The predecessor of the Island Woolen Company was a firm established at Baraboo, Wisconsin, by M.J. Drown in 1863-1864. Drown was a local entrepreneur with numerous business interests and affiliations such as a saw mill, furniture factory (“Baraboo Manufacturing Company”), and a newspaper. Drown erected a building on the banks of the Baraboo River and solicited wool from customers. Drown apparently had several partners over the next ten to twelve years. Consequently, the company's name varied and was at times “Drown, Humphrey, and Company;” “Drown and Childs;” “Drown and Andrews;” and “Drown and Vittum.” Drown sold an interest in the company to William Andrews and D.S. Vittum in 1865. Andrews was subsequently bought out by Drown and Vittum. In 1867, the mill became a joint-stock company with the owners Vittum, Drown, and Henry Rich. Later, in 1873, Drown and Alfred Avery sold their interests to Rich and Vittum. The company then ceased to operate as a stock company. During this time, the company's product was not restricted to woolen goods and included colored and twisted yarns; cashmere; tweeds; blankets; and doeskins.
In 1875, James A. McFetridge sold his interest in a nearby woolen mill at Beaver Dam and purchased 3/8 interest in the woolen mill at Baraboo. At that time, the remaining 5/8 interest was controlled by Henry Rich. The partnership formed between Rich and McFetridge existed until 1893. From the mid to late 1870s William Rich, brother of Henry, was a partner. Also, in the early 1880s, W.H. Hopkins temporarily owned 1/4 interest in the partnership.
James A. McFetridge died in 1893. McFetridge's share in the mill, 3/8 interest, was evenly divided among his four children and wife. The sons, Edward P. and Will H., assumed responsibility for the McFetridge portion of the partnership. Most of the business, however, was conducted by Rich and Edward McFetridge. William McFetridge's involvement in the day-to-day operations was minimal. Later, he became involved in the McFetridge Lighting Company, interior building design and landscaping, and west coast sales.
During the late 1880s, business declined mostly because of competition from the East and changes in wool industry practices. Accordingly, for a year, Rich attempted to sell his 5/8 interest but was unsuccessful. In about January 1899, the partners decided to discontinue operations. Rich moved from Baraboo and continued to seek disposal of his interests.
The McFetridge heirs, in approximately January 1900, began to operate the mill again with the understanding each had 1/5 interest. Rich's 5/8 interest in the plant was rented by the McFetridges. The McFetridge brothers and the overseer, Fred E. Morey, put out a small line of samples and received some orders. “The McFetridge Company” was adopted as the name.
Meanwhile, Rich increased his efforts to sell his shares. The McFetridges, initially, were not interested in acquiring the shares because they did not intend to be in the business permanently. By 1901 Rich still had not found a buyer, therefore, the McFetridges agreed to purchase the 5/8 interest in real estate, buildings, and machinery for $10,000. Upon this transaction, the old name of “Island Woolen Company” replaced “The McFetridge Company.”
Initially, the Island Woolen Company manufactured wool, plain and double twist cashmere, doeskins, tweeds, blankets, and yarns. The company's activities were centered in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Ohio, and Iowa. Raw wool was purchased from local farmers on an exchange system. That is, Island would purchase the wool and in return the farmer was able to select payment from Island's line of finished goods. Island began selling some goods in the East in 1889. By the mid-1900s, the focus of their markets had shifted to predominantly the East, particularly New York. Later, in 1919, Island dispensed with the purchase of local wool because it was too costly. Raw wool could be purchased from the East in the exact grade required, eliminating processing. The majority of other supplies were also purchased in the East.
Beginning in 1893, Island Woolen Company also operated the McFetridge Lighting Company. The latter was established when power from the mill was used to light the McFetridge family home. Eventually operation was expanded to other customers, primarily employees. The lighting company was incorporated in 1913. Attempts were made to sell the lighting company in 1919-1920. Finally, in 1923 the McFetridge Lighting Company was absorbed by the Wisconsin Power, Light, and Heat Company.
Island, in 1915, was receiving extensive orders on its low grade woolen materials while nearby Reedsburg Woolen Mill could not get business on its high grade fabrics. Therefore, an agreement was reached which provided for Reedsburg's handling of the surplus orders and Island's furnishing raw materials, dyes, and superintendents. Island paid Reedsburg a pre-determined price per yard of finished goods. This agreement was discontinued in 1918 because Island expanded its mill capacity.
In 1917, Island management agreed with the United States War Department to continue producing low grade civilian goods, in the form of suiting fabric, rather than war products. The woolen company operated on a two-season cycle. The lightweight season (spring) ran from August to January and the heavyweight season (fall) ran from February to July. Goods were sold and booked, through selling agents, during the first four to six weeks of each season. Delivery was throughout the six-month period.
The volume of Island's business fluctuated considerably from 1918 to 1920. The business was closed intermittently because of the 1918 influenza epidemic; strikes among garment makers in New York City; and unseasonably warm weather which delayed spring orders from customers. Edward McFetridge, in his account of the company's history, attributed the sporadic closures to the abrupt ending of World War I. The slump in the woolen industry and poor market conditions continued through 1921. Consequently, Island turned to the production of various types of blankets to keep the organization intact. In the early 1920s, Island management proposed to its principal selling agent several new lines, such as collars, clothing, and automobile fabric, as well as expansion to include Western and Midwestern markets. Little action was taken on these suggestions.
Despite the occasionally poor business conditions, Island expanded its physical plant considerably from 1915 to 1925. During this time, office, storage, factory, and picker buildings were constructed.
By 1922, the woolen industry had improved; Island had increased the number of employees, and had more business than it could manage. In fact, Island once again proposed Reedsburg Woolen Mill produce some of its overflow since Reedsburg lacked business, although this agreement was not made. During this time Island had one general product, woolen goods used in the manufacture of children's and men's lower priced suits. Overcoating fabric and fabric for knickers was also made. Island goods were sold directly to principally Eastern wholesale clothing manufacturers who in turn sold a “ready-made” product to retailers throughout the country.
In December 1923, Island determined it was advantageous to incorporate. Beginning in January 1924, Island operated as a corporation rather than individuals in a co-partnership. The company was incorporated in Delaware and had a license to do business in Wisconsin. The corporate officers and board consisted of the McFetridge family as well as company superintendents Fred Morey and Frank Rachor.
From 1925 to 1927 Island attempted to expand its product lines. Plaid flannel production was added in 1925. This product, however, was apparently not sold under Island's name. Consideration was given to purchasing the Wisconsin Garment Company so Island could manufacture finished goods as well as the fabric. At this time, Island also tried to expand to include women's wear. Blankets were still produced for the government, state institutions, and outing purposes. Less than one percent of Island's product during this time was sold in Wisconsin.
Beginning in 1930, Island produced automobile fabrics. By 1939, the production breakdown was 60 percent automotive, 30 percent overcoating, and 10 percent men's and boy's suiting. In 1942, Island was awarded a government contract for overcoating. After World War II, Island produced medium-priced Scottish tweed fabric. Island's business began to falter in the mid-1940s. Management attributed this decline to its production of coarse woolen material, suitable to Island's equipment, when the market demand was for material of a finer weave. In an attempt to remain in business, in the late 1940s, Island investigated the possibility of exporting fabrics to South Africa and Rhodesia. Until the plant closing, efforts were also made to renew production of automobile fabrics.
Island's failing business, coupled with Edward McFetridge's poor health and inactivity, caused the owners, throughout the 1940s, to consider selling the woolen mill. In 1943 consideration was given to turning the management of the mill over to factors. Edward McFetridge was reportedly interested, in 1946, in disposing of the mill if the purchaser would maintain the mill for the community's benefit. The mill closed sporadically throughout 1948, and in April 1949 closed permanently. The Island Woolen Company property was purchased in 1951 by Joseph H. Makler of Chicago. Eventually Makler donated the property to Circus World Museum Inc. with the understanding that it would be managed by the Baraboo Industrial and Expansion Group. All of the buildings, except the office building, were subsequently destroyed in a fire in 1963.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
James Alfred McFetridge moved to Beaver Dam, Wisconsin from Rochester, New York in 1857; his brother, Edward Clinton, followed him in 1858. In 1864, they built the Beaver Dam Woolen Mills, which ran until 1908. In 1875, James A. McFetridge moved with his wife Martha and their children, Mary Ella, Will Henry, Edward Parker, and Georgianna, to Baraboo, Wisconsin where he purchased a 3/8 interest in the local woolen mill. Edward C. McFetridge remained in Beaver Dam, operating the Beaver Dam mill as well as leading an active political career.
James McFetridge, until his death in 1893, participated in an informal co-partnership with Henry Rich, the owner of the remaining 5/8 interest. At that time, McFetridge's son, Edward, was working at the Baraboo National Bank after having attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison, while William was in a Chicago art school. Interrupting their chosen careers, the two McFetridge brothers continued their father's business. About 1900, the brothers rented the rest of the factory from Rich in order to produce woolens under the name “The McFetridge Company.” Rich sold his interest to the family in 1901, and the business became known as “Island Woolen Company.”
Will remained an active partner until 1917 when, because of ill health, he moved with his children and wife Blanche to California. As company vice-president, he was involved with interior design of the plant, grounds maintenance, and The McFetridge Lighting Company. During his residence in Baraboo, he maintained a friendship with Frank Lloyd Wright. Wright designed lookout platforms for the dam the McFetridges installed in 1913. McFetridge was also a member of the state park board and instigated the movement to create Devil's Lake State Park. In addition, he was an extremely active member of many organizations formed to aid the World War I effort as well as serving as a local recruiter for the armed forces. Later, as a San Diego resident, he was active in the Fine Arts society as a critic, collector, and supporter. He died in Rochester, Minnesota on December 29, 1926.
Edward held the office of president of the Island Woolen Mill until it was sold in 1951. On November 29, 1920, he married a local school teacher, Nellie Mohr, from Portage, Wisconsin. The McFetridges built a large home on what was then the outskirts of Baraboo in 1928. In addition to his business activities, Edward was involved in community affairs serving as a director of the Baraboo National Bank from 1908 to 1963; as president of the school board from 1910 to 1938; and as Baraboo mayor for one term. Throughout his life, Edward was a staunch Republican and participated in many letter writing campaigns. Edward died February 18, 1963. His wife Nellie continued to live in Baraboo until her death on October 7, 1984.
