Universal Grinding Machine, 1901

In 1900 Universal Machine Co. was incorporated in Providence, RI, to manufacture universal and disc grinding machines. One of the incorporators, Harold A. Richmond, was president of American Emery Wheel Co., also of Providence. The firm was short-lived. In Mar. 1902, Iroquois Machine Co. purchased the plant and business of Universal. Iroquois manufactured improved universal, plain, disc, face, and surface grinding machines, wire drawing machinery, drop hammers, swaging machines, and rolling mills. The company's office was 150 Nassau St., New York City, and plant in Providence. The company first appeared in the Providence city directory in 1903, at 85 Sprague St. In June 1907 it was announced that Shenandoah Steel Wire Co. would be moving the Iroquois plant from Providence to Buffalo, NY. Shenandoah had been the biggest customer for Iroquois wire machines. By Jan. 1912, both firms were in bankruptcy.

Information Sources

• Acts and Resolves Passed by the General Assembly of the State of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations, May Session 1900, Pg. 90.
• The Age of Steel, Vol. XCI, No. 14, Apr. 5, 1902, Pg. 18.
• Providence, Rhode Island, City Directory, 1903, Pg. 393
• The Wall Street Journal, June 8, 1907, Pg. 5.
• The Buffalo Commercial (Buffalo, New York), Jan. 30, 1912, Pg. 9.