1857 Unable to fill a large wagon order, wagon manufacturer George Milburn of the Mishawaka Wagon Works turns to the Studebaker brothers for help. Milburn ends up subcontracting 100 wagons to the Studebakers.
1858 Brother John Mohler leaves California for South Bend. Upon his arrival, he buys out Henry, and becomes involved in the business.
1860 The firm includes a manufacturing shop, paint room, lumber yard, and office. It is also about this time that Studebaker produces its first carriages.
1862 The Union begins placing orders with the Studebakers for wagons, gun caissons, and other war materials. While providing war supplies does not make the Brothers rich, it does position the company for success upon the War's end.
1865 April 14th, Abraham Lincoln rides to Ford's Theater in the Studebaker carriage owned by the White House. The carriage is currently on display at the Studebaker National Museum in South Bend, Indiana.
1868 March 26th, Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company is incorporated under the laws of Indiana.
1872 The company proclaims itself to be the "largest vehicle builders in the world". In June of this year, a fire almost destroys the company, but the factory is quickly rebuilt.
1874 August 24th, a second huge fire destroys two-thirds of the factory, which is again quickly rebuilt.
1878 Studebaker wagons are exhibited at the Paris Exposition, where they win a silver medal for excellence.
1885 The factory in South Bend experiences another big fire. The works again being rebuilt in record time.
1888 Benjamin Harrison is elected to the Presidency. One of his first acts is to place an order with Studebaker to fully stock the White House garage with equipment.
1898 The Spanish-American War erupts, and Studebaker is contacted to see if they can deliver 500 wagons - complete with special paint and decoration - in 36 hours, which they do.
1902- 1912 In 1902, the Studebaker Electric automobile is introduced. Sales are never very strong, and production ceases entirely by 1912.
1904 Studebaker begins production of gasoline powered cars.
