USA > Pennsylvania > Berks County > Reading > History of Reading, Pennsylvania, and the anniversary proceedings of the sesqui-centennial, June 5-12, 1898 > Part 16
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PAPER BAGS.
Hercules Factory .- In 1891 the Hercules Paper Bag Co. was organized by C. K. Hillegass, H. H. Hillegass, O. W. Sabold and J. W. Covert for the manufacture of paper bags. They located at Canal and Chestnut streets, beginning with seven hands and two machines, and a daily capacity of 250,000 bags. The business improving, they built several extensions to the factory and added five more machines, increasing the daily capacity of the plant to 1,000,000 bags. They manufacture eight different kinds for groceries, confectionery, shirts, shirt- waists, cigars and tobacco. The product is shipped mostly to all parts of the United States; some is exported to foreign countries. The quantity of paper consumed daily is 5 tons; employees, 25; annual wages, $15,000; business, $110,000.
Miller Factory .- William K. Miller began making flour sacks in 1880. He has continued in this business until now, making exclusively flour sacks out of rope stock. The annual pro- duction is 400,000, including all sizes. He has been in the Yocom building since its erection in 1893. Employees, 3.
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PHOTOGRAPHS.
PATTERNS.
Madlem Shop .- The making of patterns at Reading has been carried on almost entirely in connection with foundries. No pattern-maker established a shop especially as a business and carried it on for any time until Daniel Madlem started one in 1889. He has been occupied at making patterns since 1865, and at Reading since 1874. He makes patterns of all kinds and employs from I to 3 hands. His place is at 46 Madison avenue, having been there since 1889.
PERFUMERY.
Perfumeries of various kinds have been made for some years in large quantities by John B. Raser and Albert R. Durham, druggists, in connection with operating drug stores, which they have shipped to different parts of the country, but there is only one distinctive manufacturer of perfumery at Reading.
Gustave Poujol emigrated from Paris in 1868, and after re- maining at New York several years settled at Reading. He has been engaged in the manufacture of perfumeries here since then selling his production through interior Pennsylvania.
PHOTOGRAPHS.
The first likenesses of persons by a mechanical process in the history of Reading were taken in 1841 by John H. Scott, of Philadelphia, after he had located here. They were daguerreo- type in style. To obtain a correct likeness, the person was obliged to sit forty seconds. The cost of a copy was $3.50. An artist named Salini succeeded Scott in taking this style, and he continued until about 1846. Charles L. Phillippi succeeded Salini. He made the first likenesses here by the photographic process in 1846, and continued in business until 1865, when he removed to Philadelphia.
Howard & Maurer located in the Jameson building at Sixth and Penn streets about 1852, and they carried on the business in the second and third stories for many years.
The most prominent photographers at Reading before 1870 were the parties named, and George W. Patton, John Lee, William K. Leaman, William H. Dietrich and Thomas Taylor; and those afterward who have been in the business for many
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HISTORY OF READING.
years are Charles A. Saylor, Frederick Yeager, Edward E. Hafer, John D. Strunk, John S. Fritz and William I. Goldman. Mr. Hafer took the photographs from which the illustrations in this compilation were produced.
PAINTINGS.
Certain artists painted portraits and scenic pictures at Read- ing between 1820 and 1870, and gained through their superior productions a high reputation. Their names were Genorino Persico, Jacob B. Schoener, James A. Benade, H. D. Torrey, F. D. Devlan, and Mrs. C. H. Townsend. Schoener was recognized as the finest miniature artist in the United States. He removed to Boston and died there.
The names of those afterward until now, who have distin- guished themselves, are J. Heyl Raser, Amos Gable, Frederick Spang, Ben Austrian and Christopher Shearer, the last particu- larly having developed a national fame.
PICTURE FRAMES AND GILDING.
Woerner Factory .- Godfrey Graeff, a German, came to Read- ing in 1858, and carried on the business of gilding and manu- facturing picture frames of all kinds. He continued until 1871. His place was at 635 Penn street. He was succeeded by Fran- cis Woerner, who has conducted the business until now. In- vestment, $6,000; employees, 3. Trade local.
Rieger Factory .- Reinhard Rieger was employed with Mr. Woerner from 1874 to 1879, when he engaged in the business for himself. Investment, $8,000; employees, 3. Trade local.
PLANING MILLS.
The first planing mill for supplying building materials, such as doors, window frames, sashes and shutters, etc., was estab- lished about 1835 by Jacques V. Craig at Second and Cherry streets; and shortly afterward Levi J. Smith started a mill mostly for sawing timber and preparing floor-boards along the Canal near the foot of Washington street, which was subsequently operated for many years by Foos & Bingaman, builders.
Eisenhower & Fink Mill .- Nathan M. Eisenhower was en- gaged as a builder before 1840. He carried on business for himself until 1845, when John Fink became a partner, trading as Eisenhower & Fink. Their shop was on Wood street below
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PLANING MILLS.
Chestnut. They were general builders until 1847, when they started a planing mill, operating the machinery with horse power. They continued there until 1850, when they removed to Canal street at the foot of Pine, enlarging their capacity and substituting steam power for the machinery. During 1850 and 1851 they erected the Reading Cotton Mill, the St. James Luth- eran Church, the Keystone Hotel (now Hotel Penn) and twenty- two two-story brick dwelling houses, employing 30 carpenters and 25 laborers. In 1866 Amos Huyett became a partner, and then the firm name became Eisenhower, Fink & Co. They remained there until 1874, when they removed to the wadding mill on Spruce street below Third, increasing their capacity and employing 90 men. They had then the largest building con- tracts at Reading. Eisenhower died in 1877, when the firm name became Fink & Co. In 1894 Mr. Fink retired, and a company was incorporated under the name of Reading Planing Mill Co. This company carried on operations extensively until February, 1898, when it was discontinued.
Shunk Mill .- William B. Hertzel after carrying on the busi- ness of builder and carpenter at Reading from 1835 to 1855, established a planing mill at Franklin and Carpenter streets and operated it until 1872, when he was succeeded by J. H. Cheet- ham. It was then run by Mr. Cheetham until 1883 with 20 employees and by Aaron C. Kline and Frederick Shunk until 1893, with 40 employees, when a company was organized, trading as F. Shunk Planing Mill Co. by which it has been carried on since. General mill work is done and the product is shipped throughout Berks and the surrounding counties. Investment, $25,000; annual product, $60,000; wages, $22,000.
Gasser & Johnson Mill .- George Gasser, Sr., came to Reading from Myerstown in 1869, and began a planing mill at Ninth and Green streets for all kinds of mill work. He named it the Northeastern Planing Mill, because it was situated in the northeast section of Reading. He died in 1887, when his son George and son-in-law John W. Johnson carried on the mill, trading as Gasser & Johnson. They manufacture all kinds of mill work and fill many contracts in large building operations. Investment, $40,000; employees, from 35 to 40; annual wages, $16,000; and annual product, $70,000.
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HISTORY OF READING.
Hampden Mill .- In 1886 Reber, Weinhold & Co. started doing planing mill work at 714 Court street, and the next year they located their factory at Oley and Locust streets. In 1888 the firm name was changed to Steely, Weinhold & Co., with Reily S. Steely, John H. Weinhold, Adam Bard and George W. Bard as partners. In 1889 the mill was burned down and immediately rebuilt. It was operated by the firm until April, 1898, when a company was incorporated under the name of Hampden Planing Mill Co. Investment, $20,000; employees, 25; product, all kinds of mill and cabinet work in different kinds of wood for local trade. Officers: George W. Bard, pres .; Levi R. Snyder, sec. and treas .; John H. Weinhold, supt.
Central Mill .- Herman F. L. Rummel started a planing mill at 234 Moss street in 1889 with 12 hands. He has operated the same until now, turning out all kinds of mill and cabinet work, in hard and soft woods. Investment, $40,000; employ- ees, 25; trade in Berks and surrounding counties.
Horine Mill .- In 1888 Paul C. Horine began general mill work and made cases in the Remppis Works with 3 hands. In 1891 he removed his plant to 234 South Eighth street, largely increasing its capacity, and employing from 16 to 25 hands. The mill is now operated by his father M. C. Horine. Invest- ment, $12,000; product is supplied to local builders and dealers.
Excelsior Mill .- In 1894 Joseph Hodge, A. S. Potteiger, Isaac Sherman and James W. Kerst associated together under the name of the Excelsior Planing Mill, Hodge & Co., for gen- eral planing mill work. They located at 133 Pearl street, and began with several hands. They have increased their business and extended their trade to distant places. Employees, 25 to 35; annual wages, $10,000; and product, $30,000.
POTTERY.
Shenfelder Pottery .- Daniel P. Shenfelder established a pot- tery at 329 Schuylkill avenue in 1862 for the manufacture of stone and earthen-ware of all kinds, and it has been carried on until now. The factory employs from 4 to 10 hands; amount invested, $8,000; and the product is disposed of at Reading and in the surrounding country districts.
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ROPES.
PULLEYS.
Reading Wood Pulley Co .- In 1892 John C. Fiester designed a wood pulley and secured a patent. He organized a company and manufactured wood pulleys for a year, operating three machines and employing five men. In 1893 the Reading Wood Pulley Co. was organized and improvements were added to the pulley. The factory is at 247 Poplar street. Pulleys are made from 6 to 100 inches in diameter and from 3 to 24 inches in width. The largest thus far made in diameter was 14 feet and in width 44 inches. The product is shipped throughout the United States, also through South America and Europe. Men employed, 35; annual business, $21,000. This is the only factory of the kind at Reading. The company was incorpor- ated in 1893 with a capital of $25,000. Officers: D. F. Printz, pres .; J. C. Holloway, sec .; S. H. Fulmer, treas .; H. J. Glaser, manager.
ROPES.
Jackson Rope Factory .- The first rope walk was established at Reading in 1829 by Thomas Jackson, an Englishman, along the southerly side of the Schuylkill canal between the Lan- caster bridge and Jackson's lock. He then employed 5 hands and manufactured all kinds of ropes and twines. Until 1850, he had developed his plant so as to employ from 15 to 20 hands. The superintendent of the Schuylkill canal, Samuel Griscom, patronized him extensively whereby he came to make nearly all the ropes for the company and for personal owners of boats.
In 1850 the large freshet swept away his factory, and he located on First Hockley lane, between Eighth and Ninth streets (now beyond Greenwich street), transferring the plant from the ex- treme southern end of the city to the then extreme northern end. He erected a large 2-story building and continued to manufacture ropes and twines by hand-spinning. About 1862 his business increased very much and he then introduced ma- chinery, increasing the employees to 25. His rope-walk was built to the length of 1, 450 feet. In 1875 his son Henry H. was admitted as a partner, and from that time the business was con- ducted under the name of Thomas Jackson & Son.
The senior partner died in 1878, when the entire plant became the property of Henry H. Jackson, but the firm name was
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HISTORY OF READING.
continued. The business has been carried on very successfully
until now. The works comprise three mills, and employ 150 hands. The productions are fine manilla, sisal and jute ropes and cordage, twines and packing yarns of different kinds, which are forwarded to all parts of the United States.
This rope-walk has been the only establishment of its kind carried on at Reading. Other persons were engaged in the business of manufacturing ropes, cords and twines at different times, in a limited way, but it was previous to 1860.
RUBBER TIRES.
Penn Rubber Tire Co .- In the beginning of 1897, rubber tires began to be introduced at Reading. A. H. Kretz and G. W. Biehl started a shop on Washington street above Poplar, for putting them on carriage wheels, trading as the Penn Rubber Tire Co. Shortly afterward, Robert T. Wetherhold embarked in the business with his father-in-law, J. A. Strohecker. They purchased the plant and have continued it since, supplying solid cushion and pneumatic rubber tires. They employ four hands.
SHIRTS.
The manufacture of shirts at Reading was begun by Samuel L. McCulloch about 1872. For a number of years he employed eight hands and disposed of large quantities, especially of the cheaper grades. Previously the demand was almost entirely supplied by stores; and many shirts were home-made. William Laramy carried on the business for a number of years.
Mc Gowan Factory .- Nathan N. Sprecher began making shirts extensively in 1876, and he continued until 1890, when he was succeeded by John G. McGowan. The factory has been at 530 Penn Square, at the rear of his gent's furnishings' store for some years until now. His production is shipped to all parts of the country. Investment, $15,000; employees, 9; annual wages, $3,000; and product, $25,000.
Brusstar Factory .- In 1880 James S. Brusstar and Albert C. Weile began manufacturing gent's shirts of all kinds. They continued together for a year when Mr. Brusstar became sole owner. He operated the factory until January 1, 1898, employ- ing 35 hands and manufacturing 2,500 dozen annually which were sold in Pennsylvania and adjoining States. Then his son
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SHOES.
George and Henry M. Rettew became partners, with the firm trading as Jas. S. Brusstar & Co. The factory has been at 713 Penn street since 1881.
Klawanski Factory .- In 1896 F. C. Klawanski started mak- ing men's and boys' shirts and overalls at 635 Penn street, and in 1897 removed to Eighth and Elm streets, when Julius Teu- schert became a partner. Investment, $5,000; employees, 50; annual wages, $8,000; product, 8,000 dozen shirts and overalls which are disposed of in Reading and vicinity.
Filbert Factory. - Martin S. Filbert began making men's shirts and ladies' waists in 1897 for New York trade. Invest- ment, $2,500; employees, 32; wages, $4,500.
Wm. Smith Factory .- Wm. M. Smith began in 1897. He manufactures men's shirts and ladies' waists, which are shipped to Philadelphia; employs 30 hands and operates 26 sewing machines.
A. L. Smith Factory .- Albert L. Smith came from Trenton in 1882 and opened a gent's furnishing store at 431 Penn Square. In 1887 he began the manufacture of shirts which he has con- tinued. He employs 10 hands and produces weekly 25 dozen, which are sold in Reading and vicinity.
SHOES.
Curtis, Jones & Co .- Frederick W. Curtis and Frederick S. Jones, trading as Curtis, Jones & Co., began manufacturing children's shoes at Fifth and Penn streets in 1885. They em- ployed 25 hands and produced 500 pairs daily. In 1889 they erected a substantial four-story brick factory at Fifth and Court streets, and supplied it with the latest improved machinery to meet the demands of their rapidly increasing business, and took possession in 1890. They now employ 175 hands and produce 2000 pairs of shoes daily. They also carry on a similar factory at Hamburg with the same production, having started there in 1895. In connection with manufacturing shoes, they have a very large jobbing trade which extends throughout the United
States. Annual business, $500,000; and wages, $50,000. This is now the only shoe factory conducted at Reading.
There are numerous boot and shoe makers at Reading, num- bering about 150, who manufacture in a limited way for cus- tomers.
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HISTORY OF READING.
SILK.
Grimshaw Mill .- In 1887 John, George and David Grim- shaw, trading as Grimshaw Brothers, came from Paterson, N. J., for the purpose of establishing a silk-mill at Reading and operat- ing it in connection with their large plant at that place, if properly encouraged in their proposed enterprise. In this behalf, a num- ber of public-spirited citizens organized an association and secured subscriptions, amounting to $65,000. The building committee comprised Henry Eppihimer, George D. Stitzel, Lewis Kremp, Jerome L. Boyer and William Rosenthal, who purchased a half-block of ground at Eleventh and Marion streets and erected a superior three-story brick structure 50 by 250 feet and leased it to the Grimshaw Brothers for a term of years, with an option of purchase; who then equipped it with machinery for the manufacture of silk, costing about $75,000. They have operated the mill since then, producing large quan- tities of dress goods, lining, "throwing silk," and yarns, which have been shipped to New York. They employ 350 hands, mostly girls.
On January 9, 1889, the building was blown down by a tor- nado, the most destructive storm that ever visited Reading. The mill was in full operation at the time. Many of the hands escaped, but 17 were killed and over 100 injured. A public meeting of citizens assembled in the Court House on January Ioth for supplying aid to the suffering families, and altogether $12,000 was received from the people of Reading and elsewhere, which was judiciously distributed by a committee appointed for that purpose.
SOAP AND CANDLES.
Leaman Factory .- D. R. Hendricks began making soap at Reading in 1866 and was succeeded by his son-in-law, W. K. Leaman, in 1879, who has since produced annually 20,000 pounds for laundry purposes, and employed from 2 to 10 hands, according to the trade. The factory is at 128 Washington street.
Miller Factory .- Franklin K. Miller began making fulling, laundry, scouring and toilet soap and also washing powders in I883. Investment, $8,000; employees, 4; annual product, 800,000 pounds, supplied to local customers. His factory is on Eighteenth street near Perkiomen avenue.
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SPALLS AND SAND.
Capallo Factory .- John Capallo began manufacturing tallow- candles in 1857 at 313 Spruce street. His annual product was about 50 tons, which was shipped to all parts of Pennsylvania, especially to the mining regions in Schuylkill county, He car- ried on the factory successfully until his decease in 1862, and his widow Mary A. Capallo continued the business until 1882, when she transferred it to their son John D. Capallo, by whom it has been conducted since.
SPALLS AND SAND.
There was a "gravel hole" at the base of Mt. Penn in Penn Common in a line with Washington street, and there the town supervisors obtained materials for repairing the streets for one hundred years from the time the borough was established, when the streets began to receive more attention than formerly, until the city took possession of the Common in 1886, and converted it into a park, as intended by the Penns when they set apart the land in 1748 for that purpose. During that time many thou- sands of tons were hauled away, making thereby an unsightly "hole" in the side of the mountain. Afterward the supervisors secured spalls from different parties, which were superior to the gravel from the hole for macadamizing the streets. Great quantities were produced in opening Twelfth and Spruce streets at and near their intersection. Asa G. W. Smith was the con- tractor. They were broken by hand and delivered on the streets in different parts of the town. This was started several years before the road roller was obtained in 1882.
Haak Crusher .- Michael Haak owned a tract of land on the northern declivity of Mt. Neversink and there he opened a place in 1850 for supplying gravel and building sand. Opera- tions were carried on in a limited manner until 1895, when the heirs of Mr. Haak with George E. Haak as manager put up a crusher plant, and since then they have supplied large quanti- ties of sand for buildings and concrete paving. Employees, 8; daily product, 75 tons; investment, $7,000.
Thalheimer Sand Bank .- In 1861 Augustus F. Boas opened a place for sand on the western declivity of Mt. Penn at the head of Oley street, and large quantities were supplied for plasterers and also for foundries. Albert Thalheimer purchased
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HISTORY OF READING.
the land, comprising a tract of 10 acres, in 1878, and different parties carried on digging there until 1898, with an average annual production of 8,000 tons. Gallagher & Brisse are work- ing one end of the large bank with 10 men; and Ahrens & Tobias the other end with a crusher recently erected and 20 men, for supplying building and paving sand in large quantities.
Fulton Crusher .- In 1889 William M. Fulton began quarry- ing and crushing lime-stone near the Lebanon Valley railroad bridge in West Reading for the purpose of supplying spalls. In 1896 he removed his plant to "Leinbach Hill"' at the west end of the Penn street bridge. He produces daily 150 tons of spalls and delivers the greater part to the city or contractors in constructing streets and sewers. He employs 45 men and 20 teams.
O' Reilly Crusher .- Joseph P. O'Reilly erected a crusher plant on the Hill road a mile beyond the city line in 1896. He has operated it since, supplying the Highway Commissioners or contractors with the greater part of his product for street paving and sewer work. Employees, 22; annual product, 20,000 tons.
Building Stones .- The stones for the foundations of buildings, erected at Reading from the beginning of the town to the present time, were mostly obtained from the "White Spot" and the vicinity on Mt. Penn. The constant removal of stones from that spot gave the place a white appearance, looking from Reading or from any point westward many miles. The enor- mous quantity of material removed from this place during the past one hundred and fifty years, indicates the great value of the natural deposit. The stones were hauled by 2-horse and 4- horse teams by different parties who were paid on an average eighty cents a perch delivered.
SPECTACLES.
Willson Factory .- In 1871 Thomas A. Willson erected a three-story brick factory for the manufacture of spectacles and equipped it with machinery especially designed by him. He began operations in 1872 and then established the only place in the world at which were made all the parts that constituted a complete pair of spectacles. The sand for the lenses was ob- tained at Berkshire, Massachusetts, and the steel wire for the
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SPICE AND ROASTING MILLS.
frame was also obtained mostly in Massachusetts. The lens was tinted. All kinds of spectacles were made and a large business was developed that extended throughout the world. In 1885 employment was given to 240 persons, and the average daily production was 3800 pairs. The several machines were manu- factured in the factory under Mr. Willson's direction and they are perfect specimens of superior workmanship. Owing to the great competition in trade; the manufacture of lenses was dis- continued in 1886, and these are now imported from Europe in great quantities, of which a large stock is kept constantly on hand. Now the factory is devoted entirely to the manufacture of low-priced and medium grades of spectacles and it is the only one in the United States that produces exclusively the cheaper grades of steel spectacles and eye-glasses. The daily production is 10,000 pairs, and the average number of hands employed is 200. The proprietor's son Frederick Willson has been man- ager since 1893. There are only two factories in Pennsylvania and eight in the United States, and, excepting this factory, their product is mostly gold and silver frames.
SPICE AND ROASTING MILLS.
Keystone Mills .- George W. Moyer came from Easton, and in 1872 associated with John McKnight for the manufacture of spices of all kinds. In 1878 Mr. Moyer started for himself and carried on the business until his decease in 1889 when the mill at Rose and Elm streets was purchased by Kurtz & Mayers, wholesale grocers, by whom it has been operated since. Em- ployees, 3; monthly product, 30 tons, which is shipped to all parts of Pennsylvania. Large quantities of coffee also are roasted in the establishment.
Blessing Roasting Mill .- In 1861 Francis X. Blessing and John Shoemaker began roasting coffee on Carpenter street near Spruce. In 1870 they removed to 311 Chestnut street, and shortly afterward Mr. Shoemaker died. Mr. Blessing then be- came the sole owner and he has carried on the business since. He employs 3 and 4 hands and roasts 1500 pounds of coffee and peanuts weekly, which are disposed of in Reading and differ- ent parts of Pennsylvania.
George Becker and Aug. Kleinschmidt are also in the business.
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