History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I, Part 188

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 188

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BOEHM & SPIEGEL Co., manufacturers of par- lor frames, Allentown, are a partnership concern and were organized in 1905, in Bethlehem, Pa. In August, 1911, they located in Allentown. They employ 35 men and ship their goods all over the country.

PLANING MILLS.

In 1865, Levi Butz, Benneville Frederick, and Solomon S. Frederick, associated under the name of Butz, Frederick & Company, for the purpose of conducting a planing mill, and established their plant on Walnut street between Ninth and Tenth. They continued there six years, when they re- moved to a }large lot at Howard and Maple streets, where they erected a superior two-story brick mill, with basement, 45 by 80 feet, and equipped it with all the necessary machinery for

supplying all kinds of wood building materials. They developed a large trade and came to supply the mill work for the leading churches at Allen- town and in the surrounding districts. The mem- bers who now constitute this firm are Elmer E. and Harry O. Butz, and Frank H. and Joseph Frederick. They employ from 25 to 40 hands.

F. W. Weil started doing planing mill work of all kinds at 1030-31 Linden street, about 1870, and has carried it on successfully until the pres- ent time, having traded under the name of F. W. Weil & Company. For some years he drifted gradually into interior work such as bank, office and store fixtures, and since 1913 his plant has been devoted to it. He employs from 15 to 20 hands. His son, Robert, has assisted in its management since 1904.

In 1882, J. S. Kern and his son, William A., started a planing mill in the First ward for the manufacture of sashes, doors, blinds, moulding, etc., and they carried on the business until the death of Mr. Kern, when the sons, William A. and Howard E., became the successors, who have since traded under the name of Kern & Bro., now located at 213 Turner street.

Col. Harry C. Trexler, and Fred H. and Ed- ward J. Sterner (brothers), associated together as the Trexler Planing Mill Company, in 1890. They first located at Linden and Church streets and started the manufacture of building frames and lumber of all kinds in a small way, with only three hands. In four years they were required to move into larger quarters in the Yeager Furni- ture Company building, and there they operated a plant with ten hands for only a year, when they established a large plant at the southwest corner of Thirteenth and Liberty streets, 60 by 240 feet, and enlarged it in 1907. They have since employed from 40 to 50 hands and produced large quantities of building materials for local trade and eastern Pennsylvania. John Wavreck has been a draftsman and foreman since 1893, and F. J. Case since 1894. Frank T. Hagenbuch has been manager since 1898. The present foreman is J. J. Frederick.

Elmer E. Ritter and Andrew A. Smith began trading as building contractors under the name of Ritter & Smith, in 1890. In 1899 they estab- lished a planing mill at Jefferson and Gordon streets, for all kinds of mill work, and have since conducted a successful business, employing from 25 to 30 hands. Their trade is local, extending into the surrounding counties.

In January, 1905, Amandus Albright and son, Milton J., started a planing mill for mill work of all kinds on premises at the rear of 315 to 323 West Fourteenth street, and have since conducted a successful business, employing from

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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

30 to 45 hands. Their trade is mostly local. Another son, Victor J., has been foreman of the plant.

In 1911, Wm. H. Downing and John J. Mos- ser began trading as the Allentown Packing Box Company, for the manufacture of all kinds of wooden packing boxes. They employ twelve hands and their product is shipped into the sur- rounding counties. Their factory is at Front and Chew streets.

Washing Machines .- H. F. Kuhns, after fol- lowing the manufacture of washing machines at Fullerton from 1900, to April, 1914, removed to Allentown. He located on Fourth street, near Court, where he has since continued the business. He secured a patent in August, 1914, for an im- proved washing machine, which he has called the "Reliance."

THE G. F. ERICH COMPANY, are extensive

trucks and teams are loaded. In addition to the high state of efficiency attained in the warehouse, short cut methods have been installed in the office.

The G. F. Erich Company was incorporated under the laws of Pennsylvania on March 13, 1913, with a full paid capital of $25,000. The following are its officers: G. F. Erich, president ; L. H. Rupp, vice-president; A. G. Newhard, secretary and treasurer.

SLATE.

The discovery of slate in Lehigh county was made in the upper section, at Slatington, in 1844. Thence the business extended in a most remarkable manner into Washington township and in the past seventy years it has been devel- oped into immense proportions, with trade ex- tending into all parts of the world. For the early discovery of slate, the reader is referred to

G.F.ERICH CO. WHOLESALE & ETAIL BUILDERS SUPPLIES . COAL

ERICH ESTABLISHMENT, ST. CLOUD, NEAR LIBERTY STREET.

wholesale and retail dealers of building supplies and coal, located at 513-539 North St. Cloud street, near Liberty, Allentown.

About the year 1891, H. K. Erich established himself in the coal business at Twentieth and Fairview streets. He was succeeded in 1902 by his son, George F. Erich, who added all kinds of building supply material and was very successful in his business venture from the beginning. In 1913, the firm of George F. Erich & Company purchased about one acre of ground from George & Flexer, who were engaged in the coal business on St. Cloud street, near Liberty. In 1913, after the incorporation of the G. F. Erich Company, a warehouse of hollow tile, 110x54 feet, was erected upon these premises, besides other shedding was built, and six additional coal pockets were constructed. The business is located on the West End branch of the L. V. R. R. The commodious and well-arranged two-story warehouse is sepa- rated from the office by a drive-way where all

the historical narrative of Slatington. The fol- lowing narrative shows its development in the township.

The Lehigh Slate Co. was chartered in 1854, with a capital of $150,000. A quarry opened in 1848, by Robert McDowell, was named "Wash- ington," after the township. The first derrick was erected here in 1857, by Charles Peters and Boas Hausman. The "Franklin" was opened soon afterward, the "Mantel" in 1860, and the "New Bangor" in 1868. The business of this company was continued till 1881, when it be- came the property of J. Hess & Co., of Easton.

The "Williams" quarry, several hundred feet north of the railroad station, was opened in 1863 by David and Owen Williams, and came to be developed into a valuable property, more espe- cially for school slate. David Williams opened a quarry near-by in 1869, mostly for school slate. In 1877 he put up a large factory for mantel and school-slate.

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The "Keystone" was opened in the same year, about a thousand feet farther north, by H. O. Wilson, J. Hoffman, William Peters, L. C. Smith, and H. J. Hankee; and in 1868 they associated together and traded under the name of the Keystone Slate Co. In twenty years it was estimated to be worth $85,000, owned by Dod- son Brothers, and operated by Cassel & Co.

The "Douglass," along Trout creek, one-third of a mile west of Slatington, was opened in 1849, by Robert McDowell, and, after operating it successfully for twenty years, he sold it to Mor- gan Jones. Afterward it was owned by Henry Kuntz. He also opened the "Bangor" in 1867.

Owen Jones and William Roberts opened a productive quarry in 1845 along the West Branch of Trout creek, and the settlement there came to be called "Welshtown"; and in twenty years it was owned by Benjamin Kern and car- ried on by R. R. Hughes & Co.

was opened near by in 1867 by Danner, Shifely, & Coward. Both were subsequently owned by Benjamin Kern.

The "Blue Vein" quarry, on Trout creek, was opened in 1866, by D. D. Jones, O. Saylor, and others. In 1868 a company was chartered for $75,000, which was afterward owned by M. H. Horn.

The "Penryn" was opened in 1864 by Hugh Hughes and D. D. Jones, which came to be wholly owned in 1868 by Jones, and the hamlet cutting box knife operated by a foot treadle. A developed there took the name of Jonestown. Near by the "Demarara" was opened in 1856, by Nelson Labar and F. Smith, and afterward operated by the Demarara Slate Co., and owned by Warthman & Peters.

The "American" was opened in 1864 by Thomas Kern, who formed the American Slate Co. with a capital of $125,000. It was after-

INTERIOR OF G. F. ERICH COMPANY'S OFFICE.

The "Franklin" quarry was opened about 1852, and in 1867 Jones & Williams bought the property for $89,000, which included a 25-horse power engine. It was afterward owned by the Henry Williams Estate and valued at $140,000. Nearby was the "Star," opened by Daniel Thom- as in 1868, and operated by Owen A. Williams, valued at $60,000.

The "Eagle" quarry was opened in 1867, and shortly afterward Henry Kuntz and Philip Woodring bought it and carried on successful operations there.

The "Monitor" quarry was opened in 1867 by Stephen Danner, on the W. Branch of Trout creek, and R. Knecht was associated with him in carrying on the business. The "Madison"

ward owned by Dr. John J. Detweiler and operated by Joel Neff.

The "Harry Williams," on Trout creek, was opened in 1850, by William J. Roberts, and afterward owned and operated by the Blue Mountain Slate Co., capitalized at $150,000. Near by was the "Trout Creek" quarry, opened by David McKenna and Z. Thomas, in 1865, and afterward owned and operated by the Mc- Dowell Slate Co. It was valued at $125,000.

The "Glencoe," one mile west from Slating- ton, was opened in 1856 by M. D. George, and operated by the Glencoe Slate Co., with a capital of $40,000. Next was the "Conway," opened in 1866, by Dr. H. O. Wilson; next the Brooklyn," opened in 1866, by David McKenna

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the

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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

and Z. Thomas; next the "Humboldt," opened in 1866 by Henry Wert; next the "Hoffman," opened in 1868, by William Weiss and William Roth; and next the "Joy," opened in 1847 by T. Weiss.

The "Locke," two and one-half miles west of Slatington, at Slatedale, was opened in 1848, by George Labar and his brother, Wilson, and op- erated by the Locke Slate Co., valued at $150,- 000.

The "Enterprise," opened near by in 1868, by Francis Shenter, and carried on by the Enter- prise Clate Co., was valued at $75,000, and the "Excelsior," in 1864, by T. Weiss.

The "Hope" was opened a mile beyond, in 1861, by Owen Lloyd and operated by the Hope Slate Co., valued at $65,000.

The "Diamond" was opened a mile farther west, in 1848, by Schall & Balliet. It was op- erated by the Diamond Slate Co., in 1863, and afterward owned by William Herbst.

The "Kern," near Slatington, was opened by J. Kern and others, in 1867, and afterward owned by D. D. Jones.

From these numerous operations and the great enterprise of their several owners it is evident that the slate business employed several thou- sand hands all the time, required an investment of several millions of dollars, and contributed a great deal toward the comfort and enrichment of the community; and in relative importance it was next to agriculture.

According to the United States census, the Slatington region has more quarries in active operation, and produces more roofing, school and factory slates, than any other section of the country. In 1907 the production was reported : Roofing, 200,000 squares; school, 24,000 cases ; black-boards, 670,000 square feet; structural, 390 cars; seventy-five quarries were in operation to supply the materials mentioned.

To enable the reader to form a proper idea of the great use and value of slate for building purposes, the following productions are men- tioned : Flagging Rails .-

Flooring

Wash-tubs

Tiling

Bath-tubs

Moulding

Sinks

Vestibuling

Meat-tanks

Wainscoating

Water-tanks Vats

Lining's Mantels

Mangers

Hearthstone Steps

Counter-tops

Risers Platforms

Tablets

Bar-fixtures

Sills

Urinals

Lintels

Currier-tables

Shelves Balusters

Vaults

Cisterns

Seventy years ago the slates were imported from Wales, where quarries have been worked since the twelfth century. Since then, from a small beginning, the trade has been developed to an annual production of $4,000,000.

Prior to 1909 all the slate produced in Penn- sylvania was quarried in Lehigh, Northampton, and York counties, the proportion of Lehigh county having been 29.58 per cent. The total output in 1908 was $3,902,958, or 61.79 per cent. of the total value in the United States. The percentage of mill-stock was 73.59; and of roofing-slate 59.21.

The early operations were slow, tedious, dan- gerous and costly, but the later were much im- proved and simplified by the introduction of steam and machinery.

The character of the slate is recognized as superior in every way for roofing, black-board, school and building purposes, with a uniform, un- fading and durable color.

The quarrying and manufacture of slate is very interesting to the on-looker. The rock is taken out by removing the top surface, which varies in depth. In some cases the deposit crops out on the surface, and again it is found from ten to fifty feet below. After this top soil is re- moved, the rock is loosened by blasting, the large blocks are removed from the quarry by hoisting them out by means of a cable, carried securely on a heavy steel rope to the top of the derrick, thence lodged on a truck and run into sheds, where they are turned over to the block makers, or sent to the blackboard and mantle factories.

The block maker, with the aid of a steel chisel and beetle, made for the purpose, first "sculps" the large block into smaller ones of a certain width, and the entire length of the large block, from the time the slate leaves the quarries, until split up, is kept moist in order to work well. In watching the process of splitting these blocks, a hair line is seen running entirely through it. This opening resembles a hair line, and by skillful blows applied on each side of a notch cut at the end of the block in the shape of a V, it is turned in the direction that the worker wants it to go, until the block falls apart on either side of this mark. The long, narrow blocks are then split into blocks of about two to three inches in thickness, and when in this shape, by means of a beetle and a well applied blow, at a notch cut for the purpose, the large slab is broken across the grain into blocks of various lengths. These blocks are placed in piles on the left hand of the splitter, who is seated on a low bench. He then takes a block beside his left thigh, and with a wooden mallet and a broad, thin chisel, about two inches wide and twelve

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inch the per

Billiard-tables

INDUSTRIES.

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inches long, tapering to an edge, splits it through the middle, by setting the thin chisel on the up- per edge of the block and gently tapping on the top of the chisel two or three times with the mal- let, which wedges it into the block, and splits it through as evenly as if it had been sawed, the splitter then continues dividing the block into equal halves until they are reduced to the thick- ness of roofing slate.

These thin pieces of slate, of irregular sizes, are placed by the splitter on a small bench on the left side of the dresser, who takes each piece sep- arately, and with a machine invented for the purpose, cuts them into the largest size they will make. He cuts them by means of a large steel knife, which works similar to an old-fashioned gauge guides his eye, which he puts the slate against, pressing his foot upon the treadle, and drawing the heavy steel knife down, cuts the edge clean and straight. He continues cutting the four sides until the slate is blocked to the proper size. These blocks are then assorted by the dresser, as he dresses them, into the various classes they belong, the thin and even slate being designated as No. I, the thick and uneven as No. 2, etc., and are afterward piled on edge, along the bank, to await shipment.

SILK MILLS.

PHOENIX SILK MANUFACTURING Co .- Rod- ney Hawks in 1810 started the first power silk mill in America at Mansfield, Conn., in a building 15 by 20 feet, which is still standing. His grandsons still carry on the business.

John Ryle, father of Reuben Ryle, of this city, built the first silk mill in Paterson, in 1840. To-day, Paterson, the "Silk City" of the United States, has 292 silk mills, 32 of which were added last year. They occupy 160,000 square feet of floor space, employ 40,000 men and wom- en, have 21,000 looms, and produce $30,000,000 worth of goods annually, for which the dye works dye 30,000 pounds of silk daily.

These figures are shown to indicate the vast extent of the business and to show Allentown's proportion of it.

The Adelaide, which was the pioneer silk mill in Pennsylvania, has developed and expanded wonderfully in these thirty years. Three addi- tions were built to the original plant, making an open square filling the block bounded by Race, Linden, and Court streets, and the L. V. R. R. In the year 1905 a large new ribbon weaving plant was built on the block bounded by Third, Bryan, Turner, and Chew streets. The Ade- laide, when running full handed, employs 1,900 men and women. The mill has been continu- ously under the management of members of the

same family. Louis Soleliac came to Allentown from Paterson as its first superintendent, and, upon his death, November 19, 1899, his son, Ed- win A. Soleliac, succeeded him, and has con- tinued the successful general manager ever since.

Mrs. Patrick Rush, forelady of the soft silk winders, is the only one of the original em- ployes still with the concern. The same com- pany also has another mill at Pottsville in this State.

The opening of the Adelaide Mill was made a great social occasion on Thursday, November 17, 1881. A special train brought 108 guests from New York and Paterson for the opening. In the party, among others, were Mr. and Mrs. Albert Tilt, Mayor Gilmore, of Paterson ; May- or George H. Hartford, of Orange; D. Faust, a Philadelphia banker ; C. R. Bigelow, ex-control- ler of New York; Hon. G. A. Hobart, Presi- dent of the New Jersey Senate, and later Vice- President under Mckinley; Hon. John Hill, of Boonton; John Cook, Vice-president of the Dan- forth Locomotive Works of Paterson; C. L. Corinth, of New York; Col. C. K. Jameson and wife, of New York; W. W. Kurtz, the banker, and Mr. and Mrs. John Lucas, of Philadelphia, Mrs. Lucas being president of the Women's Silk Association of the United States; Messrs. Keim and Lorenz, of the P. & R. R. R .; Judge J. Hagenman, of Reading; Judge Stanton, of Wilkes-Barre; Congressman William Mutchler, of Easton; all the officers of the Phoenix Silk Manufacturing Co., of Paterson, and representa- tives of the press of New York, Philadelphia, Paterson, and the Lehigh Valley.

More than a thousand invitations had been issued and fully 2,000 people swarmed through the mill all afternoon on a tour of inspection and to see the plant in operation.

The reception committee consisted of Dr. E. G. Martin, R. E. Wright, Jr., C. H. Ruhe, Dr. H. K. Hartzell, A. G. Reninger, S. A. Bridges, Edward Harvey, Samuel Lewis, Joseph Young, John E. Lentz, John Rupp, S. M. Keiper, H. C. Trexler, W. H. Barber, W. P. Huber, Wil- liam Saeger, Joseph Schnurman, L. H. Yeager, Joshua Stahler, H. Weinsheimer, Tilghman Schadt, William Berkemeyer, Milton M. Kline, and John Newhard.

With the Allentown band supplying the music, the visitors were welcomed at the plant and Mayor E. G. Martin made the dedicatory ad- dress, closing in these words: "Actuated by these sentiments and inspired by these hopes, we now, in the name of the subscribers and the Phoenix Manufacturing Co., dedicate this build- ing to the industry of silk manufacture, with the hope that it may prove to be the nucleus of

ed ed a

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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

a great and extensive enterprise in the Lehigh Valley; and we christen it in honor of the wife of the distinguished president of the company- The Adelaide Silk Mills."

A copper box was placed in the cornerstone and within it were placed these articles: A copy of each of the papers published in Allen- town, a copy of a pamphlet containing a history of the Lehigh Valley, a photograph of each sub- scriber to the silk mill fund, and a history of the project, all supplied by the building com- mittee, and these supplied by the Phoenix Co .; Photographs and autographs of the members of the company, silk handkerchiefs, invitations, rib- bons, fancy silk work, etc. Jacob Miller sealed the box, and it was laid in the cornerstone.

At 2 p. m. a banquet was served on the fourth floor by George P. Heitting, of the Metropoli- tan Hotel, New York city. The diners num- bered 160.

Grace was said by Rev. Dr. Burchard, of New York, (he who defeated Blaine and elected Cleveland President in 1884 with his famous alliteration of "Rum, Romanism and Rebel- lion"). Speeches were made by Mayor Martin, Albert Tilt, Congressman S. A. Bridges, Mayor Gilmore, Col. T. H. Good, John Ryle, of Pater- son, pioneer of the silk industry, in America, and who on April 1, 1886, opened the Pioneer Silk Mill at Seventh and Allen streets, now the Al- lentown Mill; Robert E. Wright, Jr., Mrs. John Lucas, Congressman Hill, and Hon. G. A. Hobart.

The evening was devoted to dancing in the mill to the musical program of 30 numbers by the Maennerchor Orchestra of 30 men, of Read- ing. Mr. and Mrs. Tilt led the grand march. Col. Good was master of ceremonies and he was assisted by Edward Ruhe, R. E. Wright, Jr., Dr. E. G. Martin, E. S. Wertz, Jacob Mosser, Dr. A. J. Martin, H. T. Kleckner, H. K. Kurtz, W. K. Ruhe, E. H. Reninger, and G. H. Wart- man. It was estimated at the time that 2,000 people were present.

The Daily City Item at that time gave the following history of the enterprise:

The original intention was to erect a building which would cost about $45,000, but everything seemed to glide along so smoothly and serenly, that the plans and specifications were enlarged from time to time until it was decided that about $65,000 should be expended on the structure. But ere it was finished it was ascertained that this sum would be insufficient and the amount was increased to $85,000, which is more than enough to discharge all the expenses incurred by the erection of the building, its entire cost being a little less than that amount.

The Phoenix Silk Co. has already placed $150,- 000 worth of machinery in the building and the three lower floors are now occupied in spin- ning silk, employment being given to nearly three hundred boys and girls. After to-day the weav- ing machinery will be put on the fourth floor, and the weaving of silk commenced in a short time. The history of the project is of peculiar interest at this time, and a number of interesting facts will be found below.

In the spring of 1880, the Phoenix Manufac- turing Company of Paterson, N. J., through R. M. Elkings, real estate agent of said city, ad- vertised in New York papers for a site in the Eastern States suitable for the location of a silk mill. This advertisement coming to the notice of the people of this city, a correspondence was had, which resulted in a visit to the city of Al- lentown by the parties from Paterson, N. J., principally interested in the enterprise, viz: Al- bert Tilt, president of the Phoenix Silk Co., and Emil Greef, Philip Gallagher, and R. M. Elk- ings.

The general advantages of the city as to labor, competent railroads, cheap living, etc., were sat- isfactorily shown to the visitors, and they being favorably impressed, intimated a location (the site upon which the Adelaide Mills now stand) and expressed a desire that the citizens of Al- lentown should in some way identify themselves with the enterprise.

The matter was accordingly submitted to the Board of Trade of the city of Allentown, under whose auspices a meeting of citizens was called for the purpose of determining upon some means whereby the enterprise might receive the proper support.

Upon such a meeting being held, a committee consisting of Messrs. Aaron G. Reninger, H. A. Stillwagen, Robert E. Wright, Sr., and W. R. Lawfer, was appointed to solicit subscriptions from the citizens for the purchase of the ground selected and the erection of a building suitable for the manufacture of silk. The committee at once carried forward the work and with such success that on the tenth day of July, 1880, another committee consisting of Charles W. Cooper, Aaron G. Reninger, and Morris L. Kauffman was appointed and empowered to pro- ceed to Paterson and close the contract with the parties there for the erection of buildings and machinery for the purpose mentioned.

The last two named gentlemen on the commit- tee named to solicit subscriptions not being able to serve, Charles W. Cooper, T. H. Good, and D. O. Saylor, as volunteers, were appointed in their stead, to aid the other members of the

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History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I, Part 188

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