Martin Hardsocg was the founder of the company. Lester Christopher Hardsocg (1880 - 1981) was the company manager.
Martin Hardsocg, inventor of various mining tools, commenced the manufacture of them at Avery. The place, however, was too small and lacking in facilities for his purpose, which led him to remove to Ottumwa, where the Hardsocg Manufacturing Company was formed and a factory covering considerable ground, lying alongside the Burlington tracks, between McLean and Benton streets, was constructed. At the head of the company always has been Martin Hardsocg, the inventor of many of the devices which it manufactures. Unfortunately the factory had not long been standing before it was leveled to the ground by fire. With no lack of courage, the plant was replaced by a larger and better one, and here about sixty persons are employed in making coal picks, wedges, drills of special design, hand tools, coal shovels, and, in a separate department, overalls and other garments for the use of men who work under the ground. In a separate structure in connection with this plant are made the "Wonder drill" for mining and quarrying, also pneumatic riveting machines and hammers. The officials of the corporation are: Martin Hardsocg, president the Hardsocg Wonder Drill Company, Hardsocg Manufacturing Company and Nicholls Manufacturing Company; W. M. Edwards is vice president and L. C. Hardsocg secretary and treasurer of the Hardsocg Manufacturing Company. Frank McIntire is vice president; M. P. Duffield, secretary; and J. T. Hackwork, treasurer, of the Hardsocg Wonder Drill Company.