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business prospered to the extent that he was invited by Wheeler and Madden to become a partner in 1860. Around 1862, a steel rolling mill was established on the corner of Railroad and Montgomery Streets. In 1863, the firm acquired the Eagle File Works of Madden & Cockayne on Montgomery Street at the Erie Railroad. This business had started in 1857, in the building on King Street vacated by the saw company when they moved to Railroad Avenue. Soon, the file company had moved across the tracks from the saw company.
William's son George went to work for Wheeler, Madden & Clemson in 1868, and quickly began to display outstanding abilities. In 1879, he formed a partnership with his younger brother Richard, known as Clemson Bros. Their first factory was established at about 4 Ogden Street at the end of School Street, to produce George's invention: the hack saw. In 1884, a Massachusetts firm, the Millersfall Sales Co., began to market the hacksaw under the trademark of Star Hacksaw.
When Edward Madden died in 1885, his interest in Wheeler, Madden & Clemson was purchased by William Clemson, who transferred it to his sons in 1886. Also in 1886, George Clemson married Elizabeth Dow. William Clemson died January 12, 1890. Wheeler, Madden & Clemson ceased to exist in 1890 with the incorporation of the National Saw Co. This company was later sold.
clemson Bros. continued in the beautiful building at 22 Cottage Street completed about 1889. Around 1891, George Clemson purchased the beautiful home of the late Sen. Henry R. Low which stood where the YMCA is today on Highland Avenue. Clemson hired Middletown architect Frank J. Lindsey to remodel the house. The Clemson estate was famous for the Japanese Gardens started by Mrs. Clemson about 1913. George N. Clemson died January 30, 1930, his wife Elizabeth in 1943. The mansion went to the YMCA in 1945 and was demolished 30 years later.
The firm, which can trace its ancestry back to Wheeler, Madden & Bakewell established 1853, continues. Both the firm and the family members personally, have contributed much to Middletown.
Along with the Clemson Bros., another famous Middletown company was, and is, Tuthill Cut Glass Co. "Was," as the company has long been out-of-business, and "is" because the interest in, and collection of their product continues. Tuthill was established in Middletown in 1900 by Charles G. Tuthill, formerly of Corning, New York, where he had a glass-cutting shop. He first started as Charles G. Tuthill & Co., glass cutters, North Street corner of Wisner Avenue. By 1902 he was doing business as Tuthill Cut Glass Co. and by 1903 had moved to 36 Little Avenue. Charles was a talented designer and craftsman, and his firm quickly won a reputation for excellence. Tuthill continued in business until 1923. The former factory became a warehouse and