I just acquired this 18s Hampden 11j pvt label key wind, #116964, mdl #1, ca 1879,
A nice sterling Am Watch co.case, E57.
The name inscribed on the movement is Chas. H. Schiller. The nearest info I could get is;
Charles H. Schiller
born abt 1847 Hesse D ( the Hesse name might be his mother's)
Residence 1880 - Utica Oneida, NY
I do not know if he is the owner or a jeweler.
Can one of our better researchers find anymore info?

Edward
In the 1887-91 Utica NY directories there was a Charles H. Schiller at 173 & 175 Genesee & 5 Dudley who's occupation was watchmaker & jeweler.

Tom

It looks like he was born about 1847, his wife was Carrie & he had two sons George & Henry. Charless was born in another country but all I can make out is Hesse D.

Tom

Tom,
Thanks for the info. I can normaly get info in the directory, but not this time.
I thought Hesse might be his mothers maiden name. With a name like Schiller he might have German ancestory. Could be a town/ part of the old country. My next trip to Utica I will have to make another stop at the historical society.
At least now I know he was a jeweler/ watchmaker.

This makes two pvt label's from Utica watchmakers for me!

Edward

I think Hesse might be in Germany, I couldn't make out the name on the census for the country.

Here is part of the page from Williams' Utica City Directory 1893

Edward

By 1900 Charles must have passed on, his wife was then living in Utica with her son George & his wife Anna, George & his brother Henry were both jewelers at this time, they had another brother Fredrick W. that was an electrician.

Also from that census it shows there father Charles was born in Germany.

Nice watch Edward I also have a private label Hampden.

Both movement had to be in the same run the serial number are close.

Tom,
Thanks again for the info.

Mike,
Nice Hampden, only 107 watches between the two. According to the records the run was 900 watches.
What brand of case is your's housed in?

Dueber coin 3oz hunter case.

If the last name is Gibbs, then he was a Jeweler for over 40 years!

He is listed in Middlesex Medford Mass. His occupation is listed as: Watches and Jeweler. He was 32 in the 1850 Census, and was still in business in 1890. He was born in 1818.

His son William is listed as 24 and a Jeweler too.

His business is also listed at 8 Main.

Directory below is from 1882-1883
He's the ninth one up from the bottom.

Thanks Sheila for the info.

I have not had the opportunity to go to the Utica Historical Society as yet, but did find this bit of sad information about Charles H. Schiller.

Sheila,
Where do you get your information on all these people?

I often wonder the same thing.

If you ever get the chance, Sheila, I'd appreciate it if you could take a gander at my request and see if you can add anything to my knowledge of this owner:

https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/f...6047761/m/3301052233

Thanks!

Regards! Mark

Another update on Chas. H. Schiller.
It appears he was in business in Utica, NY from 1873 until his death on 25Dec1899.

Ad in business directory:

if you folks have time i have one for you to look up.i have a old patek philippe on the dial with the patek it says N.Matson & co. Chicago
i think it would be cool to find out more about places that sold high end watches in the 1800's

I found this

James

There was a N. Matson born about 1815 in Connecticut & lived in Chicago, in the 1880 census. He is listed as a jeweler & was married to Flora

Tom

that looks to be around the date of the watch.i wounder what thats all about ill bet there more to that story.

thanks for your guys good work.it seems there is a lot more to this story we may never know.

James,
Well, I found the Census Tom mentioned and I have a little more about Mr. N. Matson

There were 14 people living in his home at the time.

N. Watson, his wife Flora, 4 children, 1 grandchild, 2 Son-in-Law's, 1 Coachman, and 4 Domestics.

and

They lived on Park Avenue.

I get most of my information from Ancestry and Genealogy sites. I have other sources, but use the Genealogy information the most. I have a World Version, so it gives me a lot of information.

Hello to everyone

First of all I would like to introduce myself. My name is Gerald, I am 49 years old living in Germany and collecting pocket watches.

To the case of Charles H. Schiller:
I suggest the Hesse D stands for Hessen Deutschland
Hessen is a federal state of Germany

Gerald

Hi Gerald,
Welcome! It's great to meet you.

Wonderful information on Hessen Deutschland.

Thank you!

I have a Pocket Watch with your name on it, at least the last name. Small World huh?

Hope to see you here often.

It's a Hamilton 975, and purchased right here on the board. I just love it.

Great pictures by Lindell

In a nice Hamilton Salesman Case

SN 743999

Hi Sheila

Thank you for the fast and personal welcome

You are right: the world is small and still getting smaller! Thanks too for the pictures of the pocket watch. It is nice to see that around 1900 someone with certainly german background did not change his last name to carpenter as almost ever happend.
I hope I can help here an there with informations on european watches. If necessary I can post questions to the swiss-german pocket watch forum and try to translate.

so have a good time
Gerald

Gerald, Welcome to IHC 185, it good to have another voice from Europe....

I think you may be correct regarding the Schiller watch and I think that Tom and Edward may have alluded to it also....

Please continue to post on these various forums as it is very informative and pertinant to the topics at hand.

Again, Welcome on Board the 185 Special....

Regards,
Jerry

Jerry!

The 185 Special! I love it!

Every time I tell someone about the board, I say the 185 watch forum, or Board or something like that, and now I can say

"Come on Board the 185 Special!" it takes off when you get there! hehehe

Of course I often get to show them the site and/or send them the URL to the main page.

The 185 Special! ToooooooT ToooooT

Am I tired or what!