USA > New York > Genesee County > Gazetteer and biographical record of Genesee County, N.Y., 1788-1890 > Part 26
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The Batavia Wheel Company was organized May 13, 1887, by Frank Richardson, William W. Leavenworth, Dr. W. C. Gardiner, A. M. Colt,
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E. E. Leavenworth, Mrs. Mary E. Richmond, Mrs. A. R. Kenny, Moses E. True, John M. Sweet, and James R. Colt. The capital stock was placed at $50,000, and the following officers were elected : Frank Richardson, president ; Dr. W. C. Gardiner, vice- president ; William W. Leavenworth, secretary ; A. M. Colt, treasurer ; and John M. Sweet, superintendent. The business was originally inaugurated in 1880, by Colt Brothers & True. In 1885 Mr. Sweet became associated with the old firm, manufacturing hardware specialties and subsequently the Sweet wheels. The works were located at Exchange Place, and were burned in January, 1886. Upon the organization of the present com- pany grounds were secured on Walnut street, adjoining the Central Rail- road tracks, consisting of 254 feet on Walnut street and 478 feet on the railroad. Upon these grounds spacious buildings were erected, consist- ing of a main building 40x150 feet, three stories in height, with brick engine and boiler rooms, and other buildings consisting of a hub room 40x20 feet, storage and coal sheds, etc., and a handsome office building. A switch from the Central tracks connects the manufactory with ample transportation facilities. The machinery is propelled by a 60-horse- power engine, and the firm employs an average of 40 workmen, and turns out from 50 to 75 sets of wheels per day. The wheels manufact- ured by the firm are Sweet's concealed band and the True shell band, which rank as the best in the world and find a ready sale all over the United States and Australia. The firm also manufactures various other hardware specialties. The plant is a model of its kind, and cost, with machinery, about $40,000.
Frank Richardson, the president of the Batavia Wheel Co., is a native of Saratoga County, where he was born in 1851. His father was a rail- road contractor, and this business was followed by the son, who was con- nected with the construction of various lines of road in this country. He next engaged in the hardware trade in Watertown, and in October, 1886, purchased the stock of Volz Brothers, hardware merchants, of Batavia. Three months later he lost his stock of goods by fire. He then organized the company of which he is president, and is devoting his exclusive atten- tion to the management of this progressive manufactory. Mr. Richard- son was united in marriage, in 1883, with Miss Emma P. Johnson, who died October 25, 1888, leaving one child, Rufus J.
William W. Leavenworth is a native of Darien, and was born in 1855, a son to Rev. Hobart and Nancy (Gridley) Leavenworth, of English descent and of New England nativity. His father was a Baptist clergy-
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man, and had charge of many pastorates in the State. William W. was reared in this county, educated in its schools, and had also the advantage of Lima Seminary. His business career began as a drug clerk in Bata- via, and for the past five years he has been a member of the well-known drug firm of his name. Since entering the service of the Batavia Wheel Company he has served as secretary. His wife's maiden name was Miss Ida Barber.
Alva M. Colt, treasurer of the Batavia Wheel Co., was born in War- saw, N. Y., in 1842, and is a son of Joseph R. and Sarah A. (Phelps) Colt, who moved to Darien in 1853. Learning the trade of blacksmith in Warsaw Alva W. followed this calling from 1859 to 1880, in Erie and Genesee counties. In 1869 he came to Batavia, where he has since resided. He was a member of the firm of Foster & Colt, and in 1880 a partner of the Batavia Clamp Co. He was one of the original members of the company to start the manufacture of wheels in Batavia, and was instrumental in the erection of the plant of the Batavia Wheel Co. He married a Miss Hicks, of Erie County, in 1867.
John M. Sweet, general superintendent of the Batavia Wheel Co., and an inventor, is a Canadian by birth, but has been a resident of the United States since he was II years of age. He is a carriagemaker by trade, but possesses a talent for general mechanics. He has taken patents on four hubs, and is the inventor of various useful labor-saving machines. In 1872 he was united in marriage with Mrs. Julia A. Griswold, of Ba- tavia.
William C. Gardiner, the vice-president of the Batavia Wheel Co., is a descendant of Roger who came to America in the Mayflower. He was born in 1842, in Madison County, N. Y., and went to the war in 1861, remaining about two years. In 1864 he began to practice dentistry in Wauseon, Ohio, and after visiting several places in the West he settled in Batavia, where he is now engaged in practice. He is a Republican, a member of the Masonic order, and a member of the Presbyterian Church. He married Elizabeth C. Wheeler, of Hamilton, N. Y., and they have one son, Charles.
The New York Lumber and Wood Working Company is now one of the leading manufacturing industries of Batavia. In 1884 the Batavia Manufacturing Company was formed, with a capital stock of $200,000. This firm was soon changed to the Batavia Sewing Machine Company, the capital stock authorized to be increased to $300,000, and they con- tracted to manufacture the Post combination sewing machine. During
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the summer of 1884 the company erected, near the eastern boundary line of the village, a brick building, 60x300 feet, three stories in height, with an engine-house attached. The cost was about $40,000. Financial embarrassment prevented the execution of the plans of the company, and in 1885 the building became the property of the New York Lumber and Wood Working Co., formerly the New York Wood Turning Co., of New York city. This company has a capital stock of $100,000, all owned by New York parties, where the principal office is located-173 Broadway. The officers of the company are W. C. Andrews, president ; George P. Smith, vice-president; Lewis Coon, secretary ; and O. P. Shaffer, treas- urer. C. Honeck is superintendent of the manufactory, and W. H. Sid- way is the local financial representative. The company employs on an average 150 workmen, and its principal market is New York city. The work produced by the company consists of all kinds of decorative and cabinet work for house finishing, besides a vast variety of fancy furniture, wood turning, molding, carving, etc. The machinery is of the latest improved pattern, and the establishment is a model of its kind. The building is protected from fire by the automatic water system. The busi- ness of the firm is fast increasing, and their force is now working 10 hours per day throughout the year.
W. H. Sidway, who is the financial manager of the Batavia office of the New York Lumber and Wood Working Co., is a native of Buffalo. His business experience began as a reporter for the Express of his native city. In 1886 he became a clerk in the New York office of his present company, and was subsequently promoted to his present position. Mr. Sidway is a young man possessing fine business qualities, and represents. his corporation with energy and fidelity.
Charles H. Honeck, superintendent of the New York Lumber and Wood Working Co., is a native of Prussia, and immigrated to America in 1856. He learned the trade of cabinetmaker in New York, and evincing an aptitude for art designing entered the Plassman School of Art in New York city, and was graduated therefrom. He subsequently became the superintendent for Brooks & Co., of Brooklyn, retaining that position three years, and also had charge of the establishment of R. W. Myers, cabinetmaker and interior decorator, for three years. He was then placed in charge of the works of his present employers, in New York city, and since 1887 has been superintendent of the Batavia works.
The Syracuse Forging and Gun Company removed their plant from Syracuse to Batavia in the spring of 1889. This company began busi-
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ness in the manufacturing of an improved fifth wheel for wagons, and finally added the manufacture of the new Baker gun. They are located in the old brick school building on Liberty street, and with additions made by them have in use about 20,000 square feet of flooring, and one and one- half acres of ground. The motive power is supplied by three engines ag- gregating 75 horse-power, and an average of 100 men are regularly em- ployed. An electric light plant furnishes 150 lights for their use. The fifth wheel manufactured by them is a combination of valuable patents, and ranks as a leader in the trade. The new Baker gun is the invention of W. H. Baker, the general superintendent of the company. It is a breech-loading, double barrelled shot gun, manufactured in many dif- ferent weights, and about 5,000 are sold annually at a list price of $30 each. The market for the gun extends all over the United States. The business of the company will exceed $175,000 annually. Dr. E. L. Baker is the president of the company ; Ralph Helm, of Syracuse, vice-presi- dent ; W. T. Mylcrane, secretary and treasurer ; and W. H. Baker, gen- eral superintendent. The capital stock is $60,000.
The Batavia Preserving Company was orignally started by John Pier- son in 1879, who began canning fruits and vegetables at Bushville. He supplied himself with all the modern appliances of the trade, but owing to want of attention to the details was not pecuniarily successful. In 1881 , the Bank of Batavia became the owner of the establishment, and the busi- ness was conducted by it one season at Bushville. In 1882 Sprague, Warner & Co., of Chicago, the present proprietors, purchased the estab- lishment and conducted the business. In the spring of 1883 they re- moved to the corner of School and Liberty streets, in the old school- house, then a manufactory of engines. The business as conducted by the present company is very successful. All kinds of fruits and vege- tables common to this locality are put up in glass or tin, the latter being manufactured on the premises. From 175 to 350 hands are employed, and 1,350,000 cans are put up in a season. The business increased so rapidly that the company was forced to erect larger and more convenient buildings, and in May, 1888, they moved to the new quarters on Mill street. The main building is 50x209 feet, with wings 80x35 and 40x60 feet. The motive power is furnished by a 70-horse-power engine. This company has also a branch at Spencerport, Monroe County, where 200 persons are employed during the busy season, producing about 500,000 cans. .
W. E. Flynn, the manager of these works, was born in Newark, N. Y.,
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in 1860. He became connected with the firm in 1884, and in 1886 was appointed to his present position. He is deserving of the confidence re- posed in him.
Breweries and malt-houses .- In 1827 a brewery and malt-house was built by Libbeus Fish on what is now Elm street, on the present site of A. H. King's malt-house. It was a wooden building of small capacity, though sufficient for the demands of the place and vicinity at that time. From time to time the capacity of the establishment was increased to meet the demands of the trade, till in 1860 it was capable of turning out 8,000 barrels annually. It was conducted by Libbeus Fish until 1835, when Eli H. Fish, his son, became proprietor, and he continued the business till 1862. In that year he disposed of the establishment to Boyle & Smith, who carried it on as a brewery till the autumn of 1864, when it reverted to Mr. Fish. In January, 1865, it was burned. In the summer of the same year a malt-house was erected on the site by Mr. Fish, who conducted it till 1871, when R. A. Maxwell (now State super- intendent of insurance) became a partner. In a year's time that firm was succeeded by Maxwell & Ensign. In December, 1872, the buildings were again burned, and in 1873 again rebuilt by Mr. Fish. Soon after- wards A. H. King became a partner with Mr. Fish. The firm continued until 1876, when the interest of Mr. Fish was purchased by King & Son. In May, 1883, the establishment was again burned, but was at once re- built by King & Son, with about double its previous capacity, and with all modern improvements. About 80,000 bushels of barley are annually converted into malt in this establishment, and the barley crop of the county is the principal one. Mr. King became sole owner in 1886. Up- ton & Warner have conducted the business since. The cost of the build- ing is $26,000. New York and Boston are the principal ports of sale.
A. H. King, a native of Monroe County, was reared upon a farm, and has always been engaged in handling agricultural productions. He was for many years a large dealer in grain and wool in his native county, and during the late war was an extensive dealer in oats, which he furnished the government. He has served as supervisor in Monroe County for eight years, and for five years was superintendent and weighmaster on the Erie Canal.
In 1857 Eli H. Fish built spacious ale vaults on the site of the brewery above noted, which were used as such till 1870, when they were converted into a brewery, which was conducted by different parties from time to time till 1880, when William Gamble purchased the property and suc-
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cessfully operated it till 1887, when the buildings were burned. Their capacity was 4,500 barrels annually. Mr. Gamble now confines his at- tention to bottling beer, handling ale, and retailing liquors, at 508 East Main street.
In 1850 John Eagar purchased the old stone church (built in 1827 by the Methodists) on West Main street. This he converted into a brew- ery, using it as such till 1862, when it was burned out. He then erected, on the south side of the street (opposite), a large brick building, which has been used as a brewery and wholesale liquor store from that time. The size of the building is 50x125 feet, three stories high, with base- ment. After the burning out of the old stone building it was re-roofed and fitted up as a malt-house. Mr. Eagar died in 1869, but the busi- ness is still carried on under the firm name of Eagar & Co., composed of John F. V., H. B., and W. T. Eagar, and Mrs. Emily M. Whitcomb, and they are agents for Syracuse ale. After the destruction by fire of the Fish malt-house, on Elm street, in 1872, R. A. Maxwell and H. J. En- sign erected a new malthouse on Union street, near West Main street. It was of concrete, three stories high, 100x140 feet. They conducted a malting business until 1881, when Craft & Caldwell purchased the busi- ness and have carried it on since, malting 35,000 bushels of barley per year.
The Batavia Brewing Company was organized November 1, 1889, with William Hooker, president, and William Gamble, manager. A building 40x60 feet, three stories in height, and an extension, will be used for the business. It is expected that 10,000 barrels of ale and porter will be manufactured annually.
House's bottling works are located on West Main street.
Callender's crayon factory was started in 1887, on Jackson street. Oil,
lithographic, and lumber crayons are manufactured.
Giddings's cigar factory is located on Main street and employs four hands.
J. F. Garnier's cigar factory is located over 90 Main street. It was started in 1884, and now makes 15,000 cigars per month.
The Batavia Steam Laundry, located at 202 East Main street, was established by Mrs. Nettie Showerman, October 7, 1889. It has all the modern appliances for doing first-class work.
Ellicott street roller-mills, of Batavia, were erected by Frank G Moulton in the summer of 1889. The structure is 60x40 feet, five stories high, and from foundation to roof is symmetrically and substan-
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tially built. The motive power is furnished by a 60- horse-power steam engine. All the machinery is of the latest patents and the best manu- factured. A requirement in the contract between Mr. Moulton and the builder was that the mills should be capable of doing as good work as any on the American continent. These mills have a capacity of 100 barrels of flour per day. They were constructed with anticipations of doubling their capacity. The business is now conducted under the firm name of Parsons & Co., with Mr. Moulton as the chief proprietor and factor in the firm.
The Batavia Gas and Electric Light Company was organized as the Batavia Gas Light Company in 1855, with a capital of $32,500. The first directors were George Brisbane, D. W. Tomlinson, G. B. Worth- ington, S. C. Holden, Alva Smith, Frank Chamberlin, and R. Merrifield. D. W. Tomlinson was president, secretary, and treasurer, and W. H. Tompkins, superintendent. The works, located on Ellicott street, near the Erie Railroad freight depot, were completed in the antumn. The gas holder at that time had a capacity of 13,500 feet. There were 150 consumers and 20 street lamps. In 1878 a new holder, with a capacity of 35,000 feet, was built. From the first construction of the works the consumption of gas has steadily increased, till now over 400 consumers and 124 street lamps are supplied. The mains have been extended from two miles to seven miles. Early in 1885 new works were erected for the manufacture of gas from crude petroleum. The gas so manufactured is of a better quality and cheaper in price. In 1886 the company aug- mented their plant by introducing a dy namo for electric light, using both the Jenny and Brush systems, The present officers are Wilber Smith, president ; A. N. Cowdin, secretary and treasurer ; and Alexander Wy- ness, superintendent, he succeeding Mr. Tompkins.
Consumers' Electric Light and Power Company was organized in 1889, with a capital of $25,000, with Henry Craft, president ; C. H. Caldwell, secretary ; R. L. Kinsey, treasurer. The works are located off Evans street on the Erie Railroad, and the company will furnish light for stores, residences, and factories, and power for all who want it.1
Schad Wheel Company was organized in December, 1889, with J. J. Ellis as president ; Bernard Schad, vice-president; Henry S. Allis, secretary ; and Frank J. Shultz, treasurer. The capital stock is $40,000.
1 A new company has recently been formed called the " Consumers' Electric Light and Power Co.," the directors of the same having bought out the two above named companies. The par- ties interested are S. D. Purdy, H. D. Rhodes, Henry Craft, Charles H. Caldwell, R. C. Gar- hart, and R. L. Kinsey .- Editor.
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They manufacture the Schad and other carriage wheels. The superiority of the Schad wheel consists of its locked spoke in an iron jacket, with its heavy shoulder resting wholly on the wooden hub, making it especially desirable for stone pavements. The company contemplates manufactur- ing on a large scale this superior wheel.
In September, 1888, D. K. Chaddock opened up a spacious livery stable at No. 8 State street. He keeps from 15 to 20 horses. He is also owner and proprietor of the Pratt mills at Indian Falls, and is a dealer in horses. He resides on the corner of Ellicott avenue and Mix Place.
E. N. Rowell & Co. manufacture paper boxes in every style, their heaviest output going to the drug trade. This factory is an offshoot of one started by Dr. A. S. Palmer in Utica, N. Y., prior to 1860. The Doctor made his own pill-boxes, and invented his machinery and tools. After Dr. Palmer's death the business was carried on by his children in a small way until 1883, when it was moved to Batavia. In 1889 E. N. Rowell, finding the old plant inadequate to his business, took in E. G. Buell, and they purchased a new outfit of machinery and moved into larger quarters, using both plants, to which they are constantly adding new machinery for further enlargement of the business. E. N. Rowell has invented many new boxes for the drug trade, some of which are now made and quoted by every box factory, in the United States and Canada. So many new things are being made that it is often called the Novelty Manufacturing Company. Their goods are shipped into every State in the Union and to Canada.
The Batavia roller flouring-mills, on Evans street, were established in 1884, by N. D. Nobles. They have a capacity of 65 barrels of flour per day. The building is 36x48 feet.
Cope & Son's pump works, on Harvester avenue, were established in 1825, by Simon Cope. The business is now in the hands of Orville G. and Philip Cope.
The West End Hotel, located on West Main street, is owned and con- ducted by S. W. Brown, he having been in possession for six years. The house is 40x40 feet, and has about 25 rooms for transient guests.
The Cottage restaurant is located at I State street. It is run as a first-class restaurant under the management of Burt Moulton.
William T. Palmer's box factory is located at 56-60 Main street. It was moved from Utica in 1881 by Palmer & Rowell. Since 1883 Mr. Palmer has conducted the business. He has about 15 hands at work making paper boxes.
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Watson Bullock manufactures the People's liquid bluing at 39 Liberty street. The concern was established in 1882. The bluing has no supe- rior for laundry work. Mr. Bullock also has a dyeing and scouring establishment, and has been 18 years in business.
Calvin Armstrong, born in New London, Conn., came to Batavia in 1853, and settled near Bushville, where he remained until his death in 1857, aged 73 years. His wife was Clarissa, daughter of Amos and Edna (Smith) Armstrong, and their children were Mary, Ira, and Edna. Ira was born in Wheatland, N. Y., in 1843. He married Ruth A., daughter of Jacob and Huldah (Washburn) Wood, of Attica, and their children were Nancy L., Ira L., and Clara A. His widow is still living in Batavia, at the age of 72 years. Ira died July 9, 1886, at the age of 72 years. Nancy L. married Charles A. Snell, of Batavia, son of Charles and Elizabeth (Seamans) Snell, and their children are Charles I., Frank A., and Nettie L. They now reside on the Snell homestead farm. Cal- vin Armstrong served in the War of 1812, and was at the burning of Buffalo.
Egbert A. Bigelow, son of William R., married Lillian F., daughter of George and Eliza (Knickerbocker) Kellogg, of Batavia, and their chil- dren were George E. and Winifried. For his second wife he married, January 13, 1889, Eugenie M., daughter of Lorenzo D. and Julia S. (Strong) Langmade, of Oberlin, Kansas, natives of New York State. Mr. Langmade was of Scotch and French ancestry; his wife was of Holland and English descent, and was the daughter of George and Julia (Ding- man) Strong. Mr. Bigelow is a farmer, residing on road 76.
Elisha Bigelow was born in Guilford, Vt., and came to Onondaga County, thence to Batavia in 1830, where he died in 1883, aged 89 years. His first wife was Maria Reed; his second wife was Harriet Jerome. The children were Horace E., James R., Jerome L, Mary, Sarah, Mariah, and William R. The latter was born in Hastings, N. Y., and married Jennie A., daughter of John D. and Abigail R. (Wolcott) Safford, of Pembroke. Their children were Egbert A., Gertrude S., Florence J., and Luella E. Gertrude S. is a missionary in Japan, where she has been three years under the auspices of the Presbyterian board. William R. Bigelow is a farmer on road 76.
. Andrew J. Andrews was born in Attica, May 15, 1830. In April, 1846, he commenced driving stage between Warsaw and Batavia for J. A. McElwain, being thus employed by him two years, when he bought the line and run it until July 1, 1852. He also had charge of a livery
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stable for one year in Warsaw for Mr. McElwain. In 1853 he purchased the stable, and Andrews & Kinney run it for four years. He was out of business for one year, when he again engaged in the livery business for one year in Warsaw. He afterwards bought a livery business in Rochester, moved it to Warsaw, and was with his former partner (Kin- ney) until 1860, when he moved to Batavia and opened a stable, keep- ing in the business since. In 1864 he engaged in the rear of St. James Hotel, where he has since been located. In 1885 he built a brick stable, 56x82 feet, with basement and accommodations for 75 horses. He keeps from 10 to 15 horses for livery use. At one time he was in com- pany with A. G. Collins, under the firm name of A. G. Collins & Co., proprietors of the old St. James Hotel.
Edward W. Atwater, at 212 East Main street, is the business manager of the Dean Richmond estate. He is a native of Rochester, was born in 1842, educated in Providence, R. I., enlisted in the war of the Rebellion, served nine months, and became connected with the American Wood Paper Co., at Rogersford, Pa. He was there eight years, and was then secretary and treasurer of a manufacturing concern until 1874. He was engaged in business at Palmyra and Fairport, came to Batavia in 1886, and connected himself with the Johnston harvester works for two years. Mr. Atwater is trustee of the Railway Register Manufacturing Co. and Batavia Wheel Co., and treasurer of Batavia Hotel Co. He was married, in 1872, to Miss Fannie A. Langworthy, and they have four children.
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