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1856 - 1873 Doederlein Jewelers 1st Generation

Adolph Doederlein, jeweler and watchmaker, of Munich, Bavaria was the proprietor of a Doederlein Jewelers from approximately 1856 to his premature death in 1873. He was also the royal court appointed “Keeper of the Clocks” in Munich.

1873 - 1880

Business is interrupted until re-established by son, Ludwig Doederlein, born 1863, orphaned after Adolph’s death. Ludwig was trained in jewelry repair and as a clock and watchmaker while in the orphanage.

1880 - 1920

During his lifetime, Ludwig Doederlein was either self-employed, operating his own store as Doederlein Jewelers, or working as a goldsmith and watchmaker for other jewelers.

• 1880: Ludwig left the orphanage and immigrated to the United
  States and worked at Oppenheim Jewelers in Baltimore, Maryland.
• 1898: Ludwig returned to Munich with his family (wife and 3
  children, one of which was son Carl) and briefly reestablished
  Doederlein Jewelers.
• 1899: Upon the death of son Alfred, Ludwig returned to the
  United States and opened Doederlein Jewelers in Staunton, Virginia.
• 1906: Ludwig relocated business to Baltimore, Maryland.
• 1908: Ludwig moved to Greenville, South Carolina and worked
  for Hale Jewelers.
• 1911: Ludwig returned to Maryland and reopened Doederlein
  Jewelers on East Baltimore Street in Baltimore.
• 1917: Carl J. Doederlein, Ludwig’s son, joined the family business,
  located at Park & Lexington Streets, Baltimore, Maryland.

1920 - 1954

• 1920: Carl J. Doederlein began to manage the business and
  Doederlein Jewelers once again operates at the level originally
  established by Adolph Doederlein in 1856.
• 1930: Store is renamed as “The Carl J. Doederlein Company”
  and is moved to 10 W. Saratoga Street, Baltimore, Maryland.
• 1937: Virginia Doederlein (4th Generation), Carl’s daughter
  joined the family business after apprenticing for 5 years.
• 1939: Virginia Doederlein married Nelson R. Coleman, Jr. who
  immediately entered the family business. Nelson introduced custom
  design and renderings. Virginia left the family business to raise 6 sons.
• 1950: The Carl J. Doederlein Company purchased the building at
  318-320 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland.
• 1954: Carl J. Doederlein retired.

1954 - 2002

• 1954: Nelson Coleman continued the business, operating under
  his own name as Nelson Coleman Jewelry specialists at 333 N. Charles
  Street, Baltimore, Maryland. He was joined in the business by Nelson
  Coleman, III in 1960.
• 1972 – 1976 Nelson Coleman, III opened the Carriage House selling
  antique clocks and watches.
• 1980: Nelson Coleman Jewelry specialists became Nelson Coleman &
  Sons, Ltd. Sons Mark S. Coleman and Carl C. Coleman join the family business.
• 2002: Jewelry store moves to 307 E. Joppa Road and is renamed as
  Nelson Coleman Jewelers.