Property: Dorchester, Neal Smith Inc.
Transcriber: Janet

Surnames: BAEHLER BEISNER HURTH KNIPPEL SEIDEL SMITH

----Source: Historical Sketches of Dorchester, Wisconsin (1873-1973)

NEAL SMITH, INC.

This woodworking business was started in 1945 at Medford by Ed Smith, father of Neal Smith. Ed acquired a patent for laminated skis and for many years this was the main item manufactured. The business was moved to Dorchester in 1947. Other items made in the past were toilet seats, yardsticks, cutter boards, rails for cribs and toys. Today the manufacture of hardwood mouldings is their main item. From 50 to 100,000 feet of lumber are consumed each month with their products shipped to Minnesota and Illinois. The first employees, Frank Seidel, George Hurth, Fred Baehler and Walter Beisner still work for the firm. Neal Smith, deceased in 1972, ran the business for many years. His daughter, Shirley Knipple, is the present manager.