History of R.M. Wade & Co.- Chapter I: (1865-1915)

R.M.Wade & Co. was founded by Robert Marshall Wade who was born in Missouri in 1835 and came to Oregon via the Oregon trail in 1850. His early years of adulthood were spent in the mining towns supplying miners with equipment. He operated in both Yreka,California and Auburn, Oregon. Afterwards, he got into the farm equipment business. In 1865, R.M.Wade founded R.M.Wade & Co to supply farmers with equipment and supplies. R.M.Wade's headquarters was established in Portland and several branches were located throughout Oregon. The company sold McCormick reapers, Oliver plows, Van Brunt Seeders, wagons, and all types of buggies. R.M.Wade &Co. was managed by R.M.Wade until his death in 1915. The R.M. Wade farm supplies store in Salem, Oregon some time during the 19th century. R.M. Wade on horseback in front of the McMinnville, Oregon branch of the company.

Chapter II: From 1915-1929

R.M.Wade's son-in-law Edward Newbegin took on the business in 1915. Under Edward Newbegin, the company distributed tractors, harrows, plows, wagons and many other types of farm equipment. The company also introduced its first original product. This was the Wade Drag Saw- a gasoline-driven, one-man drag saw for loggers. The company carried out a national and international advertising campaign for this product and sold it all over the world. The R.M.Wade building in Portland, Oregon during the 1910's. Between Hawthorne & Clay Street. The R.M.Wade's new product, the drag saw, and King George of England viewing it at a royal show in England.

Chapter III: From 1929 to 1982

Wade Newbegin took over the company in 1929 at the age of 22. The company was on shaky ground at the time and Wade had to scale back a lot of operations to make the company profitable again, or atleast able to weather the depression. Once the worst of the depression had past, the company picked up new lines and steadily grew healthier. During the war years, Wade Newbegin was appointed to the War Production Board in Washington. In addition to his duties in Washington, he mobilized the company to make war products. A large winch was manufactured for U.S. Army tugboats and various parts were made for the Kaiser BB-3 Airplane Carrier (also known as the Kaiser Coffin). During the war, R.M.Wade won the Maritime M award for production excellence. For many years the company improved. A new line of pumps, called Gould's pumps, was distributed and contributed to the company's bottom line for many years. The revolutionary new tractor, The Ford-Ferguson was introduced an distributed by R.M.Wade and became one of its most successful products. Wade Rain, a new company, was founded by R.MWade & Co.to develop equipment in the new industry of sprinkler irrigation. After big manufacturers started to distribute their own lines, R.M Wade helped form The National Equipment Distributors Association which imported and distributed tractors and other lines from foreign countries. Tractor lines such as David Brown, Mitsubishi, Satoh were distributed. The company also carried the very successful Howard Rotavator which is a product we distribute to this day. R.M.Wade dealers gathered around the Ford-Fergesun tractor Henry Ford's brother, William Ford, with Wade Newbegin and the Ford-Fergesun tractor. The new R.M.Wade headquarters built in 1951. R.M.Wade begins to carry the Howard Rotavator line of tillers in 1951.

Chapter IV: R.M Wade & Co. Today

R.M. Wade and Co. today is a prosperous distributor of farm equipment, lawn and garden equipment and outdoor power equipment. After 125 years R.M.Wade & Co. continues to be a family run Oregon company, and very possibly the oldest in Oregon. Our lines include Howard Rotavator, Brillion tractor implements, Simplicity garden tractors, King plows, Mitsubishi/Satoh Parts, and several other lines and products. We distribute to about 800 dealers throughout the Western states, concentrating mostly in Oregon, Washington and Idaho. If you would like to contact us to talk further email us at sales@rmwade.com or call us at (503)642-1865 R.M.Wade and Co. is now located on Allen Blvd. in Beaverton, Oregon Our Howard Rotavators. We carry them in a range of sizes and types. Simplicity tractors wrapped, stacked up in our warehouse and ready to go. Stacks of  chainsaws and other  outdoor power tools.