Brickyards of Newton

BROWN, HANSON, HENNAMA, HENNING, MCALLISTER, SQUIRES, WERT

Posted By: JCGS Volunteer
Date: 1/28/2024 at 11:43:39

Joseph Wert Father of the Brick Industry
In turning over the pages of Jasper county history the name of Joseph Wert tops the list as father of the Brick Making industry. It was before the Civil War that he built his kiln out of what was known as the old David Church property where the Ed Goodhue family now resides.
Brick making then was one of the major industries for most of the better properties were built then of bricks. Some of the bricks baked in the Wert kiln are still to be found in Newton. The building which now serves as a business stand for the R. H. Routledge plumbing shop and A. M. Carl and Henry Versteeg’s Music shop, was made from the Wert bricks. That building which is one of the oldest on the square was constructed prior to the Civil war.
Fan Hennama and his brother, Will, were among the early brick makers and were for years employed by Mr. Wert.
The old Brothers brickyard was one of the older concerns in the town. They had their kiln out near Cherry creek. Hanson Brothers were also in the brick business here prior to 1905.
The Henning Brothers were others listed among the pioneers who met with success in the brickmaking industry. The Henning brickyard was on First Avenue West near the Rock Island track.
All of the old brickmakers are dead and their work is being carried on by Newton Clay Products company, which is managed by Bert Squires. The present company was founded by David McAllister and James Brown 19 years ago.
Source: Jasper County Record (Newton, IA); Thursday, June 11, 1925, page 4