The Republican-Register from Galesburg, Illinois • Page 4

12 REPUBLICAN-REGIS' EDITION. BROWN CORNPLANTER CO. If there is any one institution in Galesburg which has aided, more than another, broadening the reputation of the city as a manufacturing point it is undoubtedly the Brown Cornplanter Co. For several years, early in the history of the city, it was the only factory of any importance; for many it has been the largest one here and one of the most important ones in the State. Its history is closely interwoven that of the business progress of Galesbnrg.

and it is a history well worth a more complete record than can be given here. Its beginning was the crystalizatiou of one man's inventive genius and indefatigable labor; for several years its success was doubtful. But, gathering strength from the value of the machine which he had contrived and improved, it gradually increased in importance, until to-day the Brown Cornplanter is an institution of which a city of any size might be proud. George W. Brown was the man who laid the foundation for the great factory, which has a history of 48 years to its credit He came to this vicinity in the year of the founding of Galesburg, and tlinmgh all the long years of.

the city's growth he was planters in the west. At times side lines manufacturing have been done, for the ac commodation of outside companies or indi viduals, but rush of regular work has neces sitated the abandonment of this. The revival of business in the past tw. years, together with other natural causes has resulted in the material growth of the business of the factory in the period men tioued. When at full capacity, in Decem ber, January, February acd March, over 200 men are employed in the various shops Following is a list of the number of em ployes in the leading departments: Woo( work, 10; shipping, 25; paint, 20; harrow 30; machine, 50; blacksmith, 30; foundry, 40 The foremen of these departments are as follows: Wood work.

William 0. Nelson shipping, Fred Peterson; paint, Arthur Abrahamson; harrow, K. H. Eckstrand; ma chine, J. W.

Johnson; blacksmith, Charles O'Neil; foundry, John Evans. In the busy season the monthly pay roll of the cojn- pany runs from $7,000 to $10,000. During the last spring and summer, when the work has been practically uninterrupted, the total wages paid out has been more often at the large figure than the smaller. The factory was shut down only ten days this summer, it is usually closed from two to three weeks. From the foregoing it will be and the companv is enjoying a large'trade.

Commencing the first of closely connected with that growth, continuing thus until his death, at a ripe age, a few years ago. Mr. Brown was born in Saratoga county, N. Y-, on Oct. 28, 181B.

He farmed until he was 14 years old, when he learned the carpentering trade. In July, 1836, he moved to Illinois, locating near Galesburg, in Warren county, where he fanned. In 1818 Mr. Brown conceived the idea of changing a cultivator into a Cornplanter, as he saw the need of a machine which would automatically plant a grain so universally cultivated in Illinois'. His early trade had developed his gift of genius, and he studied his new idea and made many models of He evolved the plan of dropping the corn in two rows at the same time, ana he built a majMce whichVwbuM do jftMl'LlWi LiTlL the cross sections oflogs.

In the spring of 1861 he made the first complete one of this at the same lime commenced the manufacture often machines. Deciding to engage permanently in the manufacture of his device, he sold his farm in Warren Co. In 1853 he turned out twelve of the corn- planters, adding small improvements, lie made 100 in 1854, and 300 in 1855, in which year he came to Galesburg and made the humble start on his factory. The following year he made GOO planters and in 1857 1,000.. Thus the factory was begun.

In the earliest years it was located in a small wooden building on the northeast corner of Kellogg and Simmons streets; now it occupies two- thirds of the entire block bounded by Kellogg, Simmons, Prairie and Tompkius streets. When' his plant had outgrown the firstfaetory building, Mr. Brown, by difficult but ultimately successful financiering, secured the erection of the large main building which still is the home of the factory- plant to-day. Together with the storehouse on the northeast corner, built a number ago, and various additions of shops to the west end of the main building, the factory now has several hundred thousand square feet of floor space. The different hhops now are: Machine shop, wood shop, grinding room, foundry, paint shop, wheel house blacksmith shop, engine department and warehouse.

The company has recently broken ground for a new brick building, 163 by 53 feet, to be erected on Simmons street, in which harrows will be made and The cost of the new structure will be Peter Olson is the contractor, and he will have the building completed about Nov. 1. 'The founder of the works started out with Ihe manufacture of one cbrnplanter. Here are some of the different machines which the factory ot to-day is sending all over the country: Three stj les of cornplantcrs, walking and riding listers: Uu styles of cultivators, hay rakes, harrows, corn shelters, shovel plows, and sta'k November and continuing until about May 1, the shipping will be very heavy. It amounted to about 175 cars last year, and it will in all probability be materially larger this year.

There are more of the Brown cornplanters used than of any other kind, and consequently the machines are sent to all points. The western trade is remarkably heavy, principally in Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri. The company has a splendidly organized western distribution system. General agents are estaolished in the large cities, to. whom the machinery is sent in car loads for distribution throughout tlie The most recent branch house opened is at St Louis, which is in charge of P.

The other salesmen and agents of com- jiany are as-follows: JolLPunn. 3E. who travel from; C. M. 'Bradshaw, TDes Moities.

Iowa; iW. C. Ilebbard and F. M. Shell, Kansas City, O.

J. Kickard and B. L. Banford, Council Bluffs, Iowa; O. W.

Pope, Hastings, Neb. Besides the factory property owned by thecompnnv, it has a commodious lumber yard, about 10 by 8 rods, lying between Seminary and Chambers streets north of Mulberry street. This contains a large building admitting the storage of several cars of lumber, besides ample yard ropm. A side track runs through this from the main'tracks of the B. to tlie factory.

The company also owns Lake Washington, east of the city. In 1880 the cornplanter works was incorporated by George W. Brown, James E. Brown. E.

A. Perrin and J. S. Cowan. The first officers were: President George W.

Brown; Vice-President I. S. Perkins; Secretary, Loren Stevens; Treasurer, James E. Brown; Superintendent, M. T.

Perrin. present directors of tlie company are: M. T. Perrin, George W. Cowan, H.

B. Scheitlin, James E. Brown, George D. Crocker, W. S.

Cowan, P. F. Brown, A. 0. Peterson and Mrs.

il. T. Perrin. Following is the list of the present officers: T. Perrin.

Vice W. Cowan. B. Scheitlin. E.

Brown. General D. Crocker. O. Peterson.

Peterson. GALESBURG BILL POSTING CO. With the change in the management of the Auditorium this season from local proprietorship to the famous Chamber- Lain Kindt theatrical circuit, have come several changes iu affairs in general at the theater. One of these is the bill posting CHRISTIAN CHURCH. cutters.

And there was much progress made in the production ot tlie factory under the long years of Mr. Brown's active supervision, which has been continued by the present operator. The company made the first cornplanter. We still make the The latest pattern of the planter is a combined hill and drill drop, by which it can be adjusted from 3 feet and 4 incher to 3 feet and inches and 3 feet and 8 inches. While tlie machine is planting the last two rows in a field the check-row wire can be reeled up.

The machine is now -made entirely of steel and iron, with the exception of the tongue, thelast bit of in its manufacture having been abandoned five years ago. This year tiie company is turning out a new combined cultivator, wnich 'works equally well as'a walker or rider. Listers which and cover at the same tune are taking the place of the department. Upon the new management assuming the theater, their local manager, Punch Kobertson, took immediate steps for. the organization of a new bill posting and distributing company, whose "operations should extend beyond simply putting up the paper for the Auditorium attractions.

Mr. Kobertson and Henry Gardt are the-proprietors of the company, and hive, been successful in securing a large circuit of boards. With the completion of those now in process of erection, they will have one of the finest bill posting circuits in this part of the State. All the boards, which are located in the most advantageous parts of the are constructed of fine lumber and They will make a feature of commercial posting and distribut- ing of all kinds. Charles Voglc, an experienced bill is the foreman for the company, and he has two assistants.

A good custom has already been secured, so that the entire' attention of the three men is required, but the business Is also enjoyingla rapid growth. Mr. Robertson, the new manager of the Auditorium, came to Galesburg from La Crosse, Wis. For the past sixteen years he was proprietor of the Punch Uobert- son Company, a high class theatrical company which traveled principally in the South the past six years. Mr.

IJobertson thus knows the show profession from beginning to He has taken an active hold on the Auditorium, and has already gained a favorable acquaintance here. The Chamberlain Kindt combination, which in some sections is known as the Chamberlain-Harrington circuit, is one of the most important factors In the western theatrical world. It controls the leading" theaters in the following cities: Davenport, Burlington, Peoria, Oskaloosa, Marshalltown, Quincy, Hannibal, Council Bluffs, Ottnmwa, Moline and Galesburg, and has its own theatrical bureau in the East. THE STORE. The firm of Scharfenberg Levy, who run the Hub Shoe Store at 12 East Main street, are lively claimants for a large ihare of the shoe custom of the city, and hey offer an attractive stock.

This store las been the location of a shoe store from the early'days, having formerly been operated by the late W. ff. Davidson. Messrs. T.

J. Scharfenberg and Abe Levy, are the iroprietors of the Palace Shoe Store at Streator, where both entered the business several years ago. They are large wholesale buyers of shoes, and Galesburg is but one of the several cities in which they lave conducted stores. They took pos- icssion of the Davidson store here about ive years ago, and they have, by wise management and push, continued to build up the trade. The firm makes a specialty of handling In spacionSjanf ters over on East Mainstrec dentist, moved to hiSjnev which is as com- renovated.

Dr. Olson has OLSON. wly remodeled quar- wkmson's restaurant Olson, He recently fortahUTandcom! It inclndes'a rccej room and-a labo been fitted sanitary arrangements anil thoroughly eBfeas could be desired, oirroom, an operating ory. Tne offices have flooring and modern sn in Galesburg for the past six and onefialf years. During the hlg ro fes- Wolf and attend- nrst years he sion here under Dr ing aprominent Philadelphia school of den- mtry.

Jh 1895-9b lie was in the Chicago Dental College, from which he graduated in April, 189b. He again resumed his position the office of Dr. Wolf, but March, 1898, he opened an ofhie of his own on East Mam street This he has just left for his new suite. Uhe doctor is a competent practitioner, having acquired, bj his university studies and his practical work in this city, a thorough knowledge of dentistry. He has paid attention to ail branches of the profession, and is equally skillful in the operating room and the laboratory.

He makes a specialty of painless extraction of His process is the application of a local antes- thetic, which, when the conditions are right, admits of extraction -with rabsolntely no panrto the patient He has madeconsid- jiable research into this subject, and has founded his process upon a logical medical foundation. He substantiates his claims tor it with hundreds of references from persons who have passed through the ordeal of tiaving teeth pulled and have spared the usually attendant, pains. Dr. Olson also gives especial attention to crown and Bridge work. He is the only Swedish dentist in Galesburg, and has a tine practice among the Swedish population.

NELs M. BURGLAND; "With the. growth of population which the east end of the city has experienced in the past dozen years, came naturally the need for the locat- Thereupon Mr. Byram entered his present business. His specialty is the selling of city property upon commission, and the placing of loans on real estate.

He also handles many transactions in farm lands. His loans are placed exclusively upon mortgages and mainly for Galesburg customers. He has a fire insurance agency, and represents such well-known and substantial companies as the Citizen's, of Pennsylvania, the Deleware, of-Philadelphia, and ''the United States, of New York. His operations in real estate, loans and insurance are large. S.

H. OLSON BRO. Several of the mercantile firms of the city are situated somewhat outside the main business portion of the city but are, nevertheless, handling a thriving trade, and among these are S. H. Olson whose store stands at the corner of Chambers and Berrien streets.

Their trade might be called Cosmopolitan, as, although they have a very large patronage from residents the southeast part of town, they also have many easterners who reside in the most distant parts. S. 31. Olson, the senior partner, is one of the oldest grocers in the city. He became connected with the business in the year 1865.

His brother, Will A. Olson, who is associated with him, is quite a veteran in the business, having been in it for the past sixteen years. Mr. Olson, the senior, began driving the delivery wagon for the F. O.

Crocker store in 18tio, eleven years after he arrival in this country from Sweden. In 1870 he boupht out Mr. Crocker's interest in the grocery, and has been a proprietor ever since. In the year J87B he erected what is pirt of the present store, located just across Chambers street on the Crocker store. corner opposite the old With additions made ten years ago the present store is a double one.

about 40s 70 feet in size. One room is the grocery and the other is used as a feed ami G. W. BROWN CORNPLANTER WORKS. full line of the medium-priced boots, jhocs and other supplies, catering to the working people and all who want first- class goods without the fancy or firm name.

The proprietors buy in large quantities and are thus enabled sell at close margins. They oiler as heir leader in ladies' tine shoes, the cele- Cyrano brand, a $3 product that as fine as anything on the market It an up-to-date shoe, having all the qual- ties of a $5 article, with nothing omitted omake it perfect The shoe comes in all calf and kid, in weights suit all. Fine union-made shoes for men and ladies are kept in a number of different makes. Boots, rubbers and jther footwear supplies are constantly on land, and the store also deals in leathers and findings for shoemakers. In a large room over their main store they carry a complete reserve stock.

They make a eature of their repair department. Eric Jederoth, who is a prominent Swedish jitizen, and fully experienced in his business, and William Keo, are clerks in the tore. The firm are reaping the benefits fair and honest dealing, and are secur- ng a fine hold upon the trade here. They aave a very large share of the Swedish They make a specialty of buying stocks, job lots and consignments, which puts them in a position at imes, to sell goods for less than whole- ale prices. PIERSON SWANSON.

The people who are prevented b)' cir- lumstances of whatever sort from taking heir meals at home, appreciate the boon having as. satisfactory a lunch room to go to as that "run by Pierson Swansou, 122G East Main street, called The Union junch Room." Both its fine location in lie business portion of the city and the jigh standard upon-which the place is managed, have given it an extensive trade, nd.the popularity of the resort is rapidly acreasing. The proprietors are Frank and Fred L. Swauson, who ipened the lunch room in July, they had both been running which from jcust iJawkinson. had been bakers or several years, and Mr.

Pierson had jeen an employe of Mr. Hawkinson for years and Mr. Swanson about eight ears before they assumed his business. both had ail intimate knowledge of he occupation of supplying food, and were well fittedfor the running of a lunch Their present place ot business is a crupulously clean and neat one. Their main room is chiefly occupied by a long unch cpunter, and back of this Is a roomy citclien, fitted large Majestic coal range and other modern kitchen appliances.

They serve a large bill of fare and do a general short-order business, and heir cooking is top-notch. They serve daily a large number of regular boarders, and their transient custom keeps the proprietors and their employes busy all day nd-night. They handle a choice line of igars and tobacco. ing of stores in that vicinity, and several enteq)rising business concerns have taken the field there. Among them is the Home Meat Market of Nels II.

Burgland, who in 1891 erected the most substantial store building in that part of town. It is the brick structure at the corner of Main and Fulton streets, GO feet long by 46 feet wide. The market occupies the west side of the building. 959 East Main street. Mr.

Burgland, -who is a butcher of several years standing, knows exactly how to conduct a meat market, as a visit to his store will prove. It is admirably arranged, both for the cooling and preserving of meats and for the accommodation of customers. No finer meats can be procured in the city than he furnishes. He does all his own butchering, from finely selected stock. Smoked and cured meats, sausages and other goods are largely manufactured by him; some, however, secured from the packers, and those the leading ones.

His trade extends all through that part of town and also to other portions of the city. It requires three delivery wagons to serve his customers, and hi's force of employes in- cludes'seven men. His son, George, is now in charge'of the store. Mr. Burglund was for 18 to 20 years in tiie jJurgland Johnson which conducted a sloro in the central part of the city- Ho opened his present store in May, 1S92.

lie has been iu Galesburg 33 years. E. T. BYRAM. E.

T. Byram occupies a prominent position among the real estate and loan dealers of the cit), and is one of the large operators" in 'that line. His office is at 151 East Main street. Mr. Byram has been in business for the past r.ine years: and is therefore familiar -with its successful management.

For sixteen years he was with G. W. Brown doing contract work in the paint department of the corn planter works. For year and a half succeeding that he conducted a grocery in the F. O.

Crocker buiklino-, on the south side of the Public" Square, following which he; in company with his brother, H. E. Byram, was in the cold storage'business, subsequently selling out to Weinberg Brothers. store room. The basement upstairs are also used Tor storage, entered the firm' in 1SS3, leaving school.

W. A. Olson following his A. general stock of groceries, flour and feed and some notions comprise the goods handled by Olson A Bro. Their location makes it expedient for them to do somewhat of a department business, and in their notions are included underwear, hosiery, overalls, tinware and ironware, domestic outfits and school stationery.

The grocery department comprises the leading staples, together with a fine line of the fancy goods. Coffees, teas, and batters of the finest qualities are procurable in this store, from which no impure goods are allowed to go. A special feature is made of the Hour and feed department, consider- STOEE OP S. H. OLSON BHOS.

WEINBERG BROS. The past few years have witnessed the institution of large commission interests here. Formerly, all food commodities were shipped in here to the retail dealers directly; now several important firms are doing the bulk of tlie jobbing business. Among these Weinberg Bros, take high rank. From their headquarters, opposite the B.

Q. passenger station, they are distributing immense quantities of goods every year. Lafayette'and Abraham Weinberg are the heads of this firm. The nucleus of the business was formed in December, 1888, when the former opened a small depot in the basement of the Crocker implement store, on the south side of the Public Square, for the sale of fruits, poultry and other commodities. In due season the business outgrew its quarters, and in the fall of 1890 Mr.

Weinburg formed a partnership with the Byram brothers, E. T. and Harry and they purchased from Crocker Robbins the property opposite the B. Q. station.

Upon this they erected a cold storage building, 42 feet by 50 feet and four stories in height, costing At the end of the first year this partnership was dissolved, the Weinberg brothers purchasing the interest of the Byrams. In 1894 an important change was made in the operation of the cold storage department, by which the old plan of cooling by means of ice was abolished and a system of artificial refrigeration installed. The organization of the Galesburg Artificial Ice Co. brought this about. Tlie companv incorporated by the Weinberg brothers, W.

H. Pierce, X. P. Glann and Westinghouse, Church, Kerr of Chicago, and the capital stock was made $80,000. Tlie present directors are the four officers, together witli H.

PI. Kerr, of Chicago, and L. A. Townsend and George Shurnway, of this city. The present officers are: President, I)r.

W. Aldrich; vice-president, A. L. Weinberg: treasurer, L. Weinberg; secretary, F.

E. Swanson. A brick engine room, 40 by 80 feet, and a freezing room, 55 by 60 feet, divided into eight freezing tanks 10 by 20 feet, were erected. An improved refrigerating machine was put in, which turns out twenty- five tons of pure artificial ice every day, besides refrigerating the cold storage building. The latter includes die refrigerating of over 00,000 feet of storage room, the temperature of which is carried from freezing up to 40 degrees above zero.

In addition to this there is one room in which the temperature is maintained at zero, and another, a temporary ice storage room, 50 by 30 feet in size, in which the temperature is reduced to freezing by direct expansion. The refrigerating machinery was placed by Westinghouse, Clmrch, Kerr who have recently erected in the plant here a very large Atlas-Corliss direct-connection engine, which has a capacity of forty tons of ice per daj-. The engine is 250-horse power and it runsjiiglit and day. Tn 1896 the company built a waterworks and sunk iesjan well 1,226 feet deep, w.liich pumps day and night from 125 the tvater. In general, the business of Weinberg Bros, is the handling of fruits, potatoes, poultry and other commodities.

Their city trade is heavy, and they also conduct an extensive foreign trade. They have a farm of 160 acres in Minnesota, upon which they raise potatoes for shipment in car load lots to the Southern and Central States. Fruit is received from Mexico, California, Florida and other territories by the car load, which is disposed of entirely at wholesale. In J89G the company added the handling of poultry to their business, which they have made a strong feature. They are at present receiving poultry from Iowa and Missouri in addition to nearby points, which is shipped to Eastern hotels and retail butchers, this enabling them to pay fanners a large price their fowls.

Thev dress poultry the year around, their fine refrigerating equipment enabling them to handle the meat without the danger of its spoiling. In the winter a large oyster business is done, supplies being handled directly from Baltimore. In 189S the firm became interested in the incorporation of the Enterprise Bottling Works. A stock company was formed, of which A. L.

Weinberg is the president, W. C. Clemens the vice-president, L. Weinberg the treasurer and Hermann Strauss the general manager. The agency was taken for the Schlitz Brewing beer that made Milwaukee is sold now in all the civilized countries of the STEINBERG COLD STOEAGE AND COMMISSION HOUSE.

able transacting with the farmers being done in this line. The crockery and tin- ware stock is a complete and well selected one. The usual accompanying stock of cigars, tobacco and candy is to be found in this grocery, of fine quality. The conveniences of a large tie yai city fountain are provided for the a city and many farmers who favor this firm with their trade, and the aim is. above all things, to treat courteously and please all their customers.

The store enjoys a large trade from tlie families of railroad men, due no more to their location than to their sterling methods of doing wiigons are'operated by the-firm, guarantee delivery Two delivery firm, who of goods. Since 1803 Clarence Olson, son of the senior partner, has been the book-keeper. Jfeycr in the history of the store, the firm say, has trade been better. world. This beverage has become so popular in Galesburg that more of it is consumed here than of any other kind.

In addition to this beer the company handles all kinds of wines, liquors, pop, ginger ales and mineral waters, which are known far and wide for their sterling qualities. This plant is located in commodious quarters in a building just east of the cold storage building, on East South street. A large force is employed constantly in bottling and shipping. The company has a number of agencies in the cities in this vicinity, and the localities in which its goods cannot be found are few and far between. In the different departments of their business Weinberg Bros, employ an average of sixty men, this force being sometimes less and sometimes greater, according-to the season.

The monthly pay roll figures about $3,000, distributed almost entirely in Galesburg. It is, thus, not surprising to learn that this enterprising and gnn that its yearly business is firm's business is large, and.