Photo Behind the Name
Back in 1933, William B. Wreford along with other investors purchased the property that became known as the Sebewaing Brewing Company. With a capital stock of $150,000, they established a goal of 20,000 barrels per year of Sebewaing Old Style. The then Sebewaing Beverage Company retained many of the existing stockholders. A modest 12 to 15 employees were planned to begin the operation. William B. Wreford was quite active with different business ventures in the Detroit area during the the early 1900’s. He also dabbled in the political landscape as the photo shows. He was the first president of the brewery after prohibition ended and held that office until 1936.
I’ve mentioned this before, but I ran into William Wreford’s son while I was on my first assignment as a new reporter at The Saginaw News in 1972. He asked where I was from, and when I mentioned Sebewaing, he said, “My father was president of the Sebewaing Brewing Company.”
I sort of didn’t believe him because I knew all the locals who had worked there but had not heard of William Wreford, but of course he was correct. Our little town brewery made a big impression all over the state of Michigan over nine decades, and made it through the Depression, unlike many competing breweries.
Mark,
Thank you for the contribution to the website. Yes William Wreford brought the brewery out of prohibition and what was the Sebewaing Products Company selling products to home brew.
Scott