USA > South Carolina > Richland County > Columbia > Historical and descriptive sketch of the leading manufacturing and mercantile enterprises, public buildings, officials, professional men, schools, churches, ets., railroads, canals, rivers, advantages and surroundings of Columbia, S.C. > Part 7
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The mechanical department of the This he has continued with success works will be under the control of until the present date. The Pal- Mr. W. P. Lester as manager, who metto gives employment to some 15 or 20 mechanics, and distributes a large amount of money for weekly wages. Saw mills have recently been made and shipped from here to a number of towns in the State, and Mr. Shields will turn out this season several hundred Palmetto Cotton was for many years foreman for To- zer & Dial, who, besides being thor- oughly acquainted with their style of work, is a young man of energy and fine mechanical genius. Mr. Thornwell McMaster, the Superin- tendent of the Company, is also a young man of pluck and energy. Planters for H. D. & E. L. Wilson, His reputation and character are a of Abbeville. These works have sufficient guarantee that abundant success will crown the undertaking. The capital stock of the corpora- tion will be owned principally by Mrs. John A. Willis, formerly Mrs. Arianna I. Dial, widow of George L.
cast a large proportion of the iron fronts used in the city, and are pre- pared to furnish everything in iron work. The Palmetto shops are lo- cated on the summit above Sidney Park, cover an acre of ground, and Dial, and Messrs. Lyles & Hayns- its work can be found in many of
worth. At one time the firm of To- zer & Dial paid out upwards of $4,- 000 per month in wages alone. The importance of the new enterprise to the city of Columbia cannot well be overrated.
PALMETTO IRON WORKS, GEO. A. SHIELDS, PROPRIETOR.
Machine Shop and Foundry.
the flour, corn, and saw mills of the State, the cotton factories of the upper country, and other industrial works of South Carolina. In the general repair of machinery, or the furnishing of new work, every effort is made to give the best, and Mr. Shields's business record of more than 20 years reflects much credit on his industry and mechanical genius. Mr. S. is a stockholder in
Among the men of this city who have been the architects of their a half-dozen different cotton manu- own fortunes, and from an humble factories in the upper counties, all of beginning made an honorable busi- which are doing a successful busi- ness record, we should give a promi- ness, and he is very desirous of bav- nent place to that of Geo. A. Shields, ing Columbia receive ber share of proprietor of the Palmetto Iron the direct benefits arising from cot- Works. Mr. S. is a native of Scot- ton manufacturing in her midst.
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COLUMBIA CITY.
CONGAREE IRON WORKS, JOHN ALEXANDER, PROPRIETOR.
Foundry and Machine Shop.
The Congaree Iron Works make a specialty of the manufacture of improved saw mills. although all receive proper consideration.
pair or new work done with ease and alacrity in our city.
W. H. GIBBEŞ, JR., CITY HALL. Machinery of all kinds.
While this trade cannot properly kinds of machine work and castings be termed manufacturing, it covers Mr. the handling of the principal arti- Alexander's saw mill is very simple cles of machinery, and we give it a in construction, durable in all its place here. The business was begun parts, and has taken first premiums early in 1883 under the firm name of at a number of State fairs. The McMaster & Gibbes,. and bas .since prices for these mills range from been combined with that of W. G. & $275 to 8525, according to size of L. D. Childs, the direct successors of saw and length of carriage. The Lorick & Lowrance, who were its Congaree Works cast the Ionic fluted pioneers in Columbia.
columns for the central building of Developing from the local agency the Lunatic Asylum, which weigh basis, it has become the focus of a 6,000 pounds each, and are the largest cored castings ever made in the city. ter mains, etc .. have been done at centres.
general trade established throughout the State, and controlling a system The principal castings for city wa- of sub-agencies at all important trade To illustrate this point, the Congaree Works, and repairs in the relation of this house with that any line receive prompt attention. of the well known firm of Liddell & Steam engines and boilers of all Co., of Charlotte, N. C., is cited. sizes are furnished to customers, These gentlemen have for years cane mills, horse powers, gin gear- manufactured the celebrated "Boss. ing, cotton and hay presses, corn Cotton Presses" and "Improved Va- shellers, etc., are sent out to meet riable Feed Saw Mills," which have the requirements of patrons in this doubtless supplied one-half of that section of the country. Mr. Alex- trade in the State, and become the ander is of Scottish birth. and learn- standard machines of their kind. ed the pattern and machinist's trade Adding to these and their other ex- on the British Isle. In 1856 be pur- cellent productions, the "Liddell chased the Congaree Works, which Tompkins Straight-Line Engine," had been established by Sinclair & which, as a standard article of its Anderson nine years previous, and kind, is seeking the same elevation. has ever since been in personal su- Their factory offers and furnishes to pervision of the same. The stock the South Carolina trade a line of of patterns for agricultural work. meritorious goods.
store fronts. columns, railings, bal- Their business in this State was conies, etc., is very large and com- formerly managed from the factory plete, and these works have con- through numerous local agents, but tributed a fair sbare towards Colum- is now, with the exception of a tow bia's iron architecture. Thus it will northwestern counties, in the exclu- · be seen that Columbia has three sive charge of this Columbia house. good iron working establishments, It may not be amiss to state that at so that manufactories can have re- the New Orleans Exposition the
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HISTORICAL SKETCH
Liddell Saw Mill was awarded the lumbia merchants. This mill is lo- first prize against the world's com- cated in a handsome part of the city petition. Mr. G. is also negotiating near the Female College, and not with this house for the manufacture only its surroundings, but the entire of an article of his own patenting. mill equipment, are those of neat- Similar arrangements with other ness, good taste, and modern advan- firms, such as W. Deering & Co., E. tages. It has the capacity for plan- Van Winkle & Co., Barbour Ma- ing 20.000 feet of lumber per day ; chine Works, etc, etc., might be attachments of rip, cut-off, and scroll cited, which would serve to show sawing, turning lathes, mortise, ten- that the virtual command of large on, and boring machines, and every manufacturing capital is in the hands wood working necessity to supply of W. H. Gibbes. Jr. With a wide builders' wants.
- and growing trade, and the backing and confidence of such manufactur- ers, this house is of much present usefulness, and points to an impor- tant future agency in Columbia's de- velopment.
WING'S PLANING MILL, EAST PICKENS STREET.
Sash. Blind, and Door Factory.
A planing mill was built on this ing a large contract in brick and fin- location in 1850 by Killian & Fry, ishing work on the State House. In passing under various changes of this he needed assistance, and his firm style till 1859, when F. W. Wing partner, who had gained the cogno- became a partner, and a half dozen men of the "boy contractor," came years later purchased the remaining to Columbia in 1853 and worked for interest. Thus it will be seen that some years on the State House. In Mr. Wing has had an experience 1858 Mr. Howie went to Charlotte here of nearly 30 years, and has and established a foundry and ma- owned the entire interest for more chine shop, which was doing a flour- ' than 23 years. From 1865 to '70, ishing business a dozen years later, an average of 20 men were employed, but Mr. H., believing that the canal 1870 to '75, 28 men were used, but scheme would soon be in operation. in 1876 business began to slacken, and preferring Columbia for sani- and by 1880 but ten men were need- tary reasons, returned here and ed. Since the latter year business again commenced contracting and has been slowly improving, Mr. building. For 2} years he did a Wing now employing 18 to 20 men. rushing business, erecting more than The highest tide of this factory was 260 buildings and employing at one from 1872 to 1876. when the aver- time over 200 men. With the gen- age output was $30,000 per annum, eral depression this building boom the product being mostly used in was shut down, but Mr. Howie has Columbia and surrounding section. still continued in the lumber and A large share of this was paid for planing trade, and bas added his sons wages and material, which soon to the firm. The location is near found its way to the coffers of Co- the Union Depot and convenient for
HOWIE & SONS,
GERVAIS, LADY AND GADSDEN STS. Iron Repair, Lumber, and Planing.
About 1843 Jos. D. D. Dailey and John M. Howie formed a partner- ship in New York as contractors. Mr. Dailey came to Charleston, . where he built the famous Circular church and Mills House, later tak-
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COLUMBIA CITY.
shipments. Some 20 to 25 men are charcoal residuum is a superior arti- now employed, and in addition to cle for all the uses to which charcoal the lumber and planing trade, the is applied. The asphalt makes a firm bave a blacksmithing and iron fine article of varnish, drying with repair department, where gins and a glossy finish. Parties desiring other machinery are put in order, further information regarding this rotary harrows made, etc. They new industry should address C. P. own a half block, have recently Stevenson, manager, Columbia, S. C.
erected 3 store buildings on Gervais street, and will soon erect a couple more near the former.
STANLEY MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
P. O. COLUMBIA, S. C.
Wood Creosote Oil and Charcoal.
CANNING FACTORY,
J. E. TURNER, PROPRIETOR, Cor. Richardson and Green Sts.
One of the outlooks for business in this section which bids fair to add to the agricultural development is the
The destructive distillation of pine canning trade. The nucleus for such wood is a comparatively new indus- an industry has been started in Co- try in the South, but from it some lumbia by J. E. Turner, an enter- valuable products are turned out. prising farmer, who would have The Stanley Manufacturing Co. was made a good success last year but started about a yearsince, the works for the loss of his crops through being at Eastover, some 20 miles high water. Mr. Turner is an old east of Columbia, and the post-office resident of Columbia, and well un- address is at Columbia. This com- derstands what to expect in agricul- pany manufactures wood creosote tural pursuits. He buys tin in quan- oil and asphalt, leaving as a residue tities, makes his own cans, and if he a superior article of charcoal. Wood has success on 50 acres of tomatoes creosote oil contains the best known now being planted, will be able to preservative qualities, and is very send out from 75,000 to 100,000 cans desirable for damp climates, or in for the coming fall trade. He has a any place where the durability of full outfit of tin manufacturing ma- timbers is a material object. From chinery, and about 50,000 cans in its well known disinfectant qualities stock for use the coming season. It and its obnoxious features to insects, would be well for farmers and gar- it becomes an article which should deners to consult Mr. Turner with be used as a filler for all timbers of the view of planting ont a large houses, as it performs a three-fold acreage of tomatoes, sweet corn, object, viz., that of preserving the okra, etc., for next year, as they will timbers, of driving away all insects, doubtless be able to realize better bugs, roaches, etc., and of destroy- returns than from the usual produc- ing the germs of disease. For tim- tions. Any industry that raises the bers of bridges, ships, drains, sleep- market value of farm products and ers, etc., its great value can scarcely gives additional employment to la- borers should be heartily wel-
be overrated, and it will doubtless rapidly grow in favor for builders' comed to this section, and Mr. use. The creosote oil is also highly Turner deserves the good will and recommended by many who have encouragement of all Columbia peo- tried its efficacies as a liniment. The ple.
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HISTORICAL SKETCHI
STEAM LAUNDRY.
FR. SCHMIDT, PROPRIETOR. Cor. Richardson & Green Streets.
Laundry work is not exactly man- ufacturing, but from its machinery requirements is properly classed in that line. The Columbia Steam Laundry has a ten-horse power en- gine and twenty-horse boiler. It was established by Marshall & Mar- shall some two years since, and run successfully for a time, but the outfit which had cost $3.000 was finally sold to Mr. Fr. Schmidt, the owner of the building, and has been leased by various parties since that time. Mrs. P. H. Joyner, the last incum- bent, has met with very fair success, but her lease expires the first of next month, and the proprietor bas re- cently advertised for an experienced manager to take charge April 11th, when every effort will be put forth to do strictly first class work. The machinery comprises the modern outfit of reversible washer, suction wringer, starchers, ironers, collar turner and curler, steam drying, and everything for complete work. A mending department will also be added, which will prove a great con- venience to transients. A new wagon is just being finished. Mr. S. is a German who located here since the war, and who, by industrious habits, has gained a competency, owning a pounds, more than 50 tons.
the above firm has had a large ex- perience. Charles Mayhew is a na- tive of London, England, and located in Columbia in 1854; ten years ago having accepted his son, John M., as a partner. The firm are manu- facturers and dealers in all kinds of American and Italian marble monu- ments and furniture, their designs having been placed in every impor- tant cemetery of this State, as well as many outside of South Carolina. But the working of home granite and stone work is the part of their trade more particularly calculated to improve Columbia. In this depart- ment they operate from 20 to 40 hands, building piers, culverts, etc., for railroads or any kind of stone structure. It is a fact worthy of note here, that they consider the Columbia granite not excelled for durability or beauty of finish by any in the United States, and, with one exception, the largest stone' ever quarried in America was taken from the works of this place. A very large block of granite was taken from the Columbia quarries in 1863 upon a carriage and tramway, built expressly for this purpose, bauled by 48 mules, and deposited in the State House yard where it now lies. It is over 4 feet square, 36 feet in length. and its estimated weight 108,000
grocery store and a number of cot- tages in the First Ward. The Laun- dry has a fine well of pure soft wa- ter at hand. which is a great auxili- stands in front of the State House. ary to that kind of work. The firm of Mayhew & Son erected the handsome monument to South Carolina's Confederate dead, which A large share of the prominent mon- C. MAYHEW & SON. NO. 194 MAIN STREET. uments in Elmwood Cemetery came from their shops, and their enter- prise has given employment to many Monumental Architects and Builders. workmen of Columbia.
Columbia having within her bor- Thos. Boyne began marble work ders an inexhaustible quarry of su- in Columbia 50 years ago, and the perb granite, it is very important to firm of Boyne & Sprowl has been in have good workers in that line, and existence for 44 years; but as their
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COLUMBIA CITY.
work is confined to the individual that sent out by the Anheuser partners, and our space is limited. Busch Brewing Association of St. we omit further mention of Colum- bia stone and marble work. Louis (said to be the largest estab- lishment of its kind in the world) HOSIERY MILLS. AT PENITENTIARY. M. A. Markley & Co., Proprietors. is much preferable to wines or ardent spirits for those who will have some- thing to drink. This beer is received in car loads by Mr. Krentzlin, fresh from the brewery, packed in ice, and is bottled for his trade in connection with the soda business.
We have before mentioned the in- dustrial works of the Penitentiary, but they are worthy of more than the mere mention under that head- ing, as the Hosiery Mills alone pro- duce an annual output of nearly $500,000, and give employment to from 125 to 200 hands. About 150 of these are secured from the State under contract. The usnal spinning and spooling devices are in operation and over 100 knitting machines, which turn out 300 dozens of hose per day. These are finished in scam- less and cut feet, plain and fancy, from the cheap cotton grade to silk knits. The goods are principally sold to New York, Philadelphia, Chi- cago, and Boston wholesale houses, and from thence find their way to all sections of the country. M. A. Markley is a Philadelphian, and came from the Quaker City a year since to take charge of the above mills.
CARRIAGE REPOSITORY. NO. 52 MAIN STREET. W. K. Greenfield, Proprietor.
For many years W. K. Greenfield has supplied a large share of the ready made carriage work that bas been used in the vicinity of Columbia. A large share of his trade is for war- ranted goods, while some customers yet prefer the cheap makes, and he supplies any desirable grade. His repository is filled with an excellent selection of vehicles.
At one time a considerable number of wagons was turned out by Philip Motz and others, but business in that line has been allowed to fag. Mr. Motz, Myers & Seel, J. W. Strick- land, J. T. Turner, and others do J. A. KRENTZLIN. MAIN STREET. carriage and wagon work and black- smithing, but the aggregate number Soda and Beer Bottling Works. of hands employed in that trade is Julius A: Krentzlin, of Germany, not over 20 to 25. A good spoke came to America twelve years ago and to Columbia in 1880. In 1882 he secured a generator for charging purposes, and has met with success and hub factory would doubtless pay in this section of country, while bent works and general carriage manufacture could scarcely fail of in his line, sending out last year 40,- success if under good management. 000 dozens of bottled goods, and the
Walker's and Guignard's brick capacity will be much enlarged the yards are near Columbia. Stoeber's present season. While we do not and Stork's vintage establishments recommend heavy spirits as a bever- deserve mention, and a number of age, the soda drinks, when prepared industrial pursuits which are closely from pure extracts, with a good car- allied with mercantile matters, will bonic acid gas machine, are entirely have a mention in that department. harmless, and a well made beer, like Red Bank Cotton Mill in Lexington
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HISTORICAL SKETCH
County operates 2,448 spindles and a partnership for the prosecution of 100 looms. There are several other a wholesale and retail trade in this worthy industries deserving of more city. Hardware, agricultural imple- extended mention, but the space de- ments, groceries, seeds, naval stores, signed for that department is already etc., have been the lines that have full, and we shall have to pass to engaged their attention, and so well the consideration of other matters. has the business been conducted that What we have said on this subject it extends throughout all the wes- is enough to call attention to the tern half of the State with annual fact, that Columbia is not altogether sales aggregating nearly half a mil- without manufacturing. The era of lion dollars. They formerly occupied development bas but just arrived, rooms in the adjoining square, but however, and with the inspiration in 1883 the business had grown be- of the new canal work, these enter- yond their accommodations there, prises should double their numbers and the Columbia Hotel building every year until Columbia becomes being offered for sale, was purchased a busy manufacturing centre.
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WHOLESALE HOUSES.
LORICK & LOWRANCE, COLUMBIA HOTEL BUILDING.
by this firm. Lorick & Lowrance occupy the double front rooms at Nos. 140 and 142 Main Street with their various goods. This firm gives employment to over 20 men. Its individual members being recognized as zealous workers for Columbia's progress, believing that the day of prosperity is at hand, and that those who discern the signs of the times should at once lay hold of the oppor- tunity for her immediate upbuilding.
P. H. HALTIWANGER,
MAIN STREET AND ELMWOOD AVENUE. Wholesale and Retail Groceries.
Wholesale houses in any line of trade assist in making the city in which they are located a commercial centre, and that of P. H. Haltiwanger stands prominent among the grocery houses of western South Carolina. Mr. H. was born in this vicinity, spent several years of his life in other parts of the country, and returned a dozen The above representation of that years since to the land of his nativity. handsome block of architecture for- About ten years ago he opened up a merly used as the Columbia Hotel, wholesale and retail grocery house is worthy of a place in our columns at the corner of Main Street and from its intrinsic beauty and com- Elmwood Avenue. His building pactness. Nearly twenty years ago, fronts 30 feet on Main, extending P. C. Lorick, of Lexington County, 230 on Elmwood Avenue, and con- and W. B. Lowrance, of N. C., formed tains a large stock of wholesale gro-
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COLUMBIA CITY.
ceries, including grocers' drugs, adjoining lot also, which will then and hardware. A warehouse 40x120 give them 120 feet front on Main feet, at the C., C. & A. depot, is also Street. Their large retail depart- owned by this firm, and kept filled ment on the first floor covers every- on two floors with heavy goods. thing in dry goods, clothing, shoes, Mr. Haltiwanger also deals largely and hats,
in cotton, and his retail trade is a prominent one, The annual trans- actions of the house foot up to nearly a half million dollars, and are an im- portant factor in the commercial prosperity of this place. Some 16 men find employment in the various duties connected with the house, and Mr. H. may well feel proud of his commercial success. We hope that in the near future he will see his way clear to erect a three-story brick at his .present corner, and thereby add to the beauty of the surroundings in that part of the city.
T. A. MCCREERY & CO., WHOLESALE MERCHANTS,
Corner Main and Blanding Streets.
MILLER BROTHERS. GERVAIS STREET, OPPOSITE DEPOT. Cotton Buyers and Com'n Merchants.
Standing next to manufactories in commercial importance, the whole- sale houses of a city should be classed. Good business tact, easy facilities for transportation, and ample capital are the requisites for successful whole- saling, and Columbia has a fair sprinkling of wholesale houses, al- though there are, doubtless, several lines of trade that have not yet been covered, in which a large amount of jobbing might be done. The Miller Brothers, Jasper. Noah J., Chas. W., and Geo, F., are natives of Cleve- land, N. C .; established their trade . here in September, 1883, and have
An impetus of considerable impor- tance was given to the commercial met with a success which marks status of Columbia when the whole- them as men of sterling business ca- sale dry goods, clothing, shoe, and pacity, They handled 40,000 bales of hat business of T. A. McCreery & cotton, a value of $2,000,000, during Co. was opened up in 1880. Thos, a single season, since their advent in A. McCreery has been in mercantile this trade. They have a brick ware- trade for 44 years, removing from house opposite the Union passenger Charleston to Columbia in 1872, depot, with the railroads passing when his brother, Barrie B., became their platforms on either side, and a a partner in the enterprise. The storage capacity for 1,500 bales. retail business was successful, and The output of the present season about eight years ago the firm added will probably not reach over 25,000 the wholesale department, which oc- bales, and this, after being purchased cupies the entire up-stairs of the two- in the cotton-growing districts, is story brick, 84x100 feet, at the cor- shipped here for compressing and ner of Main and Blanding Streets, reshipped to European ports or the The trade of this firm reaches well Northern markets. In the good time out over the State, and amounts to coming, we hope to see all this and about $300,000 per annum.
The several times as much more made in- McCreerys own the building and the to manufactured goods by the cot- lot adjoining, and it is their design ton mills of Columbia.
Miller Brothers are thoroughly
to raise this to a three-story the present season, making it cover the reliable and enterprising, pay the
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HISTORICAL SKETCH
highest market price, have given storage capacity for 2,000 bales. general satisfaction to all their cus- The average annual transaction is tomers, and added materially to the about 10.000 bales, and the firm well importance of Columbia as a com- known throughout the cotton-grow- mercial centre. Men of like tact and ing district of this State.
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