Growth of Knapp Electrical Works

Knapp Electrical Works.

Evidence of the progress and prosperity of electrical enterprises is afforded by the growth of the great electrical manufacturing and supply houses which may be found in every part of the country and which have been established and built up during the last ten years. The importance of this industry, whether considered from the amount of capital invested, the number of men employed or the general adoption of electricity and electrical devices to every day life, is truly marvelous when it is considered that the business has been practically developed within twenty years. This is specially true in the case of the great supply and construction companies of the West. During the last ten years there has been phenomenal growth in the electrical business, especially in Chicago. An excellent example to illustrate this statement may be found in the history of the Knapp Electrical Works, which grew out of the old Railway Telegraph Supply company. Like most ''electric companies" of ten years ago, that concern was limited in

Fig. 4. Knapp Electrical Works.

its operations to telegraph and signaling devices, but in this particular line it had established an excellent reputation and was doing a flourishing business. Myron A. Knapp, who became interested in the company in 1884, determined to enlarge the field of operations. Accordingly he secured control of the concern, changed the name to the Knapp Electrical Works and engaged in manufacturing as well as the general supply business. The old quarters at Fulton and Union streets, Chicago, proved inadequate, and a store and shop were taken on Franklin street, near Randolph.

At first only a small part of this building was occupied. On the ground floor the offices, salesroom and storeroom were located. At that time, it may be mentioned, the business did not warrant the carrying of the immense stock which is necessary to-day. Then again, the shop which occupied the floor above was only a small beginning. A few men were employed, but at that time it was considered quite an undertaking to conduct a shop in connection with a supply house.

This shop, which was established on such a small scale, has kept pace with the development of the business in other departments, and today may be classed as one of the largest and best equipped electrical factories in the West. Two views are presented in Figs. 1 and 2, showing the general assembling room and the department for making special devices. The manufacture of telegraph instruments continues to form an important part of this business, but with the growth of the other departments the relative importance of this specialty has, of course, decreased. There are several other important departments in the factory equipped for the building of annunciators, fire alarm and district messenger boxes, switches and rheostats, and call bells. Each of these is under the direction of competent men.

Like the factory, the supply department has grown rapidly and has necessitated many changes in the arrangement of the establishment. Today the Knapp Electrical Works occupy the entire building at 54 and 56 Franklin street, illustrated in Fig. 3. It is a four story structure and is well adapted to the business. On the ground floor are the general sales room and the shipping department. A view of the salesroom is presented in Fig. 4. On the second floor are the general offices, and in the rear are store rooms. A view of the general offices, together with the private office of the general manager, is also presented in Fig. 4. The two upper floors are occupied by the factory, views of which are given in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 1. Knapp Electrical Works.

The growth and prosperity of the Knapp Electrical Works is due, in no small degree, to the energy and perseverance of the general manager, Myron A. Knapp. It was Mr. Knapp who conceived the idea of extending the business of the old Railway Telegraph company and making a general electrical supply and manufacturing concern out of that company. The task of forming and developing the new corporation rested entirely upon him, and he has given the management of the concern his personal attention. Before coming to Chicago Mr. Knapp had been associated in the lumber business with his father. He was born in Wisconsin and received his education at Racine college. Mr. Knapp is a member of the Chicago Electric club, and has for several years been a member of the board of managers. He enjoys the confidence and esteem of his business associates, and is one of the most popular members of the electrical fraternity of the West.

Fig. 2. Knapp Electrical Works.

J. B. Wood, assistant manager of the Knapp Electrical Works, is one of the most promising young men in the business. He began his electrical work in the ofnca»of the Northwest Thomson-Houston Electric company at St. Paul in the fall of 1888, and as he at once showed an aptitude for the work, was given a responsible position on the road after he had been engaged with the company but a few months. In 1800 Mr. Wood came to Chicago to accept a lucrative position on the road for the Great Western Electric Supply company, with which institution he was connected until July, 1892, when he entered the Knapp Electrical Works as assistant manager.

Merritt B. Austin, who occupies the position of special agent of the Knapp Electrical Works, is about 24 years of age. He began his experience in the electrical business six years ago in the employ of the Western Electric company. During the six years of his connection with the Western Electric company he gained a large experience in the business, and has been particularly successful as a salesman

Fig. 3. Knapp Electrical Works.