My Genealogy Hound

W. P. BROPHY, stove manufacturer; Bloomington. In the organization of a stock company for the purpose of manufacturing any special line of goods, it is necessary that some member of the firm be an energetic, practical and thoroughly educated man in the manufacturing of the proposed line of goods; this position is filled by Mr. W. P. Brophy, Superintendent of the Bloomington Stove Manufacturing Company. This company began business on Aug. 20, 1870; they are now manufacturing 115 different styles of stoves, among which are, the Grand Central Cook Stove and the Royal Crown base burner, both of which are becoming very popular; they are using about 400 tons of pig iron per annum, and give employment to about thirty men; the main building of the factory is 88x47 feet, three stories high; the foundry is 120x40, well-lighted and ventilated; the aggregate dumber of stoves manufactured per annum is about 4,000; Mr. Brophy, the superintendent, was born April 9, 1827, and is a native of Bennington Co., Vt.; there he learned the trade of stove molding and received his education; leaving his native place, he located in Troy, N. Y., where he remained until 1867; removing from there to Columbians Co., Ohio, where he resided three years, and in 1870, came to Bloomington, where he helped to organize the company of which he is now the Superintendent; having held this position since the organization of the works; he has had thirty years practical experience in the manufacture of stoves; in devoting his full time and energies to it, he has been instrumental in making the business one that is an honor to himself and a credit to the city of Bloomington.