Text Box: Company History 
 
 
 
 
 
One of Dillabaugh Inc.'s earliest house moving pictures
For several generations, the Dillabaugh family has been moving structures in Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan. Our first generation started in the 1870s with Adam Dillabaugh. At that time, most communities had someone who was experienced in structural moving. Building moving was usually done as a secondary source of income, with farming being the primary. Adam learned to move buildings from necessity, since he was a farmer. Although his experience was limited to the needs of the local farmers, he acquired enough knowledge and experience to pass on to his son, Charles.

Charles purchased more equipment in 1916. With this he was able to become more involved in structural moving. In addition to owning the house moving business, Charles was also the proprietor of a blacksmith shop and a cider mill with 100 cherry trees in the orchard. The cider mill was actually moved from Lowell, IN to Charles' property in Crown Point, IN. Since milling is seasonal work, Charles would run the house moving business in the off-season. Charles purchased a grocery store in 1922, and from there turned his business over to his son, Ellis, the third generation.

Between 1922 and 1942, the business operated under the name E.G. Dillabaugh. In 1942, Ellis added '& Sons' to the company name. Ellis' sons, Howard and Ellison, together with their brother-in-law Donald Ross formed a partnership in 1955. Their brother Grant joined them two years later. At this time, 'E.G. Dillabaugh & Sons' became 'Dillabaugh Moving Engineers'. Ellis retired in 1959, and the partnership between Ellison, Howard, Donald, and Grant dissolved. Ellison and Howard formed a new partnership, becoming our 4th generation. Ten years after the formation of their partnership, the brothers decided to incorporate their business with the State of Indiana. At that time, the company name was changed to Dillabaugh, Inc. The brothers continued their partnership for sixteen more years, until Ellis retired on January 1, 1985. Howard followed with his retirement seven years later on January 1, 1992.

Howard's son Dan bought the business when his father retired. For ten years, Dan has been vastly expanding the moving capabilities and boundaries for the company. His sons, Daniel and Tom, work alongside their father as foremen for the company. They form the sixth generation of Dillabaugh house movers, guaranteeing that the Dillabaugh family will be involved in structural moving for years to come!

Three generations of Dillabaughs- l to r- Dan, Daniel, Thomas, and Ellison
 
Contact Us        Company History        Past  Projects        Early House Moving        Frequently  Asked Questions        Home 
 
 

 

                           

 

 

 

 

 

 

Text Box: Bonded and Insured