USA > New York > Ulster County > History of Ulster County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers. Vol. II > Part 61
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Grant J. Wheeler, Reuben D. Baldwin, Joseph Battin, David A. Hayes, and Thomas II. Stephens. They erected mills, kilns, ete., on the Passaie River, at the foot of Mar- ket Street, Newark, N. J., where they manufactured by- draulic cement, lime, and caleined plaster, getting their cement-roek from their quarries at Whiteport, their lime rock from quarries they owned on the Hudson River, near Stony Point, Rockland Co., and their crude plaster from St. Jolin's, in the province of New Brunswick ; at the same time they manufactured cement at their three mills at Whiteport. The mills and stores at Newark were burned in the fall of 1849, but were re-erected and ready for use the following spring. They were again burned in the summer of 1852, when the company resolved to abandon the manufacture of lime and calcined plaster, to sell their property at Newark, and to make their cement in the future at Whiteport, to increase their power for grinding eement by the introduction of steam, in addition to the three water-power privileges then in use.
In the fall of 1850 this company associated themselves with the Lawrence Cement Company-whose cement quar- ries were contiguous-for the purpose of making a plank- road from their respective quarries to tide-water on the Rondout Creek, a distance of three and one-half miles, this enterprise costing the two companies about $14,000; and it proved to be a great saving in transporting their cement and other material over the old mode of eartage over country roads. In the fall of 1869 this plank-road was abandoned, and a horse railroad was laid on and near its bed. This horec railroad, in its main trunk, with sidings, spurs, and branches, is about ten miles long, and has been a great saving in the cost of transportation to the two cement companies ; the estimated saving is 60 per cent. under what was the cost of hauling over the plauk-road.
The barrels used for packing the cement are made at the works in Whiteport by means of machinery, the staves are obtained from the forests of Maine, and the hoops and heads from the mountains and saw-mills of this county. The capacity of this machinery is ample for the production of 1000 barrels per day.
Located on the company property are 19 perpetual kilns for roasting and calcining cement rock, and they have an average capacity for producing 70 barrels each per day, which is ground by means of 12 pairs of millstoues, driven by two steam-engines and one water-wheel, whose combined power is about 400 horse, giving power sufficient for grind- ing easily 1000 barrels of centent per day.
In the year 1850, Mr. Andrew Lemassena resigned the offices of secretary and treasurer, when Mr. Henry Wilde was elected to succeed him to both offices, which he con- tinued to hold up to 1876, when he resigned, after a faith- ful and honorable service of twenty-six years. The office of secretary was then placed in the hands of Albert Delano, and that of treasurer was given to Mr. Cephas M. Woodruff, both of whom are still serving the company in the capacity to which they were elected.
The following-named persons have served as superin- tendents at the works : Fred. Schoonmaker, | for about six
" So named from the mill-stream running through the place from the Binnewaters to Rondout Creek, the color of the water being ;ren.
t This name was painted on carts owned by Cornelius D. Van Sickle, and eundayed ou a contract given him by Mr. White,-not so usted, as some suppose, because all the buildings are painted brown And no navigable port here.
; By an act of the Senate and Assembly of New York the company Are recognized.
Alopting as a seal the figure of a cement barrel, and as a motto, "Push Forward."
" In some instances the service of one superintendent has lapped that of unother.
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HISTORY OF ULSTER COUNTY, NEW YORK.
months ; Gilbert Johnson served about two years ; Heury Leber served about two years. The present incumbent took the position of managing agent and general superin- tendent in February, 1852, and has continued to act in those capacities since, his term of service covering a period of twenty-eight years. Mr. Nathaniel Du Bois has been associated with him the past ten years as bookkeeper and cashier.
With few exceptions, the changes in the board of di- reetors have been caused by death of incumbents, and others from stockholders have been elected to the vacancies. The first president, John II. Stephens, died about 1870, when Mr. S. R. W. Heath was elected. Ile served four years and resigned, and Mr. Ira M. Harrison was elected, and still continues to hold the office. The present officers are Ira M. Harrison, President ; David Campbell, Vice- President ; C. M. Woodruff, Treasurer ; S. R. W. Heath, Thomas W. Dawson, II. J. Poinier, and S. H. Plum, Directors ; Albert Delano, Secretary ; and E. Doremus, Managing Agent and Superintendent. Notably among the stockholders of this company are the names of Hon. Wil- liam Wright (now deceased), Hon. Frederick Frelinghuy- sen, United States senators from New Jersey ; Hon. Joseph P. Bradley, associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States ; and the Hon. Marcus L. Ward, late Gov- eruor of New Jersey, and afterwards president of the Na- tional Republican Committee.
This company struggled along under various discourage- meuts from their organization until about 1862, when a more prosperous future opened to them. When they pur- chased the Whiteport property the mills and buildings were in a dilapidated state. These, when erected, were miere temporary things, having been creeted by Mr. White seervingly only for the purpose of manufacturing cement during the progress of the erection of the Crotou Aque- duct, and their condition when purchased by this company made it absolutely necessary for them to erect new mills, storehouses, cooperages, etc., which they did, and at the same time largely increased the capacity of each. The tumble-down tenements were repaired, and twenty tenements erected in addition to those already repaired, the most of which accommodate four finnilies cach. These improve- ments, together with the plank-road, put them in possession of facilities adequate to their wants, and enabled them to increase their production from 450 to 1000 barrels of ec- ment per day. When these improvements were completed, an examination of the construction account, as it was on the books, showed that they had expended abont $120,000 for these purposes. From 1850 to 1858 the company was at low cbb financially, the stock at times selling down to forty cents on the dollar. From 1858 prosperity has gradually crowned their efforts. In 1860 they began to pay divi- dends, aud since 1863 the dividends paid have been regular and satisfactory to the shareholders. They now are out of debt, with a sterling surplus on their books, and the original par value of the stock has nearly doubled. The future pros. pects are encouraging.
The quality of the brand of cement manufactured by this company ranks with the very best of the various brands of " Rosendale," and has been largely used in the
construction of the Croton Aqueduct, Brooklyn Water- Works, Cochictuate and Sudbury River conduits for supply- ing the city of Boston, aqueduct at Georgetown, D. C., and largely by our general government in the construction of fortifications, sea-walls, light-house foundations, etc., and for many water-works of less magnitude.
The company have worked a force of 275 per day, -- men and boys,-but since the introduction of improved facilities a much smaller force has been found adequate for a pro- portionate quantity manufactured. The directors' office is at 755 Broad Street, Newark, N. J. ; the sales office at 150 Broadway, N. Y .; and the general agent's office at White- port, Ulster Co., N. Y.
ROSENDALE CEMENT-WORKS.
These are located at Keator's Corners, and have been in existevee about twelve years.
Mr. F. O. Norton, of New York, is the proprietor. He resides most of the year in that city. The works are very extensive. The rock is obtained from two principal quar- rics,-one immediately in the rear of the mills, the other a short distance south, nearly opposite the railroad station.
From the latter the material is drawn upon a horse-rail- road track of narrow gauge. The arrangement of the kilns, the mills for grinding, the cooperage department, the barreling and shipment department are all supplied with the latest appliances for rapidly utilizing labor and accomplishing a large amount of work in a brief time.
One hundred and fifty hands or more are employed, and the capacity per year is about 175,000 barrels. The season of work extends for about two hundred and fifty days.
Mr. H. Carman is superintendent. The New York office is 90 Broadway.
Mr. Norton also owns and operates cement-mills at High Falls. These are under a similar thorough management with those at Keator's Corners, and a valuable quality of cement is manufactured.
BRUCEVILLE CEMENT-WORKS.
These were founded many years ago by the late Nathaniel Bruce, who made cement for a long time. In 1860 the property passed to James H. Vandemark and his brother Jacob D. Vandemark. The latter died about a year later, and since that the former has been the sole proprietor. The kilus for burning and the mills for grinding are in con- venient proximity to each other. Both steam- and water- power are used. Hitherto the stone has been obtained mostly of other parties, Mr. Vandemark quarrying only to a limited extent. He has recently made a valuable pur- chase of the old Schoonmaker property, and is abont open- ing an extensive quarry. Mr. Vandemark has four kilos in operation, with a capacity of buruing material for about 300 barrels a day. Ile superintends the works personally, and employs a number of men, varying from 20 to 50. It is said to have been near or on the site of Mr. Vande- mark's mills that the first experiments with the rock were made by burning a small quantity in a blacksmith's forge and reducing the same by pounding. From the small be- ginning made at this place has sprung all the immense ce- ment business of the county.
14.
1024 58
JOHN H. SPAULDING, Superintendent. Rosendale, Ulster Co., N. Y.
LAWRENCEVILLE CHMENT . D.'S WORKS, ROSENDALE,
WM. N. BEACH, President, Office, No. 115 Broadway, N. Y.
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TOWN OF ROSENDALE.
THE HUDSON RIVER CEMENT-WORKS.
This is the old name under which a large business iu maling cement has been done at Flatbush for several The business is now contracted to Daniel Barn- 1 .: it, of the same place. The quarries of the company ar located near Creek Lock, Rosendale, half a mile back (nau thie creek. The company have 40 to 50 men em- ¡Lord quarrying and burning. They have six kilns, with a capacity for burning 80 or 20 tons of rock per day. The. transit from the kilus to the eanal is by a straight piece of ratirvad with a down grade. It is an interesting " little " 3d," with two tracks. Everything is so nicely adjusted that the cars run both ways with no motive-power what- ever except gravitation. The descending train of loaded carr is made to haul back the aseending train of empty ex. The elements of momentum and resistance combined, with respect to the down grade, are of course made equal to the same clements with respect to the up grade. Mr. James S. Masten is the resident superintendent. For four ; cars previous he had held the position of quarry boss.
CONLEY & SHAFFER CEMENT QUARRIES.
These are south from the present Reformed church of Bloomingdale. They are superintended by Mr. Shaffer himself, who resides at Eddyville. They have six kilns iu connection with their quarries. The grinding is done at the mills near the mouth of the Green Kill, which are sho owned by the firm. These mills are upon the site of the ancient grist-mills of Petrus Smedes and Johannes Dn Bois. The company have a valuable quarry and are doing a good business, employing about 60 hands. They Lbor under the disadvantage of being obliged to haul the wouic by teams from the kilus to the mills. Their capacity is about 450 barrels of cement, ready for market, per day. Located near the creek, they have the advantage of easy pments of the finished material. Like other firms, they are in operation about two hundred and fifty days in the
THE NEW YORK CEMENT COMPANY.
This company was organized about twenty years ago. The president is Thomas Miller, of Flushing, Long Island; Thomas Miller, Jr., is the secretary ; and Alexander Mc- fruire, of Brooklyn, treasurer. The resident superinten- : Mt i, Mr. Matthew Case, who has held that position firing the whole period since the company was formed, and has emphatically proved himself to be " the right man the right place." The company's quarries are adjacent , the canal at Le Fevre Falls, a place now becoming known 4 m. what as Rock Lock. They have many facilities for Le casy handling of the rock when quarried and for con- using the same to the kilus, and also from the kilus to 1 .. . wills. They have about 130 hands employed, and own were kilns. They manufacture their own barrels, and "rir warehouse is conveniently situated for shipments spon the canal. From the packing department the bar- Tx we moved by gravitation down a narrow railroad-track " the warehouse. Their extensive quarries, the heaped- Klone, the railway tracks, together give a picturesque "! Faringe to the village. Their capacity is about 115,000 *ils during the season.
NEW YORK AND ROSENDALE CEMENT COMPANY.
The organization of this company is an enterprise of modern times. The buildings were erected in 1973, and the manufacture of eement commenced in 1874. Mr. Tompkins, of New York, is the president of the company, and Hiram Snyder, of the same city, secretary and treas- urer. The works are located at the village of Rosendale, and stand in a group across the canal, north of the village. Their quarries are near by, on the bold spur of the hills jutting out upon the valley where the high railroad bridge is erected. The company have six kilns, and the grinding is done by steam-power. They have every convenience for shipment, and the most approved facilities for utilizing labor are employed in the works. They have about 100 hands engaged in the various operations, and the capacity of their works is equal to the making of 600 barrels of cement per day. The cement made by this company bears a high rank in market, and stands the proof of very severe tests. In one form of trial the cement is moulded into balls, left in the air ten minutes, and then immersed in water, every varying effect of air and water being carefully noted, and the quality of cach day's manufacture thus critically determined. Another form of trial is by making the material into " bricklets," -- that is, a small brick hollowed at the sides, leaving in the middle a surface of one square iuch. At the expiration of twenty-four hours they are tested by the amount of weight that may be suspended from each bricklet without pulling it apart. Under the test adopted for the Brooklyn bridge they are required to have a " tensile strength" sufficient to resist a " pull" of 60 pounds. The majority of the daily tests largely exceed this, resisting a pull varying from 60 to 130 pounds. A bricklet made last September was recently tested (Spril. 1880), and was not broken until the pull equaled 900 pounds. This company are furnishing a large amount of cement to the Brooklyn Bridge Company. The general agent and superintendent, residing at Rosendale, i. Mr. Stephen II. Suyder.
THE WARNER LIME AND CEMENT COMPANY OF TROY.
This company have their grinding donc at Troy. and of course their barreling and shipments are not in Rosendale. Their quarries are at Hickory Bush, and the kilns for burn- ing. The name of the company has been changed to " The Capital Lime and Cement Company." Their operations are not pushed actively at the present time (April, 1880).
THE LAWRENCEVILLE CEMENT.WORKS.
In 1826 eement was discovered in Rosendale. A man by the name of Imneas Elmendorf owned latel in that part of Rosendale now known as Lawrenceville, and, in 1s23, Mr. Watson E. Lawrence made an agreement with him for manufacturing cement. After building two kilus and a cheap water-power mill, he carried on business en a small scale for several years. In this experiment of cemeat- making Mr. Lawrence succeeded so well that, as an honor to his individual enterprise, and to hold his name ia mem- ory, the place was called Lawrenceville. Comment at that time was used is small quantities, and the knowledge nous- sary for successful manufacturing was very it.p. rfeet. Mi.
241
WIISTORY OF ULSTER COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Lawrenee built his kilus small, and used wood for burning. At the bottom of the kiln an arch was formed to contain the wood, the kiln was filled with stone, after which a fire was kindled and kept burning for six days and nights, when the stone was supposed to be sufficiently well cooked. Frequently unfavorable weather or inexperienced burning eaused the whole kilnful to come out worthless cinders or raw stones. At the best, the whole product of a kiln for a week was not more than 25 barrels. After the Delaware and Hudson Canal had been a short time in op- eration, kilns ealled " draw-kilus" were constructed for drawing daily, and coal was used for burning cement. Such has been the improvement in making cement since that early day that, while the product of a kiln was then not more than 25 barrels (and often much less), now, for the same time, 550 or 600 barrels are obtained from one kiln. The cement interest, which since that date has as- sumed suel giant proportions, was then in its infaney, and dark cement, which is now used almost exclusively, was re- garded worthless, and " light cement" alone was then man- ufactured. A government agent by the name of John P. Austin interested himself in bringing the cement manufas- tured by Mr. Lawrence into favorable notice on government works, and became a part owner with him. From their works a part of the cement used in the " Croton Aque- duct" and the " dry-dock:" in the Brooklyn Navy Yard was obtained. In the early history of this cement-works an enterprising man by the name of Ezekiel Maynard be- eame superintendent, and by his suggestions for making extensive improvements and building expensive buildings a great outlay of money was made, and, a business panie soon after prevailing all over our country, Lawrence & Co. made an assignment of their cemeut property for the beu- efit of their creditors.
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Thus closed Mr. Watson E. Lawrence's business as a cement manufacturer in this place. But he was not a man who was easily discouraged, and he resolved to make a bold effort to redeem his good name as an enterprising business manager, and, after arranging with his ereditors, we find him loeating new cement-works, about one hundred rods west- ward up the canal, above his first eement-mill. Soon after his failure, on examining the records, he ascertained he had a little gore of land up where he afterwards decided to start another eement-works. This, by some mistake (or inten- tion ), had been left out of his assignment, aud after making necessary arrangements he bought more land, joining this, of Mr. A. J. Snyder, and he also bought an old stone grist- mill, together with an old fulling-mill, near by, both of which were conveniently located, to be transformed into a cement-mill, cooper-shop, ete. In 1854 be hired William Campbell to build him four good-sized " draw-kilus," and from these kilns he had a railroad-track constructed high over the main road and canal into his stone grist-mill, which he transformed into a cement mill. This cement- works was for several years managed by the individual enterprise of Mr. Watson E. Lawrence, and became famous as the " Lawrenceville Cement-Works." .
The first incorporated cement company in Lawrenceville was formed in 1858, and Mr. Watson E. Lawrence was made the chief director. This company was named the " Lawrenceville Manufae-
turing Company," and, in the year 1859, Mr. William N. Beach was elected president. This company, by some bus- iness embarrassment, went out of existence in 1861, and the present Lawrenceville Cement Company was formed, March 4, 1862. The original incorporators of this company were William N. Beach, William W. Clay, Edward Kearny, F. M. Hoag, and Mengo Dicfendorf. The capital of this com- pany is $40,000, and Mr. William N. Beach has been pres- ident from its formation. In the early history of this com- pany 4000 or 5000 barrels of cement manufactured was regarded as a good season's business. Sinee that date the demand for cement has greatly increased, and the capacity of the works of this company has been correspondingly enlarged. The old water-power has been exchanged for a 225 horse-power engine, and, having built three more kilns, now, with their seven, the daily production of this company is 700 barrels, --- when the market requires that amount. During the long administration of Mr. Beach as president he has manifested a fixed determination to at the proper time make all necessary improvements in order to be at all times prepared to furnish his extensive custom with a superior brand of cement. To this brief sketeh might be added in detail much to explain the different branches of labor connected with this company's extensive business. Time and space will not allow.
MARTIN & CLEARWATER'S CEMENT WORKS.
These have changed hands to some extent within the past few years. They are located at Rock Lock, and are under the superintendenee of George S. Coutant.
THE ROSENDALE CEMENT COMPANY.
This is the pioneer company in the manufacture of ce- ment, and was established by Mr. Watson E. Lawrence. It has had a long and active career, and has sent out from its works, during the many years in which it has been in existence, an immense amount of cement of superior quality. It has done its full share in establishing the high reputation of Rosendale eement throughout the world. This old-estab- lished company has been fortunate in securing the services of Mr. George S. Coutant as superintendent, whose long experience in this business, and thorough practical knowl- edge of all the details of manufacturing, amply quality bim for successful management.
THE LAWRENCE CEMENT COMPANY.
The mill of this company is at Eddyville, and their quarries at Hickory Bush. The general superintendent of this company is also Mr. George S. Coutant. An account of the three companies under his charge, together with the statistics of their business, expected from Mr. Coutant, lias not been received before going to press.
SEPARATE QUARRIES BY PARTIES NOT MANUFAC- TURING.
North from the village of Rosendale, Mrs. M. Granahan owns a valuable quarry, which is now being worked. The rock is very convenient of access, and the strata about 20 feet thick. The overlying rock is easy of removal, and the soil in front easily wheeled out into the valley of the small
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TOWN OF ROSENDALE.
stream. This rock is sold to other parties, neither burning nor grinding being done at the quarry.
A short distance above the quarry of Mrs. McGranahan, and in the same valuable strata, operations are in progress by the owners, Miles L. Tracy, James II. Vandemark, and J. J. Snyder. This quarry has been operated about six years, but has not been worked all the time. There is no burning nor grinding in connection with this quarry. Some of the rock has been shipped to Brooklyn before manufacturing. Mr. Vandemark is the well-known manufacturer at Bruce- ville.
On the opposite side of this valley, on the line of the railroad, is the Hoffman quarry. Considerable rock has been taken out, and two kilns erected here have been run at various times. The rock, either burned or unburned, has been shipped away by equal, none being manufactured at the quarry.
At Lawrenceville there is also a quarry, owned and worked by Andrew J. Suyder. He has two kilus for burn- ing, but no mills for grinding. His quarry lies adjacent to the Beach quarries, superintended by Mr. Spalding, and the product of one kiln has been usually sold to that factory ; while the product of the other kiln has been sent to Brooklyn and ground there.
The principal mills and quarries are thus all noted, and the statistics in the aggregate show how immense is the business, and how inexhaustible the wealth stored in the rocks of the town. As a specimen of the value of cement lands, it may be stated that Norton's cement-works, at Keator's Corners, were founded on 53 acres of land bought of Garton Keator for $30,000.
XII .- MILITARY.
This town not having been organized until 1844, there are no early military items belonging to its separate history as a civil division. To the history of the towns from which Rosendale was taken reference is made for military rolls or other items that may relate to men then living upon the territory which now constitutes Rosendale.
The following persons served in the war of 1812: John Planshan, Abram Clearwater, John Clearwater, William Dietz, Alexander H. Heermance, Adam S. Le Fevre, John P. Roosa, Jonathan Schoonmaker, Samuel 1. Schoomnaker, David Slater, Lewis Snyder, Henry Weaver, and probably others. Job Tillson is mentioned as a pensioner of the Revolution.
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