USA > Michigan > Calhoun County > History of Calhoun county, Michigan : a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests, Volume I > Part 52
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The bank is located very prominently on the corner of Superior and Erie streets which is a popular factor with its depositors. and is known as the "Bank on the Corner." Among its officers and directors are found some of the most capable and solid business men of the commun- ity. The bank at all times has adopted a broad and liberal policy, assist- ing and encouraging all movements for the betterment of Albion. It is progressive and prosperous. Its clientage is friendly and loyal.
John G. Brown, the first president of the Commercial and Savings
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Bank, ocupied that position from the date of its organization until the time of his death, October 25, 1909, with the exception of two years. During this period, Mr. Fred F. Hoaglin served very efficiently as the head of the institution. Mr. Brown was born June 7, 1850, and died October 25, 1909, death being due to two attacks of apoplexy. A native of New York state, Mr. Brown came to Michigan with his parents when he was five years of age. Until he was about fifteen years of age, he resided in Battle Creek and then came to Albion. While in Battle Creek, John Brown attended Olivet college for a short time and after coming to Albion, he graduated from Albion college, with the class of '71. Two years later he graduated from the pharmaceutical chemistry course at the University of Michigan. He then engaged in the drug business in this city. April 3, 1879, he was united in marriage to Miss Ida R. Fair- banks, at Litchfield. To this union one son, Benjamin, was given, and he and his mother survive.
Mr. Brown was interested in the Albion Malleable Iron Company and was one of its directors. He was a member of Murat Lodge No. 14, F. and A. M., Albion Chapter No. 32, R. A. M., and Albion Council No. 57, R. and S. M. Mr. Brown always took a lead in anything for the betterment of Albion, and was especially interested in the city schools and for many years served as treasurer of the school board. He was a keen business man and a good friend.
Upon the death of Mr. John G. Brown, Dr. F. E. Palmer was elected as chief executive of the bank, holding this position until May 9, 1912, the time of his death.
Frank E. Palmer was born in Rochester township, Lorain county, Ohio, August 7, 1847, and was therefore nearly sixty-five years of age, at the time of his death. Ilis parents were Gile E. and Phoebe Maria (Noble) Palmer, who had come to Ohio from New York state. The an- cestry dates back to Sir Walter Palmer, who came to America in 1620 and located at Stonington, Connecticut. The Noble family was also one of the earliest in this country.
Dr. Palmer pursued his early education in the public schools of his native county, but before he had completed his studies, March 19, 1865, he enlisted in the Union army as a member of Company I, 197th Ohio Infantry. He was discharged, by reason of the general order, August 7, 1865, after which he became a student at Oberlin college, Oberlin, Ohio. He subsequently engaged in teaching, for a short time, but, hav- ing decided that he wished to make his life work that of the practice of medicine, he entered upon preparation for the calling as a student in the office and under the direction of Dr. E. R. Sage, of Prairie Depot, Ohio. He became a student in the Eclectic Medical College, of Cincin- nati. He next entered the Homeopathic Hospital College, of Cleve- land, from which he graduated, in 1876, receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine.
He first located for practice at Republic, Ohio, where, in 1882, he was united in marriage to Miss F. Elizabeth Hamilton, who had studied medicine in the same school from which her husband graduated. Soon after their marriage they removed to this city, where both enjoyed a large
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HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
patronage among the people of this community. Mrs. Palmer passed away July 27, 1899.
After the death of Mrs. Palmer, Dr. Palmer retired from active practice and directed his energies along other lines of business activity. For a number of years he was president of the Albion Buggy Company, and director of the Malleable Iron Company, and the Commercial and Savings Bank. He was vice-president of the latter organization for many years. He was a member of Murat Lodge, No. 14, F. and A. M., Albion Chapter, R. A. M., Albion Council R. and S. M., and Marshall Com- mandry No. 19, Knights Templar. He was likewise a member of Moslem Temple of the Mystie Shrine, at Detroit. Because of his services in the Civil war, he was a member of E. W. Hollingsworth Post, G. A. R., and had represented the local post at the state encampment. IIe had also been commander of the Albion Post.
In politics he had held the highest position the city could accord him, that of mayor, which he held from May, 1903 to May, 1904. Prior to that he had served very efficiently on the common council of the city.
In the passing of Dr. Palmer, one of Albion's most prominent and highly respected citizens was taken from the community. Most prominent in every line of endeavor relating to the advancement of Albion's in- terests as a city and as a community, ex-mayor of the city, president of the Commercial and Savings Bank, a practicing physician here for many years and taking a prominent part in the lines of public service.
Following the death of Dr. Frank E. Palmer, the directors elected Homer C. Blair as president of "The Bank on the Corner." Previous to his election, Mr. Blair had acted as vice-president and for several years had been a director of the bank. Mr. Blair's long and successful ac- tivity in Albion business affairs makes him exceedingly well qualified to head the concern.
Mr. Blair but recently retired from the drug business, in which he had been engaged for over eighteen years, for fifteen of which he owned and operated his own store, and during that time he made a countless number of friends. The placing of Mr. Blair in the office occupied so capahly by the late Dr. Palmer, means a continuation for the Commer- cial Bank of the prestige enjoyed by it in the past.
At the same meeting Dr. W. C. Marsh was elected to succeed Mr. Blair as vice-president. Dr. Marsh is one of the city's most prominent physicians. He without a doubt will fill the place recently occupied by Mr. Blair most acceptably.
THE GALE MANUFACTURING COMPANY
By L. E. White
In 1844, Mr. O. C. Gale, at the age of twenty (20) years, bought a shop at Moscow, Michigan, and started what finally became the Gale Manufacturing Company. Associated with him at the time was his father, George Gale. They ran this shop four (4) years, Mr. Geo. Gale, the father, then went to California. Mr. O. C. Gale continued alone for five (5) years and then sold out.
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HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
In 1853, which is the date generally taken as the establishment of the Gale Manufacturing Company, Mr. O. C. Gale went to Jonesville, Michigan, bought a small shop and a little later took in his brother, Augustus Gale, who had learned the moulding business. They ran this shop for eight (8) years, selling out to Mr. E. W. Hollingsworth and another brother, Mr. Iloratio Gale, Mr. Augustus Gale retaining his in- terest.
Simultaneously with the above, in 1842, Mr. Alexander Moore built a foundry on the northwest corner of South Superior and Elm streets, at Albion, Michigan.
In 1846. Mr. J. Monroe started a foundry near the southeast corner of Superior and Cass streets, where Wachholz & Gress now have their grocery store.
THE GALE MANUFACTURING COMPANY
In 1848, Mr. Moore associated himself with Mr. Joseph Hall of Rochester, and they began the manufacture of threshing machines, em- ploying from twenty-five (25) to thirty-five (35) men. Messrs. D. Pea- body & Bro. bought them ont in 1849, and Mr. James Monroe bought out Peabody & Bro. in 1859 and conducted the factories employing about twenty-five (25) men.
In 1857, Mr. Monroe sold out the business to Messrs. Finch and Sheldon, and they, having abandoned the upper factory on the corner of Elm street in 1854, continued making threshing machines until 1862, when they sold out to Messrs. Lane & Ensign, who, in 1863 began the manufacture of a general line of implements. In 1864, Mr. Ensign sold out his interest to W. G. Porter.
Mr. O. C. Gale came to Albion in 1861 and started in the hardware business. In a year or so, E. W. Hollingsworth, Horatio Gale, and
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HISTORY OF CALIIOUN COUNTY
Augustus Gale came here, entering in business with O. C. Gale and forming the O. C. Gale & Company.
In 1863, O. C. Gale & Company built an implement factory on the northwest corner of Superior and Cass streets, which was enlarged from time to time until their plant covered the entire block at Superior, Cass and Clinton streets and the river. Before building this plant they had bought out W. G. Porter in 1863-1864.
In '1863, the company was incorporated with $58,000 capital, O. C. Gale, president, and J. Hyde Monroe, secretary-treasurer. On De- cember 10, 1884, the works was partially destroyed by fire.
July 19, 1887, the entire stock of this company was sold to a com- pany consisting of II. Kirke White, II. R. Stoepel, G. H. Gale, Horatio Gale, A. J. Gale, E. C. Lester and F. A. Alsdorf.
The present plant was built in 1888, enlarging from time to time, until it now contains 248,729 square feet of floor space, equal to 5.71 acres.
July 7, 1890, the above company purchased the Albion Manufacturing Company. In 1903, the company was re-incorporated.
Previous to 1888, this company used a building for the storage of castings on the south side of Cass street now owned by the city of Albion and used for fire department headquarters and council rooms.
It was very interesting to hear Mr. O. C. Gale, who was born in L'Acadie, Lower Canada, June 3, 1823, and, at the age of eighty-eight, passed away on the 29th of February 1912, relate the difficulties they were put to when located at Moscow as compared with the present facilities. At that time all iron, bolts, serews, etc., had to be hauled by teams over the road from Toledo, Ohio. It was necessary to make nearly everything by hand, modern machinery being unknown.
At the time the company was located on the southeast corner of Superior and Cass streets only two employees worked in the foundry, and the same number in the wood-working department.
The following list shows some of the prominent persons, residents of Albion, who have been connected with the company: O. C. Gale, president, 1873-1879; E. W. Hollingsworth, vice-president, 1873-1879; president, 1879-1884 ; Augustus J. Gale, superintendent, 1873-1878, 1880- 1887; Horatio Gale, general agent, 1873-1876; vice-president 1887-1892; J. Hyde Monroe, secretary and treasurer, 1873-1875; S. P. Brockway, secretary and treasurer, 1875-1881; general agent, 1879-1881; J. W. Sheldon, vice-president, 1880; president, 1881-1887; C. C. Lane, gen- eral agent, 1876-1879, 1881-1883; Chas. Blanchard; W. O'Donoghue, vice-president, 1879-1884; E. P. Robertson ; R. Y. Finch; C. H. Mann, vice-president, 1884-1887; G. H. Gale, superintendent, 1878; J. J. Alley ; W. H. Brockway; F. A. Alsdorf, secretary and treasurer, 1881- 1889; D. P. Biglow, superintendent, 1881; S. W. Hill, general agent. 1883-1887; H. Kirke White, president, 1887: H. R. Stoepel, general agent, 1887-1889; secretary and treasurer, 1889-1894; treasurer and general manager, 1895-1904; E. W. Backus, superintendent, 1888; E. C. Lester, 1888-1897; C. D. Wiselogel; A. E. F. White, vice-president, 1892-1897; H. K. White, Jr., secretary, 1895; L. E. White, auditor, Vol. 1-29
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1896; secretary, 1892-1904; treasurer, 1904; W. D. Brundage, as- sistant superintendent, 1896; superintendent, 1898-1904; M. T. Conk- lin, vice-president, 1897; A. J. Brosseau secretary and general man- ager, 1904; W. L. Beall, superintendent, 1904; Geo. W. Bortles, as- sistant secretary, 1904; Earl Knight, assistant treasurer, 1904-1906.
The company's line of tools now embraces a complete assortment as follows: Foot Lift Gang Plows, combination or all steel; Foot Lift Sulky Plows, chilled, combination or all steel; Lever Lift Sulky Plows, chilled, combination or all steel; Walking Plows, all kinds (wood or steel beam) in chilled, combination or all steel; Disc Harrows, Regular, Cut- Out or Plow-Cut, also Tongue Trucks; Single Row Stalk Cutters, 5- Knife or 7-Knife; Steel Spike-Tooth Lever Harrows (all sizes) ; Wood Bar Spike-Tooth Harrows (all sizes) ; Flexible Wood Bar Spike-Tooth Harrows (all sizes) ; Steel Frame Spring-Tooth Lever Harrows (all sizes) ; Wood Frame Spring-Tooth Harrows (Lined or Unlined) ; Listers and Combined Listers and Drills (Walking or Riding) ; One-Horse Planters, with or without Fertilizer Attachment; Sure Drop Two-Horse Planters, with or without Fertilizer Attachment for checking or drill- ing; Riding Cultivators, Single or Double Row with shovels, spring- teeth, or disc gangs; Walking Two-Horse Cultivators, with shovel or spring-teeth gangs; Walking One-Horse Cultivators, with spike-teeth, spring-teeth, or regular shovels; Garden (Hand) Cultivators; Wagon Loaders, for Manure, Sand, Gravel, etc .; Spalding Deep Tilling Ma- chines.
THE ALBION MALLEABLE IRON COMPANY
By Raymond H. Gardner
As indicated by its name, this is a corporation engaged in the manu- facture of malleable iron. This commodity differs from ordinary "cast" or grey iron in that it is much stronger and tougher and to a certain de- gree, ductile or malleable. The product of any malleable iron plant is not of itself a finished article to be placed in the hands of the ultimate consumer, but goes to manufacturers of automobiles, carriages, wagons, agricultural implements, railroad cars, etc., etc., of which it forms a part.
The Albion Company the only one of its kind in the county, was founded in December, 1888, by W. S. Kessler, then of Chicago.
Mr. Kessler was largely influenced to locate in Albion by Horatio Gale and E. P. Burrall. The factory formerly occupied by the Gale Manufacturing Company, located on the corner of Superior and Cass streets, was remodelled and the necessary equipment installed. It soon became evident that a considerable amount of capital would be re- quired for improvements and additional equipment. Therefore, in June, 1889, a meeting of Albion citizens was called for the purpose of forming a stock company. The names of a large number of Albion's most promi- nent men are found in the original list of stock holders. These selected J. C. Eslow as president; R. J. Frost, vice-president; W. S. Kessler, secretary and treasurer and Horatio Gale, J. C. Eslow, W. S. Kessler, J.
THE ALBION MALLEABLE IRON COMPANY
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IHISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
G. Brown and R. J. Frost constituted the board of directors. The newly formed company started out with about twenty-five employees.
E. P. Burrall, R. J. Frost, and J. G. Brown successively held the office of president until October, 1894, when W. S. Kessler the present in- cumbent, was elected. From the first Mr. Kessler, however, was the active manager.
In 1891, after a number of discouraging set backs, the outlook began to brighten and the board of directors authorized a considerable addition to the factory, which addition was built on the north side of the old plant, over the Kalamazoo river. The number of employees soon rose to about one hundred.
The company gradually acquired an enviable reputation as producers of high grade castings and the volume of business steadily increased until in 1898 the necessity for a much larger plant became imperative. A piece of land sixty-seven acres in extent, on the west side of the city was purchased. Here a thoroughly modern plant was erected, under the management of W. S. Kessler, president, H. B. Parker, vice-president and M. B. Murray, secretary and treasurer. The new factory covered about four acres of ground and employed three hundred men and had a capacity of from 8,000 to 10,000 tons annually.
The new quarters were ample for the first few years, but business grew steadily and in about seven years after occupying its large, new plant, the company's operation and output were again hampered by the congestion in its various departments.
In 1906 plans for extensive improvements were drawn up. The work of erecting the buildings laid out covered a period of five years, and when completed, the factory as it stands today, was the result. It covers eight acres of ground, and has the capacity to produce 25,000 tons of castings annually to do which requires from nine hundred to one thousand em- ployees.
Having provided itself with sufficient buildings and machinery, the management was next confronted with the problem of securing labor. It was a comparatively easy matter to secure the necessary men from other cities, but there were not enough vacant houses to be found in the city to accommodate them. The company was finally obliged to con- struct thirty houses on its property, adjacent to the factory. These it maintains for the benefit of its employees, who are unable to find homes elsewhere.
The Albion Company's plant, as it is today, is one of the largest malleable iron plants in the country and there is probably not another institution of its kind so complete and modern in equipment. Its output is sold to many of the largest and best known concerns in the country and goes not only all over the United States, but to practically every country in the world.
Its present board of officers and directors is composed as follows : Warren S. Kessler, president and general manager; Harry B. Parker. vice-president and assistant general manager; M. B. Murray, secretary and treasurer and Washington Gardner and Benjamin D. Brown, di- rectors.
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HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
THE UNION STEEL SCREEN COMPANY
By George E. Dean
The Union Steel Screen Company was organized and incorporated under the laws of Michigan in January, 1903, in the city of Battle Creek, Michigan.
Early in 1904, Jackson capital was interested and the company moved to Jackson where they remained until October 30, 1905.
The company was organized originally to make sand and gravel screens under patent covering special construction which applied to this line of work.
Later, through the suggestion of Detroit parties, the then so-called screens were adopted to the use of gas stove ovens, making an article called oven racks and broiler racks; both being used by the manufac- turers of gas stoves in their ovens and broiler pans.
In the fall of 1905, through the efforts of C. Owen Brownell, then mayor of the city of Albion, Albion capital was interested and Jackson parties were bought out and the concern moved to Albion where they continued to manufacture oven racks, sand screens and added concrete reinforcement. All racks up to this time being manufactured under what is known as the Agnew Patent for sercens.
When the company moved to Albion they were employing approxi- mately ten people including the office force.
For about a year things did not go very smoothly with this company so that in September 1906 there was a re-organization and change of officers and the company put on a better financial basis.
In October of this year the new board of managers decided, in order to make the company a success, that it was necessary to add new lines and also to add new articles which would go along with racks they were already making.
They decided then to make a complete line of oven racks and broilers of all styles and description which would meet the demand of the stove manufacturers.
Immediately after this decision special machines were made up and the factory equipped to handle a complete line of oven racks and broil- ers so that early in the year 1907 the factory was pretty well equipped to handle the large volume of business which they were able to pick up from the stove manufacturers all over the United States.
This addition added about fifteen more men to the company's pay roll.
Improvements were being made all the time to the oven racks and broilers and new patents taken out on this product so that by the year 1908 the Union Steel Screen Company was probably the largest manu- facturer of oven and broiler racks in the United States.
In June, 1908, the management decided to handle another line, this being the manufacture of refrigerator shelves to go to the refrigerator manufacturers.
The addition of this department up to the present time has added about thirty more men to the company's pay roll.
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HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
With the installation of the woven wire, or refrigerator shelf de- partment, the company installed their own tinning plant.
Previous to this time all the tinning that was necessary to be done on the company's product was sent to Jackson and then reshipped to customers from there.
The addition of this tinning plant added about five more men to the pay roll and placed them in position to handle their own product in a much more satisfactory manner and also placed them in a position to meet competition.
Early in the year 1909 the company added another line known as the brass department. This department now manufactures fan guards such as are used to protect desk fans, and in fact are a part of desk fans such as are used in offices or any place where an electric fan is desired.
This company turns out large quantities of these, guards made out of solid brass, finished, lacquered and furnished to the largest manufactures of electric motors and fans in the United States.
The addition of this department added about fifteen more men.
A little later in this same year the company put out a sanitary bread rack and shelf which went to the baker, and a large out-put and demand for this shelf has been such that a department for the manufacture of this line has also been added, employing about fifteen more men.
Early in 1910 another department was added, known as the channel iron or wire and iron working department. This has been gradually growing and special men were proeured to handle this line so that today the company is getting to be quite a factor in the manufacture of wire and iron goods.
This line consists of office railing, bank railing, large wire signs, wire baskets, and in faet all kinds of wire equipment. even including fire escapes.
In 1910, the company added its own galvanizing plant in order to be able to galvanize the product that was naturally going to the bread raek and baker trade, so that today they have a complete equipment in the shape of a galvanizing plant, tinning plant and plating and lac- quering plant.
The company purehased the old plant formerly known as the Albion Buggy plant, and during the last two years have added two large brick additions.
New side tracks were put in so that the company has sidings each side of its buildings and can load and unload seven cars at the same time.
The company's product is being shipped to all parts of the United States and Canada and just recently through a representative in New York has begun an export business which probably will develop into quite a business.
Owing to the large variety of lines that the company manufacture we should grow to be a concern of much larger size than at the present time.
At the present time we have the distinction of being the largest rack manufacturers in the world and make the largest variety of racks of any coneern in the business.
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HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
The authorized capital of the Union Steel Screen Company, limited, is $200,000.00 and practically all of the stock in the institution is owned in Albion; a small proportion of it being held at Battle Creek and Detroit.
The present officers of the company are as follows: E. L. Parmeter, president ; K. D. Davis, Treasurer; Geo. E. Dean, secretary and man- ager; B. D. Brown, first vice-president; F. L. Sutherland, second vice- president.
The first four named gentlemen are all residents of Albion, the last being a resident of Detroit.
Geo. E. Dean, manager of the company has been its secretary since the company moved from Jackson in the fall of 1905 and was made its general manager in September, 1906, and has held that position ever since.
It was Mr. Dean's demand for an expansion and broadening out that caused the company to add these different lines.
Mr. K. D. Davis, who is Mr. Dean's assistant manager, was formerly an employee of the Michigan Central Railroad at Niles, Michigan, for about fifteen years and it was through the hard work and business ability of these two men that the company has grown to its present size, they being the only members of the board of directors who are actively connected with the company.
The company now employs about one hundred and twenty-five men and is doing a business of many thousand dollars per year, shipping goods to all parts of the country.
The company has grown steadily ever since its removal to Albion and has increased its out-put every year, and even during the panie in- creased their sales over the sales of the previous year.
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