USA > Pennsylvania > Berks County > Reading > History of Reading, Pennsylvania, and the anniversary proceedings of the sesqui-centennial, June 5-12, 1898 > Part 12
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Hendel Factory .- In 1897 Wm. B. Hendel began making hosiery at 15 South Front street. In February, 1898, he re- moved to 749 Cherry street. Employees, 30; annual produc- tion, 30,000 dozen, which is shipped directly by orders to all parts of the United States.
Steinhauer Factory .- Geo. B. Steinhauer began the manufac- turing of 84-needle stockings in 1897, at Third and Franklin streets. Employees, 20; daily product, 100 dozen, which is. sold at New York City.
De Hart Factory .- In 1897 A. J. & W. R. DeHart started manufacturing fine hosiery at Second and Buttonwood streets. They employ 20 hands, and produce 100 dozen daily, which are shipped mostly to the South and West.
Acme Factory .- John A. Albert started a stocking factory at Front and Franklin streets in 1897 with 12 hands for manu- facturing 84-needle goods. He now employs 20 hands. Invest- ment $2,500; annual wages, $3,500; product, $15,000.
Eagle Knitting Mills .- John G. Fredericks started making gents' cotton hose in 1897, at Eleventh and Greenwich streets. Investment, $4,000; employees, 15; wages, $3.000; product, 18,000 dozen, which is sold at New York.
S. & S. Mills .- Mahlon L. Seidel and Rolandus R. Snyder began January 1, 1898, in the Eck building at Elm and Reed streets. They employ 18 hands and produce 1500 dozen monthly, which are shipped to customers in the Middle and Western States.
CREAMERIES.
The manufacture of butter at Reading by the creamery pro- cess was started in 1883 by Charles Spohn at 614 Penn street
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HISTORY OF READING.
and he made 300 pounds of butter weekly. He has continued the business until now, having increased his weekly product to 600 pounds.
J. O. Koller was the next to be engaged in it in 1886. Be- sides butter, he manufactured large quantities of ice cream, em- ploying altogether 10 hands. He discontinued making butter in 1891.
J. R. Sharman carried on a creamery from 1889 to 1898 when he directed his entire attention to ice cream.
Wm. H. Spang and Peter R. Zacharias trading as Spang & Zacharias started a creamery at 826 Franklin street in 1893 with 5 hands and they produced daily 50 pounds of butter. They remained there, increasing their product gradually, until April, 1898, when they removed the plant to Washington street near Poplar. Daily product 600 pounds which is shipped mostly to Philadelphia and New York. Large quantities of cream are also sold there.
Joseph Stauffer began a creamery at 919 Cherry street in 1893. After operating it several years, A. S. Clouser became the pur- chaser. He manufactures over 100 pounds of butter daily.
DEPARTMENT STORES.
The dry goods merchants at Reading continued to handle distinct lines of merchandise in their respective stores until about the "Centennial" year; then the more enterprising pro- prietors began to add different lines of goods in order to satisfy the demands of their increasing trade. The first firm to start a department store here was Dives, Pomeroy & Stewart. This was in 1876. Afterward other firms followed and now there are six recognized stores of this character. Their influence in con- trolling trade directly and indirectly has led various stores to add other lines of goods besides that for which they are gener- ally known. It may be added that the proprietors, in respect to enterprise, sagacity and success compare favorably with mer- chants anywhere else.
Dives, Pomeroy & Stewart .- Josiah Dives, George M. Pomeroy and John Stewart came from Hartford, Conn. in 1876 and began a general dry goods business at 533 Penn square, trading as Dives, Pomeroy & Stewart, and employing 15 hands. In several years their establishment, known as "The Globe
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Store," was made thoroughly known in this and the surround- ing counties, and their trade was developed to such proportions as to require larger quarters. So they removed to 442-444 Penn square, and the store at that place also becoming in a short time too small, they erected a superior large brick structure at 606-612 Penn street and established their store there in 1882. From that time, owing to constantly increasing trade, they have made enlargements in the various departments of the building, and now they have the largest and finest department store in Reading, and one of the finest and most complete in Pennsyl- vania, comprising altogether over thirty distinct departments. They employ from 350 to 400 hands. In connection with this store, they also conduct large department stores at Harrisburg, Pottstown, Pottsville and Altoona. The total employees num- ber from 800 to 1,000 and the total volume of business runs into millions of dollars. John Stewart died in 1882, but his name is still retained in the firm name.
Kline, Eppihimer & Co .- In 1862, Amos K. Kline and Henry Eppihimer engaged in the general dry goods business at 522 Penn square. Jerome L. Boyer was a partner from 1865 to 1869 and Calvin K. Whitner from 1869 to 1877. In 1888 they enlarged their store, and also added the greater part of the ad- joining building on the west, all four-stories in height, and then they made their place into a large department store. In 1892, they re-organized the firm by admitting William W. Kline, (son of the senior partner,) Richard Lenhart and Franklin Rieser as partners, and thence traded as Kline, Eppihimer & Co. At first. they employed five hands; now they employ from 50 to 75.
J. C. Illig & Bro .- Jonathan C. Illig engaged in the dry goods business with Nathan N. Sprecher in 1872, at 420 Penn square, trading under the name of Illig & Sprecher. They continued until 1876, when Mr. Sprecher retired, and the senior partner's brother, Thomas B., for some years an employee, was substituted as a partner, the firm then trading as J. C. Illig & Bro. During the past twenty years, the business was increased very much, adding the adjoining building on the west, and then the second and third stories of both buildings, to meet the re- quirements of their trade. In 1886, it was made a department store. The employees now number 40.
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HISTORY OF READING.
C. K. Whitner & Co .- Calvin K. Whitner, (the chairman of the Committee on History for the Sesqui-Centennial of Reading, ) began his business career in Oley township, Berks County, not far from the place of his birth, when he entered the country store of Jacob S. Spang & Son at Spangsville, in 1861. He remained there as a clerk until 1865, when he went to Friedens- burg and with Edwin S. Bear, trading as Whitner & Bear, car- ried on a store for two years. He then removed to Reading and was employed as book-keeper with Kline, Eppihimer & Co. for a short time, when he became a partner. After continuing in this firm until 1877, he started a dry goods store for himself at 432 Penn Square, with 6 employees. By the year 1883, his trade had increased so much that he was obliged to obtain larger quarters, and in that behalf he removed to the commodious store building 442-444 Penn square which had been vacated by Dives, Pomeroy & Stewart. In 1887, his son Harry became a partner and the store was enlarged to twice its previous capacity. The firm traded as C. K. Whitner & Son until the son's decease in December, 1890. In 1891, Mr. Whitner added other lines of goods and he made his place a department store; and by way of anticipating additional facilities for his growing business, he purchased two properties on the west, Nos. 438 and 440. In 1896, a faithful employee for many years, John A. Britton, was admitted as a partner, and the firm name made C. K. Whitner & Co. In April, 1898, the adjoining building No. 440 was attached to the store as an annex, and an interior direct connection was made, evidencing the continuous growth of the firm's trade. They employ 100 hands and upwards, and the stock comprises various lines of goods generally carried in a department store.
John S. Shade & Sons .-- John S. Shade came to Reading from Alsace township in 1867, and associated with Wellington S. Levan in the dry-goods business for twenty years, starting with several hands and increasing the number gradually with the demands of their trade. In 1887, he located at 646 Penn street and established a department store for the sale of dry goods, notions, jewelry, housefurnishing goods, etc. His sons John H. and C. William became partners in 1896, and from that time they have traded as John S. Shade & Sons. Their business is large, affording employment to 35 hands, this num- ber increasing to 50 in busy seasons.
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DEPARTMENT STORES.
J. Mould & Co .- In 1872 Jonathan Mould removed from Newburgh, New York, to Reading, and opened a gen- eral dry goods store, which came to be popularly known as the "Bee Hive," employ- ing 10 hands and doing an annual business of $40,000. As his trade increased he made several changes in lo- cation for enlarged accom- modations. In 1887 his brother-in-law, George H. Bell, became a partner and the business was thence car- ried on under the name of J. Mould & Co. In 1892 the firm erected a large four- story brick building at 647- 649 Penn street and made it a department store to sup- ply all kinds of articles, such as dry goods, notions, laces, furnishings, chinaware, jewelry, etc., and placed each department in charge of a competent manager. Shortly afterward, they added a wholesale depart- ment, and set apart the third and fourth floors of the building for this branch of their business. They have several traveling sales- men on the road supplying many orders to merchants in the surrounding counties. The employees number from 60 to 80, and the annual business exceeds $200,000. MOULD DEPARTMENT STORE.
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HISTORY OF READING.
ELECTRICITY.
Light and Power .- The introduction of electricity at Read- ing for light and power is described in Chapter I, Part III, Internal Improvements, page 52, where special mention is made of the Metropolitan Electric Company, and the application of electricity in lighting the streets, stores and public buildings, and in operating the street railway cars.
The first electric call bells were introduced and put up at Reading by John M. Bertolet in 1873, who was then a telegraph operator. Others who engaged in the business subsequently, together with wiring buildings for electric lighting, were H. K. Reber, Weimer Sands, Fred Row, Paul Anthony, Henry Hill and Willis Breidegam.
Reading Electric Supply Co .- Horatio K. Reber began to put up electric bells, gas lighting and burglar alarms at Reading in 1882. He continued in this business until 1890 when he added construction electrical work, such as motors, dynamos, isolated plants, electric lighting and interior work of every de- scription, and continued the same until now, filling orders from different parts of Pennsylvania and other states, but mostly in Reading and vicinity. He has been trading as the Reading Electric Supply Co.
Reading Electrical Construction Co. Limited, was organized in 1894, with a capital of $6,000 for the purpose of erecting electric light and railway plants and doing construction work of every description and wiring dwellings for bells and lighting. They have supplied various works and street car companies in different parts of Pennsylvania. Employees from 10 to 15; wages, $6,000; annual business, $30,000. Officers: A. V. Arrowsmith, chairman, and J. K. Righter, sec. and treas.
Richards & Willits. - In 1894, Paul D. Millholland began electric work of all kinds especially for light and railway plants, and for wiring buildings. In 1897 he was succeeded by Louis Richards, jr., and Samuel Willits, trading as Richards & Willits. They were engaged in business for a year, when they enlisted with the Reading Artillerists in the Cuban War and the Read- ing Electrical Construction Co. on that account became the purchaser.
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EXPRESS COMPANIES.
EXPRESS AND TRANSFER COMPANIES.
Albright Express .- Soon after the opening of the Philadel- phia and Reading railroad, Philip Albright established an ex- press line for the delivery of goods and merchandise, and he continued in the business until 1872. For a long time he had an express car attached to the passenger trains, which enabled him to despatch shipments to Philadelphia and delivery at Reading.
Express Companies .- The Howard Express was the first company to locate at Reading, having established an office here in 1849 and continued until 1870; the Central conducted an office here from 1870 to 1880; and the Adams from 1880 to the present time. The P. & R. R. Co. Express started in 1872, and continued until 1889, when the business was trans- ferred to the U. S. Express Co.
Local Express .- Edwin C. Hiester began in 1861 with 3 teams, transferring passengers and baggage and delivering freight. After carrying on the business for several years he sold out to Jacob W. Glase, who operated it until 1878, when Mr. Hiester resumed the business with his brother Gabriel O., as a partner, trading as E. C. Hiester & Bro. They continued until 1895, when E. C. Hiester became sole owner. He runs II teams. This firm also ran transfer coaches for passengers and baggage from 1885 to 1893.
Henry A. Brown began a local express with one team in 1873, and he has conducted the business since. He runs seven teams in moving furniture and delivering freight.
Obadiah B. Coller began doing a local express business in 1873, and has continued until now. He employs 4 teams.
Other persons started recently in the business and run one or more teams. Now they number altogether twenty.
Union Transfer Co .- In 1888 the P. & R. R. Co. began the business of transferring baggage and travelers at Reading with C. A. Dougherty as manager, and in 1889 cabs were added to the system. In 1893 the business was sold to the Union Trans- fer Co. which was conducting similar systems at Philadelphia, Pottsville, Trenton and Atlantic City. In 1896 they erected a large stable at Court and Cedar streets, costing $25,000. They
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have in daily use 30 horses, employ from 25 to 30 persons, and run 7 baggage wagons, 4 depot coaches, and 19 cabs, enabling the company to supply a service equal to any in the country. Investment, $125.000.
FERTILIZER.
In 1891 K. Harry Cleaver, A. Thalheimer and Wilson B. Ang- stadt organized a limited co-partnership, trading as Reading Chemical and Fertilizing Co., for the manufacture of farm ferti- lizer, chicken feed, and disinfectant. They employ 40 hands; also about 200 agents for the sale of their productions in the Middle States. Investment, $75,000. Factory is situated near Wyomissing, along Lebanon Valley railroad.
FIRE APPARATUS.
In 1880 Spawn & Dennison located at Reading through the. assistance of John McKnight, for the purpose of manufacturing fire apparatus. They started in the Kreider carriage factory, on Pearl street near Franklin. In 1883 William A. Wunder purchased the business, including all the tools, patterns, etc., and he has been carrying it on in a successful manner since that- time. The works are located at Green and Gordon streets He manufactures hose-carriages, carts, tenders, jumpers and hook and ladder trucks; also fancy hose carriages for parading purposes, which have a high reputation for excellence of work- manship. His trade extends into different parts of the United States. He employs 12 men.
FLOUR MILLS.
Several grist mills were conducted at Reading for many years very successfully until western flour came to be introduced ex- tensively; then competition caused them to suspend. Those worthy of mention were Lotz's, Reese's, Frees', and Molino. This suspension applies not only to the mills at and in the im- mediate vicinity of Reading, but to those roundabout for many miles with few exceptions.
Yocom Mill .- The only remaining flour mill in Reading is carried on by Aaron Yocom at Eighth and Elm Streets. It was established by him in 1871 and afterward equipped with roller machinery. He employs 9 men and produces 50 barrels 'of
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FURNITURE.
flour daily. His trade extends to Ohio, but it is mostly of a local nature. Chopped feed is also made in large quantities.
Dietrich Mill .- Daniel F. Dietrich and his sons Elmer and Wellington organized the Penn Milling Co. in 1891 for the manufacture of flour. They operate a large mill in West Read- ing, near the Harrisburg bridge, which is equipped with fine roller machinery, employ 13 men and produce daily 150 barrels of flour which are shipped from Reading. Investment, $30,000.
FURNITURE.
Cabinet-makers were engaged in the manufacture of furniture from the beginning of the town until 1873 and they supplied the demands of the people. Their shops began to be turned into stores and dealers took the place of manufacturers and this has continued until the present time. Articles of all kinds are made elsewhere, mostly in the Northwest, and shipped here for sale at much cheaper prices than theretofore. The major part of the dealers manufacture more or less, but only special articles ordered by customers.
GALVANIZING AND NICKEL-PLATING.
The work of galvanizing was begun in Reading in 1873 by Asaph Shenfelder, J. M. Shenfelder, his son, and Joseph P. Sto- fer, his son-in-law, with William McCullough as foreman of the establishment. They carried on the business until 1877, when it was removed to Camden, N. J.
Mc Cullough Works .- In 1877 Mr. Mccullough took up the business at Reading. He has continued it until now, employ- ing three hands, and doing all the galvanizing for the hardware and stove works. The only other place at which this kind of work is done here is the Reading Iron Works.
P. & F. Manufacturing Co .- In 1881, Robert Erhart, a. German electrician, began a nickel-plating works on South Sixth street for stove trimmings and brass, bronze and metal castings. He was succeeded by William W. Kinsil in 1882 who- removed the plant to 316 Maple street and carried on the same until 1885. Edward H. Smeltzer then purchased and conducted the establishment for six years. In 1891, Daniel F. Printz and Samuel H. Fulmer purchased the works from Mr. Smeltzer and formed a partnership, trading as P. & F. Manufacturing Co.
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In 1895, they added the manufacture of bicycle sundries, includ - ing the "P. & F. Saddle" and afterward also tool-bags and pedals, having enlarged their plant as the business increased. The works are in three departments, nickel-plating, bicycles, and electrical construction. Their trade extends to all parts of the world, especially United States, England, Germany and Australia. They employ 150 persons. Investment, $150,000. Annual business, $250,000.
GAS.
The manufacture of gas at Reading has been a very impor- tant and useful industry for the past fifty years and it has been operated very successfully. It is however classed as an Inter- nal Improvement, and the reader is referred to Chapter I, Part 2, page 51.
GLASS.
The first glass works were established in 1884 by Lewis Kremp on Ninth street below Laurel, and all kinds of fancy glass-ware, in all colors, were manufactured and shipped to Philadelphia, New York, Boston and Chicago. His son Joseph was the manager. Employees. 14; annual business, $10,000. Not meeting with sufficient encouragement, the works were sus- pended in 1886, and the building was converted into a brewery.
Reading Glass Works .- In 1889, William M. Fox, Benjamin F. Fox and Eli W. Fox associated together for the manufacture of glass hollow ware, comprising all kinds of bottles from the smallest in size to the largest, and for that purpose leased the old Krick Mill on Canal street near the Lebanon Valley Railroad bridge. They erected a separate building for a factory and have carried on the business successfully at that place until the present time, The machinery is run by water-power, sup- plied by the Schuylkill canal, being the only industry at Read- ing operated in this manner. At the start they employed 35
hands; now they employ 65. Investment, $40,000; annual production, $80,000. William M. Fox died in 1896, and his interest in the business was purchased by Eli W. Fox. This is the only glass factory at Reading.
GLUE.
Levan Factory .- Abraham Ebling was the first glue manufac- turer at Reading. His factory was on the north side of Cherry
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street midway between Tenth and Eleventh, and there he car- ried on the business from 1810 to 1840. Samuel and Daniel Levan, brothers, served their apprenticeship under him. The former was engaged in the business from 1830 to 1870, and his factory was at Franklin and Wunder streets for the greater part of the time; the latter succeeded Mr. Ebling and operated the factory until his decease in 1873. The building was a four-story frame structure, 32 by 66 feet. He employed 12 hands and pro- duced 30 tons annually, which was shipped to Philadelphia, New York and Boston.
Upon the decease of Daniel Levan, the factory was removed to Exeter township on the Oley road near the Antietam creek. His son Joseph became the owner in 1875, who has since oper- ated it, employing 18 hands and manufacturing 500 barrels a year, about 50 tons, which are shipped mostly to Philadelphia and New York.
GREEN-HOUSES.
Steckler Green-House .- The cultivation of flowers of various kinds to supply the public was begun at Reading by Michael Hauser about 1840. on premises adjoining the iron works of Keims, Whittaker & Co. He remained there until his green- house was swept away by the freshet of 1850, when he removed to North Eighth street near the junction at Spring street. After remaining there many years he established his place on Centre avenue opposite the Charles Evans Cemetery. He was succeeded by his son Francis. The green-house is now carried on by his son-in-law, D. H. Steckler.
Burnett Green-House .- Alexander Burnett was the next to en- gage in the business about 1850 on Centre avenue adjoining the cemetery and he continued it for many years until his decease in 1880.
Hepler Green-House .- In 1875 John C. Hepler (now super- intendent of the Charles Evans Cemetery), began a green-house for flowers of all kinds on Schuylkill avenue and Greenwich streets where he has continued until now.
Hoskin & Giles Green-House .- In the same year Hoskin & Giles started on Mineral Spring avenue and Seventeenth street, where they have remained until now, with an additional plant on
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HISTORY OF READING.
North Tenth street near Court, employing altogether 15 hands and producing large quantities of flowers which they ship to all parts of Pennsylvania and adjoining states.
Connard Green-House .- Bertolette Connard was in this busi- ness at Fifth and Spruce streets from 1880 to 1890.
Hinnershots Green-House .- Dr. John S. Hinnershots erected a large green-house in Cumru township in 1891 and has carried it on extensively until now, his office being 113 South Fifth street. His plant covers 11/2 acres and embraces 15 covered buildings.
Others, more recently in the business, are E. H. Beears and R. M. McLenegan.
GUNS AND GUN BARRELS.
Guns and gun barrels were made at and near Reading along the Wyomissing creek from the beginning of the town, and continued to be made here from that time.
Nelson Delaney and Henry Schoener were engaged in their manufacture before and during the Civil War.
Louis Royet came from France in 1858, and located at Read- ing in 1867, making guns from that time until now, though for some years past he has been engaged mostly in repairs.
Daniel Gerhart learned the trade of gunsmith with Delaney, and he continued in his employ until 1873, when he started for himself. He has kept at it until the present time, and his work is also mostly repairs.
HATS AND CAPS.
The manufacture of wool and fur hats is the oldest prominent industry at Reading. It was in a flourishing condition when the borough was erected. The prominent hat makers between 1752 and 1783 were John Jackson, Samuel Jackson, Isaac Lebo, Matthias Hineline, Elias Youngman, George Schultz, Jacob Graeff, Peter Nagle, Sr., Peter Gross, Jacob Gross, Baltzer Henritze, Frederick Rapp, Jr., and Charles Bouchat. In 1795 Berks County had 38 hatters, and produced 2200 fur hats and 54,000 wool hats, the latter being one-third of the entire product in Pennsylvania. These were manufactured almost entirely at Reading.
In 1824, with the taxables numbering less than 1,000, there were 6 master-hatters, who gave employment to 450 journey-
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HAT FACTORIES.
men and apprentices, and annually worked up 20 tons of wool and manufactured 150,000 hats. The weight of a hat then was II to 12 ounces, and its dimensions were 47% to 6 inches high, 312 to 4 inches brim, and 18 to 3/8 inches thick. It was stiff enough to bear a man weighing 200 pounds. Hats were all hand-made. A hatter could make 8 a day. He worked by the piece and earned less than a dollar. The colors were black and white.
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