USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > Ohio, the future great state, her manufacturers, and a history of her commercial cities, Cincinnati and Cleveland > Part 20
USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > Ohio, the future great state, her manufacturers, and a history of her commercial cities, Cincinnati and Cleveland > Part 20
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The company, whose officers are Lewis Miller, President; H. C. Fogle, Secretary and Treasurer; Jacob Miller, Superintendent; Geo. Cook, Assistant Superintendent, have a surplus of one-half million of dollars, and are at present adding to their immense building capacity. The immense capital employed, and the business standing of the Company, individually and collectively, give a reputation, of which the State might well feel- proud.
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BALLARD, FAST & CO., CANTON, O.
THE manufacture of saws, springs, reaper and mower knives and sections, has now assumed an importance not less than that of the agricultural implements, which have made our State one of the principal markets of the world. Among the largest and heaviest capitalists interested in this branch of industry in Ohio and the West is Ballard, Fast & Co., of Canton, Ohio, who, having faith in the future of our State as the great manufacturing point for the Western World, started their works in 1864. They began business in a quiet way, when we say their capital at that time was only $4,000
Prior to the date of their commencement, and for many years before their organ- ization, Mr. M. L. Ballard and Mr. D. Cobaugh had been connected with the manufac- turing concerns of both Ball, Aultman & Co. and E. Ball, occupying positions of trust and importance as mechanics and superintendents. Mr. M. L. Fast, at an early age, became a bank clerk, and served eight years at that occupation, and then joined Messis. Ballard and Cobaugh in their labors at E. Ball's establishment, leaving it in 1864, and organizing as aforesaid.
The progress of their establishment has been unusual, even in this age of marvelous success. Close personal attention to the details of the business gave them a reputation for superiority of workmanship which soon demanded an increase in their manufacturing facilities, which have been made from time to time, till they now occupy a mammoth establishment. We were struck with a feeling of bewildering helplessness upon entering their establishment, in attempting to comprehend the uses of the myriad machines, with the hundreds of workmen, which throng the floors of these works. Imagine unbroken pieces of shafting, with their huge driving-wheels, running so many pieces of machinery that the belts attached to them have the imposing look of a vast cobweb, and you have the appearance of the shops as you stand looking down the center. Never did men seem so interested and attentive to their work as we find them here. This is owing to . the beauty in construction and perfectness of their several machines. They seem to take care of them, during their working hours, as they would of their own children when at leisure. All the tools peculiar to their work are made under the especial . direction of Mr. Ballard. 1
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This is truly a representative house. They do all their own work, from the raw material to the finished saw, spring, knife, and section-forming a complete system of production, which guarantees the two important points of certainty and cheapness. They save all the intermediate profits which are necessarily charged by many other dealers, and are thus enabled to sell at the minimum of cost, while they can always tell the quality of the productions, which in all cases will really prove as represented. It is no wonder that, with their unequaled arrangements, their first-class machinery, and a practical and thorough knowledge of the business, they should find constant employment for nearly two hundred men. These men, with a capital of $100, 000, turn out annually $600, 000 worth of products. It is to such establishments that our State owes her wealth, growth, and prosperity.
The works began on reaping and mowing-machine knives, etc. Prosperity set in, andi in 1866 the concern was incorporated under the laws of Ohio, with a capital of $100,000. The beginning was small, but ambition was great. They mounted the hill and shrieked, " Excelsior!" Result was, enlarged establishment, and the manufacture of seat springs. This was better, but still not up to the mark; and a few years later, in the year 1871, they again enlarged their works, this time taking in the manufacture of saws of all kinds.
In 1873 they began the manufacture of carriage springs, and are now again putting up an estalishment, with a separate engine, for that part of their business. So that to-day they have one of the largest manufacturing concerns in the State, and their facilities are for making annually as follows: In springs, $300,000; saws, $150,000; sickles, $150,000. The trade of the house is almost coextensive with the expanse of the Great West there being very few places of any size in the Western and Southern States and Territories where their goods do not find their way.
Ballard, Fast & Co. have no specialties. Their greatest specialty is to keep and make every thing that can be called for in their line, so that the buyer can find just what he wants, and as much of it as required. They pay particular attention to the quality of their goods, and pride themselves on never sending out an inferior article. They will be in the future, as in the past, absolutely trustworthy under all circumstances; and those who are about to buy any thing they make will do themselves injustice if they do not first examine the merits and qualities of those offered for sale by Ballard, Fast & Co., of Canton, Ohio.
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DIEBOLD, NORRIS & CO., SAFE MANUFACTURERS, CANTON, O.
As a truly representative house of the great and growing trade in the manufacture of fire and burglar-proof safes, vaults, locks, etc., we quote that of Diebold, Norris & Co., of Canton, O., which, including the reorganization of last year, has been in existence since 1857-eighteen years ago. The works were started in Cincinnati by Diebold, Bahmann & Co., afterward Diebold & Kienzle; and in February, 1874, the firm changed to its present style. A very small proportion of our readers are familiar with the history of the firm in its earlier days, as they started on a very small scale. But none are unfa- miliar with their later career, the name being "familiar as household words." Every succeeding cycle has witnessed a larger growth, a more wide-spread business connec- tion, a more extended patronage, a broadening and deepening of the firm foundation on which the house was first built up, till it has assumed such gigantic proportions that one would think it required an Argus to keep watch of the multifarious details, a Briareus to handle them, and a very Croesus himself to lend the money wherewith to conduct the business. The works, which are the largest in the world, and the only buildings which have been erected especially for this branch of industry, cover two acres of ground, and employ in the business two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, which keeps constantly at work three hundred to four hundred hands, who turn out a finished safe every hour, from the smallest to the largest in use. In connection with their factory they have a building, fifty by one hundred and twenty feet, for the express purpose of constructing safe-deposit vaults, and in which they have built the largest vault in the world, of this kind, for the San Francisco Safe-deposit Company, of San Francisco, California, and which, in transit, occupied forty railroad cars, and cost over $100,000. Its superficial dimensions were : width, 27 feet; length, 32 feet; height, 12 feet, weighing 800,000 pounds. The entrance to the vault is protected by three doors, the outer one fire-proof, and the two inner ones burglar-proof. To overcome the ponderous barrier, the burglar would have to pierce six inches of fire-proof material, and nine inches of burglar-proof material, a task which could not be accomplished, under the most favorable circum- stances, in less than three or four weeks. There are five locks of the latest improved pattern on the door. The safe depositories in the vault number 4, 600 .. They are of burglar-proof material, and are guarded by patent combination locks and keys, and escutcheon locks. The gold and silver trimmings of the depositories are elaborate and very rich. The interior of the vault, in the light of the gas, presents a scene of dazzling splendor. The work of erecting the vault was done under the personal supervision of Mr. Norris, of Diebold, Norris & Co., and, with the aid of a force of skilled workmen from his manufactory, he succeeded in forcing the enterprise ahead with remarkable dis- patch, and to the complete satisfaction of the Deposit Company. The contract for this work was awarded to them over a host of competitors, which of itself speaks volumes for their facilities and capacity. They have also completed a safe deposit vault and five hundred boxes for the State Savings Institute of Chicago-it being nearly as large as the
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one built for San Francisco -- and have furnished the First National- Bank of Grand Rap- ids, Mich. ; First National Bank of Milwaukee, Wis. ; Johnson County Savings-bank, of iowa City, Iowa; New Orleans Savings Institution, with large safe-deposit vaults and boxes. They also furnished the Equitable Life Assurance Society buildings at Boston, and the U. S. Custom-house and Post-office, at Indianapolis, with their large vaults; besides other Government buildings, banks, insurance companies, with work too innu- merable to mention. The building, in which this work was erected, has, overhead, tram- rails, by means of which quantities of metal, weighing fifteen tons, can be moved from one part of the building to another. The iron is received, and goes through the straight- ening process; first the outer shell is made, then the inner part put in it-the vacuum between the two shells being filled with cement, which is the fire-proof quality. The . burglar-proof work is made with a steel surface; that is, the outer plates are steel, instead of iron, as heretofore; and the method of construction involves the use of compound plates, both for the exterior and interior sections. The outer wall of the burglar-proof proper is four plates thick, and the inner wall has a thickness of two plates. These are so arranged as to break the joints. The explanation may be more lucid if we say that the plates are joined together on the tongue and groove system-it being impossible to introduce powder; neither are there any seams at the angles; and the entire shell is composed of six pieces only, including door, so that no wedges can enter the work, as in the old process. Safes, or the iron for their construction, enter the back part of the building and gradually move through, adding piece by piece, till they come out at the front of the factory painted and ready to put on the cars-they having a private track of one-half mile long on which to load their goods. A prominent feature of their per- fect arrangement is their own telegraph office, right in their counting-rooms, where they receive and transmit messages from and to all parts of the world. The lock department is a feature of itself; and here they make all their own castings, screws-in fact, every thing that goes to make those wonderful barriers between those who are not justly entitled to look into another man's financial affairs and the rightful owner. In view of all this diversity, the perfect order and arrangement which reigns throughout the estab- lishment is really wonderful. There is a department and place for every thing, and every thing is always to be found in its own place, while that place is so well known that any thing required could be found in the dark by the foreman or superintendent of the department it belongs to. This company attends strictly to quality in all its pur- chases of iron, steel, brass, etc., buying only the best; and by this perfect system goods will be found to be just what was expected, and to perform what ought to be required of them. The clock-work regularity of the establishment secures the packing and ship- . ping of all goods ordered within the shortest space of time possible. May we witness the growth of hundreds of such factories, for they bring wealth and reputation to our State.
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WROUGHT-IRON BRIDGE COMPANY, CANTON, O.
THIS company was organized in 1864, and incorporated in 1871, with a capital stock of $1oh,ooo. The officers are, D. Hammond, President; Job Abbott, Chief Engineer; H. R. Wise, Treasurer; W. Britton, Secretary. The company's business is exclusively the manufacture of wrought-iron highway, city, and railroad bridges, iron roofs, and swing bridges. The unexampled success of this company in the manufacture and erection of bridges, roofs, and other engineering work has followed as the legitimate result of well-digested plans and sound principles of construction, and by the application of scientific principles, they have brought to perfection a class of structures which, in mate- rial, design, proportion, and finish, have not been excelled in this or any other country. Their distinguishing features are lightness, strength, and economy, obtained by employ- ing the beam and channel truss plan for short highway' bridges; the column and channel arch bridge for heavy highways and city spans, the plate and channel truss bridge for city and railway spans, and the channel swing plan, with conical center turn-table for highway, city, and railway bridges. The company also manufacture wrought-iron pier supports, concrete filled piers, iron pier fronts, wrought-iron trestling, and iron roofs for shops, foundries, etc., owning over twenty different patents on inven- tions on these different plans. The Wrought-iron Bridge Company of Canton, in the erection of bridges, make provisions for painting; and it is obvious to any reflecting mind that very thin tubular trusses, placed over damp situations, must be seriously weak- ened by corrosion in a few years, while columns and trunks that can be kept constantly repainted may be preserved indefinitely.
The works cover an area of about three acres, and give employment to 100 to 150 employees, besides 40 to 60 constantly erecting bridges. The present capacity of the company's shops is about 150 feet of finished bridge work per day; and that the reader may form an idea of their popularity, we have only to say that they have constructed over twenty-five miles of bridges, which are located in twenty-three different States, and have never had a single failure of any bridge of their erection.
Among the prominent bridges built by this company are two 200 feet spans, on the arch and swing truss plans, at Columbus, Miss. ; 140 truss span, 70 feet wide, at Atlanta, Ga .; 16 spans of 40 to 145 feet, on lattice plate, arch, and truss plans, at Indianapolis, Ind .; 4 spans of 175 and 235 feet, on truss and swing plan, at La Salle, Ill .; ten 100 to 215 feet arch spans at Lansing, Mich .; four 200 feet and five 182 feet arch spans at Parker and Kittanning, Penn. ; 105 feet arch span, and nine 80 to 90 feet arch and truss 'spans, at Pittsfield and Williamsburg, Mass .; three 135 to 160 feet arch spans at Con- cord, N. H .; 190 feet truss span at Fisherville, N. H .; . 220 feet arch, and two 128 feet truss spans, at London, Canada; two 125 feet truss spans at Peterboro, Canada; two 100 feet spans at Plymouth, Conn. This limited list gives an idea of the extent and variety of the company's business, which has grown from $80,000, in 1869, to over $550,000 in 1874. The yearly consumption of iron amounts to nearly 4,000 tons.
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C. Russell & Co., Reapers and Mowers, Canton, O .- This company was in- corporated in 1870, with C. Russell, of Massillon, as President; W. K. Miller, Vice- President and Superintendent; J. S. Tonner, Secretary and Treasurer, with a capital of $400,000, for the purpose of manufacturing the "Peerless" reapers and mowers-a machine that combines all the good qualities and very few of the bad characteristics of all the machines made. The fact, in connection with the manufacture of the various modifications of reaping and mowing machines now in universal use, that those manu- factured by C. Russell & Co., of Canton, hold the highest rank for simplicity of con- struction, perfection, and general durability, is verified by their enormous sales, and the fact that they manufacture fifteen to twenty per diem, and have a capacity to turn out 5,000 machines annually. The works occupied by 'them cover an area of 225 feet front by 50 deep, a fine, four-story, strongly built building, with wings 220x60 and 150x40, furnished with the latest and best improved machinery, which enables them to produce their work at the minimum of cost. One hundred and seventy-five hands find constant employment at these works, to pay whom takes $9,600 per nionth. The business standing of the firm, individually and collectively, gives a reputation of which Ohio might well feel proud, and such institutions are a credit to our State.
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B. F. Renick & Co., Printing Presses, Canton, O .- The firm of B. F. Renick & Co., proprietors of the well-known Aldine Printing-press Works, of Canton, Ohio, is composed of Benjamin F. Renick, the estate of the late Thomas T. Renick, and P. J. Claussen, who are largely engaged in the manufacture of the Aldine printing-press. The buildings cover an area of 300 feet front by 60 wide, two stories high, a fine brick edifice, with two wings, used for forging and engine rooms, 40x40 each. The machinery of the establishment is very intricate, and nearly all of their own invention, for their especial work, propelled by a fine 50 horse-power engine, and which, with the help of 75 hands, enables them to turn out nearly one" press per diem, though the works have a capacity to employ 125 hands. The principle of their printing-press is to print in one, two, or three colors from one form, at one impression; and it combines, to the printer, the finest press extant for strength and distribution in one or more colors. They also manufacture job and cylinder presses for one-color work only, and their superiority is admitted by printers, in distribution, strength, and speed, possessing every convenience for the printer's "make-ready.' They fully guarantee each and every ma- chine they make. To printers who have not yet seen this wonderful invention we would say that they are behind the times; for nothing ever invented in their line is giving such universal satisfaction. The principal salesroom of the firm is at No. 172 William Street, New York City, where Mr. J. P. Claussen makes his headquarters.
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M. L. Gibbs & Co., Plow Manufacturers, Canton, O .- This firm is composed of M. L. Gibbs and Henry R. Rohrer, for manufacturing the justly celebrated Cham- pion Plow, invented by M. L. Gibbs himself, a practical farmer, who thoroughly under- stands the requirements of the agricultural community. His inventive genius completed a steel point on a cast or steel share, which, when worn out, can be repaired for fifteen cents; the plow is also convertible from a steel to a cast or combination .plow. It also has a revertible cutter, thus enabling the farmer to do his own repairs at a little cost. The plow is also two or three horse, besides being a perfect sod and stubble plow. Its commendation, on our part, is useless. Its rapid sales, the increasing demands, and the volume of flattering testimonials from those who have used them, are alone suffi- cient proof of its merit.
P. P. Bush, Agt., Engines and Mill Work, Canton, O .- The manufacture of stationery engines, mill work, shafting pulleys, mining machinery, etc., has now assumed an importance not less than that of the iron interests, which have made our State one of the principal markets in the world. The only one engaged in this branch of business at Canton is P. F. Bush, who commenced the business there in 1873. His works give employment to thirty-five hands, and the buildings cover an area of one hundred and eighty-eight by sixty feet; for foundry and machine-shop, sixty by sixty feet, the machinery in which is propelled by a fine seventy horse-power engine. Prom- inent among his business is general foundry work, at which he has a large and grow- ing trade.
ALLIANCE WHITE LEAD COMPANY, ALLIANCE, O.
THE above company is owned and operated by John Hunter and E. R. Eckley, for the purpose of manufacturing white lead and putty. The works, which cover an area of one hundred and sixty feet front by one hundred and ten feet deep, employ thirty hands, and have a capacity to turn out annually one thousand five hundred tons of the finest carbonate lead made in the United States. Their process is the improved " Hannan," which is the same, chemically considered, as the old German process. In- stead of waiting for nature to do the work, they assist it by mechanical appliances, which shortens the time used in the process from three months to seventeen days, thus enabling the Alliance White Lead Company to make a purer article-the analysis prov- ing that one pound of their lead will cover more surface than any other. The trade of the company extends all over the country, they being able to enter into competition in any market. In the process of manufacturing the greatest cleanliness and purity is observed; and whoever buys Alliance White Lead Co.'s lead may know they are using the purest and the best.
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A. J. TSCHANTZ, ORGAN MANUFACTURER, ORRVILLE, WAYNE CO., O.
THE Ohio Beauty Organ Works, owned and operated by A. J. Tschantz, Orrville, Wayne County, Ohio, is to-day the largest building in the State devoted exclusively to that branch of business. The building is a fine three-story brick edifice, covering an area of seventy by seventy feet, furnished with all the latest improved machinery to facilitate production, propelled by steam-power, and turns out every week twenty-five finished instruments. His corps of men, engaged in the production of his fine instru- ments, are all first-class workmen. It is remarkable to visit the different departments, and in inspecting each piece, from the time it takes shape at the saw, to see how com- plete every change finds it, until it assumes its position in the instrument. Every-where, and on every hand, is to be seen the clock-work regularity with which every thing is done-a place for every thing and every body, and every thing always to be found in its place. The instrument manufactured by the proprietor has been pronounced by cele- brated professors of music, who have visited Mr. Tschantz's factory, to be the best extant-a broad assertion, though one, I think, that will be ultimately reached by every body, as the factory, at this early day, can not keep pace with their orders-a fact that speaks in itself volumes. The proprietor, who is yet quite young, has a bright prospect before him.
ORRVILLE ENGINE WORKS.
THE above works, which go far toward the activity of this fast-growing town, are owned and operated by Messrs. Lautner & Snavely, who are successors to M'Connell & Lautner, manufacturers of Gibbs's Improved Monitor Plows, Waters's Portable Engine, Bell's Hay-carriers, etc. The factory, a fine building, is fitted up with all the modern appliances for turning out work expeditiously and well, and giving security to the pro- duct. One of their specialties is Waters's Portable Engine, which they build from two to twelve horse-power, inclusive; and, at present, are doing a large and growing trade, giving remunerative employment to twenty-five experienced workmen.
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AULTMAN, MILLER & CO., REAPERS AND MOWERS, AKRON, O.
THE above company was incorporated in 1865, with a capital of $600, oco, for the purpose of manufacturing the Buckeye Mower and Reaper. The works were originally started in Akron as a branch of the Canton Company, but afterward became an inde- pendent concern. The officers of the company are, J. R. Buchtel, President; Geo. W. Crouse, Secretary and Treasurer; L. Miller, Superintendent; and are the same officers in the same positions as at the date of organization. Their present works cover an area of 725 feet front by 50 feet deep, three stories and basement, brick structures; besides buildings, 90 x 50, three stories; and blacksmith-shop, 125 x 75, one story. The works give employment to four hundred mechanics, and turn out annually ten thousand machines, which in production consume two thousand five hundred tons pig metal, twelve to fifteen hundred tons wrought iron, and a million feet of lumber. Twenty-five thousand, or one-fourth of all the reapers and mowers made in the United States, of these are the celebrated Buckeye, and nearly one-half of these are made at the above works. The great specialty of the Buckeye Mower, and which is sold only in connection with this machine, is
MILLER'S IMPROVED TABLE-RAKE,
a cut of which we present; and this invention promises to be the greatest and most important one ever made in connection with farm implements to facilitate and cheapen farm labor, and for which object the genius of invention has been taxed for the past twenty years. Perfection has at last been reached, if such a thing is possible, by Miller's Improved Table-rake, invented by the superintendent of these works, who has been the genius of the " Buckeye."
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