Fink and Shorb

"FINK & SHORB, grain dealers, Littlestown. This firm has been in existence under its present proprietors, J. J. Fink and John A. Shorb, since 1880, and does an extensive business in grain and produce of all kinds, averaging from $80,000 to $100,000 per annum. JOSEPH J. FINK, of the above firm, was born in Hamilton Township, this county, near East Berlin, September 28, 1850, and is a son of Pius P. and Matilda (Shorb) Fink. When he was but two years of age his mother suffered from a severe attack of typhoid fever, and to remove him from the chance of taking the disease, he was taken by his uncle, Joseph L., and his aunt, Sally A. Shorb (brother and sister, both unmarried), which resulted in his being reared by them until his fourteenth year with all the care and tenderness that could have been bestowed upon him had he been a son instead of a nephew. When fourteen years old he became a student at Calvert College, New Windsor, Md., where he remained two years, and later attended, for eighteen months, St. Charles College near Ellicott City, Howard Co., Md. On his return home he occupied himself on his father’s farm for several years, and February 27, 1873, became a partner with his uncle, Samuel J., in the grain business at Littlestown, in which he continued until his uncle’s death. Mr. Fink is a genial gentleman and one of Littlestown’s reliable and substantial business men. JOHN A. SHORB, also of the above firm, was born in Mountpleasant Township, this county, October 17, 1855, and is a son of Samuel J. and Catherine (Parr) Shorb. He was reared on the farm until the age of eleven years. His father then engaged in business at Bonneauville, where he remained three years; thence moved to Littlestown, and here established the business to which Fink & Shorb have succeeded. John A. obtained his education partly in the Adams County schools, but when fifteen years of age was sent to Calvert College, New Windsor, Md., where he studied for two years, and afterward completed his studies in St. Francis College, Loretto, Penn. He then returned to Littlestown and was employed in his father’s business until 1877, when he became a partner with a one-third interest. The firm then consisted of Samuel J. Shorb, Joseph J. Fink and John A. Shorb. On the death of his father, Samuel J., in 1880, the business was continued by John A. and his remaining partner."