USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Dayton > History of Dayton, Ohio. With portraits and biographical sketches of some of its pioneer and prominent citizens Vol. 2 > Part 10
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The Cooper Hydraulic was constructed in 1838 by Edward W. Davies and Alexander Grimes, agents for Mrs. L. C. Cooper, widow of David Zeigler Cooper. They continued to operate the hydraulic until the incorporation of the Cooper Hydraulic Company, May 14, 1869. The incorporators of this company were T. A. Phillips, E. E. Barney, Pre- served Smith, W. P. Huffman, Joseph Kratochwill, and Henry Stoddard, Jr. E. E. Barney was elected president of the company, which was
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incorporated with a capital of seventy-five thousand dollars. Soon afterward Henry Stoddard, Jr., sold his.stock in the company to George L. Phillips, who thereupon was elected secretary of the company. The next change that occurred was when the death of T. A. Phillips took place in November, 1877, his son, Charles A. Phillips, taking his place. Upon the death of Preserved Smith, his son, W. W. Smith, took his place in the company. At the death of E. E. Barney, his son, E. J. Barney, succceded to his place, and upon the death of W. P. Huffman, his son, W. Huffman, took his place in the company. After Mr. Barney's death, Preserved Smith became president of the company, and after his death, E. J. Barney was chosen president, and holds the place at the present time. W. P. HInffman was the first treasurer of the company, and was succeeded by the present treasurer, George P. Huff-
man. George L. Phillips was secretary until his death, January 29, 1889, since which time Charles A. Phillips has been secretary. Joseph Kratochwill was superintendent of the company until his death, since when William Huffman has filled his position. The Cooper Hydraulic Company's lease of water power begins at Third Street, and extends down below Stout, Mills & Temple's works. But they have other rights which extend above the head-gates on. Mad River, one and a half miles to the State dam and down below the city, and they pay the State of Ohio a stipulated sum for the water the entire length of which is about three miles.
In 1830, James Steele had completed a dam on the Miami River, just below the mouth of Stillwater, and digging a race across the bend in the river, erected a saw-mill, and shortly afterward a flouring-mill. This water power is now known as the Dayton View Hydraulic. The Dayton View Hydraulic Company was incorporated in 1867, the incor- porators being Atlas L. Stout, J. O. Arnold, J. B. Oliver, George W. and Samuel Kneisly. The present board of directors of this company consists of T. S. Babbitt, president; William A. Barnett, secretary; Val- entine Winters, treasurer; Adam Pritz, A. L. Stout, Ezra Bimm, and T. J. Weakley.
The following summary of the water of the three hydraulies was made and submitted to the Dayton Exchange in December, 1873, by W. B. Pcase:
The Dayton hydraulic had a fall of 14 feet, and there was permanent power equal to 10,900 cubic feet of water per minute, which was equal to 47 run of stone. The Cooper Hydraulic, upper basin, had a fall of 12 feet, and 12,500 cubic feet of water per minute, equal to 11 run of stone, and the lower basin had a fall of 9 feet, 7,500 cubic feet per minute,
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equal to 20 run of stone. The Dayton View Hydraulic had a fall of 14 feet, 14,250 cubic feet of water per minute, equal to 62 run of stone. Or summing up the figures, the three hydraulies furnished sufficient water power to propel 170 run of stone, and there was in all 45,650 cubic feet of water per minute passing through them.
The Hydraulic Brewery, of which N. Thomas & Company are the proprietors, was founded by John Walker. After several changes the firm became composed of N. Thomas and George A. Weddle, in 1880. The Hydraulic Brewery is located at the southwest corner of First and Beekel streets, and turns out from eight to ten thousand barrels por annum.
The Ecwright Company was chartered in 1882, with Frank Ecwright, president; Samuel S. Brush, general superintendent, and Mrs. Brush, secretary. The company manufactures rope and cordage, and deals in composition and felt roofing material. From ten to twelve men are employed, and the business is located . at 1,413 East Second Street.
The foundry of J. W. Pritz is located on the south side of East Shawnee Street, between Wayne and'Wyandotte streets. It was estab- lished in 1888. At this foundry general job work and repairing are carried on and from six to eight men are employed.
Bradley & Son, composed of George and Alfred Bradley, was estab- lished in 1886. They carry on the manufacture of cordage and twinc. Their plant is located at Numbers 454 to 464 East Huffman Avenue, and consists of an "L" shaped brick building, two stories high, and 2-15x200 feet in size. The works are equipped with a Lane & Bodley Corliss Engine of two hundred and fifty horse-power. The number of men employed is about two hundred and fifty on the average. The products of the works are made from Sisal grass and Manilla hemp, the first of which articles is imported from Yucatan, and the second from the Phillippine Isles. From these two articles all kinds of rope, cordage, and twine are made.
The Dayton Whip Company was incorporated in October, 18SS, the original establishment, however, dating from 1887. The factory consists of a new four-story brick building, 40x80 feet in dimensions. The com- pany manufactures whips and lashes of every style and kind known to the trade, and incorporates into the work all the modern improvements. The bulk of its trade is in the West, but it has somewhat extensive dealings in all parts of the United States. The officers of the company are as follows: T. S. Babbitt, president; H. H. Weakley, secretary; MI. J. Houk, treasurer; J. W. Dye, superintendent, and W. H. Peryear, gen- eral agent.
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The Davis Sewing Machine Company, formerly located at Water- town, New York, was moved to Dayton, Ohio, in the carly spring of 1889. The movement which resulted in the removal, was initiated in December, 1888, by the receipt from the company of a proposition to remove its works here provided Dayton would contribute a bonus of fifty thousand dollars. The first step toward complying with this proposition, was taken by the board of trade at a meeting on the 18th of December. The method determined upon at that meeting for raising the amount was by popular subscription. The city was thoroughly canvassed, but on the 2d of January there still remained twenty thou- sand dollars to be subscribed. On this day the committee having the matter in charge conferred with Mr. George P. Huffman, who immedi- ately subscribed fifteen thousand dollars of the amount required, and by hard work on the 3d, the last day which had been given in the proposition of the company, the subscription was secured. The following is the proposition upon which the board of trade of Dayton acted:
" WATERTOWN, NEW YORK, December 14, 1888.
"MESSRS. G. N. BIERCE AND H. R. GRONEWEG, COMMITTEE, DAYTON, OHIO: "Gentlemen-Yesterday I had a meeting of my board of directors, and they authorized me to say that if the city of Dayton would give us the sum of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) we will remove our manufactory and business to that city; answer to be returned by January 3d, next. They decline to hold the matter open beyond that date. Hoping you will have no difficulty in obtaining the amount,
" Very truly yours, "L. A. JOHNSON, Secretary."
To the dispatch sent to Watertown, January 3d, announcing that the subscription of fifty thousand dollars was complete, Mr. Weakley received a reply from Mr. Johnson, saying that it was satisfactory.
Five and a half acres of land were secured for the location of the plant of the company, on Huffman Avenue, east of Linden Avenue and north of the Pan-Handle Railroad. The erection of buildings has been commenced, which consist of a main building 510x60 feet, with two large wings, and a blacksmith shop and annealing ovens, and a foundry. The main building with its two wings is two stories high, while the other buildings are but one story. It is the intention to employ six hundred skilled mechanics.
Thomas Clegg was the first to manufacture gas in Dayton. Ilis first exhibition of gas light was on a small scale at the old National Hotel, and was intended merely to show that the manufacture of gas for lighting
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purposes was a feasible project. This was in 1830 and from this time on the people of Dayton did nothing in this direction but to meditate, until 1848. On February 8th of this year, the Dayton Gas Light and Coke Company was incorporated by the legislature, with the following stock- holders: David Stout, J. D. Loomis, David Winters, J. W. Griswold, Valentine Winters, John Mills, D. W. Wheelock, and R. W. Steele. On July 28th the stockholders, as named above, held a meeting, at which they authorized J. D. Phillips, I. F. Howells, and D. W. Wheelock to open books for the subscription of stock.
The principal question which agitated the minds of the members of this gas company during the first few months of its existence, was the kind of gas which should be used in lighting the city. A committee consisting of I. F. Howells, C. G. Swain, and David Winters, which had been appointed some time before, for the express purpose of investigating the gas question, and reporting their conclusions to the company, made a report about the same time that it was determined to open subscription books as above narrated. The committee had been required to report upon the relative merits of coal gas and solar gas, both kinds being used in Cincinnati. The committee's report to the company was sub- stantially as follows: After careful investigation and inquiry, and the receipt of information from the best sources in relation to the kind of gas which, while it should prove most profitable to the company should at the same time be most economical to the consumer, the decision of the committee is as follows: In favor of Crutchett's solar gas. In reaching this conclusion the committee have considered the location of Dayton, the cost of the material for generating gas, the price of oil, and of whatever else might enter into the calculation of determining the value of the two kinds of gas. They are satisfied that the flame of solar gas is more dense and brilliant than that of coal gas, and is not consumed so rapidly. Without multiplying reasons for these conclusions they would recommend the adoption of Crutchett's solar gas.
This report met the views of the incorporators and was agreed to at the meeting at which it was presented. A. meeting was then held at the law office of Moses B. Walker, for the purpose of organizing the company, which was effected by the election of Daniel Beekel, David Stout, I. F. Howells, Charles G. Swain, and John Lockwood as directors. Daniel Beckel was elected president of the company, and I. F. Howells, secretary.
On the 8th of September, the company concluded a contract with Mr. Lockwood, of Cincinnati, for the erection of gas works to supply the city with Crutchett's solar gas. The work of building these works and .
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laying the pipes through the streets of the city then proceeded as rapidly as possible, but with comparative slowness, there being so many unfore- seen obstacles to overcome. At length, however, on February 6, 18-19, Dayton was lighted with Crutchett's solar gas. This was considered a great event in the history of the city, and the details are entered into somewhat in this work, more for the sake of showing how great expecta- tions were disappointed, than for any other reason. With reference to this event the Journal of the 7th of February said:
" Last evening for the first time the splendid solar light made by Crutchett's gas was brought into use in Dayton. The appearance of this brilliant and beautiful light gratified everyone, and, although the night was severely cold, the town was fairly astir that the first sight of it might not be missed.
" The City Hall was handsomely lighted by some thirteen burners which are there as permanent fixtures. A splendid . chandelier with eight burners was suspended near the entrance of the hall for exhibition by Mr. Lockwood. It would be a magnificent and useful ornament for a room with a finish to correspond.
"It is, exceedingly gratifying to find that the gas company has at length surmounted all obstacles which have so retarded and seriously impeded its progress, and that it is now about to enter 'the full tide of successful enterprise.' "
The Journal then gave a short history of the efforts of the company from the 8th of September, 1848, and added that by the middle of December, the gas works were crected and one mile of pipe laid down. It was in contemplation to lay two miles more of pipe during 1849, and applications for more than six hundred burners had then been received.
"The striking beauty of the light, its utility, cleanliness, convenience, all give it claims to consideration which cannot be disregarded, and many who now, perhaps, have no intention of using it will be by force of circumstances and a strong conviction of its utility, persuaded to 'send in their orders.'"
After giving credit to Mr. F. G. Macy for his persevering efforts in presenting the gas question to the citizens of Dayton, the Journal said that Mr. John Lockwood, the assignee of Mr. Crutchett, was an intelligent, energetic, and practical man, and had carried the project forward to the position it then occupied, indicating its entire and com- plete success. It also urged upon the city authorities the necessity of lighting the streets of the city at the carliest time possible, and thus secure the full benefit of this new light which dawned so brightly upon the city on the night of February 6, 1849.
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It was not long, however, before trouble began to be experienced with the solar gas. On the 13th of the month an explanation of the trouble, which was a fluctuation or unsteadiness of the light, was pub- lished by Mr. Lockwood. He said it was owing to the use of a temporary mixer. The large mixer which was intended for permanent use had been ordered and shipped from Philadelphia forty days before. It was coming via New Orleans, and when it should arrive the gas would afford a regular and steady light. The large mixer arrived about March 25th. The apparatus for the manufacture of gas was then, therefore, complete, and it was confidently expected that the light would be perfectly satis- factory to all. It had recently been introduced into a number of houses and had become almost indispensable to those using it. The experience of the Journal had been so satisfactory with it that it said it would be regarded as a great infliction to return to candle light.
Lighting of the streets came slowly. The council then had no authority to levy a special tax to meet the additional expense which would be thus incurred. They agreed, however, to erect posts wherever they could be placed in accordance with a regular plan for lighting the streets, provided individuals would pay for the gas. J. D. Phillips accepted this proposition, and had the gas burning at the corner of Main and Second streets. James Perrine also kept a lamp burning at the corner of Jefferson and Second streets. The Dayton Bank, however, had been the pioneer in this street-lighting improvement, having had a lamp burning in front of their building for several months when this arrangement was proposed to the citizens by the council.
Several months' experience with the manufacture and use of this solar gas proved that it was quite expensive to make. The company found themselves constantly losing money, and in August they issued a circular setting forth the reasons why it was necessary for them to raise the price of gas. They said that from the very low prices at which the gas had been furnished to the consumers, the income had not yet paid for the one article of grease, of which the gas was made, to say nothing about the cost of coal and labor. There were also other reasons, but this was the main one. The company, therefore, fixed a schedule of prices for gas, as follows, to take effect on the 1st of September: So long as the amount of gas consumed in the city was less than what would be consumed by four hundred constant, burners, the price would be ten dollars per one thousand fect; when it equalled the consumption of four hundred constant burners, it would be reduced to nine dollars per one thousand feet, and when equal to five hundred constant burners, it would be still further reduced to eight dollars per one thousand feet.
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The board said that although the price as fixed in the above schedule might seem high, yet when it was considered that the light from one foot of this solar gas was nearly equal to that from three feet of coal gas, it would be seen that the price was only about equal to what was then being paid in Cincinnati for the same amount of light. This statement was made to the public August 29th, G. W. Rogers being secretary of the company at that time.
Three months' experience with this schedule proved that the manu- facture of gas from grease or oil could not be made to pay, for, even with the high prices then being charged, the income scarcely covered expenses. On the 20th of the month the company published a statement that it had become satisfied that the manufacture of gas from oil or grease could not be continued for any length of time, and that it had become necessary to turn their attention to the manufacture of gas from coal. This, however, involved the erection of new works, the cost of which was estimated at eleven thousand dollars. It was decided to erect the coal gas works on the same lot upon which the old buildings stood, but fronting on Water Street. On the 22d of December a resolution was made by the company to issue sufficient stock to raise funds with which to erect the new buildings for the manufacture of gas from coal. Stock to the amount of eleven thousand dollars was accordingly issued, which, together with several thousands more raised on the credit of the individual stock-holders, enabled the company to build the gas works. These works from the first were a great success, and the capital stock of the compay was steadily increased until, in 1863, it was one hundred thousand dollars. The amount of gas sold at that time was eight million feet per annum, and they had about eight hundred meters in operation, and were supplying gas, in addition to that used by private consumers, to two hundred and ninety street lamps for. the city.
At an election, held August 7, 1848, I. F. Howells was elected director and president; David Stout and D. Wheelock were elected directors, and M. B. Walker was elected secretary, all officers pro tem. A stockholders' meeting was held August 25th, at which a permanent organization was effected. Daniel Beckel was elected president; I. F. Howells, secretary pro tem., and David Stout, C. G. Swain, and John Lockwood, directors. Daniel Beckel resigned as president May 8, 1849, and was succeeded by F. Gebhart. May 23, 1849, C. G. Swain was elected president. On June 7, 1849, John Lockwood was succeeded as director by Z. Crawford. C. G. Swain was succeeded as director August 7, 1819, by S. B. Brown, and at the same time S. B. Brown was elected president,
R. R. @Dickey.
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and David Stout was elected treasurer. On the 7th of August the entire board of directors resigned their offices, and on the 28th a new board was elected, consisting of C. G. Swain, S. B. Brown, David Stout, II. Pease, and W. F. Comly. S. B. Brown was chosen president, and G. W. Rogers, secretary. November 19th James M. Kerr became secretary and was succeeded March 14, 1851, by MI. Strickler. Robert Means became director September 10, 1850, and William Dickey, September 25, 1850. John Garner became secretary September 1, 1851, and T. A. Phillips, director, August 1, 1853.
During all the first few years, after converting the works into the coal gas works, the company had a great deal of trouble with its debt, which, in 1853, amounted to from forty-eight thousand to fifty thousand dollars. 'Upon this large amount ten per cent interest was paid, and the debt was secured by mortgages upon the homesteads of two of the largest stockholders. This indebtedness ran along until the first years of the war, and was finally extinguished in 1862.
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A stockholders' meeting was held August 6, 1855, at which a new board of directors was elected. This board was organized on the 17th of the same month by the election of R. R. Dickey, president, and S. T. Evans, secretary. Mr. Evans remained secretary until 1877, when he was succeeded by George M. Smart, who has retained the office ever since. Mr. Dickey remained president of the company until 1858, though from March, 1856, until August 2, 1858, his brother, William Dickey, served as president pro tem. At this latter date, Mr. Dickey, on account of continued ill health, resigned the presidency, and William Dickey was elected to the vacancy, serving until May 10, 1876, when he resigned, and S. A. Dickey was elected to the position. He served until 1880, when R. R. Dickey was again elected president, and has served ever since. In 1880, the office of vice-president was created, and H. C. Graves was elected to the position. Joseph Light has been superin- tendent of the company ever since 1855.
In the price of gas, as in the prices of almost everything mannfac- tured, there have been several changes and a steady deeline. In 1865, the price was $4.50 per thousand cubic feet, while at this time the price is $1.15 per thousand. The reasons for such a large reduction in the price are that more gas is now obtained from a ton of coal, the company now utilizes a good deal of what was formerly wasted, and there is a largely increased consumption. The water used in washing the gas is now used in the manufacture of sulphate of ammonia. In 1885, the company erected ammonia works, near the gas works, which are run continuously under the process known as Dr. L. S. Fales' Process.
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The product of these works are aqua ammonia and fertilizers, from three to five car loads per year.
The Dayton Electric Light Company was originally organized as the Brush Electric Light Company, but failing to make a contract with the Brush Electric Company, a re-oganization was effected, and the name changed to the Dayton Electric Light Company. The first meeting of the board of directors of this company was held in March, 1883. There were present the following directors: Valentine Winters, J. E. Lowes, Thomas S. Babbitt, R. D. Hughes, H. C. Kiefaber, Ezra Bimm, and William A. Barnett. On the 25th of April, the following officers were elected: J. E. Lowes, president; Thomas S. Babbitt, vice-president; William A. Bar- nett, secretary, and Valentine Winters, treasurer. The company selected a location for their plant on the Dayton View Hydraulic, and secured a perpetual lease of water-power from the Dayton View Hydraulic Com- pany. Here they erected an electric light plant of 224 are lights of the Fuller- Wood System. Power is furnished the plant by four seventy-five horse-power Victor Turbine water wheels, and one one hundred and fifty horse-power Buckeye steam engine. The electricity is developed by two fifty-five light dynamos, one forty-five light dynamo and three twenty- three light dynamos. The city was lighted the first time by the electric light on the night of February 16, 1883.
Fifty lights had been put up for trial which ran for thirty days, and gave such satisfaction that they were accepted, and orders were given by the city for one hundred and fifty lights, including the fifty that had been on trial. These one hundred and fifty lights were all in operation before the close of the year, 1883, and this is about the average number in use by the city at the present time. Private citizens have added since then about fifty of these are lights, so that now there are about two hundred in use in the city.
On May 26, 1887, the company finished an Edison electric light plant of two thousand sixteen candle-power lights, and in July, 1888, the capac- ity of this system was increased by the addition of an engine and dynamo capable of supplying one thousand more incandescent lights. The Edison station is located at Numbers 124 and 126 East Fourth Street, the front being used for offices and the rear for the plant. Here there are four one hundred horse-power boilers, two one hundred and fifty horse-power high speed Taylor engines, and one one hundred and fifty horse-power high speed Buckeye engine. There are six Number 20 Edison dynamos, capable of running five hundred sixteen candle-power Jamps each. The average price of the Edison light is about one cent per hour for a sixteen candle-power light. For the are light a lamp burning from dusk to 9:30
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