R. D. 4, Bagley, Minnesota
William Wallingford first owned and operated a sawmill near
Nevis, Minnesota, in 1906. His first engine was a 12 hp. C. Aultman
chain drive traction. He used this engine for a short time, then
traded it for a stationary engine which he used until 1913. During
those years he sawed only pine lumber which was manufactured into
grain and coal doors at the mill and then sold. In 1913 he bought a
32 hp. Reeves simple traction which he used on the mill until 1817,
when both mill and engine were burned in a fire at Akeley,
Minnesota.
He built another mill immediately and reconditioned the engine,
selling this engine several years later and buying a Star (Aultman)
under-mounted traction which he used until 1924. He traded it for
another 32 hp. Reeves and a 20 hp. Avery Under-mounted. These two
were used in his lath mill at Akeley.
In 1928 Mr. Wallingford and his son James, (who was in
partnership with him now) sold the two engines and bought a Reeves
40 hp. traction which they used until 1927, when they traded it for
a 25 hp. Reeves.
In 1928, the senior Wallingford left the mill to move to Bagley,
Minnesota, where he operated a country store for 11 years.
James Wallingford also moved to rural Bagley with the mill in
1928, where he operated it for several years. In 1934 he located
the mill in Bagley where he operated continuously until 1950
despite two fires, one in 1938, and one in 1943, each of which
completely destroyed his mills. At present he is in the road
construction business.
William Wallingford worked at the mill as head saw filer from
1937 until his retirement in 1949.
His other son Robert, who has been associated with them in their
work for many years, is head filer for the Clear Water Lumber
Company of Bagley, a position he has had for about 10 years.
William Wallingford operated steam engines and sawmills for more
than 40 years, owning 7 traction and one stationary type.
He and Mrs. Wallingford live in Bagley, Minnesota, where they
have resided nearly 15 years.
