WEAVER, COSTELLO & CO., INC. 
E. C. Weaver, the President of Weaver, Costello & Co., 
Inc., started in the candy business as a salesman for L. T. 
Yoder, June 15, 1875. This firm handled the then limited 
line of candy, along with cakes, crackers, and fireworks. 
In May 1882, Charles W. Costello joined L. T. Yoder, who 
was then located at 315 Smithfield Street, as a salesman, and 
in March of 1884, James C. Patch entered the concern as 
shipper. Candy salesmen in those days drove heavy wagon 
teams over the mud roads, and delivered the major part of 
the orders from the stock they carried with them, and both 
E. C. Weaver and C. W. Costello have envious records of 
salesmanship which they made in those early days. 
Early in 1889, a partnership, capitalized at $30,000 was 
formed by L. T. Yoder, E. C. Weaver, C. W. Costello and 
J. C. Patch and a small line of hard candies, stick candy, 
peanut brittle, and kisses was made in their location at 
832-334 Third Avenue. 
L. T. Yoder retired from the business in 1891 and in 1892 
increased business made necessary the construction of a six 
story fire proof factory which was built at 230-232 Second 
Avenue, which was then a 20 foot street. 
This increased floor space permitted a much larger line 
to be manufactured and in 1893, feeling the necessity of 
having their own private line of chocolates, they conceived 
the Edgeworth Chocolate line and had it manufactured for 
them by a large well known Eastern factory. Also in 1998, 
the first pound package of candy was placed on the market 
by a well known Boston manufacturer and they secured the 
Distributing Agency on this line of package goods for Ohio. 
West Virginia, and Western Pennsylvania. 
In 1898, Pan American Mixture was originated and placed 
on the market and has always enjoyed a steady sale. 
In July 1902, the business was incorporated with a capital 
of $250,000 with the following officers: C. W. Costello, Presi- 
dent; J. C. Patch, Vice-President; E. C. Weaver, Secretary 
and Treasurer, and the firm began to manufacture Edgeworth 
Chocolates, a line of pail chocolates, penny chocolates, cara- 
mels, and a general line of confectionery.