Thomas Sparks

Allgemeines

NameThomas Sparks
OrtssitzPhiladelphia (Penns.)
StraßeCarpenter Street 125-131
Art des UnternehmensMunitionsfabrik
AnmerkungenLage: Carpenter Street, Front Street und 2nd Street. [Hexamer]: "Philadelphia Shot Tower. Thomas W. Sparks".
Quellenangaben[Bishop: History of American manufacturers 3 (1868) 90] [Hexamer General Surveys, Plate 1491 (1880)]




Unternehmensgeschichte

Zeit Ereignis
1801 Cousland zieht von der South oder Cedar street, zwischen Front und Second, in die Farmer's Row, später Godley's Row, an der Granite Street.
1803 Cousland tritt in Partnerschaft mit John Bishop, auch Installateur. - Ihr Lehrling Thomas Sparks, ein junger Mann mit großer Zuverlässigkeit und Sorgfalt, wird später als Partner aufgenommen.
1808 Gründung durch Cousland, Bishop & Sparks
1808 Gründung 04.07.
04.07.1808 Der Grundstein für den Philadelphia Shot Tower wird gelegt, und die Errichtung schreitet schnell voran.
1817 Geburt von Thomas Sparks, Jr.
1818 Thomas Sparks, bisher Alleininhaber, nimmt seinen Bruder Richard Sparks als Teilhaber auf.
1821 Richard Sparks wird ein Opfer des Gelbfiebers.
1833 Thomas Sparks, Jr. tritt in die Firma ein.
1838 Thomas Sparks, der seit 1821 das Geschäft ohne Partner führte, verbindet sich mit seinem Neffen, Thomas Sparks, Jr., Sohn von Richard, unter der Firma "Thomas & Thomas Sparks, Jr.".
1854 Thomas Sparke sen. zieht sich aus "Thomas & Thomas Sparks, Jr." zurück.
1854 Thomas Sparks, Jr. wird Alleineigentümer durch Übernahme des Anteils seines Onkels.
15.05.1855 Tod von Thomas Sparke sen. Thomas Sparks, Jr. ist sein Nachfolger.




Produkte

Produkt ab Bem. bis Bem. Kommentar
Schießkugeln 1880 [Hexamer Surveys] 1880 [Hexamer Surveys]  




Betriebene Dampfmaschinen

Bezeichnung Bauzeit Hersteller
Dampfmaschine vor 1880 unbekannt




Maschinelle Ausstattung

Zeit Objekt Anz. Betriebsteil Hersteller Kennwert Wert [...] Beschreibung Verwendung
1880 Dampfkessel 1   unbekannt          




Personal

Zeit gesamt Arbeiter Angest. Lehrl. männl. weibl. Kommentar
1880 8           7 Männer, 1 Junge




Allgemeines

ZEIT1868
THEMAFirmenbeschreibung
TEXTSometimes known as the Southwark Shot Tower, is one of the old landmarks in Philadelphia. It is located in Carpenter street, in the Second Ward, and was founded in 1808, by Cousland, Bishop & Sparks, whose Patent Shot was celebrated in the early part of the present century. Mr. John Cousland was a Plumber at a time when that branch of business was shared by but two or three in Philadelphia. The introduction of the Schuylkill water in 1799, gave the plumbing business a great impetus, and Mr. Cousland, one of the most active in it, removed, in 1801, from South or Cedar street, between Front and Second, to Farmer's Row, now Godley's Row, on Granite street. In 1803 he entered into partnership with John Bishop, another plumber; and their apprentice, Thomas Sparks, a young man of great fidelity and diligence, was when of age taken into partnership. At this period the principal establishment of the firm was at 49 South Wharves. On the 4th of July, 1808, the corner stone of the present Philadelphia Shot Tower was laid, and the work of erection rapidly pushed forward. The structure is one hundred and eighty feet in height. The principal supervision of this department of their business devolved upon Mr. Sparks; and the shot made at these works became in great demand. Mr. Sparks continued the manufacture alone until 1818, when he associated with him his brother, Richard Sparks. This partnership, however, was soon terminated by the decease of Richard Sparks, who fell a victim to the yellow fever in 1821; and for many years Mr. Thomas Sparks carried on the business without a partner. In 1838, however, he associated with him his nephew, Thomas Sparks, Jr., a son of Richard, under the firm style of Thomas & Thomas Sparks, Jr., which continued until 1854, when the senior relinquished active business. During his active and useful life Mr. Sparks held several offices of public trust. He was for many years a Commissioner of the District of Southwark, and President of the Board of Commissioners appointed by the commonwealth of Pennsylvania to superintend the erection of the Eastern Penitentiary. He was also a Director in several Railroad and Insurance companies, and for many years was President of that admirably managed institution, the Southwark Bank. He did not however survive long his retirement from active business, and on May 15th, 1855, departed this life, universally regretted as a representative of the high-toned and honorable Manufacturers of Philadelphia. Thomas Sparks, Jr., his successor, was born in the year 1817, and at the age of sixteen was taken into the store of his uncle and instructed in the details of the business which his father and uncle had established. On becoming of age he was taken into partnership, and in 1854 became sole proprietor by the purchase of his uncle's interest. Since that time he has conducted the extensive operations of the business with success based on integrity. Steam and improved machines have been introduced to facilitate the various processes, and the Works have the capacity of producing three thousand tons of shot, bullets, and bar lead per annum. Mr. Sparks, like his uncle, has been called upon to fill prominent positions of public trust. He is one of the largest stockholders in the Southwark Bank, and for many years has been its Yice-President. He is President of the Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company, a Director in the Franklin Fire Insurance Company, and in several other companies. Mr. Winslow, in his Biography of Successful Merchants, to which we are indebted for most of the foregoing facts, says of Thomas Sparks: "For objects of charity and improvement, he gives not only hundreds, but thousands of dollars. He has never withheld assistance from any object which has been worthy of care and encouragement. Since the outbreak of the rebellion no one has been more hearty and enthusiastic in support of the government. He has shown this not merely by words, but by deeds. He has given freely to "every plan of benevolence designed for the comfort and assistance of our suffering soldiers. He has been ready to aid in fitting out troops, and has given enough for this single purpose to assist very materially toward equipping a regiment. Philadelphia has many such patriots, but among them few can excel, in devoted loyalty, readiness, and free and generous contributions, Thomas Sparks, late Jr."
QUELLE[Bishop: History of American manufacturers 3 (1868) 90]