History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 131

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co
Number of Pages: 1278

USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III > Part 131

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Houghton, Coolidge & Co., the large firm of man- ufacturers and dealers in boots and shoes, who have several boot and shoe factories in the State, and whose principal place of business is on High Street in Boston, took a lease of the Tilton shop for a term of years in 1885, and at once entered upon a large manufacturing business. They found this shop fully equipped with machinery, provided with sufficient steam-power, and with freight-cars at its doors. Since that date the business has gone forward with only an annual stop of a week, to take account of stock. This shop affords employment for about five hundred men, women and boys, and turns out three thousand pairs of boots and shoes daily. The value of the annual business is $1,000,000. The pay-roll for 1890 will amount to $275,000, being double that of the first year. The workmen are paid regularly on Thursdays of each week. The plan pursued by this firm is to manufacture samples of boots and shoes in the fall and winter, which they show to their customers throughout the country. Orders are received through the medium of traveling agents, who go the rounds twice a year, to be filled at different dates through- out the season. As fast as orders are taken, the shop is put at work upon them, and the goods are manufactured, which, if not wanted for delivery im- mediately, are stored in their own store-room, or in the large unoccupied stone buildings of the Dwight Printing Company. At all seasons of the year, es- pecially from July onward till the middle of the fall, large quantities of boots and shoes are shipped to all points in the West and Southwest, being loaded di- rectly from the storage buildings into the freight cars of the Boston and Albany Railroad. In the winter

the help are working mostly upon shoes, at other seasous upon both boots and shoes. All classes and qualities for men's and boys' wear are made in this shop. The resident managers of the factory are W. B. Temple and J. E. Tilton.

Paschal Blake came to town in 1862 and worked the first six months for Abraham Tilton. Afterwards he was in partnership with Tilton one year. He then set up business for himself, commencing in rooms in the Leland building. After a few months Josiah A. Balcom formed with him a partnership under the name of Blake & Balcom. At the end of two years the firm moved into the shop on Main Street, fitted for them by John Clark, who had moved the building upon this spot from across the road in the field where it had served as a barn. In 1868 they bought of William Seaver a lot of land, where now are the coal-sheds of Abner Greenwood, and built upon the easterly side a two-story shop of about the same dimensions as Blake's building, now standing just at the west. Seaver & Sons had erected a similar shop on the site of the last-mentioned building. A space of abont forty-eight feet which was left between these shops people began to suggest might well be utilized as a continnation for Concord Street toward the Main Street crossing. But the owners of these two buildings thought a better use could be put to that open space, so they built each half-way across a narrow two-story projection, giving the appearance on the Front Street face of one large building and on the back side of two projecting wings. This firm continued to carry on the business till 1874, when they dissolved partnership, Balcom buying the real estate. About this time the shop lately occupied by Seaver & Sons was in the market. Blake, purchasing this, set up and carried on business alone. On April 6, 1879, the whole combined building was consumed by fire. Blake has since continued to reside in Ashland, but has not engaged further in the manufacture of boots.

Josiah A. Balcom, after dissolving partnership with Blake, as above related, commenced the manufacture of boots alone in the same shop. He pursued mostly that method of doing business which at this time was becoming customary among the shops, that is, to fill orders for goods, and not to make up a large stock in advance of orders, destined to commission houses to be marketed at a loss. He did about the same vol- ume of business as before the dissolution. He re- mained here till the fire before spoken of, after which he opened business again in the Cole shop, near Union Street. His work now was principally npon shoes. His business increasing, in 1886 he bought a lot of land situated next to his home on Alden Street, and erected a three-story frame building, equipping it with modern conveniences, including steam-power. Here, every working day in the year, his business goes for- ward regularly, the steam whistle summoning and dis- missing the workmen, who, having once been admitted

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to this shop and given satisfaction, are permanently retained.

C. M. Adams began themanufacture of boots in 1866 in the second story of the Wiggins store. Remaining here a year or two, he moved into Leland Block, where he continued business about three years. He then moved into buildings of his own recently com- pleted at the corner of Alden and Railroad Streets. He occupied for his boot business a portion of the larger building and the second story of the bakery stable, which stood upon the site of the present bakery shed. In 1879 a fire which started in the stable con- sumed that building, and catching the large building, destroyed that also. The building as it now appears was immediately re-erected, Mr. Adams occupying, however, with his boot business only the middle por- tion of the first floor, and that only for a short time subsequently to his connection with H. Newhall & Company, as superintendent in their shop. At a still later period, in partnership with C. S. Brewer and C. F. Davis, he manufactured shoes for a year or two in the " Gothic Arcade," on Alden Street, and afterward alone, his own building being occupied with other business. For two or three years, at a period before the fire, D. R. Chamberlain was in company with him. After this partnership was dissolved Chamber- lain continued to work for him until the final failure of his health.

In 1888 Charles Grieshaber, buying out the stock of C. M. Adams, commenced the manufacture of shoes in the Gothic Arcade, a one-story building situated on Alden Street. This building is furnished with a hot-air engine, which is used in Grieshaber's business, affording the necessary power.

Montgomery Bixby was manufacturing boots, at about the date of the organization of the town, in the second story of what was then the railroad pas- senger depot, being followed a year or two later in the occupancy of this building by Hiram Temple, as has been before related. Bixby had been preceded in business by Calvin Dyer, and at a still earlier time by Mitchell & Bryant, when the building stood a few feet north of the Main Street crossing.

It has been before stated that about 1857, S. W. Wiggins was in the boot business three years, in part- nership with E. S. Thayer. At the time when the town was organized, besides keeping store on the first floor of the brick building now owned by J. N. West, in the second story he was manufacturing boots alone. This business he had been engaged in for several years, commencing in 1841. Benjamin C. Pond, a man well known in the early days of this town, was foreman in this shop. The business was then carried on according to methods now out of date; there was more barter than cash ; keeping a store at the same time, the boots manufactured by him were bartered in Boston for hardware and other stock for the store. In buying stock for the shop the barter also came in play ; so many feet of upper-

leather, so many pounds of sole-leather and so much caslı would be given for a case of boots. Here in town the workmen on boots were paid largely in orders on the stores. Where a boot-shop and store were carried on by the same person, the work was paid for in goods chiefly out of the store. After Wiggins moved into his new building, in 1850, the custom of orders declined rapidly, and within a few years became obsolete. Upon moving away Wiggins elosed his boot business.

George W. Jones, in about 1853, after dissolving partnership with Dea. Seaver, manufactured boots for Whitney & Hines over his store, situated at the corner of Main and Summer Streets. This business was continued but a short time.

STORES .- It is not intended to give a full account of the stores which have done business in this town ; only a few can be referred to. Many, if not all the early stores were general-that is, dry-goods, groceries, crockery and furniture were kept for sale in them. The first in the order of time kept in the village was the store which stood at the east end of the cotton factory. This was opened by Homer Tilton, about the time the factory was built. A Mr. Barton followed Til- ton, who, in turn, was followed by William Jennison. Jennison was in occupancy at the time when the town was set off. Soon after he moved into his own store, of which mention will be made below. George W. Fair- banks was the last occupant of this store, which was closed about 1855.

One of the earliest general stores was kept by Eben Tombs in the basement of the house of W. R. Eames. This store was finally closed about 1840.

In 1841 S. W. Wiggins moved into the brick build- ing now owned by J. N. West, occupying the first floor for a store, and the second for a boot-shop as has been related. In the store business he followed a Mr. Parks. The succession before this had been from Studley & Hamer, through Valentine & Brew- ster, to Parks. In early times the second story of this building was entered by an outside stair-way at the east end, and was occupied for offices when not in use for other purposes. Wiggins continued to carry on the business of a general store at this place till about 1850, when he put up the large frame building standing on the north side of Front Street at the corner of Concord, and which is still known as bis building. Upon its completion he moved in, and kept a general store for two or three years, when he sold out and went West. The business was now carried on successively by William Jones, by Thayer, Sweet & Company, Cheever & Thayer (Silas F.), and Cheever alone until 1860, when Wiggins again came into possession. For a long term of years Wiggins now had the ownership and control, establishing a firm character for the store. In 1876 the business passed into the name of E. S. Thayer & Company, Wiggins remaining manager. Later, his health be- coming less secure, he slowly withdrew, and finally

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the store was closed. A portion of the building was leased to A. A. Coburn, and has since been occupied by him for the sale of dry-goods and clothing.

William Jennison is well remembered by persons of middle age, as being for a series of years one of the principal store-keepers in town. He began a few years before the town was incorporated in the factory store. In 1845 he bought land of the Unionville Evangelical Society and built what is still known as the "Briek Store," situated on the northeast side of Main Street, west of the Congregational Church. About the same time he built the house nearly oppo- site, which he occupied with his family. He kept a general store till 1851, when, dying, the business came into the hands of his son William. The last-named, aided by his brother Albert, both of whom had ac- quired experience under their father, carried on the business for a few years longer. They then sold out and moved to New York. After the departure of the Jennisons the brick store never seemed to retain its tenants. It has been occupied at intervals to the present time chiefly for a store and market. In 1847 the Dwight Printing Company became the owner of the real estate.

George A. Tilton was engaged in various ventures for the sale of goods from about 1860 to 1887. Be- ginning with a stock of drugs in Woodbury's build- ing, he moved into the Brick Store, which he bought about 1862. He now added a stock of groceries. In 1867 he sold the business to W. A. Tilton and E. F. Greenwood. About this time he erected two small buildings at the east of the brick store to meet the then great demand for business accommodations. A few years later these buildings becoming vacated, he moved them to Alden Street and converted them into a store for himself which he called the Gothic Arcade. This store was afterwards closed and the real estate passed into other hands.

William A. Tilton, beginning as an apothecary in the Brick Store, afterwards erected on leased land the small building at the east of the Central House, which he occupied in this business for six years. He then sold to E. T. Billings, who has continued as proprie- tor to the present time. The building is now owned by George E. Whittemore. For several years Bill- ings has served as town clerk, having his office in this building.

Something has been said about the boot business of Albert Leland. llis store business was hardly less important. In the first building he erected, which is now owned by Mrs. Manning, and situated on Sun- mer Street, he provided for a general store, which was kept in the front part, customers ascending several steps from the street upon entering. In 1852 S. F. Woodbury became a partner in the business of this store. A few years later Central Block was built by Leland & Woodbury, as has already been related, and Woodbury continued a partner with him in the store business. In 1858 the partnership was dissolved,

Woodbury taking the stock. As has been before mentioned, these were the days of store orders, given by the boot-shops, which probably formed the basis of half the trade. If the manufacturer owned a store, he was doubly fortunate, for he got a profit both on the boots the workman made and on the goods he bought. After a few years Woodbury retired and William Jones was taken into partnership with Le- land. Horace Yeaton succeeded Jones, and after Yeaton others, either alone or in company with Le- land, kept a general store till 1869. After this time Leland did not engage in business.

In the year last named Bernard Billings opened a drug-store on the first floor of Central Block. In 1872 F. N. Oxley became a partner, and the firm took the name of Billings & Oxley. In 1875 Oxley bought the interest of his partner and continned the business alone till 1890, when he sold to C. E. Thayer, the present proprietor.

James O'Brien, who occupies the westerly front room in Central Block for his shoe-store and harness- shop, first commenced business in 1874, in White- house Building. He made the change in location in 1879, then adding boots and shoes to his stock. His trade has been largely increased.

George W. Jones bought a lot of land of Captain Stone and erected a building at what is now the cor- ner of Main and Summer Streets, in 1846. IIe after- wards occupied these premises for the purposes of a general store. In 1853 this building was moved southerly on Main Street fifty or sixty feet, to be used as a dwelling-house. At the same time a build- ing which had stood in the rear and been occupied as a barn was brought forward to the corner and re- ceived additions. This constituted his store till about 1870. In 1867 A. A. Coburn had become interested with him, and together they now enlarged the build- ing to its present dimensions. About this time Jones formed also other business connections in Boston. When he died, in 1872, he was a partner in the firm of Jones, Williams & Faxon.

In 1870 William Enslin bought one-third interest in this real estate. This stand was now occupied by A. A. Coburn and Franklin Enslin, who had formed a partnership under the name of Coburn & Enslin. A large general-store business was done till 1878, when the firm dissolved; dividing the stock and the building, Coburn taking the dry-goods and Ens- lin the groceries. Coburn continued to trade here in dry-goods and clothing till 1886, when he moved into the Wiggins Store, on Front Street, where he now is. Enslin dealt in groceries until 1877, when he sold to E. F. Miller & Son, who after a short time sold to C. F. Grout and C. W. Enslin. The last named formed a partneship under the name of Gront & Enslin, and have continued the business to the present time. Ever since Jones opened a store on this corner a substantial and prosperous business has been done at this point.

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In 1883 Henry I. Pike and J. E. Woods came from Westborough, and forming a partnership under the name of Pike & Woods, commenced doing a grocery business in the new brick building of A. Greenwood, situated at corner of Front and Concord Streets. They called themselves the Boston Branch, put prices down and sold mostly for cash. They at once secured a good trade in this and neighboring towns. In the spring of 1889 the partnership was dissolved, Woods keeping the business and Pike going back to Westborough.

About 1850 John Clark came from Acton and be- gan the manufacture of tinware in the lower part of one of the Brewster buildings, which stood on the site of Greenwood's stable. He also kept hardware for sale. After two years he bought the land on the north side of Front Street, then vacant since the burning of Temple's shop, and erected the building now used for dwellings and the hardware-store of Perry & Enslin. He now greatly increased his busi- ness of manufacturing tin-peddlers' supplies. In 1855 Edwin Perry began working for Clark in the store and in issuing goods to the peddlers. Five years later Clark sold the business to Lyman Patch and Perry,-the former taking a deed of the real estate. The business now went on under the name of E. Perry & Co. After about four years Patch sold his interest back to Clark. Then for seven years the hnsiness was conducted under the name of Clark & Perry. A large number of tin-peddlers' carts were now sent out, covering the country in some directions to the distance of thirty or forty miles. The firm usually owned the carts, the peddlers often, but not always, providing the horses. These were the palmy days of tin-peddling, as the good price then obtained for rag stock encouraged barter, by which the tinware was largely disposed of. In 1877 Clark sold all his interest, including the real estate, to Edwin Perry and Franklin Enslin, who have continued to the present time an extensive business under the firm- name of Perry & Enslin.

S. F. Woodbury, after the firm of Leland & Wood- bury had been dissolved, carried on the store in the Leland building for about two years. He then hought and enlarged the Temple boot-shop on Rail- road Street, where he kept a store for a short time. In about 1870 he erected another building just at the west, a portion of which he occupied for a clothing- store. In 1873 he exchanged his stock with Horace Yeaton for real estate, and three years later bought it hack. He closed business in 1877.

C. B. Stockwell occupied for a shoe-store the west- erly portion of the Woodbury building until it was burned, in 1877. He then leased a lot of land on Front Street, where he built a small store, which he is now occupying.

About 1875 A. F. Farwell fitted np a confectionery factory and store in the building next west from the brick store, where he continued in business till he sold, in 1887, to R. E. Hunt, the present owner.

Of the stores established more recently, and now running, are the dry-goods store of C. T. Scott and the grocery of O'Connor & Shaughnessy.

S. A. Davis began his business as a dealer in news- papers and periodicals in 1870, having his first store in Whitehouse building. Later he became a dealer in fruits and confectionery. After Draper vacated the store in Broad's building on Railroad Street in 1877, Davis took possession and has remained in this location to the present time. When changing to these larger quarters he found room to add a stock of fancy goods and books for a circulating library.

From time to time clothing dealers have brought in stocks and opened stores, but none have been able to establish a permanent business. Of those who have remained longest, may be named H. M. Dufur, the noted wrestler, and George S. Hutchins.

TAILORS,-Among tailors, Waite's name is remeni- bered in part from the tailor's work his widow did for many years after his death. Bodemer, who followed in the early years of the town, had for his place of business the renovated blacksmith's shop which once stood about where the steamer-house now stands. Next came Baylies, who occupied the same quarters. Later, Lewis Kingsbury for several years had his shop in West's building. W. M. Draper, who in the seven- ties occupied the store now of S. A. Davis, made his way chiefly by his marked personal traits. John N. West came from Boylston and established his business about 1867. He had bravely maintained his hold, brought up a family of children and was still work- ing at his trade when, a few years ago, by a sudden stroke he was totally disabled.

Want of space forbids reference to the long line of dressmakers and milliners.

BAKERY .- Ever since C. M. Adams first erected his building at the corner of Alden and Railroad Streets, in 1870, the town has had the benefit of a local bakery, as the serviceable oven at that place has attracted its counterpart, the baker. Frank B. Tilton, coming from Natick, was the first to open a bakery in this town. He was followed by Fiske & Stratton, several otber bakers successively followed in the business in Adams Block, none remaining above a year or two, until Michael F. and Thomas R. Twiss took possession in 1884. Under the name of Twiss Brothers they have carried on the business to the present time.

MARKETS .- Until about twenty-five years ago there were no meat markets in the village, the people there, as elsewhere, depending for supplics upon the carts which called at their doors. A. W. Eames (2d) opened a market in a building erected for him on Summer Street in 1870, and the business has been continued ever since at that point. Many different persons have at times kept meats and provisions for sale at varions stands, but few have continued long in the business. Besides Eames, Theodore Jones and John H. Jack- son at the present time keep well-patronized markets, and send around carts in this and neighboring towns.

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

For many years Melvin Whittemore has carried on trade in fish, both from his market and his wagon.

CARPENTERS .-- At the head of the list of carpen- ters who are noted for length of service, and results accomplished, stands Richard R. Brewster. He came to town soon after James Jackson, being specially engage to look after the carpenter work needed about the cotton-factory. In 1845 he built a house on Front Street, which he occupied till his death, in 1878. About 1835 he succeeded to the business of Studley & Homer. They had built a carpeuter's shop just at the west of their brick building, now known as J. N. West's, and had carried on a lumber-yard and store at that point. To conduct the store business in the brick building, Brewster took into partnership first William and later Samuel Valentine. The store and partnership were dropped in a few years, but the carpenter's shop and the lumber-yard he kept. Later this shop was moved to the spot now covered by the brick block of Abner Greenwood, and fitted for a dwelling. It was finally taken down in 1885. He now built and occupied a carpenter's shop situat- ed on Front Street, about where now stands the coal- shed of Abner Greenwood. This was probably about 1840. His lumber-yard, near West's building, about the same time he moved npon land now of the Boston and Albany Railroad Company, lying between their track and Front Street, east of Greenwood's building. In his yard he kept a good stock of lumber for sale, till near the time of his decease. About 1850 he rented the lower part of his carpenter shop to one Hammond, who came from Dover, for a wheelwright business, and the second-story to Aaron Rice for a harness-shop. He built at this time a second carpen- ter-shop at the east of the one rented, standing about on the site of Greenwood's barn. Subsequently this building was rented to John Clark, William Seaver, the Sons of Temperance and other tenants. Both of these buildings were finally moved away and convert- ed into dwellings. About 1850 he and Orlin Allard built a steam-mill on the south side of Front Street, near the railroad track, at about the location of Ezra Norse's buildings, and fitted it with machinery for making doors, sash and blinds. This mill had a steam planer, the first used in Ashland. Charles V. Guy superintended the running of the mill, which after a year or two was burned, taking fire in the absence at breakfast of the attendant. Some years later Guy went west with Wiggins, and engaged in the manu- facture of lumber.

Brewster built for their owners many of the houses and other huildings in town. He was active in es- tablishing the Congregational Sunday-school and church, though not a church member. His influence was felt in the setting off' and building-up of the town, and his aid was freely given to its business interests.

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 131

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co Number of Pages: 1278

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co
Number of Pages: 1278