It might be a stretch to call all the models that filled the entry room of the Huber Machinery Room in Marion, Ohio, “toys.” Many of the replicas of Huber machinery are actually samples that were created to obtain patents on what Edward Huber invented during his relatively short lifetime.

Toys at the museum include a 1930s separator/thresher, a wooden road grader made by John McFarland, several Huber tractors and, as mentioned, an array of patent models as well. Glass cases encase the toys and models and a collector can spend many a moment reading and viewing these historical items.

The toys are in the front area of the museum, and the back is loaded with tractors and other machinery built by the Huber Manufacturing Co. All the items that fill the 10,500 square-foot museum were donated and represent the impact Edward Huber and his company made in both the agricultural arena and the local town of Marion.

The Huber saga begins at the turn of the century. Edward was born Sept. 1, 1837, in Dover, Ind., and lived until Aug. 26, 1904, when he died of a massive heart attack at the age of 66.

Edward’s father built farm wagons and his boy was apprenticed at the age of 15 to a local blacksmith to fabricate needed metal parts for the wagons. Quickly, young Edward learned how to make the metal section of the wagon and told his father he had learned all he could there, and soon began working on his own project.
That project would become the revolving hay rake. This amazing machine that picked up hay into neat rows made and allowed one man to do in three hours what three men could do in a day. This labor-saving device made him a millionaire and a name to be reckoned with.

“The farmer had to walk behind with the horse out front,” Anna May, the museum’s curator, shared. “Huber’s patent was approved in 1865 and he sold over 200,000 of them for $5.”

A sample of one of the original rakes is on display at the museum, along with a wooden model replica. The first revolving hay rakes were made in Dearborn, Ind., but because his sister and brother-in-law lived in Ohio and he learned there was ample ash and hickory wood for his rake, he moved to Marion and was soon in business.
Amilia Huber, Edward’s sister, married John K. Hammerle; it was John who talked Edward into coming to Marion. The rake was just the first of many items that Huber developed which are profiled in the museum – which was developed by three men, including Anna’s husband.

She said Edward’s biggest contribution to the town of Marion was the steam shovel company he opened. “He took his money (from the revolving hay rake sales) and started the Marion Steam Shovel Co. This put Marion on the map. Those shovels were used in the Panama Canal and other historic events,” she explained.
Edward soon expanded. He was building steam engines and grain separators/threshers. This business continued in some capacity until closing its doors in 1984.

Besides his popular steam and traction engines, the Huber Co. is credited with the production of the first gasoline tractor. Among the more famous Huber tractors is “The New Huber,” along with the Light Four Cross Motor Case Tractor series, which continued until around 1928. In 1938, Huber entered the orchard tractor arena and built the Model B with wraparound fenders. The museum has one of these rare tractors, only about 15 of which were manufactured.
The Hubers had a huge impact on the Marion community. They offered employment and were instrumental in implementing the first trolley car, of which a model is on display at the museum.
According to an Ohio genealogy website at www.heritagepursuit.com/Huber.htm about them, “On 8 August 1900, Edward and Elizabeth left on the new Steamship, Deutschland, for a three-month tour of Europe … The trip home took seven days in very rough seas. Their ship was caught in a severe Atlantic Ocean storm.

“In her prayers, Elizabeth promised God that she would donate bells to St. Mary Church in Marion if He would protect the ship. God heard Elizabeth’s prayers, for the ship was spared. The following year, the bells were installed in the St. Mary Church bell tower. Most Marionites refer to them as ‘The Bells of St. Mary,’ but among Huber descendants, they have always been remembered as ‘Elizabeth’s Bells’ …”

Edward Huber entered the heavy construction equipment market by pioneering the use of weighted rollers on his steam engines, meeting the needs of modern road leveling and grading. Examples are on display.

Toys, tractors, memorabilia – the Huber Machinery Museum has it all. The museum opened at 220 E. Fairground Street in 1997, at the Marion County Fairgrounds. It is open 1-4 p.m. every Saturday except in January and February, or by appointment.
Tour, school and small groups are welcome, and there is a meeting room available for a small fee. Call 740-389-1098 for an appointment or e-mail huber museum@aol.com

Readers with questions or comments for Cindy Ladage may write to her in care of this publication.