USA > Indiana > Elkhart County > History of Elkhart County, Indiana; together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history: portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 79
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THE GOSHEN WOOLEN MILLS.
" The woolen mill projected by C. B. Alderman and J. E. Wine- gar in 1869 and completed in 1870, proved one of the most extensive and profitable enterprises of the time. In April, 1871, Gen. M. S. Hascall entered into the partnership; in April, 1875, J. M. Noble purchased an interest, and in February ,1880, the old firm disposed of their entire interest to the firm of Noble, Kerstetter & Co. The company includes Messrs. King & Fields of the Clear Lake Mills, E. R. Kerstetter, of Elkhart, with Mr. Kerstetter and J. M. Noble, of Goshen. There are 1,040 spindles in use, and in October, 1879, self-operating spinners were introduced, at a cost of $2,500, while other improvements are meditated.
The mill is a stone and brick structure, the main building being 40x95 feet, three floors and basement. It has two additions, the dye house, one floor, 24x36 feet, and engine and boiler room, two floors, 36x46 feet, the second story being used as a drying depart- ment. The mill has really three sets: two for manufacturing and one for custom. The machinery is operated by either water or steam power, one 44-inch turbine wheel, taking its power from the hydraulic, being used, and also a 40-horse power engine with 65-horse power boiler. There are 680 spindles, three broad and eight narrow looms, together with all necessary dyeing and fulling and other apparatus. In the mill a force numbering 30 or more is usually employed.
The chief produce of the Goshen Woolen Mills are flannels, jeans, blankets and yarns, though some cassimeres and cloths are made. Besides having a large local trade the mill sells its goods very generally throughout six of the Western States,-Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin and Iowa, -- and it pursues a policy distinctively its own, as, instead of virtually paying a commission to jobbers to introduce the goods, the firm sells direct to retailers. It has been a policy productive of good results, too, and the business has grown to such proportions that the "Goshen
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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
Woolen Mills" are known far and wide. Aiming not only at excellence, bnt uniform excellence in manufacture and placing straight goods on the market at the lowest rates, the enterprise has worked out its own career. The value of sales for the first six months in 1880 summed up $50,000, which compares very favorably with the amount of sales effected during the corresponding period in 1868, which scarcely exceeded $27,000. The cost of building and machinery was about $40,000.
THE SAW AND PLANING MILL
located on the hydraulic canal possesses both water and steam power. The mill was projected in 1864 by David Darr, who sold his interest in 1866 to John B. Drake. In 1877 C. A. Davis entered into a partnership, and subsequently purchased the entire concern. The cost of the original building is estimated at $4,000, while the value of the mill at present is $12,000. Its capacity is set down at 1,500,000 feet of hard lumber, such as poplar, walnut, oak, maple and hickory. In preparing the raw lumber for market 15 men receive constant employment. The valne of annual product is set down at $20,000.
Though the mills just reviewed are all extensive and require a great water-power such as the canal bestows, yet half the ad- vantages which the hydraulic offers are not requisitioned. There is room for many additions to the industrial establishments of the city, and nowhere is a finer location presented than that which the neighborhood of the canal affords.
E. & J. GORTNER'S IRON FOUNDRY.
This iron foundry was started in 1863 by Messrs. Gortner & Smith. They built the large house now occupied by the Goshen Pump Company, Howe & Simmons' Chair Factory, and by the foundry. The building cost about $8,000, and the entire concern with machinery about $22,000. A lathe purchased in 1864 cost $960. In 1866-'7 the number employed was 40 men. The threshing machines of the firm are widely known over the State, and win for the manufacturers a prosperous trade. Since 1868 the foundry has been exclusively managed by . J. Gortner, and a steady business has been maintained. It is located near the L. S. & M. S. railway, the main building being a frame 40x110 feet, two floors, with foundry and blacksmith shop 36x80, and another addition 35x60.
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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
The works are well provided with both iron and wood-working machinery, and has working capacity for full 50 men, though the force rarely numbers more than 20.
GOSHEN PUMP COMPANY.
This company, with W. L. Bivins as President, mannfactures 40,000 pumps annually, and gives employment to between 25 and 30 men. It was established here in 1872. The first pump factory was inaugurated at Waterford in 1851, by J. Wegely, who in 1853 disposed of his interest to Jonas Shively, and he in turn sold out, in 1855, to W. D. Platter. Platter moved his machinery to Goshen, where he continued the mannfacture until June, 1879, when the works were purchased by the present company.
E. W. WALKER'S FACTORY.
The factory was established in 1870, the present works, located by the side of the L. S. & M. S. railway, having been built by Mr. Walker in 1875. The main building is a two-story brick structure, 52x100 feet, with engine room 25x50. The motive power is steam, a 60-horse power engine being used, and in the works employment is given to a force usually numbering from 50 to 60 hands.
The trade of the works is principally with manufacturers in some six or eight of the Western States, the chief sales being made in Illinois, Missouri, Michigan, Iowa. Indiana and Kentucky. Some traveling for orders is done, but the great bulk of business seeks the factory direct.
During the first years of the business from 35 to 40 men were employed and the annual value of product was $40,000. Within a period of 10 years this valne has risen to $130,000. The value of machinery is estimated at $14,000 and that of the buildings at $19,000. Edward W. Walker is manager and proprietor.
WHITTAKER BROTHERS' SHOPS.
The shops were established in 1872. The buildings cost $2,500, and the amount of annual product about $5,000. The working force has increased from two in 1872 to 12 in 1880.
THE WAGON FACTORY OF J. J. DELOTTER.
Among other prosperous manufacturing interests in our sister city of Goshen we make note of its carriage manufactories, and
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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
here refer to the one named above. The shops are old established, but Mr. Delotter's proprietorship of them dates from February.
ADAM YEAKEL'S FACTORY
is among the principal carriage and wagon establishments of the city. The number of men employed ranges from five to eight, and the quality and style of workmanship is much appreciated by the people.
GOSHEN SWEEPER AND WRINGER CO.
This company was organized in 1878, with C. W. Walker and H. E. Gore as principals. The buildings erected by the firm and com- pleted in 1880 are extensive and neat. The main building is 100 feet long by 40 feet wide, and gives place to two floors. The ware- room office and brush factory are in another building, 50x30 feet. The cost of both structures was $4,000, and of machinery, even now in use, $2,800. The number of hands employed in 1878 was 20. This force has been augmented by a similar number in 1880. In 1878 the sales were $18,000, in 1879 $27,000, and in 1880 $40,000. The trade of the firm extends over the Eastern and Western States, with the principal markets in Chicago, New York, Boston and Philadelphia. There are 25 traveling agents and two clerks engaged in transacting the business of the firm. Mr. Gore is the inventor and patentee of sweeper and wringer.
CHAIR FACTORY.
The manufacture of chairs was established in June, 1876, by Howe & Simmons, but Mr. Howe, who was engaged in that work, may claim the credit of inaugurating that industry. The factory occupies the entire second floor of Gortner's foundry. The machinery is valued at $2,500; seven men are employed, and the value of goods manufactured in 1880 approximates $20,000. About 400 chairs are made every week, and still the firm intend to further increase their facilities, until the increasing demand is fully met.
HATTEL BROTHERS & CO.
Hattel Brothers erected the western end of this industrial con- cern in December, 1877, and the company, subsequently organized, made additions, until the building now forms a rectangle 102x40 feet. The cost of this structure is estimated at $2,400, and that of
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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
the machinery at 83,000. The number of men employed in 1877 did not exceed 10, while now the factory gives employment to no less a number than 40. Five travelers are also employed, who sold during the past year $50,000 worth of tables, bedsteads and bureaus in Indiana, Iowa and Missouri. In 1876 the wares of the Messrs. Hattel were destroyed by fire, entailing a total loss of $1,300. The present firm comprises Messrs. Henry Kolb, Wm. Grose, D. W. and Jacob Hattel. Though young in years, it has made very favor- able progress, and gives promise of reaching the climax of commer- cial prosperity.
I. X. L. PUMP CO.
This manufactory was established Jan. 1, 1880, by James A. Arthur, John Korrady, Jr., and Alfred Lowry. The number of men employed by this firm during the month of March, 1880, was four; at present the factory gives employment to 13, and is making such satisfactory progress, that an addition to the force may be necessary during the coming year.
ANGEL'S COOPERAGE.
The first cooperage was erected by Christian Angel in 1861 on Third street. He employed four men, who were occupied in turn- ing out work for Messrs. Thomas & Stauffer, J. H. Defrees, for his Syracuse mill, and Dr. E. W. H. Ellis' mills at Goshen. In 1862 the cooperage required the services of eight men. That year he rented steam power from Geo. Powell and used stave machinery. In 1863 he entered into partnership with M. M. Bartholomew, and moved the machinery one-half mile south of Goshen. Here the most remarkable progress was made, 20 men were employed, and the patronage of Messrs. W. A. Thomas, C. & E. Hawks, Geo. W. Ellis, of Goshen, and Turner & Company, of Chicago, secured. Before the close of the year M. M. Bartholomew disposed of his half interest to Mr. Angel, and the latter moved the machinery and shop to the present location on Second street, near Third and Madison. Here the work of the cooperage so increased that it gave employ- ment to 35 men; but the fire-fiend attacked the shops Aug. 12, 1873, and destroyed both buildings and machinery. The proprietor lost by this fire about $4,000 directly, and indirectly, $1,500. The manufacturers, bankers and merchants offered to contribute an amount equal to the entire loss, and would have done so had not
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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
Angel requested his good neighbors to desist. In 1874 a new build- ing was completed and the cooperage again in full operation. Since that period a steady trade has been maintained, and many additions made to the buildings.
The yearly business of this manufactory may be summed up as follows:
40,000 slack barrels, 35c. $14,000
8,000 tierces and packing barrels, $1.33}. 10,666
2,000,000 staves and heads, .06c. 12,000
Total. $36,666
ECHART'S COOPERAGE.
John B. Echart's factory, at the corner of Madison and Eighth streets, gives employment to three men. The principal wooden-ware produced comprises butter-tubs and tight work ..
STRAUB'S COOPERAGE.
Stranb's manufactory is principally devoted to egg barrels and packing barrels.
RAD & RINGLEY'S
Cooperage is devoted to custoin-work. The work is generally substantial and meets the approval of the patrons of the firm.
THE RIVERSIDE CIGAR COMPANY
was formed early in 1876, with John A. Tiedeman as principal. The trade has been steadily increasing until now it approximates $3,000. The leaf used in the factory is principally purchased in Chicago and Detroit, and a market for the manufactured goods found within the county.
NATHAN SAILINGER'S
factory is not so extensive as that of the Riverside company. His trade is chiefly confined to the county.
MANUEL GONZALES
does a limited, but a paying trade. The manufacture of cigars here gives employment to seven men; the character of the goods is in high repute, and the extent of the trade satisfactory to the persons engaged in it.
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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
THE NOBLE SCHOOL FURNITURE COMPANY.
The officers of the company are: J. M. Noble, President; L. H. Noble, Treasurer, and W. A. Bradford, Secretary, the active man- agement of the business mainly resting with the two last named gentlemen, Mr. J. M. Noble finding his time occupied in the man- agement of the large hardwood lumber interest of L. H. Noble & Son. He also, as elsewhere stated, is connected with the Goshen Woolen Mill Company. Mr. L. H. Noble came to Elkhart county in 1849, from Ohio, and ever since has been in active business here. The company established themselves in the school-furniture man- ufactory business in 1872, and they now employ 50 hands, and sell about $115,000 worth of furniture per year. They have a branch office and salesroom at 270 and 272 Wabash avenue, Chicago, under the charge of C. R. Hewett, and orders or letters of inquiry addressed either here or there will meet with prompt attention.
The material used by the company in the construction of their school furniture and tables is wholly walnut and aslı. The school furniture is made with alternate strips of this material, so that the effect is pleasing to the eye; the seat conforms itself to the body in such a natural manner as to avoid fatigue. This accomplished, that is, conformity to the natural pose of the body, it became nec- essary to embody other points of excellence, so that strength and durability should be combined with an appearance of lightness.
In the manufacture of school furniture especial attention is also paid to teachers' desks of various patterns. The firm also sell globes, chairs, blackboards and the many adjuncts of the school-room.
The factory itself is by the side of the L. S. & M. S. R'y, having abundant side track. The main building is a three story frame structure (built last year) 46x100 feet. The engine, boiler rooms and kilns are 42x65 feet, and a two-story wareroom, frame, 44x98 feet, is now building. The work rooms may really be considered models in their way. They are splendidly lighted, are heated by steam, and every convenience exists for prosecuting work expe- ditionsly. The various machinery in use (and machinery is used wherever it can be to advantage) is of the best pattern, selected with special reference to the peculiar lines of manufacture engaged in by the company. The buildings, although frame, are well protected against fire by a thorough system of pipes and hose, with abundant water supply, and, taken all in all, the most casual visitor can see that the works are the result of experience and careful observation.
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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
THE RESIDENCE OF MR. NOBLE.
This beautiful residence is situate on East Market street, and occupies a section of the block forming the northwestern frontage. The house was erected in 1875-'6, at a direct cost of $19,000. The exterior, though architecturally complete, conveys but a small idea of its interior beanty. The style of the building is early Gothic with all its turrets and pointed gables. The abutment or snbstruct- ure is composed of variegated stones, cut down to a uniform square and pointed in cement. The wood used in the exterior frame is all yellow poplar, as enduring as cedar. The grounds form a plain green terrace through which 1,000 square feet of concrete pavement lead to the exits and entrances, and all is enclosed by a neat net- work of iron paling. Without this fence the owner caused over 1,500 feet of concrete sidewalk to be laid down and shade trees to be planted along the street. The maples on the southern front prospered, but the birch trees on the east are battling with the change of location. However, most of these are thrifty and will become living ornaments to that portion of the city.
As has been said, all this exterior beauty gives very little idea of the interior magnificence. Mr. Noble has introduced within the building a style and pleasing solidity of wood work which the trav- eler has failed to see eclipsed, perhaps equaled, in the houses of many European monarchs. Black and white walnut, butternut and polished ash are used throughont in the doors and walltrimmings. The furniture is ebonized wood, and the drapery or upholstery com- prise maroon rep, variegated damask or green satin. Let ns travel through this mansion. Entering throngh a double massive gate in solid wood, of the costliest grain, the main hall is reached. The base, surbase and wainscoting are butternut, with walnut facings. The walnut is precisely similar in quality to that used in veneering, is solid, and bestows an appearance upon the hall at once telling and effective. The dining room is unequaled in its decoration. The base, surbase and alternate laths of the wainscoting are solid black walnut of the choicest grain. The intervening laths are white wal- nut of the best quality. The window blinds, frames and sashes, with the five doors leading from the room, are all en suite. The sideboard is a massive piece of furniture, made of solid walnut boards, supplied by the owner, and a table of the same material. The kitchen is one of the apartments near the dining saloon; the wall and window trimmings are almost similar to those used in the
54
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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
decoration of the dining hall with the exception that white walnut ho! Is the place occupied by black in the former description. The four doors leading to this neat culinary are massive and correspond with those leading to the dining hall. The bath-room off the hall is as cozy as it is costly ; all that artifice could do to render this lit- tle apartment luxurious has been done, no expense has been spared, and consequently it is all that man may desire in such a connec- tion.
The first parlor is on the left-hand side of the hall. The doors leading to it are paneled in polished butternut with heavy black walnut facing, and are hung on wheels. The base, surbase and wainscoting, with window frames and blinds, are all made in the same woods and so correspond. The center table, piano and mirror frames, with other articles of furniture are in ebonized wood, while the drapery is a rich maroon rep. The sitting-room on the oppo- site side of the hall is in white walnut with black-walnut facings, with furniture of the most superb description, and variegated drapery. The first bedroom is off this reception parlor. It is entered through a massive door of polished ash and solid black walnut. The base, surbase, wainscoting, window frames, blinds and furniture corre- spond so that the effect is simply beautiful. The bath-room re- ferred to previously is off this room, and is furnished in the same manner. The stairway is a work of art. Beginning with the newell , which supports the many-lighted gasolier, it may be said to be a solid block of walnut with mosaic ornamentation. The hand rail through all its length is solid walnut of the choicest grain, and bearing a high polish. The guard rails are heavy polished ash and well designed. This beautiful stairway leads upward to the princi- pal lobby. The rooms on the second floor are all large, airy apart- ments, furnished most tastefully, if not luxuriously, and differ only from the splendid rooms beneath in possessing a lightsome appear- ance, caused principally by the employment of white walnut and tinted woods in decorating the walls, as well as in the window frames and doors.
The beauty of the lumber chosen by Mr. Noble for his residence must be seen to be known and admired. Nothing more peculiarly entertaining in interior house decoration has ever been brought under the notice of the writer, and this fact connected with the great, the important part taken by the owner in building up this city of Goshen must for ever mark him as a man of high taste and extraordinary enterprise.
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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
RAILWAY STATISTICS,
The annual business statement of the Goshen R. R. station for the year ending Dec. 31, 1860, contained the following recapitula- tion :
Freight received, 12,950,475 pounds, $18,688.82: freight for- warded, 11,079,575 pounds, $18,860.90; receipts of ticket office, $4,182.83; receipts of telegraph office, $278.45; total, $42,011.00. The total amount of money received by express was $260,290.95, and the amount forwarded through that channel $310,547.65; show- ing a total financial dealing of $570,838.60, for the transmittance of which the express office charged $1,920.50.
It will be sufficient for the purposes of comparison to give the statistics of the same depot for three months ending Aug. 31, 1880. The increase in freight received and forwarded will be apparent, and speaks, with the accuracy of figures, the almost unparalleled ad- vances made by the city.
Michigan Southern: forwarded, June, 7,902,441 pounds; July, 12,717,364 pounds; August, 8,417,097 pounds; total, 29,036, 902; received, June, 3,007,192 pounds; July, 2,933,071 pounds; August, 3,583,382 pounds; total, 9.422,645 pounds. Cincinnati, Wabash & Michigan : forwarded, June, 907,827 pounds; July, 632,243 pounds; August, 904,226, pounds; total, 2,444,296 pounds; received, June, 4,793,256 pounds, grain, flax seed, etc; July, 10,158,223 pounds; August, 6,613,679 pounds; total, 21,565,158.
These figures show the extension of trade or exportation to be spreading East and West, and the importation of raw material, for use in the mills, to be from the South.
VILLAGE OF WATERFORD.
The village of Waterford is situated on the east side of the Elk- hart river, in Elkhart township, on section 28. The land was original- ly owned by Judge Elias Baker, who erected a small log dwelling and a grist-mill liere in 1833, John McBride being the mill-wright. The Rev. Azel Sparklin settled on the Sparklin farm, adjoining Waterford on the east, in 1829. He was a local Methodist preacher, the first minister in the neighborhood, and the only one for several years. He for a long time performed nearly all the marriage ceremonies and preached the funeral sermons in the sur- rounding country. Major John W. Violett, whose name is also identified with the early history of Waterford and with the history
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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
of the county, likewise settled here in 1829, his lands adjoining the village. Mr. Cephas Hawks, Sr., visited this county in 1835, and bought the Baker property in June, 1836. Mr. Cephas Hawks, Jr., settled in Middlebury in the spring of 1836, but came to what is now Waterford in the fall of that year and took possession of his father's property, in which he soon afterward purchased an interest. At a later date Mr. David Ballentine also bought an interest in the property; and in the summer of 1838 the village was laid out by Ballentine, C. Hawks, Sr., and C. Hawks, Jr. In the fall of 1836 Cephas Hawks, Sr. & Sons opened a store in a small shanty, but built a larger store-room the next year, in which the firm and their successors, the sons, kept store for many years. Dr. II. Heatwole, the first established physician liere, came in May, 1853. The Hawkses built a new mill near the site of the old one in 1843 and '44; and in 1868, on the completion of the Goshen hydraulic canal, the Waterford dam was taken down and the mill removed to Goshen. The first postoffice was established here in 1854, and S. D. Lombard was appointed postmaster. He was succeeded by Frank Johnson, and Johnson by W. L. Baker, who had the office discontinued. About the year 1865 the office was re-established, and W. D. Platter appointed postmaster. The Methodist church was built about the year 1842, the Methodists having met for wor- ship prior to that time in the school house. In 1853 the Christian church was built, and in 1858 the Associate Reformed Presbyterian church. The latter denomination has now no preaching here, and their church was removed to Rodibaugh's grave-yard a few years ago. A frame school-house was erected here about 40 years ago, and the building is now occupied by Mrs. Barlow as a dwelling. A one-story brick school-house was erected in 1858, and the present fine two-story building about the year 1871. In 1851 a Mr. Wegely started a small pump shop here. This shop was afterward pur- chased by Jonas Shively, and then by W. D. Platter. The latter removed it to Goshen, where he carried on an extensive business, and recently sold out to W. L. Bivins.
There was at one time a large amount of business done at Water- ford, particularly at the mill. Farmers from a distance of many miles and from all directions came here to get their wheat con- verted into flour and their corn cracked.
Bethel (or Christian) Church, at Waterford. This church is known by many as the "New-Light " Christian Church, to designate it from the "Campbellite" Christian Church. It is now situated at
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