Charles W. Nash
January 28, 1864 – June 6, 1948
Nash rose from child laborer to general manager of Flint’s booming Durant-Dort
Carriage Company. Born in DeKalb County, Illinois, when Nash was six his parents
separated and he was sent to work on a farm, near Flint. After six years of farm
labor, he found other work.
Durant noticed Nash, working in a grocery store, and started him as an upholstery
stuffer. Impressed with Nash’s work, Dallas Dort, Durant’s partner, promoted
Nash a number of times. Under Nash’s leadership, including to the position of
plant superintendent and vice president and general manager of the carriage company,
Durant-Dort Carriage Company became worlds, largest producer of Road
Carts and Carriages.
Meanwhile, Durant lost control of General Motors. Although no longer in control
but still on the GM board – Durant urged the bankers to put Nash in charge of
Buick. The bankers then elected Nash president of General Motors in 1912.
