My Genealogy Hound

D. R. Wing, senior member of the well-known manufacturing firm of D. R. Wing & Co., is a native of Oswego, N. Y., and was early in life instructed in the machinist’s art, being regularly indentured to the Lake Ontario Iron Works, then one of the largest machine shops in the State. In 1858, after serving his full term of apprenticeship, he left to travel through the South, and after a tour of inspection of the principal manufacturing centers from Richmond, Va., to New Orleans, he decided to try his fortunes in Central America. After visiting Yucatan and British Honduras, he finally landed at Truxido, Spanish Honduras, where, together with his companions, he was placed under military surveillance on suspicion of being a fillibuster, Gen. Walker with his army then being in Nicarauga, the adjoining State. After the expiration of thirty days, he was furnished with passports and permitted to go into the interior, being limited to the department of Olancho, where he was employed in placer mining with moderate success. Returning to the States he finally located at Atlanta, Ga., and entered the service of the Western & Atlantic Railroad, then, as now, owned and operated by the State, and was connected with the mechanical department of the road for ten years. In the winter of 1868, he came to Little Rock, Ark., in the capacity of master mechanic of the Memphis & Little Rock Railroad, remaining with that company five years, after which he filled the same position with the Little Rock & Fort Smith Railroad for four years, and then associated himself with C. E. Stephens and founded the present firm, taking entire charge of the molding and machinery departments. As an evidence of the masterly minds that control this manufactory, the business has grown from its infancy to one of the largest industries in the Southwest, and sends its products all over the Southern country. Mr. Wing is active in city affairs, being alderman from the first ward, is a gentleman of sterling worth, and one of Little Rock’s most enterprising citizens. His word is recognized as authority in the iron circles of Arkansas, and he is always in the front rank in forwarding the progress of his adopted State.