MSS 155 James Leffel & Co. Records

              lV1i13 iJJ
James Leffel & Co. Records
1/ 4 cubic foot
OHIO
H I S T O R Y
Preliminary inventory
Collection Synopsis
Provenance: The Ohio Historical Society acquired the James
Leffel & Co. records in 1925. Keith A. Maneese processed the
collection in January 1980.
Property rights: The Ohio Historical Society owns the property
rights to this collection.
Copyrights: The copyrights to this collection have not been
dedicated to the public. Consideration of the requirements of
copyright is the responsibility of the author and publisher.
Access: This collection is open under the rules and regulations
of the Ohio Historical Society.
Citation: Researchers are requested to cite collection name,
collection number and the Ohio Historical Society in all foot-note
and bibliographic references.
Transfer: The following items were transferred to the Audio-visual
Department in January 1980: one plat map of Springfield,
Ohio; one drawing of Warren Leffel's yacht; and one drawing of
James Leffel's cooking stove. .
Biographical sketch: James Leffel ( April 19, 1806- June 11, 1866)
was born in Botetourt County, Va., and taken when nine months old
by his parents to the Ohio country. After coming of age he moved
to Springfield, Ohio where he designed, built, and operated a
waterpower sawmill on the Mad River. In January 1840 he estab-lished
the first iron foundry in that vicinity. After six years
business had grown to such an extent that he erected a second and
larger foundry.
Leffel patented his first water wheel on May 21, 1845. In 1846
he established the first water- power cotton mill and machine shop
in Springfield. His company diversified and on December 10, 1850
Leffel patented a lever jack, followed on February 24, 1852 by
two types of cooking stoves, " Buckeye" and " Double Oven." He
again experimented with the water wheel and on January 14, 1862
( patent reissued October 11, 1864) Leffel patented the double
turbine wheel, for which he is best known. On November 15, 1864
he organized the James Leffel and Company and sold stock. He
died less than a year later.
On July 4, 1830 Leffel married Mary A. Croft. They had six sons
and three daughters including: Warren C., partner in the'eeffel
Water Wheel," and Eliza who married John W. Bookwalter, a partner
( after 1865) in the water wheel interest.
OHIO HISTORICAL SOCIETY
1982 Velrna Avenue, Columbus. Ohio 43211- 2497 ph: 614.297.2300 F*: 614297.2411
www. ohiohistoiy. org