USA > Indiana > Allen County > History of Allen County, Indiana, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 50
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WESTERN BRIDGE WORKS.
In 1877, Olds & Wheelock established the Western Bridgo Works for the purpose of manufacturing exclusively, iron bridges, This firm builds a bridge
117
WAYNE TOWNSHIP.
under their own letters patent, aud in connection with the shops of C. L. Olds & Co., the style of the bridge is an improved truss. Number of gangs employed are four; number of men employed are 100. Extent of works and size of buildings: Frontage on Water street, in feet, 300 ; frontage on Harrison street, in feet, 150; frontage on eanal, in feet, 300; molding and blacksmith shop, in feet, 50x90; machine shop, in feet, 40x100; boiler-shop, in feet, 40x100; office and wood shop, in feet, 40x100 ; store-room for patterns, in feet, 30x40; storage-room, in feet, 40x100; steam engine horse-power, 60; number of hands employed average 70 ; number of eupolas employed average 1; number of tons of castings per day average 3; number of laths per day average 12; number of planers per day average 3; number of shears (pairs) per day average 2; number of puneliers per day average 2; steam hammer, 1; blower, 1; rattlers, 2.
FOUNDRY AND MACHINE SHOPS.
In 1862, Kerr Murray and Hugh Bennigan ereeted a foundry and machine shop, on the northeast corner of Calhoun and Murray streets, and continued the business as Murray & Bennigan until 1867. Mr. Bennigan retiring, Henry Baker was admitted, the firin continuing under the name of Murray & Baker, who made extensive improvements in buildings and machinery, and added the manufacture of gas holders. In 1873, Mr. Murray came into entire control, and continues the business up to the present time under the name of Kerr Mur- ray. The specialties are engines, boilers and gas works. Mr. Murray has built gas works for nearly every State and Territory in the land, and for points in the Canadas.
The machinery consists of one large swing lathe, two extra-length lathes, six medium lathes, three planers, one hydraulic compound punching machine, three swinging perpendicular drill presses, one stationary perpendicular drill press, one thread and burr cutter, one emery wheel, one extra size grindstone. The black - smithi-shop has three fires. The tank-shop has one fire, one pair rollers, one pair shears, two punehing machines, one bending machine.
CITY MILLS.
In 1842-43, Allen Hamilton and Jesse L. Williams laid the foundation and reared the present structure called the City Mills, located on the west side of Clinton street, immediately north of the eanal, on Lot 25, original plat. In 1843, this mill commenced running. Messrs, Hamilton & Williams continued for a time, when Mr. Hamilton retired. Pliny Ho, gland effeeting a partnership with Mr. Williams, the business continued under the name of Hoagland & Will- iams. Subsequently Mr. Comstock was admitted, and the business continued under the name of Hoagland, Comstock & Co. Thus the business stood until 1860, when Chris. Tresselt was admitted, as a silent partner, Mr. Comstoek retiring. The business continued under the name of Hoagland & Co. until 1870, when the firm again changed to Hoagland, Tresselt & Co., and continued until 1872, at which time it came into the present management-Hoagland & Tresselt -Mr. Williamus having retired. The power is water, from the eanal, over an overshot wheel.
A renewal of their water lease was effeeted in 1872, for a further period of thirty years, according to terms provided therein.
STEAM FLOURING-MILL.
George Little and Hugh MeCulloch built elevators in 1853, on the north side of Pearl street, east of Maiden Lane, on Lot 559, Hanna's Addition. They subsequently fitted this building up for a grist-mill, and was the first steam flour- ing-mill built herc.
In 1855, the firm of William T. Pratt & Co. purchased and ran it until 1859, at which time they soid it John Brown, the stone cutter. In 1867, the management was changed to Hill, Orbison & Whiting, Mr. Whiting withdrawing soon after. Messrs. Hill & Orbison continued up to 1869, at which time they were burned.
ESMOND'S MILLS.
In 1827, James Barnett and Samuel Hanna built a grist-mill on the west band of the St. Mary's River, on the east side of the south half of fractional Section 15, Town 30, Range 12 east. Messrs. Barnett & Hanna continued the business for awhile, and finally sold to Louis H. Davis. Mr. Davis ran the mill for a period, and then transferred it to Asa Fairfield and Samuel C. Freeman, who continued the business as Fairfield & Freeman up to their dissolution and sale to A. C. Beavers. Mr. Beavers ran the mill for several years, and finally, a few years since, transferred it to George Esmond, who ran it up to the time of its destruction by fire, on the 27th of February, 1878.
During the following months, in this year, Mr. Esmond construeted, on the site of the old mill, a three-story briek building, and fitted with all necessary machinery for a grist-mill. This mill is now known as Ermond's Mill. The fol- lowing is au exhibit of its size and capacity : Building, brick, three stories, 44x64 ; three turbine wheels, one sixty inches, two fifty-six inches ; five run of stone, one four feet, four three and one-half feet ; power of wheels, maximum, eighty horse, minimum, sixty horse ; storage capacity in hushels, 10,000; number of barrels of flour manufactured per day, eighty; number of hands employed, five.
" WINES' MILL."-WOODLAWN MILLS.
Mr. Coles built a saw-mill on the south bank of the Maumee River, and the now north side of the canal, about ten rods east of where the Hanover street bridge erosses said canal. HIe continued this mill in use up to the year 1838, when he sold it to Marshall Wines, who ereeted immediately east and adjoining it a grist- mill, and continued this business for a time, when he sold it to .Samuel Hanna and Ochmig Bird, who continued the business as Hanna & Bird.
In September, 1858, Eli Bostiek and Reuben Frongfield pureliased the mill from Messrs. Hanna & Bird, and continued the business as Bostiek & Frongfield. In September, 1859, Mr. Bostick withdrew, and Henry Voland was admitted, and the firm continued as Frongfield & Voland until September, 1860, when Mr. Trongfield retired and Barney Trentman was admitted, the firm continuing as Trentman & Voland one year, when Mr. Trentman sold it to Christian Orff, and the business continued as Orff & Voland for a period of ahout two years, when they sold to David Comparet and Washington Haskell, who continued the busi- ness as Comparet & Haskell until it was finally transferred to Esther A. Orff, who continues in the title of the realty up to the present time, the mill having burned some time ago. The following was the size and capacity of the mill : Three and one-half stories high ; number of run of stone, three ; size of stone, one five, two four; number wheels, re-aeting, three; number of men employed, four ; eapaeity per day, in barrels, fifty; storage eapaeity in bushels, 20,000; eapital invested, $6,000.
EMPIRE MILLS.
William Roek hill having purehased a tract of land in Seo. 3, donated to the Wabash and Erie Canal Company a right of way, and having effected a lease with the eanal company for water privilege, built, in 1842-43, in conjunction with Samuel Edsall, two saw-mills, and operated them. In July, 1843 ( Mr. Roekhill having retired ), Mr. Edsall taking advantage of an aet of the Indiana Legislature relative to mill sites, laid the foundation and reared the present structure known as the " Stone Mill." In 1845, this mill was put into operation. Soon after, Millford Smith was admitted and a firm was inaugurated under the style of Smith & Edsall, which continued until 1856, at which time a sale was effected, the management and property passing into the hands of Orff, Armstrong & Lacy, under the style of Orff, Armstrong & Company. Mr. Laey dying soon after, Messrs. Orff and Armstrong purchased this interest, and continued the business as Orff & Armstrong. In 1858, Mr. Armstrong retired, and business continued as John Orff. The lease on the water privilege expires in about eight years. Until recently the power has been derived from an overshot wbeel. In 1862-63, Mr. Orff built a grain warehouse immediately east and adjoining the mill, with six bins, with a capacity of 5,000 bushels to the biu. In 1872, Mr. Orff added a steam-engine, and such additional machinery as the change required. He did not, however, dispense with the water-wheel. He now uses steam or water as the cir- cumstances may requiro. In 1876, he bailt a very commodious office adjoining the grain warehouse. Under the old process, this mill turned out 200 harrels per twenty-four hours; under the new, the minimum capacity is 175 per twenty- four hours. The following is an exhibit of the size, capacity and business of this mill : Mill (stone) four and one-half stories, 50x60 feet; grain warehouse, first story stone, two stories plank, 40x45 feet ; grain warehouse, storage capacity, 30,000 bushels; number of run of stone, five; size of stone, one tliree fect, four, four and one-half; number of hands employed, twelve; amount of flour manufactured in twenty-four hours, 175 barrels; horse-power of engine, 100; horse-power of wheels, 110; capital invested, 840,000.
STORAOE, FORWARDINO, COMMISSION AND ORIST MILLS.
In 1846, Joseph J. and David F. Comparet built a warehouse on the canal at the head of Columbia, and the east side of La Fayette streets, Lots 23 and 24, county addition, and engaged in the business of forwarding and commission mer- chants. In 1850, M. W. Hubbell was admitted and the business continued as Comparet, Hubbell & Co. In 1857, this.firm built a steam grist-mill; this mill, built of brick three stories high, was burned on the 10th day of May, 1861. In 1860, Joseph J. Comparet and M. W. Hubbell retired, and the business was eon- tinued by D. F. Comparet. In 1862, Mr. D. F. C. built on the same site of the mill, a new grist-mill, with the following size and capacity: Size of mill-briek. four stories, 40x60 feet ; horse-power of engine, 72 feet ; number of run of stone, 4; size of stone, 3} feet; number of men employed, including warehouse, 15; capital investod, 835,000. In 1871, Mr. Comparet retired, and the business went into the hands of A. Powers, wlio continued in possession until his death, late in 1872. In April, 1873, Daniel Ammon, L. P. Stapleford and Henry Voll- and purchased the realty and continued the business as L. P. Stapleford & Co. In December, 1876, the mill, together with the warehouses, was burned, and the partnership dissolved by mutual consent.
SPICE- MILLS.
These mills were established in 1872; are located on the south side of Pearl alley, on the west side of Clinton street, Lot 71, old plat ; they are fitted with coffee-roasters and spice-mills ; employ cight men, have also steam power in eon- nection. The firm name is Hamilton & Co., and the mills are operated in eonjunc- tion with the wholesale house of Huestis & Hamilton, on Columbia street.
FLOURINO AND SPICE MILLS.
In 1872, Trentman, Monning & Son built a spice-mill on the northeast corner of Columbia and Barr streets, Lot No. 33, original plat. This firm was com- posed of the following gentlemen : A. C. Trentman, Henry and John B. Mon- ning. In the summer of 1874, a thorough change took place, new machinery, engine etc., were added, combining a flouring-mill. In September, 1874, Mr. Henry Monning retired, and the business now continues as Trentman & Mon- ning.
FLOURING-MILLS.
In 1830, Henry Rudisill and Henry Johns built a mill on the west hank of the St. Joseph River, at the junetion of wbat ia now Spy Run and Burgess ave- nnes ; the dam about 300 feet above, was thrown across the river the same year, under the supervision of Jacob Bush. These mills were familiarly known ay
118
HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY, INDIANA.
". Johns' Mill," and bore the name up to the time of Mr. Johns' death, after this occurrence, they passed into the entire control of Mr. Rudisill, and are at this time known as the " Rudisill Mills, the brand of the flour, however, is St. Jo Mills. On February 6, 1858, Mr. Rudisill died, and management passed into the hauds of his son, H. J. Rudisill, Jr .; he continued until 1866, when the present proprietors came in, John E. Ilill, Jr., & Co. This will was first operated by an overshot wheel, many changes have from time to time been made in the machinery and building, it is now operated by the Leffel and Little Giant wheels. They at this time eruploy about seven men, and produee about sixty- five barrels of flour per day.
In 1865. Blystone & Co. erected a steam flouring-mill on the south side of Feeder canal, on the east side of Wells, north of Sixth street, Lot No. 189, North Side Addition. In February, 1866, this began operations, and continued until 1876, at which time they were suececded by Thumm & Shust, who continued the business ; subsequently, J. Pfeiffer and F. Wehrs were admitted, and the business continued under the firm name of .J. C. Pfeiffer & Co. until January, 1877, when C. J. F. was sueceeded by C. F. P. In August, 1878, A. P. McQuiston was adıuitted, the firmu name changed to C. F. Pfeiffer & Co., which continues at the present time.
WOOLEN-MILLS.
Henry Rudisill, Sr., and Louis Wolke engaged iu partnership in 1843, and huilt what is now the middle portion of the Summit City Woolen Mills. This structure. 45x44 feet, built of stone and brick, four stories high, was used as an vil-mill to manufacture flaxseed oil. In 1844, a carding machine was added, and soon after a set of cards and looms, together with other necessary machinery, the oil machinery having been removed. In 1854, Mr. Wolke received the business, continuing under the name of H. Rudisill & Son. In 1856, they built addition, south, to the eanal, of brick and stone, three stories higb. In 1858, Mr. Rudisill died. In 1859, his son, Henry Rudisill, Jr., having continued. formed a partnership with R. Morgan Freneh. N. B. and M. D. Freemau, under the name of H. Rudisill & Sons, continuing until 1861, at which time Messrs. Rudisill & Freeman retired, R. Morgan French continuing. 1n 1863, Samuel and Willis Hanna were admitted, the firm continuing under the name of French, Hanna & Co. This firm improved the mills by adding a four- story brick build- ing, with additional new machinery, elosing the space north, to Water street, and in 1854 put in a steam engine. The power previous to this time was water from the canal, over an overshot wheel, which however, was not discontinued. In 1864, O. W. Jeffords was admitted as a partner, the business continuing up to the present date, as French, Hanna & Co. This will is located on Lot No. 9, County Addition, on the south side of Water, between Barr aud La Fayette streets, and has the following eapacity : Water wheel, 60 horse-power; steam engine, 60 horse-power; number of spindles, 720; maximum capacity, elean wool, 600 pounds in 24 hours ; maximum number of hands employed, 60, night and day ; storage, building on the north side of Water street, immediately oppo- site, 25x40 feet, and two stories high, furnishing ample room for storage. This mill is one of the few in the West that never has used any "short stock."
BAND SAW-MILL.
In 1868, J. R., A. E. and W. H. Hoffman ( J. R. Hoffman retired in 1873, A. E. and W. H. continuing) established a band saw-mill, on Lot No. 19, Roek- hill's Addition, and have from time to time improved, enlarged and extended, until the present time their works cover the square from Van Buren to Jackson streets, off Main, besides oceupying many additional lots over which their mater- ial bas covered. In 1873, J. R. Hoffman retired and A. E. & W. H. continued. The style of the firm now is Hoffman Bros., and the location on either side of Van Buren, and north side of West Main street.
J. R. HOFFMAN & CO'S
Patent Band Saws. This firm, in connection with the above mills, manufacture a patent band saw for logs.
EMPIRE SAW- MILLS.
In the fall of 1874, J. C. Peters built on the south side of the canal basin, near the crossing of the Fort Wayne, Muncie & Cincinnati Railroad, a saw-mill, with the following size and capacity : Size of mill, two stories frame, 45x80 feet ; engine-room, 30x24 feet; office, located on Osage street, 14x10 feet ; horse- power of engine. 70; capacity per day, 6,000 feet ; maximum capacity. per day, 15,000 fect; number of hands employed, 18; horses employed, 14. The man- agement of this mill still continues in the name of J. C. Peters.
SAW-MILL.
In 1862, John Krudop, Louis Sebrader, Fred. Brandt and Julius Kenoder, under the firm name of Krudop & Co., built a saw mill on the north side of the canal, Lot 568, Hanna's Addition, and continued tbe business for a time, when the following successions occurred : Messrs. Krudop, Brandt and Kenoder sold to Mr. Schrader, wbo admitted Charles Emerick, continuing the business as Schrader & Emerick. Subsequently Mr . Emeriek sold to Conrad Kaiser, and the business continued as Schrader & Kaiser. Mr. Schrader withdrew soon after, and William Busse was admitted, the business continuing as Busse & Kaiser. These parties ran the mill for a time, when they sold to William Auman and Christian Yountz, who continued for a time under the style of Auquan & Yountz. In December, 1876, Deitrick Teghtmeier purchased the interests of Messrs. Auman & Yountz, and continues up to the present time. The exhibit of size and capacity is as follows : Size of quill, two stories, 28x60 feet ; circular saw, 60 inches ; borse-power of engine, 24; number of men employed, 9; horses employed, 4 ; average amount of lumber sawed per day. 4,000 feet ; 1 canal-boat ; eapital invested, $6,000.
STEAM SAW.MILL.
George Baker came here in 1838, from Pittsburgh, Penn., and engaged in the wagon and plow manufacturing business, in a partnership with two of his sons, John and Jacob, on Lot No. 113, Hanna's Addition. They continued in this business until 1848, at which time a brother ( Henry) joined theru in the eopartnership. The firm bought a fifty-horse-power engine from Pittsburgh, Penn., and started the first steamu saw-mill, on Lot No. 7, County Addition, corner of Water and La Fayette streets. In 1850-51, the mill changed hands, Jacob. Killian and Henry continuing uutil 1867, at which time Henry retired, Jacob and Killian continuing until 1878, when Jacob retired and Killian continues up to the present time. This mill has two "muuley " saws, employs ten meu, and has a capacity of about 5,000 feet per day ; runs also a canal- boat in eonneetiou with the mill.
EDSALL MILL-STEAM SAW-MILL.
In 1848, William Coombs and Mr. Edsall built a steam saw-mill on Lot No. 568, Hanna's Addition, on the north side of the eanal.
FLOORING-MILL.
This mill is located on the south side of Taylor street, east of Broadway, on Lot No. 8, Fairfield's Out-lots, and is run by Scheiman & Helmkamp, the partners being Ernest Scheiman and Henry Helmkamp. The following is the capacity of the mill : One flooring machine, one planer, three saws; forty-horsepower engiue ; employ five hands ; capacity, 5,000 feet per day ; amount of capital invested, $4,000.
OIL-MILLS.
In 1866, James Story fitted up an oil-mill in what was formerly Edsall's warehouse, located on the eanal, immediately west of Calhoun street, Lot No. 46, Original Plat. He here continued this business until 1868, when he retired and Orrin Clark took possession. In the same year, John Stoner was admitted and the business was then prosecuted under the name of Clark & Stoner for awhile, when William Case was admitted, the business going forward under the name of Clark, Stoner & Case. Subsequently Mr. Stoner withdrew and Mr. Humphreys was admitted, the style of the firm being changed to Clark, Case & Humphreys, who prosecuted the business for a time, when Mr. Clark withdrew, Mr. Humphreys and Mr. Case continuing the business up to the present time as Humphreys & Case. This firm made extensive improverueuts, enlarging and systematizing the works.
SAW. MILL.
In 1879, Henry Olds built a saw-mill on East Coombs street, south of Coeh- ran street and north of the canal, with a steam engine of twenty-horse power and a eireular saw of 56 inches diameter. It is a frame building.
GRIST- MILL.
In 1868, John Sedgwick built a two-story brick on the west side of Calhoun, at the head of Holman street, and fitted it for a grist-mill, and continues it up to the present time. Size of building, 40x100 feet ; twenty-five-horse power engine ; size of stone, three and a half feet ; number of hands employed, four ; eapacity of will, minimum, 120 bushels per ten hours.
THE BASS FOUNDRY, MACHINE AND CAR WHEEL WORKS.
In the autumn of 1852, Jolin Cooper, Charles Cooper and Samuel Gribben purchased two and one-half aeres of ground of Allen Haunilton and reared thereon four brick buildings-a blacksmith-shop, 50x50, machine-shop, 50x60, two stories, ear-shop, 50x100, foundry, 50x80, for the purpose of a foundry and machine and ear-shops; its location was on the south side of Holman and immediately east of Barr street. These parties jointly formed a firm under the style of Cooper & Co. In April, 1853, no machinery or other equipments having been provided, John Hough, William H. Jones and Sion S. Bass united with Cooper & Co., to form the firm of Cooper, Bass & Co. In this, began .the career of Sion S. Bass, yet but twenty and five years of age, taking, however, a place at tbo helm -- business manager of the concern ; here he exercised a judgment that would bave done credit to one of more mature years in business ; faint as the bope may bave been that this business would eventually move out from among the thousands into the millions of dollars, he put forth his accustomed effort, and by his sterling business integrity, his untiring energy, indomitable will and sagacious judgment, he brought order out of chaos, and to him much of the present success of the con- cern owes its origin ; and had it not have been for unfortunate contracts with railroads in 1857, contracts consummated aside, and contrary to his judgment, no breach in the business would have perhaps occurred. Let us pause, dear reader, and pay due respects to this young man, if even it is done at the expense of being tedious. After having severed his connection with these works. he joined the gallant 30th Indiana Volunteers, and while leading it as its Colonel, at Shiloh, he was mortally wounded, and having been taken to Paducah, Ky., he died in April, 1862, in the Government Hospital, at that point. As a soldier, Mr. Bass was the same as when at the head of business, using at all times that discretion and boldness which was characteristic of him. His remains rest here in Lindenwood Ceme- tery, and is marked with an imposing shaft of marble, erected by his faithful comrades that survived him. Thus perished Col. Sion S. Bass, in the thirty- fourth year of his age.
In this firm, and at this time, 1853, Mr. John H. Bass, the new head of the extensive works, of which this business is the nuclues, began his business career as book-keeper, and gleaned from his brother, Sion S., many of the practical hus- iness points which bave guided him with such unerring judgment from that time, down through the various changes to the present.
WAYNE TOWNSHIP.
In 1854. John Hough and William H. Jones purchased the interests of the Messrs. Coopers, and with Samuel Gribben and S. S. Bass, formed the firm of Jones, Bass & Co. This firm continued tbe business until in September, 1857 Mr. Gribben, however, having retired in the mean time-when they sold the shop, together with the machinery and equipments, to the P., F. W. & C. R. R. Co. and dissolved the partnership.
In September, 1857, Sion S. Bass and William H. Jones joined the firm of Jones & Bass, and built a one-story brick building, 65x80 feet, immediately south, and at the erossing, of the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago and the Wabash Railroads, and having fitted it with the necessary maebinery, etc., for a foundry and machine-shop, continued the business for a few months. In February, 1858, Mr. John H. Bass, in conjunction with Edward Force, joined a partnership under the style of Bass & Force. This firm leased the foundry and machine- shop, and continued the business for a period of about one year. In the summer of 1859, the firm of Messrs. Bass & Foree having been dissolved, a company was organized with a enpital stoek of $12,500, known as the Fort Wayne Machine Works. This organization elected Samuel Hanna, President ; William H. Jones, Secretery ; Hugb Bennigan, Treasurer, and Neil Mclachlan, Superintendent of Works. In 1860, Jobn HI. Bass purchased the interest of Mr. MeLachlan, as well as much floating stock, thus securing nearly a controlling interest. 1n August, 1862, lie, in conjunction with Mr. Hanna, retired Mr. Bennigan from the firm by a purchase of his stock, thus securing the entire control, and, in 1860. Mr. Hanna purchased the interest of Mr. Joues. These gentlemen continued the business as the Fort Wayne Machine Works, until in March, 1873, when they joined the firm of Bass & Hanna, by the retiring of Mr. Hanna in favor of his son Horace. This firm continued the business without change until the decease of Mr. Horace Hanna, in December, 1869, at which time, and by this death, the firm was dissolved, the business continuing in the name and title of John H. Bass. In August, 1873, a joint-stock company was formed, Mr. Bass interesting Mr Robert J. Fisher, Mr. John I. White, and three others, distributing stoek to the amount of $50,000, equally among all, at a pro rata of $10,000 each. The total amount of capital stock of this organization was made to represent a half-million dollars, the company to be known as the Bass Foundry and Machine Works. This organization has continued without change up to the present time. The officers eleeted in 1873 have also continued, and are as follows : J. H. Bass, President ; R. J. Fisber, Treasurer ; J. I. White, Secretary. To traee the history of Mr. J. H. Bass is marvelous. We cannot refrain, in closing this article, from making mention that since his connection in the business as a partner, or a stock- holder, it has teemed with a series of successes beyond the expectation of the most sanguine, and to-day there is no business of a similar kind in the world that is equal to it. The Bass car wbeel rolls over nearly every railroad in the United States, and the improved facilities with which these works are operated, and the numerous additions in ground, buildings and special machinery which he has himself built and improved, place it among the first manufacturing institutions of the country. In 1862, Mr. Bass made the first addition to the business. This consisted of an enlargement to the south end of the original shop. At this time he began his first effort to manufacture ear wheels. From time to time, more ground has been purchased, until at this date it embraces an area of about ten acres. Since 1857, the manufacture of car wbecls has been a decided specialty of the works, and it still remains the leading feature. A reputation has been acquired that is national in its extent, and railways in every section of the country have testified to the merits of the wheels by ordering and using tbem. Other lines of manufacture are by no means ignored. Saw and grist mills are built, engines and boilers, indeed, a general line of heavy work, ineluding boiler making. The successful prosecution of this business bas resulted in establishing two other similar enterprises under the same general management as this- one at Chieago and another at St. Louis-and tbe combined capacity of the three works is not less than 350 car wheels per day. The leading spirit of these enterprises, and the one who has conducted them to their past and present high degree of prosperity is the gentleman from whom the works take their name-J. H. Bass. Such, in brief, has been the history of the Bass Foundry and Machine Works. They have developed, under careful and euergetic management, even in a greater ratio than the country sustaining them ; from almost notbing they have beeome the leading interest of the kind in the West, employing an army of workmen, and accomplisb- ing each year an incalculable degree of good in a thousand ways. In these works, although not uruch light work is contracted, yet anything can be made from a small set screw to a 300-horse-power engine. The works in this place employ about five hundred hands at present, but often run largely over that number. All the castings for the Noble School Furniture Company, of' Goshen, are made in the Bass foundry, also for a similar company in Pittsburgh, while all the ear wheels for the Pittsburgh, and many other first-class roads, are made at their works. Tbe force is officered as follows: T. R. Piekard, Superintendent of Works and foreman of foundry ; J. Sion Smith, Assistant Superintendent; George H. Terry, assistant foreman of foundry; George Warrington, mechanical engineer; T. W. Saffron, foreman of machine shops; S. J. Luly, foreman pattern-shop ; Joseph Whan, chief millwright; William Schwier, foreman of boiler- shop.
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