Haynes-Apperson and America’s First Practical Automobile

While Elwood Haynes and the Apperson brothers are not as well known as Henry Ford, Ransom Olds and other famous automobile manufacturers, their contributions to the automotive industry are just as significant. They were responsible for one of the first functioning automobiles, if not the first, in the United States.
After building their automobile in 1894, the three men formed the Haynes-Apperson Automobile Company in Kokomo, Indiana, one of the first car manufacturing companies in the country. Three years after incorporation, a dispute over money caused the partnership to split up and Edgar and Elmer Apperson formed their own company. Both companies lasted until the mid–1920s.
This book is a history of these automotive pioneers and their companies: the Haynes-Apperson Automobile Company, the Haynes Automobile Company, and the Apperson Brothers Automobile Company. It is richly illustrated with photographs of the factories, automobiles, personalities and advertisements.

W.C. Madden, former editor and journalism instructor, is a member of the White County Historical Society and Tippecanoe Historical Association, and the author of 44 books. He lives in Monticello, Indiana.

W.C. Madden
Foreword by David Griffey
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 237
Bibliographic Info: 194 photos, appendices, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2006 [2003]
pISBN: 978-0-7864-2675-1
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments     v

Foreword     xx

Introduction     1

1 America’s First Practical Automobile     5

2 The Haynes-Apperson Company     14

3 The Apperson Brothers Automobile Company     39

4 The Haynes Automobile Company     79

5 Aftershocks     131

6 Honoring Haynes and Apperson     140

7 Elwood Haynes     152

8 Elmer Apperson     172

9 Edgar Apperson     175

APPENDICES

1 Haynes-Apperson Models     185

2 Apperson Models     186

3 Haynes Models     193

4 Roster of Employees     196

5 Biographical Sketches     201

6 Haynes-Apperson Specificiations     203

7 Apperson Specifications     207

8 Haynes Specifications     211

Bibliography     221

Index     223

“the book has further charms, most especially in the photographs…wonderful surprise…this is a complete package–and is recommended”—SAH Journal; “well-written…definitely recommended reading”—Antique Automobile; “rewarding…wealth of period photos and ads”—The Flying Lady; “a solid read”—Hemmings Classic Car; “recommended”—E-Streams; “written in a very enjoyable style…Madden spins a good tale…an absolute must for those who love brass-era cars”—Old Cars Weekly.