USA > Michigan > Kent County > History of Kent County, Michigan, together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 90
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Among the societies failing to supply data or names are the fol- lowing: St. George's, St. Joseph's, St. Patrick's, and St. Adelbert's (Polish) Benevolent societies; Lawrence Barrett Dramatic Club, Yung Maenner Band, Mohawk Club and the Workingmen's Aid Society.
MANUFACTURES.
Every characteristic of the village of 1849 is changed, or has disappeared. The march of improvement has dwarfed the past, and risen above its highest hopes. Where was the log cabin or the diminutive frame dwelling or store-house of the first settlers, are now great business blocks, showing larger proportions, and be- speaking more honest wealth than those great feudal castles of the old, dull, monarchical world. Away up and down that river are the busy mills and factories of a beautiful city, which, less than a half a century ago, swept past the rude villages of the savage allies of the British in their last efforts to destroy the young Re- public. Hills have been cut down, streamlet courses changed, the swamps filled up, and the very face of old Dame Nature changed in every feature.
The manufacturing industries of Grand Rapids are generally of that class which are known throughout the Union; not a few of them hold a high reputation in Europe; all of them form a testi- mony to the enterprise of a people which cannot be surpassed. To- day the city is the center of the furniture trade, and in other branches of manufacture it has outgrown many of its older rivals.
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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
Even now its manufacturing industries are in their infancy ; what their manhood will reach can only be formed in the imagination. The amazing progress made within the last few years leads one to expect something greater from the future, -a city filling half a county with its buildings, and the Union with its name. These pages show the gradual advance of place and people; but apart from this record of remarkable and magnificent progress, there is yet a record which forms in itself a true a count of what private enterprise has done, and still continues to do,-that is, the review of the manufacturing industries of the city in 1880, taken from the report of G. W. Gage, a special agent appointed to collect the manufacturing statistics of Grand Rapids for the 10th United States Census.
There are 504 manufacturing establishments in Grand Rapids. The total capital invested is $5,477,352. The total average num- ber of laborers afforded employment is 6,742. The sum total of wages per year is $2,287,003. The total annual value of the ma- terial consumed is $4,791,467. The total value of product is $9,076,486.
The total of establishments divides into occupations as follows : Alabastine, one; agricultural implements, six; brooms, one; brick yards, two; breweries, five; bottling beer, seven; bent wood, one; bakery goods, 14; brushes, one; boots and shoes 18; blacksmith- ing, 16; boxes, four; belting and leather, two; chemicals and ex- tracts, six; clothing, 15; confectionery, three; coffee and spices, one; contractors and builders, 20; coopers, nine; coffins and cas- kets, three; cigars, 18; carpet-sweepers five; car works, one; ex- celsior, three; edge tools, one; electric light, one; furniture and upholstering, 29; files, four; family scales, one; fanning-mills and milk safes, one; gun-makers, one; gas works, one; gloves and mittens, one; flour and grist mills, six; gum shellac, one; galvan- ized iron, two; gas fitting and plumbing, five; hoop-skirts, one: hats, caps, and furs, two; jewelry and repairing, 13; lumber and saw mills, seven; lime, two; millinery, two; medicines and com- . pounds, five; machine shops and foundries, 16; meat packers and slaughterers, 21; medical instruments, two; newspapers, 11; plan- ing-mills, two; plaster-mills, three; picture frames, four; pianos, one; painters and glaziers, 11; photographers. 10; book and job printers, 11; potteries, two; roofers, one; stencils and dies, three; sewing machines, one; soap, two; small beer and pop, two; spoon bait, one; sash doors and blinds, seven; saddlery and harness, 10; stone cutters two; toys, one; tomb stones, three; tanneries, two; tents and awnings, one; tinware and sheet iron, 10; telephones, one; wagons and carriages, 25; wooden ware, seven; wire works, three; woolen mills, one; Waters' patent barrels, one; miscel- laneous (including establishments of all kinds producing to the value of less than $500 annually), 72.
Many of the above establishments manufacture a variety of articles, whereas for brevity's sake, only the leading product has been named.
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GRAND RAPIDS CITY.
It will be seen at a glance that the furniture trade constitutes the leading interest of the city, and that manufactures in this line have developed to colossal proportions. The total number of es- tablishments is 29; total capital invested, $1,778,456; average number of hands employed, 2,782; total wages, $961,037; value of material, $1,256,713; value of product, $2,792,784, or, in round numbers, $3,000,000.
This is a magnificent showing, as will be more fully realized when it is stated that of the nine large manufacturing centers in the country three of the largest, to-wit: Philadelphia, Chicago and Cincinnati, produce each to a total of only about $7,000,000, or a little more than double the total production of Grand Rapids, while the first contains 200, the second 114, and the third 113 es- tablishments as against our 29. The population of these great cities averages 500,000 as against our own population of say 35,- 000, or 32,800 as given by the census. The difference is in the size of the establishments in the different places, thosein this city being comparatively few in number but almost uniformly of vast propor- tions, while those in the larger cities count up rapidly and are con- siderable as a whole, but often dwindle down to insignificance when examined each by itself.
The great specialties of the large furniture factories are bed-room suits, in which articles Grand Rapids sets the styles and fixes the prices for the world. Fancy tables and desks and chairs of all kinds have also assumed great prominence and popularity of late. Our manufacturers meet with their heaviest competition at home. Such firms as Berkey & Gay, Nelson, Matter & Co., and the Phoenix have no rivals abroad to fear, even in that wide stretch of territory which is covered by their representatives in their respective lines of travel. The furniture manufactured in this city is sent to every part of the United States, from New York to San Francisco, and from Portland to Galveston. Consignments are often made to cities in Europe and South America. All grades of work are in- cluded, from the cheapest to the best.
The annual product of the several plaster-mills is about 75,000 tons. The capital invested is $257,000; the average number of hands employed, 145.
The capital invested in lumber and saw-mills (not including plan- ing-mills) is $1,011,685; number of hands employed, 496; total wages, $156,099; value of capital, $410,259; value of product, $655,976-estimate for the census year. About 50,000,000 feet of lumber is manufactured annually.
A capital of $238,000 is invested in the manufacture of agricult- ural implements; over 200 men are employed; $67,978 paid in wages; value of material, $160,294; value of product, $286,647.
A capital of $270,000 is invested in foundries and machine shops : 300 men are employed; $134,899 paid in wages; value of material, $188,951; value of product, $388,351.
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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
A capital of $86,900 is invested in meat-packing and slaughter- ing; 56 men employed; $11,680 paid in wages; value of material, $287,734; value of product, $388,350.
A capital of $241,500 is invested in sash, doors and blinds; num- ber of employes, 196; wages paid, $87,738; value of material; $173,- 397; value of product, $294,043.
In flour and grist mills $169,500 is invested; 57 employes; wages paid, $18,050; value of material, $356,775; value of product, $393,- 38S.
The Grand Rapids Gas Company has a capital stock of $100,- 000. About 17 miles of mains are laid.
The Grand Rapids Boom Company handle from 60,000,000 to 80,000,000 feet of logs annually, and has $50,000 invested in the business.
The Grand Rapids car-shops employ a capital of $77,500; num- ber of hands, 160; value of products, $158,371. These shops have in the past few months turned out the first passenger cars ever manu- factured in this city.
The Grand Rapids Brush Company employs $75,000 in capital, and about 170 hands in the manufacture of drawn hair brushes, which find ready sale in all parts of the country.
Harrison's mammoth wagon shops turn out from 3,000 to 4,000 farm wagons per year. A single corporation engaged in tanning leather employs $200,000 in that and kindred lines of business. The manufacture of carpet-sweepers employs a capital of nearly $50,000, and gives employment to over 100 hands.
The census inquiry developed the fact that in nearly all branches of business, and with mechanics and artisans in particular, a rapid recovery was going on from the terrible shock of the panic. The greatest depression was found to exist among carpenters, painters, glaziers and coopers. All of these classes and the entire manufact- uring interest-notably those branches working in metals and lum- ber-are in a greatly improved condition over that of the census year; and could the figures shown be for the year 1880, exclusively, a marked increase would appear over those given, which are in part for 1880 and in part for 1879-'80.
It should be taken into consideration in an estimate of the aver- age wages paid to mechanics and laborers, that of the total number of employes, 6,742, about 1,000 are either females or persons under 21 years of age. This shows the condition of the working classes in Grand Rapids to be one of comparative affluence, and establishes for us a very flattering position when a comparison is instituted between this and other cities. It is doubtful if another city can be found in the United States that produces more, in proportion to population, than does Grand Rapids.
With such sure foundations for prosperity it is not too much to say that the people who have done all this will, in the near future, confine the waters of the river and cover two-thirds of its channel with business blocks and factories; the eastern ridge will disappear
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GRAND RAPIDS CITY.
and a broad, wide, level city will spread out where now are the highland suburbs.
FURNITURE.
The Art and Ebony Furniture Factory of Wm. A. Berkey & Koskul was established in February, 1831. The factory occupies a portion of the Mechanics' block, and gives employment to 35 men . Frederic Koskul is one of the best designers known at Grand Rap- ids, and therefore one of the leaders in the art of the furniture de- signer in the world. Their center tables, cabinets, book-cases and pedestals meet with a ready sale throughout the Union.
The Ford Furniture Company .- A new association or corpora- tion for the manufacture of furniture, known as the Ford Furniture Company, was organized July 11, 1881. The corporators-also directors-are Messrs. Wm. Winegar, Jas. H. Ford, Geo. R. Ford, Chas. B. Hooker and Geo. J. Shaw. The capital stock is $25,000, divided into 1,000 shares. The company uses the Winegar build- ing on Prescott street as a factory, and at present will make a specialty of the manufacture of all sorts of tables. It succeeds to a successful business already started by the Messrs. Ford at Rock- ford. The officers of the company are : President, Wm. Winegar; Vice-President, Geo. J. Shaw; Secretary and Treasurer, Chas. B. Hooker.
The Kent Furniture Manufacturing Company .-- This enter- prising firm was organized Jan. 7, 1880, and immediately began business in the old Wonderly saw-mill; to this they have added extensive buildings, one of which is 60 x 70 feet, two-stories high; one 100 x 105 feet, three-stories high; one 40 x 60 feet, two-stories high, and a four-story building 100 x 64 feet. These buildings and the lumber yards occupy over six acres of ground. Cottage furniture is the principal produce of this factory. The engine which drives the machinery is of 175-horse power, and supplied with steam from three large boilers. This firm employs about 100 men, and is doing a large business. They also run a saw- mill in connection with the factory. The present officers are : J. H. Wonderly, President; J. P. Creque, Vice-President; R. N. Wolcott, Treasurer.
The McCord & Bradfield Furniture Co. was incorporated in 1879 by T. M. McCord, Elizabeth Bradfield and F. R. Luce. This firm make the manufacture of hard-wood bedsteads and tables a specialty. The main factory is 100x75 feet, four stories, with ware-rooms 90x 40 feet, and four-stories high. The company employ 75 men. The present officers are: R. C. Luce, President; Chas. Shepard, Vice-President; and T. M. McCord, Secretary and Treasurer.
Nelson, Matter & Co .- This is one of the most prominent furni- ture-manufacturing companies in the world. It was established in 1855 by E. W. and S. A. Winchester. In 1856 C. C. Comstock purchased their interests, and in 1863 James M. and Ezra T. Nel-
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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
son purchased a half interest from Mr. Comstock. The business was then carried on under the firm name of Comstock, Nelson & Co. In 1865 Comstock sold one-half of his interest to T. A. Com- stock and the balance to Manly G. Colson and James A. Pugh. The firm name was changed to Nelson, Comstock & Co. April 16, 1870, E. Matter purchased T. A. Comstock's interest, and the company adopted at once the firm name it now bears. James A. Pugh died Sept. 5, 1870, and M. G. Colson died Oct. 16, 1871. The interests of their heirs remained with the firm until March 18, 1872, when S. S. Gay purchased Colson's interest, and soon after- ward the firm purchased the Pugh interest. . June 10, 1878, James G. MacBride and Jay D. Utley were admitted partners in the firm, the name remaining the same. March 1, 1880, S. S. Gay retired. The firm now consists of Jas. M. Nelson, Ezra T. Nelson, E. Mat- ter, James G. MacBride and Jay D. Utley.
In January, 1879, this company established a branch store in New York city. The factory is located on Lyon street, and is a handsome five-story brick structure, including basement, 160x70 feet, with engine and boiler rooms, 44x36 feet. Attached in the rear is a dry kiln 24x70 feet. Their warerooms on Lyon street are 160x68 feet, five-stories together with the basement; and on Canal street they also have a store 80x54 feet, three stories with basement. This immense space not being sufficient for their constantly increasing business, they have rented a room of C. C. Rood, 22x80 feet, on Canal street, and the house of R. E. Butterworth, on Huron street, 80x70 feet, three-stories high. The buildings of this firm are sup- plied with steam elevators, heated by steam, and lighted by gas. There are three entrances to the main floor of the factory: one from Lyon street, one from Lock street, and one from the river. Each entrance is supplied with an iron track, with a turn table in the center of the building, so that materials can be brought in from three sides. The factory is connected with the store-rooms and ware-rooms by means of bridges. Their lumber-yards are lo- cated between Ottawa and Kent streets, where 1,000,000 feet of lumber are kept. They have also a large dry kiln and sheds sit- uated in the lumber-yard.
The New England Furniture Co .- This company was organized in April, 1880, by Edward F. Ward, Elias Skinner, Orin A. Ward, Wm. Emery and Hero M. Amsden. Geo. B. Lewis was added to the firm in 1881. The factory of this firm is a four-story building, 108x45 feet, and is supplied with the latest improved machinery. The company manufacture different kinds of furniture, but make chamber suits a specialty. There are 35 men employed in the fac- tory, exclusive of clerks and those employed in the paint-shops. Water-power is used, but they are also supplied with boilers and en- gines, so that in case the water fails the work can go on.
The Oriel Cabinet Co. was incorporated in October, 1880, by Berkey & Gay and Geo. G. Clay. The buildings are large, and
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GRAND RAPIDS CITY.
machinery new. The manufacture of cabinet ware is made a spe- cialty.
The Phoenix Furniture Co .- This large and prosperous company was incorporated in May, 1872, with the following officers: Wm. A. Berkey, President; Wm. A. Howard, Vice-President; F. M. McQuorter, Secretary; and W. D. Tolford, Treasurer. The factory was located on Ottawa street until 1873. The present four-story brick structure was erected, the main building in 1873, and the ad- dition in 1880. The dimensions of this building are 368x74 feet. The warehouse adjoining is a frame structure, 48x223 feet, four- stories high. There is also a saw-mill belonging to the company, on the ground, 112x40 feet. The machinery used in this factory is all modern, and is driven by a 225-horse-power engine, which is sup- plied with steam by five boilers, each five feet in diameter. The company employ 600 hands in all, and manufacture very fine furni- ture. This firm also runs a photograph gallery on the top of the building, in which they photograph the different styles of furniture.
Stockwell, Belknap & Co .- This business was first established in 1869, by Wheeler, Borden & Co., as a sash, door and blind factory, and was located on Front street. The name was after- ward changed to A. D. Borden & Co. In 1876, A. E. Stockwell purchased Borden's interest, and the company assumed the firm name of A. E. Stockwell & Co., until 1879, when Messrs. Andrew Byrne and J. C. Darragh became interested in the business, and in October of that year, the firm name was known as Stockwell, Byrne & Co. They then added a furniture department to the former business. A. Belknap purchased the interest of Andrew Byrne, in December, 1880, when the firm name was changed to that of Stockwell, Belknap & Co. They make the manufacture of chamber suits a specialty. They have a large and increasing trade in the East, West and South. The motive power for the machinery is steam, generated in two large boilers, and the engine used is of 120-horse power. Over 90 men are constantly employed. The machinery is of the latest and most approved pattern. The main factory is 132x72 feet, and the ware rooms 100x50 feet; en- gine and boiler room .40x50 feet.
Stow & Haight, manufacturers of tables, South Front street. This business they established in June, 1879. The company occu- pied a portion of the Stockwell building on West Third street until recently. In July, 1881, they bought the old Hub factory, and some land adjoining on South Front street, where they have erected new buildings, and remodeled the old one. The new building is 40 x 100 feet, three-stories high, the other building being 30 x 40 feet, with boiler and engine-room, besides their dry kiln, which is 20 x 36 feet in size. Their trade is very large, and is rapidly increasing. They have the patronage of the best dealers in the West.
The Sligh Furniture Co. was incorporated in 1880 by L. E. Hawkins and others, with a capital stock of $40,000. The main
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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.
building is a three-story frame structure, 110x100 feet; ware-rooms, 60x48 feet; engine and boiler rooms, 40x37 feet. The machinery is of the latest improved kind, driven by a 75-horse-power engine. 80 men are employed in this factory. The company manufacture wal- nut bureaus and ash and walnut chamber suits.
The Widdicomb Furniture Company. - This now large and extensive business was established in 1865. The business increased rapidly, and in 1873 a stock company was organized with William Widdicomb, President; Theodore F. Richards, Vice- President; Harry Widdicomb, Treasurer and Secretary. The main factory was erected in 1879, and is a five-story brick, 104x104 feet. The old factory, which they still occupy, is a four-story frame building, 90x68 feet. They have in addition two warehouses, one 160x64 feet, four-stories high, and another, 150x60 feet, three-stories high. This factory occupies 140,000 square feet of floor surface. The machinery is all modern, and is valued at $50,000, including the boilers and engine. The engine is a 250-horse power, and is supplied with steam from two large boilers. Six million feet of lumber are used annually, and 340 men employed. A specialty of maple and white ash chamber suits is made. The company own lumber yards in Kent, Allegan and Ottawa counties.
The Wolverine Chair and Furniture Company, located on Front street, near the west end of Pearl street bridge, was organized March 10, 1880. At the present time this company are engaged wholly in the manufacture of fine cane-seat chairs and frames for upholstering. The company has just entered upon the second year of its existence, having been organized in March, 1880, as a stock company. Their facilities for manufacturing are excellent, being located in a large and commodious building, 50x150 feet on the ground, and three-stories-and-basement high, propelled by water- power, equipped with a complete outfit of new machinery of the most approved kind, and employing none but skilled workmen. They are manufacturing a supply of goods in their line, which find ready sale in all parts of the country. The officers of the company are: Wm. H. Powers, President; B. R. Pierce, Vice- President; C. W. Prindle, Secretary, and Jos. H. Walker, Treas- urer. Board of Directors: Wm. H. Powers, B. R. Pierce, C. W. Prindle, Jos. H. Walker, A. B. Watson, Wm. T. Powers and D. H. Powers. The company will soon increase its capital stock as their rapidly growing business now demands it. This is destined to be one of the largest manufacturing concerns in the city of Grand Rapids. It commenced business on the proper basis, by commencing small and building up legitimately as its increasing trade demands, and being composed mainly of well-known business men, who have the entire confidence of the community, they must surely succeed in making the business all they desire.
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GRAND RAPIDS CITY.
MANUFACTURERS OF WOOD.
Blount's Box Factory .- This business was commenced a few years ago by E. S. Cory and Frederick R. Blount, who were in partnership till Jan. 1, 1881. At that time Mr. Cory retired from the firm and Mr. Blount assumed management of the business. In 1878, the firm erected a new factory 100 x 100, with engine- house and office attached. On Sept. 30, 1881, the factory was destroyed by fire, but Mr. Blount immediately began the erection of a new factory on South Front street, near the G. R. & I. R .R. track, which has lately been completed and put in running order. Mr. Blount formerly used up 4,500,000 feet of lumber per year, but has now a capacity of. 7,000,000 feet annually. He employs about 25 men in the business.
Clay & Locke Manufaturing Co. was established on Canal street in 1864, by D. P. Clay, who first commenced making wooden bowls. Mr. H. Locke came into the firm in 1866, and has made and invented most of the machinery in use, among them be- ing machines for making potato rollers and butter machines. In 1868 he invented a machine for making clothes-pins. The factory was burned Aug. 21, 1874, when almost the entire machinery was destroyed or rendered unfit for use. On Jan. 1, 1875, the office was moved to the corner of Shawmut avenue and Winter street, where the shop was built, and where business has since been car- ried on. In 1876 the manufacture of boys' wagons was added to the business. In February, 1880, the present company was formed, with a capital stock of $50,000. D. P. Clay was chosen Presi- dent ; H. Locke, Vice-President ; W. H. Sharpnack, Treasurer, and H. D. Kingsbury, Secretary. The main building is 100x30 feet, three-stories high, with engine and boiler room 40x40; store- house, 24x140. They manufacture goods out of beech and maple woods, which are shipped in by railroad. The manufactory use about 1,000,000 feet of beech and maple logs annually. The sum of $60,000 is invested in the business. The sales average $35,000 a year.
C. C. Comstock's Pail Factory .- This large and well-known factory was erected in 1856, by C. C. Comstock, as a planing mill, and sash, door and blind factory, the department of pails and tubs being added in 1863. The factory is a three-story brick, 220x55 feet. The building and grounds occupy 26 lots, on North Canal street. The machinery in this manufactory is of the best modern improved, and its. capacity is 1,000 tubs and 3,000 pails daily, besides a large quantity of doors, sash and blinds. To op- erate this large establishment requires 120 men. Mr. Comstock's trade is obtained without the aid of any traveling salesmen, and at the present time (1881) can hardly fill his orders. Mr. Com- stock is also engaged in the lumber trade. He owns and operates two saw-mills, employing about 80 men in this business.
C. S. Corey & Co's. Planing Mill and Box Factory, established about 1874, by Dr. Wiesel, of Williamsport, Penn., who oper ted
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