In 1885 several of the largest Ohio quarries merged to create the Cleveland Stone Co. The business incorporated in July of 1886 with a whopping $2,250,000 in capital. Among their products were treadle-powered grinders, and, eventually, line-shaft powered grinders as well.

From American Machinist, Nov. 7, 1907

In 1914 the company and a dozen other Ohio stone quarries were sued by the U.S. government. The suit sought to dissolve the companies due to anti-competitive behavior. The court declined to dissolve them but did find that they had attempted to monopolize trade and enjoined the Cleveland Stone Co., and others, from certain specific anti-competitive activities.

In 1929 the Cleveland Stone Co. merged with the Ohio Quarries Co., and the name changed to the Cleveland Quarries Co. We have not confirmed whether grinders were also made under this name.

Information Sources

• 1985 Minerals Yearbook page 428.

  The most noteworthy change in the grindstone industry during the year 1885 was the consolidation of the producers in Ohio into the Cleveland Stone Company, which now furnishes nearly all the stone quarried in the State. The value of the total production may be estimated at $500,000, at an average value of $8 to $11 per ton.

• 1886 The Cleveland Directory Co.'s Cleveland Directory lists "CLEVELAND STONE CO., Offices Wilshire bldg., 209 Superior; Wm. McDermott, pres.; James M. Worthington, vice-pres.; Geo. H. Worthington, sec. and treas." An ad on the back cover of that directory reads, "The Cleveland Stone Co. / Miners and Manufacturers of / Berea & Amherst Building Stone of every description. / Sawed stone, split and sawed flagging, &c. / Amherst, Berea, Lake Huron, Rocky River and Independence / GRINDSTONES, / Huron and Berea Scythe stones and mounted stones. / General Offices, Wilshire Building."
• 1887 Annual Report of the Secretary of State, to the Governor of Ohio lists incorporations dates, including Cleveland Stone Co. which was incorporated on 1886-07-16 with $2,250,000 in capital. The certificate of incorporation was actually filed in July 20.