From the beginning Mishawaka has been noted for its business enterprise. The
founders and early settlers of the town were men remarkable for their public spirit.
They were enterprising, pushing, persevering. They built the first dam across the
St. Joseph, and likewise erected the first bridge, and both by private means. A mill
race was dug on each side of the river; and early use was made of the unequaled water
power at the rapids.
The St. Joseph Iron Works, the original corporation organized by Alanson M. Hurd to reduce
the iron found in the bog south of town long continued to be the leading business
corporation. Under the name of the St. Joseph Manufacturing Company, and engaged in
the production of plows and other farming implements, it continues to this day as
one of the business forces of the community.
Another company, organized under an act approved February 17, 1838, was the Mishawaka Iron
and Manufacturing Company, with a capital of one hundred thousand dollars, the
incorporators being John N. Sherman, Orlando Hurd, George W. R. Flower, Charles W.
Pomery and Alonzo Delano.
In 1836, leading citizens of the town had taken a prominent part in organizing the first
insurance company of St. Joseph county, The St. Joseph County Mutual Fire Insurance
Company. By an act approved February 8 1836. The company received a charter from the
legislature, the first section of which provided:
“That Samuel Sample, Horatio Chapin, L, M. Taylor, A. C. Coquillard, John Brownfield, Elias
Smith, Orlando Hurd, J. E. Hollister, J. H. Orr, Francis P. Taylor, A. M. Hurd, and
all others who may hereafter associate with them in the manner herein prescribed,
shall be a corporation by the name of the St. Joseph County Mutual Fire Insurance
Company, for the purpose of insuring their respective dwelling houses, stores, shops,
and other buildings, household furniture and merchandise, against loss or damage by fire.”
This company is of interest, if for no other cause, in that it brought together, seemingly for
the first time, prominent founders of South Bend and Mishawaka. It is of interest for
another reason, that its organization and management seem to have been quite similar
to those of the present St. Joseph County Farmers’ Fire Insurance Company, which for
many years has proved so successful and economical for the insurance of the property
of the farmers of the county.
During the year 1834, Orlando Hurd opened a hotel for the accommodation of the traveling public;
and in the following year Francis P. Taylor erected the first flouring mill. The town
at the rapids was thus fairly under way.
At this early date, after the St. Joseph Iron Works had been incorporated, but before the passage
of the act of the legislature organizing the several town plats into the one town of
Mishawaka, and before the erection of the bridge over the river, we have a ray of
light thrown upon the condition of the enterprising community, in a record left by
Dr. E. W. H. Ellis, one of the early settlers of St. Joseph county, Dr. Ellis tells
us that he reached the north bank of the St. Joseph river, “opposite Mishawaka,”
August 7, 1836, and was taken across the river by the ferryman. He adds that the
population was then not over five hundred; and that the population of South Bend
at the same time, was not over eight hundred.
While the dam was built, the races dug and a number of manufacturing plants organized at an early
day; yet the greater number of the concerns that have given to Mishawaka its high
place as a manufacturing center are of a later date. The most important step taken,
perhaps, in giving stability and activity to the Mishawaka manufacturing industries,
was the organization, June 28, 1867, of the Mishawaka Hydraulic Company. This company
was made up chiefly of the manufacturers already engaged in using the water power of
the river. The list of names of the incorporators alone is sufficient to show the
importance attached to the proper management and card of the dam, races and other
things connected with the use and protection of the invaluable water power, from the
beginning regarded as the true source of the prosperity of the town. The incorporation
of the Hydraulic Company were: George Milburn, Ann M. Studebaker, Thomas H. Milburn,
Washington J. Brower, John S. Ball, David Nottage, Horace B. Martin, Lorenzo W. Martin,
George Kuhn, John Kuhn, Anthony Kuhn, Albert Cass, Adolphus Eberhart, Palmer C. Perkins,
Adoniram B. Judson, Nelson Ferris, William Dawley, Martin K. Lushbaugh, Thomas Costello,
Warren Palmer, Joseph Warden and the St. Joseph Iron Company, by Henry G. Niles, trustee.
The subscribed capital of the company was fifty thousand dollars; and the objects stated
in the articles of association were to keep up the dam, water power, races, banks and
other matters connected with the power, and to sell and dispose of water power to other
manufactures.
The Mishawaka Furniture Company was organized October 10, 1867, with a capital of sixty
thousand dollars. The incorporators were: Adoniram B. Judson, Robert Montgomery,
Lewis T. Booth and De Witt C. Eggleston.
On August 23, 1869, the famous Milburn Wagon Company was incorporated, with a capital
of one hundred thousand dollars. The incorporators were: George Milburn, Thomas H.
Milburn and John Milburn. The business of the company was the manufacturing of wagons,
farm implements and other business incident thereto.
George Milburn was a man of extraordinary energy and force of character. His company at
once entered upon a career of great activity and prosperity; and it seemed that
Mishawaka was about to become one of the great wagon making centers of the world.
The company reported the value of vehicles manufactured during the year ending
July 1, 1873, at four hundred and forty-six thousand, six hundred and fifty-two
dollars. During the same year, however, an unfortunate controversy arose between
the company and the town. Mr. Milburn asked for certain facilities for side tracks
along the streets from the factory to the Lake Shore railway which the authorities
of the town felt unable to agree to. Instead of exercising a spirit of forbearance
towards one another, the parties allowed the breach to widen until the Milburn Wagon
Works abandoned the town of Mishawaka where they had grown and prospered. Inducements
held out to the company to locate in Toledo had perhaps something to do in completing
the estrangement.
It was an unhappy quarrel for both town and company. A mammoth building in progress of
erection by the company at Toledo was blown down by a storm on December 4, 1873,
entailing a loss of over twenty thousand dollars. In other respects it does not
seem that the company prospered as it would have done in the town of its origin
and vigorous youth. AS for Mishawaka itself, the loss of the factory seemed almost
irreparable. Coming as it did, so soon after the fearful conflagration that destroyed
the business section of the town, on September 5, 1872, the blow was such as might
well stagger the energies of the people. For years, the silent walls of the Milburn
wagon works were an unpleasant sight to those who had so long hoped and labored for
Mishawaka’s prosperity. But, by degrees, this loss, as well as that occasioned by
the great fire, was overcome. The vacant buildings, one after another, were filled
with new industries; until, finally, the wounds were all healed, and the god town
went ahead and flourished as if no harm had ever been suffered. As in case of Chicago
after its fire, or San Francisco after its earthquake, it was demonstrated that
Mishawaka, by reason of her situation and surroundings, was destined to be a
successful manufacturing center, so that even what appeared as overwhelming
calamities could not destroy her.
Among the plants established in the early seventies and later that had very much to do in
determining the success of Mishawaka as a manufacturing town were the following:
The Andrews School and Church Furniture Company was incorporated December 20, 1870, with
a capital of fifty thousand dollars. The incorporators were: William W. Ferris, S. E. White, J. Q. C. Vandenbosch,
William N. Dunn, James Welliver, Henry G. Niles and Alfred H. Andrews.
The Hollow Axle Manufacturing Company was organized March 4, 1871, with a capital of twenty
thousand dollars; the incorporators being: George Milburn, William A. Lewis and
William Moffitt.
The Bostwick Refrigerator Company was incorporated August 10, 1873, with a capital of twenty
thousand dollars. The incorporators were: Joseph Bostwick, Thomas A. Bless, Christian
Bless and William Bostwick. They manufactured not only refrigerators, but also other
house furnishing goods.
The Mishawaka Woolen Manufacturing Company was incorporated January 31, 1874, with a capital
of twenty-five thousand dollars. The incorporators were: George Hartstein, Jacob Beiger,
Martin V. Beiger, D. A. Dixon and George E. Wells. This company has become noted for
its success in the manufacture of wool boots; the extent of the manufacture and sale
of such wool felt boots having long since attained mammoth proportions.
On July 14, 1873, the Perkins Wind Mill and Ax Company was incorporated. The capital was
fixed at forty thousand dollars. The incorporators were: Palmer C. Perkins, Pardon J.
Perkins, Albert Hudson, Luther I. Clark, Byron C. O’Connor, Jacob C. Snyder and Reuben E.
Perkins. By degrees the production of windmills engaged the attention of the company to
such an extent, that, on September 9, 1902, on petition to the St. Joseph circuit court,
the name was changed to the Perkins Win Mill Company. The company has sold its products
all over the United States. During the year preceding its incorporation, the concern made
and sold over one hundred windmills; and the production and sales have increased enormously
since that date. Perkins’ windmills are as well known in Michigan or Nebraska as they are
in Indiana.
The Mishawaka Wagon Company was incorporated January 18, 1876, with a capital of fifty thousand
dollars; the incorporators being Robert Montgomery, De Witt C. Eggleston and Charles E.
Sillsbee.
Several paper and wood pulp companies were established, s follows:
March 4, 1880, the Mishawaka Wood Pulp Company; capital, fifteen thousand dollars; incorporators, Lucius Clark, John F. Clark
and Robert R. Clark.
April 21, 1881, the Mishawaka Paper Compan; capital, fifteen thousand dollars; incorporators,
George H. Taylor, Lucius Clark and Robert F. Fram.
February 24, 1882, the A. Gaylor Pulp Company; capital, twelve thousand dollars; incorporators,
Lucius Clark, Albert Gaylor and Edmund C. Westervelt.
April 1, 1887, the Mishawaka Pump Company; capital, nine thousand dollars; incorporators,
William Miller, J. W. Vanden Bosch and W. L. Kimball.
The Mishawaka Pump Company was incorporated February 27, 1883, with a capital of ten thousand
dollars. The incorporators were James Dougherty, John H. Uline and George Dougherty.
The St. Joseph Milling Company was organized July 2, 1883, with a capital of sixteen
thousand dollars. The incorporators were: Adolph Kamn, Simon Yenn, John J. Schindler
and Casper Kuhn. The mill was erected in 1861 by George Kuhn, Casper Kuhn and August
Kellner. It was afterwards operated by George Kuhn; and finally by the corporation
organized in 1883, as before stated.
Somewhat more than a quarter century ago, Wallace H. Dodge founded at Mishawaka, Ind., what has
since become known as the Dodge Manufacturing Company. The embryo was in form of a
little sawmill property for the production of hard-wood lumber. This industry
prospered so well that on February 24, 1880, the Dodge Manufacturing Company was
incorporated by Wallace H. Dodge, William W. Dodge and Elizabeth H. Dodge. The
business continued to grow rapidly and steadily, with every indication of most
gratifying prosperity. Within a year, however, in 1881, the little factory was
totally destroyed by fire.
The loss of its uninsured plant was a serious one for the young concern, but rebuilding was
undertaken at once, on a larger and more substantial plan.
As an indication of the growth of the factory, it may be stated that the original capital
was fixed at fifty thousand dollars, and that, in 1897, it became necessary to
increase the capital to five hundred thousand dollars. Two products of this factory
have brought fame to it from all over the world,—one is the wood split pulley,
designed to be clamped to iron shafts, the other is the use of the continuous
wrap system of rope transmission power, using a single endless rope, in successive
wraps, to convey power, instead of the old plan of using separate ropes. Wallace H.
Dodge, the founder of the company and the perfecter of its notable inventions, was
perhaps the most original mechanical genius produced by St. Joseph county. Unhappily,
he died in 1894, in the prime of his manhood. He was not only a genius, but a most
amiable and lovable gentleman. His brother-in- law, the Hon. Melville W. Mix,
succeeded to the presidency of the company.
On November 27, 1885, the Power and Transmission Publishing Company was organized by Wallace
H. Dodge, Edward A. Jernegan and Alexander L. Thorp, with a capital of ten thousand dollars.
The purpose of this company was the “Manufacture, publication and sale of a series of mechanical
journals in the interests of manufacturers, millers, master mechanics, and all interested
in the use and transmission of power.” The monthly magazine called Rope Transmission
Power published by this company reached so large a circulation as to affect very
sensibly the business and standing of the post office at Mishawaka.
Two other companies organized by Wallace H. Dodge bore directly on the welfare of the town.
The first of these was the Mishawaka Water Works Company, incorporated September 9, 1890,
with a capital of twenty thousand dollars. The incorporators were Wallace H. Dodge,
Henry G. Niles and John Schindler. The town was in need of a system of water works,
but financially unable to build them. The purpose of the organization, as stated in
the articles of incorporation, was to “construct water works for the use of the
town of Mishawaka, to rent to the town of Mishawaka for an annual rental, and
after the payment of a given amount of rent then to deed such water works to
said town.”
Of like character to the water works company was the Dodge Electric Light and Power Company,
incorporated November 29, 1890, with a capital of twenty-five thousand dollars.
The incorporators were: Wallace H. Dodge, William W. Dodge, W. B. Hosford,
R. D. O. Smith, Charles Endlish, George Phillion and Melville W. Mix. The
object of this organization was the production of “electric light, heat and
power for commercial, domestic and manufacturing purposes.”
Mishawaka was thus supplied with water and light, and given easy terms of payment for
utilities which had become absolutely necessary for the comfort and safety
of the people. With the rapid growth of the town, however, there grew up a
demand for the extension of water mains and electric light poles and wires,
which the municipality found itself unable to supply. This need grew more
acute from year to year; until finally a sentiment developed in favor of the
formation of a private corporation by public spirited citizens, who, in the
interests of the public welfare, should agree to take upon themselves the
burden of sustaining the water works and electric light works, and issuing
bonds t complete the payments still due the Dodge companies, and also in
sufficient amount to procure means to extend the water mains and electric
facilities so as to satisfy the wants of the people. This plan involved the
sale of the water works and the electric light plant to the proposed company,
reserving to the city the continued management together with an option to
repurchase the same as soon as able to do so.
As there was some doubt whether the city had power to make such a sale, an act was passed by
the legislature, approved February 26, 1903, giving the necessary power.
The next step taken to carry out the plan was the organization of the Mishawaka Public
Utility Company, which was incorporated April 1, 1903, with a capital of ten
thousand dollars. Carrying out the public character of this work, which was
purely in the interest of the public, and without profit to the company, a
large number of the most patriotic and public spirited citizens became
incorporators, as follows: Martin V. Beiger, James A. Roper, E. Volney Bingham,
Frederick G. Eberhart, Jr., Everett G. Eberhart, Manuel M. Fisher, Vincent
Bruner, Melville W. Mix, Nicholas Schellinger, Frank R. Eberhart, William B.
Hosford, Henry G. Niles, James De Lorenzi, John A. Herzog, Adolph Kamm, William
M. Clark, John E. Baker, Edward A. Jernegan, Francis X. Ganser, Charles Endlich,
Simon Yenn, John J. Schindler, David A. Shaw, Albert Gaylor and William N. Schindler.
That list is Mishawaka’s roll of honor. The water works and electric light plant were
taken over by the Utility Company; bonds were issued for one hundred thousand
dollars, the old debts were paid off; the water pipes and electric appliances
extended for the accommodation of the citizens; a city hall was erected; the
water works and electric light works meanwhile continued to be operated wholly
by the city. The stipulated rents have been paid to the Utility Company, and are
applied by the company to the payment of interest on the bonds and the making of
stated payments upon the principal. When the city becomes possessed of sufficient
means to take up the remainder of the bonds, it has the option to do so, and will
then be entitled to a deed back from the company. This arrangement has relieved
the city of Mishawaka of an exceedingly embarrassing situation; and has given to
he inhabitants the facilities of a first class system of water works and electric
light, bringing also in their train an extended sewer system and paved streets and
sidewalks.
The Beatty Felting Company was incorporated January 2, 1886, with a capital of fifty thousand
dollars, for the “manufacture and sale of felt goods.” The incorporators were Dempster
Beatty, Luthera Beatty and Emmett L. Beatty. The company is on of the strongest in
Mishawaka, and has built up a great plant for the manufacture of felt boots.
On March 7, 1887, the extensive Kamm & Schellinger Brewing Company was incorporated. The
capital was fixed at sixty-five thousand dollars; the incorporators being, Adolph Kamm,
Nicholas Schellinger and William Bender, Jr.
The Mishawaka Factory Company was incorporated July 4, 1887, with a capital of twenty
thousand dollars, and with Frederick A. Rohleder, Joseph Bostwick and Jard R. Morse
as incorporators. It was organized “For the purpose of manufacturing various articles
of wood and iron, furnishing motive power and factory buildings connected therewith, etc.”
The Mishawaka Pulley Company was organized March 19, 1888, with a capital of one
hundred thousand dollars. The incorporators were John J. McErlain, Frank A. Baker and Charles T. Lindsey.
On August 12, 1890, The Mishawaka Furniture Company was incorporated with a capital
of one hundred thousand dollars. The incorporators were: J. P. Creque, A. J. Wheeler
and Leonard Adsit.
The Eberhart Milling Company, with a capital of fifteen thousand dollars, was incorporated
June 25, 1891. The incorporators were: Henry G. Niles, Adolphus Eberhart and John H. Eberhart.
The Mishawaka Pad and Harness Company was organized, with a capital of ten thousand dollars,
on November 27, 1893. The incorporators were: C. K. Beam, John May, Fred W. Shultz,
H. A. Camfer and J. F. Tescher.
On June 24, 1902, the Roper Furniture and Carpet Company was incorporated, with a capital
of fifty thousand dollars. The incorporators were: C. J. Wenderoth, J. A. Roper, H. C. Roper,
L. E. Roper, C. A. Roper and N. E. Ross.
The Major Brothers’ Company was incorporated February 10, 1906, with a capital of one
hundred thousand dollars. The objects of the company are to buy, sell and slaughter cattle,
hogs and sheep, and to vend meats and other products. The incorporators were: Ambrose J. Major,
Frank T. Major and Frederick Major.
While the date of incorporation is given as to each of the forgoing companies, yet
it will be understood that in most cases the business was actually begun and under way
before the organization of the corporation, in some cases for many years. As a rule,
the manufactories that have made Mishawaka famous have grown from small beginnings.
Indeed, that has been one source of their success. The proprietors grew up with their
business, and each member of the firm or corporation had the experience of years in
building up the institution from its simple beginnings until it had attained state
and national reputation.
The Mishawaka Mills, erected in 1836, were long operated by Joseph Miller and William Miller,
and, with the St. Joseph Mills, long gave to Mishawaka a high reputation for the production
of superior flour. The Ripple Mills, erected and long owned by A. Cass & Company, and
afterwards by J. H. & A. Eberhart, added their share to this enviable reputation.
In addition to her manufacturies, which have made the name of Mishawaka a household
word throughout the United States, all lines of business characteristic of a
wide-awake and progressive town have flourished in the busy town. Indeed, it is
doubtful whether there is anywhere a city of the size of Mishawaka in which so
large a business has been done for so many years. It is truly a hive of industry.
(Howard, History of St. Joseph County, 1907)
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The name St. Joseph Iron Works was taken from that of a company of the same name which Mr. Hurd,
Mr. Earl and others had organized for the manufacture of iron at this point. Bog iron ore was
found in considerable quantities in the swamp under the hills south of the town, being the
same swamp around which La Salle was forced to find his way on the night in December, 1679,
when he got lost in seeking for the portage to the Kankakee. Mr. Hurd and his company were
of opinion that the ore in this marsh would prove inexhaustible and that his iron works would
expand into a flourishing manufacturing town. The construction of a blast furnace for the
reduction of the ore had been commenced the spring previous to the platting of the town,
and was completed in 1834.
In 1853 the people seemed to be ready for a permanent newspaper. In that
year D. C. Ireland began the publication of the Free Press. After two years Mr. Ireland
sold out to L. A. Elliot, who changed the name of the paper to the Mishawaka Enterprise
and soon after disposed of it to Archibald Beal. In 1865 Norman V. Brower became the owner
of the paper. Finally, in 1872, the Enterprise was purchased by Edward A. Jernegan, since
The paper and its publisher suffered, in common with the rest of the city, in the calamity
of September 5, 1872. Both, however, rose nobly to the task before them and not only overcame
that disaster, but, after that event, the Enterprise, more than ever, deserved its title. It
is praised enough of the Mishawaka Enterprise to say that it has kept pace, step by step,
with the progress of the good city of Mishawaka itself.