Growth of electrical supply houses in Chicago

GROWTH OF THE ELECTRICAL SUPPLY

HOUSE IN CHICAGO AND THE WEST.

About a decade ago, when the value of electricity for the purposes of light and power became established, the west was entering on a period of development unprecedented in the history of any country. The conditions of growth were favorable. There was a new country filled with men of ambition and energy, who thoroughly believed in its future and were ready to stake their fortunes upon it. They recognized the great advantages of the new agent, and applied it with a rapidity which left older communities behind.

To meet the demand thus created, factories were established, and in the transfer of their products an extensive business is now carried on.

Chicago, with characteristic enterprise, became the center of electrical activity in the west. It was one of the first cities in the United States to make use of the electric light, and here have originated many electrical enterprises. It is the seat of one of the largest manufacturers of electrical apparatus in the country, and numbers among its business concerns many electrical supply houses which, in the extent of their business, are not rivaled by any similar concerns in America. While distinctively western, their trade is not confined to any section of the country; but their representatives may be met in every state, while their enterprise is already pushing the claims of their wares in foreign countries.

The history of these supply houses is most interesting. Started, as some of them were, almost at a venture, in modest offices with storage rooms in some dismal cellar, they have grown so rapidly that today they are doing a business amounting in the aggregate to millions of dollars yearly. Their warerooms are large and well appointed, and will compare favorably with similar houses in any other department of trade. Several of these houses have established branch offices in the west and south, and to their enterprise these sections of the country are largely indebted.

Any reference to the supply houses of Chicago or the west would be incomplete without mention of the men who founded them, and whose admirable conduct of their affairs has brought them to their present prosperity. Their founders and officers are principally young men, many of them of good education and possessing executive ability of the highest order. The majority have had practical experience in the construction of electrical plants and the manufacture of apparatus, and thus have become familiar with the needs of the trade in this respect. They seized upon the opportunities thus offered, and although hampered at times by the lack of capital they have, almost without exception, attained gratifying success. As pioneers in the business they have had many difficulties to contend with, and to their activity, careful judgment, and far-sighted policy much praise is due.

The Western Electric Company.

Twenty years seems a long time in the history of electrical enterprises, but the history of the Western Electric Company and its predecessors goes back farther than that, and justly entitles that company to claim that it is the pioneer house in the electrical supply business, as well as in the manufacture of electrical apparatus.

This company has at different times succeeded to the business of Gray & Barton, Bliss, Tillotson & Company, George H. Bliss & Company, and the Electrical Merchandising Company; names of firms now well nigh forgotten.

Immediately after the Chicago fire the building at 220 to 232 Kinzie street was erected by General Anson Stager, and occupied by the Western Electric Manufacturing Company and the supply department of the Western Union Telegraph Company up to 1884, when the Western Electric Company moved to more commodious quarters, extending from 227 to 251 South Canal street, which building it at present occupies. The company has also a large factory and warehouse in New York, which is headquarters for their eastern trade.

The Chicago house employs over 1,200 persons,who are engaged in the various departments of work required in the production and sale of a vast variety of articles needed in electrical operations and manufactured by this company. It furnishes almost everything in this line and supplies the needs of many smaller houses dealing in like commodities.

In the early history of this concern the supplies which it was called upon to furnish were almost exclusively for telegraph use. With the development of the business in other directions it has extended its line of supplies, keeping pace with the growth of the business, and one after

Charles A. Brown.

another has added to its departments of supplies fire alarm telegraph supplies, electric bell supplies, telephonic supplies, electric light and electric railway supplies, and aims to keep on hand whatever may be wanted by the legitimate electrical trade.

After so long a career in the business it is but natural that the company should enjoy a large trade and a thorough familiarity with the requirements of all its various branches. Mr. Charles A. Brown, whose portrait is presented herewith, is the manager of the company. Although but 32 years of age, he has reached this position through the positions of assistant book-keeper, book-keeper and cashier, which he has successively occupied. He entered the employ of the Western Electric Manufacturing Company, the predecessor of the Western Electric Company, upon his graduation from the University of Rochester. Though actively engaged in discharging the great responsibilities resting upon him, Mr. Brown has found time to pursue the study of law, and in 1890 was granted the degree of LL. B. by the Chicago College of Law, of which institution he is at present trustee.

·

·

The Electrical Supply Company.

One of the oldest as well as one of the largest electrical supply houses in the country is The Electrical Supply Company. This company was organized in 1880 for the purpose of dealing mostly in electric light supplies, for which at that time there was arising considerable demand. They also undertook the manufacture of insulated wires, in which their trade grew very rapidly, and were pioneers in the introduction of fire and weather-proof wire, which met with such success on its first production that the company were obliged to enlarge their manufactory.

The business having kept pace with the advance in electrical application throughout the country, the establishment of a branch house in Chicago seemed advisable, and, in 1884, Franklin S. Terry was chosen to represent the company in the West.

The branch house was located originally at 175 Lake street, but increasing business soon rendered their quarters inadequate, and they removed to 171 Randolph street. The offices, salesroom and shipping room are on the street floor, and here are exhibited the various kinds of electrical appliances, including scientific instruments of every design. On the floors above and in the basement is found a large stock of electrical supplies which is kept constantly on hand.

From time to time this company have placed on the market new articles of value, and are continually adding to their different lines. They hold the sole western agency for the Habirshaw rubber-covered wires, cables and cores. They have also exclusive rights in the West for the sale of the Sunbeam incandescent lamp.

With that foresight which has characterized the history of the company, they have established a railway department, and to it are devoting considerable attention.

In the line of goods for domestic use the company aim to meet the latest demands. Among their specialties in this class may be mentioned the Ajax dry battery and the Midget storage battery, which are rapidly becoming popular.

The latest evidence of the increasing business of the company is the announcement, recently made, that their present quarters have grown too small, and that about July 1 they will remove to the six floor building at the corner of Michigan avenue and Randolph street. The new location will have a floor space 42x132 feet, which will give to Chicago a supply store second in size to none in the world.

To the manager of the company, Mr. Franklin S. Terry, and the methods that he has employed in the conduct of the business, its rapid growth is due. His experience in the electrical business has peculiarly fitted him for the position he occupies. He was born in 1862, and in his boyhood had anticipated pursuing the profession of medicine; but circumstances decreed otherwise, and he entered the employ of The Electrical Supply Company at his home in Ansonia. He was rapidly advanced until the

Franklin S. Terry.

entire charge of the books and office were placed in his hands. At length, when it was decided to establish a branch house, he was selected for the position of manager.

Since coming to Chicago, Mr. Terry has been prominent in electrical circles. He was one of the original members of the Chicago Electric Club, and has always taken an active part in its councils, occupying since its formation the position of treasurer.

·

·

The Knapp Elecrical Works.

About eight years ago Myron A. Knapp, of whom an excellent portrait is presented, first became connected with the electrical business. Previous to that time he had been a lumber dealer and was also interested in steamboating; but perceiving the rare opportunities offered by the electrical trade, he came to Chicago and took the management of the Railway Telegraph Supply Company, at that time a small concern at the corner of Fulton and

Myron A. Knapp.

Union streets. The business grew rapidly until Mr. Knapp felt that an entire change in the policy of the company was necessary, in order to carry out with freedom his growing plans.

It was then that he purchased the stock of the old company and established the Knapp Electrical Works, which, through his admirable management, to-day ranks among the most important of Chicago's electrical enterprises. The headquarters were moved to Nos. 54 and 56 Franklin street, and there Mr. Knapp has established a factory also which gives employment to 95 persons.

The building where the business of the company is carried on is a large five story structure, which affords ample room for the manufacture and sale of the many valuable articles sold by the company.

Their manufactures consist principally of electric light switches, cutouts, fixtures, annunciators, burglar alarms and a full line of household goods. In addition to their own manufactures the company deal in a great variety of electrical supplies. They are also general western agents for the Safety Insulated Wire and Cable Company, of New York, and for the Perkins Electric Lamp Company, Manchester, Conn., and for both of these concerns they are doing a large and satisfactory business. Their widely extended trade is an excellent indication of the position which Chicago holds in electrical affairs.

Mr. Knapp, though engrossed in the cares of an increasing business, has been an active member of the Chicago Electric Club, and to its affairs has devoted time and energy. As a member of the board of managers he has been influential in directing the policy of the club, and has shown himself at all times interested in its advancement.

·

·