The Crabb Grass Engine Company was organized in 1910 by Issiah E. Crabb and J. W. Dwyer. Between 1910 and 1918, the company manufactured gas "hit and miss" type engines in 3 and 5 HP models as well as a 10 HP model that was configured with two 5 HP engines coupled together.
In 1918, the company moved its manufacturing plant from West Union, IA to Independence, IA and at that time discontinued making engines and instead concentrating on sawmills and general machine work. Manufacturing continued until 1952 when Mr. Crabb sold the business and retired.
This company made circular sawmills.
Information Sources
- Much of the information above was obtained from the Buchanan County Historical Society, Independence, IA.
- Listed in C. H. Wendel's The Circular Sawmill. Wendel says that this company was "much better known as a sawmill builder than as a gas engine manufacturer. Crabb mills remained in regular production into the 1950s. Since Crabb did little advertising of their mills, few photos remain." Wendel does show a photo taken from a 1930s ad.
- American Gasoline Engines Since 1872 by C. H. Wendel, Volume #1, 1983 page 112
- The Complete Guide to Stationary Gas Engines by Mark Meincke, 1996 page 107