The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1873-08-14
Barber Match Company and1
Robinson. Manufacturing Con

Robinson. Manufacturing Con n
The manufacture OF matches has
ways been one of the most important In
dustries, and Is one of the most interest
ing processes. The Barber Match Com
pany, of this city, has a business which
was established in lS47, on a compare
lively small scale, in what was then the
village of Middlebury, 10Y the 9th Ward.
The business has grown as speedily as our
city, and for the present year $350,O00
worth of matches will be manufactured.
Some two years ago, when the business
required great facilities han could be
found in the 9th Ward, ground was pur-
chased and magnificent factory erected
on Falor street, in the 9th Ward, to which
We paid a visit one day last week. The
main building is l80x55 feetin size, two.
stories high, and has a large L addition
of the same height and an engine house,
Within this building two million feet Of
lumber, and any quantity of salpher
phosphorus, glue, paste-board and paper
for boxes, and material for printing is used
annually. The lumber is the best pine
from Saginaw. Glue and chemicals are
imported from the old country.
The work of making, boxing and ship
ping the matches is all done at the factory,
five different kinds being sold in q differ
emit forms, About IT'S hands are employ
ed IN the works, of whom nearly 100 are
girls. The work of the latter is varied
They earn from so cents to $3.50 per day
when working by the piece,or SO cents by
the day. The men and boys earn 60 to
$3.50 per day.
About 600 gross of matches are manu-
featured per day-each gross containing
l4s4OO matches.
In making this brief summary Of the
business of the company, we have not at
tempted to describe the mandatory or.
the process of manufacture. The company
Is always courteous to visitors and those
who really wish to see the many highly
interesting features other works can have
access there at any time. The officers of
the company are J.. K. Robinson. Pres.
o. G. Barber, Sec. and Treas, Jas. Hop
kins, Gen. Agt. and Chas. A. Palmer,
Supt., those gentlemen also comprising
the stockholders.
Just north of the match factory is g
smaller building, three stories high, which
is the seat of operations of the Hopkins,
Robinson Co., manufacturers OF animal
pokes, and Shaker and Hamburg (clay-
pipes. The same gentlemen are stockhold)
ers IN this concern as in the other, o. G.
Barber being President, Jas. Hopkins Sec.
and Treas, and j. K. Robinson, Supt.
The business amounts to over 100000 per
year, about one-halfin each branch of bus
mess. The poke manufactured is the in
v%ention of Nh. Hopkins, and undoubtedly
the best for the price in the market. 90
600 Of these will be made this year.
In the pipe business 1000 boxes are
shipped per month. The company has a
contract with Il E Merrill for its supply
of bowls, from his pottery, but furnishes
stems and does the packing and shipping
from its factory.
Both the companies whose business we
have thus adverted to are IN prosperous
condition with prospects for an even great
er increase thar has attended their efforts
thus far. All who know the gentlemen
connected with the enterprise, heartily
wish them the fullest measure of future
success.-Akron Times.