H. L. Leilich
H. L. Leilich, secretary and treasurer of the large industry of Delphos, known as the Delphos Can Company, is identified with many of the successful enterprises of this section, and is favorably known for his business enterprises throughout the State. Although an acknowledged factor in the city's largest business concerns, Mr. Leilich is still a young man, in the very prime of life. He was born July 9, 1865, in Hessen- Darmstadt, Germany, and is a son of Jacob and Catherine (Schowoebel) Leilich.
The parents of Mr. Leilich have never left Germany. After a successful mercantile career, the father now lives retired. He has reason to feel gratified with the material prosperity of every one of his 10 children.
H. L. Leilich enjoyed excellent educational advantages and the comforts of a happy and well-appointed home, but his ambition led him to look toward America for a career. He had an aunt living at Delphos, Ohio, and, with the intention of joining her, he left home and arrived in New York City July, 1881. After joining his relatives at Delphos, he secured employment of various kinds of work this carefully nurtured youth assumed, in order to make his own way and prove to his father that he possessed independence of character, it may be stated that he worked on a railroad, in a woolen mill, on the bench in a shoe shop, and as clerk in the store attached, then as a blacksmith in the "Clover Leaf" railroad shops, again as a shoe clerk and then as a clothing salesman.
This brought him to 1893, in which year he purchased a half interest, with Felix Steinle, in the Delphos Brewing Company. The partner attended to the practical work, Mr. Leilich taking charge of the office and outside business. He erected what are now the buildings of the Delphos Hardware Company, remaining with that concern for a period of four years, during which time he not only reaped large financial benefits for himself, but, through his energy and executive ability, developed the business into one of the most prosperous in Northern Ohio. His spirit of enterprise also led him to become interested in the oil industry, and for six months he was actively engaged in opening up nearly all the wells in the vicinity. He then became manager for R. G. Gillespie of Pittsburg, in the latter's large oil business. He left this position in order to take charge of the Delphos Can Company. This great industry was then in its infancy, the business of the concern being transacted in two rooms on East Second street, which are now occupied by the Fort Wayne, Van Wert & Lima Traction Company for depot purposes. He succeeded F. C. Almy. In this connection he has been as successful as in previous enterprises.
The officers of the Delphos Can Company are: A. B. King, of Delphos, president; C. Bruce Hartman, traveling salesman for the Columbus (Ohio) Buggy Company, vice-president; and H. L. Leilich, secretary, treasurer and general manager. He prepared the sketch for Leech & Leech, architects of Lima, for the new brick building, which was completed in September, 1904, and it was under his personal direction that all the machinery has been installed and set in operation, e having previously purchased it, withthe consent of the board of managers.
The large factory of the Delphos Can Company, is located on Pierce street, near the tracks of the P., Ft. W. & C. Railway, thus being supplied with excellent shipping facilities. It is three stories high, of brick and concrete construction, is fitted throughout with all modern conveniences and can accommodate a large force of men. The building is 120 feet deep, with a 60 foot frontage, together with a warehouse 30 by 70 feet, and well-arranged office 20 by 43 feet. The machinery, which consists of 18 standing power presses, 8 foot presses, and 4 double seaming machines, 3 to a set and 4 sets in use are propelled by a 35 horse power engine of the most modern construction, with gasoline as fuel, which, when necessary, will be replaced by a larger one. The equipment include machinery for the making of every kind of can, including special dies and tools. The plant has a capacity of one car-load a day, besides local shipments. The output of cans for August 1905, was 22,000.
A full automatic double seamer is now in use, by which one can is turned off while another is being prepared. It is a joint invention of Mr. Leilich has withdrawn all individual rights to it. The company is preparing to add largely to its manufactured articles. The management now makes use of factory scraps, thereby utilizing all waste by converting this material into caps, fills, etc. They also manufacture wooden mallets, and have automatic turning lathes and various other articles of the greatest utility. The company prides itself on using only the very best material and employs only skilled labor. Among the many products of the factory which have gained merited public approbation may be mentioned the "Delphos" gem pan; the "Delphos" non-overflow can; the "Delphos" druggists' dispenser; the never-leak spout and faucet cans; the "Delphos: non-overfilling factory dispenser; the long-handled dust pan; the "Delphos" oil can; the "Delphos" rotary corn popper, and improved device, with the handle so constructed that the hands can never be burned. The company has lately purchased another factory that of the Toledo Tinware Manufaturing Company and this addition will give them almost unlimited resources in their line of business.
Mr.Leilich has a most complete system of bookkeeping. He issues a statement to the company every six months, and the auditing committee has access to this books at all times he is a large advertiser, and at present has over $6,000 invested in the columns of various farming journals, mainly exploiting the company's non-overflow pump can and other specialties. By advice of their attorney the company bought every patent overflow can patent, which had been issued since 1890. A great suit between the Delphos Can Company and the Standard Can Company (through Church & Church, Washington attorneys, and Owen & Owen and Seaney & Johnson, of Toledo), in the United Stats Circuit Court for the Northern District of Ohio, was pending nearly two years the public and the newspapers of that section being greatly interested in the outcome. The Delphos Can Company now has a patent under way in connection with their non-overflow any-lenth can, and is preparing to push its merits throughout the United States.
Mr. Leilich was married October 29, 1884, to Louise Warner, who is a daughter of th late Jacob Warner, formerly a well known contractor at Delphos. They have one son, Clarence, a partner in the drug store of King, Williams & Leilich and preparing for entrance at a college of pharmacy. The family belongs to the Lutheran Church. Mr. Leilich is a member of the Elks. Since 1896 he ahs been serving on the board of directors of the Delphos National Bank, and is vice-president, stockholder and director in the Delphos Building & Loan Association. He has been identified with every recent improvement of the city of Delphos, and a notable fact is that everything to which he has given his special attention has proved a success.