Erney Tire Company

From about 1921 to 1931, the Erney Tire Company sold and serviced tires for automobile owners in the Sandusky area. Norbert G. Erney was the president and general manager.  In the early 1920s, the business was at 163-165 Jackson Street. In 1921, they sold Miller tires, especially for Ford cars. Staff from the company would deliver and install new tires to any automobile within a fifteen mile radius of the store. 

In April of 1927, the company moved to a new building at 919 West Washington Street. A special newspaper supplement devoted to the Erney Tire Company appeared in the April 8, 1927 issue of the Sandusky Star Journal.

Ackley’s Band provided music for the grand opening of “Sandusky’s Finest Automobile Service Station.” Services offered there included tires, road service, vulcanizing, tubes, washing, greasing, gasoline, oils, and brake service. By 1929, the company also sold and serviced radios for automobiles. It was felt that having a radio in one’s automobile helped prevent boredom on a long road trip, and provided a diversion from the roar of the motor and the rumble of the tires.

In 1931 the Erney Tire Company began selling Firestone tires and batteries. By the summer of 1931 a Firestone Service Store took over the business. Below is a portion of the large advertisement from the July 25, 1931 issue of the Sandusky Register.

Mr. Norbert G. Erney went on to work as an accountant at Farrell Cheek for several years, but he was long remembered for his excellent leadership and service at the Erney Tire Company when the automobile era was still in its infancy.

John A. Loeffler, Auto Body Manufacturer

John A. Loeffler was born in June 1875, to Lucas and Catherine Loeffler. Lucas Loeffler was a native of Germany, and he came to the U.S. in 1869, according to the 1900 U.S. Census for Erie County. By browsing through several years of Sandusky City Directories, we read that John A. Loeffler was in business in Sandusky for over fifty years. Starting as early as 1902, he was employed at his father’s blacksmith business at 131 Tiffin Avenue. By 1910, John was listed as wagon maker, with his business and home located at 101 Lincoln Avenue. Later, John’s occupation was “Manufacturer of Automobile Bodies.” He had a shop at 1412 Lincoln Avenue for many years, but from 1925 through 1936, the business was located at 1102-1104 West Washington Street. The 1954 Sandusky City Directory finds John A. Loeffler as a blacksmith again, at 1412 Lincoln Avenue.

Below is Margaretta Township School bus Number 7, built by J. A. Loeffler.

This 1924 vehicle was built by J. A. Loeffler for the Erney Tire Company in Sandusky. Norbert G. Erney was the President and General Manager of the Erney Tire Company, located at 919 W. Washington Street in 1930.

When the Loeffler shop was on Lincoln Avenue, Mr. Loeffler offered Spring Service.

John A. Loeffler died in 1955, and is buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Sandusky.