History of the Vanderkloot Iron Works

Introduction
Since the Iron Works was so important to all our Vanderkloot forebears whether in the Marinus line or the Matthijs line, I thought it useful to try to assemble a short history of the enterprise. If others wish to contribute or expand on this history, please contact Dave. A companion page of interest is the Names and Locations of the Vanderkloot Iron Works, largely extracted from the Chicago Directories.

History
From its earliest formulation as Burnett, Vanderkloot & Co., the Iron Works evolved, changed names, and split into parts over its 60-year history. By 1882, it had been renamed Vanderkloot and Son. And in February1885, it was incorporated as the South Halsted Street Iron Works in order to give a share of the business to all of Marinus' sons. Marinus Vanderkloot was the President. In 1891, at the age of 66, Marinus passed away. His wife, Meis had died 9 years before in 1882 at only age 54. Both are buried in the Oakwoods Cemetery and there is a huge family plot and marker. After 1891, Adrianus became President and Marinus Jr. Secretary and Treasurer of the South Halsted Street Iron Works.

According to a letter I have from Nick Vanderkloot, the son of Cornelius Vanderkloot, and grandson of Matthijs van der Kloot, the South Halsted Street Iron Works later split into two companies. The first company was called the Vanderkloot Steel Works and the other the Chicago Ornamental Iron Co.

The Vanderkloot Steel Works made structured steel for buildings such as hotels and schools. They were at 26th and Halsted Street and often when they had a large building they closed off a city block and fitted the steel beams on the street. Their greatest accomplishment was the steel structure for the Congress and Auditorium hotels in Chicago.

The Chicago Ornamental Iron Co. became well known for their decorative interpretation of the early school of Chicago Architects, for example, the well-known facade of the Carson, Pirie, Scott and Company building in Chicago was a product of their foundries. They also worked with Henry Trost and all the other well-known designers of what was known as the Prairie School of Architecture.

The Carson, Pirie, Scott building at 1 South State was designed by the famous Louis H. Sullivan and built in stages from 1898 to 1904 and is today a designated Chicago Landmark. The Chicago Landmark Page for the Carson's building states: "The ornament of the lower two stories is frozen in cast iron, while at the same time giving the impression of being in fluid motion. It is an excellent example of Sullivan's genius for architectural ornament." Be sure to see it, next time you are in the Chicago Loop.

According to William Vanderkloot III, at the end, his grandfather William Vanderkloot and two of his brothers ran the Vanderkloot Steel Works, a steel mill and engineering firm. They built the Chicago Pier, among other things. The company sold out to US Steel during the depression. William's gg-grandfather was Marinus Vanderkloot, founder of the Vanderkloot Iron Works and William's great-grandfather was Adrianus Vanderkloot who took over as president in 1891 when Marinus died.

According to Nick Vanderkloot, the Vanderkloot Steel Works to the best of his knowledge closed in the Depression of 1929 - 1933 and the building later became a garage for the Indianapolis Forwarding Company, so it sounds as if after the sale to US Steel that the old location closed.

According to Camille Vanderkloot Miller, granddaughter of Marinus A. Vanderkloot, Marinus A. was president of the steel mill until his death in February 1931. John Adrian Vanderkloot, his son, then became president. John was the one that liquidated the business. Part was sold to North American Aviation and some to US Steel. Thus it appears that Marinus A. Vanderkloot took over from Peter S. Vanderkloot upon Peter's death.

A descendant of the family that owned the Chicago Ornamental Iron Company contacted me in the year 2002 and indicated that the Chicago Ornamental Iron Company went out of business about the year 2000.

On a drive-by in the summer of 2001 it was found that the area where the original buildings would have been, 2611-2625 South Halsted, have been knocked down and the area is enclosed in a new chain link fence and there is high green grass inside. There is a building about 2607 or 2605, but it was hard to determine the exact address. In reality, there appears to be nothing left of the original site except the knowledge of its location.

It was a good run though, spanning almost 70 years. The iron works provided employment for the first Marinus Vanderkloot and all his sons and also his brother Matthijs Vanderkloot and six of his sons for their working careers. My own Adrianus Vanderkloot was still working there on and off in 1920 at age 68.

Officers of the South Halsted Street Iron Works:
A detailed accounting of the names and locations of the main Vanderkloot companies including a year-by-year listing of the president, vice presidents, secretary and treasurer is shown in the Address Section.

1st President
Marinus Vanderkloot was the president and his first son Adrian Vanderkloot was secretary/treasurer of the South Halsted Street Iron Works from the earliest years in the 1870s until Marinus died in 1891.

2nd President
After Marinus Vanderkloot died in 1891, his oldest son, Adrian Vanderkloot became president and his youngest son, Marinus L. Vanderkloot, became the secretary/treasurer of the South Halsted Street Iron Works. This arrangement continued from 1891 until 1895. In 1896, the founder's son Mathias R. Vanderkloot becomes the new secretary/treasurer replacing his brother Marinus L. Vanderkloot. This arrangement then continues until 1900. In 1900, Adrianus retains the presidency, but his brother Marinus L. Vanderkloot returns and becomes the vice president, while Mathias R. continues as the secretary/ treasurer. This arrangement continues through at least 1905, possibly through 1906. Then in January 1907, Marinus L. Vanderkloot died. By 1909, President Adrian moves his brother Mathias R. Vanderkloot from secretary to vice president, and adds his son, William J. Vanderkloot as secretary/treasurer. This arrangement continues until November 1912 when Adrian Vanderkloot died.

3rd President
Around 1913, the founder's third son Mathias R. Vanderkloot becomes president of the South Halsted Street Iron Works, while William J. Vanderkloot continues as secretary. This arrangement served until 1915, when the founder's son, Peter Simon Vanderkloot was brought in as vice president. Peter S. Vanderkloot previously served as the superintendent for the iron works since the early 1890s. This arrangement served until at least 1917, but probably until January 1919 when Mathias R. Vanderkloot, the then president died.

4th President
By 1923, and perhaps as early as 1919, the company was renamed the Vanderkloot Steel Works and Peter S. Vanderkloot became the fourth president. Marinus A. Vanderkloot (thought to be the first son of Adrian Vanderkloot and brother to William J.) became vice president, and William J. Vanderkloot continued as secretary. This arrangement continued until at least 1928 as confirmed by the 1928 Chicago Directory.

5th President
After Peter S. Vanderkloot died (exact date unknown but sometime after 1927), Marinus A. Vanderloot became president of the steel mill until his death in February 1931.

6th President
After Marinus A. Vanderkloot died in February 1931, John Adrian Vanderkloot, his son, then became president. John was the one that liquidated the business. Part was sold to North American Aviation and some to US Steel.

Structures of the Vanderkloot Ironworks
Over the years, the Vanderkloot Ironworks and offspring companies must have been involved in the construction of hundreds of structures in Cocksdorp, Texel and in the Chicago area. I've started a couple of tables below for those interested in self-guided walking tours. So far only a few locations are known. If you know of others, conctact Dave.

**Known Vanderkloot Ironworks Projects in Chicago**
Item and Location	Vanderkloot Company	Approximate Year	Source
Facade of the Carson, Pirie, Scott and Company at 1 South State Chicago. No identification mark by the Vanderkloot Ironsworks or the Chicago Ornamental Iron Company has yet been found on the facade.	Chicago Ornamental Iron Co.	1898-1904	Nick Vanderkoot
Steel threshold at 3209 N. Clark St. with the name So. Halsted St. Iron Works casted in it.	So. Halsted St. Iron Works	1884-1930	Mr. Toth, photographic collector of "Old Iron" IN Chicago
Cast-iron threshold at 1746 N. Wells (Nookies Restaurant) in Chicago with the name Vanderkloot & Son casted in it.	Vanderkloot & Son	1873-1884	Mr. Toth

**Known Vanderkloot Ironworks Projects in Cocksdorp, Texel**
Item and Location	Vanderkloot Company	Approximate Year	Source
It is said that Matthijs Vanderkloot cast the bell in the tower of the Dutch Reform Church on Kikkertstraat in De Cocksdorp, Texel. and various Vanderkloots have reported that his stamp can still be seen on the bell.	Matthijs Vanderkloot's Iron Works in Cocksdorp, Texel, Netherlands	1850-1880	Various Vanderkloots have reported that Matthijs Vanderkloot's stamp can be seen on the bell.

Memorabilia of the Vanderkloot Ironworks
Various Vanderkloot descendants may have pictures or artifacts from the Vanderkloot Irons Works in Chicago. So far only two are known. If you find others, let Dave know so that they can be added to the list.