S. McKee & Co.

Samuel McKee founded one of the first glass houses on the South Side, in what was then known as Birmingham, situated at the intersection of 13th Street and Carson. This glass house was also known as the Pennsylvania Glass Works. His success might have been bolstered by his marriage to Mary Ihmsen, whose father, Charles Ihmsen, was a glassmaker associated with Beltzhoover, Wendt & Co., the first glass house in Birmingham (South Side, Pittsburgh). Additionally, Mary’s brother, Christian Ihmsen, was a leader in the glass industry. While no buildings exist today from this company, those familiary with McKee Place in Pittsburgh might be surprised to discover that was the location of the McKee Estate, which was subdivided following Samuel’s passing.

S. McKee & Co., established in 1837, was co-owned by brothers Samuel (b. 1808 d. 1876), Thomas (b. 1800 d. 1864) and James (b. 1805 d. 1884) McKee. In 1844, the company focused on producing window glass, implementing a new revolving wheel oven and moving away from the older crown glass techniques. In 1845, their office burn in the Great Fire. By 1860, Samuel McKee had assumed sole ownership of the enterprise, managing it until his death in 1876. At that time, the factory was producing a wide array of glass items, such as window panes, pharmaceutical bottles, black ware, telegraph insulators, among others. While their primary production took place on the South Side, their administrative offices and storage facilities were located in Pittsburgh.

Following Samuel’s passing, leadership of the company transitioned to his sons Daniel and Christian I., along with his son-in-law A.C. Dravo. In 1890, A. Clarke Dravo exited the partnership, but Daniel and Christian continued to run the business. A significant fire in 1901 inflicted $15,000 in damages to the factory. By 1904, S. McKee & Co. faced bankruptcy and its assets were liquidated. Christian I. McKee died in 1903, and in 1909, Edward G. Hartje acquired the properties. Daniel McKee passed away in 1913.

• The company started in 1836 and was originally owned by Samuel McKee, Thomas McKee and James McKee with their factory in Birmingham and warehouses on Wood by Virgin Alley
• We then see them moving to 110 Second Street, now Second Ave with its factory and store on Denman, now 12th Street and finally we see their offices and warehouse moving to 62-63 Water Street, now Fort Pitt Blvd
• In 1844, S. McKee & Co. starts to produce window glass using a new revolving wheel oven, making imitation “crown glass”
• On April 10, 1845, a devastating fire swept through Pittsburgh destroying their offices which are temporarily relocate to George Weyman’s buildings, located at the intersection of Diamond Alley and Smithfield Street
• Samuel McKee dies in 1876
• 1877 ownership transfer to his sons Daniel McKee and Christian I. McKee and son-in-law A.C. Dravo
• In 1877, they operated on 4 acres on the South Side with two window glass factories, one bottle factory, a flattening house, cutting rooms, storehouses, a blacksmith shop, engine rooms, a pot room and a grinding mill
• In 1877, They averaged 200 to 280 men and boys with wages of $2,600 per week
• 1890 ownership of the company changes with A. Clarke Dravo leaving the partnership and with Daniel McKee and Christian I. McKee remaining patners
• 1897 labor representatives were ejected from the S. McKee plant by police, the dispute arose from the company refusing to pay union dues
• 1901 a fire cause $15,000 in damages at the factory
• 1904 S. McKee & Co. goes bankrupt with liabilities of $274K and assets of $216K, Daniel McKee states his individual liabilities are $233K
• 1904 S. McKee & Co. properties are put up for sale which carry a mortgage of $50K with an outstanding balance of $51.5K
• 1909 S. McKee properties are sold to Edward G. Hartje
• Christian I. McKee dies in 1903 and Daniel McKee dies in 1913