Biographies

Source:
† Centennial History of Summit County, Ohio
and Representative Citizens
Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.
Chicago, Ill -
1908

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	HARVEY S. FIRESTONE, president of the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, of Akron, was the founder of this important business organization, and its great success is mainly due to his own energy and business capacity.  He was born at Columbiana County, Ohio in 1868, where he was reared and educated.      Mr. Firestone has been actively identified with business since early manhood, first engaging as a coal merchant at Columbus for one year, and then becoming associated with the Columbus Buggy Company at Detroit, Michigan.  In 1895 he drove a buggy equipped with the first rubber tire made by the company, and was so impressed with its superior qualities that he decided to embark in the manufacture of these tires if he could create a public demand for them.  He turned out a fine quality of rubber tires, manufacturing them at Akron. and demonstrated their value at Chicago, and the encouragement thus received determined him to go into the business on a large scale.  He therefore organized the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, which was incorporated with a capital stock of $50,000, which has been increased to $500,000.  The officers of the company are: H. S. Firestone, president and general manager; Will Christy, vice president; L. E. Sisler, treasurer; S. G. Carkhuff, secretary, and F. R. Talbott, assistant treasurer, with R. J. Firestone as sales manager.  The business has grown to immense proportions, giving employment to 300 workmen.      In 1895 Mr. Firestone was married to Ida Belle Smith, of Jackson, Michigan, and they have 3 sons:  Harvey S., Jr., Russell Allen, and Leonard Kimball.  Mr. and Mrs. Firestone are members of St. Paul's Episcopal Church.  Mr. Firestone has a widow business and social acquaintance and belongs to the Portage Country Club and to the Chicago Athletic Club. † Source: Centennial History of Summit County, Ohio and Representative Citizens - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago, Ill. - 1908 - Page 333
	WILLARD N. FITCH* who fills the important office of paymaster for the great army of employes connected with the Diamond Rubber Company at Akron, was born in 1872 in Medina County, Ohio, where he obtained a good, common school education and remained until he was twenty years of age.      In 1892, Mr. Fitch came to Akron and for one year worked for the Akron Grocery Company, after which he was with his father for a short time in an insurance business.  Following this he entered the employ of the B. F. Goodrich Company and eighteen months later became foreman of a special department of the Diamond Rubber Company, a position he filled until 1897, when he became time-keeper.  In 1900, Mr. Fitch was made paymaster and as such has entire charge of the pay rolls of this company, handling annually vast sums of money and disbursing the same which is mainly spent in Akron.      In 1898, Mr. Fitch was married to Nellie M. Huber, who is a daughter of P. C. Huber, of the Jacob Koch Company.  They have two sons, James Huber and Robert Philip.  With his family, Mr. Fitch belongs to Trinity Lutheran Church.  He is a member of the Diamond Rubber Relief Association. † Source: Centennial History of Summit County, Ohio and Representative Citizens - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago, Ill. - 1908 - Page 1115
Abner E. Foltz, M. D.	ABNER E. FOLTZ, M. D.     † Source: Centennial History of Summit County, Ohio and Representative Citizens - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago, Ill. - 1908 - Page 1071
Elue O. Fritch	ELUE O. FRITCH, secretary and manager of the Faultless Broom Manufacturing Company, of Akron, a prosperous enterprise which is capitalized at $25,000, is a native of Ohio and was born in Stark County, June 13, 1883.      Mr. Fritch was fifteen years of age when he came to Akron, and his education had been secured in the schools of Stark County and at a commercial correspondence school in Rochester, New York.  His first position was with the National Drill and Manufacturing Company at Barberton, where he had entire charge of the cost and time pay-roll department.  After three months he took charge of the controler department of the Alden Rubber Company and had charge of the warehouse until the works were closed.  Mr. Fritch then went to Cleveland and took charge of the books of the University club for one year and later was assistant manager of the Chamber of Commerce club, for two years.  He subsequently returned to Akron and assisted in the organization of the Faultless Broom Manufacturing company, which was incorporated Mar. 1, 1907, with John A. Boughton as president; E. O. Fritch, as secretary and manager; J. W. Harter as vice-president and T. F. Waters as treasurer and sales manager.  This industry has bright prospects, and judging fro the character of the men who have put their capital in the venture, there is little doubt that it will soon be numbered with the city's most important enterprises.  The plant is located at No. 15 West Center Street.  Mr. Fritch is a member of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church.  He belongs fraternally to the Royal Arcanum. † Source: Centennial History of Summit County, Ohio and Representative Citizens - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago, Ill. - 1908 - Page 441