The Universal Machinery Co. of Milwaukee was in business by 1910 and was manufacturing motor vehicle parts, including friction clutches. In early 1912 they introduced the "Progress" light truck, available in 1½ and 3 ton versions; this truck seems to have survived on the market for a year or so before it disappeared. In 1913 they introduced the "Mack" line of small vehicle engines, especially suited to cyclecars, which were lightweight automobile that made use of bicycle technology to minimize weight. The Mack engines were available in single- and two-cylinder versions, from 4 to 9 HP. That same year Universal Machinery took over A. O. Smith Co.'s line of friction clutches. Universal Machinery's president, E. C. Devlin, claimed to have large numbers of engine orders on the books but the company entered bankruptcy during 1914 and the number of orders were actually quite modest. The company settled with their creditors for 20 cents on the dollar and were eventually able to resume business. In 1917 they increased their capital stock by a third, to $100,000, which was still modest for capital-intensive businesses like manufacturing engines or machine tools.

Universal Machinery's 24-inch "Advance" engine lathe with quick-change gear

In 1918 Universal Machinery announced a building project in West Allis: a substantial new machine shop, separate foundry building, and a power house. By this time they were manufacturing engine lathes, boring mills, and drill presses. Within a year they had added screw machines to their product lineup, which used the "Universal" and "Advance" trade names.

The building project was completed but the company did not get to enjoy it for long. In 1920 the company was once again bankrupt, this time for good. The buildings were sold off, with the West Allis property going to engine builder J. I. Case Co. of Racine. In 1925 Carroll & Jamieson Machine Tool Co., of Batavia, OH, announced that they had acquired the rights, tooling and parts business of Universal Machinery's "Advance" engine lathe lineup and would manufacture them in Batavia. This marked the final end of Universal Machinery.

Meanwhile, in 1920 E. C. Devlin and brother C. J. Devlin, also an executive in Universal Machinery, established a new business, the Progress Machinery Co. of Milwaukee. This effort never got off the ground and we can find no subsequent mentions of either of the Devlins.

Information Sources

• 1910 Automobile Trade Directory lists "Universal Machinery Co., 1916 St. Paul Ave. (see page 551.) Crankshafts, Metal Gears, Machine Work. Gasoline Automobile Motors, Friction Clutches. Steering & Transmission Gears. Screw Machine Products. Connecting Rods." The ad on page 551 is a text ad that reiterates this information.
• 1912-01-25 Motor Age announced the creations of the Wisconsin Commercial Car Association, with "J. C. Devlin, Universal Machinery Co., Milwaukee" listed as a director.
• 1912-01-25 Motor World.

  Progress Truck Coming from Milwaukee.—The Universal Machinery Co., of 1916 St. Paul avenue, Milwaukee, has embarked in truck manufacture. Its production will be styled the "Progress."

• 1912-01-31 The Horseless Age. "When the newly organized Commercial Car Association held its election last week at Milwaukee...and E. C. Devlin, of the Progress Truck Co., were selected as the executive committee..."
• February 1912 The Commercial Vehicle has an article on an auto show in Milwaukee. (The "Peerless" commercial vehicle, from Universal Machinery Company of Milwaukee, was introduced at the show on January 23.
• June 1913 Automobile lists Universal Machinery Co., Milwaukee, as a supplier of "Gears, Steering, Irreversible"; "Gears, Transmission or Speed Change"; and "Gears and Pinions, Brass or Steel".
• 1913-07-24 , in its "New Business" section.

  Milwaukee.—The A. O. Smith Co., manufacturer of automobile parts and steel stampings, has transferred the manufacture of its multiple disc clutch to the Universal Machinery Co. of Milwaukee, to allow more space for frames and other pressed steel parts.

• July 1913 The Automobile Trade Directory lists Universal Machinery Co., 1916 St. Paul Ave., Milwaukee, Wis., as a maker of "Commercial Vehicles, Gasoline".
• 1913-11-13 The Automobile lists "Ward Cyclecar Co., 1916 St. Paul Ave., Milwaukee, Wis."
• 1913 Motorcycle Illustrated ad for the "Mack" engine, available in single- or twin-cylinder versions, from 4 to 9 HP. "The Universal Machinery Co. / 1913 St. Paul Ave. / Milwaukee, Wis."
• 1914-01-15 The Automobile.

  Universal Machinery Co., Milwaukee, Wis.

  Milwaukee is interested in the cyclecar chiefly through the plant of the Universal Machinery Co., makers of the Mack motor for cyclecars. This firm was one of the first to make motors as cyclecar makers wanted them, and as a result is doubling its factory space, having just put up a new building across the street from the present plant. The factory is running night and day. It is expected that 5,000 motors will be built next year. These are of the V type and overhead valve construction.

  Perry Mack, who designed the motor, is a real cyclecar enthusiast. He has had a long experience with air-cooled motors, and also with friction drive, having used them on a car which he built himself some 6 years ago, and which is still running.

  Ward Cyclecar Co., Milwaukee, Wis.

  The Ward cyclecar is being developed in Milwaukee by Ward Butler in a plant near the Mack motor works. The two firms, however, have no connection, except that the Ward car will use Mack motors. The Ward has been on the road for some time under test, and is a 42-inch tread, side-by-side seating car, with friction and belt transmission. The frame is underslung and of wood construction, with flat semi-elliptic springs fitted as on the Regal and American big cars. Fourteen-inch discs are used for the friction, and 1 1/8-inch V belts at the rear in deep pulleys. Ten of these cars are being built at the Milwaukee shop, and a lot of 100 is to follow according to present plans. The firm has ample financial backing and intends to enter the market as a producer of the new type of vehicles in large quantities, according to present plans.

• 1914-02-26 The Iron Age.

  The Universal machinery Company, 1916 St. Paul avenue, Milwaukee, manufacturer of internal combustion motors, trucks, tractors, etc., is planning the erection of a large addition which will double the size of the works. The addition is made necessary by the increased demand for small air-cooled gasoline engines for cyclecar purposes. E. C. Devlin, general manager, states he has booked orders for 10,000 of these motors within the last month and the plant is running night and day on this production and still cannot meet the demand. Work on the addition will be rushed as soon as weather conditions permit.

• March 1914 The American Chauffeur.

  New Cycle Car Motor

  —The Universal Machinery Company, of St. Paul Avenue, Milwaukee, Wis., are making a 9 horse-power cyclecar motor of the air cooled "V" type. Cylinders of gray iron, and the weight of the engine, complete with fan, but without friction disk, is 91 pounds.

  If the Atwater-Kent Unisparker ignition system is used in place of the standard equipment, the weight is reduced by about nine pounds, a matter worthy of consideration from a cyclecar point of view. Pistons, rings and connecting rods are made specially light and phosphor bronze, roller and ball bearings are used in the various parts. Vanadium steel is used for the rocker arms; the valves are drop-forged and lubrication is cared for by a valveless mechanically operated pump.

• April 1914 The American Cyclecar.

  The Universal Machinery Co., Milwaukee, Wis., is now shipping twenty-five motors a day, and this number will be doubled shortly. The factory is to be increased by the addition of another building, and this will double the size of the plant. E. C. Devlin took orders during the shows for over 10,000 motors, including large orders from the Imp Cyclecar Co. and the Dudly Tool Co.

• 1914-12-10 Motor Age.

  Settle on 20 Per Cent Basis—The proposition made by the Universal Machinery Co., 1916 St. Paul avenue, Milwaukee, to make a composition of claims against the bankrupt estate on the basis of 20 per cent has been accepted by a majority of creditors have been filed and allowed. At this time it is not known if the business can be rehabilitated and operations resumed, although this is the intention of a number of interested people.

• January 1915 Steam

  The Universal Machinery Company, 1916 St. Paul avenue, Milwaukee, Wis., has filed a voluntary petition in bankruptcy in the United States District Court. Liabilities are scheduled at $59,957.04, and net profits of $18,873. Unfilled orders on hand September 30 amounted to $2,638.570.

• September 1915 Machinery.

  Universal Machinery Co., 1910-1920 St. Paul Ave., Milwaukee, Wis., announces that the concern has purchased the drawings, patterns, tools and equipment for the manufacture of lathes from 12 to 18 inches swing, with from 6- to 8-foot beds and over, and that a large quantity of these lathes, especially the 16-inch by 6-foot size, is now being completed. The company also announces that later it intends to manufacture a number of other classes of machine tools, including drill presses, grinders, turret lathes, and screw machines.

• 1916-07-06 The Iron Trade Review. "The American Brass Foundry Co.., Milwaukee, will move... to larger quarters at 1916 St. Paul avenue, recently vacated by the Universal Machinery Co."
• 1917-06-04 The Iron Age.

  The Universal Machinery Company, 784 Thirtieth Street, Milwaukee, has increased its capital stock from $75,000 to $100,000 to accommodate the growth of its business. E. C. Devlin is president.

• 1917-07-26 The Iron Trade Review. "Capital increases include... the Universal machinery Co., Milwaukee, from $25,000 to $100,000..."
• 1918-05-16 The Iron Age.

  The Universal Machinery Co., 784 Thirtieth Street, Milwaukee, maker of lathes and other machine tools, has engaged Frank E. Gray, architect, NE Michigan Street, to prepare plans for its proposed new foundry and machine-shop group, to be established at the foot of Sixty-fourth Avenue, at an estimated cost of $250,000. The foundry equipment will include one 10-ton crane and numerous smaller cranes and hoists. E. C. Devlin is president and Jay E. Purdy, secretary.

• 1918-06-01 Automobile Trade Journal. "Universal Machinery Co., Milwaukee, Wis., is planning the erection of a new plant at West Allis, a suburb of Milwaukee. The buildings will include a machine shop, 150 x 300 ft.; a foundry, 90 x 160 ft., and a power house, 40 x 60 ft. The total cost of the plant will be in the neighborhood of $125,000. This company makes lathes, boring mills, drill presses, etc."
• 1918-07-11 The Iron Age.

  The Universal Machinery Co., 784 Thirtieth Street, Milwaukee, is ready to contract for engines, generators, switchboards and other equipment and machinery for the steam generating plant to be erected in connection with its new foundry and machine-shop group and the foot of Sixty-Fourth Avenue, West Allis. E. C. Devlin is president.

• 1918-08-15 The Iron Trade Review. "The Universal Machinery Co., Milwaukee, will build a power plant at its West Allis plant." Elsewhere in the same issue, "Milwaukee.—The Universal machinery Co. is taking bids for the equipment of the power plant to be erected in conjunction with its new foundry and machine shop now under construction."
• 1918-08-29 The Iron Trade Review. "Milwaukee.—The Universal Machinery Co., 784 Thirtieth street, is building a machine shop 150 x 480 feet, a foundry and a power plant on Sixty-fourth avenue, West Allis. E. C. Devlin is president."
• 1918-08-15 The Iron Age, page 429.

  The Universal Machinery Co., 784 Thirtieth Street, Milwaukee, has awarded contract for the structural steel for the power plant of its new foundry and machine-shop at the foot of Sixty-fourth Avenue, West Allis, to the Lakeside Bridge & Steel Co., North Milwaukee. Contracts will be awarded soon for the machine-shop, 150 x 480 ft. The foundry is now well under way. Frank E. Gray and Val. A. Siebert are associated architects on the project, which is estimated to involve $200,000. E. C. Devlin is president.

• 1918-10-03 The Iron Age, page 822, in a listing of "Foundry, Metal Working and Allied Industries in Milwaukee and Vicinity" lists "Universal Machinery Co., 784 Thirtieth St., machine tools, Kilbourn 2".
• 1919-20 Polk's Wisconsin State Gazetteer lists "Universal Machinery Co, E C Devlin Pres, John E Reilly V-Pres, J E Purdy Sec-Treas. W J Fowler Genl Supt. Mnfrs Lathes, Screw Machines and drill Presses 754-790 30th, Tel Kilbourn 40".
• 1919 book, Wisconsin in the Great War has a text ad from this firm. 'Lathes from 12" to 36" Swing / Screw Machine 1½" / Drill Presses 24"-28"-32"-36"'.
• 1920-01-22 Belting and Transmission lists Universal Machinery Co., Milwaukee, as a maker of friction clutches.
• 1920-04-05 Belting and Transmission lists this firm as a maker of friction clutches.
• 1920-04-15 The Iron Age.

  The J. I. Case Threshing Machine Co., Racine, Wis., has purchased the gray iron foundry erected in 1918 at Sixty-Fourth Avenue and the Milwaukee road tracks in West Allis by the Universal Machinery Co., Milwaukee. The shop will be conducted under the name of the Lake Motor Co. The Universal company also has sold its original machine shop at 784-790 Thirtieth Street, Milwaukee, to the Milwaukee Brush Co., 51 Erie Street, which will make alterations and install new equipment.

• 1920-07-22 The Iron Trade Review.

  Milwaukee.—Articles of incorporation have been filed by the Advance Machinery Co., which is organized with $50,000 capital stock to manufacture and deal in machinery of all kinds. E. C. Devlin and C. J. Devlin, formerly principal officers of the Universal Machinery Co., now inactive, are the prime movers in the new organization.

• 1921 University of Wisconsin Alumni Directory lists Harry Frank Oldenburg, B. S. M. (M. E.), who was working for Universal Machinery Co., 22nd and Hadley, Milwaukee.
• 1922 Engineering Directory lists "Universal machinery Co. (Lathes), 754 30th St., Milwaukee, Wis."
• 1922 Who's Who in Engineering lists Walter P. Teschan of Milwaukee, who had worked as "engr and factory mgr Universal Machinery Co., Milwaukee, 1909-12".
• 1922 Engineering Directory lists "Universal Machinery Co. (Lathes), 764 30th St., Milwaukee, Wis." They are listed under the categories of Lathes, Engine ("Advance").
• April 1925 Machinery, in the "Trade Notes" column.

  Carroll & Jamieson Machine Tool Co., 253 Davis Ave., Batavia, Ohio, has purchased the complete equipment for manufacturing the "Advance" engine lathes formerly made by the Universal Machinery Co., of Milwaukee, Wis., and is now in a position to supply repair parts and attachments for these lathes.

• Smithsonian National Museum of American History has a collection of catalogs from this firm. "Trade catalogs on "Advance" engine lathes and other machine tools."