1885

"Merrill and Houston Iron Works"

"Beloit Iron Works"

Paper Machines: None

The Neenah Paper Company was chartered taking over the Neenah

mill from the Patten Paper Company.

January 7, 1885, Free Press

Pursuant to an order of the court, the Merrill and Houston Company

Iron Works were Wednesday sold at auction for the benefit of the

creditors.

That portion of the plant known as the "Parker and Stone" part was

bid by C. H. Besley of Chicago for $10,800, which amount covers a

mortgage held on said property by the purchaser.

The highest bid for the remainder of the plant, including all real

and personal property, was $20,000 and was made by J. D. Rexford of

Janesville, in behalf of all creditors.

The court reserves the right to reject or accept the bids and the

decision will be made known Saturday.

It is understood that nearly two thirds of the amount of the liabilities

are represented in the pool and that all creditors will be permitted

to share alike in the final settlement of the property.

If the court accepts the bids, it is thought that a new company will

be immediately thereafter organized, and the Iron Works kept running.

March 9, 1885

Richard J. Burdge, assignee of Merrill and Houston Ironworks,

sold and transferred its property to John D. Rexford, Janesville, Wisconsin.

The land parcels were described as Lots 1-2-7-8-9-13-14

Tenney's addition. Lots 42-57 Hackett's addition, including what was

known as the Island Property.

July 21, 1885

The Beloit Iron Works was organized and created under the laws

of the State of Wisconsin.

July 28, 1885

Agreement entered into between J. D. Rexford, president of

Merrill and Houston Iron Works and the Beloit Iron Works for leasing

of the former's property for a period of two years. This property

being described as Lots 1-2-7-9 Tenney's addition and Lots 42-57-234

Hackett's addition, and comprising all property purchased by J. D.

Rexford on January 7 at public auction, excepting Lots 13-14 Tenney's

addition.

August 12, 1885

Articles of incorporation filed for Beloit Iron Works.

September 7, 1885

Articles of incorporation filed for 0. E. Merrill Company and forfeited

March 1, 1.907 for failure to report.

James W.Veness, organization vice president, hailed from. Rockton

where he had held political office as Justice of Peace and Conveyancer.

"Collections attended to with fidelity and dispatch. Reasonable fees."

Rockton Herald February 4, 1881.

Personnel:

Beloit Iron Works Officers:

President Mr. Fred Messer (1885-1889)

Vice President Mr. J. W. Veness (1885-1886)

Secretary Mr. Alonzo Aldrich (1885-1889)

Treasurer Mr. Win. H. GrinneU (1885-1893)

Superintendent Mr. Noble J. Ross (1885-1903)

Employees:

The newly organized company had fifteen employees on the payroll

and manufactured $20,000 worth of equipment its first year after the

plant had laid idle for nearly a year.

West Side Manufacturing District:

At this time it included the following concerns:

Blodgett Rye Flour Mill    Woolen Mill      Iron Works

Gaston Scale Works        Paper Mills       Plow Works

Bishop's Feed Mill