John Grieves, senior member of the firm of John Grieves & Sons, woolen manufacturers of Lacon, has been identified with the business interests of the city for thirty years. He is the pioneer in the manufacture of woolen goods in this section of the country.
The woolen industry in Lacon was the outgrowth of an article in the Chicago Tribune about the close of the war from the pen of Spencer Ellsworth, which attracted the attention of Samuel Saque and John Grieves. Correspondence between these gentlemen and Mr. Ellsworth lead to a meeting of a few of the representative citizens of Lacon and the appointment of William F. Fisher and Mr. Ellsworth a committee to confer with Saque and Grieves with reference to the establishment of a manufactory at this point for the production of woolen goods. A favorable report being made, a company was organized with a capital of one hundred thousand dollars, which was later increased to one hundred and twenty-three thousand. The first board of directors were Archibald Riddell, John Grieves, William F. Fisher, Spencer Ellsworth, Dr. Thomas, Alonzo Roberts and P. Stevens.
The company known as the Lacon Woolen Manufacturing company, after being duly incorporated commenced operations, having elected John Grieves as superintendent. It was in January 1866, when Mr. Grieves, and all the machinery bought by him.
There were many difficulties to be overcome in the establishment of such an enterprise in the west, and it required boldness in any one to come in competition with the old and well established houses of the east. The company was fortunate in the selection of Mr. Grieves as superintendent and general manager. A thorough master of his trade, and, with good business instinct and tact, he took hold of the enterprise with a determination to make it win.
The erection and equipment of the mill with necessary machinery exhausted the capital of the company, leaving it without a dollar with which to purchase necessary supplies. Nothing daunted, Mr. Grieves went to Chicago, and stating his case to dealers, secured he dyes and other material needed, and work was commenced. The first output of the mill was fancy cassimeres. A fine fabric was made, comparing favorably with those of any eastern mill. The product was put with the commission houses of Chicago, but with ill success. Mr. Grieves then went to that city, and with samples of cloth visited the trade, and after many disappointments succeeded in selling the goods.
After a trial Mr. Grieves and the directors of the company were convinced that a change would have to be made in the manufacture of goods, as such prices for cassimeres and flannels could not be obtained as could justify the making. It was then agreed to engage in the manufacture of shawls, being the first mill, in the west to engage in that line. For five years Mr. Grieves continued in charge of the mill, when her resigned his position and removed to Peoria, where he also engaged in woolen manufacture.
During the succeeding five years the Lacon woolen mill made no progress, and Mr. Grieves was persuaded to return and occupy his old position as superintendent and manager. From 1876 to 1894 he filled those positions and during that time dividends on the stock were made and paid, save for the years 1892 and 1893. In the spring of 1894, the directors of the mill took charge, and until November of that year were engaged in cleaning out all stock on hand. In the spring of 1895 the mill was rented to John Grieves and Sons, who are stilloperating it with success, turning out about seventy-five thousand dollars worth of products annually. Employment is given about seventy-five hands.
In 1883, Grieves, Halsey & Company erected the Ettrick mill at Lacon at a cost of thirty-four thousand dollars. It first engaged in the manufacture of hosiery yarn and continued in that line until it became unprofitable in consequence of the low prices prevailing. The looms were then changed and the manufacture of shawls were commenced, and later another change was made to dress goods. John W. Grieves, the son of our subject, succeeded Mr. Halsey, and the present firm was started, that of John Grieves and Son. This mill, which is run night and day, also gives employment to about seventy persons and the combined pay roll is about four thousand five hundred dollars per month. The products of these mills are mainly disposed of in Chicago, though selling in all of the principal cities.
Our subject was born in Selkirk, Scotland, November 9, 1826, and there grew to manhood. At the age of ten years he entered a woolen mill in his native city, learning the trade in all its departments, and remaining there until after attaining his majority. In 1848 he came to America and secured a position as a weaver of shawls at Lawrence, Massachusetts, being thoroughly conversant with that line of business. After two years he took charge of a weaver's room in a mill near Boston, remained tow and a half years, then went to New Edinburg, Candada, and became superintendent of a cassimere mill.
Returning to Massachusetts, he was in charge of a weaver's room at Andover for three years, and again went to Canada for one year. He next went to North Andover, Massachusetts, then to Utica, New York, as boss weaver. From Utica, he went to the mill of James Roy & Co., West Troy, New York, having charge of the shawl mill of that firm. From Troy he came to Lacon in 1866. John Grieves and Isabel Heart were united in marriage, April 17, 1848. Their two sons, John W. and George H., are associated with their father in the business. John is a designer and makes all the patterns used by the firm. George H., is superintendent of the Ettrick mill. Each of the firm understands the business thoroughly, and the product of their mills always gives the best satisfaction.
Transcribed and Donated by Nancy Piper
Taken From The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties,
Illinois., Chicago: S.J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1896, Page 49-50