USA > New York > Wyoming County > Perry > History of the town of Perry, New York > Part 5
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Common castings had been produced in the old foundry, but after beginning operations in the new building, Mr. Hicks greatly increased his output and extended the business by add- ing several different lines to his list of manufactured products. Among the articles made by him were grist, saw and fanning mill castings, hollowware stoves, plows, threshing machines, scales, etc. The business was then known as the "Perry Steam Furnace." In 1844, Mr. Hicks took Walter S. Bailey (son of Calvin P. Bailey) into partnership. Mr. Bailey was succeeded in 1848 by Rufus H. Smith. In 1851, Hicks & Smith sold the business to Messrs. Swift & Bacheldor, Mr. Hicks and family removing to Battle Creek, Mich. In 1859, Swift & Bacheldor
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EARLY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
The above picture shows the former Watson (now Commiskey) block on the corner of Main street and Borden avenue. The small frame build- ings at the right were the Postoffice occupied by Jason Lathrop, Postmaster, and the late Dr. Traver. The open space at the left is now occupied by the Caswell block. Next is the Cole Hotel, conducted by Tyler Cole; next is "Jack" Bolton's meat market with a Democratic "liberty pole" in front; Buttre's cabinet shop and the old Foundry that is now a part of the Robeson Cutlery factory. The small frame buildings stood on what is now the en- trance to Borden avenue.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF PERRY
were in turn succeeded by Beardsley & Ensign, who changed the name of the concern to the "Perry Iron Works, "' and in addition to the above mentioned products, manufactured wheel cultivators, land rollers, harrows and other agricultural imple- ments. In 1865 Mr. Ensign retired, and Jerome Edgerly took his place in the firm. These gentlemen purchased the dam sit- uated at the rear of the building and constructed a water pit at a cost of $2000. In the Spring of 1867 Mr. Beardsley sold his share to Elnathan Millspaugh, and the new firm was known as Edgerly, Millspaugh & Co. In November, 1867, M. E. Benediet purchased the interest of Jerome Edgerly and they were suc- ceeded by Millspaugh & Wheeler in 1868, this firm in turn be- ing succeeded by R. W. Benedict & Co., who continued the busi- ness until 1874, when it was sold to M. H. Olin & Co. The mem- bers of this company, in addition to M. H. Olin, were: R. W. Benedict and Robert Stainton. In 1875 Messrs. Benedict and Stainton retired and were succeeded by R. T. Tuttle, Truman Olin and James Wyckoff, Mr. M. H. Olin retaining his interest and the firm being known as Wyckoff, Tuttle & Olin. This concern manufactured the Royce reapers and mowers, and em- ployed about 70 men, producing about 1200 machines annually and the business amounting to about $200,000 per year. In 1882, Truman and M. H. Olin sold their interest in the reaper works and took over the hardware business that had been con- ducted by Wyckoff, Tuttle & Olin. Wyckoff & Tuttle contin- ued the manufacture of reapers and mowers, Mr. Tuttle in 1885 selling a part of his interest to three sons of Mr. Wyckoff, the firm being known as Wyckoff, Tuttle & Co. In 1889'Mr. Tuttle retired, selling his interest to Wyckoff & Co., consisting of Mr. James Wyckoff and his sons Frank H., Edwin M., and James N. The manufacture of a self-binder was begun in 1884, to fill the demand for a machine that would meet the re- quirements of progress. Mr. James Wyckoff died in 1890. The Wyckoff Harvester Company was formed in 1893, when J. N.
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EARLY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
Wyckoff purchased the interest of his brothers Frank H. and Edwin M., and in the Fall of 1894 the plant was removed to Jamestown, where it was conducted for about three years.
The second dam on the outlet, which is now known as the "Tomlinson dam," was constructed by Benjamin Gardner in 1826. Prior to this, he had erected a distillery, an ashery and a cooper shop in the immediate vicinity. Mr. Monroe Lambert managed the distillery for a number of years. In 1828 the grist mill now owned by Tomlinson & Son was erected by Mr. Gard- ner, and the one which he had purchased in 1817 from John Hammersley was converted into the wooden dish mill pre- viously mentioned. After Mr. Gardner's death in 1834, J. H. Bennett took charge of the mill and continued the business un- til 1844, when this, the ashery, distillery and other property for- merly owned by Mr. Gardner, were sold to E. B. Sackett.
Regarding the activities of distilleries and the conditions prevailing during the early period, the following excerpts from an article written by Rev. John Stainton and published in the Silver Lake Sun in 1870, may be of interest as compared with conditions at the present time. He said :
"Of the whiskey manufactories there were two in the vil- lage and one at West Perry. Then, indeed, did King Alcohol reign without a rival. Whiskey was a staple article of trade. Every merchant and grocer sold it, and nearly every customer bought and used it ; and it was, like potash, a prime article of export. Such was the fashion of the day, the public custom of the times. Perhaps it may be inferred from our description of the primitive state of society that we all loved the liquor and were a settlement of drunkards. Not exactly so; still, nearly everybody drank. No temperance organizations then existed. such as we now have. Drunkards lived and died as such, and the marvel is that there were not many more, for tippling was the general rule. Drinking was no disparagement of character unless marked by excess. This frequently occurred from those who came up from Gardeau and Smoky Hollow. They gener-
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF PERRY
ally had a fight when they came up to town, and made the night hideous by their screaming and bawling when they started for home."
"The Countryman," published in Perry by Daniel Curtis, in its issue of July 25th, 1844, contained the above picture and following explanation :
"Above is an engraving (by a young man in this office) of a view from the southwest angle, of a large and superior Flouring Mill just completed in this village. It is 60x50 feet, three stories high, with lofty attic, and contain- ing four runs of stones. The first mill on this site was built by Benjamin Gardner, and the present one by George L. Davis. We shall be glad to have other persons owning manufactories, mills and other property, get drawings and engravings of their premises, that we may insert them. The expense is but trifling, and will be accurately done by the young artist in this office."
Mr. Sackett did not take active management of these indus- tries, but continued them through his agent, George L. Davis. During 1844 the grist mill was considerably enlarged and much new machinery was installed. All of the new castings were manufactured at the local foundry operated by Hicks & Bailey. The grist mill has since been owned successively by : Rufus
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EARLY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
Smith, George Taylor, Taylor & Nobles, James and Charles Nobles, Nobles & Tomlinson. In 1878, Mr. George Tomlinson purchased the interest of C. W. G. Nobles, since which time the property has been owned and operated by the Tomlinson family.
GEORGE TOMLINSON
Born, August 15th, 1822.
Died, May 11th, 1908.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF PERRY
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The above view is taken from a point south of the Andrus planing mill looking west, and shows the "Andrus pond," the culvert across Main street and the Dolbeer blacksmith shop occupied by the late John Copeland, on the left. The white building is the former Wm. T. Hamlin residence, now occu- pied by Joseph Ireland's Farmers' Supply House. In the distance is the Tomlinson mill and the sheds which covered the ground now occupied by the Tomlinson and Gillett residences on Center street. This picture was taken some time in the early '70's.
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EARLY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
In 1865, while this mill was being conducted by Nobles & Tomlinson, the same firm erected a building on the present site of the salt works, and used it as a cider mill. In 1868, generat- ors were introduced and the manufacture of pure cider vinegar was begun by them and carried on prosperously until the Spring of 1878, when, in dividing their property and interests preparatcry to dissolving partnership, the flouring mill was taken by Mr. Tomlinson and the vinegar works by Mr. Nobles, who associated with himself, his son Marshall S. Nobles, under the firm name of C. W. G. Nobles & Son. The new manage- ment made a number of important improvements and an exten- sive business was carried on until about the year 1885. The mill, when operating to its full capacity, consumed 1500 bushels of apples per day, producing thirty barrels of vinegar. The barrels were made by the firm of Loomis & Fanning, who con- ducted an extensive cooper shop at this time.
At the time Mr. Tomlinson was associated with Mr. Nobles the firm also conducted a hame factory at the vinegar works.
In 1886 the Perry Salt Company was organized, with a cap- ital stock of $80,000, most of which was subscribed by local res- idents. C. W. G. Nobles was the principal organizer and stock- holder. The building that he had previously used as a vinegar works was remodeled to conform with the requirements of the new industry and other and larger buildings were soon erected and equipped with the proper machinery. A group of large vats were erected on the ridge near the present Tempest knit- ting mills, and were used for evaporating the salt. The cost of manufacture by this process was considerably greater than the mined salt, consequently the management found it difficult to compete with the concerns that mined the product. The result was that the local plant failed and went into the hands of a re- ceiver, and later, through foreclosure proceedings, passed into the hands of the First National Bank of Perry, the business be-
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF PERRY
ing conducted for four years by George K. Page, when it was purchased in 1899 by the National Salt Company. This so-call- ed "trust" closed the local plant, together with several others which had come under their control, thus eliminating their com- petition. The following year the plant was again sold, this
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Tomlinson's Mill as it appears at the present time.
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EARLY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
time to the Iroquois Salt Company, of which Mr. Harry Yates of Rochester was the principal stockholder. This company con- tinued business until about 1909, when a portion of the build- ings were refitted and used one year as a cider mill. The busi- ness was apparently unprofitable, and after an idleness of a few years the plant was dismantled and the buildings were taken down.
CHAPTER VI
Mauufactories That Had an Important Part in the Growth of the Town-Rise and Fall of Salt Manufacturing-Knitting Com- pany's Development.
A brick yard was established about the year 1828 near West Perry, just south of the road, near the inlet, a Mr. Moses being the proprietor and manufacturer. The brick used in the construction of the old Presbyterian Church, the old Perry Academy and the block erected by Rufus H. Smith, (a part of the present Olin block) were manufactured at this yard.
The Perry carriage factory was established in the year 1832 by Wm. K. Dolbeer. The building occupied by this concern was located on the corner of Main and St. Helena streets. Mr. Dolbeer afterward took his son Kimball into partnership under the firm name of Dolbeer & Son. In 1865 the property was sold to Moses Dolbeer, and in 1867, W. H. Botsford was taken into partneship under the firm name of Dolbeer & Botsford. Buggies, phaetons, lumber wagons, sleighs, cutters, etc., were manufactured by the firm until 1872, when the property passed . into the hands of G. B. Olin & Co., who used it for several years for the manufacture of the celebrated spring-tooth har- rows that found a wide sale. The industry was later removed to Canandaigua.
Calvin Fanning came to Perry from Avon in about 1846 and erected a cooper shop near the site of the district school building standing on the "flatiron" corners about one mile east of Perry Village, just beyond the Alanson Lacy place. Later, he moved the business to a building on Water street and continued it there for a number of years. About the year 1870, his son Charles A., together with Henry and Lyman Loo- mis, rented the property on the corner of Main and St. Helena
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EARLY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
streets, the firm being known as Loomis, Fanning & Co. About two years later they purchased property on Center street, near the depot, for greater convenience and enlarged facilities. In 1877 Henry Loomis retired, and in 1882 Lyman Loomis with-
ALANSON LACY
Born, 1810. Died, 1909.
drew from the business, which was thereafter conducted by Mr. Fanning. In 1884 he added a coal business to his line of coop- erage. In 1894, owing to failing health, he relinquished the active care of the business to his son, Fred D. Fanning, who took charge and complete management of it. After the death of C. A. Fanning in 1899, the business was conducted under the firm name of F. D. Fanning & Co., who added the local ice busi- ness, purchased of C. G. Martin. Mrs. Fanning died in 1909,
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF PERRY
and since her death F. D. Fanning has been the sole owner and manager of the business. He has added another industry, an apple evaporator works, which has met with success.
C. W. G. Nobles & Son conducted a coal business for sev- eral years after Mr. Nobles dissolved partnership with Geo. Tomlinson, and after Mr. Nobles' death it was sold to Charles Dolbeer, who sold it to C. A. Carmichael and C. A. Toan, Car- michael & Toan adding a local ice business. In 1894, Carmi- chael & Toan sold their business to C. G. Martin, who sold the local ice business to F. D. Fanning.
John Dickerson, a son of Daniel Dickerson, who came to Perry in 1814, conducted the first marble or monumental works in the town. About the year 1820 he opened a quarry on his father's farm near West Perry. Here he manufactured many of the rude monuments erected in the old cemeteries where sleep the remains of so many of Perry's pioneers. The native stone which he chiseled may be seen in other towns than Perry, as far east as Lima. When the means of tranportation and the wealth of the people would allow, he journeyed to Rutland, Vt., his native town, for marble which he sent on to Perry and finished as desired. About 1865 Mr. Dickerson removed to Kansas, where he died on Sept. 8, 1878.
Deacon Moses McKee was another early monument maker. His establishment was located on Center street, near the culvert where the Edgerly creek crosses the highway, about one- quarter of a mile from the junction with Covington street. He specialized in white marble slabs which came from Vermont. Many of these may be seen in Hope Cemetery.
About the year 1850 a certain Mr. Buttre established a monument works in Perry, but for some cause he discontinued business within a few years.
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INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
The Sutherland monument works were established in Perry in 1880 by Charles Sutherland. Although beginning in a small way and employing only one man, by efficient work- manship and good management the business has grown until its capacity has been enlarged several times, numerous hands are employed, and its product has found an extensive sale throughout this section.
The Perry Knitting Company was organized in 1881 by local residents, the enterprise being promoted by Mr. A. A. Moore of Greenwich, N. Y. The original investment of capital stock was $40,000, which was increased to $71,300 the third year. In 1892 it was again increased to $100,000. The first building, now known as Mill No. 1, was erected in 1882. Mr. Moore's connection with the industry continued for only one year, he being succeeded by Mr. T. H. Bussey, who was in charge two years. He was followed by Patrick Kane as super- intendent, who remained in that capacity for six years and in- creased its working force to about 70 operatives. Until this time the industry had not been profitable, but it began paying expenses under Mr. Kane's management, although no divi- dends were realized by the stockholders. Mr. Kane was suc- ceeded in 1891 by Mr. George M. Traber, who came here from Little Falls, N. Y. Within the period since 1891 the growth of the industry, in the size of the plant, number of operatives, and the amount of business done, has been remarkable. The Perry Knitting Company began with 35,000 square feet of floor space devoted to its business. At the close of 1914 the company had 246,269 feet of floor space, or nearly five acres, the plant con- sisting of the following briefly described buildings :
Mill No. 1-54x98, six stories, brick.
Mill No. 2-36x89, four stories, brick.
Box factory-60x1331/2, three stories and basement, brick. Yarn mill-109x268, three stories, brick.
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Born, Dec. 3, 1842
HON. MILO H. OLIN,
Died May 20, 1907
Mr. Olin was the prime mover in the project of establishing a knitting mill in Perry in 1882 and was originally its largest stockholder. The busi- ness had a number of serious setbacks, but he never lost faith in the possi- bilities of the enterprise, and not only backed it with every dollar he possessed, but borrowed money on his credit to insure the success of the business and tide it over its difficulties. In the Fall of 1885 he was elected President and General Manager of the company and devoted every energy to make the business a success, an ambition that was fully realized after overcoming serious difficulties.
In 1888 Mr. Olin was active in the organization of the Citizens (State) Bank of Perry, which is a solid financial institution. He was made Presi- dent at the organization and was continued in office until he died.
Mr. Olin was one of the promoters and a large stockholder in the Silver Lake Agricultural Association. He was also the leader in the movement to induce the Robeson Cutlery Company to locate in Perry and gave $500 toward the purchase price of the idle reaper works building, spending his time and effort to get other citizens to give, and accomplishing his object. Later, he took stock in the company to aid in its greater development.
When a Creamery was proposed for Perry, as a benefit to the farming community as well as to the village interests, Mr. Olin took stock in the enterprise, and when its failure seemed probable because of inability to raise the necessary amount of money, he made up the deficiency to insure its establishment.
In every movement for the betterment and progress of the town he took a leading and active part, giving generously of his time and money. He was one of the Railroad Commissioners of the town and an earnest advocate of that enterprise which gave Perry rail communication with the outside world.
Whatever enterprise might benefit Perry found an active champion in Mr. Olin, whether it was civic, educational or philanthropic, and none could truthfully say that he failed to do his part; and he did not stop to consider whether or not he was to be directly benefited.
Mr. Olin was not only prominent in his town, but also in the county and State. In the Fall of 1891 he was nominated by the Republican County Con- vention for Member of Assembly from this county, and served two terms. He was a Presidential Elector in 1897, the first term of President Mckinley. For a period of six years he was one of the State Fair Commissioners, a position he held until the time of his death. He was also a director of the State Experiment Station at Geneva.
C. G. C.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF PERRY
Office-33x50, two stories, brick; the second story being occupied by a restaurant for the convenience of employees.
Engine and dynamo house-35x40.
Mill No. 5-139x160, three stories and basement, brick. Two engine houses, each 26x34.
Two boiler houses-one 26x38 and one 26x50.
Four large frame storehouses.
Three concrete storchouses.
Dimensions over all of the seven storehouses, 336x105.
Concrete picker house-97x109.
Concrete Wash House-79x75.
Concrete Dry House-51 x40.
With its water, steam and electric power, the plant uses 1500 horse-power. Of this amount, about 100 horse-power is elec- tric, generated by waste waiter carried through a huge trunk con- duit to a site 1800 feet below the plant, where it has a fall of 85 feet. An immense electric generator which is operated by steam produces 800 horse-power. The entire plant is lighted by electricity developed by its own machines, with a capacity of 1000 incandescent lamps. It is heated throughout by steam, be- ing equipped with the exhaust system. It has a complete tele- phone system, with twenty-two stations, giving instant com- munication with the foreman of every department.
In addition to the fire protection given by the municipal- - ity, the company has its own independent pumping system, with a capacity of 750 gallons per minute, and an automatic sprinkling system in every department.
At the present time the company has about 1000 employees. Of this number about 100 belong to the night force, the factory having for several years been obliged to run night and day to keep up with its orders. The factory has 18,824 cotton spin- dles, about 400 sewing machines, and 225 knitting machines, besides the large amount of other machinery necessary for
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This picture shows a portion of the Yarn Mill on the left; the office ered bridge leads to another building, is shown small sections of Mills
In the above picture, taken from the east bank of the outlet, in the center is shown Mill No. 1; at the right of it is Mill No. 2; at the extreme right is shown a portion of the Yarn Mill. At the left is shown a portion of the Box Factory.
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This picture shows a portion of the Yarn Mill on the left; the office on the right of it, behind the tree. Beyond the office, from which the cov- ered bridge leads to another building, is shown small sections of Mills Nos. 1 and 2. This view is taken on Hope street, looking east.
on the right of it, behind the tree. Beyond the office, from which the cov- Nos. 1 and 2. This view is taken on Hope street, looking east.
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INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
operating such an important industry. On the average, every working day, 28,000 complete garments are made. To pro- duce these the company uses 135 bales of cotton each week ; (500 pounds or more to the bale) or 34 tons per week of cotton that is spun into yarn.
The company manufactures a large variety of light and heavy weight underwear in two-piece and union suits and their product is sold to the largest jobbers in nearly every State of the Union, and the goods are retailed in every part of the United States. They are also getting an export business well established. In addition to their home office in Perry, in which seven people are employed, the company maintains an office on Broadway, New York City.
The late Hon. M. H. Olin was president of the company from 1885 until his death in 1907. It is due to his faith in the enterprise, his tenacity of purpose and his loyalty to Perry that the institution has passed through the trying times it has been obliged to meet and overcome, particularly during its first few years, when to keep it in operation, he assumed financial obli- gations that would have caused great personal loss had his . faith not been justified. To G. M. Traber, the manager during the continuous period since he took charge, a great measure of credit is also due for the success that the company enjoys. The faith and courage of Mr. Olin, combined with the practical ex- perience and executive ability of Mr. Traber were the factors that turned the tide in the favorable direction since followed and enjoyed.
The Robeson Cutlery Company
The business of this company was founded in 1879 by the late Millard F. Robeson. At that time Mr. Robeson was a traveling salesman for a New York concern and took up the
MILLARD F. ROBESON
Born, April 8th, 1847
Died, Dec. 30th, 1903
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INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
selling of cutlery as a "side line," buying knives from jobbing houses. He kept his first stock in a bureau drawer. As his trade grew he increased his stock and kept it in a clothes press in his home. It outgrew the storage facilities of his clothes press and the overflow occupied the floor space underneath his bed. Next he built an addition to his house, a room spec- ially fitted with shelves to contain his stock. Mr. Robeson felt quite proud when that proved to be too small and he erected a brick building on the rear of his residence lot in Elmira. In 1894 he purchased an interest in the Rochester Stamping Works and removed to that city, continuing his cutlery busi- ness by buying of jobbers as before. In 1895, Mr. Robeson rented a factory building at Camillus, N. Y., and began the manufacture of his own product, employing 30 to 35 men. Three years later-in the Spring of 1898-the industry was removed to Perry. Mr. Robeson having visited this place on several occasions, selling his goods to the hardware trade. he was im-
pressed with the town and its advantages. At that time the buildings now occupied were idle. They had been vacated by the Wyckoff Harvester Co., which had removed to Jamestown, N. Y. Business men had talked the matter over with him and made the proposition which they believed could be fulfilled : If Mr. Robeson would remove the industry to Perry, the plant would be rented to him for a reasonable figure until such time as his payroll amounted to $36,000 per year, an annual sworn statement to be rendered to a trustee. When the pay roll reached the sum named, the plant would be deeded to the Robe- son Cutlery Co., upon consideration of $1.00, the company to agree to continue the industry in operation here for a period of ten years, when the property would become theirs absolutely, without reservation. If the company suspended business or removed from Perry before the expiration of ten years the property was to be deeded back to the trustee upon considera- tion of $1.00. Mr. Robeson agreed to the proposition, and the
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