History of the counties of McKean, Elk, Cameron and Potter, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections; including their early settlement and development; a description of the historic and interesting localities; sketches of their cities, towns and villages biographies of representative citizens; outline history of Pennsylvania; statistics, Part 37

Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.) comp. cn; J.H. Beers & Co., pub
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1320

USA > Pennsylvania > McKean County > History of the counties of McKean, Elk, Cameron and Potter, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections; including their early settlement and development; a description of the historic and interesting localities; sketches of their cities, towns and villages biographies of representative citizens; outline history of Pennsylvania; statistics > Part 37
USA > Pennsylvania > Potter County > History of the counties of McKean, Elk, Cameron and Potter, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections; including their early settlement and development; a description of the historic and interesting localities; sketches of their cities, towns and villages biographies of representative citizens; outline history of Pennsylvania; statistics > Part 37
USA > Pennsylvania > Elk County > History of the counties of McKean, Elk, Cameron and Potter, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections; including their early settlement and development; a description of the historic and interesting localities; sketches of their cities, towns and villages biographies of representative citizens; outline history of Pennsylvania; statistics > Part 37
USA > Pennsylvania > Cameron County > History of the counties of McKean, Elk, Cameron and Potter, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections; including their early settlement and development; a description of the historic and interesting localities; sketches of their cities, towns and villages biographies of representative citizens; outline history of Pennsylvania; statistics > Part 37

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Clermont Lodge, 949, I. O. O. F., was organized June 7, 1877, with the following named members: W. E. Butts, Robert Dick, Walter Dick, Robert Jaap, L. J. Lewis, John Lee, James Morgan, George Morgan, J. H. Tate, Andrew Reynolds. The names of past grands are John C. Martin, Robert Dick, J. H. Tate, W. E. Butts, John Lee, James Morgan, Andrew Reynolds, A. M. Schmelz, George G. Windman, Edward Tracy, John Wilson, Alexan- der Muir, George T. Brown, W. A. Russell, James Davidson. A. W. Taylor, John O. Sonbergh, James Hamilton, James Robertson, John T. Cunningham, John W. Steinhauer, I. J. McCandless, Samuel Bedford, Addison Fluent, Jacob Amend, Adam Hafner, George W. Weaver. The names of secretaries are James Morgan (one year), W. E. Butts (one year), and J. H. Tate (nine years). The present number of members is eighty seven and value of property $2,500. Dr. A. K. Corben, N. G .; Frank Hafner, V. G. ; Jacob Amend, Asst. Sec. ; Addison Fluent, trustee, and J. O. Sonbergh, representative, were elected in October, 1889.

The Clermont Union Church Society elected the following named officers in October, 1889: John O. Sonbergh, president; J. H. Tait, secretary, and Sam- uel Bedford, treasurer.

A Sunday school was organized at Clermont in December, 1889, with S. Bedford, superintendent: Mrs. Harrington, assistant; Sophia Hafner, organ- ist; Maggie Bedford, assistant; Albert Anderson, treasurer, and Jennie Mc- Kendrick, secretary.

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HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXI.

WETMORE TOWNSHIP- BOROUGH OF KANE.

WETMORE TOWNSHIP-GENERAL TOPOGRAPHY OIL WELLS AND LANDS-LUM- BER COMPANY-OIL FIELDS AND ENTERPRISES-POPULATION-OFFICERS ELECTED IN 1890-GEN. KANE-THE SENECA HUNTERS-FOREST FIRES- TOWN OF JO-JO-LARGE SALE OF OIL INTERESTS.

BOROUGH OF KANE-ORIGIN OF NAME-COL. KANE AND DAVID CORNELIUS- POPULATION-THE PLACE IN 1869-74-ELECTION-SCHOOLS-THE BOARD OF TRADE-NATURAL GAS COMPANIES-WATER COMPANY-BANK AND INDUS- TRIES-HOTELS-CHURCHES-SOCIETIES-MISCELLANEOUS.

W ETMORE TOWNSHIP lies wholly within the sixth bituminous coal basin. It is the birthplace of the East branch of the Tionesta, the head- waters of which- West run and Wind run-rise in the Kane neighborhood, enter the East branch southwest of Kane, whence the river flows northwest into Hamilton township. A feeder of the south branch of the Kinzua (Hubert run) rises within Kane borough, flows by the Sulphur spring, joins the south branch two miles north, whence this branch flows into Hamilton township. Crane creek rises in the extreme southwest. Wilson run, just south of Kane, receives Dalson's run three miles southeast and flows by Sergeant village into Elk county. A few tributaries of West Clarion flow southeast across the east township line, while Fife run flows northwest across the northeast corner of the township. The highest point measured is near the Sergeant township line or divide, between Beckwith and Glad runs, being 2,150 feet above tide level, and the lowest point on the north line, where the south branch enters Hamilton township, 1,400 feet. The depot at Kane is 2,020 feet, at Sergeant 1, 716 and at Wetmore 1,808 feet above ocean level. The average thickness of exposures in the township above water level is 575 feet, of which coal measures and con- glomerate show 175, Mauch Chunk and Pocono 325, and red Catskill 75 feet. while the highest stratum is the shale cap near Kane, and the lowest on the south branch, where seventy-five feet of the upper Catskill appears. The shale cap of the Clermont coal forms the summits, and from the drift cover- ing of this cap the rock used in the cellar of the late Gen. Kane's house was excavated. Fifteen years after the building of this house a shaft was put down seventy-five feet near by to explore the Clermont deposit; owing to the escape of gas the cautious laborers retired, but in two or three days they were able to resume work, as the flow was exhausted.

On the old Kittanning trail, north of this house, the Indians of long ago used to camp, and to-day there is the fire-clay which formed the rest for beds of Clermont in ages past. Around Kane, however, what remains of this coal deposit was explored and found wanting, in a commercial sense. The Alton coal was opened on the Howard Hill road and in the Swede settlement south- west of the borough at an elevation of 1,980 feet above the ocean, or forty feet below the level of Kane depot.

The Johnson run sandstone at this point is highly fossiliferous. The eut- tings on Clarion summit at Kane show its pink-yellow hue and regular blocks of forty feet depth. The color is derived from the equal distribution of iron

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through its parts. as shown in the prismoidal blocks used in the Leiper memo- rial church at Kane. The kindred Kinzna creek sandstone also abounds here. The Olean conglomerate here averages about sixty feet in thickness, but one mile from Wetmore, on the road to Blesses, it is found in detached blocks 1,890 feet above ocean level.

The Ernhout & Taylor well No. 2, in the southeast corner of Warrant 3.215, was drilled to a depth of 1,990 feet between March 12 and May 9, 1878, and subsequently lowered ten feet through a fine, dark, oil-impregnated sand. The record kept by M. M. Schultz shows the opening 1,730 feet above tide, through forty feet of loam and sand, followed by gray slate, red shale, sand, shells and soft, gray slate, down 1,980 feet, when ten feet of dark, oil-impreg- nated sand was brought up, and from 1,990 to 2,000 feet, the oil containing coffee grounds. The well was cased down 364 feet, but when it was evident that oil would not yield in commercial quantities this casing was withdrawn, and the phenomena witnessed in the old Wilcox well repeated here by an eleven- minute water-spout, winning for this the title, "Kane Geyser well." This spont reached various heights, from 75 feet to 138, and in winter, when the ice king would grasp the stream, ice would form so as to show a high, transparent stand-pipe. The Coburn Dry Hole, one and one-half miles north of Sergeant depot, reached a depth of 2,263 feet in August, 1879, and casing inserted for 357 feet. At a depth of 148 feet. and again at 212 feet. oil appeared; at 610 feet gas; at 1.953 feet oil; at 2,238 feet Bradford sand; at 2,093 gas, and at 2.263 slate and sand. The Kane Geyser well was stopped by Dr. Crossmire and others, who day after day made trial to control its wild flow.

The Kane Blade of February, 1880, notices the purchase of 250 acres of oil land on Warrants 3,760 and 3.786 by H. O. Ellithorpe; the drilling of the Clemenger & Hunt well, on the James Brothers' land, and the Winsor pur- chase of 150 acres on 3.760.

Wilcox well No. 1, on Warrant 2,723, six miles east of Kane, and one mile north of the line of Elk county, was drilled to a depth of 1,943 feet in June, 1881. and filled to a depth of fifty feet with oil in one night. The Adams well, on Warrant 2,676, was put down in this neighborhood in 1865. The Wilcox Company comprised A. I. Wilcox, D. A. Wray, H. W. Williams and others.

In November, 1883, the Ridgway Lumber Company purchased 2,500 acres of land near Kane for $58,000. The tract was estimated to contain from six to eight millions feet of cherry, with other varieties of hardwood and hemlock.

In January, 1886, the Kane Oil field, or New Black Sand field. appeared so worn out that the oil map, hanging in the Thompson House, was turned by the scouts wallwards, and many operators deserted the field. On January 28. however, the foresight of the scouts was rendered unreliable, for on that day the Kane Company's well touched sand at a depth of 2,207 feet, and, penetrat- ing it for six feet. found a 125-barrel well. This well was drilled on Lot 426. a little less than three months after the Craig & Cappeau well was drilled (No- vember 11, 1885), 400 rods south by east. The wells reported finished on Feb- ruary 11. 1886, numbered fifteen. Mr. Murphy's, the Associated Producers'. and Chapman & Fickin's wells were dry. Kane Oil Company's well No. 1. on Lot 11, of Griffith's, produced gas, and their well No. 2 seventy five barrels of oil; P. T. Kennedy's well. on Lot 12, yielded forty five barrels per day; Simp- son & McMullen's, on Lot 19, did not produce; Bayne, Fuller & Co.'s well, on Lot 20, gave 15 barrels; the Associated Producers' wells No. 1 and 2, 77 barrels; Craig & Cappean's Nos. 1 and 2, 114 barrels; Roy, Archer & Clemen- ger's wells yielded gas, also Tennent & Co.'s, while the new well referred to above gave 125 barrels per day, and gave new life to the district, leading to

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HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.

an increase of ten, by February 11, from the twenty-six wells in existence Jan- uary 28. By April 10, the Kane Oil Company had six wells in the field, No. 6 producing 225 barrels, and No. 1, 145 barrels. The Union Oil Company had seven wells of from 70 to 197 barrels per day: Coast & Thyng's No. 1 yielded 242 barrels, while Shirley and Hochstetler. Andrews & Co., and Reed & Brown wells, were all producers.

In January. 1889, the firms of West & Co. and Davis & Co. drilled for oil on Warrant 3, 131, in Wetmore, two and one-half miles north of Kane. At 1,773 feet they tapped the oil sand, but not satisfied with the promise of a ten-barrel well, they continued the boring to 1,956 feet, when they struck the heaviest flow of gas known in the Kane region.

The first gas well in the Kane field was struck in the fall of 1884. To-day the pressure varies from 200 to I, 200 pounds to the square inch. On Novem- ber 11, 1885, this field yielded its first oil.

Wetmore township, in 1880, had a population of 1,438. In ISSS there were 184 Republican votes, sixty-one Democratic, eighteen Prohibitionist and three Labor-Unionist, or a total of 266, on which figures the population is estimated to be 1,330. A number of unnaturalized residents, however (Swedes. Italians, Germans), place the true population far above this.

The township officers elected in February, 1890, are as follows: Super- visors, Charles Hedman, Peter Nelson: school directors, P. A. Carlquist, E. W. Campbell; constable, G. N. Jackson; auditor, John Selin; town clerk, C. L. O'Kerlind; justice of the peace, Eric Erickson; collector, William Wilkins; judge of election, J. O. Liddell; inspectors, John McNall, Neil C. McEwen.

In 1855 Gen. Kane came to the upper Clarion with a number of friends. where his father and the widow of Mr. Leiper owned lands. The party took up their quarters in Williamsville, on the Elk county side of the Wilcox farm. In 1856 Mrs. Kane accompanied her husband into the wilderness, and that year the General instructed Erastus Burlingame in geology, and had him join the explorations of that year. In 1859 he selected the country around Kane for his home, and in 1860 began the building of the present Kane home. On the opening of hostilities the place was deserted, and the cut stone, which was intended for the building, was stolen and used in filling the railroad embank- ment. In 1864, however, the work of building was resumed, but the pioneer saw mill, built in 1864, burned in 1867, and delayed progress.

Evidences of prehistoric occupation are not wanting. There are three earthworks or forts, each from two to four feet high, and about one mile apart. They resemble each other, being all of a true circle and about fifty paces across the center, and are evidently of great age, as large trees have grown up their embankments. One contains from eight to ten small mounds with a deep hole in the center, and all are situated on high land far from water. Two cannon balls or shells were found at Kane when excavating for a round-house. They are supposed to be reminders of the soldiers of the Revolution.

In May, 1880, the Seneca hunters, with their women and children, camped below Kane in the great pigeon roosts. Their object was to feed on young pigeons, which they intended to capture and kill chicken fashion, but owing to some miscalenlation, they arrived at the wrong time, and so had to evacuate the location in the face of starvation, as they had no arms to bring down the hitherto despised old birds.

The forest fires around Kane in May, 1888, originated near Wetmore, de- stroying three houses at Swamp Lodge, the Clinton Oil Company's stock and property: the Boston Oil Company's rigs and tanks; Treat & Mallory's rigs and tanks, while much of the country between Kane and Mount Jewett was

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HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.

burned over. The clothes pin factory of Howells, Moffitt & Co .. of West Kane, was destroyed that month.

The town of Jo Jo, which sprang into existence in the winter of 1885-86. was practically deserted in April of the latter year. In October, 1889, the name of the place was changed to Joville, and a post-office established there, with Thomas J. McCann, master. The Kane Oil Field Railroad, built in 1886, had the tracks removed, and the James Brothers' milling interest, or Weaver's mill, was moved to Alton.

About the heaviest deal that has been made here for some time was made between J. T. and W. Griffith and parties who owned a large oil interest near the western limit of Kane. This interest consists of twenty two producing wells, and was purchased by the Griffiths for $80,000.

BOROUGH OF KANE.

The town was named in honor of Thomas L. Kane. He and David Cor- nelius were the first of the white men to settle here, and Mr. Kane was also the first in Pennsylvania to volunteer his services to the government at the commencement of the civil war. he having been colonel of the famous Buck- tail Regiment, dying on Christmas Day, 1883. His sons are Elisha, Evan O. and Thomas L., and with creditable zeal they are carrying out the public- spirited policy adopted by their father, the honorable and distinguished founder of the place, doing their ntmost to advance the community in all that is possi- ble for man to accomplish.

Kane borough, which was included in Wetmore township in 1880. gave, in 1888, 163 Republican. 117 Democratic. 37 Prohibition and three Labor. Unionist votes, or a total of 320. The figures multiplied by six give an ap- proximate of the present number of residents as 1,920, but local authorities place it much higher. In January. 1890. Robert Campbell, city assessor, reported a population of 1,925.

In December. 1869, a large hotel (164x122 feet, four stories) was com- pleted; the railroad restaurant was carried on by the Nicholses; the Mckean and Elk Land and Improvement Company's park of 600 acres was laid out; the Catholic church building, 40x60 feet, was completed prior to this time by Father Voisard. Rev. Goodrich preached to the Methodists in a log house: the school building was completed, while the Swedes held religious meetings on Fraley street. In 1871 O. D. Coleman. Leonard & Meese, and Robert Lafferty, were the leading merchants. The large saw mill (Kane's) was burned in July. 1867. entailing a loss of $75.000. The commercial interests of Kane in 1871 were represented by F. W. Meese, J. Davis, O. D. Coleman and M. W. Burk, merchants: R. E. Looker and P. Burns, grocers; D. T. Hall, of the Kane House; J. D. Leonard, postmaster; J. D. Barnes, foreman of steam saw-mill; William Bartholomew, butcher: M. Crotty, shoemaker; James Hyde, machinist, and William Gannon, locomotive engineer. The railroad buildings at Kane were destroyed by fire May 10, 1874.

Election. - The charter election of Kane borough was held February 15, 1887, when W. B. Smith received 235 votes for burgess (being the total vote cast). George Griffith, J. McDade, O. D. Coleman, J. C. Myers, H. H. Cor- son and R. W. Smith were elected members of council; J. H. Grady. O. B. Lay, P. J. Daly, M. W. Moffitt, J. Davis and R. M. Campbell received each a full vote for school directors; C. V. Gillis was chosen justice; Robert Camp- bell, assessor; Henry McConnell, collector; F. A. Vanorsdall, auditor; Dan Matthews, constable; John Wegley, high constable; William Turby, judge, and A. Peterson, inspector of elections. W. B. Smith was elected burgess in

Griffith

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HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.

1888. In February, 1889, Joshua Davis and E. H. Long received each 126 votes. The matter was decided by the court declaring the office vacant and appointing M. W. Moffitt, burgess. A. Y. Jones was chosen justice, receiving 130 votes, while D. T. Hall received only 117.

The following is the vote cast in the borough in February, 1890:

Water Tax- For, 190; against. 44.

Burgess-M. W. Moffitt, R., 107: George Kinnear. D., 81; N. M. Orr. I., 85.

Council-W. B. Smith. R., 172; C. E. Brown. R. & P., 128; T. H. Ryan. R .. 99; P. McHale. D., 98: William O'Connor. D., 81: James Cochran, D .. 81: Dr. W. J. Armstrong, I., 39; Webb Evans, I., 34: G. W. Neuls, I., 37: O. B. Lay. P., 38; D. Staples. P., 22.

School Directors-T. S. James. R. & P .. 150; Albert Peterson, R. & P., 139: Dr. J. L. Wright, D., 102; Edward Brooder. D .. 88; William Hubard. I., 35.

Constable-R. E. Looker, R., 160; James F. Wood. D .. 59; Davis Smiley. P. & I., 49.

High Constable-H. N. Cummings, R .. 121; John McDonough, D., SO; D. M. Longshore, P. & I., 64.

Auditor-Dennie Davis, R., 134; E. H. Long. D., 88; W. O. Marvin. P .. 20; Willis Jackson, I., 32.

Tax Collector-R. E. Looker. R., 96: James F. Wood, D .. 38; Davis Smiley. P. & I., 34; C. V. Gillis, I., 103.

Judge of Election -F. W. Meese. Sr., R., 133; D. T. Hall, D., 86; Will iam Blew. P. & I .. 55.

Inspector of Election -- W. H. Davis. R .. 137; Richard Kerwin. D., 85; Milton Craven, P., 24.

Schools. - The Kane school-building was erected in 1883 at a cost of about $12,000. In 1885 W. P. Eckles was principal, with Misses Jones and Hodges. assistants. R. Campbell is president of the school board, O. B. Lay, secre- tary, W. J. Armstrong, treasurer, and Charles Roos, Grady and McKnight . unofficial members. The schools are presided over by C. D. Higby. The teachers are Kate Ryan, Irene Davis, Florence Olmsted and May Norris. The Convent school-building was, erected in 1882, and has been attended by three sisters of the Benedictine Convent. The enrollment is over 150.

The Board of Trade. - Of this organization Joshua Davis is president; J. T. Griffith and Eugene J. Miller, vice-presidents; U. M. Orr, secretary, and E. Davis, treasurer. This organization gave authority to the treasurer to offer the following inducements: Free building sites. Sites in desirable loca- tions will be sold outright for manufacturing purposes at one-half the current prices of adjacent lots, or, will be furnished on lease, rent free in any year when twenty men (daily average) are employed about the works. Free gas. In cases of manufactures where the number of hands employed is large in proportion to the quantity of fuel consumed, the gas companies will fur- nish gas free for one or more years, according to the number of hands employed. Free lumber. Rough lumber for factory buildings will be donated in special cases.

Natural Gas Companies. - In October, 1883, Elisha K. Kane commenced the construction of a system of natural gas supply for Kane, and in December. 1883, Kane Gas Company (limited), consisting of J. H. Snow. Henry Mc- Sweeney and Charles P. Byron. all of Bradford, and E. K. Kane, of Kane, filed articles of association at the county seat. In August, 1884, the limited partnership was succeeded by the Kane Gas Light and Heating Company, a

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HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.

chartered corporation of the State (capital, $10,000-100 shares). In Sep- tember, 1884, Messrs. Byron, McSweeney and Snow successively sold their interests, and J. D. Brooder, Elizabeth D. Kane and Joshua Davis suc- ceeded them. September 29, 1885, the company reorganized nnder the nat- nral gas act. At first the company purchased its gas from the National Transit Company, but in May, 1884, they drilled a well at the north end of Fraley street, and obtained an abundant supply of gas at the depth of 2, 488 feet. Before means could be devised for confining the gas, the roar of its escape could be plainly heard at a distance of eight miles. and the company were threatened with suits for damage on account of loss of sleep by the neighbors. To avoid interruption of supply during repairs of well, a second gas well half a mile south of Kane was drilled in 1885. The excellent sand and evidences of oil found in these two wells encouraged Mr. Clemenger to try another "wild-cat," and the discovery of the Kane oil field. The company's mains have been extended with the growth of the town, and now (in Angust, 1889) they are laid in every street of Kane, and branches extend to the three villages of West Kane, North Kane and East Kane, while the valne of the entire plant is estimated at $40,000.

In 1887 the Citizens' Gas Company (capital $5,000) was chartered as a competing line. James McDade, president; J. T. Griffith, vice-president, and W. A. Holgate, originated the project and pushed it to success. Mains were laid on the four principal streets of Kane, and a branch to East Kane was constructed. A well was drilled on Fraley street and another on sub. 343. but the latter has since been disposed of. The plant is worth abont $12,000. the principal stockholders having procured loans to the company for the excess over the capital. The immediate result of the competition was a reduction in price of gas from $2 per stove, monthly, to 90 cents and $1 per stove.

Water Company. - Spring Water Company of Kane (capital $40,000) was incorporated in 1887, the principal stockholders being Elizabeth D. Kane, Elisha K. Kane, Joshua Davis, H. J. James and M. W. Moffitt, all of Kane. Water is obtained from Hubert run, one mile north of the town, the entire valley being preserved in timber for its protection. It is propelled by natural gas introduced in lieu of steam into the cylinders of a Worthington duplex pump, through a six-inch cast iron main to two 600-barrel wooden tanks. elevated twenty feet above the highest point of ground in the borough. From this reservoir distributing mains are laid on all the principal streets east of the Philadelphia & Erie Railroad. The value of the plant is (August, 1889) about $20,000, paid in by stockholders, the remaining $20,000 of the capital remaining in the treasury for future extensions.

Bank and Industries. - In the Kane Bank, conducted by McDade, Davis & Co., the town has a monetary interest of which it is justly proud. It was founded April 27, 1886. James McDade, Joshna Davis, W. P. Weston and Dr. G. H. Preston are the individual proprietors, and they are all men of influence and enterprise. The office is in the modern McDade building, com. pleted in 1886.

A branch of the Security Building & Loan Association was organized Jan- nary 30, 1890, with the following named officers: President, Andrew Larson, ten shares: treasurer. D. B. Keelor, ten shares; secretary, Carl Egelin. five shares; board of advisors, Andrew Skoog, ten shares; Albert Peterson, ten shares; Andrew Skoglund, five shares.

In the James Brothers, of whom there are seven, although not all of them are residents of Kane, the town has substantial pillars. Their principal busi- ness is the manufacture of lumber, their mills being situated about nine miles

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HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.

south of Kane, in Elk county. There they cut 12.000,000 feet of hemlock. cherry and poplar annually, and have sufficient timber standing to keep them busy for ten years. They cut mostly yard sizes, and are now just com- pleting a lath mill. At Hinton, W. Va., where J. C. James, assisted by his · brother, D. W., is located, they have a mill and other interests, the style of the firm being William James & Sons, the father, now deceased, having founded the business in 1865, taking his son into partnership two years later. They cut yearly 2,000.000 feet of pine, poplar and oak, and from both there and Elk county they make shipments to all parts of Eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. The business in Kane is in charge of H. J. and T. S. James.

The Griffith Mills were established in 1866, by Thomas Griffith, who con- ducted them until 1884, when J. T. Griffith leased two of them. A year later he and his brother, Webb, purchased the three mills, which produced 7,000,000 feet of lumber last year. In 1883 the Griffith Brothers established their large store at Kane, and in 1889 invested $80,000 in local oil lands. They carry almost a half interest in the Citizens' Gas Company, and employ from forty to a hundred men.

Probably the largest industry in Kane is the brush-block factory, founded here some four years ago by the Holgate Brothers, the oldest and most widely- known firm in this line in the whole country, the business having been handed down to the present generation from a hundred years back. In February. 1888, Joshua Davis, his son, W. H., and G. W. Neuls, became the sole pro- prietors, retaining the old title, but adding to it the word company. Mr. Neuls, who gives every detail of the business his personal attention, was with the Holgates fifteen years ago, becoming thoroughly versed in the manufact- ure of every article made in the factory, including brush heads, brush handles, and white-wash, paste, dust, stove and scrub blocks. They make the finest goods, and their productive capacity is 500,000 to 800,000 gross per annum, the variety of handles made being over 50,000.

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Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.) comp. cn; J.H. Beers & Co., pub Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & Co. Number of Pages: 1320

Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.) comp. cn; J.H. Beers & Co., pub
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1320