Bump..
1924-25 superintendent
Leon A Smith and 18 others, most likely skilled workers, stepped in to keep it running after the shareholders abandoned the original
Shelby Cycle Frame Builders Co. Around
1925, local businessman Joseph Seltzer invested in the plant and the company transitioned from just making bicycle frames to manufacturing whole bicycles and became the
Shelby Cycle Company.
The Republican Industrial Edition
Joseph Seltzer & Harrison Steele at the time of their early partnership.
The following is abstracted from an article in the Republican
Industrial Edition - 1897 - H. E. Sheets, Editor.
"The hardware firm of Seltzer & Steele, the subject of this half tone engraving (above) herewith presented, is one of which the city of Shelby may well feel proud, not only from the fact that their business blocks on West Main Street (68-70 West Main St.) add much to the beauty of the city but from the fact that their store is one that is creditable to any city. Its appearance does much toward giving the city a commercial standing with other towns, and its business relations. It has already done much for the community in giving to our people a complete stock of hardware, stoves, tinware, paints, oils, varnishes, bicycles, robes and horse blankets. They are agents for the famous Ideal bicycles manufactured in Shelby and last season sold over one hundred of this special make. They also have a tin shop in connection, doing all kinds of repair work, roofing and spouting, and make a specialty of slate roofing on either town or country property. The store is always a model of system and neatness, showing at various seasons those articles which climatic conditions necessitate, or allow as luxuries, such as stoves, bicycles, etc. With such men as these at its head, the institution has earned the reputation which it now enjoys in the community. From a business of $30,000 per year at its inception, it has grown to be one of over $100, 000 per year with a steady increase. They are the owners of four store fronts on Main Street (1897) and various warehouses and are interested in thirty-five residences which are now occupied by working-men. They make a specialty of McCormick machinery, and claim the honor of having delivered more of these machines in one day than any other agent in the United States. In one day in 1893 they delivered one hundred and eighty-six McCormick machines, making a parade over one and one-half miles in length, and of such a display as has never been shown elsewhere. The firm has demonstrated its belief in the future of Shelby both in the excellence of its store and also in the other investments it has made, and many a large town will not show a more thriving institution in business, stock, or methods of transaction. In every detail does it fill the bill, not only for today, but for years to come."
Seltzer & Steele - West Main Street, Shelby - c. 1890 (Shelby Museum Photo)
Joseph Seltzer (left), Harrison Steele (middle)
Both were involved in many of the growing businesses of early
Shelby and neither "retired" until they had pursued many business
interests. "Uncle Joe" as he was known in his later years, was
associated with the Ohio Seamless Tube Co., and the Shelby Cycle
Company. He was at one time a bank director, farmer, as well as
serving the community as a councilman for several terms. He gifted
the city the land for Seltzer Park in memory of his son Howard.
Joseph Seltzer died February 18, 1929, 3 weeks after an automobile
accident in Cleveland, Ohio. His wife Mary Elizabeth died a year later
on January 6, 1930. Both are buried in Oakland Cemetery.