Charles F. Elmes, president of the Chas. F. Elmes Engineering Works, Chicago , and one of the oldest and most prominent mechanical engineers of that city, died as a result of paralysis on January 10. Mr. Elmes designed the pumps and propelling machinery for the first Chicago fire boat, and also designed the first fire boat for the city of Milwaukee, both of them proving highly efficient. Mr. Elmes was born in Hallowell, Maine, December 1, 1845, removing to Wisconsin in 1858 and three years later to Chicago. Serving an apprenticeship in the machine shop conducted by his father, Carleton D. Elmes, he gained the thorough and practical knowledge as a machinist, engineer and draftsman which contributed to his great success in the engineering field. His father and he then formed a copartnership under the name of Elmes & Sons, which continued until the death of the elder Elmes in 1877. From 1877 to 1895 the business was conducted under the name of Charles F. Elmes. In the latter year the corporation was formed which has since been known as the Charles F. Elmes Engineering Works, his town sons, Carleton L. and Chas. W., who for several years had been in their father's employ, being admitted as stockholders of the new company. The business of the corporation has very materially increased with each succeeding year, and a wide territory is embraced in the distribution of their hydraulic presses, marine engines, linseed and corn oil mills and special machinery. The company's plant, which was designed and built by Charles F. Elmes, is of modern construction, provided with all equipment for rapid and economical handling of material. Mr. Elmes was a Knight Templar, a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and of several clubs, a vice-president of St. Luke's Hospital and a vestryman of the Church of the Epiphany. He is survived by a widow, daughter and two sons.
Information Sources
1904-01-21
The Iron Age (volume 73 page 29), obituary for Charles F. Elmes.