Submitted by Bonnie Blau.
The following information is taken from Morton Montgomery's History of Berks County, Pennsylvania (1909), pp. 185-192.
IRON INDUSTRIES: The industries at Reading engaged in the manufacture of iron articles before 1836 consisted entirely of blacksmith shops and they were limited in extent, like those we see still in the country districts to-day, employing at most several hands; but the introduction of the railroad stimulated iron works of various kinds. More and more from that time every year and for the past fifty years they have been the most prominent in the industrial life of Reading and exceeded the other establishments in furnishing constant employment to the greatest number of working-people. The P. & R. R. Company works and the Reading Iron Company works started practically together in the development of Reading and they are properly placed at the beginning of the description of the iron industries.
P. & R. R. Co. Works. The extensive works of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway company at Reading deserve special mention at the head of this part of the chapter detailing the industrial affairs of the city, on account of their continued existence here for the past seventy years, the large number of men constantly employed, and the large number of men constantly employed, and the immense amount of wages paid. The construction of the railway in 1836 immediately stimulated enterprises of various kinds, and caused large sums of money to be invested in manufacturing concerns. On that account not only capital but many mechanics concentrated here, and buildings multiplied rapidly to answer the demands of the increasing population.
The first large shop was erected in 1838 on the half block on the west side of Seventh street between Franklin and Chestnut streets, where it has continued until now, and each decade found the company with additional facilities for the manufacture and repair of engines and cars, and for the handling of freight not only in the vicinity of Seventh and Chestnut streets, but on both sides of the railroad, extending beyond Walnut street for nearly two miles. The total income to a large number of working-people of Reading from this source since 1836 exceeds $60,000,000, and it can be stated that a great proportion of the substantial growth of Reading in buildings, stores, factories, churches and schools is directly attributable to the company's disbursements here.
The possessions of the company at Reading are valued at an enormous sum; from which it is apparent that a considerable part of its receipts was also expended here in making large permanent improvements of the most substantial character. The principal office of the company at Reading is situated in the main railroad station at the conjunction of its several branches with the main line, and this has come to be the territorial center of the city. The aggregate number of hands employed in the offices and shops and on the railroads at Reading in December, 1908, was near 3,000; and the monthly wages exceeded $125,000, or a total for the year exceeding $1,500,000.
The present locomotive shops were built during 1901 and 1902, and their capacity was almost doubled during 1905 and 1906.
At the passenger station there were 2,452 trains during December, 1897; which carried 66,650 passengers to and from Reading; at the freight depots there were 4,193 trains which moved 167,700 cars; and the aggregate tonnage directly affecting local interests at the several freight depots was 127,000.
The following statistics are supplied in this connection for the year 1897 to give the reader an idea of the wonderful extent of the business done by the company at Reading: Passenger trains, 27,000; passengers carried, 800.000; freight trains over 50,000; freight cars moved, over 2,000,000; tonnage, 1,500,000; excursion passengers, 80,338. In 1908, these figures were exceeded.
Most of its mechanics in the several departments have been recognized during the last forty years, here and elsewhere, for their skill and efficiency' indeed so widespread has their reputation become that a statement in applying for work that they served their apprenticeship with the company, worked in its shops, operated an engine, or conducted a train, has been regarded as a sufficient recommendation. This can also be said of its clerks, many of whom have begun as messenger boys and risen to the highest positions of different departments. A considerable number of its employes have been in continuous service for thirty and forty, even fifty years. This feature of the history of the company is particularly noteworthy.
Reading Iron Company. The Reading Iron Company was organized Aug. 12, 1889, and purchased from the assignee of the Reading Iron Works its various plants, consisting of the Tube Works, Reading Rolling Mill, Scott Foundry, Sheet Mill and Steam Forge, nearly all of which have since been rehabilitated, enlarged in scope, and vastly improved in equipment.
The Keystone Furnace was acquired in 1889, and the Crumwold Furnace at Emaus in 1895. The Oley Street Rolling Mills were built in 1896 and the Ninth Street Rolling Mill (formerly the P. & R. Rail Mill) was added in 1896, and remodeled in 1899 and 1902. The Montour Rolling Mills at Danville (Built in 1845, and where, in October of that year. the first T rails in America were rolled) were acquired in 1895, and rebuilt in 1901. The Danville Puddle Mill was purchased and repaired in the early part of 1905. The present forge on North Ninth street was built and equipped with powerful machinery and electric cranes in 1901-02, and took the place of the old Steam Forge, built in 1850. The Scott Foundry (originally built in 1854, and where guns were made during the Civil war, as well as several since, including the Brown Segmental Wire Wound Gun) was rebuilt in 1905-06, and equipped (as are all the other plants) with modern, up-to-date machinery and appliances. The company owns and operated 7,538 acre of Coal lands in Somerset county, known as the Somerset Coal department, which supplies the various departments with bituminous coal.
The company owns a large interest in the Pennsylvania Steel Company, one of the largest independent steel companies in the United States.
The many separate departments of the company enable the management to control the manufacture from the assembling of the raw materials to their conversion into the finished article, the largest output of which is tubular goods, consisting of wrought-iron pipe, plain or galvanized, for gas, steam and water, charcoal iron and steel boiler tubes for locomotive and other uses; oil well casing and tubing, hydraulic and line pipe, etc., ranging from 1-8 inch to 20 inches in diameter.
The two Blast Furnaces have a total annual capacity of 180,000 gross tons of pig-iron and foundry-iron of superior quality, and the five distinct rolling-mill plants have an annual capacity of some 200,000 gross tons of finished rolled products, skelp, bar-iron, etc., in the manufacture of which the mills consume over 170,000 tons of their own puddle-bar. Cotton compressors, sugar mills, ordnance and general machinery are made at the Scott Foundry, and heavy marine, engine and general forgings, up to fifty tons, are made at the forge.
The Tube Works was the nucleus from which sprang this splendid aggregation of industrial plants. In 1836, Benneville KEIM, George M. KEIM, Simon SEYFERT and James WHITAKER, trading as KEIM, WHITAKER & Co., erected a rolling mill and nail factory, known as Reading Iron & Nail Works, at the foot of Seventh street, between the Schuylkill Canal and the Philadelphia & Reading railroad (which had just been constructed). It was here that the first large stationary engine in Berks county was introduced for driving machinery. Bar-iron was made in large quantities; also cut nails by twenty-six nail machines. The employes numbered 250. In 1846 the firm name was changed to SEYFERT, McMANUS & Co. (Simon SEYFERT, and his son Simon; John McMANUS, a railroad contractor , who had helped to build the Philadelphia & Reading railroad in the early forties; J. V. R. and Nicholas HUNTER, Horatio S. TREXLER, and a few other, were at various times members of the firm) and it so remained up to 1878, when the Reading Iron Works was incorporated. The first pipe-mill was built in 1848. Butt-weld pipe was made by the old tong process, drawing first one-half, and then the other, and lap-weld pipe was made shortly after, the edges of the skelp being then scarfed with sledge hammers; but these methods have since been greatly revolutionized. Charcoal iron tubes were made a few years later.
There has arisen from this modest beginning not only one of the largest independent tube works in the country, alone comprising nine mills, capable of producing 150,000 gross tons of tubular goods annually, but as well the many other important plants or departments above mentioned, some of which comprise several establishments in themselves.
The products of the company have an unrivaled reputation at home and abroad, and there is a constantly increasing demand for them in all sections of the world. The utmost care is exercised to maintain the highest standard of excellence in the various lines of manufacture. It is the largest industrial enterprise in Berks county; in fact, one of the most important in eastern Pennsylvania, and it employs in the neighborhood of 5,000 men.
The success of the Reading Iron Company is largely due to a few men. George F. BAER, president from 1889 to 1901 (now president of the P. & R. Ry. Co.), with the assistance of F. C. SMINK, formerly treasurer and general manager, now president, financed the company in a most conservative manner. With a small capital at their command, by careful, judicious and economical business management, judgement, and acumen, there have been created extensive plants and valuable assets with an aggregate value manifold in excess of the nominal capital upon which the company was founded. The rebuilding and reconstruction of the old plants and erection and creation of new ones, as well as the physical management of the various departments, have been and still remain under the personal and efficient direction of Mr. SCHUHMANN.
George F. BAER is chairman of the board; F. C. SMINK, president; George SCHUHMANN, vice-president and general manager; Frederick BUTLER, treasurer; George W. DELANEY, secretary.
Automobiles. The first automobile as a means of improved locomotion in the United States by the use of gasoline was made at Springfield, Mass., by Charles DURYEA in 1891. In February, 1900, he located at Reading, in Berks county, and established a plant on River Road at the foot of Elm street, for the purpose of building automobiles driven by gasoline. He organized a company and carried on the business for about seven years, in which time the company built over 300 cars. They were named "Duryea" and disposed of successfully, but the capitalists associated with him having declined to advance the necessary money to carry on the plant more extensively in order to meet increasing competition, the further operation of this new enterprise at Reading under the management of Mr. DURYEA was suspended. He was then succeeded by the Middleby Auto Company, which had started a similar enterprise and manufactured an automobile which was named the "Middleby." The plant has been made very successful, turning out weekly a number of popular cars, and affording employment to upward of 70 men.
About or shortly before this time, James L. ECK (who was engaged in manufacturing knitting machines) began the manufacture of automobiles driven by steam, in a limited manner, and disposed of several cars.
Soon after, James C. REBER also engaged in the enterprise (having previously for some years been very prominently identified with the manufacture of bicycles) by organizing the Acme Motor Car Company, and he produced a popular car, called the "Acme." He carried on the plant until 1904; then it passed through several ownerships until 1907, when it was purchased by H. M. STERNBERGH and he has been at the head of the company since, giving the car great popularity throughout the country. The plant employs from 125 to 150 hands and produces annually about one hundred large and powerful cars, driven by gasoline.
The relay Bicycle Company was also changed by Henry C. ENGLAND into the Relay Motor Company for the manufacture of automobiles, and the plant was carried on several years.
Arthur H. YOKUM and his father, George Y. YOKUM, started manufacturing the "Speed-well" automobile and motor engines in 1904. Since then they have enlarged their plant and formed a company with Isaac HOLLENBACH and J. S. HORNBERGER as partners, trading as A. H. YOKUM & Co. They employ upward of 20 hands.
The following parties manufacture parts relating to the automobile:
Automobile Frames.
Bicycles. The manufacture of bicycles was a large and well-conducted business at Reading for about ten years, from 1890 to 1900, and thousands of bicycles were shipped to all parts of the world, which gave Reading a reputation in this line of business equal to any other place; then it began to decline gradually until now there is only one establishment actively engaged in the business, the Reading Standard Manufacturing Company, of which the active spirit since 1896 has been William F. REMPPIS. Several parties who are engaged in repairing bicycles also manufacture them in limited quantities: RHODE Brothers, John G. NEUBLING, and James MAYO (who had been in the business at Pottstown for seventeen years and became the successor of Charles T. HECKLER after his decease.
Boiler Works. West Reading Boiler Works was started in 1870 by Enos M. REAZOR, and he was succeeded in 1878 by STERLING, WEIDNER & Co.; in 1894 by Thomas K. DALZELL, and in 1901 by Jacob S. PEIPHER (Reading Scale and Machine Company). In this department of the works 25 men are employed.
Penn Boiler Works was started in 1883, and is now carried on by Hiram P. YEAGER with 10 men and upward.
ORR & SEMBOWER, who started in business in 1884 and moved to Millmont in 1891, are also engaged in the manufacture of boilers in connection with engines, employing upward of 100 hands.
Bolt and Nut Works. J. H. STERNBERGH located at Reading in 1865 and established a large bolt and nut works which he carried on in a very successful manner until 1899, employing upward of 700 men; then the American Iron & Steel Company became the owner and has since operated the plant in a very successful manner with James LORD as president and J. L. SWAYZE as the local manager, employing from 600 to 800 hands. The principal office of this company is situated at Lebanon, where a similar large plant is operated.
Car Wheels. In 1907, the Reading Car Wheel Company was organized and incorporated by certain persons from Buffalo, N. Y., for the manufacture at Reading of chilled iron wheels for street and steam railway cars, and the plant has been operated successfully until now. H. H. HEWITT has been the president from the beginning, and the plant employs from 50 to 75 men, and turns out daily upwards of 200 wheels.
Chain Block Works. Herman P. ROEPER established a hoist works at Reading in 18965, and in 1904 sold the department relating to the manufacture of chain blocks to F. H. HOWARD, of New York, who then incorporated a company for this special branch of business, and it has been carried on since in a successful manner, employing from 25 to 40 hands.
J. G. SPEIDEL has also been engaged in the manufacture of chain blocks since 1896, in connection with other specialties such as cranes, tramways, elevators, dumb-waiters, etc., and in his establishment employs from 20 to 40 hands.
Coal Buckets. George FOCHT began the manufacture of iron coal buckets or tubs for the loading and unloading of coal on and from canal-boats, and he was succeeded by WARREN & ADDISON and from 1893 to 1908 by Robert D. SEIDEL, who then sold the factory to B. Franklin BIEHL; and BIEHL has operated it since, employing from 6 to 10 hands.Coke Ovens. The American Coke and Gas Construction Company was incorporated in 1903 as a branch of a large New York enterprise for the manufacture of by-product coke-ovens, according to the "United-Otto-Coke-System," and has since operated a plant a Reading employing from 35 to 40 hands on Court street, below Second.
Crane and Hoist Works. In 1888, John G. SPEIDEL began the manufacture of hoisting machinery and has continued in the business until the present time, excepting for two years, from 1894 to 1896, when Herman P. ROEPER was a partner. In his iron works he also manufactures tramways, elevators, chain-blocks, etc., which are sent to all parts of the country. He employs from 20 to 40 hands.
Herman P. ROEPER, under the name of Reading Crane and Hoist Works, since 1896 has been engaged in the manufacture of overhead tramways, elevators, hoisting machinery, etc., which he has forwarded to all parts of this country and foreign countries. He employs from 20 to 50 hands.
Die Works.The American Die & Tool Company was organized at Wilmington, Del., in 1894, for the manufacture of tools, dies and special machinery, and removed to Reading in 1901; incorporated under the laws of Pennsylvania in 1906, with a capital of $60,000, and employs upward of 80 men. C. S. DUNDORE is the secretary, treasurer, and general manager of the company, and the others associated with him are J. H. STERNBERGH and H. M. STERNBERGH. Their product is shipped to all parts of the country. This is an important industry at Reading for its exceptional productions.
Elevators. John G. SPEIDEL and Herman P. ROEPER have been engaged separately in the manufacture of elevators since 1896; also Adam W. HAAG (under the name of A. W. HAAG & Co.) in connection with the manufacture of milling machinery, and he employs 15 hands.
Engines and Boiler Works. In 1884, W. Harry ORR and Clarence H. SEMBOWER, trading as ORR & SEMBOWER, began the manufacture of vertical, horizontal and hoisting engines, and vertical and horizontal boilers at Second and Pine streets, but their business developed so rapidly that by the year 1891 they were obliged to remove into larger quarters, which they established at Millmont, in Cumru township. Since then they have been very successful, their productions being sent to all parts of the world. A corporation was formed in 1899 with a capital of $150,000. They employes number 250. W. Harry ORR has been the treasurer and general manager from the beginning, and Mr. SEMBOWER the president.
The Reading Oil and Gas Engine Company, A. H. YOKUM & Company and John G. XANDER are also engaged in manufacturing steam engines.
Expansion Steam Joints.William KING embarked in the business of manufacturing expansion steam joints and has been successfully engaged until the present time, employing 40 to 60 hands.
Fences. The first to engage in the business of manufacturing plain and ornamental iron fences at Reading was Louis NENDOERFFER, who began before 1860 and continued until his decease in 1884, when he was succeeded by his son Frederick, and Frederick carried on the business for twenty years. William L. REMPPIS has also carried on this branch of business in his large establishment since 1896; and William L. KIEFER, in his works since 1895.
Fire Escapes. William F. REMPPIS began manufacturing ornamental iron work at Reading in 1885, in a small frame building and by the year 1892 his trade had developed to such an extent that he was obliged to erect a large brick building and he has continued actively engaged in the business until the present time. He employs from 40 to 70 hands. Besides carrying on the manufacture of fire escapes extensively, he supplies plain and ornamental iron work, stairways, elevator enclosures, railings, window guards, grill-work, etc.
William L. KIEFER has been engaged in a similar business in a successful manner at Reading since 1895, and employs from 15 to 30 hands.
Foundries. A number of iron foundries at Reading are carried on in connection with established works of various kinds, such as the Reading Iron Company, the P. & R. R.. Company, the Hardware Works and the Stove Works, but are used entirely in carrying on their own business. There are three foundries which take in outside work as a regular business; The Gray Iron Foundry Company (A. L. FRAME), which employs 15 to 25 molders for all kinds of small castings; the Reading Scale and Machine Company (Jacob S. PEIPHER), which employs 15 to 20 molders for heavy and light castings of all kinds, and MOHN & KERSHNER (W. H. MOHN & E. L. KERSHNER), who embarked in the general foundry business in 1908 (in the plant of the National Brass Works), and manufacture all kinds of small castings for the trade here and elsewhere, employing from 50 to 75 hands.
Hardware. Hardware of all kinds, for building and other purposes, has been produced t Reading for upward for fifty years, and the works have been very prominently identified with the welfare and development of Reading. Three large plants are carried on, the Reading Hardware Company (founded by the HARBSTERs and their brother-in-law, William M. GRISCOM), the Penn Hardware Company (founded by the HEIZMANN Brothers), and the CHANTRELL Tool Company; and they together employ about 2,500 hands.
Reading Hardware Works. In 1851, William HARBSTER established a blacksmith shop at the foot of Sixth street for general blacksmith work, and in 1852 his brothers Matthan and John became associated with him, under the name of HARBSTER Brothers, for the manufacture of builders' hardware, such as locks, bolts, fasteners, latches, etc., when they erected a foundry. Shortly afterward their brother-in-law, William M. GRISCOM, became associated with them as a partner, and they then traded as HARBSTER Brothers & Co. until 1872, when the name was changed to Reading Hardware Company. As their business increased their plant was gradually enlarged until by 1895 and by that time the establishment covered five acres of ground, all substantial buildings, three and four stories high, with their employes numbering nearly 1,000 and the annual wages paid exceeding $100,000. Their productions included all kinds and styles of hardware, both plain and ornamental, and these came to be shipped to all parts of the world. Their trade was largely increased by making a specialty of furnishing all the necessary hardware in the construction of large hotels and office buildings at New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco and other large cities in this country and foreign countries, their unique and artistic designs in fine bronze obtaining the preference with the most prominent architects and builders, in this behalf they established branch offices in the cities named. Their volume of business for some years has exceeded a million dollars, the numbers of employes 1,500, and the annual wages $500,000, which truly evidences the wonderful development of this great industrial establishment from an ordinary blacksmith shop, and its importance and influence in the history of Reading during the last fifty years. Its productions have been displayed at all the great expositions in the United States and Europe, and their superiority was recognized by the awarding of medals and diplomas.
The business was incorporated in 1886. In 1887, the greater part of the plant was destroyed by fire, but it was immediately rebuilt and much improved in arrangement and equipment, making it one of the finest industrial plants in the United States.
The officers of the corporation are: Matthan HARBSTER, president; William M. GRISCOM, vice president; S. Y. REIGNER, treasurer (since 1903 and also secretary since 1907); and John ER. HARBSTER has been the manager for upward of twenty years.
Penn Hardware Works. In 1877, C. Raymond HEIZMANN and his brother Albert A. HEIZMANN began the manufacture of builders' hardware and specialties of all kinds, at the foot of Spruce street between the canal and river and, like the foregoing, grew in size and importance until their plant came to cover several acres of ground, their employes number 1,000 and their annual wages to exceed a quarter of a million dollars. Their goods likewise have found a market all over the world. A nail department was added in 1898.
The business was incorporated under the name of Penn Hardware Company in 1896. The officers of the company are: C. Raymond HEIZMANN, president; Theodore I. HEIZMANN, vice-president; W. A. HEIZMANN, treasurer; and I. S. ERMENTROUT, secretary.
The Reading Saddle Manufacturing Company also manufacture large quantities of hardware specialties, cast-hammers, hatchets, ice-picks, shears, pincers, pulleys, can openers, glue pots, vises, clamps, tongs, etc. A specialty is made of nickel-plating. The plant is at Nos. 316-320 Maple street. The company employs 60 hands. It was incorporated in 1900.
CHANTRELL Hardware and Tool Company (Inc.) was organized in 1888 (being named after John CHANTRELL, an Englishman who designed certain improved tools) and the business was conducted successfully on Seventh street near Chestnut for several years, when the plant was removed to Millmont, where large brick buildings were erected to meet the demands of increasing trade. The company manufactures screw drivers, mail pullers, and some hardware specialties, but its principal line is builders' hardware, consisting of locks and design goods. It has a large domestic and foreign trade. Hands employed, 165. Harry C. SHAABER has been manager since 1903.
Knitting Machinery. James L. ECK located in Reading in 1891 and engaged in the manufacture of Knitting machines after a pattern made with improvements designed and patented by himself, being a "new improved 15-16 automatic and plain seamless machine," and known as the "Boss"; and in 1898 he established a factory at Reed and Elm streets. He has continued in a successful manner until the present time, employing from 30 to 50 hands, and turning out about 600 machines annually. In 1898 he built the first steam automobile in Reading and operated it successfully.
Windsor Knitting Machine Works. The Windsor Machine Company was incorporated in 1903 with a capital of $100,000 for the manufacture of full-automatic split-foot machines and full-automated striping machines, as a specialty, and a large trade has been developed, the machines being sent to all parts of this country, and from 70 to 80 hands are employed. John B. HIPWELL is president of the company; George D. HORST, secretary-treasurer; and William W. HOUT, manager.
Lawn-mowers. The manufacture of lawn-mowers is included with the hardware specialties of the Reading Hardware Works.
The American Die and Tool Company is also engaged in their manufacture.
Machine Specialties.
A number of shops and factories are carried on constantly for the manufacture of specialties in the line of machinery and they employ from several to a dozen hands:
Motor Cycles.In 1896, William F. REMPPIS organized the Reading Standard Manufacturing Company for the manufacture of the "Reading Standard" bicycles, and this company has since carried on the business very extensively, shipping thousands of its bicycles to all parts of the country and the world. In 1903, the company began the manufacture of motor cycles, with the same name, and this branch has also become very successful. In 1908, the company produced 2,700 of them, and for the year 1909 has arranged to produce from 4,00 to 4,500. Over 6,000 bicycles were manufactured in 1908. From 300 to 400 hands are employed. B. Frank ROYER, of Philadelphia, is president of the company, and Mr. REMPPIS is general manager.
Motor Engines. Arthur H. YOCUM designed a special engine for automobiles which has become very popular, and since 1904 he has been manufacturing many of them, having formed a company with his father, George Y. YOCUM, and traded under the name of A. H. YOCUM & Co.
Nails. The Penn Hardware Co. manufactures great quantities of nails in connection with general builders' hardware. This was one of the iron products of SEYFERT, McMANUS & Co. and their successor, the Reading Iron Company, for many years.
Pipes and Tubes.A large and principal department of the extensive Reading Iron Works is the manufacture of large quantities of wrought-iron pipes and tubes, of various sizes; which is mentioned in connection with the description of the Reading Iron Company.
Plumbing Supplies. J. W. VAN METER began making plumbers' supplies at Reading in 1907, and after a year was succeeded by W. S. COOPER, of Philadelphia. He employs from 45 to 50 hands, his plant being established in the old JOHNSON foundry at Eighth and Chestnut streets.
Radiator Works. In 1883, Daniel L. ADAMS began the manufacture of steam and hot water radiators and boilers at No. 212 South Eighth streets, Reading, and continued the business at that place until 1892, when the plant was removed to a larger and much improved building along the Lebanon Valley railroad at Front street, and there it has continued until the present time with increasing success. In 1896 he organized and incorporated a company under the name of Reading Radiator Company. Its radiators and boilers are shipped to all parts of the country. The employes number 110. Mr. ADAMS has been the manager of the works from the beginning, and Grant NAGLE has been the secretary and treasurer since 1897.
Razors. Frederick H. ARNOLD of Reading designed and patented a fountain-pen safety-razor, and then organized a company for its extensive manufacture. The company was incorporated in 1907, and capitalized at $200,000; and it has been successful in shipping its razors to all parts of the world. It employs 25 hands, and is located at Third and Buttonwood streets. The officers are; Edward C. NOLAN, president; John H. KEPPELMAN, secretary and treasurer; Robert B. LANCE, manager.
Rotary Meters. The Rotary Meter Co. of New York City established a plant at Reading in 1906 for the manufacture of large gas consumers who wish to measure their consumption. It is the only industry of the kind in the United States, and its product is shipped to all parts of North and South America. These meters weigh from seventy-five to 5 tons. Hands employed, from 6 to 8. Charles T. MAYERS has been the superintendent here. It is located at Seventh and Franklin streets in a portion of the P. & R. R. Co., shop.
Scales. In 1845, Levi K. MOHR and Andrew DEHART began manufacturing large scales, establishing a factory at the corner of Cherry and Carpenter streets. DEHART retired in 1850 and MOHR carried on the business until 1872. Different parties occupied the plant in the production of scales with turbine water-wheels and general machinery until 1887k, when the Reading Scale and Machine Company was organized by Jacob S. PEIPHER, Levi M. FRANCIS, and J. L. BALLOCH, and this company continued their manufacture in connection with engines and boilers. The plant was removed to the foot of Chestnut street in 1903 and PEIPHER became the sole proprietor. He has continued the manufacture of scales, engines, boilers, etc., in large quantities until the present time, employing from 50 to 75 hands.
Levi M. FRANCIS, who was connected with this company for a number of years, is also engaged in the manufacture of large scales on order.
Shears. In 1895, the Wilkinson Shear Co. was incorporated for the manufacture of shears of all kinds for shearing sheep, horses, grass, and hedge, and located a plant at Ninth and Bingaman streets, where the business was continued in a successful manner until 1903, when the plant was removed to a new and improved building erected by the company on Laurel street, below Fifth. The trade extends to all parts of the country, and 30 hands are employed. The company also produces scythes for cutting grain, grass, and bushes. The officers are: John KUTZ , president; Cyrus G. DERR, treasurer; and Philip BUSHONG, secretary.
The KEISER Manufacturing Comp[any (David H. KEISER) produces shears, besides metal fixtures, he having been connected with the Wilkinson Shear Company for a number of years. His plant is situated in West Reading.
D. P. HARRIS and Samuel MONROE of New York City, and W. M. SILLHART and Melot DEAM, or Reading, associated together and established the Penn Shear Works at Reading in 1904, for the manufacture of shears of all kinds, and since then have produced large quantities which have been shipped to all parts of the country. They employ 5 hands.
Sheet Iron Made in great quantities by the Reading Iron Company in its sheet-mill, which is situated along the Schuylkill river between Chestnut and Spruce streets. This mill became the property of the Reading Iron Works (afterward the Reading Iron Co.) in a865. It had been put up several years before by LAUTH, BERG, & Co. as an individual enterprise.
Special Machinery. In the year 1901, Messrs. W. D. MOHN, Austin RIEGNER and Robert REIGNER, of Mohnton located at Reading for the manufacture of special machinery, established a plant at Cherry and Carpenter streets (where the Reading Scale & Machine Company had been), and have since carried on the business under the name of W. D. MOHN & Co. They employ 10 men.
Steel Cabinets. This new product is manufactured by the KEISER Manufacturing Company in connection with sheep shears, in its plant at the west end of the Penn street bridge, opposite Reading; which is mentioned in the description of the Borough of West Reading in Chapter XI.
Steel Works. CARPENTER Steel Company. James H. CARPENTER located in Reading in the year 1889 and with the aid of New York capitalists organized a steel company for the manufacture of armor-piercing projectiles for the Unites States government. A large plant was established along the Pennsylvania Schuylkill Valley railroad at the foot of Exeter street and in 1890 the company began to supply the government with large numbers of projectiles ranging in diameter from four inches to thirteen inches, and weighing from a few pounds to half a ton, and continued to furnish them for nearly ten years, when the plant was gradually changed to the manufacture of commercial crucible steel of a superior character, for which a large trade has been developed. This plant is one of the largest and most important in Reading, and employs from 600 to 1,000 hands, which evidences the importance and value to the community of this local enterprise. The company was reorganized in 1904 with a capital of $1,200,000. The officers are Robert E. JENNINGS, president; W. B. KUNHARDT, secretary and treasurer and general manager.
Reading Steel Casting Company. In 1906 the Reading Steel Casting Company was incorporated with a capital of $125,000 for the manufacture of steel castings for the general trade and then purchased the Brylgon Steel Works at the foot of Lafayette street for its plant, and it has since carried on a very successful business, employing 150 hands. Arrangements are now being made to double the capacity of the plant to meet the increasing demands for its product. The officers of the company are W. D. SEARGENT, president; D. W. YECKLEY, secretary-treasurer; and J. Turner MOORE, vice president and general manager.
Stoves and Heaters Made in great quantities by the Reading Stove Works, the Mt. Penn Stove Works, and the PRIZER-PAINTER Stove and Heater Works (the last situated at Millmont opposite Reading), which are sold to all parts of the world.
Reading Stove Company. In the year 1866, Jesse ORR, John R. PAINTER, Peter W. NAGLE, William H. SCHICK, Jasper SHELER and Charles EGOLF associated together under the name of ORR, PAINTER & Company for the manufacture of stoves, furnaces and heaters of all kinds, and located their foundry on Canal street, between Chestnut and Spruce streets, beginning with fourteen molders. They carried on the business in a very successful manner with increasing success for twenty years, when they became incorporated under the name :The Reading Stove Works, ORR, PAINTER & Co.," with a capital of $400,000. The business has been so developed that branch offices have been established in different parts of the United States, at the large cities, Philadelphia, New York, Boston, Buffalo, and Chicago , for the distribution of their productions. For a number of years this company supplied the Postal Department of the United States with the postal boxes for the street collection. The employe number from 275 to 300. Daniel F. PRINTZ has been the president since 1902, and Edgar AMOLE the secretary and treasurer since 1900.
Mt. Penn Stove Company. William M. STAUFFER was connected with ORR, PAINTER & Co, from 1869 to 1881 and then retired from the firm for the purpose of organizing another stove company in Reading and with John McKNIGHT established a plant along the Lebanon Valley railroad at Third street. In a882, a company was incorporated by them under the name of Mount Penn Stove Company and this company has conducted a successful business since then, enlarging the plant and increasing the employes as they developing trade demanded. They manufacture superior stoves and heaters and their trade extends throughout the country. They employ from 100 to 125 hands. M. Brayton McKNIGHT was one of the organizers with his father, and served the company as secretary and treasurer from 1882 to 1907, when he was succeeded by his nephews, John R. McKNIGHT as the treasurer, and William R. SCHAEFFER, as the secretary, and he became the president.
PRIZER-PAINTER Stove and Heater Company. ORR, PAINTER & Co. established a large stove works in Millmont as an addition to their plant at Reading, to meet the demands of their trade, and it was used by them until 1899, when a new company was formed and incorporated by the name of PRIZER, PAINTER Stove & Heater Company, with a capital of $350,000l for the manufacture of stoves and heaters of all kinds and sizes, and this company then became the owner and has carried it on successfully until the present time. They employ 150 hands, and have a large trade. The officers are C. S. PRIZER, president; E. T. PAINTER, vice president; R. L. McCALL, treasurer; and W. W. LIGHT, secretary.
Last Modified