"Wilson and Funk's Milton fly nets are all the go. They have proved themselves great benefactors to all the bob-tailed horses and switch-tails in general. They are decidedly the best fly nets in use" - The Miltonian, August 1861 Originally located on the second floor in the Goodlander Block, The Wilson Fly Net Factory moved to a building at 453 S. Front Street, along Ferry Lane in Milton, around 1860.
A fly net is made of strips of leather tied into a net to spread across the back of a horse to provide enough movement while a horse is working to keep horse flies from landing and biting. Robert Wilson reportedly patented a special stitch in his Wilson Fly Nets. I found a patent he filed for a Spring Seat Riding Saddle - see below - but could not locate a patent for his Fly Net.
.In 1850 he settled in Milton, Pa., where he worked as a journeyman at his trade, and six years later he devised what has since been known all over the United States as the Wilson Fly Net. In 1856 he commenced on a small scale, employing only three or four men, the manufacture of leather fly-nets and placed them upon the market. Their value was at once recognized and the demand increased in one year from 400 to thousands.
Mr. Wilson secured a patent for the nets in 1858, and in 1870 sold 3,000, while in 1879 the sale had increased to 25,000. He began the manufacture of nets in the Goodlander building, and in 1860 he formed a partnership with Mr. Funk, who was with him five years, retiring in 1865.
During the Rebellion he felt it his duty to defend his country's honor and volunteered in 1863, serving three months and then returning to his former business of manufacturing fly-nets. After the partnership with Mr. Funk was dissolved, Robert Wilson took his son, William E. Wilson, as a partner; and one year later he sold his interest to his second son, Reuben F., retiring from business." - Book of Biographies of the Seventeenth Congressional District
Workers at the Wilson Fly Net Factory
August 1907
"Robert born October 16 1810 in Williamsport was only eight months and twenty days old when his mother died and he was raised by his grandfather When of sufficient age he went to his brother Samuel at Dansville New York and learned the trade of a saddle and harness maker In 1844 he returned to Williamsport and worked at his trade for a few years In 1850 he located in Milton Pa where he continued his trade Being of an inventive turn of mind like his brother Samuel in 1856 he devised what is known as the Wilson fly net for horses and had it patented in 1858 and with the machinery invented by him he engaged largely and profitably in the manufacture of that article
Fly Factory Missiles - Reminiscences of James P. Kohler
"But I have mentioned the Wilson fly-net factory. It occupied the second story of the Goodlander block and had several interesting pieces of machinery, one cut leather into strips about inch wide, another run strips of leather through holes to make the leather round, like shoe strings; another thinned leather strips from cowhide thickness down to the thickness of heavy paper. There was no machine split a hide up into several pieces of the same size, but thinner, as we now see in the "guaranteed" cow-hide grips today. These various parts were put together under valuable patents and were sold in great quantities as the Wilson Flynet, and brought much money into Milton.
Through the back windows of this factory and down upon the river bank were thrown the leather shavings from the' machines. A great pile was always there and boys frequented the place and wrapped these shavings into spool shaped ball, which, with a tack or pin to hold its shape, was a handy missile to have in the pocket.
A year came when there was a great dispute about the location of the post office. It had been in the Brown block, several hundred feet above the Front street bridge and. "Wils" Lawrence was the postmaster.' It crossed the street to about opposite Center street, and I think that Mrs. Egbert was appointed. At any rate, the town be came divided into "upper " and "lower' and the feeling among the boys of the two sections became red hot. They did not come to blows, use clubs or throw stones, but they resorted to the leather pile back of Wilson's flynet factory and turned the leather strips into spool- shaped ammunition, and the fighting began.
There was a big battle one night at Front and Upper Market. I. was an upper ender recruit. Too small to throw the leather missiles back upon the lower enders, Frank Chamberlin assigned to me the import ant duty of picking up the spools that came from the invading force and keeping the defenders supplied with them. At last some one said: "They, (the lower enders) have stones in their spools." This brought the parents and elders on the scene and the battle was stopped.
For some reason or other, I was taken prisoner, not by the enemy, however, but by the upper enders, and I was locked in a portable bath house .on the river bank, close to the water. After enjoying these fortunes of war and reflecting upon the folly of combat for some time, Mrs. Moses Chamberlain unlocked the door and with expressions of great regret that I should be thus treated, released me. Thus ended the famous battle of Milton, but thereafter for a long while a feeling of rivalry, if not of enmity, existed between the two sections of the town, divided approximately by Center street. "- Reminiscences of Milton by James P. Kohler, 1921
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August 30 1907
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Patent Dated March 11 1837, Patent No 139
"Be it known that I, Robert Wilson, of Milton in the county of Northumberland and state of Pennsulvania have invented a new and imrpoved move of making a spring-seat to the common riding saddle..."
Read the entire patent here: https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/de/d6/e8/217e96736cf3af/US139.pdf
1868 Advertisement in the Lewisburg Chronicle
"Agent for the sale of Wilson's Patent Fly Nets"
"The firm manufactures 40,000 fly-nets annually, for which are used fifty sides of leather per day, making three grades, fine, extra fine, and common, black. The firm has established a fine reputation for first-class work all over the United States and the goods are shipped from Maine to California. " - 1899
Reuben Wilson surveying the damage on South Front Street, after the Great Fire in 1880
Wilson's Fly Net Factory was one of the very few buildings to survive the fire.
Ruben Frederick Wilson married Marion Reid, sister to Marshall Reid, founder of the Reid Tobacco Company. Reuben and Marion Wilson lived at 28 North Front Street in Milton, in a Queen Anne style home that Reuben build in 1887. The home was later used as the Milton Borough Building for a time.
The Wilson Fly Net Factory, as shown on the Fowler 1883 Map Of Milton
The Fly Next Factory is on the bottom right, number 29
The Fly Net Factory Building was torn down sometime before 1956.
1878
""The Wilson flynet factory is running full time again, after being closed during the summer months" Oct 1903"
"Robert born October 16 1810 in Williamsport was only eight months and twenty days old when his mother died and he was raised by his grandfather When of sufficient age he went to his brother Samuel at Dansville New York and learned the trade of a saddle and harness maker In 1844 he returned to Williamsport and worked at his trade for a few years In 1850 he located in Milton Pa where he continued his trade Being of an inventive turn of mind like his brother Samuel in 1856 he devised what is known as the Wilson fly net for horses and had it patented in 1858 and with the machinery invented by him he engaged largely and profitably in the manufacture of that article
As early as May 27 1834 Mr Wilson married Lucetta daughter of Dr Henry Heinen of Milton She was born August 6 1814 and died September 2 1853 In 1863 at the age of fifty five years Robert Wilson volunteered and served three months in the defense of his country during the Rebellion.
After remaining a widower about ten years he married Mrs Rebecca Overpeck at Milton and died September 20 1870. His widow survived him several years and died in Indiana By his first wife Robert Wilson had seven children of whom two sons and two daughters died in infancy.
The three that attained manhood were 1 William E b d at Milton July 15 1882 leaving a widow and several children 2 Henry Hepburn b killed in the battle before Petersburg Va July 30 1864 3 Reuben Frederick b d March 20 1892 at Denver Colorado whither he had gone to seek relief for pulmonary trouble He married Marian Reid at Milton December 20 1876 who survives with two sons Robert Marshall and Williain Walter Wilson
HARRY W. WILSON, of the firm of R. F. Wilson & Co., manufacturers of leather
fly-nets, of Milton, Pa., is a son of William E. Wilson and a grandson of Robert
Wilson, who was the inventor of leather fly-nets for horses.
Robert Wilson was born October 16, 1810, at Williamsport, Pa., and early in
life he learned the saddler's and harnessmaker's trade, at which he worked in
his native town and also in New York State. In 1850 he settled in Milton, Pa.,
where he worked as a journeyman at his trade, and six years later he devised
what has since been known all over the United States as the Wilson Fly Net. In
1856 he commenced on a small scale, employing only three or four men, the
manufacture of leather fly-nets and placed them upon the market. Their value was
at once recognized and the demand increased in one year from 400 to thousands.
Mr. Wilson secured a patent for the nets in 1858, and in 1870 sold 3,000, while
in 1879 the sale had increased to 25,000. He began the manufacture of nets in
the Goodlander building, and in 1860 he formed a partnership with Mr. Funk, who
was with him five years, retiring in 1865. During the Rebellion he felt it his
duty to defend his country's honor and volunteered in 1863, serving three months
and then returning to his former business of manufacturing fly-nets. After the
partnership with Mr. Funk was dissolved, Robert Wilson took his son, William E.
Wilson, as a partner; and one year later he sold his interest to his second son,
Reuben F., retiring from business. He died in 1870. He was united in marriage to
Lucretia Heinen, a daughter of Dr. Henry Heinen; she died in 1853, leaving three
sons: William E., our subject's father; Henry H.; and Reuben F., who married
Mrs. Rebecca Overpeck in 1860.
William E. Wilson, our subject's father, was born in Milton, October 9, 1837.
After going through the public schools and Milton Academy he learned the trade
of harnessmaking and worked as a journeyman for several years. He then enlisted
in the Navy and was acting as master-mate on the Ironsides at the beginning of
the Civil War, in which capacity he continued to serve until the close of the
war in 1865. He returned to Milton and went into partnership for one year with
his father, Robert Wilson, the inventor, in the manufacture of leather horse
fly-nets. When his father retired he took his brother, Reuben F., in the
business and they continued under the firm name of Reuben F. Wilson & Bro. until
1875, when he retired from the business and died July 2, 1882. From 1875 to 1888
the business was conducted under the firm name of R. F. Wilson. In that year it
was changed to R. F. Wilson & Co., which style it retains up to the present
year. William E. Wilson firmly supported the Republican party and held many
minor township offices. He married Mary H. Foreman and reared a family of twelve
children, namely: Arrabella, deceased; Sally, now deceased; Annie Lucretia;
Harry W., our subject; Robert G.; Winfield S.; Robert F.; Grace G.; Rebecca;
Jacob V., now deceased; Lizzie, now deceased; and Kate. Mrs. Wilson is still
living and resides in Milton.
Harry W. Wilson, our subject, was born December 17, 1865, in Milton, Pa. He
attended the public and high schools of his native town until 1880, when he
began work in the fly-net manufactory of his ancestors, and continued there for
twelve years, when his faithful services were rewarded by his being made a
partner in the concern. The firm is composed of Mrs. R. F. Wilson, Marshal Reid,
B. F. Vandegrift, and H. W. Wilson. Mr. Marshal Reid is the general manager, and
H. W. Wilson and B. F. Vandegrift have charge of the details of the business.
The firm manufactures 40,000 fly-nets annually, for which are used fifty sides
of leather per day, making three grades, fine, extra fine, and common, black.
The firm has established a fine reputation for first-class work all over the
United States and the goods are shipped from Maine to California.
HARRY W. WILSON, of the firm of R. F. Wilson & Co., manufacturers of leather
fly-nets, of Milton, Pa., is a son of William E. Wilson and a grandson of Robert
Wilson, who was the inventor of leather fly-nets for horses.
Robert Wilson was born October 16, 1810, at Williamsport, Pa., and early in
life he learned the saddler's and harnessmaker's trade, at which he worked in
his native town and also in New York State. In 1850 he settled in Milton, Pa.,
where he worked as a journeyman at his trade, and six years later he devised
what has since been known all over the United States as the Wilson Fly Net. In
1856 he commenced on a small scale, employing only three or four men, the
manufacture of leather fly-nets and placed them upon the market. Their value was
at once recognized and the demand increased in one year from 400 to thousands.
Mr. Wilson secured a patent for the nets in 1858, and in 1870 sold 3,000, while
in 1879 the sale had increased to 25,000. He began the manufacture of nets in
the Goodlander building, and in 1860 he formed a partnership with Mr. Funk, who
was with him five years, retiring in 1865. During the Rebellion he felt it his
duty to defend his country's honor and volunteered in 1863, serving three months
and then returning to his former business of manufacturing fly-nets. After the
partnership with Mr. Funk was dissolved, Robert Wilson took his son, William E.
Wilson, as a partner; and one year later he sold his interest to his second son,
Reuben F., retiring from business. He died in 1870. He was united in marriage to
Lucretia Heinen, a daughter of Dr. Henry Heinen; she died in 1853, leaving three
sons: William E., our subject's father; Henry H.; and Reuben F., who married
Mrs. Rebecca Overpeck in 1860.
William E. Wilson, our subject's father, was born in Milton, October 9, 1837.
After going through the public schools and Milton Academy he learned the trade
of harnessmaking and worked as a journeyman for several years. He then enlisted
in the Navy and was acting as master-mate on the Ironsides at the beginning of
the Civil War, in which capacity he continued to serve until the close of the
war in 1865. He returned to Milton and went into partnership for one year with
his father, Robert Wilson, the inventor, in the manufacture of leather horse
fly-nets. When his father retired he took his brother, Reuben F., in the
business and they continued under the firm name of Reuben F. Wilson & Bro. until
1875, when he retired from the business and died July 2, 1882. From 1875 to 1888
the business was conducted under the firm name of R. F. Wilson. In that year it
was changed to R. F. Wilson & Co., which style it retains up to the present
year. William E. Wilson firmly supported the Republican party and held many
minor township offices. He married Mary H. Foreman and reared a family of twelve
children, namely: Arrabella, deceased; Sally, now deceased; Annie Lucretia;
Harry W., our subject; Robert G.; Winfield S.; Robert F.; Grace G.; Rebecca;
Jacob V., now deceased; Lizzie, now deceased; and Kate. Mrs. Wilson is still
living and resides in Milton.
Harry W. Wilson, our subject, was born December 17, 1865, in Milton, Pa. He
attended the public and high schools of his native town until 1880, when he
began work in the fly-net manufactory of his ancestors, and continued there for
twelve years, when his faithful services were rewarded by his being made a
partner in the concern. The firm is composed of Mrs. R. F. Wilson, Marshal Reid,
B. F. Vandegrift, and H. W. Wilson. Mr. Marshal Reid is the general manager, and
H. W. Wilson and B. F. Vandegrift have charge of the details of the business.
The firm manufactures 40,000 fly-nets annually, for which are used fifty sides
of leather per day, making three grades, fine, extra fine, and common, black.
The firm has established a fine reputation for first-class work all over the
United States and the goods are shipped from Maine to California.
Our subject married Lizzie A. Trate, a daughter of John Trate of New Columbus,
Pa. Two children have blessed this union: Mary L., and Ruth, who died in
infancy. Mr. Wilson is a stanch Republican and although he never aspired to
public office, his many friends have persuaded him to accept some political
honors. - Book of Biographies of the Seventeenth Congressional District
Pa. Two children have blessed this union: Mary L., and Ruth, who died in
infancy. Mr. Wilson is a stanch Republican and although he never aspired to
public office, his many friends have persuaded him to accept some political
honors. - Book of Biographies of the Seventeenth Congressional District
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