< CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO 1892 BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX >
< CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO LIST OF BIOGRAPHICAL INDEXES >
 

WALTER W. SHOOP.  Upon a beautiful elevation on Circle Avenue, surrounded by grounds one acre in extent and finely laid out in lawns, will be noticed a commodious residence, which is undoubtedly one of hte most attractive homes in Washington C. H.  Not only is its exterior appearance pleasing to the eye, but the interior arrangements are in harmony with the laws of beauty, and on every hand the good taste of the inmates is apparent.  This is the home of Mr. Shoop and his family, who are well and favorably known throughout the community.      The son of a farmer, Mr. Shoop was born in Bainbridge, Ross County, this State, Mar. 16, 1846, his parents being J. M. and Mary E. (Snyder) Shoop.  He commenced his education in the district schools of Clinton County, whither he was taken by his parents when about three years old.  In 1856, when a lad of ten years, he came to this county and located on a farm near Jasper Mills, where he remained until after the death of his father in 1864, at the age of forty-six years.      The parental family comprised nine children of whom the following is noted:  William H., died in 1865; James  is now a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church and resides in Washington County, this State;  Laura H. as the wife of William B. Hukill, of Missouri; our subject is the next in order of birth; Martha E./ is the widow of Jacob Sollars, of Fayette County; Henry C. is engaged in the harness and saddlery business at Washington C. H.; Obie is the wife of George Mouser, of Fayette County; and John D. is Superintendent of the city schools at Gibson, Ill.  The mother of this family passed from earth in 1860, four years prior to the demise of her husband.      Upon leaving the farm, in 1870, our subject first engaged in business at the Jasper Mills and was a grain dealer at that place for six years.  About 1882, he removed to Washington C. H. and for several years was in the implement business, which he conducted with great success.  After managing the business alone for a few years, he took into partnership J. H. Lawwill, the firm being Shoop & Lawwill.  They continued to superintend their extensive interests for several years, when Mr. Shoop's health failing, he sold out to Mr. Lawwill, Dec. 16, 1891.  Since that time, he has been retired from active business cares, although in looking after has real-estate interests and in other duties, he still finds sufficient to occupy his time.      In his social connections, Mr. Shoop is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has filled all the chairs.  HE has also served successfully as District Deputy Grand Master for two terms; District Deputy Chief Patriarch and Captain of the Cantons; and, in addition, he was married Jan. 16, 1868, was known in her maidenhood as Laura Campbell, and is the daughter of Lenox Campbell, one of the early settlers of Fayette County, whose sketch will be found elsewhere in this Volume.  Mr. and Mrs. Shoop are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which faith they have reared their two sons and two daughters: Werter, Ottie, Lenox and Bessie. Source:  Portrait and Biographical History of Fayette,  Pickaway and Madison Counties, Ohio. Publ. Chicago: Chapman Bros. - 1892 - Page 186

FRANK L. STUTSON.  The most popular and extensive mercantile establishment in Washington Court House is located on Main Street, opposite the Court House is located on Main Street, opposite the Court House, and is under the able management of the owner and proprietor, the subject of this sketch.  The building, which has a frontage of eighty-five feet and a depth of one hundred and sixty-five feet, is furnished with a complete stock of dry goods, the specialties being fine dress-goods, trimmings, ladies', misses' and children's shoes, millinery and ladies' cloaks.  Employment is given to eighteen persons, and cash carriers and all modern improvements for facilitating the work have been introduced.  The store has occupied its present location for ten years and is known for miles around as one of hte most reliable establishments in Southern Ohio.      Mr. Stutson was born in West Jefferson, Madison County, Ohio, Jan. 29, 1851, the son of James and Mary J. (Wilson) Stutson.  His father, who was born and reared in Massachusetts, came to Zanesville, Ohio, when a young man, and there engaged in the mercantile business, being at one time the leading merchant in the city.  About 1841, he came to Madison County, where he resided until his death.      Our subject received a good education in his native place, and in his boyhood clerked for his brother, T. J., then a merchant of West Jefferson, but now President of the Central Bank of London.  Our subject remained with him until he attained his majority, when he embarked with another brother in the dry-goods business at Lancaster, remaining in that connection for some years.  In 1881, they opened the present store in Washington Court House, and upon the death of his brother in 1887, our subject succeeded him in the business, and has since continued at the head of the flourishing establishment.      At the time of the cyclone, Sept. 8, 1885, the firm occupied a large brick store on Court Street, which was completely wrecked, together with the whole stock, including a full line of new fall goods, causing a loss of almost $8,000.  No lives were lost by the disaster, although our subject and eight others were in the building at the time of the storm.  It fortunately happened that the present structure was in process of erection, and the firm transported their goods on wheelbarrows to the new store, doing business while the place was being plastered, shelved and finished.  Since then, Mr. Stutson has enlarged the store to accommodate the increasing demands of his customers, and it is conceded that he has now the largest business of the city.  The secret of the success which has rewarded his efforts may be found in the fact that he has given his business his undivided and unceasing attention.      The marriage of Mr. Stutson and Mary E., Stimson, of La Fayette, Ind., took place Jan. 3, 1884, and they have two bright and intelligent children, Clara Louise and Janet Lorain.  In his social affiliations, Mr. Stutson is identified with Fayette Lodge, F. & A. M.  Throughout his career, he has displayed due caution and care in managing his affairs, and at the same time has been bold and resolute in financial matters, his good sense, accurate judgment and cool calculations rarely leading him astray in his transactions. Source:  Portrait and Biographical History of Fayette,  Pickaway and Madison Counties, Ohio. Publ. Chicago: Chapman Bros. - 1892 - Page 179

NOTES: