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Hargrave brand of Cincinnati Tool Co

The Cincinnati Tool Company was founded in 1877. In 1925, it changed its name to the Hargrave Company, which continued until 1955.

The information below was provided through the kindness of John McCutcheon, of Grand Rapids, Michigan

A "circled H" on tools made by Cincinnati Tool Company signifies that it was designed by my grandfather, John M. Hargrave (1889-1975).

Edward Hollister Hargrave worked for Cincinnati Tool Co. in the late 1800's. By 1911 or 1912, when he died, I think he was running the company.

John Morris Hargrave (his son) had just graduated from M.I.T., with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He was called home to take over the company. (I don't know if he owned the company or not at that time, but I am pretty certain that he did eventually. I believe he sold the company and retired sometime in the 1950's.)

The company made a complete line of hand tools of all kinds, from bar, cee and wooden jaw clamps to cold chisels, star drills, etc.

Sources

  1. Personal communication from John McCutcheon, descendant of Edward, and John Hargrave
  2. Ohio Tool Makers and their Tools, by Jack Devitt


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