The Faribault Woolen Mill Company was founded in 1865 by Carl H. Klemer, a German-born cabinetmaker. During his twenty-seven years of ownership, the business was gradually expanded from a one-man carding operation to a large wool milling and distributing concern. During this period it had relocated twice (1882 and 1892) and suffered three fires (1888, 1890, and 1892). In 1892, two sons, Ferdinand L. and Henry F., were each given a third of the business and the company was then named C.H. Klemer & Sons.

In 1905, the business was incorporated under its present name with Ferdinand and Henry as senior officers and Frank H., Henry’s son, as secretary. During the following decade the company did not grow significantly and as a result the management of the business was turned over to Walter F. Klemer, Ferdinand’s son, Frank H. Klemer and Edward A. Johnson in 1913. The business lagged until 1917 when the Faribault Woolen Mill Company received federal government contracts to make army blankets for the war effort.

After the war the company continued to specialize in woolen blankets, selling them to various hospitals, hotels, Indian agencies, department stores, and specialty shops through the nation. During World War II, when the military contracts were renewed, the company began manufacturing blankets from synthetic fibers for civilian use. Widespread acceptance of these man-made blends triggered a postwar boom for the company and resulted in the installation of new machinery and the doubling of manufacturing space.

In 1949, Robert W. Klemer, son of Frank H., assumed the presidency of the company. During the 1950’s blanket sales became more diversified as the Faribault Woolen Mill expanded its outlets to mail order houses, advertising specialists, chain stores, and private institutions.

Today the Faribault Woolen Mill produces more than half of the new wool blankets made in the United States and is one of the few remaining woolen mills in the country.

Information was obtained from America’s Textile Reporter (8 June 1961) and “History of Woolen Mills 1865-1940” by Frank H. Klemer and other materials in the collection, and the Faribault Woolen Mill website http://www.faribowool.com/.