The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1874-05-29
LOCAL MATTERS,
OUR MANUFACTURING FIREs
Leading Business Houses.
a TIME-HONORED AND POPU-
LAR BUSINESS.
A Brief Sketch of the Origin, Chang
es. Success and Present Resources
OF one of Fremont's Oldest and
most Comprehensive Business
Houses

/ SA OAC VI ACA4OAAL SAAOSI eAAO
most Comprehensive Business
Houses.
'4Grey hairs are honorable'-iti is said
Yet few are they who crave sily'ry head;
Not so, however, in the way of trade
Old firms are envied ere fortunes made.
There is certainly degree of truth in the
above rude stanza which it would be difficult
to gainsay-but as very old firms in our city
are by far the exception rather than the rule,
We may be pardoned in our reference to them
if we exhibit somewhat excessive zeal in
awarding every distinction and commenda-
ton where we honestly conceive it to be due.
Among the earliest comers to the remote vii
lage of Lower Sandusky, about the year 1885,
was one EDWARD LEPPLEMAN, of Buffalo, a
practical watch maker and jeweler, who in
view to keeping the "sloW coaches of ye olden
days" of time, opened store in small yell
low frame building then standing on ground
now occupied by Mr.. Hefner's store, on Front
street. The lookout, however, in those days
when the farmers struggled to market with
a long rife in hand, q coon skin cap and in the
rudest habiliments-was far from encouraging
for young aspirant to commercial eminence,
but with unbounded confidence and fixed
purpose in view the task was cheerfully
buckled to. It only took two years to demon
strate to him that he had taken step in the
right direction, for accumulating stock and
increasing business demanded increased ac-
commodations, and accordingly he purchased
the old Harrington House, frame struct-
uIe formerly used as hotel, and then stand
ing where the Leppleman business is now car
Eied on-Where he soon commanded quite a
connection. Alas, however, next came a,sad
calamity. In 1853 he proceed west on a vaca-
ton, and while out near Fort Belknap,
Texas, in company with the Gov. Agent,
Jesse Stem, he fell into the hands Of the In
dians, and being oyerpowered, our worthy and
esteemed pioneer citizen fell victim at their
ruthless hands. Much as the painful fact was
deplored upon the tidings becoming known
among his friends, the fourishing enterprise
he had inaugurated, and which had now be-
come prominent adjunct to the prosperity of
the town, was not permitted to fade before
even so rude blast. With inherent spirit Of
energy, his eldest son, Louis, then only %
years of age, succeeded to the business and
has unremittingly conducted the same with |
abundant success to the present day. In 1854, |
however, still another difficulty came in the |
way, for old Harrington House" became a
prey to "the devouring element" But not
even yet to be daunted, young Leppleman |
then erected
THE PRESENT FINE STORE,
though it was then only so feet deep, since |
when another Is feet has been added, includ-
ing an additional store facing on Croghan St.,
and formerly owned by Mr.. Perry Close-the
latter being adapted to a display of sewing
machines, and the upper story used as a gen
eral repair room, while the piano and organ
show room monopolises the entire length of
the store proper on second story. As every
part is excellently fitted and abundantly
stocked with goods it thus goes far to prove
the largely increased and still increasing re-
sources of this excellent establishment. We
will now proceed to describe
MENT.
Mr.. Leppleman has constantly on hand
very grade of American and imported goods
n these Lines. His American watches, in
very make ranging from SIS to 5000, and
oreign makes from So to $50. In clocks
nd tune pieces no house in the city can boast
finer assortment and from the lowest to the ,
ighest price he thoroughly examines and :
7arrants before leaving his hands. We were !
lsO particularly struck with his immense line ,
jewelry-solid and plated, silver, and :
designs in every article Of adorn- 1
tent. His ladies and gents chains and guards, q
ngs, soitares, studs, and trinkets are partic- =
larly numerous and exceptionally attractive 7
Tor should we omit reference to his beautiful .
carretwedding rings, of which it hath been n
Iayfully remarked: :
"When LEPPLEMAE supplies the ring G.
Comes no invading strife"
Besides these will also be found large col n
ction of coral, jet and ivory goods besides an ol
egant line Of fancy articles too numerous to b
entiOn, including walking sticks, canes, &c, c,
Id about the best line of spectacles and eye cs
asses ever submitted to patronage in this in
strict-Spencer's Diamond Lenze-in gold, h,
yer or steel frames, and a perfect adaptable f,
r to the sight of customers may invariably vi
relied upon. Next coming to in
SILVER WARE, PLATED GOODS AND Sc
CUTLERY, ed
observed case after case repIets with every tb
ing new and beautiful. Tea and coffee sets, pr
lies, ice pitchers, cake and fruit baskets, an
=, are very conspicuous for their dazzling DO
ect upon entering the store. Mr.. L. con- pe
es himself only to Rogers and Woosten- tn,
ms pocket and table cutlery, which we tic
ID hardly state stands unexcelled the world vi
ough. In this department will be found Co.
CANT wedding and birthday presents, and fol-
prices within the reach of all classes of Gus thu
,ers. Nor are sportsmen forgotten in up
z LINES OF GUNS, RIFLES, PISTOLS, FISHING eb;
TACKLE, &C. str
Iere again will be discovered breeeh and vii
zzle leaders by the finest makers-nsYer wit