Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co. signed by John. T. Michaud - 3M Company - 1904 dated Autographed Stock Certificate

Stock issued to and signed on back by John T. Michaud. Possibly a relative of the founders John Dwan and Henry S. Bryan.

John T. Michaud, a prominent figure in the early history of the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, now globally recognized as 3M, played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s foundation. Born in 1865 in New Brunswick, Canada, Michaud eventually settled in Maine, where he became associated with the company’s early investors. His connection to the company’s inception is particularly noteworthy, as he maintained a close relationship with its founders, including John Dwan and Henry S. Bryan. During the company’s initial phase in the early 1900s, Michaud held early stock in the venture, which aimed to mine minerals for grinding wheel abrasives.

While 3M is often associated with later consumer innovations such as Scotch tape and Post-it Notes, Michaud’s legacy within the company’s lore is rooted in the pioneering era of industrial grit and financial risk-taking. His signature on original stock certificates serves as a tangible historical record of 3M’s transformation from a struggling mining operation in Two Harbors, Minnesota, into a diversified manufacturing powerhouse. Today, Michaud’s legacy is preserved through these rare documents and his family’s enduring ties to the entrepreneurs who transformed a failing investment into one of the world’s most innovative corporations.

John Dwan, one of the five original founders of the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, now globally recognized as 3M, played a pivotal role in the company’s inception. A prominent attorney in Two Harbors, Minnesota, Dwan provided the legal foundation for the enterprise by drafting its incorporation papers in 1902 within his own law office. Alongside his four partners, Dwan initially aimed to capitalize on the industrial demand for abrasives by mining corundum, a mineral essential for grinding wheels.

Dwan’s contributions extended beyond legal matters. He served as the company’s first secretary, overseeing its administrative operations during its early days. Notably, he hosted the formal signing of the corporate papers on June 13, 1902.

However, the venture faced challenges when the mineral they were mining was discovered to be anorthosite, a relatively worthless material unsuitable for commercial abrasives. Despite the setbacks, Dwan’s unwavering commitment proved instrumental during this period of near-bankruptcy. He actively solicited funds to provide the company with the necessary capital, exchanging stock that, at the time, was famously joked to be worth less than a “two-bit shot of whiskey.”

Although Dwan and the other original founders eventually sold their interests to new investors like Lucius Pond Ordway in 1905, Dwan’s resilience ensured the company’s survival. This allowed it to pivot from mining to manufacturing, paving the way for its eventual success. Today, his original office in Two Harbors stands as the 3M Birthplace Museum, a testament to his role in the origins of one of the world’s most innovative corporations.

The Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, now globally recognized as 3M, was founded in 1902 in Two Harbors, Minnesota. Initially established by five businessmen to mine corundum for abrasive use, the venture faced challenges when the mineral deposits were discovered to be low-grade anorthosite. To overcome this setback, the company pivoted from mining to manufacturing and relocated to Duluth and eventually St. Paul. Early investor Lucius Ordway’s capital and the leadership of figures like William McKnight fostered a culture centered on research and development. This shift led to the creation of groundbreaking products like the world’s first waterproof sandpaper in the early 1920s and Scotch Tape in 1930, transforming the fledgling firm into a household name.

By 2025, 3M had evolved into a diversified multinational conglomerate with over 60,000 products, including Post-it Notes, N95 respirators, and advanced electric vehicle materials. In 2002, the company officially adopted “3M Company” as its legal name to reflect its broad reach beyond its mining origins. In a significant recent strategic shift, 3M completed the spin-off of its healthcare division into a separate company called Solventum in April 2024. As of late 2025, the company is led by CEO William “Bill” Brown and operates across three primary business groups: Safety & Industrial, Transportation & Electronics, and Consumer. 3M continues to prioritize sustainability and material science innovation.

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