Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 136

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 136

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).

In the year 1860 the large factory of Boardman & Gray, on Broadway and North Ferry street, was burned, and in 1885 their factory at 239 North Pearl street was also destroyed by fire.

PAPER WORKS, ETC.

Mr. J. C. Dubuque established himself here in 1839 as a manufacturer of paper boxes, being the pioneer in this branch of industry in the city. Af- ter an interruption of several years, Mr. Dubuque re-established the present house in 1880, now con- ducted by his son, L. R. Dubuque.

The premises are three-stories, each 35 by 60 feet, and are located at 9 and 11 Green street, where all kinds of paper boxes are made, generally upon special orders.

The Albany Paper Box Manufactory, 293 and 295 Broadway, for the manufacture of all kinds of

paper boxes, was founded in 1870 by Messrs. Co- zine & Co. The factory consists of four floors, each of which are 50 by 100 feet in area. Fifty operatives are employed. Estimates are given for any size or style of paper box desired.

Great improvement has been made in the past few years in this branch of American industries, and the uses to which paper boxes are put are manifold.

Messrs. D. Chapin & Co. succeeded Cozine & Co., and in 1878 Mr. Hench, the present owner, became the proprietor.

Albany Perforated Wrapping Paper Company, 2 and 4 Hudson avenue, corner Quay street, was or- ganized in 1877, with a capital of $50,000, to produce perforated wrapping, writing and toilet papers, and rolled paper of all descriptions, under patents controlled by them. Their specialty is hotel toilet paper with fixture. The output is about 1,000 pounds of wrapping paper and three tons of toilet paper daily. Their building is six-story, brick, 44 by 44 feet; motive power, twelve-horse power engine. Forty hands are employed.

Branch offices are established in New York, 1475 Broadway; Manager, H. B. Smith. Phila- delphia, 1031 Chestnut street; Manager, Wm. A. Hamilton. Chicago, 44 La Salle street; Manager, Louis L. Munson, and Boston, 114 Milk street, Moulton & Goodwin, General Agents for the New England States. The officers are Seth Wheeler, President; R. M. Hamilton, Treasurer; E. J. Wheeler, Secretary.

The Albany Card and Paper Company was in- corporated in 1868: The building, 315 to 321 Hamilton street, in which they manufacture and have their offices, was begun about 1860, and was gradually built in detachments, until it now occu- pies an area of 90 by 212 feet. Is five stories high and made of brick. Seventy-five males and an equal number of females are employed.

They surface-coat and finish colored paper for lithographing, for printers and for box-makers. Card-board of all kinds is manufactured.

Their trade extends throughout the States, Can- ada, and even reaches Brazil.

James M. Warner is President; J. H. McClure, Vice-President; and E. J. Miller, Secretary, of this extensive manufactory.

Allston Adams conducts a card-board manufac- tory at the corner of North Pearl and Pleasant streets.

PAPER-HANGINGS.

Lemuel Steele was perhaps the first Albany merchant who engaged in manufacturing and importing paper-hangings. He came to Albany from Hartford, Conn., in 1815, and began busi- ness at No. 453 South Market street, now Broad- way. Mr. Steele was prominent in public affairs; was Alderman for ten years, Chief Engineer of the Fire Department, Director in the Mechanics' & Farmers' Bank over twenty years, and held va- rious other public offices. He died December 26, 1853. He was succeeded, in 1852, by the firm of

603

MANUFACTURING INTERESTS OF ALBANY.

George B. Steele & Robert M. King, who are now succeeded by Frank B. King.

TOBACCO, SNUFF AND CIGAR MANUFAC- TURE.

The first tobacco manufactory in Albany was erected by James Caldwell, a man closley identified with many of the earlier successful manufacturing interests of this city. The establishment was in operation in 1790, situated near the mansion-house of the Patroons. It was regarded as the most ex- tensive and perfect of its kind in the country. Here a large force of men was employed in mak- ing snuff and cigars, and drying and curing tobacco. The snuff-mill was considered capable of making more snuff in nine months than was consumed annually in the northern part of the country. In 1794 the works were destroyed by fire, but soon after rebuilt. In 1810 Levi Solomon became a partner of Mr. Caldwell, the partnership continu- ing until 1820, when Mr. Caldwell retired. Mr. Solomon carried on the business until 1832, when he sold the concern to Charles Chapman, who con- tinued the business for several years.

The tobacco factory of Benjamin Payn's Sons was established by Benjamin Payn in 1835. He conducted the business until his death in 1881, when he was succeeded by his sons, Arthur S. and Howard K., under the present firm title. The factory and sales-rooms, corner of Maiden lane and James street are comprised in a five-story brick building, 35 by 90 feet in dimensions, with machinery and appliances for producing about 100,000 cigars and 25,000 pounds of tobacco per month; em- ployment being furnished to seventy skilled work- men.

Alexander Greer commenced the manufacture of tobacco, snuff and cigars in Albany in 1847. In 1858 his sons were admitted as partners, and the senior member dying in 1873, the present firm was organized, consisting of Thomas H., John and Alexander Greer, under the firm name of Alex- ander Greer's Sons. The factory is situated at 820 and 822 Broadway, where fifty hands are employed in the various departments on the four floors of this large building. The annual product amounts to 1, 200,000 cigars annually.

Moses Strasser founded the present tobacco manufacturing firm of M. Strasser & Co. in 1852. The individual members are Moses, Benjamin and Solomon Strasser. Their plant, at No 27 Hudson avenue, consists of a four-story brick building 25 by 70 feet in dimensions, where a large force of workmen are employed. The trade of this house is extensive and growing.

In 1867, Gee & Van Slyke commenced to man- ufacture cigars in Albany, and continued the bus- iness until 1870, when the firm was changed by the retirement of Mr. Gee, after which the bus- iness was continued by G. W. Van Slyke until 1881, when Walter Horton was admitted as partner, under the firm name of G. W. Van Slyke & Co. Their factory and sales-room, 471 Broadway, com- prises a five-story brick building, 23 by 180 feet in

dimensions. Here is furnished employment to about two hundred operatives, whose annual pro- duction aggregates about 7,000, 000 cigars.

Besides the above manufacturers, the following are engaged in this business: Frank Chamberlain, 26 and 28 State street; James Jones, 627 Broad- way; S. Levy & Brother, 36 Green street; F. B. Mooney, 9 South Pearl; Shield & Sons, 37 Church street; M. G. McNamara & Co., 71 North Pearl street; W. A. Rapine, 451 Madison avenue; J. J. . Franklin, 500 Broadway; Julius Fish & Brother, 14 South Pearl; and D. A. Lawler & Son, 776 Broad- way.

HATS AND FUR GOODS.

The making of felt and beaver hats in New England, New York and Virginia, began to be a large industry in the latter part of the seven- teenth and early part of the eighteenth century; but was checked by parliamentary law as inter- fering with British industry, and thus restrained until after the Revolution. After this it was revived.

The manufacturing of fur goods and hats was at one time one of the most important industries in Albany. It was claimed that the Albany fur- riers excelled all others in the world in the im- portant art of dying their furs. Among the pioneers in this industry of whom we have authentic record, were John W. Wendell, who in 1783 was engaged in manufacturing hats; Elisha Dorr, who in 1793 followed this business. William Mayell, who came from England in 1795, settled in Albany and began to make hats. In an advertisement in the newspapers in 1820 his store was designated as op- posite the Eagle Tavern. He was at this time the most extensive manufacturer of hats in the city. Be- sides being a good mechanic, he made some pre- tension to science. He was an active member of the Mechanics' Society, and afterwards of the Albany Institute, of which he is said to have been the founder.

In the first quarter of the present century J. H. Prentice, Packer & Co., established a manufactory of fur goods here, which grew to immense pro- portions. Some years after it was continued by Prentice, Finn & Co. In 1844, it was considered the largest of its kind in the world; 700 to 800 hands were constantly employed, and over 2,000 caps were manufactured daily. Their products, as fast as manufactured, were shipped to a branch establishment in New York, whence they were distributed to all parts of this and foreign countries.

About this same time Taaffe & Gough conducted a similar business at No. I Exchange Building, where they employed about 150 hands in this bus- iness. A large quantity of muffs, collars and trim- mings were manufactured by them.

Edward S. Willett, about 1825, had a hat man- ufactory on the corner of Green and Bassett streets. He was the first to commence the manufacture of silk hats in Albany.

In 1844, Williams, Parke & Co. conducted a cap, muff, glove and robe manufactory in this city, at

604

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

No. 71 Broadway. Their work was noted for its excellence and was well known all over the country at this date.

In 1832, Joshua G. Cotrell founded the business now conducted by Messrs. Edgar Cotrell and Daniel Leonard, under the firm name of Cotrell & Leonard, at 472 and 474 Broadway. Messrs. E. Cotrell and Leonard entered the firm in 1867, and gained control of the same in 1878, the year of the senior Mr. Cotrell's death. They built the premises 46 State street in 1870, occupying the same until 1884, when they removed to their pres- ent quarters. Their annual sales are about $250,- 000.

About sixty years ago, Denison Williams dressed and dyed seal-skins. He was succeeded by Packer, Prentice & Co., whose manufactures in 1831 reached the value of $500,000. John Bryan, James Chase, Robert Cheesebrough and John S. Smith were also engaged in this business. Twenty thousand fur seals per year were dressed, which were made into caps. When these caps went out of fashion the trade waned. In 1858 it revived, since which time seal-skin sacques have been man- ufactured.

The firm of George C. Treadwell & Co., man- ufacturers and dealers in furs, from its small be- ginnings in 1832, when it was established by George C. Treadwell, late deceased, has grown until it now ranks with the leading fur establish- ments of the country. They manufacture and deal in all kinds of fine furs, sacques, boas, caps, gloves, robes, etc. The present fine process by which fur seal, otter and beaver are dyed and dressed, is the result of Mr Treadwell's industry and skill. Their premises are 60 by 30 feet, four- stories high, brick. The first floor is used for dis- playing goods, the others for manufacturing and storing. The successor of Mr. Treadwell is his son, George H. Treadwell. The house has a branch store at No. 676 Broadway, New York City, under the supervision of Henry Treadwell. In 1844, Mr. Treadwell, Sr., had acquired the reputation of being one of the best cap manufacturers in the United States, and as especially excelling in dress- ing and coloring furs.

There are now, and long have been, extensive dealers in every variety of hats, caps and furs, and fur goods, in this city who are referred to under the head of the Beaver and Fur Trade, and Trade and Commerce.

GEORGE CURTIS TREADWELL

was born in Farmington, Conn., October 24, 1812, and died in Albany, N. Y., October 3, 1885.

His father was George Treadwell, of Farmington. His grandfather was Hon. John Treadwell, Gov- ernor of Connecticut and first President of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. His mother was Nancy Curtis, daugh- ter of Eleazer Curtis, of Farmington, Conn.

Mr. Treadwell left his home when nine years of age, and lived with his uncle, Major Roger

Hooker, till he was fourteen, when he removed to Albany, N. Y., and entered the dry goods house of Chandler, Starr, & Co. and remained till 1829, when he was employed by Packer, Prentice & Co., manufacturers of furs. He remained with them till he commenced business for himself, April 1, 1832. James Chase entered the firm of George C. Tread- well & Co. February 1, 1846, and retired February 1, 1872. Thomas Treadwell entered the concern February 1, 1846, and retired February 1, 1853. Moses P. Whitcomb entered the concern February 1, 1854, and retired February 1, 1857. Henry Treadwell entered the concern February 1, 1854. George C. Treadwell retired from the concern Feb- ruary 1, 1884, and the firm of Treadwell & Co., consisting of Henry Treadwell, his brother, and George H. Treadwell, his son, was formed Feb- ruary 1, 1885.

Upon Mr. Treadwell's retirement, the following notice appeared in the Albany Argus :

" The retirement of George C. Treadwell from active business after a career of over half a century, merits a passing notice. Brought up in the strict- ness of a New England home, Mr. Treadwell came to this city a youth, and soon engaged in the fur business, bringing with its prosecution the habits of industry, integrity and close application, which were the fruits of his early training. During the whole period he has won the esteem and con- fidence of the entire community. Of somewhat retiring habits, Mr. Treadwell has never filled any public position, except that of a director in one of our banks, where he remained but for a brief period. But his interest in the public welfare has always been manifested by his liberal gifts to all worthy public and charitable objects. In retiring from business, which he does in consequence of impaired health, he carries with him the sympathy and respect of all who are acquainted with him. In the card announcing his retirement, after thank- ing his friends for their patronage and recommend- ing his successors to the public, he closes with his 'acknowledgment to Almighty God for the material welfare he has enjoyed.' This, which might seem like cant if it came from some men, is so charac- teristic of Mr. Treadwell, that all who know him will appreciate his sincerity in thus publicly making known his gratitude to the Author and Giver of all blessings."

He married Amy D. Roberts March 2, 1836. Their children are George Hooker, Lucy, Julia, Charles, Edgar, Ezra Prentice, Emma, Alice, and Howard.

To the advice and example of Major Hooker his uncle, William Gay and John T. Norton, and the early training of his mother, he is indebted for those sterling traits of character which have made him such a bright example of true Christian man- hood in the Church and the world.

To the habit of making every transaction of his life a matter of conscience, with a firm reliance upon his Maker, and following the Bible as his only guide, was due his success, the result of which was a competency of this world's goods and the good-will of all his acquaintances.

GEORGE C TREADWELL

605

MANUFACTURING INTERESTS OF ALBANY.

He has always given liberally to those objects of charity which commended themselves to his judg- ment as being right and for the public good.

Mr. Treadwell never held any public office, except to serve as a Director of the Commercial Bank for a short period ; a Trustee of the Second Presbyterian Church from 1849 to 1876 (twenty- seven years) ; and as Elder in the same church.

He devoted his time to his business and was regular and steady in his habits, and, though suf- fering all his life from asthma, he had never been sick enough to be obliged to remain at home till October 24, 1883, since which time he only went out to drive.

BOOT AND SHOE MANUFACTURE.

The making of boots and shoes on orders for customers, is a business that has been carried on for ages, and the sons of St. Crispin, following their useful craft, have been found in nearly every neigh- borhood in this country, from the earliest settle- ment, alongside the blacksmith, the house joiner, the Jack of all trades. Their occupation is not yet gone, but the large establishments that supply shoes to the trade, reaching even to foreign lands, had their origin and development in New England, beginning in the early part of this century. Their introduction in Albany has been more recent, but equally successful.

The present firm of Willard Bellows, manufac- turer of boots and shoes, was founded in 1856 by Messrs. Munson & Co., who were succeeded in 1864 by Bellows & Moore, who continued in busi- ness until 1879, when Mr. Bellows became sole owner. It is one of the leading manufactories of its kind in Albany. The factory and sales-rooms, 411 Broadway, occupy four floors, 20 by 70 feet in dimensions. About twenty-five workmen are constantly employed.

The boot and shoe manufactory of Woolverton & Co., 369 and 371 Broadway, was established by G. A. Woolverton & Co. in 1831. It was continued by the founders for over half a century, when, January 1, 1881, the present firm, composed of Monroe Woolverton and Marcus E. Stone, succeeded to the business. This factory is comprised in a four-story brick building, 50 by 100 feet in dimen- sions, where are employed one hundred and fifty operators, producing fifty thousand pairs of shoes annually.

Fearey Manufacturing Company .- This, the largest boot and shoe manufactory in Albany, was founded by Thomas Fearcy in 1844. Up to 1854 goods were manufactured only to supply the several retail stores conducted by the founder. In this year the manufacture of boots and shoes was begun at the foot of Beaver street to supply the wholesale trade. In 1865, his two sons, Thomas H. and George D. Fearey, became associated with the founder under the firm name of Thomas Fearey & Sons. At this time large apartments were secured at Nos. 51 and 53 Liberty street. In 1867 the firm purchased the building Nos. 9 and 11 Liberty street, and removed to that location. These fre-

quent removals were made for the purpose of accommodating their growing business, but this last location was soon found too small, and in 1869 they completed and first occupied their present quarters on Union, Division and Liberty streets. This plant covers nearly an entire square, upon which are erected two large four-story brick build- ings. The capacity of the factory is about one thousand five hundred pairs of shoes per day. About five hundred operatives are employed.

In 1882 a stock company was formed called the Fearey Manufacturing Company, as successors to Thomas Fearey & Sons. The business is controlled by a Board of Trustees. The following are the officers and trustees : George L. Stedman, Presi- dent ; George D. Fearey, Vice-President and Manager ; William K. Templeton, Secretary and Treasurer ; B. F. Fayerweather, Louis Schoellkopf, Jonas M. Barnet, James Abbot, Joseph R. Harper, John F. Shaffer.

East New York Boot and Shoe Manufacturing Company has a branch factory at 226 to 232 Hamilton street. The plant of this Company is one of the most extensive in the city devoted to this branch of industry. The factory consists of a four-story brick building. About four hundred operatives are employed in the several processes of manufacture. This house was originally estab- lished in 1858, at East New York, L. I., by John R. Pitkin. A portion of the works was removed to Albany in 1860. The present officers of the Company are George D. Pitkin, President ; Walcott H. Pitkin, Vice-President ; and Frederick E. Pitkin, Secretary and Treasurer. Two hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars are expended an- nually in Albany for wages and salaries. C. C. Ballou is Superintendent of this factory, Edwin W. Ober is Cashier, and Charles G. Hoy, Accountant. James G. Cummings and John H. Fotens are fore- men of separate departments.

The boot and shoe manufactory of M. W. Dodge was founded by the present proprietor in 1877. The factory occupies the three upper stories of the building, Nos. 416 and 418 Broad- way. An average of sixty hands are employed, and all the latest and most improved machinery is used. Mr. Dodge sells the product of his factory principally to the retail dealers.

In 1877, Messrs. A. McD. Shoemaker and William Pabst, under the firm name of Shoe- maker & Pabst, began manufacturing boots and shoes. Their establishment at 35 and 37 Hamil- ton street is a three-story brick building, 42 by 30 feet, and seventy-five operatives find employment there. The products are women's, misses' and children's medium grade goat and kid boots and shoes.

Stephen Munson was among the earliest manu- facturers of shoes in Albany, and carried on this business for many years. He is still a resident ot this city, but not engaged in active business.

J. R. Busley, at present Superintendent in the shoe manufactory of Herrick & Freeman, claims to be the first person to use steam power in making shoes, not only in Albany, but in America.

606

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

SHIRTS, COLLARS, AND CUFFS.

The Albany Linen Collar Company .- The man- ufacture of shirts, linen collars and cuffs for the wholesale trade, in this city, has, with a single nota- ble exception, that of the firm of S. L. Munson, been prosecuted only to a limited extent. The first successful attempt to establish an extensive collar manufactory in this city was made in 1867 by the firm of Munson, Richardson & Co., composed of S. L. Munson, J. A. Richardson and L. R. Dwight. In 1869 the firm dissolved and S. L. Munson, the present proprietor of the concern, became sole owner. The business was first carried on at 372 and 374 Broadway. It was afterwards removed to 463 and 465 Broadway. Other removals were soon occa- sioned by the rapidly growing business. In 1884

Mr. Munson purchased the old Hudson avenue Church, which since, at an outlay of much money, he has converted into a handsome and well-arranged manufactory. Here every facility is afforded for his large and growing business. About three hundred hands are employed, of whom a greater part work on the premises.

The manufacture of paper collars was begun in Albany, in 1869, by Edward Elisha Mack and Stephen Jarvis, and for some years a prosperous business was done. It was finally abandoned when the senior member of the firm founded the present house of Mack & Co., manufacturers of cloth-faced and linen collars, cuffs and shirts. The manufacturing plant is located at No. 6 Pruyn street, and embraces a four-story brick building. About sixty operatives are employed at the factory, and about the same number are furnished with work at their own homes. The individual mem- bers of the firm are Edward Elisha Mack and William M. Ticknor.

BRUSHES.

Bristles, wire, broom corn, wool, leather, camel's hair and other material are at this day used in the manufacture of brushes for the various pur- poses of cleaning and painting.

In 1833, J. B. Armour began the manufacture of brushes from bristles for domestic purposes and for manufacturing and machine uses. The busi- ness was afterward conducted by Ferris & Armour. In 1880, John Ferris, Jr., the present proprietor, became sole owner, and is improving the style and finish. The premises, a four-story brick structure, 20 by 75 feet, are located at 400 Broadway. Nearly five-sixths of the bristles used in American brushes are obtained from Russia.

The quality of the brushes made by Mr. Ferris is giving him an increasing trade.

SAMUEL L. MUNSON.

Among the men who founded New Haven in 1638, was Thomas A. Munson, who came to America in 1621. Richard Lyman was of the band who, in 1635, hewed their way from Boston to the Connecticut River, and located the town of Hartford. Both of these men were of noble Eng-

lish families. After exactly two hundred years, and in the eighth generation in America, these two Puritan families were united by the marriage in 1835, at Chester, Mass., of Garry Munson and Harriet Lyman. Of their seven children, the fifth and youngest son is Samuel Lyman Munson, who was born in the town of Norwich (now Hunt- ington) Mass., June 14, 1844. His father was the most prominent man in that section of the State, and served the State, county, town and church all officially during a long and busy life. His advice and counsel were much sought by his neighbors, and a remarkable illustration of his reputation for sagacity and integrity is found in the fact that he was at one time administrating on no less than fifteen different estates, while his posses- sion of extraordinary business qualifications was demonstrated by the fact, that during this period, as a farmer, a dealer in wool and a manufacturer, he gave careful attention to his own large interests, with results satisfactory both to himself and others interested. In religion and morals a Puritan, in secular affairs always just and liberal, and in all things fearless, he died after having achieved the allotted three score and ten years, leaving a spot- less reputation, which is held as a sacred legacy by his children.

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 136

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