The Stave Factory in Ney

Thought to be employees of the Stave Factory in Ney, circa 1890's

Newspapers reported a stave factory in Ney as early as 1889, run by the Woods Brothers.  It was in operation until at least 1894. 

Defiance Democrat - February 7, 1889

From the Defiance County Republican Express - October 27, 1892:

"Geo. Wood has been a lifelong Democrat and is running a large stave factory at Ney, Washington township, a Democratic stronghold.  During the year, he gives employment to hundreds of men and boys and pays out thousands of dollars for timber and labor."

George Woods spoke in an interview in 1894 that he was thinking about closing the factory and moving on to where he could find cheaper lumber, but the actual closing date of the factory is not known.

On January 11, 1900, the Defiance Weekly Express reported that another factory would be replacing the stave factory.

"New factory.  The Decatur, Ind. Egg Crate company has recently established a crate mill and stave factory on the grounds of the old Woods stave factory at Ney.  The new company has bought the ground on which the mill is located as well as many acres of timber land in the vicinity."

The stave factory was located on the west side of the railroad tracks to the south.  (1890 plat map)