Distiller’s Bond Issued to Fredrick Hofner

On December 20, 1867, Fredrick Hofner was issued a Distiller’s Bond from the United States Internal Revenue Service. Mr. Hofner lived in Margaretta, in Erie County. He was listed as the principal, with Isodore Metterer and John Charles Boloker, of Sandusky, Ohio serving as sureties. Fredrick Hofner was in the business of distilling grapes, and by signing this bond he agreed to see that all taxes, including any penalties owed, were paid to the United States government. Five five-cent tax stamps were attached to the Distiller’s Bond, and were properly cancelled. 

In the 1880 U.S. Census, Frederick Hoffner still resided in Margaretta Township, Erie County, Ohio, with his wife, four children, and three grandchildren. Mr. Hoffner died on March 27, 1890, and was buried at the St. Mary’s Cemetery in Sandusky, Ohio.

Bay View Wine Company

According to records on file with the Ohio Secretary of State, the Bay View Wine Company was incorporated on February 23, 1905. The plant was on the 300 block of Putnam Street, and the office was at 807 Water Street. The officers of the company in 1908 were Allen H. Porter, president; James A. Sawyer, vice president; and Jacob Bookerman, treasurer. By 1915, Mr. Sawyer was the president of the company, which produced native wines, champagnes, and brandies, and dealt in a variety of liquors and whiskies. One of the wines compounded at the Bay View Wine Company was the Golden Eagle Brand, promoted on the top of this receipt from 1909.

An advertisement from the September 13, 1905 issue of the Star Journal stated that the Bay View Wine Company was the resident agent for Green River, “the whisky without a headache.” At this time the company also sold unfermented grape juice for fifty cents a quart. In 1911, the company sold Olden English Ale for $1.75 a case.

By January of 1919, the Bay View Wine Company had dissolved. During Prohibition, Sweet Valley Products produced non-alcoholic beverages at the Putnam Street plant. The site is now occupied by Amvets Post No.17.  Visit the Sandusky Library Archives Research Center to learn more about the historic wineries in Sandusky and the Lake Erie Islands region.

Early Wineries in Sandusky

Early settlers along the southern shore of Lake Erie as well as in the Lake Erie Islands area noticed that there was a similarity in the weather and soil conditions in this area similar to the grape growing regions of Europe. Growing grapes and making wine soon became a profitable business.

Several Sandusky wineries were featured in the 1888 publication, Sandusky of To-Day, including Engels & Krudwig, Sandusky Wine Cellars, John G. Dorn, Link’s Wine Cellars, Moos’ Pure Ohio Wine Cellars, and M. Hommel. Hommel’s prize winning champagnes won awards at the St. Louis Exposition, the World’s Columbian Exposition, and the Pan-American Exposition.

The 1898 Sandusky City Directory had nineteen listings for wine wholesalers, as well as four businesses that sold wines and liquors. Two companies, the Sandusky Machine & Agricultural Works and the Klotz & Kromer Machine Co., manufactured presses for making wine and cider.

The Duroy & Haines Company was located on Columbus Avenue near Boalt Street, from about 1890 to 1915.

The sign for Dorn’s Fine Ohio Wines could be seen on Water Street in downtown Sandusky for many years.

The Steuk winery was located at the southwest corner of Market and Decatur Streets in the late 1800’s. Steuk’s winery was begun by William Steuk, and continued by Edward L .Steuk. Later, during Prohibition, Steuk’s turned to planting apple orchards, and the making of apple cider.

Visit the Sandusky Library to learn more about early businesses in Sandusky and Erie County. In the business collections of the Sandusky Library Archive Research Center is a journal article from the Spring 1981 issue of Northwest Ohio Quarterly contains an article by John F. Polacsek. The article, entitled “Pop-Pop – Fizz Fizz: A Glimpse at the Northwest Ohio Industry in Years Gone By,” discusses the history wine making in northwest Ohio. Inquire at the Reference Services desk for assistance.

Edward R. Moos, Wine Dealer

The former home and business of Edward R. Moos is featured on the wine label pictured above. Edward R. Moos was a pioneer wine merchant in Sandusky, having taken over the business from his father, Adam Moos, in 1876. A listing in the 1882 Sandusky City Directory states that Edward R. Moos was a grower of and wholesale dealer in pure native wines. The 1905 Sanborn Map shows the Moos residence at what was then 508 Hayes Avenue, which is also where Mr. Moos had his wine cellar and press room. After 1915, the address became 1408 Hayes Avenue.

According to the History of Erie County, Ohio, ed. by Lewis Cass Aldrich, (D. Mason and Co., 1889), the Edward R. Moos Winery produced thirty thousand gallons of red and white dry wines each year. The limestone wine cellar was twenty-six by sixty-four feet. Mr. Moos was a traveling salesman for his wine, covering a territory that spanned from Detroit to New York. 

Here is a label from a Concord Wine:

The original home of Edward R. Moos featured a tower on the northernmost part of the house and leaded glass windows decorated with ornamental grapes in the living room, which faced Hayes Avenue. This image of the house was published in the book Art Work of Huron and Erie Counties, (W.H. Parish, 1894).

Edward R. Moos retired from the wine business in 1918. He passed away on April 30, 1944 at the age of 88. He was survived by three daughters, eight grandchildren, and six great grandchildren. His wife, the former Antoinette Schnaitter, preceded him in death in 1936. The building that once was the home and business of Edward R. Moos still stands, and is now an apartment building.

Edward Leopold Steuk, Pioneer Grape Grower and Winemaker

Edward Leopold Steuk was born in the Village of Doneuvitz, Province of Podolia, Russia, to William Edward Steuk and his wife, the former Johanna Straese. The Steuk family was of Prussian heritage, and both William Edward Steuk and his father Johann Steuk worked as cloth manufacturers. When just a youngster, Edward came with his family to the United States. For a time, William E. Steuk was involved in the clothing business, while his wife ran a grocery store on Market Street in Sandusky. Eventually he bought some land on Venice Road, and he began to raise grapes and manufacture native wine. 

Edward L. Steuk worked with his father in the wine business. In the 1870s the Steuk winery was at the corner of Market and Decatur Streets. In 1881, Edward L. Steuk married Julia Harms, the daughter of pioneer grape grower from Put in Bay.

Pictured below are Edward L. Steuk, his wife Julia, and their first two children, William Ludwig Steuk and Elmer Carl Steuk. Later  they had another son named Edward Frederick Steuk.

Edward L. Steuk carried on the family wine business after his father’s death. This advertisement appeared in the 1912 Sandusky City Directory: 

Hewson L. Peeke wrote about Mr. Steuk in his book A Standard History of Erie County, Ohio (Lewis Publishing Co., 1916): “Among the energetic and enterprising Erie County men who have met with assured success in the culture of grapes is Edward Leopold Steuk, of Sandusky, who has established an extensive and remunerative business in that line of industry.” This picture, taken not long before Mr. Steuk's death, shows a happy and healthy gentleman who found success in his adopted homeland of America.

Later generations carried on the family wine business for several years. During Prohibition, the Steuk family concentrated on selling fruit from its orchards. After Prohibition ended, the family went back to making wine as well as running Steuk’s Market at the intersection of Routes 2 and 6 on the west side of Erie County. After the construction of the Route 2 Bypass, travelers on the highway could see the big red apple from Steuk’s Market. Steuk’s closed in 1997, but hundreds of local residents and tourists have wonderful memories of this longtime local business.

William H. Reinhart, President of the Sweet Valley Wine Company

William Homer Reinhart was born in 1865 in Huron County, Ohio to Mr. and Mrs. Carl Reinhart, who were both natives of Germany.  When William was quite young, both his parents died. He learned the cooper trade while quite young, and then he went to Kelleys Island to work for the Sweet Valley Wine Company. Reinhart first worked as a salesman for the company, and by the early 1900s he became its president, holding that position until his death in 1940.

Mr. Reinhart also served as the president of the local Chamber of Commerce, where he spearheaded a fund raising drive to help reorganize the organization after the Chamber had faced a severe financial crisis. Additionally, he was the first president of the Perry’s Victory Memorial Association. And when the United Commercial Travelers held their convention at Cedar Point in June of 1906, Reinhart addressed the group as chairman of the general executive committee of the Sandusky Council, No. 278, United Commercial Travelers. Mr. Reinhart’s picture appeared in the June, 1907 issue of the Ohio Magazine, which featured an article by John T. Mack, entitled “Industrial Sandusky” while he was the president of the local Chamber of Commerce.

On October 1931, he was named the Conservation Commissioner of the state of Ohio. While in this position, he took many steps to improve game wildlife in Ohio, and he spoke to sportsman’s groups all over the state. Mr. Reinhart was one of the founders of the Ohio State Elks Association, and he served as its president twice. During this time, in the late 1930s, Mr. Reinhart also served as a city commissioner. 

William H. Reinhart died on December 31, 1940 at the Cleveland Clinic, after a lengthy illness. Funeral services were held at the Sandusky Elks Lodge, with the Rev. C.L. Alspach officiating. He was buried at Sandusky’s Oakland Cemetery. He was survived by a wife, one sister, one brother, a daugher, a stepson, and three grandchildren. The Sandusky city building was closed during Mr. Reinhart’s funeral, and the flag at the Post Office flew at half staff, in memory of the former city leader. George J. Doerzbach, fellow city commissioner, said about Reinhart, “No Sanduskian had the interest of this city more at heart than did Mr. Reinhart. I have worked with him for many years on civic and social affairs and always found him ready to give of his time an energy in helping to boost his home community and give a helping hand to his host of friends."

Herman Engels

Herman Engels was born in Germany in 1827. He and his wife Louise immigrated to the United States in 1874. Herman’s uncle, Jacob Engels had come to the Sandusky area in 1848, where he became active in importing wine and in the culture of grapes. Jacob Engels founded the Engels Wine Company in 1863. After Jacob’s death in 1875, Herman Engels took over his uncle’s wine company. Herman’s children assisted their father with the business. In 1878 the firm became known as Engels and Krudwig, after R.P. Krudwig joined the company. Engels and Krudwig was located at the southwest corner of Water and Hancock Streets.

Engels and Krudwig produced several varieties of red and white wines, both sweet and dry. In the late 18^th century, a bottling works was connected to the main facility by an underground tunnel.

Herman Engels died on July 6, 1899. His obituary, which appeared in the July 7, 1899 issue of the Sandusky Star read, in part: “Mr. Engels was a man who was admired and esteemed by all who knew him. He was a man of broad culture, unostentatious in manner he attracted all by his simple kindliness. He held nature above everything else, and was known for his strong love the beautiful. He admired flowers and was never happier that when at work upon the park commission, lending his aid and advice upon matters tending to beautify the city.” 

Herman Engels was buried in the family lot at Sandusky’s Oakland Cemetery.  His sons ran the winery after their father’s death. Later, the sons-in-law of Carl Engels operated the E & K Wine Company until the business closed in 1961. Herman Engels was one of Sandusky’s most highly respected business men at the time of his death.

Ohio Grape Festival Held in Sandusky, 1940

Sandusky, Ohio was home to the Ohio Grape Festival, held from September 19 to September 22, 1940. On the first day of the Festival, sponsored by the Junior Chamber of Commerce, the selection of the Ohio Grape Festival Queen took place. Jerry Brumfield, of Huntington, West Virginia, was crowned Ohio Grape Queen. Her attendants were: Betty Scott, Pat Howard, Helen Knapp, Doris Kennedy, and Clara Bence.

Exhibits were displayed at the Cedar Point dock at the foot of Columbus Avenue. A tour of the city and area wineries was held on Friday, September 20, with the queen and her court in attendance. A banquet was held on Friday evening, with Ohio Governor John Bricker as the speaker. On Saturday, September 21, a Grape Growers’ Institute was held at Sandusky High School, then on Adams Street. The Ohio Grape Festival Parade was held at 3 p.m. on Saturday. Thousands lined the streets of Sandusky to view the many floats, bands, and marching groups. The Engels and Krudwig float was judged as the best float. Its theme was “God Bless America.”

The John G. Dorn Winery float featured huge grapes made from balloons. Sisters Dorothy and Lois Eberly rode the Dorn float.

The float sponsored by Mantey’s Vineyard and Winery, from Venice, Ohio, featured a revolving book, to represent a “best seller.” Mary Mantey held the pages open.

The Sandusky Star Journal of September 22, 1940 reported that an estimated 75,000 people attended the various events during the 1940 Ohio Grape Festival. Visit the Sandusky Library Archives Research Center to see more historic photographs from this and other Grape Festivals held in Sandusky, Ohio.

William Henry Mills, Vintner

Pictured below is the former home of William Henry Mills. The home was located on the south side of Melville Street, between Camp and Pearl Streets. An article in the December 21, 1922 Sandusky Register featured an article about the home. The house was built for William H. Mills in the 1820’s, when he was a college student. William H. Mills graduated from Yale University in 1825. William T. West and R. B. Hubbard attended parties in the two large parlors on the second floor. Later the home was owned by Mrs. Daniel Newton. (The home no longer stands.)

William Henry Mills was the son of Isaac L. Mills and Abigail Phelps Mills. Isaac L. Mills was one of the proprietors of Sandusky, and was one its earliest settlers. According to Helen Hansen’s At Home in Early Sandusky, the Mills family was closely associated with the development of the Firelands and Sandusky. Mills Street and Mills School are both named for the Mills family. Most of the land holdings of the Mills family were in the Western Liberties section of town. William Henry Mills married Caroline Hurd, the daughter of James C. Hurd, who died in a shipwreck in 1829. They had a large family, and lived in a house on Washington Row, where the Mahala Block later stood.

The June 1937 Firelands Pioneer reported that when ground was broken for the Mad River and Lake Erie Railroad in 1835, a procession was formed in from of the Verandah Hotel, with General William H. Mills as marshall, assisted by Major White and Captain Kenney. General William Henry Harrison came to Sandusky for the great occasion.

In 1861, William Henry Mills began raising grapes for wine. According to History of Erie County, Ohio, ed. by Lewis Cass Aldrich, the first wine from the Mills vineyard was pressed in 1865, and “since which time he has produced an average of 15,000 gallons per year.” Brands of champagne produced by William H. Mills were Sans Pareil and LeDiamont. The following entry appeared in the “Reports and Awards” listings for the United States Centennial Commission’s International Exhibition of 1876. Exhibits of Group IV, which included animal and vegetable products, were on display in the Agricultural Hall.
The wine cellars of William H. Mills were located on the north side of Monroe Street, adjacent to Sandusky Bay, as pictured below in the 1886 Sanborn Map.

William Henry Mills died on March 8, 1897. His obituary appeared in the March 9, 1897 issue of the Sandusky Register. He is buried in the Family Plot in Sandusky’s Oakland Cemetery. You can read about the son of William H. Mills, Judge Grayson Mills, in Patty Pascoe’s book, Elected to Serve Erie County, found at the Archives Research Center of the Sandusky Library. A biography of Sallie Mills Johnson, the daughter of William H. Mills, is found in the book, American Women: Fifteen Hundred Biographies, which is accessible on Google Books.

Wehrle Hall on Middle Bass Island

The Wehrle family founded the wine business that first gave Middle Bass Island its fame. The winery Wehrle, Werk, and Sons was one of the earliest businesses on the island. The elder Andrew Wehrle emigrated from Germany in 1852, and established the business on Middle Bass. Achieving success, he erected a large hotel and dance pavilion on the island (shown above). It is said that Grover Cleveland made the Wehrle Hotel his headquarters during his fishing trips on Lake Erie. The Wehrle family ended operation of the winery shortly after Andrew Wehrle, Sr.'s death in 1896; the business was eventually taken over by the Golden Eagle Wine Cellars. In the 1920's a fire destroyed the wine cellars, hotel and dancing pavilion.

Andrew Wehrle, Jr. was said to be the first child born Middle Bass Island. He achieved his own prominence through a coal business in Sandusky, which he operated until 1900. The old steamer A. Wehrle, Jr. was named after him. Andrew Wehrle, Jr. died on Jan. 4, 1931.