USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Fitchburg > Fitchburg, Massachusetts, past and present > Part 14
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THE "HANNA" MILL.
It was thought by many who favored a different location, that the railroad could not be extended farther west on ac- count of the heavy grade, but three years afterwards, the Vermont & Massachusetts Railroad was in running condi- tion, with Alvah Crocker for its first President. Mr. Crocker was afterwards actively engaged in railroad operations, es- pecially in the Troy & Boston, and in the completion of the Hoosac Tunnel. In 1847 and 1848, he delivered several hundred lectures in their behalf. doing probably more than any other man in the state, to insure the completion of the Tunnel, and was one of the commissioners when the work was put into the hands of the state.
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FITCHBURG, PAST AND PRESENT.
In January, 1872, he was chosen Representative to Con- gress from the ninth district, was afterwards re-elected, and was a member at the time of his death which took place Dec. 30th, 1874.
Beside the railroad enterprises to which so much of his public life was devoted, a greater work was undertaken at Turners Falls, which however was left unfinished at his death. The magical rise and growth of that place was due to his sagacious energy and enterprise. While searching for a more direct railway route between Millers Falls and
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THE "LYON AND WHITNEY" MILL.
Greenfield than the one pursued by the Vermont & Massa- chusetts railroad, he saw the magnificent water power possessed by the Connecticut river at Turners Falls and rightly concluded that nature had thus furnished the means at hand for a great manufacturing city. He entered at once, with his characteristic promptness, upon the prosecution of his scheme, which, to the exclusion of nearly every other in- terest, took possession of his mind at that time. In company with other capitalists the Turners Falls Company was or- ganized for the purpose of controlling and utilizing the water power at that point. They purchased largely of land lying on the river front near the falls, and a dam having a fall of
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PAPER MAKING.
thirty feet and a capacity of 30.000 horse-power was built. From that time until the close of his life, the daring projector worked hard for the prosperity of the enterprise, spending large sums of money in promoting its interests. It was his ambition to make Turners Falls not only rival Lowell. Holyoke and other large manufacturing centres, but to pass by and above them. What he would have accomplished for the place, had he been spared to test his energies to the full, no one can say, but estimating the probable results of the future from the great attainments he had effected in the few years he was permitted to devote to the task, it cannot be denied that he would have left Turners Falls as a splendid monument to his greatness.
While directing his energies to the consummation of this great work, he was not unmindful of his own city and labored steadily and persistently to secure needed improve- ments, being largely interested in getting a water supply. During the war for the preservation of the Union Mr. Crocker was a staunch patriot. a strong sympathizer with the national government, and a liberal donor of time and money to the triumph of the great and good cause. Governor Andrew entrusted him with the honorable duty of caring for the wounded Massachusetts soldiers, and more than one patriot can testify that when the funds were not available for the relief of his need, the money of Mr. Crocker was at once and judiciously drawn upon to convey the aid desired.
RODNEY WALLACE PAPER MILLS.
In 1853 Rodney Wallace came to Fitchburg and entered upon his business life. He formed a co-partnership with Stephen Shepley, known as Shepley & Wallace. They were wholesale dealers in books, stationery, paper stock and cotton waste. This firm continued under the name of Shepley & Wallace, and R. Wallace & Co., till July 1, 1865. On this day the firm was dissolved and the business was divided. Mr. Wallace took the department of paper stock and cotton waste, which he still carries on. To what pro-
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FITCHBURG, PAST AND PRESENT.
portions it has grown under his management, may be judged from the fact that the business done amounts at least to $200,000 a year.
December 31, 1864, Stephen Shepley, Benjamin Snow and Rodney Wallace bought the Lyon Paper Mill and the Kimball Scythe Shops at West Fitchburg, and began the manufacture of paper, under the name of the Fitchburg Paper Company. Stephen E. Denton was taken into the firm as a partner soon after. He had charge of the business at the mill. In July, 1865, Rodney Wallace and Benjamin Snow bought the interest of Stephen Shepley ; and the Fitch- burg Paper Company was then Wallace, Snow and Denton. Mr. Denton died in June, 1868. January 7, 1869, Mr. Wallace bought the interest of Mr. Snow, and Jan. 23 of the same year, he bought the interest of Mr. Denton's estate of his widow, who was at that time residing in New York. From that date till the present the Fitchburg Paper Company is Rodney Wallace. He retains the old firm name. His two sons, Herbert I. Wallace and George R. Wallace, are associated with their father in the management of his busi- ness. The former is a graduate of Harvard in the class of 1877. The latter of the Institute of Technology in Boston. Since becoming sole owner Mr. Wallace has added largely to the original property. A neat village has sprung up around his mills. He has put in a substantial stone dam at great expense and in 1878 he erected a new brick mill, with all the modern improvements, doubling the capacity of the establishment. Just across the Nashua river is the Fitchburg railroad. He has a freight station of his own, where he re- ceives all his freight and ships all his paper. During the past year he has completed another large mill in West Fitchburg, greatly increasing his facilities for business. The present capacity of the mills is from thirty to forty thousand pounds per day of hanging, coloring and lithographing paper.
Aside from his own business, which makes large drafts upon his time, strength and thought, Mr. Wallace has been closely identified with numerous other corporate and mone-
Rodney Wallace
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PAPER MAKING.
tary interests. He has thus had a large share in contributing to the growth and prosperity of the city.
Since 1864 he has been president and director of the Fitchburg Gas Company ; a director of the Putnam Ma- chine Company since the same year ; a director of the Fitch- burg National Bank since 1866; a partner in the Fitchburg Woolen Mills since 1867 ; a trustee of Smith College since 1878. He is a director of the Fitchburg Mutual Fire Insur- ance Company ; a trustee of the Fitchburg Savings Bank ; a director of the Fitchburg Railroad ; a director of the Park- hill Manufacturing Company. Besides these he has had the settlement of large and important estates. We would especially note the large estate of the late Ephraim Mur- dock, Jr., of Winchendon, and that of the late Hon. William H. Vose, of Fitchburg.
In 1873 he was representative to the General Court, to which office he was elected in the fall of 1872, by nearly every ballot cast. He was re-nominated the next year, without dissent or opposition, but declined a re-election on account of ill-health. While a member of the legislature he was on the committee on manufactures, a position which his ability and experience fitted him to fill. The most conspicu- ous political office he has held is that of Councillor. While holding that position he represented one of the largest and most important districts in the state. In it are included the thriving city of Worcester and the sister city of Fitchburg, which, with their varied industries, needed a man of large and ripe judgment to represent them. He served three years, during 1880, 1881 and 1882, or throughout the entire administration of Gov. Long. While in the Council he was a member of the following important committees : On par- dons, on harbors and public lands, on military affairs, and on warrants.
At the close of Gov. Long's administration he refused to allow further use of his name for the office he had so ably filled for three years, and celebrated his retirement from this position as a servant of the public by a brilliant reception tendered to Gov. Long, in the city hall, Fitchburg, Decem- ber 7, 1882.
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FITCHBURG, PAST AND PRESENT.
Largely through the influence of Mr. Wallace, various improvements have been made in Fitchburg which contribute to its attractiveness. Prominent mention may be made of the beautiful union railway station at Fitchburg, in securing its erection and in planning which he was largely instru- mental. But the most conspicuous act, by which he showed his public spirit and generosity of purpose as a citizen, was his gift to the city of Fitchburg of the beautiful public library which by vote of the city government is called by his name. This act of beneficence secures to the city for all coming time a "people's college," where the child of the poorest as well as of the richest, the toiler as well as the man of leisure, may get a very important education. No one knows better the educational needs of the people, and the gift therefore seems all the more appropriate, coming from Mr. Wallace. His early life was spent among the hills of New Hampshire. At twelve years of age he started out to make his way in the world. He let himself to a farmer for forty dollars for the first year, with the privilege of attending school eight weeks in the winter. That first forty dollars he earned was the beginning of a large fortune, and the eight weeks of schooling of that winter on the farm was the be- ginning of a knowledge gleaned here and there as opportu- nity offered, which has fitted him for prominent positions of trust and responsibility. At an early age (sixteen) he was charged with the responsibility of driving freight teams from Bellows Falls, Vt., and Rindge to Boston, returning with loads of merchandise, taking his first lessons in the school of business, in which he proved an apt scholar.
In 1843, at the age of twenty, he entered the employ of Dr. Stephen Jewett. The energy which young Wallace had already shown induced Mr. Jewett to put the whole business of selling his medicines into his hands. In selling these medicines he traveled over five of the New England states, becoming acquainted with the topography of these states and the location of all their important places. Such were the beginnings of a business career of great prosperity. It was in these ways that he got his start in life, and in these lesser
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MILLS OF THE FITCHBURG PAPER COMPANY.
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FITCHBURG, PAST AND PRESENT.
employments he proved himself worthy of and equal to the greater tasks yet before him.
THE WHEELWRIGHT PAPER COMPANY MILL.
The paper-mill of George W. Wheelwright & Son was built in 1864, and the manufacture of paper commenced the same year. The mill is located on Fourth street and has a capacity of 10,000 pounds of book paper per day. The office of the company is in Boston. Officers : George W. Wheel- wright, president : H. T. Page, vice-president ; T. E. Blake, treasurer.
THE FALULAH PAPER COMPANY MILL.
The mill of the Falulah Paper Company is located in South Fitchburg, on the site of the old scythe manufactory of A. P. Kimball and John Chandler, which was built in 1848, and where Edwin Richardson commenced his scythe business in 1852, continuing for twenty-five years. The present mill was built by the Snow Paper Company and passed into the hands of the Falulah Paper Company in October, 1886. The capacity of the mill is about six thou- sand pounds of manilla paper per day. The members of the firm are S. L. and A. N. Lowe.
CHAPTER X.
MANUFACTURING.
THE starting of the Parkhill Manufacturing Company marks an era in the History of Fitchburg and its industries. It brought an entirely new enterprise to the place, for, previous to this, cotton manufacturing was not a leading industry. although one of the first cotton mills in the country was built in Fitchburg. The Parkhill enter- prise brought in a new class of workers and stimulated the growth of the place to a remarkable extent. Its success encouraged the starting of the Cleghorn mills and later the Orswell mills.
At the time the Parkhill mill was put in operation it was unusual to start mills for weaving only. and many predicted the failure of the experiment, notwithstanding the fact that it was customary for weaving mills in England to buy their yarns. The success of this concern has been closely watched by many who are interested in the cotton industry. The firm was formed in the fall of 1879 and was composed of John Parkhill, Thomas R. B. Dole and Arthur H. Lowe. Mr. Parkhill, having had practical experience in cotton manufacturing, assumed the position of superintendent of the mill. Mr. Dole was at the time connected with the Fitch- burg National Bank and he was made treasurer and broker. Mr. Lowe, who had had an extensive business experience, assumed the business management. They bought of Alonzo
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FITCHBURG, PAST AND PRESENT.
Davis (who rendered valuable encouragement to the new enterprise) his chair shop property on Circle street. New machinery was put in to the extent of thirty looms, and the mill was started as a colored cotton weaving mill about the middle of February, ISSo. The company continued as a co-partnership until January, 1882, when a corporation was organized with $100,000 capital. With increased capital the business was enlarged to meet the demands for its products, an addition was built, 135x35 feet, two stories. The next season this was made three stories and additional looms
PARKHILL MANUFACTURING COMPANY'S MILLS, CIRCLE STREET.
were put in. Another building, 150x55 feet, three stories, together with a new engine-house, was built, and this season, 1887, a new dye house, 140x55 feet, two stories, and a new steam chimney have been added. In addition to what has been done on Circle street the company have bought the Fitchburg woolen mill property and have converted it into a cotton mill, thus restoring to the first mill built in Fitchburg its original industry. These improvements and additions show the continuous growth and enterprise of this concern. By November I the company will have grown from its small
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MANUFACTURING.
beginning to have about one thousand looms, will employ about four hundred and fifty hands, and annually pay its employes about $250,000, with a production of about 9,000,000 yards of cloth. They make the justly celebrated Toile du Nord goods, and their success attests the care, per- severance and enterprise of its management. A sketch of John Parkhill, president, will be found in the city government chapter.
Arthur H. Lowe, treasurer and general manager, is a son of John Lowe, and was born in Rindge, N. H., in I853. At the age of about two years he came to Fitchburg, where
PARKHILL MANUFACTURING COMPANY'S MILLS, FACTORY SQUARE.
he has since made his home; was educated in our public schools, leaving the high school before graduating to assist his father. At majority he became partner, with his brothers, in the firm of I. A. Lowe & Co., and continued with them till he became connected with the mill business. He was foremost in starting the Cleghorn mills, and at its organiza- tion, he was made treasurer and general manager. In ISS6 he became a partner of Lowe Bros., and is also a director of the Fitchburg National Bank and a trustee of the Fitchburg Savings Bank.
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FITCHBURG, PAST AND PRESENT.
CLEGHORN MILLS
is an incorporated company having a capital stock of $100,000. Its officers are Andrew Cleghorn, president and superintendent ; Arthur H. Lowe, treasurer. The directory consists of Andrew Cleghorn, Arthur H. Lowe, George F. Fay, John H. Daniels, D. M. Dillon, George Crocker and George R. Wallace. The mills are located in the western part of the city, and embrace a substantial brick structure 170 by 60 feet, four stories, and an annex of wood 170 by 60 feet, two stories. The mills began operation in December,
CLEGHORN MILLS.
1885. The product is fine dress goods, and about 225 per- sons are employed. A spur track connects the mills with the main line of the Fitchburg railroad and Hoosac Tunnel line. The product of Cleghorn Mills embraces the most recherche novelties, entirely different from the product of most any other manufacture.
Mr. Cleghorn, the superintendent of the mills, has been engaged in manufacturing since boyhood, and understands every detail of the cotton business. He was born near Glas- gow, in Scotland, came to this country and located in
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MANUFACTURING.
Adams, Mass., in 1848, where he remained until he removed to North Adams in 1862. From there he came to Fitchburg in 1885.
THE ORSWELL MILL
is the latest addition to the industries of Fitchburg, its loca- tion is on River street, bordering on the Fitchburg railroad. Ground was broken for the mill May 1, 1886, and a sub- stantial brick building 346 by 78 feet, four stories, built. The product is fine numbers of cotton yarn. The capac- ity of the mill is 20,000 spindles ca- pable of producing 24,000 pounds of yarn per week. The capital is at present $150,000. Its officers are ORSWELL MILL. Warren M. Ors- well, president and general manager; W. F. Stiles, treas- urer. Mr. Orswell has long been engaged in the manufacture of cotton yarn elsewhere, and with his practical knowledge of the business and executive ability has already made the Orswell mill one of the leading industries of Fitchburg.
THE FITCHBURG COTTON MILL,
located on Main street, better known as the Pitts Mill, is used for the manufacture of cotton and carpet warps, batting, twine, etc. This enterprise was founded in 1867 by Mr. H. W. Pitts, who, on the fourth of February, 1882, was suc- ceeded by his son, the present proprietor, Mr. B. Marshall Pitts.
The plant comprises five buildings, the main one being a four story brick structure 50 by 100 feet in dimensions. The machinery is operated by water power, and an engine
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FITCHBURG, PAST AND PRESENT.
and boilers, each of one hundred horse power, are brought into service when the water supply proves deficient. The mill has a capacity for producing sixty thousand pounds of warp per month and ninety hands are needed to carry on the operations of the concern.
THE FITCHBURG DUCK MILL,
near Water street, South Fitchburg, is engaged in the manu- facture of cotton duck. The mill is owned by David Nevins. Samuel Clough is treasurer, and Thomas H. Clark, agent.
JAMES McTAGGART, JR., began the manufacture of fancy cassimeres at the Berwick mills, in West Fitchburg. This plant comprises three buildings, the main one being a three-story frame and brick structure, 40x100 feet in dimen- sions and equipped with the necessary machinery. The driving force is furnished by water and steam.
The demand for the product of his mill induced the pro- prietor, in January, 1886, to increase his facilities for pro- duction. He accordingly acquired possession of Baltic mills, located about a quarter of a mile from Berwick mill. The product of these mills embrace a fine line of fancy cassimeres for men's wear.
The leading representative of the woolen business is James Phillips, Jr. Mr. Phillips is the owner of the WACHUSETT MILLS, in West Fitchburg, which were built in 1864 and purchased in 1872 by Rockwell & Phillips. At this time the mills contained but twelve looms. In 1875 Mr. Phillips became sole proprietor, and the business has steadily grown until now the mills give employment to nearly four hundred hands and contain one hundred and fifty broad looms, weaving worsted coatings and suitings, the annual product amounting to over $1,000,000.
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MANUFACTURING.
THE FITCHBURG WORSTED COMPANY, at South Fitch- burg, was incorporated in 1880 with a capital of $250,000 -James Phillips, Jr., president, and George N. Proctor, treasurer. This concern manufactures worsted suitings, operating two hundred and fifty narrow looms, turning out $1,000,000 worth of goods per year, and employing three hundred and seventy-five operatives.
THE FITCHBURG WORSTED COMPANY'S MILL.
THE STAR WORSTED COMPANY began operation in 1882 and occupy a mill on West street-James Phillips, Jr., presi- dent, and George N. Proctor, treasurer. They employ one hundred and twenty-five hands in the manufacture of worsted yarn. Six Noble combs are operated, the product aggre- gating $400,000 annually, which is all used by the Fitchburg Worsted Company and James Phillips, Jr.
The cloth of these mills is all of high grade and is considered equal to any manufactured in the United States.
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FITCHBURG, PAST AND PRESENT.
The first establishment in Fitchburg for the manufacture of shoes, by machinery, was that of E. M. DICKINSON & Co. Mr. Dickinson was born in Northfield, Mass., Aug. 1, 1816; was educated in the public schools and worked on a farm until he was twenty-two, when he went to Marlboro, Mass., in 1838; commenced making shoes in Marlboro in 1842. In 1854 he removed to Fitchburg and continued the same business, on the corner of Main and Laurel streets. Soon after he built a shop on Oliver street, where he remained for six years. During this time but little machinery was used, most of the work being done by hand.
About 1860 he moved into S. F. Atherton's building, in Newton lane, and commenced the use of machinery. Here he remained about ten years making ladies', misses' and children's pegged shoes, and then moved into the building owned by the Simonds' Manufacturing Company, on Main street, where he continued to manufacture until 1881 when
E. M. DICKINSON & CO.'S SHOE MANUFACTORY.
he built the four-story brick factory, corner of Main and North streets, which the company now occupies. The firm is composed of E. M. Dickinson and his son, C. P. Dickin- son, who has been associated with him for ten years. They manufacture a grade of misses' and children's fine boots and shoes, which are sold principally in the west and northwest. The capacity of their present factory is fifteen hundred pairs per day, and they employ from one hundred to one hundred and fifty hands.
E. M. DICKINSON.
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MANUFACTURING.
The Messrs. Dickinson are also owners of the Sole Leather Tip Company, located in the same building with their shoe factory. This business consists in the manufac- ture of sole leather tips, the tip which is most universally applied to children's shoes to-day. They are the only parties who produce tips from the rough leather, and are the largest manufacturers in the trade, sending their goods to shoe manufacturers all over the United States and into Canada. Their product is several million pairs annually, cutting up over fifteen thousand sides of leather.
Mr. E. M. Dickinson, the senior member of the firm, has for more than thirty years been identified with the various in- terests of Fitchburg. He was on the first board of aldermen when the city government was organized in 1872, and a director in the Safety Fund National Bank from its organiza- tion.
THE FITCHBURG SHOE TIP CO.,
incorporated in 1884, with a capital of $30,000. Henry A. Willis, president ; treasurer and manager, E. F. Belding. Manufacture sole leather tips for youths', misses' and chil- dren's shoes. They do an extensive business in these specialties and sell to many of the leading shoe manufacturers in New England, Southern and Western states. Mr. Beld- ing was one of the first manufacturers to introduce these tips to the trade, and for over eight years has been engaged largely in the manufacture and sale of them.
The company own valuable patented machinery built ex- pressly for the manufacture of these tips., The leather from which the tips are made, and of which they use many thousand sides a year, is all finished expressly for them. The Boston office of this company is at 112 Summer street.
E. F. BELDING & CO.,
manufacturers of misses', youths' and children's boots and shoes, 106 Water street. Mr. Belding is the only one in this company. He commenced manufacturing shoes in
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FITCHBURG, PAST AND PRESENT.
Fitchburg about ten years ago ; was associated as a partner with others for eight years and Nov. 1, 1885, started a shoe factory at 106 Water street, where he is making a fine grade of misses' and children's shoes. He employs from 75 to 80 workmen and makes about 700 pairs of shoes a day. His business is growing rapidly and he intends building a factory which will double his present capacity. He has an office at 112 Summer street, Boston.
THE WALTER HEYWOOD CHAIR MANUFACTURING CO.
works, located on River street, comprise three main build- ings, two of which are 300 feet by 50 feet, and one 300 feet by 40 feet, each factory being two stories with an attic. There is also a building for office and store rooms, a boiler house and sheds. The premises of the company extend over an area of about nine acres. A railroad track, belonging to the company, a quarter of a mile long, connects the premises with the main track of the Fitchburg railroad, every thing is arranged for convenience and economy in doing business. The corporation was originally the Walter Heywood Chair Co., but in order to settle the estate of Walter Heywood in 1885, the company sold out to the Walter Heywood Chair Manufacturing Co., the business continuing as before, with all the old members remaining in the firm, and is at present conducted by L. Williams, president, and George H. Spencer, treasurer.
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