Joseph O. Colladay began manufacturing woodworking and iron-working machinery in 1867; he operated under his own name. At some point the name became Jos. O. Colladay & Bros. (There appears to have been a time during which both names were used.) By 1919 the name had changed to Jos. O. Colladay Co., Inc. In that year the business was purchased by Lawrence C. Power, who changed the name to Colladay Machine Works.
All of the Colladay patents we have found were granted to one William D. Herschel. Before working for Colladay, Herschel had worked for C. B. Rogers & Co. and First & Pryibil.
Information Sources
- An 1867 edition of McElroy's Philadelphia City Directory lists Joseph O. Colladay as a salesman at 135 N 3d, and residing at 805 N 11th.
- An 1868 edition of Gopsill's Philadelphia City Directory lists Colladay as "wood and iron working machinery, 526 Cherry". The home address is the same as before.
- The 1876 work, Draft-book of Centennial carriages, displayed in Philadelphia, at the International exhibition of 1876, mentions "Jos. O Colloday [sic] & Bro., Philadelphia", as an exhibitor of woodworking machinery at the Centennial Exhibition.
- A 1919 article in The Wood-Worker says that the firm was founded in 1867.
- An eBay listing for Colladay Machine Works Catalogue No. 24, estimated to be from early 1900s; the catalog says, "In business for half a century."
- Planers, Matchers & Molders in America quotes the December 1897 issue of Southern Lumberman mentioning "Joseph O. Colloday" [sic] as a woodworking machinery manufacturer that was active in 1897.
- A 24" planer is labeled, "Jos. O. Colladay & Bros."
- An envelope postmarked January 1893 says, "Jos. O. Colladay".
- An ad in 1920 The Wood-Worker says, "Colladay Machine Works / Successor to Jos. O. Colladay Co., Inc., Since 1867."