Harry Binns, Dealer in Gasoline and Oils

The photograph below was taken about 1888. Harry Binns was a dealer in gasoline, oils, and other supplies related to oil lamps. If you look closely at the photo, a little boy and his hobby horse are pictured to the left of the horse and buggy. A barrel behind the horse reads “Standard Oil Co., Cleveland, Ohio.”

According to U.S. Census Records, Harry Binns was born in England in 1856. He appears on the 1880 U.S. Census in Miami County, Indiana, with his wife Lucy, who was 17 at that time. By 1888, Harry Binns was living in Sandusky. His office and home were located at the northeast corner of Harrison and Monroe Streets. An advertisement for the dealership of Harry Binns appeared in the 1890 Sandusky City Directory

By 1920, Harry Binns and his wife Luella were living in San Mateo County, California, and Harry’s occupation was that of owning a harness shop. Harry Binns passed away in California on June 22, 1932. An obituary for Mr. Binns appeared in the June 30, 1932 issue of the Sandusky Register. Mr. Binns was survived by his wife, four sons, Joe, Clyde, Perry, and Charles, and a daughter Mrs. Nelle Atkinson.