In the 19th and through the mid-20th century, many started their working lives in their early and mid-teens. This was the case with William Irving Radner, who was about 15 when he started the American Window Cleaning Company in 1905.
William Radner was born in Russia and, with his family, emigrated to the United States in 1903. In 1905, he and a partner, Sam Wasserman, started the American Window Cleaning Company, considered the first of its kind in Western Massachusetts. In 1908, the name Radner Brothers appeared in newspaper ads, and city directories identified Louis Radner as part of the business. The company offered services for cleaning floors, windows, and signs.
In 1910, William Radner took over the Holyoke business, and his four brothers operated the Springfield business.
The business had two offices; one at 189 High Street in Holyoke, the other at 275 Main Stret in Springfield. In 1913, the Holyoke City Directory showed William Radner as president of the business and residing at 644 Dwight Street. The business had moved to 205 High Street in 1911. In 1926, Mr. Radner married Edythe Hallup of New York City in an event held at the Hotel Nonotuck.
The company moved its office in 1923 to 273 Appleton Street. The company needed additional space because it had branched out into the rug-cleaning business several years previously. The second floor was devoted to rug cleaning and associated business equipment. The company was using a new rug and carpet cleaning process called rug shampooing. This was a combination of clean water, soap, an electric brush, a vacuum, and an experienced operator. Both commercial and residential cleaning were offered, including factories and offices.
In 1926, William Radner became the sole officer of the corporation, as Sam Wasserman was no longer able to continue in his capacity due to poor health.
Around 1940, the company moved its office to 308 High Street and its rug cleaning center to the Tecnifax building at 193 Appleton Street.
In 1941, William Radner suffered an acute heart attack and died at age 51. Management of the company was passed to Sidney Radner, William's son. It was wartime, and Sidney Radner was unavailable to operate the business due to his military commitments. Edythe Radner successfully navigated the war years, operating the business. At the conclusion of the war, Sidney Radner resumed management of the business.
In December 1946, Sidney Radner married Helen Cohen, who oversaw decorating and sales at the company.
In 1949, the company advertised furniture cleaning as an additional service. Sidney Radner continued to travel to learn more about the latest products and techniques in rug cleaning.
Major changes in the business's location and operations occurred in 1958, and this will be revealed in the next installment of the American Window Cleaning Company.
Citations:
Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram; Springfield (Massachusetts) Republican; publication dates and pages are shown.
Ancestry.com (paid subscription): Price & Lee Holyoke, Massachusetts, City Directories
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