1902-04-03 American Machinist

The Belmer-Eames Machine Tool Co. was established in 1898 by Herman Belmer and Gardner T. Eames, part of a tremendous wave of growth of the machine tool industry in Cincinnati. They exclusively manufactured metal planers. A dispute between Belmer and Eames led to the company's 1902 dissolution and reorganization as the Belmer Machine Tool Company, which continued the manufacture of planers. In 1905 the business was acquired by the Hamilton Machine Tool Co., and the Belmer company's product lines and equipment were moved into the Hamilton company's factory.

1904-12-29 American Machinist

Information Sources

• A 1902 edition of ASME Transactions notes that Belmer Machine Tool Company was one of several firmed that signed a petition against the adoption of the metric system.
• 1902-03-13 American Manufacturer and Iron World: "Herman Belmer, president of the Belmer-Eames Tool Company, this city, made application last week for a dissolution of partnership, a receiver and a restraining order against Gardner T. Eames, his partner, to prevent him from disposing of any of the assets of the company or collecting any money due it. In the bill Mr. Belmer states that he has invested $59,000 over the original capital, which was $7,500. The company is operating a plant in Fairmount. a suburb of Cincinnati, and makes a specialty of large planers. Spencer M. Jones was appointed receiver."
• 1902-03-20 The Iron Trade Review: "A press dispatch from Cincinnati announces the application for a receiver for the Belmer-Eames Tool Co. of that city. The application is made by Mr. Belmer, and a temporary injunction was granted. The matter will have further hearing."
• 1902-04-03 The Iron Trade Review: "A disagreement among the large shareholders of the Belmer-Eames Machine Tool Co. has resulted in the application for a receiver for the concern. It is alleged by Mr. Belmer that Mr. Eames agreed at the organization of the company to take charge of a certain part of the work, while Mr. Belmer was suipposed to put up a greater part of the money. The matter has not yet by decided by the court."
• 1902-04-10 The Iron Trade Review lists H. Belmer of the Belmer-Eames Machine Tool Co. as an attendee of a banquet held by the Cincinnati Metal Trades Association.
• 1902-08-07 The Iron Trade Review: "The Belmer Machine Tool Co. is the successor of the Belmer-Eames Machine Tool Co. that was dissolved a short time ago, and the company is stated to be doing quite a large and satisfactory business in its specialties."
• September 1902 Machinery: "The Belmer Machine Tool Co. built their present shop on Western Avenue near Hopple Street in 1900 and produce planers exclusively."
• 1905-04-27 The Iron Age: "The Hamilton Machine Tool Company, Hamilton, Ohio, of which Chas. F. Hilker is president, has purchased the plant of the Belmer Machine Tool Company of this city and will continue to manufacture the Belmer line of planers. The Belmer plant will be continued at its present location until early fall, after which time it will be removed to Hamilton and become a part of the Hamilton Machine Tool Company's plant..."
1909-05-27 The Iron Trade Review: "G. T. Eames, of Kalamazoo, formerly connected with the Belmer-Eames Tool Co., of Cincinnati, and E. D. Myers, of Canton, 0., who has been connected with the Canton Spring Co, and with D. W. Shuler & Son, of Amsterdam, N. Y., are planning to locate a factory in Kalamazoo for the manufacture of planers, now made in Cincinnati. The concern wishes to organize with $40,000 capital stock."
• The 2015 book Hamilton's Industrial Heritage, by Richard N. Piland, gives the dates for founding and acquisition of this firm.