The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1867-11-13
WAGON AND CARRIAGE MANUFACTURES
OF ROCK ISLAND.

located on the corner Oh OAASN'AS ~N~ % |
streets. In the year l840, James u. biythe
opened shop on Eagle street, at the ioca-
non now occupied by kaufman Whitton's |
marble works, and commenced business in |
a small way. By glancing back twenty |
seven years, our readers will infer that Rock |
Island was quite modest village at that
time, and not capable of supporting a very
ostentatious establishment of any kind. In
deed, its population was then in the neigh
borhood of but about six hundred. After |
transacting business for period OF eleven
years, and building up fine, Respectable
patronage in every branch, as the town pro- |
crossed in importance, Mr.. Blythe disposed |
of an interest in his growing concern to 5.
B. Stoddard. This was in March lS5l.-
The new member proved to be as energetic
and popular as the old one, and business
increased, continually demanding more ia
times within the next fourteen years, it was
determined to erect a building expressly for
the purposes in view. This resulted in the
one now occupied, which was constructed in
the summer of 1865. 1t is a neat, substan-
ella, brick, two stories in height, and 26 by
As feet in size. Adjoining the building is a
capacions snithing department, besi'.es all
the necessary out houses for the storage of
stock and work. About thirteen hands are
employed on an average, at an expense for
labor of about $1,000 per annum. While
manufacturing cutters and carriages in the
best kind of style, the firm makes special
ty of wagon work, and from samples on
hand, we should Judge with very good sue
cess. At the recent county fair, they received
the first premium for the best carnage ex-
hibited. The average amount of work
turned out per annum, is about one hundred
wagons, and fifteen carriages, besides a vast
deal of repairing of every description. The
lumber used is purchased exclusively in the
east, and is of the most substantial quality,
while the work turned out is of correspond
ing excellence. 1t is not to be supposed
that the trade this firm has built up was
acquired without occasional struggles, and
frequent butfetings with anverSty. Any
manufacturing business is of an uphill char.
acter at the outset, but if managed with
prudence, and backed by perseverance, it is
bound to be made remunerative.
The next oldest establishment in this line
is that of B. Fl. Kimball, situated on Orleans
street, between Buffalo and Eagle. Some
time in the year 1916, q firm known as Glib
bons Bros, put up a wagon shop on the
present location, and commenced general
- -,
them withdrew, and left the concern in the
hands of the other, A. D. Gibbons by name
The latter continued the business until 1857
having added facilities sufficient to meet the
constant demands of a growing trade. B
H. kimball, the present proprietor then pur
chased half interest, and in the firm name
of Gibbons & Kimball the establishment
was carried Oh for one year. Mr.. kimbai
then purchased the whole concern, sine
which time he has doubled the business, anC
made vast increase in its capacities
The main build Is 20 by so feet, the ware
house 80 BY 40, and the smith shop 20 b,
So In addition to these, there are the usua
number of out buildings, for the storage O
stock, and the thousand and one miscellan
eous purposes of such business. To NEE
further demands, Mr.. Kimball has latel.
purchased of j. Keiser, the fine substantial
two story brick structure, on the opposit
side of the street, recently occupied q
Beardsley's broom factory, which he will US
as an adjunct, and will next spring enlarg
by probably one third. This is splendi
building for the purpose designed, being 4
by 65 feet in size. 1t is now being rsmod
died as fast as a heavy force of laborers can
it, and will be taken possession OF IN Yer
short time. Mr.. Kimball gives employmer
to fifteen hands throughout the year, in OF
casional crowded periods, to twenty. Hi
pay roll foots up yearly aggregate c
$4,000 d1sbursed for labor all of which
circulated through our city. He is at thi
time furnishing. and disposing of six Wagon
a week or one day. The number of Wagon
turned out for this season will reach tv
hundred. He is also doing a heavy busine
in the repairing line, besides manufactu
ing carriages, cutters and sleighs. At pre-
sent he is crowded with orders, and prospe
ing generally, al! of which is merited by
energy, and bushes ability.
Messrs. Churchill & Sweeney formed
copartnership in December 1855 and col
menced wagon making in building
Exchange street, where they continued f
the term of four years. doing fair business
In 1859 they sold out to other parties, WI
shortly afterwards failed In January l86
the copartnership was renewed, and busne
commenced at the present location, corn
of Eagle and Rock River streets. For
short time their attention was principal
occupied in repairing, but as trade incres
ed, and orders came steadily in, they branc
ed out, and at this time are doing finely.
They have orders already on hand whi'
will keep them busily engaged until t
first of January. In addition to farm al
general work wagons, they are manufactu
ing the light, elegant, and unequaled dem
crat wagon, SO convenient for family or co
slant every day use. Three buildings a
occupied as follows: One 20 feet by 81
another Is by 30; and the remainding Oh