Charles Henry Deere

http://www.anbhf.org/laureates/cdeere.php

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=74601276

Charles H. Deere, one of the chief businessmen of Moline, was born March 28, 1837,at Hancock, Addison Co., Vt. When a year old, his father, John Deere, brought him with his family to Grand de Tour, 111., the whole journey from Vermont being made in the common farm wagon of the day, the family camping out along the route, Gypsy style. He attended school, at Grand de Tour until 12 years of age, when the family moved to, and permanently located at, Moline, 111., where the John Deere Plow Works have made the town famous. Here Charles attended the public school, and for two years was at the Davenport Academy, then known as the " Iowa College;" then attended Knox College at Galesburg,111., for one year, after which he went to Chicago, where, in 1853, he graduated at Bell's Commercial College. Immediately upon graduating he returned to Moline and entered his father's office as assistant bookkeeper, and soon took charge of the books. He continued to act as book-keeper and traveling man for the concern until 1868, when the corporation of Deere & Co. was formed, and he became and has remained ever since its Vice-President and general manager. Under his management and executive ability, the Deere & Co. Plow Works have become the largest institution of the kind in the world, and have given the name of Moline proud prominence in the world of industry. Charles H. Deere possesses pleasant social qualities and is attractive company when he drifts away from his heavy business cares and responsibilities; but it is as the real head of his towering industry that he shows his marvelous executive ability and business genius and brains. Shrewd, quick and clear-headed, with a memory which almost reaches inspiration, perfect master of all the details of his vast business, he stands at the helm, and, as principal stockholder, controls the works, and has for years; and success, such as is vouchsafed to few, has attended his efforts. He is also at the head of the Deere & Mansur Corn-Planter Works, a large stockholder in the vast tub and pail factory and saw-mills of Dimock, Gould & Co., and, as an individual, and as a member of the firm of Deere & Co., has extensive business interests at Council Bluffs, Kansas City, St. Louis and elsewhere, and may be termed a financial king, so made by business success. In politics, he is Republican, but has never held any elective office. Governor Cullom appointed him President of the Board of Labor Statistics of the State, a position which he still holds. His business is so perfectly systematized now and he has such trusty and able heads of departments, that he feels safe in seeking considerable relaxation from business cares, and frequents American watering places somewhat, and has visited Europe twice with his family. On Sept. 16, 1862, at Chicago, 111., he was married to Miss Mary L. Dickinson, and they have two children : Anna C, born Aug. 20, 1864 ; and Katherine M., in October, 1866. His wife is a member of the Congregational Church, and he says he is a member of the Congregation.