History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 137

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

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GEORGE KING, founder of these mills, born in Springgarden township February 23, 1794, son of Philip J. King, was for many

The York Card and Paper Com- Paper pany began the manufacture of Making. wall paper and cardboard in an years widely known as a manufacturer of establishment erected on the site paper in York county.

going Thing

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THE CITY OF YORK

Philip J. King, born February 24, 1764, Jennie J., the only survivor of the family, was the builder of the Codorus Paper Mills, resides at 211 South George street ; she is a woman of marked intelligence and has trav- eled extensively. · which are among the oldest mills of the kind in the state, and manufactured principally writing paper, the brand called the "Con- gress." The brick dwelling-house that stands near the mill was also built by him in 1812. He owned a large amount of real estate and personal property. He married Catherine Johnston, who was born March IO, 1770, and died December 8, 1813, aged forty-three years. Mr. King died March 2, 1829, in Springgarden township, when sixty-five years of age. Their children were: George, Jacob, Henry, Sarah, who married Jacob Ehrhart ; Barbara, who married Peter Zacharias; Elizabeth, who married Daniel Spangler; Mary Ann, who married George Conn; and Julia Anna, who died aged fif- teen years. Jacob and Henry King were in the milling business, owning the gristmill given them by their father, on the north side of Codorus creek, just opposite the paper mill.

George King received his education in York, and from the time he left school was engaged with his father in the manufacture of paper, making some of the finest paper known. While in the business he supplied all the clergymen of his acquaintance with writing paper without cost to them. The King's Mill road, named after Mr. King, is well known throughout York and York county. The mills were sold by the heirs of George King to Alfred D. Jessup, later in turn to Jere Horton and the York Water Company, and they are now conducted by the Schmidt & Ault Paper Company.

Mr. King married Rachel Johnston, who was born January 19, 1800, and died July I, 1874. He died July 17, 1860, and both rest in Prospect Hill cemetery, which was named by Mr. King. He was one of the promoters and organizers of the cemetery association, and served many years as one of the trus- tees. In politics Mr. King was a Republi- can. He was a faithful member of the Re- formed church of York, and few men were better known or more highly respected. To him and his wife were born the following named children : Philip Jacob and Annie M. are both deceased; Catherine, who was the wife of Henry C. Reed, of Baltimore, died June 4. 1857, and is buried in the family burying lot in Prospect Hill cemetery.

The Lafean Paper Company, of York, was organized in 1903, by Charles F. Lafean, Jacob G. Lafean, John R. Lafean and C. H. Quickel. The business had been started by Charles F. Lafean, at Hoffmanville, Mary- land, in 1899, and in 1900, he moved to York, when his brother Jacob G. Lafean became a partner. The factory was erected on Col- lege avenue near the railroad. It was de- stroyed by fire in September, 1901, and re- built soon afterward. In 1903, the business was enlarged and the company has since continued the manufacture of sheathing paper used in lining weather-boarded houses, railroad cars, felt roofs and refrig- erators. About thirty hands are regularly employed. The manufactured product amounts to fifteen tons daily.

The York Felt and Paper Company, of which Jere S. Black is president, Charles H. Emig, secretary and treasurer, and C. F. Black, general manager, was founded in 1894. The works are situated southwest of town along the Codorus. The business has grown and developed since it was estab- lished, the annual output being 8,000 tons of roofing felt paper. About seventy-five men are employed regularly.

In December, 1800, Tim-

Agricultural othy Kirk, a'noted Quaker,

Implements. of York, invented a corn sheller and advertised in the newspapers "that one person could shell a bushel of corn in a minute." He was the son of Caleb Kirk, who introduced clover and timothy grasses into York county in 1793.

Reuben Hoffheins established a foundry at Dover about 1854 and a few years later invented an improved reaper and mower. Afterwards he removed to York and for sev- eral years conducted a machine shop on North Duke street, near the railroad where he continued to make the Hoffheins' reaper and mower. J. H. Shireman & Company owned a machine shop in West York and engaged in making reapers and agricultural implements.

About 1840, W. W. Dingee & Company began to operate a machine shop on North Beaver street, near the academy, where they

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

made threshing machines and agricultural county, in 1877, and in the spring of 1879, implements.

Morris J. Gardner owned a foundry on East Market street before the Civil war, where he engaged largely in the manufac- ture of brass spigots and a variety of other products. He was the inventor of an oscil- lating engine which attracted much atten- tion for several years.

The A. B. Farquhar Company, Limited, otherwise known as the Pennsylvania Ag- ricultural Works, was founded in 1856 by A. B. Farquhar, who remains at the head of the company, after having conducted it through fifty years of continual increase in size and prosperity. The firm is one of the leading agricultural implement concerns in America. Its products consist mainly of engines, boilers, saw mills and threshing machinery, in addition to grain drills, plows and many other agricultural implements. Originally this firm sold its products in this country and then expanded its trade across the ocean. A large number of engines and boilers have been sold in Russia, plows in South Africa, engines, plows, boilers, saw mills in Cuba and South America. The business was conducted by A. B. Farquhar as the sole proprietor, and later he asso- ciated with him his sons William E. and Pianos and Francis under the firm name of A. B. Farquhar & Sons. In 1887 the business was incorporated as the A. B. Farquhar Com- pany, Limited, with a capital stock of $500,- 000, with A. B. Farquhar president, W. A. Farquhar vice president and B. H. Farquhar secretary and treasurer. In 1906, upon the death of B. H. Farquhar, Francis Farquhar became secretary and treasurer. The large industry conducted by this company has been in continuous operation since it was founded under its present head, through all times of financial depression as well as eras of prosperity. For a period of twenty years the average number of men employed at these works was 500. Since 1889, about 600 men have been regularly at work in the different departments. The value of the annual product exceeds $1,000,000.

removed to York. Since that time, about 225 men have been regularly employed. . The firm is composed of S. Nevin Hench and Walker A. Dromgold. Within recent years, the firm has owned large tracts of woodland in Randolph county, West Vir- ginia, where they have operated saw mills, regularly employing 100 men. During the bark season about 200 hands are employed.

The Keystone Farm Machine Company was incorporated in October, 1901, and since then has been in active operation, em- ploying 150 men in the manufacture of Har- ris cutivators, corn planters, corn shellers and weeders. The company owns a foun- dry in connection with the works.

The Spangler Manufacturing Company, at the corner of Queen street and the North- ern Central Railway, was incorporated in 1887, and during its early history was en- gaged in the manufacture of grain drills and corn planters. Within recent years, the company has added to its products the manufacture of weeders, fertilizer distribu- tors and general machinery. E. W. Spang- ler is president; E. G. Quickel, treasurer, and A. E. Quickel, secretary.

The Weaver Organ and Piano Company was founded by J. Organs. O. Weaver, who began the manufacture of organs on Mar- ket Street, near the Farmers' Market House in 1870. The business grew and pros- pered and in 1882, the enterprise was incor- porated with J. O. Weaver, president ; Henry Nes, secretary, and John W. Shetter, treasurer. M. B. Gibson was chosen secre- tary in 1885, and various changes in office took place until 1895, when M. B. Gibson, who has since held that office, was chosen president. William S. Bond has served as secretary and treasurer since 1891. In 1898 the company began the manufacture of pianos. An average of 175 skilled workmen have been regularly employed, and the or- gans and pianos made by this company are sold throughout the United States, Europe, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and other islands.

Hench & Dromgold Company, extensive manufacturers of saw mills, engines, grain The Martin Carriage Works drills, corn shellers, spring tooth and spike Carriage were established by M. D. Mar- tooth harrows, own one of the prominent Building. tin, on North George Street, York, in 1888, as a small enter- industrial establishments in York. The business was founded at Ickesburg, Perry prise. Originally buggies only were made

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THE CITY OF YORK

at these works, but since 1890, sleighs, gaged in the manufacture of carriage bodies spring wagons, and delivery wagons have and gears. P. W. Keller died in 1895 and been manufactured in large numbers. In F. T. Root withdrew in 1897. A limited 1897 large factory buildings were erected in partnership was formed with Horace D. Keller, as president ; A. W. Dettinger, vice- president, and R. A. Paules, secretary and treasurer. West York Borough and the entire business moved to that place. The enterprise was incorporated in 1900 with M. D. Martin, president; P. A. Elsesser, secretary and treasurer. The yearly output is large and Wood Workers. the products of this factory are sold throughout the entire country. The aver- age number of workmen employed is 300.

The York Carriage Company was estab- lished on North George Street, by S. E. Bailey, of Philadelphia, in 1890. The busi- ness grew from small proportions and soon extended the sales of its products all over the United States, South America and Europe. The aggregate products in 1907 were five times greater than ten years previously. This factory makes carriages, buggies, de- livery wagons, sleighs, and other vehicles. About 325 workmen are employed regularly. The works were destroyed by fire April 6, 1903, and a much larger factory was built on North Street, and another at Hay and Franklin Streets. In 1904 the York Motor Car Company was organized for the manu- facture of automobiles. It is a stock com- pany of which S. E. Bailey, the head of the York Carriage Works, is one of the leading members.

The Hoover Wagon Works were founded in 1880 by George WV. Hoover, who began the manufacture of buggies and pleasure carriages. Three of his sons were associa- ted with him in the business on East Phila- delphia Street. In 1899 the factory and business were purchased by the Hoover Wagon Works when George W. Bacon, was chosen president ; Israel K. Ziegler, secre- tary, and Charles C. Frick, treasurer. The company was reorganized in 1902, with C. H. Dempwolf, as president; D. F. Lafean, vice president ; Edwin S. Ziegler, secretary and treasurer. The factory was destroyed by fire in 1904 and immediately rebuilt. Within recent years, this establishment has been engaged in the manufacture of deliv- ery wagons exclusively. About 100 work- men are employed.

The York Wagon Gear Company was established at Belvidere Avenue and the Western Maryland Railroad in 1892 by Peter W. Keller and Frank T. Root, and en-

The Eureka Bending Company in West York Borough, was organized in 1903, and engaged in the manufacture of rims, bows and plow handles. William G. Leas is the president and treasurer, and J. L. Bower, secretary.

The York Bending Works, engaged in the manufacture of rims for the wheels of farm wagons, buggies and other vehicles, was founded in 1897 by Erwin W. Smith & Com- pany. The partners are Erwin Smith and Dr. L. H. Fackler, both of whom were for- merly residents of East Berlin, Adams County. The works are situated at the cor- ner of Queen and Arch Streets.

The Home Furniture Company on King Street, near the Maryland and Pennsyl- vania Railroad, began operation in 1898, and has since been engaged in the manufacture of sideboards and dressers. About fifty workmen are employed. John L. Gerber, president, E. M. Menges, vice president ; Charles Taff, secretary, and Daniel V. Ger- ber, treasurer.

Jacoby Furniture Company, in West York Borough, was incorporated in 1903, with Adam Jacoby, president and treasurer ; S. S. Jacoby, vice president, and C. S. Rea- ser, secretary. The business was founded by Adam Jacoby on North George Street, in 1890, when he began to make sideboards. The business increased and he manufactured other kinds of furniture. In 1904, after the buildings were erected in West York Bor- ough, the business was removed to that place. The company is engaged in making sideboards, dressers, chiffoniers and wash- stands. One hundred and sixty-five hands are employed.

The West York Furniture Company was founded in 1899. In 1903 the business passed into the hands of John H. Wogan, president, S. P. Porter, vice president ; Clark Wogan, secretary and manager; George A. Wolf, treasurer. This factory is engaged in mak- ing quartered oak chiffoniers and side- boards. Fifty-five workmen are employed.

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Chemical Works. lished by Charles Dempwolf, in 1870. His place of business was then situated on the north side of the Co- dorus, east of Beaver Street. In 1874 Mr. Dempwolf withdrew from the business and his son, Charles H. Dempwolf, under the firm of C. H. Dempwolf & Company, contin- ted to make fertilizers. In 1884 the factory was removed to Loucks and Windsor Streets and the business enlarged. The fac- tory was entirely destroyed by fire in 1895 and soon after rebuilt. A charter of incor- poration was obtained the same year when C. H. Dempwolf became president of the company; Reinhart Dempwolf, secretary ; and Horace Hinkle, treasurer. The com- pany has since continued to manufacture on an extensive scale sulphuric acid and fer- tilizers. The product for the year 1906 was 12,000 tons and the entire amount of business $200,000.

York Knitting Mill Company, a Knitting Mill. prosperous enterprise, on Wheat- field Street, near the Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad, was originated in 1899, by Henry L. Field, who began the enterprise on a limited scale, and engaged in the manufacture of hosiery. At first only twenty-five hands were employed. About two years after the business was started, it passed into the hands of an incor- ated company of which W. F. Bay Stewart, was chosen president, and J. T. Kopp, secre- tary, treasurer and general manager. The buildings have been enlarged and improved machinery added. The annual product during the past year has been double that of previous years. In 1907 one hundred and seventy men were employed.

Joseph Black & Sons, extensive manufac- turers in hosiery, established their business in recent years and erected a large and com- modious building in West York to accom- modate their increasing business.

Coal

George S. Morris started the first coal yard about 1830 on North Bea-

The York Chemical Works re- number of kilns have been in operation in sulted from an industry estab- York and vicinity for the purpose of burn- ing lime for farmers and for the building of houses. When York became an industrial centre, the sale of coal became an important business, and a large number of yards have since been in operation.

CHARLES LAFEAN, prominent as a coal merchant and extensively engaged in the burning of lime in York and vicinity for a period of twenty-five years, was a native of Germany. He was born April 18, 1835. near Luebeck, an interesting town in the centre of one of the fertile agricultural regions of Westphalia, then in the Kingdom of Prussia. He was the son of Anthony and Mary Meyers Lafean. Both of his parents belonged to representative families of Westphalia, whose people have always been noted for their intelligence, thrift and enterprise. Charles Lafean grew to man- hood at his paternal home in the beautiful village of Luebeck, where he obtained his education, and acquired from his father habits of industry.

At the age of 19, he determined to come to America. He sailed down the Weser from the city of Minden, the seat of govern- ment of Westphalia, and at the port of Bremen, in company with Frederick Kott- camp, his daughter, Charlotte, and others set sail for Baltimore, where he landed July 7, 1854. Charles Lafean soon after land- ing came to York, and during the succeed- ing nine months was employed by the firm of P. A. & S. Small at the Ashland Furnaces near Cockeysville, Maryland. Desiring to enter business for himself, he then returned to York and leased several lime kilns on the King's Mill Road near the Codorus Paper Mills. Here he began his successful career in business, and found ready sale for all the lime he burned. Four years later, in part- nership with Henry Lucking, he purchased lime kilns which then stood on the site of St. John's German Evangelical Lutheran Church on West King Street. After oper- ating these kilns for two years he sold his interests to his partner, and with Frederick Greiman purchased coal yards on North Water Street, the present site of the Edison Electric Light Plant. At this place the firm

and ver Street, at the present site of the Lime. Barnitz coal yard. The burning of lime began about 1742 when the first settlers commenced to build their houses of logs, brick and stone. It was not of Greiman & Lafean became the most ex- until 1830 or thereabouts that lime was first tensive coal dealers in York. They con- used as a fertilizer. Since that date a large tinued with unabated prosperity, supplying

Charles Lafran

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THE CITY OF YORK

coal to a large number of patrons for a pe-

The other sons are active in the manu- riod of about ten years, when Frederick facturing and business interests of York. Greiman withdrew from the firm and Mr. Charles Lafean was a member of Christ Lafean conducted the business alone for a Evangelical Lutheran Church, of York. period of six years. He then took in as a He died May 1, 1894. partner John Gerber, of Dover, who later The York Shoe Manufacturing purchased the coal yards on North Water Street, and Mr. Lafean bought the coal yard of John Mayer, on West Princess Street, between the Northern Central Railroad and the Codorus Creek, where he carried on the coal business until he retired in 1885.

Other Company was organized in Industries. 1900, as the Heiser Shoe Man- ufacturing Company, and in April, 1902, was changed to the present name. This company is engaged in the manufacture of men's and boys' fine welt shoes. During the years 1906-1907 the company made a large number of regula-

While engaged in the coal business Charles Lafean, as a member of the firm of tion shoes for the United States army. Greiman, Lafean & Grund, purchased and About 110 workmen are regularly employed. operated extensive lime kilns at the Willis The officers are M. S. Stoner, president ; T. Spring, a short distance west of Prospect .H. Hooper, of Baltimore, vice president ; Hill Cemetery. Here for a period of fif- Charles W. Krone, secretary and treasurer. teen years they burned vast quantities of The American Caramel Company grew quick-lime, and sold it for plastering pur- out of an industry established by Peter C. poses in all the towns along the Northern Wiest in 1867. He was the pioneer in the Central Railway from Baltimore to Sun- manufacture of caramels and was successful bury. In his efforts Mr. Lafean showed remarkable ability. He prospered in all his enterprises and in 1885 retired from business, spending the remainder of his life looking after his real estate in York and managing the cultivation of a productive farm in Conewago Township. Mr. Lafean was a man of the highest honor and integ- rity. He was quiet and unassuming in his manner, careful in his business transactions and exemplary in all his conduct.

On February 3, 1856, Charles Lafean was married to Charlotte Kottcamp, whose mother had died in her infancy and whose father and herself had accompanied him to this country from Germany. The children of this marriage were Mary J., deceased, Albert Henry, Daniel F., Charles F., Emma J., deceased, Edward C., G. Jacob, Laura V., John R., Hattie M., wife of Clarence A. Geesey.

In 1897 Harry L. Motter and S. C. Eisen- hart organized the World Polish Manufac- turing Company and began to make Black- His eldest son, Albert Henry Lafean, is ola. The business prospered from the be-

the senior member of the large drug firm of A. H. Lafean & Brother, West Market Street, York.

Hon. Daniel F. Lafean, the second son, for a period of three terms has represented the Twentieth District, embracing the coun- ties of York and Adams, in Congress. He Hirsh, treasurer.

is the active head of a large number of in- stitutions in York and is identified with many other business enterprises.

in his efforts and soon developed a large business. In 1878 Daniel F. Lafean be- came a partner and the firm of P. C. Wiest & Company was organized. The original proprietor retired from the business and in 1895 The P. C. Wiest Company was incor- porated with Daniel F. Lafean as president. The factory was moved to the present lo- cation on East Walnut Street, which covers an area of two acres. During the past ten years an average of six hundred employees are regularly at work in the manufacture of candies. In 1898 The P. C. WViest Company was united with other factories at Lancaster and Philadelphia and the American Caramel Company was organized with Daniel F. La- fean president, and Stewart B. Lafean, sec- retary and treasurer.

ginning. At the death of S. C. Eisenhart in 1899 Mr. Motter conducted the business alone until 1903, when a charter of incor- poration was obtained with Harry L. Mot- ter, president; George W. Williams, vice president ; L. F. Hirsh, secretary, and D. F.

The Rex Polishing Company has had a prosperous existence for a number of years. Dentists' Supply Company, of which

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Jacob F. Frantz is president, George H. Whitely, vice president and superintendent of factory, J. R. Sheppard, secretary and treasurer, owns a large factory on North hands. This company is engaged in the manufacture of supplies for dentists, and its products are sold all over the civilized world.

Penn Street, and in 1907 employed 450 separate factories. Among the largest of

During the past forty years lumber yards and planing mills have filled an important position in the growth and development of York. Nearly all the lumber used in erect- ing houses within the limits of the city has been manufactured here. A great amount of their products is shipped elsewhere. Her- man Noss & Sons, Jacob Beitzel, Jacob Se- christ Sons, Henry Hoff & Company, George WV. Gilbert & Son, John C. Fallon and others have operated extensively in this line of business. Several hundred workmen are employed.

Brick making was begun in York at the time of the first settlement in 1741. Philip Zeigler and George Hoke were the pioneers in this industry. Originally most of the bricks burned at their kilns were used in the construction of the old-time chimneys needed in the fireplaces of the pioneer log cabins of our forefathers. Before the Revo- lution had opened there were several brick yards in the town and vicinity. The clay de- posits within this region were well adapted for making bricks. During the succeeding one hundred years there were numerous brick kilns and potteries within the limits of the town and country adjacent. When the numerous manufacturing enterprises were started after York became a city, the demand for bricks was very large. New kilns were erected and during the past twenty-five years they have done an exten- sive business., In early days there were a few houses in York containing a fine quality of brick. The common brick was in use al- most exclusively until a recent period. In 1907, Benjamin Kissinger's Sons, W. H. Grothe, Spring Garden Brick Association, (I. Frey & Co.), and Railing & Souder made common bricks on an extensive scale. Pressed bricks were made by York Shale Red Press Company (D. F. Stauffer), Stony Brook Slate and Brick Company (Stony Brook). Drury Press Brick & Construction Company and the Hollywood Brick Com- pany.

The manufacture of cigars em- Cigar Making. ploys more people in the city of York than in any other industry. In 1907 there were about eighty these were Myers, Adams & Company, Jacob A. Mayer & Brother and G. Koh- ler & Company. There are also within the limits of the city numerous cigar box fac- tories, the largest of which are H. W. Heff- ener, E. Myers & Company, Jacob A. Mayer & Brother and A. Kauffman & Brother.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 137

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