John Means (businessman)

John Means
Born	Template:Birth date
Died	February 14, 1910(1910-02-14) (aged 80) Ashland, Kentucky, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Businessman, banker, ironmaster, politician
Years active	1849–1910
Known for	Mayor of Ashland, Kentucky; pioneering Kentucky iron industry; president of Ashland National Bank; president of Lexington & Big Sandy Railroad Company

John Means (September 21, 1829 – February 14, 1910) served as mayor of Ashland, Kentucky and played a significant role in the banking sector and iron manufacturing. He was instrumental in founding the Cincinnati and Big Sandy Packet Company, developing Ashland Cemetery, constructing iron furnaces, holding the vice-presidency at Ashland National Bank, and managing the Means family’s growing iron enterprises. The Kentucky Encyclopedia (2015) acknowledged the Means family’s iron ventures for revolutionizing Kentucky’s iron industry after the Civil War into a leading business.

Early life

Born to Sara Ellison and Thomas W. Means from North Carolina, an early pioneer of Hanging Rock, Ohio, Means had ancestral ties to Isaac Newton through his paternal great-great-grandmother. In his youth, his uncle Hugh collaborated with his father Thomas in building the Buena Vista Furnace in Kentucky, with Hugh holding stock ownership. By 1856, the Means brothers were appointed directors of the Kentucky Iron, Coal & Manufacturing Company. That same year, they contributed to establishing the Bank of Ashland, where John acted as cashier between 1866 and 1869.

Business career

Means embarked on his professional journey in 1849 at his father’s company, Sinton & Means. In 1854, he co-established The Kentucky Iron, Coal, & Manufacturing Company. Two years later, he co-founded the Cincinnati and Big Sandy Packet Company starting with one vessel named the Scioto, quickly expanding to dominate freight transport in the iron-producing region. The Means family also pioneered ferry services in Ashland, Kentucky. Principal associates included Washington Honshell, David Gibson, and Hiram Campbell. This enterprise, known as the White Collar Line, constructed multiple steamships such as the Telegraph and Fleetwood.

In 1864, Means founded both the Ashland Coal Company and Hanging Rock Iron & Coal Company. That year marked the inauguration of Princess Furnace near Ashland along the L. & B. S. railroad line. By 1869, he played a key role in forming the Eastern Division of the Lexington & Big Sandy Railroad Company and was elected its president in 1870, a position he maintained until 1891. Under his leadership, the Ashland Furnace Company—owned by the railroad—erected what became America’s largest furnace. By 1872, Means had become one of the top producers of pig iron nationally. Additionally, he served as treasurer for Norton Iron Works until 1890 and held presidency at Low Moor Iron Company from 1873 to 1890 before continuing as a board member.

After the Ashland Bank closed in 1872, its former directors established Ashland National Bank with Means as vice-president; he ascended to president in 1885. His other appointments included treasurer of Scioto Valley Railroad, director of Eureka Iron Company in Alabama, and partner at Means, Kyle & Co. In 1882, he witnessed a notable event when Kentucky Militia fired upon a crowd on the Ohio River to prevent lynching of accused murderers William Neal and Ellis Craft aboard a steamboat.

Philanthropy and politics

Throughout his life, Means actively supported education by owning land for Ashland Academy and endorsing Beech Grove Academy. He also donated property for an African-American school in Ashland.

He acquired and designed Ashland Cemetery and served as its trustee for many years. Elected as an Ashland trustee in 1860, he maintained this position for three decades.

Means participated as a delegate at the 1872 Republican National Convention and ran for U.S. Representative from Kentucky in 1874. Between 1872 and 1880, he served as commissioner on the Ohio River Improvement Commission where he advocated before Congress for river enhancements.

From October 1881 until June 1882, Means held office as president of Ashland City Council concurrently with his tenure as Mayor of Ashland.

Personal and legacy

On October 25, 1854, Means wed Harriet Perkins from Marietta, Ohio, and together they raised six children. Harriet passed away in 1895. The following year, he entered into marriage with Mary Peck Seaton.

Means died in Ashland on February 14, 1910. At the time of his death, his estate was valued at close to $700,000, which is roughly equivalent to US$23 million in 2024.

The educational institution he funded operated under the name John Means School from 1905 until 1960; its three-story structure was torn down in 1969.