History of Duchess county, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 77

Author: Smith, James H. (James Hadden); Cale, Hume H; Roscoe, William E
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason & Co.
Number of Pages: 868

USA > New York > Dutchess County > History of Duchess county, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 77

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Wiethan Bros., are engaged in the manufacture of pianos, over 349 Main street. The business was established in 1837, by the father of the present proprietors, Louis Wiethan, a native of Germany, who came here that year from Paris, and continued the business till his death, which occurred Feb. 1 1, 1878, since which time it has been conducted by

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HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY,

his sons the business was formerly carried on much more extensively than at present by Mr. Wie than, who was located on Market street, and made a specialty of the upright pianos, which had a wide and favorable reputation.

engaged in the manufacture of spring mattresses, springs for car seats, backs and berths, also for carriage and church seats, and hair prekois, for picking curled hair for furniture deal- vis and upholsterers. The patents for the springs. all of which are the invention of Mr. Bushnell, were issued in Soo, and the manufacture was com mended that voar at 300 Main street, by Mr. Bush- nell, in company with James F. Marvin and James I Sawand, under the name of E. L. Bushnell & Co. who also carried on the general upholstering busi ness for six and a half years, till uspo, when the firm was dissohed by mutual consent, Mr. Bush nell continuing the manufacture of the springs for the male, Mr. Marvin continuing the upholstering basiness, and Mr. Seward engaging in the turni tane business, which he also conducts in New York.

In March, ISSO, after two intermediate remos als Mr Bushnell established himself in his present Norton, GS; Man street. the manufacture was mmeDeal with thive to five hands. The number has moreased at the present to twenty five of things. The value of the mamitaetnyt product in isso was

bem used, by the present firm, who also make

****** *** and we weare Jamentoother

her. is,80

of sash, doors, etc., are Megera, Bereits, MeKon is Prva located at the corner of Mill and North Clinton streets, and I'm. J Brasier, at Nos. 54 and so Main street. The former business was established about usgs, by John R. Brooks, in a building now occupied as a grocery In John Me- Cann, on Main street. In 1824, he removed to the building now in use, which was built and pre- viousty used as a plaster mill. by David Lent. Jan. 11. ISSO, Mr. Brooksassociated with himself Robert S. Mckean and Seth Pierce, and the business has since been conducted under the above name. The firm employ some eighteen persons, and use a capi- tal of about $15,000, Mr. Beardsley established his business in 18So, in which year he created the building in use. He employs sit or eight persons, and uses a capital of about $10,000.

porated Nov. o. 1858, with a capital of $25,000. for the manufacture of wagon and carriage springs and other hardware. This company was formed for the manufacture of the Whitney torsion side- bar spring, invented by W. F. Whitney, who, in company with Edward Storm, commenced their manufacture in the spring of isto, at the present location, 43; Main street, power being furnished In the same motorused by Edward Storm. Seven persons are employed in the business, which is in creasing, though the sales are at present contined to this comment. About genes sets of springs are now in use, and they are being made at the rate of about a.jos per month.

There are four ovoperage establishments in the vin, doing, in the aggregate, a business of consil- erable magmende, vi. : Win. Paulding's, Lown A Sons', Wie. H. Weddie's and Otto Faust's. Paulding's was established in asgy, by the present proprietor, who had previously carried on the basi- ness four years in Rhinebeck, and was associated with Jacob P. Sleight from 1851 to 1868, and with James H. Backhome from UNOS MESES. He em plays thirty five persons and a capital of $5,000 to Steve taming ent abent Sos barre's, half-bar- rels and kegs per week : all right work, except that

made, the number last season being 1,788. Lown street, and are engaged in the manufacture of oak and oder wonder ware, well-buckets puls kgx chams colar mes, No. The baseness was started in a&s; by David Lowe, who carried it en till his death, Das NO, 1858, since which tive his sons Clarence and Robert have oneservi it. From:

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CITY OF POUGHKEEPSIE.

thirty to fifty persons are employed. The motive power is furnished by a twenty-five horse-power engine. Weddle's cooperage was started in 1861, by Wmn. H. Weddle and John Hill, who had car ried on the business in Ulster county some four or five years. Mr. Weddle had previously been en- gaged in the business some thirty-two years. In March, 188r, Mr. Weddle acquired his partner's interest. He employs some twenty-eight men here, and seven in Highland where he also carries on the business, using a capital of about $10,000. Faust's cooperage was started some fifteen years ago, by John Faust & Bros., (John, Tobias and Otto.) Otto Faust continues the business, employ ing about thirty-five persons, and like the others engaged in this business makes a full line of tight work.

There are three soap and candle factories in the city, though candles have not been an article of manufacture for some years. One of these, that of Dunwoody Bros,, would seem to be the oldest manufacturing establishment in the city, as it is claimed to have been established in 1794, by a German, whose name is not known. The date is assumed, from the fact that the figures represent- ing it were cut in the glass of one of the windows. William Slaytor was the third proprietor, but it is not known when he took possession. His succes- sors were DeGroff & Cable, who carried on the business till $866, when they sold to the bun- woody Bros-Samuel, George and William-the latter of whom withdrew from the firm, in which there has been no other change. The front and main part of the building is the original structure. It is one of the oldest buildings in the city, and is located on Main street, a little west of the central portion. Mr. Dunwoody thinks the date 1794 has reference to its conversion to its present use, and is confirmed in that belief by the testimony of old residents, who have now passed away. It was previously used as a school-house. The Dun- woody Bros, have built four additions at different times and greatly enlarged the business, which now gives employment to two additional persons, and turns out about two hundred tons of soap per an- num. A ten horse power engine is used.

William Dunwoody, formerly a member of the above firm,established his present business, the man- ufacture of soap and candles, in the same year that he withdrew from the firm, 1879, having erected for that purpose the previous year the brick building he now occupies, at No. 97 North Bridge street. The building is twenty-two by fifty feet, three stories

high, with a boiler house in the rear, in which is a twenty horse power boiler, The capacity of the engine is twelve horse power. The building, and machinery cost $9,000, Mr. Dunwoody employs five persons, all of whom are members of bis family, and makes about i8,659 pounds of soap every three weeks. He uses a capital of about $12,000.

William Scott's Soap and Candle Factory, located on Mill street, was established by David Scott, in 1852, and operated by him till 1866, when his son Williaro was admitted to partner ship, and the business was conducted under the name of D. Scott & Son until 1872, when William acquired his father's interest, and has since con. ducted the business in his own name. He em ploys two persons; makes 250,000 to 300,000 pounds of soap per annum ; and has an invested capital of about $14,000.

Parker's Mills, located at the corner of Garden and North streets, were erected in 1275, by John G, and F. B. Parker, the present proprietors, the former of whom was proprietor of the old City Mills, at the junction of Washington and North Bridge streets, which were burned in 1870. He also gave the name to Parker's Pond, which sup plies the motor for these mills. The present, roill, which is constructed of stone, with brick trim mings, is fifty by sixty feet, with four stories and attic, contains four run of stones, and is provided with the most improved machinery, giving it a ca pacity of 125 to rio barrels of flour in twenty four hours. It is a custom and flouring mill, grinding rye and wheat flour, granulated meal, and buckwheat flour in its season, and is in opera- tion most of the time both night and day.

Millard, &. Guyled's Machine Works, located at 4% l'ine street, were established about 1874, by John F. Millard and John Guylee, the present pro- prictors, who employ four persons in the manufas. ture of steam engines, threshing machines, mill and other machinery, and general machine repairing, They occupy a building erected some eight years since by Wood & Pont, for a sash and blind fac tory, on the site of a building previously occupied for a like purpose.

Six firms are engaged in the manufacture of car- riages, employing in the aggregate some sixty per sons, and a capital of something like as many the I- sand dollars. These are Strict G. Lockwood, who have been engaged in the business for many years, employing some thirteen men ; Reed 's- Husted, employing fifteen men ; R. B. Delamater, some

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HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY.

his sons. The business was formerly carried on much more extensively than at present by Mr. Wie- than, who was located on Market street, and made a specialty of the upright pianos, which had a wide and favorable reputation.

.E. L. Bushnell is engaged in the manufacture of spring mattresses, springs for car seats, backs and berths, also for carriage and church seats, and hair pickers, for picking curled hair for furniture deal- ers and upholsterers. The patents for the springs, all of which are the invention of Mr. Bushnell, were issued in 1869, and the manufacture was com- menced that year at 390 Main street, by Mr. Bush- nell, in company with James F. Marvin and James A. Seward, under the name of E. L. Bushnell & Co., who also carried on the general upholstering busi- ness for six-and-a-half years, till 1879, when the firm was dissolved by mutual consent, Mr. Bush- nell continuing the manufacture of the springs for the trade, Mr. Marvin continuing the upholstering business, and Mr. Seward engaging in the furni- ture business, which he also conducts in New York.

In March, 1880, after two intermediate remov- als, Mr. Bushnell established himself in his present location, 383 Main street. The manufacture was commenced with three to five hands. The number has increased at the present to twenty-five or thirty. The value of the manufactured product in 1880 was $30,000 to $33,000 ; during the present year it has been at the rate of $65,000.

There are three establishments in the city for the manufacture of sash, doors, blinds and moldings. The oldest of these is that of Swart, Lumb & Bro., which is located at Nos. 17, 19, 21 and 23 North Water street, opposite the Hudson River Railroad depot. The business was established in Decem- ber, 1866, by the present firm, who also make builders' materials generally. They employ thirty- two persons and use a capital of about $30,000. This firm commenced the manufacture of wheel- barrows at the same time, buying the establish- ment of William Harloe, who had conducted it between one and two years. June 1, 1869, they sold that branch of their business to Thomas Mc- Whinnie, who has since conducted it. He is located at No. 25 North Water street, renting building and power of Swart, Lumb & Bro. He employs some eight persons, uses a capital of about $6,000, and makes from 7,000 to 8,000 wheelbarrows per an- num. The establishment of Messrs. Swart, Lumb & Bro.,. was partially destroyed by fire in Septem- ber, 1880.

The other two firms engaged in the manufacture

of sash. doors, etc., are Messrs. Brooks, McKean & Pierce, located at the corner of Mill and North Clinton streets, and Wm. J. Beardsley, at Nos. 54 and 56 Main street. The former business was established about 1870, by John R. Brooks, in a building now occupied as a grocery by John Mc- Cann, on Main street. In 1874, he removed to the building now in use, which was built and pre- viously used as a plaster-mill, by David Lent. Jan. 11, 1880, Mr. Brooks associated with himself Robert S. Mckean and Seth Pierce, and the business has since been conducted under the above name. The firm employ some eighteen persons, and use a capi- tal of about $15,000. Mr. Beardsley established his business in 1880, in which year he erected the building in use. He employs six or eight persons, and uses a capital of about $10,000.

The Whitney Spring Co., Limited, was incor- porated Nov. 9, 1878, with a capital of $25,000, for the manufacture of wagon and carriage springs and other hardware. This company was formed for the manufacture of the Whitney torsion side- bar spring, invented by W. F. Whitney, who, in company with Edward Storm, commenced their manufacture in the spring of 1876, at the present location, 437 Main street, power being furnished by the same motor used by Edward Storm. Seven persons are employed in the business, which is in- creasing, though the sales are at present confined to this country. About 40,000 sets of springs are now in use, and they are being made at the rate of about 1,700 per month.

There are four cooperage establishments in the city, doing, in the aggregate, a business of consid- erable magnitude, viz : Wm. Paulding's, Lown & Sons', Wm. H. Weddle's and Otto Faust's. Paulding's was established in 1847, by the present proprietor, who had previously carried on the busi- ness four years in Rhinebeck, and was associated with Jacob T. Sleight from 1851 to 1868, and with James H. Buckhout from 1868 to 1878. He em- ploys thirty-five persons and a capital of $5,000 to $10,000, turning out about 800 barrels, half-bar- rels and kegs per week ; all tight work, except that in the apple season a good many apple barrels are made, the number last season being 1,700. Lown & Sons are established at No. 9 North Bridge street, and are engaged in the manufacture of oak and cedar wooden-ware, well-buckets, pails, kegs, churns, cedar tubs, &c. The business was started in 1857 by David Lown, who carried it on till his death, Dec. 16, 1876, since which time his sons Clarence and Robert have conducted it. From

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CITY OF POUGHKEEPSIE.

thirty to fifty persons are employed. The motive power is furnished by a twenty-five horse-power engine. Weddle's cooperage was started in 1861, by Wm. H. Weddle and John Hill, who had .car- ried on the business in Ulster county some four or five years. Mr. Weddle had previously been en- gaged in the business some thirty-two years. In March, 1881, Mr. Weddle acquired his partner's interest. He employs some twenty-eight men here, and seven in Highland where he also carries on the business, using a capital of about $10,000. Faust's cooperage was started some fifteen years ago, by John Faust & Bros., (John, Tobias and Otto.) Otto Faust continues the business, employ- ing about thirty-five persons, and like the others engaged in this business makes a full line of tight work.

There are three soap and candle factories in the city, though candles have not been an article of manufacture for some years. One of these, that of Dunwoody Bros., would seem to be the oldest manufacturing establishment in the city, as it is claimed to have been established in 1794, by a German, whose name is not known. The date is assumed, from the fact that the figures represent- ing it were cut in the glass of one of the windows. William Slaytor was the third proprietor, but it is not known when he took possession. His succes- sors were DeGroff & Cable, who carried on the business till 1866, when they sold to the Dun- woody Bros-Samuel, George and William -- the latter of whom withdrew from the firm, in which there has been no other change. The front and main part of the building is the original structure. It is one of the oldest buildings in the city, and is located on Main street, a little west of the central portion. Mr. Dunwoody thinks the date 1794 has reference to its conversion to its present use, and is confirmed in that belief by the testimony of old residents, who have now passed away. It was previously used as a school-house. The Dun- woody Bros. have built four additions at different times and greatly enlarged the business, which now gives employment to two additional persons, and turns out about two hundred tons of soap per an- num. A ten horse-power engine is used.

high, with a boiler house in the rear, in which is a twenty-horse-power boiler. The capacity of the engine is twelve-horse-power. The building and machinery cost $9,000. Mr. Dunwoody employs five persons, all of whom are members of his family, and makes about 18,000 pounds of soap every three weeks. He uses a capital of about $12,000.

William Scott's Soap and Candle Factory, located on Mill street, was established by David Scott, in 1852, and operated by him till 1866, when his son William was admitted to partner- ship, and the business was conducted under the name of D. Scott & Son until 1872, when William acquired his father's interest, and has since con- ducted the business in his own name. He em- ploys two persons; makes 250,000 to 300,000 pounds of soap per annum ; and has an invested capital of about $14,000.

Parker's Mills, located at the corner of Garden and North streets, were erected in 1875, by John G. and E. B. Parker, the present proprietors, the former of whom was proprietor of the old City Mills, at the junction of Washington and North Bridge streets, which were. burned in 1870. He also gave the name to Parker's Pond, which sup- plies the motor for these mills. The present mill, which is constructed of stone, with brick trim- mings, is fifty by sixty feet, with four stories and attic, contains four run of stones, and is provided with the most improved machinery, giving it a ca- pacity of 125 to 150 barrels of flour in twenty- four hours. It is a custom and flouring mill, grinding rye and wheat flour, granulated meal, and buckwheat flour in its season, and is in opera- tion most of the time both night and day.

Millard & Guylee's Machine Works, located at 46 Pine street, were established about 1874, by John E. Millard and John Guylee, the present pro- prietors, who employ four persons in the manufac- ture of steam engines, threshing machines, mill and other machinery, and general machine repairing. They occupy a building erected some eight years since by Wood & Post, for a sash and blind fac- tory, on the site of a building previously occupied for a like purpose.

Six firms are engaged in the manufacture of car- riages, employing in the aggregate some sixty per- sons, and a capital of something like as many thou- sand dollars. These are Striet & Lockwood, who have been engaged in the business for many years, employing some thirteen men ; Reed & Husted, employing fifteen men ; E. B. Delamater, some

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HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY.

ten men ; Schoonmaker & Co., some nine men ; Horace Sague, some six men ; and Dusenberry & Smith, some five men.

The Gifford Folding Chair Co. was organized Dec. 6, 1880, for the manufacture of Gifford & Bates' patent adjustable folding camp-chair. They employ six persons and a capital of about $2,000. The members of the company are Crosby & Spaulding, furniture dealers in Poughkeepsie, Thomas McWhinnie and Wm. H. Gifford.

S. D. Gates, manufacturer of fine felt hats and paper boxes of various descriptions, at 371 and 373 Mill street, represents a business which was estab- lished June 1, 1880, by Smith & Gates, who made an assignment after continuing it about six months. S. D. Gates has since continued it as agent. J. M. Wine bought the claims, and is the present propri- etor of the business, which usually gives employ- inent to a hundred persons, about one-fourth of whom are females. The motive power is supplied by a twenty-five horse-power engine.

The Hudson River Iron Co. was incorporated August 7, 1872, under the law of February 17, 1848, and the acts amendatory thereof, with a cap- ital of $400,000, for the purpose of conducting the business of a rolling-mill and blast furnace. Ground for the building, which is located on the Livingston estate, on the river bank, in the south part of the city, was broken October 31, 1872, and the build- ing was erected during that and the following year. The works were put in operation in 1873. Noth- ing has been done since April, 1878.

There are three firms in Poughkeepsie engaged in the lumber business : W. C. Arnold & Co., at the Upper Landing ; D. C. Foster & Sons, at the foot of Main street, and Collingwood, Millard & & Co., at the Lower Landing. The latter do the most extensive business of the three, and wholesale some to yards along the river.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

BANKS OF POUGHKEEPSIE.

T THE banks of Poughkeepsie were the neces- sary outgrowth of its mercantile, commercial and manufacturing business, to the convenient and successful transaction of which they were indispen- sable. Early in the century the want of bank ac- commodations was felt in the growing village, which was the seat of an extensive commerce, and an effort was made to meet that want by the Manhat-

tan Company, of New York, which was chartered April 2, 1799, for the purpose of supplying that city "with pure and wholesome water," and granted perpetual banking privileges. That company es- tablished a branch bank in Poughkeepsie, (the first institution of its kind in the village,) which was known as the Manhattan Branch Bank. It occu- pied the building on the corner of Market and Can- non streets, now the residence of the widow Akin, which was afterwards occupied by Judge Thomas J. Oakley, and subsequently by Dr. John Barnes. Mr. Fleueling was the first cashier of this bank, a position which was afterwards filled by Daniel F. Cooledge, as early as 1814, and subsequently by Guy Hyde, who was the first cashier of the Middle District Bank.

The Middle District Bank was chartered March 22, 18II, with a capital of $200,000, and at an early period in its existence-as early as 1812- had an office of discount and deposit at Kingston. It was located in the building which occupied the site of the Taylor building, on the north side of Main street.

Guy Hyde was the first cashier. That position was subsequently held by Daniel F. Cooledge, Abraham G. Storm and John W. Oakley, the latter of whom held the office till the failure. Storm and Oakley likewise filled the office of President. The stock was largely held by Peter Everett, of Pough- keepsie. Judge Verplanck, of Fishkill, father of Gulian C. Verplanck, of New York, was also largely interested in it. November 11, 1817, as appears from an advertisement in the Dutchess Observer of that year, over the names of James Emott and Abraham G. Storm, as a committee of the direct- ors, 12,000 shares of the stock of the bank were "resigned " by the holders, "in order to permit new subscriptions," and these were reserved for "a few weeks, for the benefit of the inhabitants of the county," after which it was to "be offered at large."

The bank did not afford either ample or eco- nomic accommodations to the business commu- nity, if we may judge from the following, which appeared in the Dutchess Observer," over the signature of Zadock Southwick, a well-known tan- ner of Poughkeepsie :--

"To THE FARMERS OF DUCHESS COUNTY :-

It may be a source of pleasing satisfaction to some of you to hear that the Middle District Bank is now placed, or about to be placed on a firm foundation, by men who have the means as well as the disposition to be useful, as you will see by the sequel. A farmer wanting a six hundred dollar note discounted, at a time when it was not conven-

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CITY OF POUGHKEEPSIE.

ient for the Bank to do it, (as I suppose,) applied to one of the stockholders, who actually had the goodness to discount it out of his own private funds for one hundred dollars, besides the interest for six months. If he can have the note renewed for six months more, at the same rate of interest, making one whole year, the interest will only amount to two hundred and forty-seven dollars, according to my cast. I believe it is not custom- ary, however, to renew those kind of accommoda- tion notes at the same rate of interest. Admit that they can be, who would not give this trifling sum for the use of five hundred dollars to save him- self and family from ruin, and say that we have reason to believe we have good men in Pough- keepsie yet ? ZADOCK SOUTHWICK.

" P. S .- The action of good men ought to be held up to the public as stimulus to virtue. *

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History of Duchess county, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 77

Author: Smith, James H. (James Hadden); Cale, Hume H; Roscoe, William E Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason & Co. Number of Pages: 868

Author: Smith, James H. (James Hadden); Cale, Hume H; Roscoe, William E
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason & Co.
Number of Pages: 868