Founded in 1923, The Govro-Nelson Co. was a manufacturer of machinery accessories, particularly heads for milling, drilling, and tapping. These heads provided automatic feed and reset operations for reducing cycle times in manufacturing.

The titular Govro and Nelson were Victor Gauvreau and Joseph Nelson. Gauvreau was assistant professor in gas engines at the University of Minnesota and Nelson had been an instructor in machine shop practice there. Gauvreau had been an engineer at Pan Motor Co., Frontenac Motor Co., and Buick Motor Co.

Information Sources

• 1914-12-16 The Automobile, page 992.

  Gauvreau Joins Buick

  Detroit, Dec. 9—Victor Gauvreau has resigned as chief engineer of the Frontenac Motor Co. to join the Buick Motor Co., Flint, Mich.

• January 1921 Motor Record (Volume 10, page 15): "Victor Gauvreau, for the last four years chief engineer of the Pan Motor Co., St. Cloud, Minn., has joined the staff of the University of Minnesota , as instructor of gas engines and machine design."
• 1923 issue of Minnesota Technology (Volume 4, page 15).

  ...Victor Gauvreau, former assistant professor in gas engines, in which he states that he is now in Detroit, and is associated with Mr. Joseph Nelson, former instructor in machine shop practice in the Govro Nelson Co., which is located at 3676 Trumbull Ave. They are engaged in automotive engineering and experimental work.

• 1924 issue of The Journal of the Society of Automotive Engineers (Volume 14 page 4): "Victor Gauvreau has entered into a partnership to do business under the title of Govro-Nelson Co., Detroit."
• 1927 Year Book of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, page 283. "Gauvreau Victor ('21). Owner, Govro-Nelson Co. 3676 Trumbull Ave."
• Ads in 1928 issues of Detroit Masonic News: "GOVRO-NELSON COMPANY 3676 TRUMBULL AVE. DETROIT / Designers and Builders of AUTOMOTIVE AND MECHANICAL PRODUCTS / VICTOR GAUVREAU, M.E., S.A.E., A.S.M.E."
• January 1940 Aero Digest, in a listing of manufacturers of aircraft and engine machinery. "GOVRO-NELSON COMPANY / 1931 Antoinette, Detroit, Mich. / Personnel: Victor Gauvreau, pres. / Products: Drills (automatic for cams, gears, screws, or hydraulic controls). (Ju.)"
• 1954 Poor's Register of Directors and Executives, United States and Canada, page 484: "Govro-Nelson Co. / 1931 Antoinette St., Detroit 8, Mich. / Chrm—Victor Gauvreau / Pres. & Secy—O. R. Aronson / V-P & Treas—L. G. Aronson / Sales Mgr—M. H. Huth / Accts—Peat-Marwick & Mitchell & Co., Detroit."
• 1959-03-14 The Michigan Alumnus (Volume 14 page 236), "Deaths" under the subheading of Graduates, College of Literature, Science and the Arts. "'11 Elizabeth Helen Harris, A. B. (Mrs. Victor Gauvreau) D. at Tucson, Ariz., Feb. 5, 1959."
• Findagrave.com entries for Victor Gauvreau (1888-1971), Claude Emil Broders (1891-1962), Orville Eugene Aronson (1919-1966).