History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II, Part 120

Author: Shaw, William H
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: [United States :]
Number of Pages: 830

USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II > Part 120
USA > New Jersey > Essex County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II > Part 120

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THE JOSEPH DIXON CRUCIBLE COMPANY .- This widely-known firm was established by the late Mr. Joseph Dixon in 1827. Its immense premises in Jersey l'ity occupy no less than fifty thousand square feet, and are covered with four-story brick buildings, the principal items of manufacture being crucibles for all purposes, stove polish, graphite, axle lubricant, lead-pencils, etc.

The mines of the Dixon Company, at Ticonderoga, N. Y., cover fifteen hundred square acres, their mill there for preparing the ore being sixty feet square and four stories high. Another portion of their prop- erty is at Tampa, Fla., whenee they obtain cedar- wood for their celebrated pencils. Their steam-mill at Tampa is one hundred feet square. The hands employed by the various branches of the company number over five hundred; but so extensive and improved is their patented machinery that the above figures afford only a small idea of their operations. Their products amount annually to over four million lead-pencils, six million of quarter-pound cakes of stove polish, six hundred tons of axle lubricant, one

thousand tons of graphite for other purposes, and nine-tenths of ull the cruci ] - for brass-melting niade in the United States.

A. M. Doter & Co .. lumber merchants, Green Street. An important industry of Jersey City is the lumber trøle, involving a large capital and employing a great number of work-people in its varion depart- ments. One of the leading firms engaged in this business is that of Mesers. A. M. Dodge & Co., whose lumber-yards and docks are the largest in the vicinity, covering nearly three a res, bounded by Green, Bay und Morgan Streets and the Hudson River. The yards are heavily stocked with a large and varied assortment of timber, the growth of the Western and L'anadian forests. In the prosecution of their business and for the handling of humber at their yards and docks the firm requires the services of fifty em- ployes. To guard against the dangers of fire they have adopted every precaution, the employés being regularly organized into a fire brigade, and being familiar with the premises, can readily check a fire as soon as discovered. Throughout the yards and on the docks are six fire hydrants, and there is also a home-cart carrying five hundred feet of hose. The individual members of the firm are Arthur M. Dodge, Edward K. Meigs and Cleveland HI. Dodge, all largely identified with the commercial prosperity of Jersey City.

THE: DopoE & BLISS BOX COMPANY .- This com- pany was incorporated and commenced business in 1877, and from modest beginnings has grown to main- moth proportions. The manufactory is extensive, comprising several large, substantial buildings, box- factory and planing-mill, occupying a very large space on the grounds of A. M. Dodge & Co., lumber merchants. The buildings were created expressly for the purposes of the business, and are furnished with a large quantity of machinery operated by a powerful steam-engine. One hundred and fifty hands are employed in the different departments in the manu- facture of packing-boxes of all kinds and sizes for all purposes. The president of the company, Mr. A. M. Dodge, is a senior member of the firm of A. M. Dodge & Co., and the general manager is Mr. D. Bliss. As a precaution against fire, the box-factories and planing mill are well guarded with ten Babcock fire extin- vuishers, many hundreds of feet of rubbwr hose, and the Worthington pump, which feeds the steum- boilers, is specially fitted for throwing a powerful stream of water in any direction several hundred feet.

DELOS BLISS .- Mr. Bliss is descended from New England stock, the family having resided for more than three centuries in Massachusetts. Peter Bliss, his grandfather, was born in Rehoboth, in that S'ate, where he was an industrious farmer during his hte- time. He married Miss Mary Perry, and hnd seven- teen children,-nine sons and eight daughters,-of whom theorge, born al-o in Rehoboth, in 1799, settledin the place of his birth. He married Charlotte Ames, of

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HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

Massachusetts, and had nine children,-George W., | Pearson, a son-in-law, and Isane P. Vanderbeek have Francis, Arabella (Mrs. Henry Baldwin), Sarah E. been admitted. They are large box manufacturers, and own and operate an extensive planing-mill, and carry a stock of eight million feet of lumber, the sales amounting to abont twelve millions of feet per year. The planing-mill i- of brick, seventy-five by one hundred feet in extent, and fitted with all the best machinery for the business, and operated by a hun- dred horse-power steam-engine. The lumber-yard and stores cover two blocks, and are kept in perfect order, and the most complete organization and system pervades the entire working operations of this firm. Their planing-mill has facilities which are unsur- passed in this part of the country. One hundred and twenty-five men are regularly employed in the several departments. The box-factory has a capacity for turning out ten thousand boxes per week, the general average per day being fifteen hundred of all sizes. The mill was erected in 1870, at a cost of twenty thousand dollars. The firm is composed of | Isaac 1. Vanderbeck, Francis I. Vanderbeck, Isaac P. Vanderbeek and William E. Pearson. (Mrs. E. Rice), Eliza J. (Mrs. W. S. Edick), De- los, Egerton A. and three who died in infancy. Mr. Bliss on his marriage removed to Truxton, Court- land Co., N. Y., where he purchased a farm and was also extensively engaged in lumbering. Here his son Delos was born on the 26th of January, 1841, though his boyhood was spent in Alleghany and Steuben Counties, N. Y., whence his father had re- moved. His studies were pursued at intervals, his education being principally of a practical and busi- ness character. His earliest business venture was made at the age of sixteen, under the auspices of John McGraw. Esq., of Ithaea, N. Y., who controlled an extensive lumber and milling interest in Jersey City, and employed Mr. Bliss as assistant in his office. At the expiration of the third year an extensive estab- lishment for the manufacture of wooden boxes was started, the business eapacity and practical knowledge of Mr. Bliss having caused him to be chosen as the manager of this interest. Mr. McGraw disposed of the business to the firm of Dodge & Co., with whom HOLLINSHEAD BROTHERS, manufacturers of sash, blinds, doors, mouldings, etc., No. 316 and 318 Con- tral Avenue, corner of Griffith Street. This firm is composed of Messrs. D. R. and William P. Hollins- head, who have been in the business for sixteen years. They have a large, substantial factory, the only one of the kind on the Heights, two stories high, and fitted up with every description of wood-working machin- ery and all the necessary appliances for the busi- ness, also a large steam-engine. A large force of workmen are employed, the number varying with the demand for buildings. Mr. Bliss remained two years, when their valuable property was destroyed by fire and a field was opened to him for the continuance of box manufacturing. He first introduced the method, now in general use, of manufacturing the material at the mills (then located in New Hampshire) and joining the boxes at the establishment in Jersey City, Mr. Bliss had removed to New York, and while there also suffered from a disastrous conflagration. Nothing daunted, he re- turned to Jersey City, and formed a copartnership with Arthur M. Dodge, under the firm-name of Dodge & Bliss. While pursuing their very extensive busi- JERSEY CITY LEATHER CORD AND BELTING WORKS, No. 332 Henderson Street, Charles F. Temsfield, proprietor. These works were established in New York, and in 1881 were removed to Jersey City. Machinery is supplied for the diversified work of manufacturing belting from one to forty inches in width, round leather belting twist from one-sixteenth of an inch to one inch in size, and round solid belting from one-eighth to five-eighths of au inch. ness he originated the idea of printing on wood, which is now in general use, and the firm first utilized the method of nailing by machine. Mr. Bliss was mar- ried, on the 5th of September, 1864, to Miss Emily Fielder, daughter of James F. Fielder, of Jersey City. Their children are Emily F., Susan, Laura, Bertha, Grace B. (deceased), and Ethel A. The extensive business interest controlled by Mr. Bliss leaves no leisure for participation in matters of political and publie consequence, though he adheres to the prin- ciples of the Republican party, and manifests a laud- able interest in its success. His religious creed is that of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and his mem- bership with St. John's Church, Jersey City, in which he is a warden.

VANDERBEEK & SONS' lumber-yard, planing-mill and box-factory, corner Greene and Steuben Streets. This firm was founded in 1846, and was the pioneer of the lumber trade in Jersey City. The senior mem- ber, Isaac I. Vanderbeek, was one of the original proprietors who formed the firm of Morrell & Van- derbeck, in 1846. At the death of Mr. Morrell, some twenty-six years ago, Francis 1. Vanderbeek was ad- mitted to the firm, and since that time William E.

Ross & SANDFORD, builders of docks and bridges, contractors for dredging and harbor improvements, No. 104 Iludson Street, are the oldest and largest concern in this line of business, having been estab- lished in 1839 by Peter Sandford, who has been engaged continuously in business for the past fifty-five years. They have a complete equipment of tugs, dredges, pile-drivers, scows, cars, etc., and all the modern appliances for nse in harbor improvements, docking, bridging, dredging, etc., and have done most of the dock-work for all of the large railroads con- necting with New York, besides large government contracts for improving channels, reclaiming land, etc. They also have an office at No. 58 South Gay Street, Baltimore, Md., where they keep a large equip- ment for prosecuting Southern work.

Bliss

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JERSEY CITY.

BILLINGTON BROTHERS steam soap-works, No. 201 to 295 First Street. The works occupy a large brick building at the corner of First and Gale s reels, three stories in height and fitty by one hundred feet dimensions. A large number of workmen are em- ployed in the manufacture of family and laundry hard soaps und hand-pressed soaps, also brown potash and white soda soft soaps for family and hotel use, and laundry blue. They also manufacture American and lusterine polishing powder and standard axle-grease. This business was established in Isi9 by Mr. seth Billington, and continued by him until 1872, when it came into the possession of his sons. S. H and 11. W., and recently the business has been carried on by Mr. H. W. Billington, the present proprietor.

G. C. Goxbox, manufacturer of iron rulings, grat- ines, doors, shutters, etc., Nos, 183-185 First Street. One of the most important among the various mannta - turing industries carried on in Jersey City is the manufacture of iron railings, gratings, shutters, doors, window guards, bank railings, bank doors, sates, com- etery railings, crestings for French roots, etc. Mr. Gordon has been engaged in this business in Jersey City since 1863. The factory building is fifty by eighty feet in dimensions. A large free of workmen is employed.

EXCELSIOR SILK REEL COMPANY, ET Jennings, manager, No. 65 Bay Street. The silk trade is one of the leading features of the manufactures of New Jersey, and every improvement introduced in ma- elnery or frames for winding silk is a matter of much importance to the manufacturer. The Excelsior Silk Reel Company was established in Jas2 and is How manufacturing under a patent purchased From Mr. Samuel Brooks, of Paterson. These reels are now extensively used by a large number of sik-throwsters throughout the United States and Canada, and nearly all those engaged in the trade at Paterson. The factory is located on the first floor of the brick build- ing on Bay Street, and gives employment to about ten experienced bands.

berg are D. S. Steele and A. W. Condit, who have spent nearly all their lives in th . development of the trade.

JERSEY CITY CHAIN-WORKS, Louis B. Dubois & Son, 112 and 114 Steuben Sred. This is one of the most extensive chain-works in the State of New Jersey, and has been established eight years. Mr. Louis B. Dubois, the sucessor to Harris & Dubois, manufacture crane, e ble, dredging and crown-proof coil chain, log and raft ebains, safety chains, railway car, ship bridge and every other known description of chains. The works cover four lot , and are fitted with furnaces and all the necessary machinery for the business, and gives at ody employment to from sixteen Lo twenty me hanies.

MASIIN MACHINE-WORK , J. Maslin & Son, en- gineers and nowchinists, No. 198 Green Street, be- tween Bay and First Streets. Agong the prominent firm- who have added their names to the list of the houses engaged in the building of machinery in Jer- sey City is that of Messrs. .. Maslin & Sin, the pro- prictors of Muslin Machine-Werks, who founded these works nearly seven years ago. The machine- shop is a frame building of two stories, with forge and blacksmith-shop in the rear, fitted with ma- chinery for the requirements of the trade. Steady employment is given to from twelve to twenty me- chanics. A leading specialty is mad . of the manu- facture of steam jumps, and all machinery is built and every class of repairs done. The firm is com- pred of John Maslin, a native of England, who came to America forty-four years ago, and his son, William D. Maslin.

THE DAVENPORT & TREACY COMPANY, founders in iron and brass and phosphor-bronze, corner of Eleventh and Grove streets. The foundry of this ro10 pany stands on the line of the Erie Railroad, and covers one-half'a block there being several buildings, cach representing a department, supplied with ev ry device and applise required in the business. Constant employment is given to a large force of workmen. Light and heavy castings of great variety in iron and I russ are turned out, and pulley castings are made by a new process, the machine for this pur- Jose being invented by Mr. Davenport. The firm also give special attention to the nemufacture of ily- wheels without patterns, and make a specialty of phosphor-bronze castings, including everything used in guerd machine-work, the great toughness, strength, and elasticity of phosphor-bronze metal hing -neh that it is admirably adapted for use where these properties are required. The president is John Davenport ; Superintendent, Daniel F. Treacy ; and Secretary, William l'. Jones.

STEELE & CONDICT founders and machinists, Pearl Street, between Greene and Washington Streets. 1842 this business was founded by Slater & Steele, who were succeeded by Henry Steele & Son, anl they by the present firm in 1869. They now occupy a leading position as founders and machinists, and make to order all kinds of machinery, cas ings, torg- ings, steam-pumps, mine machinery, etc., and do all classes of repairs. Their works and premises occupy a large area of land, and are equipped with machinery operated by a steam-engine of eighty horse-power. cm- ployment being given to one hundred and twenty-five hands. The foundry has a capacity for casting fifteen hundred tons of iron per annum. The promised omelet ES. A. WILLIAMS & SON, brass and bell founders und dealers in metals and manufacturers of anti- friction metals, Nos. 107-111 Plymouth Street. This concern has been in existence since 1857, and is one of machine-shop, blacksmith-shop, forge and pattern- shop. The trade covers a wide area of this country and of South America. Sales are estimated at three hundred thousand dollars per annum. The firm mem- Yof the most successful and enterprising in the city.

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HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

The business is conducted by Thomas H. Williams, dent. As soon as the organization was effected the son of the founder of the house. In addition to the company began work. A large factory was opened at casting- of 'wells for churches, fire-alarm signals, ships and all the various purposes for which bells are used, they are largely engaged in the manufacture of Babbit and anti-frictional metals, bronze and brass castings. foundry supplies and crucibles. They employ fifty men. Their works have a capacity of 100,000 pounds T brass castings, 10,000 pounds of bell metal and 25,000 pounds of Babbit metal per month. the corner of Jersey AAvenue and Tenth Street, ma- chinery was set up, a full complement of operatives was engaged and the busy factory was put in motion manufacturing the " Domestic" or " roll-up " spring- bed, which is the most popular of the several patents controlled by the company. The company's main office in Jersey City is at No. 51 Montgomery Street, where th president. Mr. Watson, gives the business his personal supervision.

1. HEIDT & SON, Jersey City, coopers, dealers in sugar and flour barrels, office Nos. 2> and 30 Hudson Street. There are but few firms engaged in the perage industry of Jersey City. for the whole trade is chi fly controlled by the extensive houses already established in it, one of the leading and most prominent being the tirm above mentioned. After an experience in the trade for thirty years, the pro- prietors of this establishment founded their present enterprise eight years ago, and now give steady em- ployment to seventy-five experienced hands and six horses. The works comprise a large two-story frame building, fifty by one hundred feet, completely equip- ped for the trade, producing one hundred thousand barrels per month, nearly all of which are taken by the sugar refinery houses of the city. The individual members of the tirm are C. Heidt and W. J. Heidt, father and son. Mr. Heidt, Sr., has for thirty-five years been a resident of the United States.

JERSEY CITY FLINT-GLASS WORKS, H. O'Neil, factory Nos. 102 too 112 Fairmount Avenue. This is the only establishment in Jersey City, or, in fact. in this part of the Stateof New Jersey, engaged in the manu- facture of flint glass-ware. The employees are practi- cal workwien, who are always kopt constantly engaged in supplying the demands for the specialties for which the works are noted. Among the specialities manufactured are every description of druggists' glass-ware, show bottles, funnels, mortars, pestles. percolaters, retorts. receivers, rings, urn jars, French counter jars, ete., also table and bar glass-ware, table sets, lamps, vases, fish-globes, globes and chimneys for lamps, and a general assortment of all kinds of plain, pressed, molded, and cut flint and colored glass-ware ofevery conceivable kind. Mr. 11. O'Neil established these works in 1861.

DOMESTIC SPRING-BED COMPANY .- A compara- tively new, but rapidly growing industry, in Jersey City is the manufacture of spring-beds, or, as they are commonly known, "spring mattresses." The combinations of springs and chains which of late have been so def ly formed are rapidly driving out the old- time. unhealthful feather-bed, and a spring-bed is alın ost an absolute necessity in most households. Th . Danestie Spring-Bed Company was incorporated under the laws of New Jersey with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollar The officers are as follows : George E. Watson, president and treasurer ; Frank M. Je fery. secretary ; E. A. Jelery, general superinten-

BARNES & EVANS, manufacturers and dealers in doors, sash and blinds, etc., No. 44 Morgan Street. This firm founded their present business about nine years ago, and since then have established a success- ful and extensive trade in the manufacture of sash, door:, blinds, store sash, hot-bed sash, etc. They make a specialty of boat-work, in pine or hard wood. They occupy a large two-story frame building, com- pletely fitted and equipped. The factory is located at the corner of Steuben and Washington Streets, and is a large structure containing all machinery for the manufacture of the goods handled. They give steady employment to twenty-five hands in the several departments. Sales are estimated at about $50.000 per annum, the trade done extending over a wide range of country. The firm is composed of J. T. Barnes and Lewis Evans.

M. S. Atiross' ross, dry-dock and ship-yard, foot of Morgan Street. This is another old estab- lished firm doing an extensive business in ship repairs. The business has been carried on for the last twenty- four years by Edward and Samuel C. Allison, and is conducted under the general superintendence of Mr. R. Morgan. The dry-dock is capable of lifting ves- sels of from five hundred to two thousand tons, and the yard is the largest of the kind in Jersey City. Vessels of every description are built and repaired, the trade being very extensive with steamboats, ferry-boats, etc. Steady employment is given to about fifty hands, and often the number is increased to one hundred and fifty, as the work demands.

TARTAR CHEMICAL COMPANY, Warren, corner of Morgan Streets. This company is chartered by the State of New Jersey, and has at the head of its board of directors A. B. Loeb as president, and A. Gold- man secretary and treasurer. The company manu- factures tartaric acid, cream of tartar, etc. The factory covers three-fourths of a block, and is a large brick building, wherein are employed thirty hands. The machinery is operated by a steam-engine of four hun- dred horse-power.

JERSEY CITY PAPER BOX COMPANY, corner tireene and York Streets. The manufacture of Imper boxes is fast becoming an important item among the industries of Jersey City, and one of the most prominent representative firms engaged in this branch of trade is that of Messrs. Leo & Neff, pro- prietors of the concern named, who manufacture all

Al Clarke 1

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JERSEY CITY.

this time they have built up a larze and success- ful bu iness in Jersey City and New York. The tac- tory occupies three lofts of the large brick building and gives steady employment for sixty hands in the A- eral departments of the house. The stock and m 1. chinery corried is valued at from four thuusaml to five thousand d. Mars, mol the sales are estimated at fifty thousand dollars per annum, and are steadily ineresing. The firm is composed of Joseph Lev and I. Netf.

DAVIES & RUSSELL, engineers and machinists, 10 Morris Street. The proprietors founded this business in 1880, and erected a machine-shop twenty-five by one hundred feet, where they commeneed the trade of machinists and engineers, doing all kind of job- work, and building marine and stationary engines, tow-boat machinery, etc. About thirty hands are employed, and the products of the works will execel twenty-five thousand dollars per annum. The pro- prietors are Martin Davies and Michael J. Russell.

M. FARLEY, carriage manufacturer, 1.3 Prosent Street. The carriage-building establishment of Mr. Farley gives employment to a large number of work- men in the different departments of the business, which include the making of every description of wagons and carriages. Every facility is at hand for a large trade, and the repository contains many styl- ish and fashionable vehicles, comparing favorably with the productions of New York makers. The business has been carried on here since 1871.

PATENT STEAM CARPET-CLEANING WORKS .- The necessity of having carpets thoroughly cleaned at least once a year, and at the same time having it done properly, without injury to the fabric, has led to the invention of special machinery for the purpose, and Mr. Thomas J. Stewart, the proprietor of these works, has secured several patents upon machines designed expressly for this kind of work. These machines are so constructed that when the carpet passes through them they are beaten on the under side only ; at the same time a mhi ber of revolving bristle brushes thoroughly cleanse the face or nap, and a revolving fan of immense power is constantly sending a strong current of air through the carpet. carrying off the dust, larvæ, or impure gases, which pa -- out at the top of the building. The works are located at 222 and 221 Fifth Street, corner of Erse Street. They are equipped with machinery for a large business, and have been running since 1879.

MIRS. H. S. HALL, lace net , No. 11> Steuben Street. As a variation to the numerous establish- ments mentioned in this chapter where the Inbor is generally heavy and the work performed by the muscle of the strong man's arm, we here notice a light and lucrative manufacturing industry in which women alone are employed. Mrs. Hall Manufactures a large quantity of lace and silk nets weekly, and

kinds of plain and fancy paper boxes. It is four fifty or more girls are kept busy finishing the net its years since these gentlemen began their trade, and in they come from the machines, which arritgre the for into the finest kind of arts, tving th knots firmly that no ordinary pre- ure can disturb them. The forms are kept busy throughout the season turning out large quantities of manufactured good. The factory has a capacity of one hundred gross per week, and the greater portion of the time the ma- chines are run to their full extent. Mr -. Hat has bech about seven years building up this business.

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History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II, Part 120

Author: Shaw, William H Publication date: 1884 Publisher: [United States :] Number of Pages: 830

Author: Shaw, William H
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: [United States :]
Number of Pages: 830