Following appeared in the Daily Gazette in 1979
Retrieved by Dana Fellows ~ 2011 and Transcribed by Rachel Fellows ~ 2011
James Foster, Only Non-Family President of NW Barb Wire
In the 100 year history of the Northwestern Steel & Wire Company, only one man has the distinction of being the first, and only, non-family to assume to the presidency of the company. He was James C. Foster, a former sales manager with Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation.
Foster was named president of the Northwestern Barb Wire Company (NS&W) on March 1st, 1938. He succeeded Paul W. Dillon who resigned to become chairman of the board and general manager of the firm.
The following is the complete text of Foster’s appointment as carried in the March 1st, 1938 edition of The Sterling Gazette:
Paul W. Dillon has resigned the presidency of the Northwestern Barb Wire Company to become chairman of the beard and general manager. His place as president will be taken by James Craven Foster, general sales manager of the Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation, who resigned Monday to take up his new duties on April 1st. Mr. Foster has been with Jones & Laughlin, one of the three largest steel corporations in the United States, since 1913.
Mr. Dillon will continue as the head of the gigantic industry he has created here, but felt that the load was becoming too great for one man to carry, hence the shift of the presidency upon the shoulders of Mr. Foster.
The growth of Northwestern Barb Wire Company has been phenomenal during the past few years under the leadership of Mr. Dillon, it was incorporated in 1879. At the present time, when the miss is operating at its full capacity, as it was until a few months ago, a peak of 2,007 men were on the pay rolls.
Has Gone Steadily Ahead
Originally the Northwestern Barb Wire Company made, as its name implies, only barbed wire. Later other lines were added in 1902 W. M. Dillon formed a partnership with J. Wool Griswold under the name of the Dillon-Griswold Company, he putting in his fence machines and Mr. Griswold his bale tie machines. The present plant was built, but Mr. Dillon retained the Northwestern Barb Wire plant on the Rock Falls side of the river, where he continued to make nails, etc.
The Dillon-Griswold company went into the hands of a receiver in 1911. Meanwhile P.W. Dillon had become associated with his father in the Northwestern Barb Wire plant and had taken over the active management. In 1913, the Northwestern Barb Wire Company purchased the Dillon-Griswold plant and made changes and enlargements, since which time it has forged steadily to the front until today it is one of the biggest industries of its kind in the Twin Cities. Washington M. Dillon died January 12th, 1920.
From a humble beginning, manufacturing only one line, the plant is now making between 50 and 60 different articles-possibly more. The Dillon-Griswold plant put in a rod mill which did not prove successful. Three years ago, the work of putting in a complete steel mill was started by the successors, the Northwestern. The first steel was poured two years ago in April. More changes and improvements are contemplated for the future.
Foster a Marine
The new president of the Northwestern, James Craven Foster, is a middle-aged man, married, and an ex-service man, having served during the World War as a captain in the United States Marines. He is a member of the American Legion and other ex-service organizations.
Mr. and Mrs. Foster will take up their residence here sometime during the later part of March, in time for Mr. Foster to take over his new duties April 1st.