At the turn of the century, Sidney was able to boast of many profitable and nationally known businesses and industries. Although perhaps not as well known as the steel scraper companies, or many of the Wagner industries, one of our important businesses of this time was the Sidney School Furniture Company. For approximately 20 years, it sold school related items all over the United States.

John D. Loughlin, born in 1852, came to Sidney in 1880, and with a man named T.D.Scott, purchased two lots between Main and Ohio Avenues, (lots 289 and 290 on North Ohio Street). This was an excellent location being just north of the feeder canal that went through Sidney. They erected a main building, 165 by 60 feet, and a smaller office building which faced Ohio Street. The factory began operation in February of 1881 by manufacturing the "Fashion", the most progressive school desk of the time.

The most important feature of this desk was the "Patent T-head". This was an innovative method of joining the wood of the top, back, and seat to the cast iron legs and framed the wood and iron directly together, doing away with screws and bolts. This made a much more sturdy and durable desk. The desk was manufactured in different sizes to be used with all ages of children. An excerpt from the company’s catalog explains that the "Fashion" desk was "the latest and best". "No desk in the market is made with more care, nor of better materials than the "Fashion", and none has met with a more popular reception, or gives better satisfaction. We are now prepared to make it better than ever before, and will guarantee it to stand the test of school-room use, and to please all who can be satisfied by the best material and workmanship, and perfect mechanical construction."