History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 18

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed. cn
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1226

USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II > Part 18

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C. H. Richardson, before his appointment, in 1888, as agent of the Appleton Mills, was superintendent of mills iu Newark, N. J.

Enge by A H.Ritchie

Aly Mightos

LOWELL.

The motive-power in the Appleton Mills consists of seven turbine-wheels and three steam-engines of 1550 horse-power. The turbine wheels were first success- fully used in these mills, one of them having been put in in the year 1844. Since that date the turbine- wheels, which were introduced in the mills of Lowell by Uriah A. Boydeu, have gradually displaced the breast-wheels, ouly a very few of which are still in use. The main advantage of the turbine over the breast-wheel is that it can be successfully used in time of a freshet or very high water upon the river, when the breast-wheel, on account of back water, loses all or part of its efficiency.

This company, sooner than some others, discovered the mistake of inaction during the War of 1861, and sooner recovered from its ill effects. The average of its annual dividends, however, for the last twelve years have been less than four and a half per cent.

This company has five mills, 1639 looms, 260 male operatives, 450 female operatives, aud manufactures 350,000 yards per week.

The goods manufactured are sheetings, shirtings and drillings.

The number of yards manufactured in 1839 was 5,000,000 ; in 1849, 7,000,000; in 1859, 8,000,000; in 1869, 8,000,000; 1879, 13,000,000, and in 1889, 16,000,000.

THE LOWELL MANUFACTURING COMPANY was in- corporated in 1828, with a capital of $900,000, which has since been increased to $2,000,000. Among its corporators were Frederic Cabot, William Whitney and Richard C. Cabot. This company was the first to use for weaving carpets, the power-looms, invented by E. B. Bigelow, an invention so wonderful that it seems to be almost endowed with intellect.

The following, relating to this company, is taken from Hill's "Lowell Iilustrated ": "The Company originally commenced operations with a single mill four stories in height and about 200 ft. in length, with a few necessary buildings for storing raw mater- ials and manufactured goods, sorting wool and dye- ing. About two-thirds of the space in this mill was occupied for the manufacture of coarse cotton cloth, called Osnaburgs, or Negro Cloth, which was largely sold in the South for plantation wear. The remain- ing space was utilized for the production of carpeting on hand-looms, the weaving being done in the fourth story. It was in one corner of this weave-room, par- titioned off for the purpose, that the Bigelow power- loom, which was destined to work such a revolution in carpet-weaving, was built and perfected in 1842, or about that time."

In 1848, when it was evident that Bigelow's inven- tion could be profitably employed, a mill of one story in height and covering nearly an acre of ground, was erected and furnished with 260 of these looms for the manufacture of carpets. About 1883 another spa- cious mill, three stories high, was erected by this company for the manufacture of Brussels carpets, and

was furnished with a Hartford automatic engine of 500 horse-power. The works of this company occupy about ten acres on the south side of Market Street.

The directors of this company for 1889 were Daniel S. Richardson, S. L. Thorndike, Augustus Lowell, Israel G. Whitney, Augustus T. Perkins.

The treasurers have been, Frederick Cabot (1828), George W. Lyman (1831), Nathaniel W. Appleton (1841), William C. Appleton (1843), J. Thomas Stevenson (1847), Israel Whitney (1848), Charles L. Harding (1863), David B. Jewett (1864), Samuel Fay (1875), George C Richardson (1880), Arthur T. Lyman (1881).

The superintendents have been Alcxander Wright (1828), Samuel Fay (1852), Andrew F. Swapp (1874), Alvin S. Lyon (1883).

Samuel Fay was born in Warwick, Massachusetts, in 1817, and came to Lowell, when fourteen years of age, to serve as clerk in the cloth-room of the Lowell Corporation. Subsequently he held the position of paymaster for six years, of superintendent for twenty- two years, and of treasurer for six years. He died in 1880, having held positions of trust in the corporation for forty-nine years.

Andrew F. Swapp was assistant superintendent of Lowell Mills before his appointment as superintend- ent. He had previously been overscer of the dye works of the company. He died while in officc. Alvin S. Lyon, before his appointment as superin- tendent, had been superintendent of the Durfee Mills of Fall River.

This company manufactures ingrain, Brussels and Wilton carpets, worsted goods, and a limited amount of cotton goods. Number of mills, 5; turbine- wheels, 2; number of steam-engines, 5; looms, 485; male operatives, 950 ; female operatives, 1150; yards of carpets made per week, 75,000; number of yards of carpeting during the year 1839, 130,000; 1849, 338,000; 1859, 1,300,000; 1869, 1,820,000; 1879, 1,924,000 ; 1889, 3,120,000.

For the last twelve years the average of the divi- dends paid by this company has been about four and one-half per cent:

ALEXANDER WRIGHT was born in Arklestone, near Paisley, in Scotland, May 4, 1800, and died at his home in Lowell, June 7, 1852, at the age of fifty- * two years. He was the son of Duncan Wright, a chemical bleacher by trade, who came to America in 1812, during the last war with Great Britain, and was taken prisoner by Captain De Wolf, of the American privateer, " The Yankee," and carried into the harbor of Bristol, Rhode Island.

When De Wolf discovered the occupation of his prisoner, he employed him as superintendent of a bleachery, in which he had an interest, in Coventry, Rhode Island. He is believed to have been the first chemical bleacher in New England, if not the first in America. The circumstance of his capture was the cause of his resolve to settle in New England instead

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

of Philadelphia, where he had intended to fix his home.

In 1815 his wife, who was a sister of the American ornithologist, Alexander Wilson, with three sons, one of whom was the subject of this sketeh, followed him to America. The father with his family now located in Smithfield, Rhode Island, but after two years removed to Waltham, Massachusetts, where he started a bleachery on his own account. Three years later the Boston Manufacturing Company, being about to start a great manufacturing enterprise in Waltham, bought out the bleachery of Mr. Wright, whereupon he set up a new bleachery in Medway, Massachusetts. He at leugthi engaged in calico-print- ing in Fall River, Massachusetts.

We now resume the history of the subject of this sketch. Mr. Wright, following his father to America when fifteen years of age, arrived at Boston in the first ship which entered that harbor after the close of the war. When twenty years of age he commenecd the manufacture of eoach laee in Medway, Mass., and coutinued in that business for six years. He then, in 1826, first conceived the idea of manufacturing carpets, of which, up to this time, none had been made in New England. He went to England to pro- eure looms and weavers. Upon his return voyage "The Rival," the ship in which he sailed, was wrecked on the American coast. But having, at length, reached home in safety, he set up, in Medway, his three looms and began the manufacture of earpets. Misfortune, however, pursued him ; for in two years his mill was destroyed by fire.

He was indueed by Hon. Patriek T. Jackson, of Bos- ton, to enter the service of the Lowell Manufacturing Company, of Lowell, which was the first of the great corporations of that eity to engage in the manufac- ture of earpets. Mr. Wright was appointed the first superintendent of that company in 1828, and he filled the office with great ability and success until his death, in 1852. He proved to be an officer whose affa- bility of manners and thorough knowledge of his bus- iness secured the confidence and respect of the stoek- holders and managers of the company.

Mr. Wright possessed qualities of mind and heart which admirably fitted him for his responsible posi- tion. He was of a frank and generous nature, which readily won the affection and respect of all he met. He was far more than a safe and skillful manager of mills-he was a public-spirited citizen, a generous and hospitable neighbor and friend, a noble and bounti- ful man in all the social and domestic relations of life. He bore through life that sympathetic, gallant and ardent nature which rendered him very dear to his friends and made his death, while in the prime of his manhood, a subject of sincere and universal grief.

Mr. Wright was noted for the ardor and enthusiasm with which he pursued every enterprise in which he engaged, and for the cheerful zeal with which he pressed forward to the attainment of his object.

He was deeply interested in the publie welfare. His fellow-citizens often desired to bestow upon him the honors of office. He was urged to allow himself to be a candidate for the mayoralty of the city, but he declined the honor. He was, however, twiee elected on the Board of Aldermen, and onee represent- ed the city in the Legislature of the State. At the time of his death he was a member of the Board of School Committee.

His wife, two sons and five daughters survived him.

THE MIDDLESEX COMPANY was incorporated in 1830, with a capital of $500,000, which has sinee been inereased to $750,000. Among the corporators were Samuel Lawrence and William W. Stone. It en- gaged in the manufacture of broadcloths, eassi- meres, etc.

The treasurers of this company have been William W. Stone (1830), Samuel Lawrenee (1840), R. S. Fay (1857), George Z. Silsbee (1882).

The agents have been James Cook (1830), Nelson Palmer (1845), Samuel Lawrence (1846), O. H. Perry (1847), William T. Mann (1851), Joshua Humphrey (1852), James Cook (1858), O. H. Perry (1858), Gus- tavus V. Fox (1869), William C. Avery (1874), O. H. Perry (1882).

James Cook beeame mayor of Lowell in 1859. A notice of him will be found among the sketches of the lives of the mayors of the city.

Nelson Palmer, who had served under Mr. Cook as wool-sorter in his mills in Northampton, suc- eeeded Mr. Cook, in 1845, as agent of the Middlesex Mills of Lowell.

Samuel Lawrence was brother of Amos and Abbott Lawrence, of Boston. After leaving the office of treasurer of the Middlesex Mills, in which he was charged with gross mismanagement, he engaged in the wool business in New York City, and died in Stockbridge, Mass.

O. H. Perry was the son of the celebrated naval commander, Oliver Hazard Perry, made illustrious by his victory on Lake Erie. He left the office of agent of the Middlesex Mills to become one of the firm of Perry, Wendell, Fay & Co., selling agents of the mills. He died at his residence in Andover, Mass. His son, O. H. Perry, is the present agent of these mills.

William T. Mann served as paymaster in the Mid- dlesex Mills before his appointment as agent.

Joshua Humphrey, before his appointment as agent, was a naval offieer. After leaving his offiee as agent, he returned to his home in Virginia, and be- came an officer in the Confederate Navy during the War of the Rebellion. He died in Virginia.

Gustavus V. Fox is noticed elsewhere in this work. William C. Avery, on leaving Lowell, went to Cal- ifornia, and engaged in agricultural pursuits. He now, however, resides in Dedham, Mass., where he has been engaged in the woolen business.

LOWELL.

The present agent. O. H. Perry, graduated at the School of Technology in Boston, became superin- tendent of the Middlesex Mills under Mr. Avery, and is the successor of Mr. Avery as agent.

The directors for 1889 were Benjamin F. Butler, George Higginson, T. Jefferson Coolidge, M. E. Wen- dell, C. P. Curtis. Augustus Lowell, George Z. Sils- bee.

The plant occupies seven aud one-half acres of land bounded by Warren Street, Concord River and the Pawtucket Canal.

The goods now manufactured by this company are indigo-blue coatings, cassimeres, police, yacht and cadet cloths, ladies' sackings and beavers.

The motive power consists of two turbine-wheels, three breast-wheels, three engines of 250 horse-power.

Number of mills, 3; number of teasles used per year. 1,000,000; wool used per week, 20,000 pounds; number of male operatives, 400; number of female operatives, 300; number of yards of eloth manufac- tnred per week, 15,000.

The number of yards of cassimeres and broadcloths manufactured by this company in 1839 was 400,000; in 1849, 1,137,000; in 1859, 1,560,000; in 1869, 780,- 000; in 1879, 1,196,000; in 1889, 650,000.

This company has suffered far more than any other in the city from the mismanagement of the men whom it had entrusted with office. In 1858, the en- tire capital having been lost by its officers, the com- pany was re-organized with new managers and new subscriptions to stock.

Since the re-organization in 1858 the company has had very gratifying success. The average of its divi- dends for the last twelve years has been nearly twelve per cent.

The turbine-wheel has entirely superseded the breast-wheel, except in the Middlesex Mills, where 'three breast-wheels of the old pattern are still in use.

This company has been a pioneer in the successful manufacture in America of goods which had here- tofore been imported from Europe. Upon this sub- ject the following statement of Samuel Lawrence, treasurer of the company from 1840 to 1857, is of in- tereet :

" When the Middlesex Company -tarted, in 1836, most of the woolen goods consumed here were from England, imported by men from York- ehire, who for many years evaded paying the full amount of duties by undervaluation. . . . One of the difficulties in the early production of woolen- here was a defect in dyeing. This company was most fortunate in early discovering that this evil arose from the simplest cause-the im- perfect cleanting of the wool. . . .

" Mr. Compton, of Taunton, Mass., became employed by the Middle- sex Company to adapt his principle to their looms to produce a fabric like the Sedan, and was entirely successful. Thus commenced in this country the manufacture of fancy casimeres. The shawl manufacture by the Middlesex Company was commenced in 1817. Up to that time the fringes were twisted by hand, and the success depended upon its be- ing done by machinery. At that time Mr. Milton D. Whipple was in the employment of the company, perfecting a felting-machine, and he wa employed to produce a twisting-machine for fringes, in which he exceeded perfectly, and thus gave this branch of industry to this country."

THE SUFFOLK MANUFACTURING COMPANY was incorporated January 17, 1831, with a capital of $600,000, and the Tremont Mills, March 19, 1831, with a capital of $600,000. The two companies, in 1871, were consolidated and called the "Tremont & Suffolk Mills." The plant occupies ten and one-half aeres of land on both sides of the Northern Canal. The capital of the consolidated company is $1,200,- 000.

The treasurers of the Suffolk Company were : John W. Boott (1831), Henry Hall (1832), Henry V. Ward (1859), Walter Hastings (1865), Wmn. A. Burke (1868), James C. Ayer (1870).

The treasurers of the Tremont Mills were : Wm. Appleton (1831), Henry Hall (1832), Henry V. Ward (1857), Walter Hastings (1865), Wm. A. Burke (1868), James C. Ayer (1870).

The treasurers of the Tremont & Suffolk Mills have been : James C. Ayer (1871), John C. Birdseye (1872), Arthur G. Lyman (1886), Alphonso S. Covel (1887).

Agents of the Suffolk Manufacturing Company : Robert Means (1831), John Wright (1842), Thomas S. Shaw (1868).

Agents of the Tremont Mills: Israel Whitney (1831), John Aiken (1834), Charles L. Tilden (1837), Charles F. Battles (1858), Thomas S. Shaw (1870).

Agents of the Tremont & Suffolk Mills : Thomas S. Shaw (1871), Edward W. Thomas (1887). Robert Means, before his appointment as agent, was a mer- ehant in Amherst, N. H. He died suddenly in Lowell, while in the performance of his duties as agent.

John Wright was born in Westford, Mass., No- vember 4, 1797. He graduated from Harvard Col- lege, and was afterwards preceptor of the Westford Academy. He was afterwards principal of a large school in Woreester, Mass., where he became agent of a manufactory. He came to Lowell to aet as agent of the Suffolk Mills in 1842. This position he oceupied for the long period of twenty-six years. His health failed him in 1868, and he resigned his offiee. He died in 1869, at the age of seventy-one years. Mr. Wright was a man of talent. He inter- ested himself in the welfare of the city, and was a member of the School Committee and State Senator. He held various other positions of responsibility and trust.

Thomas S. Shaw, before his appointment as agent of the Suffolk Mills, had been superintendent of the Boott Mills and agent of the Nashua Manufacturing Company, Nashua. He is now agent of a mill in Marysville, New Brunswick.

Israel Whitney had been a sea captain before his appointment as agent of the Tremont Mills. After resigning his office he became agent of the Great Falls Manufacturing Company.

See notice of John Aiken as agent of the Lawrence Mills.

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Charles L. Tilden, from serving as clerk, was ap- pointed agent of the company. On resigning the office of agent he retired from active business.

Charles F. Battles was born in Dorchester, Mass., in 1818. He came to Lowell when sixteen years of age, and was employed in the counting-room of the Tremont Corporation. He became paymaster and thien agent of the corporation, holding the last posi- tion twelve years. He was appointed treasurer of the Mechanics' Savings Bank in 1870, but died the same year at the age of fifty-two years.

Edward M. Thomas, after serving as draughtsman in Lowell Machine-Shop, became superintendent of the Willimantic Linen Mills, in Willimantic, Conn. From this position he was, in 1887, appointed agent of the Tremont and Suffolk Mills.

Directors of the Tremont and Suffolk Mills 1889- Arthur T. Lyman, Frederick F. Ayer, Frederick Ayer, Jacob Rogers, James W. Clark, Harrison Gardner.

This company manufactures cotton flannels, drill- ings, sheetings and shirtings, dress goods and fancy shirtings. Its motive-power consists of eleven tur- bine-wheels, three engines of 2000 horse-power. Number of males employed, 500; number of females employed, 1400; number of spindles, 113,000; num- ber of looms, 3800; number of yards per week, 600,000.

Before the consolidation the Suffolk Company made cotton cloth, in 1839, 4,680,000 yards; in 1849, 5,200,000 ; in 1859, 8,008,000 ; in 1869, 6,500,000, and the Tremont Mills in 1839, 6,741,600 ; in 1849, 6,240,- 000; in 1859, 11,960,000 ; in 1869, 6,760,000.

Since the consolidation the Tremont and Suffolk Company made, in 1879, 26,000,000; in 1889, 29,- 000,000.

The experiment of manufacturing cassimeres during the war was made by both these companies, and to both it proved a disastrous failure and a great loss of capital.

The average of dividends of the consolidated com- pany during the last twelve years has been nearly six and one-half per cent.

In recent years very great changes and improve- ments have been made in the buildings of this com- pauy. The original buildings can scarcely be recog- uized in the spacious and substantial structures of to-day.

THE LAWRENCE MANUFACTURING COMPANY was incorporated in 1831, with a capital of $1,200,000, which has since been increased to $1,500,000. The plant is on the Merrimack River, west of the Merri- mack Mills.

The treasurers of this company have been : Wil- liam Appleton (1831), Henry Hall (1832), Henry V. Ward (1857), T. Jefferson Coolidge (1868), Lucius M. Sargent (1880).

The agents have been : William Austin (1830), John Aiken (1837), William S. Southworth (1849),

William F. Salmon (1865), Daniel Hussey (1869), John Kilburn (1878).

Capt. Austin, before his appointment as agent of the Lawrence Mills, was warden of the State's Prison at Charlestown, Mass. John Aiken was born in Bedford, N. H., graduated from Dartmouth Col- lege, practiced law in Manchester, Vt. (where he also was a teacher in Burr Seminary), was for three years agent of the Tremont Mills, in Lowell, and for twelve years agent of the Lawrence Mills, and after- wards treasurer of the Cochecho and Salmon Falls Mills. He held various civil offices, and was a man of commanding influence and marked ability. He died in Andover, Mass., in 1864.

William S. Southworth, before he became agent of the Lawrence Mills, was a practicing lawyer in Ben- nington, Vt. Upon leaving Lowell he returned to his practice of law at Bennington.

William F. Salmon, before his appointment as agent of the Lawrence Mills, had been paymaster and superintendent of the Lowell Mills. Since being agent of the Lawrence Mills he has been manager of the Lowell Hosiery Company.

Daniel Hussey, before coming to Lowell, was agent of the Nashua Mills, of Nashua, N. H. After leav- ing Lowell he was treasurer of the Great Falls Manu- facturing Company, of Great Falls, N. H.

John Kilburn, while agent of the Naumkeag Mills, in Salem, Mass., was appointed agent of the Lawrence Manufacturing Company in 1878.

From 1831 to 1864 the manufactures of this company consisted of the various grades of cotton cloth, but since 1864 one of the most important of its manu- factures has been cotton hosiery for women. Another branch of business has been knitted underclothing.

The following statistics are for 1889, instead of 1890, as in other cases :

The motive-power consists of twelve turbines and five steam-engines. Number of mills, 5 ; of spindles, .120,000 ; of looms, 3432; of males employed, 1051 ; of females employed, 2089; products per week, 696,- 526 yards of cotton clothi, 17,046 dozen hosiery, 900 shirts and drawers.

The various manufactures are shirtings, sheetings, cotton flannels, cotton and merino hosiery.

The average of dividends paid by this company for the last twelve years has been nearly nine per cent.

The introduction of the manufacture of hosiery, in the time of the war, was attended with the loss of about $500,000, but in recent years this manufacture has yielded a large profit.

This company has kept abreast of the times, hav- ing erected substantial and spacious store-houses and other buildings, and having promptly introduced the most approved machinery.

The Lawrence Company manufactured, in 1839, 10,400,000 yards of cotton cloth ; in 1849, 13,520,000 ; in 1859, 18,720,000; in 1869, 15,600,000; in 1879, 23,100,000.

albumnock

LOWELL.

THE LOWELL BLEACHERY was incorporated in - 1833, with a capital of $50,000, which has been in- creased to $400,000.

Its treasurers have been John Clark (1833), James C. Dunn (1834); Charles T. Appleton (1835), Samuel G. Snelling (1859), Percival Lowell (1886).

The agents of the company have been Jonathan Derby (1833), Joseph Hoyt (1834), Charles T. Apple- ton (1835), Charles A. Babcock (1849), F. P. Apple- ton (1855), Fordyce Coburn (1880), F. P. Appleton (1882), James N. Bourne (1886).

Messrs. Derby and Hoyt served the company only about one year each.

Charles T. Appleton had been connected with the Bleachery in Waltham, Mass., before coming to Lowell. On leaving the office of agent he became treasurer of Lowell Bleachery.

Charles A. Babeock, before his appointment as agent of the Bleachery, was paymaster in one of the corporations. On resiguing his office as agent he be- came a member of the firm of A. & A. Lawrence, in Boston.

F. P. Appleton, before becoming agent of the Bleachery, officiated as a Unitarian clergyman. On resigning his office as agent he retired from active business.

Fordyce Coburn, from the position of overseer on the Corporation, was made agent. He died while in the office.

James N. Bourne, the present incumbent, before his appointment as agent, had been the superintend- ent of the Bondsville Bleachery, and had been con- nected with Kitson's Machine Company.

Directors for 1889: Augustus Lowell, Harrison Gardner, Daniel S. Richardson, Percival Lowell, Charles E. Whitin.

The buildings of this company are the bleachery and the dye-works. The motive-power consists of one turbine, six engines of 1200 horse-power. Number of males employed, 360; number of females em- ployed, 40 ; number of yards dyed per year, 15,000,- 000 ; number of pounds bleached per year, 10,000,000.

THE BOOTT COTTON-MILLS were incorporated in 1835, with a capital of $1,200,000, which has not been increased. Among the corporators were Ab- bott Lawrence and John A. Lowell.

The treasurers of this company have been John A. Lowell (1835), J. Pickering Putnamn (1848), T. Jeffer- son Coolidge (1858), Richard D. Rogers (1865), Au- gnstus Lowell (1875), Eliot C. Clarke (1886).

The agents of this company, Benj. F. French (1836), Linus Child (1845), Wmn. A. Burke (1862), Alexan- der G. Cumnock (1868).

Benj. F. French was educated for the bar and had practiced his profession in Amherst, N. H. He en- gaged in the business of manufacturing in Nashua, and from Nashua was invited to Lowell. He served the Boott Company as agent from 1836 until 1845, when he accepted the presidency of the Railroad

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 18

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed. cn Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1226

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed. cn
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1226