USA > Pennsylvania > Berks County > Reading > History of Reading, Pennsylvania, and the anniversary proceedings of the sesqui-centennial, June 5-12, 1898 > Part 10
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In 1840 there were at Reading nine kilns, which produced 2,777,000. In 1845, 7,040,000 were made by 14 manufactur- ers; and in 1846, 9,208,800 by 17, with 127 employees.
Printz Kilns .- John H. Printz started making common brick in 1854. From that time until 1865 he had as a partner Michael Sands; afterward Daniel D. Graul. In 1877 J. L. Moyer be- came a partner and they traded as Printz, Graul & Co. until 1880. In 1883 he admitted his son Thomas and his son-in-law, George B. Clouser, as partners, and they have since traded as. J. H. Printz & Co. Thomas Printz died in 1896. Their plant is at Sixth and Spring streets. They employ from 75 to 100. hands, and produce about 6,000,000 brick annually. They make hand-made, double-pressed, single-pressed and building brick; also ornamental building brick, having 150 different patterns,
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HISTORY OF READING.
and producing annually from 7,000 to 8,000. They have 3 large kilns. This is the only works in Pennsylvania besides those at Philadelphia where ornamental brick are made.
Kline Kilns .- Simon Kline began making brick at Reading in 1854, and he has continued actively in the business ever since. His present plant is at Douglass and McKnight streets, which is equipped with machinery for turning out common brick for building and paving purposes. Investment, $20,000; employees, from 15 to 25; annual product, 1,500,000 brick, which are sold at Reading.
Parker Kilns .- Joseph Parker and Henry Deeter began making building and paving brick in 1866. They were suc- ceeded by Robert Parker in 1869 and he carried on the busi- ness until 1882 when William H. Parker became the owner. Em- ployees, 25; product, 1, 200,000, supplied to Reading builders.
Bausher Kilns .- In 1886 T. D. Bausher, trading as T. D. Bausher & Co., began making hand made common and pressed brick at Ninth and Pike streets, employing 50 hands, and pro- ducing two millions, which were sold to local builders. The kilns have been in operation since he began. In 1897 only 22 hands were employed, who produced half a million. The re- duction was caused by the competition of machine-made brick.
Kaltenbach Kilns .- In 1885 Conrad Kaltenbach established a brick works in West Reading for making building and pav- ing brick, both common and pressed, by machinery, and he has conducted the same until now. He employs about 50 hands and produces annually, 3,000,000 brick, which are disposed of at Reading and vicinity.
Drexel Kilns .- George W. Drexel began manufacturing hand-made building and paving brick in West Reading in 1878. He employs from 20 to 30 hands and produces annually, 1, 500, - ooo brick which are sold in Reading and vicinity.
Graul & Co. Kilns .- William P. Graul and Matthias Moyer, trading as Graul & Co. have manufactured common and pressed building and paving brick in West Reading since 1885. They have 4 kilns, produce annually 6,000,000 brick, and employ 120 hands; product sold at Reading.
Boyer Kilns .- About 1870 Straud & Katzenmoyer began mak- ing building and paving brick in Cumru Township, on the Lan-
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MONTELLO CLAY & BRICK,
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READING ENG TO
MONTELLO CLAY AND BRICK WORKS.
FIRE BRICK. I2I
caster road near the Schuylkill bridge. Their successors at that place were Simon Kline, William M. Fulton and Mrs. George A. Boyer, the last operating .the plant now. Employees, 15; product, 700,000, supplied to local builders.
FIRE BRICK
Reading Fire Brick Works .- In 1845 William A. Wells be- gan the manufacture of fire brick on Canal between Fourth and Fifth streets. He carried on the business for some years, and then sold out to Isaac Bertolette who continued the same until 1857, when Isaac McHose and Augustus S. Thompson became the owners. They traded under the name of McHose & Thompson, and produced about 2,000,000 brick annually. In 1865 Levi Quier was admitted as a partner, and in 1870 Mr. Thompson retired, and Jerome L. Boyer became a partner. Then the plant was enlarged and equipped with improved ma- chinery. The capacity was increased to 3,500,000 brick per annum and they employed from 60 to 70 men. The fire-clay has been obtained from New Jersey and the product shipped to the several furnaces, rolling mills and foundries in the Schuyl- kill and Lebanon Valleys, with special orders sent to more dis- tant parts of the country. In 1889 the firm was incorporated under the name of Reading Fire Brick Works, McHose & Co., with a capital of $100,000. Annual product now 5,000,000; employees, 60. Officers: Jerome L. Boyer, pres .; Edwin A. Quier, sec .; Levi Quier, treas. and general manager, having been manager for thirty-three years.
Eckert Works .- In 1863 George J. Eckert and Daniel Miller established a fire brick works on Canal street near the Lancas- ter bridge. In 1865 Mr. Eckert became the sole proprietor, and he has carried it on since. Employees, 20; wages, $6,000; product, 6,000 daily, disposed of in Eastern Pennsylvania. (This place was formerly occupied by Darling, Dotterer & Co., the first manufacturers of machinery at Reading.)
VITRIFIED BRICK.
Montello Clay & Brick Co. was organized by Howard L. Boas and A. A. Gery in 1892 for the manufacture of building, fire, sewer and vitrified paving brick, and afterward incorporated with a capital of $150,000. They established a large plant
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HISTORY OF READING.
in Spring township, a mile south of Sinking Springs, at a place which they named "Montello." In addition to six large down- draft kilns, they also operate a continuous kiln which is the largest of its kind in the country and capable of producing daily 45,000 brick. Employees, II0; annual wages, $40,000; annual product, 30,000,000, disposed of chiefly at Reading, Philadelphia and Wilmington. These brick were tested with many others at Philadelphia in April, 1897, for public works there and they ranked first of all in Pennsylvania. Officers: M. Harbster, pres .; Howard L. Boas, sec .; A. A. Gery, supt.
Reading Shale Brick Co .- In 1896 Jas. K. Getz, Hiram K. Getz, J. Barbey, Wm. H. Seitzinger and P. E. Yeager organized the Reading Shale Brick Co. for the manufacture of vitrified brick. Their plant is situated along the Lebanon Valley railroad, one mile west of Reading. They have an inexhaustible supply of superior shale, with eight kilns in operation. Daily product, 40,000. Investment, $75,000; men employed, 30. They pro- duce vitrified, street, paving, sewer and building brick. Nearly the entire product has been shipped to Philadelphia. Officers: James K. Getz, pres .; John Barbey, treas .; Wm. H. Seitzinger, sec .; P. E. Yeager, supt.
BROOMS.
Broom-making at Reading was an early industry, but it was carried on in a very limited manner. For rough sweeping, on pavements and in stables, brooms made out of hickory, birch and sassafras twigs about two feet long were commonly used. Henry H. Krouse was the first to manufacture corn-brooms ex- tensively, having started about 1840. Previously, carpeted floors were considered luxurious, and sweeping was done mostly with long-haired brushes.
Shanaman Factory .- In 1873 Jacob, Walter and William F. Shanaman began making brooms by hand, at 309 North Fifth street, and produced about 25 dozen weekly, which they sold at Reading. In 1877 they removed their factory to premises 236 North Sixth street, and introduced machinery, employing from 25 to 35 hands and producing 250 dozen weekly, which they sold in Eastern Pennsylvania. In 1891 they removed to 225 Church street and introduced additional improved machinery. They reduced their employees to 15, but continued to turn out the
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BRUSHES.
same quantity. At first they brought their broom corn from dealers at Philadelphia, but since 1877, from producers in Illi- nois, which is the great state for this article.
In 1896 Walter B. Shanaman withdrew from the firm and started for himself. He employs from 5 to 8 hands and pro- duces about 100 dozen weekly.
E. C. Kirschman started in 1877 while a boy 16 years old. He began with 4 men and made 8 dozen a day. After being in the business several years, he increased the production to 40 dozen daily. His trade extended throughout Eastern Pennsyl- vania. He continued in business until 1896.
Others recently started in this business are Cyrus W. Strouse, J. R. Fisher & Co., C. H. Varney, S. C. Winters, J. Wolfson & Co., Samuel E. Nies, William J. Cooney and Jacob Fritz, all employing several hands and producing from 50 to 100 dozen weekly.
BRUSHES.
Benjamin Witman is believed to have been the first person at Reading who followed the business of brush-making. His place was at 523 Penn street. Morris Helms was the next, he coming here from Philadelphia about 1835, and after carrying it on for several years formed a co-partnership with John German from Womelsdorf. Their factory was where the Grand Opera House now stands. Their trade was large, and extended throughout the surrounding counties.
Steinel Factory .- Peter Steinel emigrated from Germany in 1847, and located at Reading. He began manufacturing brushes of all kinds in 1848 on Franklin street near Front. He removed to 945 Penn street in 1853, and carried on the business there until his decease in 1870. He established a large trade, employ- ing from 25 to 30 hands, and distributed his production in this and the surrounding counties by a number of teams. His son John E. Steinel then succeeded him, removing the factory to 837 Walnut street, and he has carried on the same until the present time. He employs from 6 to 15 hands, and ships brushes to different parts of this and the surrounding counties.
Regenfuse Factory .- George Regenfuse began brush making about 1852, and carried on the business by himself until 1895, when Jacob Brestel became a partner. They em-
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HISTORY OF READING.
ploy several hands, and manufacture all kinds of brushes which are sold at Reading and in different parts of Pennsylvania.
Drenkel Factory .- Amos Drenkel began at 15 North Eighth street in 1863 and he has continued brush making there until now. His product is disposed of in Berks and the surrounding counties. Investment, $2,000; annual product, $5000; employ- ees, 3; and annual wages, $1000.
Flatt Factory .- Jos. O. Flatt began making all kinds of bristle brushes in 1872 at 641 Pine street, subsequently turning his at- tention to the production of hair and tampico patent brushes as a specialty. He died in 1895. His son Joseph then carried on the factory for two years, when it was removed to a 3-story brick building at 548 Miltimore street, and another son, George, became a partner, the two trading as J. O. Flatt & Co. They employ 15 hands and produce annually 1000 gross of brushes which are shipped to all parts of the country.
BUILDERS AND STRUCTURES.
The building operations occupy a prominent position in the history of Reading. They afforded constant employment to hundreds of builders, carpenters, masons and material-men, particularly after 1836; and though not generally classed with the factories and shops of the place, yet they are inseparably connected with its industrial affairs and must be recognized as constituting an important part of them.
Builders .- The prominent builders at Reading before 1850 were Frederick Printz and son John, Nicholas Lott, George Call and son William, William and Joseph Henry, Solomon Spohn, Benjamin Fink, Edward and Charles Schmeck, Miller & Craig, Foos & Bingaman, Bear, Smith & Eisenhower, Benne- ville Hemmig, and Eisenhower & Fink.
The first persons who erected rows of dwelling houses for sale before that time were Joseph W. Fry, Philip Zieber, and Christopher Deem, (Fry having begun in 1831); afterward a con- siderable number engaged in this business, the most active until 1898 having been John R. Bechtel, Jeremiah Benner, Adam B. Brossman, David E. DeHart, George M. Ermentrout, George P. Ganger, W. A. Griesemer, Joseph A. Heine, Peter W. Helfrich, Henry D. High, William R. Hinnershitz, Isaac
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CANDY.
Hollenbach, E. W. Landis, J. S. Livingood, David F. Lotz, S. P. O'Reilly, Rehr & Fricker, Roland & Leader, D. C. Roth, Stichter & McKnight, Christian Stoltz, Julius Wagner, White & Wagner.
Building and Savings Associations must be mentioned in this connection, for they caused many hundreds of dwellings to be erected in all sections of Reading, and thereby contributed largely towards the industrial and general welfare of Reading.
Structures .- The largest buildings erected at Reading prior to 1850 were the following: First Reformed Church (stone) 1761; Court House (stone) 1762; Trinity Lutheran Church (brick) 1791; State House (brick) 1793; Penn street bridge (frame) 1815; Bingaman street bridge (frame) 1831; Iron Works of Keims, Whitaker & Co. (frame) 1836; P. & R. R. Co. shops (brick) 1838; Court House (brick) 1838-40; Eckert's furnace (stone) 1842; Salem Evangelical Church (brick) 1844; St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church (brick) 1845; Odd Fellows' Hall (brick, plastered) 1846; County Prison (stone) 1847; Presbyterian Church (stone and brick) 1848; St. Peter's M. E. Church (brick) 1848; Cotton Factory (brick) 1850; Jackson's Rope Walk (brick and frame) 1850.
CANDY.
Augustus Kolb was engaged in making candy of different kinds at Reading before 1816. Subsequently the Millers and Souders were engaged in the business for many years, but they carried on manufacturing in a limited way. Since 1890 it has come to be an industry of considerable importance.
Koller Factory .- When Jeremiah O. Koller established his ice cream parlor at 441 Penn square in 1880, he also engaged in the manufacture of candies, producing a ton weekly and selling the same to dealers at Reading. He continued supplying customers until 1895. Since then he produces half a ton weekly, which he sells in connection with ice cream.
Luden Factory .- In 1882 William H. Luden began making candy for Christmas, with 30 pounds of sugar, at 37 North Fifth street, and disposed of the product in his store. He con- tinued there for 10 years when he removed to Sixth and Wash- ington streets where he established a large factory. He employs
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HISTORY OF READING.
140 persons, and works up a car load of sugar weekly. The annual business amounts to $300,000. His trade extends through the Eastern, Middle and Southern States. Capital in- vested, $100,000.
Hollis Factory .- W. G. Hollis emigrated from Greece in 1887, and settled at Reading. He made for a while chocolate candy in a limited way, and in 1893 erected a factory at 625 Franklin street, which he has conducted until now. His busi- ness is devoted entirely to chocolate candy in all forms. He employs 75 hands. Investment, $20,000; annual business, $75,000. He has become a naturalized citizen.
Fries Factory .- John M. Fries began making all kinds of candy and ice cream in 1888 at 1013 Chestnut street, shipping the former to all parts of the Eastern and Middle States, and sup- plying the latter to customers at Reading. Employees, 10; investment, $8,000; wages, $3,000; product, $10,000.
Reading Confectionery Co. was organized by Reuben G. Shalter and Howard C. Baum in 1892, who began making can- dies of all kinds at Eighth and Spring streets with 5 hands. In 1896, they removed to 1138 Moss street, and increased their business. They now employ 135 hands, and ship annually a thousand tons of candy to all parts of the United States.
Sauppee & Klee Factory .- In 1896 Valentine C. Sauppee and Benton Klee started candy-making at Seventh and Court streets. In February, 1898, they located at 1132 Moss street. Employees, 48; product, 400 tons of candy yearly.
Hostetter Factory .-- Taylor T. Hostetter began making candy and ice cream in 1897 at 739 Penn street. He produces daily about 600 pounds of candy and 300 quarts of ice cream, which are sold at Reading.
CARPETS.
Weaving of carpets, coverlets and blankets was one of the first employments at Reading. It was carried on extensively from 1825 to 1850 by a number of weavers, who also manufac- tured ingrain carpets and linen material for ticking, bags, etc. Then the business began to decline. Now, weavers confine their attention almost entirely to rag and jute carpets, Rag and ingrain carpets were made for many years at the Berks
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CARRIAGES, WAGONS AND WHEELS.
County Prison in large quantities, about 50,000 yards a year. Since 1894 the product at that institution has been exclusively rag carpet, averaging over 30,000 yards a year.
The most prominent weavers since 1847, and the longest en- gaged in the business were George Goodman, George Price, Philip Rush and Michael Schweitzer. .
Pflugfelder Factory .- John Pflugfelder emigrated from Ger- many to Reading in 1855, and carried on rag carpet weaving until his decease in 1897. Altogether he followed the business for 65 years.
Charles P. Pflugfelder, his son, began in 1882, and he has carried on a factory since then, employing from 2 to 4 hands. He produces about 5000 yards annually, which are sold mostly to persons at Reading. He fills orders occasionally for persons residing in the Western States. Factory, 1152 Perkiomen avenue.
Boyer Factory .- Thomas A. Boyer began in 1883 and he has carried on the business since. He employs 3 hands, produces over 10,000 yards of carpet annually. The annual wages ex- ceed $1200. His factory is at 523 Bingaman street, and his production is disposed of in Reading and surrounding places. He also manufactures chenille rugs.
Goelt Factory .- John E. Goelt and John F. Beck, trading as Reading Carpet Manufacturing Co. began in 1885. They em- ploy 3 hands and produce annually 15,500 yards which are sold in Pennsylvania. Factory is at 836 North Eighth street.
Smith Factory .- In 1887 Charles J. Smith started a weaving shop for making rag and jute carpet and also chenille. Em- ployees from I to 4, according to demands; annual product, 5,600 yards, which is sold at Reading. Factory, 329 North Eighth street.
Others engaged in this business are T. Boaman, William Ernshaw and John Hampele.
CARRIAGES, WAGONS AND WHEELS.
Wetherhold Factory .- In 1862 William H. Wetherhold re- moved from Allentown to Reading and began the manufacture of carriages and wagons on Court street above Seventh. Sev- eral years afterward he located on Poplar street near Court, and there carried on the business extensively until 1891, employing
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HISTORY OF READING.
from 25 to 40 hands. Then he retired and was succeeded by his three sons, William W., Robert F., and George W., who have continued the business, under the name of Wetherhold Bros. In 1897 Robert F. Wetherhold withdrew from the firm. Their carriages and wagons of different kinds are shipped to all parts of the United States. Investment, $12,000; annual wages, $15,000, and product, $40,000.
Biehl Factory .- In 1877 George W. Biehl began to manu- facture light carriages and wagons on Cherry street below Sixth, employing 5 hands. In 1882, he established a factory at 31 South Fifth street, where he has continued until now, excepting from 1891 to 1893, when the business was conducted by James Goodman. He employs 45 hands; annual product, $50,000, and wages, $23,000. His trade extends through Pennsylvania and parts of New York. He now manufactures both light and heavy carriages and wagons.
Kreider Factory .- In 1855 Edward W. Kreider removed from Catasauqua to Reading and carried on the manufacture of carriages, wagons and sleighs. In 1872 he located on Pearl above Franklin street, where he has continued until now. He employs from 5 to 10 hands and has invested about $9000. '
Keystone Wagon Co .- In 1876 James A. Klees, as a wheel- wright, began the manufacture of wagons at Shenandoah, Schuylkill county, and in several years succeeded in building up a large trade, affording employment to 15 men. In ten years his business had developed to such an extent that he was obliged to select a more central location with large shipping facilities. He located at Reading, Third street and Lebanon Valley railroad, and erected a superior establishment. In 1890 a company was organized with a capital of $250,000. Wagons of all kinds are manufactured and orders are filled from every state in the United States, and from Canada, South America, England, Germany and South Africa. Employees, 100; annual wages, $50,000; and product, $100,000.
Penn Wagon Co. was organized by Walter G. Stewart in 1893, for the manufacture of wagons of all kinds, and a com- pany was incorporated. The factory is on Bern street between Tenth and Moss. Annual production 50 wagons, worth $15,- 000; hands employed, 14; wages, $7,000.
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CIGARS.
Himmelberger & Smith Factory .- F. R. Himmelberger and George H. Smith started the manufacture of carriages and wagons in West Reading in 1888, with several men. They increased their business gradually. Now they employ from 15 to 20 men. Investment, $10,000; annual product, $17,000.
Bard Factory .- In 1855 Isaac Roland began the manufacture of wagon and carriage wheels at Buttonwood and Cedar streets. He was interested in the business until 1872, when Harry S. Bard became the owner, who has operated the factory until now, trading as the Reading Wheel & Gear Co. Since 1894, he has manufactured carriages. Investment, $18,000; employees, 16.
Wheelwrights .- From the foundation of Reading until about 1860, wheelwright shops were carried on successfully for manu- facturing heavy wagons and carts, to supply local demands; then they began to decline on account of competition from dis- tant places, and they continued to do so until now they are few in number, and those that remain are engaged almost entirely in repairing.
CEMENT PAVING
The first cement pavement at Reading was laid in 1883 at the Boys' High School. Engelbert Wagonblast, during the same year, laid the basement of City Hall in cement, and from that time has followed this business. He started with several men and used only a small quantity of cement; now he employs from 15 to 25 men, and consumes monthly from 100 to 125 bar- rels of cement. For concrete, he uses Lehigh county cement, but for the surface of the pavement, imported German cement.
Others engaged in this business are Lewis H. Stuebner and Robert L. Wilson.
CIGARS.
The manufacture of cigars began in Reading about 1800. From that time to 1847, the prominent manufacturers of the town were James Morris, John Eyrich, Samuel Eyrich, Isaac James, J. & E. Eyrich, Philip Albright, Gosham Wolf, John Maltzberger, J. & G. W. Hantsch, C. Breneiser and William Hartman. The tobacco was at first obtained from Kentucky. About 1835 it was shipped from Lancaster and York counties.
Cigar-makers generally made from 800 to 1500 cigars a day. Several made 2000. The prices paid were five, six and seven cents
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HISTORY OF READING.
a hundred; and they sold for $1.50 to $2.00 per thousand. The total manufacture in 1840 was about 20,000 daily. The country cigar-makers bought the leaf tobacco from John Eyrich, and then sold the cigars to him. He had at times half a million on hand. Most of them were sold at from three to seven for a cent; and they were consumed in Reading and vicinity.
There was more smoking then, in proportion to the popula- tion, than at the present day. A box of cigars always stood on the counter of every tavern and its contents were free to all guests. The workers in tobacco were men and boys, the latter being strippers. The business of cigar-making increased grad- ually after 1847, a better quality of cigars was made, and more skilled hands came to be employed.
The prominent manufacturers of cigars from 1847 to 1875 were J. M. & G. W. Hantsch, John Maltzberger and Charles Breneiser, but their product was comparatively small. In 1869 George W. Crouse came from New York to Reading and began the business extensively in the northern part of the city beyond Bern street. He employed 100 young girls, and was the first at Reading to employ females in this branch of industry.
Daniel W. Crouse came from Bedford, Pa. to Reading in 1875, and after having traded with George W. Hantsch, as Hantsch & Crouse, until 1880, he formed a partnership with his uncle, George W. Crouse They traded as Crouse & Co. and established a large factory on Sixth street below Penn, where they employed over 400 hands and manufactured 10,000,000 common cigars, which they sold in all parts of the country. The partnership was dissolved in 1885, and Daniel W. Crouse removed to New York, to engage in the leaf tobacco business. He returned in 1895 and has since conducted a factory at 45 Reed street.
There were twenty-five manufacturers of chewing and smok- ing tobacco who produced altogether during 1897 about 125,000 pounds and employed about 100 persons.
Cigar Manufacturers in 1898 .- In March, 1898, there were IIO cigar manufacturers at Reading. Of these, 29, (marked *) each produced during 1897 over 100,000 cigars, and 15 (marked ** ) each over 500,000. The total product was 50,000, 000, which yielded a revenue to the United States government ex-
CIGARS. I3I
ceeding $150,000. And the total number of persons employed in all the factories was about 3200.
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