Hancock County OhArchives History - Books .....Chapter XXXII, Part III 1886
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Book Title: History Of Hancock County

CHAPTER XXXII.
FINDLAY CONTINUED.

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

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

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

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

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

   The site of the Joy House has been occupied by a hotel during a period of
forty-six years. In 1839-40 an Irishman named John McCurdy erected a two-story
frame on this ground and soon afterward sold it to Henry Lamb, who in the latter
year opened it as the "White Hall Tavern." Mr. Lamb carried on this tavern until
near the close of March. 1849, and the building was burned down on the 31st of
that month immediately after the Lambs had moved out. The ground remained
unoccupied until the spring of 1854, when the Findlay Joint Stock Hotel Company
purchased it, and commenced the erection thereon of the present three-story
brick structure known as the Joy House Block. The building was not completed
until the fall of 1856, when it was opened by S. T. Heffner as the "Dixon
Hotel," in honor of Daniel Dixon, one of the principal stockholders in the
company, and a leading citizen of the village. The south part of the present
hotel was purchased in June, 1859, by George H. Crook, of the Joint Stock Hotel
Company, who changed the name to the "Crook House," and ran it until the spring
of 1865. Stewart Sprague then bought the furnishings and leased the building of
Mr. Crook, and carried on the hotel business for five years. In the spring of
1870 A. & D. Joy, who had been running a hotel in Carey for many years,
purchased the property, and at once changed the name to the "Joy House." Under
their management the Joy House soon won the larger share of the hotel trade, and
it has retained this up to the present (April, 1886). The Joys lease the two
upper stories of the north part of the block, which, together with the old
portion, gives their hotel an accommodation of sixty-eight rooms. Most of the
interior has been recently refurnished, the dining room remodeled and handsomely
furnished in rich harmony of colors, and as a whole, the Joy House will compare
favorably with the average hotel of the State outside of the larger towns.

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

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

   Among other old-time places of entertainment were the "Rising Sun Hotel" and
the Bigelow House. The former was built by Daniel Erb on East Main Cross Street,
and in the spring of 1837 was purchased by Garret D. Teatsorth, who carried it
on for quite a long period. The Bigelow House was opened by T. B. Paden in
September, 1851, in the old two-story frame yet standing on the southeast corner
of Main and Sandusky Streets, and now occupied by L. A. Baldwin as a commission
house. It was started to take the place of the "White Hall Tavern," burned down
a couple of years previous, and was kept by Nathan Miller and M. Shisler in 1853
and 1854, respectively, who succeeded Mr. Paden, but it was closed about the
time the Dixon Hotel (now Joy House) was opened for business.

   The Central and Burnet Houses are the latest ventures in the hotel line. The
former, located on the west side of the public square, was built by Abraham W.
Schwab many years ago for store-rooms, and first opened as a hotel by George
Grouse about 1870-71. He was succeeded by James L. Henry, and after a few years
the property was sold to the Grange, who opened a store therein. Upon the
failure of that movement it was again sold, and finally came into possession of
Samuel D. Houpt. He fitted it up as a hotel, and in 1883 leased it to John
Ritter, who opened it as the "Central House." C. P. Vail succeeded Mr. Ritter in
July, 1884, and has recently fitted up the house in a very enterprising manner.
The Burnet, now owned by Samuel Renninger, is located near the depot of the Lake
Erie & Western Railroad, where a restaurant was started by C. H. Dietsch shortly
after the completion of that road to Findlay. The hotel accommodations of
Findlay are fully ample for the present wants of the village, while its many
elegant restaurants surpass those of any other country town in Ohio.

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

   In 1832 Henry Shaw built a horse-mill on West Front Street, upon the south
part of the lot now occupied by the "Church of God," Bethel, to supply the
inhabitants with corn meal, when Vance's mill failed on account of low water or
some other cause. It was a two-story building, the grinding being done in the
upper story, which was reached by an open stairway, and the horse-power was
below. James Teatsorth bought this mill of Mr. Shaw about 1836, and ran it
several years.

   The first flouring-mill in the village was built by Martin Huber, John S.
Julien and John Engelman, the last two mentioned being yet residents of Findlay.
They purchased a lot on the south side of Sandusky Street, immediately east of
Eagle Creek, in May, 1845, and began the erection of a mill. It was completed
and first operated December 25, 1845, and was named the "Eagle Mills," which
title it has ever since borne. This mill has always been operated by steam, and
was one of the first steam mills built in the county. Soon after the mill began
operations Martin Huber died, and in May, 1846, the property was purchased by
Benjamin Huber, who owned it nearly twenty years. In the fall of 1865 the mill
was sold to E. M. Norwood and Milton B. Patterson, who disposed of it in
February, 1867, to William W. McConnell. The following November Parish W.
Rockwell purchased an interest in the property. McConnell & Rockwell ran the
mill until March, 1879, when David Kirk assumed control. In the fall of that
year the property was sold at sheriff's sale and purchased by the creditors of
McConnell & Rockwell, from whom Mr. Kirk and Mrs. William W. McConnell
subsequently bought it. The mill was furnished with Ellis rolls in 1883, and on
the 1st of January, 1885, Mr. Kirk became sole proprietor by the purchase of
Mrs. McConnell's interest. The Eagle Mills are now first-class in their
appointments, and are averaging 125 barrels of a superior grade of flour every
twenty-four hours, though having a capacity of 150 barrels. Mr. Kirk has his own
gas-well, which supplies fuel and light for the mill, and thus a saving of
$2,000 per annum is accomplished.

   The Hancock Mills, now owned and operated by John Parker, was built by his
father, Jonathan. In the summer of 1857 the latter erected a steam planing-mill
on Lincoln Street, in the southwest part of the village, and in the autumn of
the same year began an addition for a grist-mill, which commenced operations in
the spring of 1858, under the name of the "Hancock Mills." These mills have ever
since been carried on; first by the father, and afterward by the present
proprietor, though the planing-mill was abandoned eight or ten years ago. The
present capacity is fifty barrels every twenty-four hours.

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

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

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

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

   Small wagon and carriage factories began to be established at quite an early
day, though very little new work was turned out during the earlier years of
settlement. Philip Shockey opened a wagon shop on East Main Cross Street in 1834
or 1835. He also manufactured plows, but his principal work was repairing during
his residence here. In 1839 John Schneyer started a wagon shop on West Main
Cross Street, on the site of Mrs. Sarah Carlin' s residence, where he carried on
business about nine years and then removed to the south bank of the river, where
the old brewery now stands. In the winter of 1848-49 he gave up the manufacture
of wagons and started a brewery, which will be found mentioned further on in
this article. Jesse George, Simon Wilhelm and William Kirtland manufactured
wagons and plows, and also did some foundry work, on South Main Street, as early
as 184-45. Koons & Snyder opened a wagon and carriage factory on West Crawford
Street in 1848—49. Snyder soon retired and the firm became E. P. Koons & Co. The
Koons family continued to run carriage shops in Findlay up to within fifteen
years past. Eli Beach conducted the same class of business, first on Main Street
and subsequently on West Crawford, from 1855 until about ten years ago.

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

   The carriage factory now operated by A. W. Ray, on West Main Cross Street,
was established some twenty-six years ago by Karr & Sprau. Many changes have
since occurred in its ownership, John M. Ferguson, Philip B. Morrison, S. C.
Moore, George Heck, J. L. Linnville, William Biggs, Charles Fritcher, A. W. and
J. K. Ray and L. Fitzpatrick having all been connected with the proprietorship
of this factory up to 1877, when A. W. Bay became sole owner. Eight hands are
employed in this shop and a good class of wagons, carriages, etc., is manufactured.

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

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

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

   In September, 1857, Augustus Sheffield purchased ground on the south side of
West Main Cross Street, and built a brick foundry and machine shop thereon. He
sold out to Jesse Wolf and Simon Wilhelm in the fall of 1859, who removed from
their old location on East Crawford Street to the new shops. Wolf & Wilhelm ran
the foundry until 1863, when William France obtained an interest (the firm name
remaining as before), which he held about a year. In 1864 Eobert S. Mungen
purchased Mr. Wilhelm's interest, and the firm then became E. S. Mungen & Co.
Louis Adams entered the firm in 1865, and Adams, Mungen & Wolf continued about
one year when Mr. Wolf retired. Adams & Mungen carried on the business until
1867, when Mr. Wolf again became a partner, but the following year sold out his
interest to Vincent H. Coons, while Cyrus Vail bought that of Mr. Adams. The
interests of Messrs. Vail and Mungen were soon afterward purchased by Mr. Adams,
and the firm of Adams & Coons ran 'the business until 1872, when the former
retired. James T. Adams, Newton M. Adams, John W. Davis and William L. Davis,
now entered the business, and the firm of Coons, Adams & Co. was organized. A
large brick addition was made to the shop in 1873, and a fresh impetus was given
to the business. Upon the death of William L. Davis in 1880, his interest was
purchased by the remaining partners. In January, 1883, the Adams brothers and
Joseph Kevis bought out Vincent H. Coons and John W. Davis, and the firm then
became Adams Bros. & Co. The Findlay Machine Works manufacture portable and
stationary engines, circular saw-mills, etc., and give steady employment to
twenty-two hands. In the spring of 1886 they erected a two-story brick addition,
in the rear of the old shops, to meet the growing demands of their business.

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

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

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

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

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

   A log distillery was built in 18-42-43, on the site of the East Findlay
engine house, by John and Benjamin Hershy, of Wayne County, Ohio. They ran the
business about four years and then gave it up as non-paying. The only other
distillery that has ever been built in this locality was by McConnell, Lewis &
Stillings, in the spring and summer of 1857. It was a three-story frame and
stood on the north side of the river west of the village. After about one year's
operation the distillery was purchased by E. P. Jones, of Findlay, and H. F.
Merry, of Sandusky City, who manufactured whisky for some time and then sold out
to Louis Adams. The latter took in W. W. McConnell, and the business was carried
on by them until after the war closed, and it then went down.

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

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

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

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

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

   The Findlay Stave and Handle Factory is one of the leading manufacturing
institutions of Findlay. The business was established on West Sandusky Street,
in the spring of 1872, by D. C. Fisher, John K. Wise, Andrew Bushon, Henry F.
Winders, John M. Hamlin and Samuel C. Moore, under the firm name of Moore, Wise
& Co. Mr. Fisher sold out in December, 1872, and Mr. Wise died in 1873, both
interests being purchased by the other members of the firm. Early in 1873 Mr.
Bushon sold to Messrs. Hamlin and Winders, and the establishment was soon
afterward burned to the ground. The factory was at once rebuilt on a larger
scale, and the business prosecuted with renewed vigor. Henry Hellenkamp bought
Mr. Moore's interest in 1875. and in 1878 sold to Messrs. Hamlin & Winders. In
April, 1884, Mr. Hamlin became sole proprietor through the purchase of Mr.
Winders' interest. Staves and all kinds of farm-tool handles are the product of
this factory, whose markets extend to nearly every part of the globe.
Twenty-five hands are usually employed throughout the year, and the sales amount
to $30,000 per annum.

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

   The Findlay Manufacturing Company was organized November 14, 1873, with a
capital stock of $30.000, by E. P. Jones, J. S. Patterson, James H. Wilson, W.
H. Haven, Charles E. Niles and D. C. Fisher. A two-story brick building was
erected on West Crawford Street, and began the manufacture of planed lumber,
fanning-mills and washing-machines. It ran only a few years, and was succeeded
by a window-shade factory, and known as the "Novelty Works;" but this was of
very short duration. In the fall of 1879 the building was leased by Y. Bickham
and Charles Wright, who commenced the manufacture of carriage bent-work. In
January, 1881, Mr. Wright bought out his partner, and ran the business until the
spring of 1882, when it ceased further operations. Mr. Jones, who owns the
building, has recently sunk a gas-well in the yard, and rented both to J. W.
Smith, for the manufacture and working of a metal said to be aluminum.

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

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

   The Findlay Woolen Mill was established by William Anderson and John D.
McKibben in the old Presbyterian Church on East Crawford Street. They purchased
this building in May, 1858, and fitted it for the manufacture of woolen goods.
Mr. Anderson bought out his partner four years afterward, and continued alone.
On the 14th of April, 1865. the cornerstone of the large three-story brick
building in East Findlay was laid with imposing ceremonies, as there were
thousands of people in town that day celebrating over the fall of Richmond and
the surrender of Lee's army. In the summer of 1865 Mr. Anderson sold the old
property on Crawford Street, and the same year the new mill began operations.
Mr. Anderson carried on the business with varying success until the spring of
1884, and was then succeeded by L. Rambo & Son, the present proprietors, who
opened the mill for business in June. 1885. The mill is only run a portion of
the year, and when in operation furnishes employment to about eighteen hands.
Cassimeres, satinets, blankets, flannels and yarns are manufactured in this
establishment, the capacity of the mill being about 50,000 pounds of wool annually.

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

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

   The harness and saddlery establishment of the Ruhl Bros., on Main Street,
gives employment to a greater number of hands than any other factory now (April.
1886,) in operation in Findlay. The present business was started in the spring
of 1876, by John S. and George W. Ruhl, and they have since grown into an
extensive wholesale trade, one of the firm traveling "on the road" the greater
part of his time. Thirty-nine workmen find steady work in the establishment, and
their sales reach an aggregate of $60.000 a year.

   The Barnd Limekilns south of the village were established by Elijah Barnd in
1871, and over 20.000 bushels of first-class lime are annually burned in these
kilns. From five to seven men are employed, and the business ranks among the
leading manufacturing interests of the town.

   In I860 Martin Hirsher established a stoneware pottery in East Findlay on the
Mt. Blanchard road. He gets his clay from Akron, Ohio, and the Hocking Valley,
and annually turns out about 30,000 gallons of stoneware. His ware has a good
reputation, and his sales are principally confined to Hancock County.

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

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

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

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

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

   "The Findlay Bank" began business in August, 1853, with James Purdy, James
Weldon, Charles Hedges, William S. Granger, David J. Cory. William Taylor and
James M. Coffinberry, directors, and Cunningham Hazlett, cashier. This bank
lasted until the spring of 1857, and was succeeded by the "Exchange Bank," C.
Hazlett & Co., proprietors, which, however, did not carry on business very long.

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

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

   The Hancock Bank was organized in May, 1867, by Croninger, Gage & Co. In
November, 1868, the firm became H. P. Gage & Co., H. P. Gage, Parlee Carlin and
A. S. Julien composing the firm. In June, 1873, this bank was reorganized and
incorporated as "The Hancock Savings and Loan Association," with a capital stock
of $50,000, by H. P. Gage, M. C. Whiteley, John D. Bishop, Dr. Charles Osterlen,
William L. Davis and Aaron Blackford. By a decree of the court of common pleas
of Hancock County, issued October 6, 1873, the name was changed to the "Hancock
Savings Bank," and incorporated under this name three days afterward. Its
authorized capital was placed at $200,000, with a guaranteed security to
depositors of $100,000. It carried on an apparently successful business until
the failure of the Citizens' Bank, when a "run" was at once made upon it, and on
March 28, 1878, it closed its doors. The stockholders at this time were H. P.
Gage, Abraham Grabill. John D. Bishop, Richard Dukes, Dr. Charles Osterlen,
Alfred Graber and A. B. Belden, with H. P. Gage president, and Alfred Graber
cashier. The bank suspended for ninety days, but an investigation revealed the
fact that President Gage had squandered the funds in speculation, and business
was never resumed. The successive failure of these two banks caused large
financial losses to many people, and therefore wide-spread dissatisfaction, and
under the pressure of the stigma attached to his name through the misuse of the
bank's funds, Mr. Gage committed suicide.

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

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

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

   The "Findlay Building and Loan Association" was organized March 20, 1886,
with a capital stock of $500,000 in $250 shares. The officers are F. B. Zay,
president: A. C. Heck, vice-president; W. F. Hosler, secretary; John Shull,
treasurer; E. T. Dunn, attorney; P. E. Hay, R. A. McGeary, Edward Dietsch, A.W
Ray, A. C. Heck, William Edwards and F. B. Zay, directors. These associations
are in a certain sense banking institutions, and may properly be placed in the
same class of business interests.

   From the days when Findlay was a small village up to the present the ever
popular circus and other traveling shows came at intervals to amuse and
entertain the quiet lives of its inhabitants. One of the first, if not the
first, of these was June & Turner's circus, which pitched its tent on West Front
Street in 1847. Of course, as circuses always do, this pioneer drew a big crowd.
In February. 1848, the theatrical company of S. E. Brown & Co. appeared to large
audiences in the court house for one week. Melodeon Building was erected by
James H. Wilson this year (1848), on the site of the Carnahan Block, and
contained the first public hall worthy of mention opened in the village. In
August, 1851, Van Amburgh's menagerie, with the then famous elephant,
"Columbus," exhibited in North Findlay. He came again in 1S56 with the big
elephant, "Hannibal," and pitched his tent in East Findlay. In 1855 Maj. Ward, a
conjurer and ventriloquist, gave a tent exhibition on the public square which
created a good deal of curiosity. Maybe & Co's, in 1856, was the first combined
circus and menagerie that appeared in Findlay. The street parade which it gave
was then a new feature and attracted much attention. A traveling company gave
Uncle Tom's Cabin in Melodeon Hall in 1856, and created a profound impression,
as at that time the question of the abolition of slavery was at its height.
Spalding & Roger's circus came to Findlay in August, 1857, and their steam
calliope, drawn by forty horses, driven by one person, drew out a very large
crowd to their tent, near Eagle Creek. Corbin & Co's "Hunters of the West," a
sort of Indian combination troupe, showed here in October, 1857, and, with gaudy
trappings, paraded Main Street. Yankee Robinson's circus gave an exhibition in
the village about this time, pitching its tent near Eagle Creek, between the
Branch Railroad and Main Cross Street, where Spalding & Rogers had previously
exhibited. In the fall of 1858, Prof. Winchell, one of the greatest
ventriloquists and facial performers of his day, appeared in Melodeon Hall. He
was also a good singer and performed to large and delighted audiences. Gulick's
Old Folk's Concert Company gave one of their very popular entertainments in
Melodeon Hall in the winter of 1858-59. In the summer of 1860, Dondley's Theater
Company, of Cincinnati, showed for a week in the court house, was well
patronized and regarded with high favor. The foregoing comprise only some of the
principal shows that appeared prior to the Rebellion. Wheeler's Hall was built
by William H. Wheeler in 1863, and completed the following year, and was
subsequently used for all classes of entertainments up to the opening of the
present Davis Opera House, on Thanksgiving night, 1876. The latter was built by
William L. Davis, John W. Davis and Martin L. Detwiler. It was commenced in 1875
and completed in the autumn of the following year. Though an occasional troupe
or lecturer is well patronized by the people of the village, Findlay is not
generally regarded by the profession as a good show town, and the gentlemen who
have heretofore run the opera house, have therefore, made no money out of the
business. Public places of amusement are, however, a necessity in every
progressive town, and the Davis Opera House is sufficiently large to supply the
present demands of Findlay in that direction.

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


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