Wilson Bottling Company and Kling Bottling Works Rockford, IL

[MrsStenberg]

We (descendants of Chas A Wilson and Hugo E Kling) have a small assortment of glass bottles from these companies, but we're always on the lookout for more. So far, We have a few crates with bottles.

 

[zecritr]

Have any History on them and Pics of some of them,I have a Green 7 ounce bottle i was wondering about?Thanks

 

[MrsStenberg]

Hugo Kling, was the son of Swedish immigrant, Joel Kling. Hugo owned the bottling works and Chas. Wilson was a driver for him. Chas. fell in love with Hugo's sister, Beda, married her and eventually bought Kling Bottling Works, renaming it Wilson Bottling Co.

I can get a few pictures, but I don't have any on hand.

 

[MrsStenberg]

Oh! Another story from the family was that Chas. Wilson was approached to bottle for an unknown cola company and turned them down as he believed there would never be a competitor to Coca-Cola. The unknown company was Pepsi-Co. Oops.

 

[zecritr]

LOL Don't it figure,love the History thank you

 

[CreekWalker]

Thanks, Ms. Stenburg, great story and would love to see those bottles! Back in the early 1900's, some of our local bottlers had the same opportunity , but chose , at best, Gay-Ola and Chero-Cola, and at worst, some brands that didn't last , but a couple years!