Why does it read “Triplett 1900” on top of the building housing CVS Pharmacy at 126 N. Main St.?
The reason is that a man named Will Triplett built the building in 1900. He was the grandfather of the late Ropp and Morris Triplett. Will’s son, R.L., Triplett, founded what became the Triplett Corp., which for several decades was Bluffton largest employer.
Here's the Will Triplett story:
Will A. Triplett was Bluffton's photographer for over 50 years, working here from 1881 to 1934, when he died.
In 1900 he had the red brick Main Street building, which carries his name, constructed. His photo studio was eventually located on the second floor, as you will discover later in this story. And in those very early days of photography, before film cameras, Triplett's photographic work was done with large glass plates and flash powder.
Few Bluffton businesspersons can surpass his achievements in business. For 53 years he took photographs in Bluffton. As a mark of respect, during his funeral, Bluffton businesses closed their doors. The Meter Works, the major employer in town, also closed.
During his 53 years in business, Triplett came in contact with successive generations and his photographs of people and groups remain today. He was the only Bluffton man whose business continued for a half century without change in the name or management.
His career reflected the development of Bluffton as well as that of his profession.
He served as an official in the Ohio, Michigan and Indiana Photographers Association and gained national recognition in this and other organizations.
Here is a portion of his obituary:
His faith in his calling was exemplified by the equipment of his studio, complete in every detail and including the latest approved apparatus of his art.
The present modern studio is a far step from his first quarters in Bluffton when the photographic art was in its infancy. Those were the days when the ferrotype or tintype was being replaced by the modern method of printing on paper from a glass negative.
It was necessary in those days for the photographer to be his own manufacturing chemist, making both the plates for the negative and the paper, which made up the finished photograph. This required the preparation mixing and application of the various chemicals involved.
Born in Newark, Ohio, March 26, 1861, his photographic career began at age 16. He arrived in Bluffton on New Year’s Day 1881. For the first two months his studio was located on North Main Street, near Riley Street.
In 1926 the studio was moved to its present location on the second floor of the Triplett block, which he constructed in 1900.
Soon after his location in Bluffton he was married to Mabel Spooner of Plain City, Ohio. To this union were born three sons: Morris, who preceded his father in death in 1908 at Bocas del Toro, Panama; Ray L. and Cleon A. Triplett, both of this place. Mabel died in 1889.
Afterward he married Emma Hettinger who also preceded him in death in 1904. Later he married Leona Amstutz.
During his long residence here Mr. Triplett was active in the growth and development of the town, having served as corporation clerk and also on the council as well as in other capacities, which had to do with the welfare of the community. Of a genial and cheerful nature, he had many friends by whom he was respected and esteemed.
And today, Will Triplett is part of forgotten Bluffton.
