USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > Catasauqua > A history of Catasauqua in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania > Part 6
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THE CATASAUQUA BREWERY.
The brewery known as the Catasanqua Brewery was established in 1867 by Matthew Millhaupt. He had a successful but brief career. He died in 1872. Mr. Millhaupt's widow continued the business and Christian Stockberger served her as brewmaster. This combination succeeded so well that after a while Mr. Stockberger became proprietor of the brewery by winning Mrs. Millhaupt as his
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bride. Mr. Stockberger died in 1885. The sons-in-law of the widow. Henry Geisel and Felix Keller, now took charge of the brewery; but their venture failed. A Frenchman, whose name tradition has forgotten, brewed ale for some months and failed.
Through endorsements the property fell into the hands of Wen Fatzinger and Frank Butz, who, however, did not run the brewery. In October, 1900. Henry Kirsch and H. H. Rice bought the property, made some improvements and
CATASAUQUA BREWERY
began to brew beer. The latter soon purchased his partner's share and continued alone until November, 1906. when the present proprietor, Charles L. Lehuert. bought the property. Mr. Lehnert is a practical brewer, who learnt his trade in Germany. He has made some wonderful improvements to the old Catasauqua Brewery. He enlarged the boiler-house and the engine room, and built a bottling house. During 1909 he erected a three story brew-house and equipped the same with the best machinery obtainable. He began the construction of new storage cellars in 1913. Into these he has placed enameled steel tanks. The present out- put of this brewery is eight thousand barrels of beer and porter. Mr. Lehnert also manufactures an excellent grade of soft drinks, and stamps his name with a worthy pride upon all his products.
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THE HISTORY
THE LEIHIGH FIRE BRICK WORKS.
The Lehigh Fire Brick Company was established 1868 by Me Hose and Ritter in a frame building on the present site, between Front St. and the Lehigh Coal & Navigation Co. canal, and lying between the F. W. Wint Co., Ltd., and Bryden Horseshoe Co.'s plants. This building was burned down in 1872, and the stone structure now standing was built in its place by Joshua Hunt, Samuel Thomas and JJohn Thomas.
LEHIGH FIRE BRICK WORKS
In 1903 the concern was re-incorporated and is now known as the Lehigh Fire Brick Works. It is advantageously situated, having connections with the Lehigh Valley, Central Railroad of N. J., Phila. & Reading and Lehigh & New England Railroads.
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The concern is successfully engaged in the manufacture of all standard and special shaped fire bricks for furnace, foundry, milling and general purposes.
L. H. McHose, son of one of the original members of the firm, Samuel MeHose, and a pioneer in the fire brick business in this part of the country, is now president of the company.
THE CATASAUQUAA DISPATCH.
Edmund Randall opened a printing office on the first floor of the Esch Build- ing on Front Street below Mulberry Street, on September 1, 1870. Feeling en- couraged in his venture, Mr. Randall issued a monthly advertising sheet which he distributed throughout Catasauqua and neighboring towns. This gave rise to the suggestion of a local newspaper which Mr. Randall at once proceeded to publish. He called it the Catasauqua Dispatch and brought forth weekly issues.
There never was a news sheet issued in the whole valley that was so homo- geneous in all its publications as the Catasauqua Dispatch. Its utterances were fearless and breathed a spirit absolutely true to itself. The Dispatch championed the cause of many public utilities, a few of which are the Pine Street Bridge, our Greater Schools, the Municipal Water Plant, and the Old Home Week Cele- bration.
It has always preached a high standard of morals, and, indeed, was a potent foree in moulding the thoughts and aets of young and old. It was ever ready to shout for patriotism ; and, during Memorial or Independence week. it bristled with spicy lines that told of the deeds and lives of the great and good men of the nation.
Mr. Randall is one of the oldest and most widely known members of the . State Editorial Association. The last number of the Dispatch from his pen is dated Friday, April 10, 1914. In this issue Mr. Randall delivered a beautiful and long to be remembered valedietory.
He upon whom the old editorial mantle feel is one of our own townsmen. A gentleman, a scholar, a Christian are the general terms that most briefly describe his character. The public can expect to read with complacency all manner of good literature as well as spicy and up-to-date news articles in the columns of the Dispatch, and any worthy propaganda that aims toward uplift and prosperity
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THE HISTORY
will not only find support but manly leadership in the Dispatch. The new editor is JJohn S. Matchette.
BRYDEN HORSE SHOE CO.
The Bryden Horse Shoe Company was organized in 1882. Joshua Hunt was its first president ; Oliver Williams, secretary and treasurer. Horse shoes orig- inally were manufactured here inder patents of George Bryden, of Hartford, ('onn. Finished shoes, with toe and heel eaulks, were made under hammers for use principally on street car horses. About thirty men were employed for several years and the daily product was from two and one-half to three tons. With the passing of the street car horses, the company was obliged to seek other outlets for its product and to do this it became necessary to increase the plant accord- ingly. In 1888, this was accomplished and the capital stock was increased to one hundred thousand dollars. Jacob Roberts of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., was engaged to equip the plant for the manufacture of the pattern shoes used by the general blacksmith trade and the output was trebled.
After many years of effort and varying success, the company's product had made a name and place for itself in the markets of the country and to-day it is one of the largest plants of its kind in the world, producing a larger variety of horse shoes than any other one plant. During the Boer War, 1899-1900, the company supplied the British War Department with about a car-load of horse and mule shoes weekly, and the authorities of that Department have continued to place orders with the company at intervals ever since.
On the death of Oliver Williams in 1894 (who had been elected President and Treasurer in 1884), George E. Holton, then Vice-President, was elected to the office of President and Treasurer, T. F. Frederick continuing as Secretary and so remaining until his death in 1909, when HI. Morley Holton succeeded him as Secretary.
The plant has grown steadily and to-day it occupies about seven acres of ground. Its daily production is from forty to fifty tons of horse shoes. A com- plete line of racing plates is also manufactured. The paid up capital stock has been inereased from time to time and to-day it is six hundred twenty-five thousand dollars. About three hundred men are given steady employment in manufac-
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turing productions of the highest standard, which are sold not only in North America and Great Britain but also in New Zealand, Australia and South America. The officers of the company are: Mrs. George E. Holton, President. who succeeded Mr. Holton upon his death in 1913: HI. Morley Holton. Secretary and Treasurer; Paul E. Miller, General Manager.
THE WARNETAJI SILK COMPANY.
This company was chartered "to manufacture silk fabries" in 1890. when it began to run on a production of silk plush. The plush business, however.
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WAHNETAH SILK MILL
proved unprofitable, so that during 1902 this machinery was substituted for broad silk looms.
Now the Wahnetah plant began to grow. Building was added to building until their present equipment comprises seven hundred looms and such other
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THE HISTORY
departments as are necessary to prepare the silk received in skein for use on the loom.
The Wahnetah Company buys its raw silk directly from the raw silk im- porters in New York City. From the importers the raw silk (Japan silk) is shipped to the throwsters (Spinning Mill). From the throwsters it is shipped to the dye-house from which it comes in skeins to the weaving mill.
The latest improved machinery is installed throughout the plant, and, being operated by competent help, produces a stock of the finest grade silks, which finds ready sale in any market.
Whilst the Wahnetah prospers our whole town feels the pulse-beat of its life. An average of five hundred persons earn their daily bread here.
The first president of the Company was James Thomas, who was succeeded at his death by William R. Thomas, Jr., the present incumbent, who is also general manager of the plant. Mr. Frank M. Horn has served as Secretary and Treasurer sinee the organization of the Company. Mr. William M. Alford and Sons, New York, are the managers of the sale's department.
THE DERY SILK MILL.
Ground was broken for a silk mill at Front and Raee Streets in March, 1897, and building operations were undertaken forthwith. One hundred and fifty
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looms and all needed accessories were installed, and in August of the same year. the plant was in full operation. During the summer of 1899, the capacity of the mill was doubled by the erection of a large addition. The plant of D. G. Dery possesses not only excellent light, the best of sanitary and ventilation arrange- ments, but also modern improvements, looking to the health and safety of em- ployees. The building is three hundred feet by fifty feet in dimensions, three stories high, with auxiliary buildings attached-the whole equipped with the most modern machinery. Employment is furnished to three hundred people. whose production is mostly colored and black dress silks. The output reaches about twenty thousand pieces per annum, finding sale in all parts of the United States.
Mr. Dery understands fully the requirements for silk manufacture and the best methods of supplying them.
THE CATASAUQUAA BOILER WORKS.
This industry was established by Samuel MeCloskey in April, 1901. in a small shop on Front and Willow Streets.
After a successful career of two years Mr. McCloskey's brothers. JJohn. William and James, came from the far west in order to join their brother in this business.
Orders multiplied until the old shop became too small to do rapid and snecess- ful work. The company, therefore, bought the site of the old Rolling Mill prop- erty on Front Street, above Pine, where they had ample room and employed be- tween thirty and forty men.
During 1907, the partnership was dissolved, and the place of business sold. Messrs. John and James MeCloskey went west again.
The following year Samuel started his business again at his original place. and succeeds in doing a fine business. His shop is well equipped. Ten to fifteen men find constant employment there.
EMANUEL & COMPANY.
Emanuel & Company with its main office at Catasauqua, Pa., organized as a corporation January, 1904, with the following officers :- Mr. David L. Emamiel,
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THE HISTORY
Pres., and Mr. George W. Aubrey, Secretary and Treasurer. The chief object of the company is to manufacture and crush blast furnace slag for roofing and manufacture concrete work.
The first Plant was erected at Catasauqua, Pa., on the slag bank of the Crane Iron Works. After this slag was exhausted, the Crushing Plant was removed to the bank of the Thomas Iron Company at Hokendanqua, Pa., at which place there is a Crusher located now. The second Crushing Plant, which has been in oper- ation since 1911, was located at a different bank of the Crane Tron Works at Catasauqua, Pa. Various banks were leased, and Crushing Plants erected and operated from time to time at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and South Bethlehem, Pa.
The use of slag for concrete work being an experiment, it required a number of years of hard work to introduce it to Architects, Contractors and Engineers, and it was not until the last few years that it was adopted by the Architects and Engineers for the leading manufacturing and contracting coneerns in this section. From that time on the growth of the slag business has been very remarkable, and to-day. the two Crushing Plants operated by Emanuel & Company turn out almost one thousand tons daily.
The present offieers of the company (1913-1914) are Paul E. Miller of Cata- sauqua, Pa., President and Treasurer, and Miles T. Bitting of Allentown, Pa., Secretary.
The Company sells its product all over the Middle Atlantic States, New England States, and Southern Canada. It employs about seventy-five men the year round, most of whom reside in Catasauqua and near-by towns.
GOLDSMITH'S PLANING MILL.
Franklin Goldsmith is a native of Alburtis, Pa., where he served his ap- prenticeship as a carpenter. Well qualified for the trade, he struck out into the world and soon found his way to Catasauqua. Here he served for contractors until 1886, when he resolved to start in business for himself. Mr. Goldsmith has always had the reputation of doing first class work, which not only kept him very busy, but obliged him to inerease his force of men repeatedly.
In the spring of 1907, he began the erection of a large planing mill, boiler house and lumber sheds. His equipment is complete and well nigh perfeet. The
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machine room alone measures ninety by one hundred thirty fort. There is nothing made of wood that this progressive firm is not prepared to produce.
During 1909, Mr. Goldsmith admitted his son, Franklin R. A., into partner- ship. "Young Frank" learned his trade under his father, which together with a course at college, has thoroughly qualified him for his position. The firm,
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PLANING MILL
GOLDSMITH'S PLANING MILL
Franklin Goldsmith and Son, whose mill and offices are at 808-814 Race Street. now employ an average of forty men.
YOUNG'S BOILER COMPOUND COMPANY.
Mr. Harry R. Young has been interested for many years in boiler preserva- tion, and in the protection of the lives and limbs of many men who fire boilers.
After many tests of waters and neutralizing acids by which solidifying sub- stances in water are reduced to a minimum, Mr. Young succeeded in producing a boiler compound that rivals the best known product of its kind. He received his patent in 1908.
Nearly two hundred customers scattered throughout Pennsylvania. New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Colorado, Virginia and other States, testify to the positive effectiveness of the Young's Compound. A quality that shows this compound to be of superior value is that it is absolutely safe, as well as certain
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THE HISTORY
in action : and. if overfed to the boiler, it will not foam as is the case with so many similar products.
Mr. Young associated some gentlemen with himself so as to form the Young Boiler Compound Company, which does business at 1025 Third Street.
LEICESTER RUBBER COMPANY.
The Leicester Rub- ber Company was in- corporated under the laws of the State of New Jersey, June 10. 1910, by A. De Piano, President ; Joseph F. Maher, Vice Presi- dent ; and William M. Maher, Sec'y. and Treas. The Company RUBBER WORKS conducted a rubber business in the City of Trenton for almost four (4) years, when the business developed to such an extent that it out-grew its location. In looking for a more modern plant, they came in contact with the mill formerly occupied by the ()'Brien Rubber Thread & Webbing Company, Catasauqua.
In July of 1913, they purchased this mill with all its equipment and removed their present plant from Trenton to Catasauqua. Mr. I. Fineburg, a very promi- nent scrap-rubber dealer of Trenton, identified himself with the Company. After considerable expenditure in setting up new machinery, etc., they started business here in the month of September, 1913, and met with instant success.
They manufacture rubber mechanical goods, door mats, baby carriage tiring, fruit jar rings, heels and soles and also reclaimed rubber to a great extent.
At the present writing the outlook for business is very favorable, as they have orders ahead sufficient to run their works for three or four months. Their plant is very busy, employing about 25 people.
They ship goods to all parts of the United States, Alaska, Honolulu, Hawaii.
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THERMOMETER WORKS.
The firm of Keys Bros. & Co., manufacturers of Clinical Ther- mometers, was organized in Catasauqua March Ist. 1911. Their present location is 115-117 Bridge St. The manufacture of these thermometers is a new industry in Catasauqua, and, therefore, a few remarks about the manufacture of them would not be amiss. The glass tubing is made in Corning, N. Y., and shipped to them in six foot lengths, and then they cut it up to any required length. The bulb is then blown on to this tubing and filled with mereury. This operation takes great skill, and ean only be done by experienced mechanics. After this, the thermometers have to go through twenty different stages before they are com- pleted.
They are sent to the large cities, and sold from there to all parts of the world. The members of the firm learned their trade in England, and since locat- ing in Catasauqua, received a large government order for the manufacture of 12,000. The thermometers, which took two months to make, are now being used in all Government Hospitals in the United States. The firm at present is extremely busy, having contracts for the entire output each week.
THE CATASAUQUA SILK COMPANY.
The youngest Silk Company is the Catasauqua, organized November. 1911. The original members of the firm were: James J. Seyfried, Wilson JJ. Smith. Edwin J. Smith and Frank J. Schleicher.
These gentlemen purchased the beautiful two-story office building on Race Street and the Central Railroad of New Jersey from its builder and owner. Pres- ton H. Kratzer, and converted it into a mill.
Looms were running on broad silk by the end of December. 1911. During 1913, the plant was enlarged so that now they have floor space and auxiliary machinery sufficient to run fifty looms.
Under the capable management of Mr. H. O. Glase, their Superintendent. the firm produees a good quality of silk which finds ready sale.
THE CATASAUQUA GARAGE.
Charles Wentz and Nicholas Dugan determined to establish an Automobile repair shop and supply house at the corner of Pine and Railroad Streets, on the eleventh of April, 1911 ..
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THIE HISTORY
During July of the same year, Philip R. Lynch purchased the interest of Mr. Wentz. Since that time the co-partnership is known as " Lynch and Dugan." Both of these men are practical machinists.
Their line of work embraces general repairing of machines and supplying parts and materials.
They store and groom cars, and also supply cars for hire.
The business prospects for these young and reliable men are very bright.
THE HERRINGTON FURNITURE COMPANY.
The Herrington Furniture Company was organized in March, 1911, by 1. C. Herrington and C. H. Edwards, Jr., and located its plant at 1126 Second Street. The business of this firm is to upholster furniture and sell to the trade. Their sales territory is chiefly the States of New York, New Jersey and Pennsyl- vania. They also do repair work.
THE PEERLESS AUTO SERVICE.
The Peerless Auto Service was instituted at Railroad and Almond Streets, North Catasauqua, in December, 1912, for the accommodation of the general publie. This service is equipped with Taxi-Cabs and Five and Seven Passenger Cars. Careful drivers accompany each car. Dr. H. J. S. Keim is the Proprietor, and his name stands a sufficient guarantee of security to any one who knows the Doctor.
CATASAUQUA MOTOR CAR WORKS.
Preston H. Kratzer, son of R. Frank Kratzer, served his apprenticeship while still quite a young man. While in the employ of Mr. Goldsmith he conceived the idea that he might succeed as contractor, and so launched forth some seven- teen years ago. He enjoyed the confidence of men of affairs and secured some valuable contracts. These he fulfilled most conscientiously. He built a large planing mill known as the South End Planing Mill. During the fall of 1913, Mr. Kratzer associated with himself as partner Lewis M. Jones. The latter paid special attention to the contracting for and the erection of buildings, while the former launehed out upon a new industry known as The Catasauqua Motor ('ar Works. The floors of the planing mill were cleared and machinery, con- tributory to the construction and repairs of motor ears, introduced. There were
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expert foremen in the paint and wood departments as well as in the machine shop. A large storage and exhibition building was erected. The plant had over twenty thousand square feet of floor space. All indications pointed toward great success. when during the night of March 4. 1914, all but the storage house burnt to the ground and five fine machines with it. This was a severe blow to a keen and enterprising business man. The ruins of that conflagration remain undisturbed at this time.
THE CRYSTAL ICE COMPANY.
In these modern days of wholesome and sanitary living. the refrigerator seems to play a larger part than the coal bin. The former is now in per- ennial use. Pure ice. much more than clear ice. is the great de- mand. Certain gentle- ICE PLANT men with Henry G. Walker. President, William J. Montz. Vice President, C. O. Fuller. Secretary- Treasurer, and William H. Satelle, Chief Engineer, organized the Crystal lee Company in 1913.
They purchased a property at Peach and American Streets and immediately began to dig an artesian well. They had a lucky find. The well is one hundred seven feet deep. has an eight inch bore, and a capacity of 200 gallons of water per minute. The temperature of the water is 52 degrees. Fahrenheit. Only well water is used in the manufacture of ice in this plant and all the water is distilled before it is frozen into iee. The capacity of the plant is forty tons of the very best iee in twenty-four hours. The average weight of the cakes of ice is three hundred pounds. The Company is capitalized for twenty-five thousand dollars. The first ice was produced on Thursday, April 30, 1914.
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CHAPTER III .- CHURCHES.
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The institution of the First Presbyterian Church at Catasauqua was coin- cident with the establishment of the Crane Iron Works in 1839. The general manager of the Company, Mr. David Thomas, is the reputed founder of the Church. Through his kindly offices. the Company donated a triangular piece of ground-with a base of one hundred sixty-four feet, and each leg one hundred fifty-eight feet-at the extreme limits of its land, on a road leading from Allen Township on the north to the old town of Bethlehem on the southeast. The first building of the congregation, constructed of boards set upright and shingle covered, was located in a woods on the south side of the triangular plot. Its whitewashed walls, both inside and out, for which a generous supply of slacked lime in a hogs- head was continually kept in a shed at the rear of the building; First Church Building in Town-First Presbyterian Church its rough hewn benches; its long iron rods passing through and through the building near the ceiling at symmetrical distances and fastened with nuts on the outside to enhance the stability of the wooden structure; its swinging camphene lamps suspended from the ceiling by slender rods passing through small holes in the ceiling enabling the lamps to be raised or lowered at will-the wonderment of curious children ; all challenge the imagination.
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Later, at the suggestion of Mr. Thomas, the Crane Iron Company donated sufficient land at the rear of the old reservoir on Church Street to enlarge its triangular into a rectangular plot, with dimensions of three hundred fifty by two hundred feet.
The history of this congregation was concisely given in an address by Samuel Thomas, son of the founder, upon the occasion of celebrating. on September 23. 1904, the "Semi-Centennial Jubilee" of laying the corner-stone of the present church on the north-east corner of Second and Pine Streets. The address is as follows :
"Just fifty years ago, in the peace and cahn of the early twilight of a bean- tiful September evening, a group of Christian worshippers assembled to witness the ceremony of laying the corner stone of the First Presbyterian Church in whose shadow we are now standing, first in name only but not in point of erection.
The first church was a little frame building 25 by 35 feet, built by David Minnich, in the woods between the reservoir and what is now Mrs. John Wil- liam's garden (now the property of Mr. J. W. Fuller, Jr.). at the upper end of Church Street, on land donated by the Crane Tron Co. The time was the last Sunday of December 1839, cold and stormy, when the ground was covered with snow. and brother John and I had nailed planks together to use as a plough to open paths through the heavy fall of snow. The storm was so severe that after the corner-stone had been laid by Rev. Landis, pastor of the Allentown Presbyterian Church (the first English Church in Lehigh County), the little congregation were obliged to continue the services in the home of Father Thomas, which is still standing opposite the Crane Iron Works.
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