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plants in Europe, business was extremely profitable. When the Borden Co. announced plans to begin operations in Europe, Anglo-Swiss warned of retaliation. Borden went ahead, however, and Anglo-Swiss began their own operations in the United States. Middletown was their first plant in this country. After purchasing the creamery property, it was expanded and refitted with new equipment. Alterations were completed in 1883. Anglo-Swiss was quite successful, and in 1888 announced plans for they tremendous expansion of the Middletown building. Enlargements were completed in the early 1890's.
By 1894, the Middletown plant employed 115 people and used the milk of 4,000 cows a year. There was also a condensed milk plant in Dixon, Illinois, built about 1888-1889. Besides condensed milk, Anglo-Swiss produced other lines of foods under five different product names. The Borden Co. had not expected Anglo-Swiss to do that well here, and were soon ready to negotiate. In early 1902, it was announced Borden would take over all Anglo-Swiss operations in the United States, with Anglo-Swiss assuming all Borden plants in Europe. After Borden acquired the Middletown plant, they made their own improvements to the property as well. It is interesting to note the condensed milk plant was served by the trolley line, an operation which began April 4, 1895. A "milk car" carrying cans filled with milk would leave Goshen in the morning and run to the condensery here, where they would be emptied. In the afternoon, the milk car returned to Goshen with the empty cans. Aspur track was built from the line on West Main Street which ran a short distance down Canal Street, then turned to run along the north end of the building where the plant's receiving department was located. The condensery also had a storehouse at 14-22 Canal Street (behind the First Baptist Church). This is now part of a parking lot. Borden discontinued their condensed milk operation here about 1925, leaving only a small research division. This closed about 1937.
In 1853, Elisha P. Wheeler, Edward M. Madden, and Josiah Bakewell established the Monhagen Saw Works on King Street. Wheeler and Madden were the promoters, while Mr. Bakewell, an Englishman, was a "practical mechanic... reputed to be the best saw maker in the United States" at that time. By 1857, a large factory was erected on Railroad Avenue on the corner of Cottage Street.
With the arrival of William Clemson here in 1860, he replaced the late Mr. Bakewell and the partnership became Wheeler, Madden & Clemson. William Clemson (Jr.) was born May 27, 1821 in Warwickshire, England. At age 14, he was apprenticed to his father, who was superintendent of a wire manufacturing plant. After seven years of apprenticeship, he came to the United States, arriving in Boston in 1842. He got a job with a saw manufacturer, leaving to open his own shop, Woodrough & Clemson, about 1844. He married Amelia Wright in 1845. Their second son, George Nathan, was born June 1, 1854. Meanwhile, William's