People's Pilot, Volume 5, Number 27-25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 January 1896 — Electric Light Plant. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Electric Light Plant.

The electric light plant, shown in the accompanying cut was installed in 1881 by B. F. Ferguson and a corporation formed under the name of The Rensselaer, Water, Light & Power Company. When first installed the motive power was supplied by a sixty-five horse power engine attached to a five hundred light dynamo. In 1891 the plant w-as sold to Thomson-Huston Electric Company of Chicago, which afterward consolidating with the Edison Electric Company, under the name of the General Electric Company, have operated the plant ever since. The machinery first installed soon proved inadequate to the demands upon it, and in 1891 another engine of ninetyfive horse power, together with a thou-sand-light dynamo were put in, and are now in operation. There is also an arc dynamo which supplies light to the streets only as the sixteen candle power incandescent lights are the favorites for lighting both residences and business houses. Ellis & Murray’s store has the largest number of lights in any one business house, while The Model store is but little behind them.

The arc lamps are of twelve hundred candle power, the incandescent street lights of twenty candle power, and the business and residence lights of sixteen candle power, except one incandescent lamp in Masonic Hall, of one hundred and fifty candle power. The lights are burned on the contract system, but there has been serious thought of installing meters and operating the plant on a strictly meter basis, believing it to be more nearly just to subscribers and owners. Alfred W. Hopkins is the local general manager of the plant, and attends to all work of contracting for lights, running new lines buying supplies, collecting bills due, and paying demands against it, and such other business as is incident to success of such a business. Mr. Hopkins was born and raised in this place, and has always lived with

his mother, Mrs. Mary E. Hopkins, a cut of whose home we give in another place in this issue. Electrical engineering is not his occupation, ahtl he has never taken any part in the operation of the mechanical part. He graduated from our high school in 1892 and took a position in F. B. Meyer’s drug store, but accepted a similar position in Chicago in the fall of the same year. Here he remained until August, 1893, when he re. turned to this place to a position with the law firm of Austin & Co., of which his brother, A. H. Hopkins, was a member. As soon as he became acquainted with the legal profession he formed a taste for it, and has since entered upon a course of training in that line, with all the zeal peculiar to his nature. At present he is perfecting his legal education at the North Western University in Chicago, while the active management of the electric plant is temporarily intrusted to other parties under his bond.

Charles S. Chamberlin, is the electrician and general manager of the mechanical part of the plant. Mr. Chamberlin was born in Kansas and moved to Rensselaer when about 4 years old; (lived here two years, then moved to Star City;) returned when nine years old and has lived here ever since. He attended the public schools until he began work for the Thomson-Huston Electric Company when sixteen years old. He started as fireman, then as lineman, then as dynamo and engine man. His ability in mechanics being soon recognized h$ was advanced until he became general electrician in 1891. This position he has filled with great credit to himself, as well as satisfaction to the patrons of the plant, as it is conceded by all that the strength of the lights, and the few accidents to interfere with their regularity, is a sufficient recommendation as to his ability. He is faithful in the discharge of his duty, and courteous and accommodating to patrons, and accidents to lights are promptly and efficiently repaired. The subject of municipal ownership of the electric plant is now being discussed by the town trustees, and backed by a strong popular sentiment, they are likely to devise some means in the near future of establishing a system for the city. If the present plant is found suitable, and can be purchased at a fair valuation, it is quite probable that it will be purchased, as it still has many years to run under its franchise, and would seriously impair the financial success of another plant if both should attempt to operate. It is believed that the city fathers will thoroughly consider the matter before venturing either to purchase this property or build another. In either event steps will at once be taken to incorporate with the electric light plant a water works system, and there are advocates of also including steam heating and power for manufacturing as soon as prudent to do so: ~

ALFRED W. HOPKINS.

RENSSELAER ELECTRIC LIGHT PLANT.

RESIDENCE OF MRS. MARY E. HOPKINS.

RESIDENCE OF GEORGE K. HOLLINGSWORTH.