About the year 1887 there was established in Napoleon a distinctively unique industry for the manufacture of boat oars, the founder and proprietor of which was one Mason Britton, who first engaged in the business at Ashtabula, this state, some thirty-five years before. Mr. Britton was not only a skilled mechanic, but had wide experience in matters relating to navigation and the construction of water craft and was also the inventor of machinery used in factories similar to the one he started at this place. For some years he was interested in the same line of business at Wauseon, and the equipment of the establishment in that city was of his invention and largely the result of his own handiwork. The works in Napoleon stood on Front street, near Saygers saw-mill, and were first operated in March of the year indicated, the entire output being shipped to San Francisco, where there was a ready market. After conducting a fairly successful business for about five or six years, Mr. Britton wound up his affairs and, disposing of his establishment, soon afterwards left for other parts.