The Wolverine Brass Company was founded in 1896 by Louis A. Cornelius and a dozen helpers. They began manufacturing in a small plant on Shamut St. and a year later moved into larger quarters at 256 Canal St. (now 620 Monroe Ave., NW). By 1909 the firm had become one of the leading industries in Grand Rapids. It manufactured a wide variety of brass goods, mainly plumbing fixtures. The company's business increased yearly and during both world wars. During WWII, Wolverine Brass Co. produced airplane and tank parts. In recognition for meeting production and efficiency goals, the company received many awards including the Army/Navy "E" Award in 1944.

Outside of the firm, Wolverine Brass President, L.A. Cornelius, was involved in the community. He was a member of many organizations, clubs and societies including the Masonic Country Club, the Grand Rapids Trust Company, the American Society of Sanitary Engineering, the Rotary Club and The Saladin Shriners. In 1932, Cornelius became City Welfare Director for no pay, due to the vagaries of the Great Depression. He served as President of Wolverine Brass until 1951, and died in 1953. Franklin Cornelius, his son, succeeded him as president.

In 1964 Wolverine Brass bought Bal-Cam Corp. and Rasco Inc., both brass-making competitors. In 1968 the plant underwent a $4.3 million expansion, much of the money going into the creation of a new foundry. At the same time the firm reorganized and took the name Wolverine Industries Inc., with the Wolverine Brass Co. name applied to one of the divisions.

In the early 1970s Wolverine Brass formed Citation Companies, a holding company for new enterprises and expanded operations. Citation Companies was purchased by Dayton-Walther in 1980 and renamed Citation-Walther, with Wolverine Industries as a division of the new firm. The Grand Rapids plant closed in 1986, due to competition from foreign and domestic manufacturers.