Lay Brothers Fisheries, Inc., records

The company known as Lay Brothers Fisheries, Inc. began as a one-person operation in Sandusky, Ohio in the 1860s when John Lay, Sr. launched and crewed his first fishing boat. Lay was born December 4, 1849. Jacob Lay and Mary Bolzmeyer were born in Germany and migrated to Ohio before their son John was born. John Lay began his career in the fish industry in 1869. In one year business was sufficiently good to make adding a partner necessary. John's brother Jacob Lay joined him in the trap net boat and Lay Brothers Fisheries was inaugurated. John Lay's participation in this company lasted until his death on February 23, 1937.

Lay Brothers, Inc. grew rapidly in terms of new boats and employees. A third Lay brother, Henry, joined the management of the expanding company in 1881. The fleet reached a peak size in the 1930s at approximately thirty vessels.

Management began to shift to a second generation of Lays when Jacob Lay retired in 1902. John's sons John Jr., Oscar, and Charles began to assist in running the business.

The business was so successful, even during the Great Depression, that fish products were sold to an international market. Expansion into subsidiary companies before the 1930s helped the Lay brothers keep their business in sound condition. Albert Matt managed the Huron Fish company for the Lays as of 1906. John Lay, Jr. began operating the Port Clinton Fish Company in 1910 and the Ashtabula Fish Company was founded in 1915. As late as 1942, Charles Lay was a partner in the Lake Manitoba Fisheries, Ltd. of Winnipeg. This company provided winter harvest catches to be distributed by the Lays.

The 1950s marked a severe decline in the fortunes of the Lay Brothers Fisheries. Several factors were identified as the causes. A decline in the pickerel population decreased a prime source of profit. Competition from Canadian fleets that fished on a full year schedule with no winter layup cut down catch totals for the Lay company. Improved freezing and shipping methods allowed more distant companies to compete in the Lay Brothers' market. John Lay Sr's. grandson, Jack Lay, stopped using the company fleet in 1957 and closed the business in 1961. The Port Clinton Fish Company was used to provide fish to the processing part of the company.