Clarence Heath, president of the Shortsville Wheel Company, is one of that class of citizens who have developed our great manufacturing interests, spread our commerce and assisted in improving and enlarging our cities.
Clarence Heath was born in Darien, Genesee county, New York, March 30, 1857. He attended the district schools of Darien, and for a time was a student at Canandaigua Academy. Upon the termination of his school days he at first learned the trade of hand turning and the making of wagon and buggy wheels. In 1879 he established himself in business in Shortsville, New York, manufacturing hubs and spokes, and the following year commenced the manufacture of wagon and buggy wheels. His business was conducted on progressive and practical principles, all modern improvements to facilitate the output being readily adopted, and in 1909, the plant was enlarged and machinery installed for the manufacture of automobile wheels. At the present time (1910) the two plants have a capacity of sixty thousand sets per year, and employ one hundred and fifty-five hands the entire year. The business, which operated under the name of the Shortsville Wheel Company, was incorporated in March, 1908, but the name remained unchanged. Mr. Heath was chosen president and manager; his son, Sidney L., secretary; and A. T. Sheffer, assistant treasurer. Prior to its incorporation, Mr. Heath had conducted the business for a period of seventeen years in partnership with Charles F. Brown.
Mr. Heath married, October 1, 1879, Jennie B., daughter of Hiram L. Brown, one of the original proprietors of the Empire Drill Works, which were organized in Shortsville about 1850. Children: i. Mildred L., who married Burt 1. Thompson and resides in Shortsville; they have one child : Floy Virginia. 2. Sidney L., mentioned above, married Belle L. Wheeler, of Canandaigua. 3. Hester V., married Ray V. Howland and resides in Shortsville; they have one child: Hiram Heath Howland. 4. Mary Lois. 5. Doris Virginia.
