Pehr Ekstrom, ex-lawman, came in 1886 and partnered with Peter Johnson of Litchfield in the real estate business. In 1886, Peter Johnson built the Swedish Tile Stove Works in Dassel, the only one of its kind in the country. An exhibit of his stoves was made at the Minneapolis Industrial Exposition in 1886 and 1887. They were called Kakslungs, but they could not compete with the American stoves because of their high cost, so after a few years, the plant went out of business. Charles H. Nash established a cigar factory in 1887, which he operated until 1889 when he sold out to Charles L. Phifer. Phifer continued until 1905 when he discontinued cigar making and retired. His most popular and best-selling cigar was called the “Gold Leaf”.