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 20
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Clemens Vonnegut, one of the most prominent and influential of our pioneer citizens, laid the foundation of the business which still bears his name, in 1851, and in which he is still interested with his four sons, Clemens, Jr., Bernard, Franklin and George Vonnegut. The business at that time was conducted under the firm name of Volmer & Vonnegut. In 1857 Mr. Vonne-
HARDWARE.
CL MENS VONNEGUT
Mechanics Tools.
MACHINER
CLEMENS VONNEGUT.
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WAR OWANE
CLEMENS VONNEGUT.
gut succeeded to the business, and since that time has continued at its head. It is recognized to-day as one of the leading and oldest retail and wholesale hardware establishments in Indiana. The premises occupied are located at 184 to 192 East Washington street, and the stock embraces one of the most complete assortments of hardware of all kinds to be found in the State. This includes everything in the line of shelf and heavy hardware, mechan- ics' tools of all kinds, and mechanics' supplies. In the early part of this
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year, to meet the pressing demands of the trade of this market, they opened a machinery department, in which they carry a complete line of light ma- chinery of every description for iron and wood working, embracing lathes, shapers, milling machinery, shears, punches, power drills, emery grinding machines, pulleys, shafting, hangers, etc. A special catalogue is issued for this department. The trade of this house extends throughout this State, and a number of traveling salesmen represent the firm on the road. Nearly thirty persons are employed in the house.
Clemens Vonnegut, during his long career, has been an active promoter of the city's welfare. For more than a quarter of a century he held a posi- tion on the school board, and during that period was recognized as one of its most useful members. He was largely instrumental in securing the estab- lishment of industrial training school. His sons are all actively identified with public affairs, and their names are connected with many associations of local importance. Franklin Vonnegut succeeded his father as a member of the school board, and was recently re-elected to that position. Clemens Von- negut, Jr., was elected a member of the Indiana Legislature of 1894.
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II. LIEBER COMPANY.
H. Lieber Company, was originally established in IS54 by H. Lieber and Charles Koehne, and is one of the oldest mercantile concerns in the city. The company as at present conducted was incorporated in iSor, and is one of the largest concerns in the West engaged in the manufacture of picture frames and moldings. Over 150 workmen are employed in the factory located at 600 Madison avenue, and the trade of the company extends throughout this and foreign countries. The jobbing department is located at 33 South Me- ridian street, and 27 to 33 East Pearl street. Ilere over 30 people are em- ployed. The Art Emporium conducted by the concern is one of the finest in the country, and it is also recognized as headquarters for artists' and pho- tographers' supplies. The officers of the company are H. Lieber, president; Otto Lieber, vice-president, and William Williams, secretary.
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
E. C. Atkins & Company, incorporated, manufacturers of saws and saw makers' tools and supplies, is one of the very oldest industrial establishments of this city. The beginning of this important business was laid by Elias C. Atkins in IS56, when he began it single-handed in a little wooden building about 16x20 feet in dimensions, adjoining the old SAW FACTORY Hill Planing Mill on South East street. There are very few as great examples of thrift and industry in the United States. In IS60-61, Mr. Atkins moved to the present site on South Illinois street, and year after E. C. ATKINS' SAW WORKS IN 1856. year has seen extensive additions and substantial growth. To-day it is recognized as tlie largest and foremost concern engaged in the manufacture of band and crosscut saws in the country. The superiority of its products has been evidenced by medals awarded at all the great and important industrial expositions held in this country during the last quarter of
EC ATKINS ICA
A
E. C. ATKINS & CO. SAW WORKS UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
a century. The works cover over three acres, with substantial and com- pactly built buildings ranging from two to five stories in height, and equipped throughout with the latest and most improved special machinery, much of which is of Mr. E. C. Atkins' invention and covered by patents. Trade ex- tends throughout every State and Territory in the United States and in for- eign countries. Nearly 500 hands are employed in the different departments.
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Extensive branches are operated ft Memphis and Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Minneapolis, Minnesota. The business was incorporated in iSS5, and the officers of the company are: ' E. C. Atkins, president; II. C. Atkins, vice- president and superintendent; W. H. Perkins, secretary, and M. A. Pot ter, treasurer.
Chandler & Taylor Company, boiler and engine manufacturers, 370 West Washington street, is one of the oldest industrial institutions of this city, as well as one of the most important in the State, and its operations extends throughout the United States, having also extensive trade connections in Mexico and South America, in which countries it enjoys a substantial busi- ness. The company dates its foundation back to 1858. In 1863 the firm of Chandler & Taylor was organized, and in iSSS the Chandler & Taylor Com-
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CHANDLER & TAYLOR COMPANY.
pany was incorporated. The works comprise an immense plant, covering an area of three acres in extent. perfectly equipped in every respect with all the latest improved machinery and appliances, and employment is furnished to upward of 150 skilled and experienced workmen. A specialty is made of stationary engines of from 12 to 250 horse-power, the range of products also comprising both upright and circular saw-mills, and the necessary accompany - ing machinery. The company, in addition to a complete representation throughout the United States, has foreign representatives in Mexico, Central America, Spain, Germany, Russia and Australia. The manufacturing de- partments include a one-story boiler shop, +Sx 175 feet in dimensions: a sheet iron shop, 75x150 feet; a foundry, Sox So feet; a two-story wood-working shop, and a two-story and basement warehouse. 46x165 in area. The office and works are located at 370 West Washington street, the facilities of the place for handling and shipping goods being unsurpassed. The officers of the company are: Thomas E. Chandler, president; Wm. M. Taylor, vice- president and treasurer, and George M Chandler, secretary and purchasing agent.
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
Indianapolis Harness Company, 10 to 16 McCrea street, wholesale man- ufacturers of harness and saddlery, and dealers in robes, blankets, whips, etc., was established in 1890. The firm operates one of the largest factories in the State for the manufacture of harness, saddlery and collars. The principal factory, salesrooms, and offices are located in the five story and basement
INDIANAPOLIS HARNESS CO. MANUFACTURERS -* HARNESS & SADDLERY. COLLARS,SADDLES, ROBESBLANKETS WHIT'S & DEALERS IN ~
FI EUROP ROOM
DEWOOZY
MULTLESS TEPSIN CHIPS
INDIANAPOLIS HARNESS COMPANY.
building on McCrea street, and the collar factory is located at 38 East South street. In all over 75 hands are employed. The trade of the house extends throughout the Middle, Western, and Southern States, and orders are filled all over the country. The members of the firm are J. M. Dalrymple and E. A. Ilendrickson.
E. H. Eldridge & Company, dealers in lumber and manufacturers of sash, doors and blinds, have been engaged in the trade since 1879. They are the successors of Goss & Phillips, who originated the business in 1874. The firm is composed of E. II. and George O. Eldridge. Their factory, which is lo- cated at 166 to 174 South New Jersey street, is one of the best equipped in the city and furnishes employment to 50 men. The yards of the firm are lo- cated a block east of the mill and carry an average stock of about 1,000,000 feet of lumber.
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
Allison Coupon Company, manufacturers of mercantile, ice and restaurant coupons exclusively, was established in ISSS by N. S. Allison. He died De- cember 5, 18go, and in August 1, ON COMPANY 1893, the business was incorporated, with John S. Berryhill, president; W. S. Allison, secretary; and M. J., J. A. and D. C. Allison, associated MANUFACTURERS with the above as directors. The trade of the concern is very large. COUPON BOOKE extending all over this country, Canada, Cuba, Central America, and other foreign countries. It was among the first to engage in this business, and is the largest of it- ALLISON COUPON COMPANY. kind. The factory. which is located at 69 West Georgia street, occupies four floors, covering an area of 14,000 square feet. It is fitted throughout with modern machinery, is lighted by the company's own independent elec- tric light plant, and furnishes employment to thirty hands.
[INDIANAPOLIS
COFFIN
CO
i
INDIANAPOLIS COFFIN COMPANY.
Indianapolis Coffin Company, manufacturers of wood and cloth-covered coffins and caskets, and dealers in metalic cases, shrouds, lining and funeral supplies, whose office and ware-rooms are located at ISS East Washington street, was founded nineteen years ago. In ISgo the company was incorpo- rated under the laws of Indiana, with ample capital, and its trade now ex- tends thoughout Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, etc. The officers are
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
Carl Von Hake, president; C. Vonnegut, jr., secretary and treasurer; Frank - lin Vonnegut, vice-president. The works are at the corner of Sixth and West streets, and comprise a three-story brick building, 45x140 feet, with a two-story addition, 45x120 feet, with ample storage sheds and lumber yards adjoining, the whole covering two acres of ground. The manufacturing de- partments are fully equipped with modern appliances and machinery, ope- rated by a fifty-horse-power steam engine. Here forty skilled operatives are employed, who turn out 200 caskets and coffins weekly. Everything in the line of undertakers' supplies is also carried in stock, and orders are filled at lowest prices. Mr. Carl Von Hake, the president, is a large real estate owner of this city. The Messrs. Vonnegut are members of the hardware firm of Clemens Vonnegut, one of the oldest and most prominent houses in this city.
Van Camp Hardware and Iron Company, incorporated in ISS4 is the out - growth of a partnership formed in 1876. The concern conducts the largest and most important general hardware business in the State, and among the largest in the West. The trade of the house extend throughout Indi- ana, Illinois, Michigan, Kentucky, Iowa, and Missouri. Twenty-one travel- ers represent the company on the road, and about So persons are employed in the house. The stock embraces a complete line of light and heavy hard-
VANCARO DUSKALET
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VAN CAMP HARDWARE AND IRON COMPANY.
ware, carriage and wagon makers' materials of every description, tinners' stock and roofers' materials. The bicycle and gun department is second to no other in the West. A complete tinware manufacturing plant is operated by the company, where 15 to 20 hands are employed. This extensive estab- lishment is located in the substantial four-story and basement brick build-
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ing, 65x200 feet, at 78 to S2 South Illinois street, and the six-story building 100 x 100 feet, at 64 to 74 West Chesapeake street, and 63 to 73 West Mary- land street. The officers of the company are Cortland Van Camp, president, and David C. Bergundthal, secretary and treasurer.
The Sinker-Davis Company, successors to Sinker, Davis & Company and The Eagle Machine Works Company, is the outgrowth of the first two
important industrial in- stitutions established in this city. The present business was incorporat - ed in 1SSS, as the Sinker- Davis Company, and in July, 1896, acquired the business of the Eagle Machine Works Com- pany by purchase, mov- ing to the plant occupied THE SINKER-DAVIS COMPANY OLD SITE. by the latter concern, on Missouri street and the Union Railroad, from the site occupied for more than thirty years. . The Sinker-Davis Company is looked upon as one of the land - marks in the city's industrial development, growing steadily with the city in its forward movement. The business embraces the building of engines, boilers, saw-mills, etc., on an extensive scale, and the output finds a steady market throughout the United States and in Mexico and South American
THESINKER DEL. CO.
THE SINKER-DAVIS COMPANY.
countries. Over 200 men are employed in the various departments, and since the establishment of the business, it has been in operation more con tinuous days than any other factory in the city. The new plant covers over three acres, and is fitted with all the best and latest improved machinery. The officers of the company are: J. II. Hooker, president; H1. R. Bliss, ser- retary and treasurer, and A. J. Malone, superintendent.
H. T. Conde Implement Company, incorporated February 6, ISSS, was established by 1I. T. Conde nearly a quarter of a century ago. The concern
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
is principally devoted to the wholesale implement and vehicle business, and is the largest and most important one of the kind in the State. In the item of binding twine the company is the recognized leader in the West, carrying a larger stock than any other firm. In the bicycle trade it also occupies an important position, being the general selling agents for the "Arrow" bi- cycle beside handling many other well-known makes. The company are also
STUDEBAKER WAGONS & CARRIAGES.
FEEBLE
PARLARE& H.T.CONDE IMPLEMENT CO. BICYCLES.
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H. T. CONDE IMPLEMENT COMPANY.
the State agents of the Caligraph writing machine. The offices and store- rooms are located in the imposing brown stone building, 27 to 33 Capitol av- enue, North, consisting of four floors and basement 68x204 feet, aggregating in all 70,000 square feet of floor space, having exceptional facilities for the display and handling of goods. The carriage repository is the finest one in the United States outside of New York, and Chicago. The trade extends over Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, Kentucky, and Tennessee, and eight travelers are employed. The officers of the company are H. T. Conde, pres- ident; Wm. A. Moore, vice-president; Will Cumback, jr., secretary, and S. C. Conde, treasurer.
Andrew Steffen, Manufacturer of Cigars, 220 East Washington street, be- gan business in 1875. At present he employs over sixty men and manufac- tures over two million cigars annually, which find a market as far west as Utah. The Tish-I-Mingo cigar, manufactured by Mr. Steffen, has acquired great local popularity and has met with a greater sale than any other cigar.
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THE J.B ALLFREE MFG GO. INDIANAPOLIS, IND.
TAKE NORTH INDIANAPOLIS STREET CAR
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
Indianapolis Drop Forging Company, which was established January 1. 1896, is the first concern of the character to engage in the manufacture of drop forgings in this city. The rapid growth of the bicycle trade in the territory con- tiguous to Indianapolis, afforded a fine field for the establishment of a business of the kind, and since its beginning the demand in the large manufacturing centers has cqualed the capacity of the plant. Over half a million forgings are
VEINTEMILIS DROP FORWANU CO
INDIANAPOLIS DROP FORGING COMPANY.
turned out annually, and from 35 to 40 men are employed. The plant is lo- cated at the corner of Hanway street and Madison avenue. Otto Stechhan, who for many years has been prominently identified with the manufacturing interests of the city, is secretary and treasurer of the corporation. F. P. Bates, the president and general superintendent, has had a long and successful connection in this line in the East prior to coming to Indianapolis.
The J. B. Allfree Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of the Allfree "High Mill" and "Economic" Automatic Engines, is one of the most im - portant manufacturing establishments in the city. This company became known a few years ago as exponents of that type of flour mill construction known as the "High Mill," and since its introduction this concern has erected over thirty mills ranging in capacity from 50 to 3,500 barrels daily, demon- strating the merits of this system in the production of a better quality of flour, increase of yield, saving in power, space and labor. As mill builders this company ranks among the largest in the United States. No less im - portant is the department devoted to the building of automatic engines. Three types of engines are built, simple, compound and condensing, specially
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
designed for electrical and condensing work. The plant, which is one of the most conveniently arranged and modern equipped manufacturing plants in this city, covers over six acres with substantial buildings, and is located at the corner of Twenty-first street and Michigan Road. Over 250 persons are employed. The product is sold throughout this and foreign countries. The officers of the company are: Robert Schriver, president; J. B. Allfree, vice- president and general manager, and Charles E. Nordyke, secretary and treasurer.
JENNEY ELECTRIC MOTOR COMPANY.
Jenney Electric Motor Company was established by C. D. Jenney, in June' ISS9. His brother, E. W. Jenney, was associated with him at the time of its organization. A year later the company was incorporated with J. F. Pratt and Addison Bybee, as additional stockholders. Afterward, A. A. Barnes, of the Udell Woodware Works, became interested. Before coming to this city, Mr. Jenney organized the Ft. Wayne Jenney Electric Light Company, in 18So, to manufacture electric lighting apparatus, and in the spring of ISS5 organized the Jenney Electric Co. The manufacturing plant of this concern was lo- cated in West Indianapolis, on the premises of the Nordyke-Marmon Com- pany, the stockholders of which held stock of the Jenney Electric Company. Early in 1889, the Jenney Electric Company sold the plant to the Thomson- Houston Company, of Boston, Mass. Soon afterward Mr. Jenney organized the present company, and proceeded to manufacture a full line of motors and dynamos. The company, ever since its organization, has continued to extend its line of manufactured products and are now building, in addition to their full line of bi-polar motors and dynamos, a complete line of multi-polar dyna- mos for direct connection with engines. They are also building a line of multi-polar dynamos and motors for lighting and power service, and are making a specialty of electrical power distribution in manufacturing estab- lishments. They also build a full line of dynamos for electro-plating, electro- typing and the refining of metals, and have recently perfected a new type of
ATLAS ENGINE WORKS.
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
dynamos having many advantages for this class of work. Last summer they moved into their new factory which was built on the Belt railroad, east of the city, in which they employ a large number of hands. It is their purpose to increase the plant soon, keeping step to the requirements of a modern insti tution. The product of this factory is shipped all over the world. The pres- ent officers of the company are-A. K. Hfollowell, president; Chas. D. Jen- ney, vice- president and superintendent.
Mr. Hollowell, for many years past, was the treasurer of the Nor- dyke-Marmon Company, and recently sold his interest in that institution to become the executive head of the Jenney Electric Motor Company. lle brings to his new enterprise the mature judgment of an experienced man of affairs and will undoubtedly keep the Jenney Electric Motor Company in the front rank of similar institutions of this country. Mr. Chas. D. Jenney is well known to the electrical world as an inventor. Among his more im- portant recent inventions are the Conduit Railway System, on which he holds American and European patents and an electric locomotive headlight which he is now exploiting.
Atlas Engine Works, manufacturers of engines and boilers, corner of Martindale avenue and Nineteenth street .- Indianapolis is celebrated for many things ; nothing, however, has given it a greater reputation, nor has been more potent in making it noted, than its large industrial enterprises. Its splendid location, and ample railroad facilities, its contiguity to the hardwood belt and coal fields, and with natural gas at the doors of its factories, all have wielded a powerful influence in its upbuilding. This city is specially noted for having several of the largest factories of their kind in America, promi- nent among these being the Atlas Engine Works, which was incorporated in IS7S. It is devoted exclusively to the manufacture of engines and boilers. One of the important features of its engines is that the parts are all made interchangeable, which not only enables repairs to be made with great econ- omy, but they can be sent to the remotest parts of the country in less time than they could be made in local shops. The types of engines manufactured
embrace plain and automatic self-contained, side crank, heavy duty, double expansion automatic slide valve, and single and double expansion cycloid.il heavy duty engines ; also horizontal tubular and locomotive boilers, high pressure horizontal tubular, internal fired horizontal tubular and vertical boilers and horizontal and vertical water tube boilers. Over 14,000 Atlais engines and a greater number of boilers are now in use throughout this and foreign countries. The plant is located at the corner of Martindale avenue and Nineteenth street, embracing about twenty acres, over half of which are covered with substantial buildings. At times as many as nine hundred men are employed in the various departments. The officers of the company are H. H. Hanna, president ; J. F. Pratt, vice-president and treasurer ; R. W Coffin, secretary ; M. R. Moore, superintendent, and E. K. Marquis, assist ant treasurer.
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
Hay & Willits Manufacturing Company. Some twelve years ago, the agent of one of the large eastern concerns came here from Columbus, Ind., and operated a riding school in the top floor of the old Zoo theater, now Cones' over- all factory. Finding a gradual increase in his HAY AND WILLITS MFG.CO. business, he removed to the old Meridian Rink on North Pennsylvania street. Afterward engaging in the manufacture of bicycles, he sold his retail business to two young men, Thomas Hay and V. B. Willits, who associated themselves to- gether under the firm name of Hay & Willits, and located at 113 W. Wash- ington street, opposite the state-house.
As they soon outgrew their small quarters, they removed to 70 N. Penn- sylvania street, and were the first bicycle store to locate on Pennsylvania street, between Ohio and Washington. In 1895, believing that their custo- mers could be served to a better advantage by making their own bicycles, they organized the Hay & Willits Manufacturing Company to make the Outing bicycle, and to-day the small concern of 113 West Washington street has on its pay roll 275 employes, and its product is known from the Atlantic to the Pacific ocean.
During the first year of the firm's existence as actual cycle manufacturers but 1,200 wheels were built, all of which were sold; last year their former output was nearly tripled, and notwithstanding the general dull and depress- ing condition of trade throughout the country, no trouble whatsoever was ex- perienced in placing them all. So great has become the demand for the Outing bicycle in two years time that in the neighborhood of 5,000 of them will be built during the present season of '97.
The factory of this youthful and energetic concern is located on the edge of the city, at Vorster avenue and the Belt R. R. tracks. It is a model plant in every respect, fitted thoroughly with modern and improved machinery. V. B. Willits supervises every branch of construction, and, being a mechanical genius of undoubted ability, is everlastingly creating improved special tools, drilling machines, and so forth. When the present firm was organized, in '95, George H. Evans, treasurer, and Edward D. Evans, vice-president, were added to the list of officers. The Outing bicycles in '97 list at $100, $75 and $50. They are sold everywhere throughout the world, and in every city where Outing agencies are established, and in Indianapolis as well as else- where, have elicited the greatest praise for their excellence and superior finish.
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" BELLIS" M'KINLEY RELAY RIDERS.
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
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