The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-12-13
DEATH oF MELANcTHoN /. EAST.

After an illness of several weeks, MELANcTHAN
L. FAST died at his residence in Canton, on Sun
day morning the 9th inst, aged 45 years, months
and 26 days.
The following was the medical report after the
post mortem examination: At the post portem
examination in the case of M L. Fast, who died
on the 9th inst, the result was as follows: Fatty
degeneration of the liver large venal cyst of the
left kidney pa ches of sOftening at the base OF
the brain. The tissues and organs were other.
wise so far as examined, in healthy state. The
spinal cord was not examined, Death was due
to chOlesterRmia and urgmia,
Melancthon L. Fast was born near New Berlin,
this county, July II. 1882, and his parents remov
ing to Canton in the spring of 1887, he has since
that time, lived here, except for short time as
boy he clerked in Massillon in the drug and book
store of D. j. Bigger; and for year or so was in
bank in Cincinnati. For year or so he clerked
for Mr.. John Danner, then in the dry goods trade,
and for number of years was teller in the Stark
Co. Bank.
Mr.. Fast was employed by E, Ball in 1885, and
continued his services until 1864, when he COM
menced business for himself, forming a partner
ship with M. L. Ballard and Daniel CObaugh un-
der the title of Ballard, Fast & Co. In 1866 the
co-partnership was merged by charter under State
law into joint stock corporation, and the orig
inal partners held the following Offices M. L.
Ballard, PRESIDENT NJ L. Fast, Secretary and
Treasurer, and D. Cobaugh, Superintendent of
Works. Mr.. Fast continued in office until his de.
cease, performing his duties with marked ability,
and with his characteristic promptness and accu-
raey. The firm of which he was member COM
menced business with a very limited capital,
manufacturing as a specially reaper and mower
knives for E. Ball. During the year 1866 the firm
commenced the manufacture of reaper springs,
and are to-day one of the Largest manufacturers
In the country in that line. In 1871 the firm en-
gagged in the manufacture of saws to limited
extent, and succeeded so we'll in their first efforts
that the works were enlarged expressly for this
business, and we're successful until the panic of
'78. In 1874 carriage springs were added to the
lines commencing withlimited capacity, but in
few months were compelled to erect shop ex-
pressly for this branch of trade. With small be-
ginning, the works are now capable of producing
upwards OF S1,500 worth Of manufactured goods
per day. For this prosperity the firm is largely
indebted to the untiring energy and superior
business alento Of the late Secretary and Treasurer
We are permitted to extract from Reverend L.
NJ. Kuhnss remarks at the funeral, and give the
following ..'f ... I...t
Such is brief summary of the career of Mr.,
Fast as a business man. And 1t is needless for me
to speak here of the high esteem in which he has
always been held by the business men Of this
community, among whom he has been so long
and prominently known in this relation. He was
universally regarded as an honest, prudent reli'
able and successful business man, whose good
Judgment and thoughtful decisions were highly
valued, and whose advice was eagerly sought for
by men in business perpleXities. 1t was not how
ever, simply as business man that Mr. Fast Sc
cured so high place in the esteem of this COM
munity. BE was a man of culture and fine social
qualities, and had genial disposition which al
ways secured him welcome into the social cir
Gle. In his friendships he was just as true and
reliable as In his business relations. dare not
to day invade the sacredness of this home to
speak Of his family relations. Suffice 1t to say
that he was most dutiful son and loving broth
er, having constant regard for the comfort Of
his aged, parents and the happiness of his broth.
er and sisters As husband andlfather his lov-
ing interest knew no bounds, Always tindulgent
and thoughtful of the comfort of his family, he
spared no labor or expense In contributing to
their happiness. This home was his sanctuary,
where with his family around him, he spent so
The remains Of Mr.. Fast were followed to the
tomb in our beautiful cemetery on Tuesday, by
very large following Of friends and citizens all
feeling that worthy man In his prime Of useful
ness had departed. Peace to his ashes q Q "a.