Hi,

I'm wondering if anyone has access to the Chicago newspaper obituary or other information about Carl Herman Lang of Chicago c1866-1944.

Mr. Lang was the world's first Harley-Davidson dealer and therefore a historical figure of some importance. He died on 9 September 1944 at age 78. Earlier (before 1905) he was a manufacturer of piano tuning tools in Chicago, took up selling Harley-Davidson motorcycles in 1905, and later that was his full-time business which was located in downtown Chicago. He sold the motorcycle business in 1926 and retired, with retirement homes in both Michigan and Florida. An old legend says that when he retired he took a very old motorcycle with him, one that Harley-Davidson wanted back and never got. Today we think that might have been the very first Harley-Davidson ever made!

Any information that anyone has run across and could share about Carl Herman Lang would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Herbert Wagner
herbswoods@yahoo.com