USA > Ohio > Lucas County > Toledo > Toledo. Its motto: ambition, preseverance and public spirit > Part 8
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J. Geo. Vollmayer, Meats.
One of the best conducted houses in the meat department of this industry is that of Mr. J. Geo. Vollmayer, whose market, situated at No. 702 South St. Clair street, is the finest in that section of the city.
Mr. Vollmayer has been established since 1878 at 280 St. Clair street, and established the present place in 1882, and during the years since intervening has been accorded a most liberal patronage. His commo- dious store is kept in scrupulously clean condition, has excellent cold storage facilities, and a fine stock is at all times carried of the choicest and best grade of fresh, salt and smoked meats, lard, sausages, poultry, etc. Several clerks and a delivery wagon are employed, and a good trade is daily supplied. Mr. Vollmayer is a native of Toledo, has always lived in Toledo and is most favorably known here. He is a member of the Catholic Knights of America, also the Catholic Knights of Ohio, and also director and treasurer of the Corn City Building and Loan Co.
Wm. A. White, Stables.
Among the representative business men on the East Side of the city, is Mr. Wm. A. White, who conducts a livery, boarding, feed and sale stable at No. 435 First street. This was formerly known as Wet- more's livery stable, but Mr. White succeeded to the control about a year ago, and under his management the place has steadily increased in the favor and confidence of the public. The stables, comprised in a two-story building, 50x100 feet in dimensions, are a model of their kind for their completeness in every detail of accommodation, neatness, cleanliness and ventilation. A stock of fine horses, buggies and car- riages is kept for those who wish to hire, and a particularly large pat- ronage is received from the oil men. A number of careful men is em- ployed, and everything is under the direct supervision of Mr. White, who is a shrewd man of business, thoroughly up in all the require- ments of his line. Mr. White also does a large contract business as a painter, during the busy season for that industry, and furnishes em- ployment for about a dozen men. He is prepared to execute first-class work on the most liberal terms. Mr. White is proprietor of a paint store on Front street, is owner of considerable property, and as an en- terprising young business man and public-spirited citizen, he is uni- versally popular.
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City Bottling Works.
The wonderful radiation of railroads with which Toledo is blessed, renders this a most convenient and important site for those classes of business and industrial enterprises whose output and product is the subject of large shipment into the surrounding territory. On the other hand the same facilities enable the merchants, manufacturers and gene-
establishment was founded just prior to the beginning of the Civil War by John Schenck & Co., and in 1869 the present firm and name came into being. Mr. Phillip Schmidt, the present ยท proprietor, became part- ner of John Schenck to 1878, becoming sole owner. Besides the busi- ness, Mr. Schmidt is owner of the premises occupied, which consist of the extensive three-story brick building, Nos. 713-715-717-719 Michigan street, with stables attached which are 20x150 feet in area. This build-
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CITY BOTTLINGY
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ral merchandise handlers to obtain promptly, cheaply and abundantly those raw materials and other articles which enter so largely into the prerequisites of prosecuting their several industries. These facilities are and have been availed of to an unusul extent, and Toledo is repres- ented in every line by most excellent concerns in every branch of business. Among those especially deserving of notice in this connec- tion is the large bottling plant of the City Bottling Works. This
ing covers a ground area of 100x150 feet and is thoroughly equipped for the purposes of the business, viz .: that of bottling and shipping large quantities of high grade Lemon Sour, Soda, Ginger Ale and numerous kinds of Mineral Waters. A large corps of men and a nu- merous outfit of wagons and horses are employed, and a most prosper- ous business is prosecuted in the city proper, through the surrounding suburbs and all over a wide extent of territory in every direction,
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reaching all important points within a hundred or more miles of this city. The goods bottled by this house have been long and favorably known throughout Northern Ohio and Southern Michigan and always had the reputation of being absolutely pure, fresh and altogether desirable, and hence the demand for them has steadily grown from year to year and is doubtless destined to continue to increase in the future. Mr. Schmidt was born in Germany, but came to this country nearly forty years ago, and his career in Toledo has been such as would furnish a valuable practical lesson for the young men of to-day who aspire to reap the rewards which come only from honorable and faithful indus- try and enterprise. He is one of the most successful and substantial citizens of the community, and is heavily invested in other channels than the business described, being the owner of the handsome Schmidt Block and other properties. He is also a prominent and influential member of the Toledo Chamber of Commerce. Truly the foundation of Toledo's prosperity is to be found in men of this stamp, men who have by their unaided efforts risen to a success and affluence which they share with the public.
Arthur Christen, Jeweler.
Prominent among those houses in the jewelry trade in Toledo which have maintained an excellent reputation for the artistic elegance and superiority of their goods, is that of Mr. Arthur Christen, located at No. 717 Cherry street. This gentleman is an expert, practical jew- eler and watchmaker, and learned his trade in Switzerland, his native country, and one that is celebrated for its watchmakers, and after trav- eling and inspecting many of the largest cities in Europe with the pur- pose of increasing his general knowledge of business and social life, he then decided to come to the United States in 1890, and in 1891 estab- lished business in this city, meeting with excellent success from the out- set. The commodious store occupied is neatly appointed and contains an excellent stock of watches, clocks and jewelry. A leading specialty is made of repairing of any kind of complicated and imported watches and clocks, and the repair charges, always moderate, are stated before
the repairs are made. Mr. Christen is a popular member of the For- esters and Odd Fellows, and Harriguria Lodges, and he is a thoroughly energetic and wide-awake business man.
Harden Saddle & Specialty Co.
An establishment that has gained an enviable reputation for the superiority of its specialties, which are recognized as being unrivalled, is that of the Harden Saddle & Specialty Co., whose works are situated at corner Monroe and Bancroft streets. This business was inaugurated two years ago in Detroit, Mich., and on November 1, 1895, a removal to this city was effected, better facilities be- ing offered here. Mr. George Harden, the active manager and proprietor of the business, is the inventor, patentee and sole owner and manufacturer of the saddle which bears his name, also of other bicycle specialties. When first working on his saddle and perfect- ing it, it was Harden's aim to pro- duce a bicycle seat that would con- form to riders, and at the same time dispense with the long horn or pom- mel of old-time saddles, which have always been a source of annoyance, and often of serious injury to riders, causing them to abandon the wheel. Since the introduction of Har- den's Common Sense Saddle, it has been used by thousands of wheel- men. As a ladies' seat, it is the only one the medical profession rec- ommends. It is the only saddle made that can be ridden after remov- ing the leather, with less iujury to the person than is possible with old style of saddles complete. Mr. Harden also manufactures the " Daisy " baby carrier for bicycles, which is a beautiful and easy riding seat for
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a child. He has just received the patent for, and will put on the market this spring, " Harden's Pneumatic Saddle Post," and " Har- den's Direct Post Head " (patent applied for) also " Harden's Velo- Cyclometer," (patent applied for). The latter not only shows the num- ber of miles traveled, but also indicates the rate of speed in miles per hour the wheelman has covered. These specialties go to all parts of the country, largely through the Eastern agents in New York, and their merits are easily appreciated. Mr. Harden is a native of New York, now in the prime of life, and his genius is meeting with a deserved re- ward.
A. A. Geroe & Son. Wholesale Fruits.
One of the foremost concerns engaged in the commission trade is that of A. A. Geroe & Son, whose warehouse is at Nos. 505-507-509 Monroe street. This house was founded in 1870, and the business was conducted under the joint management of Mr. A. A. Geroe and his son, Mr. W. B. Geroe, up to 1895, when illness struck the elder partner, and his death occurred on October 25th of that year, his demise being deeply lamented by the community. His estate succeeded to his in- terest, but his son is the active manager of affairs. The deceased mem- ber was a prominent, public-spirited citizen of Toledo, and was actively identified with many of its enterprises. Mr. Wm. B. Geroe is a native of Ohio, and very popularly known. From his enterprise it is very easy to infer that he is closely identified with the commerce of the city. The firm occupy an extensive building, fully equipped with all facilities, employ a full staff of assistants, also three large double teams. The best the market affords is carried in stock, and an extensive demand is supplied.
R. J. Flint, Jeweler,
The growth and development of the city of Toledo in the past decade has been phenomenal and does not in the least show signs of any abatement. It is not that kind of growth that is designated as " boom," but a healthy, steady and lasting growth that gives stability . and permanency. Much of it is due to the merchants, whose trade contributes to the best interests of all, for Toledo has enterprising, pub-
lic-spirited merchants. Among those worthy of especial mention in a review of the city is Mr. R. J. Flint, the well-known jeweler, at No. 810 Broadway. Mr. Flint, who is a young business man of rare ability, started in the business eleven years ago. He has been in Toledo for seven years, and has built up an excellent and permanent trade. Mr. Flint is a practical watchmaker of experience, does a thriving business in watch repairing for the trade, is official inspector of watches for the Michigan Central and Wabash Railroads, and makes a specialty of selling and repairing railroad watches, and fine repairing in every branch of his trade. He is a native of Canada, a member of the Knights of Pythias and National Union and enjoys the confidence and esteem of all who know him.
Ohio Drop Forge Co.
The Ohio Drop Forge Company, which was organized and incor- porated March 8th, 1896, in the brief year of its existence, has made wonderful strides towards a prosperous success. The plant is located at the corner of Wade and Williams streets, and is ample for the pres- ent requirements of the business, but there are strong indications that the rapidly growing trade of the company will shortly necessitate a very great extension of the plant and large increase in manufacturing facilities. A full complement of the most improved machinery is in operation, driven by electric power, and a large number of skilled arti- sans are given employment in the works. All kinds of drop forgings are manufactured, while especial attention is given to drop forgings for bicycles, and it is conceded by all those best qualified to judge of such matters, that the products of this factory are equal to the very best in the country. The general outside trade they supply through their brokers in Chicago. The officers of the company are F. Felt, President and Treasurer ; F. M. Rakestraw, Vice-President ; J. A. McMichael, Secretary and General Manager. These gentlemen are all expert, ex- perienced and practical in their business and believe in putting their own " shoulders to the wheel," and they have exhibited so much of enter- prise and practical ability, and are meeting with such marked success
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that many of the leading citizens of Toledo, foreseeing the prosperous growth which must result from the excellent methods employed, are taking stock in the Company, with a view to very great extension of its operations. Thus does the good work go on, and thus is the good name of Toledo's manufactures being spread to the uttermost bounds of the United States.
Alfred Smith, Grocer.
Three very important business interests are those carried on under one roof by Mr. Alfred Smith, whose grocery, meat market and dry- goods emporium are situated at Nos. 1919, 1921 and 1923 Broadway. This gentleman has been established in these triple interests since 1885, and has long been accorded a liberal share of the public patronage. The premises occupied by him comprise a double two-storied brick building, 60x70 feet in dimensions, and the property is owned by Mr. Smith. There are three departments, the grocery, the meat and the dry goods, and all are appointed in the most convenient and tasteful style. The stocks are complete and embrace everything under the several headings named. Mr. Smith's three energetic sons and daugh- ter assist him in the management of affairs and a brisk trade is daily supplied. Mr. Smith is a native of Philadelphia, has long been one of Toledo's citizens and he is highly regarded by all who know him.
Mrs. R. Ziegler, Milliner.
One of the most popular and successful millinery establishments is conducted by Mrs. R. Zeigler, at No. 1901 Lagrange street. This lady has been established here the past year, meeting with excellent success through her artistic ability and full knowledge of the milliner's art, and a large trade has been secured from the most desirable class of customers. Her neat store contains an excellent stock of hats and bonnets and trimmings, embracing all the newest novelties, together with a complete line of ladies' furnishing goods. Mrs. Zeigler, though a native of Germany, has resided in Toledo since infancy, and all her interests are centered here. She is an energetic, able business woman, and highly popular with all who know her.
The Catholic Knights of Ohio.
A noble fraternal insurance order, the strongest of the kind in Ohio, and one enjoying an annually increasing prosperity and popular- ity, is that of the Catholic Knights of Ohio. This organization was chartered September 22, 1891, under the State Laws of Ohio with able officers, and its subsequent career has been of the " upward and on-
JAMES A. DAILEY.
ward " order. Its membership has steadily grown, and at the first of the current year the number had reached 4,200 members in good stand- ing, while the reserve fund, which is intended to be applied exclusively to the reduction of the assessments for the Widow and Orphan Benefit
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Fund, amounted to a round $20,000 secured in registered United States Bonds, and deposited in the Ketcham National Bank of Toledo. Twenty per cent of every mortuary assessment is credited to this fund. The Order issues policies for either one or two thousand dollars. An eloquent tribute to the high regard in which the order is held is found in the fact that it numbers among its members 52 priests. The objects of this order are to unite fraternally for social, benevolent and intellectual improvement all practical Roman Catholics of sound health. Each application for membership must be accompanied by $3.00 (initiation fee), and the applicant must be recommended by his pastor and two members in good standing. Such, in brief, are the Order's objects. The State Officers of the Catholic Knights of Ohio are as follows : State Spiritual Director, Most Rev. William Henry Elder, Archbishop, Cin- cinnati ; President, Joseph J. Pater, Hamilton ; Vice-President, John Schuster, Cincinnati ; Secretary, James A. Dailey, Toledo ; Trustees, Phillip Fabian, Galion ; John Deasy, Cincinnati ; Rev. L. A. Tieman, Cincinnati ; State Medical Examiner, J. T. Lawless, M. D., Toledo ; State Depository, The Ketcham National Bank, Toledo. The Order occupies elegantly appointed offices in the Valentine Building, this city. They are in cherge of the secretary, Mr. Dailey, who is an ener- getic, efficient officer, and highly popular. Pamphlets giving full par- ticulars of the order and its laws are furnished free to all who may desire them.
Harms Bros., Shoes.
The year 1896 was an important one in Toledo's history, as it saw its population make great strides, and also witnessed the establishment here of many new mercantile enterprises. Among the most creditable of these, and one that has achieved deserved success, is that of the Harms Bros., whose boot and shoe emporium is located at No. 307 Monroe street. This firm was organized in July, 1896, the co-partners being Messrs. H. F. and C. W. Harms. Both are natives of Toledo, and have always resided here. They are young men of enterprise, energy and excellent business capacity, and are popularly known all throughout the community. The fine store occupied is tastefully fitted
up, and contains a first-class stock of footwear. The firm deal exclus- ively in men's and boys' boots and shoes, handle all grades of reliable manufacture, and make a specialty of fine goods at lowest prices. They employ several assistants and enjoy an active trade that assures them permanent success.
Geo. Schuller, Ice.
All lines of production are represented in this city, both the lux- uries as well as necessaries of life. Ice, at one time considered a lux- ury, has long been deemed a necessity. A prominent house engaged in the harvesting and wholesale and retail trade, in this commodity, is that conducted by Mr. Geo. Schuller, whose office and warehouse are situated at No. 712 Superior street, while his ice houses, having a stor- age capacity of 50,000 tons, are at Hamburg Junction, Michigan, on the T. A. A. & N. M. Railway. This gentleman has been established in this line for the past seventeen years, and has built up a large, perma- nent trade in all parts of city and vicinity. The extent of his patron- age demands the employment of thirty-five men and the running of fifteen wagons. He deals in Zuke Lake ice, which is noted for its clear- ness and purity. A leading specialty is made of carload lots and all orders are shipped without delay. Mr. Schuller is of German birth, and has long been one of Toledo's most esteemed residents. He owns valuable real estate here, and is universally respected as a progressive, public-spirited citizen.
M. Staunton, Grocer.
Toledo is not behind any of her sister cities in the extent and magnitude of her grocery business, and the enterprise which character- izes her representative firms in this branch of commerce is unsurpassed by any other American city. A foremost house in this section of the city is that conducted by Mr. M. Staunton, at Nos. 501-503 St. Clair street. Mr. Staunton has been connected with the grocery trade on this same block since 1874, and has been established in business inde- pendently from 1881 to date. The premises occupied by him consist of a spacious two-storied brick building, excellently equipped. He has
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two handsome delivery wagons, employs a staff of experienced clerks, and commands a large, first-class trade. The choicest of staple and fancy groceries are dealt in, also flour and feed, and orders are met without delay. Mr. Staunton is a native of Ireland ; has been a resi- dent of Toledo for the past thirty years, and is highly esteemed in social and commercial circles for his enterprise and probity, and he is num- bered among our most substantial and public-spirited citizens.
Buckeye Paint and Varnish Company.
The City of Toledo, lusty, vigorous and rapidly growing as she is, presents so many features of commanding interest as to make it diffi- cult to select from the great number just such features, especially of her commerce, trade and manufactures, as would prove of greatest in- terest to the reader. There are hundreds of great industrial plants, in which immense capital is invested, which require the highest order of ability to direct them and which in the employment they afford to many hundreds of workers, influence in a preponderant degree the prosperity and comfort of the great masses of the pupulation. One of the most important manufacturing plants in the city is that of the Buckeye Paint and Varnish Company, whose offices and factory are at Fifteenth and Lucas streets. This industry was founded in the year 1874 by Messrs. P. F. Whalen and A. Collins, who were succeeded January 1, 1888, by the present Company, which was incorporated at that time, with a capital stock of $50,000 and which has extended and increased the business during the succeeding years, until it has reached its present extensive proportions. The premises include the main factory, a three-story brick structure, 40x80 feet in area ; varnish settling room, 22x110 feet ; varnish ovens, 20x60 feet, and store room 22 feet with basement of co-extensive proportions. A 75 horse power engine sup- plies necessary motive power and the machinery outfit is ample, com- plete and modern in every particular. A large force of men is em- ployed and no less than seven traveling salesmen are engaged in pre- senting the merits of the Company's products to the trade throughout many states, principally Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Pennsyl- vania and New York, in all of which States this Company numbers
among its patrons and customers the very cream of the trade. The line of goods manufactured, comprises standard liquid paints, colored leads, varnishes, japans, dry colors, putty and the whole line of stand- ard articles incident to the trade. These goods have been upon the market for many years and the steadily growing demand for them seems to strongly indicate that having been long and thoroughly tried, they have been by no means found wanting in the high qualities demanded alike by dealers and consumers. It is such products which serve to maintain and advance the high claims of Toledo as a great and ever growing manufacturing center. Officers of the Company are P. F. Whalen, President ; M. J. Malone, Vice-President ; W. F. Malone, Treasurer, and H. A. Lacey, Secretary. These gentlemen are in every sense representative citizens, whose participation in the business activities of Toledo has borne nothing but beneficial fruit to themselves as well as to the community.
F. J. Schmidt's Wire Works.
Mr. F. J. Schmidt, Proprietor of the F. J. Schmidt Fancy Wire Works, is one of the youngest men engaged in business on his own account, in this city. These works are located at 629 Main street, East Side. Among the specialties of manufacture, are office railings, flower stands, floral designs, window guards, lamp shades, and spark guards or fire-place screens. In these goods a fine business is done throughout the city and neighboring towns. This plant also manufac- tures (complete) for Messrs. Mollenkopp & McCreery of this city, their new improved Thermal Vapor Bath Cabinet, a well-known apparatus which sells in large numbers over the United States. Mr. Schmidt is a native of Detroit, Mich., and is a striking example of the very young man in business and so precocious were his business instincts, that at the age of 17 he was foreman of the wire department of the Simpson Manufacturing Company, of Detroit, and a most efficient and success- ful foreman, too. An now when only twenty-two he is the sole pro- prietor of the F. J. Schmidt Fancy Wire Works, and doing one of the best trades in his line in Toledo. Truly a remarkable beginning, and
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with his mechanical ability and general business tact, coupled with fine, personal character and honorable instincts, he bids fair to become one of our most prosperous citizens.
The National Union.
Toledo possesses no institution in which its citizens take greater pride than that of the National Union, a popular American order, com- bining patriotic, social and benevolent features, and which is also a secrect beneficial order. It operates all throughout the United States and Can- ada, and has branches in all healthy lo- calities of both countries. The National Union was incorporated in May, 1881, and its subsequent record has been a flattering testimonal of its solidity and economy, and the wisdom exercised in its management. A few figures will suf- fice to prove this. At the end of fifteen years these showed the number of mem- bers to be over 48,000; the number of councils over1760 ; death benefits paid, over $7,550,000; insurance in force, $140,- 000,000; greatest annual cost per $1,000 at age of forty, $8.00. This was the pio- neer order in adopting a graded assess- ment according to the current age of the member. The National Union aims to be a typical American institution. The government of the order is purely representative and has three divisions, viz: The council or lo- cal body ; the assembly or state body ; the Senate or national body. The Council is a social body and meets monthly, semi-monthly or weekly ; the Assembly meets bi-annually, and is composed of represen- tatives sent from councils in the state ; the Senate meets annually, and is composed of representatives selected by the assemblies. The order furnishes protection to the families of its members in sums of from
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