history historic J. L. Johnson sash weights annealing pots old photos Henry Young Terry Tom iron foundry
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| Decatur Foundry iron foundry gray ductile iron castings Decatur gray iron Decatur Foundry prototype castings |
| Decatur illinois history historic J. L. Johnson sash weights annealing pots old photos iron foundry |
| Our History
J. L. Johnson started J. L. Johnson and Sons Foundry in 1936 with a small cupola and a garage he rented for $100 a month. For 15 years he made weights for window sashes. Sash weights were used in home and building construction to counterbalance the weight of windows, making them easier to open and close.
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By 1950, J.L. Johnson and Sons was incorporated and had purchased the Decatur Foundry, Inc. In 1951 they switched from making window weights, which were becoming obsolete, to making cast iron annealing pots which are used in the heat treatment of castings.
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| Sufficient quantities of pots would be cast to take care of a customer's needs for months in advance. The pots would be stored for the customer in our store yard, and delivered as needed, anywhere in the U.S.A., with our fleet of trucks. |
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In the 1970's, under President Henry R. Young, the Decatur Foundry expanded
into supplying gray and ductile iron castings to pump, valve and electric
motor industries. Henry Young, who joined the foundry in 1956, became
president in 1975 and retired in August of 1994.
The firm is now operated under a management team that includes his sons,
Terry Young, as President, and Tom Young, as Vice President.
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| Decatur Foundry iron foundry gray ductile iron castings Decatur gray iron Decatur Foundry prototype castings |
| Decatur illinois history historic J. L. Johnson sash weights annealing pots old photos iron foundry |
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