Duryea, Charles E., 1861-1938

Born near Canton, Ill. on Dec. 15, 1861, Duryea was first interested in bicycles and in 1888 formed the Duryea Manufacturing Co. in Washington, D.C. to produce his Sylph bicycle. As an expert in patents, he testified for Henry Ford in the Selden v. Ford patent trial. His younger brother Frank James joined him in the bicycle business and in 1892 they began work on their first gasoline autombile. The Duryea Motor Wagon Co. was formed in 1895 in Springfield, Mass. In 1898 the brother parted company to pursue separate careers in the automobile industry. Charles continued to produce automobiles without financial success under a number of company names. He died in 1938.

From the description of Papers of Charles E. Duryea, 1878-1957 (bulk 1898-1930). (Detroit Public Library). WorldCat record id: 52101891