History of Rice County, including explorers and pioneers of Minnesota and outline history of the state of Minnesota, Part 59

Author: Neill, Edward D. (Edward Duffield), 1823-1893. 1n; Bryant, Charles S., 1808-1885. cn
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Minneapolis : Minnesota Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 626

USA > Minnesota > Rice County > History of Rice County, including explorers and pioneers of Minnesota and outline history of the state of Minnesota > Part 59

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POLAR STAR MILLS .- This mill was commenced soon after a mill was burned which occupied the same place, and is a three-story brick building with a stone basement, 60x62 feet. At first it had seven run of stones, and in about a year two more were added, and in addition to the water a steam engine of 125 horse-power was put in. The cost of the engine and house was about $9,000. The mill was built by a stock company, consisting of the following: T. A. Bean, William Tennant, A. P. Stary, Miles Hollister, T. B. Clement, L. R. Weld, G. W. Lewis, R. A. Mott, G. G. Gunhus, H. W. Bingham, and D. W. Humphrey. The com- pany operated the mill until 1878, when it was leased by Bean & Tennant, who have since oper- ated it. In 1881, it was transformed into a roller mill, and it now has the ability to deliver 325 barrels a day. The company has kept the mill up to the modern standard of efficiency in order to produce the best flour. A cooper shop is in operation in connection with the establishment. The cost of the mill with the power was about 47,000. The old mill that occupied this site was built in 1862, by Alexander Faribault and Henry Mehlhorn. It had two run of stones, driven by two wheels, and eight feet head of water-now there is eleven feet fall. The building was orig-

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HISTORY OF RICE COUNTY.

inally frame, but was veneered over with brick. It was sold to Sater & Bangs not long after it was built, who improved it somewhat. Sater subse- quently sold his interest, and Mr. Bangs con- verted it into a five-run mill. In 1867, it was sold to the Bean Brothers & Tennant, and they oper- ated it until it was burned on the 9th of Decem- er, 1876, at a loss of $25,000.

MATTESON'S MILL .- In 1865, H. M. Matteson and Luke Hulett began the erection of a mill a few rods above the confluence of the two rivers. The size of the mill was 30x80 feet, and was adapted to four run of stones. The power was derived from a dam thrown across the river at the point mentioned, and was a combined mill and elevator. The firm continued as Matteson & Hu- lett for eighteen months, when Matteson became the proprietor. This mill kept in operation, and iu 1879 a set of rolls were put in. In 1880, an- other was added, and the capacity increased to one hundred barrels a day. The principal brands were " We Bet," "You Bet," and "Old Comfort." The mill was burned in 1881.

RENDALL MILL. - In 1866, this mill was built by Louis Carnfel and J. D. Greene. In 1874, it came into the hands of Greene & Gold. Its loca- tion is on Fourteenth street and the Straight River. Water and steam are both used as a power, there being a head of six or seven feet. When the general revolution in milling was in full progress this mill, being exposed, caught the epidemic, and went through the change success- fully. There are the corrugated and smooth rolls, five of the one and three of the other, and one of porcelain. It turns out 150 barrels a day and has a storing capacity of 25,000 bushels. The flour is high grade.

MILLERS' ASSOCIATION ELEVATOR .- This was put up in 1881. The size is 32x60 feet, and one hundred feet high. It has a capacity of 60,000 bushels. The power to work it is derived from the foundry near where it is located. Mr. J. D. Greene, one of the most enterprising millers in this region, built this elevator and owns and operates it. In its construction due regard was paid to the most economical methods of handling the grain, and the latest devices that had proved valuable were adopted. Au enormous amount of grain is handled in it in the course of the year.

PRATT'S ELEVATOR .- When the railroad was first completed an elevator with a capacity of

100,000 bushels was built, and this was operated until may, 1881, when it was burned. The pres- ent building was put up by S. W. Pratt. It is 30x50 feet, and reaches up eighty feet high; it has a capacity of 50,000 bnshels. The power is de- rived from the engine that pumps water to supply the tank at the station.

FARIBAULT WOOLEN MILL .- C. H. Klemer, in 1865, put a carding machine into an old wagon shop 18x20 feet, situated on Chestnut street be- tween Fourth and Fifth, using a five horse-power steam engine. In 1869, a feed mill was put into the establishment, which, however did not run long. He then made cotton batting for two years or so, bringing the material from St. Louis. After awhile, as the business did not prove remu- nerative, it was suspended. In 1872, having meantime enlarged the building, a regular set of woolen machinery was put in, for the manufac- ture of yarn. In 1877, still other machinery was added, including three looms and other appliances for making cloth. The mill now has three cards, a spinning-jack, with 144 spindles, one wide loom, and three narrow ones, one twister, one shearing machine, one brush machine, one jig, one picker, with warping, washing and other machines for the manufacture of flannels, blankets, varns, and other woolen goods that are in active demand. Mr. Klemer is now building a stone factory, two stories and a basement, 44x100 feet, near the river on Third street, and will greatly enlarge the business.

E. M. LEACH'S SASH, DOOR, AND BLIND FACTORY AND PLANING MILL .- This is one of the old estab- lishments of Faribault, as it was first started in 1857, by L. C. Ingram, as a sash, door, and blind factory, using a wind-mill for power. Its loca- tion was not far from the railway station. Some- time during the war it was moved up to Main street. In 1865, the concern was purchased by E. M. Leach, the present proprietor, and removed to its present location on Elm between Fourth and Fifth streets. Its capacity for business was at once enlarged by the introduction of a twenty horse-power steam engine and considerable new machinery. The size of the building now is 20x80 fcet, two stories, for the main structure, and two additions of a single story, covering still more ground than the other. In the wood-working department about eight men are employed. There is also a feed-mill in connection with the estab- lishment, and a lumber yard.

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CITY OF FARIBAULT.

THE HAZEN WIND-MILL .-- In the year 1875, Thayer & Winter established a foundry and ma- chine shop near the depot, and in 1878, the com- pany commenced manufacturing the improved wind-mill invented by Mr. S. Hazen, of Ripon Wisconsin, which is supposed to be the very best yet arranged for all purposes for which a wind engine can be used. The works have a capacity of one thousand a year. The establishment was at first where the sugar refinery now is, but in 1879, the company erected the shops near the station, where the work is now carried on. In addition to the wind-mill work, a general jobbing business is done in mill and other machinery. The Hazen wind engine is in extensive use in Iowa and Ne- braska particularly. There is about $20,000 in- vested in the business, which is one of the most substantial in town. Auother point in regard to this mill ought not to be overlooked in this sketch; it is prepared to repair and regrind the rolls of the new process system for flour making, the only one in the State, outside of Minneapolis.

FARIBAULT WAGON WORKS .- This establishment is located on Elm, between Third and Fourth streets; heavy wagons and bob sleighs are manu- factured, and has been in continuous operation since February, 1866, when it was started by Wil- liam Frink who had bought out an old shop. He, immediately built a frame building 32x40 feet on the site of the present building, with a blacksmith shop adjoining, both two stories high. Mr. Frink run the establishment with different partners up to 1873, when G. W. Stafford became associated with him and the business was thus continued until 1882, when P. S. Bateman was admitted into the firm, the name of which now is Stafford and Bate- man. They turn out about 150 wagons a year, and from 20 to 30 sleighs, all the work being of a very superior quality.

LINDEMAN BROTHERS' CARRIAGE FACTORY .- This shop was commenced in 1876, by the erection of a building 22x40 feet, on the corner of Main and Fifth streets. At first they did all of their own work, and met with such success that in 1877, an addition was made, 20x22 feet, and in 1877 still another. They now employ thirteen men. The proprietors personally assist in the shop and super- intend the work, which is confined to light car- riages and sleighs which have an excellent reputa- tion, and are sold all over the State. The business amounts to $45,000 a year.

FARIBAULT CARRIAGE WORKS .- There are three buildings connected with this enterprise, one is 22x45 feet, two stories, another 36x50 feet, a single story, and the blacksmith shop, situated on the coruer of Elm and Front streets. It was com- menced as long ago as 1858, by J. D. Denison, who at first did repairing, but finally enlarged it and began to set up farm wagons. In 1866, the manu- facture of carriages and sleighs was commenced, and quite a business built up as there was no opposition in the city, and the amount of repairing done was very large. In 1876, Frink, Andrews & Stafford became owners and run it until 1878, when its present owner bought out the other mem- bers of the firm and now has the exclusive control. He is turning out large numbers of fine carriages and cutters, and doing an extensive repairing business.

ADAM WEYER'S WAGON FACTORY .- In 1868, this shop was started in two small frame buildings on Willow, near Second street, under the name of Bieler & Weyer. In 1874, the present stone shop, 30x65 feet, two stories high, was built. About fifty farm wagons a year are now made here with thirty or forty "bob sleighs," and there is a gen- eral blacksmith shop in the building which turns out a large amount of work. Mr. Weyer is now the sole proprietor.

FARIBAULT FURNITURE AND CHAIR FACTORY .- At first this was owned and operated by N. S. Flint. The business was commenced in 1867, on a small scale, in a building on the corner of Fifth and Buckeye streets, which was small and but three or four men were employed; a single horse-power drove what little machinery there was. In 1870, a brother, M. M. Flint, became interested in the firm. He put in a steam engine and increased the capacity of the factory, and it has been doing a very profitable business. From twenty-five to forty men are employed, and from $30,000 to $40,000 worth of furniture is turned off iu a year. The engine is of thirty-five horse-power. In 1870, great improvements were made in the establish- ment; among other things a saw-mill being put in. Mr. M. M. Flint is now the sole owner.

WANDELL'S FURNITURE FACTORY .- The manu- facture of furniture was commenced here in 1856, on a small scale, and by hand. In 1857, some machinery was put in, with a six horse-power engine, and the business was entered into more extensively. The location was on Main between

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Third and Fourth streets. It was owned and operated by C. Wandell. In 1862, it was moved to the rear of the block and its capacity increased. In 1872, a twenty horse-power engine was put in and new machinery introduced. For some reason -a want of enterprise and business capacity-the establishment is in idleness and has been so for several years.

HILL's FURNITURE FACTORY .- One of the largest and most important manufacturing industries in the city is the above-named establishment, owned and operated by A. L. Hill. It was first brought into existence in 1855. Mr. S. B. Brockway was one of the proprietors. It was located on the flat near the river, on Willow street between Second and Third. At first it utilized a blind horse for power, and a circular saw and a turning lathe was all the machinery in use. Que man only was at first employed. There was serious trouble in pro- curing lumber to build the mill, as men stood at the saw-mill awaiting their turn to snatch each board as it was cut. The first building was 20x30 feet, one and one-half stories high; the business was continued here eight years and then moved to a larger building on the corner of Third and Wil- low streets. This was in 1863, and he put in a twenty horse-power engine and employed from twenty to twenty-five men up to 1872, when the whole establishment was lapped up by the flames. The present building was soon constructed; it is 50x100 feet and four stories high, with an engine house 50x50 feet. In 1878, a Corliss engine of 125 horse-power was put in. The old engine is still used in the saw-mill which runs in connec- tion with the factory, and which can cut up about 6,000 feet of lumber in a day. The factory is run to its utmost capacity and makes all kinds of furniture, except upholstered goods, and is a valu- able institution in the city. .

CIGAR FACTORY .- In 1880, Philip Loeffel com- menced the manufacture of cigars in Batchelder's block, employing from eight to twelve hands, but he soon failed and Kaul & Filler bought the stock and continued the manufacture, removing the business to the corner of Second and Main streets. In the year 1882, M. C. Sheeran was taken in as a partner, and the business is now carried on by those parties. They employ about ten men. Un- der the United States revenue laws this factory is No. 8 of the First district of Minnesota.

FARIBAULT PLOW COMPANY .- A plow manufac-

turing company was organized in 1869. The active members were, John Mullen, Henry Chaffee, and C. A. Snyder. A main building, 35x100 feet, was put up, with an engine room, and the manu- facture of a good pattern of a plow commenced and carried on for about two years. Then the shop was used for about five years as a general foundry and machine shop, and afterwards transformed into a sugar refinery.

FARIBAULT IRON WORKS .- W. P. Winkley estab- lished this industrial enterprise early in the sixties, and the establishment was owned and operated by him until 1870, when it was purchased by A. Moore who still retains it. It is a well appointed shop with machinery for the manufacture of steam engines, and general jobbing work. A feed-mill is run in connection, that was put in operation in 1879. The establishment cost nearly $10,000, and employs a dozen men. Its location is north of the railroad station.

STRAIGHT RIVER WOOLEN MILL .- I. G. Beau- mont and N. W. Blood put up a building on Wil- low street. Some wool machinery was put up and run by steam for abont three years, when it was sold to Mr. C. H. Klemer. The building is now used as a sale stable.

JESSE SUMNER'S PLANING MILL .- Several years ago a planing mill was started ou the corner of Fourth and Buckeye streets, by Mr. Sumner. It run until in 1881, when business being dull it was removed to St. Paul. This was the mill that was built in 1857 by Clark & Weld, who brought the machinery from Vermont. It was a planing mill, and cost originally about $4,400. Its loca- tion was at first north of Greene's mill, and was a frame building, 20x40 feet ; it run here for about seven years, and then was sold to Cole & Riseng. They operated it for about a year, when the ma- chinery was sold to Jesse Sumner as above men- tioned.

LUMBER YARDS .- When the country was first settling up, of course the lumber business was very active, and at one time there were seven lumber yards in active operation, all doing a flour- ishing business, but now there are only two. The present firms are A. Blodgett & Son, and E. M. Leach; the latter has a lumber yard in connec- tion with his planing mill. Both of these firms do a good business.

CASE & TAYLOR'S 'BUS LINE .- This is an insti- tution that is really a credit to the city, as it is

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managed by thoroughly obliging meu who under- stand the requirements of the business, and meet all engagements, connecting with all passenger trains, and have never, in a single instance, failed to connect. It seems that Bishop Whipple met Mr. C. B. Case in Tallahasse, Florida, engaged in the same business, and observing his promptness and reliability, suggested that there was a grow- ing town in Minnesota where a good business coald be built up in this line, and he was thus in- duced to come here. At the completion of the railroad to this place, two of the hotels began running carriages to the depot on their own ac- count, and more in their own interest than that of the general public. Mr. Case bought the old hacks, procured a new omnibus from the East, and commenced making regular trips to the trains, having order slates at convenient points. He afterwards took in Horace Taylor as a partner and they drive the regular "busses," of which they have five, and the necessary baggage wagons.

BREWERY .- N. Paquin, in 1857, started to build a hotel, but seeing how thirsty people were likely to be, after coming so far as they had to, to settle in this county, and realizing how grateful they would be to receive the fresh brewed amber-col- ored liquid, and how they would be likely to re- munerate him for his outlay and interest in their behalf, changed his mind and built a brewery. The situation was on Willow street between Eighth and Ninth. The dimensions of the struc- ture were 26x40 feet. A still was also put in for the manufacture of whiskey. The business did not seem to flourish as he had hoped, and in 1860, the concern was leased to E. Fleckenstein, who run it a few months, and then Brandt and Gerdes managed it for about two years. Edward Kelley then got hold of it, and kept it in operation as a distillery until about 1865, when it fell a victim to the devouring element and has never been re- built.

G. FLECKSTEIN'S BREWERY,-On the corner of Oak and Third streets this concern was built in 1857, the machinery coming from St. Paul. At first about five barrels a day were turned out without the aid of machinery. The cost was about $2,000. The Fleckenstein Brothers owned the place, but in 1860, E. Fleckstein retired from the firm. A horse-power was afterwards put in, and the capacity enlarged. In 1872, it was torn down and rebuilt on a much larger scale, with a

two-story basement and two stories above this, the vaults running five hundred feet into the bluff, the cost of the establishment being $20,000. The capacity is thirty barrels a day. In 1859, a still was put in, which was operated until the ne- cessities of the government established an excise law, when this part of the business was suspended. There is a good supply of spring water from the bluffs above. It now has steam power, and is fully occupied.

A. W. MUELLER'S BREWERY. This is located in the southern part of the city on South Willow street. It was started in about 1862, by Brandt & Gerdes. At first it was about 24x40 feet, of stone, two stories high. In 1870, it was enlarged, a twenty-five horse-power engine put in, and since that time the whole establishment has been en- larged and is now well appointed, with first-class machinery and extensive cellars in the bluff in the rear.

STAR BOTTLING WORKS .- This establishment was started in 1872 by Sheeran & Misgen, on Fourth street between Elm and Chestnut. At first Soda Water was principally made. In 1875, the concern was moved to Tenth Street and the business enlarged, and the manufacture of Seltzer Water, cider, and pop was added. The firm sub- sequently became Sheeran & Filler. In 1877, they began to put up Beer from the brewery of G. Fleck- stein, and this business has amounted to about $16,000 a year besides their own manufactures. In 1880, the business was moved to the corner of Third and Oak streets. They have all the mod- ern improvements and do good work.

E. FLECKENSTEIN'S BREWERY .- This is located by the bluff on the road to the Shattuck School. It was built by its present owner and manager in 1861. It is quite extensive and has a vault ex- cavated into the rock of which the bluff is com- posed. The establishment is of stone and has the fixtures and appurtenances for delivering twenty- five barrels of lager beer per day. A ten horse- power engine is employed, and the business seems to be eminently successful.

AMBER CANE SUGAR MANUFACTORY AND REFI- NERY .- In 1879, a stock company was organized, with a cash capital of $9,000. The first officers were: President, Seth Kenny; Treasurer, S. B. Spencer; Secretary, John Mullen. It is one of the finest establishments of the kind in the country, with machinery, apparatus, fixtures, and facilities

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for manufacturing the juice into syrup and sugar, and for refining this into the best white varieties. Like all new enterprises there have been vicissi- tudes attending the inauguration of the business. The stockholders of the company were, Capt. B. Blakely, James Wilhelm, and S. F. Jolly. The real estate belongs to John Mullen. Its location is on the corner of First and Willow streets.

THE FIRST SAW-MILL .- In the fall of 1854, Harvey Y. and James G. Scott commenced the erec- tion of a saw-mill, and it was completed during the winter, but the cold was so intense that it was not set in operation until the spring of 1855. It was in a good-sized building, 20x40 feet, with a large wing shed. It had an engine with sufficient power, supplied with steam from a double fine boiler. At first it had a vertical saw, but a circular was soou put in. Its location was where Hill's furniture factory is, on Willow near the foot of Third street. The Scotts run it for about one year, when it was sold to James Gibson. The land, about four acres, was given to the Scotts by the proprietors, on condition that they build a saw- mill. Some time the first year a run of stones was put in and feed and flour was ground; this was the first grist-mill in the county. The building was finally torn down and the machinery placed in a mill near Greene's, but it was finally burned. A full account of all the difficulties overcome in getting the machinery together to construct this mill, would be very interesting. The machinery was bought in St. Louis and came up by boat to Hastings at an enormous cost, and it took twelve yoke of oxen to haul the boiler from that point. They were a long time in getting it from Cannon City, as they had to cut a road through the dense woods. A party they met after dark, as they looked at the huge cylinder, exclaimed: "Well! that is the biggest saw-log I ever saw!" When the mill got in operation it run night and day, and it did what may be called, "a land office business." At one time it was in the hands of Mr. Turner, but at last it failed to pay.

BANKING HOUSE OF W. H. DIKE .- This was started in 1857, and the name of the firm was G. W. Boardman & Co. The "company" being W. H. Dike and Jerod Bishop. Bishop's interest, what- ever it was, was looked after by Mr. Judd, now well known in Minneapolis, who was an active man in the business, but owing to certain financial in- tricacies could hold no property in his own name

at that time. It was not a bank of issue, but they did a general banking business. Their bank was near the corner of Third and Main streets, where Squier's dry goods store now is, in a frame build- ing which lacked lath and plaster, but inside had cotton cloth as a substitute, and this was papered over and gave the place a business air. In 1858, Mr. Boardman retired and it was then carried on under the name of the Banking House of W. H. · Dike & Co. In those days of silver, gold, and land warrants, not unfrequently there would be exposed in the window of the bank $40,000 worth of this kind of currency, which would astonish the new comers. Bishop retired in 1863, but Mr. Dike con- tinued until 1872, when the business was closed.

FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF FARIBAULT .- The date of the organization of this institution was on the 2d of December, 1868, with the following Board of Directors: W. L. Turner, T. A. Berry, A. W. Mckinstry, and F. A. Theopold, in addition to the officers, who were: President, T. B. Clement; Vice-President, E. W. Dike; Cashier, Thomas S. Blackman. The capital was $50,000. The bank- ing rooms were on the corner of Third and Main streets, the front being a frame and the back part, where the directors met, of logs. In 1876, a three story brick building was erected at a cost of $115,- 000. On the 17th of June, 1878, this was, with several others, razed to the ground by fire. The structure was immediately rebuilt and the bank occupies the ground floor on the corner, and is one of the substantial financial institutions of the country with over $200,000 in deposits.

THE CITIZENS NATIONAL BANK .-- President, Hud- sou Wilson ; Vice-President, G. R. Skinner ; Cashier, E. P. Brown; Assistant Cashier, W. S. Hill. This bank was first established in 1857, as a private bank with Mr. Wilson at the head of it. In 1871, it was organized as a National Bank. The institution seems to be too full of business to furnish much information as to its history.

FARIBAULT GAS COMPANY .- This was organized in 1873, with a capital of $40,000 which has since been increased to $50,000. It is a joint stock company organized under the laws of the State. The executive officers were and still are: President, T. B. Clement; Vice-President, J. L. Noyes; Sec- retary and Treasurer, A. W. Mckinstry. The works are located between Ninth and Tenth streets, east of Main. There are about four miles of four inch mains. The gasholder has a capacity of

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History of Rice County, including explorers and pioneers of Minnesota and outline history of the state of Minnesota, Part 59

Author: Neill, Edward D. (Edward Duffield), 1823-1893. 1n; Bryant, Charles S., 1808-1885. cn Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Minneapolis : Minnesota Historical Co. Number of Pages: 626

Author: Neill, Edward D. (Edward Duffield), 1823-1893. 1n; Bryant, Charles S., 1808-1885. cn
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Minneapolis : Minnesota Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 626