USA > Indiana > Floyd County > New Albany > The advantages and surroundings of New Albany, Ind., Floyd county : manufacturing, mercantile and professional interests Public buildings and officials, schools, churches, societies, canals, rivers, railroads, etc., etc > Part 7
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But we have digressed-manufacturing is our theme. As industrial establishments, se the raw material of the country, thereby bringing remunerative prices to the wner and producer of such articles, and dispense large amounts in weekly wages, which revert to the tills of our merchants and mechanics, the municipality can well fford to give them liberal encouragement. On thriving manufacturing concerns he growth and continuing prosperity of our city largely depends, and those who are ssisting industrial enterprises by their capital or brains, should receive due credit. n succeeding pages we shall give a separate mention of our principal manufactories, et forth the features which have contributed to their upbuilding, and have a word
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to say regarding their originators and present proprietors, devoid however of t usual fulsome praise and unworthy personal laudation, which generally characteri: descriptive writings.
DePAUW PLATE GLASS COMPANY. POLISHED AND ROUGH PLATE GLASS.
In reviewing the various industries of this place, with a view of conveying to t outside world a knowledge of its resources, we desire to identify the greater acco plishments, with those whose energy and enterprise have been mainly instrumen in our manufacturing success. The DePauw Works have gained such marked succ in the magnitude of their operations, and the wide spread distribution of their war as to justly entitle this plant to first consideration. It is the giant industrial ent prise of this section of country, and the most complete of its kind in the Uni States.
The history of plate glass in America, up to 1872, was one of continuous rever and bankruptcy. Previous to that time several attempts had been made, but er had met with final disaster. In that year the late Hon. W. C. DePauw, of N Albany, took the matter in hand with pluck and determination to succeed at wh ever cost. His business tact, abundant pecuniary resources and stamina brou; ultimate success; but it is stated that his actual losses from 1872 to 80, in cop with European rivals, was $600,000. It was a costly triumph, but nevertheless to be proud of, and which has so soon revolutionized the plate glass trade of the wo: reduced the price from 50 to 70 per cent. and permanently established under the st and stripes, the successful manufacture of an indispensable commodity, which b friend and foe predicted unfeasible.
The DePauw Plate Glass Co. cost in its establishment, including foundry, mach shops and other necessary adjuncts, for the complete equipment, the gigantic sun nearly $2,000,000. The plant is situated on a 30 acre tract of valuable ground, I the center of this city, between the Pennsylvania railroads and the river, traversed v numerous side tracks, and having convenient boat landings for the line of stear and barges owned by this company. The leading specialty of the works is, of cou high grade plate glass, which has acquired a National reputation, and is produce all sizes up to 150x200 inches, of finish and transparency equal to the best Fre plate. Regarding the various buildings and machinery required to successf operate this immense plant we have not space to attempt a detail. It suffices to that the New Albany works has a capacity of 96 pots; Alexandria, Ind., 64 Louisville, 35, a total of 192 pots for plate glass only. An extensive warehous well filled with the finished product which is cut into sizes to meet all the ordin requirements of the trade while special orders are produced promptly.
Newland T. DePauw, president, is a native of Indiana, educated at DePauw 1 versity, and has been engaged in New Albany manufacturing for a dozen years I He is president of the Merchants National Bank and several prominent indus concerns as will be seen under their respective headings. C. T. Doxey; vice p dent, is a leading business man of Anderson, Ind., who became a heavy stockhc in these works in 1891. W. D. Keyes, secretary and treasurer, is a native of W ington Co., Ind., and has been prominently identified with this plant for more 1 20 years. John F. Merker, an enterprising New Albanian has recently been prom to the superintendency of this department.
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OF NEW ALBANY, IND.
W. C. DePAUW COMPANY.
WINDOW GLASS AND FRUIT JAR DEPARTMENT.
Although largely under the same management as the above, this is a distinct ganization, known as the W. C. DePauw Co., the special branch of manufacture ng single and double strength window glass and fruit jars. In this department re are more than a dozen buildings ranging in size from 20x80 feet to 80x130 all roughly fitted for their special requirements. Window glass is produced in all required weights and sizes up to 50x76 inches, the annual shipments aggregating out 200,000 boxes.
The fruit jar department last year turned out 36,000 gross, which were shipped to bers in all sections of the country. An immense warehouse is kept filled with the rious sizes, all carefully packed and marked ready for shipment at an hours notice. complete box factory, in which millions of feet of lumber are annually consumed, xept in continuous operation. A complete system of water works and coal hoist- aparatus extends from the river's edge to all departments of the works and every quirement of a first class manufacturing plant is found in these works. The nbined plants give employment to fifteen hundred operatives and expend for labor d material about $15,000 per week.
Theofficers of the W. C. DePauw Co. are N. T. DePauw, president; C. W. DePauw, e president; Geo. F. Penn, secretary; Wm. Michels, superintendent.
The DePauw works are the largest in the country, engaged in the manufacture of iss and deserve praise for the skill and executive ability which directs as well as enterprise which founded this worthy establishment.
WOOLEN AND COTTON INDUSTRIES.
NEW ALBANY WOOLEN AND COTTON MILLS.
VINCENNES AND BEELER STREETS.
The history of all industrial establishments are largely inseparable from their ginators, and especially is this the case with the above works, which was orporated in 1864 by L. Bradley, W. C. DePauw, R. G. McCord and J. M. Haines, th capital stock of $75,000. A practical man, who had knowledge in this special e, was found in the person of J. F. Gebhart, who was the founder of woolen nufacturing in New Albany, and under whose superintendency the plant has en made what it is. The beginning was small and many difficulties were to be mounted, not the least of which was needed a constant and equable supply of ter. Mr. Gebhart realizing the urgent need of an unlimited water supply pushed ward in that direction, and was finally awarded by the formation of the Water orks Co. A full description of which has already been given. The buildings ve been replaced and added to from time to time, having been partially burned 1883; the machinery now consisting of the most approved kinds, comprising 18 s ot 60 inch cards and all necessary adjuncts which makes it the largest mill of kind in the country. The principal products of the mill are jeans, blankets, nels, cassimeres and army kerseys. The latter is sold direct to Government tractors, and the former products go principally to jobbers in metropolitan ies. The entire output is of superior make, commanding ready sale, and the qual output reaches about $900,000. Some 700 persons, largely females, find
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employment in the various departments of this immense plant, and the disbursement for wages is widely felt among the populace and merchants of this place.
N. T. DePauw, president, is mentioned in the preceding article. John F. Gebhart, superintendent, was born in Maytown, Pa., where he learned the weaver's trade with his father. Later he invested in business which proved unprofitable, and leaving Pa. he determined to retrieve his fortune in the west. Mr. Gebhart decided ยท that this city presented a good field for manufactories and by his success in the Woolen Mills, Water Works, planning the Belt and Terminal, the Highland Electric, and other railroads of this place as noted elsewhere, has proven that his faith was well founded. That he should have achieved such distinguished success within 30 years, having started here single handed and without previous acquaint- ance, is not only evidence of excellent business tact, perseverance and stamina upon his part, but is positive proof that New Albany has the essential features for successful manufacturing. The unqualified success which the New Albany Woolen and Cotton Mills has achieved is a tribute to the efficiency of the management and a matter in which every citizen of this city should feel a personal pride.
NEW ALBANY HOSIERY MILLS.
EKIN AVE., NEAR VIN. ST.
"Great oaks from little acorns grow." Likewise many of our large manufactories had their inception in small beginnings. A Hosiery department was started in the Woolen Mills in May, 1879, as an experiment, and as ready sale was found for the product the business was rapidly increased. Two years later it was purchased by W. A. Hedden and Richard Greuner and the machinery removed to a rented building corner of Main and State streets. Suitable buildings, at the present location, were completed and equipped in 1883-4. Several additions have since been made, the main building being now 50x150 feet with three and four floors and several smaller buildings, all made of iron and brick with metal roofs.
On Jan. 1, 1891, the New Albany Hosiery Mill Co. was organized, as successor to W. A. Hedden & Co , the present plant being one of the most complete industria" establishments around the Falls. About 175,000 lbs. of wool is annually consumed here. Four sets of cards, 1,300 spindles, 130 knitting machines, 10 sewing machines a machine shop, smithery, dye house and all the necessary auxiliaries are found. Employment is given to about 150 females, and the funds disbursed greatly assist many an humble home.
J. F. Gebhart, president, is also president of the Woolen Mills, where his personal mention will be found. Wm. A. Hedden, secretary and treasurer, is a New Albanian. in mercantile trade since 1862; largely interested in the business enterprises and real estate of the city. R. T. Brooks is bookkeeper, and each department is in charge o: a trustworthy foreman. The mills make specialties of the best Shaker socks; also ribbed and fashioned hose, fine gauze and other grades, which are sold to leading jobbers from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and the steadily increasing demand if conclusive evidence of the superiority of product.
COTTON BATTING MILLS CO.
EAST EIGHTH STREET, NEAR VINCENNES.
The above company was organized in 1882, and soon afterwards commenced operations in a small way. It had a precarious existence until the principal stocl
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OF NEW ALBANY, IND.
as purchased by Lawrence Bradley in 1889, and active measures taken to put the lant in first class condition. For a year or two past it has been using nearly 5,000 ales of cotton annually, most of the time running night and day in order to eep up with the orders. The plant cost $50,000, and has been furnished roughout with the best cotton machinery, a considerable portion of which has een built in New Albany, to special patterns made for this concern. L. Bradley, resident of the above company, was born in N. C. Nov. 25, 1815, and came to New lbany in '30. In 1853 he commended the wholesale boot and shoe trade, nine ears later accepting R. G. McCord as a partner and adding wholesale drygoods to e business. In 1870 this mercantile house was moved to Louisville, and soon fterward Mr. Bradley retired. He was the leading spirit in organizing the Ierchants National and Second National Banks and has been largely interested in ilroad development, having served as director of L .. N. A. & C. and Air Line in eir developing years, and he has been continuously interested in our city's pbuilding. C. P. Gwin, secretary and treasurer, is a native of this city, and has een raised in mercantile pursuits. C. L. Bradiey, son of the president, is superin- endent of the mill. He was educated in the city schoels, and has been a lifelong esident of New Albany. The plant covers 2 acres of ground, principally covered ith fire-proof buildings, and the output is $175,000 to $200,000 annually. The money paid for wages assists in the general prosperity, and the Batting mills is an sential addition to the city's manufacturing development.
IRON AND STEEL WORKING INDUSTRIES. OHIO FALLS IRON WORKS.
WATER STREET, BETWEEN WEST FOURTH AND FIFTH.
Manufacturing enterprises have been largely instrumental in bringing this city to rominent notice. While the mercantile houses of a city give beauty and character to is architecture, it is none the less true that the real strength of a community lies in hose institutions which furnish employment to labor. The Ohio Falls Iron Works as organized in 1866, with capital stock of $200,000, the buildings and machinery eing ready for operations early in 67. The plant includes four commodious uildings, with excellent river and railroad facilities. The area covered is 400x500 eet, a full square, the product being largely merchant bar and bridge iron, car, ragon, plow and other dimension iron, which is principally sold to jobbers and manufacturers. The K. & I. bridge company and Pennsylvania system give direct onnections with eight trunk line railroads, terminating at this place and Louisville, which furnishes unexcelled shipping facilities and with a competing water way, ig iron can be secured from the various furnaces of the east, west and south at west possible freight rates. A specialty is made of extra quality bridge iron. This company manufactured the iron used by the Louisville Bridge Co., in bridging he Ohio river between this city and Louisville. The capacity of these works is early 1,000 tons of finished iron per month, employment being given to from 200 to 150 mechanics and laborers, the pay roll ranging from $2,500 to $3,000 per week. The constantly increasing patronage of this establishment, is conclusive proof that New Albany's manufactories can produce a quality and finish of iron that meets very competition. The enterprising manufacturers of this city, by good business
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tact, are creating a demand for their products in distant cities and thereby advertising New Albany's advantages as a manufacturing city.
N. T. DePauw, president of the Ohio Falls Iron Works, is president of several other concerns, and is mentioned personally in the article on DePauw Glass Works. Peter R. Stoy, vice president, treasurer and manager, has been superintendent here since 1874; and under his conservative management the business has steadily increased upon a sound basis. Mr. Stoy was born in New Albany Feb. 25, 1825, and has made a long and successful record in mercantile and manufacturing pursuits. He is thoroughly posted in the iron trade, prudent and efficient as a business man. He has for many years been prominently connected in educational and religious progression, and his influence has been widely felt in this city. Walter E. Stoy, secretary, is son of the above, a graduate from the DePauw University and for 5 years past connected with the above works. The directors, in addition to the above are W. H. Lewis, John McCulloch and C. W. DePauw. Frank M. Stoy, a graduate of the High School and N. A. Business College, is travelling solicitor, and Fred. T. Watkins has been the efficient shipping clerk for several years. The above works have contributed a full share towards the manufacturing prosperity of this city and have established a high standard of merit in the markets of the country.
NEW ALBANY MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
WATER STREET, BETWEEN PEARL AND BANK.
W. C. DePauw and Chas. Hegewald originally started the business of this plant in 1874. N. T. DePauw purchased his father's interest about 1880, and continued a partner with Mr. Hegewald until 1889, when the latter withdrew from the concern, and Jan. 1, 1890, a stock company was formed. There are 100 stone quaries along the Monon railroad within 100 miles from this city. Good ledges for building purposes are abundant, and limestone quarries for macadamizing streets and other work are extensively operated. A leading specialty of this establishment is the production of channelling machines, stone saw gangs, hoists, derricks, stone trucks and other machinery found necessary in excavating or handling stone. The foundry has a ten-ton daily capacity and a complete machine shop furnishes the requisites for doing any kind of iron repair work or turning out new machinery to order.
N. T. DePauw, president of this concern, is mentioned many times in our manu- facturing pages, as his well known business tact and ample capital has brought him to the head of a number of our successful industrial enterprises. E. C. Hangary, treasurer, is mentioned on page 24, as cashier of Merchants National Bank; R. H. Bailey, secretary, is a native of Louisville, and has been with the New Albany Manufacturing Co. since March, 1890. W. H. Coen, vice president, is a native of Canada, served as manager of the Avery Plow Works, of Louisville, for six years, and was manager of the Woolen Mills, a year prior to assisting in the opening of this factory. He is at present secretary and manager of the Premier Steel Co., at Indianapolis. T. H. O'Donnell, superintendent, was born in St. Louis, Mo., learned the moulders trade in his native city, and has been in charge of various foundries in the Falls cities for 25 years past. To Mr. O'Donnell is largely due the credit of extending the trade among the quarries as he has acquired an intimate acquaintance with their needs, and gives personal supervision to that part of the trade, a portion of each week. Forty to fifty machinists, moulders and laborers find employment here, and this plant is one of the factors which has and is assisting in the progress of New Albany's manufacturing development.
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OF NEW ALBANY, IND. NEW ALBANY RAIL MILL COMPANY.
WATER STREET, FROM W. 5TH TO W. 8THI.
The New Albany Rail Mill Company occupies the front rank among the manufact- uring corporations of Indiana, as well in the extent of its plant, the capital employed, and the variety and volume of its products. This immense establishment is also the pioneer in Indiana in the manufacture of rails. as well as in structural iron and sheet iron and sheet steel. The company is composed of gentlemen of large capital as well as of great business energy and enterprise. The president is Charles W. DePauw, and its superintendent and general business manager, Albert Trinler, while in its directory and among its shareholders are both the above named gentlemen, Newland T. DePauw, Peter R. Stoy and Alexander Dowling, all being well known in the business circles of Indiana and the neighboring states. There is probably no stronger firm, either in wealth and business talent and live and liberal energy and enterprise, engaged in manufacturing at any other locality in the West.
The capacity of the plant of the New Albany Rail Mill Company is so extensive as to be equal to any possible demand upon it from the trade of the country. In ma- chinery, equipment of every kind, requisite in a varied manufacturing establishment of this character, the New Albany Rail Mill Company's plant is complete. Its rolling mill department is capable of producing iron rails, through all their grades, in size from the smallest mine and tramway lines to the largest railroad iron; struct- ural iron of every description, of any desired pattern, requisite length and strength; cable road equipments in all their completeness, spikes and fishbars, sheet iron and sheet steel.
Added to these is a large foundry department, capable of heavy production and complete in the detail of its equipment. An extensive smithery is attached to meet any needed demands in forge work. The plant covers three entire blocks or squares, and the machinery occupying the buildings is all first class, of modern construction and of the latest and best invention and model.
With advantages like these, the New Albany Rail Mill Company is able to enter into the most active competition for business with similar establishments throughout the country. There is no competing establishment that possesses superiority over this company in any of the lines of the latter's production. The New Albany Rail Mill Company is a leader in the structural iron market; it is also a pioneer and a leader in the sheet iron and sheet steel, being the only establishment west of Pitts- burgh operating a sheet mill on a large scale and of perfect equipment. It is also a pioneer and leader in Indiana in small rails for mines, mills, tramways and street car lines.
Many of the cable roads in the cities of the West have been furnished throughout by the New Albany Rail Mill Company which was the first mill in the West to establish a specialty in the department of productive industry. This was in the early days of cable roads, while the works were under the presidency of the late Hon. W. C. DePauw, a man whose comprehensive business mind took in the importance of this, then new, method of passenger transportation for cities, and he had with him then as superintendent and general manager, Albert Trinler, who still occupies the same business relation to the company.
Mr Trinler has been with the company since its organization, and its first enter- prising efforts were put forth to build up at New Albany one of the greatest manu-
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factories in the State. The president of this company, Charles W. DePauw, lacks no element in business sagacity and live, energetic, liberal business push and foresight; and is, withal, a gentleman of thorough information in the iron trade. Mr. DePauw and Mr. Trinler are the active business men of these immense works, and that their management is wise, conservative and in sympathy with the trade is evidenced by the success that has placed the New Albany Rail Mill Company's mills in the front rank among the great industrial establishments of the West.
There is nothing lacking in the plant of this immense iron manufactory to make it complete in every detail. In furnaces, rolls, and other machinery it is perfectly equipped. In its power, obtained from several batteries of boilers and a number of the finest engines, there is never any lack, let the demand upon the several depart- ments be ever so heavy. There are separate batteries of boilers and separate engines for every department.
The New Albany Rail Mill Company finds a market for its products in all parts of the West and South. The company enters these fields without fear of opposing com- petition, because it possesses the faculties and the capital to successfully meet the most enterprising competitors. Asa result of a wise and enterprising policy the com- pany is not only popular with the trade in its several lines of production, but is stead- ily adding to its plant and its ability for a wider and broader field, even than it now occupies.
CHARLES HEGEWALD COMPANY. STATE TO W. FIRST, ON WATER ST.
The Chas. Hegewald Co. has a complete outfit of modern boiler making machinery; a well equipped machine shop, a large two cupola foundry, with combined capacity for 25 tons of casting daily, a well established brass foundry, and the company is fully prepared to handle any and all work in the boiler, sheet iron, engine and repair line. A leading feature of the trade handled by this concern, is the building of marine engines and boilers and other steamboat machinery, but all sizes of stationary engines and boilers, shaftings or other machinery or castings are produced toorder. Charles Hegewald, president and manager of the above company, is a native of Saxony, Germany, and learned the machinists trade in the fatherland. He came to America in 1853, and a few years later became a workman in a New Albany machine shop. During the war he was foreman of the American Foundry, now a part of the Rail Mill plant, and in 1873 became the senior partner in the firm of Chas. Hegewald & Co. While manager of this concern he made the machinery for the Water Works, a portion of the DePauw Glass Works machinery and assisted in fitting up several of the principal manufactories. He has equipped about 200 boats with machinery. In 1889, Mr. Hegewald withdrew from the old plant and fitted the extensive building of which he is the present manager. A stock company was incorporated Jan. 1, 1890, and named the Chas. Hegewald Co., with capital stock of $30,000. The average annual output is from $150,000 to $200,000, giving employ- ment to about 100 men. Eb. J. Hewitt, secretary of the company, served as book- keeper with Mr. Hegewald for a dozen years prior to becoming one of the incorpora- tors of this concern, thereby familiarizing himself with every detail of the work. The new company have met with a well merited local trade, and are sending large boilers, sheet iron and other machine work to distant towns in this and southern states.
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