USA > Ohio > Clark County > Springfield > The centennial celebration of Springfield, Ohio, held August 4th to 10th, 1901 > Part 9
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MEDICINE, CHEMICAL AND COFFIN COMPANIES
This group comprises four medicine companies, three em- balming fluid companies, and two coffin factories, making nine industries in all, employing 275 men and 50 women, using a cap- ital of $500.000, and their annual product is $800,000.
That these concerns are enterprising and up to date, will be conceded, when it is known that one of them is spending $100,000 a year in advertising, and another builds the very best caskets in the world.
GENERAL FACTORIES.
We also have seven large factories, each one a specialty of its own-(1) Gas plant : (2) electric light plant ; (3) rubber fac- tory ; (4 and 5) two rubber tire plants ; (6 and 7) two breweries. The product of each is well indicated by its name. They employ 250 men, use a capital of $1,000,000, and their annual product and receipts are about $1,000,000.
MISCELLANEOUS FACTORIES.
In order not to make this paper too long. I mjust not go into further classifications, but put all the rest of our manufacturing
120
CENTENNIAL OF
industries under this head. There are fifty-one of them, and they make a lot of things.
For those who are building, we make lime, brick, stone work, interior wood work, art glass, roofing, and structural iron.
For those furnishing a house, we make furniture, tables, mattresses, pillows, cushions. fancy seats, gas burners, gas stoves and heaters, awnings.
For outdoor use, we make tents, flags, fertilizers, incubators, lawn and street sweepers, wood and iron pumps, lawn mowers, cement walks.
For the family table, we make flour, corn meal, breakfast food, sausages, baking powder, Saratoga chips, salted nuts, bread, cakes, ices, and cigars for the gentlemen.
For the household use, we make soap, sealing wax, and elec- tric fans.
In wearing apparel, we make shoes, rubber heels, suspenders, garters, arm bands.
For those who wish to ride, we make carriages, buggies, wagons, phaetons, bicycles, bicycle saddles, and automobiles.
For office and store use, we make counters and shelving, office furniture, paper boxes, mailing tubes, and all kinds of sta- tionery.
Then we also make optical instruments, spectacle cases, wood and metal patterns, hardware specialties, cigar boxes, saddlery leathers (an industry started in 1830), tarpaulins, iron files, elec- tro-plating, and monuments.
This shows a great variety of articles, useful and healthy, beautiful and ornamental, and all contributing to the convenience and happiness of thousands of people.
These factories employ 900 men and 240 women, use a cap- ital of $725,000, and their present annual product amounts to $1,850,000, and growing larger.
Some evidence of the variety of our products was seen at our local exposition held in 1899, where over 200 different machines · were on exhibition, and all made in Springfield.
TOTAL MANUFACTURING INTERESTS.
Agricultural implement factories 11, with 4,000 employes ; - capital, $6,000,000 ; product $8,000.000.
-
-
1
121
SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.
All other factories 131, with 5,600 employes ; capital $5, 150,- 000 ; product, $9,000,000.
Grand total, 142 factories, with 9,600 employes .; capital $11,- 150,000; annual product, $17,000,000.
This gives a tolerably correct idea of the present condition of our manufacturing industries.
EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN.
If you will recall the figures already given, you will note that in the factories which produce agricultural implements, engines, iron and steel articles, heavy machinery and factory supplies. there are very few women employed except as clerks and stenog- raphers in the offices.
But in the publishing houses, and in the factories, making paper boxes, food products and wearing apparel; women are doing a large share of the work; and the high quality of the goods they are making, shows that our Springfield girls and women are perfectly competent to compete in these lines with their sisters in other cities-so that we are well able to compete with any other town, in the lines of goods where it has come to seem natural for women to be employed-but, for one, I do not want to encourage too much the employment of our girls, outside of homes, where they can do such excellent, natural, and beautiful service, either as wives or mothers, or assistants to their mothers and other housekeepers.
CAUSES OF SUCCESS.
Now, what were the chief causes of this successful outcome of very small beginnings ?
First-A group of honest, courageous, energetic, intelligent, competent, persevering men; such men as would have made a success anywhere-but, of course, we think their success has been all the greater, because they settled in Springfield.
Who were these men?
This is a good place to record together the names of the founders and earliest developers of our manufacturing industries,
L
122
CENTENNIAL OF
all but five of whom began manufacturing business here prior to 1870.
FOUNDERS AND EARLIEST DEVELOPERS.
Name. Began.
David West 1837
William Whiteley 1840
James Leffel 1840
James Driscol
1847
B. H. Warder.
1850
William N. Whiteley
1855
Ross Mitchell
1856
Jerome Fassler
1856
John H. Thomas
1856
P. P. Mast.
1856
O. S. Kelly
1857
William Warder
1859
A. R. Ludlow
1860
C. A. Gardner 1860
John Foos 1861
1862
A. W. Butt
1862
John W. Bookwalter
1865
C. P. Ballard
1866
Amos Whitelev
1867
A. S. Bushnell. 1867
Robert Johnson 1867
R. H. Rodgers 1867
T. W. Rinehart 1867
W. W. Wilson. 1868
Joseph W. Thomas 1868
Charles E. Thomas.
1868
A. Winger 1870
C. A. Bauer
1875
W. S. Thomas
1875
A. C. Evans.
1876
G. S. Foos.
1876
W. C. Downey
William Foos 1866
Second-Co-operation. I am told that in the early days, these men were in frequent consultation with each other-giving advice here, a friendly suggestion there-correcting a mistake here and straightening out a tangle there, and sometimes helping each other at the bank. This co-operation went beyond this city-
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123
SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.
every traveling salesman sent out by one factory, was told to put in a good, strong word of recommendation for the goods made by our other factories-every dealer who came to town was taken around to the other shops.
This active, constant, and mutual helpfulness did immense good, both at home and abroad. Let us continue it.
Third-Making machines necessary and economical for farmers to use-making them at the right time to supply the growing demand for improved implements-and making the very best machines on the market, and protecting them by pat- ents-machines that talked for themselves, in the fields of the world, and soon made the name of Springfield universally and favorably known, and the fame of its factories world-wide-as the political speaker says, we "point with pride" to the unequaled excellence of the large line of farm machinery and other articles made here, and we are successfully meeting the world in competi- tion. This can be continued only by staying at the top in quality -indeed, so strong is the feeling here in favor of building only good things, that I verily believe any one who attempted to make a poor article, and put "Springfield" on it, would find his credit at his banker's greatly impaired.
It certainly augurs well for the future that the present gen- eration is so magnificently maintaining the splendid traditions of the past, in its belief that the best is none too good for farmers and others to use, or for Springfield to make.
Fourth-An energetic pushing of the business, in all direc- tions, combined with conservatism in financial matters-not going too fast, nor attempting more than could well be handled.
EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYE.
Fifth-While the papers are full of news about conflicts be- tween labor and capital in many of our cities and manufacturing centres, in Springfield you seldom hear those two words spoken at all. As comnionly used, these words represent two distinct, opposing and conflicting interests-but here, we do not recognize any such antagonism-both the employers and the. employes are on the most pleasant terms with each other, and it is, here, more like one big family than anything else.
.
124
CENTENNIAL OF
Our largest employers, and richest men, have grown up from very modest beginnings, and their employes have grown up with them, until today, a large number of our present manufac- turers began as workmen themselves; and by economy, industry, and push, have now factories of their own, and, year by year, such men are doing a large share in starting other industries, and adding to the variety and the quality of goods made in Spring- field.
In looking back over the last fifty years, which embrace the greatest part of our manufacturing activity, I do not know of more than two cases of any special trouble between the men who work in the shops and the managers who work (and worry) in the offices.
This freedom from labor troubles in the past has greatly as- sisted in the building up of our manufacturing plants, while the existence of such troubles in other places have simply ruined many towns.
It therefore behooves both employers and employes to see to it that the future is kept as free from such difficulties as the past has been ; so that all of us may devote our time and our energies to the further enlargement of the trade of our factories, with a feeling of confidence that our conduct toward each other shall always be sensible, reasonable, and just, remembering there are two sides to most questions, but only one real side to this-our interests being strictly mutual.
BANKS.
Sixth -- There are very few factories which do not need, at certain seasons, extra money, over and above their capital and surplus. Right here the banks come in, and are expected to'sup- ply this money, for the short or long periods required.
That sounds like an easy thing to do, as banks are supposed always to have money. In times of plenty of money, the banks readily respond to requests for loans, but in hard times, when money is scarce, and hard to get, and collections almost impossi- ble to make, then it is that manufacturers need and appreciate moneyed institutions like the Springfield Banks; and I do not believe any town has banks as liberally conducted, or more free
125
SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.
from hard-hearted and arbitrary methods, or more anxious to ac- commodate customers, and at the same time their affairs are run on safe and conservative lines, as we must always remember that in loaning money, at low rates of interest, it is highly necessary to have the principal well secured.
Many other causes contributed to our present position in the manufacturing world, but I believe these six are the main ones :
First-Honest and competent men. Second-Co-operation. Third-Making the best goods.
Fourth-Push, and plenty of it. Fifth-Freedom from labor troubles. Sixth -- Liberal banks.
SUCCESS AND FAILURE.
Looking back over the hundred years now closing, we can not say that a Paradise of business conditions has ever existed here, and that no failures have ever occurred.
Still, when you take out of the list those who retired from business on account of old age, death, removals, and changes of conditions, you can almost count on the fingers the factories that have actually failed here. The percentage of success is about 98 per cent., and of failures, 2 per cent. This is a most remarkable record, almost approaching an ideal condition, and ought to be a potent argument with those seeking new locations, or desiring to engage in the manufacturing business. Surely, no luckier place can be found than Springfield, in which to make things, and there is no place where persons will receive more real encouragement and cordial co-operation, in any kind of legitimate manufacturing business.
FUTURE PROSPECTS.
Now, what as to the future of our manufacturing industries ? Those of us now in the business have many more advantages than our founders had-such as abundant shipping, banking, and mail- ing facilities-and supplies of raw material, and the benefit of the experience of our predecessors. We have in our employ the
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126
CENTENNIAL OF
second and third generations of men in families that have grown up, and been drilled in this line of trade. Our lines of goods are well introduced, and have an established reputation in the mar- kets everywhere-but this kind of business as well as others, is concentrating, and the more different kinds of implements and other articles that are made here, the better chance we will all have of holding and increasing our implement and other trade. Plows and wagons ought to be made here by all means-when nothing else sells, farmers buy plows and wagons-and these two staple articles built here on a large scale would be of immense benefit to this city. But aside from all these things, our future growth, after all, is going to depend on just about the same fundamental elements that first built up the town.
EXTENDED TRADE.
The trade of this town is so extended now, that, wherever you go, you will find Springfield represented, either by its pro- ducts or by its men. Whatever happens all over this earth has an influence here-if rains are short in Australia, not so many of our harvesting machines will be wanted; if times are bad in Rus- sia, they cannot buy so much of our machine tools ; if the German grass crop is good. they want our mowers and rakes ; if the price of grain goes down, our drills are not wanted so much-but when wheat goes to $I per bushel, we all rejoice and Springfield flourishes.
ACTIVITIES INVOLVED.
Now there is undoubtedly a fascination in the manufacturing business. It involves so many different kinds of activities.
The invention, improvement and completion of the machine -buying material and labor, and selling. the product-banking, borrowing and collecting-litigation in prosecution and defense- taxes, patents, insurance, water, fuel, light, heat and sanitary ar- rangements-communications by mail, wire. 'phone and verbal, receiving and entertaining all classes of callers, from the crank to the capitalist-and all this going on all the time, without any ces- sation, and is so like women's work, never done, that I sometimes wonder more manufacturers do not break down under it; for we
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127
SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.
in the trade know what kind of experience a man goes through, and what an all-'round kind of a man he must be, who becomes a successful manufacturer.
BENEFITS OF IMPROVED TOOLS.
Now, beyond the making and selling of the goods, and per- haps making some money out of it, I believe our manufacturers have had in mind and take much pleasure in, the great benefit to the world there is in the use of these improved tools. We hear a good deal of the man behind the gun; and manhood, at its best, is the finest product of the earth-but if this magnificent man behind the gun is to do the best execution, he must have the finest gun. Is not that the case with the farmer-the man behind our machines ? If our modern farmer, scientific, practical, and up-to- date, as he is. is to do his best work, he must have the best ma- chinery with which to do it-and right there is where Springfield steps in, and supplies our best farmers with the very best farm machinery made in this world-enabling him to do his harrowing' planting, cultivating and harvesting quickly, economically, and thoroughly, and all he has to do, is to sit on his machine and drive his team-press the button on the lines to the horse's bit, and Springfield's farm machinery does the rest.
INCREASING HAPPINESS.
I believe our manufacturers here realize and idealize what they are doing-and we do rejoice that we are "increasing the sum of human happiness" when we lighten the hard labor of farming, and shorten the farmer's working hours-giving him and his family some leisure time for recreation and elevation.
I recently heard a minister say to an assembly of manufac- turers :-
"The Gospel Ministry is a sacred calling-but so is yours."
"We supply the motives of the larger life-but you furnish the instruments of its attainment."
"We give the impulse to climb ; but you furnish the ladder." "You are among the high priests of the modern world."
"To me, every workshop is a temple; the whirr of the ma- chinery is the music of the organ ; the workmen are the worship- ers; the manufacturer is the priest."
128
CENTENNIAL OF
AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS.
Name.
Begun.
Men. Women.
Warder, Bushnell & Glessner Co. 1850
2,050
105
A. C. Evans Manufacturing Co
1873
125
. ..
D. D. Funk ..
1899
5
. . .
P. P. Mast & Co ..
1856
350
4
O. S. Kelly Company.
1842
450
2
Foos Manufacturing Company
1883
200
2
Superior Drill Company.
1867
310
5
Mast, Foos & Co ..
1875
125
2
Thomas Manufacturing Company
1873
235
3
Whiteley Machine Company
1895
25
...
E. W. Ross Company.
I860
125
2
Totals
4,000
125
MAKING MACHINES, MATERIAL AND SUPPLIES FOR OTHER FACTORIES.
Name.
Begun.
Men. Women.
Nolte Brass Company.
1888
30
.
.
Springfield Brass Company .
1872
14
.. .
Corrugated Steel Nail Company
1890
3
. ..
Springfield Foundry Company
1892
210
7
Springfield Machine Tool Company .
1887
130
.. .
Springfield Malleable Iron Co ..
1878
335
. . .
Safety Emery Wheel Company . ...
1893
50
I
Bettendorf Metal Wheel Company ..
1890
210
5
Webster & Perks Company.
1891
32
. . .
Robbins & Myers Company.
1878
290
20
Hoppes Manufacturing Company.
1886
40
I
Totals
1,400
35
1
GAS AND STEAM ENGINE FACTORIES.
Name.
Begun.
Men. Women.
Miller Improved Gas Engine Co ..
1897
49
I
American Engineering Company.
1901
30
I
James Leffel & Co.
I862
165
4
Foos Gas Engine Company.
1887
100
3
Springfield Gas Engine Company. .. 1891
45
. .
Superior Gas Engine Company. .. 1889
26
. . .
Trump Manufacturing Company ..
1890
85
. . .
--
Totals
500
9
1
Western Manufacturing Company. .
1898
16
I
Owen Machine Tool Company.
1893
40
.
.
1
129
SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.
MAKING IRON AND STEEL PRODUCTS.
Name.
Begun.
Men. Women.
Victor Supply Company.
1899
7
2
F. N. Sterling Novelty Company.
1800
I
Peet & Schuster Company. . . 1870
15
. . .
Electrical Construction Supply Co .. 1900
2
R. W. Dixon & Co. .
1899
12
.
Progress Furnace and Stove Co.
1899
40
Ohio Wringer Company.
1873
12
I
Indianapolis Frog and Switch Co.
1802
50
Lagonda Manufacturing Company.
1896
8
. . .
Rogers Iron Company.
1883
72
...
Hennessey Foundry Company.
1900
25
American Radiator Company.
82
.. .
Grant Axle and Wheel Company.
1 899
25
2
Architectural Iron Company
1881
100
...
Shawver Company
1896
5
L. Patric Furnace Company
1876
40
...
Wickham & Chapman Company.
1889
310
...
W. F. Bauroth & Brother.
1873
25
. .
Thomas Roberts
1871
20
...
The Gray Iron Casting Company. . 1900
25
...
Totals
900
6
MANUFACTURING PUBLISHERS, ENGRAVERS AND BINDERS.
Name.
Begun.
Men. Women.
The Winters Company.
1868
42
25
American Farmer Company
1802
IO
25
Springfield Publishing Company.
1899
50
20
The Democrat Company
1888
18
5
E. L. Barrett & Sons.
1861
I
30
Barrett Brothers
1898
3
3
Barrett Publishing Company
1886
12
6
Crowell & Kirkpatrick Company
1877
165
I 30
Floral Publishing Company
1808
6
20
Sun Publishing Company.
1894
25
.. .
Springfield Engraving Company
6
...
New Era Company.
1886
32
30
T. E. Harwood & Co.
1 880
22
4
Totals
400
300
.
...
W. C. Downey Company.
1888
15
. ..
Springfield Bindery
8
2
. .
130
CENTENNIAL OF
MANUFACTURING FLORISTS.
Name.
Begun.
Men. Women.
McGregor Brothers Company
1867
45 .
7
George H. Mellen Company
1877
25
5
Good & Reese Company.
1887
129
33
A. R. Aldrich.
1891
5
I
C. L. Reese. .
5
.. .
T. A. McBeth
1885
2
. . .
J. L. Maxwell.
1900
4
. . .
John A. Doyle & Co.
1891
15
2
Schmidt & Botley
1893
20
2
Totals
250
50
MEDICINE, CHEMICAL AND COFFIN COMPANIES.
Name.
Begun.
Men. Women.
Springfield Metallic Casket Co.
1884
180
30
Springfield Coffin and Casket Co.
1866
32
6
Espy Fluid Company .
1894
6
I
Champion Chemical Company
1878
24
5
Hill Chemical Company.
3
Herb Medicine Company
1888
20
5
George S. Beck ..
1899
7
5
Scientific Remedy Company
1885
I
. .
Wahoo Remedy Company
2
. . .
Totals
275
52
GENERAL FACTORIES.
Name.
Begun.
Men. Women.
Springfield Breweries Company ...
1840
75
. ..
Gas Company
1849
40
. . .
Electric Light Company.
1885
35
. ..
Victor Rubber Company .
1898
80
. . .
Victor Rubber Tire Company
1896
IO
. . .
Kelly Rubber Tire Company.
1804
IO
I
Totals
250
-
I
131
SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.
MISCELLANEOUS FACTORIES.
Name.
Begun.
Men. Women.
The National Biscuit Company ...
1889
18
3
Champion Saratoga Chip Company. 1890
2
12
Brice & Co ..
1900
2
2
J. Redman & Son
1866
3
.. .
H. M. Ballentine.
1886
6-
...
Lagonda Box Company .
1899
4
15
Springfield Elastic Tlfread Co.
1900
6
2
Green Manufacturing Company . ...
IQOI
15
3
Springfield Planing Mill Company. .
188.1
26
S. M. Houck.
1892
I5
. . .
Mills Brothers
1887
85
. . .
Springfield Mattress Company
1897
6
2
J. W. Parmenter
1895
6
13
H. V. Bretney & Co.
1830
25
...
Finch Shoe Company.
1895
30
20
Scowden & Blanchard Company
1896
150
50
H. Fehl
1895
. ..
Springfield Fertilizer Company
1882
25
. ..
Buckeye Incubator Company
1890
50
4
Fay & Forbes.
1876
3
. .
W. T. Parker Manufacturing Co.
1884
4
...
The Mentals
1890
5
. . .
Springfield Coal and Ice Company.
1889
24
. . .
Wheatheart Manufacturing Co
1901
6
7
Garnier Brothers
1895
IO
2
William Wilkinson & Son
1868
4
..
Kyle Art Glass Company
1900
3
. . .
Snyder Brothers
1825
15
. . .
Ansted & Burk Company
1897
50
2
W. G. Fay.
1895
4
Springfield Tent and Awning Co. Mark A. Smith.
1898.
2
3
Moores Lime Company
1890
70
. . .
Springfield Car and Wagon Works ..
1880
8
.
Clark Paper Box Company
1894
.
2
Shawd Machine Company.
1897
5
A. Grube & Son ..
1885
18
. . .
Reama Silver Plate Company
1898
17
. ..
A. Kahrmann & Son. Grube Brothers
1880
2
. . .
Thomas Stationery M'f'g Co.
25
64
Harris Manufacturing Company ...
1899
25
6
.
15
. .
·
6
1861
4
132
CENTENNIAL OF
Name.
Begun.
Men. Women.
W. Z. Long
1881
7
12
Kuqua & Sons.
1 884
20
I
Kirkpatrick Saddle Company.
1899
6
. . .
Springfield Leather Furniture Co. .
1899
30
7
M. C. Russell Cement Company .
1876
15
...
Eureka Manufacturing Company
1900
2
. . .
Peter King
1880
I
I
E. Davenport
1889
I
3
Wadsworth Engraving Company.
1867
8
. . .
Totals
900
240
GRAND TOTAL OF ALL FACTORIES.
Name. Number Factories.
Men. Women.
Agricultural implements
II
4,000
125
Material, machine, etc.
I3
1,400
35
Engines
7
500
9
Iron and steel products
2I
900
6
Publishers
14
400
300
Florists
9
250
50
Medicine, coffin, chemical companies.
9
275
50
General factories
7
250
I
Miscellaneous
5I
900
240
Totals
142
8,875
816
Number Factories. Men and Women.
Grand total, July 1, 1901 ....
142
9,69 I
Grand total, January, 1900. .
123
8,000
Increase in eighteen months.
19
1,691
Government Building.
134
CENTENNIAL OF
V
PIONEER DAY.
Tuesday, the 6th, was designated Pioneer Day, at which time the old people of the county were especially invited to be present. Many of them came, some who had seen the lands of Clark County changed from forests into fertile fields, the log cabin give place to the fine farm houses which adorn our town- ships today, and the rough and often impassable roads trans- formed into smooth and elegant highways suitable for travel at all times of the year. These old pioneers held pleasant associa- tion with each other, and lived over again the many trying ex- periences, as well as those that were pleasant, of other days. On this day were read papers on the "Bench and Bar," and the "His- tory of the Medical Profession of Clark County."
The arrangement was not out of place, for perhaps no classes of our citizens in early times experienced more inconvenience from necessary travel than the members of the legal and medical professions. Pioneer physicians especially found their practice very laborious, being compelled to visit distant parts of the county over roads which at some periods of the year were scarcely pass- able. At the meeting in the morning, A. P. L. Cochran, Esq., presided, who made an introductory address :
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135
SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.
A. P. L. COCHRAN, ESQ.
ADDRESS OF A. P. L. COCHRAN, ESQ.
CHAIRMAN OF THE DAY.
Ladies and Gentlemen :
The General Committee having named me chairman of this morning's proceedings, I beg leave, in recognition of that honor, to submit a few preliminary remarks.
This day is designated on the program as Pioneer's Day, be- cause, after the addresses for this morning have been read, you will hear from some of our oldest residents their recollections of our pioneer ancestors. They will tell you of their habits and cus- toms and manner of living. These recollections will interest and benefit you greatly, because we cannot know too much of these sturdy people, and the lesson of their lives is one whose study must redound to our profit and advantage.
They will tell you how, as soon as they provided temporary . shelter for themselves, they cast about them to erect the little church and the little schoolhouse, those bulwarks of civilization which have made our city and our State and our country what they are today. They will tell you they were a God-fearing and Sabbath-observing people: that these were their most marked characteristics. and how, imbued with these principles, they laid
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