Information Regarding the Howard Sterling Company

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Howard Sterling Company - Providence, R.I. - 1892

'THE FIRST EMPIRE'

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Hiram Howard, of Howard & Son, takes a warm interest in the cause of industrial education. He was one of the original founders, and has been one of the staunchest supporters of the Rhode Island School of Design, and in him John Ward Stimson, of New York, the eminent advocate of the cause of the artist artisan, has found an admirer and friend. Mr. Howard is arranging to have the teachers of our Rhode Island school pay a visit to Mr. Stimson's Institute for Artist Artisans at his expense. The visit will be made about Thanks-giving time, and a thorough inspection of Mr. Stimson’s admirable methods will no doubt yield much in the way of encouragement and suggestion for our own workers in this field.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - December 1889

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Among the latest reports of corporations to the legislature are the following: Howard Sterling Co., successors to Howard & Son Co.: Capital stock paid in Dec. 31, 1892, $214,600; value of personal assets, $29,333 ; amount of debts and liabilities, $72,714 92; Hiram Howard, president; Stephen Howard, treasurer.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 22nd February 1893

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Howard Sterling Co. - Providence, R.I. - 1898

The 'QUEEN' pattern

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Howard Sterling Co. to Expand Their Business

Providence, R. I. April 2.—Joseph Banigan, president of the United States Rubber Co., a multi-millionaire and perhaps the most prominent commercial man in Rhode Island, has bought a large block of stock in the Howard Sterling Co., the capital stock of which has been increased to $300,000 with privilege of further increase to $350,000. The purpose of this increase in capitalization is to permit this enterprising young concern to erect a building perfectly adapted to their own business which will be appreciably expanded. Stephen C. Howard will assume the general managership of the business.

It is a fact worthy of remark that Joseph Banigan was originally a working jeweler, having worked at the bench in his youth side by side with Michael Fitzgerald, the prominent jewelry manufacturer of this city.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 3rd April 1895

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The Howard Sterling Co., of Providence, R. I., have filed with the Secretary of State of New York a certificate designating Chas. H. Machin 206 Broadway, as their New York agent.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 4th January 1893

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Howard Sterling Co. have been at work for some time upon the elegant silver trophy cup which was offered last June by the Country Club to the winner of an Agawam Hunt steeplechase.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 31st October 1894

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Howard Sterling Co. Sue to Protect Their Hexagon Pattern

Meriden, Conn., May 11.—A bill of complaint has been filed in the United States Circuit Court by the Howard Sterling Co., Providence, R. I., against the Silver City Plate Co., this city. Infringement of a patented bowl design is alleged. The Howard Sterling Co. some time ago patented a design for a hexagon bowl, which is used in a special solid silver tea set. The Silver City Plate Co. began manufacturing a tea set, using the hexagon bowl, and the company have been busy manufacturing these goods for over a year. They have had an excellent trade.

The Howard company notified the Silver City Plate Co. that they must stop making the design, as it was covered by patent. The Silver City Plate Co. were willing to do this, they say, but the Howard company claimed a $150 indemnity for damage already done. This the Silver Plate company refused to pay. Sheldon B. Beach, the treasurer of the Silver City Plate Co., said to a Meriden reporter that the suit would be fought to the end.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 26th May 1897

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Howard Sterling Company - Providence, R.I. - 1901

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United States trade mark registration for Howard Scherrieble, 12th July 1880:



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The firm of Howard, Scherrieble & Co. has been dissolved by mutual consent, Mr. Scherrieble retiring; the business will be continued by H. and S. C. Howard, under the firm name of Howard & Son.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - March 1884

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Howard & Son, manufacturers of the American lever sleeve buttons, have recently added to their already very large assortment of designs a line of sterling silver sleeve buttons which, from their novelty of design, are meeting with unusual success, as they are a departure from the antique heads which have been so long in the market. Among them we noticed several mythological subjects, comical Japanese heads, also designs of general interest, such as a correct representation of the well known yacht Puritan, a perfect likeness of Puck as he appears on the title page of the popular comic paper bearing that name, etc.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - November 1885

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One of the busiest silver ware houses today is the Howard Sterling Co., who are working both day and night to fill their orders. Mr. Zugsmith, who is in charge of the New York office, informs The Circular that the sale of hollow ware alone this year has been unprecedented in the history of the house, and that the company have in preparation more new goods for next year than ever before. “We are all greatly gratified,” Mr. Zugsmith continued, “that we have been able to maintain the former high standard of our wares and that we have made comparatively few light weight goods, our sales being principally on our best and heaviest pieces.”

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 23rd November 1898

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United States Patent Design



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DEATH OF HIRAM HOWARD


Providence, R. I., Mar. 6.—News was received here yesterday from Middlebury, Vt., to the effect that Hiram Howard, a retired jewelry manufacturer, who was also prominent in the silverware trade until a few years ago, had died at that town at the age of 67, The news caused profound regret among Mr. Howard’s many friends in this city, not only in the jewelry trade, but in political circles in which he was at one time very prominent. To the present generation of the trade he will be best remembered as the president of the Howard Sterling Co. (now the Roger Williams Silver Co.), but his career in the jewelry trade dates back long prior to the foundation of that concern; in fact, before the Civil War.





Hiram Howard was the son of Warner and Mary Taft Howard, and was born at West Woodstock, Conn., Nov. 26, 1840. The blood of some of the oldest settlers flowed in his veins, and he was distinctly a product of New England. After receiving his education at Dr. Cook’s school in Webster, Mass., he began his business career at the age of 18, coming from his home to this city, where he started in to learn the jewelry business. Beginning at the mechanical end of it he soon became proficient in his trade, and after working at the bench for a few years went into the business end. He came to New York and became connected with T. B. Bynner & Co., who then had an office under the St. Nicholas Hotel. When the Bynner firm dissolved Mr. Howard first went into the gold chain line, and then into the watch importing business with Mr. Nicoud under the firm name of Nicoud & Howard, who were located in Maiden Lane. While here he became interested in the manufacture of cheap jewelry, and formed the firm of Howard & Schreible and did a big business as the manufacturer of the American lever sleeve button.

Later on he went into the manufacture of silverware, first under the style of Howard & Co., with his son, Stephen C. Howard, associated with him, and finally the business was changed to the Howard Sterling Co. After Mr. Howard retired from this concern the business was reorganized as the Roger Williams Silver Co. Mr. Howard’s business career was interrupted during the Civil War by his enlisting in the Second New York Artillery in 1861. He held a commission as first and second lieutenant, and after faithful service was mustered out in 1864.

In addition! to his career as a business man Mr. Howard played an important part in public affairs. While in Providence he was prominent in the Democratic party and was elected to the General Assembly from that city in 1890 and 1891 ; prior to that date he had run for Mayor on the
Democratic ticket, and was defeated by a small majority. Among other public offices he had held was that of member of the Rhode Island Commissioner to the World’s Columbian Exposition at Chicago, and took a prominent part in the work of this commission.

Deceased was a member of many organizations in Providence and New York, among them the Advance Club, Providence Athletic Club and Providence Press Club, one of the oldest members of the New York Reform Club and was also a member of Trinity Church and Masonic fraternity. He is survived by a widow and one son, Stephen C. Howard, who is vice-president of the Wilcox & Wagoner Co.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 13th March 1907

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William H. Lonergan Appointed Manager of the Howard Sterling Co.

Providence, R. I., Jan. 7.—The Howard Sterling Co., this city, began the new year under new management and with the purpose of employing the most progressive methods to the end of greatly increasing the already large business of the concern.

William H. Lonergan, for several years manager of the Tilden-Thurber Co., the largest retail jewelry concern in the State, on Jan. 1 was appointed general manager of the Howard Sterling Co. He has already entered on his new duties, which are to consist of the direct, personal management of the business. The present officers of the corporation will continue as before, with John J. Connly, president, and Sullivan Ballou, treasurer.

Mr. Lonergan was connected with the Tilden-Thurber Co. for 10 years, entering their employ first as salesman in 1888. His services increased in value with his experience, and, as noted, he was made manager of the store some years ago. His first business training was gained in the large department store of the Callender, McAuslan & Troup Co. He was also for several years with C. Robert Linke, jeweler. That Tilden-Thurber Co. appreciated his administrative ability is evidenced by the beautiful gold cased watch, suitably inscribed, with which he was presented when he severed his connection with that concern. He was held in equally high regard by his associates. From the employes in the store he received a pleasing memento in the form of a pair of diamond link buttons and beautiful silver match case from the shipping department.

Mr. Lonergan purposes enlarging the already considerable business of the Howard Sterling Co. by the employment of intelligent business ideas until the firm shall take their place in the front rank in the silversmith’s trade.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 11th January 1899

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HIRAM HOWARD

Hiram Howard, a former well-known manufacturing jeweler in Providence, died March 4, 1907, at Middlebury, Vermont. He was born November 26, 1834, at Woodstock, Connecticut, the son of Warner and Mary (Taft) Howard and was connected with some of the best families in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut. He acquired his education in the public schools in Woodstock, in the academies of South Woodstock, Ashford and Eastford, Connecticut, and in the private school of Mr. Cook in Webster, Massachusetts. When eighteen years of age, he came to Providence and at first was employed by Moulton & Rodman as bookkeeper, but soon left them to learn the jeweler's trade. In 1857 he went to New York and, after having worked for Mr. T. B. Bynner, a jobbing jeweler, for one year, became a partner of the firm of T. B. Bynner & Co.

When the Civil War broke out he enlisted in 1861 in the Second Regiment of Artillery of New York Volunteers, serving as First Lieutenant and Adjutant in that regiment. Three years later when the regiment was honorably discharged, he again became the partner of Mr. Bynner and remained with him until 1874, when he was associated for a while with L. A. Kotzow & Co., but later went into partnership with a Mr. Nicoud as importers of watches under the firm name of Nicoud & Howard. In 1878 he went into the manufacturing jewelry business in Providence under the firm name of H. Howard & Co., and in 1884 admitted his son, Stephen C. Howard, as a partner in the business, changing the name of the firm to Howard & Son. In 1885 he decided to add a new branch to their line of product and the Howard Sterling Silverware Company was organized, with Mr. Howard as president. Several years later Mr. Howard retired from active business and the name of the firm was changed to the Roger Williams Silver Company.

Mr. Howard took much interest in public affairs and in 1889 was the Democratic candidate for Mayor. He was elected a member of the General Assembly in 1889 and 1890. He was a member of the Manufacturing Jewelers' Board of Trade, of the Reform Club of the city of New York, of the Providence Athletic Club, the Advance Club, and the Providence Press Club. In New York he was an active member of Trinity Church.

On April 18, 1854, Mr. Howard married Mary Kenyon, the daughter of the late Stephen C. Kenyon. His wife and only son survive him.

Source: Proceedings of the Rhode Island Historical Society - 1908

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Silver Company Reorganized

Howard Sterling Co. Put on a Firm Financial Basis as the Howard Sterling Silver Co.

Providence, R. I., May 18.—The first step in the reorganization of the Howard Sterling Co. was taken this week when articles were filed at the office of the Secretary of State for the incorporation of the Howard Sterling Silver Co.; with a capital stock of $125,000. The names appearing on the articles as incorporators were W. Howard Ellis; Walter H. Barney and Francis J. McCanna. Mr. Ellis was for some time bookkeeper in the office of the Howard Sterling Co., 7 Eddy St. Mr. Barney is a prominent attorney of this city and Mr McCanna is also an attorney with offices with Mr. Barney, who is said to be counsel for John J. Banigan. Mr. Banigan is manager of the large estate in this city of the late Joseph Banigan, the millionaire rubber manufacturer. It will be remembered that the Howard Sterling Co. were owned practically in their entirety by the Banigan estate in this city and the Loring estate of Boston.

At the receiver's sale, held April 20, the property was purchased for $87,000 by Frank M. Tyler, a Boston attorney, who stated at the time that he was acting for Col. Francis M. Edwards, of Boston. The only other bidder at the sale was Francis J. McCanna, whose name now appears as one of the incorporators of the reorganized company. The receivership does not end until after May 23, an order issued from the United States Circuit Court having limited the time during which creditors might present proofs of their claims to the receiver, Birney J. Parsons, to the date mentioned. It is understood that the explanation of the negotiations which have been under way during the receivership will prove to be that the Loring interests in the Howard Sterling Co. have been purchased by John J. Banigan and that he now has sole control.

Mr. Banigan was asked to say something to The Circular-Weekly representative concerning the reorganization.

“You are three or four days ahead of time,” he said pleasantly. “The new company is not organized yet. We shall have a meeting for organization the latter part of next week, and if you will call then I shall be very glad to tell you about it. There is really nothing to say to-day.”

It is certain that with Mr. Banigan at the head the new Howard Sterling Silver Co. will not be hampered by any lack of capital. He is several times a millionaire in his own right and is accustomed to the management of large financial interests.

The equipment of the Howard Sterling Co. was known to be hardly excelled for completeness, and its product ranked with the finest lines of silverware produced anywhere in the country, the designs being modern and attractive and the workmanship of the best. It is stated that the business has been conducted at a good profit in the hands of the receiver, and there is every reason to predict a successful future for the reorganized company when it shall have been accomplished and the business is established on a firm basis and conducted along aggressive lines, as it undoubtedly will be.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 22nd May 1901

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Mr. W. C. Parks, for the last five years a representative of Stanley Bros., will succeed his brother, George W., as agent for E. I. Franklin & Co. George W. Parks will hereafter represent Howard & Son.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - March 1887

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The Sterling Company - Providence, R.I. - 1891

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