A history of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Volume 1, Part 64

Author: Howard, Timothy Edward, 1837-1916
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago, New York, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 826

USA > Indiana > St Joseph County > A history of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Volume 1 > Part 64

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Ashland, Ohio, was selected as the place for the new home, and there a new shop was erected and the hard-working smith once more began the battle of life.

At Ashland three other sons were born to the happy smith and his wife-John Mohler, Peter E., and Jacob F. So far as the loving parents were able, each child was given a common school education, but better than this was the inspiration of love of honest toil and living inculcated through the lessons taught by the father and mother. They taught them industry, frugality and honest dealings, and as each of these boys learned his trade he was taught how to put an honest and conscien- tious endeavor into everything he undertook.

It is a far cry from a village blacksmith shop, with its solitary forge and one anvil, to a factory covering more than one hundred acres of land, employing more than three thonsand workmen, using more than fifty mil- lion feet of lumber and thousands of tons of refined bar iron and steel; manufacturing and selling more than one hundred thousand vehicles in a single year.

In 1852, Henry and Clem Studebaker, the oldest of the five brothers, set their faces again to the westward, and saying "good-by" to loved ones at home, moved overland from Ashland, Ohio, to South Bend, Indiana, then a bustling little community located as an im- portant trading post upon the banks of the beautiful St. Joseph.

With sixty-eight dollars in cash and stock- in-trade, these two boys opened a blacksmith shop in South Bend, Indiana. The first year they built two wagons, shod horses and laid the foundation for their greater success. One of these wagons was found in daily use thir- ty-three years afterwards.

Within a few years, Henry, desiring to re- tire from the firm of HI. & C. Studebaker, his interest was bought by John M., the third son, who, like his brothers, was no stranger to the anvil and the forge. Little by little, but ever pressing forward, like the great oak from the acorn, these brothers developed and grew.

A few years later the fourth son, Peter E., bred to buy and sell, joined his brothers, Clem and John M., and together they con- tinned the march for great victory.

St. Joseph, Missouri, was at that time the great western point, where congregated the

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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.

pioneers who were going overland to pene- trate the gold fields and the fertile valleys of the western plains. There located. Peter E. Studebaker opened the first repository for the sale of Studebaker vehicles. Growing in the confidence and respect of the people, the de- mands for the Studebaker product, so ably represented by its western manager and so splendidly and honestly made by the broth- ers, Clem and J. M., at the factory. began to roll in upon them, and additional facilities were required. The youngest brother, Jacob F., was taken into the firm and the work of building, vending and spreading its influence became almost a herculean task. but the emergeneies as they arose found willing and capable energies equal to the demands.

In 1852 two wagons were built; in 1904 more than one hundred thousand vehicles of every description were made and sold.

They pushed into the West with the ad- vance of civilization. they spread to the South, the North and the East.

....

ORIGINAL STUDEBAKER PLANT.

The government in 1864 gave them their first great order, and every demand upon them was promptly and quickly met. ever keeping before them the motto of their sire: "Owe no man anything. but love one an- other."

Fire swept in upon them, and within a few hours their frame factory buildings were al- most entirely destroyed. Before daylight the next morning one brother could be seen fly- ing to the eastern markets for new equip- ment : another to Chicago for temporary re- lief: another superintending the removal of the debris and arranging for reconstruction. These men knew how to meet an emergency. and they set aside all grief and thought of loss. and inspired the confidence of others

with their brave, determined hearts and willing hands.

Out of the ashes of the fire rose quickly brick and stone structures, equipped with modern appliances and machinery, and al- most before their great loss was known broad- cast the announcement was rushed, over wire and by mail, from mouth to mouth their story ran, and the world saw and knew of their greater achievement-a modern factory of brick and mortar, splendidly equipped, improved facilities. almost doubling the for- mer output in capacity, ready for business, not a loss of trade. not a dissatisfied custo- mer. Is it any wonder that they grew in the confidence and respect of the people ? Why, apparent hardships seemed almost a pleasure to such men. Often, though, have I heard Clem Studebaker tell the true story; that is, the story of those dark hours at home, when all the world seemed asleep: there the great struggle of these men was uncovered, there the true strength of the man's honest heart was seen. The love and devotion of a true wife. the blessings and comforts of a happy home. come to such a man as the in- spiration of prayer, and God leads him out of darkness again into the sunshine.

Ever keeping apace with the demands upon them. the Studebaker Brothers increased their variety of styles. until it embraced every type of vehicle for pleasure or busi- ness use. from a two-wheeled cart or a farm wagon to a Presidential landau, and inclu- sive of electric and gasoline automobiles.

Lord Roberts, the military head of the armies of Great Britain, in South Africa, in his official report, said :

" Wagons were imported for trial from the United States. and these proved to be su- perior to any other make, either of Cape or English manufacture. The wheels were of hickory and the metal work of steel. They were built by Messrs. Studebaker Bros. Mfg. Co .. who have a great vehicle factory at South Bend, Indiana.

"The superiority of these vehicles was doubtless due to the fact that such are largely used in America for the carriage of goods.

"It may be added that the wagons in ques- tion cost considerably less than the Bristol pattern wagon."

This splendid testimonial was looked upon as a triumph for the American manufacturer and the skill of the American meehanie. The Studebaker ambulance, service and field

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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

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Founders and Officers of Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company. South Bend, Indiana.

ADDRESSES OF BRANCHES

Studebaker Bros. Co. of N. Y., Broadway and 7th Ave., Cor. 48th St., New York, N. Y. Studebaker Bros. Mfg. Co., 378 to 388 Wabash Ave., Chicago, Il1. Studebaker Bros. Co. of California, Cor Market and 10th Sts., San Francisco, Cal. Studebaker Bros. Mfg. Co., Cor. Hickory and 13th Sts., Kansas City, Mo. Studebaker Bros. Co. North west, 330 to 336 E. Morrison St., Portland, Ore. Studebaker Bros. Co. of Utah, 157 to 159 State Street, Salt Lake City, Utah Studebaker Bros. Mfg. Co., Cor. 15th and Blake Sts., Denver, Col. Studebaker Bros. Mfg. Co., 317-319 Elm Street, Dallas, Texas.

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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.

wagons, have been the standard for govern- ment use and have been found in our great conflicts.

Today magnificent Studebaker repositories are seen in New York, Chicago, Kansas City, San Francisco, Portland, Oregon. Denver, Salt Lake City, Dallas, with more than ten thousand selling agencies penetrating almost every corner of the civilized world.

The New York Sun, under date of Sep- tember 4th, 1904, says: "How rarely now one sees a foreign name-plate on a carriage in New York. How often a few years ago. There is no question but that Studebaker did most to make American carriages better than those of Europe-better in character and style of design, better in workmanship. In fact, Studebaker has built the spirit of sturdy and progressive Americanism into the vehicle itself."

Henry and Clement Studebaker, having re- ceived a common school education and having learned their father's trade, wagon-making. moved from Ashland, Ohio, in 1852, and set- tled in South Bend, Indiana. Here they opened a blacksmith shop on Michigan street, where they shod horses, built two wagons the first year, and laid the foundation for their greater successes. Their cash capital and stoek in trade was $68. In 1858 Henry re- tired from the firm of II. & C. Studebaker, his interest being purchased by John Mohler, the third son, for $5,200. A few years later Peter E. joined his brothers and located the first repository for the sale of their output at St. Joseph, Mo. In 1868 they were incor- porated as a stock company, capital $75,000. As the business grew. Jacob F .. the youngest brother, was taken into the company.

types of vehicles. These works now consti- tute the largest wagon and carriage manu- factory in the world, covering more than 100 acres ; employing more than 3,000 workmen; using more than 50,000,000 feet of lumber, and thousands of tons of refined bar iron and steel: manufacturing and selling more than 100,000 vehicles of all descriptions in & single year.

The present officers of the company are as follows: John Mohler Studebaker, president ; Geo. M. Studebaker, vice-president: Clement Studebaker, Jr., treasurer; John M. Stude- baker, Jr., secretary.

In 1891 the Studebakers commenced the manufacture of harness in all its branches, and in 1906 the business was incorporated under the name of Studebaker Harness Com- pany. Their annual product approximates 25,000 sets of complete single and double work, team and driving harness, besides a large output of collars, strap work and patent leather saddlery.

Keeping pace with the march of progress and the advent of self-propelled vehieles, the Studebakers in 1902 embarked in the manu- facture of automobiles. The business was incorporated as the Studebaker Automobile Company ; large buildings were ereeted and equipped: and the Studebaker automobile has already gained an enviable reputation, not alone in this country but abroad. The output consists of gasoline passenger cars, electric passenger ears, and electrie wagons and trueks for commercial purposes.

The several Studebaker companies have been evolved from a little blacksmith shop to their present proportions in the city of South Bend, and their agencies and ware- rooms are spread throughout the civilized world. Their policy is permanent and fixed, and the spirit of American progressiveness and integrity characteristic of the founders of the parent company, has been handed down from father to son, and in like manner will be transmitted to the next generation,

In 1872 their frame factory north of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway was completely destroyed by fire, entailing a loss of $80,000. New works were immediately ereeted south of the railroad, on the present site. In 1874 the works were again burned to the ground, the loss amounting to $350,000, including 2,400 wagons: but out of the ashes grew a modern factory, splendidly equipped with improved facilities, almost doubling the former output in capacity and making all each being particularly trained in knowing

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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.

how to do his work best as a part of an or- ganization complete in all its details.

Sec. 2 .- THE OLIVER PLOW WORKS .- James Oliver was born in Liddisdale, Scotland, August 28, 1823, and came to America with his parents when he was twelve years of age. After a stay of one year in Seneca county, New York, the family removed to Mishawa- ka, Indiana, where Mr. Oliver was married and where he continued to live until the year 1855, when he came to South Bend. During the last ten years of his residence in Mish-

full share of mishaps; the water power being at one time washed away, while afterwards, on December 24, 1859, the works were totally de- stroyed by fire. But these hardships only served to infuse new energy into the sturdy manufacturer, who rebuilt his foundry and constantly increased his business. It was in this foundry that Mr. Oliver began and per- fected his experiments in the manufacture of chilled plows, and thus laid the foundations of his great fame and fortune.

On July 22, 1868, Mr. Oliver, in connection

RESIDENCE OF JAMES OLIVER, THE FAMOUS PLOW MANUFACTURER, SOUTH BEND.

awaka, he was in the employment of the St. Joseph Iron Works, where he became an ex- pert in the foundry business and other mat- ters relating to the manufacture of machinery and farm implements.

In 1855, Mr. Oliver formed a partnership with a Mr. Lamb and Mr. Fox in the foundry business. The foundry was named the South Bend Iron Works, probably by reason of Mr. Oliver's long association with the St. Joseph Iron Works in Mishawaka. The foundry in South Bend was located on Mill street, on the west race. The establishment had its

with some of his enterprising friends, ineor- porated the South Bend Iron Works-after- wards developed into the famous Oliver Chilled Plow Works. The incorporators were: James Oliver, Thelus M. Bissell, George Milburn. John Brownfield and Clem- ent Studebaker. In time the stock of the cor- poration passed entirely into Mr. Oliver's hands, and those of his wife and children, James Oliver and his son, Joseph D. Oliver, becoming the sole active owners and mana- gers of the mammoth establishment.

When the little foundry on Mill street be-

James Oliver

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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.

came too small for the immense business that began to crowd into it, Mr. Oliver purchased a large traet in the southwest part of the city of South Bend, or rather outside what were then the city limits. There has grown up the largest plow factory in the world, the Oliver Chilled Plow Works, out of which daily carloads of the famous chilled plow go to every quarter of the globe. The value of the great plant hardly admits of estimate, running as it does into millions of dollars.

Within the past two or three years the Oliver Company has become the owner of the greater part of the stock of the South Bend

On October 12, 1901, the company was reorganized under the more fitting title of the Oliver Chilled Plow Works, with a eapi- tal of five hundred thousand dollars. This sum, vast as it is, is but a small part of the great property which it represents, as the most extensive plow works in the world.

Sec. 3 .- THE BIRDSELL MANUFACTURING COMPANY .- The Birdsell Clover Huller was invented and perfected by John Comly Bird- sell, while he was engaged in farming in Mon- roe county, New York. After several years of thinking and experiment the famous ma- chine was patented in 1855. Ten years more

RESIDENCE OF J. D. OLIVER, SOUTH BEND.

Manufacturing Company. The old mills and factories have been removed, and the new owners of the water power have constructed an electric light plant, using the water power of the river to generate the electric fluid, as heretofore noted in this history.ª The elec- tricity so generated is used not only to give light, heat and power to the immense factory, but also to light and heat the Oliver Opera House, the Oliver Hotel, and the residences of Mr. Oliver and those of his son, Joseph D. Oliver, and his daughter, Mrs. Josephine Oli- ver Ford, wife of Ex-Congressman George Ford.

a. Chap. 7, Subd. 1, Sec. 4. 26

were given to its improvement. In 1864 Mr. Birdsell's factory, which had been erected on his farm in New York, was destroyed by fire. Hle then determined to remove to the west, and settled at South Bend, Indiana, where, notwithstanding vexations and expensive liti- gation growing ont of infringements on his patents, the business grew rapidly. On March 8, 1870, the Birdsell Manufacturing Company was incorporated by Mr. Birdsell and his sons, Varnum O .. Joseph B., and By- ron A .- John Comly Birdsell being made president, and Joseph Benjamin Birdsell, treasurer. Brief biographies of father and son are found elsewhere in this work. In the same

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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.

year, a five-story brick factory building was erected, which is still the main building of the Birdsell plant. At the time this was the largest factory building in South Bend.

In 1887, the company began the manufac- ture of farm wagons, which enterprise has nearly equalled in success that of the clover hulling manufactory. The company has long enjoyed the distinction of having the largest clover huller factory in the world. The Bird- sell elover hullers are used in every civilized nation of the world. Agencies for its sale are now established in every state in the Union where clover grows, and likewise in Great Britain, France, Italy, Germany, Russia and other countries in the old world. No article manufactured in South Bend has brought more honor and fame to the city than the Birdsell Clover Huller.

Sec. 4 .- THE SINGER SEWING MACHINE COMPANY .- The Singer Sewing Machine Company was originally incorporated under the laws of the state of New Jersey with a capital of ten millions of dollars; and this has since been increased to thirty millions. The three principal plants of the company are near Glasgow, Scotland, at Elizabeth, New Jersey, and at South Bend, Indiana. The plant at Glasgow is the largest sewing ma- chine factory in the world, and has a capacity of twenty thousand completed machines a week. Other factories are at Hamburg and Berlin, Germany. The cabinets and cases manufactured at South Bend are finished here complete for the American trade and shipped to Elizabeth, where they are per- feeted and then supplied to the trade. Cases and cabinets are also shipped from South Bend direct to the great factory at Glasgow, and likewise to Hamburg and Berlin, for the European trade.

The South Bend Singer plant was estab- lished in 1868. At that time the capacity of these works was one thousand cabinet sets a. week. Today the capacity of the South Bend works approaches ten thousand sets per day, while over two thousand persons are em- ployed in the various departments.

The South Bend plant was originally lo- cated on East Madison and North Emrick streets, adjoining the tracks of the Michigan Central railroad; and the buildings were increased in size from year to year until all the available territory in the locality was oc- cupied. In 1899 and 1900 preparations were made for the moving of the plant to another part of the city, in order to accommodate the constantly increasing business. A tract of about sixty acres, at Division and Olive streets, adjoining the Lake Shore railroad tracks was accordingly purchased; and the erection of massive structures of brick was at once begun, which with the vast lumber sheds had by the close of the year 1901, near- ly covered the vast area. Even persons who had fair knowledge of the vastness of the business of the Singer Company could hardly believe that so much business space could be occupied. But the new works are filled with men and machinery and the enormous daily product already mentioned is the result.

The genius of the Singer Company in South Bend was Leighton Pine, already spoken of in connection with the building of our city water works.ª Mr. Pine was not only the untiring genius of the Singer Sew- ing Machine Company in South Bend: he was, in addition, one of the most valued citizens of the city, always foremost in what pertained to the welfare of the community of which he was so highly honored a member.

Sec. 5 .- THIE O'BRIEN VARNISH WORKS .- The O'Brien Varnish Works has a history similar to many others in South Bend. It is the creation of a man of energy and force of character, combined with good business capacity. The company was organized May 31, 1878, with a capital of twenty thousand dollars, and is now owned and managed en- tirely by Mr. Patrick O'Brien and his very - capable sons. The officers are: Patrick O'Brien, president ; George L. O'Brien, vice- president; William D. O'Brien, secretary ; and Frederick O'Brien, treasurer. The plant has increased to very large proportions, pro- a. Ante, this chapter, Subd. 4, Sec. 3.

ist somos. a d Til A s at ors, 1903

FACTORY SOUTH BEND IND.

- 1863

Carriage Barn, Quaker Hill. Monroe Co. N.). Where first Clover Huller was built 1855.

FIRST HULLER FACTORY. Quaker Hill, NY 1858

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THE BIRDSELL FACTORIES OF TODAY.

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

Astor, Lax and Tiden '#ons

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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.

dueing not only varnish, as originally con- templated, but also all oils and materials go- ing to the manufacture of paints. The company has won a very high place among the manufacturers of the city.

Sec. 6 .- THE STALEY MANUFACTURING COMPANY .- Alexander C. Staley was one of the substantial men of South Bend, and he- came a successful manufacturer of woolen underwear. The A. C. Staley goods have for many years been well known to the trade of the country. On July 24, 1888, Mr. Staley, with his son, Marion B. Staley, and William HI. Longley organized the A. C. Staley Manu- facturing Company, which has continued to maintain the reputation of the founder. After the death of Mr. A. C. Staley, Marion B. Staley and other stockholders continued the business which has developed into very large proportions. The present stockholders and managers are the Stephenson brothers, who also constitute the Stephenson Manufacturing Company. In 1907 the name of the A. C. Staley mills, and that of the company, was changed to Stephenson Underwear Mills.

Sec. 7 .- THE SOUTH BEND TOY WORKS .-- The South Bend Toy Manufacturing Com- pany was organized December 22, 1882, with a capital of fifteen thousand dollars, for the purpose of making croquet sets and other articles of wood, chiefly intended for amuse- ment. The incorporators were John W. Teel, Frederick H. Badet and William T. Cars- kaddon. It is said to be at present the largest establishment of the kind in the world. Be- fore incorporation the works were known as the Teel & Badet Company, and are some- times so called even now.

Sec. 8 .-- THE KNOBLOCK-HEIDMAN COM- PANY .- This company has been very success- ful in the manufacture of electrical appara- tus. The present owners and managers are Otto M. Knoblock, William H. Miller, and George H. Heidman. The company was originally organized May 17, 1900, with a capital of one hundred and twenty-five thou- sand dollars. as the Miller-Knoblock Electric

Priming Manufacturing Company, the in- corporators being John C. Knoblock, Otto M. Knoblock, William H. Miller, Horace G. Mil- ler, Albert W. Morrell and C. Warren Sheets.

Sec. 9 .- THE SOUTH BEND CHILLED PLOW COMPANY .- The Knoblock Brothers' Manu- facturing Company was organized April 18, 1871, for the manufacture of farm imple- ments, the incorporators being John C. Knob- lock, William Knoblock, Theodore E. Knob- lock and John H. Dolman. Out of this com- pany grew the St. Joseph Reaper and Ma- chine Company. In 1876, the Company began the making of chilled plows, and on July 1, 1878, was reorganized as the South Bend Chilled Plow Company, with Adam S. Baker, as president; John C. Knoblock as treas- urer; and George W. Baker as secretary. Ever since the closing of the Northern In- diana College, at the west end of Washington street, the company has occupied the build- ings and grounds of that institution. Other buildings, however, have been erected and the lands of the company much extended. The present officers are: W. L. Cassaday, presi- dent : A. D. Baker, secretary and treasurer. The company has become one of the great manufacturing concerns of the city, and its plows are everywhere acknowledged to be among the best made at any place.

Sec. 10 .- THE FOLDING PAPER BOX COM- PANY .- This company was incorporated De- cember 2, 1893, for the manufacture of paper boxes of every kind. The incorporators were William H. Barger, Marvin Campbell and My- ron Campbell. The capital stock was twenty- five thousand dollars. The present owners and managers of the plant are: Marvin Campbell, president; John B. Campbell, sec- retary : Myron Campbell, treasurer; and .John Campbell, manager. The company has prospered from the beginning, and the busi- ness operations have become very large.

See. 11 .- THE SOUTH BEND WOOLEN COM- PANY .- This fine plant has been in operation for a great number of years, and has always been noted for the excellent quality of the

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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.

cloth manufactured. The efficient managers in the beginning were Joseph Worden, George W. Lewis, Corwin B. Van Pelt and Henry G. Niles. It was, as these names will indicate, an institution originating in Mishawaka. The present managers are: Henry G. Niles, pres- ident; Corwin B. Van Pelt, vice-president ; S. A. Niles, secretary ; Henry G. Niles, Jr., treasurer and manager; and William Fisher, superintendent.

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A history of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Volume 1, Part 64

Author: Howard, Timothy Edward, 1837-1916 Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Chicago, New York, The Lewis publishing company Number of Pages: 826

Author: Howard, Timothy Edward, 1837-1916
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago, New York, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 826