Arthur C. Newby

Arthur Calvin Newby (December 29, 1865—September 11, 1933) was a pioneer of the bicycle and automotive industry in Indianapolis, Indiana and one of the four founders of the Indianapolis Speedway with Carl G. Fisher, James A. Allison and Frank H. Wheeler.

He was born near Monrovia, Indiana but his family moved to Kansas City then California. Newby came back to Indiana and Indianapolis in his late teens and worked his way up to head bookkeeper at milling machinery manufacturer, Nordyke Marmon & Company. A keen cyclist, he set up the Zig-Zag Bicycling Club and remained its secretary for many years.[1][2] He established Indianapolis Chain and Stamping Company in December 1890 with partners Edward C. Fletcher and Glenn Howe to make Diamond bicycle chains and other bicycle components. They supplied about 60 per cent of the nation's bicycle chains.[3] They were joined by Charles E. Test.[note 1] After the end-of-the-century bicycle sales slump they sold the stamping company to American Bicycle Company in 1899. L. M. Wainwright and associates bought the business from American Bicycle and named it Diamond Chain Company. At the same time Arthur Newby was involved with Hay and Willits Manufacturing Company which made Outing bicycles. His Newby Oval, a quarter-mile oval bicycling track was built in 1899 and became one of the fastest tracks in the country.[1][2]

1913 National Toy Tonneau

Arthur Newby founded with Charles Test and others National Motor Vehicle Company. A National car won the second Indianapolis 500 in 1912, and that involvement with the automobile industry led to his partnership with old cycling friends in the Speedway and his involvement with Empire Motor Car Company. His interests in National Automobile were sold to a New York corporation in 1916 and renamed National Motor Car and Vehicle Corporation. Afterward he spent much of his time in Florida[1] where he was involved in projects with Carl Fisher and James Allison.[2]

He was a generous benefactor to hospitals, in particular the James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children to establish an outpatient clinic, and to education being one of the founders of Butler University. He also contributed to Earlham College.[1][2]

Arthur Newby died unmarried in September 1933 aged 67.[1][2] He is buried in Crown Hill cemetery.[2]

References
  1. Arthur C. Newby Rites Wednesday. Indianapolis News, page 3, Tuesday September 12, 1933
  2. Arthur C. Newby, Pioneer Bicycle, Auto Maker, Dies. Indianapolis Star, page 1, September 12, 1933
  3. David J. Bodenhamer, Robert G. Barrows (editors). The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis, Indiana University Press, 1994 ISBN 0253312221

Note
  1. Wilbur and Orville Wright were agents for the chains at their bicycle shop in Dayton Ohio and seven chains were specially designed for their first successful aircraft which flew in 1903
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