Mower County, Minnesota - Chapter 19: Austin Manufacturies, 1911

Chapter 19: Austin Manufacturies

First Mill - Former Industries - Present Interests - Story of the Growth and Development of the Various Plants Which Have Assisted in the Progress of the City - Minor Activities.

"While not primarily a manufacturing town, Austin nevertheless has a number of important factories, and the packing, railroad, printing, milling, clay products, cement, farm implement, Tagon making, creamery, bottling, corrugated iron, bookbinding, rugmaldng, gunmaking, farm machinery, bakery, post card, greenhouse, nursery, building and illuminating industries are important.

First Mill

The first mill and factory in Austin is the subject of an article prepared many years ago by Q. A. Truesdell. "The first mill in Austin was of a primitive kind, made and used by the Indians. ' It Avas located on the west side of the Cedar river, about twenty rods above Engle's (now Campbell's) dam. A white oak stump v.'as hollowed out in the top in the shape of a mortar, and with a wooden pestle the corn was pounded fine, mixed up with Avater and baked in the hot coals. Some of the corn was begged from the inhabitants and some stolen. In the month of November, 1858, the Truesdell brothers started up the first water mill. The; mill was made of iron, and ran night and day part of the time. It Avas valuable at the time for grinding corn, there being no other mill nearer than a distance of thirty miles. Mr. Rose, of Rose Creek, brought the first sack of Avlieat and had it ground into flour, and when we met afterwards he told me the bread made from the flour \\^as very black and not fit to eat. Most of the pioneers well remember what was called the "Water Johnny Cake Period," when there was little else than corn meal for bread, and not enough of that. Aloysius Brown Avas in trade at that time and did a large business in furnishing flour to the settlers. He had teams draAving flour from Chatfield and Decorah, loAva; but this whole country Avas Avet and soft that but small loads could be brought in and it took a long time to make a trip. Our supplies Avere chiefly draAvn from Winona. They could not be procured to keep up Avith the demand, and such was Mr. Brown's imijartiality that he caused tlio sacks to be distributed in such a manner that every family should receive each a sack before any supplied were allowed to purchase the second. The settlers who came in years later knew but little what privations the first ones endured. The first steam mill was built by J. Bourgard and Asa jMarsh, on the east side of town, and after a while it was fitted up with buhrs for grinding, and it was operated by Mr. Bourgard. In the fall of 1856, Q. A. and W. Truesdell put machinery in a building where "Warner's mill (on Dobbin's creek) now (1876) stands, and for a long time manufactured furniture, but after a time the dam went out and the premises were abandoned. ' '

Former Industries

In the seventies and eighties, Austin had four important industrial plants, the Engle mill, now Campbell's; the "Warner mill, now the lower Campbell mill; the plow manufactory of Johnson- & Smith, which is still in operation, and the Austin Canning Company, now out of existence. Quarrying, lime burning and brickmaking were also important in those days. The brick manufactured here has entered into the construction of many important buildings in the Northwest, including the postoffice at LaCrosse. The stone quarried here, however, has shown an inclination to crumble and is not Avell suited for building purposes.

The Engle Mill was owned by Joe Engle & Sons, who operated a fine corrugated roller mill erected in 1881. These gentlemen came to Austin in 1871 and purchased Anderson's mill. The mill at that time was a small aflt'air, containing but one run of stone, and was built by Mr. Anderson in 1864. Immediately after their purchase the firm began reconstructing the property, and practically rebuilt the mill, enlarging the building and adding two sets of Imhrs, which, with other improvements, added to the first cost of the property, amounted to $30,000. They operated this mill until February, 1881, when it was destroyed by fire. They began immediately to rebuild, but on a much more elaborate plan. The site of this mill, just east of "Water f;treet bridge, is now occupied by A. S. Camp])ell

The Austin Canning Factory. - The idea of establishing a canning factory al Austin was conceived by C. H. Davidson, the propiietor of the Austin Transcript. Ilis attention was called lo the matter by a gentleman who had a factory of this nature at Gilman, Iowa. Mr. Davidson agitated the matter by talking up the project with some of the leading business men of Austin and G. Schleuder, Eev. A. Morse, John Walsh and others were awakened to the fact that it would be an important enterprise among Austin's industrial interests. This Avas in the fall of 1882. The company began canning September 4, 1883, arrangements having been made with the farmers in the vicinity for the raising of sweet corn. The factory had been in operation but three days when the boiler of the engine exploded, instantly killing the engineer, Fred G. Knox. This sad occurrence ended the work of the factory for 1883. The company was organized ]\Iarch 28, 1883. The first board of directors was composed of the following named gentlemen: John "Walsh, C. H. Davidson, H. W. Page, G. Schleuder, W. H. Sutton, D. J. Ames and AV. T. Wilkins. John Walsh was elected president and C. H. Davidson secretary. The company prospered for a time, but is now out of existence. The buildings were located on the south side of Bridge street, just east of the river. A. B. Hunkins also conducted a canning concern here in 1896 and 1897.

The Austin Plow and Harrow Works is the oldest of Austin's industries, putting out ploAvs and harroAvs of exceptional Avearing qualities. The company Avas formerly knoAvn as the Smith & Johnson Company and its name is a familiar one to all agricultural implement dealers and farmers of the NorthAvest. The ^^ Everlasting steel harrOAV, made in the Austin PIoav and HarroAV Works, is shipped to all agricultural states. It is a hand-made product and the best of material enters into its construction. The company Avas established in 1867 by Seymour Johnson and R. 0. Hunt. In 1870, L. S. IMitchell entered the firm in place of Islr. Hunt, and in 1872, H. S. Smith replaced Mr. Mitchell. jMr. Smith died in 1893, and in 1900, ]\Ir. Johnson sold out to the Smith heirs.

Modern Industries

George A. Hormel & Co., pork packers and provision dealers, operate Austin "s largest industry ; and Avith the railroads this company constitutes the eliief source of revenue of Austin's laboring population. It has also been an impoi'tant factor in deA'eloping the dairy and swine interests of the surrounding country districts. Dui'ing the past year tlie sales of this company have amounted to over $4,000,000. The total tonnage of this year's business Avas 59,179,521 pounds, an increase of some 4,000,000 over the previous year. Tlie product is marketed in Jill parts of the United States and in England, AA'hen conditions ill tliat market are favorable.

George A. Tiormel & Co

In 1887, a young man, George A. Hormel, who had previously had considerable experience in the provision and packing trade, selected the prairies of southern Minnesota as the field of his future operations; and, as a beginning of greater work which he hoped l^ater to accomplish, came to Austin, and with Albert L. Friedrich engaged in the retail meat business under the firm name of Friedrich & Hormel. October 1, 1891, this partnership was dissolved and in Janiaary, 1892, IMr. ITormel started in the retail meat business, this being the beginning of the present institution of George A. Hormel & Co. In November, 1901, the company incorporated with a capital stock of $50,000, equally divided between preferred and common, the organizers being George A. Hormel, Herman G. Hormel, A. L. Eberhart, John G. Hormel and B. F. Hormel. These gentlemen are still identified with the company, and being particularly well fitted for their positions they have labored together for what has become the Hormel "idea" and "ideal." Realizing that the superior quality of the Hormel product is responsible for the growth of the business, the men Avho have been active in its development have had an unusual incentive to maintain its high standard. In their personal supervision of the various departments, this is their constant aim. The first officers were as at present: President, George A. Hormel ; vice president, Hennan G. Hormel ; secretary, A. L. Eberhart; treasurer, John G. Hormel; director, B. P, Hormel.

The packing business of the concern was inaugurated on the present site of the plant, in a small frame building, in 1892. During that year hogs were slaughtered. From this beginning the plant has increased until it now has a capacity of 2,000 hogs daily. Buildings have been erected and extensive alterations made every year as the business has increased. At the present time the plant has 224.000 square feet of floor space, and from 300 to 550 men are employed, according to the season of the year. April 13, 1906, the capital stock was increased to $1,000,000. and May 1, 1909, to $1,150,000. Aside from the packing plant the company conducts a model provision market, which is one of the most modern and sanitary in southern ^Minnesota.

Ever since the beginning, it has been the aim of the company to reacli out for the fancy meat trade, which is supplied with Dairy Brand hams, bacon and lard, which for quality and fine flavor have no equal. The hams and bacon are cured by a special Tirocess discovered by ^Ir. Hormel after a quarter of a century of experimenting. The brand "Dairy" is placed upon the highest grade of meats only. The pig from which this brand of meats is made is found only in the dairy districts of southern ^Minnesota. This pig is fed on skim milk from the creameries and upon corn.

This kind of food produces a rich lean ham and bacon. In establishing the plant in Austin the purpose was to be at the center of the dairy districts, where hogs, fattened under ideal conditions of climate, pasturage, pure air and sparkling spring water, might find a market at home, with none of their excellencies marred by long travel. Absolute cleanliness has been the idea and perfection the ideal. In addition to the minute care exercised by the Hormel company, the government also maintains a corps of skilled veterinarians and inspectors at the plant.

The Minnesota Farmers' Brick and Tile Company is one of Austin's newer industries, but already gives promise of becoming one of its most im_portant. The Indians who hunted through this county used clay from the vicinity of Austin for their rude pottery. Soon after the settlers came, the value of the clay deposit here was realized, and at various times efforts have been made to manufacture and market clay products. For various reasons none of these efforts except the latest one continued, although each successive effort demonstrated more thoroughly the excellence of the clay and shale found here.

In the fall of 1909, a body of men determined to take advantage of this rich deposit by manufacturing tile and brick on an extensive scale. A company was therefore duly organized and incorporated and capitalized at $400,000, divided equally between common and preferred stock. The officers were: President, L. A. Smith; vice president, AY. PI. Gleason; treasurer, R. L. Johnson ; secretary, "W. H. Gleason, Jr. The directors were L. A. Smith, W. M. Colby, K. L. Johnson, W. H. Gleason, W. H. Gleason, Jr., J. A. Sullivan and "W. M. Sweiger.

The buildings were started December 16, 1909, and the first carload of finished product was shipped July 16, 1910. The daily oulput is now about ten carloads. The present officers are as at first. About one hundred men are employed. The company owns 100 acres lying on the main line of the Chicago Great AVestern, and it is expected that quite a village will spring up around the plant. At the present time the site is occupied by an office building wliich demonstrates the beauty of the brick manufactured by the company, twelve kilns, a large brick dryroom four stories high, a millroom where the manufacturing is done, a boiler and engine house and an electric light and power plant, as well as the large clay pit.

The process starts at the clay bed. This deposit of clay is fully described in the United States geological survey report, and is too lengthy for reproduction here. It is sufficient to say that i'or its own particular purpose this deposit has no superiors in the Northwest, its peculiarity being its conjunction Avith a fine quality of shale. The clays are varied in color, running through bright greens, blues, reds and yellows, with all their shades and tints. The quantity and quality of the deposits have been thoroughly examined and tested, both chemically and structurally. It has been demonstrated that the material is practically pure and entirely free from any substance that can be detrimental to its use. The discovery of this deposit will be more fully appreciated Avhen its physical properties are fully understood. The bed of clay lies high above the railroad and has an absolutely perfect natural drainage. It is easily secured, as it is covered by an average drift of less than twelve inches, and in some spots no stripping at all is required.

The material, which is soft and putty-like as it lies in its pocket, is excavated and placed in storage, where after a few days it becomes thoroughly seasoned. From this storage the clay is loaded into iron cars and is drawn by steel cables to the mixer, which is at the top of the building. From the hopper into which the material is dumped the clay goes into the granulator, where whatever is coarse is ground into powder. Never ceasing its motion from the time it leaves the pit, the clay, now graulated, moves in to the pug mill, is there dampened and then forced out through the die, in one continuous piece, of the shape and size desired. An automatic cutter cuts the product the desired length, and the pieces of brick or tile, as the case may be, are then loaded on cars and run through the drier. The product as soon as cured is taken to the kilns and burned with soft coal, after which it is loaded into railroad cars or piled in the yard and is ready for shipment. The principal product of the plant is biiilding material and drainage tile, though other departments of the clayworking industry are being investigated and experimented with.

The product thus obtained is a much superior one. The tile is of a ware practicably indestructible. It is as hard as stone, it rings like a bell when struck, its glazed surface is as smootli as glass, it is waterproof and dustproof and impervious to acids and alkalies. Nothing sticks to it and nothing harms it. Frost and heat, wear and weather have no eflfect on it. It lasts practically forever. The government has accepted the brick as measlu-ing fully up to government contract standard.

Tlie company has done much and will do still more for the development of southern ]\linnesota. It furnishes (>in])lovment for a number of men, it is increasing the manufacturing importance of Austin, it affords an oppoi-tunity for safe investment, and it is becoming a campaign of education by which the farmers

The Gilbert Improved Corrugated Company conducts one of the growing industries of Austin. The heavily galvanized steel culvert which this company manufactures is unlike that of any other make, by reason of a fastener used in joining the parts. This fastener is not a rivet, which leaves an unprotected line the entire length of the culvert which sooner or later rusts out, but a contrivance which is galvanized and lasts as long as the culvert. The company's i:)lant is located on the Chicago, IMilwaukee & St. Paul line, so that the product, which is shipped to all parts of the Northwest, can be loaded onto the cars at the firm's very doors. The machinery for making the culverts and the fasteners was invented and patented by the company. A branch is maintained at Aberdeen, S. D., and there, in addition to culverts, tanks and smokestacks are made. The concern was incorporated October 20, 1908, with a capital stock of $25,000. The incorporators were Jens Larson, John Larson, W. E. LeBaron, C. E. Gilbert, A. O. Nelson, J. F. Austin, T. E. Wilson and L. A. Sherman. The first officers were : President, Jens Larson ; vice-president, W. E. LeBaron ; treasurer, A. O. Nelson ; secretary, L. A. Sherman ; general manager, C. E. Gilbert. The present officers are the same, with the exception of L. A. Sherman is now both secretary and treasurer. The capital stock has been increased to $35,000.

The Austin Weed Exterminator Manufacturing' Company, manufacturers of the Austin Quack Grass Destroyer, conduct one of Austin 's growing industries. The officers are : President, A. W. Wright; vice-president, Matt. Smith; secretary, E. H. Smith; treasurer, T. A. Revord ; assistant secretary and manager, T. A. Revord; directors, A. W. Wright, R. R. Murphy, Matt. Smith, T. A. Revord, E. H. Smith, J. L. Gulden, J. E. Pitzen, N. Nicholseu and C. A. Hegge. This company was incorporated in 1905 and for the first three years put out a machine which, while it did good work, was far too expensive. About two years ago the company started another Quack Grass Destroyer, which sells for half what the first machine did and still does very much better Avork. No farmer need have nnich fear of this pest while such a machine can be obtained. The company is selling a great many of the machines, being behind on orders most of the time. Several dealers buy the machines in carload lots, as where they have been introduced thry sell very easily.

The Austin Gas Company supplies some 600 customers and puts out about 1. 000, 000 culjic feet of gas a month. The company was incorporated for the maniifaeture and distribution of gas August 25, 1905, with the following officers: President, John R. Howie; vice-president, F. J. Gates; secretary, C. Leckbank. The incorporators were these gentlemen and R. J. Breckinridge and LaFayette French. The present officers are : President, John R. Howie ; vice-president, R. J. Breckinridge ; secretary, F. J. Gates. The capital stock is $60,000. The office of the company is at 133 Bridge street and the plant is on the east side of River street, north of East Winona. May 6, 1911, the plant was sold to Z. T. F. Runner, of Freeport, Illinois.

The F. H. McCulloch Printing Company Avas established in 1892 under the lirra name of Hunkins & McCulloch, Mr. Ilunkins then publishing the Austin Daily Herald and Mr. McCulloch having charge of the job printing. This partnership was dissolved in 1894: by the purchase by Mr. McCulloch of Mr. Hunkins' interest in the job department. The job printing business was then conducted separate from the Herald under the firm name of the F. H. McCulloch Printing Company. This business was first conducted in the rooms over the building on the corner of IMain and "Water streets. Later it was moved to the south end of Main street, and after a period of one year removed back to the old quarters. Owing to increasing business in 1900 larger quarters were secured in the Schleuder block, Avest of the courthouse, and in 1902, again becoming cramped for space, they removed to the Joseph Keenan one-story building, on Bridge street, where they occupied the entire building until 1910, when they removed to the present location, 200-202 Chatham street. In 1908, owing to the fast increasing business and the necessity for more capital, the business was incorporated under the firm name of The F. H. iMcCulloch Printing Company, with an authorized capital of $50,000. The first officers under the corporation being: F. H. McCulloch, president and manager; A. M. Lewis, vice-president; W. B. Edwards, secretary, and J. L. Mitchell, treasurer. The same officials are holding the same positions at the present time. Printing and publishing is the business of the company, making a specialty of the finest kind of catalog work, both in color work and half-tones. Their product is shipped to every state in the Union west of the Mississippi river and to a few states in the East. An up-to-date linotype plant is run in connection, setting the type for from twelve to fifteen newspapers in this section. From fifteen to twenty people are constantly employed and the prospects indicate that this number will be doubled in the next two years. At the present time tAvo floors of the building occupied are devoted to the business, with the third floor held in reserve for future needs. This year a new line of business has been added in the importing and jobbing of wall pockets, leather goods, aluminum goods, advertising novelties and the manufacture of calendars, which necessitated a salesman being placed on the road. This establishment is equipped with the latest and best maehinery for the execution of high class printing and its present large clientage is an excellent criterion for its future success.

Tlie Peerless Rolling Mills. Since the earliest days the east side of the Red Cedar river, near where Water street crosses it. has been the site of a mill. For many years the Engle mill was there, and in modern times the Peerless Roller Mills, owned and operated by A. S. Campbell, occupy the same site. The modern history of the mills dates from 1886, when A. S. and L. G. Campbell purchased a small mill near the C, M. & St. P. railroad station. In 1890 they purchased the old Engle mill. Alexander S. Campbell is now the sole proprietor. The mills are run partly by power derived from a water wheel, but the greater part of the power is generated in the lower mill, some miles down the river, and transmitted by wire to the mills on Water street, where it is belted to the main driving shaft.

The Austin mills have a capacity of 200 barrels of flour every twenty-four hours. They manufacture the celebrated Peerless, Diamond White and White Rose wheat flour, not only for domestie trade, but for export, the company making large shipments to Great Britain. They also manufacture buckwheat flour and corn meal. A. S. Campbell is the proprietor of the Peerless Flour Mills in Austin and also of the Red Cedar Mills, which are located five miles south of the city. These mills run ' constantly, never shutting down except for repairs. The product is the equal of any in the great flour state and enjoys a reputation with the best. It is in greatest demand by the discriminating housewife and baker.

The Red Cedar Mills, located south of the city, are under the same ownership as the Peerless Roller Mills. The mills were built in 1867 and 1868, by Jonathan Gregson. In 1875 the building was enlarged and improvements were again made in 1879. The first roller system in this county was introduced in this mill. The plant is now equipped with a dynamo, which furnishes power for the mills and also for the Peerless Mills at Austin.

The Schleuder Paper Company, wholesale paper dealers and manufacturers of souvenir postal cards, was started in January, 1901, at 305 Main street. Later it was moved to 124 Bridge street, where the company expects soon to open a large retail store, to be devoted exclusively to the stationery business. The building and warehouses were erected in 1903, and all the buildings now occupied by the concern furnish a floor space of about 15,000 square feet. About twenty hands are employed. The printers' stock, wrapping paper, stationery and bags handled by the company find a ready market in Minnesota, Iowa and North and Soutli Dakota, while 1lic souvenir postal cards made liere are sold from coast to coast. The concern manufactnres a great many of its specialties, such as tablets, etc.. and has a large plant devoted to the making of souvenir postal cards and to the hand coloring of local view post cards. The officers of the company are : President, G. Schleuder ; vice-president and treasurer, F. A. Schleuder.

Sven Anderson & Son started in the implement and carriage business ]\Iarch 1, 189(). in a building at 212 Bridge street, on the present site of the Elk Hotel. About January 1, 1897, the monumental and cut stone business was added to the implement business. During the winter of 1899-1900 the building at 216-218 North Chatham street was erected and occupied. There the business was conducted until February 15, 1909, when the implement department was sold to Anderson & Brown. The monument department was continued at its present location. January 1. 1906. the shop, stock, etc., of T. J. Abrahams was purchased and conducted at the corner of Water and Franklin streets until the lease of the grounds expired, August 1, 1908, at which time the present shop building was completed and occupied. The business is principally confined to the making and setting of monumental work in this and adjoining counties, although work has also been done in all of the adjoining states. The soldiers and sailors' monument and in fact all the larger monuments in the local cemetery are from this concern, as indeed are most of the larger monuments throughout the county. In connection with the monumental work the company furnishes cut stone work and has executed many heavy contracts in this line in Mower and Freeborn counties, as well as in other parts of ]\Iinnesota and in Iowa.

Railroad Industry. The railroads in Austin give employment to some one hundred and fifty men. In 1867 the machine shops and roundhouse of the C, JM. & St. P. were constructed here. In 1887 this company moved its shops here from \Yells, receiving as a bonus from the city $10,000 in money and ten acres of land. Austin is one of the big railroad centers of Minnesota. Here passengers change cars going north, south, east and west, for Austin is the division point of six divisions of the Chicago, ililwaukee & St. Paul railroad. Through the heart of the city runs the through line of the Chicago Great Western, between St. Paul and Omaha. Through the city will pass the fast freights from Pugot Sound to Chicago over the Chicago, ]\Iilwaukee & St. Paul road. Fourteen passenger trains and forty freight trains run into and out of Austin on an average every day in the year. The Chicago. ^Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company pays from $23,000 to $2r),000 every month to its employes in this city. The shops and roundhouse of this company give employment to a large and increasing force of the best mechanics, for here every engine on 1,000 miles of road eomes to be repaired and refitted at stated intervals. Forty-six of these iron horses are eared for exclusively in these shops. Every day from thirty to thirty-five locomotives may be counted in the yards and the roundhouse. Austin is the inspecting point and every time, night or day, that a train comes into this city on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul line, every Pullman car, every day coach, every freight car is inspected. There are fifty-tM'o Pullman and day coaches cleaned here daily and their sanitary condition inspected.

The Austin Dairy Company was organized April 1. 1903, under the name of Austin Co-Operative Milk Company, for the purpose of bottling and selling milk and cream, and later for buying hand-separated cream for making butter. The company was organized with a capital stock of $6,000-, with F. W. Kimball, president ; C. B. Dibble, treasurer, and J. J. Rugg, secretary and manager. The business was located on the corner of Chatham street and Oakland avenue. On September 30, 1905, a meeting of the stockholders was held, at which time the capital stock was increased to $20,000, the name changed to Austin Dairy Company, the same officers, except treasurer (D. H. Stimson being elected for that place), elected, and the company incorporated. The building at 112 East Maple street was bought and put in shape to be used as a milk station and creamery, and the latter part of October, 1905, the company moved from their old quarters to their own building. In the fall of 1906 the building Avas enlarged and ice cream machinery piit in, since which time they have manufactured ice cream during the summer time. After the death of Mr. Stimson in July, 1907, ]\Irs. D. H. Stimson was elected treasurer. Othei-wise the officers have remained the same. In the fall of 1910 the company bought the property on the corner of Mill and Franklin streets, known as the Majors building, since which time they have been carrying on a produce business in eggs and poultry. The company employs six men and two women regularly, and in rush seasons a half a dozen more men are employed.

The North Star Dairy Company also does a flourishing business. A history of this concern is found in the biographical sketch of Charles B. Dibble, elsewhere in this volume.

Nels Mickelson manufactures not only cement block, brick and tile, but also cement sewer pipe two feet in diameter. The city of Austin has used much of this sewer pipe and finds it as satisfactory as the vitrified clay product.

Thomas Rochford also manufactures fine grades of cement block. He makes a steel reinforced cement post that is much in use for fencing pastures and fields.

The Austin Cement Stone and Tile Company was organized and incorporated under the state laws of Minnesota, April, 1908, for the purpose of manufacturing cement drain tile, building blocks, brick, fence posts and such other articles as pertain to cement construction. The original capital stock Avas $50,000 preferred and common, the incorporators and first officers being : President, C. H. AVebber : secretary, J. L. Mitchell ; treasurer and manager, E. W. Marsh. The officers still remain the same. The plant is located in the city of Austin, just south of the George A. Hormel & Co. plant, and the building is of heavy concrete block, equipped with the latest modern machinery, including a forty horse-power boiler and a twenty-five horse-power electric motor. The plant has a floor space of 9,000 square feet, including three steam-tight curing rooms. Some fifteen to eighteen men are employed. The daily output of the drain tile varies from 3,000 to 5,000 per day, according to the size. The drain tile and building blocks find a large market in Austin and vicinity, but much i.s also shipped to distant points. This plant is the first of its kind started in this city, and has been very successful. Its aim is to excel in the quality of its manufactured goods, and all its products are steam-cured and made by the latest improved methods. The company owns the land upon which the plant is located and also a fine sandpit of fifteen acres. The office is at 321 North ^Main street.

Woodworking. Austin lias two Avoodworking establishments, those of r. F. Stillman and Henry Waterman. The story of tliese plants is told in the sketches of their respective owners.

Printing and Binding. Austin has an excellent book bindery, that of J. M. Beck, and each of the newspapers have .iob printing departments. The MeCulloeh company is mentioned elsewhere.

Machine and Wagon Shops. Austin has two splendid machine sliops, each employing mechanics capable of doing any repair work and doing it well and quickly. There are two Avagon shops Avhere A'ehicles are not only repaired but AA'here ncAV ones are built for the trade. A gunmaker is also located here. The macliine shop proprietors are J. E. Hanson and Arthur Carlson: the Avagon makers, J. Z. Rogers and "W. ]\r. Hanson, and the gunmaker is Henry C. "Waldecker. There are three exclusive l)lacksmith establishments, Sorenson & Neilson and Lars Hansen.

Austin Candy Company manufactures all grades of pure confections from taft'y to creams. It ships goods as far west as McLeod, Mont. It also manufactures for the jobbers in the Twin Cities and for the local trade. Experienced candy makers are employed.

The Cummings Brush Manufacturing Company has been in operation since August, 1910, and while only a new business, it lias created a great demand for its manufactured goods. The Cummings brushes are on the market in many of our largest cities, handled by jobbers and wholesalers in Cincinnati, New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, St. Louis, Des Moines, Kansas City, Omaha, Council Bluft's, Minneapolis, St. Paul, LaCrosse/, Dubuque, Waterloo, Cedar Rapids and many other towns and villages. Mr. Cummings has put out a very neat and up-to-date catalogue and his system of putting manufactured goods on the market has proved a success in every line he has undertaken. Mr. Cummings will add more machinery and increase the capacity to meet the demands for liis manufactured goods.

T. F. Cummings Bottling Works. - In February, 1894, this concern was started in a small way and now its daily capacity is 500 cases. All kinds of soft drinks are made and bottled here. The water used is from the Trio Siloam springs. These springs are of the purest water and as they have medicinal qualities are carbonated and bottled. Mr. Cummings prides himself that every constituent that is used in the manufacture of his bottled goods is the purest that the market affords. Mr. Cummings also has a large trade in table and bar glassAvare.

E. H. Smith Land & Loan Company. This business was established November I, 1900, with E. H. Smith as manager and remains the same at this date. For several years the business consisted principally of buying and selling western lands particularly in western Minnesota and North Dakota, also doing considerable business in western Canada. Since 1905" the firm has done a large business in Montana in both irrigated and dry lands. Commencing with the fall of 1909 it has done a large business in southern Minnesota and northern Iowa selling principally to central Iowa and northern Illinois farmers, and during this period has located nearly one hundred well-to-do farmers from the east and south in southern ]\Iiunesota and northern Iowa. It also does an extensive farm loan business, marketing its securities principally in the east. It also has one of the leading fire insurance agencies in the city. The E. H. Smith Land & Loan Company was the first exclusive real estate and loan business established in the county. Mr. Smith was born and raised in Mower county, has traveled extensively through the middle and

Austin Cement Works. Jn the s[)ring- of tlie year 1893 Frank Fowler, the senior meinlier of the eopartnership of Fowler & Pay. quarry owners and nianut'aeturers of building materials of IMankato, Minn., finding that the. trade required something better for stone and briek building purposes than the mortar in general use at that time, and being a geologist of more than the average knowledge and a chemist of no mean ability, he started a general search for a particular kind of stone from which a first class grade of natural cement could be manufactured. After much seeking over this and adjoining states aud an almost discouraging number of fruitless experiments with the different kinds of stone found, the particular kind of stone wanted was finally located in Mower county, Minnesota, three and one-half miles south of the city of Austin on the banks of Rose creek (a tributary of the Cedar river) near both the Chicago Great Western and Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railways, thereby affording the best of shipping facilities. The necessary land containing this stone was immediately secured, all preparations made and the building of this works stai'ted early in the following year (189-i). This work, consisting of opening a stone quarry, grading for the railroad tracks, erecting buildings containing about two acres of floor space and installingthe machinery was rushed to completion in record time under the able personal supervision of the then, as now, only members of the firm, Frank Fowler and Frank B. Pay, at a cost of about $50,000 and named the Austin Cement Works. After a short period of successful manufacture of a first class grade of cement known as Austin natural cement, the entire works were destroyed by fire. This calamity coming so soon after the expense of building the works and creating a demand for its product would naturally be very discouraging to the strongest hearts and a much larger bank account, but the owners of the remaining pile of ashes and ruined machinery being men of the "never say die" type immediately resumed work where they had so recently finished and erected buildings onethird larger than those destroyed by the fire. This work, as before, was rushed to completion aud the finished product placed on the market in the shortest possible time without having sold or offered any stock for sale. Fowler & Pay still being the sole owners and operators. The works have been in almost constant operation since the time of rebuilding and employ twenty-five men daily, improvements having been made from time to time that have increased the capacity to 100,000 barrels annually of a better grade of natural cement and bricklayers" cement than any natural cement works in this country. This cement is recom- mended for all kinds of brick and stone building purposes, under street paving, cellar floors and cisterns, as it sets quite rapidly under water; a market for the bulk of this material is found throughout the great Northwest. In connection with the Austin Cement Works there are five family houses and a large boarding house for the convenience of the employees who desire to live near their work, also a large farm, a part of which the resident employees have for pasture and gardening purposes, rent free. It has always been the policy of this firm to treat its customers, employees, neighbors and friends with the utmost consideration in all business or other affairs, and they have shown their appreciation for seventeen years by there never having been any serious litigation, labor troubles or any disturbance that is so disastrous to the good will that should exist between all parties concerned.