USA > Michigan > Saginaw County > History of Saginaw County, Michigan; historical, commercial, biographical, Volume II > Part 61
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NEW FOUNDRY OF S. FAIR & SON, INC.
560
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY
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ELECTRIC FURNACE AT S. FAIR & SON, INC.
The making of vanadium steel castings of high grade was at once begun, and consisted mostly of automobile parts requiring tremendous strength and toughness. To the credit of the concern it may be said that. due to the uniform excellence of its castings and to economical and efficient management, the foundry has since worked to full capacity on contracts with some of the largest makers of high class automobiles.
A considerable amount of dlectrical energy is consumed in this furnace. which permits of six or seven heats, or meltings, a day, and is furnished by the local power company, at a low rate, but at an average cost of one thou- sand dollars monthly. About fifty moulders and founders, grinders and other laborers are employed in the foundry. The monthly output is about one hundred tons of small high grade vanadium steel castings; and the yearly production, at the prevailing prices of vanadium steel products, is nearly half a million dollars.
The immediate requirements of the foundry, in the way of extensions to meet the constantly increasing trade, has recently been filled by the in- stallation of a second electric steel melting furnace of improved type. This furnace embodies all the essential economic features of the other, and in addition provides for quick renewing of the furnace lining, thus reducing the time the furnace is put out of use. Furthermore, the linings are renewed only half as frequently, the capacity of the furnace being doubled thereby. These improvements in the electric furnace were made by the Fair brothers, who are always alert to provide efficient and economical operation of the foundry. The building of this furnace here speaks well for the ingenuity and practical knowledge of Louis G. Fair, and of the progressiveness displayed by the concern.
The present officers of the company are: Louis G. Fair, president and treasurer ; Ernest A. Snow, vice-president, and Elizabeth Houlihan, secretary.
561
DIVERSIFIED INDUSTRIES
Saginaw Plate Glass Company
During 1899 a number of progressive business men of this city, desiring to utilize the natural resources and give impetus to the growing prosperity of Saginaw Valley, conceived the idea of locating a plate glass factory here. The idea took definite form and soon a plan was worked out for the incor- poration of a stock company having a capital of three hundred and fifty thousand dollars. The stock was quickly subscribed and the organization of the company effected.
Among the incorporators were: William J. Wickes, John L. Jackson, Benton Hanchett, Frederick W. Carlisle, Frank G. Palmerton, James G. Macpherson, T. E. Dorr, E. F. Achard and Samuel G. Higgins. The officers were : Frederick W. Carlisle, president ; William J. Wickes, vice-president ; Samuel G. Higgins, secretary : E. F. Achard, treasurer, and Thomas L. Kerr, general manager. . All the original promotors of this successful industry, which was entirely new to this section of Michigan, were Saginaw capital- ists with the exception of Mr. Kerr. He was a practical plate glass maker who came from Fittsburg to superintend the erection of the plant, and after- wards to operate it.
In order to secure an ample tract of land contiguous to the river and having adequate railroad facilities, the present site was selected. The loca- tion is a very advantageous one, providing an abundance of water direct from the river, superior transportation facilities, and also affording a dump- ing ground on the low lands adjoining the factory for the natural wastes of manufacture. At that time there was a great demand for plate glass creat- ing a ready market, a condition which has prevailed except at brief inter- vals. The original plant was erected and equipped for an annual capacity of one million square feet of plate glass, which was considered a fair output at that time.
During the ten years following the opening of the plant a marked in- crease in the consumption of plate glass developed in this country. A fact not generally known is, in consequence of the tremendous expansion of the automobile industry in Michigan, which uses a great quantity of plate glass for windshields and enclosed bodies, this State is now the largest consumer of plate glass in the United States. At least fifteen per cent. of the total production of the country is used in Michigan, a large proportion of which finds its way into the finishing of motor cars, while a moderate quantity is used for mirrors by the great furniture factories of Grand Rapids and else- where.
To avail themselves of the active market thus created, the present man- agement of the company thought wise to increase the production of plate glass, and in 1913 and the following year made extensive additions to the plant and equipment. The original capacity of the plant was thus more than trebled and today, when all the improved equipment is in fine working con- dition, the output is fully four million square feet of glass. Running at full capacity the plant employs three hundred and fifty men, some operations being on a double or three-shift basis, which is necessary in some instances on account of the nature of the work.
In the original equipment of the factory much of the special glass mak- ing machinery was purchased in the Pittsburg district and adapted to the needs and requirements here. Later, when improved methods and economic management were adopted, all special machinery installed in the plant was designed by employees of the plate glass company and made in Saginaw.
562
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY
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SAGINAW F
THE MAMMOTH PLANT OF THE
In this departure, the iron works of Wickes Brothers, Jackson & Church and others, which had furnished the numerons engines and batteries of boilers used, derived a considerable amount of business which gave steady employment to local mechanics and workmen.
Within the last ten or fifteen years many improved methods of making plate glass have been put in use, and at present everything is handled mechanically, in sharp contrast to manual labor formerly employed. This effects great economies of operation, huge conveyors and handling devices in casting and transporting glass through the various operations, being notable additions to the highly efficient plant. The equipment has also been augmented by furnaces of much larger capacity, and an annealing lehr two hundred and eighty feet long, designed to make plates as large as twelve by twenty fect, which are as large as any used in this country. Formerly plates eight by thirteen were the maximum of size produced. The furnaces are operated by producer gas made on the premises from Saginaw coal.
The making of plate glass requires a great quantity of heat and power. which is produced at the plant by a producer gas plant and by a large battery of boilers. Saginaw coal is used exclusively, two hundred and fifty tons being required daily to produce the required energy in various forms. The raw materials used in making plate glass on a large scale are a considerable item of tonnage; and the products, including salt in big quantities, com- prise steady shipments. The freight movement to and from the plant is extensive, not less than twenty-five loaded cars entering and leaving the plant daily, and about equally divided between coal (inbound), salt (out- bound ), and other raw materials and finished products.
At the time the glass plant was established the promotors had in mind the utilization of the great quantity of waste exhaust steam from the various operations, but it was not until 1905 that the directors of the company de- cided upon building a modern salt block adjoining the plate glass plant. In
DIVERSIFIED INDUSTRIES
563
ATE GLASS CO.
SAGINAW PLATE GLASS COMPANY
that year a very complete salt making plant was erected, having ten grainers constructed throughout of reinforced concrete, and with a capacity of about seven hundred barrels daily. The equipment was in advance of any salt block in Michigan, every process and handling of the product being auto- matic. Later two additional grainers were built and several salt wells drilled and equipped, increasing the output to one thousand barrels of salt daily, or cight car loads. Salt is shipped to a ready market in the Central and Southern States, the well known purity and non-hardening qualities of "Saginaw" salt giving it a high reputation wherever used. An interesting account of the making of salt in this modern plant is included in the chapter on "The Salt Industry," pages 440-44. About thirty men are employed in this department, principally in packing the salt in barrels for shipment.
To further utilize all the constituents of salt brine, or rather to make use of the hitherto waste "bittern" resulting from the manufacture of salt, a modern chemical plant was erected in 1911 adjacent to the salt block. The principal product is calcium chloride which is largely used in various trades, and for which there is a steady demand. Later other products were added such as bromine, magnesium chloride, etc., made from wastes which formerly went into the river. In 1912 a separate company, the Saginaw Chemical Company, was organized to take over and operate this department of the business. James C. Graves, who was instrumental in establishing this valuable part of the business, is vice-president of the company, and manager of its operations. The chemical company employs from eighteen to twenty-five men in its own plant.
The present officers of the Saginaw Plate Glass Company, which now has a capital investment exceeding one million dollars, are: William J. Wickes, president ; Arthur D. Eddy, vice-president; George C. Eastwood, secretary and treasurer; and the board of directors is composed of these officers and Frederick W. Carlisle. Peter Corcoran, Walter S. Eddy, Benton Hanchett, James G. Macpherson, M. N. Brady and John J. Rupp.
564
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY
The United States Graphite Company.
In the early part of 1891 the graphite industry was controlled, and to a large extent monopolized, by one company so far as the preparation of high grade graphites and the manufacture of graphite products were concerned. The company in question for a matter of about sixty years had the field to themselves, but on April 29, 1891, The United States Graphite Company of Saginaw, Michigan, was incorporated and while starting in a small unpre- tentious way, the foundation of this great business was started.
It did not at that time give prospects of being a serious competitor of the larger company, but it progressed step by step, developing slowly until today it is a recognized power in its own field.
There was nothing elaborate about its early life. It procured its mines in Mexico and while the directors and incorporators were convinced of the superiority of the Mexican Graphite over any other then sold, it still remained for them to convince the users of graphite that this was so.
ORIGINAL PLANT OF U. S. GRAPHITE COMPANY
Its first plant was a small frame shed in the northern side of Saginaw. To this small frame shed it hauled and unloaded its graphite ore from Mexico, pulverized and refined it. Its equipment was more or less limited and rather crude. All of the packing of the goods was done by hand and the office was frequently used to pack and label the cans of graphite.
The company was started and developed by the Messrs. Wickes, who are still stockholders, directors and officials in the organization. Its struggle was long and ardnous at the beginning, but it so surely developed and became so strongly entrenched that it finally became cramped for quarters and in the latter part of 1904, the present up-to-date plant with its equipment was built or rather started, for ever since the modern plant was erected additions have been constantly added. Today the factory is probably twice as large as when it was first erected in 1904. Products are now manufactured that were not even contemplated at that time. The factory grounds approxi- mate eight acres, which is deemed sufficient to take care of the expansion that is anticipated.
565
DIVERSIFIED INDUSTRIES
The company moved into its new plant in December, 1904, and a little later the late president, Mr. Eugene McSweeney, was elected by the directors to the executive position. Under his management the progress of the com- pany was substantial and marked, and today it is one of the largest organi- zations of its kind in the world.
Mr. H. C. Woodruff, vice-president and general manager, entered the service of this company on December 7, 1891, and has been continuously associated with it. He entered the employ of the company shortly after its incorporation, as bookkeeper.
Mr. M. J. Houlihan, sales manager, came with the Company in 1902, as assistant to Mr. Woodruff after the business had started going sufficiently to demonstrate the need of more assistance. He has also been continuously associated with the company since that time, and both have been closely identified with the company's progress.
The company now manufactures practically everything into which graphite enters with the exception of crucibles and pencils, though it is a larger producer of pencil graphite than all the other graphite concerns in the world combined ; producing approximately from eighty-five to ninety per cent. of all of the graphite used in pencil manufacture.
In 1916 the company erected a thoroughly modern and up-to-date plant designed for the manufacture of motor and generator brushes, and graphite and carbon specialties, opening up another broad field that will greatly in- crease the business of the company.
The company occupies a more or less unique position among miners and manufacturers of graphite and graphite products. It has a distinct ad- vantage over its many competitors owing to the fact that it is the only graphite manufacturing firm that mines its entire supply. The supply of its Sonora mines is practically inexhaustible and due to the fact that it is the purest and best amorphous graphite ever discovered, it is not necessary for this company to depend on any other source for its output.
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MEXICAN MINERS AND HUGE PILE OF GRAPHITE ORE
566
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY
The mines are located about twenty miles south of the mining town of La Colorado in Central Sonora. The deposits were discovered in 1867 and work was begun on them in 1891, though it was about 1895 before commercial operations of any importance were attempted. The country adjacent to the mines is dry and little more than a desert except during the rainy season which is July, August and September. The temperature is very high during the Summer and frost never occurs. Water is so scarce that little agricul- tural utilization can be made of the climate and soil.
Some distance from the graphite mines are large formations of rock, but as one approaches the mine the rock changes to sedimentaries, sandstones around the mine itself, and a little to the southwest of it are heavy limestones. The elevation above sea level is about thirteen hundred feet. The company formerly worked from two shafts, but in recent months it has sunk a third shaft that reaches a greater depth than either of the other two shafts, and has opened up for use a bed of graphite considerably larger than any of the others opened up by the former shafts. There are at least seven beds of graphite in the mines. The graphite as removed from the mines is so soft and friable that a large lump may be taken in the hand and crushed to small particles. It is velvety and smooth to the touch.
Owing to the friability of the bed almost no explosives are necessary as most of the mining is done with pick and shovel. After being raised to the surface the graphite is spread out in the hot sun on a concrete plat- form to dry, which it does in a short time and then is thrown up in piles to await shipment. From here it is packed by wagon train over the desert and hills to the Southern Pacific Railroad over which rails it finally reaches its destination, Saginaw, Michigan.
The officers and directors of the corporation are William J. Wickes, president : Harry C. Woodruff, vice-president and general manager ; Harry T. Wickes, treasurer ; Arthur D. Eddy, secretary ; and A. S. Harvey.
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PAP
8
A
PRESENT PLANT OF UNITED STATES GRAPHITE COMPANY
William Polson & Company
Among the well established wood-working interests of Saginaw is William Polson & Company, whose factory is located at Hess Street and Jefferson Avenue. The corporation was organized in 1904, succeeding to the business established several years before by White & Polson. The plant was then located on the A. C. White mill property, on South Jefferson Avenue and the Belt Line, but was totally destroyed by fire in May, 1904.
567
DIVERSIFIED INDUSTRIES
W. POLSON AND CO.
WH POLSON E
MASH. DOORS. FRAMES SCREENS.
PLANT OF WILLIAM POLSON & COMPANY
Nothing daunted by the loss of plant William Polson reorganized the business under the above title, with a capital stock of sixty thousand dollars, and purchased the present factory building. This three-story brick buikling. having a floor space of thirty thousand square feet and well adapted to the requirements of the business, was speedily equipped with modern wood- working machinery and put in active operation. The plant has ample rail- road switching facilities with direct connection with a trunk line road. for the rapid handling of several million feet of yellow pine, mahogany, oak and other hard woods worked up, and for the shipping of finished product to all points in the Middle West.
The principal products are sash, doors, window and door frames, and all kinds of turned work and interior finish, for the local market and to supply a steady demand in a territory extending as far as the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. A very satisfactory trade is conducted with Cleveland, Detroit. Flint and other growing cities, contractors and builders appreciating the uniform excellence of the wood products of this company.
Recently the company added a new department to its business, the making of fine mahogany wood finish for show windows, numerous examples of which may be seen in Saginaw. This includes mahogany finish for fine residences and public edifices, and promises to be a successful part of their large business. The company employs a force of fifty men running on a full time basis ; and the annual output is valued at about one hundred and twenty- five thousand dollars.
The present officers of the company are: William Polson, president ; William C. Kenny, vice-president : and John Polson, secretary and treasurer, who, with 11. H. Eymer. comprise the board of directors. They are men of high standing and integrity, and deserve the success that has come to their united efforts.
568
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY
Herzog Art Furniture Company.
Scarcely more than sixteen years ago a young man, born in 1867 on a farm near the little German village of Frankenmuth, started a new industry m Saginaw. This concern was the Herzog Art Furniture Company, and the founder was John Herzog, whose high ideals, integrity, courage and pro- gressiveness developed a business of wonderful possibilities.
lle was one of a family of thirteen children-descendants of sturdy Bavarian Lutherans who settled in this fertile section in the late forties. At an early age he manifested unusual skill in making small pieces of furniture. After a few years spent in working in a planing mill, and in attending the church school in Frankenmuth, he came to Saginaw and for two years was employed in the old Feige-Silsby furniture factory, where he acquired some knowledge of cabinet work and finishing. He then went to Grand Rapids and for twelve years worked in various departments of the largest furniture factories in that city.
Later he went to Europe where he remained for three years, working in factories and inspecting big expositions of furniture in England, Italy. Belgium, France, Spain, Germany, Switzerland and Austria-Hungary. He returned to his native land with well-formulated plans for a model furniture factory of his own.
In March, 1899, shortly after his return to Saginaw, with the assistance of Joseph Grohman, now general factory superintendent of the mammoth Herzog plant, and August Miessler, he established a cabinet business in a very small way. The capital of this infant industry was three thousand dollars, unbounded confidence, perseverance and a thorough knowledge of the business. The little factory was located in a frame building converted from a barn into a mill, at the corner of Cass and Niagara Streets. At first they employed two men and a boy in the manufacture of tables and church furniture in the "knock-down," and used a wheelbarrow to deliver furniture shipments to the railroad station. Soon all the means the three founders could command was expended, and the church furniture project had to be abandoned. This occurrence, however, in the light of subsequent events, was a kind act of fate.
In order to continue the manufacturing business more capital had to be interested in the enterprise, and a plan was formulated for the organization of a stock company with a capital of seventy-five thousand dollars. This work progressed very slowly and would have failed but for the helpful interest of one of our most progressive citizens-John L. Jackson. The critical time came one Saturday night. The next morning John Herzog went to Mr. Jackson's home almost ready to give up his cherished plan. Mr. Jackson's co-operation and encouragement alone could save it.
After the former had told of his tireless and unsuccessful effort to secure the necessary capital, Mr. Jackson said: "You are a church member, aren't you, and usually go to church on Sunday? I am not a church member, yet I like to rest from business cares on Sunday. Don't worry about the matter today. Go to church and drop all thought of business. Tomorrow morn- ing I will come down to your factory, and we will see about it." Mr. Herzog gratefully accepted the suggestion.
The next morning Mr. Jackson looked the factory over and satisfied himself that the value placed on it by its owners was not excessive. Before the end of the week capital was secured, and the Herzog Art Furniture Company was organized, the beginning of the magnificent business now located on South Michigan Avenue at the Belt Line crossing.
JOHN HERZOG
570
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY
MAMMOTH PLANT OF HERZOG ART FURNITURE COMPANY
The story of the marvelous development of this industry fills an interest- ing page in our local history. From a small wooden building erected on the new site the plant has grown by almost constant additions under a com- prehensive plan of expansion, until today the various units of the five-story brick factory have a total floor space of three hundred and thirty thousand square feet, or about eight acres. The superb plant lends an impression of bigness, of dignified stability and permanence, and of high character of its product. Within its solid walls are installed not only all the ordinary machinery usually found in furniture factories, such as routers, dove-tailers. locking machines, tilting tables, mitre saws, automatic turning lathes, and small tools, but also Saginaw-made machines not found in other factories of this kind. These machines were invented and patented by John L. Jackson, president, and John Herzog, general manager, of the company, and permit this factory to turn out styles of furniture that other manufacturers cannot make except at prohibitive cost. Among such machines, which are built in the Jackson & Church works, is a curious "finger jointer" that face planes the dimensioned stock to take all wind or warp from the boards.
Another notable improvement is the conveyor system of finishing furni- ture and cabinets. Each piece automatically passes through the operations of applying the finishing coats, drying, rubbing and polishing, all of which are accurately timed to produce the best results without the waste of a minute or second.
In the machine rooms the parts are shaped to the variety of patterns afforded by the five hundred different articles in their line. Many band and jig saws are employed on the extremely artistic designs here produced, and a very high degree of skillfulness is developed. Then the surfaces are sanded and polished. There are special machines for sanding mouldings, both curved and straight, dise sanders for sanding flat edges, belt sanders of several varieties for following the curves of legs, upright belt sanders, spindle sanders and drum sanders.
571
DIVERSIFIED INDUSTRIES
In the veneering process marvelous technical development and efficient performance are seen. Although a pound of glue is made to spread as far as possible, and yet produce an absolutely reliable quality of workmanship, the value of glue alone consumed in a year is fifteen thousand dollars. There are a number of heaters and drying kilns for carefully conditioning the glued- up stock. Out of these departments are turned oaks, mahoganies and walnuts with wonderfully beautiful grains and flakes, that lend a surpassing elegance to some of the product. For these reasons and the exquisite finish put on, Herzog furniture is in steady demand throughout the United States, and is attracting increasing foreign business.
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