USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fall River > Centennial history of Fall River, Mass. : comprising a record of its corporate progress from 1656 to 1876, with sketches of its manufacturing industries, local and general characteristics, valuable statistical tables, etc. > Part 14
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DAVOL MILLS.
President : William C. Davol. Foster H. Stafford, Frank S. Stevens, Jonathan Clerk and Treasurer : Wm. C. Davol, Jr. Slade, John P. Slade, Wm. W. Stewart, Edward E. Directors : William C. Davol, Chas. P. Stickney, | Hathaway, W. C. Davol, Jr. Annual Meeting-in April.
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FALL, RIVER AND ITS INDUSTRIES.
DURFEE MILLS.
President . John S. Brayton. Clerk : Hezekiah A. Brayton.
Treasurer : David A. Brayton.
Directors : John S. Brayton, David A. Brayton Israel P. Brayton. Annual Meeting-2d Wednesday in October.
FALL RIVER BLEACHERY.
President : Jefferson Borden. Richard B. Borden, Philip D. Borden, Bradford D. Clerk and Treasurer : Spencer Borden. Davol, Charles P. Stickney, Thomas Bennett, Jr., Directors : Jefferson Borden, Spencer Borden, ! George B. Durfee, Crawford E. Lindsey. Annual Meeting-last Monday in May.
FALL RIVER IRON WORKS COMPANY.
President : Jefferson Borden.
Clerk and Treasurer : Robert C. Brown.
Directors : Jefferson Borden, Holder B. Durfee,
- John S. Brayton, William B. Durfee, Richard B. Borden.
Annual Meeting-Ist Tuesday in August.
FALL RIVER MANUFACTORY.
President : Holder B. Durfce. Clerk : John S. Brayton.
Angier Chace, Christopher Borden, James M. An- thony.
Treasurer : S. Angier Chace.
Annual Meeting-2d Tuesday in March.
Directors : Holder B. Durfee, John S. Brayton, S.
FALL RIVER MANUFACTURERS' MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY.
President : Stephen Davol.
Jennings, Walter Paine 3d, I. B. Chace, P. D. Secretary and Treasurer : Isaac B. Chace. Borden, R. B. Borden, E. C. Kilburn, Andrew G. Directors : Stephen Davol, S. A. Chace, D. A. Pierce, George T. Hathaway, T. F. Eddy, George B. Brayton, T. J. Borden, Jefferson Borden, Wm. H. | Durfee.
Annual Meeting-Ist Wednesday in March.
FALL RIVER MERINO COMPANY.
President : Frank S. Stevens.
Clerk and Treasurer : Seth H. Wetherbee.
Robert T. Davis, Wm. Mason, Samuel M. Luther, Danforth Horton, John D. Flint, Samuel Wadington,
Directors : Frank S. Stevens, Foster H. Stafford, | Samuel W. Flint, S. H. Wetherbee. Annual Meeting-4th Thursday in January.
FALL RIVER PRINT WORKS.
President : Linden Cook. Directors : Linden Cook, Charles P. Stickney, Clerk and Treasurer : Andrew Robeson. Andrew Robeson.
Annual Meeting-4th Wednesday in January.
FALL RIVER RAILROAD.
President : Joseph R. Beauvais.
Clerk and Treasurer : Thos. B. Fuller.
Directors : J. R. Beauvais, C. R. Tucker, G. A.
Bourne, Geo. Wilson, G. S. Phillips, L. L. Kollock,
W. R. Wing, of New Bedford; R. T. Davis, J. D. Flint, of Fall River ; L. S. Judd, of Fairhaven ; and J. H. Perry, of Boston.
Annual Meeting-Ist Wednesday in December.
FALL RIVER SPOOL AND BOBBIN COMPANY.
President : Cook Borden.
Clerk : Bradford D. Davol.
Treasurer : Nathan B. Everett.
Directors : Cook Borden, F. H. Stafford, Wm. H.
- Jennings, Stephen Davol, David Bass, Jr., Wm. Lindsey, Walter Paine 3d, Joseph Healy, Geo. T. Hathaway, S. A. Chace, Aug. Chace.
Annual Meeting-last Tuesday in October.
II5
ORGANIZATION OF CORPORATIONS.
FALL RIVER STEAMBOAT COMPANY.
President : Charles P. Stickney. Clerk : Thomas J. Borden.
Treasurer : Charles P. Stickney.
Directors : Charles P. Stickney, Stephen Davol, |
Philip D. Borden, S. Angier Chace, Daniel Brown, Augustus Chace, T. J. Borden, Walter Paine 3d, Robert K. Remington, Geo. B. Durfee. Annual Meeting-Ist Tuesday in February.
FALL RIVER, WARREN AND PROVIDENCE RAILROAD COMPANY.
President : Onslow Stearns. Clerk : John S. Brayton. Treasurer : John M. Washburn.
Directors : Onslow Stearns, Chas. F. Choate, Bos- ton ; J. S. Brayton, T. J. Borden, Fall River ; Benj. | Finch, Newport ; E. N. Winslow, Hyannis.
Annual Meeting-2d Monday in March.
FLINT MILLS.
President : John D. Flint. meon Borden, Wm. Carroll, Frank L. Almy, William
Clerk and Treasurer : Geo. H. Eddy. T. Hall, Gardner T. Dean, George H. Eddy, Junius Directors : John D. Flint, Wm. H. Jennings, Si- | P. Prentiss, Samuel W. Flint, Danforth Horton. Annual Meeting-Ist Monday in November.
GRANITE MILLS.
President : William Mason. Stickney, John S. Brayton, Iram Smith, John P. Clerk and Treasurer : Charles M. Shove. Slade, Charles M. Shove.
Directors : Wm. Mason, Edmund Chase, Chas. P.|
Annual Meeting-4th Monday in October.
KING PHILIP MILLS.
President : Crawford E. Lindsey. Clerk : Azariah S. Tripp.
Treasurer : Elijah C. Kilburn.
Directors : C. E. Lindsey, Jonathan Chace, Jas. |
Henry, S. Angier Chace, Edwin Shaw, Philip D. Borden, E. C. Kilburn, Benj. A. Chace, Simeon Bor- den, Chas. H. Den, William Lindsey. Annual Meeting-last Thursday in October.
MANUFACTURERS' BOARD OF TRADE.
President : Walter Paine 3d.
Secretary : Simeon B. Chase.
Vice-President : Geo. T. Hathaway.
Treasurer : Isaac B. Chase. Annual Meeting-3d Friday in January.
MANUFACTURERS' GAS COMPANY.
President : gustus Chace, Chas. P. Stickney, David A. Brayton, Clerk and Treasurer : Chas. P. Stickney. Wm. C. Davol, Jr., Foster H. Stafford, Thomas Directors : S. Angier Chace, Au- | F. Eddy, Joseph A. Baker. Annual Meeting-3d Monday in June.
MASSASOIT STEAM MILLS.
President :
Clerk : Charles Durfee.
Treasurer : Holder B. Durfee.
Directors : - -, S. Angier Chace, Holder B. Durfee.
Annual Meeting-3d Monday in May.
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FALL RIVER AND ITS INDUSTRIES.
MECHANICS MILLS.
President : Stephen Davol. Clerk : James M. Morton, Jr.
Treasurer : George B. Durfee.
Directors : Stephen Davol, Job B. French, Thos. J.
--
Borden, George B. Durfee, Tillinghast Records, Southard H. Miller, James M. Morton, Jr., John B. Hathaway, F. S. Stevens. Annual Meeting-Ist Thursday in February.
MERCHANTS MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
- President : James Henry. Clerk and Treasurer : Wm. H. Jennings. gustus Chace, Robert S. Gibbs, Chas. H. Dean, Crawford E. Lindsey, Jas. M. Osborn, Richard B. Directors : James Henry, Wm. H. Jennings, Au- | Borden, Robert T. Davis. Annual Meeting-4th Wednesday in January.
METACOMET MILL.
Agent : Thomas S. Borden. -- Owned by the Fall River Iron Works Co.
MONTAUP MILLS.
President : Geo. B. Durfee.
Clerk and Treasurer : Isaac Borden.
Borden, Wm. L. Slade, Holder B. Durfee, William Valentine, Bradford D. Davol, Weaver Osborn, Geo.
Directors : Geo. B. Durfee, Isaac Borden, Thos. J. H. Hawes, Wm. H. Ashley, Benj. Hall.
Annual Meeting -- 4th Monday in October.
MOUNT HOPE MILL.
Agent : Jefferson Borden, Jr.
Owned by American Print Works.
NARRAGANSETT MILLS.
President : Holder B. Durfce. ter H. Stafford, Daniel McCowan, David T. Wilcox, Clerk and Treasurer : James Waring. Samuel Watson, James P. Hillard, Robert Henry, Directors : Holder B. Durfee, James Waring, Fos- | Samuel Wadington, Wm. Beattie, Geo. W. Nowell. Annual Meeting-In October.
OLD COLONY RAILROAD COMPANY.
- President : Onslow Stearns. Clerk : George Marston. port ; Oliver Ames, Easton ; Samuel L. Crocker, Taunton ; Jacob H. Loud, Plymouth ; J. S. Brayton, Treasurer : John M. Washburn. T. J. Borden, Fall River , R. W. Turner, Randolph ; Directors : Onslow Stearns, Uriel Crocker, Chas. | E. N. Winslow, Hyannis ; P. S. Crowell, Dennis. F. Choate, F. B. Hayes, Boston ; Benj. Finch, New- Annual Meeting-4th Tuesday in November.
OLD COLONY STEAMBOAT COMPANY.
President : Onsiow Stearns. Clerk : Chas. F. Choate.
Treasurer : John M. Washburn.
Pierce, Jr., Boston ; Benj. Finch, Newport ; T. J. Borden, C. P. Stickney, Fall River ; Albert Terrill, Weymouth ; Oliver Ames, Easton ; Wm. Borden,
Directors : Onslow Stearns, C. F. Choate, Silas | New York.
Annual Meeting-4th Tuesday in June.
OSBORN MILLS.
President : Weaver Osborn. Clerk and Treasurer : Joseph Healy.
Directors : Weaver Osborn, Frank S. Stevens,
Charles P. Stickney, Joseph Osborn, John C. Milne, Joseph Healy, Edward E. Hathaway, Geo. T. Hatha- way, Benj. Hall, George W. Gibbs, Chas. H. Dean. Annual Meeting-last Tuesday in April.
II7
ORGANIZATION OF CORPORATIONS.
POCASSET MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
President : Samuel R. Rodman.
Clerk and Treasurer : Bradford D. Davol.
Agent : Stephen Davol.
Directors : Stockholders, who meet quarterly. Annual Meeting-last Monday in January.
RICHARD BORDEN MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
President : Thomas J. Borden.
Clerk and Treasurer : Richard B. Borden.
Directors : Richard B. Borden, Thomas J. Borden, Philip D. Borden, A. S. Covel, Edward P. Borden. Annual Meeting-2d Tuesday in November.
ROBESON MILLS.
President : Charles P. Stickney. Clerk and Treasurer : Louis Robeson.
Directors : Charles P. Stickney, Wm. R. Robeson, I
Linden Cook, Wm. C. Davol, Jr., Frank S. Stevens, Samuel M. Luther, Louis Robeson. Annual Meeting-Ist Monday in February.
SAGAMORE MILLS.
President : Josiah C. Blaisdell. Clerk and Treasurer : Geo. T. Hathaway. Directors : J. C. Blaisdell, L. L. Barnard, John D.
Flint, James W. Hartley, Geo. T. Hathaway, Jos. McCreery, James A. Hathaway, Job T. Wilson. Annual Meeting-4th Monday in October.
SHOVE MILLS.
President : John P. Slade. Clerk and Treasurer : George A. Chace. Directors : John P. Slade, Geo. A. Chace, William | ber, Clark Shove, George W. Slade. Mason of Taunton, Edmund Chase, Lloyd S. Earle, |- Annual Meeting-in February.
SLADE MILLS.
President : William L. Slade. Clerk : John C. Milne. Treasurer : Henry S. Fenner. Directors : Wm. L. Slade, S. Angier Chace, Jerome
Dwelly, Wm. Valentine, Frank S. Stevens, Richard B. Borden, Benj. Hall, James M. Osborn, Jonathan Slade, John C. Milne, Daniel Wilbur. Annual Meeting-last Tuesday in January.
STAFFORD MILLS.
President : Foster H. Stafford. Clerk and Treasurer : Shubael P. Lovell. Agent : Foster H. Stafford.
- Directors : F. H. Stafford, Wm. C. Davol, Chas. P. Stickney, Robert T. Davis, Edmund Chase, Danforth Horton, Wm. L. Slade, Weaver Osborn, Wm. Mason.
Annual Meeting-4th Tuesday in January.
TECUMSEH MILLS.
President : Augustus Chace. Clerk and Treasurer : Simeon B. Chase.
Directors : Augustus Chace, Cook Borden, Jona. |
T. Lincoln, Andrew M. Jenning, Samuel Wadington, D. T. Wilcox, John Southworth, S. B. Chase. Annual Meeting-4th Tuesday in October.
TROY COTTON AND WOOLEN MANUFACTORY.
President : Jefferson Borden.
Clerk and Treasurer : Richard B. Borden.
Directors : Jefferson Borden, Stephen Davol, Thos. J. Borden, John S. Brayton, Richard B. Borden. Annual Meeting-Ist Tuesday in February.
Josiah C. Blaisdell, Isaac W. Howland, Charles M. Shove, H. B. Allen, Asa Pettey, Joseph E. Macom-
118
FALL RIVER AND ITS INDUSTRIES.
UNION BELT COMPANY.
President : Richard B. Borden.
Clerk and Treasurer : A. S. Covel.
Agent : William H. Chace.
Directors : R. B. Borden, W. Paine 3d, B. D. Davol, Wm. H. Chace, A. S. Covel, E. C. Kilburn, T. J. Borden.
Annual Meeting-3d Thursday in January.
UNION MILL COMPANY.
President : John B. Anthony.
Clerk and Treasurer : S. Angier Chace.
Directors : John B. Anthony, S. Angier Chace, |
Wm. Mason, Elijah C. Kilburn, Charles P. Dring, Foster H. Stafford, Annual Meeting-3d Monday in January.
WAMPANOAG MILLS.
President : Robert T. Davis. D. Flint, Stephen Davol, Foster H. Stafford, Wm. H. - Clerk and Treasurer : Walter C. Durfee. Jennings, Geo. H. Eddy, Lloyd S. Earle, Simeon
Directors : Robert T. Davis, W. C. Durfee, John | Borden, Alphonso S. Covel, John H. Boone. Annual Meeting-4th Monday in January.
WEETAMOE MILLS.
President : Job B. French. Clerk : John E. Blaisdell.
Treasurer : William Lindsey.
Directors : Job B. French, Elijah C. Kilburn,
-
Josiah C. Blaisdell, Francis B. Hood, Henry C. Lincoln, Wm. Lindsey, John P. Slade, Wm. H. Ashley, Charles H. Dean.
Annual Meeting-4th Wednesday in January.
SKETCH OF EACH CORPORATION.
The following somewhat detailed notices of the different corporations, embodying facts, figures, and general information, which could not well be introduced in the course of the narrative, it is believed will be of value as well as of interest.
THE FALL RIVER MANUFACTORY.
As full an account as was possible of the organization of this mill, which shares with the Troy Cotton and Woollen Company the credit of initiating the manufacture in Fall River, has been given in preceding pages. The fac- tory erected in 1813 was enlarged in 1827, and again in 1839. In 1868 it was entirely destroyed by fire. During the next year the present mill, con- siderably larger than the original structures, was erected.
The Fall River Manufactory was incorporated in 1820, with a capital of $150,000. The destruction of the records unfortunately prevents the same detail of its first year's experience that has been furnished of the Troy. Dexter Wheeler, who was David Anthony's most active associate in putting up and equipping the first factory, was a mechanic of very good ability. He died in 1836, at the age of fifty-nine. It is unfortunate that memory preserves no more facts of a man who is regarded by many as having exerted a para- mount influence in developing the early enterprise of the place. That he was
119
SKETCHES OF CORPORATIONS.
something of an inventor as well as machinist, the contrivance and actual operation of the power-looms made by him sufficiently evidence. During his practical solution of the weaving problem, tradition says, he labored so incessantly, giving neither mind nor body rest for consecutive days, that a temporary aberration was the result.
The present factory of this corporation is of stone, 275 feet long, 73 feet wide, and five stories high, with a flat roof. It is built directly across the stream, and utilizes the fall by two turbine wheels of 140 horse-power each. As a supplementary motor the mill also operates a Corliss engine of 300 horse- power, fed by two upright boilers. The mill contains 600 looms and 25,992 spindles. Its production is print cloth, of which 7,000,000 yards are annually made, consuming 3000 bales of cotton. Provision is made against fire by the constant readiness of two large force-pumps, and stand-pipes and hydrants connected with the city water-works.
The present list of stockholders of this company numbers forty-seven. The company owns thirty-eight tenement houses for its operatives. Dr. Nathan Durfee was president of the company up to the time of his death.
THE TROY COTTON AND WOOLEN MANUFACTORY,
incorporated in 1814, has a capital of $300,000. The several alterations of the mill structures have been fully detailed. The factories of the Troy Company front on Troy street, running from Bedford to Pleasant street, and occupy half of the block upon which the United States Government is now erecting a fine public building for the post-office and other purposes. The number of looms operated is 932, and of spindles 38,928, producing 10,250,000 yards of print cloth, and working up 4000 bales of cotton in a year.
THE POCASSET MANUFACTURING COMPANY
has a present capital of $800,000. As the third cotton-manufacturing enter- prise in the place, its large agency in the general development has been frequently observed in the course of the general narrative.
The original stockholders of the Pocasset were eight in number, namely, Samuel Rodman, Abraham Bowen, Oliver Chace, Clark Chase, William Slade, Nathaniel B. Borden, Nathaniel Wheeler, and Edward Bennett. The capital was fixed at $400,000, but was increased to $800,000 in 1849. The company own two factories, namely, the Quequechan Mill for the manufac- ture of print cloths, and the Pocasset Mill, for the manufacture of sheetings and shirtings.
The Quequechan Mill commenced operation in 1826. It is built of stone, 319 feet long, 48 feet wide, and five stories high, with a pitch roof, and contains 16,392 spindles and 492 looms.
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FALL RIVER AND ITS INDUSTRIES.
The Pocasset Mill commenced running in 1847. It is also built of stone, 208 feet long, 75 feet wide, and five stories high, with a pitch roof and a square tower on the end which fronts the street. It was the first of the wide mills, so called, and contains 20,352 spindles and 422 looms. The machinery is run by a Corliss engine and three turbine wheels. The fire apparatus consists of two force-pumps, stand-pipes, hydrants, sprinklers, and complete connections with the city water-works. The company owns fifty-four tenements and employs 550 operatives.
The present number of stockholders is twenty-one.
THE ANNAWAN MANUFACTORY.
Abraham Wilkinson, Benjamin Rodman, Bradford Durfee and their associates were incorporated February 8, 1825, under this name, which claims historic interest as that of one of King Philip's most famous captains. One of the lower water privileges on the Fall River stream was purchased of the Fall River Iron Works Company, and a brick mill, with finished stone in the lower stories, immediately erected under the supervision of Major Bradford Durfee. This mill building, extending from bank to bank of the stream, is still standing, and is 181 feet long by 46 feet wide, and five stories high, including basement. The machinery is run by a turbine wheel, assisted occasionally by a small engine of 50 horse-power. The Annawan contains 10,016 spindles and 192 looms, and works up about a thousand bales of cotton annually in the production of 2,150,000 yards of print cloth. Its fire appa- ratus consists of one rotary force-pump, hydrants, and connections with the city water-works. It is lighted by gas from the works of the Fall River Gas Company. Thirty-two tenements are provided for the accommodation of the operatives. The capital stock was originally divided into thirty-two shares, and taken by thirteen subscribers. The present number of stockholders is twenty-eight.
THE METACOMET MILL,
owned exclusively by the Fall River Iron Works Company, was erected in 1847. The factory is placed on the west bank of the Fall River stream, just below the lower fall. It is built of stone, 247 feet long, 70 feet wide, and five stories high, with basement and a barn roof. The machinery, of which about two thirds is American, is arranged for the manufacture of print cloths 64 by 64. It contains 23,840 spindles and 591 looms, and manufac- tures about 6,500,000 yards of cloth annually, from 2500 bales of cotton. The motive power is a single Corliss engine, rated at 375 horse-power, and turbine wheels which carry about one third of the machinery. The steam is generated in three upright boilers of 180 horse-power each. Protection from
121
SKETCHES OF CORPORATIONS.
fire is furnished by a steam pump, wheel pump, stand-pipes, and connections with the city water-works. The mill is lighted by gas from the Fall River Gas Works. The company owns fifty-six tenements.
THE AMERICAN LINEN COMPANY,
incorporated in 1852, for the manufacture of linen fabrics, owns two mills, both built of Fall River granite. The No. 1 Mill, 301 feet long, 63 feet wide, and four stories high, with a barn roof, was erected in 1852, and designed for the manufacture of linen fabrics. In 1858 it was decided to change the production to cotton print cloths, and the mill was accordingly enlarged by the addition of another story, the other dimensions remaining as before. The No. 2 Mill, built in 1866, was 393 feet long, 72 feet wide, and five stories high, with basement, and a barn roof. On the 29th of June, 1876, a destruc- tive fire broke out in the fourth story of this mill, used as a mule-room, and before it could be mastered burned out the upper two stories, besides occa- sioning considerable damage to the lower rooms. Immediate preparations were made for rebuilding, and within four months the mill was in operation again. A flat roof was substituted for the barn roof, which had proved so dangerous in case of fire.
The mills contain 82,512 spindles and 1956 looms. Each mill is dependent on the other-the No. I Mill, not being suited to the long mules used in the manufacture of cotton goods, is occupied for the carding, warping, spinning, and spooling processes, while in the lower three stories of the No. 2 Mill is done all the weaving, and in the upper two stories the weft spin- ning, etc.
The machinery is driven by two double and one single Corliss engine, the steam for which is furnished by sixteen tubular boilers.
Eight thousand five hundred bales of cotton are worked up annually into 21,000,000 yards of print cloths, 64 by 64. The company employs 1000 hands, and has provided IIO tenements for the accommodation of their families.
Protection against fire is furnished by two powerful steam pumps, stand- pipes, hydrants, and sprinklers in each mill; connections with city water throughout, and a hose company detailed from the operatives in the mill.
James P. Hillard has been superintendent for many years.
The present number of stockholders is seventy-five.
THE UNION MILL COMPANY,
incorporated in 1859, will be remembered as the first result of a movement to establish industries upon the basis of general subscriptions of the com-
122
FALL RIVER AND ITS INDUSTRIES.
munity. At this period steam had been introduced as a motive power into but few mills in Fall River.
In the summer of this year, Mr. Hale Remington conceived an enter- prisc which developed into the organization of the Union Mill Company and the erection of the No. 1 Mill of that corporation.
Mr. Remington invited Mr. David Anthony, Mr. S. A. Chace, and Mr. Oliver Chace to join him. Mr. Anthony was quite advanced in years. He had been one of the early manufacturers of the town, but had retired from active business. He was of sound judgment, and his early experience made him a good adviser.
These gentlemen together fully decided upon the practicability of the movement. Mr. Oliver Chace owned a large tract of unimproved property in the southerly part of the city. He wished the mill located upon it. This land was carefully inspected, but no site was found quite satisfactory to Mr. S. A. Chace.
The latter then looked over the town and selected the site upon the Quequechan River, and having taken his associates to that location, they at once agreed with him in his choice.
Mr. Oliver Chace fully concurred in the wisdom of the choice, but withdrew because he wished all his investments to benefit his landed estate.
The other gentlemen purchased the land and matured their plans for the erection of a print-cloth mill of about 15,000 spindles, and the organization of a corporation with a capital of $175,000, in shares of $1000 each. This stock was soon pledged by about twenty gentlemen, whosc subscriptions varied from onc share to twenty. Mr. Josiah Brown was cmployed as architect and draftsman, and much advice was given by Mr. William C. Davol.
The erection of the mill building was commenced in the month of August and was completed in December. The cotton machinery was built by Marvel, Davol & Co., of Fall River, and William Mason, of Taunton; the engines by the Corliss Steam Engine Company, of Providence. The whole establishment was completed and in operation early in March, 1860.
The corporation was organized under the General Statutes on the 31st day of December, 1859, by the election of S. Angier Chace, president ; David Anthony, treasurer ; Simeon Borden, clerk ; and S. A. Chace, David Anthony, Halc Remington, William Mason, Charles O. Shove, and Charles P. Dring, directors.
The enterprise proved signally successful, and has led to the starting in Fall River of more than 1,000,000 cotton spindles, and a relative growth of the city in cvery direction.
In 1865 the company erected its No. 2 Mill, of about 30,000 spindles,
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SKETCHES OF CORPORATIONS.
without any increase of the capital stock. Twenty shares of the stock have since been purchased by the company, and the capital reduced to $155,000.
The present number of stockholders is thirty-one.
THE GRANITE MILLS,
so called from the material of their two fine structures, was the first enter- prise established during the dark days of the war.
For several years, Charles O. Shove, Esq., had contemplated the erection of a cotton-mill. In the early part of 1863, with the co-operation of Edmund Chase (with whom he had had many conferences upon the subject) and others, he took the preliminary steps for the organization of a company with a capital of $225,000, divided into shares of $1000 each.
A charter was secured under date of March 3d, 1863, by which William Mason, Southard H. Miller, Charles O. Shove, and their associates were incorporated as the " Granite Mills."
William Mason was elected president ; Charles O. Shove, treasurer ; and William Mason, Lazarus Borden, Edmund Chasc, Samuel Hathaway, Charles O. Shove, and Charles P. Stickney, the first board of direction.
A mill site was purchased, comprising the lot fronting on Twelfth street, and extending from Pleasant to Bedford street, and the construction imme- diately commenced of a factory 328 feet long by 70 feet wide, and five stories high, with a barn roof. £ Prudential considerations, due to the uncertainty which prevailed in business circles at the time, led the managers to contract at first for machinery for but half of the mill. In May, 1864, however, it was determined to increase the capital stock to $400,000, and to put the whole mill into complete running order. Two months later (July, 1864), the stock was further increased to $415,000, but reduced again in 1871 to $400,000. The plans, specifications, drawings, and indeed the estimates for the establish- ment in its entirety, were tabulated by Mr. Shove, the prime mover of the enterprise.
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