USA > Delaware > Historical and biographical encyclopaedia of Delaware. V 1 > Part 32
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49
Pusey & Jones is also an old and prominent iron ship-building company in Wilmington. The last iron steam ship launched by them, August 21, 1882, was the Albatross of 800 tons burden, for the U. S. Fish Commission. The officers of this company are Wm. G. Gib- bons, President ; W. W. Pusey, Secretary and Treasurer, and Charles Hill, Superintendent.
The Jackson and Sharp Company build the largest wooden vessels of any company in the State.
The building of vessels is carried on to a considerable extent at Frederica, by Gov. John W. Hall, and N. Lank. Most of these are large sized schooners, some of them reaching a capacity of 1,400 tons. Gov. Hall is the owner,in whole or in part, of over thirty vessels, all of which have been built under his personal supervision, several of which are engaged in foreign trade.
In Milford several firms are engaged in the construction of vessels of Delaware oak, which is unsurpassed for its durability and strength. . These firms are J. W. Abbott and Co., Mr. Scribner, T. R. Carlisle, J. R. Cahall & Co.,and W. J. Simpson. The first firm consists of Mr. Abbott and Wm. Marshall, M.D., of that town. The yards of all these builders are eligibly located on the south side of Mispillion creek, where they build large schooners, principally, and have the reputation of producing vessels, of their class, unsurpassed by any constructed on the continent.
At Milton, D. H. Atkins, Black & Brothers and C. C. Davidson, are engaged in construct- ing the same class of vessels. Here, as at
-
182
HISTORY OF DELAWARE.
Milford, the building of vessels has been in / continuous operation for nearly two centuries. Small vessels are also built on Indian river, and in early times were constructed on the Nanticoke river at Seaford.
The first Marine Railway in the State was constructed by Messrs. E. & C. Moore, the next by Mr. Harris, and another by the Thatchers, and finally a first class Railway was built at the yard of the Jackson & Sharp company.
By this brief sketch of one of our great indus- tries, it will be seen that Delaware, and par- ticularly Wilmington, has furnished her full share of enterprise in the ship-building busi- ness. She has had her whaling interest, pearl fishing, European, West India and coasting trade, and now is one of the greatest Iron Ship-building ports in the United States.
CAR BUILDING.
ILMINGTON enjoys the distinction of having early taken a foremost place in the construction of Railway carriages, and there is nothing which tends to give her greater fame as a manufacturing city. In fact it may be said that it is her chief in- dustry next to ship building, as there are more cars of every description built in Wilmington, than in any other city in the United States. There are four large establish- ments in the city, in part or in whole engaged in the manufactory of railroad cars, the largest of which is known as "The Delaware Car Works," belonging to the
"JACKSON & SHARP COMPANY."
This Company was established early in the year 1863, by Job H. Jackson and Jacob F. Sharp, and although then comparatively modest in extent, new additions and improve- ments were made, until now, the "Delaware Car Works" constitute the largest Passenger Car Manufactory in the country. It covers about twenty-five acres of land, outside the ship yard and marine railway and immense lumber yards of this Company. The shops of the Company are situated at the confluence of the Brandywine creek and Christiana river, having wharfage on each, and with the Phila- delphia Wilmington & Baltimore Railroad
track directly in front; a location, which affords them every facility and advantage of transportation both by land and water. These works have a capacity for over 75 passenger cars undergoing construction at the same time, the paint room alone holding thirty. Between 800 and 1000 men are constantly employed, and the weekly pay roll averages between $7,000 and $10,000, and for several years during seasons of great activity, the wages frequently exceeded $12,000 per week.
This Company exhibited a specimen car at the Cotton International Exhibition at Atlan- ta, Ga., in 1881, and was awarded a Gold Medal and special mention for elegance in de- sign and superior workmanship. Another en- terprising firm is
BOWERS, DURE & COMPANY,
which began business in 1871, locating their works on the Brandywine river and on the east side of the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad. The works occupy about 2I acres of ground, the shops are fitted with every possible convenience for the execution of the finest work, and in every respect they are so complete as to have deserved the title bestowed upon them of "MODEL WORKS." The cars are all most elegantly finished inside and out, and are not excelled in this or any country, either in design, workmanship or ap- pearance. Every facility for shipping is en- joyed, and for receiving by water or rail, all necessary supplies. Steam power drives a great variety of machinery ; 350 hands are employed, and a large number of standard and narrow gauge and city passenger railway cars are turned out annually.
THE HARLAN & HOLLINGSWORTH COMPANY, has already been referred to as the largest ship building Company in the State; but their extensive car building interest, which they conduct in addition to iron ship building, de- serves a notice in this paper. Their car works are at the foot of Orange street, between the railroad track and the Christiana, and are not a small branch of their establishment ; their operations in this department being very ex- tensive. They have furnished cars not only to many roads in the United States, but also to most of the principal railways of Canada, Cuba and South America. The various de- partments are under the charge of skilled mechanics, who have been in the employ of
.
0
EX BONE PHOSPHATE
11
ENGRAVED BY EA WRIGHT. PHIL
.
I. E. TYGERT
& CO'S
PHILADELPHIA OFFICE ( STAR BONE PHOSPHATE WORKS, SMYRNA. DEL. 42 S. DELAWARE AVENUE !
183
HISTORY OF DELAWARE .-
the Company for many years. Every thing | the best work. They enjoy a high reputation among railroad men and car-builders.
connected with the works moves with military precision.
THE PHILADELPHIA, WILMINGTON & BALTI- MORE RAILROAD CAR WORKS
are located at Fourth and Church Streets. This establishment was built about 1860, in which are constructed the freight and pas- senger cars, and also the locomotives used on that line, and the Delaware and other branch roads that the Company operates under lease. They employ about 400 hands, and are com- plete in every respect.
Auxiliary to car-building, are the specialties of manufacturing car-wheels and car-springs ; the former of which is conducted by
THE LOBDELL CAR-WHEEL COMPANY, located at the foot of Lombard street, the works lying on both sides of the Christiana. This company has a reputation which extends to all countries where railroads exist. It is the oldest establishment of the kind in the country, having been established in 1831 by Jonathan Bonney & Co., changed to Bonney & Bush in 1836, to Bush & Lobdell in 1839, and after twenty years, in 1859, Mr. Geo. G. Lobdell became the proprietor. In 1867 the present company was formed with Mr. Lob- dell as President ; N. P. Brennan, Treasurer ; and Wm. W. Lobdell, Secretary. They em- ploy about 500 men, and the capacity is over 300 car-wheels daily, which are shipped to va- rious parts of this country and Europe, and are in use by all the leading railroad compa- nies, and have become famous for their sound- ness and durability. At the centennial, the Company exhibited a set of wheels which had run under a locomotive tender 250,000 miles, and others that had been in use from 20 to 25 years, and have now on their premises a number that have been taken from cars on the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Rail- road, that have run 200,000 miles.
The other industry auxiliary to car-building is the manufacture of locomotive and car-springs, which is conducted by James P. Hayes & Co., another of Wilmington's enterprising and suc- cessful firms. This business was established in 1844 by E. J. Homer, Mr. Hayes becoming its head in 1872. It is located at the foot of Eighth street. They employ thirty men, and a thirty horse power steam engine drives their machinery, which is complete for turning out
The advance in car-building during the past twenty-five years has been enormous. The reason for this is clear ; in 1863 there were 32,470 miles of Railroad in the country ; in 1881, 104,813 miles, and 15,000 miles are under construction in 1882. This and the greatly increased number of trains over each road daily, both freight and passenger, will show the multiplied demand for cars during the past few years.
J. E. TYGERT AND COMPANY'S STAR BONE PHOSPHATE WORKS,
S an industry at Smyrna, Del., witlı a business office at 42 South Delaware Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. It was be- gun in 1870, by John E. Tygert. on | his farm near Harrington, Del. He used and sold, the first year, ten tons of phosphate, but the following year, removing the business to the town of Harrington, he manufactured about four hundred tons. In 1873, his brother, Her- man S. Tygert, joined him, and their business enlarging, they removed in the autumn of the same year to Smyrna, where they opened an office, locating their factory on the navi- gable waters of Duck creek, two miles from Smyrna. This location is a most eligible one, being only four miles from the Delaware Bay and on the line of the Bombay Hook Rail- road. There they erected a building suit- able for their needs, but the increase of their business has required yearly additions till now they have at that point over 16,000 square feet under roof. This whole structure contains 400 feet wharfage. In addition to this, they have, between two and three miles below their factory, on Duck Creek, a wharf covering one hundred feet, with a suitable storehouse for the use of their line of steamers employed in this interest, and for passenger travel and freight to Philadelphia. They also have a large ware- house at Clayton, used exclusively for the stor- age of their goods. The business was small at first, but has steadily increased to the present time.
In 1873, their first year in Smyrna, they only employed about eight hands and sold about
1
184
HISTORY OF DELAWARE.
500 tons of phosphate : also they obtained Broad Creek, occupying the space of 6000 their material, already ground, from Philadel- square feet, ground floor, on which the works stand. The factory and machinery are worth about $25,000. From the first year, in which 600 thousand strawberry baskets were made, the manufacture of two millions baskets, boxes, and crates, annually, are turned out, as the result of both skilled labor and improved machinery. So perfect is the skill employed that two berry baskets are made in a minute, and one peach basket in two minutes, and the capacity of the works is equal to the making of 35,000 berry baskets per day. For the safe transportation of fruits and vegetables Mr. Marvil has obtained six patents, the im- proved parts of which are made at the factory in Laurel. He also has invented and patented two " Improved Watchman's Time Detectors" for the protection of his works. The different kinds and sizes of baskets, boxes, and crates number about forty, and range from the capacity of pints to bushels. The baskets are made with and without lids and handles, so as to meet any want in the business. The de- mand for these wares of Mr. Marvil is such as to give employment to 40 agents besides sub - agents and contractors, who dispose of them in the several States of the Union, from Massa- chusetts to Texas. To accommodate the trade, numerous warehouses are already established in the chief centres of the country, and a healthy growth in the trade is everywhere manifest. These wares are all cheap and com- paratively inexpensive, hence their rapid sale and the constantly growing demand. phia, in sailing vessels. This method they found too slow and uncertain, and in 1875 pur- chased the steam barge, "W. C. Pierrepont," which they supplied with passenger accom- modations and run tri-weekly to Philadelphia. This purchase greatly facilitated their interest, and now requiring a location in that city, they obtained an office and ware-house at 42 South Delaware Avenue. During 1875, they manu- factured and sold about 1,500 tons of phos- phate. Their steamer ran regularly, and was soon so crowded with the general freight and passenger business that increased facilities were found indispensable. They accordingly built, in the spring of 1879, the fine double- deck iron steamer, John E. Tygert, of 288 tons burden, government measurement, which made its first trip, July 4, 1879. The firm of J. E. Tygert and Company, in the spring of 1878, introduced into their works machinery for manufacturing phosphate from the crude ma- terial. Among that machinery are mills for breaking and grinding bones, plaster, salt-cake and all the materials used in their manufactory. They are thus enabled not only to produce their phosphate at less expense but can insure the perfect purity of their goods. They have five elevators, each forty feet in height, and two that are shorter. They also have mixers and all the most improved machinery for handling and manipulating their material. During the last season the firm have em- ployed from seventy five to one hundred hands in the works, on the two steamers and in the different offices. Besides manufacturing from the crude material and selling ten thousand THE MILFORD BASKET COMPANY, MILFORD, DELAWARE. tons of phosphate, they have shipped and sold large quantities of prepared material to other manufacturers. They manufacture an article for early vegetables, one for wheat, another for corn, and another specially suited for peach trees. All their phosphates enjoy a high reputa- tion, and command the best prices in the market.
MARVIL'S BASKET & CRATE FACTORY
HE Delaware Fruit-Crate and Basket Factory was established in the year first of the following year, their present fine 1871 by Joshua H. Marvil who is sole Proprietor and owner. This Factory is located in Laurel, Del., on the south side of
ANUARY, 1876, Theron H. Camp and Charles A. Blair, the present proprietors, began this business, the firm assuming the name of Camp & Blair.
Their purpose was at first simply to manu- facture fruit packages, as peach baskets, berry baskets and crates. They rented and occupied a portion of Mr. Barber's Mill, and their enter- prise proving successful, they erected, in the buildings on Front street near the depot. These are the main mill, which is forty feet front and runs back fifty-five feet, and the storehouse,
185
HISTORY OF DELAWARE.
which is thirty by fifty feet. They manufacture [ by 120 feet, besides erecting three storage in a season about a million of strawberry bask- rooms, covering 10,800 square feet ; also two sets of acid chambers, their capacity being 150 feet, one of 100 and one of 50 feet, the build- ing covering them being 47 by 113 ft. ets, for which they have all the latest and most improved machinery. The boxes are made from the poplar and gum trees. The logs, after being cut into pieces about two feet in length, are steamed, and then placed in the veneer cutter. There a stationary knife feeds up against the log while it revolves, and shaves it down to the centre. Over the knife are spurs which cut into the log and cut the veneer the right length. On the opposite side is an impression roller which cuts into the log the shape of each piece for the basket. The works are driven by a forty-five horse power engine. The Company also manufacture about five thousand berry-crates a year. In July 1877, they added a Fruit Drying Depart- ment, and for that purpose introduced The Alden Evaporator, of which they used two; and their business increasing, they added two more in 1879. They now (1882) put up about sixty thousand pounds of fruit, apples and peaches, mostly the latter. Their fruit has the best reputation, and stands high in the market. The firm is one of the most enter- prising and successful in the State, and its standing is first class in every respect.
W. M. ROSS & COMPANY, SEAFORD, DEL.,
MPORTERS and Manufacturers of Fer- tilizers and Supplies,-Raw-bone Super- Phosphate, Acidulated Charleston Rock, Fish Guano, Sulphate of Potash, Pure Ground Bone, Sulphuric Acid, Sulphate and Nirate of Soda, Pure Nova Scotia Plaster, Mu- riate of Potash, and Pure Dissolved Raw-Bone. This business was begun in 1873 by Messrs. Ball and Ross, and it was conducted by this firm until 1875, when, by the retirement of Mr. Ball, the firm-name was changed to the present one. This firm consists of W. H. Ross, W. M. Ross and E. C. Ross.
At the time of their forming the present partnership the building was 40 by 60 feet in dimensions, with the addition of an engine room not attached to the main building. In a very short time, owing to increase of business, the Messrs. Ross enlarged their building to 60
This firm manufacture or import all their goods and their business is large and remuner- ative. In the manufacture of their goods they employ all the latest improved machinery, crushers, disintegrating machines for grinding bone, two sets burr stones for grinding South Carolina Rock, etc. This extensive machinery is run by a 40 horse power engine, and the factory is first-class in every particular. The business of this firm is increasing annually. During the first year of their business they sold 30 tons of Phosphate, and in 1879 sold 4,000 tons, and this year, 1882, expect to in- crease their already large sales. This is the only manufactory of chemicals south of Wil- mington. It issituated on the Nanticoke River, and adjoining the Delaware Railroad, and Dor- chester and Delaware Railroad, and they have a track laid connecting with the main line run- ning from their factory ; thus giving them great facilities for loading and shipping their goods. They have also large wharves on the river front, used in shipping their productions by vessels. The reputation of their goods is of the highest character, and the members of the firm enjoy the confidence of their large and growing trade.
J. PARKE POSTLES' MOROCCO WORKS, WILMINGTON,
roof.
RE located on 4th, between Orange and Tatnall Streets, Nos. 204 to 208, and were erected by Messrs. Baynard & Postles in 1855, having 4,000 feet under The structure is of brick with Mansard roof. In 1857 Mr. Stephen Postles became sole proprietor, and the business continued until 1866 when the firm-name was changed to S. Postles & Sons. In 1877 Mr. Stephen Postles retired, his son Genl. J. Parke Postles taking the management. He has conducted the business to the present time with great energy and success, increasing the manufacture from five dozen skins per day in 1866, to seventy-five dozen at the present time. Gen.
24
186
HISTORY OF DELAWARE.
Postles is prompt, energetic and thorough, con- vented ; facilities for producing certain results ducting the affairs of his large establishment in the quickest manner were sought for and on the most liberal and honorable principles. brought to a success ; and ingenious methods He is a gentleman of culture and integrity and of preparing the goods had to be discovered ; greatly respected in the community.
CANNED MEATS, FRUIT AND VEGE- TABLES.
RICHARDSON & ROBBINS.
N the year 1856, Mr. Alden B. Richard- son and Mr. James W. Robbins, of Dover, Del., commenced the business of canning Fruit and Vegetables under the firm-name of RICHARDSON & ROBBINS. They were previously engaged in the tin-ware, stove and furnace business, in the same town. [See sketch of each partner in this book.] As early as 1847, Mr. Richardson had experi- mented in preserving fruit in air-tight cans, but he was not satisfied with his success. He continued his experiments, however, with more or less encouragement, year after year, until 1856 when the firm of Richardson & Rob- bins put their first goods in the market, which consisted of 600 cans. Encouraged by the favor they had received, the next year their business amounted to 1800 cans. The third year to 9000 cans. During those years they had used for their purpose a common cooking-stove, to prepare their goods for the cans. Feeling assured they were on the right track, they built a Heater, which enabled them to increase their business that year to 20,000 cans, which found a ready market.
It must be borne in mind that the business in which they had embarked had already been established several years, in various cities of the Union ; yet the goods put up by them, marked by their brand of "R. & R.," imme- diately took the lead for superiority with the dealers and consumers of canned goods. So far their success had been won after many severe trials, for difficulties had to be over- come that could be accomplished only from a knowledge of the laws that govern the chemi- cal changes which follow in all fruits and vegetables after their ripening, and when -packed as an article of food for future use. Labor saving contrivances had to be in-
all of which they accomplished. The demand for their products increased much faster than they could supply them ; when in 1862 they put in a 2-horse-power Boiler, by which they were enabled to increase their business to 40,000 cans. In 1863, only seven years from the commencement of their undertaking, they were compelled to purchase a large building, situate at the junction of State and King streets, put in an 8-horse-power Boiler, and fit. up the entire building with all appliances and conveniences necessary for their purposes, which allowed them to send out that year up- wards 100,000 cans of fruit and vegetables.
From the first, their determination had been to put up none but the very best goods to be obtained, and use the nicest quality of mate- rial in their preparation. Located in the heart of the pcach and fruit-growing districts of Delaware, they could receive their fruit direct from the producers, in its perfection,-an advantage over those packers doing business in cities.
From time to time, additions had to be made to their factory, until their entire ground was covered ; the 8-horse-power Boiler was re- moved to give place to one of 90-horse-power, and their business had reached a point in mag- nitude far beyond what either partner had ever imagined. At their commencement, Mr. Rob- bins had attended to the purchase of all the fruit and other goods required, while Mr. Rich- ardson superintended their preparation and packing, which required an accurate knowledge of the articles used, and the secret of their detail, by which the goods had made their famous reputation in the trade. While rejoic- ing in their prosperity, after 20 years of suc- cess, their partnership was suddenly dissolved by the death of Mr. Robbins, in the Summer of 1876. It was a great loss to Mr. Richard - son, as the enterprise and excellent business capacity of his partner, united with himself, had earned for the firm a world-wide reputa- tion for the superiority of their goods. Before his decease he requested that the firm-name should never be changed. Mr. Richardson then took his son, Harry A. Richardson, into the concern, as partner. At the time, and for
1
!
N /
PZ
RISING SUN, NEAR LEBANON. DEL.
187
HISTORY OF DELAWARE.
several years, he had managed their corres- pondence and financial affairs, besides assist- ing in any other department that required his services.
During the year 1876, Mr. Richardson ex- perimented in the putting up of his Boneless Cooked Hams, which was received by the trade and the public with universal favor, and acknowledged the most important invention in the history of canned preparations. Their immediate demand was far greater than the firm could then supply. The Rolled Ox Tongues was another original success of Mr. Richard- son's ; and also the whole Boned Turkey and Chicken ; the Galantines of Game and Poul- try ; Chicken Livers, truffled; besides other canned preparations of the firm, (Ham, Tongue, Beef, Chicken, Game, &c.,) now accepted as indispensable articles for the table, in every household. Their Plum Pudding was another great "hit," the demand for which, last Fall, exceeded thirty tons in weight.
The exhibits of the firm at the late Centen- nial Exposition, and the award of two Medals, were the means of creating a foreign demand for their goods which has already become co- lossal ; and the display of their canned goods at the French Exposition of 1878, received the commendations of the most distinguished bon vivants of Paris, and won for Messrs. Richard- son & Robbins the only Gold Medal awarded to American exhibitors of canned fruit. And since then the firm have also been awarded a Gold Medal by the London Food Exposition of 18So.
With their rapidly-increasing business their large Factory was found inadequate for their wants, and in the Spring of 1881 the firm pur- chased about nine acres of land, a short dis- tance from their former stand, on which they erected probably the most perfectly-appointed Canning Factory now in the world.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.