James Van Inwagen
Encyclopedia
James W. Van Inwagen, Jr. (May 16, 1869 – September 1, 1928) was an American
businessman and a member of the Tiffany family. He played college football
for the University of Michigan
from 1888 to 1891 and was captain of the 1891 Michigan Wolverines football team
. After graduating from Michigan, he operated the Tiffany Enameled Brick Company in Illinois with his father, James Van Inwagen, Sr. He later moved to New York where he served as the president of the Tiffany Electric Manufacturing Company, the maker of Tiffany Never-Wind Clocks.
He received his preparatory education at Phillips Exeter from which he graduated in 1888.
. He played college football
for the Michigan Wolverines football
team from 1888 to 1891 as a fullback, end and halfback. He was the captain of the 1891 Michigan Wolverines football team
. Van Inwagen was also competitor in track and field. In 1888, he won the running high jump event at the University of Michigan Field Day with a jump of 5 feet, 6 inches. He also placed second in the 120 yard hurdles after falling over one of the hurdles.
Van Inwagen's younger brother, Arthur Van Inwagen, committed suicide in 1898; he shot himself at the Denver Athletic Club. His father died of malarial fever in November 1904 at Van Inwagen's home. His oldest brother, Fred Van Inwagen, committed suicide in 1905 at age 45.
On New Year's Eve 1902, Van Inwagen was arrested and charged with assault, disorderly conduct and using abusive language. According to the arresting officers, he entered the Polk Street Depot in downtown Chicago and asked a train dispatcher for a special train to take him to Momence. When he was refused, he allegedly attacked the dispatcher. He was locked up at the Harrison Street station but later released on bond.
. Van Inwagen served as the vice president and manager, while his father was president and treasurer. An article on the company in the early 1900s noted that Van Inwagen "bears on his shoulders with ease the many burdens resultant from his position. Mr. Van Inwagen is a young man, not bound in any way by traditional practice, eager to embrace all devices calculated to improve the product of the plant and lessen the cost of production." Van Inwagen published articles about the company's enameled brick products in building industry publications.
By January 1907, Van Inwagen had moved to New York City, where he was the president of the Tiffany Electric Manufacturing Company Among the products manufactured by the company were never-wind electric clocks. By 1912, Van Inwagen had moved the company to Buffalo, New York
. By 1918, some seven models were offered. Though fairly expensive, the "Tiffany Never-Winds" enjoyed success.
Van Inwagen was still with the Tiffany Electric Manufacturing Company in 1919.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
businessman and a member of the Tiffany family. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
for the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
from 1888 to 1891 and was captain of the 1891 Michigan Wolverines football team
1891 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 1891 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1891 college football season. The Wolverines played their home games at Ann Arbor Fairgrounds...
. After graduating from Michigan, he operated the Tiffany Enameled Brick Company in Illinois with his father, James Van Inwagen, Sr. He later moved to New York where he served as the president of the Tiffany Electric Manufacturing Company, the maker of Tiffany Never-Wind Clocks.
Early years
Born in 1869, Van Inwagen's mother was Mary Louise Tiffany and his father was James Van Inwagen, Sr.He received his preparatory education at Phillips Exeter from which he graduated in 1888.
University of Michigan
After graduating from Phillips Exeter, Van Inwagen attended the University of MichiganUniversity of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
for the Michigan Wolverines football
Michigan Wolverines football
The Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history...
team from 1888 to 1891 as a fullback, end and halfback. He was the captain of the 1891 Michigan Wolverines football team
1891 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 1891 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1891 college football season. The Wolverines played their home games at Ann Arbor Fairgrounds...
. Van Inwagen was also competitor in track and field. In 1888, he won the running high jump event at the University of Michigan Field Day with a jump of 5 feet, 6 inches. He also placed second in the 120 yard hurdles after falling over one of the hurdles.
Family and personal life
In April 1901, Van Inwagen married Mildred Mabel Congdon. They had one child, Jean, born in 1901.Van Inwagen's younger brother, Arthur Van Inwagen, committed suicide in 1898; he shot himself at the Denver Athletic Club. His father died of malarial fever in November 1904 at Van Inwagen's home. His oldest brother, Fred Van Inwagen, committed suicide in 1905 at age 45.
On New Year's Eve 1902, Van Inwagen was arrested and charged with assault, disorderly conduct and using abusive language. According to the arresting officers, he entered the Polk Street Depot in downtown Chicago and asked a train dispatcher for a special train to take him to Momence. When he was refused, he allegedly attacked the dispatcher. He was locked up at the Harrison Street station but later released on bond.
Business career
After graduating from Michigan, Van Inwagen joined his father at the Tiffany Enameled Brick Co. in Momence, IllinoisMomence, Illinois
Momence is a city in Kankakee County, Illinois, United States. The population was 3,171 at the 2000 census, and 3,063 in 2009. It is part of the Kankakee–Bradley Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Chicago–Naperville–Michigan City, IL-IN-WI Combined Statistical...
. Van Inwagen served as the vice president and manager, while his father was president and treasurer. An article on the company in the early 1900s noted that Van Inwagen "bears on his shoulders with ease the many burdens resultant from his position. Mr. Van Inwagen is a young man, not bound in any way by traditional practice, eager to embrace all devices calculated to improve the product of the plant and lessen the cost of production." Van Inwagen published articles about the company's enameled brick products in building industry publications.
By January 1907, Van Inwagen had moved to New York City, where he was the president of the Tiffany Electric Manufacturing Company Among the products manufactured by the company were never-wind electric clocks. By 1912, Van Inwagen had moved the company to Buffalo, New York
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
. By 1918, some seven models were offered. Though fairly expensive, the "Tiffany Never-Winds" enjoyed success.
Van Inwagen was still with the Tiffany Electric Manufacturing Company in 1919.