KEENEY and HARRISON, Contractors and Builders, is one of the first among the firms of this business in northern Illinois; they also do a large business in general job work and mill work and small hand planters. In September 1884 Mr. Keeney purchased a half interest of Foyette Dyer who was then conducting a similiar business, and April 1886 W.N. Harrison purchase Mr. Dyer's half interest. The business was then conducted in Section 3, Industrial building, Rock Falls, and in May 1895 was moved to this city (Sterling) to the old Elliott mill, at the foot of Locust street. Among some of the prominent buildings erected by this firm are the two additions to the eureka Mfg. Co Rock Falls, J.F. Utley's residence, Capt. Parker's residence, J. V. McCarty's residence, E.J. Ross residence now owned by E.E. Sheetz, I.O. O.F. building, W.M. Lightcap residence now owned by George Warner, Addison Pltt residence and the large addition to the Charter Gas Engine Co.
Sterling Standard December 11, 1896
KEYSTONE FANUFACTURING COMPANY
Click Here for the History of Keystone Mfg. Co.
In March 1879 the Northwestern Barb Wire Company was organized and incorporated with a capital of $10,000, W. M. Dillon being president of the newly organized company, Dr. Long, vice president; Capt. W. C. Robinson, treasurer; B. C. Gibbons, secretary and the plant moved over to the Industrial building in Rock Falls, occupying section NO.6. In the year 1880 the building which the company now occupies was purchased. Up to this time only a few machines had been used, but from time to time more machinery was added until they had forty machines running day and night. These machines occupied all the available room in the building, hence they could not increase the output without building, and they were unable to purchase more ground. The company flourished from year to year dispite the hard times and have increased their capital stock to $100,000.
During the summer of 1896 the barbed wire machinery was moved to the Dillon-Griswold Wire Mill in this city, (Sterling) and the business converted into a wire nail factory, and since that time nearly 100,000 kegs of nails have been manufactured and sold, and a contract has been let for more machinery, which will increase the output fully 60 per cent.
During the past summer many changes have been made in the interior arrangements of the building, which adds vastly to the convenience of the work in hand. One of the most costly improvements is the equipping the plant with an entire steam outfit that they can run at any time regardless of the stage of water in the river, the water power being the principal power used. The plant has been running day and night and expect to so continue, and report that prospects are most flattering for the coming year. The present officers are W.M. Dillon, president and treasurer; E.E. Brenneman, secretary.
One of the most extensive manufacturing institutions which has come into prominence in recent years, and one of great value to the city and vicinity, is the Rock Falls Mfg. Co. It was incorporated in 1877, the first location, being in Rock Falls, in a small building located on the grounds now occupied by the C.B. & Q. deport in that city, with E.L. Brookfield as chief stockholder and he was then as now, president of the institution.
In 1883 the plant was moved to Sterling and located in the brick buildings, which are the present site of the manufactory. In 1888 the first of the buildings on the southwest corner of the intersection of East Third street and Third avenue, was built, and in 1895 another immense structure was added, which gives the institution one of the largest as well as most complete plants in the West.
The business was started in a modest way, making burial cases andundertakers supplies, the building of hearses and funeral cars, of which they now manufcture a larger number than any other firm in the country. The total sales reach above $250,000 per year, or a sum five times as large as when Mr. Brookfield first became manager of the business.
Lewis E. Brookfield, president, general manager and chief stockholder, has a remarkable record as a business man. When only 17 years of age he assumed the entire management of the affairs of the new concern. He was born on a farm near Sterling and was educated in the Sterling schools. His ideas of business were always broad and comprehensive. He was never content with a small business and looked forward to leadership in anything he undertook. He saw the opportunities for supplying the West with hearses and funeral cars, and began the manufacture of these expensive vehicles in 1883. The first year twenty-five completed hearses were sold, while now the annual sales rech over 200.
The two stores operated independently for some years until it was felt that they should become one. The building at 204 W. 2nd St. was purchased from Claude Melvin thereby making it possible to have the stores connected with an archway cut betweent he two buildings. After several years passed, it was decided to discontinue the grocery store operation. So the two buildings were used only for dry goods and ready-to-wear. With the passing of W.J. Sowles Sr., in 1931, the young son, who at that time was employed at Bradley's clothing in Sterling, took over the operation of the Sowles' business. As the depression days were left in the background and the community xpanded in trade, additional space for the store became necessary.
The building at 211 W. 2nd St., at that time housing the Henry Goldfus men's clothing store, was purchased. After considerable remodeling the ready-to-wear was moved into the new room and the dry goods section was enlarged. The need for a children's department prompted the purchasing of still another building directly west at 213 W. 2nd St., at that time owned by Joe Sullivan, where an enlarged infants and children's department was incorporated into the store. Under the ownership of W.J. Sowles Sr., the store initially operated with a total of three ful-time employees. Now occupying three buildings, the store has increased its employment to 17. This year the Solwles' clothing store will celebrate its 62nd anniversary under the same family ownership.
City of Rock Falls
The Sterling Standard December 11, 1896
ROCK FALLS PAPER MILL doing business in Rock Falls, is located on the river bank and is one of the largest mills of its kind in the US. The building was erected by Frank Tracy and E. G. Church, in the summer of 1890, the year following the big explosion of the old mill, which every one well remembers. The new structure is 600 feet long and 100 feet wide and is supplied with all of the modern conveniences needed in this branch of business. In 1893 Messrs. Tracy & Church disposed of their interest in the plant to the Columbia Straw Paper Company, and still conducts the business under the able management of Mr. Harry Washburn, with Mr. Ross Smith as superintendent. The product of the mill is entirely straw wrapping paper, and the capacity is about twenty-five tons per day. The mill has been running night and day, except at short intervals when shut down for necessary repairs. The business during the past two years has been fair and the prospects for a large increase is good.
The Sterling Standard December 11, 1896
SEWARDS GROCERY - Located on West Fifth Street of Rock Falls, Sewards Grocery stands in the same place as it did in July of 1931 when Frank Seward purchased the building ot begin his 36 year career of management. The oldest grocery store in the city under the same management, the building was remodeled ot its present size in 1938. From 1931 until early in 1951, three gas pumps were in use. In years past Sewards Grocery was the "hub" of the neighborhood for the men of the town as its well lighted grounds provided nightly horse shoe court activity which continued for many years. Seward was the sponsor of a basketball team in the years between 1939 and 1942. Most of the boys had played on the winning team at the ROck Falls High School the previous year. Many trophies were won by the Seward team, some of which are still on display at the store. (Sterling Gazette July 25, 1967)
SOMMERS REPAIR SHOP -
William F. Sommers decided to go into business for himself in 1942 in a small garage, 16 x 24' at 315 E. 10th St. Rock Falls. His first piece of equipment was a $100 lawn mower sharpener, which his wife humorously recalls as "a worthless piece ofmachinery." That sharpener is now accompanied by many other pieces of valuable machinery to aid in the repairing of lawn equipment at Sommers' Repair. The shop deals in sales, service, and parts for mowers, lawn sweepers, yard vacumers and snow ploughs.. Sommers sells new rider mowers as well as the standard push mowers, sweepers and snow ploughs. he also has the latest equipment for saw filing. Tis year so far,Sommer estimates he has already repaired over 500 mowers and as high as 3,000 saws. His garage has been enlarged for work space three different times during the course of his 25 year old business. It is now about four times as large as when it began.
SOWLES DRY GOODS -
Mr. and Mrs. William J. Sowles Sr. moved to Rock Falls with an infant son, William J. Jr. from Kansas City MO in 1905. At that time Mr. Sowles Sr., purchased the Hubbard and Morrison Grocery store located at 205 W. 2nd St. Rock Falls, which is now known as the Crystal Barber Shop (1967) In 1917, the building directly west of the store was purchased and Sowles Grocery was moved into that location. Soon as there appeared a community need for a dry goods store in the city, a number of businessmen organized the W.J. Sowles Dry Goods Company and the new business was opened on 217 First Ave.
Wechslers Texaco Calendar
1955 - Rock Falls
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