The History of Rock County, Wisconsin: Its Early Settlement, Growth, Development, Resources, Etc., Part 86

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 86

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John George Todd, an Englishman, is the proprietor of an ale brewery, situated at the east end of the upper bridge. It was established in 1869. About fifty thousand gallons of ale are

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manufactured each year, mostly from Wisconsin hops, which finds a ready market throughout this and adjoining States.

Janesville Iron Works .- The crumbling walls of the old Novelty Works, on River street, near the cotton-factory, marks the spot where this institution stood. It was erected about 1852, by Joseph H. Budd, who turned out all kinds of machinery and farming implements, employing from seventy-five to one hundred men. Its disappearance from the list of manufactories was even more sudden than its advent, and it passed away to make place for a "novelty" enter- prise, which also disappeared like a phantom, under the influence of financial difficulties.

Brooms .- At one time, the manufacture of brooms in Janesville was carried on quite extensively by Jerry Bates, over Meyer's packing establishment. During 1855, Mr. Bates .employed fifteen men, and his stock was known far and wide. As the country settled up, small factories were started in the neighboring hamlets, and the demand for the Janesville article nec- essarily decreased. In 1864, he went to the war, and returning in 1866 he built a shop on Main, corner of Third street, and conducted his business there for six years. He then purchased the ground formerly occupied by Shaw & May's plow shop, on North First street, and built a broom factory thereon, where he now turns out from four thousand to five thousand dozen per year, employing four hands. He ships to various points in Iowa, Min- nesota and Wisconsin, and supplies an extensive local demand.

George Hatherell makes brooms, in a small way, during the winter months, at the east end of the lower bridge. About two hundred dozen were the result of his last winter's work. Patent gates and patent spring-beds occupy Mr. Hatherell's attention during the summer. He commenced operations a year ago.

Tallman's Laboratory .- Among other institutions peculiar to the city of Janesville is a perfumery factory (the property of W. H. Tallman, situated on the southwest corner of Cherry and Pleasant streets), whose atmosphere is redolent with intoxicating scents and essences of the far East. The business was inaugurated in 1858, by W. H. Tallman and Henry W. Collins, who had been associated together as druggists and chemists. Mr. Collins has since died, and Mr. Tallman is now the sole proprietor of the laboratory. The productions of the concern cover the entire list of perfumeries, toilet waters, court and roll plasters, etc., usually found in first- class drug stores, and are sold in every part of the Union. It is the only establishment of the kind west of Philadelphia and New York.

Patent Buckles .- Janesville boasts the proud distinction of supplying a large portion of the United States with very superior brands of trace-buckles. The Woodruff Champion Buckle was patented by Mr. H. S. Woodruff, in 1872, and in March, 1873, its manufacture was begun on River street, just north of the railroad. Forty thousand dozen a year is the average produc- tion. The castings are made in Buffalo by Pratt & Letchworth, who pay a royalty for the sales made by them. Mr. Woodruff has met with much annoyance from infringements of his patent, but he can well afford to go to law, which he frequently does, as he has grown rich from the sale of a simple trace-buckle. During 1873, Lawrence & Atwood were interested in the Champion Buckle, but Mr. Woodruff is now the sole proprietor.

The Huntress Trace-Buckle, also patented, is manufactured by J. H. Huntress and G. M. Hanchett, at 25 South Main street. His buckle was patented in 1878, and the sales since the first of January have reached 2,000 dozen. The castings are made in Chicago.

Corn-Planters, etc .- A. C. Kent and Frank Lawrence manufacture hand corn-planters and fan-mills, on Main street near North First, where from six thousand to seven thousand of the former and from three hundred to four hundred of the latter have been built annually for the past eight years. Mr. Kent conducted the business above the gas-works as early as 1855. There is a demand for their implements throughout the Northwest. Mr. Kent is now engaging a part of his time in experimenting with improved machinery for the manufacture of sugar from the Chinese sugar-cane. He has one hundred acres under cultivation this season.

Janesville Pickling and Packing Works .- Twelve thousand bushels of pickles and 4,000 barrels of krauts, would seem a sufficient quantity of " sour stuff " for the needs of the people of a

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HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

whole nation, but this is simply the amount Rock County adds to this line of the world's commerce. "The above named establishment is situated about three-quarters of a mile west of the river, a short distance north of the railroad, and was established in 1874. The Directors are E. G. Fifield, J. D. Rexford. Henry Palmer and F. S. Eldred. The company also have a similar Concern, with a capacity of nearly fifty thousand bushels a year, at Crystal Lake, but it is leased to other parties. Attached to the Janesville institution is a vinegar factory with a capacity of ten barrels per day ; also a large cooper-shop.

Janesville Cotton Manufacturing Company .- Six years ago, when a few of the enterpris- ing citizens of Janesville commenced to discuss the question of establishing a cotton-mill at this point, they were regarded by the rest of the inhabitants as a band of escaped lunatics. Mr. Frank Whitaker, of Janesville, and Mr. Jackson, of North Adams, Mass., had been figuring on the project, and the more they continued to investigate the matter the more thoroughly they became convinced that the enterprise was a feasible one, and that within a very short period of time, a handsome return upon the investment would result. Mr. Chester Bailey and Mr. A. J. Ray, both of North Adams, and men of wide experience in the cotton manufacturing business were made familiar with the plans and figures of Messrs. Whitaker and Jackson, and the subse- quent mathematical calculations of the two former gentlemen coincided exactly with those of the latter. Messrs. Bailey and Ray were then induced to visit Janesville for the purpose of interesting the citizens. The project was thoroughly canvassed. Communication was opened with cotton dealers and cotton raisers in the South. The cost of laying the raw material down in Janesville, the expense of the necessary power to operate the factory, the rates at which labor could be obtained, the prices at which the goods must be sold-all these questions were consid- ered in detail with an eye to the main point, the profit that would remain. The Janesvillians are not different from other people in this respect; they will put their money into all kinds of enterprises, providing they can see the shadow of a margin. Those interested in the cotton-fac- tory question, thought they saw their way clear, and so they concluded to invest. On the 29th of August, 1874, a meeting of those interested was called at the Myers House. An organiza- tion was perfected, and the following officers and Directors elected : O. B. Ford, President; John J. R. Pease, Vice President; F. S. Eldred, Treasurer; William A. Lawrence, Secretary ; Directors, C. B. Ford, John J. R. Pease, William A. Lawrence, F. S. Eldred, Henry Palmer, Jacob Fisher, Peter Myers, A. J. Ray and L. B. Carle.

A stock company was immediately organized with a capital of $120,000, the shares being all subscribed in Janesville. The company purchased a site on the race, consisting of seven lots between Franklin and River streets and north of Wall street. A water privilege of 3,200 square inches was also secured, and on September 10, 1874, ground was broken for the erection of a building. The structure was completed, ready for the machinery, February 1, 1875. Its dimensions are as follows : Main building of brick, three stories high, 221 feet long and 54 feet wide, with a two-story addition for a picker-room and machine-shop, 35x54 feet, and a one- story boiler-room.

On the evening of the 9th of February, the use of the mammoth structure was donated to the Janesville Sack Company for the purpose of giving an entertainment for the benefit of the poor of the city. It was the largest social gathering ever held in Rock County. It is esti- mated that over three thousand persons were present. The orchestra was composed of sixty- four instruments. Dr. Henry Palmer delivered the opening address, and was followed by Dr. J. B. Whiting, Rev. J. P. Bates, Prof. Hoisington, the blind lecturer, Pliny Norcross and John R. Bennett. The speeches were chiefly eulogistic of the enterprising gentlemen at the head of the institution, and abounded in wit and humor. In the remarks of Mr. Bennett, we find the following historical reminiscences :

When I look back to the town as I saw it over twenty-six years ago, with its Janesville Stage House, kept by Burroughs & Herring ; its one butcher-shop, kept by our worthy townsman Peter Myers; its one barber-shop, kept by John E. Dixon, now of Monroe ; its low wooden buildings which then lined Main and Milwaukee streets, now replaced by elegant and substantial brick blocks; its 1,200 inhabitants increased to 10,000, I realize that our city has not been stationary, but is constantly increasing in wealth and commercial importance.

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HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

On the third floor was an animated scene. The vast apartment, with newly whitened alls was illuminated by means of a number of locomotive head-lights. Dancing was the ord «er of the evening. Ninety-six sets (768 persons) were on the floor at one time.

Thus dedicated, the building was soon supplied with the latest improved machinery and placed in running order. A few operatives were brought from the East to instruct o thers employed at home and operations began.

During the first year of the organization, the Board of Directors held sixty-five sessions. But few changes have been made in the Board to the present time. William A. Lawrence has been made President of the Company in place of O. B. Ford, A. J. Ray superseding Mr. Law- rence as Secretary. E. W. Fisher has become a Director, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of his father, Jacob Fisher.

An addition to the factory was made in 1877. Owing to a sharp competition by Eastern mills, where the rate of wages had been cut down 10 per cent, the company determined to test the capacity of the factory by running it day and night. An extra force of operatives was employed for this purpose, and the 10,000 spindles previously run only during the day, are now made to perform the work of 20,000. The operatives owe no allegiance to Eastern trades unions and receive larger wages than are paid in New York, Massachusetts, etc. Two hundred and fifty hands are employed, two-thirds of them being females. The factory has 400 looms, and there is some talk of increasing this number one-half. Three grades of sheeting are manu- factured, namely, R. R., heavy, sixty-four threads to the inch ; L. L., medium, fifty-six threads; Centennial, fifty-two threads. Notwithstanding the fact that larger wages are paid the opera- tives in this factory than in Eastern mills, these goods are produced at a cost on labor of 1 and 3-10 cents against 1 and 7-10 and 8 cents in the large factories of New England.

In 1877, nearly 700 tons of raw cotton were consumed. costing over $163,000. From this were manufactured 4,857.096 yards of sheetings, the cash value of which was $295,487.09. During 1878, 5,350,901 yards of domestics were produced, at an estimated cash value of $310,- 993.10. The pay-roll for the same period amounted to $70.214.46.

Purchases of raw cotton are made principally in Memphis, Tenn., but, during the picking season, small lots are obtained direct from planters in Texas, thus saving the percentage usually allowed to " middle-men."

The entire cost of the property was about $206,000. The water-power has been increased to 5,000 square inches, most of which is utilized day and night.

This factory is the only establishment of the kind in the West, and its marvelous success does great credit to its designers. A recent visitor says :

" Do you care to visit the mill with me, and see how cotton becomes cloth ? On the second floor, main building, we see the first step in manufacture. Here each bale is opened, and the heavily pressed cotton beaten up by a machine called ' the picker.' This loosened fibre is then run through two ' lappers' (a succession of rollers). which spread and press the material into a continuous thick felt carpet three feet wide, and roll it up. With one of these rolls each of the forty-eight carding machines in the next room is supplied. Imagine a number of Albino ladies with abundant cotton tresses, having their heads brushed with revolving sharp-toothed wire brushes, which an attendant keeps combing off, while another draws out the thin combings in one continuous, fragile, snow-white curl. This is carding. Twelve of these curls are then twisted together and drawn out into one. (No wonder there is noisy remonstrance from these machine ladies.) Three other similar sets of twelve have their common curl twisted with this one. Then six of these combination curls are rolled in together and even this much enduring tress, I believe, is doubled before being drawn out and spun into the fine, final thread. Let us see! Here is the equivalent of 576 ladies, all together, having their hair gradually pulled out and twisted into one thread. What tyrant man dare deny them the comfort of a tolerably loud and constant machine scolding ? The final spindles revolve six thousand times per minute. The thread passes to them over and between three small leather-covered rollers, of which the last one revolves faster than the others, thus tending to pull the thread out finer. As these rollers

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revolve independently of each other, and each can be made to go faster or slower as desired, the tension on the final twist can be so nicely adjusted as to make a uniform thread of just the required fineness and weight. Their present brands of cloth (LL and RR) weigh about four yards to the pound.

"On the third floor are four pairs of mules, warranted to kick gently, and each with the intelligence of many inventors in his head. A pair carrying sixteen hundred spindles, are tended by one boy. Descending to the ground floor, we find four beautiful machines preparing 'warp,' and 200 looms loudly and industriously gossiping. The continuous thread of their dis- course is shuttled back and forth about one hundred and fifty times a minute-I am not quite certain. Any wife who has attempted to time her husband's tongue, knows that is difficult to be exact. A very effective machine for grinding the cards. and two 'sizers,' which starch the thread, will please excuse us for not noticing them sooner. See, also, that most ingenious arrangement for cleaning the cards. While everything is hummingly busy, this lazy wood and iron fellow reaches over the drum, lifts out that long wire brush for card, turns it over slowly, takes off at one scrape all the adhering short stuff, quietly replaces the card, and, skipping one goes on to the next. Returning, he takes up those alternate ones. which were left out before, I suppose, so that he might have something to do on his way back. These short combings are used, we are told, in making cotton-batting.

"The various bolts of completed cloth meet at last in a smaller room to be measured and marked. With a kind of sewing machine, run on a short elevated railway, the different pieces are stitched together and rolled into one gigantic roll. From this. the iron measuring-lever draws the cloth and pushing back and forth spreads it in regular yard folds. Nimble, feminine fingers tear off enough sheeting for a piece, count the exact number of folds to a fraction and mark it down. A girl ties the ends, the marker and baler stamp the trade mark (Badger State Mills, LL.) and makes up a neat bale, the size of a Saratoga trunk, which contain on the aver- age 1,200 yards. Covered with burlap and tightly roped. they are ready for the dray, the cars, the market-for the tears of the poor who mourn over shrouds, for the smiles of those who lie down to pleasant dreams."

Batting Works .- E. C. Bailey, son of Chester Bailey. Superintendent of the Cotton Factory, and Charles Story established a batting factory at Monterey, in 1875. Shortly after- ward Mr. Bailey sold to Story and a Mr. A. E. Burpee. The latter in turn purchased Story's interest. and ran the concern till 1878, when it was discontinued. In January, 1878, Mr. Chester Bailey leased the Guild Building on Franklin street, and opened a cotton batting fac- tory. Soon afterward, a site was procured and a building erected near the railroad, at the head of the race. on the West Side. The factory is operated by a 20-horse-power engine, and turns out about thirteen bales. or six hundred and fifty pounds of batting a day. Machinery is now being placed in the same building for the manufacture of carpet-warp and wrapping-twine. Mr. E. C. Bailey is Superintendent of the institution.

Boot and Shoe Factories .- J. B. Dimock, J. T. W. Murray, James Hutson, John Baxter and F. W. Loudon will be remembered as being identified with this interest at an early day. At the present time, however, the business seems to have been concentrated to a great extent. The Janesville Shoe Manufacturing Company, at one time, was a noted institution. It passed to new management in the early part of 1878, and the concern, which is located on South Main street. is now known as the Wisconsin Shoe Company. It was organized February 5, 1878. The Directors are Henry Palmer, G. W. Hawes, William A. Lawrence and Volney Atwood. Will- iam A. Lawrence is President and G. W. Hawes, Secretary of the Company. The authorized capital stock is $20.000, with $10,000 paid up. The sales amount to about $125,000 annu- ally, and are made throughout this State, Illinois, Iowa and Southern Nebraska. The company carries 225 different sizes and styles of Ladies' Misses', Children's, Men's, Boys' and Youths' sewed and pegged kid, goat, grain, calf and serge shoes, all first-class work. Eighty-five work- men are employed.

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HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

Cigar-Box Factory .- In 1874, F. G. Stevens, son of Charles Stevens of saw-mill Stevens House fame, conducted a small cigar-box factory opposite the present post off but in 1876, moved to Main street, north of North First street, where he manufactures ab two thousand four hundred boxes a week, shipping them to Iowa, Illinois and through Wisconsin.

Novelty Works .- Henry A. Doty manufactures novelties-crimpers, fluters, garden indoor reels-for Lowell & Hayner, of Chicago, having established the business October, 1878 opposite Stevens' box factory.

Mr. Doty also operates a feed-mill, next door to his Novelty works, with a capacity of twenty-four tons per day. The mill has been running about twelve years.

Altogether, the history of the manufactories which line the banks of Rock River. whereon is built the lovely city of Janesville, is one of marked interest, presenting a wonderful retrospect to those whose useful lives have been spent in establishing these grand improvements. And the end is not yet. If the progress of the past is an evidence of what we may expect in the future, long before the compilers of this book are called to their eternal home the hills and dales of Rock River Valley, where once roamed the wild savage, will resound with the hum of the loom and echo the glad voices of thousands of industrious operatives.

The Gas Works .- Prior to 1856, the people of Janesville were without gas, and dependent upon the tallow candle or oil lamps (rude contrivances those days) for light. In the early part of that year, a stock company was formed, composed of the leading citizens, for the purpose of erecting and operating gas works. Mr. J. Woodward was the contractor. During the con- struction of the works, the subscribers to the stock failing to pay up as promptly as was necessary, a mortgage for a few thousand dollars was negotiated upon the incomplete building. After the completion of the works the property became involved and was sold to satisfy the mortgage. Mr. Lockwood bid it in for Milwaukee parties who still own it. Hiram Merrill, the Superin- tendent of the works, is largely interested. Many improvements have been made, including the addition of several retorts. Pipes have been laid throughout the city, gas being in general use in the business houses and private residences. The price of gas during the first few years after its introduction here, was $4 per 1,000 feet. Reductions have been made until it is now $2.80. The works are located on Bluff street, near the railroad.

The Morocco Factory .- In 1877, E. W. Hilt and a Mr. Scott established a factory in Janesville for the purpose of manufacturing morocco. Changes in the proprietorship have been very frequent. Jerome & Trott and Edward Whiton succeeded Mr. Scott. The first two gen- tlemen soon retired, leaving Messrs. Hilt & Whiton in the management. Bassett, Bliss & But- ler soon joined the firm, this action being followed by the retiring of Dr. Butler in favor of J. C. Echlin. Mr. Hilt soon took entire charge of the factory and carried it on until March last, when G. F. Banks became interested, and the business has since been conducted under the firm name of G. F. Banks & Co. The factory is located on the West Side, near Buob's Brewery. Goat skins are obtained from South America and Europe.

THEATERS AND HALLS.

Janesville has always had a reputation-and justly, too-for being what is termed among professional managers "a good show town." Besides the liberal patronage bestowed upon the itinerant theatrical companies, home talent has always received the greatest encouragement from the citizens. As early as 1849, traveling troupes came to Janesville. The only place resem- bling a theater at that day was Apollo Hall, in Lappin's Block-that portion of it which was built south of the present stairway entrance. In 1851, the representatives of one of the later tribes of Indians then extant in Wisconsin, passed through Janesville on their way to Washing- ton to see the " Great Father," about certain landed rights which they claimed had been infringed. They were in command of an enterprising white man, who brought them out in Apollo Hall in a grand war-dance.

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HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

Lappin's Hall was built soon afterward in Thomas Lappin's brick block, on the corner of Main and Milwaukee streets. It became the popular place for all kinds of entertainments, local and otherwise, and remained as such until 1870, when Peter Myers completed his Opera House in the rear of the Myers House. Lappin's Hall has ever since remained the favorite place for the production of the drama, opera or concert by local companies. Languishe & Atwater will be remembered as popular managers of various combinations at this hall.

Myers' Opera House was opened in July, 1870, by the " Russian Concert Troupe," who were billed for two nights. The building stands on the southwest corner of Milwaukee and Bluff streets, is two stories high and cost, when completed, between $25,000 and $26,000. The Opera House portion of the building is in the second story, and is 110x44 feet in size. It has two galleries and will seat 900 people. The stage is 32 feet deep with an opening 25 feet wide, and two proscenium boxes on either side. Surmounting the crest of the auditorium is a life-size painting of-not the immortal Bard of Avon-but Peter Myers. The theater is well provided with exits, and is well arranged for the convenience of professionals, there being an entrance to the stage from the hotel. A glance.at the book in which are written the names and dates of the different attractions will bring forth many pleasant recollections of familiar " stars." Following the Russian Concert Troupe, we find the Royal Japanese Jugglers, Mckean Buchanan, Adelaide Phillips, Commodore Foote, Laura Keene, Edwin Adams, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, " The Fat Boy," Kate Field, Anna Dickinson, Lawrence Barrett, Joseph Jefferson, Victoria C. Woodhull, Theodore Tilton. the Black Crook, Matt Carpenter, " Buffalo Bill," Fox's Humpty Dumpty, Caroline Bernard-Richings, J. K. Emmett, May Fiske's Blondes, the Mendelssohn Quintette Club of Boston, Olive Logan, Tom Thumb, Camille Urso, Salsbury's Troubadours, Joe Murphy, the Rice Evangeline Combination, Lewis Morrison, Julia Rive King, the Hyer Sis- ters, that prevailing epidemic, " H. M. S. Pinafore," with Pauline Markham as " Little Butter- cup," John T. Raymond, the Georgia Minstrels and John Dillon.

CHINESE SETTLEMENT.

When the pages of this history shall have become worn with age, and the 400,000,000 Chinese, whom Dennis Kearney, in his political predictions, tells us will come to America, shall have supplanted Christian civilization with a blightful paganism, it will be a matter of interest to the few Anglo-Saxons then remaining to know something of the first Mongolian settlement in Janesville. Chang Wing preceded the invasion several thousand years, leaving Canton, on the southern coast of China, about A. D. 1877, for Janesville. Chang Wong Cheung, his thirteenth cousin, followed within a month, crossing the broad Pacific in a rudely constructed vessel pro- pelled by a steam engine of 5,000 horse-power, the invention of a Western barbarian. Wo Gee, also of the family of Chang, was the next arrival. The three Celestials opened a wash-house under the Myers House, where they grew rich cleansing the native linen at $1 per dozen.

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The History of Rock County, Wisconsin: Its Early Settlement, Growth, Development, Resources, Etc., Part 86

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