The Business
The Products
The Bergstrom Brothers and Co. was often praised throughout the country for it’s high quality stoves, plows, and furnaces. In an article from 1879, J.Q. Gaurroa claims the furnaces produced at the Neenah Stove works were “superior to either the Lauson or the Boyington furnaces” (Gaurroa). This continues to show in the increasing demands for the stoves and furnaces around the country. Each furnace was crafted within a small group, not on an assembly line, which allowed for about 15 stoves to be made each day (Bergstrom).
The Bergstrom Brothers and Co. was often praised throughout the country for it’s high quality stoves, plows, and furnaces. In an article from 1879, J.Q. Gaurroa claims the furnaces produced at the Neenah Stove works were “superior to either the Lauson or the Boyington furnaces” (Gaurroa). This continues to show in the increasing demands for the stoves and furnaces around the country. Each furnace was crafted within a small group, not on an assembly line, which allowed for about 15 stoves to be made each day (Bergstrom).
The Sales
While the Bergstrom Brothers and Co. Stove Works did produce locally, many shipments were made all around the country. The help of advertising and catalogs (see pictures) definitely helped this increase in sales. According to Mr. Wally Bergstrom, many of the products went to the “northwest” because it was “still beginning to be established”. By 1879, the company “[found] it difficult to fill their orders, and [they were] running their foundry to the fullest capacity” ("Stove Works"). By November 1879, the business reported that “their orders for stores [were] ahead of their ability to manufacture” ("Stoves Booming"). Each household had around one furnace or stove per room, depending on the size of the house and stove. The sales continued to grow until the Northwest became more populated and established, and the natural increase of large industry eventually pushed out the smaller companies.
While the Bergstrom Brothers and Co. Stove Works did produce locally, many shipments were made all around the country. The help of advertising and catalogs (see pictures) definitely helped this increase in sales. According to Mr. Wally Bergstrom, many of the products went to the “northwest” because it was “still beginning to be established”. By 1879, the company “[found] it difficult to fill their orders, and [they were] running their foundry to the fullest capacity” ("Stove Works"). By November 1879, the business reported that “their orders for stores [were] ahead of their ability to manufacture” ("Stoves Booming"). Each household had around one furnace or stove per room, depending on the size of the house and stove. The sales continued to grow until the Northwest became more populated and established, and the natural increase of large industry eventually pushed out the smaller companies.
The Workers
In total, there were about 75 men working at the Stove Works (Bergstrom). The job was not always the safest due to the products being made, but most of the time the men were treated decently. Like any job at the time, however, there was a labor union in Neenah and many of the men working at the Stove Works participated in this union. In 1879, one newspaper article notes a workers strike for a higher wage. They were granted this by an addition of 7 ½ percent increase on the old wages ("Stove Works"). Another strike occurred in 1880, but there was never any violence ("Bergstrom Stove Strike"). The ages of the workers ranged from high school boys around fourteen to middle aged men around forty, for the work was strenuous.
In total, there were about 75 men working at the Stove Works (Bergstrom). The job was not always the safest due to the products being made, but most of the time the men were treated decently. Like any job at the time, however, there was a labor union in Neenah and many of the men working at the Stove Works participated in this union. In 1879, one newspaper article notes a workers strike for a higher wage. They were granted this by an addition of 7 ½ percent increase on the old wages ("Stove Works"). Another strike occurred in 1880, but there was never any violence ("Bergstrom Stove Strike"). The ages of the workers ranged from high school boys around fourteen to middle aged men around forty, for the work was strenuous.
The Impact on Neenah
The Bergstrom Stove Works Company put the city of Neenah on the map nationally. Not only did the city of Neenah praise the products, but other places too, such as Menasha, Fond Du Lac, Appleton, Green Bay, and Oshkosh, as well as the western states ("Letter to the Editor"). An article from 1881 states that “this institution still take rank as one of the leading manufacturing establishments of the northwest” ("Bergstrom Brothers"). As for the people of Neenah, they rooted for this local business to prosper.
Works Cited
"Bergstrom Brothers". 23 April 1881.
Bergstrom, Wally. Personal interview. 20 May 2016.
"Gaurroa, J.Q. "Letter to the Editor." 20 Sep 1879.
"Stoves Booming". 22 Nov 1879.
"Stove Strike". 17 July 1880.
"Stove Works". 27 Sep 1879.
The Bergstrom Stove Works Company put the city of Neenah on the map nationally. Not only did the city of Neenah praise the products, but other places too, such as Menasha, Fond Du Lac, Appleton, Green Bay, and Oshkosh, as well as the western states ("Letter to the Editor"). An article from 1881 states that “this institution still take rank as one of the leading manufacturing establishments of the northwest” ("Bergstrom Brothers"). As for the people of Neenah, they rooted for this local business to prosper.
Works Cited
"Bergstrom Brothers". 23 April 1881.
Bergstrom, Wally. Personal interview. 20 May 2016.
"Gaurroa, J.Q. "Letter to the Editor." 20 Sep 1879.
"Stoves Booming". 22 Nov 1879.
"Stove Strike". 17 July 1880.
"Stove Works". 27 Sep 1879.