Frank L. Stutson
The most popular and extensive mercantile establishment in Washington 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 the most reliable establishments in Southern Ohio.
Mr. Stutson was born in West Jefferson, Madison County, Ohio, January 29, 1851, the son of James and Mary J. (Wilson) Stutson. His father, who was born and reared in Massachusctts, 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 boyliood 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 Wasliington 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 fourishing establishment.
At the time of the cyclone, September 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 Miss Mary E. Stimson, of La Fayette, Ind., took place January 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.
From PORTRAIT & BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF FAYETTE, PICKAWAY AND MADISON COUNTIES, OHIO - Chapman Bros. [Chicago, 1892]