Edwin E. Whitlach
Although he is comparatively a recent arrival in the City of lronton. Edwin E. Whitlach has already become known as an energetic and progressive business man, possessed of those traits which make him a very welcome addition to this city's circle of commercial men. In the conduct of the lronton Feed Store his energies are rapidly giving him a reputation for honorable dealing and fidelity to engagements, and as a citizen he has shown himself disposed to aid in all movements calculated to contribute to the community welfare. Mr. Whitlach is a native of the Hanging Rock Iron Region of Ohio, having been born at Mount Vernon Furnace, Lawrence County. March 2. 1876, and is a son of George W. and Margaret (Ridge) Whitlach.
George W. Whitlach. who was an early settler of this region of Ohio, was born in 1831 at Vinton Furnace, Vinton County, Ohio, and early took up teaming as a vocation, an occupation which he followed throughout the active years of his life. He passed away in July, 1908. The mother, born in Pennsylvania in 1833, died in 1908, there being six children in the family, as follows: Rosie, Elsie, William, Charles, Ernest and Edwin E., of whom Ernest is deceased. The common schools of Decatur Township, Lawrence County, furnished Edwin E. Whitlach with his education, but at the age of seventeen years he laid aside the duties of student for those of teacher and for two years had charge of a school in the same locality. Next he turned his attention to storekeeping for Vesuvius Furnace Company, with which concern he remained in the same capacity for four years, and then became bookkeeper for the Vesuvius Charcoal Company, a concern with which he was connected for a like period. Later he went to the Halley Charcoal Company, as bookkeeper, and remained for fifteen months, when he went to the old Center Furnace in a like position and and remained for eleven months. When that concern disposed of its plants and interests to the Superior Portland Cement Company, Mr. Whitlach remained as manager of the old Center Furnace for two years, and then was made buyer and manager for the store at Superior, and held this position for a period of one year. He was then superintendent of mines for the Superior Cement Company for two or three years, and in 1913 came to Ironton and engaged in the feed business, in partnership with J. E. Compliment, under the style of the Ironton Feed Store, with a well-equipped and well-stocked establishment at corner Second and Elm streets. This business has enjoyed a continued growth under his capable management and is now enjoying a good trade, attracted from all the surrounding territory.
Mr. Whitlach is single. He is a democrat in his political views, but has not been an active politician. In his church matters he supports the Methodist faith. Although his business demands the greater part of his attention, he is not indifferent to the pleasure of companionship with his fellows, and is a great lover of all oudoor sports.
From "A Standing History of the Hanging Rock Iron Region of Ohio" by Eugene B. Willard, Daniel W. Williams, George O. Newman and Charles B. Taylor. Published by Lewis Publishing Company, 1916