”A. P. Sibley, the fifth child in order of birth and the only member of the family to live in Indiana, was reared and educated in his native county of Worcester, and after completing his studies learned the trade of a machinist at Warren, Massachusetts, being employed for eight years on contract work in the shops of L. W. Ponds. In company with John R. Mills he made the machinery which they brought to South Bend in 1874. and with which they embarked in business. They were also accompanied by George 0. Ware, and the firm of Sibley, Wells & Ware founded an establishment for general machine repairing at the foot of Washington street. Later they moved to what is now known as the old Bissell machine shops, and four years afterward, upon the retirement of Mr. Wells, the firm became Sibley & Ware. In 1883 their shops were destroyed by fire, and in the same year the site on which the present plant stands was purchased and the buildings erected, but on account of the failing health of Mr. Ware, Mr. Sibley purchased the entire business in May. 1904. at which time it was incorporated under the name of the Sibley Machine Tool Company.”

Reference Data:

A History of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Vol. 1, by Timothy Edward Howard, 1907, page 553G