Jo Daviess County Genealogy & History

Hanover Woolen Mill

Jo Daviess Co IL

In 1840, Mr. Craig tore down the old grist mill and erected a large flouring mill, having two stories of stone, surmounted by two and a half stories of wood. The process of building such a mill was, in those days, slow and costly, but it was completed in 1842, and, after running only six weeks, was burned to the ground. Mr. Craig had invested all his means in the mill, and it proved a heavy misfortune, not only to the founder of the village, but to the town itself. The water power was idle until 1845, when James W. White purchased it; built a new dam, saw mill and flouring mill. The sawmill was afterwards torn down. The flouring mill, which was built on the site of the present factory, was a large stone building of four and one half stories, containing five runs of burrs. In 1857, the rear end of the mill fell in, after which all the walls were removed and rebuilt, as it now stands, of stone, three stories in height. At the time the flouring mill was established, wheat was one of the principal products in this vicinity, but, in 1858, the wheat crop began to fail, and much of it was transported on the railroad to other mills. In 1864, the Hanover Manufacturing Company was organized, with a capital of $6o,ooo, and purchased the water power and mill of Mr. White. Its officers were: J. W. White, Manager, Secretary and Treasurer; Board of Directors—Henry Green, President; R. H. McClellan, H. S. Townsend, and James Martin. For the reasons above noted, the company removed a portion of the flouring machinery, and put in two sets of woolen machinery. The capital stock was increased, in 1865, to $8o,ooo. In 1874, the company erected the present two story flouring mill and added two more sets of machinery to the woolen mill. The cloth now manufactured is of the finer quality of cassimere, and finds ready market among the wholesale houses of Chicago, St. Louis, and other cities. The present officers are: J. W. White, Manager, Secretary and Treasurer; Board of Directors Henry Green, President; R. H. McClellan, H. S. Townsend and John E. Corwith. Superintendent of Woolen Mill, A. C. Huntington.
From the History of Jo Daviess county H.F. Kett 1878

The Mill in a not so pleasant memory
For more than four-score years the history or Hanover has been made around her single industry—The Hanover Woolen Manufacturing Company, and during all these years the name of White has been inseparably linked with the industrial life of the community and the welfare of its citizens.
From its modest beginning away back when the subsequent proprietors of the woolen mill purchased the water power rights and started sawing out lumber and grinding grist, the company has grown steadily throughout the years, and today is recognized as the greatest manufacturing establishment in Jo Daviess County, if not, indeed, in the three counties.
In 1845, James W. White, coming from the manufacturing districts of the New England states, purchased the water power rights, and for some years conducted a saw mill and grist mill. In 1864 he organized the Hanover Manufacturing Company which was granted a twenty-five year charter by the State of Illinois. In 1881 the company built a large five and a half story brick and stone building, and equipped the same with up-to-date machinery for the manufacture . of woolen cloth. At the expention of twenty-five years the company was reincorporated, taking on its present name, Hanover Woolen Manufacturing Company.
This industry was ably and efficiently conducted by Mr. J. W White assisted by his son, Mr. A. B. White, for many years, until the infirmities of age compelled the retirement of the senior partner from active service. The management . was then entrusted to the son, A. B. White, who conducted the business successfully and . profitably. Under his supervision the Hanover Woolen Manufacturing Company became known from coast to coast and from the lakes to the gulf, as one of the largest plants of its kind in the west, turning out large quantities of the finished product and giving employment to many skilled workmen at a good remuneration. Having well-earned a respite from the cares of business, Mr. A. B. White retired from active service and the management was again passed on to a member of the family —a son, Mr. M. B. White, who since 1917 has been in charge of the affairs of the mill

During the industrial boom of the world war period, the company expanded and took on larger proportions and corresponding responsibilities. The institution was now in a position to reach a still higher plan; and in 1918 and 1919, the present large concrete fireproof building, 8Ox225 feet, with large wing and four stories above the basement, was erected, thereby increasing the output capacity of the mill, which today is approximately three thousand yards of cloth per day.
During this long term of years the company has run the gamut of good times and bad times, always coming out on top. The business depression common in all sections of the country has had its natural effect locally, but when the old pendulum swings back, Hanover will come into its own share of prosperity, and the wheels will again be turning with full force. In the picture is shown the original wooden building used as a feed and grist mill ; (2) the brick and stone structure erected in 1881, this haying been built of bricks also manufactured in Ranoyer, and which is still standing on the company’s property; and, (3), the present commodious and well-lighted factory of the company. Also the dam and mill race. The water power is supplemented by a high line current of electricity furnished by the Interstate Light and Power Company.
Contributed by Michael J. Skoworn from the Northern Illinois Farm and Industrial Journal

(Contributed by Michael Skoworn Jr.) - Photo of my mothers wedding in 1939. She is the granddaughter of William James White born Aug 1st 1860 in Hanover IL. He is pictured in the back row, off my mothers right shoulder (she is the bride). To his right in the pork pie hat is his son James Whitney White (named for J. W. White of the Hanover Woolen Mills ) and also born in Hanover IL. At the far end of the back row is his Daughter Jessie Irene White, also born in Hanover Ill. The bride is Esther Louise Fox and the groom is Michael John Skoworn SR. To the right of him is my grand parents Rose and Joseph Skoworn. This wedding took place in Oelwein Iowa. Not pictured is my grandmother Jenny Marie White also born in Hanover Ill.

White Letters
Letters written in 1847 between Mr. J. W. White to Mr. Jon W. White, Esq.
(his father) in Lowell, Massachusetts concerning this mill

Here is the passenger list for the Brother Jonathan..
The daughter of James Whitney White of the Hanover Woolen Mills, Anna (White) Craig, was aboard and lost at sea. She was only 18 years old and just married to John R. Craig on the 17th of November 1864. She and John are both listed on the passenger list. Besides the gold listed in the cargo manifest --- there was also listed Woolen Mill Machinery. There were only 19 survivors, The steamship that sank in California was named " The Brother Jonathan ". (J.W. White was the Great Great Grandfather of Michael John Skoworn Jr. who found this interesting website.)