USA > Wisconsin > Rock County > Rock County, Wisconsin; a new history of its cities, villages, towns, citizens and varied interests, from the earliest times, up to date, Vol. II > Part 8
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54
With these industries and the richest of agricultural sur- roundings, it is evident that no backward step need be expected, but rather a continued progress.
Janesville Fords, Ferries and Bridges. The first ford across
597
JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN
Roek river used by the Indians and early settlers was from the big bend southwest across to the east side opposite the "big roek." In the spring of 1836 Judge Holmes built a ferryboat of timbers and planks which he sawed with a whipsaw. After the scow was completed the Holmes boys and their father, the judge, carried on that ferry about midway between the big bend and the big rock for several months. In the fall of the same year Henry F. Jones and Aaron Walker constructed a larger ferryboat and, having obtained a charter from the territorial legislature, conducted their ferry at the location now occupied by the Milwaukee Street bridge in connection with a one-story log tavern, which stood on the ground now occupied by the Lap- pin block. They were succeeded in the business by J. P. Diek- son until 1842, when Charles Stevens and others purchased it and began the construction of a toll bridge. When that was completed they ceased running the ferry, and as settlers were increasing the toll bridge became quite a profitable enterprise. A few citizens, however, who resented the so-called monopoly, raised funds and began to build an opposition free bridge about sixty rods south of the Stevens toll bridge. They were legally enjoined by the circuit court, but allowed by the supreme court of the state. During the long litigation Issae Blood, wishing to eross the toll bridge, and being determined not to pay toll, bat- tered down the toll gates with a big club. The gates were re- paired, but as the law now allowed the lower bridge, it was soon completed, and then the owners of the upper bridge voluntarily took the toll gates from their hinges and Janesville had two free bridges. The bridge at Monterey was built by the city in 1856. All three bridges have been several times rebuilt, and the upper two are now substantial structures.
Janesville Cemeteries.
About one and a half miles northeast from the center of Janesville are the two city cemeteries-Oak Hill and St. Pat- riek's. The Oak Hill Cemetery Association was organized Janu- ary 8, 1851, under an act of the Wisconsin legislature passed in 1850. The management of the association is in the hands of nine trustees, and the lot owners are the stockholders. The grounds are exempt from taxation and are maintained by an in- come derived from the sale of lots, the purchasers of which ac-
598
HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY
quire title, which insures continuous ownership in their families. All lots must be used expressly for burial purposes. The asso- ciation reserves the right to determine the manner of fencing or inclosing said lots and the manner of burial of the dead; it can also levy a tax for ordinary expenses and can make such other regulations concerning the property as shall to the mem- bers seem fit and proper.
The first purchase of twenty acres of ground has been in- creased until now the association has a vested interest in fifty- six acres, beautifully situated and of late finely improved. In earlier days the square bounded by Second, Third, Wisconsin and East streets was used for cemetery purposes, but the bodies buried there were removed to Oak Hill when the first high school building was erected on part of that square.
St. Patrick's, consecrated to the use of the Roman Catholic church, occupies fourteen acres just east of Oak Hill and has been much improved and beautified.
XXVII.
EARLY JANESVILLE MANUFACTURERS.
Some of the early history of the manufacturing industries of Janesville, prior to 1880, as remembered by a former resident : The beginning of the manufacturing interests of this beautiful city is the common history of all western towns. It began with a saw mill, which in conjunction with the grist mill, are always the pioneers in furnishing first aid to supplying the necessities of the first crop of town builders.
It seems like an idle dream when glancing over the busy fac- tories, which line the river in the little Giant City, that in the memory of men still living, all of this hum and bustle originated in the spring of 1845 when Charles Stephens, one of the earliest settlers in Rock river valley, and who was for many years con- nected with the greater part of Janesville's leading industries, built a saw mill on the race near the dam. There was a great de- mand for lumber in those days, and as the larger part of the old Janesville was built of lumber from this mill, it was taxed to its full capacity of three million feet a year, most of the time run- ning night and day.
About this time A. K. Morris & Co. built a saw mill at Mon- terey and, shortly after, moved this machinery to the upper water power and established two mills, one of them being run by steam, but neither of them was in operation long.
J. M. Morton and O. B. Ford bought the Stephens mill, and operated it until 1856, when they rebuilt it, and installed new machinery, and converted the plant into a flouring mill. They had seven runs of stone and ground from 700 to 900 bushels of wheat per day; they kept increasing the capacity until in the late seventies, they were producing 1,200 barrels of flour per week, shipping their products to the principal cities of the East, and also filling large orders in the southern states.
Many of the older inhabitants remember the old Big Mill, for many years the big institution of the Rock river valley, which
599
236538B
600
HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY
was in successful operation from 1846 till 1872, when it was totally destroyed by fire. It was then built for Ira Miltimore by A. Hyatt Smith, James MeClurg, Martin O. Walker and Shubael W. Smith, who contracted with Mr. Miltimore to construct the mill at the south end of the race. It was first operated with six runs of stone, to which additions were made later. From the time of its construction until the time of the fire there were many changes of ownership, among which may be recalled Frank Pixley, Timothy Jackman, J. B. Doe, Governor Barstow, Joseph H. Wood, J. C. Jenkins and L. E. Stone, who were either owners or lessees of the property.
The destruction of this old landmark seems to the older resi- dents of Janesville and vicinity, much like the passing away of an old and cherished friend.
In 1876 another flouring mill was built upon the site of the burned mill, by O. B. Ford & Sons; it was of smaller dimensions, was fitted up with the latest improvements in machinery and had a capacity of 150 barrels of flour per day.
The Hodson mill was built for a starch factory by Ogilbie & DeRoe, but was not a financial success and, after two years of disappointments, Hamilton Richardson purchased the property in 1849 and changed it into a flouring mill. William Truesdell, a lawyer, was associated with Mr. Richardson. During their first year, a break in the upper dam occurred, at the time of the great flood, and nearly washed the entire establishment away. But in the spring of 1852 it was rebuilt and enlarged; in the fall of the same year it was again nearly destroyed by flood. Not dis- couraged, they repaired and placed it in good condition for the next crop, but on account of short yields of grain and financial depressions, they were forced to suspend and the property was sold to E. H. Bennett, who disposed of it to eastern parties.
In 1864 Barnes & Hodson came into possession of the mills and operated them for many years. The next mill to be con- structed was the "Farmers' Mill," which was built on the south side of Milwaukee street in 1848 by Andrew B. Johns; in the same year it was sold to F. H. Jackman, who ran it until 1857, when C. A. Alden bought one-half interest, and later Mr. Jack- man sold out to John Clark; during the wheat raising days of southern Wiseonsin this property went through many changes in ownership, and was considered one of the best mills of its day.
601
EARLY JANESVILLE MANUFACTURERS
The Stone mill was built in Monterey in 1852, by N. P. Crosby, and was leased to different parties until 1877. It was then pur- chased by Notbohm Bros., who were practical millers, and did a large business for years.
Another one of the pioneer mills was the Bower City mill. For years it was one of the leading flouring mills in the valley. In 1869 it was destroyed by fire, but in a short time was rebuilt, and thereafter conducted chiefly as a feed mill.
During the early forties the country was fast filling up with settlers, who were anxious to bring the fertile soil of southern Wisconsin into cultivation, and immense quantities of agrieul- tural implements were in demand, so that factories of this class were badly needed. The first enterprise of this kind to be started in Janesville was by Thomas Shaw and John M. May in 1845, on the ground where Heimstreet's drug store now stands on Main street. In 1849, the firm built two stone buildings on North First street between Bluff and Main, where they carried on a large and profitable business. Shortly after the venture of Shaw and May was started A. W. Parker and Ole Evenson com- menced the manufacture of plows in the shops vacated by Shaw & May; in 1853 they sold this site, and after several changes finally purchased their original property, removed the wooden buildings, and erected the brick buildings occupied by Mr. Heim- street on N. Main so many years. He has recently moved to S. Main street.
There were numerous small factories in operation, whose out- put was used by the neighboring farmers, but there was no united effort on the part of men of much means until 1859. During this year James Harris, Zebediah Guild, D. R. Angell and Leonard Tyler built shops for the manufacture of farm implements on the west side, near the lower bridge; they did quite a flourishing business, and enlarged the plant at different times until 1868, when the business was transferred to Harris, Fifield & Co. In 1869 it was incorporated by J. Harris, E. G. Fifield, Leavett Fifield and Horace Dewey as the incorporators. The first board of directors consisted of the above named gentlemen and S. E. Cobb; the original capital stock was $60,000, and as the business grew the capital increased until, in the seventies, the capital was $150,000, they were employing 125 hands and the annual sales amounted to $250,000. The firm was known as the Harris Manu-
602
HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY
facturing Company, and their products were known and exten- sively used by the farmers of Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, In- diana and Minnesota. At that time their plant covered two squares of ground, and the Leader reaper and mower, which they manufactured, was having great sales all over the west. The board of directors consisted of J. B. Crosby, S. C. Cobb, L. L. Robinson, C. S. Crosby and A. P. Lovejoy ; the officers were A. P. Lovejoy, president ; J. B. Crosby, general manager ; L. L. Robin- son, treasurer; Isaac Farnsworth, secretary, and C. S. Cobb, superintendent. At this date (1908) Mr. Harris is still in the har- ness, and is one of Janesville's active manufacturers, being con- nected with the leading enterprises of the city.
One of the manufacturing institutions, which has withstood the ravages of time and survived through many changes of owner- ship, is the Doty Manufacturing Company, the commencement of which was in 1853, when Pixley, Kimball & Olsen built the gen- eral machine shop on the site formerly occupied by Hodson's brewery, and commenced the manufacture of agricultural imple- ments. They were succeeded in a short time by Phelps, Dodge & Co., of New York. In 1865 Hamilton and R. J. Richardson bought the plant and, after making many changes and additions to the buildings and reorganizing the business, formed a stock company, which included the Metropolitan Washington Machine Company, of New York, the estate of E. P. Doty, Z. Guild and the Messrs. Richardson, the latter gentlemen holding a majority of the stock. They engaged almost exclusively in the manufacture of the Doty Washington machines; their business increased rapidly until 1874; their output was over 8,000 of these machines, which were sold over a territory embracing almost the entire United States. Soon after this date, the demand commenced to decrease on account of the immense number of washing machine factories that were started all over the country, and the firm turned their attention to the manufacture of punching and sheav- ing machines, grain drills and wind mills.
The first carriage and wagon factory was owned and operated by John King, in 1848. It was located on the southeast corner of Milwaukee and Bluff streets, and the first buggy ever built in Janesville was constructed by M. S. Ryckman, in this shop.
In 1845 Mr. King, built a shop on the opposite corner, which he operated until 1851, when he built the Janesville City hotel,
603
EARLY JANESVILLE MANUFACTURERS
which he conducted until his death in 1852. He had in the mean- time sold his manufacturing plant to Robert Hodge. In 1860 Herman Buchholz joined Mr. Hodge as a partner; they enlarged the business by rebuilding and employing more men, and in a few years were doing a business of over $25,000 per year. About 1853 C. Sexton built a factory on the west side of the river and commenced the manufacture of plows and cultivators, and was joined later by his son, H. B. Sexton; they were quite successful and built up a large trade.
In 1849 the manufacture of woolen goods was commenced in Janesville by Mr. Frank Whitaker ; he erected a four-story brick building at Monterey. It was a three-set mill with a capacity of 12,000 yards a month. In 1856 Mr. Whitaker sold the factory to Mrs. A. Hyatt Smith, but repurchased it in 1860, and in 1868 again sold the property; the purchasers this time were William Payne, William Cannon, W. S. Hastings and George C. McLean Manufacturing Company, with a capital stock of $100,000.
The Wheeler Manufacturing Company was the name of the woolen factory, which was built in 1859 by F. A. Wheeler. After his death it was operated by his son, C. F. Wheeler, under the firm name of Lawrence and Atwood. It had a capacity of 1,000 yards per day. For years this mill was a favorite with people who used spinning wheels, for here was where they came to get their roll carding done.
The date of the first brick making was in 1843, and brick was burned by Mr. C. C. Phelps. In 1846 J. M. Alden com- menced the making of brick, his first yard being north of the city, and from there to the island, and later he located on Bluff street, and was in the business for many years.
Furniture was first made in Janesville in a small way by M. W. Frask in 1846, on Main street opposite the public square, and in 1847 Alvin Miner operated a small factory on Milwaukee street. In 1852 J. F. Morse bought out Mr. Miner and a few years later took S. A. Martin into partnership, and in 1860 they moved the factory to the race. In 1863 Mangus Hanson bought Mr. Mar- tin's interests and the firm became Morse, Hanson & Co .; they had quite an extensive trade and made large shipments to the Northwest. In 1864 W. B. Britton, Fenner Kimball and W. H. Ashcraft established a furniture factory on the race, the com-
604
HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY
pany being known as the Janesville Furniture factory, and it was a prosperous institution for years.
Among the earliest manufacturers of finished lumber were Hume, Booth & Co., also Doty and Burnham, and James Spencer, who were located along the race, and they furnished the new town with sash, doors and other articles of that kind for years. In 1866 the Phoenix Planing mill was built by Nettleton & Jacks. It became the property of Harvey & Anderson, and from them passed to Shopbell & Morris. They were quite prominent in their line and shipped large quantities of goods.
In the early days the manufacture of harness was quite profit- able, and there were quite a large number of people engaged in the business. Among the early settlers who were in this line may be mentioned H. S. Woodruff, Chase & Joslyn, A. Shearer, William Wright, H. H. Meader and J. M. Riker, who were exten- sively engaged in the business, and in 1846 sold out to Bates & Jenkins.
The first brewery to be operated in Janesville was by William Hodson in 1848; the building was destroyed by fire, but was re- built by Mr. Hodson and sold to Henry B. Brunster, and later to Pixley, Kimball & Co. In 1853 John Buob built a brewery up the river north of the railroad and the next year following sold one-half of his interest to Anson Rogers. Marsh & Wagoner erected the Black Hawk brewery, near the south end of Main street, in 1856, and after a few years sold out to John Roethinger, who enlarged the plant and called it the Janesville Steam Brew- ery; it was then burned in 1872 and Mr. Roethinger built the Cold Spring Brewery on the same site and, after operating it for a few years, leased it to Rose & Bender.
John G. Todd established an ale brewery in 1869 at the east end of the upper bridge and did a large business in this line for many years.
In 1852 the Janesville Iron Works were established on River street by Joseph H. Budd, who manufactured all kinds of ma- chinery and farm implements and employed from seventy-five to 100 men.
Jerry Bates was the pioneer broom manufacturer of Janes- ville, commencing in 1855; he built up a large trade before the war and, after returning from the army, resumed business and continued for many years.
605
EARLY JANESVILLE MANUFACTURERS
In 1874 the Janesville Pickling and Packing Works were es- tablished ; the directors were E. G. Fifield, J. D. Rexford, Henry Palmer and F. S. Eldred. They did an annual business at one time of 12,000 bushels of pickles, 4,000 barrels of kraut, besides a large quantity of vinegar.
The Janesville Cotton Manufacturing Company was estab- lished in 1874 and was a local enterprise. The gentlemen in- terested in that organization were O. B. Ford, president; John J. R. Pease, vice-president ; F. S. Eldred, treasurer; William A. Lawrence, secretary ; directors were O. B. Ford, John J. R. Pease, W. A. Lawrence, F. S. Eldred, Henry Palmer, Jacob Fisher, Peter Meyers, A. J. Ray and L. B. Carle. A stock company was organized with a capital of $120.000, which was increased to $206,000; in a short time a building of brick was constructed on the raee 221 feet long by 54 feet wide and three stories high, with a two-story building, 35x54, for picker room, and a one-story boiler room. The factory was enlarged in 1877, and the force in- creased to 250 hands: the factory had 400 looms and manufac- tured in 1878 5,350.900 yards of sheeting, which was valued at $310,000, their pay roll amounting to $70,000. At that time it was the only factory of that kind in the West. It was a bold business venture, that required courage and ability of a high order. There is one enterprise, started in 1862, which is still in existence, and that is the feed mill of Henry A. Doty, a remark- ably long run under one firm name. The largest firms are con- stantly changing their titles and new names and new faces are being added so frequently that we soon lose track of the old ones.
The gas works of Janesville were first built in 1856 by a stock company, which included the leading citizens of the town. The works were located on Bluff street, and Mr. J. Woodward was the contractor. The company did not get on smoothly at first and encountered financial difficulties, and the property passed into the hands of Milwaukee parties. Hiram Merrill was the superintendent and a large stockholder ..
XXVIII. THE MANUFACTURING INTERESTS OF JANESVILLE.
By Alexander Matheson.
Janesville is prominent as a manufacturing and distributing center, and the causes are obvious. It is on the natural high- ways of commerce and travel from Chicago and the East and South to Minneapolis, St. Paul and the great West and North- west.
For years it has been an important railroad center. The Chicago & North-Western Railroad Company and the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company both have many lines and branches upon which Janesville is an important point, or from which lines radiate in many directions.
Our county seat is situated in the midst of a rich and pro- ductive country and upon Rock river, a stream far-famed for the beauty and picturesqueness of its scenery and one which furnishes abundant water power. In this we account in a large measure for the prominence of Janesville as a manufacturing city. In all the history of Rock county in the records of our courts, and as far back as runneth the memory of the oldest in- habitant, the river and water power upon it have formed im- portant elements in the commercial life of the city. There are now two dams, called the upper and lower, furnishing abundant and cheap power for those who are willing to utilize it. In an earlier day there was still another dam about two miles further up the river. As one proceeds up the river from Janesville to Indian Ford, and still beyond, he finds other evidences of the utilization of the abundant power of Rock river.
Janesville is favored in the diversity of her manufacturing institutions. Those who own and manage them are among her own citizens. The interests of its manufacturers are something more than financial. The managers of its industries are intimate-
606
607
JANESVILLE MANUFACTURING INTERESTS
ly associated with all that pertains to the social and civic wel- fare of the city.
In this diversity there are elements of strength. There is no great corporation or manufacturing institution such as by its size and the number of its employes sometimes casts a shadow over a city. So long as such an institution is prosperous, the city prospers with it, but when the institution is no longer pros- perous or removal is theatened, a blighting depression settles upon the city. The citizens of Janesville appreciate the value of all its manufacturing institutions, large and small, and desire to encourage them in every possible way, but it is a satisfaction to feel that upon no one or two does the prosperity of the city almost wholly depend. While other cities have been troubled with strikes and serious difficulties between capital and labor, such problems have not yet presented themselves in a serious manner to Janesville citizens for solution.
It is unsatisfactory, especially in a history intended to have permanent form, to give statistics of the output of the different manufacturing plants of a city, for such figures vary greatly as between periods of depression and prosperity, and even from year to year. The manufacturing plants in Janesville are nu- merous, and the number of those of considerable importance as producers and institutions which add to the prosperity of the city may be conservatively stated at forty. There are still other institutions which manufacture in a small way for local trade.
It may be said without fear of contradiction that the Janes- ville Machine Company is the largest and most important manu- facturing institution. From conservative figures collected, it appears that the output of this institution is the largest. It em- ploys the greatest number of men, and contributes more than any other to the manufacturing prosperity of the city. The stock of this institution is held mostly by citizens of Janesville. It is also the oldest manufacturing institution in the city. It started in a modest way decades ago, and grew out of a small manufac- turing partnership. One of the partners was James Harris, who later was instrumental in the organization of the Janesville Ma- chine Company. He is still one of the directors of the company. He is also engaged actively in the manufacturing business, being the principal owner and active business head of the Janesville
608
HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY
Barb Wire Company, manufacturers of wire feneing and nails. The five largest institutions in Janesville are the following :
The Janesville Machine Company, Roek River Cotton Com- pany, Janesville Barb Wire Company, Rock County Sugar Com- pany and Blodgett Milling Company. In naming these five in- stitutions. no attempt is made to name in the order of their manu- factured products, save that the Janesville Machine Company stands first. After the five above named, the next ten may be named as follows :
Bassett & Echlin Company, the Choate-Hollister Company, Hough Shade Company, Peter Hohenadel, Jr., Company, Janes- ville Clothing Company, Lewis Knitting Company, New Doty Manufacturing Company, Parker Pen Company, Rock River Woolen Mills and Thoroughgood & Co. Here again let it be noted that there is no attempt to name them in the order of their productive capacity.
It is of interest to note, in connection with the history of the manufacturing institutions of Janesville, that Mr. James Rieh- ardson, who is now engaged in manufacturing in connection with the Globe Works Company, came to Janesville in 1846. He be- gan to manufacture in 1851, and from that time until the present, a period of fifty-six years, has been connected with the business of manufacturing and has carefully watched the growth of the manufacturing interests of the city.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.