MS-44 Siebenthaler Nursery Records

Introduction

Mr. George Siebenthaler, upon reading in the newspaper about a symposium concerning business records, contacted Wright State University in reference to the conference. Following up this initial contact, Roberta Ritchie wrote Mr. Siebenthaler a letter concerning his family’s business records on June 10, 1976. When Mr. Siebenthaler responded favorably to an examination of the records and their possible donation to the Archives, Mrs. Ritchie and Robert Smith conducted a preliminary examination and inventory. Upon determining the value and significance of the collection and approval by the board of Directors, it was donated to the Wright State University Archives. The collection was received on September 8, 1976.

The Siebenthaler collection is now owned by the Wright State University Archives. It is available for study and research to the public as there are no restrictions, legal or otherwise, on the collection. The Siebenthaler Nursery played an important part in the development of the nursery business in the United States. As such, it would prove valuable to any student of the nursery and landscape business, students interested in business history, or many aspects of local history. The business, founded in 1870, is still in operation today under the same family. The major strengths of the collection are its financial, employment, and operating records.

Organizational History

The Siebenthaler Company was founded in 1870 by John Siebenthaler under the guidance of his father George. In the early years they specialized in grapes and fruit trees. They encouraged thgeneral public to get involved with trees and nature in order to both beautify the area and to produce fruit. By 1920 fruit trees were largely replaced by the sale of shrubs and ornamental trees. Other aspects of the business taking on prominence during this period were the cultivation of roses and expansion into the field of landscaping. In the early 1930’s the company originated over thirty varieties of oriental poppies which were in great demand then.

It was in the mid-twenties that the organization began to really expand and acquire more locations. The original location, Catalpa Drive and Siebenthaler Avenue, had expanded to eighty acres. Increased business and the desire to increase potential capacity led to the purchase of 140 additional acres in present day Moraine. Later, in 1956, they purchased more acreage in Beaver Valley bringing the total to 432 acres. This is their current amount of land from which they operate two modern garden centers and two nurseries which provide a source for lawn and garden needs and a complete landscape service.

George Siebenthaler immigrated to the United States from Germany in 1841. Under his guidance his son John organized the nursery in 1870. It was the children of John Siebenthaler who really provided the impetus needed to develop the business. John had seven children. Wilber Siebenthaler (1891-1940) succeeded his father as head of the firm. Following Wilber was Clarence (1894-1950) who developed the landscape aspects of the business. John Siebenthaler, another son, concentrated on plant material and was responsible for the cultivation of new varieties of lilacs and two new shade trees. At the present time, George and Mary, along with Robert Siebenthaler, son of Clarence, are responsible for the company’s operation.

The Siebenthaler Nursery, although a prominent fixture in the local community, it also has far reaching influences. Their influence on the nursery business has been felt not only by their membership in important trade association but also by the development of unusual trees and shrubs. Most notably are the Moraine Locust (1949) and the Moraine Ash (1958). The Siebenthaler Nursery played an important role in the development of the nursery business in the United States.

This brief history of the Siebenthaler Nursery has been primarily compiled from the centennial publication of the company enclosed within this collection.

Scope and Content Note

The Siebenthaler Collection is divided into two series. The first series is comprised of the business records of the Siebenthaler Nursery. The types of material with the collection include sales records, payroll and employment records, cash and inventory records, and various ledgers and journals. Also contained is printed material and manuscripts relating to flowers plants, trees, etc. which are relevant to the nursery and landscape business. The date of the earliest record is 1877. The latest records (excluding a brief history of the firm) are 1944. The bulk of the material falls in the last two decades of the nineteenth century and the first three decades of the twentieth century. There are occasional gaps in the material. However, most of the collection is its records of the everyday financial operation and sales of the company. The collection is weak in material relating to the care and nature of various horticulture aspects of the firm although this information can be gleaned from several of the records.

The second section of the collection is comprised of personal material. It is primarily correspondence of some of the members of the Siebenthaler family. Also included are some of the members of the Siebenthaler family. Also included is some genealogical material, estate papers, i.e. wills, inventories and obituaries, receipts and bills and bank (both checking and savings) books. The earliest material is correspondence of John Siebenthaler which begins in 1881. The latest material dates 1911. Although some of the material is revealing, overall, it is weak in that it is not comprehensive nor does it tell us too much about the Siebenthaler’s personal lives.

Box and File Listing