Frederick William Dover was born in Norwich in about 1834, the son of a gardener (George).  He had moved to Sheffield by 1860, when he founded a business as a wood carver and turner.  He specialised in bread, butter, and cheese platters.  He worked in Burgess Street, before relocating in the mid-1870s to Sycamore Tree Works, Rockingham Street.  By 1881, he employed nine men, eight boys, and a girl.  His output – described in The Century’s Progress (1893) – also included bread and butter knives.  His trade marks were a sycamore tree on his wooden goods and a loaf with the words ‘STAFF OF LIFE’ on his cutlery.  In about 1911, the firm was taken over by George Wing.  F. W. Dover, of Ecclesall Road, died on 11 September 1917, aged 83, leaving £5,354.