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Standing from the left: F. V. Topper, Pius Topper, Felix V. Topper, Jr., and Edward Topper.
Topper’s Barbershop was a fixture of McSherrystown, Adams County, for well over 75 years. The shop was begun by Felix Vincent Topper, Sr., who learned the barber trade in the early 1900’s, from his uncle, John W. Bishop. Over the next forty years, F. V. Topper kept the shop in operation and later he sold the shop to his son, Edward Anthony Topper. Edward assumed ownership in 1950, and he, too, was owner of the shop for over forty years. He passed away in 2004. Over the years, Topper sons Pius Ignatius “P.I.” Topper and Felix V. Topper, Jr. also worked in the shop.
McSherrystown Bicentennial (1963) reports: “During the early days of the shop, many customers had their own shaving mugs and over one hundred of these mugs are still on display in the barbershop. Each mug indicated the trade or profession of the man who owned it, with a painted illustration on the mug. Many old straight razors can be seen hanging here also, among them are some brought from Europe by immigrants who settled here.
During the … years, 17 barbers … worked with Edward Topper. He has taught nine of them the trade, including Paul M. Kaehler, who [became] a partner in the business and … Nelson Topper, Jr.”
Over the years, barbers from the shop would make regular visits to give haircuts to boys and young men residing in the Paradise Protectory, near Abbottstown. Barbers included Earl Haverstick, Abbottstown and Charles McMaster and Edward Topper, McSherrystown. The Topper barbershop made valuable contributions to the overall welfare of the McSherrystown community.
Standing from the left: Paul Kaehler, Edward Topper, and Donald E. Kinneman.