Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-03-09

ably than the thriving concern styled
the Common Sense Harrow company
of Grand Rapids, form under which
those interested are Otficered with b.
p. Arpin as president; John B. Arpin,
vice president; E. ROeniuS, treasurer
and manager; Otto r. ROenius, secre-
tary.
Few of our citizens realize the
amount of work that has been going
on in this connections hence the writer
is pleased to offer few notes CLEANED
on a chance visit to the foundry this
week.
On Jan. 7th, 1899, Ben King sold his
interest in the Grand Rapids Foundry
company to his partner, E. Roenius,
making the latter sole proprietor Of
said institution. The company is in
corporated with e. RoeniuS as presi-
dent and manager; Otto r. ROeniuS,
secretary and treasurer: Fred. a.
Roenius, director, For one year this
foundry has been engaged, besides its
regular work, particularly in the man
ufacture of what is known in the
hardware market as the Brown Com
mon Sense Flexible harrow. By March
3lst, fifty thousand Of these harrOwS
will have been completed here and
distributed among dealers and patrons
in several states.
Sixteen men are regularly employed
in this branch, including the foundry
force where the steel parts are cast.
Wages run from 75c to $3.50 per day
and the monthly pay roll is $500.
Two qualities of harrOwS are manu-
featured; one all steel, the other with
wood frame and steel teeth.
The wood frame harrow is made in
department separated entirely by
itself. In the second story of the
foundry two good size rooms have been
transformed from pattern quarters
for iron working to wood working and
paint shops equipped with every
facility necessary, and thoroughly
adapted to its purpose. Here the wood
harrow is built complete. White oak
is used for frames, the material pur-
chased mostly from outside lumber
firms, principally at WauSau and Ste
vens Point, because it cannot be OBJ
tained here. Elm is used for the
straight and plow handles on all har-
rows. Two sizes are offered in wood
frame, heavy or light, or ! inch
teeth being supplied on order
In the wood working room seven
machines are kept continually buzzing.
Fred Karnitz is foreman and sees to
the proper shaping Of all material.
Will Eaton sets up the implements
ready for shipment, assisted by Robert
Fayel and ChaS. Raath.
In the paint room Ed Fail stencils
and puts on the colOrS requested fol
frames, while Jos. LaBreche paints
the steel teeth, bolts and other iron
parts by the dipping process.
Down in the blacksmith shop where
all forging is done begins the delicate
or intricate construction of the Ange
steel fixtures, connections, and Stee
harrow. All steel and iron used il
construction comes from PittSburg
Pa. John MroS has charge of the big
scissors or ''shears and punch" as tht
machine is called, which clips off big
chunks of metal as if it were frailec
thread and accomplishes its work witt
an accuracy that can be depended
upon to the finest degree. This ma
chine was modelled by E. Roenius ant
was built under his direction in tn
foundry here. 1t works as smooth a
the seamStreSS' shears and the irOl
pieces cut or punched fit each othe
exactly.
julius Ackerman is the one il