Arthur Garford
Encyclopedia
Arthur Lovett Garford was a noted industrialist, inventor and politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...

. Today, Garford's home serves as the Hickories Museum and home of the Lorain County Historical Society.

Biography

He was born on August 4, 1858, Elyria, Ohio
Elyria, Ohio
-Community:Elyria has an extensive, although financially burdened, community food pantry and "Hot Meals" program administered through the Second Harvest Food Bank and several churches Elyria is served by Elyria Memorial Hospital.-Recreation and parks:...

.

Garford was a 1875 graduate of Elyria High School
Elyria High School
Elyria High School is a high school in Elyria, Ohio. Founded in 1830, it is notable for being the first chartered high school west of the Allegheny Mountains...

 and began his career as a cashier and bookkeeper before he started the Garford Manufacturing Company in Elyria in 1892 and became the inventor of the first padded bicycle seat
Bicycle seat
A bicycle seat, unlike a bicycle saddle, is designed to support the rider's buttocks and back, usually in a semi-reclined position. Arthur Garford is credited with inventing the padded bicycle seat in 1892, and they are now usually found on recumbent bicycles.Bicycle seats come in three main...

, known as the Garford Saddle. Over 1 million saddles were sold in the first few years which allowed Garford to form the American Saddle Company.

Automobile industry

After his success in the bicycle industry, Garford moved into automobiles and formed the Automobile & Cycle Parts Company in 1893. The company changed its name to Federal Manufacturing Company and, within a few years Garford resigned his interest in it and went on to form the Garford Company. The Studebaker Company
Studebaker
Studebaker Corporation was a United States wagon and automobile manufacturer based in South Bend, Indiana. Founded in 1852 and incorporated in 1868 under the name of the Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company, the company was originally a producer of wagons for farmers, miners, and the...

 became interested in Garford's automobile parts company and together they formed a partnership. Garford engaged to become president or founder of several manufacturing firms including the American Lace Manufacturing Company, the Republican Printing Company and the Cleveland Automatic Machine Company.
By the early 1900s, Garford had gained wealth and a repution as a businessman. He helped found the first Chamber of Commerce in Elyria. In 1896 and again in 1908, Garford served as an Ohio delegate to the Republican National Convention
Republican National Convention
The Republican National Convention is the presidential nominating convention of the Republican Party of the United States. Convened by the Republican National Committee, the stated purpose of the convocation is to nominate an official candidate in an upcoming U.S...

. He ran and lost a bid for Ohio Governor in 1912 and the U.S. Senate under the Progressive Party
Progressive Party (United States, 1912)
The Progressive Party of 1912 was an American political party. It was formed after a split in the Republican Party between President William Howard Taft and former President Theodore Roosevelt....

.

He died on January 23, 1933.
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