[1][2] The Michigan Car Company was organized in 1864 by John S. Newberry (b.
1838) in order to manufacture railroad cars for the Union Army.
Along with Charles L. Freer and Frank J. Hecker's competing Peninsular Car Company, Michigan Car was the largest manufacturer in "Gilded Age" Detroit.
In 1899, it merged with a dozen other smaller firms to form American Car and Foundry.
Henry Ford was employed at the Michigan Car company beginning in 1879.