Related companies: N. Place: Phoenix, Arizona, United States. Notes content: western saddles; chaps; cowboy boots; Stetson hats; gloves; saddle. William Newton Porter moved from Taylor, Texas to Phoenix, Arizona and established the N. Porter Saddle & Harness Company in 1895. The saddlery remained family owned and operated until the closing of the business in the 1960s. The company employed two dozen or more master craftsmen, who tooled and sewed the saddles. Their saddles were.
Frazier Saddle photos courtesy of Dave Fullarton, Australia. He says, 'A guy I knew brought a house in Rockhampton, Qld, (Australia) which contained a small locked shed out the back. The story is that some people were coming from England to Australia around the 1900s and they brought some sea chests for their journey. In the chests were a pair or angora chaps, a set of throwing knifes and this saddle. Over the years the chaps and knives disappeared. The saddle is in remarkable order. I presume that is was left over from when Buffalo Bill toured England.'
Frank Bregenzer, Maker, Rifle, Colo. Frank Bregenzer made saddles in Rifle Colorado from 1908 to 1925.
Between 1911 and 1916 he made saddles in W.R. Thompson's shopConnie Metzger and Angelika Kuphal of Black Forest, Germany sent us photos of their saddle.
They found that a Frank Bregenzer (of German ancestry) was born (assumed) 1857 in Wisconsin and died in Rifle, Colorado in 1925. They said, ' we have an old time western saddle here and are wondering where it comes from and how old it is. It has been in use until just a few years ago and its quality is still convincing - well it shows some wear and tear though. On the stamp it says 'Frank Bregenzer - maker - Rifle.col', its tree is made of wood and rawhide (its heavy - about 36lbs).Funny how things turn out, and that some part of his lifework ended up here, back again in Germany.'
Wyeth company was in St Joseph MO from the 1840s to the 1950s. They made mochilas for the pony express eastern divisions. Their 220th catalog was published 1939.
Photos courtesy of Jake Dueland: 'Hi I was looking at your list of makers and thought I would add my family saddle and see if you have any information about it. All I know is that it was bought in Nebraska by my great grandfather. From what I could find on the internet wythe made the pony Express saddles. Thanks and hope this makes a good addition to your list.' Editor's note: a mochila is a removable leather cover put over a saddle.
In the case of the Pony Express, the cover held the mail relayed from one horse to the next. Read learned saddlemaking beginning at the age of 17 working for Cornish & Walton in Ogden Utah during the 1870s. In 1883 he bought the firm and renamed it J.G. Read Harness & Saddlery. His brother W.S. Joined him a year later and together they also purchased the small firm of Cheyenne Harness & Saddlery of Ogden. They were joined in 1898 by a third brother, Oscar I.
And formed the J.G. Read and Brothers Co. The firm was active as a leather goods, harness and saddlery store at that time, but as the years went by, adjusted to progress by selling motor car accessories (tires, batteries) and even later, household appliances and furnishings.Ryon, Fort Worth, Texas. Eddleman, Graham Texas 1900-1962The Eddleman Bros brand was used from about 1897-1957.There is quite a bit of history about ownership changes.Dorman Holub, Graham, Texas adds the following information: 'If the building burned in 1957 - that would have made The Graham Leader in Graham, Texas. There is no record of the saddle company burning.
The business flourished under the new owners and Eddleman saddles were still being made by the saddlemakers who worked for the Eddleman brothers until the 1980s using Eddleman patterns. The Eddleman stamp was still being used until 1994. There is a way to tell whether an Eddleman saddle is before the time of the selling of the saddle shop and after according to an agreement with the Eddleman's.
The Eddleman stamp is still in Graham, Texas as are the patterns for Eddleman Saddles.' 'My husband has a saddle that his father bought back in the late 1960s. It has a stamp that reads EDDLEMAN BROS. Maker Graham, Tex. On the seat and both Stirrup leathers.
It also has a bull stamp on both stirrup leathers and tooling across the seat. I have attached a photo of the stamp.' Thanks, Julia Washburn L.
White Maker, Ft. Worth, Texas. Nance and Son was located at 105 South Commercial Avenue in Coleman, TX. It was owned by James H. (1864 - 1937) and Bennett A. Nance (1891 - 1964). They were manufacturers and dealers of saddles, harness, collars, bridles, a complete line of leather goods, shoe repairing, cowboy boots, automobile tops and seat covers, and awning.Saddle photos were kindly donated by De Roo Alain, Gent, Belgium Europe. Anyone knowing further history of the shop is invited to email us with details.
My name is Lacey Boles-Poor. My grandfather, Vernon Poor, made saddles in Abilene Texas in the 40s-60s. He passed away in 1965. We only know of 2 existing saddles. One that he was working on when he passed away and another our neighbor had purchased and recently gave back to us. I am looking for any others I can find. I would like to know their stories, get pictures, or possibly return them to our family members.
I can send a picture of his mark if it would be helpful. Any contacts you could give me would be great!! Thank you for your time and consideration.' 'I do know that my grandfather owned a shop called Stockman's supply in Abilene, Texas and also had a shop inside the auction barn. Please feel free to post my email address and if you need any more information, please contact me.
My phone number is 325-668-5639 [email protected]'Ramsey & Ford Makers - San Antonio, Texas.