USA > Pennsylvania > Delaware County > Chester > Historical sketch of Chester, on Delaware > Part 30
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Lincoln Manufacturing Company.
The Lincoln Manufacturing Company is a stock company, with a paid up capital of $100,000, incorporated in 1881. The building is a brick structure, 190 by To feet. two stories high, fitted with all modern conveniences. The engine room and boiler house comprise another building, 50 by 60 feet. Cotton yarns are at present manufactured, but the company expect in the near future to engage in weaving. The machinery, consisting of 6,840 spindles and 3 : Foss-Pevey cards, is driven by a 2 0 horse power en- gine, fed from a pair of double boilers Thirty-three bales of cotten are used per week, making from 12,000 to 13,000 pounds of yarr during the same space of time. 14 men, 20 women, 21 girl- and 10 boys are employed at wages amounting to over $1.7.9 per month. Howard W. Weidner is Superintendent. The Directors are: S. Emlen Meigs, President, of Philadelphia: halmers Dale, of New York; A. Blakeley, Richard Wetherill, and W. S. Blakeley, Treasurer, of this city.
Keokuk Mills.
The "Keokuk Mills" were started at the foot of Fulton street, in 1852, by B. Gar- side & Son, the present owners. The main building is a fine four story stone struc- ture, 38 by 98 feet in dimensions, with picker house adjacent. These mills are sup- plied with good machinery, composed of four sets of cards, 80 looms and other neces- sary apparatus for making fine woolen jeans. A seventy horse-power engine is used. Employment is given to 7 : hands, about half of whom are male, and $4,20 ) are paid monthly as wages. 3,0 0 pounds of raw material is consumed per week and 14,000 yards are manufactured per month.
Victoria Mills.
The Victoria ills, Fifth and Penn streets were established twenty years ago by John Gartside & Son. They comprise two buildings, one 120 by 40 feet and the other 120 by 30 feet, besides an engine house and picker room. They manufacture the best quality of woolen cass meres and cloakings. The machinery comprises 24 broad looms, 4 sets of cards and 2.1v' spindles, together with all the necessary appliances to turn out good work. A fifty horse-power engine is used. 3,40" pounds of wool is consumed per week. making 1,800 yards of double width goods. Fifty-four hands are employed, only fourteen of whom are females. $1500 are paid every four weeks in wages.
Algodon Mills.
The Algodon Mills, at Eighth and and Caldwell streets, were established, in 1866. br James Barton, Jr .. and Simeon Cotton. The latter . etired from the firm December 31, 1875. The main building is 100 by 5 . feet, three stories high, engine, picker and finish. ing rooms, boiler house and office in another building, 32 by 68 feet, two stories high, both stone. 32.500 pounds of cotton are consumed per month, producing 6 " 0 pounds of yarn and 24,000 yards of goods. The machinery comprises 92 looms, 4596 spindles and 7 40-inch cards, one engine and three boilers. 19 men, 28 women, 6 girls and 10 boys are employed. 31800 in wages are paid per month.
Chester Dock Mills.
The manufacturing business of J. Wm. Lewis & Co., Third and Gartield streets, was started, in 1:33, by Phineas Lownes and J. Wm. Lewis, at Knowlton, Middletown township. In 1864 it was removed to its present location. The members of the firm are J. Wm. Lewis and Albert A. Roop. The main building is 251 feet long by 53 feet wide, three stories high, besides several other necessary buildings, all of stone and
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Historical Sketch of Chester.
brick. 875,000 pounds of cotton is consumed weekly in the manufacture of plaid Osna - burgs, ginghams. checks and stripes. The machinery comprises 300 looms 8,040 spin- dles, 40 cards and 2 large engines, f'ed by 6 boilers. 86,8 00 are paid out every month to. 75 men, 100 women. 50 girls and 25 boys. The weekly production is 90,000 yards of cloth and 15,000 yards of Far -. Thom"s Clough, Sr., is Superintendent.
Yeadon Mills.
"Yeadon Mi la." Tenth and Cploud streets. are operated by G. P. Denis. The busi- 1 ess was established in Corshohocken. by Den's, Anderson & Co .. in 1866, removed to Chester in 1870. and now occupies substantial stone and brick building, 130 by 210 feet, wit" six smaller buildings a jacent. The machinery is exceedingly tine, com- prising 38 broad Knowles & roma tor looms, 2,280 spindles, 4 sets Engle 60 inch cards, 2 woolen dressing machines. 3 fulling mills, 1 wa.her. 3 gig-, a broad shear, dver and 2 presses. A 1 0 horse power Corliss engine. fed by three large boilers. drives this ma- chinery. 11 women, 44 girls and 19 boys are employed at a weekly pay of $1,15 . 2,600 pounds of raw material are used weekly in the manufacture of 3.250 yards of the best fancy cassimeres William Kurer is Superintendent.
The Irting & I.piper Manufacturing Company.
The cotton yarn mills of 'he Irving & Leiper Manufacturing Company were es- [ablished in April, 18-9, by James Irving, David Irving and Thomas I. Leiper, with only 2.0 0 spindles. David Irving died in 1862. The business was continued by James Irvingand Thomas I Leiper until 1.78, when it was incorporated as The Irving & Lei- per Manufacturing Company. with James Irving as President; Thomas I Leiper, Treasurer, and Charles H. Worthington. Secretary. The main building is 23 ; by 50 feet, three stories high; engine room, 40 feet square; picker room, + ' by 6 feet, and a warehouse, 30 by 70 feet. all three stories high and built substantially of brick. 12,000 spindles and 76 cards compose the machinery, driven by a 400 horse power engine, fed by six boilers. 23 men. 29 women. 29 boys and 20 girls a e employed. 3.000 bales of cotton are consumed in a year, giving a weekly production of 22,000 pounds of manu- facinred yarn. The works are at the foot of Franklin street. occupying a square of ground. James Irving, William Ward and Thomas I. Leiper are the Directors.
Mohuwk Mill.
The Mohawk Mills, Third and and Franklin streets, were started about 1856 by Samnel Ece'es, Jr It passed through several ownershipy until May 13, 1871, when it was purchased by Robert Hall & Son. Mr Ha'l first began manufacturing at Water- vil'e. in 1863 where he remained for eight years. The m .in building is 137 by 40 feet. 2 storie- high. It contains 2 sets of woolen cards, 4x inches, 2 self-acting mules, #30 spindles each, and 44 looms. 44 hanus are employed, half of whom are males. 2700 rounds of raw cotton and wool is consumed weekly, from which is produced 10.200 yards of goods A 25 horse power engine and 50 horse power boiler are used. The wages are $325 per week.
S. A. Crozer & Son's Chester Mills.
S. A. ' rozer & Son's mill. on Edgmont avenue, is comparatively a new industry in this location. It was es ablished by the firm of S. A. Crozer & Son. the noted Upland manufacturers, and is situated on Edgmont avenue, north of the Postoffice and near Chester creek. The main building is of brick, 140 by to feet, two stories high, with picker room addition, 24 by on feet. They manufacture cotton goods and employ 15 men, 45 women and girls, and 20 boys. The machinery consists of 6,336 spindles, 48 cards and one Corliss engine with 3 boilers. The monthly pay roll is about $1,900. 50,- 000 pounds of cotton per month is used. with a weekly production of 12,000 pounds of warp yarn. William D. Howard is Superintendent.
Broad Street Mills.
The buildings at Broad and ( rosby streets, owned by James Stevens and used for the manufactur of bed ticking. warps and cops, were originally built for a sash fac- tory and machine sho -the first on Broad street, the second on Crosby street. ID 1856 they were ned by James Campbell for the manufacture of cotton goods. and at his death. in 1>62. passed into the hands of General Patterson. under the charge of James Stevens They reverted to Mr. Stevens in March, 1882. Since Mr. Campbell's time the buildings have been much enlarged and improved and the old machinery re- placed with new. The main mill on Broad street is 2 6 by 2> feet. three stories high, and on "rosby street, 222 by 36 feet. The latter is two stories high, with the exception of 6 feet, which is one story. In this part is the dye and finishing house. 6+ by 60 feet, provided with a small engine and a pump for forcing water over the building in case of tire. The machinery consist of 85 loom -. 9,048 spindles and 16 cards, driven by two engines with two sets of boilers. 36 men, 47 women, 21 girls and 17 boys are employed, and the wages per week is ยง 00. 33 bales of cotton per week are used, producing 25,- 000 yards of ticking and 14.000 pounds of yarn. William B. Stevens is Superintendent.
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Industrial Establishments.
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A. Blakeley & Sons.
The Arasapha Mills of Abraham Blakeley & Sons are located on Walnut street, above Tenth. Mr. Blakeley began bu-iness in 1847, at Knowlton, in Aston township. 'The firm was Lowndes & Blakeley. Lowndes sold to J. Wm Lewis, and in 1854 Mill No. 1 was established on the present sit-, and additions were made in 1>74 and 1877. "The main building is now 276 by 50 feet; the dye house. 100 by 40 feet, with storage shed for 600 byles of cotton. Bed ticking. ginghams and cotton goods are manufac- tured. The machinery comprises 26 looms, 8,500 spindles and 36 caros, driven by a large Corliss engine, with three sets of boilers. All the machine work is done at the .mill, there being a separate mach ne shop for the purpose. 30 bales of cotton are used and 66.000 yards turned out. 67 men, 69 women, 36 girls and 25 boys are employed, and $5,000 per month are paid in wages.
Lilley Manufacturing Company.
The Lilley & Sons' Manufacturing Company, Front and Franklin streets, was es- tablished by John Lilley & Son, August 1, 1873, and on January 3, 1880, it was incor- porated under the above name, with John Lilley &s President; William, Henry and George Lilley, stockholders. August 20, 1881, John Lilley died, and William Lilley was elected to fill his place, and John Lilley, Jr., Secretary and Treasurer. The front building is 100 by i4 feet; building connecting front and back building. 8) by 36 feet; back building, 122 by 40 feet. Cotton and woolen cloths and cotton yarn are manu- factured. The machinery consists of 111 looms, 3,252 spindles, 25 cards, with one en- gine and four boilers, one heating furnace, and the usual appliances of a cotton and woo'en mill, with a full set of machines for making warps 34 men, 36 women, 24 girls and 12 boys are employed, at a monthly wage of 83,00 +. The amount of raw material is 12,000 pounds and the weekly production 25,000 yards. John Lilley, Jr., is Superin- tendent.
Chester City Mills.
The Chester City Mills. Front and Parker streets, were established, in 1877, by Branagan & Lamb. The main building is 40 by +2 feet, with picker house and other .structures adjacent. The firm manufacture woolen and cotton jeans and woolen yarns exclusively. 90 looms. 1.700 spindles, 5 sets of cards and other necessary machinery is driven by a 60 horse power engine. 15 men, 5 women, 7 boys and 13 girls are employed, and $2,100 are paid every four weeks in wages. 1,030 pounds of yarns and 4,700 of cot- ton are used, and 85,000 yards of manufactured goods are turned out per month.
Patterson Mills.
The Patterson Mills, Sixth and Penn streets, were established by General Robert Patterson, in 1867, and now owned by his estate. the main building is of stone, 318 by 72 feet. Half of this is three stories and the other half two stories high, and there are store house- and other buildings connected with it. The machinery consists of 308 looms. about 14,000 spindles, 65 cards and one Corliss engine, with 8 boilers. 2.0 hand. are employed in the manufacture of cotton goeds at a monthly wage of $5,000. 72,000 pounds of cotton are used per week, with a weekly production of 64 600 pounds of goods. James D. Davis is Superintendent.
The Mill of James M. Stotesbury.
The cotton yarn manufactory of James M. Stotesbury, corner of Fourteenth and Edgmont avenue, was established by Mr. Stote-bury in 1874. The building is of stone, 165 feet long by 62 feet wide, one story high. The machinery consists of 12 cards and 3,520 spindles, is of the most improved pattern and is driven by a large engine fed from 3 boilers. 28,000 pounds of yarn is spun monthly, consuming 32,000 pounds of raw cot- ton. 14 men, 8 women, 12 giris and 6 boys are employed, and the wages are $1,000 per month. Alexander Struthers is Superintendent.
Bowers' Shoddy Mill.
The shoddy mill of James Bowers & Son was established in Waterville, in 1873, and removed to its present site, Sixth and Madison streets, in 1877. The main building is of stone and brick, 80 by 40 feet, two stories high, with engine honse and store rooms attached. Prepared wools, shoddies and wun are made, employing 18 hands at $700 per month. The material used is assorted waste, which is manufactured into wool, valued at $10,000 per month.
Log- Wood Mills.
The Riverside Dye Wood Mills were established at Waterville, in 1835, by Smith & Hartshorne, who were shortly succeeded by John M. Sharpless, who remained at the head of the concern until his death, in 1875. The present firm is Thomas Scattergood, Henry Palmer and John W. Pepper. During 1880 the business was removed to the
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Historical Sketch of Chester.
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farge and substantia! buildings in the South Wa d. The dimensions of the main build- ings are 113 feet front by 61 feet deep; the red wood mill. 47 by 54 feet, and the extract buildings, 52 br 50 feet, giving a total frontage of 212 feet and about 180 feet of wharf- age, with a depth of 15 feet of water at low tide. The main and extract buildings are four stories in height, and the adjoining mill two and a half stories. 60 hands are em- ployed ar a yearly wage of about $30, 00. "This is the only industry of its kind in the State.
. Chester Chemical Works.
The Chester Chemical Works, at the foot of Market street, were established by Mr. McIntyre. and are now owned by George S. Coyne. Two large buildings, 100 by 50 feet and one 50 feet square, and a number of lesser structures are on the grounds Two stills of 5,0 0 pounds of muriatic acid capacity per week, and a nitric acid still of 1,- ' 00 pounds i er week, are used in the manufacture of these two commercial acids, as well as an amonia >till of 20 pounds capa ity per day, and another for making pyro- lignous acid. This latter acid is made from oak wood, a single cord furnishing (~0 gal- lons. Oxxmuriate of antimony, muriate and oxymuriate of tin and muriate of iron are among the products used for calico and other dyeing. About 700 barrels of Geauber's. salts are annually made from the residue left in the muriatic acid stills. 6 men are employed at 860 per week. Robert Lidstone is Superintendent.
Cocoa Mat and Matting Works.
The Chester Cocoa Mat and Matting Factory was established in July, 1879, by Black & Worrell. Mr Black retired from the firm, and Edward S. Worrell now occupies. the old mill at the Water Works Wharf, which is thoroughly stocked with improved machinery 25,000 pounds of raw cocoa yarn is consumed, to ning out over 70 dozen mats and 1,200 yards of matting per week. 40 hands are employed, 11 of whom are girls, and nearly all the work is done by the piece. $300 is the average weekly pay.
Robert Wetherill & Co.
7 he foundry and machine shops of Robert Wetherill & Co., at 6th and Upland streets, were started January 1, 1872. in a small machine shop, and have grown until 7 large buildings. covering a square of ground, are needed for the business. 150 tons of pig iron, 75 of plate and 20 of wrought iron are monthly used in the manufacture of Corliss engines, boilers, shatting and gearing. 225 men and 25 bors are employed and monthly receive $10,000 in wages. The works comprise machine shops, smith shop, foundry, boiler shop, easting house, pattern shop, pattern store house, office and store rooms.
Edge Tool and Axe Factory.
The Edge Tool and Beatty Axe Company, of which H. B. Black is proprietor and John C. Beatty. Superintendent. is one of the oldest industries in the county, having been first established in Shoemakerville, in 1806, by William Beatty. In 1840 he as- sociated with him his son. John C. Beatty, under the firm name of William Beatty & Son. At the death of William Beatty the business was continued by John C. Beatty. Owing to the failing of water power a d limited facilities, he built extensive works in Chester in 1971. The principal articles of manufacture are butchers, railroad and. carpenter-' tools. All tools made here bear the old stamp of William Beatty & Son. 50 han 'a are employed and the monthly pay is $3,000.
Chester Steel Casting Company.
The Chester Steel Casting Co upany, Sixth and Norris streets, was started, in 1870, by S. M. Felton, A. R. Perkins, Amos Gartside and Samuel Archbold. It is now controlled by I. S. Waterman. Amos Gartside. E. P. Dwight and the estate of A. R. Perkins, deceased. The buildings consist of a foundry, 200 by 50 feet, and other build- ings covering an area of 250 square feet. The business is steel castings and the ma- chinery consist of two engines with three boilers, one heating furnace and three an- Dealing furnaces. 55 men and 15 boys are employed at a monthly wage of $5,000. The raw material used is 1,200 tons and the value of the weekly production 25,000. The character of the work stands high, the steel castings being well known for strength and durability. John J. Deemer is Superintendent.
Combination Steel and Iron Company.
The industry of the Combination Steel and Iron Company was started in Novem- ber, 1880. Operations were begun March 1, 1881, and since then large quantities of bar and flat iron of the best kind have been made. The main building is 280 by 80 feet, with a wing, 80 by :0 feet. The works contain 8 heating furnaces, & rail mill with a yearly capacity of 30,000 tons; a 12 inch bar mill for making merchant iron, capable
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Industrial Establishments.
of producing 6,000 tons a year, and a 20 inch mill for angle iron of 10,000 tons capacity, 175 men are employed at $3,000 per week. Jolin Roach is President; Mr. Chalfant, Secretary; Charles A. Weed, General Manager, and James W. Watson, Sup't.
Eureka Steel Casting Company.
The Fureka Steel Casting Company have been in successful operation at Lanokin station since September 1877. They manufacture steel castings solely. The worksare large and substantial, furnished with every facility for carrying on an extensive busi- ness. 'I he principal appliances consists of one heating and 7 annealing furnaces, two shapes, plainer, &c. 80 men and 20 boys are employe ', 120 tons of raw material are used per month. Fred rick Baldt is superintent.
Phoenix Iron Works.
The Phoenix Iron Company, northwest corner of Seventh and Potter streets, was established in 1867. The main building is 100 by 50 feet, two stories high; the foundry, 110 by 30 feet. They manufacture finishing machinery, fulling mill washing machines, tentering machines, stock dryers, dyeing and sizing machines, broad looms and gigs, the latter a patent which they control in this and seven European countries. The machinery is that generally used in such establishments, driven by one engine with one set of boilers. 27 men and 4 boys are employed and the weekly wages are $314.
Chester Iron Works.
The Chester Iron Works, on Second street beiow Market, were started, in 1850, as the Delaware Country Iron Works by William Trout & Co., and have since that time had several owners. On February 1, 188!, they were purchased bv H. C. Eyre & Co. The building of engines and all kinds of machine work gives steady employment to 60 men. The main building is 110 by 38 feet, with an addition, 150 by 45 feet, besides a pattern building, 40 feet square. A large amount of pig, plate and bar iron is used weekly. The works are supplied with the most improved machinery, and the wages are $600 weekly.
Blagg's Brass Foundry.
In the one story brick building, 16 by 36 feet, in the rear of 315 West Second street> is Frank Blagg's Brass Foundry, which was established June 1, 18-0. 800 pounds of brasy are monthly used in making castings. $400 worth of manufactured goods are produced every month.
National Hydraulic Works.
This indu-try is located at the corner of Sixth and Crosby streets, and manufac- tures a new hydraulic ram of approved construction which may be applied to the fol- lowing purposes: Irrigating land, supplying dairies, farms, dwellings, factories, en- gine-, railroad stations, villages, &c. This ram combines the greatest simplicity with the greatest efficiency. The cylinder into which the water passes is perfectly plain, and is surmonnted by an air chamber equally plain, which is held in place by keys driven under lugs attached to the cylinder. The impetus or waste valve is attached to a head at the outlet end of the cylinder, and is operated by a spring, to which is a regu. Iating screw, by which t e power of the ram is increased or diminished, according to the supply of water. It is more simple. durable and powerful than those of other con- struction, and is rapidly growing in favor. Henry F. Morrow is the projector of the works. At the same place has also been established, in connection with this industry, another-
The Excelsior Brass Works,
Where is carried on brass founding and finishing of every description. Car trimmings are a specialty, while nickel, silver and gold plating and polishing is done in the best manner. Mr. Morrow is Manager.
Chester Morocco Company.
The Chester Morocco Company (Limited) is located on Edgmont Avenue, above Third street. They were established May 1, 1879, by Joseph R. T. Coates. The cor- porate name was adopted November 1, 1881. The building is a four story frame, 75 by 32 feet. The most improved machinery is in use, among which are 47 vats with a ca- pacity of 1,500 skins each; 2 tank tubs, giving the works a capacity of 50 dozen skins per day. 20 men and 1 girl are employed and the wages are $800 per month.
Book Binding and Tablet Making. The Book Bindery of John Spencer is a new industry in Chester. In the spring
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Historical Sketch of Chester.
of 1882 Mr. Spencer, proprietor of the Delaware County Advocate. 517 and 519 Edgmont Avenue, placed in his establishment the necessary machinery for book binding. Good workmen are employed. A specialty is made of the manufacture of blank books.
Branin's Carriage Works.
The Carriage Works of I. P. Branin were established in Philadelphia in 1854, and were removed to Chester, in 1x71, to the shops at Filth and Welsh streets. and again in May, 1876, to Sixthi and Pine streets. A two story building, 8: by &# feet, with an annex, 40 by &0 feet. comprise the shops, where are manufactured carriages and wag- onettes. 20 hands are employed.
Stark's Carriage Works.
In May, 1879, Messrs. Davis & Stark established a Carriage Manufactory at Fifth and Welsh streets, and on October 1st, of the same year, Davis withdrew from the firm. Mr. Stark continued the business, turning out about fifty new carriages per week. be- sides doing a large amount of repair work. 8 men are employed, and $5 per week is paid in wages.
Ocheltree's Carriage Works
The Carriage Manufactory of M. Ocheltree was first located on Edgmont Avenue, in 1877, below its present site, but the increase of the business obliged Mr. Ocheltree, in 1879. to erect the present building, which is 120 by 40 feet. two stories, and is su : - plied with all the newest and best appliances for the manufacture of fine carriages. 16 men and 4 boys are employed at an average weekly pay of $190, and the annual pro- duction reaches $28,000.
Taylor's Carriage Works
The firm of W. & E. C. Taylor, corner of Twelfth and Engmont Avenue, is the old- est in Chester. The grandfather of the gentlemen comprising the firm first established the business. The father succeeded him in 1882, and was later succeeded by the sons. It was first located at Fifth and Welsh streets, then at Sixth and Pine streets, and in 1874 moved to its present location. The building is 110 by 40 feet. From 6 to 12 hands are employed, and the monthly production averages about $500.
E. D. Sparks & Co, Oils and Belting.
In 1875, E. D. Sparks & Co. started in business at Sixth and Welsh streets, and shortly removed to 103 West Third street. They manufacture leather belting, lubri- cating and burning oils, and now occupy a factory and warehouse in addition to the store. The factory comprises two large rooms. 50 by 40 feet, titted with the latest im- proved machinery. 8 men and 2 boys are employed.
Wilby's Belting Works.
Thomas Wilby, manufacturer of leather belting, established his business in 1878, and is now located under Holly Tree Hall. He has manufacture i some of the largest belts made. 6 hands are emploved at a weekly wage o 880 225 sides of leather are used per month, and the monthly production averages in value $2,500.
Howland & Nichols' Roller Covering.
In the third story of L. L. Lukens & Co.'s building. Edgmont Avenue, near Seventh street, Howland & Nichols manufacture top roll covers. and the amount of new ma- terial. leather and cloth, the last all wool made especially for their business, used per month is between $300 and $600. The leather is of lamb, sheep and calf. The weekly production is 8,000 covered rolls, and + hands are employed.
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