A Charles Abresch Company brewery wagon loaded with beer kegs
A 1911 Abresch-Cramer Auto Truck Company truck, with Model A 1.5-2 tn express coachwork

The Charles Abresch Company was a carriage and wagon factory and an automotive, commercial vehicle and body manufacturer based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.[1] Brand names were Abresch and, for trucks, the Abresch-Cramer Auto Truck Company.[2]

The company was founded in 1871 by Charles Abresch, a German immigrant who initially specialized in building beer wagons.[3]

In 1884 it was reorganized as a public company.[4] Charles Abresch continued to lead, Andrew Hofherr, a cigar manufacturer, became Vice President and Harry P. Ellis became CFO and Secretary.[4] Louis Schneller and H. Paul were active business partners in the company.[5]

In 1892 Abresch invested US $35,000 in the expansion of the plant. A change of name to Charles Abresch Company, Incorporated took place circa 1893,[6] but it is unclear whether the entry in the commercial register was made at that time or earlier and was now replenished. By 1894 the company had over 800 employees.[7]

The company later transitioned to build car and truck bodies, beginning in 1899.[2][3][8] This business grew quickly as customers switched from horse-drawn wagons to motor vehicles.

In the mid 1960s, the company ended its manufacturing activities after losing its contract with Harley-Davidson, which involved a partnership in which the company manufactured motorcycle sidecars.[9] After this, the company exclusively performed auto body work.[9]

Charles Abresch House

The Charles Abresch House is a 2+1⁄2-story Queen Anne home with 3-story tower, designed by Frederick Velguth and built in 1890.[10] It is located at 2126 W. Juneau Avenue in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[10]

References

  1. ↑ Milwaukee, a Half Century's Progress, 1846-1896: A Review of the Cream City's Wonderful Growth and Development from Incorporation Until the Present Time. Consolidated Illustrating Company. 1896. p. 210. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
  2. 1 2 Automotive Industries. Chilton Company, Incorporated. 1910. p. 429. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
  3. 1 2 "Charles Abresch House". Wisconsin Historical Society. January 2012. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
  4. 1 2 "Charles Abresch Co". CoachBuilt.com. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
  5. ↑ American Bottler. 1912. p. 61. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
  6. ↑ Iron Age. Chilton Company. February 1894. p. 223. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
  7. ↑ Milwaukee Journal, April 28, 1912; cited in: Coachbuilt: Charles Abresch Co.
  8. ↑ Robin D. Wenger; Carlen Hatala (1983). "Inventory Form for Nominated Properties: Charles Abresch House". State Historical Society of Wisconsin. Retrieved February 12, 2019. With two photos.
  9. 1 2 Tanzilo, Bobby (September 2, 2015). "Hardware Headquarters plan emerges for former National Ace buildings". OnMilwaukee. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
  10. 1 2 Charles Abresch House. NPGallery Digital Asset Management System. National Park Service. Retrieved February 12, 2019.

Further reading

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