History of the counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland New Jersey, with biographical sketches of their prominent citizens, vol. 2, Part 6

Author: Cushing, Thomas, b. 1821. cn; Sheppard, Charles E. joint author
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 920

USA > New Jersey > Salem County > History of the counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland New Jersey, with biographical sketches of their prominent citizens, vol. 2 > Part 6
USA > New Jersey > Gloucester County > History of the counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland New Jersey, with biographical sketches of their prominent citizens, vol. 2 > Part 6
USA > New Jersey > Cumberland County > History of the counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland New Jersey, with biographical sketches of their prominent citizens, vol. 2 > Part 6

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The Salem Transportation Company, an enter- prise in connection with the Salem Glass- Work-, was organized in JSol, and built the tug " Anna" and two barges for the purpose of carrying freight between Salem and Philadelphia. The officers are John V. C'raven, president ; Thomas J. Craven, secretary ; and P'. Peppler, treasurer.

After the-close of the late civil war, Holz, Clark & Taylor erected buildings near the foot of Broadway and established a glass-house, which was for some time extensively employed in the manufacture of hollow- ware. Subsequently this firm suspended, and the property was bought at sheriff's sale by Prior & Lam- bert. In July, 1879, it was purchased by John Gay- ner, who employs about forty hands in the manufac- ture of glass shades and bottles.

The Salem Oil-Cloth Works. --- This enterprise, one

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of the most important in Salem, was established in 1868 by the firm of Hall, Duno & Hunt, who entered at that time upon the work of making floor oil-cloth. The works were located on Front Street, where they remained until May, 1879, when Mr. John HI. Morris purchased the property on which the factories are now located.

factured at the works, as well as patterns and design -. The eloth in its raw state first receives a coat of paint. spread over with niceness and precision, when it i- allowed to thoroughly dry, and is then again passed through the same process several time -. It is then taken to the operating-room, where it falls under the manipulation of skilled printers. The printing is done with a series of blocks, cach representing a color, which must be placed on with considerable care, sonne

While under the ownership and control of Messrs. Hall, Dunn & Hunt the business grew to large pro- portions, and new and extensive building- were , patterns requiring the handling of eight or nine erected. Subsequently the firm underwent a change, . blocks to complete them. It is at this point that the first by the retirement of Mr. Hall, leaving the firm skill of the workman is thoroughly tested, as any error will damage the printing. After printing the cloth ix put through a prolonged process of drying, and at the completion of the operation is varnished by ma- chinery, then goes into the shipping department. This concern is the only one of the kind in South Jersey, and its reputation for producing first-class vil-cloth is wide-spread, reaching throughout the whole country. as Dunu & Hunt, and finally by Mr. Dunn selling his interest to Mr. Hunt, who continued the business as W. K. Hunt until his failure in December, 1577, when his uncle, John M. Morris, purchased the raw materials, and with the assistance of Mr. S. W. Dann continued the oil-cloth works until the purchase of the property on Broadway, near the " Reyboll" land- ing, where large buildings were erected and the entire business removed thereto. The location is The Manufacture of Ice-Cream .- It is well known throughout New Jersey that Salem County particularly fortunate with reference to all the ad- vantages offered by river navigation, freight being ! produces the best milk and cream to be found in the market. In the midst of this wealth of dairy products there has sprung into existence an industry that is annually assuming greater proportions, and already employs a large number of hands, the manu- , facture of ice-cream. loaded within a hundred yards of the manufactory on vessels or the regular line steamers to Philadelphia, and by this means securing direct shipments to al. most any point in the country, a matter of no little importance alike to consignor and consumer.

Mr. Morris, with all the latest improvements in The oldest factory engaged in this industry is that of John P. Bruna & Co., which was established in 18:12. This firm are the manufacturers of the colo- machinery, a largely-increased force of men, a rich and varied assortment of elegant designs, and abund- ! ance of capital, conducted the enterprise until his ; hruted Salem County ice-cream, which now has a death, when his son, William Morris, the pre-ent pro- standing throughout the greater part of the State and the city of Philadelphia. prietor, succeeded, and the works were again enlarged to meet the increasing demand upon their manufac- ! The senior member of the present firm, Mr. Bruna, turing capacity. The head of this concern is a native i first commenced operations on a limited scale, and for many years manufactured only to supply a local demand. However, as the excellent quality of his cream became known the demand increased, and facilities were added to meet the growing trade. of Salem County and a man of extensive capital. He gives his attention to the business, and the policy of its management has been liberal and just, the natural result being that no institution in the city is regarderl with greater favor of respect. Mr. Morris is ably as- For several years Mr. Bruna was associated with sisted in the control of affairs by Mr. Samuel W. ' Mr. John C. Mulford, under the title of John P. Duun, who for many years was one of the owners of Bruna & Co., and during their continuance together the old works. Being thoroughly acquainted with | their cream was shipped to all prominent points in every detail of the manufacture of oil-cloth, he is well

South Jersey. Subsequently the firm was dissolved, qualified to take the immediate superintendeney of , and a few years later, in 1880, the old firm-title was the works, and to his wise and judicious manage- ment is due the success that has been attained. renewed by the association of Mr. Joshua Wadding- tou with the business.

This establishment covers several aeres, occupied by a large three-story frame printing building, and another of the same size for painting purposes. There are several other brick building- in use, the whole works being divided into several departments, where, with the assistance of about one hundred hands, the manufacture of oil-eloth of all kinds is prosecuted with system and celerity. Every process in the many- facture of finished oil-cloth is done here, with the single exception of the manufacture of the raw cloth. The paint, of which large quantities are used, is also manu-

At the present time the factory is located in a large frame building in rear of 192 and 194 East Broadway, where the firm has facilities for the rapid manufacture of its specialty. The capacity will reach fully three thousand quarts of ice-cream per day, and during the heated term this amount is frequently manufactured. and by railroad and steamboat distributed throughout the lower portion of the State and the river towns of Delaware.

The firm is also extensively engaged in the manu- facture of butter, having all the improved machinery

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for producing a very superior quality of this article, and possessing a demand for the full capacity of the works. Large ice-houses in the vicinity of Salem are filled each winter, and when the supply is short, owing to a mild season, large consignments are received from Maine.

In addition to the large quantity of ice used in the manufacture of ice-cream and butter, the firm are also suppliers of an extensive custom for it through- out the city.

Mr. Bruna is one of the leading citizens of Saleni, and outside of the above business is well known as the originator of enjoyable excursion- from Salemi and vicinity that at different times during the season visit the sea-shore. Mr. Waddington, during the greater part of his life, has been engaged in farming, and his thorough knowledge of dairying and the prep- aration of milk and cream for manufacturing pr- poses has contributed not a little to the success of the enterprise with which he is identified.

Not more than twelve years ago, J. Q. Davis, whole. sale manufacturer of ice-cream, was engaged in a small building, manufacturing a limited quantity for a cor- responding limited retail trade. Notwithstanding that another establishment was engaged in manufac- turing a most excellent article, and producing more in a day than his trade would warrant him making in a month, he enlarged his facilities, and sought to enter the wholesale trade by personal solicitation, with the result that, as soon as the product of his small factory was tried, it was pronounced of quality equaling any manufactured. This success only stim- ulated Mr. Davis to greater exertions, and the next season witnessed considerable increase in his bu-i- ness, and the enlargement of his factory was a neces- -ity. He then removed to desirable quarters on Mar- ket Street, convenient to the centre of the city for his retail trade. Mr. Davis erected a large one-story far- tory, and fitted it with a steam-engine and all the modern appliances for the business. The saloon was handsomely fitted up, and a large retail trade was soon secured. Here le continued successfully, cach year bringing greatly increased demand for his ice. cream, until 1859, when he purchased the present property, at 75 Market Street, about a half-square from the former location, and rebuilt the house, made attractive ladies' and gentlemen's saloons, and erected a large building in the rear for manufacturing pur- Moses. The improvements added to it gave a pro- ducing capacity of three thousand quarts of ice-cream daily. The first floor of the factory is devoted to ice- cream, and the second to the manufacture of butter. Like the former department, that of botter-making has all the latest improved machinery, including rowling-pans, churns, etc., and under the immediate charge of an experienced and competent dairy man. A number of hands are employed, with competent superintendents, and the whole establishment i- under the experienced and practical management of MIr.

Davis himself. The trade extends throughout South Jersey, including many of the leading hotels at the watering-places on the Atlantic coast.

F. Hand & Son, carriage- and wagon-makers .- The individual members of this firm are Frank and Alex- ander Hand. The business was established by Frank Hand more than a quarter of a century ago, and the work turned out at this establishment finds ready sale. Coaches, carriages, phaetons, buggies, Jenny Lind, and vehicles of other styles are made. The works of the firm occupy a considerable area at 73 and 75 Fifth Street, and consist of a large three-story build- ing, to which within a few years has been added an extensive show-room, with upper floors in use for general purposes. From right to fifteen hands are employed.

Smith & Stepler, carriage-builders, 236 and 235 East Broadway, are prominent among the carriage- builders of Salem County. They employ several hands, and manufacture a general line of carriages and wagons, making a specialty of heavy farm-wagons, which have an extended reputation. This enterprise was established in 1850 by William Nicholson, who was succeeded by Simon B. Smith, and he by Smith & Stepler.

Fruit-Canning and Pickling .- The oldest vege- table cannery in Salem is that controlled by Owen L. Jones. It was established about twenty year- ago by Patterson & Lloyd, who were succeeded by Pat- terson & Jones. This firm continued the business until January, 1882, when Mr. Patterson retired. Until eight years ago the works were situated on Church Street At that time they were removed to their present location at the foot of Fifth Street. Here are occupied a large four-story brick building eighty by seventy feet, a frame store-house one hun- dred feet in length, and a large store-house at the wharf, the whole making an extensive and very com- plote canning establishment. The interior of these works is conveniently divided and arranged for the different processes of manufacture, and provided with efficient machinery and appliances. This factory is wholly devoted to the canning of tomatoes. The reputation of the tomatoes packed by this house is high, and, notwithstanding the fact that new fac- tories are being started from time to time, the de- wand for them increases annually. The leading brand, the "Trophy," is sought in the leading mar- kets of America, and has found favor in Europe. During the canning season nearly one million cans of this brand are packed, giving employment to over two hundred hands.

The Mason Pickling Company, whose business was established and is continued under the manage- ment of Mr. George M. Ward, has been in existence about eight years, and has the reputation of supply- ing a superior quality of goods. Beginning with small capital and limited facilities, the business grew to such a proportion that MIr. Ward was at one time

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unable to supply the demand for the good- manufac- tured. The works. situated in the rear of Mr. Ward's residence, 75 West Broadway, below Third Street, were enlarged, and the facilities for preparation and packing wer, increased many fold. He makes a specialty of supplying merchants, shippers, and faut- ilies with American chow-chow, American piccalilli, choice family pickles, Bordeaux sauce, and other choice preparations in the pickling line, put up in pint and quart jars. Cucumber pickles are put up in barrels, half-barrels, and quarter-casks, in vinegar, and ready for table use. Wherever known the goods of the Mason Pickling Company are standard.

The Fenwick Canning-Works of Mesers. Starr & Brother were established in 1871 by Richard B. Starr and George Mecuor. In 1875, Thomas B. Starr suc- eceded Mr. Mecum, and the establishment has since been owned and managed by Starr & Brother. This firm confine their operations to tomato-canning ex- clusively, and their "Centennial" brand of goods is equal to the very best in the country. The proprie- tors determined to rest their chances of success in business upon the merits of their product, which, as introduced into various markets, at once found favor with dealers and consumers, and at this time the " Centennial" tomatoes are shipped to all scetions of the Union, and the firm enjoys a fine and increasing European trade. The capacity of the works is one million two hundred thousand cans per season, during which from two hundred and twenty-five to two hun- dred and seventy - five hands are employed. The works are located at the foot of Broadway, near the wharf.

Hiles & Hilliard's North Bend Canning-Works. on West Griffith Street, opposite Front, was estali- lished in 1851, on the site of Newell & Grier's hay - press and hay and grain warehouse. It has a capacity of five hundred thousand cans per season, and during the tomato season affords employment to one hundred and seventy-five hands. The " Atlas" brand of toma- toes put up by this firm already commands a steady sale throughout the United States and Canada.

The Salem Packing Company, consisting of John Lambert & Son, began business in 1651. Their fac- tory is a two-story building, one hundred and sixty by forty-eight feet, located northwest of Griffith Street, between Third and a continuation of Second, and it has a capacity for packing one million cans per season. About two hundred thousand cans of tomatoes and some pear- and peaches were put up during the season of 1881. The product of the season of 1852 was about four hundred and fifty thousand cans, and one hundred and twenty hands were employed.

Hall's Foundry .- About thirty-five years ago Ben- nett & Acton established a foundry at the corner of Yourth and Griffith Streets, doing farmers' jobbing, and manufacturing a limited line of agricultural machinery. Mr. Bennett was accidentally killed about fourteen years ago, and the business passed into the sole ownership of Mr. Acton. In 1878, Henry

D. Hall bought the establishment of Mr. Seton, and has since done a general iron-founder's busines ;. making a specialty of plumbers' castings, drain -. water-, and smoke-pipe, and employing at times a. many as forty hand -.

The White Stone Mills .- Among the landmark- of Salem there are none more familiar to the oldvi inhabitants than the well-known White Stone Flour- Milla, situated on Front Street, near the Penn's Neck Bridge. Built by the Salem Steam-Mill and Banking Company, some time previous to 1826, on the site which that corporation bought, with the " Reyhold" , wharf, of David B. Smith in 1824, it has successively been purchased by subsequent owners, as follows: The Salem Steam-Mill and Manufacturing Company. March 20, 1826; William N. Jeffers, May 26, 1550; Isaac Johnson, June 4, 1832; Harvey & Peterson, Sept. 24, 1836 ; Minor Harvey, March 1, 1841 ; Joshua Waddington, Feb. 21, 1857 ; Reyhold Brothers, March 17, 1857; Joshua Waddington, Jan. 28, 1860; John W. Mulford, Dec. 22, 1862; Joshua Thompson, Nov. 13. 1573 : Lewis & Thompson, Nov. 15, 1873; Charles F. Dubois, Jan. 15, 1879; Jacob Mounce, Sept. 1, 1880,-the last-named purchaser being the present owner and operator.

This mill is built of stone, as its name indicate-, and is five storie- high. It contains six ran of stones, which are driven by a large steam-engine. Independ- ent of :: large local trade, requiring two wagons to supply it, these mills have a growing demand from Delaware City, New Castle, Penn's Grove, and Chester. which constantly taxes its utmost capacity. Mr. Dubois, a member of the firm, is in charge, and bis long acquaintance with milling in all its details thoroughly fits him to produce first-class flour, which he is enabled to do with the aid of the excellent facilities at his command.

The Salem Fire Department. -- The City Fire Department consists of a chief and three assistant engineers. The chief of the department is Richard T. Starr; the assistant engineers are Albert Steiner, Robert D. Swain, and William HI. Stow. There are three engine and hose companies and one hook-and- ladder company, the histories of which follow :

The Union Fire Company, No. 1 .- It appears that there was a fire company, having an engine in charge. prior to 1821, and at a meeting of the young men of the town of Salem, Dec. 5, 1×21, for the purpose of adopting measure- relative to the fire-engine com- pany, a resolution was adopted asking the members of that company to give up the control of the engine to the young men who were about to establish the present organization. On Dec. 12, 1821, the following persons a-sembled and organized the present com- pany : Josiah Miller, Jr., Sinniekson Tuft, Nathan Smart, Anthony Kearbey, John Cohorn, Isaac '%. Peterson, William A. Baker, Richard P. Thomp-en. Jonathan Coffee. James fall, Jacob W. Mulford. John Black, and Peter Blackwood. Josiah Mille:

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was elected president ; Richard P. Thompson, secre- tary : and Istae %. Peterson, treasurer. Committees for various purposes were appointed and the organi- zation was completed. At a subsequent meeting John Coborn, William G. Beesly, and O. B. Stoughton were elected engineers. A commodious engine-house was completed in January, 1825, and the room in which the meetings of the company were held was given the name of I'nion Hall. The company applied to the Council and General Assembly of the State for an act of incorporation, which was passed Dec. 7, 1825. The first meeting hell after being incorpo- rated was on Jan. 9, 1826, when the following off- cers were elected : Richard P. Thompson, president ; Samuel Sherron, vice-president ; James M. Hannah, sveretary ; and Isaac Z. Peterson, treasurer. The fol- lowing were active members at that time : Richard P. Thompson, Samuel Sherron, Isaac %. Peterson, James M. Hannah, William G. Beesly, William T. Mulford, Jacob W. Mulford, O. B. Stoughton. John Corcoran, William AA. Baker, Aaron 1. Clement. John Smart, John Patterson, P. Heishon. Japhet Sommers, Josiah Paullin, John B. Tuft, Jacob Elwell, Samuel Lum- mis, John Yarrow, Anthony Maggee, Samuel Buck, Samuel Thompson, Jonathan Word, Seth Smith, David Morri-, Joseph Jacobs, Joseph E. Brown, James Wills, William Carpenter, George Griseom, Thomas Bond. The honorary members were B. Wright, William Bassett, Joseph Buck, J. Coffee.

In 1829 a new engine, costing three hundred and twenty-five dollars, was purchased. and the engine first in use was sold to a company at Hancock's Bridge, for one hundred and thirty dollars, during the following year. The new engine was evidently thought very powerful, as mention is made of throw- ing a stream over the very top of the spire of the court-house. The combined hose-carriage and bucket- wagon was built in the spring of lom, at a cost of fifty dollars. At about the same time the company succeeded in getting the township committee to ap- propriate them one hundred dollars towards defray- ing expenses. This is the first record of any help from the township, all expenses being defrayed by the money received from the members of the com- pany in dues and fines, and voluntary contributions from the citizens generally. On July 31, 1840, the engineers were empowered to enlist boys over fifteen years of age, not exceeding twenty in number, to take charge of the hose-carriage and buckets. In 1846 an engine was contracted for and built by Agnew, of Philadelphia, at a cost of about eight hundred dollars, and some years later a small suction. engine was purchased in Baltimore and added to the apparatus of this company. These were, however, replaced by a fourth-class Silsby steamer in 18;8, soon after the large conflagration that occurred in January that year. Since the introduction of the present system of water-works (there being sullicient force from the plug-streams to disjanse with the use of

engines) the company has been divided into two hose companies, the steamer being used only to pump out cellar -. There is now thirteen hundred feet of rubber hose. "Test" brand, in good order (the larger part having been purchased in 1982). in the power -- sion of the company. The fine brick building which they occupy, on Broadway near Market Street, was built in 1-69.

The Reliance Fire Company, No. 2 .- In the early part of the year 1824 it was determined to procure an- other engine for the fire department, and at a meeting of some of the inhabitants of the town of Salem, held about April 29th of that year, a committee was ap- pointed to solicit contributions for the purchase of an engine. This committee in a short time succeeded in collecting the sum of $572.89. The first regular mect- ing of which there is record was held at the hotel of Ward Wilson on Jan. 28, 1825. Mr. Hedge Thomp- son occupied the chair, Aaron Ogden Dayton secre- tary. James Kinsey, E-q .. a committee appointed at a former meeting to prepare a constitution, reported that the name of the company should be Reliance Tire Company, and a constitution was then and there adopted. At a meeting held Feb. 1, 1825, the follow- ing officers were elected : James Wainwright, presi- dent ; Thomas Sinnickson, vice-president ; Aaron Ogden Dayton, secretary ; Thomas W. Cattell, treas- urer; Gideon Scull, Jr., Edward Smith, John Sin- nickson, Joel Fithian, engineers ; Henry Dennis, Lewis Mairs, Thomas Sharp, Samuel Bas-ett, ladder- and-hook: committee; James Kinsey. Benjamin Archer, Eiward Q. Keasbey, Hedge Thomp: on, con- mittee for security of goods. These were the first officers. In the mean time the engine had been pur- chased and housed in a barn in the rear of Wilson's Hotel, and the company seeing the need of a house, made application to the board of chosen freeholders for ground upon which to build, which application was granted and the house erected. In 1825 the company made application to the Legislature of the State for an act of incorporation, which act passed that body in December of that year.

In the year 1834 a bell was purchased and placed on the house. On Nov. 18, 1839, a combined ho-e- carriage and bucket-wagon was purchased. The first hose purchased was in April, 1845, when one hundred and five feet of leather ho-e was procured, costing fifty cents per foot. For some years previous to 1352 the company was not in a very prosperous condition. but carly in that year a number of young inen were ad- mitted, which caused a change for the better, and on May 7th of that year it was ordered to purchase a new engine, and a committee appointed to solicit con- tributions for that purpose. At a meeting hell May 13, 1853, it was ordered to purchase an engine costing fourteen hundred dollars. The engine was purchased at a cost of $1799.34, and it is at the present time in the house of the company, although of no actual are, owing to the water-works system of the city, but is

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doubtless in serviceable condition. In 1854 a new engine-house was built, at a cost of seven hundred dollars, which has since been replaced by a brick building, three stories high, with a tower at rear, in which hangs a bell weighing about twelve hundred pounds. The following were the officers of the com- pany in September, 1882: A. Walton, president ; Benjamin Curry, vice-president ; Benjamin F. Wood, treasurer ; Joel S. Bradway. secretary ; William Kiger, chief engineer ; Jeremiah Bacon, Jr., Howard Hewes, James Med'affrey, Frank Ahern, John Dwyre, engineers.

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History of the counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland New Jersey, with biographical sketches of their prominent citizens, vol. 2, Part 6

Author: Cushing, Thomas, b. 1821. cn; Sheppard, Charles E. joint author Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 920

Author: Cushing, Thomas, b. 1821. cn; Sheppard, Charles E. joint author
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 920