USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > History of the city of Columbus, capital of Ohio, Volume II > Part 44
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The Brown, Hinman & Huntington Company-B. S. Brown, E. L. Hinman and B. N. Huntington-dates its origin back to the early fifties, when it was know as the partnership of Hall, Brown & Co., which title it retained until 1866, when the name of Brown, Hinman & Co. was adopted. In 1885, the company was ineorporated, with a capital stock of $200,000. Its business is chiefly that of manufacturing agricultural hand-implements. The company's trade has had a wide range including considerable export.
On December 29, 1866, the Columbus Rolling Mill Company was incorporated by J. F. Bartlit, R. E. Neil, Theodore Comstock, P. W. Huntington and William Dennison ; capital stoek, $400,000, of which 8383,000 was ultimately paid in. The first meeting of stockholders was held in January, 1867. Subscription books were opened in that month, extensive buildings were erected on a tract of thirty acres of ground purchased for the purpose on the left bank of the Whetstone, near the Panhandle Railway crossing; and on September 2, 1872, the mill began oper- ations. Its officers elected in January, 1873, were : B. S. Brown president; II. A. Lanman secretary and treasurer ; C. Lewis superintendent, and Samuel Thomas
332
HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.
general manager. The primary purpose of the mill was the manufacture of iron rails, in which business it made a fair profit until the railways began to lay tracks of steel instead of iron, in consequence of which change the establishment was converted, at considerable expense, into a steelrail mill, and continued as such until January 1, 1883, when, in consequence of the increased cost of raw materials, all of which had to be imported under heavy duties, the concern ceased opera- tions. It employed at that time about four hundred men. In July, 1883, a plan was broached for changing the equipment and business of the concern to the man- ufacture of structural iron, but this did not meet with general acceptance. After consuming a large part of its resources in repairing the damage done by a tornado which wrecked its buildings, the company resorted to the manufacture of open hearth steel, in which it continued for about six months, under the presidency of Mr. E. L. Hinman. Insufficiency of capital and excessive cost of materials, com- pelled the suspension of this business also, throwing some hundreds of workmen out of employment. After remaining idle for some time the property was sold, at great sacrifice for what it would bring. The fate of the Columbus Rolling Mill was that which has overtaken most of the smaller establishments of its class, and of many others of other classes; it succumbed to the competition of stronger establishments and the insupportable cost of raw materia's.
In 1870 the blast furnace of the Columbus Iron Company was erected on the left bank of the Whetstone, a short distance north of the rolling mill. It was put into operation December 21. Its original directors were S. Baird, president and superintendent ; B. E. Smith, William Dennison, II. J. Jewett, D. S. Gray, M. M. Greene, R. E Neil, B. S. Brown, Walter C. Brown and P. Hayden. In March, 1871, the company decided to increase its capital stock from 8150,000 to $200,000, and build an additional furnace, but this was not done. The establishment was finally broken up and removed to the Hocking Valley.
The Franklin Iron Company was organized in 1872; capital stock $150,000; directors. Isaac Eberly, president ; E. Bareus, superintendent; John Greenleaf, secretary and treasurer; B. E. Smith, W. G. Deshler, Theodore Comstock, W. B. Brooks, H. Mithoff and J. Reinhard. The furnace was located on the east bank of the Scioto, in the southwestern part of the city; and was erected under the supervision of Samuel Thomas, of Zanesville. Its equipments being complete, its fires were first lighted on October 28, 1873, the match being applied by Miss Florence Eberly, daughter of the president.
The Columbus Pipe Foundry, for the manufacture of cast iron pipe, did its first moulding on December 1, 1870, in the presence of about forty interested citi- zens.
The Door, Sash and Blind Factory on Broad Street, West Side, started in 1871 with the following directors : W. A. Platt, R. B. Adams, A. D. Rodgers, R. F. Trone and T. Price. William A. Platt was chosen president and Frank Hickock secretary and treasurer.
The Columbus Window Glass Company was organized Angust 30, 1873 ; cap- ital stock 875,000; F. C. Sessions, president; J. A. Jeffrey, treasurer; Edward Ford, superintendent; G. S. Brooks, secretary. The company's factory was
333
MANUFACTURES.
erected on the west side of the river near the lower bridge of the Hocking Valley Railway. Active operations began early in 1874. In 1880 the establishment was leased for a term of years to Robert C. Schmertz, of Pittsburgh. After a brief period of active existence the enterprise was abandoned.
The Columbus Chair Company, for the manufacture of cane seat chairs, was organized April 25, 1872 ; capital stock $40,000 ; S. S. Rickly, president : Henry Mason, secretary and superintendent ; Horace Wilson, treasurer.
COLUMBUS MACHINE COM
COLUMBUS MACHINE COMPANY.
The Schaefing Tile Company was a creation of 1872, and began to erect its works in November of that year on East Friend Street, near Alum Creek ; capital stock $50,000; directors. Lorenzo English, Thomas Miller, R. C. Hoffman, Michael Haviland and Messrs. Thone and C. S. Glenn. Other enterprises of 1872 were the scraper factory erected in the northeastern part of the city by Mitchell, Doty & Leonard; and the Ohio Bent Work Company's factory situated near the Whet-
334
HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.
stone, west of Goodale Park. The directors of the Bent Work Company were : Thomas Hibben, president; R. H. Gardner, secretary and treasurer; R. E. Neil, J. W. Andrews, George J. Rodenfels, H. M. Neil and W. W. Williams. The destruction of the company's factory by fire caused it to cease business.
A meeting of rail manufacturers was held January 14, 1874, at the Neil House ; president, Daniel Mathias, of Pittsburgh. Numerous cities were repre- sented. The Western Rail Mill Association held a meeting in Columbus on April 8, same year. An Ohio Tile Makers' Association was organized at a meeting of the tilemakers of the State held in Columbus, on February 8, 1880. The Western Nail Association held a meeting at the Neil House May 13, 1885, for the purpose of fixing a scale of prices and transacting other business. The factories repre- sented were numerous.
Brief mention of some of the larger industrial establishments of Columbus may now form a fitting climax to the story of the rise and development of the manu- facturing interests of the city.
The Kilbourn & Jacobs Manufacturing Company, incorporated in October, 1881, has become known the world over for its productions in wrought steel, for which it has a large export trade. Its present officers are: James Kilbonrn, president and general manager ; H. L. Jacobs, superintendent ; F. C. Eaton, treas- urer; and F. W. Hubbard, secretary. The present capital stock of the company is 8500,000 ; its annual business exceeds the value of $1,000,000. The company's principal shops, twelve in number, cover, with storage grounds, a space of eleven acres.
The Jeffrey Manufacturing Company had its beginning in 1878. It is a large producer of coalmining machinery propelled by compressed air and electricity ; also of chain belting. Its principal factory building covers an entire acre of ground. J. A. Jeffrey is its president and general manager, C. W. Miller its sec- retary.
The Columbus Bolt Works have held a conspicuous place among the more prominent manufacturing establishments of the city since 1874. The president of the company that year was R. E. Neil ; its treasurer and general manager, H. A. Lanman ; its secretary, F. G. Waddle. It is a producer of bolts, nuts and carriage hardware, for all of which its trade has a continental range. The value of its annual product is about $400,000.
The Columbus Machine Company is the present culmination of the oldtime Eagle Foundry and Machine Shop of Ambos & Lennox. Its principal products are blast furnace, Corliss and stationary engines, and other heavy machinery. Its works occupy an entire square fronting on Broad Street, west of the Scioto. Robert B. Collier is its superintendent and manager, R. M. Weaver its secretary, and Stephen Monypeny its treasurer. William Monypeny is its president.
The Newark Machine Company, transferred to Columbus from Newark, Ohio, where its shops had been destroyed by fire, began operations in the old Gill Car Works October 30, 1884. The company employed at that time about 300 men, and manufactured about $5,000 worth of agricultural machinery and implements per day. Its present officers are : President, J. P. McCune ; vice president, F. J.
335
MANUFACTURES.
Picard ; secretary, Thomas Woodward ; treasurer, F. S. Wright ; superintendent, Abraham Miller.
The Case Manufacturing Company takes its name from J. M. Case, whose pat- ents it uses in the manufacture of mill machinery and equipments. Its career among the great industrial establishments of Columbus began in 1879; the value of its present annual product is about 8400,000. Its president is James Watson ; vice president, John F. Oglevee ; secretary and treasurer, David Greene.
The Fish Press Brick Company was incorporated March 17, 1887, by W. and W. H. Fish and Edwart Herbert. Its principal proprietors are now largely inter- ested in cutstone, cement and other industries.
The Ohio Paving Company is identified in its origin and development with the street improvement enterprises which, during the last of the eighties, revolu- tionized the thoroughfares of Columbus. The company manufactures the Hallwood paving blocks, of which it has a capacity of producing 100,000 daily. Its officers are: President, N. B. Abbott ; vice president, Theodore Rhoads ; engineer and manager, H. S. Hallwood ; secretary and treasurer, L. E. Putnam. Captain Abbott, the company's president, established the Columbus Paving Company in 1876.
The Columbus Watch Company had its origin in 1876 but became incorpor- ated in 1882, and on July 27 of that year moved into its new building at the corner of Thurman and New streets. Its president, Dietrich Grun, has studied and applied himself to watchmaking as a profession all his life. Associated with him are many skilled mechanicians of similarly thorough training. The secretary and treasurer of the company is W. H. Savage. The works are extensive, cover- ing nearly two acres of ground.
The Patton Manufacturing Company began business in Columbus in 1874. It has an important branch at Jeffersonville, Indiana, under the management of William D. Patton. The founder, chief manager and proprietor of the business is Colonel A. G. Patton, whose son, A. V. R. Patton has charge of the Columnbus department. The company manufactures hollow ware, of which it claims to be the oldest and largest producer now in existence.
The Columbus Cabinet Company, organized in 1862 by eighteen German mechanics, manufactures all kinds of furniture and bank and bar fixtures on an extensive scale. An account of its origin has already been briefly given. Its present directors are: Henry Lower, president; John Strickler, manager; Louis Foster, secretary and treasurer; J. W. Bleile, I. S. Beekey, Frederick Kolb, J. R. Cook, C. R. Wheeler and J. W. Lauterbach.
The Jonathan Mills Manufacturing Company is a large producer of flouring mill machinery and apparatus ; L. C. Newson, president, Jonathan Mills, vice president and general manager, W. A. Hardesty, secretary and treasurer.
The Columbus Bridge Company is a corporation dating from 1886. Its chief' products are viaduct and railway bridges, roofs and iron substructures. President D. C. Sawyer; vice president, B. J. Arthur; treasurer, Theodore G. Gordon ; engineer and superintendent, F. C. Lewis.
336
HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.
THE OHIO PAVING CO'S FACTORY.
WJ078 S,000M71VH
HALLWOOD PAVING BLOCK FACTORY.
Holand. S. Hallword
337
MANUFACTURES.
The Buekeye Buggy Company began business in 1882 on High Street, near Spring. It is now one of the most important factors in the great carriage manu- facturing interest in Columbus. In March, 1888, its splendid seven story factory, located near High Street, west of the Union Station, was destroyed by fire. The company rebuilt its works on a twoacre tract fronting on High Street, north of the Station. The officers of the company are: President, A. L. Wilson ; vice pres- ident, F. L. Hughes ; secretary, F. W. Hughes.
Additional manufacturers of wheeled vehicles and their fixtures are the fol- lowing : Anderson Carriage Company, Capital City Carriage Company, Colum- bus Carriage Manufacturing Company, Franklin Buggy Company, M. & E. K. Hayes, John Immel & Son, Joyce Brothers, Mohl Brothers, New York Steel Vehicle, Wheel & Carriage Company, Ohio Buggy Company, Pioneer Buggy Com- pany, The M. E. Sehrock Company, Scioto Buggy Company, Snyder & Miller, United States Carriage Company, White Brothers, The William C. Reynolds Com- pany, The Griswold-Sohl Company, The Ohio Forging Company and The John W. Brown Manufacturing Company.
The M. C. Lilley & Co. Regalia Manufactory, said to be the largest establish- ment of the kind in existence, was founded in 1865 by Captain M. C. Lilley, John Siebert and Henry and Charles Lindenberg. Its productions cover the entire range of emblems, badges, banners, jewels and other paraphrenalia used by secret societies and kindred organizations. Its present officers are : President, Charles H. Lin- denberg; vice president, John Siebert; secretary and treasurer, William Scarlett.
It has not been intended nor has it been possible to mention, much less to fully describe in this chapter, all the manufacturing enterprises which have been attempted or established in Columbus during the eighty years which have elapsed since the origin of the city. To have done this, had it been possible to do it, would only have wearied the reader without enlarging essentially the scope of his information. The purpose of the chapter has been accomplished if it has traced in general outline the progress of manufacturing in the city, and presented such details as intelligibly indicate the character and measure of its development.
NOTES.
1. Martin.
2. Ibid.
3. The following statements concerning this mill appeared in the Ohio State Journal of August 6, 1866: " Another landmark gone. The old mill near Worthington, the first considerable mill built in Franklin County, is being demolished and the material used in the construction of a private residence for H. Kilbourn Tuller, Esq. It was built in 1805 by Colonel James Kilbourn, Agent of the Scioto Company."
4. Martin.
5. Ibid.
6. Western Intelligencer.
7. Board of Trade address. 22*
338
HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.
8. As part of the history of the starchmaking industry in Columbus, the following document has some points of interest :
" This is to certify that the undersigned Julius J. Wood and Eli W. Gwynne have this day formed a limited partnership pursuant to the provisions of an act of the General Assembly of the State of Obio "to authorize and regulate limited partnerships," passed January 20, 1846, under the name and firm of Julius J. Wood - that both of said partners reside in the city of Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio - that Julius J. Wood is the general, and Eli W. Gwynne is the special partner - that the general nature of the business to be transacted is the manufacture and sale of starch and such other business as is ordinarily incident thereto - that said Gwynne is to contribute to the common stock the sum of five thousand dollars of which he has paid in one thousand, and is to pay in the residue in monthly instalments of one thousand each, commencing on the eighth day of December next -and that said partnership commenced on the eighth day of November, A. D. 1849, and is to terminate on the eighth day of November, A. D. 1851."
9. Mr. Lennox was originally proprietor of a small shop at the corner of Broad and Third streets.
10. Peter Hayden, the founder of this establishment, came to Columbus from the State of New York about the year 1835. He was quick to observe that Central Ohio abonnded in timber useful for certain kinds of manufacturing, and immediately made propositions for employment of the Penitentiary convicts, most of whom were then idle. The propositions were accepted, and resulted in Mr. Hayden's settlement in Columbus. Thus he began a business which soon became important. Meanwhile his New York interests developed rapidly, and in dne course of events he started an additional factory at Newark, New Jersey, and made engagements for employment of prison labor in California. For the sale of his large product, resulting from these various enterprises, Mr. Hayden opened wholesale stores in the principal cities, east and west. In order to obtain a regular and reliable supply of fuel for his factories, he bought considerable tracts of coal land in the Hocking Valley, and thus became extensively engaged in mining.
11. The pioneer in the manufacture of furniture in Columbus was Andrew Backus, who opened a small shop for the purpose near the Mound, in 1816.
12. The following table compiled from the reports of the Board of Trade shows the variety and the extent of the manufacturing interests of Columbus in the year 1888:
339
MANUFACTURES.
MANUFACTURES IN 1888.
ARTICLES.
ESTAB- LISH- MENTS.
CAPITAL INVESTED.
W'REM'N EMPLOY- ED.
WAGES PAID.
VALUE OF PRODUCTION.
Agricultural Implements
4
$ 768,000
642
$ 213,748
$ 707,000
Awnings, Tents, etc.
2
11 000
23
18,000
46,750
Bakingpowder and Yeast
2
13,000
11
10,920
62,000
Baskets
3
2,750
15
4 250
8,320
Blacksmithing.
51
41,445
124
51,550
195,115
Bolts and Nuts
2
235,000
315
105,000
301,000
Bookbinding and Blank Books
5
55,100
69
40,400
103,500
Book, Newspapers and Job Printing.
42
532,400
617
323,700
724,594
Boots and Shoes
79
507,500
39S
169,740
1,002,950
Boxes (Wood and Paper)
2
4,250
37
11,150
24,800
Brass Foundry and Finishing.
6
7,200
21
8,475
29,500
Bread, Crackers, Confectionery, etc .-
72
175,400
433
154,875
854,500
Brick Makers
18
107,050
333
101,820
266,000
Brick Contractors
23
72,300
278
101,525
466,000
Bridges
2
30,200
43
68,750
132,583
Brooms and Brushes
7
38,075
82
30,800
105,950
Candles, Soaps, Oils, Animal Fat.
11
192,500
97
51,400
742,500
Carpentering, Contractors, Builders.
114
535,000
1,321
617,475
3,189,100
Carriages and Wagons
23
1,433,250
1,513
807,635
2,211,300
Carriage and Wagon Material.
7
171,700
195
96,800
315,500
Carriage Mountings and Platings
3
25,400
47
19,000
54,000
Cement, Lime and Plaster
3
90,500
102
40,300
106,000
Chemicals and Drugs
4
173,000
80
53,000
795,000
Cigars
41
69,500
422
92,840
357,640
Coffins and Coolingboards
3
101,000
62
30,400
175,000
Coffee and Spices
4
110,000
61
26,635
370,440
Coloring, Dyeing and Laundry Work
18
55,700
160
43,550
181,500
Cooperage
2
50,000
65
16,500
105,000
Carpet Weaving.
8
4,500
19
4,100
10,400
Doors, Sash and Blinds
5
381,800
189
76,814
343,000
Drain Tile.
?
33,000
24
12,250
26,500
Edge Tools and Files
3
113,000
102
43,100
130,000
Electrotyping
2
15,000
14
7,625
18,000
Engraving
3
1,850
6
3,475
8,378
Flouring Mills and Mill Machinery.
4
264,000
114
62,850
1,015,000
Foundry and Machine Shop Products
15
1,138,700
1,008
487,146
1,559,000
Furniture
8
487,735
397
166,046
485,641
Galvanized and Sheet Iron Work
7
40,500
45
22,265
98,200
Hair Work
3
2,600
10
3,700
7,900
Harness and Saddlery Hardware
13
138,000
147
59,510
261,500
Hosiery and Knit Goods
2
25,500
56
12,500
55,000
Ice
5
87,500
111
36,450
126,200
Iron Fencing
3
16,000
16
8,350
26,000
Jewelry and Watches
3
352,000
331
163,000
312,000
Leather
2
68,000
62
32,500
235,000
340
HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.
MANUFACTURES IN 1888 .- CONTINUED.
ARTICLES,
ESTAB- LISHI- MENTS.
CAPITAL INVESTED.
W'RKM'N EMPLOY- ED.
WAGES PAID.
VALUE OF PRODUCTION.
liquors (Malt)
3
$ 850,000
180
$ 132,637
$ 911,525
Lithographing
2
10 000
12
7,475
58,000
Locks and Locksmithing
5
4,100
8
2,950
8,150
Lumber and Mill Work
16
660,400
397
173,920
1,049,800
Mantels and Grates
2
14,000
27
14,750
31,500
Marble and Stone Work
11
99,500
102
49,925
202,650
Mattresses and Bedding.
1
6,500
21
5,920
13,900
Merchant Tailors
36
153,000
579
154,395
692,500
Mineral and Soda Water
5
25,700
19
4,620
33,320
Millinery
28
39,800
115
34,250
96,400
Oil Cans and Pressed Work
9
48,000
64
25,750
105,000
Paper
2
95,000
184
61,800
440,000
Painting and Paper Hanging.
35
123,500
289
110,650
331,200
Patterns and Models
6
34,100
25
9,779
20,500
Patent Medicines
5
38,500
40
14,818
91,400
Photographs
13
51,600
62
25,884
112,000
Steam Engines and Boilers
6
215,000
216
99,176
242,200
Shirts,
4
6,500
37
8,300
26,050
Sewer Pipes
2
205,000
150
65,000
245,000
Stoves, Ranges, Hollowware, Tinware
21
283,500
507
155,304
733,269
Trunks and Valises
3
36,500
65
27,075
88,850
Warm Air Furnaces
3
29,000
34
20,750
62,000
Miscellaneous
43
2,290,500
1,193
557,117
2,682,826
Total
915
$14,310,277
14,804
$6,368,392
-$ 26,075,215
Pumps, Plumbing & Plumbing Sup'l's
27
152,672
261
114,228
508,414
CHAPTER XXI.
INDUSTRIAL EVENTS.
On June 26, 1843, the Mechanics' Beneficial Society, of Columbus, met for the formal opening of its new hall. The occasion was important. The society was the first enduring association of industrials organized in the city. Its building, the completion and occupation of which it celebrated, had been built from its own resources, and was named the Mechanics' Hall. Its president, at the time of the opening, was A. G. Hibbs, its secretary John Greenleaf. On behalf of himself and four others the president presented to the society a portrait by William Wal- cutt, which he described as a likeness " of our distinguished follow citizen and mechanic, Mr. James Russell, the inventor of the matchless planetarium." Con- tinuing Mr. Hihbs said : " Mr. Russell commenced life in the State of New Hamp- shire without the advantages of wealth; his trade was that of a cabinet maker. At something above the age of twenty years he moved to Ohio, and for the last thirty years [he] has been extensively known as a machinist of almost unparal- leled ingenuity. During all this time he has been originating and perfecting the peculiar and apparently complicated yet simple machinery by which a little child may be made to exhibit, with unerring fidelity, the motions and position of the solar system."1
Another speaker of the occasion was Aaron F. Perry who delivered a formal address in the course of which he said : "This society was instituted in the year 1830, and received an act of incorporation from the legislature of the State in the following year. For several years its members were very few, and it received lit- tle attention. But there were some who continued to cherish the impulses which first prompted them, and under every discouragement adhered to their original design and kept up its organization."
Speaking of the objects of the society Mr. Perry said :
It was originally designed to be, and now is, a society of mechanics, and as such the members contribute to a fund for the relief of each other in case of sickness. Provisions are also made for visiting and attending upon sick members, and that upon the decease of a bene- fit member a specified sum of money shall be paid to his widow. . . . It has another general purpose in view, the benefits of which are intended to be confined to no particular class of citizens ; that is, to create and sustain a fund devoted to facilities for general improvement in literature, science and valuable knowledge by means of a library and public lectures.
[341]
342
HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.
The act of the General Assembly incorporating the society was passed March 9, 1831. It provided : "That Philo H. Olmsted, Moses R. Spurgeon, Jonathan Neereamer and Charles Love, with their associates, who have associated them- selves together in establishing a society in the town of Columbus for advancing the best interests of the mechanics, manufacturers and artisans by the more gen- eral diffusion of knowledge among those important classes of community, and for the purpose of more conveniently and effectually affording relief to unfortunate members of said society, together with such persons as may hereafter become members of the same, be and they are hereby created a body corporate."
About the middle of April next following the passage of this act, the members of the society met at Young's Coffeehouse to elect officers. On April 7, 1833, the following were chosen : President, Jonathan Neereamer; Vice President, Robert Pollock ; Treasurer, Philo H. Olmsted; Secretary, Smithson E. Wright; Trus- tees, Thomas Wood, William A. Platt, M. R. Spurgeon, S. Thompson, A. Sites ; Stewards, John Borland, John Otstot, Edward Davis. Until the society was pro- vided with its own hall it held its meetings in the engine house on State Street. A regular meeting was held on the first Monday of each month.
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