| Original Home Owner History |
M.W. Perry - Founder of Ahnapee Veneer & Seating Co.
Exerpt taken from A Century of Quality Woodworking, Algoma Hardwoods
In May of 1892, at the age of 28 years, Melvin W. Perry founded the Ahnapee
Veneer & Seatiung Co.
Mr Perry's early life was hard, fitting him for the life he was to lead. He
was born in Racine in 1864 but spent his youth in Ahnapee now known as
Algoma. His father operated a small chair factory here but closed it when
he went to serve in the Civil War. Although he returned from the war
wounded and in poor health, he reopened his factory on Mill St. and sold out
in 1870. He died in 1878 and the mother died in 1885.
William M. Perry, Mel's father, was also instrumental in the planning and
building of the first school in Ahnapee which was completed on February 25,
1876, at the same site as the present Algoma Elementary School.
Because this backwoods, sawmill community had no doctor, it had been the
father's wish that the son Melvin would follow a medical career. Young
Perry, however, did not agree. From boyhood, he had evidenced a talent
along mechanical and building lines.
Before he was 20 years old, he had contracted to build homes in Algoma,
Kewaunee and Sturgeon Bay. In November, 1886, he traveled to Milwaukee
where he was contracted to erect flour mill machinery, but when this job
fell through, a long-time friend told him of a veneer business in Sheboygan
where he took a factory job paying $0.12 1/2 per hour.
By 1892, Mel Perry had worked his way from a factory laborer to the
superintendent of that veneer company. Early in 1892, George Wing from
Kewaunee contacted Mel wanting to know if he could consider starting his own
veneer business in Kewaunee. With a strong desire to own and operate his
own business, Perry traveled to Kewaunee to discuss this opportunity
further. Arriving on a Sunday, he learned that Mr. Wing was out of town
until the next day, so he decided to spend the rest of the day in Algoma.
After learning of his intention to go back to Kewaunee the next day to
discuss further business plans, someone asked him why the plant couldn't be
built in Algoma. He replied that he would very much like to build in
Algoma, and the only thing that stood in the was was $20,000 he needed to
get the company started. Although he wanted to locate in Algoma, he felt
that the town would not be able to raise the money he needed. He agreed to
wait until 11 A.M. the next day before his return to Kewaunee, which gave
the people of Algoma a chance to raise the much needed capital. By the
deadline of 11 A.M., the town was able to raise $19,000 from 60
stockholders. Mel Perry immediately began making plans for a building and
putting together a list of all the equipment he would need. The total cost
came to an amount just above $19,000.
That same night all of the shareholders met and were presented with Mel
Perry's proposition on this new business for Algoma. A committee was
appointed for site selection and another was formed to begin the
incorporation process. Within 10 days, the construction of the plant began,
and four months later, in September of 1892, manufacturing began with 15
employees and two executives on the payroll.
With building out of the way and machinery installed, the real task of the
promoters of this enterprise started. It was here that the cautious, wise
policy carefully thought through by the youthful veneer man was put into
practice.
Exerpt taken from A Century of Quality Woodworking, Algoma Hardwoods
In May of 1892, at the age of 28 years, Melvin W. Perry founded the Ahnapee
Veneer & Seatiung Co.
Mr Perry's early life was hard, fitting him for the life he was to lead. He
was born in Racine in 1864 but spent his youth in Ahnapee now known as
Algoma. His father operated a small chair factory here but closed it when
he went to serve in the Civil War. Although he returned from the war
wounded and in poor health, he reopened his factory on Mill St. and sold out
in 1870. He died in 1878 and the mother died in 1885.
William M. Perry, Mel's father, was also instrumental in the planning and
building of the first school in Ahnapee which was completed on February 25,
1876, at the same site as the present Algoma Elementary School.
Because this backwoods, sawmill community had no doctor, it had been the
father's wish that the son Melvin would follow a medical career. Young
Perry, however, did not agree. From boyhood, he had evidenced a talent
along mechanical and building lines.
Before he was 20 years old, he had contracted to build homes in Algoma,
Kewaunee and Sturgeon Bay. In November, 1886, he traveled to Milwaukee
where he was contracted to erect flour mill machinery, but when this job
fell through, a long-time friend told him of a veneer business in Sheboygan
where he took a factory job paying $0.12 1/2 per hour.
By 1892, Mel Perry had worked his way from a factory laborer to the
superintendent of that veneer company. Early in 1892, George Wing from
Kewaunee contacted Mel wanting to know if he could consider starting his own
veneer business in Kewaunee. With a strong desire to own and operate his
own business, Perry traveled to Kewaunee to discuss this opportunity
further. Arriving on a Sunday, he learned that Mr. Wing was out of town
until the next day, so he decided to spend the rest of the day in Algoma.
After learning of his intention to go back to Kewaunee the next day to
discuss further business plans, someone asked him why the plant couldn't be
built in Algoma. He replied that he would very much like to build in
Algoma, and the only thing that stood in the was was $20,000 he needed to
get the company started. Although he wanted to locate in Algoma, he felt
that the town would not be able to raise the money he needed. He agreed to
wait until 11 A.M. the next day before his return to Kewaunee, which gave
the people of Algoma a chance to raise the much needed capital. By the
deadline of 11 A.M., the town was able to raise $19,000 from 60
stockholders. Mel Perry immediately began making plans for a building and
putting together a list of all the equipment he would need. The total cost
came to an amount just above $19,000.
That same night all of the shareholders met and were presented with Mel
Perry's proposition on this new business for Algoma. A committee was
appointed for site selection and another was formed to begin the
incorporation process. Within 10 days, the construction of the plant began,
and four months later, in September of 1892, manufacturing began with 15
employees and two executives on the payroll.
With building out of the way and machinery installed, the real task of the
promoters of this enterprise started. It was here that the cautious, wise
policy carefully thought through by the youthful veneer man was put into
practice.
| About Us |
successful dairy farm. Upon completion of a double major at St.
Norbert College, she entered the field as a math teacher in
Oconto Falls, then Southern Door. After managing "The
Grapevine", a fine gift store next to the von Stiehl Winery, she
moved on to this endeavor, the Havenly Inn. Her Husband, Brad,
is a co-owner of the von Stiehl Winery. His past is a little too long
to mention.
The Melvin W. and Mary Perry house was named to the National
Register of Historic places in February 2008.
Read the excerpt below for more information on Perry's
accomplishments...
Norbert College, she entered the field as a math teacher in
Oconto Falls, then Southern Door. After managing "The
Grapevine", a fine gift store next to the von Stiehl Winery, she
moved on to this endeavor, the Havenly Inn. Her Husband, Brad,
is a co-owner of the von Stiehl Winery. His past is a little too long
to mention.
The Melvin W. and Mary Perry house was named to the National
Register of Historic places in February 2008.
Read the excerpt below for more information on Perry's
accomplishments...
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| 519 Third Street, Algoma, WI 54201, 920.487.0217 |
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