USA > New York > Onondaga County > Syracuse > Memorial history of Syracuse, N.Y. : from its settlement to the present time > Part 25
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Besides the above Louis House and McLoud & Janes have for a num- ber of years done a large business in the manufacture and bottling of mild beverages of various kinds, an industry which gives employment to sixty persons. Besides the $50,000 invested by the Greenways, there is probably $75,000 additional employed by the various bottlers of the city.
The Moyer Wagon Works .- This is one of the largest and most success- ful establishments in Syracuse in this line. It was established in a small way at Cicero in 1875, but needing better facilities it removed to Syracuse in January, ISSo, and located on the corner of Wolf and Park streets, giving employment to fifty men. Harvey A. Moyer, the sole owner, has, by the prudent exercise of rare business ability, brought his industry up to a fore - most position, and now employs 250 men. He has also exhibited good in- ventive genius in the promotion of his business. In what is known as the "Moyer Wagon," which has attained wide popularity, are combined several of Mr. Moyer's inventions which are covered by patents. He also manu- factured the first "run-about" two-seat wagon which now has been so gen- erally adopted. llis box-setting (or hub-boring) machine, which accom- plishes twice as much work in a given time as any other device, is used by
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seventy-five or more of the largest carriage builders in the country. Dur- ing the year 1889 the factory turned out the first of what is called the " Ban- ner Spring Road Wagon," which has met with a flattering reception. The old shops were doubled in extent in 1882, and were again increased in 1888 by a new building in rear of the old, which extends through to Salina street. Mr. Moyer was born in 1854 in Clay, and began wagonmaking in Cicero just before reaching his majority.
Whitney Wagon Works. - This manufacturing establishment is located in Leavenworth avenue. The original plant was built and the business started in the year 1878 by J. D. Whitney. He conducted the business alone until. 1884, when the company was organized with J. D. Whitney, President ; George B Greenway, Vice-President; and C. A. Adams, Sec- retary and Treasurer. The works now comprise the manufactory, finishing- room, machine shop, blacksmith shop, engine-room, repository, etc., and cover about 180 x ISo feet in Leavenworth avenue. From a compara- tively small beginning the establishment has had a constant growth and now employs ninety men. The carriages and wagons have an excellent reputation. The present officers are the same as those in the beginning, excepting the Vice-President, who is now W. J. Mills.
Thomas D. Lines .- Many of the finest carriages that have been used in this city were made by Thomas D. Lines. Mr. Lines came to Syracuse in 1860, having learned the carriage trimming business of one of the best con- cerns in New Haven, Conn. He began work for Jay, son of S. Iloyt, whose shops were on the site of the Medical College. Mr. Lines remained there nearly three years, and then engaged with Charles P. Phillips, then and for several years after the most successful builder of fine carriages in the city. His shops were in West Fayette street. M1. Lines remained there nearly five years, and then became a member of the firm of Hurst, Leamy & Lines, who were located on the site of the new Mowry Flats. He remained with that establishment only for a short time, when he sold out to his partners. T. H. Lyons afterward bought Hurst's and Leamy's interests and formed a partnership with Mr. Lines, which continued for five years. In December, 1875, Mr. Lines sold his interest to his partner and went into a new building erected by Earl B. Alvord and Daniel Candee, in Warren strect. He carried on his business at that location, turning out the finest carriages made west of New York city. Many of his vehicles were sold to large dealers in New York, Cleveland, and other large cities. Ow- ing to reverses Mr. Lines gave up business for a time, and in 1889 he opened his present establishment in South Clinton street.
J. S. Leggett .- In the year 1888 Mr. Leggett succeeded Thomas D. Lines, at 346 and 348 Warren street, in the manufacture of fine carriages
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of all kinds, but with specialties of victorias, broughams, and rockaways. He is the only manufacturer of importance of these heavy carriages in Syra- cuse. Mr. Leggett learned his trade in New York city, and is thoroughly conversant with it.
O. H. Short & Co .- This firm is located at the corner of West Fayette, Seneca, and Marcellus streets, and is successor to Short & Smith, estab- lished in 1879. The members are O. H. Short, F. C. Sherman, and G. S. Leonard. They manufacture a large variety of vehicles, making a specialty of natural and their own buck-boards, the patent of which is owned and controlled by them. Their factory is equipped with fine machinery and the character of their work is excellent. Their wagons are shipped through- out the Union. About 125 hands are employed, and the sales amount to from $150,000 to $200,000.
Central City Wheel Works .- This company is intimately associated with the wagon industry, and was organized for the manufacture of wagon wheels in 1880, with a capital of $10,000. The first factory was in West street, but they removed to the corner of Plum and Wilkinson streets in 1883. The business has grown from the making of three sets of wheels per day to 15,000 sets per year, and thirty men are employed. C. N. Hatch is Mana- ger and Cashier.
Charles Schlosser & Sons .- Charles Schlosser began wagonmaking in 1851 on the opposite side of the street from his present location, which he purchased in 1865, and built his present shops in 1870. In 1888 he took his sons George and John P. as partners. Before the introduction of the mam- motli factories of the present time Mr. Schlosser built large numbers of light wagons, but in late years they have made a specialty of business vehi- cles. The firm employs ten men.
The Syracuse Dash Works .- This business was established in 1885 by C. L. Baker and J. W. Williams, under the firm name of Baker Dash Works, and is the only one of its kind east of Buffalo. There are only five in the United States. They build dashes, fenders, and carriage trimmings, and turn out about 40,000 dashes yearly, besides their other product, which are sold from Maine to California, with a good export trade. The firm consists of Charles T. Blanchard and F. E. Hale, and the factory is in a three story building in Wallace street. This firm bought the business in 1890, and now employs about thirty men.
The manufacture of boots and shoes in Syracuse, which has in some cities been carried on in mammoth establishments, has never reached great proportions, although a few factories have won extended reputations for the fine quality of the work made by them. One of the first establishments of much note in this industry in Syracuse was that of Gray Brothers Mfg. Co.,
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which is now one of the oldest and best known manufactories of ladies' fine shoes in the country. It began business here in 1865, when the firm con- sisted of John D. and HI. H. Gray. It was conducted under the firm name of Gray Brothers until 1880, at which time it was incorporated as a stock company. This company has kept pace with the demands of the trade and maintained the high reputation of the goods. In 1873 the work of this factory was exhibited at the World's Fair in Vienna, and received the high- est award for machine-made goods, and a gold medal. They again exhib- ited at the Centennial Exposition, where they were awarded the first place over all competitors of Europe and the United States. The present officers of the company are : George S. Sanford, President; William H. Warner, Vice-President and Treasurer ; V. E. Maurer, Secretary.
H. H. Gray's Son .- This manufactory of ladies' fine shoes was cstab- lished in 1881 by H. H. Gray, who was one of the founders of the firm of Gray Brothers, noticed above. He continued the industry until his death, when his son, John S. Gray, succeeded, and has successfully carried it on since. Fred L. Brigham now has an interest in the business, and 125 people are employed. The product consists wholly of ladies' and children's hand- sewed goods of the finest grades.
Baker & Bowman, manufacturers of ladies', misses', and children's fine shoes, are now located in the Industrial Building. The business was estab- lished in 1883 by Hale & Baker. In July, 1886, S. E. Bowman became a member of the firm under the style of Hale, Baker & Bowman. Mr. Hale withdrew from the firm in September, 1888. The firm manufactures the finest grades of ladies' shoes, and employs 125 hands. Four salesmen cover the territory from the Pacific to the Atlantic coasts, and from Minneapolis south to St. Louis, and to Washington, D. C. The sales are about $150,- 000 annually.
James R. Barrett was one of the early manufacturers of men's fine shoes in Syracuse, and was succeeded in 1879 by A. E. Nettleton. The latter was located in West Washington street, and in 1885 the factory at Nos. 302- 310 Pearl street was erected. In 1888 it was burned and was almost a total loss, and the business was temporarily removed to 125 South Clinton street while the factory was being rebuilt. It was re-occupied in November, 1889. One hundred and fifty hands are employed, and 250 pairs of shoes are made daily. W. A. Hill entered the firm as a partner in 1883.
J. M. Mertens & Co .- This firm of clothing manufacturers is an out- growth of the oldest establishment in this industry in Syracuse. A. C. Yates began manufacturing clothing at the old numbers 13 and 15 North Salina street in 1855, and soon laid the foundations of a large business. The late Theodore Dissel was one of his trusted employees, and in 1862
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Mr. Yates took him in as a partner, under the firm name of A. C. Yates & Co. Mr. Yates died October 11, 1880, and Mr. Dissel purchased his inter- est in the business and took J. M. Mertens as a partner, the firm style be- ing then Theodore Dissel & Co. Mr. Dissel's death occurred February 17, 1888, and Mr. Mertens purchased the interest of the deceased and formed the present firm of J. M. Mertens & Co. Sixty-five persons are employed in the building, six traveling men, and a force outside of about 475 persons. The weekly pay roll is about $5,000, and the sales are about $750,000 an- nually. The large retail stores of Mertens, Yann & Garnett were opened in 1891 in the Everson Building, and they have also a retail store in Troy, conducted by Mertens & P'halen.
W. S. Peck & Co .- This house was organized in 1867 under the firm name of Gates & Peck, and was succeeded by W. S. Peck in 1869, continu- ing thus until 1874, when the late Frank A. Peck was admitted to partner- ship under the name of W. S. Peck & Brother. The business was removed from North Salina street to Nos. 8, 10, and 12 Clinton street, where C. A. Shafer was admitted to the partnership, and the firm name was changed to W. S. Peck, Brother & Co. The industry grew rapidly, and after five years more the building proved too small. W. S. Peck then erected the splendid business block in West Water street, 90 x 110 feet, and six stories high, with stone front, the whole of which is now occupied by the firm. In Jan- uary, 1890, F. A. Peck died. The present firm of W. S. Peck & Co., con- sisting of Wilber S. Peck and Charles A. Shafer, was then formed. They employ traveling salesmen, cover most of the territory from Maine to Cali- fornia, and have in their employ directly and working in shops about 2,000 persons, manufacturing $800,000 worth of clothing annually. This is one of the most successful and prominent industries in Syracuse.
Kent & Miller .-- The firm of Kent & Miller was formed in February, 1872, and has never changed, being composed of George B. Kent and Ri- ley V. Miller. They began business in the Bastable Block, but three months later removed to 18 South Salina street. During the first year five clerks and four cutters were employed, and three floors of the building were occu- pied. In 1876 the capacity of the establishment was increased by adding the adjoining store, the new numbers being 130 and 134 South Salina street. Twelve clerks, ten cutters, and a machine are employed, and the annual product is about $400,000.
Weeks, Woodhull & Co .- This firm was organized November 1, 1887, and composed of Charles E. S. Weeks and William H. Woodhull, of Syra- cuse, and George W. Wiggins and Edmund S. Goodale, of Watertown, N. Y. On December 1, 1890, Mr. Wiggins withdrew, and Leopold Beyer, of New York, was admitted as a special partner. The annual business
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amounts to $300,000, and comprises the manufacture and jobbing of cloth- ing. Six stories are occupied at No. 213 South Clinton street. Messrs. Weeks, Woodhull & Co. have a large trade on the road, and five traveling salesmen are employed. About 400 persons find employment with the firm in the manufactory and outside.
The Spencer Clothing Company .- This industry originated with Alva C. Spencer in 1878, when he began the manufacture of overalls and cheap trousers in a small way. The trade extended rapidly, and in ISSI H. C. Hooker became connected with the business as a silent partner. Mr. Spen- cer died in 1883, and Mr. Hooker organized the present company on a stock basis. The product is now exclusively trousers of every grade, and the sales extend from the Eastern to the far Western States. The manufactory has just been removed from West Washington street, where four stores were occupied, to a new store and factory at 320 to 324 West Fayette street, which has just been erected for the business. The character of the goods made, under direction of L. R. Spencer, has been constantly improved, and the establishment is now one of the healthful and growing industries of the city. Two hundred persons are employed, and the sales reach more than $100,000 annually.
George Freeman came here from Rochester in 1871, and began manu- facturing clothing in the Townsend Block, corner of Water and Clinton streets. From there he removed to the Malcolm Block and later to the Kline Block. In 1888 he occupied his present large quarters over the rink in Dickinson street. Mr. Freeman makes a specialty of the manufacture of coats, and employs from 125 to 200 persons.
N. Peters & Co .- Nicholas Peters came to Syracuse in 1848. In 1854 he bought land on the corner of Pond and Lodi streets, and built and opened a grocery. Two years later he enlarged his building, and added dry goods and wall paper to his stock, and in 1860 he put in clothing, which he has now manufactured for thirty years. In 186; he took his half-brother, Cap- tain Jacob Knapp, as a partner, under the style of N. Peters & Brother. In 1871 he altered and enlarged his building to its present size, and in 1873 his son, Henry C. Peters, was admitted to the firm and the name changed to N. Peters, Brother & Son. In 1882-83 both of these partners withdrew from the business, Nicholas Peters, jr., taking their place, and the name of N. Peters & Co. was adopted. In 1889 Mr. Peters's son, Jacob, and his nephew, Nicholas G. Peters, were admitted to the firm. The man- ufacture of clothing is a prominent feature of their business, and from 70 to 120 people are employed and $30,000 in wages paid out annually.
A. W. Palmer .- The firm of M. C. Palmer & Co. began the retail sale of clothing and merchant tailoring at 15 and 17 North Salina street in 1856,
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and continued the business until 1879, when the firm became A. W. Palmer & Co. Three years later A. W. Palmer assumed the business and has re- mained alone since. During the ten years between 1869 and 1879 the firm added to their then large clothing trade an extensive wholesale business, and in 1877 removed to the present location, Nos. 121 and 123 South Salina street. The house has always manufactured all the clothing sold by it, and has the reputation of producing first- class goods. The annual business now amounts to about $175,000 and 150 hands are employed on the average.
Anton V. Altmann .- Mr. Altmann came to Syracuse in 1871 and became a merchant tailor in 1876, at No. 224 North Salina street. In 1887 he re- moved to his present location, 710 North Salina street, where he built the block which he occupies. He employs ten persons. Mr. Altmann was Po- lice Commissioner from 1887 to 1891.
There are few cities more fortunate than Syracuse in having at their doors, or in their midst, ample materials of the best quality for building pur- poses. The Onondaga limestone, which is so plentiful within a few miles of the city, is extensively used, while the necessary material for excellent brick is found in unlimited quantities within the boundaries of the city itself. This fact has, undoubtedly, had an appreciable influence on the growth of the city. The readers of earlier chapters of this work have learned how brick were made in Salina before Syracuse could boast hardly a settlement; and how, a few years later, they were made on the banks of Onondaga Creek and the Yellow Brook, in the now thickly settled parts of the city, and at other adjacent points. It is impossible to form any estimate or learn any facts as to the magnitude of the industry for a number of years after its commencement, and down to about the time of the incorporation of the city little is definitely known of it.
In the year 1851 Francis H. Kennedy, his brother, James V., and Cal- vin Pierson bought land on the Erie Canal at North Geddes street, dug ditches, pulled stumps, and cleared it for a brick- yard. Here they carried on the manufacture until the clay at that point was about exhausted, when they bought of Merrick & Hunt a yard on the Split Rock road. The name of the first firm was Pierson & Kennedys. In 1866 Mr. Pierson sold his in- terest to his partners, who took their younger brother, George G., into the firm and changed the name to F. H. Kennedy & Brothers. It so remained until 1877, when F. H. Kennedy became and still is the sole proprietor. In 1884 Mr. Kennedy left the Split Rock road and took his present location in Seventh North street, where he has eight acres of land. Pierson & Ken- nedy made as high as 4.500,000 brick per year. The present production of the yard is 2,500,000 annually, and twenty-five men are employed. During Mr. Kennedy's forty years in this industry he has made more than 100,-
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000,000 brick, which have been chiefly used in Syracuse. His father was a farmer and came from Steuben county in 1843.
In 1851 Montgomery and Charles Merrick, brothers, and Edward Hunt started a brick-yard on the Split Rock road, which they operated until 1865, when they sold it to Pierson & Kennedy, as above noted. They then opened another yard in South Onondaga street (now South avenue). Mr. Hunt subsequently sold out his interest, and the firm became and still re- mains M. & C. Merrick, but they have not manufactured brick since 1889. During all this period they made 1,000,000 brick per year, and were also large contractors and builders, giving employment in both industries to from twenty-five to one hundred men.
In 1867 Charles H. and Luther S. Merrick, both of whom are practical masons, formed a partnership as contractors and builders and brick manu- facturers, and they still carry on both branches of their business. Their brick works are in Court street, in De Witt, where they employ from thirty to forty men, and use 400 cords of wood and from 300 to 400 tons of coal, producing from 3,000.000 to 4,000,000 brick annually. They have adopted the "Rock and Pallet" system, a Western invention, which consists in taking the raw clay and pulverizing it before wetting; it is then mixed and forced into the molds, from which the brick are taken in perfect form and condi- tion, and placed on pallets and afterward piled away in racks. This work is done by steam-power, and is the first application of the system in Syra- cuse. As builders and contractors this firm is constantly engaged in heavy contracts, employing from twenty to one hundred men, and they have erected many prominent buildings in the city.
The Syracuse Pressed Brick Company was organized in 1872 by H. N. White, John Greenway, Stephen Bastable, James Tolman, and Amos L. Mason. The works are in Midland avenue, where the company owns thirty acres of land, about half of which has a substratum of clay. The upper layer of clay, two to three feet in thickness, is red ; next is found a mottled layer of four or five feet in thickness, and under this the color is cream or buff as far down as it has been practicable to drain it. This buff clay makes brick of the same color and in quality equal to the celebrated Milwaukee brick. The inside hall of Cornell University Library and other prominent structures are made of these brick. The growing popularity of pressed brick is indicated by the output of this company, which is now 5,000,000 annually, and fifty men are employed in the manufacture. Amos L. Mason is President of the company and John Greenway is Secretary and Treasurer.
Patrick and John Preston began brick manufacture in 1883, at their pres- ent location on the Wadsworth road, under the firm name of Preston Broth- ers. They own thirty-two acres of land, employ about thirty men, and produce 2,500,000 brick per year, using 700 cords of wood.
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Timothy Nolan also has a brick-yard on land adjoining the Preston Brothers on the north, where he has made brick since 1885. He turns out from 1, 500,000 to 2,000,000 annually, and employs twenty men.
Timothy Brophy has a yard in Wolf street, where he employs fifteen men, and makes abont 1,000,000 brick per year.
W. B. Kirk purchased twenty- five aeres of land in 1887 at the Rock Cut between Syracuse and Jamesville, where he began making brick, and produced nearly all that were used in the erection of his block. The yard is still in operation and produces over 1,000,000 brick per year.
The New York Brick and Paving Company was organized in 1890 by James L. Breed and George D. Grannis. They purchased five acres of land in Geddes for the plant and forty acres of clay ground in the town of Clay, from which the material is brought to the works. Their output is 8,000,- 000 vitrified paving brick and 1,000,000 common brick annually, and they give employment to seventy-five men. The paving brick made by this company are rapidly assuming prominence in cities for their durability and comparative cheapness. Capital, $100,000. The officers are A. A. How- lett, President ; Jacob Amos, Vice-President ; D. H. Bruce, Secretary ; J. L. Breed, Treasurer ; J. L. King, Attorney.
Silverware .- The beginning of this industry in Syracuse is traced back to the manufacture of a few articles by W. W. Willard in 1841, in a store which he occupied in Water street east of Salina. About the same time Fred W. Moffat, a jeweler doing business in Clinton street, devoted his spare time to the manufacture of a few small articles of silverware for his own trade.
The first to take up this line of manufacture in a systematic manner was the firm of Willard, Hawley & Co., the company being Joseph Sey- mour. Their factory was in Mulberry street, facing Fayette Park. They employed at first four hands, which number gradually increased to ten. Charles Shafer, now a leading manufacturer in Utica, learned his trade with this firm, as did also John Lighton of this city. Mr. Seymour withdrew from the firm in 1848 to establish a business for himself, as described below. The remaining partners conducted the business where it had been located until 1849, when it was removed to Montgomery street. Seven years later the factory was given up, for the reason that the capital employed could be more profitably used in other directions. Of the firm of Willard, Hawley & Co., Gen. J. D. Hawley is the only survivor.
Joseph Seymour began in 1846, in Mulberry street, the manufacture of silverware; he remained there two years and then removed to No. 36 Mont- gomery street, where this business was continued for about forty-two years. In the year 1848 Benjamin R. Norton became a partuer, under the firm name of Norton & Seymour, and later David Hotchkiss entered the firm
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and the style became Norton, Seymour & Co. Mr. Seymour afterward bought his partners' interests and did business in his own name till his sons, Joseph, jr., and Edwin G., and George F. Comstock, jr., were admitted to partnership under the present firm name. In 1882 the firm bought the jew- elry business of D. Valentine, in the White Memorial Building, and have ever since conducted that branch with their manufacturing department, which has been exclusively devoted to making solid silverware, which has attained a national reputation. Very few industries in Syracuse have so long been continued with such a good record. In addition to eminent business abili- ties, Joseph Seymour was a great reader and had a very retentive memory. He was also a veteran traveler, first becoming familiar with his own country. In each of the years 1873, 1878, and 1884 he traveled extensively in Europe, England and Scotland being his favorites. He was an active Re- publican from the formation of that party, often refusing office, but consented at one time to serve as Supervisor. In religious matters he was one of the organizers, and remained a supporter, of the Park Presbyterian Church. He was of genial disposition, quiet manners, manly in all things, widely known, and universally respected.
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