Chicago City (part 33 of 57)

Wm. Deering & Co.'s Harvesting Machine Works, founded in 1870, are situated in the northern part of the city, at the intersection of Fullerton and Clybourn avenues, and along the line of the Chicago & Northwestern railroad, with docks on the north branch of the Chicago river. Over forty-five acres are occupied by the plant, which is compactly arranged, notwithstanding the acreage named. It is estimated that the floor surfaces in the shops aggregate about fifty acres. Seven engines, of 3,500 horse-power, operate the machinery. The works comprise large wood-working shops, knife and section shops, machine and blacksmith shops, bolt, rivet, and nail works, a foundry, a large malleable-iron plant, and an extensive twine plant. They consume annually 10,000 tons of machinery steel, 1,200 tons of sheet steel, 1,000 tons of sheet iron, and 16,000 tons of pig iron, comprising charcoal and Northern and Southern coke iron. Some 25,000 tons of coal and coke are annually consumed; 250,000 gallons of oil are used; and 4,000,000 feet of lumber, or twenty shiploads, are required merely to box and crate machines for shipment. The force of hands employed is usually about 4,000. Some departments work with regular night gangs, the establishment having its own electric light plant. They claim to build more machines of all kinds than any other harvester concern. They are the only manufacturers of binders who make their own twine. They also manufacture rice harvesting machines, which have proved very successful in the rice-fields of the South, and whose use is extending rapidly. The sales department of Wm. Deering & Co., embraces thirty-eight branch houses and general agencies, and their trade covers European countries, Australia, New Zealand, and South America. William Deering, the founder of this immense plant, continues to actively direct its operations, ably assisted by Charles W. and James E., his two sons.

The David Bradley Manufacturing Company's factories are located on Fulton, Jefferson and Desplaines streets, and have about ten acres of floor space. They employ 600 workmen, and annually consume 10,000 tons of pig iron, 1,500 to 1,800 tons of bar iron, and 1,000 to 1,200 tons of steel. Their products consist of plows, hayrakes, cultivators, harrows, cotton planters, and other farm implements.

The F. C. Austin Manufacturing Company's works, at the corner of Carpenter street and Carroll avenue, manufacture railroad graders, road-making machines, wheel and drag scrapers, plows, well machinery, etc. They employ 200 hands and annually consume 1,000 tons of steel and 1,800 tons of iron.

Craver, Steele & Austin are large manufacturers at Harvey, a suburb of Chicago, on the Illinois Central railroad. Their buildings consist of a machine shop, foundry and blacksmith shop, 160 by 200 feet; office attached, 50 by 40 feet; wood-working and paint shop, 240 by 200 feet; warehouse, 350 by 80 feet. They employ from 150 to 200 hands, consume annually about 5,000,000 feet of hard-wood lumber, 400 tons of bar iron, and about 1,000 tons of pig iron, and manufacture harvesting machines, mowers, rakes, springs and buggies.

The Aermotor Company occupy a sixstory sixty-foot front building at 110 and 112 South Jefferson street, and a forty-foot front foundry, at 57-59 South Jefferson street employ about 150 hands, annually consume about 4,000,000 feet of lumber and 1,500 tons of iron and steel, and manufacture wind-mills, wind-mill towers, tanks and feed-grinders.

Other important implement works and factories for the production of farmers' supplies are the Automatic Mower and Manufacturing Company, whose plant is located at Harvey; the Famous Manufacturing Company, at East Chicago; the Whitman & Barnes Manufacturing company and the Piano Manufacturing Company, at West Pullman; and the Weber Wagon Company, at Auburn Junction.

carriages. far behind the blacksmith and carpenter. Their occupations were not only useful but highly remunerative in a growing town like Chicago. At first confining their efforts to repairing the work of others, by 1840 there were reported eight establishments engaged in manufacturing. They employed thirteen hands and their yearly product

Rial

The Peter Schuttler Wagon Works, of which Schuttler & Hotz are proprietors, were established in 1843 by Peter Schuttler, Sr., who died in 1864. The works were burned in the great fire of 1871, but plans were laid for a larger factory before the ruins were cold, and the buildings which now compose the plant on the corner of Clinton and Monroe streets, were completed by the following spring. Soon afterward the firm added the hub and spoke factory occupying the two blocks between Sebor and Mather streets, from Beach street to the south branch of the Chicago river. The total area occupied by the works amounts to more than ten acres, and over 400 men are employed. The capacity of the works is 12,000 wagons per year, but in these days of ready-made wagon parts this does not sufficiently express the volume of work that is done by this concern. Messrs. Schuttler & Hotz are perhaps the only manufacturers in this line who buy only the raw material, and manufacture their own hubs, spokes, felloes, bolts, and in short, everything that goes to make up the complete vehicle, requiring 4,000,000 feet of lumber and 20,000 tons of iron per year to keep the works supplied.

There is no surer sign and better evidence of the growth and progress of a city and the studebakerBros. Social solidity of its citi- Mf«. co. zens than the means and

With wealth and prosperity come ease and luxury, and the acme of comfort and social progress is considered by most men to be attained when their circumstances are such that they can afford a carriage, and enter the magic circle of the driving public.

In no city in the great West have this progress and development of the highest forms of luxurious travel been better manifested than in Chicago; and no firm has done more toward cultivating and fostering the public taste in this particular line than Studebaker Bros, of Michigan avenue. Originally they made both fame and fortune in the wagon trade proper in South Bend, Ind., but in 1874, sharing with some of the sanguine pioneers the firm belief in the ultimate success of Chicago, they opened a branch on Wabash avenue, between Jackson and Van Buren streets, for the sale of carriages, light vehicles and buggies, which they had been manufacturing in South Bend for fifteen years, with the most gratifying results.

The success which attended this new departure was such that in 1877 they leased more commodious premises in a four story and basment building at Nos. 151 and 153 on the same avenue, and this in its turn proving too small for their ever increasing trade, they again moved in 1882 to the corner of State and Jackson streets, where they remained until February, 1887, when they took possession of their well known repository and factory on Michigan avenue, between the Auditorium and the Chicago Club.

It is a handsome eight-story building of Syenite granite and Bedford stone, and, standing as it does in such goodly company, it is a fitting monument to the enterprise, perseverance and skill of the firm that has reared it, and at the same time reflects infinite credit upon the people of Chicago, that their good taste and culture is such that they can support and appreciate the high class productions which are evolved therein.

The upper four floors are devoted to the manufacture of the highest grade of carriages, and include drafting and packing rooms, machine shops, with the most approved machinery, and a thoroughly equipped repair shop.

The staff Studebaker Bros, have gathered around them in the establishment under the combined management of Mr. P. E. and his son, W. F. Studebaker, is a thoroughly representative one, and includes among its numbers, men who have been reared in the leading shops of London, Paris and New York.

The institution was established in 1852. The officers are: C. Studebaker, president ; J. M. Studebaker, vice-president ; P. E. Studebaker, treasurer ; Geo. M. Studebaker, secretary.

From 1833 to 1854 there were virtually no pleasure carriages in Chicago. Between 1854 c. P. Kimbaii and 1856 a man came here & Co' from the East and started in a small way on Lake street, selling eastern made carriages, but the volume of the business amounted to but a trifle and could not be called successful. Up to about 1860 the few people in Chicago who used fine carriages purchased them in New York and other eastern cities. About that time Coan & TenBroeck, of Chicago, who started in business building express wagons and that class of work, branched out into fine carriages and soon developed a large and prosperous business; but even then, with the bad streets that at that time existed in Chicago, and the lack of fine drives, the total business in the city in fine carriages was very small. The rise and progress of the carriage business in this city may really be said to date from the partial completion of the park system, and it was not until about 1880 that fine carriages began to appear upon our streets in any number. Since then Chicago has made rapid advances in fine turn-outs of every kind, and to-day in the number and value of splendid equipages stands second in this country only to New York. While for the number of vehicles owned by private gentlemen, there is no place in the world where as many are in use in proportion to the population as in Chicago. This statement was made several years ago in a newspaper article prepared at that time by C. F. Kimball, and several of his friends doubted it until he gave them his reasons therefor. Later on, Charles Dudley Warner, in writing about Chicago, made the same statement. Mr. Kimball accounts for this as follows:

" In Chicago, nearly all the house lots have a depth of from 150 to 175 feet. There is no other city in the world where the man of small means can purchase a lot of this depth for the same amount of money. Having a deep lot, he is tempted to build a small stable, and there keeps an inexpensive horse and vehicle, the horse and vehicle both being cared for by himself and boys, in many instances without employing outside help. The aggregate of this class of people can only be appreciated by one in iny line of business, and you will readily understand that the same class of people in any of the older cities of America or Europe could not afford to have even a modest establishment of this kind."

The well-known manufacturing establishment of Kimball & Company was originated in the State of Maine, by Peter Kimball, as far back as 1815. He had six sons, who for many years were engaged in the same industry. One of these sons, C. P. Kimball, started the business on a small scale in Chicago in 1877, under whose management it grew and prospered immensely, until his death, March 17, 1891. He was succeeded in the presidency of the C. P. Kimball Company by his son, C. F. Kimball, of the third generation engaged in this manufactory.

The amount paid for material used in the construction of carriages is about $250,- 000 per year, and in addition to this, the company buy, finished, many carriages of medium grade. As near as can be estimated, there are in Chicago to-day, about three thousand men employed in the manufacture of carriages. This does not include the men employed in the building of wagons and business vehicles. The output is large, but the amount cannot be definitely ascertained. In the high class of carriages there are comparatively few sent here now from the East, nor perhaps over six of high grade, and this company alone hao sent to New York eight high grade carriages.

and Wallace streets. Six acres of ground are nearly covered by large brick buildings, comprising black-smith shop, wood-working department, paint room, ware-houses, shipping ware-houses and sheds for storing material, making a very complete factory, equipped with the latest and most improved machinery. There are 400 men employed, who turn out about 15,000 vehicles per annum, valued at about $1,000,000. The company do not build heavy trucks or farm wagons, but only light spring vehicles, consisting of buggies, phaetons, road carts and carriages of all kinds. It is believed that but one other factory in the country engaged in the same line of work surpasses this establishment in the number of men employed and the annual product. Their salesrooms and offices are at 381 and 385 Wabash avenue.

Palace drawing-room, sleeping and hotel cars are inseparably associated, in the minds puiiman palace of the people of America and car company. Europe, with the name of George M. Pullman, who embarked in the business in 1859. It is true that tentative efforts to accommodate travelers with sleeping accommodations were put forth as early as 1857-8, when the Pennsylvania railroad company ran crude affairs of this sort between Philadelphia and Pittsburg. They contained coarsely upholstered berths in three tiers (the lower one only being double) and cost about $4,000 per car. Imperfect as they were, however, the traveling public at once set upon them the seal of popular approval in the form of a remunerative patronage. Mr. Pullman was quick to perceive at once the necessities and the possibilities of the situation, and it is not too much to say that to his tact, energy and perseverance, two continents are indebted for a revolution in the accommodations afforded for long distance travel.

In 1859, he obtained from the Chicago & Alton company, through Governor Matteson, a contract, to fit up two old passenger cars as sleeping coaches. These were adapted only to sleeping purposes, there being no arrangement by which they could be converted into day cars. Mr. Pullman, however, was much encouraged by the success of his first venture, and in 1863 he rented from the same company an old repairing shop, with a view to inaugurating a new departure. Here, after one year's patient labor by skilled workmen, was turned out the first combined day and sleeping coach, at a cost of $18,000. It was christened the "Pioneer." It was far better ventilated than any car then running, having an elevated top and a double row of windows. It is still in existence, having been preserved as a relic, and its appearance, both exterior and interior, affords a striking contrast to that of the magnificent cars turned out at the Pullman works to-day. The enterprise attracted the attention of the leading railway magnates of the day, some of whom visited the shops and most of whom were inclined to smile incredulously. John W. Brooks, of Boston, then president of the Michigan Central railroad company, however, was more far-sighted. At his solicitation, Mr.

Pullman visited Boston, the result of the conference being the signing of a ten-years' contract with the corporation last named for the running of Pullman cars over its line. The entering wedge was thus driven, and soon afterward contracts were entered into with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy and the Great Western of Canada. At this juncture difficulties began to multiply. On the one hand he needed larger capital than he could individually command, while, on the other, he found all sorts of obstacles thrown in his way by the car manufacturing companies. To insure success under such circumstances, more than an ordinary measure of faith and perseverance was necessary. In due time, however, success came. The first shops were opened in Detroit, and before the expiration of 1881, the annual output was one hundred and fourteen cars, or more than two completed each week. Despite the increased capacity of these works, the demand exceeded it. A still further enlargement of the shops was made and other works located, until, in January, 1883, the Pullman Palace Car Company, which had been organized in 1867, employed a total force of over seven thousand men, operated over one thousand sleeping, parlor and hotel cars, and had building and repairing shops at Pullman, 111.; Philadelphia, Penn.; Elmira, N. Y. ; Detroit, Mich.; St. Louis, Mo.; Derby, England, and in Italy.

In a general way, the contracts under which railroad companies use the Pullman cars aim to make the former part owners to the extent of three-fourths, the Palace Car company desiring to retain only a small interest, seeking profits mainly from manufacture. Where companies do not purchase, the Pullman cars are run independently - the railroads pulling them for the sake of increasing patronage through the convenience afforded passengers, and the Pullman company operating them for the privilege of incidental profits, the repairs of the cars below the body being made at the expense of the railroads.

The Detroit shops were selected for exclusive work on palace cars, while at Pullman are manufactured passenger, baggage and express cars (the capacity of the shops being twenty-five cars a day), as well as complete equipments for passenger railroads. Thus, . as may be readily conceived, the combined business of the Pullman Palace Car Company aggregates many millions of dollars a year, and employment is given to thousands of skilled mechanics and ordinary laborers.

As the business of the company increased in magnitude, the advantage of centralizing manufacturing facilities became apparent. Coupled with this was the well formulated - though as yet unannounced - plan of Mr. Pullman to found a manufacturing community, without parallel in its objects and administration, from which should be excluded the refractory and contaminating elements found in other similar communities, and which should contain only temperate and industrious workmen; which should assist to elevate the character and condition of all classes and give to them and their families those advantages and facilities for mental and moral education which their wages alone could not secure for them in the outside world. To say, however, that the project had its origin solely in sentimental considerations for the working classes, would be untrue. It was Mr. Pullman's idea to demonstrate that such advantages and surroundings would produce better workmen by removing them from the feeling of discontent and desire for change, which so generally characterizes the American mechanic, thus protecting the employer from the loss of time and money consequent upon the improvidence, labor strikes and dissatisfaction which generally result from poverty and uncongenial home surroundings.

Mr. Pullman has invested $5,000,000 in the town of Pullman. The original purchase of land embraced 3,500 acres, of which 500 were conveyed to the Pullman Palace Car Company - which, by the terms of its charter, was not permitted to acquire or hold more land than sufficient for its actual manufacturing needs - and the remaining 3,000 acres to the Pullman Land Association. The latter corporation retains title to all lots, erecting stores and dwellings thereupon and leasing the same to approved tenants. In this way control was maintained over the site for a large city, objectionable characters and business were excluded, and a city was built of uniform beauty. The average monthly rental of rooms, inclusive of all the houses in Pullman, is 13.30. The average monthly rental of rooms, including basements used as kitchens and dining-rooms in houses occupied wholly by operatives, is S2.50. The latter figures are about the same as those of neighboring towns occupied by manufacturing operatives. It should be remembered, however, that the houses in Pullman are built of brick, on broad, paved, shaded streets, with a perfect system of sewerage and drainage, and supplied with the modern conveniences and comforts of gas, water and complete sanitary arrangements. In addition to these advantages there are excellent schools, good markets, an admirable fire department, churches suitable to almost every phase of religious belief, a theatre perfect in its appointments, and a splendid library.

The total amount of money paid to employes at Pullman, dnringthe fiscal year ending July 31, 1885, was $2,160,241.20. The average number of operatives, including women and children, with the average earnings per day, are shown in the following table:

Per Day

By 1890 the company had in operation over 2,150 sleeping and parlor cars. Its business extended over about 120,000 miles of the principal railroads throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico, and its cars ran on several European railways. The number of persons carried in its coaches during 1890 was 5,023,057 and the number of miles run was 177,033,116. The gross earnings for that year were $7,473,000. Other revenue, amounting to $11,624, was derived from royalties, and over $1,300,000 from other sources swelled the total income to $8,860,961. After the deduction of all expenses, the net revenue was reported by the officers as being $4,311,610.74. Of this sum about $65,000 was paid for interest on debenture bonds and some $2,000,000 were distributed among the stockholders by way of dividends. After paying repairs and setting aside $100,000 as a contingent reserve fund, there was left a surplus to be credited to the income account of the year of about $2,398,000.

During 1889 an increase was made in the company's capital stock, and during the same year the sleeping car plant and franchises of the Union Palace Car company were purchased, also outstanding bonds, and substantially all the stock of the Mann and Woodruff companies. This purchase resulted in an addition to the Pullman company's equipment of 235 cars, which were operated under contracts covering 10,142 miles of railroads. Another important purchase by the company during that year was that of the interest of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa F.e railroad company in the sleeping car plant of its system.

During 1890 there were built in the shops of the company and placed in service 101 sleeping, parlor, dining and special cars, at an average cost of $13,520, representing an aggregate outlay of $1,365,503. Orders had also been placed for 119 Pullman cars, at an average cost of $16,500 each, the total expenditure for the same aggregating $2,000, 000. More than $52,000 were expended dur-

In addition to its various shops, franchises and personal property, the company owns one of the finest office buildings in the city, known as the Pullman building, situated on Adams street near Michigan avenue; erected in 1882 and estimated to be worth considerably more than $1,000,000. Here are located the main offices of the corporation, composed of the following directors: George M. Pullman, president; Marshall Field, J. W. Doane, Norman Williams, 0. S. A. Sprague (all of Chicago); Henry C. Hulbert, of New York, and Henry H. Head, of Boston.

During the fiscal year a new contract has been made with the Boston & Maine railroad company, for a period of twentyfive years expiring April 1, 1918. The contract with the Lehigh Valley railroad company, which expired June 10, 1889, has been renewed for a period of twenty-five years, expiring June 10, 1914. The contract with the Maine Central railroad company, expiring May 23, 1898, has been extended for a period of twenty-five years, expiring April 1, 1918. The contract with the Norfolk & Western railroad company, expiring November 13, 1899, has been extended for a period of twenty-five years, expiring August 1, 191?.

There have been built during the year, 314 sleeping, parlor, dining and special cars, and seven parlor cars have been purchased, the entire cost being %4, 782,123. 27.

The number of passengers carried during the year was 5,673,129, and the number of miles run was 206,453,796. During the previous year the number of passengers carried was 5,279,020, and the number of miles run was 191,255,656. The year just ended shows, therefore, an increase of about seven

There has been added during the fiscal year to the company's investments in shops and plant $388,904.43. The value of the manufactured product of the car works of the company for the year was $12,329,827.51, and of other industries including rentals, $1,084,881.41, making a total of $13,414,- 708.92, against $11,726,343.57 for the previous year.

The average number of names on the payrolls at Pullman for the year was 5,569, and wages paid $3,413,786.56, making an average for 'each person employed of $613.00, against $590.65 for the previous year.

The total number of persons in the employ of the company in its manufacturing and operating departments is 14,635, and wages paid during the year $7,751,644.32. The number of employes for the previous year was 12,809, and wages paid $6,619,156.63.

The Pullman Loan & Savings Bank shows savings deposits at the end of the fiscal year of $613,102.21, a gain of $82,097.21 over the previous year. The number of depositors has increased during the year from 2,012 to 2,260, and the average for each depositor has increased from $263.92 to $271.28.

The entire enrollment of pupils in public schools for the fiscal year was 1,213, a slight decrease compared with the previous year. The regular staff of teachers is 21, the same as last year.

The population of Pullman is 12,614 as shown by the last census. There are 2,839 employes living in the immediate vicinity of Pullman in houses not owned by the company.

The Pullman " idea," which has been worked out so successfully,and has reflected so much credit upon the sagacity and genius of its author, was the combination of the beautiful and ornamental with massive weight and strength in the construction of his sleepers in order to secure the comfort and to a great extent the safety of the passengers. From this splendid conception was evolved that other idea of the traveling hotel, by which one can indulge in the luxury of a meal served with all the variety and style of a first-class hotel, while he is speeding along his journey at the rate of forty miles an .hour. And from this great advance for the benefit of the traveling public came that other exclusively Pullman "idea," the "vestibule," which makes a solid yet perfectly sinuous train with practically absolute immunity from danger to passengers in even the most violent collisions, and with the striking result of an entire train under one roof in which the traveler may pass from his dining room to his sitting room or to sleeping room, as in his own house.

As remarked by Thomas Oarlyle, "beautiful it is to understand and know that a thought did never yet die; that as thou, the originator thereof, hast gathered it and created it from the whole Past, so thou wilt transmit it to the whole future." That the originator of these great improvements in this age of travel and unrest has achieved a world-wide and deserved renown, no one stands in the way to question; and, unlike the fate of most inventors, that he has gathered in immense wealth as the reward of his enterprise is a result which may stimulate and encourage other workers in the great field of thought and invention.

The rapid growth of Chicago and the increase in the population of the territory naturallJ tributai7 to it, very early suggested the expediency of the erection here of a factory for the manufacture of furniture. The origin of this branch

In 1839, according to the " Fergus Directory " of that year, there were seven "cabinet makers " and " chair and furniture makers " in the city. It is fair to presume that these individuals were skilled mechanics, who worked at the bench and did their turning with a foot lathe. The census of 1840 reports $1,500 capital invested in the business and gives the number of hands employed as four.

It is known, however, that there were several large factories in the city as early as 1853, employing a large capital, and all finding their capacity taxed to the utmost by the activity of the demand. The following list of names embraces the best known furniture makers of that period: C. Morgan, Ferris & Boyd, Boyden & Willard, D. L. Jacobus N& Brother and Thomas Manahan.

Most of these houses turned out furniture of a grade which at the present time would be considered inferior: The factory of Mr. Morgan was confined principally to the manufacture of chairs, although he also made furniture that was then regarded as of high grade. He occupied a five-story building on Lake street having a frontage of 20 feet and a depth of 162. The two lower floors were devoted to the purpose of salesrooms and the three upper to the manufacture of goods. In 1853 there were employed here over forty men, and the sales for the year amounted to $30,000.

The factory of Ferris & Boyd was on Van Buren street and the salesroom on Lake street. They employed fifty hands and used machinery doing the work of some twentyfive additional men. To the manufacture of furniture was added the making of picture frames, the house enjoying the monopoly of the latter business in this city in 1853. The total volume of business done by this firm during the last named year is estimated to have been about $50,000.

By the year 1868, however, the industry began to assume very much larger proportions. Chicago had then become an important railroad center, and its position as a point of distribution was beginning to be well recognized. This fact, added to the circumstance that immense quantities of lumber were received here annually, attracted the attention of capitalists to the manufacture of furniture. The result was a large multiplication of factories and a decided improvement in the quality of goods turned out. The census figures of 1870 show that the growth of the furniture trade in this city during the decade between 1860 and 1870 was nearly one thousand per cent. The great fire of 1871 proved a disastrous blow to the business, fully one-half of the establishments in existence at that time being reduced to ashes. The conflagration was succeeded by a stringency in the money market and a comparative lack of funds in the pockets of consumers. The result was a somewhat disastrous check to the furniture industry, and a revival did not fully begin until 1877. Since the last mentioned year the trade has occupied a leading position among the industries of Chicago, and is year by year forging more rapidly to the front.

With a view to illustrating the comparative growth of Chicago as a center for the furniture trade, the following statement may be of interest. In 1870, the amount of furniture manufactured here was equal in value to about one-half that turned out in Cincinnati, one-third as much as the product of Boston and Philadelphia, and only one-sixth as much as the output of New York. In 1880, the census returns showed that Chicago was in advance of all other cities in the country witn the single exception of New York. In 1885, however, the footing given by the State census of Illinois show that Chicago had advanced to the first place, both in the number of employes and in the value of the annual product. In parlor furniture, especially, Chicago has attained the position of the chief furniture market of the world* the annual sales of upholstered goods and frames equaling those of New York, Boston and Cincinnati combined. Among local industries it ranks fourth in importance, being surpassed only by that of iron and steel, the meat-packing business, and the manufacture of clothing.

In looking over the list of the manufacturers engaged in business in 1870, we find the names of seven who are in a similar line of business to-day, to-wit. Messrs. Albert Ranch, Halvorsen, F. Herhold, A. P. Johnson, J. Koenig, N. Arnesonand John Kraus. Two of these parties, Messrs. Herhold and Johnson, were partners in the largest chair factory of that time, employing a capital of not over 850,000, where now they are divided into two separate concerns, the Johnson Chair Company occupying an entire square block, bounded by Halsted, Green, Pratt and Chicago avenue, and Mr. Herhold at the head of his firm occupying a large building on the corner of West Huron and Carpenter streets. Since that time another large chair house has been located here, that of J. S. Ford, Johnson & Co; and these three concerns manufacture more chairs than any half dozen factories in the United States. To-day there are about 150 legitimate manufacturers of furniture of importance, employing a capital of over $10,000,000, about twenty of whom employ a capital of over $100,000 each. In parlor furniture, Chicago is the leading market in the United States, our products in this direction reaching not only the New England, Pacific coast and southern States, but also many points in Mexico and South America. In mattresses, medium priced chamber suits, chairs, desks and spring beds, Chicago is far in the lead. Aside from what is manufactured here, about a dozen large commission houses are located in our midst, handling the entire output of many Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin factories. At one time Canal street was the manufacturing center of cabinet furniture, fully fifteen or twenty firms being located on that street, while State street in the vicinity of Adams was the center of the manufacture of parlor furniture, but owing to the increase in rents, there has been an exodus to other portions of the city, and now factories in the furniture and kindred lines can be found in all portions of the city, although three of the largest and most representative establishments are located on North Green street, in close proximity with each other, the Johnson Chair Company, manufacturers of chairs; Koenig & Gamer "Furniture Company, manufacturers of chamber suits, etc., and Louis P. Nonnast, manufacturer of tables.

In 183], two brothers, John and Samuel Miller, built a tannery just north of the latter's tavern near the junction of the two branches of the Chicago river. In 1832, Benjamin Hall became a partner in the business, which was carried on for a number of years. One of the pioneers in this branch of industry was Walter S. Gurnee, subsequently mayor, and the firm names of Gurnee, Hayden & Company, and Gurnee & Yoe, were familiar to early settlers. In 1843, the "Chicago Hide and Leather Company" was formed, Mr. Gurnee assuming the presidency. George Bickerdike and James Knox also had tanneries on the north branch for a number of years, as also had Marvin M. Ford, on the northeast corner of Madison and Clark streets. In November, 1848, George Burr established a morocco leather manufactory in a large four story building on the south branch. In 1853, W. S. Gurnee tanned 13,000 hides and handled 45,000. The same year the firm of C. P. Grey tanned 13,819 hides, and sold leather to the value of $62,000. The business of tanning did not, however, assume any large proportions until after 1857. The value of the leather manufactured in 1855 is estimated to have been $290,000; in 1856, $432,000. The number of hands employed in the business during the last-mentioned year was 126, and the capital invested $332,000. The total receipts of hides in 1857, amounted to 24,584, while the shipments were 141,778.

With the increase in the amount of live stock received here, the importance of the city as a leather mart began to assume a larger prominence, and in 1859 Chicago claimed to be the largest leather market in the country west of New York. The trade that year was active, and prices during the first six months were high, but heavy failures in Boston and New York occurred in August and September, which had the effect of reducing values and diminishing demand.

The following year was one of some depression in the leather business, the speculative feeling which was infused into the trade in 1859 almost entirely disappeared, and the financial condition of England and this country seriously reduced the volume of business- At the same time the prices paid in Chicago during the year ranged from two to three cents higher than those of any other market in the West. At many points from two to four hundred miles east of this city, shippers were induced to consign goods to Chicago in consequence of the fair margin of profit offered.

By 1864, transactions in hides had reached a point where the receipts exceeded 20,052,235 pounds and the shipments exceeded 27,656,- 926. The proportion of the entire receipts - derived from local packing and slaughter houses cannot be definitely stated, but all authorities concur in the assertion that even at that time it was materially increasing year by year. Prices for 1864, owing largely to the premium on gold, were the highest known up to that time in the history of the trade, and a larger portion was converted into leather than in any preceding year.

The improvement in the latter branch of industry (manufacturing of leather) was yet more marked in 1865. Ten new tanneries were put in operation during that year, and most of the establishments previously existing had enlarged their operations and extended their facilities for manufacture. T li ere was a very large demand for leather for army purposes du ring the early part of the year, the result being that prices ruled high. With the cessation of hostilities and the lull in leather caused thereby, hides were reduced in values for a time, although the market at the close of the year was firm and steady.

The business of tanning languished somewhat during the years following the war, but 1870 was a period of large profits to tanners of sole leather. The output was considerably reduced and the market was kept bare at highly remunerative prices. Manufacturers of upper leather on the other hand did not fare so well. The high prices in this description of goods which prevailed during 1868 and 1869, induced overproduction with a corresponding depreciation in values. Tanners of rough leather underwent a similar experience, factories in many instances being kept in operation at a loss. During 1870 the Chicago Hide and Leather Company (the pioneer tanners in this city) closed out their works and retired from business. Among the more important changes which took place was the purchase by Wald Brothers of the Garden City Company's works, and the enlargement of the Union Hide and Leather Company's and Walker's tanneries. Jobbers of leather enjoyed a fair trade at moderate prices. The breaking out of the Franco-Prussian war, with its attendant rapid advance in French stock, did not prove as advantageous to Chicago dealers as was expected, for the reason that the appreciation in values in this market only kept pace with the advance in prices at the sources of supply, and the beginning of the war found stocks in the United States considerably reduced. Another source for light profits in this same branch of the tanning trade was the high prices which ruled for bark, which commodity was more costly than for several years previous. The season was an unfavorable one for bark gathering.

According to the statement of the United States census officials in 1870, there were then in Chicago fifteen establishments engaged in the manufacture of tanned leather, employing 314 workmen, whose annual wages amounted to $162,565. The capital invested was reported at $705,000; the value of raw material at $1,194,310; and that of the manufactured product at $1,618,501. Of manufacturers of curried leather there were twelve, who employed 159 hands, to whom they paid $138,255 in wages. The capital invested amounted to $288,400, and $1,402,785 worth of raw material was manufactured into a product valued at $1,714,620.

The great fire of 1871 did not prove as disastrous to the tanneries as to many other classes of manufactories, for the reason that most of them were located on the outskirts of the city, and at a safe distance from the burnt district. From that time forward the business steadily grew in magnitude as well as in relative importance, as appears from a comparison of the figures given above and the following which are taken from the United States census report for 1880.

Receipts

The amount of capital invested in the twenty-three Chicago tanneries at the close of 1893 was estimated at $5,000,000, and the number of hands employed at about 1,800. The growth has increased about 40 per cent, the last ten years - the annual product now amounting to $7,000,000.

The latest figures relating to the manufacture of boots and shoes, as furnished by the Shoe and Leather Review, are as follows : The sixty-five firms engaged in the business have a capital of $6,250,000, and the product of their factories in 1892 was $14,500, 000 - their aggregate business, including jobbing, aggregating $32,500,000 against $27,500,000 for 1891. About 6,500 hands are employed in the factories.

Among other leather manufactures in Chicago, that of saddlery and harness has saddlery assume(l large and commanding proportions. The most complete and extensive of these establishments in the city, if not indeed in the United States, is that of L. Kiper & Sons, a firm composed of Lewis, Julius, Herman and Charles Kiper. Their business was first started at Atchison, Kan., several years ago, and by reason of its increase and the superior facilities for manufacturing and obtaining supplies afforded in

Chicago, it was transferred to that city in January, 1892. Their large and convenient factory extends from numbers three to seventeen on Huron street. The value of their plant is about $200,000 and the annual value of material is $300,000. Over 200 hands are employed, to whom is paid per year, on an average, about $150,000, and the amount of their annual sales is over $500,000 - their customers extending from Maine to California and from New Orleans to Oregon. A glance at their immense stock on hand shows the extent and variety of their output. Over 150 styles of riding saddles are manufactured, valued all the way from $1.35 to $40.00; and 140 styles of harness, worth from $3.60 to $150.00 per set, besides collars in a great variety of patterns, at from $4.00 per dozen to $110.00. The firm was rewarded for its splendid enterprise by receiving twelve awards at the World's Columbian Exposition, more than all their competitors. Other flourishing establishments in this same line are those of A. P. Risser & Co., manufacturers of saddlery, carrying a line of saddleryhardware and horse clothing.

A. Ortmayer & Son manufacture harness, saddles, collars and fly nets, and do a large jobbing business in saddlery-hardware and horse clothing.

The manufacture of soap and candles was begun in 1833, by Elston & Woodruff, in a log barn on Kinzie street at the junction of the north and south branches. In 1835 Charles Cleaver, a young Englishman, purchased Mr. Woodruff's interest in the business and during the year following bought out Mr. Elston. In 1836, Mr. Cleaver removed his factory to the corner of Kinzie and West Water streets. During the year succeeding his enterprise had so prospered that he felt justified in erecting a two story and basement building on the corner of Washington and Jefferson streets, where he remained five years. In 1842, he moved to the corner of Madison and Canal streets, and seven years thereafter he made another change of location, buying a large tract of land in the section which was afterward known as Oakland. In taking this step Mr. Cleaver was met with derision, the general opinion being that it was an act of folly to establish a large manufactory " so far out in the country." Unmoved by ridicule, however, he erected at this point a three story brick building, where he made not only soap and candles, but also the packing boxes necessary for his trade. He built a pier into the lake, at which vessels loaded and unloaded, and within a few years had the satisfaction of seeing trains on the Illinois Central, Michigan Central and the Chicago, Alton. & St. Louis roads pass in front of his factory. In 1857 the village of Cleaverville was laid out upon his land. Up to that time his factory had done nearly all the rendering for all the Chicago packers and was one of the most extensive in the city.

Charles Chillitoe & Co. commenced to manufacture soap and candles in August, 1836, but the firm dissolved in about a year. The name of Joseph Johnston also appeared in Fergus' directory for 1839, as conducting a place for the manufacture of candles and soap on West Washington street.

To follow the progress of this branch of manufactures from their early beginning to the present time would consume more time and space than would be interesting to the reader or profitable to the publishers. Its wonderful increase will be best seen in a description of the leading establishment of the city and indeed of the entire country, that of James S. Kirk & Co., whose history is so unique and valuable as to deserve more th'an a mere passing notice.

the family moved to Montreal, where his earlier days were passed. After receiving a thorough academic education (graduating from the Montreal Academic Institute) he engaged in the manufacture of soap, candles and alkali in Montreal. He next entered the lumber business, and personally superintended the camp in the woods and the drive down the Ottawa river.

When scarcely twenty-one years of age, he married Miss Nancy Ann Dunning, of Ottawa, and removed to the United States, making Utica, N. Y., his home. He immediately began the manufacture of soap, and thus, in 1839, founded the house of James S. Kirk & Company, which has become the largest establishment of its kind in the United States. In 1859 he and his family removed to Chicago, and here continued in the soap manufacturing business. With the exception of the disastrous effects of the fire of 1871, the prosperity of the house has been uninterrupted.

An undivided family of seven sons, scarcely less tenacious of success than their persevering father, have since their earlier boyhood been engaged in the business, the four elder sons, James A., John B., Milton W. and Wallace F., being now the active and directing members of the firm.

The ground that the manufacturing plant covers is the historical site of the first house erected in Chicago. Less than a century has passed since then, and no more fitting comparison can be drawn than the statement that the spot where the first American inhabitant made his abode, ninety odd years ago, is covered by a manufacturing plant that has an output greater than any of its kind in the United States.

The business has been continued under the same name under which it was organized for an uninterrupted period of fifty-five years, and although it is now one of the few establishments, if not the only one, in the United States, that have passed through a half century of existence without change of name, the pride the members of the Kirk family take in the record of James S. Kirk will undoubtedly cause the name of the house to be unchanged, and to pass down for many decades and remain as a monument of its founders.

considerable extent, is a separate establishment and entirely fire-proof. Here can be seen the largest battery of boilers to be found in Illinois, with a capacity of two thousand horse power. A huge shaft or chimney, 182 feet in height and twenty feet in diameter at its base, looms up like a gigantic monument, overshadowing every building and forming a distinctive feature in the vicinity. In front of the building a railroad track and switches communicate with nearly every railroad centering in Chicago. From this spot, at the very doors of the manufactory, about three-fourths of the whole production is shipped by rail, the other fourth being transported to various depots in large wagons by twenty teams of six, four and two horses each, no less than a full car load of soap being often hauled on a single wagon. The various floors afford a capacity of 300,000 square feet, or nearly six acres of working space. The engine room is furnished with a Corliss engine of 300 horse-power. This motive power sets going innumerable machines, many of which are extremely ingenious, original and automatic in action, some being the inventions of members of the firm. Machinery is employed for every process except that which must be absolutely done by hand. The boxes in which the soaps are packed are made at the firm's own lumber mills, at Khinelander, Wis., shipped to the factory in knocked-down shape, and put together and nailed and printed on the outside in plain and fancy colors by machinery. A small army of seven hundred persons, embracing many of the most skilled workmen are employed in the various departments, which, with the fifty men at the lumber mills, makes the aggregate number of employe's seven hundred and fifty, the population of a good sized village. About twenty-five to thirty thousand tons of coal are consumed annually in the furnaces. There are five elevators of large size continually kept going for hauling goods to and from the different floors, and scattered throughout the buildings are slides, placed at angles, by which goods are shot to the lower floor with great rapidity. One of the features of the main floor is seventeen monster soap pans, each two stories in height and which descend to the basement floor. These are constructed of heavy boiler iron and are of the enormous capacity of from two hundred to three hundred thousand pounds.

For business purposes the manufactory is separated into four main divisions, the products being laundry and toilet soaps, perfumery, colognes, toilet waters, etc., and glycerine. Among the latter is that known as chemically pure and inodorous, and in quality not to be excelled for medicinal purposes. It is also purchased in large quantities by tobacco and cracker manufactories. Other qualities are used in the manufacture of high explosives, such as dynamite, nitro-glycerine, etc., and are sold only to manufacturers. This department is purely technical, and the machinery employed so elaborate that a description would be unintelligible to the nonscientific reader.

No manufacturer in the world has such an extensive line of toilet soaps as are made by James S. Kirk & Co., and their brands are fast supplanting other toilet soaps of either foreign or home manufacture in all the leading cities of the United States and other countries. It cost years of costly experiment, capital and labor to bring these higher grades of fine milled toilet soaps to the highest point of excellence which can be reached, yet the manufacturers claim for them absolute purity and perfection; and through the exertions of this firm Chicago now enjoys the reputation of being the headquarters for this important branch of industry.

The house aims to reach perfection. A soap manufacturer must not only in this day of scientific chemical progress make steady and constant innovations, but make them to excel all other innovations. The demand and the orders now exceed millions of dollars a year, and are still increasing in such proportions as to compel further enlargement of a concern already monster in its dimensions

Their goods are sold not only all over this country, but also in Europe, New Zealand, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia and at South American points, where large parcels of their products are shipped monthly.

Theirs is the only firm which received gold medals and honorable mention on their products at the World's Columbian Exposition, having received awards for the excellence of their laundry soap, "manufactured on scientific principles;" for the purity of their toilet soap; for "the very good quality" of their perfumery; for excellence shown by careful manufacture from good material of glycerine, etc., etc.

Other large soap manufacturers in the city are the establishments of N. K. Fairbauk and Co., Allen B. and George A. Wrisley, Fitzpatrick Brothers, Gross Brothers, and Sherman Brothers & Co. But no figures are at hand showing the extent of their respective . plants.

As before stated, the limits of this work render it impossible to give anything like a some other complete account of all the Manufactures, manufactures of the city.

There are still others, however, which would seem to deserve special mention. Among these is the tin foil factory of the John H. Crooke Company, located at 80-82 Illinois street. This industry was originally founded in New York city upward of thirty years ago, and for many years thereafter was the only concern of the kind in the United States. The business had a steady growth, necessitating repeated enlargements of facilities, until now it is the largest of its kind in the world, and has the finest equipment in existence. In 1880, in response to the rapidly increasing demand of the western trade, the company opened its Chicago branch, Mr. C. L. Crooke becoming the manager. Under his experienced hand there has been developed here a useful industry. The premises occupied comprise two entire floors, each 50 by 100 feet in dimensions, -fully equipped with special machinery run by steam power. Upward of thirty hands are here steadily employed in the manufacture of tin foil, bottle caps, etc. The company's trade extends all over the Union, while it exports to Canada, Mexico and South America. The Chicago establishment, when in full blast. manufactures upwards of fifty tons of tin foil monthly. Mr. Crooke is a native of New York, and respected as a progressive business man of sound judgment and marked executive capacity. He has given to Chicago and the West the same facilities as those enjoyed in New York and the East for securing an abundant supply of tin foil at low rates.

The Charles L. Bastiau Manufacturing Company, successor to the T. S. Wild Mnfg. Co., is doing a prosperous ers' and conservative business as brass moulders, finishers and general machinists, at 110 East Indiana street. Its specialty is fire escapes and fire department supplies. The business was first established in 1881. Thirty-five hands are employed, and the company turns out a product worth $75,000.

The Northwestern Copper Works, of which Charles Holmberg is proprietor, was established by him in 1866, on Wells ^.Q^_ He is a practical and skilled coppersmith, having learned his trade in his native country, Sweden. He came to Chicago in 1853, and after making a good start lost his all by the fire of 1871. He started up again on Michigan street, where he now is and has built up a prosperous business. He manufactures all kinds of copper, brass and sheet iron works, making steamboat work a specialty. The capital of the factory is about $15,000, twelve hands are employed, and the output amounts to about $25,000.

specialty of these works is the manufacture of ice and refrigerating machines, a fine display of which was made at the World's Columbian Exposition, attracting wide and favorable attention. A high degree of skill is required in the construction of these machines, which this company claims to have attained, and which "are the embodiment of the most advanced knowledge on the subject gained by the mastery of difficulties as they have presented themselves in actual work."

The Hosier Safe Company, of Hamilton, 0., is one of the largest in the world, and Hosier safe through its sales rooms in Chicompany. cago is among the principal dealers in burglar-proof safes in this city^. The specialty of this concern is the "patehc screw door burglar-proof bank safe," which is said to be absolutely secure against the depredations of bank robbers. The First National, Globe National, Commission Exchange, Market National banks and others in this city have recently been supplied with from two to four of these receptacles.

Tonk continued the factory in his own name until 1884, when the establishment was incorporated as the Tonk Manufacturing Co. In 1886 the factory was burned, involving a heavy loss, but was immediately rebuilt. The business increased from year to year, until the company became the largest manufacturer of piano stools in the United States -or the world - its output by 1891 aggregating over 100,000 stools annually.

The plant and lumber yard cover over three acres of ground; and the factory, which was originally 44x80 feet, four stories high, now forms an " L" 135x121 feet, four stories high, besides machine shop, box shop, engine and boiler house.

pianos and 's 8O enornlous as to deserve special Organs. mention. In 1860 there were but two establishments, aggregating a capital of $15,500 and employing only seven hands. The growth of the business since that time, as shown by the census returns, is as follows:

To deal with the figures relating to Chicago's music trade is always a treat. The pace is so r^pid, the results so astounding, that there is a pleasurable excitement not ordinarily found in delving among statistics. Commencing about, say, seven years ago to manufacture musical instruments, Chicago briskly stepped into the field. Her aggressiveness was known, and a brilliant future was of course admitted. But not even the most ardent admirer of Chicago's great ability ever dreamed of the magnificent victories she would win in the short space of seven years. Had any enthusiastic citizen, at the start, prophetically painted, in true colors, Chicago's present greatness in the music world, he would have been hooted from his favorite haunts as a preposterous "crank" - well meaning, perhaps, but utterly unreliable.

Who would have dared predict that in 1892 Chicago would produce about 14,000 pianos and 55,000 organs? Who would have dared predict that her manufacture of small goods would result in the largest factory of its kin^ in the world? Who would have dared pre- diet that her total music trade for the year would amount to $11,506,000? Nobody. While all Chicagoans have always believed in the future of their city, there was nobody so rash seven years ago as to claim even the half of the city's real strength. The facts have far outshone the picture.

The year 1892 in Chicago's music trade has been entirely satisfactory. In certain branches, like piano manufacture, it has been remarkable for a decided advance in output and reputation. During the year Chicago has manufactured 13,600 pianos. This is not a mere estimate based upon enthusiastic statements by interested parties, but a careful computation made by a comparison of data from sources that make them authentic. In 1891 there were manufactured 10,500 pianos - the gain in 1392 being 3, 100, or over 29 per cent. In 1889 there were manufactured here only 6, 760 pianos ! There is glory enough in the mere figures.

In the matter of reed organs Chicago has increased even over the immense production of 1891. In round numbers she has manufactured 55,000 organs as against 50,000 in 1891, and an estimated 110,000 in the entire country. It is thus shown that Chicago not only makes more organs than any other city, but makes as many as the remainder of the country combined.

The total output of pianos in this country is estimated at about 100,000 per annum. We know these figures will seem a trifle large to some of our readers, but our sources of information are what might be termed authoritative. Unless one has kept close watch of the entire country, he can have but slight idea of the many small institutions that have sprung up during the year - institutions that produce individually few instruments, but that collectively become quite a factor in a year's business.

The trend of the trade is decidedly westward. This fact has never been so prominently shown as during 1892, and naturally Chicago is accepted as the common centre. If a manufacturer cannot operate a factory here he does the next best thing and opens a branch house. Chicago welcomes all. Her territory is from ocean to ocean and from the lakes to the gulf. There is room and business for everybody.

Following will be found a tabulated statement showing the value of manufacturesand sales of musical instruments and merchandise for the year 1892 - compiled with great care and conservatism:

Chicago Music company, J. O. Twichell, Horace Branch, E. A. Branch, Meyer & Exclusive Pi- Weber, A. Gross, Thompson Muano Dealers. sjc company, VV. R. Prosser, John A. Bryant, Henry Detmer, J. 0. Nelson, J. L. Mahan, Safford & Son.

This includes all the exclusive dealers of any note, and is four less than existed last year, those who have joined the manufacturing ranks being Steger & Co., Adam Schaaf, A. H. Rintleman & Co., and C. B. Clemmons & Co.

stools and citv's music trade- The aggregate Scarfs. value of such goods manufactured here during 1892 is $400,000 made by the following firms:

The W. W. Kimball Company is one of the leading factories in Chicago. Its buildings are four in number, five stories in height, with a frontage of eighty and depth of two hundred feet, and, with the warerooms, include over eleven acres of floor space. They are located on the Chicago river and near the junction of two railroads, with a private switch leading into the premises. The grounds comprise over seven acres of land, the most of which is used as a lumber yard. The six large dry-houses hold 150,000 square feet. As soon as the lumber is sufficiently dried it is placed on little cars, made expressly for that purpose, and wheeled directly into the mill-room, where it is cut up into proper shapes for both pianos and organs. For this purpose the company have all the latest improved machines. The work is divided between the four factories. These factories give employment to about six hundred men. Each factory is divided by a thick fire-wall into three parts. The company is now shipping about 100 pianos every week, or about 5,000 per annum, and about 12,000 organs a year.

The new Kimball sales building at Wabash avenue is one of the finest structures for the purpose in the country. It has a frontage of eighty feet, is seven stories high, and is built of chocolate-colored brick, with brownstone trimmings. All the walls are deadened and all the floors double, with cement filling and air-chambers between. No expense has been spared to make this one of the strongest and most durable buildings of its kind. The ware-rooms and offices occupy the first floor; Kimball Hall, with two rooms adjoining for the exhibition of Concert and Baby Grands, occupying the second floor. The hall has a seating capacity for about 600 people, but it is so arranged that the two rooms devoted to the sale of grands can be used to enlarge the hall by means of folding doors, which will double the capacity. The five floors above are furnished for offices and studios, front and back, for the use of musicians, teachers, artists, etc. The hall and ware-rooms are ventilated by a new special system of exhaust ventilation, by means of which the air can be changed every fifteen minutes. The temperature is controlled by an electric apparatus, which acts automatically and can be adjusted so as to furnish any degree of heat required. All of the elevators are run by electric motors and the building is lighted throughout by incandescent lights. The latest improvements of all kinds in every department have been used, and every detail carefully attended to in order to make this a model structure.

This company, of which H. D. Cable is president, was established in 1880, and has The Chicago Cottage since grown to be the most organ company. extensivc reed organ manufactory in the world.

The plant of the company occupies a whole block at the corner of Twenty-second and Paulina streets, and embraces three immense buildings, besides dry-kilns, small buildings, lumber yards, etc. The factory has several acres of floorage, and gives employment to four hundred men, who turn out more than eighteen thousand organs per year, or at the rate of one organ every ten minutes. To dispose of these instruments requires fifteen to twenty salesmen and twice as many office employes, besides the regular officers of the company. Already more than one hundred and fifty thousand Chicago cottage organs have been sold, and the demand is increasing each year. This surpasses all previous records in manufacturing reed organs. No trouble, pains or expense is spared to make them the best in the market. To produce these organs requires more than one hundred different kinds of machinery - many of which are of special design and construction.

The Conover piano, formerly manufactured in New York, was purchased by the Chicago Cottage Organ Company in January, 1892, and removed to this city, to a large factory building at the corner of Lake and Peoria streets, where Conover pianos are now being manufactured at the rate of two thousand annually, under the supervision of the gentleman whose name they bear, J. Frank Conover. Over one hundred men are employed.

The manufacture of musical instruments in the West has, during the past few years, grown with remarkable rapidity. Eastern manufacturers have been accustomed to say that it would be a long time before thoroughly high grade instruments would be made in the West, and for some years their assertions had considerable weight with the public. It is now conceded, not only that Chicago is making first-class instruments, but that, by reason of the amount of capital invested in their manufacture here, the high character of the men concerned in it, and the tendency of the business to concentrate here, Chicago bids fair, at no distant date, to rank as the musical instrument manufacturing center of the United States. The development of this branch of industry in Chicago is well illustrated by the work and progress of the Chicago Cottage Organ Company, which is one of the most, prominent music trade institutions in the country. It is little more than a decade since the advent of its managers in the music trade as manufacturers, and now, when the corporation is rated in the million dollar scale, it is profitable to contemplate the enormous business that has been evolved by it in such a short time. The inference to be drawn from the success of this concern is that when they start to accomplish any given end, they never cry halt until that object is attained. The number of manufacturers in their line is large, and the operations of some of them date back thirty, forty and fifty years; yet this company, scarcely in its teens, can substantiate its claim that it manufactures onefifth of all the reed organs made in the United States. Its factory turns out a Chicago Cottage Organ every ten minutes, and it is the only company on earth capable of such a feat. These instruments have proved themselves to be as nearly perfect as human skill and ingenuity can make them. The great satisfaction they have given to purchasers and the unqualified endorsement they have received from eminent musicians determine their status beyond question. While building up this enormous business in the manufacture of organs, the company interested itself in the wholesale piano trade and made it a great success.

The argument so long directed against the possibility of Chicago soon taking rank as the seat of manufacture of high-grade pianos was that the medium grade instruments are more easily disposed of in the West. There is very likely not a piano maker in Chicago but will claim that he makes the very best instrument, but be that as it may, the Conover p ano is now a Chicago piano, manufactured by Chicago capital, and is being pushed forward with all the energy of successful Chicago business men. The Conover piano manufactured in New York was a first-class instrument, according to universal concession, and the same piano manufactured in Chicago is even better, wherever improvement was possible. They are all that experience, skill, money and material can produce, and the result is an instrument excellent in construction, unsurpassed in action, and beautiful in appearance, possessing great purity and power of tone and a delicacy and precision of touch heretofore unattained. At the warerooms of this company, 215 Wabash avenue, are

A more notable illustration of the exercise of American energy, ability, integrity, and superior skill has never been known, than that exhibited by this enormous piano and organ company, which has achieved an international reputation, and by its able management and steady development has secured to Chicago the supremacy as regards the manufacture of a superior grade of pianos and organs.

The capital of the Chicago Cottage Organ Company is $1,000,000 and the Conover Piano Company $100,000, but the stock of both companies is owned by the same persons, the two corporations are practically one, and the large and increasing business of each is managed at their commodious and elegant wholesale and retail warerooms, 215 Wabash avenue, second floor, which is the music center of the city.

The flourishing concern which manufactures the "Crown pianos and organs" was Crcmn pianos established by George P. Bent, and Organs. 323-333 Canal street, in 1870, and is justly regarded as the maker of very superior instruments. The factory is one of the largest among the great industries of Chicago, employing about 300 skilled mechanics and artisans. The annual production amounts to over 7,000 organs and upward of 1,000 pianos, many of which are sold in the East. Mr. Bent produces over sixty distinct styles of the " Crown " organs and thirty-five distinct styles of pianos. In the pianos the very heaviest full iron plates are used in all the various descriptions. The new scales are of recent design and embody all late improvements. In the manufacture of these organs and pianos the first object sought to be attained is the very best quality of tone and touch possible to produce. The second is to provide ornamental and tasty cases. The very best materials, as well as the most handsome that money will buy, are used in their construction throughout. They are built with the idea that " the best is the cheapest," and that " the best is none too good."

building with the handsomest salesrooms devoted to music in the West, their location being at the corner of Washington street and Wabash avenue. These premises were destroyed by fire Sept. 4, 1870. Immediately after this disaster they gathered together even a larger and finer stock, and had fairly resumed extensive operations when the great Chicago fire swept away every vestige of their business. Before the embers of their warerooms were fairly cold they had leased a small church, on the corner of Wabash avenue and Sixteenth street, where their business was renewed, and in less than a year they had sufficiently recuperated to thoroughly equip a musical establishment at 162 State street. This store building is a small section of their present premises, and it$ modest area of ten thousand square feet is almost lost in the imposing total of over 200,000 square feet which constitutes the present Lyon and Healy holdings. In April, 1885, Lyon and Healy began the manufacture of musical instruments, their business up to that time, in every branch of the musical trade, with the exception of reed organs, being as wholesale and retail dealers and importers. From a very small beginning in a loft at the corner of Madison street and Michigan avenue, their musical instrument factory expanded rapidly, until, after several changes of location, caused by the necessity for more room, they erected a spacious factory building facing Union Park which is of modern construction throughout, its floor space measuring 100,000 square feet, or 2| acres. A Corliss engine of 150-horse power furnishes the power for something over 250 different machines. Many of these machines are built after special designs, and under patents owned by Lyon and Healy. The component parts of every instrument produced are wrought from the rough material, so that a thoroughness of construction hitherto unknown is obtained. In 1892 the production reached the enormous total of 100,000 separate musical instruments. Twenty-seven varieties of wood are employed, and, by a curious coincidence, workmen of twenty-seven trades are represented. Lyon and Healy's advance as importers has been no less marked than their progress in the manufacturing field. An idea of the commanding position occupied by this branch of their business may be gained from the report of the U. S. custom house for the year ending December 1, 1892. This shows that out of a total of 2,372 cases of musical merchandise imported by Chicago firms, 1,874 were for Lyon and Healy. In other words, this department of the house does over four times as much business in its line, as all the other firms in Chicago handling imported musical goods put together. There is no other house in the United States that approaches them in the amount of business transacted at retail, their salesrooms for over a generation having been headquarters for the musical public of Chicago. Their method of assembling within their piano salesrooms the products of six or eight leading manufacturers has been an important factor in the establishment, far reaching in its influence, while the all-embracing nature of their sheet music and music book stock is not behind in contributing to the universality of their operations. Among the many new standards of excellence raised by the products of their factories two are especially noteworthy, inasmuch as they may be said to have completely revolutionized the field of the instrument, viz.: - the modern harp, as represented by the Lyon and Healy harp, and the modern (comparatively speaking) inexpensive church organ, as represented by their Peloubet church organ.

So great is the improvement in these two instruments over the former models that musicians hail in them the beginning of a new era in their respective schools. The triumph of the house at the Columbian Exposition was complete. They were awarded no less than twelve medals and diplomas of the highest class, being four times the number secured by any other musical firm. A complete departure from the usual plan of conducting an exhibit was inaugurated by them, they having erected in lieu of a booth a Venetian pavilion, two stories and mansard in height, with magnificent bay windows, for the display of their wares. The great feature of their exhibit, however, was the music room, which occupied the second floor of their pavilion. In this room, Aptommas, the London harpist, and other noted artists gave daily recitals, entertaining over 60,000 visitors. In connection with their exhibit, an interesting historical fact is that Lyon & Healy obtained the first permit to exhibit in the Liberal Arts buijding, their document being No. 1. They were also awarded a special diploma for the general excellence of their display, a distinction achieved by no other musical firm. The head of the firm, Mr. P. J. Healy, although comparatively a young man, has had thirty-nine years' experience in the music business, he having entered the employ of Geo. P. Root and company of Boston when a boy. The vicepresident, Mr. C. N. Post, has been identified with the firm for a quarter of a century, as have also the treasurer, Mr. R. B. Gregory, and the secretary, Mr. J. Byrne. Mr. J. E. Healy is the assistant treasurer. The operations of the house exceed those of any other musical firm in the world.

In the spring of 1833, Tyler K. Blodgett established a brick yard on the north side, not far from the river bank, between Dearborn and Clark streets. He engaged Henry S. Lampman, then of Ann Arbor, as a workman. As Mr. Blodgett operated the tirsE brick yard in the city, so Mr. Lampman was undoubtedly the first brick maker. If any brick were manufactured in Cook county before then it is not known. From this yard came the brick for the first dwelling constructed of this material - the dwelling house of Mr. Blodgett, afterwards occupied and added to by Col. M. E. Stearns. The structure was located across the river, opposite this yard, and was originally a oneand-a-half story building, twenty feet square.

The subsoil of Chicago and its vicinity is of a good clay, found in abundance at the depth of three to six feet. The material is found in apparently exhaustless quantities, and is admirably adapted for the making of bricks.

By 1853 the total output of the Chicago yards amounted to about twenty million brick. These were all used in the erection of buildings in the city, besides some three million brought from Milwaukee and other lake ports. In the spring of 1853, contracts for Chicago brick delivered at buildings where the same were to be used were closed at $4.75 per thousand, but later in the season the price advanced to $6 in the summer, and even as high as $6.50 later in the year.

Prom this time forward the increase in the number of yards and growth of the business has kept pace with the extraordinary demands for this principal material composing the structure of buildings in the city.

Among the leading establishments engaged in the manufacture at this time are the following: The Tiffany Pressed Brick Company is a corporation composed of the following directors : J. Van Inwagen, president ; J. Tiffany, vice-president ; N. K. Fairbank, Robert Bines, and J. B. Lyon. The capital of the concern is $200,000, and the value of the investment estimated at $300,000. It employs 75 hands, to whom are paid wages amounting to $4,500 per year. The value of the material used is $20,000, and of the output $100,000. The factory is at Momence, 111.

History Of Ohio Ago

bell, Megenberg Brick companies, the Wahl Brothers, Weckler Brick Company, and West Chicago Brick Company, the statistics relating to which have not been furnished.

one of the leading establishments being that of the " Garden City Sand Company," of which C. B. Shefler is president, and N. C. Fisher secretary and treasurer. It handles building, moulding, and white sand of all standard qualities mined in the United States. The capital approxmates $200,000. The average number of hands employed is about 100, who receive per annum in wages about $50,000. The value of raw material used in 189L-2 was $275,000, or about 13,000 carloads.

Another business which has assumed large proportions in the city is that of the manu- Packing future of packing boxes, one of the Boxes, leading houses being that of Maxwell Brothers, a firm composed of James and Henry B. Maxwell, whose plant is located at Twenty-first street, between Loomis andLaflin streets. The amount of their capital is placed at $300,000. The number of hands employed is 500, to whom is paid in wages over $170,000 per annum. The value of the raw material used is about $500,000 yearly, and of the manufactured product over $800,000.

the World's Fair electric lighting plant, is the leading concern in the electrical industry of this country. This position is held by that company for the reason that the reputation of its manufactures is far more extensive than any other, and also because its apparatus has been installed and is successfully operated in every country on the globe.

The Westinghouse company was organized in 1886 and made a specialty of constructing apparatus used in the distribution of electricity by the alternating current system. This method was at that time entirely new in this country; and it is due to the excellence of the apparatus the company constructs for operation of this system of incandescent electric lighting that it gained the great popularity which it now enjoys.

The World's Fair plant was operated by Westinghouse alternating current apparatus, and it may be incidentally remarked that the entire plant, representing a capacity of nearly 250,000 sixteen candle-power incandescent lamps, was operated uninterruptedly and without a hitch during the entire period of the Fair.

The Westinghouse company is very strong in its patent situation, as it owns nearly 1,000 patents, covering the fundamental principles and ideas of some of the most valuable features in the electrical art.

Recently the company was awarded the contract for furnishing the electrical apparatus to be utilized in transmitting the power of Niagara Falls. This contract was given to the Westinghouse company by the Cataract Construction Company, and it is said to be one of the most important contracts in the history of the electrical industry. The system which the Westinghouse company controls for electrical long distance transmission of power is known as the Teslpolyphase system, and practical electricians have pronounced it the most commercially successful system in existence to-day. It has been in successful operation in this country for some time.

The Westinghouse company also manufactures electrical apparatus for the operation of street railways, and in this branch of the business the company has made phenomenal progress, inasmuch as within three years the largest electric street railway companies in Brooklyn, New Jersey,Philadelphia, Baltimore, Scranton, Pittsburg, Cincinnati, Chicago, Indianapolis, and St. Louis have equipped their street railroad systems with Westinghouse apparatus.

and 150 feet on the north and 318 feet on the south side of Congress street. The main building is six stories and basement in height and the aggregate floor space is about six acres. The number of hands employed is about 1,100, the average weekly pay roll about $11,000, and the value of the products annually turned out is $2,500,000, consisting of all kinds of electrical apparatus, including arc and incandescent dynamos, arc lamps, motors, telegraph, telephone and electric light cables, insulated wires, multiple switch boards and magneto bells.

Other companies identified with this important - and constantly growing - industry are the General Electric and the Siemens and Halske companies. The latter conducts an extensive branch in Chicago, the parent house in this country being at America, Ohio. The General Electric Company is, in effect, a consolidation of the Edison, the Thomson-Houston and the Brush companies. Its works are located at Schennectaty, N. Y., but it has large interests in Chicago, where it is a party to many important contracts, and owns and operates an extensive repair shop. The Chicago Edison Company has a large plant on the west side, and is unquestionably the leading concern engaged in furnishing electric light to individual consumers under the Edison patents.

product, $2,000,000. The census of 1890 gives the number of establishments as 47; capital invested, $1,440,933; average number of employes, 1,463; average wages, $606,946; cost of material, $2,391,051; value of output, $3,789,169. It must be remembered, in comparing the value of the output of 1880 with 1890, that the price of sugar was materially lower, besides that of many other articles that enter into the various branches of this trade, so that the amount of confectionery made exceeds, in proportion, much more than the figures quoted above would indicate. This, of course, does not include the vast amount of hand-made counter goods manufactured by small shop-keepers scattered throughout the city. In the past few years a large number of eastern manufacturers have established branches in Chicago for the sale of goods made principally elsewhere, so that Chicago can now be said to be one of the leading distributing points for confectionery in this country.

The baking trade has kept equal pace with that of confectionery. In a portion of this trade, however, the conditions here have been, reversed. The manufacture of crackers and soft cakes has been consolidated, principally,in the hands of two corporations, the American Biscuit and Manufacturing Co., and the New York Biscuit Co. The former is distinctly of Chicago origination, whereas the latter had its inception in the East. Both concerns do a large business in this city and throughout the West. The value of the manufacture of the principal bakeries, including about thirty-five, will reach nearly $4,000,000. In these about 800 men are employed on an average, although a large number of small bakers make their own bread for consumption, while there are several large concerns who manufacture and distribute to local dealers throughout the city. The quality of the bread on the whole is excellent, and Chicago can compare favorably with any city in the world in furnishing a good palatable "loaf," as the staff of life.

in Chicago has been commensurate with the growth of the city. It was not many years ago that the dealers were few in number, and then business was confined almost exclusively to the demands of cemeteries for supplying.head and foot stones, and occasionally more pretentious monuments, to commemorate the last resting places of deceased friends. But as the tastes of the people have been educated up to the finer effects produced by marble in the interior finish of buildings, this article is being used more extensively for that purpose than ever before in this country.

The leading dealer and manufacturer in Chicago is the house of Davidson & Sons, which was established in Chi- Davidson&sons. cago in 1878, and since 1880 has occupied its present place of business at the foot of North Market street. The firm became incorporated in 1890, the officers being as follows: John A. Davidson, president; Charles E. Stedman, superintendent, and Joseph Uhrig, secretary and treasurer.

In order to supply its extensive facilities for manufacturing, large quantities of marble are imported from Italy, Belgium, France, Great Britain, Africa and Mexico in the rough, excepting granite monuments and statuary, which are imported in a finished condition.

The invested capital of the concern is 1300,000; about three hundred and fifty hands are employed, whose pay-roll in 1892-3 amounted to $225,000. The amount of sales for the same year footed up $954,000.

This house has done some very artistic as well as durable work in the city, as may be seen, among many others, in the Great Northern Hotel, the Board of Trade, Palmer House, Ashland and Monadnock buildings, and the Schiller Theatre.

Another house which does a large business and also operates a mill is that of Sherman Sherman and and F1avin, manufacturers and Flavin. dealers in marble wainscoting, tile, mosaic floors, mantels and grates, special attention being given to interior furnishings, in marble, mosaic and onyx. The firm was established by Oren Sherman as far back as 1857 on Lake street. It was located on State street at the time of the great fire in 1871, and met with a total loss. With commendable energy business was resumed in a short time on Wabash avenue, since which time it has built up a large and prosperous business. It now has an extensive plant at 2511 to 2519 State street. It employs a capital of $125,000, and from 200 to 300 hands, to whom are paid in the way of wages about $75,000 per annum. Their yearly sales have grown to over $500,000. Their marble is brought from Europe, Africa and Mexico. They also handle a great deal of Tennessee marble and onyx from Mexico and Arizona.

This house had the contracts for the marble and mosaic work in the following buildings : Illinois Central railroad depot, Congress Hotel, Auditorium Annex, Victoria Hotel, Virginia Hotel, the Unity building, and others. The magnitude of this branch of industry is seen in the fact that the cost of the interior finish of the Illinois Central depot was over $75,000, and of the Unity building about $50,000.

Among the wholesale dealers in marble blocks and slabs, the house of D. H. Dickinson is the largest. He established the business in 1870, and met with a disastrous loss in the fire of 1871. Resuming business immediately, he has found it growing and profitable ever since. His place is at 558 to 570 North Water street, convenient to both boats and railroads. He deals largely in marble from Tennessee, Vermont and Italy. His investment is valued at $100,000. Sixty hands are employed, to whom is paid about $30,000 annually, and the amount of sales per annum is $180,000.

in their mills and quarries. The branch in Chicago deals, of course, only in the Vermont marbles and sells entirely at wholesale. About twenty-five men are employed here, the local concern being utilized principally as a distributing point throughout the Northwest.

Besides these there are a number of retailers and dealers especially in monuments and cemetery work. The business is increasing rapidly in Chicago, and affords an inviting field for the capitalist and industrious mechanic.

firm of Morgan, Wheeler & Morgan in 1881. Backed by Cleveland capital, they organized the Chicago Rubber Works in 1882. The business was the making of all rubber fabrics used for mechanical and industrial purposes. About the same time L. C. Lawton established the Chicago Rubber Clothing Company, for making gossamer and other clothing, with its factory at Grand Crossing. In November, 1883, F. W. Morgan, one of the organizers, and up to that time the superintendent of the Chicago Rubber Works, established the firm of Morgan and Wright, and manufactured mechanical and special rubber fabrics of various kinds. This concern, from small beginnings, has steadily prospered, and during the past season has employed between 300 and 400 men and boys. The Chicago Rubber Clothing Company removed its business and factory to Racine, Wis., about 1884, where it does a large business in its line. By far the greater part of rubber goods sold in the West are still made by eastern concerns; however, it is probable that the next fifteen years will see much change in this, as there is no commercial advantage in manufacturing in the East, as freight on crude material is less than on the manufactured product. Nearly all of the important eastern companies are represented in Chicago and carry stocks of goods here. Morgan and Wright are at this time the largest makers of pneumatic tires for bicycles in the United States.

Among the principal retail dealers is the firm of W. H. Salisbury & Co. Mr. Salisbury, the principal of the firm, is one of the pioneer dealers in this line and has built up a large and prosperous business.

The thirst of the early residents of Chicago for alcoholic beverages appears to Hif?h wines nave ^een easily slaked. While and Liquors, breweries were abundant, the appetite for stimulants seems to have been confined within rather narrow limits. The (possibly questionable) honor of having been the first distiller in the city cannot be satisfactorily awarded in the light of available information. There were, undoubtedly, two establishments of this character in operation in Chicago in 1854. One was conducted by D. Ballentyne, on the lake shore south of Twelth street; the other was that of A. Crosby and Co., on the north branch, in the vicinity of Chicago avenue. J. S. Saberton also distilled, on a small scale, in connection with his brewery business. Ballentine was succeeded by Charles H. Curtiss, who invested a capital of about $50,000 and employed between twenty and thirty hands. His estimated outlay for raw material and wages amounted to $150,000, and his output is said to have been 10,000 barrels of high wines.

A. Crosby and Co. were succeeded by the firm of A. and W. H. Crosby and Co., whose capital is said to have been $75,000, and whose annual consumption of grain amounted to some 300,000 bushels. The firm is said to have manufactured 1,050,000 gallons of high wines, valued at $310,000, per year.

The Democratic Press, in its annual review for the year 1856, furnishes some statistics regarding the manufacture of spirits which appear to be, on their face, not altogether reliable. In the absence of any data of a more satisfactory character,

The influence of the civil war upon the liquor traffic of the country was keenly felt in Chicago. Prices quadrupled in consequence of the imposition of an exceedingly heavy internal revenue tax. This action on the part of the government was rendered imperatively necessary by the enor. mous expense entailed by the prosecution of the conflict, and it seemed most fitting that liquor, which is essentially largely an article of luxury, should bear a considerable proportion of the burden. In fact no single item in the whole list of manufactures has proved so large a source of revenue as this. In 3865, of $100,000,000 collected by internal revenue taxation, $35,000,000 was paid by distillers, rectifiers and dealers in distilled spirits.

Another cause of the advance in prices is to be found in the depreciation of the currency as well as in the natural and more or less fictitious appreciation in values which always accompanies and characterizes periods of feverish speculation.

Added to these direct results of the war, the period of its duration was characterized by an enormous increase in the consumption of spirits. Chicago became one of the chief distributing centres of troops and military supplies in the West. Hither flocked recruits, merchants, contractors and speculators by tens and even hundreds of thousands. Money was plentiful; fortunes were made and lost in a day; a baleful moral atmosphere was engendered, and under the influence of nervous restlessness and inordinate excitement men drank deeply.

The conflagration of 1871 did not affect the liquor dealers to nearly so large an extent as some other leading branches of manufacture. The most prominent establishments Destroyed during the great fire were those of

Dickinson & Leach, the Union Copper Distilling Company, and the Kirchoff Distillers, and Northwestern Eectifying House. In that year (1871) the number of distilleries in the first Illinois district, in which Chicago is located, was greater than at the present time-

The falling off in the amount of spirits manufactured began in 1872. The output for that year was some 500,000 gallons less than for 1871, and about 50,000 gallons less than the average for a long series of years. No particular reason can be assigned for this decrease or for a similar falling off which characterized the years 1873 and 1874.

An examination of the following tables shows that by the year 1881 the total revenue collected by the Internal Eevenue Department upon the manufacture of distilled spirits had increased from $4,965,799.70 in the former year to $8,057,784.51. It will also appear that after that time the output began to decline. It is not appai'ent that the importation of foreign liquor and wines increased in a corresponding ratio, and a fair presumption is that producers became alarmed at the prospect of low prices resulting from over-production.

On Distilled

Probably one of the most exciting periods in the history of the trade was that of the investigation and punishment of the whiskey frauds in 1875, the recollection of which is still comparatively fresh in the popular memory. To secretary Bristow and solicitor Wilson, of the Treasury, as well as George W. Fishback and Myron W. Conroy, the former the proprietor, and the latter the commercial editor, of the St. Louis Democrat, is due high praise for the ability and thoroughness with which they laid bare one of the most gigantic schemes of fraud upon the government ever devised in either this or any other land. The investigation was commenced on March 3, 1875, and, in the face of herculean difficulties, everything was in readiness for a descent and seizure upon May 15. Work was begun at St. Louis, but it had not proceeded far before those in charge became convinced that a similar state of affairs existed at both Chicago and Milwaukee. Accordingly, a special agent of the department was dispatched to this city. Some idea of the difficulties encountered may be formed when it is said that the investigation had to be kept a profound secret from the officials of the Internal Revenue Bureau, the subordinate staff of which in the West was honeycombed with corruption.