William W. Atwood of Kickapoo Township

With William W. Atwood the reader will notice on the lithographic portrait of this gentleman, who occupies a leading place among the most enlightened and progressive farmers and stock-raisers of Peoria County. He has long been prominently identified with the Grange movement which has done so much to advance the agricultural interests of Illinois, and is still a conspicuous figure in the councils of the Patrons of Husbandry. He was appointed Postmaster of Orange Prairie post-office, in Kickapoo Township, by Postmaster-General Wanamaker, and attends to the duties of that position while managing his large farming and stock interests on section 11, Kickapoo Township.

Our subject comes of fine New England stock, his father, Hiram Atwood, being a native of Vermont, and his mother, whose maiden name was Aurilla Douglass, a native of Connecticut. After marriage they settled in Macomb County, Mich., being among its pioneers, and there passed the remainder of their lives. The father was a ship carpenter by trade and pursued that calling in connection with his farm work. He died about 1875 and his wife died about 1884. They had a family of four children, of whom our subject was the second in order of birth.

He of whom we write was born in Clinton, Macomb County, Mich., April 10, 1856. The early years of his life were passed on his father's farm until he was thirteen years old. From the Aborigines, who still lingered there, he had learned the Indian language, and at the youthful age of thirteen was employed as an interpreter at different places on Lake Superior for about three years. At the expiration of that time he engaged in carrying the mail between Eagle River and Houghton, and between the latter place and Ontonagon and was appointed assistant-Postmaster. Nearly a year later he became employed as a trader and interpreter for the American Fur Company, and was with it for about one year, and then became an attache of the Hudson Bay Company, working for it nearly a year and a half.

We next hear of Mr. Atwood on the Pacific Coast and Paget Sound, where he had been sent by the Hudson Bay Company, and where he left their employment, to enter that of a company wishing him to go to Southern California to engage in prospecting. He was thus employed one season in that part of the country and in Mexico, also. From there he made his way back to the Lakes and purchased an interest in a sailing vessel, engaged in carrying merchandise between Chicago and Lake Superior. In 1865, having sold out his maritime interests, he came to Peoria County and was employed at different occupations until the time of his marriage, when he settled in Peoria and engaged in the manufacture of spruce beer for about five years. At the expiration of that time he resolved to give his attention to farming and coming to Kickapoo Township, rented land for three years and then purchased the fine farm where he now lives. This comprises four hundred and four acres of as rich and productive land as can be found in the township. He has made many valuable improvements, having his farm well stocked, and devoting considerable attention to that branch of agriculture.

November 24, 1858, Mr. Atwood and Miss Margaret Fry took an important step in their lives which has resulted in their mutual benefit, as by their marriage on that date he secured the assistance of a cheerful and helpful companion, and she a devoted husband. Mrs. Atwood is a daughter of Smith and Nancy (Shepler) Fry, natives of Washington County, Pa. They married and settled in that State and from there came to Peoria about 1835, and became pioneers of Richwood Township. Mr. Fry was prominent in public affairs and was Sheriff of Peoria County, for two terms. He was a contractor for the railroads and at the also served as conductor. During the latter part of their lives, he and his wife removed to Peoria, where they died, he June 23, 1860, and she January 21, 1882. Mrs. Atwood was the seventh of their eleven children, and she was born in Richwood Township, March 29, 1839. Ten children have blessed her marriage with our subject, who are named as follows: Charlie L. who married Miss Hattie Gordon, and died in Dakota, August 3, 1888; George W., who married Miss Hedges, and lives near Bennett, Neb.; Mary A., the wife of William Enders of Dakota; Smith F., who married Fannie Harris and resides in Peoria; William W. Jr., who married Lena Dornbus, and lives in Dakota; Douglass L., of Kickapoo Township, who married Hattie Ames; Henry A., Percy G., Aurilla A. and Phoebe C.

As we have seen, Mr. Atwood wields a potent influence in promoting various schemes for the further improvement of township and county, and his name will ever be linked with various plans that have greatly advanced their standing. As a loyal citizen he takes an earnest interest in the political situation of the day, and favors the Republican party by voice and vote. He and his wife were charter members of Orange Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, with which they are still connected, and he has been very prominent in an official capacity. He has been Master of the Grange and also of the county Grange and was for two years, (from 1878 to 1880) Master of the Grange Store located in Peoria. Mr. Atwood is a man of exceptional personal habits, and of a fine character, possessing many genial attributes and with his amiable wife, stands high in social circles in this community.  

[Portrait and Biographical album of Peoria County, Illinois- 1890]

                             

ISAAC WALKER (1803), former head of the Isaac Walker Hardware Company, and one of Peoria's pioneer businessmen

Isaac Walker, former head of the Isaac Walker Hardware Company, and one of Peoria's pioneer business men, was born at Williamstown, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, December 1, 1803, the son of James and Ann (Cain) Walker. His parents came to America from the north of Ireland, his family on the maternal side being of Scotch- Irish extraction.

Mr. Walker received a common-school education and then learned the hardware business in his native town. Coming to Peoria in 1842, with Harvey Lightner as a partner he opened a retail and jobbing hardware store at the corner of Fulton and Water Streets, where they remained about two years, when they removed to a building which they had erected on Main between Washington and Water Streets. Mr. Lightner having retired from the firm, he was succeeded by George H. McIlvaine, when the style of the firm became Walker & McIlvaine, so continuing for many years. During the existence of this copartnership, the store was removed to Mr. McIlvaine's building on Adams between Main and Fulton Streets, where it remained until the withdrawal of Mr. McIlvaine to engage in the banking business. About this time the business was removed to the northwest corner of Washington and Fulton Streets, and Mr. Walker began to give his attention exclusively to the wholesale trade, admitting his son Edward H. into partnership. Alexander Thompson was also a member of the firm for some time.

Mr. Walker conducted a quiet, conservative business and, after the admission of his son to partnership, much of the management of its affairs devolved upon the latter. New life was gradually infused into the business and more progressive methods adopted, the effect of which was soon seen in the doubling of the volume of trade. Although gradually yielding the management of the firm to younger hands, Mr. Walker remained at its head and active in its affairs up to the very day of his death, which occurred November 27. 1880, in the seventy-seventh year of his age. On the 1st of January, 1879, the firm took the name of Isaac Walker & Son, and after his decease, its location was removed to Adams Street between Liberty and Fulton. Here it remained until the completion of the magnificent new building which it now occupies at 514-516 South Washington Street. In the meantime, after the demise of Mr. Walker, the firm name was changed to "The Isaac Walker Hardware Company," as a memorial in honor of its founder on the part of his children.

Mr. Walker was married. April 1, 1845, to Miss Sarah S. McIlvaine, daughter of Robert and Sarah (Siemens) McIlvaine, of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Of this union seven children were born, of whom four died in infancy. The surviving children are: Edward H., President of the Isaac Walker Hardware Company; Mary, now Mrs. William A. Herron of Peoria, and Anna, present Mrs. N. G. Moore, of Oak Park, a suburb of Chicago.

In politics Mr. Walker was an earnest, high-minded and patriotic Republican, who vigorously sustained the Government during the period of its greatest peril. He became a professing Christian in 1858, and united with the Second Presbyterian Church of Peoria by letter, in 1866, ever after adorning his profession by a consistent life which won the respect of all classes. To a reputation for integrity, which placed his name beyond the faintest suspicion of wrong-doing, he joined a spirit of generous benevolence, which made him the friend of the deserving poor.  Trustful and confiding in others, he commanded the confidence of all who came in contact with him. It has been claimed by one who knew him best, that "his virtues were as conspicuous as they were gentle and helpful," and that "he never had an enemy." In fine, he was accorded, by the unanimous testimony of his fellow-citizens, the reputation of a pure and high-minded Christian gentleman.

Sources: 

Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Volume II, 1902

 https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=49884644

 

Bradley Park

Bradley Park

Although Peorians believe Laura Bradley Park was merely founded as a playground, it has influenced Peoria’s history, recreation, beauty, and fine arts. It is essential to know who founded this influential landmark. The amazing woman who is behind the discovery of the park was Lydia Moss Bradley, born in Vevay, Indiana in 1816. Moss Bradley moved to Peoria in her later years and there married Tobias Smith Bradley. With Tobias Smith Bradley, she had six children. Each child died before reaching the age of twenty. Though she was saddened by the children’s deaths, she refused to dwell on them forever and remained happy by busying herself and providing for the city of Peoria. It was significant that Moss Bradley did not stay in the state she was born in because Indiana may have benefited from all of her contributions rather than Peoria. Years later, Tobias Smith Bradley passed away, and Moss Bradley once again went through a period of depression. In the end, she arrived at the same conclusion that she came to after her children’s deaths, that she should not waste time shedding tears. Instead, she busied herself by doing great deeds for Peoria, one of which would soon happen, the founding of Laura Bradley Park.

In 1894, the park was finally established. Furthermore, Lydia Moss Bradley founded the park for several reasons including her love for land, the effect her family’s deaths had on her, and because she was simply generous. The most urgent reason behind the discovery was her undying love for the land. She cared very much for the land in Peoria and did not wish for it to be polluted and harmed. Therefore, she founded a park where the land would be enjoyed and treated properly. Unlike some of the other places in Peoria, the grass and flowers in Laura Bradley Park is beautiful because they are well kept and cared for correctly. Another reason behind Laura Bradley Park’s discovery was her family members’ impact on her. Her husband helped her financially so she had enough money to buy the extra land. The final explanation for the existence of Laura Bradley Park is she was so generous and kind, she decided to found a park. Laura Bradley Park was officially founded in 1881.

The park was named in honor of Lydia Moss Bradley’s longest-living child, Laura Bradley, who lived to the mere age of nineteen. She offered the Park District several acres for use as a park; nonetheless, the land remained untouched for thirteen entire years. Each year, Lydia Moss Bradley increased her loan size a small amount and each year the number of acres of land she offered increased and this permanently changed the size of Bradley Park. Finally, in 1894, the park district accepted the offer and Laura Bradley Park was then available to the public. When the park was first unveiled, it contained seven entrances, allowing many people into the park more conveniently. In addition, inside Bradley Park, there was a zoo, a fun house, and a train. Certainly, Laura Bradley Park was one of the most entertaining spots in Peoria, filled with recreational activities and a plethora of fine arts including shows. The public was very pleased because Laura Bradley Park was one of the few public parks in Peoria. Moss Bradley also forbid drinking or smoking in the park in order to keep the land clean. Another person behind the establishment of the park was Oscar F. Dubuis. Dubuis designed this lovely park and the success of Bradley Park encouraged him to go on and design more parks for Peoria, such as Glen Oak Park and so forth. Dubuis has been a very influential man to Peoria. Year after year, buildings, monuments, and attractions were added to the park. Some of these additions had great impact on Peorians who commonly visited the park. In 1955, Cornstock Theater transferred to Bradley Park. It provides thousands of dollars for Bradley Park each year so more attractions can be added. In 1922, a Japanese garden and a Japanese bridge were installed. The Japanese bridge is considered a landmark and has attracted several tourists to Peoria, providing the city with hundreds of dollars. The Japanese garden has made Bradley Park one of the most gorgeous and beautiful locations in Peoria. Not only were there huge installments in the park, there were important events that occurred. The park was not officially completed until 1905. Ten years were spent renovating, constructing, and designing this park. During the 1960s, the Main Street entrance permanently closed and an entrance opened on Parkside Drive. The layout of the park was permanently changed. Soon enough, the park district gained complete possession of Bradley Park. This was a smart decision because the Peoria Park District has taken fantastic care of the park. Finally, inside the park there are several places and structures that make Laura Bradley Park and even Peoria unique.

Aforementioned, in the 1920s, the Japanese bridge was constructed along with the Japanese gardens. For certain, Bradley Park is the only park in Illinois that contains Japanese themes. Frederic J. Klein drew the plans for the bridge. Years ago, near the Japanese bridge and garden there was a wading pool adaptable to a skating rink. During the summer, the two-foot deep pool served as a wading pool for people to swim and splash in. In the winter, the water in the wading pool froze and it transformed into a skating rink. Hundreds of Peorians learned how to swim and skate in this pool and rink. Some of Peoria’s greatest swimmers may have learned how to swim there. The wading pool and the Japanese themes may show uniqueness; however, there are more activities in the park such as tennis courts, baseball fields, picnic areas, and the fact that it is next to Bradley University. Most visitors of Bradley Park come from the University across the street. Students take advantage of having a park across the street for exercising, jogging its trails, and sitting at a picnic table near the beautiful scenery while they study.

[From Illinois Alive, About Laura Bradley. <http://www.illinoisalive.info/lydia-page1.htm

>. (Sept. 10, 2006); “Building Bradley Park was Slow Work,” Peoria Journal Star, June 24, 1978; Historic Peoria, Bradley Park, <http://www.historicpeoria.com/entry.php?eid=181&catid=2...

>. (Sept. 3, 2006); “Bradley Park Entrance to Close,” Peoria Journal Star, Oct. 14, 1965; Frank Kenny, “It’ll be Logs, Roads for Bradley Park,” Peoria Journal Star, Dec. 6, 1964; Theo Jean Kenyon, “Bradley Park in Danger of Becoming Private?,” Peoria Journal Star, Mar. 27, 1980; Theo Jean Kenyon, “Ghosts of Glen Oak,” Peoria Journal Star, Sept. 4, 2006; Jerry Klein, Peoria; Theresa W. Lusch, “Bradley Park: Past and Present,” West Bluff Word, Apr. 1980; “New Highway to Cut Through About 13 Acres of Bradley Park,” Peoria Journal Star, May 19, 1957; Peoria Historical Society, Bradley Park; Peoria Journal Star, Peoria. . . Impressions of 150 Years; Steve Strahler, “Who let the Demon in?,” Peoria Journal Star, Mar. 7, 1976; Allen A. Upton, Forgotten Angel; and Monica Vest Wheeler and Steve Wilkinson, The Grandest Views.]

Source: https://www2.illinois.gov/.../Documents/407Robertson.pdf

Historic Places In The Park

Christopher Columbus Statue (no longer in existence)

In 1901, the Briggs Real Estate Company of Toledo, Ohio, developed the Uplands adjacent to upper Bradley Park. The developer approached the Peoria Park District with a proposal to erect a fountain, monument or other suitable ornamental structure at an intersection on Chambers Avenue which led into Bradley Park.

The Biggs Company ultimately chose a statue of Christopher Columbus. The statue of Columbus was created by sculptor Alfons Pelzer, and was manufactured by the W. H. Mullins Company, Salem, Ohio in 1896. Chambers Avenue was renamed Columbia Terrace in conjunction with the Columbus dedication on Sunday, October 15, 1902.

A large number of people attended the initial dedication of the Columbus Statue. “…There were some thirty carriages in the procession, headed by a squad of police, bugle corps and militia. The Central Railway, despite its special service, failed to carry the crowds that wanted to attend and while some 25,000 to 30,000 people managed to get to the grounds, there were other thousands who missed the unveiling for lack of transportation.”

Throughout its 107 year history, the Christopher Columbus statue has been a victim of repeated vandalism, including bullet holes and an attempt to remove a leg. On March 22, 1983, the statue was taken down and stored on Park district property awaiting repairs.

The Italian-American Society, members of the Uplands Homeowners Association, and Peoria Park District raised $14,000 for the restoration project. Sunderland and Associates were hired to clean, repair and reinforce the interior of the statue for $7,300.00. On October 13, 1984, the Christopher Columbus Statue was rededicated in Laura Bradley Park where it still remains today.

In keeping with the intent of the Park District’s Historic Preservation Ordinance, the Christopher Columbus Statue qualified by listing under criteria A & D.

Iron Bridge

In 1897, engineer H. Fahenstock reported the expenditure of $10,000.00 during the season for general permanent park improvements in keeping with the plans adopted for the construction of Bradley Park. Projects contemplated included: the completion of the grading and graveling of all driveways (the Main Street entrance and Chambers Avenue), finish grading of the large lake basin and the construction of two iron bridges across the necks of the lake.

To construct the lakes in Bradley Park, approximately 22,000 cubic yards of material was excavated and used to develop the roadways. There were also 2,500 trees and stumps removed in conjunction with the project.

On February 16, 1898, a contract for the erection of two steel bridges across the lakes was let to Thatcher A. Parker, of Terre Haute, Indiana. The contract amount of $2,345.00 was for the construction of the superstructure of both bridges. Four concrete bridge piers were completed by Park Division personnel for a total cost of $484.37.

In conjunction with the steel bridges, a series of dams were built to regulate the flow of water and debris into the lake. The dams constructed were able to hold back water for several days but ultimately the water volume of Dry Run Creek washed them out.

Seeking a solution to the problem the Park Board hired engineer B. H. Colby, of St. Louis to make a recommendation. To construct a lake, Colby suggested coating the entire surface area with a four-inch clay liner, building a “large” dam, and engineering a solution to keep driftwood, sand and silt from entering the lake bed. Because of the extreme cost of the project, the lake feature was not adhered to. One of the two steel bridges erected in 1898 remains in Bradley Park today. The structure is used as a pedestrian thoroughfare.

As a 109-year old structure, the steel bridge is appropriate for designation under criteria B and E of the Preservation Ordinance.

Japanese Bridge

Japanses_bridgeThe Japanese Bridge in Bradley Park was designed by Frederick John Klein in 1920. Klein, a noted Peoria architect, was as widely known for his public buildings as he was for the many stately residences he designed throughout Illinois. He was self-taught, but because of his outstanding abilities, he earned his way into membership of the American Institute of Architects.

Other local Klein creations are schools, including Peoria High, Washington and Franklin. He also designed homes along Grand View Drive and the shelter in the lower Grand View Park.

By the end of 1920, many of the planned improvements had been completed in Bradley Park. The Japanese garden, artificial lake, and ball diamonds were in use by the public. Because of the high cost of material and the shortage of labor the Japanese Bridge connecting the Japanese Garden with the playgrounds was temporarily delayed.

On April 21, 1921, a contract was signed with the Standard Improvement Company for the construction of the Japanese Bridge across Dry Run Creek. The plans were drawn up by Frederick J. Klein and the cost of construction was $5,470.00. A beautiful design that, “…when completed will fill a long felt want, it will enable people to go from the playground to the Japanese Garden without going away around and across the traffic bridge.” After completion in 1922, the Japanese Bridge project was described as, “…one of the most attractive features of the park and is a work of art well worth the time of the many visitors who patronize this park.”

Currently, the Japanese Bridge is in use and an integral part of the Bradley Park landscape. The structure is in generally good repair and has had all wooden portions treated by an epoxy wood restoration system, caulked, primed and painted during the summer of 2007.

The Japanese Bridge is suitable for landmarking under criteria A, B, and D of the District’s Preservation Ordinance.

Source: https://www.peoriaparks.org/.../list-of-historic-resources/

 

The Avery Company

History of the Avery Company

By J. P. Carroll

Caterpillar Tractor Company

We engineers are primarily concerned with current and future problems; however, an occasional look at history helps us to do a better job of evaluating the present and planning for the future. I think the Avery story will be interesting to you because the Avery Co. was Peoria's largest manufacturing industry in the early '20s and its demise presents a case for engineering, research and training programs.

The idea responsible for the founding of the Avery enterprise had its inception in the Andersonville Confederate Prison when a captive Union soldier named R. H. Avery spent his prison time sketching a design for a corn planter in the sand. At the close of the war Mr. Avery returned to his farm home in Kansas and by 1874 he had a full size working model of his corn planter built. The original planter is now in the Edison Institute Museum at Ford's Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Michigan. In 1877 R. H. Avery and his brother C. M. Avery established a company bearing their names, in Galesburg, Illinois. R. H. had the inventive ability and C. M. excelled in the business end of the enterprise. They engaged in the manufacture of corn planters, stalk cutters and cultivators. Success was immediately theirs as their products met with wide acceptance among the farmers in the area. Because of better shipping facilities in Peoria, Illinois, the company purchased ten acres of land east of the intersection of North Adams and North Jefferson Streets. In 1882 they erected the three story square building which still stands, currently being used by R. G. LeTourneau, Inc. for offices. In 1883 the company name was changed to the Avery Planter Co. By 1891 they began the manufacture of steam traction engines and grain threshers. The first steam engines had top mounted engines and were used for both drawbar and belt work. The yellow wood threshers were known to the trade as the Yellow Fellow and were a big part of the company's business for over thirty years. Numerous Avery inventions were incorporated in their machines. R. H. Avery died in 1892 and his brother C. M. Avery ascended to the presidency. J. B. Bartholomew, a relative, was made vice-president. He was an outstanding figure in the company with inventive ability as well as business acumen. He was destined to lead the company to become Peoria's largest manufacturing industry. At the age of fourteen he invented a grain weigher for threshing machines. A major invention was the J. B. wind stacker for threshers, and, during his career, three large volumes of letters patents on farm implements were issued to him. At the turn of the century a company reorganization was effected with capitalization at $1,000,000 and the name was changed to the Avery Manufacturing Co. In 1902 a cemetery just north of the plant was purchased for future expansion. The Hannah Wagon Co. plant just back of their plant was purchased the same year and a number of branch houses were established in the principal mid-western cities. Expansion was under way, business was good and the products were accepted in the field. David McCullough, in his "history of Peoria" published in 1902, commented upon the Avery Manufacturing Co. in a chapter on Peoria industries. "The Avery Manufacturing Co. is a rapidly increasing business managed by young and progressive men. If the history of the manufacturing industries of Peoria shall be written fifty years hence, it is safe to say that the volume of business at present conducted by this concern, vast as it now is, will appear small in comparison with what it is destined to become as the result of growth and development of another fifty years." It might be interesting at this point to mention a few contemporary highlights of the period. In the year 1903 the Wright Brothers made their first successful flight and the Ford Motor Co. was formed. In 1904 the Society of Automotive Engineers was organized, the first Vanderbilt Cup Race was held, the first Maxwell, Reo, Stoddard-Dayton and Studebaker automobiles were built, the Colean Manufacturing Co. was manufacturing farm implements and steam traction engines in East Peoria, and the first track-type tractor was built by the Holt Manufacturing Co. of Stockton, California. C. M. Avery died in 1905 and J. B. Bartholomew became president. Sons of the Avery's held minor executive positions, but from then on the business was under the absolute control of J. B. as he was known to everyone, even in printed advertising literature. The capital stock was increased to $2,500,000 in 1907 and the name was changed to the Avery Co. By then their products were being distributed worldwide. Another point of parallel history of interest to Peoria occurred in 1909 when the Holt Manufacturing Co. purchased the bankrupt Colean Manufacturing Co. plant and established their eastern manufacturing branch in East Peoria. The three story Avery office building was built on the west side of the Adams and Jefferson intersection in 1910 and the following year, after moving the cemetery, the large buildings now occupied by R. G. LeTourneau, Inc. were erected. Further product development brought the 1912 locomotive style double under mounted steam traction engine on the market. One of these is also in the Edison Institute Museum. The internal combustion engine was now challenging steam power for tractors, so the first of a line of gasoline powered tractors appeared in 1912 along with a line of two, three, and five ton trucks. Later some of the trucks were of the cab-over-engine design. The gasoline tractor engines were of the opposed cylinder design in both two and four cylinder models. The crankshaft was set transversely on the chassis permitting a straight spur gear type of transmission to the drive wheels.

The plant of the Avery Company covers a total of twenty-seven and five-hundredths acres and the main factory building, together with the various warehouses, have a total floor space of six and a half acres. The various departments of the factory are united by an improved type of trolley system of the company's manufacture which greatly facilitates the rapid handling of both finished and unfinished goods at a minimum of expense. That harmonious and notable relations exist between the company and its employees is indicated by the fact that labor troubles are unknown in their factory. The company manufactures steam and gasoline traction engines, self-lift plows, traction steam shovels, traction hauling wagons, threshing machinery and all its various attachments, mounted steel water tanks, farm wagons, corn planters, riding and walking cultivators, single "and double row stalk cutters and gasoline tracts — both farm and city. Their output is sent to all parts of the country and into foreign lands as well. They have branch houses located at Omaha, Des Moines, Kansas City, Minneapolis, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Grand Forks and Fargo, North Dakota, and Aberdeen, South Dakota. They have a large traveling force upon the road and their Canadian trade is handled from Winnipeg. Their foreign shipments go to Mexico, Argentine Republic, Brazil, Russia. Austria-Hungary, the Philippines, Portugal, China, Sweden, Cuba and Egypt. The foreign trade gives an outlet for much machinery at a time when the shipping season for the home trade is lightest. The officials of the company work together in the utmost harmony and their relation is one of close social as well as business interests. From Rice, James Montgomery. "Peoria City and County, Illinois: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement," S.J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1912

The old Kingman Plow Co. plant a mile up the track was acquired for use as a foundry in 1916 and became Avery Co. plant No. 2. In 1917 the Davis Manufacturing Co. engine plant in Milwaukee, Wisconsin was purchased, becoming Avery Co. Plant No. 3. They were then prepared to build all of their own engines. The Glide automobile plant in Peoria Heights, Illinois was a side enterprise of J. B. Bartholomew's. He manufactured the Glide automobile for several years and in 1920 decided to bring the plant into the Avery Co. fold as plant No. 4 for the manufacture of trucks. With four plants comprising the Avery Co. and an employment of four thousand people, it appeared that David McCullough's prophecy was well on the way towards realization. Times were changing, however, as new developments were given impetus by World War I and competition was becoming a greater challenge in manufacturing industries. In the earlier years new inventions could be incorporated into machines for production as saleable products without any appreciable amount of engineering and development work. The time was now approaching when products had to be built better in order to compete for the customers dollar and to stay sold. An inventor with a few draftsmen could not accomplish this task alone; it required a program of engineering, research and training of young men to execute the program. The company realized that competition and product obsolescence were challenging their products. Two major developments in the far West were beginning to be felt in the Mid-Western area. The track type tractor and the combine-harvester were challenging the large steel tire wheel tractor and the stationary threshing machine. Mr. Bartholomew was quite capable of conceiving new and advanced ideas for products to create new markets. Here are some of the later developments. In 1917 the small motor cultivator appeared featuring a friction drive transmission with infinitely variable speeds. Later when the power was increased with the use of a six cylinder engine the friction drive was not adequate and a conventional clutch and sliding gear transmission was adopted. They built as high as fifteen hundred units a year. Here was a machine that the farmers were eager to own, but lack of proper engineering follow up in the field left these machines in need of de-bugging and then popularity was retarded as a result. A blade attachment was made for the motor cultivator and it was sold under the trade name of Road Razer. This one-unit grader idea was later carried further with the development of a larger machine permitting the blade to be placed between the axles. The blade assembly was mounted on a ball bearing slide rail which permitted quick side shifting of the blade. The "Track runner" was the only attempt at entering the track-type tractor field. The track operated on loose rollers in a continuous channel and the idea was abandoned after a number of unsuccessful applications. You can't blame them for trying for, with our free enterprise system we have the right to fail as well as the right to make a profit. Their first all steel thresher model was not placed into production as considerable engineering was required to make it commercially practical. That task was left for the successor company. The Avery Co. reached its key day in 1920 but clouds were appearing on the horizon. The agricultural depression of 1921 gave the company a jolt, and the missing segment in the arch of its organization, engineering, research and training, was making itself felt. The bubble burst in 1923 followed by bankruptcy and receivership in early 1924. One year later J. B. Bartholomew died, and 1925 was also the year that the Holt Manufacturing Co. of Stockton, California and Peoria, Illinois and the C. L. Best Co. of San Leandro, California merged to form the Caterpillar Tractor Co. Although popular opinion blamed over expansion for the failure of Peoria's largest manufacturing industry, I believe that it was a case for engineering, research and training programs. I believe this because concentration upon any one of J. B.'s latter day ideas would have assured success. Another company began mass production of the row crop type of tractor, very similar to J.B.'s motor cultivator, the same year the Avery Co. went bankrupt. Other companies were destined to develop and produce the one-unit type of motor grader. The Avery story would not be complete without telling you about the successor company which was organized in late 1925 as the Avery Power Machinery Co. A group of men, who had done a lot of thinking down stairs in the old company, joined, with the backing of several local business men and bankers, to organize the new company on a considerably smaller scale utilizing the major portion of the old plant No. 1. All of the other plants and parts of plant No. 1 were disposed of during the receivership. This new group of men decided to start without the engineering and experimental departments and to delegate proper authority to the various departments throughout the organization. They concentrated upon a line of advanced design steel threshers and combines and they hired two old time inventor-thresher men as consultants to the engineering department. Here is a statement of policy by the Avery Power Machinery Co. officers. "Every Avery owner must be a satisfied customer".

There are four bed rock principles which we believe in and are building upon:

1.  Higher quality and simpler machines.

2.  Back every machine with real service.

3.  Always give a square deal.

4.  A friendly spirit.

On the four bed rock principles we have built the four foundation walls:

1.     A belief in concentrated energy.

2.     A love for truth

3.     A belief in first hand knowledge.

4.     A belief in united effort.

We have laid these four corner stones:  

1.  Strong financing.

2.  Advanced engineering.

3.  Efficient manufacturing.

4.  Economical distribution.

This was indeed a reaction to the policies of the predecessor company. History was their teacher. This fine group of men did go forward with their avowed policies to develop and manufacture an advanced line of all-steel anti-friction bearing threshers and combine harvesters. They continued to manufacture the Power Road Maintainer and parts for all of the previous machines. Their new products gained wide acceptance and the company made money; the profits being plowed back to reduce indebtedness. Close contact was kept with customers in the field by company officers, design engineers and field engineers. In 1929 the great depression struck but did not make itself felt to any great degree until 1931 when wheat dropped to 25 cents a bushel. Trading steel for 25 cent wheat was practically out of the question. The company had not been in business long enough to clear their debt and build a reserve fund to carry them through so the banking interests placed a manager in charge in late 1931. Under the bank manager a gradual liquidation policy was pursued. I am sure that this group of men would have gone forward successfully had they had enough time to gain financial independence. Nearly all the key men left to join another harvester company in similar capacities and they have made a success there these past twenty years. In 1938, with liquidation complete, two local businessmen purchased the parts manufacturing business for the required 10 year period. They changed the name to Avery Farm Machinery Co. Inc. In 1941 the large plant was sold to R. G. LeTourneau Inc. and the parts business was moved to smaller quarters on South Washington St. in Peoria. In 1949 the corporation was dissolved and, with considerable demand still existing for Avery parts, Mr. Earl K. Smith purchased the parts manufacturing rights. Mr. Smith changed the name to Avery Farm Machinery Co. and is today engaged in both the manufacture of Avery parts and a line of Hart Oil Burners. I might mention here that the Avery tractor currently being merchandised by Montgomery Ward and Co. is being built by the B. F. Avery Co. of Louisville, Kentucky and has no connection with the former Peoria Company. Yes, I think that if an engineering, research and training program had been a part of the old Avery Co. policy, David McCullough's prophecy of 1902 might have become a reality. Wouldn't he be amazed if he were here to witness the huge industrial expansion that has taken place in the Peoria of 1952?

https://youtu.be/ZBJ5tvXVM2c

https://youtu.be/ZOjZspHhc7w

Source:

www.phelpsfamilyhistory.com/branches/phelps/wataga/avery_tractor_company_history.asp

Avery trucks did better. The Avery Co. of Peoria, Ill., was well known for its steam engines and tractors, including the 8-16 and the 14-28. When the company ventured into the truck field in 1910, it was well situated in the agricultural field, with a dealer network in place to help let buyers know about the new product.

The Avery Co. described its motor truck as a "gasoline farm wagon" and "general farm power machine." The firm decided up front that its trucks would be most useful to farmers during the harvest season, so they included a large belt pulley that could be attached to the front crank shaft for powering grain separators and other belt-driven machines. Early Avery trucks also had cast steel wheels with holes into which wooden plugs could be driven, to give added traction; when the wood wore down, new wooden plugs were simply inserted.

Company advertising claimed the truck carried loads on its own body, pulled plows and other machinery in the field, and drove other machines by belt power: "You can do road work, field work or belt work, all with this one machine."