Mermod Jaccard King Saint Louis Jewelers
The history of Mermod Jaccard King, the oldest and for many years the most prominent retail jewelry establishment in St Louis, began in 1829. Its founder was Swiss watchmaker Louis Jaccard who came to St Louis from Sainte Croix, Switzerland, where the name Jaccard had been known since the middle of the 14th Century.
when Louis Jaccard opened his little one-window jewelry shop on Main Street, St Louis was a village of 6000 residents. Louis Jaccard brought his tools and his ideas and began business with a limited stock in a little shop on Main Street. In nine years the business expanded, and in 1837 Louis Jaccard invited his nephew Eugene Jaccard to join the business.
In 1850 Louis Jaccard sold his interest in the business to Eugene Jaccard and returned to Switzerland, where he died in 1865.
Augustus S Mermod (1824-1903)
Born in St. Croix, Switzerland, Augustus S Mermod (1824-1903) came to St Louis in 1845, and soon afterwards became associated with Eugene Jaccard. Later, at the time of his death, he was vice-president of Mermod, Jaccard & King Jewelry Co.
He made many trips to Europe in the interest of the company, and died during his last trip to Paris on the North German Lloyd steamer Kronprinz Wilhelm.
D C Jaccard, a relative of Louis Jaccard (1926 – 1899), entered the establishment in 1848. In 1860, C F Mathey acquired a stake. In 1864 A S Mermod and D C Jaccard withdrew from the firm, and with C F Mathey, under the name of D C Jaccard & Co, opened a store at 4th and Locust Streets.
Jaccard Jewelry Co
A year later Goodman King became associated with the firm of D C Jaccard & Co. The D C Jaccard & Co in 1883 re-incorporated under the name of Mermod & Jaccard Jewelry Co, with A S Mermod president. D C Jaccard vice-president, C F Mathey treasurer, and Goodman King secretary.
December 19, 1897 Fire
On December 19, 1897 the fire destroyed the beautiful five stories high store and establishment of the Mermod & Jaccard Jewelry Co. The damage caused by the fire amounted to more than $500,000. It was just before Christmas and the Mermod, Jaccard & King vaults contained thousands and thousands of dollars in diamonds, watches, jewelry and a large assortment of other precious stones.
It was just before Christmas and the Mermod, Jaccard & King vaults contained thousands and thousands of dollars in diamonds, watches, jewelry and a large assortment of other precious stones. The vaults were so hot that it was impossible to cool them jor a week. All downtown St. Louis business was almost paralyzed.
Mermod, Jaccard & King Jewelry Co
The next change occurred in 1903 when Goodman King became president and changed the firm’s name to Mermod, Jaccard & King Jewelry Co. Goodman King entered the employ of the firm in 1865 as a bookkeeper and collector. He led the firm as president from 1903 to 1917.
The Vandervort firm absorbed Mérmod, Jaccard & King Jewelry Co
In 1917, the Scruggs, Vandervort & Barney Dry Goods Co absorbed Mérmod, Jaccard & King Jewelry Co. The Vandervort firm acquired $450,000 worth of Jaccard stock out of the $800,000 it had previously owned. Although the Vandervorts retained the name, they appointed new directors. M. L. Wilkinson became president, and Clarence H. King became vice president. Goodman King resigned but remained a member of the board of directors.
According to Opencorporates data base, the firm of Mermod, Jaccard & King Jewelry Co Inc went through changes and mergers in 1970s. Mermod, Jaccard & King ceased to exist in 1976.
In 1888 Eugene Jaccard and Walter M Jaccard, sons of D C Jaccard, left the St Louis establishment to start a jewelry store in Kansas City. The firm was reorganized in 1895 when Eugene Jaccard withdrew to enter the insurance business and Walter M. Jaccard then became president.
In 1917 the Jaccards of Kansas City sold all of their interests in the St Louis firm. Two sons of Eugene Jaccard worked for the Kansas City firm for about 30 years; E Gilbert Jaccard was secretary and W B Jaccard executive vice-president.
