Monarch

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Dornfeld-Kunert Co

The Monarch Co

821 S First

1906

01 31 Few in this city are aware of the extent of the business done by The Dornfeld-Kunert Company. Its works cover a large area of ground and a large force of men are employed in both the foundry and machine shop in turning out the large orders received from distant points. The company is shipping 300 tons of structural steel to Lockport, Ill., for the Illinois River Drainage canal, and they still have other orders to be filled to say nothing of other orders booked for future delivery. It is one of the permanent manufacturing industries in the city and is a local enterprise, having grown to its present size from a small beginning in the years past. WL

1906

04 19 The Dornfeld-Kunert company desires a small spot of ground near its shops upon which to erect an office building which will be constructed of structural steel and brick and be absolutely fire proof. The city should sell it to the company for a nominal price. Why? Because it is an industry owned entirely by Watertown people, employs about 85 hands and its pay roll amounts to about $1,000 per week, which is spent in this city to add to its prosperity and growth. Our business men are contributing thousands of dollars to induce industrial enterprises to locate here, and it seems strange that the city should withhold from a home concern the small favor asked for. As far as endangering city property its concern, there is nothing in the claim, for the building contemplated will be some distance from the water works plant and will be fireproof. It is a matter in which all are interested and each citizen should give expression especially to the aldermen of his ward . . . WL

1909

06 04 Amoskeag fire engine owned by city of Columbus, Dornfeld-Kunert secured contract for new boiler on WG

06 18 Line shaft of Dornfeld-Kunert shop attached by belt to a “Nash Gas Engine WG

09 03 Overhauling Waterloo’s Silsby steamer WG

Dornfeld to Continue Business

All Work Given This New Firm Will be Handled

Promptly By Skilled Workmen

1915

05 27 Some weeks ago the Structural Steel and Iron Works, Foundry and Machine Shop of the Dornfeld-Kunert Co. of this city were purchased by J. F. Dornfeld, who will conduct the business in a manner as before, doing all kinds of structural iron work for buildings and allied trades. In this connection we will furnish all kinds and sizes of boilers and do boiler repairing of any and all kinds.

We shall be prepared to furnish repairs for boiler fronts, fire boxes and the like and in most cases will no doubt have pattern for same. With the aid of a light auto truck we can get to most such work quite promptly. Light or heavy smoke stacks will be made and tools for erection can be furnished.

Special attention will be given to the foundry; and all castings that may be wanted will be made first class and at reasonable prices. We have patterns on hand in the foundry for almost anything required. All these patterns are properly numbered, booked and shelved so that customers can readily get a duplicate casting by referring to a number on the casting. Patterns belonging to customers and left here will be treated in the same way. It will be a principal object to provide first class tools in addition to those on hand in the machine shop and have good mechanics who will understand and can do any work that we may be favored with.

We will have shafting, pulleys, hangers, etc., in stock and will furnish anything in that line at market prices.

Any repairing of automobiles or auto trucks will be done by expert mechanics.

We will employ great accuracy and promptness in line of machinery work, whether it is new or repair work.

We will endeavor to keep in stock, as much as possible, repairs, castings, etc., for any machinery that may be called for. It is our intention to be fair in all deals in that we want your trade and cooperation. Watertown Gazette

1916

The Monarch Tractor Company was incorporated September 6, 1916. Shortly thereafter, the Company purchased the Dornfeld-Kunert plant at the foot of First Street, Watertown [plant was between First and Second streets]. This plant was remodeled to include an enlarged foundry with a capacity of thirty-five to forty thousand pounds per day and a modern machine and erecting shop with all necessary machine tool equipment, overhead traveling crane, and other mechanical devices.

The first work undertaken by the new Company in its plant was the building of the early models of the well known Luce Sugar Cane Harvester, which in its latest development is now performing remarkable work in the Cuban cane fields.

Prior to the organization of the Monarch Tractor Company, its incorporators had been working for several years on the development of a crawler type of tractor modeled somewhat after the military tanks. This work was continued in the new company and resulted finally in the completion of the Monarch Tractor as a commercial product.

These tractors are now working successfully in every state in the Union and in many foreign countries. During the war the Company employed about 200 men and turned out six completed tractors per day. Large numbers of these tractors were shipped to France and there took part in operations in connection with the Great War.

The Company has always aimed to support local institutions, and to develop a business which would be of benefit to the community in which it is so fortunately located, and to make the city of Watertown well and favorably known wherever Monarch Tractors may go. Watertown High School Orbit, 1921

1919 1919, Advertisement

1920

08 12 Improvements at Monarch Tractor Co. Plant WG

1920, Fold-out pamphlet, similar to the Caterpillar Tractor

2008

05 08 Demolition of the former Watertown Street Department building on South Second Street began on May 8, 2007, as part of an effort to make way for the construction of the city's new public works building at the site. Presently relocated to the former Applied Molding Products building, the street department plans to move into the new facility early next year. The building being razed was formerly the location of a pair of local industries, the Dornfeld-Kunert Co. and the Monarch Tractor Co.

Click upon to enlarge

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