Sun Foundry, Provo

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Sun Foundry & Machine Co. (1889-1893)

Provo, Utah, on West Center Street

(The Sun foundry was located on the northwest corner at the intersection of 7th (Center) and E streets in Provo. Shown on the 1890 Sanborn Fire Insurance map, Sheet 7; on the 1900 map, Sheet 10. Today's 500 West Center Street.)

(The site was later used from 1898 to 1945 by the Provo Foundry and Machine company.)

The Sun Foundry & Machine Company, initially established in 1889 by partners John Devey and T. R. Sundberg on West Center Street in Provo, Utah, was an iron and steel manufacturing firm typical of its era. Offering a wide range of services including steam engines, boilers, and wrought and cast iron work, the business experienced rapid early growth, expanding from three to thirty-five employees in its first year and quickly incorporating with a $200,000 capital stock in 1890. Despite securing lucrative municipal contracts for waterworks and sewer pipes under new leadership like Colonel C. D. Moore, and subsequently leasing the facilities to mechanical engineer William J. Silver as the "Silver Iron Works," the company was plagued by an era of severe regional financial slowdowns and deeply flawed corporate practices.

By 1893, the company collapsed into a flurry of creditor lawsuits and a court-appointed receivership, exposing a loose organizational structure where the vast majority of its capital stock had never actually been paid up in cash by its leading investors. Efforts to squeeze delinquent stockholders for their unpaid balances triggered intense legal battles in the First District Court, highlighting a period when local corporations regularly failed to grasp that ownership on paper carried real-world financial liability. Following the company's dissolution, the physical plant briefly saw new leases under operators like Henry Stagg. The site was ultimately taken over by the Provo Foundry & Machine company in late 1898, marking the end of the Sun Foundry name in the historical record.

(Advertisements for the Sun Foundry & Machine company began in online newspapers in 1889. The company offered a full line of iron and steel working services typical of all such companies, including steam engines, boilers, all manner of wrought and cast iron work, and Devey's Patent Tubular Iron Wheelbarrows, and Leffel Steam Engines.)

November 8, 1889
"Messrs. Sundberg and Devy, of the Sun Foundry, have on hand a lot of those new home-made stoves ready for sale. Patronize home industry by buying your heaters of them." (Provo Utah Valley Gazette, November 8, 1889)

1890
Sun Foundry & Machine Company was incorporated in Utah in 1890. (Salt Lake Tribune, October 4, 1891)

May 9, 1890
"The Sun Foundry is erecting a frame building about one hundred and forty feet in length on their premises on Main street. They procured the old material used by the D. & R. G. for a round house which was blown down by a recent wind storm." (Utah Valley Gazette (Provo, Utah), May 9, 1890)

July 4, 1890
"The Sun Foundry under the management of Messrs Devey and Sundberg in consideration of their rapidly increasing large business they are sending for an additional cupola of the capacity of 20 tons per day. They already have large buildings and complete works for every class of casting and boiler making, and they are compelled to add additional buildings one of 40x70 and another two story building 28x40." (Utah Valley Gazette (Provo, Utah), July 4, 1890)

August 20, 1890
"The Devy & Sandberg Sun Foundry will be formed into a stock company and incorporated." (Salt Lake Herald, August 20, 1890)

September 9, 1890
"Mr. Whalen, of Salt Lake city, will meet with the stockholders of the Sun foundry this evening to draw up articles of incorporation for the above institution." (Salt Lake Herald, September 9, 1890)

September 9, 1890
"Provo, Sept 10. - A meeting of the stockholders of the Sun foundry was held last evening [September 9] for the purpose of incorporating and other business. A reorganization was effected and the following officers appointed: George Sutherland president; John Devey vice-president; John E. Booth, secretary; A. A. Noon, treasurer; John Devey, superintendent. Board of directors: D. R. Sundberg, J. H. Whalen, Amos D. Holdaway, L. Holbrook, S. R. Thurman, Wincher Jones, William Holdaway. The articles of incorporation have been drawn up and will be filed in the county clerk's office to-day. The stock is placed at $200,000, and the shares $10 each. One year ago this institution employed but three men and at present are working thirty-five. Their shops and conveniences are totally inadequate to their business, and they will immediately take steps toward putting up convenient buildings." (Salt Lake Herald, September 11, 1890)

September 19, 1890
"The Sun Foundry and Machine Company of Provo filed articles of incorporation yesterday [September 19] with Secretary Sells. The capital stock is $200,000 in 20,000 shares, and the incorporators are John Devey, T. R. Sundberg, J. H. Whalen, A. A. Noon, George Sutherland, W. S. Holdaway, J. E. Booth, William Probert, L. Holbrook, S. R. Thurman, W. N. Dusenbury." (Salt Lake Tribune, September 20, 1890)

October 12, 1890
"The Sun foundry has recently changed hands, and a company incorporated with a capital stock of $200,000 almost all of which has been subscribed by leading men in the town. About $50,000 is still for sale at 50c on the dollar and parties looking for an investment will do well to bear it in mind. New machinery will be put in so as to manufacture all kinds of farm implements, machinery etc. and the force of men will be increased to about three-hundred. The plant will be on the line of the Denver and Rio Grande Western railroad, on the adjoining property known as Hardie's subdivision of Provo, which is controlled by J. H. Whalen, one of the principal men interested in the above foundry." (Salt Lake Herald, October 12, 1890)

January 7, 1891
"Provo, Jan 7, 1891. - The Sun Foundry Company has undergone a reorganization, and it is understood that Colonel Moore of the Utah, Nevada & California Railroad Company will hereafter be actively identified with the institution. The company has done a good business; but owing to the recent financial tightness here and elsewhere had become somewhat embarrassed to meet pressing payments. It is understood that more capital is to be put into the concern and that the company will move the works to the ground owned by the company alongside the street car shops. The showing made by the books is a very satisfactory one, $2400 worth of work being turned out last month, and with more capital and strict business management the foundry will be very successful in future operations." (Salt Lake Tribune, January 8, 1891)

(Charles D. Moore was a promoter of railroads and mines in Utah in the period of the late 1880s. Along with investors from Kansas and Minnesota, he organized the Utah, Nevada and California Railroad in May 1889 to build from a connection with D&RGW at the Utah-Colorado line, westward across central Utah, with a branch to Salt Lake City, to a point on the Utah-Nevada line nearest the Pioche mines, then on to Southern California. Nothing ever came of the enterprise. He was able to avoid negative press coverage in the newspapers of the period, but always seemed to benefit from positive coverage, which suggests he himself was the source for almost all of the coverage.)

(C. D. Moore's shares and interest in the Sun Foundry were sold at auction at a Marshal's sale in July 1892.)

January 14, 1891
"The management of the Sun Foundry Company has been reorganized, C. D. Moore of the Utah, Nevada & California taking the superintendency, and A. A. Noon being appointed secretary and treasurer. The company has a good plant, and, with good management, its future success is certain." (Salt Lake Tribune, January 14, 1891)

(Research shows that C. D. Moore, also known as "Col. Moore," was a member of the Provo Chamber of Commerce. During his involvement with the Sun Foundry, the company built a boat and barge that were to be used to ship ore across Utah Lake, from Moore's mine at Tintic, to the docks at Provo. The boat was completed in late March 1891 and moved down Center Street in Provo to Utah Lake using the street railway, of which Moore was also the superintendent. The boat was launched in early May 1891.)

July 2, 1891
"C. D. Moore [of the Sun Foundry] has obtained the contract for furnishing connecting joints for the sewer pipes in Salt Lake City, and also castings for the waterworks. This will warrant the running of the Provo Foundry and Machine shops for about one year, apart from other business. This enterprise is to be highly commended, and evinces the practical business capabilities of Mr. Moore." (Salt Lake Herald, July 2, 1891)

July 28, 1891
"Two frame structures are being built on the Sun Foundry property. The one is a paint shop for Joseph White and the other is an office for the foundry." (Provo Daily Enquirer, July 28, 1891)

August 14, 1891
"The smelter stamp mill and sixty-five horse power engine, which were purchased sometime ago from W. W. Riter, of Salt Lake City, by the Sun Foundry and Machine company, of Provo, are expected to arrive here to-day. The machinery has been employed in working the ore from a mine which has been exhausted and thus rendering the mills useless. There was considerable difficulty experienced in hauling the machinery from the mine to the cars and required the services of a heavy force of men. Two cars were loaded and will be run into the shops of the purchasing company sometime to-day. The plant is said to be comparatively new and will be brought into service immediately by Mr. C. D. Moore, of the foundry." (Salt Lake Herald, August 14, 1891)

(The machinery came from the Copperopolis mill at Tintic, which had sat unused at Roseville, southwest of Silver City in the Tintic District. The mill, and its associated primitive smelter had only been in operation in the 1873-1874 period.)

December 6, 1891
"Machinery to the value of $14,000 was received from the east yesterday by the Sun Foundry and Machine shops, and will be brought into requisition immediately. This will almost double the capacity of the institution which is making remarkable strides forward. Conversation with Mr. C. D. Moore yesterday disclosed the fact that during the past six months the foundry had turned out $18,000 worth of work." (Salt Lake Herald, December 6, 1891)

January 3, 1892
"The Sun Foundry people have succeeded in getting Mr. Wm. J. Silver, the mechanical engineer, of Salt Lake, to interest himself in their institution. He will fill the position of superintendent. Mr. Silver's ability as an engineer and machinist is so well known that comment is unnecessary. It is thought under his management the foundry will undergo a great change for the better. This foundry has had a good run since the new organization, with Colonel C. D. Moore as manager, having received a large contract for waterworks supplies from Salt Lake, as well as from Provo since the system was inaugurated. Mr. Silver has taken considerable stock in the business and expects to make his permanent home in Provo. Colonel Moore still retains the position of president and general manager." (Salt Lake Herald, January 3, 1892)

January 15, 1892
"The Sun Foundry and Machine company yesterday effected a change in officers, completed the stock taking and footing up accounts. Colonel C. D. Moore is still president, William J. Silver, vice-president and superintendent, Charles Smith, treasurer and John E. Booth, secretary. The business of the past year has far exceeded that of any former year and the outlook at present with additional machinery facilities is very encouraging." (Salt Lake Herald, January 15, 1892)

July 1, 1892
"C. D. Moore's interest in the Sun Foundry was purchased yesterday morning by C. W. Smith. The shares were sold at a Marshal’s sale." (Salt Lake Herald, July 1, 1892)

March 7, 1893
"Provo, March 6. — Deputy Marshal Monahan is busily engaged in selling out $1,500 worth of property belonging to the Sun Foundry and Machine company, under an attachment of R. S. Hines. Thus far the sale proceeds very slowly, as the property which is being disposed of consists of piping, an engine and iron fixtures of a great variety." (Salt Lake Herald, March 7, 1893)

(In April 1893 there began a series of lawsuits by creditors wanting what was due them. A receiver was assigned and among his first findings was that the stock had never been fully paid up, depriving the company of any revenue other the declining business as the area entered a severe financial slowdown. The majority and minority stockholders had wanted the benefits of stock ownership, but without the cost.)

April 27, 1893
"Suit has been filed in the district court by the former employees of the Sun Foundry and Machine Co. to recover the wages due them, amounting to $954.18, from U. S. Marshal Benton, R. S. Hines and the Utah Plumbing and Supply company. There are ten of the employes, but for the purposes of the suit, they have all assigned their claims to Harry Stagg. It is alleged in the complaint that the employees had a lien on the Sun Foundry property when the attachment was made by Marshal Benton for R. S. Hines and the Utah Plumbing & Supply company." (Deseret News, April 27, 1893)

May 25, 1893
"W. J. Silver has leased the Sun Foundry & Machine shops, and will commence operations in a few days. He has ordered several additions to the plant from the East." The Sun Foundry was renamed as the "Silver Iron Works." (Provo Daily Enquirer, May 25, 1893; June 1, 1893)

May 26, 1893
"The Sun Foundry and Machine shops, which lately went to the wall and over which there has been a great amount of controversy, has been leased by W. J. Silver, formerly of Salt Lake city. Some new machinery has been ordered and Mr. Silver is making preparations for beginning work at an early date." (Salt Lake Herald, May 26, 1893)

(The lease to William Silver, the foundry's superintendent, would have been from the court-appointed receiver, with lease payments going directly to the receiver's account.)

(The Sun Foundry & Machine was to be sold on a U. S. Marshal's Sale on May 2, 1893, on the steps of the Utah County courthouse in Provo. But the sale did not take place. Instead, the Sun Foundry was placed into receivership on May 14, 1893. In late June 1893, the receiver sued all of the stockholders of the company for unpaid assessments. There was a total of $24,276 due on a total of 2,9508 shares of stock. - daily legal notices in the Provo Daily Enquirer, April 14 through May 9, 1893; Salt Lake Herald, May 14, 1893; Provo Daily Enquirer, June 29, 1893; August 12, 1893)

June 26, 1893
"National Bank of Commerce vs. John Devy, M. J. Barret, Logan G. Holdaway, T. R Sundberg, Shadrich Holdaway, George T. Peay, John E. Booth, C. W. Smith, W. S. Holdaway, W. N. Dusenberry, A. A. Noon, and C. D. Moore, stockholders of the Sun Foundry, to recover $8,500 on a note with interest and 10 per cent. attorney fees, approximating a total of $10,000." (Daily Enquirer, June 26, 1893)

June 29, 1893
From the Salt Lake Tribune, June 29, 1893.

Corporations in Provo have been run in the past on rather a loose plan, and as a result many are made to suffer these days. Companies would incorporate for large sums, and the capital stock was scarcely ever paid up in full. That was the case with the Provo Street Railway. The intention of the stockholders was to pay down only 25 per cent of the amount subscribed, but creditors went into court and compelled them to pay the full amount.

A similar case, though on a more aggravated scale, has been developed in the matter of the Sun Foundry Company. Richard Brereton, receiver, reported to the First District Court yesterday that in 1890 said company was organized for $250,000, divided into 25,000 shares. Of this amount only $16,850 in stock was issued, and no money was paid for it, and $12,700 more given to workmen as wages, at the rate of 50 cents on the dollar. There are thirty-nine stockholders, and the receiver wanted to know what he should do with the delinquent ones. His order was to sue them for balance due. This order has caused a heavy heart to beat in the breasts of the incorporators of the Sun Foundry. They fear that capital stock means more than figures on paper.

August 22, 1893
"First District Court. - The suit of Harry Stagg, representing the employees of the Sun Foundry, vs. R. S. Hines et al. is in progress. Sun Foundry property was sold by defendants to satisfy a judgment, and in consequence the employees could not obtain their wages. The suit is brought to recover the amount due the employees." (Provo Daily Enquirer, August 22, 1893)

September 14, 1893
Judge Smith at Nephi... "The National Bank of Commerce has got judgment against John Devy, et al, on an $8,000 Sun Foundry note. John E. Booth and C. W. Smith were exempt from the costs of the suit, as they did not contest the note with the other signers." (Provo Daily Enquirer, September 14, 1893)

January 6, 1894
On appeal by the defendants, the receiver's case against the stockholders was dismissed, "at the cost of the defendants." (Provo Evening Dispatch, January 6, 1894)

(To avoid paying the judgment ($9,879.82), some of the stockholders tried to liquidate their other holdings to show a lack of assets. But the movement, especially in real estate, was found out and brought to the court's attention. - Provo Evening Dispatch, January 11, 1894.)

(The daily advertisements for the Silver Iron Works at Provo, Utah, in the old Sun Foundry with William Silver as superintendent, ended in late May 1894.)

May 5, 1894
The judge of the First District court heard evidence in the case of the receiver of the "old defunct" Sun Foundry of Provo against the stockholders of the company, and dismissed the case against all of the defendants. (Provo Evening Dispatch, May 5, 1894)

July 1, 1895
"Henry Stagg has leased the Sun Foundry of W. J. Silver, who has decided to remove to Salt Lake." Stagg resumed operation of the foundry, but only briefly. (Provo Daily Enquirer, July 1, 1895; Salt Lake Tribune, July 2, 1895)

(There are no more references to the Sun Foundry after the above items about Henry Stagg leasing the plant.)

(Sun Foundry and Machine Company was among the thousands of corporations shown in March and April 1910 as being delinquent in paying their Utah corporation license fee.)

Provo Foundry and Machine Co. (1898-1945)

Late 1898
Late in 1898, the Provo Foundry & Machine company left the old Cluff building and leased the former Sun Foundry plant, buying the old Sun plant in 1901 from the estate of Amos Holdaway. The Pierpont & Heaton partnership was dissolved in 1904 and Pierpont became sole owner at the same time. (Provo Daily Herald, April 8, 2007)

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