USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Fitchburg > Fitchburg, Massachusetts, past and present > Part 16
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Mr. Page held the position of president up to the time of his death, May 17, 1887. He is remembered by many in Fitchburg as one of the pleasantest of men, genial, warm- hearted, enterprising, always ready to aid others, thoroughly honest and reliable.
The present president, Frederick Fosdick, is also mayor of the city. Charles Fosdick was born in Groton, Mass., in March, 1848; came to Fitchburg and was in the Burleigh Rock Drill Company's office a year ; then went to work in the machine shop, at the west shaft of the Hoosac tunnel, where he was employed about a year, returning to Fitch- burg in 1871 to take the position of superintendent of the machine company, organized by John Haskins; when the Haskins Machine Company was succeeded by the Fitchburg Steam Engine Company in 1876, he became the superin- tendent of the latter company, which position he still holds ; in 1886 he served as president of common council, declining a re-nomination.
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FITCHBURG, PAST AND PRESENT.
C. H. BROWN & CO., STEAM ENGINE BUILDERS.
C. H. Brown, the founder of the steam engine business in Fitchburg, was born in Blackstone, Mass., March 9, 1820. He removed with his parents to Lewis county, N. Y., in 1828, working at farming summers and attending school winters until 1835, when his parents returned East. In 1836 he commenced to learn the machinist's trade near Greenville, R. I., and afterwards worked on cotton machinery at Blackstone, Newton Upper Falls, Providence, R. I., and Whitinsville, Mass. In 1845 went to Northford and Water- bury, Conn., and worked on machinery for the manufacture
C.H.BROWN & CO STEAM ENCINES
G.E.JOHNSON.SC
WORKS OF C. H. BROWN & CO.
of solid-headed pins. From Waterbury he went to Boston and was employed by Otis Tufts in the manufacture of steam engines until 1849, when he removed to Fitchburg and pur- chased one-third interest with J. & S. W. Putnam in the machine business, the new firm being called J. & S. W. Put- nam & Co.
A new industry was now commenced in Fitchburg, the manufacture of steam engines, of which Mr. Brown had the
C. H. Brown.
C. H. Brown, Jr.
F. E. Brown.
J. F. Brown
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IRON INDUSTRIES.
entire management. In 1855 a new engine was brought out and patented in 1856 by Mr. Brown and Mr. Charles Bur- leigh, then in Mr. Brown's employ. The patent was assigned to the Putnam Machine Co. and is now known as the "Putnam" engine. This engine was built under Mr. Brown's supervision until 1859, when his health became so much impaired by too close application to business that he was obliged to give up the active duties in the shop and soon after disposed of his interest in the Putnam Co.
After a rest of about four years he commenced business in a very small way in Newton lane. Business soon in- creased to such an extent that more room was necessary and in 1866 one-half of the second story in Sylvanus Sawyer's brick block was leased of S. C. Wright & Co. In 1871 he invented what has since been known as the "Brown Auto- matic Cut-off Engine," and so great was the demand for this engine that he was obliged to largely increase his facilities in order to supply the demand. In April, 1873, a building lot was purchased of Jacob H. Fairbanks on the corner of Main and Willow streets, and in May a new brick building was commenced. In 1875 the company moved into their new and commodious quarters.
The present firm of C. H. Brown & Co. is composed of C. H. Brown, C. H. Brown, Jr., F. E. Brown, and J. F. Brown, father and three sons, who manufacture the "Brown" engine exclusively. They are made in a great variety of sizes, both large and small, and are now in use in all parts of the United States.
BURLEIGH ROCK DRILL COMPANY.
Charles Burleigh, founder of the Burleigh Rock Drill Co., one of Fitchburg's most ingenious mechanics and most competent business men, died May 28, 1883.
Mr. Burleigh was born at Waterville, Me., Aug. 30, 1824 ; when eighteen years of age he left his native town and was on a whaling voyage three years, visiting all quarters of the globe, and penetrating nearly to the northern limits of navigation. He returned to Waterville when twenty-one
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years of age, and soon after went to East Boston, where he was employed for several years by Otis Tufts, a pioneer en- gine builder. He was married in 1850, and in October of that year came to Fitchburg, where he afterward resided. He commenced working as a machinist for J. & S. W. Put- nam at their shop on Water street.
When the Putnam Machine Company was organized, in 1856, Mr. Burleigh became a stockholder and was elected a director, holding that office more than twenty years. He was superintendent of Department Number 4 of the Putnam Machine works for several years previous to 1869, when his large business enterprises outside the works commanded his whole attention. About 1865, Mr. Burleigh at the request, it is said, of the late Alvah Crocker, applied himself to the diffi- cult work of perfecting a power drill, for the primary pur- pose of making the completion of the Hoosac Tunnel practi- cable, all previous attempts had failed. The large amount expended upon the Tunnel was wasted unless the enterprise could be finished. The work was prosecuted at a discour- agingly slow rate with hand drills and its completion seemed more remote than when it was first commenced, before the difficulties were appreciated. Mr. Burleigh's drill proved a practical success and its invention enabled the Shanley Brothers to push the work to its completion. It was the first successful power drill invented and its features have been copied in other drills. Mr. Burleigh also invented a com- pressor, which is an essential accompaniment to the drill, as well as various other styles and kinds of mining machinery. In 1867 the Burleigh Rock Drill Company was organized, with a capital of $150,000, to make and sell these two machines, since which time they have found a ready market in nearly every quarter of the globe, the product of this company in the aggregate forming no small item in the ma- chinery business of Fitchburg.
These inventions have carried Mr. Burleigh's name wherever great engineering feats have been accomplished. They were used at the Hoosac Tunnel, the Brooklyn Bridge, along the line of the Union and Central Pacific railroads, in
CHARLES BURLEIGH.
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removing obstacles at Hell Gate and in various works of lesser magnitude. Mr. Burleigh made many valuable in- ventions and improvements in other departments of mechanics and took out a large number of patents.
He was a director of the Boston, Clinton, Fitchburg and New Bedford railroad for several years previous to its con- solidation with the Old Colony railroad, and after the disasters of 1877, he rendered signal service in saving the common stock from wreck and in placing the preferred stock on a basis which secured to the creditors who accepted it more than the full amount of their claims; was one of the promoters of the New York & Boston inland railroad. He was a charter member of the Wachusett National Bank and a director from its organization in 1875. He was a director in several mining companies in the West, and was interested in various railroad and manufacturing companies.
The present officers of the Burleigh Rock Drill Company are : Henry A. Willis, president ; John Burney, treasurer ; C. R. Burleigh, superintendent.
The Burleigh Tunnel Company was organized in 1869, with a capital of $50,000. Lowell M. Miles is president, D. A. Corey, clerk, and C. R. Burleigh, treasurer.
ROLLSTONE MACHINE COMPANY
was organized in 1867, for the manufacture of wood-working machinery, and dealers in all kinds of tools, saws, belting. knives, emery wheels, etc. The business of this company has largely increased the past few years, and now machines of their manufacture can be found in operation all over the continent. This company control the manufacture and sale of the celebrated Hodge's Universal Angle Union, for plumb- ers' use, in connection with steam. water or gas works. They are also manufacturers of the C. F. Smith system of ice-making and refrigerating machines; also the E. N. Gates' system of hot water heating for private houses, fac- tories, etc. The company, as at present organized, consists of H. F. Coggshall and C. T. Crocker. proprietors, and George L. Stearns, manager.
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FITCHBURG, PAST AND PRESENT.
RICHARD A. LEONARD, manufacturer of agricultural im- plements and packing boxes, West Fitchburg. For upwards of thirty years Mr. Leonard has been connected with the mowing machine industry, and was one of the first salesmen to introduce them into New England, when the business was in its infancy. Born in the town of Raynham, Mass., Oct. 5, 1830. and his early years were spent on his father's farm. His ancestors were iron workers-the first in his line in this country having settled in that town and established a forge in the colonial days. In 1858 John P. Adriance, who first introduced the two-wheel mowing machine into New Eng- land, secured the services of Mr. Leonard as travelling agent. In 1861 the business had increased to such an extent that it was found necessary to divide it-one-half being moved to Poughkeepsie, and again, in the season of 1864-5, another division was made, and one-half of the business transferred to Fitchburg, Mr. Leonard acting as general agent. The manufacturing of horse rakes and laundry machinery was also carried on in connection with the mowing machine business here. In 1876 Mr. Leonard bought out the business in Fitchburg and began the manufacture of the Leonard mowing machine, and packing boxes, and for a time made creameries. In February, 1886, the works were totally destroyed by fire and the same season his present factory, opposite the site of the old shop, was built, and he commenced again the manufacture of packing boxes, the mowing machine business, in which he still retains an interest, being removed to Worcester. Mr. Leonard served the city in the common council in 1878-'79-80 and '82, and as representative to the legislature in 1886.
The works of DAVID M. DILLON, boiler manufacturer, are located on Crocker street, below Rollstone foundry, on the line of the Fitchburg and Old Colony Railroad. The business was started in 1870, at the corner of West Main and River streets, where he remained two years. The neighbors not being accustomed to so much noise circulated a petition for the removal of the works. Not having shop room
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enough, and wishing to accommodate a long-suffering public, Mr. Dillon built a shop and removed to his present location on Crocker street, where he continues to do business and make quite a noise. You will find boilers of his make in nearly every state of the Union, and he has exported quite a number to foreign countries.
Mr. Dillon was the pioneer in making steel boilers and was laughed at by other boiler builders and called a crank for attempting to make a boiler of steel, but did not have long to wait to find the public calling for steel boilers.
HEYWOOD, WILSON & CO. FOUNDRY.
This industry was started at the old Greene foundry on Water street opposite the Union Machine Company's works. The business was started by Asher Greene who was after- wards associated with David Ware. The business was car- ried on afterwards by Waldo Wallace until 1866, when Geo. Wheelock and J. S. Wilson bought a one-half interest with Waldo Wallace, and upon the death of Mr. Wallace the same year, Walter Heywood and Harrington Sibley bought his in- terest, and the firm was known as Heywood, Wheelock & Co. About the time the present foundry, adjoining the Fitchburg Machine Company's works, was built, Mr. Wheelock sold out his interest to Hale W. Page, and the style of the firm was changed to Heywood, Wilson & Co. Mr. Page retired from the firm in 1875, and since the death of Mr. Heywood, Aug. 1. 1880, the business has been owned and carried on by Mr. Wilson and Mr. Sibley, but retaining the old firm name.
Mr. Wilson is a native of Dover, Mass., born Jan. 29, 1827. At the age of nineteen, he went to Waltham, where he learned the trade of iron moulder. After serving his ap- prenticeship, he went to Boston to work, and in 1861 and '62, was employed at the Charlestown Navy Yard, making shot and shell for the Government, after this, removed to Nor- wood, and in 1866, came to Fitchburg to engage in the foundry business. Mr. Wilson has served as councilman
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and alderman, and the past two years represented the city in the legislature.
Mr. Sibley is a native of Sutton, Mass., where he was born June 4, 1814. At two years of age, he moved to Troy, N. H., where he remained until 1841, having learned and worked at the scythe maker's trade. He came to Fitchburg in 1841, living here since with the exception of three years when he resided in Troy and Littleton, N. H., and Athol, Mass. He was employed by Farwell & Co., Abel Simonds, and Whitman & Miles, on scythes, mowing machines and farm implements, until he became, in 1866, a partner in the foundry business. Mr. Sibley has for the past seven years been a director in the Wachusett National Bank, and has served the city five years, two years as councilman and three years as alderman.
THE ROLLSTONE IRON FOUNDRY.
under the proprietorship of L. H. Goodnow, was established here in 1867, for the manufacture of all kinds of machinery
CLEANING HOUSE
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FREE
THE ROLLSTONE IRON FOUNDRY.
castings, such as fly-wheels, pulleys, gears, segments, en- gine work of all kinds, and wire drawing machinery. The works are thoroughly equipped with improved machinery, tools and appliances for heavy work, and furnish employ- ment to from fifty to seventy-five hands. Prominent among the list of products of the foundry is the great variety of fly- wheels and pulley patterns, ranging from three inches to
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twenty feet in diameter, any number of inches in width of face, and any weight required, made whole or in halves, turned, bored and slotted ready for the shaft. Particular at- tention is also paid to getting up iron fronts for buildings, and everything adapted to the use of millwrights and man- ufacturers.
Mr. Goodnow is a native of Northboro, moving to Worcester when eight years old, learning the iron trade, and was in that business until moving to Fitchburg in 1875, at which time he entered into co-partnership with Hale W. Page in the foundry business, and remained with him some two years, at which time he assumed control of the business himself alone. He was connected with the city government as alderman in 1886, and has been on the school board for the past six years, and is a director in the Wachusett Bank.
M. J. PERAULT'S IRON FOUNDRY.
This industry located opposite the Union Machine Com- pany's works was started in 1883, by Marshall & Farnsworth, for the manufacture of fine castings. It was carried on by them only about ten months, when in July, 1884, M. J. Pe- rault succeeded to the business. Mr. Perault has been in the foundry business for the past thirty-four years. He is a native of Canada, at the age of four years removed to New- ton Upper Falls, afterwards went to Waltham, where he began work in the Davis foundry, removed to Worcester in 1861 and was employed in the foundry of the New York Steam Engine Company. In 1871 he came to Fitchburg and took the situation of foreman in the Smith & Page foundry, continuing in that position after Mr. L. H. Good- now became proprietor until the year 1884, when he started in business for himself.
WM. A. HARDY'S BRASS FOUNDRY,
located opposite the Union Machine Company, has been under the present management for a period of thirty-four
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CHAPTER XII.
COMMERCIAL.
S a commercial center Fitchburg exerts a wide influence, attracting trade for many miles. The business blocks, many of them, are substantial, and the stores large and attractive.
The financial institutions of the city are seven in number-four of them are national banks and three savings.
THE FITCHBURG NATIONAL BANK
is the oldest, having been chartered in 1832 under the state banking laws. It was reorganized in 1865 under the national banking act and has a capital of $250,000, with a surplus of $140,000. Its first president was Francis Perkins, and Ebenezer Torrey, cashier. After the death of Mr. Perkins, in 1859, at the next annual meeting which occurred in a few months, Ebenezer Torrey, who, until this time, had been cashier, was elected president, and Charles J. Billings chosen cashier. The first banking house was a small granite building, which was succeeded in 1853 by a new brick building built on the same spot, now occupied by Crocker, Burbank & Co. as an office. In 1871 the bank moved into its present quarters in the Fitchburg Bank building.
Its officers are : Ebenezer Torrey, president ; Charles J. Billings, vice-president ; B. N. Bullock, cashier; H. G.
E Forey
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COMMERCIAL.
Townend, teller; William Kimball, book-keeper; H. A. Damon, clerk; Thornton K. Ware, solicitor; directors, William D. Peck, Ebenezer Torrey, Timothy S. Wilson, Gardner S. Burbank, Charles J. Billings, Rodney Wallace, George F. Fay, Charles T. Crocker, Joseph Cushing, Henry F. Coggshall, Thornton K. Ware, Carmi M. Parker, George F. Simonds, Arthur H. Lowe.
EBENEZER TORREY-born in Franklin, Mass., Aug. 16, 1801. His parents were John and Sally (Richardson) Torrey, both natives of the same town. His preliminary education was received in the academies of Leicester and Lancaster. In 1818 he entered at Harvard and graduated in 1822. After graduation he entered upon the study of law in Fitchburg, in the office of John Shepley, an eminent lawyer, who subsequently removed to Maine. In 1825 he was admitted to the bar and for two years was engaged in the practice of his profession alone. In 1827 he associated him- self in business with Nathaniel Wood. The firm of Torrey & Wood lasted for nearly half a century and its members ranked with the acknowledged leaders of the legal fraternity in Worcester county. Several Fitchburg lawyers of present prominence began their career under the tutilage of these two men whose firm relation was dissolved in 1873. While active in his chosen profession Mr. Torrey, from the time of his enrollment among the members of the bar, almost always held offices of trust and honor. For thirty successive years he was treasurer of the town of Fitchburg, serving for one year after its incorporation as a city, declining further ser- vice. In 1832 he became one of the incorporators of the Fitchburg Bank. In addition to his connection with the banking business he was elected in 1829 one of the trustees of the Worcester Mutual Fire Insurance Company and has ever since sustained the same relation to it. Mr. Torrey was chosen a member of the Massachusetts house of representa- tives in 1832, and again in 1847. In 1849 he served in the senate and was chairman of the committee on banks and banking. In 1853 he was a member of the council of Gov- ernor Clifford and in 1854 of that of Governor Emory Wash-
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burn. In 1825 Mr. Torrey was married to Frances Hough- ton of Fitchburg, who died in 1831. In the following year he was married to Sarah Arnold of Uxbridge, Mass.
THE ROLLSTONE NATIONAL BANK
received its first charter in 1849 ; was re-incorporated in 1865 ; its capital is $250,000, with a surplus of $140,000. Moses Wood was the first president and Lewis H. Bradford the first cashier. Upon the death of Moses Wood, in 1869, Alvah Crocker succeeded him. Mr. Crocker was succeeded by Henry A. Willis, as president, which office he now holds. L. H. Bradford served as cashier until 1856, when he was succeeded by William B. Wood, who resigned in 1858. Henry A. Willis was then chosen cashier, and upon his ap- pointment to the office of president, January, 1873, John M. Graham was chosen in his place. In 1881 Wilbur B. Tenney was made cashier. The first banking-house of the Rollstone Bank was a small granite building, which stood where the Rollstone Bank building now stands. This latter building was erected in 1869. The bank is officered by Henry A. Willis, president, (sketch and portrait in Chapter III) ; Wilbur B. Tenney, cashier ; W. J. Stearns, teller ; Charles W. Spinney, clerk; Amasa Norcross, solicitor ; directors, Henry A. Willis, Amasa Norcross, Louis D. Bart- lett, E. Foster Bailey, I. C. Wright, Charles H. Brown, George H. Spencer, James Phillips, Jr., Edgar F. Belding, H. T. Page, M. D. Haws.
SAFETY FUND NATIONAL BANK.
authorized by Comptroller Knox, June 9, 1874. This was before free national banking, consequently the first ninety thousand dollars of circulation was purchased from another National Bank. The stockholders paid in twenty thousand dollars, in addition to the capital, to offset the premiums paid on United States bonds and circulation, which enabled the bank to declare a dividend, at the close of the first year's
Henry Allison
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COMMERCIAL.
business, from the earnings. regular semi-annual dividends. ness July 1, 1874, in the second story of Belding & Dickinson's brick block, and removed to its pres- ent location in Crocker block, March, 1875, the building having been
erected by Hon. Alvah Crocker, under an agree- ment for a twenty years' lease of the banking rooms to the Safety Fund National Bank. Present capital, $200,000 ; own $200,000 United States four per cent. bonds ; sur-
Since then the bank has paid The bank commenced busi-
OCWALLACE AIT
plus, $31,000. The first president was Henry Alli- son and the first cashier F. F. Woodward. In CROCKER BLOCK. 1883 Mr. Woodward resigned to engage in other business and George K. Tapley, of the John Hancock National Bank of Springfield, was elected his successor. Joel G. Tyler, book-keeper, has been identified with the bank since Septem- ber, 1882.
Mr. Allison is a native of Rome, N. Y. ; came to Fitch- burg in 1858 to take a clerkship in the post-office, under the Hon. J. W. Mansur, entered the old Fitchburg State Bank, April, 1864, continued there, with Fitchburg State and National Banks, until April, 1874, at which time he was elected the first president of the Safety Fund National Bank, in which position he has continued until the present time, this being his twenty-fourth year in banking.
The present board of directors are R. R. Conn, E. M. Dickinson, Lyman Patch, George Hall, Charles F. Putnam, Wilder P. Clark, Frank Leighton, J. F. D. Garfield, F. F.
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Woodward, George R. Wallace, Myron B. Damon, Henry Allison.
WACHUSETT NATIONAL BANK
was incorporated May 20, 1875, with a capital of $500,000, which has since been reduced one-half, leaving the present capital $250,000, and surplus fund of equal amount, $250,000.
This bank was opened for business June 1, 1875, in Belding & Dickinson's block and continued in that loca- tion until Jan. 1, 1876, at which time the present banking house, corner of Main and Day streets was completed. Its first officers were A. W. Seaver, president ; H. A. Blood, vice-president, and George A. Seaver, cashier ; but the latter being removed by death before the bank was opened for business, Henry L. Jewett was elected his successor.
The present officers are O. H. Lawrence, president ; William O. Brown, vice-president ; George E. Clifford, cashier ; W. G. Corey, teller; H. G. Morse, book-keeper ; E. B. Farrar, messenger.
Directors-William O. Brown, H. A. Hatch, O. H. Lawrence, George N. Proctor, Harrington Sibley, A. B. Sherman, W. A. Fairbanks, L. H. Goodnow, John Burney, J. S. Bradley, Thomas Rice, George F. Morse, S. K. Pierce.
THE FITCHBURG SAVINGS BANK
was incorporated Feb. 12, 1846, and went into operation the first of June following. Francis Perkins was the first presi- dent and Ebenezer Torrey the first treasurer. On the death of Mr. Perkins, in 1859, Nathaniel Wood was chosen presi- dent Aug. 15, 1859; Ebenezer Torrey, June 27, 1876; Thornton K. Ware, Sept. 26, 1877.
In 1871 the bank erected one of the largest and costliest business buildings in the city, in which they now have their rooms. The officers are: President, Thornton K. Ware, (sketch in Chapter V.) ; vice-president, Samuel E. Crocker ;
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Ebenezer Bailey, clerk ; Charles J. Billings, treasurer : An- drew Jewett, assistant treasurer.
Trustees : Thornton K. Ware, Samuel E. Crocker, William D. Peck, Ebenezer Torrey, Justin Stearns, Timothy S. Wilson, Jacob Haskell, George F. Fay, Rodney Wallace, Charles T. Crocker, Gardner S. Burbank, Leander Sprague,
MASONIC HALL
FITCHBURG SAVINGS GAN
FITCHBURG SAVINGS BANK BLOCK.
Daniel Cross, Henry F. Coggshall, Joseph Cushing, Albert L. Fessenden, John W. Kimball, Carmi M. Parker, George F. Simonds, R. R. Conn, Henry G. Morse, B. D. Dwinnell, Arthur H. Lowe.
THE WORCESTER NORTH SAVINGS INSTITUTION,
incorporated May 26, 1868 ; organized June 13, 1868 ; com- menced business July 6, 1868; deposits Jan. 1, 1887, $2,488,327.22 ; location, Rollstone National Bank building. The first officers were Moses Wood, president; David Boutelle, vice-president ; H. A. Willis, treasurer; L. H.
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