Arthur Garford

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Arthur Lovett Garford (b. 04 August 1858, Elyria, Ohio - d. January 23, 1933) was a noted industrialist, inventor and politician. Today, Garford's home serves as the Hickories Museum and home of the Lorain County Historical Society.

1 Business interests
- 1.1 Inventor of padded bicycle seat
- 1.2 Automobile industry
2 Political interests
3 References

[edit] Business interests

[edit] Inventor of padded bicycle seat

Garford was a 1875 graduate of Elyria High School and began his career as a cashier and bookkeeper before he started the Garford Manufacturing Company in Elyria in 1892 and became the inventor of the first padded bicycle seat,^[1] known as the Garford Saddle. Over 1 million saddles were sold in the first few years which allowed Garford to form the American Saddle Company.

[edit] Automobile industry

After his success in the bicycle industry, Garford moved onto automobiles and formed the Automobile & Cycle Parts Company in 1893. The company changed its name to Federal Manufacturing Company and within a few years Garford resigned his interest in it and went onto form the Garford Company. The Studebaker Company became interested in Garford's automobile parts company and together they formed a partnership. Garford engaged to become president or founder of several manufacturing firms including the American Lace Manufacturing Company, the Republician Printing Company and the Cleveland Automatic Machine Company.

[edit] Political interests

By the early 1900s, Garford had gained wealth and a repution as a businessman. He helped found the first Chamber of Commerce in Elyria. In 1896 and again in 1908, Garford served as an Ohio delegate to the Republican National Convention. He ran and lost a bid for Ohio Governor in 1912^[2] and the U.S. Senate under the Progressive Party.^[3]