USA > New York > Oneida County > Utica > Memorial history of Utica, N.Y. : from its settlement to the present time > Part 56
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73
592
MEMORIAL HISTORY OF UTICA.
scribed liberally to the stock, and the factory was soon in operation in Vernon. The first directors were: Watts Sherman, Abraham Varick, John Steward, jr., Alex. B. Johnson, and Richard Sanger. The works were carried on with moderate success until August, 1836, when the company closed up its affairs.
Encouraged by the temporary success of the Oneida Glass Factory, Peter Bours now took the lead in getting up, in 1810, a company to manufacture crown glass, which it was proposed should be superior to any made in the country. With him were associated Benjamin Walker. John Steward, jr., Hugh Cunningham, John Hooker, Seth Dwight, and others. A special charter was obtained from the legislature of 1809-10, and a capital stock was raised of $250,000. A tract of land was bought some three miles north of Utica, in the part of Deerfield now known as Marcy. In the course of the ensuing season suitable buildings were put up, workmen were obtained from Boston (the only place where crown glass was then made), and the manufacture was begun. Within . a year the stock had been called in. Bours seemed to carry all he undertook. By continuous boasting the new stock became a kind of South Sea bubble and sales were reported at a hundred per cent., though such sales were probably fictitious. A gentleman who visited the works in 1813 was informed that the expenses were $30,000 annually, the value of glass made $50,000; amount of stock $100,000. That the works of the company were not in reality very productive, and were, in fact, for a time suspended, we infer from the announcement of Mr. Bours, the superintendent, made in February, 1814, a few months after the purchase of 790 additional acres of land, to the effect that the factory was again in operation and that orders are received on the prem- ises, or at the store of Luke Devereux. The company struggled on a few years longer, but the renewed efforts proved futile ; it was found impossible to manufacture crown glass which would compete with that of English workmanship. Finally, on the 22d of March, 1822, the com- pany leased their factory for four years to their predecessors, the Oneida Glass Company. A good deal of money was sunk in the enterprise and the losers were numerous.
The few early manufactures managed by individual skill I proceed to notice somewhat in the order of their establishment. In 1820 Seth
593
EARLY FOUNDRIES- POTTERY.
Peckham, from Troy, started the making of plows and other implements. He was located on Catherine street, where, soon after, Amos Peckham was his partner. Seven years later he sold his factory to his enter- prising nephew, John S. Peckham, who continued it until 1835. Up to this date the business had been confined to the manufacture of plows. In that year J. S. and Merritt began the casting of stoves. The establish- ment which is a large and important one is now in the hands of Merritt and S. Townshend Peckham, son of John. The casting is done on the block bounded by Broad, Catherine and Third streets, and the canal basin, covering an area of 2,400 square feet. The products are stoves, ranges, and agricultural implements.
Another foundry was started in 1822 by Ephraim Hart, who soon had as a partner Andrew S. Pond, and next his son Henry R. Hart. With the latter was John Dagwell. It is still perpetuated, being now managed by H. Gilbert Hart, grandson of Ephraim. Beside other cast- ings, he now makes hot air furnaces, and has an output of about $120,- 000.
Mention has heretofore been made of the attempted use of the Mo- hawk River as a source of power, and the construction of a mill thereon in 1823. The second grist-mill, known as the city mill, which was to be supplied with force from the waste water of the canal, was built not long afterward by Rutger B. Miller, and was run by William Cattell, and later by Ira D. Hopkins and his son Charles H. A stone mill for grinding wheat was erected in 1833.
The premises where the pottery stands were originally occupied by two firms, both engaged in the manufacture of pottery, Justin Campbell beginning in 1826, and Messrs. Brayton, Kellogg & Doolittle who be gan the following year, but were soon succeeded by Samuel H. Addington. Noah White, at first employed by the latter, soon leased it, and ere long got possession of the plant. By him, his son Nicholas A., and the son of the latter, it has been continued to the present time. It is now known as the Central New York Pottery, Charles N. White being the general manager. The building was quite small at first, but building after building has been added, until now there are several, occupying an area of 400 feet front on Whitesboro street, and extending back to the Erie Canal. The goods manufactured up to 1840 were common
75
594
MEMORIAL HISTORY OF UTICA.
stoneware ; then fire brick were added, and later sewer pipe. At pres- ent there are also made the Flemish goods in stoneware. There are sixty employees.
The manufacture of buhr- millstones was commenced by Alfred Mun - son in 1823, on the corner of Hotel and Liberty streets, in the base- ment of the Kirkland block. He soon removed to the east side of Washington street, where it is crossed by the canal. Martin Hart be- came associated with Mr. Munson in 1830, under the firm name of Munson & Hart. This continued for a number of years, when the firm dissolved, and Alexander B. Hart (a son of Martin) and Edmund Munson (a nephew of Alfred) became associated under the name of Hart & Munson. Edmund Munson has already been noticed as an ex- cellent mechanic and inventor, and under his direction the business rap- idly increased. The firm of Hart & Munson did an extensive business, employing at times as many as 100 hands. In 1868 this firm dissolved and a new one was formed, under the title of Munson Brothers. Sim- ilar manufactures have since been established in Buffalo, Indianapolis, Richmond, and other localities, creating competition. The raw mater- ial (French buhr-stone) comes from a locality near Paris, France, and is imported through New York houses. The trade covers all parts of the United States and Canada. In 1888 a foundry was added to the plant, an unused portion of the west building being utilized for this pur- pose. The firm employ at present fifty hands, and manufacture porta ble grain mills, roller mills, water wheels, and all kind of corn and flour mill machinery. Also dealers in German, English, and domestic cements, plaster, etc.
Another long continued foundry and machine shop known for many years as the Vulcan Works, and now as the Utica Steam Engine and Boiler Works, was erected in 1832 by Philo C. Curtiss, father of the pres ent proprietor. As a machine shop it was run for about three years by Mr. Curtiss when he failed and the property passed out of his hands. Its successive occupants since that time have been numerous ; those of longest duration having been Pond, Higham & Co. Here were cast the wheels for the first passenger-car placed on the Utica and Schenec- tady Railroad, D. A. Lyons, a Utica carriage maker, having the contract for its woodwork. The establishment came again into the hands of Mr.
595
LUMBER DEALERS.
Curtiss in 1861. A year later Philo S. Curtiss bought out his father and has since conducted the works. The plant covers an area of 350 x 260 feet between Whitesboro street and the Erie Canal. From its outset it has been devoted to the making of machinery in general, to the furnish - ing of boilers and other wrought iron work, and to the casting of a wide range of foundry work. It has always been operated on these lines, and today with largely increased facilities.
Not far from the Vulcan works there was running in 1828 what was known as the "dog nail" factory. The bellows were operated by a dog moving on a wheel, and by this aid Mr. Masseth, the German proprie- tor, turned out a good article of wrought nails. Though it was but a small affair, it excited curiosity at a time when the service of dogs in mechanical purposes was by no means so common as among the farm - ers of the present day, especially in dairy districts.
It is natural to presume that in a new and growing community the need of lumber for the construction of houses, furniture, etc, should call for persons prepared to minister to this necessity, yet it is not be- fore about 1830 that we know assuredly of any one who made a dis- tinct business of dealing in lumber. It was begun about this time by Dr. Jonas Fay, who had previously been a practicing physician, on ground adjoining the Erie Canal near the place of its subsequent inter- section with the Chenango. A rival dealer soon appeared in the person of Joshua M. Church, who had small yards on Pine street. Charles Downer was also among the early dealers in lumber. Beginning at the corner of the Chenango Canal and Cooper street his yard was next on Fayette street, and later on the corner of Court and the Chenango. At one time or other Mr. Downer is said to have owned and operated every lumber establishment in Utica. In 1844, while he was located on Fayette street, he took into partnership Charles C. Kellogg. At a subsequent date his partner was his son, Edward F. Downer, to whom he gave up the business in 1877.
But it is not solely in the selling of lumber in its raw state that these and other dealers have been engaged; they planed it and likewise con- verted it into various objects of utility. It has been already mentioned in our notice of Chauncey Palmer that he shared with Lewis Lawrence in the running of the planing-mill that had been put in operation by
n
596
MEMORIAL HISTORY OF UTICA.
Philo C. Curtiss. In 1834 they began the making of window sash, doors, blinds, etc., by the aid of steam. These articles had already been pro- duced, by the assistance of a horse to drive his machinery, by Truman B. Dixon, son-in-law of J. M. Church. About 1849 Mr. Lawrence bought out his partner, and in 1857 sold the business to Downer & Kellogg. They remained together until 1877 when Mr. Downer withdrew. It has been continued by Mr. Kellogg, who has had in turn two different part- ners. The plant, which was smaller at first, now consists of a large manufactory with work shop, engine-house, and sheds, 133 feet on Sen- eca street, and extending through to Washington street, where there is a frontage of 206 feet and adjacent to the Erie Canal. They have also piling ground near the gas works and four acres for the same purpose in West Utica. They employ 140 hands, sell 1,000,000 feet per month, besides what is used in the mill, and their products go to all parts of the country.
Edward F. Downer, in partnership with his son, has a plant at 32-34 Canal street, occupying five acres of land, and they make the same arti- cles as the above.
A planing-mill started in 1861 by Metcalf & Dering is now in the hands of a company with a capital of $40,000. The premises cover the block bounded by Culver, Franklin, Fulton streets and the Erie Canal. The articles they manufacture are like those of the preceding, and their annual sales amount to 5,000,000 feet of lumber. They are known as the Utica Planing Mills Company.
Besides the above there are at present the lumber yards of R. J. Knox, Jonathan Goodier and Joseph Hollingworth.
While sketching the career of Dr. Theodore Pomeroy I made men- tion of the manufacture of oil cloth begun by J. D. Edwards, but soon falling into the hands of Dr. Pomeroy and Thomas R. Walker. This manufacture started in 1832, has for sixty years been steadily contin - ued almost on its original site, and it still remains the only factory of its kind west of Lansingburgh. Its management has to some extent been changed, and the machinery in use greatly improved, much of what was once done by hand being now effected by power ; but the fac- tory is still in motion under the direction of Theodore and George D. Pomeroy, son and grandson of the original proprietors. They occupy
597
TOBACCO MANUFACTURE - SOAP FACTORY.
extensive buildings and grounds on the west side of Cornelia street and reaching through from Columbia to Cooper.
The manufacture of tobacco and cigars in Utica began about the year 1835, first in Pine street and next at 35 Liberty street, and was started by a man named Tomlinson. He continued in the business only a short time, selling out to Messrs. Leslie A. Warnick and John Bryan. This was in 1839. Several men started small concerns soon after this, but none of them had permanency, so that Warnick & Bryan may be said to have been the pioneers in cutting tobacco. Messrs. Warnick & Bryan removed to 112 Genesee street from Liberty street about 1845, and occupied that location for several years, when the firm came to 86 Genesee street. In 1852 Mr. Bryan was succeeded by John G. Brown, who has been in partnership with Mr. Warnick since that time. Dur- ing its early years the firm employed few hands, but recently about fifty hands are employed. They manufacture all grades and styles of to - bacco and cigars, their trade extending beyond the limits of the State.
Over thirty other establishments within the bounds of the city are now engaged in this line of business. To notice a few only might be deemed invidious, to enumerate all would be impossible.
It is an interesting fact that the making of soap and candles as a sep- arate industry of Utica had its origin in the old market house which had been the cause of much serious disagreement between the near and remoter dwellers about Bagg's Square in 1812 and 1814. . In compli- ance with a resolution passed by the trustees of 1814 declaring in its preamble that this market was "situate in a very improper place," and determining that the "removal of the same would be of public utility," it was removed to the north side of Water street near Division. In this market house the manufacture was begun about 1830 by two men named Boyd and Chamberlain. Mr. Chamberlain having died in the fall of 1832, the fixtures and rights of the surviving partner were bought by John and Stephen Thorn who resumed and continued the business. Together they remained until July, 1835, and Mr. John Thorn two years longer. Taking Isaac Maynard into partnership Mr. Thorn removed in September, 1837, to a new building across on the south side of " Water street, and here they carried on the business until about 1875, when they gave it up to William Heath and Joshua Tavender. Mean-
598
MEMORIAL HISTORY OF UTICA.
time Benjamin Cahoon had in 1839 set up a similar factory in West Utica, and was succeeded in 1845 by a firm of which John S. Kirk, late of Chicago, was the leading party. Both Thorn and Maynard were with him in the partnership until 1860, while Mr. Kirk remained here, and twenty years after he went to Chicago. The factory on Division street has of late been conducted by J. Tavender & Son, who have a melting house on Riel's Creek in Deerfield. As the lessened use of candles has narrowed their business their attention has been principally given to the making of soap.
In the former part of this book it has been stated that the manufac- ture and sale of ready-made clothing was the business of a few of our early merchants, a business which was then and has for the most part since been highly profitable. It was begun by James B. Martin about 1836, and continued by the brothers Yates, whose sister Martin married. The establishment of R. V. Yates, Nos. 100 and 102 Genesee street, was sold in 1855 to Henry J. Wood. The latter after continuing it about two years sold it back to Mr. Yates. From him it descended to his sons, and thence, after various changes of proprietorship, it passed to the pres- ent firm of William Taylor & Co. They employ 300 hands besides cutters and spongers.
Henry J. Wood, after the purchase of the stock of his employers, conducted manufacture alone for twenty years. In 1875 he sold to James Rockwell and H. L. White. The latter having withdrawn, it has since been carried on by Rockwell and his later partners Rhodes & Mil- ler, and has been removed from its former place on Catherine street to 25 and 27 John street. The firm employs 450 hands, has a capital of $100,000, and sells annually $300,000 worth of goods.
A house which has succeeded to that of Charles A. Yates is that of Roberts, Butler & Co. Mr. Yates's first partner was Matthew Griffith, who after the death of Mr. Yates united with himself James Roberts and J. Milton Butler. Both Mr. Griffith and Mr. Roberts are now deceased. Of the latter a notice will be found in the biographical de- partment. The personnel of the firm has changed from time to timc, though the house continues to exist as a large and prosperous one, em- ploying 800 makers of men's and children's clothing, besides cutters and trimmers.
James Roberto
599
CLOTHING MANUFACTURES.
The founder of another house in this line was Matthew Griffith, who withdrew from that of Roberts & Butler in 1881, erected a large four story brick building on Main street and soon took in a partner. He died April 16, 1883, when a new firm was created which continued manufacturing clothing until 1888. After it closed the fixtures were bought by H. P. Crouse and Edward Brandegee. These have entered upon an extensive and rapidly growing business, employing 220 hands within the building and very many outside.
A clothing manufacture was begun in 1844 by Thomas L. Kingsley, which is still continued by his son, Charles C. Kingsley.
The beginning of another clothing house dates from the departure from the city of P. V. Kellogg & Co., already noted as manufacturers here, and afterwards in Chicago. Owen, Pixley & Co., then just organ- ized, purchased the fixtures of the retiring firm, engaged their workmen and began in Franklin Square where Kellogg & Co. had been estab- lished. In 1885 the firm dissolved, and Mr. Pixley started a business of his own. They were then located in the Ballou Block at the lower end of John street. Here the Messrs. Owen employ nearly 900 hands, have a capital of $800,000, and an annual output which approximates $900,000.
Two years after Pixley began independently, his son was admitted to partnership, and the firm became H. D. Pixley & Son. They occupy a five story building in the Ballou Block, and as annex a portion of the old Washington Hall, the power being supplied by cable from the main building. They employ 600 hands.
The next year after the starting of Owen & Pixley, was begun another large clothing house that is now known as H. H. Cooper & Co. At first on the corner of Broad and Genesee, it was three years later removed to John street, corner of Catherine. Mr. Cooper has had various associ- ates, Henry R. Judson and John Cummings, Jr., being still of the firm. It calls into requisition the labor of 700 to 800 men and women, and makes sales amounting to upwards of $300,000, its market being in the northern and western States.
Other firms making like the preceding men's, boys' and children's clothing are those of McCall & Co., Calder & Co., and I. H. Howe & Co., established successively in 1881, 1888 and 1889. The nun-
600
MEMORIAL HISTORY OF UTICA.
ber of hands they employ ranges from 150 to 350. Nearly all of the above are prosperous houses. They are furnished with engines driven by steam, have in use the most improved machines, and disperse their goods all over the United States.
Before proceeding to consider the results of the awakened zeal for manufactures which began to show itself about the year 1845, and induced the people of Utica to unite in large undertakings to further them, it re- mains to note a few more private establishments which were doubtless wholly independent of such extraneous influence. One of these was the stove and machine foundry of Joel C. Bailey who bought out Chester Dexter and began in 1842. Another was the foundry for the casting of hot air furnaces by John Carton. These have been alluded to in the notices of Mr. Bailey and of Mr. Carton. Of the former a further account will be given in the biography of Russell Wheeler, partner and succes- sor of Mr. Bailey. The invention and making of furnaces was established by John Carton in 1847, and continued until his death in 1881. It has since been conducted by a stock company, incorporated in 1883, with working capital estimated at $125,000, whose works are on Rome street, extending through to the canal. They busy 125 hands in making the Carton furnace, of which there are several varieties. The company consists of V. B. Stewart and two sons of Mr. Carton. Yet another concern was that of A. J. Williams for making shuttles, heddles and other manufacturers' necessities, which was removed here from Oriskany in 1841, and carried on by Mr. Williams until near the close of his life. Now much increased in the superiority as well as number of articles made, as well as in those produced elsewhere but kept for supply, it is carried on by James H. Williams, his son.
Abutting on the rear of the foregoing is the house of I. A. Williams & Co., I Blandina street. This house was founded in 1851, by Irvin A. Williams, who invented the locomotive headlight which has come into general use, his first patent being granted him in 1854. The pres- ent firm name was taken in 1881, when Charles I. Williams, son of I. A, became a partner. The plant of the firm comprises a five story brick building at the above location. The firm has a branch house, Phoenix building, Chicago. It employs twenty-five men, and manufactures exclusively locomotive head-lights, 1,600 being turned
ยท
601
ORGAN BUILDING, ETC.
out annually. The sales extend throughout the world wherever the American type of locomotives is used.
Organ making was begun in 1852 by A. Andrews in the rear of the Exchange building, the entrance being on Charlotte street. Continued by him and his son George, it was subsequently carried on in a factory erected for the purpose on Seymour avenue. In 1854 J. G. Marklove, who had served an apprenticeship to organ building in London, was employed by Mr. Andrews to voice his instruments, and he soon be- came one of the firm. On the retirement of Mr. Andrews he engaged in the business for himself, which he continued, at first on the corner of Bleecker and Academy streets, and afterward at 60 John street, until his death. There it is still continued by his son, C. F. Marklove.
The effect of the canal on the growth and business of Utica was marked. It quickened the impulse and doubled the population in ten years from its completion. Something later the popular spirit of enter- prise again broke forth in the prospect of a railroad to Albany. This would connect them more closely with the seaboard and metropolis and vastly increase their commercial facilities ; would make their city the last reach of easy transit westward and an emporium for the whole outlying trade. It was a prospect which might well awaken to exer- tion. Subscriptions to the stock of the company flowed in so freely that only a part of them could be taken, and the road was com- pleted in 1836. For a time the people of Utica realized all they had hoped for ; reaching down to the great mart of commerce, they grasped with one hand its riches, and with the other exacted a toll from seekers less favored who were living beyond them. But such exclusive gains were of short duration ; the gates were opened anew, and barely three years elapsed when the railroad was finished to Syracuse. Thence it went on extending and three years later was opened to Buffalo. Utica was now a mere point on the line. Though its westward connections were greatly increased, its hold on their custom was lost and its trade restricted to a narrow circle about it, or at most extended northward and southward. Still, with the rich farming lands of Oneida and contigu- ous counties and the multiplied industry upon them; with the busy mill wheels on the streams of the neighborhood, and the diligent, eco- nomical habits of its home population, the city was steadily growing.
76
602
MEMORIAL HISTORY OF UTICA.
Between 1842 and 1845 five hundred houses were built; rents were re- duced, and provisions were cheap and abundant. But against this was the fact that the trades and professions were all full, the profits of the merchants were not what they had been, and occasional forced sales of bankrupts among them made those of their rivals still less. To men of sagacity it soon became apparent that this town, without seaport and shipping, without mines or minerals, and which relied on its internal trade with that which was drawn from a fertile but limited district, could never attain a high degree of importance. This consideration impelled the leading minds of the town toward movements which, concurring with incidents that happened near the time of which we are speaking, drew attention to the needs of the place and to efforts to promote its advancement. These movements had in view the organization of com- panies for establishing factories. From such signs as appear on the surface, the first who essayed to awaken the town to the need of a change in the current of business, and to plead for home manufactures as a field in which all should take a part, was the the late B. F. Cooper. But though his pen gave early impulse to the work, he was not alone in conceiving it, nor acted without counsel with those who concurred in promoting its further advance. As mouth-piece of other prominent men he wrote in 1845 a series of papers for the Daily Gazette, which appeared every week in July and continued at intervals afterward. In these he set forth the present condition of Utica and its probable fate if left to go on without an effort to revive it; discussed the fitness of the place as a site for manufactures, the kinds of manufactures which would probably succeed ; the power that would be the most available, com- paring water with the then little used steam, and all the other features of the subject. The last of his articles appeared in October. In this he urged his townsmen to subscribe to a paper which it seems was already in progress, seeking the means wherewith to build and conduct a large cotton mill. For this object enough had been subscribed before the winter closed in to render the project a probable success.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.