Wing Manufacturing Company

Chicago, Illinois

On June 5, 1891 Peter Wing incorporated the Wing Nickel Works along with his brothers Daniel B. Wing and Hans A. Wing for the manufacture of hardware and nickel plating.  Their business was located at 13 N. Jefferson.  It was noted in several different Chicago city directories that Daniel Wing was listed as a pattern maker.  Hans did not appear to be an active participant in the business, and by 1894 he was no longer listed when the company was reformed as the Wing Manufacturing and Plating Company.  In 1899 the name of the company changed yet again to the Wing Manufacturing Company, followed by a move the following year to 48-52 N Clinton St.  This new company prospered and in 1903 they were invited to join the new National Novelty Corporation (also known as the 'Toy Trust') which was formed with the intent to allow American Toy Companies to compete with European Toy Manufacturers.  As the Wing Company did not possess their own foundry, Peter Wing, along with the property of his company, relocated in early 1904 to Kenton Ohio where they operated as a separate division of the Toy Trust along with the Kenton Hardware Company.  Peter Wing served briefly as the Plant Superintendent, but in 1905 left Kenton, Ohio to pursue other interests.   Upon his return to Chicago he partnered with Winslow R. Parsons in 1906 to form the Wing & Parsons Manufacturing Company.