William P. Bettendorf

William P. Bettendorf
Born(1857-07-01)July 1, 1857
Mendota, Illinois, US
DiedJune 3, 1910(1910-06-03) (aged 52)
Bettendorf, Iowa, US
Resting placeOakdale Memorial Gardens
Davenport, Iowa
41°32′46″N 90°33′00″W / 41.546°N 90.55°W / 41.546; -90.55
Occupation(s)Inventor, Industrialist
Known forInvented power lift sulky plow, the Bettendorf metal wheel and the one-piece railroad truck frame
Spouses
  • Mary Wortman (1879–1901)
  • Elizabeth Staby (1908–1910)
ChildrenEtta, Henry

William P. Bettendorf (July 1, 1857 – June 3, 1910) was an American inventor. He is credited with the invention of the power lift sulky plow, the Bettendorf metal wheel and the one-piece railroad truck frame. By the age of 53 he held 94 patents.[1] With his younger brother, Joseph W. Bettendorf, he founded the Bettendorf Axle Company. His first wife and children preceded him in death. He died as the company was rapidly expanding and before he moved into a palatial home he was building. The city of Bettendorf, Iowa is named after the two brothers.

  1. ^ Bettendorf: Iowa's exciting city. 2000. ISBN 9780738507033. Retrieved 2011-04-15.