The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894, Part 54

Author: Haddock, John A., b. 1823-
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Albany, N. Y., Weed-Parsons printing company
Number of Pages: 1098

USA > New York > Jefferson County > The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894 > Part 54

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Ferdinand P. King and Henry J. Snook, who are assisted by competent assistants, both in the sale and the manufacture of their clothing.

THE WATERTOWN CANNING COMPANY is comparatively a new industry in Watertown, though it is somewhat curious that such an enterprise was not long since put in operation. The present company was organized in 1892, with a capital of $15,000. Osee Wilmot is the President; L. D. Olney, Secretary and Treasurer. They began to can corn in 1893, putting up nearly 200,000 cans, which has sold rapidly at a price above the most popular brands, and people who have used it once will have no other. It is a singular fact, perhaps well known to corn-raisers, but not to the mass of people, that the "sweet " corn of this northern latitude will not perpetuate its kind when grown in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. In the market there one asks in vain for the " sugar" corn of Maine, Ver- mont and Northern New York.

The Canning Company contemplate adding tomatoes to their output for 1894, and the writer thinks their enterprise one that will certainly pay, and should be largely increased.

THE WATERTOWN PHARMACEUTICAL COM- PANY, Alfred F. O. Connor, manager, are manufacturers of a variety of saleable patent- ed preparations, having their salesroom at 165 William street, New York city. Their perfumes and toilet waters, as well as their medicinal preparations, are attaining high rank among druggists. They employ five to eight hands, and use about $10,000 capital.

J. B. WISE .- The present firm began busi- ness in 1877, under the name of Wise & Son, but the senior member dying, the firm has since been known by the name of the sur- vivor. The goods turned out are of superior excellence, comprising hardware specialties, sewing machine and organ parts, locks, hinges, bell-pulls, and some brass work. The capital invested is about $60,000. Raw material consumed, about $25,000 per year, and the output exceeds $50,000, giving em- ployment to 30 hands.

JAMES DOLAN, U. S. Pension Attorney .- In procuring pensions, the services of an ex- perienced attorney are of inestimable value. Mr. James Dolan, who established business here in 1876, is well fitted by experience and ability to render valuable service in all mat- ters which engage his attention. He is familiar with the laws, rules and regulations necessary to be complied with in establishing claims against the government, and gives his personal attention to pensions, patents and all business of this nature. He is favorably known in all the various bureaus, while his many clients in this vicinity bear testimony to his success in their causes. Mr. Dolan is a native of Jefferson county, and is highly esteemed in this city and vicinity. He served during our late war in the 35th New York Volunteers and 13th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, and is now a member of Joe Spratt Post, No. 323, G. A. R. His portrait can be seen upon one of the composite pages of distinguished soldiers, shown in this History.

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THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

J. W. EMPEY, Funeral Director, No 25 Court street, is the most widely-known repre- sentative of this business in Northern New York, he being one of the oldest in the State. He is a funeral director and furnishing under- taker. This business was established in 1840 by S. W. Ballard, who was succeeded in 1883 by Ballard & Northam, Mr. Empey suc- ceeding in 1893. He was born in Canada, and is a practical embalmer and undertaker, of thorough experience, a man of energy and business qualities, and a member of the Board of Trade and of the Jefferson County Under- takers' Association. Half a dozen assistants are employed, and five handsome hearses are in service. Remains are taken in charge at any hour and prepared for burial; embalming is performed in accordance with the most ap- proved processes, and all matters incidental to sepulchre are promptly and carefully attended to.

D. S. MILLER & Co., booksellers and stationers, north side Public Square, began business in 1887, and have been successful.

WILLIAM J. CARNCROSE began his real estate business in 1891. He buys and sells city properties, and does a large exchange business as well as contracts for buildings and repairs. He alao collects rents and buys and sells mortgages. Capital invested, $20,000. Employs from 10 to 20 hands; office and resi- dence 71 Factory street. Mr. Carncrose came to Watertown from Lewis county, and enjoys a high reputation.

CAMP & MASSEY began business in 1840, as general druggists. George B. Massey came into the store as clerk in 1850, was admitted as partner in 1858, and is now sole proprietor, still retaining the old firm name. He employa three clerks.

A. L. RICE began business in 1891 as wholesale and retail dealer in foreign and American cements, lime, sewer pipc, farm tile, fire brick, fire clay, Eureka plaster, slate, stone and encaustic floor tiles and mantels, manufacturer of artificial stone stepping blocks, blocks for foot pavements, etc.

This firm makes a specialty of the cele- brated "Durham " Portland cement, an article so excellent as to be in use in Depart- ment of Docks, New York city, and upon the great East Park filtering reservoir in Philadelphia, the largest single reservoir in America, with a capacity of over 300,000,000 gallons. Store, 26 and 28 Arsenal street, and 39} Court street.

W. W. CONDE, Wholesale Hardware .- This is the old-established and leading head- quarters in this city for light and heavy hardware, and was founded sixty years ago by Norris M. Woodruff, and owned for many years by his son-in-law, Howell Cooper. The present proprietor succeeded to the control in 1878. The premises comprise two floors and a basement, 20x100 feet in dimensions, all of which space is utilized in the disposal of the stock that is constantly carried.

W. R. KEATING, wholesale and retail dealer in tobacco, cigars, and smokers' articles, also

dealer in fine wines and liquors, domestic and imported ales, porters, etc., No. 6 Commercial block, and No. 6 Franklin street. This busi- ness was founded in 1876 by Bingham & Kenyon, and in 1889 they were succeeded by the present proprietor, who has been instru- mental in maintaining and extending the operations of the house.

J. T. Ross, dealer in oysters, foreign and domestic fruits, ocean and lake fish. Mr. Ross established this business in 1865, and has throughout the intervening period occupied the same premises, the business being now one of the oldest and leading in this line in the city. The premises consist of a store and basement, each 20x100 feet in dimensions, tastefully fitted up with all the modern ap- pointments belonging to the trade.

J. W. NoTT, druggist, east side Public Square. This business was founded by Mr. Nott in the same location in 1871, and from the first has been successful. The premises and basement are 20x100 feet, completely equipped, and the store is tastefully fitted up. The stock includes drugs, medicines and chemicals of every description, acids, extracts, essences and kindred products, herbs, barks, roots and pure medicinal wines and liquors, mineral waters, etc. Pharmaceutical com- pounds, family recipes and physicians' pre- scriptions are compounded in the most care- ful and trustworthy manner.

DAVIDSON MARBLE COMPANY, sole pro- ducers of New York marble .- Quarries at Gouverneur, St. Lawrence county. This company is the largest and leading concern in this line in the northern section of the State. They produce a very superior article, and haridle the finest imported products. This company, of which Alexander Davidson is President; John A. Davidson, Treasurer, and Charles Stedman, Secretary, was organized and commenced operations in 1890. Their plant in Watertown is capacious and well- equipped. The works are operated by water- power and the latest improved sawing and polishing machinery, and all other needed ap- paratus are in service. Thirty-five hands are employed in this city, while work is furnished to fifteen or more at the quarries. Mr. Alexander Davidson is a native and resi- dent of New York city, and Messrs. John A. Davidson and Charles Stedman arc natives and residents of Chicago. Mr. A. C. Davis, the manager in this city, is a gentleman in the prime of life, born in Scotland. He is a man of practical skill and many years' experience in this line, active and energetic, and is thoroughly conversant with the business.

KNOWLTON BROTHERS, paper manufactur- ers .- This establishment has been in oper- ation for eighty-five years, having been first established in 1808, but has been in the Knowlton family since 1814. The plant is a four-story and basement brick structure, 60x 200 feet, and is provided with all the latest machinery, appliances and appurtenances. The mill is operated by water-power. The firm are manufacturera of super-calendered cover paper, for magazine and journal

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CITY OF WATERTOWN.

covers, and their products are in wide-spread demand. The output is about five tons a day. The products of this firm are noted for elegance of finish, durability and general ex- cellence, and are maintained at a uniformly high standard. The interests in this concern were organized some time time ago into a joint stock company, of which G. W. Knowl- town is President, and G. S. Knowlton is Secretary and Treasurer-J. C. Knowlton, who is not an active partner, having an inter- est in it also.

STERLING & MOSHER .- The book, station- ery and wall-paper business now carried on by Mr. John Sterling, jr., at No. 7 Washing- ton Hall block, was originally started by J. C. Sterling in 1848. Mr. Sterling purchased the stock of Joel Green, and continued the business until the spring of 1849, when he moved to a store on the north side of Court street, owned by Isaac Fisk, where the Fisk block now stands.

In May, 1849, this block was burned in the great conflagration, and a large share of the stock belonging to Mr. Sterling was con- sumed. The remnant of stock was removed to a stone building on the corner of Washing- ton and Stone streets, where the building of the National Bank and Loan Company now stands.

In 1891, Mr. Sterling, senior, retired from the business, and was succeeded by his son, John Sterling, the name of the firm continu- ing as before. The recent retirement of Mr. Mosher (in July, 1894), has left Mr. John C. Sterling, jr., sole proprietor of this old and always-responsible and much-respected con- cern, Watertown's reliable stand-by.

THE HITCHCOCK LAMP COMPANY Was organized in 1873, and their lamps have been extensively used all over the civilized world. The capital invested is over $100,000. They employ 40 hands. Mr. Taylor is the able manager and an extensive stock-owner.

McMULLIN & SEARS, on the ground floor of the Smith building, have built up a large business in Watertown, by acting as a dis- tributing house for groceries and heavy mer- chandise. The habit of retail merchants in Northern New York, up to 1889, had been to buy all their goods in New York or to give orders to salesmen from that city. But this firm, by keeping large supplies and sam- ples constantly on hand, have greatly changed this method, and are able to supply goods here in Watertown, in all the leading lines, on as favorable terms as they can be bought in New York city, or in any other large city of the East or South. Their economy in freight and purchasing iu large quantities, enable them to do this, and yet make a paying per cent. by doing a large business. They have struck the right chord and their success is assured. The proprietors are George C. Mc- Mullin and Thomas A. Sears, with an efficient corps of active men constantly on the road soliciting orders.

GEO. H. MOWE, plumber, steam, hot water and gas fitter, No. 38 Arsenal street, began business in 1884. The firm consisted of A.

Beffrey and George H. Mowe. under the firm name of Beffrey & Mowe. The business was conducted in the old wooden building on Franklin street, where the Burdick building now stands. On January 22, 1893, this build- ing was destroyed by fire; the next morning (Monday) the firm was established in its pres- ent quarters, and business was going on un- interrupted. This firm was the first in the city to successfully introduce hot water for the heating of buildings, and many of the finest dwellings in the city attest the high class of sanitary plumbing done by them.

On October 1, 1893, Mr. Beffrey retired from the firm, and the business has since been conducted by its present owner. Capital invested, $5,000; hands employed, ten.

WHITE & ANTHONY began business in June, 1893, as manufacturers of doors, sash, blinds, frames, turned work, scroll work, hay presses and all kinds of job work for repair- ing and building houses, barns, etc., and dealers in lumber, lath, shingles, paints, oil, building paper, nails, etc., of all kinds.

Capital invested. $3,500; raw material used, hemlock, pine and all kinds of lumber; hands employed, 10; office and manufactory, 27 Moulton street, Watertown.

THE AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY is the name of an organization having many offices throughout the country, but in nearly all sections, excepting in Northern New York, they have competitors for trade. In Northern New York, however, they have unchallenged sway, and can inflict any charge they see fit upon their customers Their charges seem to me high, in some instances eight cents a pound from New York to Watertown, about 350 miles, whereas the United States mail transports packages of four pounds and under from Maine to California, at eight cents per pound. The high prices charged lead to the suspicion that some leading railway officials are sharing in the profits of this com- pany, else some competitor would be allowed to have transit over these Northern roads, and then the people of Jefferson county could ob- tain express freight at as reasonable rates as other portions of the United States. This is a just complaint, and a great tax upon trade.

JAMES R. MILLER began business in 1871. When first started, the business consisted of only merchant tailoring, but ready-made clothing for men, youth and boys has been added, also a complete line of men's furnish- ing goods. The custom department is still the principal feature, however.

Capital invested about $35,000; raw mate- rial used, woolens and tailors' trimmings; value of output, about $50,000 yearly ; hands employed, about 20-varies some. Compe- tition is strong in this town at present, espec- ially in the cheaper grades of clothing, but his trade consists of the best class of custom- ers, hence he carries only high-grade clothing and fine domestic and imported woolens.

THE SLOAT & GREENLEAF LUMBER COM- PANY, office 37 Moulton street, dealers in all kinds of pine, spruce, hemlock and hardwood lumber; manufacturers of sash, doors, blinds,

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THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

mouldings and inside finish. Capital, $30,- 000; retail business wholly-amounting to $75,000 to $100,000 annually.

Supply contractors and builders with lum- ber and building materials, for which their. facilities are unequaled. Possessing the best water power in the city, with new and in- proved machinery, and the experience of long years in the business, they are enabled to meet the wants of their customers.

THE WATERTOWN SPRING WAGON COM- PANY is one of the oldest and most important of the industries of Watertown. Its incep- tion was due to the forethought and superior judgment of Mr. Norris M. Winslow, a gentleman to whom Watertown is greatly in- debted for many mechanical improvements- the old Watertown Cotton Mills water-power (the first right on the south side of Black river) having passed into his hands, and by the proper utilization of which this impor- tant Spring Wagon Company are now able to drive all their vast machinery.

An hour spent in their large property at Factory Square, under the kind escort of Mr. J. H. Shiels, the mechanical superintendent, impressed the author of this History with the extent of the enterprise, and with its excel- lent management in every department. We were particularly impressed with the method by which all classes of vehicles are brought to a point so near completion that orders can be filled with great celerity, and the goods ship- ped with a rapidity that is gratifying to the customers as well as the Company. Mr. Shields is fortunate in being employed by gentlemen who have the utmost confidence in his capacity and mechanical judgment.

The organization of the Company was somewhat as follows:

In November, 1885, a meeting was called to talk about a corporation for the purpose of manufacturing platform spring wagons, with a proposed capital of $75,000. Among the original promoters, who were all intelligent business men, and have nearly all of them been connected with the institution from that time to this, and are prominently identified with the business industries of Watertown at the present time, the following is nearly a complete list: Norris M. Winslow, Lewis Tall- man, R. C. Morse, John C. Streeter, Cyrus A. Clark, E. M. Gates, Jerome Bushnell. I. E. Thompson & Co, William G. Williams, Davis & Bartlett, Heath & Middleton, Utley & Winslow, A. R. Sanger, Calvin Scripture, Richard Marcy, Henry Spicer and General Bradley Winslow.

The corporation was soon formed and called the Watertown Spring Wagon Com- pany, which procceded at once to manufac- ture platform spring wagons. This plan met with instant success, and the company became one of the pioneers in introducing wagons. Their prosperity has continued ever since, with such occasional periods of depression as have been incident to all concerns of large di- mensions.

At the first annual meeting in December, 1876, the following Board of Trustees were

elected: Levi H. Brown, Allen C. Beach, Norris Winslow, L. C Greenleaf, Jerome Bushnell, John C. Streeter, Gen. B. Winslow, E. M. Gates, C. A. Clark, William G. Wil- liams, Richard Marcy, George L. Davis, A. P. Smith; from whom the following officers were selected: President, Levi H. Brown; Vice-President, A. Palmer Smith; Secretary and Treasurer, Jerome Bushnell.

In 1882 the capital stock was increased to $100,000, and again, later on, to $150,000, which has all been paid in.

The prosperity of this old reliable company led to many followers, and to-day the country is flooded with factory work. It was also the first concern to manufacture vehicles in the city of Watertown. For a few years they confined themselves exclusively to manufacturing platform wagons, but gradu- ally they branched out in making delivery wagons of all kinds, then into making top and open road wagons, and again adding phaetons, surreys, cabriolets, etc., until at the present time they are manufacturing one of the most complete lines in the State of New York.

The present officers and Board of Directors are: Hon. L. H. Brown, E. M. Gates, B. B. Taggart, Hon. W. W. Taggart, I. P. Powers, R. Marcy, A. Bushnell, Hon. A. C. Beach, J. C. Streeter, Denis O'Brien, Norris M. Winslow, O. W. Wilmot, C. M. Otis. President, Hon. Levi H. Brown; Vice-President, Richard Marcy; Secretary and Treasurer, Frank P. Hayes; Superintendent, J. Hume Shiels.

Most of these have been continuously con- nected with the company for a number of years. The annual output will average 4,000 vehicles, with a capacity of a much larger amount, as they have lately added to their former buildings, a thing which they have been almost annually obliged to do in order to keep up with their growing business.

In justice to the gentlemen who have had the management of this company, it should be mentioned that during the hard times they have put forth every effort in their power to keep their hands employed, an effort which has sometimes drawn largely upon their means. But they have had faith in the Com- pany's future, and their reward has come in having on hand a fine assortment of vehicles, ready to meet the heavy drain now made upon their stock.

MR. O. B. CADWELL is a native of Lewis county, a descendant of Major Alvin Bush, one of the pioneers of that county. He came to Watertown in 1860, and entered the em- ploy of Henry P. Cooke, who established the present business in April of that year. Mr. Cooke, a native of Oneida county, was associated at different periods with Geo. B. Phelps, J. C. Lepper and Mr. Cadwell. He died in 1878.

In 1862 Mr. Cadwell cnlisted under Capt. James B. Campbell, in Co. M, 10th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, and was closely associated with that regiment during its term of service, was then transferred to the 6th N. Y Artil- lery, and attached to the division staff, Gen.

WATERTOWN

ON& WAGON

WAGON CO.

ĮESTABLISHED, 1875.

P TOWN SPRIN

CAR

BUILDERS.

WATERTOWN SPRING WAGON COMPANY'S MAIN BUILDING.

251

CITY OF WATERTOWN.

Hartsuff commanding, and Quartermaster and Chief Ambulance Officer of the District of Nottaway, with headquarters in Petersburg.

He was mustered out of service with the 6th Artillery, at Hart's Island, New York Harbor, in the fall of 1865. He entered the army as a private, subsequently receiving his warrant as sergeant of his company, and later as sergeant-major of his regiment. He was afterward commissioned as 2d lieuten- ant, and again as 1st lieutenant, this last promotion being received while serving in the trenches before Petersburg. He held several staff positions, serving under Colonel Piper, General Stewart, Colonel Edwards, General Ferero and General Hartsuff, but never absent from the brigade or division of which his regiment formed a part. At one time, during the winter of 1864-65, he was provost marshal of the city of Winchester.

Returning to Watertown after the close of the war, he resumed bis business relations with Mr. Cooke, and in 1874 was admitted as a partner, becoming Cooke, Cadwell & Co. This style was continued until the death of Mrs. Cooke, in 1891 (she having represented the estate of her husband), and was then changed to O. B. Cadwell & Co. Mr. Phelps, who for many years was the "company " in the firm, died in 1892, and since then Mr. Cadwell has been sole proprietor.

In 1884 Mr. Cadwell was appointed by Gov. Cleveland a trustee of the New York State Soldiers' and Sailors' Home, was re- appointed by Gov. Hill, and again by Gov. Flower. He is a member of the G. A. R., a director in the National Union Bank, and stockholder in other business enterprises. A successful, accomplished business man, who counted it gain to serve his country in ber hour of supreme need. His military record reflects upon bim the highest credit, and in his daily life he " justifies the honors he has gained."

A. BUSHNELL & Co. (A. Bushnell & Fredrick George), have been in general mer- chaudizing for 28 years, This firm succeeded J. & A. Bushnell, both brothers having been born in Jefferson county. Their trade is now one of the most extensive in the county, the firm having always been distinguished for fair dealing, which has led to an increased trade from year to year. Their record as merchants has been excellent, and their stand- ing as citizens unchallenged for many years.

BUSH, BULL, ROTH & Co. were established in business in 1881, and were, from the very first, leading merchants in dry goods and carpeting. They employ some 50 people, and carry a heavy stock of goods in all the de- partments of their business. Mr. J. B. Bull, of this firm, was born in Newburg, N. Y .; Mr. S. R. Bush came from Port Jervis; Mr. F. D. Roth from Nazareth. Pa., and Mr. E. V. Sauter from Stocktown, Pa. They are a progressive, enterprising firm, and are among the foremost in their line in Northern New York.

Perhaps the best location in the city for business, is the well-known American corner,

being a part of the valuable property gener- ously given to the city by Mrs. Schley, to sup- port the Henry Keep Home, and worth upwards of $200,000.

The corner store has been occupied by W. H. Moore for over 38 years, as a first-class dry goods store. About six years ago Mr. Moore associated himself with the Woolworth Syndi- cate of strictly 5 and 10 cent stores, with a main office in Stewart building, New York. This branch is one of 27 stores located in large cities, Watertown being the smallest. This is now quite unlike a dry goods store, and has become one of the most popular places of resort, not only to Watertown people, but for those living 25 or 30 miles about, who bring their friends there, as one of the sights of the time; being made to feel welcome, to roam through its well-filled de- partments as through a world's fair, except here they are never asked to huy anything. The neat signs everywhere, "nothing over 10 cents," tell a wonderful story, speaking louder than words, and seldom fail to accom- plish their purpose. Visitors to this beautiful city should not miss this, one of its attrac- tions.

WATERTOWN CITY MARBLE WORKS, lo- cated at 68 Court street, were established by George Van Vleck in 1872. He was a good soldier in the 35th N. Y. Infantry, honorably discharged with his regiment.

UNION CARRIAGE AND GEAR COMPANY, located on Newell street, was organized as the Maud S. Gear Company in 1885, and in 1888 the present name was assumed, with a capital of $50,000. The building occupied by this company was built in 1888. It is of brick, 150x53 feet, and four stories high. The present officers are W. W. Conde, Presi- dent; J. B. Wise, Vice-President; W. O. Ball, Secretary and Treasurer. The company manufacture finished carriages and cutters, and carriage gears in white.

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The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894, Part 54

Author: Haddock, John A., b. 1823- Publication date: 1895 Publisher: Albany, N. Y., Weed-Parsons printing company Number of Pages: 1098

Author: Haddock, John A., b. 1823-
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Albany, N. Y., Weed-Parsons printing company
Number of Pages: 1098