Historical and biographical annals of Berks County, Pennsylvania, embracing a concise history of the county and a genealogical and biographical record of representative families, Volume I, Part 42

Author: Montgomery, Morton L. (Morton Luther), b. 1846; J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago : J. H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1018

USA > Pennsylvania > Berks County > Historical and biographical annals of Berks County, Pennsylvania, embracing a concise history of the county and a genealogical and biographical record of representative families, Volume I > Part 42

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

CLOTHING:

J. P. Sellers & Co., successors of James Jameson, 1844.

Leinbach & Bro., 1865 (Joseph and George), who were succeeded by Joseph and Charles H. Leinbach.

Reading Pants Manufacturing Company (Solo- mon Hirschland), 1895.

Albert J. Brumbach, 1895.

There are numerous custom tailors who make suits to order; also upward of two hundred dress- makers who are constantly engaged in making women's and girls' dresses, employing from sev- eral hands to ten and even twenty. Large dress- making departments are carried on successfully by C. K. Whitner & Co., Kline, Eppihimer & Co., and Dives, Pomeroy & Stewart, in connection with their stores.

COTTON FACTORY :

In the year 1849, certain capitalists at Read- ing organized a company for the manufacture of muslin and in 1851 erected a large plant 68 by 274 feet on a block of ground, at Ninth and Cotton streets, which has continued in operation almost constantly until the present time. In 1886 it was enlarged to 360 feet. Garner & Co., of New York, have operated it since 1860 in a very successful manner, in connection with other plants. They have employed nearly 300 persons, and paid out annually in wages upward of $75,000, evidencing the important character of this enterprise to Read- ing. Ellis L. Castor has been the manager of this large plant since 1900. His predecessor from 1884 to 1900 was Jonathan Smith; and from 1857 to 1884 the manager was John Gragg. From 1872 to 1900, Mr. Castor served as clerk under the man- agers named.

COTTON GOODS, HOSIERY :

The following list embraces the active manu- facturers of hosiery at Reading :

Reading Knitting Mills, 1883.

Nolde & Horst Company, 1888, very large.

William J. Bobst, 1891.

George W. Hawk & Co., 1896.

Harry Hahn, 1896. Penn Knitting Mills, 1896.

Kuersten & Rick, 1896. S. S. Miller, 1898.

J. H. Loose, 1898. W. H. Lando, 1898. Hampden Knitting Mills Company, 1899. East Penn Hosiery Company, 1899. George Guenther, 1900. .

H. R. Epler & Son, 1901.

Hawk Knitting Company, 1901.

Consolidated Knitting & Spinning Mills, 1901.

Albert Weber, 1901, formerly of L. Weber & Co., and Weber & Hahn.

Charles L. Oaks, 1904.

Metropolitan Knitting Mills. 1904.

Rick Hosiery Company, 1905.

A. W. Wolfinger Company, 1905.

Colonial Hosiery Mills, 1906.

Central Knitting Mills Company, 1907.

Reading Knitting Mill .- Hosiery, both cotton and woolen, was commonly made by hand by many females at Reading, and sold to the stores. Great quantities were made elsewhere, brought here and sold at retail in the stores. By the year 1876, the custom of wearing home-made stockings was al- most entirely abandoned.

In 1883, the first factory was established at Read- ing for the manufacture of hosiery by machinery, and after passing through several hands, the plant in 1885 became the property of I. C. Hunsicker & Co., who traded as the Reading Knitting Mills, and were the first firm to employ upward of a hundred hands and produce daily about 500 dozen. In 1891 they erected a fine large plant, increased their hands to 250 and their daily product to 800 dozen daily; which evidences the growth of this. new enterprise at Reading. In 1896, J. Gaenzle & Co. became the successors, and in 1898 Charles E. Leippe secured an interest in the business, when the name was changed to Gaenzle & Leippe. In 1905 Charles T. Davies succeeded Gaenzle and the firm became Leippe & Davies, but trading under the same name. In December, 1907, Mr. Leippe became the sole owner, and he has since operated the plant very successfully, employing 150 hands.

Noldc-Horst Hosiery Mill .- Jacob Nolde and George D. Horst began to manufacture hosiery on the third floor of the Thalheimer Power building on Cedar street, south of Walnut, in 1888, with 25 hands. Their annual product amounted to $20,000. In 1890, they built a brick factory on Cedar street beyond Walnut, and there continued the business, in connection with a plant which they carried on at Eighth and Spring streets, until 1892, when they took possession of a four-story brick building on Moss beyond Douglass, which they erected. In 1896 they enlarged the building by adding two wings; and in 1897 they became incorporated as The Nolde & Horst Company, with a capital of $250,000.

In December, 1899, the entire plant was destroy- ed by fire, but it was rebuilt immediately on the same site, much improved, with slow-burning con- struction, fire walls, sprinkler equipment, stair- towers, etc. These stair-towers at the north and south end of the large structure are the first of the kind introduced at Reading and they afford ab- solutely safe exits in case of fire.

In 1906 they added the Ninth Street Mill, which practically doubled their plant. They are now the largest hosiery manufacturers in the eastern sec- tion of the country, if not in the entire country. They produce annually 1,000,000 dozen pairs of hose and half-hose, worth $2,000,000, and employ 1,500 peo- ple. Their annual pay-roll is $600,000. Their pro-

174

HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

duct is sold in all parts of the United States, but former was continued until 1900, when Maurice E. none of it is exported. The officers are: Jacob Roeder became the successor, and Mr. Roeder has Nolde, president ; George D. Horst, secretary- treas- urer ; John D. Horst, superintendent.

COTTON GOODS, UNDERWEAR :

Elijah S. Ammon, 1893.

Lewis Rothermel, 1898.

Lewis & Schultz Manufacturing Company, 1907; running another factory at Tremont.

Reading Underwear Company, 1906 (succeeding C. E. Smith, W. W. Moyer and R. T. Brown, who started in 1902) ; have another factory at Ephrata.

Mt. Penn Underwear Company, 1905 (Levi M. Miller & James M. Stoudt).

Eclipse Knitting Company, 1906.

Dreisel & Ripka, 1907.

CREAMERIES :

Peter Zacharias, 1905 (succeeding Spang & Zacharias, 1893-1905).

Keystone Creamery, 1902 (William M. and Charles D. Toole) (succeeding Joseph Stauffer, 1893-97, and A. S. Clouser, 1897-1902).

DYE WORKS:

Neversink Dyeing Company, 1906 (succeeding Nathan S. Althouse and James H. Knoll, 1894- 1906).

Liberty Dye Works, 1898 (Elias Schulz and son Edward).

Reading Dyeing Company, 1907.

There was a prominent dyer at Reading for a number of years before and after the Civil war, named Sebastian Boehnlein.

ELECTRO-PLATING :

Franklin Specialty Company carried on electro- plating, nickel-plating and the manufacture of spe- cialties from 1901 to 1909, when Charles Engel- meyer became the proprietor of the plant. He em- ploys from 10 to 15 hands.

EXPRESS AND TRANSFER COMPANIES :

Albright Express .- Soon after the opening of the Philadelphia & Reading railroad, Philip Al- bright established an express line for the delivery of goods and merchandise, and he continued in the business until 1872. For a long time he had an ex- press car attached to the passenger trains, which enabled him to despatch shipments to Philadelphia and delivery at Reading.

Express Companies .- The Howard Express was the first company to locate at Reading, having es- tablished an office here in 1849 and continued until 1870; the Central conducted an office here from 1870 to 1880; and the Adams from 1880 to the present time. The P. & R. R. Co. started in 1872 and continued until 1889, when the business was transferred to the United States Express Company.

Local Express .- Edwin C. Hiester embarked in the local express business at Reading in 1861 for delivering baggage and freight and for transferring passengers. The latter was discontinued in 1888, when the Union Transfer Company was started expressly for this branch of the business. The verted into a paper-mill).

carried on the business until the present time, em- ploying 11 teams.

A number of other persons engaged in this busi- ness, the important lines being :

H. A. Brown, 1873, with 12 teams.

O. B. Coller, 1873, with 8 teams.

C. W. Haas, 1885, with 6 teams.

John Greth, 1892, with 3 teams. D. L. Reber, 1895, with 12 teams. Leibelsperger & Walborn, 1904, with 4 teams. Ambrose Dougherty, 1907, with 3 teams.

Union Transfer Company .- In 1888, the P. & R. R. Co. began the business of transferring baggage and travelers at Reading with C. A. Dougherty as manager, and in 1889 cabs were added to the sys- tem. In 1893 the business was sold to the Union Transfer Company, which was conducting similar systems at Philadelphia, Pottsville, Atlantic City, and other places. In 1896, this company erected a large stable at Court and Cedar streets, costing $25,000. The company employs 20 men, 25 horses, 4 cabs, 2 coaches and 2 baggage wagons. Mr. Dougherty died in 1902 and his son acted as man- ager until 1907, when Michael C. Quinn became his successor.

Reading Taxicab Co .- The automobile having demonstrated its great utility in the matter of loco- motion with increasing success at Reading since its introduction in 1891, and a car called the "taxicab" having come to be made since then to answer the purposes of cab service in and about Reading, Harry O. Koller organized the Reading Taxicab Company with a capital of $20,000 on Dec. 17, 1908, which introduced six fine taxicabs, and these imme- diately came into general demand on account of their quick, neat and satisfactory service.

FIRE APPARATUS :

William 4. Wunder, 1883 ( succeeding Spawn & Dennison, 1880-83).

FIXTURES, BAR, BANK, STORE AND OFFICE :

Loper Brothers (Joseph and Franklin), 1901.

Schrader & Kline also provide all kinds on orders.

FIXTURES, GAS AND ELECTRIC :

Embree & Goodman, 1906 (succeeding Egid Thoma).

FLOUR-MILLS :

Haron Yocum Sons & Co., successors of Aaron Yocum, established 1870.

Werts Milling Company (Edward S. Wertz), 1898.

Three prominent mills were operated along the canal for many years after it was opened for traffic: Krick's (on North River street), Benson's (at foot of Penn street) and Packer's (at foot of Binga- man street) ; and there were two old mills opposite Reading at the mouth of Wyomissing creek, and one at the mouth of the Tulpehocken creek (con-

175

READING

GALVANIZING:

A. Lincoln Frame, who started in the foundry business in 1903, trading under the name of the Gray Iron Foundry Company, added a galvanizing department to his works in 1907, and has since em- ployed 12 men in this branch of work. It is the purchased the business and he has carried it on since with a saddlery.

only individual enterprise of this kind at Reading (galvanizing by the Reading Hardware Works, the Penn Hardware Works and the P. & R. R. Works being done for their own specialties).

GLOVES :

The Reading Glove and Mitten Manufacturing Company was incorporated in 1899 for the manu- facture of silk gloves, and its large plant has been carried on successfully at Tenth and Spruce streets until the present time, employing 60 to 100 hands.

E: Richard Meinig & Co. was organized in 1905 The manufacture of wool and fur hats at Read- ing is the oldest prominent local industry, starting with the beginning of the town. They were hand- for the manufacture of silk gloves, became incor- porated in 1907 and employs from 500 to 700 hands. Its large plant is located on North Front street, be- made until 1852, when machinery was introduced. yond the Lebanon Valley railroad.

GREENHOUSES:

Steckler Brothers (B. Franklin and Leo), 1907 at Adamstown, and continued there until 1864, (succeeding their grandfather, Michael Hauser, when they located in Exeter township, near Black who started in 1840 and continued until 1873, when Bear. They carried on the business there four he was followed by his son Francis and his son-in- years, when they located at Reading. In 1871 they law D. H. Steckler).

H. J. Huessman, 1901 (succeeding John C. Hep- and Willow streets and operated a large and im-

ler, 1875-1901).

G. H. Hoskin Company, 1905 (succeeding Hos- kin & Giles, 1875-1905).

John H. Giles, 1905 (having been associated with G. H. Hoskin from 1875 to 1905).

G. W. Beears, 1890.

J. C. Bauder, 1903.

Alexander Burnett was prominently engaged in the business at Reading from 1850 to 1880.

GROCERS' BAGS :

The Hercules Paper Bag Company was organ- ized in 1891 and incorporated in 1906, for the man- ufacture of grocers' bags, which are produced in great quantities and shipped to all parts of the country.

HARNESS :

The manufacture of harness has always been con- nected with the saddlery shops of Reading. In 1909, there were 5 shops carried on actively : H. Luther Frees, with 6 hands (succeeding his father

and they together carried on the place for upward been continued without interruption from the be- of sixty years) ; Samuel Hartman, with 2 hands; ginning of Reading.

Reading Harness Company, with 4 hands; Joseph H. Lutz, and J. A. Tice.

HORSE-COLLARS :

ployee, Samuel Donahower, who carried on the business for many years. Upon his decease, his widow continued the business with an employee, L. Kantner, trading as Donahower & Co., and they traded until her death, in 1905. Kantner then

George Frees carried on the business from 1848 for upward of twenty years, when he was succeeded by his son Luther, who has since continued at it.

Nathaniel Gery was engaged at it for many years until 1870. He was succeeded by Christian Grun- der, and Grunder by John M. Kantner. Samuel Hartman, Joseph Lutz and Adam Oese have also followed it for thirty years.

HATS AND CAPS :

Fur Hats .- In 1860 John Hendel and brother George engaged in the manufacture of wool hats.

purchased the Wyomissing woolen-mill at Fifth proved plant until 1895, when they were succeeded by John Hendel's Sons (Daniel, Edwin and Harri- son). In 1897 they started making fur hats.

They carried on the business in a very successful manner as John Hendel's Sons until 1907, when Harrison was killed in the Honda wreck in Cali- fornia, and his interest was purchased by his brothers, who have continued the business until the present time. They employ from 400 to 500 hands, depending upon the condition of the trade.

Charles W. Hendel started making fur hats on South Third street in 1889 and has continued a large plant until the present time.

Reading Hat Manufacturing Company was in- corporated in 1905 for the manufacture of stiff fur hats at Reading and has been in the business since, employing about 100 hands. This plant is the successor of G. W. Alexander & Co. at Twelfth and Muhlenberg streets.

Wool Hats .- The manufacture of wool hats has

J. G. Mohn & Bros. started in 1871 and have continued until the present time, employing about 300 hands and being one of the largest plants of -

Horse-collars were made in connection with sad- the kind in Pennsylvania.

dlery at Reading from the beginning. Gideon Wei- John R. Miller and brother Henry began at Read- ser was engaged at it before the city was estab- ing in 1879 and continued until 1905, when John lished in 1847 and he was succeeded by an em- R. retired. Since then the business has been car-

176

HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

ried on as Henry R. Miller & Co., with about 200 ICE-CREAM :

hands.

C. F. Kessler began in 1876, and for upward of thirty years has carried on the plant successfully under the name of C. F. Kessler & Sons (William and George, who were admitted as partners), em- ploying from 70 to 100 hands.

Hendel Hat Company is composed of George Hendel and sons, John and William, and Har- man Haigh; organized in 1901 for the manufacture of wool hats. They employ from 125 to 150 hands, having succeeded Wetherhold & Co. Previously W. H. Reinoehl & Co. had carried on the plant for twenty years.

Caps .- The Reading Hat & Cap Company has been engaged in making cloth hats and caps since 1897, employing from 10 to 20 hands.

HAT BLOCKS:

In 1888 Matthias C. Sigmund engaged in the designs, the business of manufacturing them was

manufacture of hat blocks of all kinds and has continued until the present time. He employs 6 hands.

HOOKS AND EYES :

John W. Granger, who was employed at Phila- delphia for twenty years in the manufacture of hooks and eyes, located at Reading in 1908 and incorporated a company for their manufacture, be- sides other metal goods, with a capital of $30,000, which started a plant in January, 1909. Hands employed, from 25 to 30. The officers are John W. Granger, president; J. B. Kaighn, vice-presi- dent; F. A. Von Boynebergk, treasurer ; and John Farrington, secretary.

ICE AND COLD STORAGE :

The business of supplying natural ice at Reading by the construction of a dam, erection of an ice- house and the cutting and storing of ice in the winter, was begun by Abraham Vivens before 1840 and he carried it on successfully for many years.

William I. Clous was also active in it for a long while before 1885. The dams were within the city limits. Since then numerous persons have come to engage in the business, but they secure their sup- plies elsewhere.

The Mt. Penn Ice Company is extensively en- gaged in supplying natural ice which is secured and stored in Cumru township.

Artificial ice was first made at Reading in 1892 by the Reading Cold Storage Company, which erected a large plant capable of producing sixty tons daily, and of storing 100 cars of materials, such as apples, eggs, butter, etc., and has operated it since very successfully. Other plants were es- tablished subsequently and carried on for 'a time. Its use is becoming more general annually on ac- count of its recognized purity.

The brewing companies have also equipped their plants with machinery for producing artificial ice in great quantities for their own use, and also for certain private customers according to demand.

Ice-cream was made in limited quantities in the early history of Reading. For forty years before 1876, Alfred M. Souders and his brother George were active and successful in this business, besides making different kinds of candies and chocolates. During the past thirty years the following persons have been prominently identified with its manufac- ture in large quantities throughout the year, more especially in the summer season: J. R. Sharman (succeeded by A. M. Kershner), C. M. Groff, John M. Fries, J. O. Koller, D. E. Houck and Isaac Barrett.

JEWELRY :

The jewelers at Reading always manufactured various articles, but almost entirely to order, and they were mostly dealers. After members of dif- ferent secret societies began to make frequent de- mands for badges, charms and emblems of various established. Thomas W. Sweney was the first to engage in it extensively, having started about 1865, and continued it for forty years.

Charles G. Willson engaged in the business for himself in 1887, being the successor of his brother Thomas A. Willson, who started in 1868. He man- ufactures many articles to order and employs 6 hands.

G. A. Schlechter has been in the business since 1870, and, besides conducting a large jewelry busi- ness, carries on manufacturing quite extensively, more especially of badges and charms for secret societies, which are forwarded to all parts of the country.

Anderson' Jewelry Company was started in 1903 by L. D. Anderson and J. H. Snyder for manufac- turing jewelry of various kinds, but mostly badges, charms, rings, pins, wire-work, etc., and they em- ploy from 12 to 18 hands. They are successors of C. T. Anderson, father of Mr. Anderson, who be- gan at Reading in 1886.

Upward of thirty persons are engaged in the jewelry business as dealers, and they manufacture articles to order.

LADIES' GARMENTS :

In 1903, the Great Eastern Manufacturing Com- pany started manufacturing ladies' garments, of various kinds, consisting of wrappers, skirts, dress- ing sacques and kimonos, and since then has pro- duced large quantities which have been shipped to all parts of the country. The factory is situated at Sixth and Washington streets and employs from 30 to 50 hands; in brisk times over 100. The officers of the company are: D. E. Houck, presi- dent; J. W. Weidner, secretary-treasurer; and Mrs. M. E. Braungart, superintendent.

LAUNDRIES :

General laundry work was started at Reading in 1875, and the first Chinaman came here about 1880. The first steam laundry was started in 1879 by Joseph W. Auchenbach.

177

READING

Excelsior Laundry was started in 1884 by Charles E. Witman and his brother Morgan, and it has been continued by different owners until the pres- ent time; by William F. Wilkinson since 1899, and he employs 35 hands.

Penn Troy Laundry, by William Y. and Frederick Schmucker in 1892, and continued till now, employ- ing 48 hands.

Snow-Flake Laundry, by John W. H. Harpst in 1896 and operated since with 15 to 20 hands.

City Laundry was carried on by Wesley K. Loose from 1897 to 1900, when P. G. Patton became the plant until the present time. owner and has operated it since with 14 hands. MANTELS :

Model Laundry, by Frank C. Stringer since 1897, employing 5 hands.

Gem Laundry, by Frank M. Heffner until his death in 1908, when he was succeeded by his son Harry. He employs 12 hands.

A. S. Templin carried on a laundry from 1902 to February, 1909, when he was succeeded by Wil- liam Knabb, who continues the business with 6 hands. His laundry is called the "Bee Hive."

People's Laundry, by Lewis O. Davis in 1905, and he employs from 7 to 10 hands.

Snow White Laundry, by H. G. Ellis in 1908, and he employs 10 hands.

Reading Overall Supply Company was organized by John B. Bowers in 1903 and operated since, for washing overalls, with 2 to 5 hands.

Four Chinamen are also engaged in the business. LEATHER :

The tannery business was prominent in Reading for over one hundred years, with plants in different parts of the place, but then it began to decline until the tanning by bark passed away entirely.

Ferdinand Goetz Sons Co .- This plant was started by Ferdinand Winter and Anthony Blatz in 1869 and operated by them until 1875; then Ferdinand Goetz took the place of Blatz, and the business was carried on by Winter & Goetz in a very successful manner until the decease of Goetz, in 1904, when the partnership business was set- tled by the retirement of Winter, and the sons of Goetz (Frederick W. and Karl) and his son- in-law, W. C. Billman, organized the firm of Fer- dinand Goetz Sons Co. and have since carried on the business very extensively, employing 75 hands. They prepare cow, calf and sheep skins, using the alum process. It is the only industry of the kind now at Reading.

LEATHER GOODS :

pany are: Daniel F. Printz, president ; Samuel H. Fulmer, treasurer ; and Miller M. Deam, secretary and manager.

MALT:

The manufacture of malt was carried on quite extensively at Reading for about forty years by different parties, having been started in 1863 by Frederick Schuldt and Moses K. Graeff.

P. Barbey & Son, brewers, began in 1885 manu- facturing malt for their own consumption and have carried on this department of their extensive

The marble mantel business was started at Read- ing by Daniel Miller about 1865, he having been engaged in the marble business at Fourth and Washington streets for some years; and about 1875 Henry C. Geissler and Thomas Watt em- barked in the business of supplying slate mantels, which they carried on for a number of years un- til the decease of Watt. Geissler then established the Penn Tile and Mantel Company with his sons as partners and they have developed a large trade, which extends to all parts of the country. About twenty years ago wooden mantels began to be introduced and then gradually took the place of marble and slate mantels. They are manufactured almost entirely in the West ..

MARBLE, GRANITE AND SANDSTONE WORKS:

P. F. Eisenbrown Sons & Co .- In 1875, P. F. Eisenbrown located at Reading, started a Marble and Granite Works and carried on the business until 1889, when he formed a partnership with his sons. The firm name has been continued until the present time. The works were located at Sixth and Elm streets until 1906, when they were re- moved to Muhlenberg township, along the P. & R. railroad, a short distance north of Reading. This firm is extensively engaged in preparing granite work of all kinds and its trade extends throughout Berks and the surrounding counties. They employ from 50 to 60 men. They still re- tain their yard in Reading.

Ernst Epp embarked in this business in 1891, and has been actively engaged in it until the pres- ent time. He employs from 25 to 30 hands.

Spangler Brothers, from Kutztown, located in Reading in 1908, having purchased the marble yard of F. F. Bressler after his decease. .

. John F. Moers and liis son Frederick were en- gaged in the marble business on Penn street, above Second, for upward of one hundred years, more

The Reading Saddle Manufacturing Company especially relating to cemetery work. Herman was organized by Daniel F. Printz and incor- Strecker and his father were also identified with porated in the year 1900, for the manufac- this business in a prominent manner for seventy ture of leather goods, consisting of bicycle saddles, years, the former having been distinguished as a

school bags and cases, lunch boxes, etc. The plant designer and sculptor of rare talents. One of his most notable pieces of work is "Christ on the Cross" (also called the "Crucifixion") in Charles Evans cemetery. is situated at Nos. 316-320 Maple street, and in its different departments (including hardware spe- cialties) employs 60 hands. It has been very suc- cessful and its several lines of goods are shipped Flagstone .- Jacob Mayer has been engaged at to all parts of the country. The officers of the com- Reading, putting down flagstone pavement, since

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Historical and biographical annals of Berks County, Pennsylvania, embracing a concise history of the county and a genealogical and biographical record of representative families, Volume I, Part 42

Author: Montgomery, Morton L. (Morton Luther), b. 1846; J.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1909 Publisher: Chicago : J. H. Beers & Co. Number of Pages: 1018

Author: Montgomery, Morton L. (Morton Luther), b. 1846; J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago : J. H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1018