Information Regarding Foster & Bailey and Theodore W. Foster & Bro. Co.

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Edward M. Coe, Theodore W. Foster & Bro. Co., Providence, R. I., was in Detroit last week calling on friends. He is optimistic regarding the Fall retail jewelry trade and says no one can go wrong by making ready for a good business.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 27th July 1927

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Death of Charles E. Platt

Salesman Who Represented New England Concern for Nearly Forty Years Dies in Providence

PROVIDENCE, R. I., Nov. 10.—Charles E. Platt, who was for nearly 40 years a traveling representative for the Theo. W. Foster & Bro. Co., 100 Richmond St., and who was well known and highly esteemed by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances both in the jewelry trade and in other circles, died at his home on Sunday evening, Nov. 6, of diabetes. The funeral was held last Wednesday from the funeral parlor of J. Will Carpenter, Providence, and the interment was in Rumford Cemetery, Rumford, R. I.

Charles E. Platt was born, 58 years ago, in Providence, R. I., where he spent his early life and obtained his education. After finishing his school work he went into business with his brother, Eugene, in the printing business under the name of the Platt Albertype Co. He later became associated with Theo. W. Foster & Bro. Co. as a traveling salesman, covering New York State, Pennsylvania, a part of Maryland and Washington, D. C.

During his many years on the road he constantly widened his circle of friends, who came to know and regard him as a man of sterling qualities. In the announcement of his death, sent out by his employer, the Theo. W. Foster & Bro. Co., that concern, in stating that he was faithful unto death, summed up one of his many lovable qualities. His many friends and acquaintances in the jewelry trade will learn with deep regret of his passing.

The deceased is survived by his widow, four brothers, William H., Eugene, Fred B., and Chester, and by a sister, Alice.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 17th November 1927

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Jean Theobald, head designer at the factory of Frank M. Whiting Co., has resigned and will enter the employ of the Theo. W Foster & Bro. Co., Providence.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 27th June 1906

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L. W. Williams, Chicago manager for the Theodore Foster & Bro. Co., with offices on the 17th floor of the Heyworth building, returned last week from a seven weeks’ trip through the southwest. Mr. Williams called on the retail trade in this territory and reports having had very good business.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 8th September 1926

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The Theodore W. Foster & Bro. Co., Providence, R. I., is showing a white metal cigarette case designed to operate with one hand. Some of the first cases made have been in daily service for over a year and show no defects, and continue to work as well as when first used. A novel type of display fixtures and window cards will be used in assisting the dealer, and from indications thus far, the “Shur Handy” cigarette case will be one of the successful novelties of the coming season.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 27th July 1921

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L. W. Williams, Chicago manager for the Theo. W. Foster & Bro. Co., left last week for his southern territory.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 27th July 1921

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Theodore W. Foster & Bro. Co. - Providence, R.I. - 1908

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Death of Theodore W. Foster

Pioneer Manufacturing Jeweler and Prominent Citizen of Providence, Passes Away in His 82nd Year

PROVIDENCE, R. I., Oct. 1.—The jewelry trade of this section has lost one of its oldest, most prominent and most revered leaders, while Providence mourns the pasing of one of its most respected and public-spirited citizens in the death of Theodore Waters Foster, which occurred yesterday. Mr. Foster, who was in his 82nd year, passed away at his home, 78 Waterman St., after an illness of six weeks, and had been active in business as the head of the Theodore W. Foster & Bro. Co., until he was taken sick. The funeral services, it is announced, will be held from St. Stephen’s Church, at 11 o’clock, Wednesday morning, while the interment will be in Swan Point Cemetery.

Few, if any, men in the jewelry trade have left a deeper impress on the industry of this section than did the deceased, and few, if any, have attained the prominence and respect of his fellow members than did Mr. Foster. In the three score and more years, in which he made jewelry his life work, to him may be credited many improvements in jewelry manufacturing, not only as to the actual turning out of the product, but in devices for improving working conditions.

A practical journeyman in all branches of the jewelry industry as well as of a constructive and inventive mind, improvements in jewelry manufacturing and devices for ventilating the shops were inventions of Mr. Foster and were introduced for the first time anywhere, in the Providence plant of his firm at 100 Richmond St., where Mr. Foster had conducted business for 48 years. Numerous patents were granted Mr. Foster in connection with jewelry manufacture, among them one on a spring device to prevent the unfastening of breastpins or brooches and similar articles. He is also credited for an improved method of making gold front backs for sleeve buttons and the invention of a combined match box and cigar lighter as well as a large number of designs, and improvements in enameling, coloring and other methods.

Mr. Foster was a pioneer in recognizing the need of sanitation and ventilation in manufacturing plants and early in his career introduced an exhaust fan installation and an elaborate system of overhead piping to purify the air contaminated by gas flames used in soldering and acid fumes from oxidation and coloring departments. He first installed and devised a system for removing the dust from the polishing benches and succeeded in making the occupation of a polisher as healthful as that of any other workman in the industry.

It was this attention to the needs and comforts of the men and women in his employ, both individually and collectively, that won their devotion to him and prompted them on his 50th anniversary in business and his 75th birthday to honor him with a silver cup, made in his own shop.

Theodore Waters Foster was born May 19, 1847, in Delta, N. Y., the son of Chauncey and Ophelia (Remington) Foster. When he was four years old his parents removed to Pawtucket, R. I., where the father became engaged in the belting business and there the son attended the public schools. Upon the breaking out of the Civil War, Benjamin Hood, a manufacturing jeweler of Pawtucket, received a contract from the government for the making of army buttons, metal numbers, insignias, etc. Mr. Foster, Sr., was at the time in Mr. Hood’s employ and being a fine mechanic he invented numerous tools and machines for cheapening the cost of the government productions. Here it was that young Theodore first learned the use of tools employed in the jewelry industry. His vacations and spare time from school were passed in and about this shop and it was during these short intervals in the shop and the frequent visits to the factory, going from workman to workman and watching their work at the benches, that he formed a love for the business and the resolution that when he had finished his schooling he would learn the trade and become a manufacturing jeweler.

During the spring of 1863 the call to arms sounded by President Lincoln struck a responsive chord in the heart of Mr. Foster and, like many thousands of other youths throughout the country, could scarcely repress the growing desire to enlist. On July 21, 1863, while walking across Market Square in this city, he was attracted by the posters calling for men for cavalry service. He walked into the provost marshal’s office and enlisted in Co. C, Third Regiment, Rhode Island Cavalry. Being at that time in fine health and large in stature, although he was only a few weeks over 17 years of age, he readily passed the examinations, and was appointed a bugler for the company. He served under Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks in the Louisiana campaign and in the Red River expedition and was mustered out in December, 1865, after two and one half years service at $13 per month.

Army life was not conducive to saving, and when he returned at the end of his period of service he had just sufficient money to fit him out with a new suit of clothes and other personal belongings. While in the army he lost all taste for the schoolroom and upon his return he entered the employ of his father, with whom he remained as an apprentice for five years, making jewelers’ findings and materials and learning the manufacturing jewelry business. He then entered the employ of the then well known manufacturing jewelry concern of Sturdy & Marcy, later the Fred I. Marey & Co., where he remained three years.

On Jan. 1, 1873, he started in business for himself, forming a co-partnership with Walter E. White and Samuel H. Bailey, both of whom have since died, under the firm name of White, Foster & Co. In 1878 this partnership was dissolved and Mr. White retired to engage in business for himself. The two remaining partners continued the business under the style of Foster & Bailey.

The venture was a success from the start, and the business grew beyond their most sanguine expectations. At the end of three years the firm removed from the small shop in Potter, now Garnet St., to larger quarters in the Fitzgerald building. After five years it was found necessary to again enlarge their capacity, and an entire floor was taken in the Sackett & Davis building, at Richmond and Friendship Sts., where the plant has since remained. This was in 1880 and gradually from time to time additional room was taken until practically the entire building was occupied by the concern.

In 1899 Mr. Foster purchased the interest of Mr. Bailey and incorporated the business under the laws of Maine, with a capitalization of $300,000, the firm style being Theodore W. Foster & Bro. Co., Inc. Mr. Foster became president and treasurer and his son, T. Clyde Foster, vice-president; his nephew, Ernest L. Fuller, secretary and his brother, Isaac F. Foster, superintendent.

Mr. Foster traveled on the road and did the selling for a number of years, becoming widely known from coast to coast and did not cease active salesmanship until the business had grown to such proportions that his constant presence was needed at the factory. A general line of plated jewelry was produced for a number of years and in 1885, the firm brought out a new model of patent cuff buttons known as “tip-ups” or “floppers” to take the place of the “separables” which had had an extensive run for several years. Their button was called the “Mount Hope” and for a number of years was a chief feature of the firm’s production and was sold in great quantities throughout the United States, Canada and South America and in several foreign countries. Just before the beginning of the present century the firm began the introduction of higher grades of goods, specializing in sterling silver toilet articles and sets and later brought out the beautiful cloisonné enamel goods.

Mr. Foster was a member of Canonicus Lodge, No. 9, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of Slocum Post No. 10, G. A. R. He was a member for 25 years of the Providence Board of Trade, Providence Art Club, Churchmen’s Club, Hope Club, Rhode Island Country Club, Rhode Island Historical Society, Commercial Club and the Squantum Association. He was a director of the National Exchange Bank, now the Exchange Branch of the Industrial Trust Co. and also a director of the Universal Optical Corporation and of the National Jewelers’ Board of Trade and was given a handsomely embossed testimonial by the latter when he retired as its honorary New England vice-president. Through his firm he was also affiliated with the New England Manufacturing Jewelers’ and Silversmiths’ Association and other trade and industrial organizations.

Mr. Foster was married May 15, 1868, at Pawtucket to Miss Mary E. Murdock, born at Pictou, Nova Scotia, who died in 1890 and Mr. Foster in 1894 married Miss Maybell Paulina Davis, of Maine. The latter survives him, as do the children of the first marriage, Mary Adele Foster, who now resides in Paris; Eliza Ophelia Verley, who married Vincent E. L. Verley and resides in Jamaica, West Indies; Theodore Clyde Foster of this city, who was associated with the deceased in the business; William Chauncey Foster and Ethel Vola Foster. A brother, Isaac Franklin Foster of East Providence and a half-sister, Mrs. Edwin Curtis Peck, of Rehoboth, Mass., also survive.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 4th October 1928

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Pay Last Respects

Employes and Business Associates Attend Funeral Services for the Late Theodore W. Foster at Providence

PROVIDENCE, R. I., Oct. 8.—Funeral services for the late Theodore W. Foster, president and treasurer of the manufacturing jewelry concern of Theodore W. Foster & Bro. Co., were held at 11 o’clock last Wednesday morning at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, where he was for many years one of the wardens. During the day the entire factory of the concern was closed, and more than 400 employes attended the obsequies in a body. Business associates, prominent manufacturers and men connected with numerous leading local interests, with the employes of the firm occupying every available seat, paid their respects to a beloved and esteemed friend, benefactor and employer.

A high mass of requiem was conducted, followed in connection with the same type of service which has been in vogue in the Episcopal Church for centuries. Rev. Frederick S. Fleming was the celebrant of the mass and Rt. Rev. James DeWolf Perry, Bishop of the Rhode Island diocese, was seated in the chancel and assisted in the service. The vestrymen of the church served as honorary bearers, burial being in the family plot at Swan Point Cemetery. The casket and the chancel were massed with large numbers of handsome floral tributes.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 11th October 1928

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Theodore W. Foster & Bro. Co. - Providence, R.I. - 1912

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Theodore W. Foster & Bro. Co. - Providence, R.I. - 1914

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Theodore W. Foster & Bro. Co. - Providence, R.I. - 1906

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CHICAGO

L. Williams, manager of the Chicago office of Theo. W. Foster & Bro. Co., is making his regular semi-annual business trip through the South and Middle West and will be away for about six weeks.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 2nd August 1928

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Theodore W. Foster & Bro. Co. - Providence, R.I. - 1904

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CHICAGO

R. T. Kleckner, with the Theo. W. Foster & Bro. Co., has just returned from a successful trip to the coast.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 1st August 1906

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J. A. Limbach, manager of the Chicago office of the Theo. W. Foster & Bro. Co., is visiting the factory at Providence, R. L, and other eastern points. Mrs. Limbach accompanies him.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 1st August 1906

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CHICAGO

L. W. Williams, Chicago manager for the Theodore W. Foster & Bro. Co., left last Friday to visit his trade in the south. Mr. Williams will be gone for seven weeks.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 22nd July 1925

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Theodore W. Foster & Bro. Co. - Providence, R.I. - 1904

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T. W. Foster, of Foster & Bailey, has been admitted to membership in the Advance Club.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 22nd July 1891

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S. H. Bailey, of Foster & Bailey, and family will spend a portion of the summer at Martha’s Vineyard.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 22nd July 1891

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