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Powers and Weightman

 Organization

Biography

Powers and Weightman was a chemical manufacturer with a laboratory at Schuylkill Falls, Pennsylvania. The company succeeded the firm of John Farr and Company in 1848. William Weightman and his uncle John Farr, were partners in the firm.

When John Farr died in 1847, Weightman became an administrator and executive of the business, which was renamed Powers and Weightman, chemical manufacturers. Powers and Weightman developed a synthetic form of quinine, a prophylaxis for malaria. With importation of British quinine cut off during the Civil War, the company profited greatly through a quasi monopoly.

The company merged with Merck & Co. in 1927.

Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:

John Farr & Company records

Collection Identifier: Mss:610 1838-1841 F239
Scope and Contents:

John Farr & Company records include loose papers and a ledger concerning the settlement of John Farr's estate. The records date from 1838-1875.

Powers and Weightman records

Collection Identifier: Mss:61 1848-1899 P888
Overview:

Ledgers, daybook, building books, and account of stock of a chemical manufacturer of Philadelphia with a laboratory at Schuylkill Falls, Pennsylvania.