Snippets of Information Regarding the Gorham Company

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At the annual meeting of the Title Guarantee Co., of Rhode Island, on Monday, Herbert J. Wells and Frank W. Matteson, directors of the Gorham Mfg. Co., and Samuel M. Nicholson, of the Nicholson File Co., were elected to the directorate.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 20th February 1924

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The Gorham Co. - New York - 1912

'OLD DOMINION'

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Gorham Manufacturing Co. - New York and Chicago - 1897

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Gorham Company - New York - 1898

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Gorham Manufacturing Company - New York - 1897

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The Gorham Co. - New York - 1917

'St. DUNSTAN' (chased)

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Gorham Manufacturing Company - Providence and New York - 1879

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Charles F. Godfrey, who died last Thursday at his Summer residence,, in Buttonwoods, was well known to the older jewelers. He was in his 82d year, and was born in this city Sept. 20, 1823. After receiving a common school education, he entered the employ of John Gorham, founder of what is now the Gorham Mfg. Co., and learned the trade of silversmith. He worked at the trade for many years, being associated at various times with the Whiting factory at North Attleboro, and Fessenden & Co., of this city. Later he was employed by Godfrey & Gardiner, of this city, the first named being his son, William S. Deceased was married to Miss Hannah B. Manchester, sister of Silas Manchester, who died recently, and who was associated at the time of his death with Fessenden & Co. Mr. Godfrey was a member of the old volunteer fire department of this city and was a member of the Providence Veteran Firemen’s Association. Of six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Godfrey, but one survives, Miss Harriet A. Godfrey, with whom he had made his home during his declining years.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 2nd August 1905

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Gorham Manu'fg Co. - New York - 1874

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The Gorham Company - New York - 1924

'EDGEWORTH'

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Gorham Company - New York - 1898

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JOHN SWIFT HOLBROOK

Born: Boston, Mass., March 4, 1875.
Parents: Edward, Frances (Swift) Holbrook.
School: Callisen's School, New York, N.Y.
Years in College: 1892-96.
Degree: A.B.
Married: Grace Morgan Sinclair, April 11, 1908, New York, N.Y.
Occupation: Manufacturer.
Address : (business) Gorham Mfg. Co., Providence, R.I.; (home) 25 Cushing St, Providence, R.I.

After graduation in June, 1896, I entered Columbia in September of that year as a regular in the Freshman Class of 1900, School of Architecture, studying particularly for Landscape Gardening. In my second year I went Into special standing, taking 2d, 3d, and 4th year courses, and left at the end of second year. In October, 1898, I went abroad and settled in Paris, being attached to the French service of Parks and Gardens of the Paris Exposition of 1900. Through application of the U. S. Commissioner's Office I served as U. S. Government attache in this service until the close of the exposition, having in the spring of 1900 charge of my own gang of men and a superintendent's position. In November, 1900, I left Paris, going to Italy, Sicily, Egypt, and Germany, and returning to Paris the latter part of June, 1901. In July, 1901, I went to England for the purpose of studying the principal gardens and places, spending considerable time at Kew Gardens, outside of London. I returned to the United States in October, 1901, and formed the partnership of Brinley & Holbrook with John R. Brinley, a graduate of Columbia University, Nov. 1, 1901, for the practise of landscape architecture and engineering. I practised until May, 1906, when the firm was dissolved by mutual consent.

My father, president of the Gorham Mfg. Co., had difficulties with his vice-president. I was invited by the stockholders of the company to enter this business as vice-president, and took office in March, 1906. I have been connected with this business continuously ever since, first at the New York office, then transferred to the Providence factory in October, 1908. Since 1908 my headquarters have been at the Providence factory and I have resided here continuously. I was abroad for a brief trip in 1908 and again in 1911, each time about eight or ten weeks.

I am still vice-president of the Gorham Mfg. Co. and of The Silversmiths Co., and director in several of the affiliated concerns; treasurer of the National Protection Co. and of the Venturi Alarm Co., and director in several of the affiliated concerns; treasurer of the Maiden Lane Realty Co. and in charge of the construction of the Silversmiths Building belonging to them, in New York City; director of the Bigelow Kennard Co., Boston. In February, 1913, I was appointed by the Governor of this State a member of the Rhode Island State House Commission, which has entire charge of the Rhode Island State House and grounds, and am still a member of that Commission. In December 1914 I was elected president of the Providence Chamber of Commerce, an organization having about two thousand members, and was unanimously re-elected in December, 1915, for a second
term. We held our annual meeting in January, 1916, at which I presided, and turned out about four hundred members.

At present I am ranking officer in charge of Gorham Mfg. Co. Eventually I shall probably be transferred to the New York end, but there is no immediate prospect of this. My particular duties consist of factory administration, having general charge and supervision over the factory and the New York office. I am obliged to make frequent trips to New York and occasionally see some of my classmates. This company made an important
exhibit at the Panama-Pacific Exposition, so I was in San Francisco during most of May and part of June, 1915. In consideration of the fact that the design of the pavilion was suggested by me, the Exposition awarded me personally a gold medal as collaborator.

Publications: Article on *'Lych-Gates," published in American Architect, 1898; "Silverware for the Dining Room—Selected Periods." Have given several lectures, one on the "History of Landscape Architecture," Feb. 29, 1904. before the Brooklyn Chapter, American Institute of Architects; lecture on "History of Silverware," given before the New York School of Applied Design for Women, 1913; and also before the Handicraft Club of Providence, same year.

Source: Harvard College Class of 1896 - Secretary's Fifth Report - June 1916

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A wine-taster by Gorham:








GORHAM/STERLING/371

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THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION - PHILADELPHIA 1876


Another large and rich display is made by the Gorham Manufacturing Co., of Providence, R. I. This exhibit adjoins the above (Tiffany's), presenting a varied and valuable display taken direct from their stock. The only piece made for the present exhibition, is an elegant Century Vase, five feet long, and over four feet high.

It contains 2,000 ounces of solid sterling silver. The design is elaborate, and very perfectly wrought. The allegory is appropriately modest, and easily comprehended. The national progress is well conceived, and eliminated with singular perspicuity. The house was established in 1841, and has ever since been devoted to the manufacture of solid silver ware, which they have sold over the whole country, though mostly to the trade, until within five or six years. They give employment to 400 hands. The capital of the company is $1,200,000, though even more than that is sometimes employed. Their plate-chests are very neatly arranged, and have commanded large sales.

Source: Four Thousand Years of the World's Progress from the Early Ages to the Present Time. - Samuel J. Burr and S. De Vere Burr - 1878

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The Gorham Co. - New York - 1908

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Providence

The annual reunion of the heads of departments of the Gorham Mfg. Co. works, in this city, was held Wednesday evening, at the Gorham Casino. About 60 persons sat down to the excellent banquet that had been provided. Superintendent Fred Lawton presided, and the informal postprandial exercises included remarks by John F. P. Lawton, secretary of company, who talked interestingly on the remarkable growth of the works during the 40 odd years he had been connected with the institution, and by Mr. Codman, the chief designer, who gave a brief account of his experiences at the Paris Exposition. Remarks were also made by Mr. Aldrich, of the office department, and Mr. Vogle.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 6th February 1901

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Death of John M. Bogle

Providence. R. I., March 8.—John M. Bogle, master mechanic at the works of the Gorham Mig. Co.. Elmwood, this city, died suddenly from heart disease yesterday forenoon. Mr. Bogle had returned yesterday morning from New York, in company with Louis Demmert, who is connected with the Gorham Mfg. Co.’s office in that city. Together they started from the New York boat for the works at Elmwood, in an automobile which they had brought with them from New York. Mr. Bogle was in the act of putting on the chain which had been displaced at the rear of the vehicle when he died. The body was carried to the office of a physician nearby and superintendent Fred Lawton, of tile Gorham company, was notified. The medical examiner was summoned and pronounced the cause of death to have been heart failure.



Mr. Bogle was born in Knightsville, a suburb of this city, in 1849. After obtaining his early education in the Providence public schools he entered the employ of John Hawes, first as bookkeeper but a little later to learn the trade of machinist. He began his long term of service with the Gorham Mfg. Co., which continued from 1869 until his death, as a toolmaker. His evident ability was given recognition, and after being advanced from one position to another he was made master mechanic when he had been with the company about seven years. Through all of his 25 years in this responsible position he showed himself to be possessed of large executive faculty, keeping pace with the great growth of the concern with which he was connected. He was in charge of the planning and erection of the large factories which now comprise the Gorham works at Elmwood, and the task of moving the big plant from its old location at Canal, Steeple and N. Main Sts. was carried out under his direction. Many of the special machines for the making of silver ware, used exclusively by the Gorham Mfg. Co., were designed by him. His most recent large work was the installation of an electrical plant at the works. His wife and one son, Daniel, survive him.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 13th March 1901

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A school of jewelry designing has been started in North Attleboro by a public spirited citizen. Alpheus G. Green, for several years a designer for the Gorham Mfg. Co., has been placed in charge.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 20th March 1901

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The Gorham Company - New York - 1906

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A cigarette-box by Gorham:














Lion-Anchor-G - STERLING/4382

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