Learn more about G. Layton Grier who, along with his brother, Frank, made L.D. Caulk an international dental supply business at the next 2nd Friday event
The February 2nd Friday program, held at the First Presbyterian Church, will feature the history of the LD Caulk Company as presented by Rick Bennett. The program will be held on Friday, February 10 at 7 PM in the library of the church.
“This program will feature the storied history of Milford’s flagship business,” John Huntzinger, coordinator of 2nd Friday, said. “We will learn about the company from its humble beginnings to its reputation today as the number one manufacturer of dental products in the world.”
Milford’s flagship company was founded by the man whose name the company bore for many years, Dr. Levin D. Caulk, who began his dental practice in Wilmington in 1863. His health failed and his doctor advised him he should move out west where he entered the production side of dentistry. In 1877, he gave up practicing dentistry and returned to Delaware to devote his efforts to creating dental products.
Initially, Caulk operated his business out of a small shed behind his home in Camden. In 1883, Dr. Layton Grier began practicing dentistry in Milford, before moving to Dover while his brother, Frank, who also became a dentist, took over the Milford practice. Layton Grier and Caulk became friends and Caulk often rode on horseback to Dover to exchange ideas with Layton. During one of these rides, Caulk fell from his horse and suffered a serious injury. He succumbed to pneumonia caused by that injury in 1896.
Caulk’s widow and her daughter, Florence, urged Layton to give up his dental practice and take over the business. The following year, Frank Layton married Florence and the brothers purchased the business from Caulk’s widow.
At the program on 2nd Friday, attendees will learn how the Caulk company grew to be an internationally recognized dental products company. The program is free and family friendly. It is open to the entire community. The church is located at 101 S. Walnut Street and attendees should enter the building from the rear dear off Pearl Alley and come through the kitchen into the library. For more information, contact the church at 302-422-5701.
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