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In 1889, H.A. Mowrey purchased an interest in the Shoemaker
and Stevens photographic studio and two years later became the sole
owner. He continued in business for nearly 50 years. His son Donald
became a partner in 1920.
Will Duff in his 1915 Ashland Centennial book says “View
work for this history was furnished by Mowrey including photographs
of residences and numerous other buildings. One of the homes he
photographed was his own at 819 Center Street on the northeast
corner of Ferrell Avenue.
In 1891, Mowrey married Eva J. Ferrell, daughter of John and Eliza Ferrell whose farm home was on the southeast corner of Ferrell and Center. At the time, what is now Farrell Avenue was his apple orchard. In fact, his land covered several acres. When the street was put through, Ferrell sold off several lots. Mowrey bought three lots in 1906 and built his home on the corner.
Their daughter Marguerite was married in 1920 to Clifford Neal and moved to Columbus. Widowed at an early age, she returned home and remained in the family homestead until she was in her 90s. Interviewed by Alta Sims and Bill Wiley in 1979, she said she taught school at Arthur Street School prior to her marriage. She was paid $40 per month. She also told of John C. Myers taking several of “her crowd” to Cleveland to the opera every year. They stayed overnight at a hotel and had a delicious dinner. After the opera, she said, there was always a car waiting out front to take them back to the hotel.
Mark and Debbie Martin purchased the home and redecorated as well as added a modern kitchen. Their aim was to retain the fine features of an older home and yet make it functional for today’s living.
The entry hall best reflects the character of the home with its oak columns and spindle work and the crown molding set off with dental trim. Leaded glass sidelights frame the front door and other leaded windows in parts of the house were features of the early period of the home. Upstairs, the claw-footed bathtub was kept in the remodeling process. The master bedroom, like the dining room below, is enhanced by an adjoining alcove. When termites were discovered in the front porch, the wood was replaced with identical-style spindles. The Martins have added a back porch and fenced in the back lot. In 2001 John and Kathy Aldrich purchased the home and continued to preserve this treasure. They built a two car garage on the back of the lot. In keeping with the nostalgia of the home, the Aldrichs used antique windows brought from Iowa in the construction. The current owners are Daniel and Heidi Jentes.
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