Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
WHEELER, William C.
WHEELER, William C. (Dubuque, IA, Nov. 27, 1877--Tacoma, Washigton, Jan. 1, 1959) CARR, ADAMS AND COLLIER COMPANY was the predecessor of one of the world's largest woodworking companies. Manufacturers of Bilt-Well Woodwork, the Carr, Adams and Collier Company's history began with the formation of the CARR, AUSTIN AND COMPANY on lower Main Street.
With a workforce of two men, the company produced building woodwork until destroyed by fire in 1871. The company was rebuilt on Iowa Street and expanded to employ fifteen men. In February 1879, W. H. Austin sold his interest in the company to his partners. (1) The new company was renamed W. W. CARR AND COMPANY. Fire again destroyed the firm in 1879, but the company relocated along Jackson Street between Ninth and Tenth STREETS.
The company was incorporated by 1882 as the CARR, RYDER, AND WHEELER COMPANY with a capital stock of $125,000. In that year, employees of the company presented a very surprised William Wheeler with a gold watch as a New Year's gift. (1) Wheeler's activity in the community centered for years on church business. In 1883 the teachers in the various Sabbath schools united for their mutual assistance and elected Wheeler their president. (2) Summit Congregational Church (later SUMMIT CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST) began was a mission Sunday school in 1887. William C. Wheeler was the first superintendent. (3)
William C. Wheeler was about to take his lumber company skills to a new scene. He announced the sale of his home at 60 Wilson Avenue in March, 1889.
Tacoma, Washington in 1889 was a time of promise for land developers and real estate promoters as the "City of Destiny" exploded in growth. Reports of the frenetic pace of building in the city fired the imaginations of two enterprising Iowans, William C. Wheeler, a CIVIL WAR veteran of Dubuque and George R. Osgood of Des Moines.
Together, they established Wheeler, Osgood & Company in the autumn of 1889 to produce Douglas fir and cedar doors, sash, blinds, interior finish and millwork for the local trade. Conditions for the enterprise could not have been more favorable. The business prospered from the start. In 1903, the concern was reincorporated under the name of The Wheeler-Osgood Company. William C. Wheeler was president; Thomas E. Ripley, vice president and general manager; G. R. Osgood, second vice president; W. C. Wheeler, Jr., secretary, and R. H. Clarke, son of D. D. Clarke, treasurer. An efficient new plant was built at the site of the original plant which had been destroyed by fire and became a pioneer in the development of plywood.
The Wheeler Osgood Company prospered with merger and acquisition through 1950, but the plant in Tacoma was becoming obsolete. In 1951 the decision was made to close the Tacoma plant and liquidate The Wheeler Osgood Co. Its assets were sold; the Tacoma plant closed its doors in November of 1951 ending more than a half-century as one of the most important factors in Tacoma’s industrial growth and history. (4)
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Source:
1. "New Year's Gifts,"The Dubuque Herald," January 1, 1882, p. 1
2. "A Pleasant Reunion," The Herald, November 24, 1886, p. 7
3. "Summit to Mark 60th Year With Three Programs, Dinner," Telegraph Herald, Nov. 16, 1950, p. 7
4. "The Wheeler Osgood Company," Plywood Pioneers Association, September, 1967, Online: https://www.apawood.org/data/Sites/1/documents/monographs/2-the-wheeler-osgood-co.pdf