History of Jackson County, Michigan, Part 57

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago [Ill.] : Inter-state Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1166

USA > Michigan > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Michigan > Part 57

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Etna Mills, built in 1837 by William and Jerry Ford, and Wm. Ford, Jr. The original cost of the building is unknown; but as a structure of 1837 it could bear no comparison with the present flouring mill. The capacity of these mills is about 100 barrels daily, together with the general grist work.

The Kennedy Mills were built in 1847 by John R. Kennedy, with machinery capable of producing 150 barrels of flour per day. These have now a capacity of 300 barrels per day, while the Etna

556

HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

Mills have been so enlarged as to produce 225 barrels. The wheat consumed is received from the farmers of the district, while two- thirds of the quantity is purchased within 100 miles of the city and shipped thereto. The number of men now employed equals about 30, and the market for the product of these two industries is chiefly in the Eastern and Southern States. H. A. Hayden and W. R. Reynolds are the proprietors.

The Jackson City Mills .- These important mills were rebuilt in July, 1872, for Bennett, Knickerbocker & Co.

The flouring mill proper is 84x38 feet, and four stories high above the basement. In this are seven run of stone, with all the more approved machines used in the best mills, and the capacity of the mills will be 300 barrels of flour per day, packed and ready for shipment.

A prominent feature is the large elevator and feed storage bins. This building adjoins the north end of the mills and forms an L running east. The elevator is 41x31 feet, and the bins are 41 feet deep, giving a capacity of 42,000 bushels of grain. The feed bins occupy a space 30 feet square and 30 feet deep. The walls of these and the elevator are made of 2x6 scantling spiked together, side to side. The partitions are made of 2x4 scantling, and over 100,000 feet of lumber were used for the walls alone.

A railroad track runs along side of the bins and elevator, and they are putting in some car scales, by means of which everything can be weighed on the spot.

BENNETT AND WOOD.

Adjoining the south end of the flouring mills is the planing mill of Messrs. Bennett & Wood-a building 45 by 100 feet and three stories high. The first floor is devoted to all the machinery nec- essary to a first-class planing mill. The other floors are rented to

HEYSER AND SON

and are used in the extensive manufacture of sash, doors and blinds. On the second floor are the machines used for this class of work; the third floor is occupied by the hands engaged in put- ting the work together, and the attic, which makes a spacious story, is used for painting, glazing and storage. We noticed here a machine for sand-papering work. This is run by steam and is equal to six or seven men and does the work much better.

The machinery in the three institutions is run by one engine of 150-horse power. The steam is generated from four boilers. The cylinder is 24-inch and has 34-inch stroke, and the fly-wheel weighs six tons. There are two huge smoke stacks, each 85 feet high.

All parts of these buildings are supplied with water, and large and abundant hose is at hand for use in case of fire.

Connected with the planing-mill is a large and well-supplied lumber yard.

557

HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

Bennett & Wood have in their employ 25 men, to whom they pay an average of $300 per week. Messrs. Heyser & Son employ 20 men, who receive an average of $230 per week.

The Lake Mills, now operated by Nelson K. Elliott, were improved in 1870 by the present proprietor, who added a new office, one run of stone, three turbine water-wheels, machine packers, bran dust- ers and many other improvements.

The flouring mills of E. W. & M. II. Nichol were built in 1874. The structure is 30x50 feet, with engine room 12x30. The cost of the building was 8800, while that of machinery is estimated at $ 4,000. The number of men employed in 1874 was only four, while at present the help has been increased so that the value of product in 1880 was estimated at § 15,000.

The Central City Mills were erected in 1872, for M. H. Nichols; size 50x32 feet and four stories high; original cost of building and machinery, $ 12,000. The mill was leased by J. E. Howe in 1878, who has increased the business from 1,500 bushels per month to 7,000. There are three run of burrs, and four men are employed. Market chiefly in Jackson,

The George T. Smith Middlings Purifier Co., manufacturers of apparatus for purifying middlings, do a business of half a million dollars per annum, the amount of their first year's sales being about $100,000. They erected the establishment in 1879, at a cost of 8 20,000, besides machinery, $ 7,000; size 205x57 feet, two stories and basement. The number of men employed has increas- ed from 20 to 125. The material for manufacture is purchased prin- cipaly in this vicinity, but their patronage extends through many States.

C. C. Lathrop's Planing Mill and Sash, Door and Blind Manu- factory, was established by Mr. P. J. Curtiss, a number of years ago, and was purchased from him by Mr. Lathrop in 1878. Besides the manufacture of house trimmings, the concern does all kinds of lumber dressing, and in the building season employs from 15 to 30 men.

The Peninsular Spice Company. This is a joint-stock company who conunenced with a capital stock of $ 25,000, in shares of $25 each. Francis D. Bennett is President, Arthur A. Bennett, Vice-President and Bradley M. DeLamater Secretary. The institu tion was first started by Mr. Wm. F. Campbell & Co., about 1868. After passing through several hands the present company was organized, in Sept., 1880.

The business employs from six to eight men; produces about $50,000 worth of goods per year, and is growing rapidly.

The Central City Soap Manufactory is owned and conducted by the same company, and was first established by Shirler & Clark, about 1875. After several changes it was purchased by F. D. Bennett in 1878, who was sole proprietor until Sept. 1, 1878, when it was consolidated with the spice mill into the stock company. The establishment manufactured both laundry and toilet goods, making a specialty of a new variety of laundry soap called the

558

HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

"Anti-Washboard Soap," which, it is claimed, is a great labor-saving article, and of which they are the originators. The product of the factory is 10,000 pounds per week.

The Coal Mines of Jackson County .- The coal fields underlying Jackson and vicinity were known to exist as early as 1836, from outcroppings discovered at the location of the dam across Grand river, in the city limits. In 1837 another ontcrop was discovered by Mr. Johnson on section 1, Spring Arbor township, while building a dam across Sandstone creek, at that point. For 20 years no practical benefit was derived from these discoveries, and this mineral deposit, which has since proven such a valuable and essential element in the growth and industrial prosperity of Jackson city and county, slumbered undisturbed. The initiatory step in mining coal in Jackson county was taken in 1856, when the earth was stripped off from the top of the out-crop on Sand- stone creek, and the first coal mined for market. In 1860-'61 Mr. William Walker, a practical mining engineer and coal operator, re-opened this mine on a larger scale for Messrs. Hayden & Reynolds, by sinking a slope 127 feet deep, at an angle of 30 degrees. This mine was worked on a moderate scale, chiefly to supply coal for the use of the proprietors, until 1876, since which little has been done in it. In 1857 William Walker was employed by the Detroit & Jackson Coal Company to make a careful survey of the mineral resources in the vicinity of Jackson, and after some months of investigation, opened a mine at Woodville, about five miles west of the city, by sinking a shaft about 100 feet deep. The vein is from two to five feet thick, comprises what is known as the Woodville basin, nearly 600 acres in extent, and furnishes coal of good quality. The Sandstone mine, situated on the north- west quarter of section 35, Sandstone township, was also opened in 1857. It was a drift mine, and was subsequently owned and operated by the Jackson Coal Co., until it was abandoned in 1862. The Stevens Ridge mine was on the same section, and opened in 1858 by a shaft 28 feet deep. It was also abandoned in 1862, save small quantities taken out at the out-crop. The old Walker mine was discovered and opened by Wmn. Walker, in 1861, first by drift opening. Mr. Walker formed a partnership with W. N. Choat, who sold to Messrs. Amphlett &Shrigley in 1864, the firm becoming Walker, Amphlett & Co. The following year Mr. Walker sank a shaft 57 feet deep, and worked the mine through that medium until it was abandoned in 1875. The firm employed from 20 to 60 men, and took out from 40 to 130 tons of coal per day.

The Porter Coal Mine was opened about 1867 in the same basin, north of the city, and was worked till 1880, and abandoned. In 1873 Mr. Walker opened the mine known as the South Walker mine, situated on the line of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern rail- road, at the city limits. He sold a two-thirds interest in 1876 to R. H. Emerson and Geo. H. Lathrop, the firm assuming the title of Walker Coal Company. This mine was operated by both shaft

559

HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

and slope until it was abandoned in 1880. The New Walker mine was opened in 1875, by a shaft 65 feet in depth. It was operated heavily, yielding about 200 tons a day till it was exhausted in 1879.

The Connable Mine was opened by E. J. Connable & Co. in 1876, and was purchased a year later by R. H. Emerson & Co., who operated it until it was abandoned in 1880. It was never a very pro- lific mine. The Enreka Coal Company opened the mine of the same name in 1879 by sinking a shaft about 50 feet deep. This mine is situated on the southeast quarter of section 22, Blackman township. It is still running, employs about 150 hands, who mine from 200 to 300 tons of coal per day. R. H. Emerson & Co. sank the Emer- son slope mine in 1879, on the northwest quarter of section 26, Black- man township. This mine is in active operation, working 200 men, yielding from 400 to 500 tons of coal per day. The whole upper works of this mine were destroyed by fire on the night of Feb. 26, 1881, to the value of 84,000, but they were speedily rebuilt and ac- tive operations fully resumed early in March. The Bonanza mine, on section 5, Summit township, was opened by Thomas Keerfoot and (). Thurston. It is an outlier from the Hayden & Reynolds ba- sin; was opened by means of a shaft some 1+ feet deep. It was sold to Allen Bennet and John Jones, who abandoned it in the sum- mer of 1880. The State Prison mine, located on the prison grounds, was opened by the State in 1875, and has since been worked by convict labor, to supply the State consumption only. It is a continuation of the vein of the old Walker mine, and was opened by cutting the outcrop while digging a drain from the insti- tution. The coal is of inferior quality, and is not profitable to mine for commercial purposes. In May, 1879, the Michigan Coal Co. was organized, with Daniel McGarry, President; Z. C. Eldred, Treasurer and General Manager, and J. H. Noyes, Secretary. The company sank a shaft on the line of the M. C. R. R., about three miles west of the city of Jackson, reached a four-foot vein of coal at the depth of 75 feet, and in January, 1880, began mining coal. Soon after their upper works burned, but were rebuilt, and the mining again began in June. One hundred and twenty-five men were employed and 250 tons of coal per day were taken out. December 11, 1880, the mine was suddenly flooded by water, which required sev- eral months to exhaust and control so mining could be resumed.

A careful estimate shows the product of coal mined in Jackson county in 1880, exclusive of the Prison shaft, to be 125,000 tons from eight mines, some of which were not worked all the year. This furnished employment to 250 diggers, 50 car shovelers, 150 top men, and a large force of teamsters, clerks and office men.

These several mines which have been opened in this county tap five distinct coal basins. The most extensive and best coal basin ever opened in the State is the Jackson basin. It comprises an area of about a mile and three quarters long by three-fourths of a mile wide. Coal is being mined from it on three sections. The Wood- ville basin is next in extent, and embraces an area of nearly 000

560

HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

aeres, the produet being nearly as good. The Sandstone basin, next in importance, is partially divided into two basins, of about 25 aeres each, and has been exhausted. The Hayden & Reynolds ba- sin, about 40 acres in extent, has also been exhausted. The South Walker basin, on seetion 12, Summit township, is large in area, known to extend over 100 acres; but the vein is only 16 to 24 inches thick, and is too thin to pay for working.

Jackson Iron Company .- The origin of this association of Jackson capitalists is almost as romantic as it is commercial. In 1845 Achille Cadotte, a French half-breed, was told by Man-gee- ki-jik (Moving Day), an Indian chief, whose band camped at the mouth of Carp river, that he knew the location of an iron mountain. Cadotte traveled with him to see it, and seeing, the wily half-breed was not slow to realize the value of his discovery. Learning something of John Westren, an enterprising citizen of Jackson, Cadotte hastened to the county seat and communicated to Mr. Westren the nature of his visit. The latter lost no time in preparing for a journey, and presently volunteered to accompany Cadotte to the mountain, as there was not a likelihood then of the mountain coming to them. Arrived there, the third discoverer contrived to quarry a ton of ore, which was portaged to the estuary of the Carp, and thence by water to Sault Ste. Marie and Detroit. Here iron smelters informed Westren that the ore was too hard to be reduced in the blast furnace, but still he had faith in the iron mountain, and so continued, with the aid of friends and sledge hammers, to break some of the ore, reduce it in the village blacksmith's fire, and place the product of the work at the black- smith's disposal. He in turn plied his art, and the first article manufactured from the hard, "useless " ore of that mountain was a horse-shoe nail. Subsequently, Mr. Westren, with a number of enterprising associates, formed the "Jackson Iron Co."

The Rolling Mills .- Enterprise and a desire to advance the in- terests of the city prompted a few prominent men to organize a company for the manufacture of iron. This company was formed under very favorable auspices, in 1872.

For some time the concern gave promise of great results; but ultimately the bright hopes which the projectors and people enter- tained were scattered, and that magnificent enterprise, born so happily, fell. The primary cause was attributed to the amount of sulphurie matter in the Jackson coal; still this inanimate wealth- giver should not be so taxed. Many other obstacles exist, which patience might overcome. However, the rolling mills elosed down,-were sold to an Illinois firm, and D. B. Hibbard pur- chased the ground, upon which they were located, and the stock- holders lost the entire sum which was invested or promissory.

The Bennett Machine Co.'s Foundry and Machine Shop, man- aged by D. G. Bennett, employs 42 men and does general machine work. The works were established Feb. 11, 187s.

Jackson Foundry .- The shops were erected for doing the loco- motive and other repair work for the Jackson, Lansing & Sagi-

561

HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

naw railroad about 1867, by Henry A. Hayden and Daniel B. Hibbard. They did the repair work until the road went into the hands of the Michigan Central Company, when the above gentle- men organized as the chief stockholders in a stock company, in 1869, under the title of the "Jackson Foundry Company." The capital stock was $100,000, in shares of 825 each. The other mem- bers were Edwin H. Camp, Richard Glynn and Edward A. Sum- ner. The purpose of the concern was to manufacture and repair. H. A. Hayden, President; J. B. Hibbard, Vice-President; H. A. Sumner, Secretary; E. H. Camp, Treasurer and General Man ager. Richard Glynn, Mechanical Engineer, soon succeeded J. C. Debes, Mr. Glynn retiring from the company. Daniel B. Hibbard purchased the concern Dec. 12, 1876, and conducted it until April 9, 1877, then sold two-thirds, one to Smith Briggs and one-third to E. R. Smith. Mr. Hibbard bought back Mr. Briggs' interest in Jan- uary, 1880; so it now is owned by Mr. Hibbard two-thirds, and Mr. Smith one-third. The concern occupies about 12 rods on Mechanic street and 25 on Jackson street, and about 18 rods on Ganson street; is provided with railroad side tracks, turn-table, heavy cranes, round-house, and all appliances for railroad repair and general heavy work. The power is supplied by a 100-horse- power low-pressure engine of their own make. They do a large amount of repair work, and of manufacture of steam-engines and mill work. They manufacture engines varying from 6-horse power to 500-horse power.

They run a business of $200,000 per year. They employ an average of 75 men. Their engines are running in most of the States of the Union, chiefly in Michigan and the Western States. Mr. Smith is the manager and general director.

The Smith Bros., manufacturers of lime, commenced business in 1876, on Main street. They manufacture their lime at Rocky Ridge, Ohio,-30,000 to 40,000 barrels annually. Their kilns, established in 1879, cost 85,000. They employ 25 men, and their present sales are about 30,000 barrels per annum. Of coal they sell about 4,000 tons a year, and of wood about 3,000 cords, their business being now fully four times as great as when they started.

Emerson Chemical Works .- These works were built in 1870, for the Michigan Chemical Company, at a cost of $100,000, with additions valued at $10,000, and machinery at 85,000. The num- ber of men employed is 25.

The chemical works at Natrona, Pa., and those of this city, are the only concerns of the kind in the United States. These works are simply immense laboratories where primary substances, by means of elaborate scientific processes, are combined into com- pounds totally unlike their initial bases, and invaluable as agents in mechanics, pharmacy, the arts, etc. The works at this place are very complete in their appointments. Their chief product is wood pulp, for the use of paper manufacturers.

562

HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

In the pulp department six cords of wood are used each day. Although nearly all kinds of wood, hard or soft, are susceptible of conversion into pulp, poplar is preferable, because of its softness and the whiteness of its fiber. Large quantities are purchased during the cold months at an average price of three dollars a cord, an additional expense of one dollar being incurred in stripping it of its bark. Last winter over $10,000 were paid for wood alone. Dry or seasoned wood is the most desirable, as it is more easily impregnated with the chemicals used in its disintegration. In its preparation for pulp the wood is first cut into chips crosswise of the grain, about one-half an inch thick, and is then consigned to immense upright boilers filled with a solution of caustic soda, and a heat applied so intense as to subject the boilers to a pressure of 100 pounds to the square inch. The chips are converted into pulp in from 9 to 12 hours, when it is forced out into large iron vats and washed. This process requires an immense amount of water, as the wood fiber must be thoroughly cleansed from the soda. The pulp is then bleached chemically, and pressed into long, dry sheets by passing over a series of heated cylinders which revolve and deliver it in rolls of convenient size upon a reel in their rear.

About three tons and a half of dry pulp are manufactured daily. This, with 50 per cent. of rags added, would make not far from seven tons of ordinary print paper. In this section of the works some 15 or 20 men are employed.

The entire enterprise is under the superintendence of Mr. Charles Peppard, whose efficiency and rare business ability admirably qualify him for the position. Mr. Edward Gocker, an accomplished chemist and most intelligent gentleman, has charge of the chemical department, and is assisted in the laboratory by his daughter, who is a proficient in the science.

The Bennett Brick and Tile Company, of which Mr. T. G. Bennett is the leading member, whose works are located a short distance north of the city limits, is engaged in putting up large new buildings and adding extensive conveniences for manufactur- ing tile and brick through the winter months. When in full blast these works will employ about 35 men, and produce upward of 25,000 brick or 10,000 ordinary tile per day. Everything in the way of building, fire or sidewalk brick, sewer pipe, drain tile, el- bows, T's, etc., will be turned out in any desired quantity. The firm is making a patent paving brick, grooved and tongued, which when laid is solid and substantial and maintains a levelness of sur- face not otherwise attainable. This brick is eight inches square and two and a half inches thick, and is composed of the best fire clay. They cost 820 per thousand, or only about $2 per rod more than plank for side-walk purposes.

Experiments of a satisfactory character in the manufacture of roof-tiling from the best quality of clay have been made. It is well known that slate tiling will flake and crumble to pieces under the influence of strong heat, and therefore that a building covered with this material is not fire proof. Not only so, but the action of

563

HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

wet and frost disintegrates slate roofing and causes it to divide into fragments, leaving the wood beneath unprotected from fire and rain. These objections are neutralized by clay tile. Neither firc nor weather can affect them, and where they have been used they have given the best of satisfaction.

The Jackson Fire Clay Company conducts an extensive busi- ness, manufacturing drain tile, sewer pipe, well lining and fire brick for a patronage extending through several States. They erected their present works in 1867, the principal building being 50x150 feet and three stories high, and the number of men em- ployed at first being 15; this has increased to 40 or 50. The pro- prietors are E. J. Connable, R. M. Connable and C. H. Harris, who have agents in all the principal cities and towns, selling at factory prices and adding freight on drain tile only. The clay is found here, and their work is first-class in every respect. The company issue pamphlets giving instructions in pipe-laying, and tables of prices for all sizes and styles of pipe, and by addressing them by post or personally, one can obtain a great deal of useful information in the most important department of farm improvement.

J. D. Hill's Granite and Marble Works, South Mechanic street, were first established by Messrs. Emerson & Mead, who conducted it some years, until the autumn of 1870, when Mr. Clark W. Hill became identified with it. In 1876 he disposed of his interest, and in 1878 became manager of the concern, which position he now holds. The chief feature of the business is monumental work, ex- ecuted from the most approved designs in fine imported and native granites and marbles. They employ from six to eight men and manufacture $10,000 to $15,000 worth of goods a year, with a grow- ing trade.

L. D. Vinson & Co., manufacturers of fine granite and marble monuments, South Mechanic street, established their business in Jackson in March, 1880, and have in a single year developed an extensive trade in superior grades of work. Mr. H. S. Vinson con- ceives and executes the designs, all of which are original. He possesses a rare gift for that branch of art, as his unique and beanti- ful productions evidence, having few equals, and perhaps no supe- riors, in the United States. The Vinson brothers employ three traveling salesmen, and cater for the most elaborate and expensive class of work. They have executed and erected a number among the most elegant monuments in the Northwest. Their goods are sold in several States; and their business promises to reach $30 .- 000 to $50,000 during the year 1881.

The New Paper-Mill is built of brick, in the form of an italic L, 98x46 feet in dimensions, with an engine and boiler-house 20 feet square detached, on the south or Trail street side; the west end of the building is,flush with the river bank, thus forming an acute an- gle. Messrs. Wood & Emerson completed the brick work of two low stories. The Trail-street sewer runs under the entire length of

5 64

HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

the building, and interfered materially with the plans for the stone foundations upon which to rest the machine and the engine, but a slight change of location obviated the difficulty for the present, al- though the outlet of the sewer will have to be changed in the near future. The boilers and engine arrived from Flint, and the manu- facture of paper was inaugurated January, 1880.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Jackson County, Michigan, Part 57

Author: Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago [Ill.] : Inter-state Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1166

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago [Ill.] : Inter-state Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1166