George L. Wade

George Leonard Wade (22 May 1872, Tuscola, Illinois - November 29, 1923, Beverly Hills, California) was an American racecar manufacturer and entertainer who performed in vaudeville and minstrel shows.

After attending the University of Illinois, he became wealthy through a variety of business ventures, including buying, restoring, and upgrading outdated or dysfunctional electric power plants.

During the last six years of his life he devoted his energies to designing and building racecars; ultimately developing the Wade Special which was driven by Harlan Fengler.

He found success buying electric power plants that were mechanically out of date or in disrepair, and then working to fix and upgrade their infrastructure.

[8] Wade began performing in minstrel shows in the late 19th century with a variety of companies, including Primrose and West, as both a singer and actor.

[14] The pair formed a successful partnership which lasted until 1907 when the duo went their separate ways, each taking half of the company to what one reviewer considered detrimental to the enterprise.

[20] George L. Wade was killed on Thanksgiving Day 1923 in Beverly Hills, California[22] after being struck by a race car being driven by Harry Hartz.