612 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXXII.

FINDLAY CONTINUED.

HOTELS, MANUFACTORIES, BANKS AND PUBLIC PLACES OF AMUSEMENT -PIONEER TAVERNS AND PRESENT HOTELS OF FINDLAY - LEADING MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS OF THE PAST AND PRESENT-HISTORY OF' THE SUCCESSIVE BANKING INSTITUTIONS OF THE TOWN - BUILDINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS - EARLY AMUSEMENTS AND PUBLIC HALLS OF' THE VILLAGE - BRASS BANDS.

AS hotels, manufacturing establishments, banks and places of amusement occupy a prominent place in the business and social life of every town, it is fitting that a chapter in the history of Findlay should be devoted to the past and present of such institutions. The first hotel, or rather tavern, on the site of Findlay, was kept by Benjamin J. Cox, who located at Fort Findlay, in 1815, and took possession of a story and a half hewed-log house, erected and occupied by a man named Thorp during the war of 1812. This frontier tavern stood on the east side of Main Street, immediately south of the bridge, and was kept by Cox till the coming of Wilson Vance, in November, 1821, when he had to give it up to the latter, whose brother, Joseph, and' Elnathan Cory had previously entered the land upon which it stood. Mr. Vance continued the tavern until 1831, when he abandoned the business. In 1827 board at Vance's tavern was $1.50 per week, and even at that price good, plain, substantial meals were always set upon the table.

In 1828 William Taylor opened the " Findlay Inn" in a small building on the site of Rothchild's liquor store, which he carried on in connection with his store until 1833, when he sold it to Abraham Daughenbaugh, who ran it abort four years, and then rented the property to M. M. Nigh. The latter kept tavern here a couple of years, and was succeeded by Alonzo D. Wing. This tavern was conducted a number of years.

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VILLAGE OF FINDLAY. - 615

John Bashore erected a large two-story hewed-log building in 1829-30 on the site of the Carnahan Block, in which he opened a tavern. In the spring of 1832 the property was purchased by Maj. John Patterson, and Bashore soon afterward removed to Lima. In the spring of 1834 Mr, Patterson located permanently, and traded this property to James H. Wilson for a two-story frame on the site of the Humphrey House, where a tavern had previously been kept by Jeremiah Case, who leased the property from Mr. Wilson. The building was erected by Thomas F. Johnston, who sold it to Mr, Wilson in 1832, before its completion.

The " Findlay Caravansary" was opened on this corner by Maj, Patterson in the spring of 1834, and was the only tavern in the village that sold no intoxicating drink. Whenever a thirsty traveler called in to "wet his whistle," the Major would point to a well just outside the door and politely say: "There's plenty of pump-water, sir. I do not sell whisky," from which quaint expression he became widely known as " Old Pump-water," a name that is an honor to his memory and a monument to his zeal in the cause of temperance. In September, 1840, he traded his tavern to Samuel Leard for a farm in Washington Township, but the latter soon afterward sold it to John Reed, a pioneer of Portage Township. Mr. Reed continued the old name for a short time, and then changed it to "Reed's Hotel." He was succeeded in the business by his brother, Eli S,, who ran it until the spring of 1852, when he rented the house to George H. Crook, who remained till January, 1853, and Mr. Reed again took possession. Early in 1854 he began the erection of the front portion of the present three-story brick which he opened for business the following December. In January, 1859. Guntner & Woodworth leased the house, and were succeeded by E. H. Cowles in February, 1862. Mr. Reed died during the three months' service in 1861, while commissary of the Twenty-first Regiment. In March, 1863, Samuel Renninger purchased the property and opened it as the "American House," Mr. Renninger conducted the hotel for several years and then rented it to E. B. Belding, who changed the name to the "Belding House. " In the fall of 1874 Jasper Constable succeeded Mr. Belding; next came Stewart Sprague, who changed the name to the "Commercial Hotel." In December, 1878, Mr. Renninger sold the property to C. H. Dietsch, who ran the hotel nearly eight years, erecting a large addition thereto during his proprietorship. In March, 1886, J, W. Humphrey, of Jamestown, N. Y., leased and took possession of the hotel. He began at once extensive changes and improvements, and it is now far superior in appearance and convenience to what it has ever been before. He also changed the name to the "Humphrey House," and is fast winning a fair share of the traveling trade. The house contains about fifty rooms completed, and is first class in its service and appointments.

The site of the Joy House has been occupied by a hotel during a period of forty-six years. In 1839-40 an Irishman named John McCurdy erected a two-story frame on this ground and soon afterward sold it to Henry Lamb, who in the latter year opened it as the " White Hall Tavern." Mr. Lamb carried on this tavern until near the close of March, 1849, and the building was burned down on the 31st of that month immediately after the Lambs had moved out. The ground remained unoccupied until the spring of 1854, when the Findlay Joint Stock Hotel Company purchased it, and commenced the erection thereon of the present three-story brick structure

616 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

known as the Joy House Block. The building was not completed until the fall of 1856, when it was opened by S. T. Heffner as the "Dixon Hotel," in honor of Daniel Dixon, one of the principal stockholders in the company, and a leading citizen of the village. The south part of the present hotel was purchased in June, 1859, by G George H. Crook, of the Joint Stock Hotel Company, who changed the name to the " Crook House," and ran it until the spring of 1865. Stewart Sprague then bought the furnishings and leased the building of Mr. Crook, and carried on the hotel business for five years. In the spring of 1870 A. & D. Joy, who had been running a hotel in Carey for many years, purchased the property, and at once changed the name to the "Joy House." Under their management the Joy House soon won the larger share of the hotel trade. and it has retained this up to the present (April, 1886). The Joys lease the two upper stories of the north pan of the block, which, together with the old portion, gives their hotel an accommodation of silty-eight rooms. Most of the interior has been recently refurnished, the dining room remodeled and handsomely furnished in rich harmony of colors, and as a whole, the Joy House will compare favorably with the average hotel of the State outside of the larger towns.

The Sherman House is one of the pioneer hotels of Findlay. In October, 1840, John F. Ritter opened the " Green Tree Tavern " on the same site, and in 1844 was succeeded by Abraham W. Schwab, who changed the name to the "Traveler's Rest." It was then a two-story frame, but seven or eight years afterward Mr. Schwab erected the corner portion of the present structure, and opened the new hotel as the " Schwab House." He subsequently made additions to the building, and carried on the business until his death in 1868. It was next kept by W. W. Siddall as the "Siddall House," and afterward underwent several changes in name and proprietorship, being called in succession the Franklin, Irvin and Marvin House. In 1875 T. J. Stackhouse bought the property, and opened it as the Sherman House, which title it has since retained. This hotel contains twenty rooms, and Mr. Stackhouse is the present proprietor.

The American House was opened in the fall of 1840 by Jacob Rosenberg, who was then sheriff of the county. It stood on the site of the First National Bank, and previous to its purchase by Mr. Rosenberg in June, 1840, had been the court house. He remodeled the interior, and converted the old temple of justice into a place of entertainment. Mr. Rosenberg died in October, 1844, and his widow conducted the business until her marriage to Jacob Carr, about four years afterward. The latter changed the name to "Carr's Hotel," which he carried on till the winter of 1862-63, when the site was purchased by William H. Wheeler, who erected thereon the present three-story brick, known as W'heeler's Block. The old frame was moved to its present location, immediately north of the Presbyterian Church, where it has since been occupied by Mr. Carr's family as a private residence.

Among other old-time places of entertainment were the " Rising Sun Hotel" and the Bigelow House. The former was built by Daniel Erb on East Main Cross Street, and in the spring of 1837 was purchased by Garret D. Teatsorth, who carried it on for quite a long period. The Bigelow House was opened by T. B. Paden in September, 1851, in the old two-story frame yet standing on the southeast corner of Main and Sandusky Streets, and now occupied by L. A. Baldwin as a commission house. It

VILLAGE OF FINDLAY. - 617

was started to take the place of the " White Hall Tavern," burned down a couple of years previous, and was kept by Nathan Miller and M. Shisler in 1853 and 1854, respectively. who succeeded Mr. Paden, but it was closed about the time the Dixon Hotel (now Joy House) was opened for business. The Central and Burnet Houses are the latest ventures in the hotel line. The former, located on the west side of the public square, was built by Abraham W. Schwab many years ago for store-rooms, and first opened as a hotel by George Crouse about 1870-71. He was succeeded by James L. Henry. and after a few ,years the property was sold to the Grange; who opt red a store therein. Upon the failure of that movement it was again sold. and finally came into possession of Samuel D. Houpt. He fitted it up as a hotel, and in 1883 leased it to John Ritter, who opened it as the " Central House." C. P. Vail succeeded Mr. Ritter in July, 1884, and has recently fitted up the house in a very enterprising manner. The Burnet, now owned by Samuel Renninger, is located near the depot of the Lake Erie & Western Railroad. where a restaurant was Started by C. H. Dietsch shortly after the completion of that road to Findlay. The hotel accommodations of Findlay are fully ample for the present wants of the village, while its many elegant restaurants surpass those of any other country town in Ohio.

The old log grist and saw-mill, built under the supervision of Wilson Vance, by Vance &. Cory, in 1824. was the first manufacturing establishment erected in the county. These mills stood on the site of the present Carlin flouring-mill north of the river, and were a great blessing to the first settlers. As there has been some difference of opinion as to the year these mills were built, we herewith append the evidence of Mrs. Elizabeth Eberly (daughter of Benjamin J. Cox) and Job Chamberlin, the only pioneers now living who have any personal knowledge of the circumstance. "We removed," says Mrs. Eberly, "from Fort Findlay to the Maumee in 1823. and the mill had not yet been commenced, but was built the year after we left. The race. however, was dug out while we were there, but that is as far as the work progressed prior to our removal." Mr. Chamberlin, who came in February, 1822, agrees with the statement of Mrs. Eberly, and in his " Personal Reminiscences," written in 1874, gives the following account of the building of the mill: "Father had brought floor and meal enough to supply his family one year. Hon. Joseph Vance had promised to erect a mill the next season, but it was not until about two years and a half afterward that Messrs. Vance & Cory, the original proprietors of Findlay. built a little log mill about the place where Carlin's mill now stands." These statements world make the year 1824 as the date the old mills were erected. In 1828 James McKinnis and Reuben Hale rented the mills of Vance & Cory, and ran them about a year. Early in 1834 they were bought by John Campbell, together with fifteen acres of land. In the tax list of that year the mills are valued at $900. Campbell tore down the old log building in the winter of 1834-35 and erected a frame mill, which he ran till the spring of 1837, when the property was purchased by S. & P. Carlin. Several years afterward the Carlins rebuilt the mills, and they have been rebuilt .once more since that time, making the present mill the fourth one on that site. The saw-mill was operated up to within a few years ago.

In 1832 Henry Shaw built a horse-mill on W West Front Street, upon the south part of the lot now occupied by the "Church of God," Bethel, to supply the inhabitants with corn meal, when Vance's mill failed on account

618 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

of low water or some other cause. It was a two-story building, the grinding being done in the upper story, which was reached by an open stairway, and the horse-power was below. James Teatsorth bought this mill of Mr. Shaw about 1836, and ran it several years.

The first flouring-mill in the village was built by Martin Huber, John S. Julien and John Engelman, the last two mentioned being yet residents of Findlay. They purchased a lot on the south side of Sandusky Street, immediately east of Eagle Creek, in May, 1845, and began the erection of a mill. It was completed and first operated December 25, 1845, and was named the "Eagle Mills," which title it has ever since borne. This mill has always been operated by steam, and was one of the first steam mills built in the county. Soon after the mill began operations Martin Huber died, and in May; 1846, the property was purchased by Benjamin Huber, who owned it nearly twenty years. In the fall of 1865 the mill was sold to E. M. Norwood and Milton B. Patterson, who disposed of it in February, 1867, to William W. McConnell. The following November Parish W. Rockwell purchased an interest in the property. McConnell & Rockwell ran the mill until March, 1879, when David Kirk assumed control. In the fall of that year the property was sold at sheriff's sale and purchased by the creditors of McConnell & Rockwell, from whom Mr. Kirk and Mrs. William W. McConnell subsequently bought it. The mill was furnished with Ellis rolls in 1883, and on the 1st of January, 1885, Mr. Kirk became sole proprietor by the purchase of Mrs. McConnell's interest. The Eagle Mills are now first-class in their appointments, and are averaging 125 barrels of a superior grade of flour every twenty-four hours, though having a capacity of 150 barrels. Mr. Kirk has his own gas-well, which supplies fuel and light for the mill, and thus a saving of $2.000 per annum is accomplished.

The Hancock Mills, now owned and operated by John Parker, was built by his father, Jonathan. In the summer of 1857 the latter erected a steam planing-mill on Lincoln Street, in the southwest part of the village, and in the autumn of the same year began an addition for a grist-mill, which commenced operations in the spring of 188, under the name of the "Hancock Mills." These mills have ever since been carried on; first by the .father, and afterward by the present proprietor, though the planing-mill was abandoned eight or ten years ago. The present capacity is fifty barrels every twenty-four hours.

The pioneer saw-mill of the village was connected with the old log water grist-mill built by Vance & Cory in 1824, and it was continued up to within a few years ago. The next saw-mill was built by the Carlin brothers, on East Sandusky Street, on the west bank of Eagle Creek, the power being supplied by that stream. This mill was started about 1835, but did not last very long.

In 1846 Jonathan Parker, Abraham Daughenbaugh and William Taylor built quite a large steam saw-mill north of the river and east of Main Street. After some years Mr. Daughenbaugh sold out to his partners, and Albert Parker and Patterson Taylor, sons of the two remaining proprietors, subsequently succeeded to the ownership of the mill, the latter afterward disposing of his interest to Mr. Parker. J. C. Powell finally purchased the property, and continued to run the mill until its destruction by the explosion of the boiler, March 10, 1874, since which event it has not been rebuilt.

VILLAGE OF FINDLAY. - 619

In 1880 S. C. Moore erected a saw-mill on Main Cross Street, in East Findlay, which he sold in January, 1883, to S. & I. S. Moore. This mill was burned down in April, 1886, but immediately rebuilt by the Messrs. Moore. Six men find steady employment here most of the time, the product averaging about 4, 000 feet of hardwood lumber per day during nine months of the year. In June, 1884, S. C. Moore established his present hardwood lumber mill near the track of the Lake Erie & West ern Railroad, in North Findlay. George D. Plotner obtained an interest in the mill in December, 1885. They employ six hands and average 4,000 feet of lumber per day.

The fanning-mill factory established by Hiram Smith 1n 1835, on East Main Cross Street, was one of the earliest and most important industries of Findlay. Capt. Smith had previously carried on the same business at Waterville, on the Maumee River, whence, in 1835, he removed to Findlay. He manufactured mills here for several ,years, employing a number of hands in his factory, but finally engaged in mercantile pursuits, and in 1851 removed to Oregon.

Small wagon and carriage factories began to be established at quite an early day, though very little new work was turned out during the earlier years of settlement. Philip Shockey opened a wagon shop on East Main Cross Street in 1834 or 1835. He also manufactured plows, but his principal work was repairing during his residence here. In 1839 John Schneyer started a wagon shop on West Main Cross Street, on the site of Mrs. Sarah Carlin's residence, where he carried on business about nine years and then removed to the south -bank of -the river, where the old brewery now stands. In the winter of 1848-49 he gave up the manufacture of wagons and started a brewery, which will be found mentioned further on in this article. Jesse George, Simon Wilhelm and William Kirtland manufactured wagons and plows, and also did some foundry work, on South Main Street, as early as 1844-45. Koons & Snyder opened a wagon and carriage factory on West Crawford Street in 1848-49. Snyder soon retired and the firm became E. P: Koons & Co. The Koons family continued to run carriage shops in Findlay up to within fifteen years past. Eli Beach conducted the same class of business, first on Main Street and subsequently on West Crawford, from 1855 until about ten years ago.

Daniel Buck erected a small frame wagon shop on the north side of West Main Cross Street in 1859, and in 1861 took into partnership Stephen Seyfang, and in 1866 Adam Reimund joined the firm. The shops were enlarged in 1868, and in 1875 they were moved to the south side of the street, where the present two-story brick was afterward erected. In September, 1884, Mr. Seyfang died, and Buck & Reimund have since continued the business, which has grown from very small beginnings to its present respectable proportions. It is the leading carriage shop of Findlay, and gives steady employment to fifteen hands. All classes of wagons, buggies and carriages are turned out by this firm, their annual sales of new work aggregating from $15,000 to $20,000.

The carriage factory now operated by A. W. Ray, on West Main Cross Street, was established some twenty-six years ago by Karr & Sprau. Many changes have since occurred in its ownership, John M. Ferguson, Philip B. Morrison, S. C. Moore, George Heck, J. L. Linnville, William Biggs, Charles Fritcher, A. W. and J. K. Ray and L. Fitzpatrick having all been connected

620 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

with the proprietorship of this factory up to 1877, when A. W. Ray became sole owner. Eight hands are employed in this shop and a good class of wagons, carriages, etc., is manufactured.

In September, 1879, E. L. Kridler opened a wagon and carriage factory on East Crawford Street. William Ramey obtained an interest in the business, in 1881, but sold out to his partner after about eight months, and the latter continued alone until the spring of 1886, when Charles Radebaugh purchased an interest. The firm of Bridles & Radebaugh employ eight hands and do a business of about $8,000 per annum.

Several years ago James P. Kerr started a carriage shop on West Crawford Street, which finally went down. In February, 1885, Markle, Mullholand & Co. opened a carriage factory in the same place, and have since been doing a successful business. Seven hands are working in this shop, and a good grade of work is turned out.

The old Jackson foundry was established about 1848, by Smith, Vandenburg & Nye, on East Crawford Street. Jesse Wolf succeeded them in 1849, and was soon afterward joined by Simon Wilhelrn, who, in April, 1851, purchased more ground and enlarged the business. In July, 1855, Augustus Sheffield bought the foundry, and in the fall of 1857, sold it to Jesse George. In March, 1858, the latter formed a partnership with Simon Wilhelm and Jesse Wolf, under the firm name of J. George & Co., who named their foundry the " Findlay Foundry and Machine Shop."We find their first advertisement in the Jeffersonian of March, 1858, in which they say they have established said business "at the old foundry on Railroad (Crawford) Street, lately occupied by A. Sheffield. They advertise to manufacture steam-engines, plows, cultivators, grain-drills and several other kinds of foundry and machine work. In November, 1859, Wolf & Wilhelm purchased, for $8,000, the foundry established and then operated by Augustus Sheffield, on West Main Cross Street. The shops on Crawford Street were abandoned and the name transferred to the Main Cross Street foundry, which is thus its lineal successor.

In September, 1857, Augustus Sheffield purchased ground on the south side of West Main Cross Street, and built a brick foundry and machine shop thereon. He sold out to Jesse Wolf and Simon Wilhelm in the fall of 1859, who removed from their old location on East Crawford Street to the new shops. Wolf & Wilhelm ran the foundry until 1863, when William France obtained an interest (the firm name remaining as before), which he held about a year. In 1864 Robert S. Mungen purchased Mr. Wilhelm's interest, and the firm then became R. S. Mungen & Co. Louis Adams entered the firm in 1865, and Adams, Mungen & Wolf continued about one year when Mr. Wolf retired. Adams & Mungen carried on the business until 1867, when Mr. Wolf again became a partner, but the following year sold out his interest to Vincent H. Coons, while Cyrus Vail bought that of Mr. Adams. The interests of Messrs. Vail and Mungen were soon afterward purchased by Mr. Adams, and the firm of Adams & Coons ran the business until 1872, when the former retired. James T. Adams, Newton M. Adams, John W. Davis and William L. Davis, now entered the business, and the firm of Coons, Adams & Co. was organized. A large brick addition was made to the shop in 1873, and a fresh impetus was given to the business. Upon the death of William L. Davis in 1880, his interest was purchased by the remaining partners. In January, 1883, the Adams brothers and Joseph

VILLAGE OF FINDLAY. - 621

Kevis bought out Vincent H. Coons and John W. Davis, and the firm then became Adams Bros. & Co. The Findlay Machine Works manufacture portable and stationary engines, circular saw-mills, etc. , and give steady employment to twenty-two hands. In the spring of 1886 they erected a two-story brick addition, in the rear of the old shops, to meet the growing demands of their business.

The Eagle Foundry and Machine Shop was established in 1871 by W. K. Marvin on East Front Street, in a two-story frame building which he had fitted up for the purpose. In 1882 the present two-story brick was erected and the firm of W. K. Marvin & Sons formed, Russell and Demy Marvin being the junior members of the establishment. Portable and stationary engines, saw-mills and all kinds of mill gearing and castings are turned at this foundry.

Yocum & Hollowell started a small foundry about eight years ago in East Findlay, in the building now occupied by the hoop factory. It, however, lasted only a short period and made no mark in the manufacturing line.

The manufacture of furniture was one of the earliest industries of the village. some of the very first settlers carrying on that business. Frederick Henderson, Paul Sours, John Adams, Hugh Newell and Jesse Wheeler were all engaged in the manufacture of furniture during the earlier years of Findlay's history. Later furniture-makers were Campbell & Hefflick, Jacob Lohr, Henry Porch, David Rummell, Amos Nye, Moses Bullock and Isaac Baker. Mr. Rummell is the only one of the number now in the business, though he has not manufactured mach furniture for many years past.

Charles Dietsch & Son began the manufacture of furniture in 1860 on West Main Cross Street. In 1870 the firm became A. Dietsch & Co., and so remained until 1883, when it was changed to the Dietsch Bros. A frame building was first occupied, and this was used until 1876, when a substantial brick factory was erected on the old site. The Dietsch Bros. employ ten hands, and their business averages about $10,000 per year. This is now the only furniture manufactory in Findlay, and the work turned out is first class in every way.

Edwin S. Jones opened a tan-yard on East Front Street in 1828. In 1831 he sold out to Edward Bright, who was joined by Allen Wiseley in the business. This tannery passed through several ownerships, and was finally purchased by G. C. Barnd, who ran it some years ere abandoning the business. Another tannery was opened by Christian Barnd about 1832, west of the park, which was carried on by him and afterward by his son G. C. for a considerable period.

A log distillery was built in 1842-43, on the site of the East Findlay engine house, by John and Benjamin Hershy, of Wayne County, Ohio. They ran the business about four years and then gave it up as non-paying. The only other distillery that has ever been built in this locality was by McConnell, Lewis & Stillings, in the spring and summer of 1857. It was a three-story frame and stood on the north side of the river west of the village. After about one year's operation the distillery was purchased by E. P. Jones, of Findlay, and H. F. Merry, of Sandusky City, who manufactured whisky for some time and then sold out to Louis Adams. The latter took in W. W. McConnell, and the business was carried on by them until after the war closed, and it then went down.

622 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

In the winter of 1848-49 John Schneyer established a brewery on the south bank of the river adjoining Judge Cory's residence on the north. He manufactured lager beer at this point until the spring of 1857, when he sold out to Joseph and Frank Kevis. In 1861 a branch brewery was built on Chamberlin's Hill, where good vaults could be constructed, and it was run in connection with the main establishment until burned down in 1875. In the fall of that year Frank tellers purchased the brewery and afterward erected the large brick yet standing, but in •a few years he failed, and the business has not since been revived.

The Hancock Mills, erected on West Lincoln Street by Jonathan Parker, in 1857-58, had in operation the first planing-mill in the village. A planer was run here until eight or ten years ago.

In 1859 Benjamin Huber and M. D. Miller put into the Eagle Mills planing machinery and also machinery for the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds. This portion of the mills was run in connection with the flouring department, first by Mr. Miller and afterward by D. C. Fisher until 1864, when the latter removed the machinery to a new building on West Crawford Street.

The extensive planing-mills of Shull & Parker, on West Crawford Street, were established, in 1864, by D. C. Fisher and William H. Wheeler, who purchased ground and erected a two-story frame and equipped it with the necessary machinery to manufacture sash, doors and blinds. The firm of Fisher & Wheeler ran the business until 1868, when C. E. Seymour bought an interest, and the firm name was changed to D. C. Fisher & Co. In 1869 John Shull bought out Mr. Wheeler, and in January, 1872, Mr. Fisher disposed of his interest to William Anderson. The firm then became John Shull & Co. In the fall of 1872 Messrs. Anderson and Seymour sold out to George W. Myers and Samuel D. Frey, and on the 4th of September of that year the " John Shull Lumber Manufacturing Company" was organized by John Shull, Samuel D. Frey, Henry Schwartz, Squire Carlin and George W. Myers, with a capital stock of $50,000. This company conducted the business until 1877, and were then bought out by John Shull and D. C. Fisher, who, tinder the firm name of Shull & Fisher, carried on until January, 1883. W. F. Parker then came into the business, and the firm of Shull, Fisher & Parker was established. Mr. Fisher died in October, 1885, and Shull & Parker purchased his interest. Sixteen hands are employed in these mills, and the combined product, including the business of the lumber yard, will annually exceed $60,000. All classes of sash, doors and blinds are turned out, and, in fact, everything in the building line usually manufactured in such an establishment.

Heck Bros. & Bushon operate the only other sash, door and blind factory in the village. The mill was built in the summer of 1885, on East Front Street, close to the Eagle Foundry, and turns out all classes of such building material as come in their line. They are making a specialty of "Shellebarger's Combination Fence," and give employment to nine hands.

The Findlay Stave and Handle Factory is one of the leading manufacturing institutions of Findlay. The business was established on West Sandusky Street, in the spring of 1872, by D. C. Fisher, John K. Wise, Andrew Bushon, Henry F. Winders, John M. Hamlin and Samuel C. Moore, under the firm name of Moore, Wise & Co. Mr. Fisher sold out in December, 1872, and Mr. Wise died in 1873, both interests being purchased by

PAGE 623 - PICTURE OF HENRY FREY

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VILLAGE OF FINDLAY. - 625

the other members of the firm. Early in 1873 Mr. Bushon sold to Messrs. Hamlin and Winders, and the establishment was soon afterward burned to the ground. The factory was at once rebuilt on a larder scale, and the business prosecuted with renewed vigor. Henry Hellenkamp bought Mr. Moore's interest in 1875. and in 1878 sold to Messrs. Hamlin & Winders. In April, 1884, Mr. Hamlin became sole proprietor through the purchase of Mr. Winders' interest. Staves and all kinds of farm-tool handles are the product of this factory, whose markets extend to nearly every part of the globe. Twenty-five hands are usually employed throughout the year, and the sales amount to $30,000 per annum.

The Findlay Rake Factory was started by C. E. Seymour, Andrew Bushon and H. M. Vance, in North Findlay in the spring of 1873. Vance & Seymour purchased Mr. Bushon's interest in 1874, and the following year Mr. Vance sold out to P. J. Sours. The firm of Sours & Seymour continued until January. 1878, when Mr. Seymour bought out his partner, and thus became sole owner. In May, 1880, the factory was burned down, and the next month he began the erection of a two-story brick building on East Crawford Street, which was occupied the following autumn. In June, 1882, Lemuel McManness obtained a partnership in the business, and the firm has since been McManness Seymour. From 12,000 to 15,000 hand-rakes are annually manufactured, and twenty-five hands find steady employment.

The Findlay Manufacturing Company was organized November 14, 1873, with a capital stock of $ 30, 000, by E. P. Jones. J. S. Patterson, James H. W Wilson, W. H. Haven. Charles E. Niles and D. C. Fisher. A. two-story brick building was erected on West Crawford Street, and began the manufacture of planed lumber, fanning-mills and washing-machines. It ran only a few years, and was succeeded by a window-shade factory, and known as the " Novelty Works:" but this was of very short duration. In the fall of 1879 the building was leased by Y. Bickham and Charles W right, who commenced the manufacture of carriage bent-work. In January, 1881, Mr. Wright bought out his partner. and ran the business until the spring of 1882, when it ceased further operations. Mr. Jones. who owes the building, has recently sunk a gas-well in the yard, and rented both to J. W. Smith, for the manufacture and working of a metal said to be aluminum.

J. J. Bradner's fanning-mill and handle factory on the. Lima road, was started in 1881, and is still in successful operation. Bee-hives and honey-sections are also manufactured at this shop, where five hands find steady employment.

The Findlay Hoop Works commenced business in the spring of 1882, on East Sandusky Street in East Findlay. This factory was established by James P. Kerr, in the building formerly occupied by Yocum & Hollowell's foundry, which had been in operation only a brief time. Mr. Kerr purchased a portion of the machinery and the stuck of the Findlay Carriage Bent Works, and removed them to East Findlay. where he began the manufacture of hoops and hardwood lumber: A saw and planing-mill is also operated in this factory, and eight hands are employed in the several branches of the work.

The Findlay Woolen Mill was established by William Anderson and John D. McKibben in the old Presbyterian Church on East Crawford Street. They purchased this building in May, 1858. and fitted it for the manufacture of woolen goods. Mr. Anderson bought out his partner four years

626 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

afterward, and continued alone. On the 14th of April, 1865, the cornerstone of the large three-story brick building in East Findlay was laid with imposing ceremonies, as there were thousands of people in town that day celebrating over the fall of Richmond and the surrender of Lee's army. In the summer of 1865 Mr. Anderson sold the old property on Crawford Street, and the same year the new mill began operations. Mr. Anderson carried on the business with varying success until the spring of 1884, and was then succeeded by L. Rambo & Son, the present proprietors, who opened the mill for business in June, 1885. The mill is only run a portion of the year, and when in operation furnishes employment to about eighteen hands. Cassimeres, satinets, blankets, flannels and yarns are manufactured in this establishment. the capacity of the mill being about 50,000 pounds of wool annually.

The Linseed Oil Mill of McManness & Seymour had its inception in the summer of 1865, when James T. Adams, C. A. Croninger and W William Anderson purchased the old frame woolen-mill on East Crawford Street and began to manufacture linseed oil. Mr. Croninger sold out to his partners in February, 1868. In 1873 Adams & Anderson erected the front portion of the present two-story brick. Mr. Anderson sold his interest in 1877 to Mr. Adams and Milton Taylor, who in 1880 tore down the old flame church portion and replaced it with a brick structure. In June, 1882, Adams & Taylor sold the property to McManness & Seymour, who have since carried on the business. Six hands are employed in the mill, which has a capacity of 45,000 bushels of seed per annum.

Early in 1865 S. F. Gray, J. S. Patterson and Milton Taylor leased the old foundry on East Crawford Street, and fitted it up for a flax-mill. They, however, could not find a paying market for the product, and after a few months' trial the enterprise was abandoned. In 1870 the Delaware Bagging Company started a similar establishment in East Findlay, which was purchased in 1872 by James T. Adams and William Anderson. In 1877 the former sold out to his partner, who several years afterward gave up the business as unprofitable. The building is now occupied by some parties engaged in baling hay.

The harness and saddlery establishment of the Ruhl Bros., on Main Street, gives employment to a greater number of hands than any other factory now (April, 1886,) in operation in Findlay. The present business was started in the spring of 1876, by John S. and George W. Ruhl, and they have since grown into an extensive wholesale trade, one of the firm traveling " on the road " the greater part of his time. Thirty-nine workmen find steady work in the establishment, and their salsa reach an aggregate of $60, 000 a year.

The Barnd Limekilns south of the village were established by Elijah Barnd in 1871, and over 20,000 bushels of first-class lime are annually burned in these kilns. From five to seven men are employed, and the business ranks among the leading manufacturing interests of the town.

In 1860 Martin Hirsher established a stoneware pottery in East Findlay on the Mt. Blanchard road. He gets his clay from Akron, Ohio, and the Hocking Valley, and annually turns out about 30,000 gallons of stoneware. His ware has a good reputation, and his sales are principally confined to Hancock County.

The American Mask Manufacturing Company was organized in April,

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1884, and began the manufacture of masks in a small way in a room in the headquarters building on Main Street. By 1885 the business had so grown that the firm purchased a two-story brick building on the south side of Main Cross Street, immediately west of the Lake Erie & Western Railroad. The business is owned and operated by Oscar Kirsten and Christian Heyn, and fifteen hands are employed in the factory, which is the only one of the kind in the United States.

The John Shall Novelty Works is one of the recent additions to the business interests of the village. It had its inception in the spring of 1885, in its present quarters in the old Lutheran Church on West Crawford Street, where Mr. Shall began the manufacture, by hand, of ironing tables, etc. But the present works were equipped and started in January, 1886, and have since been doing a prosperous trade. Ironing tables, step and extension ladders, clothes racks, etc., are turned out on a large scale, fourteen hands being now employed in the factory.

The works of the Brigg s Edge Tool Company is the latest and most prominent manufacturing institution of Findlay. To encourage the location of this factory in the village the citizens donated to the company four acres of land and a gas-well, north of the river and east of the Toledo, Columbus & Southern Railroad, also $1,500 in money. The factory was completed and opened in the spring of 1886. The company say they will now employ fifty hands, and expect to finally increase the number to 100. The present buildings are good sized brick and frame structures, and if the promises of the company are realized these works will prove a wonderful advantage to the material interests of Findlay.

The great development of natural gas is bringing a few more factories to the village. "The Findlay Window Glass Company, of Bellaire, Ohio," was incorporated April 21, and has commenced the erection of buildings for the manufacture of glass in North Findlay. at the junction of the Toledo, Columbus & Southern, and Lake Erie & Western Railroads. Palmer & Arnold are erecting a large brick flooring-mill near the Indianapolis, Bloomington & Western Railroad depot. Including the basement it will be four stories high, will be furnished with the roller process and have a capacity of 125 barrels of first-class floor every twenty-four hours. Several other manufacturing institutions are investigating the advantages which natural gas has conferred upon Findlay as a future field of operations, and some of them will probably locate here.

The Hancock County Bank was organized June 22, 1847, under the act of February 24, 1845, as a branch of the State Bank. A banker named A. C. Stone came here from the East to establish the enterprise, and enlisted the following stockholders in the project: D. J. Cory, John Dukes, Dr. William H. Baldwin, W. J. Wells, S. N. Beach, H. L. Wood, Edson Goit, Dr. David Patton, Eli S. Reed, A. H. Hyatt, James Robinson, U. A. Ogden. James H. Wilson, Charles W. O'Neal. P. D. Bigelow, Frederick Henderson, William Porterfield, Calvin W. Seaver, Hugh Newell, W. M. Patterson, William E. Chittenden, Wilson Vance, Benjamin Huber, Squire and Parlee Carlin, Robert L. Strother. William Taylor and Dr. Bass Rawson, the capital stock being established at $100,000. Stone returned to the East to settle up his affairs ere opening the bank; there got into financial trouble and never came back. Thus ended the first banking enterprise of the village. "The Findlay Bank" began business in August, 1853, with James Purdy,

628 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

James Weldon, Charles Hedges, William S. Granger, David J. Cory, William Taylor and James M. Coffinberry, directors, and Cunningham Hazlett, cashier. This bank lasted until the spring of 1857. and was succeeded by the "Exchange Bank," C. Hazlett & Co., proprietors, which, however. did not carry on business very long.

The Citizens' Bank, under the firm name of Ewing, Carlins & Co., was established in the spring of 1854, and commenced business on the 3d of April. John Ewing, Squire and Parlee Carlin, Charles W. O' Neal, Louis Adams and Samuel Howard composed the firm. In April, 1855, Mr. Howard retired from the firm. the following November Mr. O'Neal dropped out, and Mr. Ewing in April, 1856. Adams, Carlins & Co. continued to run the bank until December, 1863, when Paul Sours took the place of Mr. Adams, and the firm became Carlins & Co. This back was at that time the leading banking house of the county, and did a very large business. On the 17th of January, 1876. it was reorganized as the "Citizens' Savings Bank," with the following stockholders: Parlee Carlin, Dr. Lorenzo Firmin, M. D. Sours, Lewis C. Carlin, James A. Bope, Squire Carlin, Dr. Bass Rawson, George W. Myers, Samuel D. Frey, D. J. Cory, William L. Davis, John Davis, Isaac Davis and Mrs. D. B. G. Carlin. Soon afterward Peter Holler, Isaac Blaksley and Jacob W Wagner were added to the list, while Squire Carlin dropped out. The advertised capital was $50,000, and a guaranteed security of $100, 000. It was regarded as a sound financial institution, as its stockholders embraced several of the wealthiest men of the county; but on the 25th of March, 1878, it went down in financial rain. The board of directors at the time of the failure were Dr. Lorenzo Firmin, president; D. J. Cory, vice-president; James A. Bope, secretary; Parlee Carlin, John W. Adams, Isaac Blaksley, Lewis C. Carlin and Jacob Wagner, with M. D. Sours, cashier. The cause of the failure was claimed by the officials to be the "heavy liabilities" and "scaly assets" of the old bank, which were un knowingly assumed by the reorganized institution. It was thought by many that the bank would resume business in a short time, but it never again opened its doors.

The First National Bank was organized in the spring of 1863, the original stockholders being E. P. Jones, Mrs. Frances Brainard, Charles E. Niles. Dr. Anson Hurd, Robert B. Hurd, William H. Wheeler, H. P. Gage, Henry Brown. Henry Byal and Miss Lucinda Suber. The following officers were elected at the time of organization: E. P. Jones, president; Charles E. Niles, cashier; Henry Brown, William H. Wheeler, H. P. Gage, Robert B. Hurd and E. P. Jones, directors. The capital stock was $50, 000, and authorized capital, $100, 000. It began business in the summer of 1863, and has ever since bean one of the safest and soundest financial institutions in northwestern Ohio. Messrs. Jones and Niles have been its president and cashier, respectively, since the bank was organized, and under their careful administration it has gone forward on a prosperous career, disbursing millions of dollars without any comparative loss during the twenty-three years of its existence. It now enjoys a reputation for strength and solidity unexcelled in this portion of the State.

The Hancock Bank was organized in May, 1867, by Croninger, Gage & Co. In November, 1868, the firm became H. P. Gage & Co., H. P. Gage, Parlee Carlin and A. S. Julien composing the firm. . In June, 1873, this bank was reorganized and incorporated as " The Hancock Savings and Loan

VILLAGE OF FINDLAY. - 629

Association," with a capital stock of $50.000, by H. P. Gage, M. C. Whiteley, John D. Bishop, Dr. Charles Osterlen, William L. Davis and Aaron Blackford. By a decree of the court of common pleas of Hancock County, issued October 6, 1873, the name was changed to the "Hancock Savings Bank," and incorporated under this name three days afterward. Its authorized capital was placed at $200,000, with a guaranteed security to depositors of $100,000. It carried on an apparently successful business until the failure of the Citizens' Bank, when a "run" was at once made upon it, and on March 28, 1878, it closed its doors. The stockholders at this time were H. P. Gage, Abraham Grabill. John D. Bishop, Richard Dukes, Dr. Charles Osterlen, Allied Graber and A. R. Belden, with H. P. Gage president, and Alfred Graber cashier. The bank suspended for ninety days, but an investigation revealed the fact that President Gage had squandered the funds in speculation, and business was never resumed. The successive failure of these two banks caused large financial losses to many people, and therefore wide-spread dissatisfaction, and under the pressure of the stigma attached to his name through the misuse of the bank's funds, Mr. Gage committed suicide.

The Farmers' Bank commenced business January 10, 1873, the firm being Seymour, Vance & Co. The owners of this bank were C. E. Sey mour, M. W. Vance and H. M. Vance. P. J. Sours was cashier during its brief existence of about one year, when the firm mutually concluded to give up the business and then ceased operations.

The Farmers' National Bank is the successor of the Farmers' Bank, established January 1, 1880, by Peter Hosler, George W. Hull and J. G. Hull, with a capital stock of $60,000. Messrs. Hosler and J. G. Hull were president and cashier, respectively, of the old bank from its inception up to the close of its history, April 30, 1886. On March 30, 1886, the Farmers' National Bank was incorporated with a capital stock of $80,000 and an authorized capital of $160,000. The present officers of the bank are Peter Hosler, president; Milton Gray, vice-president; J. G. Hull, cashier; W. F. Hosler, assistant cashier; Charles Williams, teller; Peter Hosler, T. Carnahan, Milton Gray, Aaron Blackford, E. T. Dunn, John A. Scott, George W. Hull, S. D. Houpt and A. H. Balsley, directors. The new bank commenced operations on the 1st of May, and as many of the wealthiest and most influential citizens of the town are stockholders of the institution, it will doubtless continue to do a safe and extensive business. Its officers are successful, energetic and careful business men, which also insures sound financial management.

The "Findlay Savings and Building Loan Association" was organized October 12, 1867, by John M. Hamlin, C. D. Ettinger, Charles E. Niles, J. S. Henderson, O. S. Langan, H. P. Gage, D. C. Fisher, J. S. Ballantine, Lewis Glessner, John C. Martin, W. A. Millis and C. N. Locks, with a capital stock of $500, 000, divided into 2,500 shares of $200 each. In January, 1870, the capital stock was reduced to $200,000. The association was carried on successfully till the spring of 1878, when its business was wound up and it ceased operations.

The "Findlay Building and Loan Association" was organized March 20, 1886, with a capital stock of $500,000 in $250 shares. The officers are F. B. Zay, president; A. C. Heck, vice-president; W.. F. Hosler, secretary; John Shull, treasurer; E. T. Dunn, attorney; P. E. Hay, R. A. McGeary,

630 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

Edward Dietsch, A. W. Ray, A. C. Heck. William Edwards and F. B. Zay, directors. These associations are in a certain sense banking institutions, and may properly be placed in the same class of business interests:

From the days when Findlay was a small village up to the present the ever popular circus and other traveling shows came at intervals to amuse and entertain the quiet lives of its inhabitants. One of the first, if not the first, of these was June & Turner's circus, which pitched its tent on West Front Street in 1847. Of course, as circuses always do, this pioneer drew a big crowd.In February, 1848, the theatrical company of S. E. Brown & Co. appeared to large audiences in the court house for one week. Melodeon Building was erected by James H. Wilson this year (1848), on the site of the Carnahan Block, and contained the first public hall worthy of mention opened in the village. In August, 1851, Van Amburgh's menagerie. with the then famous elephant, `'Columbus.'' exhibited in North Findlay. He came again in 1856 with the big elephant, `' Hannibal," and pitched his tent in East Findlay. In 1855 Maj. Ward. a conjurer and ventriloquist, gave a tent exhibition on the public square which created a good deal of curiosity . Maybe & Co's, in 1856, was the first combined circus and menagerie that appeared in Findlay. The street parade which it gave was then a new feature and attracted much attention. A traveling company gave Uncle Tom's Cabin in Melodeon Hall in 1856, and created a profound impression, as at that time the question of the abolition of slavery was at its height. Spalding & Roger's circus came to Findlay in August, 1857, and their steam calliope, drawn by forty horses, driven by one person, drew out a very large crowd to their tent. near Eagle Creek. Corbin & Co's "Hunters of the West," a sort of Indian combination troupe, showed here in October. 1857, and, with gaudy trappings, paraded Main Street. Yankee Robinson's circus gave an exhibition in the village about this time, pitching its tent near Eagle Creek, between the Branch Railroad and Main Cross Street, where Spalding & Rogers had previously exhibited. In the fall of 1858, Prof. Winchell, one of the greatest ventriloquists and facial performers of his day, appeared in Melodeon Hall. He was also a good singer and performed to large and delighted audiences. Gulick's Old Folk's Concert Company gave one of their very popular entertainments in Melodeon Hall in the winter of 1858-59. In the summer of 1860. Dondley's Theater Company, of Cincinnati, showed for a week in the court house, was well patronized and regarded with high favor. The foregoing comprise only some of the principal shows that appeared prior to the Rebellion. Wheeler's Hall was built by William H. Wheeler in 1863, and completed the following year, and was subsequently used for all classes of entertainments up to the opening of the present Davis Opera Horse, on Thanksgiving night. 1876. The latter was built by William L. Davis, John W. Davis and Martin L. Detwiler. It was commenced in 1875 and completed in the autumn of the following year. Though an occasional troupe or lecturer is well patronized by the people of the village, Findlay is not generally regarded by the profession as a good show town, and the gentlemen who have heretofore run the opera house, have therefore, made no money out of the business. Public places of amusement are, however, a necessity in every progressive town, and the Davis Opera House is sufficiently large to supply the present demands of Findlay in that direction.

The several bands that have existed in the village have been so closely identified with the amusement field as to deserve mention in this connection.

VILLAGE OF FINDLAY. - 631.

The first of these was the Findlay Brass Band, organized by the Germans of the town in 1857, which lasted some three ,years. In 1858 the Schneyer Band broke off from the German Band, but existed only about one year. The Citizens' Band was organized in 1859 by Charles Mains, and was in great demand during the earlier stages of the war. Some of its members went into the army, and it was reorganized by Prof. Widman in 1868, as the Findlay Cornet Band. About five years afterward the name was changed to the Northwestern Band, and in 1879, to the Opera House Band. This lasted about three years and then went out of existence. In the fall of 1882 the Union Band was organized but never amounted to anything, and February 11, 1883, it was reorganized by J. B, Markle as the Northwestern Band, of which organization Findlay has good reason to be proud. It contains eighteen instruments-brass and reed and is generally recognized as the peer of any other band in northwestern Ohio.