Massey-Harris-Ferguson Collection (University of Guelph)

Daniel Massey began manufacturing simple farm implements in 1849 at Newcastle, Ont. Alan Harris joined the business in 1891 to form Massey-Harris Limited. The company became Massey-Harris-Ferguson Limited with the Harry Ferguson merger in 1953; this was shortened in 1957 to Massey-Ferguson Limited. The company's headquarters was in Toronto after 1879.

Harry Ferguson was born at Growell, Northern Ireland, on 4 November 1884. He worked for many years as an engineer. In 1925, he formed Ferguson-Sherman Inc. located in Evansville, Indiana, and later Harry Ferguson Huddersfield Ltd. in England. By 1936, the "Ferguson System" (a combined linkage and hydraulic control system) was perfected and applicable to a wide variety of implements. Between 1939 and 1947, Ferguson and Henry Ford had an agreement to produce tractors using the Ferguson system. In 1953, the Harry Ferguson Co. merged with Massey-Harris which acquired the rights to the Ferguson hydraulic and three-point hitch system and became a major manufacturer of the tractors and other designs. In 1954, Ferguson resigned as Chairman and sold his shares. He died on 25 October 1960.

Daniel Massey began manufacturing simple farm implements in 1849 at Newcastle, Ont. Alan Harris joined the business in 1891 to form Massey-Harris Limited. The company became Massey-Harris-Ferguson Limited with the Harry Ferguson merger in 1953; this was shortened in 1957 to Massey-Ferguson Limited. The company's headquarters was in Toronto after 1879. Varity Corporation, the industrial holdings company formed out of the assets of Massey-Ferguson in 1986, gave the Massey-Ferguson archives to the Ontario Agricultural Museum in 1987. Peder Bjerre was the archivist for Varity Corporation in Toronto.

Daniel Massey began manufacturing simple farm implements in 1849 at Newcastle, Ont. Alan Harris joined the business in 1891 to form Massey-Harris Limited. The company became Massey-Harris-Ferguson Limited with the Harry Ferguson merger in 1953; this was shortened in 1957 to Massey-Ferguson Limited. The company's headquarters was located in Toronto.

Daniel Massey began manufacturing simple farm implements in 1849 at Newcastle, Ont. Alan Harris joined the business in 1891 to form Massey-Harris Limited. The company became Massey-Harris-Ferguson Limited with the Harry Ferguson merger in 1953; this was shortened in 1957 to Massey-Ferguson Limited. The company's headquarters was in Toronto after 1879.

Daniel Massey began manufacturing simple farm implements in 1849 at Newcastle, Ont., and the company grew enormously under the management of his son, Hart. In 1870 the business became the Massey Manufacturing Company. By 1890, the company was the largest Canadian farm implement manufacturer, winning international fame and sales. Alan Harris joined the business in 1891 to form Massey-Harris Limited. The company became Massey-Harris-Ferguson Limited with the Harry Ferguson merger in 1953; this was shortened in 1957 to Massey-Ferguson Limited and the company was reorganized as Varity Corp. in 1987.

Massey-Harris Co. Ltd. was founded in 1891. From time to time, special committees of the federal House of Commons and provincial legislatures conducted enquiries into the farm implement industry and rural life across Canada. At the national level, shortly after an increase of about 3% in implement prices in 1936, a federal report was tabled in 1937 that recommended that the Canadian government reduce duties on materials entering into implement manufacture to help the industry keep prices down. After 1950, both Saskatchewan and Ontario held enquires that Massey-Harris-Ferguson participated in.

Daniel Massey began manufacturing simple farm implements in 1849 at Newcastle, Ont. Alan Harris joined the business in 1891 to form Massey-Harris Limited. The company became Massey-Harris-Ferguson Limited with the Harry Ferguson merger in 1953; this was shortened in 1957 to Massey-Ferguson Limited. The company's headquarters has been in Toronto since 1879.

The company became Massey-Harris-Ferguson Limited with the Harry Ferguson merger in 1953; this was shortened in 1958 to Massey-Ferguson Limited. Massey Ferguson became the largest manufacturer of farm tractors in the world in the early 1960s and for almost two decades it held about 20% of the world's agricultural machinery business until market conditions for machinery worsened in the late 1970s.

In 1891, Massey-Harris Co. Ltd. was established with Hart Massey as President. The company became Massey-Harris-Ferguson Limited with the Harry Ferguson merger in 1953; this was shortened in 1957 to Massey-Ferguson Limited. The company prospered under the direction of James S. Duncan from 1935-56, W.E. Phillips, and then Albert A. Thornborough until the agricultural machinery market collapsed in the late 1970s.

Daniel Massey began manufacturing simple farm implements in 1849 at Newcastle, Ont., and the company grew enormously under the management of his son, Hart. By 1890, the company was the largest Canadian farm implement manufacturer, winning international fame and sales. Alan Harris joined the business in 1891 to form Massey-Harris Limited. The company became Massey-Harris-Ferguson Limited with the Harry Ferguson merger in 1953; this was shortened in 1957 to Massey-Ferguson Limited.

In 1891, Massey-Harris Co. Ltd. was established with Hart Massey as President. The company became Massey-Harris-Ferguson Limited with the Harry Ferguson merger in 1953; this was shortened in 1957 to Massey-Ferguson Limited. The company prospered under the direction of James S. Duncan from 1935-56, W.E. Phillips, and then Albert A. Thornbrough until the agricultural machinery market collapsed in the late 1970s.

In 1910 Masey-Harris acquired a controlling interest in the Johnston Harvester Co. of Batavia, N.Y., thereby gaining entry into the American marketplace. In 1928 the J.I. Case Plow Works Inc. located in Racine, Wisconsin, that produced the Wallis tractor, was acquired. A new organization, Massey-Harris Co., was established with headquarters at Racine merging the company's U.S. properties. In 1958, the Batavia plant was closed and in early 1960 the company sold 2 or its 3 plants at Racine where operations had ceased in June 1958.

Daniel Massey began manufacturing simple farm implements in 1849 at Newcastle, Ont. Alan Harris joined the business in 1891 to form Massey-Harris Limited. The company became Massey-Harris-Ferguson Limited with the Harry Ferguson merger in 1953; this was shortened in 1957 to Massey-Ferguson Limited. The company's headquarters wasin Toronto after 1879.

John Bain, at the age of 18, went to Brantford to learn wagon and carriage building with T.& J. Hinks and Co. The original Bain works were established in 1882 at Cedar Creek, and after a move to Brantford in association with Massey and Verity firms, returned to settle in Woodstock. The plant was one of the oldest and largest makers in Canada of farm wagons, sleighs, and other farm accessories, and was brought into the Massey-Harris family as a subsidiary or associated company in 1895. By 1900 the company was producing 10,000 wagons each year. They also built ambulances and transport wagons for the Boer War and WW I. Massey-Harris assumed control in 1926.

Harry Ferguson (1884-1960) worked for many years as an engineer. In 1925, he formed Ferguson-Sherman Inc. located at Evansville, Indiana. In 1938 Ferguson made an agreement with Henry Ford to produce the Ferguson hydraulic system and a group of unit implements for the Ford tractor. Production of the Ford tractor was resumed in the U.S. in 1939, and Ferguson-Sherman was re-formed to manufacture the implements and hydraulic control. The agreement was terminiated in 1946 and each went his separate way after a civil suit was brought by Ferguson against Ford. It finally ended early in 1952 when Ford was ordered to pay $9 milion to Ferguson and to make some minor changes in the design of the Ford tractor. In 1953, the Harry Ferguson Co. merged with Massey-Harris which acquired the rights to the Ferguson hydraulic and three-point hitch system and became a major manufacturer of the tractors and other designs. In 1954, Ferguson resigned as Chairman and sold his shares. He died on 25 October 1960.

Harry Ferguson (1884-1960) worked for many years as an engineer. By 1936, the "Ferguson System" (a combined linkage and hydraulic control system) was perfected and applicable to a wide variety of implements. In 1938, Ferguson and Henry Ford agreed to produce tractors and this arrangement lasted until 1947 when they engaged in a court case that lasted four years. Ferguson emerged victor but with a smaller settlement than he expected. In 1953, the Harry Ferguson Co. merged with Massey-Harris which acquired the rights to the Ferguson hydraulic and three-point hitch system and became a major manufacturer of the tractors and other designs. Harry Ferguson died on October 25th 1960.

Daniel Massey began manufacturing simple farm implements in 1849 at Newcastle, Ont. Alan Harris joined the business in 1891 to form Massey-Harris Limited. The company became Massey-Harris-Ferguson Limited with the Harry Ferguson merger in 1953; this was shortened in 1957 to Massey-Ferguson Limited. The company's headquarters has been in Toronto since 1879.

Daniel Massey began manufacturing simple farm implements in 1849 at Newcastle, Ont., and the company grew enormously under the management of his son, Hart. By 1890, the company was the largest Canadian farm implement manufacturer, winning international fame and sales. Alan Harris joined the business in 1891 to form Massey-Harris Limited. The company became Massey-Harris-Ferguson Limited with the Harry Ferguson merger in 1953; this was shortened in 1957 to Massey-Ferguson Limited.

Daniel Massey began manufacturing simple farm implements in 1849 at Newcastle, Ont. Alan Harris joined the business in 1891 to form Massey-Harris Limited. The company became Massey-Harris-Ferguson Limited with the Harry Ferguson merger in 1953; this was shortened in 1957 to Massey-Ferguson Limited. The company's headquarters was in Toronto after 1879 and it operated throughout the world after WWI.

In 1891, Massey-Harris Co. Ltd. was established with Hart Massey as President. The company became Massey-Harris-Ferguson Limited with the Harry Ferguson merger in 1953; this was shortened in 1957 to Massey-Ferguson Limited. The company prospered under the direction of James S. Duncan from 1935-56, W.E. Phillips, and then Albert A. Thornborough until the agricultural machinery market collapsed in the late 1970s.

Harry Ferguson was born at Growell, Northern Ireland on 4 November 1884. For many years he worked as an engineer. In 1925, he formed Ferguson-Sherman Inc. located in Evansville, Indiana, and later Harry Ferguson Huddersfield Ltd. in England. By 1936, the "Ferguson System" (a combined linkage and hydraulic control system) was perfected and applicable to a wide variety of implements. Ferguson and Henry Ford agreed to produce tractors on this basis until 1947. In 1953, the Harry Ferguson Co. merged with Massey-Harris which acquired the rights to the Ferguson hydraulic and three-point hitch system and became a major manufacturer of the tractors and other designs. Ferguson died on 25 October 1960.

Harry Ferguson was born at Growell, Northern Ireland, on 4 November 1884. He worked for many years as an engineer. In 1925, he formed Ferguson-Sherman Inc. located in Evansville, Indiana, and later Harry Ferguson Huddersfield Ltd. in England. By 1936, the "Ferguson System" (a combined linkage and hydraulic control system) was perfected and applicable to a wide variety of implements. Between 1939 and 1947, Ferguson and Henry Ford had an agreement to produce tractors using the Ferguson system. In 1953, the Harry Ferguson Co. merged with Massey-Harris which acquired the rights to the Ferguson hydraulic and three-point hitch system and became a major manufacturer of the tractors and other designs. In 1954, Ferguson resigned as Chairman and sold his shares. He died on 25 October 1960.

Jesse Oldfield Wisner was born in 1811 in New York State. In 1857, Jesse and his son, Wareham Sheldon, moved from New York to Brantford and each began his own business. In 1869 Jesse and his Wareham formed J. O. Wisner and Son. Shortly after, Wareham invented the seed drill and in 1872, father and son joined together, specializing in cultivating and seeding equipment. Their products were distributed in A. Harris Co. outlets. After the merger of Massey-Harris, J.O. Wisner Son and Co. had joined with the Massey-Harris Company by December 1891. J.O. Wisner died at Brantford in 1897.

During World War II Massey-Harris filled many Allied orders for equipment. The company produced tanks; shells; steel bodies for a variety of mechanized and armored units; airplane wings and spars; and metal fittings for aircraft, gun mounts, a special trailer unit, etc. The company's employees also particpated in patriotic wartime activities and shows.

Harry Ferguson was born at Growell, Northern Ireland, on 4 November 1884. He worked for many years as an engineer. In 1925, he formed Ferguson-Sherman Inc. located in Evansville, Indiana, and later Harry Ferguson Huddersfield Ltd. in England. By 1936, the "Ferguson System" (a combined linkage and hydraulic control system) was perfected and applicable to a wide variety of implements. Between 1939 and 1947, Ferguson and Henry Ford had an agreement to produce tractors using the Ferguson system. In 1953, the Harry Ferguson Co. merged with Massey-Harris which acquired the rights to the Ferguson hydraulic and three-point hitch system and became a major manufacturer of the tractors and other designs. In 1954, Ferguson resigned as Chairman and sold his shares. He died on 25 October 1960.

Daniel Massey began manufacturing simple farm implements in 1849 at Newcastle, Ont., and the company grew enormously under the management of his son, Hart. By 1890, the company was the largest Canadian farm implement manufacturer, winning international fame and sales. Alan Harris joined the business in 1891 to form Massey-Harris Limited. The company became Massey-Harris-Ferguson Limited with the Harry Ferguson merger in 1953; this was shortened in 1957 to Massey-Ferguson Limited.

Daniel Massey began manufacturing simple farm implements in 1849 at Newcastle, Ont. Alan Harris joined the business in 1891 to form Massey-Harris Limited. The company became Massey-Harris-Ferguson Limited with the Harry Ferguson merger in 1953; this was shortened in 1957 to Massey-Ferguson Limited. The company's headquarters has been in Toronto since 1879.

In 1891, Massey-Harris Co. Ltd. was established with Hart Massey as President. The company became Massey-Harris-Ferguson Limited with the Harry Ferguson merger in 1953; this was shortened in 1957 to Massey-Ferguson Limited. The company prospered under the direction of James S. Duncan from 1935-56, W.E. Phillips, and then Albert A. Thornborough until the agricultural machinery market collapsed in the late 1970s.

Daniel Massey began manufacturing simple farm implements in 1849 at Newcastle, Ont. Alan Harris joined the business in 1891 to form Massey-Harris Limited. The company became Massey-Harris-Ferguson Limited with the Harry Ferguson merger in 1953; this was shortened in 1957 to Massey-Ferguson Limited. The company's headquarters was in Toronto after 1879.

Daniel Massey began manufacturing simple farm implements in 1849 at Newcastle, Ont. Alan Harris joined the business in 1891 to form Massey-Harris Limited. The company became Massey-Harris-Ferguson Limited with the Harry Ferguson merger in 1953; this was shortened in 1957 to Massey-Ferguson Limited. The company's headquarters was in Toronto after 1879.