Tafelberg Erfgoed Versamelaars: Case Corporation: From farm to fortune

Case Corporation: From farm to fortune

Written By: Luigi Costa

In 1819, Jerome Increase Case was born to a Williamstown, New York farming family. Who would have known that this man, who while watching his father sell ground hog machines (used to speed up the separation of grain after it was harvested) would sow the seeds and nurture them into an international company that would become well known across the globe.

The start of the Case threshing machines

In 1840 Jerome started his own threshing business. In 1842 he started improving his machine and by May 1844 the new model which did a better job of fully separating the grain was working. Since the town of Rochester did not have water power available, he moved to Racine, Wisconsin; and started building threshing machinery to sell.

In 1847 he built a three storey brick factory in Racine, Wisconsin. From here his facilities and operations increased exponentially. He became the Mayor of Racine and was later also elected into the senate of Wisconsin.

Partnerships help build the company

The American Civil War led to labour shortages which led to food shortages and a growth in demand for machinery in the 1860’s.

The J. I. Case Company was officially organised in 1863, Jerome Increase Case partnered with Massena B. Erskine, Robert H. Baker and Stephen Bull (his brother-in-law).

Jerome I Case

In 1865 he happened to meet up with a company of the 8th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment returning from the war. He adopted the mascot of the regiment, an eagle named Old Abe after Abraham Lincoln, as the company symbol. At first the eagle was perched on a branch and later in 1894 was placed on top of the world. The eagle remained perched on top of the world for the next 75 years.

The J.I. Case Company was often called simply Case. In the late 19th century, Case was one of America's largest builders of steam engines, producing self-propelled portable engines, traction engines and steam tractors. It was a major producer of threshing machines and other harvesting equipment.

The J.I. Case Threshing Machine Company was heavily involved in steam engines and soon became the largest manufacturer of portable and traction engines in the world.

The first CASE tractor that was gasoline powered was built in 1892. It reflects a traction engine. It was not very well received on the market and was therefore re-launched onto the market in 1911.

Diversification is the name of the game
In the 20th century, Case was among the 10 largest builders of farm tractors for many years. However, in the 1950's its construction equipment line became its primary focus, with agricultural business second. They even tried their hand at automobile production which lasted from 1911 to 1925. Jerome even participated in motor racing and had his own car with the name Jay-eye-See.

A CASE touring car.

Jay-eye-See the race car

CASE's mergers and acquisitions

In 1972 CASE bought David Brown

Case's corporate entities and brands changed repeatedly in the 1980's and 1990's.

The first change from the J.I Case Company name was in 1983 when International Harvester was bought and the name changed to CASE IH.

In 1996 Austrian tractor builder Steyr Tractor was purchased.

The Case Corporation joined with New Holland N.V to become CNH, now CNH Global, in November 1999.

Concluding thoughts

A little more trivia regarding the founder of one of the most successful equipment and tractor manufacturers in the last century.

As the business grew from strength to strength Jerome Increase Case started handing over responsibility to his partners and he withdrew to his farm and started breeding race horses. One of his most successful horses was foaled in 1878. He held the record for trotting the mile as well as setting a new pacing record, his name was Jay-Eye-See which was a pun on Jerome's initials.

Jerome Increase Case was an inventor and entrepreneur, respected by many during and after his time for the contribution he made to the agriculture industry. In his hometown, Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin, you will find J.I High School, honoring this great legacy.