Four Generations of Turners and Cooks Kept the Business Humming
Initially operating out of a small building next to the Umpachene River, Isaac Turner, took the first steps toward becoming the founding figure in what became the most important business enterprise in the annals of Southfield's history, when he established a thriving business in an era where buckskin was a prized commodity. His forte lay in leather tanning, catering to the high demand for buckskin. Turner also sold buckskin whips, crafted by local women on a piecework basis. The business grew almost from the start, prompting Turner to expand his workspace by constructing the initial section of what later evolved into the Whip Shop factory.
By the late 1800s when cousin Howard Cook joined Isaac’s grandson Julius Turner, forming the Turner & Cook Manufactory, the enterprise had burgeoned into a substantial factory, employing a workforce of over 50 individuals. The Whip Shop became a cornerstone of Southfield's economy, with a vast majority of its residents or their families finding employment within its walls. Remarkably, in its second century, the business thrived by relying on technology that never evolved beyond the 1920s, a testament to the tenacity and business acumen of the Turner and Cook families.
Generations of Turners and Cooks
Isaac Turner
Julius Turner
Hadley Turner
Howard Cook
Palmer Cook
Dudley Turner
Adapting to the changing times, Turner & Cook, a family-owned enterprise throughout its existence, continually evolved its products to align with the shifting market conditions. Initially focused on traditional horse and buggy paraphernalia such as buckskin whip lashes and riding crops, the company pivoted as automobiles replaced equine transportation. In 1910. Julius Turner found a market for his wares in the new motorized world. Rawhide mallets and hammers – made up of the tough hides of Malaysian water buffaloes – and rawhide hinge pins for lacing power transmission belts took over as the revenue engines for the company. Not every idea succeeded: like rawhide dog chews and webbing for lacrosse sticks were not popular items. The rawhide hammers which withstood considerable pounding without damaging bolts or threads were in high demand for military industries during World War II by companies such as Boeing and General Electric and brought prosperity at that time,
The company's prosperity endured through the war years and into the 1960s, although signs of decline began to surface. Profits waned, leading to layoffs, and by the 1970s, it became evident that the business's reliance on leather-based products and 1920s technology couldn't sustain it indefinitely. Despite its remarkable run of over 180 years without interruption, the Turner & Cook story eventually reached its conclusion.
The legacy of Turner & Cook remains a testament to the unwavering resilience and adaptability of the families behind it. Their ability to navigate changing times and markets for nearly two centuries stands as a testament to their entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to their craft.