USA > Wisconsin > Jefferson County > The history of Jefferson county, Wisconsin, containing biographical sketches > Part 71
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
of water power and lots, the erection of buildings and warehouses, and the. purchase of machinery.
On the Sth of May following the act of incorporation, a meeting of the stockholders was held at the Court House in Jefferson, at which a Board of Directors was elected, consisting of Alonzo Wing, Conrad Heger, Edward McMahon, Phillip Johnson, Jacob Bruenig. Nicholas Jung and Charles Stoppenbach. Thereupon, A. Wing was elected President. Edward Me Mahon, Treasurer, and W. H. Porter. Secretary of the Board, and the erection of the building at present occupied by the works proper, together with dyehouses, warehouses. etc., was begun. These buildings were constructed after the most approved designs, supplied with machinery of the most complete pattern, and, in a year from the organization of the Company, work therein was commenced.
On July 5, 1870, Charles Stoppenbach was elected President, John Mullanney, Secretary, and E. McMahon, Treasurer, which administration was continued until May, 1871. when the offices of Secretary and Treasurer were consolidated, with John Mullanney as incumbent, who served until 1873. when his interest was purchased by Frank Stoppenbach. who succeeded to the duties and preferments of Secretary and Treasurer. During the ensuing years. Mr. Stop- penbach, Sr., purchased the stock of the corporation gradually until July 1, 1879, when he secured all outstanding shares and became the sole proprietor of the mills, with all the privileges and appurtenances thereunto belonging, which ascendeney he maintains at the present writing, with Frank Stoppenbach, Secretary, and George W. Dunwell, Superintendent.
The mills are an institution in Jefferson, and are conducted on the same plan as those in the East, where perfect order is preserved and thorough work "turned out," an incident of the business duplicated by the Jefferson company, which employs thirty-five hands, at a monthly salary aggregating $1,000.
The product of the Company is made up of cassimeres, flannels, blankets, etc., of most excellent quality, from the best grades of wool, warranted, and from designs that reflect credit upon the artistic taste of their manufacturers. About ten thousand yards of these commodities are placed on the market each month, to which not less than seventy-five thousand pounds of wool are devoted annually, the sale of which furnishes a market to producers of the staple in the counties of Jefferson, Rock and Dane, Wis., as also in Minnesota. The manufactured goods are sold strictly to dealers in Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa, the sales of which the present year will, it is estimated, amount to not less than $75,000. To do this work, the factory runs four single and three double looms, which have been found insuffi- cientto supply the increasing demand. Triple looms will be substituted for the single looms during the year, and additions indispensable to a satisfactory continuance of the business will be completed within the same period of time.
The capital invested is approximated at $50,000, and the prospects of the Company, incomparably promising, reflect eredit upon the business enterprise and capacity of its founders.
Wisconsin Manufacturing Company .- Another important factor in the prosperity of Jef- ferson was organized in 1866. It was the outgrowth of an extensive furniture factory, inaugu- rated years ago by Clark, Cole & Ostrander, and has grown from comparative insignificance to mammoth proportions.
The manufacture of chairs and bedsteads, those indispensable conveniences to domestic comfort, was first undertaken in a building at present utilized as a barn by the proprietors of the Jefferson House, by Jones & McLean. .. Horse-power " was the motive then employed, and the product was hawked about the country by the ambitions mechanics. But they declined to con- tinue the business, determined to seek their fortune further West, and Waldo Brothers. with Q. C. Cole, began where they left off, in a building at the corner of Main and Dodge streets. Early in 1856. Mr. Cole became associated with Messrs. Clark & Ostrander. who had decided to venture the manufacture of these articles on a more extensive scale, and, during that year. the firm put up a building adapted to their uses, at the western end of the Milwaukee Street Bridge. The year 1857 came, and with it the memorable financial panic which paralyzed business
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
throughout the country. Notwithstanding the adverse circumstances born of the "tight times" then prevailing. Clark, Cole and Ostrander kept on, confident that the future would fully reimburse their outlay. They purchased an engine of the Bay State Foundry, Milwaukce, completed a building for manufacturing purposes, and, with their capital increased by the loan of $200 from a " California widow," tided over the dull times, and entered upon the season of 1858 with abundant promise of prosperity. The firm employed twelve men, contributing their individual efforts also to the procuration of material, its manufacture into substantial chairs and bedsteads, which they transported by wagon to Madison and Whitewater, for shipment to points at which purchasers resided.
In 1858, Mr. Cole disposed of his interest in the business to Clark & Ostrander, and returned to the place of his nativity in Maine.
The new firm prospered. From the early spring of 1858, business increased, and the demand for goods manufactured by them was greater than they were able to supply. The dark days of uncertainty and financial depression had passed away, and were followed by " flush times." The projectors of the enterprise, within eighteen months from the date of their invest- ment in Mr. Cole's interest, had paid off the debt thereby incurred, and counted their assets, free from incumbrance. They increased their force, enlarged their manufactory, fitted it up with improved machinery, and extended their patronage to localities which had previously depended upon Milwaukee or Chicago for their supplies. In short, having attained the highway of success, they pursued its windings with renewed zeal and determination.
In 1866, so extensive had the business become, that it was found necessary to once more enlarge and improve their facilities. At this time, it was decided to re-organize the business and establish a stock company, which was accordingly donc, R. W. Clark, J. W. Ostrander, Dempster Ostrander, Merrick Sawyer and William P. Forsyth being the incorporators, with R. W. Clark, President ; Merrick Sawyer, Vice President ; Dempster Ostrander, Secretary, and J. W. Ostrander, Superintendent. Since that date, the management of the business has been in charge of officers elected annually by the Board of Directors, and the success which has attended their efforts has not been greater than has been merited.
The stock has been, up to the present time, procured from Wolf Creek, whereon the com- pany have erected saw-mills, but these were disposed of in the spring of 1879, and at the present writing, with a large supply on hand, the officers of the Company are looking out for available property. The capital stock now is stated at $33.000, having been reduced to that figure from $75,000 during the year 1878. Forty-five men are employed, who annually manufacture 6,000 bedsteads, and 40,000 chairs, for the labor on which they are paid a matter of $1,500 monthly. In addition to the mannfactory proper, the company is supplied with saw-mills, dry-houses, ware- houses, etc., representing a valuation of $20,000. The stock is disposed of in Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota, and the Company officers for 1879 are : R. W. Clark, President ; P. Hitchcock, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer; R. W. Clark, P. Hitchcock, W. P. For- syth, E. Garfield, Yale Henry and John Puerner, Board of Directors.
Jefferson Foundry .- In the spring of 1875, John Gulden, a well-known and capable mechanic of Jefferson, opened a machine and blacksmith shop on East Racine street, near its junction with Darling. He built what was then supposed to be an establishment of suffi- cient dimensions for his business, fitted it up with an engine and the improved "tools " of his craft, and thus began in a modest way what is now the Jefferson Foundry. In 1876, Mr. Gulden increased the capacity of his building by additions and extended his fiehl of operations so as to include molding and the manufacture of patterns in the several departments of his works.
On the 1st of Jannary, 1877, O. C. Vaughn, a finished mechanic, became associated with the business and more buildings were added to the original structure, which was again enlarged on May 1, 1878, when S. A. Buchanan, inventor of the sulky cultivator, became a partner : since which date, the firm has been known as Gulden, Vanghn & Co. During the winter of 1878, larger additions were completed, improved machinery was set up, a new engine put in and
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
the firm now has sufficient power to furnish employment to fifty hands. In addition to the sulky corn cultivators which they make, they manufacture wagons, plows, harrows, wood-saws and every article made in a first-class machine-shop. They also do a general blacksmithing business, refit steam engines, ete. In the foundry is done all kinds of easting, from gem-irons to the heaviest kind of machine work, including the manufacture of what the proprietors elaim to be the best steel plow ever placed upon the market. It is a new pattern, eannot be elogged by straw or weeds, well finished and possesses the merits of durability and cheapness.
During the season of 1878, the firm manufactured one hundred cultivators, the same num- ber of plows, fifty wagons, and completed contracts which, with the business proper, produced a revenue of not less than $1,000 per month, and gave employment to twelve men, at an annual cost for labor alone of not less than $12,000.
The capital invested is represented at $5,000. The business has more than doubled during the past six months, and the Jefferson Foundry gives promise of becoming one of the first of Jefferson industries, which only requires reasonable time to be realized.
Jefferson Boot and Shoe Factory .- In the spring of 1868, George Copeland and Lewis Ryder, composing the present firm of Copeland & Ryder, proprietors of this important branch of industry in Jefferson, left Bridgewater, Mass., and emigrated to their present residence. Their object in coming hither was to establish a line of business at that date comparatively unknown in Wisconsin. They consummated arrangements without delay, and, on May 1, of that year, began operations, in a small, unpretentious frame building on First street, West Jeffer- son, on the site of their present extensive establishment, employing eight hands. Their atten- tion to business, skill in manufacture and the superior quality of material employed, soon acquired a reputation for the firm that was manifested by numberless orders, and an annual inerease of business beyond expectation. Dealers, upon trial, ascertained that they could pro- eure stoek at the same rate as in the East, thus dispensing with the cost of transportation and other incidental expenses, which enabled them to effeet sales at reasonable figures and with remunerative profit. This knowledge. as stated, increased the business of the firm and neces. sitated an increase of facilities to supply the demand, which now requires not less than fifteen thousand pairs of boots and shoes annually. Of course, additional buildings were erected, a large force of hands employed and a " trade " extending throughout the Northwest established. At present writing, three large buildings are devoted to the manufacture, finish, storage and sale of their goods, requiring the services of thirty-five hands and the outlay in payment for material and salaries of upward of $42,000 per annum.
The material is proeured in New York, Chicago, Boston, Milwaukee and at other points, and is always the best in the market.
The stoek manufactured is correspondingly good, there being no cheap work turned out, but the finest grades of ealf and kip, which find ready sale throughout Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin and California and aggregates $50,000 a year. Indeed, the fame of the Jefferson shoe is unequaled. The firm, in putting its goods upon the market, have adopted the plan of giving the agency for its sale to but one house in a village or eity where the population does not exceed five thousand, and, in this way, have not only concentrated trade, but ean deliver at less cost than if it was generally distributed.
The capital invested is stated at $20,000, and the yearly inerease of business justifies the elaims of the firm to unsurpassed material and square dealing.
The Jefferson Rope and Cordage Works owes its establishment to Thomas Illing, an experienced ropemaker. He began business in 1865, and continued its pursuit for upward of nine years, attracting an increased patronage with each succeeding year, owing to the superiority of the goods placed upon the the market.
In the year 1875, it beeame necessary to increase his facilities to supply the demand. Additional buildlings were ereeted and supplied with machinery, and Mr. Illing formed a copart- nership with his sons, F. E. and J. C. Illing, sinee which date the firm name has been that of Thomas Illing & Sons.
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
The goods turned out by the firm are manufactured from the best qualities of manila, mported from the East Indies, Sisal and American hemp, and embraces every variety of rope ind cordage, from wrapping twine to a two-ineh eable, and finds ready sale in nearly every vil- age, town and city in the State.
As at present constituted, the firm employs a force of nine men, and occupies commodious quarters at the corner of Fourth and Dodge streets.
The raw material worked up into stock each year, necessitates an outlay estimated at $30,000, and it is disposed of to dealers and manufacturers all over the country.
Johnson &. Wolf's Flouring Mill .- This firm occupies commodious quarters on the west bank of the Rock River, and is doing an extensive business. The building was erected in 1849, and is the first venture of the kind made in Jefferson that has continued uninter- uptedly from its foundation to the present time. In that year, George IIulburt and James Vådsworth began the business of milling in the newly erected building, which was supplied with wo run of stones, propelled by water-power.
In 1850, Mr. Wadsworth disposed of his interest to his partner, and retired from the field. Mr. Hulburt conducted the business for several seasons in conjunction with his sons, and, in 1865, sold out to David Johnson, senior member of the firm of Johnson & Wolf. This was in 1865. In the spring of 1869, Mr. Johnson became associated with John Puerner, and, during he summer of that year, P. Wolf purchased a third interest in the establishment, when the firm vas known as Johnson, Puerner & Wolf. In the following fall, Puerner sold his stoek to Yale Henry, whose name was substituted for that of Puerner in the firm, and so continued for about one year, when Mr. IIenry retired, his investment being purchased by Mr. Johnson.
In 1867, the firm improved the machinery, put in three turbine wheels, another set of stones, etc., and, in 1869, further improved their facilities by another turbine wheel and set of stones.
The mill is now in complete running order, employs six hands, at a monthly cost of $300, and turns out 600 barrels of flour weekly, in addition to large custom supplies.
The capital invested is rated at $25,000, and the stock is shipped, generally, to Chicago.
Neuer s. Geiglein's Brewery .- The oldest manufactory of malt liquor in the city of Jefferson is located on East Racine, nearly opposite Marion street, and enjoys a well-deserved reputation for the quality of its production. Stephen Neuer, the founder of the concern, emi- grated from the Kingdom of Wurtemberg some twenty-eight years ago, and established himself n Milwaukee as a maltster. Ile remained there, however, but a short time, when he came to Jefferson and opened the brewery which bears his name and is well known all over the county.
Mr. Neuer attended personally to the details of his business, the brewing of the beer, its sale, etc., from the day of its inauguration until his death, on the 30th of August, 1874, when he was succeeded by his son, Christian R. Neuer, who is the present senior partner, having become associated with John C. Geiglein during the year 1878.
The firm manufactures 500 barrels annually, which they dispose of to dealers in the city and surrounding country, the receipts therefor aggregating in the neighborhood of $3,000.
Downer §. Heger's Brewery was purchased by Henry Downer and Rudolph Heger from Henry Long, about the 1st of October, 1873. It is located on Third street, near the corner of Mechanic, and enjoys a generous patronage from dealers in the eity and county, particularly those residing in Cambridge, Johnson's Creek and Fort Atkinson.
Four hands are employed in conjunction with the proprietors, who prepare their own malt, and turn out about one thousand barrels of foaming lager annually. In the manufacture of this. the firm use about two thousand bushels of malt and ten bales of hops, and the yearly sales amount to about $7,000.
The firm own the property, buildings, ete., and estimate the capital invested at $4,000.
Breunig's Brewery .- This prominent feature of Jefferson skill and enterprise was first established by Jacob Breunig in 1855, in a frame house, at the corner of Main and Raeine streets. In May, 1863, the frame was razed and an immense and costly brick brewery, resi- dence, hall for theatrical entertainments and an icehouse erected on its site, at an aggregate cost
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of $14,000. The brewery is 84x45, three stories high, and the malting is by a new and improved process, which is said to materially add to the quality of the beer. The icehouse wa completed in 1871, is 40x34, and has capacity for sufficient ice to last through an extended season. The hall for dancing and theatrical purposes is 80x45, fitted up with a commodiou stage, scenery, etc., and the appurtenances usual to similar improvements.
Mr. Breunig employs five hands, at a monthly salary of nearly $150, and uses in the manufac ture of his commodity, which averages 1,500 barrels annually, 5,000 bushels of barley and 3,00 pounds of hops.
The capital invested is estimated at about $30,000, and his receipts upward of $12,000.
The manufacture of brick is carried on by John Puerner & Co. and Michael Kemmeter John Puerner, Anton Stiel and William Hammeson, established in the fall of 1872, occupy extensive premises on North Main street, contiguous to the city limits. The company employ: a force of seventeen inen and four boys, and the yard is driven to its fullest capacity-1,100,00( brick being burned every year. About 20 per cent of these are the finest qualities of pressed brick the balance being what are known to the trade as " common qualities." Fully three-fourths o the manufacture are shipped to consumers in Illinois, Ohio, Minnesota and Wisconsin. the remaining quarter being appropriated to home consumption. In their preparation for use, 600 cords of wood are required, at a monthly cost of $200. and $600 for the payment of hands, the yard being in operation on an average about five months in the year.
The capital invested is said to be $5,000, and the annual receipts upward of $7,000.
Michael Kemmeter's Brickyard is located on the east side of the Whitewater pike, about half a mile south of the Court House, and occupies three acres of ground. The business wa: established at this point by Mr. K. in May, 1869, and during the time that has since elapsed he has built up a large and profitable institution.
His stock consists of pressed and common brick, which is marketed in Chicago, Milwaukee Janesville, Madison and the surrounding country, from the sales of which he aggregates revenue for five months' labor of not less than $4,000 per annum.
He employs a force of twelve men and six boys, at an expense, including the cost of material of $125 weekly, and turns out, during the five months' run, 1,100,000 brick, 50,000 of which. are pressed, using in their preparation for market thousands of tons of a peculiar grade of clay and 500 cords of wood.
The capital invested is stated at $5,000, and his commodity is of the "gilt-edged " order.
Bairenther's Tannery, located on Block 34, on South Fourth street, was projected by Charles Bairenther & Co., during the fall of 1874. On January 1, 1875, they began the erection of a large building appropriated to their business, supplied with twenty-one vats, a 24-horse-power engine, and other appurtenances, which was completed during the spring of that year at a cost of $8,000, since when the business has increased at a rate that must have been gratifying and profitable.
The firm now employ eight men, at a monthly salary of $300, and work up about one thousand two hundred hides annually into the various grades of kip, calf, upper, collar, and harness leather. This spring (1879), a horse-collar manufactory has been added to the busi- ness.
Material is procured from all parts of the county, the bark used (hemlock) coming from Menominee, Mich., and entails an annual expense of $10,000.
The business of the firm from sales, principally in Chicago and Milwaukee, aggregates $20,000 yearly.
The capital invested is represented to be $10,000.
John Hennerl's Tannery is situated on Darling street, opposite Water, in close proximity to the river. He began business at that point in the spring of 1863, in a frame building west of his present location, in which he carried on his trade until about six years ago. His increas- ing sales requiring enlarged facilities, Mr. Hennerl then erected a handsome brick 25x40 feet, containing six vats and other appliances of his trade.
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
He now employs three hands, at an annual expense of $1,200; tans 1,500 calf-skins and 300 hides each year, which are placed upon the market as the highest grades of pebble-calf. wax-calf and wax-uppers.
His sales are made to first hands, and amount to about $300 per month.
The capital invested is estimated at $7,000.
The Soda Water Manufactory of Ellis Schweiger & Co. is of recent date, having been established on the 1st of January, 1878, at the corner of Main and Candise streets, by the senior member of the firm, which is composed of Mr. Schweiger and John Batcodt. Their business is transacted entirely during the summer and is daily increasing in volume. During the season of 1879, the firm manufactured 36,000 bottles of this refreshing beverage, which was distributed about Jefferson and adjoining counties, producing a revenue to the sellers of $1,500, 50 per cent of which was profit.
The establishment employs four hands, at a monthly salary of $75, and the investment rep- resents a valuation of $1,500.
The Riverside Cheese Factory was established May 7, 1877, by Solon Brown, and is now in active operation, turning out hundreds of pounds of the appetizing condiment weekly. During the first year of Mr. Brown's experiment, full 4,000 pounds. of milk was used daily, which was increased the succeeding year to double that quantity. In 1877, it was believed that 4,000 pounds would enable the establishment to supply the trade with its commodity.
The cheese manufactured is what is known on the market as " English Chedder," is made of the best material and calculated almost exclusively for foreign consumption, where it is in great demand.
The manufactory is located on the west side of the river, on the road to Fort Atkinson, easily accessible and represents an investment of $2,000.
BANKS.
The Jefferson County Bank was originally organized under the State law as the Bank of Jefferson, with William M. Dennis, President, Edward McMahon, Cashier, and a capital of $50,000.
In May, 1865, the corporation re-organized under the National banking law, increasing its capital stock to $60,000, and becoming a bank of issue. The charter officers were A. II. Waldo, President ; Edward McMahon, Cashier, and Homer Cook, A. H. Waldo, A. Grimm, E. McMahon and John Jung, Board of Directors.
This organization continued for ten years, when the stockholders surrendered their fran- chise and, ceasing to transact business as a National Bank, again re-organized under the State law, with a capital, including the surplus, of $50,000. The officers elected under the re-estab- lishment of the institution according to State laws were Charles Stoppenbach, President; Edward McMahon, Cashier, and W. W. Clark, Charles Stoppenbach, Jacob Bruenig, Edward McMahon and Edward Johnson, Directors.
The bank is located on Main street, between Racine and Milwaukee streets, in a substantial one-story brick, 22x65, containing a steel safe with chronometer lock, and two vaults, one being used as a safe depository. The value of the bank property is estimated at $7,500.
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