Postby dognose » Sat Oct 01, 2016 8:14 am
HOMAN & Co.
Manufacturers of Fine Electro Silver-Plated Ware. White Metal Goods, Britannia Spoons, and Improved Patented Candle Molding Machinery. Office and Factory, 12 and 14 East Seventh Street.
The reputation which Cincinnati has gained as a city in which all of the finer and more artistic branches of manufacture are carefully fostered, gives to her houses engaged in these manufacturing. branches a commanding importance.
Among the various interests of this kind, none have obtained a greater prominence, or deserve more favorable recognition, than that devoted to the manufacture of fine electro silver-plated ware, and patent candle molding machinery, represented by the large establishment of Homan & Co. For the high artistic character of the work done in its factories, as well as for the reputation which its goods have acquired as substantial and durable, this establishment has taken a foremost position among the business firms of the city as a potent factor in our industrial development.
The past history of the house is one of great honor to itself, and high credit to our industrial life. It was established in 1847, by Mr. Henry Homan, and is consequently one of the oldest Cincinnati houses in this line of business. In 1867, by the death of the elder Mr. Homan, the business passed into the hands of his son, Mr. Frank B. Homan, by whom it was carried on until his death, in 1879, when it was taken by his widow, Mrs. L. Homan, and by Mr. H. Korf, Jr., who are still in charge. The affairs of the house are under the personal management of Mr. Korf, who has had a long experience in this line of manufacture, and who gives his undivided attention and energy to it.
Situated at Nos. 12 and 14 East Seventh street, near Main, within easy reach of the business center of the city, the office, salesroom and manufactory are all closely connected with one another, and have every advantage that can be gained by good location and ready inter-communication. The buildings occupied by the house, though large and convenient, will, however, soon have to be abandoned for more spacious quarters, since the business rapidly outgrowing its accommodations.
If the relative positions of manufacturing establishments are to be determined by the excellence of their facilities, the house of Homan & Co. must stand very high. In the manufactory of the concern may be seen some of the finest and most extensive machinery used by any like establishment in the country. Among the appliances used in the process of manufacture—many of which were first introduced by this house, may be mentioned the fine 24-inch steel rolls, unequaled in size by any in the United States; the improved finishing lathes, of which ten are in use, and the immense power and hydraulic presses—the latter having a pressure of 675 tons. Skilled and experienced workmen are employed throughout the establishment, and the weekly payroll amounts to a large sum. Almost all the tools used by the workers are made in the shops, and the whole manufacturing department is run by a large boiler and a seventy-horse power steam engine.
The work turned out is of the most varied description, embracing all styles and kinds of fine electro silver-plated ware, white metal goods and Britannia spoons. Every thing is manufactured from the best material, metals being bought in bulk. in lots of fifty tons each. All silver-plated goods manufactured by the concern are stamped with the Homan Silver-Plating Company trade mark, thus preventing, to a great extent, imitators from placing goods on the market as of their manufacture.
The firm are also noted manufacturers of candle molding machinery, and for many years controlled and manufactured the Stanthorp machine for molding candles. This machine, however, has been eclipsed by their new and improved patent candle molding machine, invented by Wm. H. Haney, a practical candle-maker, who devoted years to study and experiment in the effort to produce a machine that would mold candles in any temperature. His perfect success is represented in the machine now manufactured by Messrs. Homan & Co. It has a patent adjustable clamp, and a patent adjustable candle gauge, by which candles can be molded of any desired length; also a patent air distributor and channel box, by which an even temperature is maintained. All these improvements are the inventions of Mr. Haney. The new machine is undoubtedly the most perfect machine of the kind in the market, and its adaptability to all climates and seasons renders it specially desirable among candle manufacturers. It is in use in all the leading candle factories. not only of this country, but all over the world, a large and increasing demand being supplied to North an South American, Cuban, and European houses.
The catalogue of Homan & Co., for 1883, recently issued, is one of the finest that has ever been printed for free circulation by a business house. It is elegantly and tastefully illustrated, showing the various classes of work manufactured, and is invaluable as a book of reference to the trade and others.
The high business character of Homan & Co.. and superiority and value of the goods produced from their manufactory, are well evidenced by the emphatic nature of the indorsement given them by the public. Their trade is drawn from every part of the United States, and is particularly large in the West and South, aggregating an enormous sum yearly. We very cordially recommend their establishment to the favorable notice of our readers, as one of the best of its kind in the country, and one of the representative business concerns of the city of Cincinnati.
Source: The Industries of Cincinnati - Albert N. Marquis - 1883
Trev.
