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S. Straight & Co. records

 Collection
Identifier: MS S362

Scope and Content

The Straight & Co. records include one account book, a letter, two ledgers, and three journals, all detailing the various business transactions of the company. The collection also includes a price list for the Straight, Deming & Co.

Dates

  • Creation: 1855-1904

Creator

Restrictions on Access

The collection is open for research use.

Restrictions on Use

The collection is open for research use.

History of S. Straight & Co.

S. Straight & Co., a cheese and butter manufacturing company, was founded in Hudson, Ohio by Seymour Straight and his son, W. B. Straight in 1867.

The S. Straight & Co. was founded in 1867 by Seymour Straight (1816-1896) and his son, W. B. Straight. Seymour Straight was born in Charlotte, Vermont in 1816 and spent most of his childhood in western New York and later moved with his family to northeastern Ohio. In 1845, he moved to Cincinnati and took a business education course at Bartlett's Commercial College. After working for a store for a few years, Seymour Straight borrowed money to start a produce commission business in Cincinnati. His business eventually led to a partnership with Judge William S. Deming, a cheese dealer in Ashtabula County. Deming and Straight founded "Straight, Deming & Co.," one of Straight's first forays into the cheese and butter commission business. In 1867, Seymour and his son, W. B. opened two cheese factories in Hudson, Ohio and established the S. Straight & Co. The Straights continued to buy factories, eventually operating over a dozen in the Hudson area. One of Straight's factories was housed in the old Pentagon building (demolished) on the corner of College and Aurora and another was housed in what now is known as Hayden Hall on the Western Reserve Academy campus. S. Straight & Co. produced and sold cheese all over the country until 1892. Throughout his career, Seymour Straight was also involved in politics and was an outspoken abolitionist. He later helped found Straight University (now: Dillard University) in New Orleans. For a full account of Straight's life, see: The Biographical Encyclopaedia of Ohio of the Nineteenth Century (Cincinnati and Philadelphia: Galaxy Publishing Company, 1876).

Biographical / Historical

The S. Straight & Co. was founded in 1867 by Seymour Straight (1816-1896) and his son, W. B. Straight. Seymour Straight was born in Charlotte, Vermont in 1816 and spent most of his childhood in western New York and later moved with his family to northeastern Ohio. In 1845, he moved to Cincinnati and took a business education course at Bartlett's Commercial College. After working for a store for a few years, Seymour Straight borrowed money to start a produce commission business in Cincinnati. His business eventually led to a partnership with Judge William S. Deming, a cheese dealer in Ashtabula County. Deming and Straight founded "Straight, Deming & Co.," one of Straight's first forays into the cheese and butter commission business. In 1867, Seymour and his son, W. B. opened two cheese factories in Hudson, Ohio and established the S. Straight & Co. The Straights continued to buy factories, eventually operating over a dozen in the Hudson area. One of Straight's factories was housed in the old Pentagon building (demolished) on the corner of College and Aurora and another was housed in what now is known as Hayden Hall on the Western Reserve Academy campus. S. Straight & Co. produced and sold cheese all over the country until 1892. Throughout his career, Seymour Straight was also involved in politics and was an outspoken abolitionist. He later helped found Straight University (now: Dillard University) in New Orleans. For a full account of Straight's life, see: The Biographical Encyclopaedia of Ohio of the Nineteenth Century (Cincinnati and Philadelphia: Galaxy Publishing Company, 1876).

Extent

1 Linear Feet (1 folder and 6 volumes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Records of the S. Straight & Co., a cheese and butter manufacturing company once based in Hudson, Ohio.

Statement of Arrangement

Materials have been arranged by date.

Related Material

The Dillard University Archives and Special Collections in New Orleans owns records relating to the founding of Straight College (University), including correspondence between Seymour Straight and Rev. R. L. Hitchcock, President of Straight College. Hudson Library & Historical Society has photocopies of the correspondence, kept in the Straight vertical file.

Title
Guide to the S. Straight & Co. records
Status
Completed
Author
Finding aid prepared by Polly Reynolds
Date
2024
Description rules
Finding Aid Prepared Using Dacs
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English, Latin script

Repository Details

Part of the Hudson Library & Historical Society Repository

Contact:
96 Library Street
Hudson OH 44236