Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
Marshall Cohen—researcher and producer, CNN
Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
NORWEGIAN PLOW COMPANY
NORWEGIAN PLOW COMPANY. Pioneering agricultural implement manufacturer. The future manufacturing giant began as a small blacksmith shop in Orfordville, Wisconsin. H.H. SATER, the man who became the superintendent of the Dubuque firm, made plows with a small anvil. A larger shop was constructed in Brodhead, Wisconsin by C.W. Mitchell and others which utilized machinery.
In 1877 Chamberlain purchased an interest in the Wisconsin business 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.
Demand was so high for their product that the company operated year-round with occasional overtime needed. The plant hired one hundred fifty employees including many considered highly skilled. Most of the company's orders came from the northwestern states, but to increase business the firm kept nine traveling salesmen regularly employed.
