Information Regarding the Rockford Silver Plate Co.

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Wm. Rogers Mfg. Co. Win a Suit Against the Rockford Silver Plate Co.

Chicago, Ill., May 3 . — April 9th, the Wm. Rogers Mfg. Co., Hartford, Conn., filed a bill of complaint in the United States Circuit Court for the Northern District of Illinois against the Rockford Silver Plate Co., charging infringement of trade mark and praying for a permanent injunction. The bill was supported by a number of affidavits, chief among which were those of William H. Watrous, president and manager of the Wm. Rogers Mfg. Co., and George D. Munson, traveler for this company.

Mr. Watrous states the Rockford company have long been in the habit and still are, of stamping their better goods with a trademark of which their name is a part, and use upon a certain inferior grade of their flat ware the word “ Rogers.” There is a piano tuner in Rockford by the name of Chas. G. Rogers, and various wares have been stamped “Chas. Rogers” and “ Charles Rogers,” to the detriment of plaintiffs. Mr. Watrous claims, also, that the goods thus stamped by the Rockford company are of inferior quality and that the marks would cause the goods to be known as Rogers goods, and enable unscrupulous and careless dealers to palm off the goods to purchasers desiring to obtain goods made by the plaintiffs. Mr. Munson’s affidavit is lengthy and relates to his knowledge of the infringement and details of trademarks, labels and markings.

The bill of complaint details the origin of the Wm. Rogers Mfg. Co. and their trademarks and the quality of goods. The use of the word “ Rogers ” by the defendants, it is claimed, was for the sole purpose of availing themselves of the benefit of the high reputation of plaintiffs’ wares.

The court in its decision finds the material allegations in the bill of complaint true; that the defendants have unlawfully and without any right been infringing on the rights of complainants, and that complainants are entitled to the perpetual injunction prayed for and to payment of damages. The court, therefore, to-day decreed that “The Rockford Silver Plate Co., C. B. Bogue, O. G. Meacham and Charles Rogers, their officers, agents, attorneys, servants and workmen, be and they hereby are perpetually enjoined and restrained from making, or causing to be made, or marking, or selling, or in any manner disposing of any silver-plated ware, knives, spoons, forks, or any other silver-plated ware, either hollow or flat, stamped with the marks or names ‘ Chas. Rogers’ or ‘ Charles Rogers ’ or any other mark containing the word ‘ Rogers,’ and from using any such stamp, mark, or name upon or in connection with silver-plated tableware.”

The defendants are ordered to pay the sum of $250 damages and costs of suit.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 8th May 1895

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ROCKFORD

The Rockford Silver Plate Co. will furnish the silverware for the new Nelson Hotel, now in process of erection.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 2nd March 1892

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EDWARD TAYLOR





Edward Taylor, the secretary and treasurer of the Rockford Silver Plate Company, is a native of Massachusetts, his birth having there occurred in 1863. He pursued his education in the public schools and when quite young removed to Michigan with his parents, where he continued his studies. Later he returned to his native state, where he entered upon his business career as an employe in the Pairpoint Manufacturing Company, of New Bedford, Massachusetts. In 1891 he went to San Francisco, California, where he established a branch business for his firm and after placing this upon a substantial footing he returned to the old Bay state. and subsequently accepted a position with the Holmes & Edwards Silver Company, of Bridgeport, Connecticut. He continued with that house until May, 1890, when he took charge of the Rockford Silver Plate Company and here he became a stockholder in the enterprise and soon afterward was elected secretary and treasurer, which positions he has since filled in a most creditable manner. Under the management of Mr. Taylor a number of valuable improvements have been made. The business has been enlarged and the sales have been increased until the industry is recognized as one of the substantial productive enterprises of Rockford, contributing in no small degree to the commercial prosperity of the city. The works were established in 1883, having been removed to this city from Racine, Wisconsin. Local parties became interested therein and the company is capitalized for one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars. The present officers are Hon. William Lathrop, president, and Edward Taylor, secretary and treasurer. A four-story building was erected especially for this business, was equipped with the latest improved machinery and with steam power and about one hundred operatives are employed in the factory. They do all kinds of plating of tableware, cutlery specialties, and novelties. The majority of workmen are skilled in their line and the output of the house is of such a desirable character that a ready market is secured for the product at home and abroad.

Mr. Taylor was married in 1889 to Miss Georgia H. Bradley, and they make their home at No. 962 North Church street. Mr. Taylor is prominent in Masonry, having attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He is popular socially as well as in business circles and in the latter has made a creditable name and an honorable record. His entire life has been devoted to the line of activity which still claims his attention and by a thorough understanding of the work, close application, unremitting diligence and devotion to the interests entrusted to him he worked his way steadily upward and has achieved the success which classes him with the “captains of industry” in this city.

Source: Past and Present of the City of Rockford and Winnebago County, Illinois - Charles A. Church - 1905

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The National Cutlery Co. Will Likely Locate in Rockford

Rockford, Ill., Nov. 13.—It has been reported that the National Cutlery Co., recently organized, would probably be located in Milwaukee, but Secretary Kelley, of the Rockford Silver Plate Co., says there is still a good chance of its being located here. The papers were sent from Rockford with $25,000 subscriptions from local parties. A meeting was held in Milwaukee and a desirable site was offered the company with a prospect of $25,000 of its capital taken, outside of the $22,000 subscribed by three of the syndicate who reside in Chicago and Milwaukee. This would secure the location in Milwaukee.

It was, however, found necessary to make some change in the application for incorporation. A new application was forwarded and a license is expected this week. The application is very broad. Not only can the company make and sell flat ware and cutlery blanks, plated and unplated, but such other goods and wares as the corporation may determine.

As the company had its development in this city the non-resident owners have consented, if the eight members and their friends here will take $35,000 of stock, that they shall have the first choice of location. From carefully compiled figures and an order in hand from the Meriden Cutlery Co. for the entire output, the gentlemen interested have no doubt the company will be successful and pay handsome dividends. Only about 25 per cent, of the subscriptions will be called for this year.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 15th November 1893

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Rockford Silver Plate Co. - Rockford, Ill. - 1906

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Edward Taylor, of the Rockford Silver Plate Company, Rockford, Ill., has been spending some time in the New England states on a business trip.

Source: The Metal Industry - February 1906

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In a late Eastern trip, Mr. Copeland, superintendent of the Rockford Silver Plate Company, Rockford. Ill., and Edward Taylor, of the same company, made a round of the Eastern factories in the plating line and found a most cheerful and hopeful feeling among the the trade in regard to business prospects in 1906.

Source: The Metal Industry - March 1906

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G. S. Bartholomew, foreman of the Rockford Silver Plate Co., has given up his position and removed to Aurora.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 24th July 1895

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ROCKFORD

S. Fletcher Coan, for years an employe of the Rockford Silver Plate Co., and one of the best known traveling representatives, has severed his connection with the company. Mr. Coan has purchased a wholesale stationery business here.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 24th July 1895

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Rockford Silver Plate Co. - Rockford, Ill. - 1907

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Fourth Annual Convention of the American National Retail Jewelers’ Association

Omaha, Nebraska




The display of the Rockford Silver Plate Co. was one of the largest in the hall and showed a fine line of flat ware and hollow ware, the Rosemary pattern being especially featured. A beautiful line of loving cups, punch bowls and solid copper ware added greatly to the exhibit. Silver cups were given as souvenirs. The exhibit was in charge of C. B. Wilhite and C. J. Taggart.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 11th August 1909

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Rockford Silver Plate Co. - Rockford, Ill. - 1909

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G. B. Kelley, general manager of the Rockford Silver Plate Co., Rockford, Ill., has been in Meriden for a visit for a few days. The Rockford Co. are doing a fine business, he says, and Mr. Kelley is looking for a new superintendent to take charge of the manufacturing department of the concern.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 25th January 1899

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At the annual meeting of the Rockford Silver Plate Co. it was shown that the past year was a very prosperous one. The dividend of 8 per cent, declared amounts to $12,000. John H. Sherratt, George E. Knight and J. S. Ticknor were elected members of the board of directors. The company are contemplating extensive improvements in their plant. They will also open a salesroom in Chicago.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 1st February 1893

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Rockford Silver Plate Company - Rockford, Ill. - Undated

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DEATH OF WM. B. BARBOUR

Prominent Rockford, Ill, Business Man Passes Away at His Home in That City


Rockford, Ill., Feb. 2.—William Blakney Barbour, president of the Rockford Silver Plate Co., and a pioneer business man who contributed much to the welfare and progress of this city during his continuous residence of 62 years, answered the summons to the life beyond at his home, after an illness of but one week of pneumonia.

Mr. Barbour was born in Ireland in 1848 of a patrician ancestry of which he was very proud. When 10 years of age he came to this city and entered the employ of the late Charles W. Brown and Harry N. Starr, dry goods merchants, whom in later years he and his brother, the late John C. Barbour, bought out and succeeded.

For many years the firm of Barbour Bros, conducted a successful dry goods business on S. Main St., the pair of gilded lions in front of their store being long its widely known trade mark. Deceased retired from mercantile pursuits a number of years ago to devote his attention to his other business interests.

He was treasurer and later president of the Rockford Insurance Co. before its absorption by other interests in that line and at the time of his passing and for a number of years previous he was president of the Rockford Silver Plate Works. When baseball first invaded the west and the Forest City club of Rockford was organized, Mr. Barbour was its business manager, engaged its players, bringing to notice some of the most brilliant stars in the early days of the sport, and conducted the Forest Citys in 1870 through Canada and the principal cities of the east on what was the first tour of the east undertaken by any western team.

On Nov. 17, 1873, at Janesville, Mr. Barbour married Miss Gertrude Helen McKee, a daughter of Edward McKee, a prominent merchant of the Wisconsin city. Two children were born of this union, both of whom died in infancy. He is survived by the widow, a niece, Mrs. Charles Collier of Rochelle, Ill., and two nephews. Dr. W. B. Barbour, of Los Angeles, Cal., and John C. Barbour of Arizona.

Kindly of disposition, quiet of manner and knightly in courtesy, Mr. Barbour invested his life and all his accumulations in Rockford, in whose future he had the sublime faith which actuated the pioneers who laid the foundations for the present thriving city.

For many years Mr. Barbour was warden of Emmanuel Episcopal Church and contributed liberally to every movement for the welfare of the community. He was an affectionate husband, a loyal friend and a citizen who measured up to the highest standards as a patriot and a man. He made only friends on his journey through life and the world is better because he lived, strove and gave his best to the performance of his duties as it was given him to see the light.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 9th February 1921

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Rockford Silver Plate Company - Rockford, Ill. - 1909

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Rockford Silver Plate Co. - Rockford, Ill. - 1885

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At a recent meeting of the stockholders of the Rockford Silver Plate Co., Rockford, Ill., L. A. Littlefield, for many years engaged in the silver business in New Bedford, Mass., was elected secretary and general manager. Mr. Littlefield succeeds the late Edward Taylor as director and manager of the entire business of the corporation. After the death of Mr. Taylor, Mr. Littlefield became superintendent of the Rockford Silver Plate Co., discontinuing his business at New Bedford.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 20th October 1909

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Rockford Silver Plate Co. - Rockford, Ill. - 1899

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