Businessman, Automobile Magnate. He is remembered for founding Nash Motors Company in 1916 that continued to manufacture automobiles which appealed to America's middle class until the mid-1950s. Born into a farming family, his parents divorced when he was six years old and he was sent to live and work as an indentured servant to a farmer in Flushing, Michigan. As a young adult, he continued to work as a farm hand and eventually settled in Flint, Michigan. In 1890 he began working for the Durant-Dort Carriage Company in Flint and worked his way up to plant superintendent. He became interested in the commercial potential of automobiles after driving an electric automobile in New York City, New York in 1897. In 1908 he became the president and general manager of the Buick Motor Company and two years later he hired on as general manager of the General Motors Corporation (GMC), leading it out of debt and turning it into a profit-making enterprise. In June 1915 he parted ways with GMC and in July 1916 he purchased the Jeffery Motor Company of Kenosha, Wisconsin and renamed it Nash Motors Company. He retired in 1936 and died at the age of 84.
Businessman, Automobile Magnate. He is remembered for founding Nash Motors Company in 1916 that continued to manufacture automobiles which appealed to America's middle class until the mid-1950s. Born into a farming family, his parents divorced when he was six years old and he was sent to live and work as an indentured servant to a farmer in Flushing, Michigan. As a young adult, he continued to work as a farm hand and eventually settled in Flint, Michigan. In 1890 he began working for the Durant-Dort Carriage Company in Flint and worked his way up to plant superintendent. He became interested in the commercial potential of automobiles after driving an electric automobile in New York City, New York in 1897. In 1908 he became the president and general manager of the Buick Motor Company and two years later he hired on as general manager of the General Motors Corporation (GMC), leading it out of debt and turning it into a profit-making enterprise. In June 1915 he parted ways with GMC and in July 1916 he purchased the Jeffery Motor Company of Kenosha, Wisconsin and renamed it Nash Motors Company. He retired in 1936 and died at the age of 84.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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