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Brief history of Miami Manufacturing and Cycle Co.
- Thread starter Wcben
- Start date
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Sorg Mansion in March 1913
This photo was taken after the 1913 flood. The man standing at the corner facing the camera is Paul Arthur Sorg. He died about 6 weeks after this photo was taken.
The wrought iron and stone base attached to the wrought iron collapsed during the flood. It fell to the sidewalks on both streets. This might explain why so much of the wrought iron is damaged to this day.
Although Jennie Sorg maintained this home until her death in 1930, she did not live in it full time. She mainly lived in New York City and would visit Middletown once or twice a year, sometimes staying a few months.
Grace Aull Sorg Brixey
Grace Aull married Paul Arthur Sorg in 1904. He died in 1913. She remarried to Reginald Brixey. They had one daughter, Nancy Brixey.
Grace Aull, born in Pittsburgh, Pa., September 13, 1879, daughter
of William Ferris and Anna Martin Aull.
Educated in the Lincoln Public School, of Pittsburgh, from which
she graduated July 5, 1895. She also graduated from Phipps Kitchen
School for Domestic Accomplishment in 1894. For some time she
attended Miss Thurston's Preparatory School for Young Ladies in
East End, Pittsburgh, after which she entered and graduated from
Walnut Lane Young Ladies' Seminary, Germantown, Philadelphia.
With her brother, Charles E. Aull, and her sister Florence, in 1899,
she finished her education by spending in travel several months in
Mexico and Southern California.
June 22, 1904, she married Paul Arthur Sorg, only son of the late
Hon. Paul J. Sorg, formerly a member of Congress and a prominent
business man of Middletown, Ohio. While a member of Congress
Governor James M. Cox of Ohio was Mr. Sorg's private secretary.
This gives you an Idea of the amount of wealth Sorg had accumulated...
Ada Sorg models her $35,000 fur coat in 1912
Ada Sorg in 1912 modeling her $35,000 Russian sable coat in a magazine showing the latest Paris fashions. At the time it was the most expensive fur coat in the world. Adjusted for inflation the cost of the coat in 2010 dollars is $780,000. According to the New York Times, Ada had this coat custom made to compete with her sister-in-law, who had purchased a $25,000 fur coat in 1911. Around this same time, Grace Aull Sorg had her fur coat stolen while she was at a theatre in New York City. Later that same evening Paul Arthur & Grace's apartment at 12 E. 87th St. caught on fire.
It is unknown what happened to Ada's coat, but given its cost to make it is most likely in a collection today.
Grace Aull Sorg, widow of Paul Arthur Sorg
Grace Aull Sorg (far right) with her parents, sister, & 2 brothers in a family photo taken for her parent's 50th wedding anniversary in Atlantic City, New Jersey. This photo was taken on Monday, April 29, 1918, about 5 years after Paul Arthur Sorg died. From left to right: William Ferris Aull, Florence Aull Lacock, Charles Elmer Aull, Anna Martin Aull, John Albert Aull, & Grace Aull Brixey.
Prior to the death of Paul J. Sorg, both Paul Arthur Sorg & Ada Gruver Sorg inherited $10,000,000 each (over $250,000,000 each in 2010 dollars) in the year 1900. Paul A. & Grace had a boy in 1911 that died at 3 months of age. When Paul A. died, Grace inherited his share of the Sorg fortune. Her brother J.A. Aull (right side back row in photo) moved to Middletown, along with other Aull relatives, and took over Paul Sorg Paper Company. J.A. Aull lived at 1 Gardner Place in Middletown. Other Aull relatives lived at 201 The Alameda, 204 Highland St., 211 Highland St., 109 Euclid St., & 320 Thorn Hill Ln. The last Aull descendant to live in Middletown was Robert Driscoll. He died in 2004.
Paul J. & Jennie Sorg had owned land out on Thomas Rd. since the 1890's. There was an old farm house, stables, riding tracks, etc. for Paul Arthur to train his horses as a youth. Around 1905 Paul Arthur Sorg had the old farm house torn down and built a brand new home that now sits at 8256 Thomas Rd. Paul A. & Grace lived in New York City, but when Paul A. came to Middletown for business or social visits, this was the home he used for a residence. After Paul Arthur Sorg died in 1913, Grace did not want to keep the home since she had no use for it. It then became owned by Jennie Sorg, who did use the home when visiting Middletown until she died in 1930.
Paul Arthur Sorg and his wife Grace built a Tudor style home at 3 W. Terrace Ave. in Lakewood, NY. It was built using a similar entry hall plan as the Thomas Rd. house. It still stands, along with Jennie Sorg's Lakewood home at 35 W. Lake Ave. Grace continued to own the Lakewood house until the 1940's. It was called "Bide-a-bit". It sits across the street from a park now, but when built it was across from the Lakewood Country Club. It has 180 degree views of Lake Chautauqua. Jennie's home sits on lower ground and is directly on the water with a small road crossing the front. The original boathouse for Jennie's home is still there and has been enlarged.
Sorg Mansion, early 1930's
This photo was taken in the early 1930's, shortly after the death of Jennie Sorg. The man pictured is Charles K. Anderson. He worked for the Sorg family for many years, having met Paul A. Sorg in the early 1900's in Lakewood, NY. He traveled with the family as well as managed affairs for them. Anderson managed the Sorg property in Middletown & lived in the duplex until his death in 1936. Pictured with him in this photo are his 2nd wife, Anna Fay-Anderson and their dog Rusty. Anna's family owned Fay Drugs in Middletown. This photo was scanned from the original and is courtesy of Sue Straebel, the granddaughter of Charles K. Anderson.
This photo was taken after the 1913 flood. The man standing at the corner facing the camera is Paul Arthur Sorg. He died about 6 weeks after this photo was taken.
The wrought iron and stone base attached to the wrought iron collapsed during the flood. It fell to the sidewalks on both streets. This might explain why so much of the wrought iron is damaged to this day.
Although Jennie Sorg maintained this home until her death in 1930, she did not live in it full time. She mainly lived in New York City and would visit Middletown once or twice a year, sometimes staying a few months.
Grace Aull Sorg Brixey
Grace Aull married Paul Arthur Sorg in 1904. He died in 1913. She remarried to Reginald Brixey. They had one daughter, Nancy Brixey.
Grace Aull, born in Pittsburgh, Pa., September 13, 1879, daughter
of William Ferris and Anna Martin Aull.
Educated in the Lincoln Public School, of Pittsburgh, from which
she graduated July 5, 1895. She also graduated from Phipps Kitchen
School for Domestic Accomplishment in 1894. For some time she
attended Miss Thurston's Preparatory School for Young Ladies in
East End, Pittsburgh, after which she entered and graduated from
Walnut Lane Young Ladies' Seminary, Germantown, Philadelphia.
With her brother, Charles E. Aull, and her sister Florence, in 1899,
she finished her education by spending in travel several months in
Mexico and Southern California.
June 22, 1904, she married Paul Arthur Sorg, only son of the late
Hon. Paul J. Sorg, formerly a member of Congress and a prominent
business man of Middletown, Ohio. While a member of Congress
Governor James M. Cox of Ohio was Mr. Sorg's private secretary.
This gives you an Idea of the amount of wealth Sorg had accumulated...
Ada Sorg models her $35,000 fur coat in 1912
Ada Sorg in 1912 modeling her $35,000 Russian sable coat in a magazine showing the latest Paris fashions. At the time it was the most expensive fur coat in the world. Adjusted for inflation the cost of the coat in 2010 dollars is $780,000. According to the New York Times, Ada had this coat custom made to compete with her sister-in-law, who had purchased a $25,000 fur coat in 1911. Around this same time, Grace Aull Sorg had her fur coat stolen while she was at a theatre in New York City. Later that same evening Paul Arthur & Grace's apartment at 12 E. 87th St. caught on fire.
It is unknown what happened to Ada's coat, but given its cost to make it is most likely in a collection today.
Grace Aull Sorg, widow of Paul Arthur Sorg
Grace Aull Sorg (far right) with her parents, sister, & 2 brothers in a family photo taken for her parent's 50th wedding anniversary in Atlantic City, New Jersey. This photo was taken on Monday, April 29, 1918, about 5 years after Paul Arthur Sorg died. From left to right: William Ferris Aull, Florence Aull Lacock, Charles Elmer Aull, Anna Martin Aull, John Albert Aull, & Grace Aull Brixey.
Prior to the death of Paul J. Sorg, both Paul Arthur Sorg & Ada Gruver Sorg inherited $10,000,000 each (over $250,000,000 each in 2010 dollars) in the year 1900. Paul A. & Grace had a boy in 1911 that died at 3 months of age. When Paul A. died, Grace inherited his share of the Sorg fortune. Her brother J.A. Aull (right side back row in photo) moved to Middletown, along with other Aull relatives, and took over Paul Sorg Paper Company. J.A. Aull lived at 1 Gardner Place in Middletown. Other Aull relatives lived at 201 The Alameda, 204 Highland St., 211 Highland St., 109 Euclid St., & 320 Thorn Hill Ln. The last Aull descendant to live in Middletown was Robert Driscoll. He died in 2004.
Paul J. & Jennie Sorg had owned land out on Thomas Rd. since the 1890's. There was an old farm house, stables, riding tracks, etc. for Paul Arthur to train his horses as a youth. Around 1905 Paul Arthur Sorg had the old farm house torn down and built a brand new home that now sits at 8256 Thomas Rd. Paul A. & Grace lived in New York City, but when Paul A. came to Middletown for business or social visits, this was the home he used for a residence. After Paul Arthur Sorg died in 1913, Grace did not want to keep the home since she had no use for it. It then became owned by Jennie Sorg, who did use the home when visiting Middletown until she died in 1930.
Paul Arthur Sorg and his wife Grace built a Tudor style home at 3 W. Terrace Ave. in Lakewood, NY. It was built using a similar entry hall plan as the Thomas Rd. house. It still stands, along with Jennie Sorg's Lakewood home at 35 W. Lake Ave. Grace continued to own the Lakewood house until the 1940's. It was called "Bide-a-bit". It sits across the street from a park now, but when built it was across from the Lakewood Country Club. It has 180 degree views of Lake Chautauqua. Jennie's home sits on lower ground and is directly on the water with a small road crossing the front. The original boathouse for Jennie's home is still there and has been enlarged.
Sorg Mansion, early 1930's
This photo was taken in the early 1930's, shortly after the death of Jennie Sorg. The man pictured is Charles K. Anderson. He worked for the Sorg family for many years, having met Paul A. Sorg in the early 1900's in Lakewood, NY. He traveled with the family as well as managed affairs for them. Anderson managed the Sorg property in Middletown & lived in the duplex until his death in 1936. Pictured with him in this photo are his 2nd wife, Anna Fay-Anderson and their dog Rusty. Anna's family owned Fay Drugs in Middletown. This photo was scanned from the original and is courtesy of Sue Straebel, the granddaughter of Charles K. Anderson.
Unsure of the exact date of this photo, but it was taken in 1910. Jane was born on September 25, 1906. This photo appeared in the Middletown Journal in the early 1980's with the following caption:
"The Sorg Mansion drew these youngsters for a birthday party in 1910. Guest of honor was Florence Jane Drouillard, daughter of Ada Sorg Drouillard and granddaughter of Paul J. Sorg. Standing in front of the mansion are Sabin Robbins Jr., Helen Marie Anderson, George Wilson, George Phillips, Tommy Wilson, (tall girl behind him unknown), Adelaide Stahl, Chardelle Walburg (behind Adelaide), Howard "Pat" Wilson, Jane Drouillard (guest of honor), Alvin Wilson (behind Jane), Mary Elizabeth "Babs" Stahl, Joe Lindeman, Dorothy Phillips, C.W. "Jun" Denny (he moved, blurring face), Marjorie Denny (behind "Jun"), Bill Anderson, Lucretia Phillips, Sara Elizabeth Robbins, Robert Oglesby, and unidentified guest on far right."
The only child related to Jane in this photo is Chardelle Walburg. Chardelle's father, Anthony Walburg, was the nephew of Paul J. Sorg.
This photo is courtesy of the Middletown Public Library. The newspaper article text is courtesy of Sue Straebel, daughter of Helen Marie Anderson.
Helen Anderson & Jane Drouillard (Ada Sorg's daughter)
Helen Marie Anderson (left) & Florence Jane Drouillard (right) at St. Mark's Basilica in Venice, Italy in 1921. Helen is the daughter of Charles K. Anderson, who managed affairs for the Sorg family. Close in age, she was very good friends with Jane and went on many trips around the world with the Sorg family. Jane was the only surviving grandchild of Paul J. and S. Jennie Sorg. She is the daughter of Ada Sorg from her marriage to Captain J.P. Drouillard. This photo was scanned from the original and is courtesy of Sue Straebel, the daughter of Helen Marie Anderson.
Most of the information above and below has been obtained from wowWorks........
Grace Watson Aull-Sorg
Widowed wife of Paul Arthur Sorg. This photo most likely taken around early to mid 1910's. He died when she was 33.
Grace Watson Aull-Sorg in 1920
This photo was taken in 1920. It is Grace with her daughter, Nancy Brixey, born August 19, 1920. The father was Grace's second husband, Reginald Brixey. Grace was married to Paul Arthur Sorg until his death in 1913. She was married to Paul for 9 years. She inherited his share of the Sorg fortune. According to multiple New York Times articles, both Paul Arthur Sorg & Ada Gruver Sorg are said to have inherited $10,000,000 each in 1900 (around $270,000,000 each in 2011 dollars), two years prior to the death of their father, Paul J. Sorg.
Grace lived until 1968 and died in Bronxville, NY (Westchester County). Nancy Brixey died on Sept. 1, 1988.
Grace Watson Aull-Sorg
Widowed wife of Paul Arthur Sorg. This photo most likely taken around early to mid 1910's. He died when she was 33.
Grace Watson Aull-Sorg in 1920
This photo was taken in 1920. It is Grace with her daughter, Nancy Brixey, born August 19, 1920. The father was Grace's second husband, Reginald Brixey. Grace was married to Paul Arthur Sorg until his death in 1913. She was married to Paul for 9 years. She inherited his share of the Sorg fortune. According to multiple New York Times articles, both Paul Arthur Sorg & Ada Gruver Sorg are said to have inherited $10,000,000 each in 1900 (around $270,000,000 each in 2011 dollars), two years prior to the death of their father, Paul J. Sorg.
Grace lived until 1968 and died in Bronxville, NY (Westchester County). Nancy Brixey died on Sept. 1, 1988.
barracuda
I live for the CABE
Filmomger wrote:
It may seem obvious, but the evolution and marketing of the Racycle Motorcycle is the key to the Miami history of the Flying Merkel motorcycles and bicycles.
Also, I'd like to point something out about this clipping I posted above from 1895:
^^This is a huge order of bicycles placed by a tobacco company for delivery from a manufacturer that had yet to make a single bike. How does this happen? The answer, in my opinion, is that Sorg and Ray placed the order. In other words, they were buying bicycles from themselves, and the order itself could be shown to banks as collateral on loans to produce the machinery needed to fill the order. The robber barons never missed a trick. They'd feel right at home in 2017, I think.
It may seem obvious, but the evolution and marketing of the Racycle Motorcycle is the key to the Miami history of the Flying Merkel motorcycles and bicycles.
Also, I'd like to point something out about this clipping I posted above from 1895:
^^This is a huge order of bicycles placed by a tobacco company for delivery from a manufacturer that had yet to make a single bike. How does this happen? The answer, in my opinion, is that Sorg and Ray placed the order. In other words, they were buying bicycles from themselves, and the order itself could be shown to banks as collateral on loans to produce the machinery needed to fill the order. The robber barons never missed a trick. They'd feel right at home in 2017, I think.
"Ramapaugh" Automobile, 1902 :: George C. Crout This car was made in Middletown at the Miami Cycle shop where they Built the Flying Merkle motor cycle. This was mentioned in the start of the thread by Wcben ..... It is my understanding that this Steam Car never made it into production.
Another example of the type of Sorg advertising.
Another example of the type of Sorg advertising.
Last edited:
Freqman1
Riding a '37 Dayton Super Streamline
Looks like you guys could take the above information and organize it into a complete history of Miami. My article really just focuses on the Flying Merkel bicycle and not so much the history, or other Miami brands, for that matter. Great info. V/r Shawn
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