USA > Iowa > Linn County > The history of Linn county, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &t., a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics history of the Northwest etc > Part 68
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Wholesale Hats and Caps .- The wholesale house of Lyon, Tomlinson & Co. was established in 1870. Was first located on Commercial street, under Brown's Hotel, and has since removed to 46 Iowa avenue, and are at present occupying 56 and 58 Iowa avenue. They do a wholesale business in hats, caps, gloves and mittens. The building which they now occupy was erected by Mr. Lyon. Their sales are in the States of Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, Kansas and Dakota Territory. They do a business of over $100,000 per annum.
Wholesale Druggists .- The wholesale drug house of George Haman was established in 1854 or 1855, by J. P. Conkey, but the business was purchased in 1858 by Mr. Haman, who deals in drugs, medicines, paints, oils, glass, etc., his sales extending throughout Iowa. He occupies two stories of a brick build- ing located on South Commercial street (No. 5), and is at present doing an extensive business.
Wholesale Boots and Shoes .- The wholesale house of A. B. George & Co., located 37 and 39 Eagle street, consists of A. B. George and C. B. Weeks, of Cedar Rapids, and J. Durgan & Son, of Boston. An immense stock of goods of every description in the boot and shoe line is kept on hand. Their sales are in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and Dakotah Territory.
Wholesale Leather, Etc .- B. F. Howland, wholesale dealer in leather, sad- dlery hardware, shoe findings, horse brushes, whips, lashes, plastering hair, etc .; also manufactures collars, saddles, leather fly nets, etc. Mr. Howland also deals in hides, furs and pelts. The business is located at No. 14 North Com- mercial street, and was established in 1862. Mr. Howland's goods are sold in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and Dakotah Territory, and the sales amount to over $125,000.
W. S. Bradley & Brother, wholesale dealers in leather and shoe findings, are doing business at No. 13 Union Block, occupying two stories and the basement. They are handling leather findings, belting, packing, hose and everything pertaining to the business. They are also doing a good business in hides and pelts. Their sales are in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and Dakotah Territory, the business exceeding $100,000 per annum.
Wholesale Saddlery Hardware .- The wholesale house of John Thomas was established in 1866, and occupies a three-story brick building, owned by himself, at No. 49 Iowa avenue. The business consists of saddlery hardware, leather, saddles, horse collars, whips, nets, carriage trimmings, hides, furs and pelts. The sales are made in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and Dakotah Terri- tory, and amount to from $125,000 to $145,000 per annum.
Wholesale Tinware .- Billings & Robyn, manufacturers of and wholesale. dealers in plain tinware, pressed and japanned ware and table glassware, rags
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and metals. The business was established a number of years ago by Mr. Bill- ings. William Robyn became a member of the firm March 14, 1878. The business was removed from the old quarters in October, 1877, to the present new and commodious rooms in the Waterhouse Block, adjoining the Grand Hotel, on Iowa avenue. The gentlemen are also engaged extensively in the sale of " Charter Oak " cook and " Crown Jewel " heating stoves.
Wholesale Crockery .- The wholesale crockery house of Thomas Z. Cook was established in 1861, by D. A. Bradley. Mr. Cook purchased the business July 1, 1864. A. S. Lawrence was admitted as a partner in March, 1878. They import China and crockery direct from England and France, and deal largely in table, glass ware, cutlery, silver and plated ware, lamps, chandeliers and house-furnishing goods generally. The sales extend to the Nebraska line on the west, into Minnesota on the north, and some distance south and east. Mr. Cook occupies the first floor and basement of No. 42 Iowa avenue, and keeps an immense stock on hand.
MANUFACTURING INTERESTS.
The natural advantages of Cedar Rapids are not excelled by any interior city of this State. Situated upon a stream whose capacity as a water-power is practically limitless, it affords opportunity for manufacturing establishments on the most gigantic scale. The rapids are the first encountered on ascending the river. The nature of the factories must be in consonance with the products of the region or the demands of the local or Western trade ; but these are require- ments incident to every profitable investment. The section within the natural area of supply-calling Cedar Rapids the center-is vast, and can be furnished with manufactured products more cheaply from this point than from a city more removed. So far, the money expended has been judiciously placed.
Railroad connections are made with all localities, and shipping facilities are of the best character.
Schools and churches are conducted on so liberal a plan as to afford every advantage in an educational and denominational sense.
The country, for miles around, in every direction, is fertile, and is capable of producing vast quantities of such raw materials as are needed in successful manufacturing enterprises in a prairie country. The future of Cedar Rapids is solely measurable by the spirit of the citizens.
T. M. Sinclair & Co., Pork Packers .- The most important business inter- est in Cedar Rapids, and the largest interest of the kind west of Chicago, is the pork packing house of T. M. Sinclair & Co. It is acknowledged to be the fourth largest packing house in the world. The business was established in 1870 by John and T. M. Sinclair, the former residing in New York City. The establishment was removed to its present position in 1871. The main building, or curing house, is 132x250 feet, a portion of it three stories and a portion four stories high. By use of refrigerators, or, perhaps, more properly speaking, the conversion of the immense structure into an ice house, the curing process is conducted during the entire Summer months with the same facility as in Win- ter. Additions have been made yearly during the several years that the com- pany have occupied their present site, until it gives that locality the appearance of a village of no mean pretensions. Everything is most perfectly systematized. The buildings are all substantial structures, either of brick, stone or wood, and the machinery of the best and latest-improved kind. A Corliss engine is used. The boilers, etc., were purchased from the Clinton Boiler Works, Clinton, Iowa. The institution covers an area of sixteen acres. Side tracks and switches of
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two railroads are laid through the grounds. During the Summer season, 1,200 hogs are slaughtered daily, and during the Winter months, 2,500 are killed daily. From 300 to 450 men are employed in this institution. During a little over nine months in one season, the company paid for hogs the enormous sum of $1,436,533.27. A large cooper shop, in which fifty men are employed, is run in connection with the business.
Star Wagon Company .- This company was organized in 1866, under the firm name of Upton, Chambers & Co. The buildings were destroyed by fire in 1871, but during that year and the following, new buildings were erected. The company was incorporated in 1871. The company have in use all the latest and most improved machinery, and nearly every part of the Star Wagon is made in the shop, under the direct supervision of the officers of the company. About sixty men are employed, and there are manufactured from 1,200 to 1,500 wagons a year. The present officers are: George Greene, President ; F. J. Upton, Vice President and Superintendent ; H. F. Camp, Treasurer ; B. F. Parker, Secretary.
The Steam Cracker Manufactory .- This is the property of Shaver & Dow, and was established in 1866. It is as extensive as any west of Chicago to the Mississippi River. The manufactory is located on the corner of Com- mercial street and Franklin avenue. The main building being 40x80 feet in size, two stories high, built of brick, with a cooper shop and box manufactory connected-the firm making their own boxes and barrels. Their sales are prin- cipally through Iowa and adjacent States. H. Hubbard represents the firm abroad. From twenty to twenty-five barrels of flour are consumed daily. About twenty hands are employed.
Brown's Mill .- This mill was established in 1842, and is now owned by N. B. Brown. The mill is 50x70 feet in size and is three stories high, with four run of buhrs. A turbine wheel of Mr. Brown's invention is used. The Mid- dlings Purifier is also employed to perfect the work. There are manufactured fifty barrels of flour per day, and 300 bushels of chopped feed, employing two men. The mills are located on Commercial street near Benton street bridge.
Cedar Rapids Mills were established in 1845, by Alexander Ely, and were operated by him until 1849, when John F. Ely took possession of them. Mr. Ely operated the mill until 1854, when Ely & Angle became the firm. These gentlemen worked together until 1861, when Mr. H. G. Angle became proprie- tor. He in turn sold to W. B. Leach & Co., in 1866, who sold it to its present owners, Watrous & Snouffer, in 1871. The mill is a three-story brick struct- ure. The old building is 36x50 feet in size ; the addition is 24x48 feet. The Chicago turbine wheel is used in operating four run of buhrs. Four men are employed, and there are manufactured 150 barrels of flour per day. The mill was rebuilt and remodeled in 1876-77. Their sales are principally in Cedar Rapids and vicinity.
North Star Oat Meal Mills .- Established in the Spring of 1873, by Robert Stewart. The original building was formerly used as an elevator, but was destroyed by fire in 1875. The present building was then erected, consisting of seven stories and basement. It is constructed of brick. The building is 180x80 feet in size, and manufactures 600 barrels of oat meal per day. Twelve run of stone are used. The Cummings condensing engine is used in the mill. The engine is of 300 horse power. Fifty men are employed. From 7,000 to 7,500 bushels of oats are used daily in the manufacture of oat meal. The cost of the building was about $100,000. Their sales are in the United States and Great Britain.
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
Union Mills .- The first mills below the Benton street bridge are those of W. S. Cooper. The mills have been established about twenty years, and were built by A. G. Angle, but have been owned and operated by W. S. Cooper since 1862. In size, the mills are 50x60 feet, four stories high, and are supplied with new machinery and many modern improvements. The Seffels wheel is used, running three sets of buhrs. The mills have a capacity of from 500 to 600 barrels per week.
The Eagle Brewery, located in the northeastern part of the city, and near the Dubuque & Southwestern Railroad, was established in 1859, by C. Mag- nus. An addition was built in 1861. The present structure is five stories high, 100x76 feet in size, and built of Anamosa stone. The brewery is now considered to be one of the best in Iowa. There are five cellars, capable of storing 2,000 barrels. The manufacture of ale as well as beer is largely entered into. Besides the main building, there are also connected with the brewery several large ice houses, containing about 2,300 tons of ice. A 15- horse-power engine is used, which was built in Cedar Rapids, by J. T. Sweet. Two direct acting steam pumps and one steam air pump are in use. The sales are in Iowa and adjoining States. The brewery has a capacity of manufactur- ing sixty barrels in twelve hours.
The extensive brewery of George Williams & Co. was instituted in 1867, by Mr. Snyder, now deceased, and was purchased in 1874 by its present owners. The main building is four stories high; is built of stone, and is 90x130 feet in size, with engine house. In addition there is a large barn, hop house and warehouse. There are six cellars under the building. The firm have two patent ice houses, and employ about twenty men.
Carriage Manufactory of Soule & Miller was established in 1867, by Tis- dal & Miller. The works are located at 77, 79 and 81 South Commercial street. The building is of brick, 100x140 feet in size, two stories high, with a basement under the whole, occupied by blacksmith department. The business of the firm is the manufacture of carriages, spring wagons and sleighs, and the work of the manufactory is well and favorably known throughout a large sec- tion of country. Mr. Soule came into the firm May 19, 1876. Twenty men are employed.
Paper Box Manufactory .- This industry was established at the foot of Eagle street, in 1871, by A. R. Wescott, the present proprietor. The estab- lishment employs a number of hands, and manufactures every description of paper boxes.
Carriage Repository of Tibbets & Piper .- These gentlemen have recently come to Cedar Rapids, but intend making it a permanent location, and will, the coming year, begin an extensive manufacturing concern. They are interested in a large carriage manufactory in the East, and receive their goods directly from that point. They are selling the business wagons and the famous " Britain Buggy." The firm is at present located at 33 Iowa avenue.
The Iowa Iron & Steel Fence Co .- This company was organized Septem- ber 15, 1873, under the name of the "Grain-Growers' Manufacturing Co.," which was changed to the above in October, 1877. The company is engaged in the manufacture of stalk-cutters, grain-seeders, hay-rakes, sleigh and sled- runners, columns, building fixtures of all kinds, bridge work, iron fence, der- ricks, mill, engine and railroad repairs. The buildings are located on the cor- ner of Commercial and Linn streets, and are extensive. The machine and blacksmith shops are 60x140 feet in size, and the foundry occupies an entire lot, 40x180 feet. Between 35 and 45 workmen are constantly employed in the
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different departments. The machinery in use is all of the latest patterns. Large additions have been put in each year. The company own and manu- facture the Western Pride Wind Mill. In the Fall of 1877, they commenced the manufacture of the iron fence post and wire, the invention of G. B. St. John.
The officers of the company are : G. B. St. John, President and Treasurer ; J. H. St. John, Vice President ; James Huff, Secretary.
The Williams Harvester Co .- Established in June, 1878. The present location of the manufactory is on the site of the old planing mill. The com- pany is engaged in the manufacture of the Williams Mower and Reaper. When the works are finished, the company anticipates turning out 10,000 reapers and mowers per year. This machine has been manufactured, until recently, in Syracuse, N. Y.
The officers of the company are : John Weare, President ; Dyer Williams, Superintendent ; W. W. Walker, Secretary ; Ely E. Weare, Treasurer.
The Farmers' Manufacturing Co .- This company was incorporated in 1873, and has a paid-up capital of $100,000. The factory is situated at the west end of Benton street bridge, is built of stone and is 40x80 feet in size. The office and warerooms are on Linn street, between Washington and Adams, a two-story frame structure, 40x120 feet in size. Among the most notable farming implements is the five machines in one-a combined sulky plow, riding harrow, corn plow, hay rake, and stalk cutter. They manufacture from 3,000 to 5,000 of these machines annually. The company is also manufacturing harrows, hay rakes, stalk cutters, the Valley City corn plow, a cultivator and a sulky plow.
The officers are : George Greene, President ; E. E. Leech, Secretary ; D. W. C. Rowley, Superintendent ; P. Martel, Treasurer ; A. L. Adams, Assist- ant Superintendent. Their sales extend throughout the West.
The foundry and machine shops of Kennedy & Vosburg were established in June, 1876, by Kennedy & Larson. The proprietors are engaged in the man- ufacture of the combined anvil and vise, a portable bellows and forge, of their own invention, and do general jobbing work. They employ ten men. A large stone feed mill is in connection with the foundry, which is operated by the above-named gentlemen. The size of the foundry is 32x50 feet. The machinery is operated by water power, the Teffel turbine wheel being used.
The foundry of A. S. Carpenter & Co. is situated in West Cedar Rapids, on Iowa avenue, and was established in March, 1878. They are at present engaged in general foundry work, and also in the manufacture of Langham's patent iron fence post. The machinery is operated by an upright steam engine of four-horse power. Four men are employed in the foundry.
Cedar Rapids Foundry and Machine Shop .- Established in 1866 by J. F. Sweet, who subsequently sold to J. S. Brink. The works are situated on the corner of Commercial and Benton streets, and are supplied with all the machinery necessary to conduct the business properly. They are engaged in the manufacture of engines and mill work, do repairing and general jobbing. An engine of their own pattern is used in the shop, and is favorably known as the " Beam engine." Four men are employed.
Cedar Rapids Steam Boiler Works .- Established in 1875 by M. J. Galli- gan. The works are situated on North Washington street. Mr. G. is engaged in the manufacture of steam boilers, all kinds of sheet-iron work. tanks, bank vaults, etc. Employs six men. The buildings are being enlarged and improved. Excelsior Soap Works .- These works were established in 1874, on a small scale, by Pomeroy & Olmstead. The capacity of the works at present is
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
excelled by few in Iowa. A number of brands of soap are made, among them certain fancy toilet soaps. The works are situated in the lower part of the city, near the James street bridge, and are commodious and well arranged for the business, being supplied with all the modern machinery adapted to the manu- facture of soap. Their sales are principally in the Northwest. The Times printing establishment furnished the Excelsior Works with half a million labels during the year 1875.
The furniture manufactory of G. O. Ohler, located on North Washington street, is complete in every particular. Established in 1854. The works are operated by steam power, and are supplied with every style of improved machinery for the manufacture of every description of furniture. A number of hands are employed, and the works are run to their full capacity all the time. Every description of furniture is made, and furnished to retail dealers either " in the rough " or in a finished condition. The salesrooms are located on North Commercial street.
Cedar Rapids Vinegar Works. - The vinegar works owned by Mr. A. Brecht are located on Benton and Adams streets, and were established in 1869. The main building is 33x50 feet in size, the principal portion being two stories high, with a basement under the whole, which is used for the storage of stock. The works are supplied with machinery and facilities for the manufact- ure of vinegar on an extensive scale. Mr. Brecht puts up several thousand gallons of pickles annually. He has just completed a two-story brick struct- ure, 18x60 feet in size, which is to be used for the storage of pickles. His sales are principally in the Northwest.
The broom manufactory of A. Hovey, established in September, 1876, on the West Side, was subsequently remcved to its present location, on Iowa avenue, near Bever's Bank. Mr. Hovey employs five men, and manufactures 200 dozen brooms per month. He also does considerable wholesale trade in furnishing material to other dealers. He is now cultivating forty acres of broom corn. His brooms have taken the premium at two annual State fairs of Iowa.
CONFLAGRATIONS.
Probably the most destructive fire in Cedar Rapids was that which broke out at 7 P. M., September 12, 1874, and by 9 P. M. the same enemy had totally destroyed the Times office and the building occupied by that paper, on Iowa avenue. The prevailing opinion in regard to the origin of the disaster is that some part of the dying embers of the fire in the engine had been thrown out, and found a lodgment in the wood work of the basement. The fire started in that part of the building, and when first discovered was bursting out of the back windows on the same floor.
The flames ran up the elevator extending from the basement to the third floor, sweeping like a besom of destruction throughout the building, destroying nearly everything before it. In the basement, the engine and fixtures, the large Taylor press, and all the machinery of the office, were destroyed. The second floor contained the jobbing department, consisting of two Gordon presses, sev- eral large imposing stones, and numerous cabinets filled with choice type. Here, also, was a stock of card board, paper, stereotype plates, etc. The floor gave way, precipitating all into the basement, causing a total loss. The front half of the third floor was occupied by the bindery. This room was badly damaged by water and smoke. The rear portion of the room was used as a composing-room. The contents of this were entirely destroyed. Everything in the Times editorial rooms was damaged by fire and water.
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
The building was owned by T. G. Newman, of the Standard, and was a total loss. The adjoining buildings-the Union Savings Bank, and Pope & Bellan's drug store-were in great danger, but were saved by the untiring efforts of the firemen, who confined the flames to the Times building. Upon leaving the office in the evening, the editor neglected to put the books in the safe or lock the door, and upon his arrival at the scene he groped his way into the editorial room to secure the books, but was driven back by the smoke and heat. Finally, with the united efforts of many assistants, the books were gotten out and the safe locked, and thus the contents were saved.
The Times office was again injured by fire May 26, 1875, in the then unfinished portion of the Post Office Block. The block belonged to Mrs. Dr. Ely and Mrs. S. L. Dow, and was one of the finest blocks in the city.
The Times lost considerable in "pied" type and the delay of business. The paper took up temporary quarters in Taylor's livery stable. The post office was removed to the City Hall. The loss in this department was considerable. The firemen were soon on the ground and succeeded in keeping the flames from spreading, although some cinders were blown over on the roofs of the buildings on Iowa avenue, some landing on the Union Bank building, but were extin- guished before doing much damage.
The alarm of fire was sounded on the morning of January 13, 1876, as fire was discovered in the Pullman House Block. The Pullman House was the property of Gabriel Carpenter. There were six store-rooms on the ground floor, the two stories above being used and known as the famous Pullman House. Mr. Jeff. Phillips, proprietor. The alarm sounded between 5 and 6 A. M. Some of the guests were not awakened until the central and rear portions of the house were in flames, and had barely time to escape with their lives, leaving their property behind. There were many narrow escapes from death. One of the girls employed in the hotel leaped from the second-story window, but escaped unhurt. Nearly all the servants employed in and about the house lost everything they had. A subscription was taken up for their benefit, amounting to $135. The business men who suffered loss were A. Levi & Son, Noah Keller, E. K. Larimer and others. The Parsons Block was injured badly.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
Mt. Harmon Lodge, No. 263, A., F. & A. M., was organized July 3d, 1869, under a dispensation from John Scott, Grand Master of the State of Iowa. A charter was issued June 7, 1870, to the following-named charter members : J. H. Benjamin, W. C. Brooks, A. S. Belt, N. B. Brown, George Carpenter, T. Z. Cook, O. C. Jones, W. D. Watrous, J. P. Coulter, C. W. Eaton, S. W. Fleek, J. G. Graves, George P. Greene, George M. Howlett, J. H. Stibbs, I. N. Whillam, John Weare. The first officers under the dispensa- tion were : J. C. Adams, W. M .; W. B. Leach, S. W .; H. B. Stibbs, J. W .; M. A. Higley, Treasurer ; A. V. Eastman, Secretary ; E. D. Pettibone,'S. D .; C. B. Rowley, J. D. : W. Stephens, S. S .; Edward Coulter, J. S .; A. J. Rebur, Tiler. Present officers : George R. Skinner, W. M .; Phileman Stone, S. W .; F. T. Eaton, J. W .; H. C. Waite, Treasurer ; A. V. Eastman, Secretary ; J. G. Graves, S. D .; Fred Pierce, J. D. ; W. A. Robertson, S. S .; George Noble, J. S .; G. S. Pettit, Tiler. Membership, sixty-three. Meet in Masonic Hall.
Tyrian Council, No. 17, was organized under a dispensation from M. P. G. M. Crabb, September 8, 1870. First membership, J. C. Adams, R. W. Ills. ; J. I. Peck, P. C. of W .; F. J. Upton, C. of G .; E. S. Hill, Sentinel; B. F. Howland, Treasurer ; J. L. Enos, George L. Stearns, M. P. Mills, J. T. Hamilton,
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
T. Z. Cook, J. C. Graves and A. J. Rebur. Charter granted November 22' 1870. Present officers : B. F. Howland, T. I. M .; James Morton, R. I. M. ' John O. Baxter, P. C. W .; G. L. Stearns, Treasurer; J. G. Graves, Recorder' F. J. Upton, C. of G. ; J. S. Bever, Steward ; A. J. Rebur, Sentinel. Mem" bership, sixteen.
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