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Seagrave and Company Founder |
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The FWD/Seagrave Museum is continuously working to preserve and share the histories of FWD (The Four Wheel Drive Auto Company), Seagrave, and FWD Seagrave. FWD and Seagrave were two separate companies until 1963, when they merged to form FWD Segrave (now known as Seagrave Fire Apparatus, LLC).
In 1881, Frederic S. Seagrave founded "Seagrave and Company" where he built ladders for orchards. Not long after, Seagrave began manufacturing ladders and wagon carts for fire departments. His company was one of the first vehicular companies in Detroit, Michigan. In 1891, Seagrave and Company moved to Columbus, Ohio. Owner of The Ohio Buggy Company, Julius Stone, partnered with Frederic Seagrave and renamed the company "The Seagrave Company". Julius Stone bought out Frederic Seagrave in 1902 and moved the operation to 2000 High Street, Columbus, Ohio. On January 5th, 1925 the company underwent another name change, making it "The Seagrave Corporation". For decades the corporation continued to grow and thrive. On July 1st 1963, The Seagrave Corporation was purchased by The FWD Corporation and the name was changed to "Seagrave Fire Apparatus" Inc. Operations were moved to Clintonville, WI in 1965, where it remains to this day. Seagrave Fire Apparatus, LLC continues to manufacture firetrucks and other severe duty machines and remains as one of "The Greatest Names in Fire Apparatus." |
Seagrave Factory 1881
Seagrave Factory 1891
Seagrave Factory 1910
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The Birth of Four Wheel Drive |
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The Badger FWD Auto Company FoundersBrothers-in-law The "Badger Four Wheel Drive Auto Company" was established by William Besserdich, Otto Zachow, and Walter Olen on January 9th, 1909 in Clintonville, Wisconsin. On September 24, 1910, the name was officially changed to "The Four Wheel Drive Auto Company". Along with the name change, Walter Olen was appointed as the companies first president.
Learn More: For a deeper understanding of the inception of Four Wheel Drive, explore this informative video from Truck Wars. It provides a brief yet comprehensive explanation of the evolution of four-wheel-drive technology and its historical significance. |
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Copyright © 2024 FWD Seagrave Museum
Clintonville, WI 54929 |
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