Th

BROWN AUClitiOH ► 26

AUXILIARY ► 32 A Publication of the Mid-West Collectors Association

The story behind a journeyman 's tool chest Story on page 10. Tool chest photograph by Edward M-WTCA.ORGEngelkes.

June 2003 No. 111 FROM THE PRESIDENT 1itill! GRIS1it1EILIL

N. 111 June, 2003 Copyright 2003 by Mid-West Tool Collectors Assodation, Inc. All rights reserved.www.mwtca.org Dedicated Member Will Be Missed Editor Mary Lou Stover S76W19954 Prospect Dr. Muskego, WI 53150 ft is indeed with re­ membership appears to have stabilized Associate Editor Roger K. Smith 1~ gret that I report to and, in fact, shows a modest growth. On Contributing Editor Thomas Lamond you that we lost a March 31 our membership was 3,641, up Advertising Manager Paul Gorham good friend and dedi­ 4 7 members compared to the same date THE GRISTMILL is the official publication of the Mid-West Tool Collectors Association, Inc. Published quarterly in March, June, September and December. cated member on Feb. in 2002. The growth that we have is a di­ The purpose of the association is to promote the preservation, study and 3 with the death of rect result of stronger participation by our understanding of ancient . implements and devices of farm, home, industry and shop of the pioneers; also, to study the crafts in which these objects were Don Tubman. Don area directors, members and the Member­ used and the craftsmen who used them; and to share knowledge and understanding with others, especially where it may benefit restoration, museums was our vice presi­ ship Committee. Ed Hobbs, vice president and like institutions. dent of meeting plan­ of membership, with his committee of ning and also the host Narm Heckman, Dick Chapman, Don President Willie Royal 215 Anthony Circle, Charlotte, NC 28211-1417 with his wife, Sue, of the forthcoming Bosse and Ron Pearson are working on (704) 366-7081 Green Bay national meeting. We shall several programs to develop growth and Vice-President Doug Cox 2938 Cynthiana Rd., Georgetown, KY 40324-9272 miss Don as a friend and associate. retention. (502) 863-1407 Vice-President George Wanamaker The Board of Directors has elected The Board of Directors approved a 312 S. Lafayette, Macomb, IL 61455-2233 Doug Cox as our vice president of meet­ new program for the 2003 dues year pro­ (309) 836-6872 Vice-President Ed Hobbs ing planning. Doug has served in many viding for a higher level of membership 4417 Inwood Road, Raleigh, NC 27603-3315 areas of our association's work and will on a voluntary basis. The program has, in (919) 828-2754 take hold and run with his new responsi­ my opinion, already become a success. As Vice-President Donald Rosebrook 38352 Henry Road, Prairieville, LA 70769-4708 bilities. He will need your help and my of this writing, we have received 216 in­ (225) 673-4049 request is that all of you come forward to dividual contributions in excess of the Treasurer John Wells do so. Larry Thorson, one of the direc­ basic dues for a total dollar amount of P.O. Box 8016, Berkeley, CA 94707-8016 (510) 848-3651 tors in Area B, has stepped up to the plate $6,400. Secretary Tom Lamond to host the Green Bay meeting in Wiscon­ 30 Kelsey Place, Lynbrook, NY 11563-1516 sin and has assembled a great team to See you in Green Bay. (516) 596-1281 Directors make the June meeting a success. Area A AreaJ - Willie Royal Wayne Anderson, 2005 Mike Urness, 2005 Don Bosse, 2003 Nick Heatherly, 2003 It is a pleasure to report that our James Preusser, 2004 Paul Reichert, 2003 Area B Area K Bob Kloes, 2005 Sam Strauss Jr., 2005 lariy Thorson, 2003 Robert Sutton, 2003 Mike Hanley, 2004 Steve Bruder, 2004 AreaC Area L Michael Slasinski, 2005 Don Jordan, 2005 JUNE, 2003 • No. 111 Charles Beatty, 2003 AreaM Lars I.arson, 2004 Doug Fowler, 2003 Area D Gene Epting, 2004 LeRoy Witzel, 2005 Area N Alan Fetty, 2003 Nelson Coressel, 2005 Jim Escher, 2004 Merrill Schmidt, 2003 Area E Phil Baker, 2004 Ralph Brendler, 2005 AreaO Dick Chapman, 2003 Rod Galster, 200S Dave Heckel, 2003 Bob Valich, 2003 Bob Green, 2004 Alan Foster, 2004 Area F Area P Matt Borders, 2005 Tim Brady, 2005 Joe Greiwe, 2003 Art Kushlan, 2002 Area Meets ... Reports and photographs from M-WfCA's area meets Jan Cover, 2004 Bill Warner, 2003 AreaG Marl< Eastlick, 2004 John Kesterson, 2005 AreaQ around the country. Page 4. George Elsass, 2003 Robert Oehman Jr., 2003 Dan Gaier, 2004 Pat Medley, 2004 Cover Story The story behind a journeyman carpenter's tool chest. Cover Area H Bob Fields, 2005 Phil Whitby, 2005 Area R John Delay, 2004 Walter Karsten, 2003 photo by Edward Engelkes.M-WTCA.ORG Page 10. Area I Martin Donnelly, 2004 David McDonald, 2005 Bud Blake, 2003 A Gem Astick pin gets passed down through the generations from the Gregor Mszar, 2004

Co■■ittee Chaimlan creater of the Panther . Page 16. Meeting Planning Doug Cox Elections George Wanamaker D.R. Barton An account of the various plow planes produced by this Scholarship Don Rosebrook GRISTMILL Managing Editor Maiy Lou Stover Special Publications James Conover edge tool manufacturer. Page 22. By-laws and Policy Robert St. Peters Whatsit James Mau Family Assistance Don Riley Auction The 22nd annual auction at Camp Hill, PA, features tool from Marion Henley Award Ron Pearson Displays & Awards John Walkowiak Address labels Keriy McCalla the collection of William Rigler. Page 26. Publications Mail ings Ann Henley Scrapbook Barb & Mike Slasinski Auxiliary The stories behind winning displays. Page 32 Internet Don Bosse Membership Ed Hobbs www.mwtca.org The GRISTMILL • June 2003 • 2 MARK THESE ON YOUR CALENDAR

Mid-West Tool Collectors Association National Meetings

Spring,2003 June 12, 13, 14, 2003. Green Bay, WI. Larry Thorson (608) 788-7753. Membership Fall, 2003 Oct. 16, 17, 18, 2003. Bowling Green, KY. Doug and Paula Cox (502) 863-1407. Update

M-WTCA Area a Other Meetings By Ed Hobbs

Area RMeeting June 21, 2003. Avoca,NY. Martin Donnelly (607) 566-2617. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Area I Meeting July 19, 2003. Bedford,TX. Gregor Mszar (817) 937-5475. 11 For the first time in a couple of Area Q Meeting July 26, 2003. Raleigh,NC. Ed Hobbs (919) 828-2754. years, M-WTCA has more members as of March 31 of this year than it Area EMeeting Aug. 3, 2003. LaFox,IL. Dick Chapman (815) 492-2124. had as of March 31 last year. I think Area NMeeting Aug. 2, 2003. Maitland, FL. Paul Mikula (407) 365-4686. this goes to show what our "Mem­ Area CMeeting Aug. 23, 2003. Edwardsburg, Ml. John Sindelar (269) 663-8841. bership Team" can do with a little Area FMeeting Aug. 24, 2003. South Whitley, IN. Jan Cover (765) 523-3560 work. Rocky Mtn, Southwest, PA.5T Meeting Aug. 29-30, 2003. Bill McDougall (505) 344-9272. Who is on the Membership Area A8: BMeeting Sept 13-14, 2003. LaCrosse, WI. Larry Thorson (608) 788-7753. Team? Well, it is every person in M-WTCA. Whether you are a dealer Area DMeeting Sept 21, 2003. Cosgrove, IA. Jim Escher (319) 656-3931. that sends out information on M-W Area R8:H Meeting 21, 2003. Montgomery, NY. Walt Karsten (845) 457-5710. Sept with a shipment, an individual that Area FMeeting Oct. 11, 2003. Odon, IN. Joe Pershing (812) 636-7553. takes the time to approach someone Area Q Meeting Nov. 1, 2003. Charlotte, NC. Bob Fields (704) 393-1282. who has an interest in antique tools, Area NMeeting Nov. 1-2, 2003. Barberville, FL. Phil Baker (941) 485-6981. a director that holds meetings or Area J Meeting Nov. 2, 2003. Springfield, MO. Paul Reichert (417) 831-1425. sends out a reminder letter or some­ Area EMeeting Nov. 9, 2003. Virden, IL. Jim Moffet (217) 439-7358. one that in some way promotes the Area NMeeting Nov. 21-22, 2003. Blountstown, FL. Willard Smith (850) 674-8055. EAIA Joint Meet benefits of being a member of M-W, everyone is a part of this very impor­ 2004 tant team. Area I Meeting Feb. 14, 2004. Springdale, AR. Emery Goad (888) 889-3340. In my experience, success Area FMeeting Feb. 13-14, 2004. Spencer, IN. Matt Borders (812) 824-9318. breeds success. So keep up the great Area BMeeting Feb. 29, 2004. St. Francis, WI. Mary Lou Stover (262) 679-1412. work. Together we can and will make Area EMeeting March 28, 2004. Rockford, IL. Gary Johnson (815) 636-1464. a difference. Area FMeeting April 10. 2004. Franklin, IN. Norm Heckman (317) 422-8482.

Dates must be cleared with Gary Johnson (815) 636-1464. E-mail [email protected]. It's Time to Nominate Directors in Most Areas

By George Wanamaker Nominations will be accepted from would make a good representative to help June until the end of July. A nomination run the business of the organization. Di­ M-WTCA.ORGform is included in this issue of The Grist­ rectors in all areas should have at least ft4fid-West Tool Collectors will elect di- mill. If you wish to nominate a member one person they have started to groom for 1-.i.tlrectors in 16 of the organization's 18 for director, please ask that person first, these positions. If no nominations are re­ areas. and if he or she agrees, fill out the nomi­ ceived from an area, the area's senior di­ Elections will be held in Areas A, B, nation form and return it to George rector will be contacted to find a candi­ C, D, E, F, G, I, J, K, M, N, 0, P, Q and R. Wanamaker so it arrives by Aug. 2. If more date or candidates for the vacant posi­ Two directors will be elected in each of than two people are nominated, the two tions. Should that be the case, directors Areas E, F and J. There will be no elec­ with the highest number of nominations are asked to be ready with a nomination. tion in Areas H and L. The outgoing di­ will be placed on the ballot for a vote in Please nominate a member from your rectors in Areas A, B, C, D, E(2), F(2) , the area. Thus, every nomination is im­ area; don't leave it to the other person to J (2), K, M, N and Ohave served two terms portant. do. and are not eligible to run this year. These Now is the time for all members to areas will need a new person to fill the think about a person in their area who position or positions of director.

The GRISTMILL • June 2003 • 3 MEETINGS, MEMBERSHIP NEWS & MISCELLANY

sentation [Daddy Duty] and I apologize say that we spent an extra night in Brown Snow Fun to him for having to leave in the middle. County State Park. I had a most enjoy­ Area F Meet Barely Beats Contrary to popular opinion, I did not able conversation with Ralph as we sat leave because I was flunking the quiz on by the fireplace in the inn, waiting for the the Winter Weather Indiana history he was giving. Honest. tow truck. Thankfully, no one was hurt and Ralph's car sustained only minor dam­ Saturday morning brought an inten­ By Matt Borders age, though I guess we'll all listen a little sification of both rain and cold, as well as more closely to the weatherman next a most interesting talk by my friend Ted time. inter in Indiana is always a display Robertson. Ted builds harpsichords for a WJi Ji of extremes, often coinciding with living in Ellettsville, IN, and brought sev­ Speaking of next time, Joe Greiwe has Area F's spring meeting in Brown County eral slides of his work to share with us. asked me to take over for him next year. State Park, Over the years I have at­ Ted also figures prominently in the final Joe has done a wonderful job the last few tended this meeting I have experienced act of our weather drama. years and thankfully has agreed to stay almost every type of weather the Hoo­ on and show me the ropes, though his sier State has to off er, but this year was Saturday afternoon we had some time shoes will be awfully hard to fill. wild even by our standards. to kill between teardown of the room and the banquet that evening, so my wife, Due to the exorbitant costs associ­ Temperatures in the forties on Fri­ Celena, and I accompanied Ted into Nash­ ated with holding a meeting in the Abe day began to drop late in the day with ville to look for a particular type of Martin Lodge in Brown County State rain moving in to accentuate the chill. he was told was available there. His Park, next year's meeting will be held in Of course, I was so engrossed in the in­ sources proved incorrect and, while we the Canyon Inn in McCormick's Creek door activities that I paid little heed to had a good time, we mostly succeeded in State Park. Though both inns are compa­ the goings on outdoors. Though atten­ getting thoroughly soaked. rable in almost every respect, the costs dance was down slightly this year, there are significantly less and more in line with were still plenty of tools for me to "play At the banquet that evening, we no­ our budget. We're looking forward to a with" as my 2-year-old son, Lane, so ticed .fewer people than expected. Upon great meeting in a new location, and I aptly puts it. According to him, every­ inquiring, we were told that snow was hope to see you all there next Feb. 13 and thing I do is a variety of play; from play­ expected and many people had headed for 14. ing in my workshop to playing at the home. One look out the window confirmed hardware store where (at least in my that rain, not snow, was still steadily fall­ opinion) I work. Come to think of it, my ing and that, coupled with the boss often seems to share Lane's assess­ weatherman's historic inaccuracy, con­ M-WTCA Area A Cabin ment of my activities. vinced us to stay. After all, what could happen in two hours? Fever Meet In addition to the usual distraction of tools, this year I was doubly preoccu­ Donald Davidson, the official histo­ rian of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, (r\)n Feb. 8 in Medina, MN, Area A once pied because I was asked to demonstrate \\I' again held its annual Cabin Fever my skills[?] at panel raising Friday af­ was the speaker that evening. Always an enjoyable lecturer, Davidson regaled us meet. This meet has always been a most ter lunch. As many of you know, speak­ popular meet, and 2003 was no exception, ing to a group after lunch has its good with anecdotes and trivia about the great­ est spectacle in racing, many in the audi­ with 173 tool collectors and spouses at­ and bad points. On the one hand that tending. Many familiar faces were seen, time slot ensures few if any hecklers. ence trying unsuccessfully to stump him with trivia questions. as well as several new. Out of state mem­ On the other hand, the combination of a bers braved the cold and traveled from good meal and a comfortable chair con­ As the meeting broke up, Ted left a Wisconsin, Iowa, North and South Da­ tribute more to the good manners of an few minutes ahead of Celena and I as we kota, Illinois, Nebraska, New York and audience than their interestM-WTCA.ORG in the topic, lingered to say our good-byes. Imagine our even Missouri. and Bill Marlow has provided me with surprise when upon emerging from the several photographs to prove my point. inn, we found that the rain of two hours The tables soon filled, and at 8:30 Apparently, several of you were either ago had changed to snow, some four sharp, tools began trading hands. At 1:30 lost in contemplation of my words of inches having already fallen in that brief the consignment auction began, consist­ wisdom or fast asleep. I can't quite tell time. As we made our way out of the park­ ing of more than 300 lots, including 150 from the pictures but I'll assume the ing lot and up the hill we discovered two hand planes from the collection of Ed former. vehicles off the road. One turned out to Hirte. Friday night's speaker was Jack be Ted, whose van had slid down an em­ Several door prizes were donated as Devitt, author of a book on Ohio tool­ bankment to the left; the other contained gifts to those attending. Among them was makers as well as an upcoming work on Ralph Porter and Tim Bonelli, off the road a subscription to the Fine Tool Journal their Hoosier counterparts, I was unfor­ to the right. from Clarence Blanchard, auction cata­ tunately called away during Jack's pre- To abbreviate the story, suffice it to logs from Martin Donnelly, several

The GRISTMILL • June 2003 • 4 MEETINGS, MEMBERSHIP NEWS & MISCELLANY

models to illus­ saw and a tenon saw by Mongtage, trate his talk. Woodrough Saw Co. of Chicago especially There was no drew judges' attention. Second place went doubt in to a well researched display by Russell anyone's mind Vestuto of oriental planes from the Ko­ when he referred rean War. Bilderback and Vestuto were to saw teeth, presented boxes of Wisconsin cheese. , etc. It was a great way During the meeting, several minutes to present a sub­ of silence were observed in memory of Don ject. Dave Tubman, a longtime Area B member, Heckel , always M-WTCA chairman of meeting planning an interesting and former director who died earlier in and knowledge­ the month. He was to have hosted this able speaker, meeting, a job he had carried out for a filled in many number of years. More than 200 collec­ gaps in the study tors and spouses attended the 10 annual Carol Lomax Memorial meet. Wayne Anderson (left) presenting door prize to Jim Keats at the of the Stanley 45 Area A Cabin Fever meeting. plane. Wisconsin's famous kringle made in Racine was a favorite at the table of break­ tool-related books from Astragal Press, Heckel won first place for the larg­ est collection of 5-ounce hammers. Very fast offerings set out by Sue Tubman and and a small miter plane-from Wayne Arlene Fritchen. Next winter's meet is Anderson. Special thanks go to all that impressive. Display awards also went to Bill Morgan, crate opening tools, second, already scheduled for Feb. 29 at the St. donated these gifts. Member Jim Keats of Francis Community Center. Hawley, MN, won the plane. and Dick Cummings, rope machines and shaker boxes, third. President Willie Thanks, too, to Tom Dengler, Roger Royal and wife Jean had the daunting task Abramson and Tom Latane who gave dem­ of picking the ugliest tool. George War­ onstrations on hand-carved utensils. And ren won the honor and a huge second hand Area I Experts Make to Jan Erdman who set up her spinning trophy for an old beat-up . Owner of Caliper Happy wheel and spun. Tailgating closed at 2 p.m. Thursday, A special plaque was presented to but toolers were outside in the cold wait­ By Emery L Goad outgoing director John Perzinski. It was ing for the opening bell at 7 a.m. the next a thank you for his years of service as di­ morning. After that, the buzz of tool col­ rea I's 16th annual Ground Hog Day lectors on the hunt rose to new heights. ll\ rector of Area A. l/\\tool meet drew a record crowd, 200 The event was capped off with a nice Next year's meeting is scheduled for banquet, after which an insightful slide the first weekend in February. Continued on page 6 show and presentation was given by Chris Black, the 2001 Mount Vernon intern, sponsored by M-WTCA. Star at Area B Meet Tool Collectors on the Hunt at Peach MeetM-WTCA.ORG By Mary Lou Stover If' arl Bilderback's By Phil Baker ~ display of early saws won the top The Peach meet, held in Madison, GA, award at the Area B ti in February, started out with rain, so meeting in St. tailgating was moved inside and the trad­ Francis, WI, in Febru­ ing and dealing never really stopped. ary. The programs were educational, and Outstanding ex­ the speakers kept collectors wide awake. amples of a Cincin­ Jay Ricketts presented a lesson on no-set nati Woodrough and This rough and McParlin Panther saw, owned by Carl Bilderback, saws. Instead of slides, he used wooden McParlin Panther was part of a saw display that won first place at Area B's meet.

The GRISTMILL • June 2003 • 5 MEETINGS, MEMBERSHIP NEWS & MISCELLANY

Area I Joint M-WTCA Area Q and Continued from page S EAIA Summer Meeting people, with 71 tables laden with tools. By Ed Hobbs Part of the program included free ap­ praisals for the public. One man brought a tool from his garage wall that had be­ The annual M-WTCAArea Q and EAIA longed to his grandfather because he tl Summer Meeting will be held in Ra­ didn't know what it was. leigh, NC, on July 26 at Ed Hobbs' Farm.

It turned out to be a Stanley caliper Each year this "Annual Rite of Sum­ From left, Dan Hess, Pete Hartmann, Jim made for the Internal Revenue Service mer" draws a growing number of those Peters and Roland Hartmann discuss tool and which lists in John Walters' book at interested in tool collecting and early in­ restoration at the St. Francis meet. $3,000 to $5,000. dustries from all over the East Coast. It is an opportunity to buy and sell tools, The owner knew his grandfather had hear a very interesting program, partici­ SC Meeting in June worked as a still inspector for the IRS so pate in the tool auction, trade stories, eat the appraisal made the tool a real trea­ great BBQ and generally relax under the E' outh Carolina will hold its first MWTCA sure. shade of the barns and pecan trees. While ~meeting Saturday, June 21, on the primarily a Saturday event, some early Among the member appraisers were grounds of St. Michael's Lutheran Church, birds come in on Friday afternoon to set nationally recognized authorities on lev­ 400 River Road, Columbia, SC. up, check things out and/or to park their els, planes, implement and motor homes or campers. In 2002, more Tailgating and a program of interest adjustable wrenches, plumb bobs, rules, than 240 people attended the meeting. to collectors are planned. An auction also machinist tools and railroad tools before will be held so bring along some extras. 1900. The program this year will be on Prizes will be awarded for the top two building muzzle loading rifles from The meeting was held at the North­ displays. scratch. John Braxton, a master west Arkansas Holiday Inn Convention who has been building muzzle loaders and Fellowship and friendship will be en­ Center in Springdale, AR. related items for many years, will give a joyed throughout the day along with hot demonstration and presentation on the coffee, soft drinks and doughnuts that will subject. In addition, we may be able to be available for all. The meeting will open EAIA Workshops Seek get a tour of Historic Yates Mill, the early at 8 am. and close at noon. Trading will restored gristmill which was the subject begin upon arrival and continue except Participants of last year's program. Area Q is currently during the program and auction. For more building a quern, a hand-operated grist­ information, contact Gene Epting, direc­ mill, and plans to present it to the mill to tor, Area M Early American Industries Associa­ assist in its educational programs. tion still has openings in its summer tools and trades workshops. Because of the increasing number of people attending, again this year, pre- reg­ Master tradesmen will conduct istration will be required to ensure we hands-on one-day workshops in 11 trades have adequate food and facilities. The July 14-18 at Eastfield Village historic site A Missing Tool farm is located just south of Raleigh off in New York. Tinsmithing, surveying, coo­ of 1-40. There is plenty of room for all, pering, splint basket making, and we can guarantee there will not be Dick Cummings is hoping for blacksmithing, granite cutting,M-WTCA.ORG letterpress any snow or cold weather and the BBQ the return of a Klein 4-inch spud printing, cabinetmaking, historic panel­ will melt in your mouth. wrench that was stolen in Febru­ ing, wooden moldings and sashmaking ary in Webster, FL. will be offered. Notices will be sent to all M-WTCA and EAIA members in North and South If collectors see one for sale, For more information, contact Elton Carolina and Virginia. For more informa­ he asks that they call him at (248) Hall at (508) 993-9578 or email tion, contact Ed Hobbs at (919) 828-2754 722-4418 or (248) 852-4311. [email protected]. ([email protected]) Ray Hoke at (919) Cummings lives in Rochester Hills, 876-8512 ([email protected]) or Robert MT. Oehman at (919) 858-8506 ([email protected])

The GRISTMILL • June 2003 • 6 MEETINGS, MEMBERSHIP NEWS & MISCELLANY

Last Gold Hammer to be Retired to Permanent Winners' Plaque

Ji;'redA. Curry was the educational mar­ national meetings, for the best Stanley A large award plaque will be made. f keting representative for Stanley tool display. The award plaque itself has It will have the last Gold Hammer on it, ~ Tools of New Britain, CT. He was a been special in that it was a gold-plated an explanation of the award and name­ supporter of Stanley tool collecting and Stanley hammer, mounted on the award plates with every award winner affixed research, and a longtime member of plaque. These hammers were made up to it. It will be taken to each national meet M-WTCA. He freely shared his knowledge and purchased from Stanley. We have just and set up on a table with the displays. about the operations of the Stanley Tool one of the hammers left. This large plaque will allow members, Co. to the members of M-WTCA with many new and old, to read who Fred Curry was, presentations and displays. The informa­ We contacted Stanley about acquir­ why the award was conceived, and why it tion he shared with Stanley collectors was ing more and we were informed that they is coveted by the members who knew him. invaluable. did not have any, and were not going to The size of the plaque would allow many make more. Fred died in 1992, and the Fred Curry years of winners' names to be displayed Award was created in his honor. Its pur­ The feasibility of buying a hammer on it. pose is to encourage members to collect and having it plated was looked into, how­ The award winners from this point and more importantly, display their ever, that would be too costly. The follow­ forward will receive a Fred Curry Award Stanley tools, and in the spirit of Fred ing solution was decided upon by the Dis­ plaque with a hammer engraved on it. Curry continue to share their knowledge play and Awards Committee to be the best with other collectors. The symbol of the use of the last Gold Hammer, and what -Display and Awards Committee award is a Stanley Gold Hammer. will be done about the Fred Curry Award in the future. The Fred Curry Award is given at our

Donald W. Tubman Those thoughts Commission, and Union Grove Cemetery were echoed by many, Board. He was a member of Early Ameri­ including his good can Industries Association. fr\1onald Tubman, vice president of meet­ friends, Milo and U ingplanningforthe Mid-West Tool Col­ Arlene Fritchen, who He graduated from the University of lectors Association, died unexpectedly of said the organization Wisconsin-Madison with a bachelor's de­ cancer on Feb. 3 at St. Mary's Medical has lost a very dedi­ gree in business administration in 1957. Center, Racine. He was 68. cated member. And He was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity. Don opened Grove Insurance Agency in A longtime active member of more personally, "We have truly lost a dear Union Grove in 1981. Prior to that, he was M-WTCA, he had served as a director and employed at Marshall Field and Company. had been host of the annual Area B meet­ friend and travel ing in St. Francis, WI, for a number of companion. Don en- Donald Tubman Don and Sue were married June 23 , years. He and his wife, Sue, were to be joyed working with 1956, and often celebrated their wedding hosts of the semiannual national meeting people and wanted to anniversary at the spring national meet­ at Green Bay in June. help make a difference. He enjoyed life to ing. Survivors include two sons, James the fullest. The memories of our tool con­ Uoanne) Tubman, and Jonathan Gill) President Willie RoyalM-WTCA.ORG said his imme­ vention trips, antique shopping and more Tubman; five grandchildren, one sister, diate reaction when he learned of Don's will never be forgotten." and Mollie, the Collie. death was one of sadness and emptiness. "The loss of an associate and friend al­ Don was also active in his commu­ Sue wished to express her thanks to ways leaves a void in our lives. In Don's nity. At the time of his death, he was presi­ members who sent flowers and memori­ case, it left a large one. Don personified dent of the Yorkville, WI, School Board als. Memorials were suggested to the Li­ the meaning of a friend. and had been a member of the board for ons Leader Dog for the Blind Program, 30 years. He also was a member of the 1039 S. Rochester Road, Rochester, Ml "He was dedicated to the affairs of Racine County Agricultural Society for 25 48307 or Wisconsin Lions Foundation, M-WTCA and was at the same time a years, serving as secretary; Union Grove 3834 County Road A., Rosholt, WI 54473. fun-loving friend that made you want to Lions Club, serving two terms as presi­ associated with him and be in his pres­ dent; Town of Yorkville Long Range Plan­ Memorial services were held Feb. 6 ence. It was, indeed, a pleasure to have ning Committee; Town of Yorkville Sewer at the funeral home in Union Grove fol­ known Don. We will surely miss him." Commission; Town of Yorkville Water lowed by burial in Union Grove Cemetery.

The GRISTMILL • June 2003 • 7 M-WTCA Advanced Levels ofMembership and Additional Gifts

At membership renewal time Robert & Lillis Brackett Heinz K. Hilmer Peter & Martha Thomas the following members have Ralph Brendler Alan Hochhalter Irene Thompson elected a higher level of member- A. Dwayne Broddie Donald E. Hoffinaster Larry H. Thorson ship or have made additional gifts Robert A. & Joan Brown James & Paulette Humphrey Richard B. & Jean M. Tobin as a way of providing added in- David E. Buchanan David & Jeanne Jeffers Giulio Tomassetti come to M-WTCA. This extra in- Joe & Sharon Buchanan Joe & Christina C. Jerkins Phyllis Treff come is particularly welcome dur- Matthew & Ann Cairns Duane & Jean Johnson Pete & Sherry Vaughan ing these times of low interest Glenn A. Campbell Tom & Carol Jordens Russell J. Vestuto rates. The Board of Directors will Michael & Susan Cantlon Patrick & Kathy Joy Richard & Linda Wade use these funds to support existing James Cascarano Phillip 0. Keirstead Jack & Lorraine Wagoner programs or fund new needed pro- Richard L. & Patricia Chapman Ashley Kennedy Gene & Diane Walbridge grams. We are very appreciative of Bill & Barbara Collins Joe & Linda Kunz Ladislaus M. & Barbara Walen your generosity and extend our Byron W. & Dottie Copp Don Lauria John & Cynthi Walkowiak Jr. sincere thanks to all of you for Nelson & MeJissa Coressel Jr. Harold & Mary Anna Liberty Jr. R. S. & Bererly Walters your support of M-WTCA. James & Geraldine Courter George F. & Laura L. Luteri Rex F. & Opal Wenger Jan A. & Karen H. Cover Albie A. & Martha Lyman Jr. Arthur B. & Christine White Jr. Benefactors Doug & Paula Cox Arthur Mack Jr. Jon & Nancy Whitney William Curtis Jr. Ralph & Betty Jean MacLachlan Larry D. & Rhonda Williams Keith & Maryann Cheveralls Henry Kirke & Janet J. Cushing Georgie Maltby Brian & Christine Wilson Anthony & Stephanie Elsass Jim & Carol Davis James & Pat Mau Fred E. Young Maurice & Judy Gambrel Emmet E. & June Delay Lewis & Joan McDonald Jr. James F. & Lillian Zboyovsky Willie & Jean Royal David Dell John & Barbara McKiernan Kraig A. & Kathy Tabor Donald W. & Patricia Devine William & Judith McMillen Additional Gifts Frank & Virginia Tolford Mark A. DeVito John & Veronica Meneely Paul & Eileen Van Pernis Howard W. Diamond William & Elizabeth Morgan Thomas M. & Jane Blaisdell Carlos C. & Connie Whaley Thomas & Sara Dugan Sanford & Barbara Moss Fred K. & Nancy Brackbill James & Hillery Durochia Norman C. & Bertha Muehlbauer Tom & Carol Bramschreiber Sustaining Members Roy Ebersole Robert. & Elizabeth Mustain Jr. William S. & Kathleen Brooks Dell Edwards James F. & Norma Nabors Alson & Maxine Catledge Edward Blatnick Gene B. & Mary Anne Epting James & Kathy Nelson Riccardo & Laura Landi Chetoni William S. & Kathleen Brooks Carlton K. & Susan Fabler Timothy O'Hearn Richard P. Janet Cunningham Marvin B. & Joan Bunn Alan L. & Rose Fetty Bert & Elizabeth Packer Richard D. & Sue Dickerson Richard P. & Janet Cunningham Bob Patsy Fields Sterling & Patricia Penman Alfred & Charlene Dobberfuhl James F.& Keith Earnhardt John & Frances Fite Robert L. & Alice Petrovic NasonJ. & Sandra S. Donahue George Elsass Bob & Corie Francis Sr. Charles L. & Betty Pettett David Foster Doug & Geraldine Fowler Dennis Freund Roger & Eleanore Phillips Wayne H. Hatz Ed & Kathy Hobbs Dennis Fuller Tom H. Pointer Dennis J.R. & Barbara Hodgson Jared & Linda Isaacs Alvin & Phyllis Furrer Herb Proffit Jared & Linda Isaacs Robert R. & Lola Llewellyn C. Barnes & Beth Gardiner II A. David & Shirley Rawls Mike & Katie Lamarre Mark & Lois Nels Martin Gardner Paul & Arlene Remelius Herman & Alice Leonhardt Allen & Susan Roderick Christopher & Bonita Garrett E.J. (Al) & Elayne Renier Jack & Ann McDaniel Clifford & Annette Sapienza Wayne A. Gassner Ashton T. & Stephanie Reynolds Ray & Gloria McDonald Siegfried & Renate Snyder Jim Gehring Ed & Laverna Richards Steven W. Neale William T. & Lydia G. Storey David & Cathy Gengozian Robert C. & Marietta Riese Philip L. & Marsha R Platt Peter J. & Cassie Strasser Ed & Alice Gentry Norma Rigler John A. & Sandi Reed John & Janet Wells Richard & Patricia Gilliland Raymond & Patricia Roze1l Patrick M. & Gloria Renehan Tom & Barbara Witte Robert & Joey Gilmore Frank J. Scheibert Allen & Susan Roderick Gale & Donna Zerkle Ronnie Glover Dennis Schliffke Clifford & Annette Sapienz.a Chalmers Gordon Wolfgang Schmidt Dick Schusler Contributing Members Wallace & Eleanor Gordon Nanette Schulte Siegfried & Renate Snyder Dr. Paul E. & Marylin Gorham Michael & Anna L. Sepsey Peter J. & Cassie Strasser Bill & Hildegard Adsit Jeff Gray George & Theodora Shackleton Sr. Thom & Paulette Trail Lynn W. & Donna Anderson M-WTCA.ORGSteven Gretter R. Judd & Nancy Sherman David Paul Trueblood Robert P. & Carol Beth Angle Rod Griffith Greg & Cindi Simpson Paul & Eileen Van Pernis Don & Patsy Anundsen Jerry & Jane Grismer Roger K. & Marsha Smith Roy & Diane Verner Bill & Martha Bair Wesley & Lisa Groot Mark Snyder Verne E. & Laverne Vollrath David Baker Jeff Grothaus Leo & Mitzi Stambaugh William H. & Carol Whowell Nelson Banfield Karl Gurlicke Harold & Beth Stiffler Leo T. & Dolores Winckler James & Ann Barbieur Jonathan & Merrill Hanke Neil & Barb Stoll Harris V. Bartine Eugene R. & June L. Hanson Mary Lou Stover Bill & Jackie Beach Chuck & Ruth Ann Hartman W.L. (Bill) & Kristi Stover Carl & Penny Bilderback Peter J. Donna Hathaway Gary & Terri Studebaker L.M. & Laura Blain William & Gerry Hejna Dean & Sandra Sutton Roger & Carolyn Bourgeois Thomas A. Henry Ronald L. & Kathleen Switzer Hoyt & Mary Bowen

The GRISTMILL • June 2003 • 8 NEW MEMBERS OF M-WTCA

Arkansas Lovern , John - Galway Morrison , Dave - Hendersonville Harris, Napoleon - Heath Springs Harreld , Jack Bella - Vista Kansas Murphy, Robert - New Bern Hylton , David - Sumter Lybrand , Jerry - Bluff Ferguson, Terry - Concordia Ryburn , Sam - Wilson Klein, Richard - Aiken California Gendre, Paul - Clay Center Ohio Tennessee Connell , Brian La Crescenta Martin , Joseph P. - Mission Koons, D.C. - Bucyrus Downing, Mark - Ridge Grater, Gerry - Arcadia Nixon, Roger - Saint Marys Wilburn , Robert -Amherst Maddux, Owen - Signal Mountain Hoffman , Russell - El Cajon Kentucky Ontario Maurer, Don.- Sweetwater Kugelberg, Don - Rossmoor Bruning, Walter 0. - Louisville Kowaichuk, Ernest D. - Ailsa Craig Mincey, Mark - Maryville Van Der Voort, Henry - Corte Madera Hester, Ernie - Louisville Oregon Texas Colorado Rawlings, Bill - Flemingsburg Cronk , Alton - McMinnville Hotho, Victor - Weimar Hickey, Mark - Aurora Young, R. Brown - Nicholasville Marshall, Richard - Nehalem Vaughn, Henry - Borger Connecticut Louisiana Pennsylvania Washington Watton , Fletcher - Wilton Rivera, Adan - Baton Rouge Arisumi , David - Murrysville Cherpeske, David - Edgewood Florida Maryland Bendinsky, Scott - Millersville Kenck, John E. - Vancouver Blanchard , Clarence - Jensen Beach Choyce, Jerry - Mount Airy Conway, Ed - Holmes Wisconsin Burridge, William B. - Jupiter Ferris, Robert - Baltimore Freifeld, Lawrence - Philadelphia Akerley, Brent - Lake Geneva Cramer, Brett - Fort Lauderdale Van Hart, Bruce E. - Prince Frederick Kern , Jay - York , Theodore W. - Waukesha Fitzpatrick , Gary - Orlando Massachusetts Linski , Dan - Kingston Gugin , Mark - Milwaukee Gathers, Jeffrey - Orlando Brooks, Ralph E. - Foxboro Willie, Brian - Bloomsburg Meffert, Gordon R. - Waunakee Marretta, John - Valrico Michigan Rhode Island Peiffer, Kevin - Belgium Murphy, Hayes - Saint Petersburg Cerny, Josh - Vermontville Collington, Robert W. - Cranston Pfaff, Anthony J. - Milwaukee Newsom , Arthur C. - Webster Cerny, Russ - Vermontville South Carolina Schwartz, Fred - Burlington Rubright, David - Apopka Lewis, Richard - Saginaw Sciame, Virginia - Odessa Yoder, Moses D. - White Pigeon Varner, Thomas - Sanford Minnesota Vernik , Zenon - Zephyrhills Abrahamson, Jan - Minneapolis Williams, Bruce - Palm Beach Gardens Bergstrom, Thomas - New Brighton Georgia Brinkman, Barry - Vadnais Heights McMillen Jr., Earl - Eatonton Erickson, Peter - Plymouth Miles, Jack - Madison Foster, James - Ham Lake You're welcome! Raymo, Randy - Convers Fraedrich, Ted - Minneapolis Scott, Richard - Macon Frank, Roger - Mora Small , Jim - Madison Haugen, Bruce - Hutchinson Illinois Kabes, Michael - Richfield Baxie, Pauline - Barrington Hills Mercer, Steve - Brooklyn Park Gergeni , David - Mattoon Nelson, Robert - Lino Lakes Hoyle, Aaron - Pekin Ost, Julius - Montevideo HISTORICAL ARTIFACTS Kemp, Daryl - Elburn Osterbauer, Lee - Forest Lake Kreuter, G. Richard - Caledonia Peterson, Wes - Minneapolis A sampling of 18th-century toob, Meyer, Gary - New Baden Wicklund , Jim - Minneapolis including a carpenter's . and bit brace. In 1759 Washington wrote to his British agent Sleight, Norman - Griggsville Wiedenroth , Gene Hutchinson requesting a l::irge number of woodworking Summer, Lee - Metamora Yust, John - Saint Paul rools. He specified a brace like thi~ example, Indiana Missouri and it is the earliest known documentation ot Amrhein , Gary - Deputy Burman, Charles - Street an order from rhe colonies for an English brace Bunzendahl , Dan - Connersville Marshall , Michael L. - Louisiana with a metal, spring-catch chuck. Gifcs of the Mid-West Hyatt, Zach - Indianapolis Smith , Lieu R. - Shell Knob Tool Collectors Association Johnson , Edward - Hope M-WTCA.ORGWeihe, Leland - St. Louis Krysevig, Albert - Delphi Wilks, Leon - Independence Mansfield , Tony - Palmyra Nebraska McCullough , David G. - Frankfort Dalen, Jim - Omaha Mohr, Tod - Rohnoke New Jersey An EnRli,h bit Paulus, Melvin - Odon Cupo, Michael E. -S. Plainfield brace, one of man" Iowa New Mexico wols donated by memhcn of the M1d\X1e,c Bergan, William - Ridgeway Earnhart, J.E. - Eunice Tool Collectors Desotel, Thomas - Newhall New York As.~o,:iaoon. Jones, Jerry R. - Nashua Middlebrook, Daryl - Penn Yan Quaintance, Jim - Solon Murdoch , David L. - Williamson M-WfCA Ramlo, Clair - Oelwein North Carolina This photo and credit to were published in the 2001 annual report of the Mount Vernon Ladies Association. Tetzloff, Philip - Marshalltown Craft, John S. - Lewisville Ireland McCurry, Harold - Union Mills

The GRISTMILL • June 2003 • 9 MECHANICAL IMPLEMENT; SIMPLE DEVICE; HISTORY COYER Sl0ft1 John A. Engstrom, Journeyman Carpenter - The Man and His Tool Chest -

By Al Renier Strand, where they rented a small house on a large estate for 250 kroner a s we all know, there is more to tool year. They paid the rent by If collecting than just collecting to~ls. having members of the A!! It's the history of the people behind family work on the estate those tools that intrigues us. for 1 kroner a day. They were a very poor family, When my telephone rang almost four and by 1872 owed their years ago, little did I realize that I was estate owner landlord 80 about to embark on an engaging and grati­ kroner. It is recorded, that fying investigation that would take until the landlord took John's now to complete. father's horse and sold it The caller was Bob Ahlrichs. Bob, a at auction to pay off the longtime member of M-WTCA, lives in debt. Pocahontas, IA. He was calling to find out Fig.1. House in Sweden where John A. Engstrom was born. Shortly thereafter, if I would be interested in looking at, and John's father went to the possibly buying, an old tool chest and Northland to work while some old tools. He was making the call Later that night, while perusing the John's mother and the younger children for Wtlbur "Web" Ekstrand, a friend of his documents, I realized that in many ways went to live with a widower who needed in Pocahontas. John A. Engstrom's life experiences par­ alleled my grandfather's, and that of thou­ domestic help. His two older brothers Linda Engstrom, a cousin of Web's sands of other immigrants from the Nor­ joined their father five years later. It was wife, Marian, owned the tool chest and die countries and Europe who had settled during this period that John learned to tools, which had belonged to her grandfa­ in the Midwest during the late 19th and read and write and as his older brother, ther, John A. Engstrom. It seemed that early 20th century. It was apparent that Gustav, states "they studied catechism, Linda, who lived in Woodbury, MN, was John had many unique talents and con­ bible, history, geography, biology and interesting in disposing of them. Bob gave tributed greatly to the development of his maps." me the telephone number of Don new country. As I continued to read, on It was customary, that at Christmas Ekstrand, Web's son, who happened to be into the morning, I knew I had to learn time the king and queen of Sweden would in the Twin Cities area, on furlough from more about this man, and when I later ask the poorest of the poor to perform for a mission in Japan at the time. I contacted began the restoration of his tool chest my them. The boys were asked to sing a song, Don, and it was only a matter of minutes search started. and after singing, they each received a before Linda's address was obtained and kroner. They must have had good voices, a date and time arranged for us to meet. His Life Cajsa Anders' daughter, wife of as they were asked to perform again the When I first saw the chest and tools, Anders Anderson, gave birth to Johan following year. I was disappointed. The tools were few Anderson in a small house (fig. 1) in In 1879, after working for seven and the chest was dirty and in need of a Mellerata Delan in Varmiand in years in Northland, John's father returned, lot of TLC. Although there was the usual Krogsecrud, Varuskags Sweden, on Oct. bought a house and two cows, and the space provided for a set of wooden mold­ 21, 1859. He was the youngest of four family was once again together in ing planes in the chest, theyM-WTCA.ORG had appar­ boys and had two sisters. He changed his Varmiand. ently found other homes. The same was name to John A. Engstrom when he came true for any bench planes, a brace and bits to America. It was probably during this period and many of the other tools one would that the boys apprenticed at their various expect to find with the chest. Family documents record that al­ trades - Gustav as a mason and John as a though John was raised in a typical Nor­ carpenter -and by 1880, like so many oth­ Needless to say, we quickly arrived die way of "First Work Then Play" he ers in similar circumstances, they all got at a mutually agreeable price and when I spent many happy days with his broth­ "American Fever" and started to make left for home that evening, the chest and ers, playing ball in the summer and skat­ their preparations for the trip to America. the tools were in my van. Linda also pro­ ing in the moonlight on the nearby lake vided me with a number of her during long winter nights. Although John was the youngest, he grandfather's pictures and documents was the first of the four boys to leave for that she thought I might find interesting. In 1868, when John was 9 years old, America, arriving in the United States in his family moved from Krogscrud to June of 1881. He was 22 years old when The GRISTMILL • June 2003 • 10 ried Carolina Strom in St. him as a trustee. Uruted Brotherhood of Carpenters Paul on Aug. 30, 1890. and of America Carolina was born in Swe­ Highlights of his exciting career, from 1901 to about the end of 1928, are dis­ SPECIAL NOTICE den on April 14, 1861. He

J Section 43. A member three months in arrea r■ cussed in the following section "His Time shall not be entitled to the Pa.Hword, or a seat, or was 31 and she was 29 at office in a ny meetings of the Local Union. Q Each member is required to keep the Record­ Books." ing Secretary a nd Financial Secretary properl7 the time. notified of bis correct place of residence and any change of same under penalty of One Dollar ($1.00) ft ne. Three years later, on Documentation records that for a MEMBERS IN AAREARS number of years after Carolina died John A Sec. 45. When a member owes a awn equal March 27, 1893, Carolina to th'ree months' dues, be is not in good standing a nd is thereby suspended from all donations and made trips to Grand Rapids, MI, to visit will not again be entitled to donations until t breo gave birth to their daugh­ months f rom the da te he has paid sa.J d arrearagea, which payment must include the payment of d ue■ his brother, Gustav. tor the month in which said payment is m ade. ter, Ruth, in St. Paul. She B .A member owing a Local Union a ny sum equal to sl.x months' dues shall be dropped from mem­ bership w ithout a vote of the Union, and bis name was born during a period be stricken from the books. After that be can be On Nov. 10, 1909 John married Eda readmitted only aa a new member, subject to such r eadmission tee as provided tor in the By • Iaw ■ of depression and work ot h is Local Union or District Council, together Wallin. Eda was born in Sweden on May with the sum ot Three Dollars ($3.00), wbteh was scarce. shall be forwarded to the Local where he wa1 9 1878 and when her father died in 1892, drop ped. That same year, John h~r mother sent her and her sisters to live and Charles moved with with relatives in Grand Rapids. Eda's Fig. 2. John A. Engstrom's United Brotherhood of Carpenters older sister, Augusta, was the wife of and Joiners of America dues record of 1902. their families to a farm on which they had previously John's brother, Gustav. built a house large John and Eda lived at 728 Sims St. in he established his residence in St. Paul, enough to hold both families. It was lo­ MN. St. Paul. Their only son, John Alden cated between Princeton and Cambridge, Engstrom, Linda's father, was born on In his autobiography, John's brother at Ridge. They were going to be Nov. 21, 1915, in St. Paul. Gustav states that the others followed farmers. Records show that a year later John to America on a small cattle boat in they were called upon to help fight the In 1927, while working on a friend's December historic 1894 fire at nearby Hinkley, MN. roof, John fell and injured his leg. The ac­ 1882, sailing cident left him with one leg shorter than John's daughter, Ruth, records in her the other, and the fall apparently ended from En- autobiography that her Uncle Charlie gland to his traveling and somewhat curtailed his didn't like farming and soon moved his career as a carpenter. Montreal in family back to St. Paul, while she re­ 14 days and mained on the farm with her mother and John A. Engstrom diedAug. 11, 1936, 4 hours. father. at the age of 77 and was buried at the From there Union Cemetery in Maplewood, MN. they trav­ John received his citizenship papers eled by train on April 5, 1898, in Princeton, MN, County His Time Books to Chicago, of Mille Lacs. John was a meticulous man and where they maintained detailed time books. Books w e n t One month later, on May 14, his wife (Fig. 3) in which he recorded hours through im­ Carolina died, and after making arrange­ worked and his hourly rate on a daily ba­ migrations ments for the care of his daughter, who sis. 1\vo of the time books were still with and spent was only 5 years old at the time and went the chest. No doubt there had been oth­ that winter to live with a Mrs. Rodberg of Maple ers. A typical page, for the period June working at Ridge, he returned to St. Paul to once 1901 through December 1902, is shown Fig. 3. The cover of one of odd jobs. In again began working as the journeyman in Figure 4. Note that the record not only John A. Engstrom's Time the spring of carpenter he had been trained to be. records the days on which he worked but Books. also the days he didn't. In addition, it pro­ 1 8 8 3 , John was initiated into Local 87, city vides us with notes that pertain to where Gustav moved to Grand RapidsM-WTCA.ORG, MI, to live of Saint Paul, MN, United Brotherhood of he was working, some of his activities and with relatives of the girl he had married Carpenters and Joiners of America (fig. prior to leaving Sweden. His brother, 2) on Feb. 4, 1902. His union record shows his concerns. Charles, traveled to St. Paul to be with that his monthly dues were 35 cents. By As I continued to study them, page John. 1926, they had increased to $1.50 per after page, they began to a great There is no documentation still avail­ month. deal about the character of the man, his able to record just what John and Charles He was an active union member and work ethics and the extent of his activi­ did during the next few years, but John on April 6, 1919, he wrote a letter to the ties. For example, on the page shown, for was probably working at his trade as a editor of the Daily News. In it, he took the period 1901 and 1902, he records that journeyman carpenter. They both II:ust issue with the editorial of March 23 , which he worked a 10-, 11-, and even a 12-hour have been doing quite well as they decided had apparently supported the manner in day six days a week, but never worked on a Sunday and took two weeks off at to get married. Charles married Christina which Civil Service examinations were Elizabeth Nilson in 1884 and John mar- being given. His dues book for 1922 lists Continued on page 12

The GRISTMILL • June 2003 • 11 John A. Engstrom, Journeyman Carpenter - The Man and His Tool Chest-

Continued from page 11 supervisory in nature. Christmastime. John was a religious man For example, a Month oL______l90/ and, according to his granddaughter, detailed material de­ Linda, often taught Sunday school. livery ticket from the The same page records him working Drake Marble & Tile Co., dated Feb. 17, on a project in St. James, MN, on June 15, 1901, and on another a year later in 1906, is addressed to Clarion, IA, on June 25, 1902, (Fig. 5) in­ John A. Engstrom, dicating that John was not only willing to Supt. of Construction travel to projects that were a consider­ for the New County able distance from home, but was also Court House in Ellsworth, WI. In his willing to stay away from home for ex­ tended periods of time. In the period from time book, he noted late February 1902 until June of that same that his railroad fare year the page also records a number of from St. Paul to days during which he didn't work. His Ellsworth was $2.15. simple note "during strike" tells us the Space doesn't al­ story. His rate was 35 cents per hour in low for a page-by-page 1901, and he increased it to 3 7 1/2 cents review of his many ac­ per hour on Jan. 1, 1902. That was pretty tivities, and only a few Fig. 4. Page from John's Time Book for the years 1901 and good money in 1902. of the highlights are 1902. related here. The documentation doesn't provide (Fig. 6) in Jackson MN, and only two detailed information pertaining to just A note in December 1903 shows him months later, on Nov. 9, 1908, he is work­ who John worked for on many of his ma­ working for the military at Fort Snelling, ing on the Union Depot (Fig. 7) in jor projects - it usually does when he MN. Lewiston, ID, a building that is now listed worked for private individuals. But it does in the National Historical Register. In 1905, he records that on Dec. 31, 1905, he finished Other projects of note that he worked building a house on East 7th on were the WmonaJail, the Mayo Broth­ St. for the Berglins and was ers Boat and the Mississippi Queen. paid $3890.25. John, an individual willing to accept John had arranged for his responsibility, was also a businessman. daughter to be cared for, and Included with his documents was a copy on Nov. 12, 1906, he records of an article printed in the St. Paul Daily that he "paid Mrs. Rodberg of News of 1920 that announced the "Incor­ Maple Ridge in full for the poration of the St. Paul Cooperative Mer­ present year for Ruth M. cantile Association with capital stock of Engstrom." $50,000. Shares in the company are rated at $25.00 each." John A. Engstrom is By Nov. 18, 1906, we find him building a Railroad Fig. 5 Picture taken during the construction of the CCWRR Depot in Wtlliston, Co. Round House in Clarion, IA, in 1902. John is second ND, and on June 8, fromtheright.M-WTCA.ORG 1907, he notes, "paid in full for the indicate that at various times he worked first six months in the present for the American Hoist & Derrick Co. of year for board, room & T.C. for St. Paul, MN, and from the nature and lo­ Ruth M. Engstrom to Mrs. cation of several projects for James J. Hill, Rodberg in Fort Dodge, Iowa." the famous Canadian who established his Ruth was confirmed in Iowa home and headquarters in St. Paul, and that year and later moved to who in late 1800 and early 1900 reached St. Paul when Mrs. Rodberg out to the West, East and South to estab­ moved to California. lish his Great Northern Railroad Empire. The records also indicate that in addition On Sept. 11, 1908, he is to being a master carpenter on these working on construction of the Fig. 6. Construction starts on the Jackson County projects, his responsibilities were often Jackson County Court House Courthouse in Jackson, MN, in 1908.

The GRISTMILL • June 2003 • 12 makes it impossible to determine from where John shipped it. When I first saw that the old brass handles had a Stanley Hart trademark (Fig. 12), I was confused. When did Stanley use that trademark? Would it sup­ port the information on the shipping ticket? I immediately contacted M-WTCA member Walter Jacob, who informed me that Stanley Works started use of the Stanley Hart, commonly called sweet heart, trademark on hardware items in June of 1893 and that there was no con­ flict regarding age. John used 115 large brass screws to hold his 40-inch-long, 24-inch-wide and 20-inch-high tool chest and cover to­ gether. He put it together like a fine piece of furniture. Basic construction is of 3/4- inch-thick clear white pine and all exte­ Fig. 9. A chair John made for his daughter, rior trim and moldings are black walnut. Ruth. The chest contains six 1/2-inch-deep with it. black walnut drawers, stacked three on a side with the lower drawers shortened so The following tools were still with the they can slide independently on side rails. box: Fig. 7. John with his crew at the depot in The drawers are constructed with 1/4- Stanley 45 Combination Plane Type 7B (1896 Williston, ID, in 1908. John is on the left. inch-thick black walnut sides and 1/4- -1906) indicating that John took advantage inch-thick maple bottoms. of new developments. listed as treasurer of the corporation. The drawers in the front row are 5 Stanley 70 ,japanned cast iron, Type 2 with 2 cutters (11/4 inch & 1/2 inch) and turned He was also a gifted cabinetmaker 1/4-inches wide and there's a hinged cover maple knobs with beaded bases. and often expressed that talent by mak­ on the top drawer. The cover was made Stanley 40 scrub plane with handle (1896- ing gift items for members of his family. by gluing together 7 rows of 1/4-inch by 1902). (Figs. 8, 9, 10) 1/4-inch alternating black walnut and maple strips and using the result to frame Stanley 62 folding rule. a 2-inch-wide center panel of 1/2-inch­ Continued on page 14 thick cherry. The back row of drawers is 7 3/4 inches wide with a hinged cover on the top drawer. The cover was made by glu­ ing a 1/4-inch by 1/2-inch strip of black walnut to a 1/4-inch by 1/2-inch strip of maple and using the result to frame a 6 1/2-inch wide center panel of 1/4-inch M-WTCA.ORGthick cherry. Fig. 8. A sewing box of birds-eye maple he Beneath the drawers, is a compart­ made for his wife, Eda. Photo by Edward Engelkes. ment designed to hold a set of wooden planes. The remaining space was His Tool Chest left open to hold bench planes and other I haven't been able to determine ex­ tools. actly when John made his tool chest, but believe it was shortly after he came to St. All of the angles, including those on Paul in 1882. When I started to restore the black walnut drawers, are dovetailed. it, I found a railroad shipping ticket glued The exterior comers of the box and the to one end of the box that reads "UNION cover are protected with brass plates STATION ST. PAUL, RECENED 1902" The box has a beautiful solid brass (Fig. 11). Deterioration of the paper lock, but as usual the key is no longer Fig. 10. John made two of these tables, one for each of his children.

The GRISTMILL • June 2003 • 13 John A. Engstrom, Journeyman Carpenter - The Man and His Tool Chest -

tography. References:

Autobiography of Gustav Engstrom.

Time books of John A. Engstrom.

Two Lives of Faith - The autobiographies of C. Os­ car and Ruth M. Anderson (Ruth M. Engstrom, daughter of John A. Engstrom), Missionaries to China.

Historical pictures and documents of John A. Engstrom, Article St. Paul Daily News 1920. P.S. To M-WTCA members. Informa­ tion supplied by Walter Jacob pertaining to Stanley trademarks: "The Stanley Works Sweet Hart -the letters SW inside of a heart was first used June 1893. Reference is from the U.S. Fig. 11. Shipping ticket reads "Union Station St. Paul Received 1902." Photo by Edward Patent Office filing for a trademark on Engelkes. Feb.7. 1894, No. 24,562 noted in Patent Gazette page 399 April 17,1894. Essen­ tial feature of trademark as quoted is "The Continued from page 13 verifying items in John's Time Books. representation of a heart shaped figure Marian Ekstrand, daughter of Ruth M. accompanied by the initials S.W." Stanley 49 adjustable bit gauge, nickel plated. Engstrom, for supplying background in­ Stanley 41 pocket level. formation on her mother. Donald Stanley 88 clapboard siding marker. Engstrom, grandson of Gustav Engstrom, Stanley 66 Type 1 hand header, japanned with for information regarding his father's au­ complete set of cutters and two fences. tobiography. Bob Ahlrichs of M-WTCA, 14-inch steel backed Henry Disston & Sons back Wilbur "Web" Ekstrand and his son, saw. Donald, for getting me started on this in handled sliding T . the first place, to Walter Jacob for sup­ Early Swedish wooden mortice gauge. plying the information on Stanley trade­ 11/2 inch Barton gouge. marks, and Edward Engelkes for his pho- 11/8 inch Barton gouge. 3/4 inch DM Co. gouge. 1/2 inch Butcher gouge. 1/4 inch Addis carving gouge. Glass cutter with diamond point and rosewood handle. Rosewood handled steel. Small hand . Small bench vise. M-WTCA.ORG Several saw files. Several wood plane irons. saw blades.

Acknowledgments Gratitude is expressed to the follow­ ing individuals, without whose help this article couldn't have been written. To Linda M. Engstrom, the grand­ daughter of John A. Engstrom, for her pa­ Fig. 12 Brass handle with Stanley trademark heart with the letters SW in it. Photo by tience with me and the time she spent in Edward Engelkes. The GRISTMILL• June 2003 • 14 New Online Resource for Researching Patented Tools and Machines

I n 2000, the United States Patent and I~ Trademark Office (USPTO) created an online database contain­ ing the text and drawings of all patents in its collection, dating back to 1790, For those of us who researched patented tools, this was an extremely exciting development-we were no longer required to visit a patent library and pore over volumes of microfilm (and run up a hefty photocopying bill) to gather our data. The euphoria was short-lived, however. The USPTO site was difficult to navigate, required specialized software to view the patent papers and provided very limited searching capabilities (patent num­ ber and classification only). Unless you were well versed in patent classification arcana, it was very difficult to find specific patents. Despite these drawbacks, a number of computer-savvy collec­ tors became skilled in searching the database, and began amass­ ing patent information in their areas of interest and publishing their findings on personal web pages and discussion forums. In early 2002, a group of these researchers from the OldTools and OldWWMachine mailing lists (online discussion forums for antique tools and woodworking machines, respectively) embarked Aclose-up shows how the puller grabs onto a nail on a project to coalesce their individual data into a centralized for removal. database of tool and machinery patents. The resulting web site was christened the "Directory of American Tool and Machinery Patents," or DATAMP for short. Nail Pullers - In February 2003, http://www.datamp.org: opened to the pub­ lic. The site contains detailed information on more than 9,000 tool A Unique Combination Tool and machine patents, including:

• Patent Date, Application Date and Antedates (where appli­ By Ray Fredrich cable) • Classification (USPTO class as well as what type of tool it My research is still going on but moving slower is) than I had expected. • Information on the persons associated with the patent (in­ The inventor of this "Combination Tool" is ventors, assignees, witnesses) George J. Capewell of Hartford, CT, and is one of the most seen patentees in patent research. To date, • Information on the companies associated with the patent I know of 13 patents on nail pullers. (manufacturers, assignees) This tool pounds nails, pulls nails and will hold • Drawings and photographs of the tools a nail to reach up and put in that hard to reach place. It has a wooden handle that is unusual to • Descriptions of the tool and its patent claims most of the pullers researched, but seems adequate • Links to related information to pull today's 8 penny nail but not much larger. Even more importantly,M-WTCA.ORG the site provides a wealth of search According to the patent papers, "The invention capabilities (person, company class, type, and others) as well as relates to the class of tools which combine in one cross-references by person, company and classification. structure, means for setting, driving and extract­ ing nails, brads, tacks, pins and the like, and the We are also looking for volunteers-we need both "data stew­ object is to provide a simple, convenient and effi­ ards" to collect and enter patent data, as well as programmers cient tool of this class which is cheaply formed, (PHP, Python, XML) to assist in the development of the web site easily assembled and is durable." and related programs. By our estimate, there are approximately 30,000 U.S. patents that would be "interesting" to antique tool The tool is 14 -1/4 inches long and the handle collectors, so there is still a lot of work to be done. If you would be is shaped like a small baseball bat. It is stamped interested in volunteering to help with DATAMP, drop us a line with the words "Pat APPL'D For." It was patented using the link at http://www.datamp.org May 1, 1894. I found it at a tool meeting, and it is the first one of its kind that I have ever seen. - Ralph Brendler Area E Director and DATAMP Volunteer [email protected]

The GRISTMILL • June 2003 • 15 HISTORIES, BIOGRAPHIES, RESEARCH

Panther Saw Creator's Stick Pin a Real Gem

By Laura Woodrough Steneck the same month. 12· Herbert H., 4, and Rufus Lee, 2. He~bert and Rufus were both born in Ohio. Their first son, Horace William Meanwhile, in the town of Wallhill, Ny, n recent months, I happened across an Woodrough, was born June 18, 1846, in auction web site that had a Panther the family of William Clemson and his Arlington, MA. followed by a second son, wife, Amelia, also includes four children: Ibrand advertised for sale. James Richards, born June 7, 1848, also Francis, age 9; George, 7; Maria, 4; and When I checked further, I discovered that in Arlington. this particular "Panther Head" saw handle Richard W, 2, all born in Massachusetts. had been patented by my great-grandfa­ The information on William Clemson In 1866 Horace William Woodrough ther, James Richards Woodrough, in 1880. says the Woodrough & Clemson Co. was married Sarah Beckett, daughter of Wtll­ "in a little shop near Boston." By 1850, iam Beckett and Martha . They Using bits and pieces of information Joseph, Agnes and their two so~s ~e_liv­ that had been in our family history files move from their family homes in Hamilton ing in West Cambridge, MA, which 1~ J~st and set up housekeeping in Cincinnati. He for years, maintained by my sister-in-law, about 3 1/2 miles from Boston and livmg Margot Woodrough, I began to rese~ch is 20 years old and working for his father in the same town is none other than Wtl­ at Woodrough & McParlin. the Woodrough family and came up with liam and Amelia Clemson. So it's my guess some amazing information. So let me start that the "little shop near Boston" was This same year, Joseph Woodrough from the beginning and see if I can piece actually in West Cambridge, and eventu­ is granted a patent, No. 54,827, _which he together this family puzzle. ally the factory went up in East Woburn, assigns to Woodrough & McParlin. An ad­ Joseph Woodrough was born March MA. vertisement that appeared in the Scien­ 5, 1813, in England. Regretfully, the tific American Journal on June 23, 1866 Around 1855, Joseph moved his fam­ reads: names of his mother and father are un­ ily to Hamilton, Ohio, and by May of 1860, known and his exact place of birth, as after struggling many years together at SAWS! SAWS! SAWS! well. I believe he was educated in England Woodrough & Clemson, William Clemson and came to America as a young man. It's packed up his family and moved to Woodrough & McParlin possible he arrived at the port of B?ston, Middletown, NY, where he joined in a part­ manufacturers of PATENT GROUND SAWS dealers in files, gummers, belting etc. OLD SAWS MA 1 because in 1843 he was working at nership with Elisha Wheeler and Edward the Welch & Griffith's hand saw manu­ Madden, forming the Wheeler, Madden & REPAIRED PROMPTLY Works Hamilton, Ohio factory in Arlington, just 13 miles away. Clemson Co. But Joseph did not abandon Warehouse No. 10 West Second Street, Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1845, Joseph Woodrough left the his saw factory in East Woburn, now Welch & Griffith's Co. and formed a part­ called Woodrough & Co. It appears Joseph Another patent is claimed in 1867, nership with his friend and fello:" continued to maintain his home in East No. 61,014 by A. C. Martin and Joseph co-worker, William Clemson, and this Woburn, even though the family was liv­ Woodrough. Joseph may have held other company was called Woodrough & ing in Hamilton, OH. patents, but these are the only two I was Clemson. A lot has been written about I have read that the Woodrough & able to locate. William Clemson, his wife Amelia Wright, McParlin Co. was in business from 1856 In 1870, Horace's brother, James and their children, Francis, George through 1890, so Joseph must have set Na than and Richard W. , but it has been a Richards, now 22 years old, is also work­ out almost immediately upon his arrival ing for his father at the saw manufactory. struggle to find very much on the other in the area, to establish another factory. half of this partnership, Joseph. The other two brothers, Herbert H. and Hamilton, OH, is about 29 miles north of Rufus L. remain at home, attending M-WTCA.ORGCincinnati, so Joseph had a fair distance In 1845, both of these young men school, as is the one daughter born to Jo­ decided to marry. William Clemson had to travel each day to and from his work. seph and Agnes, who is 8 and named Lula followed his sweetheart from According to research done by Gil & Mary May. Warwickshire, England, to Boston. Joseph Gandenberger, published in The Gristmill may have known his bride back in the old September, 1994, Joseph Woodrough is The 1874 Business Directory of country, but we don't know for sure. We listed as "Saw Manufacturer" in 1855; by Woburn, MA, lists: Woodrough & Co. (J. do know that Agnes was also from En­ 1856 it's Woodrough & McParlin, listed Woodrough, D. Macfarlane, T. WAdams, gland, immigrating in 1832 with her fam­ in 1857 as the successor to Lee & Levitt C. Porter), saw manufacturers, Railroad ily, so the friendship may have been Saw Manufacturers. St., store 31 Exchange, Boston. Next line, James H. Woodrough, saw manufacturer, kindled by the common English back­ The 1860 census for the 3rd Ward, ground. Joseph and Agnes Moreman "of house comer Center & Thom. Next line, Hamilton, Butler County, OH, shows Jo­ Joseph Woodrough (Woodrough & Co.), Boston" filed their intent to marry on Sept. seph and Agnes and they now h~ve four 7, 1845 and it is presumed they married saw manufacturer, house Railroad Street, children; Horace, age 14; James Richards, E. Woburn. So it appears that James R. The GRISTMILL • June 2003 • 16 son of Joseph and Agnes, is born in Cin­ cinnati, Ohio on March 24, 1879. Their daughter, Mabel Louise is not with the family in the 1880 census, therefore she is presumed to have died in early child­ hood, but no record of her death was re­ corded. So let me see if I can gather up all of the family in 1880. Joseph & Agnes Woodrough are now living in Cincinnati, Ohio. Living with them are Herbert, age 24, a traveling agent, his wife Lula, age 23; Rufus Lee, also a traveling agent; and Lutie May, their only surviving daughter. Horace W. is living across the river in Covington, KY, with his wife, Sarah and their three children, Howard Beckett, Jo­ seph William and Frederick Charles. James Richards, his wife Mary Julia and their three children, Leoni, James Richards Jr. and William Wilson, also live A gold, highly-engraved stick pin, owned by James R. Woodrough, was passed down to his in Cincinnati. The father and all of his sons son, James R. _Woo~rough, Jr., ~ho then gave it to his son, John Randolph Woodrough. It was are working for Woodrough & McParlin. mhented by John s daughter, Laura Woodrough Steneck, in 1970. Lutie May ties the Woodrough and Clemson families together by becoming and his bride have moved the 867 miles boards Joseph Woodrough; next line, Ri­ the bride of Richard W. Clemson in 1880. from Hamilton, OH, to Woburn, MA, and chard W., saw maker, boards Frank These two families have worked closely James is working for Woodrough & Co. Clemson; next line, Clemson & Co. (D. together since William and Joseph formed McFarlane, F. W. Clemson & G. N. their partnership in 1845, each having A map of East Woburn, MA, dated Clemson), Railroad St. E. Woburn, saw sons joining in partnerships and it is only 1875, shows the actual location of the manufactory. So by 1877 the Clemson fitting that the daughter should form a Woodrough & Co. factory and clearly in­ brothers had taken over Woodrough & Co. partnership of her own. dicates a large pond next to it called, ap­ in East Woburn. George N. then left E. propriately enough, "Woodrough Pond." Woburn and returned to Middletown, NY, In 1882, James Richards and Mary Also shown on the same map is the house and resumed his duties at Wheeler, Mad­ Julia Woodrough add a fourth child and where Joseph and his family lived, just up den & Clemson. He also formed a part­ second son, Louis Duhme, to their family. the street from the factory on Railroad nership with his younger brother, Rich­ The family still resides in Cincinnati and Street. Across the street from Joseph's ard W., and contin- it appears that James has become a trav­ house was the Post Office and a store, ued developing a eling agent for behind which is noted "H. & R. metal cutting saw. This pin belonged to my great-grandfa­ Woodrough & Woodrough". So it appears that Herbert, ther, James Richards Woodrough. He McParlin. now 20, & Rufus, age 18, have also re­ James and Mary Julia have two daugh- probably purchased it or had it made The 1883 Wo­ turned to East Woburn with their father, burn City Directory Joseph, and have gone to work for him in ters born to them, because of his patented "Panther" Leoni Richards, born shows only one the factory there. In 1877 they are joined Clemson remaining by the eldest sons of Joseph'sM-WTCA.ORG friend and Oct., 1871, in Boston brand saw. in town, Francis, first partner, William Clemson. Francis and Mabel Louise, born April, 1873, in Cambridge, MA. whose home is at and George N. Clemson work at the 174 Montvale Ave. (Railroad Street be­ Woodrough & Co. factory for two years. About 1877, probably shortly after the company was sold to the Clemson broth­ came Montvale Avenue) and the factory The 1877 City Directory, Woburn, ers, all of the Woodroughs return to Cin­ is still Clemson & Co., also on Montvale. lists this: Herbert H. Woodrough, butcher, cinnati. James R. goes back to work at No Woodroughs are listed. I suspect boards Joseph Woodrough; Joseph Woodrough & McParlin, becoming an of­ Francis may be living in Joseph's house, Woodrough, saw manufacturer, house ficer of the company in 1879. Horace, as the address appears in close proximity Railroad, E. Woburn. In the "C" section Herbert and Rufus are also working for to the factory, which is where Joseph lived. we find: Clemson, Frank W. (Clemson & Woodrough & McParlin, probably as In 1885, when Edward Madden died, Co.) E. Woburn, house Railroad, E. salesmen or traveling agents. William Clemson purchased his interest Woburn. Next line: G. N. (that would be George N.) (Clemson & Co.), saw maker, James Richards Woodrough Jr., first Continued on page 18

The GRISTMILL • June 2003 • 17 Panther Saw Creator's Stick Pin a Real Gem

Continued from page 17 manufacture of Star bracket, hack, Lutie May, her husband, Richard butcher and scroll saws. George N. Clemson, their son, George W., her mother in Wheeler, Madden & Clemson, in Clemson is credited with inventing the Agnes Woodrough, now aged 94, and a Middletown, NY, and in 1886 he trans­ hack saw. servant, Toski, are living in Los Angeles, ferred it to his sons, George N. and Rich­ CA. ard W. Clemson. George became the presi­ George Clemson married Elizabeth dent and Richard, secretary. Dow of Coming, NY, in 1886. George had Rufus Lee Woodrough, widowed by purchased, in 1885, a mansion on High­ 1920, is living with his sister and By 1886, the Clemson & Co. in land Avenue, Middletown, NY, the former brother-in-law in Los Angeles. Richard Woburn becomes Woodrough & Clemson, home of Henry R. Low, a state senator Clemson died in Los Angeles, and in 1920 a partnership having been formed between from New York. He had it completely re­ just Lutie, Rufus Lee and a servant make Herbert H. Woodrough and Richard W. modeled and brought his new bride to this up the household. Lutie Clemson died on Clemson. Francis Clemson is still living lovely home. the 18th of April, 1940. at 17 4 Montvale and Richard W. (Woodrough & Clemson), saw manufac­ By 1900, George N. Clemson's house­ None of the children of the four sons turer, Montvale, resides in Charlestown, hold includes his wife, Elizabeth, three and daughter of Joseph Woodrough and about 11 miles away. Herbert H. children, the youngest age 5 months, two Agnes Moreman went into the saw manu­ Woodrough (Woodrough & Clemson), saw teenage nieces and five servants. They facturing business. manufacturer, Montvale, lives in Wmches­ also bought a large home in Tarpon In 1970, after the death of my father, ter, just 2 miles from the factory. The Springs, FL, where they spent the win­ John Randolph Woodrough, son of James Woodrough & Clemson factory is located ter. The home there, called "The Clemson Richards Woodrough Jr. and Laura Alma on Montvale Avenue near Albany with House," is today an historic building. Ri­ Hollmeyer, I came into possession of some offices at 31 Pearl and 220 Franklin in chard W. and Lutie Woodrough Clemson stick pins, among other things. I knew Boston. At Woodrough & McParlin, in also purchased land in Tarpon Springs, they were heirlooms, but being a young Cincinnati, James Richards is named su­ FL. They built a lovely home there, de­ mother, I passed them off to my sister and perintendent, with Horace W. Woodrough. scribed as "almost as large as the Clemson she stored them away in the bottom of Joseph, now 73 years old and with all of House," and they lived there year 'round. her jewlery box. his children firmly entrenched in the saw The _eldest Clemson brother, Francis, and manufacturing business, retires to his his wife, Elizabeth are living still in During a recent visit, my sister and I little cottage next to the Beckett Paper Woburn, MA, with their four children. were talking about the Woodrough gene­ Co. In 1900, Agnes, widow of Joseph, is alogy, and all I had discovered about the Woodrough patents and the Clemson fam­ In 1889, at the age of 75 years, 3 living in Florida with her daughter, Lutie ily. She happened to mention the stick months and 4 days, Joseph Woodrough and son-in-law, Richard Clemson. Horace pins, and recalled that one was in the dies of heart failure while visiting his old was widowed in 1898, and he, too, is liv­ shape of a saw. home and factory in Montvale, MA. In ing with Lutie and Richard in their Tar­ 1890, William Clemson dies in pon Springs home. Horace is now retired As soon as she returned home, she Middletown, NY. and apparently in poor health. Herbert H. carefully packaged up the lovely gold and and his wife, Lucy are living in Brooklyn engraved pin and sent it to me. I had Following the deaths of these two old with their daughter, Alice, Lucy's parents hoped there would be a panther head friends, and patriarchs of a co-mingled Charles and Lydia Hancaus, and a servant carved into the handle, but on close in­ family, many changes took place. The girl. James Richards Woodrough, holder spection, there wasn't. Wheeler, Madden & Clemson Co. became of the "Panther Head" saw patent, died The National Saw Co., with George on May 20, 1894 in Cincinnati, OH. In This pin belonged to my great-grand­ Clemson, president, and Richard W. 1900, his widow, Mary Julia, is living at father, James Richards Woodrough. He Clemson, secretary. In addition to the 570 Linden Ave. with her sons, James R. probably purchased it or had it made be­ Middletown factory, National Saw also Jr. and Louis Duhme. Rufus Lee cause of his patented "Panther" brand took over the Woodrough & Clemson Co. Woodrough, in 1888, is living in Chicago, saw. in E. Woburn, MA, and the WoodroughM-WTCA.ORG & IL, still working for Woodrough & McParlin Co. in Cincinnati, OH, claiming McParlin as an agent. By 1910, Rufus additional factories in Newark, Brooklyn Lee has moved to Indianapolis, with his and Philadelphia. Herbert H. Woodrough wife, Jean Bums Woodrough, and he has Correction is living with his family in Brooklyn, NY, become the manager of The Marion Brick and is probably connected to the saw fac­ Co. tory there. A photo caption in the March issue of Horace Wtlliam is gone, and it is pre­ The GRISTMILL incorrectly identified Rob­ In addition to running the National sumed he died between 1900 and 1910. ert Rauhauser's award-winning display. The Saw Co., George and Richard also oper­ picture showed a portion of his unusual dis­ ated their firm, Clemson Brothers. Their Herbert H. Woodrough is living at 121 play of cow/calf weaners. three-story, stone, steel and brick build­ Halsey St., Brooklyn, NY, with his wife, ing at 22 Cottage St., Middletown, served married daughter, Alice Chapman and her as headquarters for this company. The husband, George, as well as a live-in factory employed some 40 people in the chauffeur, chambermaid and cook. The GRISTMILL • June 2003 • 18 Questions Remain in Improvement in Plow Planes

By John McKieman

Hannon Van Buskirk Bench Plane No. 97,328Pat. Nov. 30, 1869, Vienna, MI. Type of Patent: Adjustment Description: Van Buskirk provided a third (center) ann which with right hand threads on one end and left hand threads on the other. page 115,]. A. Moody, "The American Cabinetmaker's Plow Plane, " page 115. Years ago, when I read in Moody's book that Harmon Van Buskirk was the inventor of the fence adjustment feature now known as the "center wheel" and is seen on the Sandusky Center Wheel Plow, I was mystified. What caught my eye was his address: Vienna, in the county of Genesee and state of Michigan. Actually Harmon lived in Fine Run in Vienna town­ Harmon Van Buskirl