History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II, Part 16

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 16
USA > New Jersey > Essex County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II > Part 16

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During the latter part of the last century, and long before St. Mark's Church was thought of John Con- dit had a small tannery and shoe shop near the pres- ent site of the church. This, with other tanneries. went to decay soon after the hemlock and oak bark had become scarce and cost too much for the profit of small tanneries. There were during the same period, two or three small tanneries, farther down the valley, along the banks of the upper Rahway River, which, like the others, succumbed to the necessities of the time.

One of the important pioneer industries of the Oranges was the manufacture of boots and shoes, made from the leather manufactured at the several tanneries in Orange and vicinity. One of the pioneers in the business was a Mr. t'anfield, who was probably a larger manufacturer in that line than any one in this locality. Another of the pioneer shoe manufac- turers was John Dean, whose factory was near what is now Brick Church Railroad Station, in East Orange. The business was commenced here in about 1785, and in 1820 it had become the principal business in the

Oranges, even as much so as the hatting business is of the present period. The boot and shoe manufac- ture continued brisk until 1850, when it declined a little until 1860, or at the outbreak of the Rebellion, in the spring of 1861, when there was a revival in the boot and shoe trade, when Orange once more became one of the great boot and shoe manufacturing centres of the United States. Thus it continued until the close of the Rebellion, when another retrograde move- ment began, which has continued to the present.

The pioneer tailor for the Oranges was Giles Mande- ville. Hle "whipped the cat" from house to house, the same as the pioneer shoemaker, and made " fits" for young and old out of home-made cloth. He was known far and near as "Uncle Giles, the tailor." Ilis son Abram, born in 1805, occupies the old man- sion on Main Street, Orange.

Hat Manufacturing .- The manufacture of fur hats was established at what is now Orange in 1785 or 1790, and, as near as can be ascertained, James Condit was the pioneer hatter of the territory now embraced in the Oranges. His shop was on Centre Street, over Parrow Brook, in which he was succeeded by - Ilaslet. He was soon followed in the business hy t'yrus Jones, when they became the leading hat manufacturers, and remained so for several years. In these shops the now venerable Abram Mandeville learned the trade, commencing in 1821, when fifteen years of age. Then came Israel Iledden, Lewis Wil- | liams, - Griffin, Stephen Stetson, Albert Tichenor, and others. Hedden's shop was about on the site now occupied by Eckert's paint-shop, near Willow Hall. These were all in the hat business here pre- vious to 1840. John Stryker had a shop where Smith's drug-store now stands, corner of Main and Centre Streets. Just where all these hat shops were located, or the number of men employed, is not in the memory of any one now living. Probably the most of them were along Wigwam Brook, as the water of that stream is said to be the best for the manufacture of hats. No doubt Mr. Stetson located on the Rah- way, in the valley where the Stetson factory is now located. James Condit had a hat-shop in the early part of this century on the corner of what are now Main and Cone Streets, on the site now occupied by the Orange National Bank. The hat, like the boot and shoe business has been subject to many changes, and so numerous and transitory have been the hat manufacturers of Orange from the establishment of the business here until the present time that it would be impossible to give the name and location of each one.

E. B. WHITING .-- The firm of Mandeville & Whit- ing was established in 1858, on the corner of New Street and McChesney Lane, in a shop originally built and occupied by Robert McChesney, in what is now the city of Orange, where for several years they carried on the hatting business. Mr. Mandeville subsequently retired from the firm, since which

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CITY OF ORANGE.

time Mr. Whiting has continued the manufacture of soft fur hats. In 1868 the factory was enlarged to double its original capacity, and can now turn out fifty dozen hats per day, with an average force of fifty persons employed.

I', BERG & Co., corner of Forest and South Jefferson streets, are among the largest hat manufacturers in Orange. Their works are large and capacious brick buildings, with first-class machinery operated by steam. The capacity of the works is from one hun- dred and fifty to two hundred dozen soft fur hats per day, which gives employment to over two hundred hands. The firm is composed of Frolerick Berg, F. Berg, Ir., and Francis Berg. The New York office is at 91 Spring Street.

JAMES YOUNG & SON, New Street near Day .- The original hat factory, on the site now occupied by that of Messrs. Young, was built in about 1840 by - MeChesney Mr. Young commenced the hatting business at this place in 1850, where for many years he did a large business in the manufacture of hats on commission. In 1873 the factory was enlarged to a manufacturing capacity of one hundred dozen per week, with a working force of fifty persons. In 1881 his son John became a partner in the business, since which time they have manufactured and soll on their own account.

W. F. STOCKER .- In 1852, Mr. D. F. Stocker, father of the present proprietor, built the hat factory locatedl on New Street, and in 1876 enlarged it to its present capacity of three hundred dozen hats per week. Here Mr. Stocker carried on the hatting business until September, 1882, when he died. Since then the business has been conducted by his son, W. F. Stocker, who employs about one hundred hands when the factory is in full operation.

M. EBERLEE & Co., composed of Max Eberlec and William Wang, commenced the manufacture of hats at their present location, No. GO New Street, in 1869, where they continue the manufacture of medium and fine grade light-colored fur hats. In 1880 the factory was enlarged to its present capacity of eight thousand dozen bats per annum, and now gives annual employment to an average of ninety-five persons.

CHARLES KEARCHER, whose hat factory is on New Street, opposite McChesney Lane, came here in 1869, and purchased the factory of Simon VanNess, and in 1874 rebuilt and enlarged the factory to its present capacity of three hundred dozen medium-grade soft fur hats per week, and now gives employment to one hundred and fifty persons.

J. AND G. H. Gia, Lumber Street, near the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad .- This is the only exclusively hat body forming mill in Orange, and was built in 1872, by the present proprie- tors, John and George 11. Gill. Here the fur used in the manufacture of hats is made into a thin, slazy cone, and when Inid Aat measures nearly two feet across the base, and about the same distance from

base to apex, and more than this for a wide-brim hat. The building is a large three-story frame structure, filled with the latest improved machinery for the manufacture of hat bodies or cones, and operated by steam-power. The Messrs. Gill employ eighty per- sons on an average, to whom they give steady employ- ment, and manufacture from three thousand to ten thousand hat bodies per day. The discrepancy in the amount made per day is caused by the brisk or slow demand of hat manufacturers.

BRANDIES & Co., Kelsal Place, near Day Strect. Mr. August Brandies commenced the hat business in 1867, in partnership with Charles Kearcher in New Street, and in 1870 purchased of Mr. Maroney the hat factory in Kelsal Place, and the same year associated with himself in the hat business Mr. M. Scharfer. The factory was enlarged in 1873, destroyed by fire in 1875, and rebuilt the same year. The average number of persons employed by this firm is fifty, and the average quantity of hats manufactured is one hun- drei dozen per week.

BENNED LEIMER established himself in the hatting business on Henry, near Mechanic Street, in the spring of 1851, where he still continues the manufac- ture on commission of the style known as " rough and ready" hats. He manufactures six thousand dozen hats per year and gives employment to an average of seventy hands.

JOHN R. LONG & SON .- The senior member of this firm, is a native of Philadelphia, Pa., and com- menced the hatting business in New York in 1450, and in 1856 he came to Orange and engaged in the manufacture of hats, in which he has since been engaged, either on his own account or on commission. In 1879 he purchased his present factory on East Day Street, near Washington, his son John becoming a partner in the business. They have, from time to time, enlarged their buildings, until at present. they manufacture an average of fifty dozen soft fur hats per day and give employment to one hundred and twenty-five persons.

J. B. WILLIAMS, Washington, near Day Street .- The original hat factory at this place was built in 1823 by Albert Williams, and destroyed by fire in 1831, and rebuilt the same year. The factory was enlarged in 1864 and destroyed by fire in 1869, and rebuilt the same year. Mr. Williams manufactures, on an average, fifty dozen hats per week and gives an average employment to thirty-five persons,

GARDNER & DUDLEY .- The hatting business was established by this firm on Mechanic, near Lumber Street, in about 1860. The shop has been destroyed by fire three times, and rebuilt the last time, in 1880, by C. Neiman. In March, 1882, Messrs. Robert B. Gardner and Henry M. Dudley commenced the hat- ting business under the above firm-name, where they still continue the manufacture of all kinds and qual- ities of soft fur hats, with M. A. Hanchett as super- intendent of the factory. This firm employs on an

748

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

average one hundred persons, and manufactures fifty - four dozen hats per day.

GORE BROTHERS & DYREMAN, No. 120 Day Street .- The hatting business was established at this place Jan. 1, 1864, by Cooper, Dykeman & Co., and during the first year manufactured about twenty-four dozen hats per day. April 11, 1865, the firm became A. Dykeman & Co., and on April 1, 1866, Mr. Dykeman became the sole proprietor, when he increased the capacity of the factory to sixty dozen hats per day. May 1, 1880, Mr. Dykeman associated with himself in the hatting business Calvin Gore and Carlos Gore, when the firm- name became Gore Brothers & Dykeman. This firm make a specialty of soft fur hats, manufacturing one hundred dozen per day, which gives employment to two hundred and thirty persons. Their sales-room is 99 Green Street, New York.

ANDREW DOUGHERTY & Co .- This firm is located on River Street, near Washington. The factory was built in 1866 by Mr. Dougherty, and subsequently was partially destroyed by fire, and immediately rebuilt, and in 1876 enlarged to its present capacity. In 1878 or '79, J. Frank Smith and Robert HIunter, two prac- tical hatters, acquired an interest in the business, when the firm-name became as above given. The average number of persons employed by this firm is fifty, who manufacture an average of one hundred dozen soft fur hats per week.

WILLIAM HENDERSON, High Street, near Lakeside Avenue .- Mr. Henderson commenced the manufacture of hats in Orange Valley in 1869, continuing the business there till 1880, when his factory was destroyed by fire. In 18x2 he purchased from Jesse Williams the Jot on which, the same year, he built his present shop, where he manufactures soft fur hats on com- mission. He gives employment to twenty persons, who produce thirty-five dozen hats per week.

THOMAS WALKER & Co .- In 1857 the firm of Crowly & Walker was established, and commenced business in the hat factory now occupied by John R. Long & Son, on East Day Street, where they continued in business till 1875, when the firm dissolved, and Mr. Crowly continued the business till 1877. In 1876, Thomas Walker, of the above-named firm, built the hat factory now occupied by Walker & Co., on North Park Street, and in 1881, Daniel Crowly was admitted as a partner in the business, since which time the firm-name has been Thomas Walker & Co. This firm manufacture goods on their own account, and have a general sales-room at Vo. 89 Green Street, New York. The firm gives employment to one hundred persons, and manufactures annually six thousand dozen hats of different qualities.

FREDERIK BAUER, & German by birth, commenced the manufacture of hats on Freeman Street, Orange Valley, in 1874, where he remained about six months, [ ploys about two hundred hands. There are a number when he occupied the factory of Wolflce, Leimer & Co. for three years, then removed to the factory now occupied by John R. Long & Son, where he re-

mained till 1879, when he removed to his present factory, on Dodd Street, near North Park, where he has since continued the business. He gives steady employment for seventy persons, and manufactures thirty-six dozen hats per day.

GEORGE H. GILL commenced the manufacture of hats May 1, 1882, in the factory built in 1872 by S. C. Pierson and - Van Ness, on East Day Street, corner of Kearney. In October, 1882, Mr. Gill en- larged the factory to its present capacity of sixty dozen fur hats per day, and now gives employment to an average of seventy-two persons. The wholesale business house of Mr. Gill is 96 Spring Street, New York.

HARROP, GIST & Co., composed of Thomas Har- rop, Robert F. Gist and Robert F. frist, Jr., com- menced business in their present location, corner of Dodd and Thomas Streets, East Orange township, in November, 1881, where they continue to manufac- ture all kinds of soft fur hats. Messrs. Harrop, Gist & Co. manufacture three thousand dozen hats per year, and give employment to thirty persons.

BRENNAN & CARR, located on Wallace Street, near Day. This factory was built by Porter & Crofut, sold to Edgar L. Northup, then owned and enlarged by James Smith. The factory was purchased in June, 1881, by T. F. Brennan, who enlarged the fae- tory to its present capacity,-double that of its original. In April, 1883, James L. Carr became a partner in the business. This firm manufactures nothing but first quality soft fur hats, and gives employment to one hundred and twenty-five persons. This tirm manu- factures about six thousand dozen hats each year.

WILLIAM CLORER, Joyce Street, near Central Avenue-The hatting business was established at this place in 1854-55, by Daniel Joyce, after whom Joyce Street was named. From Mr. Joyce the prop- erty passed into possession of Mr. N. B. Stetson, who, in 1864, sold to William Clorer, present proprietor. In 1875 the works were enlarged to double their orig- inal capacity, and can now turn out ten thousand dozen soft fur hats per year, with an average employ- ment of one hundred and twenty-five persons.

MYGALL, ALLEN & Co., Mitchell, near South Jef- ferson Street .- This enterprising firm is composed of William J. Metall, Samuel Allen, Quintin MeGall and Franklin Fouratt. The hatting business was es- tablished at this place in 1869 by Venino & Co., and subsequently carried on by Cummings, MeGall & Co., who afterwards reorganized under the firm-name of MeGall, Allen & Co., and in the spring of 1882 a further reorganization under the same firm-name, composed of the above-named persons. The factory was enlarged in 1880-81 to its present capacity of seventy-tive dozen soft fur hats per day, and now em- of buildings connected with these works, two and three stories high, most of which are substantial brick structures, and cover a space six hundred feet square,

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CITY OF ORANGE.

and are provided with all the machines required in the business, including forming, pouncing, stiffening and blocking, with a number of boilers, pumps, etc., and an one hundred horse-power engine. There is also an artesian well through thirty-seven feet of solid rock, from which at all times a full supply of water can be obtained. The company's New York office is No. 79 Green Street.

NO NAME HAT MANUFACTURING COMPANY,- This firm is located on Mitchell, near South Jefferson Street, where the hatting business was established in 1875-76 by Stetson, Smith & Co., and firm-name sub- sequently changed to Stetson & Co., the principal partner being J. P'. Stetson, of New York. The works have been enlarged from time to time, until this is one of the largest and best-appointed hat mannfac- turies in the State, covering a large area of ground, and well supplied with all the most approved modern machinery used in the business. Jan. 1, 1884, the firm was incorporated under the above name, with Henry II. Roalofs as president. W. F. Fay viee- president and manager, and Charles R. Wilmot secretary and treasurer. This firm manufactures two hundred and forty dozen soft fur hats per week, and employs one hundred hands annually.

MCCHESNEY & FISHER,-McChesney Street, near Scotland .- Hatting was commenced at this place in 1871 by S. D. McChesney, one of the present pro- prietors, who from time to time made such additions to his original factory as necessity demanded. In | Matthews & Puff, and in 1882, William J. Puff and November, 1853, he took as partner K. Hugo Fisher, since which time the firm-name has been as above Francis Yeomans united in business under the firm- name of Puff & Ycomans. They employ an average given. They average about sixty hands, and have a lof forty persons, and manufacture three thousand manufacturing capacity of one hundred and eighty five hundred dozen hats annually. dozen fur hats per week.

C. McCttLoven & Co, whose hat factory is located on the corner of South Jefferson and Forest Streets, was originally built in about 1850 by McChesney & Son ; was destroyed by fire in 1878, and rebuilt in 1879. In 1866 the property was sold to Mr. MeCul- lough, who rented the factory to Barry, Cummings & Co. This firm conducted business here for three years, when the firm of Met'ullough, Barry & Co. carried on the hatting business for about six months, when the firm-name was again changed to C. McCul- lough & Co., as at present. This firm gives an aver- age employment to seventy-five persons, with a manufacturing capacity of two hundred dozen soft fur hats per week.

JOHN OTTERBEIN .- Mr. Otterbein's hat-shop stood originally on the Valley road, opposite its present location, and was occupied as a hat factory in 1848 by Lighthipe & Brady, and subsequently by Mr. Charles Lighthipe, and in 1865, Mr. Otterhein became a part- uer, when the firm-name beenme Lighthipe & Otter- bein. In 1872, Mr. Otterbein purchased the property and removed the buildings to their present location, on Beaver, near White Street, just over the line in West Orange township, where he continues the hat-

ting business, and gives employment to fifteen hands, who manufacture twenty-four dozen fur hats per day.

PORTER, CROFT'T & HODGKINSON .- This firm is composed of Jared B. Porter, Benjamin S. C'rofut, and Thomas A. Hodgkinson. In 1858, Messrs. Porter & Crofut commeneed the hatting business on Wallace Street, and in 1866 their factory was destroyed by fire. They then purchased of Mr. Williams the fac- tory now occupied by them on the corner of Railroad Avenue and Commerce Street. This factory was built in 1859 or 1860 by Job Williams, and subse- quently owned by Leander Williams, from whom Porter & Crofut purchased. In ISSI, Mr. Hodgkin- son became a partner, when the firm-name was changed to Porter, Crofut & Hodgkinson. They employ on an average one hundred persons, and manufacture from thirty to fifty dozen soft fur hats of all colors per day.

PUFF & YEOMANS .- The site of which this factory was located was occupied as a hat manufactory as early as 1845, and may be classed among the pioneer hat-shops of the Oranges, and is located on Freeman Street, near South Jefferson. The pioneer hatters here were the Stetson Brothers, who commenced busi- ness in a little old building then standing in the rear of the present large building. erected in 1882. The Stetsons were succeeded by John Matthews, and he by Matthews & Dean, and that firm by the firm of

E. V. CONNETT & Co .- This is one of the very ex- tensive hat manufacturing firms of the Oranges, and is located on South Jefferson, near Forest Street. The large brick buildings were erected in 1882, on the site of an old shop destroyed by fire, by Sparrow, Venino & Morrow, who carried on the hatting busi- ness here until November 1883, when they sold to E. V. Connett & Co., a firm composed of E. V. Connett. C. B. Rutan and William Reed. This firm averages two hundred hands, and turns out four hundred and fifty dozen first quality fur hats weekly.

AU'sTEN, DREW & Co .- This firm is composed of Edward Austen, Robert M. Drew and Frederick Grundman, with hat factory located on Forest Street, near Scotland. The hatting business was established here in 1873 by Austen & Drew, who have at differ- ent periods enlarged the factory to its present capar- ity, which is now three hundred dozen hats per week, giving an average employment to one hundred and thirty hands.

CUMMINGS, MATTHEWS & BARRY, located on Sonth Jefferson Street, near Freeman .- Business was established here by Cummings & Matthews several years ago, and on April 1, 1882, the firm-name was changed to the above, and composed of the follow-

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

ing-named persons : Frederick Cummings. Joseph T. Cummings, J. H. Matthews, Michael Barry. The factory was enlarged in 1883 by the addition of a hat forming mill, and now gives employment to two hun- dred persous, and manufactures an average of four hundred dozen hats per week.

CLARKSON & STASSE, South Orange Avenue, near railroad station, South Orange, is one of the overflow hat factories of Orange, and was established several years ago. They employ from fifty to seventy-five hands, and turn out on an average one hundred dozen fur hats per week. The firm is composed of William HI. Clarkson and John W. Stasse,

Glass Stainers-BLACK & Co .- Glass-staining and the manufacture of ornamental windows for churches and residences has become one of the valued indus- tries of the Oranges. Mr. Slack, the senior member of the firm, established himself in business in 1861, in Newark, and in 1872 removed to Orange, and located on the corner of Central Avenue and Scotland Street, and in 1880, Mr. Isaac E. Baldwin became a partner in the Orange Art Glass Works. This firm makes a specialty of memorial windows for churches.

PAYNE & PEINE .- This firm, located on the corner of Centre and William Streets, was established May 1, 1ss0, by theorge Payne and Gustavus Peine, who are still engaged in the manufacture of stained glass memorial, ecclesiastical and domestic windows. This firm employs annually an average of eight artisans, and their yearly sales average twenty-five thousand dollars. .

Societies .- UNION LODGE, No 11. F. AND A. MI., was chartered Nov. 14, 1809, with Stephen D. Day, Joseph Munn, Nathaniel H. Baldwin, and twenty- three others as charter members. The first officers were Jeptha Baldwin, W. M. ; Alexander Wilson. S. W .; Matthias Smith, J. W.

Abraham Mandeville is believed to be the oldest living Mason, being raised to the degree of W. M. on Feb. 20, 1827. The resolutions to buy a lot and erect a Masonic Hall were passed March 16, 1827. The corner-stone of the buikling was laid on June 25th of that year, and the structure was dedicated on Decem- ber 27th following by John S. Darcy, G. M. ; William McFarlin, G. S. W .; Stephen D. Day. G. J. W .; Abram P. Harrison, G. Treas. : Ichabod Harrison, Jr., G. Sec .; Philo. N. Griffith, G. S. D .; Henry Williams, tł. J. D. ; and William Beach, G. T.,-all but the Grand Master acting pro tem. The officers of Union Lodge, No. 11, in 1824 were Daniel Babbitt, W. MI .; Amos A. Harrison, S. W. ; Stephen Condit, J. W .; Sayres Roberts, Jr., Treas. ; Jonathan T. Squire, Sec. ; Abram P'. Meeker, S. D. ; Allen Osborn, J. D .; Daniel Kilburn and Samuel Camp, Trustees ; and Josiah Leonard, Tyler. On the day the Masonic Hall was dedicated Grand Master Darcy installed the following officers-elect of Union Lodge : Amos A. Harrison, W. M. ; Abram P. Harrison, S. W. ; Thomas Burnside, J. W .; Simeon Harrison, Treas. ; Ichabod Harrison, dr., See. ; and William Beach, Tyler.

Originally this lodge was chartered as Union, No. 21, with communications to be held alternately at Orange and Bloomfield, which was done for over two years. From 1836 to 1846 no work was done, owing to the fanatieal anti-Masonic excitement during that period. When work was resumed, in 1846, the lodge was rechartered and renumbered as at present, with work to be done in Orange. The following-named persons have served as Worshipful Masters of this Lodge: Jeptha Baldwin, 1810-17, 1820-22; Stephen D. Day, 1818; Daniel Babbitt, 1819, 1824; Amos A. Harrison, 1823, 1825-30; Philip Kingsley, 1846, 1$49; Ichabod Harrison, 1847-48; John M. Condit, 1850-51; Simeon Harrison, 1852-53, 1864; George Dodd, 1854; William M. Babbitt, 1855: William B. Williams, 1856; William P. Condit, 1857; Isaac L. Van Orden, 1858-60; Hiram Ingalsbe, 1861-62; Ezekiel B. Smith, 1863; John W. Lees, 1865; Jesse Williams. 1866; Joseph Gasner, 1867; Joseph M. Dodd, 1808-69; Walter E. Smith, 1870; F. W. Morris, 1871-72; T. O. Ayres, 1873; A. W. Coon, 1874-75; James Row- hotham, 1875-77; Miles A. Hanchet, 1878-80; Robert E. Parsons, 1881; John Edwards, Iss2-83. The officers for 1884 were Edwin W. Hine, W. M .; John F. Smith, S. W .; Robert Hunter, J. W .; Robert McGowan, Treas. ; James Rowbotham, ce. ; William Stalke, S. D .; J. L. Carr, J. D. Membership, eighty- seven.

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History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II, Part 16

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