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Daughter of Goodyear Founder, Dies at 108

25 January 1999

Irene Seiberling Harrison, Daughter of Goodyear Founder, Dies at 108

    AKRON, Ohio, Jan. 22 -- Irene Seiberling Harrison, daughter
of Goodyear founder Frank A. Seiberling, died yesterday at Akron General
Medical Center.  She was 108.
    Mrs. Harrison, the second of Frank and Gertrude Seiberling's seven
children, was born Feb. 25, 1890.  She had a historic role in the company her
father created.  In 1898, at age 8, she pulled the switch that marked the
start of Goodyear's Akron operations.
    She married New York banker Milton W. Harrison in 1923 and moved to
Bronxville, N.Y.  After her husband's death in 1949, she returned to Stan
Hywet, the family's Akron home, and cared for her father until he died in
1955.
    In 1957, Mrs. Harrison and other members of the Seiberling family turned
Stan Hywet over to a non-profit foundation that now operates the tudor-style
mansion as Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens.  She moved to the Stan Hywet gate
house, where she lived until her death.  The mansion and grounds are open to
public tours, art shows and other events.
    "I was saddened to learn of Mrs. Harrison's passing," said Goodyear
Chairman Samir G. Gibara.  "She was an outstanding woman who contributed
greatly to her community and had a unique hand in Goodyear's beginnings.  She
saw her father's company grow from its beginnings in a small strawboard
factory in Akron to global leadership in the tire and rubber industry.
    "Mrs. Harrison's childhood memories of Goodyear's early days and of her
father helped put a personal touch on our history as the company celebrated
its centennial last year," Gibara added.
    "On behalf of all Goodyear associates and retirees, and my wife Salma, I
extend our deepest condolences to her family and many friends."
    Mrs. Harrison is survived by her son Robert, of Seattle; daughters Sally
Cochran, of Akron; and Gertrude Clawson, of Martinas, Calif.; six
grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
    A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at the First
Congregational Church, 292 East Market St. in Akron.
    Contributions in her memory may be made to Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens,
714 North Portage Path, Akron, Ohio 44303-9075.