In 1891 Morris & Smiley of Richmond, Va., was manufacturing the patent "California Inserted-Tooth Feed Rolls". In March of 1893 Morris & Bascom Manufacturing Co. was established to continue the manufacture of this feed-roll. By 1897 they were selling a version adapted to gang edgers.

From April 1894 The Wood-Worker

Information Sources

• April 1894 The Wood-Worker, page 1, has an ad from "Morris & Smiley, 1021 East Cary St., Richmond, Va. / Main Office, 34 & 36 Fremont Street, San Francisco, Cal." The ad shows their "California Pat. Inserted-Tooth Feed Rolls... For planing machines, sash machines, panel raisers, concave rolls for slat machines, lathe machines and lath bolters". The ad gives the incorrect patent date but the illustrated feed roll bears the correct date of Sept. 1, 1885.
• Notice in 1893-03-04 The Times newspaper of Richmond, Va.

  A Charter Granted
  A charter was granted yesterday by Judge Wellford, of the circuit court, to the Morris & Bascom Manufacturing Company, the object of which is to manufacture and sell machinery, particularly the California patent inserted tooth feed-rod [sic], and to buy and sell merchandise. The captial stock is to be not less than $5,000 and not more than $20,000, divided into shares of $25 each. The officers for the first year are: John B. C. Morris, president; Jed. H. Bascom, vice-president; George A. Smith, secretary and treasurer. Board of directors: the above and Allen G. Collins and J. R. Anderson, Jr.

• Article in 1897-04-10 The Age of Steel on this company's "new departure in gang edger feed rolls".