This company was founded in 1872 in Appleton, WI, where they manufactured farm implements. In 1894 they relocated to the outskirts of Geneva. In 1900 their new plant burned down. The business was enticed to rebuild in Batavia, where they remained until the business wound down during World War II.
Besides farm implements and windmills, Appleton made the "Hero" line of dragsaws.
Manufactured Gas Engines ca 1913
Information Sources
- Thanks to John Davidson for first bringing this maker to our attention in a posting at SmokStak.com.
- The Batavia Historical Society page on Appleton Manufacturing Co. provided the outline of the company history.
- 1909 ad:
APPLETON QUALITY WOOD SAWS
Saw your own wood and save time, coal and money; or saw your neighbors' wood and MAKE $5 to $15 A DAY
Hundreds are doing it with an Appleton Wood Saw, Why not you? We make six styles—steel or wooden frames—and if desired with mountable saw frame on a substantial 4-wheel truck on which you can also mount your gasoline engine and thus have a portable wood sawing rig that is unequalled in effective work and profitable operation.
We make the celebrated Hero Friction Feed Drag Saw also, and complete lines of feed grinders, corn shellers, corn huskers, fodder cutters, manure spreaders, horse powers, windmills, etc. Ask for our Free Catalogue.
Appleton Mfg. Co. 27 Fargo Street
Batavia, Ill. U.S.A."
- American Gasoline Engines Since 1872 by C. H. Wendel, Volume #1, 1983 page 31