The Peru Electric Manufacturing Company

The Peru Electric Manufacturing Co.

In 1892 a company including many of the most influential citizens of Peru, Ind., was organized with a capital stock of $100,000, for the purpose of manufacturing and placing on the market a line of electrical supplies, and it was known as the Peru Electric Works. In the latter part of 1893 fire wiped away the large porcelain building, and as the Dow plant across the railroad track was idle an offer for the buildings was made and accepted. After some alterations and repairing the move was made and the force of employés increased. Each year the company has seen its business grow larger and new buildings go up to accommodate the demand for more room. Although it now has one of the largest and most complete institutions of its kind in the country, it is again preparing for the erection of another large building. This will be twenty-five feet wide and seventy feet long. Forty-five feet of the building will be one story high, while to the other twenty-five feet a second story will be added. The structure, which will be located north of the large two story brick building in which the clay bins and press room are at present, will be made of brick with a fireproof roof. The clay bins will be moved into the new building and the space made vacant will be filled with porcelain presses. The two story part of the new building will be made fireproof to contain all the dies used in the business.

A porcelain kiln, surrounded by an ironclad building thirty feet square and one story high, has just been completed and will soon be pressed into service. This makes five kilns for the works. At present the company is enjoying a boom in trade and has a force of at least a hundred persons at work. The plant is one of the most thriving in the city. The present officers are: J. O. Cole, president; C. H. Brownell, vice-president; R. H. Bouslog, secretary and treasurer; R. A. Edwards, J. O. Cole, C. H. Brownell, J. G. Brackenridge, William Levi and William B. McClintic, directors.