Building Name(s): Hall, Kimbark & Co. II
Life Span: 1862-1871
Address: 193 and 195 Water Street
Block and Subdivision: 4, Original Town
Architect:
- Halpin & Bailey’s City Directory for the Year 1863-64
Hall, Kimbark & Co., (Elbridge G. Hall, Seneca D. Kimbark, George W. Kimbark, and Charles T. Boal,) heavy hardware, iron &c., 193 and 195 S. Water
History of Chicago; Its Commercial and Manufacturing Interests and Industry, Isaac D.Guyer, 1862
It is probable that in no branch of the general commerce of Chicago is her interest becoming more rapidly developed than in Iron and the products of its manufacture. The rapid increase of population in the North-West, the great demand for articles of Heavy Hardware, has induced men of capital and business capacity, men who have been educated in the hardware trade, to add Heavy Hardware to that of their former business.
The most noteworthy of these houses, perhaps, is that of Hall, Kimbark & Co., who commenced business in Chicago in the spring of 1853, since which time they have continued to extend their business and increase their facilities, promptly meeting every engagement, and passing unharmed through the financial storms which have swept over our city, until at the present time they stand at the head of this branch of trade in this city, and represent one of the fairest and most reliable mercantile firms in Chicago. In order to secure a more central position and other business facilities, they fitted up the two stores, Nos. 193 and 195 Water Street, forty by one hundred and fifty feet, three stories high with a basement, opposite the Board of Trade Rooms, which they now occupy, and where may be found the largest and best stock of Heavy Hardware in the North-West. Their trade amounts to about one million five hundred thousand dollars per annum. In order to meet the increased demand for many articles in their line of trade, they employ all the working force, most of the time, of one of the largest foundries in the North-west. Among the many things they have manufactured, we may mention a few leading ones, viz: Improved Thimble Skeins and Boxes for wagons; Tire Benders; Blacksmith or Fire Drills; Road Scrapers; Fence Keys; Colter Hubs; Swedge Blocks; and a variety of Cast Iron goods; also extra quality of Plow Bolts, from best Charcoal Iron.
Thimble Skeins they make a speciality; having almost unlimited facilities, they could turn out one hundred set per day of finished Skeins, of as good a quality as has ever been offered in this market, having spared neither effort nor expense in bringing their patterns to perfection. They are prepared to offer the trade in this line the best article made in the United States. All the Skeins now manufactured by this house are chill-hardened, which will increase their durability at least one hundred per cent.
- Early American wagons employed wooden axles with tapered ends that were fitted with a pair of iron strips called clouts. The bottom clout would understandably wear faster than the top clout. Developing a system that would increase the durability and reduce maintenance in this area became a priority for many builders. Ultimately, the cast thimble skein (a hollow metal cone tightly fitted over the axle end) replaced clouts and became the system used by virtually all makers using wooden axles.
Parties wishing to purchase Thimble Skeins should by all means buy chill-hardened Skeins, such as manufactured by Hall, Kimbark & Co., without extra cost. They are bestowing unusual attention upon this branch of manufacture ; their object being to introduce the best article, without aiming to compete in price with brands of those inferior in quality and weight. Their sales of Skeins last year amounted to ten thousand sets, principally to wagon-makers and dealers who are fully competent to judge of their merits.
Their stock is at all times the largest, perhaps, of any similar business in the North-West. The efforts of this firm to supply the North-West with the best articles in their line at the lowest prices, entitle them to the confidence and patronage of dealers generally. It has been their purpose to stand between the manufacturer and the dealer and consumer. How well they have succeeded, an appreciative public have fully demonstrated by their very liberal patronage.
Chicago Tribune, May 12, 1862
Our readers who are interested in hardware will please refer to the advertisement of Messrs. Hall, Kimbark & Co., to be found in another column. Messrs. H., K. & Co. are also agents for Burke & Barne’s Salamander Safes. and Queen’s Portable Bellows.
- Hall, Kimbark & Co.
1862
Chicago Tribune Advertisement
May 12, 1862
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