John "JM" Mohler Studebaker, a Clement Studebaker descendent, was a prominent citizen of the California Gold Rush community. What is more fitting than featuring the most popular wheelbarrow maker to reside in "Hangtown" during the California Gold Rush.

The Beginning of the Studebaker Company

From 1853 to 1858, John earned a small fortune in "Hangtown" (Placerville) making wheelbarrows and other tools for the gold miners. In 1858 John returned to South Bend with his earnings and invested them in his brothers' business.

During the winter of 1852-1853, there was a great hubbub in the street of South Bend, Indiana about the gold to be found in California. John Mohler Studebaker (called "JM"), age 18, the oldest of the unmarried Studebaker children, decided to go to the diggings. However, it was not by prospecting gold, but by making wheelbarrows for the miners, that "Wheelbarrow Johnny" made a small fortune. In the spring of 1858, he returned to South Bend with $8,000 cash. He paid $3,000 for Henry Studebaker's interest in the wagon shop he had founded in 1852 with his brother, Clement, C768. JM's remaining money went for further expansion; the sum was supplemented three years later by borrowing back some of the money paid to Henry. In 1868 "The Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company" was incorporated by JM Studebaker (C769), Peter Studebaker (C7610) and Jacob Studebaker (C7613). By this time the year's production was 3,995 vehicles and annual sales topped $350,000. Assets were still relatively small, $223,296, but the company had 190 good men working for them, which is an asset at any time.

Go to the Studebaker Family
in America Home Page

Last Updated 1st March 2000