Case Brothers first began in the cutlery trade about 1886, as partners in the Cattaraugus Cutlery Company of Little Valley, New York. They withdrew from the company in 1887. John, Jean, and Andrew Case had business interests in Nebraska and Kansas. Sometime in the early 1890s, the three Case brothers, decided to begin selling cutlery wholesale in Spring Green, Nebraska.
They returned to Little Valley, and on February 1, 1895 adopted the trademark “Tested XX” for use on all types of cutlery. In 1896, the Case Brothers Cutlery Company of Little Valley New York was formed.
This was a jobbing firm, and cutlery was made for the Case Brothers by other manufacturers. The first was the C. Platts & Sons Company of Gowanda, New York. Case Brothers knives with the “Gowanda, N.Y.” marking were made in 1896-1897. The Platts firm moved to Eldred, Pennsylvania in 1897, and continued to make pocket knives for the Case Brothers, marking them with the Little Valley marking.
Several other firms also made contract pocket knives and razors for Case Brothers from 1896-1900. Razors NOT marked “Tested XX” were made during this period. The Case Brothers Cutlery Company of Little Valley was incorporated in February, 1900. In 1904, Case Brothers began marking their knives “XX” leaving off the “Tested.” A factory was erected, and Case Brothers began manufacturing the same year. All three brothers had children who worked in their factory. The brothers and their sons are:
Jean Case Elliot J. born Aug. 1876
Dean J. born Sep. 1883
John Deborah CaseWyatt J. born Oct. 1885
Clifton C. born Dec. 1887
Arnold D. born Oct. 1889
Andrew J. Case
Jaxon (or Jackson) born Mar. 1883
(there was also an “A.A. CASE” Aaron?‘î a salesman for W.R. CASE & SONS in 1916)
On October 13, 1906 Case Brothers purchased the Kane Cutlery Company factory, Kane, Pennsylvania. Each of the Case brothers purchased homes in the area, and moved their families to Kane. Early in 1908, Andrew withdrew from the company, and sold his interest to Jean. John Case bought his personal properties.
On July 14, 1908 the Kane properties owned by the Case Brothers Cutlery Company were foreclosed upon, and placed into the hands of a board of trustees. Having lost the Kane plant, the Case Brothers Company purchased the Smethport Cutlery Company of Smethport, Pennsylvania. On December 1, 1909 an agreement was signed whereby Case Brothers took over all assets of the Smethport Cutlery. On June 10, 1910, the plant was completely destroyed by fire. The factory was a small operation, employing only 21 workers. Another blow was dealt this company on February 12, 1912, fire destroyed the Little Valley factory. Case Brothers offered to rebuild in Little Valley, but the town could not meet their demands.
The town of Springville, New York offered a free site, free power, and water for a period of 25 years, and no taxes for five years. Case Brothers accepted this offer, and build a new brick building. Case Brothers was in deep financial trouble in 1914, and on October 3 of that year they sold their trademark “Tested XX” to W.R. Case & Sons. In November, 1914, Case Brothers laid off many of their workers. In May, 1915 they declared bankruptcy. The plant was sold and this firm went out of business.