The history of Camden county, New Jersey, Part 99

Author: Prowell, George Reeser, 1849-1928
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : Richards
Number of Pages: 1220

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The question of water supply early engaged the attention of the more thoughtful. The water sup- plied by wells was excellent, both for drinking and domestic purposes, and the supply abundant, but it was obvious that the wells filled by water percolating through soil constantly receiving new accretions of foreign matter must be impure, and in time become positively dangerous to health. This danger was avoided by boring below the stratum of clay underlying the surface soil. Here water for drinking is obtained in abundance and of wholesome quality, but too hard for general pur- poses. Besides, there was no adequate protection in case of fire, and water-works were deemed ab- solutely necessary. In 1872 David S. Brown, ever on the alert for anything that would benefit the city he had done so much for, procured a charter

for a company to build works, but the jealousy of corporations was interposed. In 1881 John Gour- ley and other members of the City Council agi- tated the project and a vote of the people, to whom the matter was referred, under the law, resulted in a majority in its favor, but the opponents of the measure procured a decision from the courts set- ting aside the vote on account of some informality. The matter slept for a time, when the Gloucester City Reporter, a newspaper, then edited by Benja- min M. Braker, revived the interest in a number of well-written articles, and on the question being again submitted to the people, it was approved by a decisive vote. Council secured the services of Jacob H. Yocum, a civil engineer of Camden, and in 1883 work was begun. The design was to obtain the supply from the head-waters of Newton Creek, near Mount Ephraim, where water of ex- cellent quality could be had. The estimated cost was one hundred thousand dollars, and bids for that amount were being considered, when a strong petition to locate the works on Newton Creek, within the city limits, because of lessened cost, was presented, and the demand prevailed, al- though many questioned the purity of water taken from a sluggish tide-water stream, Fortunately, in excavating for a subsiding reservoir, from which the water was to be pumped, a subterranean stream of pure, soft water was struck, of such volume and force that it seriously impeded the work and defied all efforts to stay the flow, and thus most excellent water is supplied. A stand-pipe ninety feet high is used, and in case of fire a direct pressure, by the Holly system, from the pumps, avoids the necessity for steam-engines.

DAVID SANDS BROWN was born at his father's farm, near Dover, N. H., on the 27th of July, 1800. His parents were of old Puritan stock, his ancestor, Henry Brown, having landed in Boston in 1639, and soon after settled in Salisbury, Mass., where the family continued to live for several generations. In 1778 William Brown, the father of David, married Abigail Peaslee, of Haverhill, Mass., and bought the farm near Dover, N. H., where their children were born, and where they spent the remainder of their lives. Soon after their marriage they joined the religious Society of Friends, and their children were educated in accordance with their peculiar views. David was their youngest son. The educational resources of Dover being at this time very limited, at ten years of age he went alone to Boston, riding in the stage beside Daniel Webster, thus beginning an acquaintance which lasted a life-time.

For several years he pursued his studies at Salem,

Davice & Brown

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Mass. In 1817 he left that town to go into busi- ness with his brothers, who had preceded him to Philadelphia. In 1821 he became a member of the firm of Hacker, Brown & Co. The house was en- gaged in the dry-goods commission business, and continued in existence until 1830. In this year a change was made, and the firm-name became for the future David S. Brown & Co. Early in life Mr. Brown became much interested in the develop- ment of American mannfactures. He was fully convinced that the prosperity and progress of the country depended upon protection to American industries. Into the promotion of these industries he threw himself with all the earnestness and ac- tivity of his nature. Earnestness of purpose and strength of will being his chief characteristics, to resolve upon an action was to carry it into effect almost simultaneously. In 1844 he projected the cotton-mills of the Washington Manufacturing Company, at Gloucester, N. J., and built them in conjunction with Messrs. Churchman, Ashhurst, Folwell, Mickle, Evans, Gray, Scull and Siter. This was followed by the construction of the Gloucester Manufacturing Company, for the pro- duction of printed calicoes. In 1871 be built the works of the Ancona Printing Company, in order to utilize newly-discovered processes, until then untried in America. In 1872 the Gloucester Gingham Mills, built in 1859, were incorporated. In 1871 the Gloucester Iron Works, on the Dela- ware, near Gloucester, were built and put into active operation. In 1873 the Gloucester City Gas Works were constructed and incorporated, and the Gloucester Land Company, and the Gloucester Land and Improvement Company or- ganized. In 1865 Mr. Brown, in connection with a number of incorporators built the Camden, Glon- cester and Mount Ephraim Railroad. Of these corporations he was president at the time of his death, as well as of the School of Design for Women, in Philadelphia, which he had founded in connec- tion with Mrs. Peter, the wife of the British consul. The rare business qualifications which Mr. Brown possessed were strikingly exhibited at the time of the organization of the Pennsylvania Railroad, when he was foremost in contributing personally and enlisting the aid of capital in its purchase and extension, and whose earnest appeals and confident example contributed materially to its present proud position.

In the panic of 1857 the firm of David S. Brown & Co. succumbed to the pressure, and suspended. In April of the following year they submitted to their creditors a proposition to pay seventy-five per cent .- one-fifth in cash, on the 1st of May, one-

fifth each three, six, nine and twelve months, with interest ; and, for the remaining twenty-five per cent. they offered the stock of the Greenwich Im- provement and Railroad Company, and the Glou- cester Manufacturing Company, or the notes of the firm at two and three years, with interest. So that, at the end of three years, the debts of the firm were paid-principal and interest. In a short sketch of Mr. Brown's business career, which ap- peared at the time of his death, the writer says : "The active life of one man rarely reaches so far in its measure of national progress as has that of the merchant and citizen whose death every one laments. It embraced the entire period of transi- tion, from dependence, almost abject, upon foreign countries, to industrial triumphs of the most complete and enduring character, and this was in . itself the work of Mr. Brown's life, and its result was the crown of his labors. No degree of personal effort that such an occasion could call for was ever wanting; no risks that actual execution of great works could involve were too great for him to take upon himself. It is easy to assume that a success- ful issue of the great undertakings of 1844 to 1870 was probable, and that therefore those who took the responsibility at that time were not to be credited with unusual honors ; but in fact, looking back to that period now, the wonder rather is that any one should have been bold enough to stake everything on breaking up the foreign control of our markets-a work not fully accomplished until 1876. Honor is due to Mr. Brown for this long and faithful championship of domestic industry. To build up these industries as he did in a country without foreign competition would be a great dis- tinction, but in fact, there has never been a greater struggle or more extreme difficulties than those encountered in the establishment of extensive manufactures during the twenty-five years of Mr. Brown's greatest activity. Yet the most unflinch- ing courage, the most patient and indefatigable labors marked every year of his life, giving almost more than mortal strength to the business he had built up, and, at last, laying down his duties with extreme reluctance. It is not often that so much ability and courage are united in a man of daily business activity. It is easy to be driveu from a great purpose by business necessities ; it is easy to yield upon the ground that at the time it does not pay, but Mr. Brown never forgot the higher public purpose in the most extreme busi- ness trials, and although the end shows that such firmness is best, it is rare that persons tried in such emergencies see the higher interests as he did. In his manner, in his activity, in his persistence to go

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HISTORY OF CAMDEN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

on and do more, Mr. Brown seemed little changed in 1870 from his daily life in 1850. Yet these twenty years had seen the battle of his life com- pletely won, and himself not the least of the masters in the field."

In reviewing Mr. Brown's life, it is easy to realize that one of his chief characteristics was the unselfish earnestness with which he devoted himself to every project which won his approval, when it in no way contributed to his profit or aggrandizement. He always felt great sympathy for young men of energy, and was ever ready to extend to them a helping hand. His health, which had been failing for several years, finally gave way early in 1877, and after the 4th of March he did not leave the house. His death took place on the Gth of July. On the 7th a special meeting of the Gloucester City Councils was held, and the following resolu- tions were passed :

" Whereas, Almighty God has removed to a better world our friend and benefactor, the late David S. Brown, therefore be It Resolved, that we, in behalf of the citizens of Gloucester City, express our somsibility of the loss we have sustained ; and Resolved, that Mr. Brown was the leading spirit in establishing all the Industrial insti- tutlons, and that be was the foremost man in furthering many interests in our town, the benefit of which will long be felt by our people."

MANUFACTURES.

The establishment of large manufactories in Gloucester gave the town a new impetus, and cansed it to grow and prosper. To the manufactur- ing interests are dne the present prosperity of the city. A connected history of each of these estab- lishments is here given :

WASHINGTON MILLS .-- The first of the large manufacturing establishments in Gloucester were the Washington Mills, owned by the Washington Manufacturing Company, incorporated by the Legislature January 31, 1844, and on February 21st of that year the commission named in the act met at Cake's Hotel, Camden, and opened subscriptions to stock, two hundred and sixty thousand dollars of which was taken. The stock- holders met March 13th, and elected as directors David S. Brown, John Siter, John R. Worrell, William Woodnutt, Gideon Son'1, Thomas Sparks, Lewis R. Ashurst, Mordecai D. Lewis, Charles W. Churchman, Samuel R. Simmons and D. II. Flickwir. David S. Brown was elected president, and John Siter treasuer.

A committee was appointed to select a site on which to erect suitable buildings. Kaighus Point, Camden, was first thought to be the desired location, but difficulties intervening, Gloucester Point was decided upon. Here, also, obstacles interposed, in the way of purchasing ground

limited in extent, as desired, and the Glouces-" ter Land Company was organized, from which the manufacturing company purchased ten acres, bounded by Mercer, King and Monmouth Streets, and the Delaware River. Plans were prepared which, being approved, ground was broken July 1, 1844, and the first bricks of Mill No. 1 were Inid on the 15th of August following. This mill, four stories high and three hundred feet long by fifty feet wide, with boiler-house and other essential out-buildings, was pushed to completion ; necessary machinery for the manufacturing of white cotton goods put in, and July 31, 1845, the first cops of yarn were spun, and August 7th the first loom was running. Themill contained three hundred and twenty-four narrow and seventy-four wide looms, fourteen thousand five hundred and ninety-two spindles and cm- ployed three hundred and sixty-three persons.

Melcher's plans contemplated expansion, not in size, but in the number of buildings, and since No. 1, six other similar mills have been built, with necessary adjuncts in the form of engine and other houses. The mills occupy the space between Ellis Street and the river. On the northern half of the remainder of the tract the company erected a number of commodious brick buildings for boarding-houses to accommodate single per- sons employed in the factory, while the southern half, planted with shade-trees, was opened to the public.

The first manager of the business of the company operating the mills was Samuel Raby, who, although an excellent man and capable superin- tendent, became obnoxious to the mill-hands dur- ing the strike of 1848, and was compelled to leave. Stephen Crocker was the next superintendent, and remained in charge until March, 1857, when he was succeeded by Henry F. West, who for twenty- nine years has maintained the regard of the work- ing people and the confidence of the owners. In 1879 the machinery was altered for the manufac- ture of colored dress goods. The mills now run 1030 looms, 46,000 spindles, employ 800 persons, with a yearly pay-roll of $260,000 and an annual production of 2,000,000 pounds of cloth.

The present officers and directors are Samuel Welsh, president; Henry N. Paul, treasurer and agent; Samuel R. Shipley, George H. Boker, Samuel Chew, Charles S. Wurts, II. P. Sloan, Richard Ashhurst, Charles JJ. Churchman and Sam- ucl H. Grey.

GLOUCESTER LAND COMPANY .- The Land Com- pany was not a voluntary, but a compulsory feature of the enterprises contemplated by David S. Brown and his coadjutors. When the Washing-

Philip Ho Fowler

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ton Manufacturing Company wanted but ten acres of land, owners insisted upon selling not less than ten times that amount or none at all, and so the manufacturing company resolved itself into a land company and selected John Siter and Samuel R. Simmons as trustees. They purchased sixty-two acres of Frederick Plummer and one hundred and one and a half acres of Robert W. Sykes and paid thirteen thousand dollars for the Champion fish- ing right. These purchases embraced the north- ern section of the city, and upon it have been built nearly all the industrial works,-Washington Mills, Ancona Print Works, Gloucester Print Works and the Iron Works. Churches aud city have been liberally treated with, when requiring land, and the accommodating terms offered private parties have encouraged improvements, and en- ahled many with limited income to own their houses, Gloucester showing out of about nineteen hundred ratables, six hundred and seventy-five who are owners. In 1846 the company was incor- porated, and in the charter is a section, making valid provisions in the deeds conveying the land, forbidding the sale of malt or spirituous liquor upon the premises. Under this charter the com- pany still operates, having much land still in possession, exceeding in value the cost of the original purchase. The officers of the Land Com- pany and the Washington Manufacturing Com- pany are the same-President, George H. Boker ; Treasurer, Henry N. Paul.

GINGHAM MILLS .- In 1860 Samuel Raby, the first superintendent of the Washington Mills, built a factory south of Jersey Avenue, and manufac- tured cottonades and coarse ginghams. In 1870 the Gloucester Gingham Mills Company was incor- porated, those named in the act being Samuel Raby, Edward Bettle, William C. Shinn, Samuel Chew, David S. Brown and George Janvier. The directors were David S. Brown, president; Sam- uel Chew, secretary and treasurer ; and Henry F. West. The factory of Mr. Raby was purchased, Philip H. Fowler appointed superintendent, and the factory, after being enlarged, was supplied with improved machinery for the manufacture of ginghams of a finer grade. Mr. Fowler assumed the management in 1871, and since that time the works have been running almost uninterruptedly, and with a success evincing enlightened tact in the control. The necessity for expansion has been frequent, and met as required, until the establish- ment covers seven acres of ground, comprising seven principal buildings, with nineteen annexes, wings and out-buildings. The main factory is of brick, two stories high, fifty-nine by two hundred

and eighty feet in dimensions, and, with the six principal buildings, contain over 36,000 yards of flooring. The mills contain 502 looms, 12,372 spindles, and employ 500 persons-one-fourth men, the remainder women and minors. The output is 6,000,000 yards annually, and the pay-roll foots up $150,000 yearly.

The officers are Samuel Shipley, president ; Samuel Chew, secretary and treasurer; John H. Carr, Harry B. Chew and David Chew ; superinten- dent, Philip H. Fowler; assistant, Charles H. Fowler.

PHILIP H. FOWLER, one of the leading manu- facturers of Camden County, is the great-grandson of George Fowler, born in Salem, Mass., where he resided and engaged in the manufacture of shoes. Among his sons was George, also a resident of Salem, who followed a sea-faring life and was lost while pursuing his vocation. His only son, George, born at Salem in 1803, by trade a mason and builder, married Sarah N., daughter of Daniel Moore, of Newburyport, Mass., and had children, -Sarah A. (wife of L. P. S. Corea, resident of Fayal, Azore Islands), George P. (of Salem), Philip H., Frank E. (of Galesburg, Ill.), Samuel (who died while a prisoner at Andersonville) and Helen M. (wife of Henry Chalk, of Salem).

Philip H. Fowler was born on the 11th of May, 1832, in Salem, Mass., and received his education at the grammar schools of his native city. Desir- ing to become master of a trade he entered a cot- ton-mill as an apprentice, meanwhile continuing his studies at a night-school. At the age of nine- teen he applied himself to the work in the machine- shops of the mill, and at the expiration of the fourth year had become thoroughly familiar with the mechanical portion of the business. He then as- sumed charge of certain departments of the mill and continued thus employed until 1857. Mr. Fowler then made Gloucester City, N. J., his home, and entering the employ of the Washington Cotton- Mills, assumed the direction of one or more de- partments of the mill. For sixteen years he has filled the position of superintendent of the ging- ham mills at Gloucester City and still acts in that capacity. Here his thorough practical knowledge and financial ability have left their impress on the business and established it on a permanent and successful basis. Many improvements have been added, the capacity of the mills increased and its products, by their superior excellence, made readily marketable. Mr. Fowler is in his political affiliations a Republican and a strong advocate of the doctrine of protection. He has served for three terms as member of the Gloucester City

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HISTORY OF CAMDEN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

Council and for three years been actively asso- ciated with the School Board. Mr. Fowler was, on the 24th of November, 1852, married to Phebe A., daughter of James S. Young, of the British Prov- inces. Their children are Frank A., Charles H. and Hattie E., wife of Milton T. Shafto, of Glou- cester City. Mr. Fowler is identified with the Camden National Bank as director. An active Mason, he was the first Master of Cloud Lodge, No. 101, of the order in Gloucester City, and is a member of the Ancient Order of United Work- men, of Camden.

THE GLOUCESTER PRINT WORKS, the second in chronological order of the industrial establish- ments originated by David S. Brown and his as- sociates in the limits of Gloucester, are situated near the banks of the Delaware River. The Gloucester Manufacturing Company, which operates them, was chartered in 1845, the following-named persons being the incorporators: William Fol- well, Philip J. Grey, Gideon Scull, William Bangh, David S. Brown, Robert F. Walsh, Charles W. Churchman, who proposed to erect works "for the manufacturing, bleaching, dyeing and printing and finishing of all goods of which cotton or other fibrous material forms a part." The management was substantially the same as that of the Washington Manufacturing Company, and the object was to dye, bleach and print the product of the parent company. The works were built in 1850, and enlarged in 1855, for the introduction of printing machinery. September 14, 1868, the works were hurned to the ground, even the walls being leveled; but by the 1st of April following the works were rebuilt as they now are, through the energy of Daniel Schofield, the superintendent. Besides the dyeing and bleaching departments, there are twelve printing-machines. The capacity of the works is eight hundred and thirty-six thousand pieces of calico annually, giving em- ployment to three hundred persons. The superin- tendents have been D. Schofield, Archibald M. Graham and Mr. Bowker.

THE ANCONA PRINTING COMPANY was incor- porated in 1871, the incorporators being David S. Brown, George A. Heyl, James S. Moore, Samuel Chew and Harry C. Heyl, who erected works in Gloucester for the introduction of the new discov- eries in the application of colors, then successful in Europe, but untried in this country. The ex- periment was successful, and the production of "Dolly Vardens " and other unique designs kept the works running to their full capacity. When in full operation the works give employment to three hundred persons and turn out six hundred

thousand pieces of printed muslin annually. They are located on the river-shore, between the Wash- ington Mills and Gloucester Manufacturing Com- pany's Works. Archibald M. Graham was the manager until his death, in 1884.

GLOUCESTER IRON-WORKS are situated on the river, near Newton Creek, and are the farthest to the north of the long line of industrial establish- ments fostered by the enterprise of David S. Brown. In 1864 William Sexton and James P. Michellon, who had long been connected with the Star Iron-Works in Camden, built an iron foundry on the above-mentioned site. They cast shells for the United States government, and with other work did a prosperous business until 1871, when it was transferred to the Gloucester Iron-Works Company, incorporated that year. The directors were David S. Brown, president; James P. Mi- chellon, secretary ; Benjamin Chew, treasurer ; William Sexton, superintendent; and Samuel Chew.

The works were enlarged, covering, with wharf- ing and storage ground, nearly a million square feet of surface. The casting of water-pipe, and the manufacture of material for water and gas- works, comprise the principal product of the works, and these are being constructed by the company at many distant points, and the output is disposed of from Maine to Texas. The full capacity of the works is a consumption of twenty-one thousand tons of iron per year, the actual present ontput being fifteen thousand tons. Three hun- dred men are employed in Gloucester City, with many others in the various places where the com- pany is constructing gas or water-works. The pay-roll exceeds two hundred thousand dollars per year. The directors are Samuel Shipley, presi- dent; James P. Michellon, secretary ; Harry B. Chew, treasurer ; William Sexton, superintendent; Samuel Chew and John H. Carr.

WILLIAM SEXTON, the intelligent and able su- perintendent of the above-named works, was born in the city of Camden on the 7th day of October, 1828, and is the son of William Sexton and Sarah Lawrence Sexton. His mother was the daughter of Thomas Rodgers, who fled from Flanders to America to escape religious persecution.

Mr. Sexton was educated in the public schools of Camden, which he left at the age of fifteen to en- ter the patent-leather manufactory of Charles Free- man, where he remained two years, when he was employed by John F. Starr, whose iron works were then situated at the foot of Bridge Avenue. At the age of nineteen he became foreman of the machine-shop, which position he filled until he

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associated himself with Samuel Elfreth, in the ma- chine business, in Camden. At Mr. Starr's solici- tation, Mr. Sexton returned to the machine-shop, and held the position of foreman for nineteen years.

In the year 1864, desiring to embark in an enter- prise of his own, Mr. Sexton came to Gloucester and established a foundry in connection with James P. Michellon, under the name of Sexton & Co. Finding it difficult to compete with the larger concerns, in company with others, he formed the Gloucester Iron Works, a description of which will be found above in this sketch. On February +, 1849, Mr. Sexton married Mary M. Andrews, daughter of Chester and Sarah Andrews, of Tren- ton, N. J., by whom he had the following children : William and Sarah, twins, who died young, and a daughter, Mary Emma, who is married to Robert Marshall, Esq., of Philadelphia.

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The history of Camden county, New Jersey, Part 99

Author: Prowell, George Reeser, 1849-1928 Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Philadelphia : Richards Number of Pages: 1220

Author: Prowell, George Reeser, 1849-1928
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : Richards
Number of Pages: 1220