The
first company president was Isaac Wagemaker (1870-1923) who served from 1912
until his death in 1923 at the age of 53. He was an expert on business systematizing. He wrote a book on filing Devices, Card record Systems etc. He was an authority on Filing and Card Record Systems. The company remained in Grand Rapids,
Michigan and then came under the control of Isaac's wife
Elizabeth (1868-1936) until 1930. when her son, Ray (1904-1967), became
president. Ray was the president of the three companies such as Cadillac Marine and Boat Company, Wagemaker Company, and U.S Molded Shapes, Inc.
He directed the firm until 1960 when Wagemaker Boat Company was sold
to the Ash Craft Boat Company. Two of his brothers of Ray were the Vice
President of the firm. His other brothers names were Lester (1907-1956) and
Oliver Wagemaker (1902-1968). Other co-workers of the Wagemaker Company as listed below and related to the Wagemaker family of Grand Rapids. This page use for a teaching, commentary, and research purposes only. If you have any Pictures or any more additional information on Presidents and other Co-workers. Please contact me at mbbfogarty@aol.com Thanks, Brian Fogarty
John Horace Bushnell- (1892-1964 ) He was married to Margaret Frances Wagemaker on 26 Jun 1920
in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The 1925 census shows that his occupation was the Sec. in the Wagemaker Company.
Gaylord C Gill- (1894-1965 )
Jane Van Domelen- (1881 ) The 1925 census shows that her occupation was the Vice President and Treas. in the Wagemaker Company.
Kenneth Urick - He was a well known in boating trade, has been appointed sales manager of the this company. The 1955 census shows that his occupation was a sales manager in the Wagemaker Company. The 1959 census shows that his occupation was a sales manager in the Wagemaker Company.
Robert Moore
Clarence E Mosher - 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1909, 1912, 1913, 1914,1915, 1916, 1918,1919, 1920, 1921, 1922 census shows that his occupation was a Secretary and Treasurer in the Wagemaker Company.
Issac Van Domelen- (1871-1900)
Harrison O. Ash
Lester Arnold - He was a plant manager at the Cadillac factory from around 59 to 64. He dealt more with the early fiberglass boats. According to Wayne Arnold, The molded Plywood concept really spanned the market gap between lapstrake design and fiberglass. The average owner wanted less maintenace. The Early fiberglass boats were over built and heavy. The bottom was stiffened with plywood with a thin spray of resin over the top. It would rot as would the wood core transom. by Wayne Arnold
Charles Schott - The Wagemaker family sold the company to Charles Schott. Charles Schott collected struggling companies and turned them around and made them profitable. He was good at it. by Wayne Arnold
Ivan Rowley - According to David Rowley My grandfather made boats. I'm not sure exactly what he did on a daily basis at Wagemaker. But he did a lot of wood working all his life even at home. When I went I remember seeing the jigs to laminate the wood into the boat form. But the last time I went I was probably 8-10. At home my grandfather had a Delta table saw he bought in the 40's that was solid steel. And my dad got it in the late 70's when my grandfather died and I remember my grandmother bitching about how much it cost in the early 70's. Then my brother had it for a while and now I have it. The thing is rock solid. by David Rowley
Jake Westra - He was a INSPECTOR and SCALER for Wagemaker Boat Co.
Frank Granger - He was a saw mill foreman for Wagemaker Boat Co.
Len DeVos - He was a Foundry Foreman for Wagemaker Boat Co.
John Balcer - Making a Plating Metal Parts in Wagemaker Boats Co.
Andrew Kolarik - Andy helped develop the process for making plywood in molded shapes including boat hulls. Andy was loaned to Wagemaker to help in the start-up of a new company, U.S. Molded Shapes. Eventually he was hired by Wagemaker as Plant Manager of the new company. In addition to his supervisory duties he also designed boats, having studied naval architecture through University of Wisconsin extension classes. Andy’s office at U.S. Molded Shapes was located on a mezzanine. The office area was surrounded by windows looking out on the factory floor, and was nearly filled with an oversize drafting table. The table was large enough that Andy could crawl around on it lofting boat designs. Lofting is the transfer of a design into a full size plan which was then used to make patterns for the construction of the boat. Andy also developed new tools and devices to expedite the manufacturing process. As a manager, supervisor, designer, and engineer Andy wore many hats. In February 1960 Ray Wagemaker sold U.S. Molded Shapes and two other Wagemaker subsidiaries, Cadillac Marine & Boat Company of Cadillac, Michigan and Empire Boat Company of Frankfort, New York, to Schott Enterprises of Cincinnati, Ohio. In April 1960 a fire destroyed the 42,000 square-foot U.S. Molded Shapes plant. This was the second major fire at the company in a little over three years. In February 1957 a fire caused $750,000 damage, but most of that loss was to completed hulls stored in the boatyard. Following the 1960 fire, salvaged equipment was moved to Cadillac and the company consolidated with the Cadillac Boat Company. Andy moved with the company. In Cadillac Andy was also responsible for the design and build of fiberglass boats. The company struggled financially, hobbled by the fact that Wagemaker had retained the patents on the molded plywood process. After passing through several hands, the company finally closed its doors in 1962. Andy opened his own small company, Boat craft, repairing small boats and building sailboats. When Andy’s wife Mary passed away in 1966, he moved back to Grand Rapids to be closer to his remaining family and left the boating industry. Andy passed away in 1980. by Mike Kolarik
Al Michaelis - Michigan District Sales Manager. Lee also raced and tested boats. He was Forman of the veneer department. by Mike Kolarik
Lee Mei - Michigan District Sales Manager. Lee also raced and tested boats. by Mike Kolarik
Hubert Ries - Forman of the finishing department. by Mike Kolarik
Oliver Wagemaker I ( 1902-1968 ) (married to Yetta ) - The 1928 census shows that his occupation was a Foreman Card rm. in the Wagemaker Company. 1936 census shows that his occupation was a Foreman in the Wagemaker Company. 1937 census shows that his occupation was a Foreman in the Wagemaker Company. 1939 census that his occupation was a Foreman in the Wagemaker Company. 1940 census shows that his occupation was with Wagemaker Company.
1941 census shows that his occupation was a Foreman in the Wagemaker Company. 1942 census shows that his occupation was a Vice President of Wagemaker Company. 1948 census shows that his occupation was the Vice President of Wagemaker Company. 1951 census shows that his occupation was the Asst V-Pres of Wagemaker Company. 1955 census shows that his occupation was the Vice President of United States Molded Shapes Inc.
Ray Mccarroll - He was a executive vice-president and operating head of the boat division for Ash-Craft Company.
A.R. McHenry - He was a director of marketing for Ash-Craft Boat Company.
John Wagemaker - He was a foreman and trimmer at the Wagemaker Co., Ltd,
Lester A. Wagemaker (1907-1956) ( married to Pauline M ) - 1937 Census shows that his occupation was the 2d V-Pres. of Wagemaker Company. In 1940 and 1941,1946, and 1948 Census shows that he was a City Commissioner of the 2d ward and was V-Pres. of the Wagemaker Co., 1951 Census shows that he was the Exec. V-Pres. of the Wagemaker Comany. 1955 Census shows that he was a V-Pres of the Wagemaker Co.
Elizabeth ( Van Domelen ) Wagemaker (1868 -1936 ) ( wife of Isaac Wagemaker ) 1924 census shows that her occupation was the President of the Wagemaker Company. 1925 census shows that her occupation was the President of the Wagemaker Company. 1927 census shows that her occupation was the President of the Wagemaker Company. 1929 census shows that her occupation was the President of the Wagemaker Company.
Oliver Wagemaker I Jr. ( married to Gladys W ) - 1949 census shows that his occupation was a Helper in the Wagemaker Company. 1951 census shows that his occupation was a Manager of the United States Molded Shapes Inc. and Employer by Wagemaker Company. 1955 census that his occupation was a Manager of the United States Molded Shapes Inc. 1959 census shows that his occupation was a Vice-President-Manager of the United States Molded Shapes Inc.
RAY O. Wagemaker ( (1904-1967 ) ( married to Inez ) 1937 census shows that his occupation was the President of the Wagemaker Company. 1939 census shows that his occupation was the President of the Wagemaker Company. 1940 census that his occupation was the President of the Wagemaker Company. 1942 census shows that his occupation was the President of the Wagemaker Company. 1946 census shows that his occupation was the President of the Wagemaker Company. 1951 census shows that his occupation was the President of the Wagemaker Company. 1955 census shows that his occupation was the President of the Wagemaker Company. 1949 census shows that his occupation was the President of the Wagemaker Company. 1948 census shows that his occupation was the President of the Wagemaker Company.
Henry Idema
Rolf Beerhorst- 1949 Census shows that he was the Assistant Bookkeeper of the Wagemaker Company.