Century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens 20th, Part 22

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 22

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).

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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY

find employment in the manufacture of these cigars, which are sold principally in Ohio.

The Delaware Co-Operative Cigar Com- pany, which is no longer in existence, did quite an extensive business in its palmy days. The company was incorporated in July, 1884, and the following gentlemen were its first officers : Charles Smith, president ; Henry Bayerlein. vice-president ; Charles Pfister, secretary and manager : P. Pfister, treasurer. At one time the business gave employment to about a dozen cigarmakers.

Grasser & Haas. In 1886 John P. Grasser became a stockholder in the Delaware Co- Operative Cigar Company, and continued in its employ until 1893, when he formed a part- nership with A. Dauernheim, under the firm name of Dauernheim & Grasser which pur- chased the business. This partnership con- tinued until 1896, when Mr. Graisser purchased his partner's interest, and ran the business alone until a year later. Then W. E. Haas, who is now Mayor of Delaware, became a partner, and the firm name was changed to Grasser & Haas. About 400,000 cigars are manufactured annually, giving employment to eight or nine people including the mem- bers of the firm. Their leading brands of five- cent cigars are "Henry Gray" and "The Rip- per:" "Tom Watts" is the name of their ten- cent cigar. These cigars are sold principally in Ohio.

William Hanitsch started in 1895 to make cigars on his own account. He keeps two or three hands busy, and makes about 200,000 cigars yearly. His brands are "The Best Handmade" and "Anchor."

Wells Brothers started in the business of making cigars in July, 1904. Three people. including one member of the firm, are em- ployed in this factory, which turns out about 100.000 cigars a year. These are sold prin- cipally in Delaware. "Standard" is their leading brand.

Charles M. Ulrey is the only cigar-box manufacturer in the county. This business was established in the early '80's by John Bradbeer, who carried it on until 1895. when Mr. Ulrey purchased it. About five hundred

cigar boxes are made daily, giving employ- ment to six or seven men. These boxes are marketed largely in Delaware County, al- though Mr. Ulrey has customers all over the State.

CREAMERIES.

The Sunbury Co-Operative Creamery Company was organized during the winter of 1892, and was chartered on January 28th of that year, with a capital stock of $6,000 paid in. There were originally forty-three stock- holders. The first Board of Directors was as follows: L. James Wilson, president ; Milton Utley, vice-president ; John Landon, William D. Miller, James Cockrell, Roswel Edwards and E. D. Palmer. J. H. Kimball, secretary and general manager; O. H. Kimball, treas- urer. In addition to those who served as of- ficers, the following appear on the charter as incorporators : Jasper Boyd, Thomas Andrews, W. P. Roberts and Kimball Sedgwick. After sixteen years' continuous service on the part of Messrs. Wilson, Landon, Miller, Boyd and Cockrell without compensation as officers, the Board of Directors for 1908 is as follows: L. James Wilson, president : William D. Miller, vice president ; John Landon, Sam L. Rose- crans, Jasper Boyd, Edwin Phillips, James Cockrell. Kimball Sedgwick, secretary and general manager: Charles O. Armstrong. treasurer. This company is one of the most successful in the State of Ohio. It was estab- lished by farmers for farmers. The company acts merely as agent. The farmer delivers the milk to the creamery, and receives the net proceeds of the business after deducting the actual running expenses, including a "royalty or rental" (which goes to the shareholders) of five cents per hundred pounds on all milk re- ceived. The creamery began receiving milk May 2, 1892, taking in on that day 2.298 pounds. Milk, cream and all the products of the same, or of which these are an ingredient, and their by-products are handled and manu- factured. The reputation of the creamery. however, has been established on the merit of its butter. From a small beginning, the terri-

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tory from which the company draws its raw material has spread over the entire eastern half of Delaware County and into Morrow, Lick- ing and Franklin Counties. From a total of $8.965.31 in 1892, the business has grown to $223.549.01 in 1907, and there is every prospect that it will reach the quarter million mark in 1908. The company has continually expended its surplus capital in extension and improvements, and today possesses one of the finest brick buiklings in Delaware County. equipped with the most modern machinery and every facility for handling its materials and products in the most sanitary manner.

The Delaware Creamery Company at the northwest corner of Lake and Winter Streets. was established in 1901 by W. Z. Evans. But- ter and condensed milk are the products manu- factured. this being the only condensing plant in the county. A business amounting to $75 .- coo was done in 1907, giving employment to from twelve to fifteen people.

The Ashley Co-Operative Creamery Com- pany was incorporated in May, 1892. Benja- min Stitler was president and Chesley Worn- staff was treasurer of the company. The farm- ers could not be interested sufficiently to fur- nish milk enough to carry on the business profitably, so in October. 1895. the enterprise was abandoned.

LIME AND STONE.

The Scioto Lime and Stone Company is one of the flourishing and growing industries of Delaware County. The plant is located in Scioto Township on the east side of the river near the northern boundary of Concord Town- ship. A spur runs from the plant to the Big Four Railroad. The company has the only hydrating lime machine in this part of the State. It has a capacity of 1.000 barrels of lime per day, and employs forty to fifty men in the busy season. Besides doing a large local business, the company ships extensively to eastern and southern states. H. E. Kendrick is the manager of the plant. having his office on North Sandusky Street. Delaware.

The White Sulphur Stone Company of Scioto Township was established in 1904 by Oliver Perry Bird and James Richey, under the firm name of Bird & Richey. At first they operated two stone quarries in Concord Town- ship, but in 1906, Mr. Christian was admitted to the firm, and at that time they acquired eight acres of quarry land where they are now located a little west of White Sulphur station on the Big Four Railroad. They employ abou twenty-five men, and do a large business in crushed stone, and also have contracts for fill- ing about twenty miles of county turnpikes.

In Berkshire, Trenton, Harlem and Genoa Townships are to be found quarries of fine building stone, those of Berkshire and Tren- ton being of superior quality. On account of the poor facilities for shipping, these quarries have never been worked extensively. The first quarry in Trenton Township was opened at an early day by a Mr. Allison. Upwards of thirty years ago a large quarry was opened on the Landon farm on Big Walnut Creek. Williams & Knox opened another large quarry years ago. Many others were opened in different parts of the township, but largely for the per- sonal use of the proprietors. The Sunbury Stone Company was incorporated in 1907 by Columbus capitalists, although some citizens of Sunbury have stock in the enterprise. They are working what is known as the Bunyan quarry, adjoining the Landon quarries.

Frank L. Campbell has a 12-acre blue lime- stone quarry on West William Street. This was opened originally by William Little, whose name figures prominently in the early history of Delaware. From him the quarry passed to George W. Campbell. After running the quarry for a long time, he sold to George Lit- tle, a son of William Little, and from him it passed to Frank Little Campbell, who is a grandson of the original proprietor, in 1896. Mr. Campbell employs about thirty-five men. and gets out about a thousand carloads of building stone annually, and as a by-product. between 600 and 700 carloads of crushed stone per year. The fine quality of this stone is in- dicated by the fact that Mr. Campbell saws it

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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY

into blocks. It is marketed mostly in Colum- bus, although it is shipped all over the State.

Wain Hazelton has about two and one- half acres of land situated in Delaware north- west of the Hocking Valley station. Here he has operated a stone quarry for about thirteen years. During the busy season he employs from forty to 100 men in his business. He contracts for turnpikes and city streets, and so far as is known, the first complaint has yet to be made regarding the quality of his work.

GAS MANUFACTURE.

Before success was finally achieved, sev- eral attempts were made by different parties to establish a plant for the manufacture of gas in Delaware. As early as 1856, Harvey P. Platt made a proposal to the Council and they granted him the use of the city streets, re- stricting the price of gas to the Corporation to $3 per thousand cubic feet, and the price to citizens to $4. In the latter part of the suc- ceeding year. Platt having failed to fulfill his part of the contract. Israel 1. Richardson and J. C. Evans were granted like privileges for the same purpose, the price of gas being made to city and citizens alike at $4. These gentle- men were given until 1860 in which to com- plete their project, but they, too, failed, and the rights granted were revoked. During 1859. however, The Delaware Gas Light and Coal Oil Company was organized by William Stev- enson, Joseph Atkinson, Jacob Riblet and oth- ers. These gentlemen were from Mansfield, Galion and elsewhere, and were granted the usual privileges on April 21, 1860, the price of gas being fixed at $2 per thousand feet to the city. and $3 to private consumers. The fol- lowing men were the first officers of the com- pany: Jacob Riblet, president : . A. S. Caton, secretary; J. Atkinson, superintendent, and Charles Wottring, treasurer. They at once set about erecting their works on Estella Street. The first pipes put down were of wood, but in 1870, these were replaced by iron pipes, and the whole establishment enlarged. A new purifying house was built, a gasometer with a

capacity of 18,000 feet replaced the old one. and a new bench of five retorts added, making an effective force of eleven retorts. The com- pany continued to extend its distributing sys- tem, and in 1888, built a gas-holder with a ca- pacity of 36,000 feet. The following year a new office building was erected on Estella Street at a cost of about $2,000. As the de- mand increased, the capacity of the plant was enlarged until it was 100,000 feet per day. On January 15, 1894. the name was changed to the Delaware Gas Company by an amendment to. the charter, and in July, 1902, the charter was again amended so as to permit the com- pany to distribute natural gas. This was the second gas company in the United States to make a change from the manufacture of arti- ficial gas to distributing natural gas. The change involved great expense, but was made without inconveniencing the consumers in any way. The company owns one of the finest dis- tributing plants in the State of Ohio. It com- prises nine regulators and twenty-four miles of mains. It has 1,500 meters in use, and sells gas to the city and citizens at a net price of 27 cents per thousand cubic feet. The capi- tal stock of the company is now $120,000. Judge T. C. Jones was elected president of the company in 1877. and served until August, 1892, when he was succeeded by Chauncy Hills. Mr. Hills held the office at the time of his death, February 8, 1901, and was suc- ceeded by Captain V. T. Ilills, who served un- til January, 1904. Captain Archibald Lybrand was then elected to the position and served a year. Mr. T. C. Jones, who is now president and manager, was elected to the office in January, 1905. Mr. C. M. Converse became secretary and manager of the company in 1877. and was followed in 1888 by J. M. Armstrong. In December. 1891, he was succeeded by T. C. Jones, who held the office until he became presi- dent, and was succeeded by John L. Shaub, who is now secretary of the company. In 1902, the office building above referred to was converted into a workshop, and the offices of the company were removed to their present lo- cation on West Winter Street.

CHAPTER VIII.

BANKS AND BANKING.

A History of the Banks of Delaware County-Past and Present.

The citizens of Delaware County have been most fortunate in having the banking business of the community in the hands of men who have proven themselves not only honorable. but capable and conservative financiers. They have safely piloted the banks of this county through all the panics and financial storms which have periodically swept over the coun- try. so that the history of banking in Delaware County has yet to record its first failure. In making this statement, we except. of course. the first attempt at banking which from the following account of its brief career, seems at this late date like a joke, while it illustrates the loose business methods of those early times. No one but the founders of this bank suffered by its untimely collapse, and their anguish. probably was largely mental.

The first bank in Delaware was organized about 1817. and was called the Bank of Dela- ware. It was a bank of issue. William Lit- tle was the principal stockholder ; Moses Byxbe. Sr., was president. and Leonard H. Cowles was cashier. Mr. Cowles, who was a son-in- law of Moses Byxbe. Sr., was one of the earli- est resident lawyers of Delaware, a graduate of Yale and a classmate of John C. Calhoun. The bank was opened in a building which stood on the northeast corner of Sandusky and William Streets, where the transfer station of the Co- lumbus, Delaware & Marion Railway now is.

After the bank had been in business a few dlavs. Mr. Little concluded to examine its con- dition and assets. He went to the bank and asked the cashier what his success was, and re- ceiving a favorable answer, asked the cashier

if he was loaning any money. "Oh, yes!" said the cashier, "Lots of it." Mr. Little then re- quested to see the notes. "Oh!" replied the cashier, "I didn't take any notes ; I just charged the loans up on the books." Mr. Little. be- coming suspicious that the institution was be- ing run rather loosely, stopped into the back room, where he found the bills of the bank piled up on a table. He gathered them all up. wrapped them in a paper. put the bundle under his arm, and going into the front room, said to the cashier. "You may lock the door; this bank is broke." We commend that method of winding up the affairs of a bank without the vexatious delays of a resort to receivers and courts.

One of the bills of the bank, in some miraculous way, weathered the storms of pio- neer days, and was found under the floor of the old Court House when it was torn down. It is now in the possession of Hon. John D. Van Deman, and through his courtesy we are able to show the accompanying photographic reproduction of this most interesting relic.

THE DELAWARE NATIONAL BANK. The following history of this bank, including the banks that preceded it, is given substantially as it was written by Mr. Sidney Moore, shortly before his death. The necessary data has been added to make the chronicle complete to the present time. On February 14. 1845. the Gen- eral Assembly passed an Act entitled. "An Act to Incorporate the State Bank of Ohio and other Banking Companies." Under the pro- visions of this Act, a Board of Bank Commis- sioners, consisting of Hon. Gustavus Swan

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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY

and others, met on March 18th, and organized a Board of Control, electing Mr. Swan as presi- clent, and Joseph Olds as secretary. On June 14. 1845, thirty-three persons organized the Delaware County branch of the State Bank of Ohio, with a capital stock of $100.000. At subsequent meetings of the Board of Control, to and including June 19, 1845, applications to establish branch banks at seven cities and towns were filed. Among those making ap- plication, the one from Delaware was accepted by the Board of Control, and the Delaware County Branch of the State Bank of Ohio commenced business on October 12, 1845. At a meeting of the stockholders, Hon. Hosea Williams, William Little, B. Powers, W. D. Ileim and C. Howard were elected directors. Judge Williams was elected president, and B. Powers, cashier. Sidney Moore, Jr., was ap- pointed teller and bookkeeper. Judge Wil- liams was president of the bank until the ex- piration of its charter in 1865. Mr. Powers served as director and cashier until 1855. when he resigned as cashier, and was succeeded by Sidney Moore, who filled the position until the expiration of the charter.

THE DELAWARE COUNTY NATIONAL BANK was organized under the Act of Congress, en- titled. "An Act to Provide a National Cur- rency." etc., which was approved June 3. 1864. Articles of association for organizing this bank were signed January 6, 1865, and an election of directors was held on the toth of the same month. Hon. Ilosea Williams, B. Powers. W. D. Heim, H. G. Andrews and Sidney Moore were elected. Judge Williams became presi- dlent, and Sidney Moore was appointed cash- ier. March 1, 1865. Hon. Hugh Mccullough, comptroller of the currency, issued his Certifi- cate of Authority to commence the business of banding, and on March 8th, the business of the old bank was transferred and assigned to the new organization. The charter granted at this time expired January 7. 1885, and was then renewed or extended for twenty years. The original Board of Directors served until 1867, when Mr. Andrews resigned, and John R. Hilliard was appointed in his place. The board as thus constituted continued until Jan-

uary 9, 1872, when John Wolfley succeeded Mr. Hilliard. No further change occurred in the personnel of the board until February 18, 1876, when Chauncy Hills was appointed to the vacancy caused by the death of Judge Wil- liams on February 12th. On July 28, 1876, Hon. T. C. Jones became a director in place of B. Powers, resigned. On June 13. 1880, the same board was elected, except that V. T. Hills succeeded John Wolfley as a director. This board served until 1883. From that time until 1885. Messrs. C. Hills, T. C. Jones, V. T. Hills, Sidney Moore and Rev. John W. White composed the Board of Directors. Mr. White resigned in 1886, and W. Little took his place. No further change was made in the membership until the death of Hon. T. C. Jones, August 13, 1892. A. H. Jones was elected to the vacancy August 22, 1892, and no other change occurred in the board until September. 1900, when W. Little resigned. At this time E. I. Pollock was appointed cash- ier of the bank. In 1901. Messrs. C. Hills. V. T. Hills. A. H. Jones, Sidney Moore and H. J. Mccullough were elected as directors. Mr. C. Hills died February 8, 1901, and on the IIth of March following, L. L. Denison was appointed in his stead. The death of Mr. Mccullough, June 27, 1903, made the next change in the board, and E. I. Pollock was ap- pointed as his successor, on August 17th. The Board of Directors as thus constituted was re- elected January 12, 1904. The charter of this bank expired on January 6, 1905, and at that time it went into liquidation.

THE DELAWARE NATIONAL BANK began business on January 7. 1905. The application for a charter for this bank was made Novem- ber 7. 1904. and was signed by Sidney Moore. V. T. Hills. L. L. Denison. A. H. Jones and E. 1. Pollock. The charter was dated Decem- ber 7. 1904, and an election was held on the loth of the following month, at which time the number of directors was increased from five to seven, and the following board was elected: Sidney Moore, V. T. Hills, L. L. Denison, E. 1. Pollock. Lewis Slack, T. J. Griffin and J. L. Anderson. The board con- tinted without change until the death of Mr.

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Moore on May 27. 1907. the vacancy thus created being filled by T. M. Thompson, who was elected on June 10, 1907. The present of- ficers of the bank are: V. T. Hills, president : L. L. Denison, vice-president, and E. I. Pol- lock. cashier.

The bank occupies a fine two-story build- ing at 34 North Sandusky Street. This lot was deeded to the bank on February 13. 1868. by John R. Hilliard, the consideration being $3.250. On the 17th of the following May. the president and cashier were appointed a committee to make all arrangements for the erection of a building suitable for the busi- ness. In 1886, the building was remodeled, in- cluding the erection of a new front, and at that time was entirely refurnished. In 1905. the building was again remodeled, a new addition built to the rear of the building, and the old vault replaced with one thoroughly up-to-date in every respect. When this bank opened in 1905. it made a new departure, in starting a savings department. The following statement of the affairs of this institution dated February 29. 1908, may be of interest :

RESOURCES.

Loans and Discounts $440,256.16

United States and other Bonds 227.700.31

Real Estate. Furniture and Fixtures 22,500.00

Due from Banks and U. S. Treasurer 72,003.30

Cash

4.3.879.99

Total

$806.339.76

LIABILITIES.

Capital Stock $150,000.00

Surplus and Profits

36,955.87

Circulation 98,700.00

Due to Banks

948.25

Deposits

472,735.64

Bond Account

17,000.00

Total

$806,339.76

The following is the list of officers and their terms of service: Presidents. Hon. Hosea Williams, January 13. 1865. until his death, February 12, 1876: William D. Heim. February 14, 1876, until his death, January 8 1883: Sidney Moore, January 8. 1883. until

his death, May 27, 1907. He was succeeded by V. T. Hills, who is now president. Vice- presidents, Chauncy Hills, January 9, 1877, to February 8, 1901; V. T. Hills, January 13. 1892. until his election as president on June 10, 1907 ; L. L. Denison, who now holds the office, became vice-president on last named date. Cashiers, Sidney Moore, January 13. 1865. to January 9. 1883: William Little. January 8, 1883. to September 1, 1900, when he was succeeded by the present cashier. E. I. Pollock.

THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK. While this is not the oldest bank in Delaware, it was the first national bank established in this city 1111- der the "Act of Congress to Provide a Na- tional Currency, etc." The present institution is built, as it were, upon the foundation of The Bank of Delaware, which was organized Au- gust 3. 1857. under the provisions of the law for incorporating State banks. The original stockholders were: Hon. H. Williams, B. Powers, P. D. Hillyer, Sidney Moore, Jr., C. A. Powers and W. E. Moore. These men. with the exception of W. E. Moore, constituted the Board of Directors. On August 10, 1857, Mr. Hillyer was elected president and C. A. Powers, cashier. The bank opened for business in what is now the Hotel Donavin block on North Sandusky Street. At that time the first floor was reached by a short flight of steps from the sidewalk. The application for the charter of the First National Bank was signed by seventeen persons. The charter was granted on February 23, 1864. Hon. Hosea Williams. B. Powers, H. G. Andrews, Isaac Day and Sid- ney Moore, Jr., composed the first Board of Directors. On January 16, 1864. the First National Bank took over the business of the Bank of Delaware, and on January 18th, B. Powers was elected president and W. E. Moore, cashier. J. E. Gould became cashier on February 15, 1876, and on January 8. 1884. he was succeeded by G. W. Powers. B. Pow- ers resigned as president on February 16, 1880. and C. B. Faul was elected to fill the vacancy. Mr. Paul continued to serve as president un- til his death, January 11, 1901, and on January 17th. Hon. J. D. Van Deman, who is now

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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY

president, was elected to the office. The other officers of the bank at the present time are : M. Miller, vice-president; G. W. Powers. cashier : R. B. Powers, assistant cashier. The present .Board of Directors is composed of the following gentlemen: Hon. J. D. Van De- man. MI. Miller, G. W. Powers, H. W. Jewell. W. MI. Miller and L. W. Battenfield. Of the seventeen men who applied for the original charter of this bank, only three are now liv- ing-V. T. Hills, M. Miller and W. E. Moore.

The lot at 26 North Sandusky Street, on which the bank is now located, was purchased in 1865 for $1,700, and the building was erected in that year. The bank began business in their new building on January 1, 1866. The building was remodeled in 1883, and plans have been made for the erection of an addi- tion to the rear of the building this year, and a large vault embodying the latest improve- ments will also be built at the same time.

The following statement shows the assets and liabilities of the bank on February 24. 1908:

ASSETS.

Loans and Bonds $335,645.86

United States Bonds 100,000.00

Real Estate, etc [2,500.00

Cash and Exchange 112.856.35

Due from U. S. Treasurer

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Century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens 20th, Part 22

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