Central Type Foundry (1872-1892)
The Central Type Foundry started in 1872 as a St. Louis manufacturing office of the Boston Type Foundry, run by salesman James A. St. John. When the business became successful he joined forces with a type founder, Carl Schraubstadter Sr., and in 1874 purchased the plant to run as a separate division.
They became so successful that in in 1888 they were able to buy out their parent company, the Boston Type Foundry, which they continued to operate as a separate division. In 1892 they were invited to sell their plants for cash to American Type Founders, and the pair retired from business on the proceeds.
