Pail Factory

June 8, 1861, Weekly Manufacturer

 

While still running his dry goods store, Elisha Smith purchases a failing pail factory in 1852 for $1200 and runs it himself, operating the machinery and delivering products by horse-drawn wagon. The business grows, and he is able to hire his first employees and sell products as far away as Chicago. By this time, his primary product is barrels, used for shipping wheat. Wisconsin is one of the largest growers of wheat at this time.