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188 - HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY CHAPTER VIII MANUFACTURES AND COMMERCE Sketches of the Principal Manufacturing Industries of Sidney.* WAGNER HOLLOW-WARE COMPANY Three quarters of a century or more ago several stalwart Germans, brothers and sisters, emigrated from the fatherland and settled in this part of Ohio. Large, dark and swarthy, they were all splendid physical specimens and being full of pluck and energy they were such people for whom a new country calls to subdue the stubborn features of nature, make them blossom as the rose and achieve a lofty destiny. They all rolled up their sleeves and with a determination that knew no such word as fail, encountered their life work. The branch of the family with which this article has to deal is that of the scions of Mathias Wagner, one of the brothers. He was a strong, powerful man with a rare fund of common sense and unbounded ambition. At first he worked a while on the Miami and Erie canal, then being built, but did not continue long at the tedious and not very lucrative work, for, as soon as he had accumulated enough to buy an outfit, he commenced killing beeves and hogs in sufficient numbers to supply meat to the laborers and their families. This proved a fortunate venture and with his gains he bought property, which was cheap in and around Sidney, never selling any real estate but holding on until he became Sidney's wealthiest citizen. He continued to butcher and sell meat as long as his age and health would permit. In the meantime he married Miss Mary Rauth, vigorous, large and strong, who seconded every effort of her energetic husband giving him sound advice, for she had sterling business acumen and was a helpmeet in every particular. Twelve children, of whom eight are living, were born in their household and were reared with the utmost care and educated. It was an ideal home, where happiness flavored the atmosphere. In time, Mr. Wagner passed away, but the large estate was not divided among the children and is intact to this day. Mrs. Wagner died only a few years ago and as long as she lived was the head of the vast interests. Perfect harmony existed among the children, for there was no black sheep in the flock and today they work together like parts of a flawless machine. It * For industries located outside of Sidney see Townships. - 188 - AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 189 is of the business of the Wagner brothers, consisting 0f William, Milton, Bernard and Louis, that this article! is written. For many years the Sidney people have been justly proud of the factory on the fair ground hill but few have known that here is made a, great part of the hollow-ware used in the world and that from this factory is shipped daily goods to all parts of the civilized globe. To just view the Wagner plant from the outside is scarcely sufficient to give an accurate impression of its immensity and up-to-dateness. A trip through the shop several times only reveals new wonders in manufacturing science and to the one new to the factory such a trip serves to rather bewilder with its extent and the various processes and numerous kinds of goods made. Just finished is the extensive addition made this year to the factory to accommodate the increasing business of the firm. The office has been extended and enlarged. The second story newly built adds to the storage rooms for hollow-ware. The polishing department has been greatly enlarged and new store rooms for the factory supplies have been added. The cost of these improvements has been very great and when one realizes that since the founding of the plant in 1881 that only two years have passed, in which additions have not been made the growth of the plant is of far more significance. In 1881 the Wagner brothers founded this plant for the manufacture of hollow-ware on the hill next the C. H. & D. railway where shipping facilities were good. The shop was small then and only two buildings were built. Only twenty men were employed. R. O. Bingham, the present superintendent, was the manager in charge and built the factory on lines of his own design. He had been a moulder and practical machinist by trade and had spent some time as superintendent of foundries. The start was small but the growth has been rapid. In the thirty-one years of its existence the Wagner Manufacturing Company has increased its capacity twenty-nine times allowing only two years to pass in which improvements and enlargements have not been made to accommodate their ever-increasing business. Their original superintendent has been with them continually since the founding of the plant and with him have remained in their employ several men who started to work when the 'shop was founded. The office of the factory has been made and remade several times but the complete refitting and remodeling this time will make it the largest it has ever been and thoroughly up to the time. Eight rooms and a hall comprise the working rooms of the business end of the plant. Upon entering, the large and commodious general offices are seen. A separate room opens from this room which will be used as a stenographer's room where all the typewriting will be done. Adjoining this will be the private office of the purchasing agent of the factory and last on that side of the hall is the private office of the president of the company. Another private office adjoins this to the rear. These private offices are specially constructed for the purpose. The office supply room opens off the hall to the rear and here also the secretary of the company has his office. A long hall connects all these rooms. In the same building fronting on Fair avenue in which the office section 190 - HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY forms but a small part are the ware rooms of the factory in which are kept the finished products. On the first floor the heavy iron goods are stored ready for shipment. On the second floor the gray iron hollow-ware is kept. Here also is located the large shipping department of the factory. In the packing room several men are constantly employed packing the goods ready for loading on the box cars. Three inspectors go over the products before they are packed and see that no imperfect pieces are sent out of the factory. Here the pieces are also counted, billed and loaded. On the third floor is placed the cleaning room for aluminum. Here is kept the aluminum products ready for packing and shipment. The entire size of this building is one hundred and forty feet long by thirty feet wide and is three story brick. A heavy freight elevator connects the three floors. The second building is two hundred and ten feet long by ninety-six wide and three stories. In this is located the finishing department for the entire factory and is connected by overhead bridges with the warehouses and offices. On the first floor on this building in one large room the grinding room is situated. Here the rough hollow-ware is ground and edged, before the polishing is commenced. In another section of the first floor the store rooms for the factory are located. Here handles for waffle irons and other supplies for the use of the workmen will be kept when the new addition is completed. The engine room occupies a large section of the first floor through the center of the shop. In the first room is located the old steam plant with its battery of boilers and one hundred and forty horse power engine which is used only to run the aluminum polishing department on the third floor and to operate the blasts for the cup0las. The large two hundred horse power tandem gas engine is placed in another larger engine room connecting with the steam room. This engine furnishes power for the rest of the plant. A smaller gas engine is required to crank and start this engine. Two engineers are in charge of the engine rooms who are experts in their departments. The second floor of the finishing building is devoted to polishing of iron goods. The nickel-plating rooms and the present pattern and machine shop are located in separate rooms in the east end of this floor. The present store room for the factory and the carpenter shop is in this large room. In the new addition will be placed a large machine shop where expert machinists will be constantly at work under the supervision of the superintendent constructing the special machinery used in the manufacture of high grade hollow-ware. At the far southwest end of this room the pattern room will later be moved and the superintendent will have his office for the direction of the work in the shop. The machine shop will be 66 x 46, the pattern room 18 x 30 and the superintendent's office 14 x 18. In the office of the superintendent may be noticed the following motto which expresses the spirit of the man and the idea on which the shop is run, "Life without industry is guilt, industry without art is brutality." Leaving the second floor the aluminum finishing department on the third floor is visited. Here the aluminum is taken from the foundry and ground and polished in preparation for shipment to the merchants. In the new section of AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 191 the aluminum polishing department twenty new polishing machines will be run by individual motors each of five horse power. A powerful fan system sucks all the dust from the grinding rooms and polishing rooms int0 a large tower where it is collected and disposed of. Five fans are required to do this work. Returning to the first floor visitors are shown the large milling rooms in which thirty-two milling machines commonly known as rattlers break the rough edges off the product as it comes from the foundry and before it is taken to the finishing department. In another room opening off the gas engine room is placed a large five hundred light dynamo which furnishes light for the factory. The blacksmith shop must not be neglected. This is at present a very small affair located back of the warehouse. Later a larger shop 20 x 30 will be constructed for this department. The foundry is the next place of interest. Here eighty-three moulders are at work and here every afternoon as the last thing of the day the pouring off is done. The aluminum foundry is located at the extreme west end of this building and is separated by a high partition. The aluminum process is secret and so no one was allowed to visit this part of the shop. The foundry building is 110 x 450 feet in size and is well lighted. Job work for various factories about town is also done here. The cupola room is located in the extreme east end of the foundry department. Here two cupolas are placed. The smaller is used only in emergencies, having outlived its present usefulness. Its capacity is eight tons. The big twenty ton cupola is now used daily to melt up the iron used in moulding. Three different kinds of pigs are used to secure the proper composition. The fire lighted the blast will melt the iron ready for pouring off in two hours. Five men are required to operate this cupola. The iron mine so called is next visited. In a deep hollow which has been scooped out from the cinders reclaimed by this process is located a small frame shed in which an electric cinder mill daily reclaims a great quantity of iron from the cinders which have been dumped here in the past years as refuse. This has only been in operation in the past few years and more than pays for itself. Another cinder mill reclaims the iron from the cinders each day that are dumped from the cupola. After the iron has been reclaimed the waste product is dumped as before. This reclamation process has only been recently discovered and in this one place alone reclaims about four dollars worth of iron daily. This is only one of the many methods used in this big shop to cut down the cost of production and utilize the waste products through scientific management. The kettle and flask store room is to the north of the foundry. It is two stories in height and sized 32 x 80. On the ground floor the heavy sugar kettles are stored and in the second story the flasks are placed for the use of the moulders. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 191 the aluminum polishing department twenty new polishing machines will be run by individual motors each of five horse power. A powerful fan system sucks all the (lust from the grinding rooms and polishing rooms into a large tower where it is collected and disposed of. Five fans are required to do this work. Returning to the first floor visitors are shown the large milling rooms in which thirty-two milling machines commonly known as rattlers break the rough edges off the product as it comes from the foundry and before it is taken to the finishing department. In another room opening off the gas engine room is placed a large five hundred light dynamo which furnishes light for the factory. The blacksmith shop must not be neglected. This is at present a very small affair located back of the warehouse. Later a larger shop 20 x 30 will be constructed for this department. The foundry is the next place of interest. Here eighty-three moulders are at work and here every afternoon as the last thing of the day the pouring off is done. The aluminum foundry is located at the extreme west end of this building and is separated by a high partition. The aluminum process is secret and so no one was allowed to visit this part of the shop. The foundry building is i zo x 450 feet in size and is well lighted. Job work for various factories about town is also done here. The cupola room is located in the extreme east end of the foundry department. Here two cupolas are placed. The smaller is used only in emergencies, having outlived its present usefulness. Its capacity is eight tons. The big twenty ton cupola is now used daily to melt up the iron used in moulding. Three different kinds of pigs are used to secure the proper composition. The fire lighted the blast will melt the iron ready for pouring off in two hours. Five men are required to operate this cupola. The iron mine so called is next visited. In a deep hollow which has been scooped out from the cinders reclaimed by this process is located a small frame shed in which an electric cinder mill daily reclaims a great quantity of iron from the cinders which have been dumped here in the past years as refuse. This has only been in operation in the past few years and more than pays for itself. Another cinder mill reclaims the iron from the cinders each day that are dumped from the cupola. After the iron has been reclaimed the waste product is dumped as before. This reclamation process has only been recently discovered and in this one place alone reclaims about four dollars worth of iron daily. This is only one of the many methods used in this big shop to cut down the cost of production and utilize the waste products through scientific management. The kettle and flask store room. is to the north of the foundry. It is two stories in height and sized 32 x 80. On the ground floor the heavy sugar kettleS are stored and in the second story the flasks are placed for the use of the moulders. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 193 little boy from Columbiana county, Ohio, where he was born in 1834. He rented a brewery from his brother Joseph, which he operated for one year, purchased an interest in the plant which he retained until 1876, when he became the 'sole owner of the business which he managed up to his death May 1, 1881. An extremely genial man he was very popular and had a wide acquaintanceship in the county. He was one of five Wagner brothers, Joseph, George, Peter, Mathias, who settled in this county in its early history and whose names are interwoven with much of its development. THE R. GIVEN AND SONS COMPANY In pioneer days when the fabrics of the family were fashioned under the domestic roof of the calf-skins and cowhides were tanned for home use, and shoemakers made their rounds and shod the household. To meet the local demand vats for tanning were found in almost every township. Oak bark was plenty and years were given to tanning the product, consequently a pair of boots and shoes had the element of durability and a person was known by the tracks he made. These tanneries have long had their day. Such a thing as a farmer having a side of leather is not now known and a traveling shoemaker would be a novelty; in short like the dodo, he is an extinct species. Way back in the fifties a tannery stood on a very small portion of the ground now occupied by the main building and in a very small way tanning was done. When Robert Given, the originator of the present firm, came to Sidney in 1854, the business was flourishing in its small way. Mr. Given, the elder, did not enter into the firm until 1868 when with S. Alex Leckey he purchased the plant and business and made the beginning of the present business. At that time the plant consisted of one small building in front which can even now be distinguished from the additions by the ancient color of the brick. Here the business was started and at that time it was a huge industry and one of the very few in Sidney. Mr. Leckey died in 1881 and the business was taken. over, by Mr. Given. Later when he died his sons, John and Charles, and J. C. Royon continued the business. Several additions have been made from time to time. The first to be made were in 1880, when the north building, the engine: rooms and the first part of the yard were added. In 1901 the new tannery section was completed and the last addition to the old plant was made in 1909 when the office section to the south was built. In 1901 the company was incorporated under the laws of Ohio as the R. Given and Sons Company and under that firm name it has done business since on an ever increasing scale. The main building of the tannery covers the lot 165 x 165 in extent. It is three stories and basement all over and a part four stories, thus making the floor space now occupied by the main building alone 108,000 square feet., The Givens believe in condensation and the utilization of every square foot of space, so the plant now covers every, inch of the property included between the' two alleys and Lane and Ohio streets. 194 - HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY In addition to the main plant, a complete machine shop is maintained in a building across the street where the company employs three expert machinists to do the repairing to the machinery in the shop and plan and build new machines for use. The store rooms and tan yard 0f the company have been located several squares from the main factory. This has been done because of lack of room. On East avenue the old Yenney factory and yards have been utilized for this purpose and tons of material are unloaded and stored here. The building is two stories and basement 150 x 75 in size. Extensive as the present plant is the company is cramped for room and must build to accommodate their business soon. This year a part of the product has been withheld from further sales as they were sold up to the capacity of the plant in that department. It will be remembered that some time ago the company started to make additions and asked the city council for the vacation of Lane street, which they claimed was practically unused. The street was not vacated and the additions of the company necessarily stopped through litigation. The matter remains as yet unsettled. However the tannery company has purchased the property formerly known as the Milholland home and all the section bounded by Lane street, Main avenue and the Big Four railway, and now only awaits the decision in regard to the vacation of the street to erect improvements which will more than double the extent of the plant and enlarge their business in enormous proportions. The plans and specifications for the new section are now being prepared by the Chas. H. Stehling Company of Milwaukee. As planned the new addition will be three story brick triangular in form. Leases have been secured from the state and from the New York Central lines granting the company use of the territory next the railroad and on the canal bank when the new building is erected. The buildings will be extended to the track for shipping purposes. It is estimated that the new building alone will cost $90,000 and furnish employment for at least one hundred more men in addition to the one hundred and fifty now employed. Should this improvement be made the increase in the pay roll will amount to about $50,000 per year. Wherever collars are used for horses the R. Given and Sons tannery is known. The business is particularly well established throughout the great Northwest, in Texas and the central states. However throughout America Given products are shipped. The leather goods are even used in Europe. Starting from the office a trip through the factory was made and the processes explained. The hides which are used by this tannery t0 be converted into the finished leather products are secured from Chicago, Cincinnati and other points where hide merchants job them to tanners. These hides come from the great packing houses of the country such as Armour, Swift and the like. The hide reaches the tanner in a salted condition ready for the first processes of tanning. From the storage the salted or green hide is taken to the beam house where it is soaked and washed. It next, goes through a machine which scrapes the AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 195 hide and removes all particles of flesh which may be hanging on the hide. This is called green fleshing. After this process the hide is thrown into large lime vats where the hair of the hide is loosened so that it may be easily scraped 0ff. It is next worked out on a beam and put through the process by which the lime and dirt is worked out and the hide thoroughly cleaned by being washed in a wash wheel. It is next bated making the leather soft and pliable. The hide is now ready for the coloring or tanning. In large tanks which form the floor of a room over which are placed boards s0 that passage may be made are hung the hides for the soaking process in the tan bark liquor which colors them. The liquor is changed every few days until the process of coloring is completed. After the coloring the hide is cured by being placed in a layaway between layers of tan bark. After the hide has been cured it is taken to the shaving room, where by machinery all loose flesh is removed, the hide scoured by another machine which takes all the liquor and dirt out, then hung up to dry. It is then stuffed, set out by machine, then by hand, hung up to dry then reset. The harness leather is next buffed black by staining, black set, greased off, bleached on the flesh side, trimmed, finished and brushed after which it is assorted and rolled ready for use or shipment. The process in finishing the collar and fly net leather is somewhat different. From the tanning room it is taken to another part of the factory where it is pressed. Next through a splitting machine which splits the hide to any desired thickness from one and one-half to ten ounces weight. After splitting it is retanned, washed, brushed, stuffed and set. It is next tacked on a frame where it is left to dry and to stretch smooth. The complete hide is tacked on this frame. It is next trimmed, glassed, which gives it a smooth surface and glossed by machinery. Perhaps the most wonderful machine in the Given factory is the measuring machine in which the leather hide is measured before converting it into the finished product. The machine is about twelve feet wide with numerous teeth set at regular intervals which do the gauging. A large dial on which is marked feet and inches is on top. The hide is started through this machine and when it comes out the dial registers the area in square feet and inches exactly. Every hole in the hide is missed and every indentation taken cognizance of. The hide which was measured to demonstrate the machine was 49 3/4 square feet in area. From the tannery where the hide is made ready for use the trip was made to the collar factory one part in the manufacture of the leather into the numerous products. In the cutting room the hide is cut over patterns by hand for the manufacture into horse collars of the ninety different varieties which the firm manufactures. Each collar part is cut by hand. The several parts are then assembled and sewed temporarily. On the tacking table the rim is tacked on and finally the parts are sewed permanently either with leather thong or thread as the collar specification calls for. Next the stuffing and shaping room was visited where the collar is stuffed and shaped. Specially built machines do this work under the care of a man 196 - HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY for each machine. The straw with which some brands of the collars are stuffed is prepared on the floor above where one or two men cut it into proper length and fill the chutes with it. The first part to be stuffed is the rim that holds the hame to the collar. This is stuffed with long straw by means of a long steel tubular needle operated by power under the control of the workman. This long straw is dove tailed in rim which makes a continuous wad through the rim. Next the collar is faced with curled hair by another man after which still another fills it out with short straw. It is finally backed out with straw cut in twelve inch lengths. The forming or blocking process in which the collar is made to take the shape it is intended to, comes next. Four huge pressure forming machines do this work. The collar is placed in its shapeless form in this machine, clamped in place and the power turned on which forces it to the pattern shape. After shaping the buckles are riveted on and after the dyeing process on the basement floor the collar is ready for market. All the work in the net factory is done by machinery except the lacing. Women are mostly employed here to do the work. First the leather is taken and cut into strips one inch in width. These are afterwards cut by machines into various widths made to suit the various lashes. The bars are punched by machinery. The lacing is all done by hand. In connection with the net factory is operated a harness factory in which harness of all kinds is made much in the same way and with the same machinery as is used in the old trade way. The leather is cut by hand to suit the pattern of the harness piece to be made. It is then assembled and sewed and finished into the harness set. All kinds of strap work is also done here. Two large boilers furnish steam for the three hundred horse power Hamilton Corliss engine which runs the plant. A great economy practiced by this factory is the use of the spent tan bark for fuel. This makes a very hot fire and is good for firing purposes. In addition to the regular steam equipment the engine room contains a large air composer, and a light plant which is able to generate power for 1,000 lights. Another new feature is the complete water works system operated by the plant. In a specially built cellar is located huge steam pumps which force water all over the building. Later a large storage tank will be built with the capacity of 100,000 gallons. A sprinkler system furnishes fire protection. The shipping department of the firm is located on the ground floor in the old section. Here all the goods are prepared for shipment and sent out under the direction of able shipping clerks. The office is on the first floor of the new south building and is large and commodious. The direct management of the company is in the charge of the brothers Charles and John Given. J. C. Royon also assumes direct responsibility. Others about the city own stock in the enterprise. A progressive and increasing business, a credit to Sidney and an honor to its builders and owners, the R. Given & Sons tannery stands as one of the largest and best among the manufacturing enterprises of Sidney. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 197 THE AMERICAN STEEL SCRAPER COMPANY The American Steel Scraper Company, operating one of the most important manufacturing enterprises of Sidney, O., was organized in 1876 by B. Slusser, inventor of the first steel drag scraper known to the trade, and W. S. Magill. Soon after the establishment of the factory it passed into the hands of W. H. C. Goode, who is now president of the company. W. E. Kilborn is treasurer and general manager. The plant, located at the corner of Court street and Wilkinson avenue, is a large and up-to-date concern, well equipped with improved machinery and all modern facilities, and the business is a large and prosperous one. The concern manufactures various styles 0f steel drag scrapers, plows, wheelbarrows, etc., and its products are shipped all over the world. SLUSSER MCLEAN SCRAPER COMPANY The Slusser-McLean Scraper Company was established as a partnership in 1880, by Benjamin Slusser, inventor of the first steel drag scraper known to the trade, and William T. -McLean. A number of years previously Mr. Slusser and William H. C. Goode had established the American Steel Scraper Company, the partnership being continued until Mr. Goode bought out Mr. Slusser in the year above mentioned. Mr. Slusser died in 1899, but the business has since been continued under the guiding hand. of Mr. McLean. The concern is engaged in the manufacture of steel drag scrapers, wheeled scrapers, also line road-grading plows, and rooters, the product being shipped all over the United States and Canada and exports being made to foreign countries. The plant located at East avenue and Shelby street, is an up-to-date one in every respect and is the only water-power plant in Sidney. THE SIDNEY STEEL SCRAPER COMPANY The Sidney Steel Scraper Company, whose plant is located at Poplar and Walnut avenues, was founded about 1880 by William Haslup and J. H. Doering, as a partnership concern, and was thus conducted until 1892, when it was incorporated, May 15th, with William Haslup, president and J. D. Barnes, secretary. Mr. Haslup died in April, 1912, and was succeeded as president by W. A. Perry, with N. L. Synder, secretary, they being the only local officers. The company is doing a prosperous business in the manufacture of steel scrapers (Haslup's Scraper), wheelbarrows, contractors' grading plows, road graders and general road machinery, the product being shipped all over the world. THE BIMEL BUGGY COMPANY The Bimel Buggy Company, manufacturers of the famous Bimel buggies and carriages, was founded in Sidney, O., about 1849. Five or six years later he moved the business to St. Mary's, O., where it was continued subsequently for many years. The company was reorganized in 1896 and the plant moved. 198 - HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY to Sidney, where it has since remained. The concern has acquired a notable reputation for the excellence of its product, which has a wide sale. The officers of the company (1912) are : A. C. Nobes, president; I. C. Minnich, vice-president; T. E. Miller, secretary; S. V. Wilcutts, assistant treasurer ; T. M. Miller, treasurer and general manager. THE SIDNEY MANUFACTURING COMPANY The Sidney Manufacturing Company, engaged in the manufacture of metal buggy seats, was incorporated in 1907 with a capital stock of $75,000, by A. J. Hess, L. M. Studevant, Herbert Sheets, I. H. Thedieck and P. P. Dyke. The above mentioned, with the addition of A. A. Gerlach and E. J. Griffis, constitute the board of directors. On its organization the company took possession of the old Maxwell mill, which was purchased by Mr. Thedieck for $17,000, and which, with a few necessary improvements and equipment makes an admirable plant for the business. The concern, of which Mr. I. H. Thedieck is president, is among the more important business enterprises of Sidney. THE MONARCH MANUFACTURING COMPANY The Monarch Manufacturing Company originated about twenty years ago and was conducted for some time by Sebastian & May at the present site of the Sidney Tool Works. The old concern was not very successful and the plant was finally purchased by A. P. Wagner, who after some legal difficulties in regard to patents, removed it, with machinery, to Detroit, Mich., in 1896. Its career there was handicapped by financial difficulties, but it existed there until August, 1909, when it was purchased by I. H. Thedieck, of Sidney, 0., and brought to this city. Mr. Thedieck is now president of the company, with W. E. Whip, manager. The directors are I. H. Thedieck, L. M. Studevant, W. H. Wagner, A. J. Hess, and E. J. Griffis. SIDNEY ELEVATOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY Sidney Elevator Manufacturing Company was established in 1902 by the present proprietor, W. R. Blake, and is engaged in the manufacture of elevators, dumb waiters, box hoists and concrete mixing machines. The concern has an up-to-date plant in the northeast part of the town, near the Big Four tracts. Mr. Blake was formerly proprietor also of the Superior Broom Company, which he operated in connection with his present plant, but which went out of existence about two years ago. THE BUCKEYE CHURN COMPANY The business controlled by this company was transferred to Sidney from Carey, Wyandot county, 0., in 1891. It was then operated as a partnership concern by James Anderson and Wilson Carothers, and under the same name. The present plant, at Park street and the C. H. & D. railroad, was built at that time. In 1904 the concern incorporated with a capital stock of AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 190 $100,000, with James Anderson, president ; Lawrence B. Anderson, vice- president, and Wilson Carothers, secretary and treasurer. The stock was increased in 1911 to $150,000, and at present the officers are : James Anderson, president ; Robert Anderson, vice-president ; Thomas Anderson, secretary and L. B. Anderson, treasurer. The directors include the above mentioned officers, with the addition of Wilson Carothers. The company, which is doing a fine business, manufactures churns, washing-machines, buckets, heavy horse pails, colonial columns for residence's, bank furniture and finish for houses, besides doing a general wholesale and retail lumber business, an up-to-date sawmill forming part of the plant. The company are agents also for B. A. Hjorth & Co., of Stockholm, Sweden, controlling the United States and Canadian trade for the Primus cream separators, some of the parts of which are made at the Sidney plant. THE FOLDING MACHINE COMPANY The enterprise known as The Eclipse Folding Machine Company was started in 1884, by A. T. Boscom and L. M. Studevant. As a partnership under the name of Boscom Folder Company, the product being a newspaper folding machine, the invention of Mr. A. T. Boscom. Being the first successful medium-priced newspaper folding machine built, it met with success from the start. After about three years Mr. John W. Skillen purchased an interest in the firm and Mr. Bascom retired. New designs were brought out from time to time and some years later the name was changed to BoscomEclipse Folder Company, and finally the "Boscom" was dropped and the present name of The Eclipse Folding Machine Company was adopted. The partnership between Studevant & Skillen continued without interruption until April, 1906, when Mr. Skillen desiring to retire from business sold his interest to Mr. Studevant, who became the sole owner. Being engaged in many other enterprises and having to entrust much of the management of the business Mr. Studevant thought it prudent to convert the business into corporate form which he immediately proceeded to do under the laws of Ohio with a full pail up capital stock of $50,000. Mr. Studevant is the present president and principal owner of the company. Mr. W. C. Horr has been associated with him as secretary and general manager since January, 1912, and the business is in a highly prosperous condition. The company's products are sold in all parts of the civilized world and probably one-half of all the medium-priced newspaper folding machines in use at this time bear the name plate of The Eclipse Folding Machine Company. MENTGES FOLDER COMPANY Mentges Folder Company, manufacturers of newspaper and job folding machines, with plant at the corner of Oak and Poplar avenues, Sidney, was established by George Mentges about 1897. The original factory was a small building on South Main avenue. In 1906 the present factory building 200 - HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY - a fine modern brick structure—was erected and the business transferred to this location. Since then improvements have been made and the floor space more than doubled. About fifteen men—mostly skilled mechanics— are now employed and the output of the concern is shipped all over the United : States and Canada and to foreign countries. Mr. George Mentges is still proprietor of the business. THE TUCKER WOODWORK COMPANY The Tucker Woodwork Company, occupying capacious buildings on North Main street, Sidney, was organized January 18, 1903, with a capital stock of $50,000, for the purpose of manufacturing bent wood work, such as single piece wood rims for bicycles and other wire wheeled vehicles, invalid chair hand rims, automobile steering wheel rims and various other products from complete circle bending; also, the production of bendings for carriage and automobile seats. To employ the waste products of the company, a department was added a few years ago for the production of folding porch and lawn furniture and children's blackboards. Owing to the rapid growth of the business, the capitalization was increased, in April, 1907, to $150,000. The company enjoys a very active demand for its various products and is one of the most important and substantial manufacturing concerns in Sidney. James B. Tucker is president. THE FARMERS GRAIN AND MILLING COMPANY The Farmers Grain and Milling Company is a recently established concern, operating the old Stone Bridge grain elevator and mill and is successor to The Sidney Grain and Milling Company. The business was established some years before the Civil war by McGrew & Co., who were succeeded several years later by J. F. Frazer; it was then sold to a Mr. Levering of Piqua and from him passed into the hands of Joseph DeFreese. The next proprietors were Forsythe & Co., who sold out to J. N., J. NI. and E. E. Nutt, who conducted it for awhile. Later J. N. Nutt dropped of the concern and it was conducted by J. M. and E. E. Nutt until July, 1887, when the business passed into the hands of E. J. and W. A. Griffis, the firm being known as Griffis Bros. In June, 1897, the style became E. J. Griffis & Co., and it was thus conducted until December 4, 1904, at which time Capt. E. E. Nutt bought the plant back. After his death it was conducted by the administrators under the name of The Sidney Grain and Milling Company until it came into the hands of its present proprietors, J. M. Blake, F. J. Russell and F. M. Sayre, Mr. Blake being active manager of the concern. The present elevator was built in 1895, the flouring mill being added to the plant in 188. The concern deals in grain, seeds, salt, coal, cement, plaster, hay, tile, straw, etc., and is doing a prosperous business. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 201 THE PEERLESS BREAD MACHINE COMPANY The Peerless Bread Machine Company, a newly established concern, is the successor to the Standard Clutch Company, which was established in 1905 by William Harmony and Frank Lucas, who for two years conducted a general repair shop. They then added a foundry and subsequently conducted the business until April, 1912, when it was taken over by E. J. Griffis and W. E. Wenger, who conducted the plant as a general machine shop until October 1st, at which time they opened up a foundry and began to make and market the Peerless bread moulding machine, in which business they are now engaged. The company was incorporated in 1897 at $30,000, which capitalization has not since been changed. The present style was assumed early in January, 1913. The officers of the company are : E. J. Griffis, president; William Piper, vice-president, and F. X. Lauterber, secretary and treasurer. The company has good prospects of doing a successful business. THE MIAM1 VALLEY GRAIN COMPANY The Miami Valley Grain Company was incorporated May 20, 1907, and succeeded to the business of J. E. Wells & Co. The following well-known business men are identified officially with the enterprise : E. T. Custenborder, president ; J. W. Allinger, vice-president ; W. H. Persinger, secretary, and George Allinger, treasurer and manager. These gentlemen have had experience in the business in hand, knowing its every detail, and able at all times to afford their customers the best information as to the grain market. The company operates one of the largest elevators in the county, having a capacity of 40,000 bushels and equipped with the latest appliances. A modern grist mill is also operated and all kinds of feed and meal are sold or ground for customers. Mill feed and flour always on hand and at the lowest prices. The company is on the market at all times for the purchase 0f grain and seed. The Miami Valley Grain Company has a large trade which grows continually and the gentlemen connected with it have in the largest measure the confidence of all with whom they do business. THE WILLIAM KLIPSTINE LUMBER COMPANY The William Klipstine Lumber Company is one of the largest and most conveniently arranged lumber yards in the state. This industry was formerly the George H. Worch Lumber Company and about 1909 became the property of the new company. Wm. Klipstine, who for so many years was manager of the company, remains in charge of the new company. The new building erected several years ago enables them to keep much of their lumber in the dry. There are two buildings 48 by 132 feet connected by a building running along Walnut avenue 48 by 70 feet, all three stories high; also a brick stable. in rear, 30 by 70 feet, giving them over 60,000 square feet of floor space. All kinds of lumber and buildersis hardware is handled, also coal, lime, cement, locust posts and composition roofing. The plan of the new buildings give three drive ways which facilitate the easy loading and unloading of goods. 202 - HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY JONES GRAIN COMPANY The elevator conducted by this concern was built about eighteen years ago by Emory C. Nutt, who was proprietor of the business for about ten years. It then passed into the hands of R. V. Jones and E. S. Sheets, who operated the plant for six years, or until recently, when R. V. Jones became principal proprietor, being associated in the ownership with J. C. Wagner and W. B. Jackson. The mill is located at West avenue and North street, close to the Big Four tracks and a prosperous business is being conducted in grain, seeds, etc. H. B. HOLE, POULTRY, EGGS AND BUTTER This business was established in April, 1907 by H. B. Hole, of Versailles, the Sidney plant, located in the northeast part of the town, near the Big Four tracks, being a branch concern. Mr. Hole is the sole proprietor. About $50,000 to $60,000 worth of produce is shipped per annum to the New York and New Jersey markets. SIDNEY CEMENT STONE COMPANY Sidney Cement Stone Company was established in March, 1906, by C B. DeWeese, the present proprietor, and is one of the pioneer plants of the kind in the state. The concern manufactures and deals in cement, building blocks, water table, caps, sills, brick, chimney blocks, pedestal blocks, porch columns, porch trimmings, coping and garden furniture. The output is considerable, being equal to that of most of the largest plants elsewhere. They have the most modern machinery for the manufacture of their product and are doing a successful business. THE PIONEER POLE AND SHAFT COMPANY The Pioneer Pole and Shaft Company, with plant corner of Park street and the C. H. & D. Railroad, was established in Sidney some years ago as a branch concern, the main offices being located at Piqua, Ohio. As the name of the company indicated, it is engaged in the manufacture of poles and shafts for vehicles of various kinds. A. R. Friedman is president and general manager ; C. C. Carey, local manager. THE CHERRY CHEER COMPANY This business was established, in 1908 by W. R. and J. C. Carothers, and was first conducted in a small way under the name of the Cherry-ola Company. In the fall of 1909 the concern adopted its present style and incorporated with a capital stock of $25,000, the officers being: Wilson Carothers, president ; W. R. Carothers, vice-president and manager; J, C. Carothers, treasurer ; F. K. Carothers, secretary ; and E. J. Carothers. The above mentioned officers, with the addition of E. J. Carothers, are the directors. The company is engaged in the manufacture of soda fountain sirups, including cherry cheer, zolakone, orangeade, grapall, mint-fire and coco-cheer, the PICTURES: PLANT OF AMERICAN STEEL SCRAPTER CO., SIDNEY, O.; PLANT OF CHERRY CHEER CO., SIDNEY, O.; WAGNER MANUFACTURING CO.’S PLANT, SIDNEY, O.; BUCKEYE CHURN COMPANY, SIDNEY, O. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 203 product being shipped all over the United States and to foreign countries. The present plant, built in 1910, is located in the west end of Sidney, near the C. H. & D. railroad station. About 16 people are employed in the plant, while the company has forty travelling men, besides employing a number of house to house canvassers and demonstrators. Distilled water is used in the manufacture of the sirups. THE W. M. TOY COMPANY, SIDNEY, OHIO The W. M. Toy Company, Sidney, 0., is engaged in the manufacture of plows, street scrapers, etc. The business was started more than 50 years ago by Daniel Toy Sr., who was the originator of the Toy plow and who made the plows used in the construction of the C. H. & D. Railroad. At his death he was succeeded by his son, W. M. Toy, who has since conducted the business successfully. The latter's son, Hugh Toy, is associated with him. Important improvements in the plant are contemplated in the near future. C. R. BENJAMIN & SON C. R. Benjamin & Son, are engaged in the manufacture of handles, and are also dealers in coal, cement, etc. The business was established by C. R. Benjamin about thirty years ago and has been in continuous operation since, Charles W. Benjamin being the junior member of the firm. June 17, 1912 the plant was destroyed by fire but is now being rebuilt and will employ about 40 people. THE CROFT LAUNDRY The Croft Laundry on West avenue is one of the best laundries in the state. Mr. Croft has been in the laundry business for more than twenty-three years and his cement stone building houses the latest and most improved equipment, which is arranged for the careful and successful handling of rough and fine work. In addition to keeping things clean for the people of Sidney he has numerous agencies established in the surrounding towns which bring considerable laundry work to Sidney. With competent help and prompt deliveries the work speaks for itself. Mr. Croft takes pride in giving the people the best in laundry work. He is popular with all, prominent as an Eagle, Elk and K. of C. and takes a lively interest in affairs generally. THE HARRISON M. POTTS' SAWMILL The Harrison M. Potts' Sawmill, located on Miami avenue close to the canal, was established in Sidney a number of years ago by its present proprietor, Mr. H. M. Potts who is an experienced lumberman. In addition to the manufacturing industries mentioned, Sidney is well provided with a goodly number of mercantile enterprises, most of which are doing a prosperous business. 204 - HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY THE MARY L. POULTRY PLANT The Mary L. Poultry Plant, once an important industry of Sidney, was founded in 1895 by John Loughlin, and is said to have been the largest poultry plant in the world. It included a number of buildings, the egg house being 40 by 537 feet and the hatchery 20 by 840 feet. Three hundred chickens were hatched daily and 9,000 eggs were constantly in incubation. The plant attracted large numbers of visitors from all 0ver the country. The business, however, resulted in failure ; Mr. Loughlin left Sidney and is now deceased. THE SIDNEY MARBLE AND GRANITE WORKS The Sidney Marble and Granite Works, now conducted by James J. Shea, were established by William Shea in 1881, who acquired a wide reputation for the tastefulness of his designs and the thoroughness of his workmanship. This reputation has in no wise suffered since the business past into the hands of the present proprietor.