I would like to find some Menasha stoneware from Bachelder pottery by Cheryl Degner
from Form Post @ Mrbottles.com; PICTURES WILL BE ADDED SOON!!!
My great-great-great grandfather Luther C. Batchelder sold his ME pottery in 1845 and moved his sons, Calvin, Cleveland, and Carlton to Neenah and Menasha. When Luther died in 1850 his sons carried on in the pottery business. Cleveland was my great-great grandfather. Carlton, I understand expanded the line of products.Luther Cleveland Batchelder was born in 1804 to Jacob Bachelder and Mary (Polly) Cleveland in Concord, NH. He married Jane Polly Whittemore, daughter of a NH pottery family in 1824. Three boys were born in Concord- Cleveland 1823, Calvin B 1824, and Carlton 1827. In 1831, the family moved to Exeter Mills in ME where Luther established a pottery- which he kept until 1845. Jane Polly died in 1832; Luther remarried in `84` to Hannah Bean (nee French) Clifford in Montville, ME.
In 1847, he moved with boys (unsure about Hannah) to Neenah and Menasha, WI. where they established a pottery specializing in stoneware. All three brothers appeared to have worked as potters. Luther died 28 Oct. 1850. By late 1860's, Cleveland, his wife Helen Soule, and son Luther Cleveland (1852) had moved to CA. Calvin took over the pottery and expanded it to include other items, a freighting business, a partner. Calvin's son Oscar became famous in NC as an art potter, whose works demand high prices today.
I will have to find my notes on the actual business facts of Calvin's enterprises. Ads can be found in historic Appleton papers.
Carlton Bachelder had wholesale firm C. Bachelder and Fisher in Neenah and Menasha dealing in wholesale crockery and glassware 1884-1898 Appleton Directory. Myron C Fisher had quit firm by 1890's. Bachelder was dealing in coal by then. Cleveland was listed as pottery manufacturer and Carlton was listed as potter in 1860 Census Menasha, WI. C Bachelder was cited as having business on Commercial Ave, NC. and NWRR depot. Apparently the Menasha Historical Society was looking for pictures and items of pottery in 1960 for a display 20 July 1960 Appleton Post Crescent. They displayed a 1872 map marking the spot of the pottery.
Here are Bachelder pictures of Cleveland-listed as pottery manufacturer 1860 Menasha Census and Carlton -listed as potter in 1860 Menasha Census. Pictures probably from that time. Couldn't find Calvin's picture.
Wisconsin collectors; If you have Bachelder pottery you are willing to sell contact me. I will put you in touch with Cheryl.
