Wayne County, Indiana - Chapter 27: Manufacturing Industries, 1912

Chapter 27: Manufacturing Industries

In compiling a history of Richmond's manufacturing industries the chronological order has been preserved, so far as possible. The record for the first forty years is as complete as it is possible to make it; since 1850 many enterprises have been established and discontinued for various reasons. Only those are noted here of some importance. The trusts have absorbed some of the best manufactories, competition has compelled others to quit, and financial failure has overtaken others; but our city may well be proud of its 250 industries listed as "manufacturers," each of which is doing its part in sustaining Richmond's reputation as an enterprising, pushing, go-ahead city.

1806. - The early records do not name any manufacturers in 1806, though it is probable there were one or more blacksmiths who did repair work and made horseshoes and nails. Blacksmiths and carpenters are the pioneer mechanics in every new community. The names of only a few of the early carpenters and builders of our city are preserved, and dates are not given, as reliable records cannot be found. Among the first are supposed to have been Stephen Thomas and William Justice, who built the frame building in which the first election for town trustees was held. These were followed by Peter Johnson, Joshua and Benjamin Albertson, Evan Chapin, Mark Reeves, Thomas Stafford, Charles Cartwright, John Hughes, and David Vore.

1807, - In 1806 Jeremiah Cox come to Wayne county, and in 1807 built a mill on the present site of the Starr Piano Works. It was called a "tub mill" and its capacity was two bushels of corn per hour. The mill was primitive in its construction - one pair of burrs, protected by a clapboard roof, which was supported by poles driven into the ground. Poles held the roof boards in posi- tion; nails were expensive and could only be furnished by blacksmiths, who made them. The Cox family was a family of millers. Jeremiah, Jr., built the fifth mill in the county, and the first at Middleboro, in 1820, and in 1828 built the stone mill at Cox's Mills, which building is still standing. He had seven brothers, all of whom were millers, and their descendants, now scattered over the Middle West, are well represented in the milling business. The first saw mill was built by Jeremiah Cox, on the west side of the river, south of Newman's creek, probably in 1807 or 1808. Two others were built soon afterwards, but no authentic records remain to show by whom, nor the exact location, though it is thought that one of these was owned by Atticus Siddall and Edward Wright, on the site of the Test woolen mill, south of town.

1816. - John Hunt is said to have been the first blacksmith in Richmond. He built a shop on South Fourth street, in 1816. It is said that Lewis Burk, himself a blacksmith, and afterward one of Richmond's most prominent bankers, cut the logs for the building.and received seventy-five cents for the job. Hunt, John Mc- Lane, his son John, and Isaac Jackson were the principal smiths until after 1820. William Williams had a small smithshop on Fourth street at an early day, but the date has not been ascertained. Ezra Boswell established a brewery, about 1816, and is said to have had a large business. The court fixed the price of beer at twelve and one-half cents a quart and allowed no extortion.

1818. - Adam Boyd came in 1818 and was probably the first wagon maker. Anthony Fulghum had a shop at the corner of Main and Sixth streets at an early day, and was succeeded by his son, Benjamin. Achilles Williams was the first saddler and harness maker; he came to Richmond in 1818. 'John Smith started a tannery in 1818. It was operated by Joseph Wilmot. John Finley, the second mayor of Richmond, had the management one year. Robert Morrisson established a tannery of seventy vats between Second and Third streets. In 1823 Daniel P. Wiggins took charge and in 1826 became Morrisson's partner in the business. In 1846 Wiggins purchased the tannery built by John Smith. This tannery was in active operation until recently, the last owner being Stephen R. Wiggins. Stephen died in 1903 and the property is now occupied by Watt & Keelor, coffin and casket manufacturers.

1820. - Caleb Shearon came in 1820 and engaged successfully in the business of hat making. His shop was on Main street, between Fifth and Sixth.

1821. - Solomon Dickinson opened a tinsmith shop on Main street between Fifth and Sixth. His business was continued by his son, Edmund, near the corner of Main and Fourth streets.

1823. - Nathan Morgan came in 1823 and for many years carried on the cabinet making business. He was for a long time the only undertaker. His son, Nathan (born in 1823), succeeded him in the business. David Hook was also an early cabinet maker, but there is no known record of dates in connection with his business. Jonas Gaar was a cabinet maker and for many years worked at his trade. Abraham Phillips was also an early cabinet maker. Henry Durham carried on the tailoring business a number of years.

1825. - Thomas Newman built a grist mill on West Fork about 1825. In 1853 it was bought by Thomas Hunt & Company. It was afterward owned by Timothy Thistlethwaite and later by David Bush, gho greatly enlarged it. It was burned in the '8os, and has not been rebuilt. Basil Brightwell built a flouring mill about this time near the present location of the Piano Works, and near the same time William Bulla built a mill on Middle Fork, but its location cannot be ascertained. Hezekiah Spinning made spinning wheels and reels at the corner of Fourth and South A streets, in 1825-28. Benjamin Hibberd built a woolen mill on the river, east of the city. He owned it until about 1849, when Benjamin Bond and Alpheus Test bought it. After several years they sold it to Samuel Nixon and Ezekial Aiken. Nixon sold his interest to Samuel Porter and the firm name became E. Aiken & Company. The factory was in operation more than fifty years.

1827. - Peter Harter established a woolen factory near the present location of the electric light plant about 1827. It was run only about five years.

1829. - In this and the two or three years following Archibald Wasson, Jehial Wasson, John H. Thomas, George McCullough, David Maulsby, John L. Maulsby, and Mordecai Parry carried on the blacksmithing business. Exact dates cannot be given. Reese Jones had a hat factory on Main street, between Fifth and Sixth. He carried on the business several years. Jonathan Moore set up a shoeshop at Main and Sixth streets, and continued in business without interruption for more than forty years.

1830. - John Underwood had a grist mill on the Whitewater, below the present location of the Piano Works, as early as 1830. The building was afterward used as a woolen mill and there were many changes in the ownership. In 1856 Jacob Mering bought it and, in 1857, sold it to Luther M. Mering, who improved it, and it was for many years one of the leading flour mills of the city. It was closed down about 1890. Christian Buhl established a brewery. He was a successful business man. Leeds & Jones operated a paper mill, with John Easton in charge as superintendent.

1831. - Charles W. Starr built a cotton factory at the present site of Gaar, Scott & Company works. Job Swain purchased the property and converted the building into a peg factory. It was afterward occupied successively by the Jones silk factory, a grist mill, and finally by a tannery, owned by Joseph P. Laws. Grover & Williams erected a foundry in 1831. In 1836 they consolidated their business with that of Swain & Gaar (carding mill) and, together with Abel Thornburgh and John Haynes, established the firm of Thornburgh, Haynes & Company, manufacturers of woolen mill machinery. The business was not successful, and later Ellis Nordyke and Shipley Foulke continued the business, manufacturing stoves principally. Subsequently others conducted the business, but it was finally abandoned. The foundry was located on the present site of the county jail.

1833. - Elijah H. Githens came in 1833 and manufactured chairs for several years. Griffith D. Githens and Elisha Fulton were early chair makers.

1835. - William Bancroft started a woolen factory, half a mile below town, about 1835. Three years later it was bought by Caleb Shrien, then by Levinus King, and was closed.

1836. - The "Richmond & Brookville Canal Company" was organized in 1836 and a franchise was obtained to construct a canal from Richmond to Brookville, a distance of about thirty-four miles. The estimated cost was $508,000; whole lockage, 273 feet. Citizens of Richmond subscribed $50,000. About $45,000 was expended and the enterprise was abandoned. In the same year a charter had been granted to the "Whitewater Canal Company," to construct a canal from Brookville to Lawrenceburg, thus opening water communication with Cincinnati by way of the Ohio river. In January, 1847, floods destroyed the Whitewater canal and "left only patches of ditches and embankments" to mark the line of the proposed Richmond and Brookville canal.

confined the business to the making of carriages, under the name of the "Union Carriage Factory." The factory was afterward conducted by Shute & Bolin and, in 1880, by George W. Bolin & Company. The factory was on the south side of Main street between Ninth and Tenth.

1853. - Timothy Thistlethwaite, Miles J. Shinn, and Joseph C. Ratliff built a paper mill on West Fork. It was operated for a time, but Thistlethwaite wanting additional power to run his flour mill the paper mill was discontinued. The Spring Grove Oil Mill was built by D. S. Burson and J. P. Evans. It was burned in 1864 and was replaced by a mill having a capacity of 80,000 bushels of seed per year, the owners being J. W. and E. T. Burson. In 1876 Kendall & Barnes leased it and, in 1877, Evans, Ferguson & Reeves bought and operated it a number of years, when it was sold to a "trust" and dismantled.

1856. - Alpheus Test built a woolen mill on the west bank of the river, about a mile south of town. It was burned in 1858 He rebuilt, in 1859, and for more than forty years the mill was operated by various members of the Test family - William, Rufus, Oliver, Lindley M., and James Test being at times owners or part owners.

1856. - Isaac Ringe commenced the manufacture of steam engines. Luther B. Brady became a partner, in 1857, the firm name being the "American Machine Works." They manufactured engines, lathes, planers, screw cutters, and boring mills. Many changes in ownership followed and it was known successively as Brady & Son, J. M. Aiken & Company, and A. N. Hadley & Company. A business of near $100,000 yearly was transacted, but it did not prove a permanent success.

1857. - Dr. John T. Plummer, in his historical sketch of Richmond, published in 1857, sums up the manufacturing interests of the city as follows: "In the vicinity of Richmond we have 22 flouring mills; 24 saw mills; 1 oil mill; 2 paper mills; a cutlery manufactory; a soap and candle factory; machine shops, manufactories of agricultural implements, 6 carriage manufactories, etc." He estimated the amount of manufactured articles at $906,531.

1858. - Job and Arthur A. Curme started a small tannery north of town. In 1863 Isaac D. Dunn bought an interest and the tannery was moved to North Third street, the firm name being Curme, Dunn & Company. In 1874 the company was incorporated, with

$100,000 capital stock; A. A. Curme, president ; I. D. Dunn, vicepresident, and J. J. Harrington, secretary and treasurer. The buildings were burned in 1874, but were rebuilt. The plant was closed down in 1883.

1859. - Ellis Nordyke and his son, Addison H. Nordyke, commenced making bolting machinery for the manufacture of flour, corn mills, etc. In 1866 Daniel W. Marmon became a partner, the firm name being Nordyke & Marmon. The business prospered and, in 1876, the machinery was removed to Indianapolis, where the institution became one of the leading industries ot that city, under the corporate name of the Nordyke & Marmon Company,

1860. - Zeller's Cracker factory was started by Mark Lewis and Stephen Wilson. In 1866 it was purchased by J. S. and D. K. Zeller. In 1872 J. S. Zeller retired, and John G. Zeller and B. F. Crawford became partners. Crawford retired in 1874 and the business was conducted by D. K. and J. G. Zeller until absorbed by the National Biscuit Company, when the machinery was removed. D. K. died in 1900 and J. G. is now one of the officials of the National Biscuit Company.

1862. - Thomas G. Thompson commenced the manufacture of looms, under the title of "Richmond Loom Works." In 1866 a Mr. Ballard became a partner and, in 1869, William H. Vanderman bought an interest, the firm name being Thompson, Ballard & Company. The annual product was 1,200 to 1,500 hand looms. The plant closed down in the early '7os. .

1865. - John P. Allen and George H. Grant formed a partnership for the manufacture of Allen's self-supporting school desks. Allen died in 1868 and Joseph Marchant became a partner. He was succeeded by Joshua Nickerson and William Wooten, the firm name being George H. Grant & Company. Later, Turner W. Haynes and A. W. Hempleman became partners; afterward W. F. Spencer was taken in and the name was changed to Haynes, Spencer & Company, and finally to the Richmond School Furniture Company. In 1901 the machinery was removed to Muncie, Ind.

1871. - Edwin D. Palmer and Henry H. Fetta commenced the manufacture of malleable iron at the location of the late City Mill Works. The business was not successful and was discontinued in 1875.

1876. - George H. Grant and A, W. Hempleman formed a partnership, under the name of Grant & Hempleman, for the manufacture of church and school furniture. They did a successful business for several years, when they sold out. Albertus Swain finally got control of the plant and it was soon afterward closed. Jerry Cowhig commenced the manufacture of steam boilers, under the name of "Fulton Boiler Works." Shops were located north of the Pennsylvania depot, and later in West Richmond. The business was conducted several years.

1879. - The Sedgwick.Brothers (Isham and Richard) started in business, and for many years were leading woven-wire fence manufacturers. They invented, patented, and built the machinery used in the manufacture of fence, und did a successful business. The machinery was finally removed to another city, and the buildings are now a part of the "Wayne Works."

1881. - Harrison Ogburn organized a company for the manufacture of grain drill casters. James M. Starr was president, H. Ogburn vice-president, Clayton B. Hunt secretary, and Benjamin Starr treasurer. They did considerable business for a few years, then closed down.

1884. - The Champion Roller Skate and Wagon Company was organized, with J. F. Reeves president, Reuben Myrick secretary, and J. V. Rowlett manager.. The company did a large business while the "roller skate craze" continued, then closed up.

Andrew Reid was the first gunsmith to locate in Richmond. John Suffrins, an early merchant, went into the hat making business at an early day. He was still a dealer in hats and caps in the 70's. Charles W. Starr built a cotton factory, probably about 1828. It was converted into a silk factory by George W. Rowlett, under the management of Morgan Jones, They made silk handkerchiefs, etc. A silk factory was carried on in the old brick building still standing at the northwest corner of Main and Twelfth streets. Garments made from silk manufactured here are still in possession of some of our citizens. Patrick Justice, Owen Edgerton, and Joseph Ogburn were early shoemakers. Lewis Baxter, an early settler, was a bricklayer and stone mason. Robert Dilhorn, John Lowe, Isaac E. Jones, John H. Hutton, Harmon B. Payne, Abraham Earnest, and Samuel E. Iredell were early tailors. Charles Newman was an early turner. His shop was on North Seventh street. Jesse Clark built the first "fulling mill" in the county, at or near the present site of the Richmond Roller Mills. Machinery for carding, weaving and spinning was added. In 1825, Lavinus, Thomas W., and Dean King leased, and afterward bought, the property and the business was continued until 1853, under various owners and lessees. Lavinus King was the last owner. Eleazer Hiatt, Isaac Beeson, George Bell, and John Scott are said to have occupied a shop on South Fourth street as a pottery. The building was torn down about 1824. Edward Foulke was also an early "potter." Prior to 1830 Nathaniel Lewis, John Brady, and William L. Brady were saddlers and harness makers here. About the same time Warner M. Leeds and Isaac E. Jones had a saw mill near the present location of Nixon's paper mill, and William Bulla built a saw mill north of town, the exact location of which cannot be ascertained. John M. Laws, James Ferguson, and Charles A. Dickinson were early silversmiths. Gottleib Weidner had a candle factory in successful operation for many years. It was located near the river, north of Main street. In the '50s there was a match factory on Fifth street, north of the Methodist Episcopal church. Charles Moffitt built a mill on East Fork at an early day, possibly before 1810.

Some Important Industries

The sketches following are given from data furnished by the proprietors or officers of the several establishments. All were requested to furnish information which would be of interest, and the compilers of this section of Richmond's history are not responsible for any seemingly important omissions in the list:

Adam H. Bartel Company. - In 1877 Adam H. Bartel established himself in the wholesale and retail notion trade on lower Main street. In 1880 the business was removed to the wholesale district on Fort Wayne avenue and the retail department was discontinued. In 1881 John M. Coate took an interest and the firm became Adam H. Bartel & Company. In 1885 they erected a building at Fort Wayne avenue and Third street and soon afterward commenced the manufacture of overalls. In 1891 a new threestory and basement building, 4ox115 feet, was erected on North E street and the old building converted into a factory. In 1894 the business was incorporated -under the name, "Adam H. Bartel Company," several of the office people and road men being allowed to take stock. In 1896 an additional building was added, and in 1906 another was built, making a total frontage of 118 feet on North E street. In addition to this the Company has a factory at Cambridge City, where sixty-five people are employed. The growth of this establishment has been continuous and steady. A floor space of 3,000 feet was sufficient at first; now 60,000 are used. Then, one traveling salesman sold the goods; now ten are kept busy, and 200 employees receive from $75,000 to $100,000 in wages, yearly. Shirts, pants and overalls are manufactured. The present officers are: Adam H. Bartel, president; John M. Coate, vice-president; I. E. Bartel, secretary, and Fred J. Bartel, treasurer. These, with William F. Fledderjohn and Benjamin H. Bartel, constitute the board of directors.

Bayer, John C - Commencing in 1882, with limited facilities, Mr. Bayer is now one of Richmond's most successful bakers, his bread factory being located on South Sixth street, 'and the cake bakery at 622 Main street.

The Champion Roller Milling Company was incorporated in 1883. This company, for many years under the management of Frank M. Clark, has had a successful career. Its capital stock is $50,000, and the capacity' is 200 to 225 barrels of flour per day. The present officers are A. D. Gayle, president; L. J. Woodward, treasurer and manager, and H. S. Clarke, secretary.

The George W. Davis Carriage Company was incorporated in 1892, with $30,000 capital stock. Its first officers were George W. Davis president, Frank M. Taylor vice-president, and Walter Mc- Conaha secretary and treasurer. No change in officers has been made, except that William H. Cummings is now vice-president. The officers, together with Walter S$. Commons and T. F. Moorman, constitute the board of directors. Three buildings at Eleventh and North E streets are occupied, with 50,000 feet of floor space. Seventy thousand dollars is the present investment, and the business is confined to the manufacture of vehicles exclusively.

Diamond Clamp and Flask Company. - William N. Gartside, proprietor of this factory, has built up a large business in the manufacture of pattern-shop equipments and foundry supplies. The shops are located at North Fourteenth street and Pennsylvania railroad.

The Dille & McGuire Manufacturing Company was started in 1870, as a general machine shop, by H. H. Dille and Elwood Mc- Guire. The first lawn mowers were made in 1874. The company was incorporated in 1880 and has grown to be one of the largest and best equipped Jawn mower factories in the world, Mr. Dille retired in 1890 and Elwood McGuire has been president and manager since that time. His son, Charles McGuire, is secretary and

Eagle Machine Works. - H. D. Robinson commenced the manufacture of portable fence machines in 1897. He is now located on West Main street and his output includes, in addition to fence machines, farm gates, ornamental lawn fencing, carnation supports, and a line of crimped wire goods, counter railings, etc.

The Elliott & Reid Company. - In 1884 Isaac N. Elliott and Pettis A. Reid formed a partnership for the manufacture of fence machines. They perfected a power fence loom, which proved a mechanical and commercial success. Howeyer, finding that the manufacture of fence was the more profitable branch of the business, the sale of machines was abandoned and the business was confined to the manufacture of fence. Some changes in ownership took place and, in 1891, the company was incorporated, the first officers being D. G, Reid president, P. A. Reid secretary and treasurer, and J. N. Elliott superintendent. In 1893 seventy-seven carloads of oak slats were used in the manufacture of fence. In Ig00 a machine was perfected for manufacturing an all-wire fence and the wood-slat fence was abandoned. The output now requires the use of two or three carloads of wire each day. Seventy men are employed and the factory is equipped with modern, up-to-date machinery and appliances. Walter V. Reid is president, P. A. Reid is secretary and treasurer, and James Kelley is superintendent.

F. & N. Lawn Mower Company. - Richmond has a world-wide reputation as a lawn mower manufacturing center. Finley Newlin commenced the manufacture of lawn mowers in 1887 and conducted the business until Nov. 1, 1895, when the present incorporated company was organized, with J. M. Gaar president, Howard Campbell vice-president, D. G. Reid treasurer, and J. M. Lontz secretary. The business has been successful and the output now goes to all civilized countries of the world. J. M. Lontz is president and O. P. Norman is secretary.

The factory of Gaar, Scott & Co. had its beginning, in 1836, in what was known to Richmond's pioneers as the Spring Foundry, located on the site of the present large plant and removed in 1836 to make room for the machine shop. Spring Foundry was so named because the water supply that furnished the motive power for this primitive enterprise was obtained from springs. The first proprietor of Spring Foundry was Isaac E. Jones, who used the building principally for a stove foundry. In 1839 it passed into the hands of Jesse M. and John H. Hutton. Among the operatives were Jonas (jaar, machinist; Abram Gaar, carpenter and millwright; J. M.

Gaar, machinist, and William G. Scott, molder. These mechanics assisted.in bringing out the first thresher ever built in Indiana. This machine was known as a "chaff piler" or "groundhog" thresher, which simply threshed the wheat, and was operated by horse power. These machines were first put on the market in 1841 and continued to be the principal product of the factory up to 1848, at which time they developed an improved grain separator, which threshed the wheat from the shock and separated it from the straw which was deposited on the ground to be "bucked" away. In 1849 these pioneers in the threshing-machine industry bought the factory from the Huttons and organized the firm of A: Gaar & Co. Under their able management this infant industry soon outgrew its swaddling clothes. In 1870, twenty-one years after the Gaars took control, its majority was celebrated by incorporation under the name of Gaar, Scott & Co., with Abram Gaar, president; J. M. Gaar, vice-president, and William G. Scott, secretary and treasurer. On the death of Abram Gaar, in 1894, J. M. Gaar succeeded to the presidency of the company. The present officers (November, 1911,) are: Howard: Campbell, president and general manager, who succeeded J. M. Gaar at his death, in 1go00; S. S. Strattan, Jr., secretary, who succeeded William G. Scott, deceased in 1897; Frank Land, first vicepresident; William H. Campbell, second vice-president, and Charles H. Land, treasurer. The early captains of industry who founded this successful manufacturing enterprise, and their successors of the modern school of business, have always kept it at the head of Richmond's splendid manufactories and among the very first in its line in the United States. Over 600 men find steady employment in their well equipped factory and their total annual pay-roll is about $450,000. Threshers, traction and portable engines are their principal product, including large steam plowing engines, but they also build clover hullers, saw mills and straw bruisers, the last for export only. Their trade, which was at first local and amounted to only a few thousand dollars a year, has expanded until, as their announcements say, "Gaar-Scott threshing machinery goes wherever straw grain grows." In the wheat belts of Canada and Mexico their machinery is as well known as in the United States, and they enjoy a growing export trade in South America, Egypt, Russia, and other European countries.

The manufacturing concern known for so many years in Richmond as the Hoosier Drill Company, is now the Hoosier Drill Company, Division of the American Seeding Machine Company, the

American Seeding Machine Company having purchased the Hoosier Drill Company in March, 1903. The Hoosier Drill Company, Division, which is a very important manufacturing establishment in Richmond at this time, with offices and factory at the corner of North E and Thirteenth streets, is the largest manufacturer of wheat seeding machines and corn planting tools in the world. This Division of the Company is engaged in the manufacture of seeding machines exclusively, and its product is found in every civilized country where seeders and corn planting tools are used. The first Hoosier Wheat Drill was made, in 1856, in a small building at Milton, Ind., the motor power being an old gray horse. The present Company takes great pride in saying that it is called upon frequently to supply repairs and extra parts for machines that have been out in the field and in use since 1863. In the early years of this concern but one style of wheat drill and one style of corn drill was manufactured by it, while at the present time it is manufacturing as many as 848 different styles of wheat seeding machines and corn planting tools, making a very large variety of sizes and styles. J. M. Westcott, for many years president of the Hoosier Drill Company, became connected with it in 1873, and it was moved by him to Richmond in the fall of 1878. Buildings were erected that were thought to be sufficient for all future business, but in a short time they were compelled to make additions in order to accommodate their ever increasing trade, and from that time on until the present, scarcely a year has passed that some substantial improvements have not been added to the plant. It is equipped throughout with the most modern and up-to-date machinery known for the manufacture of its product. This firm now employs from 350 to 375 men, with an annual average pay-roll of from $175,000 to $200,000. During the past two years the Company has experienced great difficulty in meeting the large demand that has been made upon it, in both this country and abroad, and it is now considering building large additions to the plant, adding in various ways to its facilities in order to manufacture in a more economical way, the intention being to double in size its present plant.

Note - The Westcott Mutual Aid Union was organized May 25, 1882. The membership is confined exclusively to the employees of the Hoosier Drill Works. The object of the organization is to furnish pecuniary aid to its members in time of sickness or disability. During the twenty-four years of its existence there has been paid to its members the sum of $6,000 in sick benefits, at the rate of four dollars per week. The money to carry on this work is raised by the assessment plan, when the treasury is so reduced as to require it. The average cost per member per year has been about

$2.50. An annual meeting is held each year for the election of officers and the transaction of such other business as may come before it. The officers at this time are: W. EH. Wilson, president; Elmer A. Unthank, secretary, and W. E. Russell, treasurer.

The firm of J. M. Hutton & Co. was first established in 1868, and two years later was incorporated with a capital stock of $100,- 000, for the manufacture of undertakers' supplies. The first officers were Jesse M. Hutton, president; Matthew H. Dill, secretary, and William P. Hutton, treasurer. In October, 1870, the Company suffered an almost total loss by fire, but rebuilt immediately upon the present site. occupying three corners at Twelfth and North E streets. This is one of the oldest concerns of its kind in the United States. The output from this Company, since its beginning, has been sent into nearly every State in the Union. Additions to the original buildings were added from time to time, as the increased business demanded, and in 1905 extensive improvements were made; and the present plant is one of the most modern and well equipped coffin factories in the United States, the total floor space being nearly 75,000 square feet. About 100 men are employed at the present time, a number of whom have been with the Company for a period of thirty to thirty-five years. The annual pay-roll is about $40,000. The recent death of Matthew H. Dill took the last of the original incorporators of this firm. The present officers are: William R. Dill, president, and Walter J. Hutton, secretary and treasurer. ~ :

The Independent Ice and Fuel Company was established in 1889 by B. B. Johnson. This ice factory commenced operations with a 15-ton plant. Since that time the capacity has been more than doubled and thirty-five tons of artificial ice are manufactured and sold each day. The coal yard is an important branch of this industry, and the Company contemplate the erection of a cold storage plant of large capacity, which will serve to keep the ice machines busy during the winter months.

The Richmond Chair Company was established in 1877 by W. W. Crawford & Sons, of Cincinnati. They manufactured doublecane chairs and continued the business until 1881, when they sold to H. D. Bond, James Thomas, and Daniel Surface. The business was incorporated in 1884 with Ellis Thomas as president and Daniel Surface as secretary and treasurer. The goods manufactured are especially for public institutions, colleges, high schools, and hotels ; office chairs, etc. At this time M. J. O'Brien is president and J. A.

The Richmond Furniture Manufacturing Company was incorporated Aug. 20, 1904, for the manufacture of kitchen cabinets, cupboards, wardrobes, etc. The officers are C. A. Knollenburg, president; A. D. Gayle, vice-president; George E. Kemper, treasurer; Wilford Jessup, secretary, and J. Hassenbach, director, It is located at West Fifth and State streets.

The Richmond Handle Company was incorporated in 1902, and late in that year broke ground for the erection of a handle factory at South J street and the Chicago, Cincinnati & Louisville railroad. The officers were: J. W. Maxim, president; J. A. Greenstreet, secretary and treasurer, and George H. Maxim, superintendent. On the death of George H. Maxim his place was taken by the present superintendent, N. S. Morse. The manufacture of "D" handles for shovels, spades, forks and scoops was begun in April, 1903, and has continued since. The annual output of this pattern of handle amounts to 35,000 dozen. They are shipped to all parts of the United States and Great Britain. In 1905 the factory was equipped with machinery for making lawn-mower handles and now furnishes some of the large mower factories with all the handles and rollers used by them. At this time there are thirty employees and the annual output is $45,000 to $50,000.

The Richmond Overall and Shirt Company is new, but promises to become a leading industry in its line - the manufacture of working men's garments. There are sixty employees and the output amounts to $65,000 per year. F. A. Colvin is president and John F. Bartel is secretary-treasurer.

The Richmond Roller Mills and Elevator and the Richmond Corn Mills - Charles G. Carpenter, probably the oldest practical miller now in the business in Richmond, has the direct management of these two important industries. The flour mills are located at North Second and C streets and the corn mills on North Twelfth street. The flour mills were erected in 1864 and have been in successful operation since that time.

Robinson & Company is one of the prominent corporations and manufactories of our city, one which, founded in the days of the city's infancy, has since been closely connected through its owners with the social and business life of Richmond. It was founded, in 1842, by Francis W. Robinson, a Friend, who was born in Baltimore, in 1810, and moved to Richmond in 1833. His son-in-law, Samuel E. Swayne, is now president and treasurer of the company and his grandsons - William Platt and Henry Raymond Robinson - are secretary and vice-president and superintendent. These officers, with the daughters of the founder, now form a family corporation which owns and operates the modern plant, which has grown from the small beginning made in 1842, at which time a horse provided the power for the works. In 1858, Jonas W. Yeo became associated with Robinson and, in 1872, the business was incorporated as the Robinson Machine Works. When the affairs of this corporation were wound up, in 1877, Francis W. and Henry E. Robinson acquired full control of the business, under the firm name of Robinson & Comparty, and it was incorporated under the same name in 1889. The main plant now occupies the entire square from Third to Second street, on Main, and north to A street, and about an equal area on the east side of Third street. The buildings consist of a modern office, a large steam and electric plant, a commodious foundry, machine and carpenter shops, fire-proof pattern house, and a test house and erecting shop which alone is as capacious as the entire plant was in 1884. Branch houses are maintained at Indianapolis, Columbus, St. Louis, St. Joseph (Mo.), Galesburg (Ill.), Enid (Okla.), and Jennings (La.), and a growing export business is handled through New York offices. The machinery manufactured consists of traction and portable engines, threshing machines and attachments, and steam hay balers. The output finds ready sale all over this country, in the Dutch East Indias, Africa, Chile, the Argentine, and other countries.

In 1877, John H. and Louis Runge commenced the manufacture of corn products on North Eighth street. Some changes took place in the ownership and, in 1900, the present proprietors - John H. and Charles Runge - erected a building on South Seventh street, made necessary to accommodate their large and growing business. Corn meal, buckwheat, and whole-wheat flours are manufactured.

The Starr Piano Company - The year 1872 witnessed an event that proved to be of more than ordinary importance to the industrial upbuilding of Richmond. In that year, a company was organized by a number of prominent local business men, headed by James M. Starr, for the purpose of manufacturing pianos. The first efforts of the company were made in a small factory near the Whitewater river, below the old National Bridge. The original factory was quite sniall, indeed, and its equipment, though crude, was perhaps equal to that of other similar Eastern institutions of that date. This company was the first organized effort to manufacture pianos west of the Alleghany Mountains, and for this reason the Starr Piano became known throughout the country as the "Pioneer of the West."

The individual members of the company were men of sterling qualities, and by dint of perseverance and continued effort they gradually introduced many improvements in their product and more advanced methods of manufacture, which increased the demand for the Starr Piano, and consequently necessitated additions to the factory. In 1893 the business was incorporated, under the direction of Benjamin Starr, John Lumsden, and Henry Gennett, whose vast experience in the manufacture and distribution of high grade pianos enabled them to handle the affairs of the Company in an exceptionally successful manner. The business has constantly developed until the plant is now conceded to be the largest in the world devoted exclusively to the manufacture of high grade pianos. The floor space in the factories cover and area of more than ten acres. The equipment is complete and the facilities the best that can be had. The Company manufactures grand and upright pianos and player pianos. Much attention is given to the construction of special art cases. The Starr has won an enviable reputation on tonal and architectural beauty. The Company employs more than 600 workmen, the great majority of whom are skilled artisans, and disburses, annually, more than $500,000 in wages. The direction of the vast interests of the Company rests with Henry Gennett, president; Harry Gennett, vice-president, and Clarence Gennett, secretary and treasurer, whose able management has made the Starr Piano Company a power in the musical and financial world. In viewing the present plant it seems impossible to believe thatat one time the factory could have occupied but one small building, and that thirtyfive men were sufficient to carry on the work. As the demand increased, new buildings were added and replaced those standing, until at present the institution covers approximately thirty-five acres, upon which have been erected almost twelve acres of floor space. A product of this nature, sensitive to so many conditions, demands material of the very highest quality, prepared in the most thorough manner. The magnitude of their operations is no more forcibly shown than in the lumber yards and seasoning kilns. The stock of foreign and domestic lumber, always under treatment, is in excess of the quantity usually carried by wholesale lumbermen. The seasoning kilns, which supplement the open air process, have a combined capacity of more than 1,722,950 feet. The efficiency of the factory has been greatly increased by the excellent and also economica] manner in which the departments are placed. From leaving the cutting room until the packing room is reached the work is consummated by a direct advancement, thereby eliminating un- necessary handling and loss of time. Advanced methods of construction may be seen in every department, and machines of latest model and appliances, many of their own designing, improve the quality wherever possible. Although the volume of business is many times greater than that of forty years ago, the quality has never been sacrificed to quantity. As the demand has increased, so has the care that has always been exercised. An ambition to produce the best possible value in piano construction has not been without its results. The effect of this firm's business is felt throughout the entire world. With warerooms covering the central, southern and extreme western portions of this country, agencies have been established in practically every community. The foreign trade has recently advanced by great bounds. From export shipments amounting to comparatively but few instruments, annually, this feature has reached a point where as many carloads are now sent. The high quality of these instruments has been further shown by the numerous occasions upon which they have been awarded highest honors in competition with the world's best makes. At Cincinnati in 1880, Chicago in 1893, Nashville in 1897, St. Louis in 1904, and finally at Seattle in 1909, the judges were unanimous in proclaiming Starr Pianos unsurpassed in tone quality, artistic case design, and durability of construction. The line of instruments manufactured by this firm include grand pianos, upright pianos and player pianos. They are also manufacturers of the famous _ Princess Model, a small upright, with a full grand tone, which is by far the most remarkable instrument designed last year. The total number of instruments made is in excess of 90,000. The average daily output is forty pianos. This factory may be taken as an example of the advantages gained by being complete manufacturers, rather than mere assemblers. From the shaping of the smallest piece of hardware to the casting of the heavy plate, from the cutting of the finest moulding to the building of the massive cases, the work is all done under the direct supervision of their designers. This does not apply only to the ordinary piano, but to their playerpiano as well, the entire instrument being made in this plant. The value of this is shown in the perfection of tone and the artistic case designs which are recognized throughout the world as standards by which piano value may be judged.

The firm of Watt & Keelor, composed of F. N. Watt and Harry C. Keelor, was established in July, 1902, and is located on the site of the old Wiggins tannery, corner of Second and South B streets. The buildings of the old tannery were remodeled and put in good condition, and the plant is now first class and modern in every respect, being electric lighted, steam heated, and run by both steam and electric power. They manufacture medium and high grade caskets almost exclusively, and while the bulk of their business is done between Pennsylvania and Kansas, they enjoy quite a fair trade on both coasts. They also manufacture both ladies' and gents' burial garments, together with all dry goods used by the undertaker, such as entire trimmings for caskets, cooling board accessories, etc. They have enjoyed'a good business from the start, and the first year would compare favorably with old established houses, but it has since grown until the last year's business more than trebled that of the volume done during the first year. They have representatives in all leading distributing points and gateways, and employ from forty to fifty people in their factory.

Interesting Figures

In this compilation appears a number of establishments classed as "manufacturers." Some industries - such as blacksmiths, carpenters and builders, contractors, dentists, gas and steam fitters, etc. - are not given, although they all do more or less manufacturing. The total number of establishments, directly and indirectly engaged in manufacturing, approximates 250, but in giving figures we confine ourselves to official reports. In the year 1995 the Department of Commerce and Labor caused a census of the manufacturing interests of our city to be taken. The statistics given below are compiled from special reports, furnished the Committee on Manufactures by the Department, and are reliable:

Ninety-eight industries are rated as 'manufacturers', as follows: Agricultural implements, 3; bread aad other baking products, 6; baking and yeast powders, 2; brick and tile, 1; canning and preserving fruits and vegetables, 1; carriages and wagons, 5; cars and general shop construction, 1; clothing, men's, 2; coffins and cases and undertakers' goods, 3; confectionery, 2; electrical machinery and supplies, 1; flour and grist mill products, 3; foundry and machine shop products, 10; foundry supplies, 1; furniture, 43 gas and lamp fixtures, 1; gas, illuminating and heating, 1; hardware, 2; hardware, saddlery, 1; ice, manufactured, 2; leather goods, 1; leather, tanned, curried and finished, 1; liquors, malt, 1; lumber and timber products, 2; lumber, planing mill products, 2; mineral and soda waters, 2; monuments and tombsones, 1; musical instruments, pianos, 1; patent medicines and compounds, 2; printing and publishing, book and job, 3; paper and bags, 1; printing and pubaes newspapers and periodicals, 4; roofing materials, 2; saddlery and' harness, 2; sausage, 1; structural iron work, 1; tobacco and cigars, 13; wirework, fences, rope and cable, 5; wood, turned and carved, 1. These ninety-eight establishments required the services of 448 salaried officials, clerks, etc., at an annual cost of $477,515. The average number of mechanics employed was 2,970, to whom was paid $1,380,844 in wages. It is interesting to note that 326 women were employed as wage earners, while but fourteen children under sixteen years of age were employed. The value of the products of these ninety-eight manufacturing establishments was $6,731,740; cost of materials used, $3,000,924; miscellaneous expenses, $875,172; showing the net profits to be nearly $2,000,000, or about 21 per cent. on the capital employed. It is interesting to note that more than $1,800,000 are paid directly to citizens of Richmond in wages and salaries, and that of the $3,876,000, paid annually for materials and miscellaneous expenses, a large proportion goes directly to our home producers and dealers. Richmond may well be proud of its rank as a manufacturing city.

In 1909 the number of manufacturing establishments, so recognized by the census officials, had increased from ninety-eight, in 1905, to 107. The value of products, in 1909, was $10,374,000, as compared with $6,732,000, in 1904.