Raymond F. Christy
The life history of him whose name introduces this review was for many years identified with the history of Wayne county, of which he was a native son and honored citizen. His business career was begun in this county, and throughout the years in which he was identified with her commercial interests he was closely allied with her growth and upbuilding. His life was one of untiring activity and was crowned with a degree of success attained by comparatively few. He was of the highest type of business man, and none more than he deserves representation in a work of this nature. His business career furnishes a splendid example of what may be accomplished through determined purpose, laudable ambition and well-directed effort, for the position that he attained in life was won entirely through his own efforts.
Raymond F. Christy was a native son of the old Buckeye state, having been born in Canaan township, Wayne county, on the 20th of March, 1852, and his death occurred on the 9th of April 1909, in the fifty-eighth year of his age. In his veins flowed Irish and Norwegian blood, his father, James Christy, having been native of the Emerald Isle, while his mother, whose maiden name was Roxanna Severcool, was born in Norway. The subject was reared under the parental roof and attended the common schools. This education he supplemented by attendance at Smithville Academy and the old Canaan Academy. He engaged in teaching school, which vocation he followed about four years. At the age of twenty-one years in 1874, he engaged in the clothing business at Orrville, and in this enterprise he met with success from the start, and for many years up to the time of his death he was the leading clothier in that city. He also had stores at Wooster, Doylestown and Cleveland, his store on Euclid avenue, in the latter city, being one of the fine stores of that city. He took a keen interest in his home town and erected the Christy block, on of the best business blocks in the city. He was also a valued member of the Board of Industry of Orrville, a very practical and efficient organization of the business men for the purpose of aiding the commercial and industrial development of the city. He also for seven years conducted a very successful shoe business in connection with his clothing store in Orrville. He sold the shoe business, however, in 1907, and in 1908 he disposed of the clothing business. Mr. Christy, during his commercial life, suffered a number of severe losses, through fire, robbery and other causes, but in spite of these reverses, he forged ahead and acquired a comfortable competency. Though highly regarded because of his business ability and success, his high standing in the community was attained because of higher qualities than mere commercial ability. He possessed those sterling, qualities of character which enabled him to exercise a sympathy and generosity of spirit which endeared him to all who enjoyed his acquaintance. Broadminded and straightforward, he allowed nothing to swerve him from what he considered the right and he occupied a high position in the hearts and minds of those who knew him best. His death was considered a distinct loss to the city in which so many of the best years of his life were spent.
Mr. Christy was trice married, first to Anna Hoy, of Wooster township, of a well-known family in Wayne county. Her death occurred two years after their marriage, and subsequently Mr. Christy married Elizabeth Gayner, who died five years later. On June 4, 1900, he wedded Florence May Geyer, the daughter of Samuel and Lydia (Lehman) Geyer, of Wooster, where whe was born and reared. A sister is Mrs. William Caskey, of Wooster, where other relatives also reside. Mrs. Christy was a successful teacher for six years prior to her marriage. She is well educated, having supplemented her public school education by attendance at Smithville Academy, Wadsworth Academy, Wooster University and Bixler's Business College at Wooster. She is a lady of rare culture and attainments and possesses a business ability above that of the average woman.
Mr. Christy was a valued member of the Presbyterian church, for which he was an active and generous supporter. He readily gave his endorsement and support to every movement having for its object the moral, educational or material advancement of the community and because of his faultless honor, fearless conduct and stainless integrity he commanded uniform regard and the love and esteem of his friends.
From The History of Wayne County, Ohio, B. E. Bowen & Co., Indianapolis, 1910