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In the mid-1870's John McGregor bought an interest in the Crawford Bros. shoe last business, known as the DAYTON SHOE LAST Co. The shoe last company was one of the first users of electric powered lathes to turn wood shoe lasts.
In 1885 John McGregor convinced Edward Canby to invest in this venture. Canby owned the Dayton Coffee Company and was regarded as a well to do businessman. This venture became the CRAWFORD MCGREGOR CANBY CO (CMC). Ten years after the initial purchase he bought out McGregor and eventually the Crawford brothers.
Canby made a trip to Europe on behalf of the shoe last company. It was there that he was introduced to the game of golf. He was convinced that golf would be a major sport in the USA. During his stay in Scotland, he knew that with the wood working expertise CMC had they could and would produce wood heads.
Out of his love for the game grew the MacGregor Golf Company and the proud heritage of leadership that has made MacGregor the greatest name in golf today.
Edward Canby was a true innovator and entrepreneur. He knew golf was coming to America; he also had confidence in his ability to make golf sets for the masses. Consider this: The first golf course in America (St. Andrews in Younkers, New York) was built in 1888. By the year 1900 there were 950+ golf courses. By 1927 America had 4800 courses and gained another 1500 by 1929. This was a man of vision. Edward Canby and MacGregor were ready for the American golf boom.
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