Threemile Vineyard
The newest venture by Mitchell Lewis & Staver
Since an early age, the founder of Threemile Vineyard, David Brown, has been captivated by the Oregon wine industry and yearned to be a part of it. It is what led him to expand the Mitchell Lewis & Staver brand to include an independent wine import and distribution business, Mitchell Wine Group, in 2004. A rewarding venture that introduced David to fine wines from across the world; and yet, his desire to cultivate, to tend nature, only grew stronger.
Threemile Vineyard saw its first planting in 2019 after an advanced irrigation system was custom designed and installed by Mitchell Lewis & Staver. The state-of-the-art system will offer precise control of the vineyard’s microclimates and ensure premium quality grapes for the finest wines in the world for decades to come.
1834
Early Endeavors
Henry Mitchell and his wife emigrate from Scotland to Chicago.
Later that year they welcome a son, William H. Mitchell and Henry forms Mitchell Wagon Works. Mitchell later moves the company to Racine, WI and eventually sells the plant to Bain Wagon Co.
1853
The Oregon Trail
Henry’s eldest son, William Mitchell, at the age of 18 heads west with thousands of others crossing the Missouri River at Council Bluff, Iowa along the Oregon Trail.
He would become an important part of the early Northwest Railroads before returning to helm the firm’s expansion west.
1864
Early Success
By 1864, Henry Mitchell had achieved business success not possible in Scotland.
In October 1864 William Lewis married Mary Mitchell, one of Henry’s three daughters. That year the wagon maker offered his new son-in-law an option to purchase into his business for $5,000 dollars. The offer was accepted, and H. Mitchell & Co. was established. Two years later Henry Mitchell made a similar proposal to his other son-in-law. The company was renamed Mitchell, Lewis & Co.
1880
Move To Portland
In 1880 the Mitchell, Lewis & Co. plant in Wisconsin burned to the ground.
A catastrophe that might have destroyed a lesser man than Henry Mitchell instead energized him. He immediately set to rebuilding a bigger more technologically advanced manufacturing facility. He also became determined to expand westward. The company built a branch in Portland, Oregon, which opened its doors to business on 148 Front Street in 1882; specializing in wagons, carriages and other farming implements.
1891
Expansion
In 1891 the firm took over Staver & Walker, an early Portland firm dedicated to selling all kinds of machinery and durable goods.
The company was renamed Mitchell, Lewis, & Staver and quickly expanded throughout the Pacific Northwest. Two years later, after Henry Mitchell’s passing, William Lewis is elected head of the company.
1902
The Mitchell Motor Co.
The Mitchell Motor Co. is born in 1902, becoming one of the first American manufacturers of the modern gasoline-powered automobile.
By 1908 the company was producing over 2,000 cars a year and employed 1,600 people. As the early 20th century fascination with automobiles dissipated Mitchell Lewis sold its automotive division to Nash and exited the auto business by 1923. A year later, William O. Munsell became first from outside the Mitchell family to be named president. A graduate of MIT, Munsell relentlessly added new product lines to the Mitchell catalog, his decision to diversify ultimately helped the company survive the Great Depression.
1940
WWII
Focusing on core agricultural durable goods sales, business continued to flourish and expand in the period leading up to World War II.
When conflict exploded across Europe, demand for some of Mitchell Lewis & Staver’s product lines increased significantly. They were selling sprayers to the War Department and pumps to the Navy. At the same time the war presented great challenges. The firm struggled to maintain inventory as rationing affected the availability of raw materials. There was a severe shortage of male workers available. As the firm celebrated its 60th Anniversary in 1942, the future never seemed so uncertain. In 1944 a freight embargo on the Pacific Coast threatened the company’s survival.
1952
The Brown Era
In 1952, the company hired a young pump salesman, Hugh Brown.
A recent graduate of the University of Oregon and newly married, Brown began in pump and irrigation sales. With the diligence and hard work of one pursuing not only success but mastery, Hugh Brown gained the attention of those in leadership.
1972
The Great Shift
Mitchell Lewis & Staver Co. propelled into the computer age with the purchase of its first IBM System 3 Model 6 in 1972.
That summer, 15-year old David Brown – our current president – and his brother Dean began their first summer jobs with the company. While still “largely” an implement wholesaler, a shift toward industrial pumps and manufacturing their own sprayer with an innovative fiberglass tank had proved to be a lucrative and substantial part of the business.
1980
Succession
The board elects Hugh Brown as president and general manager of the company.
Four years later, Bill Newton, the great-great grandson of Henry Mitchell resigns and with him the 150-year legacy of the Mitchell family. Hugh eventually moves the company out of Portland and into Wilsonville. With the move to Wilsonville, the call was made to place his son, David Brown, in the decision-making process as it had been decided he would succeed his father at the helm.
1992
The Visionary
The board unanimously elects David Brown as president.
It would be under David Brown’s management that the company began offering Mitchell Systems to its customers: pre-assembled sewage lift systems, water boost stations, and custom controls. David went on to build a fruitful relationship with Pentair, expanding Mitchell’s distribution to California with branch openings in Goshen, Perris and Yuba City.
2004
Wine Roots
In October, after purchasing all remaining shares from his brother Dean, David Brown becomes the first person in the company’s history to own 100 percent of the company’s stock.
During this year, David also goes on to form the Mitchell Wine Group in Portland with a mission to be the best independent wholesaler of fine wine in the state of Oregon.
2018
Tending Nature
David sees a newspaper classified ad for 200 acres of land in The Dalles with “vineyard/orchard potential” and makes an offer.
Tapping irrigation specialists at Mitchell Lewis & Staver, David sets out to build and install a custom designed state-of-the-art irrigation system for his new vineyard. The system is designed to deliver precision control over the amount of water supplied to over 85 planted acres of premium quality grape vines for the finest wines in the world.
a commitment to customers
The fundamental component to the adaptability of Mitchell Lewis & Staver is their commitment to quality of service and personal relationships inside and outside the company. Not only do they focus on the companies with whom they do business, they provide employees with an environment that promotes growth and opportunity.
David Brown characterizes it as an environment “where there’s a voice for them.” He says “It’s important that they know it’s a democracy, where they feel they’re heard and their ideas are listened to, where they feel there is structure, support, and a clear direction.”
The company whose origins started in 1834 has built upon the dozens of entrepreneurial successes and experiments. Spanning decades, Mitchell Lewis & Staver has carried forth the ideals of quality, knowledge, service and support with the underpinning of customer relations. Their success with their clients, end users, employees and the agricultural community results from the relationships they cultivate and foster.
