The letter-copy book contains copies of letters to the owners, or managers of various shops and factories that Chief Inspector Dorn was responsible for inspecting in the state of Ohio. He either writes to let them know that their company complied with the new statutes, or that the company did not pass inspection. If the company failed the inspection, he lets them know what improvements must be made in order to bring the businesses up to standards set by an Act of the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, entitled: “Revised Statues of Ohio, for the better protection of health, comfort & safety of persons employed in Shops & Factories.” Inspector Dorn also writes to various government officials such as the Ohio State Auditor and the Ohio Attorney General. The letter-copy book represents the first 21 months (April 1884-December 1885) that the position of Chief Inspector of Shops & Factories existed. Dorn was the first Chief Inspector appointed under the new statute passed on 4 April 1884.

      Henry Dorn (1843-1911)

Henry Dorn was born on 16 February 1843 at Frankfort-on-the-Main, Germany, where he attended the local public schools until he was fourteen years old. At fourteen, he studied machinery, serving as an apprentice from 1857 to 1862. During this time, he entered night-college and took up the subject of draughting, which he readily mastered. After his schooling he went to Paris, France, where he found work with the Northern Railroad Company, a company at that time of three thousand men. For the next four years he spent his time in the shops and the drawing rooms. After leaving this company he found employment with other companies working on stationary engines, tools, telegraph instruments, and in other branches of mechanics. In this manner he mastered mechanical engineering, and the French language.

In 1869, Dorn immigrated to the United States and found work at his trade with William Sellers & Company, of Philadelphia, one of the finest machine shops in America. He next established his own cigar factory, but disliked the work, and went to work for Henry Disston & Company, the famous Philadelphia saw maker. There he worked on an invention for large circular saws.

Dorn was next went to Cleveland, Ohio, where he accepted a position with the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railroad, where he remained for six years before leaving for the American Telegraph Supply Company, helping to build the first electric light. He then is found as the superintendent of the Cleveland Superior Viaduct, before finally working for the city of Cleveland in their Civil Engineer’s Department, laying some of the first block pavements in the city.

During employment with the H.P. Wire Nail Company, of Cleveland, in the early part of 1881, he received injuries, which rendered him partially paralyzed, on his right side, for nearly three years, at which time he accepted an appointment by Ohio Governor Hoadly in the beginning of 1884, and was made the first Chief Inspector of Workshops and Factories in Ohio. It is during this period of Dorn’s life that this letter-copy book was kept, when he served as Ohio’ first Chief Inspector as the statute was only passed in April of 1884.

In this chief inspector’s position, he succeeded in getting on the statute books many wise and beneficial laws and succeeded in giving the office not only a state, but a national reputation. In 1888 he brought to light, and exposed, a most iniquitous scheme to enrich the proprietors of the various glass works of the state who were shipping the homeless and outcast children of New York to Ohio. At one time over sixty of these children, under twelve years of age, were brought to Ohio to work in the glass establishments, the first six months for their board, the last six months at a dollar a week and board. Through Dorn’s actions, he helped to bring about statues protecting child labor and incidentally, laying the foundation for compulsory education in the state of Ohio.

Dorn was for fourteen years the President of the Cleveland Machinists’ and Blacksmiths’ Union, Secretary of the Executive Board of the Mechanical Engineers of North America, and later their President. In 1872 and 1874 he represented the United Labor Unions of Cleveland in the Industrial Congress of the United States. He was one of the founders of the Cleveland Trades and Labor Assembly, and Vice-President of that organization. He joined the Knights of Labor in 1880.

Dorn was the founder of the International Association of Factory Inspectors and due to his efforts the first Convention of the International Association of Factory Inspectors was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on 8-9 June 1887, of which he was the first presiding officer and was subsequently elected Secretary-Treasurer. Three years later he was elected honorary member for life.

He took a part in the labor trouble of 1877 and to his wise counsel and effort the City of Cleveland was spared the horrors that overtook the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. During the great coal strikes in 1884, Dorn was sent by Governor Hoadly into the coal regions to make a complete investigation of the existing conditions. His reports conclusions were accepted by Hoadly, and Hoadly refused to send troops into the coal region.

After being relieved of his inspector’s position, Dorn made Columbus, Ohio his home. He became active in politics and was a candidate for water works trustee, but while elected overturned. He tried ran for mayor of Columbus but was unsuccessful. He later worked for the City Engineering Department of Columbus for several years before retiring.

Henry Dorn died on 7 December 1911 at his home at Columbus, Ohio. He was 68 years old. In 1871, Dorn had married Emily, and together they had two sons and two daughters, all of whom outlived him.

      Sample Quotes from the Letters:

“April 29 1884

To the Honorable Board of Managers of the Ohio Penitentiary:

Gentlemen:

During my stay at Columbus on April the 17, 18, & 19^th, I had a conversation with his Excellency Governor Hoadly in regard to my duties as Inspector of Shops and Factories, and with a letter of introduction from the Governor to the Warden made a tour of inspection through the shops of the penitentiary, some of which, I am sorry to say, are in such a dilapidated and unsafe condition that no human being should be compelled to work therein, and I fear that some serious accident will result, if proper steps be not taken soon to avoid such.

I refer to the Home Shop, Wheel Shop and Wire mill. I learned that an appropriation has been made by the last General Assembly for rebuilding the Home Shop but, I am of the opinion that the other two shops need your immediate attention also, especially the Wheel Shop, the walls of which are in a cracked condition, together with the general decay of the timber the greatest danger must be apprehended in that Shop, as it contains the most rapid running machinery. Any attempt to repair said shops it is clear to me, would be a waste of time and money.

Now Gentlemen I make these suggestions to you in a friendly way, as I learned from the Attorney General that I have no jurisdiction over the shops in the Ohio Penitentiary, and if I had, would confer with you Gentlemen on the subject before taking any action in the matter.

Hoping our future relations may always be pleasant and assuring you of my earnest cooperation to that end, I am very respectfully yours,

Henry Dorn

State Inspector”

“White Sewing Mach. Co.

May 1 [188]4

Gentlemen:

As required by the Act of the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, entitled An Act to supplement section 2573 of the Revised Statues of Ohio for the better protection of health, comfort & safety of persons employed in shops and factories, passed April 4 /84, I have made an examination of your establishment and, I take great pleasure in communicating to you the fact that all the requirements of that act are complied with and the discharge of my duty therefore rendered pleasant and agreeable.

Very respectfully yours,

Henry Dorn

State Inspector”

“May 2 [188]4

Standard Machine Co.

Gentlemen:

As required by the Act of the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, An Act to supplement section 2573 of the Revised Statues of Ohio for the better protection of health, comfort & safety of persons employed in shops and factories, passed April 4 /84, I have made an examination of your establishment and suggest that the changes mentioned below are necessary, in my opinion, in order to meet the requirements of the act referred to –

To put proper safeguards on the elevator and provide for better ventilation of water closet and room adjoining the same.

Hoping you will give this matter your prompt attention that the provision of the act may be complied with I am yours,

Very respectfully,

Henry Dorn

State Inspector”

“May 8 [188]4

Cummer Engine Co.

Gentlemen:

As required by the Act of the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, An Act to supplement section 2573 of the Revised Statues of Ohio for the better protection of health, comfort & safety of persons employed in shops and factories, passed April 4 /84, I have made an examination of your establishment and suggest that the changes mentioned below, are necessary in my opinion in order to meet the requirements of the Act referred to:

Put proper safeguard on the Elevator on the upper floor.

Blacksmith shop fires need suitable management to carry off the smoke and dust.

Hoping you will give this matter your prompt attention that the provisions of the act may be complied with I am,

Very respectfully yours

Henry Dorn

State Inspector”