The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1874-12-24
BUCHER, GIBBS & co.
Imperial Plow WOrks---Their
Foundation, Progress and Pros
poets

psCts'
In 1854 John Danner and John r
Bucher, both residents of Canton, enter,
ed into partnership for the manuf C.
ture of stoves. They Immediately erect.
ed foundry, one hundred and fifty by
seventy feet, and one story high, on East
Seventh street, near the railroad, in
which they began making stoves. In
the year following Lewis Gibbs entered
the firm as a member, and soon after
John Danner retired, having disposed Of
his interest TO Martin Wikidal.
During the course of the year 1854
Lewis Gibbs perfected the invention OF
plow, which was called the monitor"
after the United States ram which had
shortly before made great havoc wi h
the rebel ram "Merrimac," in a memo
rable naval engagement. AS soon as the
invention was completed, this firm
turned their attention to making the
pillow, in connection with the manufac-
ture of stoves. During the first year
four hundred and fifty Monitor plows
were made and sold. They continued
to turn out these plows till 1869, in which
year William A. Wikidal took the in
terest of his father. and became a rem
Der of the firm. Finding that the Mon
itor was only adapted to certain l. cali
ties, the attention of the company was
turned to the production Of another
plow, which eliminated in 1869 in the
production Of
THE IMPERIAL.
This important invention was mainly
the result of the attentive efforts of
Lewis Gibbs. They proceeded imme-
diately to make the Imperial, which was
favorably received by agriculturists on
its first appearance. The sales of the
Monitor had reached but about 1900 per
year, while during the first three years
of its manufacture the sales of the I'M
perial amounted to 10000. Owing TO
the great favor and increasing trade in
this plow, their stove business, which
had been continued through preceding
years, was entirely dropped in 1869, and
their undivided attention was given to
the success of the Imperial. Its favor
spread rapidly among farmers, who, up
on examination invariably found it to
be just the plow that was most required
for general purposes, and the first that
had been brought to a state of perfec-
ton which coincided with their adyan-
cling ideas. As the pillow grew in favor,
the works were enlarged and their facil-
tiles proportionately increased from time
to time as regulated by circumstances.
In 1873 the Imperial was awarded the
GOLD MEDAL
at the Indiana State Fair, as the best
plow for general purposes, in competi-
tion with all the leading plows in the
west.
During the same year they were also
awarded the silver medal at the Ohio
State Fair, as the best plow for general
purposes. The Imperial is the only
American pillow that is being sold in
Europe, and Bucher, Gibbs & o. have
a fine prospect for an immense trade In
that country. A successful agency is
now established in Flensburg, Northern
Prussia, to which destination plows are
shipped via Hamburg, The Imperial
pillow has been thoroughly tested in that
locality with fattering success. The
largest trade in this pillow lies in Penn
sylvania, Ohio and Indiana, though
large numbers are sold in many other
States.
Their present works combine several
buildings. The main brick building
covers an area of 70by 40 feet, and is
three stories in height. Another brick
building 20 by 40, and two stories in
height, is detached from the main build
ing, and is used as an Office and ware
house. Besides these there is a one
story warehouse 1870 by 20 feet. another
of two stories so by % feet, both frame.
There are also numerous smaller build
ings and wings, used for different pur-
poses, altogether occupying one and a
half acres of ground.
Passing from the Office we first entered
the two story frame warehouse, where
the shares are stored, about $4,000 of
which were made during the past year,
and the demand constantly increasing.
In wing adjoining the same building
on the south, is the tempering room and
smith shop.
THE LARGEST
Pittsburgh steel company gives this COM
pany credit for having the most perfect
process and facilities for working and
hardening steel of any in the country.
The great difficulty among plow build
ers has always been to effect thorough
and uniform hardness in the steel, which
most useful result this company has at
tanned through a new process conceived
and completed by Mr.. Gibbs. They also
use the finest quality of steel, such as no
other pillow firm in the country has sue
ceeded in rendering useful. The upper
floor Of this building is used Tor storing
plows. We next passed into the ma
chine or fitting room, which is on the
lower floor of the three story building.
In this room the iron work of the plows
is drilled and fitted. Adjoining that on
the north is the grinding room, where
six grindstones and an emery wheel are
constantly running. Adjoining this TO
the east is the moulding room no by 70
feet in area. South of the moulding
room is the department where the cast
ings are cleaned. Up stairs, directly
above the machine or fitting room, is the
wood department wherethe handles and
beams are turned out and dressed, and
the plow put together. Here they are
so plows per day. All the
beams and handles are turned out by a
large wood lathe, novel machine in its
way, which performs the work of IL
men. ALI plOws and stock completed in |
This department are carried to the third
floor by a large elevator. This floor is
used as a paint room and where plows
are completed for storage and shipment.
Here we saw the Imperials in large num-
oers completed and ready for work. Our