The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Information in this book was obtained from interviews from Dr. and Mrs. I. F. Harter and Joe Long who were among early settlers living in Stronghurst at the time. This book was written in 1936 by the 7th Grade at Stronghurst School District #30, as a CIVIC's PROJECT of Mrs. Marie Swedlund.
Though our town at the present is without factories or other industrial centers, it was at one time a very large industrial town.
The only factory now standing is a canning factory built in 1929 and ran until 1933 at different times. Tomatoes, corn, and cucumber pickles were the main canning products, and our town, as well as the surrounding ones, were supplied with these articles.
It is a large white stone building and would be an industry worth having should it be developed. Now storage for C. E. Neff Co.
A novelty and envelope factory provided much fun for the children, especially when given any novelties that had any defects. Envelopes and stationary with gilded edges and colored pages were manufactured for they sold with great popularity.
A tank factory was locate at the present garage of T. C. Knutstrom.
Stronghurst boasted of three cigar factories run by Richard Dixson, George Chant, and Ed Dotey. The rude hand moved machines were used in rolling them and the tobacco was imported from Virginia.
Mr. Douglas Steffey established a brick yard and plant at his farm home where much good clay and sand were found. From these bricks practically all the brick sidewalks in Stronghurst were made.
Sixteen brick buildings, one bungalow besides all the interiors of the business houses were completed with Steffey brick.
The bank, however, was made from different brick, imported because of a better quality.
And then in 1890 the news spread that a gas well had been found right in the town. Preparations were made and the well was dug. For 1609 feet they dug until at last they came upon the gas.
Pipes were laid along the top of the ground and for a long while residents were supplied with gas for stoves and lights.
At last in 1896 a light plant was founded. We should thank the Carother brothers for this, for what should we do without lights?
Although at first slightly impaired they were a great blessing to the people. They ran from seven to ten at night and for three hours Tuesday morning to allow the women to iron. In case it should rain they were run on Wednesday. On party nights, which were very few, a dollar an hour was charged for hours over ten.
Water for people as well as for railroad engines was supplied by a water plant constructed in 1914.
Stronghurst was as much a manufacturing town as it was a farming village in earlier days. Cattle associations, creameries, and livery stable were plentiful.
The Hereford Cattle Association occupied a huge building ninety six feet in diameter at a site near the railroad. Here much buying and selling of cattle and horses was carried on in great style.
The following paragraphs are cuttings taken from the Stronghurst Graphic in the year 1897:
New Cigar Factory
1. An addition to the business fraternity of our town is a new cigar factory.
Richard Dixson launched out in the cigar business as of this week (April, 1897) and meant to either sink or swim with the ebb and flow of Stronghurst's business interests. He had capital as well as zeal to put in his work, hence we feel safe in prophesying his success.
New Implement House
2. Walter Simonson has leased the George Cooper building and will engage in the implement business, April 29, 1897. He will handle all kinds of farming implements, binders, binding twine, etc. A full line is now in stock. Farmers are invited to call and learn prices.