USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Shelburne > History and tradition of Shelburne, Massachusetts > Part 4
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43
With the exception of a very few years, this herd has been exhibited annually at fairs for close to 100 years. The first showings at Charlemont and Green- field were followed by showings at the Eastern States Exposition, the International at Chicago and the Kansas City Royal. Many Championships have been won, including a Junior Champion at the International. Cattle from the farm have been exported to Puerto Rico and South America, as well as shipment being made to many of our own States.
The Shelburne Farmers' Club was organized on December 8, 1884. The following is the preamble to the Constitution and By-Laws:
"This Society shall be called the Shelburne Farm- ers' Club, the design shall be the promotion of Agri- cultural interests, and Social and Moral improvement."
The following were elected as the first officers: George E. Taylor, President; Luther W. Truesdell, Vice-President ; James Taylor, Treasurer ; and Charles S. Dole, Secretary. The subjects discussed at the meet- ings held during the first winter months were: Care and Management of Farm Stock; Use of Fertilizers and Their Application; Best Methods of Making and Marketing Butter; How Can Farmers Lighten the Burden of Their Wives and Daughters; Is It Expedi- ent to Adopt Silos; Farmers and Their Savings. From the records, these subjects were discussed quite freely by the members, at meetings held every other week. These meetings were held regularly for a number of years.
SHELBURNE INDUSTRIES
IN THE early days many small power plants were established on the small streams in the outlying dis- tricts to operate saw, grist, carding mills, etc.
Jonathan Wood erected the first mill at the Falls and probably the first bridge, for he constructed a bridge above his mill for foot passengers.
All the manufacturing plants were on the East end of Deerfield Street, or "under the hill," as locally called.
In the late Thirties, T. Marshall & Co. were manu- facturers of Pocket Books & Wallets. The father,
Rev. Thomas Marshall, was the "& Co." He was a retired Baptist minister and the manufacturer, while his son T. M. Marshall was a singing master and teacher of church music.
While nearly all industrial activity took place near the Falls, there was one notable exception. In 1870 E. Wells & Co. controlled a water power and erected a brick mill on the east side of North River and just a few rods south of the Colrain-Shelburne Town Line for the manufacture of printing paper. This Company was dissolved in 1873, and the factory remained idle
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The father, Silas, who was for many years quite eccentric, acquired the reputation of making the best snaths in the country, sometimes called the "Jew Snath." He invented the cast-iron mould upon which the snaths were bent into the proper shape and made other improvements which added to his reputation and business success. All six sons were inducted into the business of the father. Nathaniel. the senior mem- ber of the Shelburne firm, was the oldest and he with
for four years, until in 1877 S. T. Field. W. H. Gould and T. D. Purrington engaged in the manu- facture of cotton prints. The capital stock of the Franklin Mills Corporation was $30.000. Sixty-four looms were operated, and 40 people employed until the plant was destroyed by fire November 30. 1888. The Lamson family. Silas, his wife Susan (Good- now) Lamson and six sons, originated in Sterling. Worcester County, Massachusetts.
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Silas, next of age, first started the manufacture of scythe-snaths somewhere about the year 1839.
The chief object at this point was an abundance of good white ash timber which had become quite scarce in the more thickly settled portions of the state.
The enterprising brothers started business with quite limited means, but by persevering energy gradually became masters of the situation until both fame and fortune smiled upon them.
Silas, the junior member of the firm, died, just as they were emerging from their pecuniary embarrass- ments which left Nathaniel alone. Being unable to carry the burden himself, he invited Dea. Cyrus Alden, a wealthy and intelligent farmer from Ashfield to become his partner. Dea. Alden was widely known as a shrewd businessman and he accepted the proffer and remained a member of the firm until his death.
After the establishment of the Lamson brothers at Shelburne, the father and E. G. Lamson left Worces- ter County and established themselves in the same business in Cummington, Berkshire County where they remained for several years.
In the meantime the business at Shelburne had grown so large that the firm felt the need of another man to aid in its prosecution. Accordingly they made a proposition to E. G. to close up his business at Cummington and unite his interests with them. The invitation was accepted, and about the year 1843 E. G. Lamson became a member of the Shelburne firm.
About this time the mowing machine was invented and the Lamsons were wise enough to see ere long it would completely supplement their snaths and ruin their business. Accordingly they looked over the field of manufactured articles and concluded to commence the manufacture of cutlery. They began on a small scale, confining themselves to butcher and carving knives. The outlay in starting this new business was quite heavy, adding to the fact they had to go into the market and compete with all the older and well- established manufacturers. The undertaking in less energetic and far-seeing hands would doubtless have proved a failure. They, however, called to their aid practical and experienced men, aiming to turn out first-class work, and thus have built up a creditable reputation and trade. How far they have succeeded, their extensive works and trade furnishes the answer.
A. F. Goodnow, William T. Clement, J. B. Good- now and J. W. Gardner and perhaps others have been interested in the firm.
In 1851 Lamson & Goodnow Co. moved to the Buckland side of the village of Shelburne Falls and by 1852 employed 200 people.
The disastrous flood of 1869 must have dealt a serious blow to the company, for a new dam was necessary, and both Lamson & Goodnow and the H. H. Mayhew Co. must have joined forces in its construction as a certain amount of electrical energy was guaranteed both concerns when the power rights were transferred to the New England Electric Sys- tem in 1910.
The Lamsons were greatly influential and beneficial in the growth and development of the Shelburne por- tion of the village. Many of its families have derived their income from L & G and many still do in 1958.
It is interesting to note that in 1840 Shelburne Assessors list Lamson & Co. --- 1 house, 1 barn, 2 shops and 10 horses. Evidently the company did some of their own teaming for no railroad had reached this vicinity at that early date.
H. S. SHEPARDSON & CO.
Streeter, Shepardson and Schuyler McKnight, who had all been making small tools, united as the H. S. Shepardson & Co., and in 1871 were manufacturing "Shepardson's Patent Mortice and Rim Night Latches, Store Door, Chest, Desk, Drawer & Cupboard Locks; Shepardson's Patent Bit Braces, Streeter's Patent Grip, Stationary Catch, Ball & Screw Bit Braces; the original Patent Double Cut Bits - Gimlets, Family Tool Chests, etc." At Mr. Shepardson's death the business was sold to the H. H. Mayhew Co., who had been manufacturing small tools since 1866.
This concern has continued in operation since that time, surviving all depressions, three floods, and sev- eral fires. The most destructive fire on Aug. 25, 1948 consumed all wooden buildings, only one metal build- ing of the Quonset type remaining.
A fresh start was made in the old Sawmill building. After several months the office, forging and shipping departments were moved to the Pratt Drop Forge plant in Buckland and now the firm operates as the Mayhew Steel Products, Inc.
Old records list as located on Deerfield Street : - Kellet Woolen Mill, Woodworking shop of Adolphus Pratt, Josiah Pratt Axe Works, Apollos Bardwell's Tannery, Simond's Rake and Cradle Works, Morse Scythe Works, Lamson & Goodnow Cutlery Co.
Josiah Pratt moved his axe works from Charlemont in 1843 and did a thriving business until 1865.
After many years' employment by Richard Pratt a machinist, Lucius S. Fife (a resident of Buckland), and E. E. Colman formed a partnership for the pur- pose of manufacturing Turbine Water Wheels.
After a short period Fife purchased his partner's interest and conducted the enterprise alone for seven years, closing during 1883.
The German Harmonica Company, composed of Jacob Oeffinger and H. M. Willis, was organized in Shelburne by Jacob Oeffinger in December 1877.
Mr. Oeffinger began the manufacture of small tools, etc. in 1874 and in 1876 removed to North Adams, Mass. where with E. B. Tinker he organized the American Harmonica Co. for the manufacture of harmonicas. This company was dissolved in 1877 in which year Mr. Oeffinger formed a local company, said to be the only one of its kind in America and the only one in the world that manufactured harmonicas by other than hand power. The daily production was from two to three gross of instruments and the num- ber of employees ten.
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Linus Yale, the inventor of the yale lock, with Major Winn manufactured locks on Deerfield Street before moving to Stamford, Conn. (See Linus Yale, Sr. under Part 1X.)
THE BLACKSMITHS
As early as 1838 George Chapman operated a blacksmith shop on River Street. The shop was located well back from the street, leaving ample space for the storage of vehicles while the animals were being shod. At the south end of the shop was the compartment containing the "sling" for shoeing of oxen. Connect- ing on the north was a two-story building comprising the carriage and sleigh shop on the ground floor and the paint shop on the second.
One corner of the paint shop was tightly partitioned to exclude all dust from the varnish room, there being no such a thing as four-hour varnish in those days, for it took several days to accomplish a hard varnish finish and then it was recommended a vehicle be thoroughly washed in cold water before going into service.
Some of the early carriage and sleigh makers were D. P. Foster, Henry B. Cooley, W. H. Foster, and C. F. Smith.
In 1871 the shop was owned by Sylvanus Poland, but soon after this date was acquired by George Innis, a resident on the Buckland side of the river, who at times employed as many as three blacksmiths. C. F. Smith was his carriage maker. However, in the late '80's and early '90's factory-built carriages and sleighs began to appear in town, sold by local agents, and the custom work began to decline, and on the arrival of the automobile disappeared entirely.
Mr. Innis continued the business until his health failed in 1893, when it was purchased by Michael Gerry of Charlemont.
Very little is known of the early carriage painters. J. H. Judd, Jr. was an early painter, and Olney R. Crosier was a later one.
After Mr. Gerry's death the property was sold to Geo. G. Merrill, who removed the buildings, erected the heavy retaining wall on the river bank, and built the brick building, now the home of the VFW.
BUILDERS AND LUMBER DEALERS
Some of the builders and lumber dealers of earlier days were: S. S. Wright, George D. Crittenden, Enoch Bowen, Joseph Smith, Charles O. Patton, Joshua Davis, N. O. Newhall, J. H. Warner, George Eldridge, Charles Loomis, R. Streeter, E. C. Com- stock. Lyons & Workman operated a cabinet shop in 1855. David W. Long was a lumber dealer and Herman King another cabinet maker.
HOUSE PAINTERS
Some of the house painters were: Frank Taylor. 1870; John Farley, '80's; O. L. Crosier, '90's; H. A. Thorndike, '90's; Carroll Burnap, 1900's.
GOODELL BROTHERS
The Goodell brothers were natives of Whitingham, Vermont, educated in the public and select schools, and during their boyhood worked on their father's farm.
Albert D. learned the trade of carpenter and fol- lowed the same for five years.
In 1870 he went to Millers Falls and was employed by the Millers Falls Company as inspector, superin- tendent and master mechanic of their factory. He invented many useful and valuable tools used in their manufacture.
In 1888 he came to Shelburne and with his brother, Henry E., formed a company known as Goodell Broth- ers, Manufacturers of Mechanics' Tools.
This connection continued for a period of four years, when Albert D. sold his interest to his brother, who continued the business for a few months and then removed the business to Greenfield, taking part- nership with his brother Dexter in forming the Goodell-Pratt Co.
In 1892 Albert D. Goodell moved to Worcester, Mass., accompanied by his family, and there established the Goodell Tool Company in partnership with his son, Frederick A. Goodell.
In 1893 they returned their business to Shelburne, renting space and power of the H. H. Mayhew Company, remaining until 1904, when they purchased the Peg Shop of J. R. Foster, located on the Buck- land side of the river. They were manufacturers of mechanics' tools and their business was exceedingly prosperous.
In 1918 the Goodell Tool Co. was taken over by the Goodell-Pratt Co. and moved into the new fac- tory constructed by this company.
Upon this change Frederick A. Goodell established a small factory in what is now the Veterans of For- eign Wars home on Water Street and manufactured a line of small tools until his death in 1929.
JOSEPH W. GARDNER
After being associated with the Lamsons for twenty- five or more years Joseph W. Gardner in 1876 began the manufacture of Pocket Cutlery or Jack Knives in the old wooden buildings on Deerfield Street or "under the hill."
In 1878 he built the three-story frame building at the corner of Bridge and Mechanic Streets, employing seventy persons and made as many as one hundred dozen pocket knives daily.
However, in 1883 the Probate Court Records show bankruptcy proceedings and evidently operations ceased previous to that time, for in 1882 or 1883 the B. F. Rogers Silver Plate Co. of Boston began the manu- facture of silver-plated hollow ware in this building but operated only a few years.
This old building housed several industries previ- ous to the destructive fire on Dec. 21, 1924 including the printing plant of the Shelburne Falls Messenger, the development of a movie projector which proved
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a failure here, Ducharme & Son until moved to Buck- land, the Ashoyton Knitting Mill and Mayhew Reamer Shop. The latter two as occupants at the time of the fire.
SILK MILL
E. Wellington Wood and Rawson Streeter estab- lished the silk mill, later known as Mayhew and Streeter, in the manufacture of silk twist, producing about seven hundred pounds daily and when running to full capacity employed fifty people. (Some amusing incidents arise in studying the town's "ancient history." It seems Mr. Mayhew was a bit "short tempered" and if problems arose at the silk mill he would leave abruptly stating further talks must be at the factory "under the hill." After two or three days, or a week, something would go wrong at this plant and he would stomp out with orders he could be found at the silk mill.) In 1881 George H. Wilkins was engaged as overseer of the mill of Mayhew & Streeter, later known as Mayhew Silk Company with Mr. Wilkins as superintendent.
In 1891 in company with Francis Mayhew he rented the building and machinery. Here under the name of Mayhew & Wilkins they carried on a thriv- ing business.
In 1902 Messrs. Dennis Farley and Fred Eddy established the Orange Knitting Co. in a portion of the old silk mill and manufactured a line of knitted gloves, mittens and knitted ties until 1913.
After the closing of this company H. R. Ashworth operated the Ashoyton Knitting Co. in the west wing of the "Jacknife Shop" and manufactured a line of stockings, gloves and ties until the disastrous fire of Dec. 21, 1924. The name Ashoyton was compounded from shareholders Herbert R. Ashworth, Harold Hoyt, and Herbert Upton.
THE BOX SHOP
In the late Seventies Elbridge Adams was manu- facturing paper boxes on Mechanic Street and in 1880 or 1881 sold to Henry A. Bowen who continued at this location for four or five years, then the plant moved to space in one of Lamson and Goodnow's buildings in Buckland. After Mr. Bowen's death the business was under the management of his grandson Howard Amsden until 1938.
LAUNDRY
Soon after the Mechanic Street box shop property was vacated, Charles W. Ward established Shelburne Falls' first laundry.
The business was sold to Charles Pierce in 1898. A fire destroyed the building in 1901. Mr. Pierce continued the business during the winter by sending work to North Adams laundries; during which time he bought the barn of Simon Schmidt which stood on the east side of Deerfield Avenue on land owned by
Lamson and Goodnow. He also bought the land and converted the barn into a laundry which he equipped and operated for thirty-two years. Herman Bardwell bought the business and carried it on for about a year, then Frank Shattuck took it over for another year or so. Mr. Pierce bought it back and established a dry-cleaning business in connection with it around 1911.
In 1930 Mr. Pierce sold to Elmer Hallett who had been in his employ for five years. Mr. Hallett con- ducted the business for about twenty years; selling out to a Mr. Preble who had it two years. Then Hallett had it again for about two years; selling it in April 1950 to Mr. Philip Babcock, who set up an- other dry-cleaning place in September of that year. On June 1st, 1953 there was another disastrous fire. Mr. Babcock transported his work and about one third of his helpers daily to Northampton where the Belding Laundry helped him out until his new build- ing was ready in October of the same year. The business is now in full operation employing twenty-six persons, some of whom have been with the laundry for more than a quarter century.
THE MARBLE SHOP
Russell & Richie were marble and granite dealers in the '80's.
David Temple, who had been a marble salesman in Rutland, Vt., bought the works in 1888 and went into business with his brother John. They became the largest dealers in this part of New England, hav- ing branches in Rutland, Greenfield and Pittsfield. They averaged to set over 2000 pieces every year and employed about 95 men.
Later, F. L. Chapman and H. D. Vincent became part owners of the business.
In 1900 the business was conducted by Clifton Gleason and in 1927 was sold to A. W. Davenport.
About 1930 Walter Barnes became owner, and after a few years the business was taken over by Negus, Taylor & Knapp and was moved to Greenfield. It is now operated by Negus & Taylor.
INSURANCE AGENCIES IN SHELBURNE
Gustavus Hoyt and Henry Puffer worked with insurance in the 1880's. They were followed by C. W. Hawkes and Henry Ware and later the business was taken over by H. G. Hoyt who had been associated with them.
In 1928 Halligan and Warner opened up an insur- ance agency. Stanley Cummings was an agent in town from 1930 to 1940. Ralph Blackmer commenced sell- ing General Insurance in 1934 and Phillip Miller started in 1936.
Carleton Davenport has been dealing in Real Estate since 1906. His business was incorporated in 1948.
Herbert Ashworth opened a photography shop in 1932.
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DEFUNCT INDUSTRIES
THE following defunct industries came to light during the research for material for "Old Frame Houses of Rural Shelburne." The list is far from complete. The total or exact years of operation of each one are unknown; however, when only one year is known, it has been stated.
During the first years of Shelburne every man had a trade. Today it is impossible to name all of the trades of the early settlers.
We know there were cobblers, brick and stone masons, carpenters, weavers, tailors, cordwainers, blacksmiths, coopers, and traders. John Partridge Bull was a gunsmith. Moses Allen was a saddle maker. We have read of "the potash works" in The Centre on "Old Hill."
At one time there were eight distilleries outside of "the Falls." In 1848 Isaac Dole was taxed $100 for one distillery. Israel Childs' distillery was on the present Roberts School property.
Hugh Wilson had a charcoal pit in East Shelburne and Josiah Dole, Senior, had a "coalpit" on the present Kingsbury farm.
There are convincing signs of at least seven old brickyards in rural Shelburne. Parker Dole, mason, had a brickyard near the Deerfield River on the pres- ent Kingsbury farm. Josiah Dole, Junior, was a mason and his brickyard was northeast of the present Davenport home at the north of Cooper's Lane.
There were a number of tanneries. Charles Childs, living atop of Fellows Hill, sold his tannery in 1822 to Samuel Wilder. Joel Rugg operated a tannery, perhaps The Tannery later owned by Elihu and Solomon Smead. Jonas Rice had a "tan-house."
For many years there were several mills on the brooks of Shelburne. Owners of those mills insofar as known are listed below :
SAWMILLS
Lieut. Jacob Pool, 1773. Near Charlemont Road Willis Fellows in 1805. Sold to Russell Randall his mill on the eastern branch of Dragon Brook Thomas Fellows, 1795
James Anderson in 1795. Deeded to Benjamin Hib- bard "one-half of a saw-mill standing on Dragon Brook"
James Wilson in 1799. Built a dam and erected a sawmill on Hinsdale Brook on the site of a mill operated in later years by George Fiske
Capt. John Fellows, 1805-1820 Thomas Wilson, 1806-1816
Hugh Wilson. Northeast David Anderson, 1829
Benjamin Randall in 1816. Sold to "Rodolphus Dick- inson of Greenfield a saw mill in south half of Shelburne"
Thaddeus Merrill
James Dickinson, 1805-1809. Later Winslow Clark Olin Bardwell
Edmund Kemp, 1832. Sluice Brook Barnabas Crossman, 1799 Osmyn Ottoway Bardwell. North District Reuben Rugg Amos Allen, later Fellows & Peck
Solomon Fiske. Lower Center
GRISTMILLS
William Fellows, 1783 Peter Peck & Son. Dragon Brook
Amos Allen. Allen's Brook
J. F. Sawyer, 1858. "The Falls"
Frost & Bartlett. "The Falls" Myron Newton. North River
Rufus Dinsmore. On Dragon Brook in the Center
(Living memory recalls the Gristmill and repair shop of the last-mentioned.)
FULLING MILLS OR CLOTH FACTORIES Owned in succession by :
Abijah Jones, 1787. South District
James Dickinson, 1790. South District Olin Bardwell. South District
In the Gorge on Hinsdale or Fiske Brook, there was a large Woolen Mill owned by Franklin and James Jones. It burned Feb. 15, 1850.
SHINGLE MILLS
Jabez Ransom
Amos Allen & Son. Allen's Brook
Samuel Bardwell and Osmyn O. Bardwell. North District John Powers, 1824-1829. Southeast
CIDER MILLS
Cider mills were common until 1850.
Eliphalet Stratton. Present Earl Smead farm Luther Ransom
Solomon Bordwell & Samuel Fiske. [The "o" is cor- rect spelling]. Foxtown. They sold to:
J. Alfred & Edwin Andrews
Robert Anderson. Northeast
Cyrus Kemp. Charlemont Road
BLACKSMITH SHOPS
Benjamin Nash Julia Kellogg. Centre on "Old Hill"
John Long
Pool Kellogg
Peter Holloway. Southeast
Zerah Alvord
Elam Kellogg
Josiah Kellogg. Lower Center
In 1864 Samuel Tobey had a steam mill on Sluice Brook. Anson Barnard, carpenter, was taxed for one- half mill.
CHAIR FACTORY
From Gardner, Massachusetts, came two brothers, Lyman and Farewell Conant, to found the Chair Shop
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on Dragon Brook in Shelburne Center. It stood just south of Lyman Conant's house near the bridge and across the road from the present stone library. In 1865 Lucius Alvord and John Franklin purchased the Chair Shop and continued with the business for at least a dozen years. A number of Shelburne families are still using sound chairs made in the Chair Shop.
Though their labors have ceased, Shelburne brooks in freedom still twist their natural courses to the Deer- field River and the Green River.
Shelburne had been settled many years when the Indians' old Pocumtuck River with its great waterfall at the west of the town was harnessed to industry. The village of Shelburne Falls began to grow.
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