Joseph Seltzer (1850–1929)
Entrepreneur, Industrialist, Philanthropist, and Pillar of the Shelby Community
Joseph Seltzer, affectionately known as “Uncle Joe” to generations of Shelby residents, was born in 1850 in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. He arrived in Shelby, Ohio, in 1870 at the age of 20, reportedly with just fifteen cents in his pocket—yet he would go on to become one of the city’s most wealthy, dynamic and influential citizens.
Seltzer began his working life in the dry goods business, where he quickly advanced to become a part-owner. His business acumen soon expanded beyond retail. In 1880, he entered into a partnership with H. W. Steele, and together they purchased David Cockley’s hardware business on Main Street. Their partnership flourished for many years and became a mainstay of downtown Shelby commerce.
A forward-thinking industrialist, Seltzer was one of the original investors and a director in the Shelby Steel Tube Company, a key part of the city’s manufacturing boom. He also played a crucial role in attracting new industries to Shelby, including raising funds to bring the Chicago Handlebar Company to town. His investments extended to ownership and management of the Spring Hinge Company, and he personally provided capital to keep the Shelby Cycle Frame Company afloat when it was in danger of collapse—an act that preserved jobs and economic stability for many local families. In 1925, the frame company became Shelby Cycle Company and began making complete bicycles. Seltzer became president.
Seltzer’s impact extended far beyond business. A passionate supporter of sports and young athletes, he offered employment to Charles Follis, the first Black professional football player in the United States, during his time playing in Shelby. His generosity toward local athletic teams earned him the enduring nickname “Uncle Joe,” reflecting his warm and community-minded spirit.
Outside of industry and philanthropy, one of Seltzer’s personal prides was Lebanon Farms, located near the S-curve north of Shelby. At the time, it was one of the largest stock farms in Ohio, known for its fine hogs and cattle. The farm stood as a symbol of both his agricultural knowledge and his enduring ties to his Pennsylvania roots.
Seltzer’s life was not without danger. While traveling by train into Detroit, he found himself amid a train robbery. Another man was shot during the robbery, and as Seltzer went for help, he was shot in the hip—surviving the harrowing ordeal.
In 1923, his son Howard Seltzer died unexpectedly of heart failure. In tribute, Joe named Seltzer Park in his honor—a lasting legacy of the family’s contributions to Shelby’s civic life.
Joseph Seltzer died in 1929 under tragic circumstances. While visiting his son Frank in Cleveland, he slipped on ice while crossing a street and was struck by an automobile. Though he initially survived with a slight skull fracture, he succumbed to his injuries three weeks later in the hospital.
Joe Seltzer’s life exemplifies the spirit of American self-made success, marked by resilience, enterprise, and an enduring commitment to the welfare of his community. His influence remains woven into the fabric of Shelby’s history.