|
William Nelson McCoy |
1884-1945 |
|
President of Nelson McCoy Pottery |
1910-1945 |
|
(told by Nelson
McCoy, son of William) |
Recently, a fellow employee, Mrs. Florence
Harbough gave us this picture of Dad. He had given these photos to all the employees
during the 1930's. Mrs. Harbough was proud to have work at the pottery for many
years, and thus had kept this picture for over 60 years. This type of feeling and
mutual respect and appreciation between management and workers carried on for three
quarters of a century.
Back in 1907, Dad began to raise money from |
|
friends and
business people. He desired to have a pottery of his own. It was in his
blood, as his father was a potter with several small shops, including his own J. W. McCoy
Pottery. The family history shows that even his grandfather was making pottery back
in 1848. After three years of raising funds to
establish his business, the Nelson McCoy Sanitary Stoneware Pottery was established in
1910. The business prospered. In 1924, Dad purchased the largest continuous
kiln in the area. Firing time was reduced to 48 hours instead of SEVEN DAYS!
He changed the name to "The Nelson McCoy Pottery Company" and revised the line
of wares produced from stoneware to artware and cookware. In the mid 1930's, Sidney
Cope was hired as designer. The company created and sold beautiful, artistic designs
to chain stores.
Dad would have been surprised and proud to have known
that his plant produced art pottery for 80 years. Former employees are amazed that
their work is so appreciated today. Billie and I are proud the designs produced many
years ago, are still so popular today.
Sincerely, |
