Melancthon Luther Fast ^{2 3 4}

  General Notes:

Melancthon Luther Kuhn FAST, who was generous in his contributions to the story of this particular family, supplied the following interesting personal sketch of his father. Being but ten years of age when his father died, he writes, as he says, "the outstanding impressions of a child that cover the period from about my fourth year in 1870 to my tenth year and the year of my father's death."

"In physical appearance my father was about six feet in height, sparingly built, well proportioned, and weighing 175 to 180 pounds. In later years, 1870 to 1876, he wore a closely trimmed beard, and a heavy head of hair, originally dark but which became almost entirely gray between his twenty-fifth and thirtieth years. He was considered a handsome man. He possessed a pleasing, cordial manner, with personal charm, and was popular socially. Coming from one of Canton's pioneer families of dignified standing, and having had a considerable degree of business and financial success, he became prominent in social and financial circles, and was fond of social visiting and entertaining.

He was ambitious to provide a comfortable home for his own family and also for his own father and mother. Between 1868 and 1870 he purchased some ten acres of land on the outskirts of one of the principle residential streets in Canton where he built a commodious home of brick contemning about fourteen rooms and conforming to the best type of architecture and conveniences of that period. He also built, on the same land and immediately adjoining his home, a comfortable home of some seven or eight rooms for his mother and father, the Rev. Mr. John Jacob FAST, and his unmarried sister, Frances A. FAST.

He devoted considerable care and expense to the development of his own property. There was a one-half acre orchard and a small vineyard with unusual varieties of grapes; an extensive vegetable garden, including strawberries, raspberries, and similar fruits; a small conservatory; and trees, shrubs, flowers, and well kept lawns. His father found enjoyment and exercise in assisting in the care of the gardens and flowers.

A large barn housed several driving horses, work horses, a couple of cows, and carriages and wagons. He employed several men for care of grounds and horses, and sometimes two housemaids.

I recall a number of incidents which indicated that while the cares of business were weighing heavily on him, yet he found time to devote to his family, and enjoy the companionship of his children. At times he would take me to the factory in the smart two horse carriage. I recall the busy hours at his desk, and then a tramp with him thru the plant when he inspected carefully the progress of the work in the several departments. I think now, what escaped me then, of his friendly relations with the employees. Again, he would take me with him to the factory on a Sunday when he would thru the plant which covered about two city blocks. His manner was bothered and anxious. He took me with him on trips to the several banks. Here he also enjoyed friendly and cordial relations.

At home he provided means for play and enjoyment of the children. We found delight and interest in white rabbits with red eyes which lived in a hillside near the house.

A small tent was erected about one hundred yards from the house from which a rope was run to the house and attached to a bell in his bedroom. This seemed an adventure of excitement and thrills to us.

I have always remembered one night when he was skating and took me with him. (He was probably 41 or 42 years of age at that time).

On Christmas Eve they told us of the coming of Santa Claus; and to make it appear more real to us (I learned later) he took a string of sleigh bells, and pranced around in the yard outside the house while we children huddled in bed in a state of excitement and expectancy.

Under the physical and mental efforts in handling the affairs of his business, he became seriously ill and died late in 1877. After his death the Company was unable to carry on and soon after went into bankruptcy.

His wife died in 1878 a few weeks after his death and very soon after giving birth to his youngest daughter, Louisa."
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  Noted events in his life were:

• He has alternate birth date of 1831 and a birth location of Ohio.

This birth year was referenced by his age on the census.
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• He appeared on the 1850 US Census in Canton Township, Stark, OH on 29 July 1850. ³

1850 US Census
Page 510B, Dwelling 216, Family 225
Canton Township, Stark County, Ohio
M. L. Fast..19..OH..Clerk
(Living with parents.)

NOTE - If his birth date was 12 Jul 1832, then his age should have been 17 instead of 19.
.

• He appeared on the 1860 US Census in Canton, OH on 15 June 1860. ⁴

1860 US Census
Page 51, Roll 1037, Dwelling 391, Family 391
Canton, Stark County, Ohio
Malawcthan Fast..27..OH
(Living with parents.)
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• He has alternate death information of January 1876 and Canton, OH. ⁶
A death date of January 1876 is not possible because his youngest daughter was born in January of 1878. Notes from the family indicate that he actually died late in 1877 and his wife died a few weeks later in January 1878 following the birth of their daughter, Louisa.
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Melancthon married Louisa Kuhn, daughter of Henry Kuhn and Maria Pennington, on 30 November 1865 in Tiffin, OH.¹ (Louisa Kuhn was born on 12 March 1848 ⁵ and died on 30 January 1878 ⁵.)