USA > Ohio > Erie County > History of Erie County Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 49
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Mattress Factory. J. Ricker's mattress factory is an establishment of the city that, while it cannot boast as great sales as some establishments, is still very widely khown, and covers a large section of country with its wholesale trade. Over five thousand mattresses are annually sold by this concern to furniture dealers in the South and West. He was compelled to enlarge his fa- cilities some two or or three years ago to accommodate the increasing and profitable wholesale trade. Mr. Ricker is a practical workman himself and employs a number of men in his work.,
Sandusky Basket Factory. This is the only establishment of its kind in the city, and enjoys almost a monopoly of the large fruit basket trade of the sur. rounding vineyards, and of the peach orchards and vineyards of Marblehead and the islands of Lake Erie. The factory was started in 1883 by C. W. Koc- gle, C. Doerflinger and Mr. Herder. A year later the last named gentleman retired and was succeeded by John Doerflinger, a brother of C. W. Doer- flinger. The firm has remained the same since that time. The business re-
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THE CITY OF SANDUSKY.
quires considerable quantities of timber which is purchased from adjoining counties, and from the Dominion of Canada. The factory annually turns out an average of about fifty thousand dozens fruit baskets, and furnishes employ- ment for some thirty-five persons during a portion of the year. The wages paid vary in accordance with the skill and experience of the workmen, from seventy-five cents per day to two dollars.
The buildings are located on the cove east of Meigs street, and are of wood. All the necessary modern appliances for rapid work are to be found in the establishment. The engine is run by C. W. Koegle, one of the owners mentioned above.
MERCANTILE AND OTHER BUSINESS INTERESTS OF SANDUSKY.
It is an undoubted truth that there has not been at any time during the past life and history of Sandusky a supply not fully equal to the demand in the mercantile branch of trade. As the old adage has it, " competition is the life of trade," but that same competition, carried to an extreme, may be equally the death of trade. Mercantile business, like any other, if overdone or over- represented, results in stagnation, and stagnation generally results in failure, unless the owner happens to be sufficiently well possessed of this "world's goods " to weather a season of storm; then those not so fortunately circum- stanced must yield to the inevitable.
The reader must not infer from this that the city has been remarkable for its business failures, for such is not the case. Its business houses are as firmly established and as well conditioned as any other city similarly situated ; still, it appears to the careful and disinterested observer that every branch of trade is as well represented, and possibly a little more than that, as the population of the city and surrounding country will warrant. This is, of course, benefi- cial to the purchaser and consumer, but is not especially profitable to the per- son whose capital is invested.
The impression seems to have gone abroad through the country generally that during the last few years Ohio has made rapid strides in the direction of prohibition, and it is quite generally believed, in some other States at least, that in the very near future Ohio will be placed on the catalogue of the prohi- bition States. But whatever may have occurred elsewhere to give rise to this belief, the tidal wave of prohibition has certainly not touched the city of San- dusky, however much such an event might be desirable. We read in every paper of the great reduction in number of saloons in other places. Can it be possible they have removed here from elsewhere ? While it is by no means the province of this work to criticise or comment upon any existing condition of things, the presence of over two hundred saloons in a city of twenty-three thousand population is something unusual. But the city authorities seem to be fully competent to regulate the economy of municipal affairs, and it be- hooves not this work to lament or condemn their action.
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434
HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY.
When Sandusky received its first pioneer inhabitants the mercantile busi- ness of the place, when established, was held to the vicinity of Water street and Columbus avenue, and it was not until some years later that it extended to Market street and other thoroughfares. The bulk of trade (outside of man- ufacturing and producing) still holds to the old localities, and may be said now to be confined to the streets named, although, with the gradual increase in population, business enterprises were started and have been maintained in many sections outside the recognized center.
Having in this chapter devoted considerable space to a mention and de- scription of the manufacturing and producing industries of the city, simple justice demands that there be made some notice of the mercantile interests and of those who are engaged therein ; but it is impossible to devote space to each individual enterprise beyond a mention in the general class to which each respectively belongs. And it is deemed inadvisable for the intention of this chapter to mention the location of each tradesman, but rather, to classify them under a general head, as has elsewhere been done in this work, that the reader may gain something of an idea of the increase in every branch of trade over that done thirty, forty, or fifty years ago in the same territory. And it is especially to be desired that this mention will not be considered as giving this work the appearance or character of a business directory, but that it will be treated as a part of a record of the things that now exist and as they exist.
In 1888 it is found that there are engaged in business pursuits as
Agricultural Implement Dealers .- Arend Bros. (Charles H., August H. and William G.), Jacob Arend, Sanderson & Foster, Rinkleff & Taubert (George M. Rinkleff 'and Lewis J. Taubert), T. B. Taylor & Co. (Thomas B. and Den- nis G. Taylor).
Bakers .- Herman F. Cluever, Frank Conrad, Frank Frank, Glahn & In- gwersen, Jacob Kanzler, William Kreutsinger, William Krysinger, John B. Newmeyer, George Prestler & Son, Anthony Schaefer, Andrew Schott.
Booksellers and Stationers .- J. L. Bonn & Son, Joseph Elsner, Julius Eck- ener, William Hamilton, H. C. Huntington & Co
Boot and Shoe Dealers .- Conrad Braun, Cable Bros., H. W. Curth, Bern- hard Esch, Frederick Federer, John A. Feuerstein, Christian Frey, Geideman & Homegardner, Isaac Grasgreen, Michael Heinzerling, George Held, Paul Herter, Klieger & Parsons, Oswald Link, Joseph Leitzinger, George Mayer, George Oberer, Frank Pietschmann, William M. Rhode, John L. Rieger, Her- man Roth, Ambrose Schnell, Theodore Schneider, Carl Schultz, Michael Sil- bersack, Christian Stubig, A. W. Tamm, Jacob Wiederkehr.
Crockery, China and Glassware .- Geo. Marshall & Co., William Schoene- mann.
Cigars and Tobacco -Jacob H. Bauer, John C. Bickel, Andrew Diehl, Jacob Dietz, E. J. Fay, D. Frohman & Son, David Hart, Andrew Kreimes, J. F. Les-
7
435
THE CITY OF SANDUSKY.
ser, Christian Linker, Joseph Loth, Harry Molyneux, Martin Otner, August Reinheimer, Frank A. Riedy, Henry Ritter, A. E. Ross, Joseph H. Schade, George Stahl, Jacob H. Stein, Charles F. Wetterer.
Clothiers .- j. L. Hudson, Jacob Kronthal, Joseph Kronthal, M. & A. Leb- ensburger, McFall Bros., Schnaitter & Buderus.
Coal Dealers .- C. E. Black, Browning & Kelham, M. Callan & Son, E. Col- ley & Son, Frederick Groch, Daniel Hoffman, Johnson, Kunz & Co., North- western Coal & Stone Exchange, The Sandusky Coal Company, Daniel Schaf- fer, William J. Von Seick, Wehrle & Hunt, J. G. Zeigler & Son.
Confectioners .- William A. Anderson, Joseph Bordonaro, Martin Boysen, Peter Ebner, L. Seymour, Harry Hoffman, Samuel Meyers.
Daily Markets .- Fred. Bumgartel, Gottlob Bentel, Mrs. John Biglin, Martin Cecil, Dempsey & Son, William Diebold, William Farrell, Joseph Gundlach, William Haecker, Jacob Hardy, Daniel E. Hartung, John Hecker, Kelly Bros., George Napp, Kuehler Bros., Charles Linder, Jay Littleton, Conrad Margard, Fred Mayer, Martin Murschel, Charles Rittman, William Schneider, W. B. Schneider, Speigel Bros., Joseph A. Stoll, Tritschler & Smith, D. Wolf & Son, Constantine Zipfel.
Druggists .- Arnold & Henkelman, Lewis A. Biehl, James H. Emerich, W. A. Graham, J. C. Hauser, F. R. Lange, Charles A. Lehrer, Melville Bros., J. Pape, G. A. Wildenthaler & Co.
Dry Goods Dealers .- Brand & Fox, J. F. Bredbeck & Co., William Brehm, Carl Ebert, Joseph Eby, John M. Fox, Mrs. Nellie Glover, Mrs. Lottie Gras- green, N. H. Hammond, Harris & Schumacher, Frank Hess, Adolph Hoff- man, August M. Koegele, Powers & Zollinger, L. Schuefler, Stein Bros., Edward Weis, Wm. T. West, E. H. Wilcox, Christ. Wolf, A. Zerbe & Son.
Fancy Goods and Notions .- Louis Cohn, N. H. Hammond, Kugel Bros., Paul Westerhold.
Flour and Feed Stores and Mills .- T. C. Adams, Dwelle & Williams, Ker- ber & Son, James D. Lea, T. L. McEwen, Anthony Pietschman, F. Pope & Co., Frank Rosino, Fred. W. Thomas.
Fruit Dealers .- Pfranklin & Co., Scheufler & Curth, Falbot & Freeman. Furniture Dealers .- J. C. Butler & Co., Deek & Andus, J. Krupp & Son, J. B. Mayer, Jacob Murchel, Ruff, Son & Kugler.
Furnishing Goods .- John R. Goosman, J. L. Hudson, George Knopf, Jacob Kronthal, Joseph Kronthal, W. V. Latham & Co., M. & A. Lebensburger, Mc- Fall Bros., C. H. Muenscher, Schnaitter & Buderus, Charles F. Stein, Christian Wiedel, Jacob Witzel.
Grain Merchants .- J. A. Closser & Co., John H. Hudson, Frederick W. Thomas.
Grocery and Provision Dealers .- Louis Altstatter, William Barz, Biehl Bros., Philip Bing, J. L. Bonn & Son, H. P. Breining, Herman Bremer, Buyer
436
HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY.
Bros., Claussen Bros., E. N. Curth, Charles Dahnke, John R. Davis, George Dressel, W. Eberle, Daniel Ennis, Adolph Ernst, Mary Feick, George Ferback. Michael Fischer, John W. Flickinger, Mary Fuchs, Mrs. F. J. Gehri, Gfrochr &: Arnold, John F. Ging, Erich Hartman, L. E. Hastings, August Heiberger, Anthony Herbert, Mrs. L. Jackson, Frederick Kade, Albert Kerber, Lorenz Kerber, Frederick Knopf, Mrs. P. Kominger, George Lehr & Co., Conrad Leon- hiser, Lewis & Dwelle, Mrs. Bridget Lotz, Daniel McCarthy, Michael McKer- nan, F. W. Marquart, George Marquart, John Myer, Henry Miller, J. Q. Nichois & Co., Adam Oehm, Otto Pape, Henry Pfeil, Ulrich Rau, F. C. Reyberg. Ed- ward F. Rentler, Robertson & Co., John B. Sartor, C. W. Schade, Joseph Schæfler & Son, Philip Schmidt, William Schoenerman, Mrs. John Seibel, Silva & Newbaurer, Mary A. Smith, William R. Smith, Charles Speigel, Paul Sprau, Paul Sweissinger, William R. Talbot, Lewis F. Taubert. Thiene & Son, Mrs. Caroline Walter, J. C. Whetstone & Son, J. Whitworth & Co., Wiehman & Sons, Jacob Weidmer, B. H. Weigel & Son.
Hardware and Cutlery Dealers .- Arend Bros., Jacob Arend, Barney & Co., Sanderson & Foster, Butts & Whitworth, Rinkleff & Taubert, Mattern Bros.
Hats and Caps .- John R. Goosman, J. L. Hudson, C. C. Keech, George Knopf, M. & A. Lebensburger, McFall Bros., C. H. Muenscher, Charles P. Stein, Jacob Weitzel.
Lumber Dealers .- E. R. Ayers & Co., Eureka Lumber Company, Gilcher & Schuck, Haws & William, R. B. Hubbard & Son, G. W. Icsman, J. T. Johnson & Co., Lea, Herbert & Co., Schoepfle & Sloane.
Marble Dealers .- J. V. Brost & Son, Alexander Hornig, Ambrose Lieb, Adam Montgomery, Christian Schlenk.
Millinery Goods .- Caroline Cady, Amelia Christie, Mamie L. Clark, Louis Cohn, Rose Conley, Caroline Feidler, Mrs. B. Goodrich, Nora E. Renehan, William Schade, Mrs. H. C. Young.
Musical Instruments .-- N. H. Hammond, Albert J. Nusly, Paul Westerhold. Mrs. P. A. Follett, Kirch & Rife, B. S. Barrett, J. R. Jackson.
Saddlers and Harness Dealers .- F. H. Francisco, J. B. Kaeferly, F. R. Lange, Reddle & Weier, Conrad Rhode, C. V. Wagner, Franz Wagner.
Salt Dealers .- E. R. Ayers & Co., C. E. Black, John H. Hudson, J. T. Johnson & Co., Frederick W. Thomas.
Sand Dealers .- John Homegardner, Johnson, Kunz & Co., The Sandusky Paper Company, T. B. Taylor & Co.
Seed Dealers .- John R. Davis, Dwelle & Williams, S. E. Hubbard, Fred- erick W. Thomas.
Jewelers and Silverware Merchants .- Henry Dehnel. Julius Erckener, N. H. Hammond, Charles Heimburg, George D. Lewin, Lewis M. Lea, C. L. Mat- thews, Albert J. Nusly, Paul Westerhold.
Stone Dealers and Producers .- Ira T. Davis, John Homegardner, N. W. Coal
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THE CITY OF SANDUSKY.
and Stone Exchange, Ohlemacher Lime Company, Michael Callan, Kunz & Johnson, David McGory, O'Donnell Bros., Charles Schoepfle.
Stoves and Tinware .- B. F. Ferris, Groff & Hosfeld, Mattern Bros., J. Mertz & Sons, Rickert Bros., Charles Ross, jr., John Schuefler, Peter Sherer.
Merchant Tailors .- Louis Deitz, Valentine Heim, Moritz G. Hopf, W. V. Latham & Co., Charles Miller, Malachi Nolan, J. P. Pfell, Schnaitter & Bu- derus, William Seitz, Jacob Smith, Ambrose Volk, Christian Weidel.
Undertakers .- Agsten & Bernard, Deck & Andreas, J. Krupp & Son, Ruff, Son & Kugler.
The above by no means represents the entire mercantile business of San- dusky, as there are many-hundreds-engaged in some branch of trade or pro- duction that might, in a measure, be classed as mercantile, while strictly speak- ing it is not such, and it would be absolutely impossible to make an individual mention of the name of each person engaged in any trade, business occupation or calling; such is not the purpose of this chapter, nor would it be desirable so to do.
But there are other classes of occupations that go to make up the business interests of the city that are not mercantile, but are, nevertheless, worthy of mention in this connection. Of barber shops the city has twenty; saloons, over two hundred ; billiard rooms, fifteen ; boarding-houses, fourteen.
Of surgeon dentists there are the following: Drs. Chandler & Son, A. F. Miller, Clarence D. Peck, C. T. Stroud & Son, Charles Stroud, Edgar T. Waye.
Of insurance agents : J. A. Falk, Harry B. Finch & Co., Theodore Gerald, Rosenbaum & Boslaw, U. T. Curran, Fannie G. Spencer, H. F. Spencer, Wag- enet & Davis.
Of photographers : Willard A. Bishop, Charles A. Cross, J. M. Lloyd, C. J. Pascoe, Clayton W. Platt.
Hotels .- From the time that Cyrus W. Marsh remodeled his dwelling and converted it into a " public house," there has been no lack of hotel accommo- dations in Sandusky. As can be said of every branch of trade can be said of the hotel business, that it has kept even step with the times and the constant growth in population. Of the hotels of Sandusky to-day there are eighteen well located, well appointed and well conducted. They are the Bing House, at No. 735 Market street; the Colton House, a large stone hotel at the corner of Water and Lawrence streets, Harry Colton, proprietor; the Germania House, at 935 Market street ; the Grosser House, at 303 North Depot street ; Grau's Hotel, corner North Depot and Lawrence streets; the Hoelzer House, No. 212 Wayne street, George Schaeber proprietor ; Kunzmann's Hotel, Nos. 125-127 Jackson street, August G. Kunzmann, proprietor; the Lake Shore House, No. 317 North Depot street; the Lake View House, corner of Water and Hancock streets; the Mansfield House, No. 627 Water street, J. A. Mans- field, proprietor .; the National House, corner of Market and Wayne streets ;
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438
HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY.
the New Lake House, at the corner of Water and Wayne streets, on the site of Marsh's Steamboat Hotel, the first in the town, Voltaire Scott proprietor ; the Robert Blum House, 130 Tiffin avenue, Richard Reigger proprietor ; the San- dusky House, 125 Decatur street, Thomas Hess proprietor ; the Schlenk House, 823 Market street, Solomon Schlenk, proprietor ; Sloane House, Washington Row and Columbus avenue, Captain A. W. Powers lessee; the West House. Columbus avenue and Water street, Colonel E. Geohegan manager, W. T. West & Co. proprietors; the Wiedeman House, corner of Market and Decatur streets, John M. Wiedeman, proprietor.
Of the hotels above named there are two, at least, worthy of especial notice. The West House was built originally for business purposes, and fitted up for hotel purposes in the year 1858. by WV. T. and A. K. West. It is a substantial and fine appearing stone, building, five stories in heighth, with a frontage on Columbus avenue of two hundred and sixteen feet, and on Water street of one hundred and thirty-five feet. On the first or ground floor there are commo- dious offices and rooms for all hotel purposes. The West House has rooms sufficient for two hundred guests, and is a thoroughly first-class hotel in every respect.
The Sloane House was built during the year ISSo, by Hon. Rush R. Sloane. The building is of brick, four and five stories high, and has an extensive front on Washington square (200 feet), and a depth of one hundred and fifty feet This hotel will furnish accommodations for one hundred and fifty person. The present proprietor of the Sloane House is Captain A. W. Powers, a " Yankee" by birth, and a thoroughly competent landlord. His title of "Captain" was justly earned by his service in one of the first regiments that entered the service from Massachusetts.
CHAPTER XXI.
HISTORY OF BERLIN TOWNSHIP.
A N almost universal custom prevailed in the early history of Ohio to name
localities from those who first bought or settled on them. In this way, what is now called Berlin, was named Eldridge, from one of its original pre- prietors. In 1832 it was changed by the commissioners of Huron county, which it was then a part. About this time some of the territory of Vermillion was added to its northern boundary, extending it to the lake shore, and givin ' it a coast of several miles, thus making it a township of great possibilities. in looking over a map of Erie county, the mind would naturally ask, "which a! these townships is sure to progress most rapidly ? and, of course, a preference
439
BERLIN TOWNSHIP.
would be given to those with a coast line; then taking all that lie upon the lake, how can any one predict a greater success of one than of the others? Yet one will often far outstrip the rest and attract to it from the beginning, those with a spirit of enterprise that would fail to be drawn elsewhere.
When the subject of its name came up for discussion, there had been sun- dry rumors concerning the integrity of Mr. Eldridge, who seems to have been a pleasant gentleman, who had purchased the eastern half the township as a speculation, and was ruined by the taxes that rested on unimproved lands as heavily as those that were cultivated. Rumors came from the East that he had tried to redeem his credit by forgery, and these rumors were only too readily believed by those who looked upon a land speculator with distrust. It was just at the time of the Milan-Berlin treaty, and when the commissioners wished the name changed, Noah Hill suggested that as there was a Milan, why not have a Berlin.
The township, as at first surveyed, was five miles square, and was afterward enlarged by the lake front. The surface is level (except where small valleys are formed by the streams) from the lake to the Ridge, where it rises from fifty to one hundred feet, and then extends southward as level as before. It is be- lieved by scientific geologists that this ridge represents what was once the shore line of the lake. It extends through the township from northeast to southwest, and in one place called the "pinnacle," the base of the bluff is sixty feet above the level of the lake, and its slope presents three distinct terraces or shore lines, at heights of one hundred, one hundred and fifty and one hundred and ninety- five feet above the lake, each indicating a period of subsidence.
Timber was abundant, and consisted of various kinds of oak, chestnut and white wood; of the latter, this township has supplied more than any other in the fire-lands. The eastern part of the northern division was most heavily tim- bered.
The soil is generally sandy, though the northern is lower and has a clayey soil. There are four marshes in the township, of which two have been re- claimed, and the other two are expected to be. Sandstone abounds, and half a dozen quarries have been opened and worked at different times. From these large quantities have been shipped, and the home market supplied with grind- stones, and material for building.
Salt-licks extended parallel with the ridge, and were the general resort for deer in the days of savage life. These animals came in large numbers and wore a path that afterward separated the lands of Nathan Tuttle and Ezekiel Sayles. During the dry season the surface of the licks is covered with an efflorescence of salt deposit, that is very marked. In the early times when salt was expensive and difficult to procure, the settlers dug a pit, into which they sank a section of a hollow tree, and took from this reservoir the water from which they made salt. The belief in the value of this salt spring was so
L
440
HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY.
strong in the mind of its first proprietor, Fosdick, that he refused to sell the adjacent land for many years. Later, Prof. B. L. Hill and others, made explo- rations for it, but were unable to find it, the floods of spring had swept it away. They found salt water, however, and proved the truth of the reports they had received from the early settlers.
Traces of the mound builders can be found on the farm of Henry Hoak in the western part of the township, and covers an eighth of an acre. There are at present large trees growing on it, and while digging a cellar for a new house, a large human skeleton was found in a sitting posture. Others have been found near the same place, and various kinds of relics, such as arrow-heads, stone axes, and such articles as have always been found within these peculiar mounds. Near the center of the township, on a place once owned by Lewis Osborne, is another mound ; and in the northern part of the township is an old fortification of much interest. Hudson Tuthill possesses some of the relics belonging to this people, and H. L. Hill plowed up a French hatchet near the roots of a large stump. The tree had been cut down over twenty years before. It was very large, and near the heart of the tree were two or three plain hacks as if made by a hatchet. Outside of these hacks could be counted two hun- dred and nineteen courses, indicating the time that had elapsed since the marks were made, and bringing the date to a time parallel with the coming of the French to settle Canada.
The surface of the country in this township is beautifully varied, in some places high, elsewhere rolling or level, and in some places large bowlders are to be found. All kinds of crops can be grown here, and no richer farming lands can be found than those of Berlin township.
The first settlement was made in 1808, by a party of adventurers, who had launched a rude boat at the mouth of Walnut Creek, Pennsylvania. There were seven of these men, and they boldly sailed out upon the lake in pursuit of their fortunes. Their boat was loaded with provision, tools, and thirty bar- rels of whisky. When the storms began to beat upon them they reluctantly threw overboard the liquor, and after it was over gathered it up again.
When they found the mouth of the Huron, the sand-bar kept them from getting ashore, and they were obliged to dig a channel for their boat from the lake to the river. They selected a field of eighteen acres of land now compos- ing the Kline and Minuse farm in Milan township, and put in a corn crop. After putting in their crop and hoeing it, they left it to go for their families, leaving an Indian to guard and protect it. It was not until the autumn that they returned, the men as before by boat with their goods, and the women and children on horseback, escorted by John Hoak's father, Henry Hoak. He was the oldest of all the pioneers, having first seen the light in 1745, and remained here until his death, living to a grand old age and dying in his eighty-eighth year. The majority of this brave party deserted Huron on account of its over
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BERLIN TOWNSHIP. 1
flows, and settled in Berlin. They found here rich soil and two creeks-one called the Chapelle, the other " The Old Woman Creek," because it was said a squaw had drowned in it at an early date. It rises in Huron county and passes through the whole length of the central portion of this township. It has also a West Branch, and the two branches have had at different times more than half a dozen saw-mills built along their course. The Chapelle empties into the lake in Vermillion. These strangers also found an abundance of wild game, turkeys, deer, and small animals, with a sprinkling of wolves and bears, sufficient to keep them in a state of anxiety continually. Men that worked by night, at that time, did so to the music of the wolves that barked on every side. A Mr. Freeman who settled in the eastern part of the township, had noticed that his hogs came to the house badly wounded, and one moonlight night he heard one of them squealing. He seized his gun and flew to the rescue. A large bear was carrying off a good sized hog. The hog was dead, and in attempting to carry it over a log the bear had stood upon the log and was there shot. Its meat was divided among all the settlers and was enjoyed as a rare treat, being the first of the kind they had ever tasted.
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