In 1894, the Chicago Headlight described the operation and background of William Kadow as follows:
“The William Kadow Bottling Works has a trade which extends over La Porte County. Mr. William Kadow, the proprietor, was born in 1836 and came to America in 1866, settling in Blue Island, Illinois. In 1874 he established the bottling works in Michigan City, where by strict attention to business he has succeeded in building up a large and constantly increasing business in his line. He is agent for Pabst Milwaukee beer, and bottler of all kinds of soft drinks. He is also exclusive agent for the sale of Moxie, Swift’s beef extract, and The Chemical Specialty Company of St. Louis.”
— Chicago Headlight, 1894
Just one year later, the Michigan City Evening News reported Kadow’s death under the headline “Another Old Resident Gone”:
“Death of Councilman William Kadow After a Long Illness.
Councilman William Kadow died this morning at 10 o’clock, of chronic Brights disease, at his home on east Eighth street, after an illness of nearly two years. His death has been momently expected for the past two days, and the announcement of his death this morning was not a great surprise to his many friends and acquaintances.
William Kadow was born in 1836, in Germany, and came to America in 1866, settling in Blue Island, Ill. In 1874 he moved to this city and established the Michigan City bottling works, in which business he continued until his death.
Mr. Kadow was married in 1875, to Miss Sophia Draves, of this city, who survives him. They had one child, Mrs. Henry Kunkel, of this city. The deceased was 59 years of age, his last birthday being on June 24th. He was one of the city’s most well known residents, having been a member of the common council for a number of years. The funeral ceremony will be held Friday afternoon at 2 o’clock from St. John’s church. Rev. J. G. Hoch officiating.”
— Michigan City Evening News, September 11, 1895
Following William Kadow’s death, the bottling works was taken over by his son-in-law, Henry C. Kunkel.
1878 — Kadow William, Pop Manufacturer & Ice Dealer – Commercial Agency Register for July, 1878.
There are no Michigan City directories between 1863-1884.
1884-86 — Kadow William, proprietor Kadow’s Grove and manufacturer of mineral water, agent Milwaukee lager beer, residence n s Eigth, 1 e Michigan.
1890 — Kadow Wm., mineral water manufacturing, councilman, residence n s State Road.
1893-94 — Kadow Wm, Manufacturer Pop and Mineral Waters and Agent for Pabst’s Milwaukee Beer, 140 State road.
Bottle Type: Quart, hand-tooled blob top.
Embossing: WM̲. KADOW / MICHIGAN CITY / IND.
Glass Maker: E.H.E. CO 27 (embossed on back heel), Edward H. Everett Co.
Other Marks: THIS BOTTLE NOT TO BE SOLD (embossed on back)
Notes: Similar to bottle #5, but it has a hand-tooled top.
Photo Credit: Indiana Bottle Collectors
Bottle Type: Gravitating stopper
Embossing: W. KADOW / MICHIGAN CITY / IND.
Glass Maker: MADE BY GRAVITATING STOPPER JOHN MATTHEWS NEW YORK PAT OCT 11, 1864 (embossed on base)
Other Marks:
Notes: Possibly one of Kadow’s oldest known bottles, dating to the 1870s.
Photo Credit: Indiana Bottle Collectors
A late 1880s view facing north from across State Road (now E. 8th Street). The building with the two chimneys and windows in the foreground is Kadow’s Bottling Works, with his ice house located to the right. The neighborhood visible in the distance was known as “Canada,” and the sand dune beyond it was called the Yankee Slide. The area filled with lumber stacks and homes is now the site of Blue Chip Casino. Trail Creek and its bend can also be seen in the view. Courtesy of the Michigan City Historical Society.
