Biography

Hardsocg Manufacturing Co., Ottumwa, Iowa

The following information comes from: Taylor, James C. Jr., Ottumwa, one hundred years a city, 1848-1948. Ottumwa: Ottumwa Chamber of Commerce, 1948. p20.   

Martin Hardsocg, a native of Germany and founder of the Hardsocg Manufacturing Company, came to Ottumwa from Avery, Iowa, in 1885. In- fluenced by prominent business men of this city, who loaned him $3,000 without security, Hardsocg moved his family and business to a small building along the river, near the present corner of Vine and Hayne streets. Coal miners' hand tools and mine caps were the principal items manufactured. A fire destroyed the plant in 1891, and operations were moved to a new building on Samantha street, a street named in honor of Samantha Shaffer, the first white woman in Ottumwa. Additional work garments were manufactured at this time, along with miners' oil lamps.

Address

Ottumwa, Iowa United States