USA > Delaware > History of the state of Delaware, Volume I > Part 33
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are J. Parke Postles, president, G. Parke Postles, vice-presi- dent and Henry C. Taylor, secretary and treasurer.
WASHINGTON JONES & COMPANY.
In 1858, when Thomas H. Baynard retired from the firm of Baynard & Postles, he made an alliance with Washington Jones, the firm being called Baynard & Jones, and started on Walnut street above Front a new leather manufactory. Mr. Baynard died in 1864 and Mr. Jones carried on the business alone until 1867, when Daniel P. Price and Charles R. Jones were admitted as partners. In 1873 William G. Jones was admitted as a fourth partner, and the firm as thus constituted continued until 1886, when Mr. Price retired. Washington Jones retired from the firm in 1SSS, when his two sons, Charles R. Jones and William G. Jones succeeded to the business, the old firm name of W. Jones & Company being used. The business has since been conducted under their direction.
WILLIAM BUSH.
For thirty-three years, from 1858 until his death in 1891, William Bush was a successful morocco manufacturer on Walnut street below Second, adjoining W. Jones & Company. The business started in 1858, the firm name being G. T. Clark & Company, with Mr. Bush as a silent partner. In 1866 the firm became Bush, Clark & Co., and in 1870 Wil- liam Bush & Co. was adopted as the firm name. Mr. Bush was a practical leather man, of good judgment and a careful manager. He succeeded in amassing a comfortable fortune and gained a deservedly high place in the business commun- ity. At his death the business passed to a firm composed of Arthur H. G. Garrett and William A. Barr, who continued at the old site until 1905, when the firm dissolved and the busi- ness is now conducted by William A. Barr and Hugh F. Dougherty trading as Barr & Dougherty, at 314 to 328 East Second street.
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CHARLES BAIRD & COMPANY.
The firm of Maltritz, Baird & Taylor began the manufacture of leather on East Fifth street near Poplar in 1865. A year later they moved to Third street near Tatnall, and occupied the old factory vacated by Pusey, Scott & Co. In 1872 Messrs. Maltritz & Taylor retired from the firm, and the busi- ness was continued by Charles Baird with Henry S. McComb as a limited partner, and the firm of Charles Baird & Co. con- tinued until the death of Mr. Baird in 1897. Since the death of Charles Baird his son Robert S. Baird has succeeded to the business, using the old firm name, the present location being on Walnut street below Second. The thirty years and more of time covered by the life of this firm have been marked by strict business integrity and the business has been a prosper- ous one.
C. & J. PYLE.
This firm began in 1844 as C. & W. Pyle & Co., the part- ners being Cyrus and William Pyle, Edwin A. Wilson and James Webb. It was a few years afterward known as Pyle, Wilson & Pyle, and in 1861 became C. & J. Pyle, composed of Cyrus and Joseph Pyle. The firm manufactures patent leather, and is the only firm in Wilmington that produces that commodity. The business was started on Orange street above Fifth, but before 1850 was moved to Sixth and Monroe streets. In 1885 the C. & J. Pyle Company was incorporated, and what had at that time assumed a large business has since grown to still larger proportions, and the products of the com- pany are in demand and are shipped to all parts of the civil- ized world. Joseph Pyle, who from the organization of the company until his death in 1896 served as president of the company, was a man of sterling qualities and a leading and popular citizen. The present officers of the company are: Willard S. Pyle, president ; Frederic Pyle, vice-president and treasurer, and Elwood P. Pyle, secretary.
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F. BLUMENTHAL & CO.
After the firm of Quigley & Mullen was dissolved in 1882, Charles Mullen, the junior partner, established a plant of his own at the southwest corner of Front and Monroe streets. The business continued in his name alone until October of 1888, when Daniel Pierson, Jr., was admitted as a partner. Mullen remained in the firm only three months longer, disposing of his interest to Daniel Pierson, Jr., in January, 18S9, and the latter continued the business until January, 1891, when the entire interest was sold to Ferdinand Blumenthal and Julian Ulman, trading as F. Blumenthal & Co. The latter firm has since continued the business, and it has been extended to meet their wants until the plant covers the whole of two blocks of land extending from Front to Chestnut streets and from Mon- roe to Adams. The equipment of the plant is unexcelled in the country, the products of the firm are known everywhere, and no establishment in the United States has a larger out- put. Daniel Pierson, Jr., continued as manager for the Blumenthals until 1893. He was succeeded in that year by Richard Patzowsky, under whose management the business was conducted until 1900, when he resigned. His successor as manager was Joseph H. Blatz, who served for about two years, meeting an untimely death in 1902 by a railroad accident. Since that time the management of the business has fallen to William C. Blatz and John B. Blatz, men of younger years, but who by dint of good judgment have been able to maintain the good management of their predecessors. The firm gives employment to hundreds of people, and is reckoned one of the most prosperous and enterprising of the Wilmington manufactories.
FORD MOROCCO COMPANY.
The Ford Morocco Company was conceived and started by Thomas Ford in 1886. Thomas Ford had been a contractor and builder of prominence in the city and served as sheriff of New Castle County from 1884 to 1886. But to Peter J. Ford
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belongs the credit of the establishment of the Ford Morocco Company. He was a brother of Thomas, and both were sons of Peter Ford and Mary (O'Conner) Ford. Both parents were born in Ireland and after coming to America settled on the banks of the Brandywine, afterwards taking up their residence in the City of Wilmington, where they raised a large family of children.
Among the younger children was Peter J. Ford, who was born August 15, 1857. Educated in the public schools he early showed the qualities of heart and mind which were destined to make him an influential man, in business and political life. Impressed with the strict integrity and sterling qualities of his immediate ancestors, he early showed an am- bition to accomplish things. He began when a very young man to invest his first savings in real estate, and showed such judgment and discretion that he soon found friends who were so impressed with his grit and determination to succeed that they were willing to help him in his enterprise. His success has been unusual. His capital at the beginning was a clear head and a good heart. He inherited no money, but his Irish blood was red with pluck and determination. He dared to do when other men of less courage would have hesitated. From these qualities grew the Ford Morocco Company which, under the efficient management of Peter J. Ford, has expanded from one small building erected in 1886, until it now occupies three entire blocks, with every equipment and modern ap- pliance for the manufacture of " Vassar Kid," the special pro- duct of the firm. Mr. Ford served as president and managed the business from 1886 to 1898. Retiring therefrom in the latter year, the company was reorganized, and the capital increased. It has since, under the direction of William A. Stetson, the well-known morocco dealer of Boston, upheld its well-earned reputation, and occupies the position today of one of the leading industries of Wilmington.
Peter J. Ford has shown himself to be a man of large pub- lic spirit. In 1898 he erected a large office-building at the
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Cars Ford
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southwest corner of Tenth and Market streets, known as the Ford building, the forerunner of other important improve- ments in upper Market street, and a living evidence of Mr. Ford's business sagacity. In 1900 Mr. Ford was the Demo- cratic candidate for the office of Governor of the State, and entering with spirit into the campaign, he made an ideal party candidate, though not elected. He has been for two years the president of the Board of Water Commissioners of the City of Wilmington. It is rarely the case that a man has risen as rapidly in business circles and maintained his vantage ground as well as Peter J. Ford.
MITCHELL, & THOMAS.
In 1888 a new firm was formed for the manufacture of morocco by Elmer E. Mitcheil, Robert W. Tadman and Frank H. Thomas, using the name of Mitchell, Tadman & Thomas. They erected a large three-story building at Maryland avenue and Monroe street, at which location a large and profitable business has since been conducted, in which nearly two hun- dred men are employed in the manufacture of a special glazed kid. Mr. Tadman left the firm in 1894, and it has since been continued by the surviving partners trading as Mitchell & Thomas.
WILMINGTON AND BRANDYWINE LEATHER COMPANY.
In 1895, a year after the retirement of Robert W. Tadman from the firm of Mitchell, Tadman & Thomas, he formed a partnership with James B. Hickman, under the firm name of Tadman & Hickman, and they began the manufacture of fancy glazed kid at No. 208 West Fourth street, the old stand so long occupied by Stephen Postles and J. Parke Postles. Mr. Hickman had for years been with John G. Baker, and Mr. Tadman had been raised in the leather trade. The firm soon built up a large business. In 1901 the Wilmington and Brandywine Leather Company was incorporated and the busi- ness of the old firm was absorbed by it and continued at the
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old stand. The present officers of the company are Robert W. Tadman, president, George F. Lowry, vice-president and secretary, and James B. Hickman, treasurer.
NEW CASTLE LEATHER COMPANY.
Richard Patzowsky who for seven years had been the manager for F. Blumenthal & Co., retired from the latter firm in 1900 and immediately began to look around for a site upon which to erect a leather plant of his own. He located at the northwest corner of Eleventh and Poplar streets, erecting buildings that covered nearly a block of land. In 1902 the New Castle Leather Company was incorporated with Mr. Patzowsky as the leading stockholder, and in the same year the business of the new concern was started in quarters that are strictly up to date, and which have every facility for the turning-out of the special leather products which have made Mr. Patzowsky known throughout the leather trade. An ex- tensive and continually growing business has been established and the affairs of the company are moving along with great success. The present officers of the company are Richard Patzowsky, president, Alden B. Sleeper, vice-president and treasurer, and Robert E. Burger, secretary.
JOHN G. BAKER.
John G. Baker for twenty years was proprietor of a large leather manufactory on East Fifth street near Church. He was a practical leatherworker, a man of strong individuality, and with unusual energy and ambition. He began business in 1867 in a small way, but in a few years had established a large trade that required an enlargement of the plant. He devoted himself to the production of some special leathers which proved popular, and it was but a brief while until he was a leader in the trade. After a successful career covering several years he met with reverses which clouded his later years. While still in the prime of life he died, January 28, 1895.
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THE BEADENKOPFS.
William, Charles and Martin Beadenkopf have at various times under various firm names been connected with the leather trade in Wilmington for the past thirty years. The factory on West Fourth street near Jackson was built by them, and is now conducted by Charles Beadenkopf. Later they operated on Conrad street near Jackson, and within a few years William Beadenkopf bought the old plant used by the Diamond Match Company at Fourteenth and Walnut streets, and has been conducting a leather factory there for the past five years. All three of the brothers have shown an aptness for business, and it is unusual to find three brothers who have been so successful in business life.
OTHER LEATHER DEALERS.
Robert H. Jones and William Richman started in 1875 a small morocco plant on Fifth street near Orange which they conducted successfully for ten years, when it passed to the control of James Q. Bonner, who still conducts business at the old stand.
Jeremiah Mahoney, under the firm name of J. Mahoney & Co., conducted a small business on Third street near Madison for about five years, beginning in 1879.
Isaac T. Quigley started in 1881 at Fourth and Monroe streets, where for some years previous John Taylor had con- ducted the same line of business. Charles Mullin afterwards became a partner with Mr. Quigley, the firmn name being Quigley and Mullin, but in a few years the firm dissolved and each partner continued a separate leather business.
William J. McClary built, in 1881, the large morocco factory on the south side of Sixth street, near Monroe, and started in business there, which lie conducted successfully for fifteen years, when he retired, and the business passed by purchase to the United Leather Company by whom it is now operated.
B. L. Kent & Co. in 1886 established a morocco-tanning
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plant in conjunction with their lumber business at Front and Justison streets, but the venture was short-lived.
Willianı B. Clerk came to Wilmington in 1887 from Haver- hill, Massachusetts, where he had formerly been a member of the firm of Clerk, Lennox & Briggs, and began the manufacture of chrome kid by a special process in the old Franklin factory at Ninth and Walnut streets. The enterprise proved very successful, and was continued until 1903 when a new company called the Continental Leather Company was incorporated, of which Mr. Clerk became president, and the business of the company was moved to the old Baker property at Fifth and Church streets where it still continues.
Clifford and Walter Pyle have for twenty years conducted a sheepskin tannery on Van Buren street above Fourth, where in a modest but successful way they have built up a paying business which employs over a hundred hands. Their product is colored leather used by book-binders and for pocket- books. In 1883 the C. & W. Pyle Company was incorporated and the business of the old firm was absorbed by it. The company is now conducting the business.
The firm of Charles E. Fritz & Co., composed of Charles E. Fritz, William V. Bond and George W. Chambers, have been engaged since 1877 in the manufacture of special lines of leather at No. 211 West Third street. With its experience of nearly thirty years, the firm has made a deservedly high repu- tation, both in point of financial strength and in quality of products.
C. Wesley Weldin ran a morocco plant on Conrad street, between Adams and Jackson streets, from 1902 to 1904. The building erected by William Beadenkopf had been idle for some years, when Mr. Weldin began business there in 1902. After continuing for two years Mr. Weldin sold his plant to Clarence M. Beadenkopf, who continued there but a short while when he sold out to George F. Betz, who is still manu- facturing there.
One of the youngest morocco plants in Wilmington is that.
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of the Delaware Leather Company, incorporated in 1904, and located at the southwest corner of Thirteenth and Lombard streets. Charles E. Corey is the president of the company and William C. Corey the secretary and treasurer.
CARRIAGE BUILDING.
Prior to and about the time of the Civil War, Wilmington led the carriage trade of the country. William Moore was probably the first carriage-builder in the city, having a small shop at the southeast corner of Sixth and King streets, which gave place to the new postoffice building, erected on that corner in 1855. Joseph Hunter started in the same trade at Seventh and Shipley streets some years after Moore, and John Merrick began about the same time at Front and Orange streets.
In 1844 seven of the workmen employed by Merrick started an independent shop at Water and Market streets, but soon after occupied a building just south of the Market street bridge. They did business under the name of Flaglor & Co. for six or eight years. In 1856 Joel Frist and George Allmon erected the large building at the northwest corner of Seventh and Shipley streets, and for forty years carried on business there, attracting a large and profitable trade.
Enos Hunsberger built a five-story carriage factory at the southwest corner of Water and Market streets about 1860, and was equipped for a large business, but the breaking-out of the Civil War cut off the southern trade, which seriously crippled his business and led to his failure. John Merrick, after being deserted by his main workmen, moved to the southeast corner of Second and French streets, where for twenty years he con- ducted a successful business and made money. In 1864 he sold out and retired, building soon after the handsome brown- stone mansion at No. 1103 Market street, which he occupied as his residence until his death. His successors in the carriage business were Henry C. McLear and Caspar Kendall. The firm of McLear & Kendall for twenty-five years occupied the
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leading place as carriage builders. In 1886 they moved to the southeast corner of Ninth and King streets and continued there until about 1896.
John Green occupied the old stand at Second and French streets from 1866 to 1874, and in turn he was succeeded by Samuel Kerns, who adopted the name Novelty Carriage Works, and continued the business until his death in 1903. The Novelty Carriage Works, Incorporated, is now located there.
The Bowe Carriage Company, at Eighth and Orange streets, is the successor of Gregg & Bowe, a partnership composed of William H. Gregg and William Bowe, who commenced busi- ness in 1855 at Third and French streets, moving to the present location in 1867. Mr. Gregg continued in the business until his death in 1901. The firm always stood at the head of the trade and fully merited the high place which it gained.
Jones Guthrie began the building of carriages in 1849 and continued the business until his death, a period of nearly fifty years. For nearly thirty years he was on the south side of Market street bridge, and in later years he took his son, George C. Guthrie, into partnership, and the firm name be- came Jones Guthrie & Company.
Cooling and Lloyd commenced carriage-building on French street above Fourth in 1863, the firm being composed of Joseph N. Cooling and Isaac V. Lloyd. In a few years Mr. Lloyd retired from the firm, and the partnership became Cooling Brothers. The latter continued for thirty years and their manufacture of carriages was of the highest class and their work always commanded the highest prices. The business is still continued at the old stand by Severson B. Cooling, a son of Joseph N. Cooling, and he maintains the high standard of work set by the old firm.
Charles W. Horn, after serving with John Merrick for fifteen years, began the carriage business on his own account in 1867 at No. 110 French street. He succeeded from the beginning, and in course of time erected one of the largest carriage man-
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ufactories in the city, and established a large trade, extending chiefly on the Delaware-Maryland peninsula. Samuel D. Paschall located a carriage factory on the south side of Market street bridge in 1866, and for ten years conducted there a thriving business. John Walther four years later began a repair business on property adjoining and is still engaged in the trade.
The firm of Rice & White began in the same locality in 1880, and a few years later Samuel J. White, the junior part- ner, assumed the whole business and erected a large carriage factory on Second street, between Orange and Tatnall streets, which he ran successfully for many years, when it went into the hands of the S. J. White Carriage Company. The latter company met with reverses and retired from business.
John W. Reeve, for several years, beginning in 1873, man- ufactured carriages at No. 106 Orange street, and was suc- ceeded by Joseph B. Foster. Hudson & Cahill began business at No. 206 Orange street in 1878 and fifteen years later the junior partner, Patrick J. Cahill, succeeded to the business, which still continues, and which has proven successful to its owner.
The firm of Mills & Combs, successful wagon-builders at Fourth and Railroad avenue, began business in 1869, and continued for twenty-five years. Gatta & Kaiser, in 1862, established a wagon works at the corner of Third and Walnut streets, and, by close attention to business for over thirty years, both partners were able to amass a comfortable fortune.
Henry Pretzner, about 1855, started the building of carri- ages at the northeast corner of Fourth and Walnut streets, and the business was successfully conducted by him for twenty years. In 1884 the firm of McCabe and Darragh succeeded to the business which they have continued since with marked success.
END OF VOLUME I.
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