Page 129 - Industries_of_San_Antonio

129
COMMERCE AND MANUFACTURES.
branches. It is noteworthy in this connection, that establishments whose
products consist of the useful, as well as more artistic classes of work,
seem to enjoy the most uniform success, a fact due to the enterprise of the
proprietors, who have supplied themselves with advanced mechanical ap-
pliances and scientific skill to facilitate production, and enhance the in-
trinsic merit of the finished product. Among these we class the establish-
ment of Brennan & Teich. America produces stone and marble equal to
any in the world for architectural or sepulchral purposes. Stone is con-
ceded to be the material offering the widest latitude for architectural de-
sign ; it is more susceptible to adaptation to ornamental form than any
other material ; delicate chiseling and traceries are more vivid and deter-
mined in it, and at the same time more enduring than any other material;
in effect, it is more massive in appearance and less liable to climatic or
atmospheric influences. In all ages a reverential regard for the last rest
ing places of the departed, has been evinced by all nations who aspire to
aught that is elevated in sentiment and civilization. The ancient Egyp-
tians had their. temples and pyramids the Romans and Greeks their
elegant mausoleums, to mark the spot where their loved and honored dead
reposed. The sentiment, that it is their privilege to treat the mortal re-
mains of their loved ones with respect and consideration in their sad offices,
is acquised in by all christians, and no material has seemed so appropriate
as marble for beautifying and decorating their graves. We have been led
into these remarks by a visit to the establishment of Brennan & Teich.
These gentlemen are practical artists, thoroughly proficient in every detail
of their business. The senior member of the firm, Mr. Brennan, has had
an experience of over 16 years in the business ; Mr. Teich of 14 years. Mr.
Teich has been connected with some of the most prominent establish-
ments in New York, Chicago and St. Louis. He is an artist of more than
ordinary skill and ability. He studied in the academy of art in Leipsich,
Germany. He has designed and carved some monuments of exquisite
finish and artistic skill in San Francisco, Chicago, New York, St. Louis
and other metropolitan cities, whose true merit, genius and artistic taste
and skill are justly appreciated. Mr. Tiech is also an expert wood carver.
They are scientific gentlemen and can execute not only the most intricate
work and details, but they can make all necessary drawings for the same.
They contract for and execute all stone or . marble work and finish on
buildings, fronts, door and window caps and sills, water tables, steps,
platforms, ashler fence and wall copings, side walks, tile flagging, lintels,
cornices, etc. In all this kind of work they use stone from their quar-
ries at Buda, on the International railroad. Most of this work is perfectly
finished to shape and measurement at the quarries and shop before shipped
to the building. The stone from their quarries is remarkable for its
adaptability to the work intended, is durable and retains its color. For
monuments and sepulchral work, they import foreign marbles and gran-
ites, Italian, Scotch, etc. They carry a stock of finished monuments,