USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > Gazetteer of Berkshire County, Mass., 1725-1885 > Part 36
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S. M. Cooley's carriage manufactory, located on Mckay street, was origi- nally established here by George Van Valkenburgh, in 1867, and came into Mr. Cooley's possession in 1879. The factory gives employment to twenty men, under the management of Arthur N., son of S. M. Cooley.
H. S. Russell's boiler works, located on Mckay street, are the only works of the kind in the county. He has been sole proprietor since 1874, and gives employment to ten men in the manufacture of boilers and in general plate- iron work.
The Pittsfield Tack Company was incorported in 1875, with J. D. Peck, pres- ident, and George N. Dutton, secretary and treasurer, each of whom retains his position. The company first located in the Kellogg Steam Power Co.'s building, where they remained until January 1, 1884, when they removed to their present location in the building of the Terry Clock Company. They give employment to twenty-five hands in the manufacture of all kinds of tacks and small nails. This, also, is the only manufactory of the kind in the county.
George Van Valkenburgh, who was in the business of manufacturing car-
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riages, on Mckay street, as stated above, is now located on Liberty street, where he has been since 1880. He gives employment to ten men.
Lyman C. Learned's carriage, wagon and sleigh manufactory, located on Clapp's avenue, was established in 1808, by Jason Clapp, who carried on the most extensive business of that kind in Western Massachusetts. Mr. Lear- ned commenced business here August 11, 1884.
W. C. Stevenson Manufacturing Company, located on Clapp avenue, is engaged in the manufacture of all kinds of weaving shuttles and reeds. The business was originally commenced by W. C. Stevenson in 1880, though the present firm was not organized till May 1884.
George T. Clark, located on West street, began the business of silver plating and all kinds of electro plating in 1877, and now employs, on an average, about ten men.
The Berkshire Overall Company, located on West street, was incorporated in 1881. They employ about twenty hands and manufacture 4,000 dozen cotton pants and overalls per annum.
The Sprague Brimmer Manufacturing Company, located on Railroad street, was organized in February, 1880, employing about fifteen hands in the man- ufacture of shirts. The firm now employs 200 hands and turns out 400 dozen shirts per week.
Owen Coogan & Son's tannery, located on Elm street, at the crossing of the east branch of the Housatonic, was established previous to 1790. It was at that time in the hands of James Brown, who, with his younger brother, Simeon, conducted the business over sixty years. Owen Coogan purchased the property of Benjamin Dean, January 1, 1850, and has conducted the business since that time. He has entirely rebuilt the tannery buildings dur- ing this time, however, and increased the business about five-fold. The aver- age number of men employed is about thirty, and they have the capacity for tanning about 15,000 hides annually, using about 12,000 tons of bark, a business aggregating $125,000 to $150,000.00. The present firm was formed April 1, 1882, by the admission of William J. and Clement F. Coogan, sons of Owen
Robbins & Kellogg's shoe manufactory, located on Fourth street, was established by the present proprietors in 1870. They occupy a four-story building, 180x36 feet, fitted with all modern appliances and operated by a thirty horse power engine. They give employment to 400 hands and manu- facture 40,000 pairs of shoes per month.
Henry, Blain & Co .- In 1850, Dexter Winslow and Lorenzo Henry estab- lished, under the firm name of Winslow & Henry, the manufacture of tinware and the business of wholesaling peddlers' supplies. In 1858, Harvey Henry purchased Mr. Winslow's interest, and until 1865 the firm name was L. & H. Henry. During that year Harvey Henry and Homer J. Grant became owners, and subsequently Mr. Grant died, Mr. Henry con- tinuing the business until 1873, when Louis Blain became a partner. This
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firm continued until 1882, when Mr. Henry's eldest son, Cyrus C., was admitted to partnership, forming the present firm of Henry, Blain & Co. They manufacture tin, sheet-iron and copper-ware, and carry on a wholesale and retail business in wooden, glass and tinware and Yankee notions, employing fourteen hands, and have sixteen peddlers on the road. They do an aggregate business of from $75,000.00 to $100,000.00 per annum.
May & Chapel's machine shop, located at the corner of Fenn and Sec- ond streets, was built by them in 1870, they having purchased the business of E. Sedgwick on North street, removing it into the new building. They employ from ten to twelve men, doing mill-work and general repairing and jobbing.
Mr. VanSickler's cotton factory, located on Water street, was built by Mc- Kay & Fenn, in 1845, and was enlarged and owned by Hon. Thomas F. Plunkett. In 1849 the firm was changed to Plunkett, Clapp & Co., by the admission of Jason Clapp and Martin Van Sickler. In 1864 Plunkett & Clapp sold their interest to Mr. Van Sickler and A. R. Learned, and in 1867 Mr. Van Sickler became sole owner. The main building of the factory is a brick structure 120x40 feet, three stories in height, and is surrounded by suitable outbuildings. Mr. Van Sickler employs ninety hands and man- ufactures 30,000 yards of sheeting per week.
Farnham & Lathers's woolen-mill, located corner Burbank and Spring streets, is a three-set mill, 48x100 feet, three stories in height, built by George Burbank. It was purchased by the present firm in September, 1881. They manufacture heavy-weight evercoatings, employing seventy-five hands, with capacity for turning out 1,200 yards per week.
W. H. Teeling & Co's cracker bakery, located on Northrup street, gives employment to ten men, with capacity for making one hundred barrels per day. Mr. Teeling began business in Pittsfield in 1852, and last year built the building he now occupies, a four story structure, 45x57 feet.
J. White & Co.'s green houses, located on West street, rear of Burbank House, were established by Meillez & Co., florists, of Springfield, in 1875, and were purchased by the present firm in 1895. They have half an acre of land under glass.
M. A. Pennock's paper box factory, located in the Central block, was established here in July, 1882, a branch of the factory at Cohoes, N. Y. They employ fifteen hands.
A. T. Clair's wagon shop, on Liberty street, gives employment to six men in the manufacture of wagons, carriages and sleighs.
W. H. Johnson & Son's bottling works, located on Liberty street, give employment to seven men during the season, in the manufacture of birch beer, soda, sarsaparilla, and ginger ale, and in bottling lager, porter and ale.
Rice Brothers' bottling works, located on West street, give employment to seven men, in the same business as the above firm.
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TOWN OF PITTSFIELD.
Elias Werden, located on First street, commenced the manufacture of sash, doors, blinds, step-ladders, etc., in 1868. He conducted that business about two years, when he commenced the manufacture of picture frames, fancy stands, hat racks, camp chairs, etc., giving employment to twelve men.
C. H. & W. A. Booth commenced a lumber business on Fenn street, in 1859, continuing there until 1865, when they removed to First street, where they continued until May 1, 1883, when W. A. Booth retired, since which time C. H. Booth has conducted the business alone. He employes fifteen hands in the manufacture of sash, doors, blinds and wood-work of all kinds, using about 1,000,000 feet of lumber per year.
Gimlich & White's brewery, located on Railroad and Onota streets, is the largest in Western Massachusetts. In 1877 the business was started in a small way, with capacity for brewing 500 barrels per year. The business has since steadily increased, so that in 1880 they built the present large five-story brick building, 40x80 feet, which is surrounded by the necessary buildings for ice, storage, etc., having the capacity for brewing 16,000 barrels per year, giving employment to sixteen men. Mr. Gimlich represented this district in the legislature in 1883-84.
Fuller & Maslen, located on North street, are engaged in the manufacture of all kinds of marble and granite work, giving employment to eight men- The firm at the beginning, in 1855, was Mead & Fuller. The present firm makes a specialty of Quincy granite.
G. Van Bergan's soap works, located on River street, were established by him in 1879. He makes five barrels of soft, and 1,000 pounds of hard soap per day.
Edwin Davis's tripe and neat's-foot oil manufactory, located on road 34, was established in 1870. He manufactures about 200 pounds of tripe and five gallons of neat's-foot oil per week.
George A. Parker's cider-mill, located on road 34, was built by Mr. Parker in 1874. It has the capacity for making thirty barrels of cider per day.
Mullany Brother's marble works, located on North street, give employ- ment to several men in the manufacture of monuments, headstones, stone coping, building trimmings, etc.
The Willey Robinson Mfg. Co., located on North street, was established by B. F. Willey, in 1881. They give employment to twenty-five hands in the manufacture of custom and sale shirts, and in operating the Franklin steam laundry.
Jabez L. Peck's cotton and woolen-mills are located on road 13. The cotton- mill, built in 1847, has 6,000 spindles, and employs 125 hands in the manu- facture of fancy and colored cotton yarns. The woolen-mill was built in 1864. It has seven sets of cards, eighty looms, and gives employment to ninety hands in the manufacture of white and colored flannels.
W. W. Whiting's envelope and stationery paper manufactory, located at the corner of Market and Mckay streets, was established by Mr. Whiting in
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1882. He employs twenty-five hands. They put a superior quality of paper in very attractive forms, and are doing a constantly increasing business.
The Terry Clock Company .- In 1793 Eli Terry began the manufacture of wooden clocks, at Plymouth, Conn. Since that time the business of clock- making has been continued by him and his descendants. In July, 1880, the company removed to Pittsfield, from Waterbury, Conn., and was re-organ- ized under the laws of Massachusetts, with E. D. G. Jones, president ; H. S. Russell, clerk and treasurer ; C. E. Terry, superintendent and general man- ager ; and S. G. Terry, selling agent. The works are located on South Church street, consisting of a three-story building of brick, 154x40 feet, and a two-story case shop 130x30 feet. They employ 120 hands, turning out about 350 clocks, of nearly 150 different styles, per day.
Berkshire Blacking Company was started in April, 1883, to manufacture and sell, under royalties, the different blackings manufactured and controlled by the Nubian Manufacturing Company, of London, Eng., being the sole proprietary agent for the United States and Mexico. The chief article brought out in this country, up to date, is their well-known Nubian Waterproof Blacking, the merits of which need no comment, as it has always proved itself reliable and satisfactory. The company's business has been constantly increasing, and their agents are traveling through all of the large towns and cities throughout the East and West. The firm is composed of William P. and C. D. Learned.
Z. A. Ward's furniture manufactory, located on Depot street, was estab- lished by him in 1874. About this time a book published by Charles East- lake revolutionized the furniture manufacture, and Mr. Ward immediately came to the front and has remained there in the adoption of all modern in- ventions for the promotion of beauty, style or utility. From a very small be- ginning he built up the business until he now employs twenty men and occu- pies 10,000 feet of floor-room.
Col. H. H. Richardson, contractor and builder, established himself in busi- ness in Pittsfield in 1865. He employs about thirty men in the erection and finishing of all classes of wooden buildings.
J. K. Strong established himself in business here in 1857, as a contractor and builder. Among the buildings he has erected are the Carson & Brown Co.'s paper-mill, at Dalton, the J. L. Peck mill, S. N. & C. Russell's mill, and the "Government " paper-mill, also many large blocks in Pittsfield. He employs about thirty men.
F. W. Couch's steam saw-mill, located on Elm street, was built by Jacob Stewart, about 1867, and has been operated by Mr. Couch since 1870. He employs three men and cuts about 300,000 feet of lumber per year.
T. R. Glentz, located on the corner of Liberty and Depot streets, gives employment to about twelve men in the manufacture of brackets, mantles, doors, etc., and stair-building.
D. C. Bedell, contractor and builder, commenced business here in 1870.
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Since then he has built many fine residences, blocks, churches, etc., among which may be mentioned the Central block, the Episcopal church at Lee, and the Baptist church at Bennington, Vt. He employs from fifteen to twenty men.
Hiram Proper, contractor and builder, established himself in business here in 1870. He employes about eight men.
The Humphrey Granite Quarry .- About 1830, Constant Luce built a lime kiln about two miles south of Pittsfield, on road 57, where Charles Bishop had opened a quarry a few years previous. In 1840, he took into partnership with him his son-in-law, Isaac Humphrey, conducting the business until his death, in 1855. Mr. Humphrey then conducted the business alone until his death, in 1857, when his son, Edwin L., succeeded to the business. In 1876, the limestone became exhausted, since which time he has been engaged in quarrying granite, of a quality quite valuable for building purposes, the pro- duct brings about $4,000,000 worth per year.
Dewitt C. Munyan, contractor and builder .- A. B. &. D. C. Munyan formed a partnership as contractors and builders in 1850, a partnership ending only with the death of A. B. Munyan, in 1878. During that time they built many fine residences and public and private buildings in Berkshire county, among which may be mentioned the old Medical college, the court-house, jail, the Berkshire Life Insurance Building, the Athenaeum, etc., etc. Mr. Munyan is now building the Fenn street school-house, under contract for $40,000.00. Though he is not conducting as heavy a busines as formerly, he employs about twenty men.
The Berkshire Life Insurance Company ranks among the first of this char- acter of institutions in the country for soundness, economy of management, and upright and liberal dealing with claimants and policy-holders and in all that is creditable, reliable and popular. It was incorporated in 1851, and since 1861 has not enforced a forfeiture of its policies in cases when from any reason members have failed to pay premiums when due. Under the present perfected system, in all such cases when premiums have been paid for two years, and are then discontinued, without any action on the part of the policy-holder, the policy is reduced to a proportionate part, and is con- tinued for this part, and is paid at maturity in accordance with its terms and conditions. The action of the company is in strict compliance with the laws of the commonwealth, and policy-holders receive a protection greater in degree than the laws of any other State secure them. The growth of the company has been a healthy one ; it is careful in the selection of its risks, favorable above many other companies in its rates, prompt in adjusting claims, and it merits the confidence and patronage of the people. Their fine build- ing, located on the corner of North and West streets, is alike the pride and boast of the town. It is built of Nova Scota sandstone, and was erected in 1867-'68. The present officers of the company are William R. Plunkett, president ; James M. Baker, vice-president ; and James W. Hull, secretary and treasurer.
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The Berkshire Mutual Fire Insurance Company is one of the oldest incor- porated institutions in the county, and is among the oldest fire insurance companies in the State. It was established in 1835, after having first secured the $50,000.00 advance insurance required by its charter, with Nathan Willis, Edward A. Newton and Ezekiel R. Colt as associate incorporators, and chose its first board of seven directors on the 28th of May. On the 30th the di- rectors elected Nathan Willis, president, and Parker L. Hall, secretary. With such men as incorporators-the fathers of the town-it is not surprising that the company has stood all the shocks of business and is to-day among the staunchest of home companies. It confines its business to the four western counties entirely, has assets amounting to $181,000.00, of which $53,000.00 is cash accumulation. The present officers are J. L. Peck, president, and J. M. Stevenson, secretary.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
As we have stated on a previous page, no permanent settlement was effected until 1752. Though there were many attempts made, the conflicting claims to sound land-titles, and the unsettled condition of the country attend- ant on the French and Indian wars, thwarted all efforts. But just prior to the year mentioned efforts were again made, and were attended with success.
When the township was plotted by Capt. Huston, in 1738, two roads, each seven rods wide, were laid out, intersecting each other near the center of the township. One of these, now East and West streets, ran from boundary to boundary ; the other, in that part of its course which is now North street, ex- tended two hundred rods above the crossing, and on the old direct line of South street, four hundred and six rods below it. A third road, four rods in width, was laid out parallel with the first, and two hundred and two rods south of it. East of its intersection with South, is now Honasada street, and upon Honasada street (road 36) was commenced the first per- manent settlement in Pontoosuc, or Pittsfield.
During the summer of 1752, the year accounted as the birthplace of the town, Solomon and Sarah Deming, from Wethersfield, came on to make the first settlement, one horse serving for both, Sarah riding on a pillion behind her husband. She was then a brave young good-wife of twenty-six years, the first white woman to call the beautiful hills of Pittsfield, home. Mr. Dem- ing's farm was on the north side of Honasada street, in the eastern outskirts of the township, now the farm of Moses G. Tracy. Here they lived in a log cabin, which stood near where the bee-house of Mr. Tracy now stands, and the old well they built soon after is still in use. Subsequently Mr. Dem- ing built a framed house, the first erected in the town, a story and a half building 38x15 feet, and which is now standing. Mr. Deming died here at an advanced age, Mrs. Deming surviving him until 1818. The farm passed into the hands of Robert Stanton, who built the large house for an hotel, and removed the old one to serve as an " L" thereto. Stanton in turn sold the farm to High-sheriff Brown, who rented it to Marlborough Wells, who with
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eight children had come from Preston, Conn., in 1822, and for two years had occupied the Sackett place opposite. Here he kept the " M. Wells Inn " for six years, and the farm was long known as the " Wells place." Finally, how- ever, it has come into the hands of the Tracy family.
The room which Mrs. Deming occupied during her later years, and in which she breathed her last, is about 20x18 feet in size, occupying the north- east corner of the ground floor of the new building. Here is the little fire- place that afforded her light and warmth, and swinging within it the crane whereon she did her cooking, while to the left is the tall cupboard which served as her larder. The unpretentious furniture which served Mrs. Dem- ing in her frugal home was considered of no value at the time of her death ; but the remanant which now remains in the museum of the Athenaeum could not be purchased at any price. The remains of this good " mother of Pitts- field," are resting in the little burial place near by, and over the grave the citizens of the town have erected a neat marble obelisk to her memory, which bears the following legends :-
[South side.] THIS MONUMENT IS ERECTED BY THE TOWN OF PITTSFIELD TO COMMEMORATE THE HEROISM AND VIRTUES OF ITS FIRST FEMALE SETTLER, AND THE MOTHER OF THE FIRST WHITE CHILD BORN WITHIN ITS LIMITS.
[North side.] SURROUNDED BY TRIBES OF HOSTILE INDIANS, SHE DEFENDED, IN MORE THAN ONE INSTANCE, UNAIDED, THE LIVES AND PROPERTY OF HER FAMILY, AND WAS DISTIGUISHED FOR THE COURAGE AND FORTITUDE WITH WHICH SHE BORE THE DANGERS AND PRIVATIONS OF A PIONEER LIFE. SARAH DEMING, BORN AT WETHERSFIELD, CONN., FEBRUARY, 1726, DIED AT PITTSFIELD, MARCH, 1818, AGED 92. [East side.] A MOTHER OF THE REVOLUTION AND A
[ West side. ]
MOTHER IN ISRAEL. SARAH DEMING, BORN AT WETHERSFIELD, CONN., FEBRUARY, 1726, DIED AT PITTSFIELD, MARCH, 1818, AGED 92.
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Nathaniel Fairfield came into the town next, locating where the two branches of the Housatonic unite, just south of the village. He had first visited the town in 1748, and had made some improvements on his farm, and now, in the summer of 1752, he was bringing his new wife to their new home, the journey serving as their wedding tour. The young couple were accompanied by a yoke of oxen and a dray bearing their household goods ; and, pursuing their way by the aid of marked trees, they reached the house of Solomon Deming on the third evening, and there passed the night. During the same summer, also, Zebediah Stiles found companionship in a like hum- ble home, at what is now the corner of West and Onota streets. Then, also, came Charles Goodrich, " driving the first cart and team which ever entered the town, and cutting his way through the woods for a number of miles," It is related by tradition that he "reached the last of the Hoosac summits which he had to pass, just at nightfall ; and fearful of missing the path if he attempted to proceed in the dusk, tied his horses to a tree, and kept guard over them all night against wild beasts, walking around to prevent himself from falling asleep, and munching an apple, his sole remaining ration, for supper."
During this year, also, there came into the town Abner and Isaac Dewey, Jacob Ensign, Hezekiah Jones, Samuel Taylor, Elias Willard, and Dea. Josiah Wright ; and in 1753 they were followed by Stephen and Simeon Crofoot, David Bush and Col. William Williams. In 1754 Eli Root, Ephraim Stiles, William Wright, and some others; but the French and Indian war again broke up the settlement, the settlers flying to Stockbridge for security, in company with the Lenox settlers, as is detailed in the sketch of the town of Lenox.
For four years after this the settlement made but slow and difficult progress, though most of those who had joined the hegira returned, probably, within two years. Three small forts were erected for the protection of the inhabitants. One, Fort Anson, was built in 1754, by Col. William Williams, upon the commanding eminence on the southwest shore of Lake Onota. Another, called Fort Goodrich, though in reality nothing but a block-house, was erected in 1756, by Charles Goodrich, about two miles south of Fort Anson. Goodrich was appointed commander of this, with the rank of ser- geant. The last one was built in 1757, and stood between Honasada street and the river, near the bridge, upon the land of Nathaniel Fairfield, from whom it took the name of Fort Fairfield. In 1758, there were about twenty log cabins in the town, and a meeting of the proprietors in September is recorded. Between this date and 1764, the following became settlers: Sam- uel Birchard, Daniel Hubbard, Daniel and Jesse Sackett, Jonathan Taylor, David and Oliver Ashley, William Francis, Gideon Gunn, Joshua Robbins, Ezekiel Root, Gideon Goodrich, James Lord, Charles Miller, Thomas Mor- gan, Daniel and David Noble, William Phelps, John Remington, Phinehas Belden, Solomon Crosby, Israel Dickinson, Elisha Jones, John Morse, David
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Roberts, Aaron Stiles, Israel Goddard, John and Caleb Wadham, Aaron and Phinehas Baker, William Brattle, Col. James Easton, Benjamin and Josiah Goodrich, Moses Miller, Joseph Phelps, Amos Root, John Williams, Rev. Thomas Allen, James D. Colt, Ezra and King Strong, Dr. Colton, Rufus Allen, John Strong, and some others, who were followed soon after by Joseph Allen, David Bagg, Lieut. Moses Graves, Woodbridge Little, Col. Oliver Root, Ebenezer White, and others. In 1791, when the first United States census was taken, the town had 1,992 inhabitants.
At the first meeting of the proprietors (as proprietors) a part of their busi- ness was "to choose some person or persons to make exchange of a part of the school lot for some part of Dea. Stephen Crofoot's lot, so as to accom- modate his mills, and to see what the proprietors would give Dea. Crofoot for setting up the mills." It appears that the water privilege which Dea. Cro- foot wished to occupy was within the limits of the school lot. This move- ment was in 1753, but the building of the mill was delayed some years, though eventually the town granted Dea. Crofoot the use of the privilege for several years, and he built the mill and gave bonds to keep it in repair for the benefit of the inhabitants. A fulling-mill was put up by Jacob Ensign, in connection with the same establishment. Crofoot's lease expired in 1778, when the town sold the mill-privilege to Ebenezer White. It remained in his hands, and in those of his son, until 1842, when it was purchased by Thomas F. Plunkett.
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