1900s Black Tail Coat and Trousers

Black wool tailcoat, vest and trousers. Jacket has silk faille peaked lapels, satin covered buttons, inside left and right breast double welt pockets. It is lined with a black silk twill in the body and black/white striped silk twill in the sleeves. Vest has rounded shawl collar of self fabric, 3 satin covered buttons with keyhole buttonholes and welt pockets on either side. Vest back is black silk twill and inside lining is off-white cotton twill. Trousers have braid stripe down the length of the side, button fly closure, suspender buttons, front waist watch pocket and rear double welt pockets.

HCT.1988.389.3a-c

This suit was worn by Daniel Webster Williams who was born in Jackson, Ohio in 1862. He was a noted journalist whom President Theodore Roosevelt appointed as Consul to Wales from 1905-07. While there, Williams attended several formal state functions where a tailcoat would be required attire. Williams' father had emigrated from Wales in 1839, so Daniel was probably familiar with the language. It was while practicing law from 1886-1889 that Williams discovered his love of writing and bought the Jackson Sun Journal, which he owned until 1923. During his life he was appointed to the Ohio Senate (1909-1910) and also wrote a regular column for the Columbus Citizen, "Under the Open Sky," until his death in 1932.

B. Frosh & Sons

Tail Coat, Formal Trousers

fiber content=Wool

1900-1909

Black