American Telegraph Instrument Makers, 1837-1900
Copyright 1986, Roger W. Reinke
Updated 2022, 2023, Doug Palmer
Dates shown are only approximate and are based on trade catalogs, patent dates, advertisements and other ephemera.
Legend:
"General line" products include at least keys, sounders and relays.
(A) May have been an agent only, and probably not an instrument maker.
(V) Verification sought that this firm actually made instruments.
(S) Succeeded by ... "General line" products include at least keys, sounders and relays.
MAKER, ADDRESS, CITY, DATES, PRODUCTS, NOTES
American Electrical Works, 61 Stewart St. Providence, R.I. c. 1880 "Steiner" keys
...Same... 461 Clark Ave. Cleveland, 1894
Anders, George L. [See Welch & Anders]
Anderson Bros. Peekskill, N.Y., c. 1875, Practice sets
Avery, Thomas C., New York, 1848, Keys
Ayers, Tillotson & Co. (A), 333 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, 1865-67, General line
Bain, Alexander, 1849-51, Chemical Printers For O'Reilly's lines.
Barber, Palmer & Jones, Utica, N.Y., c. 1875, (S) Utica Fire Alarm.
Barnes, Edmund F., 1847, "Columbian" Register (1)
Barton, Enos M., [See Gray & Barton]
Baxter, William, [See Speedwell Iron]
Blattner (A) St.Louis, 1851, General line
Bliss, George H. & Co., (V) 41 Third Ave., Chicago, · 1873-76, General line, (S) Western Electric.
...Same... 220 Kinzie St., Chicago, 1876-79, General line ...Same...
Bliss, George H., 76 Market St., Chicago, 1879, General line, As Electric Mdse. Co.
Bliss, Tillotson & Co. (A) 126, then 171 S. Clark, Chicago, 1868-70, General line
...Same... 247 S. Water St., Chicago, 1870-74, General line, (S) Gee. H. Bliss & Co.
...Same... 54 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, 1874, General line
Bradley, Dr. Leverett, 7 Exchange PI., Jersey City, 1867-73, General line, Also made fire alarm.
Buell, Nelson A., 26-27 Waring Block, Cleveland, 1872-84, General line, (S) W.B. Cleveland.
Buell, M.A., 26 Waring Block, Cleveland, 1870-76, "Eureka" sounders "...and Sons" variant.
...Same... 86 Bank St., Cleveland, 1876, General line
...Same... 76 Frankfort St., Cleveland, 1876-82, General line
...Same... 144 Superior St., Cleveland, 1882-84, General line, (S) W.B. Cleveland.
Bulkley, Charles S., 1848, Registers (2)
Bunnell, Jesse H., With Tillotson, 1876-78.
Bunnell, J.H. & Co., 70 Courtlandt St., New York, 1878-80, General line, [See Partrick, Bunnell]
...Same... 106-108, then New York, 1880- General line
...Same... 112 Liberty St., New York -19?? General line (3)
Burrell, Samuel J., [See Merchant's Mfg.]
Burritt, Joseph & Son, Ithaca, N.Y., 1845, Registers
Calahan, Edward A., New York, 1867, Printers, Improved Law's ticker.
California Electric Power Co, 412 Market St. San Francisco, 1875-1877, General Line. Offshoot of Electrical Construction & Maintenance Co. Paul Seiler & Joseph Herz Co-Partners.
California Electrical Works, 134 Sutter St., San Francisco, 1877-1902 ,General line. George S. Ladd President, Paul Seiler Superintendent of Manufacturing. James Gamble on Board of Directors.
Cardwell, Dr. G.A., New York, 1896-, Keys and sounders
Carter, Franklin S. [See Partrick & Carter]
Caton Instrument Shop, Ottawa, 111. 1851-72 General line (4) (S) Western Electric.
Channing, Dr. W.F., [See Farmer, Moses G.]
Chester, Charles T., 104 Centre St., New York, 1855-58, General line, John N. joined 1858.
Chester, C.T & J.N., 104 Centre St., New York, 1858-71, General line, John N. died 1871.
Chester, Charles T., 104 Centre St., New York, 1872-80, General line (5)
Chester, Partrick & Co., 38 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, 1868-72, General line, (6) (S) Partrick, Bunnell. (Stephen Chester was the brother of Charles T. Chester)
Chubbuck, A.S., Hotel St., Utica, N.Y., 1865-69, General line Western Union supplier.
Chubbuck, S.W. Hotel St., Utica, N.Y., 1845-69, General line
Clark, James J., Philadelphia, 1845-61, General line, LL...and Sons" variant.
Clark, William, Philadelphia, 1846-47, "Harp" registers James' father.
Clark, J.J. & Co., 19 E. 20th St., New York, 1861-68, General line Harrisburg in 1868.
Clark & Splitdorf, New York, 1861-1868, General Line, Harrisburg in 1868
Cleveland, W.B., (V) 144 Superior St. S., Cleveland, 1884-, Practice sets Manager at Hicks & Shawk.
Cooperative Mfg Co., (V) 216'/2 Walnut St., Philadelphia, 1871-76, General line
...Same... (V) 218 Pear St., Philadelphia, 1876, General line
Crain, George H. & Co., (V) 145 S. Clark St., Chicago, c. 1871
Davis, Daniel Jr., Boston, 1842-48, Relays (S) Palmer & Hall.
Davis, William E., 319 Newark Ave., Jersey City, 1869-74 General line Elegant machining.
...Same... 341 Newark Ave. ...Same... 1874- "Uncle Sam" sounder
Davis & Watts, Baltimore, 1878-1884, General Line. (@ Viaduct Mfg. Co.)
Day, S.F & Co., Ballston Spa, N.Y.,c. 1865, General line
Day, W.E. & Co. (A) Pittsfield, Mass. ,1876, General line
Decker [See Lannert & Decker]
Delaney Patent Relay Co., 61 Broadway, New York, 1881, Relays and sounders
De Mier, John R., Coulterville, 111. 1877, Relay "cut-out"
Donaldson, Dr. R.B., Washington, 1842-48, Relays (S) Palmer & Hall.
DuBois, Charles H. & Son, 61 Ann St., New York, 1850-88, General line
Durant, Charles, 86 Nassau St., New York, 1869, "Nonpareil" Relay Pope connection?
Edison & Murray, 10 Ward St., Newark, N.J., 1869-73, Registers, keys (7)
Edison & Hamblet, 40 Hanover St., Boston, c. 1868, "Magneto Telegraph"
Edison & Unger, c. 1873
Edmands & Hamblet, 40 Hanover St, Boston, c. 1868, "Magneto"telegraph
Electrical Construction & Maintenance Co., 134 Sutter St. San Francisco, 1871-77, General line (S) California Electrical Works. George S. Ladd President
Electrical Supply Co., 109 Liberty St., New York, 1875-85 ,General line Also made "Prosch" key.
Electric Improvement Co., Galesburg, Ill,. c. 1872, (S) Western Electric.
Electric Merchandising Co., (A) 76 Market St., Chicago, 1879, General line, George H. Bliss, Mgr.
Electric Telegraph Works, (V) 2nd & Chestnut Sts., Philadelphia, c. 1871, (S) Fleming, Potter.
Empire Electrical Mfg Co., 27-38 Walnut St., Brooklyn, c. 1887, "Snapper" sounders
Erpelding, J. ,[See Huttman, W.E.]
Facer, W.E., 48 S. 4th St., Philadelphia, c. 1868, General line
Farmer, Moses G., Boston, 1852-57, Repeaters (8)
Farmer & Woodman, Boston, 1857-62, Repeaters
Flemming, Potter & Co., Pine & Chestnut Sts., Philadelphia, 1870-71, General line
...Same... 2nd & Chestnut Sts., Philadelphia, 1871- ...Same...
Foote [See Shawk & Foote]
Foote, Pierson & Co., 82-84 Fulton St., New York, 1896-, General line
Fowler [See Lewis & Fowler]
Frederick, Pearce & Co. ,(A) New York
Frey, Joseph J.B., 213 Church St., New York, 1870-, Self-closing key With A, Illig.
Gaynor Electric Co., (A) Louisville, c. 1875, Registers
Gilliland & Co. ,(A) 41 Dey St., New York, 1875, General line
Gold & Stock Telegraph Co., 195 Broadway, (9) New York, 1876, Printers (10)
Gray & Barton, (A) 162 S. Water St., Chicago, 1869, General line, Elisha Gray, inventor.
...Same... 479 State St., Chicago, 1870-72 ...Same... (S) Western Electric.
Greeley, E.S. & Co., 5 & 7 Dey St., New York, 1885-96, General line, (S) Foote, Pierson & Co.
Grinnell, H.B. & Co., (A) 7 Murray St., New York, 1875-78
Hall, Thomas, Boston, 1846-66, Keys,relays, (S) Palmer & Hall.
Hamblet [See Edmands & Hamblet]
Hatteroth, Dr. William, San Francisco, 1870's, Electrical, Telegraph, and Surgical Instruments
Henning, R., Ottawa Illinois, Robert Henning was Superintendant at Caton Instrument Shops
Hicks, George B., 144 Superior St., Cleveland, 1858-62, Repeaters
Hicks & Shawk (A) ...Same... ...Same... 1869-84, General line (11)
Hinds & Williams, 318 Washington St., Boston, 1850-56, General line, (S) Charles Williams, Jr.
Hochhausen, W., New York, c. 1875, Keys, sounders
House, Royal E., 1848-, Printers, Made by J.B. Richards.
Hughes, David E., 1855-59, Printers, (S) G.M. Phelps.
Huttman, William E., 154 S. Water St., Chicago, c. 1867, "Made to Order" With Erpelding, J.
Illig, A., [See Frey, J.J.B.]
d'lnfreville, George, New York, 1881 Keys
Jenkins, M.R. Browning, Mo., 1886, "DoubleActing" key Made by Bunnell.
Johnson, W.H., Louisville, c. 1870, Sounders
Jones [See Barber, Palmer]
Jones [See Pearce & Jones]
Jones, C.E. & Bro., 58 Pike's Opera House, Cincinnati, 1878-80 General line
...Same... 51 W. Fourth St. Same 1880-82 Same
...Same... Carlisle Bldg. Same 1882-87 Same
Jones Electrical Mfg. Co., (A) New York Box Relays Made by Bunnell.
Keeling, J.S., 16 Broadway, New York, 1865-67, General line
Kent, Edward N., 116 John St, New York, 1845-1850, Registers & Relays. Made the first register to be used in Germany
Kline [See Nickolaus & Kline]
Knox & Shain, Philadelphia, c. 1850-1877, Keys, Sounders, Registers, & Surveying Instruments
Lannert & Decker, Cleveland, 1876-77, General line
Lannert, J.A., Cleveland, 1877-81, Keys & sounders, (S) Lannert & Decker.
Laws, Dr. S.S., New York, 1866, Printers Gold report'g ticker, built by Chester.
Lewis & Fowler Mfg. Co., 27-35 Walworth St., Brooklyn, 1886-87, "Concklin's" keys & Sdrs, (S) Empire Electrical Mfg. Co.
Longstreet, J.H., 9 Barclay St., New York, 1880-1888, Keys & Sounders
Lundberg, William. San Francisco, 1863-1871, Sold his business to Electrical Construction & Maintenance Co. in 1871
Lyman, A.B., 911/2 Seneca St., Cleveland, 1876-80, General line, "Phil Sheridan" line.
...Same... 36 S. Water St. Same 1880-94 Same (S) I.H. Moses.
Mack, FG. & Co. (A) 55'h Frankfort St., 1877-
Manhattan Electrical Supply Co., 54 Water St, New York, 1880, General line, "MESCO" later variation.
...Same... 32 Courtlant St. Same 1888-
Merchant's Mfg. & Constr'n Co. 50 Broad St., New York, 1872-76, Printers, Sam, J. Burrell, Sup't.
...Same... 40 Broad St. Same 1876 Same
Mona Manufacturing Co., PO Box 178, Newark, 1874, "Snapper" sounders
Moses, I.H., 36 S., Water St., Cleveland, 1888-97, Keys and sounders
Murray [See Edison & Murray]
National Electric Co,. New York, c. 1890, General line
New Haven Clock Co., 29 Murray St., New York, 1883-90, General line, (S) National Electric?
Nickolaus & Kline, c. 1876, "Monitor" relay
Norton Telegraph Works, Broadway & Broome St., New York, 1852-55, General line (S) Charles T. Chester.
Palmer [See Barber, Palmer]
Palmer & Barber, Utica, c. 1875, (S) Utica Fire Alarm.
Palmer & Hall, New York 1847-49
...Same... Boston 1850
Partrick [See Chester, Partrick]
Partrick, Bunnell & Co., 38 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, 1872-75, General line (S) Partrick & Carter.
...Same... 22 Dey St., New York, 1874-75, Same
Partrick & Carter, 38 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, 1867-76, General line
...Same... 114 S. Second St., Same 1876- Same
...Same... 125 S. Second St., Same 1891-97 Same
Pearce & Jones, 64-66 John St., New York, c. 187,5 General line
Pearce, R.K. & Co., (A) 54 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, 1878, General line
...Same... 38 S. Fourth St., Same 1879-, Same, Bought Tillotson's office.
Pennsylvania Railroad Co., Altoona Shops, Altoona, Pa., c. 1880, General line
Phelps, George M., Troy, N.Y, 1855-71, General line
Phelps, William P., Same, With George Phelps.
Pierson, E.M., c. 1860, Repeaters
Pope, Edison & Co., 78-80 Broadway, New York, c. 1869, (S) F.L. Pope & Co.
Pope, F.L. & Co., 194 Fulton St., New York, 1869-72, General Line, "Nonpareil" instruments.
...Same... 38 Vesey St., Same 1873-74, Same
...Same... 80 Broadway, Same 1874-, Same
Pope, R.W., Box 5278, New York, c. 1876, "Snapper" sounders
Post & Co., Cincinnati, 1880-, General line
Potter [See Fleming, Potter]
Putt, D.W. & Co., Wellsville, 0h., 1870-74, Practice Sets.
Redding Electrical Co., 30 Hanover St., Boston, 1884-85, General line
Redding, Jerome & Co., Same, Same 1877-82, Same, (S) Redding Electrical?
Richards, J.B., 621 Grand St., New York, 1854, Registers [See House, Royal E.]
Rogers, H.D. & Co., (A) Cincinnati
Rogers, Henry J., 1850, "lmproved" Bain's patent.
Rogers, J., New York, c. 1850, Relays Same as Henry?
Sargent, William D., 812 Race St., Philadelphia, (S) U.S.Telegraph & Supp. Co.
Schuyler & Smith, 1843, Registers 100 pounds plus.
Seiler, Paul. (Paul Seiler Electrical Works), 406 & 409 Market St. San Francisco, 1888-1916, General Line
Shain [See Knox & Schain]
Shaw Electric Co., (A) Philadelphia, c. 1880, Practice sets
Shawk [See Hicks & Shawk]
Shawk & Barton, 98 St. Clair St., 12 Cleveland, 1869, General line (S) Hicks & Shawk.
Shawk & Foote, 55 Center St., Cleveland, 1870
Smith, Charles T., Washington, c. 1844, Magnets For Morse.
Smith, FC., 1041 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, 1886, "Herbert~' key
Smith, Gilbert [See Schuyler & Smith]
Speedwell Iron Works, Morristown, N.J., 1837-38, Port rules, registers, Wm. Baxter & Alfred Vail, principals.
Splitdorf, H. [See Clark & Splitdorf]
Springer, L.C., (A) 162 S., Water St., Chicago, c. 1865, General line
Standard Electric Works, Cleveland, 1883-84, "Stevens" keys
Standard Electrical Works, Cincinnati, 1880s, General Line
Standard Electric Co., (A) 502 Fourth Ave., Louisville, 1886, "Biggs" Keys
...Same... (A) 410 Third Ave., Same 1888
Stokell, New York, 1846, Magnets For Morse.
Telegraph Supply & Mfg. Co., 130-134 Champlain St., Cleveland, 1871-74, "Dirt Cheap" Instruments
...Same... Leader Bldg., Cleveland, 1874-84, (S) W.B. Cleveland.
Tillotson [See Bliss, Tillotson]
Tillotson & Co., 262 Broadway, New York, 1862-65, General line; Cumming Keeling a partner.
Tillotson, L.G. & Co., 8 Dey St., New York, 1865, Periphery Contact, E.S. Greeley a partner.
...Same... 26 Dey St., New York, 1865-67, key, and"Victor"
...Same... 11 Dey St., New York, 1868-72, Instruments.
...Same... 8 Dey St., New York, 1872-80, Same, Bought Gamewell in 1879.
...Same... 5 & 7 Dey St., New York, 1880-85, Same. (S) E.S. Greeley & Co.
U.S. Telegraph & Supply Co., (A) Philadelphia, c. 1870
Unger [See Edison & Unger]
Union Electric Co., New York, c. 1875, Keys
Utica Fire Alarm Telegraph Co., 106-108 Liberty St.m Utica, N.Y.m 1879-88m General linem "Earthquake" practice set.
Vail, Alfred [See Speedwell Iron Works]
Viaduct Mfg. Co.m Relay Station, B&0 RRm Baltimorem 1884m General line
...Same... 4 S. Howard St.m Baltimorem 1894- Same
Ware, H., Cincinnati, c. 1865, Keys
Watts [See Davis & Watts]
Watts & Co., 47 Holliday St., Baltimore, 1872-78, (S) Davis & Watts.
Welch & Anders, 30 Hanover St., Boston, 1876, Printers, (S) Jerome Redding?
Wessman, Gustav, 11 Spruce St., New York, c. 1853-
Western Electric Mfg Co., 220 Kinzie St., Chicago, 1872-, General line (13)
Williams [See Hinds & Williams]
Williams, Charles Jr., 109 Court St., Boston, 1856-72, General line (S) Western Electric.
Woodman [See Farmer & Woodman]
Zook, Samuel K. [See Barnes, Edmund F]
Industry Leaders to circa 1890
This is only speculation based on the frequency with which instruments seem to appear in collections, extent of advertising, etc., but the dominant makers in approximate order were:
Bunnell; Western Electric & Tillotson/Greeley, tied; Partrick & Carter; Phelps; Williams; Redding; New Haven Clock Co; Clark, Chester & Chubbuck, tied; Watts, Buell, DuBois, Lyman and Pope not far behind.
In the 1890s Manhattan Electrical Supply Co. was a very large supplier, but Bunnell and Greeley (the "Ludwig" mechanical set) actually may have provided many if not all of their instruments. Some Manhattan catalogs show illustrations of instruments labeled "Bunnell."
Other Notables in Instrument Development
There were many inventors/engineers who contributed substantially to instrument development, such as Milliken, Stearns, Curtiss, Toye and others.
They are not listed individually because they apparently did not make instruments other than for patent purposes.
Why Sounders Replaced Registers
"By 1849, operating by sound was becoming prevalent... The reception by register, the constant winding, the mistakes made by copyist caused by imperfect hearing, the whirr of the wheels, the breaking of the weight cord and the howl caused by damaged toes, the delay, the labor of all this was palpable and sought deliverance... It soon became, for all large offices, universal" - James D. Reid, The Telegraph in America, pp.l 90-191 .
footnotes:
1 With Zook; a "copy" of Morse's patent?
2 "Copy" of Morse's patent
3 Acquired 19?? by INSO Electronic Prods. (Dr. Joe Jacobs, prop.) Inventory liquidated 1989-
4 The Caton shop, James Gamble, Sup't. (see Calif. Elec. Wks.) was owned by the Illinois & Mississippi Telegraph Co.
5 Stephen Chester joined his brothers in 1867, but left in 1868 to join Partrick in Chester, Partrick & Co.
6 See 5
7 Edison also used Bradley's shop.
8 Farmer invented duplex, developed Boston Fire Alarm system with Channing.
9 This building subsequently became AT&T headquarters.
10 Gold & Stock quotation services used instruments made by Phelps, Edison, Pope and Grey.
11 Before 1869 this was a Western Union shop, making instruments marked accordingly.
12 See 10
13 "Manufacturing" dropped from title c. 1884.
