In 1921 the Philip Forschler Wagon & Manufacturing Co. was making woodworking machinery, drill presses, post drills and emery grinders. They were also in the motor-truck business under a separate organization, the Forschler Motor Truck Mfg. Co., organized in 1916 and one of the few such manufacturers in the American South. We do not know what happened to the woodworking and metalworking machinery lines, but the Truck company did well enough during World War I but then limped along until it was wound down in 1924.

Information Sources

• 1901-10-15 The Tradesman lists Philip Forschler of New Orleans under the category of "Manufacturers of Carriages, Wagons, Spokes & Handles".
• The 1906 City of New Orleans Comptroller's Report mentions the "P. Forschler Wagon Co." It is not know whether this was the correct company name at that time.
• 1916-02-01 The Lumber Trade Journal: "NEW AUTO TRUCK COMPANY.—The Forschler Motor Truck Company has been organized in New Orleans with a capital stock of $100,000 for the manufacture of auto trucks. Philip Forschler, president of the company, is also president of the Philip Forschler Wagon & Manufacturing Company, and is the patentee of a dual frame, which will be a feature of the trucks. Albert Forschler, his son, will be superintendent of operations, he having many years' experience in that business with northern automobile concerns. J. H. Stevens is secretary of the company. A manufacturing plant is to be built immediately."
• 1920-03-27 American Lumberman has a classified ad: "For Sale—Tractors for lumber yards. ... One Forschler Gasoline. All to be sold at $ sacrifice. Post Office Box 199, New Orleans, La."
• 1920-09-15 Commercial Car Journal lists Forschler Motor Truck Mfg. Co. of New Orleans as a manufacturer of trucks.
• 1921-11-24 American Machinist: "La. New Orleans — P. Forschler, Wagon and Mfg. Co., 2831 Burgundy St.—woodworking machinery and equipment including floor and post drills (about 20 in.), also bolt cutters up to 1½ inches, emery wheels, etc." Elsewhere on the same page: "La., New Orleans—P. Forschler Wagon & Mfg. Co. plans to build and equip a temporary plant at 2831 Burgundy St. The old plant at 610 Montegut St., which was destroyed by fire will be rebuilt. J. A. Maschek, Mgr."
• 1921-12-01 The Iron Age: "Pending the rebuilding of its plant recently destroyed by fire the P. Forschler Wagon & Mfg. Co., New Orleans, will establish a temporary factory at 2831 Burgundy Street. J. A. Maschek is general manager."
• The 2010 book, American Cars, Trucks and Motorcycles of World War I, by Alfred Mroz, has a half-page on Forschler trucks. "By 1914 the [Philip Forschler Wagon Company] was offering 1½-ton and 3-ton trucks... As the war ended Forschler was reorganized as the Forschler Motor Truck Manufacturing, Incorporated, staying in New Orleans and supplying local customers with a small number of trucks from ¾-ton to 2-ton capacity. The company was fading fast in the postwar recession, just as with other small companies, but Forschler still listed himself in various catalogs as a manufacturer. This meant that Philip Forschler and his investors were reluctant to file for bankruptcy, but by the end of 1924 manufacturing had ceased for good."