" By 1907, local ownership apparently had slipped because in that
year, Mr. Fish announced the National Electric Company with
controlling interest planned to expand the plant with the result an
additional 125 employees, mostly girls, would be needed. The payroll
was $2,800 every two weeks and would be in excess of $4,000 if the
expansion went through. The “If” centered around whether Shelby
had sufficient housing for such an increase.

J.B. Crouse, president of National Lamp Company, later in the year
told Shelby that the entire expansion program for the company’s 48
plants would be centered here if labor would be available. There
immediately started a great promotion for construction of more

houses, a need that cropped up periodically through the years.

 "The funeral of the late John C. Fish was held from the family home on South Broadway Monday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. A special train from Cleveland carried about seventy-five employees of the National Lamp Company to Shelby. An interurban car brought fifty Elks from Mansfield, while other trains brought representative men from various parts of the United States, who gathered with his sorrowing neighbors and friends to pay tribute to his memory. The body lay in state from 9:00 until 12:00 o'clock and it is estimated that 5,000 people passed through the home to look for the last time upon the man whose death came to us as a calamity and as a benediction. While it racked our hearts with pain, his passing away taught the people of Shelby what friendship is and sent thankfulness into their hearts to realize that Shelby had such a man even in death."

"The casket was completely covered by tributes from friends who loved the sleeper. As the friends of the departed looked upon his face for the last time they began to realize that a good citizen, a warm friend, a great organizer, and a man of executive ability was lost to them forever."

"A constant stream of sorrowing friends visited the home and at 2:30 o'clock when the service was held the home was filled and hundreds lined South Broadway on both sides north to Main Street. In harmony with his life, the service was simple, methodical but very beautiful. "

"The grief of an entire community and the respect to one of their honored dead were never more fully exemplified in Shelby than yesterday during the funeral exercises over the late John C. Fish. The wheels of industry, the affairs of tradesmen and the institutions of learning were all closed as a mark of respect, allowing survivors to pay their last tribute to one who was so closely allied in every way to movement, public or private, during his lifetime."

"The broken threads of his business relations will be taken up by other hands, now that the last sad rites are o'er, but not so as life or memory shall exist in those of adult age who knew the man, will his ability or endearing qualities be forgotten."

"We know no better way of closing this memorial than by quoting one of his own expressions. He said: 'I would rather make men than lamps.' The hundreds who have been directly connected with him know what efforts he made to guide the erring into better way, or what patience and perseverance he exercised in bringing out that best which lies dormant in every human being until it is given a chance to develop. Every citizen knew him in some capacity, but only those who were closest and met him oftenest knew him best, and appreciated to the fullest extent his worth to themselves, to the institutions with which he was connected to the community, and in fact to affairs at large throughout the nation. Rest in peace." 

In the amalgamation of the companies, every outside unit was moved to Cleveland where one colossal plant houses them all. Mr. Fish died before that was accomplished, however, even as he was in the midst of pioneering in the tremendous new industry which is know as N.E.L.A. in Cleveland today.

 

After the death of Mr. Fish in 1909, directors met and elected G. M. Skiles,

president; W. H. Myers, sales manager; T. J. Green, vice president; W. W. Van Horn, factory manager.

 

On March 19, 1912 one reads that the General Electric Company took over the Shelby Electric Company. The factory in years previous had operated under the name of Richland Mazda Lamp Company but the sales department, managed by W. W. VanHorn, had operated as the Shelby Electric Company, which after March of 1912 was to be called the Shelby Lamp Works.

 

After General Electric moved the manufacturing end of the old electric away in 1915, the sales division continued to exist for many years on Mohican Street, with Mr. Van Horn, C. C. Skiles and Howard Sotzen among the managers. (2)

Shelby Lamp Division

Will Move to Buffalo, New York in June, Taking Several Families From City.

 

C. C. Skiles, manager of the Shelby Lamp Division, informed The Globe today that he has received instructions from the head office to the effect that the local offices will be moved to Buffalo, New York. The exact date of closing the Shelby offices has not been fixed but it is expected that the change in location will be made about June. It is with much regret that The Globe records this item of local history as the change will mean the loss of a worthwhile concern to the business interests of Shelby as well as the removal of several families from our city. It is estimated that the company does a volume of business amounting to $1,000,000 annually and this item will no longer go through our local institutions. The Shelby Lamp Division has also been one of the big customers of the Shelby Post Office, their postage bill amounting to something like $1200.00 per year. In addition to this, the company gave employment to fifteen people. C. C. Skiles, Howard Sotzen and Walter Soll who have been connected with the office for years will remove from Shelby to Buffalo. Just how many other employees will leave Shelby has not at this time been announced. The three gentlemen mentioned all have homes here and expect if possible to sell their properties before leaving. The offices have been located at the Doty Building on Mohican Street since their removal from the electric building which is now known as the Shelby Industrial building. The change to the present quarters was made in May, 1917. The purpose in removing to Bufflao is the opportunity offered for increasing the local business. The company employs six salesmen and there will be no change in this force and no change in the district offices or the territory. (3)