The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1870-12-23
OUR BUSINESS HOUSES.

The most extensive business, employing the
greatest amount of capital, and furnishing la
Dor for the greatest number of workmen OF
any in this city, is carried on the most quietly
and less in known of its magnitude than Of
any other which we have.
WEST DANA, LUMBER MERCHANTS,
commenced buying and shipping lumber in
1851. At that time the lumber business at
this point was in its youth, and only small
amount was shipped from this market Then,
as now, their business comprised the whole
sale and retail lumber trade. They bough
timber standing upon the ground, or both land
and timber, as circumstances advised. The
lumber trade of 81 amounted only to few
cargOs shipped from this place, the most OF
which was sent by this firm. From the be-
ginning of the second year their business steadi-
ly increased. Being practical business men,
they quickly arrived at the correct estimate of
all the requirements which ara essential in
successfully carrying on this branch of busi-
ness, which is only limited in its magnitude by
ability and capital At this time the firm had
one steam saw mill in operation, and in '66
built another, which is situated near the de-
pot. In '67 the schooner N. c. West was
built, one half of which is owned by West &
Dana. In '69 the sash and blind factory, on
the east side of the river, formerly owned by
Col. Nat. Haynes, was bought by West &
Dana and Mr.. W. H. Haynes, and the business
conducted underline firm name Of WestHaynes.
& Co. The firm of West & Dana has become
so extensively associated with other firms,
that the original firm is now represented by
one or both Of the partners in various trans
actions, which would require too much space
TO trace to the full extent. Mr.. West is indi-
vidually interested in saw mill in the western
part of the county, also in a grist and saw
mill in Seneca comfy. They are also repre-
sented in firm known as West, Ausden &
Co., engaged in buying and shipping slaves
The business of this firm the past year, has
amounted to the purchase of about lbs thou
sand slaves. West, Haynes & Go. employ in
their sash factory, on an average, fifteen men.
They have, received during the year about
100000 feet of pine lumber, most of which
has been manufactured They have also
handled lAge quantity of shingles, lath &C.
West g. Dana have shipped, during the year,
nearly four million feet of lumber. This
branch Of their business has increased from
three or four hundred thousand feet shipped
in 81, to the amount stated Rs their shipments
in 10. Their shipments in '69 were upwards
Of three million feet This lumber is worth,
on an average, about twenty five dollars
thousand feet, making the aggregate 100000.
In their employ are Fifty men, aside from those
employed in the sash factory. Sixty five men
are thus directly employed by the irm, while
the various transaction in which these gentle
men are engaged, independant of their estab-
ished business. These facts are only discov-
cred by the figures which appear on the bust
ness record. The din of machinery only at
tracts you to one of the many branches con-
Quoted by them. Lumber, which is shipped
is not displayed on our street, and observation
is no guide in arriving at a correct estimate,
bat forest after forest is tottering before the
axes which are welded by their money. Here
and there mills are Transforming rough timber
into smooth lumber, ready for market. Team
sters bring it from every direction to the place
from which it is to be shipped by car or vessel,
and 1t passes into market. But the money
for it returns to reward the laborer, and yisld
the operators their profits.