TIMELINE: Charles Edward Test 1856-1910
Indianapolis, Indiana

1856, December 25

Charles Edward Test born December 25, 1856, Richmond, Indiana.
Son of Alpheas & Elizabeth (Moffett) Test native of New Jersey and
both from prominent families in the Society of Friends (Quakers.) Alpheas Test early engaged in manufacturing; later in life he acquired extensive interests in the flour milling business.
Source: Memorial Record of Distinguished Men of Indianapolis and Indiana
By Jacob Piatt Dunn, Lewis Publishing, 1912
Indiana Historical Society

"Later in life Mr. Test often said that he must have inherited love for machinery and shops from his father."
Source: Memorial Record of Distinguished Men of Indianapolis and Indiana
By Jacob Piatt Dunn, Lewis Publishing, 1912
Indiana Historical Society

1865, December 29 (1865-1933)

Arthur Calvin Newby was born in Monrovia, Indiana.
Future business partner of CET.
He died September 11, 1933.
Source: The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis p 1047
Edited by David J Bodenhamer and Robert G Barrows, Indiana University Press

Pre-1880 (24 years old)

CET employed as a telegraph operator, by the Pennsylvania Railroad,
in Knightstown (Henry County) Indiana.
Source: Memorial Record of Distinguished Men of Indianapolis and Indiana by Jacob Piatt Dunn, Lewis Publishing, 1912
Indiana Historical Society

1880-1891 (24-35 years old)

CET was a buyer or purchasing agent for Nordyke Marmon Company, mill manufacturers, in Indianapolis.
Source: Memorial Record of Distinguished Men of Indianapolis and Indiana
By Jacob Piatt Dunn, Lewis Publishing, 1912
Indiana Historical Society

ca. 1881 (15 years old)
Arthur C Newby comes to Indianapolis and gets work at Nordyke and Marmon. He worked his way up from office boy to middle management (book-keeper.)
Source: The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis p 1047
Edited by David J Bodenhamer and Robert G Barrows, Indiana University Press

1886 (30 years old)

Test, Charles E
with Nordyke & Marmon Co
res 72 W Ohio
Source: Polk City Directory for Indianapolis page 694
Indiana Historical Society

1888 (32 years old)

Married Mary Elizabeth Skiles of Richmond, Indiana.
Daughter of Thomas & Mary Adaline (Stickland) Skiles.
Source: Memorial Record of Distinguished Men of Indianapolis and Indiana
By Jacob Piatt Dunn, Lewis Publishing, 1912
Indiana Historical Society

1889

Son born: Skiles Edward Test 1889-1964
Source: Test Family Tree from THE TEST FAMILY IN INDIANA
Compiled & Edited by Dr. Charles E Test, 1991

1890 (34 years old)

Test, Charles E
pres FE Fuller Installment Co and buyer Nordyke & Marmon Co
h 462 Bellefontaine
Source: Polk City Directory for Indianapolis page 748
Indiana Historical Society

1890, December 24

Arthur C Newby, Edward C Fletcher and Glen G Howe create the Indianapolis Chain and Stamping Company (precursor to the Diamond Chain Company) with $5,000 in capital stock. Prior to 1891, bicycle chain had to be imported from England.
Arthur C Newby was the bookkeeper at Nordyke & Marmon.
Source: It Happened on Christmas Eve: A Brief History of Diamond Chain Company
Indiana Historical Society

1891

CET associated with A C Newby and Edward Fletcher organizing the Indianapolis Chain Works. He would become the company's president.
Source: Memorial Record of Distinguished Men of Indianapolis and Indiana
By Jacob Piatt Dunn, Lewis Publishing, 1912
Indiana Historical Society

1891

Daughter born: Dorothy Elizabeth Test 1891-1966
Source: Test Family Tree from THE TEST FAMILY IN INDIANA
Compiled & Edited by Dr. Charles E Test, 1991

1893 (37 years old)

Charles E Test bought Glenn G Howe's Indianapolis Chain and Stamping Company stock and became President of the company, with Arthur C Newby as Treasurer and Edward C Fletcher as Secretary.
Source: It Happened on Christmas Eve: A Brief History of Diamond Chain Company
Indiana Historical Society

1894

Son born: Donald Newby Test 1894-1968
Source: Test Family Tree from THE TEST FAMILY IN INDIANA
Compiled & Edited by Dr. Charles E Test, 1991

1895

Test, Charles E
pres Indpls Chain and Stamping Co
h 98 Middle Drive (W P) = Woodruff Place
Source: Polk City Directory for Indianapolis page 776
Indiana Historical Society

1897, March (41 years old)

Edward C Fletcher sells his Indianapolis Chain and Stamping Company stock to Charles E Test and Arthur C Newby and resigns.
Source: It Happened on Christmas Eve: A Brief History of Diamond Chain Company
Indiana Historical Society

1899

Charles E Test and Arthur C Newby are dubious about the future of the bicycle industry and consider selling the business.
Source: It Happened on Christmas Eve: A Brief History of Diamond Chain Company
Indiana Historical Society

1899, September 1 (43 years old)

The American Bicycle Company buys the Indianapolis Chain & Stamping Company from Charles E Test and Arthur C Newby.
Source: It Happened on Christmas Eve: A Brief History of Diamond Chain Company
Indiana Historical Society

1900

CET has sold his interest in the Indianapolis Chain Works and assisted in forming the National Motor Vehicle Company.
Source: Memorial Record of Distinguished Men of Indianapolis and Indiana
By Jacob Piatt Dunn, Lewis Publishing, 1912
Indiana Historical Society

1902 (46 years old)

Test, Charles E
pres National Vehicle Co and Western Storage Battery Co
h 98 Middle Drive (W P) = Woodruff Place
Source: Polk City Directory for Indianapolis page 982
Indiana Historical Society

1910 (54 years old)

CET was the President of the National Motor Vehicle Company.
Source: Memorial Record of Distinguished Men of Indianapolis and Indiana
By Jacob Piatt Dunn, Lewis Publishing, 1912
Indiana Historical Society

1910, June 22 (54 years old)

CET dies in a sanitarium in Waukesha, Wisconsin of Bright's disease (Diabetes/kidney disease)
Source: Memorial Record of Distinguished Men of Indianapolis and Indiana
By Jacob Piatt Dunn, Lewis Publishing, 1912
Indiana Historical Society

1910

CET is buried in the TEST Family Plot at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana