Below is an unedited text of information from the History of Kent County Michigan ©1881. This is one of the types of sources I used when researching my 19th Century Carriages & Wagons A Writer's Resource book. I'm putting it in unedited so you can glean from the information what you might be able to use as a writer if you were setting a story during this time frame or within this area. Enjoy!
CARRIAGES AND WAGONS.
Arthur Wood's Carriage Factory was established in 1867. In May, 1878, he patented the "Wood Buggy." The factory employs 14 men.
The Harrison Wagon Works in Walker township, adjoining the city on the north, were established in 1852, at Schoolcraft, Mich., by William Harrison. There he remained only a few years, then removed to Kalamazoo, where he was engaged in business about seven years. In 1856 he came to Grand Rapids, and first started in business on South Front street, near Bridge street. He erected a large sfone building 40 x 80, three-stories high, with a foundation four feet thick. This was the largest building of the bind then in Michigan. There he manufactured the "Harrison Wagon," and also some carriages, employing only about 10 men. He remained there, engaged in tlrs business, until the spring of 1880, purchased his present ground containing 30 acres, where, the factory is located, together with eight acres within the city limits, acquired in November, 1878. He commenced erecting buildings in August, 1879. The main buildings are of brick, veneered, 250 x 40, two-stories high, and one 450 x 40, two-stories high. Another building, 200x48, is used in the manufacture and storage •of the Wagons. In addition to these is a brick office; three frame buildings 185x16, one-story high, used for storage and wareroo ms. One hundred and fifty men are employed in the business. Manufacture only the Harrison: use about 1,000,000 feet per year. About 3,000 wagons were manufactured in 1881, which found a ready market throughout the States. Mr. Harrison thinks his wagon "is the lightest-running wagon made." Diplomas have been taken at different county, district and State fairs, including the San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Fair, of California.
Harry T. Ledyard's Carriage Works were founded in 1880. The annual product is about 150 vehicles, the manufacture of which gives employment to six men.
Henry Fiebig's Wagon and Buggy Factory was established in 1858 by Henry Fiebig in company with Robert Rasch. The firm? was Rasch & Fiebig. For four years this company continued in business when the partnership was dissolved. Soon afterward Mr. Fiebig started into business, and remained there for six years, when the building was burned. In 1865 he formed a partnership with Julius Rathman, which continued until 1877. Since that timehe has conducted the manufacture of wagons and carriages and a feneral repair-shop; put up a brick building in connection with . Rath man, and employs about seven men.
Julius Rathman's Wagon and Carriage Factory was established in 1865, when he, in company with Henry Fiebig, commenced the manufacture of wagons and buggies; remained in business together 12 years, and in 1877 dissolved partnership. The shops were erected in 1872, and form a brick building, 47 by 80 feet, threestories high. The cost of building is estimated at $14,.000. The works employ two blacksmiths and six wood-workers. Wagons, carriages, platform-buggies, and general wood-work, painting and blacksmithing form the business of the concern.
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