1804: Born Feb. 7, the third
son of William Rinold Deere and Sarah Yates Deere. According to the Deere Family Register (there are no official birth records)
John had two sister, Jane, born in Rutland, Vt., and Elizabeth, who “lived
to old age.”1805: Deere family moves to Middlebury, Vt., where William engages in merchant
tailoring.1808: John is four when his father dies.Education: limited to common schools of Vermont.1821-36: John becomes a blacksmith apprentice in Vermont for Capt. Benjamin
Lawrence.1836: John marries Damarius Lamb, one of six daughters of William and Mary
Lamb. Through the years, they have eight children.1836: In November, John and his new wife pack tools and a bit of money and
move to start his own blacksmith shop in the “new west” of Grand
Detour, Ill. 1837: Damarius’ sister Lucertia Lamb (Peek) moves west to join the
Deeres in Grand Detour.1843: John enters a partnership to produce plows with Leonard Andrus.1847: John dissolves his partnership with Andurs and moves the business to
Moline, Ill., which offered many advantages over the Grand Detour location,
including water power, coal and less expensive rail transportation.1865: After the death of his wife, John returns to Vermont to marry Damarius’ younger
sister, Lucenia Lamb. 1868: Deere & Company is incorporated.1869: Deere & Company’s first branch house is created in Kansas
City under the direction of John’s son, Charles.1872-75: John serves as the Mayor of Moline.Public contributions. Throughout his career, John pursues an active community
life. His contributions include service as the second president of the National
Bank of Moline; director of the Moline Free Public Library; and an active member
of the First Congregational Church. 1886: John dies on May 17 at his home in Moline.source John Deere's Company Wayne G. Broehl, Jr.
