Note: The Icon acquired a manuscript titled “A Brief History of Bluffton’s Industrial Developments.” This publication was prepared by the classes in Marketing and Small Business Administration from Bluffton College, under the director of Dr. Howard Raid. Publication date is May 1959. We’ve updated some current addresses so viewers may identify location.

Fisher Brothers
Carriage and Wagon Works

A wagon and carriage shop once operated in Bluffton.

A May 25, 1875, Bluffton News article follows:

“The wagon and carriage shop being erected on Charles Gustwiller, on Rail Road Street, near the bridge, is another important feature of this season’s improvements. It is to be a frame 20 by 30 two stories high, with a square front. The building will soon be completed as it is now in rapid course of erection – a substantial edifice – a commodious wagon and carriage shop – and in improvement to the place.

In the same issue this advertisement was published:

CHAS. GUSTWILLER
MANUFACTURER AND DEALER IN
SPRING AND ROAD WAGONS!
WAGONS OF ALL KINDS REPAIRED
ON SHORT NOTICE

CALL AND SEE ME
BEFORE YOU PURCHASE
SHOP ON R.R. STREET
NEAR PLANING MILL
BLUFFTON, OHIO

The shop apparently changed hands in a few years because in the July 29, 1880, edition we have a notation that the Fisher Bros. bought the “Old Carriage and Wagon Shop” – presumable Charlie Gustwiller’s establishment.

Wilhelm Amstutz remembers a Lawrence Fisher from Wapakoneta who operated the shop for a time. Although not particularly successful in making money, Mr. Fisher was probably well thought of in the community and was considered to be a good worker.

Mr. Fisher, perhaps as a result of advanced age, discontinued his work at the shop in 1915 or thereabouts.

References: Wilhelm Amstutz and Bluffton News
Interviewers: Harry Bogner and Larry Taylor