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Acme Manufacturing Company

 Collection
Identifier: RH-A-3365

Scope and Contents

The Acme Manufacturing Company began in December, 1884. The articles of incorporation stated that it was a, "... manufacturer of dairy implements, refrigerators and other implements as may see fit to manufacturer, wholesale, retail ..." The Kalamazoo City Directory of 1885-86 says the company was a, "... manufacturer of cheese and dairy implements and Acme creameries ..." They were located at 426-430 East Main (otherwise known as the Farmer's Block). The account book goes only from December, 1884 to December, 1885. The Kalamazoo City Directory only has an entry for them in the 1885-1886 Kalamazoo City Directory. The Company does not appear in the 1887-1888 Director or any subsequent city directories. Checking the Newspaper database brings up a few articles about the company. In November, 1884 there is a short article about the company going to the world's exposition in New Orleans. In addition, there are various advertisements in 1885 and an article in January, 1886 about the Dairymen's Association meeting at the company in February. That month and in June there are notices about a civil suit on the calendar titled Crose vs. Acme Manufacturing Company. It is possible that the "Crose" may refer to Wilbur Crose who was one of the larger shareholders. No word is in the paper about the closure of the company although in an 1887 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map the company no longer is located in the Farmers Block.

Dates

  • Creation: 1884-1885

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

No restrictions

Extent

0.10 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The collection is composed of one account book from the Acme Manufacturing Company which had been located in Kalamazoo, Michigan from about 1884 until 1885 or 1886.

Source of Acquisition

Starring Endowment

Physical Description

The account book is 14”x9”x2 ¼” and contains 644 pages. It is bound in brown, red and black leather and produced by Ihling Brothers. Only 133 pages have writing in brown ink. The book contains a copy of the company's articles of incorporation dated December 5, 1884 although some of the statements are dated October and November of 1884. It lists the leading stockholders, the names of the directors and the duties of the company. The bulk of the book is a listing of the expenses and income from December 1884 until December 1885. The pages within the book are in good shape although there is some discoloration at the edges. The leather cover is worn and shredded at the ends and at the spine. The spine of the cover also is loose.

Title
Acme Manufacturing Company Finding Aid
Status
Completed
Author
Lynn Houghton
Date
2012-01-03
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Western Michigan University Archives & Regional History Collections Repository

Contact:
Charles C. and Lynn L. Zhang Legacy Collections Center
1650 Oakland Drive
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5307 US
(269) 387-8490