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Guide to the John Torrance and Son Foundry Financial Records, 1887-1933
MSS S
Table of Contents
Summary Information
- Abstract
- John Torrance and Son Foundry and Stove Manufactory was founded in 1876. During the firm’s early years, they did a great deal of repair work on river barges and steamboats, but in later years moved on into construction work. The company is still in business under the name Torrance Casting and Fabricating. Records of the John R. Torrance and Son Foundry consist exclusively of financial materials, namely ledgers, journals and account books, dating from 1887-1933, and provide information about the company’s customers and products. The account book in particular provides detailed information about work done by the company.
- Collection Title
- John Torrance and Son Foundry Financial Records
- Date of Materials
- 1887-1933
- Creator
- John Torrance and Son Foundry (La Crosse, Wis.).
- Call Number
- MSS S
- Amount
- 1.8 cubic feet
- Physical Description
- 2 archives boxes, 3 volumes
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- La Crosse Public Library Archives
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], John Torrance and Son Foundry Financial Records, MSS S, La Crosse Public Library Archives, La Crosse, WI
Historical Note
John Torrance and Son Foundry and Stove Manufactory was founded in 1876. During the firm’s early years, they did a great deal of repair work on river barges and steamboats, but in later years moved on to construction work - including the manufacture of steel beams and other iron work. The company’s founder, John R. Torrance died in 1897, and his son William Torrance took over the business. In turn, M. A. Torrance became head of the company when his father William Torrance died in 1934. The company is still in business under the name Torrance Casting and Fabricating.
Scope and Contents
The records of the John Torrance & Son Foundry consist exclusively of financial records dating from 1887 to 1933. Three bound volumes contain daily journal entries dating from 1890 to 1896, but though they overlap in dates not all the entries are the same. Two ledgers date from 1893 to 1895 and from 1916 to 1920, while an account book dates from 1900 to 1917. Finally, the records include two cash books from 1907 to 1918 and from 1918 to 1933, and a folder of miscellaneous bills and receipts dating from Feb. 11, 1887 to Nov. 12, 1892. The financial records offer information about the company’s customers and products. The account book especially provides detailed information about work done by the company - such as remodeling done at the La Crosse “Poor House” or a new fire escape at the Indian School at Tomah. The foundry also did work for a number of churches in the area as well as on a number of City and County government buildings.
Administrative Information
Publication Information
La Crosse Public Library Archives 1987
800 Main St.La Crosse, Wisconsin, 54601
(608) 789-7136
archives@lacrosselibrary.org
Access to Materials
Materials in this collection are available for patron use.
Acquisitions Information
Donor unknown
(Accession No. x.017A)
Processing Information
Processed by Amy Groskopf, 1987
Related Materials
Related Materials
- (Clipping file)
- La Crosse - Industries - Torrance, John and Son Foundry
Controlled Access Headings
Corporate Name(s)
- John Torrance and Son Foundry (La Crosse, Wis.).
- Torrance Casting Inc. (La Crosse, Wis.).
Geographic Name(s)
- La Crosse (Wis.)--Buildings, structures, etc.
- Wisconsin--Buildings, structures, etc.
Personal Name(s)
- Torrance, John R., d. 1897
Subject(s)
- Business records--Wisconsin--La Crosse
OCLC Number
28418157
Collection Inventory
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Account book, 1900-1917 |
1 | 3 | ||
|
Cash books |
||||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
1907-1918 |
2 | 1 | ||
|
1918-1933 |
2 | 2 | ||
|
Journals |
||||
| Volume | ||||
|
1890-1894 |
1 | |||
|
1893-1896 |
2 | |||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
1894-1896 |
1 | 1 | ||
|
Ledgers |
||||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
1893-1895 |
1 | 2 | ||
| Volume | ||||
|
1916-1920 |
3 | |||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Miscellaneous bills and receipts, 1887-1892 |
2 | 3 | ||