Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 55

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 55

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KNOWLTON BROTHERS, paper manufactur- ers .- This establishment has been in oper- ation for eighty-five years, having been first established in 1808, but has been in the Knowlton family since 1814. The plant is a four-story and basement brick structure, 60x 200 feet, and is provided with all the latest machinery, appliances and appurtenances. The mill is operated by water-power. The firm are manufacturers of super-calendered cover paper, for magazine and journal

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CITY OF WATERTOWN.

covers, and their products are in wide-spread demand. The output is about five tons a day. The products of this firm are noted for elegance of finish, durability and general ex- cellence, and are maintained at a uniformly high standard. The interests in this concern were organized some time time ago into a joint stock company, of which G. W. Knowl- town is President, and G. S. Knowlton is Secretary and Treasurer-J. C. Knowlton, who is not an active partner, having an inter- est in it also.

STERLING & MOSHER .- The book, station- ery and wall-paper business now carried on by Mr. John Sterling, jr., at No. 7 Washing- ton Hall block, was originally started by J. C. Sterling in 1848. Mr. Sterling purchased the stock of Joel Green, and continued the business until the spring of 1849, when he moved to a store on the north side of Court street, owned by Isaac Fisk, where the Fisk block now stands.

In May, 1849, this block was burned in the great conflagration, and a large share of the stock belonging to Mr. Sterling was con- sumed. The remnant of stock was removed to a stone building on the corner of Washing- ton and Stone streets, where the building of the National Bank and Loan Company now stands.

In 1891, Mr. Sterling, senior, retired from the business, and was succeeded by his son, John Sterling, the name of the firm continu- ing as before. The recent retirement of Mr. Mosher (in July, 1894), has left Mr. John C. Sterling, jr., sole proprietor of this old and always-responsible and much-respected con- cern, Watertown's reliable stand-by.

THE HITCHCOCK LAMP COMPANY Was organized in 1873, and their lamps have been extensively used all over the civilized world. The capital invested is over $100,000. They employ 40 hands. Mr. Taylor is the able manager and an extensive stock-owner.

McMULLIN & SEARS, on the ground floor of the Smith building, have built up a large business in Watertown, by acting as a dis- tributing house for groceries and heavy mer- chandise. The habit of retail merchants in Northern New York, up to 1889, had been to buy all their goods in New York or to give orders to salesmen from that city. But

this firm, by keeping large supplies and sam- ples constantly on hand, have greatly changed this method, and are able to supply goods here in Watertown, in all the leading lines, on as favorable terms as they can be bought in New York city, or in any other large city of the East or South. Their economy in freight and purchasing in large quantities, enable them to do this, and yet make a paying per cent. by doing a large business. They have struck the right chord and their success is assured. The proprietors are George C. Mc- Mullin and Thomas A. Sears, with an efficient corps of active men constantly on the road soliciting orders.

GEO. H. MOWE, plumber, steam, hot water and gas fitter, No. 38 Arsenal street, began business in 1884. The firm consisted of A.

Beffrey and George H. Mowe. under the firm name of Beffrey & Mowe. The business was conducted in the old wooden building on Franklin street, where the Burdick building now stands. On January 22, 1893, this build- ing was destroyed by fire; the next morning (Monday) the firm was established in its pres- ent quarters, and business was going on un- interrupted. This firm was the first in the city to successfully introduce hot water for the heating of buildings, and many of the finest dwellings in the city attest the high class of sanitary plumbing done by them.

On October 1, 1893, Mr. Beffrey retired from the firm, and the business has since been conducted by its present owner. Capital invested, $5,000; hands employed, ten.

WHITE & ANTHONY began business in June, 1893, as manufacturers of doors, sash, blinds, frames, turned work, scroll work, hay presses and all kinds of job work for repair- ing and building houses, barns, etc., and dealers in lumber, lath, shingles, paints, oil, building paper, nails, etc., of all kinds.

Capital invested, $3,500; raw material used, hemlock, pine and all kinds of lumber ; hands employed, 10; office and manufactory, 27 Moulton street, Watertown.

THE AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY is the name of an organization having many offices throughout the country, but in nearly all sections, excepting in Northern New York, they have competitors for trade. In Northern New York, however, they have unchallenged sway, and can inflict any charge they see fit upon their customers Their charges seem to me high, in some instances eight cents a pound from New York to Watertown, about 350 miles, whereas the United States mail transports packages of four pounds and under from Maine to California, at eight cents per pound. The high prices charged lead to the suspicion that some leading railway officials are sharing in the profits of this com- pany, else some competitor would be allowed to have transit over these Northern roads, and then the people of Jefferson county could ob- tain express freight at as reasonable rates as other portions of the United States. This is a just complaint, and a great tax upon trade.

JAMES R. MILLER began business in 1871. When first started, the business consisted of only merchant tailoring, but ready-made clothing for men, youth and boys has been added, also a complete line of men's furnish- ing goods. The custom department is still the principal feature, however.

Capital invested about $35,000; raw mate- rial used, woolens and tailors' trimmings; value of output, about $50,000 yearly ; hands employed, about 20-varies some. Compe- tition is strong in this town at present, espec- ially in the cheaper grades of clothing, but his trade consists of the best class of custom- ers, hence he carries only high-grade clothing and fine domestic and imported woolens.

THE SLOAT & GREENLEAF LUMBER COM- PANY, office 37 Moulton street, dealers in all kinds of pine, spruce, hemlock and hardwood lumber; manufacturers of sash, doors, blinds,

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THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

mouldings and inside finish. Capital, $30,- 000; retail business wholly-amounting to $75,000 to $100,000 annually.

Supply contractors and builders with lum- ber and building materials, for which their facilities are unequaled. Possessing the best water power in the city, with new and im- proved machinery, and the experience of long years in the business, they are enabled to meet the wants of their customers.

THE WATERTOWN SPRING WAGON COM- PANY is one of the oldest and most important of the industries of Watertown. Its incep- tion was due to the forethought and superior judgment of Mr. Norris M. Winslow, a gentleman to whom Watertown is greatly in- debted for many mechanical improvements- the old Watertown Cotton Mills water-power (the first right on the south side of Black river) having passed into his hands, and by the proper utilization of which this impor- tant Spring Wagon Company are now able to drive all their vast machinery.

An hour spent in their large property at Factory Square, under the kind escort of Mr. J. H. Shiels, the mechanical superintendent, impressed the author of this History with the extent of the enterprise, and with its excel- lent management in every department. We were particularly impressed with the method by which all classes of vehicles are brought to a point so near completion that orders can be filled with great celerity, and the goods ship- ped with a rapidity that is gratifying to the customers as well as the Company. Mr. Shields is fortunate in being employed by gentlemen who have the utmost confidence in his capacity and mechanical judgment.

The organization of the Company was somewhat as follows:

In November, 1885, a meeting was called to talk about a corporation for the purpose of manufacturing platform spring wagons, with a proposed capital of $75,000. Among the original promoters, who were all intelligent business men, and have nearly all of them been connected with the institution from that time to this, and are prominently identified with the business industries of Watertown at the present time, the following is nearly a complete list : Norris M. Winslow, Lewis Tall- man, R. C. Morse, John C. Streeter, Cyrus A. Clark, E. M. Gates, Jerome Bushnell. I. E. Thompson & Co, William G. Williams, Davis & Bartlett, Heath & Middleton, Utley & Winslow, A. R. Sanger, Calvin Scripture, Richard Marcy, Henry Spicer and General Bradley Winslow.

The corporation was soon formed and called the Watertown Spring Wagon Com- pany, which proceeded at once to manufac- ture platform spring wagons. This plan met with instant success, and the company became one of the pioneers in introducing wagons. Their prosperity has continued ever since, with such occasional periods of depression as have been incident to all concerns of large di- mensions.

At the first annual meeting in December, 1876, the following Board of Trustees were

elected: Levi H. Brown, Allen C. Beach, Norris Winslow, L. C. Greenleaf, Jerome Bushnell, John C. Streeter, Gen. B. Winslow, E. M. Gates, C. A. Clark, William G. Wil- liams, Richard Marcy, George L. Davis, A. P. Smith; from whom the following officers were selected: President, Levi H. Brown; Vice-President, A. Palmer Smith; Secretary and Treasurer, Jerome Bushnell.

In 1882 the capital stock was increased to $100,000, and again, later on, to $150,000, which has all been paid in.

The prosperity of this old reliable company led to many followers, and to-day the country is flooded with factory work. It was also the first concern to manufacture vehicles in the city of Watertown. For a few years they confined themselves exclusively to manufacturing platform wagons, but gradu- ally they branched out in making delivery wagons of all kinds, then into making top and open road wagons, and again adding phaetons, surreys, cabriolets, etc., until at the present time they are manufacturing one of the most complete lines in the State of New York.

The present officers and Board of Directors are: Hon. L. H. Brown, E. M. Gates, B. B. Taggart, Hon. W. W. Taggart, I. P. Powers, R. Marcy, A. Bushnell, Hon. A. C. Beach, J. C. Streeter, Denis O'Brien, Norris M. Winslow, O. W. Wilmot, C. M. Otis. President, Hon. Levi H. Brown; Vice-President, Richard Marcy; Secretary and Treasurer, Frank P. Hayes; Superintendent, J. Hume Shiels.

Most of these have been continuously con- nected with the company for a number of years. The annual output will average 4,000 vehicles, with a capacity of a much larger amount, as they have lately added to their former buildings, a thing which they have been almost annually obliged to do in order to keep up with their growing business.

In justice to the gentlemen who have had the management of this company, it should be mentioned that during the hard times they have put forth every effort in their power to keep their hands employed, an effort which has sometimes drawn largely upon their means. But they have had faith in the Com- pany's future, and their reward has come in having on hand a fine assortment of vehicles, ready to meet the heavy drain now made upon their stock.

MR. O. B. CADWELL is a native of Lewis county, a descendant of Major Alvin Bush, one of the pioneers of that county. He came to Watertown in 1860, and entered the em- ploy of Henry P. Cooke, who established the present business in April of that year. Mr. Cooke, a native of Oneida county, was associated at different periods with Geo. B. Phelps, J. C. Lepper and Mr. Cadwell. He died in 1878.

In 1862 Mr. Cadwell enlisted under Capt. James B. Campbell, in Co. M, 10th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, and was closely associated with that regiment during its term of service, was then transferred to the 6th N. Y Artil- lery, and attached to the division staff, Gen.

WATERTOWN WS

WAGON CO.

ESTABLISHED, 1876.

'RTORN SPRIN

Di& WAGO

CAR

BUILDERS

WATERTOWN SPRING WAGON COMPANY'S MAIN BUILDING.

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CITY OF WATERTOWN.

Hartsuff commanding, and Quartermaster and Chief Ambulance Officer of the District of Nottaway, with headquarters in Petersburg.

He was mustered out of service with the 6th Artillery, at Hart's Island, New York Harbor, in the fall of 1865. He entered the army as a private, subsequently receiving his warrant as sergeant of his company, and later as sergeant-major of his regiment. He was afterward commissioned as 2d lieuten- ant, and again as 1st lieutenant, this last promotion being received while serving in the trenches before Petersburg. He held several staff positions, serving under Colonel Piper, General Stewart, Colonel Edwards, General Ferero and General Hartsuff, but never absent from the brigade or division of which his regiment formed a part. At one time, during the winter of 1864-65, he was provost marshal of the city of Winchester.

Returning to Watertown after the close of the war, he resumed his business relations with Mr. Cooke, and in 1874 was admitted as a partner, becoming Cooke, Cadwell & Co. This style was continued until the death of Mrs. Cooke, in 1891 (she having represented the estate of her husband), and was then changed to O. B. Cadwell & Co. Mr. Phelps, who for many years was the "company " in the firm, died in 1892, and since then Mr. Cadwell has been sole proprietor.

In 1884 Mr. Cadwell was appointed by Gov. Cleveland a trustee of the New York State Soldiers' and Sailors' Home, was re- appointed by Gov. Hill, and again by Gov. Flower. He is a member of the G. A. R., a director in . the National Union Bank, and stockholder in other business enterprises. A successful, accomplished business man, who counted it gain to serve his country in her hour of supreme need. His military record reflects upon him the highest credit, and in his daily life he " justifies the honors he has gained."

A. BUSHNELL & Co. (A. Bushnell & Fredrick George), have been in general mer- chandizing for 28 years, This firm succeeded J. & A. Bushnell, both brothers having been born in Jefferson county. Their trade is now one of the most extensive in the county, the firm having always been distinguished for fair dealing, which has led to an increased trade from year to year. Their record as merchants has been excellent, and their stand- ing as citizens unchallenged for many years.

BUSH, BULL, ROTH & Co. were established in business in 1881, and were, from the very first, leading merchants in dry goods and carpeting. They employ some 50 people, and carry a heavy stock of goods in all the de- partments of their business. Mr. J. B. Bull, of this firm, was born in Newburg, N. Y .; Mr. S. R. Bush came from Port Jervis; Mr. F. D. Roth from Nazareth. Pa., and Mr. E. V. Sauter from Stocktown, Pa. They are a progressive, enterprising firm, and are among the foremost in their line in Northern New York.

Perhaps the best location in the city for business, is the well-known American corner,

being a part of the valuable property gener- ously given to the city by Mrs. Schley, to sup- port the Henry Keep Home, and worth upwards of $200,000.

The corner store has been occupied by W. H. Moore for over 38 years, as a first-class dry goods store. About six years ago Mr. Moore associated himself with the Woolworth Syndi- cate of strictly 5 and 10 cent stores, with a main office in Stewart building, New York. This branch is one of 27 stores located in large cities, Watertown being the smallest. This is now quite unlike a dry goods store, and has become one of the most popular places of resort, not only to Watertown people, but for those living 25 or 30 miles about, who bring their friends there, as one of the sights of the time; being made to feel welcome, to roam through its well-filled de- partments as through a world's fair, except. here they are never asked to buy anything. The neat signs everywhere, "nothing over 10 . cents," tell a wonderful story, speaking louder than words, and seldom fail to accom- plish their purpose. Visitors to this beautiful city should not miss this, one of its attrac- tions.

WATERTOWN CITY MARBLE WORKS, lo- cated at 68 Court street, were established by George Van Vleck in 1872. He was a good soldier in the 35th N. Y. Infantry, honorably discharged with his regiment.

UNION CARRIAGE AND GEAR COMPANY, located on Newell street, was organized as the Maud S. Gear Company in 1885, and in 1888 the present name was assumed, with a capital of $50,000. The building occupied by this company was built in 1888. It is of brick, 150x53 feet, and four stories high. The present officers are W. W. Conde, Presi- dent; J. B. Wise, Vice-President; W. O. Ball, Secretary and Treasurer. The company manufacture finished carriages and cutters, and carriage gears in white.

WATERTOWN WOOLEN MILL. George A. Lance, proprietor, commenced the manufac- ture of woolen yarns in March, 1882. The mill is located at 40, 42 and 44 Moulton street, gives employment to from six or eight per- sons, and uses about 40,000 pounds of wool annually.

YORK & SON'S shops are located on Black river, at No. 37 Mill street. This enterprise was instituted in 1870 by Anson E. York and E. Dwight Moore, the firm name being York & Moore, which continued until 1881, when Mr. Moore retired; later on came the firm of York & Starkweather. In 1892 Mr. Starkweather withdrew his interests in the firm, and Mr. York took his son, Fred E., into partnership. They are extensive con- tractors and builders, and manufacturers of doors, sash, blinds, etc. This industry gives employment to an average force of 20 men.

HYDE, YOUNG & HYDE, plumbing, stoves and tinware, No. 29 Public Square. This is a comparatively new business, composed of practical men, and they are doing a good business. The Hydes were born at Massena, N. Y., and Mr. Young is from Vermont.

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THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

PEARSON MUNDY.

PEARSON MUNDY was for many years a dis- tinguished citizen and a leading politician of Jefferson county. His origin was humble, his scholastic education limited, but he soon overcame unfavorable conditions and grew into a widely-known and respected citizen, and man of affairs. He was born in New Hope, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, in 1818. His parents were industrious and respected. He came to Watertown in 1827, and began life as a grocer with Horace P. Mitchell. In 1836 he had established his reputation for honesty and industry sufficiently to become a partner with Mr. Mitchell in the grocery business, under the firm name of Mitchell & Mundy. By his pleasant ways and pushing attention to his duties, he soon organized an establishment that became one of the most prominent in this section of the State. About

1847 he removed into the Iron block, then just completed, Mr. Mitchell having retired from the business, and thenceforward he was alone, but growing more and more into leadership in the wholesale grocery trade.

In 1871 he retired from the grocery busi- ness, and in 1876 built the large malt-house at the foot of Court street, where he was in business until he died of apoplexy, in 1885. His death made a deep impression upon the community, where he had grown up from boyhood, for few men had more earnest friends, and he had made them such by his integrity and his democratic ways. Mr. Mundy treated every man as if he were a MAN; wealth and its glamor had no effect upon him; he looked for what was in the man, not on him.

About 1840 Mr. Mundy married Maria D.,

CITY OF WATERTOWN.

253

daughter of Norris M. Woodruff, one of a family of girls who have held high positions in society. Mrs. Mundy died in 1871, uni- versally lamented. Like her husband, she was pre-eminently democratic and agreeable, though the family from which she sprang was, for many years, the first in wealth and social position in Northern New York. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Mundy (Mrs. Van Brunt, of Watertown, and Norris W., now in active business in Chicago). In 1873, Mr. Mundy married a second time, the lady being Miss S. Augusta Strong, of Water- town. She, with one daughter, Miss May, survives her husband.

Mr. Mundy was one of the most charitable and public-spirited men in Watertown. He delighted in kindness, and was especially popular among the workingmen.

In politics, Mr. Mundy was a firm, life- long Democrat. In his earlier days he was a ready and attractive speaker, and made many able arguments for his party. He was also a ready writer, and his political articles were full of life and point. Well acquainted with local history, possessed of a great memory, and being an indefatigable reader, he was

able to contribute to the city papers many . valuable paragraphs, some of which attracted wide attention. In 1846-50, he held the office of postmaster, and in 1852 was a candidate for Congress, but was defeated.

At the time of his death, Mr. Mundy was president of the Henry Keep Home, and took great interest in the work of that noble charity. He was a director of the Jefferson County National Bank, which position he held for many years. For several years he was vice-president of the Haberlie Brewing Company of Syracuse. He was a life-long and respected member of the Masonic order, and was twice elected Grand Commander of the State of New York.

In his private and public life Mr. Mundy was distinguished for the honest and con- scientious performance of his duties. Being a distinguished (33 degree) Mason, his funeral was conducted under their peculiar rites and ceremonies. Our picture shows him in full regalia, he being one of the widest known and most generally respected among that ancient and honorable organization in the State of New York, and he "justified the honors he had gained."

THIS PLOW

THE FIRST IRON PLOW MADE IN NORTHERN NEW YORK.

THIS old plow now rests in the Smithsonian Institute, at Washington, D. C. It was made by Col. Wm. Lord, of Brownville, a manu- facturer who was always in the front rank, keeping abreast in his business with the mechanical improvements of his time. There are yet farmers living in Jefferson county who used wooden plows for years after they came into this country. The iron plow, a fact not now generally known by younger men, is of comparatively recent origin-dating back to 1819, the invention of Jethro Wood. In every State of Old Mexico to-day, the traveller sees the peons plowing with a crooked stick, with but slight ability to penetrate that fertile soil,

which raises a decent crop, even when only "tickled " with their horrid plows.

Moses Eames, the distinguished farmer, scientist, writer, all-around man, who left a watering-trough on our Public Square, where a tired and thirsty horse may drink without having his loose check-rein unhitched, for which kindness even the stolid cart horses bow their heads in thanks every hour of every day in every later year-Moses Eames was the owner of this plow. and used it upon his farm for many years. The plow, like many other useful creations (and creators as well), now passes into history, being rescued from oblivion by the printed page.

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THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

FRANK D. PIERCE.

FRANK D. PIERCE is the son of Deforest and Mariette Pierce; he is of Scotch-Irish origin. His father's people were from Vermont, and this genealogy shows that some of them were with Stark and the Green Mountain Boys in the war of the Revolution. His grandfather (on the mother's side) Samuel Shelley, took part in the battle of Sackets Harbor. His boyhood days were spent in Dexter, N. Y., and there, early in life, he was taught the lessons of frugality and perseverance that have been a help to him through life. His age prevented him from enlisting in the army during the war of the rebellion; but he was full of patriotism, and it was with a great many regrets that he was turned away from the recruiting station as being too young.

In politics he has always been a Republi- can, voting for Grant for President, his second

term (his first Presidential vote). He was elected several times town clerk of the town of Brownville, and in the years 1882, 1883 and 1884, was elected supervisor of the town, being the youngest man ever elected from that town for that responsible position, as well as the youngest man on the board. This (1894), is his third year as county clerk, it being the last year of his term.

His family consists of a wife, two sons and three daughters. In October last he was elected president of the Lincoln League, a Republican organization, made up largely of the young men of the county. As an indica- tion of Mr. Pierce's popularity, it may be re- marked that when he received the nomination for county clerk, it was without a dissenting voice, and he was elected by a majority of about 2,000. He has filled this position with

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Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 55

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