William J. Grube, Delaware Ohio 1873-1954
William Grube was a significant manufacturer of his rubber fishing lures in central Ohio, but his lifes journey was much more than just making fishing lures.
Here is an excerpt from Delaware County, Then and Now, an informal history, by Ray E Buckingham, published by Historybook, Inc. 1976:He was something of a legend in the Delaware area.
Always a talented fisherman, he built up a large business manufacturing artificial lures of every description, all of his own invention. His fishing tales were classics retold throughout the whole community. At his death, he left behind a whole drawer full of patents, a reflection of his talents which were overshadowed by his colorful reputation. He built the fourth car in Ohio according to French blueprints, but utilized spark plug ignition instead of the hot tube setup in vogue then. In 1908, he rode as an observer for Frank Lawwell in the Vanderbilt Cup Races. His racing enthusiasm and motor knowledge led him into close friendships with a couple of future greats, Barney Oldfield and Eddie Richenbacker. The Columbus artist, George Bellows, was a close friend. For many years, one of the most interesting characters around Delaware was "Bill" Grube who operated a sporting goods store on East Winter Street. At his death, the store looked much as it did forty years earlier. As a kid he helped his father, who had seen one at the Philadelphia Sesqui-Centennial, construct a high-wheeler bicycle he could pedal around Prospect. In those formative years he showed some aptitude for motors, autos, sulkies, and everything mechanical.
Some more history and important dates
1873 born in Sunbury, Delaware Co, Ohio
1900 Census: student living at home, age 26
1912 William Grube, files for patent 1,090,530, improved vehicle axle lubrication (patent awarded in 1914)
1915 marries Ada Markel.
1917 Grube files for patent 1,247,955, improvement to artificial baits by attacking the hook to a metal piece, then molding the rubber body around the metal. (patent awarded in 1917). The patent illustration uses a crawdad body
1917 Franklin Campbell, Delaware Oh, applies for patent 1,267,627, an artificial fishing lure with a flexible body that simulates a species of water bug, like a helgramite.
1920 Census: retail merchant for automobile supplies.
1930 Census: manufacturer of fish baits.1925 Files for patent 1,591,704, artificial bait that allows the depth in the water to be controlled by the rate of retrieval. This is the patent for his Hydroplane Casting Bait or Hydroplane Spinner. (patent awarded in 1926).
1954 dies of heart attack.
Two articles mention Grube in the Zanesville Signal
6 Feb 1938 – It wont be long now until Ohio anglers will be out on the streams. Bill Grube, of Delaware, had itching feet while I was visiting him last week. I had been catching quite a few bluegills on days when the sun was shining bright enough to keep my line from freezing at the guides and to the reel. I like to catch bluegills on artificial lures, but during the winter months when they insist on more substantial food, I accommodate them with whatever I can entice them with. But I could not get Bill enthused. He has been making artificial lures for so many years that he has become a dyed in the wool purist. So when he mentioned that he was going down to the Scioto to try his luck with crappies, I knew the answer. Most all of the crappies last spring were caught on the little metal lures, so Bill figured if they hit at all now, he would not have resort to lowly worms, but could inveigle them with something he manufactures himself. I wouldn’t doubt that one of the little red rubber potato bugs he makes might prove effective.
24 Apr 1938 – [Fishing & Hunting, by J W Munsell] Do you know how many miles or acres of fishable waters there are in your county? I am willing to make a bet with anyone that Bill Grube, of Delaware, catches more bass each year than any other angler in Ohio and he catches most of them in Delaware County. Why? Bill might insist it is because he uses the lures he manufactures, but if he didn’t know where to use them, regardless of their merit, I wouldn’t want to bet. Delaware County has 190 miles of game-fish streams, and there are very few riffles and pools unknown to Bill. Your county may not have such rivers as the Scioto, Olentangy, or Big Walnut, each of which has over 30 miles in Delaware County, or such creeks as Alum, Mill, Bokes, or Rattlesnake, but if you will get from the Dept of Interior, U S Geographical Survey, Washington DC, the topographic map for your section, which shows all rivers and streams, you will be surprised to learn how many miles of water near your home are unfamiliar to you. There are 13 cities in Ohio where these maps can be purchased. If you want the location of the nearest agency to you, write me. Ohio is one of the very best bass states in the country, but you must learn where to catch them.
Much thanks for research help to Milli Barnhart, DCGS Volunteer/Corresponding Secretary, Doug Carpenter, NFLCC, John Lewellyn, NFLCC
Mayfly & Skip Jack
Bumble Bee
Crawfish
Very Rare Bill's Softie crawdad in rare picture box - image of lure is faint - in the middle of the box.
Bill's Lucky Strike Minnow
The early versions in the middle and below have an all rubber body and lip. The later version on the far left has a metal lip.
Delong Reversible Minnow, very similar to Grube, but found with black rubber and red eyes, note differnece in tail hardware.
Grube Mouse
Grube Hydroplane Bait Casting Fly or Hydroplane Spinner
Great early bait reminiscent of the Shannon Twin Spinner. Patented in 1926, the earlier box on top is marked patent pending. The later box references the patent date for patent 1,591,704.
courtesy Doug Carpenter
Courtesy Doug Carpenter
Courtesy Doug Carpenter
Frogs
Hellgramites
In 1917, Franklin Campbell was awarded his patent in 1917, on the left is a rare card titled Campbell's Helgramite Wiggler, Patented, Manufactured by W.J. Grube Delaware, Ohio.On the right, it changes to from Campbell's to Grube's. Also, "PATENTED" disappears.Both have borders made with swastikas. Swastika is Sanskrit for lucky. "Good Luck" is printed below the symbol on the far right pair of lures.This dates the lures to pre-WWII, but I am uncertain exactly when he stopped using the marking as the symbols image irreversibly changed.
Pair of Helgramites on the card, note with and without buck tails. Also, the cards are serrated on the edges indicating they were sold on sheets of lures.
Courtesy Doug Carpenter
Flyrod Lures
Grube's Big Six
Rare Big Six assortment card, along with a 1924 Wilson ad advertising his grasshoppers, crawdads, minnows, frogs and the Big 6 Soft Rubber Bait Assortment
The crawfish was sold both in this early rare picture box and on cards. Note the swastika on the box, certainly dating it pre WWII.
Bill's Softie
Grasshoppers
Minnows
