The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1867-11-09
BREwERIEs AND MALT HOUSES OF ROCK
ISLAND

terror, being but fifty feet by twenty IN size,
run by horse power, and very indifferently
equipped otherwise. At that time brewing
was very uncertain business, the demand
being more for beer manufactured abroad
than for that produced at home, against
which very diseouraging prejudice existed.
After continuing business four years, and
meeting with tolerable success considering
the obstacles to be overcome, Messrs Lettig
& Son concluded to dispose of third inter
est in the concern to l. Huber, the present
proprietor, who thoroughly understood the
business. The transaction took place on
the lst of May, 1851, nine hundred dollars
being the price demanded. The new part
nership continued nearly three years Dur
ing this time business increased at an en-
couraging rate, but it was not yet deemed
advisable to make any Improvements in the
establishment. In April, 1854, Mr., Huber
purchased the interest of his partners, pay
ing therefor the snug sum of six thousand
dollars, although he was quite convinced
that the price was exorbitant. With an eye
to future, however, rather than to present
profits, he pushed ahead, improving as he
went, and enlarging every year as his means
permitted. On the following year he pur.
chased a ond-hand engine of c. c. Web
Der, then carrying on a machine shop, and,
by a corresponding increase of other facili-
ties, was enabled to manufacture something
in proportion to the demands of the lively
| 1t must be admitted that our earliest brewers
were unable to turnou an article that would
pass muster on every occasion. They had
not the facilities to do it. By this time, how
cles, and was perfectly able to compete with
any opposition. His business soon became
remunerative, and, with commendable spirit,
he invested the profits in further improve
| ments. In 1856 he constructed vault in
| the bluff above his brewery, which is 40 by
| 100 feet, and capable of storing $500 bar
rels of beer. Riding through the financial
storm of the following year, he came on,
with flying colors, and in the year succeed
ing (ls5s) erected his present residence, i'm
mediately adjoining his brewery, at cost OF
| $4,000. This is fine structure, built in
the most substantial manner, and has few
equals for design and finish in the city. u
| to the present time his business has received
no check. In the fall of 1865 he replaced his
old engine by new one, a twelve horse pow
err. and also laid in new boilers, manufactur
ed by Samuel Greenwich.
This fall he is making numerous improve
ments. About two weeks ago he laid water
| pipes to the river, by means of which run
ming water will be secured for manutactur
ing purposes. He is now engaged in build
| ing an addition to his vault in the bluff
which will be 20 by 40 feet, and covered
with an ice house. The brewery is now &
uniform and wel-constructed brick building
two stories in height, with capacions cellars
and all modern facilities and Inventions
Its ground dimensions are 20 by 1870 feet
The cellars under Mr.. Huber's residence, II
by 20 feet, are connected witt the brewery
by underground passages, and are used fol
malt purposes. In the brewery cellars art
facilities for storing five hundred barrels o
beer. The principal trade now carried on i:
of local character, embracing the patron
age of dealers in Davenport and this city
and county. The number of laborers EN-
ployed is usually eight. About four thous
| IA Of
tured, thereby consuming ten thousand bush
els of barley, eight thousand pounds of hops
and four thousand bushels of coal. During
his long residence in Rock Island Alderman
Huber has exhibited thorough pluck, enter
prize and business ability, and we are gla
to know that in some measure he has rea
lied the legitimate reward.
After disposing of his interest in Huber
brewery, Peter Lettig built the commence
ment of what is now the Atlantic Brewery
owned by Aid. Geo. Wagner, and located q
the upper limits of our city, on the Molin
road. This establishment is therefore THU
teen years old. After building up a fair bu
: mess. and expanding considerable money i
; improvements, Mr.. Lettig became convince
that he could do better elsewhere, and, i
. 1858, -four years after) disposed of the es
Establishment to Joseph Schmid. Mr. Schmi
was a go-ahead, industrious business maj
and succeeded well, and invested fair PR
{ portion of his profits in enlarging the cor
t Germ. After carrying on business for eigl
/
years, the present proprietor bought him on
Finding his orders coming in faster than /
could fill them, Mr.. Wagner concluded tn;
horse power was too slow n motion for th
7 present day, and last year introduced man
valuable improvements. A sixteen horS
power engine, manufactured by Williams
Head, was accordingly purchased and 81
S in operation. The water used in the man,
, facture of the beer had previously bee
hauled from the river. This inconvenienC
{ was obviated by the introduction of steal
pump, and the laying of line of watt
pipe. To guard against fire. and to answ,
J BUSINESS purposes, facilities were also provi
ed for hosting water to any quarter of tt
e building, and in any quantity. A valuab
t system of drainage was also introduced
free the cellars from refuse, and otherwis
! tend to their publication.
At present, Mr.. Wagner has a costly b,