Long, Black and Allstater Company
Robert Allstatter of Long & Allstatter Company. The company began in the mid-1850s, according to Stephen D. Cone in his 1901 book, A Concise History of Hamilton. "In February 1854 Peter Black purchased the Tobias lot at the northeast corner of Water and Stable streets [later renamed Monument Avenue and Market Street], where he erected a large establishment for the manufacturer of plows, axes and edge tools," relying on water power from the Hamilton Hydraulic. Cone said "this was the nucleus for the extensive Long, Black & Allstatter shops." "In 1855-56 John M. Long, a machinist, was foreman in the old Owens, Lane & Dyer shops," Cone wrote. "Robert Allstatter was a file cutter and in 1854 was in that business with Peter Scheisman. In July 1856, the firm of Long, Black & Allstatter was organized. They began with scarcely any other capital than strong arms, health and energy and the determination to succeed." Cone said "the sale of their iron harvester the first year was small as they were built merely for a test. In 1858 they sold 65 machines; in 1859, 300; and in 1860, 800. The manufacture of two-horse corn drills and feed cutters was begun in 1860. Although the Civil War affected their business slightly, yet larger quarters were needed in 1863, when the old Hamilton and Rossville Female Academy of Nathan Furman at the southeast corner of Water and Market streets [later the city hall at Monument and Market] was purchased for $2,500. In addition to this, a large vacant lot at the southeast corner of North Front and Dayton streets was utilized in conducting their expanding and extensive business. The manufacture of hay rakes was begun in 1863. The same year 800 of their famous Iron Harvesters were sold." Photo from “The Centennial Anniversary of the City of Hamilton, Ohio”, 1892, by David Waddle McClung, Cincinnati: The Lawrence Printing and Publishing Company.