woody 73
Well-known member
This was a very hard story to work on; first I thought the facts would flow like a fast moving tsunami and as it turned out the flow of information moved like a water hole that dried up years ago.
With that in mind I had to turn to several different sources for information and I would like to thank Garage Gazette member Mad for his computer help in locating the company in question; once he gave me a name I was like a vampire out for fresh blood. Next up I wish a special thanks to GJ members bczygan for the dates of death, and GJ members Four cycle and Twertsy for extra outside information on this story.
As it turned out I picked up a few used Dies with just the name of Handy and that got me thinking I needed to learn more about who made them and this is the following story.
It turns out this was not a very easy job, the following information still has me in the dark as they say but I will do my best. Henry L. Hanson was born on August 27th, 1881 in Worcester,Mass., He died in 1939 at the age of 58
.
He married his wife Thekla C. Larsen of Worcester,Mass., 1881-1959 age 78.
They were married on May the 23rd., 1903 and the had three children Clifford D. born on April 9th, 1904, Henry Lioyd, born on June 9th 1906, and Charlotte N. born on April the 19th, 1911.
We think (key word here) that the son Henry Lioyd Hanson helped keep the company running after the death of his Father in 1939.
Now as best we can tell Henry Hanson started his Company in 1913 (We think) as GJ member twertsy pointed out he was a machinist in the city in the 1912 directory and by 1913 he had started his own company.
Now this part has me in the dark, so I will tell you only what I know, something happened in or around March the 27th, 1919 and according to The Iron Age report this is what took place.
"The Worcester steel products Co., recently Incorporated with a capital of $75,000, will take over the factory of Henry L. Hanson 25 Union Street, heretofore used for the manufacture of carpenter's tools. The new organization will specialize in the manufacture of reamers, taps, and dies and other cutting tools."
I am guessing that this was all under one big umbrella (not sure ?) and if it was still under the wing the Henry L. Hanson Co. ?
I am still stumped because this was such a large company and the information is lacking ? Anyhow they produced the Handy Taps & Dies along with the very familiar ACE brand that we all grew up with.
Mr. Hanson was the originator of taps and dies which he sold at the five and dime stores for the working man for ten cents each; smart thinking on his part.
At some point in time the company got taken over by the Irwin Co.
Because this story is so long I will break it up and list the links on part 2; the ACE trademark date I found to be around 1937 and the Handy trademark around May 1949. Pictures to follow:
With that in mind I had to turn to several different sources for information and I would like to thank Garage Gazette member Mad for his computer help in locating the company in question; once he gave me a name I was like a vampire out for fresh blood. Next up I wish a special thanks to GJ members bczygan for the dates of death, and GJ members Four cycle and Twertsy for extra outside information on this story.
As it turned out I picked up a few used Dies with just the name of Handy and that got me thinking I needed to learn more about who made them and this is the following story.
It turns out this was not a very easy job, the following information still has me in the dark as they say but I will do my best. Henry L. Hanson was born on August 27th, 1881 in Worcester,Mass., He died in 1939 at the age of 58
.
He married his wife Thekla C. Larsen of Worcester,Mass., 1881-1959 age 78.
They were married on May the 23rd., 1903 and the had three children Clifford D. born on April 9th, 1904, Henry Lioyd, born on June 9th 1906, and Charlotte N. born on April the 19th, 1911.
We think (key word here) that the son Henry Lioyd Hanson helped keep the company running after the death of his Father in 1939.
Now as best we can tell Henry Hanson started his Company in 1913 (We think) as GJ member twertsy pointed out he was a machinist in the city in the 1912 directory and by 1913 he had started his own company.
Now this part has me in the dark, so I will tell you only what I know, something happened in or around March the 27th, 1919 and according to The Iron Age report this is what took place.
"The Worcester steel products Co., recently Incorporated with a capital of $75,000, will take over the factory of Henry L. Hanson 25 Union Street, heretofore used for the manufacture of carpenter's tools. The new organization will specialize in the manufacture of reamers, taps, and dies and other cutting tools."
I am guessing that this was all under one big umbrella (not sure ?) and if it was still under the wing the Henry L. Hanson Co. ?
I am still stumped because this was such a large company and the information is lacking ? Anyhow they produced the Handy Taps & Dies along with the very familiar ACE brand that we all grew up with.
Mr. Hanson was the originator of taps and dies which he sold at the five and dime stores for the working man for ten cents each; smart thinking on his part.
At some point in time the company got taken over by the Irwin Co.
Because this story is so long I will break it up and list the links on part 2; the ACE trademark date I found to be around 1937 and the Handy trademark around May 1949. Pictures to follow:
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