Freeport Township (part 8 of 10)

Last year the Lakota Club instituted the custom of giving monthly Sunday receptions to their friends and their wives. The club house and grounds were admirably suited to giving receptions of this sort and the townspeople who enjoyed the out-of-door afternoons feel deeply indebted to the Lakota men for their kindness in entertaining them. The practice has not been continued this spring but will probably be begun again this summer. The latest project of the Lakotas is to secure the Ben Greet Players to give a performance on the Lakota grounds which are very well adapted to this sort of sylvan production.

While the Lakota Club is one of the newest circles of the city in respect to years, none is more firmly established and none enjoys a greater social prestige. The membership of the club has now increased to ten. The officers of the club which have remained the same since the founding are : President, Raymond S. Wise; vice president, Mentor Wheat; secretary, Dr. Clark; treasurer (ist year), George Creighton, (2nd year), F. W. McNess.

Germania Society

The Germania Society, as a separate organization, dates back only as far as 1877, but in reality it existed for many years before that in the shape of two distinct societies ; The Freeport Saengerbund, and the Freeport Turn-Verein. Of the two, the history of the Saengerbund has been preserved with more fidelity, but the early records of both are entirely lost, and the charter members of both organizations have long been dead.

In 1855, ^e Saengerbund was organized and in 1865 the Turn-Verein. The membership lists of both clubs immediately grew to large proportions and before long nearly every influential German citizen of Freeport belonged to one society or the other. At that time the German population of Freeport was for the most part made up of people who had been born and bred in Germany, and the customs of the Fatherland were fresh in their minds. Of late years, the activity of the Germania Society has somewhat decreased, and for a very obvious reason. The younger generation have little or no interest in the preservation of German customs and traditions. They are to be American citizens and their whole interest is centered on the new country. For this reason, if for no other, the Germania Society is an object of marked interest to the historian - because in another generation or two it will be a thing of the past. During its existence it has been one of the most active organizations of the city, but many of the old members are gone, and the activity is waning. It is useless to hope for a very vigorous resuscitation, for the interest is dying a natural death, and the members of the Germania are directing the bulk of their efforts elsewhere.

The Turn-Verein and the Saengerbund were long regarded as the most popular and important organizations of their kind in nothern Illinois. The Turn- Verein was established in August, 1856, and sought excellence among its members not only in music, but also in athletic sports. It erected the structure formerly known as Turner hall, now Germania hall, on Galena street between Adams and Mechanic streets, in 1869, at a cost of $18,000. Germania hall is still in use, and for a long time was the only opera house of the city. The hall contains the rooms of the Germania Society on the ground floor and a spacious auditorium with a stage on the second floor, where the meetings of the Saengerbund are held and their entertainments given.

The Saengerbund was organized less than a year earlier than the Turn- Verein, in December, 1855, and had as its object the formation of a musical society, vocal and instrumental, among the German section of the population. On Saturday evening, December 15, in response to an appeal from the "Deutscher Anzeiger," twenty men, both old and young, assembled in the hall on the third floor of the Hoebel building, at present 79 Stephenson street, for the purpose of organizing the Saengerbund. The first president was Mr. Carl Strohacker, and Mr. John Geiger long held the office of secretary. The following were among the charter members : William Bergholte, Philip Fleischmann, John Geiger, George Held, John, Philip, and Peter Hoebel, Louis Jungkunz, Joseph Lampert, Carl Schoen, H. Schrenkler, John M. and Henry Spratler, Carl Strohacker, and William Wagner, Sr. Philip Knecht, a German teacher, who had but a few years pervious come to Freeport from Rhenish Bavaria, was unanimously chosen director, a position which he continued to fill for eight years in a very creditable manner.

The first rehearsal of the Saengerbund took place on Friday evening, December 2ist, of the same year, in the same hall in which the organization of the Bund was perfected, and for the following fifty-five years from that time to the present rehearsals have been held every Friday evening except in unusual cases. The first social entertainment was held on January 27, 1856, and bi-weekly social gatherings continued to be held for many years, at first in the afternoons, later in the evening.

The first public event fostered by the Saengerbund was a public concert held in Phoenix hall, on Easter Monday, March 24, 1856, followed by a dance. The reports of the affair are meagre but those which exist in the "Anzeiger" seem to proclaim the attempt as a decided success.

In 1856, the Turn-Verein was organized, and it also started a singing society. The two societies worked hand in hand for a long time. Many of the German citizens were members of both Saengerbund and Turn-Verein, and everyone of consequence thought it necessary to be a member of at least one of them. Mr. Knecht. leader of the Saengerbund, became also the leader of the Turn-Verein. and, while there was always a certain rivalry, friendly but very much in earnest, existing between the two societies, still on many occasions the two joined forces and forgot all their differences. On November 10, 1859, at the celebration held in commemoration of Schiller's birth, the two choruses sang together and each rendered two selections independently. About the same time, the Saengerbund took an active interest in a National Saengerfest held in Chicago by the North American Saengerbund, but the details of this event are entirely lacking.

In 1863, the society had increased in membership to a large extent and larger quarters were necessary. Accordingly, in February, of the next year, they moved to the rooms in the building at 100-102 Stephenson street, which had formerly been occupied by the Masonic lodges. In the same year, Mr. Knecht resigned as director and William H. Wagner was chose.n by the Bund to fill his place. Mr. Wagner was young in years and experience, but he was not lacking in courage or enthusiasm, and so it came about that he filled the position, with occasional temporary intervals of rest, for a period of thirty-three years. At that time, the director received no stipulated salary, but from time to time benefit concerts were given for him, and considerable sums were occasionally realized.

About the beginning of 1866 the Saengerbund again moved its base of operations to the Hettinger building. In the meantime the singing of the society was constantly improving, and at a concert given by the Bund at Mineral Point, Wisconsin, the singers, and especially the young director, received an ovation for the manner in which they acquitted themselves.

The Saengerbound of the northwest held a fest in Galena from the i7th to the I9th of June, 1869, and, although the Freeport society was not a member of that organization at the time, the Galena people extended them an invitation to attend, which invitation was gladly accepted. For some reason the Freeport singers arrived at Galena in advance of any of the other societies, and on the occasion of the first concert the Freeport and Galena associations were the only ones present. Tradition says that the Galena Fest-President in his address commended the Freeport Saengerbund upon this fact, and called them "a model society."

In 1870 arrangements for a private Saengerfest were perfected and an invitation was extended to all German singing societies within a radius of one hundred miles. The fest was held from the I4th to the i6th of June, and was participated in by singers from Davenport and Dubuque, Iowa, Mineral Point, Janesville, and Burlington, Wisconsin, Galena, Sterling, Rockford, Mendota, Lena, and Davis, Illinois. The Dixon and Amboy societies did not send singers, but were represented by delegates, and the people from Davenport, Dubuque, and Mineral Point were accompanied by bands. The grand chorus comprised about two hundred voices, and was assisted by the visiting bands and the local Union Cornet Band. Addresses were delivered on the occasion of the gathering by Mr. Caspar Butz, of Chicago, who spoke in German, and Hon. Thomas J. Turner, of Freeport, who spoke in English. The event aroused great enthusiasm and was pronounced a decided success.

In 1875, the Turn-Verein presented the whole of Carl Maria von Weber's opera "Der Freischuetz," under the direction of Professor E. Bischoff. On this

In 1877, it was decided that the Saengerfest of the Northwest Saengerbund should be held in Freeport. On this occasion Mr. W. H. Wagner, director of the Saengerbund, did not feel competent to conduct the concerts of the organization and temporarily turned over his baton to Mr. Bischoff, leader of the Turn- Verein. Under Mr. Bischoffs direction, the fest was held. The attendance was not much greater than that at the private Saengerfest of seven years previous, and only about one hundred and seventy visiting singers were present. This was due to the fact that only one society from Milwaukee appeared in a body and two of the other societies merely sent delegates. It was a great disappointment to the local fest committee, who had expected the Milwaukee singers to turn out en masse; but from a musical standpoint, the fest could not have achieved a greater success. Bach's Ochestra from Milwaukee furnished the instrumental music and all of the grand choruses were rendered with orchestral accompaniment.

One of the immediate results of the Saengerfest of 1877 was the union of the Saengerbund and Turn-Verein who combined in the hope of becoming a more influential factor in the German life of the city. The organization took on the new name of the Germania society, and Turner hall was rechristened Germania hall. In 1882, the hall was entirely rebuilt and remodelled and as a dedication, a grand concert was arranged, at which part of Flotow's "Stradella" was produced. The several roles on this occasion were sung by local talent, Miss Anna Meyer (now Mrs. Louis Biersach), Mr. H. W. Schroeder, Mr. Ben Stoneman, and Mr. R. Hefti taking the leading parts. A chorus of forty voices accompanied their efforts, and all the records of the occasion unite in declaring that the event was unquestionably one of the best ever given under the auspices of the Germania Society.

In 1887, the official body of the Saengerbund of the northwest solicited the local society to undertake another Saengerfest. This was accordingly done. At both of the previous fests, Wilcoxin's Opera House had been utilized as a concert hall, but directors feared that the size of the new audience would prohibit that. They made arrangements for the use of Taylor's Park and had a great singing platform built in front of the grand stand for the accomodation of the choruses. The events justified their expectations, for over four hundred visiting singers were in attendance, and the platform was crowded. Concerts were given afternoon and evening, and large audiences heard all of them. The fest was a great success, and even the weather man was kind until the last day when he sent down a pour of rain. The rain somewhat dampened the ardor of the audiences, and the treasury of the society suffered in consequence. However, owing to the generosity of J. B. Taylor, owner of the park, who gave almost the free use of the grounds for the occasion, the deficit was avoided.

In 1896, a split occurred within the ranks of the Germania Society. The Turn-Verein and Saengerbund had supposedly worked side by side through the years in perfect harmony, but in reality there had been an undercurrent of dissatisfaction. This was brought to the surface in February, 1896, in the withdrawal of the Saengerbund division of the Germania Society, which for a while continued to hold its meetings in Blust hall. Scarcely a year later, they decided that "in union there is strength" and, having overcome their old differences, and healed their old wounds, they again allied themselves with the Turn-Verein and continued to hold their meetings in Germania hall. From that time the society has been united and no differences have occurred.

On July 3rd and 4th, 1905, occurred the Fiftieth Anniversary of the founding of the Saengerbund, and, in commemoration of the event high festival was held. Many singing societies from out of town attended, and Professor Theodore H. Trost, director of the local society, wielded the baton. July 4th was observed by appropriate Independence Day exercises, and July 3rd was marked by the holding of two concerts. In addition to the out of town Saengerbunds, several soloists of national reputation were secured, and the Germania Society received their guests royally.

Since that time, the Germania Society has done nothing in a public way, but has continued to conduct the business of its organization without interruption. The president of the society for the current year is Charles G. Steffen, with F. P. Ohden acting as secretary. The club meets on the first Wednesday of the month in the club rooms in Germania hall.

County Club

The County Club, which represents the interests of the Republican party in Freeport and the county, was founded in 1899 and has been in existence for about eleven years. Before its organization a need for a club of the kind had long been felt, and several abortive attempts had been made to establish one.

On August 30, 1899, the present County Club was organized and incorporated under the Illinois state laws with a membership of forty-one Republicans of Freeport and the surrounding country. On October 5th of the same year the first meeting was held and Robert P. Eckert was elected president of the organization. The object of the County Club as stated in its charter was "to advance the science of political Economy ; to promote friendly and social relations between its members ; to levy and collect dues ; to exert such influence and render such service as it can in behalf of good government, and to promote the growth and spread of the principles of the Republican party. The fortyone members whose names were affixed to the original document were:

The first step taken by the club was the securing of suitable club rooms for the use of the members. A suite of room on the second and third floors of the building over Barrett and Emerick's Jewelry Store was engaged and has been in use ever since. The membership of the club is somewhat larger than at the beginning, but has remained throughout an exclusive organization. The officers of the County Club for the current year are : President, C. W. Harden ; first vice president, James E. Taggart; second vice president, W. W. Krape; third vice president, J. R. Young; secretary, T. M. Kaufman; treasurer, Boyd P. Hill.

Democratic Club

The Stephenson County Democratic Club, which is analogous to the County Club, and represents the interests of Democracy in Freeport and the county as the former does the interests of Republicanism, was founded in April, 1903. On the twelfth day of that month, the leading democrats of Freeport and the county gathered together and elected F. Goodwin president of an organization, the object of which should be to promote the best interests of the Democratic party in this section of the state. Twenty-four names were affixed to the original charter, among them all the prominent democrats of Freeport.

Rooms were secured in the T. K. Best building on the corner of Chicago and Stephenson streets, and fitted up as club rooms. These rooms have ever since been maintained and form a rendezvous for the good democrats of the city to meet each other in a social and fraternal way. They contain billiard and pool tables and card tables, and are in charge of Thomas Beeler, who acts as custodian.

The membership of the club comprises now between three and four hundred democrats. Regular meetings of the club are held previous to all elections and during campaigns. The present officers of the club are as follows: President, H. B. Witte; vice president, Oscar E. Stine; secretary, Charles Straub; financial secretary, Al Emerick ; treasurer, Ed. Seeker ; directors, H. Poffenberger, Douglas Pattison, Robert Bruce Mitchell, William Milner, and Christopher J. Dittmar.

Citizen'S Commercial Association

While the Citizen's Commercial Association, as such, has only been in existence a short time, its precursor, the Freeport Business Men's Association, dates back as far as 1901. On June 7 of that year, a meeting was held, attended by the leading business men of the city, at which steps were taken to form and incorporate an organization to be known as the Business Men's Association of Freeport. A short time later, an election of officers was held and the following were given posts of honor: C. W. Harden, president; D. C. Stover, vice president; F. M. Gund, secretary; R. D. Kuehner, treasurer.

This organization was for a time a very lively one. An inducement was made to get new factories and business firms to locate in Freeport, and some very gratifying results were accomplished along this line. In the main, however, nothing of importance was done, and the Business Men's Association gradually but surely declined in activity and importance.

On October i, 1907, a revival was accomplished at the regular meeting held on that date. It was decided to employ a regular paid secretary to give his services to the association, with the understanding that he should transact all the business formerly entrusted to the directors. Wilbur Coons was chosen for the position, at a salary of $100 per month, with the agreement that he was to be employed for six months, and, at the end of that time, if his services had proven satisfactory to the officers and directors, he was to be retained as secretary at such salary as should be arranged for by the association.

From that time dates the activity of the Citizen's Commercial Association, although the name was not changed until over a year after that date. The activities undertaken by the association have been many and varied, and the two secretaries who have been in charge since the establishment of the custom, have succeeded in doing a great deal for the welfare of Freeport. Their work has been carried on rather quietly and without much publicity ; hence it is somewhat difficult to enumerate the various public services which the association has succeeded in rendering Freeport. They have really done much more to promote the growth of the city than would seem apparent from a mere statistical report. Among the various achievements and activities of the past two years have been the securing of several new manufacturing establishments for Freeport, and a large amount of improvement and change within the city itself.

The latest acquisition to the roll of factories and manufacturing plants has been the Freeport Casket Co. The Commercial Association aided the gentlemen interested in the organization of this concern to obtain a factory site on Jackson street in East Freeport. The plant will be immediately erected, and will soon be one of the most prosperous of Freeport's mercantile establishments. The association also bought the property of the Freeport Novelty Company, on Hancock avenue, and in the buildings formerly occupied by that company, they found quarters for the new manure spreader factory. This property as well as some of the adjoining territory was purchased from Miss Millie Baumgarten, and will be immediately laid out in factory sites. The section of the city south of Taylor avenue was platted out and organized entirely through the efforts of the Commercial Association, and it is probable that before many years this will become the principal manufacturing section of the city.

The Moline Plow Company, also, whose Freeport branches are among the largest and most important factories owned by that mammoth concern came to Freeport invited by the Commercial Association. Through their agency, the Moline Company bought the defunct Robinson Mfg. Company, and turned it into the Freeport Carriage Company, a branch of the Moline Plow Company. An immense new addition to the old factory testifies to the present prosperity of that institution. The Moline Plow Company was also induced to buy the Henney Buggy Company, and has since made improvements and additions so extensive that the Henney factories now occupy the whole of the block bounded by Chicaga, Spring, Van Buren, and Jackson streets. The building of the Jackson street switch, from the Illinois Central tracks along Jackson street to the Henney plant, was fostered by the Commercial Association, and has since proved an invaluable asset to the factory.

Besides the larger factories, a number of smaller concerns have been induced to locate in the city, such as the Freeport Quilting Company, now located on

Van Buren street. Negotiations are at present under way which will doubtless result in the securing of more of these concerns, which, though comparatively unimportant when compared with the Stover and Moline Plow Company factories, still give employment to a large number of individuals.

The Citizen's Commercial Association has also been active in other directions. One of their achievements was the inauguration of the rest room, now located in the old post office rooms of the Wilcoxin block. The rest room is intended for the accommodation of out-of-town visitors, and especially the farmers who come to Freeport for the day. It is well patronized, and contains, in addition to the rest room itself and the woman's rest room, a restaurant, conducted by F. H. Bear, and the offices of the Commercial Association. The Freeport Woman's Club has also extended its aid to the rest room project. The ladies of that organization have always been interested in the civic welfare of the city, and at the solicitation of the association they agreed to raise the money to furnish the room.

The cooperative shop course now in effect at the Freeport high school, in accordance with which the boys of the city may gain an education, and at the same time work in the shops and acquire the practical experience necessary for the pursuit of their chosen trade, was originated by the Commercial Association in consultation with Professors Fulwider and Raines. The plan followed enables the boys to go to school one week and work in the factory the next. They work in pairs, one section going to school and the other to the shops for one week, while the next week the order is reversed. The system has been eminently successful in Freeport and has since been adopted in other high schools, being known as the "Freeport Idea."

Recently the Commercial Association has been successful in having a subpostal station established. The new station is in the Third Ward at Iroquois Square, at the junction of Iroquois, Adams and Williams streets, and is in charge of A. J. Robson.

A step has also been taken in a social way. Last winter the society minstrels were held in the Grand Opera House, under the direction of Mrs. Florence Magill Wallace, of Moline. The object of the entertainment was to provide funds for the maintenance of the rest room, and a large amount was raised. The society minstrels were so well attended and so heartily applauded that it is planned to make the winter festival an annual event. The program consisted of a minstrel entertainment and songs, dances and choruses exclusively given by home talent. The cafe scene, which formed the basis of the minstrel show, brought together on the stage several dozen of Freeport's popular society people, all of whom manifested the greatest interest in the project, and were present in a body either appearing in the performance itself or in the audience.

Mr. Coons, the first paid secretary of the association remained in the city for over a year and left in December, 1908. Just before he left the name of the organization was changed from the Freeport Business Men's Association to the Citizen's Commercial Association, which name it has retained up to the present time. Mr. Coons was succeeded by Herbert Shearer who remained in Freeport for only a year. During Mr. Shearer's administration rapid prog- ress was made and today the Citizen's Commercial Association is an established fact, and is regarded by all as the cause of Freeport's rapid growth during the past few years.

The latest and one of the most important achievements of the Commercial Association has been the securing of Colonel Roosevelt to speak in this city on September 8, 1910. The event has not come off yet, but the Citizen's Commercial Association is almost entirely responsible for the enthusiasm which has been aroused over the coming of our ex-president. Rockford was very anxious to secure him for speaker on the same day, and it took a great deal of strenuous correspondence, and a good deal of hard work to persuade Colonel Roosevelt to come to Freeport instead of the larger city. It is quite certain that if the Citizens' Commercial Association had not directed its efforts toward bringing the colonel to Freeport, we should not have the pleasure of anticipating his visit on September 8th.

At present Mr. C. H. Wright is secretary. The membership of the organization includes about one hundred and sixty individuals and corporations, all of the prominent business firms of Freeport being represented. Mr. Jacob Weiss is president and a very able and efficient head of the organization.

Business Enterprises Stover Manufacturing Company

Probably the concern which is doing the largest business of any in Freeport is the Stover Manufacturing Company, makers of the Samson Wind Mill and the Ideal Feed Mill. Their plant is located in East Freeport on Henderson street, near Fairview avenue, near the city limits. It is a mammoth factory, and the various additions and enlargements which have been completed during the past few years make it more certain of its title than ever before.

The Stover Manufacturing Company celebrates its fiftieth anniversary this year. It was founded in 1860 by Daniel C. Stover, Freeport's late financier and inventive genius, who began his business in a small way on the corner of Stephenson and Cherry streets, where the Y. M. C. A. building stands today. The original name of the firm was the "D. C. Stover Experiment Works," and by 1880 the business had become so large that it was deemed advisable to incorporate the company under the laws of the state of Illinois. This was forthwith done, and the plant was moved to the corner of Spring and Mechanic streets. Soon after the old carriage shop of F. S. Taggart was purchased, but the growing concern rapidly became too large for the new buildings. The site of the present Stover Engine Works were bought, on East Stephenson street and the river, and the present shops were erected. These have stood almost unchanged until this year. A large new addition to the west wing has just been finished, and this constitutes the first large addition to the engine plant.

In 1890 the tract of forty-five acres on Henderson street, where the main shops are located today, was purchased, and the buildings erected. They performed the service required of them until 1908, when the foundry was found to be of insufficient size to turn out the proper number of castings. Additional buildings were then constructed, and the original foundry was turned into a machine shop. Shortly before that a power plant had been built with a capacity sufficient for generating a supply of electricity for both wind mill factory and gas engine works.

So greatly has the business of the Stover Company increased that the day is evidently not distant when entirely new factories will be built. The high quality of the goods turned out accounts for the popularity of the article among farmers. Nearly all of the farms about Freeport are equipped with Samson windmills, and even in the remote parts of the United States the Stover product is to be found doing duty. Not only has the domestic business increased appreciably, but the foreign business is very large. The foreign trade of the Stover Manufacturing Company, although it is of recent growth, has already assumed such proportions as make it necessary for the plant to occupy larger quarters. The greatest care is given to every detail of the manufacturing. The plant is equipped with a chemical laboratory, and all mixtures are made by analyses, all of the metals, steel, wire, etc., that enter the goods are carefully analyzed, and a high standard of excellence is thereby secured. The company is constantly on the look out for new and improved machinery, it employs a number of mechanical geniuses on its force, and the business done is steadily increasing. The windmill output averages forty thousand of the machines annually, while a force of about four hundred workmen are employed.

The Stover Manufacturing Company was formerly connected with the Stover Motor Car Company, an institution which was organized to manufacture gasoline engines for automobiles. The business was continued for about a year, and about thirteen months ago it was discontinued. The Motor Car Company plant, a large and modern building, in East Freeport, near the Stover Engine Works, has since been utilized by the latter concern for the manufacture of gas engines.

Stover Engine Works

Forty years ago, in 1870, the Stover Engine Works was established. It was an outgrowth of the Stover Manufacturing Company, inasmuch as the same men were connected with both companies, but as far as the organization was concerned, the two companies were entirely separate concerns and have always so remained.

The Stover Engine Works manufacture a variety of engines, including stationary, portable, and pumping varieties of the horizontal engine, and in addition to the gas and gasoline engines a make which is run by alcohol is included in their manufactures. Like the windmill factory, the market of the Stover Engine Works is the whole civilized world. The foreign output has so increased of late years that an addition to the East Freeport plant has become an absolute necessity. The result has been the commodious west wing, a handsome building of red pressed brick, which is to contain also the offices of the company. The Stover Works employ about two hundred and fifty hands on the average. The output of engines is very large, and is increasing annually. The time is evidently not far away when an entirely new plant will be the inevitable outcome. The officers are: President, P. S. Stover; secretary, J. Fred Smith; superintendent, William F. Freidag.

Arcade Manufacturing Company

The forerunner of the Arcade Manufacturing Company was a small concern known as the Novelty Iron Works, which was founded as early as 1868. The men interested in the organization of the Novelty Iron Works were E. H. and Charles Morgan, composing the firm of "Morgan Brothers," and the first factory of the company was built on the corner of Chicago and Jackson streets. Here they continued to do business for nearly twenty years. The company first occupied two small brick buildings and a total of ten hands were employed. In 1874 the old buildings were torn down and more commodious quarters, consisting of a machine shop, foundry, engine room, and offices were erected on the same site, at a cost of about $25,000. In 1877 J. P. Easter became a partner in the concern but retired in about a year and the old firm name was restored. During Mr. Easter's stay, the company began the manufacture of plows on a large scale.

Pumps, windmills, iron pavements, store fronts, and a variety of castings were manufactured by the Novelty Iron Works. The company went out of business in 1885, and the Arcade Manufacturing Company was then and there organized with E. H. and Charles Morgan and Albert Baumgarten as the original promoters.

The buildings of the Novelty Iron Works were utilized for a brief time only. They quickly became too crowded, and a move was soon made to a new factory erected especially for the purpose in East Freeport. From there the company moved, in September, 1891, to another site, and took possession of a building which had beep recently vacated by the Emory and Williams Canning Company. This building was fitted up with suitable machinery, and a prosperous business start had just been made, when, on July 24, 1892, the factories were burned to the ground and all the new equipments lost. It was suspected at the time that the plant had been fired by an incendiary. However that might have been, the entire factory with all its appurtenances was a total loss, and the Arcade Manufacturing Company, which had of late enjoyed such pleasant prospects, gloomily faced a deficit of over $20,000. Not only this, but about 40,000 coffee mills, finished and in the process of manufacture, were burned, and the new company was unable to fill its first orders.

The fire was a severe blow, and any but the most zealous of men would have been profoundly discouraged. Not so the new Arcade Manufacturing Company. Hardly were the ashes of the fire cold when negotiations were under way for the purchase of a new factory site in East Freeport. A large square of land, formerly belonging to the Keller- Wittbecker farm was bought, and part of it was divided up into lots. The newly platted section of East Freeport was known as the Arcade Addition, and on part of the land, the company erected its new offices and foundries. In February, 1893, the new factory had been completed, and the Arcade Manufacturing Company was ready to begin over again. This time success crowned their efforts. The buildings which were constructed then are in use today, with a number of alterations and additions. The main building is a large brick structure, 200 x 40, while the foundry is 100 x 70. Besides the two lager factories are a number of smaller buildings, occupied by foundries, machine shops, drying houses, warehouses, general offices, etc. The plant is up-to-date in every respect, employs a large force of men, and turns out a variety of products.

In 1893 L. L. Munn became a partner in the firm. In December of that year, he invested heavily in the company, and thenceforth became the principal stockholder. For many years he filled the office of president, and, on his death, his interest in the concern was taken up by his son, L. L. Munn, Jr. Albert Baumgarten subsequently retired from the firm to found a factory of his own, the Freeport Novelty Works. This factory, the offices of which were located on Hancock avenue, in East Freeport, ceased to do business at Mr. Baumgarten's death, and its buildings are now occupied by the Freeport Manure Spreader Company.

The Arcade Company has always made a specialty of coffee mills, but it turns out a variety of goods. Besides the dozens of coffee mills of different designs the Arcade plant turns out hinges, screen door hinges, stove pipe dampers, lid lifters, cork extracters, corkscrews, and numerous small notions and novelties. A large number of children's toys have also been manufactured, such as toy coffee mills, miniature trains, swings, doll carriages, etc.

In whatever new department of manufacture the Arcade Manufacturing Company chooses to venture, its results are sure to be attended with success and its products are invariably the very best. Everything is made from the finest material obtainable, and by skilled workmen. The road agents and traveling salesmen of the Arcade Manufacturing Company are to be found in every state of the Union, and wherever their articles are introduced, they are sure to find a popular market. The affairs of the company are in the best of condition at home, financially and otherwise. The concern has been forced by circumstances to pass through a number of exceedingly trying situations, not the least of which was a prolonged strike which aroused a great deal of agitation about a year ago, but it has come through them all successfully, and would seem to be enjoying at present a well earned season of prosperity. The officers of the institution are : President, Edward H. Morgan ; vice president, Charles Morgan ; secretary, Loyal L. Munn, Jr. ; treasurer, E. H. Morgan ; superintendent, Chas. Morgan.

Moline Plow Company

The Moline Plow Company owns and operates two large plants in Freeport: the Henney Buggy Company, and the, Freeport Carriage Company. The former is a very old concern, which has done business in Freeport for nearly half a century, and has but recently passed into the hands of the Moline concern. The Freeport Carriage Company, under the name of the Robinson Manufacturing Company, did business in a small way for many years before it was absorbed by the new company. Its founder and president, J. L. Robinson, began the manufacture of carriages in a wagon shop on Exchange street. As his business increased, he found it necessary to secure larger quarters. The ultimate outcome of the need was the building of the factories west of Stephenson street and bordering on the Illinois Central Railroad tracks, and there the concern did an apparently thriving business for many years. About four years ago the concern became insolvent and the factory was purchased by the Moline Plow Company, who have since made extensive additions nearly twice the size of the original factories.

The Moline Plow Company, as an institution, was organized in 1868, and is incorporated. The present officers are : President, G. A. Stephens ; vice president, F. G. Allen; secretary and superintendent, C. R. Stephens. All of these gentlemen reside in Moline. The local manager of the business is M. A. Steele, who has been here for many years, and is a thoroughly competent and able official.

Since taking hold of the Freeport factories, the Moline Plow Company has almost doubled their size, and is now contemplating more extensive additions. The Henney Buggy Company is located on the block bounded by Chicago, Spring, Jackson, and Van Buren streets. It originally occupied only about half of the block, while the rear of the premises were filled by warehouses and lumber sheds. Within the past few years, buildings have been added to such an extent that now the concern's factories cover the whole of the block. The output of the Henney Buggy Company branch is enormous, being about thirty thousand carriages of various sorts per annum. That of the Freeport Carriage Companies branch is nearly as large, being about two-thirds as much or twentythousand vehicles. The total output of the Moline Plow Company's buggy factories in Freeport is thus on an average fifty thousand. The factories give employment to a large number of men, and are a great boon to the city of Freeport in every way.

Recently the Henney branch began to feel the need of better transportation facilities. The Freeport Carriage Company is located on the Illinois Central lines and is thus easily accessible to the Northwestern and C., M. and St. P. roads, but the Henney plant is several blocks from the nearest railroad. The need was formerly met by a side-track which ran through the alley between Spring and Jackson streets, but this single switch presently became too small to meet the demand. Then, through the efforts of the Citizen's Commercial Association of Freeport, who were also instrumental in persuading the Moline Plow Company to locate its branches here, permission was secured for laying a branch switch along Jackson street from the Illinois Central tracks to Van Buren street. This switch was built early this year, and has proven itself indispensable to the crowded Henney plant.

The Hoefer Manufacturing Company

The Hoefer Manufacturing Company had its origin in a small buggy factory at Centennial, a few miles west of Freeport. The Hoefers were men of an inventive turn of mind, and F. W. Hoefer moved to Freeport and began work- ing out some inventions in a room in the old Courthouse building. Later, he set up a shop in what is now the Kinne Hotel, which was then a manufacturing building.

In the summer of 1892, Mr. F. W. Hoefer and D. C. Stover formed a copartnership and started the Stover Novelty Works, in the building now used by the Armour Packing Company. Mr. F. W. Hoefer was the active head of the concern. The company's first product was power metal saws, and only a few men were employed. During the second year, 1893, the panic struck the county but the firm came through and increased the output. The firm supplied the government with saws and drilling machinery at this time. In 1896, Mr. Stover sold his interest and A. G. Hoefer bought an interest in the company. The business developed rapidly and various sizes of drilling machines were put on the market. A full line of bed-spring machinery was manufactured. The company held the basic patents on this machinery and was enabled to control the market in this country and abroad. Many attempts were made to infringe on these patents but the company invariably won out.

In September, 1899, the old name was abandoned and the Hoefer Manufacturing Company was incorporated, and E. A. Hoefer joined his brothers in the concern. The officials were: President and treasurer, F. W. Hoefer; vice president, E. A. Hoefer; secretary, A. G. Hoefer.

The business of the company prospered and the factory was removed to the Tuckett building in 1901. The demand for the Hoefer products was so great that the company decided to build a building at the corner of Chicago and Jackson streets. The building is 60x120, three-stories, with a wing 60x40 one story. The new building gave the company room for expansion which it needed and new lines of goods were put on the market.

In 1905, A. G. Hoefer withdrew from the company on account of illness, and Chester A. Hoefer, son of Fred W. Hoefer, bought an interest in the company and was elected secretary.

In 1908, exclusive agencies were established in the important cities of the United States and Canada and in many foreign countries including England, Sweden, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Italy, Spain, France, India, China, Japan, Russia and some of the South American countries. Through these agencies, Hoefer products go into all corners of the world.

Since 1908, the company has added to its equipment, has proceeded with the standardization of its products and the manufacturing methods have been thoroughly revised and brought up to date. The company has increased its line and broadened its market. The product at present consists of metal saws, upright drills, horizontal drills, horizontal and vertical boring machinery. When running at full capacity, the company employs about sixty-five men.

The present officials of the company are : President and treasurer, Fred W. Hoefer ; vice president, P. E. Hoefer ; secretary, C. A. Hoefer.

The Ziegler-Schryer Manufacturing Company

The Ziegler-Schryer Company was incorporated in June, 1909. The officials of the company are: President, Mr. Oscar J. Ziegler; vice president, P. L. Schryer; treasurer, Roy M. Bennethum; secretary, Lewis Hughes.

The present output of the company consists of gas, gasoline and distillate engines. The Z-S Engines are of the horizontal type. In addition to the engine business the company does a general machine shop work and makes high grade gray iron castings. The company puts out an attractive line of goods and is meeting with such success that it has already become necessary to enlarge the plant and increase the output. Eighty men are employed at present and the number is constantly increased.

Mr. Oscar Ziegler was connected with one of the largest manufacturing companies of the west for over twenty years, as designer and superintendent of construction of a line of feed grinders and wind mills. Mr. Paul Schryer is an expert gas-engine man, having served for years as designer and superintendent of construction, in a large engine works of Freeport. Mr. Hughes and Mr. Bennethum have had years of experience in the business and in some of the largest concerns in the west.

Dirksen & Towslee

The Dirksen and Towslee Planing Mill is one of the newest institutions of Freeport. It was founded in 1902 by R. D. Dirksen and F. H. Towslee, and first began doing business in a small way in a factory on State street near South Galena avenue. When these lodgings became too small to house the growing concern, as they eventually did, the proprietors bought the factory formerly used by the Burrell Brothers Vinegar Works, and there established their new plant. The factory is a three-story brick structure 40x100 feet, with adjoining lumber sheds which have a capacity of three hundred thousand feet of lumber, and two large moulding sheds, each 20x60 feet in floor area. The yards and mill cover two acres of ground, and the tracks of the Illinois Central pass the mill making excellent transportation facilities. The Dirksen and Towslee property is situated in the northern end of the town, near the river, just west of the Freeport Water Company buildings, and a short distance east of the D. E. Swan Organ Factory.

Fifteen hands are employed steadily. The business done by the Dirksen and Towslee mill is mostly local although considerable shipping is done to the smalt towns within a radius of fifteen or twenty miles. The outside business is constantly increasing, and while the concern is still young, it has a most promising future and has already done much to gain the confidence of the buying world.

W. T. Rawleigh Medical Company

The Rawleigh Medical Company, although only a little over twenty years old, has, in the short time of its existence, built up a business which extends over the whole of the United States, and has made its president and incorporator a millionaire. Mr. Rawleigh's clearheaded business ability is responsible for the firm's progress during the last twenty years of its existence. It was he who began the process of manufacturing medical preparations - it is said by preparing them on the cook stove of his own kitchen. As he succeeded in a small way, he began to think of branching out, and founding a bigger concern. He established a system of wagons which cover the whole of the surrounding country with a network of routes, and thus sold his products chiefly to the farmers.

In 1895, he formed the Rawleigh Medical Company, and incorporated the concern of which he has since been president. The first factory was located on the corner of Douglas avenue and Powell street. A large business was done in this place, and it was here that Mr. Rawleigh got his start and made sufficient capital to enable him to build his new factory. The disadvantage of the Douglas avenue site lay in its distance from the railroad and its consequent lack of transportation facilities. Accordingly a strip of land bordering on the Illinois Central tracks near the foot of Galena street was purchased and the present modern and up-to-date factory erected. The plant has a large capacity, and the yearly output is enormous. The company deals in the various branches of goods which are usually handled by such medical companies : Salves, ointments, liniments, toilet preparations, patent medicines, stock dips and remedies, spices, extracts, baking powders, etc.

In addition to the large local business done in Freeport and the surrounding country, the Rawleigh Medical Company has a large foreign trade, all of which has been developed within the past three of four years. The company now maintains at its establishment a private printing plant where all the literature and labels of the company are printed. The pile of buildings also includes a power house, where the company's own four hundred and fifty horse power generator furnishes power for turning all the machinery of the factory. Two hundred hands are employed in and about the factory, and over a thousand salesmen are on the road distributing Rawleigh's remedies and extracts. A southern ware-house at Memphis, Tennessee, was added to the company's real estate in 1907, and the concern is doing a business unequalled by any other concern in Freeport. The officers are : President, W. T. Rawleigh ; vice president, W. J. Trevillian; secretary, J. R. Jackson.

Natural Carbon Paint Company

The Natural Carbon Paint Company was organized a few years ago by the late Albert Baumgarten and F. W. Siecke, who is still connected with the concern. The cause of the founding was the discovery, made by the gentlemen interested in the project, of a natural carbon substance, which was superior to lampblack in the manufacture of paint. This substance was found in large quantities in the vicinity of Eleroy, in Erin Township, also in Mt. Carroll in Carroll county. The carbon substance, which was named "mindura" from its enduring qualities, when mixed with a quantity of linseed oil, made as desirable a pigment as can be imagined, and was especially valuable for painting surfaces which are ordinarily subjected to great wear and tear, such as railrod rolling stock, and articles subjected to great heat, such as steam pipes, boiler heads, steel chimneys, etc., which are painted not only for protection's sake, but for appearances, metals which are subjected to the action of acid fumes, generated in train sheds, under viaducts, in chemical works, creameries, tanneries, etc., are rendered impervious to the action of the destructive elements when coated over with an application of the "Mindura" paints.

The Natural Carbon Paint Company has a retorting capacity of about sixteen tons of Mindura pigment per day of twenty-four hours, and a grinding capacity of oil of eighteen barrels of semi-paste, or ten barrels of semi-paste, and ten barrels of liquid goods per day of ten hours. The company caters primarily to large consumers of paint, such as railroads, manufacturers of structural steel and iron, and builders of steel cars.

The process by which the paint is manufactured is exceedingly interesting. The raw material is shipped from Eleroy and Mt. Carroll to the Freeport factory, where it is washed, crushed, refined, and roasted at a temperature of about nine hundred and fifty degrees Fahrenheit in specially constructed and patented retort ovens. Then it is hydrated, and finally pulverized and air-separated to a fineness of two hundred mesh. When metal surfaces are perfectly clean, a proper application of "Mindura" mixed with pure linseed oil will preserve them at a moderate cost better than any paint before the public.

The officers of the Natural Carbon Paint Company, which is an Illinois corporation, are: President, M. Schauer; vice president, Rudolph Stadermann; secretary and treasurer, F. W. Siecke.

Freeport Water Company

The business of furnishing so large a community as Freeport with water is one of huge magnitude, and, since 1882, the Freeport Water Company has given the city of Freeport an excellent water supply, pure and wholesome for domestic purposes, and of ample quantity. When the company was first organized in 1886, eight miles of mains, from four to sixteen inches in diameter were laid, while now there are thirty-four miles of mains covering the city and its suburbs, so that scarcely a house within the limits is not within reach of an adequate supply of city water. In 1902 and 1903 a complete new pumping equipment, also a filter plant was put in, so that for the last eight years, the city water supply has been filtered, this providing for as fine a supply of water as can be found in this vicinity. "Freeport water" has been even more famous than Freeport beer, and for many years, the Illinois Central Railroad Company has used Freeport artesian well water in the reservoirs of its passenger cars and in all the dining cars used by the company. The latest report of the health officer on city water states that the city water is pure and wholesome for drinking and cooking purposes, and recommends the extension of the city mains and the use of city water wherever possible instead of well water, as the latter is apt to become infected with germs from cesspools, sewers, etc.

The officers of the Freeport Water Company are: President, Michael Stoskopf; vice president, J. H. Snyder; treasurer, Addison Bidwell; secretary and superintendent, Owen T. Smith.

The pumping station and wells are located near the Cedarville bridge on the river banks. The standpipe is located on Whistler street, near Stephenson, in West Freeport.

While it ha5 only been in operation for eight years, the Stephenson County Telephone Company already has a list of subscribers quite as large as that of the Freeport Telephone Company, and lines extending throughout Stephenson County, and into the neighboring counties of Winnebago, Carroll, Ogle, Jo Daviess, Whiteside, etc. By an arrangement recently completed by the directors of the Stephenson Telephone Company, the Freeport subscribers are able to get telephone connection with Chicago. The wires pretty thoroughly cover the country within a radius of fifty miles of Freeport. The subscribers number about two thousand five hundred, and the company employs twenty-three lady operators in its office on the third floor of the Rice building. Exchanges are maintained at all the village of Stephenson County.

The company was organized in 1902, by a company of Freeport financiers, who elected Charles D. Knowlton president of the corporation. He served for a number of years and was succeeded by Dr. D. C. L. Mease, the present official. The other officers of the company are : Vice president, W. A. Hance ; treasurer, Ezra T. Morse; secretary, L. A. Herrick; directors, T. K. Best, Charles D. Knowlton, William O. Wright, F. A. Read, and Douglas Pattison.

The company is now capitalized at $150,000, all of which is Freeport capital, and is doing a business which is rapidly increasing. The service is excellent, and the instruments in use of the most modern type.

Freeport Telephone Company

On the first of April of the present year, the Freeport Telephone Company observed the thirtieth anniversary of its birth. It was established on the first day of April, 1880, by E. T. Keim of Dubuque, acting on behalf of the National Telephone Company, with a capital of $10,000, and the following officers : President, L. Z. Farwell, vice president, W. G. Barnes ; treasurer, F. Gund ; secretary, C. H. Little; directors, O. B. Sanford, James I. Neff, L. Z. Farwell, E. B Winger, F. Gund, and C. H. Little.

On the loth of June of the same year work was commenced, poles erected, lines placed, etc., and the line went into operation the first of July. For some years the list of subscribers grew slowly. The conservative Freeporters did not take readily to the telephone idea. As late as fifteen years ago, the telephone directories consisted of a single folded sheet of cardboard, with the names of the subscribers finding ample space on the two inside pages. But progress has come, and the subscription list of the Freeport Telephone Company has increased accordingly. The subscribers now number about two thousand two hundred, with telephone exchanges in the villages of Rock Grove, Orangeville, Pearl City, Lena, etc. In 1880, and for some time thereafter one telephone operator was sufficient to attend to all the business, but at the present time the force number nearer two dozen. The officers of the present year are: President, L. Z. Farwell; vice

The Fuerst-M'Ness Company

F. G. Thomas, vice president; Mr. F. W. McNess, chemist and secretary. Mr. Fuerst is a graduate of the Freeport High School and of the University of Michigan School of Law. Mr. McNess is a doctor of pharmacy, a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, graduating with honors. He came to Freeport several years ago from Cleveland, Ohio.

The offices and ware-rooms of the company are in the large three-story building at the corner of Spring and Liberty streets. The company manufactures and sells proprietary medicines, flavoring extracts, spices, perfumes and stock and poultry remedies.

The company was organized February i, 1908, began work in March and started the first wagon on the road, April loth. At the end of the first year the company had twenty-five wagons out and now have over one hundred wagons operating in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Kentucky. Missouri, North and South Dakota, Nebraska and Pennsylvania. The company is the originator of the free sanitary trial bottle system. For a new company, the Fuerst-McNess organization is making remarkable progress and the general public has confidence in Mr. Fuerst as business manager and in Mr. McNess as chemist.

Baier & Ohlendorf

The Baier and Ohlendorf brewing establishment is the oldest in the city. It was established sixty-one years ago, in 1849, as a supply depot for malt liquors by Calvin McGee, and had a capacity of about two hundred barrels per annum. Mr. McGee did not find the business either pleasant or profitable according to the tradition, and sold it a year later to a Mr. Wade, who ran it until 1852. In that year the brewery buildings were rebuilt and sold to E. Hetrich, who carried on a prosperous business until his death, which occurred about twelve years later. His widow married William Beck, who took charge of the business, made some valuable improvements, and conducted the business until his death four years later. Mrs. Beck attempted to act as proprietor for a short time, but did not succeed in the undertaking very well, and sold out to Baier and Seyfarth in 1869.

These gentlemen took charge of the Beck Brewery, and continued the manufacture of beers for a while with the amount of machinery possessed by the old brewery. Then they laid foundations for one of the finest plants in the country, and soon completed the building which is still standing on the corner of Adams and Jackson streets.

In 1891, Mr. Ohlendorf succeeded Mr. Seyfarth, deceased, and the business has since been conducted under the firm name of Baier and Ohlendorf. The concern takes great pride in the quality of its product, and spares no effort to make it perfect. The main brand of beer manufactured at the Freeport Brewery is "Pilsener," which is put up both in kegs and in bottles. The capacity of the plant is about thirty thousand barrels of the liquid substance annually.

Schmich Brothers

The Schmich Brothers Brewing Company is the brewery of latest growth in Freeport. It occupies a large and up-to-date plant in East Freeport, on East Stephenson street and the Pecatonica River, and employs a large force of workmen in its various departments.

The history of Schmich Brothers plant may be traced back to 1880, although the present concern was organized much later. In 1880, Matthias Schmich purchased an interest in the old Western Brewery, now occupied by Franz Brothers Brewing Company. For seven years the business was conducted by Messrs. Schmich and Huber and in 1887 George Schmich, a brother of Matthias, purchased the interest of Mr. Huber, and the firm became Schmich Brothers, which it has remained to this day.

The members of the firm were young and enterprising men, and they soon found that, in order to compete with the other breweries of Freeport as well as their rivals of Milwaukee, their plant must necessarily undergo an enlargement. For a while, the remodelling of the old Western Brewery was contemplated, but finally the firm secured a building site in East Freeport, and erected their present commodious and well appointed quarters. The plant was begun in 1896, and finished during the early part of 1897, at a cost of $75,000.

Various necessary improvements and additions have been made in the last decade which raise the efficiency of the plant to a high figure. The capacity is about twenty thousand barrels of beer per annum. The factories contain two splendid engines, one eighty horse power and the other thirty. The company also conducts its own artificial ice plant, and uses nothing else. A specialty is made of the celebrated Schmich Brothers Rochester and Export bottled beer, and the product is shipped to all parts of the United States. The company is capitalized at $100,000 under the Illinois state laws. The officers are: President, Matthias Schmich ; secretary, W. N. Cronkrite ; treasurer, George Schmich.

Western Brewery

The Western Brewery is very old, having been in existence since the year 1864. During that year Michael and Mathias Steffen erected two large stone buildings, each 100 x 40 and two stories high, which they proposed to devote exclusively to the manufacture of a superior quality of lager beer. Their plant, which was located on the Lena Road, was then far outside of the city limits, but is now inside of the line. In 1879 Michael Huber bought the plant, and in 1880 Matthias Schmich became a partner in the venture. Huber and Schmich remained the proprietors of the Western Brewery until 1887, when George Schmich, a brother of Matthias, bought out Mr. Huber's interest and the firm became Schmich Brothers. About ten years later, in 1897, the Schmich plant was transferred to its present site in East Freeport, and the Western Brewery passed into the hands of the Franz Brothers, who have made a great success of the venture.

An entirely new and up-to-date plant has been erected, with a capacity of about fifteen thousand barrels of beer per annum. A new addition to the brew- ery has been an artificial ice plant which was built about two years ago. The artificial ice plant is conducted by A. F. Balles, who utilizes the product in his wagon trade, and supports the plant in connection with Franz Brothers.

The Western Brewery manufactures a high quality of beer, and is doing a lively and encouraging business. The trade is mostly local but has become larger of late years, and includes a large outside circuit. Splendid transportation facilities are offered, as the tracks of the Illinois Central Railroad pass only a few hundred feet distant from the buildings of the brewery, and it is altogether probable that advantage of this fact will be taken to build up an extensive outside trade. Franz Brothers have been in business but a short time, but already their business is established on a sound basis, and their product is known far and wide.

Yellow Creek Brewery

The Yellow Creek Brewery deserves mention, as it is the oldest brewing establishment of the city of Freeport. It was founded in 1845 by Mathias Hettinger, who, with John Hettinger, began in a small way, and laid the foundation for a business which afterward assumed large proportions.

In 1852 Mr. Kachelhoffer became a partner in the business but sold out in 1856, and retired from the firm. Adam Aiker bought Mr. Kachelhoffer's interest and took part in the business for four years, his death occurring in 1860. Under the firm of Hettinger & Aiker large beer cellars were built, and the equipment of the plant much improved. The Aiker interest was purchased by Jacob Haegle for $4,000, and the firm became Hettinger & Haegle. In 1869 Michael Roth purchased the Hettinger interest for $7,500, and the firm became Haegle & Roth.

Mr. Haegle withdrew from the business after many years of connection, and Michael Roth was succeeded by his son, L. J. Roth, who still conducts the business. The buildings of the Yellow Creek brewery are situated on the State Road, about a mile and a half east of town. These comprise the brew house, ice house, warehouse, and the attached buildings, and are commodious and thrifty in appearance. The capacity of the brewery is about two thousand barrels of beer annually. The business done by the Yellow Creek brewery is almost altogether local. Mr. Roth has built up a reputation for himself among the German citizens of Freeport, and the Yellow Creek brewery beer is well known as lager beer of a high quality.

Woodmanse Manufacturing Company

The city of Freeport has always been noted for its large output of windmills and pumps. Not only does it possess the large plant of the Stover Manufacturing Company, but the Woodmanse plant, which manufactures a grade of windmill surpassed by none on the market. The factory, which is a large brick structure, on the corner of Galena and Liberty streets, has been built and added to within the past fifteen years, and is today as modern and complete an institution in every respect as Freeport can boast of.

The business of the Woodmanse Manufacturing Company has always been largely controlled by the founder and present manager, Mr. H. Woodmanse. Be- ginning business in a small way, Mr. Woodmanse has worked up and enlarged his market until now the Woodmanse product is known throughout the country as superior and up to date in every particular. The great advance is due largely to the energy and ability of Mr. Woodmanse himself, who has exercised a personal supervision over the details of the work at all times. He has had faith in the excellence of his windmill, and has never allowed himself to be discouraged by any obstacle in his path. Mr. Woodmanse is exceedingly jealous of the reputation of his windmill, and takes every precaution to turn out a product which will surpass any other in existence.

The factory was established by Mr. Woodmanse in 1872 near the site where it now stands, on the corner of Stephenson and Liberty (then Dock) streets. Here he opened a depot for the sale of agricultural implements, devoting himself particularly to the sale of the Marsh harvester, one thousand seven hundred of which he disposed of in six years. In 1878, he opened his factory on its present site on the corner of Galena and Liberty streets. He first commenced the manufacture of windmills and farm pumps, but of late years has confined himself solely to the Woodmanse windmill, and has placed large numbers of his machines on the farms of the surrounding country. Mr. Woodmanse is owner of the controlling interest of his plant, by a large amount. George L. Steenrod is superintendent of the factory. The output of the factory is about twenty-five thousand of the windmills annually, and a force of over two hundred workmen are employed. The foreign trade in windmills has grown of late years. Excellent freight facilities are offered by the Illinois Central and Northwestern Railroads, whose tracks pass the Woodmanse factory, and connection is also afforded by means of the Transfer Bridge, with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway.

Freeport Gas, Light & Coke Company

The Freeport Gas, Light & Coke Company, formerly known as the Freeport Light & Fuel Company, was organized as early as 1855. Before that time the only methods of illumination in Freeport were the kerosene lamp, and the ancient tallow candle. In the early part of the year 1855, Thomas J. Turner and a number of other public spirited citizens met and formed the first gas company of Freeport's history. They obtained a charter from the state legislature, permitting the incorporation of the company, and bearing the date February 15, 1855. On October i6th of the same year the organization was perfected by the election of the following officers: Thomas J. Turner, president; E. H. Hyde, treasurer ; Homer N. Hibbard, secretary. The capital stock was fixed at $50,000.

During the same year grounds for the buildings of the gas works were purchased, contracts were let, and the work of construction was begun. Early in 1856 they were completed. The spot where they were first built is still occupied by the gas company buildings, the original structures having been replaced by the modern and up-to-date edifices.

The company continued to operate the works for a number of years, but did not make a success of the business end of the venture, and sold out to Thompson Dean, a Cincinnati capitalist. About September i, 1863, Mr. Dean also withdrew from the business and sold out to S. S. Ashcraft and Thomas Butterworth. These officers remained in charge until May 14, 1867, when the gas works were purchased by L. K. Scofield and C. S. Hill, of Freeport, at a cost of $23,626. On the 26th of July, 1871, Mr. Hill sold his interest to L. L. Munn, who operated the works in conjunction with Mr. Scofield, until February 26, 1879. On that date Mr. Scofield withdrew from the business, and went to engage in business in Fort Scott, Kansas. His interests in the gas works was purchased by L. Z. Farwell, and Farwell and Munn remained in charge until 1890. Then Mr. Munn disposed of his interest to Mr. Farwell, who conducted the business alone until 1895. In 1895 the works were bought out by a stock company, which now controls the plants. The new company numbers among its members some of the leading citizens of Freeport, and was incorporated under the laws of the state of Illinois as "The Freeport Light & Fuel Company," with a capital stock of $100,000.

Three years ago a business deal was concluded by Charles D. Knowlton, president of the gas company, by which the holdings of the stock company were to be transferred to Charles W. Morse, a New York capitalist. On the failure of that gentleman to complete his part of the deal, the bargain was declared off, and the stock company is again for the present in charge.

The secretary and manager of the company is Z. T. F. Runner, who has held the position for many years. He has been associated with the plant since 1868, with the exception of a few years spent on the road as a traveling salesman, owing to failing health. Mr. Runner has made the manufacture of gas an intensive study, and is considered one of the most thorough gas men in the business.

Freeport Railway, Light & Power Company

The existence of an electric light company in Freport dates from 1882, in which year the first company, known as the Freeport Van De Poele Electric Light and Power Company was established. Previous to 1882, the streets of the city had been shrouded in darkness by night. The gas company, in accordance with its contracts with the city, had put up a number of gas lamps, but for one reason or another, they were unsatisfactory and were discontinued. During the summer of 1882, the Van De Poele Company, of Chicago, gave several exhibitions with the light in this city, and succeeded in interesting Freeport capitalists in the project of organizing a company. In the fall of that year the above mentioned company was organized with a capital stock of $25,000, and a contract to light the city for a period of twenty-five years. On December 26, 1882, the plant, which was located near the Illinois Central tracks on Galena street, was put into operation. By the close of 1883, the company had forty lights in operation in the city hotels and stores, but no move had been made to light the streets. In July, 1885, the matter was brought before the city council, who granted the company a five year's contract, the city to pay $4,500 annually for the light. The plant was then owned by a stock company, in which D. C. Stover, Charles Nieman, Fred Gund, and R. H. Wiles were the principal holders. A difficulty arose between the gas and electric companies, which was immediately forestalled by the purchase of the electric light plant by Farwell and Munn, owners of the gas works. In 1886 a new power station was erected close to the gas works, and three years later a large Westinghouse incandescent dynamo was added to the equipment of the plant.

On the 22& of February, 1890, a disastrous fire completely destroyed the electric light plant, and L. Z. Farwell, who had recently purchased the interest of Mr. Munn was left to bear the loss alone. He immediately rebuilt the plant, and in August, 1893, he removed the plant to Liberty street where he erected a brick building, 50 x 150, and established a system of power and lighting, representing an outlay of $75,000, furnishing the city and private consumers with ninety arc lamps. Mr. Farwell remained sole owner until the summer of 1894, when the plant was purchased by the Freeport General Electric Company.

The origin of the Freeport General Electric was in 1886, when Messrs. F. C. Platt and G. D. Clinger, of Waterloo, Iowa, introduced the subject of a street railway system to the citizens of Freeport, and succeeded in interesting several capitalists in the project. A company was organized on October 16, of that year, with a capital stock of $45,000, and incorporated by F. C. Platt, G. D. Clinger, Jacob Krohn, J. B. Taylor and W. G. Barnes. Large stables were erected on Taylor avenue, and a horse car system operating four miles of track was installed. The lines were on Carroll, Williams and Chicago streets, Oak Place, and North Galena avenue, with a west and east line on Stephenson street and Taylor ovenue, intersecting the north and south line at the corner of Stephenson and Chicago streets. On November 4, 1886, the company elected the following officers : Jacob Krohn, president ; F. C. Platt, vice president ; J. B. Taylor, secretary; W. G. Barnes, treasurer; G. D. Clinger, general manager. The cars began to operate on Thanksgiving Day, 1886.

In January, 1887, G. D. Clinger sold his interest in the enterprise to J. B. Taylor, and F. C. Platt disposed of most of his stock to the same gentleman. Hiram Warner, of Morris, Illinois, became general manager. In the winter of 1892-3, Congressman Mutchler, of Pennsylvania, visited Freeport, purchased the horse car lines, and in company with some other gentlemen, proceeded to convert it into an electric railway. On August n, 1894, the work of putting down new rails was commenced, and the trolley cars arrived the following November. On the first of December, of that year, the Freeport Electric Light and Power plant was purchased, and the light and power systems consolidated into one under the title of the Freeport General Electric Company.

The Freeport General Electric Company continued to do business for about seven years, and gave the citizens of Freeport excellent service. The terminals of the various lines were extended, and the rolling stock of the company kept in excellent condition. About ten years ago, the business was purchased by A. P. and A. J. Goddard, who moved the electric light plant from its location on Liberty street to the old Goddard's Mill site, Clark avenue and the river. A new power house was built, and the water power afforded by the Pecatonica river dam, familiarly known as Goddard's dam, was utilized. The old structure, formerly occupied by the mills of Goddard and Clark, was also used. This, however, burned down about two years ago, and the brick power house, with additions and changes, was used alone.

A. P. and A. J. Goddard made a number of extensions to the street railway system, when they took possession of the lines, building the extension in the southeastern portion of the city, which is known to Freeporters as "the loop." The Loop Line runs east from the old Carroll street terminal at Empire street to Bauscher street, north of Bauscher street to Adams street, northwest on Adams street to Chippewa street, north on Chippewa street to Shawnee street, east on Shawnee street to Gund avenue, north and west on Gund avenue to Hancock avenue, north on Hancock avenue to Taylor avenue, connecting with the East Stephenson street line of the company. The building of this line helped to open up the Arcade addition, and other parts of the city, which were formerly altogether without transportation facilities. It is no longer in operation, except in parts, having been discontinued on account of difficulties with the railroad companies whose tracks it crosses several times.

About six years ago a competing company was organized under the title of the Freeport Light & Power Company, Charles E. Gregory, of Chicago, being the chief instigator. When A. P. Goddard died, the firm of "A. P. and A. J. Goddard" became the Freeport Railway, Light and Power Company, and Alpheus J. Goddard continued to fill the position of general superintendent. For several years the two rival light and power companies ran side by side. In July, 1910, the two companies consolidated, Charles E. Gregory being elected president, and Alpheus J. Goddard vice president. It is planned to thoroughly renovate and renew the rolling stock of the company, and effect a much needed improvement in the street railway system. A new extension to connect the western terminals of the Stephenson street and North Galena avenue lines is planned. It is said that the company has bought a large tract of land west of North Globe avenue and plans to run its line through, plat the addition, and open it up to buyers. The scheme is a good one, and as the country is particularly beautiful and well adapted to residence lots, and is, moreover, in that section of suburban Freeport in which the natural growth of the city is trending, the addition of transportation facilities should make the lots sell like hot cakes.

J. W. Miller Company

The J. W. Miller Incubator Company, a private concern owned by J. W. Miller, has its factory and offices at the south end of Oak Place, between the Illinois Central tracks and the river. It had its origin in the J. W. Miller Poultry farm, which was located on the owner's farm south of town. The poultry business was begun by Mr. Miller about twenty years ago, and continued until 1901, when the present work of manufacturing incubators and brooders was commenced.

While the concern is one of the smaller factories of Freeport, yet Mr. Miller does a large business, both in Stephenson county and in the adjoining states. He began the work of making incubators and brooders on his farm on the Dunbar road, and continued there for two years. He then moved into the Stover building, which he occupied for two years more. From the Stover building, Mr. Miller moved to his present factory, where he has been located for about five years.

About fifty men are employed by the Miller Company during the busy season. The average yearly output of incubators and brooders is in the neighborhood of fifteen thousand. The tracks of the Illinois Central, which pass the factory, offer good shipping facilities.

Freeport Artificial Ice And Cold Storage Company

The Freeport Artificial Ice and Cold Storage Company, makers of pure distilled water artificial ice, organized their company in January, 1907, and elected the following officers : President, W. E. Fry ; vice-president, W. H. Flachtemeier; secretary, W. H. Foil; treasurer, W. N. Tice.

Immediately after the work of organization was accomplished, the ice factory now in use was built. The plant is located south of the Illinois Central tracks at the corner of Adams street and Clark avenue. Although built with a view to supplying every demand in case of a large increase in business, the plant is already too small to satisfy the wants of the growing business. A new addition is contemplated by the directors of the company, but no definite action has been taken as yet.

The machinery used is of the most up-to-date variety, and was purchased from the Henry Vogt Machine Company, of Louisville, Kentucky. The absorption system is employed, and the ice is frozen in cans. Pure distilled well water is used throughout, and the precautions taken to insure perfect purity in the finished product are in evidence at every stage of the manufacture. The water used is obtained from the company's own wells. It is converted into steam, forced into the condenser at the top of the building, then conveyed through a number of skimmers and filters, charcoal and sponge, into a boiler, where it is re-boiled at a temperature of 212 degrees. The water thus purified is poured into the freezing cans and lowered into tanks of calcium chloride brine. Pipes carrying ammonia gas suround the freezing can, and the action of the ammonia gas on the calcium chloride brine produces a temperature low enough to freeze the contents of the can. The cans contain three hundred pound cakes of ice, and, at a temperature of fourteen degrees above zero, forty-eight hours are consumed in the process of freezing.

About sixteen hands are employed by the company during the busy season, which is, of course, every season except midwinter. Four wagons are constantly employed to distribute the product, and the plant turns out on an average twentyeight tons of ice every twenty-four hours. Large ice-houses adjoin the ice factory, but the capacity of both factory and ice-houses is now taxed to the utmost. In addition to the local business, the company does some shipping. A spur track of the Illinois Central enters the company's grounds, and thus furnishes good transportation facilities.

Freeport Shoe Manufacturing Company

The Freeport Shoe Manufacturing Company was organized in September, 1900, by a company of Freeport gentlemen, of whom Fred Dorman was elected president, Henry Baier vice-president, Will H. Foil secretary and treasurer, and

B. Goldman superintendent. The idle and deserted factory of the H. Meyer Boot and Shoe Company was purchased, the original firm having failed after a short and satisfactory career, and the manufacture of boots and shoes was immediately commenced.

The manner in which the Freeport Shoe Company has built up a trade has been nothing short of miraculous. The market was at ftVst restricted to almost nothing, but within ten years the output has grown so enormously that today one thousand pairs of boots and shoes are made daily. The whole of the product is at present sold to the Selz, Schwab & Company, of Chicago.

The factory is located in West Freeport, south of Lincoln Boulevard, in the addition known as the Shoe Factory Addition. The plant is well equipped in every respect, and employs the most up-to-date machinery. A force of one hundred and twenty-five hands is employed throughout the year.

A number of changes have occurred in the ownership of the company since its comparatively recent organization, but the list of officers is, with one exception, unchanged. The present officials are: President, Fred Dorman; vice president, Henry Baier; secretary, H. H. Antrim; treasurer and superintendent, B. Goldman.

Keene Canning Company

The Keene Canning Company was started under the firm of Emory & Keene in the year 1887. The first factory was located across the river in East Freeport, but the company remained there only a year. Mr. Emory then left the business, and F. O. Keene has since been sole proprietor and manager. In 1888 the business was moved to its present location at the foot of Monterey street, close to the Illinois Central tracks. Hardly had the new factory been erected when a disastrous fire destroyed the whole property, entailing an enormous loss. Mr. Keene was in the east when the fire occurred, and as soon as he returned commenced the erection of a new factory.

Hard times ensued for the Keene Canning Company, and it is due to the pluck and persistency of Mr. Keene that the company has reached its present prosperous condition. Last winter, 1909, the new factory, a fine three-story brick building, was built to replace the old frame structure.

The company cans three articles of food : corn, peas, and pumpkin. The first vegetable canned was corn.; then, a few years ago, Mr. Keene began the work of canning sugar peas, and, finally, pumpkin. The new factory is up-todate and contains entirely modern machinery. Formerly some of the work, such as the husking of corn, was done by hand, but for some years all of the work has been done by machinery. Now the product is not touched from the time it leaves the farmer's wagon until the can is opened by the consumer. Machinery conveys the unhusked corn from the bins, where it is unloaded, to the third story of the building, where it is husked, shelled, cooked, and canned. The cans are then automatically sealed, and put through a machine which decorates them with wrappers indicating the brand.

Formerly the peas were all shelled at the factory, but now much of this work is done at the farms, and the peas are brought to town already shelled. Mr.

Keene owns a large number of farms himself, nearly 1,000 acres in all, where he grows all of his peas and a small quantity of corn. The balance is purchased from the farmers of the vicinity. The different farms belonging to the Keene Canning Company are located in every portion of the county. There are large tracts south of town, and also in Lancaster Township. The largest pea producing farm is located in Lancaster, a short distance northeast of town, and is known as Pea Ridge. Here an auxiliary plant has been erected, and the work of shelling the peas is practically all done here. When the peas are brought to the Freeport plant they are ready to be cleaned, cooked, and canned immediately.

The pumpkin industry is of recent 'growth. The product is canned both in the ordinary sized cans, in quart tins, in, gallon tins, and in other receptacles of varying sizes. About 1,400 tons of pumpkin were canned last year.

The capacity of the cannery, since the addition of the new machinery, is very large. About 120,000 cans of goods are manufactured daily, which makes a total of nearly 4,000,000 cans of goods for the entire season. Of the 4,000,000, about 2,250,000 cans are of corn, 1,000,000 of peas, and less than 1,000,000 of pumpkin. The equipment of the factory is such that 240 tons of corn can be handled daily.

As regards machinery and equipment, the factory is thoroughly up-to-date. They possess a 340 H. P. boiler, a 150 H. P. engine, and a 30 H. P. engine. Among the farm equipment is a gasoline plow, fifty horses and mules, between thirty and forty wagons, reapers, and seeding machines, etc. From one hundred and fifty to two hundred hands are employed at the factory during the busy season, which, however, does not last throughout the entire year. A visit to the establishment is well worth one's time, and the process of cooking and canning is extremely interesting. F. O. Keene is in direct control of the concern, and acts as manager and superintendent.

D. E. Swan Company

The D. E. Swan Organ Company, manufacturers of high grade cabinet organs, is a concern of recent growth, although its predecessors have been in operation for a number of years. The Burdett Organ Company, which preceded it, was organized by the Burdett Brothers, and bought the factory formerly occupied by the Johnson Wheel Company in North Freeport. The Burdett Company was in existence for a number of years, and then sold out to the Cable Company, manufacturers of pianos and organs. When the Cable Company decided to remove its plant from Freeport two years ago, the Freeport property was purchased by D. E. Swan, general superintendent of the plant, and the organ business was continued.

The Swan factory occupies a large lot north of the addition in North Freeport known as the Wheel Factory addition. It is a large structure, meeting satisfactorily the insistent demands of the growing company for additional floor space. The Illinois Central Railroad, whose Wallace yards are situated just west of the organ factory, offers facilities for transportation of the manufactured product, and in this respect the Swan Organ Factory's location surpasses that of any manufacturing concern in the city.

The company manufactures a high grade instrument, and has a large yearly output. Over one hundred hands are employed in the various departments, and the prospects for the future of the D. E. Swan Organ Company are extremely bright.

Henney Buggy Company

The name "Henney" has been one around which much of Freeport's industrial progress has been built up. John W. Henney, Sr., came to this county in 1848 and in 1868 he began the manufacture of buggies and carriages in a small shop at Cedarville. The business grew to such proportions that he moved his business to Freeport and established the celebrated Henney Buggy Company. The business developed rapidly and soon became one of the leading industries of its kind in America. The name plate "Henney" on a buggy or carriage meant a guarantee of honest material and workmanship, and did much to give Freeport a nation-wide reputation as a manufacting center. While the business has passed into the hands of the Motive Plow Company, Mr. Henney is still connected with Freeport enterprises, is a member of the Board of Education and is one of the county's most honored and distinguished citizens.

The Charles E. Meyer Company

In 1858, over 50 years ago, the Meyer Company began the manufacture of vinegar in Freeport. The business has enjoyed a remarkable progress, and large shipments are made all over the middle west. The company suffered a heavy loss by fire a few year ago, but have gone on increasing the output. In July, 1910, the company bought the buildings of the Bear Brening Company, at 60 Oak place, and will now have a plant adequate to meet the demands of the trade. Mr. Stahl, at the head of this company, is one of the Freeport's most capable young business men and that insures the future success of the organization.

The Wallace Severance Gas Machine Company

This company is the originator and manufacturer of the Wallace Severance Gas Machines, for lighting and cooking purposes. The company has been in business eight years, operating in the old Shrinkler building at first and then moving to present quarters at 43 South Galena avenue. This invention has made it possible for a man to have his own gas plant in his home or in his place of business. The company is doing an increasing business over the western states through traveling salesmen and local agents.

The Freeport Gas Machine Company

The Freeport Gas Machine Company is located on Stephenson street, and manufactures and sells the Freeport Gas Machine, an automatic gas plant producing a gas suitable for cooking and illuminating purposes. The officials of the company are : President, Dr. D. C. L. Mease ; Vice President, H. J. Johnson ; Manager, S. P. Wallace; Secretary and Treasurer, A. Stoller. The "Freeport" Gas Machine is sold in large numbers throughout the western states. The gas machine is in great demand in the rural communities and in small towns where

The Illinois Central Shops

One of Freeport's best industrial establishments is the Illinois Central Shops. The plant is a large one covering several acres of ground and employs about 300 men. It does an immense business in repairing and rebuilding Illinois Central rolling stock. The machine shops and the round house are equipped with the best and latest improved machinery.

The officials of the Illinois Central Shops are all practical men of the highest order of ability : Master Mechanic, Victor Powell ; Train Master, Martin Flannigan ; General Foreman, Edward Lawless ; Floor Boss, Mr. Dick ; Blacksmith Foreman, Jack Sweeney.

Freeport Factories

The last five years have seen the most rapid growth of the manufacturing interests of Freeport that the city has ever known. The Henney Buggy Company, now the Moline Plow Company, has more than doubled its buildings, its numbers of employees and its output. Besides large additions to the old plant two large new buildings have been on the site of the old Robinson plant. The Stover Engine Works, the Stover Manufacturing Company and Woodmansees, have made steady advances. The Organ factory, the Illinois Central Shops, the Shoe factory, Hoefer's and the Arcade are all doing an increasing business. The new Ziegler-Schryer Company is forging ahead with strides that warrant the belief that it will soon be one of Freeport's largest concerns.

Quality has always been the standard with Freeport manufacturers. Freeport goods have been shipped to all civilized countries of the world, and "Made in Freeport" is a stamp that sells. Besides encouraging established factories, Freeport offers excellent inducements to new concerns. Good factory sites are to be had and the Citizens Commercial Association is always ready to give support to legitimate concerns. The railroad facilities are first class and no better banking houses are to be found in any city in the country. In fact, there is nothing wanting to make the city a big manufacturing center.

The Freeport Journal of January n, 1909, gives the following as the annual output of the J. W. Miller Company: Annual business of the poultry farm $40,000; annual output of incubators and brooder, 30,000; fireless cookers, 7,000.

The oldest business in Freeport run by one family is that of William O. Wright on Stephenson Street at the corner of Stehpenson and Chicago. This store occupies two rooms for the clothing and shoe departments. The business was founded by Orestus H. Wright, who came to Freeport in December, 1836. Early in 1737 he opened a store in a log building near the river. The same year he built a frame store and later built the first three-story building in Freeport, the building now occupied by the Cascade Laundry. He was largely instrumental in building the first bridge across the river and exerted great influence in bringing the railroad to Freeport. He held the offices of Probate Judge and County Clerk. He died in 1851. His son, William O. Wright, who now conducts the business, was born in Freeport in 1841, four years after the county was organized. It has fallen to the lot of but few men now living, to have lived in Freeport sixty-nine years ago. He has seen Freeport grow from a shack, frontier village of a few settlers, to a city of over twenty thousand people. He was educated at Beloit College. Learning the printer's trade in the office of the old Prairie Democrat, he started the "Northwest," a weekly newspaper. In the Civil War Mr. Wright served in the Adjutant General's office under General Hurlburt, in Colonel Putnam's regiment. He is a Mason, a member of the Freeport Club, was several years a member of the Board of Education, a director in the Gas Company and the First National Bank. For over twenty years Mr. Wright was a member of the Democratic State Central Committee. His life, almost contemporaneous with the history of Freeport, has been and is now one of wide influence in northern Illinois.

Mr. L. Z. Farwell, one of the most prominent of Freeport's older business men, has been a resident of Stephenson County since coming here with his parents in 1852. In 1860 he came to Freeport and in 1861 formed a partnership with Mr. O. B. Bidwell. The firm of Bidwell & Farwell conducted a wholesale notion business over Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa. In 1871 Mr. Farwell bought Mr. Bidwell's interest and conducted the bsuiness alone from 1871 to 1885, doing at times a half million dollar business annually. In 1877 Mr. Farwell bought a half interest in the Gas Company and bought Mr. Munn's interest in 1890 and conducted that alone till 1895 when he sold to a stock company. In 1879 ne organized a telephone company in which he still holds a large interest and of which he is president. Besides other interests he is a director of the Second National Bank in which he is a heavy stockholder. For fifty years Mr. Farwell has been recognized as one of Freeport's most successful business men.