We have found several histories of this firm that repeat the same inaccuracies. Based on more reliable sources such as city directories and trade journals we have constructed a history that is consistent with the verifiable facts.

In 1852 Edwin B. Stimpson moved from Northampton, England, to New York City, where he found employment with shoe maker S. Brooks & Co. as a leather cutter. Five years later, having become a master cutter, he started his own business as a manufacturer of boot and shoe parts to the trade. By 1854 he was making and selling shoes from his home on Seventh Avenue in Manhattan. He soon opened a shop at 378 Pearl street and began to specialize in boot and shoe uppers. By 1866 or '67 he moved to premises at 100 Gold street in Manhattan, near what would become the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge. By 1873 he had switched his focus to designing and building shoe-making machinery, and late in that year the business moved to larger premises at 31 Spruce street in Manhattan. In 1876 he exhibited his machinery at the Centennial Exhibition. At this point he was operating as Edwin B. Stimpson.

Edwin B. Stimpson, Jr., became a partner in the business in 1883 and the business name became Edwin B. Stimpson & Son. Edwin Sr. died in 1888 and his son assumed control of the business. The son also had a talent for machinery design and had a good head for business. Under his leadership the company grew and gradually transitioned from designing and manufacturing leather-working and shoe-making machinery to designing machinery for making a wide variety of small metal parts—rivets, ferrules, nails, eyelets and the like. Rather than selling the machines the company built them for their own use in manufacturing the small parts. They also designed and manufactured the machines used to install these ferrules, rivets, eyelets, etc. Their customers would buy these installation machines and then every month would buy the parts to be installed. This proved to be a winning business model for the Stimpson company. Another successful product line during this era was punched sheet metal, e.g., for decorative screening, as well as the machines and dies used to produced punched sheet metal.

Among the installation machinery manufactured were ones of interest to this website: foot presses, pendulum presses, screw presses and power presses, for installing rivets, eyelets, punching sheet metal, etc.

In 1907 the business reorganized as the Edwin B. Stimpson Co., the name it maintains over a century later. During the 1930s Henry V. Rau bought out the Stimpson family interest in the Edwin V. Stimpson Co. In 1961 they opened a new factory in Pompano Beach, Florida, and in 1971 they relocated their Brooklyn operations to Bayport, NY. Today they remain in the business of making grommets, washers, eyelets, etc., and the machinery used to attach them.

Information Sources

• Edwin Ball Stimpson Sr.'s birth date is uncertain, with the birth year ranging between 1825 and 1828. Genealogy records show he was the son of Charles Stimpson and Harriett (Ball) Olney, and "was christened 6 July 1828 in All Saints, Northampton, Northamptonshire". Another site gives his birth date as 1827-02-06 in Northampton
• From various New York City Directories:
  • 1854-5 Trow's New York City Directory lists "Stimpson Edwin shoes 184 Seventh".
  • 1854-5 Rode's New York City Directory lists only a physician, "Edwin B. Stimson"; there is no entry for our Edwin B. Stimpson.
  • 1855-6 Trow's New York City Directory for the year ending May 1, 1856: listing for "Stimson Edwin B. shoes, 184 Seventh".
  • 1857-8 Trow's New York City Directory for the year ending May 1, 1858, page 796, lists "Stimpson Edwin B. gaiter & shoeuppers, h 68 Sixth".
  • 1858 Wilson's Business Directory of New York City, page 59, lists "Zeigler & Stimpson, 365 Pearl" under "Boot & Shoe Warehouses and Stores". Under Leather Dealers, page 276, is listed "Ziegler & Stimpson, 365 Pearl & 73 Gold".
  • 1858-9 Trow's New York City Directory for the year ending May 1, 1859, page 769, lists "Stimpson Edwin B shoes, 365 Pearl". On page 884, "Ziegler & Stimpson, shoes, 365 Pearl" and "Ziegler Frederick, shoes, 365 Pearl".
  • 1859-60 Trow's New York City Directory for the year ending May 1, 1860, page 817, lists "Stimpson Edwin B. manuf. 378 Pearl, h 95 Madison".
  • 1861-2 Trow's New York City Directory for the year ending May 1, 1862, page 819, lists "Stimpson Edwin B. shoes, 378 Pearl, h N. J."
  • 1864-5 Trow's New York City Directory for the year ending May 1, 1865, page 848, lists "Stimpson Edwin B. uppers, 378 Pearl, h 18 Lafayette pl B'klyn".
  • 1866-7 Trow's New York City Directory for the year ending May 1, 1867, page 973, lists "Stimpson Edwin B. uppers, 378 Pearl, h 18 S. 4th, B'klyn".
  • 1870-1 Trow's New York City Directory for the year ending May 1, 1871, page 1167, lists "Stimpson Edwin B. uppers, 160 Gold, h B'klyn".
  • 1871-2 Trow's New York City Directory for the year ending May 1, 1872, page 1110, lists "Stimpson Edwin B. uppers, 100 Gold, h 238 S. 4th, B'klyn".
  • 1872-3 Trow's New York City Directory for the year ending May 1, 1873, page 1164, lists "Stimpson Edwin B. leather, 100 Gold, h 238 S. 4th, B'klyn".
  • 1873-4 Trow's New York City Directory for the year ending May 1, 1874, page 1258, lists "Stimpson Edwin B. machines, 100 Gold & 326 Delancey, h 238 S 4th, B'klyn".
  • 1874-5 Trow's New York City Directory for the year ending May 1, 1875, page 1262, lists "Stimpson Edwin B. machinery, 31 Spruce, h 238 S 4th, B'klyn".
• 1860 D. Plumb & Co's Record of Mercantile Credits - Volume 1 (July 1860), page 55, lists "Stimpson E. B. / Manfr. Boot and Shoe Uppers" with "D D D" credit rating. A "D" rating implies "Means and Business small—Credit fair for small amounts". The three D's means that they had three "authorities" for that information.
• 1869-10-23 Real Estate Record lists mechanics' liens in New York City, including one by E. B. Stimpson against Henry Hopps, for $91.96. The 1870-01-29 issue lists a mechanics' lien by E. P. Stimpson against Samuel Hirsch, for $147.40. The 1870-07-30 issue lists a lien by E. B. Stimpson against A. R. Moulton, for $68.30. The 1871-06-24 issue lists a lien by E. B. Stimpson against Mark Deviney, for $62.61.
• 1876 The Illustrated History of the Centennial Exhibition, page 808, lists E. B. Stimpson, New York, as exhibiting shoe machinery.
• 1888-10-08 Brooklyn Daily Eagle, in the Obituaries.

  Edwin B. Stimpson.—Edwin B. Stimpson died on Saturday night at his home, 238 South Fourth street, from failure of the heart action as a result of pneumonia. Mr. Stimpson came to the United States thirty-five years ago and, after five years service with the shoe firm of S. Brooks & Co. as cutter, engaged in business for himself. He started as a master cutter and became a wholesale manufacturer. All of his goods were made on styles which he had invented and patented. He leaves a widow and several children.

• 1901 book A History of the New York Swamp. The "New York Swamp" was a region on Long Island, near Brooklyn, which for centuries was the home of the tanning and leatherworking industries in New York. From page 138:

  Edwin B. Stimpson—Came from England in 1853. He founded the business of making small machines for shoe manufacturers and dealt in fine leather. He did business in the Swamp for thirty years. He was a generous-hearted man, of strict integrety, and an inventor of great ability. He died October 6, 1888. His son, who bore the same name, succeeded. He shows the same gentlemanly characteristics and has greatly enlarged the business of devising shoe patterns and inventing the contrivances for making them.

• 1907-08-08 The Iron Age, page 403.

  Edwin B. Stimpson Company.—The Edwin B. Stimpson Company was incorporated July 15 with authorized capital of $100,000, all paid in, to take over the business of Edwin B. Stimpson & Sons, 31 Spruce street, New York, established many years ago. The company manufactures various kinds of Presses and Dies for punching metal, paper, cloth, leather and other materials. The officers are: Edwin B. Stimpson, president; Henry V. Rau, vice-president, and William W. Beales, secretary and treasurer, with whom John J. Mangan, Louis Lupien, Louis C. Schwensen and Harry London, long identified with the business, are associated as shareholders.

• 1908 Iron Age Directory lists E. B. Stimpson Co., 31 Spruce St., N. Y., as makers of (take a deep breath, now) Advertising Novelties; Aluminum coins; Automobile license pads; Automobile parts; Dipping baskets; Bicycle machinery; Bicycle parts; copper Bolts; special Bolts; Book binders' machinery; paper Boxes; embossed or figured Brass; perforated sheet Brass; arctic Buckles; Trade checks; hoop and pail Clamps; trunk Corners; ice Creepers; metal Crimping machines; automatic Dies; cutting Dies; Escutcheons; Eyelet machines; belt Fasteners; tag Fasteners; Ferrules; automatic Forming machines; metallic Grommets; rivet Headers; fancy box Hinges; belt Hooks; shoe Hooks; drawing Instruments; pinking Irons; perforated Lead sheet; trunk, case and bag Locks; rawhide capped Mallets; Metal specialties to order; perforated sheet Metals; aluminum Nails; ornamental Nails and studs; brass Nails and tacks; wire Nails; brass wire Nails; copper wire Nails; German silver wire Nails; perforating Machinery; brass and iron escutcheon Pins; German silver escutcheon Pins; punched iron and steel Plates; perforated metal Plates; perforated sifter and screen Plates; broaching Presses; foot Presses; hand and power Presses; hand and power forcing Presses; leather embossing Presses; paper Punches and Fasteners; drive Punches; multiple Punches; paper Punches; screw Punches; printers' Quoins; Riddles and sieves; Riveters and riveting machines for tubular and bifurcated rivets; Riveting machinery; bifurcated Rivets; brass Rivets; braziers' Rivets; galvanized Rivets; hinge Rivets; small miscellaneous iron Rivets; small bright Rivets to order; tinned Rivets; tubular Rivets; paper Scoring machines; cotton seed oil Screens; revolving Screens; perforated aluminum Sheets; metal Slitting machines; paper Slitting machines; Special machinery; machine Springs; steel Stamps and dies; Staple machinery; wire Staples; Stationers' hardware; Steel sheets punched to order; brass and iron Studs; harness Studs; perforated Tin; belt fastener Tools; Upsetting machinery; brass Washers; disc Washers; galvanized Washers; lead Washers; steel Washers; wrought Washers; button fastener Wire; Wire goods to order; automobile Wrenches; socket Wrenches.
• December 1916 Sugar, page 634.

  Edwin B. Stimpson Company Still Expanding.

  A glance at the growth of the Edwin B. Stimpson Company from a small beginning to the present plant, large, complete and up-to-date, as shown in the accompanying picture, is ample evidence of the fact that the business is conducted on sound and progressive principles, and that here is made a high-grade product that has won the confidence of its consumers.

  This plant is located in Brooklyn, N. Y., and in it are made an immense variety of wire and sheet metal supplies in brass, copper, etc., used by manufacturers and dealers in many lines. In addition, the company makes many automatic machines for inserting and attaching the various articles that it makes. A large supply of all its products is kept constantly on hand, thus insuring prompt deliveries.

  The founder, Edwin B. Stimpson, now deceased, was born in Northampton, England, and migrated to America in 1852. Two years later he went into business for himself near Franklin Square, New York. Twelve years afterward he moved into larger quarters at 100 Gold street, and in 1873 the rapid growth of business made another change necessary, this time to 31 Spruce street. In 1883 Edwin B. Stimpson, Jr., was admitted to partnership, and five years after that the senior parter and founder died, the business being continued by the son. The Brooklyn factory was erected in 1904 and all manufacturing transferred there, while the 31 Spruce street building continued as office, sales and stock rooms.

  The business was incorporated on July 15, 1907, under the New York state laws as Edwin B. Stimpson Company. The officers are as follows: Edwin B. Stimpson, president; Henry V. Rau, vice-president and treasurer; William F. Kobilak, assistant treasurer, and Henry W. Doehrer, secretary. The building on Franklin avenue, Brooklyn, adjacent to the factory, was erected in 1910 and used as principal office and salesrooms. The New York office was discontinued altogether about one year later, and now the company is wholly situated at Brooklyn.

  The various buildings shown in the illustrations have, from time to time, been added to the plant, and judging from the history of the concern, it is a safe guess that the coming years will witness an even greater expansion.

• 1906-09-25 Walden's Stationer and Printer, page 14.

  New Incorporation

  Edwin B. Stimpson & Son, 31 Spruce street, New York, established in 1852, will hereafter be known as Edwin B. Stimpson Company, incorporated under the laws of the state of New York. There will be no change in the management of the company, as the officers will be the gentlemen who have heretofore been identified with the concern. They will be Edwin B. Stimpson, president; H. V. Rau, vice-president, and W. W. Beales, secretary and treasurer. Mr. Stimpson has been with the company for thirty-three years and manager for the past twenty-three years, and under his direction the business has grown to its present large proportions. Mr. Rau has been connected with the old concern for many years, and is thoroughly posted on all matters connected with the business. Mr. Beales has also had a long experience with the house. The board of directors will be composed of the above named gentlemen and Edgar J. Williams, of Boyd's City Dispatch, New York, and William P. Bartel, secretary and treasurer of the J. L. Thomson Manufacturing Company, of Waltham, Mass.

  The company, who are well known to the trade as manufacturers of punching and eyeletting machinery, has achieved an enviable reputation for their output, as their machines are conceded to be the best on the market. The writer, in a recent interview with Mr. Stimpson, found that they have been very busy during the summer months, and that the totals for July and August will figure up the larges they have ever had. In consequence of this their extensive new factory in Brooklyn has been taxed to its utmost to keep pace with their orders. Mr. Stimpson is certainly to be congratulated upon the success he has met with and that he has succeeded in having associated with him such well-known business men who can aid him materially in carrying on of the business. We have often spoken of the merits of the several machines made by the company, which today are in such demand by the trade, who have found them not only great labor-saving devices, but accomplishing all that is claimed for them.

  A full-page ad on page 60 says, "We manufacture Sheet Metal Articles, wire goods and specialties of every description / EYELETS / Manufactured by Edwin B. Stimpson Company / Office and Wareroom 31 Spruce Street, New York / Factories: Brooklyn, N. Y., Irvington, N. J."
• 1917-04-28 The American Stationer and Office Outfitter lists "Stimpson & Son, Edwin B., 70 Franklin ave., Brooklyn, N. Y." as providers of eyelet punches. The April 14 issue of that same year answers a subscriber question about check-cancelling machines; one of the suppliers of such an item was the E. B. Stimpson Co., 64 Franklin avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y.
• A 1945 legal decision involving Edwin B. Stimpson Co. and Howral Corporation seems to have some relevance to the acquisition of the former business by H. V. Rau. The Howral Corporation seems to have been H. V. Rau's corporation. We did not take this research any further because our interest in the post-1930 history of the Stimpson company is minimal.
• FindaGrave.com page on Edwin Ball Stimpson (ca. 1825-1888) shows that he died 1888-10-06, and Edwin Jr. died 1940-07-31. There is a second page for Edwin Ball Stimpson that provides a biography with some new information and some misinformation. Quoting from an obituary in the 1888-10-08 Brooklyn Eagle, "In 1852 after spending five years’ service with the shoe firm of Brooks & Co. learning the trade of shoe cutter, Edwin B. Stimpson, a native of Northhampton England, opened his own company. First engaged as a master cutter and later as a wholesale manufacturer, his machinery patents were used in the manufacture of shoes and boots and were used by manufacturers throughout the country." The 1852 date is not correct, nor is a subsequent statement that his first factory was at what would become the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge. The information on Brooks & Co. and his role as "master cutter" seems believable.
• The "About Us" Stimpson web page provides a brief company history.