Cigar Manufacturing in llowa:

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Cigar Manufacturing in Ottumwa, lowa: An 85 Year History

Seventh Edition

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International license.

ISBN 978-1-716-28422-9

Gq 7ELT16 I] 26842295

A special ‘Thank You' to Clayton Jones for his assistance in searching through old newspapers looking for information dealing with cigar manufacturing in Ottumwa, lowa.

lam especially indebted to the people who allowed me to interview them regarding their experiences working in Ottumwa's cigar factories. Thank you, Martha (Potter) Crossley, Edna (Wimpsett) Breon,

Pansy Burton, Martha (Dougherty) Eddy, Margaret (Watts) Davis, Irene (Fiedler) Beasley, and Bernhardt Diehn.

Tom Quinn President, Wapello County Historical Society December 1989

Thank you! to John Ohlinger for letting me photograph his vast cigar box collection. He has spent

over 30 years collecting Ottumwa cigar boxes and cigar memorabilia. Very much appreciated!

TABLE of CONTENTS

1. Cigar Manufacturing in Ottumwa

2. Ottumwa Cigar Manufacturers and their Brands

3. Chronology of Cigar Manufacturing in Ottumwa

4. Maps of Cigar Factory locations

5. Photographs of Cigar Boxes and cigar making tools

John T. Bohe & Co. Anthony P. Canny Cigar Co. Dummler & Fecht Cigar Co. Julius Fecht Cigar Co. Fisher Cigar Co.

J. L. Gossage Cigar Co.

F. J. Graves & Son Cigar Co. Willis A. Graves Cigar Co. Higdon Cigar Co.

Win S. Leas Cigar Co.

Frank Lewis Cigar Co. MecKaig & Potter Cigar Co. McKee & Marks Cigar Co. McKee & Potter Cigar Co. Daniel F. Morey Cigar Co. Morey & Myers Cigar Co. Neville & Higdon Cigar Co. Ostdiek Cigar Co.

Pallister Brothers Cigar Co. George Potter & Brother Cigar Co. William Potter Cigar Co.

L. F. Stark Cigar Co.

Stentz & Bohe Cigar Co. Union Cigar Co.

Wapello Cigar Co.

6. Newspaper Ads for Cigars

7. Cigar Workers Strike of 1899

8. Cigar Box Manufacturing

Page

10 15 38 41

46 47 48 49 68 69 70 73 78 79 81 84 86 89 99 101 109 110 111 128 132 135 137 140 142

145 155

165

9. The People Behind the Cigars

Paul Amelang Charles S. Bigham Robert A. Bigham George B. Bohe John T. Bohe John W. Calhoun Anthony P. Canny S. R. Cheadle Charles V. Clark John Dummler Fred A. Ehrmann Emil Fecht

Julius Fecht

Dan Findlay Graves Cigar Factories Joseph L. Gossage William Hendricks Kingsbaker Brothers Win S. Leas

Frank Lewis Samuel Loeb James H. Mclintire James H. McKaig Frank D. McKee Oscar E. Miller Daniel F. Morey, Sr. lra A. Myers

T. Frank Norfolk Herman J. Ostdiek Otto Ott

Charles O’Malley Pallister Brothers George Potter, Sr. William Potter, Jr. Lewis Stark, Sr.

R. Lee Stentz Thomas Sumner Tim Turpin William E. Utecht H. L. Waterman Herman Wendt Henry A. Zangs

172 173 175 176 178 180 185 187 190 191 191 192 193 195 214 215 219 220 221 223 225 226 228 229 230 234 235 241 242 243 244 245 246 253 259 263 265 267 268 268 269 270 271

10. Interviews with Former Cigar Factory Workers e Martha (Potter) Crossley e Pansy Burton e Martha (Dougherty) Eddy e Edna (Wimpsett) Breon e Margaret (Watts) Davis

11. Interviews with Former Cigar Box Factory Workers e lrene (Fiedler) Beasley e Bernhardt Diehn

12. A Listing of Cigar Factory Workers for Selected Years

e 1879 e 1884 e 1886 e 1890 e 1892 e 1901 e 1910 e 1920 e 1922 e 1927 e 1935

13. Anatomy of a Cigar Box

14. Julius Fecht Cigar Co., Federally Mandated Reporting of Tobacco Manufacturers: 1894

Appendix 1: Cigar Manufacturers in lowa — 1882 with factory number

Appendix 2: Cigar Manufacturers in lowa — 1893 with factory number

Appendix 3: lowa Cigar Manufacturers by City (1902)

Appendix 4: Internal Revenue Tax Districts for lowa

272 274 277 279 281

283 285

289 289 290 290 291 292 296 299 301 305 307

308

315

316

322

326

331

Cigar Manufacturing in Ottumwa, lowa: An 85 Year History

Once upon a time in a growing city upon a riverbank, there was a thriving young industry. It was somewhat of a fairy tale industry with mystery and intrigue. There were trips to foreign countries, box makers, traveling salesmen, rollers, and strippers. There were names like "Lone Widow," the "A No.1," “Long John," "Rattler," and "Big Diamond." Armed guards escorted wagons loaded with valuable cargos. Some would say that there was something "aromatic" about all the goin's on in the industry that grew along that riverbank.

This was no ordinary industry, though. It was the cigar manufacturing industry and it made a significant impact on the growth and prosperity of the Des Moines River city called Ottumwa, lowa.

Cigar manufacturing began In Ottumwa in 1868 on a small scale with L. Danbaum making cigars on Main Street, opposite the Union Block. Mr. Danbaum had one employee making cigars. He didn’t stay in business very long. In 1869, Danbaum & Cohen opened a cigar manufacturer. They filed for bankruptcy in May of 1971.

Also in 1868, Joseph Leighton opened a cigar store and made a few cigars. He got raided by the Internal Revenue Service and all of his leaf tobacco was seized because taxes were not paid on the tobacco.

Cigar manufacturing really started in earnest with one young man’s dream while he worked on his father’s farm in Ulster County, New York.

Daniel Morey was the young dreamer's name. Daniel not only learned the ways of agriculture from his father, but he also learned how to make a good cigar.

At age 20, Daniel Morey left the farm and traveled west to Ottumwa, lowa to seek his fortune. The year was 1871 and Ottumwa was in an exciting period, ripe for fortunes to be made on new ideas.

When Daniel arrived in Ottumwa, he found the city vibrant and prosperous. New and diverse industries were springing up to serve the pent-up demand of a nation still rebounding from a civil war. Five railroads brought over one hundred train loads of products into Ottumwa and Wapello County every day. Ottumwa was quickly becoming a major shipping point and wholesale trade center.

In 1871 there were a few cigar stores in town, but no manufacturers. Many of the cigars sold in Ottumwa were shipped in from Chicago and elsewhere. Daniel Morey started a small cigar factory to meet local demand. At first there was a reluctance on the part of the cigar store owners to stock Daniel's brand of cigars. "Scratch your name off of the cigar boxes," one store clerk once told him, "then we can pass them off as Chicago cigars." Slowly the reputation of "Ottumwa made" cigars spread. It wasn't long before avid cigar smokers were asking for Daniel's cigars by name. "Give me one of those La Flor de Mayo brand cigars," they would say.

Daniel Morey's success in the cigar manufacturing business didn't go unnoticed by other young enterprising men in Ottumwa. Soon a handful of other cigar factories sprung up. The skill of the cigar makers developed as did the quality of their cigars. The demand for "a good five cent cigar" caused the fledgling industry to prosper and grow.

Robert Bigham also started to manufacture cigars early in 1871. A March 16, 1871 advertisement in the Ottumwa Democrat newspaper proclaims Robert Bigham as “The only Exclusive Tobacco House in the City.” His cigar factory was located on Main Street, between Market and Green streets.

The Kingsbaker Brothers started making cigars in 1872. They were a large company where many future cigar factory owners got their start in the business. The Kingsbaker Brothers sold out to Morey & Myers Cigar Co. in 1888.

By 1878 the value of cigars manufactured in Ottumwa reached $52,000. Ottumwa's cigar factories accounted for ten percent of the total value of products manufactured in the city. Total wholesale and retail sales of tobacco products was $141,000. This compares to $146,000 in total sales for hardware and $350,000 for groceries.

In 1879 there were five cigar manufacturers in Ottumwa. They were mostly small in size, employing a dozen or fewer employees each, but they were gaining a reputation as premiere cigar manufacturers. Some of the firms operated out of their owners' homes, others located in second and third floor quarters in downtown buildings. One firm, Bensberg and Cheadle, was a wholesale liquor dealer who took on cigar manufacturing as a sideline to expand their wholesale business.

It was during the 1870's and 1880's that many people, who would later start their own cigar factories, learned their trade.

On January 1, 1888, the first wooden cigar box factory began operations in Ottumwa. A.S. Cook located his cigar box factory on the third floor of the Finley block at 112 E. Main Street. The factory soon outgrew these quarters and in the early spring of 1890 a new two-story building was built at 410 S. Green Street in south Ottumwa. By 1890 Mr. Cook's cigar box factory was employing twelve people and producing up to 1,000 cigar boxes a day.

The cigar making industry grew slowly until 1890 when eleven firms were making cigars. A somewhat exaggerated newspaper account in 1890 boasted that there were 500 cigar makers in the city making ten million cigars a year for a value of $400,000. In reality, there were probably around 200 cigar makers producing between six and ten million cigars a year. The cigar manufacturing firm of Julius Fecht produced on million cigars in 1890 and distributed them throughout lowa, northern Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota. A cigar maker in 1890 made about $8.70 a week.

Although the cigar manufacturing industry in Ottumwa lasted for over 80 years, its heyday was from 1890 until the mid- 1920’s. Well over 400 people were employed in the industry from just after the turn of the century until the early 1920’s. In 1899 there were sixteen cigar manufacturers. For the next twenty-five years the number of cigar manufacturers decreased, but the companies were larger, producing more cigars and employing more people.

Some of the tobacco used to manufacture cigars was imported from Cuba. From Havana, Cuba, bales of tobacco were loaded onto ships bound for Miami. After arriving in Miami, the tobacco was loaded onto wagons and hauled overland to Ottumwa. Armed guards escorted the wagons to protect the valuable cargo from bandits. Later, when the rail system was better developed, the tobacco would come to Ottumwa on trains.

Many cigar boxes have the word “Havana” stamped on them. This usually refers to a strain of domestic tobacco and does not necessarily mean that the cigars contain imported tobacco.

In 1902, about one-third of the cigar factory workforce were men, the other two-thirds were women. Cigar makers earned on average $7.50 a week. A good cigar roller could make $10.50 a week. Most cigar rollers were men. Women held jobs in the packing department, shipping, and stripping. They made on average $2.50 a week. High end pay for women was $8 a week.

By 1910 well over 400 people were employed in the cigar manufacturing industry in Ottumwa. Nearly half of the cigar makers in 1910 were young, un-married women living at home with their parents. In those days, the cigar industry provided many young people with their first jobs — like the fast-food industry of today.

In the early days, the heart of the cigar manufacturing industry was centered in downtown Ottumwa. The 200 block of East Main Street and the 100 and 200 blocks of South Market Street housed the bulk of the factories. The largest factories occupied entire buildings while some of the smaller ones were located above ground floor retail stores.

It took many people to operate a cigar factory. It was highly labor intensive. All cigars were hand-made. Commercial travelers, now known as traveling salesmen, would ride around the country promoting the products and taking orders from retail businesses. In the factory there were strippers, cigar makers, packers, rollers, shippers, foremen, timekeepers, bookkeepers, stenographers, and salesmen. The tobacco would arrive at the factory in large bales. Since a tax had to be paid on the weight of the bale, it was carefully handled to avoid waste. There were two basic grades of tobacco. The highest quality, largest leafed tobacco was used as an outer wrapper on the cigars. This was often Cuban tobacco. The poorer quality, smaller leafed tobacco was used to make the cigar’s core or “filler.” The filler tobacco sometimes came from Pennsylvania.

The tobacco leaves were wet down so that they would be pliable and not brittle. Strippers carefully removed, that is “stripped off,” the leaf from the stem. The tobacco would be laid across the leg and gently rubbed to remove the wrinkles. The damp, smooth tobacco would be tied in small bundles called “hands.” The tobacco destined to become the filler would be dried on large racks for several hours before it would be pressed in molds. The high-quality tobacco would be kept in the “hand” where it would remain soft and pliable. This tobacco would be rolled out thin and used as the “wrapper” or outside covering for the cigars.

Cigar makers would roll and press the smaller leaves in wooden cigar molds where they would remain for several hours. The ends of the cigar “fillers” were cut off to a uniform size. The cigar fillers were then removed from the molds and diagonally wrapped with an inch and one-half wide strip of high-quality tobacco. They had to be wrapped just right to allow for the proper air circulation when smoked. The cigars were then banded with the company’s brand name and sorted by color: dark, medium and light. They were then packed by color and put into boxes of 50 cigars each. The filled cigar boxes were sealed to keep in the freshness. The unused scraps were used to make pipe tobacco. Beginning in the late 1920’s, cigars were individually wrapped in cellophane wrappers to preserve the freshness.

Young, unmarried women would sometimes put their names and addresses inside the cigar boxes as they packed them, hoping that an eligible young man would find it and call on them.

The cigar manufacturing industry began to wane in the mid 1920’s. Machine rolled cigarettes replaced cigars. By 1929 there were only four cigar manufacturers left in Ottumwa. The Ottumwa Cigar Box Factory closed May 31, 1929. Three cigar manufacturers struggled through the depression years. In 1931 the industry was employing less than 100 people. The Julius Fecht Cigar Company was the last cigar manufacturer in Ottumwa. It closed its doors for good on December 28, 1953 after 70 years in business. The cigar industry had made its mark on Ottumwa. It created jobs and opportunities for people. It spread the name of Ottumwa as a quality manufacturing and wholesale center. The cigar industry left a legacy of over 80 years of good smells and good smokes.

Ottumwa Cigar Manufacturers and their Brands

1868 — 1953

The dates that the cigar factories were in business are derived from city directories, old cigar boxes, advertisements, and newspaper articles. Dates are only approximate and should not be taken as exact.

Manufacturer — (Approximate dates in business) — Brands made A

Paul Amelang: (1882 — 1902) Queen of May, Blue Bell, No. 15 B

Bensberg and Cheadle Cigar Co.: (1882 - 1886) Reduction Charles S. Bigham: (1892 — 1901)

Robert Bigham: (1871 — 1892) Virginia Leaf, Connecticut

L. H. Blimck: (1882)

George Bohe and Brother: (1882)

John T. Bohe: (1916 — 1920) Robert Lee

Bohe and Ullrich Cigar Co.: (1888 - 1890) Prize Lilly, Autumn Queen Bohe and Ellis Cigar Co.: (1894)

Jesse O. Black Cigar Co.: (1888)

Blunk and Oehlschlager Cigar Co.: (1879)

C

C. S. Cade: (1892)

Anthony P. Canny Cigar Co.: (1908 - 1911) Old Kid, Uzzona Canny and Clark: (1905)

Canny and Crawford: (1903-1905)

Charles V. Clark: (1897 — 1902) No. 23

Cunningham Brothers: (1892)

Cunningham and Erbacher: (1894)

D

L. Danbaum: (1868)

10

Danbaum & Cohn: ( 1869 — 1870)

Dummler and Fecht: (1890) Fast Mail

E

Fred (Fritz) A. Enrman Cigar Co.: (1901 - 1920) Manifesto, Commercial Club F

Julius Fecht: (1884 - 1953) Little Yara, Three Star, Veto, Log Cabin, Wild Rose, Little Wild Rose, Western Star, Club Firsts, Key West, Columbia, Golden Rule, Elk, O.K Panatelas, O.K. Breves, Star 5’s, My Own, Universal Special, Universal Java, Universal Royal, Universal Imperial

Findlay Cigar Factory: (1901 - 1911) Special, Little Dutchman

Fisher Cigar Co.: (late 1870’s to early 1880’s) Imported Leaf

G

Joseph L. Gossage: (1901 - 1905) The Hermit

Graves Brothers Cigar Co.: (1888) Jack Pot, Cuban Rose

F. J. Graves and Son: (1892 - 1915) Tom Potter Blunts, Little Miss Muffett, Monogram, Scottish Rite

Willis A. Graves Cigar Co.: (1916 - 1928) Federal Court, Little Tom Potter, Masonic Knights, Bogey Four, Graves’ Hand Made

H Harkert Cigar Factory: (1911 — 1912)

Hawkeye Cigar Co.: (1902 - 1905) The Five Step, The Crystal Flake, The Reminder, Turpin’s Ottumwa, Credito Puerto Rico, Infantes, Robin Hood, lowa Traveler, Victoria De Cuba Regalia

William A. Hendricks: (1899 — 1901) and (1924 — 1927)

Hendricks and Company: (1892): Pickwith Five

Hendricks & Overturf Cigar Co.: (1922)

E. P. Hommowun Cigar Factory: (1890 — 1898)

J

Robert E. Jarvis Cigar Co.: (1922)

K

Kingsbaker Brothers: (1872 - 1888) C. B. & Q., The Leader, The Sunshine L

Win Leas: (1881 - 1894) The Big Q Cigar, The Little Master

11

Joseph Leighton: (1868)

Frank Lewis: (1927 — late 1940’s) Henry Vane, Jitney

Tobias Loeb: (1884 - 1891)

Mi

*MicKaig and Potter: (1907 — 1918) Rettop’s, 101

McKee and Marks Cigar Co.: (1918 - 1924) Key Mark, Yellow Cab

McKee and Potter: (1899 - 1917) Armas Del Ray, Gold Coin, Little Gold Coin, General Drake, Spanish Queen, Bill’s Kids, Puritana, Monogram

O. E. Miller: (1882) Daniel F. Morey Cigar Co.: (1871 — 1887) La Flor de Mayo

Morey and Myers: (1883 - 1906) American Girl, La Flor De Mayo, La Rosa, Lone Widow, Silver Chime, Little Knocker, Leaders, Red Ring, Slim Jim, Latest Choice, Tonic, Tokalong, Little Mayo, Little Miss Muffett, Happy Thought, El Mayo, Morey’s Fat Cigar, Up-to-Date. “Political Campaign” cigar brands: Cleveland and Thurman (1888), Harrison and Morton (1888)

*M.P.R.L. Cigar Co.: (1907 — 1918) Mi Confianza, Club Seconds, Nuff Sed, M.P.R.L.

N

Neville & Higdon Cigar Co., (Thomas Neville): (1897 - 1902) Marinola

Norfolk Brothers Cigar Co.: (1897 — 1905) No. 188

Northrup & Waterman Cigar Co.: (1873)

O

James O’Connell and Brothers.: (1892)

Charles O’Malley Cigar Co.: (1903 - 1905) (also known as the Wizard Cigar Co.) Ki Ki, The Victor Jacob Oehlschlager Cigar Co.: (1878)

Herman J. Ostdiek: (1891 - 1902) Cuban Hand Made, Wapello Club, Cuban Five, X-Ray p

Pallister Brothers: (1889 - 1927) The Pallister Cigar, Santa Rosa, Pallister’s Dozen, Rosa Americana, Blue Jay, Little Dandies, Pearl of Pekin, Golden Crown, Imported Register, Prime Seconds, A No. 1, Long John, Moss Rose, My Jack, Key West, Stock Exchange, Henry Vane, Legion of Honor, Pallister S40, Pallister U.S. Smoker, No Binder Cigar, La Thella, La Rosa de Cuba, La Afinidad, A.C.T., Trinidad, Alma Rosa, Trotter, Gephart Best, After Dinner, Liona, Havana Seconds, Crown Rose, George the Fifth Club House, Havana Leaf, Pallister’s Hand Made, San Rayo, Pony, Pallister’s Legion d’Honneur

George Potter and Brother: (1919 - 1930) Virginia Vall Bouquet, Charles the Fourth, Prime Seconds

12

William Potter & Son Cigar Co: (1905)

William Potter Cigar Co.: (1930 - 1941) Broadleaf, Little Ben, Robert Lee, La Flora De Mayo, Potter’s Specials

Q

Patrick Queeney: (1910 — 1912)

S

Samuel of Posen Cigar Co.: (1888 — 1892), Samuel Loeb: Sam’! of Posen, Resolution, Saint of Powers Silver Nugget Cigar Factory: (1881)

Smith and Schwartz Cigar Co.: (1910) Ottumwa Booster, Gypsette, S& §$ L. F. Stark Cigar Co: (1902 — 1912): On Deck, Special

Stark Brothers Factory: (1889): On Deck

Stentz and Bohe: (1904 — 1916) Little Ben, Robert Lee

Thomas Sumner: (1901 - 1902) Ottumwa Queen

Amos Swartz Cigar Co.: (1903 — 1907)

T

Tim Turpin: (1906 — 1915)

U

Union Cigar Co.: (1899 - 1919), Fritz H. Enrman: The Rattler, Manifesto, Commercial Club, Black Poodle, Big Diamond

William E. Utecht Cigar Co.: (1915 — 1928)

C. B. Ullrich: (1892)

U. & L. Cigar Co.: (1914 - 1916)

W

W. W. Wallace: (1892)

Harrison L. Waterman: (1874 - 1879) Challenge

Wapello Cigar Co.: (1899 — 1910), Emil Fecht: Gold Seal, Twisthead, Little Yara, Corona Del Rey, May Flower

Herman Wendt & Co.: (1878 - 1879)

13

Z

H. A. Zangs Cigar Factory: (1888) Ottumwa Leader, Kickapoo, No. 15, Prairie Queen, Pea Cock, Golden Grape, Tambourine

*Note: McKaig and Potter Cigar Co. and M.P.R.L. Cigar Co. had many overlapping owners. William Potter, Jr. and James H. McKaig were owners in both companies. In 1908, Frank Lewis was also a partner in M.P.R.L. Cigar Co. At one time, McKaig and Potter Cigar Co. employed 85 cigar makers.

14

Chronology of Cigar Manufacturing in Ottumwa, lowa

1868 -- -- L. Danbaum, Main St.; employed one cigar maker

Joseph Leighton

1869 -- -- Danbaum & Cohen

1871 -- -- Daniel F. Morey arrived in Ottumwa in 1871 and began manufacturing cigars. He is known as the “father of cigar manufacturing” in Ottumwa. He manufactured cigars for three decades in Ottumwa. He also operated Morey Clay Products Company. Mr. Morey was born on February 16, 1851 in Ulster County, New York. He was raised on a farm where he learned about cigar making. D. F. Morey was in partnership with Ira A. Myers in the manufacture of cigars for over 15 years from about 1888 until 1906 or 1907.

Robert Bigham, Main St. between Market and Green Streets

1872 -- -- Kingsbaker Brothers moved their cigar factory “to the rooms vacated by Gregg Dry Goods store.” (Ottumwa Weekly Courier, March 28, 1872)

1878 -- -- Ottumwa Weekly Courier newspaper on January 22, 1879 reports that for the year 1878, total retail and wholesale sales of cigars and tobacco by Ottumwa businesses was $141,000. This compares to $146,000 for hardware and $350,000 for groceries. The same newspaper article reports that the value of cigars manufactured in Ottumwa in 1878 was $52,000. The cigar factories accounted for ten percent of the total value of products manufactured in Ottumwa in 1878.

1879 -- -- Five Cigar Manufacturers Employing 29 People.

Blunck and Oehlschlager, 208 E. Main Street Henry Blunck and Jacob Oehlschlager, residence 323 W. Main Street; 5 employees listed.

Kingsbaker Brothers, 227 E. Main Street. Cigars and tobacco manufacturers and wholesalers. Ben and Theodore Kingsbaker. 10 employees listed.

D. F. Morey, 111 S. Court St., manufacturer and dealer. Daniel F. Morey resided at 320 E. 2" Street. 5 employees listed.

H. L. Waterman, 304 E. Main St., Cigar manufacturer and dealer. 4 employees listed.

Herm Wendt, 237 E. Main St., Cigar manufacturer and dealer. Resided at same address. No other employees listed in the city directory.

1881 -- -- Silver Nugget Cigar Factory, 220 East Main Street

15

1882

1884

-- -- Ten Cigar Manufacturers.

Paul Amelang, South Ottumwa. Cigar maker and dealer. Business and residence address the same.

Bensberg and Cheadle, 432 E. Main St., Cigar manufacturers and dealer. Also, wholesale liquors, bottlers of Best Milwaukee Beer. Jacob Bensberg lived on E. Main Street between College and Vine Streets. He had been a resident of Ottumwa since 1875. Shepherd R. Cheadle resided on Jefferson Street between 4"" and 5" Streets. He had been a resident of Ottumwa since 1878.

Robert Bigham, 109 S. Market Street; residence same as factory. L. H. Blimck

George Bohe and Brother

Kingsbaker Brothers, 225 E. Main St.

Tobias Loeb, 302 E. Main St., in Ballingall House building. Manufacturer and dealer. Residence S.E. corner of 2" and Wapello Streets. Samuel Loeb is salesman for Tobias Loeb.

Win S. Leas, 110 E. Second St. Manufacturer of all kinds of cigars. O. E. Miller

E. J. Morey, 220 E. Main Street. Manufacturers of fine cigars. D. F. Morey, manager. Residence on 2™ Street between Holt and McLean streets. Ottumwa resident since 1871.

-- -- Six Cigar Manufacturers Employing 19 People

Bensberg and Cheadle, 412 E. Main Street, 2" floor. Jacob Bensberg resided at 635 E. Main St. Shepherd R. Cheadle resided at 215 N. Jefferson Street. Primarily wholesale liquor dealers located at 432 E. Main St.; Note: Julius Fecht listed as foreman.

Robert Bigham Cigar Factory, 209 S. Market St., (southwest corner of Market and 2™ streets) 2" floor. Residence the same address.

Julius Fecht, residence 412 E. Main St., 2™ floor. Worked as foreman at Bensberg and Cheadle. Sometime during 1884 he started his own cigar manufacturing business in an “old shack.”

Win S. Leas Cigars, 110 E. 2™ St. Residence 220 W. 3 St. Made “The Big Q Cigar” brand. Tobias Loeb, 304 E. Main St., Residence 334 W. 2™ St., Cigars and tobacco.

E. J. Morey Cigars, 220 E. Main St., Manufacturer of cigars.

16

1886

1888

-- -- Seven Cigar Manufacturers Employing 30 People Bensberg and Cheadle, 105 W. 2" St., upstairs

Robert Bigham, 128 (126?) E. 2™ St., residence same address

Julius Fecht, 412 E. Main St., Boards at Buckeye Restaurant

Graves Bros., 111 S. Court St., A. H. Graves, resides at 632 W. 2™ St. Win S. Leas, 322 E. Main Street

Tobias Loeb, 304 E. Main St., residence at 215 N. Jefferson Street

E. J. Morey, 215 E. Main Street, resides at 534 W. 2" Street

Kingsbaker Bros. — wholesalers

Samuel Loeb — news dealer, 304 E. Main St.

Pallister Bros. — confectioners

-- -- Eight Cigar Manufacturers and Two Cigar Box Manufacturers The average weekly wage paid to a cigar factory worker in 1888 was $8.70.

Bigham Cigar Factory, 126 E. 2" St., Robert Bigham, resides at 640 W. Mill St. J. O. Black, 207 E. Main St., Jesse O. Black, residence at 518 W. Main St.

Bohe and Ullrich, 115 W. 2" St., L. M. Bohe, residence 717 W. Main St.; Charles B. Ullrich, residence 115 W. 2 St.

Julius Fecht, 211 S. Market St., boards at Dick’s Hotel

Graves Brothers., northwest corner of Main and Court Streets. Alfred H. Graves, residence 632 W. 2™ St.; Frank J. Graves, residence 1015 Hackberry St.

Win S. Leas, 332 E. Main St., residence 513 W. 2™ St.

Morey and Myers Cigar Co., 105 — 107 Main St., D. F. Morey, president. Residence 428 W. 2™ St.; lra A. Myers, secretary-treasurer. Residence 322 E. 5" Street (Morey and Myers bought out Kingsbaker Brothers Cigar Co.) June 20, 1888 Ottumwa Weekly Democrat newspaper says, “They make and sell cigars at the rate of 600,000 per month. At the time of our visit sixty men were busily at work fashioning all the best-known brands, and each man turning out 300 cigar each per day.”

H. A. Zangs Cigar Factory, 227 Main St. (June 1888: 109 — 111 S. Court St.) Ottumwa Cigar Box Factory, 112 E. Main St., A.S. Cook, manager. Residence 412 W. 2" St.

Pallister Brothers., 220 E. Main St., cigar box manufacturers and confectioners

17

1890 -- -- Eleven Cigar Manufacturers Employing 103 People

Paul Amelang, 133 W. Main St. The September 13, 1890 Ottumwa Press reported that 18 people were employed by Paul Amelang. They made between 30,000 and 60,000 cigars a month. Their cigars were sold in lowa and Dakota.

Robert Bigham Cigar Factory, 126 E. 2"? St.

Bohe and Ullrich, 115 W. 2™ St. Mrs. L. M. Bohe and Charles Ullrich. By the end of 1890, Charles Ullrich was managing his own cigar manufacturing company. An article in the September 13, 1890 Ottumwa Press reported that his company employed 8 people and paid $300 a month in total wages.

Julius Fecht, 211 S. Market St., Boards at Barker House. Produces 1 million cigars a year. Distributes throughout lowa, northern Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota. The September 13, 1890 Ottumwa Press reported that the company was employing 14 people and paying out $120 a week in total wages. Mr. Ed Nye was traveling salesman.

Graves Brothers, 111 S. Court St., Founded by F. J. and A. H. Graves. September 13, 1890 Ottumwa Press reported 20 to 50 employees.

E. P. Hommowun Cigar Factory, 108 W. 5" St.

Win S. Leas Cigar Factory, 221 S. Market St. Newspaper ad stated “our eleventh year” in business.

Morey and Myers Cigar Company, 103 W. Main St., D. F. Morey and Ira Myers. Products include: “American Girl,” a superior Havana Cigar; “La Flor De Mayo,” “La Rosa,” “Lone Widow,” and “Silver Chime.” September 13, 1890 Ottumwa Press reported that 75 people worked in the factory with an additional 6 traveling salesmen. Company sold $200,000 a year, over half of which were their own cigars.

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Pallister Brothers., 220 E. Main St., Founded by John Pallister in 1878 as a confectioner. Also sold ice cream and fruits. Began cigar making in late 1880’s. Manufacturers of The Pallister Cigar, A No.1, Long John, Moss Ross, Rosa Americana, and Improved Register cigars.

Samuel of Posen Cigar Factory, 335 E. Main St. (New Opera House building). Samuel Loeb manufacturer and retailer. Established in 1888. Employs 7 people. September 13, 1890 Ottumwa Press reported that 1890 was the company’s second year in operation. They produced 375,000 cigars in 1890; S60 to $75 a week in total wages paid to workers. Manufactured Sam’! Posen, the best 5 cent cigar in Ottumwa.

Stark Brothers Cigar Factory, 819 S. Green Street.

Ottumwa Cigar Box Factory, 401 S. Green St., Established January 1, 1888 by Mr. A. S. Cook. In 1890 eleven people were employed making 1,000 cigar boxes a day. Mr. Cook planned to expand the size of his manufacturing operation.

Pallister Brothers., 220 E. Main St., classified listing in newspaper under “cigar box manufacturers.”

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1892

1893

-- -- Fourteen Cigar Manufacturers Employing 117 People Paul Amelang, 133 W. Main St., resided at 508 Ward St.

Bigham Cigar Co., 125 E. 2™ St., Charles Bigham, residence S. Green St.

C. S. Cade, 506 E. Main St., Cyrus Cade, residence 363 Jay St.

Cunningham Bros., 312 E. Main St., John and James Cunningham

Julius Fecht, 211 S. Market St, upstairs. J. Fecht rooms over 213 S. Market St.

Graves Cigar Co., 111 S. Court St., A. H. Graves, residence 915 W. 5" St.

F. J. Graves and Son, 321 E. Main St., F. J. and W. A. Graves both reside at 1015 Hackberry St.

U. L. Hendricks and Co., 838 Church St., McIntire block. E. P. Hommowun, 215 W. Main St., residence the same Win S. Leas, 221 S. Market St., residence 423 W. 2" St. Samuel Loeb, cigar manufacturer, residence 215 N. Jefferson St.

Morey and Myers Cigar Co., 105 — 107 W. Main St., D. F. Morey, president. Ira A. Myers, secretary. Residence 322 E. 5" St.

Pallister Bros., 220 E. Main St., Cigar manufacturer and confectioner. John, Henry, and Tom Pallister.

W. W. Wallace, 847 Church St., residence 468 Davis St.

Ottumwa Cigar Box Factory, 401 Green St., A. S. Cook proprietor. Residence 342 Weller St.

-- -- Fifteen Cigar Manufacturers Paul Amelang, 133 W. Main St.

L. M. Bohe

R. Bigham

Cunningham Brothers. 312 E. Main St. Julius Fecht

Graves Cigar Co., 111 S. Court St. Graves and Son

Levi Hammonwon

Hendricks and Co.

W. S. Leas, 221 S. Market St.

Morey Meyers Cigar Co.

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James O’Connell and Brothers Pallister Brothers

C. B. Ulrich

W. W. Wallace

1893 -- -- February -- -- A quote from the “Annual Trade Review” of the Ottumwa Courier Newspaper, page 31. “The cigar manufacturers of the city manufacture over ten million cigars annually and employ five hundred people. Their product is sold ina half dozen states. Ottumwa is the second city in lowa in the manufacture of cigars.”

1894 -- -- Fourteen Cigar Manufacturers Employing 153 People Paul Amelang, 133 W. Main St. Charles Bigham, 617 E. Mill St., residence 619 E. Mill St. Bohe and Ellis, 211 S. Market St., Ed A. Ellis Cunningham and Erbacher, 312 E. Main St.

Julius Fecht and Brother, 224 — 226 S. Market St., Julius Fecht residence 213 S. Market St., Emil Fecht residence 128 E. Court St., Twenty-two employees listed in the city directory.

Graves Cigar Co., 111 S. Court St., A. H. Graves, residence 528 W. 5" St. F. J. Graves and Son, 319 E. Main St.

Win S. Leas Cigar Co., 219-221 S. Market St., residence 427 W. 4" St. James Montague, 519 Mill St.

Morey and Myers, foot of Court St., D. F. Morey and Ira Myers Ottumwa Cigar Co., 128 E. Main St.

Pallister Brothers., 220 E. Main St., Cigars and confectioners. John, Thomas A. and W. H. Pallister

Riordan and Stevens, 130 E. Main St. Charles Ulrich, 114. E.2"? St. Ottumwa Cigar Box Factory, 611 Bashaw. A. S. Cook. Residence 308 N. Weller

T. B. Gephart, 710 Church St., cigar box manufacturer

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1896 -- -- Ottumwa Daily Democrat Newspaper — Souvenir of the 2nd Regiment Encampment, August 1, 1896. T. F. Norfolk is pictured in a news story. Mr. Norfolk manufacturers the celebrated “No. 188” cigar. He also manufacturers a number of other brands. His trade area is lowa and northern Missouri. Business is growing.

H. J. Ostdiek, store at 304 E. Main Street. Leading news stand, cigar and tobacco store of the city. He has been in business since 1891. Recently moved cigar manufacturing factory into larger and more convenient quarters, occupying entire 3 floor over Scott’s Drug Store. His leading brands are “Cuban Hand Made” and “Wapello Club,” both ten cent cigars. He also makes “Cuban Five” and “X-Ray,” five cent cigars.

1897 -- -- Fifteen Cigar Manufacturers Paul Amelang, 126 Ward Street. Residence the same. James R. Baker, 402 Hancock Street. Residence the same. George Bohe, 215 S. Market Street. Residence at 217 E. Holt Charles V. Clark, 401 E. Main Street. Residence at 326 E. Main Street Fritz A. Ehrmann, 131 W. Main Street. Residence at 1001 Plumb Julius Fecht, 224 S. Market. Rooms at 210 E. Main Street

F. J. Graves and Son, 324 E. Main St., Frank J. Graves, residence 1015 Hackberry St.; Willis A. Graves, residence 1015 Hackberry

William E. Joseph, 106 W. 2" St., residence 205 N. Davis St. Morey and Myers, 209 S. Court Street. Daniel F. Morey and Ira A. Myers Thomas S. Neville, 103 S. Court Street. Residence at 707 N. Court St.

Norfolk Brothers. Cigar Co., 217 S. Market Street. Manufacturers of “No. 188” brand cigars. T. Frank Norfolk residence 442 W. Maple. J. L. Norfolk residence at La Plata, Missouri.

O’Connell Brothers, 915 Hackberry. Joseph and Bart J. O’Connell. Both live at 915 Hackberry Herman J. Ostdiek, 301 E. Main St., Resides at 624 N. Court

Pallister Brothers, 220 E. Main Street, John A., Thomas A., and W. Henry Pallister

Sisson and Co., 112 E. Main Street. L. W. Sisson resides at 133 Lincoln Ave.; And J. C. Stevens

Frank M. Harmon, 710 Church St., cigar box manufacturer. Rooms at 215 E. Main St.

1899 -- -- Sixteen Cigar Manufacturers Paul Amelang, 126 N. Ward St. Charles Bigham, 621 E. Mill St.

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1901

George B. Bohe, 215 S. Market Street. Wife — Elizabeth M.; Residence 217 E. Holt St. Charles V. Clark, 401 E. Main St., Manufacturer of “No. 23” union made brand of cigars. Julius Fecht, 222 S. Market St., Rooms at 210 E. Main St.

Graves Cigar Co., 111 S. Court. A. H. Graves, proprietor. (A. H. Graves died 12/14/1898.) F. J. Graves and Son, 324 E. Main Street

William A. Hendricks, 418 Church Street

McKee and Potter, 111 S. Green Street

Morey and Myers Cigar Co., 209 S. Court Street

Thomas S. Neville and Co., 105 S. Court Street

Norfolk Brothers Cigar Co., 116 S. Market Street

Joseph O’Connell and Brother, 414 E. Main Street. Joseph and Bart J. O’Connell. Herman J. Ostdiek, 109 E. 2" Street

Pallister Brothers, 202 E. Main Street. Cigar manufacturers and confectioners. Manufactured “Stock Exchange” brand of clear Havana cigars.

Union Cigar Co., 107 W. Main Street. F. A. Ehrmann, J. J. Wachter, and W. M. Edwards, partners. Brands of cigars made included “Manifesto,” “Commercial Club,” “Black Poodle,” “Rattler,” and “Big Diamond.”

Frank M. Harmon, 710 Church Street. Cigar box manufacturer.

-- -- Fifteen Cigar Manufacturers Employing 232 People

Oct. 29, 1901 Ottumwa Democrat Newspaper says there are six union shops and 12 non- union shops in Ottumwa. Eight are doing business ona large scale.

P. Amelang, 126 N. Ward. Paul Amelang. Wife — Mary. Residence same as business.

C. V. Clark, 322 E. Main Street. Charles V. Clark. Wife — Ida. Residence 326 E. Main St.

Julius Fecht, 222 S. Market Street. Julius Fecht. Wife — Anna. Residence 131 N. Washington St. Findlay Cigar Co., 416 Church St., A. D. Findlay, manager

F. J. Graves and Son, 140 W. 2nd Street. Frank J. Graves. Wife — Rachael. Residence 215 N. Washington St.; Willis A. Graves. Wife — Nellie. Residence 221 N. Marion Street

W. A. Hendricks, 416 Church Street. William A. Hendricks. Wife — Lillian. Residence 212 N. Moore Street.

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1902

Higdon Cigar Co., 125 E. Main Street. Orville B. Higdon. Wife — Mamie. Residence 225 E. Holt; Ottis P. Higdon. Wife — Eva. Residence 216 S. Willard. Higdon Cigar Co. was primarily a dealer, but they did manufacture some cigars.

McKee and Potter, 115 E 2™ Street. Frank D. McKee. Wife — Lelia. Residence 453 N. Jefferson Street; George Potter. Wife — Jennie. Residence 426 W. 2" Street. Company founded in 1899.

Morey and Myers Cigar Co., 209-215 S. Court Street. Daniel F. Morey. Wife — Emma. Residence 327 W. 4°" St.; Ira A. Myers. Wife — May. Residence 322 E. 5"" Street

T. S. Neville and Co., 115 S. Court Street. Thomas S. Neville. Wife — Laura. Residence 703 N. Court Street.

Ostdiek Cigar Co., 109 E. 2" Street. Herman J. Ostdiek. Wife — Mary. Residence 624 N. Court Street

Pallister Brothers, 202 E. Main Street. Cigar makers and confectioners. John A. Pallister. Wife — May. Residence 826 W. 2™ Street; Thomas A. Pallister. Wife — Estella. Residence 109 N. Ward St.; W. Henry Pallister. Residence 820 W. 2™ St.

T. Sumner, 110 E. 2 Street. Thomas Sumner. Wife — Elsie. Residence 130 Lincoln St.

Union Cigar Co., 107 W. Main Street. Fritz A. Ehrmann, proprietor. Residence 1001 Plum. (Note: George P. Ehrmann is listed as cigar maker for the company.) Fred and Fritz are believed to be the same person.

Wapello Cigar Co., 106 E. Main Street. Emil Fecht, proprietor. Alfred E. Fecht, Emil’s son, worked there. Twenty-four people employed. Three salesmen cover lowa and northern half of Missouri. Five Cent cigars produced include “Gold Seal,” “Twist Head,” and “Little Yara.” “Corona del Rey” is their ten-cent cigar. Produce 1 million cigars a year.

Ottumwa Cigar Box Factory, 710 Church St. August Diehn came to Ottumwa in 1900 and purchased interests of Mr. Krabbenhoeft in the cigar box factory located at 710 Church Street. The cigar box factory employs 10 people and produces about 1,000 cigar boxes a day. August Diehn was born November 25, 1873 in Davenport, lowa. His father operated a cigar box factory for many years in Davenport. August worked in his father’s factory for eight years before coming to Ottumwa to start his own cigar box operation. In 1901 Diehn boarded at the Park Hotel. No wife was listed in city directory.

-- -- Twelve Cigar Manufacturers Paul Amelang

C. V. Clark

F. A. Ehrmann

Emil Fecht, 106 E. Main St.

Julius Fecht

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1903

F. J. Graves and Son Hawkeye Cigar Co., 107 E. Second St.

McKee and Potter, 119-123 W. 2™ Street. (made 3 million cigars in 1902.) George Bohe is foreman with 29 years’ experience.

Neville and Co. Ostdiek Cigar Co. Pallister Bros. Cigar Co.

Thomas Sumner

-- -- Thirteen Cigar Manufacturers

December 23, 1903 Ottumwa Democrat Newspaper says the total wages paid in the cigar industry are $10,500 a month.

Canny and Crawford, 222 E. Main St., Anthony P. Canny, residence 528 Cooper; Miles M. Crawford, residence 127 Lamborn St. [A “Canny and Crawford” cigar factory was also listed in 1903. Same address: 222 E. Main St.]

Fred A. Ehrmann, (Union Cigar Co.) 314 E. Main St., Wife — Carrie. Residence 119 Morrell Julius Fecht, 222 S. Market St., Wife — Anna. Residence 131 N. Washington St.

F. J. Graves and Son, 134 W. 2™ St., Frank J. Graves. Wife — Rachael. Residence 215 N. Washington St.;