History of New Richmond, (Clermont County) Ohio United States of America

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Charles C. Reakirt, Druggist, was born on the 13th of April, 1821, in New Richmond, Clermont county, Ohio. Remotely, he is of Welsh-German origin, although both his parents were natives of Pennsylvania. His father was a Philadelphian, and a cabinetmaker by trade. Charles received his education at New Richmond, and in 1837 went to Philadelphia to learn the drug business. Here he served his apprenticeship and thoroughly mastered the business he had chosen. In his twenty-fourth year, by the advice of his uncle, he determined to start in business on his own account. At first he determined to locate in New Orleans, but the uncle's advice led to the changing of this plan, and finally Cincinnati was determined upon as the place in which to establish himself. In the spring of 1844, therefore, in company with his brother, Joseph, the enterprise was begun. The young partners had no money to speak of, and starting in business implied getting into debt. So they got into debt, but were not long in getting out. Joseph remained in Philadelphia to secure the necessary stock, have the printing done and arrange other preliminary details, while Charles went to Cincinnati to select a proper location. The place selected was on Third street, opposite the Henrie House, and there the business was established and there it prospered greatly. The members of the firm were young, the place chosen was not a very favorable one and there were not wanting those who predicted a speedy failure. The failure did not befall, and after a while the youthful firm came to be recognized as one of the best in the city in the extent of its business and its commercial standing. In a steady, safe, sound way, business was good with the firm from the first, affording another illustration of the fact that strict integrity, close application and prudent enterprise form the sure, safe basis of all prosperity. In 1847 the firm bought out and became the successors of C. & J. Bates, and established themselves on the corner of Pearl and Reynolds streets. Charles Reakirt conducted the negotiations on behalf of his firm with Caleb Bates, the surviving partner of the other firm, J. Bates, who had transacted all the active business of his house, and in effecting the sale, Caleb intrusted to Charles Reakirt the task of inventorying the stock and affixing the prices. The partnership between Joseph and Charles Reakirt continued for twenty-one years, and in 1865 they sold out. In August, 1874, just thirty years after the establishment of the original house, Charies Reakirt, at the head of the firm of Reakirt, Hale & Co. (J. Reakirt having died in 1870), purchased the business anew, and is still at its head, the firm now occupying a commodious building, No. 99 Walnut street.

From: The Biographical Encyclopedia of Ohio of the Nineteenth Century. Columbus, OH, USA: Galaxy Publishing Co., 1876.

History of New Richmond, (Clermont County) Ohio

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