USA > Pennsylvania > Beaver County > History of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and Its Centennial Celebration, Volume II > Part 13
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On the morning of February 12, 1901, the larger part of this great plant was destroyed by fire, and the people were dismayed at its loss, but the enterprise of the citizens and of the owners was sufficient to meet the situation. The National Glass Com- pany, which is spoken of a little below, and which in 1899 had taken control of the plant, at once took steps to rebuild in even greater dimensions; and H. C. Fry, its former president, organized a new glass company.
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H. C. Fry Glass Company, a corporation organized with $400,000 capital. under the manufacturing laws of Pennsyl- vania, commenced business in 1902 with a new and up-to-date glass works at North Rochester. H. C. Fry is president; and John N. Taylor. of the great pottery concern of Knowles, Tay- lor & Knowles, East Liverpool. Ohio. vice-president. This plant manufactures high grade blown tumblers and fine cut table glass- ware, on a new improved patented process. It is considered the finest and best equipped glass factory in the United States, and is manufacturing perhaps as fine goods as were ever before pro- duced in this or any other country. It has over 500 employees to start with, and bids fair to become a very important fac- tor in Beaver County's many manufacturing enterprises.
The Business Men's Association of Rochester. which was organized March 30, 1901. with H. H. Newkirk as president; Garrett T. Bentel, secretary: and Geo. H. Cross, treasurer, and whose object is to secure the mutual benefit of business men by promoting their interests, securing their co-operation and ad- vancing the welfare of the town. nobly stood by Mr. Fry, giving him indispensable assistance in his great enterprise. The only suitable location for a plant of this kind being on a terrace, high above the great railway system and the river, a railway to this point was necessary, involving an expenditure of many thousands of dollars, and the overcoming of great engineering difficulties. The Association appointed a committee, known as the "Switch Committee." This committee consisted of Frank Feyler. Curtis C. Noss, James T. Conlin. S. A. Engle. and Joseph I. Reno; Mr. Feyler, chairman. The committee procured a large number of the citizens as security for the money needed for the railway. which was soon built and opened with a celebration at North Rochester, on the 28th of June. 1002.
William Miller & Sons .- William Miller, contractor and builder, came to Rochester in IS55, and in 1869 established, with A. S. Dobson and Jacob Trax. the firm of Miller. Dobson & Trax. In 1872 the firm became Miller & Trax. and in 1875 it was succeeded by William Miller. In 1884 the firm of Wm. Miller & Sons succeeded William Miller; and, November 6, 1898, William Miller retired, the firm name remaining Wm. Miller & Sons. This firm is composed of the brothers John A., George
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W., Charles M., and Henry J. Miller; Charles M. and George W. Miller being in the Pittsburg office, and John A. and Henry J. Miller in Rochester.
The plant and lumber yard of Wm. Miller & Sons, located between the railroad and river, covers about six acres, and they employ from forty to seventy-five men. They handle all kinds of lumber, their specialty being hardwood interiors, bank and office fixtures, etc. They also do a general contracting business, from their Pittsburg office, located in the Frick Building.
The following are a few of the more prominent buildings they have erected: the Montgomery County court-house at Norristown, Pa .; Washington County court-house and jail, Washington, Pa .; York County court-house, York, Pa .; the Arrott Office Building in Pittsburg; the Pittsburg Bank for Savings; and the new Union Station of the Pennsylvania Rail- road at Pittsburg.
Keystone Pottery Company .- This firm, which was composed of Wm. Miller & Sons, was incorporated in 1890. John Gripp of Pittsburg, deceased, was a member of the firm at its organiza- tion. June 26, 1895, the plant was destroyed by fire. The site of the pottery was taken possession of by Wm. Miller & Sons, with H. V. Barteaux, who then formed the Miller Brick Company.
The Miller Brick Company .- This company was incorporated in 1900 for the manufacture of face and paving brick. The officers of the company are Wm. Miller, Sr., president; Wm. L. Miller, secretary and manager; and John A. Miller, treasurer.
Rochester Point Bottle Works was first called the Rochester Flint Vial and Bottle Works, and was organized in the fall of 1879. Its directors were David McDonald, Sr., David Mc- Donald, Jr., Wm. Anderson, Wm. Miller, Sr., Michael Camp, P. Mclaughlin, Irvin McDonald, and John Taylor. David McDonald, Sr., was president; David McDonald, Jr., secretary and treasurer; and Wm. Anderson, manager. This company erected a plant which now forms the main portion of the build- ing occupied by the Point Bottle Works Company. In 1882 the company was reorganized, and given the name of the Point
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Bottle Works Company. The directors of the new company were: P. Mclaughlin, John Scheiss, Wm. McCague, J. C. Irvin, John Flint, James R. Dougherty, Henry Heuring, Thos. Joyce, Sr., P. Mclaughlin was its president; John Scheiss, secretary; J. C. Irvin its first treasurer; and Wm. McCague its second. The factory was operated under this management until 1887,. when it was again reorganized, the following being the directors: Henry Heuring, P. J. Huth, James R. Dougherty, Lewis Hol- lander, John Flint, Reinhart Radtke, and Wm. O'Leary. Henry Heuring was elected president; P. J. Huth, secretary and treas- urer. This management continued without a change until 1898, when C. A. Dambacher was elected president, and Henry Heur- ing, superintendent. The factory is located at the junction of the Beaver and Ohio rivers, and at the junction of the C. & P. and Fort Wayne railroads. The works cover about one acre of ground. The present management has greatly increased the capacity of the plant, and recently erected a two-story packing room 64 X 128 feet, and a warehouse 32 x 80 feet.
When first started the goods manufactured were flasks and fruit jars, but now a general line of prescription and liquor bottles are made. The plant has a capacity of 200 gross of bottles per day. It gives employment to 135 hands, with a yearly pay-roll of about $50,000.
Keystone Tumbler Company .- The Keystone Tumbler Com- pany was organized in February, 1897. Its officers were: John Conway, president; George A. Malone, secretary; August Hel- ler, treasurer; Chas. Runyon, general manager. Its directors were: John Conway, August Heller, John Moulds, James T. Conlin, and Charles Bentel. The capital stock was $75,800. The factory began operation August 23, 1897. The plant occupies a building, 300 x 310 feet, besides a boiler-house and other out-buildings. Thirty-five pots is the working equip- ment of the plant, and 360 people are employed. November I, 1899, this property was taken over by the National Glass Company.
The National Glass Company was organized November I, 1899, with an issued capital of $2,325,000 stock and $2,000,000 of bonds, and on that date took over the following properties:
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Beatty-Brady Glass Co., Dunkirk, Ind .; Canton Glass Co., Marion, Ind .; Central Glass Co., Summitville, Ind .; Crystal Glass Co., Bridge- port, Ohio; Cumberland Glass Co., Cumberland, Md .; Dalzell, Gilmore & Leighton Co., Findlay, Ohio; Fairmont Glass Co., Fairmont, W. Va .; Greensburg Glass Co., Greensburg, Pa .; Indiana Tumbler and Goblet Co., Greentown, Ind .; Keystone Glass Co., Rochester, Pa .; Model Flint Glass Co., Albany, Ind .; McKee & Bros. Glass Co., Jeannette, Pa. ; Northwood Glass Co., Indiana, Pa .; Ohio Flint Glass Co., Lancaster, Ohio; Riverside Glass Co., Wellsburg, W. Va .; Robinson Glass Co., Zanesville, Ohio; Rochester Tumbler Co., Rochester, Pa .; Royal Glass Co., Marietta, Ohio; West Va. Glass Co., Martins Ferry, Ohio.
The company since that time has met with disastrous fires at Rochester, Pa., and at Greensburg, Pa.
They have rebuilt the portion of the Rochester Tumbler Works that was burned at an expenditure of over $300,000, and have also built a large works at Cambridge, Ohio.
The company at this time is employing about 7000 people. At the consolidated Rochester-Keystone plant at Rochester, Pa., the company has 1300 people on their pay-roll.
It is expected that the Rochester-Keystone plant will pro- duce $1,500,000 worth of goods during the current year (1903). Their pay-roll will run about $50,000 per month. The directors and officers of the company are as follows: A. W. Herron, president; Addison Thompson, secretary; A. L. Strasburger, treasurer; who, with George I. Whitney, Frank L. Stephenson, and L. B. Martin, compose the board of directors.
From July 1, 1903, Charles Runyon was superintendent and general manager of the Rochester plant.
Beaver Valley Glass Manufacturing Company, popularly known as the "Dinkey" Glass Works, was established in 1882 by Alex. Pfiffner, John McManus, and Floris Thomas. The ownership passed to Messrs. Irvin & Mclaughlin, who, in 1885, leased the plant to Mr. John D. Carter, and the firm name became the John D. Carter Glass Works, not Limited. The product was flasks, brandy bottles, and prescription vials, and the business was actively conducted until July, 1890, when the plant was destroyed by fire and never rebuilt.
The Beaver Falls Cutlery Company first started on a small scale in Rochester, on the premises on the Brighton Road or Delaware Avenue, afterwards occupied by the "Dinkey" Glass
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Works, but was soon removed to Beaver Falls, where it became a great concern.
Bonbrights' Starch Factory .- About 1844 John and William Bonbright came to Rochester and started a starch factory on the site more recently occupied by the above-mentioned works. They manufactured three grades of starch. The Bonbrights were brothers of Mrs. Dr. A. T. Shallenberger. John was a merchant, and built the house now owned and occupied by John Conway as a bank and dwelling. William Bonbright built the house in which Marcus T. C. Gould afterwards lived, which stands on the bluff just above the Point Glass Works, and is now occupied by William Graham.
The Rochester Planing Mill Company, formerly known as the Rochester Planing Mill, George E. Woodruff, proprietor, was chartered December 4, 1902, with a capital of $60,000, and with the following officers and directors: Orin H. Mathews, president; George E. Woodruff, secretary and treasurer; directors-B. E. Suris, R. E. Tallon, and H. D. Jackson. Jemuel Woodruff, the father of George E. Woodruff of this firm, came to this vicinity in 1832, and was at first engaged in the clock business. He later built a cabinet shop and manufactured furniture. In 1858 a planing mill was built by Monroe Miller, Wheelen Dolby, and Charles Lukens, in which Mr. Woodruff was employed. In 1875 or 1876 he bought this mill for himself. and until his death in January, 1899, continued the business. At the time of his death, when he was about ninety-five years of age. Mr. Wood- ruff was the oldest Freemason in the United States, having become a member of the order in 1825. For some years pre- vious to his death, his son George was associated with him in the business of the mill, and was afterwards its sole proprietor until the present firm was established. This firm employs about thirty men and does a large business.
The Rochester Cut Glass Company .- The Rochester Cut Glass Company was organized in the fall of 1896. with Jno. M. Pfeiffer. president: F. L. Williams, secretary; and C. B. Con- way, treasurer. They are manufacturers of rich cut tumblers, fingerbowls, sherbets, stemware, water - bottles, and cut bar bottles. Forty skilled workmen are given employment by this
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concern, and the annual production is of about $50,000 value. The present officers of the company are: president, Jno. Moulds; vice-president, F. L. Williams; secretary and treasurer, John M. Pfeiffer; and manager, Robt. E. Johnston.
The Olive Stove Works were originally established by Cap- tain Daniel Fitch and the Herrington Brothers in 1872. In September, 1879, they sold these works to the present company, and on September 1, 1879, "The Olive Stove Works, Limited," was incorporated and a board of seven managers were elected. John Conway was made president; and John R. Eakin, secre- tary and treasurer. The works were then located at the river, on the east corner of New York and River streets. In 1882 it was decided to enlarge the works, and the present site was purchased and suitable buildings were erected thereon. March 3, 1903, this plant was destroyed by a fire, caused by a gas explosion, but was immediately rebuilt. In 1899 a new charter was obtained, and the Olive Stove Works was made a corpora- tion. The present officers are: John R. Eakin, president; Joseph M. Eakin, secretary and treasurer; S. G. Woods, superin- tendent; John W. Dowell, traveling salesman.
The production is confined to manufacturing cooking and heating stoves and ranges and general castings.
The Rochester Roller Flouring Mills, G. Henry Karcher and Jno. A. Karcher, proprietors, are located on Railroad Street, opposite the Fort Wayne freight depot. The firm was organized in 1882, under the title of Karcher Brothers, who erected a flouring mill on the location on which the present mill stands, which was burned in December of 1890, together with several other buildings located in that part of the town. They rebuilt during the summer of 1891. The present mill is four stories high, 50 x 85 feet in size, and is built of brick. Its capacity is 125 barrels of flour daily. It is equipped with the latest improvements in the way of rolls, bolting reels, and wheat cleaning machinery. It also contains a corn-meal system, which is the latest improved process for bolting and purifying corn meal, also roller machinery for making all kinds of chop, corn, oats, and rye feed. The power for the mill is supplied by a 75-horse-power tubular boiler and 65-horse-power automatic
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engine. They also have their own electric plant, which fur- nishes the lighting for the mill, and a large building 50 x 50 feet square, two stories high, which is a warehouse for flour and hay and a stable combined.
The Rochester Clay Pot Company was organized January 25, 1902, and chartered April 14, 1902. It manufactures glass- house pots of every description. The present officers are Dr. J. C. McClaren of Pittsburg, president; George A. Rahe of Pittsburg, vice-president; and Edward Willetts of Rochester, secretary and treasurer.
The Beaver Valley Pot Company was organized, May 26, 1902, with the following officers: Samuel Young, president; J. Howard Fry, secretary; Leonard Albrecht, treasurer. The company was formed for the purpose of manufacturing glass melting pots, tank blocks, bench clay and furnace blocks of all kinds for glass factories. The plant has a capacity of 900 pots annually, besides the other supplies. The present officers of the company are: Edward Kaye, president; Edward T. Davis, treasurer; Walter R. Irvin, secretary; Samuel Young, manager; directors: Edward Kaye, E. T. Davis, W. H. Surls, M. S. Mar- quis, and H. C. Fry.
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
Speyerer & McDonald Bank .- This was the first banking institution started in Rochester. Its firm members were G. C. Speyerer, J. V. McDonald, H. J. Speyerer, and W. J. Speyerer. The capital was $30,000. The first deposit was received Novem- ber 3, 1869. In 1872 the firm name was changed to Speyerer & Company, with the same amount of capital. The members were then G. C. Speyerer, H. J. Speyerer, W. J. Speyerer, John Greab- ing, Sr., L. H. Oatman, and Louis Schneider. September 23, 1873, the business was turned over to the Beaver County Bank- ing & Safe Deposit Association, Rochester, Pa., which was organized with a capital of $75,000. The first officers and directors were: G. C. Speyerer, president; H. J. Speyerer, cashier; directors: G. C. Speyerer, Louis Schneider, H. J. Speyerer, John Greabing, Sr., and L. H. Oatman. This insti- tution is no longer in existence.
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John Conway's Bank .- This is the second oldest banking in- stitution in Rochester. It was organized in 1871 as John Con- way & Company. From time to time Mr. Conway has bought out his partners, until he is now the sole owner. The bank is on the corner of Madison Street and Brighton Road. Mr. Con- way does a general banking business on safe and conservative lines, and is an able financier.
First National Bank of Rochester .- This bank was established June 18, 1883, with Henry C. Fry, William S. Shallenberger, Edward B. Daugherty, Gilbert Pendleton, I. F. Mansfield, Thomas M. Armstrong, Tobias Hetchie, Moses B. Sloan, Board- man S. Ranger, Benjamin Mulheim, and Dr. A. T. Shallenberger, signers on the certificate of organization. The first directors were Henry C. Fry, W. S. Shallenberger, I. F. Mansfield, Gilbert Pendleton, A. C. Hurst, John M. Buchanan, Jesse H. Lippencott. Henry C. Fry was chosen president of this bank at the time of its organization, and has continued to occupy that position from that time till the present.
The bank first opened for business on the 18th of June, 1883, in the brick building on Brighton Street, now owned and occu- pied by Mrs. John Kaszer. At that time the bank owned this property. In 1887 the property was sold to Mrs. Kaszer, and the bank removed to its present convenient location, on the corner of New York and Pleasant streets.
Hon. W. S. Shallenberger was made cashier of this bank at the time of its organization. Mr. Shallenberger was succeeded as cashier by Charles J. Wack. Mr. Wack was a teller at the time of his election. He held the position from that time till August 3, 1894, when he died.
Thomas C. Fry was elected to succeed Mr. Wack, and Mr. Fry was succeeded by the present cashier, Mr. John H. Mellor. The capital stock of this bank in 1900 was $50,000, and its sur- plus, $50,000; in 1903 the capital was increased to $150,000, and the surplus is now $35,000.
The Rochester National Bank .- This bank was organized, December 17, 1898, with the following officers and directors: James G. Mitchell, president; W. J. Mellon, vice-president; Joseph C. Campbell, cashier; Elmer J. Mengel, teller; directors:
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History of Beaver County
James G. Mitchell, W. J. Mellon, Joseph C. Campbell, Charles R. Eckert, Robert W. Darragh, Charles P. Brobeck, Robert L. Hood, Alfred P. Marshall, and Edward J. Schleiter.
It began business, March 13, 1899, with a capital of $50,000. The banking house was located in a handsome brick building, corner of Brighton and Washington streets, erected by James G. Mitchell. In 1902 this bank was absorbed by the Rochester Trust Company.
The Rochester Trust Company .- Early in the fall of 1902 a few of the most enterprising of Rochester's business men began to talk seriously of the organization of a new bank, believing that the growth of the town and increasing business of the county justified such a venture. Dr. W. A. Rose and Mr. Henry J. Miller were the prime movers in the enterprise, and their first idea was of a bank or trust company capitalized at $150,000. So favorably was this plan received that in less than two days' canvas Mr. Miller succeeded in getting nearly the whole proposed amount subscribed. A trust company was de- cided upon on account of there being no organization of that kind in Rochester, and on account of its wider field for business.
On the 11th of October, at the office of William Miller & Sons, was held the first meeting for the organization of the Rochester Trust Company. Those present were: Messrs. John A. Miller, Walter A. Rose, Curtis C. Noss, William A. McConnel, Frank Feyler, Henry J. Miller, Adie K. B. Wilson, George H. Karcher, and Thomas C. Fry-all subsequently directors in the company. John A. Miller was elected chairman, and Thomas C. Fry, secretary, of the meeting. The capital was placed at $150,000, and Thomas C. Fry appointed treasurer of the company.
A little later it was found that the Rochester National Bank would consider a proposition to sell its stock. Messrs. John A. Miller, Wilson, Noss, and Shugert, were appointed a committee to confer with the bank, and reported that the bank stock could be bought for $200 per share. This deal was immediately closed.
As the original $150,000 had already been subscribed, a resolution was passed on the 4th of November increasing the capital stock to $200,000. On November 20th the first stock- holders meeting was held at the office of C. C. Noss & Company.
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At this meeting the directors, fifteen in number, were elected, namely: John A. Miller, Dr. Walter A. Rose, William A. Mc- Connel, Joseph C. Campbell, Curtis C. Noss, George H. Karcher, Wesley E. Bonzo, Henry J. Miller, George A. Baldwin, Frank Feyler, Dr. Guy S. Shugert, Adie K. B. Wilson, Dr. John C. McCauley, James H. Ewing, and Thomas C. Fry.
The Rochester Trust Company commenced business in the rooms of the Rochester National Bank, on December 1, 1902.
On the 23d of December a meeting of the stockholders of the Rochester National Bank was held, and resolutions passed to place the bank in voluntary liquidation on January 6, 1903.
Mr. Joseph C. Campbell, formerly cashier of the Rochester National Bank, continued with the Trust Company until Feb- ruary.
The officers elected by the directors of the Rochester Trust Company were: John A. Miller, president; Dr. Walter A. Rose, vice-president; Thomas C. Fry, secretary and treasurer; Herbert W. Douglass, assistant secretary and treasurer; Elmer J. Mengel, teller; and Charles A. Stewart, assistant teller.
The Rochester Savings and Loan Association was incor- porated, August, 1894, with an authorized capital of $10,000,000. The officers were: George W. Miller, president; Paulus E. Kohler, vice-president; George C. Deming, secretary; Thomas L. Darragh, treasurer. In 1902 this Association was merged into the Farmers' Building and Loan Association of Brush Creek, Pa., whose place of business is in Rochester
The Central Building and Loan Association of Beaver County .- Since its organization in 1888 this has become one of the largest and most successful institutions of its kind in Penn- sylvania, with about 1400 shareholders, carrying nearly 7000 shares of stock, on which the annual receipts exceed $200,000. The list of officers and directors is as follows: William M. Fisher, president; G. T. Bentel, vice-president; A. Heller, treasurer; J. T. Conlin, secretary; Hon. M. F. Mecklem, attorney; John Bender, H. B. Ruth, R. Radtke, John Flint, William List, H. L. Morgan, E. Romigh, J. H. Gordon, and Wheelen Dolby, directors.
Rochester Building and Loan Association .- This associa- tion was organized in the spring of 1894, and the charter was
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granted June 1, 1894. At the time of the organization the officers and directors were: A. C. Hurst, president; William Moulds, vice-president; W. S. Shallenberger, treasurer; Thomas H. Javens, secretary; William Miller, Sr., John Coleman, John J. Hoffman, Robert H. Marshall, Harrison J. Chandler, Frank L. Robinson, A. N. Gutermuth, Frank Woodruff, and Joseph J. Zimmerman, directors; and the organization has remained the same ever since, except that when Mr. Shallenberger left Roches- ter, John J. Hoffman was elected to the office of treasurer; and Mr. Woodruff retiring from the board, John E. Nelson was elected in his stead. W. A. McConnel is solicitor. The capital stock is $1,000,000, with the privilege of increasing it to $5,000,000.
CHURCHES
Trinity Episcopal Church of Rochester was organized, May 29, 1851, and chartered March 18, 1852. The charter members were John Reno, John Clark, F. Reno, John Cooke, D. W. C. Bidwell. The first vestry was composed of John Reno and Wm. Owens, wardens; and Wm. Hurst, secretary and treasurer. The parish was organized by Rev. Wm. H. Paddock, and the first pastor was Rev. Joseph P. Taylor, who immediately began the erection of the present church on a lot presented by M. T. C. Gould, as agent for the land company. Mr. Taylor was rector from 1851 to 1867, and at times was assisted by Rev. J. T. Protheroe and Rev. J. L. G. Fryer. Mr. Fryer was a very promising young minister, but death claimed him while con- nected with this church. Rev. C. N. Spalding, D.D., became rector of Trinity, in connection with New Brighton parish, in 1872. Rev. Wm. Ballard became rector of this parish and Georgetown in 1873, and had many improvements made upon the church property, and was followed by Rev. John K. Karcher. In 1876 Rev. Wm. A. Fuller was rector of this parish, with Trinity Church, New Castle; St. Paul's Church, Fairview; and St. Luke's, Georgetown. Rev. Thos. J. Martin was next, and was succeeded by Jno. Loudon in 1884. Rev. J. A. Farrar next took charge. During his pastorate the parish received a gift of $5000 from Lewis Taylor, Esq., which was used to purchase a rectory and put the church in repair. In September, 1886, Rev. T. J. Danner became rector, and had the belfry erected to
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