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The Wilson Hoop Company.
Planing mill established in 1881 - Location: N.E. Cor. Thomas & Linn sts.

Preface: This business was later known as the West Bay City Manufacturing Company, and they were succeeded by the Goldie Manufacturing Company.

1883 history, the Wilson Hoop Co. - Added June, 2010.

The History of Bay County, Mich. - 1883.

THE WILSON HOOP COMPANY.
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The knife hoop machine which is operated by The Wilson Hoop Co., is the result of two years hard and peculiarly exhaustive labor known only to inventors. Money, time and energy have been spent in perfecting it, the ridicule of those who believe that nothing new can succeed has been overcome, and to-day it is believed to be the best machine for the purpose known. As there are in this section something like 18,000,000 hoops used annually, many of which are brought in from outside, this industry must prove a very valuable addition to the growing prosperity of the city, as well as a credit to the inventor and owners. The first aim of the inventor was to save timber – an important question to all manufacturers of wooden articles – and as hoops are formed thicker on one edge than on the other, he conceived the idea of cutting directly from a round or near round log, and has adapted his machinery to that end. The advantages of the machine are that it wastes no timber as in sawing, and hoops can be made with less labor. In the beginning Mr. Wilson, the inventor , made his plans and interested his partner, Mr. Alex. Bush, in the enterprise. They were at this time, July, 1880, associated with the Saginaw Barrel Co., of Saginaw City, in the manufacture and sale of the Wilson washboard. When the plans were perfected and a machine constructed, it was not at first a success as many details had to be changed, and it is thought that the first 20 coils of hoops cost not less than $100 each. But at length every obstacle was overcome and a strong, simple and easily operated machine was the result., which during 1881 cut one million hoops. Owing to poor facilities for steaming, and prejudices existing in the minds of coopers against cut hoops, the growth of the enterprise was slow. A new machine with improvements was added at the place in the Fall of 1881, and about three million more hoops were made up to Nov., 1882, at which time the factory was entirely burned down. In Feb., 1882, Messrs. Wilson and Bush formed a co-partnership with H. M. Williams, under the name of The Wilson Hoop Co., and established their business in West Bay City. In Dec., 1882, Mr. Williams sold his one-third interest to William G. Pierce, of Watertown, N. Y., and Mr. Isaac Pierce of Alma, Mich., purchased a quarter interest. The capacity of the machine is from 25,000 to 30,000 hoops in 10 hours, and the works employ at present (1883) 30 hands.

History. (Added June, 2010)

History of Bay County, Michigan - 1883

WEST BAY CITY MANUFACTURING CO.
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This company was organized March 16, 1881, with a capital stock of $24,000, divided into 960 shares of $25.00 each. It purchased the planing mill formerly operated by Arnold & Catlin, and is engaged in the manufacture of sash, doors, blinds, mouldings, etc., doing also a general planing mill business. The products of the establishment find a ready market in the northern part of the State. The officers of the company at this date (1882) are John Bourn, president; E. T. Carrington, secretary; H. H. Norrington, treasurer; M. W. Brock, manager and the following named directors: J. Bourn, E. T. Carrington, H. H. Norrington, M. W. Brock, J. H. Plum, and E. M. Fowler. The whole number of stockholders at present is thirteen, whose names are, L. E. Noyes, Geo. L. Mosher, Reuben Green, H. S. Ingersoll, J. Thompson, D. G. Arnold, The Lumberman's State Bank, and the above mentioned officers. The bookkeeper is Mr. I. C. Thompson. The property of this company was sold March 21, 1883, to S. O. Fisher, who subsequently sold an interest to F. P. Cob and A. A. Grace. These gentlemen continue the business under the name of the West Bay City Manufacturing Company.