Page 104 - Industries_of_San_Antonio

SAN ANTONIO—HER TRADE,
104
strength, with symmetrical proportions. Every detail receives constant
care and attention, and such improvements are introduced as experience
and the progress of the times suggest. Thirty-five hands are employed,
most of them experienced and skilled mechanics. Their large trade is local,
also extending through this State and into Mexico, their transactions
reaching $75,000 annually. Motive power is supplied by an engine of
twenty-horse power. The buildings, which are all new and especially
constructed for the purpose, consist of the foundry, 30 by 80 feet in size;
cleaning room, 30 by 35 feet; blacksmith shop, 20 by 35 feet; store room,
20 by 65 feet; and machine shop, 35 by 70 feet, two stories in height.
Messrs. Holmgreen & Sons are rapidly building up a large and prosperous
business. They have furnished the iron work used in the construction of
most of the prominent buildings in this city; specimens of their handi-
work can be inspected in the Dullnig building, the Kampmann building,
the Howard building, the new Maverick building and many others; all of
a character to reflect the largest meed of credit, not only on themselves
but on the city as well. By their enterprise and practical knowledge,
they have established a high character for the commercial spirit and
mechanical enterprise and skill of San Antonio. They are manufacturers'
agents for steam engines, boilers, gins and presses, and they have at all
times an assortment of these machines in stock. They also do a large
business in general machinery repairs.

J. M. EMERSON, JR.—Loan Office, General Merchandise, Sole Assignee
Emerson's Safety Neck Yoke; No. 12 Soledad Street, next to Court
House; Eastern Office, No. 111 Nassau Street, New York.
The science of political economy comprehends all the measures by
which the property and labor of citizens are directed in the best manner,
to the success of individual industry and enterprise and to the public good.
It classifies and ranks the different business pursuits, giving precedence to
those which benefit the poorer classes and afford present relief to urgent
necessities. In this class, we would logically rank J. M. Emerson, not
alone because his business, as he conducts it, seems to comply with these
pre-requisites, but in all departments of his affairs, he has manifested a
degree of enterprise and progress, far from ordinary in these Southern lat-
itudes. A business man, who has the nerve and vim to drive out of the
old ruts, thereby evidencing his appreciation of modern progress, by
throwing off the shackles of antiquated, clogging conservatism, usually
suceeds, and he deserves to. The business of the money lender is as old
as civilization; it was practiced by the ancient Greeks and Romans, in
Tyre and Byzantium, and then, as now, distress was often alleviated by
them and ruin averted. In this, as in every branch of business, unscru-
pulous parties engage, but they only serve to make the reputation of the
honest, conscientious merchant the brighter. Mr. Emerson has certainly
gained the reputation of being an honest, fair-dealer, an enterprising and