Collection:
Round Oak
Date:
c. 1886—88
Description:
Picture of large group of men, identified as the Round Oak work crew, contained in original gold colored wood frame. Men are arranged as a group and all stand, one with hammer in front row. A firepot from a Round Oak stove is on both sides, probably used for men to stand upon.
Arseneau found an article from the Dowagiac Republican, dated 9/26/1886 in which it states, "Bigelow, the photographer, has just finished a fine picture of the employees of the Round Oak Stove Works. Over 100 of them appear as they are at work every day." Arseneau believes this may be that photograph.
On Oct. 1, 1983, William "Bill" Biek, age 87, identified two people in this picture. In the front row, the old man to the extreme right is Jake Gebhard. Jake was the father of Fred Gebhard who was in the shoe repair business in Dowagiac. Count back 4 full rows. The 7th man from the left—(the man just to the right of the man with a checked shirt and suspenders)—is Charlie Biek, father of Bill Biek. He is directly behind the man in the front row with vest and coat and hat in hand, who has been identified as Frank Arndt. Mr. Biek says that this picture had to be taken before 1898. Martin Herold, identified in this picture as front row second from left, died on Feb 16, 1888, age 52. He left a widow and two grown children. He had been in the U.S. for 22 years. Man in fifth row, second from right next to bearded man with pipe is identified as Michael Skeeps. Gus Weiland has been identified as the man five to the right of Charlie Biek. Adam Stahl is toward the back right (three from far right), with hat and mustache
Arseneau found an article from the Dowagiac Republican, dated 9/26/1886 in which it states, "Bigelow, the photographer, has just finished a fine picture of the employees of the Round Oak Stove Works. Over 100 of them appear as they are at work every day." Arseneau believes this may be that photograph.
On Oct. 1, 1983, William "Bill" Biek, age 87, identified two people in this picture. In the front row, the old man to the extreme right is Jake Gebhard. Jake was the father of Fred Gebhard who was in the shoe repair business in Dowagiac. Count back 4 full rows. The 7th man from the left—(the man just to the right of the man with a checked shirt and suspenders)—is Charlie Biek, father of Bill Biek. He is directly behind the man in the front row with vest and coat and hat in hand, who has been identified as Frank Arndt. Mr. Biek says that this picture had to be taken before 1898. Martin Herold, identified in this picture as front row second from left, died on Feb 16, 1888, age 52. He left a widow and two grown children. He had been in the U.S. for 22 years. Man in fifth row, second from right next to bearded man with pipe is identified as Michael Skeeps. Gus Weiland has been identified as the man five to the right of Charlie Biek. Adam Stahl is toward the back right (three from far right), with hat and mustache
Object ID:
1983—0069.0014
Object Name:
Print, photographic
People:
Gebhard, Jake
Biek, Charlie
Herold, Martin
Arndt, Frank
Weiland, Gus
Stahl, Adam
Skeeps, Michael
Biek, Charlie
Herold, Martin
Arndt, Frank
Weiland, Gus
Stahl, Adam
Skeeps, Michael
Other #:
P000630
Photographer:
Bigelow(?)
Place:
Round Oak Stove Works, Dowagiac, Michigan
Search Terms:
Round Oak
Dowagiac
Dowagiac
Click to Enlarge
round oak work crew 1880s
round oak work crew 1880s