Willys Buys Overland Automotive Division

On This Day | Posted by: Tedd Long | 04/01/2026

1908: John Willys bought the Overland Automotive Division of Standard Wheel Company in Toledo. In 1912 he renamed it Willys–Overland Motor Company. From 1912 to 1918, Willys was the second-largest producer of automobiles in the United States after Ford Motor Company.

1918: Toledo Police Officer Louis Jazwiecki died after being shot the previous night during the arrest attempt of two men at Erie and Walnut Streets. The accused killer was eventually arrested, tried, convicted, and sent to the electric chair.

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