One of the oldest, as it is among the largest, iron foundries in the state is the Adolph Leitelt Iron Works, corner Erie and Mill streets, Grand Rapids. Founded in 1862, during the Storm and stress of the Civil War, the company, with each passing decade, has steadily grown, adding building after building to its plant, until it now ranks among the most prosperous concerns of its kind in Michigan. The company’s plant consists of a group of modern factory buildings, including among its departments, machine, blacksmith, boiler and pattern shops, iron and brass foundries, and structural iron works, with a total of 65,600 square feet of floor space. About 150 men are employed. The leaders of the Leitelt line are Steam engines, boiler and mill and machine shop tools. Special attention is paid to the lumber trade, the company manufacturing the Nichols lumber dryer, which re-dries any air-dried inch lumber with the exception of oak and hickory in twenty-four hours without injury, the lumber remaining perfectly straight and flat, thus saving from ten to twenty per cent. in material. These dryers, which are made in any desired size, have proven satisfactory and efficacious and are to be found in lumber yards all over the United States. The Leitelt Iron Works produce many essentials of a modern factory, including Leslie's improved veneer cuter, live and exhaust steam hot blast apparatus for heating factories, dry kilns, iron pipe and fittings, valves, and a general line of light and heavy iron and brass castings for all purposes, and, in addition to these lines of work, does a general machine shop business. In elevators the Adolph Leitelt Iron Works is one of the leaders in the country. Power freight elevators, hydraulic sidewalk lifts, automatic elevator gates and elevator lifts are manufactured. A full line of cables and Supplies is always carried in stock. As is the case with many other of Michigan's industrial successes, the history of the Leitelt Iron Works is one of slow but steady growth. When, fifty-two years ago, Adolph Leitelt moved into a small building and commenced the production of the steam engines which were the foundation upon which the company built, it is hardly to be surmised that he could foresee the marvelous development and expansion which was to characterize the business half a century later. Though Mr. Leitelt employed but six men at the start, his experience gained as a journeyman locksmith and machinist, and later as a foreman in the same line, well fitted him to undertake the new enterprise. His reputation as a thorough and careful workman was well known, and before long Mr. Leitelt had all the business which his small plant could handle. In 1868 Adolph Leitelt opened a boiler shop, the first one of any size in Grand Rapids. The rapid growth of the company, which up to this time had been known as the Valley City Iron Works, was temporarily checked in 1872 by the destruction of the foundry and machine shop by fire. But Mr. Leitelt's courage and determination rose superior to any adversity, and in a short time the plant was rebuilt on a larger scale. The founder of the company successfully managed its affairs until his death in March, 1897.

      After the demise of Mr. Leitelt the affairs of the company passed into the hands of his son, Adolph Leitelt, Jr., who occupied the position until his death in 1906, when the management devolved upon Edward Ansorge, secretary and treasurer. Mr. Ansorge was succeeded by Julius La Bonte, who, in addition to being secretary and treasurer, is general manager and has complete charge of the company's affairs. The position which the Leitelt Iron Works now occupies in its field is in large extent due to the ability and energy displayed by Mr. La Bonte since he assumed charge of the management. Production has been increased, and new ginger injected into the sales force. By his own example of undeviating attention to the company's affairs, Julius La Bonte has imbued each employee with his own enthusiasm, with the result that the Adolph Leitelt Iron Works in every department is a fine example of industrial efficiency. It is in the forefront among the big plants which have made Grand Rapids one of the centers of American manufacturing.

Information Sources

• Michigan Manufacturer & Financial Record, V 13, 25 Apr 1914