Roschman Button Factory Waterloo

Notes:

Richard Roschman, Button Works, Queen, Street, Waterloo. The manufacture of vegetable of buttons is one that employs a large amount of capital, and gives employment to many hands. The nut from which the buttons are made is grown in South America in swampy ground. The plant creeps along the ground for about 20 feet, and then rises perpendicularly to a height of from 12 to 18 feet, with large leaves, and flowers containing a cluster of the nuts, weighing on an average about 3 lbs. to the cluster. The outer shell cracks open and allows the nuts to fall to the ground, when they are gathered by the natives and transported to the ports of shipment. Among those prominently engaged in the manufacture of vegetable buttons is Mr. Richard Roschman, whose works are located on Queen [Regina] Street, Waterloo, where his premises consist of a handsome brick structure, 3 1/2 stories in height and 40x110 feet in dimensions; the engine and boiler house being 26x26 feet in dimensions and two stories in height, the engine being 35-horse power. The manufactory contains all the most improved machinery used in this line of manufacture, consisting of saws, borers, turning lathes, etc. Besides the plain buttons the house also manufactures covered once. The trade which is extensive, and which as grown up gradually and steadily, extends throughout the Provinces of Ontario, Quebec and the Lower Provinces. Mr. Roschman has been established in business since 1878, and in September last year removed into his present new building, which he erected specially for the business. He gives employment to 75 skilled hands on an average throughout the year. He is a native of Germany, and by patient industry, coupled with enterprise and ability, has built up an excellent trade.<sup>1a

1a</sup>Industries of Canada Historical and Commercial Sketches - Hamilton and Environs St. Catharines, Dundas, Galt, Waterloo, Guelph, Berlin 1886