Born in Germany in 1817, Jacob Piper came to America in 1831. He worked in Pennsylvania, lived in Dayton, returned to Germany for a year and then finally came to Sidney, Ohio, in 1838 opening a wagon shop. He worked in the wagon making trade until 1862 when he entered the mercantile business. He married Catharine B. Shine and reared six children, including William and Jacob Jr. The two brothers constructed the two Piper buildings.

The first, located at 124 South Main, was built by William in 1886. William had worked in his father’s wagon making business until he was sixteen years old, when he went into the grocery business as a clerk. At the age of 21, William became a partner of the firm. Three years later, the firm became Piper & Son, but in two years, his father retired. William then entered into partnership with G.F. Yenney, conducting a grocery, pork and wool business for six years. The pork packing business was located in the rear of the 22’ x 165’ store.

The two-story, six-bay building is ornamented in the High Victorian Italianate style, featuring a paneled frieze lined with massive brackets which rise to a hooded pediment with dated inscription. The windows are capped by linked flat-arch molds with geometric designs. In 1897, a 40’ rear section was added.