Mead designed the first hydroelectric projects in Wisconsin and a number in Michigan.

Mead & Hunt – The Beginning

The early 1900s saw the beginnings of Mead & Hunt form in the Chicago area, however, that soon changed.  In 1906, Daniel Mead leased an office space in downtown Madison, Wisconsin, at 401 State Street.  The following year, he lured Charles Seastone from Purdue University, where he taught sanitary engineering, to serve as chief engineer and manager of the Madison office.  Mead’s business required a professional he could trust to complete the engineering work on water supply projects – the meat of Mead’s early business.  Seastone’s arrival became the start of a strong partnership, and after managing the consulting office for six years, Seastone became an equal partner.

By 1907, Mead closed his Chicago office and moved all consulting to Madison.  Mead’s business quickly outgrew the space at 401 State Street, so he moved it to a larger location at 550 State Street, above a chocolate and confectionary shop.

During that time, The Schlitz Brewing Company water supply plant in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, comprised one of Mead’s biggest projects.  The firm was commissioned to design a new water supply source, pumps, and equipment for the plant.  This project was so enormous that it alone consumed two years of the business’ time.

Although teaching and writing often appeared to be Mead’s first priority, he never lost touch with the projects that were the foundation of his business.  During the early years of his consulting firm, he designed the first hydroelectric projects in Wisconsin, formed the Peninsular Power Company, and completed the design and construction of a number dams in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.