USA > Indiana > Marion County > Indianapolis > Indianapolis illustrated : the capital city of Indiana : its growth, resources, commerce, manufacturing interests, financial institutions, and prospects, also sketches of the leading business concerns which contribute to the city's progress and prosperity > Part 7
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PHYSICIANS' SUPPLY HOUSE.
GEO. T. BEDFORD, MANAGER.
TELEPHONE 1258.
2 INDIANA AVENUE, INDIANAPOLIS, IND.
ENDIANAPOLIS is every year becoming a more important wholesale center, and her great representative houses in this department are steadily increasing their business and covering a larger extent of country. This is true of the wholesale and retail drug establishment and physicians' supply house, which occupies the V shaped structure at Indiana avenue and Ohio street, of which Dr. C. T. Bedford is the proprietor. The business was criginally established at 34 Indiana avenue in 1885, and two years later the necessity for more commodious quarters became so pressing that a removal was made to those now occupied, and so rapidly is the trade expanding that additional room will have to be provided in the near future. This place has the distinction of being the only physio-medical wholesale drug house in the United States, and some idea of the popularity it has gained may be obtained from the fact at the tenth session of the American Association of Physio-Medical, Physi- cians and Surgeons, a resolution was passed heartily endorsing the establishment and recommending its patronage by the profession. The stock is comprehensive, well assorted in each department and composed of the purest goods that can be obtainedl. A full line of patent medicines, toilet articles, perfumery, etc., is always on hand, and a choice assortment of pure drugs and chemicals together with tinctures, extracts essences, etc., the leading specialty being physio-medical drugs and preparations. Here are also to be found the celebrated productions of the Wm. S. Merrel Chemical Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, including fluid extracts, syrups, elixir, resinoids, etc., which are acknowledged as having no superiors in this country. The stock of physicians' supplies is also a most valuable one, having been carefully chosen with due regard to the requirements of the profession. A very large and rapidly growing retail business is transacted, while the wholesale trade covers the whole of the United States, the value last year of both combined having been $20,000. Dr. C. T. Bedford, the proprietor, is a physician of very wide reputation, whose suite of offices, parlors, etc., is located at 290 Massachusetts avenue. He is a native of Springboro, O., and graduated in 1875 from the Physio-Medical College of this city, and he now holds the distinguished position of secretary of the faculty and professor of obstetrics and diseases of women and children. He has been a resident of this city for eighteen years, and in 1885 was elected a member of the council and re-elected for two additional terms, and he has always taken a deep and lasting interest in the welfare and progress of the city. In Mr. George T. Bedford he has an able manager, and in Mr. Ernest Pfarrer a capable head of the buying and prescription depart- ments.
MANUFACTURERS OF
The Knickerbocker High and Low Pressure Regulators for Gas, Steam or Water, 102 AND 104 PENNSYLVANIA ST.,
INDIANAPOLIS, =
INDIANA.
NE of the leading concerns of its kind in this section of country, is the Knickerbocker Regulator Company, of which Mr. Knickerbocker is the sole proprietor. The company manufactures the Knickerbocker high or low pressure regulators for gas, steam or water. The premises are eligibly located at 102 and 104 South Pennsylvania street. The business was established in 1888, and has under able management been developed to large proportions upon a sound basis, the great practical value of these regulators being appreciated by all who are interested. The patent under which these useful articles are made is owned by the company, and they have at hand all modern machinery for producing them in sufficient quan- tities to meet the large and growing demand. These regulators are made of brass and iron, strong and convenient, and they can be easily and quickly fitted wherever required. The method of their operation is extremely simple, and they have proved so efficient under all circumstances that they are rapidly displacing all others upon the market. Mr. Knickerbocker, in addition to the above, is the inventor and owner of the patent for reducing and regulating stations, which he manufactures and puts up in large numbers. He has recently put up a seven-ton reduc- ing station at Alexandria. They cheerfully furnish estimates for any work in their line and undertake and carry to successful execution contracts of any magni- tude, employing a force of fifteen skilled workmen, Mr. Knickerbocker personally superintending all jobs himself. The trade is large and rapidly extending, and the proprietor deserves every credit for introducing such efficient and practical devices which are a vast improvement upon all others yet brought out. Mr. Knicker- bocker has made the regulating of natural gas a special study for five years, and has invented most all the natural gas regulators and devices in use. He is the inventor and patentee of the Knickerbocker meter which he sold to a large Chicago concern. The Telephone call is 1922.
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J. A. RINK.
NE of Indianapolis' most notably enterprising and successful business men is Mr. J. A. Rink, whose en- tensive cloak factory and spacious " Bee Hive" Bargain Store are now two of the best known features of the city's mercantile circles. Mr. Rink was born and raised in Lawrenceburg, Ind., and early showed an inclination for mercantile life. After gaining ample experience, he came to Indianapolis some fifteen years ago and com- menced business for himself five years ago with a capi- tal of only $1,000, the savings of his earnings, but with youth, plenty of energy, and a gift of foresight that showed to him the best opening here. This was the es- tablishment of a cloak and suit factory upon the same scale of skill and efficiency as those in New York. Start- ing upon a comparatively small scale, he has prospered remarkably, owing to his sound judgment, great enter- prise and industry, and thorough knowledge of the wants of the trade and the public. His cloak factory is centrally located at 30, 32, 34 and 36 North Illinois street, and is 60x125 feet in dimensions. All the improvements have been introduced, and every department is thor- oughly equipped and organized. Mr. Rink manufac- tures full lines of cloaks, and all kinds of fur goods. He is a direct importer of the finest fabrics from Europe, including all the most stylish materials, while he also
imports his own London dye Alaska sealskins and other furs, and his is the only house in the state that makes seal and other fur garments to order, and of the very choicest skins and materials. During the last season Mr. Rink's facilities have been taxed to the utmost to supply the demand for his popular make of cloaks and fur garments, and has made preparations to remodel and enlarge his cloak and fur store and factory, ex- pending fully $12,000 therein, putting in a complete set of new and elegant fixtures, and the improvements, when completed, will render his the finest establish- ment of the kind between New York and Chicago. Mr. Rink employs fifty skilled work people in his factory, besides salesmen, and shows a stock of cloaks which has no equal as regards style, materials and workmanship. They are generally worn in this city by fashionable la- dies, and are sought for by the trade everywhere.
Mr. Rink, with characteristic enterprise, also opened a " bargain " dry goods store two years ago, familiarly known as "The Bee Hive," and which is very conven- iently situated at 48 and 50 North Illinois street. It is under the management of Mr. Edward Rink, brother of the proprietor, and a deservedly popular and ener- getic young business man. The premises are 40x80 feet in dimensions, and are very handsomely fitted up.
Here is carried a full line of dry goods, millinery and notions, ladies' and gents' furnishings, etc. Fine dress goods and cloaks are a specialty. Mr. Rink offers dress goods in all the latest shades, patterns and textures, and is noted for the bargains offered in every depart- ment. Buying for cash as he does, and direct from manufacturers and commission houses, he is prepared to sell at prices which no other house can offer, and the crowds of shoppers in " The Bee Hive " show what attractions are offered.
The prosperity attained by Mr. Rink is due to his own efforts and thorough knowledge of the wants of the pub- lic. He now owns his stores free of all incumbrance, with an invoice value of over $40,000, while he also pays taxes on $35,000 worth of real estate, free and clear. The above is an exhibit that but few, if any, young business men can make within the same time in the United States, and Mr. Rink is to be warmly congratulated upon his solid success, and which gives to Indianapolis two such magnificent mercantile estab- lishments. Mr. Rink is universally popular and re- spected, and has ever retained the confidence of finan- cial circles, and we predict for him a great commercial future, and we recommend his house to all in need of anything in his line.
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RESIDENCE OF J. A. RINK, 958 NORTH MERIDIAN STREET.
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UDELL WOODENWARE WORKS.
The importance of Indianapolis as a great industrial center cannot be overestimated. She occupies a geo- graphical position that with her magnificent railroad facilities gives her manufacturers lowest freight rates and direct transportation facilities to any point in the Union, and here have grown up several concerns of the most representative character. Ranking foremost is to be mentioned the Udell Woodenware Works, which have won an international reputation for the superiority of their products, and have grown to be the largest concern of the kind in the world. The business was originally estab- lished in Chicago, Ill., by Mr. Calvin G Udell. The fac- ilities afforded by Indianapolis were so great that in 1873 he removed the plant here under the style of the "Great West- ern Ladder Works." In 1882, Mr. A. A. Barnes succeeded to the proprietorship, and the present style was adopted. Under his skilled and ener- getic proprietorship, the works have been remarkably prosper- ous. They have had to be repeatedly en- larged and remod- eled to cope with the growing demands of a world's trade, and the plant in North Indianapolis has now no counterpart elsewhere. The premises cover an area of seven acres, and the buildings crected thereon are of the most substantial construction; they include a three-story brick warehouse, 60x140 in di- mensions; two-story brick warehouse, 60x160 in size; fin- ishing shop also of brick, 30x80, and three stories in height, while there are two dry houses respectively. 37x75 and 25x70 feet in size. They have a capacity of 300,000 feet of lumber, and all wood used is carefully passed
through these houses. The old factory building has just been torn down and removed to make way for a splendid new structure planned by Mr. Barnes, and embodying all the results of his ripe experience. It is of brick, three stories in height, and 310 feet long by 70 in breadth. This will be fully equipped with the latest improved machinery and appliances, including special
foot stools, blacking cases, folding book stands, gents' toilet stands, combination toilet cases with French bevel plate mirror, etc. The materials are selected with the utmost care, put together in the most workmanlike manner, while as to design and finish, they command the reputation of being the most stylish and desirable on the market. In their lines of cabinet ware they
UDELL
UDELL WOODEN
RE WORKS-
excel the best work of western houses, and show such a va- riety of styles that every dealer can get just what he wants. Mr. Barnes person- ally directs the vari- ous departments,
and enforces a thor- ough system of or- ganization, and the success of the con- cern is due to his sound judgment, FWWARE FHDU thorough knowledge of the wants of the trade, and splendid facilities for supply- ing the same. He has a branch house at 30 Warren street, WARE HOUSE New York, Wm. A. Stokes & Co., which handles the Eastern and foreign trade, another branch in St. Louis, under name of Udell Woodenware Co .. which handles the trade west of the Mississippi, while MINTVAN WOPLS from here the Mid- dle States and Cana- dian trade is hand- led. Mr. Barnes was born in Stockbridge, near Rutland, Vt., and has long been identified with this branch of trade, in which he has built up such an en- viable reputation. He is the vice-president of the Udell Woodenware Company of St. Louis, and is a member of the Commercial Club and Board of Trade of this city. He is a respected and public spirited citizen, who has ever ac- corded a hearty support to all measures of improvement, and whose own enterprise has resulted in giving to this city the great leading industry of its kind in the world.
tools and machines exclusive to these works. There is a large engine and boiler house, and two engines are in operation, respectively of 200 and 40 horse-power. All conveniences have been introduced, including direct canal and railroad connections, enabling Mr. Barnes to receive raw material and ship goods to the best advan- tage. Upward of 200 hands are here employed in the manufacture of ladders of every description, standard tables, folding tables, card tables, toilet and hall trees,
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NORDYKE & MARMON COMPANY.
Manufacturing flour mill machinery, elevator ma- chinery and special appliances used in milling is one of the great industries of Indianapolis, and is well repre- sented by the Nordyke & Marmon Company, who own and have in successful operation one of the largest es- tablishments of its kind in the world. The foundation of this now prosperous company dates from 1851, when the business was established by Messrs. Ellis and Addison H. Nordyke as Nordyke & Son, and four years 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. Mar- mon, secretary, since when the manufac- turing facilities have been increased and the trade extended. The plant of the company covers fif- teen acres of ground on the line of a rail- road in West Indian- apolis, with which it is connected by side tracks. The build- ings are one and two-storystructures, substantially built of brick, the group com prising foundries, machine shops, iron
and wood - working shops, finishing shop,store and ware- houses and hand - some offices. There is also a spacious yard for the storing of material. A 250 horse-power steam engine drives the machinery, and the services of 500 skilled machinists are brought into re- quisition. Through- out all departments the works are per- fectly equipped with the latest improved
machinery and tools, and are among the best and most complete in the country. The busy hum of industry is ever heard throughout this vast establisement, and the various milling machinery and appliances turned out have a world-wide reputation, 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. The annual output aggregates $1,000,000 in value, 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 im- proved roller mills, portable mills, centrifugal bolts, pul- leys, 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. Tl.e special features of the various machines and appliances manufactured by the Nordyke & Marmon Company are simplicity in construction, rapid adjustment, conven- ience of operation and accurate workmanship. They 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 the Commercial Club. A handsome exhibit of the Nordyke & Mai - mon Company at the Columbian Exposition. Chicago, can be seen in the Machinery and Agricultural Build- ings.
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INDIANAPOLIS ILLUSTRATED, THE CAPITAL CITY OF INDIANA.
MINER & ELBREG.
The fertility of American inventive genius is pro- verbial and it is safe to say that. in the line of special office furniture more valuable improvements have been made in adjustable chairs and tables for the use of physicians and surgeons than any other. In this con- nection we wish to direct attention to the Perfection Surgical and Gyne- cological chairs and tables manu- factured by Miner & Elbreg in this city. The chairs and tables are the invention of Mr. Henry H. Elbreg, who has devoted many years and close application to perfecting them, which has resulted PERFECTION TABLE. in his producing not only the best but the only chairs and tables that fully meet the requirements for which they are designed. They are covered by many patents and were first manu- factured in 1887 by Hopper & Elbreg. In 1888 Mr. Benj. D. Miner bought out Dr. Hopper's interest and the present firm formed. In 1892 a removal was made from the premises occupied at 228 to 230 South Delaware street to the spacious two-story building in which they are now located, at 19 and 21 John street. The building is 32x60 feet in area and equipped with all appliances for manufactur- ing purposes. In the rear is a large warehouse for the storage of stock. The Perfection chairs are made in many dif- ferent styles in hardwood in modern and antique designs and richly upholstered. They are strong, substantial and durable and readily adjusted in fifteen or more positions. PERFECTION CHAIR. The Perfection tables are also made and finished in the best manner and combines strength with beauty and utility. They are all in full library top, highly polished and finished with elegant carvings with loose cushions and pillows, with flat or adjustable top, making it the best operating table in the world. Mr. Elbreg, the in-
ventor and patentee, has had a larger experience than any other in America in designing and perfecting physi- cians' chairs, and it should be said to his credit that he has succeeded in combining all the most desirable fea- tures in the Perfection chair and the Perfection table that make them invaluable to every physician, surgeon oculist and specialist. Illustrated pamphlets with price list and testimonials will be sent to any address on ap- plication to the office of the firm by mail or otherwise. Mr. Benj. D. Miner, the business manager of the firm, is a native of Ohio, and has resided in Indianapolis since 1886. He is a veteran of the war and served in the 4th Ohio Infantry. He is a member of Robt. Anderson Post, G. A. R., the Union Veteran Legion, and popular with his comrades, also a Freemason and member of Commercial Club. Mr. Elbreg was born in Ohio and has lived in Indiana and Indianapolis for a period of thirty years. The Perfection chairs and tables have a wide reputation and are not only sold throughout the United States, but many orders are filled from Canada, Mexico, South and Central America and Australia. The business being managed upon the most liberal and honorable principles, has made their customers their friends, and contributed largely to their remarkable suc- cess with the discriminating professional class, with whom alone their customers are found.
THE UNION STOCK YARDS COMPANY.
The following remarks are the outcome of our re- porter's visit to the famous Union Stock Yards, which were organized in 1876, and commenced active opera- tions Nov. 12, 1877. The yards cover about one hundred acres of ground in West Indianapolis, on the Belt rail- way, and buildings, sheds, pens, etc., of the company, cover an area of twenty-five acres, and consist of the Exchange Building, a handsome brick and stone struc- ture, having dimensions of 87x240 feet, with a wing 80x 115 feet. Here the Union Stock Yards Company, and the many firms of live stock commission merchants have their offices. The buidings devoted to the shelter of live stock, etc., comprise eight substantially con- structed sheds, 250x450 feet in dimensions, which are divided into pens, stalls, etc. There are also horse, sale and auxiliary stables, and a feeding barn with 240 stalls,a barn for the storage of hay, 60x190 feet in area, with capacity of 600 tons, oats bins of enormous size, and a corn crib holding 60,000 bushels. The various depart- ments of the yards have capacities for no less than 4,000 head of cattle, 30,000 hogs, 5,000 sheep and 1,000 horses, and the receipts for 1892 were as follows: 1,122, - 668 hogs, 102,100 head of cattle, 62,692 sheep, and 8,824
horses, while there were shipped during the same year to various markets of the east and south east 612,459 hogs, 69,143 cattle, 46,665 sheep and 8,419 horses. The Union Stock Yards Company has proven by its activity and push that it is not only well officered, but that it is composed of men who understand their business, and know just how to make suitable provision for the handling and care of stock shipped from a distance for sale. Under such auspices, it may be said with all truth that the Union Stock Yards at Indianapolis are a lasting credit to the city and a monument to the energy and ability of their officers and founders.
THE INDIANAPOLIS BREWING COMPANY.
Of all the various commercial and manufacturing enterprises that have combined to make Indianapolis a great business center, none are of more importance than the brewing interests, of which the celebrated Indian- apolis Brewing Company is the acknowledged and most important representative in these parts. The history of this concern is full of interest. It is a consolidation of three large breweries-the P. Lieber Brewing Company, C. F. Schmidt's, and the C. Maus breweries. They were consolidated in 1890 and incorporated under the laws of Indiana with a capital of $300,000. The officers are Mr. John W. Schmidt, president; Mr. F. A. Maus, vice-president, and Mr. Albert Lieber, treasurer and manager. The progressiveness of these very able and practical men have enabled them to control the largest business in the manufacture of America's popular beverage. The united brewing capacity of the three establishments aggregate 600.000 barrels annually, the sales in 1892 amounting to 130,000 barrels, and the em- ployes number 140 in the various departments. The special brews of this company are known all over and have received the highest rewards wherever exhibited. The united plants cover an immense space and are models of perfect equipment with their great store- houses, brewhouses, offices, boilerhouses, ice machine and refrigerator houses, warehouses, malthouses, wash and bottling houses, elevators, stables, cooper shops, shipping and packing departments, etc. Let us glance briefly at the individual history of each of these great establishments. The Schmidt Brewery was established in 1859 by Messrs. C. F. Schmidt and Charles Jaeger. In 1861 the latter retired and in 1872 Mr. C. F. Schmidt died. The business was then managed by Mr. William Fisher up to the time of his death in 1874, when Mrs. C. F. Schmidt, the founder's widow, assumed control of affairs. Upon her decease in 1877 the business was con- ducted by the executors of the estate, Messrs. Vothe and
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INDIANAPOLIS ILLUSTRATED, THE CAPITAL CITY OF INDIANA.
John W. Schmidt. In 1882 finally the sons of the founder, Messrs. John W. and Edward Schmidt, became joint proprietors, conducting the business under the original style of the C. F. Schmidt Brewery. From time to time important additions and alterations have been made, the plant now covering an extent of five acres. Five steel tubular boilers and two 150 horse-power engines propel the magnificent machinery. The brew kettles have a 400 barrel capacity, there are two large Linde ice machines, and the cellars are thirty-five feet deep with iron and cemented floors and ceilings. The trade covers this state and Illinois, the business requiring the services of seventy men and 150 horses. The product includes "Standard" lager, "Weiner" beer, pale amber- colored beer, brewed from Canada malt and Bohemian hops, and especially fine export beer, brewed for bottling and guaranteed to keep in all climates. The P. Lieber Company was started in 1863 by P. Lieber & Co., and is known as the City Brewery. In 1882 it was incorporated with a capital of $200,000 and in 1890 became a part of the Indianapalis Brewing Company. The premises cover an area of two and one-half acres; the brewery proper is a two-story structure, two stories above and the same below ground. It has a seventy-five horse-power engine and three 412 x16 feet boilers run by natural gas. The brew kettles have a daily capacity of 250 barrels, and an annual capacity of 75,000 barrels. There is also a splendid De La Vergne ice machine and all improved machinery. Forty men and thirty-five horses are em- ployed. The C. Maus Brewery was founded in 1868 by Casper Maus, who died in 1876, the business being con- tinued by his widow Magdalena, and managed by her son Frank. The brewery is a handsome three-story brick structure, at the corner of New York and Agnes streets. It contains all the latest brewing and refriger - ating machinery, the premises covering half a block, thirty men being employed and fifteen teams are in ser- vice. The brewing capacity is 60,000 barrels and the annual output about thirty thousand barrels. The buildings of this mammoth consolidated brewery are of elegant design, and altogether the Indianapolis Brewing Company is one of the most extensive and complete con- cerns in the West, its splendid products having secured for it great prosperity.
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