USA > Ohio > Ashland County > History of Ashland County, Ohio > Part 88
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101
The entire life of Reuben R. Hunter has been passed in the township where his birth occurred and he has always given his attention to general agricultural pursuits. He now owns and operates eighty-nine acres of good land which responds readily to the care and labor bestowed upon it. His father erected the house which is here seen and Mr. Hunter of this review built the barn. The place is supplied with modern equipments, including the latest improved machinery with which to facilitate the work of the fields. Everything about
799
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY
the farm is kept in good repair and the place_presents a neat and most attractive appearance.
In 1883 Mr. Hunter was united in marriage to Miss Mary Wentz, who died in 1898 leaving three children : Etta, deceased; Stella, the wife of Clyde Cowell, of Perrysville ; and Arthur C., at home. In 1901 Mr. Hunter was again married, his second union being with Miss Mary McMahon, who was born in Donegal, Ireland, in 1868 and came to the United States in 1897. There are two children by this marriage, Ruth and Edna. Mr. Hunter gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and while he always supports its candidates he has never desired political preferment, as he wishes to give his entire time and attention to his business affairs. In the capable conduct of his farm he is meeting with good success, the place bringing to him a substantial annual income as a reward for his labor. He belongs to one of the oldest and best known families of this part of the county, a family always closely associated with the development and progress of their locality.
FRANCIS E. MYERS.
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 opportunities for the coordination of forces and the development of new, extensive and profitable enterprises, and therefore must follow along plans which others have marked out. Francis E. Myers, however, does not belong to the designated class. The initiative spirit is strong within him. He has realized the possibilities for the combination of forces and has wrought along the line of mammoth undertakings until the name of Myers stands as a foremost representative of industrial life in Ashland county and is known throughout the entire world, for his products are sent into almost every civilized country. He is today prominent among the captains of industry-an example to the growing youth. Reared as a farm boy, with no educational opportunities above those offered by the country schools, he has wrought along lines that have proven of immense benefit to the community as well as a source of substantial individual profit. He is today widely known as president and general manager of the firm of F. E. Myers & Brother, manufacturers of pumps and hay tools, the business being the most extensive of this character extant.
Mr. Myers was born in Perry township, about six miles east of Ashland, in Ashland county, March 16, 1849. His parents, George and Elizabeth (Morr) Myers, are still living. The Myers family is of German origin and was established in America about 1748 by Jacob Myers, who was born at Muhlbach. He became a resident of Penns township in what is now Center county, Pennsylvania, where he purchased a large tract of land. The family suffered the usual hardships incident to frontier life while endeavoring to reclaim the wild tract for the purposes of civilization. Jacob Myers was draughted and
800
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY
served in the Revolutionary army and his eldest son, Phillip, the great-grand- father of our subject, was also in the colonial army in the war for independence. He was heavily built and muscular and was a noted wrestler in his day. His military service was with Captain Ben Wesser's company and after the war he returned to Freeburg, Pennsylvania, and thence removed to Brush valley, Center county, Pennsylvania, where he purchased a tract of land. He was a man of liberal spirit and congenial disposition, recognized as a useful and valued citizen in his township. For many years he acted as supervisor of Niles town- ship, discharging his duties in a most capable manner. He was a consistent member of the Reformed church and died April 27, 1831, at the age of seventy- five years, five months and thirteen days. His wife was Margaret Morr, who was born August 20, 1759, and died March 12, 1829. Both are buried in the Lutheran and Reformed cemetery at Reversburg, Pennsylvania. They had eleven children, seven sons and four daughters.
Jacob Myers, the grandfather of Francis E. Myers, was born in Center county, Pennsylvania, and wedded Mary Stein. They lived for some time near Hamburg, Clinton county, Pennsylvania, and then removed to what is now Ashland county, Ohio, in 1837. Here both passed away after having reared a family of nine children. Jacob Myers was a thrifty, honest farmer, quiet, reserved and conservative.
George Myers, the second of his nine children, was born in Center county, Pennsylvania, November 12, 1822, and is consequently eighty-seven years of age. He was reared on a farm, attended the district schools in the winter months and at the age of fifteen years accompanied his parents on their removal to Perry township, Ashland county, Ohio, in 1837. In this county he was apprenticed to a wagonmaker-George Fultz. After a year thus spent he removed to Hayesville, where he followed his trade for one year. For twenty- two years he had a shop on the old homestead in Perry township and it was at this period that he was associated with the Studebakers, the world-famous vehicle builders, who started here, Mr. Myers and the Studebakers working together. In 1862 George Myers withdrew from the wagonmaking business. In the meantime he had built many wagons, grain cradles and buggies, also cultivators, harrows, plows and farm implements, which were sold throughout this part of the state. He was also the builder of wagons that have been in use for fifty years and are still in a good state of preservation. In the spring of 1862, however, he came into possession of the old homestead and began farming, giving his attention to general agricultural pursuits until 1894, when he retired from business life and removed to Ashland, having a fine home on Claremont avenue. While living in Perry township he acted as infirmary director for Ash- land county for six years and for many years he served at intervals as township trustee. He was likewise school director during the greater part of his residence there and lent his aid to every movement which he believed would benefit the community. In local affairs he has never been partisan, but in national elections he has always voted with the democratic party. He has been a life-long member of the Evangelical church, served as class leader for many years and has always taken an active and helpful part in the church work. His life has indeed been an honored and useful one and in the evening of his days he receives the venera-
801
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY
tion and respect which should ever be accorded to one who has advanced far on life's journey.
In the fall of 1847 George Myers was married to Miss Elizabeth Morr, a native of Center county, Pennsylvania, who was a year old when her parents came to Ashland county in 1828, settling in Perry township. Her father and mother were of German descent but were natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Myers is still living at this writing, in 1909, and is now eighty-two years of age. Like all retired farmers Mr. Myers feels that he cannot remain idle and still looks after one of his farms occasionally and cares for his cows, horses and garden at his home in Ashland. He is a remarkably well preserved man of eighty- seven years, of that rugged, honest type of pioneer who assisted so largely in the development and progress of Ashland county. He is a man of firm resolve, adhering closely to what he believes to be right. In his judgment he is careful and conservative and in all his dealings with his fellowmen is thoroughly honorable and reliable. No citizen of the community occupies a more enviable place in the regard of those who know him or more fully deserves the esteem and honor in which he is held than does George Myers. His wife is a descendant of one of the old American families whose progenitors came from Germany about 1770. She traces her ancestry back to Andrew Morr, who secured a large tract of land near the present site of Freeburg, Pennsylvania, and improved it, building there a stockade for protection against the Indians. He and Jacob Myers, the progenitor of the Myers family in the new world, were neighbors and pioneer settlers of that country. Mr. Morr was a prominent Lutheran and a man of marked influence in his community. He died in 1805.
In the family of Mr. and Mrs. George Myers there were eight children, four sons and four daughters, of whom Francis E. Myers is the eldest. Celina, the eldest daughter, is the wife of P. S. Countryman, a resident of Jeromeville, Ohio. Phillip A., living in Ashland, is a member of the firm of F. E. Myers & Brother. Miranda became the wife of F. R. Marks and died in 1907. A. M. is now in the employ of the firm of F. E. Myers & Brother, in charge of the pay-rolls, piece price and cost of construction. Savilla is the wife of E. J. Spreng, of Ashland. G. D. is general sales agent for the firm of F. E. Myers & Brother. Effie is the wife of Edgar H. Fuhrman, of Ashland.
The life history of such a man as F. E. Myers is one which cannot fail to prove of interest for the world pays its tribute of admiration and respect to him who accomplishes large things, without assistance and by honorable methods. A builder of a great enterprise, he is classed today with the captains of industry who are controlling the trade and traffic of the country, and he now stands at the head of the line of business in which he is engaged. His youthful days were passed amid humble surroundings as a farm boy who worked in the fields in the summer months and attended the district school in the winter seasons until twenty-two years of age. He was ambitious, however, and became discontented with the opportunities afforded in farm life, so that he made his way to Ashland and here found employment with M. B. Parmalee as clerk in a dry-goods store, one of the leading establishments of Ashland. His remuneration was to be one hundred dollars per year and board and he spent the year there, but says that he knew more about farming than dry-goods business and therefore sought
802
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY
opportunities in other lines. It was during this year that he became acquainted with M. C. Goucher, who while living at a hotel in Ashland saw in young Myers the making of a successful salesman. He therefore made him a proposition to enter his employ on a salary of sixty-five dollars per month or ten per cent com- mission if he would "find" a horse and buggy. He was to sell farm machinery, Mr. Goucher being a member of the firm owning the Ashland Clover Huller Works. After some effort Mr. Myers convinced his father that the proposition made him was a reliable one and secured his aid in purchasing a horse, which they bought of Emanuel Swinford. Francis E. Myers had saved one hundred dollars and Mr. Swinford trusted him for the balance of the purchase price, forty dollars. . Mr. Goucher was anxious that his protege should be a success and after three weeks asked him which it would be, salary or commission. The young man promptly replied "commission." He resolved to make good and from the start proved a capable salesman, his business constantly increasing. The fact too, that he was on a commission basis enabled him to take up other lines of trade on the side. He did so well that he was finally put on a straight salary and took his agencies, which reverted back to him when the concern went into the hands of a receiver in 1875.
It was in that year that Mr. Myers established a little agricultural imple- ment store in a shed in the back of the Whiting machine shop on Center street in Ashland, and as opportunity offered he added additional goods, including the Bucher & Gibbs Imperial plow, manufactured at Canton, Ohio. He was very successful in introducing this plow and sold so many that shortly afterward he was called to Canton by the Bucher & Gibbs Company and offered a regular salary as a salesman. He therefore went upon the road as representative of the house in the winter and gave his attention to his individual business in the summer time. Working his way upward from a position of salesman he eventually became president and sales manager of the largest plow manufactory in the state. Throughout his business career Mr. Myers has ever looked beyond the exigencies of the moment to the possibilities of the future and has displayed almost intuitive perception in recognizing an opportunity, while his industry has enabled him to use it to the best advantage. While he was working his way upward in connection with the plow manufacturing business and the sale of the products of the factory his brother, P. A. . Myers, had secured a patent on a double-acting force pump in 1879. Francis E. Myers, having faith in his brother's invention, joined him in the manufacturing of pumps in 1880, doing the assembling in the basement of their agricultural store on Main street in Ashland, while their machine work was done in Canton and Wooster, Ohio. This was the inception of their present plant. They felt that "nothing ventured nothing gained," and while the establishment of the business was an experiment it soon proved a successful one, the sale of the pump being sufficient to enable them to install their own power in the basement of their store on the 14th of October, 1882. The demand for their pump was great from the begin- ning and it was heralded with acclaim its value and worth being at once manifest. Their business of manufacturing pumps has grown most rapidly. In 1885 they erected their own plant, which was about one-quarter the size of their present plant. The two brothers were admirably adapted to establish
803
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY
a successful partnership. F. E. Myers was rich in experience, business lore and those attributes which bring order from chaos, while P. A. Myers was filled with ideas, system and mechanical ingenuity. Naturally sympathetic, they
have builded together in harmony and unison. Addition after addition has been made as the growth of their business has demanded more space, until their plant is today the largest industry of its kind in the world-a statement that has never been contradicted. It today covers six and one-half acres, exclusive of the foundry and the Center street works. Independent motors are in each department, with duplicate power plant and automatic sprinklers. Not to any esoteric methods do they owe their success but to close application, unremitting energy and keen discrimination. They are today the largest. manufacturers in the United States of pumps and hay tools exclusively, making a complete implement every half minute during working hours throughout the entire year.
In 1896 a woodwork department was added and its product includes ladders, pulleys, handles, et cetera. This is also located on Center street in Ashland and the addition is in itself a huge plant. F. E. Myers & Brother now em- ploy in this plant from five hundred to six hundred workmen, the greater percentage being skilled labor. They manufacture hay unloading tools, door hangers, pulleys and pumps, and nearly all are manufactured after inventions patented by P. A. Myers. Their business has developed largely through trade journal advertising, for they are firm believers in this method of increasing their business by making known their product and its value to the trade. During the years of their business existence they have never known what it was to have a dull season and the shop has run continuously every day save when compelled to shut down for repairs. Some of their employes have been with them from the first day they started the wheels in their fifty by seventy-five foot shop, which indicates as nothing else will do the harmonious feeling existing between employer and employe. The works of the firm today cover a total of three hundred and fifty thousand square feet of floor space and their business annually goes into seven figures, while their payroll amounts to twenty-five thousand dollars every month of the year. Almost six hundred men are given employment and their list of customers will aggregate a total of fifteen thous- and business houses throughout the world. Their offices are beautiful in every way, the furnishings, finishings and adornments being in perfect harmony. Every device that tends to reduce labor or to simplify methods is used and in every department modern ideas are paramount. They have in the United States five branch distributing houses, an export house in New York city, over three hundred and fifty jobbing houses and over thirty traveling salesmen who visit all sections of the country. In France, Italy, England, Russia, Nor- way, Sweden, South Africa, Central America, Austria, South America and Australia they have agencies, so that their sale is world wide. In all the length and breadth of the land the name of Myers is known wherever pumps are used.
This concern is one of the most remarkable developments of the age. The poor farm boy with little education, F. E. Myers, together with his brother, has developed a mammoth concern, seeking his success in the legitimate lines of trade, recognizing that the present, and not the future, holds the opportunities and therefore utilizing each moment to the best advantage. He is a natural
804
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY
salesman himself and his ability in that direction constituted the foundation for the success of the enterprise. During the recent financial panic in 1907, the factory ran full time and full force, thus verifying the quality of goods and the character of business methods employed.
As Mr. Myers has made himself known to the business and financial world his aid and cooperation have been sought on behalf of many enterprises and he is now known as vice president and director of the First National Bank, of Ashland; director of the Faultless Rubber Company, of Ashland; president of the Cleveland Southwestern & Columbus Railway, a traction line from Cleve- land to Bucyrus ; a director of the Aurora, Elgin & Chicago Railway Company ; a director of the Mansfield Traction Power & Light Company, of Mansfield, Ohio; and financially and actively interested in many other enterprises. The faculty of selection and the power of concentration have been potent elements in his career. He rightly believes that the true philanthropist of today is the man who does things and keeps on, who pays a fair wage the year round and can be depended upon for that wage. He devotes the major part of his time to the business of F. E. Myers & Brother, putting forth his efforts along lines that promote its continuous growth.
Various interests aside from those which bring a financial remuneration have also benefited by the sound judgment and keen discernment of F. E. Myers. He is one of the trustees of the Wittenberg College, at Springfield, Ohio; is a director of the Young Men's Christian Association of Ashland and one or the state directors of that organization. He is also the president of the Colonial Club of Ashland, belongs to the Union Club of Cleveland, to the Chamber of Commerce of Cleveland and to many social organizations. He likewise belongs to the different Masonic bodies, being a Knight Templar and a member of the Mystic Shrine.
In January, 1871, F. E. Myers was married to Miss Allavista Hohenshel, of Roseberg, Ashland county, a daughter of Solomon and Catherine (McHose) Hohenshel, a family sketch appearing on another page of this volume. They have had four children : Mary E,, was married in January, 1909, to Frederick L. Parker, president of the United States Whip Company, of Westfield, Massa- chusetts ; George J. is at home and is in his father's employ; Catherine L. was taken ill in Rome while traveling abroad and died in Italy in March, 1906; John C., who married Miss Alice Mould, of Cheboygan, Michigan, is also in the employ of F. E. Myers & Brother, having charge of the advertising and cash accounts. He is a graduate of Harvard College.
Mr. Myers and his family are members of the Lutheran church, in which he is serving as trustee and to the support of which he is a most generous con- tributor. He has a summer home at Mullett Lake, at mouth of the Cheboygan river and is very fond of outdoor sports, including motoring and fishing. His
town residence is the most beautiful home in Ashland. He has never been active politically although he has been frequently urged to become a candidate for office. One of his aims, however, is to build up his home town and the surrounding country and his efforts in that direction have been far-reaching and beneficial. He makes no pretense to scholarly attainments but he has something that is far better than college training-the ability to see the practi-
805
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY
cal worth of an opportunity. His mental strength is that which has come through training in the school of experience and all who know of him honor him for his sound judgment and keen discrimination. In manner he is never inti- mate but always courteous and affable and he has a wide acquaintance who hold him in high regard. The basis of his success came in his careful rearing and he has been careful in every way-morals, health and finances. His people for generations before him were of the same caliber-thrifty and economi- cal, realizing the value of money and willing to put forth earnest and honorable efforts for its acquirement. Added to this, Mr. Myers had an unfaltering ambition which has led him into important business relations but has never made him un- mindful of his obligations to his fellowmen. He is today the financial and executive genius of an immense concern, while his brother is the possessor of the inventive and mechanical power that has also contributed to the success of this enterprise. Few men more justly deserve the term captain of industry, and his life is an open book, constituting a splendid example for all young men. It should serve as a source of encouragement and inspiration to those who desire to win prosperity through honorable methods. He stands as a splendid type of the American gentleman of rugged health, fine physique and of strong mind, while his contact with the world has brought him the polish which many acquire in schools. He is charitable, kindly and easily approachable and has the rare faculty of putting one immediately at ease in his presence. His success has never spoiled him and a man of upright character with no worldly possessions can win his regard and friendship just as surely and quickly as the man who has gained wealth. His is a handsome face because of its strong character, the humorous twinkle of his eye, as well as good features. None have done so much for the upbuilding of Ashland as has F. E. Myers and his brother and he is generally esteemed by his fellow townsmen who honor him for what he has accomplished but appreciate him for his genuine personal worth. . He indeed stands first in the hearts of the people of his home city.
HENRY R. PIPPITT.
Henry R. Pippitt needs no introduction to the readers of this volume, for he has been a resident of Loudonville since the close of the Civil war. Various business interests have claimed his attention and he is well known as a traveling salesman representing a Philadelphia house. In the years of his connection with the road he has learned to adapt himself readily and easily to all classes of people and is a most genial, courteous gentleman, to whom good will and friend- ship are freely accorded.
A native son of Ohio, Mr. Pippitt was born in Salem, Columbiana county, December 22, 1842, a son of Joseph and Susan (Craft) Pippitt, who were natives of New Jersey. The father was born in 1800 and was a cooper by trade. Removing westward, he settled in Salem in 1825 and was there married in 1832 to Miss Craft, who was a representative of an old Quaker family and who conducted business as a milliner. Her death occurred October 30, 1862, in
806
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY
Salem, while Mr. Pippitt long survived and passed away in Loudonville on the 26th of February, 1886. They were the parents of three children. Eliza J., the eldest, became the wife of John W. Bull and after his death she was a widow for twenty years. She then married M. S. Adkinson and now resides in Loudonville. William C. Pippitt is a resident of Ashland and Henry R. completes the family.
The last named was five years of age when his father purchased a farm three and a half miles southwest of Salem and upon that place Henry R. Pippitt remained until after the outbreak of the Civil war. He was only eighteen years of age when on the 8th of August, 1862, he enlisted as a member of Company G, One Hundred and Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under command of Colonel J. W. Riley. He took part in the campaigns in Kentucky after Morgan in that summer and fall and then crossed the mountains to Tennessee. He was also with Sherman on the Atlanta campaign and later under command of General Thomas. Following the battle of Franklin the Union troops retreated to Nashville on the 30th of November, 1864, and on the 15th and 16th of December Mr. Pippitt participated in the hotly contested battle near that city. He continued at the front until after the close of the war, being mustered out at Greensboro, North Carolina, June 17, 1865. He received his pay at Cleveland and then returned to his home.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.