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Edwin T. Freedley in "Philadelphia and its Manufactures", 1867, described business of William McNiece as follows: "At the 407 Cherry Street is the Saw Manufactory of William McNiece. Mr. McNiece is the successor of Lame & McNiece, and for eleven years was foreman in the extensive works of Walter Cresson, at Conshohocken. He is a practical workman of experience and skill, and employs none but those possessing similar qualifications. His manufactures include every variety of hand, back, butcher, and wood Saws; and those for carpenter's use have a high reputation. It is said that his customers include nearly two-thirds of the retail City trade. The building has a front of eighteen feet and a depth of fifty feet, three stories high. In this manufactory the order of operations as usually pursued in similar establishments, is reversed, the tempering being done on the first floor, the finishing on the second, while the smith work is executed on the third floor." Very few readily available sources provide information about William McNiece. In the Directory of American Toolmakers (DAT), published by EAIA places his business activities between 1856 and 1882. Ervin L. Schaffer in his Hand-Saw Makers of North America places McNiece between 1870 and 1883. My research provided interesting results. Most helpful was a copy of “Articles of Copartnership” between Charles H. Lame and William McNiece, I received in June, 2008 from one of my associates. It is very important document and helpful in establishing other dates in history of this sawmaker. The partnership was established in 1863. Based on this date I was able to estimate a timeline of events.
Walter Cresson begun sawmaking around 1845, and based on “Articles of Copartnership” with Lame, I assume that William McNiece begun working in his shop around 1852 and was employed until 1863 (11 years, Freedley). The first patent received by McNiece, Patent No 23,531 dated 04/05/1859 - Combined Saw, Square and Bevel is assigned to Walter Cresson of Conshohocken, PA. This further documents his relation with Cresson. Since McNiece was employed by Walter Cresson, it was quite common to assign patent received by employee to the employer. By 1863 William McNiece was ready to start his own business. He saved $663.50 and used it for planned venture. The 1858 McElroy's Philadelphia City Directory lists the following sawmakers in Philadelphia:
The 1861 McElroy's Philadelphia City Directory shows list that changed a bit from what we could see in the 1858 directory. Some of the sawmaker are not listed and there are a few new names.
It seems as if McNiece was looking at these lists and was well aware of Who is Who in sawmaking business. In 1863 he made his move and struck partnership with Charles H. Lame.
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Revision-12/01/2008 |
