J. W. STAHL, senior member of the mercantile firm of Stahl & Patty, is a leading business citizen of Bradford and an experienced man in his line, having been identified with it during almost the whole of his mature life. Mr. Stahl was born on a farm in Darke County, Ohio, June 3, 1858, and is a son of Samuel and Susan (Longenecker) Stahl. His father was a soldier of the Civil War, one who gave his life for the perpetuation of the Union. Just prior to the opening of that war, Samuel Stahl had established himself at Gettysburg in Darke County, in the mercantile business, but he put aside all personal interests and entered the army. He served with credit until near the close of the Rebellion, when he was taken sick and died in a military hospital at Nashville, Tennessee, aged thirty- five years.

When J. W. Stahl was a little over ten years of age, he went to live with a farmer, John Mummert, in Adams Township, Darke County, and continued to make that his home until he was married, in 1883. In 1889 he embarked in the mercantile business at Bradford, in partnership with Mr. Brumbaugh, under the style of Brumbaugh & Stahl, which continued for five years, when Mr. Brumbaugh sold his interest to Boyer Brothers and the business name became Stahl & Boyer Brothers. Two years later Mr. Stahl sold out and remained out of business from 1896 until 1900, when he again entered into merchandising. With his present partner, Mr. Patty, he engaged one room in the Arnold Block and there handled dry goods and groceries. Increasing patronage soon demanded more room, and storage quarters were secured in the rear, but a grocery department was soon added in order to accommodate customers and that room had to be utilized for the new stock. In August, 1906, still better facilities had to be provided and another room was added in which a stock of clothing and gent's furnishings were placed and in addition to these different well equipped rooms the firm has secured three rooms on the second floor which they devote to carpets and draperies. In view of this expansion the time is not far distant when still larger quarters will have to be secured for a firm that is in so prosperous a condition. Both proprietors attend to customers and three sales people are also employed and more during the holiday seasons.

On March 4, 1883, Mr. Stahl was married to Maria Tobias, and they have four children: Luther R., Harley T., Margie Olive and Olive F. Miss Margie Olive is a graduate of the Bradford High School and is a successful teacher at Bradford. Mr. Stahl and family are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is identified with, the order of Odd Fellows.