Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 207

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 207

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Granite Mill, Wm. Moore, proprietor. 8 sets of cards and 12 tables of knitters; makes ladies' and gents' white shirts and drawers, 18 and 20 gauge ; 150 employees.

Pacific Hosiery Mills, Clark & Holsapple, pro- prietors. 4 sets of cards, 7 tables of knitters, 16 cylinders, 70 employees; make merino shirts and drawers, 12 to 19 gauge, white.

Kensington Mills, Root & Waterman, proprie- tors. 7 sets of cards, 11 tables, with 22 cylinders, 150 employees, producing ladies', gents' and chil- dren's wool and merino white shirts and drawcis, 12 to 22 gauge.

Erie Mill, M. E. Moore & Co., proprietors. 6 sets of machinery, 8 tables, with 18 cylinders, and 150 employees, producing merino shirts and draw- ers, white, 20 gauge.

American Hosiery Mill, Gregory & Hiller, pro- prietors. 6 sets of cards, 18 cylinders, 90 employ- ees; gents' merino, white and mixed, shirts and drawers, 14, 16 and 18 gauge.

Crown Knitting Mill, Thompson & Lefferts, pro- prietors. This firm buys its yarn; they have 3 tables of knitting machinery and 6 cylinders and 40 employees; make ladies' white merino vests, 16 gauge.

W. H. & D. Aiken have 3 sets of cards, 9 knit- ting cylinders and 60 employees; they make white vests and pants, 20 gauge.

Anchor Hosiery Mill, C. F. North & Doyle, pro- prietors ; has 6 sets of cards, 13 tables, 28 cylin- ders, with 160 employees, producing ladies' and children's white underwear, 18 gauge.

Eclipse Mill, Wood, Pierce & Co. This firm buys the yarn to run 4 tables and 8 cylinders; they have 60 employees, making ladies' white under- wear, 20 gauge.

Enterprise Mill, John Scott & Son, proprietors. IO sets of cards, 14 knitting tables, 30 cylinders, 235 hands; makes ladies' and gents' white under- wear, 16 and 20 gauge.

Brockway & Knott have 2 sets of cards and 11 cylinders, and produce ladies' and gents' all- wool scarlet underwear, 18 gauge.

Victor Knitting Mills Company, Brooks, Silli- man & Aiken, proprietors. The mill is owned by the estate of Henry Brockway, who ran it from 1860 to 1880; the machinery is owned by the present proprietors; there are nine sets of cards and 24 knitting cylinders, operated by 250 em- ployees; the monthly pay- roll is $8,000; the yearly product amounts to about $750,000.

This knitting industry is one of the chief ele- ments in the prosperity of Cohoes. About $1, 600,000 are paid out here annually to employ- ees in this branch of business, and every year shows a marked increase in the amount of the product, as well as in the quality of the goods manufactured. In 30 years the number of mills has increased from 3 to 25 in Cohoes alone, and the number of liands employed has increased in the same time from 750 to 4,140.

CHAPTER VII.

OTHER MANUFACTORIES.

* Cohoes Axes and Edge Tools .- Just fifty years ago the foundation for the present extensive, manu- facture of axes and edge tools in Cohoes was laid, and one year later the first establishment was in successful operation. The business has gradually developed, until it forms one of the most impor- tant branches of the manufactures of Cohoes. Daniel Simmons, the pioncer in the business, be- gan life as a blacksmith, and had a forge in the lower part of the City of Albany, where he com- menced making axes by hand for an occasional customer, using for the cutting edges German or blister steel, which was then supposed to be the only kind that could be successfully welded to iron. About 1825 it was found that, by the use of re- fined borax as a flux, cast steel could be made to answer the purpose, and Mr. Simmons promptly took advantage of the discovery, being one of the first to put it to practical use. His axes soon be- came favorably known, and the demand for them was so increased that greater facilities for produc- tion became necessary. Accordingly, in 1826, he removed to Berne, Albany County, where he se- cured a small water-power, erected rude buildings and put up trip-hammers and other machinery. In time these accommodations proved insufficient, and Mr. Simmons came to Cohoes, where he founded the establishment, one of the earliest in the country, which, under successful management, became known through all parts of the globe.

The second ax and edge tool factory was started in 1843 by White, Olmsted & Co. This estab- lishment continued until the failure of Miles White, in 1857. The business was then closed out, and the buildings in which it was conducted were destroyed by fire on the 8th of May, 1858.

The third ax and edge tool establishment was started in 1863 by Alden, Frink and Weston, under

* Prepared by Mr. James H Masten.

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

the firm name of W. J. Ten Eyck & Co., a build- ing erected by Jonas Simmons on the site of the present rolling mill having been purchased by them. This concern was extensively enlarged in 1864, and continued in operation until 1866, when Alden, Frink and Weston failed. On the suspen- sion of this firm, a new company was organized, known as the "Ten Eyck Manufacturing Com- pany," with the following officers: David Cowee, president; George R. Seymour, treasurer; R. H. Thompson, secretary, and W. J. Ten Eyck, super- intendent. This company closed business in 1872, and in the following year the factory was taken by Williams, Ryan & Jones, and they were soon after succeeded by Sheehan, Jones & Ryan. In January, 1873, the factory was consumed by fire. John L. Thompson, of Troy, lost on build- ings $20,000, of which $9,000 was insured. The loss of the firm was from $6,000 to $8,000 on manufactured goods.

Messrs. Sheehan, Jones & Ryan moved into the pipe factory building on Saratoga street. Mr. Sheehan withdrew from the firm, and Jones & Ryan continued. July 1, 1874, there was still another change in the firm, which was then styled M. H. Jones & Co. This firm name continued until shortly before the death of Mr. Jones. Since then A. G. Peck & Co. have carried on the business, which is very extensive and constantly increasing.

The fourth venture in this line of manufacture was by the second Ten Eyck Manufacturing Com- pany, established in February, 1876, with a capi- tal of $30,000, with the following partners: Abram, Albert, and Jonas S. Ten Eyck; and D. H. Clute, Cohoes; George Carrigan, Bayonne, N. J.

Their works were located on Saratoga street, near the extreme southern boundary of the city, and consisted of a building 100 x 32 feet, contain- ing forge shop and polishing shop; and two wings, each 60 feet long, containing tempering shop, blacksmith shop, etc. The works were run by a 40-horse-power steam engine. The firm contin- ued business until October, 1877, when it sus- pended, and their works remained idle until March, 1880, when the Cohoes Ax Manufacturing Company, a new firm, was formed, composed of George Campbell, John Clute, J. H. Parsons, Wm. S. Gilbert and Ethan Rogers. The new com- pany brought energy, skill and the necessary capital into the concern to make it successful, and it now ranks among the most prosperous establishments of the kind in the country.

Cohoes Rolling Mill .- In 1856 the Cohoes Roll- ing Mill was erected to make iron and steel for the ax factory of D. Simmons & Co. In 1863 Jonas Simmons and E. N. Page formed a copartnership, and constructed one single puddling furnace and one heating furnace. The puddling furnace was soon doubled, and the capacity was 12 tons fin- ished iron in 24 hours.

March 11, 1865, James Morrison bought out Mr. Simmons, and the present firm of Morrison, Colwell & Page was formed. Under the new man- agement the works rapidly grew until the fire of

January 5, 1883, when they had ten double pud- dling furnaces, one scrap furnace and four heating furnaces; also, six ax-poll machines. These ax machines and the royalty thereon cost $65,000. They were bought in 1867, and they have a capac- ity of 3,000 ax-polls in ten hours. The works were reconstructed immediately after the fire, in the early summer of 1883, from sections of the main Centennial building, Philadelphia, all iron and glass. The finishing and ax-poll department is 280 feet long and 180 feet wide. The main columns are 35 feet high; truss roof.

The puddle mill is 70 by 250 feet, with wing 80 by 70. The shear shop is 30 by 60 feet, two stories high.

The new mill has been arranged with special reference to convenience in handling the iron as it passes from process to process. They have now twelve double furnaces, two scrap furnaces, seven heating furnaces, one 20-inch roll-train, 25 feet fly wheel; one 16-inch roll-train, 20 feet fly wheel; one 10-inch roll-train, 16 feet fly wheel; one 20- inch roll-train, 23 feet fly wheel.

The principal motor power used is water, sup- plemented by a 100-horse-power steam engine, which drives two large Sturtevant fan blowers, which convey blast to the furnaces; also a 25-horse- power engine which drives the ax-poll machines, shears, shafting, etc.

The capacity of the mill now is from 25, 000 to 30,000 tons of finished iron annually, using 60,000 tons of coal (bituminous), about 20,000 tons pig iron, 5,000 tons scrap iron, and large quantities of ore, fire brick, fire sand, etc. These are re- ceived on Delaware and Hudson Canal Company Railroad and by Champlain Canal, which delivers at the rolling mill docks.

The iron used is principally from Port Henry, Hudson River and Pennsylvania. The iron made is of very superior quality, principally intended for making axes, adzes, butts, hinges and axles. They also supply the Cohoes tube works with a superior grade of skelp iron for making gas, water and steam pipe.

E. N. Page, the superintendent, was born in Birmingham, England. His experience in a roll- ing mill was with E. Page & Sons, at Rolnay, Eng- land. He came to America in 1848, being twenty- two years of age, and received his training here with Horace Grace & Co. at South Boston, and Glendon Iron Company, East Boston.

He then became mill manager for Wm. E. Coffin & Co., Pembroke Iron Works, Maine. He remained there eight years. Then he became su- perintendent of Burden's steam mill, Troy, N. Y., where he remained one year. He then formed a copartnership with Mr. Simmons, as above stated. Mr. Page is, without doubt, one of the best iron makers in this country. The present firm consists of James Morrison, Thomas Colwell and E. N. Page.

Manufactory of Wrought Iron and Galvanized Pipe .- In January, 1872, B. T. Benton and James Morehead, of Brooklyn, A. B. Wood, of New York, and James Morrison and Thomas Colwell, of Troy, N. Y., formed a copartnership, under the

959

THE CITY OF COHOES.

name of the Empire Tube Works, for the purpose of manufacturing wrought iron pipe. During the summer and fall of that year they built the mill lo- cated on the west side of North Saratoga street at its junction with the Mohawk River. Their plant consisted of three butt-weld furnaces and one skelp- ing furnace, with all the latest improved machinery and appliances for making wrought iron pipe, and cost $52,000. They commenced making pipe in the winter of 1873, but were hardly well started when Mr. Benton died. The company then rented the mill to Albert Smith, of New York, and James Morehead, of Brooklyn, who formed a copartner- ship under the firm name of Albert Smith & Co., and immediately began manufacturing. Owing to the depressed condition of the pipe business at this time, they were only moderately successful, and they dissolved partnership May 1, 1874, Mr. Morehead retiring. Aberdeen G. Curtis, of Troy, N. Y., at this time bought an interest in the firm and assumed charge of the manufacturing de- partment. They continued the business with good success until May 1, 1876. At that time a wrought iron pipe combination was formed, which succeeded in renting the mill from its owners for the purpose of closing it, to prevent competition.

The firm of Albert Smith & Co. immediately sought a new location, and July 13, 1876, Mr. Curtis bought the lease of the ground formerly cc- cupied by the old Ten Eyck ax factory, directly west of the Cohoes rolling mill, and with charac- teristic energy commenced building their new mill. He was materially assisted in its construction by E. N. Page, of the rolling mill, and by their united efforts, continuing the work day and night, it was finished, and pipe making began just three months after the purchase of the lease. The new plant embraced two butt-weld furnaces and one skelp- ing furnace, and although apparently of less ca- pacity than the other, was really larger, as the mill was arranged much more conveniently, and a great saving of labor was caused by this. From this time until January 16, 1880, the business was carried on with only moderate success. All branches of the iron business were extremely de- pressed. At this point James Morrison, of the rolling mill, bought out the interest of Albert Smith, and the firm became known as A. G. Cur- tis & Co. By this change new life was infused into all departments of the business, favored by the re- turning prosperity of iron trade, and with increased capital and experience, the business began to grow with rapid strides. A third welding furnace was built on a new and improved plan, the other two were remodeled and all the machinery improved and put in the best possible order. A great many new machines were added. The pipe made by the firm became noted for its quality, and rapidly gained a preference in the market over all others. The iron used is made by the Cohoes Rolling Mill with special reference to pipe making, and is noted for its excellence.

On the 25th of January, 1883, Mr. Curtis died at Palatka, Florida, where he had been in the habit

of going in the winter for his health. His death was a great loss to the firm.

This event made it necessary to reorganize the firm, and it took the present name of Curtis & Co., and consists of James Morrison, Henry Aird and Mary M. Curtis. Mr. Aird became connected with the firm, January 1, 1878, as foreman. He soon mastered the entire details of the business, whether financial or pertaining to the process of manufacturing, and was better prepared to take the entire charge after the death of Mr. Curtis than any other man. The annual product of the mill is now in excess of $500,000, using about 9,000 tons of skelp iron, 5,000 tons of Lehigh coal, and large quantities of other raw material annually. In ad- dition to their manufacturing department, they are large jobbers of wrought iron pipe of sizes larger than they manufacture; also a full line of mallea- ble and cast iron fittings, globe valves, etc., etc. They also manufacture large quantities of nipples, employing nine Sander's pipe-cutting and thread- ing machines in this department alone. Any thing needed by gas-fitters or steam-heating companies can be found in this department. The aim of this firm is to make the very best grade in the market, and they have thus far succeeded in accomplishing their purpose. Prepared by Mr. Henry Aird.

Machine Shop of Campbell & Clute .- The firm of Campbell & Clute was formed January 1, 1863, by Mr. George Campbell and Mr. John Clute, both practical and enterprising mechanics. They com- menced business opposite the Harmony Hotel, where they still remain. They now occupy a very commodious building, four stories high, erected by themselves in 1873.

Their specialty is knitting machinery. They employ fifty-five men, and their monthly pay-roll is $2,500. Their annual production is valued at $ 100,000.

Mr. Clute has lately perfected a machine for knitting silk, making a beautiful and durable fabric ; also a machine for knitting worsted, pro- ducing a grade of cloth which may properly be used for outside garments, and both partners of this firm are having handsome overcoats made, which were knit by their own hands and with their own machinery.

Cohoes Iron Foundry and Machine Company .--- These works were commenced in 1868 by William T. Horrobin, in a building erected for the purpose east of the Saratoga Railroad, where they are still located. In 1877 the business came under the control of Mr. Robert Johnston, who is the present proprietor.

Mr. Warren J. Kellogg is the general manager. This establishment makes cotton machinery, and specially, machinery for dressing cotton warps, ele- vators, water-wheel governors (Snow patent), port- able forges (Kellogg patent), shafting, pulleys, etc.

At these works 150 hands are employed. The monthly pay-roll is $5,000.

The annual production is $150,000.

Tubbs & Humphreys' Machine Shop and Foundry. -. This business was established in 1873 by Tubbs & Severson. Mr. Severson retired in 1878. J. W.

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

Tubbs then carried on the business alone two years. The firm then became Tubbs & Hum- phreys. They occupy a large building on Cort- land street, east of the Miller House. This build- ing was erected by Harris Brothers in 1868, and was used by them for the manufacture of pins. Mr. Tubbs bought the building in 1877. Tubbs & Humphreys manufacture knitting machinery and burrs, shafting, hangers, pulleys, patent eleva- tors, brick sanding machines and brushing ma- chines, and do general machine work; they em- ploy 40 hands, with a monthly pay-roll of $1, 600. In the same building there is also a needle shop, Dawson & Lennox, proprietors, employing 10 hands. There is also in this building a reed and harness shop, Friel & Cosgro, proprietors, employ- ing 6 hands. Luke Cavanaugh has a burr shop in the same building. Thompson & Lefferts' knit- ting mill is also in this building.

John McCreary's Machine Shop, established in 1874, is located in Campbell & Clute's building, Mohawk street. He makes pin machinery, brush- ing and napping machines, lubricators, sewing- machine attachments, and does general machine work; he employs 8 men, and has a monthly pay- roll of $450.

Paper Box Factories .- 1. Cohoes Paper Box Factory, established August 1, 1864, Isaac Clute, agent, employs 60 hands; monthly pay-roll, $1,500; annual product, 950,000 boxes; in Camp- bell & Clute's building, Mohawk street.

2. Paper Box Factory of C. F. North, formerly conducted by D. M. Morris, employs 35 hands; in North's building, Mohawk street, opposite Har- mony Hotel. This factory was established in 1 865.

3. Paper Box Factory of M. A. Pennock, estab- lished 1868, employs 17 hands; on Factory street, near Post-office; makes all kinds of paper boxes; also carries on large business at Pittsfield, Mass.

4. John Leggett, Paper Box Factory, Ontario street, Van Schaick's Island; does a large business, both in Cohoes and Troy.

Sash and Blind .- Abner J. Griffin commenced business in Cohoes in 1858; he occupies the build- ing, erected by himself, at the junction of Mohawk and Remsen streets; he makes sash, blinds, doors, moldings, etc., and employs 12 hands; B. R. Peck is the foreman; the annual product is $30,000.

Furniture Factory .- In Mr. Griffin's building, J. & G. Fisher carry on a furniture factory, and em- ploy 12 hands.

Bobbin Shop .- Also in the same building, D. W. Dodge has a bobbin shop, and employs 5 hands.

Knitting Needle Factory .- In the same building as above, Jones & Goynes manufacture spring knit- ting needles and points, and also temper burr wings.

The American Soap Company .- This business was established in Cohoes, in 1861, by M. E. Wilson & Co., of Troy. The building is east of the Saratoga Railroad, on Oneida street.

Cotton Batt Factories .- Walker & Williams man- ufacture cotton batts on the Mohawk, east of the

Strong Mill. The business was commenced in 1874; they have 2 cards, 7 pickers and 2 Garnett machines, and employ 25 hands; monthly pay- roll, $600; they make 15,000 pounds of batts per week and 12,coo pounds of Garnetted stock, wool, for knitting mills.

D. Lowenthal also has a Cotton Batt factory, same location as above. He runs 3 cards and 3 pickers, employs 6 men, and makes 15,000 pounds a week.

P. Carroll, in the same vicinity, also makes cotton batts, with four cards. He commenced business in 1880. He employs five men and turns out about 3, 500 pounds a week.

Lamp Black Factory .- This is a branch of the Glenwood Chemical Works, Troy ; established in Cohoes, 1883 ; James A. Eddy, proprietor. Mr. Eddy erected the building, 40 x 50 feet, three stories high, north of the Strong Mill, and gives the whole business his personal supervision.

CHAPTER VIII.

CHURCHES.

St. John's Episcopal Church .- On Monday, May 2, A. D. 1831, a meeting of churchmen was held in the school-house of District No. 5, at which the parish of St. John's was organized. David Wilkin- son and Hugh White were elected Church Wardens, and Hezakiah Howe, Otis Sprague, Albert S. Wilk- inson, James Faulkner, John Vanderwerken, Matthias Williams, Samuel H. Baldwin and Luther M. Tracy were chosen Vestrymen. On the 12th of May, fifth Sunday after Easter, the new church building, the first of any name in Cohoes, was consecrated by the Right Rev. B. F. Onderdonk, Bishop of New York. The building stood on the south side of Oneida street, between Mohawk and Remsen streets. The ground was 100 feet square and was given by the Cohoes Company. For the first ten years, the services were supplied by the rectors of Waterford, Mr. Clark and the Rev. Cyrus Stebbins. The first rector of St. John's was the Rev. David 1. Burger. He was succeeded the same year (1841) by the Rev. E. G. Edwards, who was succeeded, in 1844, by the Rev. John Brecken- ridge Gibson. Mr. Gibson's rectorship is made especially noteworthy, by the building, at his own expense, of a school-house and the establishment of a parish school in 1846. Mr. Gibson was succeed- ed by the Rev. John Shackeford in 1848, and he by the Rev. James Adams in 1850, who was suc- ceeded by the Rev. Theodore Babcock, in 1853. Mr. Babcock resigned in November, 1857, and the rectorship was vacant until February, 1859, when the Rev. Alpheus Spor entered upon the duties. The church was enlarged the same year. In January, 1863, the Rev. J. H. H. Brown was called to the rec- torship, and in April of this year, a committee was appointed to take into consideration the erection of a new church. The corner stone of the new church was laid by the Right Rev. Wm. Crosswell Doane, Bishop of Albany, on the 9th day of June, 1870, and the building was opened for divine

THE CITY OF COHOES.

service, June 18, 1871, all seats therein being free. The church is situated at the intersection of Canvass and Mohawk streets, and is built of gray stone. Its interior dimensions are : Length from east to west, 96 feet ; breadth, 62₺ feet ; of this, the nave occupies 75 x 62} feet, and the chancel 21 feet deep by 29} wide. The organ chamber, on the north side of the chancel, is 16 x 21 feet, and pos- sesses a fine three manual organ, by Hook, of Boston. The south side of the chancel opens into a chapel 312 x 18 feet, and this connects with the rectory on the south. All the buildings are of stone, under a continuous roof, and form a very handsome pile of an early English style of architec- ture. There are many beautiful stained windows in church and chapel. One thousand worshipers can be comfortably seated. A school-house cxtends half way under the church on the east end. The architect was Richard Upjohn, Jr., of New York. The entire cost was about $60,000. In December, 1875, the Rev. J. H. H. Brown resigned the rector- ship, having been elected Bishop of Fond-du-Lac, Wisconsin. He was consecrated, December 15, in St. John's, Bishop Potter being the consecrator, assisted by Bishops Doane, Paddock, Wells, Bis- sell, Niles, and Scarborough. March 2, 1876, the Rev. Walker Gwynne entered upon the rectorship of the parish. The statistics of the parish in 1882 showed 370 families and 500 communicants. The present pastor is the Rev. F. S. Sill.

Reformed Church -The Reformed Dutch Church of Cohoes was organized under the auspices of the Classis of Washington on the first Wednesday in November, 1837, with twelve members, viz. : Nicholas Lighthall, Rosetta Lighthall, James Safely, Janet Safely, John Schoonmaker, Gitty Schoonmaker, Abram Weidman, Elizabeth Weid- man, John Van der Werken, Daniel Simmons, William Renwick and Isabella Renwick.

On the 19th of November the consistory was constituted by the ordination (by Rev. Elbert Slingerland) of John Van der Werken, Abram Weidman and Daniel Simmons as Elders, and Wm. Renwick and James Safely, Deacons. In May, 1838, this church, in connection with the church of Waterford, united in a call for the ser- vices of the Rev. Wm. Lockhead, who continued as pastor until December 24, 1837, when the re- lation was di-solved. The corner stone of the first house of worship was laid September 4, 1838, by Hon. Teunis Van Vechten, Mayor of Albany, and prayers were offered by Rev. Drs. Yates, of Schenectady, and Vermilyea, of Albany. The building was completed in 1839. In January, 1840, the church made a call to Rev. John Van Buren for his undivided services. He remained as pastor until June 25, 1841. The Rev. Gilbert M. P. Myer was ordained and installed as pastor on November 1, 1841, and continued to fill that re- lation until his death, July 26, 1846. Decem- ber 1, 1846, the Rev. John Gray entered upon the pastoral office of the church, and continued to fill it until September 22, 1848. October 3, 1849, the Rev. Charles N. Waldron was ordained and installed pastor of the church.

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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 207

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