In the 1870s through 1915 (and probably for longer) this California firm was a major maker and dealer in wagons and carriages and parts therefor. We have a report of a bandsaw with this companies name; the company was most likely the retailer rather than the maker of the saw, but this is uncertain.
The firm's founders were Walter Waterhouse and Let Lester.
Information Sources
- Large old bandsaw with this name on it.
- Here's a blurb about them, written in 1878:
"Dealers in wagon lumber, buggy, carriage and wagon wheels, springs, axles, and every article belonging to the carriage or wagon making business, have their Sacramento place of business on J Street, between Seventh and Eighth, and in San Francisco at 29 and 31 Fremont Street. The business and Sacramento was established as early as 1851, and has continued it in the firm name ever since. They are immense importers of the articles in which they deal, and virtually control the business of the State of Nevada in this line. The specialty of the firm is their buggy and wagon wheels, which they claim to be the best and cheapest ever manufactured. The stock of the firm is immense, and their facilities for manufacturing are most excellent. The firm is a very reliable one; small dealers all over the Pacific Coast recognizing the fact that an order can safely be forwarded to Waterhouse & Lester in the full certainty that whatever is sent will be accordingly to
invoice."
- Correspondent Don Jepson reports some genealogical research done by his sister: "My great grandfather, Quentin Lorimer Walker, was a carriage builder at Waterhouse and Lester, up until the date of May 8, 1890. We have a letter of reference on Waterhouse and Lester stationary, reccomending him "to any firm wishing his services as trustworthy and efficient in the highest degree". Q. L. Walker later moved to Canada, passed on in December 14, 1914, and is buried on Vancouver Island, (Nanaimo, B.C.)."
- A RootsWeb posting of a newspaper article from The Siuslaw Pilot, September 15, 1915, detailing the results of a legal proceeding by this firm against the firm Elliott & Dompier. The article provides the names of the partners, Walter Waterhouse and Let Lester. It is possible the names are incorrect, as the article has several typographical errors in it.
- In the 1870s there was a lumber firm, Lester & Waterhouse, in New York City. In 1870 they were in shared quarters at 105 Maiden Lane, but shortly afterwards they had moved to 121 and 123 Front Street. The principals were J. W. Lester and G. Waterhouse. It is unlikely there is any connection with the California firm of Waterhouse & Lester. This information is from Boyd's Business Directory of New York State, 1870 and 1872-1874 editions.