The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1879-11-19
The DeLand Chemical Works.
From the American Rural Home

The DeLand Chemical Works.
From the American Rural Home
About twenty minutes ride from
Rochester eastward, on the direct
line of the New York Central Rail
road, is Fairport, one Of the most
thriving, progressive villages to be
found in Western New York. 1t
may, possibly, number $500 inhabi
tants. Much of the place has grown
up within fifteen years. Its best res
licences, its finest churches, its hand
some school building, have all been
erected since first we were accus-
toned to visit it, in 1868. New
streets have been opened since then,
and old ones have been improved.
Tasty homes have multiplied, local
paper has been established, and on
all sides liberality has wrought excel
lent results. No one can walk
through and around the pretty vii
lage now, without seeing that there
generous public spirit has set worthy
examples, and inspired profitable
emulation,-without feeling certain
that there provident class of people
have been moved to good works,
have dedicated their purses freely to
religion and education: and are living
in that comfortable prosperity which
unselfish efforts ought always to in.
sure.
What has brought all this about ?
AS matter of fact, it is due to the
DeLand Chemical Works which are
entitled to early and prominent men,
tion in our series of articles on West.
ern New York Industries, both for
what they have done in that one com
munity and for what they really are.
An establishment so commercially
alive, conducted by men whose in
tiuence has been so marked and ben
eficiaI, deserves this tribute of print.
A business SO extensive, born OF such
small begiIIiiu;55,- rruy wcff reuviVe
the recognition which we here ac-
cord.
1t is something over thirty years
since the manufacture of saleratus
was first begun in Fairport, by Mr..
Justus Parce, grandfather OF the
present firms junior member. In
1851 the firm of D. B. DeLand & Co.,
succeeded to Mr.. Parce's moderate
business, and modestly sought to in
crease the same. Mr. DeLand was
Young, active, practical, tar-seeing.
lie knew what was needed, and wisely
made the most of his resources. He
labored hard, overcame great obsta-
cles, by sheer force of character and
untiring hard work, and conquered
success. His neighbors respected
him for what he was and for what he
did. They put confidence in him,
elected him to the highest offices in
their gift, and stood by their faith in
his integrity as he stood by their re.
peated testimonies Of trust. As he
prospered, they shared his prosperity
through his liberal fostering of all
that could benefit the place. He
went abroad twice to obtain informa-
ton and material which would aid in
perfecting the products Of his Works,
and his neighbors greeted him warmly
as a brother, on each return. When
he died suddenly, in 1872, they
mourned his loss as grief personal
to every one of them, which it was ;
and the Baptist Church, of which he
was an official member, felt that one
of it's pillars had fallen. The COM
munity at large lamented the prema-
ture death OF one who had been al
ways Jealous in its interest, generous
of himself and his means. To-day
Judge DeLand is remembered with
affectionate esteem by all who knew
him, and spoken of with lasting re-
gret.
When Judge DeLand died, his bus.
mess had extended to large proper
tions. A change OF firm was neces
sary, but this did not curtail steady
growth. Mr.. HI. A. DeLand, younger
brother of D. B. DeLand, ana junior
( member of the firm OF D. B. DeLand
+ & Co., became senior member OF the
new firm of III. A. DeLand d Co.,
Mrs. ID. B. DeLand and her son L. j.
DeLand being the other partners.
Under the sagacious management OF
its present proprietors, this establish
ment has vastly increased its produc.
fions in tho last seven wears, and has