USA > West Virginia > Wood County > Parkersburg > Parkersburg; a souvenir of the city of Parkersburg . . . together with a complete city directory of Parkersburg and her suburbs, 1907 > Part 3
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The Radeker Lumber Company is organ- ized to supply this need. This Company is composed of a body of men each individual of which has a thorough knowledge of the timber and lumbering business in all its hranches, and taken as a whole are a com- posite picture of the lumhering interests of West Virginia.
Mr. C. W. R. Radeker, the President, is the President of the Nicolette Lumber Com- pany, of Nicolette, West Virginia. Mr. J. R. H. Radeker, the Secretary and Treasurer, is Vice President of that Company, and Mr. W. W. Watterson, Vice President and Gen- eral Manager, is President of the W. W. Watterson Lumber Company and Treasurer of the West Virginia Veneer Door Company.
The Radeker Lumber Company organized with a capital stock of $25,000, fully paid in, will Wholesale and Retail Lumber through- ont West Virginia, Southern Ohio and Pennsylvania. The Company have their purchasing agents along the Big Kanawha and Elk Rivers and their tributaries, along the Coal & Coke Railroad and along the Little Kanawha, and their selling agents in various West Virginia and Ohio towns, in Wheeling and in Pittsburg. The lumber they handle is mostly Oak, Poplar and Hem- lock, in all grades, dimensions and thick- nesses, and the firm do especially large business in car oak for building freight and passenger cars. The firm also caters to local needs, carrying nearly 500,000 feet In stock, and are prepared to meet the de- mands of the building trade promptly with the best of West Virginia timber, and also are ever ready to ship quickly to surround- ing points both by water and rail.
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LOFFICE OF
KE SELMAN & CO.
KESSELMAN
BLACKSMITH Y MAC MER'S.
ZURILLY
1
Kesselman & Company 122, 124, 126 and 128 Ann Street (W. Va. 210)
When a business man is continuously successful for over a third of a cen- tury, and when in all that time the business is constantly growing and ex- panding, it is an assured fact that two conditions are present-sterling integrity and a thorough knowledge of the customers' needs. The business of Kesselman & Co. was started over a third of a century ago- thirty-six years ago-by Kesselman & Ban- ser, at Parker's Landing, Pa. Three years later William Kesselman, Sr., moved the business to St. Joe, Butler County, Pa., and eight years later he moved from there to Butler, Pa., following the development of the oil field, and the business was conducted there until 1887 by himself. In 1887, Charles Brandberg was admitted into partnership. under the firm name of Kesselman & Co.
The Parkersburg branch was established eleven years ago, by Mr. William Kessel- man, Jr., and has flourished ever since, un- der his enterprising and energetic adminis- tration. Growing up with the business, there is not a need of a customer that he is not keenly alive to, and prompt to supply, and among the many good thing which he has promoted and developed for the trade might be mentioned the "Casing Bowl," of which he is the owner of the patent and sole man- ufacturer, and also the Kesselman & Watson Tubing Catchers, which are also patented.
The firm manufactures a superior line of Drilling and Fishing Tools of all kinds, and
also do all kinds of forgings and general machine work. The firm does a large busi- ness throughout West Virginia, and also in other States, covering a large field in their line.
Mr. William Kesselmau, Sr., is one of the oldest manufacturers of oil well tools in the country, and is still actively engaged in the business, his headquarters being at Butler, Pa., and is known throughout the trade as an honorable and upright business man, who has built up a great and successful business by strict application to and a masterful knowledge of his chosen work.
The Standard Oil Company.
If' "grace" and "grease" are synonymous, the most graceful concern in America is the Standard Oil Company, and Parkersburg shares in the distribution of their grease in a graceful way. For their great Camden Refining Plant is here, employing hundreds of busy workers, and adding materially to the wealth of the city.
The reflective mind is not forever in- fluenced by tarbellations, and when one thinks of what great human good has been accomplished by this wonderful business or- ganization, under the inspiration of that more wonderful man, John D. Rockefeller, petty differences in policies and economics pale into insignificance, and a just public mind heartily commends their every work.
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The Standard Oil Company
(W. Va. 344)
Think, for instance, how rich in mineral wealth West Virginia was from the begin- ning of time, so much so that oil lay on the surface of many streams, and gas hubbled from the porus ground in many places. And in spite of this evidence of wealth, these re- sources lay undeveloped. And again, think how many small farmers dwelt beside these streams, suffering in an apathy of poverty and malaria and lack of education, their off- spring dying from blighting afflictions, and they powerless to defend them from the ly- phoid and malarial conditions, in their wretchedness and lack of knowledge, and compelled to watch them suffer and to die. And yet again how many places in this coun- try are rich today in a wealth of mineral resources, whose population suffers from a lack of their development. In this light, look upon the countenance of "Uncle John," grace and grease oozing from his smile, for wherever that smile rested there came de- velopment. Wealth that was wasted ne gathered, the volume so great that the insig- nificant percentage he retained, and that made his collossal fortune, was hut a pygmy beside the wealth he developed for you and me. The man in the isolated district beside the stream found that he was suddenly placed near a center of population, could ed . ucate his children, could give them proper medical supervision, could build better homes, could wear better clothing, and could look with equanimity upon the future of his growing sons, and find them profitable em- ployment. And the former apathy gave way to cheerful optimism. For he had all he had
before, was disturhed in none of his customs, and received both a direct and and indirect profit upon every operation of "Uncle John's." And more, all that science and chemistry and metallurgy could do was ap- plied to the solution of the problem of the essential qualities of the "grease." Valuable medicines were discovered that add to the comfort of living in material ways. New commercial uses were developed, and the "by-product" became the real product and the oil itself became the "by-product," and thousands of families throughout this section are living in affluence today because of it, and are pleased with "Uncle John" and his greaseful ways, secure in the knowledge that the utmost will be done that brains and scl- ence can do to get the greatest good to the greatest number, and to save and conserve the source of supply, for of course for every barrel that is taken from the earth means that much forever gone, as there is no way of replacing the original fluid, except in the alchemy of ages and of nature.
Thus, the Standard Oil Company stands not only as a great business enterprise, the highest commercial development reached by the human mind, but also stands as a har- rier against the wanton waste of a mineral that once exhausted can never be replaced, and for the highest development of that min- eral to the needs and uses of mankind.
And in their Parkersburg field of develop- ment, their Camden Works, of which the above picture is a birdseye view, they give employment to several hundred men, and are a material factor in Parkersburg's in- dustries and progress.
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Masonic Temple of Fairmont, just completed by the Brady Construction & Engi neering Company.
The Brady Construction & Engineering Co. 507 to 512 Union Trust Building (W. Va. 1776)
The Brady Construction & Engineering Company is a splendid example of the de- velopment that is accomplished when science and skill are reinforced by push and enter- prise.
The Brady Construction Company, the parent of the present concern, was incor- porated in 1901, with its principal office Clarksburg, West Virginia, and was capi- talized at $10,000. In February, 1903, they removed to Fairmont, West Virginia.
So rapid was their development that in June, 1906, they increased their capital stock to $50,000, changing the name to the Brady Construction & Engineering Company, and locating their principal offices in the Union Trust Building, Parkersburg, West Virginia.
No contract is too large for them to under- take, and no contract has been taken that nas not been pushed to a prompt and suc- cessful conclusion. Their work includes Banks, Office Buildings, School Buildings,
Factory Buildings, Plain and Reinforced Concrete Construction, Light Frame Con- struction, such as miner's houses; Heavy Timher Construction, Coal Tipples, Washers, Grading, Railroad Construction, etc.
Among other large contracts for grading, they now have in process the 80-foot ave- nue for the Parkersburg Industrial Com- pany ,and also the Concrete Masonry Piers and grading of approach for the Parkersburg & South Side Bridge Company, all on the south side of the Little Kanawha River, at Parkersburg.
They also do High-Class Engineering, Railroad Surveys, Mine Work, etc., and furnish estimates on any class of construc- tion or engineering work in any part of the country upon request.
The present officers of the company are S. D. Brady, President; G. E. Suck, Secre- tary and Treasurer.
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PARTERSBURG OFICIAL STONE CO.
Parkersburg Artificial Stone Company Corner of Jeannette and George Streets (W. Va. 19)
One of the new enterprises of Parkersburg that deserves more than passing mention is the Parkersburg Artificial Stone Company, which is located at the corner of Jeannette and George streets.
This concern was established in 1903. In 1905 it was incorporated hy W. W. Watter- son, C. F. Hannaman, S. H. Lowther, L. Ken- dall and T. F. Campbell, and is now a thriv- ing and prosperous industry. The factory occupies a building 35 feet wide by 144 feet in length. It is situated within convenient distance of the B. & O. Railroad, and when the new yard tracks are laid a line will ex- tend to the door of the factory. The build- ing is constructed of artificial stone, is one story high, and perfectly frost-proof, so that work can be carried on at all times. It is equipped with the most up-to-date machin- ery, consisting of steam engine, mixer, steel trucks and other appliances, and now has 1,800 feet of trackage, which is utilized to the full extent in carrying on the work.
The factory manufactures but one thing- artificial stone-made from concrete by a patent process, of sand and cement, and is produced at the rate of 600 square feet a day. A large stock is constantly kept on hand, usually about 20,000 feet, enough to build four or five moderate-size houses.
The stone is made both plain for use in walls, and ornamental for use in trimming,
and is used for a wide variety of purposes. Whole buildings are made of it, and experi- ence shows them to be the cheapest build- ings in the world. Such houses cost about the same as ordinary brick, and much less than pressed brick houses. They are as durable as stone. Owing to the peculiar ventilating system used, they are dryer than either brick or stone, and easier to heat. All over the country an increasing number of artificial stone houses are being built each year, and reports from them have all been favorable. Very few people realize the last- ing qualities of concrete, but when it is re- membered that concrete of substantially the same composition made 3,000 years ago is still well preserved, and shows no signs of crumbling or decay, while stone cut in the same period has crumbled into dust, some idea of the wonderful endurance of this ma- terial can be obtained. Impervious to heat or frost, hardening by exposure to the weather, never shrinking, cracking or warp- ing, it is the best substance ever discovered for fire walls, and is the ideal building ma- terial, both for houses, and for foundations, chimneys, sustaining walls, colonial columns, trimmings, and many other purposes.
At the present time the company employs fifteen men, and with increasing appreciation of the value of this form of building ma- terial, is bound to have a steadily increasing trade.
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The National Plaster & Supply Company On B. & O. R. R. near George Street (W. Va. 1408)
The National Plaster & Supply Company is a West Virginia corporation, organized in March, 1905, with a capitalization of $15,- 000; this being increased in January of this year to $25,000, the increased capital being necessary in order to meet the requirements of the growing business.
The present officers are: S. T. Mallory, President; Senator Thomas Gartlan, Vice President, and J. B. Arbour, Manager.
The manufactured product of the company consists of "EGYPTIAN" Hard-Wall Plaster. The factory buildings, which are located ad- vantageously on the B. & O. R. R., near George street, being completely equipped for the manufacture of this material, having d capacity of forty tous per day. Present plans include improvements in the present plant, permitting of more rapid and econo- mical handling of materials. Extreme care is used in every detail of manufacture, none but the highest grade materials of their kind are allowed to enter into the composition and all materials are so throughly mixed as to make an absolutely uniform Plaster. By reason of the policy of the company aiming always toward High Quality, "EGYPTIAN" has come to be recognized as the Standard Plaster; commands in many markets a high - er price than competitive materials, and is conceded to be a leader among Wall Plas- ters. The features commending "EGYP-
TIAN" are Hardness, Durability, Great Ten- sile Strength, Sanitary (containing no vege- table matter), and it is affected by neither heat nor cold. Is also Fireproof, and men- tion is made of the fact that instances have been known where Egyptian Walls have stood intact withont support, after all stud- diug had been burned away. With such dis- tinct advantages over other materials, the popularity of this high-grade material is ac- counted for, aud prospective builders look- ing for the best should consider no substi . tute.
Shipments are made over Southern Ohio and West Virginia, and the scope of opera- tions of the company are constantly broad . ening. In order to more efficiently serve its customers in that territory contiguous to Huntington, W. Va., there has been estah- lished in that city a branch office an I ware- room, and the present quarters being out- grown, a new modern wareroom, meeting the requirements of the company, will be erected there within the next few months.
This company is also an extensive dealer in all lines of Builders' Supplies. Among these might be mentioned "DRAGON" Port- land Cement, being a strictly high-grade American Portland, extensively used by the government and the leading railroad com- panies. Locally, Dragon is extensively used in sidewalk construction and concrete work
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* THE
W. H. SMITH
HARDWARE COMPANY. P
The W. H. Smith Hardware Company 117 and 119 Third Street. Parkersburg, W. Va.
(W. Va. 330)
in general. Particular mention is made, however, of its use in the two most import . ant pieces of concrete work in the city, víz: the concrete foundation supporting the six- story Brown-Kendall building, and the piers of the new bridge to the South Side, 6,000 barrels being used in the latter mentionel work alone.
Other lines include "EGYPTIAN" White Rock Finish, the highest grade white finish . ing material for interior walls on the mar- ket. "J. M." Asbestos Roofing, Natural Ce - ments, Sewer Pipe, Lime, etc. In all ma- terials in which the company deals it is in position to name competitive prices for ei+11- er less than carload or for carload ship- ments, and inquiries from the trade are earnestly solicited.
The W. H. Smith Hardware Company.
The business of The W. H. Smith Hard- ware Company was established in 1874, first as a partnership; later it was incorporated under the laws of West Virginia, with W. H. Smith, Sr., as its first President. Upon the death of W. H. Smith, February 22, 1906, W. H. Smith, Jr., succeeded to the presi- dency of the company. At this time W. H. Smith, T. P. Smith, Levin Smith, C. W.
Edelen and J. T. MeMechen compose the Board of Directors.
The officers are: W. H. Smith, President; C. W. Edelen, Vice President; T. P. Smith, Secretary.
Soon alter its organization the company embarked in the wholesale business, sending its salesmen into nearly all sections of the State, as well as Southeastern Ohio. In this way, and by judicious advertising, it has done much to establish the reputation of Parkersburg as a distributing point and commercial center, as well as assist in the growth and prosperity of the city.
The company, with one exception, a dis- astrons fire in Angust, 1899, by which it sustained a heavy loss, has had an uninter- rupted growth and prosperous career. The management, by correct business methods, always abreast of the times, public spirit, enterprise and fair dealings, have developed a leading position in the Wholesale Hard- ware business of the State, and now bas probably the best equipped establishment of the kind in the Central Ohio Valley. The company confidently look forward to greater growth and increased prosperity for Park- ersburg, in which, with other interests, it hopes to share.
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PRONAKENDALL CO. WHILESALE
CO.
The Brown-Kendall Company Wholesale Notions and Furnishings 514 Juliana Street, Parkersburg, W. Va. ( W. Va. 1581 )
A very successful enterprise, newly organ- ized in Parkersburg, West Virginia, is that of the Wholesale Notions and Furnishings firm known as The Brown-Kendall Com- pany, at 514 Juliana street. Incorporated under the laws of the State of West Virginia. June 20, 1904, with J. S. Brown, President; M. A. Kendall, Vice President, and J. A. Brown, Secretary and Treasurer. The Brown- Kendall Company began active business op- erations the following February, in a build- ing owned by the Graham-Bumgarner Com- pany.
Soon after the beginning of their success- ful undertaking their quarters were found far too small to accommodate their rapidly increasing business, and in the fall of 1906 they built one of the most modern business buildings in West Virginia to care for their large and rapidly expanding trade.
"Great oaks from little acorns grow." Be-
ing amply financed and managed with husi- ness judgment and energetic zeal, buying merchandise admirably adapted to their trade, and then letting the trade know that they had the goods, has brought this enter- prising firm abounding success, and they have had the pleasure of seeing the acorn planted in 1904 develop into the sturdy oak of 1907, with its branches extending over all parts of West Virginia and Southeastern Ohio.
Well satisfied customers throughout the State insure their continued success, aud they are rapidly becoming the leading Wholesale Notions alld Ladies' and Gents' Furnishing House of West Virginia.
The same fidelity to their customers' inter- ests which has brought them such deserved success still continues and characterizes the methods of this enterprising firm, and their permanent success is assured.
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GRAHAM - BUMGARNER CO.
MANUFACTURERS
BOOTSES SHOES
HOOD RUBBERS
Graham-Bumgarner Company
P'aid up Capital, $200,000.
Manufacturers and Jobbers of Boots and Shoes. Exclusive Agents for Hood and Old Colony Rubbers.
516 and 518 Juliana Street, Parkersburg, W. Va. (W. Va. 553)
Parkersburg people have seen our business develop from infancy into the strength and vigor of youth. It has been a period of steady growth, every year showing a satis- factory gain over the former one. We at- tribute this to our constant effort to always serve the best interests of our customers. Our sales have now reached an annual volume considerably larger than those of most shoe jobbers in cities the size of Park- ersburg. In fact, we cannot expect to great- ly increase our business as jobbers, because the local jobbers' territory is necessarily limited. But the manufacturer has no limit to his opportunities for expansion. For this reason we are now erecting the FIRST SHOE FACTORY EVER BUILT IN THE
STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA. In this fac- tory we will make a high grade line of shoes for workingmen. Just as rapidly as is ex- pedient, we expect to erect factories for the manufacture of other lines, the next prob- ably being for women's medium-priced shoes.
Our success as manufacturers means much to Parkersburg. It means steady employ- ment at good wages to scores of men and women. Now, we want every Parkersburger to "boost" for us when he can. Ask your dealer for "Parkersburg-made" shoes, and tell your out-of-town merchant friends about us. And MR. PARKERSBURG MERCHANT, don't you think it would be good policy to boost your own business by boosting home industry ?
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Crystal Springs Water Springdale, Parkersburg, W. Va. (W. Va. 221)
The health of a city depends upon the pur- ity of its water suppy.
The common mistake that filters purify water is misleading. Most impurities and the bacteria of most diseases caused from impure water are held in solution, and only the material vegetable matter is removed bs filtering, leaving a transparent and beautiful water, but like the Isle of Cyprus, "filled with dead men's bones."
Parkersburg is blessed in having at her door one of the finest springs of pure chaly- beate water to be found. The discovery of this wonderful Spring was made but a few years ago, and with each succeeding year since that discovery the merit and quality of this water has increased its popular favor, and added a constantly increasing number of consumers, and it is now in daily use in all the leading hotels and homes of our beauti- ful city.
Crystal Springs Water is rature's purest and most wholesome remedy for most of mankind's ills. Given plenty of wholesome exercise in pure air, and with pure water to clear the system and cleanse the blood. sickness among humankind will be as rare as among the brute creation.
Crystal Springs Water, the purest of table water, contains all the goodness and power of prevention that is claimed for the best Of
imported waters, because it is absolutely free from all possible contact with decaying animal or vegetable matter, but gushes from the earth pure and undefiled, and in such volume as to adequately supply the ueeds of Parkersburg for all drinking and culinary purposes.
Every precaution is taken in the handling of this Water, that no bacteria or dirt of any description approaches it. Bottles are sterilized before filling, and securely corked against the decomposition by atmospheric influences, so that when it reaches you it is pure and free from any disease-bearing germs. One trial will convince you of its delightful purity. "It adds years to one's life and life to one's years," and continued use brings purer blood and better health.
The price of Crystal Springs Water makes it no longer a luxury, It is within the easy reach of every family, no matter how humble their circumstances. For Crystal Springs Water the charge is 50 cents per dozen half- gallon bottles, and 25 cents for 5-gallon carboys.
Telephone for a trial sample bottle. Call up West Virginia Western phone 221 today, and prove for yourself the value in health and comfort we offer you, and that Crystal Springs Water is the purest and best of nature's waters.
CRYSTAL SPRINGS WATER CO.,
F. M. Gould, Prop.
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THE STAR GROCER CO.
LHE STA
WHOLESALE GROCERS.
WHOLESALE CAYCEHO
The Star Grocer Company Corner of Juliana and Second Streets, Parkersburg, W. Va.
(W. Va. 290)
The Star Grocer Company is the young- est Wholesale Grocery House in Parkers- burg, and the most vigorous. From a small concern, but full of push and enterprise, they have in less than ten years won first place as the leading Wholesale Grocery House in Parkersburg, and, for that matter, in this section of West Virginia. Nothing has been left undone that could be done to make their business more successful, and their never failing tact, conrtesy, enter- prise and careful consideration of their cus- tomers' needs, has won them this distinc- tion in this remarkably short period of time. They have ever been. prompt to meet the changing conditions and needs of a growing business, and had little more than started when they found their space inade- quate for their needs and resolved upon more commodious quarters, and decided to build a modern Wholesale Grocery Ware- house especially adapted to their use.
Therefore, in 1901, they obtained a piece of ground in the very heart of the shipping district, ouly a block and a half from the boat landing and one block from the freight depot, and on it huilt a Warehouse 43 x 85, with four stories and basement, and equip- ped it with every moderu device that was practical for the better care and handling of their goods. This building was planned by men who knew from practical experi-
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