Delaware County, Ohio - Chapter 7: Manufactures, 1908 (part 1 of 2)

Chapter 7: Manufactures

Manufacturing Possibilities of Delaware County - Early Mills and Mill Machinery - A Tragic Occurrence - Chair Manufacture - Lumber, Furniture, etc. - Flour Mills - Distilleries - Leather - Textile Products - Paper Mills - Oil Enterprises - Foundries, etc. - Artificial Ice - Light, Heat and Pence r - Brooms - Evaporated Goods - Clay Products - Cigars - Creameries - Lime and Stone - Gas Manufacture.

This has always been an agricultural county, and most of the manufacturing enterprises that have found firm footing here have been those whose products consumed the raw materials that were available, or contributed to the needs of an agricultural people. But there seems to be no reason why manufacturing industries should not be developed here with great profit to the county. Located in the geographical center of Ohio, it has excellent railroad facilities, and is within easy reach of all kinds of raw materials and fuel. Thus far. the community has been practically free from such disturbances as originate with the labor agitator. One has only to look at some of our neighboring counties to see and appreciate the advantages of inviting and fostering manufacturing enterprises ; and it would seem unnecessary to enumerate the benefits, such as enlarged markets for farm produce, increased value of real estate, more business f< ir the merchants, etc., that would accrue to the community through a policy of helpful friendliness toward the establishment here of manufacturing industries. The last few years have witnessed an awakening in Delaware. The present Commercial Club of Delaware, which numbers among its members nearly every important business man of the city, is doing all in its power to develop Delaware as an industrial center.

Early Mills And Mill Machinery

Such has been the improvement during the last half century in machinery and methods of manufacture, that the present and coming generations must gain their conception of the primitive mills and methods of pioneer days from the printed page ; and in tracing the development of manufacturing in Delaware County, we believe it will prove interesting, at the outset, to glance briefly at the conditions and problems that confronted the early settlers in providing themselves with such necessities as meal, flour, lumber, leather, cloth, etc. At first, mills were fifty to seventy-five miles away, and "going to mill" involved a long and arduous horse-back ride through trackless forests and unbridged streams. Usually, it took about a week to make such a journey, and as only a small quantity of corn or wheat could be carried, the busy frontier farmer could not well afford to sacrifice so much valuable time. Many, therefore, contented themselves with "corn-crackers." such as were used by the Indians. To make a "corn-cracker" a stump was cut off level on the top and a large basin was burned out of it. A nearby sapling was bent over to serve as a spring- pole, and to the end of this was attached by a piece of grapevine a heavy wooden pestle.

As the frontier settlement grew in size, mills were built at sites offering the best promise of power, and where dams could be constructed with least difficulty. In those days, people had little knowledge of the science of civil engineering, and the dams constructed were crude affairs, the like of which the people would not now waste their time in building. Log pens were constructed about six feet square, roughly locked and pinned together at the corners. A number of these would be built across a stream, with short spaces between them. The pens which were filled with stone, and thus served as anchors for the dam, were further strengthened by placing masses of stone in front of them. Behind the pens, brush was piled to serve as a support for the earth which was placed upon it. These structures offered but little resistance to the dislodging ] inwer of a freshet; they had to be repaired so often that milling under such conditions was truly a discouraging business. Before the land was denuded of its virgin forest, the streams of the county furnished greater and more constant power than they do now. The power on the Olentangy, or Whetstone, as it was then called, at Delaware and at the "Old Stone Mill" about a mile north of town, was good nearly all the year, and Cone's mill on the Scioto River in Thompson Township and the other mills on the river south of there, had power sometimes for ten or eleven months in the year ; but with these exceptions, it is doubtful if there was a location in the county whose power was available for more than six to eight months out of twelve.

The machinery in these early mills was as crude as all else. The mill-stones were made from large round stones called "nigger-heads." such as still abound in the county. A section was cut from the middle of one of these "nigger-heads" and split. Furrows were cut in the^e stones, radiating from the center. At the circumference, these furrows were about three and one-half inches wide and one-half an inch deep, while at the center of the stone they were much narrower and of little, if any, depth. When the stones were in position, one was revolved to the right and the other to the left, thus crushing the corn or other grain led between them. The ignorance of the people in those times regarding the most elementary laws of physics is indicated by the fact that their object in cutting these furrows was to provide a way of escape for the corn or meal. In actual practice, however, the furrows became solidly packed with the grist, and the miller was robbed of a very large portion of what would have been the grinding surface of his buhrs. Some of the "old-timers" are to be found who still contend that the theory was right, though no furrows are to be found on modern mill-stones. Such mills as these were also used at a later time for grinding flaxseed in the manufacture of oil.

The sawmills bore no resemblance to those of the present time. They were known as "upand-down" mills. A long saw-blade, looking something like the large cross-cut saws now used for cutting logs and heavy timber by hand, was fastened in an upright position, the lower end of the saw being attached to the side of a wheel, which when it revolved, gaTe the saw an up-and-down motion. On each side of the saw were placed upright stanchions, made of flat boards, perhaps six inches in width. These were pushed against the sides of the log and held in place by wedges, the object being to steady the log in its position on the carriage. The log-carriage was propelled toward the saw by power, but it had to be returned to the starting point by hand. The boards were sawed only to within a few inches of the end of the log, and after all the cuts had been made, wedges were inserted between the boards, at the end of the cuts, and these wedges were driven down, thus splitting that part of the log remaining uncut. When the circular saw was introduced, it inspired many dark forebodings of the disasters which were sure to follow the starting of its rip-roaring racket, and that the mills were not torn to pieces and everyone connected with them killed was indeed a miracle.

While mills were started at a number of different places in the county at about the same time, there seems to be little question that the first one was built by Nathan Carpenter in

1804. This was on the Olentangy in Liberty Township. It was used at first for a sawmill, but a pair of "nigger-heads" were soon installed. We do not know just how long this mill was in commission, but we know that for several years it was the only mill in the county, and was a boon to the pioneers in furnishing them with meal and lumber.

In 1807, Richard Hoskins built the first saw mill in Scioto Township, at the mouth of Boke's Creek. He ran it for some years, but for how long is not known.

The first mill in Berlin Township was built by Nathaniel Hall in 1808. It was located on Alum Creek, near the present Delaware and Sunbury pike. Probably it was used for sawing lumber as well as for grinding grist. In 1814, Joseph Lewis built a grist-mill and sawmill near Cheshire. Philip Horshaw settled in Scioto Township in 1809 and immediately built the first grist-mill. It was located on the site of the present mill at Warrensburg. This site has, undoubtedly, the best water-power in the county, enough to develop 300 horse-power. At present, only one hundred horse power is used. The power is constant throughout the year. The mill has a capacity of fifty barrels of flour per day. and for the past five years has been operated by C. K. Cunningham, whose flour brand is "Triple Star." The mill, which is owned by Frank Van Brimmer, was remodeled and enlarged to its present size of three stories, many years ago by Fred Decker. The machinery, however, was installed at a more recent date.

Colonel Byxbe was alive to the needs of his new settlement in Delaware, and soon after coming here, he set about erecting a sawmill and a grist-mill. A wooden dam was built across the river at the site of the present dam. and Erastus Bowe constructed a race from that point parallel with the river to what is now East Central Avenue, where it emptied into the river. This race still remains, a monument to its faithful and skilful builder. The sawmill was like others of its time, and likewise the grist mill, which was located on the race, smith of the sawmill, quite near to the present fr< mt of the lot on East Central Avenue. In

1809. Gilbert Carpenter. Sr.. built a race between Big and Little Walnut Creeks, near the present village of Galena, and erected a sawmill. About 1810, Nicholas Manville built a grist-mill about half a mile southeast of the present village of Sunbury, and in 1815 he built a sawmill in connection with it. In 1818, Benjamin Carpenter, Jr., built a race between the two Walnut Creeks a little south of Gilbert Carpenter, Sr.'s race, and erected a grist-mill. This mill was in operation for many years, and was doing good service in the early 8o's.

For some years, the early settlers of Harlem Township had to go to Chillicothe for their milling. The first mill in Harlem was operated by hand, but it is not known when it was built. In 1 81 5 or 1816, a horse-power mill was started, and not long afterwards, John Budd, Sr., built the first water-power grist-mill and sawmill. It was located on Duncan Run. Benjamin M. Fairchild also built a saw mill and grist-mill on this Run, and at an early day Benajah Cook built a sawmill on the same stream. A saw mill was erected on Spencer Run at an early day by Colonel D. Keeler.

The first mills in Genoa Township were built by Jeremiah Curtis, on the Big Walnut in the northern part of the township. After running the mills a year or two, Curtis sold out to Elisha Newell. He ran the mill only a year, and in 181 6, he sold it to Hezekiah Roberts. The dam and the buildings had become undermined and unsafe, so Roberts built a race across his farm, and erected a threestory, hewn-log grist-mill, to which he transferred the running sear and "nigger-heads" of the old mill. This mill was operated until 1839, when it was destroyed by fire. The owner at that time was a man named Duncan. The mill was rebuilt, and soon after was sold to R. C. Barnum. who was succeeded in ownership by Lewis Mahany, who installed a steam power-plant. After a number of years, business began to decline and Mahany sold out to Mathias Roberts. He shipped the engine and gearing to Illinois, where he started a new mill. About 1826 or '27. Squire Sylvester Hough and Dr. Eleazar Copeland erected a grist-mill and sawmill down where Yankee

Street crosses the Big Walnut. It was not I( mg before they were joined by I. S. Carpenter. He induced them to build a brick dryhouse, and installed machinery in the mill for breaking flax, which at that time was the principal farm product.

A Tragic Occurrence

Dr. Copeland met his death in a tragic manner through his connection with this mill. We quote the following account of the sad affair : "During a continuance of low water, there had accumulated a 'great many logs about the mill. A sudden and heavy rain having raised the water in the creek, the logs were floated off, and began gbing down stream in the current. Mrs. Copeland, noticing this fact, suggested that her husband, who was an excellent swimmer, should enter the water and try to save them. The doctor leaped in, for the purpose of gaining the other side, but when in about the middle, he was seized with cramps, and after a vain effort to reach the bank, sank under the turbulent waters and was drowned. This occurred on Wednesday, and although people gathered from every direction to search for his body, it was not found until the following Sunday, and then under circumstances that were very peculiar. It was understood throughout the section that a thorough search was to be made on that day, and a great crowd had gathered for that purpose. John Roberts and his brother-in-law, Mr. Smith, had left the main party, who were exploring near where he went under, and began to search farther down stream, on the west bank. Having sat down nearly opposite the mouth of Spruce Run to take a rest, John Roberts' attention was attracted by the hum of flies, and watching them closely, he saw them go in and out of a small hole which had been made by one of the searching party in a small sand-bar. He went clown to the spot, and. after scraping away the sand, he discovered the body, face downward, completely covered

The first sawmill in Kingston Township was built in 1819 by Leonard Lott on the Little Walnut. Peter Van Sickle built a sawmill on the same stream somewhere about the year 1830. The exact date of the establishment of the first sawmill in Marlborough Township is not known, but as early as 1820, Robert Campbell, who came from Philadelphia, had one in operation. It was located on the Whetstone River, in the southeastern part of the township, and as late as 1880, was said to be the best water-power saw mill on the river. About 1820, John Xettleton set up the first sawmill in Orange Township. It was located in the southeastern part of the township. It was changed to a grist-mill about 1835. and at once achieved a reputation for the fine quality of its flour. This mill was operated for many years, during which time it passed through the hands of a number of different owners.

Joseph Cole, who settled in what is now Troy Township, built the first sawmill here in 1820. About 1823, he erected a gristmill. The first meal that was ground was used in powdering the hair of Newman Haven, the millwright. The first dam that was built was a crude affair of the type we have already deschibed. It was carried away by a freshet, and was replaced by a more substantial one. The owner of this dam had a narrow escape on one occasion, that illustrates the hazards taken by the early pioneers, while the rescue by his son shows their ability to quickly grasp a situation and to do the right thing at the right time on the spur of the moment. We quote the following narrative of the event: "It seems that the water had forced its way through a weak place in the dam. gradually increasing the crevice until it had washed out a large hole in the bottom, through which the water was pouring with great velocity. Mr. Cole, seeing the danger that threatened the rest of the dam. immediately got a corps of workmen and began repairing the break. While standing, looking down into the hole, superintending the filling, he lost his balance and fell into the boiling, foaming vortex. In an instant he was swept through the dam into the deep water beyond. Hugh Cole was engaged in hauling logs to help repair the dam, and was just returning with one when he saw his father fall into the hole. The next moment he saw him struggling in the branches of a submerged sycamore tree, which had floated over the dam a few days previous, and into which the current had carried him. He sprang to the ground, and, cutting the hame string, took one of the horses out, jumped upon his back, swam him across the river to where a "dugout" was tied, and, pushing that into the streams, paddled to where his father was, and brought him to shore. It was found upon examination that Mr. Cole's right arm was dislocated and that he was otherwise badly bruised. He told his son that in three minutes more he would have been compelled to release his hold, and in all probability, he would have been drowned. It may not be out of place to give another instance connected with this dam, that resulted more fatally to one party, at least. In 1832, Thomas Willey and Nathaniel Cozard attempted to cross the river just above the dam, in an old "dug-out." It seems that neither of the men had had much experience with that kind of a craft, and, as the river was high and the current swift, they were carried over the dam. By a strange coincidence, Hugh Cole was riding along the bank and saw the men pass over. Dashing his horse into the angry waters just below the dam, he seized Willey by the hair as he was going down the last time, and brought him safely to shore. Cozard was carried down the stream and drowned. His body was found soon after about a mile below the dam." Lyman Main built a dam and saw mill on "Horseshoe Creek," in 1832, and ran the mill for a number of years. Two years later, Timothy Main erected a saw mill on the same stream, near the line between Oxford and Troy Township. It did service for a number of years, but disappeared like the other mills of those days.

The first mill in Thompson Township was one for grinding grist, erected near the mouth of Fulton's Creek by James Cochran, about 1827. Previous to this time, milling for the settlers in this township was done at Millville, which, as distances were counted in those days, was "handy." A few years later, Roswell Field, who came into the settlement from Canada, about the same time as Cochran, built a saw mill on the same site, and rebuilt the grist mill, which by that time was showing the ravages of time. The mill now owned and operated by Bruce Charles on Fulton Creek, in Thompson township, was built in 1834 by Roswell Fields on the site where James Cochran had built a grist mill in 1827. At his death, the mill passed to Roswell Fields' son, Samuel, who sold it to Simon Charles, the father of the present owner, in 1859. The original up-and-down saw and gearing are still preserved at the mill. The sills, braces and all of the siding used in the construction of the building are of black walnut. Power is now furnished by a 25-horse-power steam engine and a 14-horse-power gasoline engine. The oldest mill building now standing is that owned by George Mulzer of Liberty Township. Mr. Mulzer says that he has records that show that this building was originally erected during the first few years of the nineteenth century by a man named Hinder. D. W. C. Lugenbeel states that one of his classmates at the Ohio Wesleyan University was Harry Lathrop, whose father began operating this mill about the time of the second war with England, and continued to do so until late in the 40's. At that time a grist mill and an up-and-down saw mill were located here. The next owner of whom we have knowledge was James Walcott, who had the property for ten years, and sold it to Murray Case, who, a few months later, transferred the mill to Herman Mulzer, the father of George Mulzer, who for many years was a partner in the business and now retains an equal interest in the property with his father's estate. The hewn timbers of the original building are still in a perfect state of preservation. Nineteen years ago a new saw mill was installed, and in 1897. a 50-horse-power engine was purchased. This power is supplemented by the natural water-powei. Flour, buckwheat flour and chop feed are still manufactured here.

The first saw mill in Thompson Township was built in 1830, by Jacob Swartz. About 1S63, Clark Decker built a saw mill in the extreme northeastern portion of the township on the Scioto River, and in 1887, H. P. Pickrell, who had run a mill at Ostrander, built a large grist mill on the site which had been occupied by Cone's woolen mill.

The first saw mill in Concord Township was built on Mill Creek by Col. Sebum Hinton, one of the first settlers. He did a large lumber business, and also rafted logs and lumber down the Scioto to Columbus, and even down to the Ohio River. He also built a grist mill. The date when this mill was erected has long been forgotten, but we know that it was enlarged in 1838, and that on account of the growth of the business, new machinery was placed in it a few years after that. He sold the mill to Jabez Cole, who sold the property a few years later to Fred Decker, who finally sold it to a man named Cruikshank and bought the mill at Millville, or Warrensburg, as the village is now called. After that it passed through the hands of several owners, one of whom, Dr. Blymer, made extensive improvements in it. At a later date it was owned by Dr. Morrison, at one time a practicing physician of Delaware. It is not known when or by whom the first saw mill was erected in Brown Township, but it was several years prior to 1830. The mill was located on Alum Creek, about three miles north of Eden, and never attained any importance. In 1830, Ezekiel Longwell built a saw mill on that stream, within the limits of the village of Eden. Later, when it was becoming somewhat dilapidated, it came into the possession of 'William K. Thrall, who repaired it and also built a grist mill to run in connection with it. The mill was operated by different owners until about twenty or twenty-five years ago, when it was destroyed by fire.

The first saw mill in Porter Township was built by Samuel Dowell, a native of Alaryland, who settled in this locality about 1830. The "County History," published in 1880, says that the mill was built on the head-waters of Sugar Creek, and passed from Dowell to his adopted son. George Deets. who ran it for many years. About 1832, Rev. Henry Davey. a "Dunkard" preacher, built a saw mill about half a mile down the stream from the Dowell mill. Another early mill was owned by George Synder and was also located on Sugar Creek. About the same time. Chamber's mills were built on the Big Walnut, about a mile and a half north of East Liberty. A mill of much more recent origin was operated by Emmett Carnes for sawing lumber and grinding feed. It is probably twenty years since this mill was abandoned. Because of the milling facilities established in the older nearby settlements, no mills were built in Oxford Township until 1832. In that year Milton Pierce and Henry Riley erected a mill where Basin Branch empties into Alum Creek. It was operated many years until it became decrepit from old age and hard usage. In 1846. Lewis Powers bought the mill from Joel Coles and rebuilt it. He ran it until about 1849, when he sold it to Rev. Benjamin Marton, a Baptist minister. He raised a good deal of flax, and so changed the mill into a flax mill. The property still remains in the Martin family, but the mill is no more, having been abandoned about twenty years ago. About the same time that Pierce and Riley built their mill, Hosea Waters started a grist mill a little farther up the stream. The "nigger-head" buhr-stones were run by horse-power. Slow as was this method of making flour, it was a great improvement over the old custom, born of necessity, of going from ten to twenty miles to mill.

The first saw- mill in Trenton Township was built in 1835, by Middleton Perfect and Hazard Adams. The same year, John Van Sickle built the first grist mill in the township. It was located on the Big Walnut, about half a mile northeast of Sanburv. E. M. Condit bought this mill from Van Sickle in 1855 and operated it until 1862, when he sold it to Jacob Boyd. What was known as the old Brailey mill was built on the creek, about half a mile below the Van Sickle mill, in 1845. This mill came into the possession of Henry Boyd, and at a later date he purchased the Van Sickle mill from his brother, Jacob Boyd, and transferred most of the machinery from it to the Brailey mill. Other early saw-mills there were, of which little is known. One of these was owned by a man named Stockwell ; another was located on Perfect's Creek and was run for a number of years by J. Condit. Alvin P. Condit had a mill on the north branch of Rattlesnake Run. At an early date a man named Crane built a saw mill on Big- Walnut at the mouth of Rattlesnake Run, just on the township line. This was operated by one, Williams for some years. The "Old Stone Mill," as it has long been known, located on the west side of the Olentangy, about a mile north of Delaware, was built by Fred Decker and H. J. L. Brown, at an early day, probably during the '30's. Many men identified with the early milling interests of the county were at one time or another owners or part owners in this mill. Among them we may name Reuben Zeigler, James Slough, Charles Wottring and Anthony Smith. The latter was the last one who operated the mill, which was abandoned perhaps thirty years ago.

About thirty-five years ago, G. W. Brown and G. W. Hughes bought what had been a carding-mill in Galena, and began the manufacture of corn-planters and hay-rakes in a small way. A few years later, James R. Smvthe bought Brown's interest, and the firm name of Hughes & Smythe was adopted, and has been retained to the present time. The factory was destroyed by fire in 1896, and was at mice replaced by a two-story frame building. The business employs about fourteen people, who annually turn out about 1,200 hay-rakes, 8.000 to 10.000 corn-planters, ami 15,000 to 20,000 animal-pokes. The firm of Wheaton X' ( 'ummings of Sunbury also manufacture from 8,000 to 10,000 pokes annually. A rake factory was started in 1853 in what is now the village of Ashley, but was operated only about a year when the property was sold to the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Chair Manufacture

co-partnership under the name of The Delaware Chair Company, for the manufacture of chairs. John G. Strain, an old chair-maker, win > had been making splint chairs and selling them from a wagon in a small way, induced these gentlemen to take up the manufacture of these chairs on a larger scale. A frame building, 28 x 60 feet, two stories high, was erected on East Winter Street. Power was taken by a wire cable from the planing-mill of Clippinger & Company, to the south, now a part of the McKenzie mill. Mr. Strain was placed in charge of the factory, and while he was not so successful as had been anticipated, he demonstrated that there was a demand for the product. Mr. R. G. Lybrand, who was engaged in the stove business at that time, gave it up in order to devote his entire time to the chair factory. The first year's business was small, but the Chicago fire, which occurred in 1 87 1, created a demand for all kinds of furniture, and these chairs rose rapidly in popular favor. The business increased so rapidly that additions to the factory were built in 1872. '?$ and '74, giving the Company a building finally that was 74 x 100 feet and three stories high. In 1871 Mr. Clippinger sold his interest to Samuel Lybrand, and the business was continued as a co-partnership until 1885, when it was incorporated by R. G. Lybrand. T. E. Powell, A. Lybrand, Jr.. and Samuel Lybrand. The capital stock is $150,- 000. The present officers of the company are: R. G. Lybrand president and treasurer; A. Lybrand, vice-president and secretary. In 1880, they moved the business to the buildings that had been erected and used by the Delaware Manufacturing Company on Flax Street. The property now comprises eight acres of land and six or seven substantial stone and brick buildings. The company manufactures all kinds of chairs. They were pioneers in the manufacture of the double-cane seat, and all this class of work has come to be known in the trade as the "Delaware chair." The product of this factory is shipped all over the country. About 125 people are employed in this factory, to say nothing of the large number who cane chairs at their homes.

Axd Representative Citizens Lumber Axd Furniture

The McKenzie Lumber Company. This company's plant is located on the site of an old ashery. Here John A. Clippinger and George \Y. Perry built a three-story brick mill in [866, the first two stories of which were used for a planing-mill. They manufactured all kinds of interior finish, including doors, sash and blinds. Later Mr. Clippinger became sole proprietor, and after a time failed in business. The mill then remained idle for some time. In the spring of 1896 McKenzie & Thompson came to Delaware and bought the old Clippinger mill. At first they employed about thirty people. In 1902 Mr. Thompson retired, and F. E. McKenzie and P. H. Said became members of the firm, the name of which became The McKenzie Lumber Company. They have five mills : One at Delaware, where they employ about forty-five people; one at Norton, where they employ about twenty people. This was established in 1899. The company also has a portable mill at Sunbury. The other mills are outside of Delaware County. Altogether, about one hundred people are employed by this company. Their plant in Delaware is on a lot including about five acres. The teaming and logging workrequires sixty head of horses. About thirtysix carloads of sucker-rods are manufactured each year. A large business is also done in buggy and wagon stock. From 4,000.000 to 5,000.000 feet of lumber is manufactured annually, and this is shipped all oves the United States and to foreign countries.

In 1900 C. C. Dunlap started a steam sawmill on land leased from the Hocking Valley Railroad. A building 75 x 125 feet was erected. In 1903, a planing-mill was also established. About 300,000 feet of hardwood lumber are sawed and manufactured annually, including a large quantity of wagon stock, which is marketed principally in South Bend, Indiana. About 300 carloads of softwood lumber is handled annually, the business being conducted on both a wholesale and retail basis.

The firm of Clark & Battenfield was established January 1. 1904. Their business, h ever, is one that dates its beginning back at least thirty-five years, when Frank C. Gerhart started in the lumber business at the railroad crossing on South Sandusky Street. During all these years a planing-mill has been run as a part of the business. The manufacture of cement building blocks was begun here in the spring of 1903. All kinds of building material and supplies and coal are handled by this firm.

Jeffrey Brothers saw- and planing-mill at Ashley. This mill was established about i860 by Lewis Powers. Sometime in the early '80's Mr. Powers took his son into partnership. Evidently the business was not successful, because in August, 1906, it was sold at sheriff's sale to A. L., O. S., M.. and I. B. Jeffrey, who with their father, composed the firm of F. M. Jeffrey & Sons. The saw-mill building is 22 x 86 feet and the planing-mill is 40 x 50 feet. Each mill has its own engine and boiler. They manufacture about 500,000 feet of hardwood lumber annually, and they also do a retail business in softwood lumber and interii >r finish amounting to $10,000 to $15,000 annually. They also have a well-equipped machine-shop, in which they do all kinds of machine repairing.

J. T. Erwin established a saw-mill at Sunbury in 1898. He handles about a hundred carload of hardwood lumber each year. He manufactures hardwood frames for buildings and wagon stock, and also exports a large amount of white oak in large dimensions. At times as many as twelve men are employed here.

The Ashley Lodge and Church Furniture Company. This business was established by W. W. Stratton, in 1869, to manufacture a line of furniture such as the name of the company implies. Until 1900, he sold direct to lodges and other organizations. In 1900 the policy of selling only at wholesale was adopted. In 1905 the business was incorporated under its present title. C. S. Aldrich is president, Edward Keltner is treasurer and W. W.

Stratton is secretary and manager. The present building', which was originally an opera house, has been occupied for nearly thirty years. The company numbers among its customers every regalia house in the United States. Some of the outfits which it manufactures for lodges sell for as much as $1,500. The business totals from $15,000 to $20,000 a year and furnishes employment to about twenty men.

About 1903 Messrs. Keys & Worboys of New York City established a plant in Delaware for the manufacture of barrel hoops and staves. This business was purchased on December 1, 1906, by J. K. Wylie, who has doubled the capacity of the plant. About thirty men are employed, and about 30.000 hoops and 36,000 staves are turned out daily, the product being shipped to cooperages all over the country.

The Union Handle Manufactory, at Ashley, was established in the spring of 1905, by Harry D. Hale. He makes all kinds of fork, hoe. rake, shovel and "D" handles ; also runs a saw-mill, and ships about a hundred carloads of lumber a year. He ships about a carload of wagon stock each week. The main building is 200x46 feet, and in the spring of 1908, an addition 36x50 feet in dimensions was erected and equipped with special machinery for the manufacture of "D" handles. The power is furnished by one 60 H. P. and one 50 H. P. engine and one 70 H. P. and one 80 H. P. boiler. About thirty-five men are employed in the mill and a like number in logging.

Flour Mills

Flour-mill at Sunbury. The history of this mill dates back to about 1842, when Samuel Peck and T. P. Meyers built a sawmill half a mile due east from Sunbury. This was sold to James Bailey in 1848. He added a grist-mill, and in course of time sold the property to John and Henry Boyd. In 1872 they sold the mill to G. J. Burrer, one of the present owners. Three years later Mr. Burrer moved the mill to his present location in Sunbury. The mill was remodelled in 1882 and new machinery was installed. About that time improvements in milling machinery were being invented at a rapid rate, and so in 1887, the mill was again remodelled. Six years later, his present elevator, having a capacity of 16,000 bushels, was erected. In 1907 Mr. Burrer's son, Parker, was admitted to partnedship, the firm name of G. J. Burrer & Son being adopted. Their brand of flour is "White Loaf," and the present capacity of the mill is eighty barrels per day, in addition to the meal and other feed which they grind. Power is furnished by an 80 H. P. Cooper engine.

The flour-mill at Ashley was established in 1875. when the Ashley Milling Company was formed by M. B. Shoemaker, Dell Coomer and Joseph Cole, whose firm name was Shoemaker, Cole & Company. They erected the present mill building, in which they installed old-fashioned buhrs. It had a capacity of fifty barrels a day, and their brand of Hour, "Diamond Wedding," was widely known and used for many years. It has always been a steam mill, the power being supplied by a 65 H. P. slide-valve engine. The mill was purchased by J. B. Miller & Company in the late '70*s, and in 1882, they remodelled it, installing modern flour-making machinery and increasing the capacity of the mill to 100 barrels. They sold out to O. Jones, John Doty and Frank Miller about 1886 or '87. After being owned by several other parties, the mill came into the possession of the present owners, L. E. Shoemaker and W. M. Shoemaker, who have adopted the firm name of the Shoemaker Milling Company. "Mother's Choice" is the brand of flour now made, and besides having a large sale in all the surrounding towns, an average of 650 barrels a month is shipped to Columbus.

The Powell Milling Company was organized in August, 1907, by Frederick H. Jaycox, H. E. Sharp and Dr. Charles F. Talley. They installed a Miller 40 H. P. gasoline engine, which consumes only three gallons of gasoline per day. "Straight Grade" is the brand manufactured, the capacity of the mill being forty barrels per day. Everything in the line of feed is also ground. As the machinery which was installed in this mill was brought from an old mill on the Scioto l\i\er. it may be well to state here such facts as we have been able to obtain concerning that site, which is in Concord Township, about two miles below Bellepoint and a mile north of the Girls' Industrial Home. So far as we know, the first mill here was built by a man named Fredericks. It was burned in 1809, and at that time was owned by Lee Went. In 1876, David W'illey and Thomas Slough built a mill at this point. W'illey sold out to his partner after two years. After some time, the mill passed into the hands of James Slough. About 1880 his estate sold it to Daniel Stokes. About 1889 he sold the mill to Erastus Stone, who sold it about 1893 to John Jaycox. From him the property passed to his son, Frederick H. Jaycox. He put in a steam plant, which he later replaced with a gasoline engine. As above noted, Mr. Jaycox dismantled the mill and removed the machinery to Powell, in October. 1907, so the old Magnolia mill, as it was called by W'illey & Slough, has doubtless seen its last days of service.

What is now commonly spoken of as Snyder's mill, which is located at 69 East Central Avenue. Delaware, will soon be torn di wn and even the building will be a thing of the past. In 1846 Fred Decker started a flour mill here, the building having been previously used as a woolen-mill by Col. Benjamin F. Allen. Later the mill was purchased by Charles W'ottring, Frank Miller and J. H. Pumphrey. The mill changed hands frequently. Charles W'ottring being identified with it most of the time until about 1880, when E. Snyder purchased Wrottring's interest. Up to that time the capacity of the mill had been fifty barrels. Snyder remodelled the mill, increasing its capacity to two hundred barrels per clay. Later his sons Edward. Arthur and Peter ran the mill under the firm name of Snyder Brothers, Edward Snyder eventually becoming the sole proprietor. In 1880, the elevator was built and other improvements made at an outlay of something like S.10.000. On April jo, 1906. the property was sold to the

The Electric Roller Milling Company of Delaware was established in 1904 by Kaiser & Gwynn. At that time a 25-barrel mill was built, the dimensions of the building: beine 90 x 40 feet. Mr. Kaiser retired from the firm in 1905, and a corporation having the present title was formed. The following gentlemen comprised the Board of Directors and held the official positions indicated : E. F. Gwynn. president; T. J. Griffin, treasurer; J. G. Rosenthal, secretary ; John F. Gaynor. The same year the capacity of the mill was increased to 100 barrels, and the elevator capacity was increased to 20,000 bushels. The principal brands of flour made are. Pride of Delaware, Acme, Electric and Silver Dust. This is the only flour-mill now in the city. The company also does a large business in grain, feed, salt and coal.

There are men yet living who can remember when it was thought necessary to serve Heritor at a church "raising." and it was the usual thing for a man who made whiskey to contribute as many gallons as he could afford to the salary of the minister. It was also customary for merchants to keep whiskey and glasses where they were freely accessible to their customers, on the theory that a liberal use of this lubricant facilitated trade. While the early settlers brought their taste for liquor with them, it was not so much the demand for whiskey as it was the market which its manufacture made for corn that led to the establishment of numerous stills at such an early date. The first still in Berkshire Township was operated by Nicholas Manville in connection with his grist-mill, which was located near the present town of Sunbury. This liecame the property of Major Strong about [817. He ran it until 1825. when he sold the still to Eleazar Gaylord. When the business was it its height, it was carried on in a twostory stone building. Here a large part of the surplus corn raised by the settlers was converted into whiskey. In those days there were no revenue officials to bother distillers, who had a home market for their product, thus eliminating the expense of transportation and a selling force. The result was that pure whiskey was sold for twenty cents a gallon. While the whiskey of those days was the "straight goods," and the use of prune juice, etc.. in connection therewith had not been dis covered, its intoxicating qualities were not in any way diminished, and there were those who made intemperate use of the beverage, to their own shame and the disgust of the community. The hoys had a method of punishment which, while it afforded them amusement, gave some expression to the sentiment of orderly citizens and at the same time taught the offender to indulge his tastes in the seclusion of some private retreat. When a man was discovered in a state of helpless inebriation, each arm and leg would be seized by a boy, and laying their victim face downward on a barrel, the boys would roll him until his disordered stomach was relieved of its contents and the man was in some measure sobered up. It was seldom that more than one or two applications of this remedy were necessary to accomplish the desired result. A story is told of one inveterate individual in Sunbury, who was familiarly known as "Uncle Tommy," which we will quote. He "seemed to defy the correctional force of the old method, and a more stringent method had to he adopted. He was seized one time, thrust into hogshead, and rolled some fifty yards into the creek. The treatment was severe, but the cure was radical for the time." Colonel Byxbe had a still in the cellar of his grist-mill on what is now East Central Avenue. Here his customers were wont to regale themselves with sundry strong potations while waiting to be seiwed by the other department of the establishment. Another still which is often referred to in the records of those early days was built by Dr. Reuben Lamb on Delaware Run, nearly opposite the spot where the Edwards gymnasium now stands. For several years Rutherford Hayes (the father of President Hayes) who came to Delaware in 1817, was a partner with the

His grist-mill at what is now Warrensburg proving unprofitable, Philip Horshaw. in 1815, began the manufacture of liquor in a small still-house near his mill. He continued in this business until 1822, when he sold out to Thomas Jones. He remained in the business a number of years and then sold out to Joseph Dunlap, who operated the still until 1S36, when the entire business died out. David Bush built a small distiller}' in Troy Township at an early day, but it never amounted to much.

Two distilleries were set no in Berlin Ti iwnship at an early date by Nathaniel Hall. In 1816 Isaac and Chester Lewis built a still near Cheshire. Armstrong & Frost carried on the business. These resorts did not last long, for it seems, the drinking habit was not so general here as elsewhere. Jeremiah Curtis, who was the first settler in what is now Genoa Township, had a still in connection with his saw and grist mills.

In 1826 C. P. Elsbre and a man named Trip formed a partnership and began the manufacture of liquor in the southwestern part of Orange Township. They located their still near a spring in the woods, but the water being so strongly impregnated with iron as to lie unsuited to their purpose, they changed their location to ,t point on the Whetstone. Here they manufactured about two barrels of whiskey a day for over a year. Air. Elsbre then sold his interest to a man named Thomas, and about six months later the business was discontinued.

It is said that near the close of the war Walter Bump ran a "moonshine" distillery in a quiet way in Kingston Township, hut the Government officials soon put an end to his operations.

Leather

The early pioneers had not been here long before there was a strong demand for leather, hut those who established tan-yards found it difficult to supply this material because of the scarcity of hides. At first, nothing larger titan wqodchuck skins and an occasional deerskin could be had. There was no market for cattle, and the settlers, therefore, had only as many as were needed for the working of their farms Later the hogs which had been turned loose in the woods and had bred prolifically were a source of supply. After running wild for six or seven years they had hides of remarkable thickness, and these, when tanned, supplied a coarse tough leather which was used in making harness and horse-collars. Later a murraine got among the cattle, large numbers of which died, thus furnishing for a time a good supply of leather, but at a serious loss.

The first tannery in the town of Delaware was started by Capt. Joab Norton in 1809, in a two-story building which he had purchased or erected in the fall of the previous year. It was built into the side of the hill just north of where the Edwards gymnasium stands. The ravine south of this hill has been filled up, but at that time, only the top story of the building showed above the hill on its southern face. The lower story of the house was used for the works, the vats being located just north of the building. A free-flowing spring a little east of the building and well up on the hillside supplied the family and the tannery with water. Here he also made boots. Norton became afflicted with the ague, and in 1S10. he sold the property to a man named Koester. The latter was a carpenter, and purchased the tannery as a speculation. In 1813 he persuaded Norton to return and work it for him, but the Captain was here only a few months when he died. The old building soon fell into disuse, and for years stood in a rickety, tumble-down condition, with its leaky roof of 1' ose warped-up shingles, its windows stuffed with old hats and rags, the doors with broken hinges and latches, slamming with every gust of wind, and bearing all the other marks of an abandoned, tottering old tenement. This old building stood for thirty or forty years unused, and needed but little more than these signs of decay to get it a reputation of being haunted. Later a man named Hull had a tanyard at this location, which he operated until sometime in the '60's. when he sold the property to Ohio Wesleyan University. George Storm, who came to Delaware in 1809. worked in the old Norton tannery for a while, and then started in business for himself on the easl side of Sandusky Street, about a square north of the present Court House. He continued in business here for many years, supplying the country for miles around with leather. At an early day Tom Wasson established a tannery on Washington Street, just north of Delaware Run. Robert O. Brown bought him nut and ran the business until 1855, when he abandoned it and divided the property into town lots. John Lee had a tan-yard on the north side of Central Avenue, just west of Franklin Street. This property passed into Robert O. Brown's hands about 1852, and he closed it up.

The first tannery in Berlin Township was built by Wilbur Caswell in 1817. It was located on Alum Creek flats in Cheshire for a number of years, and was then moved on the hill, where the business was continued until [858. As early as 1816, William Myers sank vats and began the manufacture of leather a half a mile southeast of Sunbury, across the creek from the saw and grist mill. Three years later, a man named Whitehead started a tannery at Galena, and did 2 thriving business. The enterprise was carried on by different owners until 1873, when the business was discontinued.

The Dunhams had a tannery on the Berkshire Road at an early date. A tannery was started in Oxford Township in 1824 by George Claypool, just south of Windsor Corners. It was owned at a later date by Jonas Foust. and still later by James J. Sherwood. In 1845. Israel Waters started the first tannery in Thompson Township. It was located near the site later occupied by Pickering's mills. The first tan-yard in Trenton Township was operated at an early date by Silas Ogden. but no definite knowledge of it has been preserved.

Textile Products

industries was not even dreamed of, and even if factories had been established, wherein were made all the articles of apparel that constitute the clothing of a family, the expense of getting the goods to the consumer would have placed them beyond his reach. The same conditions placed the markets for his products beyond the reach of the farmer, and so it was that each pioneer family was reduced to the elemental state of providing for its own necessities with its own labor and materials produced at home. Every farmer raised flax, and this with wool from his sheep constituted the supply of raw materials. The operations of carding, spinning, weaving, fulling, etc., were all performed at home, and as with quilting, and corn-husking, wherever possible, "bees" were held in order to combine pleasure with the work, the opportunities for social intercourse in those days being few indeed. And so it was that when a family had twenty-five or thirty yards of cloth, to full, a company of a dozen or fifteen of the young men of the neighborhood would gather. Taking off boots and st> ickings, they would seat themselves in a circle, just far enough apart that their feet would meet near the center. The goods to be fulled were piled into this ring, hot water and soft soap were poured on, and the goods were fulled by the men kicking the pile towards the opposite side of the circle, all hands kicking in unison, is it were. An endless rope, held tightly by all, kept them from falling off their seats. Of course, it would not be long before the suds upon the floor would be knee deep, and then some mischievous chap would accidentally kick his neighbor's seat from under him, sending the, unfortunate victim into the suds which were splashed to the ceiling. On these occasions pumpkin pie and cider were served as refreshments. Later, it was discovered that goods could be fulled equally well by placing them in a tub or barrel with soap and warm writer and pounding the mass with a heavy wooden pestle attached to the end of a stick, a method which was also used in washing clothes before the days of washboards. After a time fulling-mills were built, provided with apparatus for carding and spinning. The motive power was a tread-wheel worked by oxen, and is described as follows : "The wheel was laid flat upon its hub, the axle being inclined a little from perpendicular so as to afford an inclined surface on the wheel. In place of spokes, the upper surface of the wheel formed an inclined platform provided with cleats, upon which the oxen traveled. The upper end of the axle was provided with a spurwheel, which, acting upon gearing on a horizontal shafting, communicated the motion to the machinery of the mill." One such old mill is now used by Charles Wheaton of Sunbury as a stable. It was built early in the last century by B. H. Taylor and B. Chase and did service for many years.

In 1818, E. Barrett & Company started a woolen-mill, just north of where Colonel Byxbe had his saw and grist mills. This old woolen-mill is known to the present generation as the Snyder & Star flour-mill. A large two-story brick building was erected near the mill, in which to board the hands. This building, the roof of which has been lowered thirteen feet, is now owned and occupied by the Delaware Ice and Coal Company. It was generally understood that L. H. Cowles was Barrett's partner, and the prime mover in the enterprise. Titus King afterward took Cowles's place in the firm, the name of which became Barrett & King. In 1827 the property and business were sold to Colonel Benjamin F. Allen, who. two years later, introduced a carpet-loom. He wove one piece of carpet that attracted considerable attention. During this time, his mill was rented for a period by J. W. Cone, who had learned the trade there. In the latter part of 1829, John Moses and Seth H. Allen purchased the mill. These men were not more successful in the business than the others, and the mill finally lay idle for a long time until it was turned into a grist-mill. In 1829 Colonel Meeker added machinery for carding and fulling to the equipment of his flour-mill at Stratford. Gunn & Pickett operated a woolen-mill for some years in Liberty Township, about two miles below Stratford. The property was bought by James Hinkle, and he continued it until the business went down. In 1844 J- W. Cone established a woolen-mill in Thompson Township, which for thirty years was the pride of this section. The mill was run by water-power until [868, when steam-power was introduced. In 1874 sparks from the chimney set fire to the mill, and it was destroyed. Luther Cone, a brother of J. W. Cue, built a woolen-mill in Marlborough Township about 1846. This mill was operated successfully for a number of years, and was then purchased and remodelled into a grist-mill by a man named Kline. In 1869 the firm of Page & Stevenson started a woolen-mill in the third story of the Clippinger planing-mill. A little later, W. K. Algire purchased Page's interest, and the firm name became Algire & Stevenson. In August, 1873, a stock company with a capital of $30,000 was incorporated under the name of The Delaware Woolen Company. The following men were directors and officers: Chauncy Bradley, president; Charles Arthur, Dr. J. H. White, J. G. Grove. H. F. Brown and John Wolfley. A. B. Stevenson was superintendent. They built a brick building 40 x 90 feet, on Union Street, besides a boiler and engine-room and a dyen k >in. It was well equipped with textile machinery, and the company started in the manufacture of flannels and blankets. Later a line of cashmeres was added. The industry furnished employment to about twenty-five people, but was never much of a success from a financial standpoint. About 1877 or 'j8, the company failed, and was sold at auction by the sheriff for $13,840. The following gentlemen, all of whom had been connected with the company, were the purchasers: Charles Arthur, who became president of the company ; ]< ihn Wolfley, Charles Steinbeck. ]. Hyatt, J. G. Gn.ve.' Dr. J. H. White, H. F. Brown. They ran the mill until some time late in the "8o's. when, the business proving unprofitable, it was closed up. - After that several different manufacturing enterprises were carried on in the building for short periods of time, and it was also used for a skating rink. Finally, in 1893. the building and lot were sold to Delaware County for use as an armory.

In [855 James M. Hawes and D. S. Brigham, who came from the East, saw an oppor tunity to make profitable use of the large quantities of flax straw produced here, bin which there was no market. They interested Judge T. W. Powell in the venture, and a two-story factory, 40x50 feet was built and equipped with machinery for preparing the straw for market. It was found that the heavy freight expense absorbed all the profit, so in 1857, the firm installed machinery for the manufacture of cotton baling. At the end of the first year, Mr. Hawes became the sole proprietor of the business, and at a -great expense re-equipped the factory for the manufacture of twines, burlaps, woolsacks and seamless grain-bags. In the meanwhile a company with a capital stock of $150,000 was incorporated under the name of the Delaware Manufacturing Company, of which W. W. Scarborough was president, Geoge F. Pierce, secretary, and James M. Hawes, agent. A large mill, two stories high, with an attic. 50 x 100 feet in dimensions, was erected, and a 125-horsepower engine installed. At the close of the Civil War. the machinery was changed for the manufacture of bagging and cotton baling, and a warehouse 40 x 100 feet was added. The volume of business which was developed may be imagined from the fact that in 1870, 182 persons were employed, the pay-roll amounting to $4,000 a month. The company went under in the panic of 1873, and the property is nowused by The Delaware Chair Company.

The Delaware Underwear Company was established in the fall of 1902 by Messrs. E. D. Egerton and W. A. Morrison, and is the only enterprise of the kind in the county. In July, 1903. the business was incorporated with a capital stock of $50,000. The present officers and directors of the company are : W. A. Morrison, president: F. M. Bauereis. vicepresident: J. L. Anderson, secretary and treasurer: John A. Shoemaker and Robert Sellers. The latter gentleman manages the factory at Galion. Muslin underwear was at first the product, but during the last three years, the company has manufactured ladies' skirts and flannelette underwear, the latter at a branch establishment at Galion. Ohio, in the summer of 1907. During the busy season about one hundred hands are employed in the Delaware fact' ry, and five traveling men are kept busy disposing of the product, which goes all 1 iver the country.

Paper Mills

Some time in the earlv '30's, Caleb Howard, an enterprising, speculative sort of man, conceived the idea of establishing a paper-mill at what is now Stratford, and succeeded in interesting Judge Hosea Williams, a safe, cautious business man. in the project. In the spring of 1838, the old flouring-mill with the mill privileges and property were bought, the old dam replaced by a fine stone structure, and a paper-mill put in operation October 1, 1839. John Hoyt was the first superintendent, and gave the classic name of Stratford to the place. On October 30. 1840, a fire originating among the old rags by spontaneous combustion, did considerable damage to the interior of the building. In three months it was repaired and improved, and in the fall of 1844 Howard sold his interest to Hiram G. Andrews. In 1849 the old flouring-mill was fitted up for the manufacture of wrapping paper, and turned out about half a ton a day, employing some ten hands. On February 2~. 1X57. the entire mills were burned, entailing a loss of $25,000. with an insurance of not over $10,000. In November of [857, a stone building, two stories high, about 50 x 80 feet, with several additions, was built at a cost of some 830,000. By tin's time the mill was recognized a-- the must important paper-mill west of the Alleghany Mountains. At the time of the lire in 1840. the firm had accounts to the amount of $10,-

1 if the paper market, they were compelled to ask to have rescinded. In 1871 J. H. Mendenhall became a partner: later Mr. Andrews retired. In 1K77. C. Hills, V. T. Hills, F. A. Hills and F. P. Hills, organized the Hills Paper Company and operated the mill for five years. F. P. Hills had charge of the business ; Frank Hills had charge of the manufacturing department. In 1872 they sold the business and property to Edsall & Mills, who operated it for a number of years. The property was finally sold to the C. D. & M. Railway, who converted the building into a power-house.

Oil Enterprises

In former times, when tlax was an important crop, a valuable part of it was lost because the farmer had no facilities for extracting the oil from the seeds which this plant produces in abundance. In 1835 Abel Moore began the manufacture of oil. At first the process was crude indeed. A large log with a hole mortised in it was set upright, and in this, bags containing the ground seed were placed. Wedges were driven in at the sides of the sacks, and in this way a pressure was maintained until a large part of the oil was extracted. A few years later, Robert Cunningham purchased the business and introduced a compound-lever press. Soon after that, in order to increase his capital, he gave C. F. Bradley an interest in the business in return for the use of certain sums of money. In a short time Mr. Bradley purchased his partner's interest, associating Edward Pratt with himself in the business. About a year later. Alexander Kilbourn bought Pratt's interest, and the business was removed from Franklin Street to Central Avenue, east of the river, where a hydraulic press and other waterpower machinery were used in equipping the mill. In tlie winter of 1846. the dam washed out. and because of the uncertain power which the river afforded, they changed their location and steam-power was introduced. The business was enlarged and William Davis, Alexander Kilbourn and |. A. Burnham became members of the firm, which was known as Kilbourn, Davis & Company. A foundry was added to the business in 1847. Several changes were made in the firm within a few years, resulting finally in simply replacing Mr. Davis with John J. Burnham. Their building was burned in 1850, but was immediately replaced. In 1855 Mr. Kilbourn died and .Messrs. Finch and Lamb were taken into the firm. In this year the business was divided, the oil enterprise being sold to Manley D. Covell and Edward Pratt, who removed the business to where the present stone structure stands. It changed hands several times until [862, when it was purchased by J. A. Barnes. He built a sti >ne mill, three stories high. The first-story walls are three feet thick, the second two and onehalf feet and the third two feet. This is now ' ccupied as a creamery by \Y. Z. Evans, at the northwest corner of Lake and Winter Streets. Barnes continued in business until the growing of flax in this part of the a >untry was abandoned.

Foundries, Etc

When Kilbourn, Davis &- Company started a foundry as above mentioned, they fitted up the building at the corner of Spring and Sandusky Streets. For the first year or two stoves were the only product: but Mr. J. A. Burnham being a practical machinist, the firm decided, in 1850, to engage in the manufacture of. steam-engines. The first of these was made fur Elijah Main's saw-mill. They also made the engine used by J. A. Barnes in his stone oil-mill. The business increased so rapidly that by 1854 they erected the large stone building east of the river and beyond the railroad tin William Street. In i860 the property was purchased by J. C. Evans and Eugene Powell, but the following year Powell sold out to his partner and entered the army. For ten years a large business was carried on. As many as thirteen hundred plows were turned out here in a single year, besides engines and other machinery. A revolving scraper, the invention of die proprietor of the machine shops, was manufactured quite extensively, as many as a hundred a week being made. In 1873 ule pn pert)' was sold to Smith. Wason & Carpenter, car-builders of Cleveland and Chatta- 11 " ga, lint on account of the panic, the plant was closed up a year later, there being insufficient business to keep it running.

Numerous other manufacturing enterprises have come upon the scene and passed eft", either because of mismanagement or for other reasons. Among these we may mention a company that was formed to manufacture wagons. For many years John McElroy had been manufacturing wagons in a small way, which, because of first-class materials and superior workmanship, gained a big reputation. Seeking to capitalize this reputation, a company was formed, but in their eagerness for large and quick profits, lumber of inferior quality and not properly seasoned and cheap labor were employed, with the result that sometime early in the '8o's. the enterprise failed, after having sunk, it is said. $60,000. Halleck's Glove Factory was another venture that was started with great prospects about 1901, but went under after sinking thousands of dollars.

The Delaware Fence Company was organized in 1868 by A. J. Richards, the inventor of a fence, who secured for his partner in the enterprise, Eugene Powell. In 1879 Cyrus Falconer succeeded to Richard's interest in the business, and in the winter of that year, the company secured control of Fritchy's patent shifting-rail for buggies, J. F. Munz's patent wrought-iron sulky for plowing, cultivating and harrowing, and an improved patent harrow designed by the same inventor. These articles were all Delaware inventions, and the future looked bright to those who had embarked in the venture, but by 1883 the company had gotten into debt to the extent of $8,000. and for want of proper management, it was decided, in 1884, to wind up its affairs.

The Cook Motor Company is the outgrowth of a repair shop which was started in 1895 by Messrs. C. E. and F. E. Cook, and located on the east side of Union Street, between William and Winter Streets. They soon began experimenting on motors, and in 1 901. the present company was incorporated under the laws of Ohio. The capital stock is $50,000. and the following gentlemen were the incorporators: W. C. Denison, J. F. Denison, L. L. Denison. C. E. Cook and F. E. Cook. When the present company was organized it was the intention to manufacture automobiles.

but the increasing demand for stationary engines led to a change in their plans. In 1903 they abandoned the idea of building automobiles, after having manufactured a sample machine for the Columbus Buggy Company. In the meantime, however, the company had been experimenting with the stationary engine designed by the Cooks. Up to that time, nn data was available that showed the proper principles on which to base the construction of gasoline engines. Some of the more important features which were developed were the connecting-rod. cushion-valve, enclosed case and jump spark. In 1905, their engine having reached such a degree of pertection as to be considered thoroughly reliable and practical, an additional $20,000 of treasury stock was sold. At that time C. C. Stedman became secretary and general manager. The business has grown from an output of from three to five horse-power per month to an average of 225 horse-power per month. The plant is now located in a new brick building, 80 x 200 feet in dimensions, which stands on a six-acre tract of land a short distance southwest of the Hocking Valley Station. The plant is equipped with the most modern machinery, and employment is given to a force of about twenty-eight men. The engines manufactured here go to all parts of the world, and are sold for every purpose where power is required. The present officers and directors of the company are: W. C. Denison, president; H. \V. Jewell, vice-president ; L. L. Denison, treasurere; C. C. Stedman, secretary and general manager.

Hay-Bailers

The Square Deal Manufacturing Company was incorporated in February, 1908. for the manufacture of power hay-presses. The style of press to be manufactured was designed and invented by Luther Trebue. and embodies desirable features not to be found in any other hay-press. They are now erecting a fact' iry on North Union Street, 52 x 90 feet in dimensions. This will lie equipped with modern machinery. The Company has a paid-in capital of $25,000, all of which was furnished by Delaware citizens. The officers of the company are: H. F. Owen, president: Joseph J. Neville, vice-president; Ashton Conklin, secretary and treasurer ; Luther Trebue, general manager and superintendent.

The Sunray Stove Company was incorporated January 1. 1908, by the following gentlemen, who now hold the office indicated after their names: S. S. Blair, president; B. W. Hough, vice-president; M. C. Russell, secretary and treasurer; O. D. Hunt, manager; O. G. Knoske. The capital stock of the company is $15,000. The company manufactures gas ranges, heaters and furnaces. At present fifteen people are employed, but the success of the enterprise during the few months since it was started, indicates that in the near future it will require thirty people to make and handle a large enough product to meet the demand. The territory in Ohio is covered by two travelling salesmen, and outside of the State the product is handled by jobbers.

Artificial Ice

The Delaware Ice and Coal Company was incorporated in 1898. It handled natural ice until the summer of 1907. In April of that year, a brick dwelling, formerly the old woolen mill boarding-house, near the Armory on North Union Street, was purchased and remodelled. An ice plant with a capacity of eighteen tons daily was installed. Twelve men find empli iyment in the manufacture and delivery of ice. The following gentlemen were the incorporators, and now hold the offices indicated : Willard Galleher, president; L. K. Galleber, vicepresident and secretary; F. P. Hills, treasurer; B. F. Freshwater and R. E. Hills.

Light, Heat Axd Power

.Martin Miller. The first officers elected were: C. B. Paul, president; J. ( i. Rosenthal, secretary: M. Miller, treasurer. That same year a brick power-plant was erected just east of where the Big Four railroad crosses Smith Sandusky Street. Since then an addition has been built, making the present dimensions of the plant about 140 by 80 feet. The present equipment comprises horizontal reciprocating engines of a total horse-power of 800, and a battery of seven boilers with a total of 1,100 horse-power, and eight dynamos. In 1900 a heating plant was installed to serve the citizens of Delaware with hot-water heat. The same j ear a franchise for the use of the streets was secured. The company now has about two miles of underground mains, and supplies heat to about 185 customers, some of whom are located a mile from the plant. The present officers and directors of the company are: Dr. A. J. Lyon, president; Adolph Frank, vicepresident; Martin Miller, treasurer; E. F. Gwynn, manager; J. G. Rosenthal.

Brooms have been manufactured in this county for many years, mostly by blind men, as at present. S. J. Wottring of Delaware, who has been blind for about twenty years, started to make brooms in 1898, and worked along for about a year and a half. Since then he has had help, some of the time two men besides himself finding employment in his factory. At present he is making, with the aid of W. Harris Siegfried, another blind man. fifteen dozen brooms a week. The product is marketed in Delaware and surrounding towns. Other makers of brooms in the county at the present time are James Kline, a blind man. residing west of Ashley, near Water Hill, and R. M. Perfect, a blind man, who lives a mile and a half east of Sunbury. I. M. Freese of Concord Township is also engaged in this industry.

Evaporated Goods

in the county. It was established by the present owner, Griffith G. Benedict, in [876. ginning in a small way with a home-made dryer, by 1888 his business had increased to such an extent as to warrant the erection oi 1 special building, which he equipped with the mi 1st modern machinery. He now evaporates from 25,000 to 50,000 pounds of sweet coin, and as high as 2,000 bushels of apples during the short season when the work can be carried on, which is seldom more than two months.

Clay Products

The Delaware Clay Manufacturing Company. In 1878 Wesley Denison and his son, L. L. Denison, formed a partnership under the firm name of Denison & Son, and erected what is known as a summer factory, i. e., a factor} where tile is dried in the air. This was located in the northwestern part of the city of Delaware, on the line of the Hocking Valley railroad. Here they made small drain tile up t' > and including six inches in diameter, which was sold to the farmers throughout the county. At the end of three years they increased their capacity so as to make tile up to and including eight-inch. In 1884 W. C. Denison and his brother L. L. Denison formed a partnership and started a new factory at Mt. Gilead, Ohio, under the firm name of Denison Brothers, leaving their father to run the Delaware plant. The Mt. Gilead plant was equipped so as to use artificial means of drying the tile. thus making it possible to operate all the year round. Here they made tile up to and including the 12-inch size, and gradually increased the capacity until they were making the 18-inch size. In 1890 all of the Denison interests were consolidated, another brother. J. F. Denison, entering into the business, and a new plant was built in Delaware. The old plant at Delaware was abandoned, and the Mt. Gilead plant was sold. The new plant was built at the old wagon-works on East William Street, which were purchased by the new company. The first year the business was carried on under the name of Denison Brothers, hut in 1892 a corporation was formed under the name of The Delaware Clay Manufacturing Company. They began with twelve kilns, and made drain tile up to and including the 24-mcn size. At the time of incorporating, the company branched into a line of the business known as fire-proofing, and made about fifty tons of that per day for the next ten years, all the time carrying on the manufacture of drain tile. During the time thev were making the fireproofing, the company kept in close touch with architects, and by them were asked to make a standard-size brick weighing only three pounds, the loss in weight being accomplished by having two holes running through the brick. These were known as hollow brick. At first only a few were made to accommodate certain architects, but their utility was quickly appreciated, and gained in popularity so rapidly that thev were soon in use in over a dozen states. By 1901 the business had outgrown the capacity of the plant, and the compam purchased more clay land and built a new plant about one-half a mile farther southeast in Delaware township. This plant was especially adapted to the manufacture of these hollow brick, it being their expectation to continue the manufacture of drain tile and fireproofing at the old plant on East William Street. Just about the time the new plant was read)' for operation, a trust was formed for the manufacture of fire-proofing material, known as The National Fire-Proofing Company. The East William Street plant, including the fireproofing interests, were sold to this new compam-. and in order to take care of their drain tile business, the Denisons erected an additional plant in connection with their new brick plant. Since that time they have run continuously, making an average of 1,500 carloads of hollow brick and dram tile per year. They have a tract of eighty acres and furnish employment to about seventy-five men. At the time of the incorporation, L. L. Denison was elected president of the company, Wesley Denison became vice-president and W. C. Denison and J. F. Denison were directors. About three years later another brother, L. B. Denison. became interested in the business in a financial way. but has never given it his personal attention. He made the fifth director, and no change was made in the organization until the father, Wesley Denison, died, when his place was taken cm the board by Mrs. L. L. Denison. Mrs. Denison was succeeded by her son, Charles W... when he became of age.

By 1904 the business had grown to such an extent that it became necessary to increase the capacity of the plant. The Denisons incorporated another company under the title of The Ohio Clay Company, having the same directors and officials as the Delaware Company, and purchased a plant in Cleveland which was in process of construction. After completing the plant, they operated it in the manufacture of hollow brick exclusively. Mr. W. C. Denison moved to Cleveland when that plant was opened, and has had charge of the plant there ever since.

W. A. Fleming & Son operate a tile mill in Oxford Township. We have been unable to learn who established this mill. It was owned at one time by John Hunt, who sold it to Samuel Prince. He was here about seven years when he sold the property to G. J. Hull. Potter Brothers & Fleming purchased the mill from him in September. 1904. Up to this time the mill was operated by horse-power, but the new firm installed a steam-engine and presses and a new kiln, which has a capacity of about $125 worth of tile at a burning. About twenty kilns are burned annually.

George Standforth started a tile factory in Berlin Township over a quarter of a century ago. [t passed through the hands of different owners until October 25, 1899. when W. Z. Evans purchased the property from O. E. Foster. Mr. Evans has not operated the mill since 1906, but up to and including that year he kept about half a dozen men at work there. The Delaware Department of the National Fircproofing Company occupies the old Denison plant mi East William Street, which they purchased in the spring of 1902. They keep about fifty men employed there, and manufacture about 1,500 tons of terra cotta fireproofing a month, besides a large amount of drain tile.

In 1888 George T. Wolfley and his son H. W. Wolfley formed a partnership under die firm name of Wolfley & Sun, and erected a tile factory in Radnor, a short distance east of the railroad. Thomas W. Disbennett purchased the Wolfley Tile Mill in 1904, and has developed a large business. His plant is equipped for the manufacture of all kinds of drain tile from three tu eighteen inches in diameter.

Benton Brothers Tile Factor}', Scioto Township, near Ostrander, was established here in 1895, in which year Mr. Benton also established a saw-mill. The business was started on the home farm in the fall of [884 by 1. R. Benton, but it was moved to its persent location in the year above named. Here he not only has excellent shipping facilities over the Big Four Railroad, but he has a very superior grade of clay, which enables him to make a drain-tile especially adapted to the requirements of the railroads, which consume all he can produce. At present about 25,000 rods of tile are made annually.

The Galena Clay Products Company was incorporated in the spring of 1907. by the following gentlemen, who hold the offices indicated: W. C. Roberts, president; J. J. Adams, vice-president ; James Rose, secretary ; E. B. Cole, manager ; E. C. Bennett. They manufacture tile, having one kiln with a capacity of about $200 worth of tile at a burning. They have about four acres of clay land and employ from six to eight people.

The manufacture of cigars in Delaware is an industry that has developed to some importance. In the early '50's. Charles Wottring began the manufacture of cigars in a small way, and continued until just after the Civil War. So far as we have been able to learn. he was the pioneer cigar-make-- in this county.

Riddle. Graff & Company. This is the oldest firm of cigar manufacturers in the count v. Mr. Christian Riddle learned his trade with Charles Wottring, and in [866, he formed a partnership with John Liebienderfer and

Jacob Bolinger, under the firm name of Liebienderfer, Bolinger & Company. This firm purchased Charles Wottring's business. The following year Mr. Riddle withdrew from the firm. The business was continued with various changes in the personnel of the firm until sometime in the early '8o's, when it was assigned to Charles Wottring, who closed it out. In 1867. when Christian Riddle withdrew from the firm just mentioned, he started in the manufacture of cigars, doing a small wholesale and retail business. The first thousand cigars he shipped out of the city went to a man in Galion, Ohio, who never paid for them. In the early '70's George L. Graff became a partner, and the firm name of Riddle & Graff was adopted. LeRoy W. Battenfield became a partner in 1K74. and the firm name was changed to Riddle, Graff & Company. Mr. Graff retired from the firm in the early '90's. Their present three-story factory at No. 10 North Sandusky Street was erected in 1878. From 120 to 150 cigar-makers are employed in this business, to whom are paid between $35,000 and $40,000 annually in wages. From six to eight millions of cigars are made annually. This means the consumption of about $75,000 worth of tobacco leaf, and the payment of from $17,000 to $18,000 in revenue tax. Five travelling salesmen are employed in marketing this product, which is sold principally in Ohio, Indiana, part of Michi- * gan, Illinois and western New York, as well as in a few towns in Pennsylvania. The expense for outgoing prepaid express charges is about $2,500 annually.

J. Hessnauer & Company. In 1880 Frederick Pfiffner and Jacob Hessnauer established a cigar factory under the name of Pfiffner & Hessnauer. The}" employed five or six people. At the end of five years. Mr. Hessnauer became sole proprietor of the business, which he carried on in his own name until 1902. when his son, Frank M. Hessnauer. became a partner, and the firm name of J. Hessnauer & Company was adopted. Their principal brand is a five-cent cigar called the "Commercial;" they also make a high-grade ten-cent cigar called "Lynette." About twenty-five people

The Delaware Co-Operative Cigar Company, which is no longer in existence, did quite an extensive business in its palmy days. The company was incorporated in July, 1884, and the following gentlemen were its first officers : Charles Smith, president; Henry Bayerlein, vice-president ; Charles Pfister, secretary and nanager ; P. Pfister. treasurer. At one time the business gave employment to about a dozen cigarmakers.

Grasser & Haas. In 1886 John P. Grasser became a stockholder in the Delaware Co- Operative Cigar Company, and continued in its employ until 1893, when he formed a partnership with A. Dauernheim, under the firm name of Dauernheim & Grasser which purchased the business. This partnership continued until 1896, when Mr. Grasser purchased his partner's interest, and ran the business alone until a year later. Then W. E. Haas, who is now Mayor of Delaware, became a partner, and the firm name was changed to Grasser & Haas. About 400.000 cigars are manufactured annually, giving employment to eight or nine people including the members of the firm. Their leading brands of fivecent cigars are "Henry Gray" and "The Ripper;" "Tom Watts" is the name of their tencent cigar. These cigars are sold principally in Ohio.

William Hanitsch started in 1895 to make cigars on his own account. He keeps two or three hands busy, and makes about 200,000 cigars yearly. His brands are "The Best Handmade" and "Anchor."

Wells Brothers started in the business of making cigars in July. 1904. Three people, including one member of the firm, are employed in this factory, which turns out about 100,000 cigars a year. These are sold principally in Delaware. "Standard" is their leading brand.

Charles M. Ulrey is the only cigar-box manufacturer in the county. This business was established in the early '80' s by John Bradbeer, who carried it on until 180=;, when Mr. Ulrev purchased it. About five hundred cigar boxes are made daily, giving employment to six or seven men. These boxes are marketed largely in Delaware County, although Mr. Ulrey has customers all over the State.

The Sunbury Co-Operative Creamery Company was organized during the winter of 1892, and was chartered on January 28th of that year, with a capital stock of $6,000 paid in. There were originally forty-three stockholders. The first Board of Directors was as follows : L. James Wilson, president ; Milton Utley, vice-president; John Landon, William D. Miller, James Cockrell, Roswel Edwards and E. D. Palmer. J. H. Kimball, secretary and general manager; O. H. Kimball, treasurer. In addition to those who served as officers, the following appear on the charter as incorporators: Jasper Boyd, Thomas Andrews, W. P. Roberts and Kimball Sedgwick. After sixteen years' continuous service on the part of Messrs. Wilson, Landon. Miller, Boyd and Cockrell without compensation as officers, the Board of Directors for 1908 is as follows: L. James Wilson, president: William D. Miller, vice president: John Landon, Sam L. Rosecrans. Jasper Boyd, Edwin Phillips. James Cockrell. Kimball Sedgwick, secretary and general manager; Charles O. Armstrong, treasurer. This company is one of the most successful in the State of Ohio. It was established by farmers for farmers. The company acts merely as agent. The farmer delivers the milk to the creamery, and receives the net pn iceeds of the business after deducting the actual running expenses, including a "royalty or rental" (which goes to the shareholders) of five cents per hundred pounds on all milk received. The creamery began receiving milk May 2. 1892, taking in on that day 2.298 pounds. Milk, cream and all the products of the same, or of which these are an ingredient, and their by-products are handled and manufactured. The reputation of the creamery, however, has been established on the merit of its butter. From a small beginning, the terri- tory from which the company draws its raw material lias spread over the entire eastern half of Delaware County and into Morrow. Licking and Franklin Counties. From a total of $8,965.3) in 1892, the business has grown to $223,549.01 in 1907. and there is every prospect that it will reach the quarter million mark in 1908. The company has continually expended its surplus capital in extension and improvements, and today possesses one of the finest brick buildings in Delaware County. equipped with the most modern machinery and every facility for handling its materials and pn ducts in the most sanitary manner.

The Delaware Creamery Company at the northwest corner of Lake and Winter Streets. \\ is established in 1901 by W. Z. Evans. Butter and condensed milk are the products manufactured, this being the only condensing plant in the county. A business amounting to $75,- coo was done in 1907. giving employment to from twelve to fifteen people.

The Ashley Co-Operative Creamery Company was incorporated in May, 1892. Benjamin Stitler was president and Chesley Wornstaff was treasurer of the company. The farmers could not be interested sufficiently to furnish milk enough to carry on the business profitably, so in October. 1895, the enterprise was abandoned.

Lime And Stone

The Scioto Lime and Stone Company is one of the flourishing and growing industries of Delaware County. The plant is located in Scioto Township on the east side of the river near the northern boundary of Concord Township. A spur runs from the plant to the Big Four Railroad. The company has the only hydrating lime machine in this part of the State. It has a capacity of 1.000 barrels of lime per day. and employs forty to fifty men in the busy season. Besides doing a large local business, the company ships extensively to eastern and southern states. H. E. Kendrick is the manager of the plant, having his office on North Sanduskv Street. Delaware.

The White Sulphur Stone Company of Scioto Township was established m [904 by Oliver Perry Bird and James Richey, under the firm name of Bird & Richey. At first they operated two stone quarries in Concord Township, but in 1906, Mr. Christian was admitted to the firm, and at that time they acquired eight acres of quarry land where they are nowlocated a little west of White Sulphur station on the Big Four Railroad. They employ abou twenty-five men, and do a large business in crushed stone, and also have contracts for tilling about twenty miles of count}- turnpikes.

In Berkshire, Trenton, Harlem and Genoa Townships are to be found quarries of fine building stone, those of Berkshire and Trenton being of superior quality. On account of the poor facilities for shipping, these quarries have never been worked extensively. The first quarry in Trenton Township was opened at an early day by a Mr. Allison. Upwards oi thirty years ago a large quarry was opened on the Landon farm on Big Walnut Creek. Williams & Knox opened another large quarry years ago. Many others were opened in different parts of the township, but largely for the personal use of the proprietors. The Sunbury Stone Company was incorporated in n>oj by Columbus capitalists, although some citizens of Sunbury have stock in the enterprise. They are working what is known as the Bunyan quarry, adjoining the Landon quarries.

Frank L. Campbell has a 12-acre blue limestone quarry on West William Street. This was opened originally by William Little, whose name figures prominently in the early history of Delaware. From him the quarry passed to George W. Campbell. After running the quarry for a long time, he sold to George Little, a son of William Little, and from him it passed to Frank Little Campbell, who is a grandson of the original proprietor, in 18c A Mi-. Campbell employs about thirty-five men, and gets out about a thousand carloads of building stone annually, and as a by-product, between 600 and 700 carloads of crushed st"iu* per year. The fine quality of this stone is indicated by the fact that Mr. Campbell saws it

Wain Hazeltnn has about two and onehalf acres of land situated in Delaware northwest of the Hocking Valley station. Here he has operated a stone quarry for about thirteen years. During the busy season he employs from forty to ioo men in his business. He contracts for turnpikes and city streets, and so far as is known, the first complaint has yet to be made regarding the quality of his work.