Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
NORWEGIAN PLOW COMPANY
NORWEGIAN PLOW COMPANY. Beginning in a small blacksmith shop in Orfordville, Wisconsin, H. H. SATER began manufacturing plows on a small anvil. Business was so good that in 1874 an extensive shop was erected at Brodhead, Wisconsin. This attracted the attention C. W. MITCHELL when the process became mechanized. In 1877 William C. CHAMBERLAIN purchased an interest in the company and opened a branch shop and salesroom in Dubuque. The firm's name was Chamberlain, Mitchell and Company. (1)
Other investors joined the firm and a stock company was organized. (2) Incorporated under Iowa laws in 1879, the Norwegian Plow Company manufactured a wide variety of products including the celebrated extra diamond hardened plows, carriages, wagons, sleighs, "Tornado" feed cutters, and the famous Newton wagons. Agencies for the company were established throughout the United States.
Demand was so high for their product that the company operated year-round with occasional overtime needed. The plant hired between seventy-five and one hundred fifty employees including many considered highly skilled. In 1880 production was seventy plows manufactured daily. (3) Most of the company's orders came from the northwestern states, but to increase business the firm kept nine traveling salesmen regularly employed.
The 1880 through 1883 Dubuque City Directory stated that this business was located at the southwest corner of Jones and Main. This property had been purchased in 1878 as a plant expansion. (4)
The 1886-87 Dubuque City Directory listed the foot of Main.
The 1890-91 Dubuque City Directory listed the corner of S. Main and Jones.
In November 1896 the company announced that it was unable to meet its liabilities due to poor business and poor collections. It was expected that the company would be reorganized. (5)
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Source:
1. "Dubuque County Before 1880," Telegraph-Herald, October 22, 1933, p. 19
2. Ibid.
3. "Caught on the Fly," Dubuque Herald, September 1, 1880, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18800901&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
4. "Caught on the Fly," Dubuque Herald, October 1, 1878, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18781001&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
5. "Creditors Safe," Dubuque Daily Herald, November 19, 1896, p. 8
