Grandma Dedafoe's Scrapbook
Well-Known Builder Dies
E. Clement JARVIS, Famed For Local Structures, Succumbs at Home
E. Clement Jarvis, 78, whose monuments are a large part of Lansing's skyline, died Monday evening at his
home, 11744 Jarvis hwy., southwest of Holt.
One of the pioneers in the structural steel business in central Michigan, Mr. Jarvis' firm, the Jarvis
Engineering Works, erected steel for some of the larger construction projects in downtown Lansing, including the Olds
Tower, Prudden building, Masonic temple, and Bank of Lansing building.
Other Projects
The firm also played a part in construction of buildings at Oldsmobile, Reo Motors, Inc., and Motor Wheel
corporation.
Steel provided by this firm also provided steel for many of the dormitories and classroom buildings at
Michigan State College.
With his father, Samuel JARVIS, E. Clement JARVIS, in 1893 founded the firm of Jarvis Engine and Machine
Works.
The Younger Jarvis was born in Lansing Jan. 31, 1974.
During the early days the company specialized in steam engine and boiler work, in addition to a general
machine shop business.
Samuel JARVIS was active until failing health forced his retirement in 1911. He died in 1915, leaving his
son, Clement, as owner and operator.
The advance of the use of electrical power and individual power plants for factories caused a crisis in the
Jarvis Engine and Machine Works, and the son entered the structual steel business at a time when its growth was assured.
Widow Survives
The name Jarvis Engineering Works was adopted in 1922. In 1930 Mr. Jarvis and the late Elmer Dail, with
whom he had become associated in 1914, purchased a substantial interest in the Flint Structual Steel company. A few years
later they obtained controlling interest. Mr. Dail was made president and general manager of the Flint firm, and soon after
that the Jarvis-Flint Erection company was founded, owned jointly by the Jarvis Engineering Works and the Flint Structural
Steel Company.
Only immediate survivor is the widow, Lily M. JARVIS.
Funeral services will be held Thursday at 2:30 p.m. at the Estes-Leadley Colonial chapel, Rev. Lloyd Wallace
of Eaton Rapids officiating. Burial will be in Delta Mills cemetery.
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