Wm Luke question

[Dave Wermuth]

I've been working through the search function but have not found what I was seeking. Because I live in Lapeer Mi. I was particularly interested in the connection of E.Gerrish employee William Luke. I thought I read here somewhere that he worked for Gerrish and then moved to Lapeer at some point and was eventually buried in AnnArbor. Can someone clarify this for me? I asked in the Lapeer fb group if anyone knew of a Mr. Luke and responses were that there was a Lutheran minister by that name, perhaps an offspring. And now with what may be the oldest original Gerrish in Michigan, under the capable protection of Mr. Pearson the connection is even more interesting. Can someone point me in the right direction? Thanks.
Dave in Lapeer

 

[Benson Gray]

I suspect that the first link below has the information that you are seeking. The second link shows his gravestone in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Benson

Thread 'Mystery Builders'

Dec 19, 2023

It is not unusual to have discussions here about canoes where we try to identify the builder. I've recently seen some literary references to unidentified canoe builders as well. For example, page 258 of the Maine Bureau of Industrial and Labor Statistics report from 1909 at the first link below indicates that someone spent $400 to build a new "Canoe Shop" in Seboeis Plantation. I've never been able to find out the name of this canoe builder so please let me know if you have any ideas.

Another mystery was forwarded to me yesterday from page 16 of The Islander in 1906 as...

• Benson Gray
• Replies: 9
• Forum: Research and History

• 

William R Luke (1863-1953) - Find a Grave...

www.findagrave.com

 

[chris pearson]

So, most likely he was instrumental in starting Detroit Canoes? But, “in all probability” he learned from Gerrish isn’t a given……

 

[Benson Gray]

But, “in all probability” he learned from Gerrish isn’t a given……

Agreed, C. B. Thatcher is known to have been making canoes in Bangor by 1896 and the Gould Brothers were making them across the river in Brewer by 1898.

Benson

 

[chris pearson]

Also, and excuse my ignorance, but is there documented proof when Gerrish made canoes to sell? Is 1885 the only ledger saying he was a canoe builder?

 

[chris pearson]

So, I see by other posts, the first Maine register of mentioning Gerrish offering canoes along with flyrods is in 1881? Sorry for the high jack Mr. Wermuth..

 

[Dave Wermuth]

Thanks Benson. Interesting.

 

[Dave Wermuth]

no worries Mr. Pearson.

 

[Rollin Thurlow]

According to the Bangor City Directory Gerrish was living in Bangor in 1877. It does not indicate how he was employed but it is assumed he had a small business of manufacturing fishing rods and paddles and is listed as such in the 1879 Directory. The local paper, the Mining and Industrial Journal , Oct 27,1882 reported that Gerrish had been building w/c canoes for four years (1878), had produced about 75 canoes and had one employee. Gerrish’s 1898 catalog gives a company start date of 1875. Gerrish went on to have a larger factory, more employees, sent canoes to the 1884 Expo in New Orleans and won a gold medal at the 1893 Worlds Columbian Exposition.

 

[chris pearson]

There ya go!

 

[Benson Gray]

The Bangor City Directories are a wonderful resource for questions like this. The table at the link below shows the people who were listed there as canoe builders by year. Gerrish was listed as making "Fly rods, etc." from 1880 to 1887. Canoes were not added to his list until 1890. It appears that John Williams was his first helper in 1887. Archie Williams replaced John in 1891 and William Luke replaced Archie in 1893. William Luke was listed as a laborer in 1891 and 1892. Therefore, it appears that William Luke probably did learn the trade from Gerrish.

Benson

Post in thread 'Evan H. Gerrish's canoe shops in Bangor, Maine'

Sep 25, 2023

I've expanded the table below from the previous response with a few more years. Gerrish appears to have made Herbert Walton a full partner in 1905. The business was moved to Costigan by 1909. Martin Jameson seems to have taken over the business of Charles Gould since the address is the same in Brewer. The B. N. Morris company was down to seven employees in 1910 due to Grant's departure.

Benson

• Benson Gray

• 

 

[1905Gerrish]

Per a few newspaper articles, there were certainly many more Gerrish employees than listed on the chart above. Here are a few clips.

1882- Gerrish + 1
1891-Gerrish + Several
April 1894-Gerrish + 4
July 1894 Gerrish + 8
1901-Gerrish + 10