USA > Michigan > Saginaw County > History of Saginaw County, Michigan; historical, commercial, biographical, Volume II > Part 63
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Saginaw Mirror Works
The Saginaw Mirror Works, a Michigan corporation, was organized in the Fall of 1904 with a capital stock of ten thousand dollars. \ start was made with two men making mirrors for a limited trade, but a year later W. M. Guider became interested in the company, and a plan of operations was laid out which soon indicated a large expansion of the business. The capital stock was increased to twenty thousand dollars, and the plant was enlarged with the installation of needed machinery and appliances to take care of the rapidly increasing requirements. This included the building of an addition to the original plant, at Niagara and Lyon Streets, which is closely connected with that of the Saginaw Show Case Company, whose needs in the line of mirrors and show case tops it supplies, and affords a considerable portion of its business.
Besides the increasing use of mirrors in show cases, the Mirror Works finds a ready market in the furniture trade and with manufacturers of in- terior finish, which insures a steady volume of business. The market for mirrors of high grade is active and shipments are made to all points in the United States, to Mexico, and to Cuba and South America.
In 1915 a departure was made in the already successful business by the introduction of an art glass department. This includes the making of glass in beautiful and symmetrical designs for the building and allied trades. The art glass is largely used in vestibule doors, stairways windows and for similar purposes in fine residence, public buildings, etc. \ feature of this depart- ment is the exquisite designs for church windows and other purposes of ecclesiastical nature. These include the use of rich cathedral glass for chan- cel and altar windows and rose windows, some with large figures of script- ural subjects done in exquisite colors, and readily appealing to the spiritual sense of church people. Although this is special work executed on order
SAGINAW MIRROR Y ORKS.
SAGINAW MIRROR WORKS
THE SAGINAW MIRROR WORKS
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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY
only, it is becoming a considerable part of the total business of the company. About forty men are given steady employment in the Mirror Works, the total output of which is fully seventy-five thousand dollars yearly. The present directors are: John Stenglein, president : A. U. Stenglein, vice- president ; W. M. Guider, secretary-treasurer and manager, and J. 11. Ditt- man and L. Decker.
Brand & Hardin Milling Company
The oldest milling concern in Saginaw Valley, and probably in this section of Michigan, is the Brand & Hardin Milling Company, whose large plant is situated at Niagara and Mackinaw Streets. This prosperous business was founded in the eighteen-fifties by the late Daniel Hardin, who built a grist mill, thirty by sixty feet in size, on the site of the present mill, and conducted a general flour and feed trade for many years.
On April 1, 1878, J. F. Brand took charge of the business, and a few months later was joined in the enterprise by A. C. Hardin, the 6rm name being Brand & Hardin. This enterprising firm soon after sold the original mill to John H. Shackleton who removed it to Mackinaw, Gratiot and Lyon Streets. A general milling business was there carried on for about twenty- five years. At length the old mill, which had been improved from time to time, was moved to the Belt Line near Gratiot Street, and was entirely destroyed by fire about six years ago.
Meanwhile the firm of Brand & Hardin erected a new, modern roller mill, four stories in height, eighty by one hundred feet in dimensions, on the site of the old mill, and it was equipped with all the essential machinery for making flour of superior quality. The mill had a capacity of two hundred barrels of flour a day, and by its improved process of milling the firm estab- lished a high reputation for their various brands. An addition to the mill was fitted with roller process machinery for use as a feed mill, and a con- siderable business was transacted in that line. The name of Brand & Hardin was the foremost one in the milling trade of Saginaw Valley.
At the time the milling business was expanding the firm also engaged in the manufacture of shingles and salt, products for which there was a steady demand. The shingle mill was situated on the bank of the river adjoining the flour mill, and exhaust steam from the latter was used in some of the manufacturing processes, and was also used in working the pumps and in evaporating the salt brine in the salt block. This utilization of a hitherto waste product of the engines proved an economic measure, and added appreci- ably to the profits of the firm. The production of shingles amounted to six and one-half million annually, and was continued until 1900 when the avail- able timber became exhausted. The manufacture of salt continued and reached thirteen thousand barrels a year, but later the production was greatly increased by their operation of the Kull block, which had a daily capacity of about one hundred barrels. The salt business finally became unprofitable and the blocks were closed down and dismantled about 1907.
The roller mill which was opened in 1882 and the feed mill in 1885 were augmented in 1906 by the erection of a grain elevator adjoining the mill on the south side. With ample railroad facilities the storage of wheat, oats, rye. barley and other grains for milling and trade purposes was good business practice, and increased the business of the firm. In 1912 a second elevator was built on the premises and used exclusively for the handling of beans. About forty-five women and girls are employed in "picking" beans, and the shipments of this popular article of food are about one hundred carloads a year. From twenty to twenty-five men are given steady employment in the mill and elevators.
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BRAND &HARDIN MILLING DO FLOUN FEED HAY ETRAY SEANS
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FLOURING MILL AND ELEVATORS OF BRAND & HARDIN MILLING CO.
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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY
The present capacity of the roller mill is two hundred and fifty barrels of flour a day, and so celebrated are their brands that the local demand, and that of the surrounding country, calls for the entire output. The "O. K. Roller Patent" brand is a fancy patent made from winter wheat; "Gold Medal" brand is made from a blend of winter and spring wheat ; "Special Patent" brand is a straight winter wheat flour, while "Monarch" brand is an all spring wheat flour. There are also "O. K. Buckwheat" and a self-rising pancake flour of superior quality, which meet with great favor with house- wives and the trade generally.
In 1908 the business of Brand & Hardin was incorporated as the Brand & Hardin Milling Company. J. F. Brand is president of the new company, C. H. Brand is vice-president, and W. E. DeWitt is secretary and treasurer. Other stockholders in the company are D. W. Stewart, R. J. Walker and E. L. Levi.
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BUTTER MAKING AT SAGINAW CREAMERY COMPANY
Saginaw Creamery Company
Five years ago the creamery business of this city was augmented by the organization of the Saginaw Creamery Company, whose model establishment is located at 209 North Water Street. Charles F. Burger, the founder of the company, is an enterprising business man whose progressive policy has built up a large trade. At the beginning of the successful business he adopted a system of buying cream direct from the producer, which has been maintained ever since.
The direct shipping system by which shipments of cream are received from all parts of the State, is a very popular one with producers, and the steady supply of rich cream has increased to such an extent that at the end of last summer the output of "Purity First" brand of creamery butter reached a total of seven hundred and fifty thousand pounds. Cream comes from points ar far north as the Straits of Mackinaw, as far west as Lake Michigan, as far east as Lake Erie, and a considerable distance south. Cash is paid for each shipment of cream sent in, and the producer of good cream receives the highest price for butter fat, with the usual cream station operator's profit added.
DIVERSIFIED INDUSTRIES
5S7
The creamery plant is very favorably located to conduct a business of this kind covering a wide territory. Cream from the producer is received at the railroad stations, is hauled to the creamery by motor trucks, and an accurate record made of it. Each separate shipment is accurately weighed and carefully tested for butter fat content. Great care is exercised in this matter, as correct weights and cash payments have been prime factors in the growth of the business.
When emptied of their rich cream contents the cans are thoroughly sterilized and returned to the shippers ready for further use.
At the present time there are more than four thousand satisfied producers of cream who make regular shipments to the Saginaw Creamery Company. Each and every transaction with them is carefully recorded, so that any particular item or detail may be quickly referred to at any time. Cream producers of Saginaw and adjoining counties, as well as those at a con- siderable distance from this city, are fortunate in having such a reliable and progressive creamery to take their dairy products.
PARKER DAIRY CO. 1
PARKER DAIRY co.
CLARE H. PARKER
Parker Dairy Company
The Parker Dairy Company, which is one of the large distributors of Pasteurized milk and dairy products in this city, was established in 1905. and its model plant is located at 228 North Warren Avenue and at 608-12 Johnson Street. The company was founded by Clare H. Parker, whose energy, extensive experience and integrity have built up a very successful business.
Mr. Parker was born in 1876 at Grand Blanc, Genesee County, which was also the birthplace of his parents. After attending the district schools and the Flint High School in boyhood, he took a full course in the Michigan Agricultural College, from which he graduated in 1900. He was superin- tendent of Towar's Ann Arbor Dairy Farm from 1900 to 1902; and was
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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY
manager of the Sanitary Milk Company, Grand Rapids, in 1903 and 1904. The following year he came to Saginaw and founded the business of which he is the guiding spirit.
In 1911 the dairy business was incorporated with a capital stock of twenty thousand dollars. Many improvements have since been made to the plant, and at present the latest DeLaval clarifier and Jansen Pasteurizers are in daily operation. The most sanitary conditions are constantly main- tained, insuring absolutely clean and safe milk.
The milk comes from the same dairies every morning, and is brought to the dairy plant mostly by motor trucks, thus providing at all times a fresh and pure supply. The handling of milk in this plant is entirely by automatic machinery, even to the capping of the bottles, so that it is pro- tected from contamination by human hands.
In 1910 the company began making ice cream of high grade, though on a small scale, but so great has been the demand for "Superior" Brand ice cream that a modern freezing plant has been added. This product is now shipped from Saginaw in all directions to points from ten to one hundred miles distant, and forms a considerable part of the large business transacted by the company.
Koehler Brothers
The great and growing importance of the iron and steel interests of Saginaw is reflected in the general activity which attends the industry here, and is an augury of future prosperity of this city. Among the successful concerns in this line is that of Kochler Brothers which for thirty-eight years has been located at 208-12 South Water Street. This old and reliable firm, operating steam forge, bolt works and machine shops, succeeded in 1878 to the oldest business of its kind in Saginaw Valley. It was founded in Decem- ber, 1852, by Frederick A. Koehler ( see Vol. 1, page 359, for portrait ), father of the present principal generation. East Saginaw was then merely a fron- tier settlement and the mechanical needs of the pioneers were few and easily supplied. Mr. Koehler had come with his father from New Jersey and settled in Saginaw City, but was soon induced by Alfred M. Hoyt and Norman Little to locate his shop at East Saginaw. A comfortable house was built at the corner of Water and Tuscola Streets, where the Koehler family lived for a number of years.
The original blacksmith and machine shops were situated on the south side of Tuscola Street, between Washington and Water Streets, where a steadily growing business was conducted for about twenty-five years. Dur- ing that period Mr. Koehler did practically all the iron work on Jesse Hoyt's vessels, which were built in a little ship yard at the point where the Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad afterward crossed the river, and most of the mill work of Hoyt's extensive manufacturing enterprises.
With the aid of new machinery, steam power, steam trip hammer, blower, lathe and bolt cutter, and all essential tools for rapid and skillful work, the shops were enabled to do all kinds of heavy iron forging and blacksmithing and the making of stair railings, awning frames, etc. "The old reliable worker in iron," says an old advertisement of 1869. "with one of the best machine shops in the West, makes endless chain for carrying away sawdust, slabs, edgings and other refuse of saw mills."
On April 10, 1878, the business was taken over by James A. and Frederick H. Koehler, sons of the founder, and it has since been conducted under the firm name of Koehler Brothers. In 1880 the plant was removed to the present location on South Water Street, having a frontage of one hundred feet and a depth of one hundred and twenty feet, which afforded much needed space and increased facilities for carrying on the increasing business.
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FORGETS
NOVINE SHOP
KOEHLER BROTHERS IRON WORKS
Frederick H. Koehler died in 1880, and the business has since been carried on by Clarkson A. and James A. Koehler, the former, like his brother, being a skilled mechanic and millwright.
The works then occupied a substantial brick building covering practi- cally the entire site, and were equipped with all requisite machinery for doing the heaviest blacksmithing and forging. There were special facilities for making salt and artesian well tools of all kinds, bolts, pole joints, etc., and all the appliances for saw and shingle mills and salt blocks. Employment was given to twenty skilled workmen. The thoroughness with which all the details of the business were carried on, the high quality of materials used and superior workmanship secured for the owners of the plant a widespread reputation. The firm enjoyed the confidence of mill men everywhere, and a large business was transacted in Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and as far West as Colorado and South as far as Texas.
The present members of the firm are Clarkson A. and James A. Koehler, who have been associated with the business nearly all their lives, and James II. and Charles J. Koehler, sons of Clarkson Koehler. They are thoroughly practical and experienced men in the business, and all the details of numerous iron-working contracts taken by the firm have their personal supervision.
Their line of builders' iron work reaches out all over the country, and, considering the wide line of mill work formerly done, there is scarcely a State not touched by their product. In mill work they still make chains used for conveying sawdust and refuse out of saw mills, and spur chains for bringing up the logs into the mills. Their principal products, however, are steel stairs, gratings, area doors, fire escapes, porte cocheres and ornamental iron work. They also conduct a general forging and machine shop business, and in all their various operations give employment to many mechanics.
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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY
In some of their more recent contracts they have installed iron work in public and private buildings in Alma, Alpena, Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Caro, Muskegon, Petoskey, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Detroit, Flint, Jackson and other cities. While there is no competition locally they do meet with active competition in outside contracts, but their equipment enables them to secure much of the work offered in their line. The firm is very progressive and is one of Saginaw's substantial manufacturing institutions.
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WHERE WOLVERINE GLOVES ARE MADE Wolverine Glove Company
The diversity of Saginaw's industries is without doubt one of the chief factors of the city's progress and prosperity. This is exemplified by the suc- cessful concern known as the Wolverine Glove Company, 308-12 Tuscola Street, one of the local manufactories which owes its expansion to the sheer merit of its product.
The business was started in 1910 by George W. McConnell, who per- ceived the broad field for cheap workingmen's gloves made from canvas, duck or other cotton materials. He had the right idea, an indomitable will and an ample degree of perseverance, and although the beginning was in a very small way the business increased rapidly. A few machines had been set up in Mr. McConnell's home, at 427 Howard Street, and it was not long before his gloves attracted wide attention, and he had all the orders he could take care of. At no time then or since has the factory been of sufficient capacity to make gloves fast enough to supply the active demand.
Meanwhile C. E. Borland had observed the rapid expansion of this new industry. It was literally buried under an avalanche of orders for its pro-
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DIVERSIFIED INDUSTRIES
duct, and he soon interested E. A. Robertson in a comprehensive plan for in- incorporation of the business and a great enlargement of its manufacturing facilities. In November, 1916, the incorporation of the Wolverine Glove Company was effected with the following officers: E. A. Robertson, presi- dent ; George W. McConnell, vice-president ; C. E. Borland, secretary and treasurer.
To provide suitable factory space the company leased the old "News" building on Tuscola Street, a three-story and basement brick structure, hav- ing a floor area of about ten thousand square feet. In this building was installed a complete equipment of the latest glove and knitting machines, and on January 1, 1917, the factory began operations. The output was in- creased more than ten fold at a single step forward, and for the first time in the history of the enterprise did the promoters hope to promptly meet all demands for their product.
This hope was soon dispelled, however, by a greater expansion of the business than had ever been dreamed of, and more machinery was ordered to supplement the factory equipment. In a little more than a year the business increased to a stage where employment is given to one hundred and thirty-five women and girls. The line of gloves, meanwhile, was enlarged, and the company now makes all kinds of workingmen's gloves to meet all require- ments of the trade. Its principal outlet is through the large wholesale grocery and jobbing houses, orders being taken for manufacture and delivery months in advance. The popularity of Wolverine gloves is such that more than likely the demand will necessitate a doubling of the factory equipment, and in a few years at most more than two hundred and fifty women will be employed by this establishment.
BEANS
BEAN ELEVATOR WITH ILLUMINATED WAVING FLAG
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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY
ING CO.
VALLEY PRINTING CD
PRINTERS
Rue
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MODERN PRINTING PLANT OF VALLEY PRINTING COMPANY
Valley Printing Company
Every red-blooded American, who is interested in the progress of his State and county, finds pleasure in reading of the achievements of self made men, and particularly of the career of those who have come within his observation. In the application of those qualities of energy, intellect, per- serverance and integrity, Saginaw has many worthy examples, among whom is Willis H. Brooks, founder and manager of the Valley Printing Company. Beginning in a small way with limited capital, a print shop in cramped quarters, he has by the display of an indomitable will built up a large business in the better class of printing. employing skilled workmen in two well equipped plants.
Mr. Brooks began his career as a skilled printer in 1878 with the Bay City Tribune, and continued his connection with that paper for about six years. In 1884 he went to Flint as a partner in the publication of the Flint Journal, which soon after became a daily paper. After a precarious existence for several years this property was sold. and Mr. Brooks interested himself in job printing which ever since has been his occupation, and a very success- ful one.
It was in 1893, following a year of hard work in soliciting good printing for a local concern, that Mr. Brooks, in association with M. A. McConnelly, started a small print shop in the Exchange Block, at the corner of Genesee AAvenue and Tilden ( Water) Street. The room was only twenty by fifty feet in size, filled with good printing machinery and equipment, and for the first time in his experience in this city was Brooks able to furnish the high
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grade printing his customers were demanding. "Quality First" was, and always has been, his watch-word, and the remarkable success which came of his efforts was due very largely to strict adherence to this policy.
Five years later, when the business had outgrown the space and the loca- tion where it was started, the whole establishment was removed to the Brewer Block on North Franklin Street. The floor space available was twenty by eighty feet, but this was enlarged the following year by the addition of an adjoining store, giving a total space of forty by one hundred feet. The loca- tion was a very favorable one for a business of this kind, and the mechanical equipment was largely increased and renewed, so that the firm was able to turn out the highest class work in general commercial printing, including catalogues, pamphlets, etc., in large editions.
The increase in their facilities necessitated the addition of a complete and up-to-date bindery with equipment for making all kinds of loose leaf books and devices. This was a long step forward, and was soon reflected in a con- siderable increase in the business. Besides attending to the binding work incident to a large job printing trade, a general binding business is carried on. At about this time their field of operations was enlarged to cover all the central portion of the State, and connections were made with some of the largest corporations, for a considerable part of their printing orders.
In 1910 the trade developed in Flint and vicinity became so promising that the firm purchased the business and plant of the Hammaker Printing Company in that city. The equipment of this plant was overhauled and im- proved, and additions made to it from time to time. It is operated as a distinct unit and proves a valuable feeder to the Saginaw printing plant. There is a large printing trade in Flint, especially with the motor manufac- turers, and much of this business comes to Saginaw through the Flint branch of this company.
That the printing plants are well equipped to handle all kinds of catalogne and book work is well known to the trade, and the Saginaw plant is said by competent judges to be the best balanced print shop in Saginaw Valley. This is largely due to the fact that, following the disastrous fire of May, 1916. which destroyed much of the fine equipment, entirely new presses and mechanical appliances were installed. In June of that year the new plant. removed to the three-story brick building at the corner of North Franklin and Tuscola Streets, started printing operations. This well lighted and con- veniently arranged shop has a floor area of about six thousand square feet, more than six times the space of the original shop. All the machinery is of the latest approved type, one machine alone costing more than twice the original investment of the firm.
A machine of particular importance in this model printing plant is the Monotype type setting machine, which is the only one of its kind north of Detroit in this section of the State. This wonderful machine, which is used in the largest printing establishments in this country, does everything that any type setting machine will do and much more besides. It is especially useful and economical in setting tables and in statement work, as it sets all rules, leads and slugs and makes type of any size and face. Much hand com- position is eliminated, the work of the shop expedited, and the costs reduced. It has many other advantages over other type setting machines.
The press equipment consists of large cylinder and job presses, all of the latest types and improvements. AAll machines are electrically driven by sepa- rate motors.
In the stock room is to be found at all times a full line of linen, bond, ledger and book papers, which is drawn upon to fill orders for all kinds of catalogue, book and job printing work.
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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY
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