Englehardt Cornelius Ostby (1847-1912) formed a partnership with his friend and neighbor, Nathan B. Barton, under the firm name of Ostby & Barton in 1879. They began manufacturing gold rings in a small shop at 25 Potter (Garnet) Street, Providence. Starting out with a small team of six workers, they grew into a factory. Having moved to a new building erected by John Austin at 80 Clifford Street in the fall of 1880, they occupied the entire upper portion of the building.

Englehardt Cornelius Ostby, president of the Ostby & Barton Co was one of more than 1,600 victims of the ill-fated White Star Line steamship Titanic, which sank after striking an iceberg. Ostby and his daughter Helen R Ostby were returning from a visit to Egypt. They boarded the steamer at Cherbourg. At first their names were on the list of survivors.

Full of anticipation of being reunited with their father and sister, the three Ostby sons, Erling C., Ralph E., and Raymond, were waiting for them on the New York dock. The reunion took place, but there was more sadness than joy in it. They found only their sister.

Engelhardt Ostby was one of the most progressive men in the jewelry industry. He considered the jewelry industry, in the truest sense of the word, to be the metal art. Accordingly, it was always his aim and desire that all his firm’s projects should correspond to these ideals. He was a true friend and protector of the Rhode Island School of Design, especially the jewelry and silversmithing department.

Ostby was also an active member of the New England Manufacturing Jewelers’ and Silversmiths’ Association and several social and art clubs and banks. He lived in a quiet manner, giving most of his time to business and his family, and was one of the most philanthropic and charitable men in the city.

Ostby Barton Jewelry Company History (1879 – 1952)

Born in 1847 in Christiania, the capital of Norway, Englehardt Cornelius Ostby served a six-year apprenticeship with a goldsmith in his home town. There he learned all the details from melting gold and rolling the ingot to engraving and polishing the finished work. He also studied design, for which he had a special and natural aptitude.

In addition, Ostby attended the Royal School of Art and completed his higher studies. There he demonstrated his talent and was offered to go abroad for further professional training. However, the death of his father significantly changed his plans. Having decided to emigrate to America, he arrived in the United States in 1869, settling in Providence.

There he began working for the old jewelry concern G. & S. Owen. After a short time, he began collaborating with the famous manufacturers of gold rings Arnold & Webster (later Arnold & Steere), devoting himself to engraving and design, which he did for nine years.

Founded as Ostby & Barton Co., 118 Richmond St., Providence, in 1879, the firm became corporation on Aug. 7, 1893, with a capital stock of $750,000. According to records from 1909, most members of the Ostby family worked for the corporation. Harold W. Ostby was superintendent, Arthur O. Ostby – factory manager, Erling Ostby, and others. Also, Nathan B. Barton was treasurer, Frank D. Barton and Alfred N. Barton were managers.

The History of Ostby & Barton Company (1879 – 1952)

After his father’s tragic death in 1912, his son Harald W. Ostby (1877–1954) took over the company as president, while his brother Erling C. Ostby became treasurer.

In 1930 Arthur C. Ostby, who had worked for the Ostby and Barton Company fifty years, retired. Four years later, Ralph G. Ostby, a son of Engelhart C. Ostby and a member of the firm of Ostby & Barton Co., died. Harald W. Ostby, president of the concern, retired in 1939. The new president of Ostby & Barton Co, Roya J. Grece (1880 – 1951) served in that post until his resignation early in 1947.

O&B appointments

Dissolved as a corporation in 1945, Ostby & Barton became a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Associates, Inc. Royal J. Gregg continued as head of Ostby & Barton as vice-president of American Associates. Henri Hiltz, Paris born jewelry designer of international recognition became Chief Designer and Ring Stylist for Ostby and Barton.

In 1950, other changes took place in the management of Ostby and Barton. Edwin B. Krause, formerly O & B vice president and general manager, was appointed president of Ostby & Barton Co. N. G. Anitole, Ostby & Barton Co vice president and sales manager. Edward Kurtz, Arthur Schwartz, and Philip Levy were sales representatives. Henri Hiltz, Paris born jewelry designer of international recognition became Chief Designer and Ring Stylist.

According to September 1952 Jeweler’s Circular Keystone, Clark & Coombs Co of Providence purchased all the dies and tools and much of the machinery of the 76-year-old Ostby & Barton Co. The OB line went out under the Clark & Coombs name.

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