In 1860, Noah Shaw, J.D. Fisk, D.H. Ferguson and N.B. Greer organized Shaw Fisk and Company, the first foundry located in Eau Claire. The company eliminated the need to ship machinery to La Crosse or Milwaukee for repair or re-casting. By 1866 a stone building was constructed to house the firm where, at its height, 75 employees performed 75,000 dollars worth of work in a year.
Shifts in ownership occurred along with the company's growth. In 1863 Greer sold his shares to the three remaining partners while in 1864 Shaw and Dr. W.T. Galloway each purchased half of Fisk's shares. Ferguson sold his interest to Galloway in 1867. Shaw became sole owner of the foundry when, in 1873 or 1874, he purchased Galloway's holdings.
By 1872 the firm was known as the Noah Shaw Foundry and by 1887 as the Eagle Iron Works. The once prosperous company was not listed in the 1899-1900 Eau Claire city directory under any of its names and that remained so into the twentieth century. Since the foundry was unincorporated it never filed corporation reports with Wisconsin's Secretary of State.
