USA > New Jersey > Passaic County > Paterson > Paterson, New Jersey : its advantages for manufacturing and residence: its industries, prominent men, banks, schools, churches, etc. > Part 20
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by the Second National Bank. Their plant consisted of just one loom, but in the course of a few weeks they had added seven or eight. On the first of January, ISSo, they removed to the second floor of the Arkwright mill on Beech street. occupying only a portion of the floor space. As their business increased they multiplied the number of their looms until in a short time they had the whole floor covered. In the summer of that year they leased a portion of the lower floor and put in more looms. In June of the following year they took the rest of the first floor, and in ISS2 they purchased the whole mill. Being thoroughly acquainted with the industry in its every branch they per- sonally attended to every department ; the superior excel- lence of their product increased the demand to such an extent that the firm saw itself compelled in ISS3 to mate- rially enlarge the building ; this was done and the firm was in possession of one of the finest and best equipped silk mills in the country, from every part of which pro- ceeded the busy hum of silk machinery of the best pattern and best make. Silk manufacturers from other places who visit the present Arkwright mill agree that it is a model in every respect. The building has a frontage of 211 feet on Beech street. is four stories high ; its depth is 50 feet ; in addition to this is the boiler and engine house detached from the main building. The ventilation and illumination leave nothing to be desired, both being fur- nished by power from the engine. The product of the firm embraces everything that is manufactured of silk that is elegant and durable. Some of the finest patterns, copied by other manufacturers both in this country and Europe, emanated from this establishment. For a num- ber of years the firm manufactured more grenadines than all the other firms in Paterson put together. The variety of designs they weave in these delicate fabrics is fairly be- wildering, the patterns being of the most exquisite de- scription. Laces and satins and brocades are mingled in the most beautiful combinations and in never-ending varie- ty. The firms employs about 350 hands and it is a well known fact that differences between the employers and employees are almost unknown in this establishment ; they have always produced the highest class of goods and paid the highest wages. No firm has done more to place American silks in the high rank they have attained in the marts of the world than have Doherty & Wadsworth. They went on the principle that the best was none too good for the American people and appreciation of this principle and its execution have been shown in the almost marvellous success of the firm.
HENRY DOHERTY AND JOSEPH WADSWORTH .- The lives of these two gentlemen have been so intimately con- nected that it would seem wrong to separate them in fur- nishing an account of their doings, their struggles and successes. The latter have fortunately always been in the ascendant for it may be said with truth that their struggles were ever crowned with success. They were both born in Macclesfield, England, the cradle of the textile indus- tries of the world. Mr. Doherty was born on February 6,
1850; Mr. Wadsworth on March 10, 1849. The educa- tion they received was such as fell to the share of many men who have made their mark in the manufacturing world : literature and the higher branches of education were considered subservient at all times to a thorough schooling in the use of the loom. At an early age both were employed in silk mills ; they went to the mill to- gether and in the evening returned to their homes which were not far apart. Their evenings were devoted to study, but it was during the day time that they were fitted for the career which has placed them high up among the manu- facturers of the country. They learned the manufacture of silk from the carrying of bobbins to the completion of the finest fabric ; there was not a branch of the silk industry in which they were not proficient when they concluded to come to this country. Mr. Doherty was the first to leave Macclesfield for the land of promise across the sea, arriv- ing here in the latter part of 1868. Mr. Wadsworth fol- lowed some six months later, arriving here in March, 1869. Both at once came to Paterson and readily found employment in the silk mills where skilled labor was com- manding a high premium. They worked in various mills until in 1879 Mr. Doherty was a foreman in the employ of J. P. Mackay and Mr. Wadsworth occupied a similar posi- tion in the silk mill of Grimshaw Brothers. Although both commanded liberal salaries they found that others were reaping the larger harvest from their skill and ex- perience and once more they joined their fortunes together which had been linked so often when they were boys. What success attended their combined energy and skill has been inadequately told in the foregoing sketch.
THE BARNERT MILL .- The largest holder of silk mill property in the city of Paterson is Mayor Nathan Barnert. Ile is not himself engaged in silk manufacturing but the excellent judgment to which he owes the prominent posi- tion he has always occupied in Paterson induced him years ago to invest heavily in mill property, he having fully recognized the stability of the industries of the city. The most prominent of his possessions is the Barnert mill an illustration of which is shown on page 164 of this work. The mill is in the shape of a hollow square, four stories high, having a frontage of 200 feet on Grand street and of 125 feet on Dale avenue. It is built entirely of brick and the engine and boiler house is separate from the main mill. There are between seventy-five and eighty thousand square feet of floor space in the mill. Mr. Barnert already owned considerable mill property when IS85 he began the erection of this mill, which is a model in every respect. The steady expansion of the industries of Paterson created a demand for mills and Mr. Barnert's excellent judgment showed him that the dollars he had earned in many years of successful business could not be better invested both for himself and the people who had twice elected him Mayor than by the erection of mills. Ile accordingly erected the Barnert mill which he rents to a number of silk manufac- turers, to whom he supplies both room and power. Mr. Barnert is also the owner of the Dale mill, a superb struc-
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ture on Railroad avenue, having a frontage of 325 feet and a depth of 45 feet with an L extension of 100 feet. In ad- dition to this he owns several other mills all located in the square bounded by Railroad avenue, Grand street, Dale avenue and Ward street.
GRIMSHAW BROTHERS .- This firm is composed of three brothers, John, George and David H. They are all three natives of Macclesfield, England, and were raised in the silk business. They commenced business in Paterson in 1871 with half a dozen hand looms in an old shed in Pearl street. They subsequently removed to the Union mill on the corner of Market and Spruce streets. While occupy- ing this mill their growing business compelled them to hire the small mill of James Dunkerley in Spruce street, and this was run in connection with their other mill. These two places not affording the proper facilities, they leased the Arkwright mill, then owned by the Prall estate. This they occupied until they purchased their present property, which was then known as the Greppo mill: it had been formerly occupied by Strange & Brother. Shortly after the purchase they enlarged the mill by the addition of a brick wing a hundred feet long on Prince street. The property now forms a hollow square, bounded by Dale av- enue on the east, Slater street on the south and Prince street on the west. It is three stories high, well lighted and ventilated, and amply provided with the most effective appliances for extinguishing fire. It is supplied through- out with fresh well water which is distributed to all parts of the mill from two large tanks in the highest part of the structure. The whole of the mill is operated by the firm.
Having commenced business in the infancy of silk weav- ing in Paterson, at a time when prejudice against domes- tic silk goods was strong in the minds of buyers, they worked out a path for themselves-good goods-and have steadily followed it. Commencing with plain surah silks they have followed up about all the avenues known to the silk trade, men's serges and linings, novelties in handker- chiefs and mufflers (of which in fine goods they were the pioneers, ) millinery silks, plushes, velvets, plain and nov- elty dress silks, &c., changing their production with the varying demands of the market. In this connection their lifelong training has been of the utmost value. Their ma- chinery, like their production, has been subject to numer- ous changes. Commencing with hand machines, as was the custom at the time, they have kept replacing their plant with the most modern machines, until now everything in their vast establishment is of the latest and most improved pattern and the whole driven by steam power. The pro- duct of ".G. B," as their goods are known on the market, is now largely novelty and plain silks, although in other lines of novelties they do considerable business.
In addition to this establishment they have another mill at Reading, Pa., also of brick, 254 feet long by 50 feet wide and three stories high. This is largely used by them for throwing the raw silk used in their Paterson business. The present Reading mill was rebuilt on the ruins of the firm's former mill, which was wrecked almost totally by
the great tornado which produced such havoc and loss of life in that part of the country on January 9, 1SS9.
This firm, commencing business with limited means, have by their conservatism and pluck not only withstood all the periodical depressions which have marked the de- velopment of the silk trade and their loss by the Reading disaster, but they stand to-day in the front rank of Ameri- can silk manufacturers.
JACOB HORANDT & SON .- Mr. Jacob Horandt. the sen- ior member of this firm, was born in Sissach, in Switzer- land, on April S. 1834, being one of six children. His father combined farming with silk manufacture, and young Mr. Horandt gained his first impression of the silk indus- try in the home of his parents. After having passed through the common schools and the advanced technical school of his home, he was at the age of seventeen sent to Basle there to study the practical operation of the manu- facture of silk in the factories. He remained there until he was twenty-one years of age, when he returned to his home and was superintendent of his father's silk mill until he was twenty-eight years of age when he was married ; he returned to Basle, and until 1872 was foreman in a large silk mill. He then concluded to come to this country, whither his brother had preceded him, and landed here on July 9, 1872. Three lucrative and responsible positions were at once offered him, but Mr. Horandt recognized the fact that there was considerable difference between the silk industry in this country and his native home; before as- suming any position of importance he preferred to get ac- quainted with the status of affairs here, and consequently until January 2, 1873, he worked as a weaver in the silk mills of New York. He was then induced to accept a posi- tion as superintendent in the large silk mill of Pelgram & Meyer, and he occupied this position for twelve and a half years. In the mean time his son, Christopher. had grown to be a young man, and having evinced a liking for the silk industry, Mr. Horandt sent him in 1879 to Europe where the young man remained three years, receiving such education as the best technical schools of Europe afforded. On his return to this country he organized the Paterson Ribbon Company with Mr. George F. Kuett. His father at this time concluded to establish business for himself, and young Mr. Horandt having disposed of his interest in the ribbon company joined his father, and the firm of Jacob Horandt & Son was established. It is but natural that the thorough practical knowledge of the industry in all its branches, possessed by both father and son. added to excel- lent business qualifications, should be followed by success. The firm first leased and subsequently purchased the Hox- sey mill on Kearney street, with its surrounding twenty- four city lots. The first year the firm operated six looms, the second seventeen, the third twenty-nine, and at present their capacity is sixty-nine looms. In the mean time the mill had been increased in size and a dye works had been added : this not proving sufficient, the firm during the present year leased the Meistermann mill in Paterson street, and plans are now being prepared for a new mill on
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Kearney street. The firm was the first among the ribbon manufacturers to use electric light, having its own dynamo. Cool and pure water is supplied to every portion of the mill from an artesian well which was sunk shortly after the firm started into business. The selling agents of the firm are Iloenighaus & Curtiss, of New York.
In ISSo Mr. Horandt married a second time, his first wife having died. and in ISSS he erected for himself and family the elegant residence, an illustration of which orn- aments a page in another part of this book. Both mem- bers of the firm are among the most genial as well as ac- complished silk manufacturers of the city, and it was a fortunate thing for more than one family in this city that Mr. Horandt concluded to locate in Paterson.
THE PATERSON RIBBON Co .-- In March, ISS5, this com- pany, of which Mr. Geo. F. Kuett is president, and Mr. W. T. P. Hollingsworth, secretary and treasurer, began busi- ness in the Dale mill with a very small capital and only a few looms. To-day they have one of the best plants in the State of New Jersey. Their new mill at Eastside is a substantial structure equipped with all that a model silk mill requires. It is two stories high, fifty by three hun- dred and two feet, and contains over one hundred and seventy-five windows making it one of the best lighted and best ventilated mills in the vicinity of Paterson. The company sells its goods direct, the office being at 119 Spring street, New York City.
The manufacturing is superintended by Mr. Kuett, who has been employed in the Paterson silk mills since his boyhood and is familiar with all parts of the work. The selling of the goods and the general business of the com- pany is in charge of Mr. Hollingsworth. The company makes high class goods exclusively.
THE AUGER & SIMON SILK DYEING CO .- This firm was incorporated under the laws of the State of New Jer- sey on July ist, 1890, after an existence of six years. Mr. Charles L. Auger was elected president and treasurer, Mr. Charles Simon, secretary. Mr. Auger is also the general manager. Their business is silk dyeing in all its branches in both colors and blacks. They have nearly four acres of ground on East Fifth street upon which they have built several substantial brick buildings of the latest improved plans adapted to their business. They are equipped with all the modern machinery for blacks and colors. They have a never failing water supply cither from the Passaic river or from wells, and have a pumping and filtering ca- pacity of nearly three million gallons per day. Their buildings are all lighted by electricity furnished by their own dynamo. In every respect they have one of the most thoroughly equipped plants in this country. The whole business is under the management and personal supervision of both Mr. Auger and Mr. Simon, who are practical and expert dyers having obtained their knowledge of the busi- ness in some of the largest dye houses in this country and Europe. Mr. Auger has proven himself thoroughly capa- ble of organizing and managing in every detail : he has charge of the financial and business portion of the concern,
conducting all the affairs of the company in a straight- forward businesslike manner. He is a hard working and energetic man, deeply wrapped up in this business and has proven himself able to cope with any difficulty, as his enterprise and success fully attest. Mr. Simon, who is one of the best black dyers, having held responsible posi- tions both in Europe and this country, attends entirely to the management of the black dyeing. He confines his whole time and attention to the business, giving every detail his personal supervision. Ilis work proves him to be a very careful manager and has gained for him the rep- utation of turning out a very superior class of work in all grades of blacks which for shade, winding and working in the different processes of manufacturing cannot be sur- passed. None but the most competent color dyers are employed who thoroughly understand every grade of fancy dyeing and turn out a very superior class of work. Dur- ing the ombre season this department was overrun with work and can truthfully claim to having dyed two-thirds of the ombres which were manufactured at that time. A large amount of work in both colors and blacks is turned out daily, furnishing employment to a large number of hands. None but the most skilled workmen are employed in each department under the charge of competent fore- men. More than ordinary care is taken with all silk in- trusted to this company, who are thoroughly responsible : from the time it is received until its delivery some one fully competent has it in charge. They are in constant correspondence with parties in Europe who keep them thoroughly posted as to anything new relating to the dye- ing business. Beyond a question the firm has by shrewd management and careful watching worked its way to a position of importance in the industrial world.
KNIPSCHER & MAASS, SILK DYERS .- This enterprising firm who are located in the Gun Mill yard, have had an extensive experience in both this and foreign countries in the dyeing of silks. Mr. W. E. Knipscher, who is- at the head of the concern. was born in Germany, in 1852. He came to this country when but a boy and im- mediately connected himself with some of the leading dye shops. After gaining a thorough knowledge of the busi- ness, he was engaged as foreman of Mr. Jacob Weidman's place at Riverside, where he remained for two years. In 1887 he started in business for himself in the Gun Mill yard, where he has been very successful, doing some extra- ordinary work in the dyeing of blacks, heavy weight col- ors, imported blue blacks, spun silks for velvets, etc. In ISgo, Mr. Knipscher found that his business was growing very rapidly, and required another practical man to assist him, and accordingly took into partnership Mr. Frank Maass, who is the junior partner of the firm. Mr. Maass was born in New York city, has lived in Europe, and is a a graduate from a polytechnic school in Zurich, Switzer- land. The firm is a very energetic one, and their dye shop is thoroughly equipped, so that they can do first-class work in a very short time : they are both genial gentle- men, determined to succeed if fair dealing, good work and pleasant manners can lead to success.
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JACOB WALDER .- Mr. Jacob Walder was born in Zurich, Switzerland, on March IS, 1839, and after receiving a good education at the common and higher schools of his native place, went to work in a weavers' supplies manufactory for the purpose of learning the trade of reedmaker. After having been employed at this for some time in his home he went to Basle, Crefeld, and Bradford, England. for the purpose of perfecting his knowledge of the branch of in- dustry to which he intended to devote himself. Return- ing to his home he worked steadily at his trade until he started out in business for himself; after continuing at this but a short time he came to this country in 1866 and at once proceeded to Paterson where he obtained employ- ment as reedmaker. A year later he started into business for himself in a small rear room on the corner of Cross and Ellison streets. Then he removed to No. 93 River street and subsequently to a floor in the mills on River street opposite Paterson street. At each successive place his plant increased but he could never supply the demand for his goods. In ISS2 having purchased the property lying opposite to where he had his plant of machinery. he tore down the old buildings and erected a factory especially adapted for his industry. The mill is of brick, three stories high and 50x100. The engine and boiler house is an adjunct to the main building. Ilaving first erected a handsome residence for himself adjoining the mill proper- ty Mr. Walder in 1889 erected another mill in the rear of his property; this mill is built of brick, is four stories high and 48x160 feet. Mr. Walder's intention in erecting this mill was to supply a part of the demand for mills by manufacturers anxious to extend their operations. The structure is a model of mill architecture and Mr. Walder has consequently experienced no difficulty in securing desirable tenants.
Mr. Walder's character for energy and uprightness and his thorough knowledge of the business in which he is en- gaged have made his success both deserved and gratifying. The rank which he has attained in the industrial and com- mercial circles of Paterson he also holds socially. He is a man of the most pleasant manners and is ever ready to assist his struggling and honest fellows.
1. A. HALL & Co .- Conspicuous in manufacturing cir- cles, and foremost among the great establishments which are devoted to the production of mill supplies in this country, is the widely known house of l. A. Hall & Co., whose extensive factory property is situated at 30 and 32 Division street, with private stables in the rear for the ac- commodation of horses, wagons, &c., used for local de- liveries. The scope of this concern lies in the manufac- ture of reeds. harness. lingoes, mails, shuttles and general weavers' supplies, as well as the furnishing of Jacquard twines, loom cards, card lacing, &c., and in fact, every- thing needed in rigging out for the manufacture of textile goods. A special feature is made of reeds. harness, lingoes, &c., for ribbon and broad silk manufacturers, and the em- ployment of only the most skilled labor obtainable, coupled with the untiring vigilance of the various heads of depart-
ments under the general supervision of Mr. Hall, is suffi- cient guarantee that all work turned out is treated in a most efficient and satisfactory manner, and in such a way as to prove a constant advertisement. The cornerstone of this important industry was laid in 1860, by the father of Mr. I. A. Hall. he being the pioneer in this particular line of trade : but it was not until the present head of affairs acquired control that the business began to rapidly expand. until now it is the recognized leader among its fellows, but still with the cry of "enterprise and progress" as its motto. The products of this popular firm are well and favorably known throughout all districts where textile fabrics are manufactured, and an adequate idea of the ex- tensive character of their output may be gained from an inspection of their large and handsome three-story brick mill, a picture of which appears on another page, and in which a large number of operatives are steadily employed at remunerative wages.
ISAAC A. HALL .- The subject of this sketch was first introduced to the light of day on the 9th of October, 1860, in the city of Paterson, and he has resided here almost continuously ever since. His boyhood days were passed in much the usual manner, his fun loving disposition as- suring him of good times in those hours not spent in the public schools of the city, in whose halls his early educa- tional teachings were received, supplemented by a thor- ough course of practical business training in that excellent institution, Latimer's Paterson Business College.
In the spring of 1879, he entered the naval service of Uncle Sam, and for one year served on the historical old war ship Constitution, U. S. S. Minnesota, &c. Secing no prospect of any considerable advancement, however, and the monotonous life on shipboard becoming irksome to his energetic makeup, he sought the assistance of President Hayes, and securing his signature to the neces- sary papers, he was honorably discharged.
Upon returning to his native city, his marked ability and enterprise found a fruitful field of labor in the business founded many years before by his father, (who had died some time previous to this period) and under his skillful guidance the industry has risen to a prominence second to none in its line.
Personally, Mr. Hall is a gentleman of genial and en- tertaining manners, and while he makes business his first study, he still finds time to pleasantly discharge those social duties which are incumbent on him, and to take an active interest in Masonic and other affairs, in whose cir- cles he is a prominent and popular figure.
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