"The Finest Stoves. Perry & Co., of Albany, N.Y.," Chicago Daily Tribune 24 July 1875, p. 5.
* Recent establishment of "house" at 15-17 Lake St. --
mgr Charles E. Clark, "a gentleman most favorably known to the trade in the West."
* "very attractive" warerooms --
"Surprise and gratification is generally expressed at finding such an advance in the construction and artistic beauty of these articles so indispensable to the comfort
and well-being of every household.
The cooking-stove is unquestionably the most important article of
furniture in every dwelling, and, next to this, in our rigorous climate, the heating stove. It cannot be doubted that heat
is, if possible, more important than food; and it is, therefore, wise to provide
those constructions which produce the best results.
True economy, in money and in health, is found in the use of the very best
stoves that the market affords.
Messrs. Perry & Co. were the pioneers in the manufacture of
the celebrated base-burners, of which the Argand is the crowning effort. More than thirty thousand of those stoves have been manufactured
and sold by this firm during the past two years a sale unprecedented in the history of stoves. This pattern killed nearly every base-burner in the market,
and led to the scores of imitations which have since appeared.
Th latest firsst-class cooking-stove produced by the firm is
the Cunard, which may truly be called the most perfect of its kind yet produced. In its proportion and ornamentation it is faultless;
in the perfection of its castings and finish it is admirable; while in its
improved construction there is nothing more to be desired. It should be seen and carefully examined by
all who desire to have the best and the most elegant cooking-stove in the world.
This firm present some 50 or 60 varieties of stoves from
the very lowest to the highest price. They
can suit any market. They are taking the lead of
the trade in Chicago, as they have done for many years in the Cities (sic) of Albany and New York. They have ever believed in and acted
upon the principle of producing first-class goods, and to this is mainly due their great
success. The trade should secure the sale of the goods manufactured by this firm."
[This is clearly a sponsored article. Curious -- apparently the intended readership is "the trade" -- jobbers, harware and furniture dealers, stove and tin shops -- but the Tribune will be read by thousands of potential customers, and they seem to be addressed directly too.]
"Stoves. Perry & Co.," Chicago Daily Tribune 1 Jan. 1881,
p. 16.
* PERRY & Co.'s 15-17 Lake St. branch source of info on trade in DT'sannual
review
* "The firm was established in 1835, and is one of the oldest as well as the largest stove manufacturing concerns in the country, employing 1,400 men exclusively in
the manufacture of their own goods.
Their assortment is the largest made by any one concern in the world, comprising nearly 400 different stoves and ranges. They make a specialty of first-class ranges and base-burning heating stoves, but also sell an immense number of the cheaper cook and heating stoves throughout all parts of the West, being enabled by reason of their very large
capacity to manufacture stoves suited to all the different markets of the West at the lowest possible cost."
* 1873-> Argand base-burner: "revolutionizing
the trade." -- 100,000+ sold & W {reref HJH; = ??} & "in
actual use. This stove, as now made, is
really a work of art, being ornamented throughout with nickel plate, in chaste and elegant design."
* CHICAGO branch 1875-> now trade of "vast
proportions" -- at least HALF of the firm's output
60,000 sq ft of floor space -- 18,000 stove capacity
"This enormous capacity was fully tested during the past year, to the great advantage of their customers, as the firm were enabled to fill
orders promptly long after the stocks of other houses of less capacity were broken."
1880: His son John Treadwell reflects on joining the family firm.
A BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF THE MEMBERS OF THE CLASS OF 1873,
YALE COLLEGE; WITH BRIEF ACCOUNTS OF THE TRIENNIAL AND SEXENNIAL
REUNIONS. PRINTED FOR THE USE OF THE CLASS.
(NEW YORK: Rogers & Sherwood, 1880).
pp. 58-9 JOHN TREADWELL PERRY, son of John Strong and Jeannie (Willard),
was born at Saratoga Springs, N. Y., on May 24, 1853, but entered college
// from Albany, where he fitted at the Albany Academy. On August 1,
following graduation, he entered his father's establishment of Perry & Co.,
stove-founders at Albany, as a clerk, and has remained in the business ever
since. He says that volumes could be filled with what he has not done and has
not been, but that the above covers his entire affirmative history.
Address: 115 Hudson Avenue, Albany, N. Y.
1883 Biographical Article:
Jonathan Tenney, New England in Albany (Boston: Crocker & Co., 1883), pp. 101-2. https://archive.org/stream/newenglandinalba00tenn#page/101/mode/1up https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=loc.ark:/13960/t2p55x74d;view=1up;seq=107
John S. Perry, b. Dec. 17, 1815, in Farmington, Ct.; came to Albany in 1830, as clerk in crockery store of H. & C. Webb & Co.; in 1843 went into the manufacture of stoves and machinery; 10 years later confined his business to improving, making and selling stoves, which, with different partners, he has continued ever since, with remarkable success. Since //p. 102 1864 his partners have been his cousin, Nathan B. Perry, and Andrew Dickey, from Wilton, N. H. Their annual product of stoves has gone up, in 40 years, from 500 tons to 12,000 tons, now exceeding any other foundry in the world. Mr. P. was the first to introduce the base burner, which has culminated in the argand burner, which has revolutionized the coal-heating stoves of this country. He was for 3 years pres. of the U. S. National Asso. of Stove Manufacturers, which he helped organize. He is prominent in the financial and religious organizations of the city.
Perry & Co. (Albany, NY) Catalogue & Price-List of Stoves, Ranges, &c. (Albany: The Company/ Charles Van Benthuysen & Sons, 1885). 152 pp.
[Albany -- Chicago 15-17 Lake St. -- New York City 84 Beekman St.]
p. 2 "For the convenience of our patrons we have combined our Catalogue and Price-List, which we are pleased to present for their careful & thorough inspection. ... many new and desirable patterns are illustrated, together with improvements in the construction and ornamentation of previous patterns.
In order to produce goods at a minimum cost the product must be large. Our unequalled facilities enables (sic) us to manufacture and offer a line of goods suitable to the wants of every section, which has enabled us to secure trade from every state and territory of our ever growing country, creating a demand for our goods requiring a large annual product, which so reduces the cost that we are enabled to offer prices that are very favorable.
We have adopted the long price system, subject to discount great enough to net our goods as low as equal grades can be bought for elsewhere.
With our quotations of discounts we will be glad to name the rate of freight at which our goods can be transported to your place, or your nearest shipping point, if desired. Our arrangements with railway and other transportation companies are such that we can secure the most favorable freight rates, enabling us to compete successfully for the trade of the most distant sections as well as that of our immediate vicinity."
p. 3 BRANCH HOUSES Chicago -- John B. Hughes Resident Partner, NY Willard C. Perry [younger son of John S.] Manager
p. 4 TERMS
"4 months from date of invoice, or 5 per cent discount for cash, if paid within 30 days from date of invoice. All Time Bills to be settled by note the first of each month. Interest allowed on all payments made after 30 days at the rate of 1 per cent per month.
All bills payable in NY par funds, without allowance for exchange or express charges.
If the above terms are not complied with, the account will become due and collectible (sic) at the end of 30 days.
Claims for deductions to be made within 10 days after receipt of goods.
After obtaining a receipt for goods 'shipped in good order,' our responsibility ceases, and claims for damage or breakage must be made on the transportation company.
ALL REPAIR ACCOUNTS CASH.
p. 40 QUINCY -- "the most desirable cheap Range that is offered. It is very largely sold, the number reaching several thousand annually. It has been improved in many ways from time to time, as the demands of the trade seemed to require."
p. 49 AMERICAN -- "bears the name of what was once the most popular and universally satisfactory Stove on the market."
1886: The Semi-Official Hagiography:
Howell, George R. & Tenney, Jonathan, eds. (Assisted by Local Writers)
Bi-Centennial History of Albany: History of the County of Albany, N.Y.,
from 1609 to 1886 with Portraits, Biographies and Illustrations
(NY: W.W. Munsell & Co., 1886).
p. 568: The Company
The Perry Stove Company, doing business on Hudson avenue, and at Sing Sing,
is an old established concern, the senior member, John S. Perry, commencing in
1843. He then used the old foundry at no. Beaver street, his partner being
William C. Treadwell, the firm name Treadwell & Perry.
In 1860, the firm was dissolved, and shortly thereafter organized under the
name of Perry, Treadwell & Norton. Upon the dissolution of this firm, Messrs.
Treadwell & Perry and Ira Jagger continued the business until 1864, when the
present firm was organized. The members are John S. Perry, Nathan B. Perry,
Andrew Dickey (of Sing Sing) and John Hughes (of Chicago). The buildings now
in use were built in 1856. The bulk of the manufacturing is now done at Sing Sing.
The first stove manufactured by Treadwell & Perry was in 1843, and was named
the "Premium," but was more generally known as the "Step Stove," from the fact
of its rear boiler being raised. They now make several leading kinds of stoves.
Annually they make from 8,000 to 10,000 tons of stoves, equal to 75,000 to
90,000 stoves, representing a value of $1,250,000. About 1,500 workmen are
employed, including those working at Sing Sing.]
p. 570: The Man
{tba -- can't get the text to format as paragraphs...}
<> John S. Perry is not only eminent as a business man, but as a citizen largely interested in things touching the prosperity and advancement of the city. He has occupied this position so long and with such public respect, that a sketch of his life naturally belongs to and makes a part of the history of our city and county. Such a history will always be read with interest and pleasure, not only as an example of encouragement for young men preparing to act in responsible and honorable positions in life, but to those more advanced in a business career; because, the success which one man has attained, others may hope to achieve, by imitating his example, making true the oft-repeated maxim, that biography is history and philosophy teaching by example.
<> John Strong Perry was born in Farmington, Conn., December 17, 1815. This beautiful town is situated on the river of the same name, with scenery which has been the admiration of tourists, and has excited the imagination of the poet and painter for many generations. It is a lovely stream, blending the pleasures of angling, fowling, boating, and other aquatic sports, presenting to the young advantages for physical exercise that develop the health and strength of well-formed manhood. Mr. Perry traces an honorable ancestry far back in the annals of New England history. His maternal grandfather, a descendant of the Pilgrims, was Governor John Treadwell, LL.D. , of Connecticut, the last of the Puritan line of Governors. His paternal grandfather was the Rev. David Perry, of Richmond, Mass., who was settled over the Congregational Church in that town for about forty years. Indeed, his ancestors on both sides, including the Pomeroys, of Northampton, Mass.; the Lords, of Colchester, Conn.; and the Leavenworths, of Woodbury, Conn., are all of the old Mayflower stock. Mr. Perry's Christian name, John Strong, is derived from a relative, the Rev. John Strong, a Puritan minister of Connecticut.
<> Mr. Perry is a self-made man, the successful artificer of his own fortune, which he has carved out by that indomitable energy and practicability which to young men is of more value than wealth.
<> He began his education in the district schools in his native town, where he made good progress in his studies; so good that, when, at the age of thirteen, circumstances compelled him to leave school, he was prepared to enter a counting-house in Hartford, Conn., where at that early age he began his business career.
<> After remaining there for some time, he entered the store of his uncle, John B. Perry, in Lee, Mass., where after spending several months, he came to Albany, which was destined to be his future home.
<> [p. 571] Arriving in that city on the 23d of October, 1830, he entered the crockery store of that old and well-known firm composed of Henry L. and Charles B. Webb and Alfred Douglas, honorable and high-minded merchants, from whom he received during thirteen years that rigid and thorough training that tended so largely to his future success.
<> From 1843 to 1860 he was largely engaged in the manufacture and sale of stoves, but from well-remembered causes, which wrecked so many prominent houses at that time, his firm, known under the name of Treadwell, Perry & Norton, was compelled to suspend. This embarrassment, however, did not discourage him; he still had the confidence of the public, and what is, perhaps, of equal value, unconquerable energy. These advantages soon enabled him to resume business, and so successfully, that in a few years it far exceeded any former limits. It will be readily perceived that this success was due to Mr. Perry's habits and business capabilities. His experience enlarged his views of the relations of business, quickened his insight into difficult problems, rendering him more vigilant in keeping well informed in all the details of business life. Few men are more accomplished in the particulars which make the successful business man than he.
<> Notwithstanding the great demands upon his time, he allows nothing to suffer for lack of attention. Having devoted, through many years, the early hours of morning and late hours of the night to his pursuits, he may justly be considered one of the most industrious and laborious of men. Promptness and method are among his most prominent characteristics, and it is in a large degree owing to these qualities that he has been enabled to accomplish so much. By his quick perception and intuition, his decisions, soon reached, are rarely wrong.
<> Identified from an early period of his life with the stove interests of the country, he has perhaps done as much as any man to make that industry a power of acknowledged influence. Chief among the causes that have contributed to this result, has been the formation of the National Association of Stove Manufacturers, of which he held the office of First President for several years, the object being to cement more closely, both in business and social bonds, the different members of the trade throughout the United States. In the formation and development of this organization, Mr. Perry has been one of the chief actors and its early and persistent advocate. He saw other trades rising rapidly in wealth and influence by similar organizations, and he asked the co-operation of the stove trade for the same end, believing that the principle of co-operation was a correct one, and that "in the multitude of counselors there is wisdom." Having thus determined upon the course to be pursued, he was not content to sit and theorize, but threw himself heartily into the work both by voice and pen. Under his auspices six or more important conventions were held in different parts of the country, and more than twenty since under his successors, and the result is that to-day the stove manufacture is one of our most important industries, and its history is replete with interest. ...
<> Among the great establishments in Albany which are regarded as truly representative, is the house of Perry & Co., composed of John S. Perry and Nathan B. Perry, of Albany; Andrew Dickey, of Sing Sing; and John B. Hughes, of Chicago, Ill., their works being one of the oldest for the manufacture of iron-castings north of the Highlands.
<> Warner Daniels, their early predecessor, made stoves as early as 1813. The immediate successors of Mr. Daniels were William V. Many & Co., before mentioned, who were also pioneers in this business. ... In 1843, William B. Treadwell and John S. Perry succeeded to the business, and conducted it with some intervening changes until 1862, since which it has been carried on by Perry & Co. The offices and ware-rooms of the firm are three, viz.: 115 Hudson avenue, Albany; 84 Beekman street, New York; and 15 & 17 Lake street, Chicago, Ill. The Albany works employ about 250 men and produce 3,000 tons of stoves annually, and the works in Sing Sing Prison employ 900 convicts and 200 citizens, and produce in the same time 6,500 tons, thus giving a total production of 9,500 tons, or about 90,000 stoves, representing in sales about $1,250,000. The market for these goods is not confined to the United States, orders coming from almost every part of the world -- from China, Japan, Germany, Norway, Turkey, Africa, South America and other countries being of considerable importance.
<> Such are Mr. Perry's manufacturing interests, and such his extended relations to this great American industry, relations which, as we have said, give Albany a place in the stove business second to none in the Union.
<> We will now speak of his character as a citizen.<> In 1846, he was united in marriage to Mary J. Willard, of Pittsburgh, N.Y. Eight children were born to this marriage, four of whom survive. Mrs. Perry died in 1864.
<> His second marriage took place in 1867, to Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Thompson, of Woburn, Mass., by [p. 572] whom he had one daughter. This lady dying in 1869, his third marriage took place, in 1871, to Adaline L. Jones, of Brooklyn, N.Y., who still survives.
<> His eldest daughter is the wife of Rev. William Tatlock, D.D., of Stamford, Conn.
<> Mr. Perry has long been a member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Albany, one of the oldest churches in the United States, and is now Senior Warden of that Parish. He is a member of the Advisory Board of the Young Men's Christian Association, and of the Albany Philharmonic Society; also one of the Board of Trustees of the Albany Railroad Christian Association.
<> He is a Director of the National Exchange Bank of Albany, and a Trustee of the Albany Exchange Savings Bank.
<> It is thus seen that Mr. Perry's life has not only been active and enterprising, but useful; devoted to the promotion of religion, education, and whatever tends to the refinement and cultivation of the capital city. He has never sought nor accepted political preferment of any kind. He divides his time, to a certain extent, in agricultural pursuits, which tends largely to the preservation of his health. [[p. 331: Guernsey Cattle -- "There are in the county some fine animals. Those belonging to the herd of John S. Perry have been selected with great care from direct importations or progeny of imported stock."]
<> He is what may be termed a well-preserved man; vigorous, both mentally and physically. He possesses many attractive social qualities and a fondness for society, in which he is a favorite.
<> Mr. Perry is very fond of music and books, and an appreciative and somewhat diligent reader of some of the best authors. There are very few men whose life, habits and associations tend more directly to rational and high-minded enjoyments; it is therefore no affectation to say that, in a work like this, which contains a record of the men and of the events which make up the history of the capital city, no one is entitled to more honorable mention in it than this gentleman.
The Skies Darken:
"Stove Works Burned Out," New York Times 30 May 1888, p. 6.
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- PERRY Stove Co., moved 1887 (1 yr +) to South Pittsburg, 35 mi below Chattanooga on the Tenn. river --
"Late Saturday night their works were burned, probably by an incendiary, entailing a loss of $200,000, at least one-quarter of which amount was for patterns. The insurance is for $178,000, in 30 companies. Four acres of buildings were swept away, and the town had a very narrow escape, losing one business block. The company is in doubt as to what they will do, but it is supposed the works will be rebuilt."
Another Bankruptcy:
"Perry & Co. Get an Extension," New York Times 13
Mar. 1889, p. 3.
LIABILITIES c. $330,000, "a large part of which was borrowed money" --
extensions of 6-12-18-24-30 months -- committee of creditors, Albany-Boston --
"The firm's indebtedness is to be liquidated by the collection of the bills
and accounts receivable due the firm, which will require considerable time.
It is said that Mr. John S. Perry has also transferred
all his individual property, estimated at $80,000, to the committee of creditors as security for the payment of the firm's debts. The Perry Stove Company has succeeded to the bus of the
firm. The company was incorporated Jan. 1, 1889, with an authorized capital stock of $500,000, and take the plant and foundry of the old firm, valued at $345,000.
The firm of Perry & Co. was known from one end of
the country to the other, and, it is said, did the largest business in their line in the
US. The firm was composed of the venerable John S. Perry, who is over 70 years
of age, and his cousin Nathan B. Perry, who was admitted in 1864."
Troubles Continue:
"In Prison for Embezzlement. A.A. Thompson of the Perry Stove Company
Charged with Taking $19,000," New York Times 1 Sept. 1893, p. 5.
* employee at NY agency, Beekman St.
* worked for PERRY since 14 (now 29) -- errand boy, Sup't
of NY agency since age 19 -- formerly Lieut in 23rd Regiment, Brooklyn
* suspicions aroused: "a frequenter of race
tracks and frequently bet large sums of money."
* salary $5Kpa
* John T. Perry (company president) offers not to press charges IF
Thompson's friends would find the money
A New Life after Stovemaking:
http://mssa.library.yale.edu/obituary_record/1925_1952/1927-28.pdf
John Treadwell Perry, B.A. 1873.
Born May 24, 1853, at Saratoga Springs, N Y
Died July 4, 1927, at Twilight Park, N Y
Father, John Strong Perry, a manufacturer, member of firm of Perry & Co.
(stoves), which he founded in 1836 [1866], son of Erastus and Clanna
(Chittenden) Perry, descendant of John Perry, who came to America from
England in 1632 and settled at Roxbury, Mass. Mother, Mary Jane (Willard)
Perry, daughter of Josiah and Mary (Brown) Willard, descendant of Simon
Willard, who came to Cambridge, Mass , from England in 1638.
Albany (NY) Academy Member Delta Kappa, Phi Theta Psi, and Psi Upsilon,
graduate member Wolf's Head. In 1873, entered his father's business as a clerk
and remained until the business was discontinued in 1897; secretary & treasurer
of Perry Stove Company, which bought in 1889 the foundry property previously
owned by Perry & Company, with Albany Savings Bank from 1899 until
his retirement from active business in 1917, holding the position of assistant
secretary for many years; elected an alumni trustee of Albany Academy 1900,
made a permanent member of the board 1903, and served as its clerk 1911-17;
trustee of Albany Orphan Asylum since 1908; vestryman of St. Peter's Church
(Episcopal), Albany, for thirty-three years and of All Angels Church, Twilight
Park, where he had a summer home, since 1922, president of Yale Alumni
Association of Northeastern New York 1909-1911.
Married January 22, 1890, m Albany, Gertrude, daughter of Philip and Caroline
(Crane) TenEyck, and sister of Henry J TenEyck, '79 One son, Henry TenEyck,
'12. Death, due to apoplexy, occurred after an illness of ten days.
Buried in Albany Rural Cemetery. Survived by wife and son.
Family links:
Spouse: Gertrude Ten Eyck Perry (1861 - 1940)
Children: Henry Ten Eyck Perry (1890 - 1973)
Collateral Damage:
Carhart, Lucy A.M. & Nelson, Charles A. Genealogy
of the Morris family: descendants of Thomas Morris of Connecticut (##: A.S.
Barnes Co., 1911).
p.
371 NORMAN WILSON STORER, born January 11, 1868, married, June 14, 1899, Mary
Elizabeth Wyman Perry. She was the daughter of John S. Perry, of Albany, N. Y.,
and was born June 10, 1869. Her father was a wealthy stove manufacturer, who
failed while she was still at school and died leaving his family without
support. Elizabeth taught at St. Agnes' School in Albany for several years,
went to Boston and took a two years' course of training at the Boston Normal
School of Gymnastics, where she graduated in 1896. After this she was for three
years a director of the gymnasium at the Central Y. W. C. A. in Pittsburg, Pa.
She died January 14, 1908, after a happy married life of less than nine years.
A Reflection on Business Failure:
Hazelton, George H. "Reminiscences of Seventeen
Years Residence in Michigan, 1836-1853," Michigan Historical Collections
21 (1894): 370-417. http://www.archive.org/stream/michiganhistoric21michuoft
p. 418 The world
knows little of the fearful struggles that business men are compelled to pass
through in times of great financial disturbances, which have agitated the
country at intervals, during all the past ages, and will in all human
probability continue to, so long as credit and ambitious men are found in the
business world. As I look back over the battle field of this class of men, what
do I see? Occasionally men who have reared monuments to their names, such as Stephen
Girard, of Philadelphia; Peter Cooper, of New York; Johns Hopkins, of
Baltimore; Leland Stanford, of California, and a few others equally well known.
While
comparatively few have acquired vast fortunes, there is a large class who,
after the toil of years, find themselves with moderate fortunes, and retire to
enjoy the fruits of their labor.
These two classes
are not more than twenty-five per cent of the business world, while three
fourths, at least, have been slain on the battle field and buried out of sight.
However valiant
they may have been in fighting for their creditors, their families and friends,
still there is no remembrance of them, unless it be in the hearts of their
families, or at the head of their graves, and ofttimes not there.
The conclusion of
the whole matter is, as Solomon the preacher hath said: "Then I looked on
all the works that my hands had wrought and on the labor that I had labored to
do, and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit
under the sun."
