History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. I, Part 148

Author: Shaw, William H
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: [United States :]
Number of Pages: 840

USA > New Jersey > Essex County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. I > Part 148
USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. I > Part 148

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The original works, chartered by the State as long ago as 1840, have been materially improved and greatly enlarged since that date, and constant addi- tions are being made to their facilities by the present energetic officers of the company, Messrs. Walter Tompkins, president, and Samuel t. Jones, secre- tary. Their docking facilities, including hoisting machinery, etc., fully utilize their ample water-front, and afford them valuable conveniences, not only for handling coal and crude material, in the shape of plaster-stone, etc., but also excellent shipping accom- modations. Their new plaster mill, located corner of South Bridge and Bridge Streets, and which is pro- vided with the best and latest machinery, will in- crease their grinding and preparing capacity from two hundred to three hundred barrels per day, their other works having a still larger capacity. The plas- ter-rock which the company uses is brought from Hillsboro', province of New Brunswick, and in Flster County, N. Y.

Clothing Manufacturers .- t 'lothing for the gene- ral outside market, the South and the West, began to be extensively manufactured in Newark years before its incorporation as a city. In 1837 there were estab- lished, Waldron, Thomas & Co. (T. A. Waldron, F. S. Thomas, C. T. Rae, Luke Reed and F. F. Mygatt), ".

Merchant, Davis & Co. (Filas Merchant, J. R. Davis and Lewis Dunn), Robinson, Bigelow & Co. (C. E. Robinson, Moses Bigelow and H. K. Ingraham), S.

B. Potter & Co. (S. B. Potter and Temple T. Hall), Meeker & Lewis, Heaton & Perry (S. O. Heaton and Nehemiah Perry), I. R. Carmer & Co. (Isaac R. Carmer, Albert Carmer and Elijah B. Price). The drapers and tailors were William B. Ross, Charles Hoyt, John C. Littell, Albert Munn and Ross & Bennett. A few years later William B. Guild, Albert Alling, Benjamin Ross, Henry K. Ingraham and William G. Lord were in the same list.1

Among the manufacturers of clothing, and occu- pying a prominent place, is John V. Diefenthaler, of Maple Place. He established business in the large building which he now owns in 1862, and has been there ever since, with the exception of an inter- val of three years. He usually employs from forty to fifty hands. Mr. Diefenthaler is a native of Ger- many, and came to Newark in 1861.

The clothing manufacturing establishment of F. H. Wismer, Nos, 14 and 16 Green Street, was established in 1859 by Nelson, Wismer & Co., and in 1864, the firm became as at present, with Francis Wismer as manager. Mr. Wismer employs one hundred and fifty men annually. He is also a member of the Water Board of Newark.

Furniture Manufactories,-J. RUCKELSHAU'S, of 129-131 Market Street, has been engaged in the manufacture of fine furniture for the past twenty years and has achieved an enviable reputation. He has a store as well as a manufactory, and disposes of most of his own produets, as well as some other lines of goods.

F. H. SIEGER is both a manufacturer of and dealer in furniture. He began the business in 1862 and in 1869 removed to his present location, at 203- 205 Market Street.

Hatting Business .- During an early period hat- ting was extensively carried on by William Rankin & Co., Mr. Rankin's partners being John Ogden and Peter S. Duryee ; J. B. Pinneo, John Ogden, Isaac N. Rankin, James Berbeck, Thomas Evans, Andrew Rankin, Nichols HI. Babcock and Hay & Agens About 1852 James W. Corey entered the field.2

Hat manufacturing is carried on by Yates, Whar- ton & Co. at 142-146 Commerce Street. The busi- ness was established in 1859 by Messrs. Yates & Wharton, and in 1863 passed into the hands of the present firm, composed of Henry J. Yates, John Wharton and William D. Yocum. The products of the house consist of a general line of fur hats, and the trade extends through the United States.

THOMAS AGENS was born in Orange, Essex t'., N. J., April 12, 1807, and is the son of James Agens, who did service in the Continental army during the : war of the Revolution. When thirteen years old he came to Newark, N. J., where he attended school Alling & Co. (Charles Alling and J. C. Garthwaite), : until the age of sixteen, when he was placed in the

1 Atkinson's " History of Newark."

· Atkinaun.

Shot Agens

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INDUSTRIES OF NEWARK.

hat manufacturing establishment of Mr. Andrew Rankin to learn the trade of a hatter. After reach- ing his majority, he remained some time in the em- ploy of Mr. Rankin, and, finally, in I>37, opened, in partnership with Mr. George Hay, a hat manufactory on Broad Street. Newark. The success of this firm was such as to warrant it in establishing branches of its business in New York and in St. Louis. This partnership continued until 1847, when it was dis- solved. In 1849, Mr Agens resumed business as a hatter and furrier, occupying the well-known prem- ises No. 764 Broad Street, where he erected the first iron-front building ever put up in the city of Newark. Here he carried on a very active trade until 1×78, when he retired.

While Mr. Agens has always been very attentive to business and remarkably successful as a manufac- turer and as a merchant, he has been no less active and no less successful in the cause of mercy towards the helpless brutes that man makes subservient to his pleasures and necessities. In 1868 a few gentlemen of Newark, by authority of the Legislature established a Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and with commendable zeal proceeded to exercise the abundant powers given to them by law in defense of the innocent and much-abused creatures over whom human beings have assumed somewhat more than a pa- ternal government. And as all societies of a purely be- nevolent character will find a heart, if they be in posses- sion of a good head, so this New Jersey society found in its breast a heart in the person of Mr. Agens, one of its executive committee. He was a heart on fire, a live coal that without any fanning set everything in a blaze around him. His private business became. apparently, a secondary matter, and to the hor-es, dogs and cats on the streets of Newark came a jubilee quite as unexpected as it was grateful. Mr. Agens, although at an age when men love rest and comfort, devoted himself almost exclusively to this work of loving kindness and tender mercy. He was at it in- cessantly, here and there and everywhere throughout the city, an angel with a flaming sword burning the cruel cords that galled and branding the cruel hands that bound them. He has become to Newark what Mr. Bergh is to New York, and has achieved it without drawing upon himself the smallest odinnı,

So much is Mr. Agens' soul in this matter that he has within the last two years traveled throughout the Southern States, even to Florida and Louisiana, and throughout the Western States as far as San Fran- cisco, preaching what he calls the "New Gospel of Love," which teaches that not only all the human race, but all the creatures of God, are entitled to the benefits of the " tiolden Rule."

Hle is one of the vice-presidents of the American Humane Association, and was present at its meeting in December 1883, at Washington, D. C., taking an active part in the proceedings. His three score years

and seventeen show themselves neither in his car- rage nor his conversation, and evidently he means to advance joyously to his journey's end, trusting in his Heavenly Father's love.

C. M. HEDOES & CO .- Firm composed of C. M. & C. J. Hedden, father and son, are located on Thirteenth Avenue, from No. 232 to 242. The business was established in 156, in Orange, by C. 1. Hedden & C'o., and in 1877 removed to 204-208 Academy Street, Newark, and in December, 1553, completed the large and commodious buildings on Thirteenth Avenue, and occupied them in April, 1584. This firm employe two hundred persons in the manufacture of one hundred and fifty dozen soft fur hats per day, and their trade extends not only to the United States, but to South America and the islands of the ora.

FERRY & NAPIER .- The hat manufactory of Ferry & Napier, at Market and Union Streets, owes its origin to the efforts of Mr. George d. Ferry, who founded it in 1856, and for many years carried it on. In ISTO, Mr. Ernest Napier became a business aww- ciate of the former gentleman, and thus was formed the present firm. The buildings occupied by the manufacture are huge ones, but none too large for the business that is carried on in them.

Silk Manufacture .- The firm of John N. Stearns & Co. is composed of Messrs. John N. Stearns, W. N. Jones, John Scholes and C. W. Remiek, and some particulars in regard to the business of silk manufac- turing, as carried on by them, will not be out of place. The original plant was established by the senior member of the firm about eighteen years ago. Since then many additions have been made from time to time to accommodate their large and growing trade The mills, which extend from Forty-second to Forty- third Street, and from Second to Third Avenues, afford employment to upward of a thousand skilled operatives, and the manufactured product finds a ready sale all over the United States. They were the first to commence the manufacture in this country of piece silks, also the finest brocales and tancy silks, of which they make a specialty ; and as they do the throwing. dye- ing, weaving and finishing in separate departments, but on the same premises, as well as build their own machinery, it will thus be seen that they are in a position to afford the choicest goods at moderate prices ; indeed, the silks turned out by this tirm will be found not only fully equal in quality to any im- ported, but in style, pattern and finish unequaled either at home or abrond.

Sash, Blind and Door Manufactories. - The -ash, blind, door and lumber establishment known as Wil- liam King's, at the corner of Morris and Essex Rail- road Avenue and Plane Street, is one of the most ex- tensive industrial establishments in the city. Like many others, it had a small beginning. When started by William King, in 1853, it was located on Division Street, and carried on with scarcely any capital. The business was subsequently transferred to No. 70 (old)

608

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

Broad Street, and then to the present location, where it has since grown steadily until it assumed great pro- portions. Mr. King died in 1882, and the business has since been carried on under his name by his son, Isaac W., and sons-in-law, Edward L. Conklin and Joel W. Hatt. The works employ abont one hundred and thirty men, and a capital of three hundred thou- sand dollars is invested. The manufacture consists of sash, blinds, doors, a variety of ornamental work, wooden and paper boxes, etc. Besides the extensive factory, the house owns a lumber-yard on Ogden Street, and the dock, two hundred and fifty by four hundred feet in dimensions, where are laid in six mil- lion feet of lumber per year.

WILLIAM KING, to whom the building up of this large institution is to be accredited, was born on the Passaic, in what is now a part of Newark City, about 1822, and began his industrial life as a painter, be- coming master of the trade before he was twenty years okl. He had a paint shop, in which he em- ployed a boy to do the grinding, and gradually enlarged the business, carrying it on for many years after establishing the sash and blind factory, which, as we have shown, was started in 1853. The develop- ment of the business was gradual, but sure, and was

W. H. KIRK & Co .- Using the term manufac- tures in the broad sense, William H. Kirk & Co., of 286 Market Street, may be numbered in the list, though they are more properly builders, and may be considered the pioneers in that depart- ment of industry. William H. Kirk established the business in 1834, and took as a partner in 1836, due to Mr. King's wonderful shrewdness, pluck and | Thomas Kirkpatrick, who remained in the firm until patience. He was appalled at no obstacles, and over- his death, in 1860. In 1870 Mr. Kirk took his son and son-in-law (Harmon II. Kirk and Nelson Jacobus) into partnership. The firm usually employs from one hundred to one hundred and fifty men. came all that lay in his path. His industry and busi- ness push were remarkable, his will indomitable. His convictions were very positive, and he had the courage to maintain them. He was an uncompromis- ing temperance man, and made speeches in favor of those ideas during nearly all the years of his adult life. Politically, he was a Whig and then a Repub- lican, but while he labored zealously for the prevalence of the opinions he cherished, and which those parties represented, and was no small power in local politics, he never would accept office. His ambition seemed to be almost wholly in the direction of business suc- cess. Mr. King died June 2, 1882, aged nearly sixty years. His wife was Miss Mary A. Rutan, who is still living. Three sons :- Samuel II., John J., and Isaac W. and five daughters :- Phehe J., Henrietta S., Norah, Fanny, and Libbie-were the offspring of their union.

THE CHAPIN HALL MANUFACTURING COMPANY has a large plant for the production of sash, blinds, doors, packing-boxes etc., on Ogden Street, near the corner of Fourth Avenue. The buildings are situ- ated on both sides the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad, and the company has a dockage front of four hundred feet on the Passaic.

Kent, of Correy, l'a .; Marshal D. Hall, who is the only resident member, and who conducts the entire business; and Mr. David B. Parker, of New York, who is well known throughout the country as the chief special agent of the Post-Office Department at Washington, D. C. The estimated annual produc- tion of this firm is not far from a quarter of a million dollars, and in good seasons as many as one hundred and sixty hands are employed.

YOUNG & MORGAN .- The moulding and planing mill of Young & Morgan, 46-52 River Street, is the outgrowth of a business established at the corner of Sussex Avenne and Norfolk Street, in 1874, by Nathan N. Young. In 1879 he took into partner- ship Mr. Thomas Morgan, and the firm moved to the premises they now ocenpy. They employ upon the average about thirty-five men. Among the manufac- tures of this house are trunks and packing-boxes, etc.

HON. WILLIAM HENRY KIRK, ex-State Senator of Newark, descended from a Holland family resident in New Jersey from early colonial times, was born in New York in 1813. Having received a sound Eng- lish education in New York, he moved with his parents to New Jersey, whence they had originally come, and which they had always regarded as their home. llere he served an apprenticeship to the trade of carpentry, subsequently studied architecture, and eventually established himself as an architect and builder. His business, founded on the substantial basis of a thorough knowledge of its details, rapidly increased, his reputation for reliability extended, and his operations spread far beyond the limits of the town to which they were at first confined. Among his works are to he included many of the finest pub- lie buildings and private residences in the State. Occupying so conspicuous a position in business cir- cles, he naturally became prominent in public affairs. In 1871 he was elected one of the chosen frecholders of Essex County, and this was followed, in 1873, by his election, on the Republican ticket, to the Legis- lative Assembly of the State. In the Lower House he quickly made his presence felt by his able and determined opposition to the Reformed School Bill, his action being so well to the liking of his constitu-

The firm was established in 1881, under the firm-name of Ilall, Hatt & Parker; on the death of the senior member of the firm, Mr. Chapin Hall, which occurred on Sept. 12, 1879, and the retirement of Mr. Hatt, the style was changed to the present one. I ents that he was re-elected in the following year. The members of the firm are the estate of Chapin During his second term the t'atholic Protectory Bill Hall, which is vested in his daughter, Mrs. Rose i was introduced, and was met by him with determined

William King

INDUSTRIES OF NEWARK

opposition. Owing to his efforts the bill was greatly reduced in its demands, but he was unable to bar its passage. Carried up into the Senate the effect of his vigorous denunciation of the bill in the House, aided by his personal appeals to Senators, awakened a spirit of resistance that in the end terminated in its defeat, and the Constitutional Amendment of 1875 removed the matter beyond the chances of future legislation. In the year that he won this so-called victory he was nominated State Senator, and was elected by an altogether unprecedented majority of

in 1570, who are still members of the firm. They give employment to tifty men.

JOSEPH M. SMITH .- Mr. Smith is of English lineage, boys grandfather Joseph Smith, having re- sided in sheffield, England, where he was a manu- facturer of cutlery. He emigratel to the United States about the year 1810, and settled in New York, from whence he removed to Newark. Among his children was Heury, who accompanied his father to America. He was a native of sheffield, and but a lad on his emigration. He first engaged in mercantile

four thousand. As a Senator he evinced the same strong qualities that made him a leader in the Lower Ilouse. In 1882, Mr. Kirk was appointed by Gover- por Ludlow a judge of the Court of Errors and Appeals.

JOSEPH M. SMITH & BROTHERS, 95 to 101 Morris and Essex Railroad Avenne, builders and manufac- turers of church furniture. The business was estab- lished in 1859 by Joseph M. Smith, who continued it till 1861, when he went into the army and served four years. In 1865 he again established business, asso- ciating with himself his brothers, Henry and Edwin,

pursuits, and later in the manufacture of rules. Mr. Smith married Sarah Marsland, and became the parent of eleven children, among whom was Joseph M., born Nov. 22, 1836, in the suburbs of Newark. Much of his youth was spent in the latter city, where, after enjoying a rudimentary education, he was ap- prenticed to the trade of a carpenter. On completing his apprenticeship he acted for a brief period as foreman of a carpenter and building establishment, and then became the head of the firm of Smith & Osborn, in New- ark. This business connection continued until January, 1862, when the firm was dissolved, and Mr. Smith eu-

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

terel the army as a member of the Second District of FREDERICK MILTZ, also of the Hedenberg Works, is Columbia Volunteers, continuing in service until his | a wood-turner and manufacturer of toys and fancy goods. He employs about ten men.

discharge, in October, 1865, and holding the rank of captain and brevet-major on his return. During this period he participated in many engagements and was twice wounded. He was, in 1867, married to Mary .... daughter of Joseph Thompson, of Newark, and has children,-Altred P., Joseph M., Jr., Jennie and Isabel. Mr. Smith resumed his business relations as a carpenter and builder under the firm name of Joseph M. Smith & Brothers, and conducts an extensive estab- lishment, in which church furniture is made a specialty. He is in politics a stanch Republican, and an active worker in the party ranks, though without ambition for office. He is identified with the North Ward National Bank, of Newark, as dirce- tor, and president of the Newark Quarry Company. He is also president of the Regimental Veteran Association, and prominent in the Masonie order. In religion he is a supporter of the North Reformed Church of Newark.

The other prominent lumber dealers in the city are A. B. Ayres, No. 346 Ogden Street; E. P. Backus, No. 445 Ogden Street, near Bridge; Bailey & Alling, foot of Clay Street; Caleb II. Bartlett, South Tay- lor Street; Bartlett & King, Passaic, foot of Fourth Avenue; J. S. H. Clark & Co., No. 812 Broad Street ; James Crowell, Ogden Street, foot of Cross Street; John S. Guerin, rear of No. 23 William Street ; Hall Manufacturing Company, Fourth Avenue, corner of Ogden Street; Henry H. Mundy, No. 25 Prospect Street ; J. Poinier, River Street, near Railroad Place; W. K. & I. W. Poinier, No. 37 Commercial; David Riley & Sons, Commercial Dock; Swain & Jones, on dock opposite Centre Street Depot.

Bakeries .- Of the one hundred and forty-three bakeries in Newark, that of William Titus, Nos. 28 and 30 Lombardy Street, is entitled to a place in the forefront of them all, for long standing and amount of business. Mr. Titus is a veteran cracker-baker, whose goods are soll not only in Newark, but in all

DAVID RIPLEY & SONS, of the Commercial Dock, owners of the steam saw and planing mills, and dealers in lumber and timber, are among the oldest and i the surrounding towns and cities.

largest manufacturers in their line in Newark. The business was established at the present location in 1×45, by David Ripley, who came from Tioga County, WILLIAM TITU'S, the father of the subject of this biographical sketch, was in early life a resident of Newburgh, N. Y., and later removed to Somerset N. Y., where he had carried on the lumber business : County, N. J., where he followed for a brief period for many years. The sons became partners in 1863, and there has been no change in the firm since, ex- cept the death of the father and founder, on May 30, 1883. Mr. Ripley, we may say in this connection, was a man of more than ordinary character and abil- ity. In addition to the building up of a great busi- ness, he performed various duties of public capacity. He was a member of the Assembly in 1853-54, and was the original commissioner of the State Reforni School, hokling that position until within a few years of his death. Ilis sons, who carry on the original business under the old namo, are William A., Charles ()., and John Wattles Ripley. They carry on an ex- tensive business. the trade of a weaver. He also purchased a farm in this county, and for thirty-five successive years re- sided upon the same land. He married Jane, daugh- ter of Thomas Squier, of Essex County, N. J., and had children,-Betsey, Mary, Ann, Phebe, Jennett, William, Caroline, George, Squier, and Charlotte, of whom seven survive. The birth of William Titus occurred in Warren township, Somerset Co., N. J., on the 23d of February, 1823. He received such ad- vantages of education as the country schools afforded, meanwhile assisting in the labor of the farm, and at the age of sixteen was apprenticed to the trade of a baker, serving his time in Madison, Morris Co., and in Plainfield, Union Co. (then Essex), N. J. JAMES CADMES, of 226 Halsey Street, carpenter and builder, began on his own account in 1872. le occupies a large building supplied with all the neces- sary machinery, and in the busy season gives employ- ment to thirty-five or forty men. When nearly twenty-one he engaged for awhile as a journeyman at the same location he has since oecu- pied for a period of forty years, u portion of this time filling the position of superintendent of the bakery. The business then, in connection with a E. DRAKE & Co .- The business of Elkanah Drake & Co., builders and contractors, of +1 Camp Street, was established in 1860 by Lindley, Weed & Drake. Since 1877 it has been conducted by Mr. Drake alone, who employed about forty men, and has taken some very large contracts, as, for instance, the steel works of B. Atha & Co. and the building of the Celluloid Novelty Company. partner, passed into his hands, under the firm-name of Miller & Titus, which was subsequently changed to Titus & Pound, and later to Titus & Brother. By the decease of his brother, Mr. Titus became sole pro- prietor, and has since conducted the establishment alone. From small beginnings it has become the most extensive bakery in the city of Newark, its steady development being alone the result of the GEORGE Lerz, of the Hedenberg Works, carries on a wood-turning and plain and fancy sawing mill. In 1863 he bought the business of Gardiner & Bunnell, in whose employ he had been for nine years. energy, industry and vigilance of its proprietor. Much modern machinery and many new appliances have been introduced, and the force of from five to ten workmen, originally employed, increased to from

Josepho M. Lamicro

Am Titus

611

INDUSTRIES OF NEWARK.

one hundred to one hundred and fifteen in its varions departments. Mr. Titus was, on the 23d of January, 1849, married to Miss Mary H., daughter of Squier Runyon, of Plainfield, N. J. Their children are William (deceased), Caroline (deceased), Mary, Squier (deceased), Jenny ( Mrs. Alonzo Summerville). Mr. Titus is in politics a Republican, and was in 1876 elected member of the t'ity Council, to which office he was re-elected in 1878. The arduous duties of his extensive business, however, leave little time for par- ticipation in municipal affairs. He is a director and was one of the organizers of the North Ward National Bank. In religion he is a supporter of the First Baptist Church of Newark, of which Mrs. Titus is a member.

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History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. I, Part 148

Author: Shaw, William H Publication date: 1884 Publisher: [United States :] Number of Pages: 840

Author: Shaw, William H
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: [United States :]
Number of Pages: 840