USA > Ohio > Henry County > History of Henry and Fulton counties, Ohio : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 19
USA > Ohio > Fulton County > History of Henry and Fulton counties, Ohio : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 19
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The next attempt to effect the incorporation of the county seat was made in the early part of the year 1863, based upon a petition signed by nearly one
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HENRY COUNTY.
hundred and fifty persons, residents and taxpayers, residing within the limits of the territory affected. The petition, which contained a description of the lands proposed to be incorporated, was as follows :
" To the Honorable, the Commissioners of Henry county, Ohio :
" Your petitioners respectfully represent to your honorable body that they are inhabitants of a part of the said county of Henry, not embraced within the limits of any city or incorporated village; that they desire to be organized into an incorporated village, under the name and style of the 'incorporated village of Napoleon ;' that they desire to have the following described territory em- braced in such incorporated village, to wit : Parts of sections thirteen (13) and fourteen (14) in township number five (5), north of range number six (6), east, and bounded and described as follows: Commencing at the northwest corner of the east half of the northeast quarter of section number fourteen (14); thence east to the township line ; thence south to the Maumee River ; thence south- westerly along said river to the west line of the east side of the north part of the northeast fractional quarter, section number twenty-three (23) of said town- ship and range; thence north along said line to the northwest corner of the east half of the southeast quarter of section number fourteen (14) of said town- ship and range, and thence north along the west line of the east half of the southeast and northeast quarter of said section number fourteen (14) to the place of beginning. Your petitioners appoint and authorize S. M. Hague to act in their behalf in the prosecution of the petition ; they also ask that your honorable body will appoint a time and place for the hearing of this petition, the said time not to be less than sixty days from the date hereof. Napoleon, March 2, 1863."
The question came before the commissioners for a hearing and final deter- mination on the 2d day of June, 1863, whereupon the following order was made :
" Ordered, that the incorporated village named and described in the within petition be organized.
"GEORGE CRAWFORD, "LEVI SPANGLER, Commissioners.
"JOHN POWELL,
" Napoleon, Henry county, Ohio."
It was, therefore, on the 2d day of June, 1863, that the county seat became an incorporated village, separate from the township of Napoleon, of which it had formerly formed a part. Its organization was complete and thorough ; authorized to elect its own officers and administer its own affairs, which it has done from that until the present time.
This act of incorporation was unquestionably the most beneficial to the residents of the county seat that could have been performed. It not only gave
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HISTORY OF HENRY AND FULTON COUNTIES.
Napoleon a distinct organization, but gave it, moreover, the dignified title of " village." By the organization its officers and people could make such ex- penditures for public improvements as were deemed advisable, without being subject to the adverse opinion of the residents of the township, outside the town, who, not being directly benefited by such improvements, were exceed- ingly inclined to oppose them on account of a slight increase in taxation.
The village of Napoleon has frequently, by the action of its municipal au- thorities with the approval of other powers, been enlarged, so far as its corpor- ate limits are concerned, so that at the present time it covers a much larger area than was included by the proceeding of 1863. These several extensions, a detail of each of which is not necessary in this chapter, have included a large tract of land with its occupying buildings, on the south side of the Maumee River. This enlargement brought to the village a considerable population, and some few unimportant business interests. This locality south of the river is known as South Napoleon.
Napoleon proper occupies a pleasant location on the river, from which, to the center of the business portion of the village, is a gradual ascent. At a point not far from the court-house the greatest elevation of the place is reached ; and from this point there seems to be a gradual depression of the surface in each direction as the village limits are approached. This favorable situation affords excellent natural drainage, notwithstanding which trunk and lateral sewers are frequent for the better carrying off of surface water and sewage.
The principal business street (Perry) has been substantially paved with stone, giving the locality a decidedly metropolitan appearance, and creating much favorable comment from visitors. The general substantial and attractive ap- pearance of the business blocks, and the goodly number of them too, has much to do with favorable impression that is already gained for the place, and it is a questionable fact whether there can be found in Northwestern Ohio, a place having no greater population than this that can present a better or cleaner busi- ness center. Where, at the time of the incorporation of the village in 1863, there was not a single three-story brick business block, there now stands dozens of them. The first of them was the " Heller Block," built in the year 1865. Since that time there has been a general tendency to erect substantial and attractive brick buildings, and this has been done to such an extent that the objectionable " frame row " is the exception, not the rule. There are, to be sure, many frame business houses, but they are not found continuous, and such as are still standing are generally kept well painted and neat in exterior ap- pearance. In the year 1863 there was hardly a dozen stores in the entire town, and but very few manufactories of any kind ; it is proper, therefore, that a mention should be made of the various business houses in the locality that now as well as then was known as the center of trade.
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HENRY COUNTY.
MERCANTILE AND OTHER BUSINESS INTERESTS.
In making the following record classification has been found impossible, owing to the mixed character of the stock generally carried by merchants, and for that reason, they are arranged with reference to their street location in con- secutive order, beginning with the west side of Perry street, from north to south, and showing such facts as may be of interest regarding the business conducted at each place.
F. C. Fisk & Co., grocery and provision store, glass and queen's ware ; established by Clewell & Fisk in 1880; succeeded by F. C. Fisk, and in 1887, John Thiesen became a partner, and is one of the present firm.
C. H. Suydam, boots and shoes, also manufacturing and repairing same ; established in April, 1885, as successor to R. W. Suydam.
R. Hudson, harness store and manufactory, horse and carriage goods ; L. H. Diehl, manager ; established 1883.
Eggers & Son, restaurant and saloon ; established 1886.
J. C. Saur & Co, bankers (the firm being J. C. Saur and F. O. Blair) ; commenced business April 1, 1886, as successors to Heller & Saur, bankers. While this firm can hardly be considered as having succeeded the First Na- tional Bank of Napoleon, their business is the outgrowth of that commenced by the corporation named. The First National Bank was incorporated in 1872, with a capital stock of $50,000, which was afterwards increased to $100,- 000. The first officers were, E. S. Blair, president; J. W. Miller, vice-presi- dent, and A. D. Tourtillott, cashier. On July 1, 1877, E. S. Blair succeeded the banking corporation, and was, in turn, succeeded by Heller & Saur.
Frease Brothers (D. W., J. H. and W. S. Frease constituting the firm) ; jewelers, also dealers in boots and shoes; established in 1879.
A. J. Van Der Broek, merchant tailor, clothing and furnishing goods ; estab- lished in 1869, by Van Der Broek & Co., and succeeded in 1887 by A. J. Van Der Broek.
D. & J. Wilson, dealers in dry goods, boots and shoes, hats and caps, and carpets ; established in 1866, succeeding in business the firm of Roach & Wil- son, pioneers in the business at Napoleon.
Gustav Kohler, groceries, provisions, crockery and saloon ; established in 1879 in copartnership with William Spengler; the latter retired in 1880, since which the business has been conducted solely by Mr. Kohler.
Isa Leist, drugs, books and stationery ; established in the year 1882.
H. C. Groschner, general hardware, stores, carriages, wagons and plows; the hardware 'branch of this business was established about 1862, by Henry Kahlo, who was succeeded by the firm of Imber & Gillis, and they in turn by Groschner & Heller, and subsequently the firm became Groschner & Redder- son. In 1887 the present proprietor became sole owner and has since man- aged the business. 23
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HISTORY OF HENRY AND FULTON COUNTIES.
Saur & Balsley, drugs, books and stationery ; established April 1, 1865, by J. C. Saur, who in May, 1887, formed a partnership with Mr. Balsley.
Shoemaker Brothers (Milton J., Frank C. and Charles W. Shoemaker con- stituting the firm). This business, general dry goods, notions, boots and shoes, hats and caps, clothing and carpets, was established by Scott & Heller, on March 4, 1861, but in May following Mr. Scott sold his interest to his partner, who managed it alone until 1866, when W. L. Heller became a partner, under the firm style of S. M. & W. L. Heller; in 1871 W. L. Heller sold to Colonel S. A. Hissong, when the firm became Heller & Hissong ; in 1873 Colonel His- song sold to M. E. Heller, and the firm then became S. M. & M. E. Heller. This firm continued until 1886, when Shoemaker Brothers succeeded to the business.
D. J. Humphrey, dealer in drugs and medicines, books, stationery, paints, oils, wall paper, and picture and other frames; Mr. Humphrey was the pio- neer of the drug business in Napoleon, having started in 1859, on Washington street. About the year 1872, he established at his present location, corner of Perry and Washington streets.
Henry Meyer, merchant tailoring, clothing, hats and caps, and gents' fur- nishings ; established in partnership with George Hahn, in 1870, under the firm name of Hahn & Meyer, and continued until 1886, when Henry Meyer suc- ceeded the firm.
H. A. Meyerholtz & Brother (H. A. & H. F. Meyerholtz composing the firm) ; established in 1866; dealers in groceries, provisions, crockery and glass- ware. This firm are also proprietors of the Napoleon Tile and Brick Works,
Rensselaer Hudson & Co. (W. P. Hudson being the Co.); jewelry, watches, clocks, musical instruments and repairing ; the business, except musical instru- ments, was established by G. W. Pardee, in 1855, but some years later R. Hudson became a partner, and in about the year 1870 sole owner; still later W. P. Hudson, son of R. Hudson, became a partner.
Multon & Fate, saloon.
Ulrich & Co. (A. J. Ulrich and E. F. Weinland) ; general hardware, stoves and agricultural implements ; established 1886.
J. B. Couch, general dry goods, boots and shoes; Mr. Couch started in business in Napoleon in 1873, in partnership firm of Imber & Couch, and in 1876 sold to his partner. In 1878 he again commenced and has since contin- ued as sole proprietor.
S. M. Honeck, merchant tailoring, furnishing goods, and hats and caps ; established in 1879 under firm of Honeck & Grosscup, but after five months the firm was succeeded by Mr. Honeck, who has since conducted the business.
H. E. Cary, established 1860, but for four months during the war the pro- prietor was in the service, and the business left to a clerk's management ; in 1873 T. R. Carroll purchased an interest but retired in 1880. Stock, grocery and queen's ware.
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S. F. Shower, established 1862 ; harness store, horse goods, manufacturing and repairing. The proprietor has twice taken a partner, but for a very short time.
Charles Polkea, saloon and restaurant.
M. Reiser, boots, shoes and rubber goods ; established 1886. The pro- prietor has been engaged in business in Napoleon for many years, but in other branches.
S. L. Curtis, established in business as dealer in furs, pelts and hides in 1862 ; about 1865 or '66 had Henry Tressler as partner for about six months. Recently Mr. Curtis has established an extensive variety store. As a dealer in furs he is one of the oldest in the region.
John Keil, saloon and lunch room; established 1887.
William Hoffman, saloon and lunch room ; established 1887.
The business interests on the east side of Perry street are as follows :
Conrad Bitzer, furniture and undertaking ; Bitzer Block, corner of Perry and Clinton streets ; established in 1873 ; three story brick block built in 1875. George Hahn, merchant tailoring, clothing, and furnishing goods.
David Halter, bakery, confectionery, and shelf groceries; business estab- lished about 1878 by Harmon Heber, who was succeeded in July, 1887, by the present proprietor.
John Diemer, meat market; established in Napoleon in 1859; prior to 1863 he had a partner, but since that time has conducted business alone.
William Newman, saloon and pool-room ; established 1871.
William Spengler, groceries, provisions, and saloon; established in 1879, with Gustav Kohler, but sold to his partner in 1883, and started similar bus- iness at the last named date.
Anthony Hahn, tobaccos, cigars, and saloon.
David Meekison, banker; established March, 1886, at the same location formerly occupied by the banking firm of Sheffield & Norton ; but in no manner can Mr. Meekison be said to have succeeded to the business of the former firm other than that his place of business is at the same location.
J. M. Myers, tobacco, cigars, and confections ; established 1887.
Jacob Sens, saloon ; established 1882.
John Hahn, saloon ; established about 1870.
Oliver Higgins, jeweler and watch repairer ; successor, in 1884, to the bus- iness that was established in 1883 by Higgins & Brother.
The following are the leading business interests on the north side of Wash- ington street :
Halter & Gidley, marble and granite dealers, manufacturers of monuments; established 1875, as successors to R. W. Hartman.
S. Bernstein, clothing and furnishing goods ; established 1878.
W. G. Coover, general hardware; established 1868, by Groschner & Hell-
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HISTORY OF HENRY AND FULTON COUNTIES.
er, and in 187 I sold to Groschner ; in 1871 Hellers & Coover was established and continued to 1879, when W. L. Heller, the senior partner, sold to his son, R. B. Heller, whereupon the firm became Heller & Coover; in March, 1886, Mr. Coover succeeded to the entire business.
R. B. Shasteen, grocery, provisions, and queensware; established 1884, succeeding the firm of Shasteen Brothers.
Davison Sisters (C. L. and H. D. Davison), millinery and dressmaking ; established 1886.
A. Bradley, general grocery, crockery, and glassware; established 1874.
George Baum, harness manufacturing and repairing, horse goods and sup- plies ; established 1878.
Pohlman Brothers (C. F. and H. F. Pohlman), meat market; established 1881.
Rohrs & Suhr (George H. Rohrs and Thomas H. Suhr), dry goods, notions, hats and caps, boots and shoes, carpets ; established 1884, succeeding the older firm of Rohrs & Vocke, which latter firm was established about 1879.
J. W. Tietjen, tobacco, cigars, and saloon ; established 1870.
S. E. French, art gallery and studio.
Miss A. M. Weaver, millinery ; established 1883.
F. W. Rohrs, saloon and pool room.
George Curdes, bakery aud confectionery ; established 1880.
On the south side of Washington street is found these business houses :
Frederick Schroeder, furniture dealer and manufacturer; established 1884, as successor to Musser & Wilson.
A. B. Scribner, general hardware and agricultural implements ; established 1880 (formerly proprietor of foundry and machine shops).
Redderson & Westhoven, meat market ; established May 21, 1877, as suc- cessors to William Redderson.
W. P. Stockman, grocery, provisions, and crockery ; established 1877.
Norden & Bruns, dry goods, boots and shoes, hats and caps, furnishing goods ; established 1884, succeeding Henry Norden, who was established in 1879.
The following are business interests not classified as above :
Hotels. The village has two well appointed hotels-the " Miller House," a first-class hostelry, situate at the corner of Perry and Clinton streets, and the " Capitol," located near the Wabash depot ; the former under the proprietor- ship of Wallace Blair, and the latter managed by Harry_Webb.
General Insurance Agents. C. E. Reynolds (also real estate dealer), estab- lished 1860; H. H. French, 1878; S. F. Long, 1886.
Liverymen. Russell Jones, established 1859, formerly in mercantile busi- ness ; Charles Van Hyning, established 1876; J. B. Foster, established 1879; Ira Hayes.
UB Scribner
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HENRY COUNTY.
Dentists. Ezra W. Talbott, established 1865 ; A. S. Condit, established 1878 ; William J. Pierepont, established 1884.
MANUFACTURING INTERESTS.
Napoleon Flouring Mill. This industry was commenced during the year 1856, by Augustin Pilliod, but it was not until some time later that the build- ing was completed and in running order. Power was obtained from the canal and carried thence through the mill and discharged into the river. It was of the class commonly known as a "stone mill," having two run of stone-one for wheat and the other for buckwheat and feed, or chop. In the year 1864 the property was purchased by John H. Vocke, who rebuilt and otherwise improved it by enlarging its capacity. It was operated by his sons, Harmon H., Clement, Bernard, and John. They continued its management until 1882, when Ber- nard and Clement both died, after which its operation was continued by Har- mon H. and John Vocke to the present time. In 1885 the mill underwent radical changes, and "roller process " machinery was placed therein ; there was also added two run of stone for producing chop and buckwheat flour. The size of the building is 48 by 100 feet, four stories high. It has a capacity of one hundred and twenty-five barrels of flour per day. It is located on Front street, west of Perry street.
Vocke's Distillery. The distillery building is located on the north side of and near the canal, east of Perry street. It was built in the year 1866, by John H. Vocke, and run for a number of years as a " high wine distillery," by the sons of the owner. In 1878 it was changed to an " alcohol and spirit " distillery. The manufacture of distilled spirits at this place was stopped in 1883, since which time the building has been idle. It had a capacity for pro- ducing daily from thirty-five to forty barrels of spirits, using therefor about five hundred bushels of grain.
Koller's Flouring Mill. This is one of the oldest of the manufacturing industries of Napoleon, and bears no resemblance whatever to the original building of which the present substantial structure is the outgrowth. The mill on this site was built in the year 1850, by John Ritter, he taking power from the canal, and, by means of a conduit, conveying the same through the mill and discharging the waste, or utilized water, into the Maumee, on the bank of which the mill was erected. Originally the mill had but two run of stone. Mr. Ritter owned and operated it up to the time of his death, 1871, after which it passed, by purchase, into the ownership of Josiah Kohler. The latter at once substantially rebuilt the mill, and increased its capacity by adding two run of stone, making a total of four. In this manner it was operated until 1885, when the owner again made material improvements by changing its machinery from stone to the more modern " roller process," placing therein fourteen sets of rollers, thus giving the mill a total producing capacity of one
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HISTORY OF HENRY AND FULTON COUNTIES.
hundred barrels of flour daily. Mr. Kohler continued in sole management until February, 1887, at which time Jacob B. Augenstein became a part owner. The mill in size is 42 by 50 feet, four stories in height, with a large addition on the south side.
In connection with their business the proprietors have a large storage ele vator near the Wabash depot, which was built in the year 1876 and has a storage capacity for thirty thousand bushels of grain.
Napoleon Woolen Mill. The only manufacturing enterprise of this kind in Napoleon is that which was established by Jacob Augenstein in the year 1863. The building stands on Front street, west of Perry and between the canal and the Maumee River. After having operated the mill for about a year the proprietor and founder took two partners, H. B. Lantzenheizer and Samuel Bigger, which partnership continued in successful business operation until the year 1873, when Mr. Lantzenheizer retired, J. B. Augenstein taking his place in the firm. In 1883 the senior partner gave his sons, Charles and A. Augenstein, an interest in the business. Two years later, 1885, J. B. Augen- stein sold his interest to A. E. Augenstein. In the spring of 1887 A. Augen- stein died, his interest, however, remaining in the firm and owned by his estate. The present members of the firm are Jacob Augenstein, Charles F. Augenstein, Samuel Bigger, Allison E. Augenstein and Acquilla Augenstein, the interest of the latter being now in an estate.
The firm manufacture woolen goods, mainly flannel shirtings; also yarn and other commodities. They employ about twenty-five persons.
Saygers's Saw-mill. This is one of the oldest industries on the river in this vicinity, having been established in the year 1843, by John Powell and Hazel Strong, both pioneers of the town, of whom mention has been made in the early part of this chapter. The mill built by them at this place is said to have been the first on this "level" of the canal, and from the canal the motive power was obtained. From the time of its erection in 1843 until it came to the present owner, its several changes have been about as follows : Powell & Strong sold to Welsted & Halter, and the latter to Richards & Em- ery; Richards sold his interest to William Martell, and Martell to George Sipler. It then went on forced sale back to Mr. Martell, the title to the whole property vesting in him. In 1877 he sold to Saygers & Imber, but the Imber interest was afterward transferred to his partner, Andrew Jackson Saygers, who is still its owner. This is but an ordinary water-power saw-mill, its chief prom- inence attaching on account of its early construction. The mill stands on the river bank south of Front street, being the farthest west of any of the man- ufactories which abound in this neighborhood. Very near it and almost form- ing a part of it, is the Napoleon Boat Oar Factory, concerning which a more detailed mention will elsewhere be found.
The Napoleon Brewery. This, the only industry of its kind within the vil-
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HENRY COUNTY.
lage, was started in the year 1862 by one Kopp, and although the present brewery is the outgrowth of the original, founded as above stated, it bears so little resemblance to Kopp's brewery as to be scarcely recognized as once hav- ing formed a part thereof. Its dimensions have been frequently enlarged to meet the increased demand of its production. After managing it for about five years Mr. Kopp sold it to John Herbolsheimer, and he, after conducting it until 1885, sold to the present owner and proprietor, Ferdinand Roessing. Under his ownership the most frequent enlargements have been made, nearly every year marking some improvements, so that, at the present time it has a capacity for producing twenty-four hundred barrels of lager beer annually. From here every dealer in this commodity in the village is supplied and quan- tities are shipped to other points. The works occupy three lots situate at the corner of Perry and Front streets. The building is a large, three-story, brick structure, well arranged for the business conducted.
Bruner's Hoop Factory. Although the manufacture of barrel hoops is but a comparatively recent industry in Napoleon, it is rapidly assuming a fair pro- portion among the interests of the place. It was started here in the year 1885, by A. Bruner, he leasing the building formerly occupied as the Napoleon Ag- ricultural Works. The affairs and business of the latter were managed by an incorporated company, of which Harmon H. Vocke was president; A. H. Ty- ler, secretary ; J. D. Norton, treasurer, and H. H. Vocke, Joseph A. Stout, H. E. Cary, J. D. Morey and Charles Reiter, were directors. The company was organized about the year 1874. The object of the company was to manufacture grain reapers, but during the first two years it was operated only as a machine shop. It was then rented to one Turnbull, who continued its operation as a machine shop and works for about five years, when the building and plant was sold, Harmon H. Vocke & Brothers becoming the owners. This firm made radical changes and operated it as a stave factory, under the firm name of Vocke Brothers & Wheeler. It was so conducted until the fall of the year 1885, when Mr. Bruner leased the plant and established the present business of hoop manufacture, which can be said to be about the only successful and profitable production connected with the life of the building. The works are situate near the line of the Wabash railroad, in the northeastern part of the town.
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