John Deere

John Deere (February 7, 1804 – May 17, 1886) was an American blacksmith and manufacturer who founded Deere & Company – one of the largest and leading agricultural and construction equipment manufacturers in the world. Born in Rutland, Vermont, Deere moved to Illinois and invented the first commercially successful steel plow in 1837.

Early Life

John Deere was born in Rutland, Vermont, to William Rinold Deere and Sarah Yates Deere. His father disappeared on a trip to England, and Deere was left to take care of his siblings and his mother. He apprenticed as a blacksmith and became a journeyman blacksmith by the age of 21.

Career

In 1836, Deere moved to Grand Detour, Illinois, where he set up a blacksmith shop. The soils of Illinois were different from those in Vermont and the cast-iron plows farmers were using at the time were not suitable for the prairie muck. Deere realized that a plow with a highly polished steel moldboard could be more effective. In 1837, he created the first successful steel plow. This invention greatly assisted the Great Plains farmers.

In 1843, Deere partnered with Leonard Andrus to produce more plows. Deere moved to Moline, Illinois, in 1847, where he found a higher demand for his plows and greater access to the steel needed for their manufacture. By 1855, Deere's factory was selling over 10,000 plows a year. In 1868, Deere incorporated his business as Deere & Company.

Legacy

John Deere's innovations in the farming industry greatly increased the speed and efficiency of farming. His steel plow was a significant contribution to the agricultural industry. Today, Deere & Company continues to be a leading manufacturer of agricultural machinery in the world.

See Also

• Agriculture
• Agricultural machinery
• Plough
• Deere & Company