USA > Ohio > Lucas County > Toledo > Toledo. Its motto: ambition, preseverance and public spirit > Part 15
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design. Especial attention is devoted to wedding, party and reception garments, and the patronage of the establishment includes many scores of the most prominet business men, society leaders and professional gentlemen of Toledo, and the surrounding towns. Mr. Barfield came from Eastern New York thirty-one years ago and is a well-known and highly esteemed citizen of this city, in whose progress he has always manifested a lively interest. He is a director and secretary of the In- dustry Building and Savings Association of Toledo in which organiza- tion his advice and counsel have been found sound and valuable.
O. J. Myers.
There is perhaps no business calling or profession in which thor- oughness, care and absolute reliability are more essentially requisite than that of dispensing drugs and chemicals. It can be said to the credit of the druggists of Toledo as a class that there are no more thoroughly qualified, confessedly able and fully reliable to be found in any city in the Union. A popular and well-known representative of this profession is Mr. Oscar J. Myers, whose excellent ettablishment is located at 1530 Cherry street. This business was originally established in 1882 by Mr. M. L. A. Young, Mr. Myers succeeding to the business within the last three years. The premises occupied comprise a sub- stantial brick building, with sales room and store room 20x50 feet in area. Mr. Myers presents here a large and carefully selected stock housed in a neatly and most tastefully furnished and arranged store- room. The stock displayed bears striking evidence of judicious selec- tion and ample completeness. It contains a general line of drugs, chemicals, pharmacutical preparations, proprietory preparations, toilet articles, fancy goods and the almost endless line of sundries essential to the completeness of an establishment in this branch of business. Physicians prescriptions are compounded with the intelligent care which their importance so necessarily demand, and all goods here handled are of the best manufacture, and of undoubted purity and freshness. Several qualified assistants are employed and all the opera- tions of the house bear the indelible impress of thorough system and modern methods. Much improvement has been made in the conduct
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of the business since it came into the possession of its present pro- prietor. Mr. Myers is a native of Attica, Seneca County, Ohio, and has but comparatively recently taken up his residence in this city. He has nevertheless already laid the foundations of a successful Toledo business, and possesses in a large degree those qualities as man and merchant which must inevitably draw to him a host of friends and the most prosperous patronage.
David Robison, Jr. & Sons, Spitzer Building.
Not only is Toledo ordinarily strong in her chartered banking and other financial institutions, but she is particularly strong in the char- acter and financial strength of her private banking concerns. In these respects Toledo's record for many years has been of a kind highly pleas- ing to her own people and has given this city a most enviable rank among the financial centers of our common country. One of the great private banking concerns which have contributed in large measure to the good name and high rank of the city is that of Messrs. David Robi- son & Sons, whose handsomely equipped banking offices are located on the ground floor of the splendid Spitzer building. This firm was estab- lished in 1885, and has prosecuted a general banking and brokerage business, embracing all the usual features and fiscal operations of that line. They buy and sell commercial papers, bonds, stocks, and all re- liable securities, pay interest on deposits, etc. They are members of Toledo Clearing House Association, as well as of the Ohio State Bankers Association and possess all the facilities and connections here and with other cities and exchanges for the conduct of every depart- ment of the business in a manner highly satisfactory to their numerous customers in the ranks of whom are to be found hundreds of the leading financial and investors of this part of the country. The assets of the concern represent a sum largely in excess of half a million dollars and their solidity is unquestioned. They were formerly owners and oper- ators of the Toledo Electric Street Railway which, as is known, they disposed of to the Toledo Traction Co. but recently. The gentlemen composing the firm are David Robison, Jr., Williard F. Robison and James J. Robison. They have prominent and official connection and
identification with other corporations here, among them the Ohio Sav- ing Bank & Trust Co. As financiers and general business men, none rank higher in Northwestern Ohio, and none have contributed in greater degree to the general welfare of this community.
Maumee Valley Baking Co.
Of principal importance among the business interests of every com- munity is that devoted to the bread baking industry. A foremost To- ledo house engaged in this branch of the food supply trade is that of the Maumee Valley Baking Company, located at Nos. 918 Cherry street and 712 Champlain. The wagons of this concern-about a dozen in number-may daily be seen in Toledo and the neighboring towns, mak- ing deliveries to customers and store-keepers. The company was in- corporated in 1892, with a capital stock of $37,500, the officers being: President, Geo. C. Pickard ; Vice-President, Fred W. Siek; Secretary and Treasurer, Lewis H. Meinert. Mr. Siek is the active manager of the business and is possessed of excellent executive ability, while Mr. Meinert conducts a retail bakery and confectionery store. All kinds of fine bread, cake and pastry are made here, and all the goods are guar- anteed to be strictly pure and wholesome.
The Toledo Parlor Furniture Co.
Much of the improvement that has been affected within the last half dozen years, is due to a progressive establishment having its plant and headquarters in this city, viz : The Toledo Parlor Furniture Com- pany, whose office, warerooms and factory are at the corner of Park avenue and Dorr street. This company was organized in 1890 and in- corporated under Ohio's State Laws, with a nominal capital of $25,000, and they have since established a trade for their products all through- out Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ken- tucky. The officers are all native sons of Ohio, and have had years of val- uable practical experience in the manufacture of upholstered goods. They have spared no expense in equipping their new factory with the latest improved tools and appliances, and possess perfected facilities that enable them to place on the market goods that for beauty of de-
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sign, strength, and finished workmanship are unexcelled. They em- ploy a large force of skilled workmen, carry a large stock, and are amply prepared to meet the demands of a fastidious, exacting trade upon the most advantageous basis. The company issue a very hand- somely printed catalogue, giving elegant illustrations of their beautful parlor suits, couches, bed lounges, bed couches, student rockers, Turk- ish and fancy roekers, and copies may be had free on application. The executive officers of the company are as follows : President, J. P. Hur- ley ; Vice President, J. A. Schwery ; Secretary and Treasurer, J. H. Fitzpatrick. These gentlemen are thoroughly energetic, wide-awake, progressive manufacturers, and they are achieving a popular success which the merits of their products fully deserve.
Geo. Schuck.
The achievements of the city of Toledo in a commercial way dur- ing the last dozen of years have been such as to make it one of the most progressive and advanced of the interior cities, and have given it the highest reputation both at home and abroad. This has been largely due to the able and wise management of the various lines of trade in the city, and in no sin- gle line has there been more steady advancement than in the retail hardware line. A store that stands out prominently in this line is that of George Schuck, No. 420 Summit street. The business was established years ago, but Mr. Schuck has been at its head only about a year, having succeeded the firm of Wortsmith & Marquardt in March, 1896. The premises occupied consist of two floors and base- ment, each 20x120 feet in area. A fine line of all kinds of hardware, mechanic's tools, stoves, house furnishing goods, glass, paints, etc., is carried, and the house does a large and constantly increasing business.
The trade extends throughout the city and county, and a large force of clerks is required to handle it. Mr. George Schuck is a young man of rare business ability and capacity, and with those progressive qualities that promote and advance business. He enjoys the confidence and es- teem of the entire business community.
J. N. Bick, Contractor.
The city of Toledo is unusually provided with all those modern conveniences and equipments which go to make urban life in the last of the century more desirable and attractive than it has ever been in the history of the world. With her many broad streets and handsome avenues, well paved, brilliantly lighted and well kept, and with her more than one hundred miles of improved electric railways connecting all parts of the city and penetrating to points miles beyond the corpo- ration limits, Toledo is indeed well to the front as a bright and pleasing example of our progressive American municipalities. A most com- mendable feature of Toledo's great public works is the fact that they are almost exclusively the product of the brain and constructive skill of Toledo men. For instance, the Toledo, Bowling Green & Fremont Electric Railway and the Maumee Belt Line are the creations of Mr. J. N. Bick, one of the leading road builders and general contractors of Toledo. Mr. Bick entered into business on his individual account some five years ago, and he has contracted for and executed some of the most important public works within this period, among them the two important railway lines mentioned. His office, which is handsome and well appointed, is at Room 607 Nashy Building, where he is ever prepared to figure on contracts of every kind within his line. His business is often the source of employment and the means of livelihood to very many of Toledo's workmen, and thus contributes in a very large measure to the general prosperity and comfort of the masses of the population. Mr. Bick is a native of Lucas county, is in the prime and vigor of younger manhood, possesses fine executive and managerial ability, and commands the confidence of the community. He has thoroughly mastered his branch of business in all its details, and his finished work is of that complete and thorough kind which must bring
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to him in the future a still greater share of the patronage of the corpo- rations, firms and companies requiring such work.
Henry Tracy.
We find the matter of mill supplies very ably looked after by Mr. Henry Tracy whose offices are at Room 1 Marine Block. Mr. Tracy has long been interested in this business, having founded his present enterprise in 1886, and been continuously occupied in it from that time. He represents a number of manufactories in various parts of the country and in the operation of his business is, as it were, a connecting link between the supply manufacturer and the milling fraternity, very much to the benefit of both, and presumably with profit to himself. Among the prominent and important firms and companies he represents may be mentioned the Columbia Refining Co., Delaware Hard Fibre Co., Philip Carey Asbestos Magnesia Pipe and Boiler Coverings, the Hamp- den Emery Co., The Bodifield Belting Co., The Forest City Packing Co., etc. The chief specialties which engage attention are steam and boiler covering, belting, waste, emery, oils, and packing, hard fibre goods and many other of the multifarous requirements of the mill fittings. Rep- resenting such houses and handling (by order) goods of such estab- lished and recognized high character, and being himself, a man of such strong and aggressive business instincts, it scarcely need be added that he has built up a most prosperous and growing trade, which in its ramifications cover several states. Mr. Tracy is a son of Massachusetts, and personally well known and highly popular.
Globe Laundry.
The ever increasing wants of a rapidly growing community and the constantly improving manner of living among the great masses of peo- ple, bring into requisition more and more each year, the services of those institutions of a business character which are indispensable con- comitants of the truest refinement and highest civilization. There is no industry which contributes more directly to the health and comfort of the people than the laundry industry, and in that particular, the city of Toledo is admirably provided. There are a number of most
creditable laundries in this city, a prominent one of which is the Globe Laundry, 639 South St. Clair street. This concern was originally opened for business in November 1894, but did not come under the present management and proprietorship until October 6th, 1896. The premises are adequate in dimensions, and appropriate in arrangement, and are equipped with all modern and improved machinery and appa- ratus for doing first-class work, including an engine of fifteen and boiler of twenty-five horse power. The building is a substantial and com- modious brick 33x75 feet in dimensions and containing two floors, the first of which, or ground floor, is devoted to offices and wash room, and the second to drying rooms, etc., the whole giving employment to a large number of worthy hands, thus furnishing a livlihood to a number of families and thus benefitting the community generally. The capac- ity of the plant is 2,500 shirts per week, besides a large quantity of smaller laundry work, and several well equipped wagon teams are re- quired to collect and deliver goods. The proprietor devotes his whole time and attention to this business and personally superintends every department and every detail of the operations. His motto is, "give the people the best," and it is by no means an empty motto, for this wide-awake management personally sees that they do get the best. The sole proprietor of this excellent laundry establishment is Mr. Gilbert Appelhof, a former well known railroad man. He is a native of Michi- gan, still under middle age and a most active, enterprising and popular business man. He is a prominent Mason and K. of P. and is regarded as one of our most honorable and useful citizens.
The National Supply Company.
The business of supplying the workers in the oil and gas fields is one of the utmost importance and greatest magnitude. A most promi- nent concern engaged in this work is that of The National Supply Com- pany of this city, whose headquarters are located at Nos. 1 to 9 North St. Clair street, while their manufacturing plant is in Auburndale. This com- pany was incorporated in January, 1896, under Ohio Laws, with a cap- ital stock of $1,000,000. It is successor to the old firm of Shaw, Ken- dall & Co., which was in operation many years. The officers of the
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corporation are prominently known in business and financial circles. The list is as follows : President, Jos. L. Walcott ; First Vice President, Henry N. Wilson ; Second Vice President, Wm. Hardee ; Third Vice President, H. W. Bishop; General Manager, W. C. Hillman ; Treas- urer, Sibbet Macrum ; Assistant Treasurer, E. B. King ; Secretary, J. H. Barr. The company's works at Auburndale cover an area of four acres, on which stand a group of buildings, the main ones being as fol- lows : Foundry, 80x200 feet in dimensions ; three machine shops, 50x 300 feet in measurement respectively ; pattern house, 50x60 feet ; brass foundry, 50x200 feet ; wood working shop, 80x100 feet, and numerous smaller buildings. Over 200 men are employed here, and some 300 more are engaged in the company's forty-two branch stores, which are distributed all throughout the oil fields of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, West Virginia and Kansas. They manufacture and deal in every de- scription of oil and gas well supplies, machinery, cordage and pipe ; in fact every article used by gas or oil well operators. An immense vol- ume of business is transacted, and the company's equitable methods have made it popular everywhere.
A. W. Eschedor.
In the line of family groceries, the old established houses which have won a well earned reputation for handling pure and unadulterated goods, are more than holding their own. One of the most conspicuous of these is the prominent and leading establishment of A. W. Eschedor, 1218 Broadway and 558 Western avenue, which have been in existence and active operation for more than twelve years. The premises are large, commodious, well lighted, thoroughly fitted up with modern fix- tures and peculiarly well adapted to this branch of business. The ground floor 20x75 feet in dimensions, and a finished basement of like area, constitute the salesroom and stock rooms, and these are completely filled with an admirably arranged stock of the staple and fancy articles of family groceries, comprising shelf-goods, canned goods, of all the lead- ing brands, cereal goods, bakers' products, bottled goods, laundry requi- sites, spices, teas, coffees, and table delicacies, grocers' sundries in great variety, flour, buckwheat, butter, eggs, meats, fish, fruits, vegetables,
provisions, confectionery, cigars, smoking and chewing tobaccos and everything belonging to the business. A number of salesmen deliver and are otherwise required and no less than four delivery wagons are in constant service attending the delivery of the large quantity of goods here handled. The secret of the success of this concern is no secret at all. Its success is the logical and legitimate result of correct principles practically applied. The keeping of fresh and pure goods, the selling at right prices, the giving of honest measures and promptness in deliv- ery, is the basis of the fine business of this house. Mr. Eschedor is a native of Germany, long time resident of Toledo, and an active, enter- prising and honorable business man, who has succeeded, simply be- cause he has deserved success.
Miss L. Duglass.
The fashionable circles of Toledo are fully as exacting as the same classes in all other large cities. Those who would cater successfully to them in the matter of dress will find that nothing short of the best the market affords can satisfy their desires or please their tastes. In these matters the principal retail stores of the city are fully abreast of the times, and display stocks of fine and stylish goods which, if not so large, are nevertheless quite as choice as those to be found in New York or Paris. Quality reigns supreme. A new and charming milli- nery establishment is "The Valentine," so named because of its loca- tion at 406 Adams street, in the fine new Valentine building. This concern was opened up about October last by Miss Carolina Shoup, who conducted the business until a recent date when she was succeeded by Msss Lucy Duglass, the present accomplished proprietress. The store room is of itself a thing of beauty, being ample in area for the display of a handsome stock and being fitted and furnished with a full com- plement of handsome show cases, mirrors and other appropriate fixtures, filling the lower floor space of 20 by 60 feet, affording a deep and roomy salesroom and one of much attraction. The stock displayed is one of the choicest and finest in all Toledo, comprising the latest importations of Paris modes in hats, bonnets, plumes, flowers, orna- ments, silks, velvets, ribbons, trimmings and all manner of French
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fancies and ideals in fin de siecle millinery and millinery helongings. No less than a dozen trained and expert practical milliners are em- ployed, enabling the establishment to accomplish an immense amount of work and to execute orders with characteristic promptness and celerity. All parts of the business are kept right up-to-date and the patrons of this house have the certainty of always obtaining the very latest and most advanced styles, as well as the best and richest quali- ties to be had in any market on earth. Miss Duglass, who, by the way, is a native of Canada, is well known for her exquisite taste and fine business talents. She has had abundant experience in the business, under the most favorable auspices, and brings to the management of this establishment many superior qualities, which must eventuate in a grand and gratifying success.
Ohio Savings Bank and Trust Co.
The Ohio Savings Bank and Trust Company, whose handsome quarters are at the corner of Madison and Summit streets is one of To- ledo's staunchest fiducial institutions, and has proven a factor of great good to the community. Its conservative yet judiciously liberal deal- ing has demonstrated the wisdom and financial acumen of its manage- ment, and its steady and healthful growth manifests the esteem where- in it is held by the business public and private citizens. Its officers and stockholders are well-known and prominent business men whose names are a synonym for integrity and financial responsibility. The officers and directors of the Savings Bank are as follows : President, David Robison, Jr .; Vice Presidents, Dennis Coghlin and George E. Pomeroy ; Cashier, Jas. J. Robison ; Directors, David Robison, Jr., Dennis Coghlin, George E. Pomeroy, Jos. L. Wolcott, Wm. W. Morrison, Clark A. Browning, William H. Bruns, John W. Marshall, Wm. L. Harkness, James J. Robison, Frank P. Chapin, Martin B. Daly, J. Kent Hamilton, C. M. Feil- bach, and Wm. E. Brigham. Following are the officers and trustees of the Trust Company : President, David Robison, Jr .; Vice Presi- dents, Dennis Coghlin, Jos. L. Wolcott ; Secretary and Treasurer, James J. Robison ; Trustees, Dennis Coghlin, Jos. L. Wolcoct, Jacob Romeis, David Robison Jr., E. W. Newton, E. C. Shaw, George E.
Pomeroy, Willard F. Robison, Jacob Kurtz, J. Kent Hamilton, B. A. Stevens, John N. Mockett, Louis Less, Daniel C. Shaw and H. A. To- bey. The combined capital of the Ohio Savings Bank and Trust Com- pany is $350,000, of which $200,000 is paid in, while there is a guaran- tee fund for depositors of $700,000. A general banking and commercial business is transacted, and the affairs of the institution are in a most prosperous condition.
Gruber Bros.
The many new business blocks and private residences that are con- tinually being built in Toledo, has opened an extensive field for the plumbing, gas and steam fitting industry, and many of our most enter- prising citizens are engaged in this line. One of the most successful firms is that of Gruber Bros., the co-partners being Messrs. Fred and Edward Gruber. This house was established eight years ago by Messrs. Engelhardt and Gruber, and about seven years since a change to the present management was effected. A signal success has been achieved by the firm, and they have been rewarded with a liberal share of patronage. Many important contracts have been executed by them, notably those in the Berlin Block and many leading private residences, all of which give evidence of the highest class of workmanship. A force of experienced hands is employed, and plumbing, gas and steam fitting in all their branches are given prompt, careful attention. The Messrs. Gruber are natives of Toledo, are popularly known young men, and they take a public-spirited interest in all matters affecting the wel- fare of this progressive community. Mr. Ed. Gruber is secretary of the Local and State Plumber's Association.
First National Bank.
In every town and city the bank is conceded to be an indispensa- ble adjunct to the convenient and safe exchange of money. Therefore, as a consequence, leading citizens are found in control of such institu- tions. The First National Bank of Toledo is no exception. It was cor- porated in the year 1863 and is the oldest and foremost bank in Toledo and has a capital stock of five hundred thousand dollars. The officers controling it are: Sheldon C. Reynolds, president ; Schuyler C.
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Schenck, vice-president, and J. M. Spencer, cashier. The bank is lo- cated at Nos. 312-314 Summit street, in a very imposing building of the handsomest architectural design. It consists of four stories and shows a very fine dressed-stone front. The counting room is about thirty-five feet by one hundred feet, with exquisitely designed brass grilles, and furniture of carved wood in the most appropriate and pleasing styles. The chief business of this bank consists in the hand- ling of funds of other banks, of bankers, corporations, firms and indi- viduals. Their trade is both local and national and the special feat- ures are accounts of banks, bankers and corporations, and designated depository of the United States and Lucas county, Ohio. Its principal correspondents are the Fourth National Bank, of New York, Commer- cial National Bank, of Chicago, and the Citizens' National Bank of Cincinnati. Mr. Sheldon C. Reynolds, president of the bank, is a na- tive of Ohio. He is a member of the firm of Reynolds Brothers, Grain Commission Merchants of the Produce Exchange building. Mr. Rey- nolds has been identified with the business interests of Toledo for a number of years and it is to the moral and business stamina of such men as he that the city is indebted for her social and commercial pro- gress. The vice-president of the institution, Mr. Schuyler C. Schenck, is besides the general coal agent for the D. L. & W. R. R. Co. He is also a native of Ohio. Mr. J. M. Spencer, who was born at Maumee, Ohio, besides his office of cashier is president of the Collingwood Brick Company. Both these gentlemen have been identified with the city for a number of years and are classed among the ablest financiers of Toledo. It is no flattery to add in closing that all the directors and officers of the First National Bank are leaders in their lines of business; as business men they stand upon a high plane, and as bankers, they have thorough honesty of purpose and conscientious management won the friendship of many and the confidence of all. Report of the con- dition of the First National Bank of Toledo, at the close of business, March 9, 1897, resources : Loans an discounts, $1,726,462.17 ; over- drafts, $2,389.19 ; U. S. 4 per cent. bonds, $100,000.00 ; city and county bonds, $241,950.00 ; banking house, $20,000.00 ; due from banks and bankers, $369,999.69 ; due from treasurer U. S., $2,250.00 ; cash, $191,-
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