Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 128

Author: Howell, George Rogers, 1833-1899; Tenney, Jonathan, 1817-1888
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1452

USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations > Part 128

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).

Buehler Brothers, corner Alexander and Clin- ton streets, bought their present business of Mr. Schepper in 1880. He established it in 1859.

Fred Kahl began business in 1865 as a baker, at 323 Sherman street, and still continues at the same place.

John A. Stock, baker, corner Green and Schuyler streets, began business in 1877. He resides at 50 South Ferry street.

William G. Ebel, baker, confectioner, etc., was established at 73 Green street, in May, 1877. Seven years later, owing to increasing business, the prem- ises 73₺ Green street, and an extension, were added. Ten hands are employed.

The Earing Bros. (Charles A. & Martin L.) es- tablished their present business in 1879, at 372 Mad- ison avenue. They erected their present building, 368 Madison avenue, and moved into it, in 1883. It is three stories, brick, 21 by 166 feet in dimensions They also opened a bakery at 10 Bleecker street, which they still operate.

Charles Krien established a bakery at 683 Broad- way in 1883. His building is 30 by 50 feet in dimensions. He is a native of Prussia and has been in this business for ten years.

Beside those already mentioned, the following are at present engaged in the bakery business : Henry Brimhall, Horace F. Brimhall, John Clarke's Sons, Mrs. Michael Crummy, W. L. Greenman, F. J. Harflinger, Lester Hulbert, Martin Iliohan, An- thony Maxstadt, John Peel, Mrs. Michael Pet-

563

MANUFACTURING INTERESTS OF ALBANY.

tengill, Harmon V. Swart, Isaac A. Swart, and many others.

MICHAEL PETTENGILL

was born at Newburgh, N. Y., December 20, 1819. At the age of fifteen years he began to work in the bakery of George W. Whiting, in Greenbush. In 1836, with a partner, he went into business for himself in Green street, Albany, under the firm name of Pettengill & Metcalf. From Green street he removed to Herkimer street, and from Herkimer street to Washington street. The firm had now changed to Pettengill & Emerson. In 1840, Mr. Pettengill bought Mr. Emerson's interest in the business. About 184- he removed to No. 91 Beaver street, and remained there till February, 1852, when he occupied his new house, No. 97 Beaver street, where he lived and carried on his business until his death, which occurred suddenly, April 22, 1882. He united with the Emmanuel Baptist Church February 22, 1872, and was ever an earnest and active member of that organization. He was much interested in mission work, particularly at Paigeville, and at the Home for the Friendless, where he was ever ready to give words of counsel or comfort, and to do his part financially.

THE LARRABEE BISCUIT WORKS.

The firm of E. J. Larrabee & Co., of Albany and New York, has now become a hosehold word, so excellent are the Larrabee Biscuits and so exten- sive is the trade of this house. A brief historical sketch will doubtless interest our readers, and call attention to an industry that does honor to our city.

It was started in 1861 under the name of the Albany Aerated Bread Company, by Belcher & Larrabee. They were the first to introduce that process of bread-making north of New York City. In 1862 they put in machinery and com- menced in a small way the manufacture of the common kinds of crackers or biscuits then in use, and made by hand, using only the best ma- terials. The demand for their goods increased so rapidly, they were compelled, in 1866, to cast about for more room, and purchased a large corner building, once St. Joseph's Church; made the necessary alterations in 1867, and built two vast ovens.

Their business then took. a fresh start, steadily growing to such an extent, that the firm ordered from England a complete set of the most ex- pensive machinery for their special line of goods, being at that time far superior to any similar ma- chines made in this country. Messrs. Larrabee & Co. were then prepared to compete successfully with English biscuits, at that time very largely imported into this country. In 1871 Mr. Belcher died, and W. G. Thomas became a partner with E. J. Lar- rabee, the senior member of the present firm of E. J. Larrabee & Co. Their business prospered and, in 1872, property was purchased on the east, and

another building with four more ovens was erected in 1873.

In 1876, Charles H. Thomas became a general partner in the firm; new and improved machinery was added to meet the requirements of their trade. Yet such was the demand for their goods, that, in 1881 they were obliged to buy still more property on the north, and enlarge their works, until now they have three five-story buildings, all connected and conveniently arranged, filled with the best and most approved biscuit machinery that can be ob- tained. The facilities of this house now enable them to use annually 40,000 barrels of flour, 2,000 tierces of lard, 75 tons of butter, 450 barrels of molasses, 3,000 barrels of sugar, and other mater- ials in corresponding quantities.

E. J. Larrabee & Co. employ about 350 hands, and make over 300 different kinds of plain and fancy biscuits. Their trade extends to nearly all parts of the world. This house was the pioneer in this country in the manufacture of fancy or Lon- don biscuits, and their success has effectually re- placed the English biscuits in the United States. This firm has always received the highest awards wherever they have exhibited their goods, both at home and in foreign countries. At the Centennial they received a medal and diploma; at the Paris Exposition in 1878, the first and only gold medal ever awarded to American biscuits. Their branch house in New York City is managed by C. H. Thomas, the junior partner. A business success such as is shown by the house of E. J. Larrabee & Co., clearly demonstrates the capabilities of its founders and managers. It is an honor to Albany and the State of New York.

BAKING POWDERS.

Cleveland Brothers, manufacturers of baking powder, 911 and 913 Broadway, began business in 1870. They also manufacture flavoring extracts. The factory is a five-story brick building, 44 by 100 feet in dimensions. A large number of workmen are employed, and the annual sales reach many thousands of dollars annually. The individual members of the firm are George and Frederick Cleveland. Those who use the Cleveland powder, the sale of which is widely extended, desire no better.

Walter McEwan, corner of Maiden lane and James street, a large dealer in coffee and spices, manufactures the National Baking Powder, a pure, wholesome, and unquestionably reliable article.

Stephen H. Parsons, since 1877 sole proprietor of the Coffee and Spice Premium Mills, 41 and 43 Dean street, also makes a baking powder of undoubted merit, but does not make it the prom- inent article in his manufacture.

BUTCHERING AND MARKETING .- BEEF, MUTTON, AND PORK.

There were many butchers who carried on a profitable trade in and about the city during the period of the Revolution. From this branch of

564

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

. business large fortunes were gained. The ancestors of some of the wealthiest families. in Albany ac- quired the nucleus of their fortunes in the business. During the Revolution, Albany butchers largely sup- plied the American army with meat. This they did also in the War of 1812. During recent years the establishment ef the West Albany Cattle Market has made Albany an advantageous location for carrying on this trade.

Among the large and successful dealers in cattle many years ago were John Cassidy, John Russell, and Ichabod L. Judson. Eli Perry, a biography of whom appears elsewhere, was very extensively engaged in this business. Some account of the once extensive West Albany Cattle Market ap- pears elsewhere. Among the well-known meat dealers were the Fredenrich family, a member of which continues the trade on Beaver street. John Battersby, the present County Treasurer, is better known by his first-class meat market, which was established by his father in 1840. He sells $210,000 worth of meat annually from his store at corner of North Pearl street and Clinton avenue. John Featherly, D. J. Hartnett, Joseph McQuade, Ignatius Wiley, George Wiley, and Ithamar Spencer, are long established and well- known meat dealers. The Chicago dressed beef has recently taken much from the local business of beef butchering and dressing. Pork packing was once carried on extensively by some firms, notably by the senior George Schwartz. Among those who still carry on the business are George Schwartz & Co., 167 South Pearl street; Thomas P. Crook & Co., 209 Hudson avenue; Bridge & Davis, 355 Broadway; John T. Carrier & Co., 7 Clinton ave- nue; and R. P. Cornell, 288 Soutlı Pearl street.

COFFEE AND SPICE MILLS.

The Empire Steam Coffee and Spice Mills of Bacon, Stickney & Co., Nos. 35, 37, 39 Dean street, and 11 Exchange street, are the most ex- tensive mills of the kind in the State outside of the City of New York. It was established in 1833 by Mr. Froment. The subsequent changes in proprietorship will be found in the biographical sketches of Samuel N. Bacon and Leander Stick- ney. The stores, warehouses and manufacturing departments of the firm are comprised in a five- story brick building, Ico by 65 feet in dimensions. The firm manufacture an extensive variety of ground spices, coffee and mustard. They also manufacture baking and soap powders, yeast cakes, starch, extracts, oatmeal, being wholesale agents for one of the largest oatmeal mills in the country, with a jobbing trade immense in its proportions, and extending throughout New York, New Eng- land and other States. A large force of men are employed at these works, which require the servi- ces of twenty-nine superintendents in the various departments.

The Coffee and Spice Mills of Stephen H. Par- sons, Nos. 41 and 43 Dean Street and 12 Exchange Street, known as the Premium Mills, were founded in 1836 by John Thomas, Jr., who was succeeded

in 1865 by Judson, Parsons & Haskell, and they in turn by the present proprietor in 1877, who had been connected with the business since 1860. The premises consist of a five-story brick structure, 40 by 60 feet in dimensions. Mr. Parsons grinds his own spices, roasts and grinds coffee, and manu- factures baking powder, cream of tartar, etc., and deals in a general line of grocers' supplies.

The National Mills of Walter McEwan, corner of Maiden lane and James street, were established in 1865, and came into the possession of the present proprietor in 1872. The premises are comprised in a four-story brick building, 25 by 65 feet in dimen- sions. The products of this house consist of every variety of ground coffee and spices. A special fea- ture of the mills is the manufacture of baking pow- der and flavoring extracts.

SAMUEL N. BACON,

of the well-known firm of Bacon, Stickney & Co., dealers in coffees and spices, is a son of Samuel and Alma E. Bacon, and was born in Harvard, Mass., January 25, 1829. He lived and worked on a farm until 1848, when he came to Albany and found employment with the formerly prominent merchant, Mr. L. A. Chase, at thirteen dollars per month and board. Mr. Bacon's attention to his duties, and his mani- fest great business ability, won him such rapid pro- motion that, in 1853, five years after this humble beginning, he was admitted to a partnership with Mr. Chase, the business being continued under the firm name of L. A. Chase & Co. Mr. Stickney died early in 1857, and March 21st of that year Mr. Bacon formed a copartnership with Messrs. M. W. Stickney and L. Stickney, under the style of Bacon & Stickneys; and soon afterward two five-story stores (Nos. 37 and 39 Dean Street) and a four-story store (No. 9 Exchange Street) were built to accommodate increasing trade. In 1865, Mr. James Ten Eyck was admitted to an interest in the firm, the title of which was then changed to Bacon, Stickney & Co. In March, 1881, follow- ing the death of Mr. M. W. Stickney, the remain- ing partners decided to continue the business un- der the same firm name, a measure from which they did not depart when, in March, 1882, Mr. L. Stickney died, and the business was continued by Messrs. Samuel N. Bacon, James Ten Eyck, H. W. Stickney, and John L. Baldwin, as partners. During the year last mentioned, the five-story store adjoining the firm's Dean Street stores was added, on account of the greatly increased demands of their business, and they have since occupied Nos. 35, 37 and 39 Dean Street, together with No. 9 Ex- change Street, which, combined, render their estab- lishment one of the most extensive in Albany. The motto of this old and always popular house has been "Good goods at fair prices, and honor- able dealing to all, with the closest attention to business," and it has been the practical demonstra- tion of the sterling principles thus expressed, that has rendered theirs one of the most successful houses in their line outside of New York City.

Samu

MANUFACTURING INTERESTS OF ALBANY.

565

L Stickney

Mr. Bacon, the now senior member of this firm, is in all ways a self-made man, as the term is usually applied. Without wealth or influence to aid him in his early struggle, he has worked his way up literally from the foot of the ladder. The only leg- acy he ever received, to which he ascribes in any degree his success in life, was the following advice from his father, which he followed for many years, and which he gratefully acknowledges has been worth thousands of dollars to him : "Never buy anything until you have the money in your pocket to pay for it. When you have the money, and it is your own, buy anything you want." If all young men of the present day would adopt this as their rule of life, it is probable that many of them would prove much more successful business men than the statistics of a score of years hence will show them to have become. Mr. Bacon is a member of the Fourth Presbyterian Church of Albany, of which he was Trustee for twenty-one years, and was elected Elder in 1883. In politics he is a Republican. He married Miss Sarah E. Harlow, daughter of Mr. George Harlow, of Lawrence, Mass., and has a daughter and two sons. For seventeen years his home has been in the beautiful and growing village of Loudonville, four miles from Albany.

LEANDER STICKNEY

was born and passed his boyhood in Antrim, N. H. In 1838 he came to Albany, and with character- istic perseverance and energy set about the task of carving out his own fortune.

He found employment as a clerk, and his abil- ities were so marked that, in 1853, he was admitted as a partner in the coffee and spice firm of L. A. Chase & Co. Mr. Chase retiring in 1857, the firm name was changed to Bacon & Stickneys, his brother having also become associated with the house. In 1866 another change in the firm made it known as Bacon, Stickneys & Co.

A man of high character and the strictest integrity, Mr. Stickney was quiet and unassuming in manner, very devoted to his home circle, and benevolent in disposition. He was never appealed to in vain in the cause of charity, and his bounty was given with that freedom from ostentation which characterizes the true man. He was, when in health, a regular attendant at the Hudson Avenue Methodist Epis- copal Church. Soon after becoming established in business he married Miss Mary Ellen Dowling, who, with a son and daughter, survive him. He was well and widely known, both in the business com-

566

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

munity and socially. He was taken ill in March, 1882, and was a patient sufferer until his death, which occurred January 14, 1883.

The business of which Mr. Stickney was long one of the recognized heads, takes rank among Albany's leading mercantile interests.

VINEGAR.

Charles H. Burton, manufacturer of cider vinegar, 78 Green street .- This business was established 1839 at 73 Green street by Francis Vail, continued there until 1867, when he purchased the old Univer- salist Church at 78 Green street, and converted it into a vinegar depot. The business was bought out by Mr. Burton in 1882. It is the oldest cider vinegar manufactory in the State, and one of the best. The manufacture is carried on under the immediate su- pervision of the proprietor, and the product has a large sale.

SOAP AND CANDLE-MAKING.

The making of soap and candles at one time was an important local industry in Albany, but during late years has measurably declined. This is due principally to the fact that candles are largely super- seded by other means of illumination, and soap man- ufacture has been absorbed by the large factories. The first soap and candle manufactory of impor- tance established in Albany, so far as we can find, was started by Peter Van Heusen and Jacob Van der Bilt in 1788. In an advertisement stating their intentions to engage in this useful branch of in- dustry, they say that such a factory had long been wanted in the city. To induce the citizens to en- courage these home industries, they offer these arti- cles at New York prices.

The next factory of importance was established by John Taylor, Jr., about 1820. A few years after, Mr. Fidler become a partner, under the firm name of Fidler & Taylor. This establishment was destroyed by fire in 1829. Patrick Murphy about this time had a factory in Albany. Agur Wells was for a long time, engaged in this business. He was succeeded by his son, Thomas D. Wells, at 259 South Pearl street.

In 1840 the business had grown to such dimen- sions, that 1, 330,000 pounds of soap and 660,000 pounds of candles were made. There were at this time twelve factories, employing about 60 men. Capital to the amount of $122,000 was invested in this industry in the city.

The two principal firms now conducting this business are those of Clinton Ten Eyck and Stein & Co. The former begun this business many years ago, and now employs steam in manufacturing soap and candles. His factory is located on the corner of Chapel and Canal streets. He makes the Troy Laundry Soap, and bar and pressed cake soap.

Stein & Co. are successors to John M. Christian & Brothers, engaged in this business many years in Albany. Stein & Co. manufacture family, laundry, chemical and pressed soaps. Their factory is lo- cated at 16 and 17 Delaware avenue.

OILS.

In 1823, S. J. Penniman established what is now the firm of Murphey & Liscomb, manufacturers of oils, with warehouse at 13 Hudson avenue, and factory on Colonie street.

Their factory with its various buildings covers 1} acres. They also have a four-story storage house. The chief products are sperm, whale, elephant and lard oils; machinery, cylinder and signal oils; argand oil; and spermaceti and sperm candles.

The individual firm members are Elijah W. Murphey and Orlando P. Liscomb, whose names are favorably and extensively known in this line throughout the United States.

STOVES.

Albany and Troy have long been prominent cen- ters for the manufacture of stoves. The business, as at first conducted, consisted in simply putting together the castings, which were made at other places, generally at blast-furnaces in New Jersey and Pensylvania. The early castings were of great thickness, and, compared with those of the present day, were rough and imperfect.

Besides the well-known Franklin stove, the in- vention of the eminent early philosopher whose name it bore, the first made was a box-stove; then the oblong plate-stoves, such as are yet in use to some extent for heating school-houses and churches. The first advance towards a cooking-stove consisted in making the last named with an oven, and the first that deserves the name of a cooking-stove was an oblong affair having an oven running the whole length, the door of which was in front and directly over the door for supplying fuel; having also a boiler-hole and boiler on the back part of the top, near the pipe. Then a stove similar in arrange- ment, with swelling or elliptical sides, was made, generally called the nine-plate stove. In Albany it was known as the Philadelphia stove.

About the year 1812, cooking-stoves were made at Hudson from patterns made by a Mr. Hoxie, who was the first to elevate the fire-box above the bottom. This improvement was patented, and sustained in suits against parties who elevated the fire from the bottom. In Hoxie's stove the fire was made above and upon the oven. He was the first who made a stove in which the flame was made to descend from the top to the bottom of the oven.

In 1815, William T. James, of Lansingburgh, made the stove known as the " James " stove, which not only continued a leading stove for nearly a quarter of a century, but may yet be seen on board small Eastern coasting vessels, where, being cheap and durable, it supplies the place of a caboose. James' stove is probably better known as the "saddle-bags" stove.

In 1833, the editor of the Albany Daily Advertiser, from observation and inquiry, formed the opinion that the manufacture of iron castings was brought to greater perfection in Albany than in any other place in the country, or even in Europe. The hollow-ware of Bartlett, Bent & Co. was preferred

567

MANUFACTURING INTERESTS OF ALBANY.

to the best Scotch; the stoves of Dr. Eliphalet Nott received the preference wherever they were known; and the machinery castings of Maney & Ward were equal to those of any foundry in the world. The quantity of castings were stated as follows:

Howard, Nott & Co. 1,000 tons.

Bartlett, Bent & Co

350

I. & J. Townsend

300

Rathbone & Silliman

200

Maney & Ward

450

2,300

About one thousand persons were employed in these establishments. Besides these productions, the house of Heermans, Rathbone & Co. sold an- nually 750 tons of stove-plates brought from Phila- delphia, and Gill, Cooper & Co., about 300 tons from the same place. From the best information that could be obtained, it was found that about 2,300 tons were manufactured and sold in the city, and about 1, 250 tons imported and sold, making in all 3, 550 tons.

While, previous to 1836, some stoves had been made in Albany, the bulk of them had been cast direct from the ore in blast-furnaces in New Jersey and Pennsylvania; they were shipped here in loose plates to be mounted. At this time new and lighter patterns were gotten up.

The oldest foundry in Albany was the one at I IO Beaver street, which was occupied by Treadwell & Perry in 1843. It doubtless antedates the present century. In 1808, Warner Daniels was making stoves there. In 1820, the firm became Spencer, Daniels & Co .- Warren Spencer, John Daniels and Thomas Gould. They were succeeded by Erastus Corning and Norton in 1826; they by William V. Maney and Ward in 1828, who con- tinued until 1836, when Mr. Maney became sole proprietor, he selling to Messrs. Tread well & Perry in 1843.

As early as 1813, Warner Daniels, and, in 1815, Francis Low were conducting the Clinton Furnace.

In 1820, Spencer Stafford made stoves in a foun- dry which was located at the junction of Washing- ton and Central avenues.

About 1827, H. Nott & Co., composed of How- ard Nott and sons of Dr. Eliphalet Nott, at the junction of Washington and Central avenues, man- ufactured the celebrated "Nott" stoves. These works were subsequently removed to New York City, becoming the Novelty Works.

In 1830, Joel Rathbone, W. B. Hermance and Corning & Norton, under the firm name of Her- mance, Rathbone & Co., began business. Upon the death of Mr. Hermance, in 1830, Mr. Rath- bone became sole proprietor. He continued with various partners down to 1841, when he sold to John F. Rathbone and Samuel H. Ransom, who composed the firm of Ransom & Rathbone. They continued till 1844, when they separated and formed the separate firms of S. H. Ransom & Co. and Rathbone & Co. S. H. Ransom & Co. remained in business until 1881, when Clarence Rathbone purchased the property of the firm, adopting the present firm name of the Ransom Stove Works.

For more than thirty years, George P. Lynd has been a Superintendent in the Ransom Works. Peter Thompson is another old employee. E. Myer, for over thirty years, has been connected with the firm in the capacity of a stove-mounting contractor.

The firm of Rathbone & Co., 1844 to 1854, was composed of John F. Rathbone, James C. Ken- nedy and Lewis Rathbone.

From 1854 to 1857, this firm was known as Rathbone & Kennedy, composed of Lewis Rath- bone, James C. Kennedy and John F. Rathbone. From 1858 to 1860 it was composed of Lewis Rathbone, Theodore Townsend and Joseph P. San- ford, under the firm name of Rathbone & Co.

From 1860 to 1865, John F. Rathbone was the sole manager and proprietor of this concern. At the latter date Lewis Rathbone and Eben C. Beach were admitted as partners. In 1868 the firm was composed of John F. Rathbone, Lewis Rathbone and Grange Sard, Jr., and thus continued until 1873, when the firm of Rathbone, Sard & Co. was estab- lished, composed of John F. Rathbone, Robert S. Oliver, Edward Bowditch and Grange Sard, Jr. From 1876 to 1883, William H. Sard was a partner.

In 1883 the corporation of Rathbone, Sard & Co. was formed, with a capital of $800,000. The fol- lowing are the officers: John F. Rathbone, Presi- dent; Grange Sard, First Vice-President and General Manager; William H. Sard, Second Vice- President and Manager of Chicago branch; Edward Bowditch, Secretary and Treasurer; Robert S. OI- iver, Superintendent; Walter P. Kellogg, Manager of Detroit branch.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 128

Author: Howell, George Rogers, 1833-1899; Tenney, Jonathan, 1817-1888 Publication date: 1886 Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co. Number of Pages: 1452

Author: Howell, George Rogers, 1833-1899; Tenney, Jonathan, 1817-1888
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1452