USA > Michigan > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Michigan > Part 56
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The Harmonie forms the center of the best German society of Jack- son. It numbers upward of 100 members, among whom are the leading citizens of German birth and descent, and not a few ofother nationalities. The Harmonie has a musical and a literary depart- ment, the main object of the former being to encourage and prac- tice part singing by male quartets, for which purpose the society engages the best musical talent available as instructors and leaders. Its present leaders are Prof. Scheffler and Dr. Wendt. Among the 16 active singers are some young men of our best native American families, who through singing German songs and the op- portunities for conversation have vastly increased knowledge of German which they had acquired at school and from private teach- ers. In 1877 the Harmonie arranged, at a great sacrifice of time and money, the Michigan Saengerfest, the first musical festival of any pretensions ever attempted in Michigan. The festival although in- terrupted by the railroad strike was deemed so successful, both musically and socially, that the 10 singing societies participating in a delegate convention held during the festival organized the Peninsu- lar Saengerbund, including all the German singing societies in Michi gan and some in Northern Ohio and Indiana. Rudolph Worch, of the Harmonie, was elected first president of the society, and has been one of its officers ever since, being at present its recording secretary. The society has since held concerts at East Saginaw, Toledo and Detroit, and will this year, 1881, have one at Grand Rapids. The Harmonie is at present investing its accumulations in a German li- brary for circulation among its members. The amateur theatri- cals, concerts, soirees and balls of the Harmonie are patronized by the best citizens of Jackson. Invitations to its private balls are always in very active demand. The Harmonie has been in exist- ence a little over five years, having been reorganized once on its present basis. The present officers are Chas. Heine, President; Lonis Lindemer, Vice-President; Ed. Goecker, Secretary; F. Schulte, Treasurer; F. Cherier, George Fleischer and Rudolph Worch, Trustees. Harmonie Hall is situated over Loomis & Co.'s Bank, on Main street.
The Irish Benevolent Association .- The organization of this so- ciety was completed early in January, 1873, with Joseph Lanigan,
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President; Michael Cross, Vice-President; John Bader, Jr., Re- cording Secretary; John W. Conway, Corresponding Secretary; Patrick Casey, Treasurer; James McQuillen, Patrick Casey, Charles Calkins, Michael Cross, and Andrew Harrigan, Executive Committee; and James Falihee, Peter Ferguson, and John W. Conway, a Visiting Committee. The officers of the society for 1881 are: President, Joseph Smith; Vice-President, Patrick Murray; Recording Secretary, James Falihee; Corresponding Secretary, John Daily; Treasurer, Patrick Casey.
The Young Men's Catholic Benevolent Society, of Jackson, was organized April 10, 1877, under the presidency of John Farrell. The membership of the society is large, and its objects well car- ried out. Its sympathies are peculiarly American.
The Order of Chosen Friends is an organization of recent date in Jackson. Its list of officers at the beginning of 1881, comprised the following names: Chief Counselor, T. E. Barkworth; Vice- Counselor, D. S. Jones; Recorder, T. C. Boughton; Financier, Harley Bascom; Treasurer, C. W. Fowler; Prelate, Albert Dun- ham; Marshal, Hugh Smith; Warden, W. I. Decker; Guard, W. P. Stiles; Sentry, A. W. Town; Medical Director, J. M. Lewis; Trustees, Mr. Fuller, M. D. Davis and W. H. Comstock.
The Foresters, Court Lincoln, No. 4, established a society here some years ago, which is now in a prosperous state. The "court " was governed by Chief Ranger Thomas Etches, assisted by V. C. R. C. H. Haskin, and the ordinary officers.
The Amphion Club, an association of high-class musical talent, is an organization of which the city may be proud. In January, 1881, the opera bouffe known as the Pirates of Penzance was pro- duced, with the following cast :
Major General. .. Sanford Hunt Mabel .Mrs. Lizzie T. Beebe
Pirate King. .. . Julian Bennett
Ruth. Mrs. E. Averill
Pirate Lieutenant .... George S. Bennett
Edith Emma Buckland
Frederick ... Arthur Chamberlain Kate. Addie Littlefield
Sergeant Police .... Warren D. Lumbard Isabell Kate Brown
J. H. Buckland, Stage Manager,
The Ladies' Aid Society of the Y. M. C. A. contributes its share to the relief of the poor. It meets with a very general en- couragement from the citizens, and does much good toward the aid of the deserving poor of this city. Mrs. E. G. Cathcart is president, and Mrs. C. H. Palmer, secretary.
The German societies of the city are numerous and influential. They include: Turn-verein, with F. Dryer, President; Arbeiter- verein, M. Wunderlich, President; Harmonie Gesang-verein, Chas. Heine, President; Franz Schubert Club, of which G. H. Mosher is president, and the Germania Building and Savings Association, presided over by J. G. Neesley, with S. Musline and A. Feldher, secretaries.
The Home for the Friendless may be said to have its origin during the civil war, when the ladies of the Republic banded
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
themselves together, that through their organized efforts the sick and wounded soldiers of the nation might be relieved. Through the years succeeding a love of charity was fostered, with the result of establishing orphanages and homes for the friendless. Jackson ladies were among the first in the revival. Recently a circular letter, bearing the signature of Mrs. M. A. McNaughton, President of the charitable institution, states :
"As the severe cold of winter comes on, our faith in the charit- able public is being tested, and we plan and devise means for the maintenance and comfort of the needy children and women who come to us for help. We are not supporting those who are able to support themselves. Every case presented is subject to a rigid examination as to its individual necessities before it can be admitted to the Home, and the question arises every day, Where shall we get the wholesome food, the wood especially needed, the bedding and clothing for them ? All kinds of second-hand or even new clothing for boys from four to eight years of age (boys are always . out at the knees'), girls and women will be acceptable. Shall we go around and beg? It is humiliating, and we have hoped a gentle reminder through the papers would successfully plead our cause. Thanksgiving will suggest to the inmates something a little better than every-day life. We have now a family of 12, and have frequent applications to care for others worthy and needy, but cannot do all we would for want of means. The Home has proved itself during the past year to be a necessity, having relieved the sick and helpless, and given shelter to the homeless.'
Mrs. Pilcher is the indefatigable secretary of this association. A number of ladies, always prompt to answer the calls for aid, render material help to the officers, and so the good work of trne womanhood succeeds.
The Hebrew Ladies' Benevolent Society was organized in 1864. It has accomplished much good, and is at present governed by the following officers :- Mrs. B. Weiger, President; Mrs. Carrie Levy, Vice-President; Mrs. Henrietta Weill, Honorary Secretary; and Mrs. H. Friesner, Treasurer.
The Jackson Reform Club, organized Dec. 6, 1876, has played a most important part in the economy of society. From its beginning to the present time it has pursued a policy of wisdom, seldom deviating from the path which leads to success. Dr. J. A. Robinson is the present President of the club ; W. B. Hurd, Vice- President ; G. J. McCandless, Secretary ; and E. W. Heaton, Treasurer. Under these officers a series of temperance meetings was organized early in January, 1881.
The City Cemetery forms, as it were, a beautiful resting place for the bodies of the dead, even as it does a park to be admired by the living. There are few places more beautiful, anywhere, for the repose of the dead than the City Cemetery. Its charming undulations and quiet dells; its winding carriage ways, and shadowy paths ; its beauty of sward and flower and tree; the care given to its "low, still tents whose curtains never outward swing,"
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
combine to render it a most delightful spot in which to sleep away the years.
In 1878-'9 the cemetery was enlarged, and now throughout its entire area may be found the rich marble column or plain head- stone, the cypress and willow, the parterre and terrace, the hill and dale,-all arranged by the hand of nature, and that of the child of art, with a peculiar harmony.
The Catholic cemetery and the Hebrew place of burial are also tastefully laid out.
The East Main Street cemetery, by the changes of time, is no longer used as a burial ground. Among the many who were interred in the old burial place on East Main street were Mrs. Thomas Budington, Mrs. Charlotte Shaver, Mrs. Isaac Minkler, Sylvia Shaver, Mrs. Denton, Mrs. Jenkins, Mrs. Budington, Mrs. Griswold, William Mundy, T. B. White, Andrew Shaver, George Heimbogh, Ephraim Hall, Mr. Jenkins, Walter Budington, Lo- renzo Griswold, Joseph Griswold, Mr. Chapin, Mr. Russell, Major Ganson, Andrew Wessell, together with a few other pioneers and their children.
When the city council moved to close the cemetery, an old settler said: "Instead of taking any action that will result in vacat- ing this cemetery, I believe that it is the duty of the city authori- ties to improve the grounds, enclose them with a good substantial fence, and preserve them for all time to come."
CITIZENS' ASSOCIATION.
The citizens of Jackson assembled July 11, 1875, to inquire into the best means of developing the resources of the city, and also with a view of forming an association of business men to carry ont the views of the people. A committee comprising M. Shoemaker, T. A. Wilson, H. A. Hayden, Amos Root, Eugene Pringle, Ell- more Dennis and Silas Heyser submitted a report in which the advantages of Jackson as a manufacturing center were very ably set forth.
A set of by-laws for the government of the "Citizens' Associa- tion" was adopted, and the following gentlemen appointed to carry out the objects of the society:
Officers: President, Amos Root; Vice-Presidents, H. A. Hay- den, H. M. Murphy, S. O. Knapp, Allen Bennett, D. B. Hibbard, Austin Blair, B. S. Chapin, M. Shoemaker, W. R. Reynolds, Dwight Merriman, J. C. Wood, James O'Donnell, J. R. Gilman; Secretary, Eugene Pringle; Treasurer, D. Gibson.
Executive Committee: Boots and shoes, J. H. Noyes; machine shops, E. Dennis; foundries, John D. Clark; Inmber wagons, E. A. Webster; buggies and carriages, J. H. Anderson; furniture, Henry G. Gilbert; farming tools, W. H. Withington; tile, brick and stone, E. J. Connable; flouring, C. R. Knickerbocker; plan-
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
ing mills, doors, sashes and blinds, S. Heyser; miscellaneous, M. K. Bortree; printing and publishing, B. L. Carlton; dry goods, W. M. Bennett; groceries, P. Morrison; hardware, E. H. Rice; druggists, C. E. Webb; clothing, Frank Eggleston; books and stationery, G. D. Brown; the wholesale trade, G. W. Baker; the retail trade, W. L. Hobart; real estate in four west wards, H. H. Smith; real estate in four east wards, J. B. Eaton; bank- ing and exchange, W. D. Thompson; stone and bricklayers, H. Richard; carpenters and joiners, D. Doig; builders, J. F. Coots; painters and' glaziers, H. Hague; railroads, P. B. Loomis; rail- road manufactures, repairs and supplies, Geo. Chalender; coal and other mining, B. Porter; harnesses, Henry S. Hobbs; prod- uce, W. H. Wilson.
MANUFACTORIES AND OTHER INDUSTRIES.
The Austin, Tomlinson & Webster Manufacturing Company .- In 1842 Joseph E. Beebe entered into a contract with the State of Michigan for the labor of some 20 or 25 convicts, and began the manufacture of farm wagons. The best lumber and the finest workmanship were combined to produce a superior vehicle, and soon gained for the Jackson prison wagon a great popularity, which steadily advanced until it has attained a national celebrity. Mr. Beebe carried on the manufactory until 1852, when the con- tract passed into the hands of Ed. Davis, B. M. Austin and W. A. Tomlinson, with the firm title of Davis, Austin & Co., who were all of Kalamazoo. The hands and machinery were increased to meet the growing demand, and the business prosecuted until 1859. Mr. Edward A. Webster then succeeded Mr. Davis, the firm be- coming Austin, Tomlinson & Webster. The concern did a large and flourishing business till the financial panic brought a reverse, which resulted in the formation of a joint stock company entitled the Austin, Tomlinson & Webster Manufacturing Company, with Mr. Webster as general manager, since which its career has been one of marked prosperity. The present officers in 1881 are: E. A. Webster, President and General Manager; B. S. Chapin, Treas- urer; and G. W. Beebe, Auditor. Numerous patented improve- ments have been added to their wagons; the heads of departments are all tried and experienced mechanics. When Mr. Webster took active charge the firm worked 80 men, and made 800 wagons a year. The company now employ 120 convicts and 80 free men; and in 1880 built over 7,000 wagons, which are sold from ocean to ocean and from the lakes to the gulf. In January, 1881, Mr. Webster issued invitations to the agents throughout the United States and Territories, who are selling the Jackson wagon, to come to Jackson and enjoy a grand reception, at the expense of the company. Several hundred of them responded to the kind offer, and for three days, January 18, 19 and 20, they enjoyed a grand carnival, feasting their senses and souls upon the good things of the city, provided without stint by their generous host.
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
Bortree Manufacturing Co., incorporated in 1876, under the general laws of the State, had its beginning in 1868 under the name of M. K. Bortree, who made at that time crinoline skirts and bustles, doing his own traveling in the disposition of the products. In 1873 he associated with himself Chas. W. Higby, in the co-partnership firm of M. K. Bortree & Co., continuing the manufacture of skirts and bustles. In 1875 the Duplex Corset was born, and since that time their attention has been given almost wholly to the manufacture of corsets, and this particular corset has been the standard and principal product. In 1876 the firm of M. K. Bortree & Co. merged into the present in- corporation, under the present name, associating with them W. D. Thompson, P. B. Loomis, B. J. Chapin and E. A. Web- ster, as stockholders. Mr. Webster was the first President; Mr. Chapin, Treasurer; Mr. Bortree, General Manager, and Mr. Higby, Secretary. Their trade has increased from 50,000 per year in 1878-'9, to 300,000 at present, and their territory for selling the goods, which was at first confined to Michigan, Ohio and Indiana, to-day takes in the whole territory of the United States, from the Atlantic to the Pacific. They have an office and wareroom at No. 7 Mercer Street, New York, from which the far East is reached and supplied with the goods ; have also built up quite an extensive trade in California, Oregon, Texas and the far West. They employ about 350 girls on the average, and from 20 to 30 men, and pay ont from 81,200 to $1,- 500 per week for labor here in the factory. The goods from which their product is made comes from Massachusetts, Connectient and France, the bones being imported direct. The present officers are: Chas. W. Higby, President; M. II. Bortree, General Manager, and B. J. Chapin, Secretary and Treasurer; the same, together with Mr. S. S. Haywood, compose the Board of Directors. They have from time to time improved their goods and kept them "up with the times," and have made the Duplex Corset, together with the name of Jackson, Mich., popular and familiar all over the Union.
The Jackson Carriage Works, at Dorrill & Gilman's old stand, on Washington street, employ 15 men, and manufacture carriages, spring wagons, etc. The present proprietors are Hibbard, Root & Morrison, the building being owned by the first named. The raw material is principally obtained at Cincinnati, O., and their sales are chiefly in this State. Wm. S. Longacre, Manager; Wm. Aufderheid & Co., proprietors, Cincinnati.
The Jackson Furniture Company, now one of the leading manu- facturing institutions of the city, was organized as a joint-stock com- pany June 1, 1880, with E. W. Barber as President, D. J. Holden Vice-President, and D. A. Tinker, Secretary and Treasurer. The other two ofthe board of five directors are Amos Root and Homer G. Barber. The capital stock is $ 50,000, in shares of $ 25 each. The company immediately bought the factory and property for- merly owned by the Messrs. Gilbert, of their assignee, and at once
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
took control of the business. The real estate consists of 16 lots, upon which are the main buildings, of brick, 40x300 feet, three stories in height, with two wings, one 40x50 feet, and one 25x40 feet in area, besides ample sheds and dry-houses. The establishment is fitted up with first-class machinery and equipments sufficient to employ a force of 200 men. They make a special feature of bed- room suits, bedsteads, sideboards, book-cases and all kinds of or- der work except upholstered work. They employ this year 75 men, and will mannfacture $ 75,000 worth of goods, which are sold throughout Michigan and extensively in St. Louis and Kansas City. This concern is the successor to the furniture manufactory originally established about 1866 by Messrs. Seymour Gilbert, Henry C. Ran- som and Hollis F. Knapp. This firm erected the building and conducted the business about six years, employing over 100 hands, and making a large quantity of goods, which were distributed all over the State. Mr. Ransom and Mr. Knapp retired to engage in the furniture trade, and the manufactory passed into the hands of Gilbert & Sons, who, meeting with financial reverses, made an as- signment, and the property passed into the hands of the Jackson Company.
E. Dennis & Company's Machine Manufactory is located on North Jackson street, south of the railroad. The business was started by Mr. Elmore Dennis, in 1872, in a building on the north side of the railroad, where he continued until 1878. Henry Kline was then taken in partnership, and in the spring of that year they erected their present quarters. The main building is a substantial brick, 40x70 feet, two-stories high. Attached are a foundry 30 x 40 feet, and a blacksmith shop 20 feet square. In the rear is a store-room 18x66 feet in size. They completed the buildings and moved into them in June, 1878. The concern does a general job work in machinery, making a specialty of pullies, shaftings and couplings. Is also making a large amount of wood-working machinery. The business involves a capital of $15,000 to $20,000. They work 25 men, do a growing business of $25,000 a year, and have a demand exceeding their capacity.
Jackson Book-Bindery and Paper-Box Manufactory was estab- lished first solely as a book-bindery, in 1873, by J. M. Caffrey and Alf. C. Cowherd. The firm had little capital, and started in a very small way, but by energetic and careful management the business steadily grew. Mr. Cowherd bought his partner's interest in 1877, and has since been sole owner. In the spring of that year he added the feature of manufacturing paper boxes, in which the factory does a general business. The facilities of the concern are complete for every style of book-binding, and making all kinds of paper boxes; employs about 20 hands, and does a business of $15,000 to $20,000 a year.
The Bolinger Manufacturing Company, established by John B. Bolinger, for the purpose of making models, patterns, and experi- mental machinery, and the Bolinger foot-sower, an invention of Mr. Bolinger's. It was established in 1875. In May, 1880, Mr. B.
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sold to Chas. B. McAlvay and John D. Vance, who are the present owners.
The Davis Skeleton Spring Bed Manufactory was established in 1874, by Montgomery R. Davis, who is the patentee of the bed. Has manufactured, during six and one-half years, 20,000 beds, and employs, on an average, 12 hands.
Cooley Manufacturing Company .- Within the memory of men now but little past middle life, the farmer who wanted a hay-fork had to go to his blacksmith to get one made. Their production by machinery, as a branch of manufacture, is of modern times, and Jackson was not far behind the older Eastern States in this enterprise.
In 1847 Abner H. Pinney, Edward J. Connable, and Nathan S. Hamson, all "Ohio men," under the firm name of Pinney, Con- nable & Co., contracted with the Michigan State Prison for the labor of 65 convicts, to be employed in the manufacture of farming tools. Mr. Connable came to Jackson in December, 1847, and began the preliminary work. He alone of the partners changed his residence to Jackson, and the entire management of the business devolved upon him. Under his careful planning and thorough methods in business, the undertaking early became a success.
The goods manufactured under this contract were hay and manure forks. scythe snaths, and grain cradles. They were sold in Michigan, and in some portions of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin.
At the end of five years Mr. Connable retired from the firm. He still lives in Jackson, a prominent and wealthy citizen, and engaged in active business as President of the Jackson Fire Clay Co. The remaining partners, under the firm name of Pinney & Hamson, continued the business under a new contract for 120 men. Mr. Hamson died in 1856, and Mr. Pinney, in 1857, just after having changed his residence to Jackson. The business, at Mr. Pinney's death went into the hands of Mr. Connable, as executor. Mr. Connable resigned his trust the following year, because of ill health, and Mr. Enos Hopkins was appointed admin- istrator de bonis non.
In the fall of 1858 the business was sold to Harold Spragne and Wm. H. Withington, under the firm name of Sprague, Withing- ton & Co., and they and their successors have prosecuted the business ever since. The firm changed to Sprague, Withington & Cooley, subsequently to Withington, Cooley & Co., and in 1877 was incorporated as the Withington & Cooley Manufacturing Co., with $200,000 paid up capital.
To the line of goods originally made, cast-steel hoes and garden rakes were added in 1859, and other goods have been added since. It is the only cast-steel hoe, fork and garden-rake factory in the State. Its productions stand with the foremost in quality and rep- utation, and are sold in this country from Portland, Maine, to Portland, Oregon, and in the markets of the world. For the past
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10 years a large share of the product of these works has gone to Great Britain and the continent of Europe. The number of men now employed is 200, and the annual sales are $250,000. This company's record, reputation and business have not been made without energy, sagacity, honorable dealing, steadfast work and wise management. These it has had in an eminent degree.
The Cornet Corset Manufactory is located on the corner of Mechanic and Pearl streets, and is a partnership enterprise of which Mrs. C. A. McGee and E. J. Weeks are the proprietors. The Cornet corset is the invention of Mrs. C. A. McGee, and pro- tected by letters patent issued to her. That it is an article of su- perior merit both in fit and comfort is readily demonstrable to the observer. The partnership was formed and the factory put in act- ive operation March 1, 1880, the concern being, consequently, only in its infancy. Jannary 1, 1880, a new impulse was given to the business by way of increased facility and larger working force. They employ 10 to 12 hands and make 10 dozen corsets per day. The finest and most improved machines for expediting the work are being introduced, run by steam-power, which will enable them to turn out this year, 1881, $30,000 worth of goods.
The Burtch Washing-Machine Company is the outgrowth of an invention of Gilbert F. Burtchi, of Jackson, who patented his improvement in September, 1878. After thoroughly testing the merits of his machine, a joint-stock company was organized in the fall of 1879, with Charles R. Knickerbocker as President; Allen Bennett, Secretary and Gilbert F. Burtch, General Manager. There have been made and sold over 2.700 machines, and the demand is rapidly increasing wherever they have been introduced.
The Home Cigar Manufactory. The nucleus of this now pros- perous concern was established by August Zeck and Theodore Stein in 1875. They first located in the old Dwight Block on West Main street, until it was destroyed by fire in December, 1878. The firm reopened the factory in the Goldsmith Block Jan. 1, 1879, at which time Mr. Stein purchased his partner's interest. July 1, 1880, Mr. Stein removed to his present location, 147 West Pearl street. Each year has witnessed a steady growth in the amount of business, and an increasing demand for the goods. Twenty hands are now employed in the factory, and half a million cigars, worth $20,000, manufactured per year. Mr. Stein makes a specialty of several fine brands of cigars of his own naming, among which are the Home, the My Choice, Stein's Own, and Romeo. His goods are all sold in the local market.
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