H. M. Abernethy
Lexington. H.M. Abernethy, the manufacturer of Elmira, N.Y., who wants to locate in Mansfield, as announced in the News, was born and reared here. He was telegraph operator here many years and later was train dispatcher at Newark, and he invented the railroad signal which he manufactures. he has versatile talents, having also been admitted to the bar, Judge Geddes, deceased, having been his preceptor, and his success adds more prestige to Lexington as being the nativity of more men who have climbed the heights of fame as inventors, etc., than any other town or hamlet in Richland County. He is a son of Dr. Alexander Abernethy, who died here in 1886 and who represented the constituency of Richland County in the legislature of 50 years ago. Mr. Abernethy is of pleasing personality and would be a valuable acquisition to the social and business circles of Mansfield.
From Semi-Weekly News: 28 September 1897, Vol. 13, No. 78