Michael Gabriel Eisenstadt founded M Eisenstadt Jewelry Co in St Louis, Missouri, in 1853. In 1863 he passed away and his right hand man Adolph Jacobs continued the business for about 20 years. Adolph Jacobs (1836 – 1901) was an uncle of Samuel and Morris Eisenstadt. Michael Eisenstadt’s sons, twin brothers Samuel and Morris Eisenstadt joined the company in 1874.

The M Eisenstadt Jewelry Co incorporated in 1883 with a capital stock of $40,000, and with Ben Altheimer as president. Meyer Friede became vice-president and Edmond Achard secretary and treasurer. Samuel and Morris Eisenstadt were members of the board of directors.

Samuel Eisenstadt, Morris Eisenstadt, and Joel M Friede took over the firm in 1884, and moved to 701 and 703 Washington Ave. M Eisenstadt Jewelry Co changed their firm name to Eisenstadt Manufacturing Co in June 1897. Making of fine jewelry became a prominent feature of their business.

Twin brothers, Samuel and Morris Eisenstadt

In 1892, Samuel Eisenstadt became president and Morris Eisenstadt – secretary and treasurer of the concern. Under the leadership of Samuel and Morris Eisenstadt the firm became one of the largest and most successful wholesale and manufacturing jewelry houses in the country.

Born in St Louis, Samuel Eisenstadt (1857 – 1905), son of the founder of the Eisenstadt firm was a real child prodigy. Aged seven he entered Wyman’s Military Academy and remained there until his eleventh year. He entered Washington University and graduated at the age of seventeen.

Samuel joined his father’s business in 1874, and on the death of the latter he and his brother Morris succeeded to the business. At the time of his death, Samuel Eisenstadt was the president of this firm, and Morris Eisenstadt, secretary. In 1905 Morris Eisenstadt was chosen president, and Joel M Friede, Albert Frech and J A Jacobs, vice-presidents.

Morris Eisenstadt

He was the founder and chairman of the National Jewelers’ Publicity Association and one of the most prominent and outstanding figures in the jewelry trade. Interestingly, Morris Eisenstadt was a bachelor all his life and only married at the age of 63, three years before his death.

Initially, the company employed only 3 people, but by 1905, more than 200 people worked for the company, and some of them worked for more than 30 years. Eisenstadt grew to nationwide operation that included the distribution of diamonds, silverware, clocks, manufacturing jewelry, as well as awards and pins.

Albert Frech

In 1923, George G Gambrill, former treasurer of the Eisenstadt Mfg Co, became president of the firm, and A F Eisenbeiss vice-president. He headed the firm until 1939, when 70 year-old Albert Frech was chosen new president of the Eisenstadt Mfg Co.

Noteworthy, Albert Frech’s first job was an errand boy for the Eisenstadt jewelry firm. Then, he was in charge of the shipping department, and became vice-president in 1923. Albert Frech, president of the Eisenstadt Mfg Co, retired in 1949.

James H Hetzel

Hetzel attributed much of the company’s success. He joined the Eisenstadt company in 1911 and in his early days worked in all the departments. Then, he worked as a sales person, and became merchandise and sales manager in 1925. In 1931 he became vice-president, then senior vice-president and general manager in 1937.

James H Hetzel was elected president in 1949 and board chairman and treasurer in 1957. Hetzel was a veteran of World War I and a member of several jewelry trade associations. He celebrated fifty years with firm in 1961.

As a result of a merger with another corporation in 1971, Eisenstadt Manufacturing Co ceased to exist.

Over its 120-year history, the Eisenstadt company has registered dozens of jewelry trademarks. Among them, for example, Bona-fide (1908), Priscilla (1914, 1916), Bob o link (1915), Symblem (1918), Clasper (1923), John Alden (1942), Memory Hearts (1959), etc.

Jewelry by Eisenstadt Manufacturing Co