USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Essex county, N.J., illustrated > Part 27
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arc lighting, and was the first to master the difficulties of making carbons, and it was in Newark that the first successful carbon factory was established. To make satisfactory carbons for arc lights was at first no easy matter, and a vast amount of experimental work and thoughtful study was needed before the difficulties were overcome. Special machinery had to be designed to grind and mix and mold the material and a great deal of work had to be done to find the most suitable material with which to bind the particles of carbon together, and produce suitable sticks for use in the lamps. These difficulties were all overcome and a vast industry has been established in this line alone. The methods and machinery now employed by the various large establishments in this country engaged in the work of manufac- turing carbons were first worked out by Edward Weston.
In the transmission of power by electricity Mr. Weston was very early engaged, and in the old Synagogue, machines for the purpose could be seen delivering several horse powers as early as 1877, with a degree of efficiency which has never been surpassed.
In the line of incandescent lighting Mr. Weston shares with Edison and Swan the honors of much useful work. lle attacked the problem long before Edison, and by his process of treating carbons by electri- city in the presence of hydro-carbon fluids, gases or vapor, overcome one of the most serious obstacles to the perfection and introduction of the incandescent lamp, and by numerous other inventions contributed in no small degree to the development of these branches of electric lighting. The record of his work in these and numerous other fields is found at Washington where nearly 400 patents have been issued.
EDWARD WESTON.
176
ESSEX COUNTY, N. J., ILLUSTRATED,
THE STATE BANKING COMPANY.
T HERE are, during business hours, few among our sound financial institutions more busily engaged in the work of receiving and paying out money, than the State Banking Institu- tion, located on the corner of Market and Halsey streets. We do not wish to be understood in making this statement that larger sums of money are handled, deposited or drawn, but that more people are going out and in its wide open door during the same time, transacting banking business. Among the officers of the bank, or more particu- larly speaking, that portion of them who come in direct con- tact with the customers, are without doubt as large or a larger per cent of polite, affable, forbearing and painstaking men as are found engaged in a simi- lar capacity in any other one of our local banks. We wouldn't have it understood that there are any disagreeable men in any of our banking institutions. This conduct on the part of clerks and officials has its effect and does its part, and adds to the popularity of the bank and the increase of its business. The building in which the beautiful and convenient banking rooms are established, is not more imposing than others of our banks, its architectural merits resting on banking rooms alone. If the
FAYILOTELLER
1
i
INTERIOR VIEW STATE BANKING CO.
JULIUS STAPFF, CASHIER.
reader is not a patron of the bank it would be well worth his while to step in and take a look at their model room. Just at the right of the entrance will be found the comfortable offices of Julius Stapff, cashier, and William Scheerer, assistant cashier, who will be glad to show the caller such attentions as might be sought for. Edward Shickhaus, the president, and Judge Gottfried Kreuger, vice president, will always be glad to see and wel- come friends or strangers who call for profit or pleasure, both of which can be reached in meeting either in their snug parlors, and the former by opening an account with this abundantly safe bank over which they preside.
The robust and hearty good natured Judge of the State Court of Errors and Appeals, one of Newark's multi-millionaires, is one of those generous, great hearted Germans, among our fortunate German fellow citizens, with whom to meet is a lasting treat.
The State Banking Company is peculiarly a State institution and was organized in 1871, under the State Banking Laws and is now the only bank outside the national household. The heavier part of the capital is held by our German fellow-citizens and the greater number of her patrons have a warm place in their affections for the Fatherland. As about one-fifth of the people of Newark are of German descent it will quite readily be seen what smooth sailing a bank like this will have. Starting off with a capital of $100,000, it didn't take long to build up and hold the elegant business it was and is sure to command. No word we can write about this or any other bank doing business in the County of Essex can be amiss, providing it is well meant for an applaud of its business methods or in declaration of its strength and honor. In conclusion, if one thing more than another has added to the strength, it can readily be found in its well-to-do body of directors, each one of whom has his foundations in unencumbered real estate and solid cash. That genial good heartedness which pervades the founders, sustainers, managers and conductors, throws a halo of strength and honor all over and around it and gives to all an abund- ance of faith in its firmness and solidity.
INDUSTRIES OF ESSEX COUNTY.
1999 F has already been stated that the settlers of Newark were not me- chanics or manufacturers, but farm- ers. Naturally, therefore, their first concern was the soil and the support and maintainance which it might be made to yield. It may very readily be comprehended that theirs was not a very fierce struggle, with the rich virgin soil, which to yield its abundant increase, needed but the asking. But what with the labor of making their clearings, building their dwellings, and doing the thousand and one things incident to the pursuit of agriculture in a new country, the settlers had no time to think of other labors, much less to bestow upon them. Accordingly, only such industries were thought of as actually pressed themselves upon the attention of the busy planters. Naturally, the first of these to reveal its necessity in an isolated farm- ing community, was, when the grain had been garnered in, a grist mill.
Accordingly, we find that at a Town Meeting held March 9. 1668-69, this resolutton was adopted :
"Item. The Town saw Cause for the incouragement of any amongst them that would Build and Maintain a Good Mill, for the supply of the Town with Good Grinding, To offer and
OLD SYNAGOGUE ON WASHINGTON STREET WHERE FIRST DYNAMO WAS MADE.
THE OLD FACTORY WHERE SETH BOYDEN INVENTED AND FIRST PRODUCED MALLEABLE IRON.
Tender freely the Timber Prepared for that use, Twenty Pounds Current Pay, and the Accommodations Formerly Granted Belonging to the mill, viz .: 18 Aeres of upland and 6 of meadow, with the only Liberty and privilege of Building a Mill on yt Brook; which motion was left to the Consideration of the Town Be twixt this and the 12th of this Mo. Current at Even, and the Meeting is adjourned to that Time: And in Case any desire sooner, or in the mean Time to have any further Treaty or Discourse about his or their Undertaking of the Mill, they may repair to Mr. Treat, Deacon Ward and Lieutenant Swain, to prepare any Agreement between the Town and them."
Notwithstanding this offer of the Town, which would seem to have been very liberal for that time, no one appeared to be willing to undertake the work on these terms, and we find this record of the proceedings of the town meeting on the 12th of March, 1668-69: "None appearing to accept of the Town's Motion and Encouragement to build and maintain the mill, they agreed to set upon it in a general way, and moving to Lieut. Swain about the matter, he made some propositions to the Town, and at Length the Town agreed with him for zos. by the week or 6 working days, and three Pounds over for his skill, unless he shall see Cause to abate it, which if he shall see cause to do, the Town will take it thankfully; for the which he en- gaged to improve his Time and skill for the best advantage and carrying on to an End the whole Work, with all that shall be implied by him so far as belongeth to his Art and Trade of a Millwright ; as also to give his best advice about the Dam, or leveling the Ground, as the Town shall need him, and this to be done as soon as con- veniently he can ; and the Town promiseth to help him with Work in part of his pay as he needs it, so many Day's Work
178
ESSEX COUNTY, N. J., ILLUSTRATED.
as he works at the Mill ; common Laborers at two shillings by the Day and Carpenters at 2s. 6d. the Day. Item. The Town agreed to send some men forth upon the Discovery, to see if they can find any suitable Stones for Millstones."
Even this agreement, it seems, was not sufficient to secure the erection of the mill, which must have been a great under- taking for the little community. Under date of August 24, 1670, appears this record :
" The Town at length Made a full agreement with Mr. Robt. Treat and Serg't Rich'd Harrison about the Building and Main- taining of a Sufficient Coin Mill, to be set upon the Little Brook Called the Mill Brook, with suitable Necessary's, and making the Damns, and all other Provisions Needful for and Belonging to the sd Mill," &c., &c., &c.
and under Lock and Key." Thus was established. upon " Little Brook." which as long as it existed bore the name of " Mill Brook," the first manufacturing industry of the little town, the forerunner, as will be seen, of multitudinous manu- factures which were ultimately to convert the little agricultural hamlet into a great manufacturing city.
The early fame of the town, however, rested upon the quantity and quality of the cider made and sold by the good people. Only seven years after the first settlement, Deputy- Governor Rudyard wrote to a friend in London : " At a place called Newark, 7 or 8 miles from here, is made great quantities of Cyder exceeding any we can have from New England or Rhode Island or Long Island." The following year another correspondent wrote, " They made abundance of good Cyder,
11.
JEWELRY WORKS OF CARTER, HASTINGS & HOWE, ON MULBERRY, DURAND AND PARK STRFETS.
Under this last agreement the great work of building the mill was at last accomplished, and the mill was in operation the following spring, as appears by an entry in the town records. under date of May 23. 1671 :
" Item. Its agreed that the 2nd day of the week and the 6th day of the same week and the Next Days if the Town Need, and the Work Cannot be well done on those days that are appointed and agreed upon by the Town Meeting and the Owners of the Mill to be their Grinding days, upon which days the Miller is to attend his Grinding, and the Town are to bring their Grist, and the Miller promiseth to do his * * * as for Himself secure the same until it Be enclosed
especially at one town called Newark, which is esteemed at New York and other places, that it is sold beyond any that comes from New England."
But the grist-mill and cider-mill did not long suffice to satisfy the enterprise of the worthy Newarkers. In 1680, a shoemaker, Samuel Whitehead by name, had been permitted to settle in the town, " provided he will supply the Town with Shoes, tho' for the present we known not of any Place of Land convenient." The leather he used was all brought from a distance, or tanned rudely at home, and this did not long suit the thrift and prud- ence of the citizens. Azariah Crane desired to establish a tan- yard in the town, and succeeded in obtaining permission to do
179
ESSEX COUNTY, N. J., ILLUSTRATED.
so in 1698, this subject coming, as did all others, before the town meeting, and being passed upon by the votes of all the citizens. It is recorded, under date of April 19, 1698, that " It is voted that Thomas Hayse. Joseph Harrison, Jasper Crane and Matthew Canfield shall view whether Azariah Crane may have Land for a Tan-Yard, at the Front of John Plum's home Lott, out of the Common; and in case the Men above-men- tioned agree that Azariah Crane shall have the Land, he, the said Azariah Crane, shall enjoy it so long as he doth follow the trade of Tanning."
Azariah got his land and his tannery was established at once, and the trade in leather and shoes was thus early established on a firm foundation. Its growth was necessarily slow, but it was
Never, perhaps, were pioneers better equipped to establish a permanent and prosperous settlement than these pious founders of Newark. Not with mechanical appliances to make labor easy or dispense with it alltogether, or with wealth to purchase the labor of others, but with those strong manly qualities which insure, because they conquer, success. Health, energy, courage, industry, patience, perseverance ; with these qualities failure is impossible, success a certainty. It adds to the glory of these men, that although their religious feelings were deep and strong. and their religious prejudice no doubt intense, yet they either knew not or had overcome the passion for persecution. While they required every one desiring to join their colony to subscribe to their " fundamental agreements," yet they sought to punish
KREMENTZ & CO
EFFELEFELE
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JEWELRY WORKS OF KREMENTZ & CO., COR. MULBERRY AND CHESTNUT STREETS.
steady and sure, and ere long it became the staple industry of the town.
There were not wanting other craftsmen in the town sufficient to supply the immediate necessities of an agricultural com- munity. Thomas Pierson and Benjamin Baldwin were weavers, John Ward was a " Turner," which no doubt included cabinet- making and joining; many, indeed, of the original settlers joining some handicraft to their agricultural pursuits. All the casks and barrels, for the cider made in the town, seem to have been made by the planters themselves, and so great was the demand for them, that as early as 1669, it was necessary to pro- hibit their sale except "for the use of the Town." This, by the way, was doubtless the eariliest embargo laid in any of the colonies.
no one for refusing. And they provided in advance that where the conduct or outspoken opinions of any settler should offend the community, there should be no persecution, pains or penal- ties, but simply that the offender should be paid a fair price for his lands and remove from the community. with whom he was not and never could be in sympathy or accord. This was not, of course. absolute freedom of opinion or of religion, but for those times and circumstances. it was a great liberality, as unusual as it was enlightened. Material prosperity could scarcely fail to wait upon men possessed of the strong qualities, the conservative principles, the moderate tempers which dis- tinguished and ennobled the pioneers of this plantation. And there is every evidence that from the beginning the settlement was prosperous.
1.50
ESSEX COUNTY, N. J., ILLUSTRATED.
It is impossible to trace the growth of the industries of the infant town, as no record seems to have been kept of their progress or increase, and no figures are available until the United States census of 1810, from which a statement was compiled under the direction of the Secretary of the Treasury, showing the various industries of the county and their output, as follows :
It will be seen from this table that the boot and shoe industry was then, as it has been for many years, casily chief in the county, and justified the draftsman of the map of Newark, pub- lished in 1806, who drew the effigy of a shoemaker in one corner of his map. According to his statement, "one-third of the inhabitants are constantly employed in the manufacture of boots and shoes."
WORKS OF THE CRESCENT WATCH CASE COMPANY, 65-85 NORTH THIRTEENTH STREET.
ARTICLES OF MANUFACTURE,
No. of Factories.
Product.
Value.
Blended and unnamed Cloths and Stuffs ..
Woolen Goods in families.
43,000 "
Lowms. .
763
L'anling Machines
20
Fiilling Mills
41,000
Drawing and Roving Machines.
-
Spindles
26,150
78,480 00
Mast and Air Furnaces.
1
324 tons
14,272.00
Bloomenes
: 7
fog
3,338 00
Naileries.
3
31, 36o lbs.
3.136 00
Large Screw, Steel Springs, etc.
15,000.00
Tin Plate Works. .
29,250.00
T'allow Candles
11.529.00
Plating Manufactories
1 5,000 00
Snap
3,846.00
Leathers, unnamed
324,775
51,070.00
Houts, Shoes and Slippers
18,800
400,000,00
Flaxseed Oil
82
307,310 gal.
8,800.00
Distilleries
17,1100 "
1 :3,650.00
Breweries
0,000.00
C'aniages
10
29 500.00
Paper Mills.
7,850,00
Polteries
27,750.CO
30,000.00
Bookbinderies
1
$1,169,871.00
The next opportunity for observing the industrial growth of the town, is found in the town census taken in 1826, by Isaac Nichols, assessor. He reports the number of industries and the industrial population as follows :
Three Iron and Brass Founderies, twelve workmen ; one Cotton Factory, six workmen ; three Tin and Sheet Iron Fact- ories, nine workmen ; one Coach Spring Factory, ten workmen ; one Chocolate and Mustard Factory, eight workmen ; one Tobacco Factory, thirteen workmen; one Looking-glass Factory, four workmen ; one Soap and Candle Factory, four workmen; one Eastern Pottery, three workmen; one Rope Walk, two workmen.
Besides these, three Distilleries, two Breweries and two Grist Mills. The number of hands employed not given.
All those employed in trades and other branches are enumer- ated as follows :
Shoe-makers, 685; Carriage-makers, 64 ; Carriage-trimmers, 48 ; Carriage-painters, 21 ; Carriage-smiths. 77 ; Carpenters, 89 : Chair-makers, 79; Hatters, 70; Curriers, 61 ; Saddlers, 57;
Fur Hats
201,836 yds.
$ 1€0,000,00
1.81
FREDERICK HELLER, (DECEASED.)
Common Council. The rapid growth of the town in the pre- ceeding ten years, was shown by the enumeration of the popu- lation at this census, at 19,732, an increase of almost 150 per cent. In connection with this census, Dr. Jabez G. Goble pre- pared the following exhibit of the industries of the city, number employed, and value of product, which he says, " it is believed to be essentially correct," and "will exhibit a general view of the business of the city, the greater portion of which consists of its own manufactured articles."
Boot and Shoe Manufacturers, 734, $1,523,oco. This branch of trade has always been very extensive; Hat Manufacturers, 610, $1,055,000; Carriages of every description omnibuses, railroad cars, &c., 897, 81,002,000. Some of these establish- ments are very large ; Saddles, harness, whips, &c., 590, $885,500; Clothing business-manufactured for southern markets, 1,591, 8840,000 ; Tanning and Currying, 150, 8899,200.
ESSEX COUNTY, N. J., ILLUSTRATED
Masons, 46; Coach Lace Weavers, 36; Cabinet-makers, 35; Tailors, 35; Jewelers, 22; Blacksmiths, 19; Plane- makers, 17 ; Tanners, 17; Silver Plat- ers, 15; Bakers, 15 ; Carters, 12 ; Sad- dle-Tree-makers, 12; Ilouse Painters and Glaziers, lo; Wagon-workers, 8; Trunk-makers, 7; Coopers. 7 ; Stone- cutters, 6 ; Last-makers, 6; Butchers, 5 ; Plough-makers, 4; Pump-makers. 1; Morocco Dressers, 3: Brush- makers, 3: Gunsmiths, 2 ; Watch and Clock Makers, 2; Tallow Chandlers, 1; Lock-makers, 1; Printers, 7.
Mr. Nichols enumerated the popula- tion of the town as S,017, and it will be seen from this table that about 1.700, or more than twenty per cent of the whole number were actively en- gaged in manual labor, speaking well for the industry and thrift of the con- munity.
In 1836, the year of the incorpor- ation of the town as a city, a census CARDS CURRIER (DECE ASED ) was taken by the direction of the The principal portion of this business is done in the swamps in Market Street ; Coach-axles springs, door-locks, brass motini- ings, &c. 220, $250,000; Coach-lace, tassels, Tringe. &c., 112, $80,000; Oil-silk, patent leather, malleable iron, every variety of casting used by coach-makers, machinists, &c , 125, 8225,060. The collection consists of more than t,ooo plain and orna- mental patterns now in use; Cabinet-makers, 145, 8180,000 ; Jewelry-makers, 100, $225,000 ; Trunk and Chair-makers, 106, $90,000 ; Silverplating. 100, $100,000; Sash and Blind-makers, 107, 870,000 ; Coal trade, 8200,000. This business has been extensive the past year. All other manufacturers, comprising many different branches, may be fairly estimated at $500,000, making a total value of $8. 124,790.
In 1861, the value of the manufactured products of the city had swelled to the sum of over $23,000,000. The Civil War scarcely interrupted the industrial activity and prosperity of the
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JOHN TOLER, (DECEASED )
city, which was kept busy during the entire period of its continuance, in manufact- uring for the Union armies. small arms, accoutrements, saddlery, harness, clothing, Ne., &c. But the close of the war witnessed a wonder- ful increase of prosperity, and the growth of the city's man- ufactures was marvelous, both in volume and variety.
So vast and varied became the products of the city, that the idea occured to A. M. Holbrook and a few other enterprising and far- sighted citizens, of still further advancing the city's business and manufacturing interests, by giving an exhi- bition of all its varied manu- factured products. After an agitation lasting some time,
M. MEYER, (DECEASED.)
182
ESSEX COUNTY, N. J., ILLUSTRATED.
the idea finally crystallized into action, and the " Industrial Exhibition " was opened in the old Rink building, on Washing- ton Sticet, on August 20, 1872. The exhibit was confined entirely to goods of Newark manufacture, and proved a com- plete triumph for its projectors. Six hundred and ten exhibitors were represented, although no premiums had been offered and no extra inducements held out to prevail upon them to exhibit their products. The exhibit was a complete surprise, not only to the city itself, but to the entire country. Visitors came from far and near, and the President of the United States him- self. honored the exhibition with his presence and praise. Other dlignitaries followed in his train, and no less than 1 30,000 citizens thronged through its gates during the fifty-two days they were kept open.
in wages, $26,857, 170; Value of materials used in the manu- facturing establishments located in Newark, $46,020,536. The aggregate value of all variety of manufactured goods produced yearly by our factories and workshops is $93.476,652.
The manufacture of leather has, at all times, ranked as one of the leading industries of the city, and still holds a leading position among our important manufacturing interests.
Up to 1880, the output of leather of all kinds, patent, enameled, tanned and curried, entitled the city to rank first among the cities of the Nation, in the value of finished products. That we still remain first in this great industry, will be seen from the figures enumerated from the census returns of 1890. Engaged in this branch of industry, there are forty-nine establishments, with a capital of $4,815,625, producing goods
ENAMELED CARRIAGE & TABLE DIL CLOTHS.
119
ATHA & HUGHES.
115
ATHA & HUGHES' OFFICE AND WAREROOMS, ON SUSSEX AVENUE, BETWEEN NEWARK AND NESBITT STREETS.
In spite of financial depressions and commercial panics, the city has continued, with but slight interruption, to enlarge its industrial borders and multiply its products during the past twenty-five years since the holding of the Industrial Exhibition, which was, in 1872, its wonder and its boast.
As the best means of briefly presenting a review of the lead- ing branches of manufactures located in the city of Newark, the following succinct statement embodying the principal details of each, has been prepared by the Board of Trade, from which an idea of their relative importance can be obtained at a glance.
The census taken in 1890 reports in totals the number of establishments engaged in manufactures in the city of Newark as 2,490; Capital invested in manufacturing. $72.675.782 ; Mechanics and artisans employed, 46,848 ; Total amount paid
annually to the value of $8,001,638, employing 2,413 hands, and paying $1,599.578 wages yearly.
Our brewing interests employ a capital of 85.490,473, giving work to 927 men, paying in wages $955.395, and turning out products annually to a value of $6,901,297.
The manufacture of jewelry is carried on extensively in the city. The seventy jewelry and four watch-case establishments have a combined capital of $4.591,372, employ 2,280 hands, whose annual wages amount to $1,598,288, and by their com_ bined efforts, goods valued at $5.636,084 are produced. The artistic merit and workmanship of the jewelry manufactured in Newark have won a reputation for this branch of our industry equal to the best.
For more than half a century, the hatshops of our city have
183
ESSEX COUNTY, N. J., ILLUSTRATED.
DAVID RIPLEY, (DECEASED )
of the primary reasons that has induced manufacturers to locate in Newark. It is hardly saying too much when we claim that in the seventy-four machine shops and foundries operating in our city, are to be found among the 2,276 artisans and mechanics, men whose craft and skill can produce any piece of machinery, no matter how intricate, that may be required. The capital invested in this, the fifth largest manufacturing interest in the city, is $3 724,303. Total amount of wages paid yearly, $1,418,646, and the value of the finished product for the same period, for the year 1890, was 82, 360,248.
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