Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, Part 37

Author: Bert S. Bartlow, W. H. Todhunter, Stephen D. Cone, Joseph J. Pater, Frederick Schneider, and others
Publication date: 1905
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1149

USA > Ohio > Butler County > Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio > Part 37

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Fischer's dry goods store, P. P. LaTourette's drug store, John Crawford's carpet store and the Hamilton Bank occupied the store rooms in Beckett's Hall; the Boston bakery, started by C. E. Reed, of Boston, but after- ward purchased by Bader & Schwartz: Ja- cob Miller, dealer in ready-made clothing, on High street, opposite the court house; Owens, Ebert & Dyer, stove and tin store, at the corner of High & Reily streets; James Basey, restaurant, saloon and billiard room, in the Miami building, the third story of which building was used for theatrical and amusement purposes; James B. Thomas's general store, at the southeast corner of High and Second streets; in this building the postoffice was kept by Mr. Thomas for nearly thirty years; Henry Beardsley, man- ufacturer and seller of hats, was in a frame building on the site of the store afterward occupied by William Winkler; James Jack- son & Company, tailors and dealers in dry goods, in the Jackson building, the business being succeeded to by William O. Shank ; one door west of this place was John Still- waugh's bakery; Thomas Enyart carried on a tin store in this locality ; Howell & Leigh's dry goods store, at the southeast corner of Third and High streets; Wilson & Bigham, pork packers ; George W. McAdams, J. W. Davis and McAdams & Hargitt kept store at different periods in the Thomas Fitton room; on the north and south sides of the basin, when its terminus was at Third street. were located the following pork packing houses : J. & J. Fisher, Beatty & Tapscott, J. M. & S. Johnson, John S. Gor- don and George P. Bell; Jacobs & Brown, drugs and stationery, were located in the George Rupp room ; in the old Jacobs build- ing, on the site of Howald Hotel, was a tav-

ern conducted successively by Henry Achey, Martin Mason, Charles Snyder and F. W. Wehrhan; the Hamilton House, erected in 1812, was managed successively by Mr. Kennedy, Thomas Blair, Hubbel & Sweeney, Samuel Cory, James Basey, Charles Fuller, Herman Reutti, D. T. Reily and William Bruck: John Reily, who was clerk of the courts, was the agent for the proprietors of the town of Rossville; John Sutherland, Jo- seph Hough and Thomas Blair conducted stores, William Murray, John Torrence, John Wingate and Isaac Stanley conducted hotels, and William McClellan a public house. Other well-known citizens on the east side of the river were George Snider, Anderson Spencer, Oliver Stephens, Capt. Azarias Thorn, Daniel Hill. Paul Bonnell, William Riddle, Isaac Wiles, Gardner Vaughn. George Harlan, Mrs. Davis, Bar- nabas McCarron, Mr. Hagan and Hugh Wilson.

In Rossville there were Michael Delorac, John Ashton. Robert Taylor, John Hall, Isaac Moss, James Ross, Archibald Tal- bert, Moses Conner, Leonard Garver. Samuel Spivey and Samuel Ayers.

The residents of Hamilton in 1810, ac- cording to census, were 210, and those in Rossville, 84. In 1820 the towns taken to- gether had 660 residents. In 1830 the popu- lation of Hamilton had grown to 1,072 and Rossville had 629 inhabitants.

THE HYDRAULIC COMPANY.

About the year 1840 a number of the prominent citizens of Hamilton conceived the idea of constructing a water race from a bend in the Miami river, about four miles above Hamilton, and so conducting the wa- ter to the town. In accordance with this idea

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John W. Erwin, an expert engineer, was employed to survey the route and make a plan and estimate of the probable expense of the work. Upon the completion of this preliminary work. the state legislature was petitioned for the incorporation of a com- pany. and on the 25th of March, 1841, the legislature passed an act incorporating a company by the name of "The Hamilton and Rossville Hydraulic Company," the provisions of the act giving them authority to construct a dam across the Miami river and to construct a canal or race from this point to Hamilton. Pursuant to the provi- sions of the act. a meeting of the promoters of the company was held, at which the fol- lowing gentlemen were chosen as directors : John Woods. William Bebb. Laomi Rig- don, Jacob Hittle, Jacob Matthias, Andrew McCleary and L. D. Campbell. The board of directors organized by electing William Bebb. president ; L. D. Campbell, secretary. and Henry S. Earhart, treasurer.

Sealed proposals were received for the work and ranged in price from five to thir- teen cents per cubic yard for the excavation and embankment. The work was handled by the contractors with dispatch and was completed in due time. Subsequently an- other race was constructed on the west side of the river, which has also been of great utility. The company passed the first water through the lower level from Fourth street to the Miami river on the 27th of January, 1845. The first water-power leased was to Erwin, Hunter & Erwin, who erected a flouring-mill at the east end of the Miami bridge. and the first work done by water- power was done in Tobias Brothers' ma- chine shop.

The reservoir which supplies water for

this canal is formed in the bed of what is commonly called Old river. The reservoir is about a mile long and was formed by an embankment across the river above where the canal enters it and another embankment below the canal, the surface area of the reservoir being about seventy acres. This hydraulic canal affords water-power supe- rior to any other artificial power in the mid- dle west and has been of inestimable benefit to the city of Hamilton.

THE MANUFACTORIES.

The early history of manufacturing in Hamilton is closely identified with the build- ing of the hydraulic system, which is de- scribed elsewhere in this volume. The city has been peculiarly fortunate in the possession of unexcelled facilities for the promotion of manufacturing and industrial enterprises, which have more than anything else contributed to her growth and prosperity. Referring to the hydraulic, the establishments which, in 1852, were located upon the hydraulic are here given, in the order of their position, beginning at the up- per level: Miller, Campbell & Company's sawmill. Owens. Lane & Dyer Machine Company, the cotton factory built by Wil- liam Bebb and L. D. Campbell, the Miami Paper Mill, established by William Beckett and F. D. Rigdon in 1849. Hamilton Paper Mill. erected by McGuire, Klein & Erwin, Bernett's sawmill, Shuler & Benninghofen's woolen mill, Hydraulic Sash Factory, Ham- ilton Hydraulic Mills of John W. Erwin and William Hunter, Aaron Potter's marble works, Hamilton Plane Factory of Charles F. Eisel. Peter Black's power plant, the Long & Allstatter Company, Deinzer, Ste-

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phan & Company and the Hamilton River Mills.

The Rossville Hydraulic Company was incorporated February 27, 1846, the or- ganization of the company being effected in March. 1848. The water was taken out about one and a half miles above town, just below the mouth of Four-mile creek, and, passing through the low lands below and under Two-mile creek by tunnel, the water was spilled on a line between North street and Rhea's line. The industries located on the Rossville hydraulic were as follows : Joseph P. Wilson's sawmill. The William .1. Elliott flouring-mill, West Hamilton Mills, West Side Tanneries and the Ken- nedy Brush Factory.

The city of Hamilton has within its limits many manufacturing concerns which would be a credit to any of the largest cities in the Union. Our citizens appreciate this fact and recognize that their material pros- perity rests chiefly in these great modern industries. The principal concerns are the following :

The Niles Tool Works were removed to Hamilton from Cincinnati in 1871, the citi- zens of Hamilton having contributed the ground and part of the material for the building as an inducement for them to re- move to this place. The company was in- corporated in 1892 as the Niles Tool Works Company. and was re-organized the same year, the capital stock of the company being at the same time increased to two million dollars. This company possesses a number of valuable patents, enabling them to manu- facture a better grade of machines than can be manufactured any where in the world. They have branches in New York, Phila- delphia. Boston, Columbus, Georgia, Pitts-

burgh, Buffalo, Chicago and St. Louis, while its foreign branches are at Montreal, Canada. Berlin, Germany, and Lon- don. England. The excellence of their produce is shown in the fact that the English and Scotch are among their best customers and that they have built a large number of heavy machine tools for the United States government, the government authorities pronouncing the Niles products the best ever delivered to the government.

The Sohn & Rentschler Company had its inception in June, 1875, when Henry Sohn and Adam Rentschler began the manu- facture of castings in a small way in build- ings near the North Hamilton railroad sta- tion. Both gentlemen were experts in their line and believed there was a demand for small castings perfectly true to pattern, and that their judgment was well founded has been abundantly verified by results. Special attention was given to the matters of shrink- age and strains in small castings, and in order to cater to a market for small cast- ings that required drilling, they abandoned the old plan of mixture and used pure iron. The success of this company has been phe- nomenal. At the outset they had but little to depend on in the way of capital and pres- tige, but the superiority of their products soon became their best advertisement and the outcome has more than met their most sanguine expectations.

One of the best known manufactories of Hamilton is the Bentel & Margedant Company, who have won a world-wide repu- tation as makers of wood-working machin- ery, the excellence of their product having. enabled them to take first premiums over all competitors wherever their machinery has been placed on exhibition. This com-

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pany commenced the manufacture of their goods in 1864, but shortly afterwards the works were destroyed by fire. The works were, however, rebuilt on a larger scale than before and with better conveniences, and from that time on they have commanded a constantly expanding trade, until now they lead the world in their line. They employ nearly two hundred men and their product amounts to between three and four hundred thousand dollars annually.

The H. P. Deuscher Company is an- other Hamilton concern which has pushed its products into every state in the Union. The business was started in 1879 by the late H. P. Deuscher, who began business in a small way in the old Variety Iron Works. He met with many discouragements and failure was predicted for the enterprise, but Mr. Deuscher possessed the qualities which insure success and his indefatigable efforts were abundantly rewarded. In 1888 the business was turned into a corporation, under the name of the H. P. Deuscher Com- pany, with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars. The first implement manufactured was the Barbour Corn Drills, in connection with which castings were made for the "Fashion" School Desk and for the Norris Brothers Implement Works. Subsequently the McColm Soil Pulverizer was taken up and then followed the "Victor" Churn, the "Favorite" Churn, the "Hamilton" Corn Planter, Check-Row Corn Planter. Horse Hay Rakes, Disk Harrows, Folding Har- rows, Lever Harrows, etc., and it was not long until there was a large and constantly increasing demand for these implements. In 1893-4 the company began the manu- facture of heating and ventilating appli- ances. The system is that of hot air. and

the company makes several styles of heaters for residences and large buildings.

The Hooven, Owens & Rentschler Com- pany was incorporated in 1880, with a capi- tal stock of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and was organized for the purpose of manufacturing high-class stationary en- gines of the Corliss style. The company has put upon the market a fine class of engines and has earned a splendid reputation for the quality of its work. Within the last two years this company has erected a number of new buildings and has added greatly to its productive capacity. It is now one of the largest plants of the character in the world.

The Cincinnati Brewing Company had a modest beginning, but is today one of the leading concerns of its class in this part of the state. Prior to 1874 the VanDerveer & Reutti Brewery had an existence, but was that year purchased by Peter Schwab, who in 1879 changed its name to the Cincinnati Brewing Company. When Mr. Schwab as- sumed control of the plant its business was at a low ebb and on a poorly paying basis, but by Mr. Schwab's energetic efforts and shrewdness and sagacity the business was soon placed on a better foundation and has grown to magnificent proportions.

The Champion Coated Paper Mill, of Hamilton, occupies a unique position in that while it is the youngest concern of its kind in the United States, it is at the same time the largest and has an output greater than all the others combined. The plant began operations in June, 1895, and during its brief career has grown from an infant to its present position as one of the giant in- dustries of Hamilton. In December. 1901. it was totally destroyed by fire. at a loss of nearly one million dollars, only

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partially covered by insurance. The plant was speedily rebuilt and upon a more magnificent scale. The originator and guiding spirit in this enterprise has been Peter G. Thomson, who has been ably as- sisted by his two sons, Peter G., Jr., and Alexander. This concern manufactures its own paper, and handles daily fif- teen cars of material and finished product, the daily finished product being one hundred and twenty-five thousand pounds of coated paper, besides a full line of card-board and highly glazed paper for box covers.

The F. & L .. Kahn Brothers, stove found- ers, are among the leading concerns in their line in this part of the Union and an in- dustry in which the citizens of Hamilton take a just pride. The nucleus of the pres- ent mammoth establishment was the foun- dry of Martin. Henderson & Company, which was founded in 1842 at Hanging Rock, Ohio. In 1884 the plant was re- moved to Hamilton and its subsequent growth has been of a most satisfactory char- acter. Felix. Lazard and Samuel Kahn are at the head of this enterprise and have ex- hibited in its management eminent ability. They have turned out a high-grade product and have pushed its sale through several of the middle western states and the firm name of F. & L. Kahn Brothers reflects credit on the city.

Another of the leading enterprises of Hamilton is the Columbia Carriage Com- pany, which commenced its business career in 1891, being one of the first plants of the character in this city. The original mem- bers of this firm were Rolla A. Davis, J. E. Wright, R. L. Hedges and T. C. Curley, all experienced in the business and capable of giving their personal attention to the

several departments of the work, with the result that the output has been of a standard of excellence unexcelled anywhere. The works are located in what was formerly known as the old Hamilton distilling works, strong and substantial buildings, which were remodeled to suit the needs of the new en- terprise. and from the beginning the busi- ness has been conducted on an active and energetic basis.

Among the other leading industrial and manufacturing concerns of Hamilton are the following : The Long & Allstatter Com- pany. organized in 1874, located at Fourth and High streets, incorporated at two mil- lion dollars : the Black & Clawson Company, manufacturers of paper-mill machinery ; the Autographic Register Company, at Linden- wald: the Mosler Safe and Lock Company, of East Hamilton; Hamilton Machine Tool Company; McNeal & Urban Safe Works; the Herring, Hall, Marvin Company: Ma- son Brewing Company; J. F. Bender & Bros. Company ; the Fred J. Myers Manu- facturing Company; the Bess Machine Company; the Advance Manufacturing Company, located at the corner of B and North streets, capital stock, fifty thousand dollars: Carr Milling Company, south side of High street, between Fourth and Fifth streets, capital stock, fifty thou- sand dollars, incorporated in 1897; Empire Machine Company, corner of Walnut street and Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Rail- road, capital stock. twelve thousand dollars, incorporated in 1893; Ft. Hamilton Milling Company, South Water street, capital stock, twelve thousand dollars, incorporated in 1893; Hamilton Brick Company, north side of Middletown pike, east of Fair Grounds, capital stock, fifty thousand dollars, incor-

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porated in 1895; Hamilton Construction and Tool Company, corner of Seventh street and the P., P .. C. & St. L. R. R., capital thirty thousand dollars, incorporated in 1892; Hamilton Moulding Company, Main street; Jersey Packing Company. South Seventh street, capital twenty-five thousand dollars, incorporated in 1895; Pioneer Knitting Mills, east side of Miami canal, north of · Heaton street bridge, capital stock, ten thou- sand dollars, incorporated in 1900: Sanitary Manufacturing Company, North Water street, capital stock, twenty-five thousand dollars, incorporated in 1900; Semler Mil- ling Company, on North B street, capital stock, one hundred thousand dollars, in- corporated in 1897; Stengel Manufacturing Company, corner Seventh street and P., P., C. & St. L. R. R., incorporated in 1901; F. P. Stewart Granite Company, northwest corner High and Water streets, incorpor- ated in 1892: Vulcan Foundry Company, southwest corner of Fifth and Dayton streets ; Charles F. Eisel, contractor and builder and manufacturer of sash, doors and blinds, corner Dayton and Water streets; Miami Valley Brass Works, North Fourth street; Miami Valley Knitting Mills, north- cast corner of Ninth and Hanover streets; Hamilton branch of the Cincinnati Abattoir Company, northwest corner of Fifth and Sycamore streets; Buckeye State Roller Mills, the Carr Milling Company, pro- prietors, southwest corner of Fourth and High streets; East Avenue Planing Mill, on East avenue; the Louis Duemer Pattern Works, on Central avenue; P. Burns & Com- pany, plow manufacturers, North Water street; Standard Broom Works, Timothy Symmes & Son, proprietors, Central avenue and Chestnut street; Shantz Mattress Manu-

factory, corner of Seventh and Walnut streets ; American Frog and Switch Com- pany. corner Main street and Belt Railroad; Hamilton Plow Works, northeast corner of Water and Market streets: American Foun- dry and Machine Company, southwest cor- ner of Fairview and Zimmerman avenues, Lindenwald, and the Hamilton Metal Pat- tern Works, North B street.

THE BANKS OF HAMILTON.

The banking history of Hamilton is in- teresting. and the record shows the marks of several "campaigns that failed." There has been but little of the spectacular in con- nection with financial operations here, and though several of the earlier banking institu- tions have ceased to exist, those now in op- eration are strong and reliable financial in- stitutions and reflect credit upon the city and county, our bankers having uniformly been men of keen discrimination and con- servative judgment. In times of prosperity these institutions have been the backbone of almost every enterprise for the advancement of the community, while in times of adver- sity the community has looked to them for the assistance to tide over the emergency. The following is a brief record of the bank- ing institutions that have done business in Hamilton.

The Bank of Hamilton was incorporated by act of the Ohio legislature in 1817, and the first board of directors were John Reily. James McBride, Jesse Corwin, William Blair, John Woods, Andrew McCleary and James Rossman. The banking house was lo- cated in the Hittel property, opposite the court house, on High street. It had a paid- up capital of thirty-five thousand dollars, and its first officers were John Reily, presi-

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dent. and William Blair, cashier. In 1818 this bank suspended specie payments, and because of several bad loans the institution was severely crippled and was at length forced to wind up its affairs. For a number of years a board of directors was chosen annually in order to retain the charter, and in 1835 new blood was injected into the personnel of the stockholders, additional stock was subscribed and the bank was again opened for business, being located in the room later occupied by Charles Diefen- back, the jeweler. The bank met with a. series of financial reverses, however, and the doors were finally closed in February, 1842. The claim was made that notes had been illegally issued and one director was tried, but acquitted.

Several years after the close of the Bank of Hamilton the Shaffer & Curtis Bank opened for business and was for many years a strong and reliable financial institution. A number of changes took place in its man- agement and in 1885 the concern wound up its affairs.

In 1857 a private bank was opened by Dr. John P. P. Peck, which was located at the corner of Third and Court streets, and of which John B. Cornell was cashier. Sub- sequently the bank was removed to High street. In 1861 Dr. Peck, who was a war Democrat, and the publisher of the Tele- graph, declined to publish the Maginnis resolutions, which action caused a run on his bank to such an extent as to force him to suspend.

The first bank organized here under the national banking act was the First National Bank, the date of its organization being July 21. 1863. It had at that time a paid- up capital of fifty thousand dollars, but this 18

was subsequently increased to one hundred thousand and again within recent months to two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Its first officers were Mi- cajah Hughes, president; James Beatty, vice-president ; John P. P. Peck, cashier, and John B. Cornell, assistant cashier. Six months later John B. Cornell became cash- ier and retained the position for the long per- iod of over thirty years. This bank was among the first in the United States to avail itself of the privileges granted by the Na- tional banking act and its advent into the financial circles of the city came at a time when such an institution was most sorely needed. During the subsequent years it has stood as a pillar of strength and, under the wise and conservative management which has characterized it, it has proven one of the most important factors in the growth and industrial development of the city and county. Throughout its history its directorate has been composed of men of solid and responsible character, while the executive officers have been noted for their judicious executive abilities. The present officers are S. D. Fitton, president : R. C. Mckinney. vice-president: E. G. Ruder. cashier. and John M. Beeler, assistant cashier.

The Second National Bank was organ- ized January 19, 1865, and was first located in the Hamilton House building, being re- moved at a later date to Beckett's block, and still later occupying the handsome and com- . modious building erected for it in 1875. This bank has had a prosperous career. marked by no special epochs, but constantly gaining in strength and intrenching itself in the confidence of the public. The manage- ment of the institution has been character-

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ized by that conservative, and yet liberal, policy which makes for the best interests of both banker and depositors and which tends to promote the community's best interests. · The officers are Charles E. Heiser, presi- dent; George P. Sohngen, vice-president. and John E. Heiser, cashier.

On March 10, 1888. the Miami Valley National Bank was organized and from the very outset has been counted among the strong monetary institutions in this part of Ohio. It is a United States depository and has a capital of two hundred thousand dol- lars. It has been so fortunate as to have a popular corps of officials-men who at the same time had held the firm confidence of the people of the community, with the re- sult that its deposits have always been large and the money in the control of the bank has been so handled as to conserve the best interests of the public. The officers are F. W. Whitaker, president : O. M. Bake, vice- president : Charles E. Mason, cashier, and H. W. Shollenbarger. assistant cashier.

The Dime Savings Bank Company was chartered April 8, 1897. It first began business on the West Side, in the Gordon block at the corner of Main and A streets. on July Ist in the same year of its or- ganization. On March 14. 1904. the Dime Savings Bank Company removed from West Hamilton into the west room of the to November 17, 1826. Reily block. On May 23d of that year its capital stock was increased from fifty thou- sand dollars to one hundred thousand dol- lars, with a surplus of thirty thousand dol- lars.

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Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, Part 37

Author: Bert S. Bartlow, W. H. Todhunter, Stephen D. Cone, Joseph J. Pater, Frederick Schneider, and others Publication date: 1905 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1149

Author: Bert S. Bartlow, W. H. Todhunter, Stephen D. Cone, Joseph J. Pater, Frederick Schneider, and others
Publication date: 1905
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1149