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 23
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Gaar. machinist, and William G. Scott, molder. These mechanics assisted in bringing out the first thresher ever built in Indiana. This machine was known as a "chaff piler" or "groundhog" thresher, which simply threshed the wheat, and was operated by horse power. These machines were first put on the market in 1841 and continued to be the principal product of the factory up to 1848, at which time they developed an improved grain separator, which threshed the wheat from the shock and separated it from the straw which was deposited on the ground to be "bucked" away. In 1849 these pio- neers in the threshing-machine industry bought the factory from the Huttons and organized the firm of A. Gaar & Co. Under their able management this infant industry soon outgrew its swaddling clothes. In 1870, twenty-one years after the Gaars took control, its majority was celebrated by incorporation under the name of Gaar, Scott & Co., with Abram Gaar, president; J. M. Gaar, vice-presi- dent, and William G. Scott, secretary and treasurer. On the death of Abram Gaar, in 1894, J. M. Gaar succeeded to the presidency of the company. The present officers (November, 1911,) are: Howard Campbell, president and general manager, who succeeded J. M. Gaar at his death, in 1900; S. S. Strattan, Jr., secretary, who suc- ceeded William G. Scott, deceased in 1897; Frank Land, first vice- president ; William H. Campbell, second vice-president, and Charles H. Land, treasurer. The early captains of industry who founded this successful manufacturing enterprise, and their successors of the modern school of business, have always kept it at the head of Richmond's splendid manufactories and among the very first in its line in the United States. Over 600 men find steady employment in their well equipped factory and their total annual pay-roll is about $450,000. Threshers, traction and portable engines are their prin- cipal product, including large steam plowing engines, but they also build clover hullers, saw mills and straw bruisers, the last for ex- port only. Their trade, which was at first local and amounted to only a few thousand dollars a year, has expanded until, as their announcements say, "Gaar-Scott threshing machinery goes wher- ever straw grain grows." In the wheat belts of Canada and Mexico their machinery is as well known as in the United States, and they enjoy a growing export trade in South America, Egypt, Russia, and other European countries.
The manufacturing concern known for so many years in Rich- mond as the Hoosier Drill Company, is now the Hoosier Drill Com- pany. Division of the American Seeding Machine Company. the
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American Seeding Machine Company having purchased the Hoosier Drill Company in March, 1903. The Hoosier Drill Company, Di- vision, which is a very important manufacturing establishment in Richmond at this time, with offices and factory at the corner of North E and Thirteenth streets, is the largest manufacturer of wheat seeding machines and corn planting tools in the world. This Division of the Company is engaged in the manufacture of seeding machines exclusively, and its product is found in every civ- ilized country where seeders and corn planting tools are used. The first Hoosier Wheat Drill was made, in 1856, in a small building at Milton, Ind., the motor power being an old gray horse. The present Company takes great pride in saying that it is called upon frequently to supply repairs and extra parts for machines that have been out in the field and in use since 1863. In the early years of this concern but one style of wheat drill and one style of corn drill was manufactured by it, while at the present time it is manufactur- ing as many as 848 different styles of wheat seeding machines and corn planting tools, making a very large variety of sizes and styles. J. M. Westcott, for many years president of the Hoosier Drill Com- pany, became connected with it in 1873, and it was moved by him to Richmond in the fall of 1878. Buildings were erected that were thought to be sufficient for all future business, but in a short time they were compelled to make additions in order to accommodate their ever increasing trade, and from that time on until the present. scarcely a year has passed that some substantial improvements have not been added to the plant. It is equipped throughout with the most modern and up-to-date machinery known for the manufacture of its product. This firm now employs from 350 to 375 men, with an annual average pay-roll of from $175,000 to $200,000. During the past two years the Company has experienced great difficulty in meeting the large demand that has been made upon it. in both this country and abroad, and it is now considering building large additions to the plant, adding in various ways to its facilities in order to manufacture in a more economical way, the intention be- ing to double in size its present plant.
Note-The Westcott Mutual Aid Union was organized May 25, 1882. The membership is confined exclusively to the employees of the Hoosier Drill Works. The object of the organization is to furnish pecuniary aid to its members in time of sickness or disability. During the twenty-four years of its existence there has been paid to its members the sum of $6,000 in sick benefits, at the rate of four dollars per week. The money to carry on this work is raised by the assessment plan, when the treasury is so reduced as to require it. The average cost per member per year has been about
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$2.50. An annual meeting is held each year for the election of officers and the transaction of such other business as may come before it. The officers at this time are: W. E. Wilson, president; Elmer A. Unthank, secretary, and W. E. Russell, treasurer.
The firm of J. M. Hutton & Co. was first established in 1868. and two years later was incorporated with a capital stock of $100,- 000, for the manufacture of undertakers' supplies. The first officers were Jesse M. Hutton, president; Matthew H. Dill, secretary, and William P. Hutton, treasurer. In October, 1870, the Company suf- fered an almost total loss by fire, but rebuilt immediately upon the present site, occupying three corners at Twelfth and North E streets. This is one of the oldest concerns of its kind in the United States. The output from this Company, since its beginning, has been sent into nearly every State in the Union. Additions to the original buildings were added from time to time, as the increased business demanded, and in 1905 extensive improvements were made ; and the present plant is one of the most modern and well equipped coffin factories in the United States, the total floor space being nearly 75,000 square feet. About 100 men are employed at the pres- ent time, a number of whom have been with the Company for a period of thirty to thirty-five years. The annual pay-roll is about $40,000. The recent death of Matthew H. Dill took the last of the original incorporators of this firm. The present officers are: Wil- liam R. Dill, president, and Walter J. Hutton, secretary and treas- urer.
The Independent Ice and Fuel Company was established in 1889 by B. B. Johnson. This ice factory commenced operations with a 15-ton plant. Since that time the capacity has been more than doubled and thirty-five tons of artificial ice are manufactured and sold each day. The coal yard is an important branch of this industry, and the Company contemplate the erection of a cold stor- age plant of large capacity, which will serve to keep the ice ma- chines busy during the winter months.
The Richmond Chair Company was established in 1877 by W. W. Crawford & Sons, of Cincinnati. They manufactured double- cane chairs and continued the business until 1881, when they sold to H. D. Bond, James Thomas, and Daniel Surface. The business was incorporated in 1884 with Ellis Thomas as president and Dan- iel Surface as secretary and treasurer. The goods manufactured are especially for public institutions, colleges, high schools, and hotels ; office chairs, etc. At this time M. J. O'Brien is president and J. A. O'Brien secretary.
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The Richmond Furniture Manufacturing Company was incor . porated Aug. 20, 19044. for the manufacture of kitchen cabinets. cupboards, wardrobes, etc. The officers are C. A. Knollenburg, president : A. D. Gayle, vice-president : George E. Kemper, treas- urer; Wilford Jessup, secretary, and J. Hassenbach, director. It is located at West Fifth and State streets.
The Richmond Handle Company was incorporated in 1902, and late in that year broke ground for the erection of a handle factory at South J street and the Chicago, Cincinnati & Louisville railroad. The officers were: J. W. Maxim, president ; J. A. Greenstreet, sec- retary and treasurer, and George H. Maxim, superintendent. On the death of George H. Maxim his place was taken by the present superintendent, N. S. Morse. The manufacture of "D" handles for shovels, spades, forks and scoops was begun in April, 1903, and has continued since. The annual output of this pattern of handle amounts to 35,000 dozen. They are shipped to all parts of the United States and Great Britain. In 1905 the factory was equipped with machinery for making lawn-mower handles and now furnishes some of the large mower factories with all the handles and rollers used by them. At this time there are thirty employees and the an- nual output is $45,000 to $50,000.
The Richmond Overall and Shirt Company is new, but prom- ises to become a leading industry in its line-the manufacture of working men's garments. There are sixty employees and the out- put amounts to $65,000 per year. F. A. Colvin is president and John F. Bartel is secretary-treasurer.
The Richmond Roller Mills and Elevator and the Richmond Corn Mills .- Charles G. Carpenter, probably the oldest practical miller now in the business in Richmond, has the direct manage- ment of these two important industries. The flour mills are located at North Second and C streets and the corn mills on North Twelfth street. The flour mills were erected in 1864 and have been in suc- cessful operation since that time.
Robinson & Company is one of the prominent corporations and manufactories of our city, one which, founded in the days of the city's infancy, has since been closely connected through its owners with the social and business life of Richmond. It was founded, in 1842, by Francis W. Robinson, a Friend, who was born in Balti- more, in 1810, and moved to Richmond in 1833. His son-in-law, Samuel E. Swayne, is now president and treasurer of the com- pany and his grandsons-William Platt and Henry Raymond Rob- inson-are secretary and vice-president and superintendent. These
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officers, with the daughters of the founder, now form a family cor- poration which owns and operates the modern plant, which has grown from the small beginning made in 1842, at which time a horse provided the power for the works. In 1858, Jonas W. Yeo became associated with Robinson and, in 1872, the business was in- corporated as the Robinson Machine Works. When the affairs of this corporation were wound up, in 1877, Francis W. and Henry E. Robinson acquired full control of the business, under the firm name of Robinson & Company, and it was incorporated under the same name in 1889. The main plant now occupies the entire square from Third to Second street, on Main, and north to A street, and about an equal area on the east side of Third street. The buildings consist of a modern office, a large steam and electric plant, a com- modious foundry, machine and carpenter shops, fire-proof pattern house, and a test house and erecting shop which alone is as capa- cious as the entire plant was in 1884. Branch houses are main- tained at Indianapolis, Columbus, St. Louis, St. Joseph (Mo.), Galesburg (Ill.), Enid (Okla.), and Jennings (La.), and a growing export business is handled through New York offices. The ma- chinery manufactured consists of traction and portable engines, threshing machines and attachments, and steam hay balers. The output finds ready sale all over this country, in the Dutch East Indias, Africa, Chile, the Argentine, and other countries.
In 1877, John H. and Louis Runge commenced the manu- facture of corn products on North Eighth street. Some changes took place in the ownership and, in 1900, the present proprietors- John H. and Charles Runge-erected a building on South Seventh street, made necessary to accommodate their large and growing business. Corn meal, buckwheat, and whole-wheat flours are manu- factured.
The Starr Piano Company -- The year 1872 witnessed an event that proved to be of more than ordinary importance to the indus- trial upbuilding of Richmond. In that year, a company was organ- ized by a number of prominent local business men, headed by James M. Starr, for the purpose of manufacturing pianos. The first efforts of the company were made in a small factory near the Whitewater river, below the old National Bridge. The original factory was quite small, indeed, and its equipment, though crude, was perhaps equal to that of other similar Eastern institutions of that date. This com- pany was the first organized effort to manufacture pianos west of the Alleghany Mountains, and for this reason the Starr Piano be- came known throughout the country as the "Pioneer of the West."
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The individual members of the company were men of sterling quali- ties, and by dint of perseverance and continued effort they gradually introduced many improvements in their product and more advanced methods of manufacture, which increased the demand for the Starr Piano, and consequently necessitated additions to the factory. In 1893 the business was incorporated, under the direction of Ben- jamin Starr, John Lumsden, and Henry Gennett, whose vast expe- rience in the manufacture and distribution of high grade pianos enabled them to handle the affairs of the Company in an exception- ally successful manner. The business has constantly developed un- til the plant is now conceded to be the largest in the world devoted exclusively to the manufacture of high grade pianos. The floor space in the factories cover and area of more than ten acres. The equipment is complete and the facilities the best that can be had. The Company manufactures grand and upright pianos and player pianos. Much attention is given to the construction of special art cases. The Starr has won an enviable reputation on tonal and architectural beauty. The Company employs more than 600 work- men, the great majority of whom are skilled artisans, and disburses. annually, more than $500,000 in wages. The direction of the vast interests of the Company rests with Henry Gennett, president ; Harry Gennett, vice-president, and Clarence Gennett, secretary and treasurer, whose able management has made the Starr Piano Com- pany a power in the musical and financial world. In viewing the present plant it seems impossible to believe that at one time the fac- tory could have occupied but one small building, and that thirty- five men were sufficient to carry on the work. As the demand in- creased, new buildings were added and replaced those standing. until at present the institution covers approximately thirty-five acres, upon which have been erected almost twelve acres of floor space. A product of this nature, sensitive to so many conditions, demands material of the very highest quality, prepared in the most thorough manner. The magnitude of their operations is no more forcibly shown than in the lumber yards and seasoning kilns. The stock of foreign and domestic lumber, always under treatment, is in excess of the quantity usually carried by wholesale lumbermen. The seasoning kilns, which supplement the open air process, have a combined capacity of more than 1,722,950 feet. The efficiency of the factory has been greatly increased by the excellent and also eco- nomical manner in which the departments are placed. From leav- ing the cutting room until the packing room is reached the work is consummated by a direct advancement, thereby eliminating un-
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necessary handling and loss of time. Advanced methods of con- struction may be seen in every department, and machines of latest model and appliances, many of their own designing, improve the quality wherever possible. Although the volume of business is many times greater than that of forty years ago, the quality has never been sacrificed to quantity. As the demand has increased. so has the care that has always been exercised. An ambition to produce the best possible value in piano construction has not been without its results. The effect of this firm's business is felt through- out the entire world. With warerooms covering the central, south- ern and extreme western portions of this country, agencies have been established in practically every community. The foreign trade has recently advanced by great bounds. From export shipments amounting to comparatively but few instruments, annually, this feature has reached a point where as many carloads are now sent. The high quality of these instruments has been further shown by the numerous occasions upon which they have been awarded high- est honors in competition with the world's best makes. At Cin- cinnati in 1880, Chicago in 1893, Nashville in 1897, St. Louis in 1904, and finally at Seattle in 1909, the judges were unanimous in proclaiming Starr Pianos unsurpassed in tone quality, artistic case design, and durability of construction. The line of instruments manufactured by this firm include grand pianos, upright pianos and player pianos. They are also manufacturers of the famous Princess Model, a small upright, with a full grand tone, which is by far the most remarkable instrument designed last year. The total number of instruments made is in excess of 90,000. The aver- age daily output is forty pianos. This factory may be taken as an example of the advantages gained by being complete manufacturers, rather than mere assemblers. From the shaping of the smallest piece of hardware to the casting of the heavy plate, from the cut- ting of the finest moulding to the building of the massive cases, the work is all done under the direct supervision of their designers. This does not apply only to the ordinary piano, but to their player- piano as well, the entire instrument being made in this plant. The value of this is shown in the perfection of tone and the artistic case designs which are recognized throughout the world as standards by which piano value may be judged.
The firm of Watt & Keelor, composed of F. N. Watt and Harry C. Keelor, was established in July. 1902, and is located on the site of the old Wiggins tannery, corner of Second and South B streets. The buildings of the old tannery were remodeled and put in good
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condition, and the plant is now first class and modern in every re- spect, being electric lighted, steam heated, and run by both steam and electric power. They manufacture medium and high grade caskets almost exclusively, and while the bulk of their business is done between Pennsylvania and Kansas, they enjoy quite a fair trade on both coasts. They also manufacture both ladies' and gents' burial garments, together with all dry goods used by the under- taker. such as entire trimmings for caskets, cooling board acces- sories, etc. They have enjoyed a good business from the start, and the first year would compare favorably with old established houses, but it has since grown until the last year's business more than trebled that of the volume done during the first year. They have representatives in all leading distributing points and gateways, and employ from forty to fifty people in their factory.
INTERESTING FIGURES.
In this compilation appears a number of establishments classed as "manufacturers." Some industries-such as blacksmiths, car- penters and builders, contractors, dentists, gas and steam fitters, etc .- are not given, although they all do more or less manufacturing. The total number of establishments, directly and indirectly engaged in manufacturing, approximates 250, but in giving figures we con- fine ourselves to official reports. In the year 1905 the Department of Commerce and Labor caused a census of the manufacturing interests of our city to be taken. The statistics given below are compiled from special reports, furnished the Committee on Manu- factures by the Department, and are reliable :
Ninety-eight industries are rated as "manufacturers". as fol- lows: Agricultural implements, 3; bread and other baking prod- ucts, 6; baking and yeast powders, 2; brick and tile, 1 ; canning and preserving fruits and vegetables, I ; carriages and wagons, 5; cars and general shop construction, 1; clothing, men's, 2; coffins and cases and undertakers' goods, 3; confectionery, 2; electrical ma- chinery and supplies, 1; flour and grist mill products, 3; foundry and machine shop products, 10; foundry supplies, 1 ; furniture, 4; gas and lamp fixtures, 1; gas, illuminating and heating, I; hard- ware, 2; hardware, saddlery, I ; ice, manufactured, 2; leather goods, I ; leather, tanned, curried and finished, I ; liquors, malt, I ; lumber and timber products, 2; lumber. planing mill products, 2; mineral and soda waters, 2; monuments and tombsones, 1 ; musical instru- ments, pianos, I ; patent medicines and compounds, 2; printing and
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publishing, book and job, 3; paper and bags, 1 ; printing and pub- lishing, newspapers and periodicals, 4 : roofing materials, 2 ; saddlery and harness, 2; sausage, 1; structural iron work, 1; tobacco and cigars, 13; wirework, fences, rope and cable, 5; wood, turned and carved, I. These ninety-eight establishments required the services of 448 salaried officials, clerks, etc., at an annual cost of $477.515. The average number of mechanics employed was 2.970, to whom was paid $1,380,844 in wages. It is interesting to note that 326 women were employed as wage earners, while but fourteen chil- dren under sixteen years of age were employed. The value of the products of these ninety-eight manufacturing establishments was $6,731,740; cost of materials used, $3,000,924; miscellaneous ex- penses, $875,172; showing the net profits to be nearly $2,000,000, or about 21 per cent. on the capital employed. It is interesting to note that more than $1,800,000 are paid directly to citizens of Richmond in wages and salaries, and that of the $3,876.000, paid annually for materials and miscellaneous expenses, a large propor- tion goes directly to our home producers and dealers. Richmond may well be proud of its rank as a manufacturing city.
In 1909 the number of manufacturing establishments, so recognized by the census officials, had increased from ninety-eight, in 1905, to 107. The value of products, in 1909, was $10.374,000, as compared with $6,732,000, in 1904.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
RICHMOND TO-DAY.
LIST OF MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS-CHURCHES-CHARITABLE AND PHILANTHROPIC INSTITUTIONS-FRATERNAL. ORGANIZATIONS- AMUSEMENTS-RAILROADS.
Richmond is, at the present time, the trade center of Eastern Indiana and Western Ohio. It has an area of 2,640 acres and is located 1,000 feet above the sea level. The city has 125 factories, with a capital stock of $7,500,000, and an annual output of $30,- 000,000. These factories employ 5,500 hands, with an annual pay- roll of $4,000,000. Richmond's manufacturing products include almost every conceivable line. The following list gives some of the leading factories and their products at the present time :
Adam H. Bartel Co., workingmen's clothing; American Seed- ing Machine Co., agricultural implements, principally seeding ma- chines; American Steel & Wire Co., wire fencing; Armor, Shield & Cover Co., storm fronts; Brown-Darnell Co., auto and novelty works; Champion Roller Milling Co., wheat flour; Charles A. Keys, saddlery; Charles Johanning Co., sanitary plumbing, steam and hot water heating; Clendenin & Co., sole leather and fertil- izer; Climax Machine & Pattern Works, machines and pattern makers; Craighead Plumbing & Electric Co., sanitary plumbing, electric wiring, steam and hot water heating; C. & W. Kramer Co., hardwood lumber; Diamond Clamp & Flask Co .; Dille & McGuire, lawn mowers; D. S. Brown Co., collar pads, etc .; Eagle Machine Works, fence machinery and supplies; Eureka Fence Works, fence manufacturers; Fetta Water Softener Co., Fetta water softening system; F. & N. Lawn Mower Co., lawn mowers and grass catchers ; Frank Waidele, halter maker : Fry Bros., sash, doors, house finish, store finish, lawn swings and settees; Gaar, Scott & Co., gasoline engines, portable engines, separators, clover hullers, saw mills; George W. Davis Carriage Co., automobiles and carriages ; George W. Newbern Co., carriage shop: George W.
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