Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 129

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 129

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The extensive works of this Company are situated in the upper part of the city. There are five mod- eling floors and five cupola furnaces. Ninety tons of iron are melted daily, and 75,000 stoves annu- ally made. 950 men and 400 molders are em- ployed, to whom are paid annually $450,000. The yearly sales aggregate $1, 500,000.

The cupola furnace was built by Joel Rathbone in 1838, and was one of the first in this country for making stove-castings. By this process, castings were made smoother, and by dispensing with su- perfluous materials were finished cheaper.

Josiah P. Eldridge and R. Horner for many years have been foremen of separate departments in this foundry. For many years William H. Van Loon and John F. Hyatt, stove-mounting contractors, have done work for this firm.

In 1833, and for a short time afterwards, Ben- nington Gill, William Cooper, John Webster and Maynard French, under the firm name of Gill, Cooper & Co., although they had no foundry, man- ufactured stoves.

In 1835, Thomas & Potts were established on Hudson street. This is the first record we have of the use of a cupola furnace for stove-castings in the county. Before this they were cast in the fur- nace on Beaver street, known as the Eagle air- furnace. Thomas & Potts were succeeded by Thomas & Wells in 1836, who continued until 1837, when Mr. Thomas retired, the firm becoming Hoff- man & Potts, which remained unchanged until 1847,

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

when Mr. Jesse C. Potts became the sole proprietor. Mr. Potts continued as such until 1857, when he became one of the company of Shear, Packard & Co. In 1870 the firm was dissolved.

Jacob H. Shear and Mr. De Graff were in the business in 1837.

In 1837, Messrs. Elisha N. Pratt and John G. Treadwell, as Pratt & Treadwell, had stoves manu- factured for them.

In 1838, Mr. S. B. McCoy had a foundry on Water street. In 1839, the firm became McCoy & Quackenboss; in 1846, McCoy, Clark & Co .; and in 1852, McCoy & Clark. When Augustus Quackenboss left the Water street foundry in 1846, he opened another in Montgomery street, continu- ing alone until 1855, when Mr. Wasson joined him. Messrs. Borden & Stowe now occupy the premises formerly used by S. B. McCoy.

From 1845 to 1848, Messrs. Low & Leake had a foundry located on the dock.

From 1845 until 1857, Samuel D. Vose, Henry and William E. Bleecker, as Vose & Co., had large' foundries which they had erected at the lower end of Broadway, below Ferry street.

In 1848, B. P. Learned & Co. occupied the foundry now used by Thacher & Co., car-wheel manufacturers. In 1851, the firm became Learned & Thacher, and soon after discontinued this busi- ness.

In 1852, Weller, Goodwin & Adams made a few stoves in a foundry located on Washington avenue, a little below Clark street. In 1843, and for a short time previous thereto, William Cobb manufactured a few stoves in the same foundry.

In 1854, the Temperance Furnace, at 53 Water street, was controlled by O. G. De Graff and Henry and Amos Adams, under the name of O. G. De Graff & Co.

The Albany Co-operative Stove Company has been in business since about 1863; 50 men are eni- ployed, and 5,000 stoves annually made.

The Perry Stove Company, doing business on Hudson avenue, and at Sing Sing, is an old estab- lished concern, the senior member, John S. Perry, commencing in 1843. He then used the old foun- dry at 110 Beaver street, his partner being William C. Treadwell, the firm name Treadwell & Perry.

In 1860, the firm was dissolved, and shortly thereafter organized under the name of Perry, Treadwell & Norton. Upon the dissolution of this firm, Messrs. Treadwell & Perry and Ira Jagger continued the business until 1864, when the pres- ent firm was organized. The members are John S. Perry, Nathan B. Perry, Andrew Dickey (of Sing Sing) and John Hughes (of Chicago). The build- ings now in use were built in 1856. The bulk of the manufacturing is now done at Sing Sing.

The first stove manufactured by Treadwell & Perry was in 1843, and was named the "Pre- mium," but was more generally known as the "Step Stove," from the fact of its rear boiler being raised. They now make several leading kinds of stoves.

Annually they make from 8,coo to 10,000 tons of stoves, equal to 75,000 to 90,000 stoves, repre-

senting a value of $1, 250,000. About 1, 500 workmen are employed, including those working at Sing Sing.

The firm now known as the Ransom Stove Company was founded in 1836 by Joel Rathbone.

Mr. Rathbone retired in 1841, and in 1845 was succeeded by S. H. Ransom & Co. The firm was then known as the Ransom Stove Works. In 1883 the present Company was incorporated.

The officers are: Clarence Rathbone, President; Benjamin Butler, Vice-President; and Albion Ran- som, Superintendent. The manufacturing plant occupies four blocks, and is bounded by Mulberry, Church and Cherry streets, and on the east by the Hudson River. Three hundred workmen are em- ployed, the weekly wage list amounting to about $4,000.

William Doyle, 108 and 110 Beaver street, has carried on stove manufacturing steadily for many years. A patent was obtained by Edward H. Doyle for a hot-air furnace, first used on a popular stove, now manufactured by Mr. Doyle, called the "America." He expends $50,000 annually in the manufacture of stoves at this manufactory, and em- ploys twenty-five workmen.

The Littlefield Stove Company was organized in 1865 by D. G. Littlefield, who was the inventor of the first successful base-burner stove ever used, for which he received a patent in 1854. The use of this invention has demonstrated its superiority over all heating stoves in use. Their plant, on the cor- ner of North Pearl and Pleasant streets, covers an area of three acres. Here twenty-five stoves per day are manufactured. The Treasurer of the Com- pany is H. C. Littlefield.

Albany Stove Company, Tivoli Hollow, was founded in 1868, the proprietors being Messrs. Carroll, Gutman and others. In 1880 the present Company took control of the works. The officers of the Company are: James H. Carroll, President and Treasurer; William G. Schultz, Secretary; and John Gutman, Superintendent. The location in Tivoli Hollow is particularly adapted to the Com- pany's purpose. The works cover an area of two acres. Here from forty to sixty molders and skilled iron-workers are employed; from six to eight tons of castings are daily made; and from twenty-eight to thirty-five complete stoves put upon the market.

The foundry of Jasper Van Wormer, located on the corner of Broadway and Arch street, was erected in 1867. Mr. Van Wormer is the surviv- ing partner of the firm of Van Wormer & McGarvey formed in 1846. For twenty years they manufac- tured stoves through contracts with other parties owning foundries. In 1867 their business had grown so extensive, that it became desirable, if not absolutely necessary, to erect a building exclusive- ly devoted to the manufacture of stoves, and the present foundry, which occupies an entire square, was erected. Mr. McGarvey remained as partner until his death in 1876, when his son, Charles M. McGarvey, assumed his father's interest in the firm, which continued until the latter's death in 1884, since which Mr. Van Wormer has conducted the business alone. Mr. Van Wormer is one of

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MANUFACTURING INTERESTS OF ALBANY.

the oldest and best known men now engaged in the stove business of Albany. The specialty of this concern is the American base-burner, although a general assortment of heating-stoves is made. The biographical sketches of the Messrs. McGarveys published in this work, furnish considerable val- uable data in relation to this foundry.

The National Stove Association was formed in 1872, through the efforts of Mr. John S. Perry and others. This association held its first meeting in New York City during that year, Mr. Perry being elected President. From that time semi-annual meetings have been held. The object desired by originators of this organization was to promote good feeling, extend acquaintances, and exchange views as to the best means of securing a healthy, natural trade. The result has met the expectations. Mr. Grange Sard is now President of the Associa- tion.

In 1860, there were seven establishments in Albany County for the manufacture of stoves, with an aggregate capital of $1,013,000; employing 850 hands; paying $285,600 wages annually; manu- facturing raw material worth $345, 800, into prod- ucts valued at $1,038,700. In 1870 there were fifteen establishments; $3,022, 800 capital invested; employing some 1,946 men, whose yearly wages were $1, 209, 873; converting raw material valued at $1,004, 208 into manufactured products worth $3,216,431. In 1880 there were twelve establish- ments, but the census statistics are exceedingly un- reliable.

From the best authorities obtainable we give the following statement, to show the present develop- ment of the stove trade in Albany.

Producing annually.

Capital invested $2,500,000 3,000,000

About 2,700 workmen are employed, the result of their labor being 24, 000 tons of stoves, or about 220,000 stoves, annually.

MICHAEL McGARVEY.

The late Michael McGarvey long occupied a leading position among the most enterprising and successful business men of Albany. Born in Albany, June 19, 1824, he was bred in his native city, and grew to manhood with few of the material advantages of this world. His parents were poor, and at an early age he was obliged to earn his own livelihood. Nearly forty years ago, he and Jasper Van Wormer worked to- gether as apprentices. They toiled at the same bench and became more to each other than ac- quaintances. Men of the same moral type, they were earnest friends, and the tie that is often nearer than that of relationship was severed only by the hand of death. When the time of their ap- prenticeship had expired, the two lads started busi- ness on their own account at No. 12 Green street. Their only capital was indomitable pluck and an honest purpose; but those characteristics won, as they always must, and it was not long before their little retail shop blossomed out into an ambitious

manufacturing establishment. It was in the win- ter of 1846 that they began business, and it is be- lieved that, at the time of Mr. McGarvey's death, the firm was the oldest in the city in a certain sense, for it had been for nearly thirty years under one management.

Mr. McGarvey was married in 1846 to Miss Elizabeth Town, who survives him. A member of the Tabernacle Baptist Church, he was munifi- cent in his contributions for the completion of the present House of Worship of that organization, in the progress of the construction of which, during his fatal illness, he took great interest. He was a man of great moral force and of the very nicest sense of commercial honor. His word was a bond which was never broken. Unostentatious and ret- icent concerning whatever he did for others, very few knew the depth of his sympathies for the suffer- ing or the extent of his benevolent contributions. Such a character as his dignifies any department of business and receives the homage of all honorable men. He died October 12, 1876. The following from the pen of one who knew him well, is a fitting estimate of the man :

"During the years of his prosperity, Michael McGarvey never forgot his early days. He was always a workingman, proud of the dignity. that appellation should give. Unobtrusive in manner, he was also a man of great decision of character, firmness of will, and vigor of intellect. He was in fact, an every-day man, without veneering or su- perficial glitter, and won friends to keep. He was not one to make a display of religion, nor was he a stickler for sect. His creed was that of humanity; and if benevelence is the soul of religion, then the true metal was in him to a great degree. He was not ambitious in the modern way, for political hon- ors were repeatedly declined. His aim was to respect his Creator, to love his wife, to educate his children, and to pass an existence of simple but honorable event. During his life he diffused much happiness, mitigated considerable distress, and called down many a blessing from the stricken poor. During his career we know of no great achieve- ment, no gigantic success, no brilliant action to be recorded for him; but George Eliot says the world owes its greatness to unhistoric lives, and, re- membering Michael McGarvey, we appreciate her words."

CHARLES M. McGARVEY.

The late Charles M. McGarvey was born in Al- bany (a son of the late Michael McGarvey) July I, 1851, and died April 26, 1884. He was educated at the Albany Academy, and after his graduation was for some years connected with his father's business. At his father's death, being the eldest son, he nat- urally took his place among the manufacturers of Albany as a member of the firm of J. Van Wormer & Co., which succeeded the old and widely-known firm of Van Wormer & McGarvey, of which his fatlier had long been a member, a relation which he continued creditably and successfully until his death.

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

Mr. McGarvey was possessed of a hearty friend- liness and spontaneous geniality which endeared him to all who knew him. No man was better known in Albany business and social circles. In one way or another, he was identified with most of the popular interests of the town. The older mem- bers of the Washington Continentals remember him as one who served the prescribed time and became a faithful and well-beloved member of that celebrated organization. He was married Decem- ber 13, 1876, to Miss Lydia D. Courtney of Al- bany, who, with two children, survives him. He

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Charles M. McGarvey.

had been ailing for several months, but his death came suddenly and somewhat unexpectedly. His funeral was the occasion of a demonstration of almost universal sorrow, and tokens of respect were given by relatives, friends, business and social organizations and employers. Gathered around the house of mourning were friends who had grown up with him from boyhood-friends who could testify to the geniality of his companionship, his warm-heart- ed disposition and the manner in which he clung to those he loved and respected. Every one knew him, and all present had good words to say of him who had passed from their midst. The bearers were his brothers, William, Henry and Archie; his brothers-in-law, William Van Wormer, Dickin- son Courtney and Benjamin W. Wooster, Jr .; Joseph C. Barnes, for many years book-keeper of the firm with which Mr. McGarvey had been iden- tified; and J. Johnson, foreman of the molding- shop. Mr. McGarvey was one of those whole- souled, helpful men, whose words of kindness and deeds of friendship are the most speaking epitaphs, and whose prolonged earthly life could not but have brought good to his fellow-men.

JOHN S. PERRY.

Albany is justly distinguished for the elevated character, success, and liberal enterprise of its business men; perhaps none of its sister cities outrank it in this respect.

Her manufactories and manufacturers take a high position, particularly in the manufacture of stoves and other products of her foundries.

John S. Perry is not only eminent as a business man, but as a citizen largely interested in things touching the prosperity and advancement of the city. He has occupied this position so long and with such public respect, that a sketch of his life naturally belongs to and makes a part of the history of our city and county. Such a history will always be read with interest and pleas- ure, not only as an example of encouragement for young men preparing to act in responsible and honorable positions in life, but to those more ad- vanced in a business career; because, the success which one man has attained, others may hope to achieve, by imitating his example, making true the oft-repeated maxim, that biography is history and philosophy teaching by example.

John Strong Perry was born in Farmington, Conn., December 17, 1815. This beautiful town is situated on the river of the same name, with scenery which has been the admiration of tourists, and has excited the imagination of the poet and painter for many generations. It is a lovely stream, blending the pleasures of angling, fowling, boating, and other aquatic sports, presenting to the young advantages for physical exercise that develop the health and strength of well-formed manhood. Mr. Perry traces an honorable ancestry far back in the annals of New England history. His maternal grand- father, a descendant of the Pilgrims, was Governor John Treadwell, LL. D., of Connecticut, the last of the Puritan line of Governors His paternal grand- father was the Rev. David Perry, of Richmond, Mass., who was settled over the Congregational Church in that town for about forty years. Indeed, his ancestors on both sides, including the Pome- roys, of Northampton, Mass .; the Lords, of Col- chester, Conn .; and the Leavenworths, of Wood- bury, Conn., are all of the old Mayflower stock.

Mr. Perry's Christian name, John Strong, is derived from a relative, the Rev. John Strong, a Puritan minister of Connecticut.

Mr. Perry is a self-made man, the successful artificer of his own fortune, which he has carved out by that indomitable energy and practicability which to young men is of more value than wealth.

He began his education in the district schools in his native town, where he made good progress in his studies; so good that, when, at the age of thir- teen, circumstances compelled him to leave school, he was prepared to enter a counting-house in Hartford, Conn., where at that early age he began his business career.

After remaining there for some time, he entered the store of his uncle, John B. Perry, in Lee, Mass., where after spending several months, he came to Albany, which was destined to be his future home.

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MANUFACTURING INTERESTS OF ALBANY.

Arriving in that city on the 23d of October, 1830, he entered the crockery store of that old and well- known firm composed of Henry L. and Charles B. Webb and Alfred Douglas, honorable and high- minded merchants, from whom he received during thirteen years that rigid and thorough training that tended so largely to his future success.

From 1843 to 1860 he was largely engaged in the manufacture and sale of stoves, but from well- remembered causes, which wrecked so many prominent houses at that time, his firm, known under the name of Treadwell, Perry & Norton, was compelled to suspend. This embarrassment, however, did not discourage him; he still had the confidence of the public, and what is, perhaps, of equal value, unconquerable energy. These ad- vantages soon enabled him to resume business, and so successfully, that in a few years it far ex- ceeded any former limits. It will be readily per- ceived that this success was due to Mr. Perry's habits and business capabilities. His experience enlarged his views of the relations of business, quickened his insight into difficult problems, rendering him more vigilant in keeping well in- formed in all the details of business life. Few men are more accomplished in the particulars which make the successful business man than he.

Notwithstanding the great demands upon his time, he allows nothing to suffer for lack of atten- tion. Having devoted, through many years, the early hours of morning and late hours of the night to his pursuits, he may justly be considered one of the most industrious and laborious of men. Promptness and method are among his most prom- inent characteristics, and it is in a large degree owing to these qualities that he has been enabled to accomplish so much. By his quick perception and intuition, his decisions, soon reached, are rarely wrong.

Identified from an early period of his life with the stove interests of the country, he has perhaps done as much as any man to make that industry a power of acknowledged influence. Chief among the causes that have contributed to this result, has been the formation of the National Associa- tion of Stove Manufacturers, of which he held the office of First President for several years, the object being to cement more closely, both in business and social bonds, the different members of the trade throughout the United States. In the formation and development of this organization, Mr. Perry has been one of the chief actors and its early and persistent advocate. He saw other trades rising rapidly in wealth and influence by similar organi- zations, and he asked the co-operation of the stove trade for the same end, believing that the principle of co-operation was a correct one, and that "in the multitude of counselors there is wisdom." Having thus determined upon the course to be pursued, lie was not content to sit and theorize, but threw himself heartily into the work both by voice and pen. Under his auspices six or more important conventions were held in different parts of the country, and more than twenty since under his successors, and the result is that to-day the

stove manufacture is one of our most important industries, and its history is replete with interest. But it is not our purpose here to pursue it in detail. It is a specialty of modern date, little be- ing known of it sixty years ago. It was inaugu- rated to a great extent by Joel Rathbone and William V. Many & Co., in Albany, N. Y., some fifty-five years ago, since which time it has con- tinued to increase from year to year, until, in 1885, not less than 300,000 tons of iron were converted into over 2,500,000 stoves and various utensils, for which some $40,000,000 was realized by the manufacturers. At present there are in the United States over 250 stove and hollow-ware foundries. The headquarters of the manufacture in this State may be said to be in Albany and Troy, these two cities together probably manufacturing more stoves, hollow-ware, furnaces and their appliances, than any other two cities in the Union. Among the great establishments in Albany which are regarded as truly representative, is the house of Perry & Co., composed of John S. Perry and Nathan B. Perry, of Albany; Andrew Dickey, of Sing Sing; and John B. Hughes, of Chicago, Ill., their works being one of the oldest for the manufacture of iron-castings north of the Highlands.

Warner Daniels, their early predecessor, made stoves as early as 1813. The immediate succes- sors of Mr. Daniels were William V. Many & Co., befere mentioned, who were also pioneers in this business. Previous to 1835, stoves were mostly made in blast-furnaces in New Jersey and Penn- sylvania direct from the ore, instead of from the pig metal as at present. In 1843, William B. Treadwell and John S. Perry succeeded to the bus- iness, and conducted it with some intervening changes until 1862, since which it has been carried on by Perry & Co. The offices and ware-rooms of the firm are three, viz. : 115 Hudson avenue, Albany; 84 Beekman street, New York; and 15 & 17 Lake street, Chicago, Ill. The Albany works employ about 250 men and produce 3,000 tons of stoves annually, and the works in Sing Sing Prison employ 900 convicts and 200 citizens, and produce in the same time 6, 500 tons, thus giv- ing a total production of 9,500 tons, or about 90,000 stoves, representing in sales about $1, 250,- 000. The market for these goods is not confined to the United States, orders coming from almost every part of the world-from China, Japan, Germany, Norway, Turkey, Africa, South America and other countries being of considerable im- portance.

Such are Mr. Perry's manufacturing interests, and such his extended relations to this great American industry, relations which, as we have said, give Albany a place in the stove business second to none in the Union.

We will now speak of his character as a citizen. In 1846, he was united in marriage to Mary J. Willard, of Plattsburgh, N. Y. Eight children were born to this marriage, four of whom survive. Mrs. Perry died in :864.

His second marriage took place in 1867, to Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Thompson, of Woburn, Mass., by

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

whom he had one daughter. This lady dying in 1869, his third marriage took place, in 1871, to Adaline L. Jones, of Brooklyn, N. Y., who still survives.

His eldest daughter is the wife of Rev. William Tatlock, D.D., of Stamford, Conn.

Mr. Perry has long been a member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Albany, one of the oldest churches in the United States, and is now Senior Warden of that Parish.

He is a member of the Advisory Board of the Young Men's Christian Association, and of the Al- bany Philharmonic Society; also one of the Board of Trustees of the Albany Railroad Christian Asso- ciation.

He is a Director of the National Exchange Bank of Albany, and a Trustee of the Albany Exchange Savings Bank.

It is thus seen that Mr. Perry's life has not only heen active and enterprising, but useful ; devoted to the promotion of religion, education, and what- ever tends to the refinement and cultivation of the capital city. He has never sought nor accepted political preferment of any kind. He divides his time, to a certain extent, in agricultural pursuits, which tends largely to the preservation of his health.

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Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 129

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