492 - HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

CHAPTER L.

BANKS, INSURANCE COMPANIES, MILLS AND MANUFACTURERS.

FIRST BANK-APPLICATION FOR A CHARTER-PATTERSON &. CO.- MR. PURDY'S BANK-THE STURGES BANK - RICHLAND NATIONAL-FIRST NATIONAL-MANSFIELD BANKING COMPANY - MANSFIELD SAVINGS BANK-THE RICHLAND MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY-THE MANSFIELD MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY-THE MERCHANTS AND MANUFACTURERS' INSURANCE COMPANY-THE AMERICAN MUTUAL ACCIDENT ASSOCIATION- THE EARLY MILLS OF MADISON TOWNSHIP-GILBERT, WAUGH & CO.-HICKS, BROWN & CO-THE AULTMAN & TAYLOR COMPANY-THE MANSFIELD MACHINE WORKS-CRACKER BAKERY-BOX FACTORY THE WESTERN AND BUCKEYE SUSPENDER COMPANIES--TRUNK FACTORY-MANSFIELD WOOLEN MILLS -MANSFIELD LUMBER AND BUILDING COMPANY-PAPER MANUFACTORY- PATTERSON, CREIGH & CO. - G. W. FORNEY & CO.-OTHER INDUSTRIES.

THE banking business of the city, like every other business at the present date (January 1880) has settled down on a solid basis, the city now containing three banking institutions, all doing a safe and profitable business. The first establishment of this kind was started as early as 1816, on Main street, at the southwest corner of the. square, where the old Farmers' Bank was afterward, for many years, located. John Garrison was president. and a Mr. Elliott, Cashier. A charter was applied for and a member elected to the Legislature, purposely to see that the bill for that purpose passed. The bill had passed to a third reading, when a member moved its indef mite postponement. The Highland member thinking it was on its final passage voted aye, and defeated his own measure by his own vote. It was indefinitely postponed by a majority of one. Will the bank never obtained a charter. So far as can be ascertained, thus was the end of the banking business until 1846, when Messrs. James Patterson & Co. started on the west side of the square. about where the Farmers' Bank is now located. This was not a bank of issue; but simply a bank of deposit and the daily accumulation of cash was taken every evening to the vault in the store of E. P. Sturges for safe keeping. Mr. Patterson conducted the bank several years, when he died, and it passed into the control of Conn, Sherman & Co., Messrs. Andrew Conn and C. T. Sherman having been for some years interested in it. It did business for a time on the west side of the square, and then moved to the first room south of the Wiler House where it continued until about 1854, when Conn having moved away, it closed up its affairs. The first really permanent institution of this kind was started by Mr. James Purdy, in 1847. In 1846, a law creating the State Bank of Ohio was passed. Mr. Purdy was active in procuring the passage of this law and immediately determined to take advantage of its benefits and establish a branch in Mansfield. As this was the first bank a little history of it may be interesting.

Money to establish blanks could not be gathered up on the streets in those days, but Mr. Purdy succeeded in finding thirty men in the county who were able to pay in $30,000 in specie. Mr. Purdy agreeing to take their stock off their hands, if at any future time they should desire it. He was aided in the establishment of this bank by G. Armentrout, William Granger, David Anderson and others.

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. - 493

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

The bank was organized August 4, 1847, by the election of J. Purdy. William Granger, David Anderson, John Shauck and Messer Barker. Directors, James Purdy was elected President. and John Rhodes, cashier. The latter continued as cashier until May 6, 1850, when he resigned, and J. M. Rhodes was appointed. He resigned in 1851, and H. Colby was appointed and continued until the expiration of the charter, and the bank was merged into a national bank. They obtained a circulation of $60,000. which was more than the business of Richland County then required. When gold was discovered in California, they established a bank in Sacramento from which they obtained coin. It was shipped to New York and placed to their credit. In the general smash-up in New York in 1857 they sustained a heavy loss of deposits. In 1865, the shareholders of the old bank transferred their stock to the Farmers' National Bank and Mr. Purdy was elected President a position he yet retains, making him, probably, the oldest bank president in continual service in the State. The bank passed safely through the panic of 1873, though hard pressed and losing heavily by the dishonesty of its cashier. Mr. Purdy has been extensively engaged in other banking operations outside the city.

In 1852, the banking-house of E. Sturges, Sr. & Co. started in a little frame 10x30 office on the corner of Main and Third, where Bigelow's drug store is now located. They afterward moved into the McFall corner. The partners were E. Sturges, Sr., S. B. Sturges and A. L. Grimes ; S. B. Sturges withdrew in 1859. In 1857-58, Mr. Benjamin Blymyer, C. L. Avery and E. Sturges, Sr.. & Co. erected the brick block where Blymyer's stove and tin store; and Scattergood's dry-goods store is and to which the bank was moved from the McFall corner. Here they continued business until 1867, when they consolidated with the Richland National Bank. This latter bank was organized in 1865, with a cash capital of $100,000 which was increased to $150,000 when consolidated with E. Sturges. Sr., & Co. The officers of the institution were A. L. Grimes, President; D. Sturges, Vice President; J. M. Jolly, Cashier ; R. H. Rowland, Teller. It first started in the old frame building which was pulled down in the summer of 1879 to make room for the new block of Scattergood, Jenner & Swigart; and in 1867, was moved into the room occupied by E. Sturges. Sr., & Co. The Richland National closed up its affairs or sold out to the Farmers' National Bank. January l, 1876.

The Mansfield Herald of May 25, 1864, announces the fact of the organization of the First National Bank of Mansfield, with a cash capital of $100,000, with the privilege of increasing to $300,000. A meeting of the stock-holders was held on the 16th of the mouth and T. T. Woodruff. W. S. Hickox, B. Burns, H. C. Hedges and L. J. Tracy were elected Directors. T. T. Woodruff was made President ; L. J. Tracy, Vice President and W. S. Hickox. Cashier.

The history of this bank is written indelibly in the memory of the majority of Mansfield people. It ran along very smoothly for nearly a decade its officers changed occasionally but its cashier. W. S. Hickox, was always at his post, and was looked upon as a man of high character and business capacity. He was a leader in the Sunday school, church and society; was trusted and respected by the community, and pointed out to young men as a model and a shining example of a self-made man. Older and wiser heads may have been shaken at times, at the display of wealth by the cashier, yet the man

494 - HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

continued to grow in popularity and power until the crash came on the 26th of September 1873. It was the old, old story of misplaced confidence. If Mr. Hickox was not dishonest, his weakness bordered so closely upon it as to justify the community in calling him a "thief," which was done with considerable unanimity and earnestness.

The excitement and indignation of Mansfield people and especially of those immediately interested in the bank, knew no bounds and after withstanding the storm for a time the cashier fled to parts unknown and is yet a fugitive from justice. The failure of this bank disclosed to the astonished gaze of the public, the incapacity, dishonesty and knavery of other men in the city, who had before occupied high positions of trust and responsibility. This was the beginning of the financial panic of 1873 and although Mr. Hickox must be held to great responsibility in this matter. He was but the representative of an unnatural and diseased condition of society and came to be the door as it were, through which the public gazed upon the rottenness and corruption that for years had been gathering, and which was no more than skin-deep. It was like a carbuncle on the human body which must burst and discharge its corruption before the healing process can take place and this bursting and discharge in the case of Mansfield carne through the First National Bank as was natural. It took several years for this great carbuncle to gather. Burst and heal and the process was very painful: but it has been accomplished leaving only a few scars.

The panic and its consequences have been briefly referred to elsewhere. The Directors and stockholders took possession of the bank, appointed a receiver and wound up its affairs as rapidly as possible. Many good, honest and trustworthy citizens were dragged down to ruin by the failure.

The other two banks, the Farmers and Richland National, fearing a run, and consequent ruin, determined if possible to save themselves, and the next day the officers and Directors of these banks met and passed the following resolution:

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

This was signed by the cashiers of these banks and checked a run which would probably have caused them to close their doors.

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

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

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

In addition to a regular banking business. this hank added a savings department and thus supplied a long-felt, but never before enjoyed want to the people of Mansfield. The bank was organized under a general law of Ohio, passed February 26, 1873, and its stockholders

PAGE 495 - PICTURE OF H. L. PARRISH

PAGE 496 - BLANK

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. - 497

comprise a large number of names well known in Richland County. Deposits are received from $1 up to any sum, not exceeding $500, and the depositor receives 5 per cent interest, payable semi-annually. The high character of its officers and Directors, the ability and skill displayed in the conduct of its affairs, have won the confidence of its patrons; and are a sufficient guarantee of the future solidity and permanency of the institution. It has won its way fairly to a solid. paying, and it is believed enduring, business. The following names comprise its Directors : John B. Netscher, Fred M. Fitting, Ezra Osbun, R. C. Brown, M. D. Harter. E. W. Smith; C Welty, Nelson Ozier, Wm. Stevens, Wash, McBride, Isaiah Boyce, John Hamilton, James Meeds, W. M. Hahn, W. P. Clarke, B. Burns, J. M. Condon, Peter Snapp and James Hughes.

The Richland Mutual Insurance Company was chartered in 1851 and is the oldest of the three companies established here. Its incorporators were Judge Parker, Charles T. Sherman, Robert Bentley. Thos. W. Bartley, James Weldon, Andrew Conn, E. P. Sturges and J. H. Cook. Its first President was Andrew Conn. The office is now in the Opera Building, and its business is confined to the State of Ohio. Its management has been very judicious and careful and its losses promptly paid. Its capital having accumulated to the amount of $1,200,000, it is one of the safest and most reliable companies in the State. The President is J. H. Cook: Secretary. R. Smith, and General Agent N. S. Reed.

The Mansfield Mutual Fire Insurance Company was incorporated Aug. 5, 1873, with a capital of $50,000 and commenced business Jan. 1, 1874. The incorporators were, H. R. Smith, Joint Wood, F. E. Tracy, M. D. Harter, E. P. Sturges, J. B. Netscher and M. Black. It does business only on the mutual plan and not outside of the State. Its capital has increased to $220,000. Its President is John Wood; Treasurer, M. D. Harter: Secretary, J. H. Emminger.

The Merchants' and Manufacturers Insurance Company was organized Oct. 12. 1876, through the personal efforts of Mr. M. E. Douglas, former Secretary of the Richland Mutual. Its Board of Directors were L. J. Tracy, H. C. Hedges, M. R. Dickey. H. M. Weaver, H. H. Sturges. W. B. Mercer, S. R. Harris, Henry L. Curtis, H. B. C Curtis and M. E. Douglas. The President is L. J. Tracy, M. E. Douglas is Secretary and Treasurer, and J. W. Hahn. General Agent. Messrs. H. L. Curtis and W. B. Mercer have retired from the directorship and their places have been filled by B. F. Crawford and W. M. Halm. Its capital has increased from $50,000 to $360,000, which speaks well for the energy of its managers. It is in careful hands and is one of the permanent institutions of the city.

The American Mutual Accident Association of Mansfield filed its certificate of incorporation with the Secretary of State February 12, 1880, and has therefore, but just entered upon its business career. R. Brinkerhoff is President, and J. H. Emminger, Secretary. Its officers have given bonds for the faithful performance

498 - HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

of their duties according to the laws of the State. and from the well-known business character and integrity of these officers. the success of the institution is assured.

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

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

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

The first saw-mill propelled by water power was erected by an Irishman by the name of John Wright, near the planing-mill of McVay& Allison. on the opposite side of the stream from that establishment. This was about 1820. Afterward, Henry Leyman built a grist-mill near it. This was the first grist-mill in Mansfield; propelled by water. Later, John R. Robison owned this mill. improved it, and for many years it did the custom-work for Mansfield and vicinity. Sometime about 1866 or 1867, it came into the possession of John Damp, who added steam to the power, putting in a thirty-five horse-power engine, and called it the Richland City Mill. It was, while in his possession, destroyed by fire, about 1868.

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

The fine brick four-story mill of Hicks Brown & Co., located near the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad depot, was built in 1876 and is

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. - 499

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

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

The largest manufactory in the city, if not in this part of Ohio is the Aultman & Taylor Company, manufacturers of threshers, steam engines and their component machinery. The Company has been established about thirteen years. In 1867, Mr. C. Aultman, of Canton. Ohio, President of C. Aultman & Co., of that place, and Mr. Henry H. Taylor of Chicago, General Western Agent of C. Aultman & Co., conceived the idea of building ; a better style of threshing machine, in many respects, than had ever been seen in the market. Few men in America, perhaps, knew as much about threshing machines, in 1867, as they, and their very knowledge of the great room for improvement led them to consider the propriety of getting out something better. Having built up the reputation of an endless-apron thresher, until it stood at the forefront of the endless-apron or Pitts style of machines, they could not but finally, discover and acknowledge the essentially faulty; and therefore wasteful, principle of separation in that class of machines. Mr. Taylor, who had for years been interested in building a vibrator style of thresher, know what wonderful merit there was in it if perfected, and that it could be rendered the leading machine in the market. With this view, Messrs. Aultman & Taylor formed a copartnership and began to look for a location for their factory. After carefully weighing the advantages of a large number of localities, they selected Mansfield, Ohio. The grounds for the selection of Mansfield were: 1. It was the geographical center of the best hardwood district of the country, and they had determined from the start to locate where an abundant supply of the very best material could be had as it was their aim to have their thresher win the reputation of being built from the best material obtainable. In this matter, time has demonstrated their wisdom, as to-day, if any

PAGE 500 - PICTURE OF AULTMAN-TAYLOR WORKS AND GROUNDS.

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. - 501

one thing in the way of material call be singled out as going to make up the world-wide reputation of The Aultman-Taylor Thresher, it is the unapproachable quality of the lumber used in it. Its central location and rail road facilities. A glance at the map of the United States will serve to show how well located the factory of The Aultman & Taylor Company is with regard to the shipping facilities its now immense business requires, for today, comparatively little business between tile East and the West, or between the great prairie regions of tile Northwest and Europe, but passes through Mansfield, where the three great American systems of railway (the Baltimore & Ohio, tile Pennsylvania and the EriE) greet each other, while tile only two other routes of importance pass at short distances to the north anti south. Having decided to build the factory at Mansfield, it only remained to get conveniently located lamps, which were secured near all the depots, where the shops were built and so arranged that machinery can be loaded upon every railroad entering Mansfield without leaving the grounds of The Aultman & Taylor Company. The next thing was to see to the patents. This was the special business of Mr. Aultman. whose familiarity with patents marked him as the proper person to attend to this delicate branch of manufacturing. He soon discovered that the patents owned by some friends, and which the firm expected to use, were really of no importance, if., indeed. of any actual value. So, setting himself to it. he bought, consolidated, re-issued and completed the entire vibrator patent system. granting to several shops in Michigan and in Missouri, and one in Southern Illinois, tile privilege of using the line of patents which are known as the vibrator patents. Of course, all this was attended with great expense, and, some years afterward. a Michigan company paid The Aultman & Taylor Manufacturing Company for, and became half owner in the patents as they existed at that date. They are particular in giving this scrap of history because others have, without proper regard for the truth for carelessly perhaps and overlooking the consequences of their misstatements somewhat foolishly claimed to be the original inventors the vibrator style of machines. The truth is that no one now engaged in the business can be so considered; but the public call very easily see to whom tile honor of securing; consolidating, re-issuing, adding to and completing the vibrator patents belongs, if it can be said to belong to any one. While all this has been true they call the attention of the buying public to the fact that while they have occasionally felt it their duty to briefly speak of the risks run by farmers in buying any vibrator style of thresher not authorized to he built under the consolidated patents they have always depended upon the merits of their goods to sell them and never had a customer who bought because they frightened, forced or blackmailed him into purchasing.

After getting the patents fairly under way the next thing was to improve what was then known as the vibrator style of machine, and which was built by several concerns of considerable prominence. This required so many changes in general and in detail before it became "The Aultman-Taylor." that they are not named for fear of wearying the reader. Suffice it to say that those who remember what this style of machine was before they commenced

502 - HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

building it, will be inclined, when they look at it now, to regard the Company as the creators and inventors of the vibrator style of thresher a claim they are not entitled to any more than any other builder for as they have often stated, no person, firm nor corporation now in existence can truthfully claim to be either the inventors of. or the original builders of vibrator style of machines; but that they deserve the reputation they have, as the perfecters of the entire race of this (vibrator) style of machine, none will be disposed to dispute.

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

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

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

Early recognizing the fact that in many sections engines would be preferred to horse-pow-

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. - 503

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

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

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

In 1878, The Aultman & Taylor Company was among the largest producers of threshing machinery in the world. and sold all the goods it built. with the exception of less than $9,000 worth of odd-sized machinery, and during the season was compelled to add to and increase its production several times. Even then by working early and late with an increased force on extra time it was unable to fill its orders. The Aultman & Taylor Company is the only large thresher concern in America which can truthfully make the above statement and it is only proper to say that nearly every other large thresher builder in the country has been each year building more machines than lie has sold. and has been enabled to keep up the reputation of being a large builder by having score, of unsold machines at his place of manufacture and scattered around among his agents. oftentimes

504 - HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

in nearly every State in the Union while dozens stand at railroad stations exposed to the weather. This is overproduction, and intending buyers can draw their own conclusions, as to whether it will pay them to buy machines for which the demand is steadily and surely falling off. But it was not only in 1878 that The Aultman & Taylor Company could not fill its orders for Aultman-Taylor goods-in only one year of its entire history has this Company been able to fully supply the demand for its goods and though each year straining every effort to turn out goods enough, and though it has by new buildings and new machinery and increased mechanical force, enlarged its production, yet the supply of Aultman-Taylor goods has ever been below the demand. In other words, while other builders have failed to sell what they built, this Company has not been able to build enough. Comment is hardly necessary such facts are eloquent, they speak louder than words. and in a language which all can understand and while the Company have, by the erection of new works. and by every other means in their power, arranged to build heavier than ever before for the season of 1880, they must warn all parties intending to buy either threshers. horsepowers, clover-hollers or engines, that the only way to make sure of getting the best is to order early, for while the stock of Aultman-Taylor threshing machinery may last until the season's demand is over, yet it is quite likely that they will be unable to fill late orders.

Although, in 1868, they started out with large works and occupying over seven acres of land. the increasing volume of the business of The Aultman & Taylor Company has compelled extension after extension, here a little, there a little, until they now occupy; with their shoots. warehouses. offices, lumber-yards, etc., between thirty and forte' acres of land : and while they employed, in 1868, only $150.0110. they have been compelled to put in fresh capital and add to and increase their means from time to time. in order to accommodate the demand for their goods until in 1878, they employed over $1,400,000; and as a little index of what such a business as theirs is, they would say that from using less than $200 worth of postage stamps in 1868, their expenses for postage alone, in 1880, will be over $5,000.

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

From what insurance men, ether manufacturers. and reporters for the great city papers write, the Company must have an unusual lumber-yard, as its size and what every one calls their stupendous stock of lumber, seems to excite wonder among all who visit it. Undoubtedly they do carry an unusually large stock of lumber and it has always been known that their qualities are very much better and more costly than most manufacturers think it worth while to work up into threshing machines; but the Company believe they have made money by their course in this respect as to-day their reputation as the builders of the most durable threshing machines on the continent is largely due to their using such grades of lumber as are usually only found in furniture and other fine work. By carrying the enormous stock they secure the

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. - 505

driest lumber which open-air drying can furnish, and, besides this, they have their own patented steam-drying apparatus, by which they can take out even the little dampness which attaches to all lumber dried exclusively in the open air. The coming season, a large proportion of the ash and pine they use in the most important parts of their goods will be over four and a part of it over five years old, and there fore about as dry as a bone. They are now increasing their stock of lumber constantly and very largely, and, before many months are past will have a supply of lumber, such as has never before been dreamed of by thresher builders. They are often asked, "Does it pay? Do not interest, insurance and taxes make it very costly lumber by the time you use it?" They answer that it does pay, and they believe other manufacturers besides themselves would find it pays. It pays in increased reputation for their goods, in an enlarged demand, and only this last summer they have found u new profit in it. As is well known, the climate in some parts of the Far West Territories is so very dry and trying, that lumber in machinery which will stand the climate east of the Rocky Mountains will not withstand the atmosphere there. They sold a number of machines there last year, and the unusual way in which the lumber in their goods withstood exposure there seems to have excited almost as much wonder as satisfaction. They repeat, "It does pay." It always pays to have the best thing in the market. They would say to all, they are always in market for choice lumber, and when any particularly nice ash; hickory, poplar, rock elm, oak, or pine is for sale. write them, giving lowest cash price, delivered free on board cars at Mansfield. But it must be strictly first-class in every way, free of knots heart, sap and checks, or if not free, will have to be measured free, as they cannot pay for or use any lumber not strictly up to standard.

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

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

PAGE 506- PICTURE OF OFFICE OF AULTMAN & TAYLOR CO.

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. - 507

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

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

Commencing, as the Company did in 1868 on so modest a scale of manufacture, and possessing no remarkable or unusual business ability in these particulars, only aiming to hold their own among the general average of business men, their business has, nevertheless, grown to its present enormous proportions by a steady increase from season to season, and from a small concern in 1868, using but a moderate quantity of materials, their cash purchases now each year probably exceed those of any other threshing-machine factory in the land.

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

Molding-sand, fire-clay, etc............... .. 50 cars.

Coal .................................................. 300 cars.

Oil and tarnish.................................... 8 cars.

Sail and wire cloth.............................. 7 cars.

Lumber, belting, etc........................... 507 cars.

Hardware.............................................. 9 cars.

Iron ................................................ .. 326 cars.

making a total of 1,207 cars. which would make a train fifteen miles in length. farther than from Mansfield to Crestline.

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

A very valuable adjunct to their thresher is the self-propelling engine, which they have lately perfected. It is known as The Aultmam-Taylor Traction Engine, and was first made after they had been making and using regular farm-engines.

The traction engine is distinguished by the same excellence of material and finish, and by the same nice attention to details. which has given their standard farm engine such a reputation and distinction, as the safest. best. most economical in the use of fuel and water, as well as the most durable; but the feature which will of course attract the most attention, is the traction or propelling arrangement. This seems to be perfect, as far as experts can tell, and at any rate is so much in advance of other engines

508 - HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

of the same class, as to insure for the traction-engine a large sale and great popularity. By using a traction engine, four horses, or two teams, are dispensed with, as it needs but one team, which does not pull the engine, but merely guides it while the engine itself draws along the water-tank, thresher, etc.. up and down hill as well as on the level, and with the greatest ease.

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

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

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

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

Thse familiar with the traction engine trade will recognize these gentlemen as being the best authority upon traction engines in this country ; at any rate. seven men knowing as much about traction engines could hardly be got together in America.

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

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

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

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

3. In The Aultman-Taylor Traction Engine the propelling power is communicated directly from the main shaft to the rear axle, thus entirely doing away with the supplemental shaft and complicated gearing of the same, in use on all the traction engines we are acquainted with. How great this advantage is will at once be understood by all who know anything practically about traction engines; to others we would say, in this respect The Aultman-Taylor Traction Engine has

HISTORY OF RICHLAND L COUNTY. - 509

several distinct advantages: (a) in simplicity; (b) economy in power; (c) economy in fuel; (d) increased durability; (e) decreased weight; (f) ease of management; (g) decreased liability to delays from breakage. We should think these advantages would add at least $100 to the value of The Aultman-Taylor Traction Engine.

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

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

This view of the traction engine shows its motion on the road. The team is used only to guide the engine-it runs itself.

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

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

The Aultman & Taylor Company, Mansfield, Ohio

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

I don't think that any of the machines just named, or any other endless-apron machine, will be sold here this season, for all our best farmers say they waste such a terrible amount of grain that they will not have any of them do a bushel's threshing, if they can help it ;

510 - HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

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

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

Letters like his could he continued indefinitely, but space forbids their insertion.

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

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

At a meeting of the stockholders, January 5, 1874, A. B. Beverstock, Z. S. Stocking, D. Struhle, E. P. Sturges, A. L. Grimes; N. Abbott and J. H. Cook were selected Directors. Z. S. Stocking was made President, and A. L. Grimes Secretary. Soon afterward, Mr. Abbott was chosen Superintendent, and under his efficient and energetic management the works were pushed to their utmost capacity, and soon necessitated removing froth the okl works on Main street to the more commodions building which they now occupy on East Diamond. This change occurred in 1877. These works had been erected by Blymyer, Day & Co., cud were for some years used for the manufacture of Cook's Evaporator and other mashinery. The building is imposing in appearance. and the works and grounds quite extensive. They are nearer to the railroad. and therefore more convenient for shipping purposes than the other works.

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

From reports submitted, it is apparent that the business, especially during the last two years, has been highly prosperous and remunerative. The company has had an extensive

PAGE 511 - PICTURE OF MANSFIELD MACHINE WORKS.

512 - HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

experience in the manufacture of portable engines, which is their specialty; also stationary engines and mill machinery; and. even were there no other testimony to that effect, the fact that their business has been continually growing and extending is sufficient evidence of the quality of their work.

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

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

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

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

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

A trunk factory was established in 1876, by F. S. Lahm R Co., wholesale and retail dealers in hats, caps. etc.

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

The Mansfield Steam Soap Works are located on Fourth street, near the spring. and are operated by T. C. Carey & Co. This business originated with Gregory, Bliss & Co in 1870. Four or five. men are employed, and the factory has a capacity of about 50,000 pounds of soap per month.

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

The Mansfield Woolen Mill is located at the the foot of Mulberry street. The original building was erected many years ago for a tannery. In 1870, a Mr. Gladhill purchased the building, enlarged it and converted it into a woolen-mill. It has since been greatly enlarged and is now 130x40 feet, and four stories in height. In 1873, it was sold to an incorporated company, of which J. H. Reed was President. and James J. Hedges, Superintendent and Treasurer. New and improved machinery was added, but it failed to pay during

PAGE 513 - PICTURES OF H. WESTFALL & MARY CRALL

PAGE 514 - BLANK

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. - 515

the hard times following the panic of 1873, and its doors were closed for several years. In 1876, John Wood, who had previously a large interest in the mill, purchased the entire concern, and, in 1879, in company with Mr. John Gilliland again started the spindles. Since that the mill has been in successful operation. Twenty to thirty hands are employed ; the engine is fifty-horse power, and machinery first class. They manufacture cashmeres, flannels and yarn. The management is careful, and there is every prospect of permanent success.

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

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

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

There are several old and substantial furniture manufacturing establishments, a broom factory or two, and, in Johns Addition, a churn factory, C. Blust & Co.'s, that has been in operation many years. Benskin & Zellner and E. M. Wolff &. Co. are engaged in the manufacture of gravestones; the latter establishment employing steam power and twenty-two workmen. An old citizen, John Rickets, still continues the manufacture of shooting implements on Main street, and there are half a dozen harness-makers, employing several hands each.

On Walnut street is located the carriage manufacturing establishment of Messrs. Patterson & Creigh. They employ more than twenty-four men, and turn out between 300 and 400 carriages per annum. Their trade is mostly local, their work substantial and beautiful in style and finish, and their reputation for quality of work excellent.

Mr. G. W. Forney, of Cincinnati, established a carriage manufactory in the old buildings on Main street, during the winter of 1879-80. The works proved a profitable investment., but owing to the lack of capital on the part of the proprietor, were obliged to suspend early in April, 1880. Mr. Sharp Bird was appointed assignee, who controlled the works until about the 1st of May, when they were sold to Mr. J. C. Kintner, who now owns and operates them.