Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 130

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 130

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He is what may be termed a well-preserved man; vigorous, both mentally and physically. He pos- sesses many attractive social qualities and a fond- ness for society, in which he is a favorite.

Mr. Perry is very fond of music and books, and an appreciative and somewhat diligent reader of some of the best authors. There are very few men whose life, habits and associations tend more directly to rational and high-minded enjoyments; it is there- fore no affectation to say that, in a work like this, which contains a record of the men and of the events which make up the history of the capital city, no one is entitled to more honorable mention in it than this gentleman.

NAIL WORKS.

In colonial days nails were manufactured alto- gether by hand. Previous to 1750, the rolling- mills of New England were chiefly employed in making nail rods, from which spikes, or large nails were hammered out. The farmers, in leisure hours, made large nails for their own use.

The act of Parliament of 1750, prohibiting the erection of slitting or rolling-mills in the colonies, made the importation of nails necessary until the Revolution. In 1775, Jeremiah Wilkinson, of Con- necticut, commenced making cut tacks for his own use, cutting them from sheet iron, and heading them in a smith's vice. The process was afterwards extended to small nails. In 1795 the Connecticut Legislature regulated the manufacture of nails made for sale or exportation, fixing their length and the weight per thousand of each of the several sizes from two to twenty pennies.

In 1787, Garret Whitbeck opened a nail factory in Orange street, near the high Dutch Church, making 8s and Ios at a shilling per pound, and

20s and 24s at eleven pence. In the same year Stevenson, Douw & Ten Eyck erected a similar es- tablishment in the city. Jacob Perkins' machine for cutting and heading nails was patented Janu- ary 16, 1795. The world is indebted to Thomas Blanchard, of Massachusetts, for the wonderful modern machinery for making all kinds of nails. In 1819, John Brinkerhoff, of Albany, erected on the east side of the river, now in Troy, a small rolling- mill for making iron plates, that were cut into nails and headed by hand. These works were among the first then in existence in the State of New York, and were afterwards bought by Corning & Norton, of Albany, which firm subsequently became Corn- ing, Winslow & Co. and Erastus Corning. The works included rolling-mills, carriage-axle factory, spike and nail factories, the annual product being about 30, 000 tons.

TOWNSEND FURNACE AND MACHINE- SHOP.

No single family has done more for the progress of Albany's manufacturing interests, and the pro- motion of its commercial welfare than that of Town- send. The present furnace and machine-shop was founded by Isaiah and John Townsend, who were born at Sterling, Orange County, where were forged, during the Revolution, the links of the chiain which was to have been stretched across the Hudson River to prevent the ascent of the British ships of war. A part of this chain can now be seen in the State Geological Hall. Mr. Townsend ac- quired a knowledge of the iron business from his relative, Solomon Townsend, an iron merchant in New York. His brother John, in 1804, became as- sociated in the foundry business, and together they were the pioneers in this industry in this part of the State. This partnership was terminated in Febru- ary, 1838, by the death of Isaiah. They were prominently identified with many of the enterprises by which this city has been benefited. They were in intimate relationship with all the foremost busi- ness men of their day, and materially aided De Witt Clinton in his project of the Erie Canal.

From 1838 to 1849, John Townsend carried on the foundry business as the surviving member of the firm of I. & J. Townsend. At the latter date it passed into the hands of Franklin and Theodore Townsend, the former a son of Isaiah, and the latter a son of John Townsend, the original proprietors. This partnership was continned for seven years, when Theodore withdrew and Franklin became sole proprietor, remaining as such until 1867, when George P. Jackson, who had acted as Gen- eral Superintendent since 1851, became a partner, the firm becoming Townsend & Jackson. Rufus K. Townsend, son of Franklin, took his father's place in the firm, and in 1882, the year of Mr. Jackson's death, became sole owner.

The plant is of brick, four stories high; walls 130 x 180 feet, and is located on Broadway, Rens- selaer and Mulberry streets, fronting on the Hud- son. They have a large collection of patterns, the accumulation of three generations, to which they

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MANUFACTURING INTERESTS OF ALBANY.

have added those of the Albany Eagle Furnace, the West Troy Foundry, the Archimedes Works, New York, and the McGinnis Machine Works. Mill gearing and machinery castings of all kinds are made; 100 men are employed. Annual out- put, $125,000. Zethro Wood, inventor of the cast- iron plowshare, had his first plows made in this foundry.

Under the able management of Rufus K. Town- send, this establishment has not merely main- tained, but increased its reputation in manufacturing circles.

John T. Brady is book-keeper for this house. In 1884 he was elected Supervisor, to represent the Fifteenth Ward.

AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY.

The Wheeler and Melick Company, founded in 1830 by Messrs. Wheeler, Melick & Co., are the leading manufacturers of agricultural machinery in the county. In 1872 the firm took in associates, and a stock company, with $200,000 capital, was organized, the present firm name being adopted.

The works are on Hamilton and Liberty streets, and cover nearly an entire block. The main building is of brick, three-stories high. Horse- powers, steam engines, power-threshers and clean- ers, plow-sulkies, improved harrows, dump-rakes, clover-hullers, fodder-cutters, mills, etc., are made. One hundred and twenty-five men are employed, and the annual output reaches $500,000.

The present officers are E. Wacterhagen, Presi- dent; Peter Melick, Treasurer; George C. Lee, Sec- retary; and James H. Melick, Superintendent.

The products of this Company find a market throughout the country and the world. Their machines are of modern styles, and are kept up to the latest improvements, and include a supply of everything called for in progressive agriculture. No firm has done more to produce labor-saving machines for the farmer.

The extensive agricultural and machine works of Peter K. Dederick & Co. are located at Tivoli Hollow. They are the sole manufacturers of the Dederick Patent Hand and Power Presses; also wire-baling ties, and all tools used in connec- tion with baling hay; horse and steam hoisting- engines, self-dumping wood and iron cars, horse and steam-power brick machines, and portable steam engines.

The popular Wood Mowing Machine and Reaper was manufactured here a few years ago; but its works have lately been transferred to the West.

IRON-WORKS.

The iron foundry of Isaiah Page & Son, 58, 60 and 62 Liberty street, was established in 1832 by Isaiah Page, Sr., at Federal Stores, but in 1835 was removed to Chatham. In 1850 the present site was secured. Isaiah Page's son, William B., was admitted as a partner in 1883. Isaiah Page died in 1885, since which time his son has con- ducted the business. The foundry is 100x 180 feet

in dimensions. Sixty molders and other skilled iron workers are employed. Mr. Page is a mem- ber of the firm of Page & Sill, succeeding to the interest of his father in this firm. Isaiah Page was one of the great iron manufacturers of Albany, and a business man of great energy and worth.

The iron and machine-works of Prince & Ott was established by Starks & Pruyn in 1845, who were shortly afterwards succeeded by Pruyn & Lan- sing, and they, in turn, in 1869, by Henry C. Has- kell. In 1884, Lawrence J. Prince and Herman Ott became proprietors of the works. The estab- lishment is located at Nos. 9 and 11 Church street, and is embraced in a four-story brick building, 30 by 75 feet in dimensions. About fifteen skilled me- chanics are employed. The products consist Of steam engines and machinery of all kinds, wrought and cast-iron railings, castings, gratings, steam- pipes and fittings, bank vaults and doors. They built the 320 horse-power engine now in use at the Albany blast furnace, and the engine now in use at the Government Printing office at Washington. The work of this establishment is known for its general excellence.

The firm composed of T. J. Sullivan and P. Ehler, under the firm name of Sullivan & Ehler, makes a specialty of manufacturing steam engines. Their plant is located at 166, 168 and 170 Broadway, and consists of a two-story brick building. Sixty men are employed in the various departments, and their products are sold throughout the United States. They also manufacture bridge and iron-work, safes and bank vaults, iron roofs, shutters, railings, filter presses, pumps, cast and wrought-iron tanks, and iron machinery of all kinds. The products of this house bear a high reputation in the trade.

James McKinney & Son are well-known iron- founders and manufacturers of architectural iron furnishings, such as pillars, gates, railings, and all kinds of iron cornices, caps, etc., for building purposes, at 925 to 933 Broadway.

Peter C. Lauder, who resides at 102 North Pearl street, is a practical machinist of recognized ability. For twenty-eight years he has been in the employ of the New York Central Locomotive Works at West Albany, and for twenty-one years foreman of the machinist department. He was born in the City of Schenectady in 1835.

The Novelty Iron Foundry was founded May 1, 1881, the members of the firm being S. J. Haight and J. W. Clark.

Their works at 16 and 18 DeWitt street consist of a three-story brick building and a one-story foundry, where forty workmen are employed. They manufacture fine machinery castings, piano and organ castings, and those for ornamental work. They make a specialty of small gray iron castings of great smoothness and fine quality of iron.

The Capital City Malleable Iron Company was incorporated in 1882. The works, corner Fourth Avenue and Broadway, are a one-story foundry, 130 x 180 feet, and a five-story brick building, containing machine and pattern-shops, office, etc. Mower and reaper castings for all agricultural im- plements, also carriage irons and unfinished sad-

574

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

dlery hardware, are made. Mr. A. Winterburn is President. Seventy-five men are employed.

DARIUS S. WOOD

was born in Westboro, Worcester County, Mass., in July, 1821, and died in Albany, February 15, 1881. He was a son of Joel A. and Louisa (Simp- son) Wood. Acquiring such education as was available to him, he studied engineering at the shops of the Boston and Worcester Railroad in Bos- ton. Familiarizing himself with the construction and operation of the locomotive, he entered the ranks of the early locomotive engineers, and is dis- tinguished in the local history of railroading as having run the first locomotive attached to a pas- senger train on the Boston and Albany Railroad into Greenbush.

February 18, 1862, he was appointed by the late Erastus Corning, Superintendent of the Wood-work Department of the New York Central Railroad Com- pany at Niagara Falls, and later he was promoted to the superintendency of the Company's works at West Albany.

The bent of his mind was original and inventive, and while thus employed he invented and patented a box-car of very ingenious construction, which was much in use at a later period; and at the time of his death he had many improvements under way, which, had he lived to complete them, it is believed would have become valuable in their application to mechanical uses. He was justly regarded as one of the most skillful workers in iron in Albany. The making of the larger and more bulky, as well as the finer and more delicate, parts of machinery, were alike easy to him. About 1866 he became pro- prietor of the Malleable Iron-works at the corner of Westerlo and Franklin streets, which he managed with success and profit until his death. These were sold to the present proprietors in the settlement of his estate. For a time, previous to embarking in this enterprise, he was owner and manager of the brewery now known as Dobler's. He was instru- mental in the establishment of the Malleable Iron- works at Oshawa, Canada, where he gave the ben- efit of his counsel, as well as of his means, and remained for weeks supervising the construction of the works. In everything that pertained to the manufacturing and commercial interests of Albany, and to its general prosperity, Mr. Wood was deeply interested, and he was known as one of the city's most prominent and public-spirited citizens. A Republican in political faith, he took an intelligent interest in all public affairs; but he had no ambi- tion to shine in politics, and though often solicited to accept office, resolutely kept out of political life. A genial, whole-souled man, his social qualities made him popular with all classes. He was mar- ried, in 1842, to Miss Adeline Smith, of Pittsfield, Mass., who, with one daughter, survives him. His career was that of a man self-made in the best and truest sense of the term. His most con- spicuous characteristics were industry, integrity and foresight-qualities which insured his success in business life and gained him the honor and ad-

miration of all with whom he associated. His na- ture was kindly, he was liberal in his thoughts, just in his dealings and charitable in an unostentatious way. His death was regretted as deeply and as sin- cerely as that of any man who has died in Albany for years, and he is referred to as having left the impress of his energetic personality on the town and its institutions.

ALBANY STEAM TRAP COMPANY.

The manufacture of return steam traps was be- gun in this city, in 1871, by Townsend & Bless- ing, and conducted by them until 1875, when the present Albany Steam Trap Company was incor- porated. The steam trap was the invention of James H. Blessing, of this city, and it is claimed was the first practical device for returning the water of condensation, under pressure, back to the boiler, ever used. It has now been in successful use for fourteen years, and has become a necessity wher- ever steam is used.

The Company own and control about twenty- five patents on steam traps and processes of return- ing condensed water to the boiler under pressure.

The executive officers of the Company are as fol- lows : General Frederick Townsend, President; J. H. Blessing, Secretary, Treasurer and General Superintendent; and .H. H. Martin, Trustee. Of- fice and works, 78 and 80 Church street.

BOILERS, ENGINES AND OTHER BULKY IRON MACHINES AND FURNISHINGS.

In 1863, David F. Skinner and Joseph Arnold began the manufacture of steam engines and boilers in this city, on the south side of Herkimer street, and removed to 199 Broadway, their present loca- tion, in 1869. Their boiler shop is 35 x 200 feet in dimensions. They employ seventy-five to one hundred men, and manufacture engines, boilers, steam pumps, elevators and tanks.

Robert Livingston and Patrick Shevlin com- menced the manufacture of boilers and tanks in 1866, under the firm name of Livingston & Shevlin. January 10, 1877, the firm was dissolved. Since then the business has been conducted solely by Mr. Shevlin. The premises consist of a two-story brick building, 34 x 74 feet and an addition 29 x 60 feet, on the corner of Church and Herkimer streets. Twenty-four men are employed in the manufacture of all kinds of stationary and marine boilers.

E. D. Ransom & Co., corner Church and Mul- berry streets, manufacturers of foundry facings and founders' supplies, succeeded Messrs. Charles & Co. in 1883, the house having been founded in 1879 by the latter. The manufactory is a two-story stone building, supplied with a fifty horse-power steam engine. Fifteen men are employed. They also make the "Charles " stove polish. The members of the firm are E. D. Ransom, James D. Wasson and J. Sanford Ransom.

Michael Huber & John J. Hartnett established their iron foundry, 37 Liberty street, in .1880.

D. Gwood

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MANUFACTURING INTERESTS OF ALBANY.

They occupy the old Cornell foundry, 35 x 45 feet. Fifteen mechanics are employed. Iron castings of all kinds are made.

ALBANY SAW WORKS

were established in 1855 by Messrs. Robert H. Pruyn and Charles B. Lansing, under the name of the Albany Iron and Saw Works, in connection with the Albany Iron-works. In 1879, the present firm, consisting of Edward Y. Lansing, a son of the founder, and James Goodwin, who has been connected with the business from its foundation, succeeded to it, their predecessors being J. T. Lansing & Co., of which firm both were members.

All styles of saws are made by them, and they also deal in files, grindstones, etc. They have invented many improvements for the manufacture of their goods. Their factory, a three story brick building, is located on the corner of Church and Bleecker streets, having a frontage of 100 feet on each street, and runs through to Herkimer street.

FILES AND RASPS.

John A. Smyth, in 1859, founded the present firm of Smyth & Sons, manufacturers of the " Bee- hive " files and rasps. Their works are the oldest of the kind in Albany, and are located on Church and Herkimer streets. Frederick S. Morris became a member of the firm in 1878. All styles of files and rasps are produced. They also recut files.

CAR-WHEELS.

In 1852, George H. Thacher began the manu- facture of car-wheels and railroad castings in Albany. In 1857, Daniel S. Lathrop became a partner, under the firm name of G. H. Thacher & Co. In 1873, John Boyd Thacher became a part- ner. The firm became known as Thacher, Lathrop & Co. This continued until the death of Mr. Lathrop, in 1883, Since 1873, John Boyd Thacher and his brother, George H. Thacher, Jr., have had charge of the works. Most of the car- wheels of the New York Central Railway are made by this firm. The works are located on the corner of Learned and Thacher streets. Daniel P. Fales has been Superintendent of these works for several years. Personal biographies of the indi- vidual members of this enterprising firm follow.

DANIEL S. LATHROP

was born in Albany, April 13, 1825, the eldest son of Dyer and Jane (Shields) Lathrop. " His first American ancestor," says his memorialist, " was the Rev. John Lathrop, of Barnstable, who was the first to enlighten the dark regions of America with the Christian ministry, and whose name shines bril- liantly upon the pages of that catalogue which Cotton Mather made of New England worthies." It was at the old Albany Academy that Mr. La- throp gained his rudimentary education. He was sent at the age of about fourteen to the boarding

school of Rev. Mr. Bulkley, in Rensselaer County, N. Y. " After having acquired here," continues his memorialists, "a useful, and the foundation of a classical, education, he returned home and re- mained for a time in his father's mercantile house." About the time he attained his majority, he secured a position with Messrs. F. J. Bernard & Co., at that time a prominent firm of lumber dealers, hav- ing previously served as a clerk in one of the State Departments, and also as a clerk in one of the banking institutions of Albany. Industrious and frugal, he saved much of his salary, intending to engage in business. He formed the acquaintance of a prominent railroad magnate named Morgan, well known in the western part of the State, who, divining the material of which the young man was made, assisted him by advice in making some in- vestments by which Mr. Lathrop added to his capital, and was thus enabled, in 1857, to purchase an interest in the car-wheel manufacturing business of Mr. George H. Thacher. The firm name was then changed to George H. Thacher & Co .; and again, in 1873, by the admission of Hon. John Boyd Thacher to a partnership in the business, to Thacher, Lathrop & Co. Mr. Lathrop's relations in this enterprise terminated only with his death. Mr. Lathrop though never mingling much in the politics of the day, was induced, in 1850, to represent his ward in the Common Council, a duty which he discharged with credit and honor. This was the only public position he ever occupied. He was actively interested in some of Albany's home insti- tutions. He was prominently identified with the Albany City Bank and the Union National Bank, and at the time of his death was a Trustee of the Rural Cemetery Association; of the Albany Gas- light Company; and of the Watervliet Turnpike and Horse Railroad Company.

The following extract from Hon. John Boyd Thacher's admirable memorial of Mr. Lathrop, which has already been quoted from, will afford no more than a just estimate of his character and life.

" Mr. Lathrop was best known to the public as one engaged in commercial pursuits, and it is proper to refer briefly to his characteristics as a business man. That was the field of his largest activities. In the college and university there ob- tains a notion, as fallacious as it is hampering and narrowing, that, compared to the professional life, a career devoted to business pursuits is low, sordid, base. But if there is a sphere which requires moral culture and intellectual ability, it is that in which the labor of man receives and develops the labor of the earth. The credit of a nation depends not so much upon the professional man; not so much upon the public man and statesman; not so much upon the yeoman; as upon those men of brain and nerve who initiate and prosecute to successful issue great industries and commercial missions.

" Mr. Lathrop at an early age made choice of a business life, and his career reflects credit on himself and offers to the youth of this generation an eminent example. Honor and truth were

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

natural to him and he soon acquired order, obe- dience, a conception of the true value of money, and a knowledge of life. He never valued money for itself, nor sought it as an end, but simply because he saw that, rightly used, it contributes to the sum of human happiness and the advancement of the human race. He conducted business upon so firm a basis, and in regions so unexposed, that his affairs seldom touched precarious or doubtful ground. So nicely did caution wait on impulse, that success was the natural end of venture. His sense of commercial honor was keen and sensitive. In the conducting of affairs he was always consist- ent with the worth and greatness of his own na- ture. He exhibited in his transactions with others that element of honor which we sometimes speak of as dignity. The highest motives, the best prin- ciples, governed all that he did, and he bent his work to square with his design. Perhaps one of the most prominent features of his character was his inherent and positive love of the truthful. His veracity was that of fact. His statements were ac- tual and real; no man's saying was ever falsely col- ored by him. His speech of other men was never insincere. His devotion to truth was the old knightly spirit of devotion, and having fought his fight, he laid down his escutcheon, fair, bright, spotless.

"Lord Shaftesbury says we should observe and speak of a man's understanding as we would of his face. That nature characterizes a mind as pecu- liarly and distinctly as she sets her hand to features. As nature gave to Mr. Lathrop a face strikingly comely and attractive, so with plenary indulgence, she gave him an understanding of uncommon power and symmetry.

"A philosopher would require us to include in understanding, the power to perceive and the power to make use of perceptions. The cast of Mr. Lathrop's mind was such that it mirrored a subject by almost instantaneous mental photography, and then by combination and comparison it perfected its relation to a point or query. Mental operations were performed by him apparently without the tedious steps traveled by the ordinary mind. Nor was the work of his mind less perfect for its winged flight, nor less sound for its quick construction. This peculiar power was of use to him in those cal- culations of pennies and of pounds incidental to business life. They were of a better use. On questions of moment they enabled him to foretell an end to problems for the detailed working of which years had to be enrolled, and the answer the years gave was his. One could follow his leading safely and adopt his judgment with assurance. To this quickness of perception he united a research that never wearied. All the enthusiasm of the ar- dent explorer burned within him. Men, measur- ing his success by the field in which he seemed to work, were wont to attribute to chance and good fortune that which was the result of purpose and of aim. They sometimes mistook the production of toil and care for benevolence fallen from the wind. But those who knew him knew how careful were his investigations and how constant his watchful-

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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 130

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