Looking for Information on Early Corn Sheller

A reader wants to find out who manufactured his corn sheller.

Reader Contribution by Harry Roland
Published on April 2, 2019
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by Harry Roland

Can anyone help with information regarding a corn sheller I recently bought to restore? Lettering on the side panel reads “Manf. for Rhea, Elton & Thielens, Peoria, Ill.” I have found references to this firm as an implement dealer in Peoria dating to 1900, give or take a few years. I would like to know who the manufacturer was. I found yellow paint with black (or maybe blue) pinstripes, and 5/16-inch-wide red edges.

Harry Roland, 320 Willis Ave,
Rochelle, IL 61068; (815) 561-1682

Editor’s note:

It would appear that Rhea, Elton & Thielens worked with several manufacturers. From a listing in Farm Implement News, Vol. 16, 1895: “Rhea, Elton & Thielens, Peoria, Ill., R.I. Rhea, O. Elton and A.B. Thielens in charge, assisted by Levi Nealson, H.E. Woolsey, J.M. Brown, L. Selby, C.T. Davis and “Baby” Bliss. Full line of goods made by the Stoddard Mfg. Co., Dayton, Ohio; J.I. Case Plow Works, Racine, Wis.; Milburn Wagon Co., Toledo, Ohio; Sechler & Co., Cincinnati, Ohio; Selby, Starr & Co., Peoria, Ill.; Miamisburg Twine & Cordage Co., Miamisburg, Ohio; International Mfg. Co., Chicago, Ill., (manufacturers of the American bicycle); and H.N. Fredericks & Sons, Peoria, Ill.”

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