OHIO STATEWIDE FILES - HISTORY: Chapter 15 [HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY Chicago, 1884) *************************************************************************** OHGENWEB NOTICE: All distribution rights to this electronic data are reserved by the submitter. Reproduction or re-presentation of copyrighted material will require the permission of the copyright owner. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. *************************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Kay L. Mason keziah63@yahoo.com August 21, 2001 *************************************************************************** Chapter XV. Banks, Telegraph, Telephone, and Manufactures-Commercial Artery of the City. Banks. Portsmouth National Bank.-This old popular banking house may be said to have emerged from the Portsmouth Branch of the Ohio State Bank of the old constitution at the expiration of its charter in 1866. The Portsmouth branch was chartered in December, 1846, for twenty years, to do business, with a capital stock of $100,000. The officers at first were J. V. Robinson, President, and Eli Kinney, Cashier. In 1855 Eli Kinney sold his interest in the bank to Peter Kinney, at which time Washington Kinney became President and Peter Kinney, Cashier. That arrangement continued up to within a few months of the expiration of the charter, when Peter Kinney was made President and Sam'l Reed became his successor as Cashier. In 1865 the new organization was formed by the leading stockholders of the bank and the same officers were continued in their positions. The new bank was chartered for twenty years to do business, with a capital stock of $250,00, under the above name. The first Directors of this organization were: Peter Kinney, George Johnson, M. R. Tewksbury, L. C. Robinson and Robert Bell. Mr. Kinney was succeeded by Geo. Johnson as President in 1869, and he, at his death in 1875, by John G. Peebles, who still holds the position. Sam'l Reed has been the Cashier to the present time. The present Directors of the bank are: Jno. G. Peebles, Sam'l Reed, Chas. P. Lloyd, Albert T. Johnson and M. R. Tewksbury. The deposits in this bank at the present time reach nearly $400,000. Dividends are made regularly twice a year, in May and November, and in its whole history it has missed but one dividend. Up to the present time the original stock has been paid back in dividends two and three-fourths times, a success that reflects no little credit upon the management of those in charge. First National Bank.-The First National Bank of Portsmouth, Ohio, commenced business Aug. 8, 1863, with a capital of $110,000, P. S. Iams, President, and James Y. Gordon, Cashier, being the sixty-eighth National Bank organized in the United States. John P. Terry was elected President Jan. 9, 1878, and was succeeded by Emanuel Miller, January, 1879. The original charter expiring Feb. 24, 1883, the same was renewed for twenty years from that date. June 18, 1883, Mr. Miller was succeeded as President by James Y. Gordon, and Charles E. Jewell appointed cashier. The capital and surplus of the bank is $242,000, July 1, 1883. Farmer's National Bank.-A firm of brokers, Thomas Dugan & Co., had built up a large business in Portsmouth, during and soon after the late war. George Davis, of this city, was one of the leading members of the firm, and thinking their business would be (pictures of Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Noel) facilitated by a banking organization he, in connection with Mr. Dugan, secured the establishment of the above institution in May, 1865. It was chartered as a National Bank to do business, with a capital of $250,000. The stock was taken by between sixty and seventy men of the city and county. The first Board of Directors consisted of Thomas Dugan, Geo. Davis, Wm. Hall, Geo. W. Flanders and P. J. Dunham. Thomas Dugan was elected President and J. M. Wall, Cashier. Mr. Wall has retained this position to the present time. At the end of one year Mr. Dugan sold out and Dr. J. M. Shackelford was elected President. After remaining in the position two years, he was succeeded by Geo. Davis, who is still President. The Directors at the present time are: Geo. Davis, L. C. Robinson, Jno. Kennedy, Wm. S. McColm and J. L. Watkins. Mr. Watkins is Vice- President of the bank and bookkeeper. The bank has accumulated a surplus of $50,000 and since its organization has missed but two dividends. Those were in 1873 when all the banks suffered more or less. The proceeds of that year were added to the surplus fund. The deposits in this bank have been constantly increasing in the last few years and are now larger than ever before. Citizens' Savings' Bank. – Although three banks were already in business in the city, this institution was undertaken by nineteen capitalists of the city, in the year 1875. The bank was chartered under the laws of the State to do business, with a capital of $50,000. This was soon all paid up and has remained the capital stock to the present time. They directors, at the first election, chose D. N. Murray as President, C. F. Searl, Vice- President and John W. Overturf, Cashier, who have held their respective offices continuously ever since. The Directors at the present time are: D. N. Murray, John W. Overturf, C. F. Searl, Jeremiah Cranston and Daniel R. Spry. The enterprise has been successful. Portsmouth Street Railway. This enterprise was projected by a few of the business men and capitalists of Portsmouth. The company was organized in the year 1875, with the following officers: W. Q. Adams, President; S. E. Varner, Superintendent; J. O. Murphin, Treasurer and Secretary. The capital stock was $25,000. After its organization the company at once began constructing the track and making all necessary preparations to begin active operation, so that by the following March (1876) business was opened, the first car being put on March 30. The track at that time extended, as now, from the corner of Front and Jefferson streets along Front, Market, Second, Chillicothe and Ninth to the Cemetery hill. The line beyond Ninth on Chillicothe street to the Scioto Valley Depot was constructed in 1881. The entire extent of track now is about four and one-half miles. Four cars are run regularly, making passage each way every fifteen minutes. Two additional cars are kept in readiness for extra occasions. Eight men and fifteen horses are constantly employed. The officers of the company at present are: James Skelton, President; Enos Reed, Superintendent, and S. J. Williams, General Manager. Canal Business The canal, which was commenced in 1825, and completed in 1832, and was once an important factor in the national progress and prosperity of Portsmouth, has dwindled down until it has little business, and less interest in the future of the city. The port of Portsmouth increased in importance, yearly, after the canal's completion up to 1842, when the toll at this point for that year amounted to $37,325.16, and for a few years longer stood the fourth in the list of ports on the canal. Newark was first; Cleveland, second; Roscoe, third, and Portsmouth, fourth. On the opening of railroads the canal business here began to droop, and in 1862, twenty years later, the toll reached only $3,552.24. A daily line of packets was put on June 1, 1837. Regular lines of freight-boats leave for Columbus now twice a week and this is the smallest freight point on the line; toll receipts about $1,000 a year, and water rents $600. Telephone Exchange. The Southern Ohio Telephone Exchange Company was organized in May, 1880, by a stock company, and the officers were Colonel William M. Bowles, President; R. Matthews, Secretary and Treasurer, and Floyd L. Smith, General Manager, controlling the territory of Scioto and Lawrence counties. July 1, 1883, they transferred their property to the Central Union Telephone Company of Chicago, the officers remaining the same as before the transfer. The central exchange or office is on the corner of Market and Second streets. They have connection with Sciotoville, Wheelersburg, Haverhill and Ironton, and all the furnaces within an area of eighteen or twenty miles from Ironton and from Portsmouth. One of the largest pieces of wire is the connection with Ashland, Ky., across the Ohio River, which is 2,400 feet. It is one of largest single wires in the country. At Portsmouth they have 135 boxes, and at Ironton, 115. It is expected at an early date to connect with Chillicothe and Jackson. The General Superintendent's office is on the corner of Market and Front streets, Portsmouth, Ohio. Western Union Telegraph Company. A telegraph line was opened about as soon as the branch road was completed, or about a year later, in 1853. Since that time Portsmouth has been connected with the outside world by a lightening line. The office here is under the charge of H. Warren, and is located in Room 3, of the Biggs House. Adams Express Company. What is now the Adams Express Company was, when first started, the Hamden Express Company, from 1855 to 1858. Its office was on the west side of Market street between Second and Third streets, a Mr. Cramer being the agent. He remained several years and was succeeded by Phillip Emlich, who had been up to that time a route agent. The Hamden Express was finally merged into the Adams Express Company, when Emlich was succeeded by W. H. H. Cadot, who retained the agency nearly four years, when he was superseded by Sanford B. Jenning, and he by John C. Neal, who gave up his position in 1876. John B. Swift then took charge, and held the office until March, 1883, when Wm. J. N. Clough became agent, and L. H. Newton, assistant, who are both holding their positions at this writing. Baltimore & Ohio Express. The Cincinnati, Washington & Baltimore, the Ohio & Mississippi, and the Baltimore & Ohio Express companies, one and the same, opened their express office in this city in 1878. It is located in the southeast corner of the Biggs House and is under the charge of Floyd L. Smith, who has held the position since 1881. The business of the company is conducted over the routes of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroads, its branches and its leased lines. Manufacturers. Portsmouth Iron and Steel Company. – These works, originally started in 1831, were the first iron works established west of Wheeling. In the year 1831 John Glover and Jacob P. Noel began their construction, having leased for that purpose the little plat of land between Front street and the river, east of the landing. The Hanging Rock iron region, which extended over a part of this country, had already been opened up and blast furnaces were in operation in the vicinity. This early establishment of such an enterprise here was induced by the convenience of transporting facilities and near location of fuel, and an abundance of raw material of a superior quality. The name under which it started was the Portsmouth Iron Works. The products were bar-iron, sheet-iron, nails, etc. The mill was run by Glover, Noel & Co. until 1834, when they sold to Thomas G. Gaylord. He sold, in a few years, a partial interest to Benjamin B. Gaylord, John P. Gould and Abram Morrell. After a few years this company, under the name of Gaylord & Company, greatly improved and enlarged the capacity of the mill. Under this arrangement, with but few changes, except a constant increase of business and work done, the concern remained under the same name until it was reorganized into a stock company in the fall of 1872, at which time the name was changed to the Gaylord Rolling Mill Company. For a long time the works had been operated under the direction of Benjamin B. Gaylord, who, upon reorganization, was made President and General Manager. They were continued under this management until 1878, when, owing to the financial depression and the retirement of Mr. Gaylord, on account of failing health, the works were closed for a few months. They were then leased to a new organization, the Portsmouth Iron and Steel Company, by whom they have since been run. The present officers of this company are: John P. Terry, President; John G. Peebles, Vice-President, and Louis Terry, Secretary. The manufactured products are almost all kinds of steel, sheet and bar-iron, spikes, "T" rails, angle-iron, etc., making a specialty of steel and iron boiler plates and boiler rivets. The aggregate value of the products is from $600,000 to $800,000 annually. Portsmouth Foundry and Machine Works. – On the corner of Jefferson and Third streets Messrs. Wilburn and Ward started a blacksmith shop and plow manufactory in about 1840. After operating on a limited scale for a few years this firm was dissolved and business stopped. After a short suspension the business was revived by a new firm, that of Ward, Murray & Stephenson, Mr. Ward being of the old firm. This firm invested a considerable amount of capital, set up new machinery and began the manufacture of machinery proper. They built a foundry on the first alley corner below Jefferson street; also put up a larger blacksmith shop on Jefferson street at the first alley above Third, and the car shop, since converted into and at the present time used for a boiler yard. This establishment manufactured all the cars, both passenger and freight, for stocking the railroad between Portsmouth and Hamden. After a few years' successful operation under this management D. N. Murray bought out the interest of John L. Ward, after which the firm became Murray & Stephenson. Under this proprietorship the manufacture of cars was abandoned and the shop converted into a boiler manufactory. Their foreman in the boiler works was John R. McLean, father of the present propriety of the Cincinnati Enquirer. This firm of Murray & Stephenson now owned a foundry, machine shop, blacksmith shop, boiler shop and a pattern shop, and were engaged in the manufacture of nearly all kinds of machinery, including boilers and engines. Their works occupied the eastern end of the square bounded by Jefferson, Third and Fourth streets. In this condition, in 1863, Messrs. Wm. and E. B. Moore purchased Stephenson's interest in the concern and it became known as that of Murray, Moore & Co. They bought the property lying on the east side of Jefferson street, between Third and Fourth, and built upon it the present foundry, which is one of the largest in the State for machine casting, ranking only second or third in size. They afterward extended their territory on the south of Third street, purchasing the quarter at the southwest corner of Third and Jefferson, on which they located the office. This firm did a very successful business, and were extensively engaged in the manufacture of iron and brass machinery, engines, boilers, etc., on the contract plan, making no specialties. In 1872 the Messrs. Moore purchased the one-half interest in the concern from D. N. Murray, who had been the chief proprietor for twenty-one years, and had it incorporated as the Portsmouth Foundry and Machine Works, by which name it is known at the present time. Mr. Murray's interest was bought at the rate of $138,000. The incorporators were Wm. Moore, E. B. Moore, J. H. Ricker, George Johnson, J. W. Ricker, all constituting the Board of Directors. Wm. Moore was elected President, E. B. Moore, Vice-President and Henry Prescott, Secretary and Treasurer. Since that time J. H. Ricker has retired; George Johnson having died his interest passed to his heirs and he was succeeded as Director by Henry Prescott; John Williams was made a Director in place of J. H. Ricker. Henry Prescott, as Secretary and Treasurer, was succeeded by Isaac R. Lane, who also bought his stock and became a Director. In 1876 Messrs. Prescott and J. W. Ricker bought the interest of Isaac R. Lane, but in 1881 both retired as stockholders and were succeeded by Jno. M. Moore and Enos L. Moore. Jno. M. Moore succeeded Mr. Prescott as Secretary and Treasurer. This new firm has built a new boiler shop and has transformed the old foundry building on Third street, below Jefferson, into a machine shop. They are the originators of and have in use in their shop a steam boiler riveter, only two of which are extant. Burgess Steel and Iron Works. – This extensive manufacturing establishment was started in 1871 by the present company, which consists of George Davis, L. C. Robinson, G. W. Weyer, M. H. Ball, John R. Williams and a few others who hold a smaller interest. L. C. Robinson was elected President, and held the position two years, when George Davis became his successor, and holds the position at the present time. E. N. Hope is acting Treasurer and Secretary, and L. D. York, Superintendent, Mr. York having been added to the firm in 1881. All grades of steel and the finer grades of iron are produced. The product is about 7,000 tons annually. Two hundred and twenty hands are employed besides six teams. The raw material used is the pig-iron of this and adjoining counties. The iron and steel produced is shipped to points in nearly every State except the Eastern States, where they are all sold through regular agencies. The establishment covers a space of 200 x 300 feet in size. The machinery is run by nine engines of different sizes, and includes five steam hammers, seventeen furnaces, eleven of which are puddling, the others heating furnaces, three drains of rolls, an open heating furnaces of nine tons capacity, and one crucible of twenty-four pots. Three heats are made in twenty-four hours. Eight-tenths of the products of the establishment is steel. Two sets of men are employed. The Nichols Furniture Co. – This company is the outgrowth of the house of J. B. Nichols, which started in business in the year 1843, from small beginning and slightly primitive style. Mr. Nichols's machinery was of simple kind, and his motive power was the horse. From this beginning has grown the great manufacturing and wholesale business, whose sales now cover a heavy trade in the South and all the neighboring States as well as Ohio. In 1875 the name was changed to the Nichols Furniture Company. J. B. Nichols is still the sole proprietor, but is assisted in the management by his two sons, C. M. and J. B. Nichols, Jr., who have charge of the salesroom and shipping department. The factory is a substantial brick structure, three stories high, with frontage of 125 x 50, and a wing 40 x 50. The depth of the lot is 260 feet, and is located on Mill and Front streets. They give employment to from fifty to sixty hands. The trade the present year has a very promising outlook of a large increase. The salesroom and office are at 136 W. Second street. In connection with the factory is a sawmill and lumber yard, a large portion of his logs being purchased above and rafted down the Ohio River. The mill has a capacity of 10,000 feet a day. Portsmouth Woolen Mills. – This establishment, the only one of its kind in the city, was founded by Wm. Maddock in 1847. It fell into the hands of his sons, the Maddock Brothers, who were succeeded in 1880 by the present owners, Enoch J. Salt & Co. Additions of room and machinery have been made at different times, until now it is a business of considerable magnitude, sending its manufactured products to nearly all parts of the United States. The mills consist of three sets of woolen machinery, a knitting department, dye house, machinery for custom work, and a bleaching house separate from the main building. The capacity is about 3,000 pounds of yarn daily. The building, situated on the corner of Fourth of Chillicothe streets, is a large brick, 115 x 132 feet in size, and three stories high. The products of this mill are yarns, hosiery, jeans and blankets. Yarns and hosiery are made a specialty. About seventy-five hands are constantly employed. Mr. Chas. R. Maddock, a well-schooled and thorough mechanic in this business, is superintendent of the mill. Ohio Stove Company. – This company was organized in the year 1872, and started business the following year with a paid-up capital of $24,000, and an authorized capital of $50,000. The President was J. L. Hibbs; Secretary and Treasurer, F. E. Duduit; Board of Directors, J. L. Hibbs, H. S. Bundy, J. D. Clare, S. E. Varner, C. Gerlach, J. P. Randolph and F. E. Duduit. The factory is located on Eleventh street. The business has rapidly developed and is now one of the largest establishments of the kind in Southern Ohio, while outlook for a heavy increase is very promising. Their coal stoves are Buckeye, Our Home, Improved Home, Monarch, etc. The wood stoves are the Valley Gem, Harris Cook, Pilot and Peerless, with numerous other patterns of less note. Hollow- ware and all stove utensils are manufactured. Their salesroom is at 135 West Front street. They work from fifty to sixty-five hands the year round. Present officers are President, J. D. Clare; Vice-President, A. M. Damarin; Secretary and Treasurer, J. R. Clare; Directors, J. D. Clare, A. M. Damarin, J. R. Clare, L. W. Baker and John Bridwell. Portsmouth Shoe Manufactory. – In 1869 R. Bell started a shoe factory in Portsmouth, making about 100 pairs per day. He was succeeded by his son-in-law and others under the name of Rifenberick, Drew & Gregg. They continued about two years, when, in 1873, a joint stock company was formed, called the Portsmouth Shoe Manufactory Co. The company consisted of the following men: Irving Drew, Fred Drew, George Paden, Henry Paden, Henry Cook, Nicholas Reeg, Valentine Dressler, John Bourgholtzer, Nicholas Ames and Wm. Koblens. At the present time the stock has all passed into the hands of the Paden brothers – George, Henry and Albert. The manufactory is located on Front street, between Market and Court, where they do business ranging from $125,000 to $175,000 a year. Employment is given to 125 hands, and four salesmen are kept on the road, traveling Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas and other parts of the West. The product is limited to ladies' fine shoes. Boot and Shoe Manufactory. – This manufacturing company was first formed under the firm name of Irving Drew & Co., the company being Bernard Damon and Henry Cook, and commenced business in January, 1877. It was organized into a manufacturing company in 1879 under the style of Drew, Selby & Co., the partners being Irving Drew, G. D. Selby & Bernard Damon, who still continue as the proprietors. Jan. 1, 1881, they secured the three-story brick building on the corner of Third and Jay streets, 90 x 60 in size, and fitted it up with the latest improved machinery where they are at present located. Their specialty is ladies' fine wear. They employ 140 hands and have four traveling salesmen. Their trade is with all the adjoining States, besides West and South. They started with a capacity of eighty to one hundred pairs per day and it now reaches 400. Portsmouth Wagon Stock Company. – This establishment was founded in 1882. It is situated on the north side of Eleventh street, between Washington and Chillicothe streets. A joint stock company was formed, incorporated in December, 1881, containing eighteen members, of which John B. Rattinghaus was chosen President, C. S. Cadot, Secretary and Treasurer, and C. W. Cotton, Vice President and Superintendent. Among the stockholders are numbered some of the most enterprising capitalists in the city, and the undertaking was one of the large proportions from the start. At this time the products are valued from $75,000 to $100,000 annually. The products are carriage, wagon and cart wheels of all sizes and grades, also locust and elm hubs, spokes and bent rims. The main building of the establishment is 50 x 100 feet with an L 35 x 40 feet. Each are three stories high. The machinery is all of the most modern and improved patterns. The work produced is of a fine quality and finds sale in many parts of the Union. Soap Factory. – The soap and candle establishment if Henry Zottman was first located in the eastern part of the city near the river bank. The high water interfered with the works, which were then very small, and the higher ground was resorted to farther back. The old site has since been entirely washed away. In 1865 the present factory was built. It is a brick building 30 x 70 feet, and two stories high. The machinery is run by a six horse- power engine. Three brands of soap are made, Eagle, Model German and the I X L, - all laundry soaps. Candles are also manufactured. The business amounts to about $12,000 a year. Wheelbarrow Company. – The Standard Wheelbarrow Company was organized in June, 1882, and so far have done a successful business. They employ from twelve to sixteen hands, have first-class machinery, and have the capacity of turning out ten dozen per day. They also mount grindstones, and such other work as comes naturally in their line. The officers of the company are M. R. Tewksbury, President; Henry Prescott, Secretary, Treasurer and Superintendent, and Joseph Horning, Vice-President. Portsmouth Brewery. – This establishment, situated on Second street, between Madison and Scioto, was started in 1840 by Henry Muhlser and run by him many years until his death. It was then run by his widow for a short time until her marriage with Frank Kleffner, in 1868, after which he was the sole proprietor until 1878. In that year August Maier purchased a one-half interest and since that time has been one of the proprietors. In 1880 Conrad Gerlach became a third partner in the concern. In 1882 Gerlach and Kleffner retired and Henry Roettcher, of Cincinnati, having bought their interests, became a partner of Mr. Maier, who are the present owners, under the firm name of Roettcher and Maier. Mr. Maier, who has had an experience of fourteen years in the business, acts as foreman. They manufacture about 10,000 barrels of beer annually. Their trade embraces a circuit of about fifty miles in every direction, besides the supply of a good trade in Portsmouth. The Lumber Trade – H. Leet & Co. – In the first settlement of the West there were no saw mills to convert the native timber into lumber, and very few were found in the county prior to 1810. When lumber began to be used for buildings a large portion of it was shipped on rafts down the Allegheny and Ohio rivers from Pennsylvania and Western New York. The introduction of the lumber trade in Portsmouth was about 1830, when a Mr. Chamberlain, a New York lumberman, came here and contracted with James Lodwick to open an office and handle his lumber on commission. Mr. Lodwick continued to handle lumber for other parties for several years until finally he engaged in the business for himself, which he continued up to about 1850, bringing all of his material from the lumber regions of New York and Pennsylvania. In the year 1850 Frank Martin started in Portsmouth, and ran in connection with it a small lumber yard. He afterward took as a partner Daniel Rhodes, but they continued only a short time. Late in the year 1850 H. and R. Leet, two brothers, came from Potter County, Pa., and began the lumber trade on a larger scale than it had formerly been conducted. The growing demands for lumber gave the trade greater proportions, and the trade thus opened, in which H. Leet has been constantly identified from that time, has been one among the leading business interests in the city. After three years H. Leet bought his brother out and continued alone until 1857, when he took as a partner H. L. Chapman, the firm name becoming Leet & Chapman. The partnership lasted by a few years, when it was dissolved, and H. Leet was again alone until 1864, when he sold out and removed to Western New York. After an absence of five years Mr. Leet returned and again engaged in the lumber business, starting in connection with it a planing mill for custom work. This mill was burned in 1871, together with a considerable amount of lumber in the near vicinity. It was replaced by the present one, much larger than the other, thought still doing only custom work. In 1873 Carl Lehman, who has long been acquainted with the business, was taken in by Mr. Leet as a partner, and the firm became as it now stands, H. Leet & Co. This firm still confines itself to the custom trade, which amounts to from $45,000 to $65,000 a year. In connection with all kinds of lumber they handle shingles and lath, and with the aid of the planing mill, furnish most all of the material required by contractors, which makes up most of their business. Their trade is supplied principally with domestic lumber and the white pine from Michigan. Some is still brought from the Allegheny lumber region of Pennsylvania and New York. The stock of lumber kept on hand ranges from 200,000 to 800,000 feet. Portsmouth Coopering Establishment. – The establishment is situated on Second street, between Jefferson and Madison, on the same lot on which was built the first church and school-house in Portsmouth. It has been owned from the first by Joseph Hornung, started by him in 1868. The first building was a frame which was used for eighteen years, when it was replaced by a brick. This as well as the old frame stood back from the street. In 1870 the present shop was built in front of the old one, and in 1878 seventy feet addition was built, making the entire establishment 120 feet deep. Twenty-one hands are employed most of the time. All kinds of tight work is produced, the products being sent to the West, St. Louis, Kansas City and other points. The shop is capable of turning out 15,000 a year. Eberhardt Stove Foundry. – This establishment was started in 1853 by H. Eberhardt and John Noel. Eberhardt was a practical molder, having worked at that trade in Cincinnati ten years. They operated together about fourteen years, when Mr. Eberhardt bought his partner out, and has since conducted the business alone. A stove store was opened in 1855 on Market street, between Second and Third, and has since been run in connection with the foundry. All the latest and most approved patterns of stoves are made, the foundry turning out from 5,000 to 6,000 stoves a year. In the works and as salesmen in the store and on the road, about fifty hands are constantly employed. Reitz & Co.'s Stone Works. – These works are situated on the west side of Massie street, extending from Front to Second. They were started in 1865 by John Reitz, who died two years later at the age of fifty-three. Since that time the establishment has been managed by his son, Ignatius Reitz. Freestone, limestone and marble are sawed into any shape ordered for building purposes. Twenty-five hands are employed, and the product of the works amounts to about 40,000 cubic feet of stone annually. The cutting is done by sand- saws run by heavy steam-power. The goods are sold chiefly in Ohio, Indiana, Old and West Virginia, Pennsylvania and some in Chicago. J. H. Wait & Son – Furniture Co. – This establishment, situated at Nos. 120, 122 and 124 Jefferson street, was started at Portsmouth in 1847. Comparatively limited in the start it has grown almost constantly to the present time, and now employs about 100 men. The work produced, for which the manufacturers enjoy a good reputation, embraces all kinds of furniture, and finds market in many of the large cities of the Union. It is one of the industries in which Portsmouth may well take pride. Dice's Carriage Factory. – This manufactory was started by John Dice and Miles Forbes, who continued together until 1866, when Mr. Dice became sole proprietor, and still continues as such to this date. A three-story brick building was erected in 1868 on Second street, between Market and Jefferson, where he also has his office and salesroom. Carriages, buggies, spring-wagons, etc., are manufactured, keeping some twenty-five hands constantly employed. The work turned out finds a ready sale in the country around and in the adjoining States. Carriage Manufactory. – The carriage manufactory of Thomas Nichols and Geo. P. Welch, under the firm name of Nichols & Welch, was started in 1877, at 109 W. Front street. Later they removed to their present place of business on Third street, between Court and Washington, a two-story frame building, the front of which is office and salesroom. They are employing fifteen hands, besides their own time and labor, and are manufacturing everything in the line of carriages, phaetons, wagons, hacks, etc. They have, in connection, a large repair shop. The firm have been successful thus far, and their business future is bright. Johnson Hub and Spoke Co. – This company, manufacturers of wheels and wheel material, was started first in January, 1868, by S. G. Johnson, John G. Peebles, and Benj. B. Gaylord, under the firm name of Johnson, Peebles & Co. In 1872 Messrs. J. H. Rhodes and S. G. Johnson bought the interest of Messrs. Gaylord & Peebles, the firm name now becoming Johnson & Rhodes. In 1877 S. G. Johnson and his brother, T. N. Johnson, bought out Mr. Rhodes, when the firm name became Johnson & Brother. S. G. Johnson died in February, 1880, when the surviving brother bought his interest from the heirs and became the sole owner, taking in his son, T. N. Johnson, Jr., as a partner. The firm name is now Johnson & Son, but was incorporated in April, 1882, under the name of the Johnson Hub & Spoke Co. They employ about seventy-five men, doing a business of about $80,000 a year. Their manufactured articles are sent North, West, South and East, shipping also largely to England. By the use of good material and skilled workmen they have acquired an enviable reputation for first-class work, and have the satisfaction of seeing their trade constantly increasing. The shops are situated on North Chillicothe street. Portsmouth Fire-Brick Company. – This industry may be ranked among the successful enterprises of the Lower Scioto Valley, and under the careful management of W. Q. Adams it is gradually and steadily becoming stronger in its standing, and more and more complete as a factory. The largest building is the dry-house, which is 150 x 80 feet, and about half-way along this building, on the outside, is built the smoke-stack, which is seventy feet high, five feet at the base inside, and ten feet outside; and at the top, six feet inside and eight feet outside. This stack is said to contain more brick than any other in Portsmouth, and is for the purpose of drawing heat through the underground brick flues, which run from the outside of the building to the center flue. This keeps the floor of the dry-house almost hot and dries the brick very quickly. They use the up and down draft kilns for burning the brick, which are considered the best. They have four of these kilns which are operated by a forty-eight horse-power engine, and manufacture about 12,000 bricks, daily, each brick being stamped Solid Crown. The clay, which is mostly obtained from Carter County, Ky., is first burned in a kiln, then ground in three revolving pans, which have a capacity of 4,000 bricks per day. They employ from fifty to sixty hands, and have a capital of $50,000.