Shamokin’s First Industrial Firm
At an early period in the 19th Century, Abraham Cherry built a saw mill on Shamokin creek at the gap, opposite the Cameron colliery. This was the first industrial establishment at Shamokin; about the year 1828 it passed to a Mr. Hoots, who furnished ties and rails for the Danville and Pottsville railroad. The next owners were J. H. Purdy and Lewis Dewart, who purchased the property with a view to its mineral development.
Furnace Run, an affluent of Shamokin creek from the west, derives its name from an iron furnace conducted there by Henry Myers. This land was purchased by Mr. Myers from Solomon Dunkelberger, and about the year 1825 he erected thereon a small charcoal furnace. Bog ore, obtained in the vicinity, constituted the raw material; the charcoal used was burned from timber on the furnace tract, and the product was hauled in wagons to Sunbury for shipment to forges in the surrounding country. Considerable difficulty was experienced in procuring limestone, and this ultimately led to the abandonment of the works. The development of the ore deposits continued, however, and until the next furnace was placed in operation an appreciable amount of ore was hauled to different furnaces in Columbia county. The location of Myers’s furnace was at the west end of Walnut street at the crossing of the run.
The Shamokin Coal & Iron Company
The Shamokin Coal and Iron Company was an important factor in the early industrial development of the town. It was formed by the amalgamation of the Shamokin Coal Company and the Shamokin Iron Company; the former was incorporated by act of the legislature, June 15, 1836, and the latter organized under a charter granted by the Governor under date of March 18, 1840. The corporators of the coal company were James Hepburn, John C. Boyd, Lewis Dewart, Joseph M. Sanderson, William Boyd, and Charles Mowry; the authorized capital was three hundred thousand dollars, of which subscriptions to the whole amount and the expenditure of fifteen percent, were necessary to obtain the charter; the company was limited to three thousand acres of land, situated in Northumberland county.
The necessary preliminaries having been successfully accomplished, the charter was accordingly granted, and the organization was affected, November 19, 1839. The iron company was incorporated for the specific purpose of building a furnace for the manufacture of iron. The two were united in one, with the privileges of both by a supplement to the act incorporating the coal company, March 23. 1841. The furnace was erected in 1841 by the amalgamated corporation, and “blown in” in the autumn of that year.
The officers at that time were as follows: president, George W. Richards; secretary and treasurer, Benjamin H. Yarnall: superintendent, Samuel R. Wood; directors: George W. Richards, Algernon S. Roberts, Edward Yarnall, John W. Claghorn, Benjamin H. Yarnall, Samuel R. Wood, and John C. Boyd, all of whom resided at Philadelphia, except Mr. Boyd, of Danville.
The following description appeared in a newspaper in 1842:
This furnace, erected on the property of the company at the village of Shamokin, is now in full blast, under the charge of William Frimstone, turning out pig metal of the very best quality. The machinery performs admirably. The forest has given place to the march of civilization, and the wilderness has been made to blossom as the rose. The village of Shamokin now contains more than six-hundred inhabitants, nearly three-hundred of whom are scholars in the Sunday school, and it is destined, at no distant period, to become a large and flourishing town. Few places possess greater advantages for prosecuting the coal and iron business. The furnace is thirty-eight feet square, bore built up eleven feet plumb, then battered two and one half inches to the foot to the top of the stack, which is forty -seven and one half feet high from the commencement of the base. Foundation under the whole, five feet deep and forty-two feet square. Engines, one hundred and eighty horse-power. Ten boilers, each thirty feet long and thirty inches diameter. Engine house, sixty by thirty feet. Boiler house, sixty by forty-five feet. Boiler stack, seventy feet high. Casting house, forty- five by forty-eight feet.
The works continued in successful operation until the 24th of May, 1842, when the water-hoisting machinery, the casting house, and part of the boiler house were destroyed by fire. The company had been involved financially, and this loss precipitated the failure which occurred several months later. Benjamin H. Yarnall took charge of the property as assignee; in 1843 it was leased by the Messrs. Poastly, who were succeeded a year later by a Mr. Bryant, but neither the original projectors nor their lessees had so far met with any success, and in 1845, having been sold at sheriff’s sale, the furnace was abandoned.
In 1853 the property was purchased by Henry Longenecker, of Lancaster, who at once began making improvements and repairs, and established connection with the Big Mountain railroad. As thus rehabilitated it received the name of the Shamokin Iron Works, Henry Longenecker & Company, proprietors. The furnace was ”blown in”‘ on the 15th of August, 1854, but many difficulties were encountered, and in the following December it again suspended. The iron trade being dull, nothing was done until May, 1855; repairs were then begun, and on the 6th of July the comerstone of a new draft stack was laid. At that time the proprietors were Henry Longenecker and Alfred R. Fiske, of Lancaster. Pennsylvania; clerk, Franklin B. Gowen, of Mt. Airy, Philadelphia: founder, Thomas M. Collins, of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania; store clerk, Cyrus E. Brobst, of Milton, Pennsylvania, and George B. Genther, of New York. Thirty-four persons were employed as masons, bricklayers, carpenters, blacksmiths, and laborers. The ores used were as follows: No. 1. Fossil, Union county, Pennsylvania; No. 2, hematite, Adams county, Pennsylvania: No. 3, magnetic, York county, Pennsylvania; No. 4, magnetic, Cornwall, Lebanon county, Pennsylvania; No. 6, bog and ball, Shamokin.
The foregoing particulars have been obtained principally from a manuscript deposited, with samples of the ores mentioned and various other articles, in a tin box imbedded in the wall of the stack about twenty feet above the ground. It was placed there with ceremonies appropriate to the event. Mr. Gowen, W. P. Withington, and others made Speeches, and the exercises closed with the singing of the doxology under the leadership of Captain Henry Van Gasken.
Mr. Gowen’s manuscript closed with the following address to posterity:—
Those who may find these lines, whether in a spirit of improvement or act of vandalism, know, that on the 6th day of July, in the year of our Lord 1855, and the seventy-ninth of American independence, this was deposited in the draft stack of the works of the Shamokin furnace, just fourteen years and a day since the erection of the old draft stack and deposit of a somewhat similar memoranda by Kimber Cleaver, Esquire, civil engineer.
The stack was constructed of brick, and stood at the upper end of Franklin street. In 1879 it was purchased by Lincoln Post, G. A. R., and demolished; the tin box with Mr. Gowen’s memoranda were thus brought to light, after nearly a quarter of a century of concealment, revealing much of curious interest regarding the furnace and the town. Mr. Gowen was connected with the establishment only two years; it experienced frequent changes in ownership and management, and was never continuously operated any great length of time. It was, however, throughout its checkered history, a source of prosperity at different times when the mining industry was temporarily straitened, particularly at its first inception, when the business of the place was derived almost entirely from the furnace.
The Shamokin Iron Works
The Shamokin Iron Works, John Mullen & Son, proprietors, had their inception at an early period in the history of the borough. Upon the completion of the Danville and Pottsville railroad to Shamokin in 1838, the railroad company established shops for the repair of cars, tools, etc.; John C. Boyd and Ziba Bird added a foundry for the manufacture of hollow-ware, stoves, etc., the power for this department being furnished by the engine in the railroad shops. It was subsequently operated by Bear & Dering, Samuel John, and others. Stephen Bittenbender purchased the foundry in 1851 and the entire establishment in 1855. He inaugurated the manufacture of coal cars for use in the mines and in railroad transportation, and conducted the business on a larger scale than any of his predecessors. After continuing these operations successfully for a period of sixteen years, he leased the works in 1807 to Cruikshank & Brother, who were succeeded in 1870 by Mullen & Hufman, formerly of Port Carbon, Pennsylvania. The new firm built a steam engine in 1871, the first ever manufactured at Shamokin; it was a twenty horse-power engine, and was used by Andrew Robertson for operating a fan at the old Henry Clay colliery. From that time engines have been an important part of the product of the works, and the trade in this respect extends to many of the States and Territories, with an increasing demand from the South and Southwest. Mining, rolling mill, furnace, saw mill, and powder mill machinery are also manufactured, and Allison’s patent cataract steam pump receives some attention as a specialty. The works embrace two acres of ground, intersected by Pearl and Franklin streets, with direct connection with the Philadelphia and Reading, Lehigh Valley, and Northern Central railroads. The plant comprises the following buildings: foundry, fifty by eighty feet; machine shop, forty by one hundred feet; blacksmith shop, forty by sixty feet; pattern shop, thirty by sixty-five feet; store-house, forty by eighty feet; boiler shop, fifty by sixty feet, and office building, all of brick except the pattern shop and office. Ninety-five operatives are usually employed.
The Anthracite Foundry & Machine Works
Two other iron foundries have been absorbed by the Shamokin Iron Works. Of these, the Anthracite Foundry and Machine Works were established by John Shipp, at the corner of Rock and Clay streets. Mr. Shipp was succeeded by Fisher & Medlar, who were followed by William Y. Cruikshank. After experiencing several other changes of proprietorship, the plant was purchased in 1882 by Mr. Mullen. The Industrial Iron Works were located at the corner of Independence and Eighth streets: William Rennyson removed the plant from Sunbury to this place in 1804, and conducted the business until 1808. He was succeeded by several different individuals or firms, and in 1883 the works were purchased by Mr. Mullen.
The style of the firm was changed in 1876 from Mullen & Hufman to John Mullen & Company, and in April, 1889, to John Mullen & Son.
Rolling Mill
A Rolling Mill was erected and partially equipped with machinery in 1858 ; the funds were principally supplied by the Shamokin Town Lot Association, aided by private subscriptions of stock and capital from abroad. The machinery was brought from Camden, New Jersey, and the works were located near the old furnace. The plant was never placed in operation, owing to complications that arose between the local and foreign investors, and the machinery was returned to its former location.
J. B. Zimmerman’s Carriage Works
J. B. Zimmerman’s Carriage Works on Independence street were originally established in 1869 by J. H. Zimmerman on Market street. The business was begun in a building twenty by thirty feet, but rapidly expanded, and now requires blacksmith and carriage shops and a large repository, employing twenty-five operatives.
Eagle Run Brewery
Eagle Run Brewery, two miles from Shamokin near Weigh Scales station on the Northern Central and Philadelphia and Reading railroads, was established by Gottlieb Fritz. He has been succeeded by John Gepvitz, Swenck & Lehner, John B. Donty, Markle & Schweibenz, and Martin Markle, individually, the last named being the present proprietor, whose connection with the establishment began in 1871. A twenty-ton ice machine, fifty-six-barrel brewing kettle, and engines of sixty-five and twenty-five horse-power are the principal features of the plant. The annual capacity is six thousand barrels of beer, which finds a market at Shamokin, Mt. Carmel and Trevorton.
The Shamokin Planing Mill
The Shamokin Planing Mill was established in 1873 by George Marshall, from whom it passed in May, 1890, to W. A. Marshall, the present proprietor. It consists of a two-story frame building forty feet square and three stories high, erected in 1875 and located on Independence street. The machinery is propelled by engines of fifty horse-power, and every variety of planing mill work receives attention. Twenty-five men are employed.
The West End Planing Mill
The West End Planing Mill, Aucker, Slayman & Company, proprietors, was established in February, 1882. R. S. Aucker had conducted a large business on an individual basis for some years previously. The mill, a two- story frame building forty by eighty-six feet, is situated at the corner of Fifth and Chestnut streets, and was erected by the present firm in 1883. The power is derived from an engine of forty horse-power. Seventy-five workmen are employed in their several lines of work, and all kinds of planing mill and contract work are done.
The Rock Street Planing Mill
The Rock Street Planing Mill was established by J. A. Yost & Company in a building formerly occupied as a foundry and machine shop. The present business dates from 1882. The building is a two-story frame structure, forty by seventy-five feet, and the engines have a capacity of twenty horse- power. Eight operatives are usually employed in the mill.
Robertson & Osler’s Flour Mill & Grain Elevator
Robertson & Osler’s Flour Mill and Grain Elevator, Independence and Washington streets, have developed from a small mill on Liberty street, first operated in 1880 by Nathan Robertson. He was succeeded about a year later by the firm of Robertson & Parmley, by whom the present mill property was first occupied. This is a three-story brick structure, forty by seventy- five feet in dimensions, and was built by Andrew Robertson. The grain elevator in the rear is one hundred by thirty-six feet. The mill has a capacity of one hundred barrels of flour and four tons of chop per day. In 1887 the style of the firm was changed to Robertson, Parmley & Company, who were succeeded by Robertson & Osier, the present proprietors, about a year later.
G. F. Holshue’s Flour Mill
G. F. Holshue’s Flour Mill, corner of Commerce and Market streets, was established by the present proprietor in 1888. It is a three-story frame building, forty by sixty feet; the machinery is operated by a twenty horse- power engine, and the product consists of standard grades of flour and feed.
The Shamokin Powder Mills
The Shamokin Powder Mills, William Beury & Company, proprietors, were erected in 1877, and are located in Coal township a mile and a quarter north of Shamokin borough. The daily capacity is one hundred fifty kegs, and the product is sold principally in the Shamokin coal region. Mr. Beury first engaged in the manufacture of powder in 1868 at Little Mahanoy, and has since been interested in Cameron township and at Trevorton. The Shamokin mills are therefore successors to some of the first operated in this locality.
The Shamokin Powder Company
The Shamokin Powder Company was incorporated, March 10, 1887. The first and present officers are as follows: president, John Mullen; secretary, treasurer, and manager, Thomas J. Mullen; directors: Andrew Robertson, Thomas Gillespie, John Mullen, George Robertson, and Thomas J. Mullen. The works are located in Coal township near Trevorton, three and one half miles from Shamokin on the Herndon branch of the Philadelphia and Reading railroad. The original projectors were Gillespie, Crone & Company, by whom the works were erected in 1880 and operated until they passed to the present owners. The plant consists of an engine of forty horse-power, three boilers of seventy horse-power, one set of seven-ton chasers, one incorporator, two dry-houses, one glazing mill, packing house, magazine, two large storehouses for charcoal, and twenty acres of land. The daily capacity is one hundred seventy-five kegs. An addition for the manufacture of pressed powder for the western trade is now (1890) in course of erection.
The Shamokin Manufacturing Company
The Shamokin Manufacturing Company was organized and incorporated in 1888 with a capital of twenty-five thousand dollars and the following officers: president, A. A. Heim: secretary, Addison G. Marr, and treasurer, J. H. Conley. In 1888 a building was erected on Sunbury street at the former location of the Catholic cemetery for the manufacture of the Davis patent door knob. The works are now operated under lease by Heim & Deibert,
The Shamokin Steam Bakery
The Shamokin Steam Bakery, H. C. Beury & Company, proprietors, was placed in operation on the 4th of August, 1890. It occupies a three-story frame building, thirty by seventy-five feet in dimensions, located on West Commerce street. Twelve operatives are employed. The product consists of cakes, crackers, and biscuits.
The Shamokin Industrial Company
The Shamokin Industrial Company was organized in 1890 for the purpose of promoting the general industrial interests of the town. The following officers were elected by the board of directors at its organization on the 7th of November, 1890: president, R. S. Aucker; vice-president, John Mullen, and secretary, Addison G. Marr.
I. W. Forry & Son Hosiery Factory
I. W. Forry & Son’s factory for the manufacture of knit hosiery is a two- story frame building on Fifth street, erected by the Shamokin Industrial Company and leased to the Messrs. Forry for a term of years. The plant was placed in operation on the 27th of January, 1891.
Other Industries
Miscellaneous Industries include the brick works of McWilliams & McConnell, a mile west of the borough, which employ twenty-eight men and have a capacity of thirty thousand per day; an overall factory, cigar factories, etc., which add to the volume of local production to an appreciable extent.