Civil War Mascot Provides Inspiration for Case Trademark

Enlarge Image Image Gallery Dave produces reproduction statuettes of “Old Abe,” the Case company’s longtime trademark. Photo courtesy Dave Haala

The Case trademark — an eagle named “Old Abe” — is familiar to everyone in the steam hobby. The trademark’s roots date to the 1860s. When Company C of the Eighth Wisconsin Infantry Volunteers was being organized for battle in the Civil War, a live eagle was purchased for $2.50 ($64 today) as the company’s mascot. The company nicknamed the eagle “Old Abe” in a reference to President Abraham Lincoln. The eagle endured 37 battles, and the Eighth became known as “the Eagle Regiment.”

In 1865, manufacturer Jerome Increase Case adopted the eagle concept as a trademark for his company, J.I. Case. Old Abe died in 1881 of injuries suffered in a fire. Case used the eagle trademark until 1969. FC 

Find out more about the Case trademark in The Story of Old Abe, the Case Eagle and read about Dave Haala's 1913 Case 40 hp single-cylinder steam engine in Side Trip for a Case Steam Traction Engine Pays Off.