The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1861-02-28
MANUFAcTUR1Na INTERESTS OF Dow.

MANUFACTURING INTERESTS OF Dow
AGIAc.-It is probably conceded fact, though
not generally thought Of that our Manufacturing
facilities are unsurpassed by any inland town in
this section of the State and it certainly would be
surprise even to many of our own citizens to
visit the various manufacturing establishments
now in operation in this village, and see to what
extent this branch of industry is already carried
on here.
Believing that some information relative to the
different manufacturing interests of our town will
be favorably received by majority of readers,
recently paid visit to some of these establish
ments, and were highly gratifed to witness in the
extent to which they carried on, this proof of
the steady growth, improvement and prosperity of
our village.
The largest and most extensive establishment is
carried on by Mr.. Clark Squires, on Front Street,
nearly opposite the Taylor House. Here we found
u large and extensive foundry, complete in all its
branches, carriage and wagon shop, blacksmith
shop. furnishing room, &C.. &c. Mr.. Squires has
recently put up large 60 horse. power engine,
which propels all the machinery used in the diff
ferent departments. He is constantly manufac-
turing all descriptions of plows shovels. cultiya-
tors, shovel plows, and in fact, foundry work of all
kinds. We also noticed particularly machine
for cutting bolts of every size and description.
Mr.. Squires keeps constantly employed twelve
men, and has a capital of from IS, 900 to $40 900
invested.
Upon leaving the foundry and machine shop of
Mr.. Squres. we enter a room occupied by w. L.
Patton, in the manufacture of carriage spokes,
where we find in full operation piece of machinery.
II - La IroI<
thousand spokes per day. The machine used by
Mr.. Patton we believe, is of recent invention. and
1t certainly would be difficult to conceive of a
greater labor saving process for the manufacture
of . useful article than this one. Mr.. Patton has
three men employed constantly.
In the upper part of the main building is the
sash, door and blind factory of Mr.. Oliver Root,
and the paint shop of Mr.. c. Clark, both in full
operation. Mr.. Root employs three men and has
capital of 81 900 invested
Immediately in the rear of Mr.. Squires' estab-
lishment, Is 4 building recently fitted up and occu-
pied by Messrs. Merri6eld 4 Co., in the manufac-
turs OF wooden eaye troughs, conductors and drain
pipes They have in full operation, combined
machine known a. "Fields Patent Gutter Ma
chine which il run by shaft from Mr.. Squires
steam engine. This machine, it is claimed, is not
only labor saving but also stock saving machine
two cutters being cut from single stick Of timber
at the same time, with great economy ana rapidHy
It is capable of turning out two thousand iee' Oh
ssve trough or conductor pipe per day. Inc
troughs are made from the best pine ana wn'e
wood, the inside being coated with a WATERPROOF
composition, and the outside painted the color OF
the building to which they are affixed. 1t is claimed
for these conductors that they look better, last
longer and cost less than any others in use.
Nessrs. Merrifeld 4 Co. have six men employed
constantly and have invested in tools and machinery
. capital Of 81 200, the building being owned by
Ashley, Rays L Co. This establishment is well
worth visit
We shall continue until the subject is exhausted,
to give one or more sketches weekly upon this SUBJ
ject, hoping thereby to bring out our nanufactur-
ing facilities aud enlist capital in its behalf