Clement Studebaker
Encyclopedia
Clement Studebaker was an American wagon and carriage manufacturer. With his brother Henry, he co-founded the H & C Studebaker Company, precursor of the Studebaker Corporation, which built Pennsylvania-German Conestoga wagon
s and carriages during his lifetime, and automobiles after his death, in South Bend, Indiana
.
.
Clement Studebaker married Charity Bratt on October 12, 1852 in St. Joseph County, Indiana
. The couple had two children, Clems and Eddie, who both died in infancy. Charity died on March 17, 1863 in South Bend. Clement married Anna Harper (née Milburn) in September 1864, in South Bend. This marriage produced three children: George Milburn Studebaker (1865-1939), Anne Studebaker Carlisle (1868-1931) and Clement Studebaker, Jr.
(1871-1932). George and Clement, Jr. founded the South Bend Watch Company
. Clement, Sr. died of natural causes in his South Bend, Indiana home at the age of 70.
In 1858, Henry's interest in the business was bought out by a younger brother John Mohler Studebaker. At that time, the brothers were filling wagon orders for the U.S. Army, which they continued throughout the Civil War. As a Dunkard
, Henry was a committed pacifist and may have objected to having a part in making war materials. An official Studebaker company history simply says "Henry was tired of the business. He wanted to farm. The risks of expanding were not for him". Clement and three other brothers went on to develop the Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company
into the largest wagon manufacturer in the world and the only manufacturer of horse-drawn vehicle
s to successfully switch to automobiles.
In 1911, Studebaker acquired the Everitt-Metzker-Flanders Company of Detroit, later forming the Studebaker Corporation. The late Clement's son, Clement Studebaker, Jr.
, had served on the E-M-F Company's board and at some time had a position on Studebaker's board.
By 1916 Clement Studebaker, Jr. had also become president and chairman of the utility, North American Light and Power Company
. He served in other executive positions as well, including as the president and chairman of the Illinois Power and Light Company (and of its subsidiary, the Illinois Traction Company), as well as treasurer of the Chicago and South Bend Railroad.
" (probably in honor of the Family settlement near Tipp City, Ohio). The mansion has been carefully restored and converted to a restaurant.
Conestoga wagon
The Conestoga wagon is a heavy, broad-wheeled covered wagon that was used extensively during the late 18th century and the 19th century in the United States and sometimes in Canada as well. It was large enough to transport loads up to 8 tons , and was drawn by horses, mules or oxen...
s and carriages during his lifetime, and automobiles after his death, in South Bend, Indiana
South Bend, Indiana
The city of South Bend is the county seat of St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States, on the St. Joseph River near its southernmost bend, from which it derives its name. As of the 2010 Census, the city had a total of 101,168 residents; its Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 316,663...
.
Biography
Clement Studebaker was born in Pinetown, Pennsylvania. By the age of 14 he had learned to work as a blacksmith in his father's shop. He later worked as a teacher. In 1852, Clement and his elder brother Henry opened the H & C Studebaker blacksmith shop at the corner of Michigan and Jefferson Streets in what is now the heart of downtown South Bend, IndianaSouth Bend, Indiana
The city of South Bend is the county seat of St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States, on the St. Joseph River near its southernmost bend, from which it derives its name. As of the 2010 Census, the city had a total of 101,168 residents; its Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 316,663...
.
Clement Studebaker married Charity Bratt on October 12, 1852 in St. Joseph County, Indiana
St. Joseph County, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 265,559 people, 100,743 households, and 66,792 families residing in the county. The population density was 581 people per square mile . There were 107,013 housing units at an average density of 234 per square mile...
. The couple had two children, Clems and Eddie, who both died in infancy. Charity died on March 17, 1863 in South Bend. Clement married Anna Harper (née Milburn) in September 1864, in South Bend. This marriage produced three children: George Milburn Studebaker (1865-1939), Anne Studebaker Carlisle (1868-1931) and Clement Studebaker, Jr.
Clement Studebaker, Jr.
Clement Studebaker, Jr. was the son of Clement Studebaker who, with his brother Henry, founded the business which became the Studebaker Corporation— the world's largest horse-drawn wagon manufacturer and the only one to successfully progress to gasoline-powered vehicles. Clement Jr...
(1871-1932). George and Clement, Jr. founded the South Bend Watch Company
South Bend Watch Company
The South Bend Watch Company, a manufacturing company of pocket watches, was based in South Bend, Indiana.-History:The assets of the bankrupt Columbus Watch Company of Columbus, Ohio, were purchased by two brothers from South Bend, Indiana, in 1903. The brothers were sons of Studebaker Brothers...
. Clement, Sr. died of natural causes in his South Bend, Indiana home at the age of 70.
In 1858, Henry's interest in the business was bought out by a younger brother John Mohler Studebaker. At that time, the brothers were filling wagon orders for the U.S. Army, which they continued throughout the Civil War. As a Dunkard
Dunkard Brethren
The Dunkard Brethren are a small group of conservative Schwarzenau Brethren churches that withdrew from the Church of the Brethren.The Church of the Brethren represents the largest body of churches that descended from the original pietist movement began in Germany by Alexander Mack and 7 other...
, Henry was a committed pacifist and may have objected to having a part in making war materials. An official Studebaker company history simply says "Henry was tired of the business. He wanted to farm. The risks of expanding were not for him". Clement and three other brothers went on to develop the Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing 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...
into the largest wagon manufacturer in the world and the only manufacturer of horse-drawn vehicle
Horse-drawn vehicle
A horse-drawn vehicle is a mechanized piece of equipment pulled by one horse or by a team of horses. These vehicles typically had two or four wheels and were used to carry passengers and/or a load...
s to successfully switch to automobiles.
Legacy
Several months after Clement Studebaker's death in 1901, St. Paul's Memorial United Methodist Church was completed in South Bend. Studebaker had contributed the funds to build the church in memory of his father-in-law, George Milburn. The completed church was dedicated in 1903.In 1911, Studebaker acquired the Everitt-Metzker-Flanders Company of Detroit, later forming the Studebaker Corporation. The late Clement's son, Clement Studebaker, Jr.
Clement Studebaker, Jr.
Clement Studebaker, Jr. was the son of Clement Studebaker who, with his brother Henry, founded the business which became the Studebaker Corporation— the world's largest horse-drawn wagon manufacturer and the only one to successfully progress to gasoline-powered vehicles. Clement Jr...
, had served on the E-M-F Company's board and at some time had a position on Studebaker's board.
By 1916 Clement Studebaker, Jr. had also become president and chairman of the utility, North American Light and Power Company
North American Light and Power Company
The North American Light and Power Company was a utility holding company formed in South Bend, Indiana and run since 1916 by its President, Clement Studebaker, Jr., of the family famous for the Studebaker automobiles. The utility company remained a major subsidiary of the North American Company,...
. He served in other executive positions as well, including as the president and chairman of the Illinois Power and Light Company (and of its subsidiary, the Illinois Traction Company), as well as treasurer of the Chicago and South Bend Railroad.
Tippecanoe Place mansion
In 1889, Clement Studebaker completed construction of a 26000 square feet (2,415.5 m²) mansion in South Bend and named it "Tippecanoe PlaceTippecanoe Place
Tippecanoe Place is a house in South Bend, Indiana, United States. Built in 1868, it was the residence of Clement Studebaker, a co-founder of the Studebaker vehicle manufacturing firm. Studebaker lived in the house from 1889 until his 1901 death. The house remained in his family for many years....
" (probably in honor of the Family settlement near Tipp City, Ohio). The mansion has been carefully restored and converted to a restaurant.