History of Ramsey County and the city of St. Paul, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota, Part 79

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 79

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Chas. R. Groff, coffee, spice, baking powder and extracts. The business was commenced in 1880, at 124 East Fifth street; he roasts coffee, grinds spices and manufactures baking powder and extracts. The building he occupies for his busi- ness is 25x60 feet, four-stories, and he has not any too much room. The motive power for run- ning his machinery is furnished by a twenty-five horse-power engine in the shop of E. F. Osborn, next door. He employs twenty men iu his busi- ness. He roasts coffee for most of the wholesale and retail grocers in the city. Average about a ton of coffee per day. Mr. Groff grinds spices on his own acccount, also manufactures baking powders and extracts which are mostly sold to the jobbing trade,

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B. Presley and Company wholesale fruit and commission business. This is the oldest firm do- ing business in St. Paul. Mr. Presley commenced business in 1849, on Third street. keeping a little of everything. fruits, cigars and fancy groceries. In 1870, he sold his grocery business to Wilcox and Burnell. He moved to Second street and started the fruit and commission business; moved back to Third street in 1877, remained there until March, 1881, when he moved back again to his old stand on Second street, where he will remain until his new building, (which is in process of erec- tion), is finished, which will be about November 1st, 1881. The new building is 423x763 feet, four- stories, one of the best business blocks on Third streets. They .do an enormous business in all kinds of foreign and domestic fruits. They are agents for some of the largest California fruit growers. Their business is exclusively wholesale, in the foreign fruit trade they are the only wholesale fruit dealers in the state of Min- nesota, They sell goods throughout the North- west, in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Dakota, Montana, and all through the Red River country; supply all the different forts in the department of Dakota. Mr. Presley commenced with about $50 in 1849, doing perhaps a business of $2,000 the first year, and now their business amounts to $200,000 per year. They. employ eight men about the store. They sell two-thirds of all the fruit handled in St. Paul.

Monfort and Company wholesale and retail grocers, importers and dealers in table delicacies. This enterprise was first established in 1865, in the Rogers' block by the three brothers, C. J., D.A. and G. R. Monfort, and was operated under the title of C. J. Monfort and Company. In 1866, they removed to their present location, which consists of the first-floor, 25x100 feet, and the basement under their own and the adjoining store which gives 50x100 feet. They have in ad- dition a wine cellar. In the fall of 1880, the brother, C. J. Monfort sold his interest to the brothers who carry on the trade under the title of Monfort and Company. Their large trade in the different branches gives employment to about nine men.

C. Gotzian and Company, manufacturers and wholesale dealers in boots and shoes. This es- tablishment, which has deservedly won its way

to the very front among the wholesale houses of St. Paul, carries on an extensive business, em- ploying eight traveling salesmen, extending their trade throughout north-west Wisconsin, Minne- sota, northern Iowa, and eastern Dakota. A very important feature of the business carried on by this establishment and one of great value to the city in which they are located, is the fact that a large proportion of their goods, amounting to at least one-third of their entire sales, are manufac- tured by them in their own shops, thus adding a considerable item to the business of the city. The entire sales of this establishment during the year 1881 amounted to $1,000,000. In the manufactur- ing department this firm employs one hundred and fifty persons, male and female. In their sales- rooms they employ about twenty-five more. The history of this establishment is as follows: Mr. Conrad Gotzian began business as a retailer in 1858 on Jackson. between Fifth and Sixth streets. About the year 1861, he added a wholesale de- partment, and since 1866 the business has been entirely wholesale. Feeling the need of more room to meet the demands of the rapidly increas- ing trade, he, in 1870, moved to the present loca- tion of the company's house, 133 East Third street. In January, 1872, he associated with him Mr. C. Seabury, under the firm name of C. Got- zian and Company. The building they now oc- cupy is a fine structure, well suited to their pur- poses, 45x150 feet, four stories high above the basement. The manufacturing department occu- pies the two upper floors of the main building and two floors of an adjoining building 50x125 feet, in which extensive rooms, the large number of men above referred to are employed. In the main building, a basement extending under the entire building, is used as a store-room for sole leather and rubber goods. The ground floor is the location of the elegant offices and salesroom for goods of eastern manufacture adapted to both men and women. The second floor is used as salesroom for children's shoes, both eastern and home manufacture. The third and fourth floors are fitted with all kinds of machinery of the most improved patterns for cutting and manufactur- ing leather. The business of the concern is dis- tributed among the members of the firm as fol- lows: Mr. Gotziau has the general supervision of the entire establishment and has charge of the

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purchase of goods; Mr. Seabury has charge of the financial department and correspondence; Mr. Freeman is manager of the sales department and traveling salesmen.

Forepaugh and Tarbox, manufacturers of and wholesale dealers in boots and shoes. This estab- lishment began business on Eagle street, near Seven Corners in 1870. They added to their business the manufacture of boots and shoes, and entered the jobbing trade. Feel- ing the need of better facilities for handling their increasing business, they moved to 137 East Third street, where they remained until 1878, when they moved to their location 129 and 131 East Third street. The building which they now occupy is 20x160 feet, five stories. Basement or first story is used for rubber goods, pacs, etc. Main first floor is used for offices, packing, and fine goods department. Second floor for boot department and heavy goods. Third floor for foreman's de- partment, cutting rooms, stitching rooms and general supplies. Fourth floor is used for man- ufacturing department, with all modern im- provements and facilities of a first-class boot and shoe factory. Two standard screw machines for fastening bottoms, with a capacity of 240 pairs per day each, one McCay and Bigelow heeling machine, capacity, forty cases per day; one trimming machine, a Buzzell union edge cutter, one Tably steel burn- isher, one wax edge setter, two Chamberlain burnishers, one beating out machine, one Varney pegging machine, capacity, twenty cases per day, one Dunham quiller or monogram machine, a heel scouring machine, a rotary filer, for filing heels. and about twenty-five other machines for various purposes, with a force of ninety hands. Second floor. One Hawkins sole dyeing ma- chine, capacity, one hundred cases per day of out soles, one sole moulder, one trimmer, one Tripp counter skiver, one raw turner, one heel pricking machine, one tacking machine for steels, one heel press, one sole leather skiver and ruler, twenty auxiliary machines, beside twenty-three hands employed in sewing department, forty sewing machines, one pat double eyelet setter. Ten men employed in the cutting department; salesmen, book-keepers and clerks, fifteen. Sales amounted to about $1,000,000 in 1880.

Weiss and Weiss, wholesale millinery and straw

goods. This business was established by Z. Weiss, in 1869, on West Third street, near St. Peter. In 1874, moved to 142 East Third street, the present stand, occupying three floors and basement. From twenty-five to thirty-five persons are employed by the firm, three traveling salesmen. Salesamount to about $100,000 per annum. This concern will occupy the double store and basement of the building on the corner of Second and Sibley streets, where a wholesale and retail business will be transacted.

Mayo and Clark, wholesale hardware. This old, reliable house was founded by C. E. Mayo, in 1854. Began business on Third street, between Robert and Minnesota, and in 1872 moved to 127 East Third street, the present location of the house. They have a fine, substantial building, 35x140 feet, and three stories high above the base- ment. In 1873, Mr. Mayo associated with him C. II. Clark, under the present firm name. They have 24 persons in their employ. Although these gentlemen are modest in their statements, a casual observation suffices to show they are do- ing a large busmess, and the tide of prosperity has caught them in its wake, which will eventu- ally carry them to that goal we all seek, a compe- tence.

Nicols and Dean, wholesale dealers in heavy hardware. This extensive and growing establish- meut succeeded Governor Marshall, in 1855, un- der the firm name of Nicols and Berkey. Jolm Nicols and Peter Berkey, under whom the busi- ness was successfully managed until 1860, when Mr. Berkey retired, and W. B. Dean be- came a member of the firm, when they adopted the firm name of Nicols and Dean, now so popularly known throughout the North-west. In 1873, upon the death of John Nicols, the senior mem- ber of the firm, the business was continued under the old firm name by the surviving partner, the family of the deceased still retaining his interest. The business first began on Wabasha street, be- tween Third and Fourth streets, where they re- mained until 1861, when they removed to Third street, between Cedar and Wabasha, and in 1871, to their present commodious building, corner Third and Sibley streets. The store was 34 feet front by 140 feet deep, until they purchased the adjoining building, which gives them double the room. They employ four traveling salesmen, and

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twelve men in the house. Their specialty is heavy hardware, wagon and carriage material, in which line they have an extensive trade, mostly wholesale, which extends into all the adjoining states and territories, and to some extent into Manitoba.

George L. Farwell, wholesale hardware. This house was first organized by T. F. Cheritree and F. B. Farwell as a retail establishment on Third street, between Washington and Franklin, under the firm name of Cheritree and Farwell In 1860, they moved to Ingersoll's block on the corner of Third and Wabasha streets. About this time they began wholesaling some. In 1876, they moved to what was then 99 East Third street, and admitted G. L. Farwell as a member of the firm under the firm name of Cheritree and Far- wells. In 1870, they moved to 135 East Third street, and in 1875, they moved across the street to 136. When Mr. Cheritree retired from the firm, the name was changed to Farwell Brothers. In 1878, F. B. Farwell retired, leaving G. L. Farwell sole proprietor, and he has since con- ducted the business. In 1881, he moved to East Fourth street in the fine building 30x125 feet and four-stories high above the basement. The numbers are 225 and 227. Since 1875, the busi- ness has been entirely wholesale. For the length of time in the trade, Mr. Farwell has worked up a good business.

Strong, Hackett and Company, importers and jobbers of hardware, cutlery and tinners stock. This extensive house was founded in 1860, at number 123 Third street by C. D. Strong as a wholesale and retail store, but became exclusively wholesale in 1870, at which time he removed into the store lately occupied by the firm 132 East Third street. In 1872, Mr. Strong associated with him, G. A. Chapin, under the firm name of C. D. Strong and Company. January 1st, 1873, C. W. Hackett became a member, and the firm name changed to Strong, Hackett and Chapin. Upon the death of Mr. Chapin, 1878, the name changed to Strong, Hackett and Company. Jan- uary 1st, 1880, F. P. Strong (son of the senior member) was admitted as a member of the firm. In December, 1880, they moved to their present location, numbers 213, 215, 217 and 219, East Fourth street. It is a fine imposing building 58x125 feet and contains six floors for handling

their stock. They have one of the largest shops in the state, and manufacture their own ware. Their busines is very extensive and spreads, not only over the state of Minnesota, but into Wis- consin, Iowa, Dakota, Montana and the neigli- boring British Province of Manitoba, and they employ for this purpose seven traveling salesmen and thirty other persons.

Breuer and Rhodes, wholesale dealers in iron, steel, heavy hardware and carriage material. This business was started in October, 1880, under the name of Breuer and Budd; they purchased the entire stock of J. B. Braden and Brother, who commenced business here as early as 1855, and did business up to November, 1880, when Breuer and Budd bought them out. The last named firm did business until February 1st, 1881. Mr. Budd died in December, 1880. In February, 1881, Mr. Rhodes purchased the in- terest of Mr. Budd, and the firm is now Breuer and Rhodes. They are the only house in St. Paul, except one, who handle iron, steel, etc., ex- clusively. They carry a large stock of their goods and their trade extends all over the North-west. They employ three traveling salesmen who carry samples through Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Da- kota, Montana and Manitoba; they also have a large city trade in Minneapolis, as well as in St. Paul, and have become one of the leading in- stitutions. They employ a force of fifteen men to handle their goods in the store.

The house of Fairbanks, Morse and Company, was started at 46 East Third street, in the city of St. Paul. This house was established here for the purpose of handling their line of goods more easily for the central house in Chicago. At first it was looked upon by the firm as an experi- ment, but after three years trial it has proved a complete success. The business in this city has grown to very large proportions. Three years ago the firm gave employment to only six men. Now they regularly employ nine, and give tem- porary employment to several more, as the busi- ness requires from time to time. The success of the firm is due in a great measure, to the careful and efficient management, as well as to high reputation and character of the goods handled. Fairbanks' scales have been awarded the highest prizes at many of the foreign and world's expositions, as well as at the leading

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fairs in this country. As one proof of the accuracy of these scales, and the estimate in which they are universally held, it may be of interest to remark that the United States govern- ment uses no other than the Fairbanks' scales. The St. Paul house is now a direct branch of the manufactory, and is one of sixteen such branches in this country, conducted directly under the supervision of the manufacturers, and at their own expense; so that customers, dealing with this or either of their branch houses, are in fact deal- ing directly with the manufacturers themselves, and not with irresponsible agents, for whose promises, acts or doings the firm would not be held responsible. One of the important branches of their business is the repair shop, where they are able to put in repair any scale made at their factory in Vermont, and to make such repairs at short notice.

They also handle the Eclipse wind-mill, which is considered the most practical, substantial and durable wind-mill in use, and is always fully warranted. They are also prepared to furnish mills, tanks, fixtures and pumps for railroads water supply, or to furnish stations complete. In connection with this part of their business, they are introducing the elevated water supply for private grounds, a number of which they have put in around and in the city.

Prendergast Brothers, practical tinners and plumbers, and dealers in furnaces, ranges. stoves, registers and ventilators, tin, iron and copperware, pumps, plumbers material, etc. This is one of the leading houses of the kind in this city. The house of Prendergast Brothers is the oldest in the city in this line, having been established in 1855. The building occupied by them is a three-story stone structure, with basement, 25x130 feet, No. 62 East Third street and 61 Second street, with an entrance from both streets, the Second street entrance being used almost exclusively for ship- ping and to avoid the inconvenience of doing business on Third street. The first floor is their salesroom, the second floor is used as a store- room and plumbing shop, and the third floor is their tin-shop. They carry the most complete line of stoves of any house in the city, and the house is well supplied with furnaces, heaters, registers, ranges, ventilators, tin, iron and copper ware, and plumbers stock, also pumps, lead pipe, etc. They

claim that they manufacture the only per- fect ventilating stove now in use. Their manu- facturing involves a large capital, and the labor of a large force of skillful men. They also have the exclusive sale of the celebrated (Detroit) Garland stove and heaters, which have acquired a reputation second to no other manufacture in the United States. Premiums and medals have been awarded the Garland at many fairs, and wherever thoroughly tested it has been pronounced as being as near perfect as it is pos- sible to get anything in the stove line. They also carry a full line forty-two patterns, of the celebrated Boynton hot air furnaces for either coal or wood, and have exclusive sale of them in this city. They are a very strong and reliable firm, and doing an extensive business, their trade now extending over Minnesota, Iowa, Wiscon- sin, Dakota and Manitoba.

Kennedy Brothers, manufacturers and whole- sale dealers in guns, ammunition, fishing tackle and sporting equipments. This establishment, the only one of its kind in the city, is one of the leading enterprises. The business was begun in 1867, by W. F. Kennedy, in an old frame build- ing which stood on the site of their present com-

modious structure. He began manufacturing alone, and as he was a practical workman he soon established a good trade. In 1872 the building now occupied was erected. It has a frontage of twenty feet and a depth of seventy-five feet, and is three stories high above the basement. The first floor is occupied as salesroom, the second and third floors for manufacturing, and the base- ment for storage. In 1872. the brothers, J. C. and R. S. Kennedy became partners in the busi- ness, and the firm name Kennedy Brothers was adopted. Two traveling salesmen are employed and goods are disposed of through the north-west- ern states and British America. A large number of artisans are employed in the manufactory. The business of this firm is large and constantly on the increase.

P. R. L. Hardenbergh and Co., leather, sad- dlery hardware, shoe findings, etc., 186 and 188 East Third Street, St. Paul. This business was established at No. 182 East Third street, 1867. They moved from there in 1874 to No. 78 same street, and moved to their present quarters, Feb- ruary, 1881. This business has grown from $80,-

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000 per annum in 1867, to $400,000 in 1881. The building they occupy is 34x150 feet, three stories and a basement and sub-basement. The base- ments are used for storing heavy goods, such as sole leather and harness leather. The first floor is used for offices and sales room, and storing light goods. Second floor is rented for offices. The third floor is used for storing horse collars and other goods connected with the saddlery hardware department. They employ fourteen men, four of whom are traveling salesmen. They sell goods in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Dako- ta and Montana. They manufacture shoe uppers for which purpose they employ four men and eight girls. They also manufacture horse collars, furnishing work for ten men in this branch.

Schmidt and Miller,manufacturers of horse col- lars, halters, fly nets, &c., and wholesale dealers in saddlery hardware and harness makers' furnish- ing goods in general. The business was started by Schmidt and Hammer in 1866 with a capital of $15,000, on West Third street, in a small build- ing formerly occupied for a post-office, (the build- ing is still standing) remained three years and moved to Jackson street, between Fifth and Sixth streets, Schurmeier block. Mr. Hammer retired from the firm in 1867. Mr. Schmidt remained on Jackson street three years. Trade kept stead- ily increasing. Schmidt and Hammer did busi- ness to the amount of $38,000 in a year. Busi- ness increased about twenty-five per cent. each year. In 1872 they moved to Robert street when the firm changed to Schmidt, Kiefer and Co. and did business under that head four years, when it changed to Charles G. Schmidt, Kiefer and Co. going out of business. Mr. Schmidt remained on Robert street alone two years, and moved to their present location, No. 354 Sibley street, when the firm changed to Schmidt and Miller, where they have been since. This building is 25x110 feet, four stories and basement. The basement is used for storing heavy goods, cases of harness, leather, etc. The first floor is used for office and salesroom, the second floor is also used for sales- room and storing of lighter goods, the third floor is used for storing collars and other goods they manufacture, the fourth floor is used for manufacturing collars, halters, fly nets, etc. They keep thirteen hands at work in their fac- tory, and employ five men besides themselves in

the store; they keep one man on the road con- stantly, selling goods from samples. They sell goods in Minnesota, Iowa. Wisconsin, and Da- kota. They are doing a business from $125,000 to $150,000 per year.

P. J. Schmitz, manufacturer of horse collars and fly-nets, and wholesale dealer in saddlery hardware, and harness makers' supplies in gen- eral. Commenced business in 1875, at No. 46 Robert street. Mr. Schmitz manufactures horse collars for the wholesale trade, employing from eight to ten collar hands. He employs six men in the store, and two traveling salesmen are con- stantly on the road, selling his goods from sam- ples, throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin and Da- kota. His business has increased very materially since he commenced, six years ago, his first year's sales being $50,000, and from July, 1880, to July, 1881, they amounted to $100,000. Mr. Schmitz turns out about eighteen dozen collars . per week; consumes about $250.00 worth of collar . leather per week in their manufacture. Mr. S. also handles saddles, bridles, halters, whips, lashes, enameled cloths, harness leather, dark leather, winker leather, carriage trimmings, horse clothing of all kinds, also all kinds of harness pads. In fact everything harness makers use in their business.

Noyes Brothers and Cutler, wholesale drug- gists. This house was founded about the year 1865, by S. L. Vawter, and continued under va- rious names and varied fortunes until 1868, when D. R. Noyes, of the banking house of Gilman, Son & Co., New York, an experienced druggist, pur- chased a controlling interest, associating with him his brother, C. P. Noyes, and A. M. Pett, with the firm name of Noyes, Pett & Co. In the fall of 1869 Mr. Pett retired, and the firm continued as Noyes Brothers, until 1871, when E. H. Cutler, a former employe of the firm, was admitted as a member, and the firm name changed to Noyes Brothers and Cutler. The house first began bus- iness at what is now 92 East Third street. From there they moved to what is now 134 East Third street. Thence to numbers 30 and 32 Robert street. In February, 1879, they moved to their elegant new building on the corner of Fifth and Sibley streets. This building was erected expressly for their use, and has few equals, if any, of its kind, in the United States. It is 63x110 feet, and

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four stories high above the basement. Steam is used for heating as well as manufacturing pur- poses. As a consequence, no danger from fire is apprehended. When the firm of Noyes, Pettand Co. took hold of the business it was at a low ebb. Their sales for the first year, after taking the business in hand, amounted to only about $4,000 per month, while in July, 1880, the sales amounted to $100,000, and for the year, to about $1,000,000. When they first began to do business, parties in outside towns, who bought of them, insisted upon having the St. Paul trade mark erased, as they thought it interfered with the sale of the goods, while now, owing to the careful attention bestowed upon the quality of their goods, no better recom- mendation is required than their trade mark. Their trade, at first, was confined to a small radius of a few hundred miles around St. Paul. Now, by energy, integrity and enterprise, they have suc- ceeded in building up a trade that takes in its scope all of Minnesota. part of Wisconsin, Iowa, Dakota, Montana, Nebraska, Utah and the Brit- ish possessions, while in some specialties their trade reaches nearly all parts of the United States. They make a specialty of fitting out new drug stores, starting as many as fifty in a single year. They are the largest importers of druggists' sun- dries and fancy goods in the North-west. Their manufacture of standard pharmaceutical prepara- tions is very extensive and rapidly increasing. Besides their store they have large warehouses on the corner of Fifth and Wacouta streets, and else- where. They are also planning soon to build ex- tensive storage warehouses, and also to secure additional room for their manufacturing depart- ment.

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