March 5, 1929 – David Buick dies

In 1869 David Buick, 15, dropped out of school to take a job at a plumbing supply company to help support his family. When that business ran into financial trouble in 1882, Buick and a partner bought it out. They revitalized it, once again making it profitable. In the 1890s Buick discovered a new interest, internal combustion engines. Buick sold his share of the plumbing company and used his capital to start the Buick Auto-Vim and Power Company in 1899. The company began production of engines for agricultural use. 

He soon turned to automotive engine development leading to a revolutionary “valve in-head” overhead valve engine. It’s success led him to found Buick Motor Company in 1903. Just three years later, he accepted a severance package from Buick, leaving him with one share of the company he started. The president of Buick, William C. Durant

, who would go on to found General Motors, purchased this share for $100,000, approximately $2.6 million when adjusted for inflation. Following more than two decades of unsuccessful investments Buick, died with nearly no money to his name on this day in 1929.