Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 134

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 134

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).

contract at a high rate or a low one, that com- mends him to all who regard excellence in all departments of building; for there is no depart- ment with which Mr. Wickham is not familiar, and it has been remarked of him, that he is truly "a builder-not a carpenter only." Remarkable as it may seem, he has at different times built a part or the whole of most of the churches in Albany, and several in other places, and he did the largest single carpentering job ever done in Albany-that of the Emmanuel Baptist Church-at a cost of $42,000.

Mr. Wickham has built, wholly or in part, many of the finest public and private houses in various parts of New York and other States, including many of the suburban residences about Albany, among them those of Theophilus Roessle, J. K. Emmet, the Watson Brothers, Thomas Olcott, Will- iam Barnes, Andrew White, Frederick Cleveland, J. W. Tillinghast,!C. B. Tillinghast, W. C. Little, Rev. Dr. Bridgman, S. Anable, G. L. Stedman, J. Waterman, and others no less well known. He has also built some of the most elegant private residences in the city. Among them are those of George S. Weaver, the late Senator Ira Harris, B. W. Wooster, J. H. King, Rufus H. King, Ledyard Cogs- well, W. H. McNaughton, Townsend Fondey (two houses, one of them now owned by Hon. Daniel Manning), and many others. He has done much work in nearly all the cities and towns along the Hudson River, and in many west of Albany on the New York Central road, and elsewhere; chiefly in Hudson, Catskill, Tivoli, Saugerties, Rhine- beck, Poughkeepsie, Fishkill, Peekskill, Tarrytown, Schenectady, Amsterdam, Fonda, Fort Plains, and Herkimer. During one year he traveled over 30,000 miles in attending to his business. He built General Batcheller's residence at Saratoga; James Mix's at Kinderhook; General Rathbone's at Lenox, Mass .; Rev. Henry Ward Beecher's, at Peekskill; C. H. Evans', at Hudson; C. H. Mc- Cormick's (of Chicago), at Richfield Springs; G. P. Folts, at Herkimer; and Dr. McKim's (of New York), at Cooperstown. Several of these resi- dences cost from $25,000 to $50,000 each. An- other structure erected by Mr. Wickham was the Old Man's Home in Albany; and he built the Refectory Building and Well Shelter at Washington Park. As an evidence of his inventive ingenuity, it may be stated that he designed and constructed the traveling buggy derricks which enabled the contractors to construct the Cohoes Dam in one year, while without their use three years would have been consumed in doing the same work. One of these machines received and unloaded all of the stone used in the building of the new State Capitol.

"During eight consecutive years Mr. Wickham worked for the late Alexander T. Stewart, the great merchant prince of New York, and Hon. Henry Hilton, the executor of his estate, ai.d during that time was paid by them over $300,000. He built both wings of the Grand Union Hotel, at Saratoga; built the Windsor Hotel and several buildings for Judge Hilton in Woodlawn Park; Stewart's factory

Richard Wickham

593

MANUFACTURING INTERESTS OF ALBANY.

at Glenham; and. the Park Avenue Hotel, New York; did much work on Judge Hilton's residence in Thirty-fourth street, New York; and the princi- pal part of the joiner's work on the Stewart Me- morial College, at Garden City, Long Island, and built parts of the bishop's house, stables, and coach-house at the same place. He built the large office and did other work for the Winchester Repeating Arms Company at New Haven, and fitted up their show-room, office, and store at 312 Broadway, New York. He also fitted up the office of the Great Western Importation Company, of New York; built the Clarendon Hotel and the Ornamental Band Stand and Ticket Office of Con- gress Springs Park, Saratoga, and the Chapter House of Williams College, which cost $30,000; and has done several jobs for the New York Cen- tral and Hudson River Railroad, receiving a single payment therefor of over $9,000. As an illustra- tion of the extent of the resources at Mr. Wickham's command, it may be stated that, a few years ago, he built for W. C. Coup, and delivered in Troy, N. Y., the wood and iron-work (including all poles, posts, seats, and other fixtures) of the largest circus canvas ever made to that time, weighing over eight tons, within ten days after taking the contract. The material was much of it procured in New York and shipped to Albany, and the actual work was done in four days after all mate- rial was in hand, the iron-work, weighing over two tons, being turned out in two days, a remarkably short space of time.

There are probably very few men in the coun- try who can more closely and accurately estimate the cost of any given job, large or small, than Mr. Wickham. So well known is his ability in this respect, that he has been frequently called upon to assist in the settlement between the owners of burned buildings and insurance companies in im- portant fire losses. He settled the loss upon the Tweddle Building when it was destroyed, and re- built it within seven months. Estimates of the losses sustained upon mills, factories, and private houses have frequently been made by him, the last of which was that upon the loss of C. H. Housman, at Valatia, N. Y., amounting to the large sum of $62,000.

BLINDS, SASHES, DOORS, ETC.

The La Rose Manufacturing Company, corner Rose and Hamilton streets, A. F. La Rose, Presi- dent and Treasurer, A. W. La Rose, Secretary, was started in 1882 by A. F. La Rose. In 1884 it was organized as a stock company, with a capi- tal of $50,000.

They use a 100 horse-power engine. Seventy- five workmen are employed, and the amount of $150,000 is their annual production.

Their specialty is carpenters' supplies.

George H. Cheney established his manufactory of sashes, doors, blinds, etc., at 13 North Lansing street, in 1870.

The factory is a two-story building, where about forty men find work.

CARRIAGES, SLEIGHS AND TRUCKS.

The Albany Coach Manufactory was established in 1813 by James Goold, a native of New England. After several years had elapsed, his nephew, W. R. Bush, and son-in-law, J. N. Cutler, became partners; later on, his son, John S. Goold became a partner; the latter dying in 1873, John Chester Goold, a grandson, became a member of the firm. Mr. James Goold died in 1879. In 1883 the present firm was incorporated, John Chester Goold, Presi- dent; William D. Goold, Secretary.

From 1817 to 1831, stage-coaches were the main features of this concern. When the Albany and Schenectady Railway was built, this firm built its first cars. These cars were but little more than stage-coaches on trucks. The firm now manufac- ture fine carriages and sleighs. The manufactory is bounded by Division, Union and Hamilton streets, and sixty workmen are employed.

Carriages and sleighs are manufactured at 131 and 133 Hudson avenue, by John Kingsbury.

This business was established in 1854 by James Kingsbury, Jeremiah Whitehead and Stephen White- head. After a while the latter partner dropped out, and the firm was Kingsbury & Whitehead till 1874, when Mr. Kingsbury bought his partner's interest and conducted the business alone till Feb- ruary, 1876, when the present proprietor bought the ground and buildings. He built the back shops in 1880, and the present fine front building, 46 by 54, five-stories high, in 1884. He has made his establishment very popular and profitable. He manufactures buggies, two-seat carriages and lan- dau sleighs-the latter a specialty. Their excel- lence and style are far-famed, and are a credit to the manufactured products of the city.

In 1832, Messrs. Selkirk & Gardinier began manufacturing carriages and sleighs, and continued in the business until 1865, when they were suc- ceeded by Messrs. Shaw & Rose. Mr. Shaw be- came sole proprietor and remained such until 1881, when the present firm of Shaw & Barnett became owners. Mr. Abraham Barnett is the present owner.

Their factory, 832 and 834 Broadway, is four- story brick, 70 by 200 feet; and at 307 North Pearl street, directly back of the factory, is their office, etc. All kinds of family and pleasure carriages and sleighs, and hose carriages and fire department wagons are made. About forty workmen are em- ployed.

Samuel H. Lloyd founded in 1842 the present house of S. H. Lloyd & Co., manufacturers of trucks and wagons. Mr. Lloyd continued in charge until 1878, when the firm name now used was adopted, and Ralph P. Lathrop assumed man- agement of the same.

The premises at 64 to 68 Hamilton street con- sists of a two story-brick factory 200 by 30 feet, and a three-story brick sales-room, 70 by 130 feet.

They manufacture business wagons, heavy trucks, etc., and are also dealers in carriages, buggies, etc., being agents for several large and well-known manufactories.

594

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

The carriage and sleigh manufactory of Henry Van Hoesen, Nos. 122 and 124 Madison avenue, was established by the present proprietor in 1863. The manufacturing facilities of the house embrace a two-story factory, 44 by 65 feet in dimensions, where all the wood and iron-working, trimming, upholstering, and painting pertaining to first-class work in his line, are carried on by skilled work- men.

SPOKES.

In 1879 E. Wendell Crosby established the Phœ- nix Spoke Works. The factory on Bleecker, Church, and Herkimer streets is a two-story brick building, 125 by 100 feet, where about 20 workmen are em- ployed. Oak and hickory are used in the manu- facture of the spokes; the wood, before making up, being dried by a process, the invention of N. S. McOmber, their Superintendent. Over one-half million are made yearly. By the invention of Mr. McOmber, cold, fresh, dry air is introduced into the drying rooms. This absorbs the moisture, but does not expel the resins and gums.

LEATHER AND FINDINGS.

One of the leading houses in Albany engaged in the manufacture and sale of harness-leather, is that of Adam Cook & Son, No. 29 Hudson ave- nue, established in 1860 by Adam Cook, and came in the possession of the present firm, con- sisting of the founder and his son, George C. Cook, in 1879. This factory consists of a four-story brick building, 35 by 105 feet in dimensions, which is divided into the manufacturing department and the sales-rooms. Fifteen workmen are employed. The products of the house consist of oak, union and hemlock harness-leather, and hemlock sole- leather, all noted for superior quality. A large trade is also done in harness-makers' supplies. Mr. Cook and his son have both resided in Al- bany for a number of years, and are thoroughly acquainted with the leather trade.

WOOD MACHINERY.

Daniel Doncaster in 1858 began the manufactur- ing of wood-working machinery, and the business is at present carried on by his son, Daniel Doncaster, at 7 and 9 Railroad avenue and 313 to 317 North Pearl street. Twenty-five mechanics are employed. The manufacture of planing, resawing, and mold- ing machines are the specialties. All kinds of wood-working machinery, shafting, pulleys, etc., are also made.

WOOD PACKING-BOXES.

T. F. Romeyn began the manufacturing of pack- ing-boxes in 1865. His factory is located at 214 Hudson avenue and is a two-story building, 30 by 100 feet in dimensions. All the work is done by machinery, the stamping even being done by a printing-press. One million feet of lumber is an-

nually used, and about 160,000 boxes are made yearly.

PATTERN WORKS .- BRASS, IRON, STOVE.

The Albany Pattern Works was established by Herbert G. Avery in 1882, at 70 Church street, where he employs six assistants.

Patterns for all kinds of brass and iron found- ings, designs and drafts of complicated machinery in sections or otherwise are made. A specialty is stove patterns.

Hailes' Pattern Works, corner Broadway and Hamilton street, was established by William Hailes, in 1872, for the manufacture of patterns for stoves and machinery. In this business Mr. Hailes is justly recognized as a skillful artisan. In 1878 James Gray and Peter Kinnear became associated with Mr. Hailes in the manufacture of their im- proved "Brilliant" oil-stove. This they continued for three years, when the right to manufacture was sold to the Richmond Stove Company, Norwich, Conn., and is now known as the " Richmond " stove. Mr. Hailes' business is now confined to pattern making. All the Thacher car-wheel pat- terns are made at this establishment.

John C. Mull has been a pattern-maker for more than forty-five years at the Ransom Stove Works. Mr. Mull has taken active interest in the Albany Firemen's Association for nearly half a century, and, although sixty-four years of age, is still in active service in the Fire Department.

COOPERAGE.

The extensive brewing interests of Albany early led to the establishment of other industries chiefly dependent upon them. Among the most important was the manufacture of barrels and hogsheads for the transportation of malt liquors. So extensive grew this industry at Albany, that at one time most of the coopers in the United States were located here, and most of the ale barrels used in this country were manufactured here. Of late years, large manufactories have sprung up in different parts of the country, which have materially decreased the amount of business done. Still Albany occupies a prominent position in regard to the extent and quality of its cooperage work.

The oldest house engaged in this branch of manufacture is that of M. A. Hawe, established by Matthew Hawe in 1836, whose father began a similar business many years previously. Mr. Hawe conducted it until his death in 1880, since which time it has been carried on under the management of his son, Daniel Hawe. Two buildings are occupied in the prosecution of this business, 63 Liberty and 58 Union street. Employment is fur- nished to about twenty skilled mechanics. The capacity of the works is about seventy-five ale and beer casks and one hundred and fifty barrels per week. The biography of Matthew Hawe, the founder of this house, printed in another part of this volume, contains matter, personal and general, relative to this.industry.

595

MANUFACTURING INTERESTS OF ALBANY.

John Pennie, Jr., stave dealer and cooper, com- menced the cooperage business in Herkimer street, in connection with his brother, J. C., in 1843, and has been carried on by them ever since. The works are located No. 39 Arch street.

In 1849 John Le Gallez began the coopering business in Albany. He conducted it alone until 1871, when A. Le Gallez was admitted to an in- terest in the business. The founder died in 1873, and in 1876 the present firm, A. & W. Le Gallez, succeeded to the business, which is now conducted at 51 to 61 Liberty street. Twenty mechanics are employed. A large share of the business consists in remodeling barrels of all kinds.

Samuel C. Harris carries on a cedar and pine- ware cooperage business at 122 Washington avenue as the successor of his father, who was engaged in a similar calling many years. His work is well known for excellence of workmanship and material. Mr. Harris has been a useful member of the City Government.

MATTHEW HAWE

was born in Charleville, Ireland, October 18, 1814, and died in Albany, April 24, 1880, in his sixty- sixth year. He came to America with his parents in 1816, and was educated in the Albany Academy. Leaving school, he was interested in his father's

(William Hawe's) extensive cooperage business un- til 1836, when he engaged in the same business on his own account, manufacturing beer barrels, half-barrels and hogsheads, a business which his widow, under the name of M. A. Hawe, has con- tinued since his death. Mr. Hawe made the man- ufacture of his specialties in cooperage a study, and invented improvements in ale and beer casks which render the heads and other jointures with the staves as strong as any other part of the barrel, whereas, as they were previously made, the heads, however strong with the timber they were con- structed, were always weak at their jointure with the staves. The advantages of barrels and other vessels constructed with Mr. Hawe's improvements are these :

Ist. By a more obtuse angle of the bevel of the edge of the head, the quantity of material for resistance of all strain is increased. 2d. The bevels of the edge of the head, supported by the howel, prevents all crushing in of the head. 3d. The manner in which the edge of the head is held in the croze, and supported by the howel, effectually prevents the wood in the head from splitting up. 4th. The convex form given to the head in one direction, makes the head itself as strong as the body of the barrel. 5th. The bev- eled jointing surface of the several pieces forming the head insures the perfect tightness of all the

596

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

jointures of the head, and counteracts all tendency of the end hoops to break in the chime. 6th. The head and its jointure, with the staves, are made as strong as the other parts of the barrel. 7th. Ample opportunity is afforded for the removal of sediment that may accumulate around the howel and the beveling of the head. These improvements have been variously and severally tested, and in every case they have been found to meet the utmost expectations of Mr. Hawe and brewers who have used them.

The loss of ten per cent., annually experienced by brewers, from the waste of ale and cost of repairs caused by the bursting of the heads, is effectually prevented by the use of barrels and other vessels constructed with Mr. Hawe's im- provements.

These casks became very popular with brewers, and Mr. Hawe manufactured them under letters patent, and shipped them in large quantities to New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Buffalo, Roches- ter, and many other manufacturing centers. But no sooner had he succeeded in proving the superi- ority of his barrels than unscrupulous coopers began, in different places, to manufacture and sell similar ones in infringement of his patent. Suits were brought for damages and royalties, which are still pending in the courts, and which, promising to result favorably to the claims of Mr. Hawe, will undoubtedly bring to his heirs at least a portion of the legitimate reward of his ingenuity and enter- prise.

In 1840 Mr. Hawe was married to Miss Mary A. Griffith, of New York. They have had fifteen children, thirteen of whom lived to be men and women, and nine of whom survived their father.

He was esteemed for his kindly nature, his dignified bearing, and his unquestionable busi- ness probity. This last mentioned characteristic was so marked, that it was once said of him by Thurlow Weed : "Matthew Hawe's word was truly as good as his bond." An influential citi- zen, he was identified with many of Albany's most important interests, and counted among his warm personal friends such men as Mr. Weed, John L. Schoolcraft, William H. Seward, and others of equal note.

The formerly well-known Dr. E. B. O'Callaghan was his brother-in-law. For a time Mr. Hawe was a partner in the flour business in Albany with his brother John, carrying on his cooper- age business at the same time. He also dealt heavily in stoves, a branch of his business which is now carried on by his son. He was a busi- ness man in every sense of the word-energetic, original, honest, shrewd and successful. He never connected himself with secret societies, and, though he had pronounced convictions upon all public questions, never mingled actively in polit- ical life, always refusing to accept any office, though urged to accept many. In early life he was an old school Democrat. Later he became a Whig, and a second change to Republicanism was but natural. In religion he followed the faith of

his fathers, and he was a Corporate Member of the Parish of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Con- ception, and a Trustee of St. Agnes' Cemetery. He was prominent and liberal in support of the interests of the Cathedral, and his memory is pre- served by inscription on the chime of bells belong- ing to that institution. He was generous to his fellow men and helpful to the poor. His life was upright in the sight of God and man, and he was beloved not only by those who enjoyed the happiness of sharing with him the blessings of his fireside, but by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

His last illness was of long duration, but he bore his affliction with a Christian's fortitude. The sorrow at his death was general among the many who had known him. The Committee of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception met at the episcopal residence, April 25, 1880, to take action in reference to his death. There were pres- ent Rt. Rev. Bishop McNierney, D.D .; Very Rev. P. Ludden, V.G .; P. McHugh, John Connick, Michael Delehanty; P. J. Wallace, Treasurer, and Thomas J. Lanahan, Secretary.

The following preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted:

" Whereas, Death has again, in the brief space of one month, removed from our midst another member of this Committee, Mr. Matthew Hawe, be it

" Resolved, That we deeply regret the decease of Matthew Hawe, who for more than twenty-eight years has been a member of this Board.

" That his long service in this Committee, mark- ed as it was by a singleness of purpose, purity of motive and courteous bearing, has endeared him to us, and merits our highest consideration and respect.

" That his constant and unremitting attention to his duties, his zeal and energy in advancing the interests of this Cathedral, is deserving of the pious remembrance of the congregation.

"That we tender to his family our sincere sym- pathy in their bereavement, and that the Secretary transmit to them a copy of these resolutions."

At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of St. Agnes' Cemetery, held Monday, April 26, 1880, to take action concerning the death of Mr. Mat- thew Hawe, Mr. John Stuart offered the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted :

" Whereas, Information of the death of our late esteemed associate, Mr. Matthew Hawe, has been communicated to this Board, and it is proper that, uniting in the regret occasioned by his loss, we should signify our appreciation of his many excel- lent qualities ; therefore

" Resolved, That in the death of Mr. Hawe, one of our Finance Committee, this Board loses an active and worthy member, who always manifested pride and zealous interest in the welfare of this organization, and who spared no exertion to secure its prosperity.

Etter Kinnear

597

MANUFACTURING INTERESTS OF ALBANY.

" Resolved, That we tender our sympathy to the family of our deceased friend ; that we attend his funeral in a body; and that these resolutions, signed by our President and Secretary, be pub- lished in the daily papers of the city, and a copy transmitted to the family of deceased.

"FRANCIS MCNEIRNY,

"W. D. MORANGE, " President.

" Secretary."

The Board of Trade of the City of Albany, of which Mr. Hawe had long been a Member, also adopted appropriate resolutions. Such lives as Mr. Hawe's are not without their benefit upon the communities where they are passed. Yielding to every man what was honestly his due; active in business and enterprising beyond many of his fellow townsmen; he gave employment to many skilled laborers, and performed his part in bring- ing Albany into notice as a manufacturing town. He built industriously and with fidelity a repu- tation which is a rich heritage to his family and a pleasure to many who were his friends.

LASTS.

In 1828, Jared Holt began manufacturing lasts in Albany. This probably was the first establish- ment of the kind in this country. Mr. Holt's business was only a small one, which he conducted until 1857, when he formed a partnership with George H. Graves, which partnership continued until 1864, when Dayton Ball was added, the firm being called Graves, Ball & Co., the members being Messrs. Graves & Ball, and J. & C. B. Holt. Since the death of Mr. Graves in 1882, Ball and Reb- hun have controlled the business, under the firm name of Dayton Ball & Co. They have two factories, one at 3 Pruyn street, in which 25 work- men are employed, and the other at 12 Elm street, New York. The products of the two are about 125,000 pairs of lasts yearly. Persimmon wood from North Carolina is mainly used by them.

BILLIARD BALLS.

The Albany Billiard Ball Company was organ- ized in 1875, succeeding the Hyatt Manufacturing Co., organized in 1868, which was the pioneer manufacturing company in the world to make composition billiard balls. The factory, corner Grand and Plain streets, is a three-story brick building, 68 by 50 feet in dimensions. The bil- liard balls are now made from bonsilate, a pro- duct of another Albany industry, which is men- tioned elsewhere. The colors of bonsilate balls are permanent, and they will not burn. Pool and bagatelle balls are also made.

The officers are : Peter Kinnear, President and Treasurer; J. W. Hyatt, Vice-President; Louis Dietz, Secretary; and B. P. Wayne, Superin- tendent.

The bonsilate billiard balls are taking the place all others for perfection of finish, durability and of cheapness.

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 134

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