William Butterworth (businessman)
Encyclopedia
William Butterworth served as both president and chairman of Deere & Company
.
, and graduated from Lehigh University
and studied law at the National University in Washington D.C.
In 1892 Butteworth married Katherine Deere, daughter of Charles Deere. He joined Deere & Company the same year as an assistant buyer. In 1897 he was elected treasurer, and became president after the death of Charles Deere in 1907.
Deere & Company underwent many changes during Butterworth's tenure. In 1910 the board of directors reorganized the company's factories into one unified entity, giving birth to the modern Deere & Company. In 1912 Deere began manufacturing combine harvesters. In 1918 the company purchased Waterloo Gasoline Engine Company and the rights to produce their tractors. Butterworth also implemented a pension system and a benefit and disability program for Deere & Company's employees.
Butterworth retired in 1928 and became the first Chairman of Deere & Company's board, a position he held until his death in 1936.
Deere & Company
Deere & Company, usually known by its brand name John Deere , is an American corporation based in Moline, Illinois, and the leading manufacturer of agricultural machinery in the world. In 2010, it was listed as 107th in the Fortune 500 ranking...
.
Biography
Butterworth was born in Maineville, OhioMaineville, Ohio
Maineville is a village in Warren County, Ohio, United States, with a population of 372 families in 2000. It is called Maineville as the original settlers were from the state of Maine.-Geography:Maineville is located at ....
, and graduated from Lehigh University
Lehigh University
Lehigh University is a private, co-educational university located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in the Lehigh Valley region of the United States. It was established in 1865 by Asa Packer as a four-year technical school, but has grown to include studies in a wide variety of disciplines...
and studied law at the National University in Washington D.C.
In 1892 Butteworth married Katherine Deere, daughter of Charles Deere. He joined Deere & Company the same year as an assistant buyer. In 1897 he was elected treasurer, and became president after the death of Charles Deere in 1907.
Deere & Company underwent many changes during Butterworth's tenure. In 1910 the board of directors reorganized the company's factories into one unified entity, giving birth to the modern Deere & Company. In 1912 Deere began manufacturing combine harvesters. In 1918 the company purchased Waterloo Gasoline Engine Company and the rights to produce their tractors. Butterworth also implemented a pension system and a benefit and disability program for Deere & Company's employees.
Butterworth retired in 1928 and became the first Chairman of Deere & Company's board, a position he held until his death in 1936.
External links
- http://www.deere.com/en_US/compinfo/student/WilliamButterworth.html