W. F. Norman Sheet Metal Manufacturing Company
Introduction
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Images
W.F Norman established the W.F Norman Sheet Metal Manufacturing Company
The W. F. Norman Sheet Metal Manufacturing Company is located on 214 N Cedar St, Nevada, MO
Overview of the W.F. Norman Factory metal products catalogue including ceiling tiles and ornamental pieces
The factory utilizes machines such as drop hammers and shears for its metal production
Catalogue overview of the W.F. Norman roofing tiles and pieces utilized for its steel siding
W.F Norman Factory's production of ornamental pieces for the Bapst Library in Boston, MA
W.F Norman Factory's tin ceiling design at the Wright County Courthouse in Iowa
Production of copper urns at the St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers, N.Y.
Backstory and Context
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The factory produces interior ceiling tiles or exterior ornamental pieces by using stamp pressers with drop hammers that date back to the early 1900s. Although some parts of the machines have been replaced, a majority of its structures still stand and are presently utilized in the sheet metal production. For this reason, the W.F Norman factory is a tourist attractions since it presents the opportunity for buyers to look at machine layouts that have been present since the beginning of the company.
The history of the company begins with the Norman family. They probably relocated from Virginia to Moniteau County, MO in 1840. It was in this area that Jacob Norman met and married a local Missourian, Eliza Byler. In 1860, Byler gave birth to William and later on, the couple decided to move to Vernon County in 1870 with their four children. W. F Norman worked as a traveling salesman for the Wheeling Corrugating Company and earned about $166.67 each month for his duties which included the selling of steel ceilings and steel roofing. However, Norman quit his job after the birth of his children: Clyde, Glenn and Eloise. Norman wanted to find a job closer to home so he wouldn’t travel as much but rather spend more time with his family.
After quitting his job, Norman set up his company. The early establishment of the W.F Norman factory first began in 1898 due to a joint business partnership between Norman and fellow colleague, John H. Berghauser, who happened to be a tinsmith. Together, the two opened a manufacturing shop that produced sheet metal building materials such as ceiling plates, roof tiles and crests. The business idea was such a huge success that it propelled a need for an expansion. And so, in 1901, both partners decided to purchase the Central Christian Church building for a cost of $2,500 and use it as the factory site.
Although the business grew quickly, in 1910, both partners experienced a horrifying loss when the roof of the building was damaged as a result of a fire. This incident did not, however, disrupt the workflow of metal production and in fact, repairs and renovations were made on the building. It is for this reason that the current interior design of the factory looks similar to early designs even after the fire occurred.
Norman became the sole owner of the company in 1918 when Berghauser decided to retire. He bought Berghauser’s share and the company became a family business instead. It was passed down to Norman’s two sons and then later to his grandson who sold the company to Robert Quitno in 1978.
Sources
Collection of W.F. Norman Factory Photographs, Vernon County Historical Society
Scenes from the Past (of Nevada, Missouri), by Betty Sterett, Vernon County Historical Society/Bushwhacker Museum, Nevada, MO, 1985
“The Legacy of W.F. Norman,” January 3, 2014. https://wfnorman.com/legacy/.
W.F. Norman Catalogue. Undated