Portal:Business/Wholesale
Smith Dairy Products Company, Wooster Farm Dairies Company, J. J. Geitgey Undertaker's Supply House, Friendly Wholesale Co, A. S. Lehman - Furniture Store, Galehouse Tree Farm
In the year 1909, John and Peter Schmid borrowed $300 from a neighbor. With the money, they purchased two horses, two wagons, an assortment of milk bottles, cans, dippers, and a hand-crank ice cream freezer. With their new purchases, they set off to make a name for themselves. With their horses and wagon, the two brothers delivered about 60 gallons of milk to nearly 200 homes in Orrville, Ohio. The residents soon started to call them "the Smith Brothers". This small venture has led to one of the largest industries in Orrville today -- the Smith Dairy Products Company (Generations of Excellence: Smith Dairy Products Company, page 2).
In the 1856 Baker's Map, there is a business directory for Wooster, Ohio. Some of the wholesalers listed include: W. J. Frost & Co.; Isaac Jones; and J. W. Kobh & Co. Most were wholesalers in groceries and dry goods.
In 1877, Smithville Thomas and Koppes opened a dry goods store. In 1881, it changed its name to Thomas and Hunsberger Dry Goods. Nine years later, the name changed to the Hunsberger and Schlossnagel Dry Goods. The company carried Dry Goods, Gents Furnishings and Queensware, Glassware, Confectioneries, tobaccos and cigars, and much more. (History of Smithville & Surrounding Area, page 36).