CHAMBERLAIN, William C.

Family History: http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=nedradio&id=I13245

Chamberlain is listed as an agent of the Julien Churn Company

CHAMBERLAIN, William C. (Brookfield, NY, Feb. 18, 1834--Eau Claire, WI, Mar. 27, 1912). President, NORWEGIAN PLOW COMPANY. Chamberlain arrived in Dubuque in November 1855. Going into business with F.A. Doolittle, he started the CHAMBERLAIN PLOW COMPANY, the first store for the sale of agricultural implements exclusively west of the MISSISSIPPI RIVER and north of St. Louis, Missouri. His sales soon reached into all parts of northern Iowa, southern Minnesota, and western Wisconsin. (1)

In 1877 Chamberlain purchased an interest in the Wisconsin business of C.W. Mitchell and opened a branch office and salesroom in Dubuque. The name of the company at that time was Chamberlain, Mitchell & Company. In 1879 George Stephens and others joined the firm and a stock company was organized. 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. In addition to his business concerns, Chamberlain took out several patents. (2)

Chamberlain was also a partner in the Seed and Agricultural Store with "Mr. Langworthy." In 1878 Chamberlain sold his interest in this company to devote full time to manufacturing. (3)

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Source:

1. Oldt, Franklin. History of Dubuque County, Iowa. Chicago: Western History Company, 1880, p. 774-775

2. Ibid.

3. "Caught on the Fly," Dubuque Herald, February 3, 1878, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18780203&printsec=frontpage&hl=en