San
Joaquin County
Biographies
ENTERPRISE PLANING MILL
(Mr. Gregg, Sr., H. F. Silk, George Chester
Wheelock,
Ward M. Gregg & Alfred H. Perry)
In these days of modern progress and
building development, when there is such an insistent and increasing demand for
finished building materials, it is a pleasure to do business with representative
concerns that keep thoroughly abreast with the times. Such an institution is the planing mill and
cabinet shop conducted by the Enterprise Planing Mill, which has been an
important factor aiding building and industrial development in this richly
productive community of San Joaquin County, where irrigation and good soils
properly cultivated are creating wealth.
The company conducts an extensive business in this territory. In their new and conveniently equipped
planing mill one finds a full line of everything in building materials usually
carried by a representative planing mill.
Thirteen years ago a small planing
mill was started by Gregg & Son on Cherokee Street in Lodi, who conducted
the business until 1921, when H. F. Silk purchased the interest of Mr. Gregg,
Sr., and the firm became known as Silk & Gregg. Later George Chester Wheelock bought the
interest of Ward M. Gregg and the firm became known as Silk & Wheelock. They are now doing business as the Enterprise
Planing Mill, a co-partnership. By fair
dealing and honest work the business grew to such an extent that larger
quarters became a necessity, and their planing mill and cabinet shop was
removed to 625 North Sacramento Street.
Much new machinery has been installed, including planers, moulders, band saw, shaper and a specially designed trim
saw built by Mr. Silk. Mr. Silk has had
eighteen years’ experience in the planing-mill and cabinet-making
business. He is outside, getting in
touch with the public and securing new business. Mr. Wheelock has been in the business for
sixteen years and has charge of the office.
The third member of the firm is Alfred H. Perry, who was for eighteen
years foreman for the Pacific Manufacturing Company at Santa Clara, and is now
in charge of this mill. The machinery
and equipment of the new mill cost approximately $20,000, thus giving the plant
a very large capacity. Lately an
addition has been made to occupy 50 x 180 feet.
Already it has been found that the new quarters are going to be too
small, and they are looking for further space for enlarging the mill and for
the storage of lumber. The firm now has
twelve first class mechanics on their payroll, and only the very best work is
turned out. The Enterprise Planing Mill are loyal boosters for the rich and steadily growing
communities surrounding the city of Lodi.
The policy of this organization is to work along progressive lines with
their representative interests for the upbuilding of the city.
Transcribed by V. Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: Tinkham, George
H., History of San Joaquin County, California , Page
1588. Los Angeles, Calif.: Historic
Record Co., 1923.
© 2012 V. Gerald Iaquinta.
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