USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Gazetteer of Hampshire County, Mass., 1654-1887 > Part 43
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Belding Brothers & Co .- This large silk manufactory was established here in 1874, in the building formerly used by the Arms Manufacturing Co. The company was incorporated July 1, 1882, with a capital stock of $650,000.00. The officers of the company are all non-resident, and Edgar F. Crooks is local manager.
The Northampton Paper Co., at Bay State, Vernon Brothers & Co., pro- prietors, have a large mill, where they manufacture a ton of colored paper daily, employing twenty men. On the site of their mill one owned by them was burned August 8, 1878. It was re-built in 1880-81. It is a brick struc- ture run by both water and steam power, the latter one hundred and fifty horse-power, and the former fifty horse-power. Their engine is of the Harris- Corliss make.
The Florence Manufacturing Co. was incorporated in 1866, with a capital of $100,000.00, at Florence, for the manufacture of brushes and toilet sets. They succeeded the firm of Littlefield, Parsons & Co. Their works are lo- cated on Nonotuck street, and give employment to one hundred and twenty hands. They employ steam-power, which is supplied by a thirty horse-power engine.
The Florence Furniture Co. was incorporated in 1873, with a capital of $20,000.00, for the manufacture of caskets and coffins. On Myrtle street, Florence, they have a three-story brick building, 170 feet in length by 32 feet in width, besides engine, boiler and dry house, their power being furnished by a forty horse-power engine. They employ twenty-five hands, principally males. Their trade is exclusively in the New England states.
The Northampton Cutlery Co. was incorporated in 1871, with a capital of $100,000.00, for the manufacture of table, butcher's, hunting and carving knives. Their works are located at the head of Main street, Bay State. The buildings are of brick, two-stories high, and four in number. They employ both steam and water-power. Their engine is of one hundred and fifty horse- power. Their water-power is one of the best on Mill river. They employ on an average two hundred and twenty-five men, and produce $160,000.00 worth of cutlery annually.
The Clement Manufacturing Co., incorporated in July, 1882, with a capi- tal of $32,000.00, are manufacturers of cutlery at Bay State. The company was formed in 1880. In 1882 William W. Lee became manager of the con- cern. They employ one hundred and twenty-five men.
The Florence Tack Co. was organized in 1874, under the superintendence and management of George W. Bond, of Florence, who made the original drawings for the machines, which were made at Florence under his direc- tions. The company was fairly under way when the factory and machinery was destroyed by an incendiary fire in March, 1876. The company rebuilt and repaired its works and machinery, and commenced running again in 1877. It is now manufacturing about forty tons of goods per month. This com- pany manufactures all kinds of tacks, brads, finishing, Hungarian, trunk,
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chair and other small nails, between three and four hundred different sizes.
The Florence Machine Co., incorporated in 1877, capital stock $175,- 000.00 manufacture sewing machines, oil stoves and cabinet work at Florence.
The Damon Narrow Fabric Co., incorporated January 1, 1882, with cap- ital of $35,000 00, manufacture cotton tape.
The Riverside Lumber Co., John M. Turner, president, and Henry W. Clapp, treasurer, has a mill off from South street and near Mill river, on the line of the N. H. & N. H. R. R., for the manufacture of lumber, lath, doors, sash, blinds and mouldings. Their works are run by steam-power. The company was formed in 1884, and succeeded to the business established by Henry W. Clapp eight years previous to that date. They employ twenty men. Their business amounts yearly to $42,000.00. They have a capital of $20,000.00.
The Mill River Button Co.'s factory is established at Leeds. The present company was organized November 1, 1874, with a capital stock of $60,- 000.00. After the great flood which swept away their factory and entailed a loss of $100,000.00, the present mill was built. It is of brick, two stories high, 40x125 feet. The mill employs 175 hands, producing 600 gross of finished buttons per day, using 600 to 700 tons of vegetable ivory nuts an- nually.
The Connecticut River Lumber Co., mills located in the southeastern part of the city, was incorporated in 1878. They have the largest lumber mills in this section of the country.
The Crystal Emery Wheel Co.'s works are located on Hawley street, near the Connecticut River Railroad station. The business was first started at Easthampton, in 1879. by Charles E. Stevens, and the present company was incorporated in 1880 with a capital 'of $15,000.00, and business coni- menced at their present location. The company's specialty is corunduni and emery wheels of all sizes and for all purposes. They employ a dozen hands.
The Northampton Emery Wheel Co.'s works are located at Leeds. The company was incorporated in May, 1879, with a capital of $100,000.00. They manufacture emery wheels and machinery.
Horace Lamb Co., on Clarks avenue, have a large establishment for the manufacture of all kinds of wire. Their power is water from Mill river. They employ twenty hands. Mr. Lamb first started the business at North Hadley nearly twenty years ago, and fifteen years ago removed to this town, where the work has been constantly increasing. Theirs is the only factory of its kind in Hampshire county. They manufacture three hundred tons annually.
John G. Clapp's foundry and machine shop is located at the corner of Pleasant and Holyoke streets. He succeeded his father, William R. Clapp, in the business in the autumn of 1880. In 1848 William purchased a small foundry on the present location, of a Mr. Brown. A few years subsequent
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the old foundry was destroyed by fire, and Mr. Clapp then built the one now in use, and about twenty years later put up the building now used as a ma- chine shop.
Stephen Rust's saw and planing-mill, at Loudville, was built by Zenas Kingsley about forty years ago, and was purchased by Mr. Rust in 1866. He does all kinds of sawing, planing and box-making, employing about three men.
Caleb Loud's paper mill, at Loudville, was built by him in 1879-80, upon the site of one burned in 1878, which was built about forty years pre- vious. He employs seven hands and turns out about 1,000 pounds of paper per day, mostly colored tissue paper.
John Watson's paper-mill, at Loudville, was built by him in 1867, upon the site of the old Fish mill, built by Fish & Lyman about forty years previous, and which was carried off by a freshet in 1867. Mr. Watson now employs eleven hands, and turns out about three tons of tissue paper per week.
The Easthampton Paper Co.'s mill, at Loudville, was built by John Wat- son, about 1865. This mill, a wood structure, was burned about 1874, and a brick building was immediately erected upon its site, which was in turn de- stroyed by fire in 1879, when the present brick structure was erected. Mr. Watson took Albert Chamberlain in partnership with him in 1867, and they sold the mill to the Easthampton Paper Co., in 1883. They failed, and the property went into the hands of a receiver in 1884, and the mill has been idle since.
E. N. Foote & Co. have the only manufactory for fancy metal buttons in the county. It is located on Masonic street. The works were established in 1860. They employ seventy-five hands and turn out seventy-five thousand dollars worth of buttons annually.
Clarence E. Brown, at 41 Center street, has a large establishment for silver and nickel plating. The business was started September 20, 1881, in a little room in the building now occupied by the Crystal Emery Wheel Company. Subsequently he removed to his present location, built a shop and put in a five horse-power engine. His work comes largely from abroad. Two men are constantly employed.
Luther J. Warner, at the terminus of Elm street, has a factory for the manufacture of silk.
Rodolphus Smith manufactures brooms and brushes at 22 Washington avenue. He has carried on the business in this town and city for thirty-one years. In October, 1878, he set up in his present location, doing most of the work himself.
The Manufacture of Nitrate of Iron is carried on under the firm name of A. King & Co., at Florence, Luther H. Bosworth, manager. It was estab- lished in 1876, by Albert King, and carried on by him until his death, in January, 1886. The product is used principally in coloring silk.
W. C. Goodwin, at 48 North Maple street, Florence, manufactures all 25*
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kinds of wood packing-boxes. The business was established by him in 1877- He employs steam power, and on an average five hands.
William Pollard has an establishment for the manufacture of soft soap, off South street, Florence, and deals in ashes, bones, etc. He commenced business September, 1885.
A. L. Williston manufactures Payson's Indellible Ink. The business was established in 1834, by the father of the present proprietor, J. Payson Wil- liston.
W. W. Boynton has a bottling establishment on River street, where he manufactures soda water of different flavors, and also charges syphons and fountains.
Milo L. Smith, at Smith's Ferry, has a manufactory for vinegar. The bus- iness was first started by Charles H. Smith, forty years ago, who carried it on for a number of years, when Milo J. Smith, his brother, went into company with him, which partnership continued fifteen years, and as Milo J. Smith & Son until the death of Milo J., in 1884. At present Milo L. carries on the business alone, and Charles H. has also a manufactory by himself. Milo L. produces from 500 to 800 barrels annually of pure cider vinegar. Of the former's business Lyman H. Briggs is manager and half owner. They make about 1,000 barrels of vinegar per year.
Day Brothers, in 1875, established the manufacture of brick on South street. They employ in the business an average of twenty-five hands through the brick-making season, turning out 2,500,000 bricks. They have also on South street a steam saw-mill, started in 1883. It gives employment to four men, and furnishes a large quantity of wood for their brick yard, and pro- duces a half-million feet of lumber annually.
C. WV. Kinney, on King street, has granite and marble works. It was es- tablished by A. Rankin at an early date, and has been carried on by C. W. Kinney and his father since 1845. He employs four hands and turns out ten thousand dollars worth of work annually.
E. P. Root carries on a manufacturing business in carriages, wagons and sleighs, on Fruit street, Florence.
Edson P. Clark has works on Strong avenue for the manufacture of Clark's indelible pencil, lead pencils and penholders. The business was established by him in 1859, and been continuously carried on since that date. He uses a ten horse-power steam engine, which furnishes the working power. In con- nection with the above named business he also does job printing.
R. B. Davis & Son carry on the manufacture of carriages on South street. The business was established on the same location of Luther Davis, in 1809. After his death, in 1861, Richard B. and George Davis, his sons, formed a co-partnership and continued until the death of George, May, 1884, when the present firm was formed. They manufacture carriages, wagons, sleighs and anything in that line, employing seven men.
Richard P. Smith started a grist-mill on Clark's avenue in February, 1885,
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Elijah H. Bartlett having carried on the business at the same location one year previous to that time. Water from Mill river furnishes the power. He uses three runs of stones, doing custom and sale grinding. He employs three men.
Porter Nutting has a brick yard on Elm street. He established the busi- ness forty years ago, and has continued it at the same place since. He gives employment to twelve or fifteen men. His annual product is one million bricks.
Martin & Hill established the manufacture of Martin & Hill cash carriers at Florence, in 1882. Joseph C. Martin is the inventor of the carrier. They have a large building near the N. H. & N. R. R. station, and employ twenty-five men. Their system of cash carrying is adapted to the use of the largest establishments.
Amos Sawyer began the manufacture of soap at the location of his present factory on Locust street, in 1853. He employs ten men.
Mrs. Susan P. Temple, at 13 Market street, manufactures all kinds of hu- man hair goods, artificial flowers, hair wreaths, watch chains, etc. The busi- ness was established in February, 1885.
H. B. Bartlett's steam saw-mill, on road 28, was built by him in 1885, to take the place of one destroyed by fire in September of that year, and which was built by him in 1880. Mr. Bartlett employs two men and turns out about 25,000 feet of lumber per week, doing custom work.
C. H. Brewster, florist and seedsman, located on South street, began busi- ness at this location in 1881, removing from Pleasant street, where he had been in business about ten years. He has on South street two acres. He has about 8,000 feet of green-house under glass. He makes a specialty of plants, shrubs and cut-flowers. Employs four hands.
A. M. Ewing's steam laundry, on road 41, was established by him in 1879, though the business had been conducted in a smaller way by him and his father for the past thirty years. He has lately added new machinery, which enables him to do all classes of work, including carpets, spreads, blankets, comfortables, etc. His machinery has the capacity for turning out 500 pieces per day.
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.
The State Lunatic Hospital .- In 1854 the movement was begun which re- sulted in the establishment of this important charity. This initiatory step was the appointment, under the authority of a resolve of the legislature, of a committee to inquire into the number and the condition of insane persons in the state. This committee, which consisted of ex-Gov. Levi Lincoln, Dr. Edward Jarvis and the Hon. Increase Sumner, completed their labors and recommended that a hospital be established in the western part of the com- monwealth. Their suggestion was favorably entertained by the legislature, and Northampton was decided upon as the location for the institution.
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Land was purchased in a beautiful part of the suburbs of what was then the village, and in March, 1856, the erection of the main building was begun. On the following 4th of July the corner stone was laid, the ceremony being conducted by the Masonic Fraternity, and on July 1, 1858, the institution was opened for patients. It stands upon a commanding elevation at the distance, in a straight line, of about a mile, nearly due west of the station of the Connecticut River Railroad. The building (see frontispiece) is of brick, the central block being four stories in height, above the basement, with sec- tional wings on the two sides, three stories high above the basement. This block extends, in the rear, to a depth originally of 190 feet, but now, by ad- ditions, about 270 feet ; and the fartherest section of each wing has a corres- ponding rear extension of 85 feet The front line of the building is 512 feet in length, and the area of all the floors is about four acres. The central block is surmounted by an observatory, which affords one of the finest landscape views in the Connecticut valley. There is a smaller cupola upon the central section of each wing.
The original cost of farm, buildings and furniture was $343,000.00. Since the erection of the hospital, however, various improvements and additions have been made. A large proportion of the floors have been relaid, a laun- dry has been added to the main building, and store-houses. carpenter-shop, etc., erected. In the four years next following its opening, the state appro- priated for lands and outbuildings, $15,550.00. Since 1867 the institution has not only been self-supporting, but has purchased land and dwellings, erected buildings, and made other extensive improvements, at a pecuniary cost stated further on.
The hospital was opened by William H. Prince, M. D., as superintendent, who remained until 1864, when Dr. Pliny Earle was appointed to the position, and held it until October 1, 1885. He was succeeded by the present incum- bent, Dr. Edward Beecher Nims. Dr. Earle was thus at the head of the insti- tution a period of twenty-one years, and largely to his great executive power, and his ability as a financier does the hospital owe its exceptional financial success. In illustration of this, we quote the following paragraphs from the institution's report for the official year 1884-85 :---
" In april, 1865, the hospital was free from debt, and the financial state- ment at the close of that month showed a balance of $302.04 in its favor. Between that time and the first of June, 1867, it received a direct bond from the state of $5,000 00 in two appropriations, for specific purposes,-one of $2,000.00 and the other of $3.000.00.
" As an offset to the $5,000.00 bonds, the hospital has purchased and paid for several lots of land, amounting to nearly one hundred and seventy-five acres, together with four dwelling houses. The total cast of this real estate was $30,883.92. The state, then, has, in this way alone, been overpaid for its bonds, in the sum of $25,883.92.
" The amount paid by the hospital for repairs and improvements in the course of the twenty years, from September 30, 1865, is $233,702.44.
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"The surplus of cash assets now on hand, including the reserve fund, is $31,819.27, or $31,517.23 larger than it was on the 30th of April, 1865.
" The purchased provisions and supplies, including fuel and stored clothing now on hand, are estimated to have cost $14,762.87. The estimated value of similar supplies on the 30th of April, 1865, was $2,500.00. The increase of assets under this head is, therefore, $12,262.87.
" The value of household furniture in the hospital is, at a low estimate, at least $10,000.00 greater than it was on the 30th of April, 1865, at the same rate or standard of appraisal. To be certain, however, of no exaggeration, let it be called $8,000.00. Collecting these several sums, the account of debit of the commonwealth to the hospital appears to be as follows :
Excess of cost of land over direct bonus $ 25,883.92
Repairs and improvements . 233,702.44
Excess of present cash asset. 31,517.23
Increase of provisions and supplies 12,262.87
Increase of furniture. 8,000.00
Total. $311,366.46
" The necessary current repairs of the buildings may be estimated at $3,000.00 annually. Deducting this sum for each of the twenty years since September 30, 1865, a total of $60,000.00, there is a remainder of $251,366 .- 46. To this amount, then, has the hospital assisted itself to things, for most of which it is generally expected that such institutions will rely upon direct appropriations from the treasury of the commonwealth.
" In the preparation of this summary, we have taken into account only the actual disbursements of money by the hospital, in contributing to its own im- provements. But aside from this, a large amount of work, in effecting those improvements, was performed by the teams of horses and cattle belonging to the institution, and by the regular corps of its employees. Agreeably to all correct business principles, as well as to the custom at some similar institu- tions, the hospital should be credited with the amount of the value of this labor. But no credit has ever been given for it. Many thousands of dollars might, in this direction, be justly added to the sum above mentioned, as the products of the efforts of the hospital in the promotion of its own material progress.
" In connection with the above exposition, it may be interesting to know to what extent the tax-payers of the state have contributed to the institution. From a list, furnished by the state treasurer, of all the appropriations made either for the construction, the repairs, or the improvements of the hospital, I find that, from the time of the passage of the act authorizing its erection, down to the present day, it has cost the people of the commonwealth only three hundred and seventy-five thousand five hundred and fifty dollars."
The hospital-farm has been increased by the various purchases mentioned to about 365 acres, and is now sufficiently large for the necessities of the in- stitution. The site is admirably adapted to the purpose to which it is devoted, and a large proportion of the soil is available for tillage and pasturage. Some- what more than 300 acres of the land is in one tract, nearly a mile in length from east to west, and varying from a quarter to half a mile in width from north to south. It is bounded on the north, for a distance of a little more than a mile and one-fifth, by Mill river; and on the south, through its whole length (a distance, including curves, of 6,084 feet, or a fraction over a mile
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and forty-eight rods), by a public highway. Thus its situation is such that, although in the immediate vicinity of a pretty large town, it can be subjected to that seclusion and isolation which are important to the treatment of the insane, with but comparatively little inconvenience to the surrounding inhab- itants. Its position, and the irregularities of its surface, combine to invest it with the possibility of becoming one of the most beautiful of estates. Nature has done her share of the work ; and it now awaits the full share of art, a por- tion of which it is from year to year receiving.
The present trustees and resident officers are as follows : Lyman D. James, of Williamsburg, How. Christopher C. Merritt, of Springfield, Silas M. Smith, Esq, and Mrs. Sarah M. Butler, of Northampton, Mrs. Sarah A. Woodworth, of Chicopee, and Adams C. Deane, M. D., of Greenfield, trustees ; Edward B. Nims, A. M., M. D., superintendent and treasurer ; Daniel Pickard, M. D., first assistant physician ; David G. Hall, M. D., second assistant physician ; Emily F. Wells, M. D., third assistant physician ; Walter B. Welton, clerk ; John Mercier, farmer ; Danford Morse, engineer.
The Smith Female College was founded and endowed by Miss Sophia Smith, of Hatfield, who died in 1870, bequeathing for that purpose an estate valued at $386,000 00, to which, by the terms of the will, the town added $25,000.00. The property is now valued at more than $500,000.00. The college was dedicated July 14, 1875. It stands on the site of the Judge Lyman home- stead, on Elm street, facing Main. An art gallery has recently been added, and Winthrop Hillyer, of this city, donated the handsome sum of $30,000.00 for the erection of an art building, which stands on the college grounds. Mr. Hillyer also left a bequest of $50,000.00 for a permanent endowment.
Northampton Free Public Library was established in 1860. The whole number of volumes is 17,161. The lot on which the building is located was purchased in 1868, and in 1872-73 the building was erected, at a total cost of $77,249.00. The library was opened to the public March 30, 1874. Chair- man, W. P. Strickland ; secretary, J. R. Trumbull; librarian, main library, Miss Caroline Laidley. Library hours every week day, except holidays, from 9 o'clock A. M., to 8 P. M. Librarian, Florence branch, Miss Mary Fuller.
Clarke Institution for Deaf Mutes is located on Round hill. It was founded by John Clarke, who donated $50,000.00 for its establishment during his life time, and bequeathed $223,500 00 additional in his will, making an en- dowment of $273,500.00. The school was established in 1867, the Round Hill property purchased in 1870, and new buildings erected, and the old ones enlarged. Additional buildings have since been erected.
Florence Kindergarten, founded by Samuel L. Hill, who left by will, an en- dowment of property sufficient to make it free for ever. Incorporated in 1884. President, A. T. Lilly, and secretary, H. B. Haven.
Smith Charities was founded by Oliver Smith, of Hatfield, who died De- cember 22, 1845, leaving an estate valued at $370,000.00. In his will he directed that a board of trustees should be constituted in the following man-
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ner: The towns of Northampton, Hadley, Hatfield, Amherst and Williams- burg, in Hampshire county, and Deerfield, Greenfield and Whately, in Frank- lin county, shall choose at each annual meeting a person who shall be called an elector. The electors were to choose three persons who should consti- tute a board of trustees, who were to have control and management of all the funds. He then set apart the sum of $200,000.00, which was to be managed by the trustees as an accumulating fund, till it should amount to the sum of $400,000.00. This accumulated fund was then to be divided into three dis- tinct funds : One, of $30,000.00, to found the " Smith Agricultural School," at Northampton ; second, $10,000.00, the income to be paid to the American Colonization Society, under certain restrictions. The society failing to com- ply with the terms of the will, this fund was incorporated with the Agricul- tural fund. The third, of $360,000.00, for indigent boys, indigent female children, indigent young women and indigent widows. The remaining portion of his property was constituted a contingent fund to defray expenses and keep the principal funds entire.
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