USA > Pennsylvania > Fayette County > Connellsville > Centennial history of the borough of Connellsville, Pennsylvania, 1806-1906 > Part 34
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Its work is becoming more and more popular and the officers think the business has a great future.
The management contemplate incorporating under Pennsylvania laws and relinquishing the District of Colum- bia charter at an early date. The number of directors has been reduced to five, who are also the officers of the com- pany, as follows: President, H. A. Crow ; vice-president. V. H. Soisson ; secretary, Fred Neuroth; treasurer, Peter Rutsek ; manager, C. L. Edmonds.
PLANING MILLS AND BUILDING CONTRACTORS.
David Walker & Company conducted a planing mill and did general contracting in the buildings formerly occu- pied by the old Fuller tannery on Grape alley. Some years previous to 1880, he had abandoned the mill and retired from business. J. R. Balsley had been superintendent for James Calhoun and Company for a number of years, and desiring to start for himself, bought the old plant and estab- lished the Youghiogheny Lumber Yard in 188?, using the old building for his planing mill and shop and the tan-yard for lumber storage. He put up a building on the northwest corner of the property, using the first floor as an office and the second floor as a finishing shop for fine work.
About 1885 he erected a two-story structure on Pitts- burgh street, on part of the plot now occupied by the Mc- Clenathan block, and used it as an office and store room, adding a line of building supplies. At the same time he took into the firm Dr. S. S. Stahl,-the name being J. R. Balsley
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& Co. In 1892 this partnership sold out to J. C. Munson and others.
After a number of years' retirement from the building and contracting business. Mr. Balsley, a few years ago, established himself in New Haven under the old name of the "Youghiogheny Lumber Yard," giving most of his at- tention to merchandising in lumber, builders' supplies, etc.
FAYETTE LUMBER COMPANY, LIMITED.
This company was formed in 1892, to take over the business of the Youghiogheny Lumber Yard. Its capital was $15,000, since increased to $20,000.
Charles Davidson was made president ; J. C. Munson, secretary and treasurer. These two gentlemen, with Col. J. M. Reid, constituted the board of managers. There has been no change in the management since the company started, which in a measure accounts for the company's success. By a policy of fairness in dealing and attention to details maintained by them, they have gained for their com- pany an enviable reputation throughout this part of the state.
The plant was first located in the buildings occupied by the Youghiogheny Lumber Yard, including the office on Pittsburgh street, but upon the erection of the McClenathan building, the company, being obliged to give up its office, purchased a site on Eighth street and Gibson avenue with Pennsylvania railroad connections. The office and planing mill is on the north side of Gibson avenue and the lumber yard on the south side.
The mill is equipped with nine electric motors, aggre- gating thirty-five horsepower. Each machine has its own independent motor, affording great economy in the use of power.
The company employs forty men the year round, and at times twice that number. Among the more important buildings erected by this company might be named the First Baptist Church, one of the most beautiful and costly
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churches in Connellsville, at the corner of South Pittsburgh street and Baldwin avenue. It also erected the Dunn-Paine building, the Third Ward school, both the Baltimore & Ohio and Pennsylvania railroad depots, the Slaymaker-Barry Company's buildings, the factory for the Pittsburgh Safe Company, the Sligo Iron & Steel Company, the residence of Charles Davidson, the Wishart building and Baptist Church at Dunbar, Pa., besides a great many other resi- dences and business houses in Connellsville and vicinity.
CONNELLSVILLE PLANING MILL COMPANY.
Incorporated 1904, under Pennsylvania laws, with a capital of $25,000. H. M. Kerr is president; J. A. Arm- strong, vice-president, and J. A. Russell, secretary and treas- urer. This corporation succeeded to the business of Cal- houn & Company when the old mill was destroyed by reason of the taking over of the property by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company. They built a new mill, operated by a gas engine on South alley and Arch street.
Calhoun & Company, a partnership formed in 1883, were the successors of a long line of planing mill operators on the same site, beginning with Carson & Nickel, who were succeeded in time by Calhoun & Carson, James Cal- houn, and James Calhoun & Company.
SOUTH CONNELLSVILLE LUMBER COMPANY.
John F. Soisson, J. N. Sisley and others organized the above company and a charter was granted by the state of Pennsylvania, July 15th, 1896. The capital stock was $10,- 000.00 full paid.
The company was called into existence by the increased demand for dwellings caused by the rapid development of South Connellsville, the exploitation of which place had been started during the previous year. Its officers and directors were John F. Soisson, president ; J. N. Sisley, sec- retary and manager; Joseph Wilson, W. H. Wilson and Joseph Weber.
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A planing mill was erected at South Connellsville, and the company soon had a flourishing business. Most of the dwellings of South Connellsville were erected by it as well as many in other parts of Connellsville and New Haven.
The present officers are: Vincent H. Soisson, presi- dent ; W. S. Ringer, secretary and treasurer. These, with Michael Hurley, W. F. Soisson and G. A. Whitney, con- stitute the board of directors.
CONNELLSVILLE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY.
On the evening of February 23rd, 1903, a meeting was held in the parlors of the First National Bank of Connells- ville, and an organization known as the Connellsville Con- struction Company formed for the purpose of doing gen- eral contracting, building, painting, and retailing builders' supplies. Offices were secured in the First National Bank building, and property purchased on Gibson avenue and Railroad street for use as a general yard.
The authorized capital of this company is $50,000.00, $19,800.00 having been paid in. It is incorporated under the laws of Pennsylvania, its charter being dated March 25th, 1903. At the time of its formation, there were 46 stockholders.
At the stockholders' meeting, the following officers and directors were elected to serve for one year from that date : President, F. T. Evans ; vice president, C. M. Hyatt ; secre- tary, J. Fred Kurtz; treasurer, C. D. Schell; manager, A. MI. Haines.
Directors .- F. T. Evans, E. T. Norton, C. M. Hyatt, C. D. Schell. John Curry, G. W. Stauffer and A. M. Haines.
The present officers and directors are: President, F. T. Evans ; vice president, C. M. Hyatt ; secretary and treas- urer, J. Fred Kurtz ; manager. A. M. Haines.
Directors .- F. T. Evans, E. T. Norton, C. M. Hyatt, E. C. Higbee, John Curry, A. M. Haines and J. A. Guiler.
From its inception, the Connellsville Construction Com- pany entered into the business life of Connellsville with
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energy, and it has been a prominent factor in furthering the interests best calculated to bring the town favorably to the notice of investors and business men.
It has not confined itself to doing work for others ; numerous pieces of real estate, in different sections of the city, have been purchased, and up-to-date, modern dwell- ings erected thereon, same being sold outright upon com- pletion.
Approximately, 125 houses and buildings have been erected since 1903.
From sixty to eighty carpenters, painters, masons, drivers, laborers, etc., are employed throughout the year.
This company's operations have covered considerable territory, work having been done in Connellsville. South Connellsville, New Haven, Greenwood, Leisenring, Dun- bar, Upper Middletown, Dawson, Vanderbilt, and Moyer. Among the larger buildings erected by them are the fol- lowing: Young Men's Christian Association, The Aaron Company, Masonic Temple, Baltimore & Ohio freight and passenger depot, Leisenring and Greenwood school build- ings, First National Bank building at Dunbar, shops for the H. C. Frick Coke Company at Bitner, First National Bank building at Vanderbilt, etc., etc.
Merchandise bought .- 1903. $49,375.67; 1904. $46,- 282.59; 1905, $67.102.30: 1906, $53,614.21.
Wages paid. - 1903, $23,901.73; 1904, $23,288.42 ; 1905, $27,882.46; 1906, $31,645.03.
Business done .- 1903, $81,128.15; 1904, $94,543.51 : 1905, $106,061.43; 1906, $98,963.22.
THE KEYSTONE PLANING MILL COMPANY.
Incorporated in the latter part of 1905 with a capital of $5,000.00, the latest addition to Connellsville's planing mills and lumber companies has started off very auspiciously and has already provided for an increase in its capital stock of $15,000.00 making a total of $20,000.00 paid in.
The incorporators were John D. Sherrick. James W.
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Buttermore, Robert L. Hannam and W. E. Mier of whom James W. Buttermore was chosen president ; John D. Sher- rick, vice president ; W. E. Mier, treasurer, and Robert L. Hannam, secretary and manager of the Company.
Its mill and yard are located on the Frick siding near the Sligo Iron and Steel Company, whence it will event- ually have connection with both the Baltimore & Ohio and Pennsylvania Railroads.
Although very young the management have entered into the business with vim and aggressiveness and bid fair to become a substantial addition to Connellsville's manu- facturing interests.
WV. A. Hazlett, Worth K. Balsley and Joseph Wilson are contractors and builders who have done excellent work.
CARDING AND FULLING MILL. CARDING MACHINES FACTORY. COTTON FACTORY.
Philo Norton, father of Daniel S., C. A., Philo and L. L. Norton, came from New England in 1812 and erected at Connellsville the first carding machine put in operation this side of the mountains. It was located on McCoy's run near the old cotton factory which was built by his son, Daniel S. Norton, and Abram Baldwin at about the same time.
There was quite a fall at this point on the run which furnished the water power. The building was a four-story stone structure and the ruins were standing until about two years ago. These ruins were quite frequently sought by those in search of the picturesque-the ivy-clad walls adding a touch of romance to the surroundings and have been many times transferred to canvas by ambitious young artists and by some painters of note, as well.
The fourth story of the building was about on the level of Fairview avenue and a bridge from this story con- necting the factory with the road was the usual means of going to and from the building. It could also be en- tered from below.
RUINS OF THE OLD COTTON FACTORY
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MANUFACTURES
L. L. Norton, C. A. Norton and Abram Baldwin suc- ceeded to the business about 1825, under the firm name of C. A. and L. L. Norton and Company. (Daniel Norton having removed to Mt. Vernon, Ohio), but after two or three years abandoned the business, as competition from the east with improved machinery made it unprofitable.
This firm was also engaged about the same time and for some years previously at a point on the run about one hundred yards above where it is now crossed by Pitts- burgh street, in the manufacture of carding, spinning and threshing machines.
April 12th, 1812, Abram Baldwin and Daniel S. Nor- ton contracted with John Feikh of Allegheny County, Md., for the building of "a good carding machine near this place" (Connellsville). A copy of this agreement is still in existence. Philo Norton, father of Daniel S. Norton, was the original projector of this enterprise, and continued in the firm for some time, but afterwards moved to Louis- iana with his wife and younger members of his family, where he died.
About where Pittsburgh street crosses McCoy's Run, Lester L. Norton had a dam which furnished the power for a carding, spinning and fulling mill. In those days most of the farmers raised their own wool and flax, and made all of their common and some of their best dress goods. (That it was good quality, goes without saying.) They brought the wool and flax to the mill to be carded and spun, and after it was woven brought it back that the mill might "full" it for them. This mill was built about 1820 and was operated until February, 1830, when Mr. Norton moved to Mt. Vernon, Ohio. The water power was utilized through an overshot water-wheel affording suffi- cient potential to run four carding machines, a spinning jenny and a fulling mill.
The ruins of this mill were standing in 1893, and the walls of the dam were only obliterated when South Pitts- burgh street was extended across the run.
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PAPER MILLS.
Daniel and Joseph Rogers, of Connellsville, and Zadoc Walker, of Uniontown, established in 1810, an extensive paper mill on the right bank of the Youghiogheny river, a short distance above the present boundaries of South Connellsville.
The firm of Rogers and Walker was succeeded in 1831 by Herman Gebhart, Josiah Kurtz and L. L. Norton, under the firm name of Gebhart, Norton and Kurtz. During their operation of the mill, Samuel Freeman. who afterwards became a large property owner and an important citizen of Connellsville, drove a team for them, selling paper and buying rags all over the country. He became a skilled trader, and often told in after years that he had "learned the knack" while working for the "paper mill." R. M. Torrence was the bookkeeper.
D. S. Knox, M. Lore and John Scott next succeeded to the ownership of the property, and as a firm continued the manufacture of paper until March ?1st, 1836, when the business was closed and the partnership dissolved, its affairs being wound up by D. S. Knox.
The paper manufactured at this mill was of a very superior quality, caused as it was said by the clearness and purity of the water of the Youghiogheny river, which was used in the process. The product of this mill was shipped by the boat load to New Orleans and other points on the lower river.
The business done here both by the original proprie- tors and their successors (but particularly by Mr. Knox and his associates), was very large and quite a little vil- lage grew up in the vicinity of the mill.
The ruins of the old mill were still standing and could be easily seen from the cars until a few years ago, when the necessities of the railroad for more tracks about de- stroyed them. An old stone house is about all that remains of the once prosperous manufactory and its neighboring dwellings.
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The Trevor family had a paper mill in New Haven succeeding Col. Miller, which was afterwards leased to Gebhart & Freeman (Herman Gebhart and Samuel Free- man already mentioned). It was located where Kell Long's warehouse now stands.
S. CROSSLAND CARRIAGE AND WAGON COMPANY.
In the year 1839 Samuel Crossland began the manu- facture of "good road wagons" on the left bank of the Youghiogheny river near Broad Ford. He was eminently successful in the production of heavy wagons for farming and other purposes, and became famed far and wide for the wearing qualities of his. wagons.
A gentleman born and raised in the vicinity of Con- nellsville purchased a farm about 1885, in the highlands of North Carolina ; upon taking possession he concluded to raze an old shed that stood at an out-of-the-way point on the property. He found within it the front truck of a wagon in good condition, and remarked at once that it had a familiar look. Upon making inquiry he learned that the wagon had been on the property for "upwards of fifty years," and only a few years before had the hind-truck been destroyed.
He though it looked like a "Crossland wagon," but was ready to abandon the idea when he learned its age. .A few days later in handling some of the boards from the old structure, one of his men found the side-board of a wagon with "Crossland, Pa." painted on it-dim yet legible.
The little plant at Broad Ford was oftimes heavily taxed to keep up with the demand which grew apace as the quality of workmanship and material put in the Cross- land wagons became known.
The sons of Samuel Crossland were trained to the trade and assisted in the shops. The business was man- aged by the father until 1888, when H. T. Crossland took over the management on account of the advanced age of the founder who was then in his seventy-second year.
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Two years later M. C. Crossland came into the firm and it was called S. Crossland's Sons. In 1904 the busi- ness was incorporated under Pennsylvania laws with a capital of $40,000.00. H. T. Crossland is the president and treasurer ; W. A. Huster is secretary.
THE RIVERSIDE METAL REFINING COMPANY.
In 1895 Charles F. Hood, P. S. Newmyer and Harry S. Stout organized the Riverside Manufacturing Company, for the purpose of refining and smelting metals and re- claiming waste.
A factory was erected on Race street near Trump run consisting of two buildings about 40 x 100 feet each, one of which was used for the smelting works, and the other for taking the oil out of greasy waste and making it as "good as new," the oils being saved in the process.
The business was continued for several years with ap- parent success, but finally discontinued for lack of suffi- cient capital.
H. S. Stout and others then organized the Riverside Manufacturing and Supply Company, Limited, with a capi- tal of $10,000.00.
The property of its predecessor shortly thereafter passed into the hands of the Crescent Manufacturing Com- pany, and Mr. Stout erected a frame building on Cedar avenue at the corner of Vine street and continued the metal refining and smelting business and handled a line of supplies for manufactories such as, waste, oil, packing, etc.
Upon the death of Mr. Stout which took place a few years after the establishment of the works, the business was continued by his partners, Wm. G. Marqua, John L. Gans and others, who, in September, 1907, organized the Riverside Metal Refining Company, with an authorized cap- ital of $25,000.00, of which $15,000.00 was paid in. The side line of supplies was discontinued and especial atten- tion given to the metal business.
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MANUFACTURES
The products consist of ingot copper, ingot brass, pig tin, pig lead, spelter, babbitts, solders, phosphor bronze and special alloys made to formulae.
The president of the company is E. T. Norton; sec- retary and treasurer, John L. Gans ; manager, C. W. Nor- ton , sales manager, A. L. Klaus, with an office in the Wa- bash Building, Pittsburgh.
HIGHLAND ELECTRO-CHEMICAL MANUFACTUR-
ING COMPANY.
With the rapid growth of the manufacture of electri- cal machinery and instruments came a demand for a solder- ing compound or flux to take the place of acids which had always been used in the soldering process-the acid injures the insulation and many chemists have endeavored to find a substitute.
In the fall of 1896, Charles F. Hood, started the man- ufacture in Connellsville of a soldering paste which over- came the objections to acid-inasmuch as the necessary fluxes are contained in an "envelope" not injurious and being in paste form will not run or spread but stay just ยท where it is wanted.
The business has grown remarkably-the product be- ing sold in all parts of the world. Wherever electrical work is carried on, "Highland paste" is known and used. The output was 23,000 pounds last year, having a value of $23,- 000.00.
The factory is located on Race street.
HUSSAR CHEMICAL COMPANY.
Another of Mr. C. F. Hood's enterprises is the man- ufacture of a soldering stick (in tubes) and chloride of zinc salts (in bottles) for the tinning and canning trade, under the above title. This is different from the paste in that the parts to be soldered are first heated, causing the compound to spread. It is much used by manufacturing jewelers and in some lines of electrical work as well.
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The business was started in 1905. Associated with Mr. Hood in this company is J. L. Schick.
The sales last year amounted to 5,000 pounds valued at $5,000.00.
HIGHLAND CHEMICAL PRODUCTS COMPANY.
Organized in 1905 by Chas. F. Hood and others for the purpose of manufacturing non-corrosive coating for ise on mine pumps, pipes, etc., wherever exposed to sulphur water. This coating has been found to be excellent also, in ice plants, breweries and like plants where machinery is affected by acids.
They manufacture also a red oxide paint for tinners' use in painting roofs, spouting, etc., and a black paint for . structural iron work-bridges, fences, fire escapes, furnace stacks and all iron work exposed to the weather.
The output last year was two barrels per day, valued at $20,000.00.
The two companies last named occupy the old Cres- cent Manufacturing Company's plant.
TRI-STATE CANDY COMPANY.
This company was incorporated February 15th, 1906, under the laws of the state of Pennsylvania, for the pur- pose of manufacturing confectionery and conducting a wholesale business in confectioneries and kindred lines.
The corporation was formed for the purpose of taking over the business of Doyle, Brill & Co., and Carpenter Bros., co-partnerships which had been conducting a like business for some years previously.
The company has erected at the corner of Peach and Arch streets a handsome three-story brick building 33 x 132 feet with a finished basement under the whole.
The building is equipped in the most up-to-date style for the proper handling of the growing business of the company.
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MANUFACTURES
CONNELLSVILLE MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
This company was organized some eight years ago for the purpose of manufacturing Climax Washing Tablets. The plant is located in New Haven and has quite an output in its specialty which is in great demand for laundering, cleaning wood-work and paints, polishing glass, renovat- ing carpets, rugs and general cleaning.
It was first manufactured under the name of the Ivory Washing Tablet, but the manufacturers of Ivory Soap con- sidered it an infringement of their trade-mark, so the name was changed to Climax Washing Tablets. I. C. Smitz is at the head of this enterprise.
MUNSON HEATER COMPANY, LIMITED.
Incorporated in 1905 for the purpose of manufacturing heaters on the direct hot-air plan.
They have quite an establishment at the north end of town near the Sligo Iron & Steel Company's works.
The product is very popular and the demand has al- ready made necessary extensive additions to the plant.
J. C. Munson is president, George A. Munson, secre- tary and treasurer ; W. J. Woodall, manager ; P. C. Cash, general sales agent.
THE CRESCENT MANUFACTURING CO. AND THE LACKAWANNA LUBRICATOR CO.
Was organized in January, 1900, by Pittsburgh and Cleveland parties, and a majority of the stock was acquired by Connellsville people in June of the same year. It began business in the old Riverside Works on Trump run at the southern extremity of the borough. The principal line man- ufactured consisted of brass goods used in sanitary plumb- ing such as hot and cold double bath cocks, compression bibbs, basin cocks in various styles, gas cocks, ball cocks, tank trimmings, traps of all sorts and styles, "connected wastes" overflows, etc., etc.
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF CONNELLSVILLE
In October, 1901, those interested in the Crescent Man- ufacturing Company secured by purchase all the stock, real estate, plant and equipment of the Lackawanna Lubricator Company of Wilmington, Del., formerly located at Scran- ton, Pa. This corporation controls valuable patents cover- ing a line of automatic grease cups and sight feed lubri- cators which have an established reputation among con- sumers.
The two companies gave employment to about 100 men and boys and had annual output of about $120,000.00.
Scottdale parties became heavily interested in the con- cern and about 1903 the establishment was moved to that place.
The officers during the last year of operation in Con- nellsville were: W. F. Stauffer, president; D. B. Williams, general manager ; Geo. T. Griffin, treasurer ; Robert Klemm, superintendent, of the Crescent Manufacturing Company, and John M. Stauffer, president; Chas. H. Smith, Jr., vice president; Geo. T. Griffin, secretary and treasurer of the Lackawanna Lubricator Company.
HUMBERT TIN PLATE COMPANY.
South Connellsville was first brought into notice, in- dustrially, during the year 1895, when the organization of the Connellsville Sheet Iron and Tin Plate Company, for the purpose of building a sheet iron and tin plate works at that place was accomplished.
The incorporators of the company were: George J. Humbert, G. W. Humbert, A. M. King, Jr., and T. R. Morgan, all of whom were also directors of it. George J. Humbert was president and treasurer; G. W. Humbert, vice president; A. M. King, Jr., secretary.
A large piece of land was secured from the Connells- ville Extension Company and work started at once. The plant was completed and put in operation in October, 1896, and consisted of four mills with complete annealing and tinning equipment:
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