History of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming counties, Pa.; with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers, Part 56

Author: Munsell, W.W., & Co., New York
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: New York, W.W. Munsell & co.
Number of Pages: 900

USA > Pennsylvania > Luzerne County > History of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming counties, Pa.; with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 56
USA > Pennsylvania > Lackawanna County > History of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming counties, Pa.; with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 56
USA > Pennsylvania > Wyoming County > History of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming counties, Pa.; with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 56

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

DR. J. L. SHUMAN.

Wapwallopen, Luzerne Co., Pa.

FRE

MRS. F. E. SHUMAN. Wapwallopen, Luserne Co., Pa.

WILLIAM KOONS.

Shickshinny, Luzerne Co., l'a.

JAMES McMILLAN.

Pleasant Valley, Luzerne Co., l'a.

Magir General,

Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne Co., Pa.

A AHarry arany

Harveyville, Luzerne Co., Pa.

Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne Co., Pa.

215

RAILROAD RIOTS AT WILKES-BARRE-EARLY MANUFACTURES.

At this juncture another engineer leaped into the cab and opening the throttle ran the engine out, bearing away a dozen or more of men and boys who mounted the tender as it started. For a moment the shrill tones of the shrieking whistle drowned the sounds of a melee at the station, in which a United States detective who had been crowded off the platform by a car was badly injured. Drumheller, the engineer, was roughly handled, the ex - cited crowd threatening and cursing in a reckless manner, and some of them brandishing knives and revolvers; and one of the company's constables was attacked, but suc- ceeded in making his escape, despite the fact that he was lame, and sought protection at police headquarters. But signal as it was, the triumph of the rioters was of brief duration. Soon after the engine had been run out of the town the following order was posted on the Lehigh Valley depot: "Notice .- All peaceful and lawful mea. - ures have failed to secure safe transit of mail, passenger and freight trains. Notice is hereby given that all trains are abandoned indefinitely, till further notice, on the Wyoming division. By order Robert Sayre, Superinten- dent."

On the night of August Ist it became known in the city that the State and Federal troops were on their way to Wilkes-Barre and Scranton, and not many hours elapsed ere the strikers, many of whom concealed their identity under masks, were engaged in the lawless work of tearing up the railway tracks with the hope of thus preventing the approach of the soldiers; but Plymouth was invested by the forces early in the morning of the 2nd without resistance on the part of the citizens, and they marched to Wilkes-Barre, occupying the city before daybreak the same morning. The magistrates, strikers and all citizens found in the streets were secured and placed under guard until they could be identified. This unexpected movement paralyzed the strikers, who offered no resistance, and about seventy of them were arrested

and held by the troops. A considerable force was stationed at Wilkes-Barre, and under such protection the tracks were repaired and the strike was at an end on the Lehigh Valley road. Governor Hartranft and two trains loaded with troops passed through the city about noon en route for Scranton. Some of the strikers sought and were granted employment in their old places.

MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS .- THE ARMORY.

The part played by the citizens of Wilkes-Barre in various military movements will be found in the military history of the county. There are at present four companies with headquarters in the city, all of which receive due attention, the fact that they form parts of regiments made up in part of companies located else- where forbidding their extended treatment in this con- nection.

The armory on Northampton street, the headquarters of the local military organizations, is a place of interest. For some years it had been the endeavor of Captain Thomas C. Parker and others interested in the Wyoming Artillerists to obtain the commodious building now in

use for military purposes, and it was not until 1879 that it was successful, when the privilege was granted to the battery alone, with the provision that should any other military organizations be recruited they should be accorded equal favor. At the expense of a few liberal minded citizens, seconded by the enterprising owner of the building, it is being fitted up as a military rendez- vous, and when finished will be as fine an armory as any in the State.

MANUFACTURING HISTORY.

EARLY MANUFACTURING AND MECHANICAL ITEMS.

In 18to there were in the township thirty-three hand looms, and during a year which included a portion of the one mentioned 129 yards of cotton, 1,717 yards of woolen and 6,531 yards of linen cloth were manufactured. Francis McShane established a small cut-nail factory at Wilkes-Barre, using anthracite coal for smelting iron, and for several years conducted a successful wholesale and retail business. There was in the early days of the borough the usual diversity of mechanics' shops, and the proprietors changed from time to time, rendering the tracing of the history of these common industries more than difficult. In 1833 Wilkes-Barreans saw the con- struction and completion of what was then justly re- garded as a triumph of mechanical ingenuity. Richard Jones, a very ingenious young mechanic. who it is said had no knowledge of a steam engine except such as he had been able to obtain by a study of engravings of them in books, constructed a working model of one with a one- and-a-half-inch cylinder and a three-inch stroke. This was the first steam engine ever manufactured in Luzerne, Lackawanna and Wyoming counties. The first one con- structed within the same territory for service was built three years later by Benjamin Drake and J. C. Smith, and placed in Smith's mill in Plymouth. It was a 15- horse power engine, with a 9-inch cylinder and a 3-foot stroke.

LATER MANUFACTURING HISTORY.

A large rolling mill and nail factory were erected at South Wilkes-Barre by Thomas Chambers, E. R. Biddle & Co., in 1840, at a cost of $300,000. The firm became involved and the establishment was sold to satisfy a debt due the Wyoming Bank; and, passing into the hands of the Montour Iron Company, was removed to Danville, Montour county. During the period of the successful operation of this establishment Wilkes-Barre increased immeasurably in business and population. In 1840 Lewis Le Grand opened a blacksmithing and general jobbing. ironing and repair shop on South Main street. In 1859 he began the manufacture of wagons-his main shor, which he now occupies, having been erected in 1857. In 1871-73 D. R. Malvin was a partner in the concern. December 4th, 1872, C. D. Le Grand, son of Lewis Le Grand, patented the well-known buckboard wagon, since so extensively manufactured at this establishment. No- vember Irth, 1878, the patent was renewed to cover re- cently perfected improvements. In 1842 H. S. & E.

216

HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Renwick, of New York, erected an anthracite furnace, operated by steam power, and carried on the manufac- ture of pig-iron for about a year; but the furnace was subsequently permitted to lie idle until 1854, when it was purchased by John McCanley and the Messrs. Car- ter of Tamaqua, who enlarged it and began business on quite an extensive scale. The iron ore and limestone were brought from Columbia county by canal, and the works, under the supervision of Mr. McCanley, yielded six tons of iron per day. In 1856 the establishment was burned.

Planing Mills .- In 1844 S. Y. Kittle established hin- self as a manufacturer of furniture on South Main street, below Ross. He introduced improved machinery from time to time, and putting in power planers about twenty years later, engaged quite extensively in the manufacture of planed lumber and mouldings. In January, 1854, Price & Wetzel established a planing mill at the corner of Canal and Union streets, where buildings were erected for that purpose. A year later the firm became Price & Haas. Ten years afterward Mr. C. B. Price became sole proprietor, and remained so until 1876, when the firm be- came C. B. Price & Son. About 1864 the original build- ings were burnt and replaced by others, which were torn down in a dozen years, after the erection of the present commodious accommodations on Canal street, near Mar- ket. Operations at the planing mill on Canal street now the property of the estate of Stephen Lee, deceased, were begun about 1855. The establishment, after passing through the hands of several proprietors, became the property of Hamilton & Brew, of whom the late Stephen Lee purchased it in 1867. Since his death, in 1874, the business has been conducted by his sons Conrad and Samuel N. Lee, executors of his will, and builders, fur- nishers and dealers in all kinds of lumber. Another leading establishment in this line of manufacture and trade is that of J. E. Patterson & Co., on Canal street at the corner of Jackson, which has an extended trade and reputation, having received the Centennial - medal for its doors, etc.

The Vulcan Iron Works .- The Vulcan Iron Works, one of the most important manufacturing interests in the city, were founded by Richard Jones in 1849, and suc- cessfully conducted by him until 1866, when a stock company was formed and incorporated with a capital stock of $100,000, of which Richard Jones was president and superintendent, and Robert T. Block secretary and treasurer. The company began at once to increase the capacity of the works by building a substantial brick nia- chine shop seventy-five by one hundred feet, and equipped with the most modern tools, and a three-story brick pattern house. The constant demand for heavy machinery manufactured at these works compelled the company to further enlarge their manufacturing capacity by the erection of a new foundry and pattern shop eighty by one hundred and sixty-five feet, and a smith and boiler shop sixty-six by one hundred and thirty feet, in 1873, when the capital stock had increased to $200,000. During the progress of these improvements Mr. Richard

Jones died. He was succeeded by L. C. Paine as presi- dent, and E. H. Jones, son of the former president, be- came superintendent. The works are built within an area of about eight acres, fronting four hundred feet on Main street and extending six hundred and thirty-four feet back to the Pennsylvania Canal. Tracks and sidings run into the shops from the Lehigh Valley Railroad, with a turn-table by which cars can be directed into any de- partment of the establishment. The class of work mani- factured embraces machinery of every description. These works, founded on a small scale but suited for the work then required, are of a capacity to make the heavi- est machinery needed for the deepest shafts (some being nine hundred feet in depth) including pumps, ventilating fans, boilers, coal breakers, rolls, screens, etc. The quality of the work has kept pace with the increased weight, and it stands pre-eminent for its adaptation to heavy and deep mining.

The Wyoming Valley Manufacturing Company .-- In 1866 Jonathan Mooers & Son had a small foundry at the corner of Main and Dana streets. Mr. Milton Dana and others afterwards became interested, the firm name was changed to Dana & Co. April 5th, 1867, a charter was granted by the Legislature of Pennsylvania to William L. Stewart and others under the name of the Wyoming Val- ley Manufacturing Company, and the 30th of the en- suing month the following officers were elected: E. W. Sturdevant, president; E. Robinson, vice-president; F. Koerner, secretary and treasurer; Milton Dana, assistant secretary; superintendent, William L. Stewart. The

company enlarged the capacity of the foundry and erect . ed a frame machine shop, a car shop and other necessary buildings on the same location, but as the business in- creased it became necessary to secure more room. New brick buildings were erected on lands purchased of the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company, immediately ad- joining the railroad and affording increased facilities for receiving material and shipping manufactured articles. At these works are manufactured every description of light and heavy machinery, including steam engines for shafts, slopes, planes, coal breakers, blast and rolling mills; double and single acting pumps of every variety, for mining and other purposes; mills for powder making, locomotives, flue, tubral and cylinder boilers, of the best Pennsylvania charcoal boiler plate; forging of all kinds, and iron and brass casting of every description. The wire rope machinery of the Hazard Manufacturing Company was made at this establishment. The present (1880) officers of the company are as follows: Richard Sharpe, president; A. H. Van Horn, vice-president; Richard Sharpe, jr., treasurer; H. K. McLean, superin- tendent and J. N. Davison, bookkeeper. The company has at present an authorized stock of $100,000.

The Hazard Manufacturing Company .- The Hazard Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of iron and steel wire ropes, is the outgrowth of a business in the same line established by Fisher Hazard, of Mauch Chunk, at that place in 1848. The growing demand for such a manu- factory in the heart of the anthracite coal region led to

RESIDENCE OF MRS. CHAS BENNET, RIVER ST., WILKES-BARRE PA. LUZERNE CO

FAREIT

RESIDENCE OF GENERAL W. S. ROSS, MAIN STREET, WILKES-BARRE, PA. LUZERNE CO.

"FIRWOOD" RESIDENCE OF GEN. E. W. STURDEVANT, WILKES-BARRE, PA. LUZERNE CO.

RIVER VIEW LOOKING NORTH

RIVER

VIEW LOOKING SOUTH

RESIDENCE OF LEWIS C. PAINE, RIVER ST., WILKES - BARRE, PA. LUZERNE CO.

RESIDENCE OF HON. CHARLES A. MINER, WILKES-BARRE, PA. FRANKLIN ST.

217

MANUFACTURING INTERESTS OF WILKES-BARRE.

its removal to Wilkes-Barre. A stock company was formed, of which Fisher Hazard was elected president, E. B. Leisenring treasurer, and T. C. North superintend- ent and secretary, December ist, 1867. In 1868 the company was chartered, Charles Parrish, E. B. Leisenring and Fisher Hazard being the corporators. A second election of officers was held January 18th, 1876, which resulted in the choice of the gentlemen now (1880) serv- ing: Charles Parrish, president; Woodward Leavenworth, secretary and treasurer, and T. C. North, superintendent. The ropes manufactured by this company are made of wire drawn at their own factory from the best brands of Swedes' and Norway iron and a superior quality of steel. All sizes of round and flat, coarse or fine, iron or steel wire rope, for the transmission of power and use on slopes, derricks, shafts and ferries, and as guy ropes, are manufactured. The machinery is of the most approved style, and capable of turning out 6,000 feet of three-inch wire rope in one piece. The trade of the company ex- tends throughout the United States and Canadas, wire rope being extensively employed in coal mining districts upon planes, slopes and shafts, in the silver and gold re- gions of the west, and in cities upon elevators and hoists. Round wire rope is usually used in the coal regions, and flat wire rope in silver and gold mining. This company has sent much of the latter variety to the silver mining district of Nevada.

The Dickson Manufacturing Company .- The Dickson Manufacturing Company of Scranton have established an important branch in Wilkes-Barre, under the manage- ment of James Dickson, superintendent, which is duly mentioned in connection with the history of that corpor- ation. The Wilkes-Barre establishment is largely devoted to the manufacture of engines, boilers and general min- ing machinery. The shops are located on Canal street above East Market, and were formerly occupied by the firm of Laning & Marshall, formerly extensive manu- facturers in Wilkes-Barre for a considerable period.

The Wyoming Blue Stone Works .- This company had its origin in January, 1867, when a partnership was formed between J. S. Lum, P. A. Wine and J. P. Browns- combe. In 1869 the firm became Lum & Brownscombe, who were succeeded a few months later by J. P. Browns- combe. In April, 1878, a partnership was formed be- tween J. P. Brownscombe, of Wilkes-Barre, and D. H. King, of New York. The quarries of the firm are at Meshoppen, Wyoming county, the main office at Wilkes- Barre, and the New York office at 37 and 39 Wall street. The business was established for the manufacture of flag- ging stone. In 1870 the manufacture of cut stone was introduced, and a wholesale trade was begun in 1871. The firm has shipped flagging and curb stone to New York city, Elmira, Oswego and Binghamton, N. Y .; to Easton, Reading, Harrisburg and Philadelphia, Pa., and to Elizabeth and Newark, N. J. A quarry of heavy stone was opened at Meshoppen in 1875, and building stone has been sent in all directions. One car load was shipped to New York in 1875. During the early part of 1880

600 car loads were sold, and the demand exceeded the ability of the firm to supply.

Miscellaneous Manufactures .- In the spring of 1860 Fred Ahlborn began the manufacture of soap and chan- dlers' ware at the corner of Canal and Northampton streets. The present factory was erected on the same ground in 1874. In 1876 the firm became Ahlborn Brothers. They are extensive manufacturers of soap and candles and dealers in tallow, sal-soda and similar goods. J. H. Brock began the manufacture of wire screens on Canal street about 1874. In 1876 he sold the establish- ment to Mr. E. H. Hunt, who is doing an extensive and constantly increasing business in the manufacture of woven wrought-iron screens for screening coal. There is a smaller establishment of the kind in the city. C. A. Becker, manufacturer and dealer in all kinds of earthen ware, Rockingham and yellow ware and a great variety of stove linings, terra cotta garden vases and flower pots, began business in 1874. His factory is on Canal street near Northampton. The Oliver Powder Works have obtained an excellent reputation, and through the energy and persistence of their founder and owner, General P. A. Oliver, are established permanently and successfully, and are doing a very extensive business. These works are situated at Laurel Run station on the Lehigh and Susquehanna Railroad, and near the celebrated Prospect Rock on the mountain overlooking the valley on the east. There are also manufactories of paper packing boxes and flouring-mills, packing houses and the usual variety of mechanic's shops, large and small.

MANUFACTURERS' AID ASSOCIATION.

In pursuance of previous announcement, a meeting was held at the office of Messrs. Farnham & Paine, on Franklin street, on the evening of March 20th, 1880, at which the following gentlemen were present: John Welles Hollenback, Charles D. Foster, L. C. Paine, Mayor-elect Brodrick, Jonas Long, Daniel H. Frantz, Richard Sharpe, B. G. Carpenter, Col. George N. Reichard, Marcus Smith, William Dickover, Daniel Fell, G. M. Miller, Fred. C. Johnson, L. L. Ayres, W. F. Goff, C. L. Lamb, William Stoddard, B. F. Dorrance, George S. Bennett, M. B. Houpt, R. J. Flick, Col. C. M. Conyng- ham, George A. Wells and J. R. Coolbaugh.

It was proposed to organize an association for the pur- pose of protecting the interests of manufacturers, and of inducing such people to locate in Wilkes-Barre as it might be thought would aid to advance the best interests of the city. A general plan of operations was adopted, and Charles Parrish was elected president and George N. Reichard secretary and treasurer of the organization, which it was voted to call the Wilkes-Barre Manufac- turers' Aid Association. The following resolution was adopted: " That our city government and the three district school boards be requested to adopt proper legis- lation whereby manufacturers desiring to locate in our city may be exempt for a term of years from taxation on their real estate and machinery for either municipal or

218

HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

school purposes, and that the executive committee shall confer with the city council and the school board on this exemption."

After some discussion concerning the prices of coal, gas and water, and the necessity for liberality on the part of real estate owners in dealing with such parties as might be induced to invest in manufacturing enterprises in the city, assurances were given that the necessaries mentioned would be supplied to such persons at a reason- able figure, and it was deemed probable that gifts of lots will be made should occasion require. A small fund being necessary to defray current expenses, such as ad- vertising in New York and New England papers, sending out committees to manufacturing centers, etc., a sub- scription was started, and in a few minutes an amount sufficient for the present exigencies was pledged. The importance of this movement on the part of Wilkes- Barre's most enterprising business men on the future of the city can be but dimly foreshadowed.

WILKES-BARRE AS A MANUFACTURING CENTER.

The city of Wilkes-Barre offers decided advantages for manufacturers and capitalists desiring a location for factories, etc. Its close proximity to the great iron pro- ducing districts of the Lehigh valley, as well as of the Susquehanna, gives it a decided advantage for iron work of any description. Its railroad connections place manufacturers of iron products in immediate and cheap communication with the great iron producing sections. Its close contiguity to the large and prosperous agri- cultural counties of Bradford, Wyoming and Susquehanna insures a favorable price and abundant supply of farm products, while the low prices for fuel combine to make the cost of living as low as in any other eastern city, and probably lower than in most of them. But its greatest advantages are the abundance of women and children laborers and its cheap fuel. Of the former it has an almost untouched field to select from. The male mem- bers of the family are largely engaged in and about the mines, while to the female members no occupation is attainable. It is estimated that in and around the city there are 5,000 or more of this class ready and willing to work at low wages. As to coal suitable for steam pur- poses, millions of tons can be had for a trifle above the cost of hauling. The coal, or culm, is constantly increas- ing in amount and is readily accessible from any portion of the city. It is now largely used by steam makers for the production of power, and in quantity is practically inexhaustible, and can be delivered for fifty cents per ton. Manufacturers preferring to use lump or steam sizes can get these at low prices compared with the cost elsewhere. Building materials are also obtainable at low figures. The great lumber interests are in close proxim- ity and easily accessible. Building stone is abundant and cheap, and large quantities of brick are made within the city limits. Building sites for desirable manufacturing uses can be had at very low figures, and some are offered gratuitously. The city has three separate and independ- ent railroad connections with the west as well as with

the seaboard, and also canal facilities with the lower Susquehanna, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and points south, and railroad transportation can be arranged on favorable terms to large transporters. A prominent advantage also is the low rate of assessment and taxation, likely to be continued in the future.

The banking capital is abundant, there being between $1,500,000 and $2,000,000 thus invested and insuring to manufacturers a full supply of capital for business purposes. The water system is unsurpassed in its excel- lence of water and the supply is full.

SECRET, SOCIAL AND OTHER ORGANIZA- TIONS.

MASONIC.

June 24th, 1779, while General Sullivan's army was en- camped on the plain where Wilkes-Barre now is, a lodge of masons met in the tent of Colonel Proctor. A chap- lain read on this occasion, which was probably the first convention of a lodge on the Susquehanna, one of Rev. Dr. Smith's masonic sermons. A few days afterward the funeral services of the order were read at the graves of Captain J. Davis and Lieutenant William Jones of the IIth Pennsylvania regiment, two masons who had been killed during the preceding April a few miles east of Wilkes-Barre. They were reinterred in the Wilkes-Barre burying ground.

Wilkes-Barre Lodge, No. 61, F. & A. M .- February 27th, 1794, the second lodge of Ancient York Masons that convened in Luzerne county was opened in the " Old Fell house," with the following principal officers: W. M., George Seytz; S. W., John Paul Schott; J. W., Peter Grubb; secretary, Arnold Colt; treasurer, Samuel Bowman.

Among the early members of this lodge were Asa Dim- mock, Ezekiel Hyde, Stephen Tuttle, Isaac Bowen, J. and E. Bulkley, Caleb Hoyt, Peter Yarrington, Charles Miner, Joseph Wright, Oliver Helme, James Campbell, Josiah Wright, Samuel Jameson, Jonathan Hancock, Zebulon Marcy, Eleazer Blackman and F. Depuy. Revs. Drake, Cox, and William Bishop were early chap- lains. On St. John's day, 1794, the first named preached a sermon to the assembled lodge in the court-house. De- cember 23d, 1799, the members of the lodge heard with much sadness the announcement of the death of Washing- ton, and four days later assembled in the court-house to hear an eulogy upon the great deceased mason from Roswell Wells. The regular communications and other sessions of the lodge were held at the house of Jesse Fell until 1804, when a room was rented in the court- house for an annual consideration of $ro. The anti- masonic excitement induced by the alleged abduction of William Morgan in 1826 resulted more disastrously to lodges throughout New York and northern Pennsylvania than elsewhere. The last regular communication of the Wilkes-Barre lodge prior to 1844 was held August 12th, 1832.

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History of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming counties, Pa.; with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers, Part 56

Author: Munsell, W.W., & Co., New York Publication date: 1880 Publisher: New York, W.W. Munsell & co. Number of Pages: 900

Author: Munsell, W.W., & Co., New York
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: New York, W.W. Munsell & co.
Number of Pages: 900