The Klipstein Family and their Business Ventures in Marshall presented by Laura Kelsey

Presentation on the founding and history of Marshall Chemical Company in Marshall, Fauquier County, Virginia during the latter part of the 19th century. Hear the story of the Klipstein family, longtime residents of Marshall. The first Klipstein came as a Hession surgeon working for the British. Learn why he stayed and how his descendants became instrumental in the chemical manufacturing industry specializing in many kinds of household cleaning products, including soap powders, shoe polish and Carbona, which is still being produced and sold today.

Laura Kelsey has been on the board of directors of the Fauquier Historical Society in Warrenton since 2013 and is the current president of the organization. She is also on the board of directors of the Fauquier Heritage and Preservation Foundation, Inc. in Marshall, serving since 2016.

Laura retired in 2013 after 46 years in education, retail ownership, and commercial property management. Her retail experience includes a decade managing a women’s clothing and gift shop on Main Street in Warrenton and another decade owning a shop in Stevensburg, VA., specializing in imported yarns and fabrics. In the 1980s, she opened the first one-hour photo processing business in the Metropolitan Washington area. Finally, she spent twelve years as Director of Construction Management for a developer in northern Virginia. Her community involvement includes serving on the board of Highland School, the Greater Warrenton Chamber of Commerce and as a member of the Town of Warrenton’s Economic Development Advisory Committee. She holds a B.A. in English Literature from Troy University. Laura has happily called Virginia home for the past 54 years. Her hobbies include genealogy, history, watercolor painting, and sailing.