History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 199

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 199

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Since the opening the business of the road has stead- ily increased, giving a fair rate of profit, and fulfill- ing the anticipation of the projectors.

The total length of road operated at the start, 2.514 miles, an extension of one half mile has just been completed.

The plant and rolling stock consists of two Arming- ton & Sims' sixty horse-power engines, two No. 16, Edison Dynamos, three box-cars, three open-cars ; the Sprague system is used.

CHAPTER LX. MARLBOROUGH-(Continued).

MANUFACTURING INTERESTS. BY EDWARD R. ALLEY.

MARLBOROUGH has long occupied a front rank among the leading shoe manufacturing towns of New England. From small beginnings in 1835, the busi- ness increased to an annnal product of $1,200,000 in 1860. Since that its increase has also been rapid and at the present time the value of the annual pro- duct amounts to the sum of $6,855,000.

The making of shoes began here in 1835, when Joseph Boyd, then a young man, having learned to make custom shoes of Col. Ephraim Howe, began manufacturing shoes in a small way in the addition to his father's house, located at the junction of Maple and Bridge Streets, now occupied by Josiah Bennett .. He continued here about a year, when Samuel Boyd, his younger brother, having served an apprenticeship and learned the tanner's trade of Col. Davis in North- boro', joined Joseph and together they continued man- ufacturing. In 1837 they bought the Hall Shop, as it was called, which stood on the site of the Marlboro' Block, Main Street. In 1839 Joseph went to St. Louis, remaining there until 1845 when he returned and again joined Samuel in 1846. Iu 1848 they built the brick part of the Morse Shop on Maple Street, and it was used as a hottoming shop, the shoes being cut in the shop in the rear of what is now the Dart House ; he continued until 1851 when he went to Southboro' and remained there manufacturing until 1858, theu returned and joined S. Boyd & Corey, re- maining a year or more when he formed a partner- ship with Eugene Brigham, making up the firm of J. Boyd & Brigham'; they commenced in the west end of Corey Block ; here they made shoes for the United States Army and were very successful, re- maining there until 1864 when they built their new shop on Main Street, at the corner of Newton Street.

Eugene Brigham retired in 1872, when the new firm of J. Boyd & Co. was formed, consisting of J. Boyd, Wm. Woodward and W. A. Alley. W. A. Alley retired in 1858, and they continued to manufacture until 1879.

April 1, 1836, Samuel Boyd having learned the tanner's trade, at Northboro', returned to his home and joined Joseph, his older brother, who had begun to make shoes one year before in an addition to their father's house at the junction of Maple and Bridge Streets ; they continued together and bought the Hall Shop, which stood on the site of the Marlboro' Block, in 1837. Joseph retired in 1839 and went to St. Louis.

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Samuel took his brother John M. as partner in 1841, and needing more room than the Hall Shop would give them, they built the Commons Shop in 1843, located nearly south of the Orthodox Church, now made into a house and owned by John E. Cur- tis ; in 1846 Joseph, having returned from St. Louis, took John's place in the firm ; in 1848 they built the brick part of the Morse Shop now located on Maple St.

In 1849, Samuel Boyd took Thomas Corey as his partner and built the corner shop on Maple Street. Joseph remained until 1851, when he retired. In 1855, Boyd & Corey built the brick shop, now the Ceutral House ; here the business continued under the firm names of Boyd Corey, S. Boyd, R. Boyd & Witherbee, R. Boyd & Co., until 1870 when R. M. Pomeroy & Co., entered the firm, making the house of Boyd, Corey, Pomeroy & Co., and the mammoth factory at the corner of Howe Street was built; the business was largely increased the Pomeroys retiring in 1871, Thomas Corey and Daniel Ahl remaining until 1872 when Ahl retired.

Mr. Corey died in 1874 and Samnel Boyd continued until November 1, 1883, when he organized the Boyd & Corey Boot and Shoe Manufacturing Company, and continued to date, making fifty-five years con- tinuous manufacturing.

L. & L. Bigelow & Co., started shoe business in 1836 in a small shop standing on Pleasant Street on land where now is located the house of William Morse, Esq .; they manufactured here for four years and sold their machinery in 1840 to William Dad- mun and retired from the shoe business. The building used by them is now used for a dwelling and stands at the junction of Beach Street and Clover Hill Road.

1838 .- In 1838 or'39, John Winslow Stevens, manu- factured shoes nearly opposite the Unitarian Church on Pleasant Street. In 1849 he manufactured in what was the Alley House on Lincoln Street. Later in the Algernon Brigham House, on Pleasant Street. Still later in a shop in the rear of his own house, on Pleasant Street, situated next southerly the Unita- rian parsonage. Ile retirad in 1858.

1840 .- William Dadinun, at the closing up of the hoe business of L. & L. Bigelow & Co. in 1840. William Dadmun bought the machinery and begun to manufacture shoes on Pleasant Street, opposite the Unitarian Church ; the second shop was in old Mc- Donough House, on Lincoln Street. He continued alone until 1861, when he formed a copartnership with Ezra Cutting, styled Dadmun & Cutting, which was successful, so that in 1863 they built the large shoe factory corner of Lincoln and Chestnut Streets. In 1873 Mr. Cutting retired, and Mr. Dadmun took his son, William E., into the firm, making William Dadmun & Co., and continued the business up to 1875, making thirty-five years active manufacturing.

1842 .- Samuel Chipman, manufacturer on East Main Street with his brother John, and so continued to 1845. In 1862 he was a member of the firm of Whit-

ney, Fulton & Chipman, in Middlesex Square, and continued until 1864 or '65, when the property was purchased by Rice & Hutchins.

1846 .- Freeman Morse started the manufacturing of shoes on the " Farms," and so continued until 1856, when he took his brother George H. as partner, and formed the firm of F. W. & G. H. Morse. They bought the old Boyd brick shop on Maple Street, and have continued to manufacture boots and shoes to this date.

1849 .- In 1849 one Chapin Daniels made shoes in a small shop, standing where the No. 1 En- gine House is now located.

1849 .- Sidney G. Fay began business in June, 1849, and continued with varying success. He sold, in January, 1866, to Chase, Merritt & Co., who con- tinued until 1869 in factory on Lincoln Street. In 1869 the firm became Chase, Merrit & Blanchard, which continued until 1877, when it was changed to Chase, Merritt & Co., and continues to date, the company consisting of H. S. Chase, George W. Merritt, W. E. Richardson, and H. G. Chase.

1851 .- In 1851 Charles G. Whitney began the manu- facture of shoes in the C. L. Bliss barn, on East Main Street, and continued until November 1, 1855, when he took Charles Palmer in partnership, under the firm- name of C. G. Whitney & Palmer. This firm con- tinued one year, and in 1856 moved to a shop on Elm Place, and continued until 1858, when the firm was dissolved. In 1859 Mr. Whitney associated with him Mr. C. M. Howe, and they manufactured in what is the William Barnes house on Middlesex Square. In 1861 Howe retired and Palmer again became Whit- ney's partner, and continued until 1862, when the firm of Whitney, Felton & Chipman was formed, and they built a large factory on Middlesex Square, and continued until 1864 and '65, when Rice and Hutch- ins purchased their business.

1836 .- John Chipman began to manufacture shocs in the shop used by Emery Cutting for custom work. The shop is now occupied by Mr. Hemenway on East Main Street. He continued with some changes until 1842, when his brother Samuel joined him; they re- mained together until about 1845.

1845 .- In 1845 Josiah Howe began to manufacture shoes in part of John Holyoke's house on Pleasant Street; he afterwards removed his shop to Mechanic Street near Lorren Arnold's house; here his health failed; he went to Cuba, where he died.

1848 .- Sidney Howe continued the business left by Josiah, on Mechanic Street; removed to corner Pleasant and Elm Streets ; continued about one year.

1842 .- Charles Dana Bigelow learned his trade of Thomas Holden, of Berlin; in 1842 he commenced work bottoming shoes, taking out work from Grafton and Westboro': in 1844 he had four small shops occu- pied this way, and so continued until 1845. In 1847 he built a new shop, which at that time was the largest shop in town. He was the first to employ

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Canadian French on shoes, in Marlborough. 1852 his shop was bnrned and he removed to New York.

1841 .- John M. Boyd began to manufacture shoes in company with his brother Samuel, in 1841. They built the Commons shop in 1843; they remained to- gether until 1846; then John started alone, he owning the Hall shop and the Commons shop; he continued and in 1849 began to make boy's and youth's shoes. All the shoes up to this day manufactured in Marlbo- rough, had been child's shoes.

1842 he invented the shoe-die, having them made at Leland and Thurston's, Kitville, Grafton, and the die gave Marlborongh great advantages over adjoin- ing towns. 1853 he built the Marlborough Block and manufactured in it until 1857, the business in three years amounting to $500,000.

1851 .- Thomas Jason Howe manufactured shoes in 1851 in the George Davis house, 1 East Main Street, and continued until 1857.

1853 .- In 1853 Charles M. Howe was manufactur- ing shoes in the Geo. Brigham shop, on Main Street, on the present site of the Windsor House. He after- wards manufactured with C. G. Whitney in the Win. Barnes house, and later in the Exchange Building.

Henry O. Russell commenced on the old homestead, on Elm Street in 1853, built a shop on Franklin Street 1855, formed copartnership with Thomas Hap- good. This partnership continued until 1858, when he formed copartnership with Abel Howe, under name of Russell & Howe, and continued one year. In 1859 he bought the Forest Hall Block, and continued alone to manufacture there until 1875. In 1876 he formed a partnership with William A. Alley, which was successful and continued until 1888, when Alley retired and Russell formed the firm of H. O. Russell & Co., and is manufacturing at this date.

1854 .- John O'Connell started the manufacture of child's shoes in a shop on the easterly side of Howe Street, and continued to increase his business until 1869 when he built his new shop on the same street, on the line of the Old Colony Railroad ; here he had suc- cess, and in 1873 took in his son, John A., and, in 1880 Daniel, making the firm of John O'Connell & Sons. They are doing a very successful business to-day.

dent, and Louis P. Howe, vice-president, and the capacity is seven thousand pairs of shoes per day.

Lewis A. Howe began to manufacture shoes with his brother, S. Herbert Howe, in 1855, and continued a few years. In 1861 Mr. Howe associated with him in business Algernon S. Brigham, under the firm- name of Brigham & Howe, and this firm con- tinued in the factory corner of Pleasant and Chestnut Streets, until 1865, when they removed to the factory on Lincoln Street, now occupied by Frank Garvin. Here they remained until 1870, when the firm dis- solved, and Mr. Howe returned to Warren, Maine.

1858 .- Timothy A. Cooledge removed here from Natick in 1857, where he had worked with Henry Wilson making shoes. He began in a small shop on Pleasant Street on the site of his present large fac- tory. The first four years he made men's brogans and some boots. He gradually raised the standard of his goods until about 1876, when his factory was totally destroyed by fire. In 1877 he rebuilt this factory on an improved plan, and has to-day one of the best-equipped shops in the city. During all this time Mr. Cooledge has sold his entire production through the house of Fogg, Houghton & Cooledge. It may be remarked here that Mr. Cooledge's father was a manufacturer of shoes in a small way in Natick.

1858 .- Frank A. Ifowe began to manufacture shoes in the John Allen House on Elm Street. Afterward he moved up the street farther to the Proctor Place. His business demanding more room, he built a large factory at the corner of Pleasant and Franklin Streets in 1862. He continued here until 1875. Afterwards James Tucker & Co. manufactured in this shop sev- eral years. This factory was afterward bought by S. H. Howe, and enlarged and known as the Diamond "F" Shop.

1863 .- In 1863 Davis & Longley built the most easterly of the two Billings' shops. In 1864 Clapp & Billings began to manufacture in this shop. They made a specialty of boys and youths' laced and buckle Congress shoes. In 1869 they bought the shops next to the Windsor Hotel, and continued in both shops until 1879, when Mr. J. B. Billings pur- chased his partner's interest, and has continued alone up to the present time.

1855 .- S. Herbert Howe commenced making shoes 1863 .- John A. Fry began business in the Wins- low Stevens shop in February, 1863, where he con- tinued until January, 1864, when he removed to the Elm Street shop. In 1865 he purchased of Allen Howe the new shop at corner of Pleasant and Chest- nut Streets, which he has enlarged four times. Ile commenced the manufacture of boots in 1883, and continues to date. in the cooper shop on Pleasant Street. HIcre he manufactured, with his brother Lewis A. Howe. He subsequently purchased his brother's interest and removed to the corner of Pleasant and Elm Streets, the site of his present home factory. This shop he has enlarged six times. March 12th, 1878, he pur- chased the Diamond " F" shop of James Tucker, and here began the manufacture of a finer grade of 1867 .- In 1867 Rice & Hutchins began manufac- ture of boots and shoey in Middlesex Square in the old shop of Felton & Chipman. Their factory was burned in 1878, and was rebuilt with all modern im- provements. They have continued to the present goods. This shop he has enlarged three times. June 4, 1889, he bought the Diamond " O" factory of C. L. & L. T. Frye. He has united all of these fac- tories under the corporate name of the S. H. Howe Shoe Company, of which S. Herbert Howe is presi- > time. This firm built a large factory on Cotting Ave-

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

nue in 1889. This is one of the leading firms in the city, the amount produced amounting to $1,000,000. The superintendent and manager of these factories is Mr. John E. Curtis.

1875 .- James Tucker & Co. bought the Frank A. Howe shop, and manufactured for several years.

In 1858 John E. Curtis began the manufacture of shoes on High Street, continuing here until 1861, when he removed to the Marlboro' Block, and in 1868 bought the old Boyd & Corcy shop, at the corner of Maple and Main Streets. This he enlarged and man- nfactured boots and shoes that had a wide reputation. In 1872 Vaughn & Sanborn bought the business and continued a short time; afterward Mr. Curtis became the superintendent of the Rice & Hutchins factories.

Hiram Temple removed to Marlborough and began the manufacture of shoes before 1845.

Abel Howe began, in 1858, the manufacture of shoes on Main Street, near Grant Street, with H. O. Russell. He later removed to High St., near the Union Church, and built a very large and convenient factory.

Hugh R. Bean manufactured shoes on Longley St. In 1871 Levi W. Baker manufactured boots and shoes on High Street, and continued until 1877.

The Commonwealth Shoe Company built a model shoe factory on Maple Street in 1888-89, and began to manu- facture fine boots and shoes, Mr. M. Quirk, the superin- tendent, having been previously connected with the Boyd & Corey Boot and Shoe Manufacturing Company.

Charles L. and Lewis T. Frye manufactured shoes in the Parsons shop, and later bought the William Dadmun shop, corner of Howland and Lincoln Streets, closing in 1889, Jeremiah Desmond taking the Par- sons shop when the Fryes removed.

In 1852 Stephen and William Eager manufactured shoes at their shop on Hosmer Street.

In 1842 Elijah M. Dickinson made shoes on East Main Street.

The manufacture of shoe dies was begun by S. K. Taylor in the basement of the Brick shop in 1858 or '59, and was afterwards removed to the Davy shop, on Florence Street. He was succeeded by Taylor & Blanchard, Samnel F. Draper, Hobbs & Mellen, and T. Joseph Beaudry, who continues to this time.

James L. Belser and Henry Exley started a ma- chine-shop in the basement of the J. B. Billings fac- tory in 1866, continuing but a short time, when they removed to the Brick shop. Taking Mr. Hall as part- ner, the firm became Hall, Belser & Exley. In 1867 Henry Parsons succceded Ilall, making the firm of Belser, Exley & Parsons, and they removed to Forest Hall. Belser retired in 1869, and the firm built their Lincoln Street shop in '72. Exley retired in '78, leaving Mr. Parsons the proprietor of the business. Ile has continued with good success the manufacture of steam-engines, elevators and sole-cutters.

Hall, Sandiford & Watson started a machine-shop on Lincoln Street in 1868, and continued about seven years manufacturing sole-cutters and small machinery

used in shoe factories, Bevan & Alden running the business from 1875 to 1878, afterwards as Bevan & Davey to 1830, and Davey & Exley until 1884; then they separated, Davey taking the upper part of Henry Parsons' shop, while Henry Exley continued at the old shop until 1887.

Julian P. Wood began the manufacture of punch- machines in 1879, and later other shoe machinery. Taking Herbert Willard as a partner in 1887, the busi- ness increased very fast. They hold several valuable patents.

CHAPTER LXI.

MARLBOROUGH-(Continued).

MASONIC.

BY B. F. GREELEY.

United Brethren Lodge, A. F. and A. M .- The his- tory of Free Masonry in Marlborough from the date of its first introduction as an organized body until the present time, covers a period of nearly seventy years, and is marked by a most gratifying advance in membership and efficiency.

Though a lengthy intermission separates the early body from the present organization, the original records now on file as well as oral traditions of a few of the early brethren, have been handed down unim- paired, and serve as a connecting link between these two branches of the same family.

The desire of our grandfathers to organize a Ma- sonic Lodge in this vicinity, culminated in the early part of the year 1824, when application was made to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts for a charter, but owing to opposition from the Fredonia Lodge, A. F. and A. M. of Northborough, an adverse report was made and the desired charter withheld ; later a second application was made, which was granted, . bearing date of September 8, 1824. The first meeting under the charter was held September 23, 1824, in a building owned by Bro. Sullivan Thayer, located near the present Exchange Building, and adjoining the brick dwelling, corner of Exchange and Main Streets, Wor. Bro. Abraham Gates was chosen Master ; Rev. Seth Alden, Sen. Warden ; Richard Farwell, Jun. Warden; John Maynard, Treas .; Freeman Stow, Sect'y ; John G. Barnard, Sen. Deacon ; John Lyscom, Jr., Jun. Deacon ; Isaac T. Stevens, Sen. Steward, and Caleb Witherbee, Marshal. The records of Ma- sonic work show the lodge to have been both popular and prosperous, as numerous accessions to its mem- bership were made, embracing many of the leading men of this and the surrounding towns. The names of no less than five clergymen appear on the rolls during the years 1824, 1825, and 1826.

On the 28th of April, 1825, the lodge apartments were dedicated according to ancient Masonic cer- emonies, the brethren marching to the Unitarian

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MARLBOROUGH.

Church, where they were addressed by Rev. Seth Alden, a brother Mason. In the afternoon they as- sembled at the Spring Hill Church, where the lodge was instituted, and the tenets of Masonry and cardi- nal virtues of the order were solemnly emphasized to the brethren. A banquet was spread in a large tent adjoining the present Union Church common to which the friends of the brethren were invited. The officers were installed on the evening of the same date, and an oration delivered in the meeting-house by Bro. Samuel Clark.

September 1, 1825, Brother Jacob Frieze was chosen master, holding the office until the following spring, when he resigned, and March 26, 1826, Brother Rich- ard Farwell was elected to fill the vacancy.

With increasing prosperity it was deemed advisable to arrange for more commodious quarters for Lodge purposes, and at the annual town-meeting in 1825, an article was inserted in the Warrant, asking permis- sion to build a school-house, with a Masonic hall in the upper story. This article was passed over, and no further action taken until two years later, when a similar request was made, and the necessary grant obtained. Jan. 11, 1827, a committee was chosen to consider the subject of building a Masonic hall, and in concert with the Citizen's Association, arrange- ments were perfected by which a building was to be erected, the first floor of which was to be used as an academy, and the upper room for a Masonic hall. Quite a complete idea may be gained of the purposes for which this building was intended, by referring to a copy of the records taken July 4, 1860, from the foundation stone of Gates Academy, formerly situat- ed on " Old Meeting House Common," now known as High School Common. This record was deposited by the members of the Old United Brethren Lodge, Aug. 30, 1827, of which the following is an exact copy :

" On the 30th day of August, 1827, was laid the foundation stone, on which is to be erected a build- ing to be devoted to the promotion of Literature, Science, Moral Virtue and the Ancient Order of Ma- sonry. By the liberality of a number of individuals of the Town of Marlborough, in which there are now three churches, the ministers of which are Revs. Syl- vester Bucklin, Seth Alden and Joseph E. Merrill, ten School Districts and two thousand inhabitants."

In connection with this statement there was also deposited a copy of the Articles of Agreement, speci- fying that the building about to be erected was to be used as follows: "The lower story of the building shall be used for teaching children and youths, and the second story shall be finished in such manner as to accommodate the Free Masons."

On the above date the District Deputy Grand Mas- ter was present with his suite, opening a Master Mason's Lodge in Masonic Hall, and repaired to the site of the new building, where the impressive cere- monies attending the laying of the corner-stone were solemnized. During the fall and winter months of

1827-28, the Academy Building, as it has since been known, was completed, and the new Masonic apart- ments in the upper story were appropriately dedica- ted April 24, 1828, Wor. Brother Richard Farwell being the presiding Master. These rooms were com- fortably, though not elaborately, furnished, and meet- ings were continued in them during the remainder of the existence of Old United Brethren Lodge, which probably terminated its active work about 1831 or 1832, though the name of United Brethren Lodge was borne on the Grand Lodge records as late as 1834.

On the 21st of January, 1830, a committee was chosen to take into consideration the "general state of the lodge," and as this was about the time the anti-masonic craze began, embracing the Morgan ex- citement, and more especially the political agitations of those days, many refrained from active member- ship. With such an outspoken opposition, though founded entirely on prejudice, the society became un- popular, and it is probable that our brethren deemed it wise to discontinue lodge work until a more auspi- cions season.

Of the disposition of the furniture, jewels and par- aphernalia of the order, no account is given, but the records of Old United Bretbren Lodge, from Septem- ber 8, 1824, to October 27, 1830, inclusive, were found among the books and papers of the late brother Nicholas B. Proctor, after his decease in 1867. The leaves were without binding, probably detached from the secretary's book of records. Having had them newly bound, they were returned, together with bro- ther Proctor's Masonic diploma, to the possession and care of the lodge, by his loyal sous, Joseph, Col. » Alfred N., and Albert E. Proctor, December 12, 1888.

The re-organization of United Brethren Lodge was not effected until the fall of 1859. On December 1st of this year, a meeting of the brethren was held under Dispensation at the office of Messrs. Boyd & Corey, corner of Main and Maple Streets. Several representatives of the old lodge of thirty years pre- vious were present, together with resident members ot "Middlesex " of Framingham and other lodges. Preliminary arrangements were made for permanent- ly organizing a Master Mason's Lodge, securing snit- able apartments and furniture, and the election of officers. After several preparatory meetings of the brethren, a hall was secured over the Boyd & Corey office, and Alexander C. Felton, Esq., was selected to preside over the lodge as its first Master.

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 199

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