History of Berks county in Pennsylvania, Part 120

Author: Montgomery, Morton L. (Morton Luther), b. 1846
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Peck & Richards
Number of Pages: 1418

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mentioned, are occupied by the different build- ings belonging to these works. For loading pipes and for lifting purposes in the foundry, nine cranes are used ; seven of these have each a ten horse power engine attached to them. The motive-power to run the machine shops is a forty horse-power engine and two tubular boilers having a combined power of one hundred and ten horses.

The various kinds of manufactures are water and gas-pipes, flange-pipes, stop-valves, fire- hydrants, lamp-posts, structural work, car and railroad castings, the Canada turbine, etc. Two hundred men are employed. Amount of busi- ness annually done, $500,000. The company has a branch house at 160 Broadway, New York City, under the management of John Fox.

THE SPECTACLE-FACTORY of Thomas A. Wilson, on the corner of Second and Washing- ton Streets, was built in 1871, completed and supplied with machinery specially devised by the proprietor during the early part of the year 1872. Lenses are here manufactured out of sand bronght from Berkshire, Mass. Many varieties are made. This is the only factory of its kind in the world in which all of the parts, glass lens and frames are made under one man- agement. Employment is given to two hun- dred and forty workmen. The average daily production during the year 1885 was three thousand eight hundred pairs; one ton of steel a month is consumed. Two large buildings are now occupied.

THE FRANKLIN FOUNDRY was started by Adam Johnston, in 1840, at the southeast corner of Eighth and Chestnut Streets, for the manu- facture of iron castings. He conducted the foundry successfully for nearly twenty years. In 1844 he increased its capacity and added a machine-shop, and then he changed the name to "Franklin Iron-Works," and began the manufacture of iron cars for coal transportation on the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad. In 1851 he commenced the building of wooden freight cars for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and other companies, constantly in- creasing the business. In 1844 five hundred cars were built annually, which by 1851 was

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increased to twelve hundred cars annually. From 1858 to 1860 Ezekiel Jones and Daniel Shaaber conducted the business, but in 1860, Adam Johnston, his son Henry and Dauiel Shaaber became associated under the name of Johnston & Son. In 1882 Henry Johnston came into possession of the works and has since conducted them, filling large orders for castings for blast furnaces, etc. The foundry at this time turns out twenty tons of castings daily, with seventy workmen employed ; when run to its full capacity, employment is given to two hundred men.

CENTRAL FOUNDRY AND MACHINE-SHOPS, operated by B. W. Grist & Co. (Limited), are located on the corner of Cherry and Carpenter Streets. They were started in the year 1840 by L. K. Moore, who conducted them for a number of years. Since 1879 the above-men- tioned firm has been engaged here in the manu- facture of vertical and horizontal steam-engines, counter and platform scales and a variety of machinery. Forty workmen are employed.

THE MACHINE-SHOPS located on the corner of Orange and Bingaman Streets were started in 1883 by David Greth. In 1884 Fred. Ger- hart and Mahlon Shaaber purchased the stock of machinery and have since carried on the business under the firm-name of Gerhart & Shaaber. They manufacture supplies for ma- chinists and a variety of brass and iron-work, and do a large business in repairing and refit- ting.

F. S. NEUDOERFFER & Co., manufacturers of iron railing and locks, are the successors of Louis Neudoerffer, who established the business at 428 Court Street in 1859. At his death, in 1884, it passed into the hands of his son, Fred- erick S. Neudoerffer, who admitted as a partner Charles Frichter. The new firm employ seven workmen, manufacturing iron railing and various kinds of architectural iron-work.

THE BRASS AND IRON FOUNDRY on the corner of Sixth and Chestnut Streets was estab- lished in 1853 by James L. Douglass. In 1854 Henry Connard was admitted as a partner in the business. Brass castings for machinists and manufacturers are made here as specialties. Steam-valves, steam-pumps, steam-engines,

lathes, fans and shaftings are also manufactured. Eighteen workmen are employed. The present firm-name is Douglass & Connard.

READING INDUSTRIAL WORKS originated in the year 1871, at their present location, Niutli Street below Bingaman, by Joseph H. Miller, John C. Printz, Samuel Davies, William Shaf- fer and Adam Shaaber, as the firm of Miller, Printz & Co. No changes have taken place in this firm, who are engaged in the manufacture of brass and iron castings, machinists' and manu- facturers' supplies, pipe-fittings, globe valves, cocks, pumps, injectors and a variety of other products. Thirty-five men are employed.

READING NICKEL-PLATING WORKS were founded during the year 1881, at Sixth Street, below Chestnut, by Robert Arhard. The next year he sold the works to Kensil & Harbster, who, in 1884, removed them to 316 and 318 Maple Street. In 1885 E. H. Smeltzer became the sole proprietor. For a time a brass foundry was operated in connection with these works. Brass, bronze and German silver castings are made and nickel-plating in various forms is ex- tensively done. Twenty employees are at work.

WEST READING BOILER-WORKS, on the cor- ner of Front and Chestnut Streets, were built by the firm of Sterling & Weidner in 1877, and have since been operated by them. Boil- ers, tanks, oil-stills, pipes for blast furnaces, smoke-stacks, etc., are manufactured. About forty men are employed and an extensive busi- ness is done.

READING ENGINE-WORKS, on Pine Street, between Second and Third, were started in 1885 by Orr & Sembower (W. Harry Orr and C. H. Sembower) for the manufacture of vertical, hor- izontal and hoisting engines, from three to twenty horse-power. Sixteen workmen are constantly employed, and the firm do a large business in constructing the marine vertical engine, which is of special design, with link and reversing lever, and can be utilized for gen- eral purposes as a motor.

THE EAGLE BOLT-WORKS were established in 1845, at Philadelphia, where the business was conducted until 1876 by William Golcher, who there manufactured the first carriage-bolt by machinery in America. During the Centen-

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

nial year G. and J. T. Golcher, sons of the orig- inal proprietor, removed the works to a site near the Lebanon Valley Railroad Bridge. The machinery used in making bolts are patented inventions, designed by the members of the firm. Eighteen men are employed and forty thousand bolts are made weekly.

SNELL & MEHARG operate the engine-works on Court Street, above Second ; and since they began, in 1880, have manufactured vertical and horizontal engines ranging from three to twenty horse-power. In addition, this firm designs and constructs various kinds of machinery. About a dozen men are constantly at work. The proprietors are J. H. Snell and George F. Meharg.

THE MACHINE-SHOPS of Muhlenberg & West (N. H. Muhlenberg & R. H. West) were begun in 1883, at Nos. 26 and 28 South Fifth Street. This firm manufact- ures and deals extensively in machinery and machinists' supplies, steam fittings, belting, wrought-iron pipes, joints and connections, etc. ; they are also agents for Westinghouse steam- engines, Worthington steam pump and the Rue Little Giant Injector. Capital invested, thirty thousand dollars ; fifteen hands are em- ployed ; business extends to several of the Northern States, and amounts to one hundred and eighty thousand dollars per year.

THE PENN BOILER-WORKS were established in 1883 on the corner of Front and Pine Streets, by George C. Wilson and H. P. Yeager. The works are designed for the manufacture of steam boilers, tanks, oil-stills, pipes for blast furnaces, stacks, etc. They have three thousand dollars invested in the business and twelve workmen employed ; amount of business, fifteen thousand dollars per year.

PEIPHER & LEINBACH, manufacturers of steam-engines, boilers and machinery of various kinds, are the successors of Hass & Peipher, who began the business in 1883. On January 1, 1886, Daniel Leinbach purchased the interest of J. A. Hass, and the present firm was formed. Eight employees are engaged at these works.

THE MACHINE-SHOPS at 126 Carpenter Street, owned by George W. Francis, were

started by him in 1882 for the manufacture of light machinery, stocks, taps, dies, planer knives, moulding bits and cutters.

THE GRETH MACHINE-SHOPS, Nos. 627 and 631 Franklin Street, Reading, were founded by Daniel Greth in 1883. In 1884, J. P. Miller and H. E. Deininger bought out the entire stock and machinery, and have since conducted the business. They manufacture machinists' and manufacturers' supplies, brass and iron-work, and do a large business in re- pairing engines and machinery. They also keep in stock belting, packing, pipe, valves, etc. Capital invested, three thousand dollars ; six hands employed.

THE GUN AND RIFLE-FACTORY on south- west corner of Ninth and Walnut Streets was founded in 1870 by Nelson Delany, who bought ground and erected the factory for making small calibre rifles for the Southern and Western trade and special orders. From 1856 to 1870 he made rifles in small quantities, but the increasing demand for his manufactures led to the erection of the present works. During the War of the Rebellion he took large contracts from the government for the manufacture of gun-barrels, which were made during the day- time, and in the evening his entire force of workmen were also engaged in the manufacture of cartridges for the army.

DANIEL GERHART began business as a gun- smith at 12 North Fifth Street in 1876. In 1878 he removed to 14 North Eighth Street ; he manufactures guns and rifles of many kinds to order, and has lately commenced to make fine fishing-rods, reels, etc., for the trade.

THE NOVELTY WORKS, at 308 Schuylkill Avenue, were started in 1881 for the manufac- ture of breech-loading guns, rifles, meat-cutters and cigar-cutters. The specialty is the New American breech-loading rifle, the design of which was invented by the proprietor of these works, James J. Oakes.

WAGNER'S PATENT ROLLER TUGS were first introduced to the public in 1883, when Julius Wagner, the inventor and patentee, began the manufacture of them at 276 South Ninth Street, Reading. Since 1883 he has secured several patents, including boom-tugs, roller rein hook

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and leather clamp, for harness. He has suc- cessfully introduced his patents over a large territory, and in the past year the sales of his tugs have largely increased, thirty thousand sets having been sold.

THE EXCELSIOR GALVANIZING WORKS, of Reading, were started in 1878, by Daniel F. Mccullough, at No. 546 South Seventh Street. In 1884 he fitted up the works at No. 526 South Seventh Street. He has two workman employed ; his trade is confined to Reading and Berks County. .

JOHN MILLER was the first locksmith in Reading, having started the business at 932 Penn Street in 1826. He built up a large trade in door locks of his own design and manufact- ure, which were in great demand in most of the counties of the State, and which are still in use. Two forges were worked and six hands con- stantly employed for many years. After his death, in 1872, the shops came into the posses- sion of his son, John W. Miller, who still con- tinues the business.

HATTERS AND HAT-MAKING.

The manufacture of wool and fur hats is the oldest, most conspicuous and most continuous employment in Reading. This department of trade was in a flourishing condition when the borough was created. The prominent hatters of Reading between the years 1752 and 1782 were the following, whose names are arranged in the order of priority : John Jackson, Samuel Jackson, Isaac Lebo, Matthias Hineline, Elias Yungman, George Schultz, Jacob Graeff, Peter Nagle, Sr., Peter Gross, Jacob Gross, Baltzer Henritze, Frederick Repp, Jr., Charles Bu- shaur.

The following statistics, in reference to the manufacture of fine and coarse hats in Berks and surrounding counties for the year 1795, appear in an early publication : 1

Hatters.

Fur Hats. Wool Hats.

Philadelphia

. 31,637

7600

Montgomery

.800

1000

Delaware

1500

4000

Chester

1300

4000

Lancaster

· 3000

15,000

Dauphin

1200

4000

1 Coxe's View, p. 158.

Bucks

1000

1,000

Berks

2200

54,000

182

42,637 .

90,600

Total State.

315

54,237

161,140

This condition of the trade led the author to remark,-2

"It may be safely affirmed that the counties of Lancaster, York and Berks are among the most vig- orous in Pennsylvania, perhaps in the Union; and that there are none in the State in which there are more manufactures, is beyond all question."

The county of York then had twenty-six hatters and produced twenty-six hundred fur hats and thirty thousand wool hats.

Reading contributed almost entirely the hat- ters and hats stated in the foregoing table for . Berks County. The hatters in Berks County were almost wholly devoted to the production of wool hats, whilst in Philadelphia they were mostly of fur hats. Every county in the State then contained busy factories in this branch of industry.

The wool hat, as then made, was heavy and stiff, so stiff that a man (weighing two hundred pounds) could stand upon it without crushing it. Its weight-well, to us of to-day, who carry fine, small, light hats, weighing but two ounces, prodigious-was eleven to twelve ounces. Its height was from four and a half to six inches, with a brim three and a half to four inches wide and from one-eighth to three-eighths inch thick. The colors were black and white, the number of each manufactured being about the same. The quantity of wool in each hat was about eight ounces.

In 1824 the borough contained less than one thousand taxables. Of this number, there were six master-hatters, who gave employment to four hundred and fifty journeymen and apprentices, worked up annually sixty thousand pounds of wool, and manufactured one hundred and fifty thousand hats. A hatter could make, on an average, eight hats a day.

.This branch of industry continued to grow in strength as the months and years rolled on, especially in respect to the number of employees. The apprentices were numerous. Their in-

2 Ib., p. 313.

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

creasing number alarmed the masters and journeymen. It became a serious matter with them. Finally they began to consider the ad- visability of forming a society for regulating the admission of new hands into their employ- ment. The subject was discussed till it resulted in a public meeting. This meeting was held in the borough on May 13, 1829. But the con- clusion of its deliberations was adverse to the formation of a society. The following resolu- tion was adopted :

" Resolved, That upon due reflection we consider the object of this meeting entirely premature, and indirectly tending to the subversion of those philan- thropic views that prompted it, as well as infringing upon the prerogative relatively existing between the master and apprentice-that therefore the formation of such society be deemed at present useless and in- expedient."

The persons present were Joseph Homan (presi- dent), Jacob Goodhart (secretary), Benjamin Davies, Samuel Ritter, Abel Levering, John Sherrer, William Arnold, Nicholas Lott, Abram Roland, George Ro- land, Adam Fesig, Anthony Boyer, George Graeff, Peter Homan, Jacob Fricker, Frederick Rapp, Henry Ritze, David Rightmyer, John Brown, John Kidd, Charles Kessler, George Till, Christian Ritter, Daniel M. Keim, William Sherer, Matthias Roland, Jacob Maurer, John Keffer, Daniel Rightmyer, Jacob Sauerbier, Jacob Graeff and John Price.

In 1854 M. & J. Siegel carried on the largest factory in Reading, and one of the largest in the State. They employed altogether sixty hands, and manufactured daily twelve thousand wool hats. They consumed three thousand pounds of wool weekly.

Some years afterward this industry was in- jured considerably by the introduction of caps and straw hats. Many journeymen were there- by induced, if not compelled, to seek other oc- cupations. In 1846 the estimated number actively engaged in it was about fifteen master- hatters and fifty journeymen. The daily pay was about ninety-six cents. Hats were made by the piece. This was, indeed, a wonderful decrease in twenty years. And it was not re- vived until 1852, when hats began to be made by machinery. The colors began to be intro- duced about 1847. Many different colors were used in 1851.

The first soft wool hats in Reading were made,

in 1847, by John Lotz and his son David. They were from six to six and a half inches high, and weighed from four to five ounces. They had a wide brim. A button was attached on the right and left sides of the hat to enable the brim to be looped up, if necessary. The style was called " sugar-loaf," having a round top. Home-made hats were mostly worn by the citizens.

WILLIAM ARNOLD, who was for more than half a century prominently identified with manufacturing, political and business interests of Reading and Berks County, was born in the year 1798, and died in 1884, in the eighty-sixth year of his age. His father, Nicholas Arnold, was one of the earliest persons who engaged in the manufacture of wool hats on an extensive scale in Reading, and was also a farmer and owned and cultivated the land on which the southwestern part of the city is now built. Early in life he was married to Barbara Fichthorn. Both of them lived to an advanced age. William Arnold, their son, after serving an apprentice- ship and carefully learning the trade, succeeded his father in the business on North Eiglith Street, between Penn and Washington, and there manufactured wool hats for the Southern trade in large quantities for a period of twenty-eight years. He regularly employed from thirty to forty hands, and made many more hats than any other person then engaged in the same business at Reading. He frequently shipped the hats in sailing-vessels to Charleston, South Carolina, which took him three months to make the trip. Prosperity attended him in his occupation, and at the age of fifty years he retired from the business with a handsome competence as the result of his energy and executive ability. After he discontinued the hat business he took an active interest in the administration of county affairs, being a Democrat in politics. He was commissiouer from 1841 to 1845; treasurer, from 1845 to 1847 ; and director of the poor froni 1850 to 1857 ; also for many years a director in the Farmer's Bank of Reading. He served as executor, administrator, trustee and guardian for a period of thirty years, during which he settled numerous estates. This attests in a high degree the confidence of the community in him.

William Amold

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READING.

He took a prominent part in the Masonic Order of Reading, having been a member of Lodge No. 62. He was a consistent member of Trinity Lutheran Church. He was married twice. His first marriage was with Anna Homan, by whom he had four children, two of whom are living,- William A. and Annie Louisa, married to Ferdinand Ritter, of Reading. His first wife died in 1834, at the age of thirty-four years. His second marriage was with Catharine Sauer- bier, of Reading, who died in 1877, aged fifty- eight years. The children of the last marriage are Amanda (married to Frank Markley) and Emma (married to Lewis Dauth).

William A. Arnold, the eldest child by the first marriage, now an influential citizen of Reading, was born in 1836, and educated in the schools of his native place. In 1859, after having carefully learned the trade of a hatter, he engaged in the business of manufacturing hats. He was connected with Adam Kutz and Samuel Kutz for twenty years, and the firm of Kutz, Arnold & Co., during the war, carried on the largest factory and trade in the county. They were very successful. This firm had located on South Eleventh Street, near Chestnut, and there erected numerous dwellings, being the first to improve that section of Reading. Mr. Arnold is president of the Reading Fire Insurance and Trust Company, and a director of the Farmers' National Bank and the Reading Gas Company. When the Reading Savings-Bank suspended he was appointed assignee, and displayed much energy and ability in the settlement of its large estate to the satisfaction of its many creditors. He was married to Ellen L. Rick, with whom he has six children.

HENDEL BROS., SONS & Co. own an exten- sive hat-factory located on South Fifth Street, below Laurel. This is one of the largest and most productive establishments of its kind in this country. In 1860 John and George Hen- del, in partnership with their father, in Adams- town, Lancaster County, began to make wool hats, and in 1863 the two sons erected a factory in Exeter township, Berks County; in 1867 they moved to Reading, and started the busi- ness on a more extensive scale on Maple Street, below Chestnut. In 1869 this factory was sold

to the firm of Reed & Miller. The following year John Hendel purchased a hat-factory on the corner of Eleventh and Spruce Streets, which he disposed of at the expiration of one year, and in 1871, in connection with his bro- thers, George and Henry Hendel, as the firm of Hendel Bros., bought the Wyomissing Woolen- Mills, located on Fifth Street, below Laurel, in the city of Reading, remodeled the building and supplied it with superior machinery and appliances for manufacturing woolen hats of many kinds and varieties. The business rapidly developed and soon became known as one of the leading manufacturing establishments in the city. In 1879 Levi H., Daniel J. and James M., sons of George Hendel, were admitted as partners of this prosperous firm. In 1883 Henry B. Hendel retired. The following year Charles B. Hendel became a partner. The firm is now composed of John and George Hendel, the four sons of the latter and William J. Bobst, under the name of Hendel Bros., Sons & Co. The building occupied by the firm is a large three-story brick factory and all the necessary accompanying buildings for full- ing, dyeing, storage and finishing-rooms. The capacity of this extensive establishment is two hundred and fifty dozen hats per day. About one hundred and seventy workmen are regu- larly employed. The amount of capital invested is one hundred and fifty thousand dollars ; amount of business done yearly is two hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars. Many kinds and varieties of hats are made for the general trade in this country, and some are shipped to foreign countries. All boxes used are mann- factured in this establishment.

John and George Hendel, the senior members of this firm, in 1878 started another hat-fac- tory near Shillington, in Cumru township, this county, and in 1884 John R. Hendel, Jr., son of George Hendel, became a partner in this firm, which has since been known as George Hendel Bro. & Son. The same kinds and var- ieties of hats are made at this factory as in the one at Reading. The number of employees is eighty, and yearly production thirty-eight thou- sand dozen hats. The amount of capital inves- ted is seventy-five thousand dollars, and the

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

amount of business done yearly is one hundred and ten thousand dollars.

The manufactured goods of the above- named hat-factories are sold through their own commission house, managed by Hawley, Hen- del & Mohn, on the corner of Houston and Green Streets, New York City.

JOHN HENDEL of the above-mentioned firm, is a grandsou of John Hendel, of Ger- man descent, an industrious cabinet-maker, who

ness of his life. He was married to Susan, daughter of Jacob Bollman, a farmer of Spring township, Berks County. Their children are John, George, Kate (married to Isaac Lausch), Henry, Louisa (married to William Humbert) and William. Mr. Hendel's second marriage was with Susan Will, whose children are a son, Howard, and a daughter, Emma (married to Isaac Spang). John Hendel was born on the 7th of December, 1833, in Adamstown, Lan-

John Heen del

resided in Adamstown, Lancaster County, Pa., and was married to Kate Amman. Their children were Levi, John, and Theresa (married to William Fichthorn).

Levi Hendel was born in Brecknock town- ship, Lancaster County, and, being left an or- phan at the age of three years, was indentured to a farmer until his fourteenth year. He was then apprenticed to the hatter's trade under Philip Fichthorn, of Adamstown, Lancaster County, which he subsequently made the busi-

caster County, where he remained until his thirty-first year. After instruction in the com- mon English branches he entered his father's shop and became proficient iu the trade of a hat- ter. In 1860 a co-partnership was formed be- tween his father, his brother George and him- self, which continued for three years. On its expiration Mr. Hendel removed to Exeter township, Berks County, and continued the business with his brother George, erecting a factory, to which, from time to time, various

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History of Berks county in Pennsylvania, Part 120

Author: Montgomery, Morton L. (Morton Luther), b. 1846 Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Peck & Richards Number of Pages: 1418

Author: Montgomery, Morton L. (Morton Luther), b. 1846
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Peck & Richards
Number of Pages: 1418