We are looking for phtographs of early Wisconsin decorated stoneware, earthenware, and advertising stoneware with a focus on earlier pieces (before 1880 or so.)  If you are will to contribute please send cropped jpg photos to peter@mrbottles.com.  This will take some time to build up content so we are missing pictures of some very basic pieces.  Check back often because we are adding frequently to this gallery.

Wm. Cunningham was a druggist and merchant in Milwaukee. Signed pieces were made befoe 1848 because they are marked WT (Wisconsin Territory). 

L. Ransom & Co. Milwaukee operated the Milwaukee Stoneware Co. from 1848 to 1850.  This factory was later operated by the Maxfield brothers.

O.F. Baker Oscar Baker made stoneware at the Milwaukee Stoneware Co. (formerly Ransom) from 1851 until 1853 in Milwaukee. He sold the business to J.B. & A. Maxfield. 

John B and Amos Maxfield purchased the pottery works of O.F. Baker in Milwaukee in 1854. In 1858 Amos sold out to his brother. In 1858 John stopped making stoneware. It appears that all of their decorated stoneware was signed. 

C. Hermann Milwaukee operated a stoneware manufacturing factory from 1856 to 1886. Charles Hermann Co. produced huge amounts of stoneware. His wares were mostly stencilled after 1875. It appears that all of C. Hermann's decorated stoneware was signed. Many of the undecortated pieces were not.

L.M. Pierron was Chas. Hermann's stepson who became a partner with Hermann in 1882 and sole owner of the company in 1886. 

C. Bachelder (Carlton and Calvin) operated a stoneware manufacturing buisiness from1855 to 1868 in Menasha, Wisconsin. Products were branded as OHIO STONE. This company was also a big operation.  Many of their pieces were decorated and some were also signed. Here is a brief article about the company by a family member Chery Degner.  link

Th. Gunther & Berns Sheboygan made stoneware from 1862 to 1866 when Theodore Gunther bought out Peter Berns.

Th. Gunther Sheboygan operated his stoneware factory from 1867 to 1886 making decorated stoneware and other crocks, jugs, bottles, etc.

Portage City Wisconsin - there were several pottery businesses in Portage City Wisconsin in the 1850's and 1860's including FARRAR & RUSSULL, SPRAGUE & RUSSELL, and FARRAR & CO.

Whitewater Wisconsin - there we a number of potteries in business in Whitewater starting in the 1840's. They used local clay and lead glaze so the earthenwares have a distinctive yellow/orange appearance but are difficult to attibute to a particular maker. Some pieces were brush decorated with magnesium. They were not signed. Some of the companies include Warren Cole, Michael Cole (Sr. and Jr.), George G. and J.C. Williams, George Dann, Rufus Cheney and probably a number of others.

New Ulm Minnesota - Several companies made stoneware in New Ulm Minnesota starting in 1867. Potter/owners included John Stoeckert, Christian Dauffenbach and William Gieseke. Dauffenbach formerly worked for Charles Hermann in Milwaukee. New Ulm which is just southwest of Minneapolis. For more information by Dennis Johnson 
on New Ulm stoneware follow this link.

• Advertising
• Bachelder, Menasha
• Baker, Milwaukee
• Charles Hermann, Milwaukee
• Cunningham, Milwaukee
• Farwell, Milwaukee
• Gunther & Berns, Sheboygan
• Gunther, Sheboygan
• Maxfield, Milwaukee
• Mini-jugs
• Mosier
• New Ulm
• Pierron, Milwaukee
• Portage City, Wisconsin
• Ransom Milwaukee
• Unknown but possibly Wisconsin
• Whitewater, Wisconsin