History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 136

Author: Prowell, George R.
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1372

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Tanneries.

south side of West Market Street, near the creek; Smyser's tannery was situated on South Newberry, near Market ; Daniel Wei- ser's stood at the corner of George and North Streets, and Robert Cathcart's was situated to the rear of the First Presby- terian Church. At this time George Min- nich owned a currier shop on the east side of North George Street, near the Square, and the Fahnestock currier shop stood on George, below Philadelphia Street. A large tannery stood for many years on the south side of West Market Street, near the bridge. This property was bought in 1832 by Fred- erick Baugher and the tanning business was

The business of tanning leather was carried on in York from the time of its earliest history. There was considerable business done in this line in 1825. At this period Rouse's tannery, at the extreme south end of George . Street, was a large establishment. In the spring of every year wagon loads of oak bark were brought to this tannery from the lower end of York County, which then had an abundance of native timber. Jacob Baylor owned a large tannery on West King Street, near the Codorus Creek. Michael Doudel owned a tannery on the gan to make a variety of products. In 1823 James Webb and Phineas Davis erected a blast furnace and made considerable quan- tities of pig iron. Bar iron was made at the forge. In the foundry and machine shop a large number of machinists were employed by this enterprising firm. In 1827 John Elgar, a citizen of York, designed an iron steamboat which was built at this foundry under the direction of the inventor. The history of this steamboat will be found on page 608 in this volume. The firm of Webb, Davis & Gardner continued to make tools and implements and in 1832 Phineas Davis designed and had built, under his di- rection, the first locomotive in America that

afterwards continued there until 1893, by himself and others.

Between 1800 and 1840 various

Hat styles of hats were made in

Factories. York in considerable numbers. Peter Ahl had a factory on East Market Street, nearly opposite the Court House where he made silk, felt and fur hats for a quarter of a century. In the same vi- cinity Daniel Hartman had a factory. John Demuth owned a factory at the corner of Philadelphia and George Streets. Thomas Schall built one on North George Street in 1828. Charles Ferdinand had a hat factory on North George Street, opposite the site of the Union Engine House. Jacob Levan had a shop on South George Street, where the First Baptist Church now stands. The other hat makers in York at that time were John Craver, Martin Baumgartner, Welsh and Spangler, Jacob Koontz, Frank Koontz and Rudolph Spangler.

Samuel Weiser came to York from Tulpe- hocken settlement in Berks County in 1780, and commenced the business of a hatter in a building on the south side of East Mar- ket Street, near the Court House. He con- tinued this business until 1822, but opened a dry goods store in 1808 on the corner, since owned by his descendants. During the War of 1812 he employed about fifty workmen making hats. and sent wagon loads of them every Monday morning to Baltimore.

In 1820 Phineas Davis, an in-

Iron telligent Quaker, and Israel

Industries. Gardner, established a foundry and forge at the northwest cor- ner of Newberry and King Streets and be-

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

burned anthracite coal. The interesting 1904 this establishment was purchased by story of this engine is found in the history Eyster, Weiser & Company and operated as of railroads in this volume on page 611.

In 1811 Jonathan Jessop and Michael Gardner owned a foundry west of the Co- dorus where they made a "patent balance bridge which was adapted for large spans from 100 to 300 feet and upwards.'

In 1826 a bell was made for a church in Marietta at the foundry of Davis. Webb and Gardner. In 1828 James Chalfant, at the Davis & Gardner shops engaged in the manufacture of wood carding machines, shearing machines, turning lathes and made patterns for castings.

John Elgar built a nail factory on Market Street, west of the Codorus in 1810, and in 1823 manufactured cast and wrought iron screws, mill irons, pump augers and steel edge tools. John Irwin. in 1810, had a nail factory at the corner of Market and Duke Streets. At this early date, wrought iron nails were used. It was many years later before the modern nail factory came into existence.

In 1811 John Hibner advertised that he had for sale Scott's newly invented window springs. In 1822 Gottlieb Sener started an edge tool factory on East Market Street. He made tools and implements from steel.

an extensive foundry and machine shop.

The Variety Iron Works, on North Bea- ver Street, adjoining the railroad, were founded in 1840 by Elisha Geiger and Sam- tel Bechtol, who began business on a lim- ited scale in small shops. Dr. Alexander Small became a partner in the business in 1846, and at the death of Samuel Bechtol in 1853, Edward G. Smyser became a part- ner and the firm was changed to Small & Smyser. Dr. Small died in 1862 and E. G. Smyser became the sole proprietor. The original works covered only a small area, but the continual enlargement of the busi- ness, required frequent additions and im- provements. Large and convenient brick buildings were erected, containing all neces- sary facilities for improved manufacture until the entire shops at present cover an area of five acres. Since the death of E. G. Smyser, the business has been conducted by his three sons, George P., Henry M. and James A. Smyser. Since 1877 the Variety Iron Works has had a branch house in Bal- timore.

The industrial establishment owned and managed by George F. Motter & Sons, on Princess Street, near the railroad, was founded in 1845 by Enos Frey. Frederick Baugher was originally associated with Enos Frey and later George F. Motter be -. came a partner, and the firm of Frey and Motter manufactured a large number of engines and boilers. After the retirement of Enos Frey, George F. Motter, a practical machinist of long experience, associated with him his sons and continued the busi- ness.

The industry of Eyster, Weiser & Com- pany, on West Philadelphia Street, was founded by Frederick Baugher and E. I. Wolf in 1832. Originally they owned and conducted a large tannery on the north side of West Market Street, near the Codorus. This firm did an extensive tanning business, at times employing as many as 100 men. In 1845 Frederick Baugher and Enos Frey, under the name of Baugher & Frey, became the owners of a foundry and machine shop The York Rolling Mill was established in the winter of 1868, by Jacob Jamison, F. H. Hughes, C. M. Nes and Henry Kraber. In 1869 the company was chartered as the York County Iron Company, with W. W. Wickes, president; L. T. Rossiter, secre- tary and treasurer, and Henry Kraber, vice president and superintendent. The works were enlarged with the intention of making steel rails, which was changed to the manu- facture of steel, bar and car iron, the busi- ness subsequently being chiefly the manu- which they operated until Enos Frey es- tablished his own works on Princess Street, near the railroad. The foundry and tan- ning business was continued by Baugher & Brother, and in 1856 William H. Kurtz be- came a partner, and the firm of Baugher & Kurtz began to engage extensively in mak- ing car castings and other products of a foundry and machine shop. The tanning business was continued until 1893. The foundry and machine shop were owned and operated in order of succession by Baugher, facture of rails with steel top, which busi- Kurtz & Stewart Company, limited, and ness did not prosper, and the works were Baugher, Kurtz & Company, limited. In for a number of years idle. In March, 1881,

A Morgan daich

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THE CITY OF YORK

Samuel Trescott, M. S. Shuman and J. W. and the total amount of the pay roll was Steacy bought the works from the Farmers $163,775, and the sales amounted to $209,- 775. In 1906 the company employed 1, 140 men and the total amount of the pay roll was $533,825, and the sales amounted to $2,230,325. In 1897 they shipped thir- teen machines, representing a refrigerating capacity of 582 tons. In 1906 they shipped 156 machines, representing a refrigerating capacity of 9,311 tons. The York Manu- facturing company is at the present time not only one of the largest establishments in southern Pennsylvania, but is the largest exclusive ice and refrigerating machine manufactory in the United States, and in fact, in the world. Mutual Insurance Company and commenced operation. Trescott sold his interest the same year to Michael Schall, the firm being Schall, Steacy & Company. They man- factured muck bars of puddle iron and later made bar iron, supplying the car shops and the trade through the Baltimore markets. In October, 1881, Mr. Shuman sold his in- terest to John Q. Denny, of Harrisburg, and the firm of Schall, Steacy & Denny was founded. This mill continued to manufac- ture bar iron and later began to make plate or skelp iron in which it has been largely engaged in recent years. In 1899 the Sus- quehanna Iron and Steel Company was chartered with Charles A. Porter, of Phila- delphia, president ; R. Y. Filbert, secretary and treasurer, and J. W. Steacy, general manager. Since then the company has op- erated the York mill, four rolling mills and a pipe mill at Columbia. The plate for mak- ing pipes from six to twelve inches in diam- eter, at Columbia, is made at the York mill.

The York Manufacturing Company was organized and incorporated in 1874. The original stockholders were S. Morgan Smith, Jacob Loucks, George Buck, Rob- ert Shetter, Harry Lamotte, Franklin Seif- fert, O. J. Bollinger and Hon. John Gibson. They manufactured at that time water wheels, wringers, wash machines and mill machinery, and employed about ten men.

They were succeeded April 17, 1891, by the York Manufacturing Company, limited, with a capital stock of $100,000, the officers being P. H. Glatfelter, president ; Stuart St. Clair, vice president and general manager ; W. L. Glatfelter, treasurer, and George W. S. Loucks, secretary. This company manu- factured ice and refrigerating machinery and engines and was succeeded March 5, 1895, by the present York Manufacturing Company, with a capital of $319,100, which has been increased at different times until the present capital is $1,490,000. The offi- cers of the company are P. H. Glatfelter, president ; Thomas Shipley, vice president and general manager; W. L. Glatfelter, treasurer, and B. H. Loucks, secretary. The present company is engaged in the manufacture of ice and refrigerating ma- chinery almost exclusively.

The large establishment of S. Morgan Smith & Company was founded in 1871, when Rev. S. Morgan Smith retired from the ministry in the Moravian Church and engaged in the manufacture of mill ma- chinery and turbine water wheels, of which he was the inventor. Mr. Smith carried on an extensive business until the time of his death, Easter Sunday, 1903, and the busi- ness has been continued by his sons. C. El- mer Smith and S. Fahs Smith. The com- pany manufactures the McCormick and the Success turbine wheels. power transmitting machinery, boilers and special products. This company, employing 500 men, has in- stalled a turbine outfit in the city of Jeru- salem, in the Holy Land, and many of them in Japan and Russia. A number of these wheels are in use in the Niagara Falls power houses, being the only American make of wheels in those plants. The com- pany is incorporated with C. Elmer Smith, president ; S. Fahs Smith, treasurer ; C. E. Etnier, secretary.

S. MORGAN SMITH, founder of the company bearing his name, was born Feb- I, 1839. in Davie County, North Carolina, eldest son of John W. and Sarah Purdon (Beauchamp) Smith. His father was born in Davie County, North Carolina, in 18II, and his mother in 1816. His paternal grand- father was born in Davie County, his mater- nal great-grandfather in Frederick, Mary- land, and his great-great-grandfather in France, the latter emigrating from his native country to America and settling in Freder- ick, Maryland.

S. Morgan Smith began his education in In 1897 the company employed 163 men the public schools of Davie County, North

760

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Carolina, and continued his studies in the works, the company began to make bank Moravian College. at Bethlehem, Pennsyl- and safe deposit vaults. The factory was vania, from which latter institution he was entirely destroyed by fire in 1894, and was graduated to the ministry in 1861. From soon after rebuilt on a much larger scale, 1861 to 1866 he was pastor of the Moravian Church in York. In 1866 he went to Canal Dover, Ohio, and had charge of the Mora- vian congregation of that place for a period of five years when his health began to fail and he was obliged to give up active work in the ministry and look to other fields for support.

As a boy Mr. Smith had always evinced a great interest in machinery, so that his mind now naturally turned in that direc- tion. The result of this was the invention of the "Success" washing machine, many thousands of which were sold in all parts of the world. About 1876 Mr. Smith turned his attention to hydraulics, and soon after- ward invented the "Success" turbine, which has been well and favorably received by the milling interests. Other lines of busi- ness were taken up from time to time, and improvements made on this turbine water wheel, until at the time of his death his manufacturing establishment, devoted to the building of turbine water wheels and power transmitting machinery, was the largest of its kind in the country.

In 1898 Mr. Smith organized the S. Mor- gan Smith Company, the management of which was largely turned over to his sons, while he spent much of his time in rest and travel. It was while on one of his visits to his son, Beauchamp, in Los Angeles, California, that he was taken suddenly ill with an attack of heart failure, and died April 12, 1903.

S. Morgan Smith was united in marriage April . 8, 1862, to Miss Emma R. Fahs, In February, 1889, the Nes Chain Manu- facturing Company began operations in York. This firm was composed of the late daughter of John Fahs, a native of York. Six children were born to this marriage, as follows: Charles Elmer, Stephen Fahs, Charles I. Nes and his brother. David Nes. Beauchamp Harvey. Sarah Purdon, Susan Ellen and Mary Delia.

The York Safe and Lock Company, of which Israel Laucks is president; S. Forry Laucks, vice president, treasurer and gen- eral manager, and J. A. Dempwolf, secre- tary, is one of the prominent industries of the city. It was founded in 1882 when the company engaged in the manufacture of small safes for offices. Business increased and a few years after the origin of the

and since that time a large number of safes have found ready sale, not only in America, but in foreign countries. The York Safe and Lock Company has supplied bank vaults for some of the largest financial institutions in the United States. When the company was first organized. it employed about twenty men. In 1907, 400 workmen were on the pay roll.

The York Foundry and Machine Company, an allied industry with the Safe Works, was founded in 1904. This company is en- gaged in a general foundry business, pro- ducing grey iron and brass castings. S. Forry Laucks is president ; J. A. Dempwolf, secretary, and Israel Laucks, treasurer. One hundred and ten men are employed.

September 29, 1881, John C. Schmidt commenced the manufacture of chain in York, the plant being located on Walnut Street, adjoining the Maryland & Pennsyl- vania Railroad. This plant commenced with a force of forty employees. The Keystone Chain Works was started a few years later by M. J. Mumper, in West York and when this firm went out of business, John C. Schmidt bought all of their assets and operated the works. John C. Schmidt operated these two plants separately for sev- eral years and then consolidated in 1890 the two plants in one large plant located on the Pennsylvania Railroad, near Vine Street. These plants were all operated un- der the name of John C. Schmidt & Com- pany, of which John C. Schmidt, however, was the sole owner.

In the year 1900 the Standard Chain Com- pany was formed, which took over, among thirteen other chain manufacturing plants and a rolling mill, these two extensive plants in York, which now employ about 300 men out of a total of 1,200 men em- ployed by the Standard Chain Company. At the formation of the Standard Chain Company, John C. Schmidt was elected president and has continued to occupy that office for seven years.

761

THE CITY OF YORK

The York Tack and Nail Works were company engaged in the manufacture of founded in 1885, on Howard Avenue, where they continued for a period of three years.

steel bridges, employing about one hundred workmen. Guy Webster succeeded as In 1888 the firm moved the business to president, and P. M. Harrison, secretary Walnut and Broad Streets. This enter- and treasurer. The products of this factory prise is owned by Charles M. and E. G. have been widely sold throughout the east- Nes, who employ fifty workmen. The an- ern and middle states. In 1907 about one nual output is 1,000 tons of nails and tacks.

hundred and fifty workmen were employed.

The Pullman Automatic Ventilator Com-

The Norway Iron and Steel Company built extensive works southeast of York pany, engaged in the manufacture of win- and operated them for several years. In dow ventilators, was organized about 1900, with Charles H. Emig, president; Ralph S. Cannon, secretary; Charles C. Frick, treas- urer.

1906 the plant was disposed of to the Heany Fire Proof Wire Company of which W. F. Bay Stewart is president; A. R. Brodbeck, secretary; Charles C. Frick, treasurer. The company is engaged in the manufacture of insulated wire.

Broomell, Schmidt & Steacy Company, a large industry employing about two hun- dred and fifty workmen, is engaged in the manufacture of boilers, sugar refining ma- chinery and a variety of other products. This establishment disposes of its products all over this country and is constantly in- creasing its business.

In 1899 B. M. Root and John F. Rudisill entered into a mutual partnership and en- gaged in the manufacture of plow handle and wood working machinery. The busi-

Emerson J. Case, of Connecticut, came to York about 1850, and formed a partnership with Joseph Root, in the manufacture of weighing scales. The firm of Root & Case ness prospered and in 1905 the firm of B. continued the business on North Street, un- M. Root Company was established, when B. til the death of Mr. Case, and John Sanks T. Root became a partner. In 1906 Frank became associated with Mr. Root in the business until 1890, when the factory was disposed of to the York Carriage Works. T. Root joined the firm. The products of this establishment, one of two in this country to manufacture plow handle ma- chinery, are sold throughout the United Car Building. States and Canada. In 1907 the company purchased a site and erected shops on Jef- ferson Avenue, near George Street.

The Flinchbaugh Manufacturing Com- pany began operation in 1901 and engaged in the manufacture of gasoline engines, the invention of Fred. T. Flinchbaugh, a member of the firm. The other members of the firm are, Eli B. Flinchbaugh and Henry Kindig. Pumping jacks, feed engines and dairy outfits are made at this factory. In 1907 this firm began to make hoisting ma- chines and traction engines from patents obtained by Fred. T. Flinchbaugh.

The York Bridge Company, a prominent industry, was established at Richland Ave- nue and Northern Central Railroad in 1901. with George W. Drury, president, and Guy Webster, secretary and treasurer. The

The Ruth Automatic Knitting Machine Company was incorporated in 1905, with Edwin T. Moul, president; Geoffrey P. Yost, vice president; Horace Brillinger, secretary; G. W. Ruth, treasurer and man- ager. This company is engaged in the manufacture of knitting machinery for ho- siery and underwear from the invention of G. W. Ruth. The entire board is composed of five directors, including the officers and David E. Small.

In 1849 George W. Ilgenfritz began to manufacture small freight cars, known as coal hop- pers, at a shop situated on North Beaver Street, near the York County Acad- emy. A few years later, Thomas White, of Maine, an expert machinist, became a part- ner. The firm of Ilgenfritz & White man- ufactured different kinds of cars, and during the early part of the Civil War took con- tracts to make freight cars for the United States government, which then operated a number of military railroads in this coun- try. Ilgenfritz & White continued to do a large business for several years after the Civil War, and then disposed of their plant to Michael Schall, who soon afterward founded the Empire Car Works, a large es- tablishment which employed several hun- dred workmen, and made cars of different kinds for some of the leading railroads in

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

the United States. The works were de- of the York Wall Paper Company. The stroyed by fire in 1877, and soon afterward business prospered and in 1893, a charter Mr. Schall erected shops on the west side of Beaver Street, nearly opposite his orig- inal plant. of incorporation was obtained with W. F. Bay Stewart, president; John McCoy, vice- president, and John S. McCoy, secretary and treasurer. A large factory was soon after erected at Carlisle and Linden Ave- nues, and in 1906, an additional building was erected to accommodate the increased business of the company. This factory produces annually 30,000,000 rolls of paper, and is one of the largest establishments of its kind in the world. It has on its pay roll about 450 employees.

In 1847, the firm of Pflieger, Hess & Nevin established car works a short dis- tance northeast of the Northern Central Railway station, where they engaged in the manufacture of freight cars. The firm went out of business during the financial crisis of 1857. The site was purchased by the Northern Central Railway Company and large shops erected. John Minsker, who afterward was in the employ of the com- pany for thirty years, as master carpenter, superintended the erection of these shops. They were originally used as repair shops and in 1868, the company began the con- struction of passenger coaches and large box cars for their own use, and for several years employed about 200 skilled workmen. The railroad company continued the busi- ness until June, 1875, when the shops were removed to Baltimore.

The firm of H. Small & Sons was founded in 1847 by Henry Small and his two sons, David E. and John H. Small. During his early life, Henry Small had been a con- tractor and builder and under his direction a large number of houses and factories were erected in York. The firm conducted a lumber business at the foot of North Duke Street and also operated a planing mill at tities very successfully for a period of forty Wrightsville.

In 1857 David E. Small and Charles Bill- meyer erected extensive shops, founded the firm of Billmeyer & Small and began the manufacture of cars. For several years this firm employed from 600 to 700 workmen in the car shops and planing mill at York and in the planing mill at Wrightsville. The firm began active operation in building cars in 1865 and continued until 1902. They made cars for the Denver & Rio Grande, the Mexican National, Mexican Central and many of the largest railroad companies throughout the United States. They also made cars for the first railroad in Japan, when that country began to accept the con- ditions of modern civilization.

The York Wall Paper Company was in- corporated January 10, 1895, with George W. Bell, president ; P. C. Wiest, treasurer ; Andrew Watt, secretary. This enterprise, with James H. Findley as president, P. J. Gilbert, secretary, and Charles H. Stallman, treasurer, has been constantly developing and has an annual output of about 12,000,- 000 rolls of paper.

The Schmidt-Ault Paper Company occu- pies an historic site. At this place George King, an enterprising citizen of York began to manufacture high grade writing paper about 1810. The machinery was moved by water power, and the establishment was named The Codorus Paper Mills. In 1812, George King erected a large building and a brick mansion nearby. He continued to make foolscap and note paper in large quan- years. After his death the business was continued by his son, J. B. King. Jessup & Moore owned the mill for several years and then it passed into the hands of Mr. Hor- ton. In 1888, the property was purchased by the York Water Company, and then leased to A. A. Yerkes and later to F. M. Rudolph, whose father had been one of the early employees of George King. The present company with John C. Schmidt, president, and Robert A. G. Ault, secretary and treasurer, purchased the mills in 1897, and have since operated them, in the manu- facture of building, wrapping and carpet lin- ing paper. About fifty hands are regularly employed.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 136

Author: Prowell, George R. Publication date: 1907 Publisher: J. H. Beers Number of Pages: 1372

Author: Prowell, George R.
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1372