John Strange grew up in Menasha from the first year of his life, settling on Doty Island with his parents in 1852. The John Strange Paper Company grew out of the old John Strange Pail and Tub Factory which was founded in 1881. Incorporated as John Strange Paper in 1891 and located off the Tayco Street Bridge, it made kraft paper, the kind used for brown paper grocery and lunch bags. In 1969, Menasha Corporation bought out and gained full ownership of the John Strange Paper Company, which was then renamed the Menasha Paperboard Mill. John Strange was elected Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin in 1908 and served one term from 1909 to 1911. He was a strident supporter of Prohibition and during World War I, he likened American brewers to our opponent in the war, saying, “…the worst of all our German enemies, the most treacherous, the most menacing are Pabst, Schlitz, Blatz, and Miller.” When he died in 1923, he was president of the John Strange Paper Company, the John Strange Pail Company and the Stevens Point Pulp and Paper Company, as well as the director of R. McMillian Company.
I am researching a very nice 25 pound starch container made by the The J. Strange Rail Co. Menasha Wisc. made back in 1914.This was very interesting article. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI have a brown pail that says John Strange Pail Company on the bottom with three different dates. On the front of the pail it says Bridge Drops. How old is this pail and what did it originally hold.
ReplyDeleteI am looking for a brown pail with the company name on it. My grandfather was a traveling sales agent and his sister married the son.
ReplyDeleteThat's my great grandfather
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