History of Berks county in Pennsylvania, Part 123

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

USA > Pennsylvania > Berks County > History of Berks county in Pennsylvania > Part 123

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GEORGE F. WINTER, tanner and currier, on the northwest corner of Second and Chestnut Streets, now owns what for more than half a century was known as the "Old Dutch Tannery," located on the same premises, and conducted for many years by Winter & Gabriel. The present proprietors purchased the tannery in 1864. The capacity is one thousand hides per year. One large bark-mill and thirty vats are used.

CIGAR-MAKING.

The manufacture of cigars began in Reading about the year 1800, and from that date to 1850 the prominent manufacturers of the town were James Morris, John Eyrich, Samuel Eyrich, Isaac James, J. & E. Eyrich, son of John, Philip Albright, Gosham Wolf, John Maltzberger, J. & G. W. Hautsh, C. Breneiser and William Harman. The tobacco used in making cigars at first was obtained from Ken- tucky ; manufacturers visited that State annually and purchased a sufficient supply for the entire year. The prices paid ranged from three to seven cents a pound. About 1835 tobacco was introduced from Lancaster and York Counties. Cigar-makers generally made from eight hun- dred to fifteen hundred cigars per day. A few made as many as two thousand per day. If an experienced workman could not make one thou-

sand per day, he was considered ordinary. The wages paid were five, six and seven cents a hundred. The cigars were sold at rates rang- ing from one dollar and a half to two dollars per thousand. The total manufacture in 1840 was about forty thousand cigars daily. Possi- bly of this number, one-half were made in the country districts surrounding Reading. The country cigars were made mostly for Mr. Eyrich. The country cigar-makers would buy the leaf tobacco from him and then sell him the cigars they manufactured. He had, at times, one half a million cigars on hand. Most of the cigars made, and which were sold at from three to seven for a cent, were con- sumed in Reading and vicinity. There was then more smoking, in proportion to the popu- lation, than at the present day. On the conuter of every tavern a box of cigars always stood, whose contents were free to all guests. The workers in tobacco then were almost entirely men and boys, the latter being strippers. The employment of females was begun about 1870. Chewing tobacco was manufactured by Morris & Eyrich. Since 1840 the business of cigar-making has gradually increased, a better quality of cigars have been made, more skillful workmen em- ployed, until at the present day it is a very valu- able and productive industry in the city of Reading. According to the report of the Board of Trade of the city for the year 1882, there were then eleven establishments, with an in- vested capital of $119,000; number of hands employed three hundred and forty-eight, who received in wages $54,635; the value of the product, $271,000. The number of. establish- ments has lately increased.

The wholesale tobacco house of Crouse & Co., on South Sixth Street, is quite an extensive establishment. The business was begun at the same site, in 1836, by Hautsch & Bro., who were succeeded in order by Hautsch & Lyon, Hautsch & Crouse and the present firm, com- posed of Daniel W. Crouse, George W. Crouse and George W. Hautsch. One hundred and fifty hauds are employed. A large building is used. The same firm has a branch house at 168 Chambers Street, New York.

The manufacture of cigars and sale of manu-

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factured tobacco, at No. 707 Penu Street, Read- ing, was commenced in 1876, by D. C. & H. H. Hillegass. In 1879 D. C. Hillegass formed a co-partnership with John R. Mast, under the name of Hillegass & Mast, as packers and wholesale dealers, and established the warehouse at No. 728 Penn Street, with packing-house at No. 511 Cherry Street. In 1882 D. C. Hille- gass withdrew from the firm and commenced business as a wholesale dealer in cigars and leaf tobacco, at No. 23 South Sixth Street, with ware- houses for storing and packing on Cherry, Pearl and South Sixth Streets. He employed forty hands and purchased the products of twenty manufactories in different portions of Berks Co.

THE CIGAR MANUFACTORY, at No. 728 Penn Street, conducted by Hillegass & Mast from 1879 until 1882, was continned by John R. Mast until 1883. He then, with H. B. Bansman, commenced the sale of leaf tobacco, having a warehouse at No. 636 Court Street. Under the name of Bausman & Mast a large business were transacted ; fifty thousand dollars was invested and thirty hands employed. On January 1, 1886, this firm dissolved, and a new one was formed at the same location, with J. S. Wisler, John R. Mast and H. Elwood Reifsnyder as partners, who, in 1886, erected a large manufactory on Cherry Street, below Eighth Street.

GLASER & FRAME own an extensive cigar- factory on Spruce Street, between Eighth and Ninth. The same firm, composed of N. G. Glaser and George C. Frame, began business on a smaller scale, at No. 13 South Sixth Street, in 1879, to make a fine grade of cigars, which soon were in great demand, and the firm, in order to extend their business, moved to their present location. In addition to their own factory this firm controls the product of twenty other facto- ries, located in Berks, Lancaster and York Counties. In the Reading factory two .hun- dred and fifty hands are employed, and amount of capital invested is ninety thousand dollars. Seven traveling agents sell their goods to the general trade. At a branch establishment, owned by Glaser & Frame, located at Seneca, N. Y., known as the Seneca Cigar Company, twenty agents are employed to sell to the

retail trade through New York and the New England States. The firmn also imports Hav- ana and Sumatra fiue grade leaf tobacco. A very large and successful business is done.

Some of the other manufacturers of cigars who do a considerable business are Paul Blackman, Darralı & Co., Glaser & Frame, Albert S. Hartman, George Lehr, Beard & Son, Henry W. Burky, C. M. Deem, Dibert Bros., Francis Gross, Orth M. Heckman, Marks Heil- man, William Heilman, Kalbach & Schroeder, Michael A. Krug, Lutz & Swartz, George R. Maltzberger, Jacob Neihart, John H. Riegel, Philip Rufe and John Stump.

MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURES.

READING COTTON-MILL .- Soon after the passage of the " General Manufacturing Law " of April 9, 1849, the capitalists and business men of Reading made a second effort to intro- duce a cotton manufacturing establishment. A meeting was held by them on May 26, 1849 ; and a second meeting on 14th of June follow- ing, at which a company was recommended under the law of 1849, with the name of " Reading Manufacturing Company," and a capital of two hundred thousand dollars, in four thousand shares of fifty dollars each, and a term of twenty years. On the 18th of Au- gust following, at a meeting, a report was made that one hundred and fifty thousand dollars of the stock had been subscribed for ; and on the 17th of November a meeting was held to elect thirteen directors, which was spirited and polled over twenty-two hundred votes. Subse- quently a new board was elected, and the char- ter and subscriptions thereto were recorded June 17, 1850. The capital stock was fixed at two hundred and twenty thousand dollars, or forty- four hundred shares. There were five hundred and fifty-five subscribers who took all the stock, the largest being Charles T. James, of Provi- dence, R. I., one thousand shares ; Farmers' Bank, Reading, two hundred shares ; F. A. M. Hiester, Reading, one hundred shares ; Samuel Bell, Reading, one hundred shares ; H. A. Muhlenberg, Reading, ninety-eight shares.

The county commissioners subscribed for forty shares.

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

The company shortly before had purchased ground and issued proposals. The contract was awarded to C. T. James, for one hundred and ninety thousand dollars, and mill to contain eighty-one hundred and ninety-six spindles. The ground was broken May 2, 1850, and the building was completed and put in operation in December, 1851. The dimensions of the build- ing : Width, sixty-eight; length, two hundred and seventy-four feet ; self-operating mule spindles, 11,264; and looms, three hundred. Steam engine, two hundred horse-power; and daily production estimated at ninety-three hun- dred yards.

In 1852 the production of muslin, in yards, was 1,578,859. In 1853 the production of muslin, in yards, was 2,186,927. The num- ber of hands employed in 1853 was three hundred and twenty-four-men, thirty-six; boys, seventy-seven ; women and girls, two hun- dred and eleven-and wages paid, $44,832.15, During this year the company exhibited manu- factured goods at Crystal Palace Exhibition, New York, and a bronze medal was awarded for fine brown sheeting, its evenness of thread and perfection in weaving. The company con- tinued operations till February, 1860, when the stockholders decided to sell the factory; and it was accordingly sold on March 28, 1860, for one hundred and fifty-two thousand four hun- dred and sixty dollars, to Garner & Co., of New York. The total cost was two hundred and twenty thousand dollars. The panic of 1857 was the direct cause of the sale. This was the first large enterprise of the kind started at Reading.

This extensive establishment, located on South Ninth Street, covering an entire square, or seven acres in area, is now in full operation under the firm of Garner & Co., who employ two hun- dred and twenty hands. Thirty mules, running sixteen thousand spindles, are used in the man- ufacture of Silesia goods. The product of this factory is now shipped direct to the print-works owned by the same firm in New York City. A three hundred horse-power engine, with three accompanying tubular boilers, run the extensive machinery. The weekly production for the present year, 1886, is fifty thousand yards of goods.

THE READING WOOLEN-MILLS, on North Fourth Street, are owned by J. G. Leinbach & Co. The mills were built in 1859, by Robert M. Shouse, for the manufacture of checkered goods and ginghams. In 1864 they were fitted up as woolen and cotton-mills and operated by Shouse & Leinbach. In 1875 J. G. Leinbach rented the mills and took in as partners A. S. Leinbach, John Shadle and E. Davis. The following year the firm of J. G. Leinbach & Co., purchased the mills. Four additional buildings were erected, covering an entire area of one acre. Sixty hands are employed in the mills and six traveling salesmen. Amount of capital invested, one hundred thousand dollars. The motive force is produced by a forty-five horse- power engine and two thirty horse-power cylin- der boilers. One mule and three jacks, run twelve hundred and sixteen spindles in this inill.

PAPER-MILLS .- Jacob Bushing is the pro- prietor of the Reading, Packerach and Tulpe- hocken Paper-Mills, all of which are in this city

The Tulpehocken Mill was built in 1856. At this mill a fine quality of Manilla paper is made and twenty-five employees are at work. The Reading Paper-Mill was built in 1865. Book-paper is made at this mill and forty-five hands are employed. The Packerach Mill was built in 1871. The manufactured product of this mill is book-paper, and fifty hands are em- ployed.

THE ARTISTIC GLASS-WORKS are owned by Joseph Bournique & Co., who do a large busi- ness at the factory on the corner of Ninth and Laurel Streets. The firm is composed of Joseph and Adolph Bournique, L. and J. P. Kremp and Augustus Rolland. Fifteen glass-blowers are employed. Glass lamps, globes, vases, toi- let-sets and many kinds of fancy glassware are made. The specialties are gas and electric globes, dome shades, white enameled ware. Many exquisite designs are made.

WEST READING PLANING-MILLS, on Spruce Street, below Third, were built in 1866 by Eisenhower, Fink & Co., who were the propri- etors until the death of the senior member of the firm, in 1877, when the present owners, J. Fink and A. Huyett, as J. Fink & Co., suc-

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ceeded. Sixty hands are employed in the man- ufacture of sash, shutters, doors, 'blinds and other varieties of building materials. These mills extend one hundred and ten feet front on Spruce and an entire square along the side, to Pine Street. A fifty horse-power engine, with an eighty horse-power boiler, drive the machin- ery of these extensive mills. Thirty-nine varieties of machines have recently been added to increase the manufacturing capacity.

KLINE & SHUNK (LIMITED) .- On the 2d of January, 1884, the firm of Kline & Shunk (Limited) took possession of the large steam planing-mill located at the corner of Franklin and Carpenter Streets, for many years previous- ly occupied by J. H. Cheatham. Aaron K. Kline, the senior member of this firm, is a son of the late David B. Kline, of Exeter township. Previous to entering the firm Frederick Shunk had been foreman at this mill for thirteen years. The firm manufactures and sells in this and ad- joining counties, doors, window-sash, shutter- blinds, window-frames, door-frames, mouldings, brackets, furniture and a great variety of build- ers' material of various kinds. They use a sixty horse-power engine and employ forty-five me- chanics. There is connected with this establish- ment a lumber-yard on Spruce Street, Reading, used for the storage and drying of Inmber.

BUILDERS .- Many prominent builders have been produced in Reading during the last forty years. All of them have sprung from the working-class of citizens. Their energy, en- terprise and industry have contributed incalcu- lable wealth to this community. As the popu- lation of the city multiplied, the wants of the community for dwellings and buildings in- creased, and the builders satisfied these wants. Some of the more prominent builders before 1870 were George Foos, Joseph Henry, William Henry, Samuel Summons, John Fink, Nathan M. Eisenhower, William B. Hertzel, Benne- ville Hemmig, Daniel Spohn, Henry Heck- man, Samuel Koch, Miller & Craig, George Garst, George Mast, Jacob Graeff, Dickinson Kutz, John Printz, David Gross, Benjamin Oster, William Wells and Daniel Mast; and since 1870, Daniel C. Roth, Jacob Kline, Wil- liam Brison, William Shatell, John Augstadt,

Herman Rummel, Edward K. Mull, Christian Frautz, Daniel Helfrich, Peter Helfrich, David Stephan, Jacob D. Shollenberger, Henry D. Fisher, Frederick Fisher, William Myers, John Schaeffer, Jacob Miller, Gabriel Matz and David Moser.

Business men have also erected numerous houses in this time, among them being Philip Zieber, John C. Maitland, John B. Grissinger, Jacob B. Fricker, Jeremiah Benner, Jacob S. Livingwood, John R. Bechtel and George M. Ermentrout.

DANIEL SPOHN, a prominent and successful builder and contractor, born in Reading, Dec. 15, 1815. He learned the trade of a carpenter under his father, Solomon Spohn. At an early age he started out for himself without any capi- tal, but by well-directed industry and close ap- plication he soon developed a large business and eventually became one of the most promi- nent, progressive and successful builders in Reading. For many years he was a master- builder, erecting rows of houses at a time and thereby assisting in the rapid growth of the city. These houses he disposed of on easy terms-mostly to workingmen-as an incentive to them to acquire their own homes and become practically interested in the welfare and devel- opment of Reading. He built some of the finest structures in Reading, including several school-houses, the city hall and the rear of the Reading Fire Insurance Company building. The last public building in which he was in- terested was the "Reading Relief Building." This was erected by him in 1874. Many years ago he directed his attention to the improve- ment of South Sixth Street, below Franklin, and he succeeded in building up many fine dwellings, in this way doing more than any other persons toward the permanent improve- ment of that section of the city. And he was not only engaged in improvements of this kind in one section of Reading, but in several parts at the same time. By his enterprise lie afforded employment to many carpenters and laborers, and patronized business and material men of various kinds. He was an earnest friend of Building and Saving Associations. Communities are created and enriched by men

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

of foresight, energy and determination, such as Mr. Spohn. He enjoyed the entire confidence of the many prominent men who employed him. As an illustration of this, Hon. W. J. Wood- ward (president judge), in proposing to erect his residence on North Fifth Street, selected and made a contract with him, providing for payments at certain periods during the progress of the building. One day Judge Wood- ward offered him two thousand dollars in ad- vance long before it was due. Mr. Spohn

council for several terms-1865-67, and 1868- 72-and whilst in that body performed valna- ble public services on a number of important committees.

Mr. Spohn assisted in organizing the Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Reading, and, for a time, acted as one of its directors. He was also connected with the Odd Fellows.

Notwithstanding his many business engage- ments, he found time to become interested in poultry and pigeons. He was passionately fond

Daniel Spohn

politely declined it, but Judge Woodward in- sisted upon his accepting it, saying that he was thoroughly satisfied of his honesty. This is an evidence of the esteem in which he was held.

Having been so deeply interested in the prac- tical development of Reading, he naturally di- rected his attention to its local government, and his fellow-citizens were not slow in appre- ciating his ability and energy in their behalf. He represented the fourth ward in the commnon

of the latter, having had on hand for many years, and till his decease, a large and valuable stock of the finest fancy birds.

He was a kind and indulgent husband and father, a warm friend and good neighbor.

He died on Angust 8, 1875, of .paralysis, in the sixtieth year of his age. He was married to Sarah Reiff, the descendant of an old, promi- nent and influential family in Chester County, with whom he left nine surviving children,-

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Annie, Emma (intermarried with John Moore, a prominent farmer near Millbach, Lebanon County), Kate (intermarried with Heury C. Jones, auditor of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Company), Llewellyn, Jacob R., Mary (intermarried with Alexander Shartle), Charles D., Clara (intermarried with Wallace Wise) and Rosa.

Jacob Reiff Spohn was born at Reading, February 25, 1845, and educated in the common schools. He became an employee of the Phila- delphia and Reading Railroad Company at an early age, and, by industry, unusual ability and remarkable devotion to the interests of the company, he rose step by step in the confidence of the officials, and was promoted from one po- sition to another until he came to fill the posi- tion of general division freight agent, for which be was thoroughly qualified. He died at Phila- delphia on October 9, 1883, much lamented by the highest officials of the company, who at- tended his funeral in a body. As a tribute of their high esteem, many of the employees united in erecting a fine, large monument over his grave in Charles Evans' Cemetery. He left a widow and son, Harry Reiff Spohn.

PAPER-BOX FACTORIES .- Augustus Webe- kind began the manufacture of paper-boxes in 1865 at No. 1240 Perkiomen Avenue. Twen- ty-five men are employed at this establishment and twenty thousand dollars of business is an- nually done. Hat-boxes and hardware-boxes of many kinds and varieties are made.

The paper-box factory at No. 527 South Sixth Street, owned by Abraham Trate, was commenced in 1872. He makes hat-boxes and many varieties of paper-boxes for the shipping and handling goods. About a dozen workmen are regularly employed.

Benjamin Mohn established a paper-box manufactory at No. 211 Maple Street in 1874. His business is quite extensive in the manufac- ture of hat-boxes for the trade in Reading.

ALBERT THALHEIMER established his box- factory July 10, 1866, and then employed three workmen. As his business increased he inven- ted and introduced improved machinery, and enlarged his factory, located on Cedar Street, near Walnut. He now has sixty-three em-

ployees, consumes twenty-five thousand feet of lumber weekly, and makes cigar-boxes, shelf- boxes and boxes for general purposes in large quantities. Seven saws are kept running. The printing department is connected with the fac- tory. Mr. Thalheimer is also proprietor of the " Reading Organ Action Works," established in 1885, at Reading.

DANIEL RAPP conducts carriage-shops on Poplar Street. He began the same business on Court Street in 1867, and removed to his pres- ent place in 1872. He employs sixteen work- men.

E. W. KREIDER's shops, on Pearl Street, were started in 1855 by Conrad Krebs. In 1872 the present owner purchased the shops, and has since run them. About a dozen employees are at work.

KEYSTONE COAL-DUMPING-WAGON FAC- TORY, near the Lebanon Valley Railroad bridge, was started in 1882 by H. S. Bromhart and Isaac R. Ritter, as the firm of Bromhart & Rit- ter. They construct a convenient dumping- wagon of their own invention, which is pat- ented. This wagon has met with a large sale. Nine men are employed in this factory.

READING FIRE APPARATUS WORKS, near the Lebanon Valley Railroad bridge, was founded in 1881 by the Spawn & Dennison Manufacturing Company, who in 1882 disposed of them to the present owner, W. W. Wunder. Hook-and-ladder trucks, hose-carriages, carts, reels, extension ladders, fire extinguishers and a variety of other apparatus necessary to extin- guish fire are made. Thirteen workmen are employed and fifteen thousand dollars of busi- ness is done yearly. Among the important towns supplied with apparatus from these works are Charleston, S. C., Augusta, Ga., Poughkeepsie, Jamestown, Salamanca, N. Y., Birmingham and Danbury, Conn.

THOMAS P. KINSEY, mechanical engineer and solicitor of patents, at No. 102 South Third Street, began business in 1876, and makes de- signs, drafts, plans, elevations, specifications and estimates of bridges, boilers, mills, mines and furnace equipments.

THE FURNITURE AND UPHOLSTERY MAN- UFACTORY of Schrader & Kline, No. 650 Penn

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

Street, was established in 1883 for the manufac- ture of special articles in the furniture and up- holstery line to order. They have a large four- story factory, extending from Penn to Cherry Street, and employ forty hands in filling orders for dealers' supplies in Pennsylvania and sur- rounding States ; with forty-five thousand dollars invested in the business. E. M. Schrader and L. S. Kline compose the firm.

ENTERPRISE FURNITURE MANUFACTORY was originated in the year 1869 by Jacob H. Deysher, in a building on South Third Street. In 1874 he opened a retail furniture salesroom at 409 South Fifth Street in addition. Owing to the financial depression of 1873, the proprietor suffered losses ; so that in 1878, the business passed into the hands of his wife, Anna K. Deysher, who is the present owner, Mr. Deysher still acting as general superintendent. The factory covers a half acre of ground and large quantities of furniture, packing-boxes and box lumber are made. Thirteen employees are engaged, thirty-five thousand dollars are in- vested and a business of sixty thousand dollars is done yearly.

THE ANCHOR BENDING-WORKS, on Second and Franklin Streets, have been in operation since 1879, when Jacob A. Leippe commenced the manufacture of the Anchor shafts and rims, which are extensively manufactured and sold. An area of an acre is occupied by the works and the storage-rooms for prepared lumber and manufactured products. Twenty-five men are employed.

WHEELWRIGHTS .- The name of Goodman as a wheelwright and carriage-builder has been prominently and favorably known to the citi- zens of Reading and Berks County since 1824. John Goodman then began this business on Court Street, between Seventh and Eighth Streets. In 1826 he removed to shops on Lemon Street, near Franklin. He enjoyed a large trade over an extensive territory. In 1854 he admitted as a partner his son, Henry Good- man. In 1866 the latter was given entire con- trol of the business and has since conducted it.

Shadell & Fegley own a shop at 340 Church Street, Jacob Troop at 15 North Third St., and Christian Bridenstine at 901 North Eighth St.

GEORGE W. BIEHL, proprietor of the large carriage manufactory on Pearl Street, between Cherry and Franklin, and of the salesroom, at No. 31 South Fifth Street, commenced the busi- ness in 1877 on Cherry Street, below Sixth, and in 1881 removed to his present location. Mr. Biehl makes a specialty of furnishing large invoices of manufactured carriage-bodies, wooden gear and builders' supplies to the trade in the Northern and Western States. His salesrooms are filled with carriages, phaetons, sleighs, etc. He employs thirty-eight workmen, has fifteen thousand dollars invested in the manufactory and his yearly sales amount to thirty-five thou- sand dollars.

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History of Berks county in Pennsylvania, Part 123

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