C. Max Kearns in his first Motor Car, along south Center Street in Beavertown
1907
Max Kearns hand drew the design for his first car, and his fathers company, Eureka Motor Buggy Company, manufactured it in 907, when Mas was just 19 years old. Max's father, John Preston Kearns, opened the Buggy factory in Beavertown in 1872. It later became a coach factory, and then [possibly in 1903?], a Motor Buggy Factory. Max took over the factory in 1908, renaming it the Kearns Car Company. John continued to live across the street from the factory, and keeping the Eureka name, later operated a tire and used car business behind his home.
After donating a restored LuLu to the state Museum in Harrisburg in 1974, son Richard Kearns said: "he was only 20 when he created the first model of his own auto. He had offers from both Ford and White but he preferred to go it alone. He was gifted, did whatever he did well, and truly can be said to be a renaissance man." Richard Kearns also mentioned that he knew little about the motor company, as his father never talked about the company, nor the Lulu, after the company went bankrupt."
"About 1907 Charles M. Kearns, the young son of John P. Kearns who manufactured horse drawn vehicles, started the first automobile manufacturing company in Snyder County, on Center Street in Beavertown.
His vehicles were powered by a 3 cylinder, 2 cycle, porcupine motor which was air cooled. Power was applied from the engine through a friction place to the chain driven rear wheel. The motor buggy had solid tires and about an 84 inch wheel base. Experimentation with trucks followed, and a year later 2 of these buggies were converted into small trucks destined for commercial use.." Snyder County Pennsylvania, by Fisher
The Eureka Motor Buggy Company of Beavertown, Pennsylvania produced this high wheeler from 1907 to 1909, with air-cooled two-stroke Speedwell engines: a 12/14hp twin or a 15/18hp three-cylinder, and friction transmissions. They sported a “conventional” hood, although it was cosmetic at best— there was no radiator, and the engine itself was under the seat.
Maxwell Kearns, reorganized the Eureka Motor Company in 1908, as the Kearns Motor Buggy Company. By 1909 all Eurekas were renamed Kearns.
1909 "Storm Queen" - marketed particularly to to Physicians - "“This model insures immediate protection from rain, snow, wind and mud. There is no waiting, no delay, no getting out of car to put on side curtains, no adjusting of storm apron, storm curtain or storm front. Three simple movements, which can be made with one hand, close the top, providing perfect protection without leaving the seat. In summer, or when the weather is nice, three one hand movements open the sides and front, thus admitting the sunshine and breeze. The Storm Queen body is fitted on any of the chassis, either 2, 3 or 4 cylinders.”
In 1910, the Beaver Springs Herald reported that the Kearns Motor Car Company of Beavertown is "keeping abreast with the times by making arrangements to put in a plant for building airships".
"This 1910 Kearns Model G Roadster has the unusual 20 hp air-cooled, three-cylinder, two-stroke engine. Separately cast finned cylinders with “porcupine” heads sit on an aluminum crankcase, driven via a friction transmission to dual chain drive. It has right-hand wheel steering, Solar brass acetylene headlamps with carbide generator, and brass oil side and taillamps. A bulb horn on the driver’s side comes comfortably to hand. "
"By 1910, Kearns Motors was ready to put it's first 1 and 1 1/2 fon trucks on the market. A friction driven, 4 cylinder, Lycoming Motor was purchased at Williamsport. After assembling the motor on the chassis and attaching the frame, which was obtained in the Huntingdon area, the chassis was driven to Mifflinburg where the body was finished by the Mifflinburg Body Works.
Mr. Kearns personally delivered the small trucks in order to give driving instructions to new owners." - Snyder County Pennsylvania, by Fisher
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Kearns was considered the “Rolls-Royce of high-wheelers.”
In 1912 The Automobile Trade Journal reported that Kearns had opened an office at 1779 Broadway, New York, "to take care of the increased business of it's 1500 lb delivery wagon in the Metropolitan district. The factory will remain in Beavertown Pa, notwithstanding reports to the contrary."
As high-wheelers faded from favor, Kearns began making standard light four-cylinder cars.
In 1913, the Selinsgrove Times Tribune reported: "Steps toward advancing the automobile industry in Snyder county's only factory of that kind were given a big impetus last week, when a charter was granted the Kearns Motor Car Company, of Beavertown."
It is the intention of the managers to enlarge the plant to twice its present size in order to keep abreast their constantly growing order list..
The LuLu cyclecar was produced by the Kearns Motor Truck Company 1914 to 1915. Billed as "more than a cyclecar", it had a four-cylinder monobloc engine and three-speed gearing. It sold for $450, (equivalent to $14,578.92 in 2025). In 1914, 25 Lulu vehicles were manufactured per a week in Beavertown. Lulu Kearns was a sister of Charles Maxwell. Born in 1893, she married Roy Beaver in 1915. In 1920 Roy Beaver was listed as engineer and superintendent, Kearns-Dughie Motors Co.
On Tuesday July 20th 1915, "Two powerful automobiles, flying the German colors and bearing within five would-be movie actors from Sunbury, made a grand sweep upon the Kearns Motor Car Company's plant at Beavertown Tuesday in what proved to be a useless effort to stage a war picture in Snyder county." [See article from Selinsgrove Times Tribune]
In 1916 the company began to concentrate on trucks and fire engines. This business was continued as Kearns-Dughie Motor Company.
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World War I brought about a scarcity of materials, and the inability to export the product. "This flourishing Snyder County business was forced to close its doors with 3,000 unfilled orders. "
In June of 1920, the Kearns-Dughie company entered into an agreement with the Danville Merchants association to move the plant to Danville, "upon the subscription and payment of $54,000 worth of stock of the company." In August the Danville News reported "it is now 58 days and Mr Dughie says.. as yet Danville has not fulfilled any of the obligations."
The Company did move to Danville in 1920, erecting a larger warehouse on Church Street in 1926. There they manufactured chassis for fire engines and complete fire trucks.
In 1923 "Kearns-Dughie Motor Corporation, Danville, Pa., announces the purchase of all assets of the Belmont Motors Corporation, Lewistown, Pa., which includes machinery, trucks and plant. The plant thus acquired has 70000 sq.ft. of floorspace."
Kearns-Dughie Motors operated in Danville through 1928.
In February of 1928, The Kearns-Dughie Motor Company, in Danville Pa, received orders for 5 750 gallon pumper trucks from the Buffalo Fire Appliance Co. "Until recently, Kearns-Dughie Co made trucks for the Childs-Foamite people, but lost the market when the latter concern merged with the American LaFrance Co."
Kearns-Dughie went into receivership in 1929. When the properties were sold in October of 1930, the Danville News reported "The Kearns-Dughie Motors Co. was organized as an industrial enterprise on the part of local citizens who subscribed $55,000 in stock to induce Messrs. Kearns and Dughie to move their plant to Danville about 15 years ago. While the company did some business it never showed a profit and the stock never paid a dividend. Stockholders regard it as valueless with little hope of "realizing anything from the receivership"
In 1944, Kearns invented a "revolutionary and unique" Cultivator.
Charles Maxwell Kearns Max died December 1973, age 85.
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Charles Maxwell Kearns was born January 23rd 1888 in Beavertown PA, a son of John P. And Henrietta [Rhamstine] Kearns. In 1914, he married Margaret McCormick. Max Kearns died December 1973, age 85.
In 1923, Rick Kearns wrote of his father: "Dad was born and raised in the small borough of Beavertown, Pa., in Snyder County. He grew up during the Great Depression. Due to the collapse of his father’s car manufacturing business, and then a subsequent illness, the family struggled for years. Dad remembered how for many winters, they had to sleep by the fireplace as they could not afford coal. Those experiences had a profound effect on him."
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THE FAILED SNYDER COUNTY MOVIE
1915
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KEARNS (US) 1909-1928 (bodies by Foamite-Childs Corp of Utica, N.Y)
(1) Kearns Motor Car Co., Beavertown, Pa. 1909-1912 (2) Kearns MotorTruck Co., Beavertown, Pa.1912-1920 (3) Kearns-Dughie Corp., Danville, Pa.1920-1928
The Kearns automobile was a high-wheeler introduced in 1907. The first truck, a brewery wagon, was built in 1909. The high-wheelers, built until 1913, were powered by a 3-cylinder 2.stroke air-cooled Speedwell engine and had a friction transmission, dual chain drive, and wheel steering. In 1912, when water-cooling was optional, the 1500.pound truck cost $900 for the chassis.
In 1914 a standard truck with 20 hp 4.cylinder watercooled engine, cone clutch, 3-speed transmission, and Hotchkiss drive was introduced. It cost $1175 for the chassis. A few touring cars were built on the truck chassis in 1915. The firm also built the LuLu cyclecar in 1914.
Post war models included a ¾ ton model with Lycoming engine and 1½ ton model with Herschell-Spillman (later Continental) engine. The trucks, priced at $850 and $1800, had dry plate clutches and internal gear drive.
After the move to Danville the firm specialized in the manufacture of fire engine chassis which carried bodies and equipment by the Foamite-Childs Corp of Utica, N.Y. and were sold under the name of Childs Thoroughbred. In addition a complete line of worm-drive trucks from one to five tons was offered until the factory was closed down in 1928.
June 1920 Automobile Manufacturer:
"Kearns-Dughie Motors Corporation, Heavertown. Pa., has been incorporated with a capital stock of $100,000 to manufacture automobile motors, parts, etc. M. V. Dughie, Lewistown, is treasurer."
Charles M. Kearns, general manager, Kearns-Dughie Motors Corporation, Danville, Pa
R.E. Beaver, engineer and superintendent, Kearns-Dughie Motors Co.
October 1920 Motor Record:
"Kearns-Dughie Motors Co., Beavertown, Pa., has moved its plant and main offices to Danville, Pa."
March 15. 1922 The Commercial Vehicle:
"Danville, Pa, March 2—The Kearns-Dughie Motors Corp. announces a reduction in its model "H" 1-ton chassis from $1,600 to $1,150 and its model "M" 2-ton chassis from $2,200 to $1,650. The price of its model "H" chassis complete with its standard hand-made post express body is $1,360."
April 15, 1922 The Commercial Vehicle:
"Two Kearns Models Of 1 and 2-Ton Capacities Powered with Same Size and Make of Engine
"TWO models of 1 and 2-ton capacity, respectively, are being produced by the Kearns-Dughie Motors Corp., Danville, Pa. Both models are mounted with pneumatic tires and are powered with the same size and make of engine.
"The two models differ only in their wheelbases, weights and tire sizes. The smaller truck, model H, weighs 2800 lbs. with its body and 2150 lbs. as a chassis. The wheelbase is 118 in., while the tire sizes, both front and rear, are 32 by 4V4 in.
"The heavier truck, model N, weighs, 3100 lbs. in chassis form. Solid tire sizes, standard equipment, are 34 by 3% in. in front and 34 by 6 in. on the rear. Pneumatic tire sizes, supplied at an extra cost of $250 are 36 by 6, both front and rear. This price includes one extra rim and a power-driven tire pump. The wheelbase is 136 in.
"Regular equipment on the smaller truck includes fenders, dash, two head and tail electric lamps, electric starting and lighting, Buell Whistle, battery, tools and jack. The chassis costs $1,600. Complete with the body, the price is $1,825.
"Regular equipment on the larger truck chassis includes fenders, dash, two oil head lamps and a tail light, whistle, tools and jack. Optional equipment includes a gas tank and large lights, electric starter, generator and lights, driver's seat and body.
"Specifications include a HerschellSpillman four-cylinder 3½ by 5 in. engine; Zenith carbureter; Berling high tension magneto; dry-disk clutch; threespeed gearset; screw and nut type of steering gear; Hotchkiss drive; Torbensen internal gear axle; internal and external brakes, chrome vanadium steel springs, semi-elliptic all around, wood artillery wheels, and a special heat-treated pressed-steel frame with a channel section.
"The larger model is equipped with the Pierce gear-driven governor, while the smaller model is equipped with a Dyneto two-unit starting system with a Bendix drive."
1923 article:
"Kearns-Dughie Motor Corporation, Danville, Pa., announces the purchase of all assets of the Belmont Motors Corporation, Lewistown, Pa., which includes machinery, trucks and plant. The plant thus acquired has 70000 sq.ft. of floorspace."
Kearns Dughie chassis were also used by the Buffalo Fire Apparatus Co as the basis for some of their early Buffalo-badged fire trucks.
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