Joseph Evans & Sons Ltd Toolmakers of Highfield Tool & Steel Works Little London Rd, Sheffield

[johnm]

My wife Chris' maternal name is Evans & her ancestor Joseph Evans started Joseph Evans & Co Toolmakers in Sheffield. I wonder if any reader has ancestors involved in the company ?

Joseph Evans & Sons Ltd - History

Joseph Evans was born at Wednesbury, Staffs in 1824 but moved to Sheffield about 1848 with his brothers Aaron, Thomas, William (Chris’ 2x gt granddad) & David. Joseph married Emma Grainger in 1848 just before moving to Sheffield.  

He started in business in 1852 at Havelock Works, Penistone Rd with his brother Thomas & by 1861 was employing 8 men making a variety of engineer’s tools. He then moved to Highfield Tool Works at Randall St. By 1881 the business had expanded to 10 men (inc. brother Thomas) & 6 boys.  Sadly, those premises were destroyed by fire on 12 March 1886. He then set up business at the Highfield Tool & Steel Works, Little London Road, Heeley, Sheffield & operated there very successfully.

On 15th Feb 1896 the Company announced it was starting a new manufacturing facility for cycles which were called “Dragonfly” & hoped to make 40-50 per week. The cycles were of varying types for men, ladies, racers & semi-racers. The company had also established an agency in London to market the machines. However it seems this venture was short lived as their bicycle showroom in Pinstone St was closed  & their stock of bicycles were sold by auction on 2nd April 1901.

In 1897 it was incorporated as a Limited Company by which time he was employing many of his brothers’ male children.

According to Graces Guide, in 1914 the company had 300 employees & specialised in engineer’s tools & steel files, vices, screwing tackle, ratchet braces, hammers & spanners (no mention of bicycles). Thomas, Joseph’s brother, lived at 38 Hill St with wife Esther. He died 8 Aug 1884

However, the company must have felt the full force of the 1930’s recession & a meeting of creditors was called on 30 July 1930 so marking its end. However, by that time most of the older members of the family had retired or died.

Joseph’s sons, who also ran the business after Joseph retired, were:

a) Thomas Grainger Evans born 1852 at Sheffield. He married Ellen Ada Gill in 1885 & lived at “Thornlea” 134 Millhouses Road. He died in 1945 in Devon.

b) Henry Evans born 1855 in Sheffield. After marriage to Mary Ann Ward Crowley Dowling in 1877 he lived at 176 Alderson Road; died in 1882 in Sheffield

c) John Edward Evans born 1858 at Sheffield.  He was a director of the company & married Sarah Elizabeth Shaw in 1881. He lived at 3 Carter Knowle Road & died in Sheffield in 1937.

d) Joseph Evans born 1864 in Sheffield. He married Rose Ellen Hallam in 1889 & lived at 20 Abbey Lane.  From about the age of 30 he was Company Secretary.