USA > West Virginia > Wood County > Parkersburg > Parkersburg; a souvenir of the city of Parkersburg . . . together with a complete city directory of Parkersburg and her suburbs, 1907 > Part 2
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27
If you are seeking a new banking home for your account, the old Parkersburg National Bank will serve you faithfully and well.
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The Central Banking & Security Co.
615 Market Street, Parkersburg, W. Va. ( W. Va. 256 )
The Central Banking and Security Com- pany, located at 615 Market street, has been successful from its inception. Organized under charter dated June 24, 1900, it opened for business April 22, 1901, with an auth- orized capital stock of $300,000, of which $150,000 was paid in. Already its resources amount to $600,000, with a surplus fund of $22,000. Since their organization they have declared and paid nine semi-annual divi- dends. The bank owns its own building; the banking rooms are furnished in mahogany, and is otherwise as well equipped as any in the State for banking purposes.
The Central Banking & Security Company has a large and growing Savings Depart- ment, and pays interest on savings deposits at the rate of 4 per cent. per annum, pay- able January and July of each year. Nearly 4,500 depositors have availed themselves of the opportunity to deposit their savings here. The management have tried to make it the people's bank, and certainly the large nam- ber of depositors show how well they are
succeeding. In the Commercial Department, the company welcomes the accounts of all, and on inactive, or time deposits, pays the usual rate of interest. They also have a Trust Department, which is fully equipped to handle fiduciary business of every kind. and seeks appointment as Executor, Admin- istrator, Guardian, Assignee, Receiver, Trus- tee, etc., as well as the collection of Rents and Management of Estates. To business in- trusted to them in this department the best of attention is and will be given. Their policy has always been conservative fair dealing with all, whether a depositor or bor- rower, of small or large amounts. The stock of the company is owned by citizens of Park- ersburg and vicinity, who are among the best in the community. The officers are: W. H. Smith, President; Levin Smith, Vice President; W. H. Ogden, Cashier; J. V. Langfitt, Assistant Cashier; and the Direc- tors are W. H. Smith, Jr., Olin V. Neal, E. J. Humphrey, S. B. Langfitt, S. B. Crawford, F. D. McCoy, Levin Smith, J. V. Langfitt, Wm. Kirk, J. T. McMechen, B. D. Stout.
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Farmers & Mechanics National Bank
Corner Market and Fourth Streets
Capital, $100,000.00
Surplus and Undivided Prolits, $25,000 00
(W. Va. 594.)
The Farmers and Mechanics National Bank was organized in 1900, and since its organization has had a rapid growth. While it is one of the youngest financial institu- tions in the city, it is one of the most sub- stantial and leading financial institutions of the State, having assets exceeding $700,000.00.
The Directors are some of the best busi- ness men of the city. The following is a list of the officers and directors of the Bank:
President-W. W. Walker, proprietor Blen- nerhassett Hotel.
Vice President-John M. Crawford, Secre- tary and Treasurer Parkersburg Rig and Reel Company.
D. A. Beatty, oil producer.
D. F. Connolly, oil producer and manager Associated Producers Company.
J. W. Solley, superintendent South Penn Oil Company.
R. J. A. Boreman, capitalist.
W. S. Tracewell, real estate.
F. O. Havener, president Holly Lumber Company.
H. O. Smith, Jeweler.
C. T. Hiteshew, Cashier, has been cashier
of the institution for the last three years, and is also President of the West Virginla Bank- ers Association.
This Bank does a general banking busi- ness in all its branches, including the hand- ling of commercial accounts, the carrying of commercial deposits for business men, a savings department which pays the highest rate of interest on savings deposits, rents safety deposit boxes for the storage of val- uable papers, wills, deeds, notes, mortgages, jewelry, and other valuables; issues drafts on all foreign countries payable at sight; makes collections, and acts as financial agent for its patrons with the utmost dili- gence and care, and in all ways and for all purposes for which a bank is desirable will be found a conservatively managed but en- terprising, financial institution that enjoys the respect and support of many of the largest commercial interests of Parkershurg, and has the hearty good will of the entire commercial life of the city.
A careful scrutiny of the personnel of the officers and directors of this Bank will please us when you are seeking to open a new banking account.
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The Second National Bank of Parkersburg
Corner Fifth and Market Streets
Capital, $156,000
Surplus and Undivided Profits, $73,000 (W. Va. 375.)
The Second National Bank of Parkersburg, corner of Fifth and Market streets, was or- ganized in 1865, with a capital of $105,500, with General J. J. Jackson as its first Presi- dent, who continued in this office until his death in 1877, and with W. H. Wolfe as its first Cashier. In the thirty-two years of its existence it has built up a large and profit- able business, early being compelled to in- crease its capital, which is now $156,000.
General Jackson was succeeded by James W. Dils, who continued President of the Bank during the remainder of his life, nine- teen years. Its other Presidents have been W. H. Wolfe, W. Vrooman and Dennis O'Brien.
W. H. Wolfe continued as Cashier for over thirty years, when he was succeeded by G. M. Gilkeson, who in turn was succeeded by George II. Carver, the present Cashier.
The Second National Bank was the second bank in the city to organize under the Na- tional Banking law. This Bank has pros- pered from its very inception, and during the various panies the country has passed through since 1865 has never suspended specie payment nor failed to pay its obli- gations in full upon demand.
The Second National Bank gives close and careful attention to the interests of its customers, extending as broad and liberal accommodations as prudent and conservative banking will permit, and their wise discre- tion is shown in the uniform prosperous re- sult and the reputation for integrity which it bears.
The approved accounts of banks, bankers, . merchants and corporations are received. loans and discounts made, collections at- tended to, and the bank issues drafts on principal cities and traveler's letters of credit available anywhere. Convenient safety deposit boxes for the storage of valnable papers, such as notes, deeds, wills, jewelry and valuables, etc., are at the disposal of the public. This Bank is an acknowledged factor in the welfare of the business com- munity, and the city has profited by reason of the efficiency and sufficiency of its bank- ing facilities.
The officers of this Bank are: Dennis O'Brien, President; H. S. Wilson, Vice President; George H. Carver, Cashier. The Directors are: W. H. Wolfe, H. S. Wilson, W. N. Miller, A. B. White, R. J. A. Bore- man, J. S. Mckown and Dennis O'Brien.
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COMMERCIAL
BANAING & TRUST GO,
M
MERCI
ENMIN
Commercial Banking & Trust Company
Corner Third Street and Court Square
(W. Va. 1471. )
November 17, 1903, was the date of the opening of the Commercial Banking & Trust Company, with an authorized stock of $300,- 000; paid up capital stock of $105,000.
In these days of keen competition the suc- cess 'of a Bank is largely dependent upon the liberality of treatment accorded deposi- tors. Recognizing this fact, it has been the policy of its officers to extend such accom- modations to its customers as conservative banking methods would admit. Funds of individuals, merchants and others are wel- comed, and investments of surplus money in bonds and other securities made when de- sired.
This Bank has every facility and power to be and has become one of the important factors in the business and finance in the city of Parkersburg. It is authorized to act as administrator, executor, trustee, and in any fiduciary capacity. In addition to this, it has a Savings Department, where any de- positor may deposit any small amount at any time and he enabled to receive interest at the rate of 4 per cent on his deposit.
The Savings Department of this Bank is a growing feature, where the small depositor as well as the large one is able to add to his
savings, and at the same time receive a lib- eral interest on his accumulations. This particularly should appeal to that class of people whose income is limited to little more than every day requirements. A fund may be accumulated in this way, available in times of sickness or other misfortune, or for any special object. There is a feeling of security and satisfaction in having such a fund in this Bank at your command when wanted. Safety Deposit Boxes are at the service of customers at small expense.
This Bank has deposits amounting in the aggregate to $200,000, which are constantly increasing, and is controlled hy men of good business judgment and conservative ideas on strictly business lines. Its officers are: B. S. Pope, President; James A. Wetherell, Vice President, and T. J. Wetherell, Cashier. Its Directors are: B. S. Pope, H. M. Spence, Otto Schultz, George W. Strong, Louis Mans- bach, R. Wild, C. P. Morrison, J. A. Weth- erell, T. J. Anderson, Robert Wilson, Fred Graff, E. G. Stephenson, W. S. Keever, Geo. W. Carney, V. L. Bartlett, W. E. Stout, J. W. Dudley, J. H. Shaw, Jacob Radenbaugh, Chas. H. Betts, F. P. Ames.
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West Virginia Western Telephone Company Parkersburg, West Virginia.
The West Virginia Western Telephone Company is the oldest independent tele- phone company in West Virginia, and their history is an inspiration to every patriotic American who sees threat in the amalgama- tion of large interests and the centralization of power into the hands of the few. "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he," and when there gathered together a few men with ideas and the courage of their convic- tions, who determined to introduce an in- dependent telephone service into West Vir- ginia, nothing daunted them, and the his- tory of their struggle against the wiles and power of a gigantic and merciless octopus, entrenched behind a fortification of patent laws, and against the apathy or supineness of their victims, is a memory that should ever be preserved. That these men succeed- ed goes without saying-such courage when used with caution and with judgment has ever succeeded-and today this Company stands as leader in the independent tele- phone movement ,and the names of these men are a household word wherever tele- phony has its quarters.
The West Virginia Western Telephone Company was organized in February, 1898, and commenced business in Parkersburg in 1898, and after an aggressive campaign open- ed for business with three hundred sub- scribers in November of that year. Imme- diately their competitor cut rates for all classes of service to three dollars per year less than they offered, coming from an ex-
cessive charge to a ridiculous one, and the fight waged merrily on, for the octopus found that they were up against fighters who could and would fight, and who were keenly aware that it was only the last blow that counted. In 1902 The West Virginia Western Company had eight hundred tele- phone in service, when the octopus an- nounced that they would restore their old rates, and the fight was won ,and now the West Virginia Western has twenty-eight hundred telephones in use in Parkersburg, a large and growing Exchange in Marietta, many of the counties of West Virginia ar? covered with their wires, and prosperous exchanges of the company are located at West Union, Harrisville, Pennsboro, Ellen- boro, Cairo, Auburn, Sistersville and Wil- liamstown, and connections with Clarks- burg, Fairmont, Grafton, Philippi, Elkins, Beverly, Belleville, Ravenswood, Spencer, Ripley, St. Marys, Goose Creek, Belpre, Cool- ville, Pomeroy, Athens, Ohio, and covering Lewis, Braxton, Gilmer, Calhoun, Harrison, Wetzel, Wood, Ritchie, Tyler, Wirt and Jackson counties, their wires connecting the subscriber with over fifty thousand business places and homes in West Virginia and Ohio, from the farmer living back in the hills to the busiest merchant in the State. And the fight that was won was one that insures permanent equitable telephone rates to subscribers, for the principle around which the fight has been conducted has been the introduction of the most satisfactory
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The Operators at the Switchboard.
service at the least possible cost, and re- sults speak for themselves.
At no time has this Company placed rates upon the old trust principle of "all that the traffic will bear." but always on the prin- ciple of enabling the workman, no matter how humble his circumstances, to find an economy and a profit in having a telephone in his home and at his service. Great credit should be given to these gentlemen for stick- ing to principle through thick and thin, and for not losing courage where less forceful men must have laid down their arms.
The officers of the company are: J. H. Lininger, President; J. E. Carle, Vice Presi- dent; R. H. Rutherford, Secretary; C. F. Hiteshew, Treasurer; A. C. Davis, General Manager, and the Directors are: Robert H. Browse, G. D. Jeffers, Ben S. Pope, J. P. Sharp, Richard Wanless, and H. G. Feller. This is a strong and able directorate, and several of its members have been connected with the company from its organization, notably Messrs. Carle, Davis, Rutherford and Lininger. Mr. Lininger is cashier of the People's Bank at Harrisville, and an official in several other corporations. Mr. Carle is a leading farmer, stock raiser and oil producer of Wood County. Mr. Ruther- ford is the general manager of the Oakland Pressed Brick Company of Zanesville, Ohio. Mr. Hiteshew is cashier of the Farmers and Mechanics National Bank of Parkersburg. Mr. Davis, the Napoleon of the Independent telephone movement, devotes his attention entirely to the telephone husiness, and he- sides having the active management of the
Company, and the Marietta Telephone Com- pany, is a director in several other telephone companies, and is Secretary of the West Virginia Independent Telephone Association, and one of the best known telephone men in West Virginia. Mr. Wanless is Presi- dent of the Bank of Cairo, Cairo, West Vir- ginia. Mr. Browse is capitalist and Vice President of the Pleasants County Bank of St. Marys, West Virginia, and a Director in several corporations in Wheeling and else- where. Mr. Feller is Director of the First National Bank of St. Marys. Mr. Sharp is a farmer and interested in several business enterprises, where he is valued for his con- servatism and good judgment. Dr. Jeffers is a leading physician of Parkersburg, and a prominent business man. Mr. Pope is the General Manager of the Parkersburg Doek Company, he being one of the proprietors, and is also the President of the Commercial Banking and Trust Company of Parkersburg and a leading timber dealer.
And under this able and talented super- vision the growth, development and health of the West Virginia Telephone Company, and of the independent telephone movement in Southern Ohio and West Virginia, is se- cure.
The above illustration shows some of the operators at work on the switchhoard. The West Virginia Telephone Company employs in this department, at their Central Ex- change in Parkersburg, 31 operators to look after the needs of their constantly increas- ing number of subscribers.
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The Parkersburg Iron & Steel Company
Beechwood, Parkersburg, W. Va, (W. Va. 3218. )
One of the most important industries of Parkersburg is the Parkersburg Iron & Steel Company. Situated beside the Ohio River, at Beechwood, the plant has ample grounds for development, as well as for present nse, and the hum of industry that greets the ob- server tells of business that is well man- aged and prosperous, and constantly running to its full capacity day and night. The Parkersburg Iron & Steel Company was or- ganized in 1901, commencing operations De- cember 18th of that year, and since that time has run steadily and prosperously. They operate their plant continuously, working day and night, and have nearly five hundred employes on the payroll.
It is well to pause and reflect once in awhile on the magnitude and diversity of a city's interests, and what the addition of a great enterprise means to a city, and this growing concern will serve well for an illns- tration. They employ five hundred men. Five hundred employes at an average iť twenty dollars per week (and a large per- centage of their skilled workers receive much more than this), means a distribution weekly of ten thousand dollars which is ex - pended for the support, care, education and maintenance of this army of employes, their wives and children, among the merchants and business interests of our city. All of this wealth is originated in other places and brought to our city by the sale of the pro-
ducts of this concern in world-wide markets. Nor is this all of the wealth that they in- troduce into the commercial life of our city. There are other commercial needs that must be bonght and paid for by them, in hand- ling, transporting raw materials and finished products by railroads, by boat lines and teaming, supplies to be purchased, and the multitude of collateral expenditures. It is but fair to believe that Parkersburg receives directly and indirectly from this concern for distribution among her merchants and pro- dneers fully $600,000 each year. What would it mean to withdraw this vast sum yearly from the arteries of commerce of our city ? The result would be the demoral- ization, impoverishment and paresis of many and many a business and family now pros- perous, and a general lowering of the whole business tone of the city. But another en- terprise of this magnitude brought here would bring business health and business life to us, and rejuvenate the same com- mercial life with bounding health. Read it again. Think it over.
The Parkersburg Iron & Steel Compan; are manufacturers of Sheet fron, Sheet Steel. and finished steel products. Their sheet iron is greatly in demand for use in making galvanized iron, corrugated iron siding. for roofing. and for many other purposes. Their Sheet Steel is probably the most popular brand in the country for use in making auto-
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Coal Barges Going Down the Ohio River.
mobile bodies and similar work, where light- ness and toughness and strength must be combined in one perfect whole. Their special product is "Parkersburg Blue" Sheet Steel, a uniform colored sheet for stovepipes, el- bows, dripping pans, and work where higa polish and uniform color is needed.
Their finished steel products are used in making tacks, roofing, dashers, milk cans, show cards, powder kegs, soda drums, metal whee's, metal ceilings, umbrella rods, satch- el frames, bicycle tubing, soda fountains, gas stoves, gasoline stoves, oak stoves, stamped ware. enameled ware, metal lath- ing, metal screen frames, automobile parts, and for many other purposes.
Their equipment is up-to-date in every way, including electric cranes and all mod- ern machinery, and both electric and steam power is used, natural gas being used for fuel. They have their own machine and blacksmith shops for constructing rew and repairing damaged machinery. All of the work of this firm is done under one roof. their business being entirely self-contained, and therefore receiving that personal super- vision that insures the greatest production and the highest quality. They also have more than half a mile of private railway track, which is kept constantly filled; an l also have a private landing on the Ohio River. Their manufactured product averages over two thousand tons per month.
The Beechwood property adjacent to the Steel Plant is controlled by the Parkersburg Iron & Steel Company, and is operated un- der the name of the Parkersburg Specialty
Company. Home sites and homes for work- ers in the plant, and also to residents of the city, are offered at very reasonable prices and terms. They also have some desirable manufacturing sites which are offered on equally advantageous terms. On account of river facilities and railroad trackage, and the level nature of the land, these sites are pe- culiarly desirable.
The company also operates the Budke Manufacturing Company, which makes stove pipes, elbows, dripping pans, box bands, metal lath and air-tight heater stoves. The "Acme" goods of the Budke Manufacturing Company are known throughout the country as the standard of quality in elbows, drip- ping pans and stove pipes.
The officers of the Parkersburg Iron & Steel Company are: C. F. Niemann, Presi- dent and Treasurer; A. H. Geilfuss, Secra- tary; John Stephens, General Manager, and C. A. Orr, Auditor.
Spence, Smith & Kootz.
The firm of Spence & Smith was organized in 1898, to deal in Second-Hand Oil Well Supplies and Machinery, and is composed of Mr. H. M. Spence and Mr. W. S. Smith, both gentlemen having heen formerly engaged in the same line in Pennsylvania. Believing Parkersburg to be a point well adapted 10 their particular line of business, they came here in 1898, and after thoroughly investi- gating the locality formed a partnership. Their business was originally established 55
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Spence, Smith & Kootz Works, 116 to 120 Ann Street Boiler Shop, Corner Williams Court Alley and First Street (W. Va. 194.)
deal in Second-Hand Oil Well Material sole- ly, purchasing non-productive wells, pulling out the casing, pipe, &c., and remarketing the same, together with boilers, engines, an.l all material pertaining to an oil well. Each year their business increased, not only in the West Virginia oil fields, but throughout the different states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, and extending also into the different coal mining districts of the same states.
For some years Messrs. Spence & Smith have felt the need of a Machine and Boiler Shop in connection with their business, and in the spring of 1906, after investigating the different oil centers, determined upon mak- ing Parkersburg their permanent headquart- ers, and establish shops here; accordingly they purchased a lot 75x175 feet on lower Ann street, and erected thereon a brick building, 36x110 feet, with commodious of- fices attached. They also purchased the machine shop and business of Fisher & Kootz on First street, and removed the machinery to their present location. They then organized a new partnership, taking in Mr. Albert Kootz, who was born and raised in Parkersburg, acquired his trade here, and was one of the firm purchased by Messrs. Spence & Smith. He is an able machinist, a master of his trade, and well qualified to superintend the works of the new enter-
prise. In addition, Messrs. Spence, Smith & Kootz have splendidly equipped the new works with all necessary new machinery, in- cluding Pipe Machines for the cutting and threading of all sizes of pipe, and in the old shop on First street have installed a modern Boiler Shop, with Power Shears, Punches and all machinery necessary to repair old and manufacture new Boilers. This part of the enterprise is under the superintendency of a Master Boiler Maker and Draughtsman. Particular attention is paid to repairing Steamboat Boilers, and government tested Machine Sheets are constantly kept in stock.
Messrs. Spence, Smith & Kootz have made a valuable addition to Parkersburg's indus- tries, and their increasing business, not only from the oil fields, but from the Mill, Mine and Steamboat trades justify them in the belief that just such an institution has been needed in Parkersburg.
In addition to the new works, Messrs. Spence & Smith will engage more exten- sively than ever in the purchase and sale of all kinds of second-hand machinery, tubing, pipe and supplies, and are always ready to inspect and make price on all kinds and quantities of the above material and will offer for their customers to choose from a larger and better stock, one that has been thoroughly repaired in their own shops.
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WHOLESALE
LUMBER
RADEKER LUMBER CO.
0
OFFICE
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The Radeker Lumber Company Office and Yards, Foot of Fifth Street. (W. Va. 364)
West Virginia is now one of the leading lumber producing States of the Union. Her hills are still covered with the primeval growth, and many of the interior counties are yet to feel the blow of the lumherman's axe. There is timber now standing that will keep the woodsman busy for twenty years to come. But the internal develop- ment, the construction of new railway lines, the extension of her manufacturing inter- ests, calls for this timber, and it will be many years before lumbering interests cease to prosper.
Parkersburg is the natural distributing point for the lumber of the Little Ka- nawha, the Kanawha,
Big and the Elk River Valleys and their tributaries, to the Northern and Northeastern mar- kets. Here the output of these Valleys is most easily and cheaply assembled, stored. anu held in readiness for transportation to these markets. It is the logical meeting point of all interests-manufacturer, distri- butor and user.
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