History of Oneida County, New York, 1667-1878, Part 82

Author:
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Fariss
Number of Pages: 932

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ROCKWELL & WHITE. ( Nos. 4 and 6 Catherine Street.)

About the year 1850, H. J. Wood commeneed the man- ufaeture of elothing in the building now oeeupied by the

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

above firm, and continued it down to 1874, when Messrs. James Rockwell and Henry L. White became associated in business, and purchased the interest of Mr. Wood. The capital employed by this firm is $50,000, and their annual sales of manufactured goods are given at $300,000. The sales are mostly in the State of New York. They employ five traveling agents, and sell to dealers. Their manufac- tures include all grades of men's, youths', and boys' clothing, made expressly for their customers from the best-selected materials.

H. H. COOPER & CO. (Reynolds' Block, John Street.)

This house was established Jan. 1, 1871, by Cooper, Chamberlain & Horn, who commenced business on the corner of Genesee and Broad Streets, where they remained until 1874, when, finding their rapidly-increasing business demanded enlarged facilities, they removed to their present location, where they occupy one of the finest and most commodious business buildings in the city. On the 1st of January, 1874, previous to the removal, the firm changed to Cooper & Chamberlain, Mr. Horn retiring, and subse- quently again changed to H. H. Cooper & Co.

The manufactures comprise all grades of men's, boys', and youths' clothing, and give employment to about 300 hands. Five traveling agents are employed by this house, and the sales, which are principally effected in the States of New York and Pennsylvania, reach an annual aggregate of $350,000.

The business of this firm is conducted strictly on a cash basis. The best of material is selected, and the manufac- turing department is under the most careful and economieal supervision, every pains being taken to produce only stand- ard goods of uniform quality and finish.

SHOE MANUFACTURE.

This branch of industry was commenced in Utica, about 1862-63, by James M. Wiswell, who subsequently bceame associated with James H. Thompson. In 1866, J. Newton Cloyes purchased Wiswell's interest, and the firm beeame Thompson & Cloyes, who continued the business until 1872, when Mr. Cloyes became sole proprietor, and has carried it on to the present time.

When the business was commenced by Mr. Wiswell, it was on a limited scale, in the attic of the building now occupied by Mr. Cloyes. He at first employed frou five to ten hands, and put in operation the first Mckay machine ever brought to Utica.

In busy seasons the establishment has employed as many as 125 operatives. At the present time from 80 to 90 arc at work. Mr. Cloyes has about $25,000 invested, and turns out 300 pairs of shoes per day. The goods manu- factured consist exclusively of ladies', misses', and children's fine wear. The sales for 1877 were $125,000, and the prospect is excellent for a production of $150,000 worth the present year.

The stoek is purchased in New York, Philadelphia, and Boston, and the market is principally in New York and the Western States.

The factory is located at No. 12 John Street.

REYNOLDS BROTHERS. (John and Catherine Streets.)

This establishment was first put in operation by R. S. and William H. Reynolds, on Fayette Street, in 1865. In 1867 they removed to Nos. 21 and 23 Blandina Street, where they were partially burned out in 1873, and removed to their present location the same year.

The original capital (as stated by the firmn) was $25,000, and the number of hands employed 100. The present capital is given as $300,000, and the number of hands employed 350.

The manufacture reaches a daily total of 1000 pairs, and the annual sales a value of $600,000.

The goods are sold mostly by agents to regular customers, dealers throughout the Northern and Western States. The production includes all varieties of women's and misses' wear, including calf-skin, pebbled-goat, kid, and morocco. The stock is purchased in New York, Philadelphia, and Boston, which are the great markets for shoe- and leather- findings.

The factory of this company is 100 by 50 feet in dimen- sions, and the work is distributed over five floors, from basement to attic, all connected by a steam elevator.

Another brother, George A. Reynolds, was admitted to a partnership in 1866. William H. Reynolds died in 1874.

The establishment has three of the celebrated Mckay machines in operation, with all other necessary machinery and applianees. The motive-power is furnished by a steam- engine of 15 horse-power.

HOLBROOK & LUDLOW. (Ladies' Fine Shoes, Nos. 9 and 11 John Street.)

This firm commenced business in the building now occu- pied by them on the 1st of December, 1874, with a capital of $40,000, which has been steadily inereased until at the present time it amounts to $150,000. At first about 50 hands were employed. The number now reaches 230. 700 pairs of shoes are manufactured daily. The goods produced are mostly the finer grades of French and Amer- iean kids, and principally for ladies' and misses' wear. The manufacture of boys' fine shoes has recently been added. The firm also manufactures the leading standard pebble-goat and ealf goods. Six traveling agents are cm- ployed, and the goods are sold directly to leading dealers throughout the country. The market extends to Florida, California, and Oregon, and large sales are made in all the leading Western cities. The firm of Lord & Taylor, New York, purchase their goods to the extent of $30,000 annu- ally. The total sales for 1878 will reach $300,000. The number of pairs manufactured annually is about 175,000.

The firm occupies six floors, 44 by 105 feet. The ma- chinery in operation consists of 2 Mckay machines, 3 Tapleys, 3 cdge-setters, 2 planers, 2 buffers, 2 levelers, 60 improved Wheeler & Wilson and Weed sewing, and 7 American Button-hole machines, the latter handled by the Singer Sewing-Machine Company. These last have a eapaeity for making 1000 button-holes each daily. The motive-power is furnished by a 20 horse-power engine. The building is heated by steam throughout.

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

MANUFACTURERS OF IRON.

PECKIIAM'S FOUNDRY .- This is the oldest establishment of the kind in this region, having been originally put in operation by Seth Peekham, in the town of Westmoreland, Oneida Co., in 1817; from thenee he removed to No. 22 Catherine Street, Utiea, in 1819, where the business was conducted by him until 1827, when John S. Peekham be- eame proprietor, and continued until 1835. Up to this date the business had been confined to the manufacture of plows. In 1835, J. S. and M. Peekham eommeneed the manufacture of stoves, and about 1857 established the manufactory now occupied on the block bounded by Broad, Catherine, and Third Streets, and the Canal Basin. The manufacture of plows was discontinued about the time of the removal. The beginning of the business by Mr. Seth Peckham was on a limited seale, and during a period of over sixty years it has gradually increased to its present extensive proportions. The capital now invested, including real estate and personal property, aggregates $200,000, and the gross sales of products for the past year reach $220,000. The firm manufactures all varieties of wood- and eoal-burning stoves, except those known as "Parlor Cook," and they handle them as dealers. Their trade is mostly with job- bers, and reaches the Canadas and New Brunswick on the nortlı and east, Maryland on the south, and every portion of the west. Steam is the motive-power, and the estab- lishment is in every respect first-class. The salesrooms and general headquarters are at No. 22 Catherine Street.

RUSSEL WHEELER & SON. (Stove- Works, Columbia Street.)

The original of this establishment was put in operation in 1842 by Joel C. Bailey, for the manufacture of stoves, machinery, and eastings, and for job work generally. In 1844, Russel Wheeler and Stephen A. Bailey were admit- ted as partners, and the firm became Bailey, Wheeler & Co. About 1854, Russel Wheeler purchased the interest of J. C. Bailey, and the firm changed to Wheeler & Bailey. In 1865, Mr. Wheeler purchased the interest of his part- ner, S. A. Bailey, and transacted business in his own name until 1877, when his son Frank E. Wheeler became a part- ner, and the firm assumed the present name, Russel Wheeler & Son.

Mr. Bailey originally commeneed the business in a frame building. In 1844 the present salesroom and office build- ing was constructed of briek. About 1845 a machine- shop and furnace building was ereeted in the place of the old wooden structure, which was removed. In February, 1847, 100 feet of the eastern portion of works, extend- ing baek 120 feet, was destroyed by fire, involving a loss of $11,000. The burned portion was rebuilt the same year, and considerably enlarged and improved. The large and convenient brick building for the storage of patterns was erected about 1866. In 1867 the salesroom was en- larged by an extension to the rear.

The lots front on Columbia Street 158 feet and extend baek 120 feet, all of which space is covered with buildings exeepting an inner court. The original eapital employed in 1842 was about $10,000, which has been gradually in- ereased until at the present time the working capital is

$75,000. The number of hands at first employed was about 15. At the present time it is between 50 and 60. The produets annually approximate $80,000 in value. Sales are made mostly by agents, directly to dealers in New York and the Western States.

The firm manufactures every variety of ranges, cooking and parlor stoves, and agricultural furnaces, for both wood and eoal ; wagon skeins and boxes, and all kinds of machin- ery eastings and job work generally.

CURTIS MACHINE-SHOP. ( Whitesboro' Street.)

The original of this institution was put in operation about 1832, as a machine-shop, by Philo C. Curtis, who eon- tinued the business about three years, when it changed hands a number of times, and, among other firms, was operated by Pond, Higham & Co. for several years. In 1861, Mr. Curtis succeeded the last-mentioned firm, and in 1863, Philo S. Curtis, his son, became proprietor, and has con- tinued the business to the present time.

The present investment in real estate, stoek, and ma- ehinery is about $100,000, and the annual productions reach a value of from $50,000 to $150,000, according to the condition of trade. The number of hands employed varies from 45 to 100; at present about the smaller num- ber are at work.

The business comprises general foundry, machine- and boiler-work. Steam is used as the motive-power. The buildings, machinery, and applianees are first-class, and the work turned out is equal to the best.

UTICA ORNAMENTAL IRON-WORKS. ( Whitesboro' Street.)

This establishment was originally put in operation in its present location in 1858, by Linus Dean, for the manufae- ture of ornamental iron-work, and is still operated by him. Iron fenee is extensively manufactured as a specialty, in every form and variety, and railings, baleonies, and ver- andas, flower-vases, urns, lawn furniture, ete., are turned out in endless styles and varieties ; also iron stable furni- ture, roofing materials, street gratings, and portable horse- powers.

The lot occupies a space fronting 250 feet on Whites- boro' Street, and extending the same width to the Erie Canal. The buildings, consisting of foundry, machine- shop, ete., are extensive and fitted with improved machinery. The number of hands at present employed is about 20. In busy times the number is much larger. The goods manu- factured by Mr. Dean may be largely elassed as luxuries, and in times of depressed trade the demand is affected more than that for staple goods.

The sales are mostly made at the works, and the market is principally in Central New York.

MALLEABLE AND GRAY IRON WORKS. ( Corner of Broad and Mohawk Streets.)

The ground now oeeupied by these works was formerly occupied by a lock-factory, which was burned; and about 1863, John H. Chapman purchased the property, built a portion of the present buildings, and began the manufacture of wagon-skeins and boxes, which branch is still continued. Mr. Chapman carried on the business with various part-

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

ners until about 1870. The firm was also Hawley & Mc- Clure, and Hawley & Co. At the death of Mr. Hawley, in 1874, Messrs. T. V. Le Roy and L. H. Shattuck bought out Hawley & Co., and in April, 1875, Mr. J. Q. Head was admitted to partnership, and continued until his death, in 1878. His interest, however, remains in the business.

This firm made extensive additions to the buildings and facilities of the establishment, and it is at the present time in very complete condition. The goods manufactured are plain, turned, and patent metal bearings, skeins and boxes, malleable and gray iron ; and during the present year the manufacture of hop-presses and agricultural implements has been added. The capital employed in 1874 was $60,000, and 24 hands were employed. The capital remains the same, but the number of hands has increased to from 90 to 105, according to demand. Steam is used as the motive- power. The firm has agencies in New York and Philadel- phia. All other sales are made direct to dealers. It is the only establishment in the county combining the two branches, malleable and gray-iron work. The firm is Le Roy, Shattuck & Head.

CENTRAL NEW YORK BUHR-MILLSTONE MANUFACTORY. ( Munson Brothers, Broadway and Erie Canal.)

The manufacture of buhr-millstones was commenced by Alfred Munson about 1823-25, on the corner of Hotel and Liberty Streets. It was subsequently removed to Wash- ington Street, on the Erie Canal, and about 1855 again removed, to the west side of Broadway, on the canal. In 1868 it was once more changed, to its .present location, on the east side of Broadway. Alfred Munson continued the business in his own name until about 1830, when Martin Hart became associated with him, under the firm- name of Munson & Hart. This continued for a number of years, when the firm dissolved, and Mr. Alexander B. Hart (a son of Martin) and Mr. Edmund Munson (a brother of Alfred) became associated under the firm-name of Hart & Munson, and carried on the business until about 1868, when the firm dissolved, and a new one was formed, con- sisting of Edmund L., Alfred H., and Countcil Munson (sons of Edmund Munson), under the title of Munson Brothers, which is the style of the present firm. Countcil Munson died iu 1873.

Edmund Munson, Sr., was an excellent mechanic and inventor, and under the impulse of his genius the business, which had been commenced with limited means and a small number of employees, rapidly increased. Among the im- portant improvements invented and put in operation by Mr. Munson were an ingenious machine for finishing buhr- stone, an improved cast-iron eye and spindle, and a port- able mill, for grinding all kinds of grain.

The firm of Hart & Munson did an extensive business, employing at times as many as 100 hands. It was then comparatively a new industry in the United States, and competition was almost unknown. The business has since been established on an extensive scale at Buffalo, N. Y., Indianapolis and Richmond, Indiana, and other localities. The Messrs. Munson are at the present time employing about fifty hands, and have about $60,000 invested in the business. Under an improved condition of trade these

figures would be largely increased, but this, like all other industries, is affected by the depressed condition of general trade.

The raw material comes exclusively from a locality ncar Paris, France, and is imported through New York houses. The manufacture includes about 200 sets annually, besides large quantities of general mill machincry. The trade covers all parts of the United States, and rcaches South America, Canada; and the British Islands. The latter is for a peculiar class of improved goods not manufactured in Europe. The works occupy a large area on Broadway and the canal, and their shipping facilities, both by rail and water, are excellent.

Mr. Alfred Munson, the originator of this branch of. manufactures, was a well-known and prominent citizen, intimately connected with the business of Utica in various departments for many years.

CENTRAL NEW YORK POTTERY AND FIRE-BRICK WORKS.

This important industry is located on Whitesboro' Street, a little beyond the Chenango Canal, and occupies an area of 400 feet front on the street, and the same width on the Erie Canal, with an average depth of 200 feet or more. This ground was occupied at first by two firms,-Justin Campbell, commencing in 1826, and Messrs. Brayton, Kellogg & Doolittle, who began in 1827; both engaged in the manufacture of pottery.

In 1819, Noah White emigrated with his family from Thetford, Orange Co., Vt., to Madison Co., N. Y., and set- tled near Oneida Lake; but the region was so malarious that he soon after removed to Westmoreland, Oneida Co.

In 1828 he removed again to Utica, and engaged with one of the pottery firms, and labored for about two years. In the mean time the works passed through several hands. About 1833, Mr. White took one of them, and operated it on shares for a number of years, and in 1838 he purchased one and leased the other, and in 1841 became the owner of both.

In 1842 his sons, N. A. and William, became partners in the business. About 1856, William sold his interest to his father and brother, and removed to Morris, La Salle Co., Ill., and subsequently to Utica, in the same county, where he is at present engaged in the manufacture of sewer-pipe and drain-tile. The firm then became N. White & Son.

After the death of Noah White, his son, N. A. White, associated his son, William N., with him in the business, and the firm continued as N. A. White & Son until the death of the latter, in the autumn of 1877, since which it has been N. A. White.

When Noah White first began business, in 1833, his means were limited and the business small ; but both grad- ually increased as the country became more densely popu- lated and the wares better known, until at the present time, at a very low valuation, the amount invested in real estate, working capital, and stock equals $50,000.

The goods manufactured up to about 1840 were common stone-ware. At that date fire-brick were added, and in 1870, sewer-pipe. Extensive improvements have been made by the present proprietor, including a new building for manufacturing purposes, constructed of brick, two stories

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

in height, fifty-five by sixty-five feet in dimensions, and a new engine and machinery. The present number of hands employed is about twenty, and the value of annual produc- tions, in the present depressed condition of business, about $25,000, of which $15,000 is stone-ware and $10,000 fire- brick. The manufacture of sewer-pipe is for the present suspended.

The clay is all procured in New Jersey, mostly at Amboy. The motive-power is steam, and the fuel anthracite coal and hemlock wood. The stone-ware is largely marketed in Cen- tral New York, though considerable sales are made as far as California. The fire-brick are sold over a large territory.

MATCII-FACTORY.

James Eaton commenced the manufacture of matches at West Winfield, Herkimer County, in 1850. In 1864 he removed his enterprise to Utica, and located on South Street, in the " gulf," where the business has grown steadily to its present respectable proportions. Extensive buildings have been erected, and improved machinery introduced from time to time, until the establishment is one of the most com- plete in the country. Every variety of matches known to the trade is manufactured here except the two known as " safety" and " wax" matches.

James Emery Eaton, a son of the original proprietor, was admitted to a partnership in 1875, since which the firm has been J. Eaton & Son. The amount of capital at present invested in land, buildings, and machinery is about $30,000, and the firm carry an average of $10,000 in stock on hand. The number of hands directly employed averages 65,-15 males and 50 females. The total product annually equals $100,000 including stamps, of which about three-fifths is paid the government in duties. This tax is a very onerous one. The amount of lumber consumed annually equals 300,000 feet, of which one-half is used in the manufacture of the matches, and the remainder for boxes. The lumber is from Canada, and the goods are sold over a region extend- ing from Vermont to Ohio, and from the St. Lawrence to Maryland. The motive-power is furnished by a twelve horse-power engine. It is the only institution of the kind in Oneida County.

UTICA LAST COMPANY.

The business of manufacturing shoe-lasts is a peculiar one, requiring great skill not only in the construction of the necessary machinery, but in its use, as any one can readily understand who is acquainted with the complex and irreg- ular fornis of the goods manufactured.

The Utica Last Company's Works are located on Blaudina Street, near First, in the block of brick buildings partly occupied by the Phoenix Iron-Works, and were put in op. eration in August, 1876, by II. Beckwith, George Walker, and A. H. Auborn, with a working capital of about $5000, including stock and machinery. The material is principally procured at Lyon's Falls, in Lewis County. Every descrip- tion of work in their line is manufactured, and the firm makes a specialty of " manufacturers' lasts."

The market is principally among finders, and boot and shoe manufacturers. The largest trade at present comes from Pennsylvania. The business is well established and promising.

We mention this establishment not so much on account of the amount of capital employed or business transacted, but because of its peculiarity, it being comparatively a new branch of industry in this region. The works are well worth a visit to those who take a special interest in inge- nious machinery and its application.

UTICA SOAP AND CANDLE WORKS.

An establishment for the manufacture of soaps and candles was put in operation as early as 1840 by a gentle- man named Cahoon. Janies S. Kirk, now of the extensive firm of James S. Kirk & Co., Chicago, was also for some years, from 1845 to 1860, interested in this branch of manufactures in Utica, and was located on or near the ground now occupied by Messrs. Heath & Tavender. The last-named firm began business in 1862, and have continued it, with a steady increase, to the present time. Their present capital invested in the business is $20,000, and the amount of their annual sales approximates $50,000. They employ about seven hands, including the proprietors, who give their undivided attention to the management of the. establishment.

Their manufactured goods include all kinds of staple brands, including the celebrated " woolen-mill soap." The candle business was, before the introduction of petroleum, a very extensive one, but has gradually diminished in im- portance, until it forms but a fraction of their total business. This branch is now confined exclusively to the production of common tallow candles. The works are located on Whitesboro' Street, West Utica, near Wiley Street, and also near Nail Creek.

TOBACCO MANUFACTURES.

The manufacture of tobacco and cigars is quite extensive in Utica, and the aggregate sales are very large, though we are unable to give the total value in dollars and cents.

F. M. KENDRICK & CO. (F. M. KENDRICK, EDWARD MC- WENIE; No. 4 Bleecker Street.)

This firm confines its manufacturing department exclu- sively to the production of various brands of cigars, ranging through all grades from the lowest to the highest. They com- menced the business with eight employees, in 1872, and have gradually increased their trade, until at the present time the business gives employment to a total force of 60 hands. The aggregate sales of cigars for 1878 will reach 2,000,000. They also do a large jobbing business, the sales of various brands of chewing and smoking tobacco reaching a value of $50,000 annually. Three traveling agents are employed, and the goods are' mostly marketed in the State of New York. The stock is purchased in New York City and Connecticut.

SHERWOOD & HEMMENS (EDWIN F. SHERWOOD, JAMES IIEMMENS; 120 Genesce Street.)

This manufactory was established about 1853, by Sher- wood & Wilkins, subsequently changed to Stephen Sher- wood, and to Sherwood & Hemmens in 1871. The business at first gave employment to from 25 to 30 lands, which

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

has been increased to about 75 of all classes at the present time. In the line of cigars this firm confines itself to the. manufacture of a special grade known as the "S S" brand. The manufacture of chewing and smoking tobacco embraces all grades, and the aggregate productions are very large. The number of cigars turned out annually amounts to about 1,000,000. The stock is mostly purchased in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Three traveling agents are employed, and the sales are almost exclusively within the territory of the State of New York.

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History of Oneida County, New York, 1667-1878, Part 82

Author: Publication date: 1878 Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Fariss Number of Pages: 932

Author:
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Fariss
Number of Pages: 932