We received some photocopies from Glen Gerlach of 99
Simon-Miller Road, Wheelersburg, OH 45694, on the Portsmouth Engine
Company of Portsmouth, Ohio.
Glen is seeking to find out whether there are any New Era or
O.K. gasoline engines manufactured by Portsmouth. Glen has
researched the company through the Portsmouth, Ohio, city
directories, and has learned quite a bit. It seems that the firm is
first mentioned in 1892 and appears until 1908-09, when Ideal
Manufacturing is seen. Both Portsmouth and Ideal had Chris Heer
listed as president and general manager until he moved to his new
business in 1911. Chris Heer appears in the 1910-11 directory, when
he becomes president of Heer Engine Company.
Portsmouth Engine Company apparently closed and became the
Vulcan Last Company in July of 1920.
The picture of the Ideal engine from a B.& O. Traffic
Department publication has the look of the Heer engine. He asks,
‘Could this be the basic engine Chris Heer took with him in his
move?’
Glen will be anxiously awaiting any information that readers can
provide.
