Hawkins & Dodge Machine Works, ca. 1874

This maker is known to have been active in the 1860s and '70s, making miter choppers and mortising machines.

      “HAWKINS & DODGE, 52 to 56 Morris and Essex Railroad Avenue. This firm began business as engineers and machinists in 1866. Mr. Wm. Hawkins had been for several years previous, foreman of Hewes & Phillips' extensive machine works, and was then, as now, considered a first-class mechanic, familiar with all the details of iron working and the construction of machines. Mr. William Foster Dodge, at the close of the late war, after honorable service in the Union army, held several patents of importance to the manufacturing interests of the country. Under these favorable auspices the two gentlemen united their interests, and laid the foundation for the present business, in a small building connected with the malleable iron foundry at 28 Orange-street. Two years later, through energy, skill and careful management, the business had so increased that the quarters named were inadequate. At this time, to secure greater producing facilities, they purchased the property at their present location.

      They are representative men, Mr. Hawkins being everywhere acknowledged as an adept in the line of mechanics, while the other member of the firm is known to be fully informed in the careful management of an extensive business. Through application and perseverance, prosperity has crowned their efforts, and the firm of Hawkins & Dodge enjoys high credit and an enviable reputation.

      They manufacture general machinery of almost every kind, and are prepared to fill all orders that may be received, having facilities for producing both light and heavy work. They hold the exclusive right to manufacture several wood working machines, among which are Hall's Patent Mitre for cutting door mouldings, Crosby's blind wiring machine, etc. A specialty is made of steam engines and shafting. The average working force is 20 hands, the weekly wages $250, and the annual production is valued at $40,000.” (Quote from 1874.)

Information Sources

• The Industrial Interests of Newark, N. J, 1874, pg. 71
• Listed in the 1874 work, Wiley's American iron trade manual of the leading iron industries of the United States: "Hawkins & Dodge—56 Morris and Essex Avenue. Machinery. Specialty, wood-working machinery."
• Mentioned in Early Tools of New Jersey and the Men Who Made Them by Alexander Farnham, 1984.

  ...there were a few manufacturers of small and or foot-powered woodworking machines within the state who deserve some mention. One of these manufacturers was Ransom Crosby, the inventor of a blind-wiring machine. Blind-wiring machines, along with the 1858 patented Halls mitring machines, were made at his 385 Broad Street factory. Both must have sold well for at least three Newark firms were making them during the eighteen-sixties. Beside Ransom Crosby they were made by the administrators for his estate, Hawkins & Dodge, and by Seymour & Whitlock. These latter two companies also made other machines, including foot-powered mitre and mortising machines.