USA > Illinois > Winnebago County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II > Part 48
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FREE SEWING MACHINE COMPANY.
The Free Sewing Machine Company was or- ganized under the name of Illinois Sewing Machine Company on May 14, 1895, with a capital stock of $25,000. The stock was in- creased to $100,000 on February 17, 1898. On February 16, 1910, the name was changed to the Free Sewing Machine Company. The capital stock was increased to $1,000,000 on November 13, 1912. The managing officers are: W. C. Free, president, and V. M. Johnson, secretary and general manager. The company does a large business, manufacturing principally "The Free" machine, which is sold at a higher price than any other machine now on the market.
BARBER-COLMAN COMPANY.
The original partnership was formed between W. A. Barber, of Warrens, Wis., and Howard D. Colinan, then of Beaver Dam, Wis., in June, 1891, and the first machine put on the market was a check pump for use in creameries. In 1900 the firm began the sale of a hand knot- tying implement for use in cotton mills, and es- tablished a branch office in Boston, Mass., and in 1901 the firm established another branch in Manchester, England. In 1902 they built on their present location at the corner of River
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and Loomis streets, Rockford. In 1904 they put on the market a warp-tying machine, also to be used in cotton mills, and their present line of manufacture covers not only these cot- ton mill machines, but also a varied line of milling cutters and machine tools used by auto- mobile manufacturers and other machine shops. The present number of employes at Rockford is about 1,000, and branches are maintained at Boston, Mass .; Detroit, Mich .; Manchester, England; Greenville, S. C .; Chicago, Ill .; Munich, Germany.
The present members of the partnership are Howard D. Colman, Luther L. Miller and Harry A. Severson.
NATIONAL LOCK COMPANY.
The National Lock Company was organized October 27, 1903, with a capital of $5,000. This capital was soon increased to $50,000. Then to $150,000, and later to $500,000. Its purpose is the manufacture of cabinet locks used by fur- niture makers. The goods now manufactured include cabinet locks, hinges and cabinet butts, furniture trimmings, wood screws and wire nails. The company originally employed 20 peo- ple, and now employs 450. The officers of the company are : P. A. Peterson, president ; D. R. Peterson, vice-president; F. G. Hogland, secre- tary and treasurer ; E. C. Traner, assistant sec- retary ; V. B. Nelson, superintendent.
GREENLEE BROTHERS AND COMPANY.
Greenlee Brothers and Company is an Illinois corporation with a capital of $500,000, and is engaged in the business of manufacturing spe- cial woodworking machinery, mechanics' tools for woodworkers and also a line of flat turret lathes for metal working. The business was originally established in 1866 by the two Green- lee brothers of Chicago. In later years it was changed to a corporation, of which W. B. Greenlee is president; James A. Lounsbury, vice-president, and George C. Purdy, secretary, treasurer and general manager. The plant was removed to Rockford in 1904, and at the pres- ent employs about 450 people.
J. L. CLARK MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
The J. L. Clark Manufacturing Company was incorporated in 1904, and is capitalized at
$100,000. Its product is lithographed tin boxes and cans and hardware specialties. The com- pany has a thoroughly modern plant on Twenty- third avenue, between Fifth and Seventh streets. Its ventilating system is such that a complete change of air is made in the shops every ten minutes. An average force of 125 men is employed. J. L. Clark is president, and L. H. Clark is secretary and treasurer.
STONEFIELD-EVANS SHOE COMPANY.
The Stonefield-Evans Shoe Company is the outgrowth of a business founded by R. Angle- mire, in 1873, and located on North Wyman street. It was incorporated as the Union in 1902, and re-incorporated under its present name in 1909. The capital stock for some years has been $100,000, and in May, 1916, it was increased to $250,000. P. A. Peterson is president and P. A. Anderson in secretary and treasurer. The com- pany manufactures exclusively a high grade of men's shoes and employs 140 men. The daily output is 600 pairs. Some of this product finds a market in Hawaii and South America. The plant is located at Sixth street and Tenth avenue.
ROCKFORD DROP FORGE COMPANY.
The Rockford Drop Forge Company is com- paratively a new industry, yet its growth has been rapid. It was incorporated in January, 1912, with a capital of $100,000 and in Feb- ruary, 1915, it was increased to $200,000. It is housed in a structure of solid re-inforced con- crete and glass, which is one of the first of the kind in Rockford. Its product is for the use of automobile manufacturers and the makers of machine tools and consists of drop forgings, special parts and other articles in this line. Its business is entirely with manufacturers. The company employs 100 men. P. A. Peterson is president, and Levin Faust is secretary and treasurer. On June 1, 1916, the Drop Forge Company had orders booked ahead aggregating nearly $1,000,000, which have been received from automobile plants in the country. The company is now erecting a large addition to afford facili- ties for its rapidly increasing business.
THE KING COMPANY.
The growth of the King Company has been phenomenal. It was organized in 1912 and did
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY
business in an inconspicuous way in a frame building on North Madison street. In 1913 the coupany removed to quarters in the new Ziock building on South Wyman street. The King Company manufactures many articles that are used in the household. They include toilet soaps and preparatious, spices, extracts, cough syrups and proprietary remedies. In February, 1916, the company voted to increase its author-' ized capital stock to $250,000. William H. Ziock is president of the company and William Seyler is secretary.
BURD HIGH COMPRESSION RING COMPANY.
The Burd High Compression Ring Company was organized November 30, 1914, and now has a capitalization of $200,000. The sole product of the company is the Burd high compression piston ring, which is used extensively in the manufacture and repair of internal combustion engines of all classes, including automobiles, aeroplaues, stationary engines, tractors, etc. The company employs 250 men and produces 25,000 rings daily. The officers of the company are: R. L. Burd, president; A. A. Martin, vice- president and sales manager ; F. F. Wormwood, treasurer ; O. P. Hand, secretary and general manager. The company has branches and sales offices in seventeen American cities.
ROCKFORD'S KNITTING INDUSTRY.
Rockford is the greatest hosiery manufactur- ing center in the West. There are five factories, with a combined capital of $2,130,000. They give employment to two thousand operatives and the value of their output under normal con- ditions reaches nearly $5,000,000 annually. These plants manufacture all kinds of hosiery. Eachi, however, has its own specialty. Two make men's socks only; two make women's liose, and one makes hose for men and women. Rockford's pre-eminence in this industry has been achieved by the genius of two of her own citizens, John Nelson and William W. Burson. The machines perfected by them are used in the old world, in preference to all others.
In 1866 John Nelson aud W. W. Burson, under the firm name of Burson & Nelson, undertook the invention of a family knitting machine. After prolouged and tedious effort a power machine was perfected. Patents were
issued in 1868-1870 and 1872-1873. On De- cember 25, 1869, the part now known as the "presser hook" was developed. On July 23, 1870, the first sock was knit by an automatic machine in Rockford. The socks came from the machine joined together and were separated by hand, and the toes closed. In 1872-1873 the parallel row machine was developed. This was the real beginning of Rockford's great knitting industry. "Rockford seamless socks" were the first hosiery of the kind and drove the old time goods out of the market.
NELSON KNITTING COMPANY.
The Nelson Knitting Company was organized in 1870, and incorporated uuder the laws of Illinois in 1880, with a capital stock of $50,000, which has been increased to $160,000. The original officers were: William Brown, presi- dent ; John Nelson, vice-president ; A. S. Ruhl, secretary and treasurer. The first directors were : Ralph Emerson, William Brown, W. A. Talcott, Jolin Nelson, F. R. Brown, William Nel- son, A. S. Ruhl. The company manufactures men's cottou socks exclusively. Its patent auto- matic machines knit 5,000 dozeu pairs of socks every day, or 60,000 pairs. Three million pounds of yarn is cousumed anuually. The Nelson gives employment to 500 operatives. The present of- ficers are: F. R. Brown, president; W. H. Ziock, vice-president; A. S. Ruhl, secretary and treasurer.
ROCKFORD MITTEN AND HOSIERY COMPANY.
The Rockford Mitten and Hosiery Company was the second to enter the local field. It was established in 1881 as the Rockford Mitteu Company. Iu 1885 there was a consolidation with the St. Charles Woolen Mills of St. Charles, Mo., and the name was changed to the Rockford Mitten and Hosiery Company. It was at this time that the late W. H. Ziock became the presi- dent of the company and retained this position until his death in 1905, when he was succeeded by his son, W. H. Ziock, Jr. The company has a capitalization of $600,000, and manufactures woolen socks for men and hosiery for women and misses. It gives employment to 500 opera- tives. The product is marketed entirely in the United States. W. H. Heiliger is secretary of the company.
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY
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BURSON KNITTING COMPANY.
The Burson Knitting Company operates the largest plant of its kind in Rockford. It was in- corporated in 1892 with a capital of $24,000. The Burson machines were introduced and there are now two thousand of them in operation in the plant. They turn out five thousand com- pleted pairs of women's hose every day. This product is sold mainly to the domestic trade ; although it has found a market in South America, South Africa, Australia, New Zea- land and England. The company is now cap- italized at $650,000 and gives employment to 700 people. The plant covers two city blocks and the floors measure more than 165,000 square feet. Ralph Emerson was president up to his death in August, 1914. He has been succeeded by his son-in-law, William E. Hinchliff. E. P. Lathrop is vice-president, and N. F. Thompson, Jr., is secretary and treasurer.
FOREST CITY KNITTING COMPANY.
The Forest City Knitting Company is oper- ated by sons of the late John Nelson. It was incorporated in 1890 with a capitalization of $60,000, which has been increased to $120,000. Its product, 3,000 dozen pairs a day, is men's cotton socks, and is sold to jobbers instead of the retail trade. There are nearly 150 employes on the pay-roll. William Nelson is president of the company ; Oscar Nelson, vice-president; F. F. Nelson, secretary and treasurer. A fourth son, J. F. Nelson, inherits not a little of the inven- tive genius of his distinguished father, and he has contributed various improvements to the machines now in use.
B. Z. B. KNITTING COMPANY.
The B. Z. B. (Burson, Ziock and Brown) Knitting Company is the last to enter the local field. It was incorporated in 1910, and is cap- italized at $600,000. Its product is ladies' lisle, mercerized and silk hose, and its market is en- tirely in the United States. The company has 125 employes. W. H. Ziock is president and F. R. Brown is secretary.
S. B. WILKINS COMPANY.
One knitting company founded by S. B. Wil- kins has been removed from the city. It was
incorporated January 1, 1884, with a capital of $50,000 which was increased to $75,000 and then to $250,000. The company manufactured a full line of yarns and hosiery. The value of its' yearly product sometimes reached $450,000. S. B. Wilkins was president and J. W. Hart was secretary and treasurer. The business was re- moved to Kenosha in 1892.
THE FURNITURE INDUSTRY.
Rockford ranks third among the cities of the West in the manufacture of furniture. It is surpassed only by Chicago and Grand Rapids. There are now twenty-six factories in opera- tion, which represent a capital, authorized and surplus, of approximately $4,500,000. The total value of their product is approximately $7,500,000 per annum. This vast industry is capitalized and operated almost exclusively by local Swedish-American citizens. The co- operative plan was popular some years ago, and still prevails to some extent, but in later years the capital has become more centralized. The stock in some of the factories is worth three or four times its par value and all stock in this industry is considered good. The industry in Rockford is engaged principally in the manu- facture of "case goods," or, in other words, dining room and library furniture, consisting of buffets, china closets, extension tables, serv- ing tables, book-cases, library tables, etc., of medium grade. Two factories manufacture chairs, one manufactures upholstered furniture, one makes bedroom furniture, while several plants manufacture music cabinets, cheval mir- rors, hall seats, shaving stands, pedestals and wood lamps and shades.
The furniture industry has been entirely de- veloped since the Civil war, and by far the greater portion is the product of the last quar- ter century. There were, however, individuals who made furniture in a small way at a much earlier period. The furniture industry proper dates from 1869, when Andrew C. Johnson began in a small way as sole proprietor on the water- power. In 1872 he formed a partnership with J. P. Anderson. The late Jonas Peters, then a traveling man, induced the firm to extend its business by the manufacture of new lines of goods. In 1873 L. D. Upson was admitted as a third member of the firm, and a factory on the site of the Central furniture plant was
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY
erected. Mr. Johnson and Mr. Anderson re- tired, and E. L. Herrick became a member of the firm, which was known as Upson & Her- rick. The factory was destroyed by fire January 21, 1877. William N. Upson, a watchman, and a brother of the senior member of the firm, lost his life.
FOREST CITY FURNITURE COMPANY.
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A. C. Johnson, upon leaving the water-power, in company with J. P. Anderson established an independent business in a building at the corner of Railroad avenue and Seventh street. In 1874 Gilbert Woodruff became interested in the industry, and in that year the Forest City Furniture Company was organized. It is there- fore the real pioneer in the manufacture of fur- niture on a large scale. Mr. Woodruff was president ; Charles H. Keith, secretary and treasurer, and A. C. Johnson superintendent. Mr. Keith died in December, 1877, and was suc- ceeded by Lyon P. Ross. W. F. Woodruff suc- ceeded his father as president, and E. A. Clarke is now secretary and treasurer.
UNION FURNITURE COMPANY.
The success of the Forest City quickened the ambition of other practical men. The Union Furniture Company was organized in 1876. The promoters were Jonas Peters, John Erlander, John Pehrson and James Sundquist. P. A. Peterson, who came to Rockford from Sweden in 1852, was chosen secretary. This was the beginning of the business career of one of the most remarkable men who ever resided in this city ; and is today the great organizing genius of the furniture industry in Rockford. He has been secretary of the Union forty years, and is interested in more home industries than any other citizen. The financial panic of 1893 left lıim with nothing save indomitable energy and the keenest sense of honor. Thus panoplied he retrieved his fortune, and has greatly augmented it. The Union plant was burned August 25, 1889. The company removed from the water- power to the southeast end, and established a plant which covers ten acres, and employs 225 men. The capital stock is now $120,000. Robert C. Lind is president. The company's specialty is library and dining-room furniture.
CENTRAL FURNITURE COMPANY.
The Central Furniture Company was incor- porated in January, 1879. The promoters were : S. A. Johnson, L. M. Noling, August Peterson, A. P. Floberg, A. G. Johnson, Peter Parson, H. F. Peterson, A. N. Noling, J. R. Anderson, P. J. Friberg and Samuel Lundin. The original capital was $22,500, which has been increased to $80,000. The Central is the only furniture factory on the water-power, and gives employ- ment to ninety men. Its furniture finds a sale in Mexico and Canada besides the regular do- mestic trade. S. A. Johnson is president and Oscar E. Landstrom is secretary and treasurer.
CO-OPERATIVE FURNITURE COMPANY.
The Co-operative Furniture Company was organized in July, 1880, with a capital stock of $25,000. The plant was destroyed by fire in January, 1888. The company was prosperous, however, until the financial depression of 1893, and for some years thereafter the plant was practically closed. In 1898 Charles J. Lund- berg, the present secretary, purchased the inter- est of the stockholders, and placed the plant on a money-making basis. The company gives employment to 120 men, and sells its output entirely to the domestic trade. Alfred Larson is president.
ROCKFORD CHAIR AND FURNITURE COMPANY.
The Rockford Chair and Furniture Company dates from 1880. The company operates two establishments, known as Plant A and Plant B, which are two miles apart. The capital stock is $100,000, and the normal business of the com- pany requires the employment of 250 men. C. A. Newman is president, and Robert C. Lind is secretary and treasurer.
STANDARD FURNITURE COMPANY.
The Standard Furniture Company was incor- porated in 1887. The original capital stock was $75,000 and has been increased to $125,000. The plant covers an entire block from Parmelee to Eleventh streets on Railroad avenue, and has 100,000 square feet of floor space. The Standard employs 150 men, and its entire product is sold in the domestic market. P. A. Peterson is
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY
president, and A. L. Hultquist is secretary and treasurer.
SKANDIA FURNITURE COMPANY.
The Skandia Furniture Company was organ- ized in January, 1889. The original authorized capital stock was $50,000, which has been in- creased to $100,000. The present officers are : P. A. Peterson, president; C. J. Swenson, vice- president; W. A. Brolin, secretary and treas- urer. The plant employs about three hundred men. The products of the plant consist of com- plete dining-room and library suites, bookcases, odd pieces in oak, mahogany and walnut, and the "Viking" sectional bookcase.
WEST END FURNITURE COMPANY.
The West End Furniture Company was organ- ized July 7, 1890, with a capital stock of $50,000, which has been increased to $100,000. Frank A. Ticknor is president, and J. H. Lynn is secre- tary and treasurer. The company has about 115 men on its pay-roll. Its product is princi- pally dining-room and library furniture. The company is about to establish a foreign trade, and has recently placed an agent in Buenos Ayres, Argentine Republic.
MECHANICS' FURNITURE FACTORY.
The Mechanics' Furniture factory, since its origin in 1890, has developed into one of the largest enterprises of its kind in the city. It is capitalized at $75,000, and employs an average of 200 men. The company sent some furniture to England a few years ago, but it has never attempted to build up a foreign trade. P. A. Peterson is president, J. August Johnson, secre- tary, and A. P. Floberg is treasurer.
ROYAL MANTEL AND FURNITURE COMPANY.
The Royal Mantel and Furniture Company was incorporated May 10, 1892, with a capital stock of $100,000, and it is still doing business on this basis. The company makes a full line of dining-room furniture, and caters entirely to domestic trade. There is an average of 115 employes on the pay-roll. R. C. Lind is pres- ident, and D. R. Peterson is secretary and treasurer.
ROCKFORD FRAME AND FIXTURE COMPANY.
The Cream City Mirror Plate Company was organized in Milwaukee in 1889, and came to Rockford in 1893. It underwent several changes, and was incorporated in 1901 under the name of the Rockford Frame and Fixture Company. The original capital was $25,000, and it has grown to $150,000. The plant covers four acres and has 100,000 square feet of floor space. The company now employs seventy-six workmen. A. G. Webber is president; C. F. Tholin, vice- president; Miss Marion Garmory is secretary and treasurer.
ROCKFORD CABINET COMPANY.
The Rockford Cabinet Company manufactures chamber furniture exclusively. It was incor- porated in 1894, has a capital of $60,000, and employs 280 men. The company sends goods to Cuba, Mexico and Canada. P. A. Peterson is president, and O. E. Landstrom is secretary.
ROCKFORD DESK COMPANY.
The Rockford Desk Company was incor- porated in 1896. The plant was destroyed by fire January 15, 1912, but it was immediately rebuilt. The company is capitalized at $54,000, and employs 100 men. R. C. Lind is president, and H. R. Truesdell is secretary.
ROCKFORD FURNITURE COMPANY.
The Rockford Furniture Company occupies the building of the old Burial Case factory, although a large addition has been erected. Its charter bears date of October 14, 1905, and has an authorized capital of $150,000. One hundred men are employed, and the company makes a specialty of dining-room furniture. W. A. Brolin is president, and B. A. Wilson is secretary.
EMPIRE MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
The Empire Manufacturing Company was in- corporated in 1906, and has an authorized capital of $200,000. It is engaged in the manu- facture of what is known to the trade as "case goods," and employs 150 men. The plant is located at Eleventh avenue and Harrison. The
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY
office of president is now vacant; F. G. Hog- land is vice-president, and John P. Kowsky is secretary and treasurer.
ILLINOIS CABINET COMPANY.
The Illinois Cabinet Company manufactures a full line of "case goods," including kitchen cabinets and buffets. It is capitalized at $200,- paid-up capital of $100,000. The company has 000, and employs 140 operatives. John P. Lun- dell is president, and K. E. Knutsson is secre- tary. The company was incorporated in 1906.
EXCEL MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
The Excel Manufacturing Company, located on Seminary street, near the Illinois Central tracks, was organized in 1907, with a capital stock of $25,000, which has been increased to $50,000. Seventy-five workmen are now em- ployed. A. P. Floberg is president ; A. Carlson, vice-president and superintendent ; J. A. Carl- strom, secretary and treasurer. The company has some indirect trade with South America.
ROCKFORD NATIONAL FURNITURE COMPANY.
The Rockford National Furniture Company manufactures dining-room furniture exclusively. It was incorporated in 1907, and is capitalized at $100,000. C. F. Johnson is president, and August Peterson is secretary and treasurer.
ROCKFORD PALACE FURNITURE COMPANY.
The Rockford Palace Furniture Company is capitalized at $30,000, and was incorporated in January, 1897. It manufactures "case goods" and employs 60 workmen. Anton E. Carlson is president, and Otto Grantz is secretary and treasurer.
ROCKFORD BOOKCASE COMPANY.
The Rockford Bookcase Company was for- merly engaged in the manufacture of book- cases, but is now directing its attention to sew- ing machine woodwork. This product is used by the Free Sewing Machine Company and by manufacturers in other cities. It is capitalized at $60,000, and employs 100 men. The officers are : P. A. Peterson, president ; W. L. Anderson,
secretary ; A. E. Johnson, treasurer. The com pany was incorporated in 1909.
ROCKFORD SUPERIOR FURNITURE COMPANY.
The Rockford Superior Furniture Company is one of the latest accessions to this industry. It was organized in November, 1910, and has a
placed its product in the large buying centers, and has thus established a trade that has ex- ceeded the expectations of the promoters for the first years. One hundred workmen are em- ployed. P. O. Ugarph is president ; N. J. Sand- berg, vice-president; A. W. Mann, secretary and treasurer.
ROCKFORD CEDAR CHEST COMPANY.
The Rockford Cedar Chest Company was organized in 1911, and has a capital of $20,000. It manufactures cedar chests exclusively, and has a capacity for turning out forty completed chests daily. Although it is comparatively_a new organization, it has built up an excellent business. Adolph Ohlin is president; John Erickson, secretary and treasurer.
ROCKFORD LIGHT FURNITURE COMPANY.
The Rockford Light Furniture Company manufactures piano benches, floor and portable lamps, and a general line of mahogany lighting fixtures. It was incorporated in 1911, is cap- italized at $50,000, and now has thirty-two men on its payroll. The company has consigned goods to Canada, South America and the insular possessions of the United States. C. J. Lund- berg is president, and Carl W. Pierson is secre- tary and treasurer.
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