HISTORY OF RODDIS LUMBER EMPIRE
Upham Employee Began Veneer Factory in 1890

Longtime Industrial Leader - For more than a generation Hamilton Roddis lead the industry which bore his name. He held the post of President of the Roddis Plywood Corporation until February 18, 1895 when he became Chairman of the Board. In failing health, he gave up daily trips to the office a few months before his death, which occurred in March 27, 1960. He was 84 years old.

Industrial Founder - Axel K. Hatteberg established the Hatteberg Veneer Co. here in 1891. Six years later it became the Roddis Veneer Co., and, as the Roddis Plywood Corporation, was sold to the Weyerhaeuser Company in 1960.

Benjamin Harrison was President of the United States and the Spanish American War was seven years in the future when the Hatteberg Veneer Company opened for business in 1891.

The company utilized a veneer cutter developed by its founder, which was the heart of the infant manufacturing co. He announced that a group of citizens were backing him in a new industry for Marshfield - a veneer factory which would use a cutting machine he had developed.

Hatteberg, an "old-country" Norwegian, was among the city's earliest settlers. When W. H. Upham and Frank R. Upham were busy purchasing machinery from the Marshfield Furniture Company early in 1882, Hatteberg was advising them as superintendent and foreman of the projected plant. That was only 10 years after Louis Rivers had established a log, 1-1/2 story structure, the first building on the site of what is now Marshfield.

There was a "veneering" machine in the Upham plant in 1882, and it was this machine which probably impelled the tinkering Hatteberg to build a better one in the factory's machine shop. He also perfected a veneer dryer.

But it was the veneer cutter of which the inventor was particularly proud. It was, he boasted, the largest in the country and capable of handling a log of 10 feet long and 4 feet in diameter.

The amount the mill needed for the venture would be about $25,000 Hatteberg estimated.

And, he added, "with the veneer and drying machine which I have constructed, the veneer can be put on the market inside of 24 hours from the time of its manufacture."

After interesting neither the city nor the citizenry in providing a site for the factory, Hatteberg, in December, 1890, announced that he was going forward with his plans without assistance. At the same time he abandoned an effort to have the city fathers close their eyes to taxes until such time as the plant was on solid footing.

At an organization meeting April 3, 1891, stockholders elected Hatteberg president and Peter Prescott secretary and treasurer. The board of directors included Hatteberg, W.H. Upham and Henry Thuss.

By July, 1891, $18,000 of the $25,000 stock company, known as the Hatteberg Veneer Co., had been subscribed. A list of stock holders published at that time included in addition to the directors, John Prescott, Herman Kohrberg, A.B. Cole, John Cole and Thomas Norton.

Shortly after the Fourth of July work on the plant began with the crew of about 25 men headed by Thuss. Framing was supervised by George W. Bishop. The one description of the new plant, written after the foundation was laid says:

"The building will be 32 x 100 feet with two wings each 32 x 48 feet and one story high. It is mounted on a good stone foundation and will be substantially built throughout. A fine fireproof boiler and engine room, 32 x 32, will be added, spurs from several railroads will be built to the factory, giving the best shipping facilities available."

The same report saw a great future for the factory whose prospects were being hitched to the start of an increasingly popular industry.

"The use of veneer had made wonderful progress in the last 10 years and it is now one of the most stable articles on the market. It is used in the manufacture of nearly all kinds of furniture and its use is found to be a great saving in expense."

"Four thousand feet of logs will make 8,000 feet of veneer. This is used for panels, bureaus and a variety of other furniture."

Hatteberg's veneer machine was to be used but plans for his dryer apparently went by the wayside. "The dry kiln, which is 8 x 65 feet, is heated by one of the Sturdevant heaters, the hot air being conducted to its destination by tunnels." The machinery will all be run from a line shaft 80 feet in length, the power being furnished by a 200 horsepower engine with two boilers.

Hatteberg's veneer cutter, required the services of three men and two boys.

Marshfield was happy in its new industry. The work week was six days long and for a 10-hour stint skilled workmen got $2.50 a day. The average rate of pay for men was $1.50 per day, while boys took home $1.00.

One of the first car loads of cheeseboxes produced in the spanking new plant went onto Illinois concern, which failed almost immediately after the carload's arrival. The Hatteberg Veneer Co., early in its career, was holding the bag for $1,500.