Morris Markin

Morris Markin ( Russian Морис Маркин ; July 15, 1893 , † July 8, 1970 ) was a Russian- born American businessman who founded the Checker Cab Manufacturing Company .

Early years

Morris Markin was born one of ten children to a Jewish family in Smolensk , western Russia, and worked in a clothing factory when he was young. Through hard work, at the age of 19, he achieved a promotion to foreman. In 1912 he emigrated to the USA . When he arrived on Ellis Island in New York , he did not speak a word of English and could not pay the entry fee. A caretaker there loaned him the necessary US $ 25.

From New York Markin went to Chicago , where he lived with his uncle. He hired himself as a house servant to various gentlemen, most recently to a tailor who taught him his craft. When the tailor died, Markin bought the business from his widow on credit. He worked hard and saved enough money to bring his seven brothers and two sisters to America. Together with one of his brothers, he then opened a factory that produced trousers for the government during the First World War . This company was also successful after the war.

Establishment of Checker Cab

In 1921 Markin switched to the automobile business. He bought a cartwright called Lomberg . He had previously given Lomberg a $ 15,000 loan to keep the company going. However, this did not succeed and so Lomberg turned to Markin with a request for another loan. However, this refused and instead took over the entire company. He then acquired the failed automobile manufacturer Commonwealth Motors and with this company also the accountant Ralph E. Oakland . Markin also bought the former Handley-Knight chassis and body builder there in Kalamazoo . Markin moved his entire business to Kalamazoo and founded the Checker Cab Manufacturing Company there on February 2, 1922 .

In 1929 he acquired the Yellow Cab Company from John D. Hertz .

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personal data
SURNAME	Markin, Morris
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	Маркин, Морис (Russian spelling)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	American automobile entrepreneur
DATE OF BIRTH	July 15, 1893
PLACE OF BIRTH	Smolensk , Russian Empire
DATE OF DEATH	July 8, 1970