USA > Pennsylvania > McKean County > Bradford > Illustrated history of Bradford, McKean County, Pa. > Part 11
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Felix Steinberger was born in Hungary, June 10, 1856, educated in Hungary and the public schools of New York city. Engaging for a time in the fire insurance business, he was attracted by the oil excitement of the seventies and he lost no time in making for the oil regions of western Pennsylvania. He was in Pithole in 1870 and operated extensively in other sections of the oil belt. In 1880 he located in Bradford, and a year later became associated with his brother-in-law, Bennett Nusbaum, in the wholesale and retail grocery business. Later, as previously stated, he became interested in the chemical works.
Mr. Steinberger interested in other important business enterprises. He is a stockholder in the Tuna Glass Company, of which company he is also vice-president. He is largely interested in the Electrose Manufacturing Company of New York, of which he is secretary and treasurer.
Mr. Steinberger served two terms on the common council from 1882 to 1888 and was mentioned as nominee on the democratic ticket for mayor of the city. He is a member of the Masonic lodge and a past grand of the Odd Fellows lodge.
AUGUSTUS THERON NEWELL.
Augustus Theron Newell, one of the pioneers of Bradford, was born in Dover, Mass., in 1811, being a descendant of Abraham Newell, who came to this country from England in 1634. His boyhood days were spent in Needham and Brookline, suburbs of Boston. He entered a shoe and leather store in Boston as a clerk, and afterwards became established as a proprietor in the same business. Being the oldest son of a large family of boys, it fell to his lot to assist his younger brothers in embarking in business. This he did, among the firms established being the large wholesale boot and shoe store of Newell Brothers in New York City. In 1839 he married Jane Nichols, of Newton, Mass. Three children, Ellen F., John N. and Harriet A. were born. In 1884 Mrs. Newell died. About the year 1850, Mr. Newell, having disposed of his shoe and leather store in Boston, came "west"' to Bradford, where his brother-in-law, Daniel Kingsbury lived and was the owner of vast tracts of
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land, and was interested in building railroads, lumbering, coal mining and developing the natural resources of this section of the country. Mr. Newell brought with him a stock of merchandise, and opened a store at the corner of Congress and Main streets, in a building known as the "Old Red Store," which is still standing on the latter street. He also became actively engaged in lumbering, coal mining and farming. In connection with Daniel Kingsbury, he opened coal veins at Marshburg and Lafayette.
About the time Mr. Newell came here, he married Caroline Rogers Bradford. Five children, Ida E., Jessie B., Georgie C., William C. and Willard A. were the fruits of this union. His wife died in 1883.
Mr. Newell always took an active interest in politics as a Whig and as a republican. He was a delegate from Boston to the convention which nominated Wil- liam Henry Harrison, candidate for President. He was a charter member of the Faneuil Hall So- ciety, of which Wendell Phillips was the leader, and was one of the earliest to be identified in the cause of abolition of slavery. During the war he served as en- rolling officer in Mckean county and afterwards was for many years Justice of the Peace, earn- ing the title of "Judge," by which in his later years he was always designated. He acquired large interests in land in Brad- ford and in the surrounding coun- A. T. NEWELL. try and in 1875 took a very active interest in leasing land for oil pur- poses, having secured for Post & Book the leases which afterwards made them rich. In 1876 he took a prominent part in establishing the Citizen's Hose Company. He built their first hose house which was afterwards bought by the city. At different times he owned or controlled the "Theatre Com- ique," the " Academy of Music" and the " Peoples' Theatre." In 1881 he built the " Newell Block " at the corner of Main and Webster streets.
In 1885 he retired from business, transferring all his real estate to his oldest son John N., as trustee and providing that when he should die the property should be equally divided among his eight children. In 1886 he went to New York, where he died in 1890, at the age of seventy-nine years. His remains were brought to this city and were interred in Oak Hill ceme- tery.
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THE BRADFORD BREWING COMPANY.
This prosperous corporation made its bid for public favor in 1900 in which year it was established with the following officers: John Eckhart, Jr., president; D. Mclaughlin, vice-president; Delevan Emery, secretary; Robert Bauer, treasurer; G. C. Fagnan, William Barnsdell, directors. The company brews lager beer only and makes a specialty of the purity of its production. The only ingredients used in making the beer is malt, hops, yeast and pure water. The local trade is large, the product of the company
JOHN ECKHART, Jr.
being on sale in all the leading hotels, cafes, etc. The company also has an excellent outside trade in Mckean county and various sections of Western New York.
The plant is advantageously located on 4th street near the Erie railroad tracks. The buildings which are large and well equipped with all the requirements of a first class brewery, are made of brick. The storage capacity of the plant is 5,000 barrels and the company brews about 20,000 barrels annually. They have lately added a complete bottling department which ad- dition was an immediate success.
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John Eckhart, Jr., the president of the corporation, commenced his business career as a cabinet maker. He learned the trade before he had attained his majority and in 1877 he engaged in the furniture and undertaking business in Salamanca, Cattaraugus county, N. Y. His next venture was in the west, where he engaged in the cattle business. Returning east in 1881, he entered the employ of Adam Sanders, who conducted a meat business in Salamanca. In 1882 he entered the shops of the New York, Lake Erie & Western, now the Erie road at Salamanca, building new cars for the U. T. L. line. Three years later, 1885, he came to Bradford to take the responsible
BRADFORD BREWERY.
position of foreman and wreck master of the Erie road, which position he held until March 1, 1898. On that date he left the railroad to engage in the manufacture of window glass and the glass factory which he started at Hazelhurst, contributed materially to the progress and prosperity of Bradford and made Mckean county an important factor in the window glass business of the world. Outside of his business activities, Mr. Ekhart has found time to mingle socially with his friends and he is an honored member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Red Men and the Home Circle.
Mr. Eckhart was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., June 20, 1857 and educated in the public schools of New York city and Salamanca, N. Y.
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EMPLOYEES BRADFORD BREWERY.
OFF
John Burton, Agnes McZuire, John Eckhart Jr., Jos. Sneider, Otto Faiss, Jacob Scheibly. John Mclaughlin, Chas. Reis, Wm. Schneller, Ben. Sackarnd.
EMPLOYEES BRADFORD ELECTRIC LIGHT & POWER CO.
J. F. Ballard, Harry Locke,
S. L. Clarke, Jas. Atkins,
Chas. Marris, Jno. Scatt.
G. W. Smith,
BRADFORD ELECTRIC LIGHT AND POWER CO.
The Bradford Electric Light and Power Company was organized in 1889, with an authorized capital of $85,000.00. An extensive plant was located at No. 48 and 50 Chestnut street. This plant is equipped with the latest and best modern machinery. It has four arc machines and four incandescent machines with a capacity of 4,500 lights. It was the first central station to adopt the gas engine in place of the ordinary steam engine, and is the largest electric light plant in the world using it. The engines are about 700 H. P.
The directors of the company are: George H. Potter, D. W. Robertson, David Phillips, W. C. Walker, John Fitzgibbons, T. F. Conneelly, J. H. Rose. The officers are: President, George H. Potter; vice-president, D. W. Robertson; secretary and manager, J. H. Rose; treasurer, F. Hamilton.
BRADFORD ELECTRIC LIGHT & POWER CO.
BRADFORD ELECTRIC LIGHT & POWER COMPANY.
The plant provides the people of Bradford with a first class service and a much lower rate than is usually charged by similar corporations elsewhere. Street lighting is furnished at practically the cost of production.
Mr Rose, the manager. has had charge of the plant from its inauguration, is thoroughly familiar with all the details of the business, and therefore fully qualified to manage the plant in an efficient and economical manner.
JOHN LEY.
Mr. Ley located in Bradford during the oil excitement of the seventies and besides being extensively interested in oil production is a manufacturer of tools and oil well supplies. The plant is located at 30-32 34 Corydon street.
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STANDARD WOOD COMPANY.
Which furnishes employment for 200 people in Bradford with its buildings and yards, covers an area of seven acres and is equipped with the most modern machinery. This company practically controls the kindling wood business of the United States. The company was organized eight years ago by the Blaisdell brothers. They originally began in a small way, manufacturing kindling wood from kiln dried slabs and by strict attention to business developed the business to its present proportions. The company now
P. C. BLAISDELL.
owns ten factories and large timber tracts in Pennsylvania and other states and has a capacity of 400,000 bundles of kindling wood per day.
As stated above the plant is equipped with the most modern machinery which is operated by a compressed air process, the invention of the company.
The business was located in Bradford in 1891. It is one of the substantial industrial enterprises of the city.
Mr. P. C. Blaisdell, manager of the Standard Wood Company, was born at Winterport, Maine, in 1858. His early education was obtained in the public schools of Winterport and at the age of sixteen he went to Brooklyn, N. Y. His first business venture was with his brothers, at Hawley, Pa.
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There they erected a small kindling wood plant, which plant in 1886 they removed to Carrolton, N. Y. and begun operations on a larger scale. In 1891 he removed to Bradford, where he is now an esteemed and honored citizen.
Mr. Blaisdell has erected several fine houses in the city. He is an active member of the Bradford Board of Trade.
HON. A. F. BANNON, SENATOR.
Senator Bannon was born at Blossburg, Pa., in 1847. From the age of 12 to 22 he labored with his father in the mines obtaining an education by attending night school. In 1870 he engaged in the grocery business at Blossburg, which he continued until 1875, when he accepted a contract to
Capacity-100.000Bundles perday.
Standard Wood Co.
Bruttondla.
THE STANDARD WOOD COMPANY'S PLANT.
build the Elmira and State Line Railroad. In 1877 he came to the oil country in the employ of the Erie Railroad at Kendall Creek. The following year he embarked in the coal business. Discovering oil on his property, he sold out his coal interest and soon became one of the most extensive oil producers. Senator Bannon was one of the original members of the Producers Protective Association. In 1880 he was elected coroner of MeKean County on the Republican ticket and in 1883 was chairman of the Republican County Committee. In 1884 he was elected Sheriff of Mckean county. In 1889 he was elected Reading Clerk of the State Senate and in 1891 Journal Clerk of the same body. In 1892 he was elected State Senator from his district, com- prising Mckean, Tioga and Potter counties, and subsequently re-elected in 1896.
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WATSON AND MEACHEM.
This firm, one of the oldest manufacturers in the city, was organized in 1879, by Alex Watson and E. S. Crooker, for the manufacture of rig irons, wheels and wooden tanks. Two years later Mr. Crooker retired, Mr. Watson continuing the business alone until 1890, when Mr Meachem bought an interest. The plant now is one of the busiest, most thriving factories of
ALEXANDER WATSON.
Bradford, having several buildings on Hilton street and their products are to be found in most of the oil fields of the United States and foreign countries. Mr. Alex Watson was born in Elgin, Morganshire, Scotland, coming to this country in 1842, locating in the Pennsylvania oil fields in 1865. Mr. Meachem was born in England, spending his younger days in Canada. He came to Bradford in 1879.
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A. B. SMITH CHEMICAL COMPANY.
Manufacturers of wood alcohol, acetete of lime and charcoal plant, located in Bradford and Red House, N. Y. The business was founded in 1887, but the present company was not incorporated until 1891. The officers of the company are W. W. Smith, president; F. W. Davis, vice president; W. W. Bell, treasurer; E. S. Newhill, secretary.
Abel B. Smith, the founder of this corporation was a well known resident of Bradford. Born in Lebanon, Connecticut in 1827, he soon removed to Buffalo and after obtaining an excellent education he engaged for a time in the elevator business. Seeking a wider field of activity he removed to Chicago and purchased large tracts of improved real estate.
WHEELS REELS & TANKS
VICTOR GISH LOJ
WATSON & MEACHEM'S FACTORY.
The big Chicago fire swept away his possessions and he like many others was left to begin the battle anew. Undaunted he came to the oil country and joined the army of producers who had begun to develop those regions. Fortune again smiled upon him. In 1887, in company with his brother, E. T. Smith, he established a wood alcohol works and in 1891 as previously stated, incorporated the business under the name of the A. B. Smith Chemical Company. The founder died in New York city May 3, 1897.
BOVAIRD & COMPANY,
Dealers in oil well supplies, office and establishment at the rear of 143 Main street, have been in business six years. The members of the firm are: D. Bovaird, Sr., J. H. Bovaird and W. J. Bovaird. The firm deals in all kinds of oil well supplies.
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SOPHONOUS A. MUNDY,
Dealer in real estate and lumber, office corner Pine and Washington streets, was born in Bradford county, Pa., May 3, 1858 and educated in Dickinson Seminary at Williamsport, Pa. His first employment was with Scatcherd & Son, of Buffalo. This firm are large dealers in lumber and Mr. Mundy was their purchasing agent. He remained with them four years and came to Bradford in 1883. Forming a partnership with W. S. Weed, under the firm name of W. S. Weed & Co, he embarked in the lumber business on a large scale and it may not be out of place here to note the fact that this firm has
A. B. SMITH.
DAVID BOVAIRD.
owned and cleared over forty thousand acres of timber land in Mckean and adjoining counties and still have large timber interests in various sections of the country, doing a business of about half a million dollars per year. On account of the death of Mr. Weed the partnership was dissolved February 1901, Mr. Mundy assuming the entire business.
Four years ago Mr. Mundy engaged in the real estate business. Since that time he has built fifty houses in Bradford and now owns valuable allotments. He has been trustee and treasurer of the M E church of Bradford for the past eight years. He is president of the Ketner, St. Mary's and Shawmut railroad which is used for hauling coal and lumber.
BENJAMIN F. HAZELTON.
Deceased. This history would be incomplete without a mention of the late B. F. Hazelton, as the monuments to his enterprises are to be found all over this section. But it was not only or chiefly as a successful business man that
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EMPLOYEES BOVAIRD & COMPANY.
d
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Loring Jones, E. J. Wilson, Ralph Fay, Wm. Crawford, Fred Roth, Rhody McGowan, Frank Leipold, John Jackson, Jos. Crawford Jr. Fred Horrigan, Wm. Duucan, John Dawley, M. H. Bradluy, J Crawford, Jr., Walter Sheehan, Joe Slingerland, Fred Banyon, C. J. Flick, Mike Cowmean, Thos. Slavin, Dennis O'Neil.
Mr. Hazelton was known, but as one active in religious work and liberal to a remarkable degree in contributions to causes calculated to promote the material and moral welfare of the community. His leadership was that of deeds, not of words, and his prominence was due in great measure to public recognition of the solidity of his judgment, the liberality of his spirit and the integrity of his character. Mr. Hazelton's career affords an object lesson which should be a guide and an inspiration to youth, it shows that energy, industry and a fixed purpose can mold opportunities to the will of him who has in him the right elements. Benjamin F. Hazelton was born at Machais,
S. A. MUNDY.
See Article, page 164.
Cattaraugus county, N. Y., March 26, 1847. When he was six years of age, his parents moved to a farm near Waterford, Erie county, Pa., where they resided for about nine years. At the age of eight years, young Hazelton was given a team to drive and handled lumber from the mills to Erie City, a distance of 15 miles. Shortly after this, the oil excitement on Oil Creek broke out and he went to what was then known as Buchanan farm, but later at Rauseville, where he was engaged in helping to drill oil wells by horse power. He was present when the great Rouse well was struck, and when it burned. In the winter of 1861-62, when, though not 15 years old and too young to enlist, he joined the army. He was in the battle of Shiloh, where
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his regiment went in 1,100 strong and came out with less than 300 men. After this battle he was sent as nurse with hospital boats to Pittsburg.
In the spring of 1864, Mr. Hazelton joined his parents at Oconomowoc, Wis., where they had moved a year previous. Here he purchased a meat market, giving only his word for the purchase price. He accumulated several hundred dollars in this business, but feeling the need of an education, he entered the preparatory department of Lawrence University, Appleton, Wis. Keeping up his studies here for two years by teaching district schools in
B. F. HAZELTON.
winter and working in the harvest fields during his summer vacation. He then entered the University proper, but sickness kept him home for a year. On his recovery, he took a business course in the Washington Commercial College, Madison, Wis. It was here he made the acquaintance of Miss Clarissa Florence Purple, daughter of assistant state treasurer, C. H. Purple, who became his wife the following year, 1869. At the age of 24, Mr. Hazelton had charge of heavy grading and rock work on the Madison division of the Chicago & Northwestern railroad, and upon its completion was given a train but resigned to accept a position with J. W. Woodruff & Co., Green Bay. It was here he first acquired an insight into the lumber business, remaining with J. W. Woodruff & Co. until 1878, when he came to Bradford to accept a
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البي الصلي: جم
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REAR VIEW OF INN; FROM TENNIS COURTS
HAZELMERE.
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position as foreman at the Bradford Oil Company's mill on the west branch and within a few months he and his brother, A. L. Hazelton, had secured the mill property of said firm and for several years enjoyed a large business. In 1884 Mr. Hazelton assumed sole control. He purchased more timber land and built another mill on the West Branch and had charge of the construction and management of the West Branch railroad until its purchase by the Erie. Mr. Hazelton purchased a large amount of timber lands in Elk county where he built one of the finest inills in the state. He planned out the village of Glen Hazel and built the necessary railroad to connect with the Erie system. He also founded the town of Hazelhurst in 1890, which since his death has grown to be a thriving town, several factories having located there. The estate organized the Gas and Water works and Glass factory still retaining an interest in the same.
Mr. Hazelton was engaged in various other enterprises, one in particular which has been enjoyed by many people all over this section is Hazelmere inn and park at Lime lake, where the estate has acquired water power and has built grist flour mills. Besides a widow, Mr. Hazelton left three sons, Frank P., Courtney E. and Benjamin F., Jr. and two daughters, Bess Florence and Clarissa, all members of the family reside in Bradford. The estate and business enterprise being continued under the able management of Mr. Frank P. Hazelton and Courtney E. Hazelton. Mr. B. F. Hazelton was prominent in the following orders: Member of Union lodge, No. 334, F. & A. M., Bradford Chapter, No. 260, R. A. M., Bradford Council, No. 43, R. & I. M. and Trinity Commandery, No. 58, K. P.
THE ROCK GLYCERINE COMPANY.
The Rock Glycerine company has a factory amid the Mckean county hills a short distance from Howard Junction. The appearance of the factory interiorly and exteriorly is clearly shown in the accompanying illustrations which are about the first ever made of establishments of this kind, and therefore further description is unnecessary.
The company was organized about 1882 as a co-partnership. Two years ago the present corporation was formed. The officers are: President, R. A. Dempsey ; secretary, L. M. Dempsey, treasurer, Harry Dempsey; directors, M. A. Howard, T. Benton. The main offices of the company are located at No. 46 Main street, Bradford, with branch offices at Kane, Pa. and Wellsville, N. Y.
Nitro glycerine, dynamite and torpedoes are manufactured. " Among the brands worthy of mention are the "Nonpareil," "Excelsior," "Eclipse," "Rockite," blasting geletin, etc.
The product is shipped to every point east of the Mississippi and to Mexico, Texas and Colorado, in fact everywhere where heavy explosives are used.
The capacity of the plant is 2,080,000 pounds of dynamite per year and 5,000 pounds of nitro glycerine per day. The shipments average four or five cars per month.
The company is capitalized at $50,000, but is soon to increase its capital stock to $100,000.
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,
Hon. Richard A. Dempsey, president of the Rock Glycerine Company, was born at Venango county, Pa., April 26, 1873, educated in the common schools of Venango county, followed the occupations of lumbering and farming until 1862, and in August of that year enlisted in Co. E of the 121st Pennsylvania volunteers and was promoted to first lieutenant. Near Petersburg, October 1, 1864 he was captured by the enemy and kept a prisoner in Salisbury N. C. prison three months and two weeks. Escaping at last he made his way to the Union lines in Tennessee.
HON. R. A. DEMPSEY.
Returning to Pennsylvania at the close of the war, he engaged for a time in the mercantile business and subsequently in oil producing and oil refining. In 1882 he became a member of the firm from which the Rock Glycerine Company was organized. He has also been interested in the cattle business in Kansas.
Mr. Dempsey early took an active interest in public affairs. He served two terms as postmaster, one in Venango county and the other in Mckean county, was a member of the Mckean county board of supervisors, served a term as township auditor, was coroner of Mckean county, a member of the board of water commissioners of the city of Bradford and for two terms was mayor of
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THE PLANT OF THE ROCK GLYCERINE COMPANY.
the city. In 1896 he was honored by an election as member of the United States House of Representatives and his record was such that he was re-elected in 1898 and is now the representative of his district. He was married in November 1859 to Martha E. Campbell and they have four children, Mary, wife of Frank Howard, Lizzie, Nora and Lulu. He is a member of the G. A. R. and has held all the important offices in Bradford post, No. 141. He is
OFFICERS TUNA MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
W. A. Warner, Mgr. Factory.
M. J. Benjamin, Mgr. Bld. Dep't. John Branschard, Draftsman. W. H. Dennis, Secy-Treas. A. C. Laraway, Book Keeper.
also a member of the Odd Fellows and is one of the substantial and popular citizens of Bradford.
TUNA MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
One of the leading manufacturing establishments of Bradford is the large wood-working plant of the Tuna Manufacturing Co., located on Mechanic street and extending along the Erie railroad to Charlotte avenue.
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This company manufacture and deal in flooring, siding, mouldings, frames, doors, sash, scroll work, turning, office and store fixtures and fine interior wood finishing. Beside their factory work, the company employ a competent architect and draftsman and carry on an extensive contracting and building business extending throughout north-western Pennsylvania and western New York, employing skilled mechanics in all branches.
The company was organized about five years ago and consists of W. H. Dennis, M. J. Benjamin, W. A. Warner and W. W. Bell.
W. H. Dennis, the secretary and treasurer of the company has been identified with the building business in Bradford since 1877, having moved to this city from Carbondale, Pa. in September of that year. As a member of the firm of Jones, Dennis & Booth and later of Dennis & Booth, he has assisted in erecting a large proportion of the public and private buildings of
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TUNA MANUFACTURING COMPANY'S PLANT.
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