Eitem 4552955/14 - Farm Buildings

William James from Wales, Wisconsin, founder of the Jamesway Manufacturing Company, renowned for the quality of their agricultural products. A contemporary website states "One hundred years ago in a small blacksmith shop on a dairy farm in Wales Wisconsin, William James built an adjustable cow stall featuring a rotating stanchion. The stanchion allowed the cow to turn her head and also aligned her with the manure gutter for greater sanitation. The president of Kent Manufacturing in Fort Atkinson recognized the value of this invention and quickly invited Mr. James to join his firm. In 1906 W. D. James moved to Fort Atkinson, a city he described as the "center of the dairy world." These may have been acquired during GVJ's visit to Wales, Wisconsin in 1935, an account of which was published in the Western Mail of March 29th 1935. The stanchion was a great success and Kent's sales increased nearly 30% every year. Soon their small plant on South Water Street took up the entire block w the Fort Atkinson Fire and Police Departments are today. In 1912 the company changed its name to the James Manufacturing Company and the "James Way" slogan became synonymous with quality farm equipment."