History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 176

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

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Mr. Woerd's abilities as an inventor of machinery having been recognized by Mr. Robbins, he was, in

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WALTHAM.

1874, assigned to the position and duties of mechani- cal superintendent of the entire factory ; and held that office until the resignation of Mr. Bacon, when he was appointed general superintendent of the fac- tory, with Mr. G. H. Shirley as his assistant.

Mr. Webster retired in 1876, shortly after Mr. Bacon resigned.

While Mr. Woerd unquestionably possessed the in- . ventive faculty in a large measure, he was not so well equipped to act as a manager, and his administration on the broader scale was not successful, and he retired in 1883.

Shortly after Mr. Robbins became identified with the factory the commercial and the manufacturing branches of the business were separated, and since that time the entire product of the factory has been marketed by the selling agents of the company, Messrs. Robbins & Appleton, who have evinced great business ability, in creating and maintaining, as well as supplying, an increasing demand for the Waltham watches.

This has been accomplished by the employment of a corps of trained salesmen, in their established offices in New York, Boston, Chicago and elsewhere ; and also by sending out " missionaries," whose duties are to visit the numerous watch-dealers, and ascertain their wants, listen to their suggestions or complaints, and rectify their mistakes.

Among those early employed in this capacity was Mr. Ezra C. Fitch, a young man who came from an apprentice's bench in the store of Bigelow & Kennard, of Boston. After being in the Boston office of Rob- bins & Appleton for a time, he was sent out "on the road," visiting various districts, principally in New England. He was subsequently transferred to the New York office; and while connected with that office he traveled over nearly every section of the United States, becoming acquainted with nearly all the leading watch-dealers of the country. Later he devoted his entire time to the business of the New York office, remaining there for several years, acquir- ing an experience and developing a business sagacity which naturally raised him to the head of the office, and later to a partnership in the firm of Robbins & Appleton.

During the latter part of Mr. Woerd's administration it had become evident that a change was demanded, it was decided to place Mr. Fitch in the general management of the factory; and in March, 1883, he removed from New York City, and entered upon his new line of work and responsibility.

One great advantage obtained in this appointment was the fact that Mr. Fitch was able, by reason of his commercial experience and his extensive acquaint- ance with the trade, to appreciate their wants as they could not be felt by those whose entire experience had been in the direction of manufacturing.

About three months after the advent of Mr. Fitch, Mr. Woerd severed his connection with the factory,

and the office and duties of general superintendent were assumed by Mr. Fitch. He was also chosen to a place on the Board of Directors; and in May, 1886, was elected president of the company, all of which positions he now occupies.

At the time this factory was started, and for many years thereafter, all watches were made in the form now designated as "key-winding," in which the main-spring was wound by means of a key, which was entirely separate from the watch, and which was liable to be mislaid or lost, and to use which required the opening of the watch-case, with the liability of the introduction of dust, to the injury of the delicate mechanism. After a time improved means for wind- ing were adopted, in which the separate key was dis- carded, and the winding performed hy means of an arbor extending through the case-pendant, upon the outer end of which was fastened a knob or " crown." By means of a lever, concealed within the case, or a "push piece" projecting through its side, the mechanism could be disconnected from the winding, and made to engage with other wheels, for the pur- pose of moving the hands. This form of construction is known as the " stem-winding " or " keyless " watch, and has to a great extent superseded the old form of winding.

Desiring to still further improve their watches, both in quality of workmanship and in mechanical devices, the company in 1882 secured the services of Mr. D. H. Church, of Chicago, who was known as a thorough watch-maker, and possessed of unusual skill and in- genuity. One of the first results of Mr. Church's endeavors was the production of a device for still for- ther improving stem-winding watches, so as to do away with the " hand-setting lever," which involved the necessity of openingthe case during the operation of setting the hands. This new form of construction was soon adopted, and became very popular, being technically known as the " pendant-set."

In giving the history of an enterprise such as we have been considering, it would be of interest to dwell to some extent upon the careers of the individuals who have been prominent in its develop- ment ; but it has been the endeavor of the writer to subordinate individuals so far as possible, in the simple story of the origin, trials and growth of this world-renowned industry. And it remains in closing to make mention of a few things which are of inter- est, and may well become matters of permanent record.

In 1885, by an act of the Massachusetts Legislature, this company was anthorized to increase its capital to $4,000,000 and also to change its corporate name by the insertion into it of the word " Waltham ;" and under that authority it has, since March of that year, existed under the name of the American Wal- tham Watch Company.

In the same month it was voted by the stockholders I to increase the capital from $1,500,000 to $2,000,000.

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

In March, 1889, it was voted to still further increase it, so as to make the amount $3,000,000.

On that occasion Mr. Robbins made his thirtieth annual report as treasurer ; and its close gave a brief review of the thirty years' work. Among other interesting items he stated that up to February 1, 1879, 1,112,133 watch-movements had been made; and at the close of the year 1888 the number had reached 3,800,496, showing that the production of the last ten years had been more than double that of the preceding twenty years ; also that the sales since he became treasurer had reached an aggregate of nearly $48,000,000.

While it is a matter for congratulation that this vast sum without question indicates a large total return to the stockholders, it is also no less a fact that the employees have shared in the prosperity of the business to an extent which, to say the least, is by no means common.

It has been a matter of no small pride with the management that the scale of wages has been a liberal one. It is also a matter of almost universal com- ment with visitors to the factory, as they are shown through the various departments, or observe the 2800 operatives as they pass out at the close of work, to note their appearance of superior intelligence and refinement.

It would be difficult to find another manufacturing concern the ranks of whose workmen have produced so many persons who have entered professional life, or adopted other forms of business as employers. Among the graduates from this factory there are several editors, lawyers, physicans, dentists and artists. Others have become merchants and manufacturers. Many are holding honorable positions in municipal affairs. One is mayor of the city, another is post- master, and another a member of the State Legisla- ture.

The high character and superior intelligence of the people who here find employment, together with the liberal wages paid, will, in a great measure, account for the absence of labor troubles, which have be- come so common in many industries. But much is also due to the governing desire on the part of the officers of the company to be just and fair in the con- sideration of all matters involving differences of opinion, and apparent conflict of interests.

The introduction of improved methods of work and the employment of labor-saving machines will without doubt occasion temporary individual hard- ships, but thoughtful men realize that such things are to be expected, and are in fact inevitable; but will also realize that the permanent prosperity of the in- dividual operatives is dependent upon the financial success of their employers.

The decay of the watch industry in England, con- sequent upon their loss of the American market, and the fact that large numbers of Waltham watches are sold abroad, has compelled the English to acknowl-

edge that, in certain respects at least, the American system possesses a superiority. Several attempts have been made within the last few years to inaugurate the same general plan in some English establishments, but it is understood with only a partial degree of success.

Within recent months articles have been published in English horological journals, in which the at- tempt has been made to rob Mr. Dennison of the credit of having originated the system of interchangea- bility of parts, made possible by the employment of a series of special machines. Nevertheless, the fact remains that such a scheme, if ever conceived in Europe, was never carried out, nor practically de- monstrated until Mr. Dennison accomplished it. So that whatever of honor or credit such an accomplish- ment can claim is certainly due to Mr. Dennison and his co-workers in originating this factory.

A person unacquainted with the almost infinite de- tails involved in the conduct of a complete and exten- sive watch factory, can have little appreciation of the difficulties and perplexities which are continually arising. Nor can he comprehend the extremely wear- ing nature of the duties involved in the judicious management of such a business.

For these reasons it has often been felt that the safe and profitable limit of production could not be very greatly in excess of that already attained.

But the invention and use of improved machines continues to make possible an increase of product, without greatly complicating the details ; so that it is expected that within a few months at least two thousand movements per day will be produced.

The completion of watch No. 2,000,000 in January, 1883, was made the occasion of a slight celebration, which took the form of a banquet. It was given by the foremen of the various departments of the fac- tory ; they having as invited guests, Mr. R. E. Rob- bins, the treasurer; Mr. C. V. Woerd, the superin- tendent; Mr. G. H. Shirley, assistant superintendent, and representatives from the offices of the selling agents. The most interesting feature of the occasion was the address of Mr. Robbins, who, after expressing his pleasure at meeting his captains and lieutenants in that social way, gave a most interesting narrative of some of the early difficulties and struggles of the Watch Company, some of which have been recorded in the foregoing pages. That occasion was so thor- onghly enjoyed by all present that, as one result, The Watch Factory Foremen's Association was or- ganized, holding regular meetings for the discussion of matters pertaining to the interests of the factory. Similar banquets have been held each succeeding year, the officers of the company, the selling agents, and the foremen successively being the hosts.

On the completion of watch movement No. 3,000,- 000, the company fitted it with a handsome gold case, and presented it to the Foremen's Association ; and it has been carried by different members, no one being

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allowed to possess it for a longer period than six months.

The present rate of production will, within a few months, bring the number of finished movements to a full 5,000,000, which event might well be the oc- casion of a celebration.

As iu the natural world there seems to be a par- ticular pest or enemy to the various forms of vegeta- tion, so there has within a few years been developed to a marked degree an influence which has been the cause of very serious disturbance in the time rate of watches. The attempt to discover a remedy for this difficulty has engaged the time and taxed the ingenu- ity of the management of this company and some of its prominent assistants for many months, and the problem has been successfully solved by the discovery of certain alloys, which possess the properties of elas- ticity and sufficient expansion under the influence of heat, and also the non-magnetic property. So that watches are now made which can be safely exposed to strong magnetic influences without fear of injury.

The rapid introduction of electricity as an agent for the convenient transmission of power and for the pro- duction of artificial light will, without doubt, be the cause of injury to large numbers of watches of ordi- nary construction, and it is therefore felt that the abil- ity to construct non-magnetic watches, which is alone possessed by this American company, is to be of in- creasing value.

Allusion has been made to the great amount of de- tail involved in the manufacture of watches, as con- ducted at this factory. The statement of a few facts will make this evident to the ordinary reader.

This company, at the present time (1890), is manu- facturing watch-movements in five different sizes, and of each size several different grades are made. While the different grades of any one size may, and do, possess the same general appearance, yet in cer- tain details there are radical differences, and in others there are required modifications in the operations which enter into their construction and finish.

An ordinary watch-movement is composed of up- wards of one hundred and fifty distinct pieces, and a careful list of the distinct operations required to com- plete them all shows the number to be over three thousand seven hundred, or an average of twenty-five operatious for each piece. Some of them are, of course, quite simple ; but others are complicated and involve the employment of special machines, many of which are, from their character, very expensive.

It will doubtless be evident that a business involv- ing so much of detail, and demanding such a degree of accuracy in workmanship, can be successfully con- ducted only by the most careful attention to all the de- tails of it; and that thorough system is indispensable.

To attain these ends, the work of the factory is di- vided into twenty-two departments, each under the direct care of a foreman, some of whom have one or more assistants. The departments are as follows :

Full Plate Department .

Leonard Greene, Foreman.

Three-quarter Plate Department

. . Lorenzo Noble =

Pinion Turning

. Martin Thomas

Pinion-Cutting

. C. R. Hill =

Eecspement

. . C. C. Byam

Flat Steel

. . J. T. Shepard

Jewel-Making

. W. R. Wille

Jeweling

. . Alfred Warren

Engraving

. . William Murray

Balance

. . J. L. Keyser

Main and Hair-Spring =

. . John Logan

Screw-Making

. C. H. Mann

Dial-Making

. F. W. Wetherbee

Dial-Painting

. E. L. Hull

Punch and Hand

N. P. Mulloy

Machine

. W. H. Wrenn

Gilding

. A. P. Williama

Finishing

. Thomas Gill

Packing

. Miss A. Clark

Repairing

. J. N. Hammond

Carpentering

. . C. W. H. Boulton

Janitor and Supplies

. . C. J. Olney

Aside from the foregoing, who have specific duties, there is a corps of what may be called executive offi- cers, whose duties and cares are more general, but not less exacting and wearing. The nature of their duties is suggested by the several titles, viz. :

General Superintendent . E. C. Fitch

Assistant Superintendent . G. 11. Shirley

Master Mechanic

. E. A. Marsh

Master Watchmaker . D. H. Church

Chief Inspector

D. W. Eldridge

The officers of the corporation have been as follows:

1858 .- Horatio Adams, M.D., (Waltham Imp't Co.), president ; R. E. Robbins, treasurer ; W. H. Keith, clerk.

1859 .- Horatio Adams, M.D. (American Watch Company), president : R. E. Robbins, treasurer ; W. H. Keith, clerk.

1861 .- W. H. Keith (American Watch Company), president ; R. E. Robbins, treasurer ; Henry Martyn, clerk.

1867 .- I. W. Mulliken (American Watch Company), president ; R. E. Robbins, treasurer ; Henry Martyn, clerk.

1871 .- 1. W. Mulliken (American Watch Company), president ; R. E. Robbins, treasurer ; W. W. Titcomb, clerk.

1874 .- F. M. Stone (American Watch Company), president ; R E. Rohbina, treasurer ; W. W. Titcomb, clerk.

1878 .- Horatio Moore (American Watch Company), president ; R. F. Robbins, treasurer; W. W. Titcomb, clerk.

1883 .- Horatin Moore (American Watch Company), president ; R. E. Robbine, treasurer ; P. W. Carter, clerk.

1885 .- Horatio Moore (American Waltham Watch Company), presi- dent ; R. E. Robbins, treasurer ; P. W. C'arter, clerk.

1888 .- Ezra (1. Fitch (American Waltham Watch Company), presi- dent ; R. E. Robbins, treasurer ; P. W. Carter, clerk.

In closing this imperfect, and somewhat fragment- ary, sketch of the origin, trials and triumphs of this pioneer in the watch-making industry in America, it may be said, that while many other enterprises are much more easily conducted, and may yield returns to their stockholders far exceeding this, it may well be doubted if in the whole country, or indeed in the world, there can be found an enterprise more widely and favorably known, or one which has been able to promote such a general diffusion of sound prosperity, as has resulted, directly and indirectly, from the es- tablishment and management of the manufacturing industry now conducted under the name of "The American Waltham Watch Company."

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

CHAPTER LI.

WALTHAM-(Continued).

PUBLIC LIBRARY.

BY NATHAN WARREN.

THE WALTHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY was organized as a free public library in 1865. At that time the Rumford Institute, an institution of long standing aod great influence for good in the town, offered to give its large and well-selected library, on condition that it be made a free public library, and that its charge and support thereafter should be assumed by the town. The town accepted the proposition and the present Public Library, was thus formed and or- ganized. The management of the library was in- trusted to a board of eight directors, four of whom were to be chosen in each year, and the funds for the maintenance of the library and the purchase of books were appropriated from the town treasury. Rooms for books, and a reading-room, were secured in the second story of the Waltham Bank Building. Miss Lorenza Haynes was appointed librarian, and thus the library, as one of the free public institu- tions of the town, started on its course of usefulness.

But the history of the library before it was taken under the fostering care of the town, is the most in- teresting feature of its existence. It shows the desire and successful efforts of a people to obtain informa- tion, and draw from the store of public knowledge that knowledge so essential to the welfare of a free and intelligent people. It also furnishes a shining example to the everlasting honor of the first cotton manufacturing establishment in America, of the care of the corporation for the moral and educational well- being of the operatives, and of the people residing in the locality of the manufactory. When the Boston Manufacturing Company established its mills in Waltham, among its early acts, besides the encourage- ment of the church and the school for those connected with the factories and their children, was the promo- tion of a library of useful and entertaining knowledge. Funds for that purpose were placed in the hands of Rev. Sewall Harding, the pastor of the church, who made the first purchases of books. This was in the year 1820. These books were loaned to the operatives at stated periods, and the library was called the Manufacturers' Library. When the Rumford Insti- tute was organized in 1826, besides providing for lec- tures and debates, it started a collection of books. This institution was substantially encouraged by the manufacturing company, and as a foundation for a permanent library, the Manufacturers' Library was transferred to the Institutc. This was a nucleus of the large and well-selected library which was finally given to the town as a public library. From small beginnings, the gradual accretions of books, from gift and purchase, swelled the number and insured a per-

manent and valuable collection. The manufacturing company with continued liberality erected a building for the lectures of the Institute, and provided cases and facilities for keeping and delivering the books. The proceeds of rent were devoted to the purchase of new books. The class of books purchased and added were of a general character, adapted to the use of such a population, and of a high order, which shows the care in their selection. The library was open every Saturday evening, and the annual fee for its privileges was merely a nominal sum. To minors especial encouragement was given for availing them - selves of the use of the library and attendauce at its lectures. Thus the library in the sphere of its use- fulness, and the additions to its shelves, grew with the growth of the town, and was an important ele- ment in the social, moral and intellectual life. The noble and broad-minded men who were the projectors of the factories showed that they were guided by higher motives than those which attached to mere business enterprises. When the library was trans- ferred to the town, it comprised about three thousand well-chosen volumes.

Soon after its organization as a Public Library, the Social Library, of the First Parish Church, was given to it. This library had been established under the statutes passed for the encouragement of learn- ing and knowledge in that way, and was connected with the church of the town, though the books were mostly of a general and secular character. In 1873 the library of the Farmers' Club, consisting of about two hundred and fifty volumes of agricultural works, was added to the library as a gift from the club.

As the extent of the library and the convenience of the people required better accommodations, in 1880, by the advice of the directors, the town authorized the removal to a new block erected by Charles A. Welch, at the corner of Charles and Moody Streets, where, upon the ground-floor, much better facilities were secured. Tbe area was judiciously divided into reception, reading, reference and alcove rooms, and the location has proved itself as well adapted to the purposes as any place not especially provided for such use in its original design. It is hoped that at some future time publie or private munificence may provide a building devoted to its exclusive use as a Public Library. By the city charter the manage- ment of the library is in charge of a board of six di- rectors, two of whom are elected annually by the Board of Aldermen. The appropriatious by both the town and city have always been liberal and have been granted with an adequate comprehension of the benefit of such an institution. By co-operation with the School Board the library is made greatly to aid the scholars of the public schools in their studies. Special attention has been given to reference books, and the room devoted to their use is one of its most interesting apartments. The librarians have been

WALTHAM.

Miss Lorenza Haynes, Mr. A. J. Lathrop and Miss Sumner Johnson, who at present holds that position. The number of books is about fifteen thousand.

CHAPTER LII.

WALTHAM-(Continued).

MANUFACTORIES.

BY ALEXANDER STARBUCK.

NOT many years after the settlement of Watertown advantage was taken of the water privileges within its borders for the establishment of such manufactures as the limited needs of the colonists required and would support. The earliest one of which we have any account as having been established within what are now the corporate limits of Waltham was a full- ing-mill, erected at or near the site known as Ken- dall's Mill, on Beaver Brook. On the 30th of May, 1662, Timothy Hawkins sold to Thomas Agar, of Roxbury, fuller, three-quarters of an acre of land at this place, " with all the accommodation of water, for the erecting and maintenance of a fulling-mill in said place, and on the river that passeth through the same; also the right of way." Mr. Agar did not continue the business long at this place, for the record says that December 18, 1663, but little more than a year at best from the time he could have had his mill in operation, he sold the land, " with the fulling- mill thereon erected, to Thomas Loveran, late of Ded- ham, Co. Essex, Old England, cloth worker." Lover- an seems to have continued in business here until 1669-70, January 3d of that year he sold the mill to Timothy Hawkins and Benjamin Garfield. Prior to 1690-how long before does not appear-the mill was used for grinding corn. In 1700 Samuel Stearns, a son-in-law of Timothy Hawkins, was the owner in whole or in part of the property.

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 176

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