USA > Pennsylvania > Delaware County > Chester > Historical sketch of Chester, on Delaware > Part 31
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Gould & Kay, Roller Coverers.
Gould & Kay began business at their present location, May 8, 1882, but the busi- ness had been conducted for seven or eight years before in the Patterson mill building, corner of Sixth and Penn streets. They manufacture top rollers and clearer cover- ings. The material employed is calf and sheep skin, of which about $150 worth per month is used, and the monthly production is valued at £300.
Lukens' Grist Mill
L. L. Lukens & Co. began business on Sixth street, in 1877, and in June, 1879, re- moved to Edgmont Avenue, below Seventh street. In the main building. 70 by 30 feet, 6 men are employed. In the building on Edgmon- Avenue is an engine of 30 horse power, with one set of boilers and the best and newest appliances tor the business, with
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Industrial Establishments.
a machine shop, in which all repairs are made. They have an elevator, the best ap- pliances for unloading grain, and the run is about 30,000 bushels of corn per annum. and other grains in proportion. They also manufacture feed and unbolted fiour.
Candy Manufactories.
The Candy Manufactory of George F. Cutler was established at Second street and Concord Avenue, in 1878, and in 1879 was removed to 806 West Third street, and 538 Market street. 5 men, 3 women and girls and 2 boys are employed, at weekly wages of #75 1,600 pounds of sugar and molasses. 125 cocoanuts, 100 pounds of shelled pea- nuts. 10 pounds shelled almonds, 15 pounds shelled walnuts, 5 pounds shelled filberts; 5 p unds shelled creamnuts 25 quarts cream for caramels, and a large number of mis- cellaneous articles, are used in the manufacture per week, with a weekly production of over a ton of confectionery. George F. Cutler is Superintendent.
William Bagshaw. in 1848, began business as a candy manufacturer, in Leiperville, and in 1850 he removed to Chester. He is located at 818 Edgmont Avenue.
In the Candy Manufactory of William B. Rhoads, at 143 West Third street, 3,000 pounds of sugar and other articles in proportion are used per week, with a weekly production of 400 pounds of confectionery.
Hunter's Shoe Manufactory.
Willi'm Hunter began the boot and shoe manufacture under Edgmont Hall in 1877, but in 1879 moved over Thompson's grocery store, on Edgmont avenue, where he has a room 70 by 20 feet, and employs 9 ha. ds at about $90 per week. The raw ma- terial used is $9,000 per year and the yearly production is $18,000.
Stroud & Co.'s Planing Mill.
In 1871, John H. Stroud and Robert Booth established the sash factory on the south side of Front street and Concord Avenue. The machinery consists of one engine and boiler. 12 men and 2 boys are employed at a monthly pay of $600. 150,000 feet of lum- ber is used per year. In 1876 the mill was destroyed by fire and the firm then moved to their present location, corner Front and Concord Avenue. The main building is of brick, 45 by 40 feet, three stories, with a two story engine room, 25 bv 20 feet, and a commodious office. The mill contains all the latest improved machinery.
Penn Street Planing Mill.
The Penn Street Planing Mill of Henry M. Hinkson, Fourth and Penn streets, is a two story brick building, 100 by 40 feet. Mr. Hinkson built the mill in 1875, and rented it to Miller Cox until 1881. In May of that year Mr. Hinkson began the sash and planing business. 10 hands are employed and $100 per week is paid for wages. 100,000 feet of lumber is annually made into sash. doors and other building material. A considerable amount of planing for the lumber yards of our city is done.
Morton & Black.
The Saw Mill and Sash Factory of Morton & Black was started in 1865. H. B. Black entered the firm about a year later and continued therein until 1879. The build- ing, situated along the river front at the foot of Morton Avenue, is 150 feet long, 40 feet wide and two stories high, with a fire proof engine house, 30 by 60 feet, and offices, stables, &c., in the near vicinity. This mill employs 48 men and 2 boys, and consumes 3,000,000 feet of lumber per month, besides planing and sawing. The monthly pay roll is $1,250. William Hinkson, Jr., is Superintendent.
Miller Cox's Sash Mill.
The Sash Factory of Miller Cox was established September 1, 1876, at Fourth and Penn streets, but removed four years thereafter to the new mill at Seventh and Penn streets. The building is 104 by 32 feet, two stories high. 15 men are employed who annually turn out large numbers of sash, doors, blinds, frames, etc.
Hamilton's Box Factory.
The box factory of John Hamilton occupies a brick building, 30 by 60 feet, at the corner af Front, and Franklin streets. About 50,000 feet of lumber is consumed per month. 4 men are employed at $50 per week. The mill is fitted with all necessary machinery. Power is received from the Lilley Manufacturing Company adjoining.
Barrel Repairing Works.
The firm of J. J. Bradley & Co., of Philadelphia, have a branch here under charge of William J. Bradley, at the foot of Market street. The business consists in collect-
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Historical Sketch of Chester.
ing second-hand barrels and re-coopering them. The collection in this place amounts to 35,000 per annum, and of these 10,000 are sent to Wilmington and the balance, 25 .- 000, to Philadelphia. This is the only establishment of the kind in Chester and em- ploys three hand- at a weekly pay of $25
Franklin Street Kindling Wood Works.
In 1878, A. B. Rees established a Kindling Wood Works in South Chester, and one year afterward h- removed to the present location at foot of Franklin street. Five men are employed and $36 are paid every week for wages. 1
Mast ant. Spar Sheds.
The Mast and Spar Works of John Sanville occupy a long one story building .t the foot of Fulton street. The masts used by Koach's ship-yard .re here hewn from the rough logs, besides the major part of the work of this kind used on the river. $10,- 000 worth of lumber is annually consumed. The white pine comes from Clearfield county, in this State, and the spruce logs from Maine. Four men are employed and $100 per week in wages paid. :
Price's Brick Yard.
The Brick Yard of J. C. & W. G. Price was established in 1854, on the site now oc- cupied by the mill of G. P. Denis. The present works are located on a seven acre tract of land at Fifth and Parker streets. 30,000 machine made bricks are produced per day. Three kilos are used and 20 me . employed. $180 are paid weekly for wages.
UPLAND.
Crozers' Upland Mills.
J. P. Crozer & Son removed their business from Crozerville to the present location, in Upland, in 1844. The death of J. P. Crozer, in 1866, led to a division of the property. mills No. 1 and 3 being now under the control of JJ. P. Crozer's Sons, and mill No. 2 under S. A. Crozer & Son. Mill No. 2 is a large and substantial brick and stone struc- ture, well fitted with all appliances for the manufacture of cotton plaids, checks and sheeting. There are 468 looms, 11,344 spindles, 76 cards, with engines of the aggregate horse power of 325. 305 hands are employed, and the pay every four weeks is $8,000. 1,133,294 pounds of cotton are used per annum and the yearly production is 9.,820 pounds of yarn, which is equal to 7,720,000 yards of cotton. Agur Castle is Superin- tendent. J. P. Crozer's Sons mills ( Nos. 1 and 3) are located in Upland. as stated above. The main mill ( No. 3) is 330 by 60 feet, three stories high; engine room, 20 by 40 feet, two stories high, and store house, 50 by 30 feet, three stories high. Mill No. 1 is 180 by 50 feet, four stories and attic high, with a three story addition, 8 by 50 feet; picker room, two stories, 50 by 30 feet; machine and repair shop, two stories, 50 bv 30 feet; fo'ding rooms, 50 by 50 feet, two stories; stables and wash house and other build- ings. Dye house, 100 by 3 , feet; cotton house, 75 by 50 feet, and constructed of stone and brick. There is also a boiler and waste house to each of the mills. The machinery in the two mills aggregates 580 looms, 21,232 spindles, 110 36-inch cards, with engines of 150 and 200 horse power respective y. 193 men, 170 women, 55 girls and 82 boys are em- ployed, the pay every four weeks being $14,000. 80 bales of cotton are used per week, and the yearly production is 1, 142,000 pounds of No. 20 yarn. In 1881, 1,955,000 pounds of cotton were used and 9,605,600 yards of goods made. J. G. Steen is Superintendent.
EDDYSTONE.
Eddystone Manufacturing Company.
The Eddystone Manufacturing Company (Limited) was founded, in 1844, bv Wm- Simpson, at the Falls of Schuylkill, Philadelphia. In 1869 Mr. Simpson's sons were admitted to the firm. which became Win. Simpson & Sons. It was removed to Eddy- stone in 1874, and in 1877 the Eddystone Manufacturing Company ( Limited) was form- ed, of which th . old firm are the principal owners. The works were enlarged and the finest machinery introduced to make prints in all colors. They manufacture the noted Eddystone prints and cotton prints, as well as the Win. Simpson & Sons' mourning prints, for which the old firm was so famed, the goods still retaining their high repu- tation. There are 14 buildings in all, viz: Engraving and color rooms, 212 by 82 feet, one story; bleaching, 244 by 90 feet, one story; boiler honse, 112 bv 72 feet, one story; cloth store house. 112 by 50 feet, one story; white room, 107 by x4 feet, one story; west boiler house, 202 by 72 feet, one story; south dye house, 202 by 92 feet, one story; north dye house, 223 by 92 feet, one story; finishing house, 300 by GO feet, two stories; print
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Industrial Establishments.
rooms, 300 by 85 feet, three stories; Retort house, 90 by 90 feet, one story; machine shop, 150 by 60 feet. one story; planing mill, 100 by 90 feet, one story; pump house, 60 by 35 feet, one story; stable. 114 by 92 feet, one story. The 15 buildings mentioned cover, themselves, nearly tive acresof ground. The machinery is of the most approved kind for bleaching, printing, dyeing and finishing. There are 54 engines with 37 boilers, consuming 25, 00 tons of coal per annum. 503 men. 61 women and girls, and 160 boys are emploved, and the weekly production is 30,000 pieces of 48 yards each.
Such an industry as this has built up about it a thriving village. The liberality of the company and of Mr. Simpson has m'de this a delightful locality. The Lighthouse Library, a handsome building, containing a reading room, smoking room, and hall that will accommodate 300 people. built in Gothic style, and finished in bard wood, with open timber roof, is only one of the evidences of the good taste and wisdom of the owners of the property. An admirable system of water supply. well laid ont and well kept streets, comfortable homes for the operatives, together with the natural beauty of the location, make Eddystone one of the pleasantest places hereabouts.
NORTH CHESTER.
Powhattan Mills.
On January 1, 1864, Messrs. H. Shaw and D. R. Esrey began the manufacturing business at Pendleton Mills, now Bridgewater. They succeeded Patrick Kelly. In September, 1866. thev removed to North Chester and buit "Powhattan" No. 1 Mill. On January 1, 1878. the firm change to Shaw, Esrey & Co , (Limited), with a capital stock of $300.000. No. 2 Mill was built in 1871, and No. 3 in 1877. They have an aver- age dimension of 130 by 55 feet each, with dye honse, finishing honses, dry honses and all other necessary buildings for woolen manufacture Kentucky jeans and fancy cassimeres are manufactured, the latter with a retail value of $1.50 per yard. The aggregate number of looms of the three mills is 330. There are 20 sets of woolen ma- chinery and 380 horse power engines Tubular boilers are used. 300 hands are em- ployed, and the pay roll every four weeks is $8000. The amount of raw materials used is 36 bales of cotton per week, 20,000 pounds of wool per month and 330, 00 pounds of cotton warps per year The annual production amounts to 3,000,000 yards of goods. John Shaw is Superintendent.
Irvington Mills.
'The Irvington Mills, in North Chester, were established in Philadelphia, in 1842, by James and David Irving. In 1845 they were removed to Delaware county, and the firm is now James Irving & Son. The main building is of stone, 152 by 54 feet, four stories. No. 2 is 100 by 40 feet, onc story; No. 3 stone, two stories. The machinery consists of 106 looms, 2.100 spindles and 16 cards. Water and steam are used, compris- ing 8 turbine water wheels and one engine with 6 Demfold boilers, aggregating 125 horse power, and manufacture woolen threads and jeans. 31 men, 50 women, 4 girls and 16 boys are employed, at a monthly wage of $3.600. About 200,000 pounds of wool are used and produce 50.000 yards of goods per month. 80.000 pounds of cotton yarns are used per annum William A. Irving is Superintendent. There are about 85 acres of land connected with this establishment.
North Chester Brickyard.
The brickyard of S. J. Rose & Son occupies a 15 acre tract on Providence and Twenty-first streets. 40 men and boys and 5 horses and carts are employed, and the weekly pry is $400. All kinds of brick are manufactured, 22,000 being turned out per day The yard has 3 kilns. Mr. Rose first started in the brick business on Upland street, near Tenth, in the North Ward. From there he removed to his present location thirteen years ago.
SOUTH CHESTER.
Chester Oil Works.
The Chester Oil Works, in South Chester, areone of our most important industries. To appreciate its magnitude and gain an idea of this interesting business, at least a day should be spent on the grounds and in the numerous buildings nsed in carrying on the enterprise. The company was organized in September, 1880, but refining oils did not begin until the 23d of the following March. The grounds comprise >7 acres, and the buildings cover about 12 acres. 12 large stills with a charging capacity of 10,000 barrels, 2 agitators, 6 bleachers and 6 large boilers for engine and pumping purposes, with much other machinery, are used in turning out 2,000 barrels of retined oil per day
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Historical Sketch of Chester.
and 1,600 barrels of tar and an equal amount of naphtha per week. 20,00) barrels of crude oil are used per week. There is a storage capacity of 14 ,000 barrels of crude oil tankaze, besides 60.000 barrels of other tankage. Three of the largest pumps have each a capacity of 3,000 barrels per hour. they carry 14 inch suc ion lines and 12 inch supply lines. Beneath the surface of the entire grounds is a perfect network of pipes, all of which are accurately drawn on a plan of the works, so that at any time an en- gineer with compass and chain can not only find any pipe desired, but every joint and stop cock can be designated and its size and use told There is not a tank or building anywhere in the works that is not well protected in case of fire, as both steam and water can be turned on in all of them in such quantity as to extinguish the flames. 4 Artesian wells have been sunk to obtain cold water for condensing purposes. One of these are 450 feet deep and furnishes 70 barrels per hour. The ordinary supply of water is obtained from the river. There is wharfage for 13 vesse's, with a depth of 20 to 24 feet at low water, and for the protection of the shipping in winter ice wiers have been erected. They are the only private ones on the Atlantic coast. 17 Different kinds of oil are made and shipped to al' parts of the world. Besides b rrels, 5-gallon tin cans are used for this purpose, and works for the manufacture of the latter have just been completed and fitted up with intricate and expensive machinery. Little, if any, of thi work is done by hand. The tin is cut, squared, bent into proper shape, stamped and soldered by machinery The last operation is performed by an ingenious in en- tion of Frank W. Edward, Superintendent of the works, and has a capacity of t rning out 14,000 perfectly soldered cans. Of this number not a dozen will leak when severely tested. Before shipment these cans are packed, two in a wooden box, also made en- tirely by machinery. 375 hands, only a couple of dozen of whom are boys are employ- ed, at a weekly pay of $3,400, exclusive of men paid by the month.
Sea Board Oil Company.
The works of the Sea Board Oil Company, W. E. Cotter, Manager and Treasurer, were established, July 1, 1881, on an admirably located lot on Front street, between Trainer and Booth streets. These works comprise 8 buildings, covering an aggregate of about half an acre. 8 engines, 3 boilers and 15 stills are used in the manufacture of lubricating oils, paraffine oils an't wax, refined burning oils, gasoline and naphtha. 1,300 barrels of crude oil are consumed daily. 33 men are employed at a weekly pay of $367.
Delaware Oil Refining Works.
The Delaware Oil Refining Company was established by W. F. Young, in August, 1881, at its present location, between Second and Front and Johnson and Price streets, South Chester. It was incorporated Oct ber 15, 1881. as the Delaware Oil Refining Company. There are 8 good sized buildings. of brick and frame, covering about half an acre. They manufacture paraffine oil and wax. The engines are 65 horse power, and there are six stills, the weekly capacity of which is 400 barrels. 18 hands are em- ployed at a weekly wage of $225. 550 barrels of residumn of petroleum oit are used per week, and the weekly capacity of the works is of oil 350 and 50 barrels of wax.
Vulcan Works.
The Vulcan Works at Delaware Avenue and Reaney streets, South Chester, started in 1864. by William H. Green, in a building 40 by 120 and has been enlarged to a hand- some brick structure 144 by 12 ., with sub-buildings 30 feet square. The latter are used as a cupola house and oven, and as a casting, cleaning and boiler house. The products manufactured' here are of steel, iron and brass. A specialty is made in brass and steel valves and cocks of all kinds. A large amount of general machine work is also done. The works have a capacity of $10,000 worth of manufactured goods per month. Fifty men are employed at wages of $2,000 per month
Chester Pipe and Tube Company.
The Chester Pipe and Tube Company was established at Front and West streets, South Chester, in 1877 It was incorporated by the Legislature with a capital of $300,- 000. The grounds comprise 17 acres, which contains two long brick buildings. besides several other smaller ones. They manufacture 10,000 tons of wrought iron pipes and tubes annually, consuming 20,000 tons of skelp iron. 200 hands on an average are em- ployed at a monthly pay of 88,000 to $10,000. W. S. MeMinus is Superintendent; Geo. H. Potts, President; A. D. Hepburn, Secretary and Treasurer.
Centennial Mills.
The Centennial Mills occupying a main building 600 feet long bv 50 wide at Se- cond and Clayton streets, were established in May, 1876, by Simeon Cotton, and were ready to open on the 10th of the month, but that being the grand opening of the Cen- tennial exhibition in Philadelphia, the mills were not started until the 11th, hence their name. 14 bales of cotton are used per week in the manufacture of 6,000 pounds
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Industrial Establishments.
of cotton warps; 3.050 spindles and 13 . ards is the machinery used. 9 men, 9 women. 8 girls and 14 boys find work here on a monthly pay of S850. S. H. Cotion is Superin- tendent.
Charles Roberts' Mills.
In 1871. Charles Roberts began operations in the Water Works building at the foot of Fulton street. It was removed in 1875. to its present location at the foot of Jeffery street in South Chester. The works comprise two mills, one 170 by 66 feet, 2 stories high with engine and boiler room. dve h use. picker room. and finishing room. The other mill i- 100 by 50, two stories high. with + ngine and boiler room, dye house and dry room These mills make ti. kings. cheviots and Kentucky jeans. The machinery is driven by a 90, a 40 and a 12 horse power engine. and comprises 150 looms. 5,500 cotton spindles. 1,000 wrolen spindles. 18 cotton and 2 sets of woolen c. rds. 5 tubular boilers are used in t e ge' eration of steam All the dying and finishing is done upon the pre- mises. 8.0. 0 pounds of raw material are consumed every week. producing 36,000 vards of manufactured goods. 35 are men, 60 women. 35 girls and 30 boys are employed, and the monthly pay $3,000. Robert Wilson is Superintendent.
Chester Rolling Mills.
The Chester Rolling Mills, manufacturers of steel plate, boiler plate. tank iron, boat plate, steel ingots and pigiron. were established at Front street between Wilson and Hayes, South Chester. in 1-74, by the Chester Rolling Mil's Company. John Roach, President; C. B. Houston. Treasurer; D. F. Houston. Secretary, and T. J. Houston, General Manager. The main building is 320 by 185 feet. The steel works, 140 by 96. The different buildings connected with the blast furnance cover about one acre. The combined engine power is 6 000 horse and they have the most complete set of machinery and implements for their business in the . ountry. They employ 575 men and 25 boys, at weekly wages of =6.000. They use 1,000 tons of ore, 735 tons of fuel and 519 tons of limestone in the blast weekly. and the weekly i roduct is 650 tons pig iron, 300 tons steel ingots and 300 tons plate, which, however, does not include other steel production.
Auvergne Mills.
The " Auvergne Mills" of South Chester, were established in the fall of '68, at the foot of Flower street by N. L. Yarnal . A two story s'one structure. 5) by 120 feet, forms the main building, the engine house is 20 by 25, picker house.32 feet . quare, the dve house, 65 by 70 feet. 88 looms, 4 sets of w. olen cards, 42 br 4x, two seif-acting mules with 676 spindles each, together with other necessary machinery are used in the manufacture of Kentucky jeans 26 men and boys and 43 women and girls are em- ployed at monthly wages of $2.100. 5,700 pounds of cotton and wool are consumed every week in the manufacture of 20,000 yards of cloth.
Chester Pottery.
In a small two story building. 25 by 35 feet, at Front and Hayes streets, is the Chester Pottery. This was started by Gorge F. Trapnell, in 1873, and 4 men and a boy are employed at wages of $50 per week. About 150 tons of clay are annually used,
Oil Cloth Works.
The Oil Cloth Works of F. S. Worrell were started during the summer of 1882, in the frame buildings formerly ocenpied by Eli D. Pierce as a morocco tannery, at the foot of Tilghman street. The works comprise four frame buildings and are well stock- ed with the most improved machinery. Oliver C. Washburn superintends the works. 5,000 yards of manufactured goods are produced weekly, employing 30 men.
Robinson's Brickyard.
Robinson's Brickyard, 6th and Engle streets, was established by James Caven. The property passed into the hands of Amos Davis, who still owns it. Charles Fair- lamb and Fairlamb & Robinson have since conducted the business. In 1876 Mr. Ro- binson took entire charge. 3.000,000 bricks are turned out annually. giving steady em- ployment to 40 hands and 6 horses and carts, and $400 per week is the pay roll.
Palmer's Brickyard.
The Brickyard on Third street, north of West. was established, in 1865, by Mrs. M. Palmer. It comprises 2 kilns with a capacity of 100,000 bricks each. The yard covers 6 acres. Press, hand and salmon bricks are manufactured, and 12 men and 2 boys are employed at a weekly wage of $150. 40,000 bricks per week are turned out. Thomas
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Historical Sketch of Chester.
Palmer is Superintendent. The owners of this enterprise are lineal descendants of William Penn.
South Chester Shipyard.
The Shipyard of Joseph K. Clouser, at the foot of Lamokin street, is used entirely for repair work. The works are fitted with all the modern appliances for repairing wooden vessels. Employment is here given to 15 men at a weekly pay of $150.
Wyoming Mills.
The Wyoming Mills, at Third and Booth streets, is operated by Joseph Byram, Jr., in manufacturing cotton yarn. The mill has 56 looms. 1,000 spindles and two sets of cards, driven by a off horse power engine, and turns out 15,000 yards per week. 3,000 pounds of cotton i- weekly made into 26.(00 pounds of cotton yarn James Byram, Sr., is Superintendent.
Garfield Mills.
The Garfield Mills, situated at the corner of Morton streets and P. W. & B. R. R., were built by Mes-rs. Law & Devennerduring 1.1. The building is a two story brick, 10) by 50 feet. 2,8' 0 pounds of cotton varn is manufactured every week. 1,500 spin- dies and 8 sets of cards . om; rised the machinery up to within a short time-now the capacity is being doubled by the duplication of their machinery. An 80 horse power engine furn shes the motive power. 4 men, 3 women. 6 girls and 3 boys are employed, at a weekly pay of $100. William Whittaker is Superintendent.
Law & Derenney's Brickyard,
Law & Devenney's Brickyard comprises an eight acre tract on Morton street and P. W. & B. R. R. 3 large kilns, of Philadelphia pattern, daily produce 23,000 bricks. 15 men are employed at $450 weekly wages.
South Chester Kindling Works.
The Kindling Wood establishment of S. P. Stephenson, was started 4 years ago, at the foot of Lamokin street. + men are employed on a weekly wage of $60. One thousand cords of oak and pine wood is annually consumed.
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