Henry Cheney Hammer Company

Little Falls, N.Y. U.S.A. 1854-1954

This is a work in progress, gathering information about the Henry Cheney Hammer Company of Little Falls, New York — manufacturers of blacksmiths’, carpenters’, engineers’, farriers’, geologists’, joiners’, machinists’, masons’, riveting and tinners’ hammers and other tools.

At various times the company was known as “Henry Cheney Hammer Company”, “H. Cheney Hammer Co.”, “Henry Cheney Hammer Corporation”, “Henry Cheney Hammer Corp.”, “H. Cheney Corp.”, and “Cheney Corp.”.

The company operated, under at least five distinct ownerships, at the same location, along the banks of the Mohawk river, on West Mill Street, in Little Falls, New York, for just over a century — from the Spring of 1854 until July 2, 1954.

Several sources refer to Henry making hammers in Fly Creek, New York before 1854, but none provide a firm date. Likewise, there is clear evidence that Cheney hammers were produced outside of Little Falls after 1954, but details are scarce. Some were produced by the Collins Company in Collinsville, Connecticut — possibly until 1966. Some were produced by Brades Steel Works in Birmingham, England up to 1965. And some were produced, probably by Cyclone Forging, in Australia. Some may have also been produced in India.

The more that is uncovered, the more questions arise...

Products

Timeline

This may seem a little heavy on the genealogy, but these are the best clues we have to go by. And they provide a glimpse into the lives of Henry Cheney and others involved in the company and the times in which they lived.

1821 Henry Cheney was born on January 12th in Fly Creek, Otsego Town, Otsego County, New York. His parents were Alva and Anna Welch Cheney. They were married on February 26, 1812 at the Presbyterian Church in Cooperstown, New York. Henry had an older brother, Vine Welch Cheney, who was born in 1814 and named after their maternal grandfather. According to the 1850 census, Alva’s occupation was “Wagon Maker”.
1822 Henry’s brother, Alanson, was born on December 20th in Fly Creek.
1828 Orestes Badger (1791 or 1792 - 13 Oct 1850) established the Fly Creek Foundry and Machine Shop. This is where, at a later, unknown date, Henry Cheney and Silas W. LeRow (8 Jun 1819 - 29 Dec 1863) began manufacturing hammers.
1829 Henry’s sister, Phebe Paulina, was born.
1836 According to a trademark registration during Titus Sheard Hose’s management of the company (1917-1925) this is when the company began using the Cheney name on their products.
  According to reports during Elmer Mulford’s management of the company (1925-1954), this is when Henry, working as a village blacksmith, developed a method of tempering steel for hammers, which was still being used over ninety years later.
1845 According to reports during George Waterman’s management of the company (1899-1916), this is when Henry began manufacturing handle hammers in Fly Creek.
18?? Henry married Lucretia Garlick (date unknown). She was the daughter of Stewart and Sarah Garlick of Otsego Town, Otsego County, New York.
1847 Henry’s daughter, Sarah Ann Cheney, was born on May 1st in Fly Creek.
1849 Henry’s daughter, Eunice Marie Cheney, was born on December 24th in Fly Creek.
1850 According to the United States Census, Henry was 29 years old and living in Fly Creek with his wife Lucretia (29), daughters Sarah (3) and Eunice (0), Jerome (30) and Mary (25) Webber, and Elisabeth Cheney (25) [probably Henry’s sister-in-law, his younger brother Alanson married Elisabeth Shepard]. Henry’s occupation is listed as “Machinist”.
  On October 13th, Orestes Badger died at age 58.
1851 Henry’s father, Alva Cheney, died on February 5th in Fly Creek.
  Henry’s son, Charles Henry Cheney, was born on October 18th on Higby Farm in Fly Creek.
1853 Henry’s son, Robert Alva Cheney, was born on August 3rd in Fly Creek.
1854

In the Spring, Henry Cheney and Silas W. LeRow moved their hammer manufacturing operation from Fly Creek to the former fulling and carding mill of William Ingham (12 Oct 1794 - 10 Jan 1891) in Little Falls.

Many sources, including Judge Hardin’s 1893 History of Herkimer County, claim that this happened in 1856. However, Henry’s obituary clearly states that he lived in Little Falls “nearly twenty-four years.” That, plus the fact that “Babe” is buried in Little Falls point towards 1854 being the correct date. Additionally, Silas’ daughter, Ella, was born November 29, 1854 in Little Falls.

1855 Henry’s child, known only as “Babe”, was born and died ten days later in November. Babe is buried with Henry and Lucretia in Little Falls.
1858 On January 4th, as an honorary member of Protection Fire Company No. 2, Henry was cordially invited to the annual supper at the Nelson House in Little Falls.
  On June 13th, Silas’ second daughter, Emma, was born in Little Falls.
1860 Henry’s daughter, Jennie Almanda Cheney, was born on April 3rd in Little Falls, Herkimer County, New York.
  On October 13th, Silas’ third daughter, Libbie LeRow McDowell, was born in Little Falls.
1861 On February 18th, just after noon, President-Elect Abraham Lincoln stopped in Little Falls and gave a short speech, while en route from Springfield, Illinois, to Washington, D.C. to assume the Presidency.
1863 On December 29, Henry’s business partner, Silas W. LeRow, died at age 44, in Little Falls.
1864 On April 14th, Silas’ second daughter, Emma LeRow, died of Scarlet Fever at 46 months old, in Little Falls.
1865 Henry’s granddaughter by Sarah, Lena Moll, was born, probably in Little Falls.
1867 U.S. Patent 66,298 was issued July 2nd to Henry Cheney for a process of brazing or welding a malleable iron socket [adz-eye] to a wrought-iron or steel hammer head.
1868 According to an invoice dated March 30, Henry was a “Manufacturer of Saw Gummers, Saw Gummer Burrs, Mop Sticks, Best Steel And Other Hammers, &c.”
1869 Henry’s daughter, Eunice Marie, married Sheldon Frederick Jones on February 22 in Herkimer county.
  The hammer factory employed 100 men.
1871 U.S. Patent 116,553 was issued July 4th to Henry Cheney for his nail holding hammer. This would become the Cheney Patent Nail Holder.
1872 Henry’s mother, Anna Welch Cheney, died on May 1st in Fly Creek.
  In the fall, Sheldon Jones became a salesman for his-brother-in-law, Jacob Moll, a furniture maker in Little Falls.
1873 Henry’s son, Robert Alva, married Robenia Elizabeth Craig.
  In November, in order to protect the village against the threat of incendiarism (a.k.a. arson) a citizens patrol was established. Henry Cheney was appointed chief of the 3rd district, which included Western Avenue, Furnace, and Elizabeth Streets.
1874 Henry advertised that, having disposed of his carriage and sleigh manufactory in Ilion, he had a number of cutters, two-seat sleighs, and light and heavy bob-sleighs available for sale, “on easy terms,” at his office on Mill Street.
  In August, Henry bought Lot No. 1, sometimes called Mill Island, on the north side, middle dam, in Little Falls. This lot included an axe factory built in 1851 by John B. Laurent.
  Henry’s motto was “Ne Plus Ultra”
  Henry’s granddaughter by Robert, Mabel Lucretia Cheney, was born in Little Falls.
  Henry’s grandson by Eunice, Henry Cheney Jones, was born on November 2 in Little Falls.
1875 According to the New York State Census, Henry was 55 years old and living in Little Falls with his wife Lucretia (55), daughter Jennie (15), daughter Eunice (25), son-in-law Sheldon (35), grandchild Henry (7 months), son Robert (21), daughter-in-law Robenia (22), and grandchild Mabel (1). Henry’s occupation was “Hammer Manufacturer”, Sheldon’s was bookkeeper.
  Also according to the New York State Census, Henry’s son Charles Henry Cheney was 25 years old and living in Otsego Town, Otsego County, New York with his wife, Ella C. (26), his maternal grandparents Stewart T. (76) and Sarah (75) Garlick, and his aunt Lucy Garlick (50). Charles’ occupation was “Farmer”.
  On July 24th, Henry’s grandson by Robert, George Young Cheney, was born in Little Falls.
  On October 1st, it was announced that Mr. Jacob Moll, whose cabinet making business burned down in September, would resume business in the old Furnace building, which had been purchased for him by Henry Cheney, his father-in-law.
  According to an invoice dated October 22nd, Henry was a “Manufacturer of Best Steel and Other Hammers, Axes, Saw Gummers, Saw Gummer Burrs &c.”
1876 In January, with the success of his axe and hammer factories on Mill Street, Henry took over the furniture factory at the corner of Main Street and Furnace Street — giving him three concurrent manufacturing concerns in Little Falls. Henry was the successor to Jacob Moll, the assignment was necessary to settle with Jacob’s creditors.
  Henry’s grandson by Charles, William W. Cheney, was born in Fly Creek.
1877 Henry’s daughter, Jennie Almanda, married Jay Stephen Newell, a feed & grain dealer in Little Falls.
1878 In January, Sheldon Jones moved to New York City to manage a sales office for the furniture business.
  On the morning of March 13th, Henry Cheney died of pneumonia at age 57. He was survived by:
his wife Lucretia (3 Jun 1820 - 13 Apr 1893),
his daughter Sarah Moll (1 May 1847 - ),
his granddaughter Lena Moll (1865 - ),
his daughter Eunice Jones (24 Dec 1849 - 15 Sep 1929),
his grandson Henry Cheney Jones (2 Nov 1874 - 1951),
his son Charles (18 Oct 1851 - 30 Oct 1898),
his grandson William (1876 - 1895),
his son Robert (3 Aug 1853 - 23 Apr 1927),
his granddaughter Mabel (1874 - ),
his grandson George (24 Jul 1875 - ),
his daughter Jennie Newell (3 Apr 1860 - 10 Nov 1929),
his brother Vine Welch Cheney (12 Feb 1814 - 7 May 1883),
his brother Alanson Cheney (20 Dec 1822 - 1902),
his sister, Phebe Paulina Cook (1829- 1887),
his nephew, Francis Anson Cook (1852 - 1917),
his nephew, Ceylon D. Cook (1853 - 1950),
his nephew, Henry Alva Cook (1855 - 1938),
his neice, Helen P. Cook Smallin (1858 - 1897),
his nephew, William R. Cook (1860 - 1919),
his neice, Etta E. Cook Shepard (1863 - 1941),
and his nephew, Alfred D. Cook (1866 - 1961).
  According to his obituary, Henry was engaged “early in life” in the manufacture of hammers with Silas W. LeRow. It also notes that he was a member of the Little Falls Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons.
  In April, Sheldon Jones returned from New York City to manage the finances of the Cheney estate.
  William T. Wheeler (14 Dec 1817 - 3 Jan 1885) and Robert A. Cheney were named Administrators of the Cheney estate.
  The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company of Wisconsin paid Lucretia $10,000 upon the death of her husband — a fact proudly advertised by their insurance agent, Eugene Walrath whose office was in the Wheeler Block.
  On September 11, the furniture factory was sold at public auction for $5,580. The estimated cost of the building was $15,000. The building was sold to Jerry Mitchell and became known at the Mitchell Building.
1880 According to the U.S. Census, the Henry Cheney Hammer Company was operating two water wheels producing a total of 110 horsepower — though the entire amount was not used.
  In July, the company was commended for its exhibit at the Sydney International Exhibition in Australia.
1881 On April 2, Mary LeRow, widow of Silas W. LeRow, died at age 61 years, 4 months and 3 days, at her residence, 140 Jefferson Street, Syracuse, NY.
  On June 2, the estate of Henry Cheney was sold as follows: The buildlng on West Mill street known as the hammer factory, to George A. Hardin (New York Supreme Court Judge) for $12,851; the axe factory to James H. Ives (Herkimer County Sheriff) for $867, subject to a mortgage of $4086; one house and lot on furnace street to S. M. Richmond for $6,155; one house and lot adjoining to George A. Hardin’s place for $8,499; one house and lot adjoining to S. M. Richmond’s place for $1,785. The whole property was subject to the widow’s dowery. [Note these numbers may not be correct, the newsprint is difficult to read.]
  On June 3rd, Henry’s farm containing about 160 acres in Otsego county was sold by the administrators in Cooperstown.
  James H. Ives sold the axe factory to Ira F. Trask and George W. Trask. This sale likely took place two years earlier as the Trask Brothers axe factory is listed in the 1880 water power survey.
  On July 20th, the hammer factory was purchased by Schuyler R. Ingham (son of William) and the Henry Cheney Hammer Company was incorporated with a capital stock of $20,000 divided into 200 shares of $100 each. William T. Wheeler was the President. George D. Waterman (grandson of William Ingham and nephew of Schuyler R. Ingham) was the Secretary and Treasurer. Robert A. Cheney was Superintendant. S.R. Ingham, G.A. Hardin, and R.A. Cheney were trustees.
1883 Sheldon Jones left the company to go into the trucking business for himself in Little Falls. He was very successful and expanded into coal. Henry’s grandson, Henry Cheney Jones eventually took over this business.
1885 William T. Wheeler died on January 3rd at his home on Lansing Street in Little Falls.
1887 On November 3rd the company learned that they had won “first premium” for their display of cast steel hammers at the Jubilee Exhibition in Adelaide, Australia. The display case was built by local cabinet maker John M. Gross.
  On December 28, George D. Waterman resigned and moved to California.
1890 On March 20th, Titus Sheard Hose was born in Little Falls, NY. His parents were Edith L. Sheard (circa 1865 - 1929) and Wallace Hose (circa 1857 - 1896). They were married on January 7, 1885 at the Methodist church in Little Falls. She was the daughter of Titus Sheard, founder of the Little Falls Knitting Mill Company and he was the Secretary of the company. Titus will grow up to manage the Henry Cheney Hammer Company, under his step-father’s ownership, from 1917 to 1925.
  In April, George D. Waterman returned to Little Falls and his position as Treasurer of the company.
  Elmer Sidway Mulford was born on November 8th in New York City. His father Edwin H. Mulford (5 Nov 1854 - 23 Aug 1945) was Secretary, Treasurer and Director of the Prentiss Vise Company. His Grandfather, Brevet Brigadier General John E. Mulford (26 Feb 1829 - 18 Oct 1908) was the President and Director of the Prentiss Vise Company. This company was organized by John and Edwin in Montour Falls, NY in 1877. It appears that they had acquired the Hall Manufacturing Company, who employed Mason Prentiss, who held US Patent 75,576, issued March 17, 1868 for a bench vise. Prentiss Vises were manufactured by Bagley & Sewall in Watertown, NY. Edwin, Elmer and the Prentiss Vise Company will become central to the Henry Cheney Hammer Company in 1925 and remain so through the end of both companies.
1891 On Saturday January 10 at 11:06 p.m., William Ingham died at age 96, at his residence in Little Falls.
1892 In December, George D. Waterman purchased 44 shares from Judge Hardin who resigned as a director of the company.
1893 On April 13th at 4:50 a.m., Henry’s widow, Lucretia died of an apoplectic stroke at age 72. Her obituary notes that her son, Robert A. Cheney, was living in New Britain, Connecticut. The 1900 census reveals that he continued to make hammers there, possibly for the Stanley Rule and Level Company or the New Britain Machine Company, both of which produced hand tools. His April 1927 obituary says that he moved to Connecticut about 34 years earlier, which would put it right around this time.
  In December, the company donated a case of hammers to storm victims in South Carolina.
1896 In March the company produced a fourteen pound claw hammer, which was displayed in the show window of the local hardware company, Shepherd, Skinner & Co., before being sent to one of the company’s agents in Australia for exhibition.
  In June, Wallace Hose died. His funeral was held July 1st.
  On October 12th the company received an order for five dozen nail hammers from Abdul Hamid II, the 34th Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, for use in the imperial household.
1897 Schuyler R. Ingham was President of the company. George D. Waterman was Treasurer and Manager. They employed 80 “expert mechanics”, producing about 20,000 dozen hammers a year in over 100 different styles. Most of the products were exported to China, Japan, Australia, and Africa.
1899 In November the company gave notice that it had reduced its capital stock from $20,000 to $l0,000, and its debts were $6,000. This probably gave George D. Waterman controlling interest in the company. The company’s directors included George D. Waterman and Charles V. Wheeler (1850 - 1918, son of William T. Wheeler).
  On November 4th, Edith L. Sheard married David Jenkins Williams (1 Apr 1859 - 13 Nov 1924) in Little Falls. He had been one of the groomsmen for Edith’s first marriage.
1901 On April 16th, Judge George Anson Hardin died at age 68 in Little Falls.
  On June 26th a fire destroyed the former axe factory on Mill Island, which was at this time owned by Ignatz N. Loewenheim.
  On July 26th the company presented the City of Little Falls Board of Fire and Police Commissioners with a check for $50 in appreciation for the efforts which saved the hammer factory from the fire.
1902 According to a report in The Iron Age, in South Africa Cheney Hammers are outselling English-made hammers by twelve to one, despite the fact that they are sold for twice the price. The Patent Nail Holder is particularly popular.
1904 George D. Waterman held controlling interest in the company — explaining the “G.D.W. Hammer Co.” brand hammers listed in the 1904 catalog. This catalog appears to claim that the company was founded in 1845.
1906 In April, George Waterman returned from a trip to Panama to find the the men of the polishing department had gone on strike.
  In September the company was preparing to rebuild the larger portion of its plant on the south side of Mill street with brick, first removing the old wooden building on the corner and rebuilding that, then taking the next building east, which was considerably larger, and replacing that with brick.
  In September, a Surrogate Court Decree was entered settling accounts of George D. Waterman as administrator with the will annexed of the estate of William Ingham.
1907 In March, the company commenced pulling down the wooden building to the west of the factory, formerly known as the Dorr carpentry shop. It is to be replaced by a three story brick building.
1908 On June 12th, George Waterman arrived at Ellis Island from Liverpool, England aboard the RMS Lusitania.
  On October 18th, Brevet Brigadier General John E. Mulford died at age 79.
1909 On March 23, George D. Waterman was elected President of the company.
  T.S. Hose joined the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity at Colgate University.
1912 On November 14th at 4 a.m. a fire broke out destroying half of the Cheney Hammer factory. The newer western half was saved by a fire wall and newly installed fire doors. The offices and shipping department were located across the street on the north side of Mill Street and were not damaged.
1913 Elmer Mulford graduated from Princeton University with a Bachelor of Letters degree.
1914 On September 12th full time operations resumed at the Cheney Hammer factory after the restoration of sea communications with Australia, New Zealand and West Africa, where the company had a big market for its product. The plant had been shut down for four weeks due to the outage.
  Elmer Mulford held an executive position with the Prentiss Vise Company of 110 Lafayette Street, New York City and was residing on East Putnam Avenue in Greenwich, Connecticut.
1915 On September 22, Elmer Mulford married Marie Frances Rising in Greenwich, Connecticut.
1916 On Saturday February 12th, George Waterman wrote a letter to the Middleburg Stone Company of Elyria, Ohio inquiring about grindstone — using the letterhead seen at the top of this page.
  On the morning of Thursday September 28th, George Dean Waterman died of peritonitis at age 61, at his home in Little Falls.
  In October, the will of George D. Waterman was filed with the county clerk. It provided that his investment in the Cheney Hammer Company remain so invested. Joshua Judson Gilbert (1862 - 12 Jan 1925) was named trustee until the youngest of George’s children reached adulthood.
1917 On January 3rd the court approved the sale of the late George D. Waterman’s interest in the company to David Jenkins Williams giving him controlling interest and making him its president. Mr. Williams was very good friends with and a business associate of J.J. Gilbert. In fact, he retained his position as Vice President at the Gilbert Knitting factory and put his step-son, Titus Sheard Hose in charge of the company. T.S. Hose had for the previous six years been employed as a construction manager for the Standard Oil Company and was presently in Shanghai, China.
  According to the local telephone directory, the company was located at 74 West Mill Street, phone number 323-J. This indicates that they had a party line.
  In October the Henry Cheney Hammer Corporation was incorporated with capital of $100,000 and directors David J. Williams, Kendrick E. Morgan (1855 - ), and John V. Hemstreet (1852 - 1919).
1918 T.S. Hose, enlisted in the Marine Corp and reported for training at Paris Island, SC. According to the newspaper account, he was especially fitted for the service, being tall and muscular. D.J. Williams assumed management of the company.
  Elmer Mulford was drafted and promoted to Captain at Camp Upton, Long Island.
1919 On Thursday February 6th, Schuyler R. Ingham died of pneumonia at age 89, at his home in St. Petersburg, Florida.
  On April 21st T.S. Hose married Agnes Hallinan (5 Jun 1890 - 20 Mar 1980) in New York City.
1920 The annual stockholders meeting was held on January 19th at 2:00pm in the office of the corporation on Mill Street. D.J. Williams and J.J. Gilbert were the Directors from the previous year.
  T.S. Hose was Secretary of the company — and according to Printer’s Ink A Journal for Advertisers, opposed to advertising in trade journals on the grounds that it cheapened their products. This could explain the paucity of advertising materials from the 1917-1925 period.
  U.S Patent 1,362,797 was issued December 21st to Titus S. Hose for a wire fencing hammer.
  Edward Jonathan Burrell (20 May 1845 - 11 Jan 1935) joined the board of directors. He was the son of Harry Burrell — who helped make Little Falls the cheese-making capital of the world during the Victorian era, and the younger brother of David H. Burrell — an inventor, who was credited by President Reagan for having invented the oil-burning heater, and who built the Burrell Mansion overlooking Little Falls.
1921 The annual stockholders meeting was held on January 8th at 2:00pm in the office of the corporation on Mill Street. D.J. Williams, J.J. Gilbert, and E.J. Burrell were the Directors from the previous year.
  According to a trademark registration published in The Official Gazette of the United States Patent Office volume 289, number 5, page 992, the Henry Cheney Hammer Company produces hammers and wrenches and has been using the Cheney name since 1836.
  U.S. Patent 1,397,214 was issued on November 15th to Titus S. Hose for an Adjustable Wrench. This wrench does not match known examples of Cheney wrenches.
1922 The annual stockholders meeting was held on January 14th at 2:00pm in the office of the corporation on Mill Street. D.J. Williams, J.J. Gilbert, and E.J. Burrell were the Directors from the previous year.
  The company had an exhibit on the World Trade Cruise aboard the former American liner St. Louis, which was to depart in January. The cruise was cancelled in early February due to lack of support.
1923 The annual stockholders meeting was held on February 3rd at 2:00pm in the office of the corporation on Mill Street. D.J. Williams, J.J. Gilbert, and E.J. Burrell were the Directors from the previous year.
  According to a booklet The Cheney Hammers, “This factory today is not solely confined to the manufacture of hammers, but is a large drop forging plant as well, making high class parts for bicycles, automobiles, motorcycles, airplanes, guns and typewriters.”
  U.S. Patent 1,470,740 was issued on October 16th to Titus S. Hose for a Polishing Wheel.
1924 According to a trademark registration published in The Official Gazette of the United States Patent Office volume 321, April 8, 1924, page 230, the Henry Cheney Hammer Company produces hammers, hatchets, axes and sledges. This seems to confirm production of edge tools after Henry's death — at least during the 1917-1925 period.
  On Thursday, November 13th, D.J. Williams died of kidney failure in a Buffalo hospital. At the time of his death he was still the largest shareholder in the Henry Cheney Hammer Company.
  U.S. Patent 1,517,043 was issued November 25th to Andrew C. Benson of Beaumont, Texas for his Adz Hammer. This would become the Cheney No. 777.
1925 On January 12th, J.J. Gilbert died.
  E.J. Burrell was President of the company, T.S. Hose was Secretary, George H. Jones was Treasurer.
  On April 6th, T.S. Hose applied for a patent for a die for forging claw hammers.
  On April 16th, T.S. Hose applied for a patent for a method of making claw hammers from steel blanks by two drop forge processes with one heating.
  On June 22nd, the New York Secretary of State granted a charter to the Henry Cheney Hammer Corporation. Capital stock was $100,000, divided into shares of $100 each. Directors were Edwin H. Mulford, his wife Kate S. Mulford, and his son Elmer S. Mulford.
  On June 23rd at 12 noon, the Prentiss Vise Company completed the purchase of the Henry Cheney Hammer Company. Elmer Mulford moved to Little Falls and became the Secretary and Treasurer of the Cheney Hammer division. Edwin H. Mulford was President. Advertisements proclaim Cheney Hammers as “World’s Standard Since 1836.” At this time the company employed 75 people.
  U.S. Patent 1,548,603 was issued August 4th to T.S. Hose for a method of making claw hammers from steel blanks by two drop forge processes with one heating.
  U.S. Patent 1,550,962 was issued August 25th to T.S. Hose for a die for forging claw hammers.
  On November 12th, a letter of administration was granted by the Herkimer County Surrogate Court to annex the Will of George D. Waterman. His youngest child, Jeanette, turned 21 in 1925.
1926 In May, The Henry Cheney Hammer Company filed, with the New York State Department, a notice of voluntary dissolution. This must have been for the October 1917 corporation.
  U.S. Patent 1,600,960 was issued September 21st to T.S. Hose for a Wedge Device — which was marketed as the Cheney Safety First Wedge.
1927 U.S. Patent 1,621,761 was issued March 22nd to Arthur E. Taylor of Elyria, Ohio for his nail driving implement. This would become the Cheney Nailer.
1928 E.J. Burrell was President, H.M. Reagley was Secretary, T.S. Hose was General Manager, Wm. Peterson was Assistant General Manager, and L. Bride was Purchasing Agent. It appears there was a lengthy transition period before Elmer Mulford took the reigns.
1929 According to a note signed “Mulford-9-29” at this time the company had about 50 employees with an annual payroll of about $160,000. Elmer Mulford was the President and H.W. Churchill was the Secretary and Treasurer. The oldest employee was Frank Bostner 46. Elmer Mulford was 38.
1930 Elmer S Mulford (39) was living in Little Falls with his wife, Mary R Mulford (32) and sons Edwin H Mulford (13), John E Mulford (8), William R Mulford (6), daughter, Katharine S Mulford (3), and servant, Susie Adasek (21).
1936 On March 18th the company was forced to shut down temporarily due to flooding on the Mohawk.
  On November 21st the company celebrated its 100th anniversary. According to the Brooklyn Eagle, Henry Cheney was the village blacksmith when he developed a method of tempering steel used in hammers and began the business which now supplies every civilized country in the world.
1940 Elmer Mulford was 49 years old and residing at 49 Jackson Avenue in Little Falls, with his wife, Marie R. (42), sons Edwin H. (23), John E. (18), William R. (16), daughter Katharine S. (13), and maid Mary Bostner (27).
  Mary Bostner was the eldest daughter of the company Superintendant, Frank Bostner. She worked for the Mulfords before she got married. Also noted in the 1940 census, Frank's son, Cyril (24), was working as a Shipping Clerk for the company.
  In April, the company was forced to shut down temporarily due to flooding on the Mohawk.
  On May 13th, William H. Yourdon, Superintendent and 50-year employee, died at age 73, at his home in Little Falls.
1943 On May 1st, the company published price list No. 26 with the disclaimer, “All hammers black finish in accordance with [War Production Board] Limitation Order No. L 157.”
1945 On June 21st, about fifty production and maintenance employees the of Henry Cheney Hammer Corporation voted on whether they wish to be represented by the International Association of Machinist (AFL). Apparently they did — a 1948 article lists the company as one whose workers are represented by the International Association of Machinists, which was no longer affiliated with the AFL at that point.
  On Thursday August 23rd, Edwin H. Mulford died at age 90, at his home on College Avenue in Montour Falls, NY.
  In October the company was forced to shut down temporarily due to flooding on the Mohawk river.
1948 The Prentiss Vise Company, including the Cheney Hammer division, was sold to the Charles Parker Company of Meriden, Connecticut.
  On November 24th, Titus Sheard Hose died at age 58, on his farm in Lakeville, Litchfield County, Connecticut. His wife Agnes returned to Little Falls for the remainder of her life.
1950 In March, the company was forced to shut down temporarily due to flooding on the Mohawk.
1951 In June, Elmer Mulford, as a member of an industry advisory committee, met with National Production Authority officials in Washington, D.C.
1954 On Friday February 19th the Henry Cheney Hammer Company was sold to the Collins Company of Collinsville, Connecticut.
  On Friday July 2nd, the company ceased operations, putting 40 men out of work. The equipment was moved to Collinsville, Connecticut. Plans were announced for two employees, Frank Bostner and Mike Brin, and Elmer Mulford to join Collins, where they would continue to produce Cheney brand hammers. There exists evidence this may have actually occurred:
  • Mike Brin was living in Collinsville in 1960.
  • Elmer Mulford and Frank Bostner remained residents of Little Falls.
  • His grandsons, two first cousins, remember Frank Bostner bought a 1958 Oldsmobile 98 to drive back and forth to Connecticut. According to Google Maps “Drive via I-90, 161 mi, 2 h 48 min.” At 100 mph, as some grandfathers were apt to drive, you could get that down to just under 97 minutes. Unfortunately Frank was only able to put about 5,000 miles on the car before his eyesight became too poor to drive. He was 71 years old when the Little Falls factory shut down.
  • The last president of the Collins Company, Clair M. Elston, has been quoted as saying “the Cheney brand became their finest line of hammers.”
1966 The Collins Company was sold to Mann Edge Tool Company of Lewiston, Pennsylvania.
1975 On Friday March 21st, Frank Bostner died at age 92 in the Little Falls hospital. He had been Superintendent and at least 25 year employee of the company. He had 5 sons, all of whom served in the military, and 2 daughters. At least one son worked for the company and a daughter worked for the owner of the company.
1977 On Sunday October 2nd, Elmer Mulford died, after a sudden onset of pulmonary edema the day before, at age 86 in the Van Allen nursing home of Little Falls. He had moved into the nursing home on March 17th. His wife Marie died March 18th. He was survived by his daughter and three sons, eleven grandchildren, and two step-grandchildren.
1978 Clair M. Elston died in Collinsville, Connecticut. As the last president of the Collins Company, he may have been the last person in charge of producing Cheney hammers.
1979 The buildings that once housed the Henry Cheney Hammer Company on the south side of West Mill Street in Little Falls, NY were demolished.

Trivia

Henry Cheney vs. David Maydole

Henry’s paternal grandmother, Delaliah Shipman Cheney, was the daughter of David Shipman, who is widely considered to be the inspiration for the character Natty Bumppo in James Fenimore Cooper’s Leatherstocking Tales — making Henry the great-grandson of Hawkeye.

Henry’s great-great-grandfather, William Cheney, died on June 17, 1775, while serving in the 5th Volunteer Company of the 3rd Connecticut Regiment under Colonel Israel Putnam, at the Battle of Bunker Hill.

Former Vice President Richard B. Cheney is a 4th cousin, 3 times removed of Henry Cheney. They are both descendants of Benjamin Cheney (29 Jan 1674 or 1675 - 13 Jul 1718) and Mary Harbert (1681 - 15 May 1760) who were married on November 14, 1706 in Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts.

Sources

Bibliography

This Old House Guide to Building and Remodeling Materials by Bob Vila with Norm Abram, Stewart Byrne, and Larry Stains. 1986 Warner Books. ISBN 0-446-38246-9) [page 36 includes two sentences describing the Cheney Nailer]

1904 Illustrated Catalogue of the Henry Cheney Hammer Co. Little Falls, NY U.S.A. Superior Quality Handled Hammers Reprinted by the Special Publications Committee Mid-West Tool Collectors Association September 2003.

The Water Power at Little Falls, Pt. 2 An address by John B. Koetteritz of Little Falls delivered before the Herkimer County Historical Society February 13, 1904.

A History of the City of Little Falls, New York By Edward J. Cooney 1961 Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part V, Part VI, Part VII

History of the Mohawk Valley: Gateway to the West 1614-1925 edited by Nelson Greene, The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, Chicago 1925

Gazetteer and Business Directory of Herkimer County, N.Y. 1869-70 Published by Hamilton Child & Co., Syracuse, NY 1869

History of Herkimer County, New York 1791-1879 F.W.Beers and Co., New York, Publishers, 1879

History of Herkimer County, New York edited by George A. Hardin, assisted by Frank H. Willard, D. Mason & Co., Publishers, 1893

Lincoln’s address to the citizens of Little Falls, NY

Tenth census, June 1, 1880, Volume 16, Reports on the Water-Power of the United States, Part I, Statistics of Power and Machinery Employed in Manufactures by Prof. W.P. Trowbridge, Chief Special Agent.

Industrial History of the United States by Albert S. Bolles. Henry Bill Publishing Company, Norwich, Connecticut, 1879.

Grand Catalogue of the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity February 1, 1910 Edited by Roy D. Keehn, Chicago, Illinois, 1910.

Princeton Alumni Weekly Volume XIV, Number 31, May 13, 1914, page 654

Princeton Alumni Weekly, Volume XIX, Number 4, October 23, 1918, page 80

Princeton Alumni Weekly, Volume LXXVIII, December 5, 1977, page 22

Mills of Little Falls, New York October 1941 Collier, John, 1913-1992, photographer, Library of Congress Prints & Photographs Division Washington, DC 20540

Loomis vs. Loewenheim et al New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Fourth Department. July 9, 1907

Engineering World: A Journal of Engineering and Construction Volume 26 January-June 1925 page 135

Engineers: Listing the Engineers of Corporations with Their Official Duties and Connections Neo-techni Research Corporation, 1928.

Glen Telephone Company, Little Falls Directory, May 1917 nygenweb.com

Abstracted names from the indexes to letters of administration Surrogate Court, Herkimer County, NY contributed by Ronald J. Reid

National Register of Historic Places Fly Creek Historic District

Fly Creek Area Yesteryear: The Fly Creek Area in Post Cards and Pictures Published by the Fly Creek Area Historical Society 1990

The History of Otsego County, New York 1740-1878 D. Hamilton Hurd, Published by Everts & Fariss, Philadelphia

Early Settlers of Otsego Town, Part II

Otsego County, New York; Geographical and Historical: From the Earliest Settlement to the Present Time By Edwin Faxon Bacon, The Oneonta Herald, Publishers, 1902

The Manufacturer and Builder, Volume 20, 1888, page 196

Printer’s Ink A Journal for Advertisers Vol. CXII, No. 14, September 30, 1920

Official Gazette of the United States Patent Office, Volume 289, August 1921, page 992

Official gazette of the United States Patent Office, Volume 321, April 8, 1924, page 230.

The Iron Age Volume LXX, Thursday, December 11, 1902, page 57.

A Medley of Nail Holding, Pulling and Driving Instruments by Bradley Smith, The Chronicle of the Early American Industries Association, December 1980, volume 33, number 4, pages 63-69.

An Ax to Grind: A Practical Ax Manual by Bernie Weisgerber, USDA Forest Service Technology & Development Program, 2300 Recreation, July 1999, 9923-2823P-MTDC. PDF hosted by the Pacific Crest Trail Association.

The Journal and Courier Little Falls, NY, December 24, 1857

The Journal and Courier Little Falls, NY, November 11, 1873

The Journal and Courier Little Falls, NY, February 24, 1874

The Journal and Courier Little Falls, NY, March 3, 1874

The Journal and Courier Little Falls, NY, March 10, 1874

The Journal and Courier Little Falls, NY, August 25, 1874

The Daily Observer Utica, New York Friday October 1, 1875

The Utica Morning Herald Monday Morning January 10, 1876

The Utica Morning Herald Tuesday November 21, 1876

The Journal and Courier Little Falls, NY, August 28, 1877

The Journal and Courier Little Falls, NY, September 18, 1877

The Journal and Courier Little Falls, NY, December 18, 1877

The Journal and Courier Little Falls, NY, March 19, 1878

Utica Weekly Herald Tuesday March 19, 1878

The Journal and Courier Little Falls, NY, April 16, 1878

The Journal and Courier Little Falls, NY, April 23, 1878

The Journal and Courier Little Falls, NY, April 30, 1878

The Journal and Courier Little Falls, NY, August 27,1878

The Utica Morning Herald Thursday September 12, 1878

The Journal and Courier Little Falls, NY, December 31, 1878

New York Herald Sunday August 1, 1880

The Brooklyn Eagle Sunday Morning August 1, 1880

The Standard Syracuse, NY, April 4, 1881

Utica Morning Herald Friday June 3, 1881

Utica Morning Herald Wednesday July 27, 1881

Utica Morning Herald Monday October 30, 1882

The Albany Journal Wednesday July 13, 1887

The Evening Times Little Falls, NY, Thursday November 3, 1887

The Evening Times Little Falls, NY, January 12, 1891

The Journal and Courier Little Falls, NY, January 13, 1891

Utica Morning Herald Wednesday October 7, 1891

The Evening Times Little Falls, NY, July 23, 1892

The Evening Times Little Falls, NY, December 24, 1892

The Journal and Courier Little Falls, NY, April 14, 1893

The Evening Times Little Falls, NY, October 18, 1893

The Journal and Courier Little Falls, NY, December 5, 1893

Brookfield Courier Wednesday September 26, 1894

Montour Falls Free Press October 17, 1895

The Journal and Courier Little Falls, NY, March 10, 1896

Journal Courier Little Falls, NY, October 13, 1896

Richfield Springs Mercury Thursday October 22, 1896

The Evening Times Little Falls, NY, January 1, 1897

Utica Daily Press Monday January 11, 1897

Utica Morning Herald Friday September 17, 1897 page 12...

The Evening Times Little Falls, NY November 28, 1899

Daily Leader Gloversville, NY, Tuesday November 28, 1899

The Rome Daily Sentinel Wednesday Evening April 17, 1901

The Syracuse Evening Telegram Wednesday April 17, 1901

The Journal and Courier Little Falls, NY, Tuesday July 2, 1901

Utica Daily Press Friday Morning July 26, 1901

The Journal and Courier Little Falls, NY, April 3, 1906

Utica Sunday Herald Sunday Morning September 9, 1906

Utica Herald-Dispatch Saturday Evening September 15, 1906

Utica Herald-Dispatch Tuesday Evening, September 18, 1906

The Journal and Courier Little Falls, NY, March 26, 1907

The New York Herald Tuesday October 20, 1908

Montour Falls Free Press Thursday October 13, 1910

Utica Daily Press Thursday Morning November 14, 1912

Watertown Daily Times Wednesday December 11, 1912

Richfield Springs Daily Thursday August 20, 1914

Utica Daily Press Saturday September 12, 1914

Utica Sunday Tribune September 13, 1914

Utica Daily Press Tuesday Morning February 16, 1915

The Hudson Evening Register Friday September 29, 1916

The Journal and Courier Little Falls, NY, Tuesday October 3, 1916

Utica Daily Press Monday morning October 9, 1916

Utica Daily Press Wednesday Morning January 3, 1917

The Sun New York, NY Friday October 26, 1917

Utica Herald-Dispatch Wednesday Evening January 30, 1918

Utica Herald-Dispatch Friday Evening, February 7, 1919

Utica Daily Press Friday July 24, 1919

The Journal and Courier Little Falls, NY, Tuesday October 21, 1919

The Journal and Courier Little Falls, NY, January 6, 1920, page 7

The Journal and Courier Little Falls, NY, Tuesday December 28, 1920, page 6

The Journal and Courier Little Falls, NY, Tuesday November 23, 1920

The Evening Telegram New York, Monday November 14, 1921, page 5

The Journal and Courier Little Falls, NY, Tuesday December 27, 1921

The American Exporter, Volume 89, December 1921

The Nautical Gazette Saturday February 11, 1922

The Journal and Courier Little Falls, NY, Tuesday January 23, 1923

The Journal and Courier Little Falls, NY, Tuesday October 23, 1923

The Journal and Courier Little Falls, NY, Tuesday November 20, 1923, page 5

The Journal and Courier Little Falls, NY, Tuesday August 26, 1924

The Utica Daily Press Friday November 14, 1924

The New York Times Saturday June 20, 1925, page 22

Rome Daily Sentinel Monday Evening June 22, 1925

Utica Daily Press Wednesday June 24, 1925

Watertown Daily Times Wednesday afternoon, June 24, 1925, page 16

The Otsego Farmer & Republican June 26, 1925

Richfield Springs Mercury Thursday July 2, 1925

Utica Observer-Dispatch Friday, August 14, 1925

The Journal and Courier Little Falls, NY, Tuesday November 18, 1925

Daily Sentinel Rome, NY, Friday Evening May 14, 1926

Utica Daily Press Monday April 25, 1927

The Otsego Farmer Friday October 14, 1927

Utica Daily Press Monday September 16, 1929

Daily Sentinel, Rome. N. Y., Monday Evening. September 16, 1929

The Morning Herald Gloversville and Johnstown, NY Friday March 20, 1936, page 16

Brooklyn Daily Eagle, New York, Sunday, November 22, 1936

The Niagara Falls Gazette Friday November 27, 1936 page 19

The Times Record Troy, NY Friday Evening November 27, 1936

Madison County Leader and Observer Tuesday December 1, 1936

The DeRuyter Gleaner Thursday December 10, 1936

Daily Sentinel Rome, NY Tuesday Evening May 14, 1940

The Utica Observer-Dispatch Tuesday Evening April 9, 1940

The Utica Observer-Dispatch Wednesday Evening April 10, 1940

The Knickerbocker News Albany, NY Friday, June 15, 1945

Watkins Express Volume XCI, Number 13, Watkins Glen, Schuyler County, New York, August 29, 1945

Union-Sun and Journal Lockport, NY Tuesday October 2, 1945

The Utica Observer-Dispatch Tuesday March 23, 1948

The Utica Observer-Dispatch Sunday April 10, 1949 (Elmer Mulford in group photo)

The Utica Daily Press Thursday March 30, 1950

Utica Daily Press Friday June 22, 1951

The Utica Observer Sunday July 4, 1954

Utica Daily Press Friday April 8, 1955

The Utica Observer Friday April 8, 1955

Evening Recorder Amsterdam, NY Saturday September 10, 1960

Schenectady Gazette Wednesday, September 14, 1960

The London Gazette 29th January 1965, page 1068.

The Observer-Dispatch Utica, NY Sunday March 23, 1975

The Observer-Dispatch Utica Monday October 3, 1977, page 15

Genealogy

"United States Census, 1850," Henry Cheney in household of Henry Cheney, Otsego, Otsego, New York, United States; citing dwelling 493, family 520, NARA microfilm publication M432, roll 579.

"United States Census, 1860," Henry Cheney, , Herkimer, New York; citing p. 107, family 756; NARA microfilm publication M653, FHL microfilm 803759.

"United States Census, 1870," Henry Cheney in household of Henry Cheney, New York, United States; citing p. 32, family 289, NARA microfilm publication M593, FHL microfilm 552441.

"New York, State Census, 1875," Henry Cheney in household of Henry Cheney, E.D. 1, Little Falls, Herkimer, New York, United States.

The Cheney Genealogy compiled by Charles Henry Pope published in Boston, MA in 1897.

Descendants of William Cheney

Henry Cheney on Roots Web

Henry Cheney on WikiTree

Find A Grave Memorial# 43201478 [Orestes Badger] by Lynnsdaughter 17 Oct 2009

Find A Grave Memorial #79643477 [Silas W. LeRow] by Tom C. 21 Oct 2011

Find A Grave Memorial #58796777 [Henry Cheney] by Laura Plummer Ranville 17 Sep 2010, maintained by Susan Chestney

Find A Grave Memorial #58796790 [Lucretia Cheney] by Laura Plummer Ranville 17 Sep 2010, maintained by Susan Chestney

Find A Grave Memorial #95645211 [Jennie Newall] by Marilynn Leon Santspree 20 Aug 2012

Find A Grave Memorial #40342396 [Shelden Frederick Jones] by Addie 06 Aug 2009

Find A Grave Memorial #40342422 [Eunice Marie Jones] by Addie 06 Aug 2009, maintained by Susan Chestney

Photograph of Henry’s daughter, Eunice, and her family — including Henry’s grandson Henry Cheney Jones.

Find A Grave Memorial # 96223721 [Robert Alva Cheney] by Addie 29 Aug 2012

Find A Grave Memorial #100789662 [Phebe Paulina (Cheney) Cook] by weinerin 16 Nov 2012

Find A Grave Memorial #97000595 [Alanson Cheney] by weinerin 13 Sep 2012

Find A Grave Memorial #59457421 [Vine Welch Cheney] by Erice Wilcox 01 Oct 2010

Find A Grave Memorial #59457326 [Alva Cheney] by Erice Wilcox 01 Oct 2010

Find A Grave Memorial #59457345 [Anna Welch Cheney] by Erice Wilcox 01 Oct 2010

Find A Grave Memorial #89092884 [John VanKirk Hemstreet] by wienerin 25 Apr 2012

Find A Grave Memorial #58767629 [Edward Jonathan Burrell] by Laura Plummer Ranville 16 Sep 2010

"New York, Marriages, 1686-1980," Alva Cheney and Anna Welch, 26 Feb 1812; citing reference , FHL microfilm 534225.

"United States Census, 1850," Alva Cheney, Otsego, Otsego, New York, United States; citing family 565, NARA microfilm publication M432.

"United States Census, 1850," Vine W Cheney in household of Horace Vanslyck, Otsego, Otsego, New York, United States; citing dwelling 461, family 484, NARA microfilm publication M432, roll 579.

"New York, State Census, 1855," Vine W Cheney, 1855.

"United States Census, 1860," Vine Cheney, , Otsego, New York; citing p. 75, family 601; NARA microfilm publication M653, FHL microfilm 803840.

"United States Census, 1870," Vine Cheney in household of Vine Cheney, New York, United States; citing p. 23, family 212, NARA microfilm publication M593, FHL microfilm 552575.

"New York, State Census, 1875," Vine W Cheney in household of Vine W Cheney, E.D. 2, Otsego, Otsego, New York, United States.

"United States Census, 1880," Vine W. Cheney, Fly Creek, Otsego, New York, United States; citing sheet 381A, family 0, NARA microfilm publication T9-0916.

"United States Census, 1850," Alanson Cheney in household of Alanson Cheney, Otsego, Otsego, New York, United States; citing dwelling 499, family 529, NARA microfilm publication M432, roll 579.

"New York, State Census, 1855," Alanson Cheeney, 1855.

"United States Census, 1860," Alanson Cheney, , Otsego, New York; citing p. 54, family 439; NARA microfilm publication M653, FHL microfilm 803841.

"United States Census, 1870," Alanson Cheney in household of Alanson Cheney, New York, United States; citing p. 77, family 612, NARA microfilm publication M593, FHL microfilm 552575.

"New York, State Census, 1875," Alanson Cheney in household of Alanson Cheney, E.D. 2, Otsego, Otsego, New York, United States.

"United States Census, 1880," Alanson Cheney, Fly Creek, Otsego, New York, United States; citing sheet 383A, family 0, NARA microfilm publication T9-0916.

"United States Census, 1870," Jacob Moll in household of Jacob Moll, New York, United States; citing p. 10, family 81, NARA microfilm publication M593, FHL microfilm 552473.

"New York, State Census, 1875," Jacob Moll in household of Jacob Moll, E.D. 2, Little Falls, Herkimer, New York, United States.

"New York, State Census, 1875," Jacob Moll in household of Jacob Moll, E.D. 1, Little Falls, Herkimer, New York, United States.

"United States Census, 1920," Jacob Moll, , Herkimer, New York; citing enumeration district (ED) , sheet 18B, family 335, NARA microfilm publication T625, FHL microfilm 1821115.

"United States Census, 1880," Jay Newell, Little Falls, Herkimer, New York, United States; citing sheet 207B, family 0, NARA microfilm publication T9-0837.

"United States Census, 1900," J S Newell, ED 55 Little Falls city Ward 3, Herkimer, New York, United States; citing sheet 8B, family 169, NARA microfilm publication T623, FHL microfilm 1241040.

"New York, State Census, 1875," Charles H Cheney, 1875.

"United States Census, 1880," Charles Cheney, 1880.

"New York, State Census, 1892," Charles Cheney, 1892.

"United States Census, 1880," Robert Cheney, Little Falls, Herkimer, New York, United States; citing sheet 233B, family 0, NARA microfilm publication T9-0837.

"United States Census, 1900," Robert A Cheney, ED 205 New Britain city Ward 2 (east side), Hartford, Connecticut, United States; citing sheet 13A, family 270, NARA microfilm publication T623, FHL microfilm 1240138.

"United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", George Young Cheney, 1917-1918.

"United States Census, 1850," William T Wheeler in household of William T Wheeler, Little Falls, Herkimer, New York, United States; citing dwelling 793, family 839, NARA microfilm publication M432, roll 512.

"United States Census, 1860," George Waterman in household of William Ingham, The Town Of Little Falls, Herkimer, New York, United States; citing "1860 U.S. Federal Census - Population," Fold3.com; p. 125, household ID 907, NARA microfilm publication M653; FHL microfilm 803759.

"New York, State Census, 1865," George D Waterman in household of William Ingham, Little Falls, Herkimer, New York, United States; citing source p. 39, line 45, household ID 294, State Library, Albany; FHL microfilm 000845900.

"United States Census, 1870," George Waterman in household of Wm Ingham, New York, United States; citing p. 65, family 546, NARA microfilm publication M593, FHL microfilm 000552441.

"New York, State Census, 1875," George Waterman in household of Wm Ingham, Little Falls, Herkimer, New York, United States; citing p. 94, line 44, State Library, Albany; FHL microfilm 845902.

"United States Census, 1880," George Waterman in household of Jenette Waterman, Little Falls, Herkimer, New York, United States; citing sheet 222D, NARA microfilm publication T9.

"New York, State Census, 1892," George D Waterman, Little Falls, , 02, Herkimer, New York; citing FHL microfilm .

"United States Census, 1900," George D Waterman in household of Jennette Waterman, Little Falls city Ward 1, Herkimer, New York, United States; citing sheet 4B, family 77, NARA microfilm publication T623, FHL microfilm 1241040.

"New York, State Census, 1905, George D Waterman, 1905.

"New York, Passenger Arrival Lists (Ellis Island), 1892-1924," George D. Waterman, arrived at New York, 12 Jun 1908, on the Lusitania; citing National Archives, Washington D.C.

"United States Census, 1910," George D Watermon, Little Falls Ward 2, Herkimer, New York, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 22, sheet 8B, family 229, NARA microfilm publication T624, FHL microfilm 1374965.

"New York, State Census, 1875," Judson J Gilbert in entry for J J Gilbert, 1875.

"United States Census, 1880," Judd J. Gilbert in entry for Joshua J. Gilbert, 1880.

"New York, State Census, 1905," Judson J Gilbert, 1905.

"United States Census, 1910," Judson J Gilbert, Little Falls Ward 2, Herkimer, New York; citing sheet 11B, family 295, NARA microfilm publication T624, FHL microfilm 1374965.

"United States Census, 1920," Joshua J Gilbert, , Herkimer, New York; citing enumeration district (ED) , sheet 18B, family 377, NARA microfilm publication T625, FHL microfilm 1821115.

"United States Census, 1900," David Williams, ED 53 Little Falls city Ward 2, Herkimer, New York, United States; citing sheet 10B, family 236, NARA microfilm publication T623, FHL microfilm 1241040.

"New York, State Census, 1905," Sheard T Hose in entry for David J. Williams, 1905.

"New York, State Census, 1915," T Sheard Hose, 1915.

"United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918," Titus Sheard Hose, 1917-1918.

"United States Census, 1930," Titus S Hose, Manhattan (Districts 1001-1249), New York, New York; citing enumeration district (ED) 1006, sheet 13B, family 335, NARA microfilm publication T626, roll 1576.

Sheard Family History by Maggie Land Blanck, 2004-2014

"New York, State Census, 1855," E J Burrell in entry for Harry Burrell, 1855.

"United States Census, 1880," Edward J. Burrell in household of Sarah M. Burrell, Little Falls, Herkimer, New York, United States; citing sheet 209B, family 1, NARA microfilm publication T9-0837.

"New York, State Census, 1892," E J Burrell, 1892.

"United States Census, 1920," Edward J Burrell, , Herkimer, New York; citing enumeration district (ED) , sheet 6A, family 131, NARA microfilm publication T625, FHL microfilm 1821115.

"United States Census, 1930," Edward J Burrell, Little Falls, Herkimer, New York; citing enumeration district (ED) 0035, sheet 10A, family 253, NARA microfilm publication T626, roll 1442.

"United States Census, 1910," Edwin H Mulford, Manhattan Ward 22, New York, New York; citing sheet 21A, family 336, NARA microfilm publication T624, FHL microfilm 1375058.

"United States Census, 1940," Edwin Mulford, Montour Falls, Montour Town, Schuyler, New York, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 49-14, sheet 9B, family 229, NARA digital publication T627, roll 2778.

"United States Census, 1920," Elmer S Mulford, , Westchester, New York; citing enumeration district (ED) , sheet 10B, family 229, NARA microfilm publication T625, FHL microfilm 1821278.

"United States Census, 1930," Elmer S Mulford, Little Falls, Herkimer, New York; citing enumeration district (ED) 0033, sheet 11B, family 292, NARA microfilm publication T626, roll 1442.

"United States Census, 1940," Elmer S Mulford, Ward 2, Little Falls, Little Falls City, Herkimer, New York, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 22-47, sheet 1B, family 16, NARA digital publication T627, roll 2543.

"United States Social Security Death Index," Elmer Mulford, October 1977; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).

"United States Census, 1920," Frank Bostner, Little Falls Ward 3, Herkimer, New York, United States; citing sheet 5A, family 112, NARA microfilm publication T625, FHL microfilm 1821115.

"United States Census, 1940," Frank Bostner, Ward 1, Little Falls, Little Falls City, Herkimer, New York, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 22-44, sheet 2A, family 52, NARA digital publication of T627, roll 2543.

"United States Social Security Death Index," Frank Bostner, March 1975; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).

Farmington Valley Herald Obituaries [Clair M. Elston]

Videography

These aren’t necessarily referenced directly, but provide good background material.

History of Forging

Pioneer Axe Factory

Webography

A Brief History of Iron and Steel Production by Professor Joseph S. Spoerl, Saint Anselm College

How Products Are Made, Volume 4, Hammers by Chris Cavette.

Collectors of Rare And Familiar Tools Society (CRAFTS) of New Jersey — president Bob Garay did a fantastic job of editing down the content of this site for a five-page lead article in the September 2013 issue of their newsletter, The Tool Shed.

Davistown Museum — A great tool haven. When this site was started they had the most extensive listing on the Henry Cheney Hammer Company. Now their entry links to this site!

Deborah A. Carder Mayes Genealogy & Family History — Debbie is Henry’s 3rd cousin, 3 times removed. She has provided invaluable assistance and encouragement. Please be sure to check out her blog.

Directory of American Tool And Machinery Patents — A great resource for patent research. It has an easy to understand interface and provides meaningful results. They might not have to most patents yet, but they provide the most pleasant experience. And it’s free!

eBay — It’s amazing what you can find and learn on the world’s largest marketplace. Many of the photographs on this site came, with permission, from listings.

Family Search — The world’s largest collection of genealogical records is online and free!

Find A Grave — It’s hard to beat information set in stone.

Free Patents Online — Another great resource, with tons of patents, but not quite so easy to use and all of those patents seem to mean more results to weed through.

Fly Creek Area Historical Society

Focus on Fly Creek

The Great Adirondack Tool Company — located just feet from the site of the Cheney hammer factory on West Mill Street in Little Falls, NY. Proprietor Walt Lane has provided invaluable assistance to this site. And he has a fine selection of Cheney hammers!

Little Falls Historical Society — They run a fantastic museum on South Ann Street. Their archives, housed in the Cooney Room (named for Mike Cooney's father), include original catalogs from 1899, 1904, 1912 and 1942-43, along with notes written by one of the Mulfords, and others. They also have period photographs of the factory buildings and workers, as well as the demolition of the buildings. Little Falls native and historical society board member Heather Dawes and her husband, Rusty, went above and beyond the call of duty to provide a private tour of the museum and town, and spent hours digging through their archives producing tons of great information on the Henry Cheney Hammer Company.

Mid-West Tool Collectors Association — If it were not for the M-WTCA’s 2003 reprint of the 1904 Illustrated Catalogue of the Henry Cheney Hammer Company, very little would be known about the array of products the company offered. Other catalogs do exist, but this is by far the only one widely available. This site borrows (almost) shamelessly from its pages.

Old Fulton Post Cards — Anyone who has looked through the source material knows that this site is deeply indebted to Thomas M. Tryniski. His searchable archive of New York newspapers is an invaluable resource. This site lists well over 100 articles from his archive.

Old Tools Archive

Pawpaw’s Tool Talk — vintage wrench and old tool buyers, sellers, and collectors.

Practical Machinist

Upstate Earth — a blog by Little Falls native Michael Cooney. He takes us for a tour of West Mill Street, including the ruins of the hammer factory. Also, be sure to check out his account of how Judge Hardin and Schuyler Ingham were responsible for bankrupting Alfred Dolge.

William T. Wilkins — generously loaned an original 1904 catalog for the 2003 MWTCA reprint.

Yesteryears Tools — an invaluable resource for edge tool collectors.

Index

Indices of people, places, and products.

Contribute

If you have information, pictures, or anything related to the Henry Cheney Hammer Company that you would like to share, then please use this form.