Look Back: Woodward a business pillar
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Downtown Manufacturing Industries
Woodward Manufacturing Company -- One of the most thriving and important industries in this city, and one of those which Parkersburg is most proud of, is that of the Woodward Manufacturing Company. It occupies the whole of a large, handsome and commodious building, located on the busiest part of the busiest street - Market - upon which it fronts imposingly with its four-story facade. In the show window, with its magnificent plate glass, are conspicuously displayed to the public gaze the many novelties, in the line of vehicles and harness, which have been introduced in this city by this enterprising firm. At one side of the spacious entrance stands the spirited and life-like effigy of a pony upon whose form the latest thing in harness and saddles are displayed with an eye-catching effect that no other device could equal. Every man, woman and child in the city knows "Woodward's pony."
The building is 20×100 feet and the ware room attached is 40×60 feet. In this spacious structure an immense business is carried on by the Woodward Manufacturing Co. Here they conduct the wholesale manufacture of harness, saddles, collars, etc., of the very best workmanship, put together in the most durable manner and after the latest and most approved patterns. Fine saddlery is an art and it is an art which this firm and their numerous corps of employees have thoroughly mastered. Besides the manufacturing branch of this important concern the Woodward company conduct an extensive and steadily growing trade in buggies, wagons, carts, and all sorts of vehicles. These are always of the most modern design and most durable make. This firm was the first to introduce here the tricycle package carrier for light delivery. That portion of the four floors of this palatial establishment not devoted to the manufacturing department, is now filled with their present large and varied stock -- nine car-loads of buggies, wagons, etc. Fifteen employees are kept constantly busy making the high-grade saddlery turned out by the Company, who employ none but the very best workmen.
The personnel of this enterprising and up-to-date firm is as follows: The Woodward Manufacturing Company is composed of J.B. Woodward, senior partner; H.L. Woodward, General Manager; M.E. Woodward, Bookkeeper, and M.E. Woodward. They are brainy, level-headed business people and are classed among the solid citizens of Parkersburg. J.B. Woodward, the senior partner, is a West Virginian by birth, as well as residence, and is proud of his connection with the little Mountain State. He was born in 1825, and has lived in West Virginia all his life.
The Woodward Company's establishment is a splendid example of what enterprise and sound business methods will achieve and is a business institution of which Parkersburg may well be proud. This firm bought fifty bicycles of Mr. S.M. Jones, Vice President of the Dauntless Bicycle Company, fifty Dauntless wheels -- and are therefore prepared to make inducements as they do business direct with the manufacturer.
The [Parkersburg] State Journal, Industrial Edition
April 1896
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Bob Enoch is president of the Wood County Historical and Preservation Society. If you have comments or questions about Look Back items, please contact him at: roberteenoch@gmail.com, or by mail at WCHPS, PO Box 565, Parkersburg, WV 26102.