Please note

Because of the lack of published trowel and masonry tool histories, the information here is based on other sources that may be less reliable and certainly are incomplete. These include eBay and tools that I purchase myself that are the starting points for my research. I will write what I know as I learn it. If what you read here interests you, please check back often and look for revisions and corrections. Scanned catalogs are on Archive.org as pdf files. A few are links to other websites. Your photos and information are welcome. Please click on any picture to enlarge it. Comments are welcome, but any with links will be deleted as possible spam.

Friday, January 31, 2020

History of E. Tressing & Co.

A History of the Norwegians of Illinois, A. E. Strand, 1905, pg. 505
E. Tressing & Co. was a Chicago, IL,  manufacturer and dealer in locks and hardware specialties, including cement tools. The company was located at 179-181 Lake St. in 1904. The principal was Eric Tressing (1866-1937), who was born in Oslo, Norway and came to the US with his parents when he was a boy.


E. Tressing & Co. No. 1 groovers


Monday, January 27, 2020

History of Wonder Manufacturing Co.

Wonder Manufacturing Co. groover
Wonder Manufacturing Co., Washington Court House, Ohio, was a small manufacturer of ranges, heating stoves and a few other products, operating from the 1890s into the 1910s. The company took advantage of their iron foundry to make cast iron cement tools of a conventional design. Although no advertising has been found for the tools, a few of them have survived.

The company president and treasurer in 1906 was Richard S. Quinn, vice president J. W. Brown, secretary W. W. Hamilton. The president and treasurer in 1912 was George Suskeep (possibly misspelled), vice president A. M. Bush, secretary and plant manager Harvey C. Wilson. The company entered receivership that year, and was reorganized in 1913 by E. L. Bush and others as New Wonder Co.

Stoves and  Hardware Reporter, Vol. XXIX, No. 14, 30 Sep. 1897, Pg. 11