The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1867-11-21
Thursday Evening, November 81. 1855
THE BRICK BUSINESS OF ROCK ISLAND

THE BRICK BUSINESS OF ROCh ASAhNO'
The oldest and most extensive brick maker
of our city is Christopher Atkinson, proprie-
tor Of the Energy Brick yard, cornerof Elm
and Lee streets, on the bluff back of Green
bush. He came to this city in le49, and
on the following year opened brick yard
in the vicinity of the old cemetery. AS may
be supposed, brick were in high demand at
that time Our city had began to develop
its iunumerable advantages, business men
were fastening to settle themselves, dwell
ings and storerooms were in hot demand
building was the order of the day and brick
were everywhere required. If any one in
the country knows how to make good a.
ticle in this line, Atkinson is tie man.
From the opening of his kilns Ae was kept
quite busy in filing or5ers. During the
seven wears he remsined there, as his books
show, he turned out SIX million brick. In
1853. be purchased the land ON which he
may now be found, erected an elegant and
substantial residence, and opened his pres
ent yard, continuing to receive his wonted
patronage. In 1860. with all the other brick
makers of our city, he was allured to Pixies
Peak by the mirage prospects of that golden
region, but short experience convinced
him that Rock Island afforded far better
chance for the securing of a competency.
During his short stay in Denver, he opened
yard, and furnished brick for one of the
fin est commercial structures of that rapid
city. In returning, he again assumed con
tr oil of his yard, which had been rented out
In the mean time, where he has continued to
the present day. In short time he proposes
to turn his business over to his son William,
and adopted son John Olive-which will
prove quite handsome donation.
In regard to Mr.. Atkinson's past labors,
We might safely say that he furnished brick
for at least two thirds of the buildings of
Rock Island. Among these we might men
ton some of the most prominent such as
the Rodman House, Hermann House, High
School building, Fourth ward school building,
the Catholic, Dutch, Swede, and Methodist
churches, the fire engine houses, Webber's
block, Chas Bufords block, lin which the
ARGUS is locatedl, Guyer's Block, Union
block and when rebuilt after burning down,
loung America block. C. R. /. & P. R. r.
buildings. Coal Valley r. Z. round house,
Woltman's building, Darts building, Kelles-
strass' buildings, Harper's block, yogele's
warehouse, Kale's building, Palace Row,
Wooden Mills, Stiles. carriage factory, pillow
factory, &C., &c. 1t would be quite useless
to mention even respectable portion of the
long list which might be presented. Among
the residences for which he furnished
material are the following-that of P. L.
Mitchell, Temple Buford, Jos. ". Brackett
Thos. j. Buford, A. l.. Wait, DIR. Gait, DR.
Knox, DR.. Truesdale, Mrs NJ. Johnson
Mylo Lee, Ben Harper, the late Chas. Blu
ford, Mrs. Andrews, jeremiah Chamberlain,
David Halves, Mr.. Whitman, Z. Carter, Thos
Sahlpaugh, A. Dart. Jos. Comet, &C., &c.
In 1859, Mr.. Atkinson met with severe
loss. in the burning of the High School bull
ding when just approaching completion
which verged on the sum OFFS 2 900. Among
his many liberal acts, it might be well to
mention the fact thai the Greenbush Sabbath
Mission School house, not far from his resi-
dence, was furnished By him with brick, and
stone work, free of charge.
During the past season, Mr.. Atkinson has
disposed of 1900, 900 brick, considerable
portion of which was made last fall He
could have disposed of thousands more had
they been On hand. OF this amount, 49,
900 were sent to Moline to finish the smut
mills there, 900 to Camden for Betty &
Cleland's store, and $4,000 to the same
place, to be used in constructing q rectifying
department for Frysinger's distiliery. He
has also furnished brick for the construction
of Wheelock's gas house, and also that of
Deer & Co., besides hard brick for Candee
& Swans p!ow factory, and Dimock &
Gould's pail factory, all at Moline. He has
lately produced q new article in the paving
line, which will soon be seen in use in front
of Mylo Lees fine residence, corner Orleans
and Buffalo streets. It's virtues are first
class, and it is to be hoped that more of our
citizens will follow Mr.. Lees example, there
by adding TO the value of their property, and
the comfort of the public.
The Energy Brick yard occupies about
SIX acres of land, with clay surface thirteen
feet in depth, without stone or root This
extraordinary depth of surface, is an item of
much comment among brick men, or others
who are familiar with such matters. The
number Of hands employed, varies widely,
consisting sometimes of ten, sometimes of
fifty, and not 7untrequently of as high rs
seventy five. Next year, this yard will
have facilities for turning out three million
of brick. 1t has just been enclosed by a
strong board fence, and otherwise improved
in various ways. Mr.. Atkinson has a fine
homestead adjoining, aud having won a
competency by honest efforts, intends 70 re-
tire, and pass the remainder of his days in
ease. &-
On theoppesite side of the street from the
Energy yard, is that of Mr., Thomas Akin
son, a brother of Christopher, who has been
there for the past two years, and has this
season turned out about 100000 brick. He
is also carrying small yard on the
Watch Tower Road near VIM. Dixon's resi-
dence, the brick ofwhichzare used in Sears
Improvements. About 10000 have been
made there this fall - a&l#sb k2
Mr.. John Long, located on the bluff i'm