![]() ![]() He started a job office in a building where the Citizens' National Bank is now situated, and, as he said, not having much to do, he published a paper-back book of fifty-eight pages under the title of "The Hand Book of Johnstown for 1856, containing a short sketch of its history, together with a general business summary." The advertisements and the history alternated, page by page. One of the brilliant young men of Johnstown was Andrew Jackson Hite, a gentleman and a first-class printer and writer. Illustrated historical combination atlas of Cambria County, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, Atlas Publishing Company, 1890) All store and factory was destroyed by the flood."Ĭadwell, J. ![]() In connection with the store they had started a steam power carriage and wagon and blacksmith shop, located in the rear of the store. Located on a corner their buildings had a street frontage of 275 feet, and the floor space was 60,000 square feet. the business demanding more room, they erected a new building 40x115 feet and four stories high. Swank & Sons' establishment, we submit the following facts: "The buildings occupied by them are a three-story brick, size 40x130 feet, and a two-story brick, size 30x50 feet. To give some idea of the magnitude of Messrs, He was one of the thorough businessmen of Johnstown, and his loss will be long felt by his friends and neighbors. 523 Bedford street, up to the 31st of May, 1889, when the flood swept away his hardware store, including his house, wife and entire family. Levergood's tin store is now, and in 1865 bought and moved to the corner where the hardware store is now, and lived in the same building till 1876, when he built and moved where he lived, at No. Partnership with him in the pottery business, and in 1862 they engaged in the hardware business, on main street, where W. About 1860 his brother, Hiram Swank, entered the Six months then went home again and worked at the pottery business on his own account for about a year then went to Bedford and worked for Isaac Reichard for about 14 months from there went to Davidsville and worked at pottery for his brother that was in 1852 in 1858 he was married in Davidsville, and was with his brother until 1856, when his brother purchased the Johnstown Pottery, from James Hamilton, on Market street then he carried on on the pottery then moved the pottery to Kernville, the Sixth Ward of Johnstown, where the pottery now is. Josiah Swank, to learn the potter trade on the same farm served as an apprentice for three years, then went to Schellsburg and worked for Peter Schell ![]() Was born one mile west of Hooversville, Somerset county, Pa., Januwas raised on the farm of his father Samuel Swank worked on the farm until he was 18 years of age then went with his brother, The brothers were civic-minded as well, contributing to the establishment of the Vigilant Fire Company in Johnstown. In addition to the pottery business, the brothers owned a hotel and a tannery, and Jacob Swank later started a hardware firm and built the Swank building downtown to serve as its headquarters. “The Swank brothers were very important in the history of Johnstown’s business community – they were quite entrepreneurial,” Stromsdorfer said. The Swank refractory business was in operation until the late 1980s. As the advent of glass canning jars reduced the demand for food storage pottery, the firm evolved to become a major manufacturer of refractory materials including firebrick and other ceramics used by the steel industry. In the 1850s, the firm was located on Market Street and was moved to Kernville by 1859 however, there may have been more pottery locations. Swank & Co.,” and “Swank & Brother.” Food storage jugs and crocks were among the main items produced, along with some children’s toys like coin banks. Together or separately, the brothers produced pottery that was signed “J & H Swank,” “Hiram Swank & Sons,” “J. ![]() The pottery, which was often hand decorated, was thrown in the firm’s earliest years, while later examples were molded. The Swank firm produced a wide range of salt glaze stoneware pottery, including very large pieces, in the midto late 19th century. Three brothers, Josiah, Jacob and Hiram Swank, moved from Somerset County to Johnstown around 1856 to operate the Johnstown Pottery, which soon became the Swank Pottery. Manufacturer Notes: Swank, Jacob, & CompanyĪlthough much of the Swank Pottery’s history is unclear, certain facts are known. North American Soda & Beer Bottles - Jacob Swank & Co. ![]()
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