L. T. Furnas
L. T. Furnas, proprietor of the Apex Skirt Company, of Lima, was born at Pleasant Hill, Miami County, Ohio, in 1852, and was there reared and educated. His first commercial venture was in his native village, where he conducted a dry goods store for about three years. He next went West and was in the dry goods business in Luzerne, Iowa, about four years, when he returned to Ohio and for 11 years conducted a merchant tailoring establishment at Columbus Grove. In 1883 he came to Lima and purchased the business of John Siegfried, merchant tailor, and for 20 years devoted his time and attention to working up a large trade. During recent years he saw the possibilities awaiting the individual who could supply the ever-growing demand for ladies' tailored skirts, and in 1903 the Apex Skirt Company was established by him. The success of the undertaking has shown the correctness of his theory. He has traveling salesmen in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania and the company employs a large number of workmen to keep up their orders.
Mr. Furnas was married in 1874 to Anna Tinker, daughter of Samuel Tinker, of Chester, Massachusetts. They have two children, Everett C. and Anna. The son is engaged in business with his father.