USA > New York > Oneida County > Rome > Our city and its people : a descriptive work on the city of Rome, New York > Part 18
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iams as vice-president. The practical management of the business is in the hands of J. S. Haselton, to whom much of its success is due. From 300 to 400 hands are employed.
The Rome Manufacturing Company was organized under State laws April 1, 1892, with a capital stock of $15,000, which was increased January 1, 1893, to $30,000. The works were started August 1, 1892, and have continued since with a regularly increasing product. The chief articles of manufacture are nickel plated and polished tea kettles, tea and coffee pots and other copper stove ware. About seventy five hands are employed. J. G. Bissell is president; W. L. Kingsley, vice- president; W. B. Johnson, secretary and treasurer.
The Rome Merchant Iron Mill was founded in 1870, with John B. Jervis secretary and treasurer, and a number of Rome citizens asso- ciated in its management. In 1886 a reorganization was effected under its present name and management. The name of the company indi- cates its character, and the output is in the neighborhood of 12,000 tons of the various kinds of merchant iron annually. About 225 hands are employed. Jim Stevens is president; Samuel B. Stevens, vice- president ; Charles W. Lee, secretary and treasurer ; Samuel Southall, superintendent. Mr. Stevens is conspicuous in the business and com- mercial circles of Rome.
The Rome Iron and Steel Bloom Company was organized in 1868 for the manufacture of iron and steel directly from the ore by the Jameson patent process. The business was discontinued after a few years.
The New York Locomotive Works were organized in Rome in 1881 with Thomas G. Nock, president; H. A. V. Post, vice-president ; Thomas H. Stryker, secretary and treasurer. The directors were the above named and John W. Ellis, William B. Isham, William W. Ward- well, Edward Comstock, H. M. Lawton and William M. Burr. The capital of the company was $200,000, which was increased in 1883 by
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the issue of $100,000 in stock and $150,000 in mortgage bonds. At a later date there were issued $150,000 in second mortgage bonds. The necessary buildings were erected a little east of Rome city, near the tracks of the New York Central Railroad, and equipped with an immense plant of machinery adapted for the building of locomotives. The business continued thus a number of years, during which engines were built for most of the prominent roads in the country and were shipped from Maine to Texas, from New York to the Pacific coast. Mr. Nock died in 1890 and Thomas H. Stryker was made president of the company. Previous to this time Mr. Stryker had resigned as sec- retary and treasurer and H. M. Lawton was appointed to the position. In the course of time the period of general business depression that swept over the country had a marked effect on the business of this com pany, as it did upon all others, and finally, in January, 1892, the works went into the hands of receivers in the persons of Thomas H. Stryker and Edward Comstock. The business was shut down, and in Septem- ber, 1892, the property was sold and bid in by the holders of the sec- ond mortgage bonds, subject to the first mortgage. In 1893 a new organization was effected under the name of the Rome Locomotive and Machine Works, with Thomas H. Stryker, president; William B. Ish- am, vice-president ; Edward Comstock, secretary and treasurer, and H. A. V. Post and Ralph N. Ellis, in addition to the foregoing as di- rectors. The capital was made $150,000 in stock and $150,000 in the first mortgage bonds. In December, 1863, a disastrous fire burned the main machine shop, and the boiler and the smith shops, These were largely rebuilt in the following year. The capital of the company has since been reduced by the payment of the first mortgage bonds and the issue of new bonds of only $75,000. Since the appointment of re- ceivers, the works have been operated to some extent, to finish uncom- pleted work and on general machine work, the building of new engines having been at least temporarily discontinued. The affairs of the orig-
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inal company are not yet wholly settled. The company is now engaged in the experimental manufacture of the Hardie compressed air motor for the American Air Power Company. This new motor promises to revolutionize all street and suburban transit. The motor is the inven- tion of Robert Hardie.
The Fort Stanwix Canning Company was incorporated in 1887 with $20,000 capital. Burt Olney was president ; J. P. Olney, treasurer, and J. O. Waldo secretary. The business had originally been or- ganized by Burt Olney and J. Lloyd Jones ; the latter retired from the business in February, 1896. The Olney Brothers are sons of William R. Olney, who with Homer T. Fowler started the Rome Canning Com- pany in 1881. That business was merged in the Fort Stanwix Con- pany in 1893. The canning of vegetables of all kinds is conducted on a very large scale, a farm of 150 acres constituting a part of the equip- ment, and a capital of $100,000 being now represented. J. P. Olney studied for a lawyer, practiced for ten years in Rome until his father's death in 1889.
The Rome Steam Knitting Mills were founded in 1878 by Clarence E. and E. Stuart Williams. The former died February 4, 1892, but his estate is still represented in the business. In 1879 James L. Will- iams, father of the two just named, became connected with the estab- lishment. About 300 hands are employed in the manufacture of Bal- briggan underwear.
W. E. Donahue came to Rome in 1882 and learned the plumbing business, working at his trade until 1888 when he started for himself. lle has since built up a successful industry in all branches of the busi- ness.
In April, 1891, R. M. Wilson, a native of Pennsylvania, established himself on the historical site of the old United States arsenal (see earlier chapters of this volume), in the manufacture of copper goods, to which he added in 1892, the production of brass. His principal articles of
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manufacture are solid copper bath tubs, water closets, tanks and seats, copper sinks, boilers, etc. His extensive additions to the old stone structure give him now six large buildings, in which are employed about 125 hands.
W. J. Doyle learned the machinist's trade with the Rome and Water- town Railroad Company, and in 1879 formed the firm of Doyle & Co., proprietors of the Rome Revolver Forks. Two years later his partner retired and he joined with C. F. Hotchkiss in the manufacture of sad- dlery hardware, continuing three years. In 1887 W. J. Doyle became sole proprietor of the general machine shop which he now operates. In 1892 he became also associated with James A. Spargo in fine wire drawing, under the name of the Electrical Wire Works
Edward Barnard, born in Lee, June 17, 1851, learned the harness making trade with Keith & Barnard, and later located in Morrisville where he purchased a shop and conducted it five years. Returning then to Rome he bought out his former employers and began a large line of manufactures of harness and horse goods for the trade. Among his productions are patent horse boots, halters, etc., and general sad- dlery hardware. Mr. Brainard is a director in the First National Bank of Rome.
The Rome Textile Company was organized in June, 1895, with Arthur J. Wiley, president ; John E. Irons, vice- president ; and Ezra A. Vary, secretary and treasurer. The company occupied the building erected for a flour mill by Sillenbeck & Wright, more than twenty years ago. A full equipment of knitting machinery was put in for the manu- facture of ladies' and children's cotton ribbed underwear. The capacity of the factory is 150 dozen daily and seventy-five hands are employed.
The firm of Carpenter & Dyett (E. C. Carpenter and J. S. Dyett) was formed in 1886 for the manufacture of cot and crib frames, and folding chairs. This industry has developed into a large and important business. Previous to the formation of the firm Mr. Dyett was twenty-
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five years in the grocery trade, and Mr. Carpenter was a member of the firm of A. Ethridge & Co., and Tuller & Carpenter, wholesale grocers. He is president also of the Rome Metalic Bedstead Co., started in January, 1896, and promising well for the future.
H. C. Maxwell began the manufacture of saddlery hardware in Rome in 1881. In 1885 T. J. Mowry acquired an interest in the business, and the firm of Maxwell & Mowry continued four and one-half years, when Mr. Mowry retired. The business was carried on under the name of the Maxwell Co., Limited, until 1893, since which time it has been carried on under the name of H. B. Maxwell, son of the former proprietor.
The firm of S. H. & B. H. Beach purchased the lumber business of G. V. Selden & Co. in 1892. On April 1, 1896, they acquired all the lumber manufacturing interests of Selden & Van Wagenen, who had carried on an extensive business in the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds, as successors of the above named firm of G. V. Selden & Co. The present firm deal solely in lumber.
One of the old and reputable industries of Rome is the Adams Foundry and Machine Works, established in 1835 by Eri Seymour and Sanford Adams, father of Sanford, jr. The latter learned the business with his father, beginning about 1850, and succeeded to the proprietorship of the works. In 1888 his son, Henry V. Adams, became a partner. About twenty-five hands are employed.
John F. Atkinson, a native of Canada, where he learned the wagon maker's trade, settled in Rome as an employee of Isaac Knox. In 1881 he ran the business for himself, which he has success- fully continued.
W. C. White, who was born in Whitesboro, October 6, 1851, learned the trade of marble cutting there, and after working in various places, settled in Rome in 1872. He has been very successful in his business and turns out beautiful specimens of cemetery work. 29
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J. H. Cross, a native of Ireland, learned the marble cutting busi- ness in Boonville, and located in Rome in 1867. He has since conducted a successful business in this line.
James Conley is a practical tinner and located in Rome in 1880. He now carries on a large stove and hardware store and does all kind of tin and copper work.
C. Altenbrandt learned the trade of hat making in Danbury, Conn. He came to Rome in January, 1889; and with his brother Henry opened a factory under the name of the Norwalk Hat Company. Two years later Philip Reiffert and Emmet Young became members of the company, and the factory was moved into the old rink. In 1895 Mr. Altenbrandt assumed the sole proprietorship and took the name of the Mohawk Hat Works. Stiff and soft fur hats are made, and custom work for individuals.
The Rome Steam Grist Mills were established by Welcome Hughes and J. C. Hale in January, 1892. The firm is now Hughes & Wilkin- son. Custom grinding only is done.
The planing mill of W. H. George & Co. was started in the old Rome Spring Wagon Factory in February, 1896. The firm consists of W. H. George, Daniel Rees, Edward II. Owen and David Parry.
Homer T. Fowler, born in Trenton, N. Y., has been prominently connected with manufacturing in Rome many years. He graduated from the State Normal School, Albany, in 1853, studied law in Lock- port and had an office for a time at Holland Patent. He located in Rome in 1872 in the office of W. E. Scripture, but remained a little over a year, when his interests in various industries required all his attention. Associated with J. Lloyd Jones he established the Rome Canning Company, before described, and was several years interested with Milton B. Fraser in the manufacture of dairy implements. He also established the manufacture of window shades in the building now occupied by the Rome Knitting Mills. He has held the office of super- visor and school commissioner.
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There are three breweries in Rome, all of which are in successful operation. The brewery of Kelley & Gaheen was built in 1859 by J. D. Kelley and Lawrence Gaheen ; this was burned in 1870 and was immediately rebuilt on a larger scale. Mr. Gaheen died in April, 1888, after a long and successful business career, and was succeeded in the firm by his son, Francis J. Gaheen. The product is present use and stock ale and the capacity is about 15,000 barrels a year. Both of the proprietors are practical brewers, and at the present time Simon P. Gaheen is associated with the firm as the head brewer.
For about ten years prior to 1888 Ed. Evans had charge of the Vidvard brewery in Rome, and afterwards of the Smith brewery on Court street. In 1888 he built the establishment now operated by himself and John Giehl.
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CHAPTER XXIII.
MERCANTILE ESTABLISHMENTS, ETC.
The jobbing business in groceries in Rome is creditably represented by the large houses of A. Ethridge & Co., A. P. Tuller & Co. and L. Hower, jr.
Alfred Ethridge came to Rome in 1844 and established a retail grocery on the canal under the firm name of Northrup & Ethridge. This firm was succeeded by Mr. Ethridge alone who continued to about 1877, when A. P. Tuller and Erwin C. Carpenter were admitted to the firm and the style changed to Ethridge, Tuller & Co. This firm dissolved in 1880, and the name was again A. Ethridge & Co., Alfred Ethridge and Franklin A. Ethridge being the members. A few years later James M. Ethridge was admitted. The retail trade was aban- doned about 1880. (See biography and portrait of Alfred Ethridge in this volume.)
The business of A. P. Tuller & Co. was established in 1881 by Mr. Tuller and E. C. Carpenter under the style of A. P. Tuller & Co .; this firm name is still retained. Two years later Mr. Carpenter retired and James E. Barnard soon took his place. It is one of the strongest busi- ness firms in the city. Mr. Tuller was formerly a member of the firm of Ethridge, Tuller & Co., in the same line, is a director in the Farmers' National Bank, a trustee of the Rome Savings Bank, and holds various other honorable and responsible positions.
L. Hower, jr., began business in Rome in 1869 as a retail grocer with his father under the name of L. Hower & Son. This firm continued to 1883, when the senior died and the son has since carried on an ex- tensive trade at wholesale in all kinds of groceries, flour, tobacco, etc.
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The dry goods firm now doing business as the A. M. Jackson Com- pany was formed February 3, 1896, and consists of A. M. Jackson, president ; Jim Stevens, vice-president ; H. W. McGwigan, secretary and treasurer. These and H. W. Van Vleck and Joseph J. Kelley are directors. This company succeeds A. M. Jackson & Co., one of the old and reliable business houses of the city.
The grocery firm of Golley & Birnie consists of A. H. Golley and M. J. Birnie and was formed in 1890, beginning trade at their pres- ent location on West Dominick street. Mr. Golley had previously been in the same trade six years on James street, where his present partner served as clerk for him. Both are natives of Lee Center.
The bookstore now conducted by the J. W. Armstrong Company is one of the oldest business houses in Rome, dating back to 1845, when it was started by Oliver C. Grosvenor. He was succeeded about 1855 by E. HI. Shelley, who continued to 1875, when the business was bought by Jones & Armstrong. They continued it to 1895, when the present title was adopted and the business purchased by J. W. Armstrong.
C. G. Miller, retail dealer in shoes, began his business career in Rome as a member of the hardware firm of Alger & Miller in 1886. Two years later he retired from that firm and opened a shoe store on Dominick street. After several removals he occupied his present store in 1896.
Henry Wolff served as clerk in dry goods for H. H. Williams for thirteen years, and organized the firm of Wolff, Doyle & Co. in the same business in 1886. Three years later the firm became Wolff & Doyle and thus continued five years, when Mr. Wolff purchased his partner's interest. He occupied his present store on Dominick street in 1888.
A. F. Chase came to Rome while a boy and learned the painter's trade with A. W. Cole. He continued with him until 1876, when he
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started for himself in the same business. In 1892 he opened his store on James street, and carries a good stock of wall paper, artist's materi- als, frames, paints, varnishes, etc.
The business in furniture now carried on by J. B. Wiggins & Son, was started by the senior member of this firm in 1875. In the next year he took his son, J. T. Wiggins into partnership. In 1884 the business was removed from the lower end of the city to West Dominick street where the firm had built a block ; this burned in 1891 and was at once rebuilt.
E. A. Willoughby began his Rome business life as a clerk in the dry goods store of A. M. Jackson & Co., where he remained four years. .He then became associated with John R. Edwards in the same line, succeeding the firm of R. T. Miner, the style being Edwards & Will- oughby. After eight years he sold out and became superintendent for the R. M. Bingham company in the manufacture of wagons, harness, etc. In 1892 he established himself in that business and has success- fully conducted it since.
In 1882 the dry goods firm of Bacon & Pillmore was formed, the members being F. E. Bacon and R. M. Pillmore. The business con- tinued eight years, when Mr. Bacon purchased his partner's interest, and placed the stock with that of John R. Edwards in the store now occupied by them on West Dominick street, as the firm of F. E. Bacon & Co. When they occupied the present store it was enlarged fifty feet and adapted to the large trade of the house. Mr. Edwards is one of the older and more prominent business men of Rome, is treasurer of the Rome Savings Bank and has been otherwise honored.
Thomas W. Singleton, a native of England, came to Rome with his parents when he was eight years old. His father, John Singleton, en- gaged in the hide and leather business, which he successfully managed until 1877, when he died, and his son succeeded him. Thomas W. Singleton is a Republican in politics and was honored with the nomi- nation for mayor, but was defeated.
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The drug business of J. C. Bissell is the oldest in the line in Rome. In 1843 G. N. Bissell bought out the old Pope stand which had been in existence since 1830, and consolidated it with the business which had for some years been conducted by Chesebrough & Leonard, taking the firm name of Bissell & Leonard. Some years after the death of Mr. Leonard, C. F. Bissell was admitted to the firm, but he retired in 1882, and J. G. Bissell became a partner. The firm name of J. G. · Bissell & Co. was adopted in 1883, when J. A. Owens became a partner, and continued thus to July, 1895 ; since which date the business has been conducted under the name of J. G. Bissell. (See biography of G. N. Bissell in this volume.)
The Stanwix Engineering Company was established in 1887 by Knight & Hopkins. The present firm was organized in 1889 and consists of Charles W. Knight. Charles C. Hopkins and James W. Kittrell. Mr. Knight is a native of Rome and has been an engineer since 1878; he stands very high in his profession. Mr. Hopkins is a native of New Jersey and a graduate of Lehigh (Pa.) University. Mr. Kittrell is a native of Mississippi, a graduate of Annapolis Naval Academy and Lehigh University. This company has been entrusted with many very important engineering works in various parts of the country, and has recently made the plans for a complete sewer system for Rome.
The clothing firm of Snow & Abbott is composed of George W. Snow and W. J. Abbott. They began business in their present loca- tion September 1, 1889, with a stock of clothing and gentlemen's fur- nishing goods. In the spring of 1896 they added merchant tailoring. Mr. Snow was formerly in mercantile trade in Rome.
W. J. Lasher began business in musical instruments, jewelry, etc., in 1880, over the store of Spencer & White, and removed to his present store on West Dominick street in the spring of 1892. In 1887 he added a department of art goods to his business,
N. H. Lake, a native of Otsego county, where he was born in 1824,
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began his business career as clerk in Utica; five years later he went to Cooperstown, where he remained twenty years. He then located in Rome and opened a clothing store on the American corner. Ten years later he removed to his present store on West Dominick street.
E. O. Rothmund was born in Rome, a son of Peter Rothmund. In 1888 he went to New York and learned the trade of clothing cutter. Returning to Rome he entered the employ of R. B. Manning for a short time and was associated with C. D. Hildreth, but for only a short time. Since then he has conducted his merchant tailoring business successfully.
L. H. Baker, a native of Vernon, began his business life as a tailor, but after four years failing health compelled him to abandon that busi- ness. In 1864 he began as clerk for H. W. Mitchell in dry goods, and labored in that capacity until 1888, when the present successful firm of Baker & Fox was formed. Their store is on West Dominick street.
One of the oldest mercantile firms in Rome is Spencer & White, dry goods, on Dominick street. The firm is composed of Harvey D. Spen- cer and Henry K. White, who began trade in their present location on West Dominick street in 1856. For forty years they have occupied a leading position in the business circles of the city, and have acquired a reputation for unimpeachable integrity and vigorous enterprise.
The drug store now occupied by F. J. Hager, on West Dominick street is a landmark in Rome. It has been kept in the past by Kinney & Green, C. F. Greene, E. H. Wardwell, Palmer & Packard, Palmer & Shumway, Francis Ethridge and perhaps others. Mr. Hager began business there in that line in 1878 and has maintained the reputation of the old stand.
The enterprising jobbing firm of Barnard & Rathbun (Fred M. Bar- nard and Frank B. Rathbun) was organized in January, 1882. These
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young men are natives of Rome and are rapidly gaining the reputation of enterprising and successful business men.
John Cummings is one of the oldest merchant tailors in Rome, and has been in the business about fifty years. A large business has been carried on this line since 1880, which is managed by him and his son Edward W, John Cummings, jr., having established the store. The latter is engaged with Quentin, McAdam & Co., manufacturers of clothing in Utica.
The firm of Fox & Graves, dealers in coal and wood, composed of B. S. Fox and H. S. Graves, was formed in June, 1891. Mr. Fox has been the agent of the New York, Ontario and Western Railroad and the Adams Express Company in Rome, since 1883, and previous to that was with the Delaware and Hudson Company. Mr. Graves is a son of Jerome Graves who was for many years in the employ of the Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg Railroad in Rome and is a now a partner with his son in a carting business.
William H. Lewis is a native of Syracuse, and carried on mercantile business in Vernon Center about twenty years. Fifteen years ago he located in Rome in the insurance business, and represents five strong fire insurance companies. He is also an inventor of some note, among the patents taken out by him being one on a hand rake, another for an extension handle, and a third on a spring pillow.
The hardware business now carried on by Frank E. Brockett, was purchased by him in 1892 from Fred A. Tyler, and has been in exist- ence many years. His father, J. W. Brockett, is associated with him in managing the business. though not owning an interest. The latter is a native of Herkimer county and was brought up on a farm. He was afterwards in a foundry at Westmoreland and later carried on a store there ten years. He located in Rome in 1876 as a member of the firm of Clark & Brockett, stoves and tin ware. He sold out to his partner in 1886 and traveled several years thereafter. 30
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The name of Wardwell is a conspicuous one in the business interests of Rome. The hardware business with which this name is intimately connected is now conducted by the Wardwell Hardware Company, .. which was incorporated in 1895, and of which W. W. Wardwell is president ; Samuel Wardwell, vice-president, and John S. Wardwell, secretary and treasurer. The foundation of the business was laid by Harmon Emerson prior to 1850. In 1853 N. M. Wardwell, W. W. Wardwell, and W. H. Doxtater succeeded to that business. In 1864 the establishment passed to Samuel Wardwell and W. W. Wardwell and was conducted under the style of Wardwell Brothers. In 1879 J. S. Wardwell became a member of the firm, the style becoming Wardwell Bros. & Co., and continuing thus until the formation of the company above mentioned. Samuel Wardwell is also cashier of the Farmers' National Bank, of which W. W. Wardwell is a director.
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