Information Regarding the R.F. Simmons Co. - Attleboro

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Fifty Years of Service

Toolmaker of R. F. Simmons Co. Honored on Completion of Half Century with This Concern

ATTLEBORO, Mass., May 12.—Last Thursday marked the completion of fifty years’ service for the R. F. Simmons Co. by William H. Marshall, more familiarly known as “Billy,” of Attleboro Falls, and in recognition of this he was feted at the shop that afternoon.

In addition to receiving the congratulations and well wishes of his shopmates, he was the recipient of two gifts—one from his fellow workers and the other given him by the firm, and he was forced to make a short speech, which, he said, was one of the hardest bits of work he has done during the whole half century that he has been in the employ of the Simmons company.

Mr. Marshall is a toolmaker by trade and is considered one of the most expert in the production of tools for jewelers’ use in this vicinity. He entered the employ of the Simmons concern on May 10, 1878, and has earned and enjoyed ever since that time an enviable reputation for faithfulness and efficiency.

His presentation from the firm was a handsome gold watch by Harold E. Sweet in behalf of the concern. Mr. Marshall, who resides at 296 Mount Hope St., Attleboro Falls, thus joins a select group of workers at the Simmons establishment, including Joseph L. Sweet, senior partner and founder of the business; George Derk and Oscar Herring, all of whom have been with the firm for more than half a century.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 17th May 1928

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LOS ANGELES

F. Moore, representing R. F. Simmons Co., Attleboro, Mass., was an eastern salesman seen in Los Angeles recently.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 20th September 1928

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The R. F. Simmons Co., Attleboro, on Thursday last staged an unusual and interesting affair that will always be remembered as a gala occasion in the history of that concern. It was the presentation of service medals or emblems to those employes who have been employed in that concern’s factory for more than five years. There were 164 of these and they have been divided into different groups of five years, 10 years, 25 years, 40 years and 50 years’ service. In the five-year group there were 65 who received medals. In the 10-year group there were 70. The 25-year group contained 18, with six in the 40-year group and 5 in the 50-year group. The emblems or pins were made by the C. M. Robbins Co. and are attractive in design and quality. The 50-year group includes: Joseph L. Sweet, George W. Derk, Oscar E. Herring, William Marshall and Frederick Skinner, while in the 40-year group are: Henry Baker, August L. Blumenthal, Henry F. Douglas, William F. Douglas, Frank E. Hawkins and J. Reynolds. In the 25-year group are: Harold E. Sweet, Frank C. Abbott, John Bird, Sara Briggs, Daniel B. Cameron, Charles Carpenter, James Douglas, Alanson S. Lapham, Michael McCann, Edward Maloney, Harry Mathewson, Joseph Porter, Ezra Smith, Louis Sweet, Joseph Valade, Louis Webb, Eva Webb and S. Ford.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 11th October 1928

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Hayward Sweet, son of Harald E. Sweet, and Samuel M. Stone, Jr., graduated in the same class from Deerfield Academy the past week.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 28th June 1928

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Daniel Cameron, foreman at the R. F. Simmons & Co.’s plant, is recovering from a recent operation at the Sturdy Memorial Hospital.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 28th June 1928

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Fifty-fifth Anniversary

R. F. Simmons Co., Attleboro, Mass., Celebrates Event with Dinner to Employees

ATTLEBORO, Mass., April 14.—Marking the 55th anniversary of one of the city’s oldest industrial establishments the members of the R. F. Simmons Co. “family” gathered in the Chamber of Commerce hall last Tuesday evening, April 10, to celebrate the passing of another milestone in the history of the firm which is rapidly achieving a record for the longevity of employment of a working force that has turned out a product which year after year has become more widely known. It was a real family party for it is doubtful if there could be found anywhere a group of men and women who have been together in the employment of one firm for such lengths of time.

Everybody knew each other and there was the pleasantest sort of repartee as the gathering numbering well over 200 sat about the festive board and consumed a repast of chicken and all the “fixin’s.” A pitch from James Pendergast at the piano and the roll of the drums by “Bill” Ellsbree sent the entire gathering off on a rollicking tune. There was plenty of music and John L. Gibb, who later came in to lead the singing has seldom found a more responsive group of people.

There were plenty of “smokes” for the men while the ladies received boxes of candy after the dinner. The postprandial exercises were brief, but highly interesting. Harold E. Sweet who sat at the head table surrounded by a group of the oldest employees, with his wife and his mother, Mrs. J. L. Sweet, was the only speaker. In his inimitable way Mr. Sweet quickly put over a humorous story and then delved into reminiscence which was of the deepest Interest.

He recalled the 50th anniversary of the firm and the celebration which marked it, also adding that of the group of old-time employees, gathered at that time, only two were missing on the present occasion—John Diamond, who has died and Henry Baker, who has retired. A cablegram from J. L. Sweet who is in London, congratulating the employees and the executives was read by the toastmaster. A message from Frank A. Rydstrom of New York, an old employee, was also warmly received. The history of the firm which was reviewed by Mr. Sweet was of great interest. To its employees Mr. Sweet gave the fullest credit. He looked into the future and expressed the hope that everybody present would be at the diamond anniversary of the firm, visualizing it as entirely possible even to include the veterans, George Dirk and Oscar Herring.

Mr. Sweet paid high tribute to the veterans who sat on either side of him at the head table and was given an ovation as he concluded. The veterans at the head table included: George Dirk, Oscar Herring, August Blumenthal, Ezra Smith, William Marshall, Frank Douglas, Frederick Hawkins, Michael McCann, Stephen Ford, Frederick Skinner, John Reynolds, J. Edward Douglas and Louis Sweet.

The entertainment part of the program proved that Simmons employees are adept at turning to minstrelsy. With aisles cleared, there pranced into the hall a group of folks in black-face and minstrel attire and for the next hour the “Cake Walk” minstrels held full sway. The affair was in charge of the shop committee, consisting of Edwin Kenworthy, Mrs. Annie Maher and Luke Farrell.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 19th April 1928

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Mr. and Mrs. Harold E. Sweet sailed last week from New York on the steamship Orizaba for a 10 days’ cruise to Havana.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 22nd March 1928

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One of the displays that recently aroused a great deal of favorable comment at the exhibit in the Newark Museum was that of the R. F. Simmons Co. of this city. The company showed a fine collection of bracelets and another of chains, and an exhibit of an ingot of gold brought through the various processes to form gold links and spirals, used in the Simmons chains.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 22nd March 1928

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Harold Sweet of the R.F. Simmons Co., has returned from a recreation trip to Cuba.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 12th April 1928

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The R. F. Simmons Co. Athletic Association at a meeting the past week, elected John Redding as baseball manager for the coming baseball season and Patrick Kneeland was made chairman of the board of directors.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 12th April 1928

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R. F. Simmons Co.’s Employes Enjoy a Day at Rocky Point

The employes of the R. F. Simmons Co. enjoyed a full day of fun the other day at Rocky Point when one of the biggest and best of the series of annual outings that the firm so liberally provides for its workers each year, was held as a feature of the beginning of the plant’s annual vacation period. Six motor buses and upwards of two scores of private automobiles were used in transporting the party which numbered upwards of 250 employes and executives to the popular recreation place overlooking Narragansett Bay. Headed by James Murphy, a general committee of the workmen and firm members, including Joseph L. Sweet, who was unable to be present having been called away by business, and Harold E. Sweet, arranged the big day’s program.

A shore dinner with all the attending delicacies was the one event in which everybody participated. Afterwards there was a general good time with the amusement facilities of the park being visited by the majority of the excursionists following the sports program. The baseball game that had been planned between the married and single men was called off because of the muddy condition of the grounds, and instead those factions engaged in a tug-of-war, the married men being pulled all over the lot by the bachelors. Then there was a bathing beach parade and carnival of aquatic sports.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 26th July 1928

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Mr. and Mrs. Harold E. Sweet entertained at a house party over the last week-end at their summer home in Falmouth.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 26th July 1928

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J. L. Sweet is spending a few weeks in the vicinity of Philadelphia, where he is enjoying golf and a general respite from business.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 26th July 1928

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John J. Soper with the R. F. Simmons Co. was in charge of the class initiation for the Attleboro Aerie of Eagles last week. Among those in the class were a number of jewelers.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 7th June 1928

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The team representing the L. G. Balfour Co. took the lead in the Y. M. C. A. Basketball League the other evening by trimming the R. F. Simmons Co. team by a score of 33 to 21. Balfour sent its regular team on to the floor to trim their opponents at any cost, and they came through with flying colors. Simmons staged a great battle, but the all-round experience and shooting ability of the winners was too much for them to overcome.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 9th February 1928

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The Attleboro Girls’ Club entertained the young women from the factory of the R. F. Simmons Co. at the League House on Bank Street the other evening. An evening of fun and sociability had been planned, including games, dancing, cards, and during the course of the evening different members of the club were put up to some impromptu stunts. The party anticipated St. Valentine somewhat in the way of decorations, favors and refreshments, and a program of February surprises was in order.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 9th February 1928

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Joseph L. Sweet gave an interesting account of his recent trip to Australia before members of the Murray Men’s Club at the home of Frank J. Ryder last Monday evening and a large representation was present to listen to him. James Wiggmore, Joseph Washington and George Fife assisted the host in serving refreshments after the talk.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 12th May 1926

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Mr. and Mrs. Harold E. Sweet attended the commencement exercises at Tufts College last Monday, where Mr. Sweet, as president of the board of trustees, officiated at the graduation exercises and confirmed the degrees that were presented.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 23rd June 1926

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Harold E. Sweet left last Saturday for Atlantic City where he will enjoy a short stay.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 9th March 1910

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Harold E. Sweet, of the R. F. Simmons Co., a graduate of Tufts college in 1898, has been nominated as alumni trustee.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 9th March 1910

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