USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Brockton > History of Brockton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, 1656-1894 > Part 63
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From 1816 to the present time the boot and shoe business has con- tinued to increase, till, in 1837, we find the amount of boots manufac- tured to be 79,000 pair, beside 22,300 pair of shoes, amounting in all to $184,200, giving employment to 750 males and 375 females. In 1845 the tables of industry show the amount of boots and shoes manufactured in North Bridgewater to be $179,716. Number of pair of shoes, 155,- 476; number of pair of boots, 44,71 I, giving employment to 301 males and 203 females.
By the above tables we see the amount of goods manufactured has decreased during the eight years intervening the dates above ; we also find the number of shoes has increased by more than seven times, while the number of boots is much less. We account for the number of hands employed being so much less, by the introduction of machinery, requiring less help to perform the same amount of work.
In 1855 the amount of goods had greatly increased, and the number of both boots and shoes also increased in number, and a corresponding number of persons employed, which is as follows: Number of boots manufactured, 66,956 pair; number of shoes, 694,740 pair; value of the same, $724,847 ; number of males supplied, 692; number of females, 484.
In 1865 the number of boots manufactured was 103,066 pair ; num-
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ber of shoes, 1,009,700 pair ; number of males employed, 1,059; num- ber of females employed, 208. Total value of goods manufactured, $1,466,900. During the last ten years we find the increase to be $742,- 153 in amount; increase in the number of boots manufactured, 37, 150 pair ; increase of shoes manufactured, 314,960 pair. 1
During 1865 there was a decided increase in the number of manu- facturers, and several steam engines, with the requisite machinery for making shoes, were introduced. Previous to this date Messrs. A. & A. B. Keith introduced a new method of making shoes by new and im- proved machines. This firm was the first in the country to adopt nearly all machinery, such as pegging, sewing, cutting, scouring, etc. They had a large factory at Campello, and another in Raynham, where they manufactured a large amount of goods for the Southern market, having a store in Pearl street, Boston, for the sale of their goods. This firm re- tired from business some years ago. Martin L. Keith had a large es- tablishment for manufacturing goods at Campello, and a store in Pearl street for the sale of his goods. His factory was totally destroyed by fire, and Mr. Keith engaged in other business in Boston, where he died some years since.
Among the manufacturers who early introduced steam engines in the manufacture of boots and shoes was the late Charles R. Ford, who erected a very large building in the north part of the Centre on Main street ; Daniel S. Howard had a large manufactory on Montello street, and formerly used a hot air engine for power, now uses steam power ; F. O. & F. A. Thayer had a large new engine in their manufactory on Centre street ; Samuel Herrod also introduced steam power in his fac- tory at the north end of the city on Main street ; George Stevens had a large and commodious building for manufacturing boots and shoes by steam power on Montello street, Campello. This was in 1865.
The foregoing manufacturers were the first to use steam power. Now they are numbered to over a hundred who have steam engines.
Probably no city in the country has superior advantages or facilities for manufacturing boots and shoes than the city of Brockton ; the facili- ties of transportation to Boston and New York are convenient, and work- men of all kinds are at hand to do any amount of labor that may be re- quired.
1 For statistics of the product of shoe manufacture see page 593.
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In 1835 George W. Bryant manufactured custom boots and shoes, and sold to leather manufacturers.
We intended to embrace the names of all who have ever engaged in the shoe business in Brockton, and in the following notices are some of the prominent firms, not attempting to give them all, as that would be impossible. There may be some names which have not come to the writer's notice.
Churchill & Alden. This firm commenced business under the firm name of Whitman, Churchill & Alden in Campello in 1878. At the expiration of six years Mr. Whitman retired. In 1889 the business had outgrown their accommodations and they purchased the large plant where they are now located. They employ about 300 workmen in making a good article of footwear. They have a salesroom in Boston.
Packard & Field. About the year 1861 Fred Packard was engaged making patent leather boots. In 1865 he commenced manufacturing on a larger scale, his first factory being 20x30, which still forms a portion of their present establishment on Warren avenue. S. Gardner Jones became a partner under the firm of Jones & Packard, and later on John W. Burt was admitted to the firm, under the name of Burt & Packard for many years. In 1886 Mr. Burt retired, and Fred F. Field was admitted to partnership, the firm name being Packard & Field. They take great pride in making the highest grade of goods for the retail trade, and have acquired a national reputation for fine goods. A specialty of this firm is sporting shoes of all kinds, and they are the proprietors of the "Korrect Shape " goods. This firm have salesrooms in Boston, and have recently opened an elegant store on Broadway in New York city, and have also stores in Philadelphia, Washington, D. C., and Montreal, Canada.
W. L. Douglas Shoe Co. The stranger travelling in the cars through Brockton for the first time upon arriving at Montello cannot but be impressed with the feeling that he has at last struck the shoe town. Upon the left, directly opposite the railroad station, is the magnificent establishment of the man, who is as well known to the American public as the American flag, which is often seen floating from the top of these works. No one asks who is Douglas. Everybody knows he is the
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"Three Dollar Shoe Man," and looks so much like the present governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Mr. Douglas was born in Plymouth, August 22, 1845, and has achieved a success such as any one might be proud of. Having been interested in the shoe trade from the day he arrived, to the age of seven years, his course has been onward and upward in his calling, till by push and perseverance he has worked his way from the shoemaker's bench to the proprietorship of one of the most successful shoe houses in the country. Mr. Douglas arrived in Brockton in 1870, then much smaller than now in population as well as in her manufactures. At first he was employed as foreman in the shoe establishment of Porter & Southworth. In 1876 he com- menced business on his own account with a capital of only $875. By industry and frugality, coupled with a shrewd business ability, he has built up a splendid business. His first factory was in the building occupied by Jay B. Reynolds. In 1880 he removed to Spring street, and afterward built a factory on Pleasant street, where he remained ten years. In 1883 he commenced advertising the $3.00 shoe. In 1892 the business had increased beyond the capacity of his factory, when he removed to Montello and erected the present building, 300 feet long, forty feet wide, four stories in height, and having a capacity of 3,600 pairs daily. The W. L. Douglas Shoe Co. was incorporated in 1892 with a capital of $200,000, of which Mr. Douglas is president; J. W. Terhune, vice-president; E. C. Fales, secretary and treasurer ; Herbert L. Tinkham, clerk. The advertising of this concern aggregates $150, - 000 a year, A. Q. Miller having the special management of the same. In advertising thus extensively, Mr. Douglass not only helps himself, but is also a generous benefactor to the city of Brockton. Mr. Douglas was a member of the Common Council of the second Ward in 1882-83, representative to the General Court in 1884, member of the Massachu- setts Senate in 1886, one of the incorporators of and member of the Universalist Society, and also of the Brockton Commercial Club.
The Frank E. White Co. has been one of the successful firms from the start. Mr. White was formerly of the firm of D. S. Howard & Co., began business, purchasing the factory of Darius Howard, to which ex- tensive additions have been made, till at present their floor space contains about 44,000 feet. Their sales amount to about $600,000 per year.
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This firm has on their list of customers some of the best shoe houses in the United States, supplying a medium line of men's and boy's goods. They have a salesroom in Boston.
George G. Snow started in the manufacture of boots and shoes at the corner of Main and Crescent streets, in 1874, in the building previ- ously occupied as the marble works of George W. Bryant. Entering the employ of Daniel S. Howard when sixteen years of age, he re- mained fifteen years, learning all the details of the business. Beginning in a small way with only four rooms Mr. Snow has grown to one of the largest in the city. In 1878 he purchased a building east of his old location, 70x24-to which he has added to till he has accommodations for 500 or more workmen. All the modern lines of machinery are in his factory, and the proprietor is abreast of the times in quality and style of goods, which are sold by his agents in Boston, New York city, Philadelphia, and Rochester, N. Y.
George E. Keith commenced manufacturing boots and shoes in 1874, as a partner with William S. Green, under the firm name of Green & Keith. In 1880 Mr. Keith sold his interest to Mr. Green and erected the large factory on Perkins avenue, near Campello Railroad station. It is one of the largest in Eastern Massachusetts. It has a working capacity for doing one and one-half million business, and has a force of seven hundred hands, which are at work the entire year. Salesrooms on Lincoln street Boston, also in New York city, Philadelphia, Chicago and San Francisco.
Preston B. Keith is one of the largest and most successful shoe manu- facturers in Brockton, and his factory is run nearly all the time through the year. It is well fitted with its own electric plant, automatic sprinklers and automatic fire alarms, steam power, and the most ap- proved and latest machinery for work. Mr. Keith employs about four hundred hands. He commenced business in Campello in 1871, on Main street, and in three years removed to Clifton avenue, enlarging his factory. After a lapse of three more years, in 1877, he erected his present building, opening in July, 1878. Commencing business at an early age Mr. Keith has been successful, and his business increased from $90,000 the first year to nearly one million dollars per year. He has a salesroom in Boston.
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R. B. Grover & Co. This firm is composed of Robbins B. Grover, Charles O. Emerson, formerly of the firm of Emerson, Weeks & Co., and J. Frank Hill, who was connected with Perkins & Joyce, for fifteen years. They manufacture a fine grade of gentlemen's foot- wear, and sell their goods in their own retail stores in the various large cities. They number twenty-five, and their goods under the name of "Emerson Shoe," have a large sale. The senior partner was at one time of the firm of Packard & Grover, successors of M. A. Packard & Co.
M. A. Packard & Co. began business in December, 1877, and con - tinued for seven years, when R. B. Grover was admitted to partnership April 1, 1884. In 1889 the firm was reorganized with Moses A. Pack- ard, Oliver M. Fisher and John S. Kent as partners. Mr. Packard was originator of the plan of fixing a definite price to the retailing of goods by the manufacturers. The well known " $2.99 shoe," has an extensive sale and a good reputation for quality.
Stacy, Adams & Co. was first established in 1875, with William H. Stacy, jr., Henry L. Adams, and S. Gardner Jones, as partners, under the firm name of Stacy, Adams & Co. After three years Mr. Jones retired and Oliver B. Quimby was admitted to the firm, and the style of the firm changed to Stacy, Adams & Co., as at present. Mr. Adams retired in November, 1886, the remaining partners being W. H. Stacy and O. B. Quimby. This firm make a speciality of extra fine goods and do an extensive business.
Lilly, Brackett & Co. The large brick building near to the railroad station in Brockton was the first building of brick for special use as a shoe factory in Brockton. It was erected in 1880, 220 feet long, 38 feet wide and four stories high. The firm at first was composed of Channing Lilly, Williard G. Brackett, A. H. Sonnemann and Ellis F. Copeland. Mr. Copeland retired in 1885, and the three first named conduct the business at the present time with a national reputation for a high grade of gentlemen's footwear, the product being sold to the re- tail trade of the country.
Henry M. Kingman has a large plant for manufacturing boots and shoes, and is one of the successful firms of Brockton. He commenced
MA Packard
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business in Williamsburgh, L. I, from which place he transferred the same to Brockton in 1882. At first located on Spring street he soon had to enlarge, and erected the present large establishment near Court street. He has made several additions till he has now 60,000 feet of floor for his business, with a capacity for manufacturing 3,000 pairs of shoe's daily. His productions are sold to the jobbing trade through their offices in Boston and New York. Chester S. Kingman has charge of New York office and William P. Kingman in Boston.
S. Gardner Jones may justly be styled as the originator and designer of the best class of fine footwear in Brockton. Coming to the old town about forty- five years since he has lived to see a rapid growth in the town till it became a city. It has been admitted that he has done more than any one man for the introduction of fine work and excellent styles of goods. He has been connected with some of the best firms in the city. At one time a partner of Enos H. Reynolds and then with Fred Packard, of the firm of Jones & Packard, and afterwards with Stacy & Adams, under the firm name of Stacy, Adams & Jones, now Stacy, Adams & Co. He afterwards manufactured in his own name, and had one of the best equipped establishments in the city with the neatest of surroundings, his residence having been fitted up in the same taste for which he was noted in his business. Bouve, Crawford & Co. Corporation have pur- chased his establishment.
Daniel Waldo Field. The history of the shoe business would not be complete without a mention of the establishment of Daniel Waldo Field. It is the old story of prosperity from the start, of which there are so many in Brockton. Mr. Field is a graduate of the high school of Brockton, and of a Boston Commercial College. In November, 1876, at the age of twenty, being of an ambitious turn, he entered the employ of Daniel S. Howard, the leader of the shoe manufacturers of Brockton, and became the confidential clerk for Mr. Howard, keeping the books, thus receiving a practical business education, which has been of great service in his own business. After an experience of a little over four years, in January, 1881, Mr. Field began business for himself at twenty- five years of age, with a capital of fifteen hundred dollars, making thirty-six pairs of shoes per day, and has continued to increase in volume till the amount of goods is next to the highest of any in the
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city per year, having reached nearly 45,000 cases. Mr. Field's factory is located at Montello, on or near the place of his birth, and in which he takes great pride. He has a salesmoom in Boston.
Thompson Brothers .- About fifteen years ago George H. and John F. Thompson, brothers, born in the south part of Brockton, witnessing the activity in the boot and shoe business in Campello, became am- bitious to do something of that kind for themselves. Accordingly, after several years of experience in factories of that kind, they em- barked in a small shop, 15x20, and made about a case of shoes daily, but that not satisfying their ideas, the following year they doubled their facilities for business, which has largely increased, and large additions have been made to their buildings at different periods till it is now one of the largest factories in the city, and has a capacity for manufacturing two thousand pairs of shoes daily, and the amount of business has reached to nearly one million dollars yearly. The goods of this firm are sold mostly to jobbers through their own store in Boston.
Enos H. Reynolds. Mr. Reynolds is a well known native of Brock- ton, where he has held public office in the city government and as school committee and auditor, in the old town of North Bridge- water, alderman of Brockton in 1882, and in 1883 84 represented the city in the State Legislature. He has also been a member of the Water Commission of Brockton since 1885. He received his educa- tion in his native town, and at Pierce Academy, Middleboro, and at the age of nineteen began to make shoes by hand, as was then the custom. When twenty-three years of age, and during the trouble- some times of 1857, he began to manufacture boots on the old home. stead, which he has occupied ever since, after erecting a new and making alterations in the old house of his father. When Mr. Reynolds began to manufacture, the boot was universal, and the change to making fine shoes, or adding that to boot manufacturing, was gradual, and was begun to some extent about the early part of the sixties. In 1865 Mr. Reynolds became associated with Henry Parks and S. Gardner Jones, under the firm name of Reynolds, Parks & Co., which continued for about four years, during which term a great advance was made both in style and quality of goods, which he has continued to make up to date. He has a manufacturing capacity in his factory,
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Martin Need
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which he erected in 1875, for furnishing two hundred and fifty pairs daily, giving employment to about seventy-five hands, the product being nearly all fine, reliable goods. A bicycle shoe of medium price has been a specialty with this establishment.
Emerson, Weeks & Co. This firm organized in 1880 with Charles O. Emerson and Delmont L. Weeks, as partners. January 1, 1887, Harry W. Weeks became a member of the firm. In August, 1889, Mr. Emer- son retired to become a member of the new firm of R. B. Grover & Co., and the firm is now composed of Messrs. D. L. & H. W. Weeks under the same name and firm of Emerson, Weeks & Co. Mr. Edward L. Emerson, a brother of Charles O., has been the superintendent since 1887, and attends also to the sale of the goods at the Boston office. The products of this firm are men's, boys' and youths' medium priced shoes of all kinds, as wanted. They began business in Franklin street and afterward erected their new building on Emerson avenue in 1883, at Montello. It has the reputation of being one of the best arranged and most complete in all of its appointments, and has a capacity for manufacturing 1, 500 pairs a day. Their sales are principally in Boston, New York and Baltimore. Since the above was written this firm have given up business.
Perkins & Joyce began business in a very small way at East Side, or what is called Salisbury Square, in 1878, making men's machine sewed shoes. At the end of one year the firm removed to an adjacent build- ing, where they have a largely increased output, as well as an improve- ment in the quality of goods. Again, in about one year more they took one-half of a four-story building near by. In 1882 Martin Wild, having vacated his half of the same building, Perkins & Joyce took the entire building. From this building they removed to the factory of Martin Wild on Centre street, which he had vacated in 1889, which they purchased, where they now are engaged in making anything from medium to a fine grade of men's boys' and youths' shoes. Up to about 1890, Messrs. Stillman S. Perkins and Everett E. Joyce, were the firm. At that time Edward T. Ford was admitted to a partnership, the style of the firm remaining the same as before. The firm sell their goods through their store in Boston and by salesmen on the road through the United States and Canada.
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N. R. Packard & Co. started his business in 1869, at the corner of Centre and Montello streets, and has continued a prosperous business to the present writing. He has recently been improving the quality as well as increasing the quantity, and his goods are sold largely to the retail trade. Mr. Packard has a salesroom in Boston.
Howard T. Marshall was the son of one of Brockton's earliest shoe manufacturers, Perez Marshall. The father was pioneer in the intro- duction of Congress gaiters when they were first patented for which he paid $75 per year as royalty. In 1869 the son removed from the west section of the town to the centre, and commenced in a small way the manufacture of fine shoes. He has ever made a high grade of work and has patented several novelties in the shoemaking line, as rubber sole, lawn tennis and yachting shoes, which are well-known throughout the country. He introduced the patent lace Congress boots to the trade of this country. Mr. Marshall has recently sold his business to Messrs. Kimball, Tisdale & Baker, who began business December I, 1892. The firm consisting of John T. Kimball, Frank S. Tisdale, and Andrew H. Baker, who manufacture a line of men's fine goods, making a specialty of sporting shoes.
Bittenbender & Caverly purchased the factory of Warren A. Howard on Crescent street. They began business in March, 1889. It has a capacity of fifty twenty- four pair cases daily.
Ellis F. Copeland. Mr. Copeland commenced as a maker of men's custom made shoes for the retail trade in 1875, which he continued till 1879, when he became a member of the firm of Lilly, Brackett & Co. In 1885 he commenced manufacturing for himself, and makes only the finest class of goods. His establishment is conspicuous in the absence of machinery, which is common in all of the Brockton factories, his work being made in the old-fashioned manner. Mr. Copeland is a natural born shoemaker, his father and grandfather having been engaged in that line.
Myron F. Thomas began manufacturing shoes in Campello with Paul F. Green, as partner, under the style of Thomas & Green. They com- menced on Clifton avenue. Early in 1880 William S. Green became a partner and the firm became Green, Thomas & Green. William S.
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Green was formerly a partner with George E. Keith on Montello street. The new firm then took the factory occupied by Green & Keith, Mr. Keith retiring to erect a new factory on Perkins avenue. In the fall of 1881 P. F. Green retired from the firm, and the name was changed to W. S. Green & Co. In 1886 Mr. Green sold his interest to Mr. Thomas, and removed to California, and the business has ever since been con- ducted by Mr. Thomas. Several additions to his factory have been made at various times till he has upwards of 25,000 square feet of flooring and employs about 200 hands, making a medium grade of goods. He has a salesrooni in Boston.
Terry, Ware & Alley. The firm of Eaton & Terry was organized in September, 1883, the partners being Charles A. Eaton, formerly of the firm of Crawford & Eaton, and Lorenzo B. Terry, of the firm of Will- iam L Douglass & Co. They began business in Patten's building on Centre street, and afterward located in H. T. Marshall's factory on Ward street, and later in the Horace G. Keith factory on Pleasant street, The present factory on Ward street is 250 feet long by 34 feet in width, having a capacity for manufacturing 2, 500 pairs daily. In May, 1892, Mr. Eaton retired from the firm and F. A. Ware and W. A. Alley took an interest in the firm, under the name of Terry, Ware & Alley. This firm manufactures largely for the Cuban and South American trade as well as for the jobbing trade throughout the United States. They have a salesroom in Boston.
L. C. Bliss & Co. began business as manufacturers in 1880, on Centre street, was afterwards in the H. T. Marshall factory on Montello street, and is now in the well known building formerly occupied by Darius Howard on North Main street, owned by Francis E. White. Their manufactory has a flooring of about 15,000 square feet and they employ 100 hands. The senior member of the firm has had an experience of over one- quarter of a century, and was a retailer of fine goods up to 1880 when he commenced manufacturing, at first for the jobbing trade. When jobbers began buying samples instead of stock, Mr. Bliss turned his attention principally to retail trade. He is a live man, and abreast of the times, and manufactures a fine grade of men's footwear in all the popular materials and styles in Goodyear and hand welt, as well as hand sewed goods. Their jobbing trade extends all over the country,
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