In 1902 the Williamson Manufacturing Co. was established to manufacture a vise patented by Eli S. Williamson of Buffalo, NY. Over the next few years the company introduced several models of vises: machinists' bench vises, jewelers' vises, drill press vises, and vises for planers and milling machines. They also made a universal-swiveling drill press table.

In 1907 or early '08 the company quietly changed its name to Williamson Vise Co. In 1910 the company was acquired by the G. M. Yost Manufacturing Co.

Information Sources

• 1902-09-25 American Manufacturer and Iron World. "A company has been organized at Bradford, Pa. for the manufacture of the Williamson vise patented by Eli Williamson of Buffalo. The new company has been offered a site for its proposed plant at South Bradford."
• 1902-11-06 American Manufacturer and Iron World. "Pennsylvania charters have been granted to these concerns: ... Williamson Manufacturing Company, Bradford, capital, $50,000."
• 1901-1903 List of Charters of Corporations Enrolled in the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth (of Pennsylvania). "WILLIAMSON MANUFACTURING COMPANY— Bradford, October 30, 1902. Capital, $50,000. For the purpose of the manufacture of iron or steel, or both, or of any other metal, or of any article of commerce from metal or wood, or both."
• November 1903 Machinery, in a listing of new publications. "The Williamson Mfg. Co., Bradford, Pa. Folder illustrating and describing the 'Williamson' vise. By one motion of the hand, pulling the lever forward, the jaws can be moved to right or left, up or down, forward or backward."
• 1903-12-19 American Machinist reportedly has an article on "adjustable vise of the Williamson Manufacturing Co. in Bradford, Pa."
• 1904-05-19 American Machinist, in a listing of new catalogs: "Williamson Manufacturing Company, Bradford, Pa. Folder describing the Williamson unvlersal double swivel vise. illustrated."
• May 1906 The Iron Age Directory lists Williamson Mfg. Co., Bradford, Pa., and suppliers of Anvils, Jewelers'; Vises, Drill Press; Vises, Jewelers'; Vises, Milling Machine and Planer; Vises, Parallel; and Vises, Pipe.
• 1908-07-02 American Machinist lists Williamson Vise Co., Bradford, Pa., as suppliers of Vises, Metal Workers'; Vises, Pipe; and Vises, Planer and Shaper.
• 1909 Year Book (Motor Cyclopædia) lists executives of the Williamson Vise Co., Bradford Pa.: S. A. Holbrook, President; W. S. Gaffney, Vice-President; H. E. Gaffney, Secretary and Treasurer; W. C. Leary, General Manager. It says, of the company, "Est. 1902. Cap. $50,000."
• January 1909 The Automobile Trade Directory lists Williamson Vise Co., Bradford, Pa., as suppliers of Machinists vises and pipe vises.