History of Erie county, Pennsylvania. Containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, villages schools, churches, industries, etc, Part 71

Author: Bates, Samuel P. (Samuel Penniman), 1827-1902; Whitman, Benjamin, 1940-; Russell, N. W. (Nathaniel Willard); Brown, R. C. (Robert C.); Weakley, F. E; Warner, Beers & Co. (Chicago, Ill.)
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : Warner, Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1280

USA > Pennsylvania > Erie County > History of Erie county, Pennsylvania. Containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, villages schools, churches, industries, etc > Part 71

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Any person paying the sum of $5 or more yearly to the Treasurer, shall thereby become a member of the association for the year, and be qualified to vote for managers and otherwise participate in the affairs of said Association, as a member thereof. The payment of $50 at one time constitutes a life mem- bership in the association, and exemption thereafter from the payment of yearly dnes. The following are the names of the life members and annual members of the association in 1883:

Life members-W. S. Warner, Richard Tanner, J. W. Reynolds, Miss A. E. Scott, J. P. Loomis, George W. Starr, Mrs. H. W. Reed, Lloyd Reed, Mrs. Ellen C. Bliss, Henry Souther, Mrs. Henry Souther, W. W. Reed, Reed Caughey, Miss Sarah Reed, W. A. Galbraith, George Selden, Mrs. J. C. Selden, Mrs. A. H. Caughey, Mrs. W. L. Cleveland, George T. Bliss, Mrs. Samuel Selden, Mrs. J. C. Spencer, Mrs. S. S. Spencer, William Hardwick, Frank F. Adams, Irvine M. Wallace.

Annual members-Mrs. L. A. Morrison, Miss Kate Mason, Mrs. Prescott Metcalf, Mrs. Myron Sanford, Mrs. John Hearn, Mrs. Robert Russell, Miss Bertha Babbitt, George Rogers, R. T. Williams, William Bell, Mrs. Addison Leech, W. L. Cleveland, W. H. Gross, Mrs. T. W. Crowell, T. W. Crowell, W. C. Kelso, John H. Bliss, Mrs. F. F. Cleveland, F. F. Cleveland, William Spencer, George Burton, J. J. Wadsworth, Mrs. Charles H. Strong, Charles H. Strong, Mrs. I. B. Gara, Mrs. George W. Starr, Mrs. J. W. Reynolds.

Managers-Rev. G. A. Carstensen, President ex-officio; W. L. Cleveland, Treasurer; George W. Starr, Secretary; Henry Souther, William Spencer, W. L. Cleveland, W. W. Reed, J. W. Reynolds, George W. Starr, George Selden, W. S. Warner, C. C. Shirk, F. F. Adams, George V. Maus, R. T. Williams. Executive Committee-Rev. G. A. Carstensen, W. W. Reed, W. L. Cleveland, George W. Starr, George Selden. Medical Board-Dr. Charles Brandes, Dr. H. A. Spencer, consulting physicians; Marine Hospital Service- Dr. D. H. Strickland; Superintendent, Miss Emma L. Warr.

The history of the Marine Hospital is as follows: When the town of Erie was laid off in 1795, the tract of land now known as Garrison Hill was set aside for military purposes, and in 1870 the State of Pennsylvania built upon it a Marine Hospital, 55x186 feet, three stories high, which was never used, at a cost of $90,000, in addition to $10,000 donated by the citizens of Erie. A large wing extends to the rear, arranged for chapel, offices, etc. The grounds overlook the bay, and are finely located for a soldiers' home, and the flat under the brow of the hill might in the future be useful to the Govern- ment for a navy yard or military station. The property is very valuable, hav- ing a water frontage on the bay, being within the city limits, and having direct railroad communication.

The Marine Hospital has been the subject of considerable legislation, to the end that it be transferred to the General Government for the shelter of the

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impoverished veterans of the war for the Union, whose services merit a differ- ent charity from that afforded by almshouses, etc. The members of the Wayne Monument Association, in their laudable efforts to perpetuate the memory of the old hero, Gen. Anthony Wayne, have succeeded in beautifying the grounds about his block-house monument, and as the military history of Erie centers around that spot, consider it the proper location for the maintenance of a home for the soldiers and sailors of the late struggle. The question of the accept- ance of it by the Government is now before Congress, and there is every reason to suppose that it will recognize the propriety and justice of the proposition, and put in order and maintain the home. It seems eminently fitting that a place whose history is so fraught with military events should be the location of such an institution.

CHAPTER VII.

LEADING MANUFACTURING INTERESTS-BOARD OF TRADE AND BUSINESS STATISTICS.

HE earliest attempt at manufacturing in Erie was made in 1795-96, when Capt. Russell Bissell erected a saw-mill near the mouth of Mill Creek, which gave rise to the name of that stream. The dam was built just east of Parade street, and nearly opposite Fourth. This mill was used by the garri- son in getting out building material for barracks, dwellings, etc., and stood until 1820, when it was burned down. In 1831, George W. Reed and William Himrod built another saw-mill on the old site, the frame of which was stand- ing for more than thirty years after its erection.

The second saw-mill erected in the immediate vicinity of Erie, was built by John Cochran in 1800, on the site of the Densmore Mill, which is just across the southern boundary line of the city. The following year, he added a grist mill, both being constructed of logs; but in the year 1816 John Teel replaced them by a frame, which was subsequently operated by John Gray and son James, Jonathan Baird and John McClure. In May, 1836, upon the death of John Cochran, it fell into the hands of his son Robert, and about 1845 was sold to Gen. C. M. Reed, who soon conveyed it to George A. Eliot. In 1850, Mr. Eliot gave the control of it to his son John, who in March, 1871, sold it to Henry Shottwell; thence it passed into the possession of Will- iam Densmore, by whom it is now operated.

In 1806, Robert Brotherton built a saw mill at or near the site of the Hope- dale Mill, in South Erie. The farm and mill was purchased by John Gin- grich, and the latter was discontinued when timber became scarce in the neigh- borhood. An oil mill was subsequently erected there by C. Siegel. Upon his father's death, Henry Gingrich inherited the property, and about 1850, built a flouring mill, which he called "Hopedale." This mill was operated for some years by Oliver & Bacon, who left it in 1865, having secured the canal mills, and it was then taken by its owner Henry Gingrich.

During the years 1807-8, another saw mill was erected on Mill Creek at its intersection with Eighth street, by Thomas Forster and William Wallace, who got control of the water-power from Twelfth to Parade streets. About 1810, R. S. Reed purchased the property and built a grist mill below, and in 1822, George Moore bought these mills and added thereto a carding and fulling mill. Some time during the winter of 1834-35, the mills were pur-

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chased by E. D. Gunnison, who became associated in business with Abraham Johnson, and they built and named the Fairmount Flouring Mill. Gunnison sold his interest to John H. Walker, who converted the carding and fulling mill into a plaster mill, and built a large tannery opposite and a number of dwellings for the workmen. Jehiel Towner was miller here for many years. The tannery burned down and the mill fell into the hands of Liddell, Kepler & Co. In the spring of 1859, it was bought by P. & O. E. Crouch, and is now owned and operated by J. B. Crouch & Co.

Rufus S. Reed built a grist mill on Mill Creek in 1815. It was located on Parade street between Fourth and Fifth, and the dam crossed the stream just below Sixth street. He afterward added a distillery, both of which were carried on by him until his death, the mill standing until ten or twelve years ago.

The same year (1815), Robert Large erected a grist mill near the corner of Eleventh and French streets, with the dam above Twelfth. It did not, however, prove successful, and in 1822 was sold to Alvah Flint, who converted it into a cloth, carding and fulling mill. This was kept up until 1840, when the site and water power were purchased by Vincent, Himrod & Co., who erected there- on a foundry subsequently known as the Erie City Iron Works, one of the pioneer iron establishments of this portion of the State.

The pioneer tannery of Erie was erected by Ezekiel Dunning, on Holland street, between Fifth and Sixth, about the beginning of the present century. It was long known as Sterrett's tannery, and kept in operation until 1852. The next tannery in the order of time was established in 1805, by Samuel and Robert Hays, on the corner of Ninth and French streets. The latter sold his interest to Samuel, and he in turn was succeeded by his sons W. B. and J. W. Hays, who carried on a tannery in Erie for many years. William Ar- buckle, wbo learned the trade with Samuel Hays, started a tannery in 1820, on Eighth street, west of Myrtle, which he ran until 1830, when it ceased oper- ations.

The first beer brewery in the city was built in 1815, by Maj. David Mc- Nair, on Turnpike street, near where the Erie City Mill was afterward erected. He added a distillery in 1823, and in 1827 built a grist mill on State street, south of the Lake Shore Railroad, the motive power for all being furnished by the water of Ichabod Run.

In 1803, the first brickyard in the county was opened by Isaac Austin and B. Rice, and was located east of Parade, between Second and Third streets. From brick made in this yard, James Baird erected the first brick house in Erie County. It stood on German, between Front and Second streets, was two stories in height, and occupied for many years by Thomas Wilson. It was used as a hospital in 1813, for the wounded prisoners captured at the battle of Lake Erie, and was burned down in 1827.

The following men were the pioneers of Erie in their respective trades, to wit: Jonas Duncan and John Teel, carpenters; Peter Growotz, mason and bricklayer; Robert Kendall, cooper; John Morris, hatter; Thomas Stewart and Archibald McSparren, tailors; while the first hop-yard planted in the county was west of Peach street, between Buffalo and Simpson. There was no regular copper or brass smith until 1822, when Charles Lay opened a shop on the south side of East Park. He subsequently went East and became a locomotive engineer.

Two other mills deserve mention among the earlier ones of the city, viz., the Canal, and Erie City Mills. The first was erected by William Kelley, near the corner of Sixth and Myrtle streets, and was constructed under the direc-

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tion of Jehiel Towner, a pioneer miller of Erie. Its motive power was sup- plied from the surplus water in the canal, but in 1865 Oliver & Bacon became proprietors and converted it into a steam mill. The Erie City Mill was com- menced in 1849, by Clark McSparren and John R. Dumars, on the site of the State street railroad bridge; but McSparren soon purchased Dumars' interest. The farmers did not like to go above the railroad, and consequently the mill never did much business. The building stood in the way of the railroad then under construction, and after long negotiation it was bought by the company and removed south on State street, where it is still standing.

It is not our intention in this article to mention many of the smaller factories that have come and gone during the past three-quarters of a century, as such matter would be of little or no historical value, but only to give those best remembered as having done most toward building up the present manu- facturing interests of the city. Having glanced over the leading pioneer mills and factories, we will continue the subject with brief sketches of the leading manufacturing establishments of to-day. The material contained in these sketches was obtained directly from the proprietors of the respective manu- factories, upon whom we had to depend for the correctness of the matter which we here present to our readers.

Our first attention will be given to an account of the Erie Car Works. lim- ited, on Cascade and Sixteenth streets, as the first indications of substantial in- dustry that meet the eye of the traveler on his approach to Erie from the west are the works of this company. One is impressed with the magnitude of the plant, which embraces about thirteen acres of ground, the structures which cover it from one end to the other, and the army of workmen engaged in the various departments of the works. On a closer view, he will find a complete system of arrangement and an attention to details hardly to be looked for where the work is of such volume, and the number of operatives so great. The works were established in the year 1868, and have been a powerful illustration of the fact of Erie's admirable location for manufacturing purposes, as well as a monument to the enterprise and executive ability of their founders and pres- ent managers. At the present time, they have a capacity of sixteen freight cars per day, and give employment to about 600 men. This statement, to those familiar with car building, will be at once appreciated, but to those unfamiliar with it we will simply say that it involves the using annually of 170 tons of brass, 250 tons of malleable iron, 380 tons of steel springs, 150 tons of paint, 500 tons of tin and solder, 3,250 tons of axles, 5,000 tons of iron castings, 6,000 tons of wrought iron, 11,000 tons of car wheels, and 20,000 tons of lum- ber, or 5,000 car loads of material of ten tons each. In the distribution of this work the company has erected seventeen substantial buildings, several of them of large dimensions. The machinery is driven by an engine of 200-horse- power, and a locomotive owned by the company is always engaged in hauling the materials used, or drawing the finished cars out to the main tracks over the sidings which traverse the works in all directions. The class of cars built are box, gondola, ore, drift (or mine cars), coal and stock cars. The very best of materials are used, and every particle of the iron in the wheels and axles is tested, and if not found of the requisite strength is rejected. The value of this great industry cannot be overestimated, while the reputation of the city is materially enhanced by the extent of its operations. The officers of the works are: President, W. R. Davenport; Treasurer, William A. Galbraith. The for- mer is a gentleman of wide experience in this line of production and of great enterprise and public spirit. The latter, in addition to his connection with this establishment, is a gentleman of wide reputation as a lawyer, and is at present

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the Presiding Judge of the Sixth Judicial District of Pennsylvania. They rep- resent in business and social life the best elements of our civilization, while their contribution to the city's industry is one of marked value and importance.

The Erie City Iron Works are, doubtless, next in importance. The rapid ad- vancement in the manufacturing arts which so strongly characterizes our Amer- ican industries is a subject of interesting study. In almost every department of mechanics do our people excel, and the products of American looms and workshops stand unrivaled in the markets of the world. This statement is particularly true of heavy machinery, engines, etc., and the products of Amer- ican genius are noted for their strength and adaptability to the work required of them. The city of Erie has achieved almost a world-wide reputation as the producer of much of the finest and best machinery in this line, and is justly entitled to rank among the important manufacturing towns of the United States. The founding here of the largest and most important establishment of its kind in this country is a just tribute to Erie's claim to superior advantages of loca- tion, which appeals strongly to the consideration of the manufacturer seeking a location, or to the purchaser seeking his supplies. The cost of iron and coal, the splendid shipping facilities, and many other attractions combine to empha- size the statement that if her advantages are fostered, this city's present im- portance as a manufacturing center, is but a faint premise of what her future will become. We invite the attention of our readers to a brief sketch of the Erie City Iron Works, which is one of the most important enterprises located here, and the best evidence we can give of the claims we have made. These works were established in 1840, by Vincent, Himrod & Co., on what would now be considered a very small scale, and did a general foundry and machine shop business. Several changes have taken place in the title, the present firm of Selden, Bliss & Co. becoming sole proprietors in 1864, and it is under their management that the Erie City Iron Works have grown to such wonderful pro- portions. The location of the original works was at the corner of Twelfth and State streets, and the foundry, 86x240 feet, on the corner of Twelfth and French streets, is still a portion of the works. The increasing business of the firm demanding greater facilities, in 1880 they purchased a tract of five acres of land adjacent to the L. S. & M. S. R. R., in the eastern suburbs of the city, where they have erected several of the most important buildings connected with the works, among them being a boiler shop 100x600 feet in dimensions, with an L 30x50 feet for engine room, and another L 40x50 feet for office, besides a frame flanging shop 40x180 feet in dimensions, and a machine shop 80x120 feet. These buildings, except one, are substantial brick structures, admirably adapted to the business. The works are supplied throughout with the latest and most improved machinery, much of it being specially constructed for their particular business, and requires for its operation three engines, which com- bined aggregate 140-horse-power and employment is furnished for 350 men constantly, with weekly pay roll averaging $3,000. The rangeof work includes horizontal and upright flue and tubular boilers; stationary, portable and agri- cultural engines; saw mills and mill machinery ; steam riveting machinery, etc. The number of boilers built in 1880 was 857; engines, 400; saw mills complete, 48. The business of 1881 shows the following gratifying increase: Number of boilers made and sold, 1,097; engines, 457; saw mills complete, 96; besides other work of a miscellaneous character. The sales in 1882, amounted to $785,- 098.09. The Erie City Iron Works have depots for the sale of their products in all the important business centers of the country, and their work is sold in every State and Territory of the United States, and in the West Indies, Mexico and South America, and ranks second to none made in the world. They claim

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that they make more boilers than any other establishment in the United States. The individual members of the firm are George Selden, President; John H. Bliss, Secretary, and George D. Selden, Treasurer. Of their energy and enter- prise, the Erie City Iron Works are a lasting monument of which themselves and the city of Erie may well be proud.

The firm of Black & Germer is the lineal successor of the pioneer stove foundry of Erie. In July, 1834, Ebenezer A. Lester, Pardon and James Sen- nett, Thomas G. Able and Allen Hinckly established a small foundry on the northwest corner of Eleventh and State streets, under the title of Hinckly, Sennett & Co. The motive power was furnished by two horses hitched to sweeps upon an upright shaft propelling the machinery for blowing the cupola. Prior to 1835, William H. Johnson bought out the interests of Hinckly & Able, and the firm became Johnson, Sennett & Co. In 1838, Pardon Sennett sold his interest to Johnson, but the title of the firm remained the same until 1841, when Johnson disposed of his interest back again to Pardon Sennett, the firm then becoming Lester, Sennett & Co. Many changes followed in the owner- ship and title of the firm, which we will briefly name. Soon after the above change occurred, James S. Sennett sold to his partners, and the firm became Lester & Sennett; in 1843, Lester, Sennett & Chester; in March, 1851, Sen- nett & Co .; in March, 1855, Sennett, Barr & Co., and afterward, Barr & John- son; in March, 1862, Barr, Johnson & Co. William T. Black obtained an in- terest in March, 1867, but the title of Barr, Johnson & Co. remained until March, 1872, when M. R. Barr, having previously purchased the interest of George B. Sennett, sold out to his partners, Grove H. Johnson and William T. Black, who associated with them Otto Germer, and organized the firm of Johnson, Black & Co. In 1878, Johnson sold to Germer, and the title became and has since remained Black & Germer. The first castings in this foun- dry were made direct from the ore, and the stoves were peddled through the country. The business has grown from insignificant dimensions, until to-day they claim to be the largest institution of the kind in this part of the State. The old works on the corner of Eleventh and State streets will soon be aban- doned for the large new works recently erected on the corner of Sixteenth and German, which cover a piece of ground 240x360 feet. The new buildings are of the following dimensions: Foundry, 154x175; pattern shop, 35x70, four stories high; mounting shop, 54x212, five stories high, and basement; engine and boiler house, 36x38 feet, furnished with a 100-horse-power engine, besides the usual number of outside buildings surrounding such establishments. These works are supplied throughout with new, first-class machinery, while a switch from the Pennsylvania Railroad affords the best of shipping facilities. The firm now (October, 1883) employs at the old shops 150 men, but the new works have a capacity of 250. It is the only establishment in the United States that make the manufacture of parlor base-burners a specialty, and claims to be the pioneer of the trade in that line, having started in 1866 with the "Morning Glory."

The Chicago & Erie Stove Company, limited, west Twelfth street, was es- tablished in the year 1840, by Johnson, Himrod & Co. The title was several times changed, until in 1876 it became a stock company with W. H. White- head, of Chicago, as chairman, and C. C. Shirk, Secretary and Treasurer. The plant of the works covers two and one-half acres of the best and most eligibly located property for the purpose within the city limits, and is improved with substantial buildings of the following proportions: Moulding room, 85x240 feet; mounting shop, 85x150 feet; store room, 80x160 feet; engine and boiler room, 20x40 feet; besides warehouses, pattern houses and offices. The

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works necessitate the use of two cupolas of eleven and forty tons capacity re- spectively, an engine of 60 to 75-horse-power, and the employment of 140 men skilled in the different departments of stove manufacture. The trade of the house, which runs up into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, besides being largely local extends all over the Western country. The Chicago depot for the sale and distribution of all western business, is located at 171 Lake street, that city, and is an establishment of large proportions, employing five travel- ers to represent its interests. At this point but two men are engaged in that capacity, yet the business annually offered the company is largely in excess of its ability to supply, even with its exceptionally fine facilities. The company has an excellent reputation as the producers of fine work, both as regards fine castings, handsome finishing, mounting and the great variety of their manufacture. Stoves for heating and cooking purposes, ranges, furnaces, etc., in many designs and sizes are manufactured, and are made with special re- ference to the science of combustion and economy of fuel. Though making various styles and patterns, the "Helper " cooking stoves and ranges, and the invincible base burner, are their leading stoves, and enjoy a high reputation. Taken in its entirety, as the disburser of large sums in wages and in the rami- fications of its business, giving the city a wide celebrity, it is one of the nota- ble industries of the place, and contributes largely to the substantial welfare of the community. Mr. Charles C. Shirk, the Secretary and Treasurer of the company, is the controlling head of the manufacturing department of the bus- iness, and is a gentleman of wide experience and sterling business qualities.

Another important manufacturing industry is the Jarecki Manufacturing Company, limited, corner Ninth and Holland streets. Any person familiar with the city of Erie twenty years ago will remember the small lathes of rude. construction, and the small furnace for smelting brass, which at that time rep- resented the capital and equipment of the Jarecki Manufacturing Company. The present works are a transformation, wonderful as great, and almost mag- ical. No lucky combination of circumstances, however, has brought about this change. It has been secured by the most indomitable will, careful attention, a masterly knowledge of the minutest details, the careful accounting in every department, and a superior class of work. Formerly engine-makers, plumb- ers, steam fitters, and that class of artisans were compelled to make their own valves, pipe connections, etc., which made their work one of much detail, and the absence of machinery especially adapted for it made it tedious and labo- rious. When this condition of things was recognized and the positive assurance secured that with the advance of our industries all over the land, the manu- facture of this class of materials could be made a separate industry, it was then that the Jarecki Manufacturing Company started on the career which has placed them in the very front rank of America's manufacturers. Go where you will over our land, and among the very best appliances of the nature alluded to will be found those made in the shops of this company. So large has the business grown that to-day two acres of ground are in use, all built upon in a handsome and substantial manner. The main building, three stories and basement, is 330 feet long by 60 feet in width, utilized from cellar to roof. The galvanizing shop is 70x40 feet; the malleable iron foundry is 80x150 feet; the gray iron foundry 60x100 feet; the annealing room 50x80 feet; the core shop 50x160 feet, and the cutter room 40x100 feet. The entire premises, as an architectural adornment, is one of the best in the city, and is a monu- ment to the character of its founders. The principal specialties of the works are malleable iron fittings, oil well supplies, brass work for engine builders, plumbers and steam and gas fitters, which comprehends a vast variety of arti-

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History of Erie county, Pennsylvania. Containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, villages schools, churches, industries, etc, Part 71

Author: Bates, Samuel P. (Samuel Penniman), 1827-1902; Whitman, Benjamin, 1940-; Russell, N. W. (Nathaniel Willard); Brown, R. C. (Robert C.); Weakley, F. E; Warner, Beers & Co. (Chicago, Ill.) Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago : Warner, Beers & co. Number of Pages: 1280

Author: Bates, Samuel P. (Samuel Penniman), 1827-1902; Whitman, Benjamin, 1940-; Russell, N. W. (Nathaniel Willard); Brown, R. C. (Robert C.); Weakley, F. E; Warner, Beers & Co. (Chicago, Ill.)
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : Warner, Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1280