AREA HISTORY: Manufacturing Interests, Borough of York, York County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/york/ _______________________________________________ History of York County, Pennsylvania. John Gibson, Historical Editor. Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886. _______________________________________________ MANUFACTURING INTERESTS – Page 564 York is now known as a manufacturing town of great importance, a feature given to it largely through the enterprising spirit of many of her citizens within the past third of a century. It is impossible to note all the manufacturing enterprises which have existed. Maj. William Bailey, the gallant soldier of the Revolution, made copper stills in abundance in York, a century ago. There was then great demand for them. Gen. Michael Doudel, Jacob Doudel and John Welsh, of the same period, had tanneries. John Fisher, Elisha Kirk and Godfrey Lenhart made the old style clocks. Charles Barnitz had a brewery; John Wahl owned a distillery; a half dozen gunsmiths and silversmiths complete the list of manufacturers in the town during the Revolutionary period. Phineas Davis and James Webb, in 1819, started the first large iron foundry and furnace in York. It was located on the corner of Newberry and King Streets. A full description of this will be found in an article in this book on the “Early Iron Industries of York County.” They employed quite a number of men. The railroad company’s shops, near the depot, continued there for a quarter of a century, and then were removed to Baltimore. Ilgenfritz & White did a large business in the manufacture of railroad cars, at the foot of Beaver Street. On the same site Michael Schall, who built and owns the Empire Car Works, has manufactured cars in large numbers within the past twenty years. The Billmyer & Small Company, founded by H. Small & Sons in 1847, and changed to Billmyer & Small in 1857, began that year to manufacture cars, and have since continued, regularly employing a great many men. They recently built large works in East York. David E. Small, a great-great-grandson of Lorenz, great-grandson of Killian, grandson of Joseph, and son of Henry Small, was born December 3, 1824, and died March 25, 1883. He was one of the most enterprising and public spirited men that York has known. At the age of thirteen, he left York County Academy, and entered the store of his father’s cousins, P. A. & S. Small, and became one of the family of Samuel Small. He rose from one position to another, and under the protecting care and wise counsel of his employers, soon learned the important principles of a prosperous business career. In 1845 he engaged with his father in the lumber business, and two years later the firm became H. Small & Sons. In 1852, he entered into a partnership with Charles Billmyer, for the manufacture of railway cars in York, at which business they greatly prospered. In 1853, while conducting a gentleman through the shops, his clothing caught in rapidly revolving machinery, from which accident he lost his right arm. He, however, resumed business in a few weeks. Upon the death of Mr. Billmyer, the firm became The Billmyer & Small Co., and Mr. Small was its president. He became a prominent stockholder in the Pennsylvania Railroad, and in 1874 was appointed on a special committee to examine and report the condition of that road and all its branches. He was elected president of the First National Bank of York, in 1867, and continued as such until December, 1876. Mr. Small was an earnest and consistent advocate of temperance, and wielded a powerful influence for good in any cause or enterprise he supported. He filled a great many responsible positions, and had a wonderful faculty for the transaction of business. He was chosen president of the York Gas Company, director in the York Water Company, director in the Lochiel & Wrightsville Iron Works, a member of the York School Board, trustee of the York County Academy, Collegiate Institute, Orphan’s Home and York Hospital, and president of the Y. M. C. A. of York. In the year 1876, his nervous system gave way and from that time to his death he never fully recovered his health. He was an active member of the Presbyterian Church. The York Rolling mill was established in the winter of 1868, by Jacob Jamison, Hon. F. H. Hughes, C. M. Nes and Henry Kraber, the last two gentlemen being residents of York. In 1869 the company was chartered by the State as the York County Iron Company, with W. W. Wickes, president; L. T. Rossiter, secretary and treasurer, and Henry Kraber, vice-president and superintendent. The works were then enlarged, with the intention of making steel rails, which was changed to the manufacture of steel, bar and car iron, the business subsequently being chiefly the manufacture of rails with steel top, which business did not prosper, and the works were for a number of years idle. In March, 1881, Samuel Trescott, M. S. Shuman and J. W. Steacy bought the works from the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company, and commenced operation. Trescott sold his interest the same year to M. Schall, the firm being the Schall Steacy & Co. They manufactured muck bars or puddle iron, and subsequently manufactured bar iron, supplying the car shops and the trade through the Baltimore markets. In October, 1881, Mr. Shuman sold his interest to John Q. Denney, of Harrisburg, and the present firm of Schall, Steacey & Denney was founded. They remodeled the works, enlarging and adding a number of furnaces and new machinery, and are now making plate iron exclusively. The firm is in a prosperous condition, and employ about 200 hands on full time. They finish 900 tons of finished iron monthly, and 650 tons of puddling iron per month. Wambaugh’s Agricultural Works, a dozen or more years ago, were an important industry in West York. The York Manufacturing Company, near the corner of Penn and Market Streets, was established in 1874, by a stock company. In 1878 Jacob Loucks became president; G. W. S. Loucks, secretary, and John Flook, superintendent. In 1881 the entire business passed into the hands of Jacob Loucks & Son. The organ factory, in East York, is now quite a prominent industry, and large numbers of them are sold. J. O. Weaver has been in the business since 1873. There are a number of large carriage manufactories, among them those of Phineas Palmer, Charles H. Neff, Alex Spangler, Dick & Rodenhouse, D. P. Frank, etc. The shoe factory, now owned by W. H. Souder, employs from fifty to seventy-five workmen. The York Whip Company was started in 1879, by John H. Wellensick and Henry M. Davis. Heffner & Seachrist, cigar-box manufacturers, began in 1877 what has since developed into a large business. Root & Case, for more than a third of a century, prospered in the manufacture of weighing- scales, the only establishment of the kind in southern Pennsylvania. The Baltimore Condensed Milk Company, located a short distance north of the borough, started business in 1863. It was owned by William Numsen & Sons, Baltimore. The establishment has lately been used for canning fruits. The Variety Iron Works were established in the year 1840, when Elisha Geiger and Samuel Bechtol formed a co-partnership and conducted a business of manufacturing iron into artistic forms, on a small scale. The location of their shops was on part of the present site of the extensive Variety Iron Works, of York, so familiar to the people of the town and county. In 1846 Dr. Alexander Small succeeded Mr. Geiger. Mr. Bechtol died in 1853, and E. G. Smyser then became associated with Dr. Small, under the firm name of Small & Smyser. In 1862 Dr. Small died, and Mr. Smyser became the sole proprietor. The original works covered only a small area, but the continual enlargement of the business, required frequent additions and improvements. Large and convenient brick buildings were erected, containing all necessary facilities for improved manufacture, until now the entire works cover an area of five acres of land. It is at present recognized as one of the important iron establishments of the State of Pennsylvania, and is in continual operation, even under the most depressing times in financial circles and in the business interests of the country. The employes of this establishment are always kept regularly at work. The best facilities are afforded for the manufacture of various kinds of artistic ornaments and practical designs. The different departments are connected with one another by narrow-gauge railroad tracks, so as to do work with the greatest dispatch, and economy of expense and labor. They manufacture machinery of various kinds, builders’ iron columns, staircases, window caps and sills, iron railings, wrought beams, vases, fountains, iron buildings, mill work and machinery, etc., and make a specialty of architectural and ornamental iron work. In all the departments about 130 men have been employed regularly for the past ten years, many of whom are skilled artisans, requiring a monthly disbursement of nearly $5,000 for wages. No establishment has done more to increase the reputation of York as a manufacturing center than the Variety Iron Works. For several years past Mr. Smyser had had associated with him in business his three sons, George P., Henry M. and James A. Smyser. In 1877 he located a branch house in Baltimore, for the sale of his valuable manufactured products. It is now under the management of his youngest son, James A. Smyser. Casper Loucks started business in 1875 and now owns the famous Eagle Pop Works on South George Street. Theodore B. Helb owns a brewery on the corner of King and Queen Streets, which has lately been enlarged. Nes’, now Kurtz’s Brewery and Malt Works have long been in operation. J. Busser & Sons’ Soap Factory was started by John Busser in 1847. A variety of turbine water wheels have been and are now manufactured in York, which have had a large sale. The paper mill now owned by Jere Horton, originated more than a century ago. In 1817 when owned by Philip King it was partly injured by the flood of that year; a large amount of fine quality foolscap and note paper has been made at this establishment since its origin. Chains are manufactured by two or three different firms; John C. Schmidt, in East York, makes them quite extensively. A very important and valuable industry is that of Frey, Motter & Co., manufacturers of steam engines, boilers, etc. Enos Frey, the senior member of this firm, is now largely engaged in the milling business flint works near York, and the slate mines in Peach Bottom. He started the business of manufacturing engines, etc., in 1845, in connection with Frederick Baugher. His present partners are George F. Motter and Jacob Reichly. They have manufactured machinery in immense quantities. A few years ago a large iron steamboat for the Madeira River, in South America, was made in their shops. It was shipped in parts. Mr. Enos Frey, a native of York, is a practical machinist, and has met with great prosperity in his business. The Foundry, Machine Shops and Tannery of Baugher, Kurtz & Stewart are among the most important and valuable manufacturing industries of York. Frederick Baugher, who recently died at an advanced age, purchased the grounds in 1832; there was then a tannery on the site. The foundry and machine shops were built about 1856 by George F. Baugher. The tannery business was then in the hands of W. H. Kurtz. The present works are a valuable acquisition to York, on account of the number of employes required to run them. The Pennsylvania Agricultural Works which have grown gradually, until they are now among the most important manufacturing industries of Pennsylvania, are located on North Duke Street, and cover an area of four acres. A great variety of agricultural machinery is made here, and shipped to all parts of the Union, and very extensively manufactured for foreign trade. From 200 to 400 workmen are employed, thus making it a very valuable enterprise to the town of York. A. B. Farquahr, the proprietor of these large works, was born in Maryland, in 1837. He came to York in 1855, and was in the employ of Dingee & Co., then the largest manufacturers of agricultural implements in York; at the expiration of three years he became a partner. The works were destroyed by fire in 1861, but were immediately rebuilt, and in 1862, Mr. Farquhar became sole proprietor. His prosperity continued until 1875, when the establishment was again almost burned down. The actual loss was about $100,000 to the enterprising proprietor, who, with his characteristic energy, had them rebuilt at once and has since continued his business on a still more extended scale with unabated prosperity. Mr. Farquhar superintends the minutest details of his business with wonderful skill. The firm of P. A. & S. Small, since its establishment in 1833, has been very prominently identified with the business and manufacturing interests of York. “Small’s Store” is a familiar name not only in York and this county, but throughout southern and eastern Pennsylvania. This firm since 1840 has purchased a very large percentage of the grain raised in York County, and manufactured choice brands of flour in large quantities. The original members of this firm were Philip A. and Samuel Small, both of whom are now deceased. They had one other brother, Dr. Alexander Small, who was also a public spirited and enterprising man. Philip Albright Small and Samuel Small were descendants from the prolific stock of Lorenz Schmall, a German emigrant to America from the middle Palatinate in the year 1743. Lorenz Schmall settled in what is now Hellman Township, about six miles east of York. His family consisted of four sons and two daughters, the eldest of whom – Killian – settled in the town of York, where he begat seven sons, viz.: Jacob, John, George, Joseph, Peter, Michael and Henry. George Small married Anna Maria, a daughter of Philip Albright, an officer in the Revolutionary army, whose sword remains in the possession of the family. He had four children: Cassandra, Philip Albright, Samuel and Alexander. George Small became a carpenter, and assisted his brother Peter in building the Lutheran Church and spire, still standing in South George Street. In 1809, he bought for $1,300, the property at the corner of East Main Street and Center Square in the borough of York, where, subsequently, he went into business with his sons, and where that business has been continued to the present day. Philip Albright Small, eldest son of George, commenced his business life in the employ of Shulz, Konig & Co., of Baltimore, who had an extensive hardware and grocery trade throughout the South. For this firm he made collections, traveling on horse back through Virginia, the Carolinas, northern Georgia and Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky, returning from Cincinnati by boat and stage. He often told, in after life, of reaching Cincinnati on one of these trips, to find that a bank, whose notes formed a large part of his collections, had become utterly insolvent during his absence beyond all sources of information. In 1821 he entered into the hardware business with his father, on the corner of East Market Street and Center Square, under the firm name of George Small & Son, which was afterward changed to George Small & Sons, on the second son, Samuel, becoming a partner. In 1833 George Small, desiring to retire from business, sold out his interest to his sons, and then, on July 1, 1833, the firm of P. A. & S. Small began and has ever since continued its honorable career on “Small’s Corner,” without blot or stain, without “protest” or “extension,” without any interruption of its prosperity, or any shadow on its credit. In 1838, the completion of the Baltimore & Susquehanna Railroad, from Baltimore to York, enabled the firm to commence a grain business, buying and shipping to Baltimore large quantities, which has since enlarged into an extensive flour manufacturing and shipping business, with Rio Janeiro and other South American ports. In 1838, the iron manufacture, then growing in importance, was commenced by the firm, first at Manor, York County, then at Sarah Furnace, Harford County, Md.; and afterward at Ashland, Baltimore County, Md., where, with Messrs. E. & J. Patterson, they erected their furnaces. The high credit always enjoyed by Messrs. P. A. & S. Small, made the firm for many years the depository of large sums of money “on call,” left with them especially by the farmers from whom they made their purchases of grain; the amount of cash thus deposited with them ran up as high as $250,000, and this continued until the firm, owing to the decreasing value of money and rates of interest, declined any longer to receive deposits. Philip A. Small devoted his attention principally to the management of the outdoor business of the firm. The mills, farms, ore-banks, and furnaces were under his supervision. He was always a firm believer in the value of real estate, and much of the large amount of land owned by the firm, was bought at his instance. In all matters connected with agriculture he was an expert, and recognized as an authority. One of the originators of the York County Agricultural Society and one of its board of managers, he was deeply interested in the promotion of scientific agriculture. He was a man of singularly genial disposition, of most pleasing and agreeable manners, and yet withal of great personal dignity. He was peculiarly charitable in his judgments of the conduct of others. Of the most absolute integrity and truthfulness himself, he could tolerate no falsehood or fraud in any one, yet his kindly disposition made him slow to condemn. He was a man of broad and catholic views on all public questions. In politics, he was first a Whig and later a Republican. A very sagacious business man, he occupied many positions of trust in the various corporations in which the firm was interested. He was many years president of the York County National Bank and York Gas Company; was a director and active promoter of the Hanover & York Railroad Company; was many years a director of the Northern Central Railroad Company and the York Water Company, and president of Ashland Iron Company. His counsel and assistance were always sought, and never vainly, in every enterprise and undertaking for the advancement of the public good. He died April 3, 1875, leaving to survive him five daughters and three sons, who now compose the firm of P. A. & S. Small, viz.: George, William Latimer and Samuel, the first named being one of the leading business men of Baltimore. Samuel Small, second son of George Small, and Anna Maria, his wife, was born in York on July 25, 1799. Like his brother Philip, he commenced his business career in the employ of Shulz, Konig & Co., of Baltimore, who, recognizing his ability, sent him to Pittsburgh to open a branch store. Here he made a new departure, by removing his stock of goods, to a flat-boat, which he floated down the Ohio, stopping at points on the river to make sales. He landed at Cincinnati, rented a store, and put in it his stock of goods. While engaged in business in Cincinnati he received letters from his father urging him to return to York. In the year 1826 he returned to York, having sold out his store in Cincinnati, and engaged with the late George S. Morris in the dry goods business where the building occupied by the York County National Bank now stands, which he continued until his entry into the firm of George Small & Sons, succeeded by the firm of P. A. & S. Small, as already stated. Mr. Small’s time and attention were mainly devoted to the financial departments of the firm business, to the management of which he was exceedingly well adapted. As a financier, he was shrewd, cautious, and far-sighted, never led into foolish speculations by specious appearances, but instinctively distinguished the solid from the merely meretricious. He was acknowledged to be the highest authority in this community on all financial matters. On the death of the late William Coleman Mr. Small became guardian of his two minor children. The estate, though immensely valuable, had been grossly mismanaged when Mr. Small assumed control. So skillfully did he (with the aid of Artemus Wilhelm, Esq.) whom he put in charge, manage the estate, that on the arrival of the heirs at twenty-one he turned over to each upward of a million and a third of dollars, besides their valuable ore lands; and for his years of efficient service he made no charge whatever. But it is in connection with his noble charities that Mr. Small will be longest remembered in the community in which he spent his life. His hand was ever open to the appeal of the poor and friendless. No worthy applicant was ever turned away unaided. In person and by trusted assistants he constantly sought out the necessitous, in order to minister to their necessities. A horse and conveyance was kept for the use of one of his assistants in this work, in order that he might more readily visit the poor, and money was ever furnished to meet all demands. In connection with the late Charles A. Morris and others, he founded the Children’s Home, of York, where fatherless and motherless, deserted and friendless children have been cared for and educated, and afterward followed into the world with his fatherly oversight. The York Collegiate Institute was exclusively founded and endowed by him. Here he endeavored to found an institution where the formation of individual Christian character would be the first aim. He endowed it liberally, and provided a fund called the “Coleman Scholarship Fund,” to assist young men in their preparatory studies for the ministry. He also, with others, established the York Hospital and Dispensary, donating the building and ground, and subscribing liberally to its support. Early in life he united himself with his father’s – the German Reformed – church. Later he became a member and ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church; where, in church, Sunday-school and prayer-meeting, while in health, his seat was never vacant. He died July 14, 1885. He occupied a larger place in the public estimation, was more loved and respected throughout the community, has left in his death a greater vacancy, and been more missed than any other individual in the community ever has been or could be. The day of his interment was observed by a general suspension of business and a universal exhibition of grief.