Freeman E. Oviatt was born in Cleveland, Ohio,
November 2, 1858. He spent his entire boyhood there. He
entered the public schools of the city, and after acquiring the
rudiments of an education left to enter the Spencerian Business
College, from which institution he graduated.
He went into the retail shoe business soon
after his graduation from the business college, and has remained in
that business ever since, except for a few years spent in the general
railroad contracting business with an elder brother in New York State.
Mr. Oviatt came to this city in 1895, and
engaged in retailing shoes soon after he arrived at the place he still
occupies at 1105 Main Street. His long experience in the
business, united with an aptitude for mercantile affairs, have placed
him in the front rank among the local dealers, many of whom have
passed half their lives in the business of this city.
Mr. Oviatt is a member of a number of secret
and benevolent societies, among the the Royal Aranum and the Modern
Woodmen, and also holds membership in the local Retail Merchants'
Association.
He was married in 1880 to Miss Ada R. Fish,
in Cleveland, O. They have five children.
|