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Chapter VII
The Manufacturing Industries

Iron Works - Lumber interests of Camden - Oil Cloth Manufactories - Woolen and Worsted Mills - Miscellaneous Industries - Carriage Making - Shoe and Morocco Factories.

THE proximity to Philadelphia - the greatest manufacturing city in the Union -the superior local resources, the many eligible sites, and the situation, being near the great marts of trade and commerce of the seaboard States, have been the causes of Camden developing into a manufacturing city of great importance and influence. The substantial prosperity of Camden within the last decade has been largely due to the establishment of manufacturing industries which have given employment to many persons who found homes in the growing city. A sketch of many of the minor industries which existed at a former day is given in the early history of Camden. A description and a history of those now flourishing, given in the succeeding pages, will furnish a valuable chapter to the "History of Camden County."

IRON WORKS.

THE CAMDEN IRON WORKS. - In 1845 John F. Starr, who had leased the iron foundry of Elias Kaighn, at the foot of Stevens Street, built the Camden Iron Works, on the north side of Bridge Avenue, above Third Street, for the manufacture of gas works machinery and steam-pipes. He had previously been associated with his father, Moses Starr, and brother, Jesse W. Starr, in building iron steamboats - the "Conestoga," "Independence" and "Ida," - and for a time at Hoboken, N.J., where he built the iron steamboat "John Stevens." His Camden enterprise was a success, and, in 1846, Jesse W. Starr, taking an interest in the works, another foundry and machine shop was started on Bridge Avenue, below Second Street, where Jesse W. Starr erected the large threestory brick building, long known as Starr’s Hall, and which was used as a hardware store. The firm then employed a hundred men, but orders exceeded their facilities, and in 1847 the ground was bought on Cooper’s Creek, and then was laid the foundation for the extensive establishment known as the Camden Iron Works, now one of the most extensive manufacturing industries in West Jersey.

In 1888 the works were purchased by a stock company, in which R.D. Wood & Co., of Philadelphia, are largely interested. The works had not been in operation for nearly two years previous to this purchase, but were successfully started again in the fall of 1883, after some needed improvements had been made. Early in 1884 the entire works were in fall operation, and since that time have been steadily running to their full capacity. The buildings in which the different branches of the business are carried on, cover an area of twenty acres, with an additional tract of twenty-one acres, used for storing material and manufactured products. The buildings include six large foundries for the manufacture of cast-iron pipes, machinery for gas works, water works plants and other heavy machinery, one large machine shop, two boiler shops, carpenter and pattern shops, blacksmith shops, store-houses, offices and stables. These are all conveniently located on the grounds. Five powerful steam-engines supply the motive-power of the many and varied patterns of improved and automatic machinery used in the mechanical department of the works. Two large duplex pumping engines furnish the water supply for fire protection and general purposes. Coopers Creek, which is navigable some distance above the works, gives the company excellent facilities for water transportation, and several branch tracks of the Camden and Amboy Railroad enter the works at various points. About eight hundred men are employed in the different departments. The products of the Camden Iron Works have acquired a great reputation for excellence of manufacture. They are shipped and supplied to all parts of the United States. R.D. Wood & Co. now operate the works. Walter Wood, of Philadelphia, is president, and John Graham, Jr., also of Philadelphia, is the general manager.

THE M.A. FURBUSH & SON MACHINE CO. own extensive machine-shops at the corner of Twelfth Street and Market. It is one of the most prominent manufacturing enterprises in the city of Camden, and gives regular employment to about three hundred workmen. A great variety of machinery for woolen-mills is here manufactured. The works were erected and the business originally established in 1863, by the firm of Furbush & Gage. In 1869 Mr. Gage retired from the firm, and Merrill A. Furbush, in partnership with Charles A. Furbush, his son, continued the business, under the firm-name of M.A. Furbush & Son, until January, 1884, when a charter of incorporation was obtained as the M.A. Furbush & Son Machine Company. The business has gradually increased, and is now a very productive industry. The machinery made at these works is sold throughout the United States, Canada and South America. An area of twelve acres, surrounded by Market and Twelfth Streets, the Pennsylvania Railroad and Coopers Creek, is owned and occupied by this company, and several large brick buildings, covering four acres of this tract, constitute the shops where this extensive business is done. The machinery of the works is driven by a one hundred and fifty horsepower engine, supplied by three huge boilers.

THE CAMDEN TOOL AND TUBE WORKS. - This large manufacturing establishment, located at the corner of Second Street and Stevens, is a branch of the Reading, Pa., Iron Works. The large, three-story brick building, whose dimensions are one hundred by one hundred and fifty feet, was built by John Kaighn, and originally used by him for the manufacture of agricultural implements. It was afterwards used by John H. Dialogue, the ship-builder, as a machine and boiler-shop, and also for a foundry. Previous to 1864 it was known as Griffith’s Pipe-Finishing Mill. In 1864 the Reading Iron Works purchased the entire property, introduced now machinery, made other improvements and began the manufacture of wrought-iron tubes, hand and power screw-cutting machines, screwing-stocks and dies, drill-stocks, dies, taps, reamers, tongs and other tools used by gas-fitters and plumbers. A twenty-five horse-power engine drives the machinery of the works. Fifty workmen are regularly employed. The location of the works, near the Delaware River, and near the terminus of the Camden and Amboy, Camden and New York, New Jersey Southern, and Central Railroads, affords easy and quick access to the seaboard and inland towns and cities, where the products of manufacture are sent. The superintendent of these works is C.W. Thompson.

THE COOPERS POINT IRON WORKS were established in 1867 by Fullerton & Hollingshead, who continued to operate them until 1879, when Charles F. Hollingshead became the sole proprietor. The large, three-story brick building, one hundred by one hundred and twenty feet, is fitted throughout with improved machinery for the production of finished work in the two departments of general machinery and of iron railing. In the first department steam-engines, boilers, pulleys, shafting and mill-gearing are manufactured. In the second department all kinds of plain and ornamental iron railing and fencing, awning-frames, window-guards, lot-inclosures, fire-escapes, iron roofing; trusses, etc., are made. The machinery is driven by an engine of fifty horse-power. A large force of workmen is employed in the different departments.

PEARL STREET IRON FOUNDRY, at the foot of Pearl Street, is owned and operated by Johnson & Holt, who are engaged in the general iron foundry business. In 1881 this firm established the foundry for the manufacture of gray Iron castings of various kinds desired by the trade. The main foundry building is one hundred by fifty feet, and adjoining it are several smaller structures used for cleaning, polishing and shipping the products of manufacture. The foundry in all its departments is furnished with ample motive-power and the present demand for this class of iron castings from this foundry gives employment to thirty-five workmen. The trade is mostly local, but is gradually extending to several adjacent States. Nelson W. Johnson and Benj. Holt are the co-partners and have built works at the foot of Elm Street, with more extended facilities of manufacture than the place now operated.

CAMDEN MACHINE WORKS are situated at the foot of Cooper Street. The site on which they are built is a water lot which was purchased in 1878 by Charles E. Derby and Joseph P. Weatherby, who for fifteen years previously had been proprietors of the machine works on North Front Street, under the firm-name of Derby & Weatherby. The place originally not being suited for the wants of this increased business, the large two-story brick factory building, fifty by one hundred and fifty feet, now occupied, was built. It was then fitted with suitable machinery for the manufacture of appliances for hoisting apparatus, dredging machines, engines and for repairing machinery of different kinds.

The wharf property extends one hundred and sixty feet on Delaware Avenue and continues westward to the riparian or port warden line, with an open space to form two landings, the water dock, eighty by seven hundred feet, being between. This dock is for the accommodation of tug-boats and steamers needing repairs and it also offers facilities for unloading cargoes from vessels, and for shipment. Nearly every manufactory from the lower end of Kaighns Point to the upper end of Coopers Point, as also all the ferry companies, have their machinery made or repaired by this firm. Thirty workmen are employed, and the trade extends to many localities in the adjacent States.

MACHINE TOOL MANUFACTORY. - The manufacture of machinists’ tools in their various forms is an industry of considerable importance to Camden as a manufacturing city. In 1881, J.F. Blair started an establishment for this purpose at the corner of Point and Pearl Streets, and in 1882 admitted J.G. Gage as a partner. The business was extended to include the manufacture of engine lathes and special machinery. In 1883 the interest of J.G. Gage was transferred to D.T. Gage, and the firm is now known as J.F. Blair & Co. A large and increasing business is done not only in the manufacture, but also in the repairing of machine tools for saw-mills, planing-mills and grist-mills in the surrounding country. From twenty-five to thirty workmen are employed. The business office of this establishment is at No. 118 Market Street, Philadelphia.

THE STANDARD MACHINE WORKS, at Nos. 117, 119 and 121 North Front Street, occupy a large portion of a square. This productive industry is owned by Samuel N. Shreve, Esq., who in 1884 conducted a manufactory of similar kind at the corner of Second Street and Stevens. In the destructive cyclone of August 3, 1885, this establishment was blown down and he at once resumed business at the present location. The ample equipments of these works in improved machinery are adapted to the production of machine work of various kinds and mill repairs. In connection with this industry a large number of workmen are employed in the manufacture of Gray’s patent revolving screw machine, and the Louderback combination tool. Of the latter specialty one thousand and five hundred pairs are made weekly. Forty-five workmen are constantly employed.

THE CAMDEN ARCHITECTURAL IRON WORKS, at Nos. 111, 113 and 115 North Front Street, were established in 1870 by John F. Starr, Jr., who operated them until 1882, when James A. Carr and Adam C. Smith bought his interest and the machinery, and under the firm-name of Carr & Smith have since operated them. A considerable business has been done in the manufacture of heaters and ranges. Galvanized Iron cornices, window caps, dormer windows, building trimmings, tin, slate and corrugated Iron roofing, awnings and weather vanes are made at these works. This firm has the exclusive right for the manufacture of Starr’s Improved Expanding Water Conductor or rain spouts of eight feet in length, without a cross seam, and made of galvanized iron. Fifty-seven workmen are employed and the manufactured products are shipped over a large area of the United States. The firm is preparing to build an extensive addition to the establishment, especially for facilitating the production of galvanized architectural designs.

THE AMERICAN NICKEL WORKS are situated on the east side of Tenth Steet, extending to Coopers Creek, south of State Street. This establishment, covering an area of two and a half acres, occupies the site of a smaller one commenced in 1840, and which was rebuilt in 1862 by the present owner and proprietor on an enlarged scale. In 1872 the works were destroyed by fire, and soon after rebuilt and greatly improved. The works are specially designed for the manufacture of nickel, cobalt oxides, blue vitriol, copperas, nickel salts, etc., from the ores of the Gap nickel mines, in Lancaster County, Pa., which, with the works, are owned and conducted by the general manager, Joseph Wharton. No other nickel or cobalt works exist in this country, though ores of these metals occur in many places. Three large engines are required as a motive-power for the machinery and from sixty to eighty hands are constantly employed.

THE ESTERBROOK STEEL PEN COMPANY. - The manufacture of steel pens is comparatively a new industry. The establishment engaged in the production of them in Camden is the oldest and by far the most extensive one in the United States, there being but two or three others in this country. The early history of steel pen making is herein briefly given: 

A Roman metal pen is said to have been found at Aosta, not a mere stylus, but a bronze pen slit, and there is some evidence of a pen or reed of bronze nearly as early as the invention of printing in the fifteenth century. A hundred years ago some steel pens were made in Birmingham by Mr. Harrison for Dr. Priestly, and some of these passed into the hands of Sir Joseph Mason in his early days with Mr. Harrison, but all seem to be lost. The first pen of metal of a definite date, beyond all question, is one in a Dutch patent-book of 1717. At the same time a polite ode of Pope refers to a "steel and gold pen," but these were evidently luxuries only. It was about 1823 or 1824 that the great revolution came by which pens were made by a cheaper process - the hand-screw press, which pierced the pens from sheet steel. Previously, pens had been made from steel rolled into tube fashion, and the joint formed the slit; but these required considerable labor to shape them into pen-form. The use of the screw-press belongs to the period of John Mitchell, Joseph Gillott and Josiah Mason; but on a careful review of the facts, it seems to be clear that John Mitchell has the best claim to be considered as the introducer of press-made pens. Skinner, of Sheffield, England, was apparently one of the first to cheapen steel pens, but his productions were soon surpassed when the screw-press was introduced.

The Esterbrook steel pen factory, the first one of its kind in America, was established in 1860 by the present head of the company, Richard Esterbrook, and his son, who came from England. The business was started on the site now occupied, in a small building, with ten employees, and ten varieties of pens were made. Since that time extensive improvements and additions have been made. The main building is a large four-story structure, containing conveniently-arranged apartments, and supplied with the best improved engines, machinery and other appliances needed. There are now about fifty men and two hundred and fifty women regularly employed, and four hundred styles of steel pens are made. Many kinds and styles of pens are here manufactured for other firms, whose names are placed on the pens and thus sold to the trade, but the Esterbrook pens are known to nearly every school-boy, school-girl and accountant in the land. They have been largely sold in Canada, England, Germany, Cuba and South America. There is probably no other establishment operated with better system than this one. Some of the employees have been continuously engaged for a period of twenty or more years, and are therefore skilled workmen. When new employees enter a certain department they are continued there, and thus by long experience become experts in that department. They are paid in accordance with the amount of work performed.

The manufacture begins with the steel, shipped from Sheffield, England, which, after going through various transformations and interesting processes, eventually comes out the delicately-formed and serviceable steel pen, now the necessary property of every intelligent individual.

Few persona without careful observation of the minute details of steel pen making will comprehend how much care and delicate workmanship is required in the manufacture of the finished article. The business of this establishment was conducted by Esterbrook & Son for a few years, when an incorporated company was formed. The present officers of the company, under whose management it is now successfully conducted, are: President, Richard Esterbrook; Treasurer, Alexander Wood; and Secretary, Francis Wood.

LUMBER INTERESTS OF CAMDEN.

Early In the history of Camden, the large flats on the river-shore, from Market St. to Coopers Point, and also down to Kaighns Point, during the rafting season, was covered with lumber of such kinds and qualities as were calculated to meet the demands of the trade. The shore-line of Philadelphia being such as to prevent the storing of lumber there, of necessity more locations were sought, which eventuated in the Camden side being early selected, not only to supply the local trade, but for the general and wholesale trade and for ship-building purposes. The business has been the most extensively carried on in Camden since 1850, since which time thousands of rafts along the river have been brought here from the lumber districts in Central and Northern Pennsylvania, and from the head-waters of the Delaware, in Northern Pennsylvania and Southern New York. The great distributing point for the Pennsylvania white-pine lumber for more than half a century, and, to a considerable extent yet, is at Port Deposit, Md., the head of tide-water, near the mouth of the Susquehanna. To this point, from up the river, thousands of rafts were, and still are, floated annually. The Camden lumber dealers went there during the rafting season in the spring of the year, purchased large rafts, separated them in parts, and, either by floating them on the water, or by loading them on schooners, brought them through the Delaware and Chesapeake Canal and up the Delaware to Camden. Sometimes rafts were bought by Camden dealers at Marietta, on the Susquehanna, in Pennsylvania, which for more than half a century was a great market for the pine and oak timber brought there from the head-waters of the Susquehanna.

Much of the lumber of the present day is shipped here by rail, in the form of boards and manufactured lumber in various shapes, from the great lumber centres of the West, and Central Pennsylvania.

Among the first lumber dealers in Camden was Charles Ellis, who, in 1820 and later, was engaged in the business, and also kept store on the southwest corner of Second Street and Market, and Richardson Andrews, about the same time, had a lumber-yard on the corner of Third and Cooper; Andrews had a lumber-yard on Market above Fourth, where he made shingles. The shavings were put upon the street and it was known as "Shingle-Shaving Hill." This was the term applied to the locality on the east side of Fourth Street north and south of Market. There was & large pond extending north from the Baptist Church, and into this Richardson Andrews and Isaac Wilkins dumped their shingle-shavings, until the mound served the boys of 1815-20 for coasting purposes in the winter season. Andrews was the father of Samuel and Edward P. Andrews. He lived at the southeast corner of Third Street and Cooper, and his lumber-yard and shingle-shop was to the east. Isaac Wilkins’ lumber and shingle-yard was at Front and Market, extending as far east as the State Bank.

Gideon Stivers, a bridge-builder and carpenter, was a resident of Camden from about 1816, and later he had a shop on the corner of Fourth and Market, on the site of Odd-Fellows Hall. Stivers was a builder of considerable note and erected Coopers Creek Bridge, the bridge at the Falls of Schuylkill and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Camden. He continued in business in Camden until after 1840. In the year 1827 James Bromall, assisted by Joseph Edwards, proprietor of the distillery on Front Street, erected a saw-mill on William Carman’s land, between Coopers Point Ferry and Cooper Street Ferry. This soon after was owned and operated by William Carman, and was continued until July 8, 1835, when it was destroyed by fire, with large piles of lumber adjacent Fire companies from Philadelphia and Camden were at the place and assisted in extinguishing the flames, until the Philadelphia companies were summoned to return by the old State House bell announcing a fire in that city. Mr. Carman at once began the construction of a larger mill upon the premises, and in November following a main building, forty-four by eighty feet, and a fire-proof engine-house, twenty by thirty-six feet, were erected and fitted with a twenty horse-power engine, two large saws and a circular saw. He also erected & range of buildings for employees. In addition to the manufacturing of lumber, Lehigh and Schuylkill coal was kept for sale. This mill was again destroyed on the night of June 7, 1845, and another saw-mill belonging to him, on the 5th of November the same year. They were both rebuilt and the business was conducted many years. The mills on the site are now owned by George Barrett & Co. In 1840 and before, Carpenter & Flannigan owned a saw-mill and lumber-yard, and a flouring-mill along the Delaware River, north of Penn Street. They did & good business, supplying, many large contracts, and prospered in their occupation. In 1854 or thereabouts, McKeen & Bingham succeeded them in the ownership of this yard and ran the saw-mill, but after continuing for a few years with success, the entire interest was destroyed by fire. As they did not own the land upon which the yard and mills were situated, the business, after the fire, was discontinued at this point. Ackley & Wharton, and afterwards Abraham Ackley alone, for many years owned a lumber-yard which was situated on Front Street, below Market. In order to better his location he secured a more eligible spot and moved his yard down to the corner of Second Street and Stevens, where Joseph Cooper became associated with him in the business, under the firm-name of Ackley & Cooper. In 1820 Isaac Smith was one of the first lumber dealers in Camden, and also owned a large grocery store. He was succeeded by John Browning, who was the owner of a lumber-yard above Market Street, and also sold lime.

William Carman, who started in the lumber business at the foot of Linden Street, and on Pearl Street, erected a steam saw-mill, as above mentioned, and enjoyed & large trade, the management of which was under the control of George Stockham, the eldest brother of Charles Stockham, the well-known lumber merchant, whose yard and mill are at the foot of Vine Street. In 1852 William S. Doughten and Henry B. Wilson, under the firm-name of Doughten & Wilson, engaged in the lumber business at Kaighns Point and were the pioneers in the business in the lower part of the city. Their yard was situated on Front Street, between Kaighn Avenue and Chestnut Street. They did a general lumber business together until 1859. Mr. Wilson then opened a lumber-yard in Gloucester. He is now the well-known coal dealer, with his yard at Kaighn Avenue. Mr Doughten built a planing-mill and afterwards became a partner with Charles B. Coles in the same business. Norcross & Streets started a lumber-yard at Ferry Avenue and Mechanic Street in 1852, but soon thereafter moved to Philadelphia.

The steam saw-mill, planing-mill and lumber-yard at the foot of Vine Street, now owned and operated by Mr. Charles Stockham, were originated by Dock, Ott & De Haven in the year l852. They previously had operated the Carman mill. Messrs. Dock & Ott & De Haven continued in the business but a short time, when Mr. De Haven purchased the entire interest and the ground upon which the mills and yard were situated, and in 1859 disposed of them to Charles Stockham and his brother, John Stockham. The firm of J & C. Stockham continued to exist from April, 1856, to April, 1882, a period of twenty-six years, during which time they met with continued prosperity. John Stockham, in 1882, retired from business and moved to a delightful home in Harford County, Md., where he now owns four large farms, twenty-three hundred acres, and there lives in retirement. Charles Stockham has been the sole proprietor in the business and is also the owner of several firms in Maryland. When the Stockhams purchased the mills and lumber-yard from Mr. De Haven they made the necessary improvements for the manufacture of heavy lumber for ship-builders, for joists and for derricks, using for this purpose heavy white pine and oak timber, which was obtained from the forests of Pennsylvania and from the South.

They did a very extensive and prosperous business before, during and since the war, selling large orders of white-oak lumber to the various ship-builders in the large cities along the coast of New Jersey, Maine and Massachusetts. Their trade in oak lumber for a time was with the Eastern States, especially the State of Maine. They purchased an interest in vessels, upon which entire cargoes of lumber were sent to the New England coast and elsewhere. The pine lumber which Mr. Stockham manufactures is largely obtained in rafts from the lumber region of the Susquehanna River, in Pennsylvania. His lumber-yards and the mills cover an area of several acres, on which an average of three million five hundred thousand feet of lumber of all kinds and varieties have been kept in store. A very substantial saw-mill was erected, which is now supplied with a planer, three sets of lathes, vertical and circular saws, which are driven by an engine of eighty horse-power. In the steam planing-mill and saw-mill some of the sawed lumber is prepared for the use of contractors and for builders’ supplies.

Mr. Charles Stockham, the enterprising proprietor of the industry above described, and who has filled an important position in the lumber and other business interests of Camden, is of English descent His grandfather, George Stockham, was born in Bristol, England. In the year 1765 he came to America, landed at Philadelphia and soon thereafter settled at a place now known as Schenck’s, on Penn’s Manor, near Bristol, in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, going back to England the next year, where he was married to Elizabeth Biss, of his native town. In 1767 he returned, with his wife, to Bucks County, where he first located, and there followed the occupation of a farmer until his death, at the advanced age of eighty-four years. By this marriage were born three sons, - Thomas, George and John. The youngest son, John Stockham, was born near Bristol, Pa., and in 1824 moved to Harford County, Md., where he afterwards became a successful farmer, owning and cultivating a large farm until the time of this death, at the age of seventy-three years. He was married to Alice Smith, of Bristol, Bucks County, Pa. Their four sons were George, a successful lumber merchant of Philadelphia; Thomas, a farmer of Maryland; John, mentioned above as engaged in the lumber business in Camden; and Charles. Charles Stockham was born near Bristol, Pa., in 1820. When he was but four years old his father moved to Harford County, Md., where he attended the schools in the vicinity of his home and worked on his father’s farm until the age of eighteen years, and in 1838 he came to Camden to live with his brother George, then engaged in the lumber business. He attended a Friends’ school in Philadelphia, and soon afterward became a salesman of his brother George, then in the lumber business at Beach and Norris Streets, Philadelphia, until 1856, when he engaged in the lumber business with his brother John, as above described, and in which business he has met with uninterrupted success. For many years he has been & stockholder and a director in the First National Bank of Camden. Mr. Stockham is a man of plain, unassuming manners, careful and judicious in all his business relations, a good judge of values, and, through his native energy and individual attention to the interests of his business, has had a prosperous and successful career in life. Originally a staunch Whig in the days of that party, he has since been an ardent advocate of the principles of the Republican party, though he never asked or desired positions of political preferment. Mr. Stockham was married, in 1858, to Mary Humes Tomb, a descendant of a prominent English family, of which the late General Robert Toombe, of Georgia, and Hon. Jacob Tome, of Maryland, with a slight change in the spelling, are representatives. Her father, George Tomb, who married Jane Humes, of Milton, Pa., was a native of Lycoming County, Pa. He was largely engaged in the general merchandising, farming and lumber business of that section, and was a director and stockholder in the Williamsport Bank, but spent most of his time as a practical civil engineer and general contractor of large enterprises. He superintended the construction of the dam and bridge across the Susquehanna River, at Columbia, Pa., where the Tide-Water Canal crosses that stream. He also entered into a contract and made the Kanawha River, in West Virginia, navigable for steamboats. Mr. Tomb died at the age of seventy-seven years, his widow still surviving him. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Stockham are Laura (married to Richard Pancoast, of Camden, with whom she has two sons, Charles and Richard); George T. engaged in the commission business in Philadelphia; Edward, who, in 1885, entered the United States Military Academy, at West Point, where he has gained prominence for proficiency in his studies; and Mary H. Stockham, the youngest daughter, who is at home.

SCUDDER’S STEAM PLANING-MILL, at Front Street and Arch, has been in constant operation since 1866, and was established by John B. Thompson for the manufacture of doors, sash, blinds, shutters, mouldings, scroll work and other kinds of builders’ material. In 1868 W.C. Scudder and Robert C. Cook bought the mill and operated it, trading as Scudder & Cook. In 1871 they built a large addition to the mill, and made improvements which greatly increased the capacity. In May, 1874, W.C. Scudder bought the interest of Robert C. Cook, and continued the business alone until 1883, when his son, Reuben G. Scudder was admitted as a partner. An eighty horse-power engine is used; sixty hands are employed; a large lumber-yard covering three acres is also owned by this firm. A prosperous business is done.

GEORGE BARRETT & Co. own and carry on one of the largest saw-mills in Camden, which has been in operation for more than fifty years. It was run by different owners until 1878, when George Barrett and Aaron W. Patchin, trading under the firm-name of George Barrett & Co., bought the entire plant. There are seven buildings on the grounds, which include sixteen acres, between Pearl Street and Penn, and extend one thousand four hundred and forty-seven feet westwardly to the riparian line of the river. These buildings include the mill proper, three dwelling-houses, office, stables and sheds. The saw-mill is one hundred and twenty-five by one hundred and forty-nine feet, is

arranged with three sets of gang-saws, four circular-saws, one lath-saw and two large planing-machines, and has been specially designed for the sawing of ship, wharf and bridge timbers, large girders, derrick frames, and is the only mill in Camden cutting curved timber for street railways. About twenty-five hands are employed. An extensive business is done. This firm recently constructed a wharf eight hundred feet long by ninety feet in width, from high-water line into the river, which gives improved facilities for shipping the products of the mills.

HENRY FREDERICKS, for many years one of the most enterprising, successful and favorably-known business men of the city of Camden, was born at Hackensack, Bergen County, New Jersey, July 25, 1825, and obtained his education in the schools of his native town. When about sixteen years of age he left his home and entered a wholesale and retail grocery store in Hoboken, and there, by his faithfulness to duty, won the approbation of his employer and laid for himself the foundation for a career of prosperity and usefulness. He remained in the Hoboken store, and also acted as assistant postmaster, for a term of four years, and, at the expiration of that time, moved to Camden, in which city he has since resided. Here he first engaged as superintendent and general manager of the business of James Elwell, who was then postmaster of the city and proprietor of the Railroad Hotel. In the mean time Mr. Fredericks sold the tickets for the Camden and Philadelphia Ferry Company. In this new field of labor he was comparatively a stranger, but his gentlemanly deportment, accommodating manners and aptitude to the position soon won him many firm friends. Seven years of service under this employer gave him an intelligent knowledge of business, and fitted him for still more onerous duties. He was next chosen, in 1852, superintending clerk in the office of the ferry company, for which he had sold tickets in connection with his other business, and remained in that position for a period of six years. Upon the death of Mr. John J. Benson, the superintendent of the ferry, he was elected to that position and most acceptably filled it for a term of one year, when he declined re-election, but subsequently served as an employee of the ferry company for a considerable time and then resigned. Determining to establish himself in business, he opened a hardware store at Fourth and Federal Streets. By undaunted energy and rare executive ability he gradually increased his trade, and was thus necessitated to make additions and improvements to his store in order to meet the demands. After remaining at that place for several years, and having built up a large and profitable business with the builders and dealers in the surrounding country as well as the city, John S. Read erected for him a large and commodious store building at Third and Federal Streets, into which he removed and connected with the hardware trade the sale of window-sash, blinds and doors. As his business continued to grow and prosper, he erected for himself a building in which to conduct his store, on Federal Street, below Second, and moved into it in 1864. He has there regularly continued to enjoy a large trade for nearly a quarter of a century. In May, 1884, he built & store of brick, twenty by ninety feet, and three stories high, for the reception of sash, doors, blind., etc., his other building not being large enough to meet the increased demands of his business.

Sheriff Fredericks, the name by which he is best known, was obtained through his election to the office of sheriff of Camden County by the Democracy, to whose principles and party he has always been a devoted adherent. He first served in official position in 1856, as tax collector for the Middle Ward of Camden, and the next year and in 1860 was the Democratic nominee for the office of county clerk and received more than the party vote. His election to the office of sheriff in 1870, by a majority of over two hundred, in a county which for the head of the ticket at the same time gave a large Republican majority, was a signal triumph for him, no other Democratic candidate having been elected for a period of twenty-three years previously. He administered the duties of the office of sheriff greatly to the satisfaction of his constituents. It was during his term, and by his special act, that the noted criminal, John Ware, was brought to justice and hanged for the murder of his father, it being the first execution in Camden County.

Since the year 1876 Mr. Fredericks has served as a director in the First National Bank of Camden. In 1884 he was appointed by Governor Leon Abbett, for a term of four years, a member of the Council of State Charities and Correction. This body is composed of seven members, of which the Governor is president. Mr. Fredericks was first married to Judith Ann Horner, daughter of John and Elizabeth Horner, and to this union were born four children, - Lizzie (deceased), William H., Henry F. and Lewis C. (deceased). By his second marriage he has had three children, - Elias M., Howard P. (deceased) and Josiah Wallace.

William H. Fredericks, the eldest son by the first marriage, was born in 1854, and was educated in the public schools of Camden, Pennington Seminary and William Fewsmith’s Select School, in Philadelphia. In 1872 he entered his father’s store as assistant book-keeper. During the past eight years he has had the superintending charge of the extensive business interests of his father, and in this position has shown rare executive and administrative abilities. He was married, in December, 1884, to Clara R. Rotan, of Philadelphia, Pa. They have one child, Edna R. Henry Frazee, the second son, is a clerk in the wood department of the store; Elias Morgan, the third son, is a clerk in the hardware store; Josiah Wallace, the youngest son, is a student at Chester Military Academy.

GEORGE A. MUNGER & BRO. are manufacturers and wholesale dealers in North Carolina pine lumber. Their planing-mill in Camden is on North Delaware Avenue. George A. and Chauncey W. Munger, the members of this firm, began, in 1883, the business of planing and preparing North Carolina pine lumber for the market. They ship their lumber direct from their own mills in that State, one of the brothers being constantly engaged in manufacturing and shipping the same to their yards in Camden and large wharves on the river. The planing-mill is thoroughly equipped with five new machines for the preparation of their lumber for the trade, and the planers are of their own design, and patented. The machinery is driven by a forty horse-power engine. Twenty hands are constantly employed. The firm do a large wholesale business principally with the Pennsylvania and New Jersey trade.

THE BUILDERS’ MILL, on Cherry Street, owned by William H. Wilkins & Co., has a front of sixty feet, and a depth of eighty-eight feet, and was built in 1882 by James F. Davis, for the production of finished material used in his business as contractor and builder, and who still occupies a portion of the building. In March, 1886, he leased the mill to the present proprietors, William H. and E.A. Wilkins, who are at present engaged in the manufacture of builders’ mill work, such as sash, doors, blinds, etc. Various improved and patented machines for the production of window-frames and inside blinds are driven by an engine of thirty-five horse-power, with forty horse-power boilers. The company is preparing to build on their ground, opposite the mill, a large warehouse for the storing of builders’ material to supply the trade.

THE PLANING-MILL, on Second Street, below Roydon, was built in 1882 by Wilson Ernst, prominent builder of Camden, for the manufacture of door and window-frames, sash, blinds and builders’ material, used in his business. For several years prior to the building of this mill he had conducted a similar one on Seventh Street, above Roydon. The mill he now owns is fitted up with planers, moulders, and mortising machinery for rapid production of finished work, and which is run by a steam engine of fifteen horse-power. Twenty-five hands are employed, and the products are used in the buildings which the proprietor has in course of construction in Camden.

C.B. COLES’ PLANING MILL, corner of Front and Liberty Streets, is owned by Charles B. Coles, who, in 1864, in connection with William S. Doughten, started the business on Front Street, corner of Chestnut, the firm-name being Doughten & Coles. They continued in partnership until 1870, when they dissolved, and Charles B. Coles built his own mill at the present location. The mill is two stories in height and one hundred feet square and is equipped with all improved machinery for dressing timber, scroll and other kinds of sawing, and for the manufacture of doors, sash, blinds and builders’ materials of various kinds. A large space is set apart as a box manufactory, where boxes of all kinds, from the smallest size tea-box to the largest size packing-boxes, are made to order. Soon after the erection of the mill his business had so greatly increased that he found it necessary to purchase ground along the entire river-front in the rear of his mill for the storing of lumber. The manufactured products were also in great demand and to keep up a lot of seasoned goods in this line, he had erected a three-story brick office and a large store-house at No. 14 Kaighn Avenue, where the goods were stored and primed. The local trade is large, and contractors from Cape May, Atlantic City, Delaware and Maryland are supplied from this mill. Since the improvements made by the Reading Railroad Company he has his timber shipped direct from the West, while his facilities for shipping are unsurpassed. From seventy-five to one hundred hands are employed. This industry is one of the most important in South Camden and the business is of very large proportions.

CHARLES B. COLES, who is prominently identified with the business interests of the city and county of Camden, is a lineal descendant of Samuel and Elizabeth Coles, who emigrated from Coles Hill, Hertfordshire, England, and landed on the Jersey shore of the Delaware River a few miles above the site of Philadelphia, before that city was founded. Samuel Coles was a hatter in his native country, and doubtless plied his trade among the few settlers here in the primitive forests of New Jersey when he first arrived. He built a house near the spot where he landed, but soon afterward moved farther eastward, and on the 13th day of the Third Month, 1682, obtained a right of survey for five hundred acres of land on the north side of the mouth of Coopers Creek and fronting on the river. His nearest neighbor, William Cooper, about the same time settled on the opposite side of the creek, in the midst of an Indian village of Shackomaxin. Samuel Coles sold part of his land to Henry Wood and purchased five hundred acres on the south side of Pemisaukin Creek and removed there in a house already erected. He gave the name of this place New Orchard, which was situated near the head of the south branch of that stream, but has now lost its identity. He subsequently owned more than one thousand acres of land, then mostly an unbroken forest, but now many valuable farms, some of which are owned by direct and collateral branches of the family which he founded in America. Samuel Coles was & member of the Legislature in the years 1683 and 1685 and had much to do with the political trouble of the province of New Jersey, among which was the settlement in 1685 of the first boundary line between the counties of Burlington and Gloucester. About 1790 he went on a visit to England and on his way back to New Jersey the vessel on which he was sailing stopped at the Island of Barbadoes, where he was taken sick of a fever and died.

Samuel Coles and his wife, Elizabeth, had two children - Samuel (who married Mary, a daughter of Thomas Kendall) and Sarah (who married James Wild). Samuel and Mary Coles’ children were Samuel (who married Mary Lippincott), Joseph (married Mary Wood), Thomas (married Hannah Stokes), Kendall (married Ann Budd), Elizabeth (married Jacob Buckman and Benjamin Cooper), Mary(married Edward Tonkins), Susannah (married William Budd), and Rachel (married Enoch Roberts).

James and Sarah Wild had two children - James and Sarah. Within the bounds of the land that Samuel Coles owned at the time of his death is situated the historic St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, better known as the old Colestown Church, in Delaware township. Elizabeth Coles, his widow, afterward married Griffith Morgan, a mariner, of Philadelphia, December 10, 1693, whose only son, Alexander, married Hannah, the daughter of Joseph and Lydia Cooper and granddaughter of William Cooper, the first settler.

Kendall Coles, who married Ann Budd, was the second son of Samuel and Mary Coles and grandson of the emigrants, Samuel and Elizabeth Coles, and the great-grandfather of Chas. B. Coles, who is the great-great-great-grandson of Samuel Coles, the emigrant. Joseph Coles, the grandfather of Charles B. Coles, was married to Sarah Heulings. Their son Charles was born July 7, 1807, and died February 25, 1837; married Rachel Burrough, daughter of Joseph and Martha (Davis) Burrough, and had two children, - Joseph, who died in childhood, and Charles B. Coles, who was born on August 7, 1836, at the homestead now owned by himself, and known as the Coles Mill Farm, in Chester township, Burlington County, near the Camden line, to which place his father moved upon his marriage with Rachel Burrough, whose ancestors for six generations had owned the same property. His mother died in the Eleventh Month 29,1869, aged sixty-five years.

Charles B. Coles’ father died when he was less than a year and a half old. When eight years of age he went to reside with an uncle on a farm, and in early life followed the occupation of farming. In 1864 he engaged in the active business of life and has since followed it with unabated prosperity.

He has filled various positions of responsibility and trust and has always shown a great interest in the moral and material welfare of the community with which he has been identified and has been keenly alive to the greater questions of public polity. Reared an Abolitionist, he became one of the warmest supporters of the Republican party when it came into being and was one of its foremost local organizers. As a Republican he was elected to the Camden City Council in 1864, and was by far the youngest member of that body, being but twenty-eight years of age. The temperance cause had ever in him a devoted advocate and of late years he was frequently sent to the State Capital to use his influence in securing temperance legislation from his party. Becoming at length convinced of the futility of this method of procedure, he, in 1884, openly espoused the cause of prohibition and became a member of that party, the success of which he has since done all in his power to advance. In the summer of 1886 he was appointed by Supreme Court Judge Joel Parker as the representative of his party in the board of three commissioners, constituted under a recent law, to adjust the back taxes of the city of Camden. Mr. Coles was one of the incorporators and is one of the directors of the Camden National Bank and also a director in the Colestown Cemetery Company. Mr. Coles was married, on June 8,1865, to Mary M. Colson, daughter of Jonathan and Hannah (Lippincott) Colson, of Gloucester City. They have two children -William C. and Henry B.

CENTRAL LUMBER-YARD, situated at Second Street and Cherry, was opened by Volney G. Bennett, who, in 1876, bought the property and erected the various buildings, sheds, office and stables necessary in the business of a general lumber dealer. The yard has a frontage of one hundred and twenty-two feet on Second Street, with a depth of one hundred and eighty feet to Spring Street and one hundred and eighty by twenty feet on Front Street. The drying-sheds cover an area of one hundred and six by one hundred and twelve feet, and cover a stock of seasoned lumber representing ten to fifteen thousand dollars in value. Six hands are employed. The proprietor has excellent facilities for shipping direct from Western mills and yards.

VOLNEY G. BENNETT, the owner of this lumberyard, is a descendant of Stephen Bennett, who immigrated prior to the Revolution, from Connecticut, and settled near what is now Palmyra, Pike County, Pa. His wife, Mary (Gates) Bennett, also of New England parentage, witnessed the stirring scenes incident to the Wyoming massacre, and gave the alarm to the settlers of the approach of the murderous Indians, on that historic occasion. Stephen and Mary Bennett had eight children, whose names were Frederick, Stephen, Francis, Jared, Rufus, Lebbeus, Mary and Samantha.

Jared succeeded to the homestead and engaged in farming and lumbering. He married Esther Killam, by whom he had six children, viz: Gibson, Jane, Isaac (who served in a New York regiment during the late war), Frederick, Harvey and Volney. After the death of his wife he was married a second time, to Louisa Curtis. By this marriage he had three children, - Stephen, Esther and Fanny; all of these children are living except Frederick, and married but Stephen and Fanny, settling in different parts of the country. Gibson settled in St. Joseph County, Mich.; Isaac, Stephen and Esther reside in Pike County; Harvey is in Camden; and Fanny in Jamesville, Wis.

Volney G. Bennett was born April 9,1837. He remained with his father until he became of age, when he removed to Camden, where he has since resided. He entered the employ of MeKeen & Bingham, lumber merchants of Camden, and remained with them until 1876, and upon June 1st of that year began the lumber business on his own account at the corner of Second Street and Cherry. By persistent efforts he has become successful, and has increased, by close attention, his business interests.

On July 27, 1864, he was married to Emeline, daughter of Captain Thomas and Angeline Davis, of Port Elizabeth, N.J. By this marriage he has five children, - Killam Edgar (who is associated with his father in the lumber business), Emily, Volney, Alfred and Olive.

Mr. Bennett and his family are members of the First Baptist Church of Camden. In politics he is a Democrat. He is treasurer of the Franklin Building Loan and City Loan Associations, and is esteemed by his fellow-citizens as a man of careful business methods, excellent judgment and exemplary habits.

THE PLANING-MILL on Liberty Street, under the management of Thomas R. Arrison, was purchased by him in 1882. In 1880 he bought and operated the Doughten Mill, at the corner of Front Street and Chestnut, until 1882, at which time it was entirely destroyed by fire. He then bought the machinery and buildings of the present location and made many improvements to suit the production of builders’ material. The mill is one hundred by ninety feet, and is supplied by a thirty-five horse-power engine and improved machinery for making doors, sash, blinds, shutters, mouldings, brackets, scroll and other sawing. Thirty-six workmen are employed. The products are shipped through New Jersey, Pennsylvania and adjacent States.

STANTON & BRANNING, in 1872, began the manufacture of lumber at the foot of Walnut Street, on their grounds, which cover an area of ten acres. The saw and planing-mill is a large frame structure one hundred and thirty-two by forty feet, with two wings, one hundred by twenty-four feet each, and is fitted up with the first-class machinery for sawing and planing lumber, and since the introduction of Sterns’ patent steam-carriage, has a capacity for cutting fifty thousand feet of lumber daily. Two engines, aggregating one hundred horse-power, run the machinery. The annual sales amount to one hundred and thirty thousand dollars, the trade extending, along the Camden and Atlantic Railroad, to Atlantic City, to Cape May, also in Pennsylvania and Delaware, and over a long line of the river route. Fifty hands are employed. In February, 1886, J.W. Branning withdrew from the firm and the business was conducted by Mr. Stanton until the time of his death.

LEWIS N. STANTON was born in Wayne County, Pa., and is a son of William G. Stanton, a native of Orange County, N.Y., who, upon his removal to Pennsylvania, early in life, married Martha J. Holbert, of Pike County, Pa. By this union five children were born, - Lewis N., Benjamin D., Mary E., Martha and Harriet. At the age of fifteen Lewis N. began his successful business career, locating at Narrowsburg, Sullivan County, N.Y., where he opened a grocery store. This he managed successfully until the breaking out of the Civil War, when he sold out in order to enlist in the army, which he did in 1862, becoming a first lieutenant of Company K, One Hundred and Forty-third New York Volunteer Infantry, and was promoted to the captaincy the same year for gallant and meritorious services. He served with his regiment in the Peninsular campaign under General Keyes, and the subsequent campaigns of the Potomac army up to Gettysburg, and was then transferred to the West to the army of General Hooker, and was present at the battles of Chattanooga and Missionary Ridge. During his three years of military service he never had a leave of absence from his command.

On July 3, 1861, he was married to Sarah A., daughter of C.K. and Phoebe A. Gordon, daughter of John and Sarah Monroe, of Monticello, Sullivan County, New York, by whom he had three children, - May, the eldest, is married to C.J. Baldwin, of Hopewell, Dutchess County, N.Y.; Lulu, died when an infant; and William G., living at home.

Immediately after the war Mr. Stanton embarked in business, becoming largely interested in tracts of timber-land in New York, Pennsylvania and North Carolina, and in 1876 he formed a co-partnership with John W. Branning, of Camden, but retained his place of residence at Monticello until ten years later. His fellow-citizens of Sullivan County, N.Y., honored him by electing him supervisor for five and county clerk for three successive terms. He was a director in the First National Bank of Oneonta, and also in the Second National Bank of Port Jervis, N.Y., and he was a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity.

He died on June 2, 1886, and his remains were interred in a new cemetery on his own land, near the scenes of his early days at Narrowsburg. He was a man of many excellent qualities, was successful in his business life, a brave and patriotic soldier and an exemplary citizen.

C.W. PATTERSON & Co. are the proprietors of a saw-mill and planing-mill on West Street, corner of Washington. The large demand for finished material to meet the wants of the many contractors and builders in the rapidly-growing city of Camden offered inducements to this firm, and they founded their industry in 1883. The mill is amply provided with planers, circular and band-saws, turning lathes, upright moulders, boring and tenoning machinery, for the manufacture of builders’ materials in all its different branches. The machinery is driven by an engine of fifteen horsepower. Seven workmen are employed. The mill is running to its full capacity, to meet the demands of contractors and builders.

THE TIMBER, SPAR AND PILING BASIN of David Baird is located on the Delaware River and extends two hundred feet in front and one thousand two hundred feet in depth at the foot of Pearl Street. The enterprise was established in 1872 by the present proprietor and designed especially for the storage of large timber, spars, piling, Oregon heavy timber and Eastern spruce lumber, as also hackmetack knees, for general supply to ship and boat-builders. The large Oregon pine timber, some of which is one hundred and ten feet in length by three feet in diameter at the butt and two fret at top, is shipped direct by the proprietor in large timber vessels from the Pacific Coast, while the spruce for small spars, masts and flagstaffs is shipped from Nova Scotia and from Clearfield County, Pa. He also ships pine and oak timber from Michigan and other States bordering on the Great Lakes and also from Canada. He is part owner of the large timber tract formerly owned by Governor Bigler, in Clearfield County, Pa., has large timber tracts in Western Virginia and in Northwestern Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh, and is sole owner of a large tract in Lewis County, New York State, where he operates a lumber camp and saw-mill, employing over fifty hands. The products of this mill are sold in New York. He is also engaged in shipping hackmetack knees for vessels, receiving them direct from Bangor, Me.

DAVID BAIRD is of Scotch-Irish ancestry. His grandfather, James Baird, a farmer, whose residence was in County Derry, Ireland, married Ann Mac Jenkin, to whom were born children - Andrew, William, James, Samuel and a daughter Eliza. James Baird was born on the ancestral land in County Derry, and during his active life was engaged in the business of road contracting. He married Ann, daughter of David Robinson, of the same county, and their children were William, Mary, David, James, Andrew, Ann Jane, Eliza and Margaret. The death of Mr. Baird occurred in 1858, and that of his wife the year previous. Their son David, the subject of this biography, was born on the 7th of April, 1839, in County Derry, Ireland, and there spent his early years. His brother William having previously emigrated to America, he was soon afterward induced to join him in Baltimore, Md. He speedily engaged in labor on a farm, meanwhile improving his education by study and acquiring habits of observation and reflection which proved of great value in afterlife. In 1859 he entered the employ of Messrs. Gillingham & Garrison, lumbermen of Philadelphia, with whom he remained until l872, his duties being connected with the floating and rafting of lumber on the Susquehanna River to their mills in the city. He then embarked in the same business, and has been since largely interested in floating, rafting, buying and selling heavy timber and spars for vessels, with offices in Camden. The central field of operation for this increasing business is with New York, Boston and Philadelphia. To this lumber interest, which, from modest beginnings, has grown to large proportions, he gives his personal attention. He has also made extensive purchases of timber land in Pennsylvania, all of which ventures have been exceptionally successful.

Mr. Baird was, on the 23d of January, 1868, married to Miss Christianna, daughter of William and Mary Beatty, of Philadelphia, their children being William James (deceased), David, Jr. (deceased), Mary Beatty, Irvin C. Beatty, Christianna J. and David, Jr. Mr. Baird is a pronounced Republican, and, although influential with his party, has declined all offices other than that of member of the Board of Chosen Freeholders for four years from the First Ward of Camden. He is vice-president of the Economy Building and Loan Association and director of the North Camden Building and Loan Association. He is a member of the Ionic Lodge No. 94, of F. and A.M. of Camden, and connected with various beneficial associations and a supporter of the Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church, of which his wife and daughter Mary are members. He has been a resident of Camden since 1859.

THE LUMBER-YARD of Colson & Mulford occupies the ground on the Delaware River front above Kaighn Avenue, and was started in 1850 by William S. Doughten, afterwards carried on by Doughten & Coles and later by Doughten, Son & Co. In 1880 the present firm (the individual members of which are Benjamin F. Colson and Albert L. Mulford) purchased the entire business and have since conducted it. The ground occupied is ninety by one thousand feet. Since the purchase this firm has constructed on the premises a saw and planing-mill, which are operated by an engine of twenty-five horse-power. The trade extends throughout the adjoining States.

THE LUMBER-YARD of Shivers & Moffett is located on the west side of Delaware Avenue, below Market Street. It was first started in January, 1885, by the present firm, the individual members being William M. Shivers, who had been for a long time with Mr. Morrison, the lumber dealer, above Market Street, and Henry C. Moffett, late with C.B. Coles. The yard has a frontage of four hundred and fifty feet on Delaware Avenue and is one thousand five hundred feet in depth to the port warden’s line. The stock consists of all kinds of builders’ lumber. The trade extends to Pennsylvania, through Southern New Jersey and to points along the Delaware River.

S.H. MORRISON’S lumber-yard is located upon the site of the saw and planing-mill which was established by John F. Starr, in 1871, for making doors, blinds, sash, etc., and builders’ materials. In 1873 the present proprietor leased the mill and operated it until it was totally destroyed by fire, on Sunday night, January 17, 1886, since which time the site has been used for the storage of lumber, while the builders’ materials are shipped direct from the mills in Buffalo. The yard has an area of eighty feet front by seven hundred and fifty feet in depth. The trade is quite large, principally with Philadelphia. In the past year Mr. Morrison has furnished the lumber and building material for nine hundred houses in Philadelphia and two hundred and sixty-two in Camden.

OIL-CLOTH MANUFACTURERS.

The manufacture of oil-cloths and carpet was not engaged in by the early settlers in this country. These articles were then considered as household adornments imported from Europe, which only the wealthy classes could enjoy, and were used in small quantities previous to the Revolution. The earliest mention of the manufacture of carpets in America was by William Calvery, at his factory in Philadelphia, and the date is supposed to be 1774, when it was asserted that the carpets were superior to those imported. By the year 1791 carpets were made quite extensively in Philadelphia; about that time people took great interest in furnishing their houses with them. In order to supply the demand, John Dorsey, a merchant of Philadelphia, in 1807, at a factory on Chestnut Street, between Eleventh and Twelfth, began to make "floor oil-cloth and carpets." In his establishment were two looms for making a strong cloth of a quality between sail-duck and Russia sheeting. One of these looms could weave a piece seven yards in width, and one man could turn out from thirty-two to forty-five yards per day. The kind of goods produced at this establishment "was similar to Hare’s patent imported oil-cloth." It was made plain and in colors, and was sold at from one dollar and a quarter to two dollars per yard. It 1808 Isaac McCauly established a factory in Philadelphia, on Market Street, near the Schuylkill bridge, for the manufacture of "oil-cloths and carpets in various colors." The next year he purchased the Dorsey factory, on Chestnut Street, and moved his establishment to the northeast corner of Broad and Filbert Streets. In 1815 he moved to the Hamilton mansion, on Bush Hill, and there, with enlarged facilities, by the year 1820, "his success in making oil-cloth was very great," and the same year he "undertook the manufacture of carpets." He spun his own yarn for carpets and oil-cloth. Canvas then was used as the basis for oil-cloth, some of which was made twenty-one feet wide. In 1825 the government issued him a patent for "an improved method of making oil-cloth," and he continued the business with success. Most of the work in the process of making oil-cloth for many years after this was done by hand.

In 1820 David Powers, at Landisburg, N.Y., began to make oil-cloth with some change in the process used by his predecessors in the business, and nearly like that in use at the present day, only that steam-power was not then brought into requisition. While engaged at his business one day, he was accidentally burned by a pot of varnish, which caused his death, and his widow, Dinah Powers, continued the business.

The firm of D. Powers & Sons, of that town, is still known as manufacturers of oil-cloth on an extensive scale. The American oil-cloth of the present day is made in the States of Maine, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The number of factories is not numerous, there being probably no more than fifty in the United States. Of the four factories in the State of New Jersey, three are situated in the city of Camden.

Prominent in this industry in Camden are the Messrs. R.H. & B.C. Reeve, who own and operate the Camden Floor Oil-Cloth Works, situated on Pine Street, east of Haddon Avenue. These works were originated by the present proprietors, at the same location, in the year 1868. The individual members of this firm, who have, by their own efforts, established their industry in Camden, and the largest oil-cloth factory in the State of New Jersey, are Richard H. Reeve and. Benjamin C. Reeve. The former is the son of William F. Reeve and the latter the son of Emmor Reeve, two brothers, who, in connection with an elder brother, Josiah M. Reeve, under the firm-name of Reeve & Bros., were extensively engaged in ship-building and owners of saw-mills and grist-mills at Alloway, Salem County, N.J., and who built the large steamer "Columbus," which plied the Atlantic Ocean between Philadelphia and Charleston, the "Stephen Baldwin" and many other vessels and large schooners. The Messrs. Reeve, inheriting the enterprise and executive ability of their fathers, were quite young men when they moved from Alloway to Camden, in 1868, to establish their manufactory. The evidence of their success is shown from the substantial growth and development of the business. They began on a limited scale in two small buildings with twenty workmen, and an annual product of about one hundred thousand yards of manufactured oil-cloth, all of one variety. They now possess one of the three largest oil-cloth manufactories in the United States, covering an area of four and a half acres, own and occupy nine different buildings on this tract, employ one hundred workmen and produce annually about one million yards of manufactured oil-cloth of five different kinds and varieties. The seasoned and perfected oil-cloth is sold by traveling salesmen, and shipped to every section of the Union.

As the demand for the oil-cloth of the Camden works increased, owing to the superiority of its quality and the reliability of the firm, new buildings were added in order to increase the capacity of manufacture. Originally most of the work was done by hand, which was followed by the introduction of improved machinery, boilers and engines, and the application of steam as a motor, and steam heat in the process of drying the cloth and for heating the various buildings. In order to get pure water, better adapted to the purpose of manufacture, a few years ago an artesian well was sunk a hundred feet in depth, which supplies the large boilers where the steam is generated and conveyed to the various departments. After the condensation of the steam it is returned to the boiler and utilized again.

The process of manufacture as now applied in the production of oil-cloths of various kinds, and executed in hundreds of different designs, is quite complicated, and requires about six weeks to complete it from the raw material. The textile article known as burlap, which forms the basis of the cloth, is a foreign production, and is manufactured in Dundee, Scotland, from the jute plant, which is grown in such abundance in India. The Messrs. Reeve import their own burlap from Dundee in large quantities and keep it in stock. The building erected in 1870, and designated by the firm as Number 1, is a three story frame structure, thirty-three by one hundred and fifteen feet, and is used as the sizing department. On the second floor of this building the crude burlap is passed over and between moving cylinders, thus rendering it smooth and capable of receiving the applications of paint. The grinding and mixing of paints is done in building Number 5, erected in 1874, adjoining which is a two-story brick structure with basement, used for the mixing of paint, and the storage of material. Attached to building Number 5 is an apartment in which is placed an eighty-horse-power boiler and a thirty horse-power engine, for driving the machinery to grind the paints and for the sizing, coating and rubbing of the material. The coating department is in building Number 1, which is thirty-three by one hundred and thirteen feet, and was erected in 1870, and in Number 2, one of the original buildings. The first coats of paint are placed on the sized burlap by means of machinery, and the cloth thus prepared for printing, before which, however, in an adjoining apartment, the coated cloth is again rubbed smooth, in the preparation of it for printing.

The most delicate of the process in the manufacture of oil-cloth is the printing of it in various colors, which at these works is artistically performed by skilled workmen with blocks in the form of squares. There are two buildings devoted to this department. Number 6, a three-story brick structure, sixty by one hundred and thirty feet, was erected in 1876. The third story of this building is used for printing the cheap grades of goods, and the first and second stories for printing sheet-goods and other better qualities. Building Number 8 is forty by one hundred and twenty feet, and also three stories high, built and arranged for convenience in printing the different grades. After the various tints are systematically applied and this part of the work completed, the cloth is conveyed to drying-houses and hung in a vertical position. These buildings are then kept closed and steam-heat is applied, requiring two weeks to complete the drying effectively. In building Number 4, thirty-two by one hundred and ten feet, and built in 1870, the lower grades of cloth are dried. In building Number 7, which is built of brick, sixty by one hundred and twenty feet, and two stories high, the better grades of oil-cloth are dried in about two weeks. The capacity of the drying department is very large.

The last building needed by the Messrs. Reeve for the accommodation of their increasing business was erected in 1882 -83. It is a substantial and commodious two-story brick structure, with basement, sixty by one hundred and thirty feet. It contains a conveniently arranged business office on the first floor. In an adjoining apartment the varnishing and finishing of the cloth is done after being thoroughly dried. It is then placed in the storage room to await the time of shipment to the trade and to the Philadelphia office and salesroom at 917 Filbert Street. The extent of these works is shown by the steadily increasing amount of business done, the growth of which is to be fairly attributed to personal attention to details and the adoption of more perfect processes and the reduction in the cost of production brought about by the use of labor-saving machinery.

The Reeve family has been one of the influential families of Southern New Jersey for nearly two hundred years; their ancestor, Mark Reeve, came to America from England with "Fenwick’s Colony." He is said to have been possessed of rare mental endowments, and became the owner of large tracts of land in Cumberland County, N.J. He was a member of the Assembly which met in Burlington In 1683-85, was a prominent member of the Society of Friends, and died in 1694. His descendants were among the leading citizens of Southern New Jersey. Wm. Reeve, the grandfather of Richard H., Benjamin C. and Augustus Reeve, was born 11th of 12th Month, 1766, and married Letitia, daughter of Josiah and Letitia Miller, of Mannington, N.J., and had nine children, five of whom were sons, viz., Josiah Miller, William F., Mark M., Richard M. and Emmor Reeve. Josiah M. Reeve, with his two younger brothers, William K. and Emmor, carried on ship-building successfully for a number of years at Alloway, N.J. These three brothers, each, at different times, represented their county (Salem) in the upper house of the State legislature. They also contributed largely to the growth and prosperity of the town of their adoption by erecting large and substantial buildings.

RICHARD H. REEVE, the senior partner of the firm, was born at Alloway, Salem County, N.J., October 5, 1840, and is a son of William F. and Mary W. (Cooper) Reeve, his mother being a daughter of William Cooper, who for more than half a century was one of the best known and most influential citizens of Camden. Mr. Reeve obtained his education in the schools of his native place and at the well-known Westtown Boarding-School, in Chester County, Pa. He afterwards took a commercial course at Crittenden’s Business College in Philadelphia, at a time when that institution had attained its greatest popularity and success. In 1862 he engaged in the lumber trade at Alloway and continued in that business there until his removal to Camden, in 1868, to become associated with his present partner in the manufacturing establishment which has been described. He and his partner are lineal descendants of a family which for many generations past have been connected by faith and membership with the Society of Friends, both being members of Newton Meeting.

Mr. Reeve was married, June 8,1863, to Sallie W. Carpenter, daughter of Samuel P. and Hannah A. Carpenter, her father being a lineal descendant of Samuel Carpenter, once the owner of the site upon which the central part of Camden is built, a contemporary of William Penn and next to him the most influential of early settlers in Pennsylvania. The children of this marriage are Augustus H., Hannah C., Mary W. and Alice M. Reeve.

Though Mr. Reeve devotes his time almost exclusively to his business, his usefulness has been brought into requisition as a director of the Cumberland National Bank, treasurer of the Camden City Dispensary and a member of the board of managers of Cooper Hospital.

BENJAMIN C. REEVE, the junior partner of the firm of R.H. & B.C. Reeve, was born on September 23, 1844, at Alloway, Salem County. He is a son of Emmor and Prudence B. (Cooper) Reeve, the latter being also the daughter of the late William Cooper, of Coopers Point, Camden. After obtaining the rudiments of an education at home, Mr. Reeve entered Westtown Boarding-School, in Cheater County, Pa., and remained in that excellent institution for a period of three years. He then entered the Polytechnic College, in Philadelphia, and after completing the entire course was graduated with the class of 1865. Not desiring to follow the profession of a civil engineer, for which he prepared, in 1868 he associated himself with his present partner in the establishment of the manufacturing business to which he has since steadily devoted his time and energies. In recognition of his success as a business man, a few years ago he was chosen a director in the Camden Safe Deposit Company, and has filled other positions of trust and responsibility. Mr. Reeve was married, October 8, 1877, to Mary R. Carpenter, daughter of Samuel P. and Hannah A. Carpenter, of Salem, N.J. They have two children - Rachel C. and Herbert E. Reeve.

AUGUSTUS REEVE, a leading manufacturer of Camden for the past twenty years, was born in Alloway, Salem County, N.J., August 31, 1833, and was a son of William F. and Mary W.(Cooper) Reeve, the former a native of Burlington County (though his father was from Cumberland County), and the latter a descendant of William and Margaret Coper, the original settlers of Coopers Point (of whom a sketch appears elsewhere in this work). Both families were members of the Orthodox Friends. The boyhood of Augustus Reeve was spent in his native town, and his school education was completed at Haverford College. After he had attained his majority he carried on for some time the lumber business at Allowaytown, and in 1862 went to the Safe Harbor Iron Works, on the Susquehanna River, in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where he had charge of the company’s store. In 1866 he came to Camden and purchased the Pea Shore Brick Works, now known as the Pea Shore Brick and Terra-Cotta Works. He materially enlarged the manufacturing plant from time to time, became a thorough master of the details of the business, and in 1876 added the line of manufacture which made necessary the second clause in the title of the manufactory, and began the production of a line of terra-cotta goods which has been constantly increased in variety. The manufacture now includes all kinds or grades of red brick, vitrified drain and sewer pipe, terra-cotta pipe in all of its branches, flue pipes, chimney pots, vases, flower pots, rustic hanging baskets, window boxes and many other articles of combined utility and beauty. The works, employing about one hundred men, are upon the Delaware River, four miles above Camden, and at Fish-House Station on the Amboy Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad, which gives the proprietor excellent advantages for shipping goods either by rail or water.

Mr. Reeve is a Republican, but not an active politician. He has been a member of the Camden City Council, but was chosen to that position more because of his being a representative business man than upon any other consideration. He also has been a trustee of the Cooper Hospital from its commencement.

He married, June 25,1862, Rebecca C., daughter of Isaac H. and Elizabeth H. Wood, of Haddon Hall, Haddonfield. They have four children, - Elizabeth Cooper, William F. (in business with his father), Laura and Charles Gaskell.

FARR & BAILEY, manufacturers of floor oilcloth, have their works and office at Seventh and Kaighn Avenue. This firm is composed of Samuel T. Bailey and his nephew, Edward L. Farr. The family to which they belong has been in the oil-cloth business for four generations. Ezekiel Bailey, grandfather of S.T. Bailey, and great-grandfather of E.L. Farr, began the manufacture of table oil-cloths in Winthrop, Me., about 1825. His seven sons have all been engaged in the business. Moses and Charles M. are the moat prominent of these sons. Samuel T. Bailey was brought up in the family of Charles M. Bailey, his father having died while he was a boy, and for nineteen years was employed in his uncle’s store in New York City and the greater part of the time he was manager of it. C.M. Bailey still resides in Winthrop, Me., where he has several large oil-cloth works. Moses Bailey was also engaged in manufacturing at Winthrop, but about 1872 or 1873 sold his factory to his brother, Charles M. In 1875 he purchased the factory and ground in Camden, now occupied by Farr & Bailey, from a Mr. English. He associated with him in the management of the business Lincoln D. Parr, the husband of his niece, adopted daughter and sister of the present S.T. Bailey. From that time until 1883 the business was conducted in the name of Lincoln D. Farr, under whose management the business greatly increased. Originally there were four buildings and five more were added by him, making nine in all, and thus the facilities for manufacture were quadrupled. Mr. Bailey retained a silent interest in the business until his death, in 1882. Lincoln D. Farr died in January, 1883, and the business was continued from that time until December, 1884, by his estate, under the management of his son, Edward L. Farr, and Samuel T. Bailey, who had been employed as salesman in New York City. In December, 1884, the present firm was formed. The lot upon which the works are located is four hundred by seven hundred feet upon which are eighteen principal buildings, six of which are forty by one hundred feet. Of these buildings, six are constructed of brick, the balance of wood. There are three boilers aggregating one hundred and ninety horse-power, with four engines aggregating eighty horse-power. The buildings are fitted up with the latest improved machinery. Employment is given to about one hundred men. The weekly production is about twenty-five thousand yards of floor oil-cloth. This firm manufactures floor oil-cloths, rugs, mats and stair-cloth. The goods are sold in all parts of the United States east of the Rocky Mountains and also in Canada.

THE FLOOR-CLOTH MANUFACTORY at the corner of Seventh Street and Jefferson was erected and the business established, in 1882, by J.C. Dunn, Jr., & Co. The building is sixty-six by one hundred and twenty-five feet in dimensions and is specially designed for the manufacture of floor oil-cloths from one yard to two and one-half yards in width. The various departments are provided with sizing, rubbing varnishing, painting and other machines used in the business. The full capacity of the factory is nine thousand nine hundred yards of finished cloth weekly, and constant employment is given to thirty-five workmen. The manufactured oil-cloths of this establishment are sold through Philadelphia and New York business houses. In February, 1886, J.C. Dunn, Jr., purchased an additional acre of ground, and, during that year, erected another large two-story building, sixty-two by one hundred and thirty feet, which increased the capacity of manufacture, and, when put in operation, furnished employment to eighty workmen.

KAIGHNS POINT OIL-CLOTH WORKS, occupying an acre of ground at Ferry Road and Atlantic Avenue, have been built and put in operation since February, 1886. The main building is of frame, two stories high, and is fifty-four by one hundred and twenty-six feet in dimensions. It is completely fitted up with new machinery, including sizing, rubbing, coating and varnishing machines. The interior department is used as the drying-room, with ranges, tiers and racks, and in front there are two paint-mills and two feeders, from which the cloth passes to the different dryers as the several coatings are applied. The machinery is driven by two engines. The main engine is a twenty-five horse-power, and runs the general machinery and shafting; a small engine of five horse-power runs the sizing machines. Floor oilcloth from one yard to two and one-half yards in width is manufactured and shipped to New York and Philadelphia merchants. The proprietor is P.J. Murphy, who has his office at the works. Twenty hands are employed, under the care of John B. Hutchinson as general manager.

L.B. RANDALL, who for eighteen years has been superintendent of the oil-cloth works of R.H. & B.P. Reeve, of Camden, in l884 began the manufacture of oil-cloth and wall-paper blocks, a new invention used in the printing department of oilcloth and wall-paper manufactories. His place of business is at the corner of West and Washington Streets. His son, Frank H. Randall, has been engaged for a period of twelve years as an employee in the manufacture of oil-cloth, and is now foreman of the works of which his father is superintendent.

WOOLEN WORSTED MILLS.

THE LINDEN WORSTED MILLS, one of the largest and most productive manufacturing establishments of its kind in the Middle States, is situated on the square bounded by Broadway, Fourth, Winslow and Jefferson Streets, in South Camden. The enterprising proprietors of this industry are Howland Croft and Herbert Priestly, who, in 1885, purchased the building which they now occupy, enlarged it and fitted it up for the manufacture of worsted yarns. The machinery used is of the best improved kind, being nearly all entirely new. The arrangements and surroundings of their establishment are admirably suited for the purposes designed, and the facilities for the production of worsted yarns of fine quality is equal to that of any worsted-mill in America. The senior proprietor, Mr. Croft, under whose intelligent and skillful management it has attained such vast proportions, is a thoroughly practical manufacturer, having been continuously engaged in the business since he first entered a worstered-mill as an employee in his native country, England, thirty-years ago. The Linden Mill is substantially built of brick, four stories high, and situated in the centre of a large plot of ground which is also the property of the firm. The numerous windows in the mill admit a plentiful supply of light into all the departments, and the heating accommodations are well arranged.

Excellent fire apparatus is connected with the mill, with a line of hose on each floor and a water-tank on the top of the tower, so that in the case of accidental fire, it could be quickly extinguished by the appliances at ready command. Adjoining the large mill is a wool warehouse, in which twenty-two wool-sorters are occupied in handling the finest domestic and Australian wool that can be obtained and preparing and arranging it for the wool-washing process. The washing and carding of the wool is done on the first floor of the large mill, and adjoining this department is the engine-room, containing a compound Corliss engine of four hundred horse-power, which is used as the motor to run the extensive machinery.

After the wool is washed and carded it is conveyed to the combing department on the second story, where there are eleven combing-machines, nine of which are new. Here the wool is carefully combed and prepared for the drawing department, located on the third floor, where four large drawing-machines perform the delicate operation of drawing out the top from the combed wool into rooving and preparing it for spinning. In the fourth story the wonderfully interesting operation of spinning and twisting the yarn is done, with the vast number of seven thousand spindles upon an intricate combination of machinery, which, when moving, is interesting to behold. The last operation is that of reeling and spooling the yarn, the production of which, at this mill, ranges from 20s to 100s. The manufactured wool made by Croft & Priestly is sold throughout the Middle and New England States. The weekly consumption of wool is twenty-five thousand pounds, and four hundred men and women are regularly employed at the Linden Mills.

HOWLAND CROFT, the active head and senior proprietor of the industry just described, was born January 16, 1839, at Wilsden, in Yorkshire, England, and is a son of John and Hannah Howland Croft. His father was a coachman for Major Benjamin Farrand, a large land-owner of that country. His mother is of Scotch descent, as the name indicates. Young Croft became an orphan at the early age of three years, when his father was fatally injured by being thrown from a horse, and the boy was placed upon his own resources to gain a livelihood. As soon as he was large enough to perform manual labor he was employed in a worsted-mill in his native place, spending one-half the day in school and the other half in the mill, until he arrived at the age of twelve years, when he devoted full time to his work in the mill, and continued thus employed until he was seventeen. Being an active boy and quick to learn the business, he then went to the town of Farsley, in Yorkshire, and took charge of a small factory, and while there met Mr. Briggs Priestly, father of his present partner, now a member of the English Parliament, and a large manufacturer and land-owner of Bradford, England. Mr. Croft remained in that position until 1867; in the meantime the mill was enlarged. During that year he concluded to come to America. He located in Philadelphia, and immediately thereafter became superintendent of one of the departments of the worsted-mill of John and William Yewdell, then the only manufactory of its kind in that city. After an engagement of three weeks he was sent by his employers to England to purchase improved machinery for their enlarged mill, and upon his return he brought his family with him. After an engagement of two years in the employ mentioned, Mr. Croft was solicited by George Campbell to superintend the establishment and management of a new worsted-mill at Twenty-first Street and Washington Avenue, Philadelphia, which soon developed to be the largest worsted manufactory in the city. He continued in that responsible position and built up the interests of his employer until 1879, when he retired from the position, went to England to purchase machinery for a new worsted-mill to be located at Front Street and Linden, in Camden, and of which, upon returning, he became the senior proprietor, under the firm name of Croft, Midgely & Rommel, who operated the first worsted-mill in New Jersey. This partnership existed for two and a half years. In 1884 Mr. Croft purchased the interest of his partners and called in as his new partner Mr. Herbert Priestly, and formed the present firm of Croft & Priestly, and they also operated a mill in Philadelphia, along with the Camden mill. In 1885 the firm of Croft & Priestly disposed of their other mills and purchased the one which they now own and operate.

Mr. Croft was married, in 1859, in Farsley, England, to Mary Granger, daughter of William Granger, of that town. By this marriage were born eight children, six of whom - Annie, John William, Miranda, Clara, George and Samuel - are now living. John William, the eldest son, is engaged with his father in business. The two youngest sons are attending school near Harrowgate, in England.

A. PRIESTLEY & Co., during the year 1886, established a mill for the manufacture of worsted suitings at the corner of Broadway and Jefferson street, in South Camden. This enterprising firm, composed of Arthur Priestley and Herbert Bottomley, for five years previously had operated a mill in the manufacture of the same kind of goods at Second Street and Columbia Avenue, in Philadelphia. Obtaining the eligible location which they now occupy, they erected a weaving shed of brick, two hundred and five by ninety-one feet, which has a capacity of one hundred and sixty-eight broad looms. The present plant contains forty broad looms, which will soon be increased to seventy-two. These, with the finishing and other machinery necessary to the production of the manufactured goods, will occupy the capacity of the present shed. When all the space is thus taken up, the firm contemplate erecting an additional mill for the machinery and filling up the shed now used with the looms. The mill has been put into operation and will in a very short time, by the completion of the plans already formulated, be one of the most important industries in Camden, and will employ a large number of workmen.

THE CAMDEN WOOLEN-MILLS COMPANY on State Street near Coopers Creek. This is a corporation which was organized in December, 1882, with Henry Bottomley, president; John T. Bottomley, treasurer; William M. Capp, secretary; and S.B. Stitt & Co., selling agents. They operate the Camden woolen -mills, which were built in 1863, and of which Henry Bottomley was then superintendent and S.B. Stitt treasurer. The buildings, ten in number, are built of fine bricks and include the mill proper, three hundred by fifty-two feet, half of which is three stories in height, the other half two stories; an L extension three stories high, ninety by thirty-three feet; engine-house, boiler-house, two dye-houses, one dry-house, one picker-house, one raw stock warehouse and one warehouse for finished goods. There are also thirty-nine tenement-houses of two and three stories in height upon the property. The total area occupied is about seven acres. Many kinds of cloth, both woolen and worsted, for men’s and women’s wear, are manufactured. These mills are favorably known to the trade and have a widespread reputation for superior equipments in machinery and for the superiority of the goods produced. The improved and automatic machinery supplied to the mills include sixteen sets of cards and one hundred and two broad looms, with other necessary machines for woolens and worsteds. The motive force is furnished by a high-pressure Corliss engine of two hundred and fifty horsepower, which is run by six cylinder and two steel tubular boilers. There are three hundred and seventy-seven employees constantly at work. The products are sold through S.B. Stitt & Co., whose offices are located at No. 221 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, and No. 49 Leonard Street, New York City.

HIGHLAND WORSTED-MILLS are at Ninth and State Streets and on Coopers Creek. They were built by a company in 1884. This company was incorporated early in the year 1884 with S.B. Stitt as president; John T. Bottomley, treasurer; William M. Capp, secretary; and Henry Bottomley, agent. The mills cover an area of four hundred and fifty by one hundred and fifty feet, and include one large four-story mill, engine and boiler-house, store-house and office, all of brick. These buildings were specially designed and constructed by the company with every improvement suggested by the highest style of architecture and with every precaution against destruction by fire, being protected by automatic water-pipes as a safeguard. The company is yet in its infancy and only a portion of the mills is in operation. Two large operating-rooms, two hundred by sixty feet, have recently been furnished with new and improved machines, which will enable the company to manufacture more than triple the amount previously produced. In the original building there were in running order nine carding-machines, six combing-machines, three sets of drawing-machines and forty-four hundred spindles, which produce worsted yarns of all kinds known to the trade. The entire machinery is driven by a compound condensing Corliss engine of five hundred horse-power, run by two Galloway boilers of three hundred horsepower each. The draught-stack for these boilers is one hundred and eighty-three feet high and six and a half feet inside measure at the top. Two hundred and forty hands have constant employment in the mills. The products are sold throughout the United States. The offices of the company are at No. 221 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, and No. 49 Leonard Street, New York City.

THE PINE POINT MILLS, located at corner of Erie Street and Fifth, above Coopers Point, were established in April, 1886, by John S. Spruance and James S. Birkhead, in the mills formerly operated by the Wood Manufacturing Company, and which had been idle for one year. The firm of Spruance & Birkhead fitted up the mills with new machinery, including two sets of latest improved Bridesburg cards, one wool-picker, one willow-picker and four mules running three hundred and ninety-six spindles each; also reels, twisters and other automatic machines used in the production of cotton and woolen yarns. The mills occupy an acre of ground on the Delaware River and include four brick buildings. The mill proper is one hundred and sixty by sixty feet, with North light roofing, and has a boiler-house, a picker-room and an engine-room adjoining. An Erie City engine of sixty horse-power, run by a seventy-five horse-power Erie boiler is used. Twenty hands are employed. The products are shipped to manufacturers in the States of New York and Pennsylvania, the mills at Cohoes, New York State, using the largest portion.

NOVELTY WORSTED-MILLS was established in 1883 by James E. Ackroyd and Joseph W. Scull, for the manufacture of worsted yarns to supply to the trade in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and the New England States. The mill is situated at the corner of Pine Street and Pearl. It is three stories high, has a frontage of one hundred and sixty fret, and extends from thence to the Delaware River. It is fully equipped with machinery and appliances for the production of worsted yarn in large quantities, having nine spinning frames of one hundred and sixty-eight spindles each, or, in all, one thousand five hundred and twelve spindles, three carding-machines, two combing-machines, eighteen drawing-machines and four doubling-machines. A one hundred and fifty horse-power engine, with two tubular boilers, furnish the motive power to run the machinery. Four thousand pounds of yarn are manufactured weekly, and eighty workmen are employed. The business office for the sale of yarn is at No. 30 Letitia Street, Philadelphia.

THE ABERFOYLE MILLS were lately erected for the manufacture of ladies’ fine dress goods, such as seersuckers, ginghams, chambries, etc. This extensive mill property is leased and operated by W.T. Galey and is well fitted up with the new and must improved machinery for the manufacture of his particular line of goods. He has now one hundred looms and preparing machinery for the same; also calenders, Miller’s Rotary Press, power press, singeing, shearing, tendering, starching and folding-machines, also rolling and sewing-machines. At present one hundred workmen are employed. The mill is two stories high and fifty-three by one hundred and fifty feet. There is also an engine-house, sixty-five by twenty-two feet, containing one seventy-five horse-power Buckeye automatic cut-off engine and powerful dynamos for furnishing light for the mill and property generally; also one Hoff & Fontaine engine of thirty-five horse-power, one boiler-house, thirty-four by thirty-two feet, containing two steel tubular boilers of two hundred horse-power. One hundred looms are in operation, which number will be largely increased. When the entire works of the company are in complete operation, five hundred hands will be employed. Ten three-story brick dwelling-houses are now on the ground for the use of the operatives and more will be erected.

THE BRIGHTON MILLS, near the corner of Point and Erie Streets, were established by Irvine C. Beatty, in May, 1883, for the manufacture of elastic shoe webs. The brick manufactory is fifty by one hundred feet in dimensions, and is supplied with fifteen looms, twenty-three feet long with ten shuttles each, weaving ten pieces of webbing at the same time, and capable of as many changes in colors as may be desired. There are also gassing-machines, calenders, warping-mills and winders, all of the most improved pattern and design. Forty workmen are employed, who produce eight thousand yards of web per week, sufficient to fit out twenty-five thousand pairs of Congress gaiters. This webbing is sold in large quantities to the trade throughout the entire United States. A thirty hone-power engine furnishes the motive-power to the varied automatic machinery required in the production of the finished material.

Mr. Beatty is now preparing to construct at Pine Point, in North Camden, a large three-story brick factory, fifty-three by one hundred feet, in order to enable him to meet the now steadily increasing demand. More looms and machinery will be added, so as to give employment to one hundred and fifty hands, and produce twenty-two thousand yards of webbing per week.

In the proprietor of these works, Irvine C. Beatty, is exhibited a fine example of what industry, integrity and pluck, unaided by the prestige of position or wealth, can accomplish under the conditions of the American commercial system. The road to success is open to all, but only a few reach the goal because of the ruggedness of the pathway at the outstart. Some are carried over the rough places at the beginning of the road of life, but young Beatty made his own way from the outset, as a few facts concerning his career will show. Born in Boughenforth, County Fermanagh, Ireland, April 23, 1849, he came to America as an infant in his mother’s arms. His father, William Beatty, having lost what little property he possessed in the old country, determined to find a home in the new, and having come to Philadelphia and found employment, had sent for his wife, Mary Chittick Beatty, and his family, six months later. They arrived in the Quaker City in the summer of 1850, at the time of the great fire, and thus reunited, enjoyed a humble but happy home for a dozen years. Then the supporter, the husband and father died, and a hard struggle was forced upon those bereft. Irvine left school at the age of thirteen and a half years to begin the battle of life. He obtained work with the same house where his father had been employed - that of Alexander Whillden & Sons, dealers in wool, woolens, cotton and cotton yarns. His wages were "nothing a year" for the first year, fifty dollars for the second and one hundred dollars for the third - the usual arrangement at that time. While working for "nothing a year" he sewed wool-bags and performed similar work at night, often toiling as late as two o’clock in the morning, to earn a few pennies for the support of the family. He progressed from this humble beginning slowly at first, and then rapidly until 1875, when after having been a salesman for a number of years and thoroughly mastering the business, he gave up a salary of thirty-five hundred dollars per year to embark in trade for himself. In January, 1876, he opened a cotton, woolen and worsted yarns house at 35 Letitia Street, Philadelphia, afterwards removing to 123 Chestnut Street, where he was burned out, and after that disaster, to his present location, 136 Chestnut Street. Here he, who as the boy began at "nothing a year," now as a young man, carries on a business amounting to from seven to eight hundred thousand dollars per year. The goods handled by the house are cotton, woolen and worsted yarns. In the works in Camden, for the manufacture of elastic shoe-webbing, started, as heretofore noted, in 1883, a business is done which amounts to about one hundred thousand dollars per annum. Mr. Beatty’s activity, however, is not confined to these enterprises, large as they are. He is president of the Deibel Sewing-Machine and Trimmer Manufacturing Company, at Third and Cumberland Streets, Philadelphia, and a director of the Camden National Bank. He takes also an active interest in matters pertaining to the public welfare; is one of the strongest supporters, though not a member, of the Tabernacle Methodist Episcopal Church; is an influential member of the Board of Education and chairman of its board of property. In politics he is a Republican. He is a member of Ionic Lodge No. 94 F. and A. M.; Siloam Royal Arch Chapter; Cyrene Commandery of Knight Templars of Camden, and is a 32d degree Mason. Mr. Beatty was united in marriage, December 12, 1877, to Miss Mary S. Gray, of Bernardston, Franklin County, Mass., and they have one child, William Beatty.

THE LACE AND EMBROIDERY MANUFACTORY at Front Street and Pearl is an establishment of extensive proportions. It was originated, in 1882, by the firm of Loeb & Schoenfeld, composed of Jacob Loeb, Max Schoenfeld and David Schoenfeld, who manufacture a great variety of laces and embroidery of fine qualities. This factory is a branch of a larger one at Rorschach, Switzerland, the Camden factory having the main warehouse at Nos. 70 and 72 Franklin Street, New York City. The Camden mill is built of brick, four stories high, and is lifted up with improved machinery, and one hundred and fifty hands are employed.

THE GIMP AND FRINGE MANUFACTORY at Nos. 39 and 41 North Second Street was established first in Philadelphia, in 1858, by Richard Perks. In 1872 he sold his interest in the business to George A. Perks & Co. In 1878 they removed the machinery and appurtenances to Camden, and fitted up the manufactory, which is of brick, thirty by one hundred and fifty-five fret, with twelve weaving looms, four chenille machines and six spinning and spooling wheels and other necessary machinery for the manufacture of gimps, fringes, cords, tassels, etc., for upholstery trimmings. In 1884 George A. Perks became sole proprietor, but still conducts the business under the firm-name. Seventy hands are employed. The manufactured products of this establishment are sold principally to upholsterers in New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and other cities.

MISCELLANEOUS.

THE WOOD MANUFACTURING COMPANY, of which J.B. Wood is president, E.H. Kimball treasurer, and Guy B. Greenwood secretary and general manager was established as a stock company in the year 1886, and within the short space of eight months made very great improvements at Pine Point, in the upper part of Camden City. This company bought ten acres of ground on the Delaware River front, at the head of Fifth Street, including the basin of the sectional dry-docks, which were in operation for about five years previously, but discontinued in August, 1885. The company has constructed two large wharves, one twenty-two by six hundred and forty feet, the other twenty-two by seven hundred and twenty feet. The basin is one hundred and four by three hundred and forty feet, with an average depth of twenty-four feet, and is now used for wharfage property, repairing and discharging of different cargoes. East of, and adjacent to, this basin is the long wharf, seven hundred and twenty feet in length, forming the west side of the new marine railway, which has been in course of construction since May 1st of the present year (1886). The dimensions of this, the largest marine railway ever constructed on the Delaware River, is eight hundred and twenty-five feet in length on the ways, and of sufficient width for four tracks, and is calculated to haul out vessels of two thousand eight hundred tons register and three hundred and fifty feet in length. This railway is now complete with the exception of the carriage, which is three hundred feet in length, and the placing in position of the machinery and engine, which are already on the ground.

THE AROMA MILLS are situated at the east end of Line Street, on Coopers Creek, and were established in the year 1840 by the Browning Brothers, for the manufacture of dye-woods and chemicals. The business at these mills, when they were first started, was conducted on a limited scale, but during the forty-six years that they have been in continuous operation under the same management they have grown and developed into an extensive industry. Large buildings have been added to the original one, until there are now nine in all, which are built upon the property of the firm who conduct the business.

The main building is a three-story brick, eighty by one hundred feet, and with the adjacent buildings, is supplied and fitted with the necessary appliances and machinery for the special preparation of their products. From seventy to eighty workmen are employed, and five large motor engines and four pumping engines, with thirty boilers, are required to extract dyes and drive the machinery. The business and annual sales of this firm are very large. The trade extends throughout the Union, and also to many portions of Europe.

The main office of these mills is at Nos. 42 and 44 North Front Street, Philadelphia. The individual members of the firm are Maurice, G. Genge and George G. Browning.

MAURICE BROWNING, the senior member of the firm of Browning Brothers, proprietors of the above-described industry, was born June 5, 1811, on the homestead farm of the Browning family, in Stockton township, about three and a half miles from Camden. The family to which he belongs is one of the oldest in the State of New Jersey, the American founder being George Browning, who came immediately from Holland to this country about 1735, and settled near Pea Shore, in what is now Stockton township. Abraham Browning, the father of Maurice Browning, was a prosperous farmer. He also established what is now known as the Market Street Ferry in Camden, about 1800, and owned it until his death, in 1836, when it passed to his heirs, among whom was the subject of this sketch, and who is now a director in the company which operates the ferry.

Maurice Browning obtained his earliest education in the country schools in the neighborhood of his home, and afterwards attended the popular school at Burlington of John Gummere, the mathematician, at whose institution his brother, Hon. Abraham Browning, was prepared for Yale College. After leaving school he entered a drugstore at Mount Holly, N.J., remaining for a time, and then took a course in laboratory work and pharmacy under Doctors Wood and Bache in Philadelphia. He next opened a drug-store on Market Street, in the city named, and since 1840 has devoted most of his time to the interest of the Aroma Mills. Mr. Browning was one of the directors of the Farmers and Mechanics Bank, was a director in 1864, when its charter was changed to the First National Bank of Camden, and continued a member of the board of that institution until his resignation, in 1885. He was one of the original members of the Union League of Philadelphia, and since the organization of the Republican party he has been an ardent supporter of its principles. He is manager of the Browning estate, comprising several valuable farms lying in Stockton township.

Mr. Browning was married, in 1840, to Anna A., daughter of Joshua Few Smith, [Fewsmith] who was a prominent merchant of Philadelphia, and in later years lived In retirement on a farm near Haddonfield. They had the following children: Abraham M. (deceased): Josephine, married to Isaac Doughten of Camden; and Alice. Mrs. Browning died in the year 1880.

CAMDEN DYEWOOD, EXTRACT AND CHEMICAL WORKS are located at the corner of Seventeenth and Stevens Streets, fronting on Cooper Creek, and are owned and operated by W. Wharton Fisher. They cover an area of two acres, and were established in the year 1880. Forty men are regularly employed in the manufacturing dyewoods and chemicals for dyeing purposes. The apartments occupied are a large three-story brick building, eighty by one hundred feet, with an engine and boiler-room annex, thirty-three by thirty feet, a frame one-story building, one hundred and twenty-five by one hundred and forty feet, and three other frame buildings adjoining the larger ones. The valuable products of this manufacturing establishment have an extensive sale in all parts of the United States.

THE NEW JERSEY CHEMICAL WORKS, on Coopers Creek, occupy several large buildings and sheds, covering an area of two and one-half acres. Previous to 1872 they were operated by Potts & Klett, for the manufacture of chemicals and fertilizers. In that year they came into the possession of the New Jersey Chemical Company, which was incorporated in 1872, with Henry C. Gibson, president; Thomas B. Watson, treasurer; and William E. Lafferty, secretary. This company continue the manufacture of chemicals and fertilizers, and have fitted up eight large building’s of brick and stone and two large acid chambers, two hundred by forty feet in dimensions, for the preparation of their products, which are shipped to localities in the different States. Three large engines, equal to one hundred and twenty-five horse-power, supply the motive-power for the machinery. From seventy to eighty hands are employed. The company transact a business of very large proportions.

THE CAMDEN CITY DYE WORKS, Nos. 609 and 611 Pearl Street, were started in 1877 by Henry Hussong and Conrad Moehl at the corner of Point and Pearl Streets. In 1879 the present firm bought out the boilers and machinery and removed the entire business to the present location. The firm is composed of Peter Hussong and his three sons, Henry, Joseph and Frederick Hussong. The factory is a two-story brick, sixty by one hundred and fifty feet in dimensions, and completely fitted out with engine, boilers, whizzers, dryers, etc., for dyeing cotton and woolen yarns. The business extends to New York, Pennsylvania and some of the Southern States, and the work is principally done by contract for the large cotton and woolen goods manufacturers.

THE AMERICAN BLEACH AND DYE WORKS are located on the corner of Sixth Street and Mechanic. A two-story building forty by eighty feet, was erected in 1881, by J.S.P. Hogan and J.J. Hayes, for a hosiery-mill. They conducted this business as partners until 1885, when J.J. Hayes took charge of the hosiery business alone, and, with J.S.P. Hogan, built the adjoining one-story frame building, thirty by eighty feet, and, when completed, the hosiery business was discontinued, and the buildings were fitted up as dye and bleach works. The bleaching and drying-mill is supplied with a large-size Butterworth drying-machine, washing-machines and starching and blueing-machines, which are driven by a twenty horse-power engine, with a thirty-five horse-power horizontal boiler. The dye-house is furnished with fifteen dye vats, and has ample machinery and facilities for drying, both by hot air and steam. The dye-house requires a fifteen horse-power engine to run the required machinery for the dyeing of cotton, woolen and jute yarns, and the bleaching of quilts, counterpanes, Turkish towels, etc. From six to ten workmen are employed. Mr. J.J. Hayes, one of the proprietors, is a practical dyer, and has had many years’ experience in his occupation. The trade of the firm is quite extensive, and is conducted in the interests of Philadelphia and many Western manufacturers.

THE PRINTING INK MANUFACTORY is situated at Nos. 547, 549 and 551 South Second Street. Samuel P. Wright & Co., who operate these works, have the business office on Second Street and in the rear are located the several buildings and departments for the manufacture of the various grades and colors of printers’ and lithographers’ inks and varnishes. The grinding department is furnished with an engine of one hundred horsepower, which runs fourteen mills, together with the machinery for the varnish department. The weekly production is six thousand pounds, mostly of the finer grades, which are sold through the Middle, Southern and Western States. S.P. Wright began the manufacture of inks in Philadelphia in 1866. In 1877 he removed his works to Camden, and for nine months of 1879 they were operated by Wright & Dunk. In the same year Samuel P. Wright bought the interest of Mr. Dunk and became sole proprietor, under the name of Samuel P. Wright & Co., the company being nominal.

CAMDEN BRASS WORKS originated about 1868, in a brass foundry, at No. 136 Federal Street, and conducted by A.J. Fullmer & Co. The location mentioned was limited in space and unsuitable for the business; hence in 1874, the same firm built the large brick foundry now owned and operated by them on the corner of Front Street and Federal, where brass and bronze castings of various kinds are made. A large finishing shop is connected with the foundry, with appropriate machinery for turning, grinding and polishing brass work. The machinery is run by an engine of ten horsepower. Employment is given to a large number of hands.

WEST JERSEY PAPER MANUFACTURING COMPANY own large mills at the corner of Front and Elm Streets, which were built in 1876 by the firm of Rich, Scott & Safford, who the same year began the manufacture of paper. In 1879 a charter of incorporation was obtained, with the above title, with Lewis Seal, president; T.S. Scott, treasurer; T.S. Safford, secretary. The mill is built of brick, one hundred and forty by one hundred and forty feet in dimensions, and is specially supplied with machinery for making rope-paper of three brands, known as flour-sack, building and cotton sampling. In the various departments are large mixing-vats, steamers and dryers, the principal department having in operation one one hundred and twenty inch cylinder- machine, and six six hundred pounds beating-engines. Two steam-engines, one of two hundred and one of sixty horse-power, are run by a gang of four large tubular boilers, and supply the motive-power to run the heavy machinery. Two and a half tons of paper are manufactured daily, and forty hands constantly employed. The manufactured paper is sold through Boston, New York and Philadelphia houses.

THE PFEIL & GOLZ COMPANY, of which Herman C. Pfeil and Julius Golz are the individual members, commenced business as lithographers, in 1882, at the corner of Front and Pearl Streets. In 1883 the business had greatly increased, more room was required, and a large manufactory was erected at the foot of Cooper Street. In December of that year the company removed to the new factory, and on February 4, 1884, the building was entirely destroyed by fire. From this date until the fall of that year they used temporary quarters, and, in the meantime, were having built a large four-story manufactory, fifty by one hundred and fifty feet in dimensions, and arranged especially for lithographic purposes. In 1885 the company was incorporated under the above title. A thirty-five horse-power engine furnishes the motive-power for running power presses and the machines for calendering, varnishing and coloring, used in the production of lithographs, glass, paper and muslin advertising signs, show-cards, etc. The manufacture of impermiographs is a specialty with this firm, and large contracts are made with the leading manufacturers, who desire this special production to advertise their business. Including artists and workmen, sixty hands are employed. Their trade is of very large proportions, and extends throughout the United States and Canada.

THE STANDARD SOAP AND CHEMICAL COMPANY was incorporated in 1885 with a paid-in capital of one hundred thousand dollars, with C.B. Wilkinson as president and A. Segel as general manager. The works occupy the large three-story brick building with a front of fifty feet on West Street by one hundred and twenty feet on Clinton Street. The company manufacture soaps of various kinds, inks of several colors, washing-blue, washing-powders, etc., etc., with twenty employees. Eight thousand cakes of soap are made daily. The full capacity of the establishment is twenty thousand cakes per day.

THE CRYSTAL GLASS MANUFACTURING COMPANY was incorporated in April, 1886, with J.R. Runge, president; P. Strang, treasurer; and A.C. Lamar, secretary. The glass works are located on Front Street, below Kaighn Avenue, and include six buildings, two of iron and four of frame, which have recently been fitted up with all the latest improved machinery requisite for the business. The main factory is frame, seventy-eight by eighty-eight feet, and forty feet high, and has in position one large stack and twelve smaller ones, with facilities for the employment of one hundred workmen. In the other buildings are the mixing, grinding, box-making and packing departments; also the pot-making room and engine house. At these works are made wine, beer, Weiss beer, porter and mineral water bottles, pickle jars and various kinds of green and amber bottles; also flasks and demijohns. This firm makes bottles in private moulds for the trade in the New England and adjacent States. The business is transacted through the main office, No. 9 1/2 Market Street, Camden.

This is the only glass manufactory in Camden at this date (1886). There were two glass works conducted formerly in the city, one by John Capewell, on Kaighn Avenue, corner of Locust Street, in which flint glass-ware was made. It was in operation for several years, but abandoned when the late war opened.

Joseph Wharton also operated a glass manufactory on Coopers Creek for several years. His works have not been operated since 1884. A.C. Lamar the secretary of the Crystal Glass Manufacturing Company, is also a manufacturer of window-glass, having two factories at Woodbury, N.J., with a capacity for producing sixteen hundred boxes of window-glass per week, and employing one hundred and fifty workmen.

PORCELAIN TOOTH MANUFACTORY, at No. 314 Mickle Street, is the only industry of its kind in Camden, and was originated and has been in constant operation for fifty-two years. In 1834 Samuel W. Neall built a three-story brick building for this purpose in the rear of his dwelling. In 1866 his son, Daniel W. Neall, was admitted as a partner, and, in 1882, the latter purchased the entire business interests of his father, and has since conducted the manufacture of artificial teeth from porcelain for the trade. The products are in demand front the principal cities of the United States, and are shipped in large quantities to these localities. Fifteen workmen are employed, and one thousand five hundred full sets of teeth are made weekly. The establishment is supplied with machinery, mills, moulds, ovens and retorts requisite for the business.

THE HAT FACTORY of Stephen Titus was established in 1885 at No. 316 Market Street, the store having a front of twenty-one feet, and extending to the work-shop in the rear, one hundred and fifty feet, having also a front on Taylor Avenue. Silk and stiff hats, also the new style of pull-over hat, with patent seamless body, of which Mr. Titus is the sole proprietor and manufacturer, are made here.

BLANK AND PRINTED BOOK BINDERY. - This business was first established in Camden by Jacob Bender, in 1850, at the southwest corner of Third and Arch Streets. In 1856 the location was changed to No. 223 Federal Street, when the entire business was sold out to his son, Robert S. Bender, who continued in this place until April, 1885. The bindery was then removed to No. 101 Market Street. Job binding and Printed matter of all descriptions is executed, and the bindery is must complete in the necessary machinery for the purpose. A Davey safety engine and boiler furnishes the motive-power for the folders, stitchers, cutters, stamping presses, etc. Five workmen, five girls and five boys are employed.

BAYMORE’S MAST AND SPAR-YARDS. - There are two large spar-yards, in Camden, with ample buildings conveniently arranged and fitted for the manufacture of outfits for all grades of sailing vessels, and in which spars are made from twenty to one hundred and ten feet in length and twenty-eight inches in diameter. The logs from which these spars are made are brought from California and Oregon in sailing vessels, specially designed for loading and shipping the same. From the vessels the logs are transferred to the booms at the foot of the spar-yards and are drawn from the water as desired.

These yards were opened by Joseph Baymore, who first commenced the business at the foot of Ann Street, Port Richmond, and in 1868 established the yard at the foot of North Street. The building is one hundred and ten feet front on Beach Street, and extends to the rear to the riparian line, occupying five acres of ground. On April 23, 1871, this yard was burned down, but was at once rebuilt and improved. A complete record is made of all spars furnished for outfits, so that when desired, exact duplicates can be made and forwarded to all ports in the United States. This yard has ten workmen, under the direction of Enos Bowen, as foreman. The spar-yard, on Front Street above Kaighn Avenue, at the lower portion of the city, was built by Joseph Baymore in 1883, and is forty feet wide on Front Street, and one hundred and eighty-five feet in depth. This yard, also, is fully fitted for all branches of the business; ten workmen are employed, with George S. Harris as foreman. Vessels in different ports of the country are supplied with spars of any size and properly fitted for ready adjustment; all business is transacted through the office of Joseph, Baymore, No. 118 North Delaware Avenue, Philadelphia.

THE SPAR-YARD on Penn Street, corner of Point Street, covers an area of three acres, having a front of thirty feet, and extending six hundred feet to the rear to the port warden line, and was started, in 1879, by George Humes. For thirty-five years previously he had conducted the business of a spar-maker in Philadelphia, and the many advantages offered in Camden for his business induced him to remove his industry to the present location.

The yard is arranged for the construction of spars of various sizes for steam vessels and sailing vessels, and also derricks, flag-poles and staffs, etc.

A large boom is connected with the yard, which has a capacity for guarding a supply of spar-logs.

THE LARGE BOAT SHOPS on the river, at the head of Point Street, were established, in 1879, by the present proprietor, James A. Collins. The shops have a frontage of forty-seven feet, and extend to the dock in the river one hundred and sixty feet, and the equipment of the shops has been especially adapted for the construction of sailing and steam yachts, of which a large number have been built in the past four years. Yawl and row-boats are also built at these shops, which, by being under cover, are in operation the entire year. The business is large and is increasing, and boats of all kinds are built, not only for home trade, but for many of the Southern ports. From six to twelve men are employed in the shops. A large business is also done in repairing and refitting, the different branches of the business being all conducted under one roof.

THE BOAT-SHOP at Coopers Point was started in 1876 by George W. Masters, who had for years previously conducted the same business in Philadelphia, at Delaware Avenue and Shackamaxon Street. This yard is one-half acre in area, and fitted up for the construction of ships, boats, sailing and steam yachts, fishing, rowing and pleasure boats of various kinds. Within the past twenty years the proprietor has built a large number of yachts and boats.

THE BOAT-YARD, FRONT STREET ABOVE KAIGHN AVENUE. - The increasing demand for pleasure boats, especially sailing and steam yachts, has given a remunerative industry to Camden, and the builders of this class of boats now furnish employment to a large number of workmen, and are thus enabled to meet the demands from all portions of the river line. This boat-yard was started in 1885 by William H. Kaighn, and has been successfully operated by him. A large number of gunning-skiffs, and rowing and sailing boats have been constructed by the proprietor, and find ready sale to the proprietors of pleasure resorts in different parts of the adjacent States.

THE PENN MANTEL-WORKS, at No. 16 Market Street, were started in 1879 by Edmund Cotter, who had been identified for twenty years previously with mantel-works in several Northern States. The buildings, of which there are three, extend two hundred feet in depth, and occupy grounds on both sides of George Street. The main building is fitted up with marbleizing department, large showrooms, office, etc., while the back buildings are devoted to cutting and preparing the slate for the finishing process. The products comprise marbleized slate mantels, wainscoting, slate hearths, bracket shelves, bureau and table-tops, and various kinds of slate work, for the trade, builders, etc. Twenty-five workmen are constantly employed.

CAMDEN CITY MARBLE-WORKS, JUNCTION OF FEDERAL AND ARCH STREETS. - This enterprise has been in operation since 1867, when Webster Krips and William H. Shearman fitted up workshops and sheds on both sides of Arch Street for the preparation of monument, mantel and housework. The yards and work-shops cover over an acre of ground, and a large stock of marble and granite monuments, headstones, cemetery posts, etc., are kept on hand. From six to ten workmen are employed. The trade is large, though principally local. Webster Krips has been the sole proprietor since 1879, at which time he bought the interest of William H. Shearman.

THE MARBLE, GRANITE AND SANDSTONE WORKS, at the corner of Eighth and Market Streets were established in 1881 by Michael C. Lyons, who for thirteen years before owned the marble-works at the corner of Fifth and Pearl Streets. This enterprise includes office, workshops, and a show yard, one hundred by forty feet in dimensions, and is adapted to the production of monuments, mantels, cemetery work and house trimmings, in marble, granite, sandstone, etc. From nine to fifteen men are employed. A variety of manufactured marble designs is shown at these works.

The first carriage-maker in Camden was Samuel Scull, who was engaged in the business in 1800, on Front Street above Market, near where Collings’ carriage factory now stands. Twenty years later he built a large factory on the north side of Arch Street, extending from Front nearly to Second. His works included a paint shop, blacksmith shop, and all the appliances belonging to the business. Beginning with three journeymen, he eventually employed between twenty and thirty, and his carriages were shipped to the West Indies and other distant markets as well as sold to the local trade. On his death, Isaac Cole, who had long worked for him, conducted the business for the widow, and eventually became the proprietor, and carried on the business for many years. Mr. Scull had two sons, Joseph and Samuel, both of whom engaged in the sausage business in the South Ward. The former built the brick house on the southeast corner of Third and Kaighn Avenue, and the latter, who was Mayor in 1855, built the large three story brick house on the southeast earner of Locust and Kaighn Avenue.

Isaac Vansciver learned his trade, carriage making, in Mount Holly, and when free came to Camden. After a campaign with the Camden Blues, in the War of 1812, he settled at Kaighns Point, where Joseph Kaighn gave him encouragement, and he started a carriage factory, subsequently removing his works to Dogwoodtown, on or near the site of Caffrey’s carriage works. He afterwards erected a large factory on the west side of Front Street. above Arch, where he was burned out. He transferred his business to Philadelphia for a time, but returned to Camden and resumed work at his old place on Front Street, where he continued until a few years before the War of the Rebellion, when he retired from business. In his long and busy life he gave employment to many persons, and the product of his factories found sales in distant markets.

Samuel Glover had a carriage factory on Front Street above Market, after Samuel Scull left there, and was succeeded by Jacob Collings, whose sons, Thomas S. and Joseph Z. Collings, continued the business and enlarged it, the latter being now the proprietor.

CAFFREY’S CARRIAGE MANUFACTORY is at Market and Tenth Streets. The buildings were erected and the business originated in 1853, and for many years was conducted by Charles S. Caffrey individually. In 1879 the Charles S. Caffrey Company was organized, with a paid-in capital of sixty-three thousand dollars. An extensive business is done here and the trade extends throughout the United States and in Great Britain, France and Russia. The main building occupied is three stories high, and one hundred by one hundred and eight feet in dimensions. It was specially constructed for this business after the former building was destroyed by fire, in 1877, and is supplied with all the conveniences for the manufacture of fine carriages of numerous styles. Facilities are afforded at this factory for producing finished work to the value of three hundred thousand dollars annually. The company make fine carriages, top and no-top buggies, end-spring and side-bar buggies, two and three-spring phaetons, jump-seat and side-bar rockaways, broughams, laundalettes, and make a specialty of the Caffrey track wagon and sulky, for which they control two patents. The officers of the company are: President, Charles S. Caffrey; Treasurer, Harry Stiles; Secretary, Edward Nieland. The directors are Charles S. Caffrey, Andrew Marshall, George K. Caffrey, John Stiles, J.H. Caffrey and Harry Stiles.

THE CARRIAGE MANUFACTORY, Nos. 108 to 116 North Front Street, was established in 1827 by Collings & Richardson. In 1829 the partnership was dissolved, and Jacob S. Collings leased a lot of ground on Federal Street, below Second Street, and built thereon a large frame carriage factory, which he conducted until 1845, when he purchased the lot at present location (and where he had first started business), one hundred and twenty feet front by one hundred and seventy feet in depth, on which he erected five brick buildings.

The main factory is four stories high and fifty-six feet square, back buildings three stories high and forty by eighty feet, and the smith-shop twenty by one hundred feet, in all of which are the woodwork, smith-work, painting, trimming, finishing, etc., of fine family carriages. The salesroom was first established in Philadelphia, in 1859, and is now located in their large warehouse, No. 625 Arch Street. On April 25, 1862, Mr. Collings was succeeded by his two sons, Thomas S. and Joseph Z. Collings, who conducted the business as Collings Brothers until 1877, when Thomas S. sold out his interest to Joseph Z. Collings, who is now the sole proprietor.

WILLIAM HUNT’S CARRIAGE FACTORY, located at Nos. 19 and 21 Market Street, was erected upon the site of a small one-story structure built as a carriage factory in 1866 by the present proprietor William Hunt. The present factory is a three-story brick building, forty by ninety feet, and especially designed for the manufacture of light road carriages, and as a specialty the construction of light road sleighs and cutters. The entire work, including the wood-work, painting, trimming, finishing and carriage-smithing, is all done on the premises. Twenty workmen are employed. The salesrooms are at No 910 Arch Street, Philadelphia. The trade extends over a large tract of country.

ELIJAH E. WEST’S CARRIAGE AND WAGON MANUFACTORY, No. 29 HADDON AVENUE.- This establishment occupies the site of a large manufactory formerly operated by the Charles Caffrey Carriage Manufacturing Company, which was destroyed by fire. After it was rebuilt Hosea Madden first occupied and operated it. It was also leased to Young & Ireland, and later to Stratford, Dockerty & Sidesinger. In 1881 the present proprietor, with his son Thomas, leased the works, and conducted them under the name of E.E. West & Son. In 1884, by the withdrawal of the son from the firm, the business was and has since been under the direction of Elijah E. West alone. A large carriage smith-shop is connected with the works, and seven workmen are employed in the construction of carriages, business and farm wagons of all descriptions.

THE CARRIAGE AND WAGON WORKS, and smith-shop, of Hamilton S. Davis are located at the northwest corner of Kaighn Avenue and Marion Street. In 1872 Mr. Davis bought this corner lot, sixty by seventy-two feet in size, and built the shops the same year, and has since conducted the entire business. Light carriages are manufactured, but the principal trade is in milk, ice and heavy business wagons, as also farm wagons, carts, etc.

THE CARRIAGE AND WAGON MANUFACTORY, Nos. 15 and 17 Market Street, was first started in 1860 by William Butler. In 1865 he sold out the business and location to Braker & Rettberg, and in 1868 Brake sold out his interest to the present proprietor, Jacob Rettberg. The manufactory has a frontage of twenty-eight feet by one hundred feet in depth. Business wagons of all descriptions are made and repaired. Ten to twelve workmen are employed.

SILVER-PLATTERS. - The carriage factories gave employment to many silver-platers, some working for the manufacturers and others carrying on business for themselves, and giving employment to others. Gordon states that there was a gold and silver-plater here in 1833, but the first establishment of which there is authentic record was that of Gibson & Morgan - Henry Gibson and John Morgan - the latter mayor in 1876 -77. Their works, started in 1841, were over the wagon-sheds built by Jacob Ridgway, in 1832, at Second and Arch. Gibson left the firm, and in 1845 Morgan removed the factory to a stable, fitted np for the purpose, on the rear end of a lot on Fourth Street, above Market, afterwards erecting a large brick building on the line of Fourth Street, since converted into dwellings.

Among his workmen were his brother, George Morgan, new in the business at 52 North Second; Edward Fitzer, now in the same trade in Philadelphia; George Welden, Charles Newmayer and others. The work was for volantes, used in Cuba, and the trade was exclusively with that island. As the correspondence was in Spanish, Newmayer, who from journeyman became manager and then partner, learned the language, to avoid the need of an interpreter. The firm employed as many as thirty at one time, and the employes testify that there was never a murmur about wages, even the apprentices receiving fall pay for overwork, and the payments were not only prompt, but made in the best currency. The Rebellion put a stop to the trade, and the firm, dividing a competency, dissolved.

Edward Fitzer and George Morgan joined in business in the "fifties," with their establishment on Market Street, the site of Herbst’s Hotel, but in a few years separated.

Michael Seibenlist was a well-known silver-plater as early as 1840, hut the most of his work was for Camden harness and carriage-makers

THE MOROCCO MANUFACTORY on Broadway, below Kaighn Avenue, was first put into operation in 1884 by the present enterprising proprietor, Frederick Kifferly, who for seventeen years previously had been engaged in the same business in Philadelphia. Eight acres of land are owned by Mr. Kifferly, on which he has erected a four-story brick building, one hundred and twenty-two by forty-six feet, with basement, and two four-story side-wings, each fifty-two by twenty feet, in which is a twenty horse-power engine for driving the machinery. In this establishment he manufactures morocco leather from goat-skins, which are imported from South America, Mexico, East Indies, Cape of Good Hope and the countries of Southern Europe. There are four large drying lofts, and various dyeing, tanning, finishing and storage-rooms. Four hundred dozen skins are tanned and finished weekly by a force of seventy-five workmen. The business is under the skillful and experienced management of the proprietor, Mr. Kifferly.

Frederick Kifferly, the Proprietor of this enterprise, was born in the kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany, September 9, 1885. After attending school for two years in his native country, in 1844 he emigrated with his parents to America, and located in Philadelphia, in which city his father died one year after their arrival, and the son was thrown upon his own resources. Being by nature industrious, he engaged with his uncle at the butcher’s trade one year, for the same length of time with a baker, and after the second marriage of his mother, to a baker, he became the employee of his stepfather during four successive years. At the age of sixteen he entered the morocco factory of Baker & Nevil, at Front and Poplar Streets, Philadelphia, remaining two years, and then, in 1853, went to Wilmington, Del., and engaged with Hackett & Griffin, morocco manufacturers, until 1859. The seven succeeding years he conducted a bakery on York Street, Philadelphia. In 1867 he embarked in the manufacture of morocco leather, as a partner in the firm of Turner & Co., on Second Street, below Beaver. They soon thereafter removed their factory to Front and Poplar Streets, and from thence, in 1869, to 209 Willow Street. Three years later they purchased the morocco factory at Dillwyn and Willow Streets. This partnership continued until 1883. In the mean time Mr. Kifferly had removed his residence to Camden, in 1881, and seeing the advantage to be gained by removing his business to Camden, he, in 1884, sold out his factory in Philadelphia, having already commenced the erection of the present establishment operated by him.

Mr. Kifferly, in 1854, married Mary, daughter of Jacob and Eliza Martin, of Brandywine Hundred, Del., by whom he has four surviving children, vis.: -Christopher E., George, Frederick and Harry.

SHOE MANUFACTURERS. - In the manufacture of shoes for the trade supplying the Middle and Southern States the city of Camden has acquired a favorable reputation. A large amount of money is invested, and nearly a thousand of the citizens of Camden have constant employment in this branch of industry. Some of the large establishments, with the appliances of steam-power as a motor, and with improved machinery, have facilities for producing from six hundred to three thousand pairs of shoes weekly. In some of the smaller establishments, known as "buckeye factories," the work is performed by teams or double teams of workmen, the shoes passing from hand to hand as they leave the laster, and, at the end of the line, pass the inspection of the foreman complete in finish. The production is rapid, as only two or three kinds of goods are made and find ready sale to their customers.

H.B. ANTHONY owns one of the largest shoe factories, at 521 South Seventh Street. Paul Anthony came from Germany to this country more than a century ago. He was a hatter and located at Rahway, N.J., for a short time, and then removed to Northumberland, Pa., where he resided until his death. By his marriage with Elizabeth Van Buskirk he had five children, - John, Phillip, Esther, Ann and Elizabeth, who married and settled in Northumberland and assisted him in his manufacturing interests, excepting John, who migrated to Louisville, Ky., and Phillip, who became a river pilot. Phillip was married to Sarah, daughter of Isaiah McCoy, of Cumberland, by whom he had seven children, - Sarah, Paul, William (who died in infancy), Thomas, George, Mary and Henry.

George Anthony was born in Northumberland August 18, 1824, and lived there until 1840, when he went to Milton, Pa., to learn harness-making. After finishing his apprenticeship he removed to Camden, in 1854, and worked at his trade in Philadelphia until 1881. On December 27, 1847, he was married to Sarah, daughter of Diedrick and Catherine Fegenbush, of Philadelphia, by whom he has seven children, - Charles D., Harry B., Kate F., Paul (deceased), William K, Edwin T. and George E. Harry B. Anthony was born in Philadelphia September 27, 1849, and came to Camden with his father in 1854. He was educated in the public schools. At the age of thirteen he entered the National Iron Armor and Ship-Building Company’s works, of Camden, and continued thus employed for two years, when he again went to school, until he took a position with the firm of Edmund A. Souder & Co., of Philadelphia, who controlled the steamers on the Schuylkill, and which was afterward the Fairmount Steamboat Company. He rose from the position of ticket agent to that of superintendent and treasurer of the company, was the first to introduce propellers from the Falls to the Wissahickon, remained with the company for twenty years and is still a director. This occupied only the summer months, and during the winter he learned the trade of furniture finisher with E.D. Trymby & Co., of Philadelphia, where he was employed for ten years during the winter months. In 1872 he opened at 1146 Broadway a crockery store, and after building up a large business, transferred it to his father, in 1876, who still manages it. Mr. Anthony began the manufacture of shoes in a small way, building a factory on Kaighn Avenue, above Broadway, doing nothing but hand work. His business grew so rapidly as to demand increased facilities, and in 1881 he purchased the building 521 South Seventh Street, and placed in it a full line of the most improved machinery for the manufacture of misses’ and children’s machine-sewed shoes, where he is now making four thousand pairs of shoes a week, and employing one hundred hands, thus giving Camden a profitable and successful business and adding to her improvement and prosperity. The property purchased by Mr. Anthony was sixty by one hundred and ninety-three feet in area, and a brick building forty by fifty feet had already been erected upon it. Shortly after, through the increase of business, he was compelled to make important additions to the factory, - one addition of brick, thirty-five by forty feet, and a general improvement of the factory and purchase of additional and improved machinery. The factory is heated by steam throughout, with high ceilings and ample arrangements for ventilation. The location is a most desirable one, being on the line of the West Jersey Railroad, affording good facilities for receiving coal, etc. The factory is supplied with two large boilers, one for heating purposes, the other as a motive-power for the different and varied machinery used in the manufacture of their products, with ample power for all purposes.

In addition to Mr. Anthony now employing one hundred hands and making four thousand pairs of machine-sewed shoes per week, he is making active preparations to increase the capacity of this manufactory to seven thousand pairs per week, by an addition of a fine line of hand-sewed turn shoes. The business, as conducted by Mr. Anthony, is of large proportions, extending west to the Pacific States, south to Texas and northwest to Minnesota. Mr. Anthony is a director in the Camden National Bank. In 1869 he was married to Louisa, daughter of Arthur G. and Jane Ashley, of England, who died in 1879, leaving one daughter, Laura S. On January 7, 1881, he was married to Lucretia, daughter of Evan and Ann Thomas, who were natives of Wales, but then residing near Scranton, Pa. They have one child, - Walter Y., born November 28, 1881.

FERRIS’ SHOE MANUFACTORY, at Broadway and Jackson Streets, is one of the must extensive of the business industries of South Camden. The manager of this enterprise, Isaac Ferris, Jr., purchased, in 1875, a lot of ground at Fillmore and Van Hook Streets, and erected a small store, in which he commenced the shoe business with three men and two girls employed. His sales to the wholesale trade increasing compelled him to facilitate the manufacture. More ground was bought and a larger store was built. In 1881 he purchased land at Broadway and Jackson Streets, and built a manufactory forty by forty feet and two stories high, engaged extra hands, and engaged in the manufacture of all grades of ladies’, misses’ and children’s shoes on a large scale. Agents were placed on the road and orders received from many of the Southern and Western States, and, in 1882, an extension of twenty feet was added to the building, which was found too limited in space for rapid production. At the present time he has over seventy men, girls and boys on his pay-roll, and a ready market for his goods in Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Indiana, Kentucky and California, his special States being Ohio and Pennsylvania. Four salesmen are constantly on the road to keep the trade supplied. The entire management is under the supervision of Isaac Ferris, Jr., the proprietor. In the finishing department forty hands are employed, under the care of Jacob Ferris. Miss Dollie Ferris has charge of the fitting department, and Washington Ferris of the stock department.

F.P. DIETRICK & CO., in 1881, began the manufacture of women’s, misses,’ children’s and infants’ shoes, and erected a three-story brick building, fifty by one hundred fret in dimensions for that purpose, on Market Street, below Front, and fitted it up with new and improved machines adapted to the business. This firm has been succeeded by Wheatley Brothers. From one hundred to one hundred and twenty-five hands are employed, and the weekly product is twenty-five hundred pairs of shoes. The trade is large, and extends through several of the Northern and Southern States.

THE SHOE MANUFACTORY AT No. 535 CHESTNUT STREET. - Thomas H. Kelly conducts this manufactory for the production of misses’ and children’s shoes. For twenty-four years he had been connected with the business in other localities, and in 1885 started this enterprise of which he is sole proprietor. Fourteen men and nine girls are constantly employed, and two hundred and sixteen pairs of shoes are made daily; the weekly production will average thirteen hundred pairs of finished shoes. The products are sold to the trade in the principal cities of the Middle and Southern States.

WILLIAM A. BUTCHER’S FACTORY at No. 1325 Broadway, was commenced in 1880 by the present proprietor, who, for three years previously, carried on a factory on Kaighn Avenue, above Broadway. All the necessary and improved kinds of shoe machinery are used in the production of misses’ and children’s shoes of the different styles and grades. From twenty-five to thirty workmen are employed, and the product of their labor is sold to the wholesale and retail trade throughout the surrounding States. From six to eight hundred pairs of shoes are turned out weekly, and the amount of business done yearly is sixteen to eighteen thousand dollars. Mr. Butcher is now making preparations to build a large manufactory on the site of the present one.

JOSEPH WHITAKER owns a shoe factory at No. 529 Arch Street. The manufacture of ladles’, misses’ and children’s fine shoes was begun in this establishment in 1882 by Joseph Whitaker, Harley Shemeley and Henry Hartley. In 1883 Joseph Whitaker bought out the interest of his partners and has become sole proprietor. The factory is arranged for the convenience of three single teams of workmen, with departments for cutting, lasting, and finishing, and with machines specially adapted to this line of work. Employment is furnished to sixteen men and eight girls. The manufactured goods are sold to the trade through Philadelphia houses. Nine hundred pairs of shoes are made weekly, and the necessary changes are being made to increase the production to one thousand pairs per week.

The Shoe Factory at No. 1222 South Front Street was first conducted by McAdams & Peak, who, as joint partners, started the manufacture of misses’, children’s and infants’ shoes in 1880. In 1881 Frank McAdams succeeded to the ownership of the business, and still continues it at present location, his improved machinery enabling him to manufacture nine hundred pairs of shoes a week. He employs fifteen workmen and twelve girls; the finished products are sold to the wholesale and retail trade in Pennsylvania and adjacent States.

The factory at the corner of West and Clinton Streets was commenced in 1883 by Edward A. Richardson, and furnished with the available improvements in machinery requisite for the manufacture of misses’ and children’s shoes. Fifteen hundred pairs of shoes are, made weekly. The industry gives employment to forty persons. Orders are received for the products from all parts of the country.

Charles S. Grau commenced the business of shoe manufacturing in 1877 at the corner of Sixth and Mount Vernon Streets. In 1878 he admitted Oliver S. Guthrie as a partner, and together they conducted the manufacture of misses’ and children’s shoes. In January, 1886, Oliver S. Guthrie withdrew from the firm, and Charles S. Grau became sole proprietor. Six hundred pairs of shoes are manufactured weekly, and eleven men employed. The products are sold to the local trade and to cities of adjacent States.

For a number of years an establishment, southwest corner of Front Street and Kaighn Avenue, was conducted by Charles H. Dirmitt, who, in July, 1884, disposed of his interest, stock and machinery to W.S. Boltinghouse & Co. This firm at once began the manufacture of ladles’, misses’ and children’s machine-sewed shoes. The production amounts to six hundred pairs of finished shoes weekly, and gives constant employment to fourteen workmen and eight girls. Their goods are sold to the retail trade in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Oliver Guthrie has a factory at 513 Kaighn Avenue. Commenced in January, 1886, to make misses’ and children’s shoes. Employs eight workmen and five girls. Regular production, four hundred and thirty-two pairs of shoes weekly.

Horace Hofflinger has a large workshop at No. 112 Kaighn Avenue, commenced in 1884. Employs ten workmen and six girls. Regular weekly production, three hundred and sixty pairs of shoes, misses’ and children’s.

William Small started a factory, in 1877, at No. 424 Chestnut Street, for making misses’ and children’s shoes; at present seven workmen and five girls are employed. The weekly production is three hundred palm of shoes.

Samuel Cook, in 1875, commenced the small factory at No. 613 Mount Vernon Street, making infants’ shoes only; at the present time but five workmen employed, making one hundred and twenty-five to one hundred and fifty pairs of shoes weekly.

ANDERSON PRESERVING COMPANY, northwest corner Front and Arch Street - This company owns a large establishment occupying one hundred and twenty feet on Front Street by two hundred and sixty feet on Arch Street, and is located on the site of a carriage factory which was built in 1885. In 1880 Abraham Anderson bought the site, and in 1881 William G. Knowles was admitted as a partner. As the firm of Knowles & Anderson they began the erection of the present factory and placed in position the necessary machinery, engines, boilers, etc., for the canning of fruits, vegetables, preserves and jellies. In 1885 Wm. G. Knowles withdrew from the firm, and on June 1st of that year the Anderson Preserving Company was incorporated, with Abraham Anderson as president, John S. Cox as secretary and treasurer and L.W. Goldy general manager. Under this management the same line of goods are produced in large quantities to meet the demand. Three large eighty horse-power boilers and two engines, one of twenty the other of five horse-power, are used in the different departments for canning, preserving and running the machinery. At present thirty hands are employed. During the canning season, which lasts from June to November, from three hundred to six hundred hands are employed.

JOSEPH CAMPBELL & Co. own a canning manufactory at Nos. 39 and 41 North Second Street. For several years previous to 1876 the Anderson Canning Company, which was afterwards known as Anderson and Campbell, carried on the business of canning at this location. In 1876 Joseph Campbell bought the factory and continued the canning of fruits and vegetables and added the jelly and preserving business. In 1882 Joseph Campbell, Arthur Dorrance, Walter S. Spackman, and Joseph S. Campbell formed a co-partnership under the name of Joseph Campbell & Company and fitted up the manufactory with new and improved appliances for conducting a more extensive business. A large brick building, fifty feet front on Second Street and extending in depth the entire square to Front Street, is occupied, in which are the different apartments for canning, preserving, storing, packing and shipping. The motive-power to drive the necessary machinery of these is derived from a fifty horse-power engine. Twenty-five hands are constantly employed and during the canning season employment is given to three hundred hands.

THE CAMDEN WALL PAPER MANUFACTORY at Coopers Point, with accompanying buildings cover an area of five acres or an entire square. For a number of years the Penn Harrow Manufacturing Company had their works here. In 1884 Francis T. Howell came into possession of the property and at once placed in position mills, presses, machinery and engines, necessary for the manufacture of wall paper. There are six buildings used for the different departments. The mill proper is three hundred by one hundred feet, with an L extension one hundred by ninety feet. The machinery comprises one twelve-color printing press, two grounding-machines, mills, mixers, combined lathes, etc., which are run by two engines of one hundred and ten horse-power. The departments are known as color-rooms, printing-rooms, stock-rooms and the shipping department. Twenty workmen are constantly employed. The manufactured paper has very wide and extensive sale. The weekly production is twenty thousand pieces of wall paper. The proprietor is now making arrangements to increase the facilities of manufacture by the addition of new presses and other improved machines. The second floor of the main building at present through its entire length is used as a stock-room and contains a large and varied supply of the manufactured paper ready for shipment. The establishment is under the care of Robert A. Edens as general manager. He is also the artist in the coloring department.

THE FRANKLIN RAG CARPET COMPANY, No. 18 MARKET STREET. - This business was established by John Hunt in 1873, in St. John Street, for the manufacture of the finer grades of rag-carpet, including the Excelsior and Jersey Lily carpets. The factory was afterward located at Fifth and Roydon Streets, then at No. 110 Federal Street, and in the year 1886 the looms and machinery were removed to the present location. The trade in these carpets is a large one, but is principally local, being custom-work made for Camden and Burlington Counties, in New Jersey. Special orders are filled for customers in Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland.

THE AMERICAN DREDGING COMPANY, incorporated under the laws of the State of Pennsylvania, April 9, 1867, was the outcome from a co-partnership then existing between A.B. Cooley, Franklin B. Colton. John Somers and William Somers, trading as A.B. Cooley & Co., and also from a consolidation with the Delaware and Schuylkill Dredging Company. During the time of the co-partnership, about November, 1865, a large area of real estate was purchased, since which time a considerable amount more has been added, until now the company owns forty acres of land and wharf property, fronting on the River Delaware, extending between the Pennsylvania Railroad Company’s property and Spruce Street, and which has been greatly improved by filling in that part of it which was low land, and converting stagnant pools, where chills and fever prevailed into property which is now available for building purposes. Two large wharves have also been built, and a large machine shop and a blacksmith shop and other buildings have been erected on the property, fitted out with appliances so complete that now the company has every facility for building dredges, etc., and making such repairs to their own plant as may, from time to time, be needed.

The company employ from seventy to one hundred men in and around the works, and from one hundred to one hundred and fifty men on the dredges, tugs and scows, according as their business is brisk or dull.

The company started with a capital of two hundred thousand dollars, and, by certain legislation passed since, it has been authorized to increase its capital to one million dollars. The general office of the company is at 234 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, and at the present time the officers are as follows: Isaac Albertson, president; Floyd H. White, treasurer and secretary. Directors, Isaac Albertson, Beauveau Borie, Samuel Castner, Jr., B.J. Heraty, Washington Jones, Jos. M. Naglee, Alexander Purves and James Simpson, of Philadelphia, and Henry R. Towne, of Stamford, Conn.

Other manufactories which contributed to Camden’s prosperity, and which in one sense belong to and are a part of the city, are treated of in the chapter upon Stockton township, in which district they are located. Among these are Schrack & Co.’s varnish-works, the Fairview Brick-Works, the Pea Shore Brick and Terra Cotta Works (owned by Augustus Reeve), R.H. Comey’s dye-works, the Overbrook Mills, J.L Cragin & Co.’s soap manufactory, the United States Chemical Co.’s Works and the Atlantic Dye and Finishing Works.

SOURCE:  Page(s) 507-538, History of Camden County, New Jersey, by George R. Prowell, L.J. Richards & Co. 1886
Published 2010 by the Camden County Genealogy Project