History of A. Hattersley & Sons, Inc.

A. Hattersley & Sons, Inc.

Founded: 1856

Location: North side of Main Street, east of Harrison Street, Fort Wayne (1856-1861); 208-212 East Main Street (1862-1955); 3939 Mobile Ave (1955-present).

     In 1856 Alfred Hattersley, an English immigrant, purchased the plumbing gas-fitting firm of B. W. Oakley & Son on Columbia Street in Fort Wayne. Oakley & Son had succeeded the firm Barker & Oakley, which was founded in 1855. Hattersley moved to a new location on the south side of Main Street between Barr and Clinton Streets. At first Hattersley used a foot lathe but later installed a steam engine in his works, which included a brass foundry and machine shop. Hattersley did plumbing, heating, electrical and installed terrazzo tile flooring. Plumbing seems to have been a specialty. Alfred’s son Byron, who was born in 1856, went to work in his father’s shop after graduating college He recalled that the early firm’s business was chiefly the installation of pumps in cisterns and wells. Only after the city built a waterworks did the demand for indoor plumbing (including indoor bathtubs) lead to an expansion of the business. By 1880 Hattersley had several employees and dealt extensively with gas and water piping.

     Alfred Hattersley’s three sons – Willis, Byron and Alfred – all joined the business. Byron’s sons Harry and Eugene succeeded to the business and managed it until 1956. In 1955 the old office of A. Hattesley & Sons was razed and replaced with a parking lot for the Anthony Wayne Bank. The company moved to a new building at 3939 Mobile Ave in October of 1955. In November of 1955, the firm was incorporated. The following February, younger members of the firm took over management from the Hattersleys. The firm continued as an electrical, plumbing, and heating contractor. In addition, the company installed many air conditioning, ventilation, process piping, and fire protection systems. Harmon O. Hensley became manager of the firm in the late 1950’s. In 1964, Hensley became President of the firm. His two sons came to work for the firm while still in high school. Harmon Olin Hensley (Harmon’s oldest son) became President of the firm in 1985 – 1994. In 1994, Brian Hensley took over and is the CEO of the firm at present.

There has not been any Hattersley’s in the business since 1967, but their name lives on today as the oldest Mechanical & Electrical contractor in the state of Indiana.

Today, A. Hattersley & Sons, Inc. is a commercial and industrial contractor doing work mostly in northern Indiana, but has completed numerous projects all across the United States.