E. C. Stearns & Company
Encyclopedia
E. C. Stearns & Company was a manufacturer of tools and hardware
in Syracuse, New York
and was organized in 1864 as George N. Stearns Company by George N. Stearns
, a wagon maker. During the early years, the company was principally involved in the production of hollow iron tools and specialties, hollow augers
, and saw vises.
After George N. Stearns
encountered health problems in 1877, son Edward C. Stearns
, an industrialist, along with his sister, Avis Stearns Van Wagenen
assumed duties and renamed the company. By 1884, the firm manufactured iron castings and skilled machinists produced patterns for metal fabrication. At the end of the 19th century, the company was one of the most extensive manufactories of hardware in the United States
, and was one of the leading manufacturing industries of Syracuse
.
founded several other manufacturing plants in Syracuse
including E. C. Stearns Bicycle Agency
,(1893-1899) Wholesale Bi-steam Carriage Company and Stearns Automobile Company which was originally founded as Stearns Steam Carriage Company
. The company also produced typewriters for a period of ten years beginning in 1905 under the name Stearns Typewriter Company.
was the son of George N. Stearns
, a wagon maker, who also invented several tools and patented many of his innovations including a boring and mortising machine and auger
. He was born in Syracuse
on July 12, 1856 and was the youngest of seven children born to Delilah Taylor and the elder Stearns.
About 1860, the George N. Stearns
began manufacturing his patented devices under his own name and he established himself in a "small but complete works." During 1864, he incorporated as George N. Stearns Company and relocated to a small building the firm erected at 116 Cedar Street in Syracuse
. The company was principally involved in the production of hollow augers
.
The business grew quickly and Stearns was "soon able to send his own traveling men on the road, instead of allowing a few large jobbers to monopolize the sale of his goods." Edward C. Stearns
was the head salesman and during the early years spent much time traveling continually to the "principal cities of the Union."
Edward C. Stearns
, along with his sister, Avis Stearns Van Wagenen
(then Mrs. Avis Mead), assumed the duties of the company in 1877 and a new co-partnership was formed after their father experienced health problems. The company name was changed to E. C. Stearns & Company.
George N. Stearns
died on July 19, 1882 in Syracuse.
and western shipments were made from that point.
By 1884, E. C. Stearns & Company produced light gray iron castings. The firm's skilled machinists offered services such as pattern making and Japanning
.
After experiencing rapid growth of the business, the hardware line was expanded to include; saw vises, parlor sliding door hangers, band setters, spoke shaves and pointers, to name a few.
For several years after, new buildings were added to the facility each year, and at one time, the company was one of the most extensive manufactories of hardware in the country, and was one of the leading manufacturing industries of Syracuse
.
By 1891, the firm provided employment to 350 men and turned out among other specialties ten distinct styles of patent parlor sliding door hangers, barn door hangers, a number of different kinds of patented locks, barn door locks, window and door screens, door and window screen frames, hinges, adjustable stove-pipe thimbles, adjustable screw and door frame clamps, vises, spoke shaves and pointers, jack screws, hollow augers, cast-iron stable hay racks and feed boxes, saw vises, bench drills, mallets, chisel handles, lawn mowers, iron sinks, and stable fixtures, etc.
, machine shop and wood shop were in full operation.
During 1884, proprietor, Edward C. Stearns
, lived close by and was a "boarder" at the corner of Rust and Tallman streets.
The buildings were all constructed of brick, well lighted, and conveniently arranged for manufacturing purposes. All of the buildings were outfitted with costly machinery, much of which had been designed and built by the firm for their special use. All tools and appliances used in the manufactory were considered the very best quality.
The plant utilized in 1891 in the manufacture of various hardware specialties consisted of the following buildings:
By November 1895, the landscape in the vicinity of E. C. Stearns cycle works is of "decidedly changing quality." Each year since the company first engaged in bicycle building some enlargement of the facilities took place rendered necessary by the "continually increasing demand for its product." Two new buildings were erected in 1897, a "paint tower" and "power house." The tower was one of the highest in the city. In addition, a four-story brick building was under construction. The lower floor was designed for the new offices of the firm, which more than doubled the size of the company's former quarters.
where the company had established a branch office.
manufacturers, the firm benefited from the expansion policy of the country. Large shipments of lawn mowers and other articles having been made to Germany
, England
and other foreign countries.
. Stearns, ever innovative, moved to automobile production and built his first automobile in 1899, an electric. The automobile firm sold so few models through 1900 that they reverted to steam power in 1901. The Stearns enterprise was known as Wholesale Bi-steam Carriage Company and Stearns Automobile Company which was also called Stearns Steam Carriage Company
.
The machine actually took several years of work to get ready for market due to the complex design of the tabulator
which employed a circular housing around the mainspring containing numbered notches that matched "space for space" with actual carriage travel. This ensured that stops for the decimal tabulator placed in the notches thus corresponded to carriage position.
The design was quite advanced for its day and August Schneeloch who filed with the patent office in May 1902, was finally granted U.S. patent #844756 in February 1907.
The company manufactured the machine for approximately 10 years, ending production around 1915.
, Avis Stearns Van Wagenen
and Herbert E. Maslin, vice-president, who was born in Hinsdale, Illinois
and educated in Aurora, Illinois
. Maslin was also president of the Cycle Board of Trade and vice-president of The Tinkham Company. He was manager of American Bicycle Company and a member of the Engineer's Club of New York City
and Century Syracuse.
By May 1896, Edward Carl Stearns
announced his retirement from E. C. Stearns & Company. He had been engaged in the business for twenty years after he purchased his father's interest. Stearns was replaced by Herbert E. Maslin who was "very prominent in the cycling world."
His son, John Edward Stearns, was secretary of the company in 1929 and had been in "active charge" of the business since the elder Stearns retired several years earlier.
By 1954, the company was marketing a "reel-type" mower.
Builders hardware
Builders' hardware, or just builders hardware, is a group of metal hardware specifically used for protection, decoration, and convenience in buildings. Building products do not make any part of a building, rather they support them and make them work. It usually supports fixtures like windows,...
in Syracuse, New York
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
and was organized in 1864 as George N. Stearns Company by George N. Stearns
George N. Stearns
George Noble Stearns was a tool designer and founded the George N. Stearns Company, a hardware business, in 1860 in Syracuse, New York....
, a wagon maker. During the early years, the company was principally involved in the production of hollow iron tools and specialties, hollow augers
Auger
An auger is a drilling device, or drill bit, that usually includes a rotating helical screw blade called a "flighting" to act as a screw conveyor to remove the drilled out material...
, and saw vises.
After George N. Stearns
George N. Stearns
George Noble Stearns was a tool designer and founded the George N. Stearns Company, a hardware business, in 1860 in Syracuse, New York....
encountered health problems in 1877, son Edward C. Stearns
Edward C. Stearns
Edward Carl Stearns was the founder of several companies in the late 19th century in Syracuse, New York including E. C. Stearns & Company, Stearns Automobile Company, Stearns Steam Carriage Company, Stearns Typewriter Company and E. C. Stearns Bicycle Agency.-Biography:Edward C...
, an industrialist, along with his sister, Avis Stearns Van Wagenen
Avis Stearns Van Wagenen
Avis Stearns Van Wagenen was a partner in E. C. Stearns & Company, a hardware business, with her brother, Edward C. Stearns in the late 19th century in Syracuse, New York.-Biography:...
assumed duties and renamed the company. By 1884, the firm manufactured iron castings and skilled machinists produced patterns for metal fabrication. At the end of the 19th century, the company was one of the most extensive manufactories of hardware in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and was one of the leading manufacturing industries of Syracuse
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
.
History
Edward C. StearnsEdward C. Stearns
Edward Carl Stearns was the founder of several companies in the late 19th century in Syracuse, New York including E. C. Stearns & Company, Stearns Automobile Company, Stearns Steam Carriage Company, Stearns Typewriter Company and E. C. Stearns Bicycle Agency.-Biography:Edward C...
founded several other manufacturing plants in Syracuse
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
including E. C. Stearns Bicycle Agency
E. C. Stearns Bicycle Agency
E. C. Stearns Bicycle Agency was established in 1893 by industrialist, Edward C. Stearns who began business as a hardware manufacturer and branched into bicycle production from 1893 through 1899.Stearns manufactured the popular model, Yellow Fellow by 1895...
,(1893-1899) Wholesale Bi-steam Carriage Company and Stearns Automobile Company which was originally founded as Stearns Steam Carriage Company
Stearns Steam Carriage Company
Stearns Steam Carriage Company was a manufacturer of steam automobiles in Syracuse, New York, founded by Edward C. Stearns, an industrialist. Stearns built his first automobile in 1899, an electric which sold so few models through 1900 that the firm changed to steam power in 1901 when the company...
. The company also produced typewriters for a period of ten years beginning in 1905 under the name Stearns Typewriter Company.
Family business
Edward C. StearnsEdward C. Stearns
Edward Carl Stearns was the founder of several companies in the late 19th century in Syracuse, New York including E. C. Stearns & Company, Stearns Automobile Company, Stearns Steam Carriage Company, Stearns Typewriter Company and E. C. Stearns Bicycle Agency.-Biography:Edward C...
was the son of George N. Stearns
George N. Stearns
George Noble Stearns was a tool designer and founded the George N. Stearns Company, a hardware business, in 1860 in Syracuse, New York....
, a wagon maker, who also invented several tools and patented many of his innovations including a boring and mortising machine and auger
Auger
An auger is a drilling device, or drill bit, that usually includes a rotating helical screw blade called a "flighting" to act as a screw conveyor to remove the drilled out material...
. He was born in Syracuse
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
on July 12, 1856 and was the youngest of seven children born to Delilah Taylor and the elder Stearns.
About 1860, the George N. Stearns
George N. Stearns
George Noble Stearns was a tool designer and founded the George N. Stearns Company, a hardware business, in 1860 in Syracuse, New York....
began manufacturing his patented devices under his own name and he established himself in a "small but complete works." During 1864, he incorporated as George N. Stearns Company and relocated to a small building the firm erected at 116 Cedar Street in Syracuse
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
. The company was principally involved in the production of hollow augers
Auger
An auger is a drilling device, or drill bit, that usually includes a rotating helical screw blade called a "flighting" to act as a screw conveyor to remove the drilled out material...
.
The business grew quickly and Stearns was "soon able to send his own traveling men on the road, instead of allowing a few large jobbers to monopolize the sale of his goods." Edward C. Stearns
Edward C. Stearns
Edward Carl Stearns was the founder of several companies in the late 19th century in Syracuse, New York including E. C. Stearns & Company, Stearns Automobile Company, Stearns Steam Carriage Company, Stearns Typewriter Company and E. C. Stearns Bicycle Agency.-Biography:Edward C...
was the head salesman and during the early years spent much time traveling continually to the "principal cities of the Union."
Edward C. Stearns
Edward C. Stearns
Edward Carl Stearns was the founder of several companies in the late 19th century in Syracuse, New York including E. C. Stearns & Company, Stearns Automobile Company, Stearns Steam Carriage Company, Stearns Typewriter Company and E. C. Stearns Bicycle Agency.-Biography:Edward C...
, along with his sister, Avis Stearns Van Wagenen
Avis Stearns Van Wagenen
Avis Stearns Van Wagenen was a partner in E. C. Stearns & Company, a hardware business, with her brother, Edward C. Stearns in the late 19th century in Syracuse, New York.-Biography:...
(then Mrs. Avis Mead), assumed the duties of the company in 1877 and a new co-partnership was formed after their father experienced health problems. The company name was changed to E. C. Stearns & Company.
George N. Stearns
George N. Stearns
George Noble Stearns was a tool designer and founded the George N. Stearns Company, a hardware business, in 1860 in Syracuse, New York....
died on July 19, 1882 in Syracuse.
Second generation
During 1880, the company moved their offices and plant to the old John A. Nichols Gun Works which was located on the north side of James Street near the corner of Lock Street. During the same time period, the firm established a branch office in ChicagoChicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
and western shipments were made from that point.
By 1884, E. C. Stearns & Company produced light gray iron castings. The firm's skilled machinists offered services such as pattern making and Japanning
Japanning
Japanning describes the European imitation of Asian lacquerwork, originally used on furniture. The word originated in the 17th century.- Japanned :Japanned is most often a heavy black lacquer, almost like enamel paint...
.
After experiencing rapid growth of the business, the hardware line was expanded to include; saw vises, parlor sliding door hangers, band setters, spoke shaves and pointers, to name a few.
For several years after, new buildings were added to the facility each year, and at one time, the company was one of the most extensive manufactories of hardware in the country, and was one of the leading manufacturing industries of Syracuse
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
.
By 1891, the firm provided employment to 350 men and turned out among other specialties ten distinct styles of patent parlor sliding door hangers, barn door hangers, a number of different kinds of patented locks, barn door locks, window and door screens, door and window screen frames, hinges, adjustable stove-pipe thimbles, adjustable screw and door frame clamps, vises, spoke shaves and pointers, jack screws, hollow augers, cast-iron stable hay racks and feed boxes, saw vises, bench drills, mallets, chisel handles, lawn mowers, iron sinks, and stable fixtures, etc.
Facilities
In February 1882, the enterprise broke ground and erected an extensive plant on the corner of West Adams street with entrance at 224 Oneida Street in the sixth ward. They were ready for move in by November that year. The following February 1883, the new foundryFoundry
A foundry is a factory that produces metal castings. Metals are cast into shapes by melting them into a liquid, pouring the metal in a mold, and removing the mold material or casting after the metal has solidified as it cools. The most common metals processed are aluminum and cast iron...
, machine shop and wood shop were in full operation.
During 1884, proprietor, Edward C. Stearns
Edward C. Stearns
Edward Carl Stearns was the founder of several companies in the late 19th century in Syracuse, New York including E. C. Stearns & Company, Stearns Automobile Company, Stearns Steam Carriage Company, Stearns Typewriter Company and E. C. Stearns Bicycle Agency.-Biography:Edward C...
, lived close by and was a "boarder" at the corner of Rust and Tallman streets.
The buildings were all constructed of brick, well lighted, and conveniently arranged for manufacturing purposes. All of the buildings were outfitted with costly machinery, much of which had been designed and built by the firm for their special use. All tools and appliances used in the manufactory were considered the very best quality.
The plant utilized in 1891 in the manufacture of various hardware specialties consisted of the following buildings:
- Main building - 252 feet (76.8 m) by 60 feet (18.3 m) and four stories high
- FoundryFoundryA foundry is a factory that produces metal castings. Metals are cast into shapes by melting them into a liquid, pouring the metal in a mold, and removing the mold material or casting after the metal has solidified as it cools. The most common metals processed are aluminum and cast iron...
and woodworking department - 250 feet (76.2 m) by 200 feet (61 m) - JapanningJapanningJapanning describes the European imitation of Asian lacquerwork, originally used on furniture. The word originated in the 17th century.- Japanned :Japanned is most often a heavy black lacquer, almost like enamel paint...
building - 43 feet (13.1 m) by 25 feet (7.6 m) and two-stories high - Pattern building - 40 feet (12.2 m) by 20 feet (6.1 m)
- Screen frame factory - 104 feet (31.7 m) by 60 feet (18.3 m)
- Storehouse - 31 feet (9.4 m) by 72 feet (21.9 m)
- Miscellaneous - 166 feet (50.6 m) by 35 feet (10.7 m)
By November 1895, the landscape in the vicinity of E. C. Stearns cycle works is of "decidedly changing quality." Each year since the company first engaged in bicycle building some enlargement of the facilities took place rendered necessary by the "continually increasing demand for its product." Two new buildings were erected in 1897, a "paint tower" and "power house." The tower was one of the highest in the city. In addition, a four-story brick building was under construction. The lower floor was designed for the new offices of the firm, which more than doubled the size of the company's former quarters.
Branch office
During May 1896, Herbert E. Maslin, company officer, returned from FranceFrance
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
where the company had established a branch office.
Global sales
By 1901, the company reported having been a general demand for the output of the plant. Like other large SyracuseSyracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
manufacturers, the firm benefited from the expansion policy of the country. Large shipments of lawn mowers and other articles having been made to Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and other foreign countries.
Bicycles and automobiles
By the early 1890s E. C. Stearns & Company had branched into bicycle manufacturing and formed a subsidiary called E. C. Stearns Bicycle AgencyE. C. Stearns Bicycle Agency
E. C. Stearns Bicycle Agency was established in 1893 by industrialist, Edward C. Stearns who began business as a hardware manufacturer and branched into bicycle production from 1893 through 1899.Stearns manufactured the popular model, Yellow Fellow by 1895...
. Stearns, ever innovative, moved to automobile production and built his first automobile in 1899, an electric. The automobile firm sold so few models through 1900 that they reverted to steam power in 1901. The Stearns enterprise was known as Wholesale Bi-steam Carriage Company and Stearns Automobile Company which was also called Stearns Steam Carriage Company
Stearns Steam Carriage Company
Stearns Steam Carriage Company was a manufacturer of steam automobiles in Syracuse, New York, founded by Edward C. Stearns, an industrialist. Stearns built his first automobile in 1899, an electric which sold so few models through 1900 that the firm changed to steam power in 1901 when the company...
.
Typewriters
Several companies in the business of bicycle manufacture including E. C. Stearns & Company entered typewriter production at the beginning of the 20th century. The Stearns Visible was introduced in 1905.The machine actually took several years of work to get ready for market due to the complex design of the tabulator
Tabulator
Not to be confused with Tabulating machine.The Tabulator is a generic data browser and editor. Using outline and table modes, it provides a way to browse RDF/Linked Data on the web. RDF is the standard for inter-application data exchange....
which employed a circular housing around the mainspring containing numbered notches that matched "space for space" with actual carriage travel. This ensured that stops for the decimal tabulator placed in the notches thus corresponded to carriage position.
The design was quite advanced for its day and August Schneeloch who filed with the patent office in May 1902, was finally granted U.S. patent #844756 in February 1907.
The company manufactured the machine for approximately 10 years, ending production around 1915.
Hardware patents
A faucet design in March 1916 was submitted to the United States Patent Office that had a cylindrical casing having a substantially horizontal portion and a downwardly curved discharge end. Patent number was 1,169,519.Company officers and management
During 1891, the officers of the firm were Edward C. StearnsEdward C. Stearns
Edward Carl Stearns was the founder of several companies in the late 19th century in Syracuse, New York including E. C. Stearns & Company, Stearns Automobile Company, Stearns Steam Carriage Company, Stearns Typewriter Company and E. C. Stearns Bicycle Agency.-Biography:Edward C...
, Avis Stearns Van Wagenen
Avis Stearns Van Wagenen
Avis Stearns Van Wagenen was a partner in E. C. Stearns & Company, a hardware business, with her brother, Edward C. Stearns in the late 19th century in Syracuse, New York.-Biography:...
and Herbert E. Maslin, vice-president, who was born in Hinsdale, Illinois
Hinsdale, Illinois
Hinsdale is a suburb of Chicago, Illinois; it is located partly in Cook County and mainly in DuPage County in the U.S. state of Illinois. The population was 17,349 at the 2000 census. The town's ZIP code is 60521. The town has a rolling, wooded topography, with a quaint downtown and is a 30-minute...
and educated in Aurora, Illinois
Aurora, Illinois
Aurora is the second most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois, and the 112th largest city in the United States. A suburb of Chicago, located west of the Loop, its population in 2010 was 197,899. Originally founded within Kane County, Aurora's city limits have expanded greatly over the past...
. Maslin was also president of the Cycle Board of Trade and vice-president of The Tinkham Company. He was manager of American Bicycle Company and a member of the Engineer's Club of New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and Century Syracuse.
By May 1896, Edward Carl Stearns
Edward C. Stearns
Edward Carl Stearns was the founder of several companies in the late 19th century in Syracuse, New York including E. C. Stearns & Company, Stearns Automobile Company, Stearns Steam Carriage Company, Stearns Typewriter Company and E. C. Stearns Bicycle Agency.-Biography:Edward C...
announced his retirement from E. C. Stearns & Company. He had been engaged in the business for twenty years after he purchased his father's interest. Stearns was replaced by Herbert E. Maslin who was "very prominent in the cycling world."
His son, John Edward Stearns, was secretary of the company in 1929 and had been in "active charge" of the business since the elder Stearns retired several years earlier.
Twentieth century
During 1938, the company advertised their new Stearns Power Lawn Mower for $79 which had a Briggs & Stratton engine and an "18 inch width of cut." The company offered eight other models that year priced from $88 to $260.By 1954, the company was marketing a "reel-type" mower.
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External links
- US Patent: 14,416 - Boring and mortising machine - Granted: March 11, 1856
- US Patent: 39,841 - Improvements in Hollow Augers - Granted: September 8, 1863
- US Patent: 99,120 - Improvements in horse hay-forks - Granted: January 25, 1870
- US Patent: 110,168 - Improvements in spoke-shaves - Granted: December 13, 1870
- US Patent: 130,826 - Improvements in Hollow Augers - Granted: August 27, 1872
- US Patent: RE7,484 - Improvements in Hollow Augers - Granted: January 30, 1877
- US Patent: 203,384 - Improvements in Hollow Augers - Granted: May 17, 1878
- US Patent: 225,496 - Hollow Auger - Granted: March 16, 1880
- Patents for E. C. Stearns & Co. - Directory of American Tool & Machine Patents
- Stearns Visible Typewriter 1905 - Thomas Fuertig collection