Skip to main content

The Duesenberg Automobile Co first established

  • hessacres
  • Topic Author
  • Offline
  • Moderator
  • Registered
More
09 Apr 2013 23:27 #24973 by hessacres
Replied by hessacres on topic First Duesenberg Automobile Co
L. C Erbes like Mr Mason was into automobile racing but relied on others to do the work. Apparently Erbes was also associated with race driver Bob Burman. As the story goes Erbes & Burman in June 1914 had an agreement with the Wisconsin Motor Company to build 7 racing motors based on the Peugeot that won the Indy that year with Burman's improvements. The motors were to be used in the 1915 racing season. Erbes claimed his motors ended up with Harry Stutz. The two entities battled it out in court in Waterloo, IA the Wisconsin Motor Company claiming Erbes owed them $2,600 and Erbes claiming he was owed $200,000 in lost race earnings. Wisconsin Motor even claimed Erbes was negoiating with Duesenberg to build the motors. The case lasted well into 1917-18 with Erbes finally loosing. Burman was long gone as he died racing in April of 1916.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • West Peterson
  • Offline
  • Premium Member
  • Registered
More
09 Apr 2013 12:35 #24967 by West Peterson
Replied by West Peterson on topic The Duesenberg Automobile Co first established
The January 2, 1915 issue of [u:3jf2jq52][i:3jf2jq52]Automobile Topics[/i:3jf2jq52][/u:3jf2jq52] states that the Duesenbergs have already set up shop on 2654 University Avenue in "Minneapolis."

This is an interesting account found in the Waterloo City Directory 1916:
"[Louis C.] Erbes was aquainted with Fred and August Duesenberg, and leased buildings to them [in St. Paul] to build their cars. He seems to have taken an interest in acquiring the company run by their old boss [Mason], as he makes an arrangement with Ira Hoover to buy the whole concerns. Erbes had grand schemes to use the factory to continue building cars, and manufacturing race cars for competetion, He spents a great deal of capital to bring in stock from other car makes that were defunct, like Cutting, Clarke-Carter, and Milwaukee, and his own car make of L.C.E. . He also had planned to manufacture the Blackhawk 48 there as well. Most of this new inventory was brought in from Jackson, Illinois by train. The entire business is now being called "The Mason Motor Parts Company", and even though he spends a great deal of money to get the stock to this factory, he fails to advertise much locally, and fails to win many races.
What he does do is preside over the auctioning and dismemberment of all the stock, equpment and the building itself on January 3rd and 4th, 1917, leaving only the factory building to the next occupant, and all the contents to be scattered across the country."[/i]

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • West Peterson
  • Offline
  • Premium Member
  • Registered
More
09 Apr 2013 12:34 #24966 by West Peterson
Replied by West Peterson on topic The Duesenberg Automobile Co first established
The January 2, 1915 issue of [u:33lqli0x][i:33lqli0x]Automobile Topics[/i:33lqli0x][/u:33lqli0x] states that the Duesenbergs have already set up shop on 2654 University Avenue in "Minneapolis."

This is an interesting account found in the Waterloo City Directory 1916:
"[Louis C.] Erbes was aquainted with Fred and August Duesenberg, and leased buildings to them [in St. Paul] to build their cars. He seems to have taken an interest in acquiring the company run by their old boss [Mason], as he makes an arrangement with Ira Hoover to buy the whole concerns. Erbes had grand schemes to use the factory to continue building cars, and manufacturing race cars for competetion, He spents a great deal of capital to bring in stock from other car makes that were defunct, like Cutting, Clarke-Carter, and Milwaukee, and his own car make of L.C.E. . He also had planned to manufacture the Blackhawk 48 there as well. Most of this new inventory was brought in from Jackson, Illinois by train. The entire business is now being called "The Mason Motor Parts Company", and even though he spends a great deal of money to get the stock to this factory, he fails to advertise much locally, and fails to win many races.
What he does do is preside over the auctioning and dismemberment of all the stock, equpment and the building itself on January 3rd and 4th, 1917, leaving only the factory building to the next occupant, and all the contents to be scattered across the country."[/i]

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • hessacres
  • Topic Author
  • Offline
  • Moderator
  • Registered
More
09 Apr 2013 00:45 #24964 by hessacres
Replied by hessacres on topic First Duesenberg Automobile C0
The brothers did go to St Paul. The Minnesota Historical society has some documents donated by James Markoe. Some of the documents relate to Mr Markoe applying for a job. The November 1914 letters came from Fred in Des Moines with discussion of moving in December 1914 to St Paul. A later letter indicates the move was postponed to January 1915. The first St Paul shop was at 2654 University Avenue. Then in September the Duesenbergs moved 3 miles east down University to Griggs Street. They did not stay long here however as by mid 1916 they had set up shop at the Loew Victor Engine Company, 2259 Oakdale Avenue in Chicago.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • West Peterson
  • Offline
  • Premium Member
  • Registered
More
08 Apr 2013 17:11 #24955 by West Peterson
Replied by West Peterson on topic The Duesenberg Automobile Co first established
You've piqued my interest. Are you suggesting they never set up shop in St. Paul? My records show they moved there in 1914.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • hessacres
  • Topic Author
  • Offline
  • Moderator
  • Registered
More
24 Mar 2013 21:19 #24854 by hessacres
Replied by hessacres on topic First Duesenberg Automobile Co
There is alot of miss information about the Duesenberg's early years. This is only one of many. Another is that they went to St Paul in 1913, which I know is also not true.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • Chris Summers
  • Offline
  • ACD Club Life Member
  • Registered
More
24 Mar 2013 18:10 #24850 by Chris Summers
Replied by Chris Summers on topic The Duesenberg Automobile Co first established
So does this mean that this year's celebrations of the 100th anniversary of Duesenberg automaking are somewhat...inaccurate?

Chris Summers
ACD Club
CCCA
H.H. Franklin Club

So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • hessacres
  • Topic Author
  • Offline
  • Moderator
  • Registered
More
23 Mar 2013 16:56 #24832 by hessacres
Replied by hessacres on topic First Duesenberg Automobile company
Fred started the Duesenberg Automobile Company in DesMoines Iowa in late 1905. This is documented in Motorage magazine 11/9/1905 pg 29 and Motorway magazine December 1905. The "Marvel" was the sole car built. This prototype car was the basis for the Mason Motor Car. The car referred to as "old number one" was around for several years beforing disappearing.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • hessacres
  • Topic Author
  • Offline
  • Moderator
  • Registered
More
18 Jan 2013 23:04 #24335 by hessacres
Here is a test for all you budding Duesenberg historians when did Fred first establish a Duesenberg Automobile Company?

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Powered by Kunena Forum