USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Springfield > King's handbook of Springfield, Massachusetts : a series of monographs, historical and descriptive > Part 31
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KING'S HANDBOOK OF SPRINGFIELD.
2,200 tons of ice, which, with the stables, is in the rear of the main buildings. Six delivery teams are kept in constant use. Messrs. Christian Kalmbach and Theodore Geisel have a residence in the enclosure, and are both gentlemen of German birth, and thoroughly skilled in the art of brewing. In addition to the local sale of their beer, the firm have built up a good trade all through Hampden County, and at many points in the surrounding territory.
The R. H. Smith Manufacturing Company, although incorporated Dec. 2, 1883, is the legitimate outcome of some twenty years' effort in this line of work by R. H. Smith, whose name has become familiar to all dealers in rubber and metal stamps, rubber type, and rubber-stamp goods. Notwith- standing there are in the United States many concerns who style themselves "manufacturers " of this line of goods, there are in fact but few concerns who really manufacture the goods; and of these there is not one anywhere which manufactures on such a large scale, or which has such an extensive business, as the one now under consideration. Nor is there any which owns or controls so many patented specialties that are associated with this industry. The company was incorporated under the laws of Massachusetts, with its capital of thirty thousand dollars all paid in. The president is R. Hale Smith, the vice-president is Henry M. Smith, and the treasurer is Arthur C. Harvey, all of whom have been associated together for a number of years, and all of whom are thoroughly practical workmen in this line of business. The premises include a large part of the three-story brick build- ing on the north-east corner of Main and Worthington Streets, where the firm have been located ever since 1873. Twenty-five men are generally employed; and this establishment, aside from being the largest of its kind in the whole country, is the oldest in New England. The use of rubber stamps in hundreds of forms has become within a few years almost un- limited, and this is due to a great extent to the many improvements made in the same. Among the most important was the introduction, by them, of metal-bodied rubber type, changeable like ordinary type, so that with one stamp and a quantity of type an endless variety of hand-printing may be done. Probably the most important recent invention is "Smith's Patent Lever Self-inker," a self-inking stamp, using interchangeable metal-bodied rubber type, as well as dating and other solid dies. It is practically many stamps in one, and is a simple, ingenious, and well-constructed piece of mechanism. It is patented not only in the United States, but in several foreign countries ; and the foreign trade already built up by this firm for this stamp and their various lines of goods is evidence that Springfield wares are acceptable abroad as well as at home. Among the other noteworthy specialties of this firm may be briefly enumerated their " Bay State Seal
NATIONALE DE 1878
ITAUSSTELLUNG 1873 W
DESTERRI
G VON B
W
AT THE THE HIGHEST MEDAL AS SPECIAL AWARD OF MERIT
INTERN! WORLD'S FAIR VIENNA, 1873
VERDIENSTE. DEM
FRANZ
BARNEY & BERRY.
SKATES mmmmm
SKATES
REPUBLIQUE
C. S. JOY, LITH. SPRINGFIELD, MASS.
THE BARNEY & BERRY SKATE WORKS On Broad, Hanover & Elmwood Sts.
AMERICAN SKATE MANUFACTURER
ATTHE CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION,
PHILADELPHIA 76
CENTENNIAL
COMMISSION
CCLXXY
ADELPIHA
NATIONAL
NOIL
AWARDED BY
UNITED STATES
AWARDED TO
THE ONLY MEDAL
BARNEY
& BERRY
PARIS
PARIS.1878.
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KING'S HANDBOOK OF SPRINGFIELD.
Presses," of which tons are sold yearly, and which are used in thousands of public and corporation offices ; the " Monitor Check Protector," a machine which punches a series of small round holes through the paper so as to form figures indicating the amount of the check; the "Automaton Check Perforator," another machine, having the same object in view, but finer in construction, and more costly ; the "Hinged-cover Inking Cushions," a simple and serviceable inking pad for rubber hand-stamps; the "Steel Wheel Numbering Machine," for paging books or numbering checks, cer- tificates, etc. ; the " Automaton Self-inker,"- sometimes called the "Tom Thumb " stamp; "The Pencil Stamp," a neat little stamp made to fit on the end of a lead-pencil. Besides these specialties, a complete line of goods used by metal and rubber stamp dealers is kept. Here many of the rubber- stamp makers get their stamps, seal-presses, and other articles, into which they affix the rubber printing-dies. And although the firm has a long list of direct patrons among banks, insurance companies, and firms, its chief busi- ness is with dealers and stationers in all parts of the world; and it is this fact that entitles the firm to a notice among the noteworthy industries of this city.
Barney & Berry. - The manufacture of skates, carried on so extensively in the beautiful building of which a cut is shown, was commenced in 1864, in the building then known as Warner's Pistol Factory at Pecowsic, and removed to Mill River in 1866. In 1869 Mr. John Berry retired from the firm; and Mr. Barney continued there the firm name until 1872, when he moved the business to their own factory on Broad Street, where they em- ployed in a building two stories high, 30 by 100 feet, some thirty hands. The reputation of the Barney & Berry skate continued to grow, and became so world-wide in the next ten years, that they were forced to build the pres- ent building in 1882, where they are now located. This factory is 100 feet on Broad Street, 200 feet on Hanover Street, and 120 feet on Elmwood Street, and three stories high. The most skilled workmen are employed. The kinds of skates made are numerous, and have been awarded the highest medals for excellence where exhibited. In 1876, at Philadelphia, they re- ceived the only medal awarded; in 1873, the highest medal at Vienna; and in 1878, likewise at Paris. The firm's illustrated catalogue of 20 pages shows the great variety of styles, such as the ladies' club, clamp, and wood-top skates, gents' club and clamp, the American rink-skate, the side- walk roller-skate, extra parts, etc. Whatever the firm make, in form, quality, and ornamentation, has been thoroughly proven during the last twenty years to be of the highest artistic excellence. The New-York office is 114 Chambers Street ; Boston office, 125 and 127 Pearl Street; and Phila- delphia, at 514 Commerce Street.
358
KING'S HANDBOOK OF SPRINGFIELD.
Kibbe Brothers & Co., manufacturing confectioners, own and occupy the building at the corner of Main Street and Harrison Avenue. They rank among the oldest and most reliable business houses of the city. The house is the largest and most important of the sort in New England, outside of Boston, and was es- tablished in 1825. It was not, however, until 1843 that the Kibbes became identified with the busi- ness, when the firm be- came known as Simons, ICONFECTIONERY KIBBE BROTHERS & CO. Kibbe, & Co .; Horace Kibbe being associated with George A. Kibbe, his brother. The latter remained in the firm until his death in 1882; Kibbe Brothers & Co., Main Street and Harrison Avenue. while the former, to- gether with E. McElwin and S. D. Porter, make the present company. The factory covers an area of 70 x 110 feet in dimensions, four floors and a basement being used. The work-rooms are thoroughly equipped with all the latest apparatus and appli- ances known to the trade; and between sixty and seventy operatives, men and women, are kept constantly employed. Nine wagons are kept on the road during the entire year, distributing the company's products within a circuit of one hundred miles of Springfield. The quality of the goods. manufactured by this house is well known. At this factory all varieties of fine and fancy confectionery, stick-candy, and toys and holiday novel- ties, are made from pure goods and free from adulteration.
The Phillips Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of steam-heating apparatus for public and private buildings, and dealers in steam-and-gas- fitters' and plumbers' supplies, was incorporated in March, 1876, and is the successor of Phillips, Mowry, & Co. who, in turn succeeded Julius H. Appleton & Co. The president and treasurer of the present company is Henry M. Phillips, one of Springfield's most active and best-known citizens, who has represented the district in the Legislature, and is now the mayor of the city, having recently been elected a second time, director of the Second National Bank, of the Five Cents Savings Bank, etc. The secretary is G. Frank Adams, who has been connected with the company and its predeces- sors since 1866. Although executing a great amount of work within this immediate vicinity, the company is known throughout New England, and
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KING'S HANDBOOK OF SPRINGFIELD.
often successfully competes for contracts on public work elsewhere. A recent contract with the State of Connecticut included the heating, venti- lating, lighting, and plumbing of the new Normal School at New Britain ; and the work is pronounced as one of the most successful undertakings of its kind in the State. The company put the steam-heating apparatus into the State Lunatic Hospital at Worcester, where the five large boilers furnishing steam are placed several hundred feet from the buildings warmed, also into the Women's Reformatory Prison at South Framingham, and innumerable other public and private buildings in New England and New York. The premises occupied are on the south side of Worthington Street, in the four- story brick building Nos. 121 and 123. They include the first floor and basement, two lofty and light rooms, each 100 by 40 feet, supplied with steam-power, and well equipped with all the requisite tools and appliances for the finest or greatest quantity of work. About 25 workmen are em- ployed.
The E. Stebbins Manufacturing Company, brass founders and finishers, have their extensive manufactory at Brightwood, only a few rods south of the Wason Car Company's Works. The E. Stebbins Manufactory has long been recognized as one of the leading industries of the Connecti- cut Valley, and the work produced takes its place with the best fine brass castings and plumbers' supplies manufactured in America. This house was established by Erastus Stebbins, a pioneer in the trade, at Chicopee, Mass., in 1848. At that time the work was done in a small wooden shop, the chief articles manufactured being a patent molasses gate and faucet, of Mr. Stebbins's invention. These patents gave him the control of the market for the first named, and aided him in competing so successfully with the makers of other faucets that he was able to make his business hand- somely remunerative, and so very successful in every respect that his com- petition was seriously felt by older and larger establishments. As business increased, the shop at Chicopee became far too small for economical man- agement ; and, finding better facilities in this city for manufacturing, Mr. Stebbins removed his works here in 1861. His production was largely and rapidly added to, not the least of which was a general brass-foundery busi- ness. He accumulated a handsome fortune ; and in 1868 he sold out his entire interest, shop, fixtures, and patents to Messrs. Hayden, Gere, & Co. of Haydenville, Mass., and retired from business. In this year, 1868, the E. Stebbins Manufacturing Company was incorporated, with a capital stock of $50,000. But other changes in the management followed. In 1872 Messrs. F. B. Cook and W. A. Taylor of Hinsdale, Mass., bought out the business, and continued it until 1875, when the entire manufactory was destroyed by fire. The present works were erected in 1875. In 1878 H.
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KING'S HANDBOOK OF SPRINGFIELD.
M. Brewster, for many years connected with Messrs. Hayden, Gere, & Co., was made agent and manager, a position which he now admirably fills. The buildings consist of a four-story brick factory, 40 by 90 feet; and a one-story foundery building adjoining, covering an area of 50 by 100 feet. The works are thoroughly equipped with the latest improved machinery and tools, and a force of 100 skilled workmen are kept employed. The special- ties of the house are the Stebbins and Brightwood patent compression and ground key work, Broughton's patent self-closing work, the Springfield patent universal hose coupling, and diamond bronze.
C.L. MOORE
PHOTOGRAPHIC ROOMS.
435 - METCALF & LUTHER 435
GEARHS
Chauncey L. Moore, opposite Court Square, on Main Street.
Chauncey L. Moore has been a photographer in Springfield for twenty- eight years, and is now the longest-established photographer in Hampden County. His gallery at No. 441 Main Street, opposite Court Square, has been occupied by him for twenty consecutive years, and is familiar to all who ever have occasion to come to this city. Since he began here, Mr. Moore has photographed almost all the men, women, and children who have
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KING'S HANDBOOK OF SPRINGFIELD.
been noteworthily identified with this locality. Almost every Knight Templar, Mason, Odd Fellow, clergyman, public officer, and business man has sat for his picture in this gallery ; and to-day there are here nearly thirty thousand " negatives carefully put away, all registered and classified. Here, too, may be found the negatives of hundreds of buildings and views made during the score of years just passed. In making this Handbook, the publisher has had occasion to draw on this collection for much material which could not have been obtained anywhere else. But not only does the gallery possess a great abundance of material, but it exhibits a grade of work rarely found outside of the largest cities. A mere glance through the frames and cases will make evident that Mr. Moore has kept abreast of the times, and has promptly introduced the improvements in the art or profession to which he has devoted his whole lifetime. The work executed here comprises pho- tography in all its branches; portraits in ink, oil, water, or crayon; and enlarging or copying of every kind. The apartments are cosey and neat, and the attendants are invariably courteous ; and these facts, combined with the excellence of the work, have drawn to this gallery hundreds of patrons from New York, Boston, and elsewhere, who from various causes at times come to this city. An important branch of the establishment is the exquisite framing of portraits. The building occupied is gradually becoming one of the relics of the town, and will long be remembered by the present genera- tion of Springfield people.
The Chapman Valve Manufacturing Company have their works in Ward 8, Indian Orchard, on the line of the railroad owned by the Indian-Orchard Mills, running between the main line of the Boston and Albany and the Athol Railroads on Pine Street, facing Essex and Hampshire Streets. The present buildings consist of machine-shop, brass-finishing shop, pattern department, and blacksmith-shop on Pine Street, 285 feet long, and three stories high, all of brick, with power elevators, and all modern improve- ments. Opposite this is a large brick building for office, and storage for finished goods, connected with the finishing-shop by an iron bridge span- ning the railroad-track. In the rear of the finishing-shop, and forming a square, are the brass and iron founderies, and annex buildings. The brass- foundery is of brick, 50 by 75, built expressly for their special work. Their new iron-foundery, just completed, is of brick, 60 by 150, with monitor roof, 2 large Mackenzie furnaces, large core-ovens, cranes, and railroad-track running through the entire length. Joined to the iron-foundery, at right angles, is an annex building, 175 feet long, for engine and boiler rooms, cleaning and tumbling castings, storage of foundery supplies, etc. In the rear of the iron-foundery is a brick building, 1 50 feet long, for storage of coal, moulding-sand, etc. The company has also just completed a spur-track
.
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KING'S HANDBOOK OF SPRINGFIELD.
2,000 feet long, for the better handling of iron-foundery supplies. All of the above buildings are new, or nearly so, of brick, and have the most approved appliances for fire protection. Their power consists of three large boilers, and two 50-horse-power Corliss engines. Their present force is 160 men, divided among the several departments, under compe- tent mechanics as foremen, who, in turn, are under a skilful mechanic as superintendent.
The various goods manufactured by this company are valves and gates, for steam, water, gas, oil, ammonia, etc., and a large variety of fire-hydrants. Their goods are too widely known to need any description here, or any indorsement as to character. They are to be found in use all over the country, and in parts of Europe. The capacity of the works has been taxed to its utmost for the past 5 years in filling their orders. Their ma- chinery, tools, patterns, and every thing pertaining to their equipment, are of the best order and most approved design, and the results of large out- lays of money, and careful and skilful management.
The Chapman Valve Manufacturing Company was incorporated in 1874, with a capital of $60,000, afterward increased to $100,000, its present capi- tal. The first building was completed in 1874, and all the others have been built within the past four years. The directors are Samuel R. Payson, Percival L. Everett, Harvey D. Parker, and H. S. Hovey (all of Boston), Joseph W. Smith of Andover, C. J. Goodwin of Indian Orchard, and James D. Safford of Springfield. The president is Samuel R. Payson, the treas- urer is Percival L. Everett, and the general manager Jason Giles. The general office and works are at Indian Orchard in Springfield; and the treasurer's office is at 72 Kilby Street in Boston.
The Hampden Watch Company was incorporated in June, 1877; since which time it has probably done more to popularize the American watch, and put it into universal favor, than any other similar concern in the country. This has been accomplished by the high standard they have continuously maintained in all points of fine and accurate finish of their goods, and the wonderful time-keeping qualities which their methods of construction and arrangements of the working-parts peculiar to these watches have developed. The company is strictly a home enterprise ; the stock being controlled by Springfield capitalists, and the officers among the most prominent of her successful business men. The plant is located on Armory Hill, covering several acres. The four large buildings are complete in every respect. The main structure is of brick, three stories in height, with a basement. It is finished entirely with hard woods, sheathed with ash, cherry trimmings, and floors of maple, while the work-rooms are supplied with cherry work- benches 2 inches thick. The windows are large, giving ample light to the
THE HAMPDEN WATCH COMPANY'S MANUFACTORY AND OFFICES.
On Tyler and Orleans Streets.
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KING'S HANDBOOK OF SPRINGFIELD.
manufactory. The dimensions of the building are 30 by 120 feet; and to this a fifth is to be added of the same size and architecture, with a tower between the two, 60 by 60 feet, and four stories high. The special and automatic machinery used in the factory was made from their own designs ; while the whole is operated by an engine of 85 to 100 horse-power, and two boilers of about 100 horse-power. It is expected, that, when the additional buildings are completed, the number of operatives will be very largely in- creased. The factory has fourteen separate departments, and here all parts of the watches are made. Beginning with the peculiar tools required in the manufacture of the most delicate parts, and finishing with the adjustment to heat, cold, and positions, none of the work leaves the factories until com- pleted. Each watch is kept in the adjusting-room until perfectly finished for an accurate time-keeper. One of the proofs that this company is enter- prising and prosperous in the highest degree is shown by the fact that there is probably no manufacturing establishment in Springfield or vicinity where help earn larger wages than they do here. This manufactory, like many of those mentioned in this chapter, derives its trade almost wholly from firms outside of the limits of this city; and it has become a recognized competitor in every city of any importance throughout this country, and in fact in many other countries. The "Springfield watches " have been success- fully brought before the American people, as well worthy of their general patronage. The president and treasurer of the Hampden Watch Company is Charles D. Rood ; and the directors are James Abbe, James D. Brewer, H. J. Cain, N. F. Leonard, and Charles D. Rood. The directors are well known as business men of the highest character, and the president has gained the esteem and confidence of the jewellers of the country.
The Cheney Bigelow Wire Works, on Taylor Street, may be classed among the most successful and growing manufactories of the city. The business was founded in 1842 by Cheney Bigelow, the present company having been organized in 1874; since which time they have so rapidly grown that the establishment has several times been enlarged, until they now occupy two floors, 80 x 100 feet, of the building owned by the Wason Manufacturing Co. They make a specialty of wire goods for banks, count- ing-rooms, and public buildings, and also wire railings and fencings. The productions of the works also embrace all kinds of brass and iron wire cloths, also foundery riddles, and coal and sand screens. The "Dandy Rolls," for producing water-marks in the manufacture of paper, are also made by this company. So well and favorably known are the products of this house, that not only do they largely supply the United States, but Canada and the foreign markets. The management of the business is in the hands of W. D. Stevens, who is the treasurer of the company.
WIRE CLOTH.
AAO
CHENEY BIGELOW WIRE WORKS.
OFFICE OF WIRE WORKS.
BOLLES.MERRITT
SAYLORNEAR MANS STROM DEEG1
THE CHENEY BIGELOW WIRE WORKS.
Taylor Street.
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KING'S HANDBOOK OF SPRINGFIELD.
The Bullard Repeating-Arms Company is one of the new industries ; but as it has started on a noteworthy scale, under favorable auspices, supe- rior management, with large capital and unsurpassed facilities, it will proba- bly not be long before it will be recognized everywhere as one of the many great manufacturing establishments of Springfield. It starts with a capital of five hundred thousand dollars, and with George H. Ball of Worcester as president, and Horace H. Bigelow of Worcester as treasurer. The man- ager, James H. Bullard, is the inventor of the Bullard rifles. His love for this work seems to be innate, as may be gleaned from the fact, that, at the age of twelve years, he very quickly traded for a rifle, a watch which had been given him. From that time he has been keenly interested in fire-arms of all kinds, although at times engaged on other mechanical work. For five years he was making pistols for Smith & Wesson, and while there obtained several patents now held by that firm. For three years past he has been perfecting the Bullard rifles, which have been at once recognized as superior to all others of their class, - carrying heavier cartridges, shooting more rapidly, being safer to operate, easier to handle, and simpler to load. The materials are all of the finest quality. The workmanship is as perfect as possible. The Bullard rifles are of fourteen different calibres, gotten up in about one hundred different styles. Their force and strength have never been equalled in any other. A bullet from the Bullard rifle, using the regular U. S. cartridge (45 calibre, 70 gr. powder), has, at a distance of 3,000 yards from muzzle of gun, penetrated a three-inch spruce plank and eight inches of sand. The larger rifle carries twelve loads. The manufacturing estab- lishment is worthy of special mention. The buildings are unusually well constructed, and compare favorably with any manufacturing establishment in this country. They were built all of brick, from the plans of Mr. Bullard, who had in mind every demand of the business. They are substantial and attractive. The windows have been arranged so as to furnish the utmost amount of light. The main building is three stories high, 165 feet long, and 40 feet wide. The equipment of the finest of metal and wood-working machinery is ingeniously arranged; and it is worth the time and trouble of any resident or visitor to go through the establishment. There is good working room for 200 men, and about 50 guns a day can be made. The engine and boiler house seems to be a model in its way, and contains the Hawkins boilers and a Hartford engine of 150 horse-power. The situation is most delightful ; being at the head of State Street, at the crossing of the New-York and New-England Railroad. The company's property includes two acres, and provision has been made for future enlargement.
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