- RUFUS LANE, Superintendent Eclipse Wind-Mill Co.; was born
in Newark, Licking Co.,
- Ohio, on May 31, 1824; he received his early education in
Newark, and shortly after moved to Delaware, Ohio, where for
ten years, he was engaged in manufacturing stationary and portable
engines, mill work and machinist's tools; he was a partner in
this concern under the firm name of Bradley, Burnham & Co.,
and the manufactory was known as the Olentangy Iron Works; in
1857, he sold out his interest in the iron works and moved to
Freeport, Ill., and was engaged there on his own account in the
manufacture of reapers on contract with P. Manny & Co.; this
establishment employed 105 men; some of these goods found their
way into foreign countries, one shipment of eighty-eight machines
going to Australia; he sold out his interest in Freeport in 1862;
went to Dubuque, Iowa, and commenced the manufacture of fanning-mills
on his own account, and in three years' time manufactured about
four thousand mills; he sold out this business in 1865; went
to the Rock Mountains and was engaged in mining in Central City,
Gilpin Co., and also had charge of the Black Hawk Mining Co.'s
machinery; from Central City, in 1875, he went to Belleville,
Ill., and was manager of the Pump and Skein Co., at that place;
April 10, 1866 he went to Delavan, and was manager and constructor
of wind-mills; on Dec. 16, 1878, he went to Beloit to take charge
of the foundry and machine work of the Eclipse Wind-Mill Co.,
which manufactory is controlled by W. H. WHEELER & Co. Mr.
LANE is essentially a self-made man, having gained prominence
in his profession by his own exertions. Mr. LANE married Jan.
11, 1838, Abiah C. ALLEN, of Syracuse, N.Y.; he has four children
living - Delia C., Mary D., Grove L. and James R.
-
- Taken from "The History of Rock County, Wis."
(c)1879, pp. 755-756.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
|