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The Columbia University Libraries reserve the right to refuse to accept a copying order If, In Its judgement, fulfillment of the order would Involve violation of the copyright law. Author: Reynolds, Helen Wilkinson Title: Annals of a century-old business Place: [Poughkeepsie, NY] Date: [1919] »'. ^4-S^;):^nr^~s COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES PRESERVATION BIBLIOGRAPHIC MICROFORM TARGET MASTER NEGATIVE # ORIGINAL MATERIAL AS FILMED - EXISTING BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD I ' ■ osifrsse "^^ I 254.4 R33 Reynolds, Vfei. T, oc cc, inc. Reynolds, H, W, Annals of a century-old business, Ti^. T. Rey- nolds & CO., incorporated, Pouglikeepsie, New York, 1819-1919, by Helen TfiDkinson Reynolds. cl919 ?, cSla p. illus., plate, ports. 24 cm. n wmmmmmmmm^ RESTRICTIONS ON USE: TECHNICAL MICROFORM DATA FILM SIZE:_2i5mm- REDUCTION RATIO: Mkf IMAGE PLACEMENT: lA @ IB IIB DATE FILMED: ^-\LA^ INITIALS: % TRACKING # : M^ft OlIVL FILMED BY PRESERVATION RESOURCES, BETHLEHEM, PA, <^/ ^ CJI 3 3 0) or o > o 00 en ^-< OOM o e- CJI 3 3 > o m OQ CO N °^ s?/ Ay ^>_ ^^o9. ^_, Sym. y ^ 00 b 00 to In 1.0 mm 1.5 mm 2.0 mm ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdetghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz 1234567890 ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzl234567890 ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghiiklmnopqrstuvwxyz 1234567890 ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz 2.5 mm 1234567890 \^o V << >s^ ^ Itr^ ^ To ^o ¥# ^fp ^f^ r«* .^<^ V & i^o ^o ^f* fp ^^ m H O O ■o m -o > C Ca> X Tl ^ 0(/) 5 m 3D m '^. * .1 s« <^ ^^^'V .<>^* ^ t •S-o I? OlX OOM fp 1— » ro CJI o 3 3 fr o > 3r ^i THE LIFE-STORY OF A CENTURY-OLD BUSINESS 1819—1919 About the year 1800 a youth in CAUSES his early twenties, James Reynolds, made his way from the shore of Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island across New England to the little village of Poughkeepsie on the Hudson River. He was born while the War of the Revolution was being fought and grew to manhood in the years following that war, years when the new-born nation of the United States was struggling to consolidate its unity and independence, amidst the difficul- ties of the economic depression that resulted from the conflict. From the static, long settled towns of New England the younger men wand- ered forth in the post-Revolutionary days, seek- ing new opportunities in life, and this migra- tory movement it was that brought James Reynolds to Poughkeepsie at the opening of the nineteenth century. h Poughkeepsie, with some CONDITIONS fifteen hundred inhabitants, was incorporated as a village in 1799 and, in the next twenty-five years, there took place in the community steady recupera- tion from the weakness left by the War for In- dependence. In the building up of the village James Reynolds bore a substantial part through his contribution to the growth of its commer- cial activity. High up on the hill, above the river, Poughkeepsie began its existence as a road-crossing, with a Court House for a land- mark, and its business continued local in char- acter in that neighborhood for many years. Down on the river-front, however, commerce on a broader scale began to appear at the time when James Reynolds arrived. At the mouth of the OPPORTUNITY Fall Kill, where the stream empties into the Hudson, there is a waterfall which is first heard of as a site for a mill in 1683. In that year an Indian made a deed of gift of the falls to a white man and the deed recites that the falls were called ^Tooghkepesingh." This is the first known instance of the use of the Indian term which ul- timately became the name of the hamlet on the hill. All through the eighteenth century the mill on the waterfall, "Pooghkepesingh," was :W. The Waterfall called "Pooghkepesingh" in 1683. From a photograph taken 1919 owned by well known citizens. It passed through the hands (among others) of Myndert Har- niense, Colonel Leonard Lewis, Clear Everitt and Robert L. Livingston and, in 1800, title to the mill and the falls and a surrounding parcel of land was taken by three brothers, — Martin, Isaac and Robert Hoffman. In 1807 the Hoff- mans formed a partnership with George P. Oakley, under the name of George P. Oakley (He Company, and the firm introduced modern business methods. They began the systematic development of the neighborhood, building a new grist mill, plaster and saw mills, new docks and new storehouses and advertising the im- provements. Then the farmers of Dutchess County began hauling their produce to the new distributing center. By 1810 James Reynolds (who had married at Poughkeepsie in 1803) had bought land of the Hoffmans, built a dwelling for his family and, in 1811 (according to tradi- tion), was in partnership with Aaron Innis in a line of boats en the river. In 1816 Reynolds & Innis opened a storehouse at the mouth of the Fall Kill for the foodstuffs the farmers brought from the county and for ships' supplies to meet the needs of the rising river-trade, and they carried both freight and passengers on their boats. Tradition says they owned a shipyard and built sloops James Reynolds was also one of the organizers and first directors (1819) of the 0^ "4. ' Original Storehouse built in or before 1816 by Reynolds & Innis Type of Hudson River Sloop First quarter nineteenth century From a woodcut INTENTIONAL SECOND EXPOSURE owned hy well known citizens. It passed through the hands (among others) of ^lyndert Ilar- niense. Colonel Leonard Lewis, Clear Everitt and Robert L. Livingston and, in 1800, title to the mill and the falls and a surrounding parcel of land was taken by three l)rothers, — Martin, Isaac and Robert Iloftnian. In 1807 the Hoff- mans formed a partnership with deorge P. Oakley, under the name of George P. Oakley d Company, and the firm introduced modern business methods. They began the systematic development of the neighborhood, building a new grist mill, plaster and saw mills, new docks and new storehouses and advertising the im- provements. Then the farmers of Dutchess County began hauling their produce to the new distributing center. By 1810 James Reynolds (who had nuirried at Poughkeepsie in 1803) had bought land of the Hoffmans, built a dwelling for his family and, in 1811 (according to tradi- tion), was in i)artnership with Aaron Innis in a line of boats en the river. In 1810 Reynolds S: Innis opened a storehouse at the mouth of the Fall Kill for the foodstuffs the farmers brought from the county and for ships' supplies to meet the needs of the rising river-trade, and they carried both freight and passengers on their boats. Tradition says they owned a shipyard and built sloops James Reynolds was also one of the organizers and first directors (1819) of the ^%;^|iiiiliilfi||iiiiii}ii!5;i!!^ Original Storehouse built in or before 1816 by Reynolds & Innis Type of Hudson River Sloop First quarter nineteenth century From a woodcut Poughkeepsie d* New Paltz Ferry Company The company introduced a team-ferry, as an improvement on a scow with sails and oars, and followed that (in 1830) with a steam-ferry that bore the name ''James Reynolds." In 1819 George P. Oakley & Company failed and, soon after, their grist and plaster mills on the waterfall and their docks and river-frontage were acquired by Reynolds d' Innis. The mod- ern wholesale house of TF?/i. T, Reynolds d- Company, Inc., is derived from the business en- terprises of Reynolds d Innis, established in or before 1816, but the year 1819 has been arbitrarily selected as the date of its founding because accounts of that year show wholesale transactions in the original storehouse. The setting for the busi- E\'OLUTIOX ness life of James Reynolds consisted of a growing vil- lage, the increased use of water-power and the organization of scheduled transportation service on the Hudson In his day the steamboat was first run successfully (1807) and sloops, barges and steamboats were all in use in the 'twenties. James Reynolds was succeeded by his sons, WiUiam W. Reynolds and James Reynolds, Jr. They, again, were affected as a firm by chang- ing conditions. The village of Poughkeepsie grew in population and importance and was Type of Steamboat and Barge used on the Hudson in the 'twenties From a woodcut ./ r//? /..^//// '//// /Wi/J V \ '•) i ,uj Fly-Leaf from Ledger 1818 Upper Landing and Steam Ferry, 1840 From a woodcut in Barber's Historical Collections of the State of New York INTENTIONAL SECOND EXPOSURE Poughkeepsie d* New Palfz Ferry Company The company introduced a team-ferry, as an improvement on a scow with sails and oars, and followed that (in 1830) with a steam-ferry that bore the name 'James Reynolds." In 1819 George P, Oakley rf* Company failed and, soon after, their grist and plaster mills on the waterfall and their docks and river-frontage were acquired by Reynolds A: Inn is. The mod- ern wholesale house of JVm. 1\ Reynolds d- Company, Ine., is derived from the business en- terprises of Reynolds A- Innis, esta])lished in or l)ef()re 1810. but tlie year 1819 has been arbitrarily selected as the date of its founding because accounts of that year show wholesale transactions in the original storehouse. The setting for the busi- E\ OLl TlOX ness life of James Reynolds consisted of a growing vil- lage, the increased use of water-power and the organization of scheduled transportation service on the Hudson In his day the steamboat was first run successfully (1807) and sloops, barges and steamboats were all in use in the 'twenties. James Reynolds was succeeded bv his sons, AVilliam \V. Reynolds and James Reynolds, Jr. They, again, were affected as a firm by chang- ing conditions. The village of Poughkeepsie grew in population nnd importance and was Type of Steamboat and Barge iiseci on the Hudson in the 'twenties From a woodcut // ; ^ ////■/// v;^ ) '^/y//;/ ( / X ' / V, •\ '\ ) ' \ I >• * '. . ! I -My Fly- Leaf from Ledger 1818 I'pper Landing and Steam Ferry, 1840 F>om a woodcut in Barber's Hintorical Collections of the State of New York incorporated as a city (1854). The 'thirties and 'forties were years of great activity on the river, the result of the break-up (1824) of the monopoly of steamboat-traffic exercised by the North River Steamboat Company, The Erie Canal (opened 1825) brought western grain to Albany and W. W. & J. Reynolds, Jr., main- tained a line of sloops, to connect freight and pas- sengers with the canal, and built a larger ware- house (1849) at their Poughkeepsie dock. In 1854 the firm built its own steam propellor,"Reliance. " It may be permissible to interpolate at this point that the * 'Reliance" was used by the United States Government as a gun-boat dur- ing the Civil War and that a famous modern brand of food-products was named in honor of it. Type of Horse- Ferry Used on the Hudson in the 'twenties From a woodcut Storehouse of W. W. & J. Reynolds, Jr. 1849 The greatest change that EXTENSION occurred in the days of W, W. & J, Reynolds, Jr., was the opening of the Hudson River Railroad, an event destined to revolutionize trade and society in the valley of the Hudson. Trains ran between New York and Poughkeepsie in 1850 and the road was completed to Albany in 1851. Steadi- ly the locomotive and the rails encroached upon the water-routes for transportation and, by 1872, the firm (then become W, W. Reynolds & Co,) was again obliged to increase its facilities. On a siding of the railroad, opposite the Pough- keepsie passenger station, they erected a new and larger warehouse, to which in 1884 a grain Type of Locomotive and Cars, 1850, from a woodcut elevator was added. This change of site marked the close of the long period of years in which the business had been identified in varied forms with the river-front and the Fall Kill It also marked the opening of the modern chapter of the history of the house. PRESENT In the last quarter of the nine- teenth century the grandsons of James Reynolds developed still more broadly the business he established. After 187!2, when the large storehouse was opened on the line of the railroad, their boats on the river were discontinued and their warehouse at the mouth of the Fall Kill closed. In 1887 they added to their flour and grain elevator a depart- ment for wholesale groceries, an offshoot which, like many a child, has now outgrown its parent. This branch had by 1909 become so enlarged, had reached out so widely and in such complex ways, that, for the third time, a more capacious warehouse was built to meet increased needs. In this latest building one grandson and two great-grandsons of James Reynolds celebrate in June, 1919, a rounded century of business by a family and a firm. The founder of the house lived in a post-war period. He knew its difficul- ties and its opportunities and had the acumen to build out of these elements a substantial commercial structure for himself and his Storehouse of W. W. Reynolds & Company, 1872 OflSce of Reynolds & Company, 1889 I INTENTIONAL SECOND EXPOSURE elevator was added. This clian,i^e of site marked the close of the loni>' period of years in which the business had been identified in varied forms with the river-front and the Fall Kill It also marked the opening of the modern chapter of the history of the house. PK \ ; In the last c|uarter of the nine- teenth century the grandsons of James Reynolds developed still more broadly the business lie established. After IST':^, when the large storehouse was ojjened on the line of the railroad, tlieir l)oats on the river were discontinued and their warehouse at the mouth of the Fall Kill closed. In 1S87 thev added to their flour and grain elevator a depart- ment for wliolesale groceries, an offshoot which, like many a child, lias now outgrown its i)arent. This branch had by 1909 become so enlarged, had reached cut so widely and in such complex ways, that, for the third time, a more cai)acious wju-ehouse was built to meet increased needs. In this latest building one grandson and two great-grandsons of James Reynolds celebrate in June, 1919, a rounded centurv of business bv a family and a firm. The founder of the house lived in a post-war ])eri()d. He knew its difficul- ties and its opportunities and had the acumen to build out of these elements a substantial commercial structure for himself and his ■"'H^ • ff^' fi.-f*^^'--'" '-iS?^''-^<^A r.< . "^f ^'>^* ^ ,.^j/.»*^^ ^.V'-V Storehouse of W. W. Reynolds & Company, 1872 i Office of Reynolds & Company, 1889 Ill community. In his example and success lies a prophecy, it is hoped, of the extended prosperi- ty and usefulness of this house in the second century of its existence. FUTURE The distribution of foodstuffs in large quantities, to large num- bers, over large areas has been the business of this house from its inception. And distribution has always been dependent upon transportation. Sailing vessels, barges towed by steam, steam-pro pellors and the railroad have followed each other in succession in the ex- perience of the house. In 1919 the motor-truck is already well established as an increasingly important factor in distribution. Moving in- dependently, without a time-table or tracks, it penetrates the territory surrounding Poughkeep- sie for wide distances and serves rural districts off the Hne of a railroad. In the spring of 1919 Poughkeepsie was made a terminal for the en- larged and improved barge canal system and the site of the terminal landing is almost under the eaves of the warehouse of Wm. T. Reynolds & Co. Shortly before the Great War began the Panama Canal was opened. The war in- terrupted its trade usefulness temporarily but, with the coming of peace, there is prospect that the food-products of the sunny regions (4 the Pacific will be brought by the company Motor Trucks 1919 Terminal of Barge Canal Poughkeepsie 1919 ' a INTENTIONAL SECOND EXPOSURE [\ ^ ^ coiiimiinity. In his example and success lies a prophecy, it is hoped, of the extended prosperi- ty and usefulness of this house in the second century of its existence. The distribution of foodstuffs Fill Rl "^ large quantities, to large num- bers, over large areas has been the business of this house from its inception. And distribution has always been dependent upon transportation. Sailing vessels, barges towed by steam, steam-propellors and the railroad have followed each other in succession in the ex- perience of the house. In 1919 the motor-truck is already well established as an increasingly important factor in distril)ution. Moving in- dependently, without a time-table or tracks, it penetrates the territory surrounding Poughkeep- sie for wide distances and serves rural districts off the line of a railroad. In the spring of 1919 Poughkeepsie was made a terminal for the en- larged and improved barge canal system and the site of the terminal landing is almost under the eaves of the warehouse of Wm. T. Reynolds d: Co, Shortly before the Great War })egan the Panama Canal was opened. The war in- terrupted its trade usefulness temporarily but, with the coming of peace, there is prospect that the food-products of the sunny regions of the Pacific will be brought by the company ^T Motor Trucks 1919 i Terminal of Barge Canal Poughkeepsie 1919 v. :j.^^<:^^ directly to Poughkeepsie by way of the canal, the Atlantic and the Hudson. These are three of the steps in the evolution of transportation in the firm's second century. Will the com- mercial aeroplane be the fourth.^ Looking back over a hundred years of steady progress in the measure and methods of its business Wm. T, Reynolds & Co, looks forward into the future with confidence that the coming years hold promise of new opportunities and new pos- sibilities for growth and development. PARTNERSHIPS AND FIRM-NAMES REYNOLDS & INNIS, 18(11)— 1837. Bv tradition James Reynolds and Aaron Innis were in partnership in 1811. Evidence shows their asso- ciation in business in 1816. They remained in more or less close connection until 1837. From 1816 to 1832 Reynolds & Innis conducted a storehouse on the Fall Kill at the junction of Mill and Water streets, where they handled flour, grain, plaster, farm-produce and ships' supplies. In 1819 their accounts show wholesale transactions and from that year the present wholesale house of Win. T. Reynolds & Co., Inc.y dates its existence. Reynolds & Innis^ in partnership with Captain John C. Van Valkenburgh, sailing master, also operated a line of boats between Pough- keepsie and New York under the firm-name of J. C. Van Valkenburgh & Co. About 1825 they added a service between Poughkeepsie and Albany. James Reynolds and Aaron Innis were engaged in the river- trade together from (perhaps) 1811 to 1834. They also owned in partnership from 1821 to 1837 the mills on the Fall Kill, in which they ground grist and plas- ter and cut dyewoods. W. W. & J. REYNOLDS, JR., 1835—1865. In 1832 the storehouse of Reynolds d' Innis was taken over by William Winans Reynolds (elder son of James Reynolds) and he, in 1835, formed a partner- ship with his brother, James Reynolds, Jr. W. W. and J. Reynolds, Jr., built a new warehouse in 1849 and they maintained a line of sloops between Pough- keepsie and the terminal of the Erie Canal at Albany until 1854. In the latter year they replaced their sloops with the steam-propellor, "Reliance." REYNOLDS & SON, 1865—1869. At the death of James Reynolds, Jr., the firm was reorganized and included: William Winans Reynolds, William Thacher Revnolds. W. W. REYNOLDS & COMPANY, 1869—1874. When the elder son of James Reynolds, Jr., attained his majority the firm was reorganized and included: William Winans Reynolds, William Thacher Reynolds, John Richardson Reynolds. During this partnership a new warehouse was built (1872) on a new site near the railroad, the old buildings were closed and the boat- line discontinued. REYNOLDS & COMPANY, 1874—1889. At the death of William Winans Reynolds the firm was reorganized and included: William Thacher Rey- nolds, John Richardson Reynolds, George E. Cramer. During this partnership a wholesale grocery depart- ment was added (1887) to the flour and grain business of the house. REYNOLDS & CRAMER, 1898-1899. At the death of John Richardson Reynolds the firm was reorganized and included: William Thacher Rey- nolds, George E. Cramer, Clarence James Reynolds, Harris Smith Reynolds. WM. T. REYNOLDS & CO., 1900—1917. At the death of George E. Cramer the firm was re- organized and included: William Thacher Reynolds, Clarence James Reynolds, Harris Smith Reynolds. WM. T. REYNOLDS & CO., Inc., 1917. At the death of William Thacher Reynolds the firm was reorganized and included : Harris Smith Reynolds, May L. Reynolds, Clarence James Reynolds, Paul Innis Reynolds. .^^^-=^3^?^- li^riiftf , i,y William Winans Reynolds James Reynolds, Jr. : William Thacher Reynolds John Richardson Reynolds JAMES REYNOLDS Born 1777 Died 1856 WILLIAM W. REYNOLDS Born 1807 Died 1873 JAMES REYNOLDS, Jr. Born 1815 Died 18G5 JOHN R. REYNOLDS Born 1847 Died 1889 WILLIAM T. REYNOLDS CLARENCE J. REYNOLDS Born 1888 Died 1917 HARRIS S. REYNOLDS MAY L. REYNOLDS PAUL I. REYNOLDS Chart showing relationship between those of James Reynolds' descendants who have been members in the firm which he founded. * George E. Cramer Clarence .Tames Reynolds Harris Smith Reynolds PauJ Innis Reynolds I I Ob WM. T. REYNOLDS & CO., INC. 1919 In 1914 a national business ex- A MODERN P^rt made the statement that BUSINESS there were not four hundred busi- ness houses in the United States which were a century old, while commercial statis- tics show that out of (approximately) every two hundred enterprises only one lives for thirty-five years. In the light of these facts the long history of Wm. r. Reynolds & Co. is noteworthy. But, in modern times, mere age is without value in the business world. Vitality and growth are essential to the success either of an old or new firm. It is therefore pointed out here that, although belong- ing to the limited class of century-old concerns, this house is now doing a more extensive business than ever before and one which is steadily gaining and developing. Following the enlargement and im- provement of the company's buildings, carried out in 1909-1910, all departments have increased in activity and some have nearly doubled previous records. The headquarters-plant occupies a site providing unsurpassed facilities for transportation, connecting as it does with the tracks of both the Netv York Central and Hudson River and the New S;^ INTENTIONAL SECOND EXPOSURE ..,#*» 'U '«■•? I— < 31 0) WM. T. REYNOLDS & CO., INC. 1919 IR hi.^L.'^^ In 1914 a national business ex- pert made the statement that there were not four hundred busi- ness houses in the United States which were a century old, while commercial statis- tics show that out of (approximately) every two hundred enterprises only one lives for thirty-five years. In the light of these facts the long history of Win, T. Reynold^' & Co. is noteworthy. But, in modern times, mere age is without value in the business world. Vitality and growth are essential to the success either of an old or new firm. It is therefore pointed out here that, although belong- ing to the limited class of century-old concerns, this house is now doing a more extensive business than ever before and one which is steadily gaining and developing. Following the enlargement and im- provement of the company's buildings, carried out in 1909-1910, all departments have increased in activity and some have nearly doubled previous records. The headquarters-plant occupies a site providing unsurpassed facilities for transportation, connecting as it does with the tracks of both the New York Central and Hnd.svn River and the Sew "" " "l?f .-SK^^. I ■^^■ / -^^^■^/T York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad^s and with the shipping lines on the Hudson River. The build- ings are of reinforced concrete, fire-proof construc- tion, are equipped with modern labor-saving appli- ances, and are kept in strictly sanitary condition. They include the main offices, a refrigerating plant, a coffee roasting and packing department, a grain elevator and mills. The several departments con- ducted are those of: staple and fancy groceries; teas, coffees, spices and specialties; butter, cheese, eggs and provisions; flour, grain and feeds; cigars and tobacco. Heavy motor-trucks and double and single horse-drawn trucks run between the warehouses and the terminals and make deliveries. The success of any business is PFRSOWFT d^P^ndent in a large measure upon cooperation between the firm and those who are employed by it. In this respect Wm. T. Reynolds- & Co. has had an enviable experience. Throughout the century past, men have entered the service of the house, stayed with it and, by loyalty and untiring effort, have played an important part in the success achieved. Some of them have worked for the firm for all of their active years, in which connection sentiment calls for mention of the name of *'Tom" Ward, who came to the elevator upon his return from the Civil War and who only lately died, after more than fifty years of faithfulness. At the present time there is a roll of some seventy-five men and women, associated with the company. One of these has rounded thirty-five years of service; several %^/"''" ^ I I Main Offices, 1919 Wm. T. Reynolds & Co., Inc INTENTIONAL SECOND EXPOSURE I [i n Yorh\ Xcir Ilarcn and Hartford Railroads and with the sliippino' lines on the Hudson River. The buihl- ings are of reinforced concrete, fire-i)roof construc- tion, are equipped with modern lal)or-savin^' a])i)li- ances, and are kept in strictly sanitary conch'tion. Tliey inchule the main offices, a refrigerating- plant, a coffee roasting and packing ch^partment, a grain elevator and mills. The several dej)artments con- ducted are those of: staple and fancy groceries; teas, coffees, spices and specialties; hutter, cheese, eggs and provisions; flour, grain and feeds; cigars and tol)acco. Heavy motor-trucks and douhle and single horse-drawn trucks run between the warehouses and the terminals and make deliveries. The success of any business is dependent in a large measure ui)on cooperation between the Arm and those who are emj)loyed by it. In this resj)ect II' m. T. Reynolds di- Co. has had an enviable exj)erience. Throughout the century past, men have entered the service of the house, stayed with it and, by loyalty and untiring ett'ort, have played an important ]>art in the success achieved. Some of them have worked for the firm for all of their active years, in which connection sentiment calls for mention of the name of '*Tom" Ward, who came to the elevator upon his return from the Civil War and who only lately died, after more than fifty years of faithfulness. At the present time there is a roll of some seventy-five men and women, associated with the company. One of these has rounded thirty-five years of service; several Main Offices, 1919 \Vm. T. Revnolds & Co., Inc ^. w II It have passed the quarter-century mark. Those who have been with the business for fifteen years, or for more, are: Daniel L. Beal N. Jay Boyce Samuel C. Boyce John F. Clark James H. Decker Andrew Henry Manus J. Henry John A. Kane John Kelly Mary A. Kelly Guy A. Light William H. McLean John J. Manogue Edward F. Myers Percy L. Reynolds John E. Sweeney John B. Van Keuren Edgar D. Van Nosdall Lewis Van Vlack Charles H. White John White SOURCE OF SUPPLY In this matter-of-fact old world romance is often forgotten but it is present in almost all things if it is only looked for. Even in the materialistic sphere of business romance is to be found and in no business is it more abundant and colorful than in that of the dealer in food-supplies. Let the average consumer pause and consider that, for the setting of his table, the tropics, with their luxuriant growths, are drawn upon; and that the American prairies, with their fields of waving grain, the vineyards on the hills and the farms in the val- leys all yield their products to his use and pleasure. Sunshine and blue sky, brilliant vegetation, plant- fruit-and flower-life, the windswept ocean, the roll- ing plains, the lush meadows with the cattle, the orchards and the gardens, man's labor, daring and jaj-""" -- ••- adventure, — all these form integral parts of a back- ground which is actual and real and yet poetic where food-stuffs are concerned. Wm. T. Reynolds & Co. searches the markets of the world for its wares and, in addition to the goods it assembles from great distances, it has exceptional advantages in its location in the heart of the Hudson valley. Close to Poughkeepsie there are in operation can- ning and preserving industries, the outputs of w hich reach the consumer largely through this company. The aim of the house is to furnish its customers with food-products of such a standard of excellence as shall make the firm-name always a synonym for high quality. AREA OF DISTRIBUTION The grain and feed busi- ness of Wm, T. Reynolds & Co. reaches a wide territory and retail dealers are, as a rule, served by direct ship- ments of grain from mills in the west and with poultry and dairy feeds, flour, etc., in mixed car- loads from the company's plant at Fulton, N. Y. The trade of the wholesale grocery department covers an area within a radius of approximately seventy-five miles from Poughkeepsie. During the Great War, 1914-1918, large shipments have been made abroad and to remote parts of the LTnited States. Follow^ing the close of the war new export demands are arising and the company now stands on the threshold of a period which foreshadows new conditions and new opportunities in markets and distribution. 'M*' X,:- TV :3^ SUBSIDIARY PLANTS In 1895 Reynolds' cC: Cramer purchased the mill and elevator at Poughkeepsie of James Reynolds (son of James Rey- nolds, Jr.) and since then the same have been con- ducted under the firm-name of the Reynolds Elevator Company. The large warehouse is at the northern end of Garden street, on the tracks of the New YorL\ New Haven c& Hartford Railroad and, through two retail stores (one at 226 Union street, the other at 15 Catharine street), the firm furnishes local retail custom with grain, feeds, seeds, poultry sup- plies, etc. Mr. Lewis Van Vlack, who has been associated with this branch many years, is now in charge of sales and personnel. Mr. Augustus W. Jewett, identified with the Reynolds Elevator Company for a long time, has only just retired because of ill health. In 1917 IVm. T. Reynolds d: Co. took over a well equipped mill at Liberty, N. Y., which they now operate under the name of the Renco Milis. Mr. M. D. Misner is the manager. The i)lant serves principally the dairy interests of its section, and has a large local business in flour and grain. In 1918 ]Vm. T. Reynolds & Co. acquired a plant at Fulton, N. Y., which occupies a particu- larly advantageous position. Fulton is on the Oswego River and has abundant water-power for milling. It is on the line of the barge canal and is connected with the western grain-fields by all Renco Mills, Liberty, N. Y. Renco Milling Company, Fulton, N. Y. Reynolds Elevator Company Warehouse, Poughkeepsie water and all rail routes. It is also connected with Poughkeepsie by all water and all rail transporta- tion systems. The business here is operated as the Renco Milling Company. Mr. Charles H. Elwell is the resident manager. The mill is equipped with modern machinery and is doing a large business in flour, grain, cereal products, poultry and dairy feeds. Standing at the opening of T>r>Tx^r>ir>T T-c" the second century of its busi- PRINCIPLES „ Vt 4.1. U £ Tir rr ness lite, the house of Wm. T. Reynolds & Co., Inc., would emphasize to its friends its motto: Loyalty -Honor- and-Fidelity. On those principles the business was begun by its founder. On those principles it will continue to be maintained. The aim of the house is service based on loyalty to high ideals, honor between men, fidelity to duty. Reynolds Elevator Company, Office and Store, Poughkeepsie • • > 6 i_ • •• * « • * c:. : i « INTENTIONAL SECOND EXPOSURE ReynoKls Klevator Company Warehouse, Poughkeepsie water and all rail routes. It is also connected with Poughkeepsie by all water and all rail transporta- tion systems. The business here is operated as the Renco Milling Company. Mr. Charles H. Elwell is the resident manager. The mill is equipped with modern machinery and is doing a large business in flour, grain, cereal products, poultry and dairy feeds. Standing at the opening of r*RT\T'IPT F^ ^^^ second century of its busi- ness life, the house of JJ^m. T. Reynolds & Co., Inc., would emphasize to its friends its motto: Loyalty-Honor- and-Fidelity. On those principles the business was begun by its founder. On those principles it will continue to be maintained. The aim of the house is service based on loyalty to high ideals, honor between men, fidelity to duty. Reynolds Elevator Company, Office and Store, Poughkeepsie f'^ / \\ 'iA • • • « « • • • •• •• • » ■ « » c • k • > t*« » •• •• • • • c« iit>at* > Frank B. Howard Poughkeepsie * > *" ^^ i4'^ a I \ I i L COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES 0041416163 END OF TITLE