Racine Paper Goods Company

The Racine Paper Goods Company was organized in 1894 by Lucius J. Elliott, Byron B. Blake, Richard T. Robinson and O. L. Parmenter. This was started as a partnership affair, the plant, being located at No. 612 Wisconsin Street. They manufacture paper cigar pockets, patented by O. L. Parmenter. The company was incorporated in 1902 with L. J. Elliott as president; R. T. Robinson, vice president, and O. L. Parmenter, secretary and treasurer. The company also manufactures packages for putting up silk, chocolates and other kinds of candy, etc. Their product is sold all over the world and this business has done as much as has any other company in the city to make the name of Racine known throughout the length and breadth of the land. The policy maintained is fruitful of most excellent results. The company has ever taker a great interest in its employees, assisting them in every possible way. The product is sold to jobbers, retailers and manufacturers and the business has ever been conducted in recognition of the fact that satisfied patrons are the best advertisement. Seventy-five employees are in the Racine factory, one-half of whom are skilled workmen, and the company has another factory in Toronto, Canada.. They also have their own printing plant and the factory uses special machinery, all of which has been invented and manufactured by Mr. Parmenter. The three officers of the company have been continuously associated in business since the establishment of the undertaking, but Mr. Parmenter is the only one who is in active charge. They have become particularly well known through their wax-lined coupon cigar pockets, which are impervious to either moisture or heat and are therefore equivalent to miniature pocket humidors. The pockets have a triple fold, making each pocket elastic, so that they can hold a large or small cigar equally well. Each cigar is therefore thoroughly protected. The business has grown rapidly and has now reached very gratifying proportions, while the sales of the house along other lines are equally gratifying.

Source: Stone, Fanny S. Racine, Belle City of the lakes, and Racine County, Wisconsin : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement; Chicago: S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1916.