Phineas P. Mast

As printed in 1881

PHINEAS P. MAST, agricultural implement manufacturer, Springlield. To do justice to P. P. Mast’s position in ihis city and his relation to its people and interests, would require more space than we can devote to one person. The

* events of his life, briefly stated in their chronological order, are as follows: He

Asas born Jan. 8, in Lancaster Co.. Penn., and came to Ohio in 1880. He had four brothers and three sisters: of the brothers, Joseph K., John E. and Ephraim M. are living near TJrbana on the old family homestead; Isaac N. died Nov. 1, 1871, of an illness, the origin of which is attributable to exposure while in the army during the civil war. In 1850, on the anniversary of his birthday, Mr. Mast married Miss Anna M. Kirkpatrick, and after the death of his brother Isaac, he adopted his three daughters, Belle, Lizzie N. and Florence. Mr. Mast remained with his father on the farm until he attained his majority, except when absent at school. He taught school one winter and then entered the Ohio Wesleyan University, graduating in 1840, having in the meantime given especial attention to the scientific and Biblical courses. The year after graduating, he married, as has been stated. The six years prior to his coming to Springfield, in 1850, were spent partly on the farm and partly trading in grain and various sorts of produce. After locating in Springfield, he formed a copartnership with John H. Thomas in the winter of 1856 and.1857, for the manufacture of agricultural implements, which continued until the fall of 1871, when he bought Mr. Thomas’ inter*:.T, and organized the joint-stock company of P. P. Mast A Co., now grown to be a power among similar institutions; a detailed description of which will be found in the historical part of this work. Five years ago, he founded another branch for the manufacture of wind engines, pumps, lawn mowers and plows, under the name of Mast, Foos A Co. On June 1, 1879, he, in connection with J. S. Crowell and T. J. Kirkpatrick (his nephew), bought out the Farm and Fireside interest, subscription list and good will from his manufacturing firm, and thus inaugurated under the name o'f P. F. Mast & Co.

As printed in The history of Clark County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its cities, towns, etc.; general and local statistics; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; history of the Northwest te (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.