James G. Cockshutt

Who was James G. Cockshutt?

James G. Cockshutt was a Canadian manufacturer. The son of Ignatius Cockshutt, he was born in Brantford, Canada West and educated there.

In 1877 he founded the original Cockshutt factory, the Brantford Plow Works at Brantford, Ontario.

In 1882, the business was incorporated as the Cockshutt Plow Company, with James G. Cockshutt as president. At that time, he employed about 50 workers.

In October 1885, James Cockshutt died as the result of tuberculosis at 34 years of age. Managers bearing the Cockshutt name continued to operate the company until 1957, when the company was taken over by outside interests. The Cockshutt company was subsequently sold to the White Motor Company in 1961. White used the popular Cockshutt brand name until 1977, although no Cockshutt tractors were made after 1961. Rather, White sold Oliver tractors that were painted red and rebranded as Cockshutt.