Woolen Mills

WRIGHT, CLARK, POFF, NICKERSON

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 3/10/2008 at 12:04:04

Maquoketa Sentinel
August 25, 1868

WOOLEN MANUFACTORIES VISITED-

Two of which we visited and examined somewhat. Messrs. Wright & Clark’s establishment is one of considerable importance, running about three hundred spindles and six looms one of them double width, upon which they weave large quantities of blankets. This establishment turns out altogether about 20 yards of cloth a day. The machinery is run by a steam engine, and is a profitable business employing about twenty hands. This we understood to be the original woolen factory of Maquoketa. Messrs. Poff, Nickerson & Co. have also a woolen factory of about the same magnitude, situated on the Maquoketa river about a mile out of town. Their carders and spindles are run day and night by which they are enabled to keep their five looms, (one being a wide or double one) running for twelve hours a day. They manufacture about the same amount of cloth of different descriptions. There is also connected with this establishment a saw mill and a grist mill, which do a very good business. Messrs. Dyer, Bennett & Co have still another woolen factory in the immediate vicinity, established since the others, and probably more complete in point of machinery, and capable of doing a greater amount of business than either of the others. This is run by steam although located near one branch of the river. We did not explore this establishment, but learned that it turned out the same amount of cloth, besides doing a large amount of custom carding. The cloth from these mills is of a superior quality, and is readily disposed of at remunerative prices. So it will be seen that in this branch alone about 600 yards of cloth is produced daily, worth a dollar a yard; consuming much wool, and giving employment to a large number of hands. Maquoketa has other work shops and other matters of importance witch we desire to mention at length, but cannot do so at this time. Suffice it that her manufacturing and mercantile interests both desire and deserve a railroad communication with the river at this point, and must have it.