In 1887, Harmon approached his younger brother,
Clifford B. Harmon, and their uncle Charles Wood with a business proposition. William felt that there was money to be made by providing a way by which people interested in owning a home could purchase one in installments, making a small down payment and paying what they could monthly. This "Easy Pay Plan" opened the possibility of home and land ownership to large groups who might not otherwise be able to do so. Clifford and his uncle both liked the idea; together they pooled $3000 to start
Wood, Harmon & Co. Their first development was near
Loveland, Ohio. Further developments were soon built in Ohio and western Pennsylvania, followed by expansion into various cities in the Midwest and the East Coast of the United States. Wood, Harmon & Co. soon had offices in over 26 cities. In 1900 Wood, Harmon & Co, purchased large tracts of land in
Brooklyn, New York, in anticipation that the building of the
Brooklyn Bridge and expansion of the city's rail transit would provide opportunities for the company. This action proved to be fortuitous, with the company ultimately developing over 20,000 building lots in Brooklyn. Wood, Harmon & Co. diversified by creating other companies to acquire and hold business properties and real estate for lease and/or sale. In 1907, William took his partners to court over Clifford and Wood having set up further businesses using the corporate name without his involvement, leading to the dissolution of the company. ==Foundation and Jedediah Tingle==