Happy Father's Day
On this Father's Day weekend, we honor all the fathers and father figures who have played such prominent roles in our lives. We also celebrate all the family businesses started by hard-working dads! Enjoy this information about one such business in Tiskilwa in our #SpotlightSaturday. Happy Father's Day to all the dads!
O.W. Battey founded the Battey Lumber Company in Tiskilwa around 1860. Until about 1915, it stood at the northwest corner of Owen & Sycamore Streets. At that time, a newer building and lumber yard was built at the corner of Owen and High Streets. Today the location is occupied by the Tiskilwa Fire Station.
Curtis & Battey Lumber Company in the 1950s.
In 1900 following the death of H.E. Battey, Sr., H.E. Battey took over the company. In 1929, Reed Battey and Mark Curtis formed a "Curtis & Battey" partnership upon the passing of H.E. Battey. After Reed's death in the 1950s, his widow Helen ran the business until closing it in 1971.
Many Tiskilwa houses from those periods have wood floors, lath, and shims with the Curtis & Battey or Battey stamp on them.
Phil Kaufmann portraying businessman and community leader O.W. Battey at our "Voices from Mt. Bloom" program during Pow Wow Days, 2017.
