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TOC Wood Rim Makers Info
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Olds Wagon Works
Olds Wagon Works is an interesting wood Bicycle rim manufacturer - as with most of the rim makers who made wood rims they also made bars, fenders and chain guards
The Olds Wagon Works was a major early Fort Wayne industry which flourished briefly then fell victim to progress.
H. G. Olds was Founder and president of the Olds Wagon Works and one of the most prominent of Fort Waynes Manufacturers. He died May 14 1902 at the age of 62
He was a native of NY and the eldest son of Noble G Olds - born at Auburn NY Oct 14 1839. The Family moved to Syracuse NY and later to Sandusky O where his father started a business of machine manufacturing in 1848 - here he learned his trade as a machinist. In 1861 they moved to Ft Wayne where his father established a bending shop and lumberyard on Lafayette St - just south of the railroad tracks under the name of N. G. Olds & Son. two years later the firm of Old, Hanna & co was formed to manufacture Hubs, spokes and agricultural wheel. The partners of this firm were N.G. Olds, Judge Samuel Hanna, H.G. Olds and J. O. Olds - Judge hanna soon retired and in 1873. In 1881 Mr Olds entered into the manufacturing of Wagons Establishing the H.G. Olds Wagon Works and a year later this was incorporated into the Olds Wagon Works. In 1891 When the American Wheel Company was organised his company was absorbed into the group along with all the Large wood rim manufacturers. He became president for a year & and half before it was disbanded.
He also had interests in other concern of the day - The Jenny Electric light works that became a large manufacturing concern in the community - this became the Ft Wayne Electric Works.
Incorporated in 1882 with $200,000 in capital, the company produced horse-drawn wagons that were the common method of transportation in the late 1800s. The plant, located at Clinton and Murray streets, has been demolished, and was last host to the General Tire outlet in Fort Wayne.
Even though it is relatively run-down, the building remained ( until its demise ) one of the most remarkable examples of 19th century industrial architecture standing in Fort Wayne.
In Sept 1897
The most serious accident during the storm occurred at the Olds Wagon works. The high brick chimney over the blacksmith shop fell with a crash through the roof. Most of the men escaped, but three were caught in the falling debris. George Krockenberger, a blacksmith who resides on Ida avenue, was knocked senseless and was painfully bruised about the chest and head. Andrew Einsiedel, a blacksmith, who resides at 69 Stophlet street, was also caught under the falling pile of bricks. His left hand was painfully crushed and some of the fingers may be amputated. He is also bruised over the body. Fred Wehr, a small boy who has been working in the shop, was pinched in the mass of falling timbers and badly bruised about the left side. Both arms were sprained. These men are at Hope hospital under the care of Drs. Kesler, McEvoy and C.E. Barnett.
After the wagon works folded, the Clinton Street plant was taken over by the Fort Wayne Corrogated Paper Co., which was begun in 1908 and had become a national industry by the 1930s. The company, which manufactured boxes and other paper products, had 210 employees and capital of $1 million by 1913.
The company operated from the old Olds building until 1924 or so, when it built a new plant in Hartford City. But the wagon works facility is still there until it's recent demise, to remind us of a time when Olds wagons / bicycles - not horseless carriages - ruled the roads.
This Ad is from the Referee 1897
This is an Ad from 1891....
Olds Wagon Works is an interesting wood Bicycle rim manufacturer - as with most of the rim makers who made wood rims they also made bars, fenders and chain guards
The Olds Wagon Works was a major early Fort Wayne industry which flourished briefly then fell victim to progress.
H. G. Olds was Founder and president of the Olds Wagon Works and one of the most prominent of Fort Waynes Manufacturers. He died May 14 1902 at the age of 62
He was a native of NY and the eldest son of Noble G Olds - born at Auburn NY Oct 14 1839. The Family moved to Syracuse NY and later to Sandusky O where his father started a business of machine manufacturing in 1848 - here he learned his trade as a machinist. In 1861 they moved to Ft Wayne where his father established a bending shop and lumberyard on Lafayette St - just south of the railroad tracks under the name of N. G. Olds & Son. two years later the firm of Old, Hanna & co was formed to manufacture Hubs, spokes and agricultural wheel. The partners of this firm were N.G. Olds, Judge Samuel Hanna, H.G. Olds and J. O. Olds - Judge hanna soon retired and in 1873. In 1881 Mr Olds entered into the manufacturing of Wagons Establishing the H.G. Olds Wagon Works and a year later this was incorporated into the Olds Wagon Works. In 1891 When the American Wheel Company was organised his company was absorbed into the group along with all the Large wood rim manufacturers. He became president for a year & and half before it was disbanded.
He also had interests in other concern of the day - The Jenny Electric light works that became a large manufacturing concern in the community - this became the Ft Wayne Electric Works.
Incorporated in 1882 with $200,000 in capital, the company produced horse-drawn wagons that were the common method of transportation in the late 1800s. The plant, located at Clinton and Murray streets, has been demolished, and was last host to the General Tire outlet in Fort Wayne.
Even though it is relatively run-down, the building remained ( until its demise ) one of the most remarkable examples of 19th century industrial architecture standing in Fort Wayne.
In Sept 1897
The most serious accident during the storm occurred at the Olds Wagon works. The high brick chimney over the blacksmith shop fell with a crash through the roof. Most of the men escaped, but three were caught in the falling debris. George Krockenberger, a blacksmith who resides on Ida avenue, was knocked senseless and was painfully bruised about the chest and head. Andrew Einsiedel, a blacksmith, who resides at 69 Stophlet street, was also caught under the falling pile of bricks. His left hand was painfully crushed and some of the fingers may be amputated. He is also bruised over the body. Fred Wehr, a small boy who has been working in the shop, was pinched in the mass of falling timbers and badly bruised about the left side. Both arms were sprained. These men are at Hope hospital under the care of Drs. Kesler, McEvoy and C.E. Barnett.
After the wagon works folded, the Clinton Street plant was taken over by the Fort Wayne Corrogated Paper Co., which was begun in 1908 and had become a national industry by the 1930s. The company, which manufactured boxes and other paper products, had 210 employees and capital of $1 million by 1913.
The company operated from the old Olds building until 1924 or so, when it built a new plant in Hartford City. But the wagon works facility is still there until it's recent demise, to remind us of a time when Olds wagons / bicycles - not horseless carriages - ruled the roads.
This Ad is from the Referee 1897
This is an Ad from 1891....
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Hamburg Wood Rim Company
This is another Wood rim manufacturer that was fairly active in the TOC - They were based out of Hamburg Pa. Like many of the other Rim manufacturers the also produced bars and chain guards. They had a very notable rim joint that combined and protected the valve hole.
Boy these rims were expensive!
This is another Wood rim manufacturer that was fairly active in the TOC - They were based out of Hamburg Pa. Like many of the other Rim manufacturers the also produced bars and chain guards. They had a very notable rim joint that combined and protected the valve hole.
Boy these rims were expensive!
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Kerr Bros & Co - "Ideal" wood rims & Bars
Robert Fillmore Kerr, was the senior partner of the most important manufacturing industry in his home-village. The nucleus from which the present extensive manufacturing and milling interests of the Kerr Brothers at Hicksville sprang was formed in 1874 by Joseph D., Thomas W. and Robert Fillmore Kerr, where they began the manufacture of handles. In addition to their own labor they then employed only one man, but under careful and skillful management the business steadily and gradually increased, until it now consists of three distinct plants - one for the manufacture of agricultural implement handles, broom handles, bicycle rims, pike and tent poles, cant-hook handles, and many other specialties, occupying two large buildings and five warehouses, the work of which gives employment to from thirty-five to fifty men. Another plant is styled the "Buckeye Furniture Company," which occupies two large buildings in which are employed from twenty-five to thirty-five men. while the third plant consists of a planing and saw mill, which gives employment to twenty men. The firm has undergone several changes in ownership since its establishment, but for the past ten years or more Robert Fillmore Kerr and his brother-in-law, E. W. Crook, have been the sole owners, though it still retains the firm name of "Kerr Brothers," under whom the business has assumed its present large proportions, and is now the pride of the village and surrounding country, and the support of many families.
The senior partner, Robert Fillmore Kerr, was born at Middletown, Holmes county, Feb. 19, 1851, and was six years of age when brought by his parents to Hicksville; here he passed his young days in attending the village schools and in assisting on his father's farm adjoining the corporation. He inherited the studious traits of the German strain in his blood, and employed much of his time in study even when going to and from work, studying over problems and orally repeating texts, with the sole object of disciplining his mind. By close application and individual effort out of school, he acquired a valuable part of his education and became one of the best read and posted men on current topics in this section of the country. Later, in the way of mental drill and of acquiring additional knowledge, he taught school near Hicksville for three winters. He also further prepared himself for usefulness in the world by becoming a member of a religious society, uniting with the Methodist Church when about sixteen years of age. Thus thoroughly equipped morally and mentally, young Kerr was prepared, when only twenty-five years of age, with his brothers to establish and direct what developed into a vast business in after years, and of which the senior member of the firm has been the controlling and directing spirit for many yeas. Although occupied continually with the many affairs of his large business, Mr. Kerr has found time to give attention to the interests of his Church, and during his thirty years' membership he has served nearly all of that period, either as trustee or class leader, and for the past fifteen years he has been the popular superintendent of its Sunday school. In politics he was a Republican until the organization of the Prohibition party, is now an uncompromising temperance advocate and has been identified with every movement for the suppression of the liquor traffic, devoting time, labor and money to that end. On Dec. 1, 1881, he was married to Amanda J. Otis, who died Apr. 21, 1885, without issue, and on Jan. 4, 1894, he was married to Elizabeth J. Banks. By this union there are two children: Robert Wendell, born Dec. 15, 1894, and Modonna Elizabeth, born July 31, 1896. In 1879-80 Mr. Kerr lived in Chicago, where he established an agency for the handling of the products of the firm's factory; with this exception he has for a period of forty years been a constant resident of Hicksville. The firm, in addition to the other large interests, owns three brick business blocks in the city and other property. Their great success may be attributed to good business judgment, industry, integrity, and energy, a happy combination possessed by the firm.
Robert Fillmore Kerr, was the senior partner of the most important manufacturing industry in his home-village. The nucleus from which the present extensive manufacturing and milling interests of the Kerr Brothers at Hicksville sprang was formed in 1874 by Joseph D., Thomas W. and Robert Fillmore Kerr, where they began the manufacture of handles. In addition to their own labor they then employed only one man, but under careful and skillful management the business steadily and gradually increased, until it now consists of three distinct plants - one for the manufacture of agricultural implement handles, broom handles, bicycle rims, pike and tent poles, cant-hook handles, and many other specialties, occupying two large buildings and five warehouses, the work of which gives employment to from thirty-five to fifty men. Another plant is styled the "Buckeye Furniture Company," which occupies two large buildings in which are employed from twenty-five to thirty-five men. while the third plant consists of a planing and saw mill, which gives employment to twenty men. The firm has undergone several changes in ownership since its establishment, but for the past ten years or more Robert Fillmore Kerr and his brother-in-law, E. W. Crook, have been the sole owners, though it still retains the firm name of "Kerr Brothers," under whom the business has assumed its present large proportions, and is now the pride of the village and surrounding country, and the support of many families.
The senior partner, Robert Fillmore Kerr, was born at Middletown, Holmes county, Feb. 19, 1851, and was six years of age when brought by his parents to Hicksville; here he passed his young days in attending the village schools and in assisting on his father's farm adjoining the corporation. He inherited the studious traits of the German strain in his blood, and employed much of his time in study even when going to and from work, studying over problems and orally repeating texts, with the sole object of disciplining his mind. By close application and individual effort out of school, he acquired a valuable part of his education and became one of the best read and posted men on current topics in this section of the country. Later, in the way of mental drill and of acquiring additional knowledge, he taught school near Hicksville for three winters. He also further prepared himself for usefulness in the world by becoming a member of a religious society, uniting with the Methodist Church when about sixteen years of age. Thus thoroughly equipped morally and mentally, young Kerr was prepared, when only twenty-five years of age, with his brothers to establish and direct what developed into a vast business in after years, and of which the senior member of the firm has been the controlling and directing spirit for many yeas. Although occupied continually with the many affairs of his large business, Mr. Kerr has found time to give attention to the interests of his Church, and during his thirty years' membership he has served nearly all of that period, either as trustee or class leader, and for the past fifteen years he has been the popular superintendent of its Sunday school. In politics he was a Republican until the organization of the Prohibition party, is now an uncompromising temperance advocate and has been identified with every movement for the suppression of the liquor traffic, devoting time, labor and money to that end. On Dec. 1, 1881, he was married to Amanda J. Otis, who died Apr. 21, 1885, without issue, and on Jan. 4, 1894, he was married to Elizabeth J. Banks. By this union there are two children: Robert Wendell, born Dec. 15, 1894, and Modonna Elizabeth, born July 31, 1896. In 1879-80 Mr. Kerr lived in Chicago, where he established an agency for the handling of the products of the firm's factory; with this exception he has for a period of forty years been a constant resident of Hicksville. The firm, in addition to the other large interests, owns three brick business blocks in the city and other property. Their great success may be attributed to good business judgment, industry, integrity, and energy, a happy combination possessed by the firm.
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Kerr Bros & Co - "Ideal" wood rims & Bars
Picture of their Pat.'d Interlocking rim.
1898 Patent
Ad from the 1897 Referee
Picture of the Orig Rim / Handle factory!
E.W. Crook started out as a partner with about a third of Kerrs business.
E. W. CROOK, World’s Largest Handle Factory
If the tact and talent of local business men had more frequent mentions in their own localities, there is little doubt that a greater love for successful business men would be the result. In the character of E. W. Crook business qualifications are both inherited and acquired. His strong constitutional makeup, his determined and forceful will power, his energy, endurance and perserverance, together with his love of “seeing things move” has made him a force that must be expended for telling results in what he undertakes. He seldom sees failure because he is ever looking for success. Mr. Crook was born at Elkton, Ohio. December 23, 1847, and began the battle of life by attending the common schools and helping his father in the woolen mill.
About the age of nineteen he went into the carriage business as an apprentice and served for three years and for six years thereafter manufactured that commodity in East Fairfield, Ohio. In 1876 he came to Hicksville and purchased a third interest in the Kerr Bros. handle factory, and as the years passed became a half owner in what was soon known as the largest handle factory in the world which did $150,000 worth of business per annum. He shared in the responsibility of conducting and controlling the plant until it was deemed best to make a change and take stock in other enterprises.
He has been councilman for the city and held many other important places. He was baptized into the M. E. Church in infancy and in 1877 took his place on the official board and has ever since been a member with an eye toward the best interests of the church, especially the financial plans. He often visits the general and annual conferences and keeps in touch with all phases of church work. Thus it is not strange that we find him a member of the building committee and that the people felt a confidence in him doing his share in a practical manner.
It is with a feeling of honest pride that in our own city we have talent that does not need to be imported to lay our plans and carry into execution and perfection edifices that would do credit to a large city. While now and for years to come all will share with him and his family and friends the pleasure and honor of his being a member of the competent building committee of the new M. E. Church.
Picture of their Pat.'d Interlocking rim.
1898 Patent
Ad from the 1897 Referee
Picture of the Orig Rim / Handle factory!
E.W. Crook started out as a partner with about a third of Kerrs business.
E. W. CROOK, World’s Largest Handle Factory
If the tact and talent of local business men had more frequent mentions in their own localities, there is little doubt that a greater love for successful business men would be the result. In the character of E. W. Crook business qualifications are both inherited and acquired. His strong constitutional makeup, his determined and forceful will power, his energy, endurance and perserverance, together with his love of “seeing things move” has made him a force that must be expended for telling results in what he undertakes. He seldom sees failure because he is ever looking for success. Mr. Crook was born at Elkton, Ohio. December 23, 1847, and began the battle of life by attending the common schools and helping his father in the woolen mill.
About the age of nineteen he went into the carriage business as an apprentice and served for three years and for six years thereafter manufactured that commodity in East Fairfield, Ohio. In 1876 he came to Hicksville and purchased a third interest in the Kerr Bros. handle factory, and as the years passed became a half owner in what was soon known as the largest handle factory in the world which did $150,000 worth of business per annum. He shared in the responsibility of conducting and controlling the plant until it was deemed best to make a change and take stock in other enterprises.
He has been councilman for the city and held many other important places. He was baptized into the M. E. Church in infancy and in 1877 took his place on the official board and has ever since been a member with an eye toward the best interests of the church, especially the financial plans. He often visits the general and annual conferences and keeps in touch with all phases of church work. Thus it is not strange that we find him a member of the building committee and that the people felt a confidence in him doing his share in a practical manner.
It is with a feeling of honest pride that in our own city we have talent that does not need to be imported to lay our plans and carry into execution and perfection edifices that would do credit to a large city. While now and for years to come all will share with him and his family and friends the pleasure and honor of his being a member of the competent building committee of the new M. E. Church.
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Drilling Wood bicycle rims
Here I will post what little information there is on drilling rims in the Day.
First I will start with photo's & video's of the machines in question.
This is from the 1897 - Bicycle Trade & Review
This is from Wheelfanatyk - as you will see he has restored a Keen wood rim drill ( Nice Demo )
[video=youtube;TVMAPD6lmaY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVMAPD6lmaY[/video]
Photo's of his machine
I assume from the construction of the machine they used this Patent
Here I will post what little information there is on drilling rims in the Day.
First I will start with photo's & video's of the machines in question.
This is from the 1897 - Bicycle Trade & Review
This is from Wheelfanatyk - as you will see he has restored a Keen wood rim drill ( Nice Demo )
[video=youtube;TVMAPD6lmaY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVMAPD6lmaY[/video]
Photo's of his machine
I assume from the construction of the machine they used this Patent
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