Simon Labold came to Portsmouth, Ohio in 1884 at the age of 29. Ten years later, he became the Director of Portsmouth's First National Bank. From 1895 to 1897, he served a term on city council and, according to historian Nelson Evans, Labold proved to be a 'gentleman of wonderful executive, administrative, and financial ability.' Labold gifted Mound Park and Labold Field to the City and set the stage for the rise of professional football in Portsmouth.