THE UNION MALLEABLE IRON COMPANY

 

In 1869, following suggestions made by John Deere, Jonathan Huntoon, C. W. Heald, and Edwin Black incorporated the Moline Malleable Iron Company. They employed twelve men and turned out 21,000 pounds of castings per month. In 1870 those at the head of the business were: Hill, Heald and Sargent. In 1872 a receiver was appointed and the business was sold at auction. It was bid in by the Hill brothers for $16.100. They failed in 1873 and the business was purchased by S. W. Wheelock for $30,000, W. B. Ullman being made superintendent. The plant was destroyed by fire February 7, 1893, and was rebuilt in St. Charles, Ill. When C. W. Heald failed in his effort to buy the plant of which he had been one of the founders, he. together with Ellis and Mitchell, incorporated the Union Malleable Iron Company. A plant was built east of the present site of the Deere and Mansur Company, and thirty-five men were employed.

Three years afterward Mr. Mitchell sold his interest. The daily output was then 11,000 pounds and the plant was the largest of its kind west of Buffalo, N.Y.. In 1894 Deere and Company purchased an interest in the plant and in 1901 it was removed to East Moline, where a site containing nine acres had been bought. Six acres were devoted to buildings. C. C. Heald, son of C. W. Heald, had been superintendent of the works for years. He was made secretary and treasurer in 1906

. In 1910 Deere and Company acquired the stock of the concern. William Butterworth had been made president of the company in 1908 and was continued in that position. G. W. Mister was made vice-president and Charles A. Washburn, secretary and general manager. These officers still continue. The product of the plant consists of refined malleable castings, especially for car, wagon and agricultural implement use, and Heald's patent link drive chain. Eight hundred men are employed and sixty tons of castings are turned out daily.

 

Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock Island Co.

 

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