This is a bio. sketch from "History of Manitowoc County Wisconsin"
by Dr. L. Falge, 1911-1912, v.2, p.54-57.
The city of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, has many important business industries, employing a large number of people in the manufacture of products which are shipped all over the world, but none is better known perhaps than the Aluminum Goods Manufacturing Company, the founder of which, Henry Vits, is one of the city's sterling citizens and successful business men. This company, organized January 1, 1908, combined three large manufacturing companies, namely: the Aluminum Manufacturing Company of Two Rivers, Wisconsin; the New Jersey Aluminum Company of Newark, New Jersey; and the Manitowoc Aluminum Novelty Company of this city. In 1911 the idea was formed to combine all three under one roof and a large factory building three hundred by forty feet, three stories in height, with a power plant
one hundred and fifty by fifty feet adjoining was erected in Manitowoc. The service tower is thirty by fifty feet and the entire plant is operated by electricity. The buildings are of brick, the lower floors being cement, the cross beams and pillars of iron, the second and third floors of mill construction and all the structures are absolutely fireproof, the automatic sprinkler system being installed throughout. A force of six hundred employees are necessary to handle the business, the product being a general
line of novelties and cooking utensils, the latter being manufactured as a side line only. The company bears the reputation of manufacturing the best goods obtainable and sells its product all over the United States and in foreign countries, and is absolutely independent of any other concern. The Manitowoc Aluminum Novelty Company was organized in 1898, when Henry Vits became president; William F. Pflueger, secretary; and William Vits, vice
president and superintendent, and started in a small way, growing until it employed one hundred and thirty hands. The Two Rivers Aluminum Manufacturing Company was organized about 1895, by Joseph Koenig and the Hamilton brothers, and at the time of the reorganization was employing one hundred and fifty people. The New Jersey Aluminum Company has been in operation since 1890 and brought a force of one hundred and fifty people to the new organization. The present officers of the company are: George Vits, president and general manager; F. Magee, secretary and treasurer; and
Joseph Koenig, vice president and general superintendent of the three factories.
Henry Vits was born in Rheydt, Rhine Province, Prussia, Germany, January 21, 1842, and is a son of William H. and Henrietta (Laufs) Vits, the latter of whom died in the fatherland. William H. Vits brought his family to the
United States in 1855, having been here in 1854 on a visit tentative to definitely locating, buying land in Meeme township, Manitowoc county, where he built one of the first gristmills in the county, which he later sold. In 1858 he went to Kansas, where one of his daughters resided with her
husband, but in 1870 returned to this county and for three years resided on the old home farm. In 1873 Henry Vits moved to the city of Manitowoc, and went into business, and his father resided with him until a few months prior to his death, when he again went to Kansas and there died. William H. Vits brought four children to the United States: Annie, who married Christian Weyer and moved to Kansas, where both died; Mary, who died in 1864, the wife of Jacob Bierhaus, engaged in the butchering business in Manitowoc; Henry; and Minnie, deceased, who was the wife of John Norton, a resident of Kansas.
Henry Vits was thirteen years of age when he came to the United States, and about 1860 served an apprenticeship of three years in the tanning business. In 1868 he moved on a farm in Newton township until 1873, when he came to Manitowoc and entered business with Martin Vollendorf, and carried on a tanning business until 1876, when they dissolved partnership. He was then associated in the same line with Louis Sherman for four years, after which he bought the tanning plant of Mr. Vollendorf and until 1898 was engaged in business on his own account, in that year entering the aluminum manufacturing business which formed the nucleus for the present large concern.
On April 28, 1866, he married Mary Hockemeyer, daughter of Fred Hockemeyer, one of Manitowoc's early settlers, and to this union there were born nine children, of whom five now survive, namely: Albert, George and Hugo, all connected with the business founded by their father; Hattie, who married John Topic and resides in Detroit, Michigan; and Emma, who married William F. Pflueger, of Manitowoc, Wisconsin. From 1894 until 1898 Mr. Vits served
as postmaster of Manitowoc and he also served in the state legislature and as a member of the board of supervisors and the city council. He is now a member of the jury commission of the school board and the park commission and is a prominent member of the Odd Fellows.
***********
From The History of Northern Wisconsin, Vol II. Chicago: Western
Historical Pub. Co., 1881, p. 534
Tannery, Manitowoc, born Jan. 21, 1842, in Prussia. The family immigrated to America in 1856, located in Manitowoc County. In 1869, he commenced to learn the tannery trade, and in 1873, he, with Mr. Vollendorf, formed a partnership in this business; he was also a partner with Mr. Sherman three years. September, 1879, he bought out Mr. Vollendorf's interest, and has since been alone in this business. Mr. Vits was Alderman, Chairman of the Board, Clerk of the School Board, etc. He was married in 1868, to Mary Hockemeyer, of Hanover; they have seven children, four sons and three
daughters.
by Dr. L. Falge, 1911-1912, v.2, p.54-57.
The city of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, has many important business industries, employing a large number of people in the manufacture of products which are shipped all over the world, but none is better known perhaps than the Aluminum Goods Manufacturing Company, the founder of which, Henry Vits, is one of the city's sterling citizens and successful business men. This company, organized January 1, 1908, combined three large manufacturing companies, namely: the Aluminum Manufacturing Company of Two Rivers, Wisconsin; the New Jersey Aluminum Company of Newark, New Jersey; and the Manitowoc Aluminum Novelty Company of this city. In 1911 the idea was formed to combine all three under one roof and a large factory building three hundred by forty feet, three stories in height, with a power plant
one hundred and fifty by fifty feet adjoining was erected in Manitowoc. The service tower is thirty by fifty feet and the entire plant is operated by electricity. The buildings are of brick, the lower floors being cement, the cross beams and pillars of iron, the second and third floors of mill construction and all the structures are absolutely fireproof, the automatic sprinkler system being installed throughout. A force of six hundred employees are necessary to handle the business, the product being a general
line of novelties and cooking utensils, the latter being manufactured as a side line only. The company bears the reputation of manufacturing the best goods obtainable and sells its product all over the United States and in foreign countries, and is absolutely independent of any other concern. The Manitowoc Aluminum Novelty Company was organized in 1898, when Henry Vits became president; William F. Pflueger, secretary; and William Vits, vice
president and superintendent, and started in a small way, growing until it employed one hundred and thirty hands. The Two Rivers Aluminum Manufacturing Company was organized about 1895, by Joseph Koenig and the Hamilton brothers, and at the time of the reorganization was employing one hundred and fifty people. The New Jersey Aluminum Company has been in operation since 1890 and brought a force of one hundred and fifty people to the new organization. The present officers of the company are: George Vits, president and general manager; F. Magee, secretary and treasurer; and
Joseph Koenig, vice president and general superintendent of the three factories.
Henry Vits was born in Rheydt, Rhine Province, Prussia, Germany, January 21, 1842, and is a son of William H. and Henrietta (Laufs) Vits, the latter of whom died in the fatherland. William H. Vits brought his family to the
United States in 1855, having been here in 1854 on a visit tentative to definitely locating, buying land in Meeme township, Manitowoc county, where he built one of the first gristmills in the county, which he later sold. In 1858 he went to Kansas, where one of his daughters resided with her
husband, but in 1870 returned to this county and for three years resided on the old home farm. In 1873 Henry Vits moved to the city of Manitowoc, and went into business, and his father resided with him until a few months prior to his death, when he again went to Kansas and there died. William H. Vits brought four children to the United States: Annie, who married Christian Weyer and moved to Kansas, where both died; Mary, who died in 1864, the wife of Jacob Bierhaus, engaged in the butchering business in Manitowoc; Henry; and Minnie, deceased, who was the wife of John Norton, a resident of Kansas.
Henry Vits was thirteen years of age when he came to the United States, and about 1860 served an apprenticeship of three years in the tanning business. In 1868 he moved on a farm in Newton township until 1873, when he came to Manitowoc and entered business with Martin Vollendorf, and carried on a tanning business until 1876, when they dissolved partnership. He was then associated in the same line with Louis Sherman for four years, after which he bought the tanning plant of Mr. Vollendorf and until 1898 was engaged in business on his own account, in that year entering the aluminum manufacturing business which formed the nucleus for the present large concern.
On April 28, 1866, he married Mary Hockemeyer, daughter of Fred Hockemeyer, one of Manitowoc's early settlers, and to this union there were born nine children, of whom five now survive, namely: Albert, George and Hugo, all connected with the business founded by their father; Hattie, who married John Topic and resides in Detroit, Michigan; and Emma, who married William F. Pflueger, of Manitowoc, Wisconsin. From 1894 until 1898 Mr. Vits served
as postmaster of Manitowoc and he also served in the state legislature and as a member of the board of supervisors and the city council. He is now a member of the jury commission of the school board and the park commission and is a prominent member of the Odd Fellows.
***********
From The History of Northern Wisconsin, Vol II. Chicago: Western
Historical Pub. Co., 1881, p. 534
Tannery, Manitowoc, born Jan. 21, 1842, in Prussia. The family immigrated to America in 1856, located in Manitowoc County. In 1869, he commenced to learn the tannery trade, and in 1873, he, with Mr. Vollendorf, formed a partnership in this business; he was also a partner with Mr. Sherman three years. September, 1879, he bought out Mr. Vollendorf's interest, and has since been alone in this business. Mr. Vits was Alderman, Chairman of the Board, Clerk of the School Board, etc. He was married in 1868, to Mary Hockemeyer, of Hanover; they have seven children, four sons and three
daughters.
This is a bio. sketch from "History of Manitowoc County Wisconsin"
by Dr. L. Falge, 1911-1912, v.2, p.54-57.
The city of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, has many important business industries, employing a large number of people in the manufacture of products which are shipped all over the world, but none is better known perhaps than the Aluminum Goods Manufacturing Company, the founder of which, Henry Vits, is one of the city's sterling citizens and successful business men. This company, organized January 1, 1908, combined three large manufacturing companies, namely: the Aluminum Manufacturing Company of Two Rivers, Wisconsin; the New Jersey Aluminum Company of Newark, New Jersey; and the Manitowoc Aluminum Novelty Company of this city. In 1911 the idea was formed to combine all three under one roof and a large factory building three hundred by forty feet, three stories in height, with a power plant
one hundred and fifty by fifty feet adjoining was erected in Manitowoc. The service tower is thirty by fifty feet and the entire plant is operated by electricity. The buildings are of brick, the lower floors being cement, the cross beams and pillars of iron, the second and third floors of mill construction and all the structures are absolutely fireproof, the automatic sprinkler system being installed throughout. A force of six hundred employees are necessary to handle the business, the product being a general
line of novelties and cooking utensils, the latter being manufactured as a side line only. The company bears the reputation of manufacturing the best goods obtainable and sells its product all over the United States and in foreign countries, and is absolutely independent of any other concern. The Manitowoc Aluminum Novelty Company was organized in 1898, when Henry Vits became president; William F. Pflueger, secretary; and William Vits, vice
president and superintendent, and started in a small way, growing until it employed one hundred and thirty hands. The Two Rivers Aluminum Manufacturing Company was organized about 1895, by Joseph Koenig and the Hamilton brothers, and at the time of the reorganization was employing one hundred and fifty people. The New Jersey Aluminum Company has been in operation since 1890 and brought a force of one hundred and fifty people to the new organization. The present officers of the company are: George Vits, president and general manager; F. Magee, secretary and treasurer; and
Joseph Koenig, vice president and general superintendent of the three factories.
Henry Vits was born in Rheydt, Rhine Province, Prussia, Germany, January 21, 1842, and is a son of William H. and Henrietta (Laufs) Vits, the latter of whom died in the fatherland. William H. Vits brought his family to the
United States in 1855, having been here in 1854 on a visit tentative to definitely locating, buying land in Meeme township, Manitowoc county, where he built one of the first gristmills in the county, which he later sold. In 1858 he went to Kansas, where one of his daughters resided with her
husband, but in 1870 returned to this county and for three years resided on the old home farm. In 1873 Henry Vits moved to the city of Manitowoc, and went into business, and his father resided with him until a few months prior to his death, when he again went to Kansas and there died. William H. Vits brought four children to the United States: Annie, who married Christian Weyer and moved to Kansas, where both died; Mary, who died in 1864, the wife of Jacob Bierhaus, engaged in the butchering business in Manitowoc; Henry; and Minnie, deceased, who was the wife of John Norton, a resident of Kansas.
Henry Vits was thirteen years of age when he came to the United States, and about 1860 served an apprenticeship of three years in the tanning business. In 1868 he moved on a farm in Newton township until 1873, when he came to Manitowoc and entered business with Martin Vollendorf, and carried on a tanning business until 1876, when they dissolved partnership. He was then associated in the same line with Louis Sherman for four years, after which he bought the tanning plant of Mr. Vollendorf and until 1898 was engaged in business on his own account, in that year entering the aluminum manufacturing business which formed the nucleus for the present large concern.
On April 28, 1866, he married Mary Hockemeyer, daughter of Fred Hockemeyer, one of Manitowoc's early settlers, and to this union there were born nine children, of whom five now survive, namely: Albert, George and Hugo, all connected with the business founded by their father; Hattie, who married John Topic and resides in Detroit, Michigan; and Emma, who married William F. Pflueger, of Manitowoc, Wisconsin. From 1894 until 1898 Mr. Vits served
as postmaster of Manitowoc and he also served in the state legislature and as a member of the board of supervisors and the city council. He is now a member of the jury commission of the school board and the park commission and is a prominent member of the Odd Fellows.
***********
From The History of Northern Wisconsin, Vol II. Chicago: Western
Historical Pub. Co., 1881, p. 534
Tannery, Manitowoc, born Jan. 21, 1842, in Prussia. The family immigrated to America in 1856, located in Manitowoc County. In 1869, he commenced to learn the tannery trade, and in 1873, he, with Mr. Vollendorf, formed a partnership in this business; he was also a partner with Mr. Sherman three years. September, 1879, he bought out Mr. Vollendorf's interest, and has since been alone in this business. Mr. Vits was Alderman, Chairman of the Board, Clerk of the School Board, etc. He was married in 1868, to Mary Hockemeyer, of Hanover; they have seven children, four sons and three
daughters.
by Dr. L. Falge, 1911-1912, v.2, p.54-57.
The city of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, has many important business industries, employing a large number of people in the manufacture of products which are shipped all over the world, but none is better known perhaps than the Aluminum Goods Manufacturing Company, the founder of which, Henry Vits, is one of the city's sterling citizens and successful business men. This company, organized January 1, 1908, combined three large manufacturing companies, namely: the Aluminum Manufacturing Company of Two Rivers, Wisconsin; the New Jersey Aluminum Company of Newark, New Jersey; and the Manitowoc Aluminum Novelty Company of this city. In 1911 the idea was formed to combine all three under one roof and a large factory building three hundred by forty feet, three stories in height, with a power plant
one hundred and fifty by fifty feet adjoining was erected in Manitowoc. The service tower is thirty by fifty feet and the entire plant is operated by electricity. The buildings are of brick, the lower floors being cement, the cross beams and pillars of iron, the second and third floors of mill construction and all the structures are absolutely fireproof, the automatic sprinkler system being installed throughout. A force of six hundred employees are necessary to handle the business, the product being a general
line of novelties and cooking utensils, the latter being manufactured as a side line only. The company bears the reputation of manufacturing the best goods obtainable and sells its product all over the United States and in foreign countries, and is absolutely independent of any other concern. The Manitowoc Aluminum Novelty Company was organized in 1898, when Henry Vits became president; William F. Pflueger, secretary; and William Vits, vice
president and superintendent, and started in a small way, growing until it employed one hundred and thirty hands. The Two Rivers Aluminum Manufacturing Company was organized about 1895, by Joseph Koenig and the Hamilton brothers, and at the time of the reorganization was employing one hundred and fifty people. The New Jersey Aluminum Company has been in operation since 1890 and brought a force of one hundred and fifty people to the new organization. The present officers of the company are: George Vits, president and general manager; F. Magee, secretary and treasurer; and
Joseph Koenig, vice president and general superintendent of the three factories.
Henry Vits was born in Rheydt, Rhine Province, Prussia, Germany, January 21, 1842, and is a son of William H. and Henrietta (Laufs) Vits, the latter of whom died in the fatherland. William H. Vits brought his family to the
United States in 1855, having been here in 1854 on a visit tentative to definitely locating, buying land in Meeme township, Manitowoc county, where he built one of the first gristmills in the county, which he later sold. In 1858 he went to Kansas, where one of his daughters resided with her
husband, but in 1870 returned to this county and for three years resided on the old home farm. In 1873 Henry Vits moved to the city of Manitowoc, and went into business, and his father resided with him until a few months prior to his death, when he again went to Kansas and there died. William H. Vits brought four children to the United States: Annie, who married Christian Weyer and moved to Kansas, where both died; Mary, who died in 1864, the wife of Jacob Bierhaus, engaged in the butchering business in Manitowoc; Henry; and Minnie, deceased, who was the wife of John Norton, a resident of Kansas.
Henry Vits was thirteen years of age when he came to the United States, and about 1860 served an apprenticeship of three years in the tanning business. In 1868 he moved on a farm in Newton township until 1873, when he came to Manitowoc and entered business with Martin Vollendorf, and carried on a tanning business until 1876, when they dissolved partnership. He was then associated in the same line with Louis Sherman for four years, after which he bought the tanning plant of Mr. Vollendorf and until 1898 was engaged in business on his own account, in that year entering the aluminum manufacturing business which formed the nucleus for the present large concern.
On April 28, 1866, he married Mary Hockemeyer, daughter of Fred Hockemeyer, one of Manitowoc's early settlers, and to this union there were born nine children, of whom five now survive, namely: Albert, George and Hugo, all connected with the business founded by their father; Hattie, who married John Topic and resides in Detroit, Michigan; and Emma, who married William F. Pflueger, of Manitowoc, Wisconsin. From 1894 until 1898 Mr. Vits served
as postmaster of Manitowoc and he also served in the state legislature and as a member of the board of supervisors and the city council. He is now a member of the jury commission of the school board and the park commission and is a prominent member of the Odd Fellows.
***********
From The History of Northern Wisconsin, Vol II. Chicago: Western
Historical Pub. Co., 1881, p. 534
Tannery, Manitowoc, born Jan. 21, 1842, in Prussia. The family immigrated to America in 1856, located in Manitowoc County. In 1869, he commenced to learn the tannery trade, and in 1873, he, with Mr. Vollendorf, formed a partnership in this business; he was also a partner with Mr. Sherman three years. September, 1879, he bought out Mr. Vollendorf's interest, and has since been alone in this business. Mr. Vits was Alderman, Chairman of the Board, Clerk of the School Board, etc. He was married in 1868, to Mary Hockemeyer, of Hanover; they have seven children, four sons and three
daughters.
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