Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 47

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Rogers, Thomas H; Moffet, Hugh R; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago : Muncell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 972

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

firm was changed to Talcott, Emerson & Com- pany. In 1857 William A. Talcott, son of Wait Talcott, left Beloit College and assisted his father in the business. When Mr. Talcott be- came of age, in 1860, he was admitted as a mem- ber of the firm, the name of which was changed to Emerson & Company. Still later the name was changed to Emerson & Talcott, and Mr. Talcott was actively identified with the company until a short time before his death in December, 1900.

In 1895, forty-three years after its founding, the name was changed to the Emerson Manu- facturing Company, manufacturers of agricul- tural implements. At this time Charles S. Brantingham severed his connection with the Nelson Knitting Company, and became the sec- retary and manager of the Emerson Manufac- turing Company, which had then a capital of $200,000. In 1899, the nine-acre tract of land just west of the Winnebago street viaduct was purchased ; the capital was increased to $500,000, and three years later was doubled.

In March, 1905, the original ninety-acre tract on South Independence avenue was acquired, and building operations were begun in April. Subsequent purchases of land have been made, and plant No. 3, in Rockford, now has over 200 acres.

In October, 1909, the name was changed to Emerson-Brantingham Company, and the capital increased to $3,000,000. On July 17, 1912, the capitalization was authorized to be increased to $50,000.000 with a view to taking over several manufacturing plants in other cities. In August, 1909, the Pontiac Buggy Company, of Pontiac, Mich., was removed to Rockford and operated as the Emerson Carriage Company. Its product is buggies, spring wagons, etc. In April, 1912, the plant of the La Crosse Hay Tool Company, at Chicago Heights, Ill., was purchased, and is still in operation at that point. The product is hay tools, manure spreaders, etc.

In August, 1912, the Emerson-Brantingham Company took over several plants, located in various cities. One was the Rockford Gas En- gine Works, whose product was stationary gas engines. Another was the Geiser Manufacturing Company, at Waynesboro, Pa., also the plant of the same company at Greencastle, Pa., whose product is steam engines, separators, road rollers and sawmills. Other companies merged were Reeves & Company, Columbus, Ind., product,

threshing machinery and gas tractors ; Gas Traction Company, Minneapolis, Minn .; Gas Traction Company, Ltd., of Winnipeg, Canada, product, Big Four farm tractors ; Newton Wagon Company, Batavia, Ill., product, wagons and farm trucks; the American Drill Company, of Marion, Ind., which was removed to Rockford in July, 1914 ; its product is grain drills and seeders.

The Emerson-Brantingham Company operates the largest manufacturing plant in Rockford. It employs at times as many as 1,500 men, and its product goes to all parts of the world where agricultural implements are used. Beginning with 1852, when its founder, John H. Manny, made his first machines, the company has done business uninterruptedly sixty-four years. In this respect it stands alone. No enterprise with which the name of Ralph Emerson was promi- nently identified has ever failed. His Midas touch turned his ventures into gold. In his ear- lier years he was associated with strong men : John H. Manny, Wait Talcott, Sylvester Talcott, Jesse Blinn, William A. Talcott. When weight of years compelled him to take a less active part his mantle fell upon Charles S. Branting- ham, and to his constructive ability is due in large measure the later success of the Emerson- Brantingham Company. The officers of the company are: president, Charles S. Branting- ham ; first vice-president, E. P. Lathrop ; second vice-president, Fred Glover ;

secretary and treasurer, J. W. Mclachlan.

THOMPSON MANUFACTURING COMPANY.

N. C. Thompson came to Rockford in 1857 and built up a large plant on the water-power. Early in the sixties John P. Manny perfected his com- bined reaper and mower and began its manufac- ture on the water-power. In 1860 he made a contract with Mr. Thompson to manufacture his machine on a royalty. The machine at once be- came popular. It was light of draft, simple in construction, and did splendid work as a reaper and as a mower. The demand was so large that more factories had to be built, so that the plant extended from Main street to the river. For a number of years the average output was about 4,000 machines annually. These sold at about $150 retail. Mr. Manny, as inventor, received a royalty of $15 on each machine. As Mr. Thomp- son made about four thousand a year he re-

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

ceived about $60,000 a year for quite a number of years.

When the two-wheel reaper, made in Ohio, came on the market, Rockford lost its hold on the trade. It became a favorite and crowded out the one-wheel machines. Mr. Manny, at first, would not believe that the two-wheelers had come to stay, but finally set to work to bring out one of his own. It was a good machine and met with fair success, but the eastern machines had secured a big trade, and Rockford was un- able to regain its position.

This led or drove Mr. Thompson into the manu- facture of plows and cultivators. A contract was made with M. L. Gorham to manufacture his cultivators on a royalty basis. He received $3.50 on each riding cultivator and $2.50 on each walking machine. They filled the bill. The Gorham cultivators were popular with the farmers and thousands of them were made and sold. But the plow business was not a success. Thousands were made and shipped to the agents on commission. Many were returned and sent to the scrap pile. The Diamond plow was success- ful in a way, but it was high-priced. It was invented by L. W. Richardson, of Roscoe.

One of the inventions of which Rockford should have had the benefit was the twine binder. M. L. Gorham was the real inventor of that wonderful machine. Before its advent into the harvest field the sheaves were bound with wire. Mr. Gorliam was sanguine that wire would be succeeded by twine, and he was right. He be- gan to study and experiment in N. C. Thompson's factory. He had a number of skilled men to assist him, one of whom, T. M. Flenniken, was particularly inventive. At last a knot tier was invented, also a device for sizing the bundles and a machine was put together. It was tried in the field and imperfections were revealed. This de- layed matters a year. Meanwhile other inven- tors were at work and one of them it is said, paid Mr. Gorham a visit, during which he learned much concerning the Gorham binder, went home and soon after brought out a binder of his own, which did the work. Mr. Thompson had ex- pended thousands and thousands of dollars on the Gorham binder and finally had to sell his patents, which were purchased by the McCor- micks for $25,000. Six times that amount would not have reimbursed Mr. Thompson, yet he was helpless. The twine binders were in the market and they wrought a revolution in harvesting.

The profits on them were enormous, and he was in no condition financially to fight them. He made the best bargain he could. But the twine binder has made great fortunes for the Mc- Cormicks, the Deerings and others, an industry which should have made Rockford its home and Rockford people its beneficiaries.

Mr. Thompson failed with heavy liabilities in 1886. The company was re-organized and oper- ated for a time, but finally passed into the hands of S. P. Crawford, who was appointed assignee and paid a goodly portion of the indebtedness.

Although the Emerson and Thompson plants were the largest on the water-power, they were preceded by several other manufacturers. About 1848 James B. Skinner began business, which developed into the firm of Skinner, Briggs & Enoch. He was a son of Deacon Stephen Skin- ner, who had a blacksmith shop on North Main street, where the Palace theatre now stands. James B. worked with his father some years in the shop, and then began business for himself. In 1850 he erected a larger building, and oper- ated eleven forges. This blacksmith shop was said to be the largest in the west at that time. To this business he later added the manufacture of wagons. Mr. Skinner was the inventor of the first riding cultivator, rolling coulter, single riding plow and gang plow. In 1867 a Mr. Mead and C. C. Briggs were taken as partners. In January, 1868, Mr. Mead retired and was suc- ceeded by A. I. Enoch, under the firm name of Skinner, Briggs & Enoch. Plows and cultivators formed a large part of their output. The com- pany outgrew its limited plant and removed to the water-power. Mr. Skinner died in 1872, and C. C. Briggs and A. I. Enoch purchased the in- terest of the Skinner estate. The company failed and H. W. Carpenter was made assignee.

W. D. Trahern came to Rockford in 1848, and soon after began the manufacture of threshing machines and horse-powers, under the firm name of Trahern & Stuart. Mr. Stuart retired in 1856, and was succeeded by William Dales. He with- drew from the firm in 1862, and from that time Mr. Trahern conducted the business alone until his death in 1883. In later years Mr. Trahern devoted his exclusive attention to the manufac- ture of iron pumps. Mr. Dales subsequently en- gaged in the manufacture of the wood portions of grain separators, and did general job work in hard wood and sheet metal. After continuing for many years under the ownership of the Tra-

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

hern family, the company was taken over by the same interest that operates the Eclipse Gas Stove plant. The company is capitalized at $120,000, and has 150 employes.

In 1851 Orlando Clark began the erection of a foundry on the water-power. He came to Rock- ford in 1847, and established a foundry on the West side race, where he remained until the old dam went out in 1851. He was one of the in- corporators of the new water-power company a few months later.

In 1852 Isaac Utter came from Warsaw, N. Y., and formed a partnership with Mr. Clark, under the firm name of Clark & Utter. In the spring of 1853 this firm manufactured 150 combined reapers and mowers for John H. Manny. In 1869 the firm manufactured one thousand Gor- ham seeders. Their output also included sugar mills, evaporators and steam engines.

In 1854 John P. Manny began the manufacture of knife sections in Rockford for John H. Manny's reapers. He succeeded in producing a knife section that was hardened by his own peculiar process in oil tempering, which has never been surpassed to this day.

D. Forbes & Son established an iron foundry in 1854, and in 1864 the malleable iron works were added to the business. This plant was the nucleus of the Rockford Malleable Iron Works, now operated by George O. and Walter A. Forbes, sons of the late Alexander D. Forbes, and grand- sons of the founder. The company has a modern plant covering ten acres, at Kishwaukee street and People's avenue. In 1913 the capital stock was increased to $200,000. The company's specialty is castings for railroads, automobiles and agricultural implements, and 400 men are employed. Walter A. Forbes is president and George O. Forbes is secretary and treasurer.

William Gent came to Rockford in 1857, and was associated with John Nelson in scroll work, and later he assisted the inventor in perfecting his knitting machine. Mr. Gent was considered one of the best working mechanics in the state. He died June 20, 1887.

Frederick H. Manny came to Rockford in 1859, and built a large plant. He manufactured the John H. Manny combined reaper and mower, and the Rockford broadcast seed sower and cul- tivator combined.

Flouring mills were an important factor in Rockford industries. Moses Bartlett built a stone mill on the East side in 1854, with four

stories. Joseph Rodd came to Rockford from Canada in the autumn of 1853, and a few years later he embarked in the milling business on the east side of the river. The Troxell mill was built on the East side in 1853, and was purchased by Mr. Bartlett in 1865. Mr. Bartlett also owned a large mill on the West side. E. Derwent con- pleted a mill on the East side in 1863. T. Der- went & Sons began milling business in West Rockford in 1859. This plant was later owned by A. L. Bartlett & Co.

There were also several planing inills. LA- pointe & Derwent began business on the water- power in 1866. In the same year J. F. Lander erected a three-story structure, which was sub- sequently occupied by Blakeman & Dobson as a saslı and blind factory, and later owned by the Rockford Bolt Works. Nelson & Co. began busi- ness in 1865. Campbell & Wood commenced business in 1866 in a building which partially covered a large foundation for a planing mill, laid by Thomas Garrison, at the west end of the dam, but never completed. George Bradley & Co. opened the first steam planing mill in 1868, in a building later occupied by C. J. Weldon as a carriage shop.

Among other early manufacturers were Bert- rand & Samnes, who began business in the middle fifties, and manufactured plows, sulky culti- vators and vibrating coulters; Graham cotton mill, 1865; Rhoades, Utter & Co., paper mill, 1865; Rockford Woolen Mills, J. & W. Dyson, 1865; Northwestern Bolt Works, George Gun- saul & Co., 1866.

ROCKFORD BOLT WORKS.

One of the oldest plants on the water-power is the Rockford Bolt Works. The business began in 1866, under the ownership of George Chapman and Gilbert Gunsaul. The business was incor- porated in 1877 with S. B. Wilkins as president, and he retained this position several years. The company is capitalized at $20,000, and employs . fifty men. C. R. Wise, who has been identified with the company since 1870, is secretary and manager.

As the manufacturing industry of Rockford developed it gradually grew away from the old water-power. This was made possible by the in- troduction of steam and later by electric and gasoline power. A small portion of the manu- facturing plants are now operated by water-

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

power. Only one of the twenty-six furniture factories are in that district, and nearly all the larger concerns have been removed to or estab- lished in other parts of the city, where it is possible to secure more land. One of the results of this expansion has been the establishment of lunch rooms by the larger plants, where em- ployes can obtain meals at a minimum cost. Some of these are on a large scale, with elab- orate appointments and supervised by experts in domestic science.

A detailed mention of every plant in the city would exceed the limits of this chapter. On the other hand, no adequate conception of the mag- nitude of the manufacturing industry could be given without reference to some of the larger institutions that have borne a part in making the Rockford of today.

HESS & HOPKINS LEATHER COMPANY.

In 1866 L. M. Hess, Martin Krinbill and John Auman bought from G. Edson what is now the site of the Hess & Hopkins Leather Company. In 1868 it was rented to B. Hess & S. Tanner for three years. During this time the name was changed to Tanner & Cook, then to Tanner & Bronson. In 1871 Mr. Tanner continued the business alone. In 1874 L. M. Hess and H. H. Stone formed a partnership which continued for some three years. In 1877 H. H. Stone sold his interest to T. F. Hopkins, when it became the firm of Hess & Hopkins. In 1882 it was in- corporated as the Hess & Hopkins Leather Company. The plant covers about ten acres. The present officers are L. M. Hess, president ; A. F. Hopkins, vice-president; F. L. Morgan, secretary and general manager; G. F. Ehman, treasurer. The goods manufactured include harness, horse collars, saddles, fly nets and leather novelties, the company operating its own tannery and tanning harness leather, collar and skirting, and has recently started to tan sole leather. The capacity is 400 sides per day. The capital stock is $500.000. Employment is given about 450 people and the pay-roll is about $6,000 per week.

ROCKFORD BRASS WORKS.

The Rockford Brass Works was founded by the late Frank B. Trahern, and was incorporated in 1890 by his son, D. E. Trahern. The capital

is $10,000, and sixty men are employed. The company manufactures brass and bronze castings, and supplies for plumbers, gasfitters and steam- fitters. It also carries on an extensive jobbing trade. The officers of the company are: D. E. Trahern, president .; F. D. Keeler, secretary ; H. R. Trahern, treasurer.

W. F. AND JOHN BARNES COMPANY.

The W. F. and John Barnes Company is one of the most extensively known manufacturing plants in the city. It was established in 1872, and incorporated in 1882. It is capitalized at $150,000 and employs 300 men. The company inanufactures iron and woodworking machinery, and its machines are known as "Barnes drills" and "Barnes lathes." Many features of these drills and lathes are exclusive and are not to be found on other machinery of this class. Cata- logues are printed in foreign languages to meet the needs of its export trade. The Barnes plant covers six acres. John Barnes is president and Aubrey Barnes is secretary and treasurer.

ROCKFORD WATCH COMPANY.

The Rockford Watch Company was organized March 4, 1874, with a capital stock which was soon increased to $165,000. The first officers were: Levi Rhoades, president ; H. W. Price, vice-president ; H. P. Holland, secretary and treasurer. The company at one time manufac- tured twenty grades of "quick train" watches, which were sold over a wide territory. The business declined and passed into the hands of Irvin French as receiver, from whom the plant was purchased in 1901 by the present owners, M. C. and F. S. Eppenstein and Jacob Franks, of Chicago.

DOBSON MANUFACTURING COMPANY.

The firm of Blakeman & Dobson was estab- lished in 1880, and was located on the water- power. In 1SS3 the firm removed to the present site with an entire new plant. When Benjamin Blakeman retired from the firm the name was changed to its present form. The company makes a specialty of dairy appliances, consisting of re- volving barrel churns, butter-workers,. stock tanks and animal powers. It also handles build- ing material and does general woodworking. William Dobson is president and manager.

D.G. Littlefield

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

UNION FOUNDRY AND MACHINE COMPANY.

The Union Foundry and Machine Company was incorporated as a stock company in 1881. A few years later the plant passed into the control of George Peterson and he is now the sole owner, with W. G. Shapley as manager. The plant manufactures castings for machine tools and miscellaneous purposes, and does a strictly job- bing business. About fifty men are employed, and between 2,500 and 3,000 tons of iron ore an- nually consumed. The plant is on River street and occupies an acre and a half of ground.

ROCKFORD SILVER PLATE COMPANY.

The Rockford Silver Plate Company was founded in 1875 and incorporated under the title of the Racine Silver Company. It was carried on in that city until 1882, when it suffered a disastrous fire and the business was re-estab- lished in Rockford under the title of the Rock- ford Silver Plate Company. The original officers were : Henry W. Price, president ; Irvin French, vice-president ; George B. Kelly, secretary and treasurer. The original capital stock was $100,000, and afterwards increased to $125,000. The present officers of the company are: Wil- liam B. Barbour, president ; F. F. Wormwood, vice-president ; L. A. Littlefield, secretary and treasurer. The business of the company is the manufacture of high grade silver-plated table ware, and the product is sold to the retail jeweler exclusively throughout the country.

ANDREWS WIRE AND IRON WORKS,

The Andrews Wire and Iron Works was founded by Charles Andrews, Sr., in 1885, in the John Spafford building, on the corner of Madison and Market streets, now occupied by the Union Overall Company, The plant was removed to its present location in 1890, and was destroyed by fire early in 1893. The Andrews Wire and Iron Works was incorporated March 6, 1893. About 125 people are employed and the sales reach an average of a quarter of a million dollars an- nually. The officers of the company are : Charles Andrews, Sr., president; A. G. Andrews, vice president ; Charles Andrews, Jr., secretary and treasurer.

ECLIPSE GAS STOVE COMPANY.

An organization was formed in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1885, to make gas stoves under the trade name Eclipse. In 1887 the Van Wie Gas Stove Company, an outgrowth of the above or- ganization, was incorporated under the laws of Ohio, with P. G. Van Wie as president, and in 1889 George D. Roper, of Rockford, Ill., pur- chased a half interest in the Van Wie Gas Stove Company and induced it to move to Rockford. P. G. Van Wie retaincd his interest and was president of the company ; George D. Roper was secretary and treasurer. At this time H. W. Price, Robert McCullock and Judge John C. Garver were stockholders. A brick building was erected in the North End on Huffman boulevard, This factory was destroyed by fire in September, 1894. After closing up the affairs of the old company George D. Roper secured all the rights and titles to patents, name and good will, and organized the Eclipse Gas Stove Company, which was incorporated under the laws of Illinois in January, 1895. Associated with him in the new company were his father, Major George S. Roper, M. J. Green and W. H. Gaffney. The newly or- ganized Eclipse Gas Stove Company rented what was known as the Knowlton plant on the water- power, At that time and for several years they purchased their castings from outside foundries. In 1901 the business had increased to such an extent that a foundry was erected on ground leased from the Illinois Central Railway Com- pany. Plans at that time were formulated to locate the factory on this property, which ex- tended from Main street to within about 100 feet of the Winnebago street viaduct. Several large buildings were subsequently erected. In March, 1914, the building then occupied by the Inter- national Harvester Company was purchased as a warehouse; afterwards the space between this building and factory was enclosed, giving a frontage of about 160 feet on South Main street. In 1915 a plant was erected to do porcelain enameling.

The Eclipe Gas Stove Company is the largest gas stove plant in the United States, and manu- factures gas stoves exclusively, distributing its product largely through gas companies in every state in the Union, The output covers a wide range of appliances, from ranges suitable for the largest hotel, to single burner hot plate, every part of which is made in its own factory, buying

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

only the raw materials, such as pig iron, sheet steel and brass.

This company has in successful operation a dining room where its men can buy their noon- day meal at the exact cost of the food and pre- paring the same, no allowance being made for factory space, heat or lighting. In addition club rooms are also furnished, and as an incentive to encourage saving, one per cent is paid by the company in addition to the three per cent paid by the bank.

WARD PUMP COMPANY.

The Ward Pump Company was organized in 1SS9, with a capital of $50,000, and this is the amount invested in the plant at the present time. The original officers were : Frank Ward, president ; G. H. Stanley, vice-president; F. Lane, secretary ; Mary E. Ward, treasurer. After the death of Mr. Ward, his family continued the general ownership of the business. The present officers are : President, Miss Mary E. Ward ; vice-president, Mrs. Belle Lamont ; secretary and treasurer, O. W. Johnson. The company manu- factures a general line of iron pumps, including hand, windmill, tower and spray. Some of this product finds a foreign market, especially in England. There are about seventy employes.

SPENGLER-LOOMIS MANUFACTURING COMPANY

The Spengler-Loomis Manufacturing Company is the outgrowth of two older organizations. Spengler Brothers opened a machine shop on the water-power February 1, 1891, with a capital of a few hundred dollars. In 1914 the Automatic Pencil Sharpener Company, of Chicago, removed its business to Rockford and a consolidation was effected with the Spengler Company under the name . of Spengler-Loomis Manufacturing Com- pany. The company is capitalized at $120,000 and gives employment to 100 people. Its plant is at Kishwaukee street and Twenty-fourth avenue, where it manufactures a full line of hardware specialties and automatic pencil sharp- eners. E. C. Loomis is president of the company and Charles C. Spengler is secretary.

INGERSOLL MILLING MACHINE COMPANY.

The Ingersoll Milling Machine Company was incorporated in Ohio in 1888, and was removed

to Rockford May 1, 1891. The company manu- factures milling machines, heavy type multiple spindles, used by manufacturers of automobiles in finishing cylinders, crank cases, transmission cases; used by railroad shops in finishing loco- motive side rods, driving boxes, shoes, wedges and cylinders; used by printing press manu- facturers in finishing side frames, distributing tables and end frames ; used by manufacturers of stationary gas and steam engines in finish- ing main engine frames; used by manufacturers of electrical machinery in finishing motor frames. These machines weigh from 30,000 to 300,000 pounds each. They are mostly driven by independent motors. The smallest sized ma- chines require a fifteen-horsepower motor; the largest requiring a seventy-five-horsepower motor. The company is capitalized at $1,000,000 and gives employment to 425 operatives. The officers are : Winthrop Ingersoll, president; W. C. Sproul, secretary ; J. R. Johnson, super- intendent.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 47

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Rogers, Thomas H; Moffet, Hugh R; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn Publication date: 1903 Publisher: Chicago : Muncell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 972

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Rogers, Thomas H; Moffet, Hugh R; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago : Muncell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 972