The history of the H.P. Deuscher company which operates a foundry at Seventh and Hanover streets, reflects in remarkable  way the development of Hamilton and the Miami Valley. This company was originally known as the Variety Iron Works, the founders being Indianapolis interests. George Adam Rentschler was the first foreman and in this position directed manufacture of a wide variety of novelty castings, meeting the demand of the times.
In 1879 Henry P. Deuscher took over the foundry and by his energy, business acumen and tact, developed the business and started it on a sound foundation toward one of the highly regarded industries of this valley.
 
 

The reconstruction period following the Civil War, affected such ventures, and true business genius was required to overcome the nation-wide handicaps. The success of Mr. Deuscher and his associates amply proved their capacity to meet those conditions. Early products included the Barbour corn drills. Agriculture was a preponderant interest in the Miami Valley, and need for improved implements and recognition of the high quality of those manufactured in Hamilton brought a steady demand. Other castings were being made, in the eighties, for the “Fashion” school desks, and for the Norris Brothers Implement works.

The Deuscher company sensed the demand for other machinery and implements for farm use, and took on a contract for making parts for the McColm soil pulverizer, the “Victor" churn, the "Hamilton" corn planter, horse-drawn hay rakes, disk harrows, folding harrows, lever harrows, and other agricultural tools.
 

The company was incorporated, July 1, 1888, for $50,000, but this was not done as a measure to attract outside capital.   In fact, none of the stock was held outside the Deuscher family.   Always, sound, conservative management of the company finances has been a keystone in the firm's policy.

The management early showed progressiveness in seeking markets for the goods this company manufactured in Hamilton, and the name of the city was cast on thousands of iron parts found in agricultural machinery and other articles sold throughout the Middle West, to aid in the development of agriculture, equipping of schoolhouses and in providing comforts and conveniences for homes and cities and on farms.

The trend toward cities, brought demand for a different line of products and in 1893-94 the H. P. Deuscher company began the manufacture of heating and ventilating appliances, under the name of the Heating and Ventilating company of which Mr. Deuscher acquired control.
 
 

For years the agricultural implements and furnaces formed the backbone of the production by the Deuscher company and affiliate. The reputation of this foundry began to draw more and more business from other manufacturers, who sought to devote their energies fabricating operations.  Gradually the importance of the company’s own products in the business volume shrank, as stress was placed on production of gray iron castings, and at the present time the output is confined almost exclusively to these needs.  Mr. Deuscher was born May 24, 1829, in Baden, Germany, and came to Butler county when he was seven years old. He took part in the Civil War as recruiting officer and captain of Company G, Eighty-Third regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

His career was typical of industrialists of his day and the growth of the company was due in large part to his untiring energy and ability. He was public spirited and one of the influential citizens of the city. He laid a foundation for the business that has endured through the years.
 
 

Mr. Deuscher, or "Captain" as he was often called in recognition of his creditable war record, retained active leadership in the foundry until his death, January 20, 1903. Succeeding him as business managers were Fred H. Berk, Gus Schwenn, Herbert Twitchell and Phillip Schwenn. Now, Earl H. Thompson. The organization of the H. P. Deuscher company today is William H. Stephan, president; Clarence D. Ehreshman, vice president; Earl H. Thompson, secretary-treasurer and the active general manager. William H. Stephan, president of the H. P. Deuscher Company is one of Hamilton’s most respected and highly regarded men; known for his splendid integrity. He entered on his first work at the age of 15 in the spoke and hub factory that located on Monument Avenue that was organized in 1860 by his father, John H. Stephan and George Deinzer. . .

 © 2000 by the Butler County Historical Society