History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I, Part 187

Author: Roberts, Charles Rhoads; Stoudt, John Baer, 1878- joint comp; Krick, Thomas H., 1868- joint comp; Dietrich, William Joseph, 1875- joint comp; Lehigh County Historical Society
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Allentown, Pa. : Lehigh Valley Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1158

USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I > Part 187

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Taylor Mill Supplies .- Wm. H. Taylor start- ed a store at Paterson, N. J., in 1867, to supply iron and wood-working machinery, mine and mill supplies, and tools of every description, and two years afterward removed to Allentown. In 1879 his son became associated with him and they traded as William H. Taylor & Company. The father died in 1880, and the son has since carried on the business. In 1883, the firm erected a two- story brick building for a store and ware-room at No. 256 Hamilton street, and there the busi- ness has since continued with trade extending throughout the United States and into foreign countries.

Charles Spangler established a brass foundry and machine shop at Third and Walnut streets in 1881, for the purpose of supplying general brass and iron castings, and here he has since carried on a successful trade. He makes a spe- cialty of bake-oven castings. His shop is a two- story cement block building, 90 by 145 feet, and

he employs 28 hands. Since 1908 he has also manufactured electro-textile machines. Hereto- fore these machines were imported from Paris. 'They are controlled by foreign patents. He is the only manufacturer of them in eastern Pennsyl- vania.

In 1884, David Kline started the manufacture of building hardware and jobbing supplies and put up a one-story brick building, 60 by 225 feet on Mill street, at Eighth (now L. V. T. Co. con- crete bridge). Afterward M. H. Knauss became associated with him and they traded as the Nov- elty Iron Works until 1905, B. D. Keck having become a partner in 1902. In 1905, the com- pany was incorporated as the Kline Hardware Company. Kline died in September, 1912. The officers are Thomas W. Milnor, president; B. K. Keck, secretary and treasurer; and M. H. Knauss, vice-president and manager. Their trade extends throughout United States and Canada. They employ from 25 to 30 hands. The fol- lowing employees have worked in the plant for upwards of twenty years: William and Alfred David (brothers), Wilson and Harvey David (brothers), Wilson Schaffer, and Levi Buss.

R. Meisterknecht, in 1898, began the manu- facture of all kinds of brass goods, bronze and composition castings, and also nickel and electro- plating, at Nos. 714-718 North Fourth street, under the name of the Vulcan Brass Works, and he has continued the plant until now. He employs five hands. His trade covers eastern Pennsyl- vania.

G. H. Dougherty established a foundry at Third and Cedar streets in 1900 for manufactur- ing gray iron castings. He employs 20 men.

Harry Sittler started the Adelaide Brass Foun- dry at Fourth and Linden streets, in 1903. He manufactures brass and bronze castings, and em- ploys six men.

In September, 1908, Edwin S. Brey, James A. Krause, Irwin W. Leiss, and John Pudliner as- sociated together as the Brey & Krause Manufac- turing Company, for making brass hardware cast- ings for building purposes, with slate, marble, and toilet hardware as a specialty; and E. A. Butz, H. E. Barndt and Frederick Kleinbach united with them in 1909, when the firm was in- corporated. They were located at Jordan and Union streets from 1908 to 1910; then they put up a plant at Front and Chew streets, which they enlarged in 1911. They employ from 40 to 50 hands, and their trade extends throughout this country, and into Mexico and Canada.

In 1907, H. B. Weaver and James Bowen established a furnace at Brick and Furnace streets, along the west side of the L. V. R. R., for the manufacture of cold-blast charcoal iron, and this

INDUSTRIES.

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they have since operated successfully under the name of the Allentown Iron Manufacturing Com- pany. They employ 8 to 10 hands, and ship their product to all parts of the United States.

On the east side of the railroad, the Blanc Stainless Cement Company had been carried on for some years, but having suspended, the above- named parties embarked there, in August, 1914, for the manufacture of oxide and zinc, under the name of Lehigh Smelting Company, with H. B. Weaver as president; A. K. Jacks, treasurer ; and David J. Nagle, secretary. Experiments are now being made preparatory to operating this new enterprise at Allentown.

Phaon Albright began the manufacture of wrought iron tubes and coils, and iron and brass

steam separators. His plant is at the southeast corner of Third and Union streets.

Joseph Reuber engaged in 1890 in making building contractors' supplies, structural iron work, and heavy iron fencing, on Chew street, near Third, along the railroad. In 1900, his sons, Tilghman and Edmond became associated with him and they have since traded as Jos. Reuber & Sons. They employ 10 to 15 hands and their trade extends through eastern Pennsyl- vania.

John Cope started making iron fences of all kinds at Ninth and Walnut streets in 1900 and continued there till 1907; then Jonas H. Rupp became his successor and since then the plant has been carried on at 1026 Chestnut street, with

Bryden Hors shoe Works, Catasauqua,

BRYDEN HORSESHOE WORKS, CATASAUQUA.

fittings at Front and Linden streets. After oper- ating the plant for many years, he was succeeded by his son, George O., and grandson, Lewis, who have since carried on the business with 10 to 20 hands. Their trade extends through the United States.

In 1892, E. A. Hirner, A. F. Henninger and O. H. Mink embarked in the business of manufac- turing knitting machinery, under the name of the Excelsior Knitting Machine Manufacturing Com- pany. In 1897 they removed to Washington and Meadow streets, where they erected and equipped a one-story brick building, 60 by 150 feet, and there they have since carried on a suc- cessful business. They employ 25 hands.

In 1902, John T. Lindstrom engaged in the manufacture of Corliss valve steam traps and

three to five hands. He also repairs autos and wagons.

John J. Hanlon started a plant in 1900 along the L. V. R. R., at Sycamore street, for the manufacture of ornamental iron work of all kinds. His brother, Thomas, has been the manager. He employs from 5 to 10 hands. His trade is mostly local, though it extends into the surrounding counties.

The Sprague Machine Company, of South Bethlehem, was incorporated in December, 1910, by Pres., H. W. Sprague; Treas., W. F Danz- er; Sec., I. W. Miller, and C. S. Snyder, with a capital of $18,000. The plant is a three-story brick and concrete building and the firm employs twenty-five men in the manufacture of suit forms, cigar cutters, and stair and ornamentation

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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

work. Mr. Sprague was formerly engaged in general machine work in the Sprague & Snyder Machine Shop, at Rittersville.

DENT HARDWARE COMPANY .- This company was formed in 1894 by H. H. Dent, Henry P. Newhard, Charles C. Kaiser, C. W. Wacker- nagel, and George H. Brightbill, as a partner- ship concern. In 1895 it was incorporated, with a capital stock of $25,000, by the same men, the latter two of whom withdrew from the com- pany in 1901. The business was started in a small way in a building 45 by 100 feet. The plant has enjoyed a continual growth and now consists of a fine fire-proof and sanitary office building, 40 by 60 feet; a main building 456 by 45 feet, containing the machinery, polishing and painting departments; an iron foundry, 60 by 250 feet; a brass foundry, 60 by 210 feet ; a smelting building, 28 by 60 feet; a power- house, 60 by 100 feet, and two warehouses, 50 by 100, and 50 by 210 feet.

The company manufactures refrigerator trim- mings, iron toys and hardware specialties. They manufacture an extensive line of trimmings, original and artistic in design and mechanism, and for assortment unequalled by any manufac- turer of this class of work, the patents for which are owned by the company. Every part of the work is made in this plant, which furnishes 90 per cent. of all the refrigerator trimmings used in the world. The reputation for finish and mechanical construction which their goods have attained, and their custom of prompt shipment, has built up for them a large and constantly in- creasing business among the largest refrigerator manufacturers in the country. The plant repre- sents an investment of $400,000 and employs 400 people. Owing to the generous treatment ac- corded their employees, the company has never experienced any labor difficulties and the plant has been in constant operation, a record un- equalled in the county. The officers are: H. H. Dent, president, who has charge of the sale of goods; Henry P. Newhard, secretary, who handles the manufacturing end; and Charles C. Kaiser, treasurer.

BRYDEN HORSESHOE WORKS .- This establish- ment, which is now one of the leading horseshoe works of the world, was organized in 1882, when Johsua Hunt, Oliver Williams, and P. F. Green- wood associated for the manufacturing of horse- shoes according to the method developed by George Bryden, of Hartford, Connecticut. For a more detailed history see page 581, of this volume.

MOTOR TRUCKS.

INTERNATIONAL MOTOR WORKS .- The Mack Brothers located at Allentown in 1905 for the purpose of carrying on the manufacture of com- mercial motor trucks and secured a property on Mill street, extending from Lehigh avenue to Eighth, which they improved with additional buildings to meet the increasing demands of their business, which was developed to extend through- out the United States. They operated the plant until 1911, when it became consolidated with the Saurer Motor Company, of Plainfield, N: J., and incorporated under the name of the International Motor Company, which has since conducted the business at Allentown, employing from 250 to 500 hands, and producing trucks to carry from one ton to seven and one-half tons. Their trade extends over the world. This large plant is under the direction of the vice-president, E. C. Frick, at New York, who is assisted by R. M. Eckert, of Allentown. Since 1905, the general foreman of the assembling department has been P. J. Briody; and of the machine department, Joseph Pellozoni. The plant in 1910, was in- ventoried at $1,250,000.00.

FIRE ENGINES.

Auto fire engines were made at Allentown in a large building at Third and Walnut streets, by a party from St. Louis, Mo., during 1912 and 1913, and their product was shipped to all parts of the United States. They employed 150 hands.

GARAGES.

Dietrich Motor Car Company was established at Allentown in 1902 by O. H. Dietrich, and G. J. Heintzelman, Valentine Guldin, Mrs. Lizzie A. Dietrich and William T. Leh associated with him in its incorporation in 1907, with a capital of $25,000. They erected, in 1909, a superior 3-story re-enforced concrete building, 62 by 230 feet, on Linden street, Nos. 942-52, and equipped with the necessary machinery and improvements for a garage. They are distributors of automo- biles and supplies of all kinds, employing from 35 to 40 hands.

Krause Garage .- In 1905, E. A. Krause en- gaged in the automobile business and established a garage at Walnut and Church streets, and there he dealt in the Maxwell, Columbus, Regal and Rambler cars until 1912, when he removed to the northeast corner of Law and Court streets.

Other prominent garages are Lawfer Auto Company, Berwin Auto Company, Allen Motor Company, Allentown Auto Company, Wink Mo- tor Car Company, Klein Motor Car Company,

INDUSTRIES.

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SEFF

DENT HARDWARE COMPANY, FULLERTON, PA.

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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

Bee Auto Company, Ideal Motor Car Company, Keystone Garage, L. V. Motor Company, and Victor H. Steckel. Dealers in automobile sup- plies are Alexander Auto Supply Company, Al- lentown Auto Supply Company, Auto Supply Company, V. H. Steckel, and L. G. Grammes.

METAL CORNICE WORKS.

In 1875, James N. and Frank H. Hersh em- barked in the manufacture of galvanized and cop- per cornice work for buildings, and also of setting up hot air furnaces. Since 1907, the business has been conducted by G. Willis, Edgar E., and Har- vey, sons of James N. Hersh, deceased. The fac- tory has been in their large store building at No. 820 Hamilton street. They employ from 60 to 80 hands, and their trade extends throughout eastern Pennsylvania.

Jacob Miller and Daniel Mauger engaged in metal cornice work in 1884 and traded as Miller & Mauger until 1897. Mauger continued the business alone until May, 1913, when the part- nership with Miller was resumed. The shop has been at No. 112 South Church street since 1911.

In 1897, Jacob Miller started in the business for himself at Sixth and Court streets. He was there eight years; at Sixth and Linden five years; and for three years at No. 130 North Sixth street, when he sold out to his son, J. Aug. Mil- ler, who has continued it until now.

C. H. Ettinger and George Mell started in this business in 1900 at No. 123 North Seventh street, and traded as the Ettinger-Mell Company, until Mell died in 1906, then Mr. Ettinger's brother, Edwin N., joined him, and they have since traded as C. H. Ettinger & Company. They employ from 6 to 12 hands; their trade is local.

In 1901, Joseph A. Best and Lewis A. Acker began business as a firm trading as J. A. Best & Company, and have since made and put up metal cornices in connection with putting up the Ajax hot air furnace and with tinsmithing. Their works is at No. 440 North Tenth. They em- ploy from 20 to 25 hands. Best had been in the business as a partner of Wm. F. Neff from 1894 to 1890.

CHANDELIERS.

E. H. Odenheimer and C. D. Butz have traded since 1908 as the Royal Chandelier Com- pany in the manufacture of all kinds and styles of gas and electric fixtures, shades, stands and brass spinning ; also do electro and nickel plating. They started at Oak and Howard streets in a small way and remained there till 1910, then removed to Hall and Maple streets to secure larger quar- ters. They employ 12 hands and forward sup-

plies to all parts of the country, reaching trade through illustrated catalogue.

Joseph S. Ritter located at Oak and Howard streets in 1912 and has since carried on the same business with three hands.

CARRIAGE MAKING.

The early manufacturers of carriages in Allen- town were Charles Scattergood, Stephen Barter, Jacob Kramer, Peter Lehr, Snyder & Hendricks, William Frey, and Reuben Engelman.

Tilghman Statler carried on a factory at Sixth and Linden streets, from 1842 to 1910.

William Wolf started at 326 North Seventh street in 1835 and was in the business until 1855, when he was succeeded by his son. William continued it until he died in 1886. His four sons, William H., Eugene A., Charles F., and Harvey A., have since operated the factory for the estate. They have been engaged mostly in the manufacture of delivery wagons on orders.

Ludwig Wolf started in 1838 and continued for sixty years, when he was succeeded by his sons, Lewis H., and Allen D. This factory is at the southeast corner of Turner and Church streets.

Charles L. Christ and Albert P. Peters have traded as Christ, Peters & Company since 1881, in the manufacture of carriages and light wagons ; also building auto bodies for delivery trucks. Employ 10 to 12 hands; factory at Hall and Maple streets ; trade local.

William Sechler, Oscar B. Layton, and Daniel Diehl have traded since 1906 under the name of the Enterprise Carriage Works at 1025 Oak street. Weber & Schoener had previously carried on this small plant from 1900 to 1906.

In 1887, Avon Barnes and Peter B. Cunning- ham associated together under the name of the Allentown Platform Company, to make wagon platforms (5th wheel), gears, etc., and were lo- cated for a year in the rear of No. 136 South Fifth street. During this time they erected a two-story brick building, 70 by 100 feet, with an extension at the northwest corner of Fifth and Lawrence streets, and there the firm have con- tinued the business until now. The junior mem- ber died January, 1912, but his interest is held by the estate. They employ from 7 to 10 hands. Their product is shipped throughout the United States and to foreign countries. Some of their employees have been in the works for many years: Charles Hacket, 26; Irvin Bortz, 24; William Merkel, 18; Isador Kuder and Emil Wolf, 15.

FURNITURE FACTORIES.

The manufacturing of furniture by machinery for the wholesale trade was started by Henry

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Berk Race is no seng Dor

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INDUSTRIES.

Berkemeyer in 1870 at the southwest corner of Race and Hamilton streets, on the site on which is now located the Reading Jersey Central pas- senger depot. About the year 1872 Mr. C. A. Dorney joined Mr. Berkemeyer, and the name of the firm was changed to Berkemeyer & Dor- ney. They manufactured a general line of cheap and medium furniture and sold most of it, unfinished, through the coal regions. This part- nership was dissolved in 1877. Mr. Dorney sold his interest to T. B. Faust and Eli Hoffman, and the firm name was changed to that of T. B. Faust & Co. This firm continued the business until the death of T. B. Faust, when Mr. Dorney again entered the firm. He and B. M. Krause purchased the T. B. Faust and Eli Hoff- man interest, and the name was changed to C. A. Dorney & Co. In 1883 E. H. Stein, Esq., pur- chased the Henry Berkemeyer interest and the business was conducted by these partners until October, 1885, when Charles Ziegenfus pur- chased the E. H. Stein interest. In June, 1886, their factory was destroyed by fire. They im- mediately rebuilt and changed their line of man- ufacturing to that of sideboards, and with in- creased facilities they doubled and trebled their business, and their ware became known all over the Eastern and Middle States. In the year 1893 they incorporated under the laws of Penn- sylvania as the C. A. Dorney Furniture Co., with a capital of two hundred thousand dollars, and the first officers and directors were as fol- lows: President, C. A. Dorney ; secretary, B. F. Krause ; treasurer, Charles Ziegenfus; directors, Charles E. Ziegenfus and C. B. Krause. In the year 1895 B. M. Krause, C. B. Krause, and E. H. Stein sold all their stock to C. A. Dorney and Charles Ziegenfus. In the year 1898 Mr. Dorney retired from the corporation and sold all his holding to Charles Ziegenfus and sons, and the following officers and directors were elected : President, Charles Ziegenfus ; secretary and treasurer, Charles E. Ziegenfus; Directors, Mrs. Charles Ziegenfus, J. Walter Ziegenfus, and Harry E. Ziegenfus. The company always conducted a retail store in connection with their wholesale business, and were for many years lo- cated at 333 and 335 Hamilton street. In 1908 they purchased the Troxell homestead at 612 Hamilton street, and Charles Ziegenfus & Sons erected thereon a six-story re-enforced concrete building, into which the company moved the retail stock, and they now have one of the very best appointed retail stores in the state. Their manufactured wares are sold largely in greater New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washing- ton, D. C., and Boston. They give employment to about one hundred and fifty men.

In 1880 B. F. Schlegel, a carver and designer by trade, started a new industry in Allentown; that of parlor suite frames. He was the pioneer in this line of business. In 1881 he founded a company and Eli J. Schneck and Charles Zieg- enfus became interested in the business, and the name was changed to Schlegel, Ziegenfus & Co. In 1884, after several disastrous fires, the firm went out of business, and B. F. Schlegel started the business of upholstering parlor suites. E. J. Schneck formed a partnership with George H. Bear, under the firm name of E. J. Schneck & Co. They manufactured tables and hat racks. In 1887 Mr. Bear retired from the firm and the business was continued by E. J. Schneck & Sons. George H. Bear launched out for him- self in the same line of business, and later his brother, Charles A. Bear became associated with him, and they are now known as the G. H. Bear Furniture Co. The firm was incorporated in 1904 and established a large plant at Fifteenth and Green streets, where they employ 75 hands.

. All the parlor frame factories might be called off-shoots from B. F. Schlegel, who was the pioneer in that line of manufacture. There were a number of other firms engaged in the manufac- ture of parlor frames but they have long since gone out of the business.

E. J. SCHNECK & SONS are engaged in the manufacture of parlor and library tables, exten- sion dining tables and hall stands in all kinds of wood, in a three-story brick building at 1025- 1027 North street, where they employ upward of fifty men. The business was started by Eli J. Schneck in 1881 with Charles Ziegenfus and B. F. Schlegel as Schegel, Ziegenfus & Company. In 1885, Schneck and George H. Bear organized the firm of E. J. Schneck & Company, with a factory on Court street, near Fourth, which was afterward removed to Ridge avenue and Chew streets. On Jan. 1, 1890, upon the withdrawal of Mr. Bear, Harry G. and Charles J. Schneck became associated with their father under the name of E. J. Schneck & Sons, which firm still conducts the business.

YEAGER FURNITURE Co., at Allentown, was started in 1885 by John Kluenter and Wm. R. Yeager, who traded together for ten years under the name of Kluenter & Yeager. Their plant was situated at the corner of Court and Hall streets. They first manufactured adjustable win- dow frames and afterward developed into making frames for parlor, dining room and library furni- ture, with a specialty in odd and fancy chairs. They began with 50 employees and continued in that locality three years, when the plant was re- moved to the foot of Lehigh street.

In 1895, Mr. Yeager became the sole owner

rd ne

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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

and then organized and incorporated "The Yea- ger Furniture Co., which has continued the enter- prise with increasing prosperity until now, with Mr. Yeager as its secretary and treasurer. The plant has been enlarged several times, with its equipment of machinery improved to date, to answer the great demands of its increasing trade, and in the last twenty years it has come to be one of the largest and most popular establishments in the country with a reputation for "high-class"

amongst leading competitors of the country to furnish prominent and costly dwelling houses as well as leading hotels and office buildings. As a natural consequence, during the past twenty years, this company contributed very materially in build- ing up and extending the business reputation of Allentown as the "Queen City" of the progres- sive and flourishing Lehigh Valley.

KURTZ FURNITURE WORKS .- In 1892. F. G. Kurtz, W. B. Schaadt, and George J. Henn

KURTZ FURNITURE WORKS, FULLERTON.

artistic productions, which extends throughout the business world. Its accomplished representa- tives and designers attend all the great furniture expositions. The employees in the plant have been increased to 250. A fine store was opened by this company in October, 1913, at No. 22 North Seventh street, Allentown, for the purpose of supplying patrons with all kinds and styles of furniture direct from the factory.

Having come to be a recognized authority on classical furniture, it has been selected from

embarked in the business of manufacturing par- lor furniture frames at Fullerton and continued it as a partnership until 1904. Mr. Henn hav- ing died, the company was then incorporated with a capital of $20,000, and the following as its board of officers and directors: W. B. Schaadt, president; F. G. Kurtz, treasurer ; Thomas A. Jacoby, secretary; Thomas F. Dief- enderfer, and James L. Marsteller. The plant is on the southwest corner of Front and Franklin streets, covers 40,000 square feet of floor space,

and late ann su shi Bo

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INDUSTRIES.

and employs 120 hands. It is equipped with the latest wood-working machinery and produces annually about 15,000 sets of frames for parlor suites. The lumber used is maple and birch and shipments are made in solid cars to New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Cleveland and Baltimore. Messrs. Kurtz, Schaadt and Jacoby are the managers.

JOHNSTON & SWARTZ, manufacturers of par- lor frames, are located in a three-story brick building, 120 by 40 feet, at 325-335 Union street. The firm was organized in March, 1887, by Thomas Johnston and Christian Swartz, succeed- ing Waldemar Grossman. Upon the death of his father, Walter C. Swartz became the active head of the business, the senior partner living re- tired. They employ over a hundred hands in the manufacture of mahogany, walnut, cherry and other wood parlor suit frames, which they sell exclusively to jobbers.

GOTTLIEB BUEHLER & Co., the largest parlor suit frame makers in the city, were established in January, 1897. Their large brick factory is sit- uated 301-325 North Front street. They employ a large number of men and produce frames of all kinds, including fancy chairs and couches, which are shipped to all the large cities in the East. They rank amongst the most extensive parlor suit frame manufacturers in the country.

WM. D. SCHANTZ Co., was incorporated in March, 1913, by Wm. D. Schantz, H. L. Schantz and R. K. Schantz, for the manufacture of furni- ture frames for mission and library chairs as a specialty. They employ twenty hands, and their trade extends to the large cities. The plant is at Front and Turner streets. It was formerly oc- supied by the Keystone Cement Block Company, which carried on there the manufacture of cement blocks from 1908 to 1913, when it suspended, and Wm. D. Schantz purchased the property.

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History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I, Part 187

Author: Roberts, Charles Rhoads; Stoudt, John Baer, 1878- joint comp; Krick, Thomas H., 1868- joint comp; Dietrich, William Joseph, 1875- joint comp; Lehigh County Historical Society Publication date: 1914 Publisher: Allentown, Pa. : Lehigh Valley Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1158

Author: Roberts, Charles Rhoads; Stoudt, John Baer, 1878- joint comp; Krick, Thomas H., 1868- joint comp; Dietrich, William Joseph, 1875- joint comp; Lehigh County Historical Society
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Allentown, Pa. : Lehigh Valley Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1158