The History of Rock County, Wisconsin: Its Early Settlement, Growth, Development, Resources, Etc., Part 85

Author: Wesern historical company, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 899

USA > Wisconsin > Rock County > The History of Rock County, Wisconsin: Its Early Settlement, Growth, Development, Resources, Etc. > Part 85

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The Lutherans .- When Luther rebelled against the mandates of the Romish priests, and offered to discuss the practicability and efficiency of the tenets of their faith with the Pope him- self, he little thought that he was paving the way to a new religion, destined to be carried across the seas and spread broadcast in every land. The followers of this wise man's doctrines inhabit every clime of the globe. In proportion to population, their progress in Janesville has been quite as rapid as that of any other denomination. They have two churches here. Both enjoy substantial support, and have fair congregations. The earliest of these established was St. Paul's German Evangelical Lutheran Church. This society was organized in 1865. Rev. H. Ernst was the first Pastor. Meetings had been held on several occasions, in Janesville, of those of the Lutheran belief prior to this organization. As early as 1855, the Rev. F. Locher and the Rev. A. Wagoner included the place in their circuit, but no, stated meetings were held until 1865. In 1870, the Rev. Mr. Duberg was called to the pastorate, and, two years later, he was succeeded by the Rev. G. Reusch. The Rev. J. Schlerf is the present Pastor. In 1867, the society purchased Hope Chapel from the Baptists, paying $2,500 therefor. The congregation numbers about seventy members, mostly natives of Pomerania and Mecklenburg, in Germany. The society is out of debt.

The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church is the title of the other society, and its his- tory is traceable back to 1855, when occasional meetings were held in a small apartment near the court room. which was used alternately by the German Lutherans. The society also rented and occupied the Episcopal and Presbyterian Chapels on extra occasions. The building now in use, which is situated near the railroad depot, was erected in 1873, at a cost of $2,700. Among the original members of the society now in Janesville are A. Anderson, S. Trulson, M. Hanson, and C. C. Peterson. The first Pastor called to the charge was Adolph Preuss, who was suc- ceeded by the Rev. Mr. Duus, the Rev. Mr. Duberg and the Rev. C. F. Magelson, the present Pastor. The congregation numbers from fifty to seventy-five persons. The society is out of debt.

Primitive Methodists .- A class of this denomination was formed in 1849, with the Rev. Joseph Hewitt as Pastor. It was composed chiefly of subjects of Her Britannic Majesty. In 1851, the society built a church edifice, a short distance south of St. Patrick's Cathedral. Mr. Hewitt was followed in the pastorate by the Rev. James Anderson, who, in turn, was succeeded by the Revs. Henry Buss, William Tompkins and Reuben North. The congregation seems to have dwindled away, until so few remained that their courage forsook them, and the Primitive Methodist Society of Janesville became a thing of the past.

The Swedenborgians .- For some time prior to 1876, the New Jerusalem Society held meetings over the old Post Office, in the hall now occupied by the Young Men's Association. The Rev. W. D. Hastings and the Rev. Mr. Scammon expounded the doctrine of John Swedenborg to a very slim congregation, which seems to have dissolved and disappeared, whether under the influence of a lack of faith, or a want of funds, is not known.

Sohn R. Permetti

JANESVILLE

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HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

The Colored Brethren .- The church history of Janesville will now close, after a brief ref- ice to the society of colored Christians who worshiped alternately in Hope Chapel and the ns of the Y. M. A. The Rev. Mr. Dawson and the Rev. Mr. Scales were the most linent exhor ers who came to Janesville to preach to their wayward brethren. The society ned to flourish for a time; so much so, indeed, that James Hewston-a particularly devout nber who had taken it upon himself to manage its financial affairs, and whose winning man- fitted him for the peculiar position of superintendent of collections-undertook to raise & d for the purposes of erecting a church edifice. Hewston decamped with the fruits of his rts. The amount raised by him is not known, but certainly it was sufficiently large to bring incial ruin to the congregation. The colored gentleman to whom I am indebted for this ormation, said of Hewston : " He made a big noise 'bout de comstrection ob a church buildin', he wrote dis chile down on his buk for de profits on a whole week's whitewashin', wich was lost nine shillin's-an' he doan't fergot ter kerleckt it, nudder. He's done gone Wes' now, I 'spect he's follerin' de same bizness wut he was heah."

MANUFACTORIES.

The history of the manufacturing interests of Janesville is interesting. Few inland cities the Union exhibit a record of such permanent and substantial progress. The earlier pro- tive establishments have passed away to make room for institutions of greater pretensions and ler resources-replaced by monuments of Western enterprise and industry.

The First Mill .- In the spring of 1845, Charles Stevens, one of the earliest settlers in ck River Valley, afterward identified with many leading interests of Janesville, built a saw- I on the race, near the dam, where the old Ford mill now stands. The demand for lumber de the business very profitable, and most of the material of which " Old Janesville " was structed was the product of this mill. It had a capacity of nearly 3,000,000 feet a year, and frequently run night and day to fill the accumulating orders. About this time A. K. Norris Jo. also ran a saw-mill at Monterey, and afterward moved their machinery to the upper water- rer and established two mills, one of them being run by steam ; but neither of them survived g. I. M. Norton and O. B. Ford purchased the Stevens mill and operated it until 1856, when machinery and buildings were added, and the concern was converted into a flouring-mill, now own as the " Old Ford Mill," which is owned by O. C. Ford & Co. This institution has seven of stone, and grinds from 700 to 900 bushels of wheat per day. In 1878, the average was 00 barrels of flour per week. Shipments are made to the principal cities of the East, Georgia, Ith Carolina and Northern Virginia. Thus passed away the Stevens saw-mill.

The Old Big Mill .- It is quite certain that none of the "oldest inhabitants " will fail to iember this institution. For many years, it was the pride of Rock River Valley, and its r the choice of every one living in it. On the 25th of December, 1845, Ira Miltimore, entry deceased, signed a contract with A. Hyatt Smith, James McClurg, Martin O. Walker Shubael W. Smith, to construct a flour-mill at the south end of the race, on the site of the sent post office, and on January 13, 1846, ground was broken for the work-or rather, may say, ice was broken, for it was necessary to put in a coffer-dam, in order that the adations might be laid, the site being almost entirely covered by the waters of the river. the fall of the same year, six sets of stones were ready to revolve, and wheat-grinding com- aced. Three sets of the stones were employed on custom work exclusively, while the others e devoted to the merchant trade. The following summer, an addition of three runs of Les was made; then followed a succession of changes in the management. J. B. Doe, nk Pixley, Timothy Jackman, Governor Barstow, L. E. Stone, J. C. Jenkins and Joseph Wood buying or leasing the property until 1872, when fire laid it low in ashes. The loss not only felt by those directly interested, but also by many others in Rock County who learned to look upon the "old big mill," or Smith's mill, as it was often called, as an and valuable landmark.

562

HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

In the fall of 1876, another mill of smaller dimensions was built upon the same greun which is now owned by O. B. Ford & Sons. It has four run of buhrs. with the Latest improved machinery, including the " new process " apparatus. It has a capacity of 150 bar rels of flour per day of twenty-four hours.

The Hodson Mill .- A starch factory was established in 1847 by Ogilbie & De Roe, on the present site of the Hodson flouring-mill. A precarious career, lasting two years, brought it to an unfortunate termination. "Boiled shirts" were not numerous those days in this locality, and flour, the great staple of life, was more in demand than starch. Consequently. Hamilton Richardson purchased the property in 1849, and converted the starch factory into a flouring-mill. William Truesdell, a lawyer, since dead, was associated with Mr. Rich- ardson. At the end of a year, a break in the upper dam, in conjunction with a freshet. carried almost the entire establishment away. In the spring of 1852. it was re-built and enlarged to its present size. Early in the fall of the same year, it met with fresh disaster from floods, and was repaired in the spring, only to be foreclosed on a mortgage, E. H. Bennett, now in Janesville, being the purchaser. Eastern parties then became interested for awhile, and. in 1864, the property fell into the hands of Messrs. Barnes & Hodson, its present owners. The mill has four runs of stones, and a capacity of from 12,000 to 15,000 bushels of wheat per month.

Farmers' Mill .- Andrew B. Johns erected the Farmers' Mill in 1848. on the south side of West Milwaukee street, near the bridge, and, within a year, the property fell into the hands of T. H. Jackman, who ran it until 1857, when he sold a half-interest to C. A. Alden. Soon after- ward. John Clark bought Jackman out. The next change in the proprietorship was the rental of the mill by O. B. Ford and James Clark, in 1870, and, six years later, Mr. Ford sold to B. F. Crossett, the firm name now being Clark & Crossett. The widows of John Clark and C. A. Alden still retain an interest in the property. The mill has a capacity for consuming about four hundred and fifty bushels of wheat per day.

The Stone Mill .- This flouring-mill is located in the suburb of Monterey. It was built in 1852, by N. P. Crosby, and leased to various parties until 1877, when it was purchased by Notbohm Bros., who do a strictly merchant business, consuming from six hundred to seven hon- dred bushels of wheat per day. The Messrs. Notbohm are also the sole owners of the patent. now in general use throughout the United States, known as the "new process," the fruit of the brain of E. N. Du Croix, a Frenchman, now dead. The new-process machinery is manufactured in Milwaukee.

Bower City Mill .- Twenty years ago, this was one of leading flouring-mills in the Rock River Valley. In 1869, it was completely destroyed by fire, but was rebuilt, and now runs three set of stones, principally on feed.

The combined capacity of the six flouring-mills now in operation. in Janesville, is about six thousand barrels per week, or three hundred and twelve thousand barrels a year.

Agricultural Implements .- The demand for farming utensils in Rock County has, until within the past two years, been greater than the supply. This was notably the case before the large factories now in operation in Janesville were established. Carriage and wagon makers found the manufacture of plows, harrows, cultivators, etc., more profitable than the construction of vehicles, and thus it is found extremely difficult to distinguish between the two classes of mechanics so as to secure a proper classification.

Thomas Shaw and John M. May conducted the first agricultural implement manufactory in Janesville, in 1845, where Heimstreet's drug store now stands, on Main street. In 1849, the firm built and occupied two stone buildings on North First street, between Bluff and Main.

About the same time, A. W. Parker and Ole Evenson opened out as plowmakers in the shop originally occupied by Shaw & May. In 1853, they exchanged for property near William Sillito's saloon, continuing the business there for a short time, when they sold the property to Allen C. Bates, and rebuilt upon the site of the old Hodson Brewery. Bates re-exchanged for the original property, tore down the wooden shops, and erected the brick building now occupied by Mr. Heimstreet.

563

HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

The construction of these articles was conducted by various parties until 1859, when James Harris, Zebediah Guild, R. R. Angell and Leonard Tyler established shops for the manufacture of farming implements on the West Side. near the lower bridge. The business grew apace, and the facilities were enlarged at various times, until 1868, when Harris, Fifield & Co. assumed control. In 1869, it was incorporated with James Harris, E. G. Fifield, Leavett Fifield and Horace Dewey as the corporators. The first Board of Directors under the new regime, consisted of the above-named gentlemen and S. C. Cobb. The original capital stock was $60,000. It has been increased several times, and is now given at $150,000. About one hundred and twenty- five hands are employed. The annual sales amount to $250,000. The implements manufactured by the Harris Manufacturing Company are familiar to agriculturists throughout Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Minnesota. " The Leader " reaper and mower is man- ufactured largely by the company. The various departments of their establishment cover almost two entire squares of ground. The present Board of Directors is as follows : J. B. Crosby, S. C. Cobb, L. L. Robinson, A. P. Lovejoy and C. S. Crosby. The officers are: A. P. Lovejoy. President; J. B. Crosby, General Manager ; L. L. Robinson, Treasurer ; Isaac Farnsworth, Secretary ; S. C. Cobb, Superintendent.

The Doty Manufacturing Company .- Pixley, Kimball & Oleson established a general machine-shop in 1853, on the ground originally occupied by Hodson's Brewery, where they made the manufacture of farming implements a specialty for a short time, when the concern passed into the hands of Phelps. Dodge & Co., of New York. In 1865, the property was pur- chased by Hamilton and R. J. Richardson, who, after making important additions to the original building, and rehabilitating the business to a considerable extent, formed a stock company, in which the Metropolitan Washing Machine Company, of New York, the estate of E. P. Doty. Z. Guild, and the Messrs. Richardson were interested, the two latter gentlemen retaining a majority of the shares. The attention of the corporators was then turned almost exclusively to the construction of the Doty washing machine; and, in 1874, over 8,000 of these utensils were manufactured. Shipments were made to every part of the Union, and some of the work found its way to Australia. About this time, innumerable patent clothes-cleaners were thrown upon the market, and the demand for the Doty necessarily decreased, though their manufacture still continues to some extent. Punching and shearing machines, grain-drills and wind-mills are the principal implements made by this company at the present time.

Carriage and Wagon Factories .- The first carriage and wagon factory was owned and operated in 1844, by John King, father of J. D. King, the present Assistant Postmaster, and R. W. King, the bookseller. It was located on the southeast corner of Milwaukee and Bluff streets. M. S. Ryckman, now with C. Sexton, built the first buggy ever constructed in Janes- ville, in King's shop. King in 1845, built the shop on the opposite corner and continued the business until 1851, when having built the hotel adjoining, he opened it under the name of Janesville City Hotel. This he conducted until his death in July, 1852, disposing of his manu- facturing interests to Robert Hodge. Uriah Story opened a shop in the old one vacated by King; but he, also, sold out to Ilodge. In 1860, Mr. Hodge took Herman Buchholz in as & partner, and shortly afterward the firm opened a second shop directly opposite the old one. In 1864, the old quarters were abandoned, and the new factory was occupied by Messrs. Hodge & Buchholz, where they have remained permanently ever since. Their shops have been enlarged several times. They manufacture carriages, buggies and light wagons exclusively, employing from fifteen to twenty men. They estimate the amount of business done by them each year at from $20,000 to $25,000.

In 1847-48, Mark Hardy held forth as a manufacturer of plows, wagons, etc., in a rudely constructed wooden shanty on the west side of the river, on a lot now occupied by Skelly Bros., who are in the same business. Hardy was taken with a violent type of a disease then known as the California gold fever, and, in 1849, he " pulled up stakes " in Janesville and cast his lot with the thousands of fortune-seekers who crossed the plains for the Far West. Shortly after his departure, John Tompkinson, a Vermonter, occupied the place with a small stock of material

564

HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

for making and repairing wagons. His business increased rapidly, and more commodious of war ters became necessary. In 1853, he erected a three-story brick building and stocked itwith everything necessary to carry on a first-class business, but the concern proved to be pretty me uch of an elephant, and Tompkinson is said to have lost money. At any rate, he became embarrassed, and, in the midst of the trouble, the structure was burned to the ground. No suspicion attached to Mr. Tompkinson, however, for he was in every way a worthy and upright citizen. Soon after this unfortunate occurrence (in 1858), he with his family moved to Southern Illinois, where he soon sickened and died. William and Henry Skelly constructed a small two-story frame build- ing on the site of Tompkinson's misfortunes, and have since conducted a general repair-shop for farming implements.

About the same time C. Sexton built a plow and cultivator manufactory a few feet farther east, and now carries on the business in conjunction with his son, H. B. Sexton. The gross receipts from the productions of Sexton & Son will probably reach $15,000 a year. They ship their implements in every direction, and Mr. Sexton, Sr., who is but seventy-two years of age, hopes in the course of time to establish quite a trade.

There have been smaller and shorter-lived establishments in this line in Janesville, but their insignificance and the rapid growth of the city entirely effaces all trace of them.

Woolen Factories .- The business of manufacturing woolen goods was first carried on in Rock County by Mr. Frank Whitaker, who erected a four-story brick building at Monterey, in 1849, and commenced operations in 1850. The capacity of the mill was about fifty thousand yards per year. In 1856, Mr. Whitaker disposed of the factory to Mrs. A. Hyatt Smith, but repurchased it of her in 1860. In 1868, Mr. Whitaker sold to the present owners, viz., Will- iam Payne, William Cannon, W. D. Hastings and George C. McLean, and it is now known as the McLean Manufacturing Company ; capital stock, $100,000. The product of this mill amounts to about twelve thousand yards a month, and consists of all grades of goods, including ladies' cloths and fancy cassimeres. It is what is known as a three-set mill, but is equal to = seven-set, the warps used being purchased in Massachusetts.

The Wheeler Manufacturing Company is the title of another woolen factory, which is located on Main street, a few doors south of the Doty Works. It was built in 1859, the prop- erty of F. A. Wheeler, who died nearly a year ago, and is now operated by C. F. Wheeler, son of the deceased, under the firm name of Lawrence & Atwood, who are the nominal proprietors. It was first run on custom work, but gradually developed into a merchant mill. It has one complete set of machinery, with a capacity of 100 yards of cloth per day. Heavy cassimeres and flannels are the fruits of its looms. A large number of country people, with a penchant for indulging an old-fashioned taste for the ancient spinning-wheel, get their roll-carding done at this factory.

In 1847, George W. Hegler, now living in Dyersville, Iowa, brought a small wool-carding machine from Beloit and began operations in the upper story of a building which stood upon the lot now occupied by the Janesville Furniture Company, but the enterprise was abandoned in 1848.

Brick .- The first bricks produced in Rock County were from a kiln burned by C. C. Phelps, in 1843-44. They were of an inferior quality, but met and satisfied the small demand which arose at that early day. In 1846, J. M. Alden commenced the manufacture of brick on a more extended scale, and he, together with others of his family, has continued in the business up to the present time. His first yard was located about half a mile north of the city, on what is known as the Lappin farm. The next kiln burned by Mr. Alden was on " the Island," and the third in the vicinity of Black Hawk Grove, in the Third Ward. As the demand increased. the business was enlarged, until the production reached several millions each year. The Hon. A. Hyatt Smith burned a small kiln of brick at Monterey in 1853, which were used in the construction of the Hyatt House. Mr. Alden is now permanently located in the busi- ness on Bluff street near the gas works. The article manufactured by him is principally red brick

565

HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

Furniture and Cabinet Makers .- M. W. Trask conducted a furniture factory in 1846, on the lot now occupied by houses belonging to .J. W. Story, of Chicago, on Main street, opposite the public square.

In 1847, Alvin Miner manufactured furniture over John King's wagon-shop, on Milwaukee street. In 1852, J. F. Morse bought Miner out, and. three years later. formed a partnership with S. A. Martin. The factory was moved to the race just south of Hodson's flouring-mill. in 1860, and, in 1863, Magnus Hanson purchased Martin's interest, the firm becoming Morse, Hanson & Co. Two years ago, Mr. Hanson obtained entire control of the business. IIe man- ufactures principally of black walnut. and has a considerable shipping trade in the Northwest.

The next most important factory is owned by W. B. Britton, Fenner Kimball and W. H. `Ashcraft, and known as the Janesville Furniture Company. It was established in 1864, and is situated on the race. near the Phoenix Planing-Mill. The company have two salesrooms on the north side of East Milwaukee street, near the post office.

Planing-Mills and Sash Factories .- The manufacture of lumber was quite an industry in the early history of Janesville. As a consequence, numerous planing and sash mills sprang up to prepare the rough boards for building purposes. Hume, Booth & Co., Doty & Burnham. and James Spencer will be remembered as the proprietors of establishments of this character located along the race. The Phoenix Planing-Mill, still in existence, was constructed and oper- ated by Nettleton & Jacks, in 1866. It then became the property of Harvey & Anderson, and is now owned by Shopbell & Norris. who carry on a trade amounting to about $16,000 a year, frequently shipping to points in Indiana and Iowa.

Harness and Saddles .- Among the early settlers who engaged in the manufacture of har- ness and saddles may be mentioned H. S. Woodruff, Chase & Joslyn, A. Shearer. William Wright. H. H. Meader and J. M. Riker. The latter carried on very extensive operations up to 1864, when he sold to Bates & Jenkins. His shops were under the old American House, in Lappin's Block. Two of Mr. Riker's sons now conduct the business opposite the post office. The manufacture of harness proved to be profitable in early days, for a large number of persons engaged in it. The business has since been divided up, and small shops are very numerous.

Breweries .- William Hodson owned and operated the first brewery in Janesville. It stood upon ground now occupied by the Doty Manufacturing Company's works. In 1848, the build- ing was struck by lightning and completely destroyed. Hodson rebuilt, and then sold to Henry B. Brunster, now in New York. Brunster carried it on through his brother Arthur, who is at present a member of Her Majesty's Parliament in British Columbia. The property passed to the hands of Pixley, Kimball & Co., and the brewery was torn down to make place for less liquid and more substantial enterprises.

In 1853, John Buob built a brewery up the river, half a mile above the railroad, where he manufactured lager beer for thirsty throats. In 1854, Anson Rogers. since Mayor of the city two terms, bought a half-interest from Buob. and they carried on the business together for eight years, at the end of which time, Buob sold to Rogers and went to Jefferson, where he built a flouring-mill. In 1871, he returned, and, in company with his brother Michael, who had remained in the employ of Rogers, leased the brewery. and they have operated it ever since, turning out about two hundred barrels of beer a month.

Morshe & Wagoner erected the Black Hawk Brewery, near the south end of Main street. in 1856, and after a few years of unsuccessful work, sold the implements to John Roethinger, who built more commodious quarters hard by. known as the Janesville Steam Brewery. The establishment was entirely destroyed by fire in 1872, insured for about one third its value. Mr. Roethinger then built the Cold Springs Brewery upon the same site. and operated it for a few years, finally leasing it to Rosa & Bender, who have conducted the business to the present time. The establishment has a capacity of 1,000 barrels a year, lager beer and ale.

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The History of Rock County, Wisconsin: Its Early Settlement, Growth, Development, Resources, Etc., Part 85

Author: Wesern historical company, Chicago, pub Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co. Number of Pages: 899

Author: Wesern historical company, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 899