The Batavia Wheel Company was organized May 13, 1887, by Frank Richardson, William W. Leavenworth, Dr. W. C. Gardiner, A. M. Colt, E. E. Leavenworth, Mrs. Mary E. Richmond, Mrs. A. R. Kenny, Moses E. True, John M. Sweet, and James R. Colt. The capital stock was placed at $50,000, and the following officers were elected: Frank Richardson, president; Dr. W. C. Gardiner, vice-president; William W. Leavenworth, secretary; A. M. Colt, treasurer; and John M. Sweet, superintendent. The business was originally inaugurated in 1880, by Colt Brothers & True. In 1885 Mr. Sweet became associated with the old firm, manufacturing hardware specialties and subsequently the Sweet wheels. The works were located at Exchange Place, and were burned in January, 1886. Upon the organization of the present company grounds were secured on Walnut street, adjoining the Central Railroad tracks, consisting of 254 feet on Walnut street and 478 feet on the railroad. Upon these grounds spacious buildings were erected, consisting of a main building 40x150 feet, three stories in height, with brick engine and boiler rooms, and other buildings consisting of a hub room 40x20 feet, storage and coal sheds, etc., and a handsome office building. A switch from the Central tracks connects the manufactory with ample transportation facilities. The machinery is propelled by a 60-horsepower engine, and the firm employs an average of 40 workmen, and turns out from 56 to 75 sets of wheels per day. The wheels manufactured by the firm are Sweet's concealed band and the True shell band, which rank as the best in the world and find a ready sale all over the United States and Australia. The firm also manufactures various other hardware specialties. The plant is a model of its kind, and cost, with machinery, about $40,000.

      Frank Richardson, the president of the Batavia Wheel Co., is a native of Saratoga County, where he was born in 1851. His father was a railroad contractor, and this business was followed by the son, who was connected with the construction of various lines of road in this country. He next engaged in the hardware trade in Watertown, and in October, 1886, purchased the stock of Volz Brothers, hardware merchants, of Batavia. Three months later he lost his stock of goods by fire. He then organized the company of which he is president, and is devoting his exclusive attention to the management of this progressive manufactory. Mr. Richardson was united in marriage, in 1883, with Miss Emma P. Johnson, who died October 25, 1888, leaving one child, Rufus J.

      William W. Leavenworth is a native of Darien, and was born in 1855, a son to Rev. Hobart and Nancy (Gridley) Leavenworth, of English descent and of New England nativity. His father was a Baptist clergyman, and had charge of many pastorates in the State. William W. was reared in this county, educated in its schools, and had also the advantage of Lima Seminary. His business career began as a drug clerk in Batavia, and for the past five years he has been a member of the well-known drug firm of his name. Since entering the service of the Batavia Wheel Company he has served as secretary. His wife's maiden name was Miss Ida Barber.

      Alva M. Colt, treasurer of the Batavia Wheel Co., was born in Warsaw, N. Y., in 1842, and is a son of Joseph R. and Sarah A. (Phelps) Colt, who moved to Darien in 1853. Learning the trade of blacksmith in Warsaw, Alva W. followed this calling from 1859 to 1880, in Erie and Genesee counties. In 1869 he came to Batavia, where he has since resided. He was a member of the firm of Foster & Colt, and in 1880 a partner of the Batavia Clamp Co. He was one of the original members of the company to start the manufacture of wheels in Batavia, and was instrumental in the erection of the plant of the Batavia Wheel Co. He married a Miss Hicks, of Erie County, in 1867.

      John M. Sweet, general superintendent of the Batavia Wheel Co., and an inventor, is a Canadian by birth, but has been a resident of the United States since he was 11 years of age. He is a carfiage maker by trade, but possesses a talent for general mechanics. He has taken patents on four hubs, and is the inventor of various useful labor-saving machines. In 1872 he was united in marriage with Mrs. Julia A. Griswold, of Batavia.

      William C. Gardiner, the vice-president of the Batavia Wheel Co., is a descendant of Roger who came to America in the Mayflower. He was born in 1842, in Madison County, N. Y., and went to the war in 1861, remaining about two years. In 1864 he began to practice dentistry in Wauseon, Ohio, and after visiting several places in the West he settled in Batavia, where he is now engaged in practice. He is a Republican, a member of the Masonic order, and a member of the Presbyterian Church. He married Elizabeth C. Wheeler, of Hamilton, N. Y., and they have one son, Charles.

Information Sources

• Carriage and Wagon Makers Machinery and Tools by Kenneth L. Cope, 2004 page 13
• Gazetteer and biographical record of Genesee County, N.Y., 1788-1890 By J.W. Vose & Co., Jun 1890 page 247