Century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens 20th, Part 21

Author: Lytle, James Robert, 1841- [from old catalog] ed
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing company
Number of Pages: 926

USA > Ohio > Delaware County > Century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens 20th > Part 21

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).

The Delaware Underwear Company was established in the fall of 1902 by Messrs. E. D. Egerton and W. A. Morrison, and is the only enterprise of the kind in the county. In July, 1903, the business was incorporated with a capital stock of $50.000. The present offi- cers and directors of the company are: W. A. Morrison, president ; F. M. Bauereis, vice- president ; J. L. Anderson, secretary and treas- urer ; John A. Shoemaker and Robert Sellers. The latter gentleman manages the factory at Galion. Muslin underwear was at first the product, but during the last three years, the company has manufactured ladies' skirts and

144

HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY

flannelette underwear, the latter at a branch establishment at Galion, Ohio, in the summer of 1907. During the busy season about one hundred hands are employed in the Delaware factory, and five traveling men are kept busy disposing of the product, which goes all over the country.

PAPER MILLS.

Some time in the early '30's, Caleb How- ard, an enterprising, speculative sort of man. conceived the idea of establishing a paper-mill at what is now Stratford, and succeeded in interesting Judge Hosea Williams, a safe, cautious business man, in the project. In the spring of 1838, the old flouring-mill with the mill privileges and property were bought, the old dam replaced by a fine stone structure, and a paper-mill put in operation October 1, 1839. John Hoyt was the first superintendent, and gave the classic name of Stratford to the place. On October 30. 1840, a fire originating among the old rags by spontaneous combustion, did considerable damage to the interior of the building. In three months it was repaired and improved, and in the fall of 1844 Howard sold his interest to Hiram G. Andrews. In 1849 the old flouring-mill was fitted up for the manufacture of wrapping paper, and turned out about half a ton a day, employing some ten hands. On February 27. 1857, the entire mills were burned. entailing a loss of $25.000, with an insurance of not over $10,000. In No- vember of 1857, a stone building, two stories high. about 50 x 80 feet, with several additions. was built at a cost of some $30,000. By this time the mill was recognized as the most im- portant paper-mill west of the Alleghany Mountains. At the time of the fire in 1840. the firm had accounts to the amount of $Io .- 000 due it from the State, and in 1861. they had a large contract with the State, which, owing to the unforseen and extraordinary rise of the paper market, they were compelled to ask to have rescinded. In 1871 J. HI. Menden- hall became a partner: later Mr. Andrews re- tired. In 1877. C. Hills. V. T. Hills, F. . 1. Hills and F. P. Hills, organized the llills Pa-

per Company and operated the mill for five years. F. P. Hills had charge of the business ; Frank Hills had charge of the manufacturing department. In 1872 they sold the business and property to Edsall & Mills, who operated it for a number of years. The property was finally sold to the C. D. & M. Railway, who converted the building into a power-house.

OIL ENTERPRISES.

In former times, when flax was an im- portant crop, a valuable part of it was lost because the farmer had no facilities for ex- tracting the oil from the seeds which this plant produces in abundance. In 1835 Abel Moore began the manufacture of oil. At first the pro- cess was crude indeed. A large log with a hole mortised in it was set upright, and in this, bags containing the ground seed were placed. Wedges were driven in at the sides of the sacks, and in this way a pressure was maintained until a large part of the oil was extracted. A few years later, Robert Cun- ningham purchased the business and introduced a compound-lever press. Soon after that, in order to increase his capital, he gave C. F. Bradley an interest in the business in return for the use of certain sums of money. In a short time Mr. Bradley purchased his part- ner's interest, associating Edward Pratt with himself in the business. About a year later. Alexander Kilbourn bought Pratt's interest, and the business was removed from Franklin Street to Central Avenue, east of the river. where a hydraulic press and other water- power machinery were used in equipping the mill. In the winter of 1846, the dam washed out, and because of the uncertain power which the river afforded, they changed their location and steam-power was introduced. The busi- ness was enlarged and William Davis, Alex- ander Kilbourn and J. A. Burnham became members of the firm, which was known as Kil- bourn. Davis & Company. A foundry was added to the business in 1847. Several changes were made in the firm within a few years, re- sulting finally in simply replacing Mr. Davis with John J. Burnham. Their building was

145

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

burned in 1850, but was immediately replaced. In 1855 Mr. Kilbourn died and Messrs. Finch and Lamb were taken into the firm. In this year the business was divided. the oil enterprise being sold to Manley D. Covell and Edward Pratt, who removed the business to where the present stone structure stands. It changed hands several times until 1862, when it was purchased by J. A. Barnes. He built a stone mill. three stories high. The first-story walls are three feet thick, the second two and one- half feet and the third two feet. This is now occupied as a creamery by W. Z. Evans, at the northwest corner of Lake and Winter Streets. Barnes continued in business until the growing of flax in this part of the coun- try was abandoned.

FOUNDRIES, ETC.

When Kilbourn, Davis & Company started a foundry as above mentioned, they fitted up the building at the corner of Spring and San- dusky Streets. For the first year or two stoves were the only product : but Mr. J. A. Burnham being a practical machinist. the firm decided. in 1850. to engage in the manufacture of. steam-engines. The first of these was made for Elijah Main's saw-mill. They also made the engine used by J. A. Barnes in his stone oil-mill. The business increased so rapidly that by 1854 they erected the large stone build- ing east of the river and beyond the railroad on William Street. In 1860 the property was purchased by J. C. Evans and Eugene Powell. but the following year Powell sold out to his partner and entered the army. For ten years a large business was carried on. As many as thirteen hundred plows were turned out here in a single year, besides engines and other ma- chinery. A revolving scraper, the invention of the proprietor of the machine shops, was manufactured quite extensively. as many as a hundred a week being made. In 1873 the property was sold to Smith, Wason & Car- penter, car-builders of Cleveland and Chatta- nooga. but on account of the panic. the plant was closed up a year later. there being in- sufficient business to keep it running.

Numerous other manufacturing enter- prises have come upon the scene and passed off, either because of mismanagement or for other reasons. Among these we may mention a company that was formed to manufacture wagons. For many years John McElroy had been manufacturing wagons in a small way. which, because of first-class materials and su- perior workmanship, gained a big reputation. Seeking to capitalize this reputation, a com- pany was formed, but in their eagerness for large and quick profits, lumber of inferior quality and not properly seasoned and cheap labor were employed. with the result that some- time early in the 'So's. the enterprise failed. after having sunk, it is said. $60,000. Halleck's Glove Factory was another venture that was started with great prospects about 1901, but went under after sinking thousands of dollars.

The Delaware Fence Company was or- ganized in 1868 by A. J. Richards, the in- ventor of a fence, who secured for his partner in the enterprise. Eugene Powell. In 1879 Cyrus Falconer succeeded to Richard's inter- est in the business, and in the winter of that year, the company secured control of Fritchy's patent shifting-rail for buggies, J. F. Munz's patent wrought-iron sulky for plowing. culti- vating and harrowing, and an improved patent harrow designed by the same inventor. These articles were all Delaware inventions, and the future looked bright to those who had em- barked in the venture, but by 1883 the com- pany had gotten into debt to the extent of $8.ooo, and for want of proper management. it was decided. in 1884. to wind up its affairs.

The Cook Motor Company is the out- growth of a repair shop which was started in 1895 by Messrs. C. E. and F. E. Cook. and located on the east side of Union Street. be- tween William and Winter Streets. They soon began experimenting on motors. and in 1901. the present company was incorporated under the laws of Ohio. The capital stock is $50.000. and the following gentlemen were the incorporators: W. C. Denison. J. F. Deni- son. L. L. Denison. C. E. Cook and F. E. Cook. When the present company was organized it was the intention to manufacture automobiles.

146

HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY

but the increasing demand for stationary en- gines led to a change in their plans. In 1903 they abandoned the idea of building auto- mobiles, after having manufactured a sample machine for the Columbus Buggy Company. In the meantime, however, the company had been experimenting with the stationary engine designed by the Cooks. Up to that time, no data was available that showed the proper principles on which to base the construction of gasoline engines. Some of the more im- portant features which were developed were the connecting-rod. cushion-valve, enclosed case and jump spark. In 1905. their engine having reached such a degree of perfection as to be considered thoroughly reliable and practical, an additional $20,000 of treasury stock was sold. At that time C. C. Stedman became secretary and general manager. The business has grown from an output of from three to five horse-power per month to an aver- age of 225 horse-power per month. The plant is now located in a new brick building. 80 x 200 feet in dimensions, which stands on a six-acre tract of land a short distance southwest of the Hocking Valley Station. The plant is equip- ped with the most modern machinery, and employment is given to a force of about twenty-eight men. The engines manufactured here go to all parts of the world, and are sold for every purpose where power is required. The present officers and directors of the com- pany are: W. C. Denison, president ; H. W. Jewell. vice-president: L. L. Denison, treas- urere : C. C. Stedman, secretary and general manager.

HAY-BAILERS.

The Square Deal Manufacturing Company was incorporated in February, 1908. for the manufacture of power hay-presses. The style of press to be manufactured was designed and invented by Luther Trebue, and embodies de- sirable features not to be found in any other hay-press. They are now erecting a factory on North Union Street, 52 x 90 feet in di- mensions. This will be equipped with modern machinery. The Company has a paid-in capi-

tal of $25,000, all of which was furnished by Delaware citizens. The officers of the com- pany are: H. F. Owen, president: Joseph J. Neville, vice-president ; Ashton Conklin, secre- tary and treasurer: Luther Trebue. general manager and superintendent.

STOVES.

The Sunray Stove Company was incor- porated January 1, 1908, by the following gen- tlemen, who now hold the office indicated after their names: S. S. Blair, president : B. W. Hough, vice-president: MI. C. Russell, secre- tary and treasurer: O. D. Hunt, manager ; O. G. Knoske. The capital stock of the com- pany is $15,000. The company manufactures gas ranges, heaters and furnaces. At present fifteen people are employed, but the success of the enterprise during the few months since it was started, indicates that in the near future it will require thirty people to make and handle a large enough product to meet the demand. The territory in Ohio is covered by two travel- ling salesmen, and outside of the State the product is handled by jobbers.

ARTIFICIAL ICE.

The Delaware Ice and Coal Company was incorporated in 1898. It handled natural ice until the summer of 1907. In April of that year. a brick dwelling, formerly the old woolen mill boarding-house, near the Armory on North Union Street, was purchased and remodelled. An ice plant with a capacity of eighteen tons daily was installed. Twelve men find employ- ment in the manufacture and delivery of ice. The following gentlemen were the incorpora- tors, and now hold the offices indicated: Wil- lard Galleher, president : L. K. Galleher, vice- president and secretary ; F. P. Hills, treasurer : B. F. Freshwater and R. E. Hills.

LIGIIT, IIEAT AND POWER.

The Delaware Electric Light, Heat and Power Company was incorporated March 4, 1890, by William S. Parks, Leopold H. Holz-

I47

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

miller, Carey B. Paul. Jacob G. Rosenthal, Martin Miller. The first officers elected were : C. B. Paul, president ; J. G. Rosenthal, secre- tary ; M. Miller, treasurer. That same year a brick power-plant was erected just cast of where the Big Four railroad crosses South Sandusky Street. Since then an addition has been built, making the present dimensions of the plant about 140 by 80 feet. The present equipment comprises horizontal reciprocating engines of a total horse-power of 800, and a battery of seven boilers with a total of 1, 100 horse-power, and eight dynamos. In 1900 a heating plant was installed to serve the citizens of Delaware with hot-water heat. The same vear a franchise for the use of the streets was secured. The company now has about two miles of underground mains, and supplies heat to about 185 customers, some of whom are located a mile from the plant. The present officers and directors of the company are: Dr. A. J. Lyon, president ; Adolph Frank, vice- president : Martin Miller, treasurer; E. F. Gwynn, manager ; J. G. Rosenthal.

BROOMS.

Brooms have been manufactured in this county for many years, mostly by blind men, as at present. S. J. Wottring of Delaware, who has been blind for about twenty years, started to make brooms in 1898, and worked along for about a year and a half. Since then he has had help, some of the time two men be. sides himself finding employment in his fac- tory. At present he is making, with the aid of W. Harris Siegfried, another blind man, fifteen dozen brooms a week. The product is marketed in Delaware and surrounding towns. Other makers of brooms in the county at the present time are James Kline, a blind man, residing west of Ashley, near Water Hill, and R. M. Perfect, a blind man, who lives a mile and a half east of Sunbury. I. M. Freese of Concord Township is also engaged in this industry.

EVAPORATED GOODS.

The Benedict Evaporating Company, Dela- ware Township, is the only industry of its kind

in the county. It was established by the pres- ent owner, Griffith G. Benedict, in 1876. Be- ginning in a small way with a home-made dryer, by 1888 his business had increased to such an extent as to warrant the erection of 1 special building, which he equipped with the most modern machinery. He now evaporates from 25,000 to 50,000 pounds of sweet corn, and as high as 2,000 bushels of apples during the short season when the work can be carried on, which is seldom more than two months.

CLAY PRODUCTS.

The Delaware Clay Manufacturing Com- pany. In 1878 Wesley Denison and his son. L. L. Denison, formed a partnership under the firm name of Denison & Son, and erected what is known as a summer factory, i. e., a factory where tile is dried in the air. This was located in the northwestern part of the city of Dela- ware, on the line of the Hocking Valley rail- road. Here they made small drain tile up to and including six inches in diameter, which was sold to the farmers throughout the county. At the end of three years they increased their capacity so as to make tile up to and includ- ing eight-inch. In 1884 W. C. Denison and his brother L. L. Denison formed a partner- ship and started a new factory at Mt. Gilead, Ohio, under the firm name of Denison Broth- ers, leaving their father to run the Delaware plant. The Mt. Gilead plant was equipped so as to use artificial means of drying the tile. thus making it possible to operate all the year round. Here they made tile up to and in- cluding the 12-inch size, and gradually in- creased the capacity until they were making the 18-inch size. In 1890 all of the Denison interests were consolidated, another brother. J. F. Denison, entering into the business, and a new plant was built in Delaware. The old plant at Delaware was abandoned, and the Mt. Gilead plant was sold. The new plant was built at the old wagon-works on East William Street, which were purchased by the new com- pany. The first year the business was carried on under the name of Denison Brothers, but in 1892 a corporation was formed under the

148

HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY

name of The Delaware Clay Manufacturing Company. They began with twelve kilns, and made drain tile up to and including the 24-inch size. At the time of incorporating, the com- pany branched into a line of the business known as fire-proofing, and made about fifty tons of that per day for the next ten years, all the time carrying on the manufacture of drain tile. During the time they were making the fire- proofing, the company kept in close touch with architects, and by them were asked to make a standard-size brick weighing only three pounds, the loss in weight being accomplished by having two holes running through the brick. These were known as hollow brick. At first only a few were made to accommodate certain architects, but their utility was quickly ap- preciated, and gained in popularity so rapidly that they were soon in use in over a dozen states. By 1901 the business had outgrown the capacity of the plant, and the company purchased more clay land and built a new plant about one-half a mile farther southeast in Delaware township. This plant was es- pecially adapted to the manufacture of these hollow brick, it being their expectation to con- tinte the manufacture of drain tile and fire- proofing at the old plant on East William Street. Just about the time the new plant was ready for operation, a trust was formed for the manufacture of fire-proofing material, known as The National Fire-Proofing Company. The East William Street plant, including the fire- proofing interests, were sold to this new com- pany, and in order to take care of their drain tile business, the Denisons erected an addi- tional plant in connection with their new brick plant. Since that time they have run con- tinuously, making an average of 1.500 car- loads of hollow brick and dram tile per year. They have a tract of eighty acres and furnish employment to about seventy-five men. At the time of the incorporation, L. L. Denison was elected president of the company, Wesley Deni- son became vice-president and W. C. Deni- son and J. F. Denison were directors. About three years later another brother, L. B. Deni- son, became interested in the business in a financial way, but has never given it his per-

sonal attention. He made the fifth director, and no change was made in the organization until the father, Wesley Denison, died, when his place was taken on the board by Mrs. L L. Denison. Mrs. Denison was succeeded by her son, Charles W., when he became of age.

By 1904 the business had grown to such an extent that it became necessary to increase the capacity of the plant. The Denisons in- corporated another company under the title of The Ohio Clay Company, having the same clirectors and officials as the Delaware Com- pany, and purchased a plant in Cleveland which was in process of construction. After com- pleting the plant, they operated it in the manu- facture of hollow brick exclusively. Mr. W. C. Denison moved to Cleveland when that plant was opened, and has had charge of the plant there ever since.

W. A. Fleming & Son operate a tile mill in Oxford Township. We have been unable to learn who established this mill. It was owned at one time by John Hunt, who sold it to Samuel Prince. He was here about seven years when he sold the property to G. J. Ilnll. Potter Brothers & Fleming purchased the mill from him in September. 1904. Up to this time the mill was operated by horse-power, but the new firm installed a steam-engine and presses and a new kiln, which has a capacity of about $125 worth of tile at a burning. About twenty kilns are burned annually.

George Standforth started at tile factory in Berlin Township over a quarter of a century ago. It passed through the hands of different owners until October 25. 1899, when W. Z. Evans purchased the property from O. E. Foster. Mr. Evans has not operated the mill since 1906, but up to and including that year he kept about half a dozen men at work there.

The Delaware Department of the National Fireproofing Company occupies the old Deni- son plant on East William Street, which they purchased in the spring of 1902. They keep about fifty men employed there, and manu- facture about 1,500 tons of terra cotta fire- proofing a month, besides a large amount of drain tile.

149

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

In 1888 George T. Wolfley and his son H. W. Wolfley formed a partnership under the firm name of Wolfley & Son, and erected a tile factory in Radnor, a short distance east of the railroad. Thomas W. Disbennett pur- chased the Wolfley Tile Mill in 1904, and has developed a large business. His plant is equipped for the manufacture of all kinds of drain tile from three to eighteen inches in diameter.

Benton Brothers Tile Factory, Scioto Township, near Ostrander, was established here in 1895, in which year Mr. Benton also established a saw-mill. The business was started on the home farm in the fall of 1884 by J. R. Benton, but it was moved to its persent location in the year above named. Here he not only has excellent shipping fa- cilities over the Big Four Railroad, but he has a very superior grade of clay, which en- ables him to make a drain-tile especially adapted to the requirements of the railroads, which consume all he can produce. At present about 25,000 rods of tile are made annually.

The Galena Clay Products Company was incorporated in the spring of 1907, by the following gentlemen, who hold the offices indicated: W. C. Roberts, president ; J. J. Adams, vice-president ; James Rose, secretary ; E. B. Cole, manager; E. C. Bennett. They manufacture tile, having one kiln with a ca- pacity of about $200 worth of tile at a burn- ing. They have about four acres of clay land and employ from six to eight people.

CIGARS.

The manufacture of cigars in Delaware is an industry that has developed to some in- portance. In the early '50's, Charles Wottring began the manufacture of cigars in a small way, and continued until just after the Civil War. So far as we have been able to learn, he was the pioneer cigar-maker in this county.

Riddle, Graff & Company. This is the oldest firm of cigar manufacturers in the county. Mr. Christian Riddle learned his trade with Charles Wottring, and in 1866, he formed a partnership with John Liebienderfer and

Jacob Bolinger, under the firm name of Liebienderfer, Bolinger & Company. This firm purchased Charles Wottring's business. The following year Mr. Riddle withdrew from the firm. The business was continued with various changes in the personnel of the firm until sometime in the early 'So's, when it was assigned to Charles Wottring, who closed it out. In 1867, when Christian Riddle with- drew from the firm just mentioned, he started in the manufacture of cigars doing a small wholesale and retail business. The first thou- sand cigars he shipped out of the city went to a man in Galion, Ohio, who never paid for them. In the early '70's George L. Graff be- came a partner, and the firm name of Riddle & Graff was adopted. LeRoy W. Battenfield became a partner in 1874, and the firm name was changed to Riddle, Graff & Company. Mr. Graff retired from the firm in the early '90's. Their present three-story factory at No. 10 North Sandusky Street was erected in 1878. From 120 to 150 cigar-makers are em- ployed in this business, to whom are paid be- tween $35.000 and $40,000 annually in wages. From six to eight millions of cigars are made annually. This means the consumption of about $75.000 worth of tobacco leaf, and the payment of from $17,000 to $18,000 in reve- ntie tax. Five travelling salesmen are em- ployed in marketing this product, which is sold principally in Ohio, Indiana, part of Michi- gan, Illinois and western New York, as well as in a few towns in Pennsylvania. The ex- pense for outgoing prepaid express charges is about $2.500 annually.

J. Hessnauer & Company. In 1880 Fred- erick Pfiffner and Jacob Hessnauer established a cigar factory under the name of Pfiffner & Hessnauer. They employed five or six people. At the end of five years, Mr. Hessnauer be- came sole proprietor of the business, which he carried on in his own name until 1902, when his son, Frank M. Hessnauer, became a part- ner, and the firm name of J. Hessnauer & Company was adopted. Their principal brand is a five-cent cigar called the "Commercial:" they also make a high-grade ten-cent cigar called "Lynette." About twenty-five people

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens 20th, Part 21

Author: Lytle, James Robert, 1841- [from old catalog] ed Publication date: 1908 Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing company Number of Pages: 926

Author: Lytle, James Robert, 1841- [from old catalog] ed
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing company
Number of Pages: 926