HISTORIES: "Industries of Early Days" of Barron, Barron County, WI

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Linda Mott <bikelady@worldnet.att.net>  24 June 2000	
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                         Industries of Early Days

An ancient maxim declares: "The way to wealth depends chiefly on two words, 
industry and frugality; that is, waste neither time nor money but make the 
best use of both".

We can be sure that the men and women who settled here in the early days 
and laid the foundation of this community believed and practised the 
principles stated in this quotation. Getting started must have seemed at 
times, an almost insurmountable task. Less dauntless spirits would have 
given up in despair. We know they did carry on with faith and determination 
and we know they did succeed.

F.H. Perkins built the second sawmill on the Yellow River a little 
southeast of Barron in 1863. In 1869 Bracklin Neville Company also started 
to build a saw mill on the same river also southeast of Barron city limits. 
It was not completed. It is of interest only because the State legislature 
designated this site as the first county seat of Dallas (later Barron) 
County, in 1868.

In 1878 J.J. Smith and Nelson Carpenter built a saw mill on the site where 
the old electric power and pumping plant is now located. Speed brothers 
later operated this mill. In 1881 George Parr, John Post and P.J. Parr 
acquired this plant. They rebuilt the mill, reconstructed the dam and 
installed new machinery. The capacity was 30,000 feet per day; shingle mill
35,000 per day. There were a planer, lathe and picket machines. Later this 
plant operated under the name of George Parr and Son.

In 1884 Charles S. and Jared W. Taylor built a dam where the lower dam is 
now located. There was a head of 8 feet of water. They also built a flour 
mill and a woolen mill near the dam. There was sufficient water power to 
run both mills. The flour mill had a capacity of 100 barrels per day. The 
woolen mill not only made woolen fabrics, but also made woolen clothing 
which was badly needed in the severe winters of those days. These garments 
were sold for miles around in this area. The flour (roller) mill was 
operated by Jared Taylor and the woolen mill by Charles S. Taylor.

On cold winter mornings in the nineties, there would often be 100 sleigh 
loads of logs, all going to the saw mills and wood working plants in Barron.

In 1886 W.B. Judd built a large saw and stave mill; capacity, 40,000 staves
per day. In the same year J.W. McKeson built a stave and heading factory; 
capacity, 25,000 staves and 10,000 headings per day. In 1891 E.N. Stebbins 
Sr. built another stave and heading mill.

Scores and hundreds of men found employment in these various industries 
during their many years of operation. This community owes much to the 
resourcefulness and initiative of these early settlers who established 
these industries here so long ago.

--From the Souvenir Historical Album of the Barron Centennial-1960
(used by permission)