History of Chautauqua County, New York, Part 82

Author: Edson, Obed, 1832-; Merrill, Georgia Drew, editor
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Boston, Mass. : W.A. Fergusson
Number of Pages: 1068

USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York > Part 82

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HISTORY OF CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY, N. Y.

in April, 1894, by the "Crescent Table Co." The members are Charles A. Lawson, Horace L. Rew, and O. O. Rew. They employed 30 men in 1893. In 1890 Charles W. Morgan, formerly of " Morgan, Maddox & Co., built the large factory at the boatlanding, and with L. C. Jagger formed the " Morgan Manufacturing Co.," to make fine library and parlor tables. The "Morgan M'fg Co. is still doing business. It has employed as high as 150 operatives. " Benson, Hand & Frisbee " manufacture parlor tables on Steele street. They commenced business January 1, 1892. The members are J. H. Benson, W. L. Hand, B. R. Frisbee. The firm employs 15 men. The " Chautauqua Desk Company" is another firm worthy of mention in this connection, and so is the "Jamestown Mantel Manufacturing Company," which has a factory on Winsor street. The furniture business has not only been transacted on a great scale in the past, but the evidences are that in the future it will supply a continually increasing demand.

Chairs .- Phineas Palmiter, Jr., was the pioneer of this industry. He built a two-story shop in 1827 near the east end of the Broadhead mills, and made wood and flag seat chairs. One of his contemporaries was Harmis Willard. "They were' honest, industrious mechanics, whose works spoke louder in their praise than words could do." He soon sold to Robert V. Cunningham, who began to make cane seat chairs in 1838. Mr. Cunning- ham built another factory about 1840, and about 1860 closed liis business. At his death in t889 he was the oldest furniture manufacturer of Jamestown. His name stamped on his chairs was satisfactory evidence of honest labor and excellence. He retired because he could not compete with machine work. When traders on the Ohio could not get his goods they refused to buy any. About 1838 Asa P. Marsh, Benjamin P. Bell and Schuyler Robinson com- menced making cane and flag-seat chairs with 15 operatives. Later Bell became proprietor, and had as partner for awhile W. R. Rogers, "always bustling and joyous ; who seemed so full of emotions that he could not find words to express them." In 1851 George Flint bought the plant. He formed a partnership with his brother, Nathaniel, and L. B. Warner, who retired in 1855, and the firm became " Flint, Hill & Moses," and soon closed operations. David Sampson and Robert S. Tyrrel in January, 1852, bought the chair business of "Ford & Wood." Frank and Leander Simmons becoming members January 1, 1854, the firm was "Simmons, Tyrrel & Co.," and a large business was conducted. Sampson sold in 1855, and the firm in 1857 added the old Baptist church to their factory. In 1860 this firm became " F. Simmons & Co.," and soon commenced to make also a general line of furniture, abandoning the making of agricultural implements which they had conducted. They employed 40 men. In 1864 S. W. Parks and R. T. Hazzard purchased an interest. In 1865 the firm sold its manufactur- ing to Alfred Tallant, and in 1866 its large store to " Comstock, Botsford &

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Breed." In 1875 F. Simmons purchased the factory of John Lord & Co. He soon sold this to Parks Bros., and it was closed by the big fire of Sep- tember 11, 1876. Mr. Tallant soon took Anton Schildmacher as partner. This firm was unsuccessful, Tallant went east, and Schildmacher began to make kitchen furniture with John Bauer as partner, and in 1870 they employed 30 men. In the big fire of 1876 they lost heavily, but soon started in the War- ner factory. In 1880 they moved into the bending works, in 1884 into the factory of Chase & Son, with separate finishing and warerooms.

Joseph J. Gates, a pioneer of cane seat chair making, began manufactur- ing in a small way in 1867. From 1868 Thomas Langford for some years was his partner. The fire of 1876 closed the business. Cyrus M. Wood and James C. Sampson, as " Wood & Sampson," did a good business for several years until the death of Mr. Wood in 1863. Mr. Sampson made woodseat chairs until 1867. In 1868 Corban Willard and O. G. Chase commenced making woodscat chairs. Mr. Willard sold to Edwin Yale in 1870, who, in 1871, sold to Oliver F. Chase, and the firm became "O. G. Chase & Son." O. G. Chase died in February, 1887. "The Jamestown Wood Seat Chair Co." was founded in 1873 by Jolin J. Whitney and Seth D. Warner, who built two large factories. They employed many men. In 1884 Mr. Whitney sold out to A. A. Burlin and John Cadwell. In 1886 they purchased the business of manufacturing chamber sets commenced in 1873 by Edgar Paul and R. M. Jolmson, and continued by Hila M. Gage and A. Brooks, who were succeeded by the "Jamestown Furniture Co." in which J. J. Aldrich owned Brooks' inter- est. The " Jamestown Cane Seat Chair Co." was incorporated about 1869 with nearly 200 stockholders and $50,000 capital. After some years it passed into the hands of H. H. Gifford and R. E. Fenton and later to their sons. The factory on Taylor street was enlarged in 1875 about one-half, and is now 450x45 feet, four stories with a large L. In 1893 there were 60 employes in factory, and the " caning " was done outside. Daniel A. Marsh and Ben- jamin F. Firman in 1877 began to make splint seat chairs, and in 1882 occu- pied their new factory 40x100 feet three stories high. Henry Hitchcock commenced manufacturing perforated chair seats about 1878 as the " Perfor- ated Chair Seat Co." In 1884 he added cane seat chairs, and sold in 1887 to Lewis Hall. Vale W. Burtch & Co. have a 4-story factory on Winsor street 125x40 feet in size, where 35 operators can be employed. Mr. Burtch and Lewis Hall form the firm. They began operations in ISSo. There are other firms closely related to and connected with the furniture trade.

The Jamestown Furniture Board of Trade was organized May 17, 1886, with these members : D. C. Breed, A. Schildmacher, A. Johnson, A. W. Crum, H. C. Hitchcock, Jno. Cadwell, C. H. Gifford, Chas. Ipson, John Bauer, A. P. Olson & Co., G. M. Hodgkins, A. C. Norquist & Co., John Love, L. E. Erickson for Swedish Furniture Co., R. P. Shearman, A. P. Shearman,

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J. M. Beman, J. R. Newman, Ben. Merz, Geo. B. Ford, H. L. Phillips, E. H. Bemus, Daniel H. Post. Officers : president, D. C. Breed ; vice-president, C. H. Gifford ; treasurer, H. C. Hitchcock ; secretary, Daniel H. Post. The object of this association is " mutual aid, assistance in business, and to give attention to strikes or unjust demands made upon its members by their employees or any labor organization, and it favors arbitration to settle all difficulties."

Axes and edged tools have been made here from pioneer days when the village blacksmiths supplied the local needs. In 1836 Fuller & Crane estab- lished an axe factory at East Jamestown. Neither they nor Edinund Edger- ton who succeeded them made money, but, in 1851, Charles L. Jeffords be- come proprietor, and " the right man was in the right place," for he built up a large business, and, in 1881, made edged tools to the value of $75,000. He was also prominent in public matters, was village trustee for years, and gave his name to one of the local hose companies. He died in 1890, and the busi- ness was later purchased by F. J. Powell of the "Jamestown Axe Company." The " American Axe and Tool Company " is now doing business.

The " Fenton Metallic Furniture Co." capital stock $100,000, was organ- ized November 1, ISSS, with R. E. Fenton, president, Alexis Crane, secretary and treasurer. The company now has large buildings east of the Erie rail- way, west of the boatlanding. It makes all kinds of metallic furniture, cases, vaults, etc., and employs a large force at present in making the " Fenton " bicycle which is a leading specialty.

Although the lumber industry is no longer the leading interest of James- town there are some large producers yet in operation. For many years the sawmills and lumberyards of L. B. Warner have been a prominent feature of the commercial progress of the place. The plant of over 3 acres occupies the site of one of the earliest Prendergast mills, and the original dam of the plant was built in 1812. Mr. Warner has conducted lumbering since the fifties, and since 1867 has owned the property he now operates. Another large operator is John T. Wilson at the " lower dam." A third is E. A. Ross, who established his, business here in 1872. All of these manufacture lum- ber of all kinds, rough and dressed. E. A. Ross & Sons in addition to lum- bering manufacture mantels.

Several shoe manufactories have been conducted here since 1832. The leading firms now are " N. W. Gokey & Son " and " Parks & Hazzard." Mr. Gokey was induced to bring his factory from Addison in 1877 by a contribu- tion of $3,000 by the citizens. This money was well expended and the town gained a most valuable citizen. The "Gokey Block " and the " Gokey shoe factory," the largest one in the state, are objects of just pride to every citizen. " Parks & Hazzard " established a factory in 1888. These firms employ many workmen.

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Jamestown Woolen Mills .- The life of this factory dates back to Dan- iel Hazeltine who erected a small building for cloth dressing in 1816, on the west end of the site of the Broadhead Mills, and in 1817 a much larger one for carding machines and a dye house. In 1823 he added a weaving depart- ment, built an addition to hiis factory and formed a partnership with Robert Falconer. In 1830 they erected a large stone building and MANUFACTURED CLOTH, and in 1833 produced 20,000 yards. In 1836 Mr. Hazeltine bought Chandler & Winsor's cloth dressing plant on the lower dam and enlarged it for a clothi factory. From 1839 to 1845 Taber Wood from New Bedford was his partner. The business in the stone factory from which he moved was continued by Daniel H. Grandin. In 1848 Mr. Grandin with Augustus F. Allen as " Allen & Grandin," built a large frame building for a factory on the south side of Brooklyn square, which was used by them and " Allen, Grandin & Co." until the business was consolidated in 1865 with that of the Hazeltine property and was removed to the lower mill. From 1866 " Allen, Preston & Co." were the proprietors until 1884, when William Broadhead & Sons took interest in the property, and with Jerome Preston, William A. Bradshaw and Oliver Lyford organized the "Jamestown Woolen Mills." The plant is a three-set mill, thoroughly equipped, employing 50 hands, and making cassimeres and flannels. The yearly sales have reached $100,000.

The Jamestown Worsted Mills .- Textile goods were made in Jamestown as early as 1838, but down to 1873 no attempt had been made to manfacture worsted dress goods west of Philadelphia. About this time William Broad- head, a resident of Jamestown, but a native of England, learning of the great demand for these goods and their extensive manufacture in his native land, resolved to introduce the business liere. Accordingly in connection with William Hall, an old resident of the place with some capital at his command, and Joseph Turner who had been engaged in the business in England, under the name of " Hall, Broadhead & Turner," this new enterprise was inaugu- rated, which has proved to be one of the largest industries of the place. Great interest was awakened among the citizens of Jamestown when it was proposed to build an alpaca mill as it was then called. In the spring of 1873 ground was broken on Harrison street for the first building of what constitutes the "Jamestown Worsted Mills." In December of that year the first piece of cloth was manufactured. Many difficulties had to be overcome arising from the fact that this was an entirely new industry in this region, that nearly all the machinery had to be imported from England, and that the skilled operatives must all be obtained from abroad until others could learn the business. The enterprise has steadily grown to its present large proportions, with an enviable reputation for the excellence of its products which are now well known from Boston to San Francisco.

The mills now consist of twelve substantial brick structures from one to

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four stories high, having together a floor area of nearly four acres. On Har- rison street they have a frontage of over 600 feet, and extend back to the lines of the N. V. P. & O., and the B. & S. W. railways. The main weave- slied alone has a floor area of 25,000 square feet, and is lighted by a series of inclined skylights covering the entire roof. This group of buildings is sur- mounted by a fine brick chimney, octagonal in form, and 160 feet high. Steam is furnished by seven large boilers, and an improved Greene tandem compound engine, made by the Providence Steam Engine Co., supplies power for the whole mill, though there are several engines in different departments which are employed as occasion requires. An Edison electric light plant with two dynamos, producing electricity for 1,200 incandescent lamps, furnish the choicest kind of artificial light. The mills are also equipped with modern appliances for fire protection, having a pump with a capacity of 1,000 gallons of water per minute, and each building being furnished throughout with Ner- acher's antomatic water sprinklers. The products of the mills are fine dress- goods and suitings, every process in the manufacture of which is carried on in the mills, from the sorting of the wool to the finishing and packing of the cloth. The mills contain 400 looms, employ about 750 hands, and pay nearly $5,000 a week in wages. No labor troubles have ever marred the pleasant relations existing between employers and employes.

The original firm of " Hall, Broadhead & Turner " was soon changed to "Hall & Turner" by the retirement of Mr. Broadhead. By the accession of W. C. J. Hall, Chapin Hall and Erie L. Hall, the firm became " Win. Hall & Co." Three of the members of this firm having died and a fourth retired, the present organization was effected as " Hall & Co.," and consists of Elliot C. Hall, Mrs. Rose E. Kent, Alfred E. Hall and Samuel Briggs. Major W. C. J. Hall, son of Wm. Hall, a teacher and civil engineer, was the first manager. He purchased the machinery in England, and had oversight of the mills for nearly 14 years. Samuel Briggs, a native of England, became connected with the mills in 1874, in charge of the dyeing depart- ment, and is now an active member of the firm. His thorough acquaintance with all departments of manufacturing, and his administrative ability, caused him to be chosen superintendent on the retirement of Major Hall.

The Broadhead Mills .- Among the many manufacturing interests which make Jamestown justly proud of her position in Chautauqua county, as also in the Empire state, must be classed that of the textile industries. Less than a quarter of a century ago this branch of business was comparatively unknown in the United States and importers and jobbers controlled it, leav- ing the work of manufacturing to foreign countries. Twenty-two years ago, while on a visit to his native home in Yorkshire, England, Mr. William Broadhead conceived the idea that such goods might just as well be manu- factured in America as in England. He knew the natural facilities which

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Jamestown possessed in its clear, pure water ; its proximity to the coal fields of Pennsylvania ; its progressive and enterprising community, and, above all, he discerned in the business development of this new industry a future for Jamestown that would make it a center of cosmopolitan enterprise, give it a national reputation and confer honor upon the man who would make the venture. Confidence in his own ability-buoyed up by the large profit he foresaw as a result of such an experiment-led him to put himself in the front rank, and on his return home it was not long ere the embryotic idea had taken shape in the mammoth building which marked the beginning of " Win. Hall & Co.,",(of which Mr. Broadhead was the originator, as well as former partner), and which has culminated in the erection and establishi- ment of the firms of " Win. Broadhead & Sons," " The Jamestown Spinning Co.," " The Terry Mills," Jamestown Cotton Mills," "Goodwill & Ashworth," and " The Lister Manf'g Co." These are the legitimate outcomes of his mighty fertile brain and active energies, and from these combined industries thousands of people receive daily employment, while other interests, such as foundries, machine shops, paper and wood box concerns, hardware and mill supply establishments, receive support and large encouragement from these huge factories. The superior quality of Jamestown dress-goods from the very first of their introduction has ever been recognized by the trade throughout the country, and she holds today an eminent rank among the manufacturing centers of the world. Few men ever reaped so successfully the result of push and thrift as William Broadhead, all of which (in conjunction with his sons) he richly merits. These goods find a market in almost every city and village in America. To the Broadhead family above all others in the locality great credit is due for the spirited enthusiasm the city possesses The electric street railway, the steamboat navigation, the water and gas works of the city, are and have been made sure investments by the indefatigable energy and magnetic touch of S. B. and A. N. Broadhead, worthy sons of a worthy sire, and joint partners with him in the business.

The nine factories of this company are of brick ; cover nearly four acres, range from two to seven stories in height, and use as motive power 15 steam engines aggregating 1,000 H. P. During the past year they have added another weaving factory, 72x155, fitted up with electrical power, which increases the plant to 650 looms and 8,000 spindles, affording employment (when worked to full capacity) to 800 operatives, and giving an annual produc- tion of $1,250,000.

Jamestown Cotton Mill .- This was established here in 1880 by Thomas Henry Smith, of Skepton, Yorkshire, England. Mr. Smithi built a large factory at a cost of from $40,000 to $50,000, and engaged in the manufacture of extra quality cotton wraps for dress goods, cotton battings 38 inches wide and 14 feet long (one batting makes a comforter), and sewing thread for overall mak-

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ers and clothiers' uses. He does an annual business of $75,000, and employs about 25 males and 45 females.

Jamestown Woolen Spinning Co .- This business was started in 1883 for the exclusive (production of woolen yarns. In 1885 the manufacture of woolen dress goods on a limited scale was added. In 1887 the plant was extensively enlarged to enable the making of fine worsted dress goods and suitings to be carried on. In 1888 the company was incorporated, and later W. C. Patterson was president, R. M. Wise secretary and treasurer, and E. Greenwood superintendent. In October, 1890, the capital stock was increased to $100,000. The company occupies several commodious buildings ranging from two to four stories. Other finns relating to the textile industries have done and are doing good work.

A most valuable element of Jamestown's citizenship has been furnished by English emigrants. The first arrival was June 20, 1834, of the families of Simon Bootey, John Fuller, John Wilson, Ist, and John Wilson, 2d., 21 per- sous. They left Prickwillow, England, April 12, 1834, the journey to James- town lasting 10 weeks. They located on and gave name to English hill, and have been good and loyal citizens. England was largely called upon to furnish the skilled labor required in the textile industries founded by an Englishman, William Broadhead, (see sketch). These people, Joseph and Edward Appleyard, the Briggs family, and others, with their special aptitude and educated skill, their warm sympathy for and cooperation with moral and religious labors, and their steady and persistent industry and thrift have been of untold benefit to the city.

Jamestown Postoffice .- Until this office was established, December 31, 1816, nearly all the residents south of the Ridge received and sent their mail at Mayville after that office was created July 1, 1812. It was not so difficult to do this as it might now appear. People from each settlement had frequent business at Mayville, either attending court, transactions at the land-office, journeys for salt, etc., so letters could be mailed or brought. There were few papers then taken. William H. Fenton, son of Jacob the early potter and hotel keeper, was the early mail carrier, paddling a canoe to Mayville for the few letters and fewer papers coming to " Prendergast's Mills." (He was later a "justice " in Jamestown for 48 years). James Prendergast was the first post-master of Jamestown, and the office for some time was in the store of J. & M. Prendergast on the northwest corner of First and Main streets. It owed the government $5.54 at the end of the first quarter. Dr. Laban Haz- eltine was early made deputy, and kept the office at his residence, using one of the drawers of his secretary (now in the office of Dr. Laban Hazeltine) for this purpose until 1822, when he had a combined desk and bookcase made with pigeon-holes for letters. This, with a rude case for newspapers, amply accommodated the public. (This bookcase and desk was presented to the

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Woman's Christian Association by Dr. G. W. Hazeltine and is in service in the hospital). June 13, 1829, D .. E. T. Foote was appointed postmaster. He introduced So individual letter boxes, for which no rent was charged, and procured the first engraved letter-stamp of the county. Alvin Plumb succeeded Dr. Foote June 8, 1841. He was elected county clerk, and was succeeded as postmaster by Joseph Kenyon, a druggist, December 5, 1843. Franklin H. Waite took the office in October, 1844, and was succeeded by Eliphalet Tinker in October, 1848; Smith Seymour, July, 1849 ; Rufus Pier, July, 1853 ; Charles L. Harris, July, 1858 ; Robert V. Cunningham, July, 1861 ; Abner Hazeltine, Jr., 1866 ; John T. Wilson, appointed 1867 ; Abner Haz- eltine, Jr., 1868 ; Henry J. Yates, 1871; Alexander M. Clark, 1874; A. Brooks Fletcher, 1879 ; Major E. P. Putnam, 1884; (in March 1885, free postal delivery was introduced) ; Charles E. Weeks, 1885 ; L. L. Hanchiett, 1889 ; P. K. Shankland, 1894. The office now employs 11 carriers and 8 clerks. The government kept a record for the year ending June 30, 1889, of all mail matter received and delivered. During that year the eight letter carriers of Jamestown delivered 1,698 registered letters, 652,538 letters, 133,- 399 postal cards, and 496,948 newspapers. The receipts of the office from April I to June 30, 1893, exclusive of money orders, were $9,635.42 ; the receipts from April I to June 30, 1894, exclusive of money orders, were $9,894.10. The money order business of 1893 was $116,393.94 ; that of the first quarter of 1894, was $26,613.78 ; the second quarter of 1894 exceeded this, showing $27,717.17.

Navigation on Chautauqua Lake .- This lake, including 3.22 miles of "outlet," is nearly 20 miles long, from one-half to 3 miles wide, and in some places is 90 feet deep. In the early days the bateaux of the French explorers and military expeditions and the canoes of the Indians were all the craft that ruffled the surface of this sylvan sheet of water. When settlers came large canoes were made that served to transport whole families and supplies to different points of the forest-bordered shore, and soon the "Durham " and keelboats, with rough, rude and rollicking crews, clad in red flannel and other striking articles of dress, put in their appearance at the head of the lake in numbers to receive ladings of salt brought from Barcelona over the "old French road " and destined for Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. Gradually the canoes disappeared and the mission of the keelboats soon ended. They were succeeded by scows and flat boats, and in 1824 a horseboat was built in Jamestown. It was an unwieldy, ferryboat affair. In point of speed it was outclassed by the canoes and keelboats, as it took from ten hours to three days to go the length of the lake, and it only ran two seasons. The schooner Mink and scows with sails then for a short time competed for the shipping trade.

In 1827 a company built the "Chautauque," a sidewheel steamboat and no stauncher craft ever sailed the lake. The engine was made in Pittsburgh

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and brought to Warren on keelboats. The launching was a great event for the whole county. A cannon had been brought from Westfield, stationed near the foot of Jefferson street, and salutes were fired at intervals during the ceremony. This was the first artillery known to have been fired in James- town. On the morning of the 4th of July, 1828, Chautauqua's first steamer started on its first trip with froin 40 to 50 guests. The boat was a success, the machinery was perfect, and worked to a charm. (See chapter XXXV). The " Chautauque " had a fair business for some years.

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History of Chautauqua County, New York, Part 82

Author: Edson, Obed, 1832-; Merrill, Georgia Drew, editor Publication date: 1894 Publisher: Boston, Mass. : W.A. Fergusson Number of Pages: 1068

Author: Edson, Obed, 1832-; Merrill, Georgia Drew, editor
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Boston, Mass. : W.A. Fergusson
Number of Pages: 1068