Glens Falls Post-Star, August 2, 1928

A.H. Closson Dies
Lunch Wagon Maker Realized Fortune in Business.

  Albert H. Closson, 77, died at his home, 16 1/2 Second St, last night at 10:20.  Mr. Closson has been in ill health for several months.  He is survived by a brother, Fred Closson of Saratoga; a granddaughter, Mrs. Den Hoag, Buffalo, and a daughter-in-law, Mrs. Max Bahm, Welland, Ont.  His wife died several months ago.
  Mr. and Mrs. Closson were married December 25, 1872 in Saratoga Springs and resided in Fort Miller.  They came to Glens Falls thirty-three years ago from Bennington, VT.
  Mr. Closson opened a lunch wagon in Glens Falls and conducted it for six years.  He then started manufacturing lunch wagons of a special type and of his own design and invention.  This business was a success and his lunch wagons were in great demand.  He realized a small fortune from the business.
  About twelve years ago,  Mr. Closson formed a stock company known as the Closson Lunch Wagon company, which was located in Westfield, and in which the Welch Grape Juice company was interested.
  Mr. Closson retired from business a few years ago and he and Mrs. Closson traveled for many years.
  They crossed the continent six times and spent several winters in Florida and summers at Scroon Lake.
  Mr. and Mrs. Closson had four children but they have all died.
  Mr. and Mrs. Closson were members of the Fort Edward Center, South Glens Falls and the Glens Falls Friends church.  Mr. Closson was an elder in the local church and a member of the prohibition state committee.
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Addendum: The Masons.  Senate Lodge 456 F. & A.M. will conduct services at the grave.

Westfield Republican  August 28, 1912

  WESTFIELD'S NEW INDUSTRY

The Clawson Lunch Wagon Factory is an Assured Success.

  For the last two weeks, Mr Edward L. Tiffany has been in Westfield seeking to organize a stock company and secure a site for a factory, all of which has been completed, and work will begin as soon as the certificate of incorporation can be gotten out.  The Company will manufacture a high grade lunch wagon, such are beginning to be extensively used in cities all over the country.
  The lot formerly occupied by John Fay as a coal office on East Pearl Street has been secured and the plan is to erect at least one building yet this fall, in the meantime, the Company are considering the advisability of beginning work in one of the buildings of the canning factory now owned by the Welches.
  Mr. Tiffany asked for a site and that the people of Westfield take $5000 stock in the company.  The stock has all been subscribed and the money for the site is coming right along.  About $300 more is needed to complete the whole matter.  Let our people take hold of the matter in earnest, for from letters we have received from people in the home town of this concern it is an all right proposition.  Common stock can still be had at $100 per share.  If interested see Mr. Delaplain at once, who is in a position to tell you about it and has investigated the matter so as to be able to speak with assurance.
  One thing more to be noted is that there is a strong probability that the location of this factory will soon bring another of which we are not at liberty to speak of at this time.

Westfield Republican  November 6, 1912

OFFICERS ELECTED

The Closson Lunch Wagon Company Organize and Elect Officers and Directors.

  The Closson Lunch Wagon Company, which was recently incorporated, held its incorporators meeting and first meeting of directors at this place October 28th.  The following officers were elected:  President, Dr. E. L. Tiffany: first vice president, E. T. Welch: second vice president, E. E. Cookson: secretary and treasurer, F. M. Rich.  The directors for the first year are: Dr. Wm Moore, Dr. E. L. Tiffany, E. T. Welch, E. E. Cookson and F. M. Rich.  The company has contracted for the purchase of the Fay property on East Pearl street, and will erect a factory there in the spring.  Business will be begun at once and operations will be conducted in the canning factory building owned by Dr. Welch until the new factory is ready for occupancy.

Westfield Republican  April 23, 1913

Clawson Lunch Wagon.

  The Closson Lunch Wagon Company, which was located here last fall, has just completed its fifth wagon, and sold its first wagon this week to a Jamestown party, where it has been shipped, and will be put into service.  The design of the wagon is a high-grade inter-urban trolley dining car.  It is "catchy" and should catch the trade.  The motto of the company is: "Not how fast, but how good."

Westfield Republican  May 21, 1913

OUR NEW INDUSTRY.

The Closson Lunch Car was Exhibited on Our Streets Last Saturday - It Met with Warm Approval From Our Citizens.

  A Model No. 1 Closson Lunch Car was on exhibition in front of the Citizens bank Saturday afternoon and evening and created a very favorable impression.  Folks who had not seen the cars in the process of making had little idea of the high class outfit that is being made in our town.
  Dr. E. L. Tiffany is no longer connected with the company, and his place as president and manager has not been filled.  Edgar T. Welch is the Vice President.  If a competent manager had been in charge of the comppany's interests from the start, a much better showing would have been made by this time in the number of cars sold.
  The company has been doing a little advertising and they have received so far over 200 inquiries from men located in nearly every State of the Union.  The mail last Monday brouhgt in over fifty inquiries from the two-inch advertisement in last week's Saturday Evening Post.  The local men who are interested in the Closson Lunch Wagon Co. thoroughly believe that the proposition will prove a success.
  Model No. 1 is the standard wagon, is 22 feet long, 7 1/2 feet wide and 10 1/2 feet high.  The height of the wagon body from ground is 16 inches and it will seat eleven people.
  It is made on honor.  The material, pine and oak, is the best obtainable.  Doors and sash are of oak.  Windows extra large; lower sash colonial(translucent); upper sash clear glass.  Doors fitted with easily interchangeable sash and screen for summer use.  Ventilator windows in patented monitor top, flashed ruby and white ribbed alternating; the interior finish is golden oak.  The exterior finish: Body, five coats Modern Red and Valentine Varnish.  Beautifully panelled in dark olive green for name and serial number; exposed edges, at base, rear-wheel cut-in,  over front wheels, etc, are banded with iron, finished in aluminum bronze; this, together with the bronzed panel moulding adds much to the rich finish of the modern wagon.  The gear (ironed extra heavy, in excess of reasonable strain) is painted a light canary color.  The company furnish either electric or gas equipment as desired.  The kitchenette is supplied with every convenience that ingenuity and practical experience can devise.  The three-burner modern gasoline range (they can furnish plate for natural or artificial gas, if desired) is made exclusively for this wagon.  A close fitting hood over the stove carries off heat and oders from cooking.  The five gallon coffee urn is the best obtainable.  Ice chest, pie closet, sink, cash drawer, closets and drawers for utensils and supplies - all are there at your hand.  That portion intended for the serving of customers is furnished with sanitary tables.  These, and the neat oak stools, are handsomely set off with nickle bands.  The floor is covered with battleship linoleum.  The price of this wagon is $1,000.

  D.J. Morey, who represents the Closson Lunch Wagon Co. of Westfield, NY has just returned from the New England States after being in that section about seven weeks.  Dan has had very good success and the company is well pleased and started him down through Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio looking after inquiries.  Mr. Morey is said to be an excellent salesman. - Brocton Mirror.

Westfield Republican Oct 1, 1913

  The Closson Lunch Wagon Co. have received several orders for Closson cars recently.  Among the recent inquiries for information concering the cars is one from Honolulu, H.I.

Westfield Republican Oct 1, 1913

CLOSSON LUNCH WAGON

  Business is picking up at the Closson Lunch Wagon factory.  Last week, F.T. Boyles and F.C. Moyer, of Meadville, were in town and purchesed two of these wagons, one of which is to be shipped on four weeks and the other by the 15th of December.  One has recently been sold to Erie parties, and three large ones to parties in New York City, one to be completed and shipped in two weeks, and the other two by January 1st.  We are glad to see that the product of this factory is meeting with a ready sale.

Westfield Republican Feb 18, 1914

Great Activity

  There is evidence of considerable activity at the plant of Closson Lunch Wagon Co.  Orders for two cars have been received within the past week and there are excellent prospects of closing with several other men within the next few weks.  A car has been shipped to F.A. Hall, who is in Indianapolis representing the company.  What is probably one of the largest portable lunch cars ever built has just been shipped to a point on the Hudson river.  It is 10 feet wide and 28 feet long.  It could not be any wider and be shipped on a railroad.  The company finds that the cars that have been shipped and put in operation are bringing new purchasers.
  A short time ago the annual election of officers of the Closson Lunch Wagon Co. was held and resulted in the election of Edgar T. Welch, president; E.C. Delaplain, 1st vice president; F.B. Brewer, 2nd vice president; E.V.D. Phoenix, secretary, and F.M. Rich, treasurer.  Mr. Phoenix, who has held a responsible position in the office of the Welch Grape Juice Co. for some months, is now giving his entire time to the Closson business and is in charge of the office and sales end.  Miss Lucile Colburn is employed as stenographer and office assistant.  C.W. Burnham is proving to be a very capable factory superintendant, as the spendid workmanship in the cars testify.  About ten persons are employed at the present time and if the business of the company increases within the next three months as it has in the last three, the erection of their own plant will be a necessity.

Westfield Republican April 15, 1914

  F.A. Hall came home from Indianapolis.

Westfield Republican June 3, 1914

  F.A. Hall has accepted a job with the Practical Farmer.

Westfield Republican Sept 23, 1914

  Mr. Marsh, who worked at the Closson Lunch Wagon Factory had a stroke while at work Friday.  He was taken to Ripley, where he died Saturday.  His home was in Warren, PA.  He is survived by a widow, one daughter, Mrs. Burnham, and a son, Dr. Marsh of Warren.

Westfield Republican Sept 23, 1914

CLOSSON LUNCH WAGON CO.

The Plant is Doing a Nice Business and Needs Larger Quarters.

On a visit to the factory of the Closson Lunch Wagon Co., the writer was greatly suprised to see the activity displayed in this new industry which has recently been brought to Westfield.
  Organized nearly two years ago, the business of Mr. A. H. Closson, of Glens Falls, N.Y. was brought and moved to this place.  Up to that time, the manufacturing as conducted by Mr. Closson had gone along in a very modest way.  During a period of years he had made and sold a large number of the modern lunch wagons, all of which are being sucessfuly operated, and which demonstrated the possibilities if necessary equipment was added and a vigorous selling campaign inauguarated.
  About Jan. 1st, 1913, manufacturing was actually begun in the Westfield plant by the "Closson Lunch Wagon Co., Incorporated." a corporation with capital stock of $35,000, and officered by Westfield men.
  Some of the changes in the officers and management have been made since the first organization, the officers now being E. T. Welch, president; E. C. Delaplain, vice president; E. V. D. Phoenix, secretary and Fred M. Rich, treasurer.
  From the first, the company has been a liberal advertiser, carrying their advertisements in some of the country's leading magazines and newspapers.  Naturally they were flooded with inquiries, many of them, written through idle curiosity, and it has taken some time to get the selling end of the company effectively organized and a good list of prospects selected for future sales.
  After about 18 months of operation the company is rushed with orders and we understand they can not now accept an order for a car to be shipped before the first of the year.
  Naturaly with increasing business, new men have been taken on until they have at present about 15 men steadily engaged and a pay roll of upwards of $1,000 per month.
  The cars now being made are unique in design and are a radical departure from anything heretofore put out as a lunch wagon.  With a low hung body and monitor, ventilated top, they are creations of beauty and utiility, while the interior arrangement is the result of years of practical experience of the inventor in actually operating a car.
  The finish of these cars takes rank with that of the finest carriages and automobiles, and the entire construction is such that every car carries an unlimited guarentee from the company.
  The Modern Lunch Car has been sold and is in operation in several adjoining States.  One sale has already been made as far away as St. Petersburg, Fla.  This car will be shipped very soon, where we expect many Westfield people will see it in operation this winter.
  Plans are already under way for an exhibit at the Panama Pacific Exposition.  This car will be finished in white and gold and will be open to view for people of this vicinity before being shipped.
  The success and prosperity of the Closson Lunch Wagon Co. means much to Westfield.  With an increasing pay roll of skilled mechanics, with the prospect of a new and up-to-date factory being built on a site already bought, and with these cars going out all over the country advertising our town, Westfield is being benefitted and this company should receive the financial and moral support of every citizen.

McKean Democrat (Smethport, PA) 10-23-1913

Stop, Look, Listen and Read 
!AUCTION!
OCTOBER 25,1913.
THE VARIETY STORE
C. B. DICKINSON, Prop. SMETHPORT, PA.
Has decided to close out his entire stock of merchandise and accept a position
on a transfer to Canada, with the Luzier Gas Engine Co., and Closson Lunch
Wagon Co.

Westfield Republican Sept 30, 1914

  E.V.D. Phoenix is making a trip through New England in the interest of the Closson Lunch Wagon Co.

Westfield Republican  Oct 28, 1914

  E.V.D. Phoenix is on a business trip to NYC.

Westfield Republican  Jan 6, 1915

  E.V. D. Phoenix is home after an extended business trip through the Mid-West.

Westfield Republican Jan 20, 1915

  E.V.D. Phoenix is in NYC on business.

Westfield Republican March 17, 1915

  E.V.D. Phoenix is in Racine, WI on business.

Westfield Republican June 2, 1915

  E.V.D. Phoenix was in Wilkes Barre, PA on business last week.

Westfield Republican Oct 13, 1915

  Mr & Mrs. Phoenix have stored their household goods and gone to Bound Brook, NJ.

Westfield Republican Feb 9, 1916

  J.W. Kingan left monday for Emporium, PA where he and Hugo Neff are going to run a Closson Lunch Wagon.

Westfield Republican Sept 27, 1916

  The Closson Lunch Wagon Co. Inc. was judged a bankrupt by Hon. John R. Hazel on Sept 21, 1916