Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I, Part 81

Author: Stewart, Joshua Thompson, 1862- comp
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 930

USA > Pennsylvania > Indiana County > Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I > Part 81

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).

The board of managers having considered the ground so selected as peculiarly suited for a cemetery on account of its elevated and comparatively secluded situation, as now lo- cated, one mile south of the borough of In- diana, facing Blairsville road on the east, and street car lines on the west, and at the same time being convenient and easy of access, and and in 1892 the partners bought a lot on

415

HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

South street, which is part of the holdings unoccupied covers an area of seven and one of the present company. On this lot was half acres on the water front, which was also erected a building 50 by 80 feet. In 1893 purchased. Of this property the secretary of Messrs. Hetrick, Wilson and Ehrenfeld dis- posed of their interests and a new partner-

the Chamber of Commerce of Everett says: "A very conservative estimate of the value of ship was formed by Edward Rowe, W. F. this tract of water front at the expiration of six years would be anywhere from fifty to one hundred thousand dollars."

Wettling and John S. Hastings. Even with very limited capital and in spite of the de- pression following the panic of 1893, the lad- der business maintained a steady and consist- ent growth. The capacity of the factory was gradually increased, all earnings being used for that purpose. In 1897 Edward Rowe sold his interest to J. H. Young. In November, 1899, Hon. John P. Elkin became connected with the institution, he purchasing the inter- est of J. H. Young. At that time the busi- ness was incorporated under the laws of Penn- sylvania as the Indiana Bent Rung Ladder Company with authorized capital of $60,000, with John P. Elkin, president; J. S. Hast- ings, treasurer and manager, and W. F. Wet- tling, secretary. In order to meet the grow- ing demand for the company's product the planing mill property of J. S. Hastings was purchased. The Hastings property was later disposed of and the company added to its original holdings at South and Eighth streets until a factory site 200 by 515 feet was secured and the factory capacity more than doubled.

In 1902 Mr. Hastings retired from the busi- ness, his holdings of stock being purchased by John P. Elkin. In 1904 Mr. Elkin was elected to the Supreme court bench and sev- ered his connection with all corporations. His holdings were taken by W. F. Wettling and C. R. Smith.

In 1907 the company began the manufac- ture of porch swings and in 1909 they se- cured control of patents on an exclusive line of camp furniture which promises to develop a business the largest of its kind in the country.

On May 11, 1910, the plant of the com- pany at Indiana was visited by fire, which destroyed the main factory building. The progress of the company was only tempor- arily retarded by this calamity. The same aggressive spirit that has controlled the man- agement of the company since its birth as- serted itself and business continued uninter- rupted. New modern machinery was quickly purchased and installed. In the new factory in operation shortly after the fire a large sav- ing in the cost of manufacture was effected by the arrangement of machinery. The handling of material is done with the greatest economy aud without loss of time on the part of employes. In some cases work that re- quired four operators in the old factory is now done by one.

The different buildings of the factory at present would cover a space equal to 45 by 700 feet in size and are well equipped with steam and electric power and the best of wood-working machinery. The products of the factory are single and extension bent rung and steel brace ladders, a large variety of step ladders, porch swings of various styles and camp furniture, consisting of fold- ing cots and folding stools, tables and chairs of a number of different varieties. These goods are shipped all over the United States and to many foreign countries. The business shows a constant increase and at times as many as fifty operatives are employed. The officers of the company at present are Clar- ence R. Smith, president, and W. F. Wet- tling, secretary and treasurer.

In February, 1908, the company pur- Conner Vehicle Company .- This company built a two-story frame building and a one- story frame building on Tenth street, be- tween Philadelphia and Church streets, in 1906. The board of incorporators consisted of J. C. Conner, president : Jonathan Learn, Frank Ross, Edward Segner, Harvey Engle, W. S. Neff. chased for cash the plant of the Everett Manufacturing Company, of Everett, Washı., embracing a main factory building 40 by 200 with additions 26 by 120 feet, dust house. power plant, electric light plant, together with sheds, docks, tramways, etc., and a par- tially completed building 62 by 240 feet. The plant is equipped with new modern machin- The company manufactures all kinds of ve- ery in use but a few months. The property hicles of a superior quality, and does an ex-

416

HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

tensive repair business. Mr. Frank Ross was The rapid development of the county in manager until August, 1912, when he sold his manufacturing and mining has warranted interest to Mr. J. C. Conner, who has been the building up of this end of the business to manager since that time, and is now the its present large proportions. owner of most of the stock.

The Indiana Foundry Company succeeded broad liberal basis and the owners are alive the firm of Sutton Brothers & Bell twelve years ago. Since that time their history has been one of continuous growth, until now their business is almost five times the volume it was in 1900, and the plant has trebled in size. The principal foundry products are sand drying and heating stoves. Thousands of both styles are made annually. The Sut- ton sand drying stove made by this firm is used by most of the leading steam railroads and trolley lines in this country and Canada. Shipments of solid carloads of sand dryers are made to the Pacific coast and other far distant points. The sand dryers are ex- ported to England and other European countries, the West Indies, South America and Japan. In fact, through the New York exporting houses they have been sent to all parts of the world where steam or trolley railroads are operated. More than one thou- sand of them are in use in the collieries of Pennsylvania alone and they are sold wher- ever mining is done on an extensive scale.

The heating stoves made by this firm are Farland was the general agent for the Oliver also sold extensively to railroads, stores, schools, churches, factories, dwellings, etc. The trade is by no means local, as custom- ers for this style of stoves are on their books from Prince Edward Island to the Missis- sippi.

This firm also manufactures boiler grate bars in immense quantities, having the most complete line of patterns for this article to be found in the State.

In the machine shop department many use- ful articles, such as windlasses, cranes, tire benders, emery stands, etc., are made and sold to supply dealers in the principal cities of the country. During the last year many new and valuable iron working tools have been installed, making this the most up-to- date manufacturing and jobbing repair shop in the county.

This firm also has a supply department in which may be found practically everything that is wanted about a mill, mine, and boiler or engine room. Few towns the size of Indi- Ernest Stewart, president; H. S. Buchanan, ana have such a well stocked machinery supply depot.

The whole management of the plant is on a to all the new methods and policies that will keep them abreast of the times. There has not been a more successful enterprise of its kind in this part of the State.

Penn Enamel Sink Company .- At this lo- cation, prior to 1871, the firm of Burns, Tur- ner & Co. conducted a manufacturing busi- ness. In 1871 Maj. I. McFarland was ad- mitted to the firm and the business was con- ducted under the name of the Indiana Manu- facturing Company. In 1872 the firm name of McFarland & Turner was adopted and the business carried on until 1875, when Mr. Turner retired. Two large buildings were used for the manufacture and storage of cook, parlor and heating stoves, plows, cast- ings and machinery. The foundry building was a brick structure, 44 by 170 feet, fitted up with all modern appliances for the con- venient handling and manufacture of cast- ings. The other building was used as a ware- house, blacksmith shop and woodhouse. It was a two-story frame building, 40 by 120 feet. Thirty men were employed. Mr. Me- Chill Plow, selling sixteen plows in 1867. In 1880, 114 were sold. For nine years he sold the celebrated Conklin wagon.

The Penn Enamel Sink Company was in- corporated December 21, 1910, with a capital stock of $100,000, and manufactures various enameled products. The company is com- posed of G. A. Conrath, E. W. Stewart, F. M. McIntire, W. R. Calhoun, W. A. Guthrie, H. E. Bence, W. J. Short and H. L. Short. The officers are G. A. Conrath, president; B. W. Stewart, secretary; W. R. Calhoun, treasurer. Sixty men are employed at this plant, and a prosperous business is carried on.

Indiana Woolen Mills Company was incor- porated in March, 1901. A new building was erected on West Philadelphia street for the purpose of manufacturing woolen goods, mak- ing a specialty of blankets. The plant is equipped for producing finished goods from the raw material, and from twenty-five to thirty men are employed. The officers are :

secretary ; Tom Hildebrand, treasurer; E. B. Campbell, manager. The directors are:

417

HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Ernest Stewart, H. S. Buchanan, George T. in 1855 by Sutton, Marshall & Co. for a Buchanan, J. S. McElhoes, E. B. Campbell.

planing mill, and managed as such until Indiana Roller Mills .- A flouring mill was 1863, when it was enlarged, refitted and built in about 1873 by J. Newton Hamilton, changed into a flouring mill. They were succeeded by Lowry & Lewis. In 1871 David Ellis purchased Lowry's interest, and three years later he also obtained the Lewis por- tion. At that time there were four runs of rels of flour in twenty-four hours, besides the usual corn grinding, etc. In 1874 Mr. Ellis' son, Griffith Ellis, became a member of the firm. Since that time, much money has been expended in remodeling the mill. A fifty- horsepower engine is used and the machinery, including the patent process, is of approved manufacture. Under the management of these gentlemen the trade has increased so rapidly that they are grinding 50,000 bush- els of wheat yearly, when formerly 18,000 bushels were considered a large amount. Since the introduction of the new process in this mill, in 1879, David Ellis & Son have been obliged to operate the mill day and night to supply the increasing demands upon them. in what was then West Indiana and now the Third ward, Indiana. It was a three run buhır mill of about twenty-five barrels of flour capacity per day, also containing buck- wheat flour and feed grinding machinery. stone with a productive capacity of 100 bar- The mill was driven by a portable (Blandy) engine and did an ordinary country grist business. In about 1876 the mill was bought by Howard & Emigh (H. C. Howard and C. C. Emigh), who put in a larger boiler and engine of the stationary type and operated the mill until 1881, when they sold to Alex. Henderson, who a few years later sold the mill to David Lockard, who in 1886 improved it by changing to the roller process, increas- ing its capacity to forty-eight barrels per day. In 1889 the mill passed into the hands of Wegley & Wilson (Fred Wegley and William T. Wilson). Early in June of that year Mr. Wegley was accidentally caught in some ma- chinery in the mill and killed. In July, 1889, Mr. Wilson and Edward Rowe formed a part- nership and Wilson & Rowe continued to operate the mill until April 9, 1890, when the mill was struck by lightning and entirely de- stroyed by fire. Wilson & Rowe took in an- other partner in the person of D. A. Hetrick, and Wilson, Rowe & Hetrick, after acquiring more land, erected a complete 100-barrel, rol- ler process mill on the same site, which new mill began operations March 9, 1891, just eleven months after the destruction of the old one. In 1898 Edward Rowe disposed of his interest to his partners, who continued the business under the name of Hetrick & Wilson until 1911, in which year George C. 1889, W. S. Daugherty became the . sole Rigg, the head miller, was admitted to the firm. The mill has been kept up with all modern improvements, enjoys a large and growing trade, and is now operated under the firm name of Hetrick, Wilson & Co.

A story is told about "Newt." Hamilton, the first man mentioned, who will be remem- bered as being very cross-eyed, and who had been in many kinds of business in his career. Once, as a butcher, he hired a young negro to hold a calf while he knocked it in the head. As he drew back the axe to strike, the negro's eyes opened very wide, and he yelled, "Hol' on dah, boss, hol' on, hol' on. Is yo' gona hit whah yo's lookin'?" "Of course I am." "Well, den, jis hol' yo' caff yo'seff."

Daugherty Planing Mill, Nos. 1044-18 Philadelphia Street .- This mill was erected in 1856 by John H. Shryock. Wagons were made in this mill for the Eutaw war. It was next managed by Cochran & Woodward, then by Coleman, Ewing & Co., who enlarged the mill. In 1871 it was purchased by James R. Daugherty, who was a member of the firm of Coleman, Ewing & Co. Mr. Daugherty being elected sheriff of Indiana county in 1872, the mill was sold to William Sutton, and in 1877 Mr. Daugherty repurchased the mill and continued to operate it until, in owner of the property. For many years, in addition to the manufacture of doors, sash, blinds, flooring and all kinds of wood work, coffins were manufactured. The machinery in this mill is of modern manufacture and is equal to any and all demands for any quan- tity or quality of products. W. S. Daugherty is the manager of the mill at the present time.

Willard Planing Mill .- This mill was a two-story frame building erected in 1866 by Robert Willard, who dealt in worked lumber. He gradually extended the building and in- troduced the necessary machinery for the manufacture of material for builders' use. In 1877-78-79 the business done amounted to from $12,000 to $15,000 per annum. The mill

Penn Flouring Mill, David Ellis & Son, was afterwards managed by Carnahan & Proprietors .- The frame building was erected Cook. It was torn down, and on its location 27

418

HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

stands the beautiful dwelling of J. R. a successful manner. In 1899 the plant was Richards.

Indiana Lumber & Supply Company was

incorporated October 29, 1903. The grounds operated it until 1913, when it became the are located at the corner of Tenth and Oak streets, 200 by 500 feet in size, and two thirds of this area is under roof. Twenty men are employed, and a specialty is made of mill work. The officers are: A. S. Cunningham, president; Harry White, vice president, sec- retary and treasurer ; D. W. Simpson, general manager; A. A. Simpson. The directors are: A. S. Cunningham, Harry White, James Gompers, J. R. Richards, J. M. Simpson, A. A. Simpson.

Johnstown Sanitary Dairy Company and Johnstown Sanitary Ice and Cold Storage Company .- The building on West Water street in which this company does business is a three-story brick structure with base- ment. It was built by the Indiana Provision Company in 1905 and operated by them as a cold storage and electric light plant, and for From time to time the plant has been in- the manufacturing of ice until 1907, when it was leased for five years, and purchased in 1912, by the company that now operates it as an ice and cold storage plant and for the manufacture of ice cream. The Penn Public Service Company, however, operates the elec- tric light plant. The ground upon which this building is located was owned and used by J. T. Stewart as a cow pasture when the Buf- falo, Rochester & Pittsburg railroad came to Indiana.

The following shows the approximate busi- ness in storage: Butter, 100,000 pounds ; eggs, 120,000 dozen ; apples, 10,000 bushels; cream, 25,000 gallons; ice, 21,000 tons in June, July and August, 1913.

DIAMOND GLASS COMPANY

This plant was established by the Indiana Glass Company, which was incorporated April 14, 1892. The first board of directors was as follows: Harry White, president; H. W. Wilson, vice president ; Thomas Sutton, sec- retary ; Griffith Ellis, treasurer; D. A. Het- rick, W. R. Loughry, John S. Hastings. S. W. Vangersaal was the first manager. He was suceeded by Griffith Ellis, who was elec- ted manager and served for one year. The plant was then closed until 1895, when it was leased to the Northwood Company for two years with the privilege of purchasing the plant. At the end of the time the company purchased the plant. From the start the Northwood Company conducted the plant in Lewis on Thirteenth street.

sold to the American Glass Company, who sold it to the Dugan Glass Company, who Diamond Glass Company. The present offi- cers are: John P. Elkin, president; H. Wallace Thomas, secretary; D. B. Taylor, treasurer. Edward J. Rowland is the pres- ent manager.

This plant has been one of the most use- ful enterprises ever established in Indiana and has given employment to from 100 to 200 men, women and boys. At present there are 180 men and boys employed and 20 girls. The company pays to its employes $4,000 every two weeks.

Indiana Dye Works .- In 1908 Mr. LeVine began his business of cleaning, dyeing and pressing where the Savings & Trust building now stands. In 1909 he located at No. 678 Philadelphia street, where he continues his business, which has been growing rapidly. creased until it is second to none in the way of equipment and the work is put out better and quicker than ever. Eight persons are em- ployed and in the near future Mr. LeVine expects to build a new plant to accommodate his growing trade. Wonderful things have been invented in the way of cleaning ma- chines. These up-to-date machines are used in the Indiana Dye Works, where garments are not only pressed but sterilized by steam under a high pressure, killing all germs.

The Indiana Marble Works were established by Samuel Grove in 1855, in a little wooden shed in the rear of Judge Blair's office. The first firm name was Grove & Brother, John A. Grove being associated in the business un- til 1859. In 1858 they erected a small frame building on the lot afterwards occupied by Gessler's confectionery. In 1863 Samuel Grove purchased the location now occupied by R. E. Young and made improvements. He continued in business here until 1888, when he sold to R. E. Young, who has been engaged in the business at this location since that time. In 1913 R. E. Young tore down the old build- ing and erected a handsome three-story brick building. The first floor of the new building is occupied by a jewelry store conducted by Wayne Riggs and a clothing store conducted by Dinsmore Brothers.

Marble works are conducted by S. W. Woodburn on Railroad avenue, between Phil- adelphia and Church streets, and by J. E.

1 1

.. .

419

HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

BANKS

There were no banks prior to 1855. The early merchants when going for goods packed up their Spanish dollars in saddlebags, mounted their horses, and rode to Philadel- phia. Long after this they still packed their money in their trunks, and in the stage crossed the mountains with all their funds with them. Yet, withal, robberies were very rare and this personal care of baggage com- paratively safe.

First National Bank .- Its predecessors were the banking house of Hogue & Co., which William C. Boyle managed (Hogue re- siding in Greensburg), and Sutton & Stew- art, in operation from December 1, 1858, to January 2, 1864. On the latter date the First National Bank was organized with a capital stock of $200,000, divided into two thousand shares of $100 each. The first officers were: President, James Sutton; cashier, William C. Boyle; directors, James Sutton, William Banks, John Sutton, Charles Gompers, Wil- liam M. Stewart, Thomas White, Alexander M. Stewart.

The primary stockholders were: James Sutton, William M. Stewart, Thomas White, lin Walker. Calvin S. Fiscus, Israel Thomas, Archibald Stewart, John Sutton, James G. Caldwell, William Earl, Dubre Thomas, James A. McKnight, the first president, served from 1876 to 1888; William B. Patti- son, 1889 to 1893; John P. Elkin, 1893 to 1895; J. N. Banks, 1895 to 1903; Robert Mitchell, 1903 to 1904; Harry W. Wilson, 1904, still serving in that position. Alexander M. Stewart, Margaret Blair, Wil- liam Lewis, William Banks, Daniel Stanard, George W. Simpson, James G. McQuaide, Charles Gompers, John G. Coleman, Robert McChesney, John Prothero, Josiah Brown, Samuel McCartney, William Bothell, Andrew R. Sloan, Andrew W. Kimmell, James Mc- Mullen, William P. North, John North, Thomas Davis, James R. Porter, James W. MeKennan, John H. Lichteberger.

The presidents in succession have been : William M. Stewart, Alexander M. Stewart, John Sutton, Silas M. Clark, D. S. Porter, John Prothero, Thomas Sutton, A. W. Kim- mell, A. M. Stewart, W. J. . Mitchell, J. P. Blair, J. S. Blair. Cashiers: E. H. Wilson, H. A. Thompson, W. J. Mitchell, J. R. lor, J. D. Ake.

Daugherty. The present directors and offi- cers are: J. S. Blair, D. C. Brown, Griffith Ellis, J. R. Daugherty, Ernest Stewart, Thomas Sutton, J. Blair Sutton. J. R. Daugherty is cashier ; H. J. Laughlin, teller ; Elmer Ellis and Charles G. Rudl, bookkeep- ers; Paul Lewis, clerk and stenographer.

McChesney, A. M. Stewart, James P. Carter, William M. Stewart, B. K. Jamison, Simeon Truby, Dr. J. K. Thompson, Isaac Empfield, E. H. Wilson, W. C. Getty, John A. Stewart, James S. Nesbit, N. Lohr, J. H. Kinter, S. P. Townsend, Harry White, Dubre Thomas, Jacob Creps. The capital stock was $100,000, divided into one thousand shares of $100 each. The first officers were: President, W. M. Stewart; cashier, E. H. Wilson ; directors, W. M. Stewart, Harry White, James P. Car- ter, John Ralston, Dr. R. H. McChesney.

The bank was incorporated on the 9th of September, 1873, and organized under the charter on the 30th of December, 1873, with the same capital as at the first. In April, 1875, the stock was increased to $200,000.

The presidents in succession have been : William M. Stewart, Dr. R. H. McChesney, Robert M. Gibson, Dr. N. F. Ehrenfeld, Judge Harry White. Cashiers : J. M. Watt, Tom E. Hildebrand.

Farmers' Bank was organized on March 24, 1876, with a capital stock of $100,000. The first officers were: President, James A. MeKnight; cashier, R. C. Taylor; directors, S. A. Johnston, Frederick Cameron, J. Mar- George H. Johnston.

The present officers and employes (Septem- ber, 1913) are: Harry W. Wilson, presi- dent ; John B. Taylor, vice president; John G. St. Clair, cashier; Stephen K. Kiss, mana- ger foreign department; J. A. Taylor, teller ; Anthony Graff, teller; Miss Fay Lighthiser, stenographer. The present directors are: Robert Mitchell, D. C. Mack, Godfrey Mar- shall, J. O. Clark, J. N. Langham, J. C. Mc- Gregor, Dr. R. F. McHenry, Harry W. Wil- son, S. A. Rinn, John B. Taylor, D. B. Tay-

The capital stock of the bank at present (1913) is $225,000. The total resources on May 1, 1913, were $1,807,386.59 ; the surplus and profits were $208,116.40; the deposits were $1,373,620.19.

The Citizens' National Bank was char- tered December 1, 1905, and opened for busi- Indiana County Deposit Bank was organ- ness December 4, 1905. The original board ized on the 4th day of December, 1869. The of directors consisted of: H. M. Lowry, original stockholders were: John Ralston, president; A. W. Mabon, secretary; D. M. William Lytle, Robert M. Gibson, Dr. R. H. Caldwell, J. M. Glassford, J. R. Stumpf. Mr.

420

HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

H. B. Heylman, of Bellefonte, Pa., was cash- was Lot No. 1 in the original plot of Indiana ier, and M. M. Carnahan, bookkeeper. In borough, and as this lot was probably the first May, 1906, Mr. Carnahan secured a position one sold by the trustees of Indiana county, in the Washington National Bank of Pitts- we append a brief of abstract of title of this property, showing changes in value in about one hundred years : burg, Pa., and B. S. Sloan became the book- keeper. On February 22, 1908, Mr. Heylman resigned as cashier and Mr. B. S. Sloan was elected to the position, which he still occupies.

The Penns to George Clymer, about 1790, large tract at 16 2/3 cents per acre; George The present board of directors are A. W. Clymer to trustees of Indiana county, about Mabon, president; H. M. Lowry, vice presi- 1803, 250 acres, donation; trustees of In- dent; J. T. Stewart, secretary; John H. diana county to Michael Campbell, Lot No. Pierce, attorney ; D. M. Caldwell, W. S. Car- 1, 1807, $110.25; Michael Campbell to Joseph nahan, John Houk, Adam F. Bowman.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I, Part 81

Author: Stewart, Joshua Thompson, 1862- comp Publication date: 1913 Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 930

Author: Stewart, Joshua Thompson, 1862- comp
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 930