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 6
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Mr. Jefferson Borden,-through whose great energy and intensely hopeful spirit the devastating cffects of the fire werc so speedily removed, even from the vision of the neighborhood, and the Print Works again set in operation, the oldest living person of the residents of Fall River who have been identi- fied with the inception, growth, and the present established supremacy of its distinctive industry,-was born on the 28th of February, 1801, in the then vil- lage of Freetown. He was one of thirteen children of Thomas Borden, in the fourth generation from John Borden the founder of the family in Fall River. His father's farm was situated in the east part of the village, comprising a tract upon which have since been erected the Richard Borden, Chace, and other mills. Jefferson worked on the farm, going to school regularly as the
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FALL RIVER AND ITS INDUSTRIES.
local season commenced, until September, 1816, when, in his sixteenth year, he left home for the first time, and obtained a position as clerk in the provi- sion store of William Valentine, in Providence. In 1819 he returned to Fall River, thoroughly educated in the routinc details of a business of trade and barter, but already entertaining the ambitious vision of a commercial carcer that would recognize no limits of its operations. His brother Richard, six years his senior, was running the craft Irene and Betsey in trading trips, in connection with his grist-mill, located on the lower stream. For the ensu- ing year Jefferson, when not absolutely needed on the farm, joined Richard in the sloop expeditions to Conanicut and Prudencc. In 1820 the two brothers bought out the small store of Holder Borden, and Jefferson was put in to conduct the business. In 1821, upon the organization of the Iron Works enterprise, he was chosen clerk of the establishment. He retained this position till September of the following year, when the company open- ing a warehouse and salesroom in Providence, the business experience and proclivities he had already demonstrated pointed him out as the most eligible representative of the growing industry. Mr. Borden was a few months over his majority when he undertook the office of agent of the company at Provi- dence ; but the shrewd, sagacious promoters of the Iron Works knew they had chosen the right man for the place. The event amply proved the cor- rectness of their judgment, the agent's wise, systematic control really direct- ing the home production of the company, while his keen perception and clever manipulation of the market constantly extended the field of its opera- tions throughout the Union.
For fifteen years Jefferson Borden remained at his place in Providence. In 1837 the ill health of his cousin Holder made a vacancy in the manage- ment of the American Print Works, and he was recalled to Fall River.
For thirty-nine years Mr. Borden was the executive officer and manag- ing agent of the Print Works, retiring from active control only during the spring of the present year. He assumed the position at a period which will not be forgotten in our financial annals as the extreme test of industrial and commercial endurance. No panic has been more severe and no depression of business more general than that of 1837, and its distressing stringency upon all elements of recuperative life was greater than it could ever again be, in the degree that all industry and enterprise was comparatively immature, the country itself lacking the great elasticity it now possesses in the wonder- ful development of its natural and productive resources. To undertake the work of carrying a great establishment successfully through such a period of embarrassment on every hand, was a terrible trial of a business man's best powers ; and it is undoubtedly safe to say, that when an all-wise Providence
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COTTON MANUFACTURE A.D. 1830-45.
removed Holder Borden, the projector and worker, from the control and direction of the enterprise, the only person thoroughly fitted for the exigency by experience and managing power, and probably superior to Holder in his approved financial ability and estimation among capitalists, was wisely and fortunately chosen.
Upon the destruction of the American Print Works by fire in 1867, Mr. Borden's extraordinary capacity for recuperation and support through a most trying period, was again in forced requisition. The rapid restoration of the establishment in all its operative powers has already been remarked. The eyes of all were able to observe with startled wonder the immediate re-erection of the great structure, the spacious rectangle of solid granite going up almost like the Khan's palace in Coleridge's phantasy, and the huge engines and machines reassuming their old places with a concurrent prompt- ness; yet few appreciated or even guessed that greater difficulties than these mere material matters, difficulties calling for rare credit and unquestioned responsibility, had been met and overcome.
Since his return to Fall River, Jefferson Borden has been largely concerned in the various enterprises that have marked the progress of the city. A partner of the deceased Colonel Richard in the important special undertakings of his later years, he was with him interested in the old Bay State Steamboat Company (of which he at one time owned three fifths of the stock), the Fall River Railroad Company, thc Borden Mining Company, and other extensive operations.
Mr. Borden's retirement from immediate connection with active business has not severed his close relation to the earnest life and progress of his native city. He is still President of the American Print Works ; the Fall River Iron Works Company ; the Fall River Bleachery ; the American Linen Company ; the Troy Cotton and Woollen Company, and the Borden Mining Company ; Director of the Annawan Manufacturing Company ; President of the Meta- comet National Bank, and officially concerned in other business organiza- tions. His long life, full from the start of honest purpose, intense application, and constantly hopeful energy, claims for him at last exemption from the cares of business routine, and Providence has yielded to its declining years the blessings such careers worthily demand, competence, the serene joy of a beautiful home, and the affectionate esteem of the community.
Another of the great establishments of the city is the Fall River Iron Works, established in 1821. After Major Durfee had learned the ship- builder's trade, in his sojourn at New Bedford, he returned to Fall River, and, in conjunction with Colonel Richard Borden, then a young man run- ning a grist-mill near the foot of the stream, engaged in the construction of a
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FALL RIVER AND ITS INDUSTRIES.
number of small vessels at the mouth of the ereck. After completing the labors of the day, the two would spend a good part of the night in a blaek- smith's shop near by, exceuting the neeessary iron work, or the Colonel with his brother John would be up betimes in the morning, and over to Copieut or down to Hellburn Woods to get out timber, knees, braces, etc., which the Major and his assistants would work up during the day. Working along in this way for a few years, the field and facilities for a larger business soon developed themselves, especially in the working up of iron into spikes, bars, rods, and other artieles of constructive use.
The result of this exeeedingly small and adventitious beginning, while quite in the nature of Fall River sueeesses, is also thoroughly characteristie of the men whose eorreet pereeption, rich suggestiveness, and indomitable energy builded the substantial prosperity of the city. The Fall River Iron Works Company, as one of the most remunerative properties of the kind in the United States, is an existing and perfeetly logical and reasonable faet, representing a moderately appraised value in stock and property of $1,500,000; but the original premises of this practical argument were a miller and a ship earpenter, and a business of sloop-building.
The financial basis upon which the Fall River Iron Works was started,- Riehard Borden and Bradford Durfee being the two promoters, but associating with themselves Holder Borden, David Anthony, and William Valentine, Joseph Butler and Abram and Isaac Wilkinson, of Providence,-was $24,000. Soon after its eommeneement of operations, the two Wilkinsons desiring to- draw out their contribution, $6000 was returned them, redueing the working amount to $18,000. In 1825 the association became a corporation under the law of Massachusetts. Its eapital at this time was $200,000, which in 1845 was inereased to $960,000; but all of this last aggregatc, with over $500,000 more employed in the works of the company and other constantly remunera- tive enterprises, has aeeumulated from the earnings, not one dollar having been added by subseription or otherwise to the net $18,000 originally invested.
Farther on may be discovered oeeasional suggestions of the eireum- stanees that have aided a suecess so exeeptional; yet it is safe here to say, that with a projeetion less energetie and sagaeious, a control less wise and determined, and in a community less industrious and provident, no sueh sueeess eould ever have been achieved.
The first works of the Iron Company were erected on the ground now occupied by the Metacomet Mill, and the production, hoop-iron, sold to New Bedford trade for binding oil casks. Various sizes of bar-iron were also made, and the manufacture of nails commenced, for which two machines were set up. In those days, the heading of the best nails was done by hand, and was
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COTTON MANUFACTURE A.D. 1830-45.
necessarily a rather slow process. When a sufficient quantity had been made, Colonel Borden would load up a sloop and sail to New York and up the Hudson until he effected a sale. The company's nails always ranked well in the market, and when, on one occasion, a few had been shipped as a venture to Mobile, their superiority to the Pittsburg nail, made of soft iron, was so marked, that a whole cargo was at once ordered, anticipating the product of some days' operation.
The business proving very profitable, the works were cnlarged from time to timc, other branches of production being added, until in 1840 the plant and business were moved to their present location near High Hill, so called, wherc, with the advantage of better organized buildings and more space, the posses- sion of wharves and a water front is also secured.
The company has suffered twice by fire. On June 2d, 1843, the rolling- mill was entirely destroyed. The fire broke out at half-past one o'clock in the morning, and the whole establishment was in ruins in a very short time, but before sunrise lumber was being hauled from various yards and prepara- tions were going on to rebuild it. The owners did not even wait for the fire to cool before the plan of rcconstruction was adopted and measures taken to replace their losses. In six weeks from the date of the fire the mill was again in full operation. Such cool persistency always wins, and there is no occasion to wonder that success of the most pronounced type has followed the efforts of the company.
Again on the 11th of November, 1859, the rolling-mill was discovered to be on fire, and the flames obtained the mastery for a second time, complete- ly destroying the building; but the same indomitable spirit met the misfor- tune as calmly as before ; the mill was immediately rebuilt, and in a short time in active work.
The works are operated wholly by steam, employ 600 hands, and consume 40 tons of scrap and pig iron per day. The operations are carried on in three separate buildings-a rolling-mill, nail-mill, and foundry. Thirty-two thou- sand tons of iron are used annually in the production of nails, hoops, rods, castings, etc. There are 105 nail machines, the product of which is about I 15,000 kegs of nails per annum. The monthly pay-roll averages $25,000.
When the Iron Works Company was first formed, it purchased for $10,000 the whole section of land lying along the shore to the south and west of the Creek, as far as Annawan street on the south, and east to Canal street, and the land south to Ferry street was also secured afterward. In the develop- ment of this property, Major Bradford Durfee took a prominent and leading part. Born in 1788, the earlier years of his manhood were spent in ship- building and kindred work. Up to 1821, about one vessel a year of from 20
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FALL, RIVER AND ITS INDUSTRIES.
to 75 tons burden was constructed, and the sloops Fall River, Golden Age, Reindeer, the schooners High Flyer, the Irene and Betsey, and others were launched and engaged in the coasting or West India trade. The superior abilities of Major Durfce as a manager and constructor in all mechanical departments here manifested themselves, and when the Iron Works Company was formed with its eight owners, Coloncl Borden was chosen agent, and Major Durfee superintendent. The latter, then thirty-three years of age, entered upon the work with all the ardor of a young man in his primc, and was never so much in his elcment as when putting up mill buildings, arrang- ing machinery, constructing wharves, or forwarding some kind of outdoor work. Thus the Iron Works wharves, the hammered stonework in the base- ment of the Annawan Mill, and the superstructure itself, the canal to the Print Works Pond, the dam, the new buildings and additions of the Iron Works, were all under his direction. When the steamboat line between Fall River and Providence was established, he took charge of that also, and regu- larly, without fail, was on the wharf at the arrival and departure of the boats. When the rolling-mill was destroyed by fire, Major Durfee was in the midst of the ruins while they were yet hot, and with men and oxen hauled out the lumber and material for rebuilding.
In 1838, in company with William C. Davol, he visited Europe, to exam- ine the improved machinery in various departments of industry, more espe- cially in cotton and iron manufacture, and as a result, brought out the Sharp & Roberts self-acting Mule, the first one of which was set up in the Annawan Mill, and lettered " Tippecanoe." It was the wonder of the town, and was visited and examined by the whole community. The good judgment of Major Durfee brought together the members of the firm of Hawes, Marvel & Davol -Mr. Hawes the shrewd financier, Mr. Marvel sagacious and practical, and Mr. Davol the skilful designer and inventor, an association of peculiar facul- ties, which has had no inconsiderable share in advancing the manufacturing interests of Fall River. They entered immediately upon the construction of the English mules, securing the castings from the Iron Works foundry, and finishing them in their own shops, and thus introduced a machine which largely reduced the cost of manufacturing, and increased the production manifold.
But this was not the only result of that visit. The travellers secured measurements and drawings for the " egg-shaped" furnace and boiler, by which steam for motive power is generated without the cost of extra fuel, and some of the original furnaces, constructed in this style, are in use to the present day. Other information was acquired, and applied . practically, upon their return homc, so that Fall River could hardly have sent forth two men to better
Thehard Borden
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COTTON MANUFACTURE A.D. 1830-45.
purpose, in securing practical results, than Major Durfec and William C. Davol.
Major Durfee was a large, finely-formed man, tall, with black hair, a face full, and generally considerably flushed-a peculiarity of the family-free, gen- ial, and companionable in company, and affectionate and considerate at home. Being so much of an "outside man," he was well known by the whole village, and when, shortly after the "Great Fire" in 1843, he was suddenly prostrated by disease, brought on, as is supposed, by his grcat exertions in that terrible calamity, the sympathy of the whole community went out for him, and at his death, after only twenty-four hours of sickness, it was felt almost as if his place could not be filled.
But he who had so long been associated with Major Durfee in the man- agement and development of the varied interests of the Iron Works Com- pany, was ready to assume the double burden, and it fell to Colonel Richard Borden to carry forward, single and alone, the growing business of that largc concern.
Colonel Borden, as he was always called, was born on the 12th of April, I 795. What is now Fall River was then a portion of the town of Freetown, and he was in his eighth year when Fall River was incorporated, in 1803. After the period of boyhood, his early years were spent as a farmer, and to the end of life he continued his interest in that honorable pursuit. But, step by step, he became identified with all the different leading business inter- ests of the rapidly growing town, village, and city. He was early identified with the maritime interests of the place, and gave fresh impulse to the local shipping pursuit, when as yet it was but a rural village. While still a young man, he ran a grist-mill (1812-20), which stood just west of the present Annawan Mill, where the corn of the whole region was ground. In com- pany with his brother Jefferson, it was his custom to go down to Prudence and Conanicut Islands, in the sloop Irene and Betsey, which carricd about 250 bushels of corn, and having secured a load, to return to Fall River and tie up at a little wharf within the creek, and discharge directly into the mill. The Irene and Betsey was also a sort of packet between Fall River and the neighboring places, and the surplus meal was sold in Warren, Bristol, or Providence, and a return freight secured, of provisions, grocerics, cotton, etc. Another mill was placed on the north bank of the creek, at the next fall above, where the Annawan Mill is now, and a tramway had been constructed from this mill (known as the Davenport Mill, but owned by Richard Borden, the uncle of Colonel Richard) to the shore, and a car run up and down this incline, drawn by a rope. This rope was wound on a drum, which connected by gearing with the water-wheel, and thus the water-power was made to do
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FALL RIVER AND ITS INDUSTRIES.
double service. The great strength of the Colonel was always a marvel to the small boys, sent on horseback with a grist to grind, it being his ordinary feat, after putting two or three two-bushel bags of meal on the horse with the greatest easc, to take the boy and lift him to his place on top of all. It was about this period he joined Major Durfec in the construction of several small vessels, the lumber for which was prepared in a saw-mill adjoining the grist- mill. Here, too, the strength of the Colonel found development, as, single- handed, he would roll into position great white oak or mahogany butts, two fect through, and twenty feet long.
In the organization of the Fall River Iron Works Company in 1821, that " earliest germ of the wealth of the city," Colonel Borden took an active part, and was appointed treasurer and agent, a position which he filled ably and satisfactorily up to the day of his final withdrawal from business, a period of over fifty years. The Iron Works Company meeting with assured success almost from the start, soon turned its attention to the improvement of its landed estate, water-power, etc., and as part owners became largely interested in enterprises somewhat foreign to its own legitimate sphere of work. The agent of the company as its representative thus beeame an active participant in all these schemes, and the business tact and skill of Colonel Borden were brought into fullest exercise. In this way, the Iron Works Company beeamc owner in the Watuppa Reservoir Company, organized in 1826; in the Troy Cotton and Woollen Manufactory ; in the Fall River Manufactory; in the Annawan Mill, built by it in 1825; in the American Print Works, whose buildings were all ereeted by the Iron Works Company in 1834, and leased to the Print Works Company ; in the Metaeomet Mill, built in 1846; in the Fall River Railroad, opened in 1846, in the Bay State Steamboat Line, established in 1847; in the Fall River Gas Works, built in 1847 ; as well as in the erection at various times of buildings which were leased to individuals for the establishment of business or private manufacturing enterprises.
The eare and development of the interests of these corporations brought into exercise those qualities which mark the highest order of business talent, and which in him were combined to a remarkable degree, namely, elearness of perception, excellent judgment and great energy, together with the highest and purcst moral integrity. Colonel Borden was a thorough business man, and devoted himself untiringly to the trusts imposed upon him. These were enough to crush any common man, but he possessed that happy faculty of dropping one subjeet completely and taking up another as occasion required ; and when he left his office he left his business there, too, putting it off as an outer garment, so that in his home and in his family he was untrammelled and free from eare, the loving father and grandparent, the genial host, the
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COTTON MANUFACTURE A.D. 1830-45.
centre of the heart's warmest affections and highest esteem. It is not surpris- ing, therefore, that he filled a most uncommon list of offices of trust in the community and in the State. In the cotton-manufacturing industries of the city he was conspicuously interested, being identified with several companies either as originator, or director. He was President and Director of the American Print Works, the American Linen Company, the Troy Cotton and Woollen Manufactory, the Richard Borden Mill Company and the Mount Hope Mill Company, and Director of the Annawan and the Metacomet Mill Companies. He was President and Director of the Fall River National Bank, Director and Treasurer of the Fall River Iron Works, President of the Watuppa Reservoir Company, Agent of the Fall River Furnace Company, and Director of the Fall River Gas Company. In corporations operating outside his own home, his interests were also large, and his administrative ability recognized. He was President of the Bay State Steamboat Com- pany, Providence Tool Company, Cape Cod Railroad Company, the Borden Mining Company of Frostburg, Md., and Director in the Old Colony Railroad Company. One of those men whom office has to seek, though his patriotism and conspicuous public service in an individual capacity might easily have secured him any position his ambition could have aspired to in his native commonwealth, the legislative terms he filled both in the Senate and House of Representatives were probably the most ungrateful duties of a long life of duty, and yet while the highest political position possessed no exaltation to attract him, his genuine appreciation of a citizen's duty would not allow him to refuse the humble town or village dignity of assessor or highway sur- veyor, when his service seemed obviously needed. If there was one only public recognition of his patriotism and public worthiness, those who knew him can fancy he took pleasure in, it was doubtless the honor accorded to him by the people of casting one of the electoral votes of Massachusetts for the second time for Abraham Lincoln.
Colonel Borden's shipbuilding and boating experiences fitted him for further enterprise in the same line, and under the auspices of the Iron Works Company, a regular line of steamers was established between Fall River and Providence, commencing in 1827 with the steamer Hancock. Other steamers had previously attempted to establish communication between Fall River and the neighboring places, but with only partial-success. The Han- cock was succeeded in 1832 by the steamer King Philip, the King Philip succeeded in 1845 by the steamer Bradford Durfee, and in 1874 the steamer Richard Borden was also placed upon the route. The popular excursion steamer Canonicus is used as a spare boat, and to run during the summer months to Newport, Block Island, and Rocky Point.
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FALL RIVER AND ITS INDUSTRIES.
One of the largest debts of gratitude which Fall River owes to Colonel Borden (and in this conncetion his brother, Jefferson Borden, still living and honored in his native city, will not be forgotten) is for the present admirable system of communication with New York and Boston. Up to 1846 there was no communication dircet by steam with cithcr eity, though the traveller could, by going to Providenec or Stonington, eateh a train or a boat. At this time Colonel Borden projceted, and mainly by his own cffort constructed, a rail- road from Fall River to Myriek's, to connect with the New Bedford and Taunton Railroad, and using the latter to join the Providence Railroad and complete the route by rail to Boston. This was an eccentric way of reaching the State capital, and the next advance was consequently made to South Braintree, striking the Old Colony Railroad of that day. A satisfactory through route was thus seeured ; but Colonel Borden, not satisfied yet, was ambitious not only to have the communication opened for his favorite city, but to make it self-sustaining. With this view he organized the Cape Cod Railroad Company, of which he was president, and eonstrueted a line from Middleborough down to the Cape, as a feeder for his Fall River route. The care, administrative and executive ability, and the financial involvement-for he was not only the designer but the banker of the enterprise-were exees- sive demands to be made upon one man in that comparatively early day ; but Colonel Borden's resourees in all respeets were equal to the exigeney. It was his good fortune soon to see his railroad enterprise at least relatively a sueeess. His purpose in freeing Fall River from its isolation was at any rate accomplished, and in a year or two he was relieved of his new responsibility by a consolidation of the roads he had constructed with the Old Colony.
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