Fire destroyed E.R. Sheline & Son’s hoop and handle factory in Edon. This multi-story wooden frame structure was located on the north side of Indiana Street, west of Summit Street. According to the Montpelier Enterprise newspaper, “The factory was originally built by Andrew Sheline and Joseph Allomong as a woolen mill in 1866 and for the past half century has been conspicuous in the business activities of our sister village. In 1875, Eli Sheline, son of Andrew, bought a part interest in the business and a little later, 1878, obtained complete control of the plant, adding machinery for the manufacture of handles and hoops as well as the regular equipment for running a sawmill which the surrounding community has very largely patronized. The building was completely filled with manufactured handles when burned, a large amount of lumber as well as logs being consumed. There was no insurance.” The Edgerton Earth newspaper noted, “The loss of the factory strikes a heavy blow at the manufacturing industries of Edon. The institution employed about 20 men, all heads of families.” This circa 1907 vintage image of Sheline’s hoop and handle factory is from the Tim Kays collection.
