many of his most pleasant hours in the companionship of his books, and his mind was being continually enlarged and broadened by his study. A man whom to know was to respect and honor, he left the impress of his individuality upon the material development of the city, was prominent in its commercial and financial interests and labored for the good of his fellowmen in many ways."

Titanic Survivor
Mrs Richard Leonard Beckwith (Sarah "Sallie" Monypeny), 47, was born to born to well-to-do parents in Columbus, Ohio on September 21, 1865. As a young woman in Ohio she married Logan C. Newsom and had a son William Monypeny Newsom and a daughter, Helen Newsom. After Logan's early death she married Richard Leonard Beckwith but had no children by that marriage. Richard, Sallie and Helen boarded the Titanic at Southampton. They were destined for New York, NY and occupied cabin D-35 (ticket number 11751). The family were rescued in lifeboat 5. Sallie Monypeny Beckwith died on February 11, 1955