History of the counties of Lehigh and Carbon, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Pt. 1, Part 40

Author: Mathews, Alfred, 1852-1904; Hungerford, Austin N., joint author
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : Everts & Richards
Number of Pages: 948

USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > History of the counties of Lehigh and Carbon, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Pt. 1 > Part 40
USA > Pennsylvania > Carbon County > History of the counties of Lehigh and Carbon, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Pt. 1 > Part 40

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his efficiency as an executive officer. Mr. Bortz was married Aug. 24, 1867, to Miss Emina II., daughter of George H. and Rebecca Sanders, of South White- hall township. Their children are Cassius U., Ida L., Oliver F., and Harrison O. G. Mr. Bortz, while not an active politician, evinces a keen interest in the success of the Republican party ; has been five times a delegate to State Conventions, and was, in 1880, delegate to the National Convention. He has been for four years chairman of the County Excessive Committee, and for twelve years school director m a district largely Democratie. He is a director of the Coopersburg Turnpike Company and the Emaus Home Mutual Fire Insurance Company. Mr. Bortz is a member of the Lutheran Church of Salisbury, in which he has been an officer. He is identified with the Masonie fraternity, as member of Greenleaf Lodge, and is also a member of the Allen Lodge of Independent Order of Odd-Fellows, and Greenleat Lodge of Knights of Pythias.

A number of minor manufactories of iron-some of them small only by contrast with the great mills and furnaces-are carried on, and colleetively form an important industry.

The oldest of these houses, dating back to 1837, is that of Barber, Keiser & Co. It was started by Jo- seph K. Saeger, in the year mentioned, and it was in this foundry that he set up the first steam-engine used in Lehigh County, mentioned at the beginning of this chapter. Mr. Saeger carried on the foundry for abont a dozen years, In 1853, Thomas Barber, the father of one of the present firm, became the prin- cipal owner and manager, and while the style of the firm has been changed several times, the name of Barber has always appeared in it, and some one of that family has always been prominent in its control. Until 1873 the business of the firm was purely loeal, although quite extensive. They were engaged in building blast-furnaces, rolling-mills, and machinery for iron mines principally, but Mr. Thomas Barber and Edward Sherer, partners in the business for many years, were millwrights, and most of the mill- in this section of country were furnished with their gearing and iron work from these shops. During the panie of 1878 and the succeeding years, the iron business was so terribly depressed in this section that they began to seek for a wider market, and during the past nine years succeeded in building up a trade throughout the United States and Canada. The prin- cipal products of the works are turbine water-wheels, bark-mills, engines, boilers, mill-gearing, and all other work common to such extensive machine-shops. The firm, consisting of W. H. Barber and Bernard Keyser, with silent partner, employs about eighty men.

Thomas Barber, the son of William Barber, was born in Bath, Northampton Co., in the year 1811. Ilis trade was that of a millwright, at which he achieved great distinction in his early days, and was known far and wide as a skilled artisan. His services

-------- --

Harrison Going

عد الجوهرة

وأ عيد

بم طالبه

The Barber

"فكذاف سند دماء

بينايس الزك والالبائع

١٠ جفعد النيـ

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THE CITY OF ALLENTOWN.

were constantly in demand, and many of the mills in the eastern section of the State were erected under his immediate supervision. As early as 1844 he pro- ceeded to Como, Ill., and built one of the most exten- sive mills then in existence in that part of Illinois. He left Como for Dayton, a small town in another part of the State, and engaged in the milling business until the death of his first wife. Subsequently he re- moved to Allentown, and was prevented from going to Australia by his brother Stephen, who induced him to take an interest in the foundry and machine- shop then owned by George Probst and others. He continued in this business until his death, having made his son, William H. Barber, a partner in the business, the firm being known as Barber & Son. Mr. | Barber was also extensively known as an iron man, having been one of the originators of the Roberts, Lehigh, and Topton Furnaces, though at the time of his decease he was interested in the Lehigh only.

Mr. Barber was married on the 19th of June, 1834, to Mary Ann, daughter of John Romig, Sr., of Allen- town, and sister of Dr. John and the late William J. Romig. Their children were William II. and Joseph (of Allentown), Hannah (Mrs. Harry J. Smith, of New Haven, Conn.), and Mattie (of Genesce, 111.). Mrs. Barber died Oet. 23, 1852, and he was a second time married, on the 24 of February, 18544, to Mrs. Mary Eckert, daughter of Jacob and Mary Stein, of Allentown, who survives him. The death of Mr. Barber occurred on the 6th of Angust, 1879.

William Harrison Barber was born in North White- hall township July 29, 1843, his parents being Thomas and Mary Romig Barber. His father was a mill- i Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers to South Carolina, wright by profession, of more than local reputation as a craftsman of superior talent. In 1844 he moved to Illinois, called there to fill a contract for building a large mill for parties in Philadelphia, on which trip his son accompanied him. There the lad remained until ten years of age, when he returned to Allen- town, and enjoyed the advantage of superior instruc- tion. Before returning from the West he had been deprived by death of the counsel and affection of a mother, a loss which he deeply realized. Atter leaving school he again returned to Ilinois, almost a child in years. This was an undertaking of no small daring, manifesting a spirit of enterprise and determination rare in one of such tender years. Soon after the spirit of adventure, deeply rooted in his nature, tempted him to seek something more exciting in life, and hearing glowing descriptions of hidden fortunes iu the neighborhood of Pike's Peak, he started for that new-found Eldorado, in company with several other young spirits. He was then fourteen years of age, a tender age, indeed, in which to venture so far into : two years and cheveu months.

almost unexplored regions without guide or counsel. He reached the limits of Nebraska ,Territory, when some disagreement among himself and companions took place, and he left them. Companionless and almost moneyless, he engaged to labor on a farm or

ranehe in that isolated district, where he remained for about two months, when, tiring of the dull monot- ony of such a practical life, he managed by various expedients to get back to Illinois, making Genesee his headquarters. His family and friends, fearing the consequences of this roving disposition, persuaded him to return to Pemisylvania. He at once agreed, and started for the old Keystone State, at least in ap- pearance, but with the mental reservation in the promise to do as he pleased. He, however, eame to | Allentown, having grown so much in his absenec as to pass beyond the recognition of his friends. After a brief interval in the foundry owned by his father he engaged in teaching at Slatington, and continued thus employed until 1860, when an effort was made to enlist in the United States marine service. His youth proving an obstacle to a naval career, he repaired to Camden, N. J., and secured employment in a ma- chine-shop, where, young and inexperienced as he was, he commanded full wages as a journeyman.

After another fruitless effort to enter the United States service during the late war, he removed to Allen- town, and was elected teacher of the public schools in the Sixth Ward. He taught for eight months, studying himself in the mean time. He then entered the office of the late E. J. Moore, Esq., counselor, as a student, and read law while teaching. In 1862, still full of the fire of patriotism and adventure, he enlisted, though under eighteen years of age. He passed muster at Camp Curtin, and was detailed as clerk of recruiting service of Pennsylvania, under Maj. Dodge. He then went with a squad of recruits for the Forty-seventh connnanded by Col. T. H. Good. There he was de- tailed as clerk of military commissions for that State. Having entered the regiment enlisted in originally, he was sent with it to garrison Fort Taylor, Key West, and the Dry Tortugas. He was afterwards detailed as senior clerk of the commissary and quartermaster de- partment. This was an important and responsible position, as more than a million and a half dollars were there invested in military stores. He remained about fifteen months, when the regiments were bri- gaded, and he was ordered to accompany Gen. Banks on his Red River expedition, as a member of Gen. McMillen's staff. He took part in the battles of Sa- bine Cross Roads, Pleasant Hill, and the various skir- mishes on the route. At the close of this campaign the regiment was brought North and placed in Sheri- dau's army. He was under fire at Cedar Creek, and one of the cager watchers of Sheridan's famous ride. Ile remained brigadier's clerk until the close of the war, and was honorably discharged, after serving for

Mr. Barber then returned to Allentown, and applied to his father for employment in the shop. At this time the factory numbered but sixteen men on its labor roll, and its business was entirely local. His father, then at the head of it, was largely interested

160

HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

in blast-furnaces, and tired of the management of the shop. Harry at onee conceived the idea of enlarging the works and extending the business. This was ef- fected, and orders multiplied, until it required eighty- five to ninety men to do the work. During the panic Mr. Barber found it necessary to find additional fields for their products. He became acquainted with A. N. Wolf, Esq., the inventor of the turbine water-wheel, still made by the firm. Considering the invention a good one, he secured the right to manufacture them on royalty, advertised extensively with mill machinery, ete., and succeeded in building up an excellent trade. By this time he owned one fourth of the establishment. In 1879, his father having died, he purchased the works from the heirs, with the patent-rights of the turbine-wheels from Mr. Wolf, and became sole pro- prietor. He also invented a bark-mill, and with these two specialties renewed and redoubled his efforts, and built up a trade which now extends to every State in the Union, as well as Nova Scotia, British Columbia, Brazil, England, and Germany.

Mr. Barber was at all times identified with the Re- publican party, though latterly he took a less active part in politics. He was heartily interested in all that pertained to the improvement and prosperity of Allentown, few men of his age having contributed more to the city's welfare.

Ile was married Dec. 28, 1868, to Anne L., daughter of Archibald and Amanda Wilson, of Baltimore, Md. Their children are Thomas Wilson, George Romig, Laura Amanda (deceased), Anna Louisa, Robert Archibald, and William Harrison, Jr. The death of Mr. Barber occurred July 18, 1883, in his fortieth vear.

Joseph Barber is the son of Thomas and Mary Ann Romig Barber, and was born in Allentown June 11, 1838. In 1845 he removed with his father to Illi- nois, where ten years were spent,-five in Whiteside County and five in Henry County. During the latter period he was employed on the farm and in the mill owned by his parent. Returning to Allentown, in 1855, he entered his father's shop as apprentice to the trade of a machinist, but was influenced by circum- stances at the expiration of a year to abandon his trade and begin a career of independence. He sought service for a while on the Lehigh Canal, and later on board a schooner plying between New York and Providence. He returned again to Allentown in 1858, and later finished his trade with his uncle, Levi Bar- ber, at Bath, Pa., who was engaged in the manufac- ture of agricultural implements. He was, Oct. 6, 1860, married to Miss Sarah L. Lilly, daughter of George and Mary Lilly, to whom were born five chil- dren, -- William E., Anna M., Minerva L., Edward F., and Joseph II. After a brief interval in New Haven, Conn., he again became a resident of Allentown, and on the 11th of September, 1861, enlisted in the Forty- seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. He was discharged July 28, 1864, having served in several

important engagements. Ile then resumed his trade, both at Allentown and Mauch Chunck. On the death of his father Mr. Barber acquired a one-fourth inter- est in the business, which was retained for two years and then sold to his brother. In June, 1880, he eur- barked in the tobacco and hardware business, and two years later, having sold his stock, returned to the shop as superintendent. In August, 1883, in connection with John Allen and Charles Collum, under the firm- name of Allen, Barber & Collum, he purchased the boiler-shop, and now conducts that branch of the business. Mr. Barber is in politics a Republican, but not an aspirant for office. He is a member of Post Yeager, No. 13, of the Grand Army of the Republic, as also of the Patriotie Order Sons of America and its Commandery.

William F. Moser is engaged in a line of manufac- ture similar to that of the firm just mentioned, -- tur- bine water-wheels and bark-mills. This manufactory was established in 1863 by Neligh & Moser, and since that time the firm has undergone four distinct changes, at present being under the sole control of Mr. Moser, who is a man of about fifty years of age, and a native of the county. The works consist of five buildings, the machinery is driven by a thirty horse-power en- gine, and about forty men are employed.

The spike-factory now owned by James W. Wilson & Son was established about twenty years ago by George W. Curtiss & Co. Subsequently the property passed into the posession of Nathaniel Tay, a member of the original firm, and was by him sold, in June, 1871, to the present owners. The product of the fac- tory consists of railroad and mining spikes, of which from five to six tons are made per day. Although a market is found for a large part of the output in the Lehigh Valley, many orders are received from other parts of Pennsylvania, from points in the West, and in the Southern States. The works employ about fifteen men.

The first works devoted exclusively and extensively to boiler-making were established by Matthew Rhoda and John T. Noble in the Hope Rolling-Mill, in the spring of 1865. Branch establishments were carried on also at Pottsville and Mahanoy. The partnership between these gentlemen continued for nearly ten years, and Mr. Rhoda was then associated with Horaee Gross for about one year. Subsequently Mr. Rhoda, who became known as the inventor and pat- entec of a blow-off' device for steam boilers, and sev- eral other useful inventions, started the Union Boiler- Works in Bethlehem.

The Union Steam Boiler-Works were established in 1869 by their present owners and managers, Messrs. Cole & Heilman. The works occupy large buildings on Front and Linden Streets, and employ a large number of hands. The products of the manufactory are locomotive-boilers and tanks, vertical and cylin- drical boilers, blast- and steam-pipes, stacks, etc.

In 1873, IL. H. Fisher established himself in his

Radish Ramber

161

THE CITY OF ALLENTOWN.

present business,-the manufacture of gas- and water- pipes and car-castings, of which there are often pro- dueed twenty tons daily, the greater part being taken by the Lehigh Car Company of Stemton. The market for steam- and gas-pipes is general. They are shipped to all parts of the United States, and even to some foreign countries. The works, which are quite ex- tensive, are situated on Jordan Creek, between Ham- ilton and Walnut Streets. The machinery is moved by a twenty-five horse-power engine. Ninety men find employment in this establishment, under the superintendence of Mr. A. S. Shiner.

A foundry and general machine-shop was founded in 1870, by Nadig & Wright, on North Fourth Street. In 1875, Henry Nadig & Brother (Philip) succeeded to the ownership, and are still carrying on the estab- lisliment. They occupy a two-story brick building, one hundred by one hundred and thirty feet, and en- ploy at least twenty hands. Their specialties are engines, with all of their appliances and connections.

An interesting industry which employs steel rather than iron as its material is the cutlery establishment of C. F. Wolfertz & Co., on the Ridge road, estab- lished in 1862 by the senior member of the present firm. He continued alone until 1873, when the firin became Wolfertz & Waldman. The next and last change was in 1879, when it was succeeded by Wolfertz & Co., the sons of Mr. W. representing the " Co." The history of the enterprise is inter- esting. The first motive power was furnished by dogs, which turned a large wheel, which in turn pro- pelled the other machinery. But this primitive style of moving machinery was found to be insufficient, and as his business inercased Mr. Wolfertz had to look for other power. He next tried water-power, which for a time answered the requirements, but as time moved on, it, too, was found inadequate and too irregular. His progress and snceess compelled him to introduce steam and machinery of a more exten- sive and improved character, until he found that his original premises, though enlarged, were too small to accommodate his business. Accordingly he looked about for a location to establish his works, and se- cured a site at the corner of Chew Street and Ridge road, and at once erected a commodions building, to which he removed from his old location on Hamilton Street, on May 1, 1881. The dimensions of this es- tablishment are as follows: Entire front, sixty-seven fect; main building, ninety-seven feet deep; forging- shop, twenty by twenty-four feet; raw-material room, twenty feet square; office and warerooms, twenty by eighty feet; the whole, with the exception of the engine-room, being two stories, and constructed of brick. More than forty operators, most of whom are experts in the working of steel and finishing of fine cutlery, are engaged here, while one fifteen horse- power engine is required to move the machinery. The firm confines itself to the manufacture of pen and pocket cutlery.

The manufacture of iron railings was begun in this eity, in 1867, by Reuben Soliday, and he has con- stantly followed it since, inventing and patenting in the mean time a number of ornamental forms of rail- ings and fenees. He now manufactures from twenty- five to thirty kinds, besides garden ornaments, flower- stands, ete. He employs about ten hands at his manufactory, corner of Ninth and Walnut Streets.

George L. Knauss established in 1875 a small ma- chine- and repair-shop, which he was soon compelled to enlarge. In 1878 he took into partnership Lewis F. Grammes, the name of the firm then being made Knauss & Co., and so continued until January, 1881, when it was changed -to Knauss & Grammes. They employed in 1881 seven hands, who, on account of the pressure of demand for their various lines of light machinery, were kept at work twelve hours per day. Finding that their business was too large for the shop they had been using, they leased a store-room, No. 726 Hamilton Street, and a building in the rear, on Maple Street, which they provided with such machinery as they needed. On Jan. 1, 1883, C. B. Wannamaker was admitted to the firm, and in the following April Mr. Knauss retired and was succeeded by C. J. P. Bittner, the firm then becoming Bittner, Grammes & Co., as it now exists. The articles manufactured are lathes, knitting machines, cigar-box machinery, tower clocks, etc.

The Phoenix Brass- and Iron-Works are the out- growth of a small industry established without capital by their present proprietor, Edward Gough, in 1875. The products of these works, located near the Allen- town Rolling-Mill Company's office, are rolling-mill machinery, chilled and soft rolls, church bells, and all kinds of brass castings. Ten mechanics are employed in the works, and an engine of twenty horse-power is required to drive the machinery.

The Lehigh Valley File-Works were started in a small way in 1865, by the senior member of the pres- ent firm of L. Kilian & Co. From the manufactory on North Fifth Street most of the leading iron com- panies in the valley are supplied, and files are sent also over the entire State. William Gruel and Henry Ruerup are also engaged in this industry, having commenced since Mr. Kilian's start in the business.

Among the newer firms engaged in iron manufac- ture are Spangler & Schantz, who have a foundry and machine-shop at Third and Walnut Streets. The works were established by Charles Spangler and II. J. Schadt, and Milton P. Schantz became a partner soon afterward. The firm became Spangler & Schantz, March 1, 1883. The products of the estab- lishment they carry on are engines, mill, running and hoisting machinery, building castings, etc.

Silk Manufacture-The Adelaide Mills .- Que of the most important, though one of the newest, manufactures in the city is that of silk, carried on in the Adelaide Mills, which are a monument to the en- terprise and liberality of Allentown's substantial men.

162

HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

In the spring of 1880, the Phoenix Manufacturing Company of Paterson, N. J., through R. M. Ek- ings, real estate agent of that eity, advertised in the New York papers for a site somewhere in the Eastern States suitable for the location of a silk mill. This advertisement coming to the notice of the people of this city, a correspondence was had, which resulted in a visit to the city of Allentown by the parties from Paterson, N. J., principally interested in the enter- prise, viz., Albert Tilt, president of the Phoenix Manu- facturing Company, and Emil Greeff, Philip Galla- gher, and R. M. Ekings. The general advantages of the eity as to labor, competing railroads, cheap living, etc., were satisfactorily shown to the visitors, and they being very favorably impressed, indieated a location (the site npon which the Adelaide Mills now stand), and expressed a desire that the citizens of Allentown should in some way identify themselves with the enterprise. The matter was accordingly submitted to the Board of Trade of the eity of Allen- town, under whose auspices a meeting of citizens was ealled for the purpose of determining upon some means whereby the enterprise might receive the proper support. When the meeting was held, a eom- mittee consisting of Messrs. Aaron G. Reninger, H. A. Stillwagen, Robert E. Wright, Sr., and W. R. Lawfer was appointed to solieit subscriptions from citizens for the purebase of the ground selected and the erection of buildings suitable for the manufacture of silk. The committee at once earried forward the work, and with such suceess that $70,000 was raised to pay for the land and necessary buildings. On the 10th day of July, 1880, another committee, consisting of Charles W. Cooper, Aaron G. Reninger, and Mor- ris L. Kautfinan, was appointed and empowered to proceed to Paterson and elose the contract with the parties there for the ereetion of buildings and ma- chinery for the purpose mentioned. The last two gentlemen being unable to serve, Col. T. H. Good and D. O. Saylor were appointed in their places, and with Mr. Cooper consummated arrangements with the Paterson gentlemen.

The title to the property was vested in Mr. Levi bine until such time as the Phomix Manufacturing Company should demand it, umler their agreement. After due advertisement and proposals being received, Mr. Line awarded the contraet for the erection of the building to Thomas W. Snyder, receiving the approval of the executive committee appointed at a meeting of the subseribers, known as the Silk Factory Fund Association, which committee consisted of Messrs. James K. Moser, David O. Saylor, Col. T. H. Good, Aaron G. Reninger, and H. A. Stillwagen. The con- tract price was $46,970.66. The erection of the build- ings was under the superintendence of Thomas Steckel for Levi Line and the subscribers, A. J. Derron, Jr., & Co., being the supervising architeets. During the third weck of September, 1880, ground was broken for the foundation of the buildings, from

which time rapid progress was made in the work of ereetion. It becoming apparent to the executive committee that the amount subscribed and covered by the mortgage of $70,000 would be insufficient for the completion of the buildings, efforts were made for further subscriptions. Several meetings of all the subscribers being held, a second mortgage of $15,000 was given upon the premises, the bonds secured by this mortgage being willingly taken by parties who had originally subscribed for the first mortgage bonds, and the balance of the cash required was obtained from the Allentown National Bank by placing the unissued bonds-amounting to $12,000-as collateral security, twenty-four prominent citizens guaranteeing payment to the bank.

Following is a complete list of the subseribers to the fund for building the mills :

Elliger Real Estate Associa-

John Newhard $200

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History of the counties of Lehigh and Carbon, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Pt. 1, Part 40

Author: Mathews, Alfred, 1852-1904; Hungerford, Austin N., joint author Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : Everts & Richards Number of Pages: 948

Author: Mathews, Alfred, 1852-1904; Hungerford, Austin N., joint author
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : Everts & Richards
Number of Pages: 948