The Cambridge of eighteen hundred and ninety-six (1896) (14771104814)

Identifier: cambridgeofeight00gilma (find matches)
Title: The Cambridge of eighteen hundred and ninety-six
Year: 1896 (1890s)
Authors: Gilman, Arthur, 1837- (from old catalog) ed
Subjects: Cambridge, Mass. (from old catalog) Cambridge, Mass. -- History. (from old catalog)
Publisher: Cambridge, Riverside press
Contributing Library: The Library of Congress
Digitizing Sponsor: Sloan Foundation



Text Appearing Before Image:
of soap-stock, 458 tons of soap, and 705 tons offertilizer stock. JOHN REARDON & SONS. The soap and candle business of John Reardon & Sons was foundedby John Reardon in 1856, the factory being located on Erie Street,Camhridgeport. Candle manufacturing at that time Avas a very im-portant industry in New England, and it continued to be such untilthe discovery of mineral oil. In 1863 Edmund and James H. Rear-don were admitted as partners, and the firm has since continued underthe name of John Reardon & Sons. The firm is a large exporter oftallow to England and the Continent, and has an extensive trade inthe Southern States east of the Mississippi, in addition to its trade inNew York, Pennsylvania, and New England. It was at one time extensively engaged in the manufacture ofoleomargarine oil and butter. The present works, covering an acreof ground near Fort Washington, were erected in 1878. The business ofmaking oleomargarine was carried on until, under the laws of the State,
Text Appearing After Image:
SOAP FOR EXPORTATION. 361 its manufacture was prohibited. The manufacture of oleomargarineoil, however, is still a large trade in the business of the firm, and theproduct is sold for export to Great Britain, Holland, Belgium, andGermany. Within a few years a glycerine plant has been added to the works,by which the glycerine from the waste lyes is recovered. During thepast year 12,100,000 pounds of raw material were used, producing10,250,000 pounds of manufactured goods. From 90 to 110 personsare constantly employed, and the annual pay-roll is $53,000. Atpresent the firm makes laundry and toilet soaps, tallow, oleomargarineoil, stearine, glycerine, sal soda, ground bone, and a high grade of fer-tilizer. John Reardon, the founder of the business, died in 1883, atthe age of eighty-three years. James H. Reardon died in 1887. Thebusiness at the present time is carried on by Edmund Reardon. C. L. JONES & CO.,soap makers, 172 Pearl Street, Cambridge. — Business in this placewas started