History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 174

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 174

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The Waltham Daily Tribune was first published October 2, 1882, under the management of Eaton & Reed. It was first issued in Hovey's building on Moody Street, just south of the railroad. Mr. Reed subsequently disposed of his interest to Mr. Eaton. Mr. Eaton continued in possession and retained the position he held from the first as editor, until March 1888. He then sold out to a company of gentlemen who formed a corporation under the name of " The Waltham Tribune Company." For several months the paper was under the management of E. G. Bond. Late in the fall of 1888 he was succeeded by H. E. Browne, the present editor and manager. The com- pany was incorporated in 1888 with a capital of $14,000.

On May 5, 1886, E. G. Bond published the first number of the Charles River Laborer, a weekly news- paper issued, according to its prospectus, in the in- terest of the workingmen particularly. It was printed by Rice & Drake, at their office, on Pine Street, near Moody. It lived a little more than a year.

October 16, 1886, the Waltham Times, a daily news- paper, published by Rice & Drake and edited by T. P. James, made its appearance. It lived about a year, and suspended publication.

Several amateur periodicals have appeared from time to time, lived a few months and then quietly died out, but as they were not designed to enter the professional field, no attempt is made to give them in detail.

A single attempt has been made in Waltham to es- tablish a magazine. In March, 1836, Willard C. George published the first number of the Repertory, a monthly magazine of twenty-six pages, published at

$1.00 a year. Mr. George must have received but lit- tle encouragement, as it is said that the second num- ber of the periodical never appeared.

The Christian Freeman and Family Visitor, edited by Rev. Sylvanus Cobb, was printed by Josiah Hast- ings about two years, beginning in the spring of 1839. The office was then removed to Boston, the paper being some years after merged into The Trumpet, which in turn was merged in The Christian Leader.

CHAPTER L.

WALTHAM-(Continued).

THE AMERICAN WALTHAM WATCH COMPANY.

THE projector of the enterprise of systematic watch- making, which has become an industry of no small proportions in America, was Aaron L. Dennison.

He was a typical Yankee youth, born in Freeport, Maine, in the year 1812. As he early evinced a taste for mechanical pursuits he was apprenticed to a watchmaker. After serving in that capacity about three years, in Brunswick, Maine, he went to Boston, where he obtained a situation with Messrs. Currier & Trott, where he endeavored to perfect himself as a journeyman.

The varieties of style in the construction of Swiss and English watches, and the diversified jobs which naturally come into the hands of the watch repairer, would tend to stimulate ingenuity and develop thought in one who was interested in his work.

Mr. Dennison certainly seems to have been pos- sessed of progressive tendencies, so that it very nat- urally occurred to him that there might possibly be some improvement in the methods of watch-making, especially in the direction of a greater uniformity in sizes of corresponding parts in watches of the same make. Visiting the United States Armory at Spring- field, Massachusetts, he became greatly interested in the machinery used in the manufacture of muskets on the "interchangeable plan," and very naturally the idea of applying the same system to the manu- facture of watches presented itself to him; and the more he contemplated it the more firmly was he con- vinced that the general system or method which was evidently such a success in the making of firearms, might, and without doubt would, in time be employed in the performance of the required operations on the smaller and more delicate parts of pocket time- pieces.

Ilaving become possessed with this general idea, Mr. Dennison devoted many hours of his spare time to the study of the numerous details involved in the adaptation of such a scheme.

Ilis continued contemplation of the subject only served to convince him that the mechanical difficul-

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ties could be surmounted, and that therefore the scheme of machine-made matches was practicable, and, in time, was sure to be adopted.

With the earnest and very natural desire to see in tangible form some results from his long-continued study, Mr. Dennison endeavored to impart to capital- ists some of the enthusiasm which his long contem- plation of the scheme had aroused in himself.

It is quite probable, however, that capital at that time was even more conservative than it now is; so that it is not surprising that several years should elapse before any one was found bold enough to risk his money in an enterprise the success of which was at least problematical.

But in 1849 Mr. Dennison had an interview with Mr. Edward Howard, who seems to have been filled with an enthusiasm equal to his own, but with quite a different scheme for its object. At that time Mr. Howard was, in company with Mr. D. P. Davis, en- gaged in the manufacture of clocks and scales, and also standard weights and measures, for which they had a contract from the State of Massachusetts. They had also done something in the way of making fire- engines ; and at that time Mr. Howard was greatly interested in a scheme for building locomotives on an extensive scale.

Mr. Dennison succeeded not only in dissuading Mr. Howard from any attemptto engage in the locomotive business, but made him a convert to his own project for watch-making. Having then obtained an ally, who soon became quite as enthusiastic as himself, Mr. Dennison's own courage and confidence increased, and the two meu began their search for a capitalist, who would be able, by the aid of their prophetic vision, to discern a profitable return for an invest- ment in their novel undertaking. This individual they found in the person of Mr. Samuel Curtis, of Boston, who consented to invest the sum of $20,000 in the enterprise. The undertaking having been de- finitely decided upon, the next thing to be determined was as to the nature of the first practical action.

Without doubt Mr. Dennison had long before plan- ned in his own mind very many details, and was pre- pared to submit a definite course of procedure. Ilis suggestion was that a personal visit of inspection and investigation be made to the watch-making districts of England, and, at the same time, arrangements for the purchase of needful supplies which could not be readily procured in American markets, such as enamels, jewels, etc.

This recommendation of Mr. Dennison's was adopt- ed ; and accordingly he soon went to England, where he spent several months in gathering information as to the systems and methods in use by the English watch-makers ; his observation only serving to con- firm him in his belief that Americans could readily compete with them, especially in view of the fact of the extreme conservatism of the English, which prevented their ready adoption of new methods.

In a letter written by Mr. Dennison, while in Europe, he says, " I found that the party setting up as manufacturer of watches bought his Lancashire movements,-a conglomeration of rough materials,- and gave them out to A. B. C. and D. to have them finished ; and how A. B. C. D. gave out the different jobs of pivoting certain wheels of the train to E. cer- tain other parts to F., and the fusee cutting to G .- dial-making, jeweling, gilding, motioning, etc., to others, down almost the entire length of the alphabet. . . . Finding things in this condition, as a matter of course, my theory of Americans not finding any difficulty in competing with the English, especially if the interchangeable system and manufacturing in large quantities was adopted, may be accepted as reasonable."

During the absence of Mr. Dennison the other parties in the enterprise were not idle, so that after his return, work was commenced on a model watch, and some machinery and tools. Work was com- menced on a factory building in October, 1850, and it was completed in the following January. It was located on Hamden Street, in Roxbury,-now a part of the city of Boston,-and designated as the High- land District. At that time the business was con- ducted under the name of " The American Horologe Company," and the capital invested consisted princi- pally of the $20,000 furnished by Mr. Curtis, together with the practical manufacturing experience of Messrs. Howard & Davis, and the enthusiasm and confidence of Mr. Dennison. Of this combination, the dollars gradually but surely aud forever disappeared; the manufacturing experience was considerably enlarged ; and the enthusiasm probably remained unchanged.

Of course, in commencing the business of watch- making, one of the primary matters to be decided was the form of watch to be adopted, which involved the construction of a model from which to work in the building of the tools and machines required. A small room was partitioned off in the Howard & Davis clock factory, and two men were detailed to begin this work. They were the brothers Oliver and David Marsh. They were soon joined by Mr. Charles S. Moseley, whose name is familiar in many of the watch factories of the country, and to whom is due the credit of desiguing many machines now in use in all American watch factories. Among others who were engaged on the original watches and machines, it is proper to mention here Mr. James Baker, who after- ward became a foreman of one of the departments of the Waltham factory, which he left in 1874, to en- gage in mercantile business, returning, however, after a few years' absence, and is still industriously at work.

Mr. Nelson P. Stratton also soon became employed in the new enterprise; and very naturally, for he was a watchmaker by trade, having been engaged with the brothers Jamcs & Henry Pitkin, who in 1838 attempted to establish a watch factory at Hartford,

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Conn., and did indeed make about 800 movements, but, as their cost was greater than imported watches, the enterprise was abandoned.

Believing that Mr. Stratton's experience in the Pit- kins' factory would be of great value, Mr. Dennison persuaded him to give up his position with Messrs. Mckay, Spear & Brown, jewelers, on Washington Street, Boston, and cast in his lot with the promoters of the new industry.

In taking this action no mistake was made, for Mr. Stratton soon became prominent in the management of the business ; but of him more will be said here- after. Of the other workmen who were employed at, an early date, mention should be made of Mr. James T. Shepard, a brother-in-law of Mr. Stratton, who left the Springfield Armory to contribute his labor and skill to the new undertaking. He early became the head of one of the departments of the work, and still continues in the same position in the Waltham factory.

Among others who, early entering the service of the company, naturally came to occupy responsible positions, were Mr. John J. Lynch, who was foreman of the jeweling department, until his death in Sep- tember, 1885, and Mr. Albert T. Bacon, who was for many years the general superintendent of the Wal- tham factory.

Mr. David Marsh was adjuster of high-grade watches, until he left the factory to enter mercantile business.

In the summer of the next year (1851) a model watch was completed. In size it corresponded with the 18 size movement as made at the present time by all American factories, but it is said to have been radically different, however, in that it was designed to run eight days with one winding, instead of about thirty-six hours, as does the ordinary watch. But it was soon found that such a form of watch was im- practicable, and it was abandoned for the one-day watch.

Before any watches had been completed, the name of the company was changed to the Warren Mann- facturing Company (probably in honor of Gen. Joseph Warren, whose birth-place was not far from the Roxbury factory), and the first hundred move- ments produced bore this name. These were com- pleted and placed on the market in 1853. The next few hundred were named Samuel Curtis. But it was soon realized that the company name was not suffi- ciently suggestive of its business and it was changed to the Boston Watch Company.

The two or three years' experience at the Roxbury factory seems to have convinced the managers that the location was in many respects an unfavorable one, inasmuch as it was extremely dusty in the sum- mer months, and it was also felt that in planning for the future growth of the business, no slight regard should be had for the requirements of the employes, and provisions be made for their happiness and com- fort in the direction of homes.

Influenced by this feeling, Mr. Dennison began to search for a new and more favorable location. In his explorations among the suburban towns within a reasonable distance from Boston, he found a most charming spot which seemed to possess all the desired qualifications. This location was at Stony Brook, at the extreme eastern boundary of the town of Weston, and about eleven miles from Boston, on the line of the Fitchburg Railroad. But the owner of the de- sired land, Mr. N. L. Sibley, not having the enthusi- astic faith in the future magnitude of the watch- making industry which possessed Mr. Dennison, could not be made to realize the very great pecuniary ad- vantage which would accrue to him from the estab- lishment of such a factory.

Failing to agree with Mr. Sibley on terms of pur- chase, that location was given up, and search was made for some available site, which was soon found in the " Bemis Farm," which was situated on the south side of the Charles River, about three-quarters of a mile from the centre of the village of Waltham, and only ten miles from Boston.

Having then found a satisfactory location for the factory, the next thing was to make it evident to the employes that country life was a thing to be very greatly desired. Accordingly, Mr. Dennison used to plan excursions into the country, the objective-point, of course, being a certain pasture on the south bank of the Charles River. And then he would endeavor to awaken in his companions a little of the enthusiasm which seems always to have possessed him, by point- ing out to them some of the very charming locations on which to build houses. It is related that, on one of these outing days, Mr. Dennison mounted a stone wall, and waving his long army toward the adjoining field, he exclaimed to his companions, "Somewhere about there, gentlemen, there is going to be a watch factory." The factory was subsequently built on the spot then designated; and moreover, some of the men actually located their homes on the very lots . chosen for them.

The establishment of an industry so novel and, in the opinion of its projectors, so promising as watch- making, naturally set in motion other schemes for money-making, which should be more or less de- pendent upon or co-operative with the new factory.

The Waltham Improvement Company was incor- porated in March, 1854, with a capital of $100,000. They purchased most of the land in the vicinity of the watch factory site, amounting to several hundred acres, and laid it out into building lots, with main thoroughfares and intersecting streets.

Of the capital stock of this land corporation, the Boston Watch Company held thirty shares, at $100 each.

Work was soon commenced on the new factory buildings, and prosecuted so vigorously that by Oc- tober of that year they were ready for the reception of the machinery and tools. An engine and the

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needful boilers were put in place, shafting put up, and the machinery moved from the Roxbury factory and put in operation.

This factory was built in the form of two parallel wings running towards the river, with a square build- ing connecting the two in front, in which were located the various offices.

The material used in the construction of these orig- inal buildings was found on the spot, in the form of the gravel which constitutes the bulk of the soil of that region. This gravel was mixed with lime mor- tar, and the compound poured into a mould of plank, which was constructed in the form of a section of the building. After a section of this "concrete " had stood a sufficient time to become hardened, another section was built upon it in like manner, and so the process was continued, till the desired height was at- tained.

This method of construction was so successful that it was proposed to continue it, and one or two smaller buildings were made in the same manner ; but when, after partly completing a building designed for use as a boarding-house, a rain-storm washed it nearly all down, confidence in that form of construction seems to have suffered a fatal shock ; for it was not again attempted. Of these original buildings, the last one was demolished in 1879.

For some time after entering the new factory about fifty hands were employed, but few, if any, watches were produced. This necessitated a continual draft upon the very limited capital of the company, re- lieved by little, if any income, so that it was but a question of time when financial trouble would be inevitable. And iu less than two years matters had become not only serions but desperate. All the money which could be obtained had been absorbed. the product was small, and, with a natural prejudice against a new watch, the sales were slow ; and by the spring of 1857 the end of the second stage was reach- ed, and the company made an assignment.

The property was offered for sale by the assignee, and, on one rainy day in May, there was a gathering in the open court between the buildings, and in a short time the factory, with all its equipments, to- gether with what unfinished product it contained, passed from the ownership of the men who had toiled so hopefully for it.

Mr. Royal E. Robbins, of New York City, who had for some years been in the watch importing business, bid in the property, for himself and the firm of Tracy & Baker, who were to quite an amount creditors of the unfortunate watch company ; the price being $56,000.

The new firm-name was Tracy, Baker & Co .; but as this factory was so far distant from the watch-case business of Messrs. Tracy & Baker, which was located in Philadelphia, those men soon disposed of their interest to Mr. Robbins, who associated with him Mr. James Appleton and Mr. E. Tracy, and con-

ducted the business from September 1, 1857, under the firm-name of Appleton, Tracy & Co.

Almost immediately the great commercial and financial crisis of that year occurred, and for about a year it was necessary to carry on the works without returns from sales. With the aid of the New York firm of Robbins & Appleton, and of some friendly bankers in Boston, means were found to keep the factory running until, in the autumn of 1858, better times appeared, and a market for the product was gradually made. But it was a severe struggle, and a great trial to the faith and patience of Mr. Robbins. His capital being all involved, and his ability to carry through to success such a novel and risky enterprise being a good deal questioned, he was reduced to straits for money, which, in view of the subsequent history of the concern, presents a great contrast of conditions.

Many a time Mr. Robbins deposited with his own hands in Boston banks large boxes of watches, as col- lateral security for his notes, discounted at eighteen per cent. by capitalists to whom he had been intro- duced.

The co-operation of the workmen was secured, and many concessions on their part, of both time and wages, were considerately contributed to the mainten- ance of operations throughout this disastrous period. It was difficult enough, as many business men will remember, for the best and longest established con- cerns to borrow in that year, and it may well be be- lieved that the effort to revive a bankrupted watch- making business found very little favor amongst the few who had money to lend.

However, in 1858 the clouds began to break. The factory had by hard experience learned how to make watches by machinery, and to make them well, at a comparatively low cost. The future began to look very promising, but more capital was needed. In these circumstances Mr. Robbins proposed to the Waltham Improvement Company, that, inasmuch as the prosperity of that company was in a great measure dependent upon the success of the watch firm, their mutual interests would be best promoted by a union of properties in one company, whose capital should be made large enough for their objects. This proposal was so evidently wise that it met with accept- ance, and " The Waltham Improvement Company, at a shareholders' meeting, held August 26, 1858, voted to buy the watch factory property, real and personal, excepting the stock of finished goods then owned by Royal E. Robbins, for the sum of $100,000 and a bonus of $20,000 ; and therefore voted to increase the capital stock of the company to $200,000." Mr. Robbins ini- mediately subscribed the additional capital.

Dr. Horatio Adams was president of this company, Mr. W. H. Keith was clerk, and Mr. Robbins was elected treasurer and general business manager, which position he has continuously held during the thirty-two succeeding years.

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

With this consolidation the firm-name of Appleton, Tracy & Co. disappeared, and the business was owned and conducted by the Waltham Improvement Com- pany ; but on Feb. 8, 1859, the name was, by act of the Legslature, changed to the American Watch Company, and under that name its products achieved a world- wide reputation. On March 31, 1859, the officers of the Improvement Company were formally chosen to similar positions in the American Watch Company.

Dr. Adams continued to hold the office of president till February 16, 1861, when he resigned on account of ill health, and was sncceeded on March 28th by Mr. W. H. Keitlı.

Mr. Dennison continued to hold the position of superintendent till 1861, at which time he severed his connection with the company.

Mr. Stratton also acted for a time as assistant sup- erintendent.

Until 1860 nothing was realized from the business in the shape of dividends, but in that year a five per cent. dividend was declared-the first profitable re- turn obtained from watch-making in America.

The productive capacity of the factory was gradu- ally increased by the duplication of existing machines and also by the designing and constructing of new ones. Mention has already been made of Mr. Moseley, as having been somewhat prominent in this line. Another mechanic of special inventive ability was obtained in the person of Mr. Charles Vander- woerd, of whom more will be said hereafter.

In further search for competent mechanics, Mr. Dennison seems to have had the United States Armory still in his mind, and Mr. Ambrose Webster was brought on from Springfield, and installed in the machine-shop.

Mr. Webster was able to contribute to the factory quite an essential element. He possessed, either by nature or by virtue of the training and discipline of an apprenticeship in the United States Armory [then under military superintendence], an appreciation of the value of thorough system, and his help in this direction was of very great service, especially at that time, when it seemed evident that the business was destined to live, and when it was important to so plan the methods of manufacturing that the product should be reliable, both as to quantity and quality. Mr. Webster continued at the head of the machinery department till 1872, when he took the position of assistant superintendent; but during the six or more years immediately preceding that time his sphere of duties had so enlarged as to require an assistant, who had direct charge of the machine-shop.

The first person who acted in that capacity was Mr. George Ilunter, who later went to Elgin, Illinois, and aided in starting the watch-factory there. In that factory he took at first the position of machine-shop foreman, but is now, and for the past fifteen years has been the general superintendent.

On May 19, 1860, the capital of the American

Watch Company was increased to $300,000. Hardly had the newly re-organized company caught a glimpse of daylight ahead, after the gloom of failure and struggle, when the Civil War broke out, and all bnsi- ness came to a stand-still.

With little or no hope of being able to find a market for their product, unless that product should be so small as to be made at an actual loss, it was de- cided to reduce the expenses to the lowest point, but at the same time to keep the factory in operation so as to hold the leading operatives.

To this end the machine-shop was provided with work at building a few small lathes, for which a market was found; the hours of work were reduced, and most of the workmen who did not enlist in the army were discharged. A few hands were kept at work making machinery and in the production of watch movements and cases.

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 174

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