USA > Illinois > McHenry County > History of McHenry County, Illinois, Volume I > Part 20
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It is as a center for the manufacture of typewriters that Woodstock has become known all over the civilized world, the plants of two of the leading machines being located in this city. They form the chief in- dustrial factor of Woodstock, and are of great importance to the people here and throughout the county.
The Oliver Typewriter Company, the pioneer in this industry, has its plant near the railroad station, and it manufactures the Oliver type- writer. This machine is the direct materialization of a dream held for years by Rev. Thomas Oliver, a clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal Church. A natural mechanic, with a genius for inventing, he long worked over his ideas for improving the primitive "writing" machines. Probably because of his interest in them, he pursued his idea in his
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dreams, and one night had what he felt was a vision, and the following day put his recollection of it on paper. From this he worked out through days of experimenting what was the first Oliver typewriter. He con- structed several models before he was able to reach the fundamental principle of the now famous machine that bears his name. His was the first visible typewriter known. He made his experimental type-bars of two strips of common tin, but his model worked well, and he typed his sermons with it.
Doctor Oliver eommeneed making his typewriters while living at Epsworth, lowa, a short distance west of Dubuque. His first shop was on the second floor of a wooden building, the lower floor of which was used for a restaurant. Here he made twelve experimental machines, placed them on trial, thereby gaining a full dozen recommendations, and he was then able to organize a stock company with a paid-up capital of $20,000, or its equivalent. His fellow-townsmen so appreciated the value of Doctor Oliver's invention and its importance to their community that they built him a brick shop, and employment was given to sixteen em- ployes including Charles Fay, who accompanied him to Woodstock. The business so increased that it was deemed expedient to look for a per- manent location near Chicago, and in December, 1896, the business was moved to Woodstock and the plant established in the quarters formerly occupied by the Wheeler and Tappan Pump Company. With the un- derstanding that the plant was to remain at Woodstoek for a period of five years, the city donated the buildings above referred to. Many years have elapsed since then, and the plant is still at Woodstock, and em- ployment is now given to about 1,400 persons, the output being 325 machines daily. This contrasts vividly with the 100 machines which were the sole output of the first eight months' work of the company after coming to Woodstock. Six of the original employes came from Iowa to Woodstock with the company, namely: A. C. Peavey, Irving Greenlec, Robert Edwards, S. Horr, Charles Fay and Lester Carr. The Oliver Building at No. 159 North Dearborn street is the Chieago headquarters of the company.
The present officers are : Henry K. Gilbert, president ; Delevan Smith, vice president ; William B. Stewart, Jr., vice president ; John Whiteomb, vice president, who is in charge of sales; E. HI. Smith, sceretary and treasurer, who is in charge of production; and Frank M. Farnsworth, auditor.
The Woodstock Typewriter Company was organized under the laws of Illinois, under the name of the Emerson Typewriter Company, Sep-
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tember 14, 1909, and its plant was at Momence, III., and the Emerson typewriter was manufactured. Until the plant was moved to Woodstock in 1910, George M. A. Fecke was president of the company.
In December, 1910, the company was reorganized, and in June, 1911, discontinued manufacturing the Emerson typewriter, scrapping the tools, and commenced the production of the Woodstock typewriter according to the designs of Alvah C. Roebuck, the inventor. This ma- chine was first placed on the market in 1915 and has proved to be very popular. The company erected a spacious brick building in the eastern part of Woodstock, which contains 44,270 square feet of floor space, and additional space will soon be afforded. About 350 persons are employed and the output is abont fifty-five machines per day. Approximately fifty percent of these machines are sold in the United States, the re- mainder being shipped to foreign countries.
The present officers of this company are as follows: L. W. Meck- stroth, president ; Arnold J. Lethen, treasurer; N. W. Keating, secre- tary ; J. F. Swahlstedt, assistant treasurer ; O. Hokanson, chief engineer ; N. W. Marsilius, superintendent; Mack Marsilius, assistant superinten- dent ; and E. Lowe, purchasing agent.
MARENGO
In 1861 a flour-mill was built at Marengo by Butsford, IIowe & Spen- cer at a cost of $10,000. It was operated by steam, and an excellent custom business was carried on. In the eighties it was still operated, being then owned by S. K. Partholomew, who, however, only produced feed. With changes in methods of production and the growth of the great flour and feed corporations, this mill, with similar ones, went out of existenee.
A foundry and machine shop was established at Marengo in 1868, by Henry Deitz, but it later became the property of C. E. Kelley who enlarged the plant, added much modern machinery, including small engines and a line of pumps. About fifteen men were usually employed.
A cheese-box factory at Marengo was the outgrowth of a sash and blind factory which was started about 1878. It did not pay and so was converted into a coopering shop. After two years this coopering business was purchased by Wood & Sherwin, of Elgin, who began manufacturing cheese boxes. When butter and cheese were no longer produced by the farmers who found it more profitable to sell their milk, this faetory ceased making butter tubs and cheese boxes for which there was no longer a local market.
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A canning factory was established at Marengo in 1875 by E. F. and 1. 1 .. MeKinney. It was started in a small way, but was expanded as the volume of business warranted, and here for years were manufactured jellies and jams; all kinds of vegetables and fruits were canned, and several changes were made in location. All of the products were sold to Chicago groeers at excellent prices. From twenty to sixty persons were employed according to the season. At one time the output was sold direct to the United States government for use in the army. This factory has not been in operation for many years.
The L. Woodard Pickle Company was founded in 1882 by Loren Woodard, unele of W. C. Woodard, the present executive head. This company is incorporated, and the present officials are: W. C. Woodard, president : M. R. Woodard, secretary; and A. B. Woodard, treasurer. The L. Woodard Company are packers of salt pickles and fancy dill pickles, and in addition to the plant at Marengo, have plants at Harvard, Ill., and Covert, Hartford, Kingsley and Beulah, Mich.
HARVARD
In 1872 Burbank & Law erected at Harvard a malthouse which stood about twenty rods north of the depot, and its capacity was about 100 bushels per day. The product was sold at Chicago, Milwaukee and in Pennsylvania. On only a $5,000 capital the firm did an excellent business, exceeding 45,000 bushels of malt in their sales, but after three years elosed down, and the building was converted into a grain ware- house.
Another malthouse was established about the same date by the IIar- vard Malting Company, and it had a capacity of 250 bushels daily, and the business was under the management of E. E. Ayer. Three years later the malthouse was closed, but was soon afterwards sold to a Kenosha firm who made a number of improvements on the plant, erecting buildings costing $25,000. At one time this firm had on hand 60,000 bushels of malt.
A pickle factory was started at Harvard in the spring of 1883, which had a capacity of 30,000 bushels of pickles. That same season Clark & Brainard built a factory of about the same size as the Sawyer factory, and for some years both concerns did a large business.
The Harvard Flouring Mills were erected in 1857, by Jonathan Wells, and in 1860 the building was sold to Colonel Blandin, and in 1870 he sold to G. II. Wood, A. S. Gournee and P. C. Farnum who enlarged it
B.b. Felgueiras
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and converted it into a flouring mill of the old millstone type. Early in the eighties it was changed to a modern roller process mill where "patent" flour was made.
The IIunt, Helm & Ferris Company was established in 1883 and ineorporated in 1902. The original founders were C. E. Hunt and N. B. Helm, and II. L. Harris was the inventor and designor. The com- pany manufactures barn equipment and builders' hardware of the "Star Line" brand. During busy seasons employment is given to about 300 men. Shipments are made all over the United States and to South America and Europe. The present officials are : C. E. Hunt, president ; HI. L. Ferris, vice president ; H. J. Ferris, vice president; B. B. Bell, secretary and treasurer; II. B. Megran, assistant secretary ; and W. J. Heatley, assistant treasurer. The company has a branch at Albany, N. Y.
The Church Hay Barrier Manufacturing Company manufactured a hay earrier, invented by E. L. Church, and patented in 1874. IIe was then living in Wisconsin, and was not much more than a lad, but was a born inventor. His first carriers were manufactured at Rockford, Ill., but in 1880 he eame to Harvard, bought a building at the corner of Aver and Church streets, enlarged it, and increased his production to about 4,000 earriers annually. He had traveling men in all parts of the country and he did a big business, his sales extending even as far west as California. Subsequently this business was merged with the Hunt, Helm & Ferris Company.
In 1914 H. C. Beardsley founded what is now the Beardsley Candy Company, manufacturers and jobbers of the "Fern-Bee" confections, the latter name having been assumed in 1919. In the busy season em- ployment is given to thirty people. Sales are made to jobbers and re- tailers. The present officials are: II. C. Beardsley, president, and E. G. Fernholz, secretary and treasurer.
The Harvard Garment Company was established in 1920 by F. W. Lanning. This concern manufactures dolls and doll dresses, and sells to jobbers and retailers over the United States and Canada. About 200 dozen dolls are produced weekly, and employment is given to about thirty-four people.
ALGONQUIN
Benjamin Douglas and Colonel Hoffman built the first saw-mill in Algonquin Township in 1839, and it was located on Crystal Lake. In 1842 A. Dawson built a mill in the village of Algonquin. Another mill
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was also built on Chunn Creek in 1840 by Chunn & Toles. These men, with Mr. Northrop, ereeted a grist-mill on the same creek in 1862. Burgess & Cornish built a mill, on the Cornish farm, in 1848, which was propelled by the water from the outlet of Crystal Lake. The grist- mill on the cast side of the river at Algonquin was commenced by A. Dawson, and completed by Hlenry Petrie, in 1849. In 1850 Doetor Plumleigh built a brick grist-mill at Algonquin village on the lake outlet, and it carried on an excellent business way into the eighties.
The American Ironing Machine Company was founded in 1906, and they manufacture ironing machines, skirt boards, safety tapping at- taehments, abrasion metal cutters and clothes extractors. When running full capacity they employ about 250 men, and make about 200 ironing machines a day. They have branch offices in New York; Chicago; Pitts- burgh ; Minneapolis: Omaha; Denver; San Francisco; St. Louis; Rochester, N. Y .: Woodstock. Ontario; and have dealers in nearly every state in the United States. The present officers are: Herman G. Groose, president; Edward C. Peter, vice president ; Joseph W. Taft, secretary and treasurer; and the board of directors is composed of the following : Herman G. Groose, Edward C. Peter, Joseph W. Taft, Willis T. Peter, and W. W. Armstrong. The trade mark of this company is "Simplex."
ALDEN
As late as 1885 the butter and cheese industry was aetive at Alden, and there were four factories for the production of butter and cheese in Alden Township. The first one was built at Alden Station in 1869, and during its most flourishing period it used as much as 15,000 pounds of milk daily. The second of these factories was built in 1877, and was subsequently consolidated with the first. In 1879 F. Ferris & Company built a factory several miles beyond the town limits, and it had a daily consumption, in 1885, of 8,000 pounds of milk. When a change came in the milk industry, these factories went out of, existence, the milk now being shipped to Chicago through the several milk companies operating in the county.
MC JIENRY
The first saw-mill was built in the village of MeHenry in 1837, by a Mr. Barnum, who later sold it to James Salisbury and several associates. James Salisbury was instantly killed, while beneath the mill looking
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after the machinery, at which time the water was accidentally turned on, and this was said to be the first death in the county of a person to whom a regular Christian burial was given. Rev. Joel Wheeler Was the officiating elergyman.
The first grist-mill in McHenry was erected in 1851, by Owen Brothers, and they operated it until 1858. At that time E. M. Owen bought his brother's share. Changes were made mutil in 1885 it was a first-elass, roller-process mill, with a capacity of fifty barrels daily, em- ployment being given to twenty-five men.
In 1882 Richard Bishop established a pickle factory at MeHenry. Its capacity was 30,000 bushels, and employment was given twenty per- sons during the season. Richard Bishop also established, and for many years operated, a wagon factory, but his plant was totally destroyed by fire July 31, 1874. His loss was $30,000, and he had no insurance. In 1878, however, this plant was rebuilt upon a much larger seale, and for many years thereafter Mr. Bishop carried on an excellent business in making wagons.
George Gribbler built a brewery at MeHenry, but did not long re- main the owner, and after several changes, G. Boley bought the plant for $1,400, and at onee rebuilt it to a capacity of 1,200 barrels annually. IIe also had a malthouse in which he made his own malt. Until within recent years this business was a large and profitable one.
WEST MC HENRY
West MeHenry, formerly known as Georgetown, had several factories in the past, and also a grist-mill, the latter having been erected in 1872 by William Hanley. For years it was operated as a custom mill, and frequently took in 500 bushels of wheat a day.
A butter and cheese factory was started in 1881 by Oatman & Sons, at a eost of $5,000, being when completed the finest plant of its kind in MelIenry County. Its location, near Hanley Mills, was a convenient one for the farmers, and 12,000 pounds of milk were used a day in the making of butter and cheese.
The brick-making industry had its commeneement at West MeHenry in 1882 when 900,000 briek were made. The following year 1,800,000 briek were burned and sold, and employment was given to twenty-five hands.
In 1874 a large pickle factory was established at West MeHenry by a union company composed of farmers. For years it was operated under
!
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the name of Cristy, Walker & Company. The plant made its own vinegar, and the total value of it was placed at $40,000.
CRYSTAL LAKE
At present the importance of the ice industry at Crystal Lake does not compare with what it was in former years, when an immense business was carried on, "Crystal Lake lee" being then a household term with Chicago and MeHenry County people. For many years Crystal Lake was the great natural source of the ice supply for this portion of the state. In 1855 the Crystal Lake Ice Company was organized and its members comprised Messrs. Joy and Frisbie and several others. During that year the company stored about 8,000 tons of ice which Mr. Joy sold at Chicago. The ensuing year Joy & Frisbie became the sole proprietors and from then on they shipped annually to Chicago about 10,000 tons of iee, until 1860, when their warehouses were destroyed by fire. These gentlemen then organized another iec company, and for six years more carried on extensive operations, and then again were burned out.
From 1869 to 1873 there were no ice companies operating at Crystal Lake, with the exception of one small, private concern, whose total annual output did not exceed 2,000 tons shipped to Chicago. About 1873-4 C. S. and J. H. Dole put up and filled six mammoth icehouses, each having a capacity of about 1,250 tons, or a total capacity of 7,500 tons. In addition they shipped out 3,000 tons. The next year the capacity was increased to eight icehouses with a total capacity of 19,000 tons. During the winter of 1875-6 the partners filled their icehouses and shipped 1,200 carloads, a total output of 24,400 tons. In 1877 they erected a number of large ieehouses, and placed in operation a twenty- five horse-power steam engine for use in the various branches of the ice industry. These great ieehouses were located on the south end of Crystal Lake, in a beautiful grove near the outlet, and were feneed in with a tight board fence, eight feet high. Employment was given to many men who were cceupied in the winter with putting up the ice, and in the summer, with shipping it to outside points.
There eame a time, however, when the question arose as to the legal title to the waters of the lake, and court proceedings were instituted. Thereafter smaller, more shallow and marshy lakes, or ponds in the vicinity of Crystal Lake, were utilized for ice-getting purposes, and the product was sold in Chicago for a number of years, but as soon as it
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beeame generally known that the iee was not from Crystal Lake, the eon- sumers in Chicago and elsewhere sought and easily found places from which pure ice could be obtained.
Mueh enthusiasm was shown in 1879-80 over the proposed manu- faeture of sugar from sorghum. The government commission of agricul- ture eame to Crystal Lake from Washington City, and encouraged the enterprise. A sugar refinery was erected at Nunda, now Crystal Lake, and was owned by F. A. Waidner & Company, under the supervision of J. B. Thomas, of Baltimore, Md. The first year's results were indeed encouraging. A barrel of this sugar was sent to President Hayes, and after he had tested it, and given some of it to his friends, he wrote a very flattering letter to the company. For some unknown reason this project was discontinued.
A elover and fruit dryer was another project of the earlier history, but like the ones above mentioned, is not represented in the business life of Crystal Lake today.
In 1916 the Express Body Corporation started business at Crystal Lake. They make commercial bodies for automobiles, porch swings and pergolas, and sell in the United States and Europe. During the busy season employment is given to from fifty to sixty men. The present offieers are : O. C. George, president ; M. B. George, vice president ; and J. K. Seifert, secretary and treasurer.
SPRING GROVE
Large amounts of washed sand and pebbles are produced at an ex- tensive plant at Spring Grove, on the Milwaukee Railroad. This product is used in ornamenting walks, lawns and residenees in the larger cities. All foreign matter, dirt, grass, moss and roots, is washed out by a process requiring skill. The produet is shipped in trainloads over a wide area.
TERRA COTTA
The American Terra Cotta & Ceramie Company was founded by William D. Gates about 1885, and incorporated in 1887, and manu- factures architectural Terra Cotta and Teeo pottery. The product is shipped throughout the United States and Canada, the greater portion within the Middle West. The number of employes of these works is from 200 to 400, with an average of about 300. This is the largest plant of its kind in the United States. The company has another factory at
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Indianapolis, Ind. The present officials are: William D. Gates, presi- dent : M. E. Gates, assistant general manager ; Neil II. Gates, treasurer; A. Il. Sheffield, secretary ; and Fritz Wagner, Jr., sales manager.
RICHMOND
The first cheese factory in the county was started at Richmond, in 1866, by Dr. R. R. Stone and IIon. William A. McConnell.
The Nippersink Valley Creamery and Cheese Factory was built in 1880, at a cost of $1,800, and conducted by J. S. Overton & Son. In 1885, its capacity having in the meanwhile been greatly enlarged, this factory was producing 15,000 pounds of butter and 60,000 pounds of cheese.
The Wheeler Cheese Factory was opened in June, 1884. It was built at a cost of $3,500, and its capacity was 15,000 pounds of milk daily.
G. W. Eldridge and John McConnell established a pickle factory at Richmond in 1872, erecting their plant at a cost of $5,000. Its capacity was 25,000 bushels. This plant, or a similar one, is still in operation, and its product of many ears of salted encumbers is shipped to large pickle factories at different points.
The Richmond Flour Mills were the outgrowth of a mill built in 1844 by Cotting & Purdy, and subsequently acquired by W. K. Bacon, who, in 1871 sold to Cole, Cooley & Company. At that time the property was valued at $15,000, having been enlarged and improved. For a number of years this was the principal industry of the village.
THE FARMERS NEW ERA TELEPHONE COMPANY
By George A. Hunt
On the evening of April 23, 1904, a small company of farmers met at the home of J. H. Turner in Hebron Township and organized a telephone company. This company was christened The Farmers New Era Tele- phone Company, and was incorporated under the laws of Illinois May 25, 1904. This company had a very small beginning in everything except its name which covered quite a territory and proved to be in keeping with the later developments of its lines.
The first directors of the company were as follows: II. R. Hatch, J. J. Stewart, J. II. Turner, F. N. Torrance, C. C. IIunt, P. J. Weter, George A. Inut, D. M. Weter, II. F. Jones. At the first annual meet- ing J. T. Bower, Richmond, S. C. Johnston and J. H. Turner were elected, the first two succeeding II. R. Hatch and J. J. Stewart. At the second
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annual meeting F. N. Torrance, C. C. Hunt, Hebron, and Charles Kruse, Richmond, were elected, the latter taking the place of P. J. Weter. At the third annual meeting George A. Hunt, II. F. Jones and Gustav Miller of Richmond were elected, D. M. Weter retiring. The fourth year J. H. MeVey of Silver Lake took the place of S. C. Johnston, J. T. Bower and J. II. Turner being reelected. The fifth year M. R. Cole of Richmond took the place of F. N. Torrance and C. C. Hunt and Charles Kruse were reelected. The sixth year George A. Hunt, F. N. Torrance and F. E. Holmes of Dundee were elected on the board, Gustav Miller and If. F. Jones retiring. Since that time no changes were made on the board until the annual meeting in February, 1921, when Dr. C. W. Bailey was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of F. N. Torrance.
Sinee the company was incorporated George A. IInnt, now of Wood- stock, has been the president and C. C. IIunt, general manager of the company. The first vice president, D. M. Weter of Ilebron, served three years or until 1907 when he was succeeded by J. T. Bower of Richmond who has served continuously since that time. P. J. Weter was elected secretary of the company at the first meeting and served in that capacity two years. He was succeeded by W. D. Cornue who served four years, and he in turn was succeeded by F. N. Torrance who served as secretary and treasurer from February, 1910, to July, 1920, when he resigned and moved with his family to Minnesota. E. H. Lines, who succeeded Mr. Torrance, entered upon his duties as secretary August 1, 1920, and is the present ineumbent of the office.
The original capital stock of the company was only $5,000, distributed among forty stockholders. This capital was increased, December 20 of the same year to $15,000. May 5 of the following year it was again increased to $30,000 ; again July 10, 1906, to $50,000, and sinee February 6, 1907, the company has had an authorized capital stock of $100,000.
Among the first activities of the company was the purchase, July 7, 1904, from The Citizens Telephone Company, of the Hebron Telephone Exchange with seventeen subscribers and the farmer lines extending from Greenwood to Hebron and Bissel. A second purchase from The Citizens Company March 1, 1905, included the toll lines extending from Hebron to Alden, Harvard, Woodstock, MelIenry, Richmond, Solon Mills and Spring Grove.
A temporary agreement for the interchange of business was made with The Chicago Telephone Company, August 19, 1904. A more com- plete agreement was concluded with the Chicago Company (now The
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