USA > Illinois > St Clair County > History of St. Clair County, Illinois. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 55
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The Crown Mill, at the east end of Main street, occupies the place where a small steam mill was originally built by Mr. Meia- ter. The present mill is one of the large manufacturing enterprises of Belleville. It is operated by a Corliss engine of three hundred horse power; has ten run of buhrs, seven sets of rolls, and a capa- city of five hundred barrels of flour per day. The mill has a front of 135 feet on Walnut street and 50 feet on Main street, and is four stories in height. The elevator, in which sixty thousand bushels of wheat can be stored, fronts 82 feet on Main street, and is 50 feet in depth. The cooper shop is 130 by 50 feet. The mill has been rebuilt on the latest improved plan, and contains the best modern machinery. Flour is made by the new patent process, combining the buhr and roller systems. The product of the mill finds its way to every market in this country, as well as many in Europe. About fifty hands are employed. The mill is owned and operated by the Crown Mill Co., of which J. H. Imbs, of St. Louis, is president. The gentlemen who compose the company are well known for their enterprise. They were the first to take advantage of the use of the telephone in Belleville. They also own three large grain ware- houses at points on the lines of the Louisville and Nashville ard Cairo Short Line railroads, where wheat is purchased.
Knoebel's Mill was erected and put in operation by Hermann Knoebel in 1872. Hermann Burckhardt was associated in the business from 1873 to 1881. The present members of the firm are Hermann and George W. Knoebel. The mill has three run of buhrs, has a regular custom trade, and grinds flour and feed. Four hands are employed, and the capacity is about thirty barrels per day. The new patent process is used in the manufacture of flour.
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
The building, on First South Street, between Jackson and Church, is 40 by 60 feet.
F. A. Reuss & Co .- The Reuss mill, in south-east Belleville, was started in 1857 by William Maguire, John H. Wilderman, and William Miller. A building was erected, forty-five by sixty feet in dimensions, which now forms the north-east part of the present mill. There were then four run of buhrs. In 1860 the mill was pur- chased by F. A. Reuss, then of St. Louis. The mill was enlarged in 1863 and 1867. In 1875 George H. Braun, of St. Louis, pur- chased the mill, and is the present owner. It now has five run of buhrs, two sets of rolls, employs sixteen hands, and can manufac- ture three hundred and twenty-five barrels of flour every twenty- four hours. Eighteen coopers are also employed in the cooper shop on work exclusively for the mill. The mill fronts 120 feet on South Eighth street and 80 feet on Abend street. There are two warehouses, 150 by 20 feet and 31 by 60; a cooper shop, 28 by 80 feet, and other buildings.
The Belleville Nail Company .- The nail mill occupies a promi- nent place among the manufacturing establishments of Belleville. In 1869 the works of the Bogy Nail Mill Company, of St. Louis, were purchased by James Waugh, removed to Belleville, and the manufacture of nails was begun by a joint-stock corporation, of which James Waugh was president, James N. Douglas, secretary, and James Waugh, James C. Waugh, W. H. Chick, Conrad Born- mann, Edward Abend, Andrew Stolberg, and Oscar Heinrich, directors. The works were operated with varied success till 1876, when, on account of financial difficulties, business was suspended, and the mill passed into the hands of the bondholders. The com- pany was re-organized the same year, and work resumed. James Waugh is now president, James C. Waugh, secretary, and Robert F. Waugh, treasurer. The board of directors is composed of Robert F. Waugh, James C. Waugh, James Waugh, William W. Waugh, Edward Abend, and James M. Dill. The capital stock of the company when first organized was $161,000. On the re-organi- zation, after wiping out a debt of $90,000, the capital stock was made $100,000, all paid up. The actual cost of the works is esti- mated at $224,000. James Waugh, the president, to whose energy is largely due the success of the enterprise, was born in Ireland, of Scotch-Irish ancestors, and in 1836 came to St. Louis, where he resided till his removal to Belleville. The works have an advan- tageous location, in the south-west portion of the city, on the line of the St. Louis, Alton, and Terre Haute railroad, and cover seven acres of ground. A large artificial lake furnishes an abundant snp- ply of water. Coal is procured from mines in the immediate neighborhood. An engine of two hundred and twenty-five horse power is employed in the rolling mill, and one of one hundred and seventy-five horse power in the factory. The nail machines are fifty-seven in number, and turn out about six hundred kegs a day. All kinds of nails and spikes are made, from a nine inch spike down through many different grades to what is known to the trade as a "two penny fine." The larger sizes are cut hot. The small nails are made from cold metal, but are afterward annealed, and thus given the peculiar blue appearance characteristic of nails cut from hot metal. Thirty or thirty-five tons of iron are used each day, and twenty-five hundred bushels of coal. The working force con- sists of two hundred men and boys. The nails are mostly sold in the West and South. The warehouse, a spacious brick building, has a capacity of between thirty and forty thousand kegs, and is so arranged that five cars can be loaded from it at the same time This was the first nail mill erected in the State of Illinois. There are now two others, one at Centralia and one at Chicago.
THE HARRISON MACHINE WORKS.
In 1848, two mechanics, John Cox and Cyrus Roberts, settled in Belleville and began the manufacture of a machine for threshing grain. They secured a number of patents and called their machine the Cox & Roberts Thresher. The name has since been changed to that of the Belleville Separator. In the year 1855, Theophilus Harrison, who had been in the employment of Cox & Roberts for a number of years, together with F. M. Middlecoff, a farmer and practical mechanic, purchased Mr. Cox's interest in the business. At that date, about one hundred machines were made annually. In 1857 Mr. Roberts' interest was purchased by William C. Buchanan. In 1878, Cyrus Thompson and Hugh W. Harrison became associa- ted with the old members of the firm, and a joint stock company was organized under the corporate name of the Harrison Machine Works. In 1873 additional buildings were purchased and fitted up with superior facilities for the construction of steam engines. The threshing machinery, manufactured by this company, has mnet with a high degree of popular favor. Beside the large field afforded by the central States of the Mississippi valley, large sales have been made in Louisiana, Kansas, Nebraska, Texas, Montana, Dakota, Colorado and Mexico. Shipments have been made to South Africa. The works, which are situated on the St. Louis, Alton and Terre Haute Railroad, occupy six acres of ground. The capital invested is $300,000 One hundred and twenty hands are constantly em- ployed, and during busy seasons many more. Fifty thousand dollars are annually expended in wages. Seventy thousand dollars worth of raw material, principally purchased in the east and north from first hands, is worked up each year. The business has grown steadily year by year. The members of the company are all natives of St. Clair county.
TIIE PUMP AND SKEIN COMPANY,
Was incorporated in 1872, with a capital of $30,000. The pres- ent officers are : President, John J. Thomas; Secretary, Thomas Ibbotson ; Directors, John J. Thomas, Thomas Ibbotson and John Bailey. Mr. Thomas has been president for eight years. Mr. Bailey, who superintends the mechanical part of the business, has been connected with the company for the last five years. The buildings comprise a two-story machine shop, fifty by one hundred feet ; a blacksmith shop, thirty by fifty feet ; and a foundry, sixty by one hundred and fifty feet. Much of the machinery is new. The establishment has a gigantic hammer worked by steam, the only steam hammer in Belleville. Among the articles manufac- tured are letter-copying presses, jack screws, steam pumps, steam engines, boilers for steam heating apparatus and the Eureka and Eclipse plow attachments. Jack screws and copying presses are inannfactured in large quantities and made a specialty. Iron and Brass castings are made to order. Business was begun with twenty hands, and now from seventy-five to ninety are employed. The in- vestment in real estate and working capital represents $47,000. The yearly sales amount to $75,000, and the yearly pay roll to $25,000. $25,000 in raw material is used each year, and about $1,200 paid for coke.
The Rogers Foundry, on Second North street, was established in September, 1878. The business started in a room thirty feet square. The moulding room is now fifty by one hundred and forty feet. Thirty-five hands are employed. Drill castings, stove castings, pulley castings and hollow-ware are the principal articles manu- factured, and all kinds of castings for custom work are made.
Gaylord's Foundry, on First South street, between Richland and Race strects, was started by George Gaylord, in the summer of 1876. All kinds of mouldings and castings are made.
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
The Union Machine Shop and Brass Foundry, ou First South street, between Jackson and Church, is carried on by Jacob Ehret. Particular attention is paid to repairing steam engines, farming ma- chinery and other work of a similar nature.
The West Main Street Machine Shop and Brass Foundry first be- gan work in March, 1880. Ludwig Liebig and John Koderhandt were then partners. Koderhandt is now the sole proprietor of the establishment. Special attention is paid to the manufacture of brewery and coal mine machinery, stationary and portable engines, and iron railing. Repairs of all kinds are made as required.
Williams' Carriage Factory .- Volney L. Williams came to Belle- ville in 1837 and opened a shop for the manufacture of carriages, buggies and spring wagons. This was the first establishment of that kind in Belleville. He carried on the business till 1877. His first shop was on the corner of Race and Main streets. The present factory, now under the management of H. C. Williams, occupies a building on First North street, eighty feet front and one hundred feet deep. Twelve hands are employed. All kinds of buggies, spring wagons, barouches and phaetons are manufactured.
Heinzelman Bros., Carriage Manufacturers .- John A. Heinzel- man, in 1857, purchased the interest of Pensoueau & Miller in a wagon factory, which they had estab ished about 1850. Since the death of Mr. Heinzelman, in 1869, his sons, John and William Heinzelman, have carried on the business. The real estate and working capital of the establishment now represent $45,000. From twenty to twenty-five hands are employed, and the annual sales amount to $30,000. The main building is of brick, three stories in height, 50 by 100 feet, with an addition 40 by 50 feet. Another building is 100 by 40 feet in dimensions. Carriages and buggies of all kinds are manufactured, and a specialty is made of the Timken side bar buggy.
The Novelty Carriage Works, at the corner of Main and Race streets, were put in operation in August, 1878, by Gustavus Lud- wig, J. S. Beek and Joseph Stegmeyer. All kinds of top and open buggies, doctors' phatons and spring wagons are made. Special attention is given to repairing and painting. The members of this firm have endeavored to give public satisfaction, and have numer- ous patrons. From eight to fourteen men are employed.
Schanuel Bros., Carriage Makers, began business in March, 1879, on High street, and in 1880 moved to their present location, at the corner of Richland and First South streets. The members of the firm, Henry E. and John Schanuel, learned their trade in Belle- ville with Heinzelman Bros., and bore the reputation of being good workmen. They employ seven men. Top and open buggies, spring and platform wagons are manufactured. Attention is also given to repairing, painting, and all other branches of the business.
BELLEVILLE OIL WORKS.
Among the well-known institutions of Belleville is the Oil Works, at the corner of Main and Mascoutah streets, established in the year 1866, by Brosius, Geiss & Co. This was the first oil mill ever started in Belleville, and, indeed, is the only one that has ever ex- isted in the city. Shortly after beginning business the process of manufacture was improved, and in 1867, the establishment was the only one of the kind in the West to manufacture oil by the cold. pressed process. This process was an invention of the firm, which consequently soon obtained a reputation for making the best oil to be obtained in the western country. The improvements have since been copied by other factories. In 1868 the works were enlarged, and new additions were again made in 1875. The presses used are the invention of Jacob Brosius. The product of the works consists of cold pressed castor oil, liusced oil, hickory nut oil and pecan oil.
This is the only place in the United States where pecan oil is mann- factured. Since its introduction into the market by the Belleville Oil Works, it has secured a place among the finest oils for table use, and by many, is considered much superior to olive oil. The works em loy ten hands. The real estate and working capital foot up to $100,000, and the annual sales reach a similar amount. The firm is now known as Brosius & Co. The establishment ships largely to eastern market», and finds ready sales for its goods. The telephone in the office of the Oil Works was the first in use in Belleville.
THE STEAM SUPPLY COMPANY.
In the year 1879, Jacob Brosius, whose attention had been di- rected to the advantages which might result from the distribution of steam for heating and power purposes from some central works, made the necessary preparations, and in December, 1879, began furnishing steam. The necessary buildings were erected at Kron- thal, Mr. Brosius' residence, in the east of Belleville, and from there pipes conduct the steam to various parts of the city. The establishment began with few customers, the number of which, however, steadily increased. During the winter of 1880-81, steam was furnished to fifty-five places in Belleville, including the court_ house and some of the larger buildings. The result was in every way satisfactory. During the coldest weather of an extremely cold winter an agreeable and even temperature was maintaincd, while the patrons of the steam works were relieved from many of the in- conveniences which attend the use of coal. Steam power was also furnished to seven engines. Arrangements have been made to greatly extend the service of the works during the winter of 1881-2. Belleville was the first place in the State of Illinois to adopt this arrangement, and parties from other cities, who have inspected the operations of the works at Belleville, assert that the system in use here is the finest in existence. The pipe through the streets, usually six and eight inches in diameter, is laid in insulating boxes, made under a new invention, for which Mr. Brosius holds recent patents. By this arrangement much saving of heat is gained. The works represent an investment of $45,000. Jacob Brosius is the sole owner. Twenty acres of coal land, adjoining the works, will furn- ish a supply of coal sufficient for thirty years. An ample supply of water is also at hand, so that the works are prepared to furnish unlimited supplies of steam on a cheap and economical basis.
Mr. Brosius has otherwise been interested in several enterpriscs of benefit to Belleville. In 1879 he placed an electric clock in the tower of his residence, with which connection is made with striking apparatus in some of the school buildings and with the bell of the Methodist Episcopal church. By this means the city is furnished with correct time. In 1872 he erected a steam pump near his resi- dence by which a tank at the Oil Works is kept filled with water. This water is used in sprinkling the streets of the city.
The Belleville Gas Light and Coke Company was chartered in 1856, and has since been furnishing gas to the citizens of Belleville and West Belleville. The capital stock of the company is $100,000. The company has between six and seven miles of gas mains, and furnishes gas to two hundred and seventeen street lamps in Belle- ville and West Belleville, and to about four hundred private con- sumers. The officers are : President, John Eimer ; Secretary and Treasurer, Edward Abend; Superintendent, Henry Maguire; Di- rectors, John Eimer, Edward Abend, Henry Maguire, Adam Karr, Philip Schuck and H. Westermann.
THE BELLEVILLE WOOLEN FACTORY
Was built in the year 1848 on Richland Creek, at the corner of Mill and Race Streets, north of the business part of Belleville.
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Louis Krimmel was the originator of this enterprise. A year or two afterwards he was drowned while attempting to cross Richland Creek on horseback in time of high water. In 1850 the factory passed into the hands of John Winter and John Romeis, sen., and a short time afterward Winter purchased Romeis' interest. Since the death of Mr. Winter in 1862, the factory, which is still owned by his estate, has been operated by various parties; from 1864-70 by Philip Rothangel and John Winter, and from 1870-4 by John Winter, and since 1874 by John and George Winter.
BILK.
A mile and a half south-west of Belleville on the Centerville road the manufacture of silk goods is carried on by Frederick Murphy. The investment in real estate and working capital is $5,500. About $3,500 of raw material is used. The gross business amounts to $8,500 per annum
STOELZLE'S BREWERY.
In 1853 Fidel Stoelzle started a brewery on Main Street, at the corner of Race, which has been carried on by him ever since. He started out on a small basis, but enlarged his business as- necessity required. He employs twelve men and manufactures between six and seven thousand barrels annually, using between fifteen and sixteen thousand bushels of barley and malt. The sales amount to $50,000 a year. The beer finds a sale in Belleville and neighbor- ing towns in St. Clair County. Mr. Stoelzle has been a resident of Belleville since 1850.
WESTERN BREWERY COMPANY.
A brewery was started in West Belleville in 1856, which with en- largements and improvements became the extensive brewery now operated by the Western Brewery Company. In the old brewery Philip Neu and P. Gintz were interested, and in 1873 the property was purchased by an incorporated company the stock of which was owned by four men, William Brandenburger, Adamı Gintz, Valen- tine Steg, and John Kloess. All the stock is now in the hands of Adam Gintz. Large and capacious buildings have been erected, and every facility secured for carrying ou the busines on a liberal and extensive scale. The capital invested reaches $100,000. Twenty thousand barrels of beer are made each year and sold in St. Clair and adjoining counties. Twenty five hands are employed. Fifty thousand bushels of malt, and thirty-six thousand pounds of hops are consumed each year.
THE STAR BREWERY
In North Belleville was built in 1857 by Neuhoff and Bresler. It afterwards passed into the hands of Neuhoff, who associated with him Charles Loe-er as partner. Loeser afterwards became sole owner. The firm of Loeser and Euckert carried on the brewery till 1868, when Hubert Hartmann became associated with Loeser. About the time of the latter's death in 1871 he sold liis interest to Bern- hard Hartmann, and the Hartmann Bros. have been carrying on the brewery ever since. In 1871, at the time it passed into the hands of the present firm, about six thousand barrels of beer were manu- factured annually. The business has steadily increased, and now twenty-five thousand barrels are manufactured every year ; in making which 62,500 bushels of malt are used and 37,500 pounds of hops. Their ice house has a capacity of six thousands tons. The brewery is situated outside the city limits. A dam on Rich- land Creek, constructed at considerable expense, affords an ample supply of excellent water, and to this fact they claim is due the superior quality of their beer. The firm also have a bottling estab- lishment on Main Street. Beside supplying a large market in
Belleville and St. Clair County, considerable quantities are shipped to St. Louis and other points. Thirty-one men are employed. The amount invested in real estate and working capital is $100,000, and the annual sales amount to $200,000.
SCHOOL, CHURCH AND SEWING MACHINE FURNITURE.
Gustavus Heckel, who had previously been engaged in the manu- facture of sash, doors, and blinds, in 1865 began the business of manufacturing church and school furniture, which he has carried on ever since. School desks of every variety, church pews, and other articles of school and church furniture, are made by him. This is the only establishment of the kind in Southern Illinois. In 1870 he undertook also the business of manufacturing sewing machine cases, and obtained a contract from the Howe Machine Company. He has since made cases for a number of sewing machine companies, among which are the New Home, Victor, Singer and Domestic. The beauty and abundance of the native woods of the West give this section of the country great advantage over the Atlantic border in the production of such goods as Mr. Heckel manufactures. During the next year he proposes to em- ploy about fifty hands. The real estate and working capital of the factory represent from $20,000 to $25,000.
LOUIS VIERHELLER,
At the corner of Spring and First North Streets, is engaged in the manufacture of household furniture for the retail trade.
REUTCHLER AGRICULTURAL WORKS.
J. B. Reutchler in 1853 began the manufacture of grain drills at Belleville under Pennock's patent, the first patent grauted for a grain drill. This was the first establishment of the kind west of the Allegheny Mountains. The first year he made five hundred drills. The second year this number was doubled, but only a few were sold on account of the bad season. The third year three hundred were manufactured. All were sold as well as those on hand from pre- vious years When the enterprise was first started people laughed at the idea of " sowing wheat in rows." In 1856 Mr. Reutchler built a factory at the present location in the eastern part of the city and gave it the name of the Belleville Agricultural Works, under which it has since been known. From 1864 to 1878 the establishment was run by D. & H. Reutchler. J. B. Reutchler then again became interested, and in 1881 became the sole proprietor. The investment in real estate and working capital amounts to $120,000. About forty hands are employed. The article principally manufacturel is the I. X. L. Grain Drill. Agricultural implements in general are also repaired. The inven- tions and improvements made use of in the drill are covered by Mr. Reutchler's and his brother's patents.
ESLER AND ROPIEQUET MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
This establishment had its origin in a machine shop which was started in the latter part of the year 1855 by Geiss and Brosius: The firm first turned its attention to the manufacture of cider mills and double-movement grain drills, and carried on the business successfully till 1867, when the business was sold out to Esler and Ropiequet. In 1875 the Esler and Ropiequet Manufacturing Company was organized as a stock company with a capital of $40,000. The capital now employed in the business amounts to $65,000, and the annual sales to $75,000. From forty to fifty- five men are employed. The company occupies two buildings, each of which is 150 x 35 feet. Special attention is given to the manu- facture of the Sucker-State Grain Drill, and the Belleville Sulky
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Hay Rake. Cider and wine mills and presses, circular wood saws, and other miscellaneous articles are also made. The factory is at the corner of Main and Mascoutah Streets. Edward Abend is president of the company and J. J. Esler, secretary.
Philip M. Gundlach started the manufacture of Grain Drills in West Belleville in 1858. He began business on a small scale, but was soon obliged to enlarge his facilities.
In 1863, he removed his works from West Belleville. They are now located north of Belleville, just outside of the city limits. He manufactures the Rotary Forced Feed Drill, among the excellent points of which he claims strong construction and light draught. The main building of his factory is built of brick, and is 160 by 80 feet in dimensions. A foundry, 80 by 60 feet, has recently been added, in which are made his castings. Mr. Gundlach has been a resident of St. Clair county since eleven years of age.
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