William S. Gladfelter

As printed in 1902

WILLIAM S. GLADFELTER.

Prominent among the energetic, farseeing and successful business men of Ohio is the subject of this sketch. His life history most happily illustrates what may be attained by faithful and continued effort in carrying out an honest purpose. Integrity activity and energy have been the crowning points of his success and his connection with various business enterprises and industries have been a decided advantage to this section of Ohio, promoting it material welfare in no uncertain manner.

Mr. Gladfelter is a native of York county, Pennsylvania, born upon a farm near Little York, March 10, 1841, but since 1808 he has made his home in Springfield. His father, John P. Gladfelter, who was a contractor and builder, was also a native of York county, Pennsylvania, and with his parents removed to Guernsey county, Ohio, but afterward returned to his native county and there engaged in contracting and building. He married Louise Smith and died near the old home in York county, at the age of fifty-two years, while his wife passed away at the age of seventy-two. They were the parents of thirteen children, of whom five are yet living: William S., of this review; George, also of Springfield; Sophia, who resides upon the old homestead and is the wife of William Schriever; Matilda, the wife of Emanuel Richcreek of York county Pennsylvania; and Lydia Stambaugh of York county.

William S. Gladfelter of this review pursued his early education in the district schools, which he attended during the winter months, while he worked upon the home farm in the summer seasons. He was for two winters a student in the academy at York, Pennsylvania, walking to and from that place, a distance of six miles. When quite a young lad he began earning his own livelihood, working as a farm hand and he also worked with his father for a season as a carpenter. In the year 1862 he came to Ohio making his way to Columbus and in the vicinity of that city he spent the first year as a farm hand. He was then employed in a warehouse as shipping clerk and in 1864 he went to Decatur, Illinois, where he worked for a large agricultural firm. Returning to Columbus, he was for a short time employed in that city and in the year 1866 came to Clark county, being employed as a farm hand here for a short time. He next aided in building a bridge in the park in Springfield, after which he returned to the farm and remained there for another year, but in 1868 he took up his permañent above in this city, accepting a position as salesman for W. W. Diehl with whom he remained for five years. His close application, his economy and his industry won him some capital and on the expiration of that period he began business on his own account, establishing a flour and feed store in 1873. He conducted that business with creditable success until 1878. In the meantime he had begun contracting and had erected several houses. He had also purchased property, building thereon a number of houses in the vacant lots which he had acquired. In 1878 he disposed of his store in order to give his entire time and attention to contracting and building. He inherited unusual mechanical ability and has successfully carried on operations in this line. In fifteen years of this time he constructed on an average of fifty houses annually and during the remainder of the time has built as many as forty houses each year. Durthe busy season he formerly employed twenty-five workmen and he is always faithful and prompt in the execution of contracts, living fully up to the letter and to the spirit. He has given his personal attention to the business and is one of the best known and most reliable contractors of the city.With interest he has watched the improvement of Springfield and has assisted materially in its substantial growth; has built some business blocks here and has always maintained a creditable position as a representative of the great department of industry with which he was connected. He was his own architect, making out plans and The work comes to him unsought, his conscientious labor being his best advertisement. Mr. Gladfelter is now practically living retired, although to some extent he yet superintend his son's building interests.

In May, 1869, in this city, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Gladfelter and Miss Anna Lankenan, who was born in Springspecifications.

field in 1844 a daughter of John D. Lankenan who was a shoemaker and died of cholera in 1849. Unto our subject and his wife has been born one son, Charles Frederick, whose birth occurred in July, 1872. He 1s a graduate of the public schools of Springfield and completed a course in Wittenberg College by graduation in the class of 1894. He” afterward worked with his father until June,

1897, when he went to Chicago where he bookkeeper and auditor with was employed as for an electric traction company, which he was connected for five years, occupying a most responsible position, but he is low located at Washington, D. C., as assistant manager of an electric traction company. He was märried in this city to Emma Town, formerly a successful teacher in the public schools and they now have one daughter Katherine Eleanor, who was named for both of her grandmothers and is now seven years of age. Mr. Gladfelter also has an adopted son, Ryburn Barton Gladfelter, who is his nephew and he became a member of our subject's household upon his mother's death, was four months old. He has taken up his father's business, and has now relieved his father cf the care and responsibility and manage-. ment of his extensive business interests.

He is a member of the Second English Lutheran church, has served as one of its officers and in his political views is a stalwart Prohibitionist. He has resided at his present location since 1869 and in 1892 built the residence now occupied by himself and wife. He has made an untarnished record and unspotted reputation as a business man, and in all places and under all circumstances he is loyal to truth, honor and right, justly valuing his own self-respect as infinitely more preferable than wealth, fame and position.

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In those fine traits of character which combme to form that which we term friendship, which under and attach man to man in bonds which nothing but the stain of dishonor can sever, which triumph and shine brightest in the hour of adversity,—in those qualities he is royally endowed.

Se on ass menge

As printed in A Biographical Record of Clark County Ohio (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.