Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1871-01-31
The Lancaster Wooden Mills.

ness men convinced them that the
manufacture of wooden goods could
be safely aud profitably carried on
here, and enlisted their interest in
embarking in the business. There
had been much attention given by
farmers generally through the coun-
ty TO the raising Of wool. Some of
them shipped their crop to the New
York and Chicago markets, others
took it to the Hanover Wooden Mills,
the Racine, Baraboo and Madison
factories and received goods in ex-
change. Another and large portion
found market for their wool at the
North Andover Mills, and other
smaller factories for country weav-
ing through the county, and not
few lost money in time or expense Of
freight, or being compelled to take
goods Of some particular grade or
quality,
The want was felt for larger fac
tory, located in central part of the
county, where better quality and
more general variety of wooden fab
RIGS could be produced. TO supply
this want the Lancaster Wooden
Mill Company was organized on a
stock capital Of $50, 900, and the nee
essary buildings erected to run q
full t,c0 set mill by steam power
The Lancaster Wooden Mills were
finished in the Fall Of 1869, size 80
by 60 feet, four stories high, with
buildings for engine room and dye
house attached. Since, it has been
found necessary to build an addition
al two story wing for salesroom and
and woo-sortiDg departments, which
with other additional improvements
increased the capital invested to S35,
600. None but the best and latest
improved machinery was purchased,
and il il the verdict of many who
are well acquainted with the business
of wooden manufacturing and have
passed through the factory that there
is no better stocked mill in the West
for the manufacture of all kinds of
wooden fabrics
We find on the different floors all
the first class machinery necessary TO
manufacture the various kinds of
goods from the heavy coarse wooden
horse blanket to the fine opera fan
nels, cassimeres, beavers, doeskins,
twecds and warn. The first or base
ment story contains the wool-picker,
brushing machine, hydro-extractor,
washing and securing machines, full
ing mill, gig, dressing shears and
cloth presses. The dye room attach
ed has all tho necessary watts aud APP
paratus for coloring and securing
wool also cistern and pumps for wa
ter supply. On the second floor
stand eight broad looms of the latest
and most approved patterns, warper,
dresser and two spoilers. The third
story has six carding machines 1.-TWO
sets), two jacks Of 200 spindles each,
and an emery cylinder for grinding
cards, On the fourth floor there are
two spring jacks Of 240 spindIes each.
The attic above is arranged for dry
ing wool, also with tenter bars for
drying cloths. Each floor is supplied
with water in barrels for use in case
of fire. The whole machinery of the
mills is propelled by steam power,
and steam is also used for heating the
building and for dyeing and drying
purposes.
In February last the first goods
were ready for the market, since
which time the machinery has run
without stoppage, except for occas-
ional repairs, until the beginning Of
the present year. During the nine
months Of actual running time tho
mills have consumed in manufactures
some 10000 pounds Of wool, deduct
ing 5000 pounds sold for comb.
ing wool. The balance has been
worked into about 65, 900 yards of
cloth, OF which probably one-third
was hannels and the rest in cassi-
meres, doeskins, tweeds, etc. 200
pairs Of blankets and $500 pounds of
yarn. Thus the average product Of
I wv IAlli Has DCCti GBOul 4,OVO y al 10
Of cloth per week at nine months
running. Twelve to fifteen hundred
yards per week is everywhere con-
sidered good work for a two set mill
so that the first experiment Of the
Lancaster factory as far as the amount
of stuif5 manufactured, is a most salts
factory exhibit of work done and of
the producing capacity Of its ma
chinery. The quality Of the cloths
produced, for finish, style and firm
ness, will bear the test with any
goods Of western manufacture. They
have found ready market wherever
introduced, a great part going into
the neighborng States Of Iowa and
Minnesota. But tho larger portion
Is consumed within the county.
In the manufacture Of these goods
also have been expended ahoni 400
cords Of wood at cost Of 81 800, and
! dye-stuiis, oils, soaps, etc 10 the val
ne of $1,000. Ga an average thirty
hand 5 have been employed at a
monthly expense of about 81 900.
va lIo iVbu lusbs LtlO slOth lptutIs
CT the concern held their annual
meeting for the election OF officers
The business Of the mills for the term
past was examined into, which was
satisfactory to parties interested =
Tho old Directors. Messrs Henry
Fox, A. Burr, George Howe, A.
Nathan and IL. A Mooie, were re-
elected, and at a recent meeting
Mr.. A Burr was chosen President OF
the Board of Directors, A. Nathan
Treasurer and L. A Burr Secretary
The mills are now receiving some
necessary repairs and improvements
and will be started again this month.
The managers propose to manufac-
ture more largely this year and to
still improve in quality and styles of
goods.
Grant county produces annually
over 1905 pounds Of wool, which
er~rN 4 4 4