Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
Marshall Cohen—researcher and producer, CNN
Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
KNAPP-TAINTER LUMBER COMPANY: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 5: | Line 5: | ||
In 1851 the firm hired a new salesman, [[STOUT, Henry L.|Henry L. STOUT]], who proved so successful that he was offered a partnership the second year. By 1854 the company was renamed Knapp-Stout. New mills were opened between 1866 and 1869 including operations in Downsville and Menomonie along the Red Cedar River in Wisconsin. In 1869 the company also acquired its first steamboat. In 1881 Knapp-Stout had eight steamboats used for transporting timber and finished lumber along the Red Cedar, Chippewa, and Mississippi rivers. The company purchased pine lands along the Red Cedar to ensure supplies for the mills. | In 1851 the firm hired a new salesman, [[STOUT, Henry L.|Henry L. STOUT]], who proved so successful that he was offered a partnership the second year. By 1854 the company was renamed Knapp-Stout. New mills were opened between 1866 and 1869 including operations in Downsville and Menomonie along the Red Cedar River in Wisconsin. In 1869 the company also acquired its first steamboat. In 1881 Knapp-Stout had eight steamboats used for transporting timber and finished lumber along the Red Cedar, Chippewa, and Mississippi rivers. The company purchased pine lands along the Red Cedar to ensure supplies for the mills. | ||
From 1846 until 1878 Knapp-Stout had operated as a partnership. In 1878 the company incorporated as Knapp-Stout Lumber Company and growth continued. In 1886 the company's offices moved to | From 1846 until 1878 Knapp-Stout had operated as a partnership. In 1878 the company incorporated as Knapp-Stout Lumber Company and growth continued. In 1886 the company's offices moved to Menomonie. Employment there which had stood at 700 in 1866 reached 2,000 in 1898. When the company was incorporated in 1878, the company was capitalized with $2 million. Four years later, the company was valued at $4 million and in 1896 at $11 million. At that time, the company had lumberyards in Dubuque, Cedar Falls, Fort Madison, and St. Louis. | ||
In the late 1890s, the timber supplies available to the company were exhausted. In 1900 the Downsville and Cedar Falls mills were closed. The | In the late 1890s, the timber supplies available to the company were exhausted. In 1900 the Downsville and Cedar Falls mills were closed. The Menomonie mill closed in 1901. | ||
--- | --- | ||
Revision as of 19:31, 28 January 2012
KNAPP-TAINTER LUMBER COMPANY. Predecessor of the KNAPP-STOUT LUMBER COMPANY. While journeying up the MISSISSIPPI RIVER, William M. Wilson, a resident of Fort Madison, Iowa discovered vast acres of timber and a small mill operated by the firm of Black and Green. Finding that the latter wished to sell out, Wilson returned to Fort Madison. He convinced John H. Knapp, a young college student, with money to join him. On May 19, 1846 Knapp and Wilson established a co-partnership and bought Green's share for $2,000.
In June 1846 the mill began operating under the firm of Black and Knapp. Black died that fall, and Wilson and Knapp negotiated with his estate to purchase his half interest for $2,400. Andrew Tainter joined the business in 1850 and acquired a one-quarter interest in it. In August 1850 Andrew Tainter was hired as the foreman. The company daily produced five thousand feet of lumber.
In 1851 the firm hired a new salesman, Henry L. STOUT, who proved so successful that he was offered a partnership the second year. By 1854 the company was renamed Knapp-Stout. New mills were opened between 1866 and 1869 including operations in Downsville and Menomonie along the Red Cedar River in Wisconsin. In 1869 the company also acquired its first steamboat. In 1881 Knapp-Stout had eight steamboats used for transporting timber and finished lumber along the Red Cedar, Chippewa, and Mississippi rivers. The company purchased pine lands along the Red Cedar to ensure supplies for the mills.
From 1846 until 1878 Knapp-Stout had operated as a partnership. In 1878 the company incorporated as Knapp-Stout Lumber Company and growth continued. In 1886 the company's offices moved to Menomonie. Employment there which had stood at 700 in 1866 reached 2,000 in 1898. When the company was incorporated in 1878, the company was capitalized with $2 million. Four years later, the company was valued at $4 million and in 1896 at $11 million. At that time, the company had lumberyards in Dubuque, Cedar Falls, Fort Madison, and St. Louis.
In the late 1890s, the timber supplies available to the company were exhausted. In 1900 the Downsville and Cedar Falls mills were closed. The Menomonie mill closed in 1901.
---
Source:
Holand, H. R. "The Knapp-Stout & Co. Lumber Company." The Wisconsin Magazine of History, Vol. 3, No. 4, Jun., 1920. Online: www.jstor.org/stable/4630265
Hudson, David; Bergman, Marvin; Horton, Loren. The Biographical Dictionary of Iowa. Iowa City: The University of Iowa Press, 2008.