USA > Ohio > Lucas County > Toledo > Toledo. Its motto: ambition, preseverance and public spirit > Part 13
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a fresh stock of fresh, salt and smoked meats of all kinds. Mr. Henley is a native of this state, and prominent in social and business circles. He is a member of the Maccabees, is active and progressive and is highly esteemed in every walk of life.
Henry T. Sayers, Meat Market.
In a city like Toledo which has so many varied industries and mercantile enterprises, there are in all lines those by reason of their special fitness become leaders in their particular line of business right from the very start, and no more notable example of this fact can be set forth than that of Mr. Henry T. Sayers, dealer in fresh, salt and smoked meats, whose nicely fitted meat market is in the new brick store room at the corner of Adams and Putnam streets, where he keeps constantly on hand the choicest cuts of fresh and cured meats, which are served to his many patrons by means of a handsome delivery wagon ; and the services of a corps of clerks are made necessary by the greatly increas- ing demand upon this ever popular market. Mr. Sayers is a native of Ohio and a young man, very agreeable, and one whom it is a pleasure to meet. He is very popular in business and social circles, being a prominent member of the Catholic Knights, and who has ever at heart the advancement of the welfare of Toledo.
Nick Georgen, Tailor.
As one of the houses in the tailoring business which has been fore- most in promoting the standard of elegance in dress, that of Mr. Nick Georgen has obtained an enviable reputation. This business was in- augurated in 1895 by Mr. Joseph Miller and in December, 1896, he was succeeded by Mr. Georgen. This gentleman has had fifteen years practical experience as a tailor, and was formerly with Van Noorden, the fashionable tailor of this city. He caters to the best class of trade only, and has a large patronage in Toledo, and towns in the gas belt of Ohio. Mr. Georgen occupies handsome quarters in the New National Union Building, and the salesroom is fully stocked with a varied line of the finest European woolens aad suitings, including the most stylish patterns. A force of skilled workmen is employed and the most fash-
ionable garments are made at shortest notice. Mr. Georgen is a native of Germany, a member of the Knights of Pythias, and the National Union, and he commands the esteem of the entire community.
D. C. Templeton, Grocery.
Toledo has many merchants who are alive to its advancement ,and among them may be mentioned Mr. D. C. Templeton, who but recently came among us, having been a successful merchant in that enterprising city of the west, Kansas City, Mo. What has been her loss has been our gain. The premises occupied are in the large and spacious building at 3035 Summit avenue, where he conducts a high class grocery. The stocks are all fresh and well selected, and are nicely displayed in a strictly up-to-date manner. The services of a neat delivery wagon, is constantly required in serving his large and rapidly growing trade, which is among our very best citizens. Mr. D. C. Templeton is a native of Ohio, is a young man, having spent many years in the west; return- ing to Ohio, he chose Toledo for his future home, and has received a hearty welcome from our citizens. He is an energetic, hustling mer- chant, and is very popular among his large acquaintance, and is fully possessed of that public-spirited interest in all public matters which have at heart Toledo's interests, and have made her the natural fame she now enjoys. He is also a popular member of the Woodmen of America.
J. A. Duffy, Insurance.
The life insurance business of the city has always been an import- ant interest and most of the leading companies of the world are repre- sented here. One of these, the New York Life, represented by Mr. Joseph A. Duffy, occupies the splendid suite of offices, Nos. 320-321- 322 Spitzer building. Of this great corporation it were vain to at- tempt to speak in terms of ordinary praise. Organized in 1843, it be- gan operations in 1845, and its history from that date to the present is one of obligations faithfully and promptly met, of the most liberal and enlightened policy towards the insured and a degree of promptness and celerity in the settlement of claims almost unique in the annals of life
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insurance. The form and character of policies issued by this company embrace every species of insurance which the vast experience of its of- ficers has demonstrated as safest and most desirable. The Toledo branch of the company is under the direction of Mr. Joseph A. Duffy, than whom no more able or energetic manager has ever been known in Toledo insurance circles. This office requires the services of a large number of clerks, book-keepers, etc., besides some twenty-five or more active and forceful solicitors and agents in the territory controlled from here. This territory embraces nineteen counties of northern Ohio and covers some of the choicest sections of the state. Mr. Duffy, who is a native of Michigan, and yet a young man, very considerably on the sunny side of forty, has had quite an interesting career. He was for- merly a prominent stock-holder in the Toledo News Publishing Com- pany. In 1890 he engaged with the Toledo office of the New York Life, acting in that capacity until December 10th, 1896, when, by rea- son of the ability evinced in that position, he was advanced to the po- sition of general agent in charge of this important department of the company's business. This office reports a most satisfactory business, which may confidently be expected to greatly increase under the vig -. orous management of the present general agent. Mr. Duffy is justly popular in Toledo business and social circles, not excepting the repre- sentatives of other companies, who have come to recognize in him a fair and honorable competitor, as well as a genial gentleman.
Wacker & Jackson, Plumbers.
A foremost Toledo house engaged in the industry of plumbing is that of Messrs. Wacker & Jackson, located at No. 342 Huron street, where they occupy well equipped quarters in a handsome new brick building. The plumbing of Breyman's Flats, the largest in the city, also of the Darst Flats, the Secor Block, and other large buildings, was done by this firm, and that, too, in the most satisfactory manner. The co-partners, Messrs. Wm. G. Wacker and Geo. A. Jackson, were born in Ohio, and have long been practically connected with the plumbing, steam and gas fitting trade. They established business on January 12, 1891, and have since built up an influential patronage from contractors
and builders and property owners. Contracts are promptly entered into, and the complete fitting up of buildings of all kinds is efficiently exe- cuted. Messrs. Wacker and Jackson are members of the Knights of Pythias, and the Master Plumbers' Association. Mr. Jackson is also an Elk, and both gentlemen are favorably known as public-spirited citizens.
Gerken & Neipp, Metal Workers.
This firm launched themselves upon the market within the past four years, doing business first at 1319, a few doors from their present location, 1309 and 1311 Washington street. Within the present year, in order to secure better facilities for their rapidly expanding business, they removed to the present spacious quarters. The class of work re- ceiving attention embraces tin, copper and sheet iron of all kinds, roof- ing, spouting, mill work, blow pipes, cornices, etc. A considerable force of expert metal workers is employed and the business of the firm is an active and prosperous one. They are also sole agents in Toledo for the celebrated Carton furnaces of which they have placed quite a large number and which have attained extended popularity in this city. They also carry all kinds of hardware. A very special and important interest of the house is " The New Light " a superior system of brilliant and cheap illumination for stores, factories, etc., for which they have the exclusive agency for Northwestern Ohio. This new light is indeed a most wonderful and valuable invention or discovery and bids fair in large measure to supplant the use of both gas and electricity. Among the establishments that have already been equipped with it, are Beck Bros., grocers, 429 Wisconsin ave., John M. Bridenbaugh, 1251 Dorr street, Commeron Saloon, Dorr street, L. J. Smith, hardware, Auburn- dale, and others. The light is doing its work grandly and cannot fail to meet with universal favor. Messrs. John D. Gerken and John W. Neipp are both of German birth but have lived practically all their useful lives in this country. They are noted for enterprising business methods, progressive ideas, liberal public spirit and honorable dealing in all their transactions.
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Koelker Bros., Merchant Tailors.
Among those who have done much toward establishing the high standard of excellence in the tailors' art, none are more worthy of special mention in this review than Koelker Bros., at 314 Cherry street, the premises occupied being the first floor of the handsome three-story brick building at the above number. The fixtures are handsome and the stock one of the largest in the city, and well selected from the very best makers of novelties in fabrics, both foreign and domestic, and they fully commensurate with the high class of trade which it is their pleasure to serve. The busi- ness was first established many years ago by the three Koelker Bros., but has recently become the sole property of H. Wm. Koelker, who will maintain the most envia- ble reputation of the firm for cut, style and finish. They employ a very large force of wormen known to the trade in this section, and perhaps almost twice as many as any other firm in the same business in the city. They make a spcialty H. WM. KOELKER. of high art tailoring and also have a repairing department, which ad -- junct to the business has proven a boon to many of our best citizens who have long felt the need of such an enterprise. Mr. H. W. Koel- ker is a native of Germany, but has for many years been a loyal citizen of this republic. He is very popular among his very extended circle of acquaintances, being a man of more than ordinary business ability. He is a prominent member of the Knights of Pythias, Foresters and quite number of German Benevolent Associations.
Fred Oehlschlegel.
In a review of the city of Toledo, and the manifold interests that have contributed to making it one of the most prosperous and progress- ive cities of the Buckeye State, the review must not lose sight of the large and constantly developing retail trade. In this connection especial attention must be called to the business of Fred Oehlschlegel, dealer in boots and shoes at No. 1920 Broadway. This business was established in 1890 by the present proprietor, who, by wise, conserva- tive business methods has built up a large, substantial business, and one that is a credit to his ability, and adds to the sum total of Toledo's unexampled prosperity. Mr. Oehlschlegel has a large, commodious store which is especially arranged for the requirements of his trade, and carries a finely assorted stock of footwear for ladies, children, misses and men. He makes a specialty of order work in any style, and does fine repairing promptly and satisfactorily. Mr. Oehlschlegel is a native of Germany, and has long been a resident of this city, where he is highly esteemed. He enjoys a large trade which is constantly increasing.
Reliable Screen Works.
Among the creditable and successful concerns in operation here is that of the Reliable Screen Works, situated at No. 412 Huron street, near Adams. This enterprise was inaugurated in April, 1896, and has been directed from its inception with the best success. The propri- etors are Messrs. Martin Hauser and James Clark, the former a native of Germany, the latter of Scotland, but both have long resided in this country, and are now thorough, public-spirited American citizens. Mr. Hauser is the inventor and patentee of a very ingenious device, " Hauser's Automatic Sliding Screen Catch," patented October 30th, 1894. This catch will hold the screen at the top of the window when desired, and the screen can be easily lowered by a slight downward puli on the bottom of the screen. It has been pronounced a novel and convenient device for all sliding screens by the following prominent Toledo architects : Bacon & Huber, Downey & Downey, and A. Lie- bold. Messrs. Hauser & Clark executed large contracts last season, and
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this season promises to be still more prosperous. They also perform general carpentering and jobbing, and first-class work is at all times assured.
Toledo Stove Co.
This company was incorporated January 1st, 1893, with ample capital, and its subsequent career has been of the most successful char- acter. The house has a wide-spread trade, but it is particularly large in Ohio, Indiana and Michigan. The works located at the corner of Brown and Grand avenues, comprise several buildings, the main fac- tory having five floors, 46x136 feet in dimensions, with an "L" 40x180 feet ; foundry 100x260 feet ; engine and pattern room 46x54 feet ; engine room equipped with a 75-horse power engine, etc., also a dynamo for lighting the works with electricity. Employment is found for a force of from 85 to 120 trained mechanics and assistants. The company manufacture the finest "Gems." For coal there is the " Brilliant Gem," the " Choice Gem," and the " Excelsior Gem ;" for wood, the "Maple- wood Gem," the "Oakwood Gem," and the " Linwood Gem." The coal ranges are so arranged as to be changed into complete wood stoves by the change of linings. The officers of this company are: President, Geo. G. Metzger, who is also treasurer of the Metzger Linseed Oil Com- pany ; Vice President, Treasurer and Manager, J. J. Leonard. Both gentlemen are natives of Ohio, enjoy an excellent commercial standing and are known as upright, public-spirited citizens.
John I. Turner.
There are no more liberal or judicious advertisers than those of this City, as will be seen by the large and varied sign business conducted by the Turner Pictorial Sign Co. This most original and enterprising con- cern are located in fine and commodious quarters at 709 Monroe street, where they make an immense quantity of fine sign work. Some of this work is highly unique and original, and marks a long and new depar- ture in that very interesting work. A special feature of great interest is the highly artistic sign work in oil, done on walls and fences. This
work is put out on monthly rental or so much cash, and has found great favor with some of the largest and best advertisers of the United States. But while this is a specialty, the firm do all kinds of house and sign painting, interior and exterior decorating, paper hanging, wall tinting and frescoing. In very fact every department of the business is covered with distinguished artistic ability. Many thousands of splendid specimens of their skill, are to be seen in Toledo and vicinity. Even at this writing they are just completing a very heavy contract for the Buckeye Paint and Varnish Co. The company is really John I. Turner, This gentleman has had a long, honorable and successful career having been established for no less than fifteen years, and always had the confidence and esteem of all whose esteem was worthy of win- ning. Mr. John I. Turner is an active and influential memher of the Master Painters Association of Toledo. Toledo would profit greatly if she could have many hundreds more of such citizens and business men as John I. Turner.
Dr. G. A. Muhme, Chiropodist.
The leading and most prominent representative of chiropody in Toledo is Dr. G. A. Muhme, whose handsome reception and operating rooms are located at 415 Summit street. The doctor has been estab- lished here for a period of nearly twenty years and has built up a practice of which anyone might justly be proud. His offices and operating rooms occupy the ample space of 20x45 feet, are admirably fitted up and contain all the most modern accessories of a first-class office of the kind. The doctor received his training in Europe, and was hospital steward in the Franco-Prussian war. In his practice special plaster casts are made and shields are made to fit each particular bunion, and he is in possession of a large number of strong testimo- nials from grateful patients, who have testified unsought to his wonderful skill. Dr. Muhme is, as has been inferred, a native of Germany, and it is by no means surprising that he has been eminently successful in Toledo or that his social standing keeps pace with his professional popularity.
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" The Jefferson."
The leading hotels of Toledo are quite up to the standards of the modern metropolitan city in elegance and the conveniences and com-
for the greater part of the time since then has been under the manage- ment of the present proprietor, Mr. M. R. Dyer, who is a veteran in the business, and is widely and favorably known to the traveling public.
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forts of hotel life. One of the most successful and popular houses in the city is "The Jefferson," conveniently located at the corner of St. Clair and Jefferson streets. This hotel was first opened in 1886, and
Few indeed are the travelers who have not at one time or another, when visiting Toledo, enjoyed the hospitality of " Mine Host, Dyer,"" and those who have once had the experience rarely fail to make " The-
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Jefferson " their headquarters when sojourning here. Mr. Dyer is one of the foremost members of the Ohio Hotel Keepers' Association, which at its meeting in Cincinnati, in December, 1896, elected him one of its com- mittee on Legislature Laws, a position in which his ability and wide acquaintance with the needs of the hotel keepers will prove of inesti- mable value. " The Jefferson " is a handsome building, being con- structed entirely of buff brick. It is attractively fitted up throughout, and contains 120 well lighted and thoroughly ventilated rooms. Steam heat and electric lighting are used, and all modern conveniences have been provided. The dining-room is spacious, the menu contains the best of everything, and the service is perfect in every respect.
Barker, Frost & Co., Insurance.
One of the leading and most thoroughly reliable and trustworthy agencies is that of Barker, Frost & Co., who occupy a handsome suite of offices at 411 Madison street. This old established firm had its in- ception in 1882 in the then, firm of Barker & Frost, the present firm name and style dating from four years later, or 1886. They conduct an extremely large general insurance business embracing all the most improved features of life, fire, marine, plate glass and steam boiler in- demnity. Among the solid companies represented by them, are the Northern, of London ; Phoenix, of London ; Norwich Union, of Eng- land ; London & Lancashire, of England ; Western, of Toronto ; St. Paul Fire and Marine ; Orient, of Hartford ; National, of Hartford ; United Firemen's, of Philadelphia ; Agricultural of New York ; Pacific, of New York ; Citizens', of New York ; Commercial, of Cincinnati ; Floyd Plate Glass, of New York ; Travelers' of Hartford, (Life and Accident) ; Hartford Steam Boiler, etc., etc. Special attention is given to the business of the Travelers' Insurance Company, of Hartford, Conn., the leading life and accident company of the United States. This well known, popular and pre-eminently strong and reliable com- pany was chartered in 1863 with a paid up capital of $1,000,000, and from its very inception has had a most exceptionally prosperous career. The thirty-third annual statement issued and verified January 1, 1897, shows assets $20,896,684.63, surplus $2,976,424.36, and paid to
policy holders since 1864 the enormous total of $31,742,954.31. The gentlemen who compose the agency here and the firm of Barker, Frost & Co., are Messrs. C. Barker, L. W. Frost and L. L. Chapman, the two former native to New York State, and the latter an Ohioan. They are members of the Underwriters' Association and are important factors in Toledo's insurance business, holding a high place in the es- teem of all who have had business or other relations with them.
John W. Matz.
The profession of architecture is one of increasing importance in our midst and as such calls for attention in its purely business aspect in this revenue of the city's resources and advantages. Prominent among the architectural fraternity of this city is John W. Matz, Esq., who is a native of Ohio, but went west nearly twenty years ago and for fifteen years was a resident of St. Louis, Mo. It was while in that city that he entered upon and for a number of years practiced his profes- sion. Like all true Ohioans his mind and heart reverted to the old Buckeye state and some four years since, he returned and from that time has pursued the practice of his profession in this city. He occu- pies a handsome suite of three offices at No. 35 Hartford block and has already secured an extensive and lucrative business. He has prepared the plans and specifications for some of the finest business blocks and private residences which have been erected in Toledo since his return here, notable among them being the Henry & Gross building, the Burkenhauer building, the Bitz building, the fine residence of Geo. W. Woods, Esq., Oakwood ovenue, and Mr. Huffer, .Collingwood avenue, and many other handsome and costly buildings. At present Mr. Matz has in process of erection for Albert Dieball the elegant double resi- dence on Humboldt street; the Sep. Coad business block, a four-story brick building with modern conveniences on Main street, and also a very fine residence for Joseph Robinson on Hewey street. To an un- usually high order of professional ability Mr. Matz adds personal qual- ities which cannot fail to bring him great popularity with all who come to know him.
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Star Dyeing and Cleaning Works.
Here are located all kinds of etablishments fully equal to the best in Chicago or New York, a prominent one in its line being the Star Dyeing and Cleaning Works, No. 411 Superior street, of which Mr. F. S. Drover is the enterprising proprietor. This industry was established several years ago by Mr. R.Thiede, who conducted it until 1893, when Mr. F. S. Drover succeeded to the control. Mr. Drover is a thoroughly prac- tical and expert dyer. The works DYE WORKS are fully equipped with modern dyeing apparatus and appliances. Dyeing in all its branches and fine, SUPERIOR ST NEAR ADAMS. dry cleaning are the work to which this house is devoted, and its success is abundantly attested by its reputation for turning out the finest and most perfectly finished goods in the market. Mr. Drover has proved an invaluable adviser in the choice of colors which will produce the best effects and give the greatest satisfaction in certain cases, points upon which the average customer is often not sufficiently experienced to decide. In social circles he is highly regarded for his integrity, and has won success in the dyeing trade of Toledo by honestly deserving it.
Henry P. Bentson, Carriage Builder.
No branch of manufacture has suffered more acutely from the com- petition of cheap factory work, than the business of building carriages and wagons. There are those however, who were brought up under the old regime, and who having been trained to first-class workmanship, resolutely refuse to bow to the Baal of cheapness, and persist in work- ing according to the higher standards of thoroughness. Of such is Mr. Henry P. Bentson, the old established and well known carriage and wagon builder, No. 1156 Dorr street. This business was established some twenty-two years ago and has always been under the same owner- ship and management as now. The plant, which is the private prop-
erty of Mr. Bentson, consists of two substantial and spacious two-story brick buildings, the front one, 25x480 feet, while the rear, in which is located the repository and finishing department, is 30x60 feet in di- mensions. The ground floor of the front building is used for shop pur- poses, and is well equipped with all the modern improved tools and appliances adapted to the production of high grade hand work. Only best carriages and wagons are built, best materials of wood, iron, steel, etc., are used and the best workmanship that Toledo can furnish, enters into the make of the fine vehicles here turned out. The works have a capacity of forty to fifty vehicles per year and are chiefly made to order for the best business concerns of the city. Horseshoeing, general black- smithing and expert repairing constitute important departments of the business and a large business is done in those lines. Mr. Bentson is a native of Germany but has spent the greater part of his life in this city. He is everywhere recognized as a thoroughly expert mechanic, a sound business man and one whose methods throughout a long business career have been marked by honorable dealings and a rigid adherence to the highest principles in all things.
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