Charles Metz and Brothers Meat Market

Metz Brothers ad that appeared in Newark High School's Hetuck in 1903.

Charles Metz and Brothers Meat Market—also known as the Metz Meat Market and Charles Metz and Sons—originated in the 1830s with Charles Metz, a German immigrant to the United States. His three sons— Charles, Henry, and David—would assist and then succeed him in the business. The primary location of the butcher shop was located at 10 and 12 West Main Street in Newark with a production facility in East Newark and a second retail location opened later on East Main.

Charles Metz was born in the German region of Saxony in 1814. Frustrated by his compulsory military service in his home country, Metz left first for Hamburg, but feared a recall to military service. In an effort to escape such a possibility, he emigrated to the United States in 1836. Metz started a new life as a butcher in Newark, Ohio. He married Elizabeth Fisher, a German immigrant to Newark, in 1841.

Metz started small—a few tools and resources—in an unassuming facility on Canal Street. His initial sales focused on catering to the needs of Canal boats and traffic. His sons and successors—Charles, Henry, and David—were born in 1842, 1845, and 1852, respectively. The boys quickly took their place assisting Charles in his shop. Charles became his father's partner and primary purchaser, Henry took up the slaughtering, and David took on many different assistant roles, permitting their father to run the shop. Around 1860, Metz purchased the property on Main Street. The patriarch would retire in 1869 leaving the business to his sons. Henry joined Charles in the partnership and David was added several years later in 1875.

Among the products made by Metz butchers were: sausage, lard, mince meats, bologna, and fresh and salted cuts. The procurement of livestock sent the Metz brothers as far away as the stockyard of Chicago. They were known in Newark for their quality meats in retail, but also as a wholesaler to other butchers and markets. Their specialty item was "Triple Brand Minced Meat."

Henry Metz died in 1898, reducing the partnership. Metz Brothers built a second location at 525 East main at 525, but Charles Metz retired from the company in 1908 David Metz would continue to run a grocery on East Main Street for several years.

J.G.