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 9
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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
The firm of Brownell, Roberts & Lee was established in December, 1864, and was composed of John R. Brownell, James H. Brownell, E. II. Brownell, George J. Roberts, and Josiah Lee. The business of the firm consisted in the manufacture of machinery and a general foundry business, and it was located at Number 437 East First Street.
On May 8, 1865, F. J. Brownell was admitted to the firm, and on November 1, 1867, it was re-organized under the name of Brownell, Roberts & Company, with the following members: George J. Roberts, F. J. Brownell, Josiah Lee, Samuel C. French, Andrew Roher, C. H. Kielmeier, and James II. Brownell. Several changes occurred in the firm during 1869 and the carly part of 1870, and on June 1st, of this year, John R. Brownell bought James H. Brownell's interest. On February 21, 1871, George J. Roberts retired from the company, which was then incorporated as the Brownell & Kielmeier Manufacturing Company with a capital stock of two hundred thousand dollars, each share being worth five hundred dollars. The officers of this company were C. II. Kiehneier, president; John R. Brownell, vice-president and general superintendent; and James Anderton, scerotary and treasurer. The incorporation continued until 1878, when, on account of the panie of that year, it made an assignment. At the sale John R. Brownell bought two thirds and Martin Schneble one third of the property, and continued the busi- ness until February, 1884. In this year Mr. Brownell bought out the interest of Mr. Sehneble and ran the business alone under the name of
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Brownell & Company, until January, 1888, when the present company, known as " The Brownell & Company," was incorporated with a capital of one hundred thousand dollars, all paid in. The officers of this company are John R. Brownell, president and superintendent; D. IJ. Dryden, vice- president; E. A. Vance, secretary and treasurer.
The business remained at its original location until September 12, 1888, when a fire occurred, destroying buildings and machinery. The business was then moved to Findlay Street, just north of First, where a portion of the boiler plant had been since 1883. The entire plant at this new location, as it stands to-day, consists of a two-story machine shop, 200x60 feet, with a three-story office, 30 feet square; a foundry building, 200x60 feet, with an "L" 50x30 feet; a boiler shop, 200x50 feet, with two "L's," 50 fect square; and a recent addition to the boiler shop, 70x227 feet. Four steam engines are in use-one of sixty horse-power, two of twenty horse-power cach, and one of fifty horse-power. The works have a capacity of upward of one million dollars' worth of work annually and of five hundred men, while three hundred men are employed, and during the last year six hundred thousand dollars' worth of work was turned out.
W. P. Levis commenced the manufacture of paper in Dayton in 1872, erceting in that year a factory building on the northeast corner of Foundry Street and Monument Avenue. The main building is 100x50 feet in size, and there are other necessary buildings in the immediate vicinity. Twenty-two men and eleven girls are employed in the mills, and about two tons of paper are made each day. Only the finest lithograph and plate paper are made, and it is sold mostly in Dayton, Cincinnati, St. Louis, and New Orleans.
The business of Thresher & Company was originally established in 1869, by E. Thresher & Company. The present company succeeded to the business in 1874. It is composed of J. B. Thresher, E. M. Thresher, and Albert Thresher. They are manufacturers of varnishes and boiled linseed oil, the factory being located out of the city, and the office being located at Number 863 East Monument Avenue. This is one of the pioneer varnish manufacturing companies in Montgomery County, and their goods find sale in all parts of the United States.
The Smith & Vaile Company's business was started in 1874 by a partnership, under the name of Smith, Vaile & Company, the members of the firm being Preserved Smith, J. H. Vaile, and W. W. Smith. They at first rented the Woodsum Machine Company's building, in which they remained until 1881, when they removed to their present works, located on Keowee Street, just north of Mad River. Here they occupy
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eight acres of ground, the buildings alone covering three acres. Each of these buildings is used for specific operations, and the entire equip- ment is as complete as it is possible to make it. An engine of one hundred horse-power is used, and the number of hands employed varies from two hundred and forty to four hundred and fifty. The Smith & Vaile Company was incorporated in 1886, with a capital of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. The incorporators of the company were Preserved Smith, J. H. Vaile, W. W. Smith, O. P. MeCabe, and S. II. Carr. Upon the organization of the company, W. W. Smith became president and treasurer; J. II. Vaile, vice-president and superintendent; O. P. McCabe, secretary. The company manufactures steam pumps, cot- ton-seed oil and linseed oil machinery, and other similar machinery, heavy hydraulic machinery being a specialty. The total annual value of the product of this establishment is from four hundred and fifty thousand dollars to five hundred thousand dollars, and its manufactures find a market all over the United States, and also in all other civilized countries, wherever mechanical industries are carried on. The company has branch establishments in London, Moscow, the City of Mexico, and New York, besides agencies in other localities.
The business of the Crume & Sefton Manufacturing Company was established in April, 1877, by Aulabaugh, Crumo & Company with a factory in the Beaver & Butt building on the corner of Fourth and St. Clair streets. They remained there until 1879, when they removed to Number 16 West Zeigler Street, near Main. In 1888, the company crected a new factory, the largest single factory building in the city. It is three stories high, and is 200x100 feet. It is located at the corner of Clinton and Bacon streets. The goods manufactured consist of wood and paper specialties, among which are the " Climax" wood dishes and wood pie plates, made from sweet gum wood which will not taint the contents; the " Globe" hinge lid oyster pails, the " Perfection" oyster pails, and the " Wood Braced" oyster pails, and sacks for carrying liquids securely. Another novelty lately introduced is the baking powder can, which is suitable for either baking powder, spices, or other ingredients. These cans are rapidly superseding tin cans. The body of the can is made of specially prepared water-proof white-lined straw board, with a tin bottom and top, neatly fastened by a patent process which prevents their detachment. The company also makes tea and coffee cans, and grease boxes on the same principle. This is the pioneer company in the line of manufactures which it carries on, and it trade is as large as that of all its competitors combined. The officers of the company are: W. E. Crume, president, and W. M. Kinnard, secretary and treasurer. Associated
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with them as directors are Messrs. E. J. Barney, George P. Huffinan, O. M. Gottschall, A. W. Lowrey, and F. M. Swope.
The Ohio Rake Company was incorporated as a stock company in 1884, with a capital of fifty thousand dollars, succceding to the busi- ness formerly conducted by Marshall, Graves & Company. The works consist of a three-story brick factory, 100x150 feet in size, a brick foundry, and a two-story office building. The capital was increased to seventy-five thousand dollars in 1887, and to one hundred thousand dollars in Septem- ber, 1888. The principal products of the works are hay rakes and tedders, binder trucks, spring-tooth and dise harrows, and hand corn-shellers. This company makes a larger variety of rakes than any other concern in the country, employs over one hundred men, and does a business of two hundred thousand dollars per year. The officers of the company are: Allen E. Thomas, president; John T. Bell, vice-president; W. S. Graves, secretary, and Sebastian Ritty, superintendent. The energy and skill of the company are sufficiently attested by its present works and extensive business.
The business of the Paper Novelty Company was started in 1883 by Shoap & Hughes. In 1884, H. IL. Laubach became a member of the firm, and the name was changed to Shoup, Hughes & Company. In 1885, Mr. Laubach bought out his two partners, and continued the business alone until 1886, when A. II. Iddings purchased an interest, and the firm name became Laubach & Iddings. On January 1, 1889, the firm became an incorporated company under the name of the Paper Novelty Company, the incorporators being H. H. Laubach, A. II. Iddings, Charles W. Bell, Theodore Schmidt, and John M. Sprague. Upon the organi- zation of the company, Mr. Laubach was elected president, Mr. Iddings vice-president, Mr. Bell secretary, Mr. Schmidt designer and superin- tendent, and Mr. Sprague attorney. The goods manufactured by this company consist of a great variety of paper boxes, in the form of folding boxes, pails, and analogous novelties, for ice cream satchels, candy packages, oyster satchels, berry pails, and milliners' hat boxes, etc. From a very small beginning the business has so grown, that at the present time one hundred hands on the average are employed.
The business of the Dayton Spice Mills Company was established in 1885 at Number 104 North Main Street, where it remained until destroyed by fire about six months afterward. It was then removed to its present location at the northwest corner of First and Foundry streets. The business consists of roasting coffees, grinding spices, and manu- facturing baking powders. The machinery, which is of the most modern construction, is driven by a seventy-five horse-power engine.
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The specialties of the company are Jersey coffee, Jersey baking powder, and Jersey spices, and the business of the house is exclusively wholesale.
One of the most remarkable machines of the present day is the cash register. The idea of building such a machine was conceived on board an ocean steamer in June, 1878, by James Ritty, a resident of this city. Before landing in England, Mr. Ritty matured his ideas and had them committed to paper, ready to put to the test on his arrival home, which was to be about six weeks later. Mr. Ritty returned to Dayton in August, 1878, and soon afterward he and others constructed five or six machines before they succeeded in making one that would work and register correctly cash transactions. The first patent was issued Novem- ber 4, 1879, and the manufacture of the cash register was at once commenced. Mr. Ritty, being a man of means and not wishing to be troubled with the manufacture of the machines himself, gave an interest to Jacob Eckert, who continued the manufacture until 1880, when Gustavus Sander bought out Mr. Ritty's interest. Shortly afterward a company was formed and named the Dayton Manufacturing Company.
In the fall of 1884, the present company took up the stock and named the corporation the National Cash Register Company. John Il. Patterson was chosen president of the company, which started with a paid up capital of fifteen thousand dollars. The register has, since its invention, been improved by tedious and laborious, yet natural, transi- tions, until it has been developed into a perfect piece of mechanism, covered by thirty-one patents instead of the single patent of 1879.
In 1886, the capital stock was increased to one hundred thousand dollars, and the officers that were elected at its organization still remain in office. The present large and convenient brick building was completed in sixty-four days in 1888, and the business transferred thereto from the Callahan Power Block in June of the same year. The present force of two hundred and twenty skilled mechanics manufactures a yearly output of over seven thousand registers. From June, 1888, the factory has not succeeded in filling its orders.
The National Cash Register is an automatie machine which records every cash and credit transaction that occurs in a retail business house. One stroke of the key registers the purchase, indicates the fact on a tablet, announces that a transaction has occurred by the ringing of a small bell, and displays the amount of the sale on white tablets in a glass aperture at the top. Within the register the amount is added on wheels and a perfect record kept of all transactions occurring during the day. In appearance the register is a neat fixture made of nickel, ,
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or imported wood to harmonize with the fittings of any store. The dimensions are 14x18 inches at the base and the height is sixteen inches.
The firm of Mahrt, Stengel & Company was formed in 1883 for the purpose of manufacturing bedsteads. A three-story brick building was erected, which was 40x85 feet in size. The firm as originally organized continued until January, 1885, when Mr. Mahrt retired, and since then it has been John Stengel & Company, composed of John Stengel and G. Stomps, the latter being a partner in the firm of G. Stomps & Com- pany. As the business grew, the manufacture of chamber sets and tables was added, and now the manufacture of bedsteads, tables, and chamber sets is carried on. In 1886, a new building was erected, four stories high and 40x75 feet in size, so that now the factory consists of the two buildings above described. The number of hands employed is about sixty on the average, and the annual amount of business so far has been about one hundred thousand dollars.
In 1856, Charles Nixon and Thomas Nixon established a paper-mill at Richmond, Indiana. In 1866, they added a paper-bag factory, and in 1873, in order to secure better shipping facilities, Thomas Nixon moved the paper-bag factory to Dayton. Mr. Nixon carried on the manufacture of paper bags alone until 1880, when he took into partnership his son, Frank M. Nixon, the firm name becoming Thomas Nixon & Company, as it remains to this time. The factory of this firm is located at the corner of First and Mill streets, and is a four-story brick building, 50x100 fect in size, and the machinery is operated by an eighty-five horse-power engine. The products of the factory are paper bags and flour sacks, and the capacity of the works is about eight hundred thousand bags and sacks per day. The firm manufactures its own paper, which gives it great advantages in the market. It also deals in paper in a wholesale way and executes its own printing in connection with its enterprise.
F. M. Nixon is also interested in another enterprise which possesses a great deal of merit, that of the manufacture of patent paper bottle wrappers, which are made of heavy soft paper to fit any size or shape of bottle. The other member of this firm is M. Costello, and the name of the firm is Nixon & Costello. The enterprise was established in February, 1887, and has already grown to large proportions.
In 1842, Thomas B. Rose and Reuben MeMillen began the manufac- ture of woolen machinery ou the present location of the Oregon Flouring Mills. In 1844, Asa MeMillen took the place of Reuben, and died in 1855. Shortly afterward Mr. Rose discontinued the business. In 1845, Henry Ferneding, his brother, J. C. Ferneding, and Frank Often, purchased the site of their malt house on Kenton Street, and began the manufacture 30
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of malt. Mr. Otten died in 1847, and the firm became J. C. & II. Ferne- ding. In 1850, they purchased the old Riddle Brewery, and in 1851 built in its stead the malt house on St. Clair Street. The firm at the present time mannfactures about fifty thousand bushels of malt per year. Joseph Wroe commenced the manufacture of files in Dayton in 1845, at the head of the basin. In 1849, be removed to his present location, Number 331 East Fifth Street. Madison Munday and Jacob Worman began the manufacture of malt at 650 South Main Street, in 1853. In 1854, the firm became Munday, Worman & Company, Washington Silzell being admitted to the firm. Mr. Silzell afterward succceded the firm, and in 1883, his son, Edward A. Silzell, became a partner, the firm becoming as at present Washington Silzell & Son. They still remain at the old location, and make about fifty thousand bushels of malt per year.
John Klee & Son are the successors to John Klee, who began the manufacture of mineral water in 1860. His son, John Klee, Jr., was admitted to partnership in 1887, and the firm became as at present. They are located at the corner of First and Canal streets, and employ about ten men. The firm of Beaver & Company was established in 1878 by F. P. Beaver, on Commercial Street. The present members of the firm are F. P. Beaver and W. D. Chamberlin, and their business is located at Numbers 28 to 32 Sears Street. They manufacture toilet soap, and employ about eighteen men. Lewis & Company manufacture circular saws, the business having been established in 1864 or 1865 by W. B. Barry. The firm is now located at Numbers 411 and 413 East First Street, and is conducted by George B. Lewis. The Dayton Leather and Collar Company was established in 1863 by Haas & Mitchell. The present company was incorporated in 1872. The company carry on the business of tanning harness leather and manufacturing horse collars at Number 29 East Second Street, and the business is in the hands of C. N. Mitchell, the president of the company. F. A. Requarth & · Company are stair builders and manufacturers of prismatic balustrades, newel posts, etc. The business was established in 1860 by Meyer & Requarth, but, after several changes, the firm finally became as at present. The members of the firm are F. A. Requarth, H. W. Requarth, and II. W. Hueffehmann. . The premises occupied are located at Number 34 South St. Clair Street, and a very large business is carried ou.
The enterprise of Lowe Brothers, the manufacture of paints and colors, was founded in 1862 by Stoddard & Grimes. Lowe Brothers succeeded to the business in 1872. They are located at 134 and 136 East Third Street. R. Wolf manufactures paper boxes at Number, 25 North Main Street. His house was established in 1864. E. B. Lyon
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commenced the manufacture of trunk supplies in 1865. The products of this establishment consist mainly of trunk slats and handles, which are made in large quantities. The house of Weaver Brothers, who carry on the manufacture of carriages at Number 31 West Fourth Street, was established in 1808 by Garrety & Weaver. Charles Weaver succeeded to the business in 1875, and at his death in 1881, his two sons, Phillip and William, succeeded him, and still conduct the business.
- Miller Brothers manufacture cigars and deal in leaf tobacco at 138 and 140 Canal Street, the business having been founded in 1871. The present large factory was erected in 1884. The firm is also largely interested in the Bowanee Medicine Company, which is engaged in the manufacture of "Bowanee," a specific for dyspepsia and indigestion. J. L. Baker commenced the manufacture of carriages in 1872. Ilis factory is at Numbers 22 to 26 West Fifth Street, and its products are light and heavy carriages, sleighs, cte. The house of Hanna Brothers was founded in 1875, and is located at Number 119 Hanna Lane. They employ about one hundred skilled cigar-makers and make many fine brands of cigars. J. W. MeSherry founded the enterprise of manufactur- ing putty in 1875. The firm is now J. W. MeSherry & Company, as it has been since 1887. The business is managed by E. C. Boyer. The ' house of Joyce, Cridland & Company was established in 1875. The goods manufactured consist of patent specialties, known to the trade as J. O. Joyce's lever jacks and compound lever and screw jacks. Vises are also made in large quantities.
The Royal Remedy and Extract Company was established in 1876 by Irvin C. Souders, and it was incorporated in 1888 with its present title. About sixteen hands are employed, and the officers at the present time are Irvin C. Souders, president, and Robert II. Ferguson, secretary and treasurer. C. W. Adams has been engaged in the manufacture of files since 1877 at Number 18 Spratt Street. He furnishes employment to about eight or ten men. The house of II. E. Mead & Company was established in 1877. They are manufacturers of and jobbers in paper and twine, and employ about thirty hands. L. M. Brown, located at the corner of Hawthorne Street and the railroad, manufactures toilet soap. The business was established in 1878. The Dayton Woolen Mills, owned by J. II. Wild & Company, manufacture blankets, flannels, knitting yarns, wool batting, ete. The house was established in 1880, and is located at Number 322 East First Street. Schaeffer & Company are engaged in the manufacture of wire rakes at Number 232 First Street. Their specialties are the "Gem City" wire rake and the "Davis" lawn rake. L. A. Schaeffer has been sole proprietor since 1881, and manufactures about
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forty thousand rakes per annum. C. W. Raymond & Company, located at Numbers 7 to 11 Wayne Avenue, are manufacturers of brickmakers' supplies. C. W. Raymond has conducted the business since: 1880. Leland & Tiffany, practical machinists, are located at Number 102 South Canal Street. The house was founded in 1882. They manufacture patent. cone belt shifters and Birel's patent self-tightening coupling for shafting. The members of the firm are J. J. Leland and A. R. Tiffany.
Philip E. Gilbert is engaged in contracting and building and in the manufacture of sash, doors, and blinds, at Numbers 1010 and 1012 East Fifth Street, where he employs about sixty men. Bloom, Gerwels & Company manufacture cigars at Numbers 330 and 332 Warren Street. The present firin dates from 1884 and employs about one hundred and forty hands. The-Silver Moon Tobacco Works were established in 1885, and in 1888 became the Terry & Porterfick Tobacco Company. The company manufactures fine cut and smoking tobacco of all grades. The proprietors of the business are James Terry and J. C. Porterfield.
Hollencamp & Kramer are the proprietors of the Dayton Ale Brewery, located at the corner of Brown and Hickory streets. They have been engaged in the manufacture of fine ale and porter since 1885. They bottle their own goods. The Gem City Brewery was established in May, 1888. The members of the firm are George Schantz and Louis Schwind. The brewery has a capacity of about thirty thousand barrels per year. The Gem City Stove Company manufactures stoves, and the "Perfect" and " Success" gas ranges. The works are on North Taylor Street. The company was established in 1885 and makes all varieties of stoves.
The Pasteur-Chamberland Filter Company was incorporated in De- cember, 1887. It is engaged in the manufacture of the "Pasteur Germ Proof Water Filter," at Nuniber 61 South Wyandotte Street. The filter is the invention of the celebrated French chemist, M. Louis Pasteur, and is made of porcelain tubes which resemble a candle, having ho opening except at one end, through which the purified water is dis- charged. The officers of the company are A. A. Blount, president; T. S. Babbitt, vice-president, and J. S. Miles, secretary and general manager. Murray & Hannah manufacture carriages at Number 409 East Third Street, and have had many years' experience. The Key Baking Powder Company was organized in May, 1888, and is engaged in the manufacture of baking powder and flavoring extracts. The factory is at Number 19 South St. Clair Street. J. A. Walters is president of the company; II. Ilanitel, vice-president, and J. B. Walters, secretary and treasurer.
The Dayton Hydraulic Company was incorporated March 3, 1845, by
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a special act of the legislature, the incorporators being Horatio D. Phillips, Daniel Beckel, Samuel D. Edgar, and John G. Lowe, the last named being the only one of the original incorporators now surviving. The authorized capital was three hundred and fifty thousand dollars. By act of the general assembly passed February 24, 1846, the company was authorized to organize when thirty-five thousand dollars was subscribed, section three of the original act requiring seventy thousand dollars. On March 7, 1846, the amendment was accepted by the company, and the company was organized by the election of three directors, IJ. D. Phillips, Daniel Beckel, and Samuel D. Edgar. J. D. Phillips was elected president and Daniel Beckel secretary. The original charter authorized the company to choose a board of directors to consist of not less than three nor more than five, and since the organization there have never been more than three directors in the board. On January 3, 1848, the capital stock increased twenty-one thousand dollars, making it fifty-six thousand dollars, which it has been ever since. The dam and canal of the company, computations for the head and fall, etc., were made by the late Samuel Forrer, in the summer of 1845. The construction of the dam was princi- pally under the supervision of Daniel Beckel, with the late D. HI. Morrison as the engineer of construction. Mr. Forrer had a wide reputation for competency and thoroughness in his profession, and Mr. Morrison was equally well known for his carefulness and accuracy in all his computations and estimates. But to Samuel D. Edgar and Daniel Beckel is due the credit of originating and developing the scheme of this hydraulic. The dam is two and a half miles above the mills, from which place the water is drawn from Mad River by means of gates, and after it is used by the mills, it is dis- charged into the Miami and Erie Canal as a tail-race. At the time of the location of the works and afterward, Mr. Forrer estimated that the flow of water would be ten thousand cubic feet per minute, at or near the hydraulic dam, at a medium state of water in the river. This amount of water is what flows through the hydraulic when the mills are in operation. The officers of the company at the present time are Charles D. Mead, president; John G. Lowe, secretary; and Henry C. Lowe is the other director.
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