Cook & Pardee Match Factory, Watsontown Pa

Matchsticks from the Watsontown Match Factory, Circa 1868

In 1867, Ario Pardee and his partner Robert Cook established the firm "Cook and Pardee".  Together they purchased the interest in the Bill Mill, located on the anal at the west end of Fourth Street.  At the same time, they established a match factory, which operated in conjunction with the mill and employed sixty people.

See more of the Fowler Map Of Watsontown here:
https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-fowler-map-of-watsontown.html

1887 Map

"The largest match stick factory in the country is under the foremanship of a Watsontown boy, the product of the old Bill Mill"

"In 1863 Hollopeter retired and in 1865 it was purchased by Robert G Book, Joseph Hollopeter, Enoch and Enos Everitt, and in 1867 R.G. Cook and Ario Pardee became sole owners, who not only continued to conduct the new saw mill, but established in connection therewith a match stick factory, which employed a large number of men and boys, and no doubt many of the visitors today are short a finger or a piece of finger by reason of having been employed in this industry.

 In 1820, this Mill fell into the hands of J.H. Wagner and J.L. Highbee, who continued to operate it until lumber became scarce and the West Branch Canal was abandoned. 

The Mill was dismantled and Elm Street extended in a southerly direction, and today some of the best dwellings of our Borough take the place of the old "Bill Mill" and doubtless many of the Old Timers who are visiting the town this week will have some difficulty at locating the former site of saw dust and match sticks."

From Watsontown Historically, by Maj. Fred Knight

January 1874

"When the match stick factory of Cook & Pardee was started he [William Eli Welsh] took the contract for the manufacture of boxes for that firm, continuing at this until the business was discontinued." - Article in the Watsontown Record & Star about William Eli Welsh, my husbands 3x great grandfather.

1875

There was, at one time, a petition to rename Watsontown for Pardee.  
https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/05/ario-city-1867-watsontown.html

Telephone Service, 1880

From the Watsontown Fowler Map

1882, Northumberland Press

Robert Geiger Cook died in 1881.

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Cook & Pardee Mill Injuries,  August 1872

Cook, Pardee, and Ira T. Clement

Northumberland Democrat, 1879

1888

Pardee Cook & Co in Lock Haven PA

History of Centre and Clinton Counties, PA, J. B. Linn,

The Saw-Mill of Pardee & Son is located on the river-bank, a few squares above the bridge, and was established in 1852 by Wing & Getchell, who, it is said, were the first to run logs down the West Branch. After passing through the hands of several owners, O. D. Satterlee took possession in 1855. The property was purchased by Pardee, Cook & Co. in 1874, and in 1876 the firm became Pardee & Cook, and Jan. 1, 1882, Pardee & Son became the owners. Capacity of the mill, fifty thousand feet per day. Thirty-five men are employed in and around the mill.

Property described in 1881 - Deeded to Cook, Hollopeter, Everitt & Everitt

Lumbermen Defy An Order Of The Court - San Franciso Examiner March 25th 1898

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COOK OBITUARIES

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Died October 1904

The Clinton County Times, Nov. 4, 1904, p. 1.

Death of John R Cook.

The following notice of the death of a former well known resident of this section is taken from the Klamathon, Cal., daily:

John R. Cook, of the well known lumbering and sawmill firm of J. R. Cook & Sons, did in his home at Klamathon, Siskiyou county, California, Thursday night, Oct. 21, aged 78 years. Deceased had been prominently identified with the lumber business of Northern California for fifteen years or more, and the big sawmill which he established at Klamathon was the starting point of that town. He was a native of Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, where he married and afterwards went to Michigan. There he formed a partnership with A. Pardee in the lumbering business, and after operating a number of years in that state the firm came to Klamathon, where it acquired large tracts of timber and established a mill. Mr. Pardee died soon after coming west and Mr. Cook’s two sons were associated with him in the business. Later they sold the business to Harvey Lindley & Co., and this sale was followed in a few years by a lawsuit in the Siskiyou county courts, involving a large sum. Cook & Sons were given judgment against Lindley & Co in this litigation. Mr. Cook suffered financially in the fire which nearly wiped out Klamathon tow or three years ago, but was partially compensated by the insurance carried. He was a man who was honored as an upright character by his acquaintances.

March 1881

The Clinton Democrat, Lock Haven, PA, March 24, 1881.

Death of R. G. Cook, Esq.

Robert G. Cook, Esq, of this city, died very suddenly in Florida on Monday evening last. He had not been in good health for a year past, and had recently gone to Florida with a portion of his family, where he owned a saw mill and was largely interested in lumbering. Letters were received here as late as Monday giving encouraging accounts of his health, but on Tuesday morning a brief dispatch announced his death.

Mr. Cook was a son of the late Hon. John Cook, of Pine Creek township, Clinton county, and was about 59 years of age at the time of his death. For some years past he was largely engaged in the manufacture of lumber, by himself and in connection with Arie Pardee and with his son, H. C. Cook. He appeared to be a man of much muscular vigor and until lately of perfect health. He had the reputation of being a correct and energetic business man. For several years past he resided in a fine mansion of Church street, in this city, and leaves a widow and family of children.

The particulars of his death have not been received, but it must have been very sudden, as the latest letters received spoke of his improving health and constant activity. His body will be returned to Lock Haven, but because of the great distance the time of its arrival is somewhat uncertain.

The Clinton Democrat, Lock Haven, PA, March 31, 1881.

Obsequies of the late R. G. Cook, Esq.

A large assembly was present at the funeral of the late Robert G. Cook which, took place at his late residence in this city last Monday afternoon. They were conducted by Rev. Jos. Nesbitt, of Great Island Presbyterian church, assisted by Rev. Wm. A. Houck, of Trinity M. E. Chruch, and were deeply impressive. The plate upon the casket containing the remains bore the simple inscription, “R.G. Cook, aged 53.” The floral offerings of relatives and friends were elegant and expressive. At the head of the casket was a pillow of natural flowers, from Mrs. T. C. Hipple, of this city, with the word “Rest,” upon the casket, just above the plate, was a crescent, made of flowers gathered in Florida, with the endearing word, “Papa,” while at the foot of the casket was a basket of ivy leaves and white flowers, with the word “Rest,” from Mrs. Kultz, of Philadelphia. An anchor and cross, from the pupils in Mrs. Kutz’s school, bore the inscription “With love and sympathy of Young Ladies of 1221.” Opposite this was an elaborate and elegant cross, from Miss Florence K Smith, of Philadelphia. Upon the mantle was a broken column or shaft, of pure white flowers, the base ivy and white – the column entwined with smilax, interspersed with rose buds. Immediately beneath this was a floral star and to the left a chair, most tastefully adorned with flowers and ivy. An anchor, with the word “Hope,” and bearing the inscription, “With Love and sympathy of Mystic Seven,” was placed to the right of the casket.

The pall bearers were Messrs. W. W. Barrows, W. H. Moore, Robert McCormick, Charles Kreamer, Chas. S. McCormick, and S. D. Ball. The remains were interred in Highland Cemetery.

Mr. William Elliot, who was in Mr. Cook’s employ in Florida, in writing to Rev. Mr. Nesbitt, under date of the 23d inst., gives the following in relation to Mr. Cook’s last illness and death.

“Mr. Cook was apparently getting much better, and was in fine spirits. All day Sunday he was feeling extra well and kept congratulating himself upon his improvement. On Monday he was not quite as well as on Sunday. He complained of pains in his breast and left arm, but did not seem to think much of it at the time. About 8 o’clock he walked up stairs to bed, thinking he could rest. I was talking to him and he appeared in good spirits. About 8:15 Mrs. Cook came to the room and while administering to the wants of her husband, saw that something was the matter. She called the members and friends of the family, and while ? did all in our power, by 8:25 he was dead. He died without struggle.

Mr. Cook died of neuralgia of the heart. At the time of his death he was interested in seven saw mills, located in Lock Haven, Watsontown, Laurelton, and DuBois, Pennsylvania; in Grifton, West Virginia; Highland, Florida and in Michigan.