John Deere History
Incorporated in 1870, the Marseilles Manufacturing Company of Marseilles, Illinois, for four decades held the distinction of being one of the most important makers of power corn shellers in the United States.  As early as the 1870's, the company had begun making windmills, and continued producing pumping and power windmills as an auxiliary line of goods into the first decade of the 20th Century.  The best known of the Marseilles mills were the Adams sectional wheel vaned wooden mills.  They also made the Steel Queen single back geared mill.

A slow economy in the United States during the early 20th Century took its toll on the Marseilles Manufacturing Company, making it a target for purchase by a larger company.  In 1908, Deere and  Company purchased the majority of the stock in the Marseilles firm, and shortly thereafter shifted its production to the area of Moline, Illinois, where the Deere and Company headquarters was located.

Nothing can be found if Deere and Company made the mills under their name or not.  It is assumed that any mills that are known these days are John Deere Windmills.

Later  Deere and Company ceased manufacture of these windmills, but for a few years made repair parts available.

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