USA > Connecticut > Tolland County > Vernon > A century of Vernon, Connecticut, 1808-1908 > Part 3
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Superintendents - Hockanum, Nelson Little; Springville, James A. Elliott; New England, Frank Eastwood; Minterburn, Frank P. Reiser.
The total yearly output in dollars and cents of the four mills in the Hockanum .Mills Company is $3,500,000, and the total weekly payroll is $14,000.
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SUMMARY OF VERNON'S HISTORY EARLY AND MODERN
A new central office building has just been completed for the Hockanum Mills Company just east of the Springville Mill office. It is a two and one-half story brick building with brown stone trimmings, 70x50 feet in size.
A new dyehouse has also just been completed. It is a one- story brick and concrete building with monitor roof, having a very complete ventilating system, which disposes of steam. It is 190x75 feet in size.
HOCKANUM PLANT.
The Hockanum plant today comprises five mills, the main one being 375x45 feet, four stories high, built of wood and brick, with a wing 180x56 feet, four stories, built of concrete reinforc- ed with steel; finishing mill 250x40 feet, constructed of brick ; dyehouse 75x40 feet, connected to main mill four stories high. There is also a large brick boiler house and engine house. The plant uses about 500-horse power.
The mills are equipped with 156 broad looms and 15 sets of cards and 4,440 spindles. There are also four large tubular steam boilers of 400-horse power and a steam engine of 350- horse power. Some twelve electric motors are used doing away with much belting and shafting. The mills are equipped throughout with automatic sprinklers and all advanced methods for protection against fire. Employment is given to 325 operatives.
THE SPRINGVILLE MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
The Springville mill, which was established in 1833 by the late Chauncey Winchell, in 1866, just a third of a century later, underwent a wonderful expansion. At that time the property was purchased by the late George Maxwell and the late George Sykes, who soon commenced the removal of the old mill, replacing it with a much larger one of stone and brick, 300 feet long and 45 feet wide, with two wings, each 100x50 feet, and all four stories high, equipped with automatic sprinklers and all up-to- date appliances for fire protection. Other buildings are the dyehouse, boiler and engine house, and storehouse, all built of
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SUMMARY OF VERNON'S HISTORY EARLY AND MODERN
brick and modern and commodious. One hundred horse power is developed by water and 600 by three large steam boilers. One large 200-horse power engine furnishes the steam power. A 75-horse power dynamo and engine furnish the electric lights.
Eight sets of cards and 135 broad looms and 3,500 spindles comprise the equipment. Employment is given to 350 operat- ives.
THE NEW ENGLAND COMPANY.
The New England's group of buildings on Vernon Avenue include a large frame and brick structure, also dyehouse and boiler house, constituting an important factor in Rockville's industrial life. The finished product amounts to nearly 350,000 yards annually.
The plant will compare favorably with the other plants in the Hockanum Mills Company. Its equipment is first class in every respect, there being 9 sets of cards at the present time, 114 broad looms and 600 spindles. The mill is equipped with dynamos for providing their own light. Power is furnished by steam engines of 225-horse power. Employment is provided for 300 operatives.
The old wooden water wheel, which has been in use at the New England mill since 1860, was used for the last time on Thursday, August 20, 1909. Work commenced on the follow- ing day on the tearing out of the old wheel. While the new turbine water wheel was being placed in position, the plant was run wholly by steam power. The completion of the new turbine wheel is a decided improvement, the mill now being run by electric drive, the water power being utilized to run a generator providing electricity for power.
The old mill wheel, which provided 120-horse power, was 24 feet in diameter and 16 feet wide. It was the largest water wheel in the city.
THE MINTERBURN MILLS COMPANY.
This is the youngest of the four companies comprising the Hockanum Mills Company. It occupies the old site of the Rock-
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SUMMARY OF VERNON'S 'HISTORY EARLY AND MODERN
ville Warp Mills Company, being the first plant on the Hockan- um River. It was incorporated in 1906, and after tearing down the old and dilapidated buildings on the site, work was com- menced on the erection of a handsome, modern concrete con- struction building, which is likely to stand for a generation. It is the largest mill in the city and one of the finest in New England of concrete construction.
The main building is 300 feet long by 56 feet wide, five stories high. It is equipped with the latest approved automatic sprinkl- ers and an improved steam plant of 250-horse power has been installed in a boiler and engine house in the rear of the main building. A chimney of concrete construction 165 feet high, in connection with the mill, is one of the sights in the east end of Rockville. No better lighted or ventilated mill, manufactur- ing woolen and worsted goods can be found in the country.
Opposite the main mill is the warehouse, constructed of brick, 100x45 feet, and an office building containing counting room, large vault, private office and directors' room, lighted by elec- tricity.
The machinery is the very best money can buy. The mill is equipped with 68 broad looms and there are 4,080 spindles. Employment is given to 225 hands.
THE ROCK MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
The plant of the Rock Manufacturing Company comprises twelve buildings at the present time. The main mill, which is 300 feet long and five and one-half stories high, attracts the at- tention of all visitors to the city. The equipment is modern throughout, including one of the finest and most up-to-date finishing departments in the country. The plant is equipped with 11 sets of carding machines, 36 spinning mules, 102 broad looms and 10,000 spindles. The company has a valu- able water power, having two wheels of 125-horse power each, and also a steam engine of 150-horse power.
The Rock embraces what was formerly the Leeds Mill and has a large group of buildings on West Main Street. Employ- ment is given to 300 operatives. The yearly output of finished
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SUMMARY OF VERNON'S HISTORY EARLY AND MODERN
goods amounts to $1,250,000. Some idea of the magnitude of the business may be gained from the fact that the company annually pays to the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Company about $12,000 in freight charges.
The Rock Manufacturing Company's product, fine coatings, thibets, coverts and uniform cloths, are known far and wide for their fine texture, splendid quality and general excellence.
The Rock Manufacturing Company made the cloth worn by President Benjamin Harrison and Vice-President Levi P. Morton at the centennial celebration of the inauguration of Georg Washington as president of the United States in New York City, April 30, 1889.
The cloth is what is known as a "Clay Twill." It was made from a very fine grade of worsted yarn. There were six thou- sand seven hundred ends and one hundred and twelve picks of filling to the inch, the dye being alozarine.
Frederick Swindells, a thoroughly practical man in the woolen business, familiar with every detail of manufacture, has been with the company since 1891, first as superintendent and then as agent. He has been president of the company since 1905. Arthur T. Bissell is the secretary and treasurer and Frederick W. Swindells, son of the president, is the superintendent of the mill.
Two buildings, 180x44, one story high, of regular mill con- struction, were completed in July, 1909. These are used for finishing purposes.
A two-story regular mill construction building, 80x30 feet in size, fire proof, was completed in December, 1909. This is being used for a storehouse.
THE AMERICAN MILLS COMPANY.
Just east of the business center of the city is the main build- ing of the American Mills Company, one of Rockville's indus- trial landmarks. It is one of the largest buildings used for manufacturing in the city, and is likewise one of the old and substantial concerns, making woolen and worsted goods in Rock- ville.
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SUMMARY OF VERNON'S HISTORY EARLY AND MODERN
The plant, which is an extensive one, turns out an enormous quantity of finished product. It is equipped with the very latest machinery and keeps abreast of the times in every respect. The mill has 86 broad looms, 3 narrow looms, 17 sets of cards, 5,000 spindles. Its employees number 225.
The goods manufactured by the American Mills Company have figured prominently in bringing fame to Rockville as the home of fine woolens and worsteds. Their superior quality has been tested time and time again and found to be of the very highest standard. In addition to its regular line of fine fancy worsteds for men's wear, the American Mills Company manufactures standard and fancy carriage cloths of most novel effects in fancy weaves and beautiful colorings in whip cords, Bedford cords, wide and narrow wales and diagonals.
The officers of the company are: President, George Talcott; agent and treasurer, Charles N. McLean; superintendent, Edward F. Badmington.
TALCOTT BROTHERS.
Talcott Brothers was organized in 1856 by H. W. & C. D. Tal- cott. The property was purchased of N. O. Kellogg, and con- sisted of two mills, located respectively on an upper and lower privilege. The upper mill was dismantled by the freshet of 1869, and the lower mill was burned in the same year. Thereupon the two privileges were consolidated, and the present mill erect- ed. The product was principally satinets up to 1875 when a change was made to union cassimeres. In 1907 a grade of fine woolens was added to the line. In 1882, H. G. Talcott became general manager, and M. H. Talcott became associate manager. John G. Talcott entered the firm in 1895, and C. Denison Tal- cott in 1903.
THE JAMES J. REGAN MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
The James J. Regan Manufacturing Company, which is one of the town's most important industries, has undergone a marvelous growth since it was organized. Today the concern is recognized as one of the largest in the United States in the
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SUMMARY OF VERNON'S HISTORY EARLY AND MODERN
manufacture of knit goods for linings. It also occupies an enviable position among the woolen goods manufacturers of the country.
The equipment of the two mills, which comprise the plant of the James J. Regan Manufacturing Company, is thoroughly modern, and the product is well known for its high standard of quality and uniformity. The company's policy has been to produce the best in its line. Of late years the business has increased one hundred per cent.
The company operates 50 looms and 10,000 spindles, and its yearly output of cloth is 400,000 yards (woven), and 1,500,000 yards (knit). The company has 350 employees.
The officers of the James J. Regan Manufacturing Company are: President and treasurer, Francis J. Regan ; vice-president and assistant treasurer, Herbert J. Regan. George C. Rice has been with the company for a number of years as head book- keeper and is a trustworthy and valuable employee.
THE ROCKVILLE WORSTED COMPANY.
This is Rockville's youngest industry. It is only about a year old. On September 6, 1909, Edmund Corcoran of Philadelphia, a practical woolen manufacturer of many years experience, pur- chased of A. N. Belding the brick mill on East Main Street, known as the Fitch Mill, which previous to its purchase by Mr. Belding had been part of the James J. Regan Manufacturing Company's plant. In December, 1909, the incorporators of the company organized by elected the following officers: President, Frank E. Weedon; vice-president, Thomas M. Corcoran; secre- tary, Parley B. Leonard ; treasurer, Edmund Corcoran ; assistant treasurer, Thomas Corcoran, Jr.
Since purchasing the so-called Fitch Mill, Mr. Corcoran has made numerous changes and what repairs were necessary. The mill was equipped with modern machinery. Already there are 52 Knowles looms in operation and 100 hands are employed. It is the company's intention to eventually have 90 looms, 30 on each floor. Within a year or two the company will probably employ
-
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SUMMARY OF VERNON'S HISTORY EARLY AND MODERN
several hundred hands, making a valuable addition to the city's industrial life.
The Rockville Worsted Company produces high grade worsted goods for men's wear.
BELDING BROS. & CO.
The parent mill of Belding Bros. & Co., which is located in this city, was started in 1866, and it has been enlarged and im- proved from time to time, until today, it bears little likeness to its former self.
On March 30, 1909, Belding Bros. & Co., purchased of the James J. Regan Manufacturing Company the Stone mill, for- merly known as the White Mill, and Mill No. 4, formerly known as the Fitch Mill. The latter was sold to Edmond Corcoran of Philadelphia and has been converted into a modern worsted mill. The former mill has been thoroughly overhauled and has been added to the extensive plant of Belding Bros. & Co., in this city. New floors have been put in throughout. All the water has been put onto one water wheel, two new 250-horse power boilers have been installed and a new 350-horse power engine to be used in the event of trouble with the water, or if the water should be low. The entire plant is to be driven by electric power, about 30 individual motors being used. About 10,000 spindles are in operation in the local plant of Belding Bros. & Co. and employ- ment is given to 400 hands.
In addition to its mill in this city, Belding Bros. & Co. have four other mills in Belding, Mich., one in Petaluna, Cal., one in Northampton and one in Montreal. A large addi- tion is being built to the Northampton mill at the present time. The plant is the leading one in size in the silk manufacturing world, but it is not excelled by any other plant in quality of goods turned out. About $8,000,000 business is done annually by the combined mills of this concern.
The officers of the concern are: President, M. M. Belding, jr .; treasurer, M. M. Belding; secretary, A. N. Belding; assistant treasurer, E. C. Young, Chicago; assistant secretary, E. F. Crooks, Northampton, Mass. Halsey L. Allen is superintendent
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SUMMARY OF VERNON'S HISTORY EARLY AND MODERN
of the local mill, having filled the position for thirty-eight years.
WHITE, CORBIN & CO.
White, Corbin & Co., now one of the divisions of the United States Envelope Company, was established by the late Cyrus White and the late Lewis A. Corbin, pioneer envelope makers of the country. They commenced in 1855 in a small way, manufac- turing envelopes in a frame building 83x39 feet, which they erected. The Puffer machine, capable of turning out 10,000 envelopes a day, which was considered a wonderful output, was used. The business in those days amounted to about $8,000 per annum. Today a business of $600,000 yearly is done and the machines produce 2,000,000 envelopes per day.
The late William H. Prescott, whose services as bookkeeper and accountant had made him indispensable to the firm, was admitted to partnership in 1866, the firm's name becoming White, Corbin & Co. Under the skillful guidance of Mr. Pres- cott, following the retirement of Mr. White in 1870, the business enjoyed a period of wonderful expansion, until in 1881 it had assumed such proportions that it was imperative that the com- pany should have more room. The Florence Mill, at that time one of the largest and finest plants in Rockville, was purchased, and later enlarged by additions to accommodate the increasing business.
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In 1900 White, Corbin & Co. became one of the divisions of the United States Envelope Company, the late W. H. Prescott, who had been actively identified with the local company and who had a genius for doing business that made him a recognized leader in the industrial world, became a director in 1898 and at the time of his death in 1908 he was a member of the executive committee of the United States Envelope Company.
Frank Keeney is the present agent of the White, Corbin & Co. plant and E. H. Woodford is the superintendent. The plant gives employment to 200 operatives.
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SUMMARY OF VERNON'S HISTORY EARLY AND MODERN
E. J. MARTIN'S SONS.
This important industry, which makes the famous Kingfisher brand of silk fish-lines, was started by the late Elisha J. Martin in 1882, who first made braided eye-glass cords. He braided some fish-lines for his friends and they gave such satisfaction that he started their manufacture, renting room and power from Belding Bros & Co. The business developed so rapidly that it was necessary to get more room, and in 1896 a factory was erected. As the business grew and prospered the plant was enlarged. The factory is 200x30 feet, two stories and a basement, being the most modern and best equipped fish-line factory in this country. Power is furnished from a 100-horse power steam boiler and a 20-horse power steam engine. Six hundred power operated braiding machines are kept in constant operation. The company has 25 employees.
The E. J. Martin's Sons' specialties are raw and finished silk lines, variegated waterproof lines, mottled P. & S. lines, oiled silk lines, Potomac bass lines, extra quality trout lines, Italian trout and bass lines, bait casting lines, slickest casting lines, Italian casting lines, extra strength waterproof lines, enameled oil silk fly lines, russet enamel lines, mist color enamel lines, highest quality enamel lines.
A. L. Martin, son of the founder, has conducted the business since his father's death in 1899, and under his able management it has more than doubled its production, till today it is the leader in silk fish-lines in this country.
THE ACKERLY MILLS.
The Ackerly plant at Vernon, formerly the Ravine and Phoenix Mills, gives employment to about 50 operatives. Since purchasing the plant less than two years ago, Mr. Ackerly has made several improvements. Twine and cheese-cloth are manu- factured. A large and successful business has been built up.
VERNON WOOLEN COMPANY.
The plant of the Vernon Woolen Company was totally de- stroyed by fire on Tuesday morning, October 12, 1909, making serious inroads on the prosperity in the lower part of the town. The site and privilege are for sale, the owners having decided not to rebuild.
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SUMMARY OF VERNON'S HISTORY EARLY AND MODERN
THE VERNON CREAMERY COMPANY.
The Vernon Creamery Company, butter manufacturers, was incorporated in 1888 with a capital of $3,500. Its product is known all over the country, the company having been awarded numerous gold and silver medals, including first premium at the Paris Exposition. The president of the company is Alfred O. Thrall and the superintendent is Arthur W. Annis. The plant is located at 171 High Street, corner of Vernon Avenue.
THE GRANITE PAPER MILLS.
The Granite Paper Mills, located at Talcottville, manufacture binder boards, album boards and leather boards. The mill is a one-machine one, capable of turning out four tons in twenty- four hours. Included in the property are two double tenement houses and one single tenement. E. D. Alvord and J. L. Brown are the owners.
In addition to the above named industrial enterprises, there are several smaller industrial enterprises in the town, conducted by private individuals, among them being a lace factory on Vernon Avenue, owned and operated by John U. Heller and family.
ROCKVILLE GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY.
The Rockville Gas and Electric Company had its beginning in 1862 as the Rockville Gas Light Company. In 1890, when the electric department was added, the name was changed to The Rockville and Ellington Street Railway Company, and in 1897, by a legislative act the present name was adopted. The late George Maxwell was the founder. Under the present company, the plant has been enlarged and a great many improvements have been made. A. M. Young of New York is president of the company and M. J. Warner of that city secretary and treasurer. William M. Lewis is the general manager.
The company has in use 4,700 incandescent lamps, 80 are lamps and 30 incandescents in street lighting.
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SUMMARY OF VERNON'S HISTORY EARLY AND MODERN
TRANSPORTATION AND POSTAL FACILITIES.
The transformation that has taken place in the methods of transportation in the town of Vernon since its incorporation is certainly marvelous. The good old days-the days of the tav- ern and stage coach-have gone, and with them, much of the spirit of neighborliness and human interest. The fascination that characterized early day traveling has largely disappeared with the advent of steam and electric power. The whirligig of time is moving onward and it will be hardly a greater change for the next generation to travel by aeroplane.
The late Harvey King, who owned and occupied a portion of what is now the St. Bernard Terrace property, was the pro- prietor of the stage route between Rockville and Vernon Depot, and George Brown, here in our midst today, hale and hearty, a venerable old gentleman, beloved by the entire community, was wont to pull the ribbons over the four large horses that drew the stage. Mr. King kept from twenty to thirty horses for his different stage routes. One of these routes extended from Rock- ville to Warehouse Point, which was the nearest railroad center. The late Thomas Blake, one of Rockville's famous old fire fight- ers, who had the proud distinction of running Hartford's first fire propeller, was driver of this line. Among other stages was one from Rockville to Hartford, also a line from Norwich to Springfield through Rockville and one from Rockville to Tol- land. It took from two and a half to three hours to drive into Hartford. The trip in and out was made in the same day. Usually the stage left about 8:30 o'clock in the morning and got into Hartford before noon. The start from Hartford on the return trip was made about four o'clock in the afternoon. Practically all the mails were carried by the stage coach. There were two large barns connected with the hotel, where from forty to fifty horses were kept. The stages which were high class affairs, costing a good bit of money, would carry from thirty-five to forty passengers, with baggage. From four to six horses were used and the driver would swing them around in front of the Rockville House with all of the dignity of a
VARBURTON INN-Built and occu- pied by John Warburton in 1800. This photograph was taken in 1867.
OLD TAVERN AT DOBSONVILLE, where "Bije" Evans, one of the town characters in early days, fiddled for "the breakdown."
KING.
FIRST FIRE FIGHTERS IN CONNECTICUT-"Old Fire King," with which is related most of the narratives of heroism in Vernon and Rockville.
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SUMMARY OF VERNON'S HISTORY EARLY AND MODERN
railroad president, while the horn which be carried would an- nounce his arrival. It was nothing short of criminal for the mails to be late, and it was therefore up to the stage coach driver to see that there were no delays. The daily paper, along with the letters, came by stage route, and as far back as the early thirties the Hartford Courant, which was an especially good paper for those times, was a welcome visitor and one of the daily pleasures was waiting for the stage coach to arrive with the mail. News did not travel as fast in the early days as it does now, and there was an eagerness and expectancy to get a newspaper to see what was going on in the world. From 1849, when the Hartford, Providence and Fishkill Railroad was opened, the stages ran from Rockville to Vernon instead of from Rock- ville to Hartford, and in 1863, when the Rockville Railroad was built the stage coach was no more. Its days of usefulness were about over and it became an affectionate reminder of an age that had its compensations as well as its drawbacks.
Among some of the famous taverns of the early days around which are associated many facts of great historic interest, may be mentioned King's Stage House, now the town almshouse, Waffle Tavern, which for many years was owned and occupied by Lorenzo R. Sparrow on South Street and the Sullivan house at Dobsonville. The old hotel, the first public house in Rockville, built in 1843 by William T. Cogswell on the site of the present Rockville House, was a lively place during the stage coach days. It was headquarters for many of the stages. The first landlord was Asaph McKinney, who kept it for three and one-half years, when he was succeeded by Francis Keeney, father of Mrs. W. H. Prescott. Both landlords were popular with the public during the later period of the stage coach days. Among the old stage coach drivers may be mentioned the following: "Joe" Phelps, father of Lester D. Phelps, Dwight Cabot, Frank Johnson, Lin- coln Childs, John Talcott, and Harvey Perrin. Among the stage drivers of a later generation were Harvey King, Thomas Blake and George M. Brown, the only one of the stage coach drivers living today.
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SUMMARY OF VERNON'S HISTORY EARLY AND MODERN
Rockville was without a railroad of any kind until in the sixties. The four and one-half mile coach and teaming space to Vernon Depot began to seem long, and so enterprising citizens decided to get a move on, to use the vulgar parlance of the pres- ent day, and preparations were commenced to find a way "out of the woods." To William R. Orcutt, the people of Vernon are indebted for bringing civilization a little nearer to Rockville and Rockville a little nearer to civilization. He was the energetic promoter of the road, which became known as the Rockville Railroad, and did more than any other one man to get it started. It was built by a chartered company and the stock was all own- ed in Rockville. While the charter for the road was procured from the legislature in 1857, it was some five years later when the company was organized, with the following directors : Phineas Talcott, Allen Hammond, George Kellogg, E. B. Preston, and William R. Orcutt. Phineas Talcott was president and E. B. Preston, clerk and treasurer. The late William R. Orcutt was the road's first superintendent. The road was opened for travel August 11, 1863, right in the midst of the Civil War. The first conductor was Amos H. Putnam and a Mr. Golden was the first engineer. George M. Brown was the first baggagemaster. For
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