This is a photograph of Jens Nielson, a resident of Cedar Falls, Iowa. Nielson immigrated to Cedar Falls from Denmark in 1870. In 1904, Nielson opened a stone quarry near the current downtown area of Cedar Falls. In an attempt to stop water from leaking into his quarry, designed and developed an internal gear pump. In 1911, Nielsen partnered with three fellow Danish immigrants P.C. Peterson, W.L. Hearst and George Wyth, to form Viking Pump Company. In its first year, the company manufactured fifty pumps, which generated revenues of $2,000. Over the next century, Viking Pump Company grew rapidly and became an international company. Viking Pump is still in business today. Content can be used with the following standards: 3rd grade SS 3.27 Immigration and Migration and 2nd grade SS 2.24 Natural Resources in a lesson on businesses established by immigrants throughout Iowa. For any use other than instructional resources, please check with the organization that owns this item regarding copyright restrictions.
2018.018.006 [Print, Photographic]
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Ownership of this resource is held by the Cedar Falls Historical Society and has been provided here for educational purposes only, specifically for use in the Iowa Museum Association's "Teaching Iowa History" project. It may not be downloaded, reproduced or distributed in any format without written permission from the Rights Holder. For information on U.S. and International copyright laws, consult an attorney.