Abstract

This collection includes the papers of Chapin A. Dewing documenting his life and finances as a prominent Kalamazoo business man and his involvement in various clubs and organizations.

Scope and Contents From the Collection: Edward K. Warren was born in Vermont in 1847 and moved to Three Oaks in Berrien County, Michigan in 1858 with his parents. In 1883, Edward established the Warren Featherbone Company after recognizing a market for improved corset materials. After securing a patent, Edward began producing "featherbone," an alternative to pricey and frail whalebone. Featherbone was made from pointer feathers discarded by regional feather duster factories. Warren opened his first featherbone factory in Three...