History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 64

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1104

USA > Ohio > Summit County > History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio > Part 64

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That the taste for personal decoration is a universal expression of human existence, and that the art of making jewelry was one of the first at which mankind arrived, is evident from the immense stores taken from the tombs of ruined cities of the Egytians and other nations. In the manufacture of jewelry but little is done in Akron, but that little is well done by George J. Neiberg, at 179 South Howard street.

Matches in their present form were first made public about 1830, by Faraday, and came rapidly into publie use. The tip of the match is a combination of sulphur and phos- phorus. The phosphorus ignites at the heat of 120 degrees, which a slight frietion will pro- duce, and this in turn ignites the sulphur, which requires 450 or 500 degrees. The flame of the sulphur sets fire to the pine of which the match is composed, and which ignites at about 600 degrees. The combination is neces- sary because the phosphorus alone would not kindle the match, while the sulphur alone would not ignite with ordinary friction. The

number of matches that are annually con- sumed in this country is something wonderful to contemplate. According to the late report of the Revenue Department, the tax on matches for the last year yielded revenue to the amount of $3,561,306. At 1 cent a box, this would represent, in round numbers, 356,- 000,000 boxes. Calling our population 50,- 000,000, this would give over 7 boxes to every man, woman and child in the country. The taxes paid on matches by each individual in the land would thus be 7 cents. The revenue tax on matches is 1 cent for each 100 in a box. Where such an immense quantity of matches are consumed, there must be considerable facil- ities for manufacturing them. This we have in the ingenious machinery used in making them, as most all of the processes in manu- facturing them are conducted by mechanical appliances. The wood used is the best-clear white pine-which is first sawed into blocks of equal size, and of two matches in length. These blocks are then made into splints of a proper size, by being forced through tubes with numerous perforations, made as near together as possible, leaving just enough strength for cutting purposes. These perforations may be either round, square or diamond shaped, the latter forming the name of the new combina- tion. The square forms are called " telegraph " matches. These and the diamond are prefera- ble to the round, as they do not break so easily. After the splints are eut into proper sizes, they are fed through a hopper and re- ceived by a double chain, which carries them to the sulphur vat, then to the phosphorus vat, when they are taken off and removed to the packing room. The phosphorus composition into which the matches are dipped is composed of phosphorus, niter, glue, red ochre and smalt in proper proportions. In safety matches, the phosphorus is in sand paper on the box, and other materials on the end of the match, so that neither can be ignited without the use of the other. Matches are also made without dipping into sulphur, paraffine oil being used as a substitute. The parlor match is made without the use of sulphur, and phosphorus is replaced by the chlorate of potash and anti- mony. The wood is prepared with stearine or parafline.

On the 1st day of January, 1881, the Dia- mond Match Company, with branches in differ-

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ent parts of the United States, went into operation. One of the largest of these branches is what was previously the Barber Match Company, of Akron. The Akron works were established in 1847, by George Barber. The first factory was a small barn ; but, from the very beginning of the business, owing to the superior quality of the goods produced, the demand steadily increased. The average product of this branch is 1,500 gross, of 14,- 400 each, or 21,660,000 matches every day, with a possible capacity for turning out 6,804,- 000.000 matches per annum. The United States revenue laws require a 1-cent stamp to be placed on every 100 matches, and to do so requires an expenditure by the Akron works of over $1,900 a day. They use annually from 2.500,000 to 3,000,000 feet of the best quality of white pine lumber, 70 tons of brimstone 17,000 pounds of phosphorus, 33,600 pounds chlorate of potash, 30,000 pounds of glue, 50,000 pounds of paraffine wax for parlor and drawing-room matches or tapers, and a large quantity of other material. They manufacture their own packages, and use about 250 tons of straw board for boxes, and 20 tons of other paper, and for shipping boxes over 1,000,000 feet of cottonwood lumber. Two printing- presses are kept constantly employed printing labels, and 15 box-making machines, each capa- ble of turning out from 7,000 to 10,000 straw board boxes per day. Three hundred and fifty hands, including men, boys and girls, are constantly employed, and the monthly pay-roll amounts to fully $6,500. The works are equipped throughout with the most perfect match-making machinery now in use, propelled by two engines of 250 and 150 horse power re- spectively. The works are located on Falor street. This branch makes about one-fifth of the entire product used in the United States. The Diamond Match Company also run a fac- tory near their match works, where animal pokes, curry-combs and smoking pipes are made. This factory was formerly run by the Hopkins & Robinson Manufacturing Company.

The Akron Machine Works of Taplin, Rice & Co. are located on Broadway and Church street. These works were established in 1861, by Taplin, Riee & Ford. In 1867, under the manufacturing laws of the State of Ohio, it be- came an incorporated company, with a paid- up capital stock of $100,000, under the name

and style of Taplin, Rice & Co. They have now a surplus of $40,000. The works cover a large area and consist of several commodious buildings, all connected, being 550 feet in ag- gregate length and of an average width of about fifty feet. In addition to these is a separate structure, 40x100 feet, used as a pattern-shop. The works are divided into three separate de- partments, as follows : Foundry, machine shop and stove department. The buildings are all supplied with the latest improved machinery, tools and applianees requisite for carrying on the business in all its various features and de- partments. The company manufactures stoves in every variety, and turn out brass and iron castings of all kinds. They make a leading specialty of steam engines, mill gearing, shaft- ing and pulleys, potters' and sewer-pipe ma- ehinery, and Mason's Patent Friction Clutch and Pulleys. They attend to the repairing of machinery and gearing of every description. The company have recently purchased, directly opposite their works on Church street the ex- tensive buildings formerly occupied by J. F. Seiberling in the manufacture of his Empire mower and reaper. The patronage of Taplin, Rice & Co. is largely West, extending to the States of Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Kansas. and east to the western portions of Pennsylva- nia.

American inventive genius is to be credited with some of the most wonderful achievements of the age, and in the production of valuable articles the eminence of our country is univer- sally conceded. It is no less remarkable how quickly and thoroughly this talent finds appli- cations in the perfection of new ideas and the improvement of old ideas, so that no sooner has a discovery been announced, or a new in- vention made, than active minds are at once developing its capabilities and extending its uses in all directions. Economy in time, labor and material is the greatest desideratum, never lost sight of by the practical men in our midst, and the wastefulness and inefficiency of prima- tive methods are never allowed to shelter them- selves long behind the plea that nothing better has been thought of.

This train of musing can be particularly ap- plied to the drug trade. Skilled pharmacists become important factors to the trade of all cities. The Smith Brothers manufacture phar- maceutical products at No. 193 South Howard

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HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

street. This house was founded in 1873, by Sisler & Hoy, who conducted the business suc- cessfully until September, 1878, when they were succeeded by the present proprietors. These gentlemen occupy two floors in the three- story brick structure, No. 193 South Howard street, as office, salesroom and laboratory. Their laboratory is supplied with the latest im- proved devices and appurtenances of chemical science for the manufacture of solid and fluid extracts, elixirs, pepsin, gelatine coated pills, and a great variety of chemical and pharma- ceutical preparations. They manufacture 120 different varieties of gelatine-coated pills. This house does a wholesale and retail business, dealing directly with druggists and physicians.

An industry of considerable dimensions in Akron is that of the manufacture of chains, by the Miller Chain Company. This company succeeded to the business of S. Matherson, at Cuyahoga Falls, in 1879. In order to increase their facilities, and the better to accommodate their increasing trade, in September of that year, they established themselves at Akron, where they have spacions and well-arranged works, with materially improved appliances and conveniences for manufacturing their va- rious goods.

The works comprise four buildings, two brick and two frame, each having dimensions of 20x100 feet ; one brick, 60x80 feet, and one brick, 40x60 feet, besides a large packing-room- office building, etc. The firm make cable, crane, agricultural, machine and harness chains of every description. They also make car-brake and other chains to any designated length, and chains for special purposes, from sample or drawing.

All their chain are made from carefully se- lected stock, in the most faithful and workman- like manner, and are thoroughly inspected be- fore leaving the works. Hence, they can safely guarantee their productions to be of superior quality and finish.

Possessing every modern facility, ample ca- pacity, and unsurpassed advantages for the economic prosecution of this department of in- dustry, they are enabled to offer the most favorable terms to manufacturers using large quantities of chain, and to the trade gener- ally.

Their product finds a market from Maine to California, and they have a prosperous and in-

creasing trade in St. Louis, Chicago, and through the Northwestern States.

The Akron Iron Company is a stock com- pany, founded in 1866, under its present name. Its location is in South Akron. The capital in- vested in the business is $400,000. They man- ufacture every variety of bar and pig iron, hot- polished shafting, best, common, refined and charcoal iron, American-Scotch pig iron of all grades and make. A leading specialty is the production of superior qualities of iron for ag- ricultural implements. This is one of the largest establishments of the kind in the Uni- ted States devoted expressly to the manufacture of iron for agricultural implements ; and for extent, capacity and general completeness of appointments, will compare favorably with any. The buildings occupied by this company are capacious and extensive, and are equipped in all their departments with the most perfect ma chinery and devices for carrying on their exten- sive business. Power is supplied at the Akron works by engines of 500-horse-power, and 175 men are regularly employed, many of whom are skilled and experienced mechanics. The company also owns and operates a blast fur- nace at Buchtel, Ohio, where engines of 700- horse-power are in operation. They also oper- ate coal and iron ore mines in the Hocking Valley regions, furnishing employment at the mines and furnaces to 175 additional hands. The total monthly pay-roll of these extensive works ranges from $10,000 to $15,000, and the amount of business transacted by the company reaches nearly three-quarters of a million dol- lars per annum. Their trade is principally de- rived from the large manufacturing establish- ments within a radius of one hundred miles around Akron.

The manufacture of flour is extensively car- ried on in Akron. This is made possible by the fine water-power of the city, and the cheap- ness of coal to drive engines. The Cascade Mills are located at the foot of North Howard street. They are owned and operated by Fer- dinand Schumacher. They are run exclusively by water-power, and manufacture the highest grades of flour and farina, by the most approved patent process. The buildings are " L " shaped, and have six floors. The mill measures 50x80 feet, with warehouses attached, 40x80 feet, and barrel-house, 40x40 feet.

The water-power is ample at all seasons. It

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has a head and fall of 38 feet. The power is derived from an iron overshot wheel, 35 feet in diameter, with a 10-foot face. This immense wheel weighs 37 tons, and yet, being well bal- anced, it revolves on its shaft as steadily and smoothly as if it were made of the lightest wood. The wheel contains a series of 96 steel buckets, having a total weight of 16,000 pounds. Each bucket is made of a single sheet of cold-rolled steel one-eighth of an inch in thickness. This complete wheel cost $8,000, and about $4,000 additional were expended for its foundation, which is built on the solid rock. The water supply flows through a 6-foot subterranean tube, to an iron stand-pipe rising about 18 feet to the level of the basin, and flowing from an iron-tank 26 feet long, 8 feet wide and 4} feet high, to the iron-gate, which gauges and de- livers it to the buckets at the apex of the wheel. From spur-wheels, connected with a 12-foot pulley, by a 40-inch leather-double belt, 120 feet long, power is communicated to the line- shaft over a 10-foot pulley, whence the 12 run of buhrs are operated by quarter-twist belts.

The mills are equipped with thirteen middlings purifiers, one pair each porcelain and iron-rolls, two cockle-machines, an ending-stone and brush- machine for cleaning wheat, and other appli- ances, all of the latest improved mechanism.

The Ohio Canal runs through the premises, affording convenient facilities for receiving and shipping product. The waste water, as well as the water discharged from the wheel, flows into the Cuyahoga River through two substantial 12-foot stone underground conduits, cach 220 feet long.

The Stone Mills, of which Commins & Allen are proprietors, are located on Howard, Ash and Mill streets.

These mills were erected in 1832, by Gen. Perkins and E. Crosby, and by them transferred to Ebenezer Beech, of Rochester, who, with his successors, continued in possession until about 1867, when they were in turn succeeded by the present proprietors, Commins & Allen. This is not only the largest mill in the city, but the oldest. The main mill structure is of stone, five stories in height, and covers an area of 60x120 feet. The machinery is all of the most complete character, and comprises eleven run of buhrs, from 4 feet to 4 feet 8 inches in diame- ter, six of which are propelled by water, and five by steam-power. One engine and boiler,

of 125-horse-power, and water-power estimated as fully equal to 100 horses, furnish the motive power for the machinery employed. The amount of capital invested in the business is large and ample. The products of the Stone Mills are known by the following brands : The " Akron Mills," the "Stone Mills," the " Star Mills," the " Lake Mills," the " California Mills " and others. These gentlemen also manufacture and make a leading specialty of superior patent flour.

The Allen Mills were originally a building used as woolen mills, which was changed to a flouring-mill in 1853, by Jacob Allen, Jesse Allen and J. D. Commins, who conducted their business under the firm name of J. & J. Allen & Company. The original building was erected by S. Perkins, J. D. Commins, Jacob Allen and Jesse Allen, who together constituted the Per- kins Company. The Allen Mills are located on Canal street, between Mill and Cherry streets, and are owned by F. H. Allen, V. J. Allen and W. A. Palmer. The building, which is of brick, is 35x110 feet. The machinery of the mills is all first-class. The flour manufactured is the fancy patent, and the fine grades of family and baker's flour. The capacity of these mills is 225 barrels in twenty-four hours.

A distillery was first erected on the spot where the Atna Mills now stand. The build- ing was enlarged and changed to a flouring-mill in 1837, and run by Chamberlain & Standard, of Cleveland. Subsequently, it passed into the hands of Rawson & Noble, who conducted the business until the building burned down. Upon the spot of the burned mill was erected, in 1857, the present mills by Buell & Taylor, who continued proprietors until 1862, when the mills were purchased by the Chamber Com- pany. They were owned by this company un- til 1877, when they became the property of the Second National Bank of Akron. By the bank they were leased to McNeil & Baldwin, who conduct the business at the present time. The capacity of the mills is 200 barrels of flour in twenty-four hours. McNeil & Baldwin manufacture the straight grade and patent flour.

The South Akron Mills are now owned by the Brewster Coal Company. These mills are located on South Main street. They were erected by George Steese, who sold them to L. S. Herrold, the latter disposing of them to the present owners in 1875. Only custom work is

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done at these mills. Connected with them is a saw-mill-the only one in Akron.

Coopering, as might be expected, is carried on to a considerable extent in Akron. The Union Stave Company, C. B. Maurer, General Superintendent, carry on a large business at 402 South High street. This company is now erecting four new frame buildings. One of these will be 28x40 feet in dimensions, 14 feet high ; two other buildings will be 30x54 feet each and 18 feet high. These three buildings will front on High street. The fourth structure will be in the rear of the other buildings and will be 30x108 feet in dimensions, 18 feet high.

The first-named building will be used for manufacturing purposes. and the remaining ad- ditions will be for storage room.

The material used in the manufacture of barrels, at this place, is prepared from the for- est at Union City, Penn., by a force of about fifty men under Mr. Maurer's management. The annual shipments to this city of staves, hoops and headings by Mr. Maurer is fully 200 car loads. This immense amount of stock is here made into about 160,000 barrels per year. by a force of fifty men. The trade is growing very rapidly, and the present year's business will reach at least 175,000 barrels. Another item of interest in this connection is that, while the prepared material is shipped to this place, the finished barrels are shipped from here filled with flour from the mills of F. Schumacher, and Commins & Allen's (Stone) Mills.

There are other establishments in Akron where barrels are made in large numbers : By T. J. Walker, corner of Middlebury and South Main streets ; by Lapp & Riner, near the _Etna Mills ; by George Roth, 353 Sonth Main street ; and by Edward Zschech, 362 same street.

The question of ability to manufacture an artificial stone that would, in point of dura- bility and general efficiency, come up to all requirements has, for many years, received the attention not only of the curious and inquiring, but also the practical and scientific, and much time and labor has been devoted to the dis- covery of a successful process of manufacture. Success has crowned the effort, and now an artificial stone in every way equal to the best natural stone is produced at much less expense, while the fact of its being much lighter and more easily molded into any desired shape, renders it more desirable. For building pur-

poses it is superior to brick, as it is impervious to water, and is not affected by heat or frost, and will " stand fire" much better than either brick or natural stone. This stone is of a hy- draulic nature and will harden when set in water, and will resist the action of steam, acids, and other disintegrating influences, as well as our best building stone. The artificial stone was patented by James Harry Thorp, of New York, September 11, 1877, being the second patent issued to himself. The process of mann- facturing being simple and requiring but few tools. Wood patterns are made of whatever shape the stone is wanted, sand and cement are then mixed together in proportions three to one, when thoroughly incorporated, the chemical is added in quantity sufficient to dampen the mixture, which is then tamped into patterns. the patterns are then taken away in pieces. the stone is allowed to stand a few days to harden and dry, and is then ready for use. In our larger cities this stone is fast superseding the use of other building material, and is being extensively used for walks, trimming brick houses, etc. The sand found in this vicinity is particularly well adapted to making this stone, and thus the article can be furnished here very cheap. The expense of the material does not average one half that of natural stone. This industry which promises to be of importance to Akron, is carried on at Palmer & Pruner's Artificial Stone Works. 203 North Howird street-H. A. Palmer and H. A. Pruner, pro- prietors. They manufacture this stone under the patent before mentioned, the firm control- ing the right in the counties of Summit, Trum- bull, Portage and Stark. They make orna- mental lawn vases, window caps, sills and keys, cemetery work, pavements in mosaic and other styles, cisterns and cellars. chimney tops. fount- ain basins, door steps, horse blocks, and lot fencing and solid stone of all kinds for build- ing purposes, of any size or dimensions.

The Webster. Camp & Lane Machine Com. pany have their works on North Main street. They were established in 1851, under the name and style of the Globe Foundry. In 1869, a stock company, known as the Webster, Camp, & Lane Machine Company, was organized with a capital stock of $100,000. The works were remodeled and enlarged, and the scope of bus- iness considerably increased. The machine- shop, which is two stories in height, covers an

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area of 52x150 feet, and is constructed of brick, in the most thorough manner. The foundry building is one story, of wood, 60x100 feet in size. The storehouse is a two-story wooden structure, 40x90, and the smith-shop of one story, 20x40. These buildings are all thoroughly equipped and supplied with the most approved styles of machinery for carry- ing on the extensive business of the company, in its varied departments and ramifications. One forty-five horse-power engine furnishes the motive power required. The company manu- facture every description of gearing and pul- leys, mining and milling machinery (these two latter being leading articles of manufacture by this house), pottery machinery, brass castings of every description, steam and water pipe fit- tings, and other articles pertaining to this line. They make a specialty of furnishing engines constructed and fitted up with special reference to simplicity of mechanism, durability and freedom from derangement, regularity of speed, economy of fuel, and the largest amount of power.

The trade of this house extends all over the West, particularly throughout the States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, etc.

The manufacture of boilers of every descrip- tion, and heavy sheet and boiler iron work, is extensively carried on by J. C. McNeil, at the Akron Boiler Works, on South Broadway, di- rectly opposite the Buckeye Works. This bus- iness was established in January, 1866, by the present proprietor. The main building covers an area of 40x75 teet, and is supplied with the latest improved machinery and devices for car- rying on this extensive business. The sheds adjoining the main works cover an equal space, and are used for storage, and for the heavier work. One ten-horse-power engine and boiler furnishes the motive power required. and twenty skilled and experienced workmen are, on an average, employed at this establishment. Mr. McNeil manufactures every description of ordinary boilers, making a specialty of heavy sheet and boiler iron work. His repairing de- partment is in charge of competent and expe- rienced workmen, and is made a prominent feature of his steadily increasing business. The Akron Boiler Works are thoroughly equipped in every particular, and will compare favorably with any similar establishment in the West.

Almost every manufacturing establishment in the city of Akron use and testify to the su- periority of his boilers. He also makes a specialty of steam heating "magazine " boilers for public and private buildings. The new buildings measure 66x100 feet, and the ship- ping facilities are as good as those of any manufacturing establishment in the city, being located immediately on the New York, Penn- sylvania & Ohio and Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Columbus Railroads, thus affording the great- est facilities for loading and shipping the prod- uct to any part of the country.

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History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 64

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848- Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey Number of Pages: 1104

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1104