USA > Pennsylvania > Warren County > Warren > Warren centennial : an account of the celebration at Warren, Pennsylvania July 2d, 3d, and 4th in commeration of the first century after the laying out of the town of Warren > Part 11
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For protection against fire the borough maintains the following voluntary organizations, in addition to the steamer Rufus P. King: Niagara Hose Com- pany, Col. L. F. Watson Hose Company, E. D. Wetmore Hose Company, Exchange Hook and Ladder Company, and the Fire Police, all quartered in the borough building, the Struthers Hose Com- pany in their own building in the Fourth ward, the Centennial Hose Company occupying the fine new building in the Sixth ward, east side.
CLUBS.
The Conewango Club occupies a pretty cottage at Market and Second streets, and has it charmingly furnished and equipped. A fund is being accumu-
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lated which will, in the future, provide it with a per- manent and more commodious home.
The Columbian Athletic Club has sumptuous rooms in the Mckean block on Liberty street, and the Beach Street Athletic Club has a well-equipped gymnasium and other rooms in St. Joseph's Hall, on Beach street, adjoining the Catholic church.
MILITARY.
Company 1, 16th Regiment, N. G. P., is the only military organization in Warren, and it is the crack company of the regiment. It was originally organ- ized in 1878, with Captain (afterwards Lieutenant- Colonel) James O. Parmlee as its commander. His successors were John M. Siegfried (afterwards Lieutenant-Colonel on the Governor's staff), Fred. H. Windsor (now Major of the regiment), and Cap- tain D. F. A. Wheelock, the present commander. The company has seen actual service on several occasions, the most important being the Homestead riots, where it performed excellent service, the regi- ment being among the first to arrive, and Company I being among the very last to leave the scene of the trouble.
The company occupies spacious and well-equipped quarters, having, in addition to its armory and drill- room, a good gymnasium and several pleasant par- lors for the use of the men.
Warren has always been notable for the hospital- ny And refinement of its citizens and the charm of its social life. There is more wealth than is usual
GROUP OF OLD LADIES.
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in so small a place, but no tendency to ostentatious display or social distinctions based upon fortune. There is much entertainment of a modest kind, but very few grand " functions." The Library Theatre, in the Struthers Library Building, is a tasteful and convenient "opera house," to use the phrase of the time, and seats nearly one thousand. It is supplied with a fine set of scenes and stage-fittings, and is up to date in every respect. Of clubs and societies of a social kind the most notable are the Warren Shakespeare Club, now in its fourteenth year; the Philomel Club, composed of lady pianists ; the " Pro- gressives," a branch of the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle, a large and flourishing organization, which meets bi-weekly at the home of Mrs. Laura M. Scofield : The Warren Social Science Club, a club of gentlemen for the discussion of social ques- tions, and the Derthick Literary and Musical Club, composed of ladies and gentlemen and devoted to the systematic study of the lives and works of great composers. The Mothers' and Teachers' Club of the Warren Public Schools, with branches for each school building, is doing an excellent work in a new field, namely, systematic child study, and laboring to bring about intelligent co-operation between parents and teachers.
A Town Improvement Society has recently been formed, from which much is expected in the future.
CHARITIES.
Besides the various charitable organizations con- nected with the several churches and the Women's
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Relief Corps, which looks after needy veterans, the women of Warren maintain a branch of the West- ern Pennsylvania Children's Aid Society, and two Relief Associations which are active in caring for casual cases of distress.
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.
Since the failure of the North-Western Bank in 1862 no financial institution of Warren has even been shaken. All the four banks now doing busi- ness are strong in the confidence of the people, and are flourishing, but conservative and safe, and managed by men ARD. 3 of experience and unusual ability. The oldest is the First National Bank, which was organized in 1864, and took the place of a pri- vate bank con- ducted by Beech- er and Coleman, Mr. Moses Beech- FIRST NATIONAL BANK er being its first cashier, in which position he continued until his death, in 1894. The banking building now occu-
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pied by this institution was erected in 1872 on the site of the old Dunn Tavern, built of hewn logs, then the oldest building in Warren. The bank has a capital of $100,000 and a surplus fund of $20,000. The present officers are : President, F. H. Rockwell ; Vice-President, Perry D. Clark ; Cashier. Frank K. Russell : Teller, Charles T. Conarro.
Next in order of age is the Warren Savings Bank. which was chartered by a special Act of the Legisla- ture in 1870. Its capital is but $100,000, but it maintains a surplus fund of $239,000, and its depos- its range from $1,150,000 to $1,300,000. It has about four thousand de- positors, and from the year of its foundation has never passed its semi- annual dividend. The building, which it owns and occupies, is the finest in the town, four stories and a basement, built of red brick and brown stone, and provided with electric elevator and all modern equipments. The banking-room, in its fur- nishings and decorations, WARREN SAVINGS BANK. is sumptuous and convenient-one of the richest in the State. The officers are : President, A. J. Ha- zeltine : Vice-President. O. W. Beaty; Cashier, G. B. Ensworth; Assistant Cashier, G. H. Jackson ; Teller, C. E. Cobb.
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The Citizens' National Bank was organized as a national bank about the first of May, 1875, but it had been doing business as the Citizens' Savings Bank, a partnership concern, since 1870. It has always been a safe, conservative and flourishing in- stitution, and many of the best and strongest finan-
CITIZENS' NATIONAL BANK
ciers of Warren have been connected with its man- agement. In 1888 it purchased and pulled down the old Tanner block, corner of Water and Hickory streets, the oldest brick building in town, and erected thereon a fine brick and stone banking building, in which it is now located. The capital is $1 50,000; sur- plus, $30,000, and the officers are : President, Myron Waters ; Vice-President, E. T. Hazeltine ; Cashier, D. L. Gerrould ; Assistant Cashier, L. W. Dennison.
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The Warren National Bank was incorporated in April, 1893, but it is a very vigorous youth, and the confidence of investors in the men by whom it was started was so great that double the amount of capi- tal required might easily have been obtained. It has paid dividends from the first, and added to its capital of $150,000 a surplus fund of $10,000 in its four years of business. It has as yet no building of its own, but its banking-room is well located, and it boasts of a huge Mosler-Corlis spherical safe, which burglars are too wise to waste time upon. The offi- cers are : President, George N. Parmlee; Vice- President, H. A. Jamieson ; Cashier, F. E. Hertzel ; Teller, Emil Lampe.
BUILDING ASSOCIATIONS.
The fact that the workingmen of Warren are so largely owners of their homes and permanent resi- dents is due, in part, at least, to the building associ- ations. The first of these was the Helping Hand, incorporated in 1874, and still doing business.
The most important and successful corporation of this class is the Conewango Building and Loan Association, which occupies its own building on Liberty street, and has already about 2000 stock- holders, and $175,000 out in loans on improved real estate, the appraised value of which is $300,000. The officers are : President, E. T. Hazeltine ; Vice-Presi- dent, M. B. Dunham; Secretary, F. M. Knapp ; Treasurer. D. L. Gerrould; Assistant Secretary, Geo. E. Colvin : Solicitor, J. W. Dunkle ; Manager Loan Department, G. B. Ensworth.
MARS TRUTHERS, WELLS & CO.
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STRUTHERS TRON WORKS
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MANUFACTURES
Struthers Iron Works .- The oldest and most important of Warren's manufacturing establish- ments is the Struthers Iron Works, which occupies an entire square in the west part of the borough, opposite the Pennsylvania Railroad station.
The business was founded in 1851 by W. F. Kingsbury as a foundry, and by him, with Henry W. Brown, a frame foundry and machine shop was built on the site of the present works in 1855, in which was placed the first steam-whistle that ever sum- moned Warren workmen to labor. Mr. Kingsbury, in 1860, retired, and John and Thomas Brown, brothers of Henry, became interested in the busi- ness, which now was conducted under the style of Brown Brothers. About 1868 Thomas Struthers acquired an interest in the firm, which assumed the name of Brown & Struthers Iron Works. Mr. Struthers brought to the business large means and unlimited enterprise, and with his advent began an era of expansion and improvement which has continued without interruption to the present time.
In 1875 the firm name became Struthers, Wells & Co., the partners being Thomas Struthers, James C. Wells and A. H. McKelvy, and the shop name "Struthers Iron Works" was adopted, which has since become known in many parts of the world, and familiar wherever wells are drilled for the pro-
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duction of oil, gas, salt or water. Both firm-namne and shop-name are still retained, though none of the original partners remain, Mr. Struthers and Mr. Wells having died, and Mr. McKelvy retired. The present partners are the trustees of the estate of Thomas Struthers, administrators of the estate of James C. Wells, J. P. Jefferson, M. W. Jamieson, R. F. Van Doorn and E. D. Wetmore; Mr. Jefferson being the managing partner, Mr. Jamieson treasurer, and Mr. Van Doorn superintendent of the works.
In place of the small wooden shop of Brown Brothers, now stand the solid brick buildings con- taining the counting rooms, the designing depart- ment, machine shop, etc .; and filling all the square are the numerous other buildings devoted to the various branches of work, some brick and steel, some iron-clad, but all modern, up to date, and filled with the best and most improved machinery. Cars are loaded within the works for all parts of the world, and the immense travelling crane handles the ponderous boilers, engines and other structures as easily as if they were bundles of feathers.
The name of the Struthers Iron Works became first widely known in connection with engines and boilers adapted to the operation of artesian wells. which are still produced in large quantity ; but the shop has long outgrown this specialty, and now turns out an infinite variety of machinery adapted to all conceivable purposes.
The firm now has large capital invested in its business, and employs from two hundred and fifty to three hundred men. A very large number of
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these are permanent residents of the borough, and honored and respected citizens. The Struthers Hose Company is mainly composed of employees of the works, and is as fine a body of men as can be found in the State. The conduct of the firm towards its employees has always been characterized by kindness and consideration, and has been rewarded by faithful service and attachment.
Warren is proud of the Struthers Iron Works. The name stands for all that is worthy and honor- able in business, and partners and employees alike are among her best citizens.
John Hill & Co. have a foundry and machine shop near the larger works of Struthers, Wells & Co.
John Best manufactures oil-well pumping-ma- chinery on Fourth street, in the west end of town.
The Warren Axe and Tool Works is a cor- poration which manufactures axes and other edged tools under the supervision of W. J. Sager, under chemical processes of which he is the owner, by means of which very superior articles are produced. The daily capacity of the works is about forty dozen tools, and it employs upwards of twenty-five men. The works turn out axes of every shape and style, planer-knives, bark spuds, turpentine tools, etc .. which are sold over a very wide territory. A New York agency is maintained, and four travelling men are employed on the road. The goods are becoming
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more widely known year by year, and the business bids fair to grow into large proportions. The offi- cers of the corporation are : President, J. D. Woodard ; Secretary, Treasurer and General Manager, A. Mintzer; and several other prominent business men are among the directors.
The Piso Company .- In 1864 E. T. Hazeltine, with Dr. H. Gerould and Dr. M. C. Talbott as partners in the enterprise, began the manufacture of " Piso's Cure for Consumption," the formula being a prescription of Dr. M. C. Talbott, then the lead- ing physician of Warren. At first modest quarters in Johnson's Exchange sufficed for the business, and Mr. Hazeltine had time to manage the drug and fancy goods business long and widely known as " Variety Hall," but in 1870 a building was erected on "the Island" to obtain the advantage of water- power. In 1886 a new brick building was erected. In 1894, the firm previously known as " E. T. Hazel- tine " was incorporated as "The Piso Company."
From the start the business has been successful, although its growth was gradual and solid. Piso's Cure for Consumption and Piso's Remedy for Catarrh are known and used all over the world, and the manufacture, sale and advertising of these medi- cines gives employment altogether to upwards of seventy-five persons.
The establishment is a model one of its kind, and exhibits the characteristics of its founder and mana- ger, E. T. Hazeltine, in a remarkable manner. Nearly every one of the many operations in the
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compounding, bottling, labeling, wrapping, packing and shipping of the medicines, as well as in the production of the advertising matter used by the company, involves the use of some peculiar and use- ful machine or device which has been invented or adapted by Mr. Hazeltine himself, or some of his force under his eye and direction.
The daily output of upwards of twenty thousand bottles of "Piso," and infinite numbers of tiny alma- nacs, booklets, hotel registers, and other advertising devices, is turned out with apparent ease, everybody having work enough, but nobody more than he can do. The building is spacious, light and airy, and every machine goes like a clock. The character of the employees is somewhat unusual. The atmos- phere of the Piso factory is elevating and bracing. Many a young man has been strengthened, many a young woman helped, by the discipline of honest labor under Mr. Hazeltine's firm but kindly rule. Mr. Hazeltine is a business man, and never loses sight of the interests of his partners ; but he regards his ability to employ labor, as he does the money which he has acquired by his industry and foresight, as a trust, and he has faithfully administered it, to the great benefit of the community in which he lives.
It is not the purpose of this article to advertise the merits of Piso's Cure, but the factory in which it is produced has been for thirty years one of the notable institutions of Warren. Mr. Hazeltine, as indefatigably industrious, as simple in life and modest in character now as in the days of his small begin- nings, interested in every enterprise for the better-
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ing of the condition of the people of his town, lavish in his generosity to all worthy charities, Mr. Myron Waters, whose capital, pluck and enterprise have contributed so much to the success of the business, and Mr. W. A. Talbott, for many years personally employed about the establishment, are among the citizens of Warren who will be remembered with pride and kind feeling when Warren celebrates its next Centennial.
L. D. Wetmore & Co .- In 1871 M. B. Dun- ham, J. R. Capron, Anthony Conarro and Junius R. Clark, as Dunham, Capron & Co., built a small sash and door factory on the site of the present large establishment of Wetmore & Co. Mr. Capron was succeeded by William H. Macdonald, and the firm became Dunham, Macdonald & Co. Later it be- came the exclusive property of Junius R. Clark, who conducted the business for some time under the style of Clark, Morse & Co. The building was burned in 18So, and the property purchased by Lansing D. Wetmore, who was nearing the end of his term as President Judge, and was not only one of the foremost lawyers and jurists in this part of the State, but an extensive and successful lumber- man, and a man of large means. He immediately rebuilt the factory on a much more extensive scale, and from that time it has been one of the establish- ments which have done most to build up the town, constantly improving and expanding, and giving employment to many men.
The works now cover over six acres of ground
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and employ seventy-five men. The daily capacity is 150 doors, 1200 windows, and 50 pairs of blinds, and they produce also dressed lumber, mouldings, and all kinds of builders' and cabinet-makers' wood- work in pine and hardwoods. The business is con- ducted in connection with the extensive saw-mills owned by Judge Wetmore at Wetmore and Ludlow, in Mckean county, which gives the factory a great advantage in the trade. The success of the busi- ness is due in some degree to the prudence and ability of Mr. C. A. Reese, to whom the manage- ment of the factory is entrusted, as well as to the energy and business capacity of Mr. Edward D. Wetmore, to whom, in Judge Wetmore's absence, his large business interests in this section are en- trusted.
Judge Wetmore is another employer of labor who appreciates his true relation to his employees. Al- though there have been many periods of depression, and times when there was no profit in the business, the factory has never shut down for a single day. The employees grow gray in the service. Some of them have been there longer than the owner. Labor troubles are unknown.
Newmaker & Reed conduct the factory on "the Island " for many years owned by James Clark & Co. The buildings have been much enlarged, and the plant now covers two acres, and with the yards, about eight acres. In addition to lumber, doors, sash, blinds and builders' material, the firm makes mantels, desks and extension-tables, which are sold
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far and wide. They have the advantage of the water-power which made the site of their mill the first manufacturing site in town, and has kept "the Island " humming ever since ; but it is not depended upon absolutely, the factories now being supplied also with steam-power. The Allegheny and Cone- wango bring logs to the mill, and the capacious boom is always stocked. The partners are practi- cal, pushing and honorable men, and in their hands the business is flourishing and expanding. They employ from fifteen to thirty-five men, according to the season.
The Warren Extension - Table Company operates the large and well-equipped factory on the Pleasant side of the Allegheny, which was erected to manufacture the Pickett patent extension-table, but is now used for turning out a variety of articles of furniture on a large scale. Desks and tables in great variety are turned out, and sold at prices which are astonishingly low. The secret lies in the use of the beautiful veneers manufactured by the Gale Manufacturing Company, and the production of the same design by thousands, using the most modern machinery. The company is incorporated. Fred. Morck, A. J. Hazeltine and the Gale Manufacturing Company are the principal stockholders.
The large building on Laurel street, near the pas- senger station of the D. A. V. and P. R. R., is occu- pied by Samuel Peterson, an enterprising and intelligent citizen of Warren, of Danish birth, who
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keeps twenty to twenty-five skilled workmen busy in the manufacture of wagon-spokes and handles for axes, hammers, cant-hooks, pike-levers, neck- yokes, whiffletrees and the like. Mr. Peterson is also the owner of similar factories at Cochranton, Pa., and conducts an extensive and growing busi- ness of which he is a master.
In the rear of the same large building the Warren Table Works manufactures tables of many styles and sizes, from tiny stands to the Homer Patent Extension-Table, which in great variety of style and finish constitutes the distinctive feature of the estab- lishment. This table, which adapts itself to any required length without the use of leaves, by an in- genious modification of the roll-top principle familiar in office-desks, is rapidly making its way wherever good things are appreciated, and the orders come from Europe as well as from all over America. Un- der the able management of Mr. C. S. Homer, Presi- dent, and Mr. W. M. Creal, Secretary and Treasurer, this business seems destined to grow largely in the future.
The Warren Chair Works, in the same local- ity, manufactures chairs of various kinds. The fac- tory is not large, but they make desirable goods, and the business is apparently flourishing.
The furniture factory of James P. Johnson, on Union street, has grown from small beginnings until it gives employment to from twenty to twenty-five
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men, and turns out bedroom furniture in great variety and considerable quantities. If nothing happens to Mr. Johnson, the same energy and up- rightness of character which has brought him success thus far will bring him still greater prosperity, and his factory will continue to expand its walls until it grows too large for the present location.
Among the wood-working establishments of War- ren none is more important than the veneer and hub factory of the Gale Manufacturing Com- pany. This factory was first started at Kinzua, in this county, but was removed to Warren and located on the flats on the east side of the Conewango, after the works at Kinzua were destroyed by fire. The firm at that time was Hood, Gale & Co., and so continued until a second fire destroyed the plant at Warren. Mr. Gale, with Mr. F. H. Rockwell and other Warren capitalists, then organized the present company, and rebuilt the factory on a larger scale and with every modern improvement. It seems now all tiles and glass, and is in every way a model institution. The walls of the light and spacious buildings, enclosing a space of more than two acres, are built of fire-proof hollow block, with tiled floors and sides of glass. Both river and rail- road are available to bring to the factory the logs used in the manufacture of hubs, pulleys, and the cheaper veneers; but huge logs of mahogany and other precious woods from distant forests come and are turned by the machinery into thin slices, exhibit- ing in perfection the beautiful graining, and capable,
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when properly glued up, of receiving the highest polish.
From this busy factory veneers of all kinds, adapted to all manner of uses, pulleys, hubs, grape- baskets, and many other specialties, go forth by the car-load daily, and the daily bread of upwards of one hundred and forty men depends upon this industry.
Mr. B. L. Gale is the President of the company, Mr. F. H. Rockwell Vice-President, and W. F. Henry Secretary and Treasurer. The capital is $80,000.
Oil refining in Warren really began in 1887 with the erection of the Glade Oil Works, on the east Warren flats. It was soon followed by the Muir Oil Works, which brought William Muir to War- ren, an oil refiner of experience, and a business man of great enterprise and discretion. In 1890 both these institutions were merged into the Crew Levick Company of Philadelphia, Warren parties acquiring large interests in that company, and Mr. Muir re- maining in charge of the business at Warren. Both these factories are large and flourishing institutions, and have built up an extensive trade in illuminating and lubricating oils, for the production of which the Warren refineries are especially well situated.
The Cornplanter Oil Refining Company, Limited, is an extensive and important institution, owned and managed by Warren parties, and located on the flats. The growth of the business may be inferred from the fact that its capital stock was in-
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creased in eight years from $10,000 to $250,000. It now refines upwards of 12,000 barrels of oil per month, and sends its products to market in its own tank-cars. A. J. Hazeltine is the President, John C. Goal Vice-President, W. D. Todd General Mana- ger, E. E. Allen Treasurer, and W. F. Messner Secretary and Superintendent of the works.
The Warren Linoline and Gasoline Works, of which James Clark is President, William Muir Treasurer, and James N. Craft Secretary, receives from the adjacent refineries about 4000 barrels of benzine per month, and converts it into gasoline, naphtha, etc., suitable for a multitude of uses. It is a well-appointed institution, and handles its danger- ous business skilfully and successfully.
The Warren Refining Company occupies the site of an early refinery built in the 'zos by A. Hertzel, Benjamin Nesmith, Thomas Struthers, and others, near the mouth of the Jackson run, between Warren and North Warren. The Standard Oil Company purchased and dismantled the first refinery, and the present one, owing to various causes, was closed out in 1894, when it fell into the hands H. A. Jamieson. With Mr. Jamieson at the head, success is assured, if such a thing is possible. He has long been identified with the manufacturing and com- mercial interests of Warren, and to his enterprise, prudence and ability is due the success of many of its important institutions. Since he acquired the Warren refinery the wax plant has been destroyed
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by fire, but it has risen enlarged and improved from its ashes, and improvement and expansion is the constant tendency. The works are managed by George S. Sager, with C. W. Jamieson as assistant, Mr. M. D. Hall being in charge of the books and accounts.
The Seneca Oil Works on the flats is another strong and prosperous oil refining institution, of which the principal officers are Myron Waters and O. F. Hoffman. They employ fifteen to twenty men, and, like all the Warren refineries, turn out superior illuminating and lubricating oils.
The Pennsylvania Oil and Grease Works have a large new refining plant at the northern edge of the borough, on the site of Philip Leonhart's old-time brewery. Mr. Von Zastrow, the President of the company, is a chemist of much skill and great experience in the treatment of petroleum and its products. The company manufactures high grade filtered cylinder and machinery oils, spindle, neutral and wood stocks, high test illuminating oils, the specialties being hot and cold neck, cup, crank-pin. wire rope and axle greases. The officers are : Her- man von Zastrow, President ; Frank A. Hall, Secre- tary and Treasurer; Frank E. Foster, Superinten- dent.
The Warren oil refineries are all " Independent " -that is, not controlled by the "Standard." Their success in spite of the competition of that great rival is due largely to the fact that the oil produced
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in and about Warren is of a superior quality, giving the refiner having it advantages over those who are obliged to use the ordinary " Pennsylvania " or other oils. To secure their advantage most of them have built their own pipe lines, and either bought or ac- quired control of producing territory, so as to secure themselves an adequate supply of the desirable "Tiona " crude. The Crew Levick Company and the Cornplanter are especially well provided in this respect.
The Riverside Acid Works, Limited, began as a tender to the refineries on the flats, taking the spent acid used in refining and restoring it by treat- ment. Subsequently the manufacture of fertilizers was added, and the " Cresco " goes out now in large quantity, and bids fair to make the hills of Warren county blossom as the rose. The citizens of War- ren contemplate with pleasure this effect, except on evenings when the conditions are favorable and the sickening odor which is wafted over the town dis- turbs their comfort. This inconvenience, which for a time provoked much newspaper comment and in- spired one of Mr. Crandall's most mirth-provoking songs, has been remedied of late, and complaints have ceased.
The barrel factory of A. Knabb is another ten- der to the oil refineries, supplying them with the barrels used for shipment of their products. It is an establishment of much importance, and employs 10 to 20 hands.
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The Keystone Glue Manufacturing Com- pany, Limited, was organized in 1893, and has grown and expanded from the first. F. C. Tocht- erman, the General Manager, and A. H. Tochter- man, his brother, the Superintendent of the works, are both experts in the production of glue. The proximity of the location to the great sole-leather tanneries of Warren and adjacent counties gives the company advantages for procuring the stock necessary for the production of pure hide glue, which they exclusively manufacture. This is one of the most solid and promising of the manufactur- ing concerns of Warren. Mr. C. D. Crandall is Chairman of the Board of Managers, and G. B. Ensworth Secretary and Treasurer.
The Hazeltine Woollen Mills, at North War- ren, have been producing woollen cloths of excellent quality for over fifty years. The original mills were built by Patrick Falconer in 1845, and pur- chased by George Hazeltine in 1866. In 1890 E. T. Hazeltine became interested in the business, and a corporation was formed with a capital stock of $25,000. Fine brick buildings were erected, and a large and flourishing business was built up in ready-made trousers made from the honest, pure wool-cloth produced by the mills. Since this history has been in preparation these build- ings have been destroyed by fire, but they are now being rebuilt substantially as before, but with some improvements.
John Ellis & Co., of New York, who have pipe-
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lines in this oil-field, and have been for some years large buyers and shippers of Tiona oil, are erecting a large refinery on the flats west of the Seneca Works.
E. C. Inderlied has a large factory for making wood alcohol, charcoal and acetate of lime, also located on the flats. He employs about 15 to 20 men and boys in this industry.
The Truth Soap Company, Limited, have a factory situated on Fourth street, in the west end of the borough, where they carry on the business originally started by B. A. Lynde & Co. Their product is of excellent quality and is having a wide sale.
Besides these factories, the PICKETT HARDWARE COMPANY, LIMITED, and SCHELLHAMMER & SON manufacture gas-furnaces in connection with their hardware and plumbing business. W. E. SPINNER has built up an extensive business in the manufac- ture of his patent gas-heaters and mantels. F. E. STEBER, MAYBANK & SAILOR and A. E. BOESCHLIN manufacture cigars in large quantities. The CEN- TURY CATARRHI CURE and CURATINE OIL, two well- known proprietary medicines, are produced by com- panies who employ a number of persons in their manufacture and sale, and there are other smaller concerns which might properly be ranked as manu- factories.
There are two flouring-mills. The largest is that
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of the WARREN MILLS COMPANY, which carries on the business that has known no interruption since the first grist-mill was built in 1828. A few years ago their brick mill on the old site was abandoned, and a new roller mill erected in the west end, where better railroad facilities were obtainable, and here, by the most improved process, the finest grade of flour is produced in large quantity.
The owners are George Ensworth, Myron Waters and Andrew Hertzel.
The ALLEGHENY MILLS of KOHLFRAT & DUNHAM, situated on Fourth street, is also a large and flour- ishing concern, which has been in operation since I 887.
There are two steam laundries. The first estab- lished was the Warren, which is located on Royal street and conducted by R. E. NORRIS. The Citi- zens' is in the west end, on Fourth street, and KNOX & UTTER are the proprietors. Both are popular and efficient institutions.
The retail stores of Warren will compare favor- ably with those of any other town twice its size in the State. Warren people want the best of every- thing, know what they want, and the merchants who recognize this fact and try to meet the want succeed. Space will not permit us to mention in detail the names of our merchants, but they are mainly young men-active, alert and enterprising. Failures are rare, and there are few concerns that do not enjoy abundant credit or deserve it by business-like and honorable dealing.
From the little park at Water and Third streets
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WARREN CENTENNIAL
to the Conewango, only the CARVER HOUSE, the the TANNER BUILDING on the bank, JOHNSON's Ex- CHANGE and one or two shops on the south side of Water street remain of the business buildings which were here in 1860, and only these and the three brick stores east of the Citizens' Bank were here in 1866. Fires have been many but kind, selecting the buildings which could best be spared, with a few exceptions.
As might be inferred from the window-gardens and the luxuriant bloom about the houses, Warren is a notable market for flowers and plants. The greenhouses of WV. M. LOTT, on Liberty street, and DANIEL OFFERLEE, on Conewango avenue, are large and extensive purveyors of these beautiful and fra- grant wares, while the smaller houses of MISS FITZ- GERALD, in the West End, are taxed to their utmost capacity to supply her trade.
What shall be the future of Warren? Judging by the past, it will be solid, steady growth-a com- munity always alive and warm, but never boiling over ; not feverishly anxious to have a large popu- lation, but determined that its citizens shall be pros- perous, intelligent and well behaved ; an ideal place for a home, and in business affording opportunity for reasonable success to those who deserve it. The graceful hills and the noble rivers will remain, and the care of man will adorn them more and more. Warren will be more than ever a beautiful town which it is a pleasure to enter and a pain to leave.
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