Edward W. Lape, Sr., vice-president of the Favorite Stove and Range Company, was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, March 15, 1848, a son of William Henry and Martha A. (Taylor) Lape. He belongs to a family which contributed of its members in the support of American industries and institutions, one of his grand-uncles serving as a soldier during the Indian wars. His father acted as a deputy United States provost marshal during the war between the North and the South. His parents had four children: Edward W., William Rufus; Carrie L., the wife of S. S. Church, an attorney of Cincinnati, and Sallie C., a widow. The education of Edward W. Lape was acquired at Newport, Ky., and Chickering Academy, Cincinnati, following which he pursued a course in the Bryant, Stratton, and De Han Business College, of that city. For three years he was employed by Nicholas Patterson & Company, and for a like period was identified with the W. C. Davis Stove Company. For four years he was with the Favorite Stove Works at Cincinnati, but in 1888 was transferred to Piqua, where he has since been connected with the Favorite Stove and Range Company, gradually working his way upward through merit and industry to the position of vice- president. A history of this leading enterprise will be found in the industrial section of this work. Mr. Lape married for his first wife Machir P. Simmons, of Felicity, Ohio, and they had one child, Bessie Louise, who married Herbert Hoffman, of Piqua, For his second wife Mr. Lape was united with Jeanette F. Smith, now deceased. They had four children: Edward Walter, Jr., chemist of the Davis Sewing Machine Company, of Dayton; Martha, who resides at home, and Robert F. and Catherine Jean, who are attending high school The business connections of Mr. Lape are numerous and important and include the vice-presidency and treasurership of the Favorite Stove and Range Company, of Piqua, Ohio. He is a Mason of high standing and a member of the Church of Christ.