USA > New York > Orange County > Newburgh > Newburgh; her institutions, industries and leading citizens, historical, descriptive and biographical > Part 51
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BELKNAP & McCANN, soap manufacturers, No. 2 Water Street, corner First. This business was started by Abel Belknap, the grand- father of the present senior partner, about the year 1800. The first
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factory was a small building on the west side of South Water Street near the corner of First. After two or three years' time the business was removed to the northeast corner of Water aud First Streets,
BELKNAP & MSCANN. 2. SNAP A. CANDLES
-SUAP WORSE
BELKNAP & McCANN'S SOAP FACTORY.
where it has remained ever since. The buildings were enlarged from time to time to meet the growing needs of the business, until August, 1847, when they were entirely destroyed by fire. They were immediately re-built and, with some additions, remained until 1882, when the running of the West Shore Railroad through the property rendered necessary the re-building of the factory portion. This was done in a most sub- stantial manner, and new and im- proved machinery placed in it, giving facilities for doing a large business. The buildings were then completed as they now stand.
After the death of Abel Belknap in November, 1804, the business was continued for fifty years by his two sons Abel and Moses H., under the firm name of A. & M. H. Bel- knap. Under their management the business increased and prospered. There was one re- markable feature in connection with
-L.J. BAZZONI .-
BROADWAY REPOSITORY.
BAZZONI BUILDING-Corner of Grand Street and Broadway. [For Biography and Portrait of L J. Bazzoni, See Page 265]
the relations of these partners to each other which deserves mention, as it is so unusual in these latter days. There were never any formal articles of co-partnership, but only a verbal under- standing that they were to do business together as equal partners, and all the funds were common property. All investments, excepting their private resi- dences, were made in the name of the firm. Each drew out what cash he pleased, and bills against either were paid from the com- mon fund without any charge there- for being made on the books of the firm. These broth- ers, who lived and labored together so amicably for half a century, died with- in less than three months of each other, Abel dying October 19, 1854, and Moses H. Jan- uary 4, 1855. After the death of the last of the part- ners, in March, 1855, Moses C. Bel- knap, the son of THOMAS M. McCANN. Moses H., formed a partnership with Thomas M. McCann, who had learned the trade with and had been many years in the employ of the old firm, under the style of Belknap & McCann. This partnership continued for thirty-five years, until February 22, 1890, when Thomas M. McCann, by reason of failing health, retired, and was succeeded by his son, Alexander D., who had been in the employ of the concern for eighteen years, who then became a partner with Mr. Belknap, the firm name continuing the same. The business is still conducted by them. This concern has always been the leading one in this section, in the manufacture and sale of soap and candles and the rendering of tallow and grease. Their rendering es- tablishment at first in the soap factory, was afterward re- moved to South Water Street and finally to West Newburgh, where it is now situated. Their business has been principally a local one, mostly confined to this and the adjoining counties, although they have at times shipped their prod- ucts to the South and to the West Indies. They have always made a pure and unadulterated
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article of soap. They have also manufactured large quantities of cheap- er grades of soap for those who were more particular about prices than quality. The demand for tallow candles having almost ceased, in consequence of the introduction and cheapness of kerosene oil, they several years ago discontinued the manufacture of them, but continu- ed the sale of them, as well as of wax and Adamantine. They have never given their attention to the manufacture of fancy soaps or per- fumes, but have always dealt in the best articles in those lines.
THOMAS M. McCANN was born in the Town of New Windsor, N. Y., near Washington Square, February 1, 1826, of Scotch-Irish pa- rentage. He was the elder of two sons of Alexander and Sarah (Caven) McCann. His brother, David C., died when at college in Pennsyl- vania. Mr. McCann's early education was that which the common- school afforded in what is now known as the Silver Stream school district. When nearly seventeen years of age he left the farm and came to the village of Newburgh, and learned his trade with the firm of A. & M. H. Belknap. After the death of the members composing this firm he entered into partnership with M. C. Belknap, son of M. H. Belknap, and continued the business with him for a period of thirty-five years. And on account of failing health he, on the 22d of February, 1890, withdrew from the firm in favor of his son, Alex- ander D. McCann. For many years Mr. McCann has been an Elder and a Trustee of the First United Presbyterian Church, and for twenty-five years was treasurer of the congregation. Of the Theo- logical Seminary in Newburgh he has been Trustee and Treasurer for thirty years.
SWEET, ORR & CO., (Clayton E. Sweet, James Orr and Clin- ton W. Sweet,) manufacturers of pantaloons, coats, outing shirts, overalls and workingmen's garments generally. The business of manufacturing overalls and working clothing is one of the most pros- perous and rapidly-growing enterprises in Newburgh. It is of com- paratively recent origin, and the firm of Sweet, Orr & Co. was the pioneer in the field. The idea of a manufactory of overalls originated with Mr. Orr, one of the firm, at a time when these useful garments were still made by women at their homes, much of the work being given out by agents of clothing stores in the cities. Naturally, work done in such an unsystematic and irregular way was poorly done, and failed to meet the demand for a durable and reliable workingmen's garment. The goods were inferior, the colors objectionable, and the shape usually unsuited to the character of the employment. Besides, they would rip and tear easily, and the buttons were provokingly unreliable.
During a residence in California at the time of the gold excite- ment Mr. Orr found there was a demand among mechanics and laboring men for a well-made, neat and durable overall, one with seams that would not rip, and buttons that could not be pulled off. Eventually, in the Fall of 1871, Mr. Orr was enabled, through the aid of Clayton E. and Clinton W. Sweet, his nephews, to put his ideas into practical operation. When he broached the subject to them, they were favorably impressed, and it was agreed that Mr. Orr should make a pair as a sample, and they would investigate further.
This occurred at Wappingers Falls, where Clayton E. Sweet was postmaster and a leading man in business. Mr. Orr being a practical tailor, went out to a store and bought the goods, cut out the pattern and soon had the overalls made. They took the sample to New York the next day and made inquiries of the trade as to how they would sell, and they were assured by the merchants that if they made all the garments as good as the sample, and sold them for a reason- able price, there would be no difficulty in finding a market.
With this assurance they returned to Wappingers Falls, formed the firm of Sweet, Orr & Co., and started the first factory in America for the manufacture of overalls. From that time the enterprise was successful, the factory was rapidly enlarged, steam power was intro- reduced, and in the year 1876 they had 250 employees operating ma- chines driven by a forty-horse power engine, and the weekly product
was nearly a thousand dozen pairs. The overalls were now being sold all over the country, and it seemed impossible to keep up with the demand, as the firm could not obtain help enough in the village. Sweet, Orr & Co. had won a name for making an overall that would not rip, with buttons that would not come off; and while better in every particular than those made in the old way, they were also sold for a moderate price.
In 1880, when the firm were several thousand dozen pairs behind their orders, and greater facilities were imperatively demanded, they determined to start another factory in Newburgh, and make it their principal headquarters. They were led to this selection by a consid- eration. not only of the probability of securing sufficient help, but of the very manifest advantages which Newburgh possessed for a manufacturing center.
Without detailing their every progressive step since their coming to Newburgh-which if fully described would be considered almost marvelous-the accompanying illustrations exhibit the magnitude of the works to-day. The factory occupies a site having a front- age of 150 feet on Broadway and 275 feet on Concord Street. It is completely equipped with machinery driven by two large steam engines. The buildings are lighted by both gas and electricity, heated by steam, and protected from fire by automatic sprinklers, a powerful fire pump and a well-drilled fire brigade. The principal work rooms are on the upper floor of the main building. The ma- chine rooms have peculiar semi-glass roofs, which admit abundance of light, but keep out the dazzling rays of the sun. Extending the length of the rooms are great tables fitted with several hundred sewing machines, at which are seated operators sewing together various parts of the garment. In another department the button- holes are made by hand and the patented buttons fastened on by machinery. In another room the goods are cut by machinery, which cuts from forty to seventy-five thicknesses of goods at one stroke, depending on the thickness of the goods. All garments are thor- oughly inspected before shipping. The order that is maintained is perfect; everybody has certain work to do and is expected to do it well. The Orr Pantaloon Overalls will not rip. A case is reported from Philadelphia, where a carpenter, working on a roof, slipped and fell, but was caught by a spike in his overall, and remained suspended in the air until he was rescued; the overalls, by their great strength, saved his life.
Besides the Newburgh factory, of which Charles W. Bartrum is superintendent, the firm have another at Wappingers Falls, which is run under the supervision of Thomson E. Goring, employing several hundred hands. They have an office and warerooms at No. 115 Worth Street, New York City, and another branch house at Nos. 260 and 262 Fifth Avenue, Chicago. They were not only the pioneers in the trade, but have ever since been the leaders in it, their motto being continued improvement. Their trade extends all over this broad land, to Chili and other South American countries, and even across the Atlantic.
It seems almost unnecessary to speak at any length of the merits of the garments made by this firm. They speak for themselves. Sweet, Orr & Co. revolutionized the clothing trade of the country, and have, by offering neat, well-made and serviceable garments at small cost, been of incalculable benefit to the working classes. The specialties of the establishment are the Orr Pantaloon Overalls- which have become celebrated for their strength and durability- pantaloons, outing shirts, and workingmen's garments generally. All are made of the most substantial materials, sewed with the best thread and fitted with the strongest buttons obtainable. Among them is a style of all-wool pantaloons which have gained popularity, owing to the care taken in the selection of fine designs of fabric and the adoption of patterns which give an excellent fit. They look as well as custom-made pantaloons, and will stand a greater amount of rough wear, yet they are sold so cheaply that they are within the reach of the poorest-paid laborer. Occasionally the fac- tory fills orders for entire suits of clothing. The constant endeavor of the firm is to give satisfaction, believing that handsome, durable and well-made garments at reasonable prices will never fail of find- ing a market.
OFFICES
SWEET. ORR & CO.
13337
SWEET, ORR & CO.'S FACTORY:
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OVERALLS
SWEET ORR & CO'S
SACK COAT,S
OVERALL MANUFACTORY.
COTTONADE ANOWOOLEN PANTS
WORKING SHIRTS.
SWEET, ORR & CO.'S FACTORY View of Factory and Offices from Broadway.
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1
SWEET, ORR & CO.'S FACTORY-The Engine Room.
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SWEET, ORR & CO.'S FACTORY-The Cutting Department.
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SWEET, ORR & CO.'S FACTORY-Operating Room, No. I.
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SWEET, ORR & CO.'S FACTORY-Operating Room, No. 2.
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SWEET, ORR & CO.'S FACTORY-The Shipping Department.
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CLAYTON E. SWEET, of the firm of Sweet, Orr & Co., was born at Wappingers Falls, N. Y., June 16, 1834, and after a large bus-
ident Grant. He was also a director of the Fallkill National Bank of Poughkeepsie, and a vestryman of the Zion Episcopal Church of
PHOTO. BY ATKINSON.
CLAYTON E. SWEET.
MNG.
JAMES ORR.
Wappingers Falls. Since 1876 Mr. Sweet has given his whole atten- tion to his manufacturing, relinquishing all other business interests.
iness experience in that town he moved to Newburgh in 1887, to which city the business offices of the company were changed that year. His father was for many years a merchant and manufacturer in Wappin- gers Falls, and for a per- iod postmaster of the vil- lage. Mr. Sweet was ed- ucated at the public schools of his native place, and at the Dutch- ess County Academy at Poughkeepsie. Then for three years he was in the employ of Levi Cook & Co., merchants on Broad- way, New York. He re- turned to Wappingers Falls to enter his father's store, and ere long was made a partner.
For many years Mr. Sweet was one of the leading business men of the place and of great usefulness to the com- munity. He was one of the first trustees of the Wappingers Savings Bank, and aeted as its secretary and treasurer until it obtained a sub- stantial footing; he was afterwards elected vice-president of the insti- tution, For seven years he was postmaster of the village under Pres-
RESIDENCE OF CLAYTON E. SWEET-230 Montgomery Street.
Since he has been a citi- zen of Newburgh he has taken a high standing in the social and busi- ness life of the city. He is a trustee of the New- burgh Savings Bank, a vestryman of St. George's Episcopal Church, vice- president of the New- burgh City Club, and a member of the Lotos Club of New York. He married in 1860, Chattie Louise, daughter of Hon. James Manning, of Beth- any, Pa., and a lineal de- scendant of Captain Bazaliel Tyler, a soldier of the Revolution, who was killed when leading the advance guard at the battle of Minisink. Mr. and Mrs. Sweet have one son and two daughters.
JAMES ORR was born February 5, 1820. His parents, who were among the earliest residents of Wappingers Falls, N. Y., moved there from Vermont while he was quite a lad. He was enured
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to labor in his earliest years, and after working in the various fac- tories, was apprenticed to Andrew Lawson, of Poughkeepsie, to learn the tailor trade. In 1840 he started a tailoring business in Pongh- keepsie, and was afterward in the same business at Burlington, Vt. He went to California in 1850, during the gold excitement, and spent
Mr. Orr continued as the practical manager of the factory at Wap- pingers Falls until the Fall of 1880, when he came to Newburgh to reside, in order to superintend the construction and operation of the Newburgh factory. Several years ago he retired from active bnsi- ness, now giving but slight attention to the details of the business,
RESIDENCE OF JAMES ORR- Balmville.
several years there, for the most part as agent of the Singer Sewing Machine Company. There it was that he conceived the idea of man- ufacturing overalls. He found there was a demand for a durable article, and he set a few hands at work making them on his sewing machines. After his return to the East in 1861 he followed agricul- ture for ten years in Oswego County, N. Y., and at the end of that time still had his fortune to make. The favorable impressions he had formed in California with regard to overall-manufacturing yet clung
but rather enjoying the leisure he has so well earned. Mr. Orr has three daughters married, wives, respectively, of United States Sen- ator Hansbrough, of North Dakota; Robert N. Whelan, of New- burgh; and James S. Roy, of Wappingers Falls, N. Y.
CLINTON W. SWEET was born at Wappingers Falls, gradu- ated at the Dutchess County Academy, and early in life began busi-
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ICE HOUSES OF MUCHATTOES LAKE ICE COMPANY-West Newburgh.
to him, and in the Fall of 1871 he laid his plans before his nephews- now his business partners-with the result that the great industry of which we have written had its origin in the manner we have described.
ness at Rockford, Ill. In March, 1868, in partnership with the late David G. Croly (whose wife was "Jennie June "), lie established the Real Estate Record, with the publication office in New York City,
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and has continued as its editor ever since. It is now known as the Record and Guide. He is also the editor and publisher of the Review and Record, of Brooklyn, and the Architectural Record, an illustrated quarterly magazine published in New York City. Mr. Sweet is a member of the Union League and Lotos clubs. He resides in New York City in the Winter, and on his country seat at Dunwoodie in the Summer. He is the buyer for the fac- tories of Sweet, Orr & Co., and has an oversight of the business at the New York house.
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MUCHATTOES LAKE ICE COM- PANY. This business was begun in the Winter of 1859-60 by James R. Dickson, and in 1863 was purchased by Benjamin B. Odell, who conducted it till 1886, when he organized the Muchat- toes Lake Ice Company, of which he became and still remains the President. Benjamin B. Odell, Jr., is Secretary and Treasurer; H. B. Odell, Superin- tendent. The above officers, with Wil- liam G. Taggart and Henry McCann, constitute the Board of Directors. The company's ice houses are situated on Muchattoes Lake and Wait's Pond. The company employ in the Summer season about thirty men, with ten wagons to distribute their ice to their city patrons. The company's office is at No. 14 Water Street.
HON. BENJAMIN B. ODELL.
gave his allegiance to the Republican party, warmly supported the war, and has ever since been a devoted adherent to Republican principles, and a champion of its canse in this city. In recent years, especially, he has been concerned in a prominent way with the ad- ministration of public affairs, and, as a substantial citizen, a participant in all noteworthy movements of the time. In 1863 he was a Trustee of the vil- lage, in 1865 an Alderman from the Third Ward. In 1879, having for a number of years been a resident of New Windsor, he was elected Supervisor of that town. In 1880-83 he was the ef- ficient Sheriff of the connty, and in 1884, recognizing his fitness and his long and valuable services to his party, he was elected by his townsmen Mayor of Newburgh. Twice afterwards he was re-elected, and was the only mayor who was thns honored. The honora- ble and important duties of the office he performed with dignity and fidelity. His administration of six years was an era of great progress on the part of the city, and witnessed the creation of many public improvements, and rapid increase in population. He refused to be a candidate for another term, and PHOTO BY REMILLARD. retired in March, 1890.
HON. BENJAMIN B. ODELL was born in the Town of New Windsor, September 25, 1825. His parents were Isaac and Mary A. Odell, who came here in 1820, and settled upon what was known as the Governor Clinton Homestead, in the Town of New Windsor. He re- mained in Newburgh un- til fifteen years old, at- tending school during a part of this time. In 1840 he was bound out to Abram Weller, of the Town of Montgomery, as a farm hand, remain- ing with Mr. Weller for three years. In 1843 he came to Newburgh and entered the employ of Benj. W. VanNort, with whom he remained until 1847, when he began bus- iness on his own account.
In 1850 he married Ophelia Bookstaver, and the union remains un- broken up to the present time. In 1863 he pnr- chased from J. R. Dick- son the ice property now known as Mnchattoes Lake, and conducted the business personally up to the year 1886, when he organized the Muchattoes Lake Ice Company, of which he became, and still remains, the President. Politically, previons to the war, Mr. Odell was a Democrat, but upon the firing upon Fort Sumter he
BENJAMIN B. ODELL, JR., was born January 14, 1854, in this city. He was educated in the public schools of our city, and after graduating from the Academy in 1874, became a student at Bethany College, Bethany, West Virginia. He remained there one year, and then entered Columbia College in New York City, where he continued until 1877. While at college he took an active part in athletics, and more or less interest in boating, and was offered but declined a posi- tion in the Columbia University crew of 1875. On leaving college he en- gaged with his father in the ice business, and up- on the absorption of his father's interest by the Muchattoes Lake lee Company in 1886, he be- came the secretary and treasurer of the new con- pany, which position he has held ever since.
RESIDENCE OF HON. BENJAMIN B. ODELL-188 Grand Street.
In 1888 he, together with other well known residents of Newburgh, bought a majority of the stock of the Newburgh Electric Light and Power Company, and has acted since then as its presi- dent. The Haverstraw Electric Light, Heat and Power Company was or- ganized by him in 1891, and of this corporation he is also president.
As a Free Mason Mr. Odell holds membership in Newburgh Lodge, No. 309, and has been its Master for three years, and became under the administration of Grand Master Lawrence the District Deputy Grand Master for the Tenth Masonic District, comprising the counties
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of Orange, Rockland, Sullivan and Ulster, He is also a member of Highland Chapter, R. A. M .; Hudson River Commandery, K. P .; Acme Lodge, I. O. O. F., Mt. Olive Encampment, and Canton Wood- .ward Patriarchs Militant. In social affairs he takes a lively interest, be- ing connected with the Orange Lake Club, the New- burgh City Club, and the Republi- can Club of the City of Newburgh, and similar organi- zations in the City of New York.
Mr. Odell is an earnest Republi- can, and as such takes an active part in politics. As the State Commit- teeman for the dis- trict he is a leader, and has earned the distinction by long and valuable ser- vice for the party. He is furthermore PHOTO, BY WHIDDIT. BENJAMIN B. ODELL, JR. a member of the Executive Com- mittee of the New York Republican State Committee, and was one of the Committee of three on Platform appointed with Colonel S. V. R. Cruger and Hon. James W. Husted to draft the platform of the party for the campaign of 1890. The only official political position he has occupied was that of Supervisor of the Census for the counties of Orange, Rockland, Ulster, Sullivan and Delaware.
Mr. Odell has been twice married; his first wife was Estelle Crist, who was drowned in a steamboat collision on the Hudson River in 1888, and his second wife be- ing Linda C. Trap- hagen, of Newburgh.
H. B. ODELL is a son of Hon. Ben- jamin B. Odell, and was born in New- .F .... burgh August 21, 1856. After leaving school he assisted his father in his large ice business, and in 1886 was elected Superinten- dent and a Director in the Muchattoes Lake Ice Company, and fills that position at the present time. In 1891 he was also appointed Superintendent of the Newburgh Electric Light and Power Company, and the same year assisted in the organization of the Haverstraw Electric Light, Heat and Power Company, of which he is Secretary. He was one of the charter members of Company E, 17th Battalion. He was elected a corporal at the organization, and was
afterwards advanced to second lieutenant and to first lieutenant. He was a member of the 17th Battalion Rifle Team during its existence. Mr. Odell is prominent in Republican politics, and has frequently been a delegate to conventions; in 1884 he was a member of the Re- publican State Convention. In the years 1880 to 1882, inclusive, he was Under Sheriff of the county, in charge of the Go- shen Court House, his father then be- ing Sheriff. For seven years he was a member of Ring- gold Hose Com- pany, and for a period its secre- tary. He married Edith Booth, of Kingston.
THE GRANITE CITY SOAP COMPANY, Geo. W. Slade, of Fall HIRAM B. ODELL. River, President; F. W. Potter, Treasurer and General Manager. This company was organized in April, 1888, under the laws of the State of Maine, which afford special advantages to manufacturing corporations. Its corpo- rators were largely residents of Fall River, Mass., from which place the company received its name. Its works were located in Fall River, where they began the manufacture of Slade's Amber Soap, under the trade mark of "SAS," which cabalistic letters were used very ingeniously as a basis for introducing this now celebrated soap. It also manu- factured the White Elephant Soap, for GRANITE CITY SOAP COMPANY bath, toilet and laun- dry purposes. These two soaps hecame well and extensively known in the New England States, and won a reputation for excellence that is maintained at the present time.
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