Allen's Stone Jar Mixture H.F. BATCHELLER & SON was organized in 1859, although at that time the son is now the father in the firm, as D. Batcheller dieing left it to the son, H.F. Batcheller, eighteen years ago, and in a few years he took his son A.M. into partnership. Their first article manufactured was a handcornplanter, patented by H.F. Batcheller in 1858. Twelve were made the first year at a small shop in east Coloma. Sales were good for the planter and many thousands were made and sold. As high as 15,000 were sold in one year. They moved to Rock Falls in 1873 and built a ig shop where they ran many men, making planters, churns, wind mills, washers, etc. The shop was burned out twice. The firm is now in a shop near the depot.
The members of the Dillon Milling Company are L.H., W.M. and Moses Dillon, all of whom are prominent business men and intimately connected with the business interests of Sterling and Rock Falls. L.H. Dillon has entire charge of the mill, and is not only a practical business man, but is thoroughly posted on the milling business, having been engaged in it here for nearly a quarter of a century and is the last of the pioneer millers of the two cities.
EMPIRE MANUFACTURING COMPANY is located in Section 4 of the
Industrial building, Rock Falls, with H. B. Blood, president; R.K. Swift, vice-president and general manager; J.J. Zeller, secretary and treasurer. The company was organized in 1883 and at that time occupied Section 1in the Industrial building, with J.J. Zeller, president and secretary; Lyman E. Phelps, treasurer, and R.c. Swift, Superintendent.
They manufacture farm machinery. Among the prominent articles are the rotary disc harrow, spike tooth smoothing harrow, barrell carts and seeders. The office is managed by Mr. Swift, ably assisted by Miss Bertha Swartly. Mr. Swift states that the institution has been doing a good business with bright prospects for the future, as they have already booked enough orders to keep them running anyhow until June or July.
D.W. ALLEN TOBACCO COMPANY
The Connoisseur's Blend
CHARTER GAS ENGINE COMPANY - In 1861, F.B. Williams and B.E. Orton started the foundry and macine shop, which has always gone under the name of Williams & Orton. Even to this day that term is applied ot the plant by the old inhabitants. In 1871 the business was incorporated under the name of Williams & Orton Manufacturing Company. A General line of work was done, the specialties being pullies, shafting, couplings, hangers, (the two latter being built under patents,) wire rope sheaves, for transmission and hoisting purposes; portable mills, flouring mill and grain elevator machinery. In 1881 the experimenting in the line of Gas Engines was entered upon, which resulted, in 1886, in the placing upon the market the first gas engine in the US to use gasoline. The "Charter" was not only the pioneer in the use of that fuel, but for several years was alone in the field. In January 1889, the name was changed to "The Charter Gas Engine Company," as neither of the founders of the company was connected with it, in order that the benefit of the name be obtained for advertising. The "Charter" Gas and Gasoline Engine has been used for nearly every purpose power is applied to under the sun, from running flour mills, factories, cotton gins, threshers, and other purposes requiring large powe, down to coffee mills, job presses and cow milkers. Nearly two hundred uses are upon its list. The "Charter" can be run on the top of a mountain, or at the bottom of a mine; in the city, or on the farm; or any other place where power is desired. It is perfectly safe, for in the many years it has been used in great numbers, there has never been an instance of fire or explosion. The capacity of the plant has been doubled in 1896, by the erection of a two-story brick building 65 x 60 feet, used for erecting, esting and shipping purposes. Fifty to one hundred men can be employed with the present facilities. Not onlya re stationary engines built, but also tractions, portables and combined engines and pumps. The officers are; George M. Robinson, President and Treasurer, who has been in the office of this company twenty-five years, and William S. McCloy, Secretary, who has been with the company for five years.
Sterling Standard December 11, 1896
COBB & DREW - Manufacturers of all kinds of rivets, double pointed tacks, entc., is a branch facatory of the large manufactory at Plymouth Mass. They moved to Rock Falls last July (1896) and commenced the erection of their machinery in Section 6 of the Industrial building, starting their works in October and have been doing a nice business since then. L.T. Hayward is the superintendant and has a number of men under him, and expects to increase as fast as business will permit. The machinery that has been placed in the building is of the very latest pattern and of which any one may be proud. It is an institution that is bound to succeed as it is the only one of its kind in thissection of the country.
Sterling Standard December 11, 1896
DILLON MILLING COMPANY - Many years ago Sterling was an important milling center, but of later years it has felt the influence of the great Northwest and the most importnat institution of this character remaining is the Dillon Milling Company located in Rock Falls, on the bank of the Rock river, and occupies an immense stone building. The mill has ten sets of rollers and three stones and has a capacity of one hundred barrels of flour and two carloads of feed per day. It is doing a large business in custom grinding for the surrounding country and for the home market produces "Dillon's Best", one of the best brands of flour sold in Nothern Illinois. Quantities of rye flour are also made for the Chicago market.
The Sterling Standard December 11, 1896.
Sterling Standard December 11, 1896
Eureka Manufacturing Company
Rock Falls IL
Click Here for the History of Eureka Mfg. Co.
Blacksmith Shop Rock Falls
Jules
Danish
Farm
Restrauant
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