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MANUFACTORIES
Milling
Lumber was among the first needs of the settlers. Beams could be obtained from the forests, but boards were almost a necessity. Lumber for doors and sash was brought by boat around from Cincinnati, but this was only within the means of the few; the many must haul in hard-wood logs to the mill and have boards sawn with which to finish their cabins. The pineries of the north were as yet undeveloped, and the use of steam too expensive to be then considered. The first mills were saw-mills run by water. It was Capt. Benj. Clark, the first settler in the county, who built the first saw-mill - built it at the mouth of Duck Creek, 15 miles up the river from his home in Buffalo. He wanted lumber to improve his town site, the first to be located, and so got material, secured the needful machinery from St. Louis, dammed the then more plentiful waters of the creek, and sawd the first lumber made in these parts. This was in 1834. The lumber was rafted at the mill and floated down the Mississippi to Buffalo, while yet there was but a cabin or two in Davenport. The mill was a great blessing to the communtiy and enabled not a few to shelter their families more comfortably. Most of the early houses of Buffalo were built of lumber from this mill.
Mr. Clark sold the mill to Doolittle, Moss & Co. In 1838 the firm became Doolittle & Bradley, the other partners having been bought out by a new comer named Horace Bradley, yet one of the most thrifty residents of the county. The mill made some money for the new firm; at least, when some seven years later Mr. Bradley concluded to go to farming, he had $500 in cash to invest. The first mill was abandoned after Mr. Bradley left it, and but a slight trace remains. Mr. Doolittle was here but a short time, residing pricipally in the East.
In 1835 Samuel Hedges built a mill on Crow Creek, where that stream is crossed by "Middle Road." Crow Creek was more of a stream then than now, now that farm improvements and removal of woodland have sapped its sources. The mill did a fair business for some time; but not bringing promised success was abandoned, not, however, before the despondent owner had suspended his body from one of its roughly hewn beams. In 1837 Mr. Hedges attempted to retrieve his fortunes by putting in a run of stone to grind grain; but this also proved a failure.
In 1838 Samuel Parker, a pioneer from Pepperell, Mass., invested in a five-acre mill site on Duck Creek, back of what is now known as Camp McClellan, and taking in Isaac Hawley and William Eldridge as partners, the firm built a good saw-mill. That it did not prosper was owing to a lack of water and logs. This circumstance led to the abandonment of the enterprise and the demolition …
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… of the mill in a year or two after its erection. In same year Stephen Henley and R. H. Spencer built a small saw-mill at mouth of Crow Creek, but it was of only four years' duration.
In the same year the Quinn Mill was built at Pleasant City, a village that had been started on section 9, Winfield township, by John Owens, merchant, and others. Like the village of which it was a part, it did business at small profit for a year or two, and then disappeared. In 1851 or 1852 Jabez Hitchcock built a wing-dam saw-mill at "the Rocks," on the Mississippi, near the present "Watkins Place," but the ice swept the investment into the channel of the Mississippi before any great results had been achieved.
In 1842 Thomas Wood built a grist-mill and distillery on the river bank in Davenport, near the lower saw-mill. He ground corn for the farmers and distilled corn into whisky. The investment was not sufficiently profitable to encourage the enterprise, so it ended in a few years. This was the first and, so far as is known, the last whisky distillery in Davenport.
It was 10 years after the date of the last water-power mill that the first steam saw-mill was put in operation in this vicinity, to saw rafted logs, that by 1848 were being brought from the Wisconsin pineries. This mill was built by a Mr. McCarthy, on a river site, between Gaines and Warren streets. Mr. McCarthy died in the same year, or the next, and a firm named Rhodes & Perrin then operated it; afterward Mead, Smith & Marsh. Finally, in 1857, it being then the property of James Grant, it was improved and worked for a year or two by Grant & Kimball; then stood still for several years, went to ruin, and was finally destroyed by fire.
In 1849 a Mr. Howard erected the lower mill at Davenport, which, in a year or two, came into the possession of Alex McGregor, who, in 1854, sold them to John M. Cannon, and later into the firm of Cannon & French, which firm was succeeded by French & Davies; then by John L. Davies & Son, and is now the property of Paige, Dixon & Co. Its cut in 1868 amounted to 7,000,000 feet, and in 1881, 13,000,000.
In 1840 Strong Burnell built a large saw and planing mill on Front street, between Scott and Ripley. In 1851 he took into partnership S. S. Gillett and J. H. Lambrite. The firm did a large business here and in the pineries until 1858, when it failed, and the mill remained idle until it was started up a year or two after by G. K. Barce, who, after a run of a few years, sold it to Dessanint & Schricker in 1865. In 1868 the firm became Schricker & Mueller, and so remains. It cut 5,000,000 feet of lumber in 1868, and in 1881, 13,000,000 feet.
In 1850 a mill was built in East Davenport by Robert Christie, which was in operation until 1868, when it was purchased by D. Stanchfield, who ran it a year or two. It was destroyed by fire in 1862.
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In 1854 the mill of Renwick & Son was built by that firm, and has been run by them until within a few years past when the firm became Renwick, Shaw & Crossett. The lumber cut at the mill in 1868 was 4,000,000 feet, and in 1881, 14,500,000 feet.
In 1856 Bosworth & Allen erected a mill, corner of Front and Warren streets, which was operated by several parties, and destroyed by fire in 1858.
In 1867 Lindsay & Phelps built a mill in East Davenport which is still run by that firm. In 1868 the lumber cut was 2,500,000 feet.
In 1868 L. C. Dessaint built a saw-mill in East Davenport which began operation in the spring of 1869. Three years later he sold it to Price, Hornley & Kehoe - and two years later Mr. Kehoe sold his interest to his partners, and John Hornley and Geo. W. Cable leased the mill of the owners. The firm of Hornley & Cable was dissolved by the death of the former in 1879, since which time is has been operated by the Cable Lumber Company. Its cut in 1881 was 12,325,000 feet.
There have been two steam saw-mills in Le Claire, one owned and run by Alfred Jansen in 1854, and for some years later. It was destroyed by fire. The other built in 1856 by Davenport & Rogers was an unsuccessful enterprise, and the mill was removed elsewhere. In Le Claire, also, was a wing dam mill, which was later turned into a grist-mil, in which capacity it is now operated.
At Buffalo a steam saw-mill was built in 1854 by Shue Bros. It was torn down in 1881 to make way for the track of the Southwestern Railroad. It was a mill of the smaller class.
Bread is very much the staff of life in a new country. Previous to 1835 what settlers there were in this county got their milling from afar, the nearest grist-mill being on Henderson River back of Oquaka, 50 miles away; or had their meal and flour brought up from St. Louis. In 1835 a grist-mill was built on Crow Creek where it is crossed by the river road to Le Claire. It was the enterprise of Haskell & Davis, 16 x 18, of hewn logs, one run of stones cut from prairie boulders, and set of bolts. This served a purpose in a plain and gritty way until 1838 when it was abandoned and the timbers sold to A. C. Fulton, who split them into fence rails. This was the only grist-mill of its class that we have any record of.
In 1836 John H. Sullivan got out material for a steam flour and saw mill that went into operation in Rockingham in 1837. It was a strong builing and ran in th ecustom and shipping line - affording the farmers a needed home market for their grain. The saw-mill part was of small importance; it did a good business, running until 1847 when it was determined fully that Rockingham was to be no more a place upon the map. Two years of its time it was run by J. M. D. Burrows, which was his first milling experience in this county. A part of the machinery was bought by John Coleman …
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… and used to run his boat the "Mary C.," the first and perhaps the last steamer built for river traffic in this county. The frame was bought by the late Rev. James Gilruth, with which he built a barn on his farm north of this city.
In 1836 D. C. Eldridge brought some horse-power mills, "Gentry's Metallic," from Cincinnati, one of which he set up near his store on brimstone corner (Front and Ripley), Davenport. The grinding was done in an imperfect manner, the machine run by as many horses as the owner of the grist chose to put on. It is related of Ebenezer Cook that grinding a sack of corn with his old mare was the work of a full day. Two more of these mills were sold by Mr. Eldridge to a Prarie du Chien party for a pair of mules and a wagon. The former went and drowned themselves in the Mississippi, and the latter brought the seller $20. The remaining one was bought by David Miller, who worked it by mill power out on the Long Grove road at the hull farm, with such poor success that a pair of boots were taken in satisfaction of the purchase price. The first steam flouring-mill built in Davenport went into operation in January, 1848. It was the old "Albion," on Front street, cornering on Perry, built of brick, 43 x 38, and three stories high. It was begun by Ambrose C. Fulton in 1846, but before completion, he sold it to Burrows & Prettyman. It was enlarged and improved by that firm several times, and cost them many thousand dollars. Its highest capacity was 300 barrels of flour daily. It was consumed by fire in 1863, and was not rebuilt.
Having sold the Albion Mills, Mr. Fulton immediately set about building the AEtna Mills, alongside. They are of wood, the principal dimensions 57 x 60, three stories, with a engine house annex, 50 x 27 and three run of stone. The mills were completed and flour made on the 15th day of January, 1848, and this was the first steam-mill grist ground in Davenport. The time occupied in the erection of this mill was five months and twenty-two days. When the excavation for foundations was begun, the lumber of which it was to be built was growing in the forest, the stone was yet unquarried, and the brick not yet molded. It was conidered a very enterprising feat. On its opening a great banquet was served in the second story of the mill by the appreciative citizens, in which 300 persons participated, and on which occasion speeches were made by James Grant, and others. Mr. Grant, among other things, stated to the assembled multitude that he had but just arrived home from Iowa City, where the State Legislature was in session, and that that body had just granted a charter for a railroad from Davenport to Council Bluffs, which information was received with three hearty cheers. More speeches, toasts, and responses followed and the first flour-mill was duly dedicated. It cost about $11,000. Mr. Fulton operated his mill a year or so, and then leased it to Macklot, Inslee & Davenport, who used it another, when it came into …
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… the hands of the owners of the Albion Mills who swapped the machinery with Davneport & Rogers, of Le Claire, for Credit Island. The machinery was afterward used in Swan Mills, Le Clairo. In 1853 the AEtna was demolished to make room for Burrows Block.
In 1844 Richard Smetham built a mill at the corner of Ripley and Front streets to grind kiln-dried corn meal, which he proposed to ship to the Liverpool market, but the enterprise, as did one or two later ones of the same particular character, came to naught.
In 1853 Davenport & Rogers built the Swan Mills at Le Claire, using the machinery taken from the AEtna Mills, Davenport. This mill was afterward run by Terhune & Grout, and burned down some years after.
In 1853 Mr. Wm H. Hildreth built the Economy Flour Mills at East Davenport. The structure was of stone, the machinery of latest improvment - four run of burrs. It was first operated by Hildreth & Dallam, afterward by George T. Elliot, but, proving a thriftless venture, was finally sold to be converted into a brewery, and is now run as such by Mesrs Kochler & Lange, of Arsenal Brewery. This brewery firm came into posession also of a flour mill built alongside by Squires, Christie & Hoath in 1856, which was likewise a financial failure, and changed hands to be used as stated.
In 1855 Spencer & Stafford, two thrifty farmers in Pleasant Valley township, invested $12,000 in a large brick flour-mill at Valley City. They hauled the coal and most of their grain from Davenport, and hauled the flour back again to Davenport to be shipped. The mill ruined its builders, and afterward was run on lease; finally came into the hands of Mr. Mitchell, of Rock Island, and after being run a while and standing idle more or less, it was finally destroyed by fire.
In 1856 John Jackson, a wel-to-do farmer just north of Davenport, invested several thousand dollars in a flour-mill on his farm. It was run by him two or three years, proved a failure, ruined Farmer Jackson, and was abandoned. Farmer Nicholas J. Rusch built a flour-mill, driven by wind-power, on his farm six miles out of Davenport, on the Dubuque road. It consumed $8,000 of his capital, and after running and idling for seven or eight years became food for the flames.
In the same year Green, Gillett & Co. built a flour-mill on Second street, Davenport, between Scott and Ripley streets, which did good for eight years, and then burned down; and in the same year Smith's wing-dam saw-mill in Le Claire was provided with flouring apparatus. Steam-power has since been added, and it is one of the mills of to day.
In 1857 Jacob Wever, Jr., built a patent flour-mill on the southwest corner of Third and Perry streets which was not a success, and the machinery was removed elsewhere. The same year Fredk. …
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… Rothstein built a steam flour-mill in Allen's Grove, which proving unprofitable, was by him in 1862 removed over to the Wapsie in Clinton County, where it is yet run as a profitable water-power mill. Out at Blue Grass, in the same year, M. Donaline, of Davenport, built a flour-mill, which he operated at a loss for a few years, then removed it to Davenport, by Donahue & Stribling, and afterward became well-known as Johnston's mill; later on it was sold to H. P. Beattie who enlarged and operated it as the Excelsior Mills until 1879, when it burned down and was by him rebuilt on an improved plan as the Phoenix Mills, but soon fell into the hands of the Phoenix Mill Company, organized by F. H. Griggs, E. S. Carl, F. T. Blunck, Henry Pahl and Robert Krause. In August, 1881, when almost ready for business, it was consumed by fire, but was again erected larger and with yet finer equipment, with latest improved roller machinery, at an expense of $75,000. It has a capacity of 400 barrels per day.
In 1857 A. Nugent built a brick flour-mill in Le Claire, which was operated by different parties for several years, and then passed out of use.
A grist-mill was built in Princeton in 1859, and was operated by Steffle & Penner, but was destroyed by fire some 20 years ago.
In 1860 J. Nyce & Co. built a mill in Fulton's block, Perry street, which was operated but a year or two.
In 1862 D. A. Burrows built a mill on the levee cornering on Perry street, which proved a failure on his hands. It was afterward run for awhile by several parties, but in 1867 came into the hands of J. M. D. Burrows, in whose possession it burned.
Meredith & Lockwood built the Davenport City Mills on Front street, east of Le Claire street, in 1867, which, after some time, was operated by a stock company, but suspended operations in 1872.
In 1863 J. M. D. Burrows brought in the Allolessa Mill and erected it on Fifth and Harrison streets, on the site of a burned elevator. It did good business for some years; then burned, and was not rebuilt.
In 1868 Dow, Gilman & Hancock built the Crescent Mills at Fourth and Le Claire streets, which are yet in full operation, largely increased in capacity since its building. It is a roller-mill, costing $60,000, with a capacity of 300 barrels daily. In connection with this mill is the elevator on Fifth and Sherman streets, with a capacity of 55,000 bushels.
In 1873 Winn & Blagrove built a flour-mill on Harrison street, above Sixth, which in 1877 came into the hands of Warnebold & Wittenberg, which has recently been remodeled into a roller-mill at a total cost of $25,000, and has a capacity of about 200 barrels per day.
The Davenport Oat-Meal Mills were introduced in 1879, and first …
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… occupied the northeast corner of Front and Brady, and operated by a stock company with a capital of $50,000. The first Board of Directors were: J. H. Murphy, President; J. F. O'Connor. Vice-President; N. C. Martin, Secretary; J. H. Murphy, J. F. O'Connor, S. M. Williams, N. C. Martin, Thos. Johnson, Directors. The mills were burned in 1881, and the old Burtis House property purchased and remodeled for the enterprise. The capital stock was all paid up and a new board elected, consisting of F. H. Griggs, F. H. Miller, N. Petersen, J. H. Murphy and J. F. O'Connor. It has a capacity of 100 barrels daily.
The Davenport Woolen Mills were established here in 1863 by Joseph Shields, and were operated with success from the start, and enlarged from year to year until the proprietor had invested $60,000. They were overtaken by misfortune in 1878, in the summer of which year Mr. Shields died, and the establishment fell into the hands of the Davenport National Bank, which leased it out to Jennings, Brady & Tearing, and afterward sold it to a stock company. The capital stock is $40,000. It was the first mill of the kind, and the last, that has been operated in the county.
Renwick's Saw-Mill was built by Renwick & Son in 1854, and has been rebuilt and improved several times since. The son, William Renwick, purchased his father's share in 1859, and the mill was conducted by him until the spring of 1875 when it was leased to Renwick, Shaw & Crassett; it has been enlarged and improved under their management. It was rebuilt and new machinery put in, in the winter of 1879 - '80, also new boilers and new engines put in in the winter of 1880 - '81. They get their logs mostly from the Chippewa and Black Rivers, and own pine forests, which they have cut. When the mill was first built it had a capacity of 12,000 a day; now has from 110 to 130 thousand. They employ 160 men in the mill yards and planing mill. Their annual expenses amount to $800,000, excluding what they pay their wood cutters. The mill has been in operation every year but one since it was erected.
DAVENPORT GLUCOSE MANUFACTURING COMPANY In the fall of 1872 H. G. Weinert had succeeded in producing grape sugar out of corn starch in small quantities on a cooking stove, and laid his results and samples before the Board of Trade who appointed R. Krause, N. Kuhnen and Thomas Scott as committee to examine into merits, etc. They sent samples of the grape sugar to 40 or 50 wine growers, beer brewers and to Prof. Henrickson, and all answers came favorable. A company was formed with a capital of $20,000 by H. G. Weinert, F. H. Griggs, H. H. Andresen, R. Krause, Otto Albrecht, H. O. Seifert, N. Kuhnen, Johnn S. Davis, Geo. L. Davenport, J. H. Murphy, G. Schlegel; buildings and machinery were constructed under H. G. Weinert, superintendent, and after having operated about 15 months the company …
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… suspended operations, having sunk over $15,000. In the fall of 1874 Mr. L. P. Best, the present superintendent, opened correspondence representing himself as an expert in the manufacture of grape sugar and glucose and offered to invest $3,000 if the company would furnish the balance of needed capital. A new company was formed on a basis of $30,000 and new works constructed. Their company operated about two years without material success, but it satisfied interested parties that it could be made a success, and a new building, five-story brick, and new machinery were erected and the capital doubled to $60,000 in the summer of 1876. The enterprise now became self-sustaining; was consuming 700 bushels corn daily and had accumulated by July, 1877, quite a surplus when the works were destroyed by fire, which wiped out nearly all accumulations but left the capital intact and paid the old stockholders the first cash dividend of 6 - 1/2 per cent. The stockholders, having great confidence in the growing demand of the product, at once resolved to rebuild on a greatly increased capacity, and work was begun immediately clearing away the debris, and in six months from the day of the fire the new works were again in operation with a daily consume of 2,000 bushels of corn. Since then until the present time there have been large buildings and improved machinery added until the full capacity of the works today amounts to 3,300 bushels corn daily consume. The company increased its capital stock to $200,000, on Jan. 1, 1881, and at present employs a capital of over $300,000, and consumed in the year 1881 about 700,000 bushels corn. The works consist of four and six story brick buildings and have a floor room of 131,000 square feet, besides corn-crib capacity for 150,000 bushels, and give steady employment to 75 hands, besides four teams, office help, and about 25 coopers making barrels and kegs. The quantity and quality of water being of great importance the company have sunk two artesian wells, one to a depth of 960 feet, which flows about 300 gallons of water per minute, and a second, now over 1,500 feet deep, throwing about 450 gallons of excellent pure water per minute, and this well when finished is expected to force the water through stand pipes to the top of the highest building at the rate of 500 gallons per minute. The standard quality of the grape sugar, glucose and table sirups, of the Davenport Glucose Manufacturing Company has a wide reputation and is being sold to all the principal cities in the United States, and when corn is ruling at average price can be successfully exported to Europe and Australia. The works have nine large boiler engines of 250 horse-power and consume about 6,000 tons of coal per annum and 400 tons of coke.
MARBLE, COAL, AND LIME WORKS McCosh & Donahue established this business in 1860. The marble works are situated at 211 Perry, the lime and coal office at …
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… 314 East Third street. They employ from 15 to 20 men; they make lime at Le Claire and East Davenport, beginning the manufacture of that article in 1881. They do an enormous business, the annual wholesale and retail sales aggregating $140,000. They do all knids of marble and granite work. Combined sale of marble, lime, cement, and coal.
BOARD OF TRADE The Board of trade of the city of Davenport was organized in 1867. Its object and aims are to collect and record such local and general statistical information relating to commerce and manufactures as may promote the interest of Davenport, and to protect and advance the welfare of the commercial and manufacturing and all other classes of citizens, to promote the just and equitable principles in trade, and to establish uniformity in the commercial usages of the city. There are two classes of members: one class consists of large manufactures, wholesale dealers and large capitaliste, who pay the sum of $10 annually. Professional men and others not included in the above class pay the sum of $5 annually. The following are the present officers: A. F. Williams, pres.; F. H. Hancock, First Vice-pres.; Geo. P. McClelland, Second Vic-Pres.; L. F. Parker, Sec.; W. C. Wadsworth, Treas.; Directors: - A. F. Williams, Geo. H. French, W. C. Wadsworth, W. D. Peterson, J. B. Phelps, W. S. Brown, F. H. Hancock, Geo. P. McClelland, S. F. Gilman, R. Kruse, Fred. Melchert, and L. F. Parker.
We copy from the Annual Report of the Board of trade in this city the following statistics, showing the progress of business in the different branchs of trade up to the close of the year.
"The footings in some of the principal branches of trade, for the year ending Dec. 31, 1857, show an aggregate in the same of $14,485,812.24. Of this amount $8,539,744.28 have been banking and exchange; $2,628,602.57 sales of merchandise; $1,158,000 sales of grain and provisions; $353,000 of sales of consignments and forwarding; $751,059 manufacturing not estimated in sales; $450,029 on freight and cartage; $555,406.39 lumber, doors, sash, etc.
The banking department shows an aggregate of $6,616,737.34 for exchange, and $1,923,006.94 for discounts.
The sales of merchandise, together with stock on hand, show as follows:
SALES STOCK Agriculture Inplements $25,000.00 $12,000 Boots and Shoes 72,000.00 34,000 Books, Wallpaper, etc 34,000.00 12,000 Bakery, Confectionary, etc 8,000.00 3,000 Clothing 163,700.00 61,000 Dry Goods 6000,902.57 167,500 Furniture, Mathesses, Carpeting 89,000.00 44,300 Groceries 771,800.00 163,000 Page 786
SALES STOCK Hardware, Iron and Nails $ 264,500.00 120,500 Hats, Caps, and Furs 34,000.00 14,000 Jewelary, Watches, etc 27,000.00 18,500 Leather and Saddlery Hardware 87,000.00 24,200 Millinery 42,000.00 12,700 Drugs, Paints, Oils, etc 70,000.00 35,300 Queensware 25,000.00 18,000 Stoves, House Furnishings, etc 125,000.00 44,000 Assorted Merchandise 116,200.00 16,000 Tobacco and Cigars 59,000.00 14,000 Wine and Liquors 13,500.00 7,000 Total Stock on hand 818,700 Owing to the monetary difficulties, which came upon us so suddenly in October there has been a falling off in all branches of trade. In no department have the figures been so affected as in banking. Druing 60 of the last 90 days, exchange has not been procurable at any price, or under any circumstances, except in very small sums. Notwithstanding this, our local business has suffered far less diminution than was at first apprehended.
Careful inquiries have developed the fact beyond dispute that, during the last few months, we have had important accessions to our trade, from various sections of the country hitherto tributary to other points. It is presuming very little to say, that the acquaintances thus formed cannot but result mutually advantageous. Whether the first introduction was the result of purely superior inducements in stock and prices, which our merchants are ever ready to offer, or more directly the effect of the local currency, that has been so exclusively the agent of our transactions, is not left for decision here, an, indeed, it is no matter; having gained so much of a point, it only remains to retain it.
The high price of exchange has operated more manifestly upon the stocks of grocers, in the articles of coffee, sugar and molasses, and has maintained the price of these articles, at quotations much above the ordinary margin between this and Eastern and Southern markets. The indications being favorable for a speedy equalization of funds, we may reasonably hope for an improvement in these articles and a corresponding increase of sales of the same.
The estimates of grain and provisions exhibit as follows:
NUMBER VALUE Bushels Wheat 1,019,005 $509,000 Bushels Barley 34,000 13,600 Barrels Flour 175,800 879,000 Tons shipped stuff 8,640 129,690 Bushel of Potatoes 20,000 5,000 Bushel of Onions 25,000 12,000 Barrels Pork 3,500 52,000 Tierce Bacon 1,280 32,000 Of all the wheat received during the comprised period, there were manufactured into flour 879,000 barrels.
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The number of hogs packed at this point was 13,000.
The estimated value of the same after allowing for the wheat, etc. is $1,158,000.
The commission and forwarding business, with an aggregate of $353,000, shows an advance for freight and charges of $150,000. The following list of different branches of manufacture shows for:
Agricultural Implements $ 49,000 Boots and Shoes 20,000 Book Binding, Printing, etc 108,000 Bakeries and Confectionery 35,000 Clothing 28,000 Carriages, Wagons, etc 87,000 Furniture and Mattresses 67,000 Plows, Castings and Iron Work 205,130 Paint, Oils, etc 4,000 StoveFurnishing, etc 10,000 Cooperage 105,130 Lumber, Sash, etc 235,154 Flour, Feed, etc 957,000 Hog Product 113,750 Sundry Manufactures 32,909 There are few points in the West where the manufacture of flour is more largely engaged in.
The value of this department alone approximates $1,000,000, while the brands of the different mills enjoy an enviable reputation in foreign markets.
DAVENPORT PRODUCE EXCHANGE Early in January, 1882, a reorganization of the Board of trade was effected, and upon a new basis. The former fees of membership were $10 per annum. This fee was changed to $10 and $5, the latter rate admitting a number who had no interest in the grain, milling, produce or packing industries. This left the representatives of these industries in the minority, and the Board of trade determined not to furnish market reports.
As the obtaining of market reports was one of the principal objects of the organization for the grain, milling, produce and packing representatives, they were forced to abandon the Board of Trade and thereupon organized the Davenport Produce Exchange on Jan. 23, 1882.
This Exchange has a membership of 52. The membership fees are $30 and $15. Total amount subscribed to date, $1,135.
The Exchange receives daily telegraphic market reports from Chicago every 15 minutes, from New York, Milwaukee, St. Louis and Liverpool. The exchange room is supplied with price currents from the principal markets, and the leading daily newspapers. The officers of the Exchange for 1882 are: Pres. T. T. Dow; Vice pres., Fred Melchert; Directors, H. P. Wheeler, F. H. Hancock, John Ruch, Henry Kohrs, E. Hickman, W. H. …
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… Decker, J. S. Gilmore; Arbitration Committee, B. Glaspell, L. Haller, D. B. Sears; Board of Appeals, Jno. F. Dow, Lucas Ruhl, W. R. H. Alexander; Treasurer, S. F. Gilman; Secretary, F. S. Rutherford.
Transcribed by: Laura H. Rathmann