Civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the County of Kings and the City of Brooklyn, N. Y., Part 44

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : Munsell
Number of Pages: 1360

USA > New York > Kings County > Brooklyn > Civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the County of Kings and the City of Brooklyn, N. Y. > Part 44

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Umbrellas .- Charles E. Smith, 170 Fulton street.

Buttons .- James II. Ruggles, 25 Water street; John Evans (pearl), 176 North Fourth street.

Chemists .- Henry Jackson & Son, 103 Raymond street.

Printing Ink .- Wm. D. Wade, 902 Dean street and 117 Fulton street, N. Y.

Vinegar .- HI. Krummelt & Balcke, 1228 Myrtle ave- mue; John Sehlegel, 136 Twenty-second street.

Snuff .- William N. Moench, 29 Humboldt street.

Whiting .- Leonard Richardson, 120 John street; Conrad Zeiger, 208 North Ninth street.

Starch .- John Barnett, 1094 Flushing avenue.

Rattan .- I. J. Solomon & Sons, 65 Milton street.

Wooden Ware .- H. II. Bellows, Devoe street, corner Leonard street.

Cork .- Truslow & Co., 214-220 Plymonth street.

Preserved Fruit .- E. A. Walker, 137 Oakland street.

Baby Carriages,-Christian Hays & Co., 38 Ainslie street.

Brushes .- John Frank & Son, 87 Johnson avenne.

JAMES BINNS, deceased, was a sturdy and worthy repre- sentative of the best class of Brooklyn manufacturers. Ile was one of many Englishmen, who, having devoted their earlier years to a patient, thorough mastery of some ine- chanical industry in their native land, and then choosing America for its wider, freer opportunities, have spent here their mature years, in the successful pursuit of their avoca- tions and their fortunes. He was born in Yorkshire, Eng- land, Feb. 28, 1817. His father was an engineer, who gave him a fair. common school education, and then apprenticed him to learn the trade of wheelwright and machinist, in Lancashire.

Soon after this term of service was accomplished, he hurt hus hand, while engaged as a journeyman, so severely, that the heroic surgeons of that day, becoming discouraged with the slow healing operations of nature, decided to cut it off. The very day set for the operation, the swelling burst, saving a hand that afterward, with its worthy mate, founded a business and carved a fortune.

On the Ith of August, 1810, he married Elizabeth Worm- old, who was born May 1st, 1820 Two years later, they wisely decided that a young couple, with good health and good habits, and a determination to win an honorable dis- tinetion by honest work and intelligent thrift, could do bet- ter in the New World than in the okl, and accordingly left England April 15th, 1842, arriving in New York the 14th of the following month. For the first two years Mr. Binns worked part of the time in New York, and the rest of the time in Brooklyn, doing whatever jobs offered in the line of his trade. He could turn his hand to most anything, mak-

ing three-wheeled velocipedes one winter in the former city. In 1844, he settled on Walworth street, near Flushing avenue, Brooklyn, where he leased two lots for three years, and then six additional lots; all of which he bought ten years later, paying $500 for each. During all these years this husband and wife were devoted to each other, and to the stern duties by which they conquered all difficulties. When they lived on Spencer street, Mr. Binns' shop for several months had no roof and no windows, oiled papers being the substitute for the latter.

Many an evening Mrs. Binns held a tallow candle for her husbaud to work by. It is well for the present generation to know that many a prosperous business, that moves so easily now, had its foundations laid in such toilsome begin- nings. Among the first pieces of machinery made by Mr. Binns, were shell wheels for distilleries, cast wheels with wooden cogs. Then he turned his attention to the ma- chinery nsed by rope-makers, and was the first man in this country to manufacture it. Among his first patrons were Thursby, Waterbury, Lawrence and Wall-names then, and most of them still, prominent in that immense branch of business, for which Brooklyn has always been distinguished. There is rope machinery still running in Bushwick that was made at his shops. Portable steam engines constituted another branch of his business, during much of the time he was working for the rope-makers.

The first shop he put up was during the first five years' lease, previous to 1850. After that he kept adding what was needed until the present capacious buildings have been erected to meet growing wants for room. He built his dwelling-house in 1872.

When the war came on, so many of his men enlisted, that he had to give up making rope machinery, and never re- sumed it. The next line of work he turned his attention to, was the repairing of street cars, and other fixtures pertain- ing to horse railways. In this, as in everything else he under- took, complete success rewarded his efforts. He was a thorough mechanic, and at the same time, a good organizer and manager. Seated in his house, he could detect the least derangement in the various shops from the report brought to his ears by the running of the machinery. As many a Brooklynite well knows, this section of the old Wallabout of thirty-five years ago has been so transformed by improve- ments that few old landmarks remain. Then, the water used to come up to where Mr. Binns' blacksmith forge now is. Even since the war, children have rowed in boats from Fishing to Myrtle avenues. William Marshal and Jolın Thursby's rope-walk was located where Moore's foundry now stands.

About five years after his arrival in this country, Mr. Binns' father and mother and three brothers, George, Richard and Charles, left England and settled in Brooklyn, where the latter still live. The mother died in 1849 and the father in 1855. The children born to James and Elizabeth Binns have been three sons, William J., David W. and Henry, and four daughters, Mary Ann, Maria, Martha M. and Emma E. Of these, four have died, the survivors being Martha, Emma and David. The father was taken from his family, and from the sphere of his usefulness, at the age of 65, breathing his last April 8th, 1882. That terrible scourge, Bright's disease of the kidneys, snatched Inm away while apparently in the prime of his maturity, enjoying, in undiminished quantity and quality, the full degree of his robust mental and physical powers. The positions of responsible trust he filled at the time of his death attest his public and private worth. In each of the following railroad companies he was a director: East New York and Broadway; Van Brunt Street and Eric

Former Anno

821

THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.

Basin; New Williamsburg & Flatbush; Atlantic Avenue, and the North Hudson County of N. J. The latter two cor- porations adopted resolutions of respect and personal regard, which were printed in appropriate form, signed by the re- spective officers, and presented to the family of their deceased friend. Mr. Binns was also an officer in the Commercial Bank of Brooklyn, which body gave the following expression to their feelings, at a meeting held April 11th, 1882:

" Whereas, it has pleased Almighty God, in His wise provi- dence, to remove from our midst, by death, our highly esteemed friend and associate, Mr. JAMES BINNS, late Vice- President of this Bank, we, the surviving members of the Board of Directors, do place on record and express our deep emotion at this sad bereavement;

" Therefore, be it resolved, that in the death of James Binns we have lost a most faithful friend and counsellor; one who was ever ready to give a helping hand to all proper objects; a man of the strictest integrity; averse to craft and over- reaching; full of candor and ingenuousness; kind to his neighbors; hospitable to strangers; honest and open-hearted; devoid of pride and hypocrisy, and a man who entertained malice toward none, and who had a constant regard to honor and probity.

(Signed) " THOS. D. HUDSON, President. "JOHN J. VAIL, Cashier."

The foregoing, with added expressions of regard for the deceased, and condolence to his household, were most beau- tifully embossed on successive tablets, which were enclosed in rich covers that bear the inscription "In Memoriam," and presented to his family. To live a life that produces such a reputation is the richest legacy any one can leave to those who come after.

His mind was clear aud peaceful to the end. He was broad and independent in his religious views, belonging to no church. In politics, he always acted with the Republican party after its organization. His son, David, trained from boyhood in all the details of his father's craft, continues the large business intact, with most satisfactory results. In 1877, he made a trip to England, which was extended to Paris, be- ing gone eleven months from home. During this time, he experienced great satisfaction in comparing the scenes that met his eyes with those his fancy had painted from descrip- tions so often heard from his parents' lips, of their island home, of its green fields, its quiet villages, its opulent cities, and its teeming industries, the story of which forms the brightest page in the history of civilization.

Mrs. Binns is blessed with health, to enjoy with lier family, at the old homestead, the results of the prosperity she so nobly bore her half of the care and toil, duriug all these eventful years, in helping to create.

Addenda.

Herewith we append a number of manufactures re- ceived too late for insertion in their proper places in the foregoing pages.

Glass Works-The Eureka Glass Annealing Works, on Gold street, near Tillary, were first established in 1878, at 90 Raymond street, then removed to 79 Adams street, and from there to their present location. The firm commenced as the Weyer Annealing Company, formed for the purpose of annealing glass by the Weyer's process, in which the glass is heated to about 800 degrees in a solution of potash. Mr. Lucas is the superintendent. Only one other firm in the city

uses the process, which is quicker and cheaper than the old method of annealing in ovens. Glass Moulds; Anthony Kribs, 212 Concord street, commenced 1877; capital, $5,000; wages, $2,000; annual product, $10,000; S. J. Pardessus, 1208 Pacific street, manufacturer and importer of glass, established at 9 and 11 Park Placc, N. Y., inventor of ventilating apparatus and fire tower and fire escape. Otto Goctz, 218 Meserole street, also manufactures glass.

Sash, Door and Moulding .- R. F. Whipple, 20 and 22 Bergen street, employs thirty-five hands, using about three-quarters of a million feet of seasoned lum- ber annually, manufacturing in pine and hard woods all descriptions of interior finish for city and country dwellings. The business was started by Richard Whipple, in 1836, and continued by R. & S. R. and R. & N. M. Whipple, in connection with the building and contracting business, until 1875, when the manufactur- ing part was assumed by R. F. Whipple, at 266 Court street. Burned out in the fall of 1879, he moved to his present large factory a few months after, to which in the fall of 1883, was added an extension, nearly doubling its capacity. Sash and Blinds: W. H. Hall, 695 Quincy street; Young & Girard, Greenpoint avenue, cor. Java street; Wm. H. Bicrds, President street, corner Third avenue; Elias T. Eddy, 1 Hope street ; R. B. Fergu- son, 250 Hewes street. Sash: H. Kirk, 278-282 Schermer- horn street; C. A. Lindsay, 88 Schermerhorn street; Stanley & Unckels, Butler street ; C. Stein, 168 Stagg street. Mouldings, H. E. Fickett & Co., 3d street near Third avenue; Hugh Tollner, Classon, corner Park ave- nue; Henry Werner, 88 Schermerhorn street.

Hardware and House Furnishing Goods, c .- Robert Blohm, 758 Third avenue; S. E. Burtis, 135 Myrtle avenue; S. W. Cornell, 121} Court street; Alanson Carter, 530 Fulton street; W. & J. Dixon, 29 Atlantic avenuc. C. W. Dunlap & Co. (see page 705). The present firm was started about 1848, in Northamp- ton, Mass., and organized as a stock company in 1869, Mr. Dunlap being a stockholder. Jan. 1, 1873, Mr. Dunlap bought out the other interests, and started the business in Brooklyn, N. Y. The firm manufactures a line of house-keeping hardware and small garden tools. They have twenty employees or thereabouts. Estimated sales, $50,000 annually. They have been located at 249 Plymouth street for the past twelve years. Mr. Dunlap was born in Hartford, Conn., but has been a resident of Brooklyn for forty years. Joseph Edwards, 101 Flatbush avenue; N. Langler, 299 Adams street; Wm. Marlow, Jr., 335 Manhattan avenue; Fred. Schluchtner, Atlantic avenue; H. L. Young, 451 Ful- ton street; C. H. Tiebout, 31 Grand street; J. Totten, 188 Grand street; T. B. Willis & Bros., 94 and 96 Court street; Van Brunt Wyckoff, 622 Third avenue; Moses Kessel, 183 Broadway.

Silver-Plated Ware .- Henry Schade, 58 and 60 Ains- lie street; fifty hands; capital, $50,000; came from

822

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

Germany to New York, 1847; employs steam and forty horse power boiler; uses about twenty-five horse power.

Fancy Metal Goods .- William Lang, corner Flint and South Sixth streets, es- tablished 1869, by William Lang and A. Howlett. Capital employed, $20,000; num- ber of employés, about 100; amount paid annually for salaries, $42,000; value of annual products, $110,100.

Hats .- Hannahan & Purdy, 59 Third street, E. D.

Water Meters. - J. C. Kelly, 205 Penu street.

Button- Hole Machines. - Rudolph Spahn, 205 Bushwick avenne.

Roller Skates .-- James J. MeCormick, 315 North Third street.

Steam Presses-Norman Hubbard, 93 Pearl street. About 1853 Mr. Hubbard commenced business, with a partner, under the firm name of Hubbard & Whittaker. In 1873, the firm was changed to Hubbard & Aller. This arrangement lasted two years, when Mr. Aller retired. The firm mann- factures general machinery. Its specialty is the Niagara steam pump. Steam engine boilers are also a part of their manufacture. The Brooklyn water-works engine No. 3 was built by Mr. Hubbard, and is now giving excellent satisfaction at Ridgewood. The amount of capital invested is $80,000. About forty men are em- ployed, and the annual products amount to $150,000.

Steam Fittings-T. J. Alsor served fourteen years with the Benton Tube Works Company, rising in their employ from an apprentice's place to that of foreman and overseer. In July, 1881, he opened an establish- ment for himself at 92 Pearl street, where he now em- ploys twenty or more men. Being a thorough and practical steam fitter, he has the patronage of several of the largest manufacturing establishments in the city. His specialty is the manufacture of a vertical tube boiler for steam heating purposes, which presents a large surface to the fire and generates steam rapidly. It being his own invention, he has a laudable pride in its success.

Heating Apparatus for Green-houses, etc .- Jolin A. Scollary, 74 and 76 Myrtle avenue, born at Dundee, Scotland; established 1858, Brooklyn; iron foundry at Red Bank, N. J., where their own casting is done.

Strain Heating Apparatus .- Alsopp & Hugill, 92 Pearl street; Amin & Co., 13 Adams street.

Boilers .- William McAdam, 66 Milton street.

Machinists .- Lewis & Fowler, 8 Columbia Heights; James Brady, 257 Water street; Jolm Fresse, 208 Montrose avenue; Peter Gardiner, 132 Leonard street ; Jas, Hardie, 127 Water street; John J. Hayes, West, cor. Kent; F. Bernard Piel, 48 Inboldt street; Ridley & Cowley, Richards, cor. Brown; Daniel Sanders, Shep-

F. ROCHOW'S PATENT COMPOUND STEAM ENGINE. (See page 679.) -

pard avenue; Wood & Co., 61 North street; White & Price, 363 Hamilton street.

Machinery for Hoisting-engines, Machinery for Tou-boats, Steam Yachts, etc .- Gibson & Elsesser, foot of Court street.

Iron Foundries .- Burr & Richmond, South Ninthi street ; W. H. Davis, 62 Rutledge street ; James Mitchell, 56-64 Water street ; William Mullow, 313 South Third street ; Paulson & Eger, North Eleventh, corner Third street ; Steel & Metcalf, Seabring, near Richards street; J. Schweizer, 54 Metropolitan avenue; J. A. Slatt, 558 Grand street ; J. S. & G. F. Simpson, 26-36 Rodney street; Thomas Terry's Sons, 26 Powers street; Charles Vogt, 516 First street; J. F. Outwater, 78 South street.

Iron Railings, Fences, ctc .- James Demai, 101 Wyckoff street : James Gorman, 30 Flatbush avenue; J. Dennemann, 605 Bushwick avenue ; Philip Degro, 132 Ten Eyek street.

Brass Founders .- William Stieglitz, 37 Lorimer street; William Lang, 136 First street, E. D.

Saw and File Makers .- In addition to the Boynton Saw & File Co., 36-42 Devoe street ; and C. B. Paul, 187 10th street (named on page 701), are, Stanley Oliver, 93 Ten Eyck street; and Geo. Proctor, 318 First street, E. D. For E. M. Boynton's biography see page 825.

Agricultural Tools and Implements .- Richard Gram- mich, 103 North First street; J. G. Pollard, 141 Ray- mond street; Dies, mill picks, contractors' tools, etc., es- tablished 1837 by Simmons Pollard; annual product about $7,000.

Irou Cans .-- The Iron-Clad Can Manufacturing Co., 929 Flushing avenne and 22 Cliff street, N. Y.

Locks .- D. Brehler, Bushwick ave., cor. Scholes.

Caulking Irons .-- John Carver, 44 North Third street.

Wire Manufacturer .- M. Drew, 171 Fulton street.

823

THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.

Pottery .- John Bedum, Bush street, ncar Hamilton avenue.

Cracker and Biscuit Bakery .- Daniel Canty, 532 Grand street, established, 1860, on opposite side of street, by Hamilton Waddell, who was succeeded by Mr. Canty. In 1871, a new factory was erected and furnished with new and improved machinery, reel ovens, &c .; has facilities for baking 200 barrels of floor per week; has six teams and about thirty hands.

Self-leavening Flour, etc .- Nassau Manufacturing Co., 22 Doughty street, and 7 Vine street, incorporated May 1878; B. F. White, president; G. E. Goldsmith, treasurer ; F. A. Marsh, manager.

Carriages .- James E. Wheeler, 131 3d street; J. P. Bernius, 670 Third avenue ; James Campbell, 72 Kent street; A. Kolbrieser, 5 Johnson avenue ; John Lime, 49 Bergen street ; M. Marlborough & Sons, 470 Cler- mont avenue ; Chris. Nielson, 745 Third avenue ; T. S. Potter & Co., 270 Court street ; Sullivan Bros., 341 Pacific street; John Field, 127 25th street.

Trucks .- James Baird, 647 Grand strect.

Wagons .- Donnigan & Nielson, 745 Third avenue ; John N. Schnell, 272 Hayward street ; T. Shick & Sons, 518 North 2d street.

Box Manufacturers .- A. B. Dobbs & Co., 128 Frec- man street ; Reeves & Church, 127 Greene, and 129 Pearl street, N. Y .; Wood & Son, 325 Ewen street.

Paper Box Manufacturers .- Bcers & Frost, 125 Nostrand avenue ; Thomas Lynn, 60 Troutman street ; And. Wohlgemuth, 89 Leonard street.

Pump Manufacturers .- Murdock Bros., Bedford ave. Boats .- John F. Munson, foot 55th street ; Walters & Gorman, foot 55th street ; James Lennox, Third avenue, corner 24th street; A Stillwell, Fort Hamilton.

Braids, Worsteds, &c .- Among the many improve- ments in the manufacture of textile fabrics during the past ten years, that in braids and cords is marked, as an examination of the establishment of August Moll, Nos. 235 to 245 Lynch street, Brooklyn, N. Y., will tes- tify. Mr. Moll was born in Barmen, Germany, where, in the year 1851, he was established as a mechanical in- ventor. In 1853 he erected a factory for the manufac- ture of braids in that city, which he continued until 1863, when he came to the United States.

In 1866 he again started in this business on First avenue, New York city, and remained there until 1870, when he removed to Brooklyn, and began manufactur- ing on the premises now owned and occupied by him. In 1883 he built the factory represented in the ac- companying cut, which is of brick, 120 fect front on Lynch street, 44 feet deep and four stories high, with basement. A 40 horse power steam engine is used, and 65 hands are employed making silk, mo- hair, worsted, linen and cotton braids, cords, etc., the annual product being $100,000. Mr. Moll is the only manufacturer of these goods in Brooklyn, and from the many improvements and inventions made by

AUGUST MOLL'S MANUFACTORY.

him in the mechanical department, he is enabled to pro- duce a quality of work, which, for regularity, smooth- ness of finish, evenness and correctness of pattern, and cost of production, is unequalled in the world. His machinery is the best, the wheels being made of the finest wrought-iron and steel. The invention of much, and the improvement of all of it, is his work. Mr. Moll's father was a farmer, but the son at an early age, evinced a fondness and natural taste for mechanics, which by development have given him his present marked success. He has two brothers in Barmen, both manufacturing braids.

8PT NY

THE E. M. BOYNTON SAW & FILE CO. 34. 36, 38, 40 & 42 DEVOE ST. BROOKLYN.

The Atlantic Harbor Company ( Limited) is an as- sociation organized April 20, 1880, and incorporated under the general laws, for the purpose of holding and improving real estate, and for the construction of wharves, docks, buildings, break-waters and piers, and renting and selling the same. The capital stock is $35,000, in shares of $25 each. The primary object is the construction of a harbor for yachts. The stock- holders arc members of the Atlantic Yacht Club, and number about 45. The association owns a considerable tract of South Brooklyn water front. The first officers were H. H. Hogins, President; Latham A. Fish, Treas- urer, and John L. Marcellus, Secretary. The present officers are John D. Morgan, Latham A. Fish, and John L. Marcellus.

824

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

DOWNING & LAWRENCES' MARINE RAILWAYS AND SHIP YARD.

D " . COLUMBIAPLICITYI

JJoretry Manufacturers,-Wirth Bros., 92 Broadway, E. D .; began 1866. The elder brother had been ap- prenticed to the trade in 1850, and first commeneed business at No. 96, afterwards removing to present location. Jacob Weis, 104 Montrose avenne, estab-

Downing & Lawrence's Marine Rail- ways & Ship Yard, on Gowanus Canal, ex- tending from Conrt to Clinton street.

Up to Jannary, 1878, there was seven feet of water over all the space occupied by this yard. That winter was so open that ont- door work was interrupted only two days and then by high winds. The location was, by some persons, said to be away out in a conn. try mnd-hole: and, as business had been re- markably dull during the previous two years, the movement was ridienled as being worthy of no support unless by lunaties. Prophets were in abundance; but a few months were allowed for the existence of the firm, such a large capital being required, and but a small amount, comparatively, was visible. The theorists were soon proven in error, and the suc- eess of the enterprise was a fixed fact. On May 29th, 1878, the first railway was put in operation, and two years later the second was completed, and in five years 1,400 vessels, of 1,400 tons register and under, have been taken out of the water.

Thirty tons of chains are in nse for hauling purposes. The machinery weighs 90 tons. The cradles are 230 and 280 feet respectively, and weigh 300 tous each. The tracks rest their entire length of 660 feet upon piles, and are perfectly fair thronghont. The locality only required a start to make it desirable for business purposes. Machine and blacksmith shops soon sprang up alongside. In addition to the Ridgewood water, a 2-inch pipe-well was driven to a depth of 47 feet, and a co- pions supply of excellent water was obtained; this is used to wash vessels and fill tanks and boilers. A steam saw, the telephone, fire tele- graph, wrecking pump, hydraulie jacks and every necessary facility has been provided. All these, in a land-locked harbor, where winds and currents have but little effect, ren- ders this place very attractive for vessels needing repairs.

lished 1876, at 116 MeKibbin street; employs 9 hands. Henry A. Phillips, 843 Willoughby avenue, agent for the Monumental Bronze Co., of Bridgeport, Conn., served during the Rebellion as a member of the 47th Regiment, N. Y. S. Volunteers.

825

BIOGRAPHY OF EBEN MOODY BOYNTON.

EBEN MOODY BOYNTON.

Mr. Boynton was born in the township of Harrisville, Medina county, Ohio, July 23, 1840. His father and mother were natives of Newburyport, Mass., his mother Abigail Moody, being a descendant of Rev. William Moody, one of the first settlers of Newbury, who landed there in 1635. The Moody family has been famous for learning, patriotisin, intellectual force and public influence. There were many distinguished clergymen of the name, one of whom was made President of Harvard College, which posi- tion he resigned for the more agreeable one of pastor of the old South Church, Boston, where he maintained the rights of the colonies, and laid the foundation of British hatred that afterward desecrated that sacred temple of civil and religious freedom by stabling therein the horses of the British soldiery. A century previous, Caleb Moody, an ancestor of the subject of this sketch, greatly distinguished himself in the legislature of Massachusetts Bay by opposing the sur- render of the charter of New England to Sir Edmund An- dros, urging revolution rather than submission. For this course, he was imprisoned by Sir Edmund, but subsequently released through an uprising of the people, who confined Andros in Mr. Moody's place, and reimbursed the latter for the sufferings he had endured in behalf of the people's chartered riglits and liberties.

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Civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the County of Kings and the City of Brooklyn, N. Y., Part 44

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909. Publication date: 1884 Publisher: New York : Munsell Number of Pages: 1360

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : Munsell
Number of Pages: 1360