TRACTOR TRIVIA and other interesting stuff 4/9/2024

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Osborne Farm Implements

 

Aubern, NY, was the home of Osborne Farm Implements Company when it was formed in the 1860s. Aubern was, and still is, a relatively small town, not what would be considered an industrial hub although direct access to the Erie Canal and railroads gave it a shipping advantage not enjoyed by many communities its size. At the beginning of the twentieth century more than 2600 people (about 10% of the population) were directly employed by Osborn and the company was responsible for over 40% of the community’s economic vitality. Osborne bought the Cayuga Chief Machinery Company in 1875, thus becoming Auburn’s largest industry.

Osborne pioneered a lightweight, all-steel grain binder shortly after and in 1890, built the first successful corn binder.

Osborne later acquired the Kirby, Forbush and Ketcham mower patents which left most mower manufacturers no choice but to pay royalties to Osborne, or to Cyrus McCormick, who controlled the remaining patents.

 

This was a time in America’s history when mergers and buyouts resulted in huge monopolies that later would be broken up by the US Government. One such conglomerate was the International Harvester Company which was formed in 1902 with the merger of McCormick Harvesting Machine Company and Deering Harvester Company, Milwaukee, Champion, and Osborne. The Osborne acquisition wasn’t completed until 1904 giving them time to settle accounts receivable payments.

IHC controlled 85% of the farm machinery market in the United States and in many areas offered farm implements under the International Harvester, McCormick, Deering, Milwaukee, Champion, and Osborne brands giving the appearance of open competition. Many other farm machinery dealers including John Deere sold IH or their subsidiary brands at their outlets because of their market domination.

 

The Sherman Anti-Trust Act and the federal government’s “Trust Busters” brought action against International Harvester Company and after years of litigation finally signed the Consent Decree of 1918. Under the terms of the decree, IHC agreed to divest itself of several machinery lines, including Osborne, Champion, and Milwaukee. Also, International Harvester Company was prohibited and enjoined from having more than one representative or agent in any city or town for the sale of harvesting machines and other agricultural implements. IH was required to offer for sale to responsible manufacturers of agricultural implements, the harvesting machine lines made and sold by it under the trade names of Osborne, Milwaukee, and Champion.

As a result, Emerson-Brantingham Company acquired the famous Osborne implement line in October 1918. The Osborne acquisition had been beneficial for International Harvester because it provided them with an excellent eastern factory, shipping point, and parts depot. The previously established Osborne export connections, especially to the European companies enhanced International Harvester’s position in the export market. Emerson-Brantingham continued the Osborne line because it was well respected by farmers. When J.I. Case bought the Emerson-Brantingham company they too used the Osborn name as Case- Osborne for several years. The Auburn, NY, manufacturing facility remained in operation well into the 1950s.

Tomorrow we will take a look at the Emerson-Brantingham Company and learn how they became an eligible suitor for Osborne. Also, in following days we will get to know a bit more about the Champion Machine Company and the Milwaukee Hay Tool Company that International Harvester was forced to sell as part of the Anti-Trust decree.

[Handy Don 11,013]

Oops, Auburn is the correct spelling!

[953 nut 52,964]

42 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

Oops, Auburn is the correct spelling!