600 - MEMOIRS OF LUCAS COUNTY sufficient capacity to accommodate a small army of people. The establishment employs several hundred people and is well known in all the counties and other cities about Toledo. The officers today are : W. L. Milner, president ; J. K. Secor, vice-president ; G. W. Rich. secretary and treasurer ; and H. S. Fisher, general manager. Lamson Brothers, dealers in drygoods, began business in Toledo, in 1885, as a partnership affair, consisting of the two brothers—Julius and John D. R. Lamson. They first 0ccupied a one-room store at 319 Summit street, now used by M. F. Newcomer & Sons in the drug business. The floor space was very limited and, in 1887. it was necessary to make an extension to the alley in the rear, and also to occupy the second and basement floors, increasing the capacity to more than double that of 1885. Two years later, the firm bought the store and lease of the S. H. Frank Company, at 333-335 Summit street. and soon remodeled it into the nucleus of the present store, giving three floors and basement to the business. The following year, 1890, another brother, C. E. B. Lamson, was given an interest. and no further changes have been made in the personnel of the concern. On Feb. 1, 1905, the Lamson Brothers incorporated, with a capital stock of $400.- 000, and with Julius Lamson as president, John D. R. Lamson as vice-president, and C. E. B. Lamson as secretary and treasurer, which arrangement prevails today. The business soon needed greater quarters and, in 1893, the third and lower floors of the building adjoining on the north were taken over, making a total available area of 22,000 square feet. In 1898, this last structure was torn down and a new five-story building was erected, which gave twice the former floor area. Four years later, the two-story building at 341-343 Summit street was removed to put up an additional five-story building, similar to the one erected in 1898, and in March, 1910, the Clinton-Close Company building was secured, giving the Lamson Brothers .a grand total of 94,000 feet space and both a Summit and Adams street entrance, making the establishment one of the largest in Toledo. The company, in the deal made for the Clinton-Close Company building. Purchased the stock of the J. C. Evans Company, consisting of cloaks, suits, waists and skirts. The directors —D. S. Hager, W. E. Buckingham, G. E. Moore and S. Monro Rhoades, and including the Lamson brothers—are all actively engaged in the vast business of the store, and with a force of 350 people in their employ, are no small factor in the drygoods business of the city and surrounding community. Recently, the company added a mailing department to the business, which is a feature few other concerns. carry, and which has steadily increased so that it requires a department by itself. Fifteen years ago, the present firm of LaSalle & Koch began business in Toledo, on the corner of Adams and Summit streets, with a capital stock of $150,000. the firm consisting of Jacob LaSalle, Joseph Koch, Sol A. LaSalle, Abe Koch and John J. May. Starting with a modern department store in view, the concern soon outgrew its original quarters and removed, in 1900. to the large six-story building on the corner of Jefferson avenue and Superior street, opposite the new Secor INDUSTRIES - 601 Hotel. This building, in 1900, had a frontage on Superior street of eighty feet and 120 feet on Jefferson avenue. In 1906, sixty feet were added on Superior, and, in 1908, an additional thirty feet was necessary, making a total in frontage on Superior street of 170 feet, or a floor space of 140,000 square feet for the use of the company. In the year 1908, the business had assumed such proportions that the incorporated capital was increased to $300,000. In 1904, upon the death of Joseph Koch, his son, Alfred, took the father's interest and is the present secretary. Jacob LaSalle is the president, Sol A. LaSalle is treasurer and general manager, Abe Koch is vice-president, and John John J. May is assistant secretary. The store retails drygoods, carpets, furniture, ladies' and misses' shoes, crockery, house-furnishings, in fact everything found in a modern department store. The Lion Dry Goods Store was established many years ago, as a branch of the old Bee-Hive Store. It was in 1857 that a drygoods business was started by Fred Eaton, in what was then known as the Bee-Hive building, named such on account of its busy interior. and which formerly occupied the present site of W. L. Milner's large six-story commercial block. Mr. Eaton was so successful in his undertaking that, in a short time, he opened a branch store at 325 Summit street and, until 1872, no change was made in the main store and its branch. In that year, fire destroyed the branch at 325 Summit street. and a new building of four floors was immediately constructed, and this then became the main store, and the old Bee-Hive the branch. Beginning with only one floor, in 1872, the concern added, soon afterward, the adjoining rooms-327 and 329. In 1885, after many changes in the personnel of the company. the controlling interest was purchased by George M. Fisher, who had come to Toledo from St. Louis, in 1884. and, until the year 1890. the name of the company was Fisher, Eaton & Company, J. Ellery Eaton being also interested with Fred Eaton. In 1890, Mr. Fisher purchased all other interests and organized what is now the Lion Dry Goods Company, with a capital stock of $200,000, this corporation being affiliated with the United Dry Goods Companies of New York, which has a capital of over $50.000,000, with branches in fifteen of the large cities of the United States. In the last few years the company has increased its capital stock to $250,000. The concern today occupies some 116,000 square feet of floor space. having a frontage of 80 feet on Summit street and 120 feet on St. Clair street, and recently it leased the remaining thirty- six feet on St. Clair to the corner of Adams, making a total of 156 feet in frontage on St. Clair street. The officers of this house are : R. B. Sherburne, president ; John W. Lewis, Jr.. vice-president and general manager ; and F. R. Swalley, secretary and treasurer. COAL COMPANIES. One of the greatest issues of the commercial and industrial life and expansion of a city is the question of fuel supply. Toledo is located in the very heart of the commercial traffic between the East and 602 - MEMOIRS OF LUCAS COUNTY the West and the Northwest, hence it must seek to supply both the railroads and the lake shipping with fuel, as well as the manufacturing and domestic interests at home. Something over 4,000,000 tons of fuel are handled in Toledo each year. The Toledo Fuel Company, incorporated in 1905, is one of the largest companies supplying both the city and the shipping interests. The docks and boats of this company are kept busy during the season, transferring fuel. The concern obtains both its coke and coal from mines in Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. The main offices are located in the Produce Exchange and the yards for the retail trade are in East Toledo, on the Toledo & Ohio Central Railroad. The vessels are supplied from docks on the Hocking Valley, Toledo & Ohio Central and the Pennsylvania Railroad. The company does an enormous business in both retailing and wholesaling hard and soft coal, the largest volume being the steamboat trade. The officers of this company are : A. M. Donovan, president and manager, and C. W. Donovan, secretary and treasurer. Another aggressive company is that of I. W. Copeland, wholesaler in coal and coke. This concern was established, in 1893, by I. W. Copeland, who for several years prior to that time was associated with the Gosline & Barbour Company, wholesale dealers in coal and coke. Mr. Copeland's long experience gave him a thorough knowledge of the business and he decided to embark in an all rail handling of coal and coke in a wholesale way. Large shipments are made to patrons in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and parts of Illinois. Only the best grades of anthracite and bituminous coals are handled, coming directly from the large fields of West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Ohio. Mr. Copeland's offices are 1125 Nicholas Building. The Jackson Coal and Coke Company, attracted by the immense field of business and the success of others, began operations, in August, 1902, with a capital stock of $20.000, and, although in the city less than ten years, has placed itself well up among the concerns of its kind. This company was organized to handle the output of the largest producing company in the Jackson county (Ohio) coal fields, from which it derives its name. This is bituminous coal of an excellent grade. In the last five years the company has also gone into the jobbing business on Ohio steam coal and West Virginia and Kentucky coal. The concern does its shipping directly by rail, and orders are received from patrons as far west as Iowa, Nebraska and the Dakotas. It ships to all the Central States; but to none east of Ohio. The company has the use of the various railway docks and tracks in the city and is under the efficient management of such men as C. H. Sternberger, the president, and E. V. O'Dwyer, the secretary and treasurer. The offices are in the Ohio Building. Another company of recent years is that of George M. Jones, wholesaler of coal and coke, with offices in the Ohio Building. Doing business with a capitalization of $100,000 since its organization, in 1901, this company secures its coal from Belmont and Perry county coal fields, in the State of Ohio. The concern ships to dealers in Ohio, INDUSTRIES - 603 Indiana and Michigan, and to many lake ports as far north as Duluth, Minn. The company deals in bituminous coal for both domestic and steam purposes, being the agents for Pittsburg No. 8 and Hocking Valley. George M. Jones is the president, W. I. Jones is vice-presi- dent, T. .B. Earl is secretary and G. S. Jones is treasurer. The enterprising firm of the A. G. Blair Mining Company, wholesalers, jobbers and miners of coal, was organized, in 1897, by A. G. Blair, Sr., A. G. Blair, Jr., and J. C. Blair, as a partnership affair. In 1905, the company incorporated for $100,000 as the A. G. Blair Mining Company, which controls the output of coal from mines in Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. In 1908, the death of the senior Blair left A. G. Blair, Jr., and J. C. Blair to continue the business. The business is mostly by rail, in direct shipments from the mines to points as far west as Minnesota and Wisconsin and the greater part of the trade is in the three States of Ohio, Indiana and Michigan. Perhaps the oldest company dealing in coal in Toledo is the W. A. Gosline firm. It was organized, in 1872, by W. A. Gosline and a Mr. Barbour, and was styled Gosline & Barbour, for the purpose of doing a wholesale and retail business in Toledo and the immediate vicinity. In 1901, Mr. Barbour retired and his interest was taken by W. A. Gosline, Jr., a son of the founder of the business. The name was then changed to the W. A. Gosline & Company. H. J. Heywood became the partner, about 1904. W. A. Gosline, the senior member, died March 18, 1910, since which time no new arrangement has been formed. Not only was the company among the earliest to commence the wholesale and retail coal and coke business, but it was the first and is the oldest as a mining company, having been engaged in producing in both the Hocking and Jackson districts for nearly twenty-five years. The company operates three mines in the State of Ohio at the present time and are large jobbers of West Virginia, Kentucky and Pittsburg coals as well. The retail part of the business has been successfully established since the firm first had its inception, in 1872. A large bulk of the trade is in the three States adjacent to Toledo, and the balance to the northwest of Lake Michigan. The offices are in the Ohio Building. The West Fuel Company was organized and incorporated, in 1907, with a capital stock of $10,000, which since has been increased to S25,000. The concern is the successor of the Leeper, West & Terry Company, R. J. West having become associated with the last mentioned corporation in 1900, but. in 1907, he purchased the interests of the other men concerned and became the sole proprietor and owner. The company has established in Toledo and its immediate yicinity a large trade in both anthracite and bituminous coals, doing a retail business in the city and wholesale shipping to the surrounding country. The supply of coal is obtained in Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. The retail yards are located in connection with the Hocking Valley and the.Pennsylvania railroad tracks in the city of Toledo. The wholesale business is done by rail. R. J. West has been the president and manager since the inception of the company, in 1907. and F. W. Metz- 604 - MEMOIRS OF LUCAS COUNTY ger is the secretary and treasurer, the offices being on the first floor of the Spitzer Building.  The Big Four Coal Company was organized, in 1907, being the outgrowth of a merger of four other companies—the Carland Coal Company, the East Toledo Coal Company, the Jaxon Coal Company and the City Coal Company. The company has a capital stock of $85,000 and has always received its supply of fuel of both anthracite and bituminous coal, from fields in Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylyania. It has conducted both a wholesale and retail business in the city of Toledo and the surrounding country. The four retail yards are located in various parts of the city, convenient to the handling of the city trade. The incorporators of the company were W. M. Carlisle, C. O. Minflinger, W. L. Vail, H. D. Powell and H. C. Adams. The offices are located at No. 1102 Cherry street, and the men managing the business are: William M. Carlisle, president W. C. Carlisle,—son of William H.,—secretary and treasurer ; and W. L. Vail, manager. J. C. Carland, formerly at the head of the Carland Coal Company, is a member of the board of directors, having retained his interest since the merger of 1907. East Toledo has a few companies that look directly after the interest of that part of the city and assist the business and industrial affairs. Such is the work of the Bingham Koal & Kartage Company, which began to serve the public in 1890, being conceiyed by Nye S. and Clarence E. Bingham, under the style of Bingham Brothers, as a co-partnership. The firm met with such success in the first few years that articles of incorporation were secured, in 1895, with a capital stock of $15,000, the name then being changed to the Bingham Foal & Kartage Company, as it exists today. The present officers of the concern are; Nye S. Bingham, president and manager ; Clarence E. Bingham, vice-president ; and Elmer E. Richards. secretary and treasurer, the latter becoming ass0ciated with the company in 1895. The concern has always been located at 3009 Front street. in Ironville. and does a general line of teaming and trucking of all kinds including excavating, etc. A building on Garnett street is used for storage purposes of household goods. etc. The coal business consists of retailing. both bituminous and anthracite for domestic purposes in Ironville and East Toledo. In addition to the above lines of business, the company has completed many contracts of hoisting and rigging, moying, setting, packing and shipping machinery of any weight up to twenty tons, being fully equippd for such work, not only locally but within a radius of 100 miles of the city. Some such classes of contracts have been executed in cities like Detroit, Pittsburg, Columbus and Cleveland. INSURANCE AND REAL ESTATE. Prominent among the insurance agencies and dealers in real estate, is the firm of Merrill, Dodge & Jackson Company. This agency was founded by E. 0. Brown and F. B. Dodge, as Dodge & Brown, in 1867. Eighteen years later, E. A. Pope was giyen an interest in INDUSTRIES - 605 the concern and it was styled Drown, Dodge & Pope. In 1895, upon the death of F. B. Dodge, F. H. Dodge entered as a partner, and it became Brown & Dodge, Mr. Pope having retired. One year later, E. O. Brown, the founder, retired and the firm continued as F. H. Dodge & Company. In 1898, Mr. Dodge combined his interest with those of Isaac T. Merrill and Merwin Jackson and formed the Merrill, Dodge & Jackson Company. In 1906, the firm incorporated, with a capital stock of $75,000, under the old name, being formed originally from the agencies of Brown & Dodge (1867), Merrill & Jackson (1884), and Holton & Clark (1897). This company. with offices in the Produce Exchange building, is widely known, in the fire, marine, accident, liability and casualty insurance fields, and also deals in surety bonds. The officers are : Isaac T. Merrill. president F. H. Dodge and C. A. Holton, vice-presidents Merwin Jackson, secretary : and F. A. Clark, treasurer. In 1878, Calvin Barker, for several years prior to that time well known in the commercial life of the city, decided to enter the general insurance field, which presented many opportunities to one ambitious of success. For the brief period of a year, Mr. Barker was located in the old Ft. Industry Block, corner of Monroe and Summit streets, and then he was joined by L. W. Frost, and the firm name became Barker & Frost, with offices at No. 65 Madison avenue, now 411 (new number). In 1894, L. L. Chapman was admitted to the firm, the location being the same as in former years. On March 1, 1910, the company removed to large spacious offices on the second floor of the Nicholas Building, Nos. 210-211-212. This concern is one of the largest insurance agencies in the city today. It carries the agency of eighteen fire companies, among them some of the oldest and strongest American and foreign underwriters, besides being the agents for life, accident. liability, burglary, plate glass, steam boiler, marine. surety bonds and automobile companies. In 1877, H. S. Walbridge organized the firm which bears the name of H. S. Walbridge & Company, composed of himself and son, Thomas H. Walbridge. H. S. Walbridge was, for thirty-seven years prior to that time, engaged in various enterprises, among them being banking. loan, real estate and insurance, having come to Toledo in 1830. After the death of the founder of the company, in 1891, the offices, which had formerly been on Summit street, were located in the Nasby Building, in rooms 729 to 739 inclusive, and where they are today. After the death of his father, Thomas H. Walbridge became the head of the company and devoted a large part of his time to estate matters, as well as insurance. In 1901, lie took into partnership. Clement F. Souders, who was well versed in the insurance business. having been associated for several years with Frost & Chapman. Greater and more extensive operations were immediately planned and new departments were added. Continued under the old name. gradually the firm branched out into fire indemnity, employers' liability. life, health, accident and surety bond departments. Soon the real estate business was given a department by itself and later stocks and bonds were included in the 606 - MEMOIRS OF LUCAS COUNTY business. There is hardly any kind of policy that this company can not write, and they are well known in Northwestern Ohio. The firm of Irving B. Hiett & Company was organized, in 1907, with a capital stock of $200,000, to handle real estate, insurance and rental& This business had its origin in 1881, at which time Mr. Hiett opened offices in the Boody House building, on St. Clair street. In 1906, owing to the increase of the business, larger quarters were necessary and the firm moved into spacious offices on the ground floor of the Nicholas Building, on Madison avenue. The company is prepared to handle all lines of property and, in the years of business in the past, has promoted many of the best additions in the city, such as Park-wood, Collingwood and Scottwood, and sections of suburban property. in all some thirty or forty parcels of real estate having been subdivided. The company has the credit of constructing no less than 2,400 houses in its past history, or an average of about l00 per year. Several years ago, Mr. Hiett handled such plats as those upon which the Nicholas Building and the LaSalle & Koch Building were constructed, the value of each at that time being but a few hundred dollars. Today they are worth from six to seven times as much. When the Wabash Railroad Company wished to enter the city, Mr. Hiett's concern undertook to overcome all difficulties in the way for the line to cross the city. This gigantic task was accomplished successfully, the firm handling over two-thirds of the undertaking. The business of the company is confined to the city, and Mr. Hiett is interested in several other concerns, among them being the Investors Realty Company, the Realty Trust Company, the Monroe Building Company, the Reserve Building Company and the Buckeye Realty Company. The northwestern part of Ohio contains many resources in the way of raw materials for manufacturing purposes, such as oil, clay. sand and iron. The oil field has proved to be of much value when properly developed, and several men and companies have devoted much attention to that industry. The T. B. Allen & Company, of which T. B. Allen is the sole promoter, originated in 1908. At that time Mr. Allen ventured into the real estate business on a small scale, and later became interested in the oil business. He handled many real estate properties in and adjacent to Toledo for several years, but, in the past three years, has devoted his time and attention to the promotion of Toledo Beach, on the shore of Lake Erie, a few miles north of the city of Toledo, which has recently become the summer home and outing place of many of Toledo's citizens and visitors. He has constructed some forty-five or fifty cottages and has materially made part of the beach desirable for health and pleasure seekers. In 1901 he connected himself with the oil industry in Lucas, Wood, Ottawa, Wyandotte and Hancock counties, in the northwestern part of the State of Ohio. He developed some seventy-five wells, which produced an average of 3,00o barrels per month, but lately he has been closing out this branch of his interests; He is also interested in ranch property. in White county, Nev., which is devoted to the raising of sheep and the culture of alfalfa. He has given considerable attention to local real INDUSTRIES - 607 estate business in Toledo and maintains offices at No. 312, in the Gardner Building. B. B. Grantham began the real estate business when he entered the employ of the Detwiler Company, a concern prominent in real estate circles of the city of Toledo, in 1901. His duties were to attend to the outside business errands and as general utility man about the office. He proved so efficient and quick to master the details of portions of the business that he was promoted the same year to the management of the rental department. For a period of nearly three years he looked after that end of the business and, in 1903, resigned that position to enter the sales department. Two years later, he severed his connection with the Detwiler Company and, in 1905, engaged in partnership with Alonzo Hoiles in the real estate business, with offices at No. 301, in the Gardner Building, the style of the firm being Hoiles & Grantham. In 1906, James A. Murphy was admitted to the concern and it became known as Hoiles, Grantham & Murphy. In the latter part of 1906, while Mr. Grantham was confined to the hospital through sickness, the firm was dissolved. Upon his recovery, Mr. Grantham opened an office at the same location in the same business, Jan. 7, 1907, and he has continued to be the sole proprietor since that time. In 1910, he removed his offices to the fourth floor of the Gardner Building, at Nos. 403-5, where he conducts a general real estate business of buying and selling and exchanging properties, mostly of a local nature. The firm of Kirschner, Wideman & Uhl, with offices on the main floor of the National Union Building, at No. 328 Huron street, is one of the most reliable real estate, surety bond, fire insurance and loan houses in the city of Toledo. Charles J. Kirschner, whose death occurred in 1909, founded this business in 1888, under the name of Charles J. Kirschner & Company, he being the sole proprietor for two years. In 1890, he was joined by George J. Wideman, the name of the firm remaining the same until 1895, when it was styled Kirschner & Wideman. In the latter year, Lucas Raab associated himself with the concern, but withdrew five years later. In 1898, Philip E. Uhl was admitted to the firm and, two years later, the style became Kirschner, Wideman & Uhl, which prevails today. In 1909, C. Edward Kirschner, upon the death of his father, succeeeded to the latter's interest in the firm. C. Edward Kirschner is the assistant cashier and secretary and treasurer of the Ohio Savings Bank and Trust Company. George J. Wideman and Philip E. Uhl were both associated with the commercial life of the city of Toledo for several years prior to their connection with the present firm. The offices of the concern were originally located at No. 512 Madison avenue, moved thence to the Nasby Building, and, in 1905, to the present quarters. The firm may be considered as general brokers in real estate, buying and selling and doing some building, such as the Charles Flats on Franklin avenue, and other useful properties. In addition to the above business, the house handles a full line of fire insurance, negotiates loans and conducts a rental agency. Kountz, Stieg & Company is another of the strong firms of Toledo, 608 - MEMOIRS OF LUCAS COUNTY engaged in the general insurance—not including life—and real estate business. It had its conception in 1877, being established by John S. Kountz, who was the sole proprietor until 1893. In that year his two sons—Fred J. and Walter J.—were given an interest in the concern, and the title became John S. Kountz & Sons. This arrangement prevailed until June, 1901, when the death of Fred J. occurred. On, July 1, of that year, a reorganization was effected under the style of Kountz, Stieg & Company, consisting of John S. Kountz, George W. Stieg and Walter J. Kountz, on a partnership basis. The founder, John S. Kountz, originally was located on Summit street, till the year 1879. at which time he secured quarters on the first floor of the Produce Exchange Building, adjoining the present Northern National Bank. the apartment occupied now being a part of that concern's offices. He continued at that place for a period of twenty-seven years and, in 1906, removed to the present commodious quarters on the second floor of the Nicholas Building, Nos. 213-214. June 14, 1909, brought about the death of the father and founder. and the two men—George W. Stieg and Walter J. Kountz—have continued the business under the former name on a co-partnership basis. Until the death of the father, only-fire insurance was carried, but since that time general insurance, not including life, has been handled. A notable fact of this long. established firm is that it has been the agent of two companies—The Royal. of Liverpool, England, and the Fire Association, of Philadelphia. both fire companies, continuously since the firm was established, in 1877. In general insurance the firm includes liability, accident, marine, surety bond, plate glass, etc. In real estate it does a buying commission business, and does not list properties for sale or rent as do many other firms. The business is confined to Toledo, and the firm has membership in the Chamber of Commerce. Toledo Business Men's Club. Toledo Credit Men's Association and the Toledo Fire Underwriters' Association. The business of the George E. Pomeroy Company was founded Jan. 1, 1863, by George E. Pomeroy. Sr., who came to Toledo at that time. As he was a pioneer in Southern Michigan. before 1840. he was familiar with Toledo, its surroundings and its land values. In 1864. George E. Pomeroy, Jr., as a very young man, joined his father, and the business has been continued since that period by him. This company has been instrumental in many of the large real estate transaction s that have been completed since the date before referred to. Many of the large additions were platted and handled by it, and among them may be mentioned Harvard Terrace, Bronson Place, Lagrange Manor, Lake Shore Addition, Woodside Addition, W. S. Williams' Addition and many others. In industrial lines, some of the largest institutions of the city have been established largely through the instrumentality of this company. Among these may be mentioned the Libbey Glass Company, which has grown to be such an important factor of Toledo ; the Federal Creosoting Company, the Buckeye Clay Pot Company, the Sterling Cork & Seal Company and many others. Many of the largest loans in the city of Toledo have been handled by INDUSTRIES - 609 this company. Its relations to Eastern capital have made it one of the important channels through which large sums of money may be handled for real estate purposes. The acquaintance of its officers with prominent capitalists in Europe enables it to do all kinds of business abroad as well as on the continent of North America. Undertakings requiring influence and capital abroad are readily handled through this company. Its president, George E. Pomeroy. has been for twenty-five years the president of the First National Bank of Bellevue, Ohio, and is interested in banking institutions in Toledo. He is a representative of the United States Mortgage & Trust Company, of the city of New York, one of the largest trust companies in that city, his relations with that company haying existed for the past fifteen years. Through his instrumentality, it has become the fiscal agent of the city of Toledo, and is one of the strongest financial backers of the city. The E. H. Close Realty Company, with offices on the ground floor of the Spitzer Building, is less than two years old, but in that short period it has established for itself a clientele of enviable proportions. It owns and controls Harvard Terrace. Halsted Heights, Homewood Park, Hillcrest Gardens and other suburban additions in and surrounding the city. A large portion of its business consists of the sale of city property of all descriptions, while it also maintains a rental department that controls some of the principal office buildings and flats in Toledo. An exceptionally desirable list of houses for rent is one of its chief assets. Its insurance department represents some of the largest fire insurance companies in America and does a flourishing business. The Macomber Brothers Company. at present controlled and managed by Irving E. Macomber, is one of the oldest real estate concerns in the city of Toledo. The business was started, in 1867, by Albert E. Macomber. He was at that time engaged in the practice of law, as a member of the firm of Macomber. Moore & McDonnell. In connection with his legal work he then ventured into the general real estate business. Large tracts of land in different sections of the city were platted, drained, severed and paved, establishing beautiful and comfortable residence districts. As his real estate interests increased Mr. Macomber gradually withdrew from his legal work, and his entire time and energy became absorbed by land improvements. Always progressive and far sighted, he anticipated the large growth of Toledo and guided the deyelopment of his real-estate operations in such a way as to meet the demands and necessities of a rapidly growing city. In the year 1900, Mr. Macomber turned the active management of his business over to his sons—Irving E. Macomber and Franklin S. Macomber. This was done under the firm name of A. E. Macomber & Company. Shortly afterward Mr. Macomber retired entirely, the firm name was changed to Macomber Brothers, and the business was continued under that style until after the death of Franklin S. Macomber, in 1908. The business being then of great volume, it was incorporated under the name of The Macomber Brothers Company, and operated by the surviving brother. The management of the Macomber business in the past ten years has been marked by great executive ability, has been highly successful in results accomplished. and has been con- 610 - MEMOIRS OF LUCAS COUNTY ducted in complete harmony with the most advanced civic spirit. In a general way the company does a real estate investment and security business. In the past ten years it has made distinctive improvements in many parts of Toledo, but its largest operation has been the reclaiming of the low land lying between Adams street and Woodruff avenue, and Vermont avenue and North Twelfth street—a section known as the Central Addition. Much of this property has been filled from ten to fifteen feet, sewers constructed, all street and alleys paved, sidewalks built, and the entire property planted with trees, shrubs, vines and grass. This work, characterized by careful attention to detail and planned with perception and vision, has made a beautiful and attractive residence district of the most unsightly and badly neglected land in the central part of Toledo. The Macombers have further contributed notably to the improvement of the city by the erection of the Lincoln Apartments. at the corner of Lincoln avenue and Monroe street ; the Empire Apartments, at the corner of Empire and North Fourteenth streets, and the Jackson Apartments, at the corner of Jackson avenue and North Twelfth street. The Macomber Brothers Company and its predecessors have further owned and operated The Auburndale Brick Works since 1835. A sketch of this concern appears elsewhere. The Macomber Brothers Company is incorporated under the laws of the State of Ohio, with a capital stock of $100,000. and has its office in the Nicholas Building. The officers of the company are Irving E. Macomber, president Louis H. Paine, vice-president and counsel ; Anna M. Friedrichs, secretary and treasurer. PRINTERS AND BOOKBINDERS. One of the oldest and perhaps the best known of the printing houses in Northwestern Ohio is that of B. F. Wade & Sons, which has been doing business in the city of Toledo for the past thirty-seven years, Benjamin F. Wade, the founder and president, having been associated with it during all that time. This concern was originally established at Bucyrus, Ohio, by Benjamin F. Wade and Abel Eastwood, as a copartnership affair, to do job printing. in the year 1870. One year later, the firm thought to better their business opportunities by removing to Mansfield, Ohio, where two years were spent with varied success. In 1873, desiring a still larger field. arrangements were made whereby Thomas Coughlin, of Bucyrus, Ohio, took over the interest of Mr. Eastwood and the Messrs. Wade and Coughlin immediately located in Toledo, establishing their business at the foot of St. Clair street, in the old Page Building. In 1874, Mr. Coughlin sold his interest to Frank Monroe and Frank Bainbridge and the business was conducted as a tri-partnership affair until 1881, when articles of incorporation were taken out, with a capital stock of $50.000. In 189r. Frank F. McManus was admitted to a partnership in the company. In the course of a few years, the establishment was removed to the Lutz Block, on St. Clair street. the personnel of the firm remaining the same until 1900, when Mr. Bainbridge withdrew. In 1902, the business having outgrown its quarters at that location, the present large four-story INDUSTRIES - 611 building, at 228-230 Superior street, was erected by the company. This gave better facilities and the firm branched out into a broader line of business. In 1907, the capital stock was increased to $60,000 and the company was reorganized as the B. F. Wade & Sons Company, with Benjamin F. Wade as president, Thomas A. Wade as vice-president, Earl H. Wade as treasurer, and Frank Monroe as secretary. The board of directors of the company consists of the officers and James F. McManus. William Beatty, of Toledo, was for several years a director and still retains his stock in the concern. The company ranks among the foremost in the city for its high grade of work in printing and bookbinding. It also deals extensively in stationery and leather goods and gives special attention to bank and office supplies. The Blade Printing & Paper Company, one of the most widely known stationery and printing houses in Toledo, was established and incorporated, under its present name, in 1873. Prior to that date the business was in the hands of the Toledo Blade, the well known political organ of "Petroleum V. Nasby." The present officers of the company are : M. W. Young, president ; E. H. Rhoades, vice-president ; George D. Claflin, secretary and treasurer ; Charles H. Shields, manager of the mechanical department ; and H. F. Bliemeister, manager of the merchandise department. All of the above men, together with John Cummings and Rathbun Fuller, make up the board of directors. The company has five salesmen on the road, engaged in introducing the goods carried by the concern and taking orders for printing and other lines of work contracted. Something over 100 people are given employment in the building, occupied at 318-320-322-324 St. Clair street. where four floors are fully used in storing all kinds of printers' supplies, stationery supplies, book and job printing department. wholesale paper, paper box and electrotype department. in addition to which a retail stationery department is conducted. The first floor is used for office and retail business ; the. second floor is devoted to the job printing, where the most modern and up-to-date presses and machinery are installed ; the third floor is given over to the machinery and devices of all kinds necessary for all kinds of binding work in books, pamphlets, magazines, etc.. in all styles known to the modern library and business uses ; the fourth floor is used for box-manufacture in every variety, style and size, for any and all purposes ; and the same floor is also used for the electrotyping and engraving department which employs men of skill and experience and executes orders promptly and successfully to meet all criticism as to par excellence. The company was originally located at Nos. 126-128 St. Clair street,—the present quarters of the R. H. Lane & Company wholesale shoe house—until 1892, when the present building was completed and the company at once took possession. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS. The Toledo Transfer Company was established, in 1876. by Gen. Patrick H. Dowling and Michael J. Enright, near the postoffice, on St. 612 - MEMOIRS OF LUCAS COUNTY Clair street, A few years later, it was moved to the present site of the Spitzer Building, and when that structure was erected was again moved to 311 North Huron street, Early in 1910, the present location, at 221 to 229 Ontario street, was secured, in the quarters formerly used by the Crescent Livery Company. Several changes were made in the partnership arrangement of the concern until 1905, when it became an incorporated company with a capitalization of $i00,000. The officers are : C. F, Wall, president ; Thomas Davies, secretary ; D. T. Davies, vice-president ; and J. H, Pheatt, treasurer and general manager, The company does a general passenger, baggage and theatrical transfer business, with offices at all the depots, hotels and boat docks of the city. Recently, motor trucking was added, to more rapidly handle the traffic, and the large business of the company is a testimonial of its excellent service, Many concerns in Toledo may well be proud of their past history as well as their present achievements. This may be said of the Morrell Company, which was established, in 1865, by Thomas H, Morrell, the father of the present president of the company, John B. Morrell. The business, which started in a small way in agricultural implements, etc., has grown to include a wholesale distribution of farming implements of all kinds, hardware, specialties, gasoline engines, vehicles, and all associated lines of every description, The company for years has been located in the three-story building, at 507 to 513 Superior street, where the offices and sample rooms are maintained, the most of the stock being in the large three-story warehouse, situated at the corner of LaGrange and George streets, with convenient railway trackage for shipping purposes. J, B, Morrell succeeded his father as the head of the company, in 1885, and, in 1901, the men interested in the firm incorporated with a capital stock of $150,000. J. E. Morrell is the president, A. H. Morrell the vice-president, and W. E, Rook, secretary and treasurer. The McManus-Kelly Company, advertising agency, is one of the late concerns in the history of the city, having its conception in 1903. It was organized by Theodore F, McManus and Martin V, Kelly, as the promoters, including Noah H. Swayne, Fred B, Shoemaker, J, D. Robinson, F. I. King and W, J. Walding in the company, which started with a capital stock 0f $25,000. The object of this organization is to place and prepare advertising in the national publications. The success of the company may be seen in the fact that it did a volume of business, in 1903—the first year of its existence—amounting to $100,000, and its business will reach $1,500,000, in 1910. The main offices of the company are in the Ford Building, at Detroit, with E. A. McManus as general manager, and W. H. Porter is the resident manager in the Toledo branch office, with quarters in the Nicholas Building. Toledo has about 10 per cent. of the business, 90 per cent. being in other parts of the country, Martin Kelly is the president and Theodore F. McManus is the treasurer. Howard R, T, Radcliffe, dealer in carpets and draperies, embarked in business for himself, in Toledo, in 1899, being the successor of Ster- INDUSTRIES - 613 ling & Company, whose employ he entered, in 1880, in Cleveland, where the main office of the company was located, and, in 1894, he came to Toledo to become the general manager for the Toledo branch, which was established in 1879. In 1899, Mr, Radcliffe took over the Toledo interests of Sterling &.Company and has been located at 327 Superior street since that time. The display rooms usurp the three floors and basement, in all some 12,000 square feet of floor, besides the factory in the rear, wherein about fifty expert designers and decorators are employed in making up the draperies and carpets for the trade. The business consists in supplying carpets, draperies and interior decorations for individual residences, the contracts made sometimes including, the complete furnishing, as to furniture, etc,, in order to have the general effect artistic and beautiful. The business has a large patronage in Toledo and also in the three States adjacent, as well as New York and Pennsylvania. Natural gas was piped to Toledo, in the year 1887, by two different companies, which obtained the gas from Wood, Hancock and Sandusky counties, Ohio. The two companies were merged into the Northwestern Ohio Natural Gas Company, in 1889. In the same year, the city of Toledo established a municipal line and for a short time furnished gas to the city, but, as the gas fields from which it acquired this product soon failed, the city plant was demolished, The Northwestern Ohio Natural Gas Company extended the pipe lines to Fairfield county, in 1900, and, when that field declined, extended on east to West Virginia, where the supply of gas is now obtained. Toledo is further from the source of supply than any other city now using natural gas, but the service of the company is good and the supply of gas ample, There are about 30,00o consumers that are being cared for at this writing, The officers of the company are :A. C. Bedford, of New York, president ; M. B. Daly, of Cleveland, vice-president ; John W. Crawford, of New York, comptroller ; George H, Jones, of New York, secretary and treasurer ; R. J. Burkhalter, assistant secretary and assistant treasurer ; and James W. McMahan, general manager—the last two mentioned both being Toledo men. The business of the company is conducted in the offices, at the corner of Jefferson avnue and Huron street, in Toledo. In the year 1860, W. W, Whitney founded the piano house that bears his name today. His first place of business was on Summit street, in a one-room store, in which he handled pianos, organs and various musical instruments. Eight years after Mr. Whitney engaged in his line, William H. Currier also opened a small store in the Campbell Block, now the Jefferson Hotel building. In 1870, the two men decided to try their fortunes together and the Messrs. Whitney and Currier formed a partnership, which remained unbroken for many years. The firm rented the Bronson Building on Summit street, and no changes were made for eighteen years. In 1888, the business was incorporated as the Whitney & Currier Company, and W. W, Whitney became the vice-president, William H, Currier the president and treasurer, and W. S. Tuell secretary, the concern having a capital- 614 - MEMOIRS OF LUCAS COUNTY zation of $25,000. In the early '90's, it became necessary to have greater facilities, and Mr. Currier erected the present structure, known as Currier Hall, on Madison avenue, and the company took possession in 1896. In 1894, Mr. Whitney disposed of a part of his interest to C. W. Hickok, who had entered the employ of the concern in 1884. In 1904, Mr. Hickok became the president and treasurer, W. H, Currier vice-president, and M. C. Moore, secretary, and the capitalization was increased to $100,000. As early as 1875, the firm had entered the manufacturing field by purchasing the business of the Loring C. Blake Organ Company, at Worcester, Mass., and for thirteen years manufactured the Palace organs. The firm sold this plant the same year of incorporating, 1888. Again, in 1885, it took an interest in the manufacturing business, this time in the piano company of Boardman & Gray, at Albany, N. Y. Mr. Whitney withdrew from the Albany factors, in 1890, and Mr. Currier in 1898. Having, been established for so many years, the company is widely known as wholesale and retail dealers in pianos and pianolas, and it also does a jobbing business in talking machines. The Steinway & Sons pianos have been the leader for years. About thirty-five counties are covered by the representatives of the company, in Northwestern Ohio and Southern Michigan. The firm has a name for its reliable dealings, the men connected with it all being interested in the commercial welfare of the city. Currier Hall is a six-story building, 35x120, and the firm uses all the floors. Mr. Whitney withdrew from the company in 1894. John Daiber & Sons is one of the older tailoring establishments in Toledo, having been founded in 1871. For several years prior to that time, John Daiber was in the employ of Lehman Kraus and spent the last two years of his connection with that house as a partner. He was located for many years at 107 Summit street, but, in 1902, the firm moved to No. 517 Madison avenue, to be in closer touch with the great office buildings. In 1898, the two sons—Henry F. and John. Jr.—received an interest in the father's business. The concern is well known for its reliable goods and workmanship, in and about the city. and handles both domestic and imported weaves. V. W. Granger, now in his eighty-fourth year, is still active in the business of custom tailoring, in which he established himself in 1849. His first shop was at 145 Summit street. and for a period of fifty-four years he was in the one location. In 1905, he gave up his half-century quarters and removed to the' Gardner Building. Mr. Granger has the honor at this writing of being the oldest living business man in the city. He has added to the growth of the city by erecting many buildings, for residences and business purp0ses. In his shop he handles the best of both domestic and imported weaves. In the month of June, 1858, T. J, Brown came to Toledo, from Newark, N, J., and decided to establish a news-depot, in partnership with his cousin, George W. Baldwin, of Mansfield, Ohio. Brown & Baldwin located on what was then California Row, a row of wooden buildings on the north side of Summit street, extending from the corner of Adams street. The building was a one-story affair, 12x15 feet, INDUSTRIES - 615 and the enterprising firm used just half of it, at a rental of $2 per week, Mr. Baldwin remained in Mansfield and Mr, Brown received $4 per week as the manager. Business was so good that the owner of the building ordered them out that he might start in the same line for himself, Brown & Baldwin then purchased a frame building—at that time the ticket office of the Michigan Southern Railroad, now the Lake Shore—of J. W. Walterhouse, and moved it to 219 Summit street, remaining there till 1860, This second store was next door to the first place of business, In 1860, J. F. Patton bought the interest of George W. Baldwin and, one year later, Mr. Brown purchased the entire business. The same year it was necessary to have larger quarters, and one-half the store-room at 218 Summit street was rented. By 1863, another change was made to 167 Summit street, in a new building erected by H. S, Walbridge. Six years later, Mr. Brown bought the building at 165 Summit street and soon added a second story and basement. The same year, George B. Hull was given an interest, having been a clerk for several years, and the firm became T. J. Brown & Company. In 1873, William H. Eager, formerly with Bailey & Eager, booksellers, became a third partner, and the concern,s name was changed to read T. J. Brown, Eager & Hull. Brown eventually purchased the building where S. H. Knox & Company is now located, and the business was conducted there till 1893, at which time a reorganization was made, the firm incorporated as a company and became Brown, Eager & Hull, with T. J. Brown as president, William H. Eager as vice-president, and George B. Hull as secretary. In 1893, the concern moved to the original site of Mr. Brown's first place of business and remained there till fire destroyed the building, in 1909, after which the company leased the present structure at 232-234-236 Huron street. In the same year of the fire, the company purchased the stock of stationery and book supplies of a competitive firm—Dunscombe & Company—Daniel Dunscombe still retaining an interest. The present quarters of the company is a five-story building, 60x100 feet, and the business of the company has nearly doubled in the last two years. The company are large wholesalers, jobbers and retailers of books, stationery, pictures, office supplies, fancy goods and toys. Three city and six traveling salesmen look after the interests of the company, in Toledo and throughout the States of the Middle West. The officers of the concern are: W, F. Day, president and treasurer ; W. D. Mudge, vice-president ; and E, B, Ainsworth, who received an interest in 1893, after having been in the employ of the firm many years prior to that time, is the secretary, The Banting Machine & Supply Company, jobbers of threshing machinery, farm implements, seeds and automobiles, was organized in December, 1900, with a capital stock of $50,009. The sales rooms and offices have been at 114 to 118 Superior street since the firm engaged in business. The volume of business, in 1900, was $75,000, compared to $300,000 today, and the capital stock of the company has been increased to $150,000, The house is well known in. the surrounding States, five men looking after the business in the territory. The shops 616 - MEMOIRS OF LUCAS COUNTY of the company are situated on Smead avenue, convenient to the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad for shipping and receiving purposes. The officers are : J. W, Banting, president ; P. W. Feilbach, treasurer ; C. C. Banting, secretary ; and J, F. Sanders, vice-president, The Arbuckle-Ryan Company is one of the old and reliable companies of the city, its history dating back to 1871, when it was established by John M. Arbuckle and Charles Ryan, as a copartnership affair. The firm was originally located at Nos. 509-511 Monroe street, and was engaged in handling general hardware and seeds, Gradually, the business merged into that of small farm implements and larger machinery for threshing purposes. Within the last few years the company has added a department, styled the automatic department, for the erection of complete power plants, such as the Owens Bottle Machine plant, etc, In 1881, J, W, Ryan was given an interest in the firm, and the business increased to such an extent that it became necessary to seek larger quarters. In 1893-4, the large four-story brick building, on the corner of Monroe and Ontario streets, was erected and the firm took possession in the latter year. In 1896, the firm decided to incorporate with a capital stock of $200,000, and the officers elected were : Charles W. Ryan, president and treasurer ; J. W. Ryan, vice-president ; Frank Schwin, secretary, and Edward J, Wehrly, general manager. The above arrangement prevails today, with the exception that J, H, Ryan is the secretary, Mr, Schwin being a member of the present board of directors, The company has two branch offices—one at Goshen, Ind. and the other at Hillsdale, Mich. A force of twelve men are employed in the general business, and in the automatic department two salesmen and two draftsmen are used, The company handles a general line of farm machinery and machinery supplies. The Fisk Electric Company was established, in 1906, by James Fisk, who is the sole proprietor. The firm is located at 326 North Erie street and deals in electric supplies, repairs, etc., catering to the trade in the city of Toledo, In addition, the firm does general repairing and installing of electrical apparatus. The firm of Riggs & Sherman, consulting engineers, was organized, in 1896, by H, E, Riggs and W, J. Sherman, each member of the concern having had several years experience in the active practice of his profession prior to that time, The firm has made a specialty of the design and superintendence of construction of all classes of public utilities, such as water works, sewerage, street improvements, and has given expert engineering evidence for pending litigation, The firm has a long list of water-works and sewerage systems that they have been interested in throughout the three States of Ohio, Indiana and Michigan, Mr. Riggs is a graduate of Kansas University and Mr. Sherman of Cornell University. Both are members of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Michigan Engineering Society and the Toledo Society of Engineers ; and Mr, Sherman is a member of the American Public Water Works Association, the American Public Health Association, the British Association of Sewer Managers and the INDUSTRIES - 617 Ohio Engineering Society. Both partners were many years in the steam railway service, holding positions as chief engineers. The history of the J. W. Greene Company, wholesalers and retailers of pianos, player pianos and organs, began in 1871, when J, W. Greene, a veteran of the Civil war, decided to embark in the line of musical instruments in Toledo. He secured quarters at the corner of Jefferson avenue and St. Clair street, now the site of the Jefferson Hotel, and opened a retail store, which later broadened out to include the wholesale business. Owing to the steady growth of the business, several changes were made in location, each giving better facilities and meeting future requirements as they arose. In 1876, the firm was quartered at 177 Summit street and, in 1878, removed to No, 153, on the same street. Again, in 1881, another change was made, to the corner of Adams and Summit streets. Five years later, the firm moved to the corner of Summit and Madison, The present home of the company, Nos. 801-803-805 Jefferson avenue, was secured, in 1891, upon the completion of the Pythian Castle at the corner of Jefferson avenue and Ontario street. Spacious offices, parlors and ware-rooms are occupied on the first floor and the basement of the building, all arranged in the most modern and convenient style to accomodate the business. By 1899, the business had reached such proportions that it was decided to incorporate under the state laws of Ohio, with a capital stock of $40,000, the style of the firm being the J. W, Greene Company, J, W. Greene becoming the president and W, W, Smith, the secretary and treasurer. Mr. Greene, who for so many years was at the head of this old and well established firm, died Aug. 12, 1908, and he was succeeded by W, W. Smith as president and treasurer, Mr, Smith having been associated with the concern for some twelve years, in various capacities, and having a thorough and proficient knowledge of the business. The other officers are : Mrs. J. W, Greene, vice-president, and John Landgraf, Jr., secretary. The company today employs some twenty-five people in the conducting of the business, which is transacted in Toledo and within a radius of 100 miles of the city, in Northwestern Ohio and Southern Michigan. Instruments of only the most reliable make and quality are handled, The motto of the company has always been reliability and integrity in all its dealings, and the members connected with the concern are progressive and well known in the commercial life of the community, The Ashley Realty Company was incorporated, in 1907, with a capital stock of $10,000, and later was increased to $100,000. The company owns much valuable real estate, at the intersection of Jefferson avenue and Michigan street, consisting of the Zenobia, Monticello, Meredith and Ashley buildings, and other property fronting on Michigan street, between Jefferson and Madison avenues, well known as office buildings for the use of professional men. The officers of the company are Charles S, Ashley, president, and M. D, Whelan, secretary and treasurer, with offices ocupying Nos, 5 and 6 in the Zenobia Building.. The Citizens' Lighting & Heating Company, with its plant in the 618 - MEMOIRS OF LUCAS COUNTY rear of the Meredith Building, at the corner of Jefferson avenue and Michigan street, was established and incorporated, in 1907, with a capital stock of $200,000. The company installed complete machinery for furnishing electric light to patrons in the vicinity of the plant, and also a steam and hot water system for heating purposes. The venture has met with much success, and the company recently added a new feature by installing meters for measuring the quantity of steam used. Charles S. Ashley is the president and M. D. Whelan the secretary and treasurer, with offices in connection with those of the Ashley Realty Company, in the Zenobia building. The plant was formerly the property of the Home Heating & Lighting Company, and it is the original Yaryan plant, where the system of heating a large district by pumping hot water around the circuit was originated. The system has proved a great success in the matter of economy for the consumer. The history of the McGettigan Cartage & Storage Company began in 1854, when James McGettigan embarked in the drayage business, with one of the old-fashioned two-wheeled drays. or carts. He had his headquarters adjoining his residence, at the corner of Huron and Washington streets, where the present large structure of Berdan & Company, wholesale grocers, is today. He continued in business at that location for many years, but, in 1888, a change was made to the present location, at Nos. 513-15-17-19-21-23 Washington street. The business prospered and after his death, in 1900, it passed into the hands of his five sons and one daughter : James, Daniel, John, Edward. Thomas and Mrs. Jane Gramling. In 1900, the members of the firm adopted the name of the McGettigan Cartage & Storage Company, and at that time added the feature of storage of all classes of household goods and other property. The company conducts a general trucking business for many of the concerns of the city, such as the Toledo Traction Company, Berdan & Company, and many others. An average of fifty men are constantly employed in handling the volume of business, teaming, storing, etc. The building used for offices, barn and storage is 40x90 feet, with two floors and a basement. In 1900, the firm began to deal extensively in the marketing of horses, buying in Illinois. Iowa, and other western fields as well as locally, draft and general purpose animals. The father was a lover of good horses and was considered a competent judge of them, but never ventured into the business on a commercial basis. Car-load lots are received and disposed of in Toledo and other places, many concerns relying on this firm to supply them with what they need in the line of horses.. In the last few years the firm has given some attention to thorough-bred track stock, buying them when young and, after developing them on the track, finding a purchaser. At the present writing the firm own Harry H., a trotter with a record of 2,141A; and Central G., another trotter with a record of 2.09j(1, In the past they have trained and sold several famous speed steppers, among which were Pacolot, trotter, 2,14%; Long John, pacer, 2.12 ½; Fred D., pacer, 2,04 ¼, and others equally as well known on the Michigan circuit and other circuits of the same class. Daniel McGettigan is the manager of the company and his brother, John, looks after the INDUSTRIES - 619 outside interests of the same. James is associated with the wholesale liquor house of O'Neil & Weill, a sketch of which appears elsewhere in this chapter, and Edward is connected in the active conduct of his own firm, as is also Thomas, the assistant manager. The McGettigan Horse Remedy company, an auxiliary concern to the above company, came into existence in 1900, giving its attention to the manufacture of cures for distemper and colic, as well as making various liniments. This part of the business is conducted in connection with the other line at the same location. The works or factory of the Lloyd Brothers Company, dealers in and manufacturers of all kinds of interior marble finishing and cemetery work, had its origin in 1870, when the brothers—Oliver C. and John H. Lloyd—formed a co-partnership under the name of Lloyd Brothers. The plant was originally located at the corner of Adams and Eleventh streets, in what was then a rather unsettled portion of the city. But, by 1895, needing more room, and the city having grown up around them, the firm moved to its present site, opposite the entrance to Woodlawn Cemetery, at the corner of Auburn and West Central avenues. Here, larger works with better facilities in every way were erected, few similar Ants of the kind being as complete in western Ohio. In 1907, a fine brick office building was erected on the corner, the interior being finished in marble. The company receives orders for practically everything in monuments, mausoleums and interior building marble and material. They have in the past few years furnished the interior marble finish for the Ohio, Nasby, Secor. and many other notable structures in the city of Toledo, About twenty-five men are constantly employed, and the firm transacts business in portions of Ohio. Indiana and Michigan, adjacent to the city. It uses marble from Italy and granite from Sweden and other quarries, as well as from Vermont and Massachusetts, in the United States. The volume of business was such, in 1895, that the firm incorporated under the present style of Lloyd Brothers Company. with a capital stock of $20,000. Oliver C. Lloyd is the president and treasurer, and John H, Lloyd is the secretary and manager. Both of these gentlemen are well known in the social and commercial life of the city. The Holmes Snow-Flake Laundry Company was conceived in 1908, being a combination of two other concerns, known as the Holmes Laundry Company and the Snow-Flake Laundry Company. It has a capital stock of $100,000, amply sufficient to conduct its constantly increasing business, and occupies the large six-story building at Nos. 609-611 Jefferson avenue, known as the Snow-Flake Building. The building was erected in 1906. being built along lines suggested for laundry purposes, with heavy walls and cement floors, and the equip- ment is modern in every way, The company uses the floors, three floors and basement, each 60x120 feet, and some 125 people find employment in the concern. Boilers and power machinery are installed in the basement and the offices are on the main floor front, The officers for the year 1910 are : Oliver W. Holmes, president and treasurer : Harold W. Fraser, vice-president, and Louis N. Bardol, secretary. 620 - MEMOIRS OF LUCAS COUNTY Mr. Holmes gives his personal attention to the conduct of the business. The above men, together with F. W. Simmons, of the Simmons Boot & Shoe C0mpany, and H, M. Bash, constitute the board of directors. The field of business is local. The Holmes Laundry Company, one of the companies merged, in 1908, of which O. W, Holmes was the sole proprietor, was established in 1896, with quarters at No. 420 St. Clair street, but, in 1900, larger quarters were needed, and Mr, Holmes moved to 412-414 Superior street, In 1906, B, B. Truax, in conjunction with several men, organized what was known as the Snow-Flake Laundry Company—the second company merged later—with a capital stock of $50,000, with quarters in the present Snow-Flake Building. In 1905, Mr. Truax and others purchased the O. W. Holmes laundry on Superior street, and, in the ensuing two years—while nominally in the hands of the same men—the two concerns were managed in competition with each other with rather unsuccessful results. Hence the merger -of 19o8, uniting both concerns under the name of the Holmes Snow-Flake Laundry Company, From .1905 to 1907, Mr, Holmes was engaged in outside real estate matters, but in the latter year he promoted the present company. The Kirk Brothers Automobile Company is one of the oldest establishments of that kind in the city of Toledo. The history of the concern begins in 1901, when the firm embarked in the automobile garage and sales business, At that time an incorporated company was organized by six Toledo men, Edward A, Kirk being among the number, with garage and offices at Nos, 713- 715, in the Ontario building, on Jefferson avenue, under the name of the Toledo Motor Carriage Company, After various changes in the personnel of the concern, the control passed into the hands of Edward A. Kirk and Charles M. Hall, as a co-partnership affair, under the name of the Kirk-Hall Company, at the same location, The above arrangement was made in the spring -0f 1903 and, in the fall of the same year, the firm incorporated with a capital stock of $1o,000, under the same name, Soon after that, Edward A. Kirk purchased the interests of his partner and, in 1904, moved to 235-237-239 Ontario street, which is the present quarters of the Standard Garage, In August, 1905, he disposed of his interests in the business and, after a few months, organized, in April, 1906, the Kirk Brothers Automobile Company, with a capital stock of $10,000, the men interested being the brothers—Edward A. and Ezra E, The new company secured quarters at Nos, 713-715 Jefferson avenue, the same as in 1901, and remained there till 1907, when, having outgrown that location, they moved to Nos, 915-917-919 Jefferson avenue, where larger and more commodious quarters were built for them, especially modeled along the lines of their business. In 1908, Edward A. Kirk purchased the interest of his brother in the c0mpany and continued the -garage and sales business till March, 1910, At that time the United 'Garage Company sprang into existence, taking over the general garage business of the Kirk Brothers Automobile Company, and being organized with a capital stock of $10,000, the officers being Malcolm R, Himes, president and general manager Harold W, Fraser, vice- INDUSTRIES - 621 president ; and Harry M. Bash, secretary and treasurer. The Kirk Brothers Automobile Company, since March, 1910, has given its entire attention to the sale of the Thomas Flyer, having the agency of that machine for the northwestern counties of the State of Ohio. The officers are Harold W. Fraser, president, and Edward A. Kirk, secretary, treasurer and general manager. The present quarters of the two companies consist of a main floor and basement, each 50x100 feet. The basement is equipped with machinery for all classes of repair work, and the main floor, with offices in the rear, is used for general storage and display of automobiles, In the last few years the automobile business has become so vast that many companies have been organized to conduct garages for storing and repairs, and at the same time act as the agents for various manufacturers. One of the largest concerns of this kind in the city of Toledo is the Atwood Automobile Company, which was organized. in 1905, with a capital stock of $40,000, by several men of prominence in Toledo. The company built a large garage at 2815 Monroe street, the building being one floor 100x200 feet, fire-proof, cement floors, modernly and completely equipped in every way with repair department, accessory supplies, electrical charging apparatus and other good features. It is convenient for business and professional men, who store machines, and also is used for a display room for various machines of which the company is the agent. Among the promoters were Abram M, Chesbrough; R. E. Hamblin, A. A. Atwood, R, H. Baker, and others, The present officers are : R, E. Hamblin, president ; A. A. Atwood, vice-president and general manager ; Howard M. Smith, treasurer, and R. H, Baker, secretary, The company is the agent for the Overland, Marion, Stoddart-Dayton, Marmon, and Ohio and Waverly electrics, and others, its territory being counties in the northwestern part of the State of Ohio and Southeastern Michigan, Nearly forty sub-agencies are established throughout the territory. A nicely equipped salesroom is maintained at 1012 and 1014 Madison avenue, The Paragon Refining Company of Toledo is perhaps, the most widely known independent refinery in Northwestern Ohio, Its history begins in 1888, when the company was organized, The refinery was completed in the following year and immediately commenced active operations, Ohio crude oil at that time was quite difficult to refine, but the Paragon refinery, with its process, solved the question to a great extent and was among the pioneers in the successful production of crude oil products to compete with those refined from the wells of Pennsylvania. The refining of oil was, at that time, a new venture west of Pennsylvania and the results were soon shown by the organization of other successful companies. The Paragon Refining Company has always produced from its own wells, the oil being gathered through its own pipelines and refined in its own plant, thus making- it absolutely independent. The refinery and offices are located in Ironville, on Front street, and the officers of the company are : George H. Van Vleck, president ; F, H. Steel, vice-president ; and Thomas D. Kelly, secretary and treasurer. 622 - MEMOIRS OF LUCAS COUNTY The Sun Oil Company had its inception in 1890, at a time when the oil industry began to attract the attention of capital and promoters in Northwestern Ohio. The company was organized by such enterprising men as J. N. Pew, of Pittsburg, now of Philadelphia ; Robert C. Pew, of Toledo : E. O. Emerson, of Titusville, Pa. ; John C. McKisson, of Toledo, and Samuel M. Warren, of Wooster, O,, all of whom were members of the original board of directors. Originally the refinery owned some fifteen acres of ground, which gradually was increased till sixty-five acres are now in the tract at the city limits on Woodville street. in East Toledo. Part of this tract was .originally owned by the Joseph Gates family and the Steven's heirs. In 1890, the refinery consisted of a few tanks and stills, but, year by year, it was necessary to increase the number, till today nearly six times as many are in operation and about one-half the total acreage of the company is used, The offices of the company occupy the octagonal building. which was the old Stevens homestead—now sixty years old—and it was not until a short time ago that any changes were made in the building. Lately, however, additions and modern facilities have been made, but it is yet an object of historic interest. The supply of crude petroleum is piped by independent lines from Ohio and Pennsylvania fields and the products are the usual ones from a general refining plant. They are shipped to various parts of the United States and Canada. and also to many European countries. Several men are trayeling in the interests of the company, and branch supply and sales offices arc maintained at Detroit and Jackson, Mich., Chicago, and other points. In all 250 men are given employment. The capital stock of the company, $300,000, in 1890. was increased to $600,000, and later to $1,000,000. The shipping facilities of the concern are excellent, being located on the Bay Terminal railroad. Several changes have been made in the past twenty years in the personnel of the company. The president and manager is Robert C. Pew, a man well known in Toledo business circles. He is also president of the United States Malleable Iron Company of Toledo. The Craig Oil Company was organized, in 1890, with Joseph W. Craig, of Pittsburg, Pa., as president ; A. J. Minke, of Wheeling, W. Va., vice-president : Presley T. Craig, of Toledo, secretary and treasurer ; T. J. Watson, of Toledo, general manager, and John H. Carll, also of Toledo. superintendent. The company was incorporated with a capital stock of 8250.000, under the State laws of Ohio, and a refining plant was erected in Ironyille. being located on the Wheeling and Terminal Belt railroads. The original capacity was 15,000 barrels per month, which, up to the present time, has been increased to 40,000 barrels per month. The crude oil is obtained from the nearby fields in Wood and Sandusky counties and the company manufactures all the known products used for commercial purposes. Messrs. Minke and Presley T. Craig have retired from official life in the company, though still numbered among its stockholders, and the following men are its present officials: Joseph W, Craig, president ; T. J. Watson, vice-president and general manager ; Arthur C, Budd, secretary and treasurer, The company maintains 0ffices at 317-18-19, Produce Exchange, INDUSTRIES - 623 Among the large commercial industries of the city of Toledo, The National Supply Company merits a place in this work. When the oil business was rapidly developing in the northwestern part of the State of Ohio, this company was organized, among others, to supply the trade with the requisite apparatus for the production of oil and gas. not only in the Ohio fields but in the Central West as well, In 1889, the Buckeye Supply Company was organized by such men as Daniel C. Shaw, Cornelius Kendall, Joseph L. Wolcott, William Hardee and William C, Hillman, all but the last mentioned being formerly associated in an earlier company, under the name of the Shaw, Kendall & Company, in the same business. In 1896, the two companies mentioned above were merged with the National Supply Company, of Pittsburg, Pa., and formed the present concern known as the National Supply Company, of Toledo, Ohio, the interests of the three companies being identical to a certain extent. This merger gave rise to the Shaw-Kendall Engineering Company, which was formed the same year to handle another branch of the oil and gas industry and also to give employment to the men that would otherwise have been idle, The offices of the National Supply Company were located at first at the foot of Superior street ; then for several years were at the corner of Washington and St. Clair streets, in the large warehouse and store of the company ; were later removed to the Spitzer Building, and today occupy spacious quarters in the new building which was necessarily erected in 1906, at 136 Huron street. The men managing the affairs of the concern are James H. Barr, of Pittsburg, Pa., president ; C. M, Foster, Frank Collins and C, W, Mascho, respectively, first, second and third vice-presidents ; C. R, Clapp, secretary and treasurer, and R, J. Fields, assistant secretary and treasurer ; all except the first named, being well known in the Toledo business world. W. C, Hardee, one of the founders and promoters of the company, is actively engaged in looking after the interests of the company in all quarters. The company is one of sev- eral associated concerns under the same name, with headquarters in Pittsburg, Pa., Parkersburg, W. Va., Toledo, Ohio, and other places, giving their attention to the manufacturing and supplying of oil well apparatus, which goes to all parts of the world or wherever the oil industry has been developed and promoted. A large supply store is maintained at the corner of Washington and St. Clair streets in Toledo, and a large factory is also operated in Auburndale, Toledo. The Toledo concern gives its attention mostly to the fields of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Texas as well. In the heart of the city, convenient to all the various consumers needing the product, is the plant of the Citizens Ice & Cold Storage Company. This company was organized and promoted in April, 1906, by such well known Toledo men as Jay K. Secor, Isaac E. Knisely, Joseph M. Murphy, Thomas J. Marlowe and George W. Sawkins. The capitalization at that time was $50,000. In the early history of the concern the plant was located at 19-21-23 South Erie street, two floors, to a depth of 120 feet. In 1907, the company purchased ground at 20 South Huron street and built stables which were essential to house the many horses used in delivering the product of the factory to all 624 - MEMOIRS OF LUCAS COUNTY parts of the city. In 1909, ground was purchased at 25 South Erie, adjoining the original plant, and offices and storage rooms were built—two floors, 40x120 feet—an all brick structure. So successful was the business, although of such recent origin, that, in 1910, another modern plant of brick and cement was built on Council street—two floors, S0x 280 feet—and equipped throughout for manufacturing ice, using what is known as Bishop's Cell Block System, in which no brine is used. The capacity of the South Erie and the Council street plants average l00 tons per day each. Not only is the business of the company transacted in Toledo, but some shipping is done within a radius of fifty miles of the city. The present officers are : Jay K. Secor, president ; J. M. Murphy, secretary and manager ; and Isaac E. Knisely, treasurer. WINES AND LIOUORS, In mentioning the industries of a city., not only the manufacturing interests, which give the city a distinct home-made brand of products, but the wholesale life is equally as vital to distribute these products as well as those of other places. Toledo is the home of the Lenk Wine Company, which was founded, in 1867, by Carl Lenk, now deceased. This concern manufactures and wholesales several grades of wine and brandy, for which there is a large demand wherever they have been introduced in the United States. The officers of the company are : George C. Schon, president and manager ; George H, Beckwith, vice-president ; T, H. Beckmann, secretary and treasurer ; and Walter S. Lenk, assistant secretary and assistant manager ; with offices, vineyards and vaults located on Detroit avenue, in West Toledo. The company uses an enorm0us quantity of grapes, the wine-vaults having a capacity of over 800,000 gallons. The oldest wh0lesale liquor house in Toledo—the R. Brand Company—began business in the year 1849, under the name of Lenk & Brand, as a co-partnership affair, composed of Peter Lenk and Rudolph Brand, with warerooms on Monroe street, near Summit. In a few years, Peter Lenk sold his interest to Guido Marx, and after the death of the founder—Rudolph Brand—his nephew, Adolph, entered the firm. After the withdrawal of Mr. Lenk, the firm was styled R, Brand & Company. In 1891, the business had grown to such proportions that the firm incorporated, with a capital stock of $20,000, and took the name of R. Brand & Company. In 1901, a reorganization was made and the employes of the company purchased the business, retaining the old name. The officers are : Conrad Rehmann, president ; John B, Alter, vice-president ; and Frederick Seubert, secretary and treasurer, The original company of Lenk & Brand was the first wholesaler in the West to introduce liquor in the copper country, around Lake Superior, The business of the present company is in the surrounding States, and the warerooms are at 122 St. Clair street. Franc, Heyn & Company, wholesale dealers in wines and liquors, began business in the city. in 1869, as a partnership affair, consisting of Leopold Franc and Tulius Heyn, under the name of L. Franc & Corn- INDUSTRIES - 625 pany, located at 64 Summit street. In 1873, Isaac Rosenthal was admitted as a member of the company, the style of the concern remaining the same. In the course of a few years, the company removed to 123 St. Clair street, and later to their present commodious quarters, at 130-132 Huron street, No changes were made in the personnel of the company until the death of the founder, Leopold Franc, in September, 1899, leaving his two former partners to continue the business under the old name until the following year, 190o, when a reorganization was made and the firm became Franc, Heyn & Company, composed of Ida Franc—widow of Leopold—Julius Heyn and Harry L. Franc, the son of Leopold. Mr, Rosenthal sold his interest to the new company and retired from active business life. The company is a wholesale dealer in wines and liquors and haS a large number of customers throughout Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and West Virginia. The original brewery from which the present Buckeye Brewing Company has arisen, was built in 1840. The plant was purchased, in 1885, by Dennis Coghlin and others, who incorporated a company with a capital stock of $300,000, Dennis Coghlin being elected president and Edward M. Coghlin, secretary and treasurer, under whose directi0n the principal part of the present brewery was built and the business developed. Both Mr, Coghlin and his son held office, as president and secretary and treasurer, respectively, until the time of their deaths, E. M. Coghlin's demise occurring in 1893 and D. Coghlin dying in 1900. The present officers are : John T, Coghlin, President ; James E. Rundell, vice-president, and H. R. Wilson, secretary and treasurer. The output of the plant is about 100,000 barrels, 25 per cent of it being in bottles. Extensive additions are being planned and work will be begun on an enlargement of both brewing and bottling departments during the fall and winter of 1910, The offices and brewery are located at the corner of Bush and Champlain streets in Toledo. The Huebner Toledo Breweries Company is the outgrowth of the earliest enterprise in the brewing business in the city of Toledo. The oldest and parent plant was first known as Lenk's Brewery, and was built at the foot of Superior street, near Swan Creek, in 1856, but subsequently, in 1859, the main cellars were constructed upon the site of the present immense brewery buildings, on the corner of Hamilton and Division streets. Soon thereafter, Mr. Lenk found his competitors in the persons of Brand, Grasser, Stephan and, still later William J. Finlay. Together, these men constituted the pioneers in the brewing interest of Northwestern Ohio, and the work of all these men, now passed away, survives them under the name of the Huebner Toledo Breweries Company, This company has now an annual output of 250,000 barrels of beer, and enjoys an excellent reputation for its product, throughout Ohio, Indiana and Michigan, some of its trade extending as far as West Virginia, Maryland, Connecticut and New York. As result of the consolidation of the brewing interests in this town, under the modern plan of capitalization, the offices of the company are located in the Curtis Block, at the corner of Adams and Ontario streets, branch offices being maintained at the plants, The officers 626 - MEMOIRS OF LUCAS COUNTY for the year 1910 are : James E. Pilliod, president ; Edward J. Grasser, vice-president ; John J, Huebner, secretary and treasurer. These gentlemen represent an overwhelming majority of the capital stock of the company and are the practical owners of the same, The wholesale liquor house of O’Neil Sr. Weill, with warerooms and offices at No, 118 St. Clair street, in Toledo, was established in 1875, by Samuel Stettiner. He began business at 118 Summit street, where he continued for several years as the sole owner and proprietor. In 1898, an incorporated company was organized with a capital stock of $25,00o, consisting of Samuel Stettiner, Patrick J, O,Neil, Maurice Weill, Henry Schmassman, and James McGettigan, Jr, This arrangement prevailed for three years, at the end of which time the company was dissolved, The style of the above corporation was the S. Stettiner Company. In 1901, Samuel Stettiner, Patrick J. O'Neil and Maurice Weill formed a tri-partnership, taking over the interests of the above company, under the name of Sam Stettiner & Company. In 1902, the name was again changed—the partnership remaining the same—to Stettiner, O'Neil & Weill, which continued until the death of Samuel Stettiner, in 1904. Since that time the two surviving members have conducted the business as a co-partnership, In 1905, a change was made in the location to No. I 18 St. Clair street, where the firm is now located. It handles a general line of liquors, doing a wholesale business in Toledo and also within a radius of 200 miles of the city. It has a membership in the Toledo Chamber of Commerce and also in the Wholesale Liquor Dealers' Association. STATEMENT BY PUBLISHERS. The industries mentioned in the foregoing pages of this chapter fairly represent the business interests of the city of Toledo. The list of course is not complete, for to mention every establishment, large and small, in the space alloted in this volume, would be an impossibility. However, there are some regrettable omissions, due to no lack of effort on the part of the publishers, A number of concerns, not mentioned in this chapter, were asked repeatedly to furnish the data for an industrial sketch, but either through carelessness on their part, lack of interest, or for some other reason, they neglected and, in some instances, refused to do so. Nevertheless. a good conception of the magnitude of the industrial life of Toledo may be obtained by a perusal of this chapter. THE PUBLISHERS.