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From the Gowanda PennySaver News "Reflections" series compiled by Mary Pankow. issue date - July 29, 2001

Locke & Vosburg, Gowanda Plow Works - In 1828, Skinner's Hollow sawmill builder James Locke (1802-1872) moves to Lodi and buys 1.25 acre from Edwin Farnsworth on Water Street for $72 ($12 in cash, $24 in wheat and/or corn, and $36 in oxen not over 6 years old). Here, he builds a small shop and foundry, powered by one horse. Making the castings, wooden beams and handles, all necessary in the manufacturing of plows, he corners the local market since other manufacturers are more than 100 miles away. By 1833, he needs more power and space, deciding to buy land on the Erie County side of the Cattaraugus Creek. After obtaining a water privilege from Ralph Plumb, he forms a partnership with John Vosburg, a blacksmith. Later on the buisness is owned by Sellew, Tucker and Strope and then Sellew & Popple. The death of Popple prompts the sale of the buisness to Adams, Jackson & Bache. Sellew regains possession of the plow works and names Colonel Forbes Munson manager. In 1885, after the death of Sellew, Alanson and Samuel Keyes form the Gowanda Agricultural Works, which includes the foundry started by Locke. At the height of its manufacturing career, the buisness offers plows, harrows, cultivators, road scrapers, dog powers, seed drills, land rollers, winged shovel plows, wood sawing machines, corn shellers, cheese press screws and cheese factory apparatus. In September of 1932, the Gowanda Plow Works is leveled by fire and the land is cleared the following year. (Photo courtesy of Phil Palen.)