Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1871-12-14
The Studebaker Bros. Manufac-
turing Co.

Bros. Manufacturing Company, and fewer
still who have not seen or heard of the
Studebaker wagon and carriage; indeed,
the names of this company, and vehicles,
are becoming household words. The
magnitude of the Mandatory was family
impressed ON our mind last summer as we
noticed the many hundred wagons of their
make scattered along the Missouri River,
and when We learned that here were only
a very small number Of the vehicles turned
out ); that thousands were sent to Cali
fornia, Texas, and TO all the new States
and Territories, and that wherever we
went, the name of the Studebaker wagon
had gone before. We felt then, and more
so now, that there was no room for our
pen TO add aught to the merit of their
wagons, or TO the rroprietors of the es-
adjustment; but the exalted idea we en-
tertained of this establishment, from the
familiarity with which the name of the
company and the wagon is known, is very
much heightened on taking look through
the establishment, and seeing the proprie
tors themselves Having been permitted
to visit one of the shops, it may not be
uninterestiag to give our readers our OBJ
servations somewhat in detail. And be-
fore doing that will say that in 1852, two
of the brothers commenced the manufac-
ture of wagons in South Bend, on a very
small capital, and with only two fires in
their shop, which were increased from
time to time, as the business increased,
and to-day The blacksmith shop alone has
twenty-eight fires III operation, with fifteen
new fiues and bellows, which will be adj
ded before January 1st, 1872 Through
the kindness of Mr.. Holloway we were
conducted through this part OF the estah-
lishnent, " hich is entirely appropriated to
ironing wagons, and language would fail
MS in an attempt to tell what harmony
existed among the workmen, and with
what dispatch the work vas concluded
There are probably $50 hands at work in
this building. and every one has his part
to perform, and knows just how and when
to do it. This building is in the shape of
an L, one wing being 165, and the other
i9o feet long, and the width is about 60
feet; is ofbrick, and part Of it four stories
high, the upper part being used fora paint
and finishing room 1t is in this room
that Studebaker wagon or carriage is
turned out complete every twenty-five
minutes.
Their brick building south of the rail
road, which is now used for ware and
paint room, is 60 by leo feet, is four stories
high, and when completed will be 500 feet
long. This build ny and Y ard will occupy
nine acres of ground, and is intended for
the future building of the company, to
contain all their works and machinery.
The present building. where the wood
work is prepared. covers three quarters of
ar acre OF ground. The present ware
house is 50xl50 feet The whole estab
lishment furnishes employment for 300
hands, and their wages per week amount
to So, 800. The total number of wagons
turned out from January 1st to November
9th, 1871, Were 1856, and in the same
time 200 carriages were made in addition.
And from January st, 1871, to January
1st, 1872, they will have completed 1910
vehicles.
Mr.. {. Studebakrr, who is President of
the Company, is one of the most atiable,
IN connection with the best business men
In the State. P. E. Studcbaker is Secre-
tary, J. NJ. Studebaker, Treasurer, j. f.
st .debaker, Salesman, and VIM. Mack
Cashier. We wee conducted to the root
of the machine shop, whcle we had full
view of the city, and how folcibly were
we impressed with the growth of South
Bend, since our school boy days, twenty
yeas ago; but not so much so with re
gard to the city, as we were with tn,
Studebaker Bros, who, from their humbl,
beginning nineteen years ago, have no
only secured leading position in til,
place, and ease and luxury but hav,
reached point in the mechanical worlt
that any one might envy. Perhaps til,
Brothers themselves, when they com
menced it in 1862, With capital of $50
did not dream that in 1871 South Ben,
would have the largest wagon manufac
tory in the world, and that they woul,
have an income, honestly earned, of $14 :,
600 per year. But it is nevertheless true
and this Is no mere chance; it has bee
the result fthe earnest, Jealous labor @
upright, honest, intelligent business mer
And now, while they live toienjoy a POI
ton of their labors. their acts of benevo
lence, and the hundreds of persons VIII
are made partakers of the rich bouniie:
who are fed from their store house, an
VINO now rise up to bless them, will b
their greatest source of comfort.