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The foundry business was established in Atlantic, on the 9th of January, 1880, by H. H. Salisbury. At that time he purchased the blacksmith shop, and Mr. Brackett entering into partnership with him, they put up the present building, in the following year. The firm of Salisbury and Brackett continued for about two years, when the former purchased the interest of his partner, and has since manipulated the business alone. The main building he occupies is 26x40 feet ground area, two stories high; the blacksmith shop is 20x30 feet, ground area, also two stories high; and the foundry is 44x32 feet in dimensions It contains a portable engine of ten horse power, and furnishes employment for from eight to twelve men.

The Atlantic Packing Company warehouse was built during tlie fail of 1882. The packing house is 44x44 feet in ground dimension, three stories high, besides the basement. The engine room, which is 20x40 feet in size, is fitted up with a first-class stationary engine, which supplies all the power needed. Besides these, there is a small warehouse, 43x86 feet in size, which is two stories and a basement in height. The ice house is 60x76, and fitted with all the appliances for the handling of ice and other heavy materials. The capacity of the works is about six hundred hogs per day. The plant cost, when first completed, about $32,000, but additions have since been made so as to bring the whole expense up to $40,000. J. H. Needles is the president of the company, and J. A. McWaid was the superintendent when it was running, but it was lying idle during the winter of 1883-4. It is one of the best appointed in the State.

The Atlantic Alcohol Company was organized in 1882 by the following gentlemen: John Milner, J. Nichols, E. A. Milner, L. M. Rutt, Frank H. Whitney, A. Rutt and S. B. Milner. The first officers were: S. B. Milner, president; Abram Rutt, vice-president; J. Nichols, secretary; and F. H. Whitney, treasurer. The buildings owned by this company, which are the second largest in the State, were erected in 1882 at a total cost of $91,000. The distillery has a capacity of using about 2,700 bushels of corn per day, with a consequently large out-put. The grounds covered by the various buildings contain about an acre and a half, including the cattle sheds, which will hold 1,485 head of stock, The distillery is not running now, having sold its capacity.

Among the prominent industrial works of Atlantic, none is of more importance than the wagon and carriage manufactory of J. H. Needles. This is located on Third street, between Chestnut and Walnut. In the winter of 1869-70, Needles and McWaid established this business in a small way, in a small building, on Walnut street, east of the present location of Mr. Needles, which was but 20x30 feet in size. In connection with this shop, they carried on the sale of agricultural impleplements [implements], the latter of which grew to enormous proportions, as told elsewhere. They remained in the small building, making all kinds of vehicles, until 1871, when finding that they were cramped for room, they erected a frame building on the corner of Third and Chestnut streets. On the first of January, 1879, Mr. McWaid retired from the business, since which it has been operated by J. H. Needles. In 1882, the rapidly increasing business of Mr. Needles, requiring more room, he erected the building now occupied by him. This is a solid brick structure, 50x75 feet on the ground, and two stories high. On the first floor is located the blacksmith shop which is 30x50, the woodworking shop, 20x50, and a repository 25x50. On the second floor is a paint and varnish room 30x50 feet area, lumber storage room 20x50, and another repository for flnished work, etc., 25x50 feet. Above all is a heavy metal roof. A fine elevator is used to convey buggies, etc., from one story to the other. The power for the various departments of the shop is obtained from a fine engine of twenty horse power, which also supplies steam to heat the building. A specialty is made of light buggies and wagons, although all kinds are manufactured to suit the trade, which is immense.

J. H. Needles was born in Franklin county, Ohio, on the 20th of September, 1829, and was a son of John J. and Ann (Hatfield) Needles, both natives of Delaware. He was reared on a farm until 1848, when he learned the carriage making trade. He then established a shop near Columbus, and was there engaged until 1852, when he removed to Indiana, and was there engaged at the same business until 1857. He then removed to Linn county, Iowa, locating near Cedar Rapids, where he again began to work at his trade. In the year, 1869, he came to Atlantic, and has since made this his home. He was united in marriage, in July, 1853, with Caroline Fenstemaker, a native of Fairfield county, Ohio. They have seven children, four sons and three daughters. Mr. Needles is a member of the Masonic order, and of the Methodist Episcopal church.

The business of the Atlantic creamery was established in the year 1882, as a stock concern, the following gentlemen being financially interested: Frank H. Whitney, J. A. McWaid and William M. Nichols. The company had a cash capital of $6,000. The buildings were erected by the company at the time of the foun- dation of the same, and work was commenced April 5, 1882. The main building is 40x50 feet in area, with an ice house 30x40. The motive power for the machinery is derived from an eight horse power boiler and engine. The business is as yet in its infancy, and rapidly increasing. About 1,200 pounds of butter are manipulated daily, and it is hoped to double the out-put within the coming year. The product of the creamery ranks as "gilt edge" and commands the highest price in eastern markets.

Robert McAdams, Jr., a native of Scotland,, was born in that county, July 14, 1847, and is a son of Robert and Jane (Campbell) McAdams, also natives of Scotland. Mr. McAdams, Sr., emigrated to America in the spring of 1869, and located in Montgomery county, New York, where he remained two years. He then went to Oneida county, after which he located at Rome, New York, where he is engaged largely in the manufacture of butter and cheese. He has made the business a study for life and probably has the largest factory in central New York. The subject of this sketch received a liberal education in his native country, emigrating to America in the spring of 1856. He first settled in Rensselaer county, N.Y., where he remained until 1875, when he went to Elgin, Illinois, where he took charge of a large butter and cheese business, he being a practical dairyman. In the spring of 1884, he came to Atlantic and purchased the Atlantic creamery. He was married in Buffalo, New York, to Alma J. Jackson, a native of that State. By this union there has been two children--Nellie M. and Ida J. Mr. McAdams is one of the directors of the Board of Trade at Des Moines, and a Republican in politics.

The Atlantic steam flouring mill, which stands upon the site of a former one, destroyed by fire on February 13, 1875, owes its erection to G. W. Norton and A. A. Lincoln, doing business under the firm name of G. W. Norton and Company, who erected the present structure the same year. The building is 36x65 feet on the ground, two and one-half stories high, with a basement beside. The machinery is of the most approved modern pattern and make. It has three run of buhrs, and a capacity of making about one hundred and seventy-five barrels daily. Patent, Fancy, and Half-patent flour is made at the mill. In 1883, the mill property was purchased by Heitman and Rapp, the present proprietors, for $18,000.

The planing mill was built in 1878, by Hamilton and Martin who sold it, after three years time to E. E. Zinn and Company, who disposed of it to O'Bryan and Watts, the present proprietors. The building they occupy is 42x32 feet in size, in the main part with an addition 24x40 feet, and an engine room 12x42 feet in size. The engine which furnishes the motive power for all their machinery is a good one of some fifteen horse power.

Volney O'Bryan may be classed among the early settlers of Atlantic, as he came here in the early part of 1869. He is a native of Vermont, having been born in Middlebury, Addison county, on the 1st day of February, 1827. Here he was reared, and received his education in the common schools. When quite young he commenced the acquirement of the carpenter's trade, and having learned it, started to travel in the south. He went to Nashville, Tennessee, in 1860, and was engaged in contracting and building when the war broke out. He lost by it everything he had accumulated, selling even his tools. In the spring of 1869, he came to Atlantic, and was soon afterward appointed postmaster, under Grant's administration. He held the position for eight years. After leaving the postoffice, he went six miles northeast of Atlantic, and laid out the town of Lorah. There he built a store, and embarked in the mercantile business. Returning to Atlantic, he purchased a lumber yard, in January, 1882, which he sold to Lamsou and Dierkson. In 1884, he commenced his present business, in the planing mill. He was married in Canada, in 1857, to Amelia C. Hall. They have had three children, none of which are now living. Mr. and Mrs. O'Bryan are members of the Methodist church.

The business of manufacturing cigars in Atlantic dates from 1873, when Mr. Thomas established himself in that line. He operated but a short time.

Shields Brothers instituted their business in the fall of 1875, and have built up a fine trade. They give employment to twelve or fifteen men nearly all the time.

The Atlantic canning factory was erected in 1882, by a company composed of S. F, Martin, J. A. McWaid and R. D. Wilkin. It is complete in all its details, and consists of a main building 40x100 feet in size, two stories high; cooling shed 40x20 feet in area; wareroom 42x20 feet, and a brick boiler room 18x30 feet. The latter contains an engine of twenty-five horse power. The entire plant cost about $10,000. During the packing season they give employment to from seventy-five to one hundred hands, both men and women, and during the season of 1883, put up 210,000 packages, and in 1884, 450,000. In 1883, Messrs. Martin and McWaid purchased the interest of R. D. Wilkin, and are now operating the business. This is one of the leading industries of the place, and a great benefit to the working class, who can find employment during the summer months.

J. A. McWaid was born in Logan county, Ohio, on the 7th day of March, 1836, his parents being Samuel and Clarinda (Gilliland) McWaid, natives of Ohio. Samuel McWaid was a blacksmith by trade, and followed the business for many years. In 1854 he came to Iowa, and at present resides in Linn county. J. A. McWaid was reared on a farm, and received a common school education. In 1856 he removed to Cedar county, Iowa, where he engaged in farming. In 1857 he was married, in Cedar county, to R. E. Todd, a native of Ohio. In January, 1869, he came to Atlantic, Cass county, and formed a partnership with J. H. Needles, in agricultural implements, and blacksmith, wagon and carriage building, which continued for eight years, the firm name being Needles and McWaid. At the expiration of the partnership, Mr. McWaid erected a building on Chestnut street and again engaged in the implement business, which he run for three yeara, then selling to Mr. Newlon. In 1882, he superintended the erection of the Atlantic packing house and the Atlantic canning factory, in both of which enterprises Mr. McWaid was largely interested. He is also the possessor of six hundred acres of fine land, which is run as a stock farm. Mr. and Mrs. McWaid are the parents of seven children--Ida M., Rosa B., Callie, Ella, Minnie, Mabel and Willie A. Mr. McWaid is one of the live business men of Atlantic, and has done much in building the city up to its present prosperous condition. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

The first blacksmith in the city of Atlantic was J. H. Needles, who opened a shop on Third and Walnut streets, in January, 1869.

He was followed shortly after, in 1870, by A. C. Tharp. The latter is now at Wiota.

This business has several able representatives in the town, among whom are P. J. Snouffer, J. H. Needles, Fred. Hermann, Jacob Hunt, August Mafs and Pellitier and Smith.

Among those who are engaged in industrial pursuits in Atlantic is F. J. Snouffer, who carries on the business of wagon and carriage manufacturing on Walnut street, between Second and Third. On the 16th of August, 1877, he opened up the business, his means at that time being very limited. But energy and perseverance brought, in his case, their just reward, and he now has a business of which he may well be proud. His wagon is known as the "Atlantic wagon." He manufactures twenty wagons an d fifteen buggies and spring wagons per year, besides his repair work. His shop is 50x106 feet in ground area, and in this shop he gives employment, on an average, to seven workmen. Mr. F. J. Snouffer was born in Frederick county, Maryland, on the 2d day of February, 1836, his parents being John and Sarah Snouffer. In the year 1848 his parents removed to Montgomery county, Indiana, near Crawfordsville. When F. J. had reached the age of sixteen years, he was apprenticed to the trade of wagon and carriage-making at Crawfordsville. He spent three years in learning the trade, receiving his board and clothes for his work. He then worked at various places until the war began to draw into the army all of a patriotic nature, and, and he enlisted and served as teamster. He was soon afterward detailed as blacksmith at Pittsburg Landing. After the war he resumed his trade. In 1874 he came to Atlantic, and he has since made his residence here, and builf himself up in business as before stated. He was married in 1861, Miamitown, Ohio, to Anna Jones. They had three children, two of whom are now living. The names of the latter are William A. and Edward E. Mr. Snouffer's progress in business has been due solely to his own endeavors, and he has cause to feel proud of his success.

Transcribed by Cheryl Siebrass, March, 2022 from: "History of Cass County, Together with Sketches of Its Towns, Villages and Townships, Educational, Civil, Military and Political History: Portraits of Prominent Persons, and Biographies of Old Settlers and Representative Citizens", published in 1884, Springfield, Ill: Continental Historical Co., pp. 877-881.