History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 44

Author: edited by John F. Meginness
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk
Number of Pages: 1650

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LUMBERMEN'S EXCHANGE.

When the lumber interest assumed large proportions, the manufacturers per- ceived the necessity of having some kind of an organization for mutual protection, and after several conferences it was decided to establish an exchange. Application for an act of incorporation was made. It passed and was approved, March 23, 1872. The following month the West Branch Lumbermen's Exchange was organ-

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ized by thirty-six manufacturers, and it has continued to the present time. Its objects, as expressed by the preamble to the constitution, "are to advance the com- mercial character and promote the general lumber interests of the valley of the West Branch; to inculcate just and equitable principles in trade, establish and maintain uniformity in the commercial usages of the valley, acquire, preserve, and disseminate valuable business information, and to avoid and adjust, as far as practicable, the controversies and misunderstanding which are apt to arise between individuals en- gaged in trade when they have no acknowledged rules to guide them." The offi- cers are a president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer. The board of directors have authority to appoint inspectors and measurers, establish grades of lumber, lath, etc. An official report of stock on hand is made by the secretary after the close of each year, from information furnished him by each manufacturer.

The officers of the Exchange for 1892 are as follows: President, F. Coleman; vice-president, Samuel N. Williams; treasurer, E. R. Payne; secretary, W. R. Prior; directors: B. C. Bowman, F. Coleman, A. C. Hopkins, Elias Deemer, Ezra Can- field, William Emery, Henry James, Edgar Munson, E. R. Payne, John R. T. Ryan, S. N. Williams, Henry W. White, William Howard.

FURNITURE MANUFACTURERS.

Next to the lumber business the manufacture of furniture is one of the largest industries. As early as 1859 John A. Otto commenced the manufacture of lumber here, to which he afterwards added a planing mill and sash, door, blind, frame, and moulding factory. In 1872 the firm of Johu A. Otto & Sons was organized, and in 1881 the buildings were struck by lightning and destroyed. The next year the head of the firm retired, leaving the management to the four sons-Dr. Luther M., H. Howard, John M., and Frank R. Otto. This same year the firm of John A. Otto's Sons was organized and they established the furniture industry, which they have since conducted with success. Their manufacturing plant embraces a large factory and planing mill, two and four stories high, filled with a full equipment of machinery and labor saving devices, with machine and smith shop, lumber sheds, and other buildings attached. The firm are extensive manufacturers of antique oak, mahogany, and cherry chamber suites, sideboards, wardrobes, etc. Their goods, which are sold at wholesale, find a market in the United States, Canada, Europe, and South America.

The Williamsport Furniture Company was originally a partnership concern and reorganized, March 1, 1882, into a limited liability company. On the 1st of Janu- ary, 1890, the large interests were incorporated with a paid-up capital of $180,000, with the following directors: William Gibson, James J. Gibson, William P. Hard- ing, F. West Page, of New York, and R. W. P. Goff, of Philadelphia. The treas- urer, F. W. Page, is a recognized authority in the manufacture of furniture. He was the proprietor of a furniture store from 1865 to 1868, and in the latter year became the manager of the original company. In 1882 he was elected treasurer. The company's factories are situated at the foot of Centre street, and with the lum- ber yard cover an area of nearly six acres. Over 4,500,000 feet of lumber are used annually and 350 hands are employed. The finest grades of furniture are manu- factured and the market is the United States.

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

The firm of A. H. Heilman & Company takes rank among the oldest and most extensive furniture manufacturers in the city. As early as 1870 they embarked in the business, which has grown to large proportions. A glance at their great store and ware- rooms on West Third street will convince any one of the magnitude of their business. They always carry a stock exceeding $60,000 in value, and their annual sales amount to $300,000. A. H. Heilman, the head of the firm, is a native of Muncy, while John K. Heilman is from the same place. The firm carries on a large manufactory in the borough of Montoursville, where they give employment to fully ninety hands. The total number of their employes, including finishers and others at their ware- rooms in the city, will reach about 120.

The National Furniture Company, Limited, was founded in 1882 with a capital of $24,500. The industry has steadily grown and prospered. The officers are as follows: President, John G. Reading; general manager and treasurer, Louis Welker; secretary, Fred Heim; directors: J. A. Stearns, David J. Bluemle, Herman E. Lentz, John G. Reading, and Louis Welker. The company manufactures all grades of standard furniture and ships to all parts of the United States, and as far away as Australia.

MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURES.

The City Brewery was established by a Mr. Huffman in 1854. In June, 1865, it was purchased by Henry Jacob Flock, who operated it until his death in 1884. During this period he replaced most of the original buildings with new and modern structures. Since his death the business has been conducted by his widow and sons, and many improvements in the machinery and plant have been made in the past eight years.

The boot and shoe factory of J. E. Dayton & Company was established in July, 1873. The plant was first located on Third street, whence it was removed to its present location on West Fourth in May, 1882. In 1892 the name was changed to the J. E. Dayton Company. The number of operatives employed is 110.

The National Paint Works were started in 1878 by W. G. Elliot on Church street. Power was obtained from Jacob Moltz's machine shop, which stood near by. In 1879 Mr. Elliot purchased the old carriage works, located on East street, and removed to the same. Here the business has grown to large proportions and the products are eagerly sought by railroad, bridge, and carbuilding corporations. In 1881 W. H. Loomis, who was formerly employed by Mr. Elliot as a traveling sales- man, became a full partner. Mr. Loomis resides in Brooklyn, New York, and with two employes attends to the sales of their well known paints, while Mr. Elliot looks after the manufacture.

The Williamsport Wagon Company had its beginning October 15, 1880, and was known as the firm of Ring, Cable & Company. The company was composed of the following persons : Daniel F. Ring, William Q. Cable, William Gibson, J. J. Gibson, and D. S. Andrus. These persons are still members of the firm, except Mr. Andrus, who was succeeded after his death by his wife. In 1882 the firm was changed to the Williamsport Wagon Company. The works are located on the corner of Court and West Church streets, where all kinds of light wagons, buggies, and vehicles are manufactured. Employment is given to about thirty men.

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J. F. Gohl's Carriage Works were established in 1886 on the corner of West Third and Centre streets. He manufactures carriages and wagons, and does all kinds of repairing. Mr. Gohl employs from one to six men.

Christian Gohl's Carriage Works were established in 1887 on West Third street, near Hepburn street. He does an extensive business in the manufacture of light carriages and delivery wagons, and also does general repairing. He gives employ- ment to eight men.

The Lycoming Rubber Company is one of the great industries of the city. The plant was founded in 1882, and in 1883 the first shoes were made. July 31, 1890, it was chartered with an authorized capital of $500,000, nearly all of which is paid up. The officers for 1892 are as follows: President, B. C. Bowman; secretary, treasurer, and general manager, S. N. Williams; directors: B. C. Bowman, William Howard, J. Artley Beeber, C. La Rue Munson, S. N. Williams. In addition to the manufacture of standard boots and shoes, the company makes a specialty of sporting shoes for lawn tennis, yachting, and gymnasium use, and for general summer wear. The daily output is 4,500 pairs. The total value of their manufactured goods annu" ally is $1,500,000 gross. There are 400 persons employed, 175 of whom are females and 225 males. The company finds a market for their goods throughout the United States and Canada.

One of the latest and growing industries of Williamsport is the manufacture of suspenders. The Wire Buckle Suspender Company is now the largest in the world. It was first established at Jersey Shore in 1885, under the title of the Economy Suspender Company. In 1886 the manufactory was removed to Williamsport and a new company, consisting of William Silverman, Solomon Silverman, C. R. Harris, and Joseph E. Austrian was organized, with ample capital and enlarged facilities- Charles R. Harris is the patentee of the wire buckle, as well as of a number of other inventions. The daily capacity of the manufactory is 40,000 pairs of suspenders. An average of 150 girls and boys are employed and thirty men are kept traveling.

The Self-Locking Buckle Suspender Company was chartered in October, 1890, and commenced operations in November following. The company manufactures sus- penders, braces, garters, and belts. Ninety operatives are employed and there are twelve traveling men. The officers for 1892 are as follows: President, E. A. Rowley; treas- urer, W. H. Taylor; secretary, Joseph Kunkel; general sales agent, W. J. Stewart.

Samuel Banm and Victor B. Ulman established a suspender manufactory in 1889 on West Third street. Their patent, also a wire buckle, was obtained in July of the following year. They have a branch office in New York. About eighty-five hands are employed.

The Williamsport Wire Rope Company was incorporated in 1886 with a capital of $100,000. The company is officered as follows: J. Henry Cochran, president; C. La Rue Munson, secretary; C. W. Van Dusen, treasurer and general manager. As manufacturers of iron and steel and galvanized wire rope, this new industry has built up a national reputation. The works comprise several spacious and convenient frame and iron buildings directly connected with the railroad tracks. The company mannfactures wire ropes from one-eighth of an inch to two and one-half inches in diameter, and of any length up to two miles in one continuous piece. All wire pre- vious to being used in a rope is subjected to rigid tests to determine its strength. · It

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is conceded that the product of this manufactory is unsurpassed by any similar establishment in Europe or America.

One of the industries of Williamsport which has attracted much attention is the "Henry Distin Manufacturing Company," their line of work being the highest grade of band instruments. The company was chartered in 1888 with a capital of $25,000, which was increased to $50,000 in 1889. The officers are as follows: President, Hon. L. R. Keefer; secretary and treasurer, B. C. Keefer; directors: L. R. and B. C. Keefer, George Gerber, D. Dechert, M. D., A. F. Deibert; manager, B. C. Keefer. They manufacture all brass and silver plated instruments and handle all kinds of musical merchandise. Their instruments have a wide reputation among bands and musical organizations. An average of tifty men is employed.

The Demorest Manufacturing Company is one of the large industries of Williamsport in which iron is involved. In brief, the history of this establishment is as follows : It was founded in 1845 by Madame Demorest, who retired in 1883, selling her interest to G. S. & F. M. Scofield, of New York. They sold in 1888 to the Demorest Fashion and Sewing Machine Company, and the business was trans- ferred to the Demorest Manufacturing Company of . Williamsport in 1892. The factory was built in Williamsport in 1889, the citizens subscribing $100,000 in stock. The buildings cover six acres and the capital at present is $300,000. The employes number 250, and an average of fifty sewing machines are turned out daily. Opera chairs, and the "New York " bicycle are also manufactured. Officers for 1892 : President, E. R. Payne ; treasurer, J. Henry Cochran ; secretary H. C. McCormick ; directors: E. R. Payne, J. Henry Cochran, H. C. McCormick, F. E. Embick, C. La Rue Munson; manager, Hugh McDonald.

The Backus Manufacturing Company is one of the new industries of the city. It was chartered in 1891 with a capital of $250,000. The company is the sole manufacturer for the United States of the Backus patent portable steam radiators for gaseous fuel, radiating mantels, tiles, open fire places, gas logs, and various other articles, under letters patent granted to Q. S. Backus. The present officers are : President, A. D. Hermance ; vice-president, E. A. Rowley ; secretary and treasurer, J. J. Crocker ; general manager, P. B. Shaw ; general superintendent, Q. S. Backus. This promises to become a very extensive industry. At present . about sixty men are employed.

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.

The West Branch National Bank was first incorporated as a State bank in 1835, John H. Cowden being elected president and James Armstrong cashier. The latter was soon after succeeded by Tunison Coryell. In 1842 John C. Oliver was chosen president and Thomas W. Lloyd cashier. Mr. Oliver resigned, May 18, 1847, when Hepburn McClure was chosen in his place and served until June 6, 1848. A. Updegraff succeeded him as president and served until January 1, 1856, when he resigned and Oliver Watson was chosen. Samuel Jones was elected cashier, November 26, 1855 and served until February 21, 1865, when William S. Watson was elected. The "old West Branch," as it came to be familiarly known, was recognized as a substantial banking institution for many years ; and although it was severely tested, like many of the State banks in panicky times, it always came out

Eng.by J.P. Free & Sono. Phala.

E. A. Rowley

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right. It was changed into a national bank, August 7, 1865, with a capital of $100,000. Mr. Watson served as president until his death, September 1, 1882. Henry C. Parsons succeeded him as president and is the present incumbent. The cashier, W. S. Watson, having retired, he was succeeded by F. E. Gleim May 9, 1882. In 1884 an elegant new banking house was built on Pine street. The bank now has a surplus of $180,000. The present officers are : President, H. C. Parsons ; cashier, F. E. Gleim ; directors, H. C. Parsons, F. E. Gleim, L. Mahaffey, J. H. Perkins, Ezra Canfield, John H. Watson, J. R. T. Ryan, A. P. Perley, William Emery.

The First National Bank was organized, December 3, 1863, with a capital of $100,000, with the privilege of increasing it to $300,000. It was the first national bank to open in the city, and the fourth in the State. The building in which it is located was erected by Thomas Hall in 1840-42, and was first used for a hotel for a dozen or more years. It became the property of the Messrs. Doebler, who gave it the name of the United States Hotel, and under their management it became very popular and did a large business. Soon after the death of Valentine S. Doebler the building was purchased by the banking company. Abraham Updegraff was chosen president and served until his death, April 17, 1884. On the 1st of May following J. A. Beeber was chosen his successor and still fills the office. The capital stock and surplus now amount to $500,000. The present officers are: President, J. A. Beeber ; cashier, W. H. Sloan ; directors, J. A. Beeber, W. H. Sloan, James V. Brown, James J. Gibson, John M. Young, A. D. Hermance, E. Andrews, S. N. Williams.

The Lumberman's National Bank was organized in February, 1865, with a capital of $100,000. Peter Herdic was president and Samuel Jones cashier. It commenced business on Pine street, but was removed to the Herdic Block on Trinity place in 1867. Herdic was succeeded in the presidency by John G. Reading, who was followed by R. J. C. Walker. Mr. Jones filled the position of cashier until the bank went into voluntary liquidation in 1889.

The Savings Institution of the City of Williamsport was incorporated April 12, 1867, and organized June 4th of the same year by the election of the following officers; President, George White; vice-president, James.H. Perkins; secretary and treasurer, Henry Sproul; solicitor, Hepburn McClure. On the death of Mr. White in 1868 James H. Perkins succeeded to the presidency and has continued in that position up to the present time. Godfrey Hess became vice-president on the promotion of Mr. Perkins. Mr. Sproul resigned, October 5, 1870, when Mr. Hess was made secretary and treasurer, and Henry C. Parsons was chosen vice-president. At this time A. Niemeyer was elected assistant treasurer. On the 8th of July, 1871, H. W. Watson succeeded Mr. McClure as solicitor, and on June 7, 1873, Mr. Niemeyer followed Mr. Hess as secretary and treasurer, and both have served in their respective capacities up to the present time. The institution does business strictly as a savings bank, pays three per cent., and its. loans are secured by first liens on real estate situated within the county. The capital and surplus is $106,858. The trustees are: Henry C. Parsons, John B. Coryell, A. Niemeyer, James H. Perkins, O. H. Reighard, Charles L. Lyon, E. J. Russ, H. W. Watson, J. W. Hays, Henry W. White, Charles K. Geddes, Godfrey Hess, J. T. Long, and James

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Simonton. The institution occupies a handsome building on Fourth street, between Pine and Market.

The Williamsport National Bank was authorized by a special act of Congress, December 28, 1870. The officers for 1892 are: President, Edgar Munson; cashier, James S. Lawson; directors: Edgar Munson, C. La Rue Munson, James S. Lawson, Addison Candor, John R. T. Ryan. Capital stock, $100,000. The Williams- port Safe Deposit Company, incorporated in 1881, is connected with this bank, and the officers are the same.

The Lycoming County Savings Bank, a private banking institution, was organized April 13, 1871, with a capital of $50,000. The first officers were J. P. Finley, president; J. H. Watson, cashier, and J. P. Finley, J. H. Watson, T. B. Hamilton, H. C. McCormick, J. W. Leonard, E. G. Fay, Robert M. Forsman, A. S. Young, and James McConkey, directors. The bank was reorganized in 1873 under a State charter with a capital of $100,000. In March, 1875, it was converted into a national bank with the title of Lycoming National Bank.

The Lycoming National Bank of Williamsport was organized, March 30, 1875, to succeed the Lycoming County Savings Bank, with a capital of $100,000. The present officers are: President, George Bubb; cashier, Charles Gleim; teller, J. C. Sturdivant; assistant, Hall Reighard; solicitor, O. H. Reighard; directors: George Bubb, E. M. D. Levan, O. H. Reighard, John A. Gamble, John H. Hunt, John B. Coryell, William Gibson, E. J. Russ, G. D. Tinsman, Henry Johnson, W. E. Sprague. The bank has been prosperous. Its last statement shows a surplus of $80,000, and $265,000 on deposit.

The banking firm of Cochran, Payne & McCormick is a partnership composed of J. Henry and Joseph W. Cochran, E. R. Payne, and H. C. McCormick. It was organized April 4, 1887, with an invested capital of $215,000. On the 1st of April, 1892, they had a surplus of $70,000. Cashier, James A. Pugh. The banking house, corner of Fourth and William streets, is a substantial and elegant structure.

The Merchants' National Bank, corner of Third and Piue streets, was organized in 1888. Capital and surplus, $125,000. The officers for 1892 are: President, J. W. Mussina; vice-president, J. B. Duble; cashier, J. H. Boyer; teller, C. S. Miller; directors: J. W. Mussina, J. B. Duble, J. H. Boyer, J. C. Green, Thomas Lundy, W. W. Hart, James Thomas, John H. Millspaugh, J. F. Laedlein, C. S. Miller, W. M. Howell, H. R. Rhoads, Abram Good.

The Susquehanna Trust and Safe Deposit Company was organized in February, 1890, and commenced business in the Weightman Block on West Fourth street in the same month. The authorized capital is $500,000, of which $300,000 are paid in. In July, 1891, the bank took possession of its present quarters, erected by the company and known as the Trust Building, a massive, elegant, and substantial structure, complete in all its appointments. The vault is a marvel of solidity, and the financial standing of the institution is on a par with the structure it occupies. The first officers were: President, Robert P. Allen, who died on the 16th of Decem- ber, 1890, and was succeeded in January, 1891, by E. A. Rowley, the present incumbent; first vice-president, Henry Rawle; second vice-president, E. A. Rowley; treasurer, Samuel Jones; secretary, Hiram Mudge. The present officers are: Presi- dent, E. A. Rowley; first vice-president, B. C. Bowman; second vice-president, John

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Lawshe; treasurer, Samuel Jones; secretary, Hiram Mudge: solicitors, Coryell & Collins.

WATER, GAS, ELECTRIC LIGHT, AND STEAM COMPANIES.

The Williamsport Water Company was organized in 1856, a charter having been secured April 18, 1853. In 1875 the company built a stone dam across Hagerman's run for holding water in dry weather. The expense of this improvement was upwards of $7,000. The Lycoming Gas and Water Company was formed in 1864 for the purpose of supplying water to the mills and houses west of Campbell street, and the subsequent year the company was incorporated, with Peter Herdic as presi- dent. Water was obtained from a stream flowing through Mosquito valley. In course of time both companies were consolidated under one management. Improve- ments have been made from year to year until the works are now among the most extensive and complete in the country. The capacities of the reservoirs are given in the review of Armstrong township, where they are located. The company now have about fifty-three miles of main pipe in use. The officers are as follows: President. J. V. Brown; secretary and treasurer, William H. Bloom.

The Williamsport Gas Company was organized, February 25, 1856, by authority of the act of February 7th of the same year. The charter members were William F. Packer, A. B. Cummings, James Armstrong, William R. Vanderbelt, W. H. Arm- strong, John B. Coryell, Robert Faries, Randolph Evans, Tunison Coryell, Hepburn McClure, John Gibson, and John K. Hays. Of these corporators not more than three survive. At the first meeting John K. Hays was elected president and Tunison Coryell secretary. The latter was the most active member and for seventeen years he served as secretary, superintendent, and treasurer, and was truly the father of the gas business in Williamsport. When the company was organized the population of the town was about 2,500 and for a long time there was a prejudice against using gas which took several years to overcome. It was difficult on this account to get the people to take stock. Finally, on the evening of February 24, 1857, gas was turned.on and lighted for the first time. The consumption was small at first, and for seven years the gas made at the works was very small, but in 1875 it had increased to 20,000,000 cubic feet.

In 1865 Peter. Herdic established rival gas works near his large hotel in the upper part of town, and gas was turned on in the autumn of that year. The occasion was the holding of the State fair and the opening of the Herdic House. The competition lasted until 1872, when Herdic purchased a majority of the stock of the original gas company, and in January, 1873, the two companies were con- solidated and the following board of managers elected: Peter Herdic, John Gibson, Henry Sproul, Theodore Hill, Samuel Jones, George Gilmore, and Thomas Barclay. Herdic was chosen president; Hill, treasurer, and Charles Nash, secretary and superintendent. After the consolidation the company was operated under the presidency of Herdic until his failure, in 1878, when the works were sold. The officers now are as follows: Joseph M. Gazzam, president; C. A. Byers, treasurer and superintendent; directors: B. C. Bowman, Hiram Mudge, John G. Reading. Jr .. Joseph M. Gazzam, C. M. Lawler, G. Alvin Hill, H. W. Watson. The com- pany owns twenty-five miles of main and twenty miles of service pipes.

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

The Edison Electric Illuminating Company of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, was incorporated May 5, 1882; capital, $120,000. The present officers are: President, E. A. Rowley; vice-president, J. B. Duble; treasurer, J. J. Croker; secretary, J. C. Hill. The plant consists of six steam boilers of 900 horsepower, with an engine capacity of 500 horsepower, which supplies 5,000 incandescent lights and 100 arc lights, all of which are used for commercial purposes. There are also 200 horse- power of electric motors attached to the system for driving machinery. P. B. Shaw and Godfrey Hess are general managers.

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History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 44

Author: edited by John F. Meginness Publication date: 1892 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk Number of Pages: 1650

Author: edited by John F. Meginness
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk
Number of Pages: 1650