Officially established in 1911, Brock & Co was an internationally known retail jewelry firm of Los Angeles which began its history in 1903 as Brock & Feagans. Its founders were George Alexander Brock (1859 – 1938) and George E Feagans (1861 – 1935).

Brock and Feagans were partners in business for many years. Before moving to California, they were members of the same firm in Joliet, Illinois. The dissolution of their partnership in July 1911 came as a great surprise to most of the city’s businessmen. However, in place of the already well-known firm of Brock & Feagans, two firms emerged: Brock & Co and Feagans & Co.

Brock & Co Acquired companies

From its very inception in 1911, Brock & Co showed interest in mergers with other companies, which led to the firm’s expansion. First, it was in October 1911, when Brock & Co acquired Whitley Jewelry Co. The new firm occupied well-appointed and spacious premises on 437-439-441 Broadway.

The officers of the new firm, Brock & Co, were George A Brock, president; Jacob Jepsen, first vice-president; Clem S. Glass, second vice-president; and C. T. Dunsmoor, secretary.

Over the next 50 years, Brock & Co acquired several more jewelry companies, which led to the expansion of the business, the opening of new branches and boutiques.

Founder of the firm, George A Brock

A native of Montreal, Canada, George Brock was naturalized as an American citizen on May 2, 1888. He married Evelina Crossman in 1898. Five years later he moved to Los Angeles to establish Brock & Feagans jewelry firm with his partner George Feagans. For two years, from 1917 to 1919, he headed the American National Retail Jewelers’ Association as president.

For several years George Brock served as a director of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce and chairman of the Parks and Boulevards Commission of Los Angeles. Due to failing health of George Brock, his son George C Brock took over the Brock & Co in 1937.

Perhaps if George Brock had had children, he would have passed on his inheritance and his business to them, and the company could have continued to exist. However, in 1964 George C Brock retired and sold his firm to Benjamin Weingart and the firm ceased to exist.

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