Background

 The Studebaker family first lived in Philadelphia and soon two of the brothers moved to South Bend (Erskine 11).  In 1850, Henry and Clement Studebaker went to South Bend, Indiana, because that's where Clement taught school and also opened a blacksmithing shop to make more income (Erskine 15). In 1852, the brothers began wagon making, only two wagons were built within one year (Erskine 15). John Studebaker joined his brothers in South Bend and in the meantime the California Gold Rush was discovered (Erskine 17). Then a man stopped John and saw he was a wagon maker (Erskine 9). He was impressed and asked John to work with him (Erskine 9). John Studebaker joined the wagon making for the Studebaker brothers back in South Bend but also built wheelbarrows for the California Gold Rush to make more money (Erskine 9). John Studebaker saved his money by making wheelbarrows for the California Gold Rush; the brothers invested the money towards their wagon business which was soon to be an automobile company (Erskine 23). The Studebaker Company decided an automobile company could help the wagon making business (Harris). In 1902, Studebaker cars first went on sale (Harris).  

(Studebaker National Museum)