USA > Pennsylvania > Berks County > Reading > History of Reading, Pennsylvania, and the anniversary proceedings of the sesqui-centennial, June 5-12, 1898 > Part 13
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In 1840 there were at Reading 14 factories, which produced annually 55,000 dozen wool hats; also 8 factories for fine hats which did a large business. In 1846 the estimated number en- gaged in making hats was 15 master-hatters and 50 journeymen. The average daily pay was 96 cents. The different colors were introduced in 1847. Hats began to be made by machinery in 1852. The first soft wool hats were made here in 1847 by John Lotz and his son David for John Maurer whose factory was on Penn street near Tenth on Lot No. 190. They weighed from 4 to 5 ounces, and were from 6 to 61/2 inches high.
In 1854 Moyer and John Siegel, brothers, were the largest manufacturers of hats at Reading. They employed 60 hands and produced daily 1200 hats, consuming 3000 pounds of wool weekly. John Kutz and his sons, Adam and Samuel, were engaged in the business for many years. David F. Lotz was also a manufacturer from 1856 until his decease in 1894, be- sides being a prominent builder. Isaac W. Levan was engaged in the business for 50 years, having started in 1840 and been prominent as a manufacturer from 1865 to 1890.
Previous to 1877 the wool hat was what was commonly known as the "Reading Hat," made on the Taylor sizing machine; then through R. H. Savage the fulling mills were introduced and an improved felt hat began to be made. He also intro- duced an improved felt for ladies' hats about 1878, and since that time the manufacture of ladies' hats has become a large industry at Reading.
Hendel Factory .- In 1860 John Hendel and his brother George, with their father, engaged in manufacturing wool hats at Adams- town, Lancaster county, and continued there until 1863, when the sons located at St. Lawrence, below Reading. In 1867 they came to Reading and carried on the business more ex- tensively. In 1871 they purchased the Wyomissing woolen
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HISTORY OF READING.
mill at Fifth and Willow streets, remodeled the building and equipped it for manufacturing wool hats. In five years they came to have one of the leading industries at Reading, and one of the largest hat factories in the United States. In 1879 their sons became members of the firm which afterward traded as Hendel Bros., Sons & Co. In 1885 the production was 250 dozen a day, including all varieties. They employed 170 hands; the investment was $150,000. ; and the annual busi- ness, $225,000. Their production was sold at New York. In 1895 Daniel J., Edwin F. and Harrison P., the sons of John Hendel, became the owners, and they operated the plant until the latter part of 1897, when they discontinued making wool hats, and began to convert the building into a fur hat factory. The firm purpose manufacturing fur hats extensively, which will afford constant employment for 300 hands.
Wetherhold Factory .- In 1866 Frank D. Nagle, William H. Parvin and Charles Melcher formed a co-partnership and carried on the manufacture of wool hats under the name of Frank D. Nagle & Co., at Tenth and Spruce streets for eleven years. In 1873 William H. Reinoehl became a partner. The firm em- ployed 50 men and produced 120 dozen of hats weekly, which were shipped to all parts of the United States, the West Indies, and South America. In 1877 Mr. Reinoehl purchased the plant, and Robert H. Savage and Oscar B. Wetherhold be- came partners, who carried on business under the name of W. H. Reinoehl & Co. Mr. Savage retired from the firm in 1882, and Mr. Reinoehl died in 1895. Mr. Wetherhold then became sole owner and he has conducted the business since, under the name of O. B. Wetherhold & Co. The plant comprises six ad- joining brick buildings, all of which are thoroughly equipped with machinery for the business. A fine grade of wool hats is made and also medium grades in black and fancy colors. In 1897 the production was 150 dozen daily, which were disposed of through a commission house at New York; the employees numbered 80; investment was $75,000; and annual wages amounted to $15,000. An addition was made to this factory in January, 1898, for manufacturing fur hats in connection with wool hats.
Mohn Factory .- In 1871 Jeremiah G., William G., Richard G. and John G. Mohn, brothers, trading as J. G. Mohn &
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HAT FACTORIES.
Bros., started manufacturing wool hats on Maple street below Chestnut. William died in 1874 and his interest was purchased by the surviving brothers. In 1878 they removed their plant to Eleventh street below Chestnut, having purchased the Kutz factory, and they conducted the business there until 1892 when the factory was destroyed by fire. They immediately erected new buildings and equipped them with the latest machinery for wool hats; and in 1895 built a large addition. Investment, $100,000; employees, 200; annual wages, $44,000; and product, 50,000 dozen, which is disposed of at New York through the commission house of C. H. Tenney & Co.
Miller Factory .- John R. Miller came to Reading from Pine Grove in 1870 to engage in the manufacture of wool hats. He was associated with several partners until 1878, carrying on a factory in Cumru township near the Lancaster bridge. In 1879 he established a large plant at the foot of Fourth street, and his brother Henry R. Miller became a partner. In 1885 they em- ployed 100 persons, and produced daily 150 dozen. They have operated the factory in a successful manner until now. Employ - ees, 160; daily product, 200 dozen, which is sold at New York.
Kessler Factory .- In 1876 Conrad F. Kessler began to carry on a wool hat factory at Eleventh and Spruce streets. In 1883 his son William H. became a partner, and some years afterward a second son George J., who have since traded as C. F. Kessler & Sons. They employ from 50 to 75 hands, and have a daily capacity of 100 dozen. Their production is shipped to New York.
Savage Factory .- Robert H. Savage came from Brooklyn, N. Y. to Reading in 1877, and after having been in the wool hat business with W. H. Reinoehl & Co. until 1882, started for himself. He erected a superior four-story brick factory at Thirteenth and Muhlenberg streets and equipped it with the best machinery. He carried on business under the name of R. H. Savage & Co .; employed 80 hands, and produced 75 dozen daily. In 1885 he increased the plant, and from that time until 1896 employed about 125 hands and produced 250 dozen daily. The annual wages amounted to $30,000, and product to $300,000. It has been operated by Geo. W. Alexander & Co. since 1897 in manufacturing fur hats.
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HISTORY OF READING.
Alexander Factory .- In 1878 George W. Alexander formed a woolen company consisting of himself, son Edward, and Fred- erick R. Frill for the manufacture of shoddies, and established a mill in West Reading, but not meeting with encouragement from the local hat manufacturers, the mill was converted into a wool hat factory and carried on until 1892, when it was destroyed by fire. Mr. Frill died in 1882, and thereafter the firm traded as G. W. Alexander & Co. The mill was rebuilt for the pro- duction of fur hats and equipped with the best machinery. The firm started with 35 hands and produced 15 dozen daily. They gradually increased the plant and product; now they employ 240 hands and produce 180 dozen daily. In 1897 they took posses- sion of the Savage hat factory at Reading where they employ in addition 70 hands and produce daily 60 dozen. The total vol- ume of business amounts annually to $600,000 and the product is shipped to jobbing centres in Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore.
C. W. Hendel Factory .- Charles W. Hendel equipped a large factory on Third street below Pine with machinery for the man- ufacture of fur hats. This was in 1889 and he employed then 100 hands, and produced from 50 to 100 dozen daily. He has since increased the number of employees to 225, and the daily product to nearly 200 dozen which are shipped to New York.
Guenther Factory .- George G. Guenther organized a com- pany in 1891 for the manufacture of fur hats with a capital of $10,000 and located his factory on Court street near Tenth. Employees, 25; product is shipped to New York.
Westney Factory .- In 1895 Henry C. England purchased the wool hat factory of H. B. Hendel & Co., at Mohnsville and organized the Westney Hat Co. The company was incorpor- ated in 1897 by Mr. England, Wm. E. Westney, George A. Heckman and others with a capital of $15,000. Employees, from 50 to 100, and annual production $60, 000, which is shipped to New York. Officers: W. E. Westney, pres .; Wm. S. McKnight, sec .; George A. Heckman, treas.
Hendelton Factory .- In 1879 John, George and Henry Hendel, brothers, started a large wool hat factory in Cumru township along the Wyomissing creek, equipping it with machinery and employing 50 hands. The brothers John and
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HORSE COLLARS.
Henry retired in 1892, and George's sons, John R. and William H., became partners, the firm trading as George Hendel & Sons. The plant was continued as a wool hat factory until April, 1898, when machinery was introduced for making fur hats also. They now employ from 125 to 150 hands and manufacture daily from 200 to 300 dozen, which are forwarded to New York.
Montello Factory .- In 1887 John and George Hendel and their sons established a wool hat factory near Montello, south of Sinking Springs in Lower Heidelberg township, along the Cacoosing creek, trading as the Hendel Hat Co. The building was a three-story frame; they employed from 20 to 25 hands, and produced daily from 50 to 60 dozen. The partnership was dissolved in 1894, and George Hendel and his sons John R. and William H. became the owners. They enlarged the plant and operated the same since, employing from 75 to 100 hands and producing from 150 to 200 dozen wool hats daily, all of which were shipped to New York.
These two factories, though not situated in Reading, must be classed with its industrial establishments because the owners and operators are residents of Reading and their business affairs, particularly financial, are transacted here.
Caps .- In January, 1897, Thomas Fein, Abraham Berger and Harry Picom came to Reading from Philadelphia, where they had been engaged in making woolen cloth caps since 1891, and began trading as the Reading Hat & Cap Co., locating their place of business at 635 Penn street. They employ 10 persons and produce about 9,000 caps yearly, which are shipped to different parts of the country.
HORSE COLLARS.
Saddlers were amongst the first to carry on manufactures at Reading. They made harness, including horse collars. After the town had grown to a considerable population, about the time when the stages began to run, particularly after the canals had been put into operation, the making of horse collars became a business by itself. The first distinctive maker was John Reit- mier, and he carried on a shop for many years. George Frees was a successful harness and collar maker from 1848 to 1872.
Nathaniel Gery made collars before and after the Civil War until 1870. He was succeeded by Christian Grunder at 8 North
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HISTORY OF READING.
exceed $12,000,000, and annual product, $15,000,000; the em- ployees to number about 8,000, and the annual wages to amount to at least $3,500,000, -this not including the P. & R. R. Co. works.
P. & R. R. Co. Works .- The extensive works of the Phila- delphia and Reading Railway Co. at Reading deserve special mention at the head of this part of the chapter detailing the indus- trial affairs of the city, on account of their continued existence here for the past 60 years, the large number of men constantly employed, and the immense amount of wages paid. The con- struction of the railway in 1836 immediately stimulated enter- prises of various kinds, and caused large sums of money to be invested in manufacturing concerns. On that account not only capital but many mechanics concentrated here, and buildings multiplied rapidly to answer the demands of the increasing population.
The first large shop was erected in 1838 on the half-block on the west side of Seventh street between Franklin and Chest- nut streets, where it has continued until now, and each decade found the company with additional facilities for the manufacture and repair of engines and cars, and for the handling of freight not only in the vicinity of Seventh and Chestnut streets, but on both sides of the railroad, extending beyond Walnut street for nearly two miles. The total income to a large number of work- ing people of Reading from this source since 1836, exceeds $50,000,000, and it can be stated that a great proportion of the substantial growth of Reading in buildings, stores, factories, churches and schools is directly attributable to the company's disbursements here.
The possessions of the company at Reading amount to an enormous sum; from which it is apparent that a considerable part of its receipts was also expended here in making large permanent improvements of the most substantial character. The principal office of the company at Reading is situated in the main railroad station at the conjunction of its several branches with the main line, and this has come to be the terri- torial centre of the city. The aggregate number of hands em- ployed in the offices and shops and on the railroads at Reading in December, 1897, was near 3,000; and the monthly wages exceeded $125,000, or a total for the year exceeding $1, 500,000.
UNION STATION OF PHILADELPHIA AND READING RAILWAY COMPANY, AT READING.
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IRON INDUSTRIES.
At the passenger station there were 2,452 trains during December, 1897, which carried 66,650 passengers to and from Reading; at the freight depots there were 4,193 trains which moved 167,700 cars; and the aggregate tonnage directly affect- ing local interests at the several freight depots was 127,000.
The following statistics are supplied in this connection for the year 1897 to give the reader an idea of the wonderful extent of the business done by the company at Reading :- Passenger trains, 27,000; passengers carried, 800,000; freight trains over 50,000; freight cars moved over 2,000,000; tonnage, 1,500,000; excursion passengers, 80,338.
Most of its mechanics in the several departments have been recognized during the last 30 years, here and elsewhere, for their skill and efficiency; indeed so widespread has their repu- tation become that a statement in applying for work that they served their apprenticeship with the company, worked in its shops, operated an engine, or conducted a train, has been re- garded as a sufficient recommendation. This can also be said of its clerks, many of whom have begun as messenger boys, and risen to the highest positions of different departments. A con- siderable number of its employees have been in continuous ser- vice for thirty and forty, even fifty years. This feature of the history of the company is particularly noteworthy.
Reading Iron Co .- The first large iron works at Reading were established in 1836 by Benneville Keim, George M. Keim, James Whittaker and Simon Seyfert, who traded under the firm name of Keims, Whittaker & Co. and were known as "Reading Iron and Nail Works." They were located at the extreme southern end of the town between the Schuylkill and the rail- road to facilitate the shipment of their products by canal as well as by railroad. The canal had been carried on for twelve years, but the railroad had just been constructed. These works were planned on an extensive scale, and comprised a rolling mill, slit- ting mill and nail factory; and here the first large stationary engine in Berks County was introduced for driving machinery. Bar-iron was made in large quantities; also cut nails by twenty- six nail machines. The employees numbered 250. In 1846, the firm name was changed to Seyfert, McManus & Co., and in 1862, the company was incorporated under the name of the
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HISTORY OF READING.
Reading Iron Works. The Tube Mill was added in 1848; Fur- nace No. I, in 1853; Scott Foundry and Steam Forge in 1862; Sheet Mill in 1865; and Furnace No. 2, in 1874.
The Reading Iron Works having failed in 1889, the Reading Iron Co. was organized and incorporated in that year, and after purchasing all of the plants of the former company and greatly improving them, the following extensive establishments were added: Keystone Furnaces in 1889; Montour Rolling Mills at Danville in 1895; Reading Rolling Mill and Oley Street Mills in 1896.
The tube works, comprising four establishments, are among the largest in America. Their product consists of wrought iron, steam, water, gas, ammonia, and hydraulic pipe, casing and line pipe of every description, and oil well and boiler tubing. Their annual capacity exceeds 75,000 tons. A galvanizing plant is connected therewith for galvanizing pipes and tubes.
The blast furnaces are five in number, whose annual produc- tion exceeds 200,000 tons of pig-metal. Their products of a special and superior quality are made out of ore from the richest and best mines in the country.
The rolling mills are five in number with a combined annual capacity of 200,000 tons. Their product is grooved and sheared skelp iron, merchant bar-iron, angle iron, boiler plate and splice plates, beams, channels, tees and rails of every description.
The Scott foundry and machine shops produce cotton presses, sugar mill machinery, blast furnace engines, rolling mill work, tools, boilers, tanks, ordnance and projectiles.
The steam forge is equipped with powerful machinery espe- cially adapted to manufacturing heavy forgings for marine and engine work, and for machinery of every description.
The processes, by which the manufacture of the specialties named is conducted, are of the most perfect, and the utmost care is taken to maintain the highest standard of excellence. The products of the several plants are unrivaled and there is an increasing demand for them in all sections of the world.
The total investment is $7,000,000; men employed from 3,000 to 4,000; annual wages, $1,300,000; and product, $8,500,000. The company is the largest industrial enterprise at Reading. George F. Baer is president, and F. C. Smink, treasurer and general manager.
IRON INDUSTRIES.
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Reading Hardware Co .- In 1851 William Harbster, a black- smith, established a shop at the foot of Sixth street, for general
READING HARDWARE WORKS.
blacksmith work. In 1852 his brothers, Matthan and John, as- sociated with him, under the name of Harbster Brothers, for the manufacture of builders' hardware, such as locks, bolts, fast-
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HISTORY OF READING.
eners, latches, etc., and erected a foundry. They carried on the business successfully for six years, when William M. Gris- com became a partner. They then traded as Harbster Bros. & Co., until 1872, when the name was changed to the Reading Hardware Co. Their plant was gradually enlarged and by the year 1895 the buildings covered five acres of ground, all 3 and 4 stories high; the employees numbered 850, and the annual wages amounted to over $100,000. Their productions included all kinds and styles of hardware, both plain and ornamental, which were shipped to different parts of the world. The com- pany was incorporated in 1886. In 1887 the greater part of their immense plant was destroyed by fire, involving a loss of over $400,000, but they immediately rebuilt the establishment, the superior buildings being much improved in arrangement and equipment. They continued to increase their trade year after year, making a specialty of furnishing large hotels and office buildings at New York, Philadelphia and Chicago, with all the necessary hardware. In this they were very successful, for their unique and artistic designs in fine bronze obtained the prefer- ence with the most prominent architects and builders in the coun- try. They have established branch offices at the cities named for displaying a full line of their productions. Investment, $1,000,000; annual volume of business over $1,000,000; and wages over $400,000. Officers: Matthan Harbster, pres .; Henry C. England, treas. ; John E. Harbster, sec .; G. N. Jacobi, gen'l manager.
Penn Hardware Co .- In 1877 C. Raymond Heizmann and Albert A. Heizmann began the manufacture of builders' hard- ware and hardware specialties of all kinds, at the foot of Spruce street, where they have continued until the present time, en- larging and improving their plant with increasing business. Their productions are shipped to all parts of the world. In- vestment, $415,000; employees, 500; annual wages, $200,000; and product, $500,000. The company was incorporated in 1896. Officers: C. Raymond Heizmann, pres .; Theodore I. Heizmann, vice pres .; Albert A. Heizmann, treas .; Luke E. Fichthorn, ass't treas .; Irvin S. Ermentrout, sec.
Henry Clay Furnaces .- In 1842 Isaac Eckert and his brother Dr. George N. Eckert erected a furnace for the manufacture of
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PENN
IRON INDUSTRIES.
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PENN HARDWARE WORKS.
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HISTORY OF READING.
pig iron, along the P. & R. R. R. at South street, and the ma- chinery was made by Darling, Taylor & Co., which is said to have been the first produced by that firm at Reading. This fur- nace was the first establishment in the Schuylkill Valley at which pig iron was produced by the use of anthracite coal. In 1855 the furnace was enlarged. In 1868 Dr. George N. Eckert died and his interest was purchased by Isaac Eckert, who then con- ducted the furnace until his decease in 1873, when his sons, Henry S. and George B. Eckert, became the owners. The fur- nace was then carried on by Eckert & Bro. for twenty years. Henry S. Eckert died in 1893, but his interest is still held by the estate, and the furnace is operated under the name of Eckert & Bro. They employ 100 hands and produce annually 52,000 tons of pig metal which is shipped to different parts of the country.
McIlvain Iron Works .- William McIlvain was engaged in the business of manufacturing boiler plate at Gibraltar, Berks county, with Simon Seyfert and Henry A. Seyfert, from 1846 to 1856; then he established works at Reading on Neversink street at the foot of Eighth, which were successfully operated until 1897 and then discontinued. The works comprised 2 heat- ing furnaces, a pair of plate rolls 72 inches long by 22 inches in diameter, and a Nasmyth hammer. In 1862 his sons Morton C. and William R. were admitted as partners, the firm then taking the name of William McIlvain & Sons. Additions and improvements were made in 1864 and 1873. In the latter year the rolls were enlarged to 87 inches long and 25 inches in diam- eter. In 1886 the production of boiler plate amounted to over 5,000 tons; afterward it was increased to 10,000 tons. It was shipped to all parts of the country. The investment was $20, - 000, and the employees numbered 150.
Keystone Iron Works .- In 1854 Jacob Snell, James Mullen, Robert Bamford and Henry McCarty associated together for the purpose of carrying on a forge, erected a plant on Pine street, between Second and Third, equipped it with superior machinery (including four engines), and operated it for five years, when Jacques V. Craig, Benneville A. Glase and Lewis Koch became the owners. Subsequently it was converted into a rolling mill. Jacques V. Craig died in 1884 and his interest in the works was
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IRON INDUSTRIES.
purchased by his son John. Jacob Snell was connected with the establishment for a number of years. He died in 1894, and his interest was also purchased by John Craig, by whom it has been operated since. Average employees, 100; annual wages, $50,000; product, 6,000 tons of boiler plate, skelp, tank, chute, stack, pipe, boat and car iron, but latterly principally skelp, which was supplied to the local market.
Reading Butt Works .- In 1867 Cyrus, John, Charles and James Rick, under the name of Rick Bros., erected a foundry at Third and Buttonwood streets, for the manufacture of build- ers' hardware, equipping it with two cupolas. In 1884 they es- tablished a tack works on the opposite side of the street for the manufacture of tacks, putting up thirty-three machines. Their trade extends throughout the United States. A consid- erable part of their production is exported through commission houses at New York. Investment, $125,000; hands employed, 125; annual product, $100,000. In 1895 Cyrus Rick, the senior partner, died and his interest was purchased by the surviving brothers.
Reading Radiator Co .- In 1883 Daniel L. Adams began the manufacture of steam and hot water radiators and boilers at 212 South Eighth street and continued the business at that place until 1892 when the plant was removed to Front street and Lebanon Valley railroad. In 1896 a new company was organ- ized and incorporated under the name of the Reading Radiator Co., which has continued the business until the present time. The radiators and boilers of the company are shipped to all the Eastern States. Capital, $25,000; employees, 25; annual pro- duct, $36,000. Officers: J. Allison Orr, pres .; Henry McK. Schaeffer, sec. and treas., and Daniel L, Adams, supt.
Franklin Iron Works .- In 1840 Adam Johnson began the manufacture of iron castings at Eighth and Chestnut streets, and carried on the business for nearly twenty years. In 1844 he enlarged the plant and added a machine shop when it was called Franklin Iron Works. He made many iron cars for the P. & R. R. R. Co., producing 500 annually. By 1851 he had increased the product to 1, 200, and then he added a department for man- ufacturing freight cars and he made large numbers of them for different railroad companies. From 1860 to 1882 the business
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