USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Essex county, N.J., illustrated > Part 28
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The manufacture of boots and shoes began with the founding of the town, and has grown in proportion with its growth. Our early records show that, in this line of trade, we had achieved considerable renown.
We have not lost any prestige, but with steady strides, our manufacturers have extended their trade and reputation.
The names of Banister, Johnston & Murphy, P. Hogan, Boyden, Miller & Ober, and others of our manufacturers, are
turned out yearly, goods valued at more than $2,000,000. The report for 1890 enumerates a total of fifty establish- ments in this branch of industry, employing capital of $1,808.444, furn- ishing employment to 3,079 hands, paying in wages $1,542,082, and turning out a total product valued at $3.719,264.
No branch of industry is of more importance to the growth and progress of manufacturing in a city, than its machine shops and foundries. It is of vast importance to be able to have within call men skilled in mech- anism, and to this advan- tage can be attributed one
GEO. A. HALSEY, (DECEASED) )
sufficient guarantee for the workmanship and finish of their goods among the trade in every section.
In all branches there are 120 establishments whose combined capital amounts to $1, 466,481, giving work to 2,059 hands, pay- ing annually in wages 81,042,177, and producing yearly, $2,472,618 in finished product.
A leading industry in all centres of population is the clothing interest. With Newark it is a specially important one-manu- facturing, as we do, all variety of women's and men's wear for home consumption and trade. A steady increase in the volume of business done yearly during the past decade, indicates its development. There are 275 firms and individuals engaged in the several lines, having a total capital invested, amounting to 82,354,296, employing 3,347 male and female operatives, whose wages aggregate 81,338,503, the finished products having a value of $3,847,656.
In the hardware industry, including saddlery hardware and other branches, there are fifty-three cstablishments, whose
capital amounts to $2.055.450, turning out a yearly product of 82,154,085, paying in wages to 1.579 hands, the sum of $835,272.
Newark has fourteen plants for the manu- facture of trunks and valises, employing a capital amounting to $1.339,050, paying in wages $666,730, to 1263 operatives ; the total yearly products amounting to $1,774,113.
The manufacture of varnish has, from a comparatively small interest, whose yearly product in 1860 was 8347,000, assumed a very important rank in the list of leading industries to be found in Newark. In the year given, the capital invested amounted to $155.000, employing twenty-four men. The returns for the year 1890, show eighteen firms, with a working capital of $2,209.733, employing 196 workmen, paying $226.557 in wages, consuming materials to the value of $848,841, in the productions of finished products valued at 81,887,161.
Fine coach and carriage harness has been one of the leading features among the varied
NOAH F. BLANCHARD, (DECEASED.)
PATRICK HOGAN, (DECEASED.)
154
ESSEX COUNTY, N. J., ILLUSTRATED.
industries of this city of manufacturers for several decades. Steady progress muks its history. The census taken in 1890, returns the total output of finished products at $1, 323.635. There are forty-two workshops, having a total capital invested of $720,854, and giving employment to 755 workers, whose wages amount annually to $471,575.
The manufacture of celluloid is peculiarly a Newark industry. Here the inventor of this valuable article of commerce hved and worked. From a crude beginning, its manufacture has assumed vast proportions. Limited to a few articles for personal and household use in its early history, its scope has broadened to such an extent that to enumerate the list of articles and uses to which it is now adapted, would fill a volume. This industry. with its three vast plants, taking in several city squares, gives employment to 659 hands, paying annually to them 8397.977. The large capital invested in its manufacture in Newark,
A centre of manufactures is the natural home of the chemica' industry, and in this respect Newark can claim her fair share of the industry. We have ten plants, whose combined capital amounts to $1,446,137, furnishing labor to 411 men, and paying in wages, each twelve months, $271,741. The product of these ten establishments swells the total value of the manufactures of the city by the sum of 82,236,117, an item in the business economy of the city that counts for a great deal.
Another large industry will be found in the corset establish- ments located in this city. There are eleven workshops manu- facturing corsets, employing 1,689 hands, whose pay-roll foots up yearly $521.033. The capital invested is $690,536, and the product amounts to $1,291,432 annually.
The slaughtering and meat packing branch of commerce is a large and growing one, with fourteen establishments carrying on the business done. Their combined capital amounts to
-
MANUFACTURERS OF
AND FURNITURE CASTERS
PIANO~ FORTE
JOHN TOLER. SONS & CO.
BUILDING OF JOHN TOLER, SONS & CO .. ADAMS AND JACKSON STREETS.
$1,919,818, will convey an idea of its importance, as well as the annual value of the goods made, which in isgo amounted to $1.721.773.
As an evidence of a city's progress, a review or summary of its building industries will be found a valued and accurate census of the whole. It is gratifying to note the steady increase shown in this respect with reference to Newark, indicating. is it does most positively, the rapid strides the city has made during the past decade.
The working capital employed by the capentering and masonry branches and plumbing trades, according to the last census returns, is $2,921,402. This capital represents a total of 357 firms or individuals who furnish employment to 4.403 mechanics and tradesmen, paying annually in wages the magnificent sum of $3.401,735, the result of their combined labor being the production of property, yearly, to the value of 88, 1 38,529.
8594.500, and the annual product is valued at $3.666,696. The business, up to a few years since, was confined principally in furnishing the supply necessary for home consumption. With- in the last few years the ham and bacon of Newark make, bearing the brand of " Bailey" "Joy " and others have become celebrated, and a steady demand has been created.
Four iron and steel manufacturing plants produce, yearly, a finished product valued at $1,245 426. The direct capital in- vested in this industry is St.394.363. Employment is given to 508 operatives, both skilled and unskilled, and $316,137 is paid annually in wages.
The extensive plants located upon the west bank of the Passaic river are an evidence of the steady increase of business in the lumber trade of the city. The volume of business done, nothwithstanding the serious depression of the past three years, testifies to the importance of this branch of the city's commerce. An average of 664 carloads arrived by rail monthly, a total for
1×5
ESSEX COUNTY, N. J., ILLUSTRATED.
WORKS OF THE NEW JERSEY ZINC & IRON WORKS CO., ON THE PASSAIC RIVER.
the year of 2,650 cars, as follows : Via the Pennsylvania, 1,232 cars : the New Jersey Central, 452: the Delaware Lacka- wanna and Western, 420; Erie, 252; Lehigh Valley, 200. The receipts by water shipment, of which no record has been made, is greatly in excess of what arrives by rail. In all. there are twenty yards, employing a total capital of $684, 181. paying in wages to 483 employees. $339,897. and handling annually products valued at $1, 123.087.
Among other large industries that give to Newark its reputa- tion as a centre for manufacturers, might be named a few whose magnificent plants, would, if located in some less fravored city, give to it a prominence in itself. Such establishments as
the Balbach Smelting and Refining Company, at whose works are turned out yearly, bullion and ores to the value of from twelve to fifteen million dollars : the Clark Thread Company, employing a capital of more than $5.005,000, furnishing work to upwards of i,Soo employees; the New Jersey Zinc & Iron Company ; the Lister Agricultural Works, with a capital of $1,000,000, producing fertilizers, etc., to the value yearly of $2,000,000.
In all there are 201 distinct classes of manufacturers located here, with a total of 2,490 establishments, divided into groups comprising the various trades, as shown in the table compiled by the Census Bureau at Washington, from the returns received for the year 1890. The subject of a "Greater Newark," is engaging the attention of many able and far-seeing men who believe that the consolidation of our city with adjacent cities and towns under one municipal government would increase the prosperity of all the inhabitants. The change, when made, should embrace all the territory including Jersey City on the east. the Oranges on the west. Paterson on the north and Elizabeth on the south.
Such a district carefully filled up with a variety of industries would become distinguished as the most advanced and prosperous, for manufacturing pro- ducts, in the nation. The localities are so numerous and well chosen, and easily adapted to sanitary conduct of large and profitable production, and the close contiguity to the largest markets of the world over its highways of tide-water and sea. that at a glance the most casual observer cannot fail to see Newark's great advantage.
JOSEPH BALDWIN, (DECEASED. )
ALFRED LISTER, (DECEASED.)
186
ESSEX COUNTY, N. J., ILLUSTRATED.
FINTER BROTHERS
N JEWARK has become noted in all the marts of trade for the numerous industries carried on within the city. The manufacture of Britannia ware is an ancient trade and a useful one to many other professions. The illustration shown on this page represents one of the oldest conducted Britannia plants in Essex County, now carried on successfully by the sons of the original founder. The pres- ent industry under consideration. was commenced in an humble way by Mr. Fred. Finter, in 1850, and is now ably conducted by his sons Frederick H. and Robert Finter, whose life-like photos appear among the illustrations, with that of their honored father.
FREDERICK FINTERO
FREUH FINTER
ROST FINTER
FREDERICK FINIER AND SONS,
The plant is located cor. Thomas and Goble Streets, about six blocks below Chestnut Street, on the east side of the Penn. R. R. For nearly half a century the firm has been manufacturing and shipping to all sections of the country, Britannia ware and glass trimmings of every description, for glass manufacturers, chemists, perfumers and druggists. The plant is admirably fitted up with every improvement to meet the requirements of the constantly increasing business, and the firm endeavors to merit the confidence of their patrons by shipping the very best goods on the most reasonable terms. A complete silver and nickel plating department has recently been added to the plant, enabling the firm to supply the trade with goods made from hard or common metal silver or nickel plated at the lowest
prices, and castings of white Britannia or hard metal are made for parties doing their own turning or having their own moulds.
The products consist of sprinklers for liquid or powder, bitter tubes, bottle caps, mustard, pepper and salt tops, ink-well covers, syringe caps and fittings, mucilage caps, metal valves for atomizers and syringers. The firm have a specialty in bottle stoppers, and make to order moulds from drawings or explanations. Their trade extends to New York, Philadelphia, Boston, St. Louis, Baltimore, Chicago, and in fact, to all the principal cities in the United States and Canada. Finter and Brother are young and energetic business men, who are experts in the Britannia industry and worthy representatives of their trade.
FREDERICK FINTER
THOMAS ST.
GOBLE ST.
MANUFACTURER OF BRITANNIA WARE
WORKS OF FINLER BROTHERS, CORNER THOMAS AND GOBLE STREETS.
ESSEX COUNTY, N. J., ILLUSTRATED.
187
THE NEWARK WATCH CASE MATERIAL CO.
T "HE plant which forms the illustration presented on this page, stands prominently among the industries which have con- tributed to make Newark famous the world over. In calling attention to some of the numerous industrial pursuits which are successfully conducted in the city, there are few that have achieved greater success than the Newark Watch Case Material Co. This result, in a large degree, is due to the push and enterprise of Alexander Milne, the founder of the stem-winding attachment now in general use on American made watches.
The stem winding apparatus which takes the place of the old obsolete key in every American made watch, is turned out of Newark factories. It is not surprising that Newark should hold the industry of watch case material manufacturing.
are not averse to purchasing the surplus from Newark's watch case material manufactures, which carries with it in the trade- mark it bears, the very highest qualities of perfection.
Prior to 1874, when this company had commenced to man- facture these articles, they were all imported direct from the Swiss manufacturers, as all stem-winding watches were made in that country. The president. Alexander Milne, of this company, being a jeweler, and wide awake and alert, saw the opportunity to start the business here. His first move was to associate himself with a Swiss who had some practical experience in the watch case line. The necessary tools and costly machinery. which were indispensable adjuncts, were soon collected, and it was not very long before the case makers were purchasing their stem-winding crowns and other necessary material right here at home.
NEWARKWATCH CASE = MATERIAL CO =
WORKS OF THE NEWARK WATCH CASE MATERIAL CO., N. E. COR. MECHANIC AND WARD STREETS.
when she has in the thousands of her happy homes. the skilled artisans domiciled so necessary to run the machinery, and whose skilled hands handle the tools. It is passing strange too, that the writer should have the opportunity of recording the fact, that almost the entire product of the watch case material is used up on this side of the ocean, and that the factories engaged in this work are concentrated within the corporation limits of the city of Newark, and it naturally follows, and as a matter of course becomes very much of an item, in the grand intregal part of the whole of her manufacturing greatness.
While the output of this great industrial establishment is consumed very largely right here at home, each one of the many necessary little articles having some absolute qualification for meeting certain ends in the successful conduct of the sister industry of watch case making, yet other centres of industry
There was no more going abroad. for the progressive spirit of a thorough-going Newark mechanic had made it unnecessary, through his genius applied. Although the beginnings were small, less than a half dozen men being employed, yet the growth of the industry has been phenomenal, and the company now have in their employ nearly one hundred skilled mechanics.
In the person of W. S. Richardson, the treasurer of the company, President Milne has a helpmeet indeed. His clear, keen eye takes in at a glance every move of man or machine, and his excellent judgment gives warrant of successful manage- ment and the best results. It is plainly due to the efforts of this company, and especially to President Milne and Treasurer Richardson, that Newark has become the centre of the watch case manufacturing industry of America. For years they have persistently championed the cause.
188
ESSEX COUNTY, N. J., ILLUSTRATED.
C. M. RUSSELL.
NEWARK as it is, gives very few points to show what it has been, it bring very largely the growth of the last fifty years. Still there are a lew buiklings standing that go back in their history to colonial times, and give a fair representation of the taste and ability of their age. At that time very little aid was had from trained architectural work, and the pretentious buildings of that period, ind in fact, for a long time after, were the work of skilled carpenters or masons. Great credit is due them for what they achieved, and as history repeats itself, so architecture returns once and again to the best and most refined works of other times. We de only sorry that this spirit and taste does not always hold true, for there came a time in the history of our city when utility and the almighty dollar became dominant, and to this is due the sameness and lack of beauty of a large part of our city. We are only sorry that the substantiality of the work was not as bad as the taste ; in that case we might hope for a new outfit for so prominent a place as the corner of Market and Broad Streets. for instance. But to such training as this can be traced the foundation for the exceptional ability of the building trades of the city of Newark. Her architects are the equals of any. her building firms have an unrivalled reputation, both at home and abroad. The fact that almost all of the work done is by contract, proves their fairness and reliability.
On this page the illustrations represent the old and time honored industry of Mr. Charles M. Russell, located at Nos. 38 and 40 Crawford Street. Mr. Russell, the proprietor, is the successor to the firm of Russell & Sayre, whose business was established in 1876, and continued uninterrupted until 1891. when this successful partnership was dissolved, Mr. Sayre retir- ing to enter other business. In this factory can be seen
(. M. RUSSEL.I ..
RE BUILDERS
WORKS OF C. M. RUSSELL, BUILDER, 38 AND 40 CRAWFORD STREET.
the machinery that enables the modest house of to-day, to be finished far better than costly mansions oftimesgone by. Almost everything in the building trade is here produced, work is given to a large force of men, and the facilities for trades, etc., equal to any other.
In addition to the necessary machine work for their own busi- ness, they do all kinds of mill work, sash, blinds, doors, mould- ings, etc., for the trade. Personal attention is given to every part of the work, and a specialty is made of odd furniture, glass fittings, etc. At the corner of Kinney and Washington Streets is the lumber yard annex of this lusiness, where an assortment of everything for the retail trade is kept.
Mr. Russell is a practical mechanic himself, a native of Morris County ; he came to this city at the age of 17, was an apprentice in the shop of Mr. Ezra Reeves, Mr. E. R. Carhuff being foreman at the time. Just after completing his apprentice- ship, he with some half dozen others of the same shop enlisted in the service of his country. Mr. Russell joined the old city battalion, and spent some time drilling in the old burying ground under Captain Kinney. Ile was finally mustered into Co. K, Second Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers. After an honorable term of three years service, the survivors of this regiment were mustered out. Mr. Russell resumed his trade, and after sev- eral years was taken in as partner by his old employer, Mr. Ezia Reeve. After entering into business with his nephew, Mr. Sayre, as before stated, extended their work to all parts of the city and country. Several fine churches and many of the finest residences were erected by them. Mr. Russell is a member of Garfield Post, G. A. R., is one who takes a great interest in the welfare of the city, having faithfully represented his ward in the Board of Education.
The career of such a man is but a representation of what our American citizenship can do for those who are energetic and enterprising. The art of building is the oldest of all arts, and while, perhaps, not as honorable as some of its sister arts, yet it is fully as important. The spirit of architecture has shaped the destiny of nations; with its advance we may see the growth and increasing wealth of every nation that fostered it, with its decline how quick the fall. It is largely educational. A mind growing in an environment of taste and refinement will become an intelligent citizen.
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189
ESSEX COUNTY, N. J., ILLUSTRATED
LJ DEMAREST & CO
HARNESS.
FINE HARNESS MA
DEMAREST & CO 53
WORKS OF N. J. DEMAREST & CO., CORNER LAFAYETTE STREET AND N. J. R. R. AVENUE.
N. J. DEMAREST & CO.
H ARNESS and saddlery manufacture in Newark, although of magnificent proportions and volume, is not at the present day, in this respect, equal to the days previous to, during . and a few years after the war. In those palmy days New York city was the great head centre for merchants from all parts of the land, and Newark its great workshop. The Southern markets were the acme of all Northern merchants, the West a good fill-in, but a side issue. Cotton was King. To-day, how changed ; while the productions in bulk. in the above lines, fail seriously to reach former days, still the quality and variety none with more pleasure than the manufacture of harness and saddlery and its highly respected representa- tives. Messrs. Demarest & Co., who are now among the patriarchs of the business yet full of that young fitt. energy and ambition that never dies in the good busi- ness man. During the Franco-Prussian war, among other important contracts for the same purpose, this firm made and delivered artillery harness complete for four thousand horses, in eleven working days. This is a fair sample of the "push" that exists in this city of workshops, which has be- come noted as the Birming- ham of America.
have materially improved, keeping pace with all advanced ideas, that the money value of its productions no doubt exceed those of old-fashioned times, and Newark still maintains its lead and reputation as the great head centre for fine harness and saddlery.
Among those of its manufacturers whose productions rank in the very hightest order of excellence, may be mentioned the the firm of N. J. Demarest & Co. The portraits of Mr. N. J. Demarest and son Daniel Demarest, and their factory on New Jersey Railroad Avenue, Lafayette and Bruen Streets are given herewith. It is with pardonable pride that we are permitted to speak in words of commendation of our many industries, and of
N. J. DEMAREST, (DECEASED )
DANIEL DEMAREST.
190
ESSEX COUNTY, N. J., ILLUSTRATED.
HELLER & BROTHERS.
E LIAS Heller, Senior, started the manufacture of files and rasps, by all hand work, in Newark in 1836, the trade being entirely with the consumers of the city and the surround- ing towns. The panic of 1838 having compelled him to give up his business in Newark, he removed to West Orange, but owing to the remoteness of this place as a business centre, and the inability to increase the business to any extent while dealing with the consumers exclusively, very little, if any, progress was made until 1866, when his three oldest sons, Elias G., Peter J. and Lewis B. took hold of the business and located at the corner of Mechanic and Ward Streets, Newark, and by their energy and push the business commenced to thrive. They at once sought to increase the business by soliciting trade from jobbers and dealers in the hardware trade through the United States and Canada.
Thus at first meeting with no end of opposition from both dealer and consumer, as they were prejudiced against American files and rasps, claiming that home goods could not be made equal
On account of poor health, Peter J. was compelled to retire from the firm in 1881, thus leaving entire charge of the business on the shoulders of Elias G., who sought assistance by taking his two other brothers George E. and John J. and his brother- in-law Ernest A. Geoffroy in the firm, all of whom had been in his employ for many years previous, thus having a thorough knowledge of all the varied details of the business, and since then he has had the assistance of his two oldest sons, l'aul E. and Arnaud G.
In 1884, owing to their great success with horse rasps, they undertook the manufacture of a high grade of Farriers' tools and to-day can offer the most complete line on the market. The Heller & Brothers brand of goods are considered the standard, and are now sold in every city in the United States, as well as exported to Canada, Mexico, England, Russia, Germany, Australia and other foreign countries.
The most useful tool in the world is acknowledged to be the file, and the purposes to which it is adaptable, embrace not only the requirements of the skilled mechanic, but the wants of
6 Brand Chipman
WORKS OF HELLER & BROTHERS, ON THE N. Y. & G. L. R. R., MT. PROSPECT AND VERONA AVENUES.
to the English files and rasps, which at that time had the markets of this country, but by perseverence and hard work the firm began to prosper, as the consumers realzed the fact that the Americans could make as good files and rasps as the English manufacturers,
In 1872, Lewis B. withdrew from the firm, and in 1874. owing to their limited quarters they removed to their plant on the N. Y. & G. L. R. R. corner of Mt. Prospect Avenue and Verona Avenue, Newark. With the new works and new and improved machinery the quality of the goods was still further improved, but owing to the fact that they were compelled to buy their steel, which at the best was not uniform, they did not get as good results as they wished for, as first-class uniform steel is one of the essentials in the manufacture of high-grade files and rasps, so in 1880, they erected a steel plant for the manufac- ture of steel for their own use, and now they get the best results obtainable in their line, as shown by their steady increase in trade and universal reputation.
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