P.O. Box 237 Mayer, Arizona 86333
As a follow-up to my recent letter to you, (Reflections Column,
28/3/50, March 1993, page 13), in reference to information
pertaining to the manufacture of gasoline engines in Grand Island,
Nebraska, by my grandfather, Albert Lykke, I have enclosed a copy
of Mr. Lykke’s business card.
As you can see, the card displays a nice photograph of Mr.
Lykke’s 6 to 8 HP engine. I thought your readers would enjoy
the photo and card. Also, there is a copy of card ‘B’
advertising ‘Lykke’s Auto Repair Shop.’ This business,
I believe, followed my grandfather’s ‘Lykke’s Grand
Island Foundry’ (Card A) business during the early part of the
century. Note that Mr. Lykke served as an agency for Jackson
Automobiles, which according to ‘American Cars 1805-1942,’
Krause Publications, were manufactured from 1903 through 1923 in
Jackson, Michigan.
Also documented in the Krause publication, under Lykke, are my
grandfather’s foundry and engine manufacturing, and the 1901
Lykke automobile, which he built. My late father recalled that only
one car was built. Grandfather Lykke intended to start a small auto
factory in Grand Island, but the town council apparently persuaded
him not to because the muffler cut-out had not been perfected yet.
I can only assume my grandfather used one of his
engines in the manufacture of his auto.
Of further interest, my great-grandfather, Christopher Lykke,
manufactured and sold horse drawn carriages in Grand Island, in the
later 19th century. It is possible to assume that Grandfather Lykke
may have mated his engine to his father’s carriage chassis.
