Frederick Elliot Wadsworth – Wadsworth Manufacturing Company
Frederick Elliot Wadsworth was born in 1868 in Durham, Connecticut to James W. Wadsworth, a member of one of Connecticut’s most prominent families. After a public education Frederick attended university then made his home in Detroit, Michigan.
In 1896 Wadsworth and fellow businessman Hugo Scherer helped organize the Detroit Engine Works. The company pioneered the use of two-cycle engines for marine and stationary power use. The pair’s second recorded business venture, the Michigan Steel Boat Company, was incorporated on December 27, 1901 with Hugo Scherer, president; and Frederick E. Wadsworth, secretary-treasurer.
Wadsworth’s experience in metal stamping with the National Can Company, proved helpful when he and Scherer got into the boat and auto-body businesses. Wadsworth’s deep pockets also helped finance the pair’s other business ventures. These included a long list of companies; Columbia Engine Company, Detroit Boat Company, Detroit Engine Works, Detroit Forging Company, Detroit Motor Car Supply Company, Michigan Steel Boat Company, St. Clair-Athol Rubber Company and the Thrall Motor Company.
The Michigan Steel Boat Co. and Detroit Boat Co. manufactured small boats which were often powered by engines manufactured at the Detroit Engine Works. Not surprisingly, all of the above firms were originally located in the same factory, which was operated under the auspices of the Wadsworth Manufacturing Company.
The Wadsworth Manufacturing Company was also known for manufacturing automobile bodies, tops, and accessories for many of Detroit’s automakers, including the Ford Motor Company.
As impressive and respectable as was Wadsworth’s professional life, his personal life was somewhat scandalous. Wadsworth divorced his wife, the former Luella Peck, niece of former United States Senator, Julius C. Burrows of Michigan, and married famous British actress Mary Mannering. After their 1911 marriage, the new Mrs. Wadsworth retired from the stage, and devoted her life to assisting her husband in civic and business affairs. In 1912 she was credited with building nineteen cottages for working men and their families on the former Wadsworth estate in Gross Pointe Farms near Detroit. By the late teens she was listed as Vice-president of the Michigan Steel Boat Co. Later in Life she was interviewed by Good Housekeeping, who published her interview in an article titled The Home, The Stage and the Woman.
Wadsworth passed away on March 28, 1927 at his Clarke Ave. home in Palm Beach, Florida, leaving an estate of $1 million.
Thanks to John C. Davis for providing much of the information in this history. For more information on Frederick E. Wadsworth and Wadsworth Mfg Co. please visit the John Davis website at:
http://www.antiquengines.com/Detroit_Engine_Works_Menu.htm
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Most of the Wadsworth’s of Idaho and Utah are descendants of Abiah Wadsworth and one of his two wives: Eliza Ann Hardy (1st Wife) or Phoebe Augusta Hubbard (2nd Wife). He was a prolific man, as he had many children that had many children (i.e. a whole large Wadsworth family between Idaho and Utah). Abiah and Eliza joined with the latter-day saints while living in Lincolnville, Maine where he was a ship builder. Eliza loved the water. And their stories are told in a book called “Abiah Wadsworth his wives and family (1810-1979)”. Abiah is a descendent of the Maine and Massachusetts Wadsworth’s, who are descendant’s of Christopher Wadsworth, who originally settled in Duxbury, MA next door to Plymouth, MA in 1632. Christopher is thought to have come from Heptonstall, England in the county of Yorkshire (north England), although some suggest Kent, England.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s mother (Zilpha Wadsworth) was from Maine and also ties in to Christopher Wadsworth. Your common ancestor with Henry Wadsworth Longfellow would be all the way back to Christopher.
The other family of Wadsworth’s in America are descendants of William Wadsworth, and they settled in Connecticut and New York.
It is also worthy to note that there were many Wadsworth’s in American who supported the cause of the American revolution. You have one such ancestor whose name is Sedate Wadsworth–Abiah’s Grandfather.
(Note: I have no Wadsworth blood, but my wife and children do. We have been fortunate to have travelled to Duxbury, MA and Heptonstall, England in search of family history about the early roots of Wadsworth’s in America.)
I find it rather interesting that a large number of WADSWORTHs claim the same family Coat-of-Arms. Don’t you think it rather strange that there are at least 3 French fleur-de-lises on the shield ? Could it be that most of us are really Normans from France and redesigned our coat-of-arms when our forbearers conquered British lands ?
Looking for Famy History ~ I was born in Granger, Utah
My Father is Neil Wadsworth his parents were from Taylor, ID
Anyone familiar with these names? I hear we go back to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow but would love to fill in the many gaps.
Most of the Wadsworth’s of Idaho and Utah are descendants of Abiah Wadsworth and one of his two wives: Eliza Ann Hardy (1st Wife) or Phoebe Augusta Hubbard (2nd Wife). He was a prolific man, as he had many children that had many children (i.e. a whole large Wadsworth family between Idaho and Utah). Abiah and Eliza joined with the latter-day saints while living in Lincolnville, Maine where he was a ship builder. Eliza loved the water. And their stories are told in a book called “Abiah Wadsworth his wives and family (1810-1979)”. Abiah is a descendent of the Maine and Massachusetts Wadsworth’s, who are descendant’s of Christopher Wadsworth, who originally settled in Duxbury, MA next door to Plymouth, MA in 1632. Christopher is thought to have come from Heptonstall, England in the county of Yorkshire (north England), although some suggest Kent, England.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s mother (Zilpha Wadsworth) was from Maine and also ties in to Christopher Wadsworth. Your common ancestor with Henry Wadsworth Longfellow would be all the way back to Christopher.
The other family of Wadsworth’s in America are descendants of William Wadsworth, and they settled in Connecticut and New York.
It is also worthy to note that there were many Wadsworth’s in American who supported the cause of the American revolution. You have one such ancestor whose name is Sedate Wadsworth–Abiah’s Grandfather.
(Note: I have no Wadsworth blood, but my wife and children do. We have been fortunate to have travelled to Duxbury, MA and Heptonstall, England in search of family history about the early roots of Wadsworth’s in America.)
I’m a Wadsworth from Taylor (Shelley, ID). We are indeed distant relatives of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Regan’s post is quite accurate, and there is a Book “Abiah Wadsworth; his wives and family” with the history of dates, records and information provided by many sources of the life of Abiah Wadsworth. The book is over 450 pages. The information covers 1810 to 1979.
Niel Wadsworth is my 1st cousin, his parents are Percy & Leona Pearl Ellis Wadsworth. I loved them dearly. My kids still remember going to his 100th Birthday Party. It was wonderful! My Father, Weldon Jay Wadsworth, was his youngest brother. Their parents were Bertie Wadsworth and Eliza Jane Stoddard Wadsworth.