USA > New York > Onondaga County > Syracuse > Memorial history of Syracuse, N.Y. : from its settlement to the present time > Part 26
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The firm of Hotchkiss & Schreuder began manufacturing silverware in 1857, at 95 East Genesee street. In 1871 Mr. A. B. Schreuder became sole proprietor of the business. It was removed to No. 43 East Washington street in 1862. Mr. Schreuder manufactures sterling silverware, and his goods bear a high reputation. He is a native of Norway, and came to America in 1849 and to Syracuse in 1857.
George H. Mc Chesney .- About the year 1840 a lumber yard was estab- lished on the site now occupied by George H. McChesney, corner of Pearl and James streets, by Cogswell & Barnes. It was one of the very early yards of importance in the place. The firm wassucceeded by George Sanford, and he by Brayton & Hill. In 1867 Mr. McChesney bought them out and built a planing-mill on the corner of Plum and Wilkinson streets, where moldings, etc., are also made. He has since that time given steady em- ployment to twenty-five men, and handles from 10,000,000 to 15,000,000 feet of lumber annually.
Edward E. Chapman .- In the year 1870 Mr. Chapman established the lumber yard and planing-mill which he still carries on. It is located on the corner of Carbon and Free streets, where he handles about 4,000,000 feet of pine and hemlock and considerable hardwood lumber annually, giving employment to fifteen hands. Mr. Chapman's father was Edward Chapman, who came from East Granby, Conn., to Syracuse in 1824. Ile was a boat builder and worked in Spencer's yard, where the Durston Flats now stand. In 1827 he went to Salina and purchased the dry dock and boat-yard, and built canal boats until 1855, when he engaged in saltmaking.
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John H. Mc Dowell -Mr. McDowell came to Syracuse from Oswego in 1873 and worked five years for H. A. Crane & Co., lumber dealers on the corner of Townsend and Canal streets. That firm sold out to Kenyon & Shaw and Mr. McDowell remained with them two years, and then bought the lumber yard of Bradley Cary, on the corner of Lock and Canal streets. This he carried on alone for one year, when he formed a partnership with H. A. Crane and J. M. Belden, under the style of Crane, Belden & Co., with an office in Water street, and branch yards in Oswego and Tonawanda. Three years later Mr. Crane sold his interest to his partners, and the new firm of Belden & McDowell removed their yard to Wilkinson street, its present location. In the fall of 1888 Mr. McDowell bought Mr. Belden's interest and became the sole proprietor. He put a large planing-mill on the premises and has given his energies chiefly to the wholesale trade. He keeps a stock of from 5,000,000 to 10,000,000 feet on hand, and does the largest lumber business between Albany and Buffalo, handling as high as 30,000,000 feet in a year, and giving employment to from thirty to fifty men.
George G. Kenyon .- The firm of Kenyon & Shaw succeeded H. A. Crane, who had conducted the lumber business several years on the north side of the canal between Lock and Townsend streets. In 18So Mr. Shaw died and the firm became Kenyon & Stevens. Requiring more room they secured the present location on the corner of Orange and Water streets. Mr. Stevens died in 1887 and Mr. Kenyon has continued alone. He occu- pies by ownership and rental 1, 100 feet on the south side and 400 feet on the north side of the canal, and employs thirty men. He came to Syracuse from Fulton in 1871.
The Bliss Box Company .- In the year 1869 Jonathan B. Bliss started a planing. mill on the corner of Catherine and Canal streets. Two years later he began the manufacture of boxes, an industry that has attained large proportions in Syracuse, and in which this establishment has occupied a conspicuous position. Mr. Bliss was burned out and rebuilt three times, each fire causing him heavy loss. In 1889 the Bliss Box Company was organized and incorporated, with a capital of $100,000 and the following officers : John K. Post, of Oswego, President; Henry H. Post, of Oswego, Vice-President and Treasurer ; J. B. Bliss, Superintendent. The present officers are George N. Burt, President ; George C. Hollister, of Rochester, Vice President ; Clarence Dillenbeck, Secretary and Treasurer; John Ray- mond, Superintendent. The number of workmen employed has increased from five to seventy. five. The magnitude of this industry in the country is almost startling. It is estimated that it has absorbed more than one-half of the softwood lumber cut in the United States for a number of years past. The Bliss factory alone cut 10,000,000 feet in 1890.
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E. M. Klock .- In the year 1865 Mr. Klock opened a lumber yard on the spot he now occupies, 1912 West Fayette street. The next year he put up a planing-mill and in the fall of 1890 he began the manufacture of the Merriman patent door. He handles annually 3,500,000 to 4,000,000 feet of lumber, besides shingles, lath, pickets, etc. Mr. Klock is prominent in local politics, and has held the office of Alderman and other positions.
Thomas Merriam .- This establishment, like most others in the city, commenced in a small way, and has grown to magnificent proportions. Josepli Leeret commenced the manufacture of boxes, of various kinds, on the corner of Washington and Orange streets, about 1854, and in a short time his business increased so much that he was obliged to seek for larger quarters. He then formed a partnership with Harvey Blaisdell, purchased the corner of East Water and Almond streets, and erected a large factory, which was increased in size occasionally as their business demanded. They suffered twice by fire, one of which completely destroyed the whole struct- ure, and in another they were severely crippled. They did an immense business, in making cigar boxes and almost every variety of packing boxes; at any rate every kind needed in the city. In 1876 Merriam & Gregory rented a portion of their buildings and power, and commenced the manu- facture of sash, doors, and blinds, which was continued till the spring of 1889, when the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Gregory taking the hard- ware store in North Salina street, and Mr. Merriam the factory. They had done a large and successful business and Mr. Merriam felt warranted in taking the whole establishment of Leeret & Blaisdell, and is continuing the two factories under one head. He manufactures into sash, doors, blinds, and boxes of every description 5,000,000 feet of lumber annually. The soft lumber comes from Michigan and Canada, the hard wood from Ken- tucky, and the cedar from Cuba. His engine is 175 horse-power, driving 100 different machines, and he produces about $175,000 of finished goods annually. He employes about 125 men and boys.
Wilson & Robotham .- In 1876 Messrs. Wilson & Wilbur bought of P. B. Brayton the business located at 75 South West street, which had been founded in 1864 by M. E. Carter, for the manufacture of extension tables and table slides. In 1878 Robert Robotham purchased Mr. Wilbur's inter- est and the present firm was formed. Their present factory at 715 to 723 West Fayette street was erected in 1882. Eighteen men are employed by them and their goods are ordered from widely separated points-Australia, South America, Cuba, Mexico, and the Pacific coast. The full capacity of their works is tested to meet these demands. They keep no traveling sales- men, the quality of their product being sufficient recommendation.
John Moore & Co .- The picture frame business of this firm was originated
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by the firm of Sanford & Bon, in 1865, who were succeeded by John Moore & Co. in 1879. Immediately on the transfer of the business to John Moore & Co. the branch of contract woodwork and other lines were added. The mold- ing branch of the business employs constantly 150 hands, and goods are ship- ped to all parts of the country in addition to a general export trade. The con- tract department employs in and out of the factory, at times, as high as 300 men and five traveling salesmen. This firm contracts principally for large government buildings located throughout the United States. The factory is located in James and Pearl streets. The firm consists of John Moore and Frank M. Moore.
The Butler Manufacturing Co. was incorporated in 1883 with a capital of $12,000, which was increased three years ago to $24,000. The first officers were Bruce S. Aldrich, President; F. M. Bonta, Secretary and Treasurer ; E. K. Butler, General Manager. The object of the company was the manufacture of artistic furniture. Thirty men were employed at first, but the growth of the industry has been such that now 100 men are on the pay roll. The premises, at No. 1810 West Fayette street, have 66 feet front and extend back to the canal, on which is a frontage of 150 feet. The main building is 150 x 40 feet, five stories high, and another is 800 x 40 feet, four stories high. The present officers are E. K. Butler, President and Treasurer ; H. E. Wanamaker, Vice- President ; William Nicholson, Secre- tary. This establishment employs 100 hands, and turns out a product val- ued at $450,000 annually.
February 9, 1871, the firm of Carpenter, De Puy & Co. was organized, they having bought the business formerly established by Carpenter & Mosely, and for nearly eighteen years they carried on a general woodwork- ing business. October 1, 1889, they were succeeded by the present firm of De Puy, Robinson & Co., composed of Schuyler P. De Puy, C. F. Robin- son, and M. L. Abbott. The factory has employed on the average thirty men for the last fifteen years, and turns out all kinds of carving, turning, sawing, molding, etc., for the complete finish of interiors and exteriors of dwellings, hotels, churches, stores, etc. They are located at 118 and 120 Mulberry street, where the business was first established.
The furniture manufacturing and woodworking business now conducted by D. E. Hayden at 401-405 South Clinton street was established in March, 1870, by Il. J. Crandall, and came into Mr. Hayden's possession and con- trol August 1, 1879. The works are in a large three-story brick building, the machinery being operated by a so-horse-power engine. Mr. Hayden employs from fifteen to twenty-five men and has an investment of $15,000, with a business amounting to $25,000 annually. His capacity covers al- most every kind of woodwork-sawing, turning, carving-and every variety
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of interior work. He makes a specialty of extension tables, couches, and parlor and office furniture, most of which is manufactured to order. He also enters largely into inside house finishing in soft and hard woods. .
J. D. Coleman .-- In the year 1860 Mr. Coleman began the manufacture of melodeons in Salina street in the Washington Block. Soon afterward he introduced the manufacture of cabinet organs and moved to James street, the firm becoming Carpenter & Coleman, by the admission of Lyman and Colvin Carpenter. In 1872 Christian Cook took an interest in the business and the firm name was made Cook, Carpenter & Coleman, the factory be- ing removed to Gifford street. The manufacture of furniture was added to the business, which was carried on to about ten years ago. Since that time Mr. Coleman has been located in East Water street, No. 316, and is largely engaged in the manufacture of desks and office and library furniture. He employs ten men.
The Syracuse Molding Company .- This business was established in the spring of 1885 by William H. Van Buskirk, John Burns, and John Folley. They now employ twenty-five workmen, use 200,000 feet of lumber yearly, and are doing a flourishing business. The members of the firm are all na- tives of Syracuse. Mr. Van Buskirk spends a part of his time on the road and sells their goods throughout the State.
Leslie Caldwell .- Mr. Caldwell began business as a builder and con- tractor in 1863, and he was soon obliged by its increase to establish a shop with power, a planer, and other machinery for manufacturing woodwork used in his building operations. He employs ten to fifteen men, and is located at 143 Kennedy street.
Henry Schmcer .- In the year 1867 Schmeer & Listman began the man- ufacture of paper boxes in the old Wieting Block, where they remained two years, when they removed to Clinton street. In 1883 Mr. Schmeer sold his interest in the business to Mr. Listman and established a factory in West Water street, making the same line of goods till 1889, when he moved to the commodious quarters he now occupies at 106 to 110 Noxon street, where he has $20,000 invested, and employs 105 hands. Mr. Schmeer is the largest manufacturer of paper boxes in Syracuse.
William Crabtree is one of the leading contractors and builders of the city, particularly in the line of stone work. He is a native of England, and came to New York in 1870. He located in Syracuse two years later, and worked at his trade until 1877, when the firm of Hughes & Crabtree was formed ; it continued in existence two years, since which time Mr. Crab- tree has carried on business alone. He purchased his present yard, corner of Montgomery and Taylor streets, and has carried on a large business, fur- nishing the stone for the Government Building, the County Clerk's office in
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this city, the Court- House in Otsego county, several of the largest buildings in Auburn, and is now engaged on a contract for a private residence in Cortland, costing $125,000, and is furnishing the stone for the Masonic Ilome in Utica. Ile employs from fifty to seventy-five men.
Thomas Jackson, contractor and builder, located at the corner of Brown and Decker streets, came to Syracuse from England in 1859, and learned his trade in this city. He began business for himself in 1873. Among his important contracts are the wood work on St. Paul's Church and on the Leland Hotel, which burned down, and the new City Hall, which is in pro- cess of construction, the latter contract involving $37,000. He employs from twenty-five to fifty men.
Richard Dawson is located at 108 Baker avenue, as a contractor and builder. He came to Syracuse from Canada in 1865, and has been in active business here for twenty-three years. Among the more important build- ings constructed by Mr. Dawson may be mentioned the Kline Block, the Crichton Flats, and the Marsellus casket factory. He employs from twenty- five to fifty men.
Philip Goettel is a builder of considerable prominence, located at 308 Highland street. After service in the army he began his present business in 1870, and now employs from five to fifty men. He was a member of the 149th Regiment, Company B. He was wounded at Chancellorsville by a piece of shell, and at Gettysburg was struck by a bullet in his arm while another passed through his knapsack. At Ringgold's Depot, in the Lookout Mountain operations, he captured two rebel flags, and holds a government medal for distinguished bravery. At Savannah Mr. Goet- tel, Jacob Klein, and Nicholas Seaver were the first men who entered the navy yards. A rebel who asked Goettel who he was was told that he was a policeman. The joke was swallowed, and the rebel took the three men to breakfast. Goettel was also one of the 110 men who first took pos- session of Savannah.
Charles Umbrecht, contractor and builder at 214 Prospect avenue, was also a soldier of three years' service in the First Engineers, which went out from New York city to the siege of Charleston when Fort Sumter was re- captured. His regiment was in active service, and closed its service before Petersburg in the last year of the war. Mr. Umbrecht employs from fifteen to fifty men.
In earlier pages of this work reference is made to the marble cutting shop of Isaac Stanton, who was one of the carly settlers of the place. Mr. Stan - ton was one of the cholera victims of 1832, but was succeeded in his busi- ness by his son, Isaac Stanton, jr., in 1826, the business being then located in North Salina street. Isaac Stanton, jr., was one of the victims of the pow-
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der explosion of 1841, and was succeeded in the business by his brother, Sidney Stanton, who continued in North Salina street, and later in James street, until the building of the West Shore Railroad. That company pur- chased his yard and he removed to 119 Lock street, where his son, Sidney, jr., still conducts the business founded by his uncle. At the time of his death, in 1890, Sidney Stanton was one of the oldest native residents of Syracuse ; he was born in Salina street in 1809.
John C. Esser came to Syracuse from New York city, and he is said to have been the first sculptor to carve our native stone. Among the many pieces of sculpture which owe their beauty and symmetry to Mr. Esser's skill may be mentioned the medallion of Judge James R. Lawrence and a portrait bust of the journalist Lewis H. Redfield, both from life, and both of which grace their respective monuments at Oakwood Cemetery. The Whitlock monument in Oakwood and the Malloy monument in St. Agnes Cemetery are a couple of the numerous pieces of work of this kind which Mr. Esser has so beautifully executed. His son has now an interest in the business under the firm name of John C. Esser & Son, with their yard and office at 920 South Salina strect. They own a stone quarry at Jamesville, from which they bring the supply for their own use and also for other build- ers. They are now extensively engaged in carrying out building contracts in marble, stone, and granite. The firm executes monumental work of a high character, and employs fifteen men.
For more than twenty-five years Daniel J. Francis has been prominently identified with the marble and granite working business in Syracuse, and at the present time the firm of Francis & Co. carries on the largest industry of that kind in Central New York. The firm is now composed of Mr. Francis, Thomas F. DeLany (who has been identified with the business since its commencement, and was admitted to the firm in 1873), and Newell E Loomis, the latter of whom was admitted in 1885 ; their location is at 118 to 124 West Onondaga street. Their work has attained a high reputation over a wide extent of territory, and they have exceptional advantages for obtaining the various kinds of marble and granite which their trade de- mands. They also conduct a large mantel, grate, and tile business, and are agents for the Perth Amboy Terra- Cotta Company and other specialties.
C. Linehan came to Syracuse in 1854 and began marble working in Wolf street in the following year. 1le subsequently took a partner, N. C. Hinsdale, and the firm removed to the Empire Block in Genesee street. Mr. Linehan sold his interest to Hinsdale, who went out of business, and Linehan opened an establishment in the Washington Block, in South Salina street. He shortly afterward removed to the site of the Dixon House, and in 1869 took his present location, 617 South Salina street. He employ's five men and works in marble and granite.
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E. C. Stearns & Co .- The inception of this business had its origin in about the year 1860, when it was commenced by George N. Stearns, father of Edward C. Stearns and Mrs. Avis S. Van Wagenen, two of the present proprietors. Six years later .a small factory was erected in Cedar street. Mr. Stearns had during this time devoted his energies chiefly to the manu- facture of hollow augers. His business was a decided success from the beginning, and continued to expand and improve from time to time to keep pace with the ever increasing demands for his articles, which were accord- ingly increased in number as necessity required. He carried on the con- cern alone at this location till 1877. when owing to ill-health his son and daughter, Edward C. Stearns and Mrs. Avis S. Van Wagenen (then Mrs. Avis Mead), purchased the business under the firm name of E. C. Stearns & Co., by which it has ever since been known. Three years later they re- moved the offices and plant to the old John A. Nichols gun works, on the north side of James street near the corner of Lock, and about the same time established a branch office in Chicago. The rapid growth of the business, caused by the addition of saw vises, parlor sliding door hangers, band set- ters, spoke shaves, pointers, etc., to their list of manufactures, soon necessi- tated another removal to larger and more commodious quarters, and ac- cordingly in 1882 the present extensive plant was erected at the foot of West Adams street, corner of Oneida, in the Sixth ward. Since then new build- ings have been added each year, until it is now one of the most extensive manufactories of hardware in the country, and is justly entitled to a leading rank in the manufacturing industries of Syracuse. The firm now gives employment to 350 men, and turns out among other specialties ten distinct styles of patent sliding door hangers, a number of different kinds of pat- ented locks, window and door screens, screen frames, hinges, vises, spoke shaves and pointers, jack screws, lawn mowers, iron sinks, and stable fixt- ures, etc. Of many of these goods and of others they are said to be the largest manufacturers in the world, and prominent among these articles are their parlor sliding door hangers, barn door hangers, barn door locks, door and window screen frames, adjustable stove-pipe thimbles, adjustable screw and door frame clamps, hollow augers, spoke shaves and pointers, cast-iron stable hay racks and feed boxes, saw vises, bench drills, lawn mowers, mal- lets, chisel handles, jack screws, etc. The plant now utilized in the manu- facture of their various hardware specialties consists of the main building 252 x 60 feet and four stories high, the foundry and woodworking depart- ment 250 x 220, two-story japanning building 43 x 25, pattern building 40 x 20, screen frame factory 104 x 60, and storehouse 31 x 72 and others aggregating 166 x 35. The buildings are all of brick, well lighted, and conveniently arranged for manufacturing purposes. They are fitted
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up with costly machinery, much of which has been designed and built by the firm for their special use, and all tools and appliances used in the man- ufacture of their various articles are the very best. The firm consists of Edward C. Stearns, Mrs. Avis S. Van Wagenen, and Herbert F. Maslin.
Express Companies .- The express business owes its origin to William F. Harnden, who began it in 1839. In 1841 his agent at Albany, Henry Wells, organized with George Pomeroy and Crawford Livingston the firm of Pomeroy & Co., which operated between Albany and Buffalo once a week. Wells first carried his parcels in a carpet bag and paid his fare as a passenger. Two years later Livingston, Wells & Pomeroy assumed con- trol, and soon after Livingston, Wells & Co., who continued till 1846, oper- ating over the N. Y. C. R. R. Wells & Co. was then organized, and in 1849 Butterfield, Wasson & Co. began in opposition over the same road. The next year these two firms and Livingston & Fargo (who had operated west of Buffalo) consolidated as Wells, Butterfield & Co. and Livingston, Fargo & Co., but comprised a joint stock concern under the style of the American Express Co., with Henry Wells as President and William G. Fargo (a native of this county) as Secretary. In 1854 the United States Express Co. was formed, but was immediately merged in the American, which was re-organized in 1860. The office in this city was first located where the White Memorial Building now stands, and subsequently removed to its present location in the Kline Block. Alfred Higgins, the company's genial agent, assumed charge in 1857, and has since continued in that capacity. When he was appointed the business was conducted by four men and one horse; now thirty-four men and twenty-four horses are em- ployed. The present United States Express Co. dates from 1854. The next year it was operating over the D., L. and W. R. R., with Frederick Hall agent at Syracuse. In 1872 the D., L. and W. Express Co. suc- ceeded to the business over this line, and continued till 1886, when the United States Express Co. regained control. Smith P. Snider has been the efficient local manager for the two companies since 1872. Two or three men and a horse were first employed, against twelve men and nine horses at the present time. The National Express Co. was organized in 1855, and since the completion of the West Shore Railroad has operated over that line. The present Syracuse agent is Edwin L. Gifford.
The three express companies in Syracuse transact yearly a money and money order business aggregating hundreds of thousands of dollars, carry- ing vast sums almost any distance with absolute safety and at reasonable rates. Letters at one time formed the principal part of the express mes- senger's parcels, and the carrying of these resulted in cheaper postage and better postal facilities.
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Adam Nies came to Syracuse in 1850 and opened a stonecutting yard in 1866 in the firm of Graff & Nies, which was dissolved in 1874, and Mr. Nies has since remained alone. He works almost wholly in gray limestone. At different times he has employed from ten to seventy-five hands. He . supplied the stone work of some of the Cornell University buildings, one of the Binghamton banks, and other large structures.
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