In 1945, Art Depue of Maquoketa, IA, President of Central Steel Tube Co. in Commanche, Iowa (abutting Clinton) began making Saw More metal cutting machines and other industrial products. He built a new factory complex for his new ‘Maquoketa Company’ near the location of the old Jacob Becker Brick Co. at the corner of South Clark and East Maple Streets in eastern Maquoketa. See Left - (Click to enlarge). In 1950, Depue consolidated his companies at Commanche.

1950

Meanwhile in Clinton, MI dynamic machinist, entrepreneur, and self-made Don Thomas turned from

With the arrival of Clinton Engines in 1950, the company made 2000 to 3000 high quality engines per day using so-called ‘untrained’ farm labor. ‘Untrained’ proved inaccurate. The employees of the plant came mainly from the farms and small towns where tinkering and fixing things was a way of life. These resourceful people quickly rammed the company to world leader, eclipsing Briggs & Stratton. At Right is the a “little guy” (click to enlarge), pride of the company. More than 18 million such engines were produced by the company and more than $550,000,000 pumped through the East Central Iowa economy and outlying areas.

The company WAS its people to the self-made Thomas. He held public pay days and public employee recognition/award ceremonies, had a profit sharing pay system that let the employees share in the company success, and often paid his employees in two dollar bills to show their importance to the area economy. Don kept the employees in front of his company. The memories of this sort of respect linger to this day in the minds of most of those who worked there. It was that loyalty that arose and impelled the Historical Society to acquire the Clinton Engines property. Click HERE to enlarge the photos at Left.

The accolades came. At left Iowa Governor, Leo Hoegh (L), presented Don Thomas (R), the gold-plated 5 millionth “little guy” made by Clinton. In 1964, it was Don Suhr presenting Iowa Governor Harold Hughes the 11 millionth “little guy.” (to enlarge these photos click HERE). Lowell Carlson, Editor of the Bellevue Herald Leader would in recent times refer to the engine as “The Little Engine That Could.”

Later in 1964, it was the Commerce Department ‘E’ Pennant for excellence in international trade. Click HERE to enlarge. It was one of the first companies so honored.

Founder Don   Thomas

Founder Don Thomas (L) sold the company to the Charnay Group of New York, operated locally by Don Suhr (R), hoping for an improved financial position but that didn’t work and bankruptcy ensued. Martin Hoffinger (Far R) of New York bought it out of bankruptcy and was able to keep the company running albeit at a greatly reduced scale for more than 20 years before finally closing the doors. Click HERE for enlarged Presidents Row.

Don Suhr

   Martin      Hoffinger