Remember When: The house the hustling salesman built
“Lancaster is the home of a traveling man who makes the largest income of any traveling salesman in the State. He is Mr. Charles Harbison, who sells Carrara Paint. Mr. Harbison travels out of this city and has Ohio and western territory. His salary and commissions for 1902 will exceed $8,000,” reported the Gazette 6 Jan. 1902. True or not, this was an item that caught the eye of this newspaper reader. Charles Ulissus Harbison (1868-1931) was born in Illinois and married a Lancaster girl, Loretta Vorys (1869-1956).
“Mr. Charles Harbison will begin the erection of a $3500 residence at the corner of Broad street and Sixth avenue, next week…Builder Carl Crook has the contract,” reported the Daily Eagle 2 July 1904. About seven months later Harbison moved his family into their “fine new residence.” Two years later the Gazette 8 Feb. 1906 announced that after 18 years on the road as a traveling salesman Harbison had decided to “join the local colony of merchants and become a Lancaster business man.” He had purchased the stove and tin ware business of retiring C. S. Fox at 131 S. Broad St. The article described Harbison as a “hustling and energetic business man, with a host of friends.”
The Charles Harbison Co. incorporated for $15,000 in early 1907, and went into receivership in March 1908. Harbison went back on the road as a salesman, and by 1915 was successfully selling Reznor gas heaters to city gas companies. He sold 2,000 in Detroit, 4,000 in Philadelphia and 10,000 in Cincinnati. In 1931 he was working for the Ohio Power Co. when he suffered a heart attack and died at 62. The Daily Eagle (28 Feb 1931) recognized him as “A Friend of Many.” The tribute stated he spent more than 40 years as a salesman on the road…one of the best. In his travels he made acquaintances all over the country and many friends. He possessed a magnetic personality and was blessed with a line of talk that was full of cheer and entertainment.
The Harbisons had two daughters, Loretta (1892-1968) and Anna Louise (1908-1993). Mrs. Charles Harbison died in 1956. The Harbisons owned the house until 1938 when it was sold to Robert L. Black and his wife. They in turn owned it until Mrs. Black died in 1963. This gorgeous house had remained a home for about 60 years.
A Pearleene Reffitt Realty ad (May 24, 1965 E-G) announced the home had become a business. “Congratulations and Best Wishes go to Alvin Gossell, owner and operator of Alliance T.V., who purchased the 2 story home on the NE corner of 6th and Broad St…Al is presently at the corner of Columbus and 6th and we will all be looking forward to his grand opening…”
By June 4, 1965 Alliance TV had moved and announced: “Doing business in our new location.” By Sept. 23, 1965 they were holding their grand opening, and advertisements featured photos of their new, large and distinctive sign on the corner of their lot as well as new display space created by enclosing the large front porch with glass. Just five years later in April 1970, the sign was announcing 600 N. Broad’s new business, Ed Phillips Plumbing & Appliances.
Woods Interiors was next to move into this corner on Oct. 1, 1984. Owner Jeffrey Karcher was recognized for his work to restore the building in 1988 with a Pride Medallion from the Lancaster Board of Realtors. The second floor was remodeled as living quarters for the owner. Yet today, visitors to the first floor may enjoy the parquet floors, original pocket doors and bronze hardware. Bridget Ritchlin became the new owner of Woods Interiors early in 1993, and kept her shop open until fall 2000.
John Kelley, of the financial-services firm Edward Jones, opened his office in this location January 21, 2002. And yes, the iconic sign still stands to mark the corner of the Harbison home and identify its current business.
Readers may contact Harvey at joycelancastereg@gmail.com
This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Remember When: The house the hustling salesman built
