USA > Indiana > Wayne County > Richmond > Memoirs of Wayne County and the city of Richmond, Indiana; from the earliest historical times down to the present, including a genealogical and biographical record of representative families in Wayne County, Volume I Pt. 2 > Part 22
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CHAPTER XXVII.
MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.
CHRONOLOGICAL RECORD OF ESTABLISHMENTS FROM 1806 TO 1906-SOME IMPORTANT INDUSTRIES-INTERESTING FIGURES.
In compiling a history of Richmond's manufacturing indus- tries the chronological order has been preserved, so far as possible. The record for the first forty years is as complete as it is possible to make it ; since 1850 many enterprises have been established and discontinued for various reasons. Only those are noted here of some importance. The trusts have absorbed some of the best manufactories, competition has compelled others to quit, and finan- cial failure has overtaken others; but our city may well be proud of its 250 industries listed as "manufacturers," each of which is do- ing its part in sustaining Richmond's reputation as an enterprising, pushing, go-ahead city.
1806 .- The early records do not name any manufacturers in 1806, though it is probable there were one or more blacksmiths who did repair work and made horseshoes and nails. Blacksmiths and carpenters are the pioneer mechanics in every new community. The names of only a few of the early carpenters and builders of our city are preserved, and dates are not given, as reliable records cannot be found. Among the first are supposed to have been Stephen Thomas and William Justice, who built the frame build- ing in which the first election for town trustees was held. These were followed by Peter Johnson, Joshua and Benjamin Albertson, Evan Chapin, Mark Reeves, Thomas Stafford, Charles Cartwright, John Hughes, and David Vore.
1807 .- In 1806 Jeremiah Cox come to Wayne county, and in 1807 built a mill on the present site of the Starr Piano Works. It was called a "tub mill" and its capacity was two bushels of corn per hour. The mill was primitive in its construction-one pair of burrs, protected by a clapboard roof, which was supported by poles driven into the ground. Poles held the roof boards in posi-
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MEMOIRS OF WAYNE COUNTY
tion ; nails were expensive and could only be furnished by black- smiths, who made them. The Cox family was a family of millers. Jeremiah, Jr., built the fifth mill in the county, and the first at Mid- dleboro, in 1820, and in 1828 built the stone mill at Cox's Mills, which building is still standing. He had seven brothers, all of whom were millers, and their descendants, now scattered over the Middle West, are well represented in the milling business. The first saw mill was built by Jeremiah Cox, on the west side of the river, south of Newman's creek, probably in 1807 or 1808. Two others were built soon afterwards, but no authentic records remain to show by whom, nor the exact location, though it is thought that one of these was owned by Atticus Siddall and Edward Wright, on the site of the Test woolen mill, south of town.
1815 .- Eli Brown came in 1815 and commenced the manufac- ture of hats, between Fifth and Sixth, on Main street.
1816 .- John Hunt is said to have been the first blacksmith in Richmond. He built a shop on South Fourth street, in 1816. It is said that Lewis Burk, himself a blacksmith, and afterward one of Richmond's most prominent bankers, cut the logs for the build- ing and received seventy-five cents for the job. Hunt, John Mc- Lane, his son John, and Isaac Jackson were the principal smiths until after 1820. William Williams had a small smithshop on Fourth street at an early day, but the date has not been ascer- tained. Ezra Boswell established a brewery, about 1816, and is said to have had a large business. The court fixed the price of beer at twelve and one-half cents a quart and allowed no extortion.
1818 .- Adam Boyd came in 1818 and was probably the first wagon maker. Anthony Fulghum had a shop at the corner of Main and Sixth streets at an early day, and was succeeded by his son, Benjamin. Achilles Williams was the first saddler and harness maker; he came to Richmond in 1818. John Smith started a tan- nery in 1818. It was operated by Joseph Wilmot. John Finley, the second mayor of Richmond, had the management one year. Robert Morrisson established a tannery of seventy vats between Second and Third streets. In 1823 Daniel P. Wiggins took charge and in 1826 became Morrisson's partner in the business. In 1846 Wiggins purchased the tannery built by John Smith. This tan- nery was in active operation until recently, the last owner being Stephen R. Wiggins. Stephen died in 1903 and the property is now occupied by Watt & Keelor, coffin and casket manufacturers.
1820 .- Caleb Shearon came in 1820 and engaged successfully in the business of hat making. His shop was on Main street, be- tween Fifth and Sixth.
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1821 .- Solomon Dickinson opened a tinsmith shop on Main street between Fifth and Sixth. His business was continued by his son, Edmund, near the corner of Main and Fourth streets.
1822 .- Matthew Rattray, a carpet weaver, had a shop on South Fourth street.
1823 .- Nathan Morgan came in 1823 and for many years car- ried on the cabinet making business. He was for a long time thie only undertaker. His son, Nathan (born in 1823), succeeded him in the business. David Hook was also an early cabinet maker, but there is no known record of dates in connection with his business. Jonas Gaar was a cabinet maker and for many years worked at his trade. Abraham Phillips was also an early cabinet maker. Henry Durham carried on the tailoring business a number of years.
1825 .- Thomas Newman built a grist mill on West Fork about 1825. In 1853 it was bought by Thomas Hunt & Company. It was afterward owned by Timothy Thistlethwaite and later by David Bush, gho greatly enlarged it. It was burned in the '8os, and has not been rebuilt. Basil Brightwell built a flouring mill about this time near the present location of the Piano Works, and near the same time William Bulla built a mill on Middle Fork, but its location cannot - be ascertained. Hezekiah Spinning made spinning wheels and reels at the corner of Fourth and South A streets, in 1825-28. Benjamin Hibberd built a woolen mill on the river, east of the city. He owned it until about 1849, when Ben- jamin Bond and Alpheus Test bought it. After several years they sold it to Samuel Nixon and Ezekial Aiken. Nixon sold his interest to Samuel Porter and the firm name became E. Aiken & Company. The factory was in operation more than fifty years.
1827 .- Peter Harter established a woolen factory near the pres- ent location of the electric light plant about 1827. It was run only about five years.
1829 .- In this and the two or three years following Archibald Wasson, Jehial Wasson, John H. Thomas, George Mccullough, David Maulsby, John L. Maulsby, and Mordecai Parry carried on the blacksmithing business. Exact dates cannot be given. Reese Jones had a hat factory on Main street, between Fifth and Sixth. He carried on the business several years. Jonathan Moore set up a shoeshop at Main and Sixth streets, and continued in business without interruption for more than forty years.
1830 .- John Underwood had a grist mill on the Whitewater, below the present location of the Piano Works, as early as 1830. The building was afterward used as a woolen mill and there were
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MEMOIRS OF WAYNE COUNTY
many changes in the ownership. In 1856 Jacob Mering bought it and, in 1857, sold it to Luther M. Mering, who improved it, and it was for many years one of the leading flour mills of the city. It was closed down about 1890. Christian Buhl established a brewery. He was a successful business man. Leeds & Jones oper- ated a paper mill, with John Easton in charge as superintendent.
1831 .- Charles W. Starr built a cotton factory at the present site of Gaar, Scott & Company works. Job Swain purchased the property and converted the building into a peg factory. It was afterward occupied successively by the Jones silk factory, a grist mill, and finally by a tannery, owned by Joseph P. Laws. Grover & Williams erected a foundry in 1831. In 1836 they consolidated their business with that of Swain & Gaar (carding mill) and, to- gether with Abel Thornburgh and John Haynes, established the firm of Thornburgh, Haynes & Company, manufacturers of woolen mill machinery. The business was not successful, and later Ellis Nordyke and Shipley Foulke continued the business, manufactur- ing stoves principally. Subsequently others conducted the busi- ness, but it was finally abandoned. The foundry was located on the present site of the county jail.
1833 .- Elijah H. Githens came in 1833 and manufactured chairs for several years. Griffith D. Githens and Elisha Fulton were early chair makers.
1835 .- William Bancroft started a woolen factory, half a mile below town, about 1835. Three years later it was bought by Caleb Shrien, then by Levinus King, and was closed.
1836 .- The "Richmond & Brookville Canal Company" was or- ganized in 1836 and a franchise was obtained to construct a canal from Richmond to Brookville, a distance of about thirty-four miles. The estimated cost was $508,000; whole lockage, 273 feet. Citizens of Richmond subscribed $50,000. About $45,000 was ex- pended and the enterprise was abandoned. In the same year a charter had been granted to the "Whitewater Canal Company," to construct a canal from Brookville to Lawrenceburg, thus opening water communication with Cincinnati by way of the Ohio river. In January, 1847, floods destroyed the Whitewater canal and "left only patches of ditches and embankments" to mark the line of the proposed Richmond and Brookville canal.
1840 .- Samuel Lippincott commenced the manufacture of car- riages at Main and Seventh streets, in 1840. He was in the busi- ness many years.
1845 .- Peter Crocker commenced making wagons. In 1854 he
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MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
confined the business to the making of carriages, under the name of the "Union Carriage Factory." The factory was afterward conducted by Shute & Bolin and, in 1880, by George W. Bolin & Company. The factory was on the south side of Main street be- tween Ninth and Tenth.
1846 .- For history of the "Wiggins" tannery see John Smith and Robert Morrisson (1818).
1853 .- Timothy Thistlethwaite, Miles J. Shinn, and Joseph C. Ratliff built a paper mill on West Fork. It was operated for a time, but Thistlethwaite wanting additional power to run his flour mill the paper mill was discontinued. The Spring Grove Oil Mill was built by D. S. Burson and J. P. Evans. It was burned in 1864 and was replaced by a mill having a capacity of 80,000 bushels of seed per year, the owners being J. W. and E. T. Burson. In 1876 Kendall & Barnes leased it and, in 1877, Evans, Ferguson & Reeves bought and operated it a number of years, when it was sold to a "trust" and dismantled.
1856 .- Alpheus Test built a woolen mill on the west bank of the river, about a mile south of town. It was burned in 1858. He rebuilt, in 1859, and for more than forty years the mill was oper- ated by various members of the Test family-William, Rufus, Oli- ver, Lindley M., and James Test being at times owners or part owners.
1856 .- Isaac Ringe commenced the manufacture of steam engines. Luther B. Brady became a partner, in 1857, the firm name being the "American Machine Works." They manufactured en- gines, lathes, planers, screw cutters, and boring mills. Many changes in ownership followed and it was known successively as Brady & Son, J. M. Aiken & Company, and A. N. Hadley & Company. A business of near $100,000 yearly was transacted, but it did not prove a permanent success.
1857 .- Dr. John T. Plummer, in his historical sketch of Rich- mond, published in 1857, sums up the manufacturing interests of the city as follows: "In the vicinity of Richmond we have 22 flour- ing mills; 24 saw mills; I oil mill ; 2 paper mills; a cutlery manu- factory ; a soap and candle factory ; machine shops, manufactories of agricultural implements, 6 carriage manufactories, etc." He estimated the amount of manufactured articles at $906,531.
1858 .- Job and Arthur A. Curme started a small tannery north of town. In 1863 Isaac D. Dunn bought an interest and the tan- nery was moved to North Third street, the firm name being Curme. Dunn & Company. In 1874 the company was incorporated, with
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$100,000 capital stock ; A. A. Curme, president; I. D. Dunn, vice- president, and J. J. Harrington, secretary and treasurer. The buildings were burned in 1874, but were rebuilt. The plant was closed down in 1883.
1859 .- Ellis Nordyke and his son, Addison H. Nordyke, com- menced making bolting machinery for the manufacture of flour, corn mills, etc. In 1866 Daniel W. Marmon became a partner, the firm name being Nordyke & Marmon. The business prospered and, in 1876, the machinery was removed to Indianapolis, where the institution became one of the leading industries of that city, under the corporate name of the Nordyke & Marmon Company.
1860 .- Zeller's Cracker factory was started by Mark Lewis and Stephen Wilson. In 1866 it was purchased by J. S. and D. K. Zeller. In 1872 J. S. Zeller retired, and John G. Zeller and B. F. Crawford became partners. Crawford retired in 1874 and the busi- ness was conducted by D. K. and J. G. Zeller until absorbed by the National Biscuit Company, when the machinery was removed. D. K. died in 1900 and J. G. is now one of the officials of the National Biscuit Company.
1862 .- Thomas G. Thompson commenced the manufacture of looms, under the title of "Richmond Loom Works." In 1866 a Mr. Ballard became a partner and, in 1869, William Il. Vanderman bought an interest, the firm name being Thompson, Ballard & Company. The annual product was 1,200 to 1,500 hand looms. The plant closed down in the early '70s.
1865 .- John P. Allen and George H. Grant formed a partner- ship for the manufacture of Allen's self-supporting school desks. Allen died in 1868 and Joseph Marchant became a partner. He was succeeded by Joshua Nickerson and William Wooten, the firm name being George H. Grant & Company. Later, Turner W. Haynes and A. W. Hempleman became partners; afterward W. F. Spencer was taken in and the name was changed to Haynes, Spen- cer & Company, and finally to the Richmond School Furniture Company. In 1901 the machinery was removed to Muncie, Ind.
1871 .- Edwin D. Palmer and Henry H. Fetta commenced the manufacture of malleable iron at the location of the late City Mill Works. The business was not successful and was discontinued in 1875.
1876 .- George H. Grant and A. W. Hempleman formed a part- nership, under the name of Grant & Hempleman, for the manufac- ture of church and school furniture. They did a successful busi- ness for several years, when they sold out. Albertus Swain finally
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got control of the plant and it was soon afterward closed. Jerry Cowhig commenced the manufacture of steam boilers, under the name of "Fulton Boiler Works." Shops were located north of the Pennsylvania depot, and later in West Richmond. The business was conducted several years.
1879 .- The Sedgwick Brothers (Isham and Richard) started in business, and for many years were leading woven-wire fence manit- facturers. They invented, patented, and built the machinery used in the manufacture of fence, and did a successful business. The machinery was finally removed to another city, and the buildings are now a part of the "Wayne Works."
1881 .- Harrison Ogburn organized a company for the manu- facture of grain drill casters. James M. Starr was president, H. Ogburn vice-president, Clayton B. Hunt secretary, and Benjamin Starr treasurer. They did considerable business for a few years, then closed down.
1884 .- The Champion Roller Skate and Wagon Company was organized, with J. F. Reeves president, Reuben Myrick secretary, and J. V. Rowlett manager. The company did a large business while the "roller skate craze" continued, then closed up.
Note .- The following items have been gathered from various sources, but no dates can be given :
Andrew Reid was the first gunsmith to locate in Richmond. John Suffrins, an early merchant, went into the hat making busi- ness at an early day. He was still a dealer in hats and caps in the 70's. Charles W. Starr built a cotton factory, probably about 1828. It was converted into a silk factory by George W. Rowlett, under the management of Morgan Jones. They made silk handkerchiefs, etc. A silk factory was carried on in the old brick building still standing at the northwest corner of Main and Twelfth streets. Garments made from silk manufactured here are still in possession of some of our citizens. Patrick Justice, Owen Edgerton, and Jo- seph Ogburn were early shoemakers. Lewis Baxter, an early settler, was a bricklayer and stone mason. Robert Dilhorn, John Lowe, Isaac E. Jones, John H. Hutton, Harmon B. Payne, Abra- ham Earnest, and Samuel E. Iredell were early tailors. Charles Newman was an early turner. His shop was on North Seventh street. Jesse Clark built the first "fulling mill" in the county, at or near the present site of the Richmond Roller Mills. Machinery for carding, weaving and spinning was added. In 1825, Lavinus, Thomas W., and Dean King leased, and afterward bought, the property and the business was continued until 1853, under various
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owners and lessees. Lavinus King was the last owner. Eleazer Hiatt, Isaac Beeson, George Bell, and John Scott are said to have occupied a shop on South Fourth street as a pottery. The build- ing was torn down about 1824. Edward Foulke was also an early "potter." Prior to 1830 Nathaniel Lewis, John Brady, and William L. Brady were saddlers and harness makers here. About the same time Warner M. Leeds and Isaac E. Jones had a saw mill near the present location of Nixon's paper mill, and William Bulla built a saw mill north of town, the exact location of which cannot be as- certained. John M. Laws, James Ferguson, and Charles A. Dickin- son were early silversmiths. Gottleib Weidner had a candle fac- tory in successful operation for many years. It was located near the river, north of Main street. In the '50s there was a match factory on Fifth street, north of the Methodist Episcopal church. Charles Moffitt built a mill on East Fork at an early day, possibly before 1810.
Other early manufacturers are noticed in sketches of the more prominent establishments now in business.
SOME IMPORTANT INDUSTRIES.
The sketches following are given from data furnished by the proprietors or officers of the several establishments. All were re- quested to furnish information which would be of interest, and the compilers of this section of Richmond's history are not responsible for any seemingly important omissions in the list :
Adam H. Bartel Company .- In 1877 Adam H. Bartel estab- lished himself in the wholesale and retail notion trade on lower Main street. In 1880 the business was removed to the wholesale district on Fort Wayne avenue and the retail department was discontinued. In 1881 John M. Coate took an interest and the firm became Adam H. Bartel & Company. In 1885 they erected a build- ing at Fort Wayne avenue and Third street and soon afterward commenced the manufacture of overalls. In 1891 a new three- story and basement building, 40x115 feet, was erected on North E street and the old building converted into a factory. In 1894 the business was incorporated under the name, "Adam H. Bartel Com- pany," several of the office people and road men being allowed to take stock. In 1896 an additional building was added, and in 1906 another was built, making a total frontage of 118 feet on North E street. In addition to this the Company has a factory at Cam- bridge City, where sixty-five people are employed. The growth of
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PRESENT ESTABLISHMENT OF DILLE & MCGUIRE.
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MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
this establishment has been continuous and steady. A floor space of 3,000 feet was sufficient at first ; now 60,000 are used. Then, one traveling salesman sold the goods ; now ten are kept busy, and 200 employees receive from $75,000 to $100,000 in wages, yearly. Shirts, pants and overalls are manufactured. The present officers are: Adam H. Bartel. president; John M. Coate, vice-president ; I. E. Bartel, secretary, and Fred J. Bartel, treasurer. These, with William F. Fledderjohn and Benjamin H. Bartel. constitute the board of directors.
Bayer, John C .- Commencing in 1882, with limited facilities, Mr. Bayer is now one of Richmond's most successful bakers, his bread factory being located on South Sixth street, and the cake bakery at 622 Main street.
The Champion Roller Milling Company was incorporated in 1883. This company, for many years under the management of Frank M. Clark, has had a successful career. Its capital stock is $50,000, and the capacity is 200 to 225 barrels of flour per day. The present officers are A. D. Gayle, president; L. J. Woodward, treasurer and manager, and H. S. Clarke, secretary.
The George W. Davis Carriage Company was incorporated in 1892, with $30,000 capital stock. Its first officers were George W. Davis president, Frank M. Taylor vice-president, and Walter Mc- Conaha secretary and treasurer. No change in officers has been made, except that William H. Cummings is now vice-president. The officers, together with Walter S. Commons and T. F. Moor- man, constitute the board of directors. Three buildings at Eleventh and North E streets are occupied, with 50,000 feet of floor space. Seventy thousand dollars is the present investment, and the busi- ness is confined to the manufacture of vehicles exclusively.
Diamond Clamp and Flask Company .- William N. Gartside, proprietor of this factory, has built up a large business in the manu- facture of pattern-shop equipments and foundry supplies. The shops are located at North Fourteenth street and Pennsylvania railroad.
The Dille & McGuire Manufacturing Company was started in 1870, as a general machine shop, by H. H. Dille and Elwood Mc- Guire. The first lawn mowers were made in 1874. The company was incorporated in 1880 and has grown to be one of the largest and best equipped lawn mower factories in the world. Mr. Dille retired in 1890 and Elwood McGuire has been president and man- ager since that time. His son, Charles McGuire, is secretary and treasurer.
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Eagle Machine Works .- H. D. Robinson commenced the manufacture of portable fence machines in 1897. He is now located on West Main street and his output includes, in addition to fence machines, farm gates, ornamental lawn fencing, carnation supports, and a line of crimped wire goods, counter railings, etc.
The Elliott & Reid Company .- In 1884 Isaac N. Elliott and Pettis A. Reid formed a partnership for the manufacture of fence machines. They perfected a power fence loom, which proved a mechanical and commercial success. However, finding that the manufacture of fence was the more profitable branch of the busi- ness, the sale of machines was abandoned and the business was confined to the manufacture of fence. Some changes in ownership took place and, in 1891, the company was incorporated, the first officers being D. G. Reid president, P. A. Reid secretary and treas- urer, and I. N. Elliott superintendent. In 1893 seventy-seven car- loads of oak slats were used in the manufacture of fence. In 1900 a machine was perfected for manufacturing an all-wire fence and the wood-slat fence was abandoned. The output now requires the use of two or three carloads of wire each day. Seventy men are employed and the factory is equipped with modern, up-to-date machinery and appliances. Walter V. Reid is president, P. A. Reid is secretary and treasurer, and James Kelley is superintendent.
F. & N. Lawn Mower Company .- Richmond has a world-wide reputation as a lawn mower manufacturing center. Finley Newlin commenced the manufacture of lawn mowers in 1887 and conducted the business until Nov. 1, 1895, when the present incorporated company was organized, with J. M. Gaar president, Howard Campbell vice-president, D. G. Reid treasurer, and J. M. Lontz secretary. The business has been successful and the output now goes to all civilized countries of the world. J. M. Lontz is presi- dent and O. P. Norman is secretary.
The factory of Gaar, Scott & Co. had its beginning, in 1836, in what was known to Richmond's pioneers as the Spring Foundry, located on the site of the present large plant and removed in 1836 to make room for the machine shop. Spring Foundry was so named because the water supply that furnished the motive power for this primitive enterprise was obtained from springs. The first proprietor of Spring Foundry was Isaac E. Jones, who used the building prin- cipally for a stove foundry. In 1839 it passed into the hands of Jesse M. and John H. Hutton. Among the operatives were Jonas Gaar, machinist ; Abram Gaar, carpenter and millwright; J. M.
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