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Van Camp Packing Co
500
Milford Road
1907
BINGHAM BUILT NEW VAN
CAMP FACILITY
Wheelock Prentice
Bingham. Born: 1870, Indianapolis,
Marion, IN. Mar: 15 Sep 1900 Pearl
Pence.
Wheelock went to work for
the Pan Handle Railway, part of the Pennsylvania Railroad, when he was
seventeen. He worked for them until 1905 when he was hired by Van Camp Packing
Company at its plant in Effingham, IL. He became expert in plant operation and
was called upon to build a new Van Camp
milk facility in Watertown, WI. He
was appointed its superintendent in
1908. His daughter, Ione Rose, graduated
from Watertown high school in 1919.
1907
05 31 SOLICITATION FOR
CONDENSING PLANT
John N. Dittemore, vice-president of the Van Camp Packing Company
arrived in the city last night in an effort to interest the citizens of
Watertown and the farmers adjacent thereto in securing a $100,000 condensing
plant — the only exactment being the contracting for 40,000 pounds of milk
daily from the farmers . . . Mr. Dittemore is very much impressed with
Watertown as a field for their industry from the view-point of shipping
facilities, sites, etc . . . it is a case of quick action, as the demand
for their products necessitate the erection of a new milk condensing plant as
soon as possible.
If Watertown and the
farmers adjacent want this industry which will give steady employment to 100
people, furnishing an excellent market for milk at the highest market prices,
it is necessary for them to do some active work, as it was clearly gathered from
Mr. Dittemore’s conversation last evening that they have no time to waste, as
other cities are holding out strong inducements, among which might be mentioned
Elkhorn, Beloit, Janesville, Waupun, Whitewater and Plymouth, as well as
several cities in northern Illinois.
When pressed for an
answer as to what conclusion had been arrived at relative to the chances for
Watertown securing the plant, Mr. Dittemore was rather undecided . . . He was
not satisfied with the progress made in the preliminary work — the signing of contracts
and so expressed himself . . .
“If we are assured
milk from 2,500 cows within a radius of six miles of Watertown, we will erect
our plant here.” said Mr. Dittemore, “but we MUST have this assurance within
the next three days,” added the gentleman
1907 06 05
Many
of the citizens of Watertown are now guessing as to what decision will be arrived
at by the officials of the Van Camp Packing company relative to the proposition
of erecting their $100,000 condensing plant here . . . A meeting of some of the
members of the Watertown Advancement Association was held yesterday morning to
confer with John N. Dittemore in an effort to arrive to some definite plan of
action. Mr. Dittemore generously
consented to hold the proposition open till the 15th of June . . . It was
proposed by Mr. Dittemore that the local association name a delegation of six -
four farmers and two business men - to visit the plant of the concern at
Wauseon, Ohio . . . The company agrees to pay the expenses of the delegation on
the trip.
1907 06 09
Things
begin to look more rosy for the landing of the proposed condensing plant of the
Van Camp Packing Co. of Indianapolis, Ind., in this city at a cost of
$100,000. The sending of a committee of
six to Wauseon, Ohio, to inspect the plant there was a happy thought on the
part of John V. Dittemore when in the city last week.
. . .
A letter was received last evening which shows that the members of the
committee are very enthusiastic over the project and their enthusiasm will no
doubt act as stimulance for other citizens of the
city to “strike while the iron is hot” and land this industry which seems
desirous to come to Watertown - and will come practically for the asking.
1907 06 22
Still
there is hope of securing in Watertown the establishment of a condensing plant
by the Van Camp Packing company . . . John Dittemore . . . was a visitor in the
city for a few hours yesterday, to size up the situation and ascertain what
progress had been made . . . While Mr. Dittemore was still determined as to the
number of cows that must be contracted for - 2,000 - in order to assure the
location of the industry, he still held out a ray of hope that Watertown might
be successful, as is evidenced in the fact that the gentleman agreed to send a
representative here next week to go into the country and canvass among the
farmers in a further effort to bring the contracts up to the required amount.
Mr. Dittemore was very positive in the statement that the 2,000 cows contracted
for on the start must be in close proximity to the city. He said that in two
years from the time of the completion of the plant, the concern would expected
to receive 100,000 pounds of milk daily . . . An investigation of the contracts
yesterday shows that the milk from 1,400 cows has been contracted. As this
leaves but 600 to secure, it would seem that this number could be secured the
coming week, providing good hard work is put in.
1907 06 28
Watertown
is to get the new condensing plant of the Van Camp Packing company of
Indianapolis, Ind.
This
was the decision arrived at last evening by . . . the vice-president of the company who arrived
in the city yesterday noon . . . The
gentleman came to listen to the report of C. D. Van Derson,
the superintendent of the Van Camp condensing plant at Effingham, Ill., who had
been in the city for the past few days contracting with the farmers in an
effort to assure milk from 2,000 cows.
. .
. it was announced that 1,758 cows had
been contracted for, leaving 242 short of the number which the representatives
of the company said would be exacted. Mr. Van Derson
took a trip out to the south and east of the city yesterday morning and
succeeded in contracting for 24 more cows, bringing the total up to 1,782.
Throughout
yesterday there was much speculation in the minds of Watertown citizens as to
whether or not this industry . . . would
come to Watertown or not. A few appeared to feel confident, while others were
prone to believe that . . . the industry
had slipped through our fingers, owing to the fact that the number of cows
contracted for had not reached the 2,000 mark.
1907 07 24
Inquiries
have been numerous regarding the condensing plant of the Van Camp Packing
Company. Owing to the quietness, there
has been a belief among a few that condensing in Watertown had become a dead
issue. The Leader is pleased to set at rest any such doubt this morning with
the announcement that the plant is an assured thing.
A
telegram was received yesterday from Indianapolis, Ind., by one of our business
men and pushers for the industry, the message being from John V. Dittemore, the
vice president of the concern. The
message stated that the company's architect was busily engaged on the plans,
which would be finished this week, also that bids for the erection of the
$100,000 plant would be received on Thursday or Friday of this week and the
contract let some time next week.
The
delay was occasioned in the failure to get a survey of the Crangle property, which is to be the site for the
new plant. This held the architect
back. The survey was made about ten days
ago and since the receipt of the report, the architect has been busily engaged
in perfecting the plans.
While
Mr. Dittemore did not state in his message just what time building operations
would be commenced, the chances are that the first of August will see
“something doing” in the vicinity of the junction, as it is known that the firm
is anxious to get the factory up and in operation as soon as possible.
1907 07 27
. . .
Plans for the new condensing plant arrived yesterday and are now at the
Wisconsin National Bank and the specifications are expected today, when the
bids are to be received . . . The contract would be let early next week and the
work of constructing the building rushed to completion.
As is
known to the majority of the citizens of Watertown, the site for the new
$100,000 condensing plant is the Crangle triangle piece of land at the junction
of the Milwaukee and North-Western road, the land being approximately 2 1/2
acres. The plans call for a modern fire proof structure, 116x178 feet, the
dimensions being a little different than was at first planned. The plant will
be two stories in height together with a power house of sufficient size to
house six 100 horsepower boilers. The building will be of steel frame and
pressed brick. The finishing on the inside for handling the milk will be of
copper. The architect has provided for beauty as well as convenience giving an
appearance different from an ordinary factory.
1907 10 03
Oscar
Hecker, of Sheboygan, an iron worker employed at the Van Camp packing company
building now under course of construction, met with a very painful and rather
serious accident yesterday morning while engaged in riveting iron, was struck
in one of his eyes by a red hot bolt. The same had been thrown to workmen. The
distance was misjudged and the same struck a beam and then hitting Mr. Hecker
with the result that his eyelids were quite badly burned. The physician in
charge was of the belief that the eye would not be affected as a result of the
mishap. The gentleman will be laid up for several days, however.
1907 11 01
Any
person who has not taken advantage of the opportunity to note the progress
being made in the erection of the Van Camp condensing plant, could not spend an
hour or two more profitably this afternoon than to visit the scene and take
observations. The new industry is fast nearing completion and it is certainly a
gem in architecture and a credit to the contractor . . . The building is also a
credit to the city and enables Watertown to boast of as fine a factory building
as there is in the state . . . It is complete in every detail and appointment
and the citizens of the city can point to it with pride as a local industry.
A
visit to the scene yesterday revealed the fact that the building is now fast
nearing completion.
1907 11 19
The
finishing touches at the Van Camp condensing plant preparatory to the
installing of the machinery are being made at a rapid rate and barring any
unforeseen delays the new industry will be in operation by the first of
January. . . . In speaking of the progress of the work, Mr. Milikan
[contractor] said yesterday to representative of The Leader: “We will see the
completion of the plant ready for the steam fitters within 100 days from the
time we begin operations which is very good considering the fact that over half
a million bricks were used and also because we were inconvenienced somewhat in
delays,” Mr. Milikan expects to bring his work to a
finish not later than the end of next week and possibly a little sooner.” . . .
It is the largest job of the kind ever let in Watertown, there being about
1,700 square feet of concrete flooring to be laid . . . Three large boilers
have been placed in the boiler room and three mammoth smokestacks erected It is
an imposing structure of solid white pressed brick, with red trimmings.
1907 12 11
Unless something unforeseen happens to
prevent, the condensing plant of the Van Camp Packing Company will be in
operation on the first of January. The factory is fast assuming completion,
most of the machinery already having been installed. The machinery and
equipment already in place are two sterilizers, a vacuum fan, three forheaters, (sic), a shaking machine, a hot water heater,
and three boilers. The electric wiring has all been completed and a large
dynamo installed. A large ninety horsepower engine arrived the latter part of
last week and is being installed at the present time, it being expected that
the work will be completed today or tomorrow, the same to furnish the power for
the plant.
A copper milk tank, a copper scale tank and
cream tanks are yet to arrive . . . will
begin operations with about forty employees, but expects to increase the number
... Mr. Bingham expects to notify the farmers
sometime this week when to begin bring in milk to the plant ...
1908
-- -- MIKE BEGAN,
SUPERINTENDENT (Beggan)
John
Beggan, brother of Mike Began (Beggan) in front of Van Camp. Mike was
superintendent of Van Camp in 1908 before moving to Effingham Il. to supervise
their condensery.
Contributed by Mary Beggan Mueller
1908 02 09
Some idea of what the Van Camp Packing Company is
doing in the way of distribution of money among the farmers adjacent to
Watertown can be gained from a list of farmers, together with the amounts they
have received for milk for the month of January, first month of operation of
this new industry. It not only shows
what has been done during, the first month but gives an idea of what will be
the future benefits, for it should be remembered that the month of January is
the very poorest month of the year, also that the plant is new and is hardly in
smooth running order yet. There are
sixty-five farmers who have received over $50 for the month, making a total of
$5,753.85. There are many who have
received less than $50 for January, the total making $2,560.20. Thus the total amount paid out for January is
$8,143.05, payment to be made on the 15th inst.
This is only a starter and the superintendent of the
local plant informs The Leader that
he expects the amount will increase from month to month till the total for the
first month of operation will look like an insignificant sum . . . 02 09
1908
1908
The
second month (February) of operations for the Van Camp Packing Company at its
condensing plant in this city shows quite an increase over the first month,
despite the fact that February is the short month. The amount to be paid out for the February
delivery is $10,298.88, an increase of $2,153.83 over the preceding month. The total number of pounds of milk received
during the month of February is 619,293.
This gives an idea of what the increasing business means to the farmers
adjacent to Watertown, who for the months of January and February have received
$1.65 per hundred pounds. The Leader again takes pleasure in
publishing a list of the 85 farmers who have received over $50 for their
February delivery of milk, while there are many who have received less than
$50. 03 12 1908
01 03 A. J. Volkmann and wife of Wauseon, Ohio, arrived in the city
Saturday evening to make Watertown their home, having taken up residence
quarters in the Hertel & Hoffmann building on Main Street. Mr. Volkmann will have charge of the sealing
department at the Van Camp condensing plant.
B. Peirson, also from Wauseon, is here to have charge of the pan
department; his family to join him later.
03 14 Twenty-eight thousand pounds of milk is being received daily
at the Van Camp Condensing factory and the receipts are increasing, and will
continue to increase until midsummer, when the grass will be at its best. The
company is adding to its force at the factory until it looks like a bee-hive
when the factory is in operation.
09 04 M. A. Began of local plant left for
Effingham, Ill. Facility WG
10 02 GORDER FACTORY RENTED.
Wm. Gorder has leased his factory in
First [Water?] Street, just vacated by the M. D. Wells Shoe Co., to the Van
Camp Packing Co., receiving $600 a year rental.
The Van Camp Co. intended enlarging their factory in Milford Street, but
for the present will not do so, but will use the Gorder factory for storage
purposes, there being no room in their factory for that purpose. WG
11 27 A 275 feet deep well
drilled; plant consumes 80,000-100,000 gallons of water a day. WG
12 25 Amount of water pumped
by city was enormous on account of Van Camp Co. WG
1909
01 01 SUPERINTENDENT GIVEN CHRISTMAS
GIFT
A Fine Christmas Gift. The employees of the Van Camp Packing Co.,
this city, presented Superintendent W. P. Bingham with an elegant mission clock
as a Christmas gift. The gift was most
worthily bestowed and Mr. Bingham appreciates it very much. WG
03 26 $12,000 addition to plant;
principally for storage WG
04 30 Impact of proposed interurban route change WG
08 13 Trouble with farmers over
prices paid for milk WG
c.1910
Van Camp Packing Co 1910, Condensed Milk Factory
Van Camp Packing Co 1910c,
postcard
1912
02 08 W. P. BINGHAM INJURED
W. P. Bingham,
superintendent of the Van Camp Condensery, had his
foot crushed last Saturday by a heavy box he was handling falling on it. He is able to be around with the aid of
crutches. WG
1913c
Van Camp Packing Co 1913c, PC_116
1914
02 19 OVER 1,000 TONS OF MILK IN JANUARY
The Van Camp milk condensery of Watertown paid to farmers $38,055.59 for
2,016,345 pounds of milk in January.
Besides this large amount paid to farmers, the local condensery
has a monthly payroll of $2500. WG
1921
05 16 
1970
04 18 KARMA CORP. LOCATED AT 500 MILFORD (former division of Brandt’s)
FORT
ATKINSON - Karma Corporation of Watertown was named the Opportunities Inc.
Employer of the Year during the seventh annual recognition banquet Thursday
evening at The Fireside in Fort Atkinson.
Formerly a division of Brandt Inc., Karma was purchased last year by its
management group. It has been in
Watertown since 1970, currently occupying a 36,000-square-foot building on
Milford Street and employing about 30 people.
In addition to hiring Opportunities graduates, the firm also helps with
interviews and job tryouts.
2017
04 25 Y’s WAY MOVE TO FORMER VAN CAMP/KARMA
LOCATION
Cross
References:
History of Watertown,
Wisconsin