1902 La Grange Button Factories

First class tailoring can be done only by persons who have had much experience in the business, and the work done by Theodore A. Ballerina, our only tailor, is not to be compared with that turned out by the inexperienced laborers. He has worked at the trade continuously for eighteen years, spending much of the time in St. Louis, where he came in contact with the best of tailors and received much valuable information.
Locating in La Grange four years ago he has since that time been kept steadily employed on work for our citizens. Often he is compelled to have the assistance of another person, so rushed in his business.
During the month of February, 1899, The Indicator published a two-column article concerning the pearl button industries on the upper Mississippi river. The article was based on facts gleaned from persons who had visited Muscatine, Iowa, and other town where pearl buttons were being made from the freshwater clams. At the close of the article the writer emphasized the fact that clam shells could be obtained in abundance from the river in front of La Grange, and that capitalists of La Grange should investigate the button business with a view of starting a factory here. H. W. Hageman, D. L. Sellers and William Brinkman at once began the investigation and after visiting Muscatine, Iowa, and securing prices on machinery, a company, known as the Missouri Pearl Button Company, was formed in April 19, 1899, by the above named gentlemen. Twelve saws were installed at first and small frame building in the south part of town was occupied. When winter came on that year it was necessary for the company to secure a building that would afford better protection from the chilling blasts. One room in the large two-story brick situated on the southeast corner of Main and Marion streets was rented, where the factory is now located. Messrs. Sellers and Brinkman did not remain in business long, but sole their interests to C. A. Klusmeter and H. W. Hageman, who are still owners of the factory.
The company now operates fifteen saw and gives constant employment to twenty men. Ten other saws have been bought which will be placed in operation by June 1st, when the company will give employment to at least thirty-two persons.

LA GRANGE PEARL BUTTON CO.

The largest button factory in La Grange is one operated by the La Grange Pearl Button Company, which has a capital stock of $10,000, and is composed of the following prominent gentlemen: D. B. Jeter, president; Charles C. Crouch, vice-president; John G. Farmer, secretary and factory manager; J. N. Hagood and F. S. Hagood, with Mr. Robinson being traveling salesman.
The company was organized almost three years ago and their factory has been in constant operation. Twelve saws are operated and the only finishing plant in Missouri is owned and operated by the company. The company also owns a large two-story brick building.
The blanks are first sawed and then passed on through the finishing department. After being dressed down, ground out, holes drilled and polished, the buttons are ready for the cards. The machinery is very complicated and expensive.
The company employs forty persons regularly, and has a weekly pay roll of $200. Their business has been prosperous and within a very short time the company will greatly enlarge their facilities, and occupy another room adjoining their present quarters.
They manufacture buttons of all grades varying in sizes from fourteen to twenty-four lines. The buttons are highly polished and sell readily in all the markets. Already merchants in many of our states are handling buttons from the La Grange Pearl Button factory and the company intends pushing its sales into new fields soon. The company is composed of our best businessmen, who will push their products to the front.
The factory is another one of the industries that has brought new life to La Grange. May it with all others ever prosper.

UNION BUTTON CO.

The Union Button Company was organized March 2, 1900, by C. W. Peter and Charles and John Solter, who established the fourth factory in our town. Fourteen saws are operated and eighteen men are given steady employment in the factory. The payroll of this company averages $125 per week, and about 1,500 gross of blanks are cut each week. A large sum of money above what is paid to the men in the factory is expended each month for shells.
The members of this company are all enterprising businessmen who have carefully looked after every detail and in this way made the enterprise a success. Mr. Peters came to this place from Payson, Ill., about two and one-half years ago, and has proven, with his family, excellent citizens. The Solter brothers are sons of William H. Solter, living southwest of town, and are deserving young men.
This factory, like the other three of its kind in our town, has proven a great blessing to our city, as it has given steady employment to a number of persons at good wages.
The four button factories gave the first new impulse to our town after the creamery was started and put on a paying basis. It is doubtful if there is another kind of manufacturing business that is as helpful to a city, compared with the amount of capital invested, as are the pearl button factories. Outside of the money expended for shells the money is all distributed in the town for labor. The capital invested is turned over frequently, laborers receive their wages each week, and the money goes into the hands of persons who help build up a town.

INDEPENDENT BUTTON COMPANY

The Independent Button Company was organized May 1st, 1900, it being the fourth company to establish a factory in our town. The company was composed of G. L. Lauder milk and W. G. Howe, who are now sole owners of the plant, which is managed by the latter gentleman. The company operates nine saws and has a pay roll of $90 per week. Twelve hundred gross of button blankets and three tons of ground shells for chicken grit each week are turned out by this factory. This is one of the best equipped plants on the Mississippi river, as it is heated in winter by steam, has all first class machinery, and the workmen are furnished with good light and clean, well ventilated quarters. The factory has been in constant operation from the start and it promises to continue a prosperous enterprise. As there are many tons of shells wasted each week the Independent Pearl Button Company recently conceived the idea of grinding this residue of shells into grit for chickens, and a machine for that purpose has been installed. The machine has a capacity of about one ton of grit per day. Samples of the Pearl Grit, as the new product has been termed, have been sent to a number of persons throughout the country who are following the poultry business extensively, and highly favorable reports have been received as to the merits of the product. Already the company has received a number of large orders for Pearl Grit, and no doubt the new enterprise will grow soon into a large and paying business. It is hoped the company will be able in a short time to consume the residue of all the shells from our four button factories. 
Pearl Grit is put up in packages of 50 to 100 pounds and the Independent Pearl Button Company would be pleased to quote prices on same to persons interested.