History of Ashland County, Ohio, Part 89

Author: Baughman, A. J. (Abraham J.), 1838-1913. cn
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1012

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In the meantime, however, his mother had died and his father had removed to Loudonville to reside with his daughter, so that Henry R. Pippitt came to this place. Soon afterward he went to Poughkeepsie, New York, where he entered the Eastman Business College, pursuing a course in that institution in the winter of 1865-6. He then went to Philadelphia and in 1866 went upon the road as a jobber of notions, continuing in that line of business for ten years. During the past thirty-two years he has been with Folwell Brother & Company, of Philadelphia, as traveling salesman, being upon the road for about five months each year as the representative of that house, which is engaged in the manu- facture of ladies' dress fabrics. In the meantime, in 1875, he established a hardware and tinware business in Loudonville, which he conducted for six years or until 1881, although he did not give up his position as traveling sales- man. For twenty-one years he has also looked after his widowed sister's estate, consisting of three hundred and fifty acres of valuable land in this county. He is a man of keen business discernment and sound judgment, carefully controlling the interests entrusted to his management and winning success in the different fields of labor to which he has directed his energies.

In 1869 Mr. Pippitt was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth M. Bull, who was born in Loudonville, Ohio, September 14, 1843, and is a daughter of Jefferson and Sarah Ann (Hibbert) Bull, natives of New England. Her uncle, George Bull, had entered one hundred and sixty acres of land adjoining Loudonville on the south at a very early period in the settlement of Ashland county. Later the parents came to this state, were married here and spent their remaining days in the county. They had four children: Quincy, Hezekiah, Elizabeth and Jennie. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Pippitt have been born two daughters and a son: Jennie E., now the wife of James Rollins, a jeweler of Loudonville; Sarah H., at home; and Harry J., a jeweler at Port Jervis,

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New York. The son is a graduate of the high school of Loudonville and spent three years in the jewelry store of his brother-in-law at this place, after which he attended the School of Horology in Philadelphia, completing the course by graduation. At the end of that time he went to New York and became asso- ciated with the jewelry business in that state. Mr. and Mrs. Pippitt are well known in Loudonville and Ashland county, where they have an extensive circle of warm friends who entertain for them the highest regard.

FRED H. KESTNER.

Fred H. Kestner, a representative and successful agriculturist of Milton township, was born in Monroe county, Ohio, on the 26th of November, 1855, his parents being Jacob and Anna Barbara (Piffer) Kestner, both of whom were natives of Germany, the former born in June, 1821, and the latter on the 18th of July, 1825. When a young man of twenty years Jacob Kestner crossed the Atlantic to the United States, first locating in Monroe county, Ohio, where he was employed as a farm laborer. Subsequently he learned the trade of an iron moulder and thus worked in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, for a few years but on account of failing health he returned to Monroe county and once more became identified with agricultural pursuits. In 1845 he purchased a farm of sixty-two acres in that county, on which he continued to reside until called to his final rest in 1887. In politics he was a stalwart democrat and capably served in the office of township supervisor. His religious faith was indicated by his member- ship in the Lutheran church, while fraternally he was connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His wife was a little maiden of six years when brought to the United States, the family home being established in Baltimore, where she lived for about twelve years. She then removed to Monroe county, Ohio, where she gave her hand in marriage to Jacob Kestner in 1846, and now makes her home with her son in Milton township, having attained the venerable age of almost eighty-four years. She is a well preserved woman and remembers so distinctly the tedious and hazardous voyage to the United States in an old wooden ship that she has never had any desire to again cross the broad Atlantic. Her family numbers four children, namely: Fred H., of this review; George L., whose birth occurred in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, in 1857; W. M., born in Monroe county, Ohio, in 1866; and William S., who is a native of Reading, Pennsylvania.

Fred H. Kestner still owns the old homestead farm in Monroe county and has extended its boundaries by an additional purchase of forty acres, so that it now comprises one hundred and two acres. There are seven oil wells on this property which for a time produced abundantly. His time and energies since attaining man's estate have been devoted to the pursuit of farming, in which line of activity he has won a most enviable and well deserved measure of success. On the 4th of June, 1903, he purchased the tract of one hundred and forty-eight acres in Milton township where he now resides, having here a substantial and attractive residence and good barns. His holdings thus embrace two hundred

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and fifty acres of valuable and well improved land, all of which has been acquired through the combined efforts of himself and his wife, for he had only one hundred and fifty dollars at the time of his marriage.

On the 27th of June, 1880, Mr. Kestner was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Eckard, who was born March 28, 1858, her father being Adam Eckard. Henry E. Kestner, their first child, was born April 21, 1881, and in 1907 wedded Miss Maud Cooper, by whom he has a son. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The other children of Mr. and Mrs. Fred H. Kestner are as follows: William M., who was born March 6, 1883, and graduated from the West Lafayette Business College on the 23d of June, 1903; Charles Leonard, whose birth occurred January 15, 1890; Freda P., who passed away May 22, 1908; Minnie B., who was born February 8, 1894; and George W., whose natal day was March 25, 1897. All received their preliminary education in the common schools.

Politically Mr. Kestner is an unfaltering democrat and has served as town- ship trustee for several terms, discharging his official duties in a prompt and efficient manner. In religious faith he is a Lutheran and his life has ever been in harmony with his professions as a member of that church. In his business career he has met with a degree of prosperity that is indicative of his ability and enterprise, of his careful management and keen discrimination and he is now classed with the substantial residents of Ashland county.

EDWARD S. BRIGGS.

Edward S. Briggs, now deceased, was numbered among the citizens of worth that Ashland county gave up with regret when death claimed him. He had for some years been associated with mercantile interests as a dealer in shoes and was at all times connected with that class of progressive men who work for substantial development and upbuilding in the communities where they reside. His birth occurred in Strongsville, Ohio, September 5, 1846, his parents being Samuel and Sarah (Watson) Briggs. His youthful days were spent under the parental roof in Ashland his parents locating there in 1850 and his time was largely given to the acquirement of an education until he reached the age of eighteen, when he made his initial step in the business world as a clerk in a dry-goods store. There he was employed until 1873, when in partnership with George Frantz he purchased a shoe store, continuing its conduct for about three years as Frantz & Briggs. On the expiration of that period he sold his interest and began business on his own account, so continuing up to the time of his death. He was always careful in the selection and purchase of his stock. studied the demands and wishes of the general public and was thus able to please the varied tastes of his patrons. His prices, too, were reasonable and in all of his dealings he was strictly honorable and reliable.

Moreover Mr. Briggs was well known as an influential and valuable citizen in public affairs. He was elected for several terms to the office of village treasurer and also served on the school board for several terms. He did every-

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thing in his power to promote the best interests of the community and was keenly interested in all those measures and movements which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride. He gave his political allegiance to the republican party, for after careful study of its principles he deemed its platform the safest on which to build good government. Fraternally he was connected with the Masons, while his religious faith was manifest in his membership in the Congregational church and evidenced in his daily living, which was character ized at all times by a recognition of the rights of others.

On the 29th of March, 1871, Mr. Briggs was united in marriage to Miss Amelia Risser, who was born in October, 1850, and is a daughter of John and Katherine (Krehbiel) Risser, both of whom were natives of Germany. Thev were born in 1825 and 1831 respectively and were married in January, 1850. Mr. Risser came to America with his father when a lad of but seven years, the family home being established on a farm south of Ashland, which was covered with heavy timber at the time they took possession. Soon the sound of the woodman's ax awakened the echoes of the forest and continued effort and dili- gence were brought to play in transforming the wild land into rich and productive fields. This task was at length accomplished and John Risser became the owner of a fine farm, in the midst of which stood a beautiful resi- dence. His earnest labor brought him a substantial competence, so that he was enabled to surround himself and his family with all of the comforts of life. He was very much interested in horses, buying and selling many and handling only those of the highest grade. In fact he had some very valuable stock and his horses were his pride. In politics he was an earnest republican, ever at the polls on election day to assist in the support of his party and in the mainte- nance of the principles in which he believed. He died July 8, 1885, and Mrs. Risser passed away February 27, 1905.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Edward S. Briggs was born a son, John S., whose birth occurred in December, 1873. Following his father's death, which occurred on the 25th of January, 1906, he took charge of the shoe business, which he has since conducted, following the same honorable principles and enjoying a fine trade. He, too, is a republican in his political views, a member of the Congre- gational church, and identified with the Masons and the Odd Fellows. His sterling qualities are widely recognized in the city where he has always lived and he has won for himself a creditable position as one of the leading merchants of Ashland. He was married May 20, 1896, to Miss Maud Riley, of Ashland, the daughter of Henry Riley, and unto them has been born one daughter, Helen Annetta.

PHILLIP F. SHARICK.

In every community there are a certain number of men around whom center the facts which have to do with the community's upbuilding and progress. · Such a one in Ashland is Phillip F. Sharick, who since 1885 has been prominent- ly associated with mercantile interests here, being the leading jeweler of the

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city. Aside from this he has been very active as a member of the Board of Trade in promoting the growth of the city through securing the establishment of business industries and enterprises here. His work has at all times been of a practical character and he is a cooperant factor in every measure that promises to prove of substantial benefit. He has in Ashland county a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances and therefore his history cannot fail to prove of interest to many of our readers. His birth occurred in this county, May 19, 1862, at the family home in Orange township. His parents were John and Margaret (Fluke) Sharick. The father, a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, was a lad of twelve years when he came with his parents to Ashland county, Ohio, and although but a boy, he drove a four- horse team all the way from the old home in the Keystone state. A settlement

was made in Orange township, where John Sharick grew to manhood and then, choosing as his life work the occupation to which he was reared, took up his abode upon a farm which remained his place of residence until his death, which occurred in 1889 when he was seventy years of age. He always gave his political allegiance to the democracy, while his religious faith was indicated in his membership in the Lutheran church. His wife was born in Orange township, where her entire life was passed, her death there occurring in 1896 when she was sixty years of age.

No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for Phillip F. Sharick in his boyhood and youth. He worked in the fields through the summer months and in the winter seasons acquired his education in the district schools until fifteen years of age, when he apprenticed himself to the jeweler's trade, going to West Salem on the 1st of April, 1877, and there entering the employ of his brother, Irvin J. Sharick, who was proprietor of a jewelry store at that place. In the fall of 1880 this brother removed his business to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and in April, 1881, Phillip F. Sharick followed him to the southwest. He remained in New Mexico for four and a half years, spending the time in Albuquerque, Deming and Socorro, conducting a branch store in the last two named places for his brother, spending a year in each place. In August, 1885, he returned to Ohio and on the 1st of October of that year, opened a jewelry store in Ashland. In the intervening twenty-four years he has built up an extensive business. His store is second to few, if any, jewelry establishments in the United States in a city the size of Ashland. He has educated the people to buy good goods and does not wait until a market has been created for an article but creates it himself by introducing the product to the public. His store is tastefully and attractively arranged and the large and well selected line of goods, sold at reasonable prices, have secured him a constant- ly increasing patronage. He is today justly accounted one of Ashland's most prominent business men.

In 1891 Mr. Sharick was married to Miss Emma R. Heltman, a daughter of W. G. Heltman, one of the leading business men of this city and prominent in public affairs as well. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Sharick has been born a daughter, Katharine, and they also have an adopted daughter, Ellen. The parents are prominent socially and the hospitality of the best homes of the city is freely accorded them.

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Mr. Sharick is well known in fraternal as well as other relations. He belongs to Ashland Lodge, No. 151, A. F. & A. M .; to Mohican Lodge, No. 85, I. O. O. F .; and also to the Patriarch Militant and the Rebekahs. He likewise holds membership with the Tribe of Ben Hur and has been chief of this lodge since its organization in Ashland. Long a devoted and faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church, for several years he has been a member of the board of trustees and for twenty years has acted as an usher in the church and has also long served on the music committee. He is interested in all that pertains to its growth and the extension of its influence. ' In politics he is somewhat liberal in his views, casting an independent local ballot, but at national elections supporting the men and measures of the democracy. However, no man has taken a more active or helpful part in promoting the welfare and progress of Ashland than has Mr. Sharick. He belongs to the Board of Trade and has been a member of the board of trustees since its organization. He has taken a most active part in securing manufacturing plants for the town and has probably done as much toward the advancement of Ashland's interests as any other one man of the city. It has been largely through the efforts of the Board of Trade that Ashland has almost doubled its population in the past eight years. Whatever he undertakes Mr. Sharick prosecutes with a resolute spirit and a determination that recognizes no such word as fail and thus in matters of public moment, as well as in concerns of individual enterprise, he has accomplished beneficial and far-reaching results.

FIRST NATIONAL BANK.

The First National Bank of Ashland, whose financial standing and reputa- tion has been unimpaired since the date of its organization in January, 1852, is one of the most substantial institutions in the state of Ohio, having passed through several financial flurries, still supporting its depositors on a solid ground and maintaining a degree of safety not enjoyed by many like institutions. It has always been under the management of men of ripe experience and sound judgment, whose undaunted integrity has given the institution a substantial patronage including the foremost business men of the city and adjacent terri- tory. Fifty-seven years ago this institution was inaugurated under the name of Luther, Crall & Company, continuing under their management for twelve years. In 1863 application for a charter under the national bank law was made by Hulbert Luther, Jacob Crall, George H. Topping, James Purdy and J. O. Jennings and, their request being granted, business was commenced in January, 1864, under the name of the First National Bank of Ashland, Ohio, its board of directors consisting of H. Luther, J. Crall, G. H. Topping, J. Purdy and J. O. Jennings. The charter expired in 1883 but was renewed by the comptroller of currency and in 1895 the stock in the institution was owned by eleven different persons including the directors: J. Cahn, F. E. Myers, T. M. Beer, P. A. Myers, Joseph Patterson and J. O. Jennings.

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The First National Bank is known as one of the most solid financial houses in the county, its management being in the highest sense progressive and at the same time conservative, the men at the helm being of wide business exper- ience, honest and reliable, who transact the business of the institution on a basis designed not only to enhance their own prosperity and interests but principally to protect their depositors and to the very best advantage subserve their interests.

J. O. Jennings, president of the institution, is a well known and highly respected citizen of Ashland, whose efforts have always been of the most pronounced character in behalf of the growth and expansion of the municipality and there is not a man in the country who entertains a more enviable reputation as a business man and banker. Joseph Patterson, who, like his associate, Mr. Jennings, is a banker of widely admitted ability, has served as cashier of the establishment since 1870. He is well versed in everything pertaining to the business and it is commonly admitted that no one is more familiar with every phase of the banking enterprise than he and for this reason through his reputa- tion as a conservative business man many excellent patrons have been won to the institution. In fact every man connected with the First National Bank of Ashland bears closest inspection as to his integrity and business ability. F. E. Myers, of the F. E. Myers & Brother, is vice president; A. C. Bogniard is assistant cashier ; Joseph Murphy is teller and C. L. Robinson and H. J. Ambrose are bookkeepers; while the cashier is Joseph Patterson and the president, J. O. Jennings. The institution under the direction of these men, who are numbered among the solid financial citizens of this part of the state, has been able to withstand many financial flurries and during the panic of 1893, when com- mercial houses and banking institutions throughout the country were going to the wall, the First National Bank of Ashland withstood the shock, carrying on its daily affairs in the usual way, its financial condition being in such a state that it was in every respect free from the depressing conditions of the times. The investments, cash on hand, its capital, surplus and undivided profits consti- tute in large measure the protection afforded by a banking institution to its depositors and a recent report of the First National Bank of Ashland shows the substantial character of its resources as follows :

Loans, bonds and other securities $447,034.32

Cash due from banks 288,012.00

Bonds to secure circulation 50,000.00

Capital stock, surplus and undivided profits 155,814.46

Total .$890,860.78 Eight hundred and ninety thousand, eight hundred and sixty dollars and seventy-eight cents to secure.

National bank notes outstanding $ 50,000.00

Due other national banks 296.10

Depositors 611,830.32

Total $662,126.42

The worth of the institution and the financial standing it has acquired in the commercial world is apparent from an article published in the Financier of

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New York, which endorses the First National Bank of this city, according it the highest recommendation as a substantial financial concern, as follows :

"Owing to a typographical error the First National Bank of Ashland, Ohio, was not accorded its proper position in the National Bank Roll of Honor for the year 1906, and, in consequence, some amend is due that prosperous and enterpris- ing institution. On August 25, 1905, the First National Bank of Ashland reported capital of fifty thousand dollars and surplus and profits seventy-two thousand, six hundred and twenty-seven dollars, making the percentage of surplus accumu- lation to capital one hundred and forty-five and twenty-five hundredths. The First National was therefore entitled to rank as No. 351 on the Roll of Honor of 1906, No. 16 in Ohio and first in the town of Ashland. In 1905 the bank's position on the Roll was No. 479 and in 1904 No. 598.

It is evident, therefore,

that the First National is forging rapidly to the front. The latest report of the bank as made to the comptroller of the currency under date of June 18, last, shows that the surplus and profits item has been increased to eighty thousand, three hundred and fifty-nine dollars which is substantial evidence of the excel- lent management of the institution by its present officers.

"The First National of Ashland is one of the pioneer banks in the National system. It was organized as a national bank in 1864, succeeding the private bank of Luther, Crall & Company, which had been doing business since 1851. It is noteworthy that J. O. Jennings, now president of the First National, has been with the institution and its predecessor continuously for fifty-five years. He started as cashier and manager of the Crall Bank in 1851 and today in point of service is one of the oldest, if not the oldest bank officer in the state of Ohio, and for that matter in the United States. The bank since 1882 has paid no interest on deposits and the constant expansion of this item shows the confidence with which the institution is regarded by its home constituency."

JOHN M. EBERHART.

John M. Eberhart, who for many years was numbered among the worthy citizens and representative farmers of Lake township, passed away on the 26th of November, 1908. He had spent his entire life in this part of the state, his birth having occurred in Wayne county, Ohio, October 15, 1843. He was a son of Joshua and Isabel (Myers) Eberhart. The former was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, April 16, 1816, and came to Ohio in 1839. He located first in Wayne county, where he remained until 1845, when he came to Ashland county. He was a cooper by trade but after removing to this state turned his attention to general farming. In 1841 he was married in Wayne county to Miss Isabel Myers and they became the parents of six children: Eliza; John M .; Abraham; Lewis, who married Alice Hazen; Harriet, the wife of Mathias Bender; and Albert, who married Margaret Jones. The father held member- ship in the Lutheran church and was a man of genuine personal worth, respected by all who knew him for his substantial qualities. His political allegiance was given to the republican party. He died in 1868 but his wife is still living.

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John M. Eberhart spent the first fifteen years of his life in the county of his nativity and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Ashland county. He was reared in the usual manner of farm lads, working in the fields through the summer months, while in the winter season he attended the public schools. ·In 1862 he responded to the country's call for troops although but nineteen years of age at the time he enlisted. He joined the boys in blue of Company C, One Hundred and Twentieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry under Captain Mckinley and took part in a number of important engagements, including the battles of Chickasaw Bluffs, Arkansas Post and Port Gibson. At the last named he was

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History of Ashland County, Ohio, Part 89

Author: Baughman, A. J. (Abraham J.), 1838-1913. cn Publication date: 1909 Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1012

Author: Baughman, A. J. (Abraham J.), 1838-1913. cn
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1012