Frank and Gertrude Seiberling gained prominence in the upper echelon of Akron business and culture in the first half of the Twentieth Century. "F A", as he was known, founded the Goodyear Rubber Company, with brother Charles at his side, and then with Gertrude went on to build Stan Hywet Hall, a gathering place for the extended family, members of the arts community, and political and financial leaders.
Property of Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens |
Family members in F.A. Seiberling's generation—1935
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Property of Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens |
Gertrude Ferguson Penfield in her wedding dress
She and Frank Augustus Seiberling married in 1887
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Property of Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens |
John F. Seiberling, Ned Handy, Frank Seiberling Jr.—1945
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Property of Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens |
Christmas at Stan Hywet Hall—1945
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Fred Seiberling, F.A. Seiberling's eldest son
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Property of Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens |
Grandkids inspect yule log at Christmas—1940
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Property of Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens |
Frank A. Seiberling Sr., Jr. and 3rd—1945
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Frank A. Seiberling Jr family private collection |
Frank A. Seiberling, rubber entrepreneur,
stands at the main entrance to Stan Hywet Hall
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Ellen Kurtz—1951
Ellen Kurtz, Grace Chase's adopted daughter
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Property of Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens |
Frank A. Seiberling's wife, Gertrude,
with their son, Franklin, taken about 1915
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"... Frank A. and Charles W. were born in the Seiberling home at Western Star and after serving an apprenticeship in their father's various industries, struck out in the industrial world for themselves. In 1898, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company was organized with Frank Seiberling as president and Charles W. as treasurer. By this time, Akron was beginning to change from a machinery and cereal manufacturing center to the rubber center of the world. Most of the early major rubber companies were establishing headquarters in Akron. Most of these rubber companies were plagued with financial and patent problems. Competition was fierce but the Seiberlings were to see Goodyear grow to one of the world's largest rubber companies in the next 20 years. After the financial difficulties of the early 1920's the Seiberlings started the Seiberling Rubber Company in Barberton." — www.CityOfNorton.org
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Ohio Inventor: F. A. Seiberling—a 10 minute video
