This maker began by 1881 in Dundee, NY, as Seneca Tool Works, J. W. Manneer, proprietor. By 1883 John W. Manneer had moved to Rochester and added his stepson William Haskell as partner in Manneer & Haskell. Late in that year, Manneer bought out Haskell and the business name changed to J. W. Manneer. At this point Manneer was making a small iron bench drill that was intended for drilling wheel rims, though he also advertised it to farmers for use in agricultural equipment repair. The firm's 1884 catalog claimed, "Over 8,000 drills made and sold in four years." By 1885 he was also making a post drill variant, but Manneer was bankrupt in August, 1885. By 1888 it had reorganized as Manneer Drill Manufacturing Co., and survived until at least 1895 in a low-key way.

From January 1885 Bullinger's Postal and Shippers Guide

Information Sources

• The Daily News (Lebanon, PA), Oct. 6, 1881, Pg. 4.
• 1883 Farley's Directory of the Metal Workers of the United States, Canada and the British Provinces, page 217, lists "Seneca Tool Works / Dundee, New York" under "Machinists' Tools".
• 1883-11-01 The Hub.

  CHANGE.—Mr. J. W. Manneer, Rochester, N. Y., has bought out the interests of Mr. Haskell, and the firm of Manneer & Haskell is dissolved. Mr. J. W. Manneer continues the business, and will as usual supply the carriage trade with one of the best drills on the market.

• 1884-12-01 The Hub.

  HAND DRILL.—J. W. Manneer, Rochester, N. Y., has had the most gratifying success with his hand drill for the use of carriage smiths. It is simple, and perfectly adapted to its purpose, and then, so cheap! He proposes to make and introduce a large drill for power or hand, introducting the same principles as used in the smaller one.

• Ad in 1883-11-01 The Hub.
• J. W. Manneer's Catalogue and Price : First Edition : 1884, Page 3. "Over 8,000 drills made and sold in four years."
• 1884 edition of Drew, Allis & Co.'s The Rochester Directory: "Manneer John W. machinists' drill manuf. foot Platt, house 115 Ambrose; 45." A small display ad shows his bench drill, with the text "J. W. Manneer, / Specialty in Manneers' Patent Blacksmiths' and Machinists' Drills. / Factory, Foot of Platt St., Rochester, N. Y."
• 1885-08-15 The American Engineer ad: "Post drills. J. W. Manneer, Rochester, New York."
• Ad in January 1885 Bullinger's Postal and Shippers Guide.
• Ad in 1885-01-29 The Farmers' Review.
• Ad in 1885-06-30 Western Manufacturer.
• Democrat and Chronicle, Aug. 26, 1885, Pg. 6.

  Schedules Filed.—The schedules of John W. Manneer, who recently made an assignment for the benefit of creditors, were filed in the county clerk's ofiice yesterday by Daniel T. Hunt, the assignee. His liabilities are given as ???, -619.89; assets, including a life insurance policy of $10,000, nominal value $16,273.85, actual value $4,230.34.

• The 1888 edition of The Railroad, Telegraph, Electric and Steamship Builders' Buyers' Guide : "Manneer Drill Mfg. Co., Rochester, N. Y."
• 1894-08-25 The Metal Worker.

  We have received a catalogue of 48 pages from the Manneer Dril Mfg. Company, Rochester, N. Y. The first pages show Bench and Post Drills for shops, followed by a variety of Twist Drills, Drill Sockets and Drill Chucks. A page is devoted to Pipe Wrenches, Pipe Cutters and Combination Wrenches, after which are shown Portable Forges, Blowers, Combined, Shear and Bar Cutters, and then come Taps and Dies for cutting threads for all purposes.

• The 1897-98 House Directory lists Manneer Drill Manuf. Co., residing at 502/504 Exchange Street, sharing the premises with White Swan Soap Co. and the Moulson Soap Works.
• A patent search did not turn up any patents associated with Mr. Manneer or Mr. Haskell.