The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-12-04
INDUSTRIES OF NEWARK, DEL.

a correspondent of the Middletown
Transcript in letter from our neighbor-
ing town of Newark, gives the following
interesting account of the industries in
that vicinity:
"About half mile to the north, on the
White Clay creek, are the extensive paper
mills of Curtis 4 Bro. About twenty eight
years ago MessrS. G. B. & S. NJ. Curtis,
purchased from John Miller, Esq, the old
PIPER mill property which had formerly
belonged to The estate of Samuel Meeteer.
They at once tore down the old, and put
up a new mill, with, at that time, all the
most improved machinery for their bust
ness. In few years q. b. Curtis sold his
interest to f. A. Curtis. The firm then
became F. A. & S. NJ. Curtis, and has since
been changed to Curtis Il Bro" Being
practical paper makers and understanding
their business these gentlemen have been
most wonderfully successful. AS their
means accumulated they have added to
their works taking out old and putting in
new as the inventive genius of others pro-
duced other and better machines, until one
who was conversant with the arrangements
of the various departments twenty, or even
ten years ago, would scarcely recognize the
mill as the same. Their latest improve
ment is the construction of a large reser-
voir or settling pond near the mill for the
purpose of having always available sup
ply of clear water. They have also added,
during the past Summer, splendid engine
of GO horse power, and boiler to match, to
use at times when the White Clay refuses
to supply them with water sufficient to
drive the mill. This, with the great chin.
$4,000. With improvements in their ma
chinery, they made advances also in the
quality of their goods. From the manu-
factory of newspaper for Chas. Magarge &
Co., of Philadelphia, they turned to the
manufacture of cap and letter paper of
fine qualities and colors. They are now
engaged in making the paper, SO fashion
able and popular, known as "Granite
Gray and Notified" OF this, believe
they were the first makers in this country,
if not the inventors.
On the same creek, and but short dis
lance below, are located the extensive
woollen and cloth mills of Joseph Dean &
Son. Started, | don't know how many
years ago. by Joseph Dean, the father of
the present VIM. Dean, these mills have
steadily increased in trade and Importance
until they have become some of the most
capacious and noted of the Middle and
southern States, and Deans goods are
everywhere known and recognized for the
excellence of their quality and manufac-
ture. Who remembers the old hip roof
stone mill, would scarcely recognize the
splendid massive structure of to-day as
one and the same. Like the Curtises the
proprietors of these mills have added from
time 10 time, as progress and necessity
demanded, newer styles and patterns of
machinery but unlike their neighbors they
have never changed the name and style of
the firm, which, though Joseph Dean has
long since been gathered to his fathers, and
John Pilling is now co partner with his
son, still remains Joseph Dean & Son J
They now run thirty four looms, of which
eighteen are the large Crompton looms
of double width capacity; the remainder
slant operation, giving employment to a
large number OF men, women, girls and
boys. In all their various departments
they employ some s. hands. They too
have recently added splendid engine, of
35-horse power, to have in readiness when
the drouth lowers the waters of the creek
Their mill is running, | believe, at its full
capacity, and turning out daily large guam
titles Of caSsimereS and other woollen
goods. They are now running mostly on
Spring goods, those for Winter use having
been completed sometime ago. These gen
tlemen are also the chief proprietors of the
mills at Stanton, of Dean, Pilling & Co.,
and of the kiamensi mills.
Adjoining the mill property is the fine
farm of VIM. Dean, Esq, where Mr.. Dean
spends some of his surplus cash, and makes
it show in highly improved land, handsome
hedges, good crops and well bred stock
Just now he is engaged in building a sheep
house. Like others in this neighborhood
Mr.. Dean has gone extensively into sheep
raising, thus putting into practice hi.
theory that sheep growing would be a
profitable investment to the farmers of
Delaware. John A. Reynolds, Jr., whose
farm adioins Mr.. Deans, has also a large
flock of splendid sheep. He too regards
the money expended in sheep as one of his
best and most profitable investments. VIM.
Homewood is another extensive grower,
as are also Geo. G. Kerr, Esq, Edward
Wilson, Samuel Donald and several others.
Among Newark's other industries, an
account of which might be interesting to
your readers, are the iron ore works on
Iron Hill, and of the Messrs. McConaughey.