This jeweler’s name is forgotten today, and at the turn of the 20th century, Hiram Howard was known as the president of the Howard Sterling Co. However, his career in jewelry began long before the founding of this company. The son of Warner and Mary Taft Howard, Hiram Howard was born in West Woodstock, Connecticut, on November 26, 1840.

After completing his schooling in Massachusetts, he began his business career at the age of 18. He moved to Providence, where he began studying jewelry making. Having mastered the craft and after several years of working at a workbench, he moved to the commercial side of the business.

He came to New York in 1871 and joined T. B. Bynner & Co., one of New York’s oldest wholesale jewelers founded by Thomas B Bynner. After six years at Bynner, Howard began manufacturing gold chains. Soon after, he began importing watches and, together with his partner Nicoud, founded Nicoud & Howard, located on Maiden Lane.

Interested in producing affordable jewelry, Howard founded Howard & Schreible and achieved great success in the production of American-style button fasteners.

Establishment of Howard & Co

He later went into silversmithing, first under the name Howard & Co., with his son, Stephen C Howard, before the company was renamed Howard Sterling Co. After Hiram Howard’s retirement, the company was reorganized as Roger Williams Silver Co.

Howard belonged to many organizations in Providence and New York City, including the Advance Club, the Providence Athletic Club, and the Providence Press Club. He was also a member of Trinity Church and the Masonic fraternity. At the time of Hiram Howard’s death, his son, Stephen C Howard, was vice president of Wilcox & Wagoner Co.

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