History of Winnebago County, Wisconsin, and early history of the Northwest, Part 35

Author: Harney, Richard J
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: [s.l. : s.n.]
Number of Pages: 462

USA > Wisconsin > Winnebago County > History of Winnebago County, Wisconsin, and early history of the Northwest > Part 35

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Oshkosh has the most ample resources and enduring facilities, for manufactures c hardwood material. Her proximity to the source of supply, with her central location, and the great market ground of the rich agri- cultural territory, which stretches from here away to the south, and west, gives local advantages which promise the most hopeful manufacturing future for this city.

Oshkosh from her earlier years, has been accustomed to the din of machinery. She

has served a most thorough apprenticeship; and can proudly point to a practical success in the past, which presages her future triumph.

CHAPTER XLVIII.

Notices of Manufacturing Establishments Illustrated in this Work, and of Business Houses and Residences.

STAR MATCH WORKS OF JAMES L. CLARK.

HIS mammoth establishment is one of the largest manufactories of any kind wowye in the State. The value of its products for the past year amounted to the sum of $488,945,83 and at the rate it has increased will far exceed that amount in the present year. Its rapid growth may be seen in the fact that the value of its matches manufactured in 1872, was $90,000; in 1875, it was $374,000; while for the year ending 1878 it reached the sum of nearly half a million of dollars.

The works, and storage ground for lumber, occupy some ten acres, and the buildings have a frontage of nearly five hundred feet.

For the purpose of obtaining a full supply of the best of straight-grained timber, for splints, Mr. Clark erected last year, a saw mill, in addition to the works proper.

The following exhibits the business for the year ending January Ist, 1879: Number of hands employed, 350; two million five hundred feet of timber; two hundred and ten tons of straw-board and paper for making boxes; seven thousand pounds of phospho- rus, sixty tons of brimstone. Average monthly wages paid to hands, $5000,00; ag- gregate yearly payment to hands $60,000,00. Value of products for the 1878, $488,945.83.

One of the advantages possessed by this factory is the facilities for obtaining the very best of straight-grained timber, for splints, which ensures with other qualities, the superi- ority for which these matches are distinguished.

The large amount of complicated machinery running in these works would astonish any one who had never witnessed the details of the manufacture of matches. There is in the first place, the steam engines, and the complicated system of belting for connecting power with the endless machinery in the various depart- ments. Next comes the lathe in the machine shop, where the repairing is done to disabled machinery. Then the circular saws that cut the timber into the proper dimemsions-the 22

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match-splint machines, of which there are eight, with a capacity of making 115,400 match-splints per minute. In the racking room arc five racking machines, which place the matches in proper fixtures for dip- ping. In another room are six cutting machines which cut the splints, which are made double-length, in two. Another depart- ment contains the heating furnace and dipping machines. But the most ingenious machinery, working with the precision of an intelligent being, is that of the paper-box machines. There are four of these, which cost $10,000, and which turn out 4,200 paper boxes per hour. No description can do jus- tice to these wonderful, ingenious, and beauti- ful contrivances. There are other machines in the same room, which cut at each move- ment about 100 pieces of paper into the proper shape for making the boxes. These are placed, several hundred at a time, in the box machine, which rapidly manipulates them into the finished box. There are ten separate machines in this department. There are, including engines, saws, racking and splint machines, box machines, etc, over forty separate machines in the various departments; so it will be seen, that to make so small a thing as a match, with profitable facility, a vast amount of complicated machinery is necessary, involving multifarious details, requiring the nicest accuracy in their practical management.

This busy hive of human industry works like some vast machine, performing the details of its complicated movements with the pre- cision of clock-work. Its management requires the greatest practical skill and a clear headed comprehension of all its various move- ments, and there are but comparatively few persons competent to perform the task.

The history ofthese works shows at least one instance in which the highest success is not- accidental. In the fall of 1863 Mr. Clark perfected a match-splint machine. He was previously engaged in filing the saws in Mc- Millen's mill. At that time Daniel Ruggles was engaged in the manufacture of splints, and at a cost of about $500 procured a round-splint machine, which worked so imperfectly that he sold the same to Mr. Clark for $30. The latter finding this machine impracticable, con- structed a new one which worked so success- fully that he engaged exclusively in the manu- facture of splints. At that time his capital was less than a hundred dollars. At first he took the splints to his house for the purpose of sorting them, and employed only one hand for the work. In time, every room in the lower part of the house was used

by occupants sorting splints. The business had increased to such an extent that Mr. Clark determined to start a factory, and conse- quently erected a building, now a part of the works, in 1864. In 1868 he commenced the manufacture of matches, on a small scale. From these small beginnings the business so rapidly increased, that in seven years the product of the factory reached the amount of $374,000 in one year.

In the building up of this very successful business, Mr. Clark was very ably seconded by his wife, who evinced great executive ability in the management of its details and especially in organizing the help, and Mr. Clark attributes much of his success to the very valuable assistance of Mrs. Clark. The management is now so systematically organ- ized that the various departments work like some vast machine, each of which is dependent on the other.

The superiority of these matches has secured for them a widely extended popularity, and at the rate in which the product of the works is increasing it will soon reach a million of dol- lars per annum, giving employment to six or seven hundred hands.

The benefit of this factory to the city cannot be over-estimated. It has never received or asked for one cent of bonus, or any municipal favors, being self-sustaining from the first, and is the result of dilligence, well directed enterprise, good business management and honest dealing.

The work is all done by the piece. By this system each hand gets all that he earns, and it seems to give the fullest satisfaction to em- ployer and employed; as the hands all scen cheerful and interested in their work and habits of industry and good morals are incul- cated by the admirable management.

This institution has graduated a new man- ager in the person of Mr. Clark's son, Herbert M. Clark, who is said to be fully competent to the post he now occupies, that of general superintendent.

The book-keeper, cashier and general corres- pondent, is Mr. Arthur W. Jones, and this department is in the hands of a faithful and competent manager.

FOSTER & JONES, Sash, Door and Blind Manufacturers.

Among the illustrations in this work will be found that of the sash and door factory, and planing mill of Foster & Jones. This is one of the heaviest manufacturing concerns in this city, and its proprietors stand in the front ranks of its business men. The firm was cstab-

MACHEURE

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FOUNDRY AND

SHOP

COOK,BROWN & CO.

"FILE WORKS

B. F. CARTER

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---

SAW AND PLANING MILL OF STAR MATCH WORKS OSHKOSH, WIS.

OFFICE MATCH WORKS

STAR MATCH WORKS, OSHKOSH, WIS .- JAS. L. CLARK PROP.

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lished in 1865, and has since that time been enlarging its facilities.

Their business is conducted with that vigor and enterprise for which Oshkosh men have long been distinguished.

This factory contains all the best improved machinery and every facility for the manufac- ture of their products at the lowest possible cost, enabling them to successfully meet any competition in the market. They employ from seventy to eighty hands and have a capacity for manufacturing yearly 80,000 doors, 200,000 windows, and 40,000 pairs of blinds, besides wood-mouldings and dressed lumber.

The actual manufactures fall but little short of the capacity of the works. They manufac- ture wood-mouldings to the value of $25,000 per annum, which they ship by the car-load. They dress over 5,000,000 feet of lumber on an average each year. Their yearly products aggregate a value of $150,000.

The members of this firm have always been foremost in aiding every public enterprise for the benefit of this place, and both have received from their townsmen the compliment of the highest official position within the gift of the city. Hon. Carlton Foster, who is a skillful mill- wright, moved from Essex County, New York, his native place, to Oshkosh in 1855; in 1859 he purchased a saw-mill in this place and engaged in the manufacture of lumber, which business he conducted very successfully. In 1865 he formed a partnership with Hon. Jas. V. Jones in the manufacture of sash, blinds, doors and mouldings. Mr. Foster rapidly grew in the esteem of the people of this city and was elected mayor for two terms and chosen to serve two terms in. the State Legis- lature, acquitting himself in both positions to the fullest satisfaction of his constituency. He is conservative in politics and of rather anti- partisan tendencies, and is a man of sound judgment and of the strictest integrity. His handsome residence is situated just outside of the city limits in the Town of Algoma on a handsome tract of eighty acres. A view of the same is given in this work.

Hon. James V. Jones moved from his birth- place, Oswego, New York, to Oshkosh in 1855, and though poor in pocket vigorously com- menced that business career in which he has been so successful. First, as a building con- tractor, which he followed forsome years, and next as a partner of Carlton Foster. Mr. Jones, in his new business, soon gave evidence of that executive force, business vim and spirit of enter- prise for which he has since become dis- tinguished, being one of those men who act with great vigor and force in whatever they

undertake. £ He is a strong partisan and has taken an active part in political strife, and has the aggressive qualities of a leader. He has received from his townsmen the highest marks of their favor and esteem, having been three times elected mayor, and once chosen to rep- resent his district in the Legislature. In both capacities he served with much distinction. He is a man of much public spirit and a will- ing leader in all public enterprises, ready to do all in his power to promote the interests of the city. As a business man he possesses fine qualifications, and his dealings are character- ized by the strictest integrity.

COOK, BROWN & CO. Brick, Lime and Drain Tile Works.

The members of this firm are Ossian Cook, R. C. Brown, F. E. Waite and B. F. Carter. They manufacture, on a large scale, drain tile, brick and lime; and employ eighty hands, and have a large steamer and a sail vessel of their own, which are kept engaged in transporting material. They also employ two other sail vessels in freighting brick, stone and wood.

Their two large brick-yards are on the east shore of the lake, where a fine quality of brick-clay exists in inexhaustible quantities, and from which they manufacture superior cream-colored brick and drain tile. Their stone quarries are also located on the east shore, from whence they ship the stone which is here manufactured into lime. They have two patent kilns, situated near their shipping dock, which is always a scene of great business activity. The greater part of the handsome buildings on Main Street have been built of brick of their manufacture. Among these are the Beckwith, Fraker Opera Hall, Masonic Temple, Wolcott and other business blocks.

Their lime and drain tile are of such super- ior quality that there is a large demand for shipment to other States; and they ship large quantities to Michigan, Illinois, Nebraska and Minnesota.

Their average yearly manufactures are 3,000,000 of brick, 30,000 barrels of lime and 200,000 drain tile. They also do a large busi- ness in cement, stucco, land-plaster, sewer pipe, fire-brick and hardwood; of the latter, about 5,000 cords pass through their hands yearly.

One of the firm, Hon. B. F. Carter, resides on the east shore, and represents that district in the State Legislature. The others are regarded as among the most enterprising and thorough-going business men of this city, who contribute largely to its prosperity. On an-

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other page will be found a fine view of their lime works and shipping docks.

ROBERT MCMILLEN & CO.,

Manufacturers of Lumber, Sash, Doors and Blinds.

Attention is called to the fine view of this mammoth concern; one of the largest in this city. It consists of a saw-mill, shingle mill and sash, door and blind factory. The capacity of the saw-mill is 50,000 feet per day. The sash and door factory turns out on an average, 200 doors, 400 windows and 100 pairs of blinds per day. One hundred odd hands are employed. The members of the firm are Robert McMillen and C. W. Davis.

Their present saw-mill was built in 1868, and in 1873 they constructed their mammoth sash, door and blind factory, which has been en- larged from time to time to meet the increas- ing demands of their business. This is one of the establishments that gives Oshkosh her reputation abroad, as the greatest sash and door manufacturing point in the West. They have the facilities in the best of machinery for promptly filling the largest orders, and turn out work which, for quality, is not excelled. The cars are continually at their shipping house, in the process of loading with their wares, which arc shipped by the car-load in various directions. This firm enjoys a high business reputation and conduct their affairs on the principles of the strictest integrity.

Mr. McMillen came from Warren County, New York, to Oshkosh in 1854, and by dili- gence and business sagacity has successfully pushed his fortunes. He is one of the direc- tors of the First National Bank, and is regard- ed as a man of first-class business ability, and kind and generous in his relations with all. A view of his beautiful residence and grounds on Algoma Street, is given in this work. It was formerly the residence of Governor Bashford, and is one of the handsomest places in the city.

Mr. Charles W. Davis moved to this place in 1860, and was for some years in the foundry and machine-shop business. He superintends the manufacturing department, and it is in energetic hands. Mr. Davisis highly esteemed as a useful business man and good citizen. In 1868 he was elected mayor of this city, and filled the position satisfactorily to the public.

SCHMIT BROS. The Eagle Trunk Factory

A view of this establishment will be found on another page. It gives employment to some 60 hands, and contributes largely to this city's business and prosperity. The enter-

prising proprietors have enlarged their works from time to time so as to increase the facili- ties, for meeting the general demand for their trunks, which they ship by the car load. Their facilities enable them to enter the market successfully against all competitors in pricc and quality. The value of such a factory as this to Oshkosh cannot be over estimated, as it gives employment to so large a number of hands throughout the year, and is the means of putting in circulation a large amount of money. The Schmit Brothers exhibit that push and energy in the management of their affairs which is so essential to success, and have proved a valuable accession to the manu- facturing interests of this city.

WILLIAMSON, LIBBEY & CO.,

Planing Mill, Sash, Door and Blind Manufacturers.

This is another of the leading manufactories of this city, and is the oldest sash and door factory in Oshkosh, having been established in 1860. The members of the firm are Geo. M. Williamson, D. L. Libbey, J. R. Jones and J. J. Cameron.

They are all men of life-long practical exper ience in their business, having graduated in the Oshkosh School of Lumber Industries.

The factory of this firm was destroyed in the great fire of 1860, but, with undaunted courage, they immediately rebuilt on a larger scale. Their main building is 125 feet by 75, and in addition to this are dry-houses and ware-houses of large capacity. Their factory is supplied with all the best machinery, for the manufacture of sash, doors, blinds, and wood-mouldings, and for the dressing of lum- ber, which is an important branch of the business- the planing mill dressing not less than 6,000,000 feet per annum.

They employ sixty hands, and manufacture, per weck, on an average, 1,000 doors, 2,000 windows and 400 pair of blinds.

They have the best of shipping facilitics, and, like the other factories, ship by the car load. Their work has a high reputation in the market, and is well known from Wisconsin to Texas. Sec view of factory on another page. Geo. Williamson is the business man- ager, a gentleman of good business capacity, and well-known integrity. J. R. Jones and J. J. Cameron superintend the manufacturing departments; as both are practical mechanics and of large experience in their line, their work has a high reputation in a widely extended market.

H. C. GUSTAVUS & CO. Flouring Mills.

The members of this firm are H. C. Gus-

G . M .. WILLIAMSON,

J . J . CAMERON,

J . R. JONES,

BADBERT

SASH DOORS BLINDS & MOULDINGS

KLWAREHOUSEL

OFFICE

QPRI

" BADGER PLANING MILL". G. M.WILLIAMSON & CO. PROP .. OSHKOSH WIS

. R. MC MILLEN & CO ..

DOORS - SASH - BLINDS. MOULDINGS

OFFICE - WARE-HOUSES.

DOOR & SASH FACTORY ..

WARE-HOUSES.

GLAZING SHOP. SAW MILL. Lusinen DanDe SASH RIINNS MOULDINGS &C. Nº 177 HIGH ST . OSHKOSH WIS

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tavus and Casper Smith. They have lately remodeled their mill machinery, and the mill now contains seven run of stone and a patent middlings purifier. Their grades of flour rank high in the market, and especially their straight " and patent flour, which is unex- = celled. These gentlemen are determined to build up a successful business, by straight dealing and by furnishing their customers with a superior article. The capacity of the mills is 100 barrels a day; and about one third of the product is shipped to the East. The members of this firm are stirring, enterprising men, who keep pace with the progress of the age. They purchased their mill, known as the South Side Flouring Mills, in 1875, since which time they have put in the modern improvements, and brought the mill up to a high rank. A view of it is given in this work.

MARTIN T. BATTIS, Proprietor Union Steam Boiler Works.

Attention is called to a fine view of these works, which will be found among the illus- trations in this book. Oshkosh is justly proud of her manufacturing institutions, and this is among the most useful. The large amount of steam machinery in Oshkosh, and in Northern Wisconsin, and the number of steamboats plying its water-courses, creates a large demand for steam boilers. When we consider the important function they perform, and the danger to life and property involved in defective boilers, it will be seen how neces- sary it is that mechanical skill, thorough experience and a sense of great responsibility should be the qualifications of those who superintend their manufacture.

Martin Battis through the uniform superiority of the boilers he has manufactured in his long vears of experience has given the fullest evidence of these qualifications; for during the twenty odd years he has been engaged here in the manufacture of boilers, not an accident has occurred with a boiler of his own make. Mr. Battis has followed this business from hoyhood, and is a mechanic of acknowledged skill. He is regarded as one of the most en- terprising business men of this city, and cver ready to do all in his power to advance its interests. Suffering, with many others, in the heavy losses and interruptions of business by the great fire, he nevertheless entered with much vigor into the rebuilding of Oshkosh, and immediately erected his well-appointed boiler works, and two elegant brick stores. He is one of the men who have the fullest faith in Oshkosh, and who help to give life and vigor to its enterprises.

WILLIAM HILL & CO.,

Dry Goods Store.

This magnificent store is forty feet wide and one hundred and ten in depth. The lower story front is plate-glass and iron. The inside is of rich finish and design, with lofty ceilings, handsomely frescoed. It is divided into dif- ferent departments of the trade, and makes a most imposing display of rich goods. In the second story is the carpet wareroom, with an immense stock of various qualities and design.

The individual members of the firm are, William Hill, J. M. S. May and A. F. Baehr, names of the highest business standing in this community. They are all gentlemen of life- long experience in the dry goods trade, and the senior partner has been engaged in the business in this city for twenty-four years.

Attention is called to the view of this fine store which is one of the largest dry goods establishments in the State.

HON. SAMUEL M. HAY.

The beautiful residence of Hon. Samuel M. Hay, a view of which appears among the illus- trations in this book, is one of the finest in this city. Mr. Hay is one of the pioneer business men of Oshkosh, having established his pres- ent house in 1848. His is, in fact, the only surviving business house of that day. He commenced with the very beginning of the growth of Oshkosh, has kept pace with her progress and been identified with her interests from the start. On his advent here the place was but a little hamlet of twenty or thirty houses scattered through the stumps and trecs. Mr. Hay, then a very young man, opened a stove, tinware and hardware store, in partnership with a Mr. Hall. They did a most successful business. After a time, Mr. Clark took the place of Mr. Hall in the firm; and on the death of Mr. Clark he was suc- ceeded by Mr. Hay's brother, the firm now being S. M. Hay & Brother.

The large amount of mill machinery running in Oshkosh and the "Up-River" country created a great demand for mill-furnishing goods, belting, etc., and the firm entered largely into this branch, in addition to iron, tin- warc, stoves and hardware. This opened up an immense business, involving a large outlay of capital; but this firm had the pecuniary forces to handle it, and prosecuted it with the greatest vigor and success until the house became one of the heaviest firm's of the kind in the State Mr. Hay's fine business quali- fications and integrity have given given him a very high standing, and he is widely an pop-

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[1879.

ularly known as one of the representative men of the city.

His brother, Wm. Hay, now has the chief management of the business of the firm; as much of Mr. S. M. Hay's time is largely occu- pied in the affairs of the First National Bank of Oshkosh, of which institution he is president. He is also one of the Regents of the State Nor- mal School, and has held many high public positions, among others that of mayor of the city for two terms, State Senator and repre- sentative in the Legislature from this Assembly district. Mr. Hay's career, since he came to Oshkosh in 1848, has been one long, continued success, and furnishes an instance of one who, by faithful attention to business and a sagacious use of opportunity, has earned a sub- stantial reward.

D. L. LIBBEY.

Among the fine illustrations in this work is that of the handsome residence and grounds of D. L. Libbey. This gentleman is one of the most enterprising of our citizens, and one of our heaviest manufacturers, being associated in three different firms. Mr. Libbey has for a long series of years been one of the largest manufacturers of lumber, and is now one of the partners in the sash and door factory of Wil- liamson & Co. He is also the owner of much real estate in the city, among which is the property occupied by the carriage works, and which he is now enlarging. In addition to his other branches of business he is President of the Union National Bank.

Mr. Libbey is a man of great business capacity, quiet and unostentatious, but ener- getic and thoroughgoing, and is recognized as one of the leaders in public enterprise, and as one who is deeply interested in the prosperity of this city. His business career has been highly successful, and he stands high in the esteem of the community as a good and useful citizen.

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History of Winnebago County, Wisconsin, and early history of the Northwest, Part 35

Author: Harney, Richard J Publication date: 1880 Publisher: [s.l. : s.n.] Number of Pages: 462

Author: Harney, Richard J
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: [s.l. : s.n.]
Number of Pages: 462