C. Marlow

Allgemeines

FirmennameC. Marlow
OrtssitzSaint Louis (Missouri)
StraßeMain Street
Art des UnternehmensMöbelfabrik
AnmerkungenLage: Main und Jefferson Streets.
Quellenangaben[Taylor/Crooks: Sketch book of St. Louis (1858) 269]




Unternehmensgeschichte

Zeit Ereignis
1834 Gründung
21.07.1857 Die Fabrik brennt aus.




Produkte

Produkt ab Bem. bis Bem. Kommentar
Möbel 1834 Beginn 1858 [Taylor/Crooks]  




Betriebene Dampfmaschinen

Bezeichnung Bauzeit Hersteller
Dampfmaschine vor 1858 Gerard B. Allen & Co.




Allgemeines

ZEIT1858
THEMABeschreibung
TEXTWe now propose to direct the attention of the reader to the extensive Furniture Manufactory of Mr. C. Marlow, which we can say, without fear of successful contradiction, is the largest and best arranged factory in the world. We know that this may appear as boasting, but we are fully satisfied that an examination into the premises will sustain all we say. Under the guidance of Mr. Marlow we spent an hour or two in looking over the establishment. We found the building situated on Main and Jefferson streets, pointing towards the river and having a magnificent view of the passing steamers, the hills in the distance on the Illinois shore, and the arriving cars upon the opposite coast. The house is large and airily built, being 60 feet wide by 150 feet long, and is five stories high. Each story is especially adapted for the end in view, and is furnished with every thing that can in any way assist in the execution of work. There are none of the modern labor-facilitating inventions of known utility but have a place in Mr. Marlow's rooms. The first floor is devoted to turning-lathes, of which we find twenty-five in constant operation engaged in turning the posts used in the manufacture of bedsteads, stands and tables. The second story is devoted to putting the work together. We also find five planning machines engaged in dressing lumber, and two mortising machines engaged in mortising the posts. In the third story is another large lot of machinery: three whip-saw machines for the purpose of sawing curves and circles were among the curiosities we observed. The entire machinery is run by the power derived from a steam engine which is situated in the engine room. The engine, which is fifty horse power, is the finest one in the United States, and was manufactured at the words of Gerard B. Allen. If Mr. Allen never does another job of work, this engine would stamp him as one of the finest mechanics in the world, and act as a standing advertisement of his ability. The fourth story of this magnificent building is designed for the bureau manufactory, while the fifth story is designed as a varnishing room, where all the furniture of the house comes to receive the finishing touch. Over the engine is the drying room, which is constantly kept at a temperature of 140 degrees for the purpose of drying lumber, and directly above this is the veneering room, which is arranged in the most perfect style. The entire building is heated by steam, which is made to pass through the heating apparatus after it has been used in driving the engine. Mr. Marlow is able to turn out annually about twenty-six thousand bedsteads, while one hundred bureaus per week is the average. The tables, stands, lounges, etc., are almost beyond computation. When you take into consideration the fact that so many labor-facilitating machines are used and there are employed about two hundred journeymen, whose chief business consists in putting together the work, some idea of the extent and magnitude of the establishment may be obtained. In the branch of business entered upon by Mr. Marlow, facilities and means are abundant. The boundless supply and qualities of timber at hand, located in the centre of the Great West, and of easy access to all the trade of the Mississippi Valley - all these render his position invaluable. The history of Mr. Marlow's efforts since he has been engaged in St. Louis would prove interesting, and we only regret that we are unable to furnish the reader with it, for it is to such men as him that St. Louis owes the proud position she now holds among the cities of the earth. Commencing business in St. Louis in 1834, he has for a quarter of a century been intimately connected with all the growth and progress of the city. From the small germ established a quarter of a century ago, he has the proud satisfaction of having the best and one of the largest establishments of the kind in the world ? rearing its head in proud beauty among the great enterprises of the day. But because Mr. Marlow has achieved great success in life, one must not imagine his path has not been beset with many rough places. Fire has twice destroyed his establishment, but only for the purpose of seeing it, phoenix-like, rise from the ashes in renewed splendor. The last time Mr. Marlow was burned out was on the 21st of July, 1857, from the effects of which he is just recovering. Mr. Marlow's warerooms are on Washington Avenue, and occupy one entire block of buildings five stories high, fifty feet front by a depth of one hundred and fifty feet, besides a building upon the opposite side of the street. The business department is under the supervision of Mr. M. himself and his three sons, and their time is equally divided between the office and factory, for not a day passes without a visit being made to the latter. The working departments are governed by two foremen, whose duty it is to engage the workmen and give their personal supervision to all the affairs of the shop, giving work and orders to the various employees, while they render an account to Mr. Marlow of all transactions and receive from him their orders. The clock-like regularity with which all things are conducted would surprise one unaccustomed to the system to which the business arrangements have been reduced. In regard to the quality of the products of Mr. Marlow's manufactory there can be but one opinion, and that, one of unqualified approbation. Having the very best material, and having the work executed in the very best style, it would be a matter of surprise if he should fail to render the most complete satisfaction. Mr. Marlow is enabled to furnish the trade with his wares upon far more favorable terms than the same class of goods can be procured in Cincinnati, and we recommend all who desire to purchase furniture to give him a call before they complete their purchases.
QUELLE[Taylor/Crooks: Sketch book of St. Louis (1858) 269]