Meadville Manufacturers & Factories 1871

Manufacturing Interests.

MEADVILLE WOOLEN MILLS.

There is no Manufacturing establishment in Meadville, which has enjoyed more notoriety—which has seen more of the great and small things in business, or upon which has been expended more mechanical and business ability, than the Meadville Woolen Mills.

The works are owned and managed by our esteemed townsmen, H. S. & F. W. Huidekoper.

The mill is now making double and twist Cassimeres for the New York, Philadelphia and Boston markets, in each of which Cities their goods are sold, in competition with the Harris and Blackington Cassimeres. For their extensive home trade, they make an endless variety of Fancy Cassimeres, Flannels and Blankets.

The Office, Salesroom, and Wool Room, are in a three-story brick building, on Chestnut St., and in the rear, fronting on Center, are the Mill and adjoining buildings.

The arrangements of the Mill are complete; the machinery is new and of the best, and not a machine is wanting to make it a first-class manufactory. An average of 75 hands are employed, with an aggregate pay-roll of $40,000 per annum.

The production is about 5,000 yards of goods per week; the yearly production reaching about $250,000.

MEADVILLE AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT WORKS.

This large establishment, located upon the southern border of the city on the line of the railroad, was established December 29, 1868, under the Act of the Legislature of the State, entitled “An Act relating to Corporations for Mechanical, Manufacturing, Mining, and Quarrying purposes,” approved July 18, 1863, by a company composed chiefly of enterprising citizens of Meadville, and is devoted to the manufacture of Agricultural Implements. The capital invested is $100,000. It employs about 70 hands—the last monthly pay-roll exceeding $2,600.
The business during the present year is the manufacture of the "Atlantic” and “Kniffen” Mower and Reaper, of which five are turned out daily. This Company are the sole manufacturers of the LL Atlantic” Mower, which is considered one of the best machines made. As a reaper of side delivery it is acknowledged to have no superior. During the coming year the Company expect to make a Hay-loader, Rake, and other implements, in addition to their Mowers and Reapers. The short time the Works have been in operation makes it impossible to give the, exact yearly production, but we are pleased to record the fact that their business has been steadily on the increase since going into operation, and it is confidently expected to double or treble during the coining year.

DICK FOUNDRY AND MACHINE WORKS.

There is no manufacturing establishment in Meadville that commands more respect or, upon which has been expended more mechanical and business ability than Dick Foundry and Machine Works.

The former member of the firm, David Dick, Esq., has the reputation as an inventor which is world-wide; as a gentleman of profound scientific attainments he has few equals.

The works were established in 1864, by the former firm, Dick, Fisk & Co., (now Dick & Co.) and is located near the south end of Water St., on the railroad. The whole works have the capacity for the employment of 30 to 40 hands. Five tons daily, or 600 tons of metal are consumed annually. Castings of all kinds are manufactured, including Railroad, Rolling Mill and Coal-bank Castings, and almost every description of machinery, such as Steam Engines, and Mill Works, Shafting and Pulleys, of all sizes, Torpedo Cases, for exploding in oil wells, and machinery for oil wells, of every description. The capital invested is $300,000.

Enough has been said to show that Dick Foundry and Machine Works is a concern of more than ordinary importance, both as regards its connection with the prosperity of Meadville, and its excellence as an institution which supplies a special line of manufactures with better machinery than can be procured elsewhere.

SAYER & CO., PLANING MILL.

This concern, situated on corner of South Main and Willow Streets, was established in 1865 by the former firm, Halstead & Co., (now Sayer & Co.)

Its products consist of Doors, Sash and Blinds, Window and Door Frames, Mouldings, Flooring, Siding, Pickets and Fence Railing, &c., &c.

An average of 15 men are employed, with all aggregate pay-roll of $7,000 per annum. Amount of capital invested, $25,000.
The buildings of the concern are large and substantial. Upon the whole, Sayer & Co. are one of the most reliable business firms in Meadville, and a very valuable addition to the manufacturing interests.

EAGLE FOUNDRY AND MACHINE WORKS.

This prominent and well established firm, though old in years, lacks nothing in energy and enterprise, ranking among the best and most substantial works of the kind in Pennsylvania.
It is situated on Pine Street, upon the canal, just south of the canal bridge, and has been in constant operation for upwards of thirty years.

Its proprietor, Geo. B. Sennett, is one of the finest mechanics in the country, and one of our most active and enterprising manufacturers.

An average of 40 men are employed, making an aggregate pay-roll of $25,000. per annum.

Castings of all kinds are here manufactured. Driving Pipe, for Oil Wells, Plows, &c.; of the latter 500 are made yearly. The Continental Brick Machine is also manufactured at these works.
Upon the whole, Eagle Foundry and Machine Works are one of the most reliable business firms in our city.

THOMAS & HARPER’S, SASH AND BLIND FACTORY.

Located south of Dock Street on Railroad. Its products consist of Sash, Blinds and Doors; also an extensive business is done in Planing, Matching, and Scroll Sawing. The individual members of the firm are William Thomas and W. S. Harper, both mechanics of a superior grade. Amount of capital invested $20,000. Twenty hands are employed, making an aggregate pay-roll of $12,000 per annum.

It is a model establishment reflecting credit upon its owners and a very valuable adjunct to the industrial resources of Meadville.

A. McMICHAEL’S CARRIAGE FACTORY

Tins prominent and well established firm ranks among the best and most substantial Carriage Manufacturers in North Western Pennsylvania. The foundation of the present extensive works was first laid in Woodcock borough, but the demand being greater than the facilities, in 1866 Mr. McMichael moved to Meadville, where, with due energy, care and perseverance, his work has claimed its present standing.

The amount of capital invested in the works is about $15,000. An average of 15 men are employed making an aggregate pay roll of $8,000 per annum.

150 buggies, 50 sleighs and 75 wagons are turned out yearly. In short there is not a more reliable manufacturing establishment in Meadville.

DUNN’S CARRIAGE FACTORY.

This extensive and well known establishment, is situated on the corner of Water and Poplar streets, formerly known as J. A. Dunn & Co.; now as Milton Dunn, previously the Junior member of the firm of J. A. Dunn & Co. An average of 20 men are employed at an aggregate expense of $12,500 per annum. Amount of capital invested $25,000. The capacity of the works is about 200 carriages, 75 sleighs and 100 spring and market wagons; all of a superior manufacture, not surpassed for elegance, beauty and durability in Northwestern Pennsylvania.

STAVE FACTORY.

This concern is situated on the lower end of Dock Street, on the bank of French Creek, formerly known as Horace Cullum’s Barrel Factory. The individual members of the firm are C. S. Cullum and Clinton Cullum, under the name of C. S. Cullum & Co. An average of 15 men are employed, at an aggregate expense of $6,000 per year. Amount of capital invested $8,000. The staves manufactured are shipped mostly to Cleveland and other points west. A large number of sugar hogsheads of a superior quality arc manufactured for New York parties. Upon the whole C. S. Cullum & Co., form a very important part in the industrial pursuits of Meadville.

Directory of Crawford County, PA for 1871-72