Wortendyke & Johnson Fishing Reels are some of the earliest made New York ball handle style reels. Fishing reels with their name are scarce. In the October 14, 1839 “The Evening Post” newspaper, they are listed as makers of soda fountains. They must have been fishermen because they also made fishing reels. The New York City Directories have them listed as follows:
1839 – Brass Turners (Langworth’s Directory)
1842 – Machinists (John Doggett Directory)
1842 – Brass Turners and manufacturers of soda water fountains (Langworth’s Directory)
In the 1839 and 1842 Directories, they are listed individually with Rinier Wortendyke as a soda fountain manufacturer and William Johnson as a Machinist.
