List of Blackford County Glass Factories

This is a list of glass factories that operated in Blackford County, Indiana, United States. Natural gas (and later crude oil) was discovered in Blackford County in 1887.[1] This discovery marked the start of Blackford County's participation in the Indiana Gas Boom. Manufacturers, especially glass makers, were lured to the area with promises of free gas, free land, and (in some cases) cash subsidies. Hartford City Glass Company, Sneath Glass Company, and Johnston Glass Company were the largest glass companies during the gas boom. The current Hartford Glass Company is the longest lived. During the 1890s, the Hartford City Glass Company was the third-largest window glass producer in the United States, and Sneath Glass Company was the country's largest producer of lantern globes.

During the early 1900s, gas supplies gradually became depleted—and the East Central Indiana Gas Boom gradually came to an end. Many factories closed or moved.[2] In the case of Hartford City's glass factories, the larger and better-managed factories (such as the large American Window Glass plant, Sneath Glass, and Johnston Glass) continued to operate, while the smaller glass works closed or were absorbed by other companies.

Glass capital
Blackford County's leading glass companies during the 1900s.

For a brief period, residents of Hartford City (the county seat of Blackford County) thought their city would become the window glass capital of the world. The city was already the home of one of the largest window glass plants in the nation, a bottle-making plant, and multiple glassware producers. During the spring of 1900, rumors circulated that the American Window Glass trust, which had acquired over 40 glass works in 1899, planned to move production from some of its smaller plants to its large Hartford City plant. If the Hartford City plant would have its capacity expanded equal to the capacity of the plants to be consolidated, then Hartford City would have "become the greatest window glass town in the world."[3] The plant would have employed nearly 1000 people, and equal the largest window glass plant in the world in capacity. That plant in combination with Hartford City's other window glass factories, and not even considering the flint glass plants or bottle plants, would make the city's window glass capacity the highest in the world.[3] However, the large Hartford City plant was not expanded, and continued to have a capacity of 104 pots—keeping it the third largest window glass plant in the United States, and largest west of Pennsylvania.[4]

Dunkirk

A small portion of Dunkirk, Indiana, is located in Blackford County—and Dunkirk was the location of numerous glass factories. The Dunkirk factories were not located within Blackford County, so they are not listed in the table below. Seven Dunkirk glass factories, employing a total of 1,108 people, were inspected by the state in 1898. Those factories were: Bates Window Glass Company, Beatty-Brady Glass Company, Dunkirk Window Glass Company, Enterprise Window Glass Company, Gem Window Glass Works, Maring, Hart and Company, and Ohio Flint Glass Company.[5]

Glass men
Hartford City glass men Richard Heagany, Henry Crimmel, and J. R. Johnston

Local capitalist Henry B. "H.B." Smith (1847–1909) was president of Hartford City's Citizen's Bank.[6] His participation in the glass industry was as a financial stakeholder and officer of the Hartford City Glass Company, and later as a director of the American Window Glass Company.[7][8] Smith was also involved with two business blocks and railroading.[6] Glassmaker Richard Heagany (1835–1925) was the founder of Hartford City Glass Company, and had over 25 years of glass-making experience.[9] Before moving to Hartford City, he had been superintendent of the largest window glass factory in New York, and founded a window glass works in Kokomo, Indiana.[10] Henry Crimmel (1844–1917) provided the glassmaking expertise for Hartford City's Sneath Glass Company. Crimmel had about "half a century" of glassmaking experience, and helped start the Sneath Glass Company and several glass companies in Ohio.[11] John Rodgers Johnston (1867–1920) was one of Hartford City's glassmakers and financiers. Johnson was an officer and plant manager of Hartford City Glass, founder of Johnston Glass Company in Hartford City, and founder of the Johnston Brokerage in Pittsburgh. He was also involved with companies as diverse as the Berghoff Brewing Company, Newsome Feed and Grain Company, and Potomac Valley Orchard Company.[12] George Fulton (1872–1930), former secretary-treasurer and plant manager at Johnston Glass, founded Hartford City's Fulton Glass Company in 1929.[13] Heagany, Crimmel, Johnston, and Fulton all had decades of glassmaking experience and provided on–site management for Hartford City's glass factories.

Glass factories
Blackford County's leading glass companies during the 1890s.

Blackford County's glass factories are listed below in the sortable list. The first five categories in the list can be sorted. The list's default sort orders the properties alphabetically by name. Notes are listed in the last section. The figures for employees (where available) are the largest number from inspections by the state of Indiana in 1898, 1901, 1903, and 1910.

Company City Start End Employees Notes
1 American Window Glass factory number 3 Hartford City 1899 1929 500 American Window Glass trust purchased Hartford City Glass Company in 1899.[8] Plant produced window, ground, and chipped glass. Factory was third largest window glass plant in the United States, and used 2 tanks with 104 pot capacity. Employee count of 500 is for 1910.[14] Glass blowing machinery gradually caused employee counts to decrease. Superior technology used by competitors caused difficulties for the company during the 1920s. The Hartford City plant was closed in 1929, although the company kept a few other plants open.[15]
2 American Window Glass factory number 32 Hartford City 1899 1905 65 Former Jones Glass Company purchased by American Window Glass Company. Employee count of 65 in 1903.[16] Plant was sold in 1905.[17]
3 Blackford Glass Company Hartford City 1901 1903 65 Employee count of 65 for window glass maker in 1903.[16] Moved to Vincennes, Indiana in 1903, taking workforce of French-speaking Belgians from Hartford City. Continued operations in Vincennes until 1966.[18] In Vincennes, company employed 200 in 1950.[18]
4 Clelland Glass Company Hartford City 1901 1905 67 Started by James Clelland and J.R. Johnston in 1901 after they purchased the Hurrle Glass Works.[19] Employee count of 67 for 1903.[16] Closed in 1905.[20] Purchased at auction by J. R. Johnston in 1905.[21]
5 Diamond Flint Glass Company Hartford City 1899 1905 90 Bottle maker employed 90 in 1901.[22] Factory was destroyed by fire in 1905.[23] Moved to Jackson, Ohio.[24]
6 Fulton Glass Company Hartford City 1929 1986 Founded in 1929 by ex-Johnston Glass plant manager George T. Fulton.[13] Hartford City plant destroyed by fire in 1966.[25] Company headquarters continued in Hartford City whlle the Vincinnes plant still operated. Sold in 1986.
7 Hartford City Flint Glass Company Hartford City 1898[26] 1908? 75 Produced bottles and jars. Employed 75 in 1903.[16] Plant destroyed by fire in 1904, but rebuilt.[27] Moved to Ohio by 1908.
8 Hartford City Glass Company Hartford City 1890 1899 600 One of largest window glass makers in world during the 1890s. Plant occupied 25 acres (10 ha), and was "the largest grinding and chipping establishment in the United States" in 1896.[10] Employee count of 600 in 1898.[28] Purchased by American Window Glass and became plant number 3.
9 Hartford Glass Company Hartford City 1939[29] Still operating Window glass, mirrors. Operated by Reidy family.
10 Hurrle Glass Company Hartford City 1898 1901 60 Window glass factory started by Charles J. Hurrle and investors in 1898.[30] Employee count of 60 in 1901.[22] Sold in 1901 to James Clelland and J.R. Johnston to start Clelland Glass Company.[19]
11 Johnston Glass Company Hartford City 1900[31] 1966[31] 200 Window glass company founded by former secretary and plant manager of Hartford City Glass Company, J. R. Johnston. Also made ornamental, bent, and chipped glass.[31] Employee count of 200 for 1903.[16]
12 Jones Glass Company Hartford City 1898 1899 60 Window glass factory began in 1898 with a foreign workforce,[32] and employed 60.[28] Company was acquired by American Window Glass Company in 1899 and became factory number 32.[33]
13 Millgrove Glass Company Millgrove 1898 1911 112 112 employees in 1910.[34] Made glass bottles.[35] Moved to Upland, Indiana, in 1911 when natural gas became depleted.[36]
14 National Window Glass Company Montpelier 1899 1904 129 Made window glass, changed name from National Window and Bent Glass Company in 1903. Employee count of 129 in 1901.[37]
15 Sans Pareil Bottle Company Hartford City 1900 1902 110 Organized June 1900 by Father Charles Dhe, J. R. Johnston, and others.[38] Employee count of 110 for bottle maker in 1901.[22] Idle plant bought by J. R. Johnston (Johnston Glass Company) in January 1902.[38]
16 Sinclair Glass Company Hartford City 1966 present Operated in former Sneath and Johnston Glass plants making ornamental glass. Still exists as division of Middletown Enterprises.It is the bigger of the two remaining glass factories.
17 Sneath Glass Company Hartford City 1894 1952[39] 170 Relocated from Tiffin, Ohio. Originally produced lantern globes and founts. One of only three companies in the 1890s that produced ruby globes. Made kitchenware for cabinet makers such as Sellers and Hoosier during the first third of 20th century. Later made products for refrigerators.[39] Employee count of 170 in 1901.[40]

Notes
  1. Blackford County Historical Society (Ind.) 1986, pp. 17–18
  2. Glass & Kohrman 2005, p. 91
  3. "We'll Lead the World". Portland Semi Weekly Sun. 1900-05-22. p. 1. The statement in yesterday's Times to the effect that a report was current that the American Window Glass company expects to move its Redkey and Dunkirk plants to Hartford City, was the subject of considerable comment. If the report is true and the project is carried out, Hartford City will become the greatest window glass town in the world.
  4. United States Congress House Committee on Ways and Means 1913, p. 406
  5. Indiana Department of Factory Inspection 1899, p. 34
  6. "H. B. Smith, of this city, dies suddenly in Fort Wayne Hotel". Hartford City Telegram. 1909-09-29. p. 1.
  7. Unlisted (Hartford City Illustrated) 1896, p. 18
  8. Wallace 1901, p. 315
  9. "Factory Owner of Natural Gas Days Here Dies". Kokomo Tribune. 1925-09-10. p. 1.
  10. Unlisted (Glass & Pottery World) 1896, p. 2
  11. Unlisted (National Glass Budget) 1917, p. 1
  12. Fleming & American Historical Society 1922, p. 39
  13. "Geo. T. Fulton Rites Thursday; Community Loses Beloved Man". Hartford City Daily Times Gazette. 1930-12-02. p. 1.
  14. Indiana Department of Inspection 1911, p. 111
  15. Castelo et al. 2012, p. 16
  16. Indiana Department of Inspection 1904, p. 71
  17. "Offers Old Plants for Sale". Logansport Reporter. 1905-06-15. p. 7. The company has just sold its old pot plant here to the Sneath Glass company for $5,000, and none ever expects to blow glass for the company again by lung power.
  18. Day, Hall & Hopper 2006, p. 109
  19. "Company is Organized To Operate the Late Hurrle Glass Factory". Hartford City Telegram. 1895-01-04. p. 1. The Clelland Glass company expects to start operations September 15. It will employ L. A. 300 workmen
  20. "Voluntary Assignment". Hartford City Telegram. 1905-01-04. p. 1. Clelland Glass Factory Has Thrown Up the Sponge
  21. Unlisted (Paint, Oil and Drug Review) 1905, p. 79
  22. Indiana Department of Inspection 1902, p. 57
  23. House Furnishing Review Company 1905, p. 339
  24. "Shockney to Lose a Foot". Hartford City Telegram. 1895-09-27. p. 1. He was for some time employed at the Diamond Flint Glass company's plant, northwest of the city, but was put out of employment when the factory burned and later was moved to Jackson, O.
  25. "Hartford City Factory Burns". Anderson Herald Bulletin. 1966-08-17. p. 19. Damage was estimated at $500,000 for a fire which destroyed the Fulton Glass Co. plant here Sunday and could be seen 4 miles away
  26. "Additional Locals". Decatur Democrat. 1898-11-03. A bottle factory to be known as the Hartford City Flint Glass Company, has contracted to locate at Hartford City. The concern will be incorporated with a capital stock of $20,000. It will be a thirty shop concern and employ 125 men. The principal product will be prescription ware.
  27. "Glass Plant is Rebuilt". Poseyville News. 1904-09-30. p. 7. The plant of the Hartford City Flint Glass company, destroyed by fire some months ago, has been rebuilt and is again in operation.
  28. Indiana Department of Factory Inspection 1899, p. 44
  29. "Company Overview of Hartford Glass Co., Inc". Bloomberg Businessweek. Retrieved 2013-03-03.
  30. "One Factory Secured". Hartford City Telegram. 1898-02-16. p. 1. New negotiations were begun today which resulted this afternoon in the organization of the Hurrle Glass company with a capital stock of $20,000.
  31. Castelo et al. 2012, pp. 35–36
  32. "(second column from right, near bottom of page)". Hartford City Telegram. 1898-11-23. p. 1. The Jones Glass company will soon be in operation with a set of workmen whom it will bring here from abroad.
  33. "Injunction Suits". Hartford City Telegram. 1899-09-27. p. 1. The complaints .in the suit to be brought against the Hartford City Glass company and the Jones Glass company to enjoin them from selling out to the trust ….
  34. Indiana Department of Inspection 1911, p. 181
  35. "Millgrove Notes". Hartford City Telegram. 1899-04-12. p. 5. The Millgrove Glass company shipped a car load of bottles west, last Saturday.
  36. "Factory Moves Middle of June". Upland Monitor. 1911-06-15. p. 1.
  37. Indiana Department of Inspection 1902, p. 91
  38. "Johnston Buys the Sans Pareil". Hartford City Telegram. 1902-01-22. p. 1.
  39. Castelo et al. 2012, pp. 19–20
  40. Indiana Department of Inspection 1911, p. 112

References
  • Blackford County Historical Society (Ind.) (1986). A History of Blackford County, Indiana : with historical accounts of the county, 1838–1986 [and] histories of families who have lived in the county. Hartford City, Indiana: Blackford County Historical Society. OCLC 15144953.
  • Castelo, Sinuard; Clamme, Louise; Dodds, Dealie; Clamme, David; Marshall, Mary Lou; Storms, Ron (2012). Dusty Bits and Pieces. Hartford City, IN: Blackford County Historical Society. p. 127.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  • Day, Richard; Hall, Gary; Hopper, William (2006). Vincennes, 1930-1960. Charleston, SC: Arcadia. p. 128. ISBN 9780738539836.
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