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Post by Ricky_Berkey on Mar 8, 2006 14:09:15 GMT -5
Does anyone know the final history of the Mooney tannery building? I know they tore the building down to make Mill Race Park in the 60's but was the business already closed at that point?
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Post by the tannery on Jun 22, 2006 15:25:38 GMT -5
yes it was already closed at this time. I was working at Hamilton Cosco at the time and traveled jackson street every day. I knew Mitch Piercefield from edinburgh who worked there until it closed
Carl Wilson 604 n lincoln st Edinburgh In
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Post by Ricky_Berkey on Jun 23, 2006 6:17:48 GMT -5
Doe anyone know the year that Mooney tannery ceased operations?
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RER
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Post by RER on Jul 2, 2006 15:34:54 GMT -5
"W.W. Mooney & Sons Tanners and Currier's"
Mooney's tanners and Currier's of harness leather was established in the year 1837. Mooney's was located at 5th Street from the Pennsylvanian Railroad.
Ref: Columbus Historical Society, 1980
Bob
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Margo CHS Class of 55
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Post by Margo CHS Class of 55 on Jul 9, 2006 21:29:22 GMT -5
My dad.. Rex McCalip worked there during the 40's and early 50's until 1954 when he was diagnosed with cancer. Many a day my 3 sisters and I walked down from our home on 5th and California Streets to take him his lunch. I don't think we ever appreciated the extremely hard .hot work each day as he accomplished by bending over and pulling the leather hides up out of the hot tanning vats and hanging them on hooks. He tried harde to keep us 4 girls in shoes as we walked every where we went in those days. He was a slight man with a heart murmur and was Secretary of the Union for many years. His favorite buddies were Joe Hunter and Elsie Huffman. I can remember them chatting on the front porch swing many an evening. Joe and Elsie I believe were also members of the Bethel Baptist Ambassadors a great gospel quartet from Bethel Baptist Church out on Deaver Road. I know there was a picture in The Republic of the employees taken the year before he left. If anyone has that picture I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A COPY OF IT.
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mfaure
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Post by mfaure on Jul 30, 2006 13:42:11 GMT -5
Margo - We have more in common. My dad, Bob Enochs also worked at the tannery for 27 years. Do you remember when the went on strike? I'm not sure but it may have been in the time frame of the union going in there. My dad was a belly roller. Really. His station was at the first window in the basement in the south east corner of the building. There was a large pendular type mechanism that hung from the ceiling. Dad stood on a platform with a foot pedal that operated this thing. It went back and forth against this table thing and smoothed the leather (also dads thumbs now and then.) I too was kept in soles for my shoes by Mooneys.
Margie
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RER
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Post by RER on Aug 26, 2006 14:04:34 GMT -5
"Mooney Tannery History Columbus Indiana & James A. Mooney History Cincinnati Ohio"I discovered this on the net a few months ago and thought why not share this information about Mr. Mooney's business dealings in Ohio that lead up to establishment of Columbus Indiana's Mooney Tannery. There wasn't a restriction on copying this information that I could find, so I will capture only the portion written about Mr. James A. Mooney. At the bottom of the article written by someone else, (not me) you can call up the two references if you desire. Enjoy this interesting history of Mr. Mooney. _________________________________________________ QUOTE (copied by right click/paste):"JAMES E. MOONEY, president of the American Oak Leather Company, and the Cincinnati Coffin Company, was born in Shelby county. Indiana, May 4, 1882. son of Edmund and Mary (Nicholson) Mooney, of North of Ireland ancestry on the paternal side. His father was born in Fayette county, Penn., and in his youth he migrated to Kentucky where he served an apprenticeship to the tanner's trade. His wife, Mary (Nicholson), a lady of Welsh descent., was born in Culpeper county, Va-, and soon after their marriage, in 1818, they removed to the wilderness of Indiana. locating near the present site of Waldron, Shelby county. About 1838 they located in Shelbyville. where the education of our subject was begun, and continued for live nears in the seminary there, when it. was interrupted by the last- removal of the family to Edinburgh. Johnson Co., same State, where it was resumed and continued about two years with such facilities as the schools of the vicinity afforded, The sharp struggle for the comforts of life, at that time in a new and undeveloped country, rendered it necessary that the children by their services should become healthful contributors to the family welfare, at as early an age as possible: hence, in this case the young man's studies were continued in the shop, store, office and factory, as time and opportunity permitted. About the age of twelve he became an assistant in the sale of leather, harness and saddlery manufactured by his father and older brothers. and in keeping the accounts, also as an apprentice in the harness department, for a year or more. His preference for a commercial career receiving consideration, he became clerk in a neighboring general store, the proprietor of which was a well-trained methodical merchant of high character and sound business principles, which largely contributed to the development and proper direction of such abilities as nature endowed him with. In 1849, soon after the first, railroad in Indiana (the Madison & Indianapolis) was completed, he secured employment in the first exclusively wholesale store established in the latter city; and, notwithstanding his youth, he advanced in position, being; detailed for lengthy collection winter tours on horseback, the only available means of communication through the western portion of the State., then a comparative wilderness. From 1851 to 1853 he held the responsible position of accountant and cashier with an important pork packing establishment at Madison, Indiana. In the autumn of 1853, with his first employer as non-resident partner, and with savings from a salary then small compared with the present day for similar services, as his contribution to the capital, he established a general store at Edinburgh, Indiana. The firm had a prosperous career of five years. At, the beginning of 1858, he returned to the leather business destined to form a large portion of his future notable career, by purchasing his father's interest, in the tannery establishment, and with his elder brother forming the firm of W. W. & J. E. Money, which soon after built an extensive tannery at Columbus, Indiana. The firm continued fifteen years, and on his retiring from it he was succeeded by his nephews. Later in the same year (1858) be established the firm of Mooney & Company at Indianapolis, as wholesale leather dealers, in which his interest continued for about thirty years. he making that city his house a portion of the time. In 1866, he organized a successful leather arid jobbing business at Louisville, Ky., from which he retired five years later to give attention to the large leather manufacturing interest which he had in the meantime organized there; he continued the chief stockholder, and exclusive officer of the Ohio Falls Oak Leather Company, which has recently greatly enlarged its works. His first investment in this city was recognized through a subscription to the capital stock of the Mount Adams & Eden Park Inclined Railway Company, organized in 1872. Previous to that time, during his occasional visits to the city, he had observed that the trend of improvement and population was to the west and northwest, into Mill creek valley, while the territory north and northeast, magnified in its extent and natural beauty, was, on account of its inaccessibility by cheap and quick transit facilities, comparatively neglected. He there readily responded to the solicitations of a friend to become interested in the proposed enterprise, not expecting to give it personal attention. The intervention of the panic of 1873, however, changed these calculations, and it became necessary that he should give it much personal attention during several years, and largely increase his investment in fully developing and carrying the system to a practical success, safely reached in the spring of 1880. His frequent visits to the city, during the period covered by the development of the railroad enterprise, led, in 1876, to an investment in the Cincinnati Coffin Company, then a new and comparatively weak corporation which has since greatly enlarged its business and capital, and now furnishes employment to several hundred operatives, In 1880, he organized, and has continued the chief stockholder and executive officer in, the American Oak Leather Company of Cincinnati, and during that year its extensive works were constructed on two and one-half blocks bounded by clean and Dalton avenues, and Kenner and Flint streets, Notwithstanding omits disastrous experience with two destructive floods and the destruction of its works twice by fire, the company has achieved success, and furnished employment to over five hundred men. The products are sold through its branches located in Boston, Chicago, St. Louis, and No. 144 Main street, Cincinnati. The career of such a mail as Mr. Mooney exemplifies the possibility of our progressive country, aids to build up its industries, and serves as a useful lesson to the rising generation. To succeed was to apply ambition of a worthy kind, perseverance, and all the honorable qualities which go to make up the really first-class business man. While giving close attention to his private business, he has not been unmindful of public interests, and he has come to be regarded by his fellow citizens as eminently public-spirited and helpful. He has brought to bear on every important interest. which he has directed or assisted, a broad-minded and comprehensive influence which has marked him as one of the progressive men of his time." END TOTAL QUOTE (right click method/paste) References for call up: (a) www.heritagepursuit.com/Hamilton/HamiltonBio821.htm(b) www.heritagepursuit.com/Hamilton/HamiltonIndex.htmBob
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Margo CHS Class of 55
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Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind; it doesn't matter.
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Post by Margo CHS Class of 55 on Aug 27, 2006 19:02:07 GMT -5
Thank you Bob for posting this. I was talking to a gentleman and his wife this evening and he told me he had worked at the Tannery in the 60's and knew well of Elsie Huffman also.
From there our talk switched to Death Valleyand Tellman Camp. We had quite a conversation renewing old memories. He advised me to go to the Library to see if they have a picture of the Tannery employees I have been searching for. Will try to do that this week..... a 5th St Gang member... in our days that was a GOOD NAME. My how times have changed !!
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jdhinkle
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Post by jdhinkle on Feb 1, 2008 14:58:54 GMT -5
I WONDER IF ANYONE REMEMBERS THAT THERE WAS AN EXPERIMENTAL PROCESS SET UP IN FRONT OF THE TANNERY IN THE EARLY 1960'S. THIS PROCESS WAS TO EXPEDITE THE TANNING PROCESS FROM DAYS TO 90 MINUTES. IF ANYBODY REMEMBERS BILL SPICER, HE AND I WORKED AT THIS EXPERIMENTAL SITE FOR A SHORT TIME. WE HAD TO TAKE A CART OF HIDES AND ATTACH THE TO A FORM LIKE A FENCE GATE 10 OF THESE GATES WOULD THEN BE SUBMERGED IN A SERIES OF TANK OF SOLUTION AND 90 MINUTES LATER WE TOOK THE HIDES OFF THE GATES AND TOOK THEM BACK OVER TO THE MAIN BUILDING. BILL WOULD DRIVE TO WORK IN A 1942 HUDSON AND I WOULD BE AT WORK AND DRIVE HOME AND GO BACK WHEN HIS SHIFT WAS OVER. IT WAS QUITE AN EXPERIENCE
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RER
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Post by RER on Nov 1, 2009 22:01:32 GMT -5
Advertisement Before 1895 Source: Souvenir and official program: 19th annual encampment, Grand Army of the Republic, Department of Indiana and auxiliary societies, Columbus, In., May 17-20, 1898 No copyrights apply because of the age of the picture
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RER
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Post by RER on Dec 6, 2009 12:06:00 GMT -5
W. W. Mooney & Sons Tannery5th Street Near Railroad Area (present area Mill Race Park) Columbus, Indiana Established: 1837 Torn Down: 1960s Labor Commission Report of 1897: Report (wage dispute): W. W. MOONEY & SONS, COLUMBUS. On July 12, 1897, Messrs. W. W. Mooney & Sons, harness leather manufacturers of Columbus, announced a reduction in the wage scale of the "currying" department of their tannery. Sixty five of the employees refused to accept the cut, and were locked out. The reduction amounted to twenty-five per cent., the workmen claimed, but the firm claimed fifteen per cent. Previously the employees had been working piece work, but one of the new conditions, imposed was changed from piece to time work. The task allotted,. the men claimed, was in excess of their abilities to rightly perform. Attempts at arbitration were made by the employees and two conferences were held. Well disposed citizens and friends also tried! meditation, but no satisfactory agreement was reached. Upon the refusal of the men to accept the terms, the firm began the importation of workmen from their branch tannery at Louisville, Kentucky, and from other points. They first employed a cook and placed in their establishment cooking apparatus to furnish food for their imported workmen, and transformed a part of their shipping room into a sleeping apartment, and furnished their imported employees with beds and bedding. On the evening of July 21, an altercation occurred between some of the imported men and those of the locked-out tanners, in which two or three of the former sustained painful injuries. Those accused of having committed the assault were arrested, tried, and one of them fined. The others accused were found blameless and released. The men who had sustained injuries were again at work in a day or two. Further attempts were made to secure an adjustment of the trouble, but to no purpose. As no other departments were interested the work of the tannery continued with slight interruption. On July 31, the tanners accepted the new scale and the contest ended. On the same date the firm assured your Commissioners that the locked-out men would be taken back at the reduction or as soon as employment could be given them. On August 1, twenty five of their old employees were put to work and reinstatements continued until all desiring employment in the tannery were taken back. Source: From the Library of Michigan, July 4, 1903
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2010 19:53:02 GMT -5
A 1901 Billhead from Mooney Tannery. Someone earlier had ask when the Tannery had closed, I went on the Columbus Fire Dept. in Jan. 1958 and they were still in operation at that time, it was about that time they had a fire. It seems like they were in business for a couple years after the fire.
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Post by richard on Jan 31, 2012 19:35:59 GMT -5
The following information is from 1962, and is in today’s edition of The Republic.
Owners of the W. W. Mooney and Sons Tannery, a fixture in Columbus since 1863, announced that the facility would be permanently closed by midsummer.
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Post by David Sechrest on Feb 21, 2014 11:09:36 GMT -5
During my 1905 travels, I ran across this. From The Evening Republican, September, 1905: "The longest sign in Columbus is being built by Bink Schnur on the east side of the Mooney tanning plant. The sign extends the entire length of the building, a distance of 331 feet, and is five feet in width. The words of W. W. Mooney & Sons cover a space of 72 feet." *Besides making signs, Bink Schnur was also a pianist. Throughout the early 1900s, he played at every movie theater/nickelodeon in Columbus (of which there were six in 1908). In the latter part of the 1910s, he went on the road as a pianist for the Orpheum circuit. I think that Bink's father was Wil Schnur. Wil was a member of the Crump's Theatre Orchestra, and performed on opening night, October 30, 1889.
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TEXACO
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Post by TEXACO on Mar 24, 2014 17:09:00 GMT -5
During my 1905 travels, I ran across this. From The Evening Republican, September, 1905: "The longest sign in Columbus is being built by Bink Schnur on the east side of the Mooney tanning plant. The sign extends the entire length of the building, a distance of 331 feet, and is five feet in width. The words of W. W. Mooney & Sons cover a space of 72 feet." *Besides making signs, Bink Schnur was also a pianist. Throughout the early 1900s, he played at every movie theater/nickelodeon in Columbus (of which there were six in 1908). In the latter part of the 1910s, he went on the road as a pianist for the Orpheum circuit. I think that Bink's father was Wil Schnur. Wil was a member of the Crump's Theatre Orchestra, and performed on opening night, October 30, 1889. I'm pretty sure that the sign on the building had been repainted at some point. I could swear that I recall it saying "W. W. Mooney & Sons Tanners of Oak Sole Leather". And I know that I can remember smelling it all the way up to the 2300 block of Newton Street!
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