The history of the jewelry company Jno. W. Reddall & Co., 107 Hamilton Street, Newark, New Jersey, lasted just over a decade, from 1891 to 1905. Jno, an abbreviation for the name John, was quite common until the early 20th century. Founded by John William Reddall (1857 – 1929) in partnership with Henry E. Hastings (1861 – 1894), the company manufactured gold and silver jewelry, accessories and novelty.

Among the traveling representatives who worked for the company were Matthias Stratton, Jr., Frank J. Keller, Herbert C. Barker, and J. W. Reddall himself.

Born in Ceylon, Henry E. Hastings, a partner in John W. Reddall & Co. was 33 years old when he died. Noteworthy, he was a nephew of President Grover Cleveland, and his mother Annie Hastings was the President’s sister.

Born in London, John William Reddall (December 16, 1857 – July 20, 1929) came to the United States as a boy of nine years. He spent the early part of his life in Brooklyn, N. Y. Later, he lived in Glen Ridge and Montclair of New Jersey for a number of years.

Reddall entered the jewelry business in 1880 as junior clerk and travel agent for the firm of Saxton Smith & Co., manufacturers of fine gold chain, 194 Broadway. From 1884 to 1891 he was representative of Alling & Co., manufacturing jewelers of Newark, N. J.

In 1891 he established the firm of Jno. W. Reddall & Co., which went out of existence in 1905. Two years later he accepted a position with the Gorham Co. as manager of the wholesale gold department. He remained with them for 16 years, retiring in 1923.

Jno W Reddall Jewelry Company History

According to 1891 ad, Jno. W. Reddall & Co., Hamilton and McWhorter Sts., Newark, N. J., manufactured bow-knot brooches and scarf pins in twelve different designs. “Reddall & Co. are continually producing attractive novelties in hairpins, chatelaines, bib pins, etc., in fourteen carat gold, and their goods are seen in all the prominent stores”.