HUGH WILKINS, MANUFACTURER OF MATTRASSES, CARPETS, CURTAINS, FLAGS And all articles appertaining to the business of the UPHOLSTERER, Wall Street, four doors below Main.
In Louisville, the business of upholsterer is one of great importance. The large number of steamboats which are built and furnished at this point gives a great deal of work in this department of manufacture. The reputation of this city as an admirable place for procuring articles of this description has attracted much trade from other points. The factory of Mr. Wilkins, now in the twelfth year of its existence, is one of the best and most favorably known in Louisville and in the West. It is perhaps more in this than in any other department of manufacture that the purchaser is compelled to depend on the honesty as well as the taste and judgment of the workman. The reputation of this factory is a sure guarantee for the first of these qualities, and the many specimens of work to be seen all over the city and in most of our steamboats, will readily establish the other. A very large trade has been built up for this concern by the fidelity and carefulness of its proprietor. The whole interior fitting of steamboats and houses is undertaken here. Beds, carpets and curtains of all descriptions and qualities are made and fitted up in a style of superior excellence. The spring-mattrasses made at this factory have a wide spread and deservedly great reputation. Some of those mattrasses have not only been used during the life of one boat, but have been removed from one steamer to its successor several times. The use of spring mattrasses on steamers is probably the severest test to which they can be subjected.
METCALFE’S BREWERY. METCALFE & GRAINGER, MANUFACTURERS OF ALE, BEER, PORTER, AND BROWN STOUT. Market Street, between Sixth and Seventh.
This brewery, organized in 1832, is the oldest in the city, and is equal in point of size and capacity to any in the West. The long practice in this manufacture which the senior partner of this firm has had, and the well-known reputation of the establishment are sufficient proofs of the quality of articles manufactured here. Situated in the centre of a splendid grain market, with water equal to any in the world, and with thoroughly practiced and competent workmen, the Louisville Ales, Beer, Brown-Stout, &c., cannot be anywhere surpassed. The Brown-Stout from Metcalfe’s Brewery is fully equal in every respect to the London article; and the experiment of placing it, in Byass’ bottles, before the best connoisseurs has been frequently attempted, and always with success. It has, however, a reputation of its own and does not therefore need a foreign stamp to make it currently received. Beside furnishing the interior of most of the western States, Messrs. M. & G. find a very extended and ready market for articles of their manufacture in the larger cities. Memphis and St. Louis receive and sell large quantities of these articles, and scarcely a boat leaves for the Tennessee or Cumberland rivers without having among her freight more or less of the products of this brewery. Cards announcing the presence of these articles for sale are every where shown out as inducements to the lovers of these delightful beverages. In Louisville the brewings of Messrs. M. & G. are highly valued by all.
CLARK BRADLEY, MANUFACTURER OF COACHES, CARRIAGES, BUGGIES, &C. Main Street, between Brook and First.
The manufacture of carriages is not carried on as extensively by any single firm in the West as in the East. The business is however one embracing a large amount of capital, but the number of manufactories prevents any single house from doing a very large amount of work. Carriage building in Louisville has, however, recently partaken of the impulse which has been given to every department of manufactures. There are fully three times as many carriages built in Louisville now, as there were three years ago. The smaller establishments in the interior places have been obliged to resign to the superior quality and price of Louisville work. There is no city in the Union where there are so many private vehicles used, in proportion to the population, as in Louisville. This fact has led to the endeavor on the part of carriage makers here to compete with foreign workmen. And with the single exception of heavy carriages, Louisville builders are at any time ready to furnish carriages at the same price as they can be had in the East.
Mr. Bradley’s establishment will afford a very fair example of this business. It is one of the oldest in the city, and has a fine reputation. The quality of work manufactured here cannot be surpassed, and Mr. B.’s thorough knowledge, long experience, and personal attention to his business, have done credit to him, and tended to advance the interests of this business in the city. His sales extend to Kentucky, Tennessee, North Alabama, Arkansas, and even to Mississippi and Louisiana. Fully one third of the sales of this factory are made out of the State. Mr. Bradley employs about twenty hands, who receive about ten thousand dollars annually. His sales amount to about thirty thousand dollars. The value of this as a market for this species of manufacture, is fast beginning to be felt: and it cannot be doubted that it will become ere long the very best market of the country.
BAKER & RUBEL, MANUFACTURERS OF CARRIAGES, ROCKAWAYS, BUGGIES, &C. No. 650 Main Street.
This manufactory, though not so old as many of our carriage shops, is still one deserving especial notice. The proprietors are themselves constantly employed in the details of their work, and the result of their knowledge, attention and experience is plainly observable in the work which proceeds from their establishment. They possess the entire confidence of the community, and, for the short time they have been employed in their business, have been in every way very successful workmen. Although the greater part of their sales are made in and around the city, they yet send their carriages over a large part of the southern and south-western States. It is idle for western and southern buyers any longer to indulge the foolish opinion, that better, more durable, or more elegant carriages can be bought in the eastern markets, than can be had at home. Such an opinion was held until recently in regard to fine furniture, but that has disappeared under the earnest endeavor of Louisville manufacturers, and it is time for western purchasers to learn to depend on their own workmen for supplies of every sort. Messrs. B. & R. have now in their establishment carriages of all sorts which will favorably compare in point of elegance with those made in any part of the Union, and will far exceed any others in point of durability. This matter is one deserving the attention of carriage buyers, and if they can only be persuaded to make a trial of Louisville work, the fame of the city in this regard will be easily established.
DR. JOHN BULL, MANUFACTURER OF THE FLUID EXTRACT OF SARSAPARILLA. Office on 5th Street, below Main.
Dr. John Bull has used in the manufacture of his Sarsaparilla within the last year 3,648 gross of bottles, 27,744 packing boxes at a cost of $6,885 50, and affords constant employment to about 55 hands. Amount of sales for the year ending this date, $255,700 90. Dr. Bull commenced the manufacture of this article exclusively about five years since, and the full amount of sales at that time was about $5,500, which amount was entirely consumed in advertising and printing of various kinds. The second year sales about $38,600. Third year, $89,200 50. Fourth year, $157,030 70. Fifth year, $255,700 90, as per above statement. The demand for his Sarsaparilla is greater now than it has been at any time previously, and its reputation is becoming more extended. He has received large orders from California, New Mexico, and the island of Cuba. Wherever it has been tried, the sales of it have increased, which is a sufficient guarrantee of its efficacy and standing in all places where it has been introduced.
THOMAS WILLIAMS & Co. GAS FITTERS, AND PLUMBERS, No. 462 MARKET STREET.
This establishment is the only one of the kind in the city, and since its commencement a little more than a year ago, it has rapidly grown into favor. Few persons are perhaps aware of the fact that all those minor elegancies and luxuries which follow the establishment of water works in a city can be procured and put in operation by this firm as readily and completely, as in cities ever so abundantly supplied with water. Water closets, bath houses, wash basins, pumps, boilers, and all the appurtenances of an elegant mansion are here manufactured and furnished in complete order. Most of the residences built since the existence of this firm, have taken advantage of these furnishings, and many of the older dwellings have added a part at least of these conveniences. These gentlemen also import a great variety of gas fixtures of all descriptions, as well as wrought iron welded tubes for steam, gas and water, which they put up in a superior style. They also manufacture brass work of all the lighter descriptions. The Beer-Pumps which are seen upon the counters of our coffee houses, are also from this factory. These pumps are of a very superior quality, and are exported from the city in large quantities. Steamboat plumber’s work also forms an important part of this business. The well-known steamer Eclipse was furnished from this establishment. All the work done by this firm is of the very best quality. These gentlemen are thorough and accomplished workmen, and attend in person to the details of their business. There are few plumbing establishments in this country with which this will not bear favorable comparison.
MILNE & BRUDER. LITHOGRAPHERS, No. 44 Third Street.
Lithographic printing is a very important branch of the Art, and one in which excellence is rarely attained. It is applicable to a very great variety of work, and hence is worthy of much consideration. Few persons are probably aware of the utility of the art referred to. Maps, landscapes, cards, bill heads, labels, drawings for the Patent Office, anatomical plates, and in fine all the work of the ordinary printer as well as of the draftsman and of the engraver, can be executed by the lithographer. To do all these things well, an office requires to be thoroughly organized, to possess artists of ability, and to be in the hands of men of artistic taste as well as of business capacity. In all these respects, the office of Messrs. Milne & Bruder is complete. In all those classes of work which come within their province, these gentlemen enjoy a high reputation. Prompt and efficient in their business relations, tasteful and artistic in the execution of the work entrusted to them, they are enabled to command a large amount of patronage, not only in Louisville, but all over the West and South. The new map of Kentucky lately issued from their press, is of itself a sufficient guarantee for the character of the work executed at this establishment. This map is the best ever published, and its authenticity is in no whit inferior to its mere artistic excellence. It is steadily growing into public favor, and is deservedly appreciated wherever it is known. There is no lithographic establishment in the West, which can and does execute a greater variety or a better quality of work than that under consideration.
G. W. BRAINARD & CO. PUBLISHERS OF SHEET MUSIC. AND DEALERS IN EVERY DESCRIPTION OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, AGENTS FOR JONAS CHICKERING’S PIANO-FORTES. No. 117 Fourth Street, Mozart Hall.
But little more than a year has elapsed since the publication of sheet music was begun by this firm. Their catalogue however already embraces a large number and a great variety of excellent music. The success of their publishing house is by the practical talent and fine taste of the proprietors, already placed beyond a contingency of failure, and only needs the necessary lapse of time to become complete. As is well known, Louisville numbers a great many accomplished musicians and musical amateurs among her population. There is perhaps no other American city of equal size where this art is so much cultivated and so high in favor with the whole people. Music publishing, the necessary consequence of this state of affairs, becomes therefore an important branch of business. Messrs. B. & Co. are high in favor with our musical people, have published a good deal of Louisville composition, and are rapidly finding a large market abroad as well as at home for their production. These gentlemen are also agents for Chickering’s celebrated Pianos, as well as for other favorite brands. Their attention is also particularly directed to supplying Brass Instruments for bands. And they offer excellent security for the quality of the articles which they keep. As a music store, their establishment is a favorite resort with the amateurs of this delightful art.
PETERS, WEBB & CO. Publishers of Music, Main Street, bet. 2d and 3d, Opposite Bank of Ky. PETERS, CRAGG & CO. MANUFACTURERS OF PIANO FORTES, Main Street, between Thirteenth and Fourteenth. J. WEKERLE & CO. ORGAN MANUFACTURERS.
The publishing house of Peters, Webb & Co., perhaps the oldest establishment of the kind, and certainly the most favorably known in the West, employs one title engraver, three music engravers, and about six printers. They keep three copper-plate presses constantly employed, and issue from seven to ten thousand pages of music per week.
The piano-forte manufactory of Peters, Cragg & Co., was organized only a few years ago, but its success has been so constant and rapid, that they are not now able to supply the demand for their instruments. They have embarked a very large capital in this business, and are now erecting a large three story factory on Main Street, where they will be enabled to do a still greater amount of work. They are prepared with all the most recent useful improvements in manufacture and will employ in their new factory about thirty hands. This firm is ready at any moment to duplicate any bill of wholesale prices, which may be had from any respectable eastern house, either in sheet music or pianos.
P. W. & Co., in company with J. Wekerle, a practical organ builder, commenced the manufacture of these instruments in Louisville a little less than three years ago, since which time they have built several instruments for western churches, in Louisville and elsewhere. These have been pronounced by competent judges equal to any made in the country. Five workmen are constantly employed in this department.
CHARLES DUFFIELD & CO.’S HAM CURING ESTABLISHMENT, Water Street, between 5th and 6th, Entrance on 6th.
This is the largest establishment exclusively devoted to the curing of hams, not only in the United States, but in the world. The buildings are of brick and are three stories in height. The curing-house is 66 feet wide and 350 feet long, embracing over 52,000 square feet of floor. The smoking house is 35 feet in width by 65 in length, and will hold 40,000 hams at one smoking. One to two hundred thousand hams are cured here in one season, and thirty to fifty men are employed nearly six months in the year in preparing the hams for market and summer keeping. The details of the curing process are not made public.
Mr. Duffield was thefirstto establish and make permanent the business of ham curing, as a separate and distinct branch of the provision trade, which he did byperseveringin making fine hams for years without profit—and he has thus became thePioneerin giving character to our western hams, which now stand unequalled in the markets of the United States. It is to this perseverance that we are indebted for all the fine hams, by whomsoever cured, that now fill our markets.
Mr. Duffield was thefirstto cure in Cincinnati, in 1835, as many as 20,000 hams, and from thisbeginning, the business is believed to have now reached the grand aggregate of from six to eight hundred thousand hams, cured in anextrastyle, in all the western cities. Mr. D.’s hams, however, still stand pre-eminent. The demand for them increases yearly. His brand is, “Duffield’s American Westphalia Hams.” The reason for the term “American Westphalia” is contained in the fact, that the only hams celebrated in the United States markets, when Mr. D. commenced curing, were those imported from Westphalia, in Germany, (which were then and still are sold at 25 and 30 cents per pound,) hence the propriety and boldness of the term “AmericanWestphalia.” It is certain that Mr. Duffield’s cure will not be foundinferiorto the bestimportedfrom Westphalia, and will not cost the consumer one-half the price of that article.
The following list of diplomas, medals, &c., which have been awarded at different times to the hams cured by Mr. Duffield, will corroborate this opinion. By Ohio Mechanics’ Institute, in 1844; by Hamilton County Agricultural Society, in 1846; by Ohio State Fair, held in Cincinnati, in 1850; by The London Industrial Exhibition, and World’s Fair Prize Medal, in 1850. We are proud of Mr. D.’s reputation, and glad to be able to say that Louisville hasthe largest ham curing establishment in the world.
A. McBRIDE, MANUFACTURER OF PLANES AND EDGE TOOLS, No. 69 Third Street.
The manufacture of Planes and Edge-Tools in Louisville is not and has not been considered a very prominent branch of trade. It is well known that the skillful manufacture of these articles has long been a difficulty hard to overcome. Mr. McBride, who has been a practical workman with the plane, has successfully combatted all the difficulties in the way of producing a perfect article. Wherever the tools from this factory have been used, they have achieved that most difficult of results, the entire approbation of the mechanic. Mr. B.’s business is one of those the steady growth of which indicates real merit and ultimate success. Every article produced is made by the hands of skillful workmen, and under the immediate eye of the proprietor; hence all may be sure of procuring a far more valuable article than can be had from the steam factories. Mr. McBride has in addition to his manufactory, a fine stock of Hardware and Cutlery.
HENRY HUNTER, GLASS CUTTING ESTABLISHMENT, No. 69 Third Street.
This useful establishment is one of those minor factories which are indispensible to a great city. Necessary of small extent as compared with many other branches of manufacture, it is yet an important and useful concern. Mr. Hunter is the foreman of his own factory, and is a thorough and accomplished workman. It is at his shop that those elegant cuttings on tinted and white glass, which adorn the windows of our southern steamboats, and add so much to their magnificence, are done. In this department of his business he is without a rival in the city and, it is believed, in the West. Beside this, Mr. H. is a fitter of glasses for jeweller’s work, such as rings, breast-pins, miniatures, &c. He also replaces parts of broken sets of glass and performs, in a superior manner, all the work done at the glass cutters. A good stock of cut glass-ware is also to be found at this factory.
KENTUCKY LOCK FACTORY. HARIG & STOY, MANUFACTURERS OF SAFE, BANK, VAULT, JAIL AND DOOR LOCKS. No. 97 Third Street.
The Kentucky Lock Factory is another establishment deserving especial notice. The work made at this factory is surpassed in quality by none in the West. Locks of every description from those of the prison, the Bank and the safe, to the smallest mortise latch, are manufactured with equal care and fidelity. The Fire-Proof Safe, which has a well established reputation everywhere, is also made here. Iron doors and frames for bank vaults and prisons us well as sliding door locks and trimmings also form a part of the daily work of the factory. This concern, under the charge of Mr. Aug. C. Harig has for a long time enjoyed the confidence and patronage of this community, and it will doubtless, under its present management, continue to increase in public favor. In addition to articles of their own manufacture, Messrs. H. & S. offer for sale an excellent assortment of Builders Hardware.
A. TIENSCH, Manufacturer of Mathematical and Philosophical Instruments, NO. 97 THIRD STREET.
In the same building with the factory noticed above, may be found the instrument shop of Mr. Tiensch. In this exceedingly complex and scientific manufacture, this gentleman is very eminent. The most delicate manipulations of his art are performed by him with singular accuracy and facility. Manufactories of this kind are rare in the American cities, nor is the demand for these articles very great. Mr. T. is therefore able to furnish the proceeds of his manufacture to buyers who are scattered ever a large surface of country. He keeps on hand a stock of the instruments in most common use and is thoroughly competent to the successful manufacture of any article in his line which may be desired by the scientific man. His factory will doubtless grow with the growing wants for articles of this description in this great city. The curious in such matters will find his shop well worthy of a visit.
HULL & BROTHER, Book & Job Printers, Binders, AND PUBLISHERS, 83 & 85 Fourth Street, between Main and Market.
This firm commenced business in this city in the year 1844. It has gradually grown, from a small beginning, until it stands second to no establishment in the West, either for facilities or workmanship. Although its principal business is that of Book, and the finer kinds of Job Printing, yet at this office are issued two weekly papers, and three monthly periodicals—making an average of overten thousand periodicals weekly.
The Proprietors being both practical men, (having been all their lives engaged in the business, and understanding thoroughly every department of it,) they have been enabled to carry the Art of Printing to a perfection that would surprise and astonish the spirits of Faust and Guttemberg, were they to arise from their graves, as much as it pleases and attracts the lovers of the beautiful of the present day.
In connection with this establishment there is a well assorted Bindery, under the direction of Mr.J. A. Irwin, who, in this department, is connected with the Messrs. Hull. He also is a practical workman, well acquainted with every part of his business.
Every branch and variety of the business is here carried on. From the mill, the paper passes to the wetting trough, thence to the printing press; from the press to the drying boards, then into the hands of the Folder, and so successively, to the Forwarder, the Embosser, and the Finisher, until the perfect book is produced.
The Messrs H. employ about forty hands in their Establishment and are supplied, both in their Printing and Binding departments, with the very best materials and machinery that have been invented.
Altogether it is an Establishment that does credit to our city, and gives additional evidence of its increasing prosperity.
Footnotes:
[1]Campbell had been taken prisoner by the British and Indians and was then in captivity in Canada.
[2]Marshall, Vol. I, p. 104.
[3]Directory for 1832.
[4]Western Review for January, 1830.
[5]This incident is by some accredited to William Creasy, a bargeman of the James River.
[6]Morgan Neville, in Western Souvenir for 1829.
[7]Perkins’Annals, pp. 280 to 282.
[8]John A. McClung in Collins’ Kentucky, p. 57.
[9]This statement is given on the authority of Major Quirey’s own son.
[10]This prediction, as is well known, has been verified.
[11]This gentleman was one among the most distinguished of the early citizens of Louisville. His untiring energy, his inflexible honesty of purpose, and his fine mental ability, all contributed to render him conspicuous in every position to which he was called. An excellent epitome of his character is contained in a remark made by him upon the occasion of his resignation of the Presidency of the Bank referred to. The directory of the Bank having determined to stop payment, Mr. Prather resigned his seat with these memorable words:—“I can preside over no institution which fails to meet its engagements promptly and to the letter.” Mr. Prather was long connected in business with Mr. John I. Jacob, whose recent death has been so much deplored; and the firm of Prather & Jacob is one of the best and most favorably known among the early merchants of this city.
[12]This census does not include the residents in Preston’s or Campbell’s enlargements, nor does it refer either to Portland or Shippingport.
[13]This is extracted from Mr. Maum Butler’s account of the Canal.
[14]Gallagher’s Review of Amelia in the Hesperian for 1839.
[15]This hope is now destined never to be gratified, for, since the above was written, this accomplished poetess and estimable woman has been called away to join her voice with the angelic choir, whose harmonies are the delight and the glory of the celestial world. On a bright May morning, such as her own songs have taught us to love, when the earth was redolent of beauty, and the flowers were sending up to heaven the incense of their perfumes, when all rejoicing nature was pouring out its mourning orison to its Creator, the angels sent by her Heavenly Father, came and bore her spirit to its home in the skies. And so
“She has passed like a bird from the minstrel throng,She has gone to the land where the lovely belong.”
[16]Haldeman’s Directory for 1844-5.
[17]These gentlemen having recently resigned, the chairs so vacated are now occupied by Drs. Palmer and Austin Flint, of Buffalo, N. Y.
[18]“In this year, a line of 46 hhds brought $3,390 84, averaging $73 73 per hhd. The crop was short, and speculation ran high. Dealers in the article were heavy losers.”—Directory for 1845.
[19]Most of the machinists are connected with the foundries.
[20]This does not include all steamboat builders.
[21]Most of the turners are connected with various factories.
[22]From “Louisville and the Elements of her Prosperity,” by H. Smith, Esq., in the Louisville Journal.
[23]Speculation in city lots ran very high at this time, and property bore an enormous fictitious value. As will be remembered, this feeling was not confined to Louisville, but was prevalent all over the western country. This was the era of speculations in western town lots, an era which will not be recalled with pleasure by most western men.