Headquarters:
Dubuque, Iowa - Crawfordsville, Indiana,Also sold under the names (if applicable):
History:
The Hoosier Hay Carrier was originally patented and manufactured by Charles H. Kirkpatrick in 1873. Kirkpatrick manufactured his version of the Hoosier hay carrier for a few years before selling the patent and manufacturing rights to John C. Wingate sometime after 1876. Wingate produced his version of the Hoosier hay carrier for an unknown amount of time before selling the rights to Charles Fockler and Brother. Charles Fockler produced his version of the Hoosier slider for a short time around 1880.
CHARLES FOCKLER 1842 – ?
Charles Fockler and Brother were manufacturers of Key City Carriage Tops. Natives of Pennsylvania, Charles and his brother came to Dubuque in 1860. Chas. Fockler, the senior member of the firm, invented the adjustable buggy tops in 1876. A traveling merchant of agricultural products, he developed a buggy top to protect himself from the sun. The reaction of people to the invention proved so great that he gave up his former occupation and the following year established the business. His brother practiced law in the city until joining his brother in business.
The company was the first to manufacture the adjustable buggy top in this country. The timber used in their business was selected and bought in Indiana and consisted of the second growth of ash. They cut it up with their own machinery there. The company had a steam room where the bows were bent and a drying-room, shops where the ironwork was made, enameling-room, and paint and trimming-rooms. They employed between fifty to seventy-five workers at a weekly cost of $600.
The company shipped its goods, the adjustable buggy top and the carriage extension tops, to every state and had a large trade on the Pacific Coast. Charles was in charge of the manufacturing department and his brother, L. Fockler, supervised the office and finances of the firm. In 1879 one hundred carriage tops were being made daily with fifty employees. (1) Annual earnings around 1880 were said to be $200,000. In September of 1880 they were exhibiting their products at the Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Missouri state fairs. (2) “Hoosier Hay Carrier.” Patent: Sept. 1873 Charles Fockler, Dubuque, Iowa. The business began at 42 South Main. The 1878-79 Dubuque City Directory listed the east side of Main between Jones and First. The 1880 Dubuque City Directory indicated that this business was located at 46 Main.
Source:
1. “Caught on the Fly,” Dubuque Herald, April 10, 1879, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18790410&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
2. “Caught on the Fly, Dubuque Herald, September 4, 1880, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18800904&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
Oldt, Franklin T., History of Dubuque County, Iowa. Online. http://books.google.com/books?id=u9xDAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA648&lpg=PA648&dq=KEY+CITY+CARRIAGE+TOPS&source=bl&ots=0CnBDKxT6u&sig=EFlJJUsEXsKwBtE8GHLWp-2W6MI&hl=en&sa=X&ei=oxmLUaTtE6vH0AHF_oG4Bw&ved=0CFEQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=KEY%20CITY%20CARRIAGE%20TOPS&f=false
CHARLES KIRKPATRICK 1863 – 1927
Among the enterprising citizens of Coal Creek township, Montgomery county, who are deserving of a place in the pages of this biographical and historical record is Charles Kirkpatrick, of New Richmond, not because he has done big things, either in an industrial Or public way, but because he has done well in the humbler walks of life and has lived honorably, his neighbors finding no fault with him, and he has sought to do his full share in the prog- ress of the community of his choice, while laboring for his own advancement. Such a course always marks the good citizen in any country. Mr. Kirkpatrick was born on May 20, 1863, at Sugar Grove, Tippecanoe county, Indiana, a son of Jacob and Mandy Ann (Shewe) Kirkpatrick. The father of our subject was born on December 4, 1831, in Illinois. He was a man of courage and unusual hardihood. He made two trips to the far West across the plains in the gold fever days, making one trip around Cape Horn, South America. He is still living at an advanced age. The mother of our subject was born at Sugar Grove, Indiana, and her death occurred in 1886. They both received such educational advantages as the early schools afforded. The father devoted the major part of his active life to farming, and he became prominent in politics, being an ardent Republican, but since the campaign of 1912 he has been a Progressive.
Seven children were born to Jacob Kirkpatrick and wife, all of whom are living, namely: Laura, who has remained unmarried; Charles, of this re- view; Susan married Dr. Paul Barcus, of Crawfordsvllle ; Anna married Boyd A. McMillan, and they live on the old home place at Sugar Grove, Tip- pecanoe county; William married Attie J. Hubbard, and they live at New Richmond, Montgomery county, where he is cashier of the bank ; Edwin is also living in New Richmond ; Fanny, who married Charles B. Shepherd, is living near New Richmond on a farm.
Charles Kirkpatrick grew to manhood on the home farm and there did his share of the work about the place when a boy. He attended the common schools in his neighborhood, later entering DePauw University at Greencastle, from which he was graduated with the class of 1886. The next important step in the life of Mr. Kirkpatrick took place on November 22, 1893, when he was married to Jessie L. Washburn, who was born in Tippecanoe county. She is a daughter of George W. and Louise (Whetstone) Washburn.
Mr. Kirkpatrick started out in life for himself when he came to New Richmond, this county, and purchased an elevator, which he ran for three years, then sold it and went to Anderson, Indiana, where he was associated with William Combeck, who at that time was lieutenant-governor. About a year later our subject went into the contracting business, building streets and for two years was very successful, then returned to New Richmond, in September, 1895, he assisted in founding the present bank of New Richmond. This sound and conservative institution is known as the Commercial Exchange Bank. With George W. Washburn as a partner, these gentlemen forged ahead until they had built up one of the popular banks of the county. It was first organized with a capital stock of ten thousand dollars. Our subject at that time was cashier and Mr. Washburn was president. Upon the death of the latter, Mr. Kirkpatrick purchased the interest of his partner and organized a bank with a paid up capital of twenty-five thousand dollars under the same name of the new concern, Mr. Kirkpatrick became president, William, assuming the duties of cashier, and the wife of our subject, Mrs. J. L. Kirkpatrick, became assistant cashier. The bank continued under this arrangement with ever increasing success until 1912, when the capital stock was raised to forty thousand dollars, and the surplus was fixed at ten thousand dollars. The most approved and safest methods of banking are employed, and every device for the safety and convenience of depositors has been installed, and its prestige has constantly grown.
Since 1902 Mr. Kirkpatrick has been a potent figure in local politics. In that year he was elected as representative from this county to the legislature, where he made a most commendable record, eminently satisfactory both to his constituents and to all concerned. He has done much for the general progress of his section of the state.
Our subject and family have spent the past four winters in California and Florida, and expect to continue to do so.
While in college Mr. Kirkpatrick belonged to the Sigma Chi fraternity, and he was editor in chief of the college monthly, filling this position in a manner that reflected much credit upon himself and to the praise of his college friends and acquaintances. He was also prominent in oratorical affairs, and was appointed by the faculty as one of the first speakers on commencement days.
Fraternally, Mr. Kirkpatrick is a Mason, holding membership in the New Richmond lodge. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias here, he having assisted in organizing both these lodges. He belongs to the Country Club at Crawfordsville. Politically, he is now a Progressive, and in religious matters belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, being a trustee of the same.
Mr. Kirkpatrick owns a fine and modernly appointed home in New Richmond, and he own large farming interests in Montgomery county. Personally, he is a pleasant gentlemen to know, genial, obliging, and a man of unswerving integrity.
Source: History Of Montgomery County, Indiana; With Personal Sketches Of Representative Citizens. Publisher A.S. Bowen. Published 1911
JOHN C. WINGATE 1851 – 1924
It is not everyone who succeeds in having a town named after him, but this honor has fallen to John C. Wingate, one of Montgomery county’s most representative citizens, few people of the locality being better known; none occupy a more conspicuous place in the confidence of the public, and it is a compliment worthily bestowed to class him with the progressive men of his day and generation in the vicinity of his residence, having done much for the general development of the town of Wingate and surrounding country. In all that constitutes true manhood and good citizenship he is a notable example, his career having ever been characterized by duty faithfully performed and by industry, thrift and wisely directed effort. These have led to the acquisition of a liberal share of this world’s goods. His personal relations with his fellow men have ever been mutually pleasant and agreeable, and he is highly regarded by all, being easily approached, obliging and straight forward in all the relations of life. He believes in doing well whatever he undertakes and in extending aid and sympathy to others, and he is a fine example of that type of progressive citizens who rise paramount to environment and all which seeks to hinder them.
Mr. Wingate was born May 22, 1851, in Coal Creek township, Montgomery county, about a mile and a half from Pleasant Hill (now known as Wingate). He is a son of William A. and Nancy (Coon) Wingate. The father was born in East Monroe. Ohio, and there he spent his earlier years, removing to Montgomery county, Indiana, when a young man, in 1840, and here he spent the rest of his life, successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was a son of Philip Wingate and wife. The mother of our subject was born in Miami county, Ohio, near Potsdam. Her father was one of a family of sixteen children.
John C. Wingate grew to manhood in his native community and here received a good common school education. On May 22, 1879, he was married to Lida Gilkey, a daughter of Aaron H. and Mary Gilkey. Mrs. Wingate’s father was treasurer and trustee of Coal Creek township for a period of twenty-one years continuously.
At a barbecue and basket dinner, given in a grove near Pleasant Hill by the men on the construction train of the Clover Leaf railroad in 1881 it was determined to change the name of the town of Pleasant Hill to Wingate. A telegram was received from Gen. John M. Corse, president of the above named railroad, by Eli Marvin, a director of the road, who was asking that this change be made, and his request was concurred in by meeting. Among those in attendance were Colonel Maynard, editor of the Indianapolis Sentinel, Hon. Peter S. Kennedy, Hon. M. D. White and Gen. Mahlon D. Manson, all of whom had made addresses, at the conclusion of which Mr. Marvin read General Corse’s telegram, in which he stated that the station here should be named Wingate, for the reason that a town of several hundred people in Ohio, and on the Clover Leaf road, was named Pleasant Hill and it was deemed advisable to change the name of the local town to prevent confusion. Afterwards the postoffice department changed the name of the postoffice from Pleasant Hill to Wingate, so that the name of the town and the station would comport. Thus the town was named for our subject.
Mr. Wingate was one of a family of five children, he being the eldest, and he is the only one that survives, and his parents are both deceased. His nearest of kin is Claude Hughes, a nephew, a son of our subject’s youngest sister, who died when her son Claude, was two years old. He was reared by our subject and wife, who have also reared Arthur Hogan, known as Arthur Wingate, who is now married and is living at Long Beach, California. Our subject took him from the Montgomery County Orphans’ Home when he was four years old. Our subject and wife having had no children of their own, have taken a great interest in the above named boys, giving them every advantage of education and otherwise looking after their interests in the same manner as if they had been their own.
Mr. Wingate is leading a quiet life, after an active and successful business career. He was for many years a traveling salesman. He has served on the Indiana Tax Board for nearly ten years, giving eminent satisfaction in this capacity. He has a beautiful and modernly appointed home in Wingate, surrounded by a large and well-kept lawn. He has a Mission style sleeping house, sixteen by twenty feet in size and containing twenty-three windows and one door, the former being Pullman car windows. The exterior has a pebble cement stucco finish, and the interior woodwork is covered with oil paintings, and the furniture is of cane. It is a most sanitary and pleasant room.
Politically, Mr. Wingate is a Republican, and fraternally he belongs to the Masonic Order, the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, all at Wingate.
Source: History Of Montgomery County, Indiana; With Personal Sketches Of Representative Citizens. Publisher A.S. Bowen. Published 1911
The Indianapolis Journal of Monday under the title of “Person’s who are Talked About” has the following to say of Col. John C. Wingate of this county: John C. Wingate, a farmer who has pockets full of money has put up at the Grand, and will remain until the “war is over.” Mr. Wingate has a little town of his own and its name is Wingate. The place is in Montgomery County and is becoming quite a thriving little village. Two years ago Mr. Wingate, who has a very large farm, concluded that his neighborhood needed a town and a post office and he started the town by laying out quite a number of lots, which were soon sold. He started a general store and soon after made application for a post office. After considerable labor he succeeded in securing an office by the name of Wingate and he himself as postmaster. His town is growing rapidly and in time, he says, promises to be a business center of some importance. He is a radical Democrat and with the remainder of the revolutionsts, thinks the fort ought to be held at all hazards. The man who interviewed the Journal reporter was evidently from this county and bent on gulling the press. When John reads in the paper he swears by that he is a Democrat, there will be blood on the moon. The question now, who orginated the joke!
Source: Crawfordsville Saturday Journal, January 12, 1887
