The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1867-11-14
THE COOPER SHOPS OF ROCK ISLAND.

To keep three breweries, an extensive dis
| tillery, three -four and corn mills, several
pork packing houses, and the every day
public of Rock Island supplied with barrels,
creates trade in the cooper line of con-
| siderable dimepsions-muchl larger, indeed,
than the casual observer would at first i'm
| agine. In this line, lively business has
been carried ON for the last fifteen years.
Little or nothing in the way of pork packing
has ever been done in Davenport, and con-
sequently the packers of this city have mo-
| nopolized the field on both sides of the river,
creating heavy demand for barrels, which
our mechanics have been called upon to FILL
The Oldest concern, according to the data
before us, is that of John Stauback, who is
| located on the corner of Elk and Rock River
streets. Mr.. Stauback is one of our old set
| tiers, having resided here for the past TWEEN
| ty-four years. He commenced business at
his present stand in 1855, twelve years ago,
| and has been doing a fair, and sometimes
| profitable business ever since. At present
| he is supplying the wants of Babcock l.
Maguire's distillery, giving four men steady
employment. He is also doing considerable
| city work in general line.
T.. Fichenscher, located on Pleasant
street, near Elk, is also an Cd resident, and
has occupied his present quarters for ten
years or more. He employs number of
hands, does first class work, and at present
is considerably pressed to fill his orders,
which embrace work Of all descriptions
His stock is principally received from Mchi-
gan, and is of the best quality.
Christian Haberlah has been located on Elk
street, near Pleasant, for the past twelve
years, during which time he has enjoyed a
fine business, with occasional dull intervals
Although not keeping full force of hands
at all times, he has generally been able to
turn out a considerable amount of work at
short notice. 1t is his present intention to
close ont, however, and engage in some
thing else.
John Seighartner has been located on
Elk street, near Illinois, for the past year.
and has been doing very respectable busi
ness for the short time he has been engaged
in it. He is likewise an old resident. He
gives constant employment to four journey
men. He makes speciality of pork and
whisky barrels, though prepared at
all times to fill other orders. His work is
equal to that produced anywhere.
A. J. Hill has been located on Exchange
street near Canal for two years past, although
he has been residing in Rock Island, and
engaged in his present calling for upwards
of eleven years. He keeps full force of
hands, and manufactures about four thous
and barrels year. He is at present engag
ed in turning out -four barrels for the Cam
den Mills, and pork barrels for Shaw & Gil
more's packing establishment.
C. Dingdinger, located on the corner of
Jefferson and Rock River streets, has been
in business in this city for over twenty-three
years, and at his present concern, for eleven
years. He is principally engaged in the
manufacture of beer and whisky barrels,
and with an able force of hands, is kept quite
puS1 III AAio "OAh 10 vi tiic
very best description, and always comm snds
a ready sale.
s. Hoffman,, on Rock River street. near
Washington, has carried on business in
Rock Island, in this line, for eighteen years
or more, and at his present location for
about FIVE years. He constantly employs
assistance. and does work principally for the
Warner flour mills.
D. Stricken, corner of Rock River and
Ohio streets has carried on business for only
about three years, and in that time has built
up good trade. He employs number of
hands, and makes speciality of the manu-
facture of whisky barrels.
The largest establishment of the kind in
the city, is that of Lamb & Gibbs, on Water
street, near Ohio, and carried on in connec
ton with the Rodman Flour Mills. This
was established by Leas & Son in 1861, and
by them conducted until the LIST of May last
when the present proprietors took posses
sion. The main building is 10 by 100 feet
in size, while an adjoining warehouse 80
feet by 140, is constantly filled with stock
aud completed work. The former is obtain
ed from Michigan, and is of the best quality.
At cost of about eleven thousand dollars a
year, fourteen hands receive constant en-
ployment The usual number of barrels
turned out is two hundred a day, and some
times even more. While some outside
work is done, the principal part is for the
Rodman Mills.
To obtain information in regard to all
the independent workmen in this line,
in this city, would be a difficult task,
but the above notes will show that the cooper
trade of Rock Island is quite extensive and
gradually on the Increase, living employ
ment to many hands, and discussing a large
sum of money for labor every year.