Humble Beginnings
In 1946, Robert (RB) and Fran Wheeler used the money they saved serving in World War II to buy a small jewelry business in Lemmon, SD and named it Wheeler Manufacturing Company. At the time of the purchase, the company occupied 120 square feet and had four employees.
Wheeler’s primary business, in those days, was producing sterling silver ring sets with native agate stones that were cut and polished in Lemmon. It was a hands-on operation for both of them. RB made regular trips to Montana to buy uncut agate, was the lone company salesman, and designed the machines to cut the agate. Fran engraved the silver rings and handled all the bookwork.
By 1957, the company was selling to wholesale customers throughout the Western US and Canada. The company continued to grow, and in 1978, their sons, Brad and Rob, joined the business.
Wheeler employees take a break for a photo in 1947. At the time, the Wheeler factory occupied only 120 square feet at the back of a retail business on Main Street in Lemmon, SD. As the business grew, it relocated or expanded six times before settling in its present location - back on Main Street in Lemmon.
RB Wheeler holds a chunk of rough jade that would be cut into stones by machines he designed.
Harold Scoular mounts stones into their settings. While many techniques have evolved over the years, Wheeler still
manually sets stones.
Foreman Rudy Sackmann keeps watch on the operations. Rudy worked at Wheeler for 59 years. He is one of more than 30 employees who have been at Wheeler 25+ years.
Fran & RB Wheeler reflect on 50 years in business as Wheeler Manufacturing, in 1996. Using money saved serving in WWII - RB was stationed in the South Pacific and Fran worked for the FBI. They purchased the company in 1946. Prior to their ownership, the company had been owned and operated by RM Horr since 1910 and producing jewelry since 1930.