The founder and chairman of the board of directors of the jewelry company Arthur A. Everts Co. was Arthur A Everts (1866-1952) of Dallas, Texas. He lived in Dallas his entire life and started his business in 1897 in a small room 12 feet wide and 18 feet long. His assets consisted of twenty-two dollars in cash, two rented display cases, and merchandise purchased on credit.

Everts began as apprentice to an engraver at the age of 16, later learned watchmaking, and at night studied copper-plate engraving in his uncle’s store in Lancaster. When he came to Dallas, it was a little city of 12,000. By patience and persistence Everts traveled the road of success to become one of the largest jewelry companies in America.

A lover of all things beautiful, he gradually became a renowned collector of art and crafts. His collection included one of the country’s finest cameo collections, some dating back to ancient times. Also, antique clocks, African Congolese handicrafts, antique porcelain, Chinese works of art, and precious stones belonging to the family of Russia’s last tsar.

Interesting facts

Arthur Everts would often become attached to a particular piece of jewelry in his shop. He wouldn’t display a price tag to prevent it from being sold, but would leave it on display for all to admire. A natural artist, he could sketch a customer’s face with a fountain pen, deftly color it with colored pencils, and quickly hand them the finished piece.

Arthur Everts was one of the first presidents of the Texas Retail Jewelers Association and twice served as president of the American National Retail Jewelers Association. Interestingly, although he was little involved in politics, he once ran for president on the Prohibition Party ticket.

Family business after the death of Arthur Everts

Son of the founder, Myron Everts, joined the family business in 1920, and soon became secretary-treasurer of the firm. In fact, he effectively ran the company for several years before his father’s death due to poor health. Following the death of Arthur Everts in 1952, Myron Everts took over the company as president.

Frank Everts, grandson of the founder, became vice president, and Tim Welch, former vice president, became secretary-treasurer. According to the business directories, the Arthur A Everts Company ceased to exist in 1994.