Gray Printing Company celebrating 100 years
Thursday, December 15, 1988

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#1 - George M. Gray as most readers may remember him.

Pix #2 - The Gray Printing Co.'s first building housing their equipment is shown above. It was located on Cadwallader St., midway between Center and North St. George M. and his family lived on the second floor and the printing equipment was on the first floor.

Pix #3 - About the same time Gray Printing was established in Fostoria, electric lights took the place of gas and millions of incandescent bulbs were made in Fostoria by the Electric Light Bulb and Specialty Co., one of the many glass manufacturers who started here. This photo shows the labels printed by Gray with the Fostoria Mazda label.

Pix #4 - This photo is an interior view of photo #1, showing Gray's first facilities and the employees. George M. is the man wearing a vest, standing back of a makeup table.

Pix #5 - This photo is the store and home in Pentwater, Mich., where Geo. M. Gray got his first sniff of printers ink in his uncle's print shop. The A.I. Root Co., and where he learned the early rudiments of the trade.

Pix #6 - This shows one of the early had fed printing presses made by Chandler and Price, which George M. Gray had in his first shop on Cadwallader St. This author also experienced hand-feeding a Chandler and Price press when he learned the printing business at The Fostoria Daily Review in about 1922 or '23.

(Author's Note: today's article is the first in a series about Gray Printing Co. In the Feb. 14, 1985, edition of the RT this column presented an article which briefly referred to Gray Printing, along with a photo of the four members of that family who were then active: Tom, James, George and Robert.

At that time the firm was in their 97th year of operation. That article was primarily a report on E. North St., from Main to Town St.

Today's article is the first of an in-depth presentation, covering the history of that company from the time George M. Gray, the founder, started it ... as told in the excellently planned, written and printed piece, as only a group of experts associated with that company could do.

Author grew up with company and its staff

I not only grew up in the area of the Gray establishment, but was privileged to have know the Gray family in many ways: churchwise, individually, and as an employee at one period when they needed extra composers to help during the busiest seasons.

When fire destroyed the Gray factory in 1917, I watched the fire fighters attempt to control it ... then saw the plant rebuilt and the company forge ahead to the heights they have reached today.

In the series of articles I will perhaps inject memories about the family, their facilities, employees, etc..)

A beautifully done, well-written 46-page promotional, but historical book, prepared and printed by Gray personnel in their own facility, tells the life-story of the business founded 100 years ago by George M. Gray, known to today's readers as Gray Printing Co., located on E. North St., here in Fostoria.

Actually, it was in 1874, when George M. Gray first got a whiff of the smell of paper and printers ink that created his desire to learn more about what went on in the printing shop close to his father's drug store in Pentwater, Mich.

Chores around the store bored 14-year-old George, so he badgered the craftsmen in the printing shop with questions ... and the outcome was the offer to become a "printer's devil" ... which he accepted.

That early beginning in the printing business not only became his life work, but eventually grew into the well-known Gray Printing co., here in Fostoria, doing high grade printing for scores of customers in this area of the United States.

After that first job, George became associated with his uncle Amos of the A.I. Root Co., working in their print shop.

In the early years of his printing career, George M. met Hannah Andrus, and was at once madly in love with her. They were married May 28, 1884.

From that union came four generations to carry on the printing business which was established in Fostoria in 1888. It was the same year that Fostoria became an incorporated city.

Gray Printing born same year city incorporated. After looking at other towns, George M.decided Fostoria was the best choice to establish his business. Gas was discovered in this area in 1878, and the town fathers offered free gas to any industry that would locate here.

Gray's printing establishment opened its doors at the corner of E. North and Cadwaller Sts., its present location.

A man and woman were hired to help in the shop. A gas-fired steam engine drove a labyrinth of overhead vibrating belts that operated the presses.

The Gray family's living quarters were above the shop.

The move to Fostoria was timely. Both the glass companies that were here at that time and The Gray Printing company prospered.

Electric lights and Gray grew up together

Electric lights came into use and millions of incandescent bulbs were made by the local Electric Light Bulb & Specialty Company. Voltage and wattage were identified on each bulb by affixing a label printed and die-cut by the millions at the Gray plant. Label printing was so great that a single department we reserved for this activity alone.

Glassware catalogs displaying the beauty of art glass became a Gray specialty, lasting well into the 1960's.

Glass Companies with such well-known names as Cambridge, Heisey, Anchor Hocking, Hazel Atlas, Duncan, Miller, Viking, United Stated, Jefferson, Lotus, Libbey, Imperial and Fostoria were all Gray customers.

Railroads, trolleys important to Gray

George M. took advantage of the five local railroads and two trolley networks to expand his sales contacts.

As the region he serviced enlarged, his business grew. Within two years the shop took over the family living quarters and his young family of five moved to rental property, near the Presbyterian Church.

Gray provided total printing

Since Fostoria was at some distance from any major city, all phases associated with printing were concentrated under one roof. Not only were composing, printing and binding operations performed, but also preliminary art work, photography and engraving.

George M. for years had been an avid amateur photographer. He studied the latest techniques of George Eastman, who likewise selected 1888 as the year in which to launch the enterprise bearing his name in Rochester, N.Y.

Commercial photography played an integral part in the growth of The Gray Printing Co. Numerous samples were received, or brought back by the salesmen of glassware, pottery, and other small portable products to be photographed and retouched for illustration in the customer's literature and catalogs.

World War I boon to Gray's growth

Clouds of war swept across Europe in 1917. Soon they were to engulf America, but the world unrest did not negatively affect The Gray Printing Co. Sales were at an all time high $83,569. New presses filled additional requirements. Employees numbered fifty. A Gray son headed every department. Merton supervised the office, purchasing and administration He was the corporate secretary.

Gordon proved to be an outstanding salesman and was sales manager, and was the corporate secretary. Jim's experience at the printing plant of R.R. Donnelley & Sons, in Chicago, fitted him to become production manager.

George M. tied the whole operation together. The Gray Printing Company in 1915 was one of Ohio's leading printers. It was the largest plant in northwestern Ohio.

(To Be Continued)

Heed God's word

Because Of You Christmas Can Be Meaningful Probably few of the readers of Potluck can really remember back to their verify first Christmas celebration. Most of us were brought up in Christian homes and perhaps very young when we joined with other family members in celebrating the birth of Jesus. But this is not true of people in many other parts of the world.

In 1988 there is still a sense of hopelessness felt by people in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Latin America who have not yet discovered the Love of God.

During the Christmas season the message of the Prince of Peace can be treasured by people in many countries if Potluck readers will send a contribution to American Bible Society, 1865 Broadway, New York, N.Y, 10023.

If just 500 readers would send $1.00 it would be great. There are many who could send more.

Your thoughtfulness and generosity will be great in the eye of God and appreciated by the recipients.