USA > Iowa > Polk County > Centennial history of Polk County, Iowa > Part 11
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During that portion of last year in which the mines were worked under the present management, 122,607 bushels of
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coal were developed. Number of men employed, from ten to thirty.
ECLIPSE COAL COMPANY.
The present Company was organized October 1, 1873. Its officers are: General Manager, T. D. Yeomans; Secretary, J. Lee Englebert; Mine Superintendent, T. Beck. Mines located South of 'Coon, just outside city limits.
There were mined in 1875, 725,947 bushels, of which seven-tenths were exported at ten cents per bushel, and three-tenths were sold in the city at an average of thirteen and a half cents per bushel. Average number of hands, seventy-five.
IOWA CENTRAL COAL COMPANY.
This Company, of which A. Y. Rawson, C. H. Rawson, and Henry Wightman are principals, was organized in 1867. Its business has been confined almost exclusively, to the city retail trade. The mines are located at the corner of Sixth and School streets. We have received no figures, showing the amount of business done by this Company; but enough is known to indicate the fact that the Iowa Central has been ranked among the most enterprising of our coal Companies.
HAWKEYE COAL COMPANY.
This Company was organized in 1872, by W. W. Fink, and A. G. Smith. In 1876, Mr. Fink became sole proprietor. The banks are one-third of a mile North of the city limits. During the business season, about six hundred bushels per day are elevated, which are sold to consumers at home.
The average number of hands is twenty.
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COOLEY'S COAL COMPANY.
This Company, consisting of N. B. and William Cooley, was organized in 1875. The banks are in East Des Moines; and during the business season, from two hundred and fifty to three hundred bushels of coal per day are handled. The sales are exclusively in the city
LINDSEY'S BANK.
David Lindsey's mine is situated just outside the city limits, on the Saylorville road. He has been working it for two years, employing from six, to ten hands, who take out from two to three hundred bushels per day-all for city trade.
PETERSON'S BANK.
Messrs. Peterson & Isaac commenced mining in 1872, in East Des Moines. They employ from ten to twenty hands, and handle from three to five hundred bushels per day, half of which is exported.
RECAPITULATION.
Thus, by the employment of much time and labor, we have been able to compile a report of the most prominent Coal Companies of the county. There are a few others of minor importance, of which we have received no special information. The objective point, however, at which we have been aiming, has been reached; that is, to give the reader some adequate conception of the real magnitude of this department of our local business.
MANUFACTURES.
In the infancy of our City, public attention was directed to the fact that the water power here was as abundant, and
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available for propelling all kinds of machinery, as any other site in the West could furnish. In 1857, the following man- ufactories were in successful operation: A large planing and turning establishment, sash and door factory; a foundry on the East Side; a carding machine by steam; and a num- ber of saw and grist mills. This comprehended all the im- provements at the time of this character.
Since then, important accessions have been made to this department; and it is gratifying in this Centennial year, to report that we have already in existence a very large num- ber of manufacturing establishments, enjoying a measure of prosperity, of which older communities might well be proud. The following pages will demonstrate the truthful- ness of this statement.
Taking into consideration, therefore, the variety and im- portance of our home manufacturing system, giving work as it does to multiplied thousands of busy hands; and su- peradding to this the thought that the very ground on which these manufactories stand, and the streets on which we tread with a feeling of conscious pride and security, were, little more than a quarter of a century ago, the abode of the wolf and the savage, and the home of original nature, our minds are profoundly impressed by the change which has been wrought in so short a time, by the magic touch of Saxon enterprise. And to day, as we reflect on these fea- tures of improvement, and contemplate the large number of structures, including residences, churches, business blocks, and our own Exposition Building, now completed, the spirit of genuine prophecy impels us to look forward from this mount of observation, to the period, not by any means distant, when Des Moines will become the recog- nized metropolis of Iowa, distinguished alike for the suc- cess of its literary and industrial systems, and for the great- ness and grandeur of its destiny.
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY
PLOW SHOPS.
The first plow factory in the town was built by Stanton & Given, in 1851, on the grounds now occupied by the Given House and Given's Plow Shop. In 1856, Stanton & Skinner sold to Skinner & Given, and in 1859 the establish- ment was merged into the firm of Skinner Brothers, and moved to Front Street, to the house now occupied by Platt & Speith. The old house was continued by Given & Co.
In the Fall of 1858, Skinner Bros. erected a large brick building, for the accommodation of their increasing business, on the corner of Second and Elm Streets, on the site occu- pied by the first Drug Store and Printing Office in Ft. Des Moines. They manufacture annually about 1,500 plows and cultivators, principally for the Western States. Many car loads, however, have been shipped to different foreign coun- tries. They consume about $20,000 worth of raw material per annum, and average a working force of fifteen hands.
J. H. Given, proprietor of the Given House, and other city property, started his plow factory in 1851, turning out at that time about two hundred plows per year. His busi- ness increased so rapidly, that in order to accommodate himself to the situation, he erected his present large estab- lishment, 133 feet in depth and 40 feet front. He now turns out more than one thousand five hundred plows per year.
The firm of Platt & Speith, 204 First Street, has been in existence several years, growing in importance with increas- ing prosperity of the City. Their shop was established in 1865. The average number of hands they employ is eight; and the plows they turn out annually, number one hundred. The plows are mostly sold at wholesale, and find a market in different States.
The Des Moines Plow Company was organized October 9th, 1876, with the following officers: President, H. C.
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Hargis; Vice-President, Samuel Green; Secretary, R. W. Cross ; Treasurer, George C. Baker; General Superinten- dent, George Garver; Executive Committee, Taylor Peirce, John H. Given, Jacob Cox, John Lawson, and Wm. G. Madden. It is the design of the Company to manufacture all kinds of agricultural implements as well as plows.
FOUNDRIES AND MACHINE SHOPS.
The first foundry in the County was established by H. N. Hemingway, in East Fort Des Moines, in the Fall of 1856. In the Winter of 1856-7, the second foundry was started by S. J. Loughran, and was located on the West side of the river. The firm is now Loughran & Hillis.
The American Foundry and Machine Works were estab- lished by A. W. Otis & Rollins, in 1863. In the Spring of 1864, Joseph Heimer purchased the interest of Mr. Rollins, and in the Fall of 1866, Otis & Heimer sold the establish- ment to Messrs. Brooks, Strawbridge & Wilson. In the Fall of 1867, George Lendrum, the present Sheriff of Polk County, bought the interest of Mr. Strawbridge; and Sep- tember 23d, 1873, William Stein bought Mr. Lendrum out, since which the style of the firm has been Brooks, Wilson & Stein. They consume about 150 tons of metal annually, and average a working force of ten hands.
The Iowa Boiler Works were established in 1871, by Messrs. Grupe & Turner.
The Foundry and Machine Shop operated by J. B. Flint & Co., is one of the oldest in the city, having been about twenty years in existence.
Eagle Iron Works. This Company was incorporated in November, 1872, with the following officers: President, H. Creswell; Superintendent, Geo. Lendrum; Secretary and Treasurer, D. E. Perkins. Capital stock, $30,000.
The Des Moines Steam Boiler Works were established in 1861, by N. S. McDonald. In 1866, James Meara became
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a partner in the establishment. At first, the business was so limited that the services of but one workman were required, and these only for a short time. The first boiler made in the city was made manufactured by Mr. McDonald for Hemingway & Brother's foundry; and in 1862, he manufac- tured a boiler for the State Register (newspaper) office, be- ing the first one made in the city for printing purposes. Last year, (1875) they consumed 185 tons of wrought iron, and 28 tons of cast iron. They ship boilers to several dif- ferent States, and manufacture, in addition to boilers, lard and water tanks, vault doors and shutters, iron jails, and all kinds of sheet iron works. The firm have in their em- ploy, on an average, eighteen regular hands.
The Northwestern Brass Works were established by J. S. Hill and J. E. Tetley, in May, 1874. They make all kinds of brass work, engines, experimental machinery, soda foun- tains, etc., and consume annually a large amount of metal.
The Brass Foundry and Machine Shop of E. C. Ross, East Des Moines, was established, January, 1872. A large amount of raw material is consumed, and twelve engines, averaging 12-horse power each, are manufactured annually.
Besides the establishments just noted, we have the Hawk-' eye Foundries and Stove Works, S. Green, proprietor; Nov- elty Iron Works, Parsons & Dear; and the Foundry and Machine Works of Waldron Brothers. The old Des Moines Foundry, East Side, was operated before the war by R. L. Tidrick and G. M. Hippee.
OIL MILLS.
The Central Oil Works, for the manufacture of linseed oil, were established in East Des Moines, September, 1866, by W. R. and J. A. Ankeney. They consume annually about 75,000 bushels of flax seed; and the works have a capacity of 600 gallons of oil and 6 tons of oil cake, per day. The oil is principally exported to Eastern and Southern markets,
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in the United States, and the cake to foreign markets. The building is 51 by 127 feet in dimensions, three stories high above cellar, and is composed of brick.
The Des Moines Oil Works, also in East Des Moines, G. W. Werum, proprietor, commenced business, August, 1875. They consume annually about 30,000 bushels of seed, and have a capacity of 300 gallons of oil, and 3} tons of cake, per day. The products are mostly exported to Eastern markets. The building is a large and commodious struc- ture, composed of brick.
AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS.
In 1866, there were in this business Brown & Spofford, Miller & Wills, and N. T. Vorse. We have now Ainsworth & Bonbright, Dryden & Berry, Elliott & Sibley, J. M. Otis, Hoberger & Matten, E. Penn, and the Grange Store, Spencer Day, Agent.
FURNITURE.
The furniture dealers and manufacturers of Des Moines are: C. & L. Harbach, wholesale; Clarke Bros., William Lotz, Gustavus Newton, and Merrill, Keeney & Co. Of these, the Harbach's, Merrill, Keeney & Co., and Lotz, were in the business in 1866. In that year, James Simington, and Tuttle & Lyon, and C. M. McDaniels, were also engaged in this branch of trade. The Harbach's commenced business many years ago, and pushed it so successfully, that during the present summer, they erected, on Third street, for a fur- niture emporium, one of the largest and finest edifices of this character in the country.
PLANING MILLS.
Messrs. Gilchrist started a planing mill in East Des Moines in 1856, which was subsequently burned down. The mills of this kind, which have since been established, are those
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of Carver & Young, H. R. Heath, and A. J. Jack & Co. In 1866, there were four planing mills, which appear in this connection. In 1869, Foster & Bros. were added to the list. During the present summer Capital Planing Mills, Carver & Young, were destroyed by fire; but an immense new building, for the same purpose, erected by the same parties, is occupying the old site.
IOWA SCHOOL FURNITURE COMPANY.
This Company was organized, March 1st, 1867, by Ran- kin & Roberts. John A. Elliott was at one time connected with this enterprise. The present managers, who bought the establishment of the State of Iowa, January Ist, 1874, are: President and Secretary, F. A. Percival ; Treasurer, Taylor Scoville. The authorized capital is fifty thousand dollars. The sales, mostly in the Western States amount to twenty-five thousand dollars per annum.
A. S. Vorse, for many years a resident of Des Moines, commenced the manufacture of school furniture in 1866. His business became extensive, the products of his la- bor and skill being distributed over Iowa, and other West- ern States.
DES MOINES SCALE COMPANY.
This Company was established July 15th, 1872, with the following stockholders: F. R. West, President; S. F. Spof- ford, Vice-President; George A. Jewett, Secretary; Wesley Redhead, Treasurer; S. S. Hitchcock, H. F. Getchell & Sons, Marcus Cavanaugh, Wm. Dickerson, Waldron Bros., Geo. D. Barklow, G. P. Livensberger, McDonald & Meara, and Howell & Seeberger. The establishment continued under the above management till February 5th, 1874, when it was leased to Wm. Dickerson, L. D. Berry, and George M. Sargent. One year later, Wm. Dickerson, who became
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the principal stockholder, leased the factory and continued the management alone, till March 1st, 1876.
The present officers and stockholders are: President and Treasurer, H. S. Butler; Vice-President, W. H. Hatch; Sec- retary, T. Braden; S. F. Spofford, E. R. Butler, Mills & Co., and Clarkson Brothers. An average of one hundred and twenty-five hay and stock scales are manufactured an- nually, and sold principally to Western States. Capital stock, $50,000.
POTTERIES, ETC.
S. A. Kelsey was one of the earliest potters. We have now Eagle Pottery, Cantril & Bush; East Des Moines Pot- tery, J. M. Cochran. Besides these, are: Iowa Carbonated Stone Pipe Works, Street & Tuttle; and Des Moines Stone- sawing Co., Martin Tuttle, manager.
WOOLEN MILLS.
The City Woolen Mills of Shephard & Perrior, East Des Moines, date back to 1856. Besides these there are the Iowa Woolen Mills of W. W. Carpenter.
MARBLE WORKS.
The pioneers in marble works were Monroe & Kinsey on Fourth street, and Fox & Boydston on Second street. In 1866 the marble works were those of Fox Bros., H. B. Gray, and Stimson & Co., three establishments in all. In 1869, J. B. Davis; Greenland, Howe & Co., and Totten & Settle. In 1873, East Side Marble Works, Robert Scott, are record- ed in this connection.
The Manhattan and Natural Marble Company, organized in September, 1875, consists of J. A. Harvey, President; R. W. Cross, Secretary; Dr. James Wright, Treasurer; W. M. Greenland, Superintendent. The Board of Directors con- sists of the above named and A. S. Vorse, and C. C. Howell.
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY
The Natural Marble Company, with which the Manhattan was consolidated, March 6, 1876, was established ten years ago by W. M. Greenland. A fine variety of marble, styled Manhattan, is manufactured here. It is susceptible of a high finish, and is used for mantels, table tops, shelves, sink tops, etc. They consume about seven carloads of marble in the rough, annually. Sales amount to $15,000 per annum. Average number of hands employed, ten. All kinds of statuary are also manufactured here.
The Des Moines City Marble Works were established in October, 1873, by I. N. Webster. The work manufactured here, consisting of grates, mantels, and monuments, are made from the best foreign and American marble and granite. Of this material, half American and half Italian, from six to eight car loads are used annually. Large quantities of Scotch granite are imported. Mantels are made of slate and iron, as well as marble. Ten hands are usually employed, and four traveling agents. Sales amount to about $20,000 per annum.
ORGAN FACTORY.
The Hawkeye State Organ is manufactured in Des Moines by C. H. Kremling & Son. These gentlemen started in business here in 1870; and it is due them to say that they are the only manufacturers of organs in the State. We mean to say that all the details of their work are done by themselves, and there is nothing imported except material.
SPICE MILLS.
The extensive Spice Mills of Tone Brothers, were estab- lished in 1874.
SEWING MACHINES.
Allen & Co., Manufacturers of the Iowa Sewing Machine, commenced business in 1875.
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BRICKS.
The making of brick has been for several years, a promi- nent feature in our manufacturing system. The large num- ber of brick buildings, which are constantly going up, both in the city and country, demand an immense amount of material with which to erect them. The Capitol building alone requires enough brick to build a common Western city All the villages have their respective kilns; and North of the city limits, the number of brick kilns which have been in full blast during the present and former seasons, is indeed incredible.
The Des Moines brick makers in 1873, were N. B. Cooley, Francis Geneser, and E. D. Janes; in 1876, they are Francis Geneser, Lewis Hyland, Robertson & Willoughby, and Conrad Youngerman.
Brick to the number of 25,000,000, have been used this season in our city improvements; and the prospect is, that as many more will be used next year. This branch of busi- ness has indeed become formidable.
CARRIAGE FACTORIES.
A. W. & F. Voodry's Carriage Factory was established in Des Moines, in November, 1865. In June, 1871, the bu- siness passed into the hands of A. W. Voodry, who has continued it ever since. The number of vehicles of all kinds manufactured annually, is fifty. The average num- ber of hands employed is ten The sales are confined prin- cipally to Central Iowa.
Harbison, Wilson & Williams commenced the business March 10th, 1871. June 6th, 1873, Harbison & Wilson as- sumed the business, the other partner retiring. October 18th, 1874, Mr. Wilson became sole proprietor, and contin- ued so till the present year, when he became associated with J. J. McDill. In 1871, ten vehicles were manufactured, 21
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and during the last year, eighty. The average number of hands employed since beginning, ten. Sales are mostly in Central and Western Iowa.
O. W. Munsell, formerly of Albany, New York, estab- lished himself in the business in Des Moines, in 1867. He states that he manufactured the first carriage made in the city, and sold it to Capt. F. R. West. He averages about fifty vehicles per annum, and employs twelve hands usually, but sometimes many more. Sales are largely in Central and Western Iowa. Some of his carriages were recently exported to East Indies. This establishment, also manu- factures hose carriages, hook and ladder trucks, and London coaches.
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTORIES.
Up to this point, we have noticed the manufacturers from whom we have received special reports for this history. Our object has been to report manufactures only, in this connec- tion. The establishments which have not made special re- ports are as follows, so far as we have been able to obtain information on the subject:
Baking Powders, by Tone Bros .; Blank Books, by Car- ter, Hussey & Curl, Mills & Co., and State Bindery; Brooms, by S. B. Brott, George Hanson, and Hobert & Sons; Car- riages, by J. A. Wilson; Cigar boxes, by Arnold Wengeler.
The manufacturers of Cigars are: F. Harbach & Bros., commenced business March, 1862; Huttenlocher & Young- erman, commenced 1867; Conradi & Smythe, 1870; Har- ritt, Beall & Co., 1871; Louis Marks, 1871; Phillip Klumb, 1874; Frank Kuehner, 1874; Henry Pockenburg, 1876 ; Charles H. Gamp, 1876.
The Confectioners are: Chapin, Merritt & Co., and Vin- nedge & Thornley; Crackers, by Garton & Robesky, and W. F. Vincent; Files, by National Company, C. C. Cole, President; J. W. Vincent, Secretary and General Manager.
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OF POLK COUNTY.
Furs, by Phillip Gantz, and Kraetsch Bros; Galvanized Iron Cornice, by Comparet & Stark. Mineral Water, by Frederick Stehm. Shirts, by Allen & Co., and W. S. Ver- non; Soap and Candles, by L. Fisher, and Young & Dieck- man; Asbestine Stone, by C. Youngerman; Leather, by David Bush, and Butler & Stratton; Tinware, by Carpen- ter & Brother, Mason & Co., A. F. Dix, Mathews & Ledlie, C. Newman, Kurtz & Bro., George W. Sheldon, S. F. Ens- minger, Bolton Bros., A. H. Walker, L. G. Beeks, S. L. McKisson & Co., Entwistle & O'Dea, George Dimmet, and Comparet & Stark; Trunks, by H. Becker; Vinegar, by C. W. Menning, and W. T. Painter.
The following breweries are in the County: City Brew- ery, established in 1855, by George and Joseph Hierb, and owned since 1866 by Alves Mattes. Mattes Brothers are building a brewery in East Des Moines. The National, in South Des Moines, established in 1858, by Kappes & Rei- nig, and owned since 1863 by Gotlieb Munzenmeier. Union, commenced in 1865, by Adam Aulmann, and recently came into the hands of Aulmann & Schuster. The fifth estab- lishment of this class is the Des Moines Ale Brewery, es- tablished in 1866, by Joseph Kinsley.
Wagons are manufactured by W. K. Dedman, Rackem & Girton, C. H. Humbert, T. M. Knight, J. W. McGlew, Smith Bros., C. F. Zch, and Samuel Rudd.
Watches, etc., by Eason & Rogg, Goodwin & Douglas, S. Joseph, Pierre Leidecka, P. Lindell, W. H. McCoy, J. Parmelee, Plumb Bros., H. P. Hobbs, and C. Mauthe; Guns and Pistols, by C. L. Smith, E. W. Smith, and Chas. Roys- don; Harness and Saddlery, by P. Boudewyns, William Dippert, Jno. Harley, H. P. Johnston, John Koenigsberger, and W. B. Mitchell; Window Shades, by John Mueller; Wooden Boxes, by H. A. Clom; Wooden and Willow Ware, by S. L. Fuller & Co.
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY
SAW AND GRIST MILLS.
The first mill within the limits of the county, as it was before the townships taken from Warren were restored, was erected in the Fall of 1843, by Captain Allen, who was as" sociated in the enterprise with J. D. Parmalee. This mill was on Middle river, and was popularly known as Parma- lee's mill. It was first operated for sawing lumber; and the following year facilities were added for grinding wheat.
The first mill in the Northern part of the county, was erected on Big Creek, Madison Township, by George Beebe in 1849.
William H. Meacham erected in 1847, the first mill in the county proper. It was built in what is called East Des Moines, and was operated as a saw mill by horse power On the same site, the steam mill of J. S. Dean was after- wards erected; and the fine mill of Shepard & Perrior now occupies the same place. At the time Mr. Meacham was running his horse mill, a little saw mill was in existence at the place on Walnut Creek where the railroads now cross that stream. Edward and Edwin Hall built a water flour ing mill on the same site on which the mill formerly run by Mr. Williams, now known as the Empire Mills of Jack & Toner, is standing.
B. F. Allen constructed a dam in 1848, two miles above the town on the Des Moines river It was washed away in 1849.
Hezekiah Fagan erected a mill on Walnut Creek in 1849. Subsequently he was associated with Mr. Fitzsimmons, in operating this mill and another one which they built on Raccoon river.
In 1849, B. F. Allen and C. C. Van built a steam saw-mill South of 'Coon; and the same year Cole, Winchester, and Dean erected the first steam flouring mill on the East side, now known as Shepard & Perrior's mill.
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Previous to the building of mills in the county, it was necessary at times, to take grists overland nearly two hund- red miles to the mills in Southeastern Iowa. During these protracted trips for bread, much suffering was often endured, not only by the persons who executed the long journey in bad weather; but by the families who were waiting at home for the needed sustenance.
The property known as the Farmer's Mills, East Des Moines, was first built by Daniel Stutzman for a woolen mill. It was transferred to Skinner Brothers for a plow factory; thence to Wheeler, Henry & Depew, for Hominy mills; thence to Joseph Williams, and Ed. Keeler, who changed it to a flouring mill, with two run of 32 feet burs, giving it a capacity of two hundred bushels per day. The hominy and corn departments, operated by J. D. Williams have the same capacity.
Eagle Flouring Mills, operated by steam, were estab- lished in the city by D. A. Tyrrell in 1873. The building is a three story brick. The establishment grinds from forty to fifty thousand bushels of wheat per annum.
Capital Mills, B. C. White proprietor, commenced run- ning in 1865. The building is a three story brick; and the capacity of the mill is one hundred bushels per day.
The Flouring Mills of Gulick & Dye, East Fifth street, have been in successful operation for some time
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