Manufacturing
Source Industrial Wellsburg 1899 by Ralph S. Kerr
Manufacturing Industries.
Manufacturing Industries.
Eagle Glass & Manufacturing Company.
Our illustration below presents an excellent view of what is unquestionably one of the largest and most thoroughly equipped manufacturing plants in the country. The buildings and plant of the Eagle Glass Manufacturing Co. occupy about three acres, and are constantly adding thereto and extending their operations. This and other figures to follow will give a faint idea of the extensive operations carried on here, and of the importance and value of this institution as a factor in the industrial development of Wellsburg.
The plant at present has a capacity of 60 pots, which is equal to 6 ten pot furnaces, and have the largest output of opal glass of any plant in the United States, almost the entire works being run on this line of ware the year around.
The prosperity of this institution has waxed greater day by day since its establishment on January 1, 1894, the capacity of the plant at that time being two small tanks, and about 60 hands were employed. At present this firm has about 850 names on their pay roll, and in the year 1898 $75,000 was paid out for wages.
Here in this busy hive of industry are manufactured lamps, shades, novelties, such as pin trays, plaques, comb and brush trays, match boxes, puff boxes, &c. Indeed it would be interesting had we the space to trace the evolution of these articles of glassware through the successive stages of their development to their final finished state in the packing room. Suffice it to say that these changes are here wrought with incredible swiftness by reason of the fact that each department is completely equipped with all that is latest and best in the way of machinery, quick as well as thorough work being absolutely necessary in order to keep up with the orders received, which are daily increasing in number.
The officers of the company are as follows: H. W. Paull, President: C. B. Ott, Vice President: S. O. Paull, Secretary: James Paull, Treasurer, Asa G. Neville, manager. By their efficient management of the company's affairs these gentlemen have proven themselves to be progressive, careful and have earned a reputation for solidity and trust-worthiness second to none in the community in which they live. This company like the others with which the firm are associated, has done much for Wellsburg and that such is appreciated cannot be disputed or denied.
The plant at present has a capacity of 60 pots, which is equal to 6 ten pot furnaces, and have the largest output of opal glass of any plant in the United States, almost the entire works being run on this line of ware the year around.
The prosperity of this institution has waxed greater day by day since its establishment on January 1, 1894, the capacity of the plant at that time being two small tanks, and about 60 hands were employed. At present this firm has about 850 names on their pay roll, and in the year 1898 $75,000 was paid out for wages.
Here in this busy hive of industry are manufactured lamps, shades, novelties, such as pin trays, plaques, comb and brush trays, match boxes, puff boxes, &c. Indeed it would be interesting had we the space to trace the evolution of these articles of glassware through the successive stages of their development to their final finished state in the packing room. Suffice it to say that these changes are here wrought with incredible swiftness by reason of the fact that each department is completely equipped with all that is latest and best in the way of machinery, quick as well as thorough work being absolutely necessary in order to keep up with the orders received, which are daily increasing in number.
The officers of the company are as follows: H. W. Paull, President: C. B. Ott, Vice President: S. O. Paull, Secretary: James Paull, Treasurer, Asa G. Neville, manager. By their efficient management of the company's affairs these gentlemen have proven themselves to be progressive, careful and have earned a reputation for solidity and trust-worthiness second to none in the community in which they live. This company like the others with which the firm are associated, has done much for Wellsburg and that such is appreciated cannot be disputed or denied.
CENTRAL SUPPLY CO.
Another extensive branch of this industry and for which there is a great demand is the manufacture of mustard. In October, 1897, the above company leased the old Dalzell works and began putting up mustard, pepper, &e. At first they manufactured their own packages and purchased their mustard from Wheeling parties. Being quick to realize that they could manufacture their own mustard cheaper than they could buy it and know to a certainty that it would be absolutely pure, they purchased one mill and the necessary outfit and engaged a mustard maker from Wheeling. They began with one mill and added mill after mill at the present capacity is 16 mills, having a daily output of 4,000 gallons. A large brick building was erected last summer, the lower end of which is occupied by the mustard packing department, where the glass packages are brought from the filling room and filled with mustard. They are then sealed, labeled, and packed in boxes, two dozen packages to the box. This department when working full pack 5,000 boxes per day.
The rail road sidings afford unsurpassed shipping facilities, assuring ready transportation and prompt delivery of orders to all parts of the country.
The rail road sidings afford unsurpassed shipping facilities, assuring ready transportation and prompt delivery of orders to all parts of the country.
Riverside Glass Works
Wellsburg was, indeed, fortunate when the Riverside Glass Works, one of the biggest concerns of the kind in America, decided to locate here. The citizens showing an out of town friend over the city invariably makes this institution one of the first objective points of the round; as a visit to this city which did not inched a trip of inspection through this extensive and important institution would be incomplete indeed.
The Riverside Glass Works was organized in 1879 by John Dornan, Chas. N. Brady, J. E. Ratcliffe, T. Flanagan and A. McGrail all of Wheeling, W. Va. Capital stock $27,200.00.
At a meeting of the stockholders held January 10th, 1880, five directors were elected, who in turn elected the following management: Chas. N. Brady, President; J. E. Ratcliffe, Secretary; John Dornan, manager, and H. Fearbake, designer.
Mr. Chas. N. Brady and Mr. J. E. Ratcliffe left Hobbs, Brockunier & Co., of Wheeling, W. Va., and Mr. John Dornan the Buckeye Glass Co., of Martin's Ferry, O., to assume the management of the new enterprise.
Mr. Brady, who is well and favorably known throughout the United States, was President of the organization up to 1886, at which time he resigned and started the HazeI Glass Co., of Washington. Pa. Mr. Ratcliffe was given charge of the commercial department, and has filled the same position successfully and to the entire satisfaction of all the stockholders for nineteen years. Mr. Dornan was made manager, and has proven his ability, as may be seen from the fact that the company has always made money and been prosperous from the beginning, Mr. Dornan having been manager for nineteen years.
The present management consists of the following gentlemen: D. W. Baird, President, who was elected to that position in 1887; Mr. Ratcliffe and Mr. Dornan, who are still holding their respective positions.
On September 8th, 1886, the factory was totally destroyed by fire. At a meeting of the stockholders held October 2nd , 1886, it was decided to rebuild, making the new works as nearly fireproof as possible.
In January, 1884, a stock dividend was declared sufficient to make the capital stock $50,000.00. In September, 1886, the capital stork was reduced to $47,000.00 by the purchase of stock by the company which was not reissued. On June 2nd, 1888, a stock dividend of 50 per cent was declared, making the capital stock $69,450.00.
The present buildings, as stated before, are practically fire proof, three stories high, 212 feet long by 100 feet wide. The factory is said to be the most complete in the United States.
The goods of this company are shipped all over the world, quite an export trade being carried on with England and her colonies, the South American Republics, and Mexico.
The ware manufactured by the Riverside is equal to the best, and, in some lines, superior to any made.
The commodious and elegant office of the company is apart from the main building, fronting on Commerce street. This company also have offices in many of the large cities of the United States, and enjoy the distinction of being the first factory in the United States to use natural gas as fuel in the furnace.
Always abreast of the times has been this concern, and how much this factory has done for the commercial interests of the town need not here be told. Even in the most stringent monetary times this factory existed and even flourished and has ever been a business standby in WelIsburg.
The Riverside Glass Works was organized in 1879 by John Dornan, Chas. N. Brady, J. E. Ratcliffe, T. Flanagan and A. McGrail all of Wheeling, W. Va. Capital stock $27,200.00.
At a meeting of the stockholders held January 10th, 1880, five directors were elected, who in turn elected the following management: Chas. N. Brady, President; J. E. Ratcliffe, Secretary; John Dornan, manager, and H. Fearbake, designer.
Mr. Chas. N. Brady and Mr. J. E. Ratcliffe left Hobbs, Brockunier & Co., of Wheeling, W. Va., and Mr. John Dornan the Buckeye Glass Co., of Martin's Ferry, O., to assume the management of the new enterprise.
Mr. Brady, who is well and favorably known throughout the United States, was President of the organization up to 1886, at which time he resigned and started the HazeI Glass Co., of Washington. Pa. Mr. Ratcliffe was given charge of the commercial department, and has filled the same position successfully and to the entire satisfaction of all the stockholders for nineteen years. Mr. Dornan was made manager, and has proven his ability, as may be seen from the fact that the company has always made money and been prosperous from the beginning, Mr. Dornan having been manager for nineteen years.
The present management consists of the following gentlemen: D. W. Baird, President, who was elected to that position in 1887; Mr. Ratcliffe and Mr. Dornan, who are still holding their respective positions.
On September 8th, 1886, the factory was totally destroyed by fire. At a meeting of the stockholders held October 2nd , 1886, it was decided to rebuild, making the new works as nearly fireproof as possible.
In January, 1884, a stock dividend was declared sufficient to make the capital stock $50,000.00. In September, 1886, the capital stork was reduced to $47,000.00 by the purchase of stock by the company which was not reissued. On June 2nd, 1888, a stock dividend of 50 per cent was declared, making the capital stock $69,450.00.
The present buildings, as stated before, are practically fire proof, three stories high, 212 feet long by 100 feet wide. The factory is said to be the most complete in the United States.
The goods of this company are shipped all over the world, quite an export trade being carried on with England and her colonies, the South American Republics, and Mexico.
The ware manufactured by the Riverside is equal to the best, and, in some lines, superior to any made.
The commodious and elegant office of the company is apart from the main building, fronting on Commerce street. This company also have offices in many of the large cities of the United States, and enjoy the distinction of being the first factory in the United States to use natural gas as fuel in the furnace.
Always abreast of the times has been this concern, and how much this factory has done for the commercial interests of the town need not here be told. Even in the most stringent monetary times this factory existed and even flourished and has ever been a business standby in WelIsburg.
Jno. & Jos. Lobmiller.
Many of the most elaborate and beautiful designs of art in glassware are to be found in the factory of John and Joseph Lobmiller. Great progress has been made in the manufacturing of glass in the last century. Yet we still advance, and the modern glass factory owned and operated by the above named gentlemen is one of the most exceptional.
The advertisements are burned into the glass by the enameled process, making the design show whether it is wet or dry, and is therefore preferred over all other processes. This ware is used mostly by wholesale liquor dealers and brewers, but there are other trades for which it is manufactured. They carry on an extensive business and indeed the trade is not confined to the United States, as they ship goods to foreign countries.
That Wellsburg holds a high position as a glass centre cannot be doubted, and the artistic work of this establishment is justly a source of pride owing to the beauty and art of its productions.
The gentlemen of this firm are enterprising and progressive, and have had a wide experience in the glass industry. The business was established in 1893. The factory is equipped with the best and latest improved machinery for this line of work, and its product already has attracted much attention. They are also extensive manufacturers of the gold band glassware.
The advertisements are burned into the glass by the enameled process, making the design show whether it is wet or dry, and is therefore preferred over all other processes. This ware is used mostly by wholesale liquor dealers and brewers, but there are other trades for which it is manufactured. They carry on an extensive business and indeed the trade is not confined to the United States, as they ship goods to foreign countries.
That Wellsburg holds a high position as a glass centre cannot be doubted, and the artistic work of this establishment is justly a source of pride owing to the beauty and art of its productions.
The gentlemen of this firm are enterprising and progressive, and have had a wide experience in the glass industry. The business was established in 1893. The factory is equipped with the best and latest improved machinery for this line of work, and its product already has attracted much attention. They are also extensive manufacturers of the gold band glassware.
Scott & Hellstern.
Among the prominent glass manufacturing establishments in the city of Wellsburg and vicinity which are deserving of particularly prominent mention, is the thriving and old established factory of Scoff & Hellstern, commonly identified as the Bottle House, and located in Lazearville.
This manufacturing institution was formed in the year 1886 by the corporation known as the Lazear Glass Co., of which concern H. G. Lazear was the first promoter and acted in the capacity of secretary. A splendid trade was established at once, and the manufacturing of all kinds of flint glass bottles and fruit jars carried on very extensively. The factory run on in a very large capacity, and in the year 1894 was taken into the hands of the present owner, Mr. Hellstern assuming the direct management of the factory.
The product of this factory, which is of the best quality of that glassware, embraces fruit jars, bottles of all descriptions, lantern globes, and battery jars. The bottle and fruit jar trade is particularly extensive. The greater bulk of this ware is supplied to Wheeling preserving houses, but much of it is utilized by firms in New York, New Jersey, and in fact nearly every State in the East and South. The plant when in full operation employs fifty or sixty skilled glass workers. Two very large and strictly modern tanks are worked, and two completely equipped lehrs are in use. An able force of experienced grinders and packers is also employed.
The buildings and plant of the Scott & Hellstern Glass Manufacturing Co. occupy over one-half acre of land all told, ample territory being had for the carrying on of the industry in the most complete manner. Gas is utilized for fuel and the most recent improved machinery has been introduced. Every facility is now at hand for turning out the product of this institution as rapidly as modernized improvements in the industry will permit.
This factory was the first bottle making plant started in operation in the city, and is still the foremost of its kind. In season the plant is continually run in its utmost capacity, and the company is sometimes forced to turn away orders on account of the great demands of the trade.
The ware manufactured is the very finest of its kind to be secured anywhere, and the ability of the firm to supply a first-class article to the trade has secured for them an exceedingly large list of patrons, which is ever on the increase. Both members of the firm are wide-awake, energetic business men, who leave no stone unturned to get their most excellent productions in the best hands and leading markets of this country.
The factory is run under the personal direction of Mr. R. Hellstern. He attends to every branch of the business, does all the buying and selling, and personally superintends the running of the plant in every detail. His experience in the business has made him fully competent for the successful discharge of his numerous duties. He is a man of marked energy and business ability.
Mr. Hellstern is a native of Germany, but settled in the United States in the year 1852, locating in Wheeling, where he was engaged in the iron and steel business. Here he remained until 1884, when he settled in Brooke county, and was engaged in fruit and truck farming for two years. In 1884 he removed to Lazearville, and in 1886 became a member of the Lazear Glass Manufacturing Co., when organized, assuming the direction of this concern in 1894. The Scott & Hellstern Glass Co. is doing a thoroughly remunerative business, the trade is increasing every year, and the excellence of the product manufactured, together with the marked business ability of the superintendent of the plant, are bound to keep the large trade enjoyed in the present thriving condition.
This manufacturing institution was formed in the year 1886 by the corporation known as the Lazear Glass Co., of which concern H. G. Lazear was the first promoter and acted in the capacity of secretary. A splendid trade was established at once, and the manufacturing of all kinds of flint glass bottles and fruit jars carried on very extensively. The factory run on in a very large capacity, and in the year 1894 was taken into the hands of the present owner, Mr. Hellstern assuming the direct management of the factory.
The product of this factory, which is of the best quality of that glassware, embraces fruit jars, bottles of all descriptions, lantern globes, and battery jars. The bottle and fruit jar trade is particularly extensive. The greater bulk of this ware is supplied to Wheeling preserving houses, but much of it is utilized by firms in New York, New Jersey, and in fact nearly every State in the East and South. The plant when in full operation employs fifty or sixty skilled glass workers. Two very large and strictly modern tanks are worked, and two completely equipped lehrs are in use. An able force of experienced grinders and packers is also employed.
The buildings and plant of the Scott & Hellstern Glass Manufacturing Co. occupy over one-half acre of land all told, ample territory being had for the carrying on of the industry in the most complete manner. Gas is utilized for fuel and the most recent improved machinery has been introduced. Every facility is now at hand for turning out the product of this institution as rapidly as modernized improvements in the industry will permit.
This factory was the first bottle making plant started in operation in the city, and is still the foremost of its kind. In season the plant is continually run in its utmost capacity, and the company is sometimes forced to turn away orders on account of the great demands of the trade.
The ware manufactured is the very finest of its kind to be secured anywhere, and the ability of the firm to supply a first-class article to the trade has secured for them an exceedingly large list of patrons, which is ever on the increase. Both members of the firm are wide-awake, energetic business men, who leave no stone unturned to get their most excellent productions in the best hands and leading markets of this country.
The factory is run under the personal direction of Mr. R. Hellstern. He attends to every branch of the business, does all the buying and selling, and personally superintends the running of the plant in every detail. His experience in the business has made him fully competent for the successful discharge of his numerous duties. He is a man of marked energy and business ability.
Mr. Hellstern is a native of Germany, but settled in the United States in the year 1852, locating in Wheeling, where he was engaged in the iron and steel business. Here he remained until 1884, when he settled in Brooke county, and was engaged in fruit and truck farming for two years. In 1884 he removed to Lazearville, and in 1886 became a member of the Lazear Glass Manufacturing Co., when organized, assuming the direction of this concern in 1894. The Scott & Hellstern Glass Co. is doing a thoroughly remunerative business, the trade is increasing every year, and the excellence of the product manufactured, together with the marked business ability of the superintendent of the plant, are bound to keep the large trade enjoyed in the present thriving condition.
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Wellsburg has an unlimited supply of coal and gas for fuel.
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Harvey Paper Co.
Wellsburg holds an especially prominent place in the manufacture of paper, and an enterprise in that line that is worthy of special mention is the Harvey Paper Co., one of Wellsburg's many prosperous and progressive manufacturing industries, which is located on the river bank at the west end of Prospect street.
This mill is one of Wellsburg's oldest and most reliable manufacturing plants, the history of this time-honored concern dating back as far as 1852, when Jones, McCrea & Co., built the mill which is now operated under the firm name of Harvey Paper Co.
The original owners operated the mill for about five years, and getting into financial trouble Harvey, Manser & Co. bought them out and subsequently the entire business came into the hands of Harvey Bros., by whom it was conducted until it came into the hands of the present owner.
The present officers of this firm are: G. W. Rine, President; J. C. Palmer, Sr., Secretary and Treasurer; Board of Directors, G. W. Rine, S. George, Sr., Thomas George, W. S. Abrams, J. C. Palmer, Sr. These gentlemen are representative business men of Wellsburg.
This plant manufactures all kinds of wrapping paper, including both straw and manila, and is constantly kept running both day and night to supply their large and increasing trade. The quality of paper made by this firm is not excelled by any manufactured in the United States, and is shipped all over the country.
G. W. Rine, the popular President, has had many years experience in the business, and the works is ably conducted under his excellent and careful management.
Owing to the large-demand for the product of this mill and the capacity being to small to supply the trade, a large building was recently added and equipped with all the latest modern machinery for the manufacture of wrapping papers. The plant turns out 8,000 pounds of paper daily, and is surrounded with ample facilities for accurately responding to the demands of their trade and the business under the supervision of the present owners is steadily successful.
This mill is one of Wellsburg's oldest and most reliable manufacturing plants, the history of this time-honored concern dating back as far as 1852, when Jones, McCrea & Co., built the mill which is now operated under the firm name of Harvey Paper Co.
The original owners operated the mill for about five years, and getting into financial trouble Harvey, Manser & Co. bought them out and subsequently the entire business came into the hands of Harvey Bros., by whom it was conducted until it came into the hands of the present owner.
The present officers of this firm are: G. W. Rine, President; J. C. Palmer, Sr., Secretary and Treasurer; Board of Directors, G. W. Rine, S. George, Sr., Thomas George, W. S. Abrams, J. C. Palmer, Sr. These gentlemen are representative business men of Wellsburg.
This plant manufactures all kinds of wrapping paper, including both straw and manila, and is constantly kept running both day and night to supply their large and increasing trade. The quality of paper made by this firm is not excelled by any manufactured in the United States, and is shipped all over the country.
G. W. Rine, the popular President, has had many years experience in the business, and the works is ably conducted under his excellent and careful management.
Owing to the large-demand for the product of this mill and the capacity being to small to supply the trade, a large building was recently added and equipped with all the latest modern machinery for the manufacture of wrapping papers. The plant turns out 8,000 pounds of paper daily, and is surrounded with ample facilities for accurately responding to the demands of their trade and the business under the supervision of the present owners is steadily successful.
S. George Company.
Mr. Samuel George is one of Wellsburg's most liberal citizens and business men, and to his personal enterprise, energy and business tact may be ascribed the success of many of Wellsburg's prominent industries. He came to Wellsburg in 1852 from his home on the farm now owned by Mrs. Virginia Beall, and for ten years carried on the grocery business in an old brick building which stood on the present site of the Curran building, after which he engaged in manufacturing paper and established the S. George Pank in 1871, one of the solid and popular institutions in the city to-day. Besides his other varied and manifold business interests, he dealt largely in wool from the time he first came to Wellsburg until about ten years ago.
Occupying a leading place among the manufacturing enterprises of Wellsburg and prominent among the foremost in the United States in its line is the S. George Company, manufacturers of miller's paper flour sacks.
Years ago upon the site on which this immense structure stands stood the old cotton factory which is still fresh in the memories of some of our older residents. The old cotton factory was built in 1829, by John Carle, Nathaniel Carle and John Miller. It was conducted under different managements, and was finally sold at assignee's sale and purchased by Gould & Wells, of Cincinnati, O., afterwards Gould, Pierce & Co., who conducted the business until 1873, when they removed all of their machinery to their cotton mills in Cincinnati, and sold the property to Win. K. Harvey, Sr., and Samuel George, who converted it into a mill for the manufacture of manila flour sack paper.
On the morning of May 11, 1874, one of the boilers exploded, scattering fire throughout the mill and the entire factory was soon a mass of ruins.
The same year it was rebuilt by W. H. Harvey, Sr., Samuel George and Thomas Grimes. Mr. Grimes withdrew from the firm in 1876, the mill then being operated by Harvey & George until the death of Mr. Harvey. It was continued under the same name for a number of years, when Mr. George bought out the Harvey heirs. Under the able management of Mr. George the manufacture of manila sack paper was carried on and sold the product to Chatfield & Woods, of Cincinnati, 0. and in 18- - when the manufacture and printing of paper bags was added. Archie Ray and Mr. George formed a company known as Archie Ray & Co., and established the manufacture and printing of paper flour bags. Two Cottrell bag presses were purchased. John Casey was pressman and Jim Price was the compositor. The capacity was small and the designs and printing was of a crude character, compared with the latter day work. The bags were then all made by hand, girls being employed for that purpose. The above firm is continued to exist for four years, when Mr. George purchased Mr. Ray's interest and continued to run the factory under his own name. Mr. Walter Shaffer became manager. At this time the business had increased, and they added another press to the printing department and some improved machinery in the bag making department. Mr. J. S. Dowell was salesman, and this arrangement was continued until 1892, when in April of that year Mr. T. H. Hammond succeeded Mr. Shaffer as manager, and in November of the same year the S. George Company was formed. S. George, President; J. S. Dowell, Secretary; T. H. Hammond, Treasurer, and S. George, Jr., superintendent. By this time the business had so increased that the following year after the company was formed it was necessary to add two more printing presses to their printing department and some more modern machinery to their bag manufacturing department; also a coating machine for coating paper, this latter industry having been a recent departure in the making of paper bags. Two years ago two more first-class printing presses were added, and it is necessary to have a force sufficient to run day and night. The total printed production of this firm is 12,000,000 sacks per year, and the production of paper 1,000 tons annually.
This firm ships sacks to Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Mr. Dowdell, Secretary, has been salesman for about 15 years, and holds some of the best trade in the country. He has his trade so well under his control that it is only necessary for the company to have the one salesman on the road.
Mr. T. H. Hammond, whose business capacity and knowledge has largely promoted the welfare of the company, is one of Wellsburg's prominent and promising young business men.
POWER HOUSE.
In this department there are three Cook boilers of 1.0 horse power each and a Buckeye engine with automatic cut off of 1.0 horse power.
ROPE DEPARTMENT.
This section of the mill consists of two large buildings with a capacity of 1,000 tons, packed to the roofs with raw material purchased from numerous gas fields and sea coasts. After the rope is cut it is taken into the rotary room.
WHERE THE ROPE IS COOKED.
In this room is a large rotary boiler with a capacity of ten ton. and the rope after being cut is placed in this boiler, and after a sufficient amount of lime and water is added to soften the fiber, after twelve hours cooking it passes into the beating engine rooms, where it is washed thoroughly and bleached to proper color for flour bags. After beating for ten or twelve hours, it is let down through valves and pipes to the cellar into large tanks, from which it is pumped up to the paper making machine, where it is made into rolls, the proper width and weight for the sacks required. From here it passes into the sak factory department.
In this room, which is on the second floor, the rolls of paper are run through a tubing machine and cut in the desired lengths for the various sizes of sacks made by this firm. The sacks are then printed before the bottoms are added. and after the printing is completed the bottoms are put on, the large amount of sacks printed requiring the use of three bottom machines to do the work. Each of these machines will bottom from 15,000 to 20,000 sacks a day, and are run steadily, one of the machines also being run at night. The white enameled papers pass through the enameling machine before they are run through the tubing machine.
This establishment employs 200 hands and many improvements are contemplated in the near future, which will largely increase their business.
GLASS MANUFACTORY.
The Standard Glass Works, which was built by Mr. George in the year 18--, and which manufactured all kinds of glass novelties for a number of years, was merged into the S. George Company in the year 1892, and is no longer known as the Standard, the paper mill, sack factory and glass establishment all being conducted under the firm name of the S. George Company.
The old factory was used for a number of years and was abandoned in - - - - and the business removed to their new factory, which occupies the site of the old window glass works.
This handsome new factory is sixty feet wide and 240 feet long, has four lehrs 60 feet in length, a 12-pot furnace and a glass tank with a capacity of 10 pots.
This establishment is engaged largely in the manufacture of lantern globes and fruit jars and employs about 150 hands.
Samuel George, Jr., is efficient manager, which bespeaks for this firm a large and increasing business.
Occupying a leading place among the manufacturing enterprises of Wellsburg and prominent among the foremost in the United States in its line is the S. George Company, manufacturers of miller's paper flour sacks.
Years ago upon the site on which this immense structure stands stood the old cotton factory which is still fresh in the memories of some of our older residents. The old cotton factory was built in 1829, by John Carle, Nathaniel Carle and John Miller. It was conducted under different managements, and was finally sold at assignee's sale and purchased by Gould & Wells, of Cincinnati, O., afterwards Gould, Pierce & Co., who conducted the business until 1873, when they removed all of their machinery to their cotton mills in Cincinnati, and sold the property to Win. K. Harvey, Sr., and Samuel George, who converted it into a mill for the manufacture of manila flour sack paper.
On the morning of May 11, 1874, one of the boilers exploded, scattering fire throughout the mill and the entire factory was soon a mass of ruins.
The same year it was rebuilt by W. H. Harvey, Sr., Samuel George and Thomas Grimes. Mr. Grimes withdrew from the firm in 1876, the mill then being operated by Harvey & George until the death of Mr. Harvey. It was continued under the same name for a number of years, when Mr. George bought out the Harvey heirs. Under the able management of Mr. George the manufacture of manila sack paper was carried on and sold the product to Chatfield & Woods, of Cincinnati, 0. and in 18- - when the manufacture and printing of paper bags was added. Archie Ray and Mr. George formed a company known as Archie Ray & Co., and established the manufacture and printing of paper flour bags. Two Cottrell bag presses were purchased. John Casey was pressman and Jim Price was the compositor. The capacity was small and the designs and printing was of a crude character, compared with the latter day work. The bags were then all made by hand, girls being employed for that purpose. The above firm is continued to exist for four years, when Mr. George purchased Mr. Ray's interest and continued to run the factory under his own name. Mr. Walter Shaffer became manager. At this time the business had increased, and they added another press to the printing department and some improved machinery in the bag making department. Mr. J. S. Dowell was salesman, and this arrangement was continued until 1892, when in April of that year Mr. T. H. Hammond succeeded Mr. Shaffer as manager, and in November of the same year the S. George Company was formed. S. George, President; J. S. Dowell, Secretary; T. H. Hammond, Treasurer, and S. George, Jr., superintendent. By this time the business had so increased that the following year after the company was formed it was necessary to add two more printing presses to their printing department and some more modern machinery to their bag manufacturing department; also a coating machine for coating paper, this latter industry having been a recent departure in the making of paper bags. Two years ago two more first-class printing presses were added, and it is necessary to have a force sufficient to run day and night. The total printed production of this firm is 12,000,000 sacks per year, and the production of paper 1,000 tons annually.
This firm ships sacks to Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Mr. Dowdell, Secretary, has been salesman for about 15 years, and holds some of the best trade in the country. He has his trade so well under his control that it is only necessary for the company to have the one salesman on the road.
Mr. T. H. Hammond, whose business capacity and knowledge has largely promoted the welfare of the company, is one of Wellsburg's prominent and promising young business men.
POWER HOUSE.
In this department there are three Cook boilers of 1.0 horse power each and a Buckeye engine with automatic cut off of 1.0 horse power.
ROPE DEPARTMENT.
This section of the mill consists of two large buildings with a capacity of 1,000 tons, packed to the roofs with raw material purchased from numerous gas fields and sea coasts. After the rope is cut it is taken into the rotary room.
WHERE THE ROPE IS COOKED.
In this room is a large rotary boiler with a capacity of ten ton. and the rope after being cut is placed in this boiler, and after a sufficient amount of lime and water is added to soften the fiber, after twelve hours cooking it passes into the beating engine rooms, where it is washed thoroughly and bleached to proper color for flour bags. After beating for ten or twelve hours, it is let down through valves and pipes to the cellar into large tanks, from which it is pumped up to the paper making machine, where it is made into rolls, the proper width and weight for the sacks required. From here it passes into the sak factory department.
In this room, which is on the second floor, the rolls of paper are run through a tubing machine and cut in the desired lengths for the various sizes of sacks made by this firm. The sacks are then printed before the bottoms are added. and after the printing is completed the bottoms are put on, the large amount of sacks printed requiring the use of three bottom machines to do the work. Each of these machines will bottom from 15,000 to 20,000 sacks a day, and are run steadily, one of the machines also being run at night. The white enameled papers pass through the enameling machine before they are run through the tubing machine.
This establishment employs 200 hands and many improvements are contemplated in the near future, which will largely increase their business.
GLASS MANUFACTORY.
The Standard Glass Works, which was built by Mr. George in the year 18--, and which manufactured all kinds of glass novelties for a number of years, was merged into the S. George Company in the year 1892, and is no longer known as the Standard, the paper mill, sack factory and glass establishment all being conducted under the firm name of the S. George Company.
The old factory was used for a number of years and was abandoned in - - - - and the business removed to their new factory, which occupies the site of the old window glass works.
This handsome new factory is sixty feet wide and 240 feet long, has four lehrs 60 feet in length, a 12-pot furnace and a glass tank with a capacity of 10 pots.
This establishment is engaged largely in the manufacture of lantern globes and fruit jars and employs about 150 hands.
Samuel George, Jr., is efficient manager, which bespeaks for this firm a large and increasing business.
Frank Glass Company.
The Frank Glass Works, which, like all great things, had a small beginning is to-day one of the prominent manufactories of this locality. Three years ago this industry that has contributed so much to the city's interests, made its debut in the small building, an illustration of which is given. The principal work at that time was Mason fruit jars and liners, but one small tank being used.
A few months afterwards another larger tank was put into use, and packers' supplies added to the business.
The products of the factory began to grow in demand. The company could not begin to fill the orders crowding in upon it, and that they might supply all demands, a larger factory was contemplated. After several unsuccessful efforts to procure additional room the company abandoned the small factory and bought the Dalzell factory, May, 1898, which had been idle since the Dalzell Company moved to Findlay, O., some years since. In this commodious factory, an illustration of which is given, the company is using three tanks of 18 pots capacity, and cannot yet supply the requirements of their patrons, and are contemplating a still greater increase of their ability to turn out glassware. This company make a specialty of opal, and make anything in that line, from a fruit jar liner to fine vases. Also tank flint glass is made into any kind of ware desired.
The business now being done by this firm amounts to from $50,000 to $75,000 per year, employing about one hundred hands.
The company was incorporated under the laws of the State of West Virginia, July 20, 1896.
The officers are E. C. Flaocus, President; Geo. W. Russell, Secretary and Treasurer, and James A. Frank, manager.
The gratifying proportions of this thriving industry are in a large measure due to the active energies of its promoters, who have used every honest effort to elevate it to its present position of success.
The gentlemen connected with this industry are leaders in business, charge reasonable prices for their product, and at all times conduct their affairs upon improved business principle, adding from time to time, such improvements as will best contribute to the satisfaction of their patrons.
A few months afterwards another larger tank was put into use, and packers' supplies added to the business.
The products of the factory began to grow in demand. The company could not begin to fill the orders crowding in upon it, and that they might supply all demands, a larger factory was contemplated. After several unsuccessful efforts to procure additional room the company abandoned the small factory and bought the Dalzell factory, May, 1898, which had been idle since the Dalzell Company moved to Findlay, O., some years since. In this commodious factory, an illustration of which is given, the company is using three tanks of 18 pots capacity, and cannot yet supply the requirements of their patrons, and are contemplating a still greater increase of their ability to turn out glassware. This company make a specialty of opal, and make anything in that line, from a fruit jar liner to fine vases. Also tank flint glass is made into any kind of ware desired.
The business now being done by this firm amounts to from $50,000 to $75,000 per year, employing about one hundred hands.
The company was incorporated under the laws of the State of West Virginia, July 20, 1896.
The officers are E. C. Flaocus, President; Geo. W. Russell, Secretary and Treasurer, and James A. Frank, manager.
The gratifying proportions of this thriving industry are in a large measure due to the active energies of its promoters, who have used every honest effort to elevate it to its present position of success.
The gentlemen connected with this industry are leaders in business, charge reasonable prices for their product, and at all times conduct their affairs upon improved business principle, adding from time to time, such improvements as will best contribute to the satisfaction of their patrons.
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Blankensop & Stingle.
Among the industrial enterprises in this city to which our attention has been directed is the foundry establishment of Blankensop & Stingle. The present foundry was erected by the Messers. R. and J. Hahn in 1884-5, was originally called the tari foundry and operated as a machine shop and foundry, and the Hahns selling out for a long time the main business was the manufacture of ploughs by the Everett & Blankensop firm in which they were quite successful, and in one shape or another, and in various ownerships, this concern has been operated pretty continuously and satisfactorily from the start and since February 1891, when the property was sold at commissioners sale and purchased by Blankensop & Stingle has been under their successful management.
There is no branch of business that is of such important interest to a growing country as that of converting iron into the thousands of shapes that have become ???? indispensable in the manufacture of various kinds of machinery used in the various glass houses, mills and every branch of industry.
The firm of Blankensop & Stingle is thoroughly equipped for any work that pertains to this line. The castings made by this firm cannot be excelled and they employ none but skilled mechanics. The work turned out by this establishment has always borne a high reputation, as the proprietors are personally practical men, who always take pride in having the products emanating therefrom perfect before leaving the works it has always been a point with this firm to fill all orders with promptness, thereby giving general satisfaction. This establishment makes a specialty of glass house work, and also carry on a general foundry work, and has the reputation of conducting all its business transactions in an honorable, straightforward manner. large contracts are received yearly from various houses throughout the country, and are given their most careful attention, which fact is responsible for this large and constantly increasing trade.
Mr. Stingle is a genial gentleman and since coming to Wellsburg has always been willing and ready to assist in any movement for the advancement of our city. He is now serving his second term in the City Council, at present being President of the First Branch. In July, 1898, he was elected President of the Board of Education, and in this connection is the right man in the right place. Mr. Stingle takes a great interest in our public schools, and is always ready to lend his assistance in any cause for the betterment of this educational institution.
Mr. Stingle has filled every office in the K. of P. Lodge respectively, and at present is acting in the capacity of treasurer, having held this office for the past five years. He is also a member of the Masonic order, and the Knights of the Maccabees, of Martin's Ferry.
Mr. Blankensop, one of the popular proprietors of this firm, is a native of Wellsburg, and has been connected with this foundry, one of Wellsburg's many flourishing manufacturing industries, since it was first established. By practical experience he has acquired a thorough knowledge of the business. He is a jolly, cordial gentleman and has many friends in Wellsburg.
There is no branch of business that is of such important interest to a growing country as that of converting iron into the thousands of shapes that have become ???? indispensable in the manufacture of various kinds of machinery used in the various glass houses, mills and every branch of industry.
The firm of Blankensop & Stingle is thoroughly equipped for any work that pertains to this line. The castings made by this firm cannot be excelled and they employ none but skilled mechanics. The work turned out by this establishment has always borne a high reputation, as the proprietors are personally practical men, who always take pride in having the products emanating therefrom perfect before leaving the works it has always been a point with this firm to fill all orders with promptness, thereby giving general satisfaction. This establishment makes a specialty of glass house work, and also carry on a general foundry work, and has the reputation of conducting all its business transactions in an honorable, straightforward manner. large contracts are received yearly from various houses throughout the country, and are given their most careful attention, which fact is responsible for this large and constantly increasing trade.
Mr. Stingle is a genial gentleman and since coming to Wellsburg has always been willing and ready to assist in any movement for the advancement of our city. He is now serving his second term in the City Council, at present being President of the First Branch. In July, 1898, he was elected President of the Board of Education, and in this connection is the right man in the right place. Mr. Stingle takes a great interest in our public schools, and is always ready to lend his assistance in any cause for the betterment of this educational institution.
Mr. Stingle has filled every office in the K. of P. Lodge respectively, and at present is acting in the capacity of treasurer, having held this office for the past five years. He is also a member of the Masonic order, and the Knights of the Maccabees, of Martin's Ferry.
Mr. Blankensop, one of the popular proprietors of this firm, is a native of Wellsburg, and has been connected with this foundry, one of Wellsburg's many flourishing manufacturing industries, since it was first established. By practical experience he has acquired a thorough knowledge of the business. He is a jolly, cordial gentleman and has many friends in Wellsburg.
