Simons Bros. Co., Philadelphia, Gold Thimble Manufacturers, Celebrate 100th Anniversary
PHILADELPHIA—It is probably not too great a speculation to say that almost every adult American has at some time in his life seen a Simons thimble, for the manufacturing jewelry firm of Simons Bros. Co., at 269 S. 9th St., this year marks its 100th anniversary, and throughout the years the thimble has been its principal manufacture.
While the thimble has been the staple item of manufacturing since 1839 when George W. Simons began making them in gold and silver, the firm has always kept pace with the demands of the day. It is interesting to note that in Civil War days the firm had as one of its specialties the manufacture of fine presentation swords.
Gold pencils and gold-headed canes were also a big part of the business in the early days. Later were added lines of gems, silverware, watches and optical goods, and in 1863 the firm occupied the old Jones Hotel, which for a long time had been the leading and most fashionable hotel of the city, and made its place a bazaar where jewelers could do all their buying.
It was about this time that Peter B. Simons, who had become a partner with his brother in 1853, retired from the firm, and the founder installed his four sons, John F., George W., Jr., Frederick M. and Edwin S. Simons as partners.
At the time of Frederick Simons’ death, March, 1935, his daughter, Lillian Lesley Simons, entered the business. Today Miss Simons and the able staff associated with Mr. Simons for many years, are carrying on the business. The present employes have service records ranging from ten to 51 years, and in several cases they are of the third generation to have served at the same bench.
In addition to thimbles the firm today makes identification bracelets, charms and solid gold chain and link necklaces and bracelets.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular-Keystone - March 1939
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Information Regarding Simons, Bro. & Co.
Re: Information Regarding Simons, Bro. & Co.
Wm. Davis and Chas. L. Clegg, 616 Chestnut St., have formed a partnership. Mr. Davis some few years year bought out the retail silverware, cut glass ware, bric-a-brac and clock departments of Simons Bro. & Co. Mr. Clegg was proprietor of the fraternity jewelry department. These departments will hereafter be controlled by the firm of Davis & Clegg.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 20th July 1904
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Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 20th July 1904
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Re: Information Regarding Simons, Bro. & Co.
Death of Edwin S. Simons
Widely Known Jewelry Manufacturer Succumbs to Heart Attack
The announcement last week that Edwin S. Simons, for many years a leading factor in the jewelry and silver industry, had passed away came as a distinct shock to thousands of friends throughout the industry, for he had apparently been in excellent health up to the time of his demise. Mr. Simons’ death occurred at his home, 140 E. 56th St., New York, early Saturday morning, Jan. 26, as a result of a heart attack. The funeral services were held Tuesday, at 10 a. m., at the Brick Presbyterian Church, Fifth Ave. and 387th St., and the remains were taken to Princeton, N. J., for interment.
Deceased, who was one of the best known and most popular members of the industry of the East, was a native of Philadelphia, and was born on July 28, 1861. He received his education at the Rugby Academy and at Princeton University, graduating from the former in 1878 and becoming a member of the Class of 1882 at Princeton. He was forced to leave college in his senior year, since he was needed in the jewelry business which his family had established many years before, known as Simons Bro. & Co., but he was so highly esteemed by his classmates and the authorities of the college that on the occasion of the 10th reunion of the class in 1892 he was given his degree, a very rare event. In fact, he had always been an outstanding member of this class, and was its secretary for many years.
The business in which Mr. Simons entered, which was controlled by his family, was an old and prominent one of Philadelphia, and he devoted his entire business life to the interest of the company. Originally the company manufactured silverware, and especially silver toilet articles, and also were prominent as manufacturers of thimbles. In 1911 the business was reorganized as the Simons Bros. Co., and continued the manufacturing of thimbles of all kinds, in which it had long been prominent.
Mr. Simons represented his firm in New York for many years, and became widely known to the jewelers not only of the metropolis but throughout the country. Of recent years his office has been at 13 Maiden Lane, and here he remained up until his retirement last May. In June he went abroad for a pleasure trip, and traveled throughout the Continent until December, and it was of this trip he told some most interesting anecdotes at the recent convention of the Brotherhood of Traveling Jewelers in New York, of which he was a prominent member.
Mr. Simons was known to his friends as a gentleman in every sense of the word—a man of culture and refinement, of a kindly nature and considerate of others in all his dealings, not only in social but in business life as well. He was possessed of a charming personality, which made strong and lasting friendships for him wherever he went, and his passing is considered a deep personal loss to all who knew him.
Deceased is survived by a widow, Elizabeth MacLaren Simons, and two sons, Donald M. and John Farr Simons, neither of whom are connected with the jewelry trade.
Mr. Simons had been in excellent health until about four years ago, when he was taken ill with pneumonia, at which time it was thought his heart became weakened, but he showed no symptoms of serious illness of any kind until the attack Saturday, which proved fatal.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 31st January 1929
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Widely Known Jewelry Manufacturer Succumbs to Heart Attack
The announcement last week that Edwin S. Simons, for many years a leading factor in the jewelry and silver industry, had passed away came as a distinct shock to thousands of friends throughout the industry, for he had apparently been in excellent health up to the time of his demise. Mr. Simons’ death occurred at his home, 140 E. 56th St., New York, early Saturday morning, Jan. 26, as a result of a heart attack. The funeral services were held Tuesday, at 10 a. m., at the Brick Presbyterian Church, Fifth Ave. and 387th St., and the remains were taken to Princeton, N. J., for interment.
Deceased, who was one of the best known and most popular members of the industry of the East, was a native of Philadelphia, and was born on July 28, 1861. He received his education at the Rugby Academy and at Princeton University, graduating from the former in 1878 and becoming a member of the Class of 1882 at Princeton. He was forced to leave college in his senior year, since he was needed in the jewelry business which his family had established many years before, known as Simons Bro. & Co., but he was so highly esteemed by his classmates and the authorities of the college that on the occasion of the 10th reunion of the class in 1892 he was given his degree, a very rare event. In fact, he had always been an outstanding member of this class, and was its secretary for many years.
The business in which Mr. Simons entered, which was controlled by his family, was an old and prominent one of Philadelphia, and he devoted his entire business life to the interest of the company. Originally the company manufactured silverware, and especially silver toilet articles, and also were prominent as manufacturers of thimbles. In 1911 the business was reorganized as the Simons Bros. Co., and continued the manufacturing of thimbles of all kinds, in which it had long been prominent.
Mr. Simons represented his firm in New York for many years, and became widely known to the jewelers not only of the metropolis but throughout the country. Of recent years his office has been at 13 Maiden Lane, and here he remained up until his retirement last May. In June he went abroad for a pleasure trip, and traveled throughout the Continent until December, and it was of this trip he told some most interesting anecdotes at the recent convention of the Brotherhood of Traveling Jewelers in New York, of which he was a prominent member.
Mr. Simons was known to his friends as a gentleman in every sense of the word—a man of culture and refinement, of a kindly nature and considerate of others in all his dealings, not only in social but in business life as well. He was possessed of a charming personality, which made strong and lasting friendships for him wherever he went, and his passing is considered a deep personal loss to all who knew him.
Deceased is survived by a widow, Elizabeth MacLaren Simons, and two sons, Donald M. and John Farr Simons, neither of whom are connected with the jewelry trade.
Mr. Simons had been in excellent health until about four years ago, when he was taken ill with pneumonia, at which time it was thought his heart became weakened, but he showed no symptoms of serious illness of any kind until the attack Saturday, which proved fatal.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 31st January 1929
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