Page:History of Richland County, Ohio.djvu/527

 HISTOKY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

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��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 con- cern, 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 emploj^ed ; the en- gine is fiftj'-horse power, and machinery first- class. The}' manufacture cashmeres, flannels and yarn. The management is careful, and there is every prospect of permanent success.

The Mansfield Lumber and Building Com- pany was for many years located on Main street, near the City Mill. In 1872, they erected a fine brick building on two acres of gi'ound, on Elm street, near the gas-works. The building is 50x90 feet, and three stories in height. The engine is a " Corliss," sixty-five- horse 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 organ- ized in 1873. The incorporators were H. Colb}', J. H. Reed, E. Hade, H. L. Reed and J. Hade ; capital, $60,000. The}^ took possession of the old paper-mill, east of town, near the Pitts- burgh, 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 occa- sionally 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, work- ing from half a dozen to a hundred hands each ; probably the latter figure is reached or ex- ceeded in the cigar ibusiness.

There are several old and substantial furni- ture manufacturing establishments, a broom factory or two, and, in John's 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 man- ufacture of gravestones, the latter establish- ment employing steam power and twentj^-two workmen. An old citizen, John Rickets, still continues the manufacture of shooting imple- ments 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. Pat- terson & Creigh. They emplo}- more than twenty-four men, and turn out l^etween 300 and 400 carriages per annum. Their trade is mostly local, their work substantial and beau- tiful in st^de and finish, and their reputation for quality of work excellent.

Mr. Gr. W. Forne}', 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 earh' in April, 1880. Mr. Sharp Bird was appointed assignee, who controlled the works until about the 1st of May, when the}' were sold to Mr. J. C. Kintner, who now owns and operates them.

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