History of Ramsey County and the city of St. Paul, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota, Part 78

Author: Warner, George E; Foote, Charles M., joint author; Neill, Edward D. (Edward Duffield), 1823-1893. Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota. 1n; Williams, J. Fletcher (John Fletcher), 1834-1895. Outlines of the history of Minnesota
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Minneapolis, North Star Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 684

USA > Minnesota > Ramsey County > St Paul > History of Ramsey County and the city of St. Paul, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota > Part 78

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Besides the members of the firm, and the man- agers of the different departments, they require the labor of Benjamin Brack, cashier, Charles B.

Grant, book-keeper, and W. E. Hefferman, assist- ant book-keeper.

William Lee and Company established in 1859, one block above their present location, by Wil- liam Lee, have made rapid progress from a com- paratively small wholesale and retail dry-goods house to the enviable position of one of the leading wholesale dealers in the city. From 1866, Mr. Lee conducted the business alone until 1875, his business increasing to such an extent that he found it necessary to drop the retail de- partment. In 1870, the business had ont-grown the quarters then occupied, and he removed to the present location, 95 and 97 East Third street. In 1875, George Lee, of Philadelphia, purchased an interest in the business, and the firm name _ changed to William Lee and Company. The building now occupied is three-stories and base- ment, fifty feet front by one hundred and twenty- five feet deep. The firm conduct a large manu- facturing department, employing from fifty to sixty operativės making overalls, blankets, lum- bermens goods, etc. Aside from these operators, employment is given to thirty men as salesmen, book-keepers, traveling men, etc. Their trade extends through Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa Da- kota and Manitoba.

The arrangement of goods in their immense building is as follows: Basement, domestic goods; east one-half first floor, notions; west half, prints and dress goods; second floor, cloths, casimeres, flannels, piece goods; third floor, underwear, cottonades and mens' furnishing goods.

D. W. Ingersoll and Company, successors to D. W. Ingersoll, who commenced business in the corner store of McClung's block, but his sagacity led him to purchase his present property, and in 1860, he began the erection of this building. At that time St. Paul had about 10,000 inhabitants, and there was a pulling and hauling between the upper and the lower towns for the business su- premacy. The point for Mr. Ingersoll to settle, was it prudent for him to invest so large an amount in that locality. IFis better judgment prevailed, and with that remarkable energy for which he is noted, he pushed his enterprise to completion, so that the building was occupied in the spring and summer of 1861. The first floor, corner of Third and Wabasha streets was built for Mr. Edgerton's bank, now across the street,

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SAINT PAUL-WHOLESALE HOUSES.

and now known as the Second National bank. The remainder of the block fronting on Third street and Bridge Square and Bench streets was occupied by D. W. Ingersoll and Company where the firm have built up a large business, and where they have been located for the past twenty-one years. The second story was occupied for offices, and on the third floor was Ingersoll's hall. This hall was, several years ago cut up into offices, where they now are all occupied. In the original building, Cherritree and Farwell had a store, but they were crowded out by the increasing business of Ingersoll and Company. The cost of the building was about $45,000, erected when every- thing was very low.

No dry-goods house in the whole country stands on a firmer basis than that of D. W. Ing- ersoll and Company. The senior of the firm has been cautious, yet energetic, he is a public spir- ited man. to whom in a great measure, we are indebted for the elevator, and as a citizen, he is ever alive to the interests of St. Paul. The trade of the house has been built up by honest dealing, prompt and affable. attention, backed by a wise and careful head of experience.

Ingersoll's block proper extends on Bench street ninety feet, Wabasha forty-two feet, Third street. eighty-one feet. It is a pleasant location, ground very valuable, and rents higher than in any other part of the city.

Mannheimer Brothers, dry goods. These gen- tlemen came to St. Paul nearly six yearsago, and have built up a very handsome trade. The amount of stock they now carry is considerably over $100,000. Amount of capital more than am- ple, and their trade last year exceeded $300,000, and has increased from year to year since they came here. They have found their present quar- ters at No. 7 East Third street, much too small for their constantly increasing business. In the spring they will remove to the commodious struc- ture they are building at the corner of Third and Minnesota streets. The building will occupy a ground area of 10,500 square feet, being 75 feet on Third and 140 on Minnesota street. There will be five stories, four being on Third street and the spacious basement adding to the visible height on Second street. Thus the area of floor- ing in the structure will be 52,000 feet, or nearly and acre and a quarter. The stories will be re-

spectively 11 feet, 18 feet, 15 feet, 14 feet, and 13 feet in heiglit; the elevation on Third street from the sidewalk to the top of the cornice, 75 feet, and the Second street elevation 87 feet. The Third and Minnesota street fronts will be of the handsome blue Ohio sandstone, and the visible foundation, or basement walls, of pink Kasota stone. The rear wall will be constructed of cream colored pressed brick. The auditorium will be an elegant adaptation of the chaste and effective renaissance style. The first story front on Third street will be extremely ornamental and will be made brilliant by massive French plate windows. It will make one of the finest buildings known to the retail dry goods trade of any city. The firm has been in existence since 1876, and Robert and Emil Mannheimer are the gentlemen comprising its membership. Since becoming established in St. Paul, their business has gradu- ally increased and now over twenty-five men are employed at their establishment. A great many others find employment about the premises.

Upon removing their new building, they will have about three times as much room as they now have and will increase their business proportionately. They now occupy the entire building where they are, but it is totally inade- quate to the demands of their business. For several seasons past they have attempted to se- cure more commodious quarters but could not succeed, and were finally compelled to have the above mentioned imposing structure built for them. They are the largest dealers west of Chi- cago in silks, fine dress goods, real laces, fine shawls and imported cloaks. A great deal of wholesaling is done by the firm in fine lines of goods of which the jobbers carry but a small stock. No traveling men are, however, employed, and it is only to those who can come to the store, or make application through the mails that goods are sold. Before removing to St. Paul the firm was in business in Chicago, but they saw that the former point was the one most adapted to their business abilities, and the result of the past few years will substantiate the wisdom of their decision. St. Paul and the great North- west are at present attracting the attention of the entire business and agricultural world, and are rapidly assuming front rank as desirable terri- tory in which to locate. The business men of St.

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HISTORY OF RAMSEY COUNTY.

Paul are all noted for their enterprising habits and none more so than Mannheimer Brothers.

Arthur, Warren and Abbott, wholesale notions. This house, though but recently established in St. Paul, is already in the van with wholesale no- tion houses of longer life. The organization was effected January 1st, 1880, and business was be- gun at their present quarters, 186 and 188 East Third street. The members of the firm are all practical business men and have had long experi- ence. Mr. Arthur, in charge of the office and financial department, was for many years mem- ber of the firm of Dayton and Arthur, wholesale books and stationery, Quincy, Illinois ; J. W. Warren, manager of the notions and fancy goods department, has been for many years connected with the leading wholesale houses of St. Paul ; F. C. Abbott, of the late firm of Dutch and Abbott, Portland, Maine, is in charge of the hosiery and lace department. · These gentlemen are all peculiarly fitted for the branches in which they are engaged, and, together, make a strong firm, sure to succeed. They occupy the basement, second floor and part of the third floor of a buil- ding 44 by 150 feet. Four traveling salesmen are employed, and a large force in the house.

G. W. Becht and Company, wholesale dealers in notions and furnishing goods, located at 104 East Third street, was first established in 1879 by the firm of Brecher, Becht and Company. In . the spring of 1880, Mr. Becht purchased Mr. Brecher's interest in the business, and continues under the title of G. W. Becht and Company. The company carry a stock of notions and fur- nishing goods ; they also manufacture to quite an extent, overshirts and overalls. They occupy the three floors of their present store, which is built of brick, 22 by 80 feet. Their factory is situated on West Third street, where they employ from twelve to fifteen hands in the manufacture of their working suits, of which they make about twenty - five thousand dollars worth annually. Their annual sales amount to about one hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars. They employ three traveling salesmen and four clerks in the store.

Campbell, Page and Thorne, wholesale notions, 316 Sibley street. This house was established in 1880, at 24 East Third street, where they contin- ned to do business until March, 1881, when they

found it necessary to seek more roomy quarters. In March, 1881, they moved to their present loca- tion, which gives them ample room for their growing business. They occupy two floors, the second and third stories, of the block number 316 Sibley street. The second story is used for office and salesroom. The third story is used for stor- ing goods. They are comparatively new men in St. Paul, but have worked up a very fine trade during the short time they have been in business here. Their sales have nearly doubled this sea- son. They have a working force of six men. three in the house, and three salesmen on the road. Their sales last year were $40,000, which they propose to double this year. They are sharp, energetic business men, and are bound to succeed.

Messrs. Campbell and Burbank, manufacturers and jobbers of clothing and gents' furnishing goods, numbers 121 and 123 East Third street. This enterprise was first established, in 1859, by S. B. Campbell, at number 43 East Third street. In 1875, Mr. H. C. Burbank purchased an interest in the business, and the year following they re- moved their stock to the second door below their present location, and in 1877, to their present 10- cation. The building they now occupy is of stone, 40x40, three stories, with basement, in which is stored their immense stock of clothing and furnishing goods. In the handling of their stock they employ five traveling salesmen and twelve men in the different departments in the house. Their goods are all manufactured under their own supervision, which gives employment to from three to four hundred men. For the prosecution of this immense business, it requires a large capital, and an equal amount of business enterprise.

John and Joseph McKey established in cloth- ing business, in St. Paul, in 1870, at 155 Third street. They occupied a small frame building, where they remained two years, then moved to number 43 Third street, at which time the stock was greatly enlarged, and the firm of Joseph McKey aud Company, under the title of the Bos- ton One Price Clothing House, have enjoyed a very lucrative trade, sales reaching nearly $100,- 000 a year. In 1881, the rooms at 83 and 85 East Third street, were leased and fitted up in elegant style, and are claimed to be the finest retail rooms in the city.

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SAINT PAUL-WHOLESALE HOUSES.

Gordon and Ferguson, manufacturers and job- bers of hats, caps and furs. This house was es- tablished July 1, 1873, by the present members of the firm, Richard Gordon and P. D. Ferguson, at 25 Robert street, and moved to their present location, 134 East Third street, in July, 1876. Their building is 35x135 feet and three stories high with two basements. Their salesroom and manufacturing department occupy the same building. They have in their employ forty per- sons. From the time of their organization to the present their trade has constantly increased, and indications point to a large increase the present year.

Albrecht, Lanpher and Finch, manufacturers and jobbers of hats, caps and furs. This house was organized by E. Albrecht, O. P. Lanpher, and A. Holterhoff, under the firm name of Al- brecht, Lanpher and Company, in 1877. At the end of the year Mr. Holterhoff retired and D. B. Finch became a member of the firm and the name changed to Albrecht, Lanpher and Finch. They began business at 87 Jackson street, and moved to their present location, 108 and 110 East Third street, in July, 1879. Their building is 38x100 feet and three stories high above the basement. For the short time they have been operating they have succeeded in building up a large trade, which is rapidly increasing. As manufacturers, in their line, their reputation is first class. Mr. Albrecht is a practical furrier of many years ex- perience and has especial charge of that depart- ment.

R. A. Lanpher and Company, hatters, furriers, mens' furnishing goods, and shirt makers, located at 155 East Third street, St. Paul. This substan- tial and thoroughly reliable house is too well and favorably known to require a formal introduction to the people of Ramsey county or adjoining terri- tory. Being the oldest, and having through time become most firmly fixed in the thorough appre- ciation of the people, it has succeeded in securing to itself the foremost position among establish- ments of like character in the state. The busi- ness of the house was established in 1868, when the name of the firm was HIines and Lanpher, and at a subsequent date a change was made in the style by the acquisition of J. H. Schulze, the present partner in the establishment. They are now a strong firm, and doing an extensive busi- 29

ness. They occupy a fine brick building on East Third street, the number of which is indicated in our caption. Their store will always be found most thoroughly stocked with everything of the latest style pertaining to their line of business. Their location is a very central one, directly in the heart of the mercantile trade of the city. They carry innumerable styles of hats, and are the sole agents for the sale of the celebrated Dunlap, (N. Y.) manufacture of silk, felt and straw hats. They also carry a large line of Stetson's Philadelphia manufacture of hats. The house employs no less than twenty-five female operatives in the manu- facture of shirts alone, who turn out from 350 to 400 shirts per week, the most of which are made on orders from every conceivable direction. Their trade extends over Minnesota, Iowa, Wis- consin, Dakota, Manitoba and Montana. Their sales are very large and they claim to sell goods of the finest and best qualities at New York prices.

John Matheis' carpet house. Mr. Matheis started this business in 1861, on West Third street, on a small scale. He occupied several other locations, his business steadily increasing. In 1876. Mr. Matheis secured his present very fine location at No. 11, East Third street, one of the best points for his business in the city of St. Paul. Mr. Matheis is the oldest carpet dealer in the city. He carries a large and well selected stock of carpets, oil cloths, wall paper and everything belonging in this line of business. He also manufactures mattresses of all kinds, and win- dow shades in endless variety. He occupies a building 23x100 feet, three stories besides two upper floors in the building adjoining each side of his, making five floors 23x100 feet each, and all this space is filled with his goods of the differ- ent kinds. He gives employment to twenty-five persons about his establishment. Mr. M. is doing a large retail trade, mostly confined to the city, but sells a great many goods on orders from the surrounding country towns. His business has increased very materially since he first started. Mr. M. carries the largest stock of goods in this line of any house in the city of St. Paul. His stock amounts to about $100,000.

Samuel Potter, furniture and carpets, whole- sale and retail, began business in 1870 on a small capital, but by energy and push, displayed in all

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HISTORY OF RAMSEY COUNTY.

departments of the business he has gained a lead- ing position among the furniture dealers of the city. The building at present occupied is at the corner of Sixth and Jackson steeets, and is 25x70 feet. The two upper floors of an adjoining building are used, thus giving store room equal to three floors 70x75 feet. The trade of this establishment extends throughout all the couu- try tributary to St. Paul, and is gaining in volume with each successive year.

Hesse and Damcke, importers and wholesale dealers in toys, fancy goods and notions, began business in this city in 1878, with the limited capital of ៛4,000. They located at 68 Robert street, and at once entered upon a prosperous business. They make a specialty of pipes and pocket cutlery. They occupy the two upper floors of the building, which is 22x75 feet, using the second floor as salesroom and the third for stor- ing stock. The trade extends through Minnesota and Dakota, and as they have the field nearly to themselves, the business is steadily gaining.

P. H. Kelly and Company, wholesale grocers. This firm is the outgrowth of one of the earliest established groceries in St. Paul. In 1853, Tem- ple and Beaupre began business in a small way, and continued until 1863, when Mr. Temple died. P. H. Kelly purchased the interest held by Mr. Temple, previous to his death, and in October, 1863, the firm of Beaupre and Kelly was formed, and at once started on a career of prosperity. At this time the concern was located on Jackson street, and there remained until 1868, when in- creasing business forced the firm to seek a new location, and they moved to the building on Third street, now occupied by Forepaugh and Tarbox' The jobbing department had grown to such proportions that it soon became more of an object than retail business, and the latter branch was given up, and attention given to an exclusively wholesale trade. In 1872, the firm moved to the building on the corner of Third and Sibley streets, which they continued to occupy until it was des- troyed by fire. In 1874, Mr. Beaupre owned one- fourth interest in the business, and P. H. Kelly the remaining three-fourths. July 1st, 1875, the firm dissolved, and a new partnership was formed, under the firm name of P. II. Kelly and Com- pany, the individual members of which were P. II. Kelly, A. Dufrene and James O'Gorman. In

1878, Mr. O'Gorman retired, on account of ill- health, From January 1st, 1878, until August, 1878, the members were P. H. Kelly, A. Dufrene, and E. W. Johnson. Since the latter date, P. II. Kelly and A. Dufrene. Angust 23d. 1880, the firm suffered severe loss by the burning of the building they occupied, and nearly the entire stock. Business, however, was not delayed, as with their accustomed energy they immediately opened in the building on the corner of Sibley street and the levee, known as the Burbank ware house. which had been previously occupied by the firm for storage. Immediately after the fire prep- arations for rebuilding were commenced, on the site formerly occupied, and the firm now enjoy possession of one of the finest buildings in the city, completely furnished with necessary ma- chinery to facilitate the handling of goods. The building includes numbers 142, 144, 146, 148. 150 and 152 east Third street. The last two numbers are five stories in height above the basement, and the others occupied, four stories above basement. These stores are all of brick, heated and furnished power by steam, the boiler having capacity for heating the entire block. The engine is of fifty horse-power. The sales of this immense estab- lishment reach the large amount of $3,000,000 yearly, exclusive of government contracts, and are constantly increasing as new country is develop- ing, and the demand becomes greater. This firm is enterprising, and employs eight traveling sales- men, who reach out for trade in every direction. There are sixty-seven employes of this establish- ment. The firm of P. H. Kelly and Company is one of the solid business houses of St. Paul, and is an important factor in the wholesale trade, of which this city is the center.

J. HI. Allen and Company, successors to P. F. McQuillan and Company. This firm is located in the stately and magnificent block on the corner of East Third and Sibley streets. The building is constructed of cream colored brick 75 by 125 feet, four stories high, with basement and sub-cellar, and all connected with convenient passage-ways leading from one to the other, and provided also with entrances on both Third and Sibley streets. The basement is used for storage of syrups, fish, oil and other heavy goods ; the first floor for su- gars, coffees, teas, plug tobaccos, case goods and soap; the second and third floors are used for

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SAINT PAUL -- WHOLESALE HOUSES.

spices, teas, fine-cnt and smoking tobaccos, dried fruits, cordage and twine ; the fourth floor is used for wooden and willow ware. The firm of J. H. Allen and Company, in reality, is one of the oldest grocery houses in the city, having been established in 1859, under the name of P. F. McQuillan, of which house Mr. Allen was a member, and who, be it said, co-labored with Mr. McQuillan for a number of years, and built np the business of the house to an immense mag- nitude. Mr. McQuillan, the founder of that in- stitution, was a gentleman widely known, not only for his exemplary manner in conducting business affairs, but was eminently distinguished for his respectability and general consistency of conduct. He had a wide-spread popularity, and his identification with the interests of St. Paul and this business community, was of a very high character. A thorough business man, well con- versant with the details of the grocery business, and who, by hard, earnest and careful working, guided by the most rigid principles of integrity, placed himself in the foremost rank of the trade interests of this city.

The present firm came into possession of the premises which they occupy, in June, 1881, by the withdrawal of the Messrs. Beau- pre and Keogh, who purchased the entire stock in trade of the firm of Beaupre, Allen and Keogh, which, as a matter of course, enabled the new firm to re-establish with an entire new and fresh stock of goods. It is deemed not improper to add, also, that a majority of the employes of the late firm of Beaupre, Allen and Keogh, have allied themselves with the new firm of J. H. Allen and Company, and will all hold prominent positions in conducting the business of the vari- ous branches of the institution.

HIoll and Paar, wholesale grocers, importers and dealers in fancy groceries, located on the corner of Fourth and Sibley streets, were first established on Robert street in 1870. In 1872 they were burned out and removed to Jackson street, near the Merchant's hotel, and remained until their store was rebuilt. On account of the great Chicago fire which caused the insolvency of the insurance companies, the firm were heavy losers. In 1875 they removed to their present location, which is built of stone 35x125, three stories in height. They contemplate adding two

stories more to their building the coming fall. They employ four traveling salesmen on the road and fifteen men as book-keepers, clerks, packers, and shippers. They carry a stock of from $125,000 to $150,000.

Granger and Hodge, proprietors of the coffee and spice mills at 62 Sibley street, first es- tablished in trade on Robert street in 1867. In 1869 they removed to 101 Third street; to their present location in 1877. They are the oldest establishment in the city of the kind. They do a large business and give employment to several men in their mills and on the road. They use steam power in the preparation of their coffee and spices. This firm is one of the largest deal- ers in the North-west.

John R. Berkey, proprietor of the Riverside , coffee and spice mills, at No. 135 East Fourth street. This enterprise was first established by the firm of Groff and Berkey, on the corner of Jackson and Seventh streets in 1876. In the fall of same year, they removed to a store on Robert streets, and to his present location in 1877. Jan- uary, 1, 1881, Mr. Berkey purchased Mr. Groff's interest in the enterprise. The sales for the first year of its establishment were $23,000. In 1880 the sales were $148,000. A capital of $70,000 is employed in carrying on this mammoth institu- tion, which is one of the largest in the west, em- ploying eight traveling salesmen and twenty men at the desk and in the different branches of the works. Steam is used as power in the grinding of the coffee and spices, and preparation of other articles which are manufactured by this house.

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