Title: Overweight Counterbalance Elevator Company records

Dates: 1897-1901

Collection Number: MS 715

Creator/Collector: Overweight Counterbalance Elevator Company

Extent: 1 half-box

Repository: California State Railroad Museum Library and Archives

Abstract: Includes records from the Overweight Counterbalance Elevator Company.

Language of Material: English

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Overweight Counterbalance Elevator Company records. California State Railroad Museum Library and Archives

From the Offices of the Sierra Railway, Jamestown, California

The Overweight Counterbalance Elevator Company of San Francisco was incorporated March 13, 1897 by Henry L. Weber, Charles M. Weymann, John L. Boone, Charles J. Armbruster and Elmer E. Greeley. The Company had purchased the rights to Philip Hinkle's patent No. 257,943 (issued May 16, 1882) which by the application of an overweight counterbalance improved the lifting power of freight and passenger elevators. With the assistance of Oakland attorney Hiram Van Arman, the Company began to target companies which had infringed on the patent and to collect royalties. Individuals involved with the Sierra Railway of California, were connected to the Elevator Company: Sidney D. Freshman, one of the five original stockholders of the Sierra, was appointed to the Board of Directors May 6, 1898 and named President August 20, 1898. Thomas S. Bullock, first General Manager and later President of the Sierra, was also on the Board of Directors. By 1901 the Elevator Company was in decline. Without fiscal resources the Elevator Company was forced to sell all rights to the Hinkle patent to attorney Van Arman to settle legal fees.

Includes the minutes of the directors meetings of the Overweight Counterbalance Elevator Company, resignations from the Board, a blank stock certificate, and a stock register.