History of Ramsey County and the city of St. Paul, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota, Part 84

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 84

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Funk's brewery, located on the corner of Col- borns and Cascade streets, was erected by M. Funk, in 1866. Main building of stone, 54x100, two stories. Also two wings attached, of stone, 25x32 feet, together with small additions of wood. The machinery is of the best, and is driven by steam. The full capacity is 2,000 barrels yearly, which is furnished to customers only in kegs, and finds a ready market for all he can manufac- ture.

North Star brewery, located on Commercial, near Hudson Avenue, was erected by Drewry and Scott, about 1855. This firm engaged in the manufacturing of ale, until 1857, when Mr. Scott sold his interest to Mr. Greig, when it was operated under the firm name of Drewey and Greig, until 1861, when the whole interest was purchased by the following firm:

L. B. and C. Greig who engaged in the manu- facturing of beer and ale. The original buildings were the brewery, 50x75 feet, and the malt house 50x75 feet, to which in 1864, was added a building 40x65 feet, four-stories high and used as a dis- tilery, and was at that time the largest estab- lishment of the kind in the state. In 1867, the establishment was sold to John Holland, who in time transfered it to W. Constans in 1872, at a cost of $30,000. In 1878 and '79, Mr. Constans

rebuilt the larger part of the works and added other improvements. The full capacity is about 50 barrels per day. The entire sales in all branches during the year will amount to $100,- 000.

City brewery, located at number 168 and 170 Exchange streets, was first established by Domi- nic Troyner, about 1855, on a small scale. In 1866, Fred. Emmert purchased the entire inrerest, and has made many improvements. The build- ing is of wood. The full capacity is 6,000 barrels a year.

Wurm's brewery, located on Stewart Avenue, between Jefferson Avenue and Grace street, was established by Conrad Wurm, in 1873. The build- ing is of wood, 30x30. Mr. Wurm died in 1876, since which time it has been carried on by the wife and sons. It is a hand brewery, and the full capacity is about 400 barrels a year.

Yoerg's brewery, located at the corner of Com- mercial and Ohio streets, in the Sixth ward, was established in 1871, by Anthony Yoerg. Mr. Yoerg established the first brewery in St. Paul, which was as early as about 1853, on what is now Wash- ington street. IIe settled in the town in 1849. His present brewery is of stone, 40x126 feet, with a wing 30x60, and malt house 40x90. The ma- chinery is all of the latest improved styles, and is propelled by steam. He has five cellars excavated in the bluffs, about sixty feet. The full capacity of the work is 20,000 barrels a year.

Excelsior brewery, located at the corner Minnehaha and Greenbrier Avenue, was erected by Andrew Keller in 1863, of stone 20x38 feet, with a wing 18x32 feet, as a hand brewery with a capacity of 500 barrels. In 1865, Theo. IIamm purchased the entire interest, and at once made improvements by additions, and new ma- chinery propelled by steam. The full capacity at this time is about 17,000 barrels yearly, which is sold in kegs. The entire works give employ- ment to twenty-five men. With additions now being made, he expects to be able to turn out 20,000 barrels each year.

Drewry's brewery is located on Truxton street near Minnehaha Avenue, was established about 1861, by Putnam and Dexter. The buildings were erected of wood, the main, with its wing occupied about one hundred feet square. It was run by this firm until about 1866, when it was

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HISTORY OF RAMSEY COUNTY.

purchased by Edward Drewry and operated under the firm name of Drewry and Son, in the manufactory of ale, porter and beer, which they sell in bottles and kegs, full capacity is about 2,500 barrels each year. In connection with this they also manufacture 200 barrels of champagne cider, which is sold in bottles. They have fine cellars for the storage of their stock.

North Mississippi brewery was established about 1853. It became the property of Mr. Rowe, 1856, who operated it until 1859, when it was transferred to Bensberg, and to Renz in 1866. In 1873, it became the property of W. Banholzer. Improvements have been made from time to time by additions to the building, which are of stone. The history of this institution is quite vivid in the minds of several of the citizens in the town who, with funds loaned to the parties who have tried to make a success of it, but have failed. The present owner has been making bet- ter success of the enterprise. During the past year they have manufactured 8,000 barrels. Their full capacity is from 10,000 to 12,000 bar- rels each year which is all sold in kegs.

Hart and Whiteman, manufacturers of cigars, 360 and 362 Jackson street, St. Paul. This busi- ness was started in 1857, on Third street, in a small way, by John Hart. Mr. Hart continued the business until 1863, when the firm changed to Hart and Kinkel. This firm did business together until 1875, when they sold out to Miller Brothers. John Hart commenced business again in 1878, on Jackson street, and remained there two years. In 1881, Mr. Whiteman became a member of the firm, and in May, same year, they moved to the very fine building they now occupy. They use four floors for their business, 25x80 feet. They employ between forty and fifty hands, keep two traveling salesmen on the road contin- ually. They manufacture two million cigars per annum. Their cigars run in price from $25 to $100 per thousand. Their traveling men reaclı every town of any size throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Dakota and Montana. They also have a nice city trade. Sales amount to $60,000 per annum.

Mark Brothers, manufacturers of cigars, and dealers in tobacco and smokers goods. John Mark commenced the business in 1872, at No. 59 Wabasha street. Continued alone until 1881,

when his brother purchased an interest in the business, which changed the firm to Mark Brothers. They are now located at 61, Wabasha street, (new number, 383). They employ seven hands, this being only a branch of the Chicago house. Their business is wholesale and retail. Most of their goods are sold in Minnesota, Wis- consin and Dakota. They make about four hundred thousand cigars per annum. They make only hand work, running in price from $25 to $70 per thousand. They work up seventy-five bales of Havana leaf, and about fifty cases of native leaf for wrappers and binders.

James Harrison, manufacturer of cigars, No. 90, East Third street. Mr. Harrison started his factory February 1st, 1878, with fourteen hands, making the first year seven hundred thousand cigars. To show the increase in the manufac- ture of cigars in this the second collection dis- trict, there were made in 1878 about two million cigars, and in 1880 it reached eleven millions, an increase in two years of nine million cigars. Mr. Harrison employs at present twenty-eight hands, making one million, two hundred and fifty thous- and cigars per annum, and still he can not make them as fast as his trade requires, being almost constantly behind in his orders. His goods are mostly sold in Minnesota, Dakota, Wisconsin and Montana. Mr. Harrison keeps one traveling man constantly on the road to sell cigars from samples. He makes cheap goods as well fine cigars, but makes nothing less than $22 per thousand. His goods run in price from $25 to $70 per thousand. Ilis annual sales amount to $60,000. He uses about fifty cases of native tobacco of four hun- dred pounds each case, and fifty bales of Havana, one hundred and ten pounds to the bale, in the course of the year.

Camen and Hofmeister, manufacturers and wholesale dealers in cigars, No. 169 Seventh street. This enterprising firm commenced busi- ness in September, 1880, with a limited capital. The following gentlemen composed the firm, HIenry Camen, Henry Feyder, and William Hof- meister. At the time of opening their factory they themselves comprised the whole working force, with a boy to strip tobacco for them, but three men with energy and perseverance can ac- complish a good deal, and it was not long before their business increased to such an extent that

481

SAINT PAUL-MANUFACTURES.

they found it necessary to employ from three to ten hands, and the present prospect is that they will need twenty hands before the close of the season. They intend in the course of the sum- mer to move into more commodious and better quarters. They turn out at present 50,000 cigars per month, which they expect to double before long. They pay a revenue to the government of { 300 per month. Up to this time they have made mostly seed cigars, (a cheap grade) from twenty to thirty dollars per thousand, but as their trade demands better goods, they have commenced making fine cigars, seed and Havana, in which branch of the trade they excel, their fine goods giving perfect satisfaction to their numerous cus- tomers. They consume about four cases, (of 400 pounds leaf tobacco eachi) per month. The aver- age cost per case is about $120. Their trade on the start was mostly confined to the city of St. Paul, but at present their trade extends all over the state of Minnesota, and portions of Wiscon- sin. The number of their factory on the revenue book is No. 183.

Enoch F. Berrisford, manufacturer of confec- tionery and crackers, and wholesale dealer in cigars, tobacco, foreign and domestic fruits, etc., 374, 376 and 378 Robert street, cracker manufac- tory at No. 99 East Fifth street, This business was started in April, 1867, by Berrisford Brothers, E. F. and Thomas Berrisford, in a little shanty 20x30 feet, one story, in the rear of Johnson and Berkman, on Robert street; continued there two years and moved to a three-story stone building No. 99 Fifth street. April 1st, 1872, the firm of Berrisford Brothers dissolved, and the business was divided; E. F. taking the wholesale or manu- facturing of crackers, and Thomas taking the re- tail or bread bakery. November 10th, 1874, the firm of Little and Berrisford was formed (consist- ing of Reuben F. Little, Thomas Berrisford and Enoch F. Berrisford) for the manufacture of con- fectionery, etc., they did business on Fifth street, in a building known in those days as Charley Miles old locksmith shop, stayed there about one year, then moved to their present location on Robert street, 374 and 376; a year later they added another store, No. 378, which they now oc- cupy. The firm of Little and Berrisfords was formed and dissolved by limitation, November, 1874. At this time E. F. Berrisford bought the 31

interest of Thomas Berrisford and formed the firm of Little and Berrisford; at this time E. F. Berrisford became an active partner, which he had not been before. Mr. B. took charge of the office and the financial part of the business. Lit- tle and Berrisford continued until June 20th, 1880, when the firm changed to E. F. Berrisford, Mr. Little retiring, since which time E. F. Ber- risford has continued to do business alone, con solidating the confectionery and cracker business. The building he now occupies is 50x70 feet, three stories and basement. He uses the whole build- ing for his business; the basement is used for storing fruit, the first floor is used for office and salesroom, the second and third floors are used for manufacturing confectionery. They consume at present about 100 barrrels of sugar per month, and about 500 barrels of flour per month for mak- ing crackers. He employs about thirty persons about his confectionary business, and five travel ing salesmen. In the cracker factory he employs fifteen hands. His goods are sold all through Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Dakota and Mon- tana. Sales from July, 1880, to July, 1881, were about $300,000.

T. S. McManus & Co., manufacturers of con- fectionery, and jobbers in cigars and domestic and tropical fruits. This business was started in June, 1870, on West Third street, in a very small way; they opened up in a little wooden shanty 10x12 feet, (which stands there to this day), but their business kept increasing and they were obliged to seek more room and at the same time a better location. They moved from their old store on West Third street in 1875 to their present loca- tion, No. 31 East Third street, where they have been doing business ever since. They occupy three floors and a basement. The basement is used for storing fruits, etc .; the first floor is used for salesroom, offices and packing room; the second and third floors are used for manufactur- ing and also for storing goods. They manufac- ture mostly all the confectionery they sell, using for this purpose about 150 barrels of sugar per month. They also buy large quantities of can- dies, such as steam made candy, lozenges, etc. They handle immense quantities of domestic and tropical fruits, also cigars in large quantities. They sell about 750,000 cigars per annum. Their sales last year amounted to $200,000. Their stock

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HISTORY OF RAMSEY COUNTY.

consists of the following lines of goods: Confec- tionery, cigars, crackers in endless variety, fruits, nuts, etc. They employ twenty-four men, three of whom are traveling salesmen.

St. Paul Cracker Works, Priedeman and Lewis, proprietors. This business was established Feb- ruary 28th, 1878, at 419 and 421 Robert street. They occupy the lower rooms of the stores, and a building in the rear of the same twenty-five feet. The lower rooms are 50x100 feet. The back part of these rooms is used for the factory. The motive power which runs the machinery is a small steam engine of ten horse-power, which performs all the heavy work. They make about one hun- dred barrels of crackers per day. Besides crack- ers, they manufacture about forty different varie- - ties of sweet goods, or cookies. They also make quite a business of making hard bread (hard tack) for the use of the army. We saw about 250 large boxes, piled up in front of the store, ready to be shipped to the different forts on the frontier. They consume about 500 barrels of flour, per month, in their business, which amounts to about $4,000. Their goods are sold through Minnesota, Northern Wisconsin, Northern Iowa, Dakota, Montana and Manitoba. To carry on this work they keep eighteen hands employed. Four trav- eling salesmen carry their samples, to take orders for their goods. The sales for the last year were about $80,000. The bills for boxes and barrels, used for packing their goods sold, amounts to $500 per month.

MacCarthy and Verplanck, manufacturers of confectionery, and jobbers in cigars, number 104 Jackson street, St. Paul. This firm commenced business in November, 1879. They started on a small scale, but have worked up a very fine trade, second to none in the state. They have doubled their trade within the last year. They furnish em- ployment to fifteen men, four of whom are trav- eling salesmen. Their trade extends through Minnesota, Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin and Monta- na. They make a specialty of manufacturing strictly pure candies. They use, on an average, seventy-five barrels of sugar per month. Their sales, in cigars, amount to 250,000 per month. Four traveling men and one of the proprietors, are constantly out on the road, taking orders for their goods.

F J. Gilmartin, manufacturer of confection-

ery. Mr. Gilmartin started in business, in 1879, at 153 West Third street, in a small way, but, as has been the case with all business men in St. Paul, his business grew, and is still growing. He is doing a very fair, remunerative business. Mr. Gilmartin manufactures, and sells to the retail trade of the city, employing no traveling sales- men. He keeps three men employed in his fac- tory, consuming from fifty to seventy-five barrels of sugar in the course of the year. He also buys steam-made candies, of which lie sells large quan- tities. He also handles cigars, nuts, etc. Mr. G. is doing a very nice, safe business. His sales are daily increasing, they having doubled within the last year.

Minnesota Soap Company. This thriving bus- iness was established August 15th, 1872, by a stock company of which H. Grethen, H. Hecht- man, F. M. Pleins, and James Beach, were the incorporators. They first began operations in a small frame building on Eagle street, the site of their present location. The business soon devel- oped and they were compelled to make additions. In June, 1880, they began work on the present commodious buildings, which have a frontage of 115 feet, and a depth of 92 feet, built in the form of an L. The building is three stories in height, of brick and stone. It is fitted with modern im- provements in machinery, and has a Depew ele- vator for facilitating the handling of goods from floor to floor. The manufactures consist of soap, candles, lard oil, and potash, which are sold throughout Minnesota, Dakota, Iowa, and Wis- consin. There is also a branch factory at Min- neapolis, located at 1300 Marshall street. The ' two establishments furnish employment to twen- ty-five men and ten girls. Three traveling sales- men are kept on the road.

St. Paul Linseed Oil Company was first organ- ized in the spring of 1880, with Messrs. Archi- bald and Schurmeier at the head. The mill was started January 1st, 1881, and run until the mid- dle of February, when the buildings were de- stroyed by fire caused by an explosion. The enterprise was again set in motion under the management of a new company which was or- ganized June 1st, 1881, with officers as follows: D. Elwell, president; G. S. Schurmeier, vice-pres- ident; Charles R. Iliggins. secretary; and II. E. Thompson, treasurer; with a capital of $100,000.

483

SAINT PAUL-LUMBER DEALERS.

The buildings, which are of stone, are being repaired. The main building is 40x120 feet, three stories; engine house, 40x60 feet, in which is located a fifty horse-power engine. The cooper shop and store rooms, of wood, 30x60. A board- ing house, also of wood, 30x40, two stories. When the works are in operation they will give employment to from fifteen to twenty men. The works are located just south of the city limits at the end of the Sioux City, R. R. bridge within the limits of Dakota county. Office near the cor- ner of Jackson and Third streets.

Spink Vinegar works, located at No. 375 Min- nesota street, were established at No. 95 Seventhi street, by the firm of Spink and Son in 1876. They removed to their present location in 1880, which building they erected the same year, of brick, 25 by 85 feet, two stories, at a cost of, with site, about $6,500. They are also agents for the com- pressed yeast.

C. N. Nelson, lumber company. Next to wheat of the North-west is the Imber. Next to food is shelter, and nature has so arranged witli a wise and beneficent foresight for man's comfort that right by the side of the great prai- ries-the natural bread producing areas-are found the pine forests, the home building mate- rial to furnish houses for the bread consumers. It follows naturally that at the commercial cen- tre of this great grain growing region would be found the greatest conveniences for the distribu- tion of the lumber to the wheat growers of the North-west. In a visit to the office and yard of the company, we found that these natural advantages had been fully appreciated by this enterprising concern, and provision made more fully than is generally known, to supply the largely increasing demands of the lumber trade. This company. was formed last season by a union of C. N. Nel- son and Company and the St. Louis River Lum- ber Company into a corporation with half a mill- ion dollars capital. It has its main yard and large planing mills located on sixty acres of ground within the city limits, with sheds thor- onghly equipped with platforms, latest and best machinery, as well as necessary side tracks con- necting with all railroads leading from this city, and penetrating every section of Minnesota, Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas, thus en- abling them to handle rapidly the immense quan-

tities of lumber now going in and out of their yards daily. This company own and operate their large saw-mills, located respectively at Still- water, Lakeland (opposite Hudson) and at Clo- quet, Minnesota, (formerly Knife Falls.) The last named mill is on the St. Paul and Duluth and Northern Pacific railways near Duluth, and. is the largest and most complete gang saw-mill in the North-west. This with the other two named, are all gang saw-mills, having a joint ca- pacity of 75,000,000 feet annually, which fact fully justifies our previons statement as to their ability to meet all the wants of the lumber trade. They now have in stock about ten million feet of dry lumber, and are daily receiving two or three train loads from their mills. The office of the company is most conveniently situated at num- ber 170 East Third street oppposite the Mer- chants hotel, where orders or inquiries for any- thing in their line, in person or by mail will have prompt attention. The officers of the company are, C. N. Nelson, president; C. H. Graves, vice- president; W. R. Merriam, treasurer; P. M. Ramsey, secretary. They employ over one hun- dred men in their respective mills.

C. E. Keller & Co., humber, lath, shingles, doors, sash, blinds and building material in gen- eral, corner of Minnesota and Seventh streets, St. Paul. This business was started in 1869 by John M. Keller and Louis Krieger, continued un- der this head until 1873, when Mr. Keller bought Kreiger's interest. Mr. Keller was alone in the business until 1879, when he died. After Mr. John M. Keller's death his son, Mr. C. E. Kel- ler, and the widow of the deceased continued the business under the name and style of C. E. Keller & Co. This business continued to . increase and prosper steadily until it has be- come one of the most extensive establishments of its kind in the city. In 1879 they handled about three million feet of lumber, and the last year, 1881, they have increased to ten million feet. They em- ploy from fifteen to twenty men about their yard. They have a branch of their business at Grand Forks, D. T., where they are selling about two million feet of lumber per annum. They do a large business in building material, aside from their lumber trade, such as doors, sash, blinds, mouldings, and building paper. This establish- ment was one of the first of its kind in St. Paul,

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HISTORY OF RAMSEY COUNTY.

John M. Keller being in the door, sash and blind business as early as 1857.

Churchill and McGoldrick, wholesale and retail dealers in lumber, though but recently established in St. Paul, are already transacting a large share of the trade in their line. They began business, November 1st, 1880 ; office located corner of Third and Franklin streets, and yards at the corner of Eagle and Franklin streets. This firm is reach- ing out for trade with a spirit of enterprise which bids fair to place them in a position of prominence among the lumber dealers of the North-west. In addition to their Inmber business, the firm is largely interested in the extensive wood business of Haycock and Company.

FUEL COMPANIES.

In 1864, Colonel C. W. Griggs began the busi- ness of dealing in wood. At that time no coal was used, and the consumption of wood amounted to about 20,000 cords per annum, as it was the only article of fuel. The first coal brought into the city, was in 1867, by J. J. IIill and Col. C. W. Griggs, the total consumption for that year amounting to only 500 tons. In 1868, 1,500 tons were used; in 1870, 6,000 tons, and that year the consumption of wood had increased to 40,000 cords. In 1875, the amount of coal used was 10,000 tons; of wood, 40,000 cords. In 1880. up- wards of 20,000 tons of coal were required, and 60,000 cords of wood. In 1876, the firm of Griggs and Johnson was formed, and the old firm con- tinned under the name of Hill and Acker, until May, 1867, when a new company was organized by the consolidation of the coal and wood firms of Griggs and Johnson, Ilill and Acker, E. N.

. Saunders, and the St. Paul Company, under the title of the North-western Fuel Company. Two city offices were established, one at the office of Griggs and Johnson, the other at the office of E. N. Saunders. This company bad entire control of the busines until May Ist, 1879, when Mr. Hill, who was president of the company, retired. The remainder of the stockholders sold out to W. L. Scott and Company, of Erie, Pennsylvania, and E. N. Saunders and the North-western Fuel Company continued to do business. The com- pany is a large one, and does an immense amount of business, having offices and yards in all of the principal cities of the West. In 1879, after the

new company was formed, C. W. Griggs, his old partner, General R. W. Johnson, and Captain Rhodes, a member of the old company, formed a partnership and carried on the business under the name and style of Griggs, Johnson and Rhodes, for one year, when A. G. Foster succeeded to the interest of General Johnson, and in December, 1880, Colonel Griggs bought out the interest of Captain Rhodes, and the business has since been continued under the firm name of Griggs and Foster.

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