FISH, Edwin B.

FISH, BULL, STRUNK, HARRIS, KELLOGG, LOKWOOD, GOULD, GABRIEL, MOSES

Posted By: Nettie Mae
Date: 1/18/2003 at 23:39:43

Source: The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.

EDWIN B. FISH.

Among the most energetic enterprising and progressive business men of Clinton is Edwin B. Fish, whose creditable business record places him foremost among those whose active lives have contributed to commercial activity and general prosperity as well as their individual successes. He as born in Cayuga county, New York, February 20, 1840, a son of Ira and Sarah A. (Bull) Fish, the former of Welsh lineage, while the latter was of English descent. The father followed farming as a life work and in 1846 removed with his family to Wisconsin, where he located upon a tract of land which he made his place of abode until called to the home beyond. His wife, who is also deceased, passed away at her home in Racine, Wisconsin. They were the parents of seven children, one of whom died in childhood, while six reached mature years, namely: Titus G., who died in Clinton in December, 1899; Abner C., who was a prominent attorney of Chicago, and died in December, 1899; Eliza, who is the widow of Daniel Strunk, and resides in Riverside, California; E. B., of this review; Phoebe, wife of A. H. Harris, of Racine, Wisconsin; and Amanda, who became the wife of A. H. Kellogg, and died in Racine in March, 1901. The children were educated in the public schools of Racine, and A, C., pursued a college course. In early life the father was a Whig, and afterward became a supporter of the Republican party. He was a well-educated man, and was prominent in early pioneer days in Wisconsin. Both he and his wife were member of the Universalist church, and were people of the highest respectability, winning friends among all with whom they came in contact.

Edwin B. Fish pursued his early education in the public schools and later attended the Edgerton Academy, at Edgerton, Wisconsin, and the Evansville Academy, at Evansville, the same state. When the Civil war broke out he responded to the president’s call for aid, enlisting in the Twelfth Wisconsin Battery of Light Artillery, in August 1862. He served until May 1, 1865, and took part in the battle of Corinth, in October, 1862, in the siege of Vicksburg and the engagements of Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge and Alltoona. He was also with Sherman on the memorable march to the seam which proved the weakness of the defenses of the Confederacy, was in the siege of Atlanta and the battle of Goldsboro. He was fortunate that he was never wounded, although he saw some hard service and ha a number of very narrow escapes. He suffered an attack of typhoid fever, however. Whenever health and strength permitted he was found in the midst of action, bravely defending the stars and stripes, the emblem of the Union.

After the war was over Mr. Fish went to Racine, Wisconsin, and began to work with his brother, who in 1862 had established a wagon manufactory. A partnership was later formed between them. They began operation on a small scale, but increased their facilities as their business demanded and enlarged their force of workmen. Their output at first was small, but as the years went by their shipments constantly grew and success attended the venture. They remained at Racine until 1890, when they went to Superior, Wisconsin, and built up an extensive plant. The partnership was continued until the death of Mr. Fish’s brother, and throughout their business connection our subject was superintendent of the manufacturing department. In September, 1895, the business was removed to Clinton, and the Fish Brothers Manufacturing Company was incorporated with F. G. Fish, as president, W. J. Young, Jr., vice-president, and E. b. Fish, superintendent. The plant was formerly occupied by A. B. Spies & Son, a manufacturing enterprise. The present company manufactures farm wagons, and its business has reached mommoth proportions. The main building is five hundred and fifty by one hundred and fifty feet, and in addition there are numerous ware-rooms, dry kilns and shed. The plant is now located in Manufacturers’ addition to the city, employment is furnished to one hundred and twenty-five skilled workmen, and the output is twelve thousand wagons annually. The increase in the business is shown by the fact that the output has doubled in the last five years, and also in the increase in the number of workmen from eight to one hundred and twenty-five. This indicates in unmistakable manner the splendid workmanship and the correct and reliable business methods of the house, which in trade circles sustains and unassailable reputation. The present officers are A. R Olney, president: G. N. Curtis, vice-president; P. F. Fish, secretary; C. I. Benford, assistant secretary’ E. B. Fish, Jr., treasurer; and E. B. Fish, Sr., superintendent.

On the 15th of October, 1867, in Racine, Wisconsin, Mr. Fish wedded Miss Mary L. Lockwood, who was born in that city May 30, 1847, and died in Clinton, April 26, 1897. They had three children. Louise E., born July 28, 1868, is the wife of S. G. Gould, who is engaged in the dry-goods business in New York, and unto them have been born three sons, Edwin F., Stephen G. and William F.; Elbert B., born July 21, 1872, resides in Clinton and is treasurer of the Fish Brothers Manufacturing Company; and Alice A., born March 19, 1874, is the wife of Harry Gabriel, president of the Anderson & Winter Manufacturing Company, of Clinton. The children are all either graduates of the schools of Racine or Superior, Wisconsin. On the 17th of April 1901, Mr. Fish, the father, was again married, his second union being with Laura Lillian Moses, who was born in New York in 1857, and was educated in this city. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Moses, were well-known residents of this city, where the father engaged in the book business. He died while attending church, in 1898, when well advanced in years.

In his political views Mr. Fish is a stalwart Republican, and is deeply interested in the growth and success of his party. He served as a member of the city council while residing in Racine, and was a delegate to state conventions, but since coming to Iowa has left part work to other. Prominent in the Masonic fraternity, he belongs to the blue lodge, chapter and commander of Racine, and to the lodge and encampment of the Odd Fellows society of the same city. There he also became a member of Governor Harvey Post, No, 17, G. A. R., and in all these organizations he enjoys the highest esteem of his brethren by reas9n of his fidelity to the underlying principles which form their foundation. In Racine he was a member of the Universalist church, and took an active part in the work of the Sunday-school. He is always courteous, kind and affable, and those who know him personally have for him warm regard. He is a self-educated and self-made man, and is one of the oldest wagon makers in the country, engaged continously in business through almost forty years. A man of great natural ability, his success in business was uniform and rapid. He persevered in the pursuit of a persistent purpose, and gained the most satisfactory reward. His life was exemplary in all respects, and he has ever supported those interests which are calculated to uplift and benefit humanity, while his own high moral worth is deserving of the highest commendation.