20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 44

Author: Rockel, William M. (William Mahlon), 1855-1930, ed
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing co.
Number of Pages: 993

USA > Ohio > Clark County > Springfield > 20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 44

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

ROBBINS & MYERS COMPANY.

This firm was established prior to 1879, for in that year they removed from the old Kills Paper Mills, to the plant which they now ocenpy on the Big Four Rail- way, south of Lagonda Avenue. The firm was incorporated in 1889, with a paid up stock of $50,000. Chandler Robbins and J. A. Myers were the principals in this original concern. Mr. Robbins retired retired some ten years ago and Mr. Myers died in 1904. C. F. McGilvary is vice- president and superintendent and H. E. Myers secretary. From 250 to 300 men are employed.

Foos MANUFACTURING COMPANY.

This company was incorporated Janu- ary Ist, 1884, with a capital stock of $115,- 000. The original proprietors were Gustavus Foos and his sons Robert and William Foos. After Gustavus' death the business was continued by the brothers until 1904. when the sons of the late Charles Baner became the owners of the majority of the stock. Charles L. Bauer is president, L. E. Bauer, vice-president, W. A. Bauer, treasurer, and W. E. Copen- SPRINGFIELD MALLEABLE CO. haver, secretary. The plant is located on the southeast corner of Burt and Sheridan This company was organized in 1878 with a capital stock of $50,000. The large Avenue. This firm is engaged largely in the manufacture of grinding-mills and number of establishments in Springfield

This firm was incorporated in 1891, with a capital stock of $50.000. The principal moving spirit was P. E. Montanus. It is located on the southwest corner of South- ern Avenue, and the Pennsylvania Rail- way Company's line and is engaged, as its name indicates, in the manufacture of machine tools. P. E. Montanus is presi- dent and treasurer, Paul A. and Edward S. Montanus, vice-presidents, From 100 to 150 men are employed here.

O. S. KELLY COMPANY.

This company was incorporated in 1890 with a capital stock of $350.000. At that time Oliver S. Kelly was the principal owner. It was the successor of the Rhein- hart, Ballard & Company. This plaut was located on N. Limestone Street im- mediately north of Buck Creek. For some time this firm continued in the manufact- ure of threshing machines. This was afterwards abandoned and grinding-mills and articles of that character made. At present it is engaged largely in the mann- facture of piano plates. O. W. Kelly is president, E. S. Kelly vice-president, both sons of Oliver, and A. L. Kelly, son of 0. W. Kelly, secretary and treasurer. This firm employs from 200 to 400 nen.

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using varions parts made from malleable gan, vice-president and E. C. Price, sec- iron encouraged the founding of an in- retary. In the neighborhood of 100 meu dustry of this kind. The plant of this are employed. establishment is located in the west part of Springfield and covers considerable MILLER IMPROVED GAS ENGINE COMPANY. ground. The business of the company is entirely to make malleable iron eastings to be used by other firms in the manu- incture of their product. For a number of years it has been the property of the Ludlows, A. R. Ludlow being president until the time of his death (1906), and T. R. Ludlow, secretary and superintendent. It employs from 300 to 400 men.

MAST, FOOS & COMPANY.

This company was incorporated Janu- ary 1, 1880, with a capital stock of $300,- 000. The moving spirits at that time were P. P. Mast and John Foos. It is engaged in the manufacture of wind-wheels, iron fence, lawn-mowers, force-pumps and ar- ticles of that character. Its plant is lo- cated ou Isabella Street, between Main and Columbia. Richard H. Rodgers is now president, W. H. Rayner, vice-presi- dent, C. A. Harris, treasurer, and F. R. Burton, secretary, It employs from 100 to 200 men.

INDIANAPOLIS SWITCH & FROG COMPANY.

This company was incorporated in 1892 with a capital stock of $300,000. It is en- gaged in the manufacture of railroad sup- plies and also makes piano plates. The firm recently ocenpied the large malle- able iron foundry erected in connection with the East Street Shops. This was burnt down in the last year and rebuilt. N. H. Fairbanks is president, M. L. Milli-

This company was incorporated in 1898 with a capital stock of $60,000. The com- pany formerly did business in the East Street Shops. When those shops were burned they erected their present plant on the southwest corner of Plum and Fair Streets. They make gas engines. Charles A. Miller is president, C. H. Over, vice- president, and A. J. Smith, secretary. Fifty men are employed.

PATRIC FURNACE COMPANY.

In 1872 Louis Patric & Company be- gan the manufacture of hot-air furnaces on South Center Street. Afterwards the plant on Washington Street was pur- chased immediately west of the Palace Hotel. There the business was conducted until 1905 or '06, when the firm purchased the plant formerly belonging to the A. C. Evans Company on the corner of Dibert and the Pennsylvania Railway Company's line, which they occupy at this time. The company was incorporated in 1900 with a capital stock of $40,000. Isaac W. Rod- gers is president, Louis Patrie, vice. president. and R. R. McGregor, is treas- urer. From fifty to seventy-five men are employed.

TRUMP MANUFACTURING COMPANY.

This firm was incorporated in 1890 for the purpose of manufacturing turbine water-wheels. It is located at the corner

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of Greenmount Avenue and the Big Four in its original establishment. It was in- Railway. John Hoppes is president, Paul A. Staley, vice-president, and Fuller 'Trump general manager. This firm like- wise employs in the neighborhood of 100 men.

SPRINGFIELD GAS ENGINE COMPANY.

This company was incorporated Feb- ruary, 1890 with a capital stock of $100,- 000. Until some four years ago they transacted their business on Washington Street at the former plant of the Patric Furnace Company. Afterwards they pur- chased the old tricycle works on Park Street, in the western part of the city. As the name implies, gas engines are the principa! products. Richard H. Rodgers is president, Addison S. Rodgers, seere- tary and William B. Rodgers, treasurer. Fifty men are employed.

THE E. W. Ross COMPANY.

This firm moved to Springfield from New York State, E. W. Ross and his father-in-law, Mr. Fitch being the prin- cipal parties interested at that time. It was incorporated in 1890 with a capital stock of $100,000. The firm is engaged largely in the manufacture of ensilage and feed-cutters; it also makes a popular manure spreader.

M. L. Ross is president, John L. Zim- merman, vice-president, J. B. Cartinell, treasurer, and E. W. Ross, secretary. The shops are located at the junction of Warder Street and the Big Four Railway. . They employ from 100 to 150 men.

Foos GAS ENGINE COMPANY.

This firm takes its name from John Foos, he having been largely interested

corporated in 1897 with a capital stock of $150,000. It is located now in what were formerly the Bar & Knife Shops, used in connection with the Champion Ma- chine Company, on the northeast corner of Linden Avenue and Monroe Street. As the name implies the firm is engaged 10 the manufacture of gas engines. Scipio Baker is president, C. F. Patric, vice- president, Randolph Coleman, secretary and Harry F. Snyder, treasurer. Em- ployment is given to about 100 men.

LIGHTING & HEATING PLANTS. GAS.

The improved system of lighting the city with gas dates back to 1850. The Springfield Gas, Light and Coal Company was then organized, with Mr. E. C. Gwyn, Sr., as superintendent. The price was $6.00 per thousand. The Springfield Gas and Coke Company was chartered in 1849, with a capital of $5,000, increased now under the name of the Springfield Gas Company to $420,000. The original officers were Charles Anthony, president, and James S. Good, secretary. Afterwards John Kinsman & Co. purchased the business, and later Governor Bushnell became a very large stockholder. Finally the stock was pur- chased by eastern parties, who were like- wise the owners of the natural gas frau- chise. The plant for the manufacture of artificial gas was formerly on North Fountain Avenue, near the creek.

In 1903-4 the new plant was erected in the western part of the city near the june- tion of the Indianapolis and Cincinnati branches of the Big Four Railway Com- pany.

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Natural gas was introduced into Springfield about 1888, the original source of supply being in the gas fields of Mercer County. This supply became insufficient, and a line was extended to the Fairfield County fields. The price to private con- sumers is twenty-five cents a thousand, with a meter reut of $3.00 per year. Artificial gas is $1.00 per 1,000, The snpt. ply has remained reasonably satisfactory.

ELECTRIC LIGHT.

William A. Scott, Theodore Troupe, Charles Pierce and others established an electric light plant in 1882 in the old Driscoll Carriage Factory. The original price was $150 per year for street are lights. This has been very substantially reduced. An old church was purchased on the south side of Washington Street, east of Center, and a plant installed there. This plant was afterwards sold to the Peoples' Light, Heat & Power Company, and by them disinanteled. The franchise was first sold to the same parties that own and control the street railways, and then to the Peoples' Light, Heat & Power Company.

HOME IJAHTING, POWER AND HEATING COMPANY.

THE PEOPLES' LIGHT, HEAT & POWER COMPANY.

This body was incorporated in 1905, with a capital of $2.000,000. Its object is the same as that of the Home Lighting, Power & Heating Company. John L. Zimmerman is president, L. M. Ferguson is vice president. W. W. Keifer secretary and Charles S. Kay general manager. At present there is considerable rivalry be- tween these two heat and power com- panies. This firm purchased the plant and franchise of the Springfield Electric Light Company.

ANSTED & BURK-BARNETT FLOURING MILLS.

The Barnett flouring mills constitutes one of the oldest of the present industries of this city. At one time it might have been justly termed the leading and biggest of the establishments of our growing town. In 1841 Samnel and James Bar- nett, brothers, bought from Joseph Per- rin, Richard Rodgers and Jeremiah Warder the land and water power for the mill they immediately thereafter erected. In 1847 Samuel bought out his brother James and conducted the business himself until 1859, when he was sneceeded by his son W. A. Barnett and William Warder.

This corporation was established in The firm of Warder & Barnett ran the 1901, with a capital of $175,000. It has flouring business until it was sold ( Ansted & Burk in 1897. Mr. William Warder died some ten years previous to this date, and Mr. Barnett having passed the allotted three score and ten years, the business has been allowed to decline; probably the general depression in bnsi- ness from 1992 to 1897-8 had something to do with the matter. Colonel J. W. for its purpose the furnishing of heat, power and light to private individuals, as well as to the city. E. S. Kelly is presi- dent and general manager. Alfred C'ava- lier, recently deceased, was secretary and treasurer. This plant is located imme- diately north of the passenger depot of the Big Four Railway.

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Burk, the junior member of the new firm, is a hustling, stirring business man, and today this is one of the leading flouring mills of the state. Mr. Burk is now serving his second year as presideut of the United States Millers' Association. When the present firm purchased the plant it had a capacity of 150 to 200 bar- rels of flour per day. Now it has a daily capacity of from 800 to 900 barrels and gives employment to fifty men.

Three steel tanks were erected in 1903, each having a capacity of 25,000 bushels. In this latter year a new warehouse and an office building was added to the old mill, and all together constitute a very fine plant. The water power is one of the best in this part of the country.

STONE AND LIME INDUSTRIES.

The splendid ledge of rocks of a lime- stone formation along the banks of Buck Creek and Mad River has made the stoue and lime industry one of importance to the city of Springfield. The stone quar- ried is of excellent quality and is ex- tensively used for building purposes. mostly for the laying of foundations. However, when dressed, very handsome structures are made of this stone. The lime that is made from this rock forma- tion is not only of good texture, but pos- sesses a whiteness that is surpassed by none. Springfield lime is universally ree- ognized as being made from the best pos- sible formation of limestone rock to be found anywhere. This industry may have had more to with the early progress of the city of Springfield than we are now aware of. In the days before the advent of the steam railway the ease with which

good building material could be secured would naturally be an influential factor in the growth of a new community. While the quarries now located within the cor- porate limits of Springfield are worked, if at all, to but a limited extent, they carlier formed quite an industry of our growing village. It is not possible now to move many of the persons who were engaged in this industry, but in the '50s and early 60s we know that David Shaffer, who was then one of the enter- prising and thriving citizens of our town. ran the quarries on North Limestone Street, and possibly some on the west side of Fountain Avenue. After him came Christopher Thompson, another prominent citizen, who was for a time president of the Lagonda National Bank. He was succeeded by his son, William.S. Thompson. who afterwards retired to a farm now owned by the Country Club and who, for many years, was a director in the Lagonda Bank.

Mr. George H. Frey, Sr., who for a long time was active in many of Spring- field's important business enterprises and who is still living, being now past four-score years of age, for a time man- aged these quarries, which are now entire- ly abandoned.

As early as 1850 J. L. and Ambrose. Pettigrew, brothers, began the stone busi- ness by opening up a quarry on North Plum Street, which is still slightly used. For many years they were actively eu- gaged in the stone and lime business. During the time that these quarries were in operation, four and six-horse wood- wagons could be seen almost daily in various parts of the county, each with a four or five-cord load of wood. pursuing

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their way toward Springfield. This crossing, is the old Paden Quarry. For a wood was used in the burning of lime and mmmmber of years past stone has been these lime manufacturers became pur- chasers of much of the surplus wood that was cut away in making clearings to ac- comodate the growing community. taken therefrom by Mr. Samuel Taylor. Not much is being done there at this time. On Mill Creek Valley, not far from what is known as the Rebert Pike, An- drew Rebert for many years was actively engaged in the stone business.

The Pettigrew brothers died some ten years ago and very little has been done in this direction since that time. Going west from the city we find an old quarry down the river immediately west of the old Rubsam Mill. This quarry has been worked for n good many years, latterly by J. W. Rubsam, but it is only operated to a limited extent at this time. In the vicinity of Durbin the industry has had a more vigorous growth than in any other part of the county; in fact, practically all the stone and linte business is conducted now by three firms at this place, to-wit, the Mills Brothers, the H. L. Moores Company and the Moores Lime Company. Formerly a man by the name of Digan conducted quarries in this vicinity, and for a long time A. L. Holcomb was the owner of the quarries now operated by the Moores people. Mr. Holcomb for many years was netive in this industry. He has been dead some eighteen years. The Moores Lime Company nt present does considerable business, principally making lime and shipping it, employing seventy to eighty men. The Mills Brothers, William, Jr., and R. R., owned a quarry situated where Limestone City is now located. Their business is quite extensive, employing from eighty to ninety men. George Sintz was for a time in the bnsi- ness here.

J. W. Jenkins is interested in the quarry work near Durbin. Along the Dayton Pike, on this side of the railroad

Quite an excavation was made in the stone ledge along the west bank of this creek. Some years ago this old ahan- doned quarry was purchased by P. E. Montanus, a prominent manufacturer of our city, and an embankment was thrown up around the lower part of it, and it now furnishes a splendid lake.

In later years the stone quarries that were located along the railroads are most prosperous and no doubt will continue to be operated for years to come.

SPRINGFIELD BREWERIES.

About 1890, or within a few years thereafter, two old breweries went under English control. The Voree & Blee brew- ery, located on East Columbia Street, near Spring, was established in 1840. The Engert & Dinkel brewery, which is on the corner of Penn and Section Streets, was established in 1849. All of the orig- inal proprietors of these institutions have passed away some years ago and they are now conducted by an English corporation. Lewis Phillips is secretary nud treasurer.

The Home City Brewing Company was incorporated in 1905, with a capital of $100,000. The plant is located at the northwest corner of Main and Bell Ave- mue. J. L. Coleman is president and Jacob Solenberger secretary and treas- urer.

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SUMMARY OF INDUSTRIAL MATTERS.

Under the above heading we have par- ticularized a considerable number of our leading manufacturing establishments. No doubt we may have missed some thut deserve to be mentioned, Imt lack of space prevents us from going into further de- tail.

In the November mimber of the "Ohio Magazine" appears an article by W. S. their annual output is valued at $3,000,- Thomas, in which he has grouped and mentioned the industries of this town. The first division he makes is that of ag- GAS AND STEAM ENGINE GROUP. ricultural implements, eleven in munber, namely :

"Buckeye Feed Mill Company, Cham- pion Division of the International Har- vester Company, D. D. Funk, P. P. Mast & Company, O. S. Kelly Company, Foos Manufacturing Company, Superior Divi- sion of the American Seeding Machine Company, Mast, Foos & Company, Thomas Manufacturing Company, White. ley Co-operative Company. E. W. Ross Company.

"The foregoing factories employ 4,200 men and 200 women, using a capital of about $6,000,000, and with an annual product of about $8,000,000.

MACHINERY, MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES.

"The thirteen factories in this group produce gray iron, malleable iron and brass castings, machine and shop tools, cleaners, railroad frogs, switches, etc., emery wheels, steel wheels and nails. This group contains thirteen factories as follows:

"Nolte Brass Company, Springfield Brass Company. Corrugated Steel Nail

Company, Fairbanks Company, Owen Ma- chine Tool Company, Springfield Machine Tool Company, Springfield Malleable Iron Company, Safety Emery Wheel Company, Bettendorf Metal Wheel Com- pany, Western Manufacturing Company. Webster & Perks Company, Robbins & Myers Company, Webster Manufacturing Company.

"These factories employ 1,750 men and fifty women, use $2,100,000 capital, aud 000.

"Steam engines, portable, threshing and stationary, have been built here for some years, and engines of some kind are now made by seven different factories. This group comprises seven factories as follows :

"Miller Improved Gas Engine Com- pany, James Leffel & Company, Foos Gas' Engine Company, Springfield Gas Engine Company, Superior Gas Engine Company, Trump Manufacturing Com- pany. Gearless Gas Engine Company.

"They employ 650 men, using $900,000 capital, with an annual product of $1,300,- 000.

IRON AND STEEL. PRODUCTS.

"The twenty-four factories in this group make furnaces, stoves, iron work. bridges, iron fences, fire escapes, boiler clothes wringers, trucks, undertakers' hardware, electrical specialties, sheet metal werk, plumbers' supplies, boilers, roller-bearing axles, wire bale ties, sad- dlery, hardware, etc. There are now

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twenty-four factories in this group as fol- pany, Sun Publishing Company, Spring- lows :

"American Grain Meter Company, Bayonet Trolley Harp Company, D. L. Casey Machine Company, Consolidated Novelty Manufacturing Company, George G. Rogers, Springfield Heating & Ventil- ating Company, F. N. Sterling Novelty Company, Peet & Schuster Company, Electrical Construction Supply Company, R. W. Dixon Company, Progress Furnace & Stove Company, Indianapolis Frog & Switch Company, Lagonda Mannfactur- ing Company, William Bayley Company, Hennessy Foundry Company, American Radiator Company, Shawver Company, W. C. Downey Company, L. Patrie Fur- hace Company, Wickham & Chapman Company, W. F. Banroth & Brother, Thomas Roberts, the Gray Iron Casting Company, National Motor Company.

"They employ 900 men, using $800,000 capital, and their aunnal prodnet is $1.400,000.

MANUFACTURING PUBLISHERS.

"All business being so dependent upon some kind of advertising. it is quite natural to find here a group of enterpris- ing publishers, printers, lithographers, engravers, binders, etc., who are issuing three daily, five weekly, two farm papers, besides printed books and circulars by the million, to be sent all over the world, and every piece of which makes Spring- field known to some one. This group con- tains fifteen houses as follows:

"The Winters Company, Springfield Publishing Company, Transcript Com- pany, Springfield Bindery. E. L. Barrett & Sons, Barrett Brothers, Crowell Com-

field Engraving Company, T. E. Harwood & Company, Gazette Company, Poultry Snecess Company, Simmons Publishing Company, Thomas Stationery Company, the Springfield Daily News.

"These establishments employ 450 men and 350 women, using $650,000 capital, and with $1,000,000 annual produet.

MANUFACTURING FLORISTS.

"There are twelve of these houses in Springfield, with a growing trade throughout the country ; one of them alone is selling two and one-half millions of rose plants each year. The twelve firms in this trade are as follows:

"Highland Floral Company, MeGregor Brothers Company, George H. Mellen Company, Goode & Reese Company, A. R. Aldrich, C. L. Reese, T. A. MeBeth, J. L. Maxwell, John A. Doyle & Company, Schmidt & Botley, Leedle Floral Com- pany, Springfield Floral Company.

"They employ 300 men and seventy-five women, using a capital of $250,000, and their annual sales amount to $500,000.

MEDICINE, CHEMICAL AND COFFIN COMPANIES.

"This group comprises four medicine companies, one embalning fluid company and two coffin factories, making seven industries in all as follows:

"Springfield Metallic Casket Company, Springfield Coffin Casket Company, Cham- pion Chemical Company, Herb Medicine Company, Scientific Remedy Company, Higgins Drug Company, the Myers Com- pany.

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"They employ 400 men and seventy- Houck Brick Company, Mills Brothers. five women, using a capital of $600,000, and their annual prodnet is $1,000,000.

GENERAL, FACTORIES.

"Springfield also has nine large fac- tories, each one having a specialty of its own. They consist of one gas plant, two electric light plants, one rubber factory, one rubber tire plant, two breweries, one road roller company and one antomobile factory. The product of each is well in- dicated by its name as follows:

"Home Brewing Company, Springfield Breweries Company, Springfield Gas Company, the People's Light, Heat & Power Company, the Victor Rubber Com- pany. Springfield Rubber Tire Company, the Home Light, Heat & Power Company, the Kelly-Springfeld Road Roller Com- pany. the Oscar Lear Antomobile Com- pany.

"They employ 600 men, nse a capital of $1,800,000, and their annual product and receipts are about $1,500,000.

MISCELLANEOUS FACTORIES,

"There are seventy-two of them as fol- lows:

"A Stelzer, Allbright Lamp Company, Beckley & Myers Ice Company, Bryant & Moore Company, Central Brass & Fixture Company, Compton Manufacturing Com- pany. Cottage Bakery, W. D. Follrath & Company, Hendrickson & Pettigrew, the National Risenit Company, Champion Saratoga Chip Company, J. Redmond & Son. H. M. Balentine. Lagonda Box Com- pany, the Greene Manufacturing Com- pany, Springfield Planing Mill Company,

Springfield Mattress Company. J. W. Parmenter, H. V. Bretney & Company, Finch Shoe Company, H. Fehl, Buckeye Incubator Company, Fay Manufacturing Company, W. T. Parker Manufacturing Company, the Mentels, Springfield Coal & Ice Company. Garnier Brothers, Snyder Brothers, Ansted & Burk Company, Springfield Tent & Awning Company, Mark A. Smith, Moore Lime Company, Clark Paper Box Company, A. Grube & Son, the Reama Silver Plate Company, A. Kalırman & Son, Grube Brothers. Home City Planing Mill Company. John W. Jenkins, Kennard Manufacturing Com- pany, McCulloch Company, E. N. Miller, Standard Trimmer Company, Ohio Gar- ment Company, Reed Manufacturing Company, the Ridgeley Trimmer Com- pany, Select Telephone Manufacturing Company, the Sterling Manufacturing Company. Springfield Baking Company, Springfield Pure Milk Company, W. Z. Long, Kuqua & Sons, M. C. Russell Cement Company, E. Davenport, Wads- worth Engraving Company, Twentieth Century Novelty Company, John W. Col- lins, Henkie Manufacturing Company, C. B. Hutchins, C. F. Hutchins, C. F. Jack- son Stove Company, King Top Manufac- turing Company, C. M. Long Cement Company, H. H. Moores Company. Ed- ward Nelson, Panly Brothers, Rat Biscuit Company, A. M. Rawlins Lumber Com- pany, R. D. Tittle Pattern Courpauy. Henry Voll, Thomas Wall & Son.

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20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 44

Author: Rockel, William M. (William Mahlon), 1855-1930, ed Publication date: 1908 Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing co. Number of Pages: 993

Author: Rockel, William M. (William Mahlon), 1855-1930, ed
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing co.
Number of Pages: 993