USA > Pennsylvania > Berks County > Reading > History of Reading, Pennsylvania, and the anniversary proceedings of the sesqui-centennial, June 5-12, 1898 > Part 11
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LIST OF CIGAR MANUFACTURERS.
J. Milton Althouse .*
Elias K. Althouse. Charles Amrhein .* Benjamin Artz. James Beard * Milton Bortz. Blome & Co *
W. W. Boone. Blachman Cigar Co. *
Paul J Kirschman.
Bon Ton Cigar Co .*
Born Brothers *
C. Breneiser & Sons *
H. D) Brossman & Son .**
Andrew P. Bower
Harry G. Burkey .*
Jeremiah L. Brumbach.
Crouse & Co .**
Daniel W Crouse *
Jacob W. Conrad. John Chelius.
John W. Clark.
Price & Spatz ** H. H. Roland *
Dibert Bros .- S. D. Dibert .* Samuel H. Donahower. William Eidam.
George Raab, Jr.
Rothenberger & Hill.
Eshelman, Endy & Co .**
Charles Fleck & Son .*
Samuel P. Fehr.
J. H. Fisher.
Reuben B. Rhoads.
John U. Fehr .*
Fraternity Cigar Co.
Frame Cigar Co .*
P Rufe & Co .* Edwin G Readinger.
Charles Rufe.
Howard H. Sheeler.
William H. Sands. Levi R. Sheafer.
Wallace Spangler.
Charles P. Smith.
James P. Stanton. Henry Stuber. Edward F. Stoeber.
A. S. Hartman .* Julius G Hansen .** G. Hilderbrand .* H. A. Hageman. F. J. Hunt. ** J. M. Hutchison * Harvey J. Hedrick. Samuel L Haller. Sam Hantsch. * Samuel Heckman. George Heilman. Industrial Cigar Man'f'g Co .**. H. B. Jackson. M. A. Krug.
Kline & Winter .** Emanuel E Keller. Jefferson Kuser. W E. Crum & Co. D. H. Kerling John B Kalbach. Frank D Killian
Elias E Kahler .** Edgar A Lehr.
George W. Lehr .** Selas W. Manbeck.
Charles Maerz George R. Maltzberger.
John R. Mast & Co .*
F. M. Moyer Daniel W Mover.
John B Mersinger. Lafayette Neider. Newcomet & Dalzell .*
Jeremiah Reider
John H. Riegel ** William W. Riegel .*
George B Reiber. Reading Cigar Co.
Henry J. Fink. Geo. IV Filbert.
Henry T Fick. Harry W. Grim. Jacob Gnau. Morris Goldman. Sallie Goodhart. Samuel Grau. Gumpert Brothers ** Frank Ganter *
Lewis L Spohn. John F. Smith. James E. Spohn. Scheffler & Yerger .* Peter Texter. E. E. Taylor & Co * John H. Weinhold .* Jacob Weigley. H. H. Wentzel. George W. Weidner. Rebecca C. Weiss. Valentine Wilk .* J. W. Wanner. Yocum Brothers.1
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132
HISTORY OF READING.
LARGEST CIGAR FACTORIES.
Brossman Factory .- In 1887 Harrison D. Brossman came to Reading from Douglassville and engaged in the leaf tobacco business. In 1888 he began manufacturing cigars at 224 North Eighth street, employing 12 hands and making 800,000 a year. In 1891 he located at 210 Cedar street, and traded under the name of H. D. Brossman & Son, his son John associating with him. They now employ 19 hands, and produce annually over 1,000,000 cigars, which are sold in the Middle States. Invest- ment, $8,000.
Crouse Factory .- Millard F. Crouse and Samuel I. Ziemer began trading as Crouse & Co. in 1895, at 128 North Tenth street. On January 1, 1898, J. Calvin Corle became a member of the firm. Employees, 75; product, 300,000 cigars monthly, which are shipped mostly throughout the Middle States.
Dibert Factory -In 1875 Samuel D. Dibert removed from Bedford, Pa., to Reading. He and his brother Henry S., trad- ing as Dibert Bros., carried on a tobacco jobbing business from
DIBERT BROS.
CIGAR
IMANUFACTURERS
DIBERT CIGAR FACTORY.
1883 to 1887, and then they began manufacturing cigars. In 1893 they located their factory at Washington and Thorn streets,
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CIGARS.
which they conducted in a very successful manner until January 6, 1898, employing over 100 hands and making annually over 3,000,000 cigars, which were shipped to all parts of the country from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific. Then Samuel D. Dibert became the sole proprietor of the plant and business, . and he has since operated the same.
Eshelman & Endy Factory .- John J. Eshelman was engaged in manufacturing cigars at Mohnsville from 1885 to 1897, then he came to Reading and formed a partnership with Charles H. Endy, (his foreman,) trading as Eshelman, Endy & Co., and locating the factory at 137 Cedar street. Investment, $11,000; employees, 65; monthly wages, $800; and monthly product, 180,000 cigars, which are forwarded mostly to customers in the Western States.
Gumpert Bros .- In 1892 Albert and Richard T. Gumpert, trading as Gumpert Bros., prominent manufacturers of cigars at Philadelphia, established a branch factory at Reading in 1891, locating at Fifth and Penn streets. They employed 175 hands and produced over 7,000,000 cigars annually. Their business increasing beyond the capacity of the build- ing, they erected a large five-story factory at Seventh and Washington streets in 1893, which they have occupied since, employing about the same number of hands, but doubling their annual product, which is shipped to all parts of the United States. Albert Gumpert died in 1893, but the firm name is still continued.
Hansen Factory. - In 1891, Julius G. Hansen came from New York to Reading and associated with George W. & Millard F. Crouse, trading as Geo. W. Crouse & Co., for making cigars, when they erected a brick factory at Tenth and Spring streets. On January 1, 1895, Mr. Hansen became the sole proprietor. During 1897, he employed from 125 to 150 hands and pro- duced over 5,000,000 cigars, which were shipped to all parts of the United States.
Hunt Factory .- Frank J. Hunt started manufacturing cigars in West Reading in 1892, and in 1893, located in Reading at 636 Court street. He employs 35 hands and produces annually over 1,000,000 cigars, which are shipped to all parts of the United States. Investment, $18,000; annual wages, $12,000.
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HISTORY OF READING.
Industrial Cigar Manf'g Co .- In 1878 Nicholas Glaser and George C. Frame associated together for making cigars. In 1884 they erected a large brick factory on Spruce street above Ninth and carried on the business very extensively as Glaser, Frame & Co., forwarding their product to all parts of the United States. In 1890 Mr. Glaser died, and William J. Frame and Morris H. Millmore became the proprietors of the estab- lishment, trading under the same name. In 1897, they em- ployed over 200 hands and made over 6,000,000 cigars In March, 1898, the Industrial Cigar Manufacturing Co. was or- ganized with Henry S. Dibert as treasurer, who then became the owner of the business. Employees, 140; monthly produc- tion, 350,000.
Kahler Factory .- Elias E. Kahler began making cigars with one cigar-maker at 310 North Fourth street in 1895. He re- moved to 328 Buttonwood street in 1896. Employees, 72; production in 1897, 3,000,000 cigars, high-grade, which are disposed of in the Eastern and Middle States.
Kline & Winters Factory .- James T. Kline and John M. Winters began making cigars January 1, 1897. They employ 25 hands. Investment, $10,000; wages, $10,000; product, 2,000,000· cigars, which are sold to customers in the Middle States. Factory 443 Cedar street.
Lehr Factory .- George W. Lehr came from Lebanon county to Reading and in 1876 began manufacturing cigars. In 1889, he established a large factory at 912 Penn street and has con- ducted the business there until now. Investment, $30,000; employees, 50; annual wages, $12,000; and product over 1,000,000 cigars, which are shipped to different parts of the country.
Maerz Factory .- Charles Maerz carried on manufacturing cigars at New York from 1869 to 1881, employing 80 persons and producing about 2,000,000 cigars annually. Then he came to Reading, and, after superintending several factories until 1892, embarked again in the business for himself. He erected a factory at Tenth and Cherry streets in 1894. Investment, 20,000; employees, 28; annual wages, $12,000; total pro- duction, 1,500,000 cigars, which are shipped to customers in Pennsylvania, New York and some of the Western States.
I35.
CLOTHING.
Price & Spatz Factory .- In 1890 John F. Price and John G. Spatz, of Womelsdorf, associated together for the manufac- ture of cigars. They employed 6 hands and made 500,000 a year. In 1892 they removed their factory to Reading, when they increased their employees to 25 and production to 1,500, - 000. In 1897 they located in a larger building at Sixth and Cherry streets, and in that year the employees numbered from 125 to 150, and their production exceeded 5,000,000 cigars. Investment, $20,000; annual wages, $30,000. Their cigars are shipped principally to the Western States.
Riegel Factory .- John H. Riegel began making cigars at Bernville in 1871. He removed to Reading in 1882, and car- ried on the business successfully until 1893, when he erected a three-story brick factory at Front and Washington streets. In- vestment, $30,000; employees, 50; wages, $10,000; product in 1897, $30,000, which was sold principally in the Middle States, and some south and west.
Yocum Bros. Factory .- William H. Yocum began making cigars at Stouchsburg in 1881, and remained there until 1885, increasing his business from employing one person to 60. In 1884 he purchased the business of Glaser & Lehr at Reading and conducted it for nearly a year, employing 100 hands. Jan- uary 1, 1885, his brother, James W., became a partner, and thence they traded as Yocum Bros. Their rapidly increasing business obliged them to move their factory three times, estab- lishing it finally at Seventh and Walnut streets in 1893, when they erected a large four-story brick building. They employ 350 persons. Their production in 1897 was 15,000,000 cigars, all high-grade, which were sold through wholesale houses in all parts of the United States.
CLOTHING.
Clothing was almost entirely custom-made at Reading until 1844. Cloth was purchased either at a dry goods store for a suit of clothing or at a merchant tailor's, and cut according to measurement. Them James Jameson started the business of manufacturing men's and boys' clothing of all kinds and sizes and kept the same in stock for buyers. Afterward clothing. stores were established, but the different articles were made elsewhere and shipped here to dealers.
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HISTORY OF READING.
Women's and girls' clothing began to be made in quantities by Kline & Eppihimer in 1863, under the superintendence of Mrs. Amos T. Phillippi, and they continued the business, in connection with their dry-goods establishment, until 1893.
Sellers, Medlar & Bachman .- In 1844 James Jameson came from Allentown to Reading and carried on the clothing business at Sixth and Penn streets until his decease in 1890. Then James P. Sellers, William A. Medlar and Charles S. Bachman, who had been in his employ for many years, formed a co-partnership, trading as Sellers, Medlar & Bachman, and purchased the store-building and business. They have con- ducted the same success- fully until now. Employ- ees, 55 to 60; invest- ment, $65,000. They manufacture large quan- tities of men's, boys' and children's clothing which they dispose of in Berks and surrounding counties.
Leinbach & Bro .- Joseph and George Lein- bach, brothers, came to Reading from Bern town- ship in 1865, and started the manufacture of cloth- ing and soon developed a large business. In 1888 LEINBACH ,, BRO their nephew, Charles H. Leinbach, became a part- ner. In 1890, they lo- cated at Eighth and Penn streets, erecting there a fine, large. establishment. They make large quanti- ties of men's, boys' and LEINBACH BUILDING. children's clothing, which they sell in Berks and the surrounding counties. Employees, 265, including 7 cutters and 7 trimmers.
Readmy En
PLANT OF READING COLD STORAGE COMPANY.
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COLD STORAGE.
Myers & Heim .- Samuel M. Myers and Arthur W. Heim, his son-in-law, were associated together in manufacturing cloth- ing at Lancaster from 1872 to 1880, when they established a large clothing house at Reading, 508 Penn square, and Mr. Heim removed to Reading. They have carried on the business of manufacturing men's, boy's and children's clothing since then, in an extensive manner, selling the same in all parts of Pennsyl- vania. Employees, 77; investment, $70,000.
John B. Mull learned his trade of cutter in the employ of James Jameson, clothier, and after remaining with him 12 years, he embarked in business for himself. This was in 1889. He manufactures a full line of boys' and children's clothing, besides carrying on a large trade of custom tailoring at 442 Penn square. He employs 32 hands. Investment, $30,000.
Brumbach Mills .- In 1865 Albert J. Brumbach established a mill in Exeter township at St. Lawrence for the manufacture of woolen goods, and he has conducted it very successfully, shipping his product to all parts of the United States. He em- ployed 25 hands and his annual business amounted to $18,000. The mills have been carried on there until now, but the entire product, with 65 hands employed, is converted into pants and vests in his factory at Reading.
In 1895 Mr. Brumbach started a factory for manufacturing pants and vests out of his own goods produced at the St. Law- rence mills. This was at Eighth and Oley streets. He began with 75 hands and the annual business amounted to $200,000. In 1896 he established a fine brick factory at Fourteenth and Muhlenberg streets where he employs 125 hands, and the total business amounts to $275,000.
Hirshland Pants Factory .- In 1885 Solomon Hirshland and Isaac Samuel started a pants factory in the Dreifoos building 705 Penn street and carried it on until 1891, trading as the Reading Pants Manufacturing Co. Mr. Hirshland then became the owner, and he has continued the business since. He employs 60 hands and manufactures 15,500 pairs of pants a year, which are sold in all parts of Pennsylvania. His place is at 533 Penn square.
COLD STORAGE.
Reading Plant .- The first cold storage plant was estab- lished at Reed and Elm streets in 1891 by A. J. Brumbach,
I38
HISTORY OF READING.
Dr. W. H. Eck, C. Q. Guldin, J. G. Leinbach, John H. Printz, Geo. O. Runyeon, John A. Strohecker and others, who were incorporated under the name of the Reading Cold Storage Co., with a capital of $150,000. They caused the erection of a 5- . story brick building with a storage capacity of 100 cars, and equipped it with the necessary machinery. They employ 25 hands, produce daily 60 tons of ice, which they supply to the local market ; and they make a specialty of storing butter and eggs. Officers: C. Q. Guldin, pres .; Irvin S. Brant, sec. ; George O. Runyeon, treas.
Klondike Plant .- In 1890 Saul & Geib started a cold storage plant at Eleventh and Bern streets, which was carried on under the name of the Reading Artificial Ice Co. until 1898. In Jan- uary of that year, John F. Christman and George F. Mertz or- ganized the Klondike Cold Storage Co., to operate the plant. The storage capacity is 30 cars, and storing eggs is made a specialty. They produce 60 tons of ice daily, which is supplied to customers at Reading.
COTTON GOODS.
Reading Cotton Mill .- In 1849 certain capitalists at Reading organized a company for the manufacture of muslin, and erected a large three-story brick structure 68 by 274 feet on a block of ground at Ninth and Cotton streets. In 1851 the factory was put in operation, having an engine of 200 horse power, 11, 264 spindles, 300 looms, and a daily capacity of 9,300 yards of muslin. The total cost was $220,000. In 1852 (the first year;) the production was 1,578,859 yards; over 300 hands were em- ployed and the wages paid exceeded $40,000. It was operated until 1860, when it was sold to Garner & Co. of New York City, for $152,460.
In 1886 the plant was enlarged to the length of 360 feet and the most improved machinery introduced, thereby increasing the capacity and reducing the number of employees. Though the number of employees was reduced, the average wages were. increased. Now the company has in use 412 looms and 17,216 spindles; employs 290 hands and produces annually over 5,000, - 000 yards of unbleached muslin ready for printing shirtings, dress goods, etc. The annual wages amount to $80,000, and the production to $190,000.
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COTTON GOODS.
This industry has been a most important one to Reading. The Garner family have operated it very successfully and con- tinuously for nearly 40 years, and paid in wages altogether · over $3,000,000. In connection with this plant they also operate large cotton mills at Cohoes, Rochester, Newburgh and Pleasant Valley, New York, and large print works at Wap- pingers' Falls and Haverstraw, New York, the looms together numbering over 8,000, with an estimated annual production of more than one hundred million yards.
Caldwell Cotton Batting Mill .- William J. Caldwell began the manufacture of cotton batting in 1887 at 141 Pearl street, with 3 hands and an annual production of 50 tons, which was forwarded mostly to the West. He has continued the business until now, and employs 5 hands. Annual business, $8,000.
Ammon Underwear Factory .- In 1893 Elijah S. Ammon be- gan making underwear in his factory building at 17 South Front street, and employed 10 hands. He has continued the business until the present time, employing 15 hands, and producing daily 75 dozen, which are shipped to different parts of the United States, east of the Mississippi river. His factory is equipped with fine machinery. It is the first and only one of the kind at Reading.
Thalheimer Handkerchief Factory .- In 1897 Emanuel Thal- heimer and Mahlon Seidel began manufacturing victoria-lawnat hem-stitched handkerchiefs for ladies and gentlemen at 14I Cedar street. They employ 48 hands and produce weekly. 2500 dozen. The product is sold at New York. Investment $5,000.
Star Novelty Co .- In 1889 Harry F. Stern trading as the. Star Novelty Co., located in the Boas Building, 752 Penn street and he has since employed 150 hands in making large quantities; of ladies' and children's aprons, dresses and waists, which have: been sold to the retail trade all over the United States.
Berks Overall Co .- In 1896 Charles C. Graeff, S. L, Graeff and H. M. Graeff began trading as Berks Overall Manufacturing Co., Limited, for making overalls and jackets. Factory, Front and Washington streets. Employees, 30; wages, $5,000; pro- duct, 10,000 dozen, which is shipped to all parts of the United States.
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HISTORY OF READING.
HOSIERY.
The knitting of stockings as a promising local industry did not begin at Reading until 1883. Previously the stockings were generally supplied by dealers in dry goods and notions, who purchased them from importers or from manufacturers at Ger- mantown. Many pairs, both cotton and woolen, were knitted by hand by women for their own families. In the year named the first machinery was introduced for this purpose, and in 1891 knitting machinery began to be made here.
The following eighteen hosiery factories are carried on at Reading. The total investment in the business exceeds $600,000; the employees number 1800, whose annual wages exceed $500,000. The total production is about 2,000,000 dozen, and the value is estimated at $1,500,000.
Reading Knitting Mills .- In 1883 Harry L. Johnson began the manufacture of hosiery by machinery at Eighth and Green streets with 12 machines and 18 hands. In 1884, he removed the factory to Washington and Ash streets, increasing the num- ber of machines to 100 and hands to 113. In 1885 he sold the plant to Wilson C. Shantz and I. C. Hunsicker. Shortly after- ward, Shantz withdrew and Samuel H. Kutz was substituted in his place, the firm trading under the name of I. C. Hunsicker & Co. They produced about 500 dozen daily. In 1891 they erected a three-story brick factory at Fourth and Elm streets to answer the increasing demands of their trade, and there they con- ducted the business for five years, employing on an average 250 hands, and producing over 800 dozen daily .. In 1896 John Gaenzle and Luther E. Gable purchased the establishment and carried on the business under the name of J. Gaenzle & Co., until March 1, 1898, when Mr. Gable retired and Charles E. Leippe took his place, the name then becoming Gaenzle & Leippe. They manufacture 84-needle hosiery, and produce 1500 dozen daily which they ship to all parts of the United States. Investment, $80,000; employees, 350; annual wages, $65,000. This is the largest exclusively 84-needle hosiery mill in the United States, and admitted to be one of the best equipped plants in this branch of industry.
Keystone Knitting Mill .- Levi B. Paxson, Jr., and Walter S. Weber associated together in 1886 to carry on the making of
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READING KNITTING MILLS-GAENZLE & LEIPPE.
I4I
HOSIERY.
seamless gents' half-hosiery under the name of Keystone Knit- ting Mill, at 217 Church street. They conducted the business until January 1, 1898, when Mr. Paxson became the sole owner. Investment, $3,000; employees, 6; wages, $1,500; product, 10,000 dozen, which is disposed of in the Western States.
Nolde & Horst Factory .- Jacob Nolde and George D. Horst began to manufacture hosiery on the third floor of the Thal- heimer Power Building in 1888 with 25 hands. Their annual product amounted to $20,000. In 1890 they built a brick factory on Cedar street beyond Walnut, and there continued the business, in connection with a plant which they carried on at Eighth and Spring streets, until 1892, when they took possession of a four-story brick building on Moss beyond Douglass which they erected. In 1896 they enlarged the building adding two departments, one for dyeing and the other for manufacturing paper boxes. The plant now constitutes the largest hosiery enterprise at Reading. The company was incorporated in 1897. Capital, $250,000; employees, 500; annual product, $500,000; wages, $150,000. They manufacture annually 500,000 dozen of men's, women's and children's hose, made of cotton, lisle, wool, worsted and silk. Their product is sold throughout the United States. A large quantity is exported to Mexico, Central America, South America and Australia. Officers: Jacob Nolde, pres., and George D. Horst, sec. and treas.
Weber Factory .- In 1890, Louis Weber, Albert Weber and J. Geo. Kuersten came from Philadelphia and began manufac- turing hosiery extensively at 809 Cherry street, trading as L. Weber & Co. In 1892 they purchased several lots of ground at 126 Orange street and erected a superior three-story brick fac- tory and equipped it with machinery for an increased production to meet the demands of their trade. In 1896 the firm was dis- solved, Albert Weber purchased the building and the greater part of the machinery, and with Harry Hahn as a partner, con- tinued operations there, trading as A. Weber & Co. They em- ploy 250 hands and manufacture daily 1,400 dozen different kinds and styles of seamless hosiery, which are shipped to all parts of the United States.
Bobst Factory .- William J. Bobst began the manufacture of seamless cotton half-hose, 84-needle, in 1891, on the fourth floor
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HISTORY OF READING.
of the Boas Building, Penn street near Eighth. He employed 75 hands, operated 68 knitting machines and produced 300 dozen daily. In 1895 he erected a factory on Pearl street below Chestnut and increased his business. He now employs 1IO hands; operates 100 knitting machines; and produces 500 dozen daily. The product of his mill is shipped mostly to the South and West. Investment, $25,000; annual product, $80,000; wages, $25,000.
Shantz Factory .- W. C. Shantz began in 1887. Factory is now at 1120 Muhlenberg street. Investment, $10,000; em- ployees, 90; wages, $18,000; product, $40,000, which is sent throughout the United States.
Kades Factory .- J. P. Kades began in 1893 at 415 Moss street, to make gents' half hose and ladies' and misses' stockings of cotton and woolen yarn. Employees, 25; investment, $5,000; annual product, 25,000 dozen, which is shipped to different parts of the country.
Helfrich Factory .- Winfield W. and Martin C. Helfrich be- gan in 1895 with automatic machinery at 515 South Eighteenth street. They manufacture fine ladies' hose and ship to all parts of the United States. Employees, 7; investment, $4,000; wages, $1,500; product, $14,000.
Penna. Knitting Mills .- In 1896 William E. Zieber and Charles W. Herbein began making fine half hose at 506 Kerper street with 30 hands and an investment of $10,000. In 1898 the company was incorporated under the name of Pennsylvania Knitting Mills, with a capital of $50,000. Employees, 65; an- nual wages, $20,000; production, $60,000, which is shipped to all parts of the United States. Officers: Wm. E. Zieber, pres. ; Theodore P. Spitz, manager.
Achilles Knitting Mills .- In 1896 Samuel L. Dunkle started making fine ladies' and misses' hose. He employs 30 hands; operates 18 machines, (for 140- and 160-needle stockings) and produces daily 100 dozen, which are sold at New York City and in the West. His factory is at Front and Cherry streets.
Hawk & Longenderfer Factory .- George W. Hawk and Jacob J. Longenderfer started in 1896, with 4 machines and 5 hands. They now operate 20 machines, employ 26 hands and produce 200 dozen daily, which are forwarded to different parts
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HOSIERY.
of the United States. Factory is at 154 Court street. Invest - ment, $6,000; annual product, 50,000 dozen, and wages, $7,000.
Kuersten & Rick Factory .- J. G. Kuersten and J. G. Rick began in 1896 to make infants', women's and men's hose, from 84 to 200 needles, at 222 Cedar street. They equipped the fac- tory with the latest machinery and produce weekly 4,000 dozen,. which are shipped to all parts of the country through an office at New York city. They employ 125 hands. The factory was removed to Elm and Reed street, April, 1898.
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