Established in Philadelphia by George W Simons (1819-1889), Simons Bros Co history covers over a century. Twenty-year-old George founded the company in partnership with his brother Peter B Simons in 1839. Born in Philadelphia, George Simons learned there the trade of making silver thimbles and pencils.

He subsequently moved to several locations and finally, purchased the old Jones Hotel property on Chestnut Street. There he improved the building, calling it the Artisan Building, in which his sons later continued the business.
(more…)

Born in Germany, George Krementz (1837, Germany – 1918, Newark, NJ) came to the USA with his parents in 1849. In 1855 he was apprenticed to the jewelry manufacturing firm of Alling, Hall & Dodd, of Newark. After completing his apprenticeship, he joined Smith & Ford, New York city and remained there for eight years.

In April 1866, he returned to Newark and began manufacturing jewelry in a small shop on the second floor of 14 Oliver Street. For a short time he had two young men as partners. However, in 1869, he founded Krementz & Co., and began working with his cousin, Julius Lebkuecher.
(more…)

Born in New York, Robert Fitz Simmons (1842 – 1894) moved to Waterbury, Connecticut with his parents. At an early age he tired of parental restraint and started out to seek his fortune. He first located in North Attleboro and soon secured a position with Daniel Evans.

Having earned some money, he soon decided that he had enough experience and capital to start a small business of his own. He worked as a minter and merchant, forming a partnership with Albert F. Briggs.
(more…)

Published in 1955 Jewelers’ Circular Keystone jewelry ad stated that “established in 1841, Sloan is the oldest name in fine jewelry”. Unfortunately, this is completely incorrect information. According to even the very date of birth of A.K. Sloan (1838), the founder of the brand, he was 3 years old.

Born in Cleveland Ohio, Augustus Kellogg Sloan (Sept. 3, 1838 – June 23, 1922) grew up in Syracuse, N. Y., where he received education in the public schools. At the age of 13, he worked as office boy in Bailey’s Fancy Bazaar, then in the office of a cigar factory.
(more…)