Toolmakers and Inventors :

• (I) -- Identifies an inventor that holds a U.S. Patent for a leatherworking tool.
• (M) -- Identifies a toolmaker or manufacturer.
• (I/M) -- Identifies both an inventor and toolmaker.

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Adams, A. T. (M)

• Known to make round knives.

Adams, T. (M)

• Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, known to make draw gauges.

Bauer, Louis (I)

• Located in San Francisco, California.
• 1873, Patent No. 137404, for the "Eureka Channeler" made by H.F. Osborne.

Bauer, Peter (I)

• Located in Newark, New Jersey.
• 1864, Patent No. 42064, for a Spring Punch.
• 1872, Patent No. 129309, for a button-hole cutter made by H. Sauerbier's Sons, Heinisch, Wiss and Reliance/Compton.

Bernard, William A. (I)

• Located in both New York, New York and New Haven, Connecticut.
• 1890, Patent No. 427220, for a parrallel jaw plier.
• 1890, Patent No. 427497, for a punch.
• 1892, Patent No. 488785, for leather belt splicing pliers, Assignor William Schollhorn Co.
• 1901, Patent No. 665052, for a hand punch, Assignor William Schollhorn Co.
• 1902, Patent No. 712482, for a hand punch, Assignor William Schollhorn Co.
• 1903, Patent No. 734157, for rotating hole punch, Assignor William Schollhorn Co.
• 1904, Patent No. 764336, for a punch, Assignor William Schollhorn Co.
• 1904, Patent No. 765954, for a punch, Assignor William Schollhorn Co.
• 1907, Patent No. 869874, for eyelet setting punch, Assignor William Schollhorn Co.
• 1915, Patent No. 1164981, for a hand tool, Assignor William Schollhorn Co.
• 1923, Patent No. 1446540, for a hand tool, Assignor William Schollhorn Co.
• 1929, Patent No. 1700306, for a hand tool, Assignor William Schollhorn Co.

Botkin, Murry R. (I)

• 1903, Located in Kokomo, Colorado.
• 1903, Patent No. 723981, for a Sewing-Awl.
• 1905, Located in Denver, Colorado.
• 1905, Patent No. 786000, for a Sewing-Awl. (Myers Famous)

Brown, William (M)

• 1844-1854, Listed in Newark Directories as a cutler.

C.A. Myers (M)

• Located at 6316 Lexington Ave. Chigago IL.
• Maker of "Myers Famous Lock Stitch Sewing Awl" the Botkin 1905, Patent No. 786000, for a Sewing-Awl.

Crawford, Aaron (M)

• 1838-1875, Listed in Newark Directories as a toolmaker, edge toolmaker and cutler.
• Continues in business into the 1890's.

Charlton, John (M)

• Located in Newark, New Jersey.
• 1850, Started producing carpenter tools at Hedenberg's, 24 Bleeker St.
• 1861, Claim in advertisment to be successor to Aaron Crawford.
• 1889, Moved to the Nassau Works.

Clemens, Fred J. (I)

• Located in East Haven, Connecticut.
• 1931, Patent No. 1804149, for a belt splicing plier, Assignor William Schollhorn Co.

Clyde Cuttlery (M)

• Located in Clyde, Ohio.
• Known maker of round knives.

Dixon, David A. (I)

• Located in St. Louis, Missouri.
• 1883, Patent No. 274921, Lap Shaving and Splitting Machine. Assignor C.S. Osborne & Co., of Newark, New Jersey.

Dodd, William (1822 - ?) (M)

• 1849, Becomes brother in law of C.S. Osborne.
• 1856, Arranges to take over the tool works of Joseph English.
• 1858, C.S. Osborne takes over his tool business.

Doering, Herman (I)

• Located in Reedsburg, Wisconsin.
• 1892, Patent No. 474041, for a stitching-horse.

Elliott, Sterling (I)

• Located in Chicago, Illinois.
• 1878, Patent No. 207597, for an improvement in cutting-gages.

English & Hubers (M)

• Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
• 1834, Farnham 1984 reference, page 135, Illustrates a price list for tools manufactured by Joseph English in partnership with H. & F.A. Huber at the Sheffield Works near Philadelphia.

English, Daniel S. (? - 1849) (M)

• Brother of Joseph English
• 1842, Listed as cutler in the Newark, New Jersey directory.

English, Joseph (M)

• Brother of Daniel S. English
• 1826, Establishes tool business.
• 1834, Farnham 1984 reference, page 135, Illustrates a price list for tools manufactured by Joseph English in partnership with H. & F.A. Huber at the Sheffield Works near Philadelphia.
• 1842, Listed as cutler in the Newark, New Jersey directory.
• 1856, William Dodd arranges to take over his tool works.

Francis & Ward (M)

• See John Ward.

Greene and Tweed & Co. (M)

• Located at both 83 Chambers Street, New York and 109 Duane St. New York. I don't know the dates at each location.
• Known maker of the Sterling Elliott lace cutter: 1878, Patent No. 207597, for an improvement in cutting-gages.

Gomph, Henry G. (M)

• Salaman R.A. 1986 reference page 343, refers to an 1875 catalogue.
• 1865-1868, Maker of surgical instruments, South Pearl St. Albany, New York. Philip Gomph (toolmaker) and Jacob Gomph (cabinet maker) listed at same address.
• 1866, Henry G. Gomph & Co. Established.
• 1868-1924, Company located at, 55 Madison Ave. Albany, New York.
• 1900, Albany directory no longer lists Henry G. Gomph as part of the company. Philip J. Gomph now listed as head of firm. Philip J. 2nd, Jacob H. and Lewis Gomph all listed as part of the company.
• 1923, Only Lewis Gomph is still listed as toolmaker in Albany directory.
• 1925, Dean Van Allen is listed as the owner of the business, in Albany directory.
• 1927, Lewis Gomph dies.
• 1929, The 55 Madison Ave. address is part of a two block area demolished to make room for a new bridge over the Hudson river. The business moves to 362 Broadway, Albany, N.Y.
• 1932-34, The 362 Broadway, Albany, N.Y. address is part of another area demolished to make room for a new bridge approaches.
• Rights to the Gomph name purchased in the 1960's, and now used by the Gomph/Hackbarth Tool Co.

Hall, M.E. (I/M)

• Located in Spring, Pennsylvania.
• 1869, Patent No. 95470, for an improved shoe knife (channeling tool) This tool is later seen in C.S. Osborne catalogues.

Hathorn, Fergus A. (M)

• 1848, Listed in Newark Directory at same business address as Aaron Crawford.
• 1849, Claim in advertisment to be successor to Aaron Crawford.

Haslam, J (M)

• Located in Newark, New Jersey
• Saw maker and harness toolmaker, known to have made draw gauges.

Harrington, T. (M)

• Located in Southridge, Massacusetts.
• Known maker of round knives.

Heinisch, Rochus (1801 - 1874) (M)

• 1820's, Emigrates from Austria to the United States.
• 1829, Begins to manufacture cutlery in Elizabeth, New Jersey.
• 1835, Listed in Newark Directory.
• Prior to his death business changes name to: R. Heinisch's Sons
• 1893, Farnham 1984 reference, page 131, Illustrates a photograph of R. Heinisch's Sons factory located at the corner of Bruce street and Thirteenth Avenue in Newark.
• 1914, J. Wiss & Sons Co. takes over R. Heinisch's Sons Co.

Hoole Machine & Engineering Work's (M)

• Located in Brooklyn, New York
• Maker of bookbinding tools.

Huber, H. (M)

• Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
• 1834, Farnham 1984 reference, page 135, Illustrates a price list for tools manufactured by Joseph English in partnership with H. & F.A. Huber at the Sheffield Works near Philadelphia.

Hyde, I.P. (M)

• Located in Soutbridge, Massachusetts.
• 1867, maker of tool on Patent No. 67313, for an edge shave for boots and shoes.

J. D. Randall & Co. (M)

• Located in Cinncinati, Ohio.
• 1888, James D. Randall, listed as 1/2 assignor of Patent No. 391190, for a Leather-Skiving Machine, by Silas H. Randall, of Wyoming, Ohio.

Johnson, Albert E. (I)

• Located in Oxford, Massachusetts.
• 1867, Patent No. 67313, for an edge shave for boots and shoes.

William Johnson, Inc (M)

• 1834, William Johnson Sr. started making tools in Newark Jersey.
• 1864, His son William Johnson Jr. takes over the business.
• 1867, William Johnson Sr. dies.
• 1809, William Johnson Jr. sells the company.
• 1931, Company was incorporated.
• 1958, Company sold to C.S. Osborne & Co.
• Maker of a large variety of wood working tools, and punch pliers.

Jones, Edward (I)

• Located in Flint, Michigan.
• 1887, Patent No. 371198, for a stitching horse.

Krebs, John Theodore (I/M)

• Located Cleveland, Ohio
• 1884, Patent No. 306760, Leather-Splitting Machine. Assignor William A. King.

Latta, Emmit G. (I)

• Located in Friendship, New York.
• 1881, Patent No. 237554, assignor H.F.Osborne, for a draw-gage. This tool is later seen in C.S. Osborne catalogues.

Leypoldt, Frederick C. (I/M)

• Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
• 1860, Patent No. 30925, for a button-hole cutter.
• 1864, Patent No. RE1728, Re-issue of Patent No. 30925.
• 1865, Patent No. 48962, for an improvement in button-hole cutters.
• 1878, Patent No. 202446, for a button-hole cutter.
• 1879, Patent No. RE8713, Re-issue of Patent No. 202446.

Littersdorf, C. D. (M)

• Known to have made embossing wheels.

Lowentraut, Peter (M)

• 1871, Listed in Newark Directories as a toolmaker at 256 Lawernce.
• 1872, Listed in Newark Directories as a toolmaker at 254 Market St.
• 1874, Listed in Newark Directories as a toolmaker at 15 Fair St.
• 1877, Listed in Newark Directories as a toolmaker at 15 to 17 Fair St.
• 1890, Factory moved to corner of Kent and Bremmer Streets.
• 1911, Listed in Newark Directories as a toolmaker at 36-54 Bremmer St.
• Some time between 1911 and 1920 company appears to have gone out of business.

Lyle, John (I/M)

• 1843-1892, Listed in Newark Directories as a toolmaker and cutler.
• 1866, Patent No. 53537, For a spring punch.
• 1869, Patent No. 96453, Improvement in Leather-Punches.

Osborne, Charles Samuel, (1818 - 1896)(M)

• 1826, Listed as the established date of the C.S. Osborne & Co. in thier catalogues, advertisments and on thier tools. However, is more likely the year his predecessor Joseph English started making tools.
• 1842, Married Sara Dodd, sister of William Dodd.
• 1856, William Dodd takes over the tool business of Joseph English.
• 1858, C.S. Osborne takes over the tool business from William Dodd.
• 1861, Established C.S. Osborne & Co.
• 1863, Erected factory at the corner of Mechanic and Lawerence Streets in Newark, New Jersey.
• 1865, Tools awarded gold medal at the American Institute in New York.
• 1867, QUALITY with Round knife trademark registered.
• 1876, Tools awarded gold medal at the Philidelphia Centennial.
• 1878, Tools awarded gold medal at the Exposition Universelle International, Paris.
• 1879, Tools awarded gold medal at the N.S.W. International, Sydney.
• 1881, Tools awarded gold medal at the International Exposition, Melbourne.
• 1883, Round knife trademark registered.
• 1883, Listed as assignor of Patent No. 274921, Lap Shaving and Splitting Machine, by David Dixon.
• 1888, Tools awarded gold medal at the International Exposition, Melbourne.
• 1893, Won an award at the Columbian Exposition, Chicago.
• 1905, Bought out H.F. Osborne.
• 1906, Moved factory to present location on the corner of Second and Jersey Streets in Harrison, New Jersey.

Osborne, Henry Frank (I/M)

• Brother of C.S. Osborne.
• 1874, Patent No. 150704, for a rein rounder.
• 1875, Patent No. 162762, for an improvement to the 150704 patent.
• 1874, Patent No. 179948, for a leather splitting machine.
• 1876, Patent No. 187896, for a Hand Punch.
• 1877, Left the C.S. Osborne & Co. and formed his own tool factory at 44 and 46 Hill street Newark, New Jersey.
• 1881, Listed as assignor to "Latta" draw-gage Patent No. 237554.
• 1885, Patent No. 317181, for a Punching and Cutting Pliers.
• 1891, Patent No. 444012, for a strap trimming tool.
• 1905, Bought out by C.S. Osborne & Co.
• Trademark: O.P.T. (inside an elipse), for Osborne Patent Tools.

Pratt & Letchworth (M)

• Located in Buffalo, New York
• Known to have made draw gauges, round knives and other harness tools.

Pruyne, George W. (I)

• Located in Mexico, New York.
• 1856, Patent No. 14698.
• 1868, Patent No. 77653, A channeling tool that, appears to have been manufactured by both C.S. Osborne & Co. and Gomph.

Randall Silas, H. (I)

• 1884, Patent No. 307141, for a Stitching-Horse. Assignor Silas B. Randall of Cincinnati, Ohio.
• 1888, Patent No. 391190, for a Leather-Skiving Machine, by Silas H. Randall, of Wyoming, Ohio. James D. Randall, listed as 1/2 assignor.

Reliance/Compton (M)

• Located in Newark, New Jersey

Rose, W. (M)

• Located in West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
• Known to make round knives.

Rosecrans, Charles (I/M)

• Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
• 1903, Patent No. 730163, Of an edge beveling tool, similar to a Bissonette edger.

Rotary File & Machine Co. (M)

• Located in Brooklyn, New York.

Sauerbier, Henry (I/M)

• 1848, Establishes firm in Newark, New Jersey.
• 1855, By this date started manufacturing saddle, harness and shoemakers tools.
• 1859, Patent No. 24494.
• 1867, Patent No. 69490 and 69491.
• Early tools marked: H. SAUERBIER.
• Around 1870 tools became marked: H. SAUERBIER & SONS.
• Around 1876 business changed name to: H. SAUERBIER'S SONS.
• 1879, Patent No.'s 221866, 221867 and 221868 issued to Henry and Julius Sauerbier.

Seymour, Alfred B. (M)

• 1835-1838, Listed in Newark Directory as a cutler.

Shapleigh Hardware (M)

• Located in St. Louis, Missouri.
• Maker of "Diamond Edge" brand of tools.
• Know to have made round knifes and some hand tools.
• Went out of business in 1960 after 117 years of operation.

Snell Atherton (M)

• Located in Brockton, Massacusetts.
• Maker of Cobbler / Shoemakeing tools.

Stewart Manufacturing Co. (M)

• Located in Worcester, Massacusetts.
• Maker of "Speedy Stitcher" lock stitch awl.

Tull, Robert Merrow, Thomas Ephraim and George T. Tull (I)

• Located in Windsor, Illinois.
• 1890, Patent No. 422666 Punch
• 1904, Patent No. 753936 Punch

Walcott, Halsey D. (I/M)

• Located in Boston, Massacusetts.
• 1852, Patent No. 9158 Button-Hole Cutter
• 1853, Patent No. 9734 Button-Hole Cutter

Ward, John (M)

• 1856, Firm of Francis & Ward established.
• 1856-1859, John Ward, listed in Newark Directory as a cutler.
• Francis apprears to have been a finacial business partner.
• Tools marked: Francis & Ward / Newark NJ.

William Schollhorn Company (M)

• Located in New Haven, Connecticut
• 1892-1929, Listed as assignor of various Bernard and Clemens patents.

Wiss, Jacob (1817 - 1880) (M)

• 1847, Emigrates from Switzerland to the United States.
• 1848, First listed as cutler in the Newark, New Jersey directories.
• 1880, Upon his death, his sons take over ownership of the company.
• 1914, J. Wiss & Sons Co. takes over R. Heinisch's Sons Co.
• 1973, J. Wiss & Sons Co. was sold.

 

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Page last updated on: July 20, 2003