History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 9

Author: Aaron R. Van Cleaf
Publication date: 1906
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 923

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AMERICAN STRAWBOARD COMPANY.

The largest strawboard works in the world are located at Circleville and are owned by the American Strawboard Company, of Chi- cago. The works in Circleville were originally built (in 1884) and owned by the Portage. Strawboard Company, which was later ab- sorbed by the American Strawboard Company. The company was attracted to Circleville a's be -- ing the center of the richest valley in the State, where the raw material needed for the straw- board business could be secured to the best ad- vantage. The citizens subscribed_some $35,000 bonus and secured the land on which the build- ings stand, located west of the N. & W. tracks, north of Ohio street. The value of the plant. is placed at a round million dollars. Em --

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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

ployment is given to 200 men and the weekly pay-roll amounts to $2,000. The plant has been of advantage not only to the city of Cir- cleville, but also to the farmers in the sur- rounding country, who are able to dispose of the surplus straw they would otherwise burn.

The plant is known as a four-machine mill and is run night and day. There are II rotary steam cookers in the mill, which use up 100 tons of straw daily. Besides the loose straw hauled in from the country by the company's own teams, four cars of bailed straw are daily shipped to the factory. Besides acid, a car- load of lime is used daily to decompose the straw. The finished product amounts to 65 tons a day. The strawboard is used for build- ing purposes, for making" strawboard boxes and cartridges and for many other purposes. The engines in the mill have 1,600 horse-power and four car-loads of coal are daily required. The mill has its own fire department and water power and two dynamos furnish light for 400 incandescent lamps. The company owns its own tracks and occupies 30 acres, 10 of which are occupied by the buildings alone. The officers in control at Circleville are as follows: Frederic Gerdue, mill manager; C. L. Moeller, cashier; Benjamin Bolender, shipping clerk; and J. G. Davis, bookkeeper.

M. G. GOELLER'S SONS BROOM FACTORY

Does a business of $200,000 annually, and is the largest establishment of its kind in the State of Ohio. In 1866 a small broom-making shop, with a weekly output of 25 dozen brooms, was started here by M. G. Goeller, employ- ment being given to three men. This was the beginning of the present extensive business. Shipments of the finished product are sent to all sections of the Union, while orders for Canada, Honduras, Cuba and even Ireland, are frequently filled.

After the death of the founder, in 1886, the business was continued by John C. Goeller, his son, who, in 1891, purchased the old woolen mill on Canal street, where a steam plant and machinery were introduced and preparations made for a large extension of the

output. On July 3, 1892, the building was burned, Mr. Goeller thereby losing plant, ma- chinery and stock and finding himself in debt after the insurance was paid. He immediately rented the old Gregg mill, which he occupied for three years and then moved to the glass factory, where he employed 22 hands. From this building he moved in 1898 to his present location, the Half lounge factory, which was later purchased. In 1898 he admitted his two brothers, Charles and William to partnership, and the present firm name, M. G. Goeller's Sons, was adopted. The capacity of the plant at this time was increased to 600 dozen weekly. At the present time 50 hands are employed and the weekly pay-roll amounts to $325.

The annual purchase of broom corn is 100 car-loads, a large part of which is used in the factory, the remainder being sold to other dealers. The firm is also a jobber in broom handles and wire. The brooms are put out under the brands of "Blue Room," "Empire," "Luxury" and "Jim Dandy."

THE EAGLE COOPERAGE WORKS.

Back in the '60's and '70's there were a number of prosperous cooperage concerns in Circleville. In 1875 Lewis Atkinson, Gideon Rife, James and George Sapp, John Maiden, Jacob Burgett and Conrad Richards did a thriving business in this line. The coopers were one by one driven out of business on ac- count of the rise in cooperage stock and outside competition. Conrad Richards was engaged in this business here for a great many years. In 1899 his shop on Canal street was pur- chased by F. M. Fritsch, of Cincinnati, who moved his plant here and established the Eagle Cooperage Works. The concern was first founded in Cincinnati in 1871 by Nicholas Fritsch, father of the present proprietor. In August, 1904, five years after the business was established here, the manufacture of slack cooperage was discontinued and in its stead a specialty was made of the manufacture of mop-wringers, 100 dozen being made the first year. The following year 3,000 dozen were made and it is expected that the present year

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HISTORY OF PICKAWAY COUNTY

will see a doubling of this figure, for the Eagle mop-wringer has become a very popular article, although there are many other designs on the market. The wringer was patented by Mr. Fritsch and is considered as the most original and successful mop-wringer ever manufac- tured. The daily capacity of the plant is 100 mop-wringers. The bucket is made of white cedar and the metal parts of steel. The mop- wringers are made in three sizes. A little over a year ago Mr. Fritsch started in to manu- facture the Ohio detachable floor mop, of which his daily output is now 5,000. Dish mops to the extent of 50,000 daily are also made. The business from a few thousand dol- lars in 1901 has increased to $50,000 annually. Shipments are made to many sections of the United States and even to foreign countries. Twelve hands are employed in the plant.

HASWELL STEEL RANGE & FURNACE COMPANY.

About 1840 the firm of Bright & Bierce es- tablished a foundry, which, after the failure of W. W. Bierce late in 1863, came into the pos- session of Haswell, Wright & Company, who conducted the foundry business and also a house-furnishing store, of which an important feature was a tinshop. This firm was suc- ceeded by Haswell & Company, which in 1885 became W. B. Haswell & Company. In 1904 the present style was adopted, the owner of the business being W. B. Haswell. The business of the company is entirely a manufacturing one, the following articles being made in the company's extensive plant, namely: Haswell steel ranges, steel furnaces, steel or iron smoke- stacks, breeching and all kinds of heavy steel and iron work; coke, soft coal or hard coal radiator furnaces, furnace pipe and fittings; and Haswell's galvanized steel tanks.

CARRIAGE MANUFACTURING.

The Colonial Carriage Company, which owns one of the largest light vehicle factories in Ohio, is a successful business enterprise of Circleville, which has been built up in the past seven years, and now has a pay-roll of $700 weekly, 75 men being employed.

This company was incorporated in 1899, with a capital of $20,000. Its original stock- holders were: William Schleyer, Joseph P. Smith, Charles A. Smith, Benton T. Hedges, G. Christy Bayer and H. C. Martell. The present officers of the company are: W. G. Jacob, president; Benton T. Hedges, vice- president; and H. C. Martell, secretary and general manager. The board of directors is thus constituted : W. G. Jacob, James I. Smith, Germain Joseph, Benton T. Hedges, Frank Hamilton and H. C. Martell.

The company manufactures light vehicles and medium-priced phaeton buggies, runabouts and "bike" wagons, with either steel or rubber tires. The plant is located with favorable rail- road facilities and occupies 40,000 square feet of space. Rapidly increasing business make the securing of additional quarters a matter of almost immediate necessity. The first year's output was 225 jobs; that for 1906 will run far above 2,000, while the output for 1907 is expected to reach 3,000 jobs. On forced orders, 20 buggies can be turned out daily. A business of about $150,000 will be done this year. Benton T. Hedges, vice-president of the company, is manager of the sales department and has as his special field the State of Ohio. Four salesmen represent the company on the road. The field of sale is a wide one, em- bracing many States.

J. A. Mclaughlin & Brother .- About 1866 William McLaughlin established in Circle- ville a plant for the manufacture of wagons and carriages. In 1888 J. A. Mclaughlin be- came a partner. The present concern. J. A. Mclaughlin & Brother, was established in 1892. The firm occupies a brick building, two stories in height and two frame buildings, which are used for storage purposes. From 6 to 12 hands are employed and a full line of buggies, carriages and delivery and transfer wagons is manufactured. About $10,000 is invested in the business.

CIGAR MANUFACTURING.

D. Strahm & Company, manufacturers of cigars and wholesale and retails tobacconists, conduct a large business which was estab-

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lished in 1880 in a modest way by D. Strahm, father of John P. Strahm. They employ six expert cigarmakers and their principal brands are "Plantation" and "D. S."

L. M. Long & Company. This business was established in 1894 by L. M. Long, who is the sole owner. The business is manufacturing and jobbing. Employment is given 10 indi- viduals, in the factory and on the road. The factory is a building of three stories and base- ment. The leading brands are: "Pickaway," "Esmeralda," "Old Trusty" and "Florida."

Circleville Cigar Company .- The plant of this company was first established here in October, 1902, and was operated for about three years. After closing down for about eight months, it was reopened again on September 24, 1906. The fac- tory, which is located in the Ruggles build- ing on High street that was formerly used as a pork packing house, is under the manage- ment of J. F. Cherry of Newark, Ohio, where the company owns and operates a large job- bing house. It is expected that this factory will be run with a full force if the necessary help can be obtained. It is its intention to have a working force of about 150 hands.

THE CIRCLEVILLE SEALING WAX COMPANY

Is the largest manufacturer of sealing wax in the United States or Canada, the output amounting, in 1905, to three-quarters of a million pounds. This company was estab- lished in 1884. The factory is located on East Franklin street, where excellent facilities for the business are enjoyed. The Circleville of- ficers are; Emanuel S. Neuding, secretary and treasurer; and Irvin F. Snyder, legal adviser.

The trade mark, under which the product of the company is put out, is the "Red Virgin," although the wax is made in any color. It is guaranteed to be free from all minerals. In 1905 the firm used more than 1,000 barrels of rosin, which came from the pine woods of the South, with which paraffine and special oils are so blended that the finished product has no equal for cohesive qualities. It adheres readily to almost any surface and can be profit-

ably used wherever any article of the kind is needed. Unlike many products, age increases the value of the wax and it will keep intact in any climate, not being affected by moisture. For about seven months of the year the factory is a very busy place. A large force of girls attend to the wrapping and packing of the product.

SCIOTO MACHINE WORKS.

In numbering the early business enterprises of Circleville, which have been continued to the present time, few can claim greater age than that now owned and operated by John McEwing, under the name of the Scioto Ma- chine Works, which. were established as early as 1850 by Bright & Bierce and embraced a machine shop and foundry. The first iron was melted in August, 1851. Bierce sold out his interest in 1852 to Bright, who took in as partner Hoel J. Lawrence under the firm name of Bright & Company. Later George West took Mr. Lawrence's place in the firm, which continued under the same name as before. This firm failed in 1855. Several parties rented the property and carried on the business from 1855 to 1858, when W. W. Bierce purchased it for $9,000. He carried it on until his failure in November or December, 1863. During this. period of the plant's operation a specialty was made of the manufacture of steam engines, threshing machines and stoves. In 1864 the property passed into the hands of Haswell, Wright & Company, who owned it until August, 1878, when the plant was sold to the Scioto Machine Company, which was incor- porated August 12, 1878, with a capital of $30,000 and the following officers : T. S. Wal- lace, president; J. Q. A. Oliver, secretary and treasurer; and A. R. Dumm, superin- tendent. Is 1886 the present proprietor, John McEwing, came into possession of the works. He conducts a very successful business, em- ploying four hands. The works were formerly located on the corner of Main street and the Ohio Canal but are now situated north of the Norfolk & Western tracks, west of South Court street.

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THE HOSLER PACKING COMPANY.

The business conducted by this company was established at Circleville, in 1886, by W. R. Hosler. The company has a well-equipped slaughter house on Hargus Creek in the north- east part of the city, owns its own electric light plant, makes its own ice and has the repu- tation of giving superior meats to the public. The company conducts two retail markets at Circleville and gives employment to 25 men.

OTHER INDUSTRIES.

Grain Elevators .- C. M. Rife leases and operates the Jackson elevator, which was es- tablished shortly after the canal was opened. In its early history the elevator passed through many hands, some of its first owners being Oscar Ormsby, Ormsby & Bradford and then W. E. Delaplane. The elevator was purchased in 1880 by Florence, Delaplane & Williams. Then Williams leased the building and operated it about three years, when it was leased by H. A. Jackson, who finally purchased it and, in 1887, rebuilt it. After his death, his widow leased it to J. F. Bales for a few years. The elevator was then operated by H. D. Jackson, son of H. A. Jackson, until 1906 when it was leased to its present operator, C. M. Rife. The capacity of the elevator is 10,000 bushels. Coal is also dealt in.

The elevator of J. F. Bales & Son, which is situated on the C. & M. V. R. R. in the eastern part of the city just outside the cor- poration limits, was built in 1901 by Bales & Ashbrook. On October 1, 1904, Bales bought out Ashbrook's interest and six months later took in his son, Robert R. Bales, as partner. The capacity of the elevator is 30,000 bushels. The firm also handles grain, wool, coal and fence posts and manufactures cornmeal.

Creamery .- Bentley & Son, are proprietors of a large creamery and cold storage plant, situated on West Water street, are progressive business men of Circleville. This business was established in 1886 by the firm of Bentley & Julian and the business was continued under the same name until 1889, when J. T. Bentley

purchased the interest of Mr. Julian. Mr. Bentley continued in the business alone until 1891, when he admitted his son, George H. Bentley, to a partnership.

The creamery building was erected in 1886 and is well equipped with up-to-date machinery. The cold storage plant was erected in 1890. The firm manufactures fine creamery butter, obtaining their milk supply from Pickaway and adjoining counties. They deal in poultry and eggs and also handle hand separators.

Bakeries .- The Fritz Steam Bakery, on East Main street, which is owned and operated by H. Fritz, is a thoroughly modern institu- tion. The business was located at this stand, in 1892, by George Blank. The bakery was then known as the Busy Bee. In 1894 Mr. Fritz purchased the plant and immediately in- troduced improved machinery of latest design, including a patent oven. The average daily product is 1,800 loaves of bread, the capacity of the oven being 5,000 loaves. In addition, Mr. Fritz turns out large quantities of fine cakes and pies. He runs three wagons and has seven well-trained employes.

The Washington Bakery, on West Main street, was established by I. S. Cyre and later was conducted by Hartley R. Clarke. From Clarke the business was purchased by H. C. Tootle, the present proprietor, in 1904. The daily output of this bakery is 700 loaves. Two wagons are run and four men given employ- ment. A restaurant is also conducted in con- nection with the bakery.

Frank Resch & Company operate a first- class bakery on South Pickaway street, which has an output of 275 loaves of bread a day. This business was established in 1904 by Frank Resch at the present stand. He conducted it alone until the summer of 1906, when George Blank became a partner and the firm name of Frank Resch & Company was adopted.

Circleville Ice Company .- In 1862 J. H. Bennett established an ice business, of which his son, H. J. Bennett, took charge in 1870. The latter conducted it until three years ago, when the plant was purchased by a company and incorporated with a capital stock of $10,000. The first officers were: John L.

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Krimmel, president; George Bennett, vice- president; Irvin F. Snyder, secretary; and W. C. Morris, treasurer. The present officers are : George Bennett, president; Milton Morris, vice-president ; Irvin F. Snyder, secretary, and W. C. Morris, treasurer. The board of directors includes the four officers just named and Emanuel S. Neuding. In 1895 Mr. Ben- nett built new ice houses on the west side of the river, which were destroyed by fire the fol- lowing year. He then purchased a tract of land on the Island road, where the present company's plant is now located. The build- ings were again destroyed by fire in the sum- mer of 1906. The company is now erecting large and better structures on the same site.

Circleville Mineral Water Company .- The business of bottling carbonated water was es- tablished here in 1882 by John D: Kernan and was conducted under his name and the name of Kernan & Company until 1904, when he sold out to Lynch & Dodd. The new firm operated the concern for two years, assuming the trade name of the Circleville Mineral Water Company. At the termination of this time, Frank A. Lynch, the present proprietor, bought his partner's interest.

Laundries .- Circleville has two laundries- the Union Steam Laundry and the Sam Sing Chinese Laundry, of which Tom J. Pong is proprietor. The Union Steam Laundry, con- ducted by J. T. Tompkins, is located on West Main street. It was established in 1897 by B. M. Holcomb, who sold it to May C. Bush ; the latter conducted it until July, 1903, when it was purchased by its present owner, J. T. Tompkins. Five hands are employed and modern methods and machinery are used.

Florist .- J. J. Brehmer, who has been es- tablished at Circleville as a florist for the past 20 years, conducted a florist and nursery busi- ness for four years on the east side of the town, from which locality he moved, in 1890, to the Folsom place, on the old Fair Grounds, where he continued in business for 13 years. In 1902, he purchased his present property on the Columbus turnpike, where he has a fine nursery and well-equipped greenhouses, hav- ing 12,000 square feet under glass.

Blacksmiths .- The oldest blacksmith in Circleville in point of continuous service is J. H. Hedges. Moses Moyst was engaged in blacksmithing here for possibly 50 years, be- ing succeeded by his son, Wilson H. Moyst, and he by Philip Peacock, who is conducting the shop at the present time. Charles Schwarz is the proprietor of a blacksmith business that was established over 50 years ago. For many years an important part of the business was the manufacture of plows. The following named parties also conduct blacksmith shops here : John Thatcher, Elisha Hazlewood, John Enck, W. F. Tolbert, Charles Eaton, Harry Whittington, Henry Blum, Charles Denman, Henry Williams, W. F. Valentine, Mr. Shaef- fer, Jerome Smith & Son, Milton E. Jones, H. S. Miller & Son and A. T. Anderson. Jerome Smith & Son also have a well appointed machine shop. Milton E. Jones, H. S. Miller & Son and A. T. Anderson are also engaged in carriage and wagon repairing.

Brickmaking .- S. M. Lewis began the manufacture of brick in Circleville as early as 1878. He is also a manufacturer of brick and cement blocks at a plant he owns and operates at Ashville.

The Standard Brick and Tile plant, owned and operated by Emor Larrick, was estab- lished in 1892 by John Heiser, who conducted it until February, 1906, when it was purchased by its present owner.

Repair Shops .- C. D. Buchwalter and W. H. Palm conduct small machine shops for the repair of light machinery. The former also makes stencils and rubber stamps, while the latter is a worker in tin and sheet metal. G. W. Kinney makes a specialty of the repair of sewing machines, in which he also deals.

Job Printing .- There are four establish- ments of this nature here-those conducted by George M. Fitzpatrick, Reuben P. Dresbach, the Circleville Herald and the Circleville Union-Herald.

THE PRINCIPAL MERCANTILE ESTABLISHMENTS.

Dry Goods .- The business now conducted by the S. Rindsfoos & Son Company was .es-

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HISTORY OF PICKAWAY COUNTY

tablished in 1854 by S. Jacobson, in the room now occupied by Krimmel & Hamilton's drug- store, which at that time was a two-story build- ing 20 by 50 feet in dimensions. At the break- ing out of the Civil War, William Jacobson, a brother of S. Jacobson, came to Circleville from North Carolina and entered into partner- ship with the latter, the firm becoming W. & S. Jacobson. Prior to this, in 1857, S. Rindsfoos had been a clerk in the establishment; he con- tinued with the new firm and in 1865 was ad- mitted to partnership, the firm style then be- coming W. & S. Jacobson & Company. In 1859 Charles S. Siesel, a nephew of the Jacobsons, came here as a clerk and he was ad- mitted as a partner in 1867, the firm name remaining, however, the same. In 1870 the business had so expanded that removal was necessary and they secured quarters at their present location in the Olds Block. In 1877 S. Rindsfoos and Charles S. Siesel purchased the interests of the two Jacobsons, and the firm became Siesel & Rindsfoos and so remained until 1896, when Mr. Siesel retired. The name then became S. Rindsfoos. In 1901 Mr. Rinds- foos associated with him his son, William J., and the firm name became S. Rindsfoos & Son. In 1905 the firm was incorporated under the laws of the State of Ohio, when the firm name became The S. Rindsfoos & Son Com- pany. The business has been developed into large proportions. The firm occupies the en- tire building on the northwest corner of Main and Court streets, fronting 45 feet on West Main and 150 feet on North Court street. The building is a commodious and attractive one, with three stories and basement. When the incorporation took place, the concern became a department store and now complete lines of dry goods, carpets, rugs, floor coverings, shoes, china, bric-a-brac and silverware are carried. They employ 25 salespeople. The capital involved in this large enterprise is $100,000. S. Rindsfoos is president; Mrs. S. Rindsfoos, vice-president ; and W. J. Rinds- foos, secretary and treasurer. The directors are : S. Rindsfoos, Mrs. S. Rindsfoos, and W. J., Elizabeth and Mary Rindsfoos (son and daughters).

The business now conducted by Crist & Mason was established many years ago by Wal- lace & Brother, on West Main street. The business was later conducted by Joseph Wal- lace, the present firm coming into possession in 1893. In 1896 removal was made to the handsome new structure on North Court street that had just been completed by the senior member of the firm, William E. Crist. The firm occupies two floors and basement, the dimensions of the building being 30 by 150 feet. Since coming to the present quarters, the firm has greatly enlarged the business. They carry complete lines of dry goods, shoes, car- pets, rugs, floor coverings, china and bric-a- brac, silverware, wall-paper, millinery and house furnishing goods and employ 15 sales- people.

The dry goods and carpet business con- ducted by Moeller & Schleyer was established seven years ago by Mr. Moeller. Four years later he took in J. F. Schleyer as partner. The firm occupies two floors, with dimensions of 25 by 40 feet. The carpet department is on the second floor. Ten salespeople are em- ployed.

The firm of I. U. Finkel & Son carries on a business which was established in 1870, at the Town Pump Store, by D. Pierce and John Ray. Mr. Ray soon sold his interest to Mr. Pierce, who continued alone until 1888, hav- ing moved to the Masonic Temple in 1876. After. the death of Mr. Pierce, the firm of Finkel, Henderson & Hinkle came into pos- session and continued as such for two years, when Mr. Hinkle sold his interest to his part- ners and the name became Finkel & Hender- son. After two years more, Mr. Henderson sold his interest to Oscar Howard, and the firm became Finkel & Howard. In 1900 Mr. Finkel bought Howard's interest and at the same time consolidated with Schleyer & Henderson, then merchants on Main street, and the firm became Finkel, Schleyer & Henderson, the business being at the same place as at present, in the Masonic Temple on South Court street. After three years, I. U. Finkel and his son Charles bought out Messrs. Schleyer and Henderson and the firm became I. U. Finkel & Son. Al-

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History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 9

Author: Aaron R. Van Cleaf Publication date: 1906 Publisher: Number of Pages: 923

Author: Aaron R. Van Cleaf
Publication date: 1906
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 923