USA > Iowa > Polk County > Des Moines > Des Moines and Polk County, Iowa, City Directory 1882-3 > Part 3
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We have but one mill for the manufacture of oat meal, but some idea may be gained of the vast amount of business they transacted last year when we state that it amounted to over $100,000. This mill has an elevator connected with it which will hold 280,000 bush- . els, and a side track of the Rock Island railroad is laid along the south side of this building and the Wabash on the north side, which greatly facilitate the handling of, grain. | The superior quality of the oat meal manufactured here, is evident from the fact that their orders are so large as to necessitate the operation of the mill day and night.
STARCH FACTORY.
This is a most valuable! acquisition to the manufacturing interests. of Des Moines. in the city, and The company bas purchased forty acres of ground : erected an immense building at an expense of one. hundred thousand dollars, and machinery is rapidly being put in posi- tion, and arrangements perfected for business. Thistactory will con- sume thirty- five hundred bushels of corn per day, and they have erected a large elevator in connection with their works, for the storage of the ... immense amount of corn necessary for the prosecution of their busi- ness. The corn crop of Iowa is easiest of access here, the water| sup- ply good, coal in any quantity, railway facilities are the best, both for bringing material to the works and shipping the manufactured pro- duct. This will be the largest establishment of the kind west of New York, and will employ one hundred and twenty-five men.
HOMINY MILLS.
These mills use none but the whitest of corn for the production of hominy, which is of superior excellence and the demand for their
BUSHNELL'S DES MOINES DIRECTORY.
.31
product far exceeds their capacity. Their business last year amounted | to $60,000.
SYRUP AND GLUCOSE WORKS.
This company occupies a brick building three stories high, and 100x160 feet, located in the southeastern part of the city. They use fifteen Hundred bushels of corn daily, yet they find the demands of trade fully equal to their ample facilities for an extensive business. This industry is becoming very important throughout the country.
CRACKER MANUFACTURERS.
i We have two firms engaged in the manufacture of crackers for the trade. "These goods are unexcelled by any in the market, and the demand for them is constantly increasing.
IRON WORKS.
Among the most important of our manufactories are the iron works, of which there are six; establishments. During the past year they were,crowded to their utmost capacity, and several firms anticipate an enlargement of their works this spring. Des Moines iron works ship machinery to all parts of the west. In addition to these manu- factories there are three firms in the city engaged in the manufac- ture of
STEAM BOILERS,
and they report business very prosperous, and orders crowding them to the fullest extent, as the large .mining and general manufacturing interests of the city and State create a large demand for steam boil- ers.
PLOW FACTORIES.
The four railroads which came to Des Moines last year opened new territory which they render tributary to this city, and which largely increases the demand upon our manufacturers and dealers for agri- cultural implements of all varieties, and although we have three large factories for the manufacture of plows, cultivators, harrows, etc., with facilities for doing an extensive business, yet they are unable to . keep pace with the demands of the trade. Their business last year amounted to $138,000. This locality affords an excellent opportun- ity for the establishment of large agricultural works. BARBED WIRE.
Among the largest and most prominent industries of Des Moines is the manufacture of bared wire for fencing purposes. We have two firms engaged in this business, one of them being very extensive, and their product in 1881 amounted to six million five hundred thou-
:
32
BUSHNELL'S DES MOINES DIRECTORY.
sand pounds. The immense buildings erected specially for this enter- prise, are already becoming too small for their increasing business, as their trade extends to all the western States, north and south. This is a business which must necessarily increase in importance under the rapid development of the country tributary.
WAGON AND CARRIAGE FACTORIES.
We have three houses engaged in this important branch of manu- facture, who have acquired a well-merited popularity throughout the city and Slate for the superior quality, and uniform reliability of their vehicles, trom a handsome phaeton to a heavy transfer wagon. Many of the finest carriages seen on our streets are the workmanship of Des Moines artisans, and they also manufacture farm and spring wagons and buggies of various styles.
SCALE WORKS.
.Two firms in Des Moines are engaged in. the manufacture of all varieties of scales, making a specialty of railroad and other large scales. They also make farm scales, which for accuracy and durability, are not surpassed by any received here from eastern factories. They have in their large buildings every facility for doing first class work, and the product of these factories is creditable to home industry.
TINWARE.
The sales of tinware manufactured in this city in 1881, aggregated the sum of $225,000, and we have one firm engaged exclusively in this industry, which is the largest west of Chicago, their trade extend- ing throughout the West. The advantages they possess enable them to execute orders with the utmost promptness, besidles which they al- ways carry in stock a large amount of finished work of every variety. FILE WORKS.
We have one house engaged in the exclusive manufacture of files, for which they use the best Ames steel. The works are operated by steam power and as they are constantly filling orders for jobbers in all directions, the increase of their business necessitated the erection of new buildings last year, and the employment of more men and" machinery.
LINSEED OIL MILLS. 1 ida
The rich soil of Iowa and especially the central portion of the State is well adapted to the growth of flax, which is one of the most profit- able crops the farmer can raise. We have two establishments de- voted to the manufacture of linseed dil and oil cake, and a third to the
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38
BUSHNELL'S DES MOINES DIRECTORY ....
i
purchase and shipment of flaxseed to eastern oil works. These mills used last year 130,000 bushels of seed, which produced. 150,000 gal- lons of oil and 2,700 tons of oil cakel A ready market is found for all the oil which they can produce, and although at present much of the cake is shipped to foreign markets, yet it is rapidly becoming popular at home as feed for stocki and large quantities are sold to dairymen, stock raisers and farmers. |These firms furnish seed to farmers in order to encourage the growth of this crop:
MILL FURNISHINGS.
Two houses here are engaged in this industry, employing about forty-five men, and have built up a business which is not only credit- able and profitable to themselves, but of value to the city also. With the advancing tide of business in Des Moines, their buildings are be- coming too small for their increasing trade, necessitating additional machinery and enlarged accommodations.
GALVANIZED IRON CORNICE,
Great perfection has been attaiged in this ling of manufacturing, and we have three houses engaged in the business, whose work is un- surpassed. The process to which the iron is subjected obviates the tendency to oxidation, and renders it peculiarly adapted for dormer windows, doors and window caps, cornice and all kinds of fron orna- ments. ---
SLATE ROOFING.
The Des Moines slate roofers are unsurpassed in their-artistic and beautiful work. Many of our finest residences and public buildings, give evidence of their superiority in this line of work.
PLANING MILLS.
A branch of business which largely increased in our city during the past year, is the manufacture of sash, doors, blinds, stairs, etc. The establishments here, in their business last year aggregated nearly $200,000!
About one hundred men are employed in this industry, and their trade extends throughout a large territory of the North- west! One firm has just put in place an immense new boiler in ad- dition to their large works, another has made extensive. improve- ments and addition to their buildings, while the third contemplates the erection of new buildings this year, to accommodate their rapidly increasing trade. They all attribute their increase in business to the general prosperity of the city and the country, as well as to the addi-, tional transportation facilities of Des Moines,
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34
BUSHNELL'S DES MOINES DIRECTORY.
PUMPS.
In the manufacture of these indispensable articles two houses are engaged, one of which produces wooden, and the other iron pumps. . These pumps are of excellent workmanship, and the manufacturers Ship, and, do a business of about $28,000, but they are unable to supply the de- mand for these goods at home ..
CREAMERIES. -
The magnitude of this business can scarcely be realized as it is of comparatively recent origin and remarkably rapid growth throughout the country. Two of the largest creameries in Central Iowa, are located in Des Moines, and are supplied with pure milk and cream by the surrounding country. 'The utmost cleanliness is . secured in all departments, and in the immense amount of milk they use, no adulteration is permitted, and the consequence is that they manufacture a most delicious article of butter, for which they find a .
. farmers from
SPICE MILLS.
We have one firm which is located in a spacious warehouse, fully equipped with the latest improved machinery, and appliances for roasting and grinding coffees, and manufacturing pure spices and baking powder. The process. used at these mills insures absolute purity, while they retain the original and valuable qualities
strength, and the most pungent and from personal knowledge of their spices coffees, and baking powder, we feel warranted in the statement that
1 . for these qualities they are very popular wherever they are known. 11 Their baking powder has been pronounced by actual test to be of the highest standard of quality in the market. Their business bas in- creased year by year since it was established in this city.
BREWERIES.
Des Moines has four large breweries which have an extensive trade along the lines of the various railroads, as well as in the city. Their business aggregated last year $327,500."
DISTILLERIES.
. One large distillery in this city consumes in the manufacture of alcohol, fifteen hundred bushels, of grain per day, and the daily tax to the government upon the product of this establishment is nearly three thousand dollars. They are feeding fifteen hundred head of cattle this year.
Another distillery is now nearly completed, which when finished will be the largest in the world. It will give employ-
BUSHNELL'S DES MOINES DIRECTORY.
35
ment to mord than one hundred men and will use about five thousand bushels of corn per day, Cattle sheds sufficient for the accommoda- tion of seven thousand cattle have been built in connection with these works, | and will soon be filled, as the company is now nearly ready for business. -
TANNERIES.
Des Moines contains some important houses dealing in leather for the use of Harness and collar manufacturers,, and in satisfying the demands of the trade, the Des Moines tannery has an important share. This establishment compares favorably with others in the same line of business in the West, and makes a specialty of harness leather. The increasing demands of trade necessitates increased fa- cilties for supply, and it is the intention of the proprietors to enlarge ! their works this spring. DYE, WORKS.
We have three establishments for dyeing cloths, which are operated by steam, and are thoroughly fitted and prepared to do coloring in all . its details. They do a good business in the line of custom. work, and also in re-coloring shelf goods for merchants and milliners.
CIGARS! Ja .
T.
Among the enterprising manufacturers of the city, are seven houses devoted to the manufacture of cigars, and in consequence of the ex- cellent quality of the cigars here prepared for market, comprising all the standard and reliable brands, they have an extensive trade throughout the Northwest, which last year amounted to $197,450, They use carefully selected leaf, and employ skilled workmen, in consequence of which their goods are unsurpassed
SOAP FACTORIES.
No article of manufacture commands a more ready sale than soap, and |in this branch of industry two houses in Des Moines are en- gaged, having all the necessary buildings i and facilities for an ex- tensive business, and they place upon the market a superior article of soap. The product of these two soap factories bas rapidly grown; in public favor, as the large orders they are constantly receiving, for all. grades of staple and fancy soaps, fully demonstrates.
An establishment for the manufacture of trunks has recently lo- cated in Des Moines, where they are meeting with well merited suc ...
36
BUSHNELL'S DES MOINES DIRECTORY.
excellent grade of other articles per-
cess in their business, as they manufacture an trunks, valises, traveling bags, shawl straps and · taining to this line of business. They propose to make and keep on hand good work in the best styles and variety. PAPER BOXES.
The manufacture of paper boxes was lately inaugurated in this city, and as these goods in every style and variety are always in de- mand, the firm will no doubt be eminently successful in their under- taking!
PAINT WORKS.
Des Moines recently received a valuable accession to her manu - facturing interests, in the establishment of an extensive paint manu- factory at this point. This house has storage for ten thousand gal- lons, and they manufacture daily five hundred gallons of paint, ready for the brush. Theit machinery, including twenty large sheet iron, storage tanks, was all manufactured to their order, in this city; their packing cases are also manufactured in this city. The oils which they use are of the best quality, and were produced by Des Moines oil mills. Although this industry is of comparatively recent intro- duction here, yet the business' thus far exceeds all expectations of the proprietors.
WOOLEN MILLS.
Des Moines is rapidly gaining a reputation as a commercial metrop- 1
olis, and during the last few years has made immense strides in securing and retaining the trade of this section Not the least impor- tant branch of industry, and one deserving recognition, is the woolen factory which located here during the past year, establishing them- selves in a large three story brick block, being one of the largest fac- tories in the West.
BROOMS.
The manufacture of brooms has become an important industry in Des Moines, and gives employment to a large force of workmen. Two houses are engaged in making brooms of every description, and they Jde which.
Des Moines has rapidly yet substantially grown into prominence as one of the leading cities of the West. The primitive log stores have given place to the capacious warehouse of the merchant, and the traf- fic in a few necessities has expanded into a business which calls upon
BUSHNELL'S DES MOINES DIRECTORY.'
37
all climes to contribute to its multitudinous wants. The year 1881 has added half a million to our banking capital, and this fact will at- tract new capital in other lines of business.
Next to railroad facili- ties, banking facilities are perhaps most important to the business growth of a city. Our progress has of late been most marked in the direction of wholesale trade and manufactures, all of which are in a prosperous condition, New factories are springing up, and all have orders from home and abroad for their fullest capacity. The immense trade that centers here, is supported by the country for hundreds of miles in extent, reaching out into the territories beyond. With the rapid growth which Des Moines has made in the past few years, and with the many iron arms extending in almost every direction, reach- ing out for the trade not only of Iowa, but of the entire Northwest, for wholesaling goods and distributing manufactured products, our city is one of the best points in the country for the location of whole- sale houses, and manufactories of all kinds, Four new railroads were added in 1881, to our transportation facilities, giving us communica- . tion north, south, east and west.
There has never been a period in the history of Des Moines when business men in such large numbers have come within our borders, many establishing large industries, and many more expecting to locate here as soon as time and circumstances will permit. '
The growth and development of our city is due, to a great extent, to its commanding position as the center of a grand system of rail- roads, and by means of these highways of commerce and civilization, Des Moines reaches the trade of a vast territory naturally tributary, in the most productive area on the continent, and in one of the best stock-raising and grain-producing regions of the world.
BUSINESS STATISTICS.
RETAIL TRADE-1881.
Agricultural implements $ 747,665
. Harness and saddlery hardware
Bakeries. .
172,186
Barbed wire
260,000
Books and stationery
243,000
Boots and shoda
345.500
Brick and stone.
325,000
Carpets and oilcloths
200,481
Lumber
225.000 ,650,480
China, glass and queenaware ...
205.000
Market Gardening.
265,000 318,880
Cigars and tobacco ..
262,160
Meat Markets:
192.450
Clothing and gents' furnishin goods ...
317,250.
Music and musical merchandise
77.580 .68,500
Coal and coke.
$416,910
News dealery Painting and paper hanging
276,000'
Confectionery.
/07,940
-Pianos and organs
397.500 123,000
Drugs and mediclhes
226,000
Plum bing, gas and steam fitting Pumps and lightning rods.
89,500
Fish and oysters ..
25.250
School furniture
37.325
Florists.
45,500
Seeds ..
97,750
Flour and food.
576,000
Sewing machines
94.700
Furniture
214.275
Second hand goode
95,850
Groceries and provisions.
1.850,00 )
Undertaking
68,000
Gupsmiths.
17,500
Wall paper.
395,840
Total.
$18,622,042
125,540 591,558 . 45,500
4 Hardware, stoves aud tinware .. Hats, caps and furs Hotels and restaurants. Ice .. Jewelers
.475,500 187,00
Commission goods
33,500
Dry goods and notions
1.164 000
Millinery
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BUSHNELL'S DES MOINES DIRECTORY.
-
WHOLESALE TRADE, 1881.
26,000
Agricultural implements
$487.335
Alcohol.
1.423.975
Applea.
116 225
Barbed wire.
575.000
Beer
327,500
Books and stationery
485 000
Lumber
Boots and shoes.
195,500
Mililnery
Bottling works (soda and miner- al water)
48.840
[Brick and stone
155.000
Paper
Brooms .
19,000
Pisnos and organs
Butter and eggs
340,000
Pickles and vinegar
Carpets and offcloths
53,000
Pork and lard.
China, glass and queensware ..
393,000
Pottery ware ...
71,609
Cigars and tobacco.
314.326
Rags'and old metals
35,000
Coal and coke ..
783.833
Confectionery
101.922
Crackers
125.000
Drugs
450.000
Sosp
87,500
Dry goods
75.500
Spices and baking powder.
69,327
Fish, oysters and game
13.150
Syrup and glucose
184.000
Flour and feed.
425,000
Tinware
225,000
Farniture ..
385,725
Toys
18,000
Grain and produce.
2.770,250
Wa.l paper ..:
475,000
Groceries
2.225,000
Wines and liquors.
141.700
Hardware
556,000
Total
$$0,681,581
BUSINESS DIRECTORY ..
The following table gives the number engaged in the various
·branches of business, trades and professions;
Abstracts of Title
3
Agricultural Implements.
9
Cigars (Manufacturers)
Alcohol Works
3
Architects.
Artista.
8
Coal. Dealers
1
Auction and Commission. Bakeries
3
Confectionery, wholesale retail ..
1
Banks
7
Crickets (Manufacturers).
.
-
Billiard Halle
10
Blacksmiths ..
19
Drugs, wholesale retail ..
8 21.
Boarding Houses
Boller Works
Book Binders.
Book Publishers
Book and Stationary, wholesale
3
retail. 11
Boots and Shoes, wholesale!
3
Flax Seed ..
4 2
Flour and Feed
Flouring Mills.
6 4 6
Fruit- wholesale retail.
4 3
Brooms (Manufacturers)
9
3 Business Colleges.
Bacter and Eggs, wholesale
6
Galvanized Iron Cornice (Manufac- turere)i.
2
Gas Companies
1 Gents Furnishing Goods, wholesale .. Grain Dealers.
4
China, Glass and Queensware,retail ..
9
Grocers, wholesale .. ....
11
-- --
Baking Powder (Manufacturers). Baled Hay
6
Cooperage
Barbed Wird (Manufacturera)
Barbera ..
18 5
Dentists.
Detective Agencies
Dress Makers
Dry Goeds, wholesale and retail retail
8 :17 S
Dye Works Elevators .
Exprese Companies
3 2
Bottling, Works. 1 retail. 16 Florists!
Brass Works
3 Breweries. 1
Brick (Manufacturers).
4
Bridge Bullderd Brokers!
9 1
Carpets and Oilcloths.
retail.
10
Carriagea (Manufacturers)
Chins Glass and Queensware, whole Rale.
1
Contractors and Builders
1 8 2 2 5 17 2
Creameries.
Cutlery, wholesale,
Bill Posters.
Blank Books (Manufacturers)
Bleaching and Pressing.
File ( Manufacturers)
Fish and Oysters ..
Foundries and Machine Shops Fresco Artiste
10
Fur (Manufacturers)
Furniture, wholesale.
1
4 Carpet Weavers
Hata, caps and forg
Harpess, leather land saddlery hardware ....
. Hides, pelts and tallow Jewelry!
195,500 875,000 175,000 950,000 857,430 550.000 237,640
Notions and fancy goods Offel
246.700 85.000 2,850,000
Rendering works.
80,000 175,000
Sash, doors and blinds
Seeds.
83,000
Civil Engineers.
Clothing 20
Auctioneers
Coke ..
10
Bath Rooms
Cigar Boxes (Manufacturers)
850.800
Grocers, retail Gan Smiths Hair Goods Hardware, wholesale. rotail !
-Saddlery Hardware and Leathe 3
Harness and Saddles, wholesale
2
retail ..
Hats. Cape and Furs 3 Hat Repaifers 3 Hides, Pelts and Furs.
Hominy Mille.
1
Horse Collars (Manufacturers) Hotels. .
House Moyers
4
Ice ,Cream) Parlors
7
Ice Companies'
: Infirmaries
Insurance Companies(homelare. 3 4
hail
1
tornado 1
2
Saloons. . Sash, Doors and Blinde
Scales, Manufacturers
Scales, Dealers.
12 School Books
School Furniture Manufacturers Second Hand Goods
Seedsmen
Sewer Pipe Manufacturer
Sewer Pipe Dealers
Sewing Machines
Liquors, wholesale. 3 Shirt Factories ;.
Lithographers
Liveries .. 9 6
Loan Agents ..
Loan and Trust Companies
Lock Smiths
Lumber Dealere
Marble Works.'
Stair Ballders.
Starch Factories
1 2
5 3
Stoves and Tinware
1 Street Railway Companies
Street Sprinklers ..
Tanneries. .
Telegraph Companies
Telegraph Schools
Telephone Companies. Tile Works ..
Tinware (Manufacturers)
Tinware, Wholesale Dealers
Toys and Notlons
4 Transfer Companies.
Trunks ( Manufacturers)
Undertakers,
United States Commissioners
Veterinary Surgeons
Vinegar Works ...
Wagons (Manufacturere)
Ornamental Wood Work 4 Paint's : (Manufacturers). 2 Wagon Dealersi. 12
Painters 21 . Wall Paper, Wholesale Retal
Paper, wholesale 3
Paper Hangers 13 Washing Machines ( Manufactur-
Pawn Brokers
Pension Agents 3 Wood Dealers.
Photographers 9
Physicians and Surgeons.
Pianos and Organs
Piano Tuners. Pickle Factories 1 Pictures and Frames
Picture Frames.
Planing Mills
Plas erers (contractors). 9
6 Plows (manufacturers)
Plumbers, Gas and Stea
1 Pork Packers 5
Potteries 3
Printers (Book and Job).
13
Publishers. .
.
Pumps, Manufacturere Pump Dealers. 9
. Railroad Companies Railroad Contractors 5 Railroad Freight Lines Real Estate ...
.Rendering Work
Restaurants ..
Roofing, Slate an Til
Insurance Agents. Intelligence Ofices. Iron Fencing (Manufacturers). dealers.
i
1 6
Jewelers and Watchmakera Laundries.
- 6
Lawyers 105
Leather, wholesale and retail
3
Leather and rubber belting
4
Lightning rods 3
Lime, Hair and Cement 4
Mercantile Agencies
-
-
Millwrights
Mining Brokers
Musical Instruments 4 .
Music Schoolel. 3 Music Teachera 18
News Dealers 9
Newspapers and Publications,
20 5
. Notions, wholesale Nurseries ! 5
Oat Meal Mills !!
1
Oculiste an'd Aurists
2 Oil Mills, 2
:Oils, wholesale
3 1
.Old Books.
Omnibus Lines
1
--
8
4
14
BUSHNELL'S DES MOINES. DIRECTORY.
39
4 2
3 8 .
8 16
3 +34 2 16 2 63 2 6 4 1 11 3 8 7 2 22
Shoemakers
Short Hand Reporters ..
Sidewalks -- stone and concrete
Soap Factories!
Solicitors of Patente
Spice Mills ..
Stereotypers
Stone Works
1 2 3 5 9
1. 5 3 8
8
Paper Rags 3 cre)! Water Companies 1
Woolen Mills
GRAIN AND PRODUCE.
It is almost impossible to obtain accurate statistics of this great exchange in our city, as the railroad companies have not kept a sep-
50
1
3
25
8
11
Meat Markets. 23 3. Stencile, Seals and Stampa
Merchant Tallors 17 Millinery, wholesale. retail! 3 12 2
| Opera Houses. 3
10
BUSHNELL'S DES MOINES DIRECTORY.
arate account of the receipts and shipments of grain from this point. . The commission houses here have not all kept a full. account of ro- ceipts and shipments, but from the reports of the grain dealers and what we could learn from the commission men, we find that the busi- ness for the year, as nearly as could be ascertained, amounted to 82,770,250. The corn consumed By the alcohol works, the glucose works, and the barley by the brewers are not included in the above . figures. Also, many farmers bring their grain to the city and ship it,; direct to eastern markets by. the car load. |The glucose and alcobol
. works used, last year, about thirty-five hundred bushels of corn per day. The amount consumed by these establishments, together with i the new alcohol works, two of the largest establishments in the coun- try, will no doubt reach about twenty thousand bushels 'per day dur- ing the year 1882. i
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