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Thomas Potter Oil Cloth Works
| Name | Thomas Potter Oil Cloth Works |
| Ortssitz | Philadelphia (Penns.) |
| Straße | 2nd Street |
| Art des Unternehmens | Wachstuchfabrik |
| Anmerkungen | Lage: 2nd Street, Erie Avenue und Venango Street (Südost-Ecke); 1875: 2nd Street (Nordwest-Ecke; Penn Railroad). Bestand ursprüglich aus zwei Werksteilen (beide im Süden an die Eisenbahn angrenzend): Werk 1 (direkt an der 2nd Street) und Werk 2 (weiter östlich der 2nd Street); beide Werke wuchsen zusammen und wurden bei [Hexamer] ab 1875 gemeinsam dargestellt. Inhaber: Thomas Potter. Inhaber (1889): Thomas Potter Jr., Wm. Potter, Harry Potter und Charles Potter. Firma (1872/75): "Thomas Potter, Son & Co.". 1892 mit dem Zusatz "Oil Cloth & Linoleum Works". |
| Quellenangaben | [Hexamer General Surveys, Plates 386+568+598+870-871+2301-2302+2587-2588 (1870+1872+1875+1877+1883+1889+1892)] [Philadelphia and popular Philadelphians (1891) 104] |
| Zeit |
Ereignis |
| 1854 |
Erbaut |
| 1869 |
Bau des Maler-Gebäudes |
| 1869 |
Bau des ersten Gebäudes von Werk No. 2 (dem östlichen Teil der Anlage) |
| 1869 |
Bau der Trocknerei und Lackiererei |
| 1870 |
Umgebaut |
| 1871 |
Bau der Gebäude an der Second Street (= Werk 1) |
| 1871 |
Bau der mittleren Gebäude an der North 2nd Street (einschl. Kesselhaus) |
| 1871 |
Zahlreiche Neubauten 1869 |
| 1872 |
Bau der Gebäude im Südosten (an der Bahn) |
| 1872 |
Bau weiterer Gebäude des Werks No. 2 (= östlicher Teil) |
| 1872 |
Bau des Benzinkellers an der Erie Avenue |
| 1872 |
Bau des Druckerei- und Trocknereigebäudes im Süden |
| 1874 |
Bau des Stalls und Lagerhauses/Korkmühle (an der Bahn) |
| 1880 |
Bau der Malerei im Norden an der North 2nd Street |
| 1880 |
Erweitert |
| 1882 |
Bau der Druckerei und Beschichtung im Süden der North 2nd Street |
| 1883 |
Umbau der Farbmischerei mit Beschichtung und Druckerei (im Südosten an der Eisenbahn) |
| 1888 |
Bau des schmalen Beschichtungs- und Lagegebäudes im Norden an der North 2nd Street |
| 1890 |
Bau der Maschinendruckerei im Süden und und des Lagergebäudes im Nordosten |
| 1891 |
Aufstockung der Farbmischerei mit Beschichtung und Druckerei (im Südosten an der Eisenbahn) |
| 1892 |
Bau der Ölkocherei únd eines Gebäudes im Süden des Areals |
| 1892 |
Erweiterung der Trocknerei und Lackiererei |
| Produkt |
ab |
Bem. |
bis |
Bem. |
Kommentar |
| Wachstuch |
1870 |
[Hexamer] |
1892 |
[Hexamer] |
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| Zeit |
Objekt |
Anz. |
Betriebsteil |
Hersteller |
Kennwert |
Wert |
[...] |
Beschreibung |
Verwendung |
| 1870 |
Dampfmaschine |
1 |
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unbekannt |
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| 1875 |
Dampfkessel |
5 |
|
unbekannt |
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|
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| 1875 |
Dampfmaschine |
1 |
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unbekannt |
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| 1885 |
Dampfpumpen |
4 |
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unbekannt |
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| 1892 |
Dampfkessel |
9 |
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unbekannt |
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| Zeit |
gesamt |
Arbeiter |
Angest. |
Lehrl. |
männl. |
weibl. |
Kommentar |
| 1875 |
200 |
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70 - 80 Arbeiter nur Werk No. 2; alles Männer |
| 1889 |
350 |
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6-8 Jungen, Rest Männer) |
| 1892 |
350 |
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6-8 Jungen, Rest Männer |
| ZEIT | 1891 |
| THEMA | Beschreibung |
| TEXT | The extensive manufacturing corporation of Thomas Potter, Sons & Co., manufacturers of oil-cloth and linoleum, was
founded in the year 1838 by Thomas Potter, when nineteen years of age. He was born in county Tyrone, Ireland, and
with his father came to this country in 1828. The family had formerly been large landed proprietors in Ireland; George Potter, an officer under Cromwell, having received large grants for his services in reducing Ireland to the will of the Commonwealth, and the same was confirmed by the act of settlement, 1660 (time of Charles II). George Potter, the father of Thomas Potter, died shortly after his arrival here, leaving his family, wife, three daughters and a son, but a small estate. His son had been desirous of entering the ministry, but his father's death caused him to forego this hope, and forced him to maintain himself as well as to contribute to the support of the family. He learned the art of oil-cloth manufacturing with Isaac Macauley, proprietor of Bush Hill Oil Cloth establishment, Philadelphia, the main building being the original Manor House of James Hamilton, twice Colonial Governor of the province of Pennsylvania. Appreciating however, the importance of a thorough education, he devoted himself to diligent study at night under the tuition of his mother, and acquired a broad and liberal framework of knowledge, the completeness of which was shown in after life to good purpose. While devoting his leisure to self-improvement and study, he gave such earnest and valuable attention to business, that in a few years he was made manager by Mr. Macauley. In 1838 he established himself in business, and
shortly afterwards purchased from his former employer, the Bush Hill Oil Cloth establishment. He was married October
2, 1845, to Miss Adaline Coleman Bower, a grand-daughter of General Jacob Bower, of Reading, Pa., who served as an officer in the Pennsylvania Tine, Continental Army, from June, 1775, to the end of the struggle for Independence in 1783, and was one of the founders of the Pennsylvania Society (or Order) of Cincinnati. Mr. Potter's enterprise and sound judgment made him very successful in his business, and he soon realized a large competency. He held many positions of trust and responsibility in municipal and financial corporations. In 1853 he was elected Commissioner of the District in which he resided; he was School Director, School Controller, and shortly after the consolidation of the City, was elected to Councils, and at once appointed chairman of the School Committee. Such was his interest in the matter of education, that in the year 1890 (twelve years after his death), the Board of Public Education named the largest public school in the City (Fourth and Clearfield streets), The Thomas Potter School. Later on, as chairman of the Finance Committee, he took an active and leading part in municipal legislation. In 1861 he originated and carried through the ordinance for the appointment of a Commissioner, to assist in supporting the families of volunteers in the Union arm)', who had enlisted from Philadelphia; he not only gave this project his untiring attention, but tendered the use of his private office (which was accepted) for carrying on the work. Mr. Potter carried through Common Council, a bill, which, had it not been defeated, would have proved one of the most important ordinances ever passed in the City of Philadelphia. It was to provide for the passage of an Act of Assembly, authorizing the public squares at Broad and Market streets to be used for the erection of an Academy of Natural Science, and an Academy of Fine Arts, and other educational institutions. He was chiefly instrumental in carrying out three great reforms for the benefit of the City of Philadelphia: Organizing the paid fire department, the securing to the city the eastern portion of Fairmount Park, and the passing of the bill which required the City Treasurer to pay city warrants according to date and number, which brought them to par, and at once strengthened the credit of the city. He was one of the original members of the Union League, and appointed on the first committee of that body, whose object was to collect money and distribute the same towards assisting the widows and orphans of Union soldiers from Philadelphia. In 1868, his health shattered by his devotion to public duties and the demands of private interests, he resigned his seat in Councils and visited Europe, seeking to recover his health. In 1871, after his return, he was made President of the City National Bank of Philadelphia, and held that position until his death, which took place at his residence, the "Evergreens," Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, Sept. 29, 1878. In 1870 Mr. Potter sold the property at Bush Hill, and purchased the ground and erected the extensive establishment at Second and Venango streets, on the New York Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad, which has since been greatly enlarged, and where the business now carried on by his sons, under the name of Thomas Potter, Sons & Co., Incorporated, has so increased, that it is the most extensive of its kind in the United States. The members of the firm are Col. Thomas Potter, Jr., William Potter, Henry A. Potter and James F. Hope. Col. Thomas Potter, Jr., was Assistant Quarter Master General of Pennsylvania, and as a member of Governor Beaver's staff, gave valuable assistance to General Hastings at Johnstown, in providing for the wants of the suffering inhabitants of that city, whose property was swept away by the flood of 1889. He is also one of the incorporators of the famous Clover Club. William Potter was one of the Executive Committee of the Committee of One Hundred; accredited by the State and
Post-Office departments, as special representative to London, Paris and Berlin, and brought about the adoption of Sea Post Offices (now in operation) on the steamers of the North German Lloyd, and Hamburg American lines. He is Secretary
of the Union League, and has recently been appointed delegate to represent the United States at the International Postal Congress to convene in Vienna, May 20, 1891. Henry A. Potter was a member of the New Jersey Legislature, was a delegate from the same State to the Republican National Convention at Chicago, that nominated Benjamin Harrison for President of the United States; was tendered, but owing to business engagements, was obliged to refuse, the post of Secretary of Legation at Berlin. Mr. Chas. A. Potter and Mr. James F. Hope are both well known Philadelphians, and members of many organizations in their native city. |
| QUELLE | [Philadelphia and popular Philadelphians (1891) 104] |
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