In 1884 the firm of John Boyle & Co. was established to manufacture steam engines. Unlike many other steam engine manufacturers, Boyle made the transition to internal combustion engines where they had success making engines for pleasure boats and other small craft. In April 1899 the John Boyle Machine Co. was organized; it is not clear whether this was a separate business or a renaming, but in any event the "John Boyle & Co." name continued on for a couple of decades.
Information Sources
- 1897-98 Naumkeag Directory, Peabody Section. "Boyle John & Co. (John Boyle), blacksmiths and machinists, 84 Walnut".
- From the 1899 Public Documents of Massachusetts. "April. John Boyle Machine Co. incorporated; authorized capital, $5,000."
- 1914 Salem City Directory has an ad: "John Boyle & Co. / Established 1884 / Steam Fitting and Engine Repairing of All Kinds / Manufacturers and Repairers of Machines of All Kinds..."