After the passing of Elias Pierpoint Ford in 1897, William H. Ross partnered with Edwin Burgin and Leander C. Hartzell to form Ross, Burgin & Hartzell. The new company continued the manufacturing and retail services that its predecessor, Ford & Ross, had performed.
The new company added to its product line, including carrying sleds, skates, boxing and fitness equipment. Regarding its bicycle inventory, the company offered deferred payment options or a reduced cost for full payment at the time of purchase.
Fred J. Ross, the brother of William H. Ross, had been a mechanic for Ford & Ross. He struck out on his own, opening a retail bicycle shop. Within two months, he left the area and moved out west. Ross, Burgin & Hartzell was awarded the “Northamptons” line of bicycles, previously sold for the short time Fred J. Ross was in business. The “Northamptons” bicycle sold for $40, affordable for many customers.
Ross, Burgin & Hartzell expanded their products to include non-recreational items, such as sewing machines, gramophones, and records produced by Edison and Columbia.
In 1898, the company demonstrated the electro-gas bicycle lamp to illuminate roadways at night.
In November 1900, the partnership was dissolved, as Leander C. Hartzell established his own phonograph parlor and awning shop at 303 High Street.
A new partnership was formed by Messrs. Ross and Burgin, appropriately named Ross & Burgin. The business mission continued, and there will be more to tell of the long history of the sporting goods retailers at 352 High Street.
Citations:
Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram; Springfield (Massachusetts) Republican; publication dates and pages are shown.
Ancestry.com (paid subscription): Price & Lee Holyoke, Massachusetts, City Directories
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