Snippets of Information Regarding the Gorham Company

[dognose]

PROVIDENCE

Arthur E. Clark, superintendent of machinery at the Gorham Mfg. Co., is receiving the congratulations of his numerous friends on his marriage last Saturday afternoon to Miss Mary Howard, of this city.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 4th December 1912

Trev.

[dognose]

F. A. TAYLOR RESIGNS

Ill Health Causes President of Gorham Mfg. Co. and Silversmiths Co. to Give Up Work—Is Made Chairman of the Directors of the Holding Company

Providence, R. I., May 26.—Franklin A. Taylor, who succeeded John S. Holbrook as president of the Gorham Mfg. Co. and the Silversmiths Co. at the annual meeting two years ago, has resigned from those positions, as well as from the presidency of the Gorham company. His resignation was read at the meeting of the directors held on Wednesday, ill health being the reason for this action. The resignation was accepted with regret, but no successor was elected. The only statement that would be given at the corporation’s offices at the Elmwood plant was the fact that the resignation had been submitted and accepted.

In order, however, that the benefit of his experience and knowledge of the business may be retained for the benefit of these and afiliated companies, Mr. Taylor has been elected chairman of the board of directors of the Silversmiths Co. The Silversmiths Co. is the holding corporation which owns or controls the stock of the Gorham Mfg. Co., the Whiting Mfg. Co., the William B. Durgin Co. and the William B. Kerr Co.

Mr. Taylor, who returned to New York last week after a meeting of the directors, at Providence, confirmed the report of his resignation in an interview with a representative of The Jewelers’ Circular Friday. He explained that though he had apparently benefited greatly from the rest he had taken after his previous attack (which caused him to go away to the south for several months under the doctor’s care), the cure had not been permanent and he found himself suffering another attack while in the midst of his work early last week. It had become a question with him of quitting work entirely at once or seriously endangering his health permanently.

He explained that the new position of the chairman of the Board of Directors of the Silversmith Co. (the holding company controlling the stock of the Gorham Mfg. Co., Wm, B. Kerr Co., Wm. B. Durgin Co., Whiting Mfg. Co., etc.) had been created for him, as the directors felt that thereby they could get the benefit of the experience he had had in directing their affairs in the past few years. He did not expect his duties to be arduous in this regard, and he was now going away to the country for several months for a complete rest.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 30th May 1923

Trev.

[dognose]

Edmund A. Truelove, with the Gorham Mfg. Co., has been elected treasurer of the British Club of Rhode Island.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 19th January 1921

Trev.

[dognose]

The office employes of the Gorham Mfg. Co. held their second Hallowe’en party and dance in the Casino last Friday evening, the dance which continued from 8 o’clock until midnight, being under the direction of Albert A. Wainwright. Prizes for the best costumes were awarded by the judge’s committee consisting of E. C. Mayo, president of the corporation, P. F. Martin and Mrs. C. Deacon. A song and dance entertainment was furnished by children of Frederick Brown, the company electrician and Robert I. Durfee led the grand march which began the evening.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 4th November 1925

Trev.

[dognose]

PROVIDENCE

Mr. Albert H. Pierce, for many years connected with the Gorham Manufacturing Co., died on Monday the 26th ultimo., of heart and kidney disease, at his residence in this city after a short and painful illness.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - May 1888

Trev.

[dognose]

THE ATLANTA CUP




The Atlanta cup, standing at 37 inches in height, not including the ebony base, was presented by Mr. Jay Gould, to the steam yacht making the fastest time over the American Yacht Club course, for three successive years without time allowance, was manufactured by the Gorham Manufacturing Company in 1888.

Trev.

[dognose]

The Gorham Mfg. Co., Providence, R. I., made the silver tea and coffee sets presented recently to Dr. J. H. White, of the United States Public Health and Marine Hospital Service, New Orleans, La., by the citizens of that city. The services were supplied through A. B. Griswold, the New Orleans jeweler, and are very beautiful. The decoration of the tea service is of the Renaissance style, the chasing being especially notable. The waiter is very artistically finished with the flower symbols of the four seasons. The coffee set is likewise a very fine example of the silversmiths’ art.

Source: The Keystone - May 1906

Trev.

[dognose]

The Gorham Company - New York - 1924

'COLFAX'

Trev.

[dognose]

A Beautiful Silver Service



A pretty custom, which usage has made almost imperative, is the presentation of silver services to our warships by the States and cities after which they are named. The State of South Dakota has followed the custom in presenting a handsome service to the new armored cruiser of that name. This service was designed and made by the Gorham Mfg. Co., Providence, R. I., and is remarkable for art and aptness of the design and the beauty of the execution. It consists of thirty-two pieces, including a punch bowl and ladle with plateau and twenty-four cups, two candelabra, one soup tureen, sugar bowl and cream pitcher. The design Is symbolical of the sea and South Dakota and is highly artistic in conception.

The punch bowl is 14 inches high, 18 inches wide and has a capacity of 36 pints. The body is surmounted with a grape border well rolled over, and on each side is an etched farming scene. The ornamental border includes dolphins, corn, wheat and other articles. At the top is the seal of South Dakota, and on the other side the seal of the United States Navy Department. Two massive handles of buffalo heads, modeled from a picture in the office of the governor of the State, serve to still further complete the identification with South Dakota, The feet form a strong feature, being large and strongly chased with dolphins as a firm support to the body. Between the feet are mounted shells, seaweed and other articles. The base is finished with a rope. At the top of the handle of the ladle is the portrait of an Indian chief.

The plateau or waiter is 25 inches long. In the center is an etching of the cruiser, with an inscription which shows the set to have been given by the State of South Dakota, It is surmounted by a massive border, on two sides of which are seals of the State and of the Navy, ornamented by corn and wheat, oak and laurel. The two massive handles are formed with entwined dolphins, shells and other emblems of the sea. The mining scene on the punch bowl is from a photograph of the great Homestead mine in the Black Hills, and the artesian well scene is from a picture of such a well in the eastern part of the State.

The soup tureen is in keeping with the other pieces, the body having an ornamental shield, with scenes of a buffalo and stag etched on it. The handles are surmounted with eagles and a shield. The cover is shelled, and the handle is formed by two dolphins, entwined. The foot is made to match the other pieces with dolphins and sea objects. The sugar and cream jug have etched subjects of sporting and fishing, The two candelabra are each to light, standing 24 inches high, and are very finely proportioned, The arrangement of the branches is very pleasing. Where they join the body they are surmounted by three eagles, and on the standard or upright are three steers, identifying the State with cattle raising. Between each is a scene of oil wells. The base is in keeping with the other pieces. The 24 cups have the State seal, corn and other objects, and the handles are formed with dolphins. The foot of each cup has shell decoration.

Source: The Keystone - May 1904

Trev.

[dognose]

The Gorham Co. - New York - 1915

Trev.

[dognose]

The Birmingham News silver loving cup for the year 1925 is on display at the retail jewelry store of Reid Lawson, Inc., and is a work of art. The design for the cup was selected personally by Mr. Lawson. The cup contains 110 ounces of silver. It is 21¼ inches high without the base and 27½ inches high with the base. It is 34 inches across the handles from tip to tip. The cup was made by the Gorham Co. and cost $500. Soon after New Years the cup will be presented by a committee composed of members of the civic clubs and other organizations of the city, to that man or woman who in the opinion of the committee has rendered the most unselfish good to Birmingham during the year, 1925.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 23rd December 1925

Trev.

[dognose]

John Patitto, 22 years of age, a filer in the employ of the Gorham Mfg. Co., at its plant at Elmwood, was arrested by Patrolman Shea of police headquarters a few days ago on a charge of larceny of sterling silver sheets valued at $5.75. He was given a special arraignment before Judge Gorham in the Sixth District Court and was fined $20 and costs after pleading guilty. According to the police, Patitto was working at the bench when the foreman detected him slipping sheets of the silver inside his trousers. He notified the police and upon the arrival of Patrolman Shea, Patitto was searched. About 6¾ ounces of silver were found on his person.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 5th December 1917

Trev.

[dognose]

During the last few days two of the oldest employes of the Gorham Mfg. Co. have died, Silas A. A. Hemenway, aged 86 years, and John E. Bullock, aged 70 years. Mr. Bullock died suddenly on Weybosset St. last Friday forenoon as he was walking along the street. He was taken ill, and sat down in a doorway, but when the ambulance from the hospital arrived he was dead. He had been employed at the Gorham plant for a number of years. Silas A, A. Hemenway, an expert die and tool-maker for more than a quarter of a century, died of heart disease at his late home, 405 Potters Ave., this city, last Friday afternoon. He was born in Shrewsbury, Mass., and when four years of age came to this city. He was employed, while learning his trade, in the Springfield Arsenal, at Springfield, Mass., for a time, and later was with the Franklin Machine Co. here. He then entered the tool department of the Gorham Mfg. Co., and after 25 years’ service was placed on the pension list some 13 years ago. He belonged to Hope Lodge of Odd Fellows, and was a member of the Mathewson St. Methodist Church. He is survived by his widow, two nephews and a niece.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 31st March 1915

Trev.

[dognose]

The Gorham Mfg. Co. has just concluded the consolidation of its two chasing departments and has appointed Robert Bain at the head of the new department. Mr. Bain has been with the company several years, and is considered one of the most expert chasers in this country.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 31st March 1915

Trev.