Magner’s Carriage Works
One of Wellsville’s Leading and Successful Manufacturing Industries
Wellsville has long been recognized as both the commercial and the manufacturing centre of Allegany County. This village employs more men and money in manufacturing industries than all the other towns in the county combined, and it is a satisfaction to notice that all of these industries are not only in a prosperous and healthy condition and on a solid and substantial foundation, but are steadily and constantly growing and increasing their facilities for doing business.
Among these successful and commendable industries is Frank Magner’s extensive carriage works. Scarcely four months ago Mr. Magner’s shops were laid in ashes by a destructive fire – almost a total loss. He had built up a large and flourishing business, which in an unfortunate hour was swept away by the flames. The loss was a serious one, but there were two things of which it did not rob him – his sterling enterprise and his reputation as a reliable carriage builder.
He soon began the erection of new buildings on a more extensive scale than the old, and now occupies one of the most complete and well arranged carriage and wagon shops in this part of the country.
The main building 95 by 45 feet, three stories high, and is admirably arranged for the purpose for which it was built. On the first floor are the ware rooms and wood work rooms and on the second and third floors are the various apartments for painting, trimming, varnishing and finishing. At the rear of the main building is the blacksmith shop, 30 by 90, supplied with eight forges where the iron work is done. In the various departments of the works, Mr. Magner employs thirty men and turns out on an average two carriages a day, besides doing a general carriage and wagon repairing business.
Thoroughly understanding every detail of the business himself, he gives to each vehicle turned out of the shop his personal supervision. Everything in the shape of a wagon can be made in the shop from the tiniest pony phaeton to the somber hearse, or the heavy farm wagon. Skilled and competent workmen are employed in every department, and when a carriage leaves the works it is not only splendid in finish but substantially and well built. The principal styles of carriages made are the Brewster top buggies, the Elliptic spring, the Empire cross spring, the Magner coil spring, the St. Julian, Phaetons, Dog carts, etc. Special attention is also given to the manufacture of platform spring wagons of every description.
Mr. Magner’s work has won for him a wide and enviable reputation among carriage builders. He is a young man full of energy, enterprise and ambition, and the Reporter is pleased to note that his business is now thoroughly organized in the new quarters, and running like clock work.
Mr. Magner has in view the erection, during the summer, of a brick building on Main street adjoining the Thornton block, the first door of which will be used as a salesroom and business office.
Wellsville Daily Reporter July 2, 1883 - Researched & Submitted by Mary Rhodes