Summit County, Ohio - Chapter 9: Manufactures, 1908

Chapter 9: Manufactures

The County's Chief Manufacturing Establishments of the Past and of the Present - Clay Products - Cereal Mills - Agricultural Implements - The Rubber Industry - Printing and Publishing, Etc.

As premised in the introduction of this history, Akron's great distinction lies in its pre-eminence as a city of manufactures. Long before the traveler reaches the city he finds its position marked on the horizon by a cloud of smoke by day and a blaze of light by night. The smoke which hovers about the city is inseparable from any place doing manufacturing on a large scale, and, therefore, this is one of the discomforts which is borne by Akron's citizens with equanimity. The smoke means turning wheels, prosperity, and an inflow of golden wealth to enrich capitalist and workingman alike. This golden shower makes possible also the extensive mercantile life of the city. Great department stores, some of them as large as any in the State of Ohio, have been attracted here by the great demand for commoditi&s, which they supply in all the various lines of retail trade. Akron has stores which would be a credit to any city in the land. They are founded on a substantial basis and their success has been uniform.

The year 1907 has marked the highest point in the commercial life of the city awell as in the manufactories. The importance of Akron as a center of manufacturing makes it necessary to devote an entire chapter to a statement of its resources in that respect, and to present an historical outline of its industrial development. The earliest manufacturing in Akron was conducted in

Middlebury, and was of a kind which was common to all pioneer settlements. The first requisite of such a settlement was a saw-mill and grist-mill and some sort of a smithy. In Middlebury these were operated by the extensive water-power which the Cuyahoga River affords at that place. The first industry of this kind was a grist-mill built in 1808 by Aaron Nori;on. This occupied the ground on Case Avenue, where the Akron Sewer Pipe Company now stands. Ten years after, Bagley's Woolen Mills was built in the same vicinity on the river bank. In 1817 the Cuyahoga Blast Furnace was erected by Aaron Norton and William Laird on the present site of the Great Western Cereal Company's mills. This furnace was established for the purpose of smelts ing the iron ore which was found in this vicinity. This ore consisted principally of bog iron, and the industry became unprofitable upon the introduction of the rich ore from the Lake Superior region, and for that reason was discontinued. About 1825 the furnace property was purchased of Ralph Plum, the then owner, by Dr. Eliakim Crosby, who commenced the manufacturing of plows, hoes and other agricultural implements. In 1827 the furnace property was sold to Arnold, Daniel and Isaac Stewart. Dr. Crosby then built a large grist-mill farther east on the Cuj^ahoga River, which he operated for a year or two, and then sold to Increase Sumner.

Clay Products

The clay deposits in the neighborhood soon attracted the attention of early settlers. The potter's clay found in this vicinity is unsurpassed in quality and has made Akron's stoneware famous throughout the length and breadth of the land. Before long Akron's sewer-pipe was the standard for the world. Both the stoneware and the sewer-pipe industry were established about the same time. The pioneer worker in both of these fields was Edwin H. Merrill, assisted by his brother, Calvin J. Merrill. He commenced, in 1847, the manufacture of stone bottles, jugs, smoking pipes and various other articlas of stoneware on Bank Street, in the village of Middlebury. Enoch Rowley was a contemporary of these men and conducted a successful enterprise in clay working for many years in the same vicinity.

In 1849 Hill, Fo.ster & Co. commenced making sewer-pipe. The firm consisted of David E. Hill, Robert Foster and Reuben McMillen. In 1851 the Merrill Brothers and Hezekiah Camp purchased the inter&st of Robert Foster, and the company changed its name to Hill, Merrill and Company. Both Messrs. Hill and Merrill devoted themselves to perfecting the process of manufacture and invented many new methods. In 1855 this company became Merrill, Powers & Company, composed of Eldwin H. Merrill, Calvin J. Merrill, Frank Adams and Henry G. Powers. In 1858 the Merrills withdrew. Mr. Hill re-entered the business and the firm name was changed to Hill, Powers & Company. In 1859 Hill and Adams bought out the other parties and continued the business until 1868, when the Hill and Adams Sewer Pipe Company was formed. This company consisted of David E. Hill, David L. King, Ozias Barber, Lorenzo Aiistin and Frank Adams. At this time there was only one other factory of this kind in the United States. In 1871 the company was reorganized as the Akron Sewer Pipe Company, with a capital of $175,000. Mr. Frank Adams was president and David L. King secretary and treasurer of the company. In 1873

David E. Hill founded the Hill Sewer Pipe Company, with a capital of $80,000. In 1872 the Buckeye Sewer Pipe Company, with a capital of $100,000, was organized by Joseph A. Baldwin. In 1879 Robinson Brothers and Company, with a capital of $300,000, was organized for the purpose of operating a sewerpipe factory at the Old Forge. This company was formed by Henry Robinson and Thomas Robinson. It was a nucleus for the gi'eat Robinson Clay Product Company of the present time. In 1889 the Summit Sewer Pipe Company was incorporated, with a capital of $100,- 000. It comimenced the manufacture of sewer-pipe on Miller Avenue in South Akron. Joseph A. Baldwin was its president and George T. Whitmore was its general manager. In 1850 Enoch Rowley, Edward Baker and Herbert Baker commenced the manufacture of yellowware in Middlebury. About 1852 Thomas Johnson associated himself with the.-e men. In 1857 Johnson Whitmore and Company was organized, Mr. Richard AVhitmore and the Robinson Brothers having succeeded Mr. Rowley. In 1862 the firm changed to Whitmore, Robinsons and Company, wliich continued until September, 1887, when The Whitmore, Robinson and Company was incorporated, with a capital stock of $200,000. The bu.siness was continued under this name until 1902, when the Robinson Clay Product Company was incorporated under the laws of the State of Maine, with a capital of $2,000,- 000. In 1861 Edwin H. Merrill and his son, H. E. Merrill, established the Akron pottery on the corner of South Main and State Streets. In 1880 Fred W. Butler became interested with them. In 1887 these three men formed the corporation known as the E. H. Merrill Company, with a capital stock of $50,- 000. The company continued until they merged with The Robinson Clay Product Company in 1902. Other stoneware companies which have done a successful business in Akron are the Ohio Stoneware Company (G. A. Parker, president; F. S. Stelker, secretary; E. H. Gibbs, treasurer, 227-250 Front Street), The United States Stoneware Company, F. W. Rockwell and Company, The Akron Stoneo

And Representatia'E Citizens

In 1875 Joseph C. Ewart commenced in the southern part of the city the manufacture of vitrified roofing-tile. In 1902 this company was incorporated under the name of the Akron Roofing Tile Company, S. A. White, president; Charles E. Rowland, secretary and treasurer and general manager; W. B. Collins,- assistant secretary.

There have been a number of successful brick manufactories in the city, among which are the Diamond Fire Brick Works, established in 1866 by J. Park Alexander. The business is still carried on at the corner of Canal and Cherry Streets in this city. The Akron Fire Brick Company was established in 1873 by Byron A. Allison and Delos Hart. Since 1877 Mr. Allison continued the business alone until the incorporation of the company in 1882, with .a capital stock of $50,000.

Cereal Mills

Reference has been made to the small gristmills which were operated in the county in the eai-ly days. These were, of course, of a very limited capacity and were destined merely to meet the needs of the farmers in the surrounding territory. They brought their grain to these primitive mills and sometimes waited until it was being ground to flour. On account of lack of transportation facilities, little or no attempt was made to find a market for dealer.* extending outside the county. In 1832, just after the canal was opened from Cleveland to Portsmouth, milling on a large scale was begun. The first of these large mills was the Old Stone Mill, which was built in 1832 by Dr. Eliakim Cro.sby, and tho.se interested with him in his canal projects. This was budlt to use the waters of the race from the Old Forge through the center of Main Street to Lock Five. In 1838 the Et/na Mills, located on the canal, just north of West Market Street, was built by Samuel A. Wheeler and John B. Mitchell. A year later, Joseph A. Beebe and William E. Wright built the Center Mills, ako located on the canal at

Cherry Street. In 1840 the Cascade Mills at the terminus of the races on North Howard Street, were built by AVilliam Mitchell. A year or two after, George W. McNeil built the City Mill on West Market Street between Canal Street and the canal. George Ayliffe about the same time commenced the manufacture of cereal goods on South Main Street. He sold out to Carter and Steward, who continued the business of making oatmeal until their mills were destroyed by fire in 1881. In 1856 Albert Allen established the Allen Mill on Canal Street, ju.st south of Cherry Street.

In 1851 Ferdinand Schumacher came to Akron from Germany. He was born in Celle, Hanover, March, 30, 1822, and came to the United States in 1850. He worked one year on a farm near Cleveland and in 1851 opened up a fancy goods store in the Hall block on the corner of Market and Howard Streets. His partner in this was Theodore Weibezahn. Their store was a very small one and fronted on West Market Street. It did not offer the inducement for advancement that Mr. Schumacher desired and, accordingly, in August, 1852, he started a small grocery store in the room now occupied by the Dollar Savings Bank. His business growing rapidly, he imoved to a larger stand across the street, next to the Empire House. In 1859 he commenced making oatmeal on a very small scale in a frame building on Howard Street. Loyal to his native country, he named it the German Mill. Oatmeal was a new thing in this locality and its sale was at first very slow. The early deliveries were ^made in a hand-cart, and a humbler l>eginning could not have been

Mr. Schumacher in a few years added the making of pearl barley to his line. In 1863 he built the first of his mills on South Summit Street, between Mill and Quarry. In 1872 a new German Mill was built there. In 1879 a large grain elevator was built by Mr. Schumacher. Then came the Big Jumbo mill, an eight-.story structure, devoted entirely to the making of cereals. Then a fine, stone office building, co.sting $80,000, was built on the corner of Mill and Broadway. Mr. Schu- macher was now the foremost miller in the world. The company, of which he was the founder and head, had reached the climax of prosperity, when, on the night of March 6, 1886, the entire plant was destroyed by fire, entailing a loss of over a million dollars to the company.

In April, 1886, just a month after the destruction of the big plant by fire, the Ferdinand Schumacher Milling Company was incorporated, with a capital stock of two million dollars. The Old Stone Mill, which had been operated by Cummins and Allen, was consolidated with the Schumacher interests. Mr. Ferdinand Schumacher was made president of the new company. In July, 1891, the American Cereal Company was incorporated, with a capital of $3,400,000. This was composed of all the principal oatmeal mills of the United States. It absorbed the Hower Milling Company of Akron. In 1907 the Quaker Oats Company took the place of the American Cereal Company. Just after the formation of the American Cereal Company the principal office was established in Chicago and many of Akron's best citizens were taken to that city on account of the change. The representative of the officers of the company at Akron is J. H. Andrews, the local superintendent.

In 1870 Robert Turner commenced the manufacture of oatmed on the corner of Canal and Cherry Streets. He was succeeded in 1879 and 1880 by The Hower Company, of which John H. Hower was president; Harvey Y. Hower, vice-pre.sident; M. Otiis Hower, secretary, and Charles H. Hower, treasurer. At the time of their consolidation with the American Cereal Company they were doing a very large and prosperous business.

In 1883 John F. Seiberling organized the Seiberling Milling Company, and built a sixstory brick flouring mill in east Akron, which is now the Akron plant of the Great Western Cereal Companv. It was organized with a capital of $200,000, and had a capacity of 100 barrels a day. The first officers were J. F. Seiberling, president; Lucius C. Miles, secretuTV, and Frank A. Seiberling, treasurer. In

1901 it became a part of the Great Western Cereal Company, with a capital of $3,000,000. The Allen Mills were founded about 1845 by Simon Perkins, Jedediali D. Commins, Alexander H. Commins, Jesse Allen, Hiram Allen and Jacob Allen. The mills were afterwards converted into flouring mills by the Perkins Company and afterwards the Allye and Company was formed of F. H. Allen, Victor J. Allen and William A. Palmer.

The Match Industry

At one period of its existence Akron was known as the "Match Town." This was on account of the location here of the Barber Match Company, which afterwards became the Diamond Match Company. The most primitive form of the match was the small, pine stick, coated with certain chemicals, which were lighted by dipping the chemical end in a solution of aqua-fortis. Matches afterwards were made by using a chemical com^ position, which could be ignited by means of a piece of sand-paper. Late in the thirties came the Loco-Foco match. Samuel A. Lane and James R. Miltimore were the pioneer makers of matches in Akron. These Loco-Foco matches were of pine, dipped alternately into melted brimstone and a phosphonis composition. S. A. Lane and Company began making them in 1838. They continued the business onlv about a vear, finding little profit in it.

In 1845 George Barber commenced the manufacture of matches in a small barn in Middleburv. This was the humble beginning of the great Diamond Match Company of today, with its great factories and universal business. Mr. Barber found the business profitable and made several removals, finally occupying the entire woolen factory which stood on the site of the present Goodyear Tire and Rubber Works. In 1865 the Barber Match Company was formed, with George Barber, president; 0. C. Barber, secretary and treasurer, and J. K. Robinson, general agent. In 1871 the Barber Match Company moved to South Akron to where the Diamond Rubber works is now located. In 1881 the Barber Match Company, with twenty-eight other establishments in the United States, were incorporated under the name of the Diamond Match Company, with a capital stock of $6,- 000,000. Mr. 0. C. Barber was made president of this company and John K. Robinson, treasurer. Today the Diamond Match Company is one of the great industrial corporations of the world, and the most credit for its success is due to the Akron man, Ohio Columbus Barber, who has been its president since its inception.

In 1879 the Miller Match Company was formed for the manufacture of parlor matches in the building which formerly stood just west of the old plant oif the B. F. Goodrich Company. It wa^ organized bv Harvev F. Miller and S. S. Miller. Col. A. L. Conger was its president. In 1885 it was incorporated with a capital stock of $100,000. In 1888 it was sold to the Diamond Match Company.

The Buckeye Mower and Reaper Works : In 1864 a branch of the A. Aultman Company, of Canton, w^as established in Akron and th« manufacture of inowers and reapers was commenced in the great plant along the railroad;? at the corner of Center Street. A separate company was then formed to conduct the business and was known as Aultman, Miller and Company. Lewis Miller was the general superintendent of the works from the beginning, and, under his able direction, the company grew to be one of the largest institutions of its kind in the country. Much of the Buckeye machine was the invention of Mr. Miller himself. G. "W. Crouse was president; Ira Miller, .secretary, and R. H. Wright, treasurer. The company continued to do a prosperous business until about 1902, when the organization of the International Harvester Company deprived the local company of its opportunity to compete on equal groimds. In 1905 a receiver for the company was appointed and the entire a.ssets were sold to the International Harvester Company, by order of

In 1865 John F. Seiberling organized the J. F. Seiberling Company and established the Empire Mower and Reaper Works on the railroad, near Mill Street. Mr. Seiberling had been a druggist in Akron and in 1858 had invented the Excelsior mower and reaper, with a dropper attachment. In 1861 he commenced the manufacture of them at Doylestown. In 1864 he began the manufacture in Massillon, and in 1865 brought the industry to Akron. A large business was soon e.stablished and very extensive shops were erected. In the panic of 1873 the company was unable to weather the storm and an assigne in insolvency took possession of the plant. When the Excelsior plant was sold, Mr. Seiberling purchased it and organized a new company, entitled the J. F. Seiberling Company, with himself as president; F. A. Seiberling, secretary and treasurer, and Charles W. Seiberling as superintendent. Capital stock was $160.- 000, and the plant was known as the Empire Works. The business at first was successful, and Mr. Seiberling reaped a large fortune. In the year 1900 business began to fail and ultimately an 'assignee was appointed by order of court and the business wound up. The old Empire plant was afterwards occupied by the India Rubber Company and still Later by the Fiebeger Heating Company.

The Akron Iron Company was established by Lewis Miller and other parties intere.sted in the Aultman, Miller Company in 1866. Large rolling mills were built on the railroads south of Exchange Street. Upon its reorganization in the year 1900 the company was known by the title of the Akron Iron and Steel Company, with a large part of its capital stock held in the East. Stress of competition overwhelmed it, and finally its business was wound up, and the plant sold to the railroad .companies. The old site is now a part of the Akron yards of the Erie railroad.

dent; F. M. Atterholt, vice-president, and W. C. Parsons, secretary and treasurer. A large factory was built on Chestnut Street, corner of High, and the company began the manufacture of the Selle patented platform gear for wagons. In 1906 it became the Akron- Selle Company, with M. Otis Hower as president and general manager ; H. Y. Ho\ter, vicepresident; H. A. Paul, secretary, and E. R. Held, treasurer. Under the able management of M. Otis Hower, a very large business is being built up, and there are good reasons for believing that, in a very short time, this concern will be one of the largest maufacturing institutions of the city.

The Akron Belting Company was incorporated in 1885 by George W. Crouse, Alfred M. Barber and Sumner Nash. Its first plant was on North Main Street, where the Grand Opera Hou.'^e is now located. They are making a very superior quality of leather belting of all sizes. Upon the vacation of the Allen Mills on Canal Street, this company moved into them and ha.s continued to do busines.* at that stand since. The pra'^ent officers are : A. B. Rhinehart, president; Sumner Na.sh, vicepresident; George Wince, secretary and treasurer, and Webster Thorpe, .-iuperintendent.

Miscellaneous

In 1872 Thomas Phillips and Company commenced the manufacture of paper on the Ohio Canal at West Exchange Street. Their business consisted of making paper bags, flour sacks, wrapping paper, etc., and a very large business has been built up. In 1887 The Thomas Phillips Company was incorporated with a capital stock of $150,000. G. W. Crouse was its president and Clarence Howland, secretarj^ and general manager. The present officers are F. D. Howland, president ; F. A. Seiberling. vice-president; G. D. Howland, secretary, and F. A. Howland, treasurer and general manager.

In 1885 the Akron Twine and Cordage Company was organized by the directors of the Aultman, Miller Company. G. W. Crouse was its president; Ira M. Miller, vice-president.

and R. H. Wright, secretary and treasurer. A large factory was built on Hdll Street just east of the railroads. Rope and cordage of all kinds was manufactured. .V specialty was made of binder twine. When hard times fell upon the Buckeye Mower and Reaper Works, the Twine and Cordage Company became involved in the trouble and for a long time they did not run. But at the present time they are being operated under the direction of the International Harvester Company, which purchased the assets of the Aultman, Miller Company.

In 1878 Edward George Kubler and John Martin Beck founded what has been known as the Akron Varnish Works. They are manufacturers of varnishes. Japans and other similar products. They commenced in a hu'mble way in a .small building on Bowery Street, and afterwards built a large brick factory on West State Street, where they still are engaged in the .same busin&ss. In 1882 David L. King organized the King Varnish Company, and built a large, six-story brick factory on Canal Street, just north of Market. The business unprofitable and an assignment was made. In 1889 David R. Paige bought the business, associating John H. McCrum with him. Upon the destruction of the factory by fie, the company was merged with the Kubler and Beck Company, under the name of the Akron Varnish Company. The officers are: E. G. Kubler, president : J. M. Beck, vice-president and treasurer; E. M. Beck, secretary; F. W. Whitner, assistant treasurer; F. A. Fauver, superintendent.

In 1870 John W. Baker and John C. Mc- Millen established the Baker-McMillen Company and commenced the manufacture of enameled knobs, handles, etc. In July, 1890, the Baker-McMillen Company was incorporated with a capital of $120,000, and a very large busine&s was built up. The present officers are: H. B. Sperr^^, president and treasurer; W. H. Stoner, secretary and general manager.

mill near the corner of Main and Federal Streets. Samuel G. AVilson bought him out, and a few years later established a shingle mill and lumber yard on Main Street, just south of Howard. A few years later Mr. Wilson took in Justus Rockwell and they bought out the lumber yard of W. B. Storer, which had been established on North Main Street. Mr. Samuel G. Wilson was thus the pioneer lumber dealer of Akron. In 1865 he interested himself with William B. Doyle, Samuel Farnum and John H. Dix, and they organized the firm of W. B. Doyle and Company. In 1S67 Hon. John Johnson bought the interest of Mr. AVilson. In 1873 Mr. Johnson retired and the business was conducted by the other parties, until the death of Mr. Dix in 1886, and the retirement of Mr. Farnum in 1888, when the business was carried on by Mr. Doyle. Upon his death, August 6, 1890, this pioneer company ceased to exist.

In 1845 David Miller established a na'^h, door and blind factory, which was purchased by D. G. Wilcox in 1866. In 1864 he formed a partnership with Samuel B. Weary, Jacob Snyder and Andrew Jackson, under the firm name of AVeary, Snyder and Company. In 1867 the company was incorporated and continued to do business until the destruction of the plant by fire about five years ago.

In 1863 George Thomas established the Thomas Building and Lumber Company, with works on the west side of the canal, between Bank and Cherry Streets. In 1877 David AV. Thomas succeeded to the business. In 1888 he organized the corporation with a capital stock of $100,000. The new company also took possession of the lumber business thereftofore conducted by AVilliam Buchtel.

In 1867 the business of Solon N. AVilson was established, and he is now doing a successful business in lumber and contracting. The Hankey Lumber Company was established in 1873 by Simon Hankey.

The Enterprise Manufacturing Company is one of Akron's most successful manufacturing establishments. It was founded in 1881 by Ernest F. Pflueger, and was incorporated in 1886 for the purpose of making fishing supplies, etc. It has grown from the start, until it now occupies the great factory of Ash Street. The present officers are: G. A. Pflueger, president; G. E. Pflueger, vice-president and superintendent; E. A. Pflueger, secretary and treasurer, and H. A. West, assistant secretary and treasurer.

The Western Linoleum Company was incorporated January 1, 1891, with a capital of $200,000. A. M. Cole was its first president; AA^. E. Hoover, secretary and treasurer, and Charles Templeton, general superintendent. They are now a part, of the Standard Table Oil Cloth Company. E. A. Oviatt is the local superintendent.

The Globe Sign and Poster Company began business as the Globe Sign Company, and was incorporated in 1890. John Grether, S. S. Miller, Frank Reefsnyder, AV. B. Gamble and H. G. Bender were its first organizers.

Rubber Industry

The B. F. Goodrich Con>pany. Akron is best known today as the world's center for the rubber manufacturing industry. It is the chief of all our industries. It has more capital inve,sted, more hands employed, larger factories, and a larger value of output than any other line of manufacture in the city. Most of this growth has taken place in the last twelve years; all of it .since 1870. The origin of rubber-working in Akron goes back to the advent of Dr. B. F. Goodrich in our midst. The date is 1870. He was the original rubber mam of Akron, and without him there probably would have been no rubber industry here. In 1870 Dr. B. F. Goodrich came from the East and a.ssooiated himself with Colonel George T. Perkins, George AA^. Crouse and others of this city, and started what was then known as B. F. Goodrich and Company - ^the Akron Rubber AA^orks. The business slowly grew and prospered until in 1880 a co-partnership was formed and the business incorporated under the name of The B. F. Goodrich Company, with a capitalization of $100,000. The growth of the company was continuous from that time on and the capital was in-

The product oif the company consists of a full line of soft rubber goods, such a belting, hose, packings, druggists' sundry goods, golf balls,- tennis balls, automobile and bicycle tires, carriage tires, molded goods, mats, boots and shoes. The factory buildings cover an area of sixteen and one-half acres of floor space on fifteen and one-half acres of ground, and the buildings are lighted by over 8,000 incandescent lamp.s and one hundred arc lights. The power plant has a generating capacitv of 3,500 K. W., and a boiler -capacity of 6,Cm H. P., 4,500 H. P. of -motors being used to drive the machinery throughout the plant. The company has 3,300 people in its employ.

Diamond Rubber Company. In 1898 the Diamond Rubber Company was unknown outside of a limited circle of trade. With a oapitalization of $50,000, it was manufacturing a modest line of mechanical rubber goods and tires - then, as now, in competition with concerns powerful in productive and brain capacity. And ati that time, too, the majority of competing companies were rich with the prestige which long established business relation? give. Still the Diamond Rubber Company grew.

The present canitalization of the concern is $5,000,000, but the real extent of its growth and the rapid increase of its strength are l>etter .shown by other comparisons. Two hundred and fifty was the number of the company's employes in 1898. Twenty-!?even hundred and twenty is the number in 1907, with the quota of brains per capita also increased.

Crude rubber was brought by cases of 500 pounds each by this company seven years ago. Now single purchases amount to as much as 200 tons. For four years the mill rooms of the Diamond Rubber Company have been in operation night and day the year around. Their equipment in 1898 included seven mills and two calenders. Today, with twenty-seven mills and seven calenders, it is only by keeping every wheel constantly turning that stocks can be made ready fast enough.

An engine capacity of 250 horse-power, whicli was sufficient seven years ago, has steadily increased until today the capacity is 2,050 horse-power and every ounce of pressure utilized.

If every day for ten years, Sundays included, the factories of the Diamond Rubber Company had expanded 95 square feet, the total would still fall short of equaling the extensions in new buildings and additions the company has erected within that time. And the ground area used is now eighteen acres, as compared with less than six acres in 1898.

Seven years ago the Diamond Rubber Company had no branch establishments: they were not necessary. Today the company has its own branches in twelve principal cities, with three stores in New York and two in Chicago, besides exclusive agencies in many other business centers.

Hose holds a conspicuous place in the products of the company, and is a department having .several extensive sub-divisions. Air-brake hose is the most prominent in the line of its products for the railroad trade. From a small beginning their production of air-brake hose, made to Master Car Builders' Recommended Practice, or their own, or other specifications, has grown to an average of nearly 2.000 pieces per dav, made with such care and precision that the percentage of rejected goods has cea.sed to be a factor - a remarkable achievement.

solution, in a manner distinctlj' gratifying, not only to the company, but to the trade, contributed directly to the growth of the company. And. furthermore, the mastery of the art of making steam hose was in itself the overcoming of the long-vexing car-heating hose problem as well. Both are now a notable part of their daily output, with an increase in these and allied lines, such as signal hose, corrugated tender hose, etc., steadily indicated from month to month.

Another division of the hose department which has similarly expanded is that devoted to water hose, tank hose and kindred kinds. Hose for fire protection is a subject so important that they regularly divide it into three classifications - rubber fire ho.*e, cotton jacket rubber-lined fire hose, and cotton jacket rubber-lined mill hose. There is not a day in the year - Sundays always excepted - that their own looms are not roaring with industry in the weaving of fire and mill hose jackets from their own tested yarn. Their sales of garden ho.se, by the way, where formerly measured yearly by the thousands of feet, are now computed by the millions.

Belting constitutes a large department in the Diamond factories, and in seven years the output has doubled and doubled again, one of the various additions erected within that period having been expressly to provide greater space and facilities for the belt department.

Six hand pres.ses used to keep up with the demand for moulded goods made by the company. Today ten times six and all hydraulic presses are necessary. Hard rubber has been a part of the Diamond Rubber Company's product for only a few years, but today the department would make by itself a factory of creditable size. The output Is confined largely to battery jars, sheets, rods and tubing, reinsulating tape, etc.

Tires - last, but by no means least. Diamond detachable clincher tires for automobiles are the equipment on a very large percentage of all motor cars used in this countr\'. Diamond .solid side wire motor truck tires and Diamond solid and cushion tires for lighter commercial vehicles and carriages are scarcely less well known. The annual business of this eompaey in its tire department mounts well into the millions of dollars and has made necessary the erection of one of the largest structures on earth devoted to rubber tire manufacturing.

The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. Frank A. Seiberling purchased the Woolen and Felt Company plant in June, 1898, and immediately thereafter caused to be organized The Goodvear Tire & Rubber Company, with an authorized capital of $200,000, $90,000 paid in, the officers being David E. Hill, president; George Hill, vice president: H. B. ]\Ianton, treasurer; Charles W. Seiberling. secretary; F. A. Seiberling, general manager. The above, with Byron W. Robinson and L. C. Mills constituted the first board of directors. The work of installation of machinery and equipping the plant was immediately undertaken and vigorously prosecute so that by December, 1898, the mill was put in operation. The business was a success from the start, the company readily securing sufficient orders to keep them operating to their full capacity.

The following year Mr. R. C. Pen field acquired the interests of the Hills, becoming president of the company. One hundred thousand dollars of new capital was put into the business at that time, wdiich, with a stock dividend declared out of profits, made the paid-up capital $200,000. The business steadily increased under the impiilse of additional capital, so that in 1902 the authorized capital was increased to one million dollars, $500,000 of which was paid up, partly in ca^h and partly in stock dividends.

Each year extensive additions were made to the plant until its capacity today is fully four times greater than w^hen first started, and the company is handling a business more than five times greater in volume.

Its present officers are: F. A. Seiberling, president and general manager: L. C. Miles, vice-president; George M. Stadelman, secretarv ; Charles W. Seiberling, treasurer.

portant patent litigation that affected the entire carriage tire industry of the United States. The Goodyear Company was operating under a patent owned by it for the mvanufacture of a certain type of solid carriage tire, which the owners of the Grant patent claimed was an infringement upon their rights. Up to the time that the Goodyear Company entered their field the Grant patent had had a complete monopoly of the rubber tire industry of the United States. In a bitter contest involving a large expenditure on both sides, extending over a period of two years' time, the United States Court of Appeals decided the Grant patent invalid, opening the market in this country to anyone who desired to make rubber tires of their type. As a result, twenty-five manufacturers in this country are now making the Grant type of tire, though The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company is probably making more solid rubber carriage tires than any other one concern in the United States, turning out as much as six tons per day in the height of the season.

They are also large manufacturers of pneumatic bicycle and automobile tires, and within the past two years have brought out a quick detachable tire upon their Universal rim, which promises to revolutionize the method of attaching and detaching tires in this country. As a result of their initiative, all of the leading concerns are working and are bringing out devices for accomplishing the same ends. They now employ over a million dollars of capital, and 800 men, with a volume of business approximating $3,000,000 annually.

Printing And Publishing

The Werner Company, book manufacturers, lithographerss, general printers and engravers, publishers of the new Werner edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica. Paul E. Werner started in the printing business as publisher of the Akron Germania in 1875 on the third floor of the building on Howard Street, adjoining the southeast corner of Howard and Market Streets, then owned bv E. Steinbacher.

In 1877 he removed his business to the second floor of the Kramer building, also on Howard Street. In 1879 he occupied a frame building on Howard Street, which stood where the Arcade building now stands, and added the publication of the Sunday Gazette. In 1881 he removed to the southeast corner of Howard and Mill Streets and added to his business the publication of the Daily arid Weekly Tribune. In 1883 he removed his business to a three-story frame building specially fitted up for him, which stood where the large mill of the American Cereal Company now stands on Howard Street. In 1885 James Christy erected a four-story brick bulling especially for him on Howard Street, directly south of the big mill. By that time the commercial printing part of the business had grown to larger dimensions.

Paul E. Werner realized that the field in the newspaper business in a town of the size of Akron was very limited, and disposed of his newspapers. About 100 people were employed in that building. Very soon these quarters were too small for the continually growing business. In 1887 the Werner Printing and Lithographing Company was organized, larger capital was procured, and a large tract of land, located at the corner of Perkins and Union Streets (the present location of the company's factory) was then purchased for the purpose of erecting buildings specially designed and equipped for the manufacturing of books on a large scale, and of printed, lithographed and engraved articles in general. The business continued to grow very rapidly and new buildings w^ere added every year for a number of years, until at the present time the Werner Company occupies the following buildings: Three buildings each 300 feet long, forty feet wide; three buildings each 200 feet long, fifty feet wide ; three buildings each 100 feet long, fifty feet wide; one building, seventy-five feet long, thirty feet wide; one building, eighty feet long, forty feet wide, and a number of other small buildings, all equipped with the most modem machinery required for the manufacturing of books and other printed, lithographed and en- graved products. The capital invested in and required in the conduct of the business of The Werner Company is very large and amounts to over $3,000,000.

The Werner Company is by far the largest and most complete book factory on the American continent. It comprises under one roof, so to speak, and under one management, all the graphic arts and trades.

It furnishes directly and indirectly material oneans of livelihood for four or five thousand Akron inhabitants. The great majority of the employees of the Werner Company are skilled in trades and arts and receive high compensation.

During the year 1906 the works of The Werner Company were in uninterrupted operation, and a great part of the time worked thirteen hours daily. During that year this company purchased and received raw materials and shipped finished products representing the full capacity of one thousand two hundred railroad cars. The products included more than 3,000,000 large books; more than 15,000,000 large and finely illastrated catalogues made for the largest manufacturing concerns of this country, and millions of other printed, lithographed and engraved articles.

If the books alone which were manufactured by The Werner Company last year were laid on a pile, one on the top of the other, this pile would reach ninety-.six miles into the air. If these books were laid side by side they would constitute a line 500 miles long.

The raw materials consumed during the past year comprise 3,500 different kinds. The largest consumption is in paper, cloth, leather, gold and ink. If the paper consumed during the past year were laid in sheets side by side, they would reach around the world four times. The binders' cloth consumed measured 5.000,- 000 square feet. The different kinds of leather consumed required the skins of 25,000 cattle, 30,000 sheep and 36,000 Persian and Morocco goats. Over 3,000,000 leaves of gold were consumed. While the principle product of this factory is books. The Werner Company has a world-wide reputation for furnishing fine commercial work, typographic as well as lithographic, catalogues of every description. Of this particular kind of product it makes more than any other concern in the United States.

Whitman And Barnes Manufacturing Company

The Whitman & Barnes Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of mowing and reaping machine knives, sickles, sections and parts of cutting apparatus, "Diamond" twist drills, reamers and collateral lines, wood handle and drop forged wrenches, lawn mowers, haying tools, such as hay carriers, forks, pulleys, etc., spring keys and cotters, rubber pad horse-shoes, hammers, planer knives and cutters for wood-working machinery. In 1848 the predecessors and founders of the present corporation. The Whitman & Barnes Manufacturing Company, commenced in a very small way to make knives and sickles for mowing and reaping machines. They were the first in this country to engage in the manufacture of these parts. From the small beginning in 1848 this firm has advanced and increased until now it has three factories - one at Akron, Ohio, occupied exclusively in the manufacture of Diamond twist drills and collateral lines; one at Chicago, 111., at which factory they manufacture knives and sections, wrenches, lawn mowers, hay tools, spring keys and cotters, and rubber-pad horse shoes; one at St. Catharines, Ontario, where they manufacture knives and sections, hammers, haying tools, planer knives and cutters for wood-working machinery. Their factories are equipped with the most modem machinery, and they employ a very large number of skilled mechanics, which enables them to produce goods equal to any upon the market, and at a price which allows them to compete successfully in the trade. Thedr brands are extensively known, not only in this country, but in all foreign countries, and their trademark, "Diamond W. & B.," is a trade name the world over and a guarantee of the quality of the goods manufactured.

In the past two years they have materially changed their manner and way of handling their business with the trade, abolishing their branch-house system for the purpose of allying themselves directly with the jobbing trade. This change meets with the hearty approval of the jobbere over the country, and thej' are fast associating themselves with this company in handling their large line of products.

The Akron factory is managed by George A. Barnes, who has been long associated with the company. The Chicago factorv^ is managed by AV. H. Eager. The St. Catharines factory is managed by W. W. Cox, who has been for many years an officer of the company, and who stands very high, not only in the States, but in Canada. A. D. Armitage, who also has been connected with this company for many years, is general manager of manufacture.

The officers of the company are: C. E. Sheldon, president; W. W. Cox, vice-president; Prank H. Hiscock, second vice-president; Wm. Stone, treasurer; C. E. Caskey, assistant treasiirer: James Barnes, secretary; W. H. Gifford, chairman ; Frank Hiscock, general counsel. The directors are C. E. Sheldon, George T. Perkins, George C. Kohler, C. T. Bruner, George A. Barnes, all of Akron, Ohio; Frank H. Hiscock, William Stone, W. H. Gifford, Syracuse, New York; W. W. Cox, St. Catharines.

Milton Otis Howor was born in Doylestown, Wayne County, Ohio, November 25, 1859, and i? a son of John H. and Su.san Yongker Hower. He attended school in Doylestown and was subsequently a pupil in the Akron public schools and at Buchtel College. . He began his business career as secretary of The Hower Company, proprietors of the Akron Oatmeal Mills. These mills were afterward consolidated with the American Cereal Company, of which Mr. Hower l)ecame director.

vice-president and chairman of the Executive Committee. In 1894 he removed to Chicago, where the general office of the American Cereal Company is located, but after remaining there six years, he returned to Akron, He is president of The Akron-Selle Company, The Lombard-Replogle Engineering Company, Akron Wood-Working Company, Akron Hi-Potential Porcelain Company, Sandasky Grille and Manufacturing Company, Jahant Heating Company, The Bannock Coal Company, Hower Power-Building Company; vice-president, of The Central Savings and Trust Company ; director of the Akron Home Building and Loan Association, and director of the Akron Canal and Hydraulic Company. Mr. Hower was married November 16, 1880, to Blanche Eugenia Bruot, daughter of Jamies F. and Rosalie Bruot. They have two children, Grace Susan Rosalie Hower (now Mrs. Paul E. Findlay) and John Bruot Hower. The family residence is at No. 60 Fir Street.

The Akron Provision Company, 135 South Main; incorporated, 1903; capital, $25,000. The Akron Pure Milk Company, 265 Bowery; incorporated, 1903; capital, $10,000.

The Akron Roofing Tile Company, 754 Brook; incorporated, 1902; capital, $105,000. . The Akron Rubber Company, Rubber Street; incorporated, 1890; capital,'$10,000.