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Charles W. Link was born on November 27,
1873 in Ovid, Clinton
County, Michigan to John W. and Jenny M. Link (one source lists his
mother’s
maiden name as ‘Mary Jane Batchelor’. His father was a carpenter by
trade and
when he wasn’t attending school, Charles learned the trade at his
father’s
side.
1880 US Census lists the family in
Middlebury, Shiawassee
County, Michigan
Once his apprenticeship was completed he
took a position as
a journeyman with the Gem Buggy Co., a Cincinnati, Ohio vehicle builder
located
in the northern suburb of Carthage.
In 1895 he married Myrtie (b. Dec. 1873 in
Indiana). Soon
after the Jewell Carriage Co. of Hamilton, Ohio purchased Link’s
employer (Gem
Buggy Co.) in 1898, they relocated their main facility from Hamilton to
Carthage
and Link retained his position as superintendent with the Jewell
company.
1900 US Census lists Charles W. Link’s
occupation as
superintendent, Jewell Carriage Co., residence, 320 S. Main St.,
Carthage,
Hamilton County, Ohio, spouse, Myrtie Link.
He remarried Sara W. – born December 30,
1885 in Bethlehem,
Pa. – and to the blessed union was born a daughter, Georgina Link
(b.1905).
March 7, 1909 Los Angeles Herald:
“CHANSLOR & LYON IN THEIR NEW PLACE;
HANDSOME QUARTERS
ARE ON SOUTH MAIN STREET
“Occupy the Equivalent of Four Store Rooms,
Being a Double
Store, and Two Floors Being Entirely Occupied
“By tomorrow morning the immense stock of
the Chanslor &
Lyon Motor Supply company will have been almost entirely moved from its
old
quarters to its new and very commodious building, almost directly
opposite from
the stand where they have done business so long. The work of moving the
immense
stock was not undertaken until after the close of business hours last,
night,
when the entire force of the company was put to work, each man In
charge of the
details of his particular department, and a vast portion of the stock
was
transferred to the new location and installed in an orderly manner
before work
WU discontinued for the night. This work will continue under the same
high
pressure until everything is in the new place, which will be some time
tomorrow. The new location of this very popular firm is in the new
building
erected expressly for Chanslor & Lyon, at Nos. 945 and 947 South
Main
street. This is a two-story structure, so that the concern actually has
four
complete store rooms in which to carry on its growing business. A
mezzanine
floor has been added us a balcony to the main floor, reaching across
the entire
width of the two stores, this floor to be used as an extensive system
of
offices by the concern in. carrying out its larger policy of ‘going for
business.’ This is but one of three stores conducted by the company,
the other
two being located at San Francisco and Seattle, respectively. The local
concern
will continue its manufacture of automobile tops on a still larger
scale than
ever before, a force of from fifteen to twenty men being engaged in
this
department at present.
“This department will be located on the
second floor of the
new building, dividing the space of that floor with the tire rooms,
where
hundreds of tires of all sizes will be kept in stock to feed the local
trade
and the trade of other branch concerns.”
February 10, 1910 issue of the Los Angeles
Herald:
“Charles Link, superintendent of the top
factory at
Chanslor-Lyon Company, is just back from the Chicago (auto) show, where
he
imbibed all the new things for the benefit of his employers.”
1910 Chanslor & Lyon catalog:
“The majority of our customers are aware
that for the past
two seasons we have had in operation at Los Angeles a factory making
Tops only.
We have had a busy season and have manufactured a great many Tops,
which in
every case have proved very satisfactory to the trade, so we feel
competent and
are in a position to build Tops as ordered of as good material and
price as any
Eastern factory can. We build Tops exclusively for all the Peerless,
Oldsmobile, Cadillac, E.M. F., Chalmers-Detroit, Buick, Franklin,
Rambler,
Thomas, Stearns, Columbia, Lozier, Locomobile and several other high
grade cars
on the Coast. They are constructed of steel bow sockets, japanned, or
covered
with patent leather. The bows are of second growth-ash, which insures
strength and
durability. The side, front and rear curtains are all fitted with
celluloid
lights, giving ample observation. The back stays are reinforced with
straps, with
neat hat rack in roof of top. When folded back they make a perfect dust
shield
and do not interfere in operation. Every line of these Tops is
graceful, thus
adding a finish to any car, as well as comfort in touring. Our workmen
are
experts in this line, and every Top is absolutely correct in
construction and
material before leaving factory. We make three grades, and the material
used is
mackintosh, rubber, artificial leather or Pantasote. All the stitching
is
carefully done and the small necessary finishing touches are added to
make it
pleasing to the eye.
“We also repair or re-cover TOPS, make new
SIDE CURTAINS,
STORM FRONTS, DUST HOODS and SEATCOVERS. Send in your specifications
for any
style or grade. In ordering, give us all the information possible about
the car—name,
model and year it was built, and if there has been a special body made
that is
not standard, write us for measurement blank.”
1910 US Census list Link as a supervisor at
Chanslor &
Lyon Motor Supply Co., Los Angeles (res. 2870 Roxbury, LA)
Jan 23, 1913 Motor World:
“Chanslor & Lyons Merge Their Interests
“The Chanslor & Lyon Motor Supply Co.,
one of the most
extensive jobbing concerns on the Pacific Coast, has merged its various
interests into what hereafter will be known as the Chanslor & Lyon
Co. The
change is in name only and does not in any way affect the personnel of
the
company whose headquarters as heretofore will remain in Los Angeles.
The established
branches will be continued in San Francisco, Fresno, Portland and
Seattle.”
September 1, 1916 Motor West:
“CHANSLOR & LYON Quit Retail Field
“One of the most important announcements
that has been made
in the motor trade for a long time is that of Chanslor & Lyon
Co., in
which they give notice of the discontinuance of the retail departments
in their
San Francisco and Los Angeles stores. This change is announced
effective as of
September 1st and after that date the company will devote their entire
energies
to wholesaling Lee Tires and other motor accessories of which they are
Pacific
Coast distributors. The company also operated stores in six other
cities on the
coast.
“To those in the trade this step has been
anticipated for
some time, as the enormous growth of Chanslor & Lyon’s wholesale
business
in the past few years has been little short of phenomenal. Starting in
a small
building on Main street some 12 years ago the firm of Chanslor &
Lyon has
grown from a very modest beginning until today they have large and
pretentious
establishments in eight of the leading cities on the coast and are
termed the
largest exclusive motor accessory supply house in the world. Each year
their
business has grown in size and the sales territory has been extended.
From the
start of the business it has been their aim to carry only lines of
accessories
that have been proven satisfactory and which are termed standard.
Before
stocking an accessory they have always made it a rule to give it a
thorough
try-out and it has been this policy that has largely built up their
trade. They
get out a catalog of some 200 pages which indicates the extent and
completeness
of their lines.
“The firm of Chanslor & Lyon is composed
of Walter G.
Chanslor and Phil H. Lyon, and in all the western motor world there are
not two
more prominent or better known men. The Los Angeles store occupies two
floors
of a large modern building at Twelfth and Grand Ave., and is in charge
of Harry
S. Mason as manager.
“Phil H. Lyon, when interviewed recently,
said: ‘Naturally,
we regret to give up the pleasant associations that we have had with
the
thousands of retail customers who have stood by us so loyally during
the past
years. I don't believe there is any firm in the United States that has
a finer
class of retail customers than those that deal with Chanslor &
Lyon. We
want them to know that we appreciate to the full limit not only every
dollar’s
worth of business that they have placed with us, but the friendship and
hearty
co-operation that they have given us. There is only one thing that
compels us
to discontinue the retail department and that is the fact that the
growing
necessities of our wholesale business makes it imperative. In this day
and age
it is almost impossible for any concern to do both a wholesale and a
retail
business and this fact we have discovered by experience. We have put it
off as
long as we could, but our wholesale business is growing so rapidly that
we
simply have to devote all our energies to that branch. If any of our
old
customers experience any difficulty in securing any of the lines that
we
represent from their local dealers, we will appreciate it very much if
they
will let us know.’
“The new order, which is effective September
1, applies not
only to Los Angeles but to all the cities on the coast in which they
are doing
business.”
February 1917 issue of Westways:
“CHANSLOR & LYON HEADS MAKE S.F.
PERMANENT HOMES
“Thousands of Southern California motorists
will regret that
business requirements have necessitated a change of residence on the
part of P.
H. Lyon to San Francisco. Mr. Lyon as one of the executive heads of
Chanslor
& Lyon Company, has lived in Los Angeles many years. Under his
management
the growth of the business has greatly increased and the chain of
stores has
been added to until now the Chanslor & Lyon Company is
one of the
largest distributors of automobile accessories in the United States.
“During the past year Chanslor &
Lyon Company
has gradually withdrawn from the retail distribution of goods and is
now on a
strictly wholesale basis. The first of the stores in which the change
was made
was the San Francisco branch where the new policy went into effect
August 1st,
1916. On September 1st the Los Angeles store became exclusively
wholesale and
on January 1st of the present year the new policy was established in
the
remaining six stores of the Chanslor & Lyon chain. The
exigencies
of the new policy made it necessary that all the principal executive
officers
maintain permanent residences in San Francisco as being the most
central location
for the territory in which the Chanslor & Lyon Company
operates. Mr.
Chanslor has been in San Francisco for the past year or more. M.L. Lyon
moved up
to the Bay City January 22nd and his family will follow him in a very
short
time.
“Mr. P.H. Lyon, who for a number of years
has been a member
of the Tuft-Lyon Arms Company of Los Angeles has recently become a
member of
the Chanslor and Lyon Company and will serve as executive officer for
the
southern store with residence in Los Angeles. Harry Mason, who has been
manager
of the Los Angeles store for several years, continues in that position
and will
have general charge of the Chanslor & Lyon Company’s business
in this
locality. In commenting upon the new wholesale policy of his company,
Mr. Mason
said:
“‘The result of the new policy
of Chanslor &
Lyon Company has been most encouraging. Dealers everywhere are
heartily in
sympathy with the change and we have so systematized our southern
business that
we are able to give dealers better service in every way than ever
before. The
sales have increased greatly, not only in Southern California but also
in Arizona,
southern Nevada and western New Mexico, all of which territory is
covered by
the Los Angeles store.’”
Chanslor & Lyon Top Co., 1208 S. Grand
Ave.; display ad in
the April 1917 issue of Westways
Nov 1, 1919 Motor West
“CALIFORNIA TAILOR-MADE Auto TOP.
“The California tailor made automobile top
has made its
appearance in the East Strangely this top known to the trade all over
the
country as the California Top is known in California where it
originated as the
Craftsman Top It is a strikingly beautiful graceful top of the
non-collapsible
or rigid type as is shown by the accompanying illustration The frame
work of
the California top is made preferably of straight-grained hickory. The
rigidity
of the top is absolutely essential, and wrought iron braces
and knee
irons are used to hold the ribs in place.
“The outer covering of the top is
preferably of
some rich material harmonizing in color with the finish of
the metal
parts of the car. The material preferred in California consists of a
strong
cotton fabric base coated with a pyroxylin film. This material has the
desired
flexibility and vitality and retains its beauty after years of exposure
to
rain, sun and alkali dust. It is water-proof, grease-proof and
stain-proof, is
easily cleaned by brushing or washing with soap and water. Many owners
of cars
having the California tops have been so much pleased with their
appearance that
they have had the bodies of their machines covered with the same
material used
in the top itself.”
September 12, 1918 draft registration states
Link had lost
the use of his right eye “loss of right eye” and was disqualified for
service.
Lived at 1459 W. 47th St. Los Angeles at the time with his wife Sara W.
1921 Vehicle yearbook:
“Chanslor & Lyon Top Co. 1206-1208 S.
Grand Ave (Wh) P.
H. Lyon, W . G. Chanslor and Chas. W . Link, part.; Chas. W.
Link, mgr.”
1921 Los Angeles Directory under Automobile
Tops and
Automobile Trimming and Painting:
“Chas. W. Link, Successor to Chanslor-Lyon
Top Co.,
1206-1208 S. Grand Ave. (see page 144).”
1922 listing in Chiltons:
“Chas. W. Link Auto Tops, 1208 S. Grand
Ave.; Los Angeles, California
“Style “DeLuxe” Link, Chas. W., 1208 S.
Grand Ave., Los Angeles, Cal.”
1923 Los Angeles Directory under Automobile
Tops and
Automobile Trimming and Painting:
“Chas. W. Link, Successor to Chanslor-Lyon
Top Co., Auto Top
Manufacturer, 1206-1208 S. Grand Ave., res. 1401 Sierra Bonita Ave (see
page
137).”
1924 Los Angeles Directory under Automobile
Tops and Automobile
Trimming and Painting:
“Chas. W. Link Inc., 1501-1511 West Eighth”
1930 US Census lists Charles W. Link’s
occupation as body engineer
at Studebaker Corp., residence 1922 Portage Ave., South Bend, St Joseph
County,
Indiana - lived there from 1926-1933.
The 1940 US Census lists Charles W. Link’s
occupation as
automobile interior designer at an auto factory (unk), residence: 1520
Hampton
Rd., Grosse Pointe Shores, Wayne County, Michigan since before 1935
March 31, 1985 Los Angeles Times:
“Cardis Corp., Beverly Hills, completed its
acquisition of
the assets and business of Chanslor & Lyon Co., a Brisbane,
Calif.-based
wholesale auto parts distributor, for $15.7 million in cash, stock and
notes.”
©2014 Mark Theobald for Coachbuilt.com
Appendix 1 US Patents:
USD42330 – Design for an automobile top -
Filed Dec 26,
1911 - Issued Mar 19, 1912 to Charles W. Link
USD42331 – Design for an automobile top -
Filed Dec 26,
1911 - Issued Mar 19, 1912 to Charles W. Link
USD51680 – Design for an automobile top -
Filed Oct 30,
1917 - Issued Jan 8, 1918 to Charles W. Link
USD51681 – Design for an automobile top -
Filed Oct 30,
1917 - Issued Jan 8, 1918 to Charles W. Link
USD51887 – Design for an automobile top -
Filed Dec 10,
1917 - Issued Mar 19, 1918 to Charles W. Link
USD51888 – Design for an automobile top -
Filed Dec 10,
1917 - Issued Mar 19, 1918 to Charles W. Link
USD51889 – Design for an automobile top -
Filed Dec 10,
1917 - Issued Mar 19, 1918 to Charles W. Link
USD52142 – Design for an automobile top -
Filed Feb 7, 1918
- Issued Jul 2, 1918 to Charles W. Link
US1414534 - Adjustable wind and storm shield
for vehicles -
Filed Apr 14, 1919 - Issued May 2, 1922 to David E. Vanderveer ½
interest to
Charles W. Link
USRE16557 - Adjustable wind and storm shield
for vehicles -
Filed Apr 14, 1919 - Re-issued Feb 22, 1927 to David E. Vanderveer ½
interest
to Charles W. Link
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