Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 54

Author: Haddock, John A. 1823-
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : Sherman
Number of Pages: 1094

USA > New York > Jefferson County > Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894 > Part 54

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Capital invested about $90,000; raw ma- terial used, about $50,000 per year ; value of output, about $100,000 per year ; hands em- ployed, 30 to 50 skilled mechanics in all the different branches. The number varying as the demand for repairs rises or decreases during the year.

Officers for 1894 are G. S. Knowlton, Presi- dent; H. E. Harmon, Secretary; A, H, Le- Fever, Manager.

HUNGERFORD & COATES-Book and job printers. Business began in 1881 by O. E. Hungerford. Succeeding J. S. Robinson in the job printing and book-binding business, the office was later removed to Anthony street and enlarged. September 15, 1892, this business was combined with the Times and Reformer establishment, by the purchase of their job department and removal to their building on Arcade street. At this time the firm was changed to Hungerford & Coates, who have the most complete office in North- ern New York. They are also connected with the lithograph house of Henry Seibert & Bro. Company, of New York. This firm brought out this History.

THE DAVIS SEWING MACHINE .- This in- dustry, we regret to say, several years ago was removed from Watertown to Dayton, Ohio. It was a vigorous concern, and the machines made were popular until an unwise policy permitted poor work to go out, and under the depression induced by that policy. the concern ran deeply into debt. Better facilities being offered at Dayton, Watertown lost one of its leading industries. The impor- tance of the enterprise, even though not in Watertown now, demands some recognition in these pages.

The inventor of this machine, named Davis, came to Watertown in 1866, and ex- hibited his model. After careful examina- tion, Mr. John Sheldon was induced to organ- ize a company that would make the needed investment to secure a plant for its manufac- ture. It so happened that the Hon. Joseph Sheldon, brother of John, was an intimate friend, at New Haven, Conn., of that Elias Howe, who invented the first machine, and was then largely interested in the manufac- ture of sewing machines. He examined, at Mr. Joseph Sheldon's request, the Davis machine, before any investment had been made for its manufacture at Watertown, and pronounced the device novel and valuable. This was the opinion upon which Mr. John Sheldon and the company organized by him, based their willingness to put money into manufacturing the Davis machine. A build- ing was secured on Beebee's Island, and the work began with a force of about 25 men. The machine sold rapidly, and the demand soon necessitated the building of a large fac- tory on Sewall's Island, now utilized by the Excelsior Spring Wagon Company. This venture demanding more capital, the stock was increased to $150,000, and new men taken into the organization. Mr. L. Johnson was induced to give up his partnership in the Great Wardrobe clothing store, and accept the office of secretary and treasurer, and he holds that office to-day, having piloted the company through all its embarassments

An expensive law suit had to be carried through, in addition to the bad reputation that came as the result of the poor work named above, and debts began to pile up. To make a long story short, and as a result of many of the directors having become person- ally responsible for some of these debts, the.

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THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

company defaulted upon its interest, and then another organization was effected, resulting in removing the plant to Dayton, Ohio, where many advantages were offered, and finally ac- cepted. Mr. Johnson has been the main de- pendence of the company in its monetary affairs, and has proved himself an able finan- cier. Taking a corporation handicapped with a debt of over a half a million dollars, he has liquidated every cent of its indebtedness without a compromise, and has paid the enormous sum of $700,000 in interest alone. This manifests not only the ability of Mr. Johnson, but also the intrinsic merit of the Davis machine, and verifies Mr. Howe's assertion that the vertical feed was not only novel but valuable, and shows John Sheldon's judgment in taking hold of the enterprise, which should have been retained at Water- town. But the failure to pay dividends dis- couraged the stockholders, and the original organization was dissolved.

CRESCENT MILLS, FARWELL & RHINES, 47 FAIRBANKS STREET .- There is not among all the great staple products entering into general consumption, any one that comes within measurable distance of wheat flour, in point of interest and importance, and it is in the nature of things, therefore, that the produc- tion and sale of this article should constitute one of the principal branches of commercial activity in every large centre of trade and commerce. The leader in this line of enter- prise in this section of the State. is the Crescent Mills, operated by the firm of Farwell & Rhines, merchant millers and manufacturers of full roller process flour. These mills were built in 1870, and changed from stone to full and complete roller mills in 1882, and consist of an immense structure four stories in height, (with extensive warehouses and branch railroad tracks connected there- with), supplied with ten pair of rollers on wheat and three on feed and meal, beside rolls and intricate machinery used in the manufac- ture of specialties, and a storage capacity of several thousand bushels of grain. "The capacity is 100 barrels of flour per day. The leading brands are " Superlative," "Atlantic," "Farwell's Best," "Pansy," and "North Star," all of which are general favorites in the market.

The gentlemen composing this firm are Frederick R. Farwell, who entered the mill- ing business in this city, in 1856. He is a son of Deacon Eli Farwell, one of the most honorable and prominent business men of Watertown for half a century. Frederick R. Farwell was born in the house where he now resides, August 30, 1834. That house was built in 1828, and looks to-day almost like a new building.

Foster P. Rhines, junior member of this firm, commenced milling in Jefferson county in 1856 in a custom mill at Lafargeville, and commenced flour milling in 1861 for Eli Far- well & Co., of this city. In 1878 the present firm was formed. Mr. Rhines was born in Lafargeville, Dec. 12, 1842. Business began in April, 1878. Raw material used, about

175,000 bushels cereals. Value of sales, $170,000 per year.

H. H. HERRICK & SON-Began business in 1844 as merchant millers and dealers in flour, feed, grain, hay, straw, salt and fertilizers. In addition to the goods and product actually handled by their employés, they take orders and make sales for direct shipment from the west of full car loads which are not handled here. Capital invested, $100,000. Value of output, $125,000 to $175,000 per annum. Hands employed, 14.

EXCELSIOR CARRIAGE COMPANY-Makers of carriages, buggies, surries, road wagons, spring wagons, etc. This company was in- corporated in 1889, under the laws of the State of New York, with a capital of $50,000, and with the following officers and trustees: President, George B. Massey ; Vice-President, Edmund S. Goodale; Secretary and Treasu- rer, Jno. M. Carpenter; Trustees, George B. Massey, J. R. Stebbins, Watson M. Rogers, Jno. M. Carpenter, A. D. Remington, Ed- mund S. Goodale and Walter H. Camp. On the formation of the company they purchased the buildings of the Davis Sewing Machine Company, on Sewall's Island, and splendidly equipped them with the latest and most im- proved machinery. They have a good water- power and give employment to 100 men. The growing business of the company has com- pelled them to erect additional buildings, and they are now contemplating putting up another large one, for storage purposes only. A visit to this factory and an inspection of the results attained will satisfy the most critical that the productions of this house are superior, and justly merit the encomiums be- stowed upon them. The output comprises almost everything in the vehicle line, from a light buggy to a heavy carriage, all made in the most durable manner, and of the best materials. To make the fine grade of work required by a high-class trade, there must enter into the product the best material, care- fulness in workmanship, advanced taste and judgment in style and finish. This company has justly earned a reputation on these most essential points. Their facilities are now better than ever before for executing orders for new work or supplying the trade, and they are turning out the finest class of vehicles, which they sell at prices consistent with good material and reliable workmanship. The trade of the house is especially large and influential in New York, New Jersey and New England. Their New England reposi- tory is located at North Hartland, Vt. Dur- ing the trying years that have ensued for all manufacturing concerns since the organiza- tion of the Excelsior, they have been steadily successful, and their commercial credit is of a high order.

STREETER & BRIMMER .- This firm began business in 1823 as N. W. Streeter. In 1853, J. C. Streeter became partner, the firm being N. W. Streeter & Son. They continued busi- ness in the Streeter block until 1866, when the firm removed to No. 16 Woodruff House. In 1867 Mr. Streeter, senior, sold his interest

THE FIRM OF NILL & JESS.

I N passing around among the business firms in Watertown, the writer has encountered none so progressive and "up to date" as the one named above. Their enterprise has erected two of the finest buildings in the city at Factory Square? they are fully alive to the de- mands of their business, which brings them in contact with nearly every family in the city, and their liberality and public spirit are excelled by no other firm or in- dividual. Their success is commendable in two ways. They came here, poor young men, and it is a credit to Water- town that their honesty and industry have been appreciated and properly re- warded ; and it is a pleasure also to realize that they have fully deserved the business favors they have so long received and are now enjoying. Their obliging manners and every-day courtesy have won uni- versal appreciation from all classes. In their store the customer is promptly waited upon, a thing not always properly understood by some of the Watertown merchants, who sometimes composedly permit a customer to walk back to where they may be reading a newspaper instead of graciously meeting him in a way that EX-MAYOR JOHN NILL. shows he is gladly welcomed. The man- ner in which Nill & Jess do business strikingly illustrates Col. Shaw's aphorism, that "a man needs to live in a large town before he knows just how to live in a small one."

John Nill, ex-Mayor of Watertown, was born at Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1835 ; was educated in the com- mon schools of that country, but had no superior facilities, his parents being farmers, owning and working a small farm. Young Nill had heard many German revolutionists speak, and had from his earliest manhood been an omniverous reader, and naturally inherit- ed many of the progressive ideas of that period in Germany, and resolved to emigrate to a land where all men were equal before the law, even though all did not have an equal start in life. He reached New York in 1853, and went direct to Utica in company with a friend and schoolmate who had relatives in that city. He found work in a cotton factory at first, and then learned the confectionery business, that being the occu- pation of his choice, and in which he has achieved such signal success. After remain- ing in Utica seven years, Mr. Nill made a prospecting journey to Watertown, where he found conditions that promised well. He had already married Dora Jess, and accepted a position with Mr. Cadwell, applying him- self assiduously to learning the needs of the town, for he had resolved early in life to be- come the owner of a business of his own in- stead of remaining always a journeyman. In 1863 he began business upon his own re- sponsibility, having secured his brother-in- law as a partner, and their affairs have pro- gressed in a remarkable degree. He was seven years a supervisor of the Ist ward, and in 1888 was elected Mayor, which position he filled with entire acceptability. Mr. Nill is eminently democratic, easily approached, a HENRY JESS. close student of men and of current events, with his ear close to the ground all the time ready to catch any sound that may lead to further progress in the large and varied business he is engaged in. He knows every detail of his business by practical experience, and all his employés regard him as a model man, for he makes their work pleasant and agreeable even though laborious.

Mr. Nill esteems himself fortunate in his partner, who is perhaps the best-known of either of the firm, for he is always at the store, where customers can see him, as he has, from the beginning, attended to the finances of the firm. Henry Jess was born in Mcklenberg, Germany, in 1830; was educated in the common schools of his native country. His father was a cabinet maker, which occupation young Jess followed until 1853, when he emigrated to America. While young he had investigated, in common with many other German youths, the great problems of civil government, and he had heard of free America, where honest purposes and health gave to all a competency for old age. He worked at his trade two years at Utica, marrying Miss Dora Seaman, a young woman of that city, and then took up the manufacture of sash and blinds until 1863, Mr. John Nill, his present partner, started a small confectionery business. Needing assistance, Mr. Nill in- duced his brother-in-law to join him, and from that union of interests sprang the present firm of Nill & Jess, that has sat the pattern to men in business in Watertown, for progressive methods, for judicious improve- ments, and for uninterrupted success. Whatever they have turned their hands to has appeared to prosper-not by the blindness which we ordinarily term "luck," but by methods that have invited and commanded success

70 009

NILL & JESS' BUILDINGS AT FACTORY SQUARE.

THE CIGAR FACTORY AND MANUFACTURERS' BUILDING.

THE FIRM'S MANUFACTORY, PACKING ROOMS AND SALES ROOMS.

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CITY OF WATERTOWN.

to D. A. Smith, and firm name was changed to Smith & Streeter. On account of the death of Mr. Smith, a few years later, the firm changed to Streeter & Hanford, and then to Streeter & Dewey, or Streeter & Co. Mr. Streeter bought the interest of Dewey and took in as partner his son, Fred W., who, with Mr. Brimmer, now compose the present firm, doing altogether the largest business in their line in the city.

It is a historical fact that the name of Streeter is the only one to be found in Water- town that has been continued in the same line of business from the beginning of the town's settlement. It is now full 70 years since the name Streeter could be read upon a sign- board in Watertown, and it can be read to-day.

Capital invested, $25,000. Value of output, $80,000. Hands employed, 40.

H. J. SNOOK & Co., the clothing dealers on the north side of the Public Square, are the successors in that old and reliable house, known since 1857 (nearly forty years) as the GREAT WARDROBE, the concern that never defaulted for an hour in payment of any claim, perpetuating in its fidelity and square dealing the reputation imparted to it by Mr. Wiggins and his several partners. The repu- tation of this old-time house has always been a guaranty of honest dealing in honest cloth- ing, and it maintains it to this day, under its new management. The writer is well aware that it's a poor concern that lives upon its reputation alone-but, like the Bank of England, this house keeps right on as it began. The firm is composed of Henry J. Snook and Ferdinand P. King, who were formerly em- ployees of Messrs. Wiggins & Goodale. Mr. Snook was in their employ eight years, and Mr. King four years. January 1st, 1890, they left the Great Wardrobe and organized the firm of Snook & King, in the Flower block, which continued until January 15, 1893, when having the opportunity to purchase the stock and good will of Mr. E. S Goodale, they did so. The purchase of the Wardrobe gave this firm a greater outlet for goods. Conse- quently it gives them a much greater oppor- tunity to purchase their stock at low prices, which enables them to merit the liberal patronage they are receiving, not only from the city but from the surrounding towns.

F. P. KING & Co. are the enterprising clothing and men's furnishing dealers, known as the Arsenal street clothiers. Their place of business is in the new Flower building, corner Arsenal and Arcade streets. They occupy one of the best equipped stores in Northern New York. It is very modern in all of its arrangements. It was fitted up expressly for their use when the block was built. The present firm is a continuation of the old firm of Snook & King, who began business at this stand March 22, 1890. From their opening day to the present time they have done a very successful business. The firm, Snook & King, continued until Febru- ary, 1894, when the firm became known as F. P. King & Co., and is composed of two practical, hard-working young men, viz.,

Ferdinand P. King and Henry J. Snook, who are assisted by competent assistants, both in the sale and the manufacture of their clothing.

THE WATERTOWN CANNING COMPANY is comparatively a new industry in Watertown, though it is somewhat curious that such an enterprise was not long since put in operation. The present company was organized in 1892, with a capital of $15,000. Osee Wilmot is the President; L. D. Olney, Secretary and Treasurer. They began to can corn in 1893, putting up nearly 200,000 cans, which has sold rapidly at a price above the most popular brands, and people who have used it once will have no other. It is a singular fact, perhaps well known to corn-raisers, but not to the mass of people, that the " sweet " corn of this northern latitude will not perpetuate its kind when grown in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. In the market there one asks in vain for the "sugar" corn of Maine, Ver- mont and Northern New York.

The Canning Company contemplate adding tomatoes to their output for 1894, and the writer thinks their enterprise one that will certainly pay, and should be largely increased.

THE WATERTOWN PHARMACEUTICAL COM- PANY, Alfred F. O. Connor, manager, are manufacturers of a variety of saleable patent- ed preparations, having their salesroom at 165 William street, New York city. Their perfumes and toilet waters, as well as their medicinal preparations, are attaining high rank among druggists. They employ five to eight hands, and use about $10,000 capital.

J. B. WISE .- The present firm began busi- ness in 1877, under the name of Wise & Son, but the senior member dying, the firm has since been known by the name of the sur- vivor. The goods turned out are of superior excellence, comprising hardware specialties, sewing machine and organ parts, locks, hinges, bell-pulls, and some brass work. The capital invested is about $60,000. Raw material consumed, about $25,000 per year, and the output exceeds $50,000, giving em- ployment to 30 hands.

JAMES DOLAN, U. S. Pension Attorney .- In procuring pensions, the services of an ex- perienced attorney are of inestimable value. Mr. James Dolan, who established business here in 1876, is well fitted by experience and ability to render valuable service in all mat- ters which engage his attention .. He is familiar with the laws, rules and regulations necessary to be complied with in establishing claims against the government, and gives his personal attention to pensions, patents and all business of this nature. He is favorably known in all the various bureaus, while his many clients in this vicinity bear testimony to his success in their causes. Mr. Dolan is a native of Jefferson county, and is highly esteemed in this city and vicinity. He served during our late war in the 35th New York Volunteers and 13th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, and is now a member of Joe Spratt Post, No. 323, G. A. R. His portrait can be seen upon one of the composite pages of distinguished soldiers, shown in this History.

248

THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

J. W. EMPEY, Funeral Director, No 25 Court street, is the most widely-known repre- sentative of this business in Northern New York, he being one of the oldest in the State. He is a funeral director and furnishing under- taker. This business was established in 1840 by S. W. Ballard, who was succeeded in 1883 by Ballard & Northam, Mr. Empey suc- ceeding in 1893. He was born in Canada, and is a practical embalmer and undertaker, of thorough experience, a man of energy and business qualities, and a member of the Board of Trade and of the Jefferson County Under- takers' Association. Half a dozen assistants are employed, and five handsome hearses are in service. Remains are taken in charge at any hour and prepared for burial; embalming is performed in accordance with the most ap- proved processes, and all matters incidental to sepulchre are promptly and carefully attended to.

D. S. MILLER & Co., booksellers and stationers, north side Public Square, began business in 1887, and have been successful.

WILLIAM J. CARNCROSE began his real estate business in 1891. He buys and sells city properties, and does a large exchange business as well as contracts for buildings and repairs. He also collects rents and buys and sells mortgages. Capital invested, $20,000. Employs from 10 to 20 hands; office and resi- dence 71 Factory street. Mr. Carncrose came to Watertown from Lewis county, and enjoys a high reputation.

CAMP & MASSEY began business in 1840, as gencral druggists. George B. Massey came into the store as clerk in 1850, was admitted as partner in 1858, and is now sole proprietor, still retaining the old firm name. He employs three clerks.

A. L. RICE began business in 1891 as wholesale and retail dealer in foreign and American cements, lime, sewer pipe, farm tile, fire brick, fire clay, Eureka plaster, slate, stone and encaustic floor tiles and mantels, manufacturer of artificial stone stepping blocks, blocks for foot pavements, etc.

This firm makes a specialty of the cele- brated "Durham " Portland cement, an article so excellent as to be in use in Depart- ment of Docks, New York city, and upon the great East Park filtering reservoir in Philadelphia, the largest single reservoir in America, with a capacity of over 300,000,000 gallons. Store, 26 and 28 Arsenal street, and 39} Court street.

W. W. CONDE, Wholesale Hardware .- This is the old-established and leading head- quarters in this city for light and heavy hardware, and was founded sixty years ago by Norris M. Woodruff, and owned for many years by his son-in-law, Howell Cooper. The present proprictor succeeded to the control in 1878. The premises comprise two floors and a basement, 20x100 feet in dimensions, all of which space is utilized in the disposal of the stock that is constantly carried.

W. R. KEATING, wholesale and retail dealer in tobacco, cigars, and smokers' articles, also

dealer in fine wines and liquors, domestic and imported ales, porters, etc., No. 6 Commercial block, and No. 6 Franklin street. This busi- ness was founded in 1876 by Bingham & Kenyon, and in 1889 they were succeeded by the present proprietor, who has been instru. mental in maintaining and extending the operations of the house.

J. T. Ross, dealer in oysters, foreign and domestic fruits, ocean and lake fish. Mr. Ross established this business in 1865, and has throughout the intervening period occupied the same premises, the business being now one of the oldest and leading in this line in the city. The premises consist of a store and basement, each 20x100 feet in dimensions, tastefully fitted up with all the modern ap- pointments belonging to the trade.

J. W. NOTT, druggist, east side Public Square. This business was founded by Mr. Nott in the same location in 1871, and from the first has been successful. The premises and basement are 20x100 feet, completely equipped, and the store is tastefully fitted up. The stock includes drugs, medicines and chemicals of every description, acids, extracts, essences and kindred products, herbs, barks, roots and pure medicinal wines and liquors, mineral waters, etc. Pharmaceutical com- pounds, family recipes and physicians' pre- scriptions are compounded in the most care- ful and trustworthy manner.

DAVIDSON MARBLE COMPANY, sole pro- ducers of New York marble .- Quarries at Gouverneur, St. Lawrence county. This company is the largest and leading concern in this line in the northern section of the State. They produce a very superior article, and handle the finest imported products. This company, of which Alexander Davidson is President; John A. Davidson, Treasurer, and Charles Stedman, Secretary, was organized and commenced operations in 1890. Their plant in Watertown is capacious and well- equipped. The works are operated by water- power and the latest improved sawing and polishing machinery, and all other needed ap- paratus are in service. Thirty-five hands are employed in this city, while work is furnished to fifteen or more at the quarries. Mr. Alexander Davidson is a native and resi- dent of New York city, and Messrs. John A. Davidson and Charles Stedman are natives and residents of Chicago. Mr. A. C. Davis, the manager in this city, is a gentleman in the prime of life, born in Scotland. He is a man of practical skill and many years' experience in this line, active and energetic, and is thoroughly conversant with the business.

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Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 54

Author: Haddock, John A. 1823- Publication date: 1894 Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : Sherman Number of Pages: 1094

Author: Haddock, John A. 1823-
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : Sherman
Number of Pages: 1094