After
Henry’s death, W.W. Irwin sold all of his stock
in the company. This left two vacancies on the Board
of Directors. On July 28, 1920, L.B. Hartung was elected
President of the company and B.C. Holwick was made Vice
President.
At the close of World War I, the Belden management
started an aggressive program to modernize their plants
for increased production. They now owned plants at Canton,
Somerset and Uhrichsville, Ohio. They also held the
controlling interest in Belden Face Brick Company at
Port Washington. With these four plants they hoped to
capture a good share of the postwar market for building
brick. As the company continued to expand its facilities,
production rose steadily.
Management still looked to broaden their product line.
Belden Floor Brick was one of the products they decided
to promote and it was very successful. Their most successful
product born of the depression was Belden Acid Proof
Brick. The shale at the Somerset plant was ideally suited
for making an acid proof brick of high quality and acid
brick soon became a favorite of the industry.
Belden Brick Corporate Office, Tuscarawas and High
Street Canton, Ohio 1922
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