Jefferson Township (part 3 of 7)

When Gen. James Hedges laid out the town, he donated two lots on the northeast and northwest corners of the plat for school purposes. JNIan}- of the old settlers are under the impression that the first schoolhouse was built on one of these lots - the one on the northeast corner. This would seem probable from the fact that the lot was donated and intended for that purpose. The house was called the '' Big Spring '' Schoolhouse, and was built in 1818, and stood where the soap factory now stands on Fourth street. There was a block-house on that same lot before the schoolhouse was built. Alexander Barr was one of the first, if not the first, teacher who occupied this house. He was the son of a Baptist minister, a ver}- efficient teacher, and taught here fifteen years. The house was a frame, al)out 20x35 feet. Mordecai Bartley writes thus concerning this schoolhouse: " As the town increased in population, public spirit and enterprise, the policy of erecting a schoolhouse was discussed, and for the purpose of having a decision, an individual visited each family in the village, and to each presented a subscription paper, thereby obtaining a promise of the payment of $200 to aid in the building of a schoolhouse. On the evening of the same dsij, a meeting of the citizens was held, and after organizing by appointing a chairman and secretary, a motion to proceed immediately in erecting a schoolhouse was carried without debate. It was then proposed b}- one that it be built of logs, by another that it be frame, by another, brick, and another, stone. Each plan had its advocates, but finally the meeting dissolved in confusion without coming to any conclusion, save that a schoolhouse be built. The subscription of $200 was placed in the hands of mechanics, who speedily erected a comfortable frame schoolhouse in the northeast part of the town, which was occupied for school purposes more than twenty years."' Some of Barrs pupils were Joseph, Robert and Harriet Cairns, John and Hugh McCluer. Rebecca, (loorge and James Coffinberr}' - the latter is now a prominent Judge in the city of Cleveland - and p]lizabeth. Susan, Jane W,, Rel^ecca D.. George ^Y.. Mar}' and Sarah L. Carothers.

Some years after the Big Spring Schoolhouse was built, another was erected on the other lot donated b}- Gen. Hedges. It was called the " Red " Schoolhouse, and occupied the lot on the corner of Fourth and Mull^erry. where F, E. Tracy now lives. This house was standing in 1840. as Mr, J, H, Cook was a teacher at that time. One of the later schoolhouses was also erected on the south end of the market-house lot, and the school there was at one time taught b}' Moses Dickey.

It was not until March. 1846. that a petition was received by the Council, asking that the town be divided into school districts. Up to this time, but one district existed. In April following, the Council ordained. -- that said corporate limits be divided into three separate districts, to be known and called Nos. 1. 2. and 3."' District No. 1 to include all that part of the town east of Walnut street and north of the public square ; Xo, 2 to embrace all south of the north line of the public square, and east of Walnut, except that the line running north and south between Second and Third streets should follow Main street instead of Walnut ; No. 3 embraced all that part of town not included in the other two,

Fi^'e Wardens were appointed by the Coinicil for each of these districts, and. as the town increased in population, other districts were added from time to time, as the necessities of the case demanded, until they numbered six. In these three original districts, the schoolhouses were. No. 1 . the Big Spring, on Fourth, where the first brick schoolhouse was afterward erected ; No, 2, the new brick on Southeast Diamond, now occupied as a normal school ; No. 3. the Red Schoolhouse, corner Fourth and Mulberr}-.

There is a gap in the history of Mansfield schools it will be hard to bridge over, in consequence of the total destruction of all the records of the Board of Education b}' fii'e, when H, C, Hedges' block was burned, about 1870 ; however, there is little valuable history of the schools before about 1855, when the present system, then, of course, in a rude state, came into existence. The following is copied from the Mansfield ffcraJJ, of January, 1857 : schools were organized under the law of 1852, immediately after its passage, A Board of Education, consisting of J. H, Cook, A. L, Grimes and I. Gass, was elected in the spring of 1855. As contracts already existed for teaching one term in the several school districts into which our city was then divided, this Board did not enter fully upon its duties until the fall of that year, at which time properly commences the graded system among us. The usual embarrassment attending the application of any new law as important as this, was felt by the Board in their early labors, which demanded the utmost discretion and skill in overcoming. We have had no access to the statistics of these schools previous to their organization under the new law. Such as we have are furnished l)y Dr, Catlin, the present Superintendent, Alexander Bartlett was appointed Principal of the High School and Superintendent ^of Instruction for the first year. He was succeeded by H. Merrel, who held the position seven months, George W, Waring succeeded I, Gass, and B, Burns succeeded A. L, Grimes, on the expiration of their terms of office. The Board, as now constituted, consists of J. H. Cook. President ; G. W. Waring and B, Burns ; the City Clerk, Alexander ]McIlvaine. acting, by virtue of his office, as Clerk of the Board.

-' Dr. Catlin has had charge of the schools as Superintendent of Instruction, since September, 1855, at whicli time the Board of Education foiuid it necessary to adopt, and publisli in pamphlet form, a system of general rules and regulations, to the wise and wholesome administration of which, the present flourishing condition of our schools is, in a great measure, attributable. Our school ^-ear, commencing on September 1. consists of forty weeks, divided into three terms, one of sixteen weeks, and the other two of twelve each. We have at present eleven schools, employing, with Superintendent, thirteen teachers. There are five primary-, four secondary, a grammar and a high school. The annual enumeration of youth, at the last census, was over one thousand five hundred, an increase of about two hundred since the present s^'stem was adopted.

'' The enrollment of pupils in our schools for the past school year was 808, and at the present time 925. We are satisfied that the course of study adopted by our Board is a most judicious one, and well calculated to discipline the mental faculties as they mature, impart a valuable fund of knowledge, and prepare our youth for the highest usefulness and happiness. We are happy to notice that moral instruction has a high position in the minds of our teachers and all our school officers. The Bible, without note or comment, but as Gods revealed will, is used in all our schools."

As the Mansfield Female College came into existence about this time, it ma}- be proper to give a brief history of tljat institution, which created expectations and hopes that have not been realized. It was projected in the spring of 1 853, and completed for the reception of pupils November 7, 1855.. It occupies a pleasant situation on West Market street ; is a suljstantial and beautiful brick edifice. 54x76 feet, and four stories high. The entire cost of the building, apparatus, library, etc.. was $22,447. It started out with a competent corps of professors, and an attendance of 113 students the first year. It struggled along for a number of years, but failed for want of pecuniary support ; being heavily burdened with a debt it was unable to liquidate. The Odd Fellows were about purchasing it in 1857, for the purpose of establishing a school for the orphans of deceased members of that society, but for soi*ne reason that project failed, and it finally passed into other hands. For many years, it has Ijeen occupied as a boardinghouse.

Following Bartlett and Merril as Superintendents, came William C. Catlin, who continued to occupy that position until 1859, when he was succeeded by J. H. Beed, who, after his retirement from this office, engaged in the retail, and afterwai'd the wholesale, book and paper trade. Henry M. Parker succeeded Mr. Beed, and continued in the office of Superintendent until 1873, when he resigned, and was succeeded by John Simpson, the present efficient officer.

As has been stated, the first Board of Education, under the present sj'stem. was elected in 1853, and consisted of A. L. Grimes, J. H. Cook and Isaac Gass. In 1854, George W. Waring succeeded Gass ; in 1856, Barnabus Burns succeeded Grimes ; in 1857, Uzziel Stevens succeeded Waring ; in 1858, Henry C. Hedges succeeded Cook ; in 1860, Joel Myers succeeded Stevens, and in 1868, A. L. Grimes succeeded Burns. The Board then consisted of H. C. Hedges, Joel Myers and A. L. Grimes, who remained in office until 1872,^ and during whose administration the four beautiful brick schoolhouses were built, one in each ward of the city. Before the erection of these buildings, there was a controversy among the citizens regarding the organization of the schools ; one party wishing to build one grand institution of learning, in a central portion of the cit}', which should accommodate all the children in the corporation ; the other desiring to erect a building in each ward. The latter finally prevailed. The former desired to purchase the female college building, for the purpose, but since the erection of the ward schoolhouses, all parties seem well satisfied. The first of these buildings was erected on Bloom street, in the Second Ward, in 1868, and was ready for the reception of pupils in Januar}-, 1869. The same year, the frame schoolhouse in Johns Addition was erected, and also the Third Ward Schoolhouse. which occupies a square, extending from Third to Fourth streets, in the easteni part of the city. These houses, together with houses in the First and Fourth Wards was agitated ; and resulted in the erection of the First Ward School building, or high school, in 1870. This beautiful edifice was opened, with appropriate ceremonies, January- 2, 1871. It occupies the lot on First street, which is on the southwest corner of the original plat of the city, and was donated by Gen. Hedges, to the Pres- ])yterians, for a graveyai'd. The total cost of this I)uilding, furniture, etc.. was $.31,297, and with few exceptions, the labor was performed the old brick on Southeast Diamond, and the brick on the corner of Mulberry and First, now owned and occupied b^- the Catholic School. constituted the schoolhouses of the city for several years - the house on the corner of ^lulberry and First being used for high-school purposes, while the primary school of the First Ward occupied the upper rooms of the market house. At this time, the number of teachers, including superintendent, was seventeen. Tt was soon found that the existing buildings were not adequate to the increasing demands upon them, and in 1 867-68 the question of new schooland materials furnished b}' mechanics and business men of the city ; the stone, with the exception of the window sills, being taken from quarries near the city. It is of brick, two stories, besides baSement and attic ; mansard roof; conveniently planned and nicely furnished, and is occupied by primary, intermediate, several grammar and a high school.

In the following year, 1871, the Fourth Ward building was erected. It was built on the same plan and of the same size as the First Ward building, costing about $100 less. Its location, in the eastern part of the city, is commanding and beautiful, seven acres of land having been purchased l)y the Board, upon which the building is located. A statement made by Henry C. Hedges, at the dedication of this building, which occurred January 15. 1872. furnishes the information that the cost of the school l)uildiugs in the four wards and that in John's Addition, was $93,450, with twenty-eight rooms. capalJe of seating 1,850 pupils at one time. The Avard buildings were all erected under the supervision of Mr. S. G. Brinley, since deceased, and have given general satisfaction.

After the completion of these buildings, changes were again made in the Board of Education, Isaac (lass succeeding Joel Myers in 1872 ; Martin B. Finfrock succeeding A. L. Grimes in 1873. In 1874, Mr. Gass was succeeded by John W. Jenner, who still retains the office. In March, 1879, the number of the members of the Boai-d was changed from three to six by a vote of the people. In April following, Abraham Small, B. Sens, M. B. Bushnell and L. F. Harrington were added to the Board. Mr. Hedges retiring, after having faithfully served the city in this capacity for twenty -one consecutive years.

The steady growth of the city is indicated in the progress of the schools, in the additional number of pupils and teachers each year, and the occasional building of a new schoolhouse. During the year 1879, a fine brick schoolhouse was erected in Newmans Addition, in the eastern part of the city, and additions have been made from time to time to some of the old houses. These houses now number six in the city, and will seat (at one time) 2,234 pupils. The actual cost of these buildings is $103,450, and the total value of school property in the city, $150,000. Number of pupils enrolled in 1878-79, was 1.777; the per cent of average dail}- attendance is. of the average monthh' enrollment. 95 ; the per cent of average daily attendance is. of the whole number enrolled. 76. Thirty-six teachers are employed - two males (including the Superintendent), and thirty-four females ; averages salaries of grade teachers is $40 per month : of high - school teachers. $78.33. Under the management of the present very efficient Superintendent, Mr. John Simpson, these schools have attained a high degree of excellence, and are not surpassed l)y any others in the State.

The Mansfield Normal College was organized September 10, 1878, by Prof. J. Fraise Bichard. at the suggestion of a few leading citizens of ^Mansfield, of whom Henry C. Hedges may be mentioned as the most active. The building, on the corner of East Diamond and Flint streets, formerl}- the Fourth Ward School building, was secured for the purpose, and exteriorly fitted up by the Board of Education. It had l)een unoccupied since the erection of the new Fourth Ward Imilding, and its windows aftbrded iuA'iting targets for the boys of the neighborhood.

From the first circular issued, the followingfacts are gleaned : -The first year contained three terms of twelve, sixteen, and twelve weeks respectively. The tuition was placed at 75 cents per week, which covered all branches studied.

3. To inspire the power of thorough, original investigation ; to develop earnest, consecutive and effective thinking ; in short, to cultivate that sort of mind-power which makes itself felt under ever}' circumstance in life.

4. To realize as fully as possible what is comprehended in the expression - a modern school, dealing with practical subjects in a practical way.

Preparatory - emljracing a searching study or review of all the common branches, including also elementary algebra, rhetoric, elocution and debating.

Scientific - a full line of mathematics, natural science, Latin language, history (both ancient and modern), English literature, evidences of Christianity, and government.

To these it is proposed to add, in the » early future, a preparatory course in law and medicine, so that young ladies and gentlemen may be prepared, in classes, to attend the regular lectures in legal and medical schools.

At this date (January, 1880), although the normal college has been in existence but little over a year, it has grown from thirty-two students at the opening, to one hundred and ten. representing nearly every part of the State.

Classes have lieen organized in arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, calculus, geography, natural philosophy, chemistry, physiology, botany, geology and zoology, English grammar, rhetoric, elocution, literature and histor}', Latin grammar and Greek, penmanship, vocal and instrumental music.

lender its present efficient management the normal college, it is hoped and believed, will be a permanent success. All it needs is encouragement and fostering care to make it one of the best of its kind in the State.

In 1818, the first paper made its appearance in Mansfield. It was called the OUn . The following extract is from a letter of 3Ir. John C. Gilkison. its editor and proprietor : - The first newspaper printed in Kichland County was established in April, 1818. * * ^ It was what is termed a mediiim sheet, and was printed on what we Avould call, at this day, worn-out type, and an old Ramage press ; the entire establishment cost about $150. * * * It was carried on al>out a year, with three hundred and fifty or four hundred subscribers. * * * At the time the Ollce was first established. Richland County contained about one thousand voters, and the number of dwelling-houses in ^lansfield was al)out seventy-five or eighty.* chiefly log cabins and small frame buildings. A considerable proportion of the support of the establishment was from Huron County, there being at that time no printing office in that count}'.' In politics, the Olive advocated Whig principles. Shortly after it started. John Fleming became a partner of Mr. Gilkison. and the publication was continued about one year, when Mr. Gilkison sold his interest to Roliert Crosthwaite. who, in a few weeks, also purchased Flemings interest, and carried on the paper ver}- irregidarly eight or ten months, when he failed : and. for a time. iMansfield was without a paper. In 1823, James Purdy arrived in the town, purchased the establishment and commenced the publication of a Whig and Masonic paper called the ^lansfield Gazette. He purchased the establishment on credit, giving his personal notes therefor, took possession and employed John C. Gilkison as printer. He soon discovered that the type was too much worn to print a readable paper, and. mounting his horse, rode to Cincinnati, purchased a new font on credit and returned with it in his sad die-bags. Thus the first really permanent

*Mr. Gilkison must have been mistaken about the number of houses. Mr. James Purdy, Mrs. Smith, Dr. Bushnell and other old residents place the number of dwellings at that time from eighteen to thirty.

newspaper establishment was started entirely on credit. Mr. Purdy's difficulties were not yet at an end. The first three years the concern did not pay expenses : the press was too small and it was found necessary to purchase a new press and renew the entire establishment. The income from his professional practice, however, enabled him to meet his notes at maturity, suslain and improve the establishment until it became self-supporting and eventually prosperous. His practice requiring his whole attention, he sold the establishment in 1832. In 1830, Josiah L. Reed established another press in Mansfield, and printed a Democratic paper, called the Wcstcni IlcraJd. which he conducted about a year or two. In 1832, T. W. Bartley, Dr. Rentzel and J. C. Clilkison formed a partnership, bought out both the Purdy and Reed offices, consolidated them and commenced the publication of the Ohio Spectator, with the understanding that it should be an impartial journal ; but, in a short time, it proved one-sided, and Mr. Gilkison withdrew from the establishment. It was soon sold to H. Leyman, and, not long after, Leyman sold to J. H. Hoffman, who, with Rentzel, conducted it to the end of the first volume (still Democratic), when they failed, and this office remained closed until 1836. Meanwhile, in 1832, John and Charles Boreland commenced the publication of the RlchJand Whig, which advocated the principles its title denotes, and was conducted by them about two years, when it failed for want of patronage.

In 1836. John Meredith and John Warnock purchased the Spectator office of Hoffman & Rentzel. and continued its publication as a Democratic journal, of super-royal size, for some two j'ears, under the title of the Ohio /Shield, when Meredith purchased \yarnock's interest, enlarged the paper to doul)le-medium size, and changed its title to that of the Shield and Banner. The publication of the paper was continued bv Meredith, and Meredith & Maxwell, until May, 1841, when it was purchased by its present editor, John Y. Glessner. Thus it will be seen that the Shield and Banner is the pioneer paper. It had a hard struggle for existence in the start, but has been published under different names sixty -two 3ears, with only an occasional break-down for the first few years. It has been published under its present name more than forty years, and by its present editor nearly forty years. In 1838, Mai'ain & Devine established a Whig paper called the Richland Jefferson icon, which they conducted one year, when they failed for want of patronage, and the establishment w^as purchased .by J. C. Grilkison & Sons. It was conducted by these gentlemen nine j^ears, with a subscription list of about eight hundred. They then sold out to M. Day, Jr.. and E. W. Smith. Messrs. Da}- & Smith changed the name of the paper to the Mansfield Herald. In 1852, Mr. Day purchased Mr. Smiths interest, and continued the publication of the 7/^'rt//(7until 1855, when it was purchased by R. Brinkerhoff. D. R. Locke (Nasby) and James G. Robinson. In 1856, Mr. Locke retired, and became proprietor of the Bucyrus Journal ; Messrs. Brinkerhoff & Robinson continuing the Hercdd, and in the fall of 1857 received M. Day. Jr.. into the firm. In the spring of 1858. Messrs. Day and Rol)inson retired, and the paper was conducted by R. Brinkerhoff alone until May. 1859, when he sold out to Dr. Myers and his brother. Lorenzo D. Myers. When Dr. Myers died, his interest passed into the hands of his Itrother. Wesley Myers. The Messrs. Myers continued its publication until October 13. 1875, when it was purchased by its present proprietors, Messrs. George U. Harn & Company.

In 1844, a Democratic campaign paper was started by Wiley & Tidball, called the Mominy Pennant; and about the same time a Whig campaign paper, called the Richland Bugle and Independent Press, was established l)v William Johnson, both of which were discontinued at the end of the first volume. In 1850. an independent Democratic paper was established l)v Joel Myers and Jacob Reisenger, which was continued through one volume, then sold to John Y. Glessner. and discontinued.

Owing to a large German element in the population of the city, which has been steadily increasing in numbers and influence, it A\as thought a paper printed in the German language would receive support, and. accordingly, October 5. 1872, the first issue of the Mansfield Courier appeared, conducted by August Selbach. It started with a subscription list of four or five hundred. In al)out a year, the firm changed to Selliach & Pfisterer. Soon aftei\ it was purchased 1)V John B. Netscher, who conducted it until January 1. 1874, when it was purchased by Messrs. Kilian & Kuebler. In six months. Mr. Kuebler withdrew, and Mr. Kilian conducted it until his death in October 1. 1875, after which it was continued by the administrator of the estate until Januar}', 1876. when it was purchased by Messrs. Kuebler & Wolf its present proprietors. It is quarto, 30x44.

In April, 1873, a paper was started called the Ohio Liberal. It was intended to represent the views of Lil)eral Republicans, in the county and State, as at that time they felt themselves subject to attack from both the old political parties, and desired some means of self-defense. A few citizens of Mansfield, therefore, subscribed the means necessary to start a weekly journal, and a company was organized and incorporated, with a capital stock of $1,000. It was under the editorial supervision of Gen. R. Bi'inkerhofT, who, during the Presidential campaign, had been Chairman of the Lil)eral Republican ExecutiAC Committee of the State. The local department was under the charge of W. S. McMillen. It had not been expected that it would be a financial success, l)ut, to the surprise.of its originators, it was self-supporting from the Ijeginning. and has prospered and steadily grown in circulation. Subsequently, a jobbing department was added, and the paper became one of the permanent institutions of the city.

It maintained an independent position in politics, until the Presidential election of 187G, when it supported the Democratic nominee for the Presidency, and has since Ijeen in accord with the Democratic party. In April. 1877, it was transferred to its present proprietors, Henry and Charles Foulk. who have sole control of its editorial and business management.

In 1859, a paper was started, called the Richhind Democrat, by L. C. Kelly and Jacob Reisinger. The latter died during the first 3ear of its existence, after which it was continued b}' Mr. Kelly until |862. when the settlement of Reisingers estate and the war, combined, caused it to suspend.

The first issue of the Snttdaij Morning Call appeared July 23. 1876. It has not changed hands since that time, and is still issued, from the southeast corner of Fourth and ]NIain streets, by A. J. Baughraan and his sister. Miss Sadie Baughman. both practical printers. Its success does not depend upon regular subscribers, but being of an aggressive and sensational nature, its weekly sales are quite large. It soon came to lie well known, and is sold liy news-dealers and news-boys, in ^lansfield and other towns within a radius of fifty miles, making it a financial success.

The Herald, under its present management. is healthy and prosperous, and is unqualifiedly Republican : indeed, all the county papers are well sustained, which speaks volumes for the intelligence of the people of the count}-. Mr. Glessner is the oldest editor in the State, in continuous service.

displayed, that the paper never missed an issue. Thi'ough the courtesy of the Messrs. Myers, of the Herald, Mr. Glessner was enabled to issue a half-sheet the same week of the fire, and to continue its publication without interruption. During the thirty -nine years of his connection with this paper, it has never missed an issue. It is the organ of the Democratic party of Richland, and the official paper of the county. 80 far as can be ascertained, the first post office was established (as has been mentioned in the general history of Mansfield) on a very large white-oak log that lay between the two block-houses on the square. Two men b}- the name of Facer and Hatfield were the earliest mail-carriers. They carried the mail from Cleveland and Sandusky City, to Mansfield, Mount Vernon and Columbus ; sometimes on horseback, but. during the war of 1812, generally on foot for greater safety : packing the mail-liags through the woods, hiding in swamps and skulking in the bushes to save their scalps and the mail from a savage foe. Henry Newman says : - We few inhabitants of Mansfield, on the day Hatfield was expected, would asseml)le together on and against a ver}- large white-oak log, that lay between the block-houses, and there await the arrival of the mail. Some one was always ready to read the news, for the mail was then and there opened on the big log." It was generally Andrew Coffinbeny, or, as he was usually called, Count Coffinberry," or sometimes -- Count Puffindorf " who would read the news from the top of the log. The settlers were anxious to hear from the war, and a newspaper, though it might be a week or two old. was quickly seized, no matter to whom it belonged, and the news read aloud to all the citizens of Mansfield. A'local post office became a necessity after a time : some place where the letters, which of course soon liegan to accumulate, could be kept in safety until called for, and where the weary and mud-spattered mail-carrier could rest and warm, before starting; asain on his lonely journe3^ That well-dressed, wigged and powdered, foppish luit smart little Winn Winship was selected as Postmaster. A description of this gentleman, and also of his house, is given in the general history of Mansfield and need not be repeated here. It is sufficient to say that he lived by himself in the only frame house in town, which he built just opposite the present site of the North American, where Purdy's Bank was for many years located. In this house, therefore, was established the first post office in Mansfield and the first in Richland County. The exact date when this post office was estal)lished and also the names and dates of appointment of all subsequent Postmasters have been obtained from the Post Office Department, through the kindness of vSecretary Sherman, and from this report it is found that Mr. \(\\\- ship received his appointment 3\\\y 1. 1811, and held the office nine years. He was succeeded. May 30, 1820, by R. McCombs, who kept a store on the southwest corner of Main and Third streets, where the Mansfield Banking Company now is.

"To Columbus, via Bellville, &c., every Mondaj', Wednesday and Friday, at 6 P. M. To Sandusky City, via Truxville, Plymouth, &c., Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, at 6 A. M. To Millersburg, via Perrysville and Loudonville, Wednesday, at 6 A. M. To Bucyrus, via Gallon, Wednesday, at 6 A. M. To Pittsburgh, via Hays' Cross Roads, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, at 6 A. M. To Delaware, via Lexington, &c., Wednesday, at 6 A. M."

Mr. McCombs held the office until January 25, 1830, when Hugh McFall was appointed, and the office removed to the McFall corner - northwest corner of Main and Third. Mr. Mc- Fall was appointed by Gen. Jackson, then President, and held the office eleven 3'ears and six months. Those were the days of stages. In the transportation of mails, one step forward had been made - instead of going afoot, or horseback, the never-to-be-foi'gotten stage-coach was in operation. Even yet, old settlers look back to the stage-eoaeh days with a sigh of regret that the}' are gone, never to return. The stage routes then were from Cleveland and Sandusky to Mansfield, Mount Vernon and Columl)us. From the east, the stage came from Pittsburgh, and for a long time the western terminus was at Mansfield, but after a time, the route was extended to Bucyrus. Hiram K. Smith, still living, was a post-office clerk under Mr. McFall. He was only a lad at that time, and relates that the Postmaster at one time sent him to Columl^us. on horseback, with a pair of saddle-bags full of silver, to be deposited in the old Franklin Bank there, to the credit of the Post Office Department, at Washington. He was a little over two days in making the journey, as the roads were very bad, and it was all the way through the woods, with only here and there a cabin. Following McFali, came Uriah Jamison, as Postmaster, July 26, 1838, and the location of the office was changed to a frame house, which occupied the present site of Johnston's drug store - first door north of the Wiler House. Jamison was succeeded by Jacob Hammer, in 1841, moving the office to a small building on the present site of H. R. Smith's Opera House. Barney McCarron was the next Postmaster after Hammer ; was appointed November 11, 1845, and removed the office to the North American corner, where he kept it a short time and then transferred it to the building where Rigbe3''s shoe store is now located. From there, it went across the street, into one of those old buildings that was recently pulled down to make room for the Iniilding of the Swigart. Jenner & Scattergood Block, and Jacob Hammer kept it. Hammer received his second appointment April 27, 1849. Jacob Reisinger followed Hammer, June 16, 1853, and kept the office in Dickson's Block. Samuel Snyder succeeded Reisinger, November 18, 1859, and kept the office in the same place. Greorge H. Kling was the next Postmaster, receiving his appointment March 28, 1861, and it was during his administration that the office was removed to its present location. This block was erected in 1863, and the office has not been moved since that time. Henry P. Davis was Kling's successor, and was appointed Postmaster by Aljraham Lincoln Sept. 28, 1864, and held the office nine 3ears. He was followed Ijy the present efficient officer, Thos.P:.Douglas,March 12. 1873. The business of the post office, at the present time, largeh' exceeds the popujar idea of it. It has grown to be a kind of banking institution of no inconsideral:)le proportions, and will, no doubt, increase in popularity from year to year, as a medium through which the Government may reach the people. It was tlu'ough the post office that Secretar}' Sherman was enabled to place a large portion of the 4 per cent loans, with little expense to the Government and great convenience to the people ; $15,000 of these bonds were sold here. Postmaster Douglas furnishes the following, relating to the business of the office during the year 1879 : Gross receipts, $20,625.70 - this being for stamps and box rent ; total number of moneyorders issued from this office. 41,965 ; the numljer issued during the 3'ear 1879 were 4,618. for which $51,253.62 was paid by the people : and during the same time the post office has paid out $62,352.67, on monev-orders : num1>er of letters registered during the year, 835 ; an average of 2,000 letters (exclusive of drops) are daily mailed at the office, and. during the year over two hundred thousand circulars were mailed at the office ; number of postal cards sold during the 3'ear, 147.837, and about the same number mailed at the office for the same time. In addition to this, the sale of stamped envelopes is large and continually increasing, the numlier sold in 1879 being 91.000. The business of the post office is looked upon as an index of the development, civilization and intelligence of a communit}'. This is certainly an encouraging exhibit.

Chapter Banks, Insurance Companies, Mills And Manufacturers

FiBST Bank - Application for a Chaktek - Patterson & Co. - Mr. Purdy's Bank - The Sturges Bank - Richland National - First National - Mansfield Banking Company - Mansfield Savings Bank - The Richland Mutual Insurance Company - The Mansfield Mutual Fire Insurance Company - The Merchants' and Manufacturers' Insurance Company - The American Mutual Accident Association - The Early Mills of Madison Township - Gilbert, Wauqh & Co. - Hicks, Brown & Co - The Aultman & Taylor Company - The Mansfield Machine Works - Cracker Bakery - Box Factory - The Western and Buckeye Suspender Companies - Trunk Factory - Mansfield Woolen Mills - Mansfield Lumber and Building Company - Paper Manufactory - Patterson, Creigh & Co. - G. W. Forney & Co. - Other Industries.

THE banking business of the city, like every other Ijusiness at the present date (January. 1880), has settled down on a solid basis, the city now containing three Ijanking institutions, all doing a safe and profitable business. The first establishment of this kind was started as early as 1816, on Main street, at the southwest corner of the square, where the old Farmers" Bank was afterward, for many 3"ears, located. John Garrison was President, and a Mr. Elliott. Cashier. A charter was applied for and a member elected to the Legislature, purposely to see that the bill for that purpose passed. The bill had passed to a third reading, when a member moved its indefinite postponement. The Richland member thinking it was on its final passage, voted aj^e, and defeated his own measure by his own vote. It was indefinitely postponed b}' a majority of one, and the bank never obtained a charter. So far as can be ascertained, this was the end of the ])anking business until 1846, when Messrs. James Patterson & Co. started on the west side of the square, about where the Farmers' Bank is now located. This was not a bank of issue, but simply a bank of deposit, and the daily accumulation of cash was taken everv evening to the vault in the store of

E. P. Sturges for safe keeping. Mr. Patterson conducted the bank several years, when he died, and it passed into the control of Conn, Sherman & Co., Messrs. Andrew Conn and C. T. Sherman having been for some years interested in it. It did business for a time on the west side of the square, and then moved to the first room south of the Wiler House, where it continued until about 1854, when Conn having moved away, it closed up its afl^airs. The first really permanent institution of this kind was started by Mr. James Purdy, in 1847. In 1846, a law creating the State Bank of Ohio was passed. Mr. Purdy was active in procuring the passage of this law, and immediately determined to take advantage of its benefits and establish a branch in Mansfield. As this was the first Imnk, a little history- of it may be interesting.

Mone}^ to establish banks could not be gathered up on the streets in those* days, l)ut Mr. Purdy succeeded in finding thirt}- men in the county who were able to pay in $30,000 in specie, Mr. Purdy agreeing to take their stock off their hands, if at aii}^ future time they should desire it. He was aided in the establishment of this bank by C Armentrout, William Granger, David Anderson and others.

Soon after he commenced operations, C. T. Sherman made an attempt hi the same direction, and also obtained the requisite amount of stock. According to law, but one branch could be established in a county. Both parties presented their claims to the Board of Control. For some reason, the Farmers' was the one accepted.

The bank was organized August 4, 1847, by the election of J. Purd}', William Granger, David Anderson. John Shauck and Messer Barker, Directors. James Purdy was elected President, and John Rhodes, cashier. The latter continued as cashier until May 6, 1850, when he resigned, and J. M. Rhodes was appointed. He resigned in 1851, and H. Coll)}' was appointed and continued until the expiration of the charter, and the bank was merged into a national bank. They obtained a circulation of $(50,000. which was more than the business of Richland Count}' then required. When gold was discovered in California, they established a bank in Sacramento, from which they obtained coin. It was shipped to New York and placed to their credit. In the general smash-up in New York in 1857, they sustained a heavy loss of deposits. In 1865, the shareholders of the old bank transferred their stock to the Farmers' National Bank, and Mr. Purdy was elected President, a position he yet retains, making him, probably, the oldest bank president in continual service in the State. The bank passed safely through the panic of 1873, though hard pressed and losing heavily In' the dishonest}' of its cashier. Mr. Purdy has been extensively engaged in other l;)anking" operations outside the city.

and E. Sturges, Sr., & Co. erected the brick block, where Bl3'myer's stove and tin store, and Scattergood's dry-goods store is, and to which the bank was moved from the McFall corner. Here the}- continued business until 1867, when they consolidated with the Richland National Bank. This latter bank was organized in 1865, with a cash capital of $100,000, which was increased to $150,000 when consolidated with E. Sturges, Sr., & Co. The officers of the institution were : A. L. Grimes, President ; D. Sturges, Vice President ; J. M. JoUy, Cashier ; R. H. Rowland, Teller. It first started in the old frame building, which was pulled down in the summer of 1879 to make room for the new block of Scattergood, Jenner & Swigart; and, in 1867, was moved into the room occupied by E. Sturges, Sr., & Co. The Richland National closed up its aflfairs, or sold out to the Farmers' National Bank. January 1, 1876.

The Mansfield Herald of May 25, 1864, announces the fact of the organization of the First National Bank of ^lansfield, with a cash capital of $100,000, with the privilege of increasing to $300,000. A meeting of the stockholders was held on the 16th of the month, and T. T. Woodruff, W. S. Hickox, B. Burns, H. C. Hedges and L. J. Tracy were elected Directors. T. T. Woodruff was made President ; L. J. Trac}', Vice President; and AY. S. Hickox. Cashier.

The history of this liank is written indelib}' in the memor}' of the majorit}' of Mansfield people. It ran along very smoothh' for nearl}' a decade ; its officers changed occasionally, but its cashier, W. S. Hickox, was always at his post, and was looked upon as a man of high character and business capacit}'. He was a leader in the Sunday school, chm'ch and society ; was trusted and respected b}' the community, and pointed out to 3'oung men as a model, and a shining example of a self-made man. Older and wiser heads may haA^e been shaken at times, at the displa}- of wealth by the cashier, yet the man continued to grow in popularity and power until the crash came on the 26th of Septenilier, 1878. Tt was the old, old story of misplaced confidence. If Mr. Hickox was not dishonest, his weakness bordered so closely upon it as to justity the community in calling him a --thief" which Avas done with considerable unanimity and earnestness.

The excitement and indignation of Mansfield people, and especially of those immediately interested in the bank, knew no bounds, and after withstanding the storm for a time the cashier fied to parts unknown, and is yet a fugitive from justice. The failure of this bank disclosed to the astonished gaze of the public, the incapacity, dishonesty and knavery of other men in the cit^-, who had Ijefore occupied high positions of trust and responsil)ility. This was the beginning of the financial panic of 1873, and although Mr. Hickox must ])e held to great responsibility in this matter, he was but the representative of an unnatural and diseased condition of society, and came to be the door. as it were, through which the public gazed upon the rottenness and corruption that for years had been gathering, and wliicli Avas no more than skin-deep. It Avas like a carl)uncle on the human Ijody. Avhich must burst and discharge its corruption, before the healing process can take place, and this I)ursting and discharge in the case of Mansfield came through the First Xati(jnal Bank, as Avas natural. It took several years for this great carbuncle to gather, burst and heal, and the process Avas very painful ; but it has l)een accomplished, leaving only a few scars.

The panic and its consequences have been briefly referred to elscAvhere. The Directors and stockholders took possession of the l)ank, appointed a receiver, and wound up its affairs as rapidly as possible. 3Iany good, honest and trustworthy- citizens Avere dragged down to ruin by the failure.

ruin, determined, if possible, to save themselves, and the next day the officers and Directors of these banks met and passed the following resolution :

Resolved, That in view of the monetary crisis, and suspension of New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Chicago, Toledo, and banks of other cities ; and also in view of the welfare of our various friends and depositors, it is hereby agreed by the undersigned national banks of this city, that we temporarily suspend currency payments, exceeding $50 on all balances."

October 28. the first official report of the condition of the First National Bank Avas published by the receiver, in which it appears that the assets were $246,767.91 ; liabilities, $398,559.48. which would indicate a loss of more than $150.- 000. The expenses of settlement and of the litigation that folloAved. probably increased this amount somcAvhat.

The ^Mansfield Banking Company opened for regular business. July 12, 1873. on the corner of Main and Third streets, where it is still in operation. The first officers were : James Dickson. President ; John S. Neal. Vice President : J. :\I. v^harp. Cashier ; E. R. Rockwell. Teller. Some changes have since l^een made in these officers.

In February. 1873. the Mansfield Savings' Bank was opened in an elegant ncAV block on the corner of 3Iain and Fourth streets, where it yet remains. Its officers were : Barnabas Burns. President ; M. D. Harter, X'm^q President ; R. Brinkerhoff. Cashier ; and 8. A. Jennings. Teller. The only change made in these officers has been the retirement of Mr. Harter, and the election of William Stevens as Vice President.

In addition to a regular banking business, this bank added a saA'ings department, and thus supplied a long-felt, but never before enjoyed want, to the people of Mansfield. The bank was organized under a general law of Ohio, passed February 26. 1873, and its stockholders comprise a large number of names well known in Richland County. Deposits are received from $ 1 up to an}' sum, not exceeding $500, and the depositor receives 5 per cent interest, payable semiannually. The high character of its officers and Directors, the ability and skill displayed in the conduct of its aftairs, ha\-e won the confidence of its patrons, and are a sufficient guarantee of the future solidity and permanenc}- of the institution. It has won its way fairly to a solid, paying, and it is believed, enduring, business. The following names comprise its Directors : John B. Netscher, Fred. M. Fitting, Ezra Osbun, R. C. Brown, M. D. Harter, E. W. Smith, C. Welty, Nelson Ozier. Wm. Stevens, Wash. Mc- Bride, Isaiah Bo^ce, John Hamilton, James Meeds, W. M. Hahn, W. P. Clarke, B. Burns, J. M. Condon, Peter Snapp and James Hughes.

The Richland Mutual Insurance Company- was chartered in 1851 and is the oldest of the three companies established here. Its incorporators- were Judge Parker, Charles T. Sherman, Robert Bentley, Thos. W. Bartley, James Weldon, Andrew Conn, E. P. Sturges and J. H. Cook. Its first President was Andrew Conn. The office is now in the Opera Building, and its business is confined to the State of Ohio. Its management has l^een ver}' judicious and careful, and its losses promptly paid. Its capital having accumulated to the amount of $1,200,000, it is one of the safest and most reliable companies in the State. The President is J. H. Cook ; Secretary, R. Smith, and General Agent, N. S. Reed.

The Mansfield Mutual Fire Insurance Company was incorporated Aug. 5, 1873, with acapital of $50,000, and commenced business Jan. 1, 187 Jr. The incorporators were, H. R. Smith. John Wood. F. E. Tracy, M. D. Harter, E. P. Sturges, J. B. Netscher and M. Black. It does business onl}' on the mutual plan and not outside of the State. Its capital has increased to $220,000. Its President is John Wood ; Treasurer, M. D. Harter ; Secretary, J. H. Emminger. The Merchants' and jNIanufacturers' Insurance Company was organized Oct. 12, 1876, through the personal efibrts of Mr. M. E. Douglas, former Secretary of the Richland Mutual. Its Board of Directors were L. J. Tracy, H. C. Hedges, M. R. Dickey, H. M. Weaver, H. H. Sturges, W. B. Mercer, S. R. Harris, Hemy L. Curtis, H. B. Curtis and M. E. Douglas. The President is L. J. Tracy ; M. E. Douglas is Secretary and Treasurer, and J. W. Hahn, General Agent. Messrs. H. L. Curtis and W. B. Mercer have retired from the directorship and ' their places have been filled b}' B. F. Crawford and W. 31. Hahn. Its capital has increased from $50,000 to $360,000, which speaks well for the energ}' of its managers. It is in careful hands and is one of the permanent institutions of the cit3\ The American Mutual Accident Association of Mansfield filed its certificate of incorporation with the Secretar}' of State Februar}' 12, 1880, and has, therefore, but just entered upon its business career. R. Brinkerhoff is President, and J. H. Emminger, Secretary.- Its officers have given bonds for the faithful performance of their duties according to the laws of the- State, and from the well-known business character and integrity of these officers, the success of the institution is assured.

To get giinding done was one of the most difficult problems for the early settlers to solve. It required capital and skilled workmen to build a mill, and as both were scarce, mills were correspondingl}- scarce. All sorts of expedients were resorted to, corn being frequently grated and ground by hand between two stones. A mill was considered a public blessing, and was resorted to by the early settlers from great distances. The earliest settlers in Madison Townshij) were compelled to go first to Mount Vernon for this purpose, carrying their grists upon their horses or mules, if so fortunate as to own one of these animals, otherwise being compelled to pack the grist themselves on foot.

The first mill in the township was built by Jacob Newman, on Eocky Fork, about three miles southeast of Mansfield, where Goudy's mill is now located, and where the first settlement of the county occurred. It was a sawmill, but he shortly afterward erected the first grist-mill in the township. For some time, however, this mill ground only corn, and the settlers were compelled to go to Mount Vernon, and afterward to Fredericktown, for flour.

Among the first settlers in Mansfield, was Clement Pollock, a wheelwright, who erected the first mill in Mansfield. It was located near where the new jail is to be erected, and was a tramp-wheel mill, propelled by three yoke of oxen. He sawed lumber and ground corn. This Pollock, or his brother Robert, also erected a carding-mill, in those days, on Fourth street, on the lot now occupied by T. J. Robinson. It was propelled by horse power, and simply prepared the wool for the spinning wheel.

John Wright, near the planing-mill of McVay & Allison, on the opposite side of the stream from that establishment. This was about 1820. Afterward, Henr}' Le^^man built a gi'ist-mill near it. This was the first grist-mill in Mansfield, propelled b}' water. Later, John R. Robison owned this mill, improved it, and for many years it did the custom-work for Mansfield and vicinity. Sometime about 1S6G or 1867, it came into the possession of John Damp, who added steam to the power, putting in a thirtyfive horse-power engine, and called it the Richland City Mill. It was, while in his possession, destroyed by fire, about 1868.

Not long after Wright erected his mill, Mr. Robert Bentlj', Sr., built a saw-mill and afterward a grist-mill, on his farm, about two miles south of Mansfield, obtaining water from a fine spring on his farm. This Bently mill was in use a great man}^ 3'ears, but has gone into decay. After that came what has been known as the Tom Clark mill, a little west of town, on Toby's Run. The present City Mill, of Gilbert, Waugh & Co., was built in 1847, for a warehouse.. This was about the time the Sandusky & Mansfield Railroad was completed, and the track was laid up to this warehouse. The old Sturges & Tracj' warehouse, and the old building where Niman's furniture shop is, once a warehouse, were built about the same time. What is now the City Mill was purchased by Burger & Brubaker, who put in mill machinery, and converted it into a flouring-mill. Dr. Joseph Hildreth once had an interest in it. In 1865, it was purchased b}^ Gilbert Brothers, who conducted the business for three or four years, and sold an interest in it to Mr. J. M. Waugh, and the firm became Gilbert, Waugh & Co. They have greatly improved it, and do a large business, having kept the mill in opei-ation, night and da}-, for the last three years.

52x72 feet. It manufactures what is called " the new-process flour " - simply the flour separated from the outside of the wheat kernel, without being ground, crushed or powdered, as it is claimed mills have been doing ever since mills were made. The machiner^^ of this mill was purchased- and placed in the mill with the view of carrying out this principle to perfection. It commenced operations in February, 1877, under the management of John Staub and Hicks Brown. In September of the same year, this partnership was dissolved, and the mill passed into possession of the present proprietors, Messrs. Hicks Brown and M. D. Harter, under the firm name of Hicks Brown & Co., who have since increased its capacity 50 per cent, and established a trade which requires the running of the mill da}^ and night, and the employment of about twenty persons.

Some idea of the amount of this business may be gleaned from the fact that they are paying out yearl}^ to the farmers of Richland County about $200,000 in cash for wheat, beside the wheat they get in exchange for flour. Of this flour, a very small part, coniparatively, is marketed at home, as the entire population of the county could not consume the product of this mill. It is shipped to the seaboard cities, Boston alone taking nearly half of what is made ; Philadelphia, also, taking a large share. The mill is conceded to be one of the most complete in the country, yet the wideawake proprietors are continuall}" on the lookout for improvements, both in machinery and method, being determined that their fl^ur shall stand in the front rank as to quality. Several improved machines have been added, and other additions are contemplated. The magnificent Harris-Corless engine, which operates the machinery, is of the renowned Centennial pattern, and is capable of turning out 300 barrels of flour daily. Their brands of flour are "Brown's Best," "Belle of Richland," "Brown's Mayflower" and "Brown's Charter Oak," which

The largest manufactory in the city, if not in this part of Ohio, is the iVultraan & Ta^dor Company, manufacturers of threshers, steam engines and their component machinery. The Company has been established about thirteen years. In 1867, Mr. C. Aultman, of Canton, Ohio, President of C. Aultman & Co., of that place, and Mr. Henry H. Taylor, of Chicago, Grcneral Westeiy^i Agent of C. Aultman & Co., conceived the idea of building a better style of threshing machine, in many respects, than had ever been seen in the market. Few men in America, perhaps, knew as much about threshing machines, in 1SG7, as they, and their very knowledge of the great room for impi'ovement led them to consider the propriety- of getting out something better. Having built up the reputation of an endless-apron thresher, until it stood at the forefront of the endless-apron or Pitts style of machines, they could not liut finally discover and acknowledge the essentially fault}', and therefore wasteful, principle of separation in that class of machines. Mr. Taylor, who had for years been interested in building a vibrator style of thresher, knew what wonderful merit thei'e was in it if perfected, and that it could be rendered the leading machine in the market. With this view, Messrs. Aultman & Taylor formed a copartnei'ship and began to look for a location for their factory. After carefull}' weighing the advantages of a large number of localities, they selected Mansfield, Ohio. The grounds for the selection of ^Mansfield were : 1. It was the geographical center of the best hardwood district of the country, and the}- had determined from the start to locate where an abundant supply of the very best material could be had, as it was their aim to have their thresher win the reputation of being built from the best material oljtainable. In this matter, time has demonstrated their wisdom, as to-day, if any one thing in the way of material can be singled out as going to make up the world-wide reputation of The Aultman-Taylor Thresher, it is the unapproachable quality of the lumber used in it. 2. Its central location and railroad facilities. A glance at the map of the United States will sei've to show how well located the factory of The Aultman & Taylor Company is with regard to the shipping facilities its now immense business requires, for, today, comparatively little business between the East and the ^Yest, or between the great prairie regions of the Northwest and Europe, but passes through Mansfield, where the three great American S3Stems of railway (the Baltimore & Ohio, the Pennsylvania and the Erie) greet each other, while the only two other routes of importance pass at short distances to the north and south. Having decided to build the factory at Mansfield, it only remained to get conveniently located lands, which were secured near all the depots, where the shops were built and so arranged that machinery can be loaded upon ever}' railroad entering Mansfield without leavthe grounds of The Aultman & Taylor Corapan}'. The next thing was to see to the patents. This was the special business of Mr. Aultman, whose familiarit}' with patents marked him as the proper person to attend to this delicate branch of manufacturing. He soon discovered that the patents owned by some friends, and which the firm expected to use, were really of no importance, if, indeed, of any actual value. So, setting himself to it, he bought, consolidated, re-issued and completed the entire vibrator patent system, granting to several shops in Michigan and in Missouri, and one in Southern Illinois, the privilege of using the line of patents which are known as the vibrator patents. Of course, all this was attended with great expense, and, some years afterward, a ^lichigan compau}^ paid The Aultman & Taylor 3Ianufacturing Company for, and became half owner in, the patents as they existed at that date. They are particular in giving this scrap of historj' because others have, without proper regard for the truth, or carelessly perhaps, and overlooking the consequences of their misstatements, somewhat foolishly claimed to be the original inventors of the vibrator style of machines. The truth is that no one now engaged in the business can be so considered ; but the public can very easily see to whom the honor of securing, consolidating, re-issuing, adding to and completing the vibrator patents belongs, if it can be said to belong to any one. While all this has been true, they call the attention of the buying public to the fact that, while the}' have occasionally felt it their duty to briefly speak of the risks run l)y farmers in Ijuying any vibrator stjde of thresher not authorized to be built under the consolidated patents, they have always depended upon the merits of their goods to sell them, and never had a customer who bought because they frightened, forced or blackmailed him into purchasing.

After getting the patents fairly under way, the next thing was to improve what was then known as the vibrator style of machine, and which was Iniilt b}" several concerns of considerable prominence. This required so many changes in general and in detail before it Ijecame " The Aultman-Taylor," that the}' are not named for fear of wearying the reader. Suffice it to say that those who remember what this style of machine was l^efore they commenced building it, will ])e inclined, when they look at it now, to regard the Company as the creators and inventors of the vibrator style of thresher - a claim they are not entitled to any more than any other builder, for, as they have often stated, no person, firm nor corporation now in existence can truthfully claim to be either the inventors of or the original Ijuilders of, vibrator st3'le of machines ; but that they deserve the reputation the}' have, as the perfecters of the entii-e race of this (vibrator) style of machine, none will be disposed to dispute.

Before Messrs. Aultman & Taylor were long in the business, they became convinced that the stjde'of horse-power then in use was behind the wants of the times, and bought the only valid patents in existence upon mounted horsepowers, and, in 1869, began building them upon a large scale, being the first concern in America to build largely and introduce widely what has now become the universally popular '' mounted " horse-power.

In 1869, they built about four hundred threshers and horse-powers ; not a very large number, it is true, but enough to revolutionize the thresher trade of America, and from that day to this, by constant improvement, steady advancement and honorable business management, they have held the practically undisputed position of being the builders of the leading threshing machines in America, and to-day ambitious manufacturers everywhere measure their advances in excellence l)y comparing them with the universal American standard of excellence in threshing machines.

The first horse-powers built by them were the Triple-Gear, and so long as they built them they managed by great care in their construction, and b}' using a great deal of machinery invented by them expressly for building them, to keep them in the forefront ; but while certain of their good qualities, when properly and carefully managed, they finally' became convinced that there was room for improvement, especially in the direction of securing a power which would not require quite so much good management and care as the Triple-Gear Power. For years they had liked the Double- Gear (or Woodbury) Power, but it seemed like an impossible thing to mount it properly on four truck-wheels. After expending much time, labor, experimenting, and invention upon it, and making many changes, they w^ere finally rewarded b}' finding themselves in possession of what threshermen eveiywhere told them was the best horse-power in the market, and a better one than they had ever hoped to see. This power, now called the Aultman- Taylor Double-Gear Horse-Power, and b}- many '' the Horse-power of the Century," in recognition of its surpassing excellence, they have built ever since, and it at present stands without a successful rival among horse-powers. It probably will alwa^'s continue to be the favorite horse-power in this country-, as, in the three necessary qualities of strength, light draft and durabilit}', it is unequaled by anj' other horsepower in use.

ers, the Company watched with anxiet}- the progress of perfecting the farm engines built throughout the countr}-, and often expected to find the next season's production of this or that engine-builder just tlie thing needed by the trade ; but their hopes were never fully realized, so that, in 1876, the}' determined to take a hand in the matter themselves. Selecting the portable engine in market nearest perfection, the}' made such changes in it as to render it just what was wanted for threshing, wood-sawing and general farm purposes, and called it "The Aultman-Taylor Farm-Engine." The demand for it has shown that the great farming public have felt as they did, and, finding an engine so fully meeting its wants, has never 3'et allowed the Compan}^ to meet the demand. The call for them has been so large as to finall}' compel the Company to build additional shops for the exclusive building of "The Aultman-Ta3lor Farm-Engines," and the addition of a traction or self-propelling engine to their list of goods will probably crowd even their new facilities to the uttermost.

For a great many years, the subject of cloverhulling has been one of great importance to the American people ; invention has lagged far behind the wants of the public in this particular, and, up to 1878, the nearest approach to filling the demand of the puljlic for a clover-huller has been what will, from 1878 on, be called the old-style, double-cylinder clover-huller. This machine, while an improvement on earlier devices, was essentially faulty, and never succeeded in doing proper c-leaning, so that to fit the seed for obtaining a good price in market, it was necessary, after threshing it, to run it through a fanning-mill. As a result, a thresherman, to fit himself out to do the woi'k of his customers properly, was obliged to have a grainthresher, a clover-huller and a fanning-mill, making the entire outfit very costly and ^-ery inconvenient. The Aultman & Taylor Company have seen for 3'ears that an}' one who could suppl}^ an attachment for a threshing machine which would do awa}' with the costly, awkward and inconvenient clover-huller, and its parasite, the fanning-mill, would confer a favor on his race. This has finally been accomplished in the " Allonas Clover-Hulling Attachment," patented by Joseph Allonas, the Superintendent of The Aultman & Taylor Company.

At no time since the Company commenced business in 1868, with the exception of one year, have they been able to suppl}' the demand for an}' article made by them, thus attesting, in a remarkable degree, the popular appreciation of The Aultman-Taylor goods.

In 1878, The Aultman & Taylor Company was among the largest producers of threshing machinery in the world, and sold all the goods it built, with the exception of less than $9,000 worth of odd-sized machinery, and during the season was compelled to add to and increase its production several times. Even then, by working early and late with an increased force on extra time, it was unable to fill its orders. The Aultman & Taylor Company is the only large thresher concern in America which can truthfully make the above statement ; and it is only proper to say that nearly every other large thresher builder in the country has been each year building more machines than he has sold, and has been enabled to keep up the reputation of being a large builder, by having scores of unsold machines at his place of manufacture and scattered around among his agents, oftentimes in nearl}' every State in the Union, Avhile dozens stand at railroad stations exposed to the weather. This is overproduction, and intending buyers can draw their own conclusions, as to whether it will pay them to buy machines for which the demand is steadily and surely falling off. But it was not only in 1878 that The Aultman & Taylor Company could not fill its orders for Aultman-Taylor goods - in onl}^ one j-ear of its entire histor}- has this Company been able to fully supply the demand for its goods, and though each year straining every effort to turn out goods enough, and though it has, by new buildings and new machinery and increased mechanical force, enlarged its production, yet the supply of Aultman-Tajdor goods has ever been below the demand. In other words, while other builders have failed to sell what the}' built, this Company has not been able to build enough. Comment is hardly necessary, such facts are eloquent, the}' speak louder than words, and in a language which all can understand ; and while the Company have, by the erection of new works, and by ever}' other means in their power, arranged to build heavier than ever before for the season of 1880, they must warn all parties intending to buy either threshers, horsepowers, clover-hullers or engines, that the only way to make sure of getting the best is to order early, for while the stock of Aultman-Taylor threshing machinery may last until the season's demand is o^-er, yet it is quite likely that the}' will be unable to fill late orders.

Although, in 1868, they started out with large works and occupying over seven acres of land, the increasing volume of the business of The Aultman & Taylor Company has compelled extension after extension, here a little, there a little, until they now occupy, with their shops, warehouses, offices, lural)er-yards, etc., between thirty and forty acres of land ; and while they employed, in 1868, only $150,000, they have been compelled to put in fresh capital and add to and increase their means from time to time.

in order to accommodate the demand for their goods, until, in 1878, they employed over $1,400,000 ; and as a little index of what such a business as theirs is, they would say that from using less than $200 worth of postage stamps in 1868, their expenses for postage alone, in 1880, will be over $5,000.

The warehouse was built in 1869, and is probably the largest frame building having three or more floors in America. It is 252 feet long, 90 feet broad and 4 stories high, and contains 90,720 square feet of storage capacity - but this enormous warehouse is insufficient to accommodate their business, and it bursts out into sheds and other improvised storage, in every direction. Travelers will probably remember this huge warehouse, with its '' starved rooster " painted on each end, but will hardly be prepared to suppose that a line drawn from the head of said rooster to his farthest extremity would not be far from one hundred feet in length. It will repay a visit to Mansfield to. look through this warehouse and see its giant elevator, which hoists a threshing machine from the gi-ound to the top floor as easily as a man would lift a baby.

From what insurance men, other manufacturers, and reporters for the great city papei-s write, the Company must have an unusual lumber-yard, as its size and what every one calls their stupendous stock of lumber, seems to excite wonder among all who visit it. Undoul^tedly they do carry an unusually large stock of lumber, and it has always been known that their qualities are very much better and more costly than most manufacturers think it worth while to work up into threshing machines ; but the Company l^elieve they have made money by their course in this I'espect, as to-day their reputation as the builders of the moSt durable threshing machines on the continent is largely due to their using such grades of lumber as are usually only found in furniture and other fine work. By carrying the enormous stock they secure the driest lumber which open-air drying can furnish, and, besides this, they have their own patented steam-drying apparatus, by which they can take out even the Uttle dampness which attaches to all lumber dried exclusively in the open air. The coming season, a large proportion of the ash and pine they use in the most important parts of their goods will be over four and a part of it over five years old, and therefore about as dry as a bone. They are now increasing their stock of lumber constantly and very largel}', and, before man}' months are past will have a supply of lumber, such as has never before been dreamed of by thresher builders. They are often asked, " Does it pay ? Do not interest, insurance and taxes make it very costly lumber b}' the time you use it ? ' They answer that it does pay, and they believe other manufacturers besides themselves would find it pays. It paj's in increased reputation for their goods, in an enlarged demand, and only this last summer the}' have found a new profit in it. As is well known, the climate in some parts of the Far West Territories is so ver}' dr}' and trying, that lumber in machinery which will stand the climate east of the Rocky ^lountains will not withstand the atmosphere there. They sold a number of machines there last year, and the unusual way in which the lumber in their goods withstood exposure there seems to have excited almost as much wonder as satisfaction. The}' repeat, It does pay." It always pays to have the best thing in the market. They would say to all, they are always in market for choice lumber, and when any particularly nice ash, hickory, poplar, rock-elm, oak, or pine is for sale, write them, giving lowest cash price, delivered free on board cars at Mansfield. But it must be strictly first-class in every way, free of knots, heart, sap and checks, or if not free, will have to be measured free, as they cannot pay for or use any lumber not strictly up to standard.

be needed. They were immediately erected. Until some one builds better ones, which, in such an enterprising land as America, will not, perhaps, be many years, The Aultman-Taylor Engine Shops Avill be not only the most complete, but really the model engine-shops of the country. Every process connected with turning an engine out, from the bending of the boiler-plates to the painting of the finished engine, is here done under one roof, and Ijy a system of division of labor, aided by the newest and latest machinery, and the whole facilitated by small railroad tracks and cars, all carried on under one roof Visitors engaged in various lines of manufacture go away saying they never saw so complete a shop, even on paper, before. It will be surprising if, with these new shops and their wonderful machinery and many conveniences, the Company will not be able to increase their present reputation as the builders of the leading farm engines in the American market.

Those who have visited Mansfield have often spoken about the Company's old office - of its inconvenience, crowded condition - and wondered how they ever carried on so large a business in such cramped and hampered-up quarters ; and, indeed, they have often wondered at it themselves, and now, when they have left it for new (piarters, their wonder is increased.

on the hill opposite their old office, across Main street and main track and switches of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. This house will be remembered b}' many old Ohio people as the McCombs place, having been built many years ago b}^ Mr. McCombs, a brother-in-law of Secretary Sherman. Others who Avere at Mansfield during and since the war, will remember it as the Hickox place, having been the property of Mr. Hickox during the years that lie was President of the First National Bank of Mansfield. This old place, built su1)stantially in the oldstyle ante-war days, of brick and stone, they have changed and fitted up in a suitable manner for the' general offices of the Aultman & Taylor Company, and the}* will be glad to show their visiting friends through them. They are now able to have their different departments separated from each other, in roomy offices conveniently adjoining each other ; while they have built such fire-proof vaults and provided such safes as give them a security against fire and theft such as the}', of course, never had before.

They are, from their size and arrangement (being divided into four distinct departments, upon two separate floors), an object of interest. Their size is also something worth recording, as in tills respect the}' are not, it is believed, equaled by those of the Bank of Montreal, or those of the National Bank of Commerce, in New York.

Commencing, as the Compaii}' did in 1868, on so modest a scale of manufacture, and possessing no remarkalile or unusual business ability in these particulars, onl}- aiming to hold their own among the general average of Imsiness men, their business has, nevertheless, grown to its jiresent enormous proportions l^y a steady increase from season to season, and from a small concern in 1868, using but a moderate quantity of materials, their cash purchases now each year probably' exceed those of an}' other threshing-machine factory in the land.

To give an idea of how many goods The Aultman & Taylor Company buy, and the amount pf material they use a 3'ear in building "Aultman-Taylor " Threshing Machines, a mention of the quantities of a few leading articles which they buy for one 3'ear, in addition to the more or less large amounts of each of the same kind of goods which they have on hand as a surplus stock of material, will not be out of place. It is here appended in the form of a table :

The Aultman-Taylor Threshers are well supplied with the various attachments, for threshing clover, timoth}' and flaxseed, cleaning it thoroughly, and saving all expenses in the line of extra mills, making the grain ready for the buA'er as soon as it leaves the maclime.

A very valuable adjunct to their thresher is the self-propelling 'engine, which they have lately perfected. It is known as The Aultman- Taylor TractionBngine, and was first made after they had been making and using regular farmengines.

The traction engine is distinguished by the same excellence of material and flnish, and b}- the same nice attention to details, which has given their standard farm engine such a reputation and distinction, as the. safest, best, most economical in the use of fuel and water, as well as the most durable ; but the feature which will, of course, attract the most attention, is the tractionor propelling arrangement. This seems to he perfect, as far as experts can tell, and at any rate is so much in advance of other engines of the same class, as to insure for the tractionengine a large sale and great popularity. Bousing a traction engine, four horses, or two teams, are dispensed with, as it needs but one team, which does not pull the engine, but merely guides it while the engine itself draws along the water-tank, thresher, etc., up and down hill as well as on the level, and with the greatest ease.

These engines prove very taking when examined by all, as they are very attractive in appearance, and the locomotive or traction principle cannot help but please.

Another point which takes is the great saving of expense by the use of them. Though the charge is $150 more for them than a standard farm engine ; the doing-away of four horses saves the buyer at least |200, and generally fully $300, which resvilts in making the traction engine actually cheaper by from $50 to $150 than the standard.

When to this is added the saving of feed for the four horses dispensed with, the saving of the care of them, and that the thresherman has four sets of harness less to buy, it really makes the traction engine far cheaper than the standard, the real difference in price l^eing not much, if any, less than $300 in favor of the traction engine.

After finishing the first traction engine and satisfying themselves that it was superior to any other in market, the Company invited the following gentlemen to come and see it : S. Gottshall, of Fayette, Ohio ; E. S. Downey, of Aurora, Ind.; Edward Smith, of La Gro, Ind.; Oscar Adams, of Parkman, Ohio ; Daniel Harmon, of Fort Wayne, Ind.; C. F. Adams, of Parkman, Ohio, and R. R. Blair, of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Those familiar with the traction engine trade will recognize these gentlemen as being the best authorit}' upon traction engines in this country ; at an}^ rate, seven men knowing as much about traction engines could hardly he got together in America.

Before this committee the Company gave an engine a severe test in every way, and then asked them to record their opinion. As this is the opinion of men peculiarly fitted to judge of the merits of traction engines, it is likely to have more weight with the buying public than anything which could he written, and it is therefore presented herewith in full :

The undersigned have each had a very wide and at the same time intimate acquaintance vyith traction or selfpropelling engines in market ; have each of us sold them and operated them and are practically familiar with them and can, without claiming any unreasonable amount of shrewdness, say we are competent to give an intelligent opinion on the subject, and think it will be safe for all parties who intend buying traction or self-propelling engines, or who intend to sell traction engines to others, to accept our judgment in the matter. While we wish cordially to admit the merits of other traction engines, and while we do not criticise any other make, nevertheless it is our unanimous opinion the Aultman-Taylor Traction Engine is to-day the most perfect and desirable in the American market. In every point and feature, the Aultman-Taylor is at least abreast of the best, while in general workmanship, neatness in detail and perfection in finish, we have never seen its equal, and in some very important points it is absolutely without a rival :

1. The two propelling- wheels are mechanically the most perfect we have ever seen, and their height is such as to recommend them over any in market, and their location for sustaining the weight of the engine and securing freedom of motion in bad roads has never, to our knowledge, been equaled.

2. The lugs rolled into the tire of these wheels by a process secured to The Aultman & Taylor Company by letters patent, is far in advance of the pins usually used, and will be found a great daily convenience in moving from place to place, especially over bridges, where the objection to pins is so apparent.

3. In The Aultman-Taylor Traction Engine the propelling power is communicated directly from the main shaft to the rear axle, thus entirely doing away with the supplemental shaft and complicated gearing of the same, in use on all the traction engines we are acquainted with. How great this advantage is will at once be understood by all who know anything practically about traction engines ; to others we would say, in this respect The Aultman-Taylor Traction Engine has several distinct advantages : (a) in simplicity ; (b) economy in power ; (c) economy in fuel ; (d) increased durability; (e) decreased weight; (/) ease of management ; [ff) decreased liability to delays from breakage. We should think these advantages would add at least $100 to the value of The Aultman-Taylor Traction Engine.

4. The Aultman-Taylor Traction Engine has what all others lack, and what every traction engine should have, and that is a simple, easily managed arrangement for reversing the motion and propelling the engine backward as well as forward. In bad roads, and especially when the roads are full of mud-holes, this really is a prime necessity, and it is a feature we cannot praise too highly, as many men will now feel free to buy traction engines who have always refused to buy them because they feared in heavy roads they might get " stuck in the mud," and, being unable to get any purchase by backing, would be greatly annoyed and delayed.

The points named by us, taken in connection with the general excellence of The Aultman-Taylor Traction Engine, are so important as to lead us to say that, unquestionably, in our opin'ion, this engine is worth to any purchaser more than any traction engine in the market; and as it meets and overcomes all the objections ever made to traction engines, it must find a very general and, we cannot help but feel, an enormous demand.

The Ailtman -Taylor Self - Propellinu Engine

Other views of various attachments are also annexed, showing the modes of saving labor in the nineteenth century - a contrast with pioneer daj's, vivid indeed, and one that cannot fail to teach a lesson regarding the path of progress in little more than half a centur}'.

The best evidence of any machine's usefulness is a practical test. In order to show the solid construction of The Aultman & Ta3'lor Thresher the annexed letter fully explains itself It is from Mr. N. R. Darling, of Fredricktown, Knox Co., Ohio, and is dated June 20, 1876.

Gentlemen - In answer to your wish to know how I like my machine, and what I think of its durability, I am happy to say, I bought the first Aultman & Taylor Thresher ever built; I bought it in 1868, and this will be the ninth season ; I have run it each season, doing a very large business in wheat, oats, barley, flax and timothy, and while worn a good deal, I believe it will last a number of years yet. I can't answer you how long it will last, but I believe it will be running when all the endless-apron or Pitts' Threshers sold this year will have broken down, worn out and played out. Not a single endless-apron machine sold in my section the year I got my Aultman & Taylor, or the year after (1869), is now of any account, all of them being worn out altogether, or so much racked that they can't do any fair amount of work. Your machine saves the farmers' grain so well, and cleans it so nice, that I have every season had from one-third to one-half more, and sometimes double the work, for my old machine that any endless-apron thresher could get. So, you see, an Aultman & Taylor Thresher, if you count the number of bushels threshed, will outlast three or four endless-apron or Pitts' Threshers. I am well acquainted

Threshers, and do not hesitate to say that I think my old Aultman & Taylor has more life in it yet than a new machine of either of these makes.

I don't think that any of the machines just named, or any other endless-apron machine, will be sold here this season, for all our best farmers say they waste such a terrible amount of grain that they will not have any of them do a bushel's threshing, if they can help it ; and I don' t think anybody down this way is fool enough now to buy one, for so many of the farmers get mad now when a man says endless-apron thresher to them, that they get only a small amount of work, and that the poorest pay, generally ; and, besides this, the repairs for their machines is an awful big item. When I first got my machine from you, the farmers wouldn't believe how much I could save them ; but now, if I want to make any of them swear, I can do it by saying I intend threshing with an endless-apron machine next year. If you want any more information about my thresher, let me know. Considering the time I have run my ma^ chine, and the amount of grain I have threshed, I don't think it has cost me more than one-half as much for repairs as other kinds, perhaps not over one-third as much.

Three years later, Mr. Darling reiterates his sentiments. He also states he has purchased an Allona's Clover-hulling Attachment, an engine, and other improvements, with all of which he is equally well pleased, and all of which, he says, add hundreds of value to the thi'esher, and to the profits yearly made by its work."

The JMansfleld Machine Works is one of the oldest manufacturing establishments in the cit}', having been established about 1840 by Hall & Allen, afterward Hall & Simmons. These gentlemen conducted the business about tAvent3'-five years in the old building on North Main street, manufacturing engines, mill machinery, etc.; in later years, their principal business was the manufacture of the famous Buckeye Reaper and Mower. The quality of their goods gave the works a good reputation, whicli has not only been maintained but largely added to. The old Buckeye was, in its da}^, considered one of the best, if not the best, machine of its- kind in the country. It had an extensive reputation and sale, the Mansfield Machine Works turning out, at one time, about 1,000 or more annually. 3Iore improved and probably better machiner}- has since taken its place.

In the latter part of July, 1865, Messrs. H. Colby, A. L. Grimes, E. H. Rees, M. Day, Jr., and E. Sturges, Sr., organized a stock company, with a cash capital of $50,000, purchased the works, at that time owned by Hall & Simmons, and gave them the name of " Mansfield IMachine Works," and engaged in the manufacture of foundry castings, steam engines, circular and muley saw-mills, plows, turbine waterwheels, etc.; also continued the manufacture of reapers and mowers. E. H. Reece was Superintendent. This company did an extensive business, and purchased the Bl3"myer, Day & Co. Works, on East Diamond street.

At a meeting of the stockholders, January 5, 1874, A. B. Beverstock, Z. S. Stocking, D. Struble, E. P. Sturges, A. L. Grimes, N. Abbott and J. H. Cook were elected Directors. Z. S. Stocking was made President, and A. L. Grimes Secretary. Soon afterward, Mr. Abbott was chosen Superintendent, and under his eflflcient and energetic management the works were pushed to their utmost capacity, and soon necessitated removing from the old works on Main street to the more commodious Ijuilding which they now occup}- on East Diamond. This change occurred in 1877. These works had been erected by Blj-myer, Day & Co., and were for some 3'ears used for the manufacture of Cook's Evaporator and other machinery. The building is imposing in appearaaice, and the works and grounds quite extensive. They are nearer to the railroad, and therefore more convenient for shipping purposes than the other works.

At their last election, the old Directors were re-elected, with the exception of Mr. Stocking, and the former officers re-elected, Avith the exception that Willis M. Sturges was made Treasurer, and A. A. Peck Secretar}-.

From reports submitted, it is apparent that the business, especially during the last two 3'ears, has been highly prosperous and remunerative. The compau}' has had an extensive experience in tlie manufacture of portaWe engines, wliich is their specialty ; also stationary engines and mill machinery ; and, even were there no other testimom* to that effect, the fact that their business has been continuall}' growing and extending is sufficient evidence of the quality of their work.

The orders for their machinery accumulated so rapidly during the latter part of 1879, that they have been unable, even with their great facilities and large force of workmen, to fill them as promptly as the}' could wish. There is little doubt that their engines are unsurpassed in the country for durability, strength, efficiency and style of workmanship.

In 1872, an estalilishment for the manufacture of crackers was established by H. H. Colb}', on Bloom street. Colby failed in about a 3'ear, and the concern was purchased b}' Messrs. Ci'awford & Zellers, of Richmond, Ind., in September, 1874. Not long afterward, it was destroyed by fire, and the firm immediately erected the present substantial brick, which is 56x100 feet. An engine of thirty-horse power was put in by the Mansfield Machine Works, and the works are capable of turning out 700 barrels of crackers every twent^'-four hours. Their goods are not excelled in qualitj- b}' any in the State. It is largelj' due to this fact that the firm have been enabled to build up a trade of $150,000 per annum, and become permanent in the city.

A box factory was established in 1877, b}' W. J. Richart, on North Main street. He emplo3'S about fifteen hands, and manufactures cigar, paper, and all other boxes the trade demands.

The Western Suspender Company was established in 1871, by B. 0. Foster and J. R. Pollock. In a short time, Mr. Pollock purchased the interest of Foster, and, in January, 1873, took in J. P. Rummel as partner. This firm conducted the business successfull}^ until August 5, 1879, when Mr. Rummel purchased the entire establishment, and is now conducting it on Fourth street. Twenty-eight hands are employed, beside three regular traveling salesmen, and the business has been extended into the adjoining States.

The Buckeye Suspender Company was established in 1873, by J. Detwiler & Sons, under whose management it still continues. This firm employ's twenty hands, beside three traveling salesmen, and have extended their business into several States. It is located on Main street.

Wine-making receives the attention of Mr. E. Clapp, who owns a vineyard on Kelle3''s Island. He keeps the purest and best of wines in his 30x60 cellar on Fourth street.

The^Iansfield Steam Soap Works are located on Fourth street, near the spring, and are operated bj' T. C. Carey & Co. This business originated with Gregory, Bliss & Co. in 1870. Four or five men are employed, and the factory has a capacity of about 50,000 pounds of soap per month.

The vinegar establishment of J. B. Netscher has been in operation several years, and is a permanent institution. He employs twentyfive or thirty men, and does a large local and shipping business. Peter Ott is also conducting a similar business.

The Mansfield AVoolen Mill is located at the the foot of Mulbeny street. The original building was erected man}' years ago for a tannery. In 1870, a Mr. Griadhill purchased the building, enlarged it and converted it into a woolen-mill. It has since been greatly enlarged and is now 130x40 feet, and four stories in height. In 1873, it was sold to an incorporated company, of which J. H. Reed was President, and James J. Hedges, Superintendent and Treasurer. New and improved machinery was added, but it failed to pay during the hard times following the panic of 1873, and its doors were closed for several years. In 1876, John "Wood, who had previously a large interest in the mill, purchased the entire concern, and, in 1879, in company- with Mr. John Gilliland, again started the spindles. Since that, the mill has been in successful operation. Twenty to thirty hands are emploj^ed ; the engine is fiftj'-horse power, and machinery firstclass. The}' manufacture cashmeres, flannels and yarn. The management is careful, and there is every prospect of permanent success.

The Mansfield Lumber and Building Company was for many years located on Main street, near the City Mill. In 1872, they erected a fine brick building on two acres of gi'ound, on Elm street, near the gas-works. The building is 50x90 feet, and three stories in height. The engine is a " Corliss," sixty-fivehorse power. William Sherman was connected with this institution for many years before his death. John Wood is now President and S. N. Ford, Secretary'. It does a large business in the manufacture of doors, sash and blinds, and is a reliable and permanent concern.

The Mansfield Paper Company was organized in 1873. The incorporators were H. Colb}', J. H. Reed, E. Hade, H. L. Reed and J. Hade ; capital, $60,000. The}^ took possession of the old paper-mill, east of town, near the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railway, which had been purchased by Mr. Hade, in 1871, for $20,000. It did not, however, survive the panic of 1873, and since that time has been in possession of Mr. Hade. Attempts have occasionally been made to revive the business, and it is now running with fair prospects of success.

In addition to the manufacturing business mentioned in the preceding pages, many smaller establishments are in operation, working from half a dozen to a hundred hands each ; probably the latter figure is reached or exceeded in the cigar ibusiness.