Internet Horology Club 185
Who is this?

This topic can be found at:
https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1086047761/m/366101233

August 27, 2010, 16:22
John A. Grennan III
Who is this?
Just bought this watch but would love to have some info on the individual on the dial/movement.

E.A. Tharnish, Exira, Iowa

Thanks,

jg


August 27, 2010, 19:04
Cecil McGee
Hey John, Don't know who it is,but that watch looks like this one that was sold on Ebay back in june. Item #370395195879.
August 27, 2010, 20:06
Tom Brown
It would appear your watch may have been in the store of Eli Albert Tharnish, he was born May 3, 1869 in New York State & he died March 18, 1935 in Memphis Tn. He is listed as a watchmaker or jeweler in several census records.

He apparently had a store in Exira Iowa & I also found mention that he had one in Atlantic Iowa that went bankrupt.

According to census records he lived in the following places;
1880 Leroy, Audubon, Iowa
1900 Jonesboro, Craighead, Arkansas
1910 Memphis, Shelby, Tennessee
1920 Memphis
1930 Memphis

This article was in The jewelers' circular Jan. 25, 1899

01

August 27, 2010, 20:18
Tom Brown
It appears he was also known as Al Tharnish, I found a notice from Jan 2, 1895 in the Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette where it was reported that his "store in Exira was robbed of $1200 in goods. The thief was caught"

Tom
August 28, 2010, 01:24
John A. Grennan III
Thank you Tom. As always you are right there with the goods. I appreciate your willingness to share your expertise. Thanks again.

jg
August 28, 2010, 01:36
John A. Grennan III
Cecil,

It may be. I just bought it, it does run 20-30 minutes fast so perhaps someone did not widh to bother having it serviced. good eye on this one.

jg
August 28, 2010, 09:52
Tom Brunton
quote:
eBay # 370395195879.# 5139719 ON INSIDE BACK OF CASE AND 1007541 DUEBER WATCH CO. ON THE MOVEMENT

easy to tell if it's the same watch,the listing contains the serial #s of case and movement as above. The hands are different but that means nothing. One of the moon hands on the eBay watch is broken so they may have been replaced Big Grin