USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > Cincinnati, the Queen City, 1788-1912, Volume II > Part 45
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66
€
FOURTH STREET, EAST OF VINE STREET, 1910
357
CINCINNATI-THE QUEEN CITY
abreast of the times, the association now occupied a position still more influential and conspicuous than at any other period in its history. The by-laws provided that the officers then existing should continue until the conclusion of the time for which they were elected, and until their successors were duly elected and qualified. At the next annual election, which occurred on the 12th day of September, the board of directors provided for by the by-laws was elected, and at the same time a board of real estate managers was elected, consisting of Henry C. Urner for four years, John Carlisle for three years, Andrew Hickenlooper for two years, and Seth C. Foster for one year, who, with W. W. Peabody, at the same time elected president of the chamber, constituted the new board for the management of the real property of the association. The first meeting of the board of real estate managers occurred on the 22d day of November, 1883. John Carlisle was elected secretary, George S. Bradbury subsequently becoming, and continuing to the present time, the clerk of the board.
On the 17th of December, 1884, competitive plans for the new building were invited. Six architects were selected by the board, namely, James W. Mc- Laughlin, Samuel Hannaford, and A. C. Nash of Cincinnati; H. H. Richardson of Brookline, Mass .; George B. Post of New York, and Burnham & Root of Chicago. Besides these, who were to be paid whether the plans were adopted or otherwise, plans were submitted by Charles Crapsey of Cincinnati; Samuel J. F. Thayer and F. M. Clark of Boston, Mass .; Bruce Price of New York city; and M. E. Beebe & Son of Buffalo, New York. Edwin Anderson and H. E. Siter of Cincinnati, and A. G. Everett and E. M. Wheelwright of Boston, sub- mitted joint designs, making thirteen plans from which the board was to make a selection. From these, a part of which had distinguished merit, the board, on the 8th day of June, 1885, selected the plans furnished by H. H. Richardson, being, in the language of the board, "as a whole," "the most satisfactory." The deed for the postoffice property was received on the 16th day of December, 1885, the Chamber of Commerce having paid the purchase price of $100,000. At the close of the commercial year, August 31, 1885, the assets of the chamber had increased to $438,448.77, from $44,301.22, at the corresponding period in 1881. In September, 1885, Edwin Stevens, having been elected to the presidency of the chamber, became the successor of W. W. Peabody in the board of real estate managers, and John Kyle succeeded Seth C. Foster, whose term had expired. In January, 1886, the plans and specifications having arrived, proposals for the erection of the building in conformity therewith as a whole, and upon the various branches of the work, were invited. On the 27th day of April, 1886, H. H. Richardson, the architect of the new edifice, died, and was succeeded by his successors in business, Shepley, Routan & Coolidge, also of Brookline, Mass. The proposals received for the erection of the building were opened on the 17th day of May, 1886, and, being unsatisfactory to the board, all were rejected. Proposals for the removal of the old building, making the excavation, and for the construction of the foundations of the new building, were at a later period invited, and the contract awarded to Patrick Murray on the 27th day of May, the contract price being $30,281. The work of demolishing the old structure, so long an architectural ornament of the city, was begun on the 31st day of that month.
358
CINCINNATI-THE QUEEN CITY
In September, 1886, James M. Glenn succeeded in the board, Andrew Hick- enlooper, who by his election to the presidency of the Chamber of Commerce, also became president of the board of real estate managers, succeeding Edwin- Stevens; the assets of the chamber having reached, at the close of August pre- ceding, $491,649.99, including $100,000 paid the government for the lot, and $800 paid toward construction, showing an increase during the year of $53,201.22. Late in the year proposals were again invited for the superstructure, and on the 21st of December, 1886, the bid of Norcross Bros. of Worcester, Mass., having been found the lowest submitted for similar materials, the contract for the erection of the superstructure was awarded to that firm, the material to be used being Worcester granite, and the contract price for the entire work, not including carving, being $526,446, they agreeing to complete the work in eigh- teen months from the time of obtaining possession of the lot, and the Chamber of Commerce having, for the construction and furnishing of the new edifice, authorized the board of real estate managers to issue and sell the bonds of the association to an amount not to exceed $150,000, such bonds to bear interest not exceeding four per centum per annum, to be issued in such amounts and at such times as the board of real estate managers might decide, and to run for twenty years, but to be payable after ten years upon the call of the board of real estate managers, and not to be sold at less than their par value, the asso- ciation at the same time pledging itself to devote its entire surplus revenue from the completion of the new building until the amount needed to pay the said bonds should be accumulated, for the creation of a fund to meet the payment of the bonds at maturity. On the 31st day of April, the foundations of the building were completed, and on the Ist day of May, 1887, possession was given the contractor for the superstructure. This building was partially destroyed by fire in 1911. A modern "skyscraper" is taking its place.
"From its first organization, the Chamber of Commerce took a prominent place in the regard of our business men, affording them an occasion, and a place for the discussion of all leading questions of mercantile usage, of matters of finance, of laws affecting commerce, and, more than all, contributing to the formation of an elevated tone in business intercourse. It became, indeed, a kind. of high court in the adjustment of questions growing out of or affecting com- mercial transactions, which otherwise would have led to expensive and aggra- vating litigations. Its growth, however, was gradual. During the first ten years of its existence, the diligent exertions of its friends were at times necessary to keep up a sustaining interest, and the by-laws by which it was administered underwent frequent modifications. Its present prosperity was not assured until the members found their business interests greatly promoted by assembling daily for intercourse and trade. When they began to realize that the exchange could be made a convenient or an absolute advantage in facilitating the transac- tion of their daily business, it received their earnest, zealous support, and was thereafter indispensable.
"A prominent means of producing a renewed interest was the appointment, in 1846, of a superintendent of the exchange, whose duty it was made to have the immediate charge of the rooms; collect the trade statistics of the city ; keep a record of mercantile transactions ; prepare tables of imports and exports of
359
CINCINNATI-THE QUEEN CITY
leading articles of commerce and manufactures, etc., etc. The facts, thus judiciously compiled, have become invaluable for reference and comparison in the commercial history of the city, as well as for the comprehensive information which may be derived from them by the political economist. Their completeness and accuracy have not unfrequently been the subject of appreciative compli- ment." The first superintendent was A. Peadoby. On his resignation, in Janu- ary, 1849, Richard Smith was elected to the position, and held it until June, 1854, when, declining to serve any longer, he was followed by William Smith. The latter served the chamber, in this capacity, more than seventeen successive years, and in September, 1871, tendered his resignation to take effect on the appoint- ment of a successor. Mr. Smith retired from the position November 1, 1871, and was, on the same day, succeeded by Sidney D. Maxwell, the incumbent.
The Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce and Merchants' Exchange is, doubt- less, the oldest body of its kind among the large associations holding daily ses- sions, for the transaction of business, in the United States. Soon after the completion and occupation of the new edifice it will be permitted to engage in its semi-centennial celebration. It has always been distinguished for the high character of its membership; its influential position in the great commercial councils of the country ; its fidelity to the government ; its representative charac- ter, embracing in the scope of its membership every important interest ; its emi- nent social position ; and the breadth, accuracy, and value of its statistics, which give it a chief place among the commercial bodies of the world in its respect, and it is now to crown its triumphs by erecting for itself a magnificent structure, which in its material will illustrate the solidity of the financial foundations of the city in which it is located, and in its architecture and appointments will bear perpetual testimony to the ambition and culture of the merchants, manufacturers, and business men generally of Cincinnati, who have counted the cost before building the house, and who, when the work shall have been completed, will have a splendid business home, with a debt upon it so small that the revenues, in a few years, will be equal to its complete extinction.
In September, 1887, Levi C. Goodale was elected president of the Chamber of Commerce, thereby succeeding Andrew Hickenlooper as president of the board of real estate managers, and Henry C. Urner was reelected a member of the board for four years. The assets of the association, including the $100,000 paid for the lot, having amounted, on the 31st of August, 1887, to $520,158, with the work actively proceeding, and every prospect of the occupation of the new edifice becoming a part of the celebration of the centennial year of both city and state.
PRESIDENTS AND SECRETARIES OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FROM ITS ORGANIZATION.
October, 1839, to January, 1840-President, Griffin Taylor ; secretary, Henry Rockey.
Officers for 1840-President, Griffin Taylor; secretary, Henry Rockey.
Officers for 1841-President, Lewis Whiteman; secretary, Henry Rockey.
Officers for 1842-President, Roland G. Mitchell; secretary, Henry Rockey.
360
CINCINNATI-THE QUEEN CITY
Officers for 1843-President, Thomas J. Adams; secretary, Henry Rockey. Officers for 1844-President, Thomas J. Adams; secretary, Henry Rockey. Officers for 1845-President, James C. Hall; secretary, Henry Rockey.
Officers for 1846-47-President, James C. Hall; secretary, William D. Galla- gher.
Officers for 1847-48-President, James C. Hall ; secretary, Channing Richards. Officers for 1848-49-President, N. W. Thomas; secretary, Channing Rich- ards.
Officers for 1849-50-President, N. W. Thomas; secretary, Richard Smith. Officers for 1850-51-President, N. W. Thomas; secretary, Richard Smith. Officers for 1851-52-President, N. W. Thomas; secretary, Richard Smith. Officers for 1852-53-President, N. W. Thomas; secretary, Richard Smith. Officers for 1853-54-President, N. W. Thomas; secretary, Richard Smith. Officers for 1854-55-President, R. M. W. Taylor ; secretary, Richard Smith. Officers for 1855-56-President, James F. Torrence ; secretary, Richard Smith. Officers for 1856-57-President, Joseph Torrence; secretary, Richard Smith. Officers for 1857-58-President, Joseph Torrence; secretary, Richard Smith. Officers for 1858-59-President, Joseph Torrence; secretary, Richard Smith. Officers for 1859-60-President, Joseph Torrence; secretary, Richard Smith. Officers for 1860-61-President, J. W. Sibley ; secretary, John A. Gano.
Officers for 1861-62-President, Joseph C. Butler; secretary, John A. Gano. Officers for 1862-63-President, George F. Davis; secretary, John A. Gano. Officers for 1863-64-President, George F. Davis; secretary, John A. Gano. Officers for 1864-65-President, George F. Davis; secretary, John A. Gano. Officers for 1865-66-President, Theodore Cook; secretary, John A. Gano. Officers for 1866-67-President, S. C. Newton; secretary, John A. Gano.
Officers for 1867-68-President, John A. Gano; secretary, George Mc- Laughlin.
Officers for 1868-69-President, John A. Gano; secretary, George Mc- Laughlin.
Officers for 1869-70-President, John A. Gano; secretary, J. M. W. Neff.
Officers for 1870-71-President, Charles W. Rowland ; secretary, D. L. Garri- son.
Officers for 1871-72-President, Charles W. Rowland; secretary, N. S. Jones. Officers for 1872-73-President, S. F. Covington; secretary, William T. Tibbits.
Officers for 1873-74-President, S. F. Covington; secretary, William T. Tibbits.
Officers for 1874-75-President, C. M. Holloway; secretary, Charles B. Murray.
Officers for 1875-76-President, C. M. Holloway; secretary, Brent Arnold. Officers for 1876-77-President, Benjamin Eggleston; secretary, Brent Ar- nold.
Officers for 1877-78-President, John W. Hartwell; secretary, Enoch Taylor. Officers for 1878-79-President, Wm. N. Hobart; secretary, John H. Long. Officers for 1879-80-President, H. Wilson Brown; secretary, John H. Long. Officers for 1880-81-President, Henry C. Urner ; secretary, James H. Foote.
NINTH STREET BAPTIST CHURCH, CINCINNATI LAW SCHOOL AND NINTH STREET ENTRANCE OF THE BUSINESS MEN'S CLUB, 1910
361
CINCINNATI-THE QUEEN CITY
Officers for 1881-82-President, Henry C. Urner; secretary, John H. Long. Officers for 1882-83-President, James D. Parker; secretary, Charles B. Murray.
Officers for 1883-84-President, W. W. Peabody; secretary, Charles B. Mur- ray.
Officers for 1884-85-President, W. W. Peabody ; secretary, Charles B. Mur- ray.
Officers for 1885-86-President, Edwin Stevens; secretary, Charles B. Mur- ray.
Officers for 1886-87-President, A. Hickenlooper ; secretary, Ambrose White. Officers for 1887-88-President, Levi C. Goodale; secretary, William E. Hutton.
Officers for 1888-89-President, Thomas Morrison ; secretary, Paul M. Milli- kin.
Officers for 1889-90-President, Lee H. Brooks; secretary, H. B. Morehead.
Officers for 1890-91-President, Lowe Emerson; secretary, N. R. Adriance.
Officers for 1891-92-President, Joseph R. Brown; secretary, James T. Mc- Hugh.
Officers for 1892-93-President, Brent Arnold; secretary, Maurice J. Frei- berg.
Officers for 1893-94-President, Michael Ryan; secretary, A. H. Pape.
Officers for 1894-95-President, James M. Glenn ; secretary C. Lee Williams.
Officers for 1895-96-President, Maurice J. Freiberg ; secretary, Fred. Guck- enberger.
Officers for 1896-97-President, J. Milton Blair ; secretary James B. Wallace. Officers for 1897-98-President, William McCallister; secretary, Charles L. Garner.
Officers for 1898-99-President, Robert H. West; secretary, George Metzger.
Officers for 1899-1900-President, John H. Allen; secretary, Lee Clary.
*Officers for 1900-01-President, James T. McHugh; secretary, Frank C. Grote.
*Under amendments of the by-laws adopted on July 2, 1901, changing the annual election date from September to January, the officers for 1900-0I con- tinued until January, 1902.
Officers for 1902-President, W. W. Granger ; secretary, James T. Earle. Officers for 1903-President, J. F. Ellison ; secretary, Frank .P. Thomas.
In 1910 the Industrial Bureau and the Cincinnati Commercial Association were merged under the latter title. This organization is now one of the chief agencies of industrial progress in the city. A full account is given below of it and its workings.
TENTH ANNUAL REPORT, CINCINNATI INDUSTRIAL BUREAU.
By Will L. Finch, 19II.
The year 1910, the tenth in the life and history of the Cincinnati Industrial Bureau, has been a most active one. As heretofore, and as always must be, the first thought and aim has been the development of the city's growth by the ad-
362
CINCINNATI-THE QUEEN CITY
dition of new industries. In pursuit of that first aim, however, each new year has opened up new avenues of effort-new channels for the direction and energy leading directly or indirectly to the accomplishment of the original purpose, the addition of manufacturing plants. And by such addition, increasing the tax duplicate, enlarging the volume of manufactured product, swelling the popula- tion and adding to the amount of money in circulation.
The membership list of the bureau embraced at the close of the year the names of two hundred and sixty-seven individuals, firms and corporations, a very slight increase over the preceding year. The receipts from all sources, including a balance on hand January 1, 1910, were $10,722.95; the disburse- ments were $9,158.77, leaving a balance January 1, 1911, of $1,564.18.
CONSOLIDATION.
An important achievement of the year was the consolidation of the Conven- tion League with the Industrial Bureau. These two organizations had for more than two years occupied joint quarters, and were served by the same secretary and manager and office force. Both boards of directors had for some time recognized the similar nature of the work. Both were advertising Cincinnati- the one to secure factories and new permanent residents, the other conventions and excursionists. There was not a duplication of energy and of printed matter only because both were under the same officer's management.
When, therefore, the question of the merging of the two organizations was considered by conference committees from each, no obstacles to the step were found. The Convention League had from its inception in 1898 recognized the hotel interests as primary beneficiaries of conventions, as they were leading sup- porters of the Convention League. The Hotel Men's Association was accordingly invited to participate in the merger conferences. The details were accordingly first discussed by a joint committee of five representatives each from the bureau, the league and the Hotel Men's Association. The plan finally agreed upon was simple. It provided for transferring to the bureau all subscriptions to the Con- vention League guarantee fund, together with all money in bank, and other possessions, including convention records. The bureau guaranteed that the money thus received should be maintained as a separate fund, and expended only for the purpose for which it was subscribed. It was further agreed that at the approaching annual meeting, provision should be made for the election to the new board of directors at least five representatives of the old Convention League interests. The details, fully approved by the three interests named, were completed, and the directors of the Convention League resigned sine die in November.
LOCAL IMPROVEMENTS.
Conditions throughout the country during 1910 were not conducive to factory removals, but of the changes made Cincinnati got her share. Local industries have prospered, as evidenced by the large amount of factory construction in the Cincinnati industrial district, approximating in value two and a half million dollars. The list of modern new factory buildings includes those of the Victor
363
CINCINNATI-THE QUEEN CITY
Safe & Lock Company, the Cincinnati-Bickford Tool Company, N. Drucker & Company, the Union Distilling Company, the Schacht Manufacturing Company, the Crane & Breed Manufacturing Company, the Harkness-Cowing Company, the Incandescent Light & Stove Company, the Victor Lamp Company, the American Valve & Meter Company, the Straub Machinery Company, The Chatfield & Woods Company, and M. L. Andrew & Company.
Extensive additions were also built to about fifty other manufacturing plants in the district, while probably twenty millions of new capital has been invested in local industries that have increased their capital stock.
Bank deposits showed an increase of about seven per cent over 1909. Build- ing construction in Cincinnati totaled $8,552,515, a gain of nearly a million over 1909. This does not take into account the vast building improvements in the suburbs. Other large expenditures for improvements during 1910 were for ter- minal improvements by various railway lines; by the city for street and sewer improvements ; for the completion of Hughes and Woodward high schools; the first municipal lodging house; new play grounds and park improvements. A marked step forward was taken at the November election when a $1,000,000 bond issue was authorized to begin the work of carrying out a great system of parks and boulevards, and $800,000 was voted for the elimination of grade crossings of the city. Still another promise of advancement was made when the new Union depot ordinance was passed.
A disastrous fire in the Sycamore street district completely destroyed the plants of the K-O Shoe company, and the Cahill Shoe company. Efforts were at once begun by other cities to induce these companies to leave Cincinnati. The Industrial Bureau was equally prompt to tender its services in helping them to find new locations and resume operations in Cincinnati.
NEW INDUSTRIES ADDED.
Though falling short of the record of some other years, Cincinnati has as stated received its share of new industries located in 1910, and the end of the year has witnessed a distinct revival in interest in this city as a location for manufacturing plants.
Among the new manufacturing concerns that will hereafter send forth its product as "Made in Cincinnati" is the Southwest Publishing Company, for- merly of Knoxville, Tennessee, which removed its entire business to Cincin- nati, following a year of negotiations by the Industrial Bureau. This firm's original purpose was to locate either in Chicago or Indianapolis, but the bureau's committee on new industries urged the superiority of Cincinnati with the result that Cincinnati won. This company, located at 522 Main street, is said to be the only concern in the United States which make a specialty of printing text-books for business colleges. About seventy-five people are employed.
Another very important addition to Cincinnati's industries made in 1910 is that of the Mastic Wall Board & Roofing Company, which has purchased six acres of ground in Winton Place, upon which will be erected an entirely new plant consisting of six manufacturing and storage buildings. This company manufactures a patent substitute for lath and plaster, sheathing, roofing and
364
CINCINNATI-THE QUEEN CITY
shingles. Factories located in New Orleans and in Alma, Michigan, will be combined in Cincinnati, and the new plant will have double the capacity of the present factories. The executive offices, now located in New Orleans, will be removed to Cincinnati. Fifty people will be employed.
Another new industry for Cincinnati is that of the Steel Fire Proof Con- struction Company, which removed to this city from Covington recently and purchased the plant formerly occupied by the Ritter Folding Door Company at Carthage pike and the Big Four railroad. The company manufactures fire- proof steel floors, walls, and partitions and is employing about fifteen men.
In May of last year the Chamber of Commerce referred to the bureau an inquiry from the Conasaugua Lumber Company, Conasaugua, Tennessee, asking for information bearing upon the procuring of an Ohio charter and the possible removal of the headquarters of the company to this city. The bureau immedi- ately placed itself in touch with these people and last August the company located in Cincinnati, leasing quarters in the Fourth National bank building, from which it will sell fifteen million feet of lumber annually, thus increasing the volume of business $350,000 a year, and further strengthening this city's standing as the leading hardwood lumber market in the United States.
The Continental Paper Bag Company, a New York corporation, with its main factory at Rumford Falls, Maine, opened a branch depot and selling agency in Cincinnati in August, leasing the building at 327 Lock street, for- merly occupied by the National Biscuit Company.
Another branch house is that of the Velie Motor Car Company of Chicago, which has leased quarters at 804 Sycamore street.
An important addition to the retail business of the city is the coming of S. S. Kresge of Detroit, who has leased a site on West Fifth street for a five- story building.
Among other things a start was made to bring Cincinnati into prominence as a leader in the aeroplane industry. This newest of all manufacturing lines is to be taken up aggressively by the Jungclass Automobile Company of this city. The company is now at work on the first "Cincinnati Monoplane" to be placed on the market. This machine will be somewhat different from anything which has yet appeared in the aviation field. The company will at first assemble its machines and make a specialty of supplying aeroplane accessories of all kinds, gradually taking up the manufacture of the parts which enter into the construction of flying machines. It will be the first concern of its kind between New York and St. Louis.
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.