History of Erie county, Pennsylvania. Containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, villages schools, churches, industries, etc, Part 74

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 74

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Riblet Brothers, furniture factory, corner of Twelfth and Peach streets: Fifty years ago, John H. and Jonathan Riblet began the manufacture of fur- niture in Erie, which, through their industry, the factory known by the above title has grown to its present large dimensions. John H. Riblet was the head of the firm until his death, in 1879. About 1865, they commenced manufact- uring by machinery, at the intersection of Canal and Eighth streets, but in 1871 removed the factory to its present location. The building is 30x125, three stories high with basement, furnished throughout with first-class machin- ery, and operated by a fifteen-horse-power engine. The firm employs thirty-two men and manufacture only for their own retail trade, their house being at No. 926 State street. A. K. and E. J. Riblet comprise the firm, and they intend in the near future to erect a fine salesroom adjoining the factory, thereby sav- ing the expenses of much hauling, by concentrating their business at one point, besides obtaining the necessary room now required for their growing trade.

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HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY.

The Exhibition Show Case Company was organized in 1877, and began business the following year over Snyder Brother's shop on State street, near Turnpike. In 1883, the firm removed to the large frame on the corner of Eighteenth and Peach streets, which had previously been used as a carriage shop by Henry Mankle. The building is 50x120, three stories high, and the machine work is done at the Erie City Planing Mill. The firm is composed of G. W. Churchill, J. W. Churchill and P. Henrichs, employs thirty-eight hands, and are the exclusive manufacturers of the Upright Sectional Show Cases, which are sold all over the United States and Canada, their annual sales amounting to $35,000.

Olds' Pump Company, limited, had its beginning in 1845, when L. W. Olds started a factory in East Mill Creek Township. In 1853, he removed to Erie, and has ever since carried on the business in this city. In March, 1881, the company was incorporated, and now employs six men in the manufacture of well, cistern and water tubing. L. W. Olds, the senior member of the com- pany, claims to be the pioneer manufacturer of wooden pumps in the State. George Olds has had a pump factory on Thirteenth, between Peach and Sassa- fras streets since 1865, but in 1881 the two firms were consolidated under the present title, Clark and William Olds being also members of the company.

Two extensive planing mills and lumber yards are located on Front street, viz., James McBrier & Co., and George Carroll & Bro. The first mentioned, lying between State and French streets, is one of the oldest and widely known yards of Erie. The mill is 66x170, the lumber yard covering the block between State and French, north of Front street to the bay. In the summer season the firm employs sixty-five men, and thirty in the winter time. About 4,000,000 feet of lumber are manufactured, beside 6,000,000 feet of rough lumber handled annually. All the pine is obtained from Michigan, while the firm also handle the native hard woods. The firm of George Carroll & Brother, whose planing mills and lumber yards are located on Front street, east of French, is well and favorably known, having been organized in 1865, and is one of the flourishing manufacturing interests of Erie.

We have previously given the early history of the Densmore Flouring Mills, now owned and operated by William Densmore & Co. They contain many of the latest improvements in cleaning and grinding wheat, though not using the roller process, and the product ranks high in the market of Erie. Though located on Mill Creek, the motive power is supplied by an engine. The mill is fitted with four run of stone, all used in grinding wheat, the daily capacity being about 400 bushels. The product finds a ready sale in the home market, and a large portion of it is consumed here, though some shipping trade is enjoyed. Mr. Deusmore has been a resident of Erie since 1838, and of bis ability as a miller, the high reputation enjoyed by the Densmore Mills is the best evidence.

The Fairmount Mills, Eighth street, near Holland, is one of the pioneer mills of Erie, and we have previously mentioned it in that connection, but though its hewed timbers and outward appearance bespeak its age, its internal arrangement and the improved character of its machinery mark its proprietors as euterprising, progressive millers, and the reputation of its product is equal to any mill in this section of the State. It came into the possession of J. B. Crouch & Co. in 1872, and prior to the fall of 1883 was operated by both water and steam power, but at that time the mill underwent a thorough re- pairing; a full line of Stevens' rolls, with a capacity of 150 barrels of flour per day, were put in, and the use of water-power abandoned, steam alone being now used. The mill is a three-story frame structure, wherein twelve men

William Hasbrouck

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find employment, and their markets are along the several railroads centering in Erie.

In 1865, Oliver & Bacon purchased the Canal Flouring Mills, on the corner of Sixth and Myrtle streets. They had been in operation some years, the motive power being supplied from the canal, but they were finally converted into a steam mill, and water-power abandoned. In the spring of 1883, a complete line of Stevens' rolls, with a capacity of 200 barrels per day, were added, and, besides, running up to the full capacity in the manufacture of flour also grinds daily about twenty tons of meal and feed. It is a four-story frame building, 40x90, furnished with a Colt double engine of 100-horse-power, and was erected by William Kelley, under the supervision of Jehiel Towner, one of the pioneer millers of Erie. The grade of flour turned out by this mill is second to none, and besides a large home trade the product is sold along the line of the Phila- delphia & Erie Railroad, any surplus of low grade being shipped to New York for export. The firm is John Oliver and S. E. Bacon, and twenty-two men find steady employment at this mill, which runs day and night.

Merchant Mills: In 1872, Crouch Brothers erected the four story brick mill, 80x140, on the corner of Holland street, and the Pennsylvania and Lake Shore Railroads, a very eligible site on account of the fine shipping facilities af- forded by these lines. The mill began business with ten run of stone buhrs, but in 1882 it was furnished with a complete set of Stevens' rolls, having a capacity of 400 barrels of flour per day, besides twenty-five tons of meal and feed. The firm of P. & O. E. Crouch employs in this mill twenty men, and besides a large local trade ship their flour through Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York. A large amount of grain is also bought at this mill and shipped to the Eastern cities.

C. E. Gunnison & Co., tanners, No. 238 West Eighteenth street: The tannery to whose interests this article is devoted was established by the present proprietors in 1859. and has been operated by them ever since. The tannery consists of a large brick building, partly two and partly three stories in height; the three-story part 53x54 feet. and the two-story part 22x70 feet in dimensions. Attached to this building is their office, 20x20 feet, besides an engine and boiler room 30x75 feet in dimensions. They use a twenty-horse-power engine and boiler of much larger capacity, give employment to sixteen hands, and have a capacity of about 250 sides per week. They make harness and rough leather principally, and find a ready market for all they produce, the harness leather being sold to the general trade here, while all the rough leather is shipped to the East. The average annual production will reach the sum of $50,000. The individual members of the firm are C. E. and J. B. Gunnison. The latter is thoroughly practical in the business, attends carefully to de- tails, and their product is the equal of any in the market.

E. Streuber & Bro., tannery, State street, between Eighteenth and Nine- teenth: The manufacture of leather is a branch of industry very extensively pursued in Erie, and the above firm are leading tanners and curriers of the city. The business was founded by John Streuber, the father of the present pro- prietors, in 1861, and was conducted by him until his death in 1872. In 1871, the senior member of the present firm was admitted to an interest in the busi- ness, and five years later George Streuber became a partner, when the present firm name was assumed. The premises occupied are a brick building five- stories high, and a rear frame L, the whole covering an area of 100x165 feet. The establishment gives employment to twenty-four men, and turns out fin- ished calf, kip, upper, harness and sole leather, besides some unfinished light stock, which is worked into carriage leather, etc. The total value of the prod-

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uct reaches annually $120,000. The stock is shipped to all sections of the country, principally to the West, but sales are not confined to any locality. The reputation of this tannery is high wherever its product is known, and every attention is bestowed to maintain a high standard of quality.

Lake City Malt House, No. 432 West Ninth street: This enterprise was started in 1859 by Ben Butterfield, annually producing 5,000 bushels of malt, and in 1864 was purchased by Jacob Weschler, its present proprietor. The large and conveniently arranged office and warehouse is 55x110 feet in dimen- sions; the malt house is five-stories high and is built of brick; the drying kiln adjoining is 30x45 feet in dimensions, also of brick, containing two wire cloth floors, which are the best in this city, and as good as any in the Union. These buildings are admirably located, being in close proximity to the railroads and lake navigation, having a storage capacity of 60,000 bushels, thus afford- ing excellent facilities for the reception and shipment of goods. The produc- tion of this malt house aggregates from 100,000 to 125,000 bushels yearly, which is principally barley malt. In the spring of 1883, Mr. Weschler erected a brick malt house, 70x100 feet, five and six stories high, with a storage capac- ity of 100,000 bushels. It is located on the corner of Parade and Sixteenth streets, opposite the freight depot of the Pennsylvania Railroad, having switches to that and the Lake Shore road. The great bulk of grain is purchased in Canada, while. a small percentage is of home production. By far the largest portion of malt made by this house is shipped to New York City, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Allegheny City, where it always finds a ready market and the preference of trade. Mr. Weschler has in his employ fifteen experienced work- men, besides being a practical man himself in both brewing and malting. He has lived here for the past thirty-four years, and is a gentleman with whom it is a pleasure to do business. His two sons, Daniel D. and Leo B. Weschler, are valuable assistants in managing the business, the former traveling, selling the malt and buying barley, of which nothing but the finest quality is used, the latter having charge of the malting.

The Erie Malting Company, corner of Eighteenth and Parade streets: The nucleus of this business was laid by Alfred King, who purchased nearly five acres of ground from Gen. C. M. Reed, upon which he erected a part of the present building. The property passed into the hands of the Keystone Bank, who sold it to the present owners. The firm as now constituted was established in the year 1873. The premises consist of a plat of ground 120x200 feet, on which is erected a brick malt house four stories in height, where employment is given to fifteen experienced maltsters. The house is one of the best ap- pointed for the production of its specialty, every part being arranged for the most convenient handling of the grain in its first receipt, and the subsequent processes through which it passes. A twelve-horse-power engine is utilized, and the annual product aggregates 85,000 bushels of barley malt. The firm malt no other grain, and in addition to giving employment to the number of men engaged, afford the farmers of this section a ready market for all the bar- ley offered, at the highest cash price. The enterprise of the firm at this point is only a portion of their business, they operating the business on a large scale in the city of Baltimore, where the Strauses are well known as among that city's most enterprising citizens. The firm is composed of H. Straus, L. Straus, S. Straus and A. Bell, all residents of Baltimore, while the practical oversight of their business at this point is looked after by A. L. Straus, the son of one of the owners, a young man of thorough business training, who has strongly identified himself with the city's best interests.

Downer & Howard, brewers, corner of Seventeenth and Parade streets: This

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brewery was established by Adam Dietz many years ago, the building being erected by him on land bought of Rufus S. Reed. A lawsuit afterward came up over the right to the water of a spring some distance south of the site, which Dietz claimed to have purchased of Reed, and the courts sustained the claims of the former to the spring water. Alfred King bought the brewery of Dietz, and it subsequently passed into the possession of the Keystone Bank, who sold it to Downer & Howard in 1872. The brewery consists of four large and sub- stantial structures, completely fitted up in every department with all the latest improvements. The annual capacity is about 3,000 barrels, and six hands are constantly emploved in its production. The beer from this brewery has become very popular, not only in Erie, but is sold in large quantities in Cleveland, Chicago, Buffalo and elsewhere. It is made from well-selected malt and hops, is entirely free from all impurities and adulterations, and is highly prized as an excellent and healthful beverage. In connection with their brewing inter- ests, the firm is engaged in the shipment of malt and hops, their principal market being in the West.

The Eagle Brewery, State street, was established about 1846, and was then owned by Fry & Schaff. The former gentleman retired from the busi- ness in 1854, and was succeeded by J. H. Kalvelage, who. two years later, be- came sole proprietor. The premises occupy nearly a square between Twenty- first and Twenty-second streets, running from Peach to State, besides an extensive ice house on the east side of State street. The cellars are very extensive, and furnish unsurpassed store room for the large stock of lager always carried. A patent ice house, of approved construction, 50x80 feet, built in 1874, is an important addition, while the latest improvements and appliances for brewing purposes have been introduced. The Eagle Brewery makes most of its own malt, and the care bestowed here adds largely to the reputation of the lager. An engine of 13-horse-power is used, twelve men and three teams are employed, and the product reaches fromn 8,000 to 10,000 barrels per annum. The reputation of the Eagle Brewery is such that almost the entire make is sold at home, though some shipping trade, extending East, West and South, is enjoyed.

J. S. Riddle, maltster, corner of Fourteenth and Holland streets: The malt house owned and operated by Col. Riddle was established in 1875 by Dens- more & McCarter, and so continued until 1879, when W. J. McCarter became sole proprietor. In November, 1882, he was succeeded by Col. Riddle, who has since carried on the business. The malt house is of brick, two stories high, 70x130 feet in dimensions, and is in close proximity to the railroads, thus being admirably located for the reception and shipment of goods. His production aggregates 35,000 bushels yearly, and is principally barley malt. The great bulk of grain is purchased in Canada, while a small percentage is of home production. In addition to malting, he annually handles about 35,000 bushels of barley, of lake shore and Canada growth, which is sold to the gen- eral trade. The greater portion of malt produced by this house is shipped to New York.

The National Brewery, corner of Sixth and Parade streets, was established about 1848 by Jacob Fuess, after whose decease his step-son, C. M. Conrad, fell heir to the property. The house has a capacity of 25,000 barrels, but its annual production is about 15,000. Since Mr. Conrad became proprietor, the business has gradually increased, and twenty men now find employment at this brewery, while its beer is of first-class quality.

Koehler's Brewery, corner of Twenty-sixth and Holland streets, was estab- lished, in 1860, by Charles Koehler, after whose death his son, F. Koehler,

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became proprietor. The father began business on a very small scale, which increased with the passing years, until to-day a fine four-story brick building, 60x200 feet, stands upon the old site. This brewery employs eighteen men, consumes about 30,000 bushels of malt per year, and manufactures about 14,000 barrels of beer annually, which is second to none in the market.

Erie Boot and Shoe Company, corner of Ash and Twenty-fifth streets: The most extensive establishment devoted to the production of boots and shoes in this section of our State is the Erie Boot and Shoe Company, of which J. Eichenlaub is President and General Manager, and J. W. Ryan, Treasurer. This company was organized and started business in 1871, and from its incep- tion until the present day has grown in importance until now it can justly be ranked among the leading industries of the city. The factory of this com- pany, located at the corner of Ash and Twenty-fifth streets, was erected solely for the purpose for which it is used, and offers all the perfections requisite for the handling of such a volume of business, encompassing ventilation, light repositories for machinery, and rooms for the various departments. The building has a frontage of thirty-five feet and a depth of 150 feet, is built of brick, and is four stories high, each story carefully fitted up and furnished for the prosecution of the business in all its branches, and employing from 75 to 100 hands. Here is carried on, upon an extensive scale, the manufacture of ladies', misses', men's and youths' hand-sewed, machine-sewed, pegged and standard screw boots and shoes, of various styles and sizes, and with special reference to rapidity and convenience, the factory is divided into several de- partments, comprising that for the cutting of upper leather, the cutting of sole leather, the crimping, bottoming, treeing, stitching, finishing, packing, etc. All these operations are conducted with the greatest skill and dexterity by competent workmen, the company manufacturing goods to the value of $200,- 000 annually. The trade extends over Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Michigan, and wherever introduced at once gains a reputation for superior workmanship.

Watson's Paper Mills, corner of Sixteenth and Holland streets, built and operated by H. F. Watson, are one of the most important enterprises of Erie. The premises are finely located with double sidings from the L. S. & M. S. and P. & E. Railroads, giving unsurpassed facilities for receiving and shipping, and consist of a tract of land 200x450 feet in area, which is improved with buildings required in the business of the following proportions and uses: Main building, 80x120, two stories; machine room, 120x50; engine room, 35x 35; boiler room, 40x65; sizing room, 36x60; boiler room, 20x35; tank house, 30x40; bleach house, 30x40; stock house, 40x120; warehouse, 80x40; office, 21x40. These buildings are not only subtantial and convenient, but of a finish and appearance seldom employed in works of a similar character, and with the machinery used have cost upward of $150,000. In the spring of 1883, a chemical works, 40x120 feet, were erected, and Mr. Watson contemplates building a warehouse in the near future, 40x200. The machinery in use con- sists in part of a 64-inch and an 84-inch double cylinder machine; seven 1,000-pound and three 1,200-pound beating engines; seven steam boilers, and other machinery, driven by five engines of 600 combined horse-power. The product of the mill is building and roll manilla paper, of which from twenty to twenty-five tons are daily manufactured, also cold tar products and chemi- cals, giving employment to 75 men. Mr. Watson enjoys a high reputation as a paper manufacturer, and his extensive facilities are fully taxed to meet the demands of the trade.

Lovell Manufacturing Company, limited, was incorporated in 1882, successor

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to M. N. Lovell, who began the business now carried on at Erie in 1879. The company manufacture spring beds, etc., which business Mr. Lovell estab- lished in 1881. Their factory is in the Tracy Block, on French street, between Fifth and Sixth, where from forty to fifty hands find steady employment. In the fall of 1883, a new factory was erected on the corner of Thirteenth and French streets, where they own a lot 125x450 feet in size. The new build- ings are as follows: One two story, 40x100; two additional one-story wings. 25x52 and 27x40 respectively, all of which are brick; also a frame 16x20. These buildings are furnished throughout with entire new mechinery for the manu- facture of wire and springs, and is the only establishment of the kind in Erie. Twenty-five men find employment in the new works. The company intend to erect additional buildings, and remove their entire business to the new location. M. N. Lovell is Chairman; W. W. Hunt, Treasurer; and A. W. Walker, Sec- retary of the company, and own stores for the sale of their goods in the follow- ing cities: New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago, Buffalo, Rochester, Albany, Brooklyn, Newark, Providence, Syracuse, New Haven, Worcester, Scran- ton, Lowell, Springfield and Easton.

Marks & Meyer, merchant tailors, 806 and 808 State street, have been in business since 1867 under the same firm name, and for the past fourteen years at their present location. The business is divided into several departments, each separate and distinct from the other. Two experienced and reliable cut- ters and thirty skilled workmen are constantly employed in the merchant tailor- ing department. Their trade in this line is probably the most extensive in the city, and the reputation of the house for stylish, reliable work, stands second to few in the State. In the ready-made clothing department, the assortment is fully as complete. The stock is of their own manufacture, and every attention is paid to details in making it up. In this department, from two to four practical cutters are employed, and work is steadily furnished to from sixty to 100 hands. The trade conducted is wholesale as well as retail, each branch of the business occupying a separate portion of the building. An idea may be gained of the extent and variety of the stock from the fact that it represents a cash value often exceeding $100,000. The location occupied em- braces two of the handsomest and best lighted stores in the city, each 24x125 feet in area, and the first and second floors and basement are fully taken up with stock. The house is well represented on the road, and has an honorable rep- utation among the trade. The copartnership consists of Charles S. Marks and P. A. Meyer, gentlemen whose long residence in Erie has fully identified them with the city's growth and progress.

Baker, Ostheimer & Co., clothiers, corner of Fifth and State streets: In 1849-50, Mr. B. Baker laid the foundation of the splendid business, which is now conducted by his two sons and son-in-law. From a small begin- ning, he has seen it grow to its present proportions; and to his sound judg- ment and honorable business record, its success is largely due. Over a third of a century since its foundation, it is one of the oldest houses in the city, and under the impulse of young and active managers, whose ambition is to lead the trade in this section, it is year by year reaching out further for trade, and season after season is making its name and reputation more widely known. The firm occupy with their business the handsome block on the corner of Fifth and State streets, four stories in height, with a frontage of sixty feet on State and eighty feet on Fifth street. The first and second floors are used as sales- rooms, the remainder of the building for manufacturing purposes. The firm make all the goods they handle, except a few of the cheaper grades, thus enabling them to offer their stock to the trade with the certainty that it is

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carefully cut, honestly made, and can be confidently recommended for style and quality. They employ seven cutters, and from seventy to 125 hands in their manufacturing department, and are represented on the road by three energetic, capable salesmen. The individual members of the present firm are Isaac Baker, Jacob Ostheimer and Henry Baker. They assumed the manage- ment of the affairs of the house in 1866, and by their energy and enterprise have largely increased the business.

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History of Erie county, Pennsylvania. Containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, villages schools, churches, industries, etc, Part 74

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