Rhode Island Radio - E A Willemin Company

Edward A Willemin was born in 1886 in Rhode Island and listed as having an occupation in jewelry manufacturing in the 1940 censes. ¹

He married Cecilia Farrell and they had ay least one son, Edward Jr ¹¹ ¹⁸

Edward died May 17 1940, age 53 ¹⁹

In 1908 E A Willemin is listed as making Diesinkers and Letter Cutters. ⁸ In 1915 there is a listing for a payment of $100 to the Rhode Island State Treasurer from the Willemin Manufacturing Company. ⁶ The 1908 Providence business directory lists the company as being located at 139 Eddy Street in Providence ⁸

In 1916 the Willemin Manufacturing Company was incorporated under the laws of Rhode Island with a capital of $100,000 to make rifles, tools, ammunition, etc. Partners were Thomas F Cooney, Daniel H Morrissey and John J A Cooney. It is listed in the incorporation that Mr Willemin had run a jewelry manufacturing plant for several years at 95 Pine St in Providence, RI. ²

Providence Journal April 19, 1916

In 1918 there is a listing in the New England Business Directory saying the Willemin Mfg Co Inc at 181 Eddy Street with a capital of $100,000 was incorporated in 1916, JOhn H Kurtz, president, Edward A Willemin, Treasure and Paul A Willemin, secretary. Their business was Machinery and they had 50 employees. ¹⁵

In 1919, Willemin Manufacturing Company Incorporated is listed at 181 Eddy St in Providence ³ It is also listed in the same directory as making machinery and having 50 employees. ⁵ Mr Willemin is listed as the former treasurer of the Willemin Manufacturing Company and is starting a mail order jobbing business handeling jewelry, novilities, toys and notions. ¹²

There are also a couple of confusing listings in 1919 for the company having a receiver already, Thomas Chantler ²⁰ as if it went out of business ¹³ and a listing for the company name being discontinued ¹⁴. It may have been all part of a re-organization of the business.

On April 2nd 1919, the company is fined for making 2 Women work more hours than allowed.

Providence Journal April 2, 1919

Providence Journal
April 8, 1919

Then there was more receiver and creditor listings in the second half of 1919 for another receiver Michael J Houlihan.

Providence Journal June 25, 1919

Providence Journal September 12, 1919

Providence Journal December 24, 1919

Providence Journal December 24, 1919

In 1921 there is a report that The Lyons Manufacutring Company, 101 Sabin Street, Providence, aquired the Metal Products Manufacturing Company at 195 Eddy Street which will merge with its organization. E A Willemin, heretofore connected with the latter company, will be superintendent of the metal products department of the Lyons company. ⁹

Willemin Company made crystal sets in 1924 (See examples below). Their address at this time was 195 Eddie Street.

In 1925 the Boston Globe reported that C Warren De Motte with falsely representing himself in order to obtain a number of radio sets from Willemin. He claimed he was the manager of the Stafford Radio Company of Massachusetts. He was once the manager there but had been let go before he tried to obtain the crystal sets. He was fined $500 ¹⁶.

The Providence House and Street Directory and Family Address Book, 1931-1932 have a listing for William E A Dental Mfg Co, 53 Clifford Ave in Providence, and Willemin Edward A dental supplies, 41 Woodman Ave in Providence. ⁷

All in all throughout the years the company made the following products:

Diesinkers and Letter Cutters. ⁸
Jewelry ¹
Dental equipment ⁷
Rrifles, tools & ammunition ²
Crystal sets as seen from the examples I have found, as well as an optical applience and a folding knife fork and spoon set, as seen in their patents. It is interesting to note the patent for the Optical Appliance list Martin-Copland Company as the assignor.

Mr Willemin died in May 16, 1940. ¹⁰ ¹⁷

SETS

Click to enlarge
E A Willemin Company, Model 1100 crystal set.
This version has common crystal setup.

Click to enlarge
E A Willemin Company, Model 1100 crystal set.
This version has a enclosed crystal

Click to enlarge
E A Willemin Company, Model 1100 crystal set.
This version has a common crystal setup.

Click to enlarge
E A Willemin Company, Model 1100 crystal set.
This unit has either a replaced detector
or very cheap version to reduce cost.

Click to enlarge
E A Willemin Company, Model 1100 crystal set.

Click to enlarge E A Willemin Company, Model 1100 crystal set.	Click to enlarge E A Willemin Company, Model 1100 crystal set.
Click to enlarge E A Willemin Company, Model 1100 crystal set.	Click to enlarge E A Willemin Company, Model 1100 crystal set.
Click to enlarge E A Willemin Company, Model 1100 crystal set.	Click to enlarge E A Willemin Company, Model 1100 crystal set.
Click to enlarge E A Willemin Company, Model 1100 crystal set.	Click to enlarge E A Willemin Company, Model 1100 crystal set.

Click to enlarge
E A Willemin Company, Model 1100 crystal set.

Click to enlarge E A Willemin Company, Model 1100 crystal set.	Click to enlarge E A Willemin Company, Model 1100 crystal set.
Click to enlarge E A Willemin Company, Model 1100 crystal set.	Click to enlarge E A Willemin Company, Model 1100 crystal set.
Click to enlarge E A Willemin Company, Model 1100 crystal set.	Click to enlarge E A Willemin Company, Model 1100 crystal set.