USA > Indiana > Marion County > Indianapolis > Hyman's Handbook of Indianapolis : an outline history and description of the capital of Indiana, with over three hundred illustrations from photographs made expressly for this work (1897) > Part 19
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Indianapolis Manufacturers' and Carpenters' Union are the successor, by purchase, to the lumber business formerly owned and established by Warren Tate in 1863, and which was operated by him until the winter of 1571. Orig. inally. the company was composed of some 60 or more individuals-carpen- ters and small contractors-who organized a stock company and purchased
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
TO INDPL'S. MANUFR'S¿3ARPENTER'S UNION,
INDIANAPOLIS MANUFACTURERS' AND CARPENTERS' UNION.
the plant. The severe panic of 1877 forced many of them to relinquish their holdings, and the majority of the stock was finally absorbed by the present management. Among the original stockholders were C. F. Resener, Fred Diekman, Val. Schaaf, Frederick Schmid, Henry Pauli and others. Mr. Resener was the first president and was succeeded by Mr. Pauli. In IS78 Mr. Schaaf was elected president and has served continuously since. With the exception of two years Mr. Schmid has been actively connected with the com- pany since its organization, and has directed the business of the corporation in the capacity of secretary and treasurer. Under the management of these gentlemen, the business has been developed to one of the most important in its line, and is unquestionably the largest in the manufacture of finished lumber, fixtures of all kinds and interior wood finishing. In their mill they operate a force averaging from 50 to 75 men, according to the conditions of trade, not including the office force. They also operate extensive lumber yards in the vicinity of the mill. The main offices and factory are located at 38 to 42 South New Jersey street.
Mr. Frederick Schmid, the secretary of the company, as well as Mr. Schaaf, are pioneer citizens of Indianapolis, and have been instrumental in promoting the city's growth and welfare.
The Foster Lumber Company was founded in 1872, by C. C. Foster & Co., and was reorganized under its present title in 1895, with a capital of $50,- 000. The trade conducted in the different branches is widespread and com- manding in proportions. The plant of the company is located at 402 and 420 North Mississippi street, covering a ground area of three acres, and with its splendid equipment of modern machinery and ingenious labor-saving devices and commodious dry kiln, is the most complete plant in the state. The planing mill, sash, door and blind factory include a two-story building, 140 x 180 feet in area, and two three-story frame buildings. A 100-horse- power engine drives the machinery; there is a 6 x 18 foot boiler, and the fur-
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2.47
HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
PLANING MILL.
PLANING MILL. FOSTER LUMBER C.
POSTED LUNDER CO. TUMBER
SAUINGLES, LATY
--
FOSTER LUMBER COMPANY.
naces are arranged either to burn natural gas or surplus shavings. The ware- house and offices occupy a three-story frame building, 40 x 160 feet in dimen- sions, from 75 to 100 men being steadily employed. There are numerous large sheds for the storage of dry and finished stock, while the spacious yards easily accommodate immense quantities of rough or dressed lumber. The ample switch connections with the "Big Four" railway afford splendid convenience for expeditious shipments. The product ineludes all kinds of planed and finished lumber, sash, doors, blinds, frames, mouldings, etc., their specialty being veneered door and fine interior finish. Their trade extends over the whole state and into Illinois and Kentucky. The hardwood finish in the City Library and Commercial Club Building and many of the hand- some residences in this city are evidences of the superior character of their workmanship. The president, Mr. C. C. Foster, is one of the vice-presi- dents of the Commercial Club, a member of the Board of Trade, president of the Atlas Savings Association, vice-president of the Mutual Home Savings and Loan Association, a member of the Builders' Exchange. Mr. O. P. Ensley, secretary of the company, was chief clerk of the pension office at this point and is an energetic young business man.
Fraser Brothers & Van Hoff occupy a foremost position in the lumber trade, and rank among the heaviest dealers in this city. The business was established by Frazer Brothers & Colborn in ISSo. The first partnership was composed of A. R. Colborn, who owns large interest in the lumber trade in Michigan City, Ind., and many other points throughout the state, and S. D. Fraser and S. P. Fraser, who came here in ISSo. In ISS3. J. G. Fraser came here. and was taken into the business, and in 1SSS II. L. Van Hoff also purchased an interest. In IS92, Mr. Colborn retired, selling his interest to the remaining members, and the firm became known as Fraser Brothers & Van Hoff. Early in its existence this house made itself an important factor in the lumber trade of
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
the city, and from the beginning has done a very large and successful business. The yards, which are located at the junction of East Washington street and Michigan avenue, are most favorably situated, covering area of nearly three acres, and supplied with private railroad switches running into the grounds, capable of accommodating twenty cars, connecting directly with the Penn- sylvania Railroad. In addition to being extensive dealers in sash, door and blinds, the firm carries at all times in stock about three million feet of all kinds of building lumber.
CHAMBER SUITS.
WESTERN FURNITURE CO.
CHAMBER
WESTERN FURNITURE COMPANY.
The Western Furniture Company, Madison avenue and South Delaware street. W. L. Hagedorn, president; Chas. Fearnaught, secretary, and George Herman, superintendent, was established in 1873. The factory is one of the most extensive engaged in the manufacture of furniture in this market. The buildings cover five acres and are built substantially of brick, 170 feet long, by 100 feet deep, embracing four stories ind basement. They are equipped throughout with the latest and most improved machinery. Over 100 men are employed in the factory, and the product which consists of beds and hamber sets find a market all over the United States and throughout foreign countries.
The Emrich Furniture Company are successors to the business estab- lished by Emrich, Paulini & Company in ISS2. The company was incor- porated March, 1895, and was one of the largest firms engaged in the manu- facture of furniture in the city. The output consists of side-boards and bed- room sets. The trade of the concern extends throughout the entire United
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HIYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
States. The factory is located at 190 to 210 West Morris street, and covers over one and one-half acres of ground and furnishes employment to 125 men. The officers of the company are: Ilenry Emrich, president; George II. Drechsle, vice-president, and John H. Emrich, secretary and treasurer.
The Indiana Lumber and Veneer Company, Fifteenth street and L. E. & W. railroad. This company was organized in 1892. The business is devoted to the manufacture of sawed veneers and band sawed lumber. A specialty is made of quartered oak for fine interior finish, and the product includes band sawed lumber of every description. The market for the product of this concern extends throughout every state and territory in the Union, and throughout foreign countries. The officers of the company are: A. K. Hol- lowell, president; O. M. Pruitt, secretary; L. P. Hollowell, treasurer, and William Dickerson, superintendent. The plant covers over six acres, and is especially well equipped with modern machinery and has the most conve- nient railway shipping facilities, being located directly on the L. E. & W. railway, and in direct connection with all roads leading into the city.
The Union Embossing Machine Company, manufacturers of Drop-Carv- ing machines, has acquired all the patents on Drop-Carving machines, and has now in operation over seven hundred machines in this and other coun- tries. In truth, the "Union" Drop-Carving machine must be classed as one of the greatest of modern inventions, and is as startling an innovation in the field of wood-working as the typesetting machine has become to publishing. By its employment the most delicate and difficult hand-carving can be re- produced at a nominal cost, as compared to the hand process. In fact, the quality and beauty of finish of the work of this machine can not be equaled by hand work. The machines have been adopted by the large manufacturers of pianos and organs; also by the principal furniture and car decorators and builders. The offices of the company, as well as the manufacturing plant, are located in the Crist building, in West South street. The officers of the company are E. S. DeTamble, president, and W. M. Richards, secretary and treasurer.
Thomas E. Potter, 26 and 28 South Capitol avenue, established the busi- ness of manufacturing straw goods, such as hats and bonnets, in ISSS. It is the only factory of the kind in this city, and the business extends throughout the entire central and western states. Employment is furnished to over 250 hands.
The Indiana Bermudez Asphalt Company and Paving Contractors was incorporated in 1894. The officers of the company are: John M. Cooper, president; Allen W. Conduitt, secretary and treasurer. This concern is one of the most important and largest of those now engaged in laying the as- phalted streets in Indianapolis. Among the most important contracts filled by this concern were the paving of North New Jersey street, from Washington to Fort Wayne avenue, Liberty street, East Market street, Buchanan street, Palmer street, and many others. This concern operates an extensive plan. ct Brazil, Indiana, where it manufactures paving brick of superior quality o .. .: very large scale.
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
The Parry Manufacturing Company, owing to its rapid growth, has at- tracted, perhaps, more and wider attention than any other industrial institu- tion in the western country. The foundation of this magnificent and enormous business was laid four- teen years ago, at Rushville, Indi- ana, by David M. and Thomas H. Parry. At that point they began PARRY BROS F the manufacture of road carts and buck-boards. The road cart up to BUCK BOARDS & AUED CARTS FFICE this time had not fully found favor with the agriculturists of America as a general utility vehicle, but the Parrys saw the "ear marks" of pop- PARRY BROS., ISS6. ularity in the "two-wheeler," and that the average man needed only a little persuasion to convince him that he could not be happy without one. Firmly convinced that the world could be converted and made happy by buy- ing road carts and with "the faith that was in them" and with the aid of 40 employes, but limited facilities, they began the work.
In ISS4 their factory was destroyed by fire and they immediately souglit new quarters and continued the work of "conversion." By 1886 the road cart had established a reputation as "a thing of beauty and a joy forever," and the
PAR
PARRY MANUFACTURING COMPANY, 1896.
Parrys were compelled to seek larger and better quarters for the production of their pet vehicle. In this year they moved to Indianapolis. From this time forth the business grew with leaps and bounds, and from an output of 100 carts a day in a short space of time the factory began to turn out 1,000 carts daily, sending them to all quarters of the globe. In IS90 the company
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
began the manufacture of four-wheel vehicles on a large scale, such as surries, piano-box buggies, phaetons, road and spring wagons, etc. With the wide trade connections secured by this time in the sale of carts and the estab- lished reputation for making the very best goods for the smallest amount of money, they invaded the field occupied by the oldest and strongest carriage manufacturers for half a century. The plant was enlarged and equipped throughout with every modern appliance necessary to bring down the cost of production to the minimum. How well the Parry Manufacturing Company has succeeded in the manufacture of carriages is attested in the enormous plant, covering acres of ground-larger than the five largest carriage facto- ries in the world put together-in which every portion of a buggy, with the exception of the cloth and leather, is manufactured from the raw material. In all there are 19 buildings, covering 20 acres, connected with railroad switches running into the factory grounds. Many special Parry "Jumbo" cars are used for the shipment of vehicles to all parts of the country. During the busy season of 1896 over 2.Soo persons were employed. Two independent electric plants are used for lighting the factory, and all the machinery is operated by electricity. Over 350 four-wheel jobs are turned out daily, and 22 traveling men are constantly employed, visiting the trade in every state and territory in the Union. To pack the goods it requires 15,000 feet of lumber daily for crating, and 55 persons are employed in the book-keeping department. The trade in foreign countries is constantly increasing. The officers of the com- pany are: David M. Parry, president; St. Clair Parry, secretary, and Thomas H. Parry, superintendent.
The W. B. Barry Saw and Supply Company was established by W. B. Barry in 1874, and for nearly a quarter of a century has maintained a fore- most position as one of the leading industrial establishments of the city. The product consists of circular, band, and cross-cut saws, and has an es- tablished reputation for excellence of quality among the consumers through- out the United States. In 1895, at the Atlanta Exposition, the production of this concern was awarded a diploma and gold medal for superiority. The plant is located at 132 and 134 South Pennsylvania street, where a large force is constantly employed.
Parkhurst Brothers & Company, proprietors of the Indianapolis Bolt and Machine Works, is located at 122 to 128 Kentucky avenue. The business was established in 1875 and has always been recognized as one of the most important of the many institutions that add to the value of Indianapolis as a manufacturing center. The plant covers nearly two acres with substantial brick buildings, equipped throughout with the latest and most approved tools and modern machinery. About 50 operatives are employed, and the output of the plant consists of light and heavy castings, machine bolts, spe- cial machinery, and Olsen's Improved Freight Elevators. The members of the firm are: J. W., J. II., and J. M. Parkhurst, and M. E. Mc.Alpin.
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
Nordyke & Marmon Company .- Manufacturing flour mill machinery, ele- vator machinery and special appliances used in milling is one of the great industries of Indianapolis; and is well repre- sented by the Norkyke & Marmon Company, who own and have in successful operation one of the largest establishments of its kind in the world. The foundation of this now prosperous company dates from IS51, when the business was established by Messrs. Ellis and Addison H. Nordyke, as Nordyke & Son, and four years 18 51 later Mr. Daniel W. Marmon became a partner. Mr. Ellis Nordyke died in 1871, and Mr. Amos K. Hollowell was admitted to the firm. In 1874, the present company was organized and incorporated under the laws of the state, with Mr. Addison H. Nordyke, president; Mr. Amos K. Hollowell, treasurer, and Mr. Daniel W. Marmon, secretary, since when the manufacturing facilities have been increased and the trade extended. The plant of the company covers fifteen acres of ground on the line of a railroad in West Indianapolis, with which it is connected by side-tracks. The buildings are one and two-story structures, substantially built of brick, the group comprising foundries, machine shops, iron aud wood-working shops, finishing shop, store and warehouses and handsome offices. There is also a spacious yard for the storing of material. A two-hundred-and-fifty- horse-power steam engine drives the machinery, and the services of five hundred skilled machinists are brought into requisition. Throughout all de- partments the works are perfectly equipped with the latest improved machinery and tools, and are among the best and most complete in the country. The various milling machinery and appliances turned out have a world-wide repu- tation, and are not only shipped to all parts of the United States, but also to Canada, European countries, Australia, Mexico, South and Central America, Africa, New Zealand and Japan, and the business is steadily growing in volume and importance each succeeding year. The company manufactures all kinds of flour mill and elevator machinery, corn mills and rice mills, also machinery for handling grain, the latest improved roller mills, portable mills, centrifugal bolts, pulleys, hangers, shafting, etc., and also deal in buhr mill stones. silk bolting cloth of all grades, and woven wire cloth, leather and rubber belting and flour mill supplies. The special features of the various machines and appliances manufactured by the Nordyke & Marmon Company are simplicity in construction, rapid adjustment convenience of operation and accurate workmanship. They 1874 are fully up to all that is claimed for them, and are in every point of actual value superior to any others in the market. All the officers are well and prominently known in this city in business and financial circles, and active members of the Board of Trade and Commercial Club.
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9373
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NORDYKE & MARMON COMPANY.
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
The National Electric Headlight Company was organized in 1890, by R. B. F. Peirce, H. H. Fulton and D. L. Whittier. For a number of years ex- periments were made by different parties, to produce an electric headlight for locomotives, and after the ex - penditure of vast sums of money in an unsuccessful at- tempt to pro- F duce a working machine, the idea was aban- doned. It was NATIONAL ELECTRIC HEADLIGHT CO. at this time that Mr. Peirce, who was then the general mana- ger of the I., I). CRIST NATIONAL ELECTRIC HEADLIGHT. & S. Railroad Company, be-
came impressed with the importance of the electric headlight. His practical experience as a railroad man undoubtedly gave him a better knowledge of the importance and utility of the machine than was pos- sessed by the original promoters; and recognizing this he undertook to bring the headlight to perfection. How well his plans materialized is evidenced in the broad use to which it has been applied on some of the most important railroads in the country. He spent over $100,000 to bring about the result, after facing many embarrassments that would have driven most men to abandon the project. The electric headlight stands out prominently as one of the great inventions that has been produced to minify the dangers of modern railroading. The first road to adopt the elec- tric headlight was the Vandalia, where it gave uniform satisfaction. It is now in use on the locomotives of the C. H. & D. R. R., I. D. & W. R. R., T. H. & I. R. R., T. St. L. & K. C. Ry., C. & E. I. R. R., Gov. Railways of New South Wales, W. & N. R. R., C. & G. T. R. R., E. & T. II. R. R., P. D. & E. Rv., Texas Midland, G. S. & F. R. R., K. C. F. S. & M. Rv. C. N. O. & T. P. Ry., N. O. & N. E. R. R., C. & O. R. R., Gov. Railways of Brazil, etc., etc., B. R. & P. R. R., L. E. & St. L. Rv., Ala. Great Southern, South- ern Pacific, Florida Southern, C. R. I. &. P. R. R., St. L. & A. Ry., D. & H. Ry., Central Vermont, G. La. P. &. H. Ry., H. & T. C. Ry., and other rail- road companies, and in a number of foreign countries. The factory is located in West South street where the company employs a large number of skilled workmen. The present officers are R. B. F. Peirce, president, and E. B. Peirce, general manager.
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
The McElwaine-Richards Company, incorporated in 1890, succeeded to the busines of J. B. McElwaine & Company and George A. Richards. The
company is engaged in the manufacture of gas and water supplies, and con- duct the most ex- tensive wholesale business in plumb- PLUMBING GAS. STEAM AND WATER GOODS. ers' and gas-fitters' tools and supplies in the West. The CHARDS CO. company operate a large manufactur- ing plant at Nobles- ville, Ind., employ- ing about 135 hands. The offices and store OFFICES AND STORE ROOM, THE M'ELWAINE-RICHARDS CO. rooms are located in the company's handsome building, at 62, 64 and 66 West Maryland street in this city; and
the pipe yards and warehouses are sit. uated at the corner of Delaware and Merrill streets where direct rail- road connections with all lines lead ing into the city fa- cilitate the handling of the heavy stock Besides the above. the company manu- factures the celebra- ted J. & R. changea- ble bicycle gear. The officers of the company are : M. M.
THE MCELWAINE . RICHARDS CO
.1
FACTORY M'ELWAINE-RICHARDS CO.
McElwaine, president; Geo. A. Richards, treasurer, and M. O. Halderman, secretary and vice-president.
The Rockwood Manufacturing Company, 176 to 190 South Pennsylvania : street, is the outgrowth of the American Paper Pulley Company, established in 1883. Until I891 the firm was conducted by Messrs. W. E. Rockwood and H. C. Newcomb, under this title, when Mr. Rockwood succeeded to the
ك
DEAN BROS, STEAM PUMP WORKS.
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
AMERICAN PAPER PULLEY .CO.
100
ROCKWOOD MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
sole control, and changed the name to the present style. From the inception of the business it took a front rank among the most important manufacturing interests of this city, and has enjoyed uniform prosperity. The products consist of paper pulleys, paper frictions, machine castings, saw-mills, Rath- sam patent flower pot machinery, Pyle automatic engines, from 2 to 250 horse-power, and all kinds of special machinery. The plant covers an area of 125x175 feet, the machine shop and office occupy a building 75x150 feet, the foundry, one 50x75 feet, and the blacksmith shop, one 25x40 feet in dimen- sions. These various departments are all finely equipped with the latest in- proved machinery. The output is one of great magnitude and importance, and the trade extends all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, South America, Australia and Europe.
Dean Brothers Steam Pump Works, established in IS70, one of the best planned industrial establishments in the country engaged in the manufacture of steam pumps for all purposes, is now located on First near Mississippi street. The shops are fitted with new and modern designed tools and ma- chinery for manufacturing pumping machinery with accuracy and economy. The buildings have a width on the ground of 60 feet, by 1,000 feet in length. The different departments are, pattern shop, blacksmith shop, iron foundry, brass foundry, and machine shop. Every part of the pumps are made by the company. The list of pumps comprise over 300 different styles and kinds. In addition to Dean's patent single pumps, a full line of duplex pumps are manufactured. More than 50 sizes and combinations of cylinders in this style of pump are made. The officers of the company are: Edward H. Dean, president; Wilfred R. Dean, vice-president; John C. Dean, secre- retary and treasurer, and Ward HI. Dean, superintendent.
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
SADDLERY
HOLLIDAY & WYON.
Holliday & Wyon, manufacturers of harness and collars, and wholesesale dealers in horse goods, saddlery, hardware, leather, and shoe findings, began business in IS79. It was the first house in the State to engage in this line of manufacture on an extensive scale, and has maintained a foremost position since its organization. The trade of the firm is very heavy, and extends throughout the United States. Travelers, representatives of the house, visit the trade in Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, Illinois, Kansas and Iowa. In the manufacturing department over 70 persons are employed, and the firm is commodiously housed in the large brick edifice at the northwest corner of Pennsylvania and Georgia streets, covering 65x110 feet, consisting of five floors. The members of the firm are John D. Holli- day and Albert F. Wyon.
KNIGHT & JILLSON PIPE YARDS.
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
Knight & Jillson, manufacturers of natural gas, oil well, steam and water supplies, 75 South Pennsylvania street, is the oldest firm engaged in the line in this city, and ranks among the heaviest operators in the west. The firm was established in 1872. The business has been a very prosperous one from its inception, growing from a trade aggregating $60,000 for the first year un- til ISS7 it had reached $175,000. With the discovery of natural gas in this section the growth became more rapid and substantial and the firm's business now approximates a million dollars annually. The offices and manufacturing
TURES
J.
KNIGHT & JILLSON OFFICE AND FACTORY.
plant is located in the two-story brick building, 40x200 feet. at 75 South Pennsylvania street, in which from 40 to 50 persons are employed. The firm also operate an extensive pipe yard at the east end of the Union railway sta- tion, having a capacity of 75 car loads of pipe, in which they carry in stock about 50 car loads of black and galvanized iron tubing and oil well casing. The trade of the house extends throughout Indiana, Ohio and Illinois and is constantly growing. The members of the firm are E. J. Knight and Wm. M. Jillson. The vast proportions to which their business has grown is a sig- nificant testimonial as to their standing and the confidence accorded them by the trade.
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