Free Sewing Machine Co.

Garfield Ave., 615 – 2013

Andrew

Garfield, 615 - 1

Garfield Ave., 615 - 2 not on

Source of photographs: Jan Carter June 2013

Since 1918:

Original owners: Victor M. Johnson, wife Louise, vice-president Free Sewing Machine Co.,  vice-president and general manager Industrial Potash, resides 615 Garfield Ave.   Source: 1922 Rockford City Directory

The same as above plus sec and treas Groveland Farm Sales. 1923 Rockford City Directory

1926: Mr. and Mrs. Armer Johnson, 615 Garfield, will entertain on the occasion of the 25th Anniversary…

1927:  Mrs. Armer Johnson, 615 Garfield Ave., won a women golfers’ putting contest at Harlem Hills Country Club……..

Owner since July 2014 Brent Phillips, house sold at $128,000.

 

 

“Estwing Company plans Post-War expansion for plant facilities” 1945

Andrew

Estwing Co. plans

Source:  Rockford Morning Star June 17, 1945

War Effort Publicity – 1943

Andrew

War Effort Publicity

Source:  Rockford Morning Star Sept. 5, 1943

Rockford Industrial Athletic Association

Andrew

Rockford Industrial Athletic Association

Factories include: Andrews, Free Sewing, Barber-Colman, Trahern Pump, Hess and Hopkins, Kurtz Action

(Trahern Pump was replaced in 1914 by Haddorff Piano)

Commercial Loop includes: Clark Manufacturing, Rockford Watch, Rockford Malleable, Burson’s Knitting, Central Union Telegraph, Rockford Printers

(Rockford Printers was succeeded in 1914 by Woodward Governor)

Hal Carlson went on to play for the Chicago Cubs, and Fred Schulte went on to play for the Pittsburgh Pirates  (Both were from the Free Sewing Machine Company)

“Turk” Skurski of Amerock was a top player, and Lou Coletta and Tony Vella of Barber-Colman were minor leagers

 

Source: Rockford Register, 12/24/1955

Rockford Industrial Athletic Association – R. I. A. A.

Andrew

Rockford Industrial Athletic Association – R. I. A. A.

In the 1913 Factory League: Andrews Wire, Kurtz Action, Free Sewing Machine Company, Hess and Hopkins, Barber-Colman, and Trahern Pump Company

In the 1913 Commercial League: Rockford Malleable, Clark Manufacturing Company, Rockford Watch Company, Central Union Telephone, Printers, and Burson Knitting Company

Source: Rockford Morning Star, 08/13/1913, also in Rockford Public Library’s “Rockfordiana” files, “R. I. A. A.”

Twenty Baseball Games in Parks Today and Next – 1915

Andrew

Twenty Baseball Games

Free Sewing Machine Co. – illustration, 1917

Andrew

Free Sewing 1917

Illustration source: “Rockford 1917” p 94

Free Sewing Machine Co., W C Free president, P A Peterson v-president, V M Johnson, secretary, A E Johnson treasurer, C O Wester, supt., F J Kelley, general sales manager, 18th Ave. and 13th ST.

Text source: McCoy’s Rockford City Directory 1918