History of Aultman & Taylor, Part IV

Enlarge Image Image Gallery Elizabeth Aultman Harter, the only woman who served as a member of the board of directors and a stockholder in Aultman & Taylor; also, the only member who served during the entire existence of the company.

This issue of the Album presents the fourth installment of the late Dr. Bixler's history of the Aultman & Taylor Company. The Album is serializing Dr. Bixler's book. Upon his death, Dr. Bixler, a professor at Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio, left his major work unpublished. The manuscript found its way to the Mansfield/Richland County Public Library. George W. Richey of Norwich, Ohio, alerted Dr. Robert T. Rhode to the book's whereabouts. Dr. Rhode edited the manuscript and prepared it for publication in the Album. Now, Dr. Bixler's painstaking research and lively writing are being shared with Album readers. In this installment, Dr. Bixler begins a series of biographical narratives depicting the people who helped to make the Aultman & Taylor Company one of the foremost manufacturers of agricultural equipment in the United States.

Click here for part I of the history of Aultman & Taylor.
Click here for part II of the history of Aultman & Taylor.
Click here for part III of the history of Aultman & Taylor.  

CHAPTER 4

The Harter Family

To convey a true and altogether accurate portrait of the Aultman & Taylor Company requires ... due recognition ... to the Harters, since their participation and influence were preeminent in the affairs of the [firm]. In many respects it was truly a notable family imbued with those attributes of character and personality that make for greatness. Six members of that distinguished family were active in the business ... All of the family presented here at one time or another held official positions in the company ... [I]f all of their years of association with the [firm] were combined, [they would] total ... approximately 165 years. ... Biographical sketches are presented in the chronological order in which each became affiliated with the [company].

Elizabeth Aultman Harter

Elizabeth Aultman was born on May 14, 1847, in Greentown, Ohio, where her father began his business of manufacturing water wheels and harvesting machinery. Her education was acquired in the public schools of Canton.