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 4
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Nothing, perhaps, is more certain than that the remarkable develop- ment of the manufacturing industries of Dayton had their origin in and were nursed in their infancy by the equally remarkable development of the agricultural resources of the valley of the Miami, a region of country almost unsurpassed in richmess and varied fertility. This fertility of soil insured from the start a prosperous farming community, capable of purchasing manufactured goods of an endless variety, and to any extent demanded by the necessities of that community. And with this premise the reader need not, and will not, be surprised to learn that in
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the early days of Dayton's history, there were large numbers of various kinds of manufacturing establishments continually springing into exist- ence. . For this reason, if for no other, it can hardly be expected that in a work of this general nature, every establishment of this kind can be enumerated and its history traced; for that would require a persisteney, keenness, and accuracy of research into the traditions as well as history of the past, with which results would scarcely be commensurate.
The first mill anywhere in the Miami valley, north of the fourth range of townships, was a small "tub-mill" built by William Hamer, for the purpose of grinding corn. Its location was where Water Street, or Monument Avenue, now is in Dayton, just cast of and near to the canal bridge. The water was brought across from the mouth of Mad River by a small race, and the tail-race ran down the present course of the canal. The date of the erection of this tub-mill of Mr. Hamer's has not been preserved, but it must have been before August, 1799, for in that month D. C. Cooper started a small distillery on his farm two miles . south of Dayton, on Rubicon Creek, in Van Buren Township, between the pike and the canal, as now located. Shortly afterward Mr. Cooper built a saw-mill and "corn-cracker." Each of these mills was run by water power-the saw-mill by a paddle wheel and the corn-cracker by a tub-mill. This little mill of Mr. Cooper's bad most of the trade from the upper Miami country, and from the Mad River valley as far up as Springfield. "Settlers, in coming to the Cooper mill, would some- ' times bring pack-horses loaded with sacks of corn, following the narrow trails through the forests. They came equipped to camp along the way. Rifle, ammunition, an ax, compass, blankets, and bells were necessary. Halting to camp at night, the horses were unloaded, bells fastened around their necks, and they were turned loose to graze. The fire being built, supper was cooked and eaten, after which the lonely traveler spread his bear skin for a comfortable sleep; then breakfast and an early start next morning for the mill. After such a journey, the pioneer would often have to wait a day or two for his turn at the mill."*
Mr. Cooper sold this mill afterward to Robert Patterson, who converted it into a fulling-mill, as is mentioned later in these pages. In 1804 Mr. Cooper built a saw-mill, and soon afterward a grist-mill, at the head of Mill Street, to which he added a carding machine in 1809.
In 1808 Matthew Patton was engaged here in the cabinet-making business, and James Hanna was carrying on the weaving business " in all its varieties." In 1809 Robert Patterson's fulling-mill was in operation about one half mile south of the road now leading to St. Mary's Institute,
* For description of this mill see page 61.
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which stands on the hill cast of Brown Street and south of Wood- land Cemetery. In 1811, this mill was purchased by William Allison and pamed the "Rubicon Carding Mill." In 1821 it was advertised as in coniplete operation. In 1828, it was still in existence and was then known as the "Rubicon Factory." The manager at that time was James Eusey, who followed the business of wool-carding, fulling, color- ing, etc. The mill remained standing until about 1870, when it was torn down.
In 1809, James Bennett had one wool-carding machine in operation, and in 1810, he made the announcement to the public that for that season he would have two machines in operation, having added a new machine and attached new cards to the old one. Mr. Bennett's carding machines were located just north of the Cooper grist mill.
During the year 1812, D. C. Cooper dug a race leading from the old mill race to his saw-mill, frequently having a whole company of soldiers at work at it for several days at a time. It was his intention to creet a paper mill upon this race, as well as a saw-mill, but his death in 1818 prevented the accomplishment of this purpose. The construction of the canal afterward, furnished more plentiful as well as more economical water power, and largely increased the number of manufacturing estab- lishments immediately after it was built, and by this means double the population has since been sustained-of manufacturers and their employes in the city and of agriculturists in the immediate vicinity-than would. otherwise have been possible.
In 1815, a man named Sutherland put some carding machines into operation in the gristmill. Mr. Sutherland was a very industrious man, and of an excellent moral character. He was of much more than ordinary intelligence, was highly respected, and devoted most of his leisure time to reatling. He was not known to have an enemy in the world, and was not thought to deserve one. ITis business was so prosperous that it was necessary for him to run his machines night as well as day. It was his custom to attend the carding machines himself until about 1 p. M., and then to wake a young man who slept in the same room in which the machines were kept running, to attend them the rest of the night. One night the young man awoke without being called by Mr. Sutherland. Upon awak- ing he noticed that the machines were not running, and Mr. Sutherland was missing. The money in his desk was not taken away, neither were the clothes he was not wearing removed. It was therefore inferred that he did not leave the place clandestinely; for had he done so, it was thought that both money and clothes would have been taken. If violence had been done him some signs of that fact would have been discovered, and
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the young man would probably have been aroused. Had he committed suicide his remains would have been found. It could not therefore be conjectured with any degree of certainty whether he had absconded, com- mitted suicide, or been murdered, for appearances were as strongly against one of these suppositions as against either of the others. The mystery has never been explained.
In 1821, the announcement was made that Emory, Houghton & Company had erceted a nail factory near the Dayton Mills. The machinery of this factory was. propelled by water power. In July of that year it was in complete operation, and nails of the best quality were being made. In 1823, Samuel Shoup was engaged in the manufacture of hats in Dayton, on the corner of Second and Jefferson streets. One . of the earliest hat manufacturers in this city was Elias Favorite, who commenced in 1831 and continued to manufacture hats until the style changed from stiff hats to soft hats, in connection with the visit of Louis Kossuth to this country in 1858, when the business generally went into the hands of large manufacturing establishments in the East, and most of the smaller concernis closed out their business.
William H. Brown came to Dayton in 1823, and from that time until 1839, carried on gunsmithing in this place. He was the first gunsmith in the city. For some time he manufactured his own barrels, but afterward purchased them of Strickler, Wilt & Company.
Mr. Thomas Clegg was one of Dayton's most prominent carly' manufacturers. He came here in 1824, and that year took up the site of the nail factory of Emory; Houghton & Company mentioned above, using it for the erection of a cotton factory, which was known as the " Washington Cotton Factory." This was the first cotton factory in Dayton. Mr. Clegg commenced spinning cotton in a building erected by Thomas Morrison, which stood just north of First Street, about one square northeast of where the Swaynie House stood. In order to increase the capacity of the factory, Mr. Clegg erected several other buildings in 1825, and continued the manufacture of cotton at the old location until 1833, when he changed the location of his factory to the new hydraulic, just opposite the lock in the canal, at the Fifth Street crossing. At this time, he took into partnership with himself his son, Joseph Clegg, under the firm name of Thomas Clegg & Son. This firm cou- tinued until 1844, when Joseph Clegg withdrew.
In 1828, Thomas Clegg, in connection with Mr. McElvee, ander the firm name of MeElwee & Clegg, started an iron foundry, which was located at the head of the basin, near Cooper's mill. . This was the first foundry in Dayton. At it nearly all kinds of castings could be obtained 27
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at reasonable cost, and old metal could be sold at a half a cent a pound. This foundry was the origin of the business, which, continued along through various changes, became the Globe Iron Works, at present owned by Stout, Mills & Temple, a history of which firm may be found elsewhere.
In 1832, the partnership existing between McElwee and Clegg was dissolved, and Thomas Clegg continued the business alone, under the name of the Dayton Iron Foundry. About the same time, or soon afterward, he started a brass foundry in what was known as the old distillery, on the bank of the Miami River, between Main and Jefferson streets, and for a long time his business in this line was very extensive. IIe continued in it until new and more extensive establishments with larger capital began competing for the trade, when he discontinued it, not considering it longer worthy his attention.
When Joseph Clegg withdrew from the firm of Thomas Clegg & Son in 1844, as above narrated, he creeted the building which is now occupied by John Rouzer & Company, in which he commenced the manufacture of cotton yarns and cotton batting on his own account, but the same year converted the establishment into a linseed oil mill, taking into partner- ship Thomas Parrott, under the firm name of Joseph Clegg & Company. In 1849, Joseph Clegg purchased the factory operated by Thomas Clegg & Son, which from 1844 to 1849 had been operated alone by Thomas Clegg who then retired from active business in Dayton. Soon after this pur- chase Mr. Clegg sold the factory to Joseph Clegg & Company, and about the same time the name of the firm was changed to Parrott & Clegg. They then moved their oil mill machinery to the building recently purchased, the old Washington factory, and continued in business therein until 1850, when Mr. Clegg sold his interest in the establishment to Thomas Parrott, who continued to carry it on until his death, February 9, 1864, after which it was conducted for the estate by his two sons. In 1866, the business passed into the possession of Gebhart, Pope & Company, who continued it until 1882, when the firm became what it is now, II. L. Pope & Company, composed of H. L. Pope and Walter Gebhart, who have added largely to the capacity of the mills, until at the present time they have a capacity of two hundred thousand bushels of flax seed per year. The entire length of their buildings as enlarged is 185 feet, and the width remains the same as of old, 72 feet.
When Mr. Clegg sold his interest to Thomas Parrott, he became one of the organizers of the Farmers' Bank, which had its banking house in Beekel Block on East Third Street, the other two gentlemen owning this bank being Daniel Beckel and William Dickey. This same firm
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started the Miami Valley Bank and the Dayton Insurance Company, sketches of all of which institutions may be found elsewhere in this volume. In 1852, Mr. Clegg withdrew from the Farmers' Bank, and from that time until 1961 devoted himself to the real estate business. In the first year of his operations in this line, he erected Clegg's Hall on Third Street, east of Main, the first ball built in. Dayton. Mr. Clegg erected numerous other buildings in the city beside this hall. In 1861, he bought the buildings formerly occupied as the Crawford Last and Peg Factory, and then occupied by Thomas Brown & Sons as a wooden ware manufactory. Mr. Clegg continued in this business until 1862 or 1863, when he converted the establishment into an oil mill and operated it in connection with his son, Charles B. Clegg, and his son-in-law, Captain E. Morgan Wood, under the firm name of Clegg, Wood & Company, greatly enlarging its facilities and increasing its operations until 1873, when he retired from the business, and it has since been conducted under the firm name of Wood, Archer & Company. Since 1873, the capacity of the mills has been still more increased until it is now from one hundred thousand to one hundred and fifty thousand bushels of flax seed per annum.
As has been stated above, the first iron foundry was that started by Thomas Clegg in 1828. When Mr. Clegg retired from business this foundry passed into the hands of Westerman & Stout, who, in 1846, built a fine machine shop on the Cooper hydraulic, adjoining the foundry. Some time afterward the firm became so changed as to be composed of Atlas L. Stout, who was the former partner of Mr. Westerman, William M. Mills, and John C. Temple, under the firm name of Stout, Mills & Temple, and as such it has been continued until the present time. Their works are known as the "Globe Iron Works," and are now located at the corner of South Ludlow and Bayard streets. Their buildings are of brick, and of the following dimensions: Main building, 267x50, 100 feet of the building being two stories high. The foundry is 130x50 feet, besides which there are a paint shop, blacksmith shop, and warehouses.
The firm is largely engaged in the manufacture of paper-mill, flour- mill, and saw-mill machinery. They also make rag engines and wood pulp grinders, the Gilbert combination, and Livingston roller-mills, shaft- ing, gearing, pulleys, etc., and carry on a very extensive business. Their office is a neat two-story brick structure, located across Bayard Street from the main building, and the firm is now composed of the same gentlemen mentioned above.
In 1827, Henry Diehl's chair factory was in operation. It was located a few doors south of the courthouse. Mr. Diehl manufactured all kinds
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of chairs, but appears to have made a specialty of gridiron, Windsor, and fancy chairs. P. L. Walker was at the same the manufacturing saddles, harness, and trunks, as well as military accouterments. His factory was located opposite the clerk's office. Samuel Dolly was engaged in the manufacture of coaches, carriages, gigs, and Dearborns, "according to the newest fashion or to order." In 1828, the first canal boat was built in Dayton, by Solomon Eversole, for John Rench. The boat was named the Alpha of Dayton, and was launched August 16th of that year.
The manufacture of Jethro Woods' patent plow was commenced in Dayton in the early part of the year 1829, by J. Ridgway, who informed the farmers of Montgomery County of the fact, and of the location of his factory, which was "just north of Lancasterian Seminary, and in front of the State Basin." All farmers who wished to purchase plows were invited to visit the factory, and the generous offer was made to anyone that he might take a plow on one month's trial and return it without charge if it did not prove satisfactory.
P. C. Hathaway commenced the manufacture of planes in June, 1829, his factory being located on the "south side of Main Street, opposite Mr. Hughes' tavern." Brown & Darst commenced the manufacture of saddles, harness, and trunks in September, 1830, on Second Street, a few doors east of Phillips & Perrine's store, and also on Main Street, nearly opposite the courthouse, in the shop " recently occupied by P. L. Walker."
S. Trembly on the 22d of March, 1831, gave notice to the public that he had established a hat factory in the new brick building on Main Street, opposite the jail, where he would carry on the manufacture of all kinds of hats. Peter Lehman had then been for some time engaged in wagon making. In January, 1831, he moved his wagon manufactory to the building formerly occupied by Elijah Githens as a chair factory, on Main Street, opposite Center Market Street. Toward the latter part of this year, D. L. Boogher and P. Lehman associated themselves together under the firm name of Boogher & Lehman, in the manufacture of combs. They called their establishment the "Dayton Comb Factory," where they manufactured combs of every description.
In March, 1832, A. Casad and Daniel M. Curtis, under the firm name of Casad & Curtis, commenced the manufacture of all kinds of satinets and jeans in the fulling-mill, formerly occupied by Mr. Elmy, near Cooper's mill, a short distance from the head of the basin. At this time Lewis A. Hildreth was carrying on the cabinet-making business a few doors from W. Eaker's store, and William Parker was also engaged in the same line of manufacture on Old Market Street. Nelson Holland was engaged in wagon-making near the head of the basin, having recently
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removed from First Street. Strickler, Wilt & Company were making gun barrels of a superior quality, both for the general trade and to order. E. Stansifer had a looking-glass mannfactory on the corner opposite Mir. Samuel Shoup's hat shop, on Old Market Street, and the Miami Cotton Company, having doubled their machinery, could promptly supply any quantity of cotton yarn, candle-wiek, and cotton batting.
In connection with the Washington Cotton Factory was a machine shop, at which were made at that time all kinds of steam engines, cotton and woolen machinery, slide and hand lathes; fullers', millers', and tobac- conists' screws, taps, dies, screw-plates, etc. In connection with this factory, Thomas Clegg's iron and brass foundry was in operation, at which he made bells of all sizes, from one ounce up to one thousand pounds. In 1833, John J. Lyons was engaged in the manufacture of wooden-ware, tubs, buckets, pails, patent churns, and all articles in the coopering line. He was located on Jefferson Street, between First and Water streets. In the same year Knight & Kerr, having purchased the entire establishment of. D. Bowen, commenced the manufacture of post coaches, chariotces, barouches, phaetons, gigs, sulkies, etc., at the old stand, on Main Street, between Main Cross and Fourth streets. The Dayton Chair Factory was owned and operated by G. A. Hatfield in 1835, and was located one door west of John Lehman's inn, on First Street, near the basin. All kinds of chairs were manufactured by Mr. Hatfield, but he appears to have made a specialty of Windsor chairs. S. T. Harker at this time had a soap and candle factory near the head of the basin, where he made molded and dipped candles, as well as soap. Henry Diehl had a chair manufactory on the west side of Main Street, two doors south of Franklin Street. Toward the latter part of this year there was established a new carpet factory, about one hun- dred yards below the gun barrel factory of Strickler, Wilt & Company. The building occupied by this company was one hundred by forty feet on the ground and three stories high.
In 1834, James Greer and Augustin King, under the firm name of Greer & King, established themselves in the manufacture of stoves and hollow ware in the city. These two gentlemen continued the business until 1848, when Augustin King retired from the firm, and was succeeded in the business by his son, Rufus J. King, who had been connected with the firm ever since its establishment. No change of name was required, and the business was conducted by Greer & King until 1874, when Mr. Greer died. From that time until 1884, Mr. Rufus J. King carried on the business under the firm name which was so well known, until 188-4, when he entirely discontinued it. This was one of the large manufactur-
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ing firms of Daytou, employing when at the height of its prosperity, about one hundred men, and conducting a proportionately extensive business.
In 1834, Hiram Wyatt came to Dayton from Cincinnati and went to work for Tilden & Smith, a firm composed of Alvin Tilden and Walter Smith, who had been for a year or two engaged in running a bakery here. After working for them about two months, Mr. Tilden wished to sell his interest in the business to Mr. Wyatt, and the firm became Smith & Wyatt. Their bakery was on St. Clair Street in what was known as the Academy Building, the front part of which this firm rented to the Catholic church, themselves occupying the back part. At the expiration of one year Mr. Wyatt bought the interest of his partner, and continued the business alone until 1888, when he went into partnership with Lovi Wollaston on Second Street, the firm name being Wyatt & Wollaston. and it so remained until 1841 when it was dissolved. In that year Mr. Wyatt, built a factory on Third Street, near Madison, and in it carried on the business alone until 1849, when he took into partnership John R. Nickum, the firm becoming Wyatt & Nickum. In 1851, this firm introduced a steam engine into their business, and established the first steam bakery in Dayton, if not in Ohio. This was a great curiosity, people from all the surround- ing towns coming to Dayton to see a " steam bakery," of the management of which they had but little idea. In 1859, Mr. Nickum sold his interest in the establishment to T. Wyatt, and the name of the firm became H. &. T. Wyatt, as it remained until the business was sold and discontinued in 1886. The facilities for the manufacture of crackers were complete, and the business was very large, the annual trade amounting some year's to forty thousand dollars.
In 1828, Thomas Brown came from Xenia to Dayton, and established himself in business as a house contractor, and was engaged in building all kinds of houses until 1848. From that time until 1853 he was out of business, and in the latter year he became interested in a coal mine on the Wabash River, and was engaged in coal mining until 1855, from which time until 1861 he was again out of business. From 1861 to 1869 he was one of the lessces of the publie works of the State. The business carried on by the company, of which he is now the president, and of which he became a member in 1869, was commenced in a small way by Harvey Blanchard, on the east side of the canal, between Third and Fourth streets, in 1847, and in 1850, S. N. Brown, who was a carriage-maker by trade, was admitted to partnership by Mr. Blanchard, the firm name becoming Blanchard & Brown. In 1863, J. M. Phelps became a silent partner, and in 1867, upon the death of Mr. Blanchard, Messrs. Brown
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& Phelps purchased the interest of Mr. Blanchard, and changed the name of the firm to S. N. Brown & Company. In 1869, a stock company was incorporated with a capital of one hundred and forty-seven thousand five hundred dollars, which remains the same, but a surplus of sixty thousand. dollars has accumulated. In 1851, the firm of Blanchard & Brown moved to the corner of Kenton and Fourth streets, and in 1869, the firm of S. N. Brown & Company erected the five-story brick structure, which they now occupy, and moved into it on January 1, 1870. This building is located on the southeast corner of Fourth and St. Clair streets. Besides this they occupy a three-story frame building, which was erected in 1852, and which is used for the rough turning of wood work. Their line of manufactures includes carriage wheels, hubs, spokes, and bent materials, of which they turn out annually about one hundred and fifty thousand dollars worth, and give employment to about one hundred and thirty hands. Their goods find sale in all parts of the civilized world. The officers of the company have always been as follows: Thomas Brown, president; S. N. Brown, general manager; Charles II. Brown, superintendent; and J. M. Phelps, secretary and treasurer.
In former pages reference was made to the last factory of A. & Z. Crawford, which was established in 1829. A. & Z. Crawford were two brothers who commenced the manufacture of lasts in a small way in a little building on Main Street, opposite where the jail now stands. In 1842, the firm received an addition to its membership, in the person of " C. H. Crawford, and the firm name became A. & Z. Crawford & Company. This firm lasted until 1846, when the name was changed to Crawford & Company. From 1855 to 1870, the firm name was Crawford & Stilwell by the addition of E. R. Stilwell to the membership. In 1870, Jacob Coffman became a member of the firm, the name of which was then Crawford & Coffman until 1874, when John MeGregor purchased an interest and the name was then Coffman & Company, until 1886, when Edward Canby became a member of the firm, and the name was again changed to Crawford, McGregor & Canby. Thus it remained until November, 1887, when C. II. Crawford died, and his son, W. II. Crawford, took his place in the firm. The growth of this business has been somewhat remarkable. In 1874, the firm had three machines turning out forty pairs of lasts per day. At the present time there are in the factory nine machines, each turning out about fifty pairs per day. Since 1888, this firm has turned out about two thousand pairs of last blocks per day, and they also handle about fifteen thousand bushels of pegs per year. In addition to these articles there are manufactured at this factory, boot trees, crimps, boot signs, etc., giving employment to about eighty hands.
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